Chapter 418: Fury

Seeing Li Hao safe and sound, Feng Boping felt a surge of relief alongside his excitement.

Battling a True Immortal and returning alive was already a miracle. The destruction of Li Hao's physical body was enough to show just how difficult and dangerous this battle had been.

"It's good you're alright, it's good you're alright. Don't be so reckless again next time!"

"Mm."

Li Hao nodded, sensing Elder Feng's agitated emotions. He also felt a little apologetic in his heart, "I've worried everyone."

"You're still thinking about that? It's enough that you're back." Even the Sword Master's face revealed a rare smile.

Saintess Lie Tian walked over, playfully pinching Li Hao's arm, and said, "You really made people worry sick this time. Old Feng was almost in tears! The last time I saw him in such a pathetic state was when he was expelled from the sect..."

Speaking of this, she suddenly remembered that their former teacher, Saintly Lord Mi Tian, was still present. She couldn't help but turn her head and smile, a hint of playfulness in her expression.

Saintly Lord Mi Tian chuckled wryly, saying, "Back then, it was indeed this teacher who..."

"It's all in the past, I just said it offhandedly," Saintess Lie Tian quickly interjected.

Feng Boping glared at her. Although that past event was a scar for both him and his former teacher, their trip to Xumi Heaven this time could be considered a reconciliation.

While they were conversing, the other Saints gradually approached.

"Heavenly Venerable Hao, it's good you are safe."

Saint Ming saw Li Hao return alive, and undisguised joy filled his eyes. He had thought Li Hao would sacrifice himself to hold the rear, just like Ancestor Yuan and God-King, resulting in another fall of a top-tier powerhouse of humanity. He never expected Li Hao to escape from the hands of a True Immortal Ancient Demon. It was simply a miracle.

Moreover, this seemed to indirectly reveal that Li Hao was even stronger than Ancestor Yuan and God-King!

This was shocking news. This young man before them had repeatedly broken conventions. During the Supreme Heavenly Paragon battle, he had already shown the Saints his sharpness, becoming a Saint without relying on incense offerings.

"What about that Ancient Demon?"

Saint Fa, while joyful at Li Hao's return, couldn't help but think of the True Immortal Ancient Demon.

Hearing his words, everyone was startled, and they couldn't help but look at Li Hao, their eyes filled with questioning concern.

Li Hao's expression became serious. "I failed to kill it. Instead, my physical body was instantly destroyed by it. I escaped in haste, shaking it off and arriving here. Now that Ancient Demon..."

He paused, then said heavily, "Either it's searching for me everywhere in the Heavens, or... it's slaughtering."

Hearing the word "slaughtering," the Saints' faces changed, and they involuntarily clenched their fists. This wasn't anger, but a strong sense of self-reproach.

Although they had anticipated this when they retreated here for refuge – that without their support, the Ancient Demon would definitely run rampant in the Heavens, slaughtering innocents and causing untold devastation – when it actually happened, they felt as if ants were crawling all over them, an indescribable discomfort and unease.

Facing the Saints' silence, Li Hao didn't say anything accusatory or reproachful. The mistake had already been made, and saying anything now was too late. Perhaps the only way to have prevented the Saints' retreat was for him to have personally remained guarding the Immortal Gate.

He felt regret in his heart, glancing around the Holy Land and seeing many people of Great Yu.

He could recognize them as people of Great Yu mainly because of their clothing styles. Although there were countless Divine Dynasties in the Heavens, each dynasty's clothing and attire had subtle differences, stemming from the things they believed in, influencing every aspect.

"What's done is done, it was to be expected," Feng Boping said coldly, scanning the Saints. Then, worried that Li Hao might rush out again, he said, "Don't think too much. We're taking refuge here, we can recuperate for ten years. With your potential, you'll definitely reach a higher level in ten years, possibly even cultivate to Supreme Saint. By then, combined with the Martial Saint's military formation, you might be able to fight that True Immortal Ancient Demon."

