Chapter 377: Half a Dao Scripture Subdues the Heavens (Guaranteed Basic Chapter)

"Simply absurd!"

Sage Hún Tiān rebuked angrily, "You have only just become a Sage, yet you are so rampant. Do you truly believe Sages are immortal? If you seek death, I will personally grant it to you!"

As he spoke, immense power emanated from his body. Above the Dao Arena on his head, the firmament churned like surging ink, as if pierced by his sharp words.

Beside him, Sage Fǎ's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at him. He remained silent, uncharacteristically refraining from commenting on Li Hao.

Although he disliked Li Hao and found Li Hao's actions arrogant, they did not violate any rules.

Moreover, the grievances between Li Hao and Buddhism, and with Void Sage, were well known. Resolving them in the Dao Arena was therefore reasonable.

Furthermore, he also wanted to see where Li Hao's confidence stemmed from. Could it be from the Source Ancestor?

If so, many things would become interesting. He glanced at the Source Ancestor, only to see surprise in the Source Ancestor's eyes. He couldn't help but feel a trace of surprise himself. Could it be he was overthinking things?

"Hàotiān, have you considered it carefully?"

At this moment, Sage Yī also spoke. Her voice was gentle and soft, flowing like sweet spring water.

Though she was asking Li Hao, the Sage Dao aura she subtly released effortlessly blocked Sage Hún Tiān's imposing manner, preventing it from affecting Li Hao.

Li Hao glanced at Sage Hún Tiān. Their eyes met, both filled with anger. Li Hao concealed his killing intent deep within his heart. He knew that beneath the surface of the other's seemingly furious gaze, there was also killing intent.

Both concealed themselves, not revealing it. But Li Hao knew that a battle between him and Hún Tiān was inevitable, just not now.

"Even if I want to retreat, I fear some people are unwilling to let me. If Sage Hún Tiān can ensure that none of them challenge me, then I will retract my words!"

Li Hao sneered inwardly. Since the other party was feigning to protect him, he would let the Buddha Lord and the others fret first.

Hearing Li Hao's words, Sage Hún Tiān's expression softened slightly. He turned his gaze towards the Buddha Lord and Void Sage and the others.

The Buddha Lord and Void Sage did not expect Li Hao to actually back down. They were immediately filled with doubt. Could it be that Li Hao's move was a tactical retreat? With a Supreme Sage protecting him, if they couldn't challenge Li Hao at the Dao Debate, then there would be no chance to kill him again!

"Supreme Sage Hún Tiān, this child has insulted my Buddhist Sect. I must engage in Dao Discourse with him!"

The Buddha Lord spoke first, not waiting for Sage Hún Tiān to speak, stating his position.

Although the other party was a Supreme Sage, he was not all-powerful, especially with other Supreme Sages present.

"You, a Three Calamity Sage, are seeking Dao Discourse with a new Sage. Isn't that a bit too much bullying?"

Sage Hún Tiān's expression turned cold upon hearing the Buddha Lord's words, and he couldn't help but say.

Although he was ostensibly protecting Li Hao, he was inwardly furious at Li Hao. This troublemaker was actually making him clean up his mess.

"Although Honored Heaven is a new Sage, he may not see us old-timers in a favorable light."

The Buddha Lord said calmly. These words were again deliberately intended to draw hatred towards Li Hao, hoping to incite dissatisfaction among the Sages.

However, the other Three Calamity Sages glanced at him, their brows slightly furrowed with displeasure. They were not fools. Everyone knew the feud between Buddhism and Li Hao. Honored Heaven was targeting Buddhism. Trying to drag them into this was a bit excessive!

"Indeed, he is so rampant, looking down on all Heavens. If we don't give him a warning today, I fear no one will be able to control him in the future!"

Void Sage also spoke.

Sage Hún Tiān was annoyed and said, "Even if it's Dao Discourse, sending one person is sufficient. Why must you all go into battle? Could it be that you want to use this opportunity to bully a new Sage and destroy his Sage Dao?"

