Chapter 364: Inviting Teachings from the Heavens

Li Hao's expression was calm. He perceived that the Twin Buddha Child's aura had indeed changed. Previously, it was both righteous and evil, a fusion of Buddha and demon, but now the Buddha-nature was restrained, the demonic nature was heavier, and there was a faint hint of madness.

It seemed as though he had pushed some path to its extreme, breaking the previous balance.

Li Hao paid it some attention, but didn't dwell on it too much.

Even if the other party inherited the Saintly Dao power of his past life, what he carried was ultimately the cultivation and physique of the Dao Law Realm. The power he could unleash was very limited.

Across the thirty-three realms of the Heavens, each realm had ten slots, including Li Hao, totaling 330 participants. They were all top Heavenly Prides selected from billions upon billions of beings in their respective realms.

At this moment, the waiting area was nearly full. It was composed of floating stone platform seats, extremely eye-catching.

As Li Hao walked through, besides the Twin Buddha Child, many gazes fell upon him, covertly scrutinizing him. Some were even more blatant, even carrying a hint of provocation.

Li Hao calmly swept his gaze across, seeing some chilling eyes. Though unfamiliar faces, they seemed to harbor some animosity towards him already.

He ignored them. Under the weight of fame, it was inevitable to attract trouble.

Vaulting onto a stone platform seat, he settled down, exchanged greetings with familiar faces like Lin Qingying and Ji Xuanshen with a look, and then began to survey the venue for this contest.

He saw that the peak of Heavenly Origin Holy Mountain was extremely vast. Though called a peak, it was boundless. The sky was filled with vibrant colors, and the天地energy was so dense it felt like viscous seawater. Now, Saints from the Heavens had descended here, restraining their auras, and it was their true forms. Their Saintly Daos secretly intertwined, subtly creating a fantastical sky-scape.

Auspicious phantom images of dragons and phoenixes manifested, drifting in the void. The Great Dao was like misty floss, emitting strange colors, floating in the sky.

Among them, some Saints were invited and openly revealed their auras. Dao rhymes gathered around them, some like golden chariots and iron horses, with countless phantoms surrounding them. Some had a divine ruler condensed above their heads, seemingly capable of measuring天地.

These magnificent sights were naturally pleasing, giving one a feeling of boiling blood.

Li Hao's gaze shifted, noticing that the Buddha Venerable had also come, and hadn't restrained his aura, seemingly invited as well.

In his position, golden light shone brilliantly outside the lotus platform, occupying a place amidst the天地phenomena.

The Heavenly Treasure reward for the champion of the Heavenly Pride Battle was partly provided by the Buddhist sect, hence they received an invitation from the Origin Ancestor Holy Land.

Besides him, the Void Saint also didn't restrain his aura. In his standing position, the surrounding phenomena seemed to become illusory, blurring, standing between天地, yet seeming to exist in a void, incompatible with the world.

As Li Hao looked towards them, the Buddha Venerable and the Void Saint also looked towards Li Hao, but their gazes didn't seem to focus on Li Hao, but rather looked towards the waiting area, unfocused. However, Li Hao could sense that their eyes contained undisguised killing intent, a killing intent only he could see and feel.

Seeing the Void Saint, killing intent flickered in Li Hao's eyes. He knew that if this wasn't within the Origin Ancestor Holy Land, the other party would have attacked him without hesitation.

They had become enemies, with no room for reconciliation.

Li Hao coldly withdrew his gaze, turning to look at the other Saints.

The most eye-catching figure among them was the white-robed old man seated in the center. His body was imposing, like a Dharma idol reaching the heavens. His robe, though white, was as fine as silk, billowing in the wind, giving a feeling of crane-like hair and immortal countenance.

Li Hao knew that this was the Origin Ancestor, the most ancient Saint in the Land of Saints.

He held an extremely high position even among the Supreme Saints.

Not far from him, there were five or six other Saints, their presence even more majestic than other Saints. Li Hao knew that these were the Supreme Saints from the Upper Three Realms Holy Lands.

Besides them, Li Hao also saw a familiar face, it was actually the Sword Master.

His aura was also not concealed, seated in the void, but around him seemed to be countless sword shadows flickering, appearing and disappearing in the void. His expression was calm, yet gave people a feeling of inaccessibility.

As Li Hao looked towards him, the Sword Master also seemed to be looking at Li Hao, and gave him a slight smile.