He had also learned about the military formation from the Saints. Previously, they all thought Li Hao would die like Ancestor Yuan and God-King, and were considering choosing another person to be the linchpin of the formation.

Hearing Feng Boping's words, the Saints snapped back to reality and immediately understood Feng Boping's idea. Several of them started speaking up, trying to persuade Li Hao.

The others remained silent, finding it difficult to speak.

After all, they were the ones who made the mistake, and the living beings of the Heavens were now suffering an unprovoked disaster. Now they were even advising Li Hao to abandon them. If they weren't thinking that this action was for the greater good, their Dao hearts would be ashamed and collapse.

"That's right, you've only cultivated for less than 30 years and already become a Saint, able to kill the Three Calamities. Now you've spent twelve years in the Ancient Path, already surpassing Ancestor Yuan and God-King, and even escaped from a True Immortal's grasp. If you cultivate for another ten years, you might truly be able to contend with a True Immortal," Saint Ming quickly said, his eyes burning with strong hope and confidence in Li Hao.

The young man before him was definitely the most monstrous genius in the myriad ages of the Heavens. A Saint at thirty years old was exaggerated, but they could barely accept it. However, in just another twelve years, he had cultivated to a level surpassing Ancestor Yuan. This soaring speed overturned their understanding.

Li Hao nodded, he thought so too.

In this refuge, he would continue to delve into his arts and skills. Although there was no天地 energy here and cultivation was impossible, his cultivation didn't require overly abundant 天地 energy anyway, it was mainly about his state of mind.

Ten years. If he focused on research, Li Hao had confidence he could defeat a True Immortal.

"Mm."

Li Hao nodded, agreeing to their suggestion.

The Saints secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time, felt a sense of anticipation and eagerness, as if they vaguely saw hope again.

Ten years. If they could give this young man another ten years, could he continue to create miracles?

Thinking of Li Hao's monstrous talent, the Saints faintly felt a glimmer of hope in their hearts. Although small, it was still hope!

"There are so many barriers outside this Holy Land, this is..."

At this moment, Li Hao noticed the barriers enveloping the Holy Land, somewhat surprised.

"It's been too long. The Immortal God Remnants are incomplete, and the destructive power from the Divine Sun is seeping in. We have to use barriers to block it. With our strength and the Saints' strength, we can only maintain it for ten years," Fox Master explained to Li Hao. Her expression was complex. The memories of the little white fox from the mortal realm had merged with her own memories as the original self, becoming just a part of her, like a dream. But now, the person in this dream was becoming clearer and clearer, more and more familiar.

In the mortal realm, he guarded a lonely city. Now, for the sake of the Heavens, he had almost fallen.

"Incomplete?"

Li Hao was stunned. He focused his eyes to scan the Immortal God Remnants outside the Holy Land and immediately saw strands of destructive power permeating and wandering, crashing against the barriers outside the Holy Land.

Li Hao now understood why they mentioned ten years earlier. It turned out this refuge could only last for another ten years.

However, for him, ten years was enough.

"In these ten years, how does Heavenly Venerable Hao plan to cultivate? We will fully cooperate. If there's anything we can do, just speak up," Saint Ming said seriously to Li Hao, "Whether it's 天地 treasures, other divine medicines, as long as we have them, we will give them to you."

Saying this, he looked at the Saints, "Now, if anyone has divine medicines that can enhance cultivation, I hope you can offer them. As long as we survive this calamity, I will remember this kindness and definitely repay you in the future."

"Saint Ming, you're being too polite. There's no need for you to repay us. If it weren't for Heavenly Venerable Hao, we would already be dead. This is a life-saving grace. Even if we are the worst of people, we wouldn't deny a life-saving grace!" an elder Saint of the Three Calamities said.

"That's right, I have a divine medicine here that can temporarily increase divine consciousness intensity, and the effect is excellent, even for those at the 元神 Extreme Realm."

"I have three Yin-Yang Xuanji Pills here. When one is critically injured and on the verge of death, they can be reborn through Nirvana, and all aspects will be improved and enhanced."