He made the intentions of Buddhism and Void Sacred Ground clear. However, the expressions of the Buddha Lord and Void Sage remained calm, unchanged.

"Since Honored Heaven has come here, he must have prepared for Dao Discourse. In that case, it is our mutual willingness to engage in Dao Discourse. Sage Hún Tiān, please do not interfere?"

Buddha Qīng Dēng slowly spoke, gazing intently at Sage Hún Tiān.

Sage Hún Tiān's expression was gloomy. These words were indeed correct. Li Hao had come here, obviously with preparations to respond. He just hadn't expected Li Hao's response to be so reckless, practically courting death.

Could it be that someone had leaked information, and the other party knew he would protect him?

Sage Hún Tiān glanced at Sage Yī, only to see her gaze fixed on the arena, her expression unreadable. A hint of coldness flickered in his eyes.

"Humph, if that's the case, then please proceed!"

Sage Hún Tiān suddenly stopped being forceful, saying coldly.

Seeing him suddenly cease his insistence, Buddha Qīng Dēng and the Buddha Lord exchanged glances, secretly relieved. But immediately, they swept their gazes towards the other Supreme Sages, worried about further complications.

However, the other Supreme Sages merely stared at Li Hao, remaining silent.

Sage Yī glanced at Sage Hún Tiān, their eyes meeting. Seeing a cold smile from Sage Hún Tiān, she frowned slightly. Then, she looked at Li Hao, only to see that Li Hao's expression did not change due to Sage Hún Tiān's withdrawal, remaining calm and composed.

She frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and remained silent.

"Everyone, this is my Dao Discourse with him!"

At this moment, Emperor Tiān Jí in the Dao Arena suddenly spoke. His expression was extremely ugly. The crowd's argument seemed to have overlooked him, the protagonist.

He was the one who had challenged Li Hao to Dao Discourse, but everyone else seemed to assume he would lose to Li Hao. How could that be?

The Buddha Lord's expression changed slightly as he looked at this old friend.

He clearly saw that the other party was genuinely angered. At the same time, his friend's voice reached his mind:

"I don't want that thing anymore. Don't you come up. I must kill him through Dao Discourse. I will definitely kill him!"

Emperor Tiān Jí cultivated the Emperor Dao. Since childhood, he had been a ruler, surrounded by adulation, with himself as the center. He had never suffered such great humiliation, being so lightly regarded and overlooked.

"Brother Tiān Jí…"

The Buddha Lord's expression was somewhat troubled. This was a perfect opportunity to eliminate Li Hao.

"Do you think I am inferior to him?!"

Emperor Tiān Jí was enraged. While transmitting his voice, he glared angrily at the Buddha Lord.

The Buddha Lord felt a bit bitter. He did not think Emperor Tiān Jí would lose, but Li Hao was too strange, and so arrogant and confident. He did not want to risk any chance of failure, even if it was just one in ten thousand!

"Come up!"

Emperor Tiān Jí glared at the Buddha Lord and then sternly shouted at Li Hao.

As he spoke, it was like an Emperor issuing a decree, containing absolute authority, causing people to instinctively want to obey.

Li Hao merely glanced at him indifferently, and coldly said, "I have said, your Sage Daos are but minor Daos. You are not worthy!"

"Must I take action to capture you and bring you up here!"

Emperor Tiān Jí's expression was icy cold, his eyes undisguisedly filled with killing intent.

Li Hao noticed Sage Fǎ's lips slightly parted, clearly about to speak. He couldn't help but shake his head. This Sage Fǎ was truly a busybody. He was too lazy to argue further and leaped onto the Dao Arena.

Seeing Li Hao finally step onto the Dao Arena, Emperor Tiān Jí's eyes blazed with killing intent. He immediately unleashed his Sage Dao power and roared:

"Mountains and rivers, sun and moon, are all formed from minute dust particles. The Emperor is the one who gathers the power of Heaven and Earth. The Emperor Dao is the Heavenly Dao, the Sun, Moon, and Heaven and Earth!"