Li Hao couldn't help but smile back, nodding to him.

Apart from these Saints, there were also many Half-Saints around. Li Hao scanned around, and in the innermost circle closest to the battlefield, it was actually completely encircled by them!

Truly… Half-Saints were as common as dogs.

But Li Hao knew that this was a gathering of the Heavens, and there were probably many who hadn't come to join in the excitement.

Among these Half-Saints, Li Hao also saw some old acquaintances, Yao Ancestor, Sandalwood, and others.

When their gazes met, they all revealed smiles.

And under the encirclement of Saints, in the very center surrounded by everyone, was a huge battlefield. But the battlefield contained condensed weather like storms and blizzards, with lightning flashing from time to time, like a dangerous forbidden zone.

Not long after, the remaining participating Saint Sons and Saint Daughters also arrived one after another.

Of the 330 seats, seven were left vacant.

The Half-Saints from the absent participants' sects went before the Origin Ancestor, tremblingly explaining the reasons.

Some were coincidentally in critical seclusion, and they hadn't dared to disturb them. Although the Heavenly Pride Battle was crucial, they feared it would be difficult to contend for the top ten, so their sects chose to let them continue their seclusion, to avoid losing out on both fronts.

Others were unable to come due to some "accidents."

Li Hao's eyes flickered. It seemed that besides him, there were also many struggles between other Holy Lands.

Where there is fame and gain, there is conflict.

Li Hao sighed in his heart. Even Saints could hardly escape this.

The world chased after fame, seeking nothing more than renown.

Grandmasters found sects and establish schools, enjoying centuries of incense offerings.

Saints spread the Dao and establish teachings, leaving their names for thousands of generations, endlessly reincarnating.

However, he seemed to be no exception. He had come here for fame as well, and behind fame was gain.

As the divine sun shone upon the corona, when the time arrived, the Origin Ancestor spoke, announcing the official commencement of the Supreme Heavenly Pride Battle.

At this point, the entire Holy Mountain trembled, and the previous discussions and cheers briefly quieted down.

Then, the Origin Ancestor softly explained the rules.

First, the top hundred slots, advancing to the top hundred, then battling and competing layer by layer!

And the rule for selecting the top hundred slots was extremely simple and crude: those confident could step onto the stage and accept challenges. Defeating three opponents, or facing no challenges, would secure advancement to the top hundred!

Each person had only one chance to challenge, and winning a challenge would replace the challenged. Winning two more times would secure advancement!

Such a selection process would undoubtedly be extremely rapid, which surprised many of the Heavenly Prides who had come here. Many felt a sense of unease in their hearts.

They had fought their way through small worlds, defeating strong enemies, becoming top Heavenly Prides in their respective small worlds. Coming here, they were treated like grains of sand in a great wave, a rough and brutal selection.

If they were defeated in the top hundred selection, probably no one would remember them.

Having traversed thousands of mountains and rivers, crossing the void to arrive here, only to be an unremarkable member among numerous Heavenly Prides.

Compared to some people's complex expressions, more people had a glint of excitement in their eyes, revealing strong confidence, feeling that this method was excellent, very much in line with the minds of Heavenly Prides like them.

They should cut the nonsense and just get straight to it. Strength and weakness would be known in a single contest.

Moreover, just the top hundred was meaningless. If they didn't have the ambition to aim for the top ten, coming here would be in vain.

As the Origin Ancestor finished explaining the rules, he announced the start, with another Saint from the Origin Ancestor Holy Land presiding.

Outside the battle stage, a huge Bone-Reflecting Mirror floated. Those who stepped onto the stage needed to be illuminated by the Bone-Reflecting Mirror to prevent any imposters.

"Who is willing to go first?"

The Saint from the Origin Ancestor Holy Land asked with a smile.

The crowd below stirred. Many were eager to make a move, but a figure suddenly flashed, using the power of Void Return Teleportation to directly arrive before the Bone-Reflecting Mirror.

Immediately, the Bone-Reflecting Mirror displayed his age and lifespan.

68 years old!

Such an age could be considered young among the Heavenly Prides.

After the Bone-Reflecting Mirror verified his eligibility, he directly stepped onto the stage, tall and straight, with a face like jade, looking handsome and otherworldly.

"Famous Family Holy Land, Bai Yuan, invites teachings from the Heavens!"

As the clear and confident, domineering words spread out, waves of discussion and exclamations immediately erupted from the crowd outside.