"I also have..."

The Saints offered their divine medicines one after another.

Li Hao slightly waved his hand, stopping them from continuing to take things out. These divine medicines were not very significant to him. Even cultivation divine medicines were only helpful for cultivators to break through to Extreme Realms. And he had already reached the Extreme Realm in each realm. Taking these pills wouldn't have much effect, and couldn't help him break through the limits of the Extreme Realms.

"Let's talk about it when I need them," Li Hao said to the Saints.

The Saints were stunned to see that Li Hao wasn't even slightly moved by the many divine medicines presented before him. Even Ancestor Yuan and God-King would have found it hard to remain calm when faced with such offerings.

"Heavenly Venerable Hao, please don't be shy. As long as it can help you, even just a little, it's enough. You are the hope of the Heavens!" a Saint said seriously.

Li Hao slightly shook his head, "There's no need to mention it again. I need to prepare for cultivation."

Hearing this, the Saints immediately stopped talking, not daring to delay Li Hao.

Time was of the essence now, cultivation was a race against time.

Li Hao was about to leave when he suddenly noticed that his incense offerings were decreasing, and he was taken aback.

Decreasing incense offerings meant either believers had changed their faith, or they had died.

Li Hao thought of the True Immortal Ancient Demon and his expression changed slightly.

"That Ancient Demon, it might already be slaughtering."

Li Hao's face darkened again, and a heavier weight settled in his heart.

Those were, after all, the lives of the Heavens, countless in number, definitely not just billions.

A single small world had hundreds of billions of people, dozens of Divine Dynasties.

Not to mention the thirty-three Heavens combined.

"What's wrong?"

Feng Boping saw that Li Hao's expression was off and couldn't help but ask.

Li Hao slightly shook his head, "My incense offerings are decreasing. That Ancient Demon must be slaughtering."

The Saints were stunned. Then, several Saints also realized that their incense offerings were decreasing. They exchanged glances with each other and immediately asked the other Saints.

But the other Saints' incense offerings showed no changes. The faces of those few Saints instantly turned ugly. Their believers were mostly concentrated in the same small world, which was also where they mainly preached their Dao. Now, it seemed that small world was being invaded by the Ancient Demon.

"Damn it!"

"That damned Ancient Demon!"

Several Saints gritted their teeth and cursed angrily.

"If you want to see the situation outside, I have a Dao Tribulation Emperor Weapon that can project the coordinates and scenes of any place in the Heavens."

At this moment, a Saint who looked like a young man suddenly spoke.

Saint Ming, Supreme Saint Mo, and several other Supreme Saints couldn't help but look at him. Saint Ming seemed to realize something and quickly said, "Is it the Mirror of Heaven Gazing?"

"That's right."

The Saint was somewhat surprised, not expecting Saint Ming to have heard of this item.

"I obtained it in an ancient forbidden land. It can observe any place in the Heavens, and even the Divine Sun outside cannot block or interfere with it. I just tried it," the young Saint said.

The Saints all looked at him. One Saint asked, "Can it also peek into the Holy Land outside?"

A trace of unnaturalness appeared on the young man's face as he nodded, "Yes, it can."

The Saints were stunned and couldn't help but look at each other. This Emperor Weapon was too heaven-defying. Didn't this mean that if the other party was willing, they could even peek at them while they were cultivating?

No wonder, they had never heard this Saint mention this mirror before.

After all, such a treasure, falling into anyone's hands, would make the Saints uneasy. Nobody wanted to be spied upon while cultivating or doing secret things.

"No wonder, no wonder you established the Cloud Sparrow Tower, the number one intelligence organization in the Heavens."

A Saint sighed, but looked at him coldly, his eyes seeming to say that he suspected he had also been spied upon.

This young man was named Saint An, and he established the Cloud Sparrow Tower, known as Sparrow Lord within the Tower, extremely mysterious. There had always been rumors and speculations in the Heavens, guessing which Saint this Sparrow Lord actually was, but there was never an answer.