As he spoke, his Sage Dao manifested behind him like a majestic dragon bone, pressing down on Li Hao.

Li Hao's hair fluttered in the wind, but his expression remained calm, as if bathing in a gentle breeze, without the slightest change. He stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently:

"Dust settles and forms mountains, but it is no longer just dust. An Emperor gathers all things, causing them to lose themselves. To gather all things into one is to be a loser!"

"When all things gather, strife is inevitable. All strive to be superior, wanting to become the main body."

"Where there is strife, there is defeat. Cultivating this Dao will lead to tribulations of defeat, ultimately ending in utter failure!"

As he spoke, he directly analyzed the core of Emperor Tiān Jí's Emperor Dao. The process of condensing the Emperor Dao was nothing more than "strife"!

Seeing that the core of his Sage Dao was actually revealed by Li Hao in a single sentence, Emperor Tiān Jí's enraged face sobered up considerably, revealing a hint of shock. He stared at the young man. The other party did not seem to be as he had imagined – just arrogant and powerful in battle, with nothing else to offer.

"It is precisely through non-contention that one becomes invincible!"

Li Hao slowly spoke, his Sage Dao aura manifesting behind him. Merely the light emanating from his Sage Dao was like a brilliant silver sword, instantly severing Emperor Tiān Jí's Sage Dao!

In an instant, the dragon bone-like Sage Dao was cut into two sections, its core broken!

And before his eyes, a large amount of Poetry and Prose experience leaped out, and the Poetry and Prose Dao rapidly improved.

Emperor Tiān Jí grunted, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his body staggering backward in shock, looking at Li Hao in terror.

His eyes revealed fear and disbelief.

"It is precisely through non-contention that one becomes invincible?!"

As these words were uttered, the Emperor Dao shattered.

In the sky, the thunderous sound of the Great Dao resonated like morning bells and evening drums, causing everyone to awaken as if startled by spring thunder, all feeling horrified, goosebumps rising all over their bodies.

This one sentence actually triggered the rumbling of the Great Dao, indicating that it had touched the origin of the Great Dao!

"Non-contention is non-defeat, non-defeat is invincibility…"

"Non-contention… is contention!"

Source Ancestor murmured to himself, his eyes slightly wavering. He looked at the young man again, but a solemn expression emerged in his eyes. Such Dao words directly reached the origin of the Great Dao, causing his mind to feel a tremor.

Fortunately, he had cultivated for many years, condensing the origin of all things, and had long touched upon this principle. However, he had not, like Li Hao, stated the origin of this Dao so succinctly.

"Non-contention, how can one become an Emperor…"

Emperor Tiān Jí spat out blood, his Sage Dao declining. Fear was revealed in his eyes, but he gritted his teeth, wanting to question Li Hao. His Sage Dao was also merging together, trying to condense again.

Li Hao showed no sympathy in his eyes. The sword formed from his Sage Dao aura slashed out again.

The Sage Dao that Emperor Tiān Jí had just gathered was severed again, and his aura immediately weakened significantly further.

That Sage Dao, which had been baptized by Heavenly Tribulation, was now easily defeated by Li Hao's Sage Dao.

"Mountains do not refuse dust, so dust accumulates into mountains; it is not that mountains strive to attract dust. Seas do not reject fullness, the great sea gathers ten thousand rivers, also not through striving, all are ten thousand rivers flowing back naturally!"

"The will of the people is the true Emperor!"

Li Hao spoke every word like a precious gem, accompanied by his Sage Dao aura, completely severing Emperor Tiān Jí's Sage Dao and shattering its origin.

"Mountains do not refuse dust…"

Emperor Tiān Jí was stunned, his mind vibrating like thunder. He tried hard to preserve his Sage Dao, but his own Sage Heart had already shattered.

Li Hao's words were like steel knives piercing into his heart, overturning all his thoughts.

When the Sage Heart shattered, it meant that from the depths of his heart, he acknowledged Li Hao's words as truth.