Famous Family Holy Land, this was a Holy Land of the Upper Three Realms, 'Purple Yang Realm', with a Supreme Saint seated there. This Bai Yuan was likely a disciple of a Supreme Saint!

His reputation wasn't great in the Heavens, but in the Upper Three Realms, he had already shown his sharpness. Therefore, those from the Upper Three Realms who had come to watch became excited, issuing cheers and shouts of approval.

The many figures who had initially wanted to be the first to step onto the stage paused slightly, then their expressions became solemn.

Even if some didn't recognize Bai Yuan, they knew the weight of the Famous Family Holy Land.

Disciple of a Supreme Saint!

These four words alone were enough to cause a sensation like thunder.

In an instant, the area outside the stage quieted down. People looked at each other, some with thoughtful expressions, but none made a move.

And others from the Upper Three Realms, though wanting to spar with him, also knew that this was just the top hundred competition, not yet the time to clash with him.

Otherwise, they would inevitably expose their trump cards in advance, which would be somewhat unwise. Moreover, going all out in the top hundred competition would also be a bit unseemly.

In the brief silence, no one challenged for a moment.

The domineering words "inviting teachings from the Heavens" seemed to momentarily suppress the entire scene!

Such a performance brought joy and cheers to many disciples of the Famous Family Holy Land below the stage, issuing excited howls.

"Saint Son Bai Yuan is mighty!"

"Domineering, this is our Famous Family's Saint Son, no one in the Heavens dares to step up!"

Many disciples of the Famous Family were extremely excited.

But these words were spoken too late. If said earlier, some would inevitably find it displeasing and step onto the stage to diminish his prestige.

Hearing the Saint from the Origin Ancestor Holy Land announce his advancement, Bai Yuan's lips curled into a smile. He swept his gaze over a few figures in the crowd, as if saying, I'm waiting for you!

Then, with a whoosh, Bai Yuan turned and stepped down from the stage, returning to the waiting area.

But such a domineering opening made the Heavenly Yuan Realm power figures who had come to watch remember this top Heavenly Pride.

Li Hao saw the other party's provocative gaze, but didn't care. He had no intention of stepping onto the stage to challenge.

As Bai Yuan stepped down, a second figure immediately Void Return Teleported to the Bone-Reflecting Mirror, vying for the second chance to appear.

On the Bone-Reflecting Mirror, age appeared, 78 years old.

But his appearance was that of a youth, spirited and handsome. After stepping onto the stage, he calmly said, "Yin Yang Holy Land, Lin Zhuo, invites everyone to teach me. My cultivation is not strong, please don't waste this opportunity."

Though his tone was humble, his words were even more arrogant, the provocation obvious.

Hearing him say this, someone in the waiting area couldn't sit still. A figure teleported out, came to the Bone-Reflecting Mirror for testing. Within a hundred years old, he then stepped onto the stage.

"My cultivation is still short, and I only want to get into the top hundred. Then I'll pick a soft persimmon."

The person said calmly, but everyone could see that these words were aimed at Lin Zhuo's words.

However, there was also risk in saying these words.

Lin Zhuo, hearing the other party's words, curled his lips, saying, "Then let's try."

Soon, as the formations condensed, the storm and blizzard phenomena on the battlefield gradually emerged, lightning surged. Besides battling each other, they also had to avoid these law attacks.

Bang!

As the battle erupted, Lin Zhuo suddenly offered a Sun Moon Divine Wheel, containing the ultimate meaning of Yin and Yang.

The challenger, however, erupted with extreme realms, layers of extreme realms manifested. Sensing the terrifying aura contained in the Sun Moon Divine Wheel, he directly unleashed a Heaven and Earth Cosmic Avatar.

The majestic Cosmic Avatar shone forth, and then unleashed a terrifying lightning light, tearing towards the Sun Moon Divine Wheel.

But the Sun Moon Divine Wheel alternated and rubbed, seeming to cut open the void. Lin Zhuo still wore a faint smile on his face, but a glint flashed in his eyes. The Divine Wheel erupted, suddenly closing, actually emitting a nascent Saintly Dao aura of destruction!

Bang!

The vast lightning light suddenly shattered, and the randomly sweeping storm and lightning were also dispersed.

These storms, blizzards, and lightning were to prevent battles from becoming protracted, leading to tedious stalemates. The purpose of the top hundred battle was for rapid selection. These storms and blizzards would also continuously strengthen over time.