"I once sensed a trace of prying, could it be you?"

Saint Yi suddenly narrowed his eyes, staring at the other party with an unfriendly expression.

Saint An's face changed slightly, and he shook his head, "No, no, I would never pry on you Supreme Saints."

Although he said so, including Supreme Saint Mo, their eyes were slightly cold, obviously suspecting they had also been spied upon.

The other party must have grasped countless secrets, but they had never known. Although they knew he was the Sparrow Lord of the Cloud Sparrow Tower, they thought the Cloud Sparrow Tower collected intelligence through various channels, never expecting their Sparrow Lord to be the most ruthless, spying from home.

"Stop talking nonsense, take it out and let's see. From now on, this mirror will be placed in a public place, and must not be privately controlled by anyone," Supreme Saint Yin-Yang coldly snorted.

Saint An smiled wryly. He knew that exposing this mirror would lead to this situation. Even worse, because they were in a disaster refuge period and uncertain about the future. If it were before the Ancient Demon appeared, exposing this mirror would definitely lead to a major calamity for him.

Sighing inwardly, Saint An nodded, "No problem."

When he chose to take out this mirror, he had already made various preparations, but he didn't regret it.

Perhaps his spying these past years was a despicable act, but at this moment, at least he was being honest and forthright.

Whoosh!

Saint An flipped his palm, and an ancient, silver mirror appeared.

It was only palm-sized, with flowing silver edges and patterns containing natural Dao laws.

Everyone looked over and saw that under Saint An's control, the mirror projected a beam of light, like a projection, onto the Immortal God Remnants in the Holy Land.

Then, Saint An locked onto a location. He recognized those Saints whose incense offerings were dwindling, and knew their Holy Lands.

Along with a silver light, a tragic scene instantly appeared in the projected light.

Mountains of corpses like forests, seas of blood like oceans. Everywhere were fleeing, wailing figures, and many others with dim eyes, bodies without obvious injuries, but corpses whose souls had been absorbed.

Black mist permeated and surged, covering the sky. Under this mist, it was like purgatory.

The Saints' faces changed drastically when they saw this scene.

Li Hao also frowned, seeing in the projection countless common people fleeing in all directions, their faces filled with fear and panic.

These common people couldn't understand why suddenly such terrifying demons descended, killing everywhere. And those Saints they usually worshiped and offered sacrifices to, famous throughout the Heavens, had suddenly disappeared, with no one coming to their aid and slay the demons.

In the black mist, a hideous and enormous figure was soaring. Li Hao recognized it at a glance as the True Immortal Ancient Demon he had fought earlier.

At this moment, it was flying gleefully, constantly harvesting souls on the ground, occasionally landing its huge body in cities, directly crushing countless people to death. Among them were old people and children, beggars and wealthy dignitaries, but there was no difference, all turned into minced meat.

Seeing this brutal slaughter, the Saints' expressions became extremely ugly.

Li Hao's face also rapidly darkened, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

Although he had already accepted the fact that the Heavens would be slaughtered, seeing this scene with his own eyes ignited a fire of anger in his chest, an uncontrollable fury.

Those desperate and sorrowful faces in the face of absolute despair were too heart-wrenching.

And this was just one city, one small world had thousands upon thousands of cities!

Not to mention the thirty-three Heavens combined.

The imagined disaster, and the impact of witnessing it directly, were completely different things.

"This beast!"

The Saints all gnashed their teeth, feeling both hatred and pain.

Hating that Ancient Demon, and also hating themselves so much they wanted to slap themselves.

"Hmm?"

Saint An's expression suddenly changed.

The True Immortal Ancient Demon in the projection seemed to have noticed the Heaven Gazing Mirror's prying. It suddenly looked towards the projection, as if piercing through countless spaces, directly staring at Li Hao and the Saints before the projection.

That pair of scarlet, cruel eyes made the Saints' hearts jump suddenly.

"Not good, it can detect us peeking!"