"I…"

Emperor Tiān Jí opened his mouth, but only spat out a mouthful of blood. Countless Great Dao auras suddenly scattered from his body, flying towards Heaven and Earth. His own long hair rapidly withered and aged, transforming from a noble and majestic middle-aged Emperor Sage into a twilight-stricken old man in the blink of an eye.

The robes on his body seemed to have also lost their color.

"Tiān Jí…"

The Buddha Lord's expression changed drastically, looking at this scene in shock and anger.

Li Hao actually broke Emperor Tiān Jí's Sage Dao with just one sentence!

And Li Hao's own Sage Dao had not even fully manifested, yet merely his Sage Dao aura was already so terrifying!

Buddha Qīng Dēng frowned, staring at Li Hao, his eyes rather gloomy.

Sage Hún Tiān, seeing this scene, was not only shocked, but also secretly relieved. No wonder this kid dared to challenge so many, it turned out his Sage Dao had grown to such a degree.

Deep in his eyes, a slight hint of killing intent flickered. Just having passed the Human Tribulation, he was already at this level. If he waited until he passed the Heavenly Tribulation, he would probably be even more of a delicious morsel.

However, he faintly felt that by then, he might not be able to control Li Hao. It would be better to nip him in the bud early.

Thinking of this, his gaze gradually became calculating.

"How did you comprehend such a Great Dao…"

At this moment, in the Dao Arena, Emperor Tiān Jí, looking like a withered old man, said despairingly to Li Hao.

He had fallen from the Sage realm, his Sage Dao destroyed. The Great Dao he had absorbed also left him. His cultivation plummeted, and he could no longer be considered a Sage.

Therefore, in Li Hao's Sage Dao, he saw light, saw a path, even having the impulse to pursue it.

This was the horror of Dao Discourse. Once one's own Sage Dao origin was broken, one could potentially be enslaved by others, becoming their disciple or believer.

"Heaven and Earth are my teachers, everything has already been told to us, it is just that you have not seen it."

Li Hao said calmly.

Emperor Tiān Jí's eyes were desolate, without words. Like a lonely old man, he turned and left the stage.

The Buddha Lord glanced at him. The other party's Sage Dao was broken, and it was impossible to become a Sage again, unless he cultivated another Sage Dao. The Emperor Dao was impossible to cultivate again.

And cultivating another Sage Dao would be a new path. Cultivating on this path would be no different from others, at most, his aptitude would be slightly superior.

He withdrew his gaze, not looking further, and turned to stare at Li Hao in the Dao Arena, his eyes revealing fear and killing intent.

"Are you still going to attack?"

The Buddha Lord transmitted his voice.

Buddha Qīng Dēng stared intently at Li Hao. After a long while, he whispered, "His Sage Dao just happened to counter Emperor Tiān Jí's Sage Dao, which is why he shattered his Sage Dao. Non-contention… this Sage Dao does not conflict with ours. In Dao Discourse on this Dao, he will surely lose!"

Hearing this, the Buddha Lord also came to his senses and immediately nodded.

He had just been frightened by Li Hao. But upon careful thought, it was indeed so.

After all, he had only become a Sage for half a year. How could his Sage Dao truly reach such a terrifying level, that merely a slight manifestation could shatter the Sage Dao of a Three Calamity Sage? Even a Supreme Sage was only so powerful!

On the other side, Void Ancestor of the Void Sacred Ground and Buddha Qīng Dēng exchanged glances. Buddha Qīng Dēng rose and said:

"This old monk will have a Dao Discourse with Honored Heaven, to talk about this non-contention!"

Li Hao sneered, the other party could not sit still after all.

But he knew that just now had been somewhat risky, alarming the fish in the pond. Now, it was time to close the net.

"Is it only you? Where are the others? You can also come on stage together. My non-contention is invincible!"

Li Hao said.

Seeing Li Hao's arrogant appearance, the Buddha Lord sneered. Did he think he could use the remaining power from just now to intimidate them? How ridiculous!