But at this moment, just as the great battle had erupted, the destructive power was still ordinary, not causing interference to the two.

After shattering the lightning light, the combined Sun Moon Divine Wheel suddenly transformed into a dazzling crimson-gold divine light, sweeping past, with sparks and light points lingering along the way.

With a bang, it directly tore apart the person's Cosmic Avatar, cutting it in half.

That person spat out a mouthful of blood, the Cosmic Avatar dissipated, looking at the other party in shock.

Five extreme realms manifested, yet he was defeated in just two exchanges.

And the other party seemed to have only used the extreme realm power of the天地脉.

"So strong!"

"Is this the disciple of a Supreme Saint? As expected, arrogance has its capital!"

"He was clearly being humble, not arrogant."

"…With your mind, even if you went to a Small Thousand World, your parents wouldn't find you."

"Speaking of which, that person is also very powerful, five extreme realms, also a top Heavenly Pride, yet he was so easily defeated before a Supreme Saint's disciple!"

"Don't you see, that person revealed Half-Saint level methods. How many in the Dao Law Realm can compare to a Half-Saint?"

The area outside the battlefield became somewhat lively, with much discussion.

Lin Zhuo put away the Sun Moon Divine Wheel, looking at the other party's coughing blood appearance, smiled calmly, "It seems your eyesight isn't very good either, picking the wrong soft persimmon. If you want to get into the top hundred, practice more."

After speaking, he turned and scanned in all directions, saying, "Is there anyone else willing to teach me?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept past the crowd, then glanced at Li Hao, a playful smile on his lips.

Li Hao slightly raised his eyebrows. These guys seemed to have ideas about him.

However, he ignored them. The other party's nascent Saintly Dao, fusing Yin and Yang, producing collision and destruction power, was one of the Saintly Daos that Yin Yang Great Dao could sprout.

But it was different from his own Saintly Dao.

However, he was currently only in the nascent stage of Saintly Dao sprouting, not yet truly thought out the vague true meaning of the Saintly Dao in his heart.

"If I rush to cultivate, it would be easy for the nascent path of the Common People's Dao to step into Half-Saint, but the Common People's Dao is not my true wish…"

Li Hao's eyes flickered, pondering the true meaning of his Saintly Dao.

Seeing Li Hao didn't respond, Lin Zhuo chuckled lightly, calmly waiting.

But this time, no one continued to challenge.

As Lin Zhuo smoothly advanced, the next person immediately followed.

As one after another took the stage, the first four or five were disciples of Supreme Saints, and then others from other Holy Lands snatched the opportunities.

Soon, as people from other Middle Nine Realm Holy Lands appeared, someone immediately challenged, and a great battle erupted on stage, becoming intense.

Li Hao quietly watched, seeing that Lin Shu Hai and Chi Guang and others hadn't made a move. The challenge opportunity was only once. Missing it meant only defending, and if defending failed, they would be eliminated.

Although they had ambitions to aim for the top ten, at this moment, seeing that many of the disciples of Supreme Saints vaguely possessed Half-Saint methods, the ambition in their hearts couldn't help but gradually weaken, feeling pressure, and also placing more importance on this challenge opportunity.

As battle after battle unfolded, the atmosphere on scene became extremely heated.

After dozens of battles, those who went on stage later no longer rushed to compete, all carefully considering, some even wanting to wait until later, to observe more.

Not long after, Li Hao saw Chi Guang and Ji Xuanshen and others also successively go on stage to defend.

But their reputations were not prominent, not widely spread in the Heavens. Soon, people from other small worlds stepped up to challenge.

However, after fierce battles, they all revealed extremely strong strength.

Chi Guang's Flame Dao divine power had already entered the Dao, easily burning his opponent, and making his name begin to resonate in the Heavens.

Ji Xuanshen revealed five extreme realms. Though he didn't unleash any dazzling methods, his combat was as smooth as flowing clouds and water, his actual combat experience extremely strong, also making many people feel awe.

Not long after, Bright Moon Sword also went on stage to defend.

When the Bone-Reflecting Mirror showed his age, the entire scene was shaken.

Only 26 years old!

At such an age, to actually be able to take the slot from a small world to participate in the battle, this was somewhat outrageous.

Hearing the cheers from outside the stage, Bright Moon Sword's face became even redder, like a red apple. But after stepping onto the stage, he drew his sword, and the blush on his face faded, replaced by a bit of seriousness.

(End of chapter)