Saint An's face changed drastically. This Emperor Weapon of his was a Three-Tribulation Emperor Weapon, but in terms of offense and defense, it couldn't compare to Supreme Treasures. It almost had no related abilities other than this one point of peeking and projection. But even when he peeked at Supreme Saints, he was never discovered, never expecting this True Immortal Ancient Demon to notice it so quickly.

The True Immortal Ancient Demon in the projection seemed to open its mouth, letting out a roar. Immediately after, the projection abruptly cut off and disappeared. With a crack sound, a crack actually appeared on the Heaven Gazing Mirror, winding across the center of the mirror.

Saint An picked up the mirror with heartache, stroking the crack.

"It won't detect our location, will it?" a Saint asked in alarm.

Saint An looked up and saw the same tension on the faces of the other Saints. He endured the pain and said, "No, just now the Heaven Gazing Mirror's Dao Soul fell into a deep sleep. Before falling asleep, it told me it had blocked the other party's reverse probing."

Hearing his words, the Saints slightly breathed a sigh of relief.

"That was too risky just now."

"This is a True Immortal, it cannot be easily spied on."

The Saints were all still feeling lingering fear, waves of fear washing over them.

Li Hao's face was gloomy. The scenes from just now in the projection were still vivid in his mind. He couldn't forget them.

Ten years. In ten years, the Heavens would probably be reduced to ruins.

How many people would die tragically then?

Old people, children, women, commoners, emperors... all would die!

Countless cultivators, working hard day and night, yearning to reach the peak, yearning to become Saints, were directly wiped out by this sudden calamity.

Too unfair, too cruel!

Li Hao was silent.

Were they really going to just watch helplessly as the Heavens fell?

Previously, he had accepted this fact, but seeing the tragic scene with his own eyes, his heart wavered.

"Little brat, don't overthink it. This is something we can't avoid," Feng Boping quickly said, seeing that Li Hao's expression was wrong, his eyes filled with worry.

The Saints also noticed Li Hao's expression, and their faces slightly changed. They quickly comforted him, afraid that Li Hao would act impulsively.

Although they were also very angry just now, they had calmed down now.

And Li Hao, although he seemed to have calmed down, his heart was not at peace.

"Ten years..."

Facing the Saints' comfort, Li Hao felt that those voices were very far away from him. Clearly right next to his ears, yet they sounded like they were coming from a distant place. He didn't listen carefully, nor did he want to try to hear clearly. Before his eyes, the sorrowful and weeping faces were replaying.

After a long time, Li Hao took a deep breath, and the barrier in his ears seemed to disappear. Many voices suddenly surged in, becoming clear.

Li Hao looked at the Saints' nervous appearances, smiled slightly, and then scanned the Holy Land and the nine Immortal Islands, saying:

"This place can only last for ten years. I will find a way to make it last longer."

Feng Boping's face changed drastically, "What are you going to do?"

Li Hao glanced at him, didn't speak, just smiled.

"Don't be reckless, if you die, we will lose even the last bit of hope!" Feng Boping sensed Li Hao's thoughts and instantly became anxious.

Li Hao shook his head, "Taking refuge here, as long as we aren't detected by the True Immortal Ancient Demon, is absolute safety. As long as the Holy Land can last longer, we can wait for reinforcements from outside the Immortal Gate. Because news of this place has already been sent out."

He thought of the red spear woman, and thought of Nangong Jian. Even if the red spear woman was unreliable, but after fighting side-by-side for twelve years, Li Hao believed in Nangong Jian. The other party said they would come back to support him, they definitely would.

The Saints also realized what Li Hao wanted to do at this time, and their expressions changed drastically. Saint An also felt a little regretful, and quickly said, "Heavenly Venerable Hao, don't be impulsive. What if the reinforcements you mentioned don't arrive?"

Li Hao was silent. Naturally, there was also this possibility. Various accidents could prevent Nangong Jian from returning.

"I'm not being impulsive."