"Since that is so, then we will fulfill your wish."

The Buddha Lord said with a compassionate expression.

It was as if going on stage was to fulfill Li Hao's wish.

Li Hao sneered, not bothering with the Buddha Lord's hypocritical posture. Heaven and Earth were imperfect, and the other party was cultivating the missing part. He could completely understand why they were so despicable.

Apart from the Buddha Lord, Sages from other prayer mats suddenly stood up one after another.

"Honored Heaven looks down upon us so much, this old man will ascend to the heavens for a Dao Discourse."

"My Battle Dao also wishes to discuss with Honored Heaven how non-contention can be invincible!"

"My Spear Dao, the king of all weapons, is born a king. Non-contention is also a kingly way. I will also come to experience Honored Heaven's Non-contention Dao!"

As some Sages rose, other Sages all focused their gaze, recognizing that these people were all Sages friendly with Buddhism and Void Sacred Ground. They had not expected them to mobilize so greatly to kill this new Sage.

Fēng Bō Píng's expression changed, somewhat shocked and angry. He took a step forward.

Li Hao, however, transmitted a message to him: "Elder Fēng, no need to worry, whoever comes today must die!"

Hearing his cold words, the words Fēng Bō Píng was about to speak immediately choked in his throat. He looked at Li Hao in astonishment.

Li Hao had already withdrawn his gaze, merely coldly watching these Sages take the stage.

The Buddha Lord and the Twin Buddha Sons also took the stage. Buddha Qīng Dēng and Void Ancestor were the last to take the stage, their expressions calm.

At this moment, including Buddhism and Void Sacred Ground, there were thirteen Sages in the Dao Arena!

Adding Li Hao, there were fourteen people in total.

Such a lineup caused many Sages watching from outside to have solemn expressions. Their gazes frequently turned towards the Supreme Sages, only to see that they seemed to have no intention of intervening.

And the many Half-Sages outside the arena were so shocked that they could not speak. Some of the older Half-Sages had participated in several Sage Dao Discourses, but they had never expected this session to be so intense.

"Non-contention…"

Outside the Dao Arena, Emperor Tiān Jí, who had walked out, looked at this scene. Apart from sadness in his eyes, there was also a hint of madness. He stared intently at Li Hao, wanting to see how the Non-contention Dao could overcome Buddhism, War Sage, and many other Sages.

One had to know, the Daos of other Sages were not countered by Non-contention.

"Since the Dao Discourse began, this is the first time that multiple Sages are engaging in Dao Discourse with one person. This is somewhat unfair to Hàotiān. If Hàotiān's Sage Dao is broken, you must not push your advantage!"

At this time, Source Ancestor also spoke, his expression stern.

He rarely became serious. The Buddha Lord and Void Sage and the others all nodded, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Hearing these words, Source Ancestor did not intend to intervene, and also implicitly agreed that Li Hao's Sage Dao would be broken by them, pushing him back from the Sage realm to the Half-Sage realm.

They understood the meaning of Source Ancestor's words. Breaking this Hàotiān's Sage Dao was enough, they had to spare his life!

As for why they needed to spare his life, the Sages all knew. After all, in two and a half years, it would be time for the Ancient Palace to open.

At that time, they would still need this monstrous talent who had mastered the Sixth Extreme Realm to be their key, to explore the path to Immortality and Divinity.

And by then, if the other party was not a Sage, it would be easier to control, without even the capital to bargain.

When they had finished using Li Hao, they could then decide whether to kill or keep him alive, and no one would interfere.

"Rest assured, I will spare your dog life, I will not kill you!"

Li Hao heard the voice of the Twin Buddha Sons in his mind. He looked at Li Hao with a gloomy expression.

Li Hao merely glanced at him, his eyes full of contempt, "Already fallen into depravity and become a demon? Even your original intention is lost. What qualifications do you have to stand before me?!"

As he spoke, he revealed powerful confidence and a condescending air of superiority.