Li Hao took a deep breath and slowly said, "I just suddenly thought, if this True Immortal Ancient Demon absorbs the souls of all living beings in the Heavens, then it's very likely to undergo a transformation, and might even break through to True Immortal Sovereign!"

Hearing Li Hao's words, the Saints were stunned, and then the color drained from their faces.

"Ho-, how could this be?"

"Is it relying on absorbing souls to improve itself?" Saint Fa couldn't help but ask in shock.

Li Hao slowly nodded. Absorbing the souls of living beings in the Heavens, the True Immortal Ancient Demon's strength might increase to the level of a Commander. By then, unless he himself could break through to True Immortal within ten years, or even cultivate to the peak of True Immortal, it would be possible to contend with a Demon Commander, but this was just his estimation.

After all, Li Hao had never experienced the gap between True Immortal and Immortal Sovereign. But that red spear woman was an Immortal Sovereign, and it was said she could kill True Immortals in an instant without overstating.

"This..."

The Saints were all horrified. The hope they had just seen seemed to vanish in an instant.

Li Hao didn't say anymore. He had to seize every moment. Every second, this True Immortal Ancient Demon was killing, was slaughtering. He had to find it as soon as possible.

Logically speaking, it would be most suitable for him to act now, because the other party was becoming stronger every moment.

But he couldn't abandon Elder Feng, Sword Master, and many other friends to disregard. They were also his closest friends.

This battle was extremely dangerous, life and death were unpredictable.

And ten years. If he were to die, they could only live for ten years, equivalent to a death sentence.

Therefore, Li Hao wanted to make this Holy Land last longer. Regardless of whether Nangong Jian's and the red spear woman's reinforcements could arrive, at least if it lasted longer, there would be a sliver of hope!

This was also the only thing Li Hao could do at this moment to try and leave for them.

He walked out of the Holy Land, out of the barrier, standing in the Divine Sun.

With his physical body standing here, he also felt hot all over, but it wasn't unbearable.

He released his 元神, absorbing the rich solar essence here to enhance his 元神 power.

At the same time, while absorbing solar essence, Li Hao wasn't idle. He began to build the Holy Land again.

But this time, he didn't use the previous method to build it, but chose an unbelievable method.

Sculpting.

And it wasn't sculpting the Holy Land, but sculpting a cover large enough to encompass the Holy Land and all nine Immortal Islands!

But such a cover, needing to enclose hundreds of billions of lives, how colossal it would be.

Li Hao sat cross-legged in the void, focused his thoughts, and began to consider how to start sculpting.

"Hao Tian..."

Saintess Lie Tian and others looked at Li Hao's actions, their faces ugly, and they still wanted to persuade him.

But Feng Boping instead fell silent. At this moment, he didn't speak again.

He knew Li Hao's personality too well. Once he made a decision, he wouldn't easily waver.

"Quickly persuade him, let's think of another way."

"He just escaped and came back, is he going to continue fighting again? Isn't that going to his death?!"

The Saints were also a little anxious. Although the situation Li Hao described made them despair, for Li Hao to continue fighting now, they equally felt it was no different from suicide, and their hope would also be shattered.

"Don't disturb him, don't affect him, give him time, every second counts now," Feng Boping turned around and said coldly to the Saints.

The Saints looked at him, stunned, and saw a sadness in the old man's eyes that was as still and dead as a pool of stagnant water.

They fell silent, feeling a sense of powerlessness, like struggling in water but still unable to surface.

In the void, amidst contemplation, many thoughts revolved in his mind, those tragically dead faces, the Ancient Demon's ferocious blood-red eyes, the Saints' words, Feng Boping and the others' anxious and worried faces... Li Hao slowly calmed his heart, he knew that the more at this moment, the more he couldn't rush, the more he couldn't be distracted.

Distraction was the most time-consuming thing, it would make time flow away in vain.

Soon, many thoughts gradually dissipated, his heart sank to the depths of his soul, leaving only the thoughts of sculpting and constructing in his mind.

(End of Chapter)