This aura caused the Twin Buddha Son's expression to slightly change, and then he stared angrily at him, "It's all you who ruined me!"

"It is you who ruined yourself!"

Li Hao snorted coldly, too lazy to pay him any more attention.

He swept his gaze across the entire arena. Thirteen Sages surrounded him, all emanating vigorous Sage Dao auras, all of them Three Calamity Sages!

Clearly, just now, Li Hao breaking Emperor Tiān Jí's Sage Dao with a single sentence had made other Sages who had not completed the Three Calamities afraid to rashly take the stage. Although Li Hao was alone, no one knew if he would desperately retaliate at death's door, pulling a soft target down with him as a scapegoat.

"In that case, let the Dao Discourse begin!"

Source Ancestor said no more, only taking a deep look at Li Hao, a hint of regret revealed in his eyes.

Sage Hún Tiān glanced at him, not expecting Source Ancestor to actually have no intention of intervening. His brow furrowed, his expression not pleased.

Although Li Hao's life could be preserved, the effect of this flesh pill was equivalent to being invalidated, unless he took him under his wing and cultivated him again. But whether he could still walk that path was yet unknown.

As Source Ancestor's words fell, the Buddha Lord and others surrounding Li Hao immediately manifested their auras, all releasing their respective Sage Dao auras.

Like thirteen pillars of light, soaring straight into the sky. With so many Sage Daos manifested, countless Great Dao auras gathered above the Dao Arena, clouds and mist surging.

"All things are in battle, fighting from within the womb. Battle Dao is the supreme Dao of Heaven and Earth, battle to the peak!"

War Sage had a burly physique. Within his Dao Arena, the gleam of blades and shadows of swords flickered, the light and shadow of many weapons intertwined.

He was War Sage, all things in the world were his weapons, all could fight for him. He cultivated many secret techniques, and could quickly master them. Among the Sages, he was one of the few who cultivated the most techniques and had the most diverse skills!

His Sage Dao transformed into a huge Sage Axe, violently chopping down towards Li Hao.

Li Hao, however, looked up, watching the violently falling Sage Axe. From his Sage Dao behind him, a sword light erupted, instantly deflecting it.

War Sage's expression changed slightly, not expecting Li Hao's Sage Dao to actually have a restraining effect on his Battle Dao as well.

"Everyone comprehends Sage Daos, there is Battle Dao, Buddhist Dao, Void Dao, Spear Dao…"

Li Hao stood in the center of the Dao Arena, surveying the Sages around him. In his cold eyes, a powerful light gradually erupted, "Then this Venerable One asks everyone, what is Dao?!"

His voice suddenly became loud and clear, like thunder exploding, reverberating across the Dao Arena.

The Buddha Lord and other Sages all had slight changes in their expressions, and then their minds were slightly shaken.

What is Dao?

Before they could ponder, Li Hao's Sage Dao within his body slowly extended outwards. It was indeed a brilliant silver light, like a peerless scripture, but hazy within the excessively dazzling light, making it impossible to see clearly.

But as that Sage Dao manifested, the Supreme Sages outside the Dao Arena could not help but slightly widen their eyes.

"Dao that can be spoken of is not the constant Dao!"

Li Hao's words were like the booming sound of a bell, not questioning the Sages, but interrogating.

At this moment, he provided the answer for the Sages, giving an answer to all Heavens.

"Name that can be named is not the constant Name!"

As Li Hao's words echoed, the expression of the Name Sage slightly changed, feeling that the origin of his Sage Dao was actually being drawn, feeling a kind of throbbing.

"Reversal is the movement of Dao!"

As Li Hao's third sentence fell, in the firmament, a Dao of supreme aura seemed to manifest.

As if the origin of the Great Dao had its veil lifted, revealed to the world.

Apart from the Buddha Lord and Buddha Qīng Dēng and others in the Dao Arena, the Sages of all Heavens outside were also alarmed, and couldn't help but look towards the firmament.

(End of chapter)