Chapter 426: Eternal Dao Heart, Nine Chimes Resounding Through Heaven and Earth
Accompanied by the surging bell chimes, many people suddenly opened their eyes, looking towards the young man before the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth.
That young man, using his own dao heart to resonate with the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth, actually struck out the fourth chime – a Heaven-level dao heart?!
The expressions on many faces were no longer calm, their gazes slightly fixed.
"A Heaven-level dao heart, it seems his grand aspiration is immense!"
"Aspiring to establish a Divine Dynasty to protect all people is only a Profound-level dao heart. Spreading teachings for eternity is merely an Earth-level dao heart. We, comparing ourselves to Heaven and Earth, aspiring to pursue the Eternal Immortal Path, only then do we condense a Heaven-level dao heart. Only eternity is the ultimate."
Luo Sheng, Dong Dao, Chen Baoyu, and the others who had previously spoken with Li Hao, all had solemn expressions. They hadn't expected this newcomer to actually possess a Heaven-level dao heart. This was a level higher than they had ever achieved. It meant that while they were still pursuing spreading teachings for eternity and educating the masses, the other person had already set his sights on pursuing the Eternal Immortal Path, eternal and undying!
They all faintly sensed that this newcomer was a formidable future competitor.
Indeed, having arrived at this place, the Immortal Emperor's lineage was right before their eyes. Although they were outwardly amicable, they were secretly vying with each other. After all, this was the Immortal Emperor's lineage, and only one could inherit it!
The rest were all competitors. Such temptation was right before them. In the early days, some had even attempted to frame other exceptionally talented saints, but after being reprimanded by Elder Wang, no one dared to do so again. They could only strive to improve themselves.
Just as many people were engraving Li Hao's appearance in their minds, suddenly, the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth vibrated again. Immediately afterwards, the fifth chime resonated!
Dang—!!
This chime, like a morning bell and evening drum, fiercely reverberated in everyone's hearts.
The focused crowd all deepened their gazes, a hint of shock appearing on their faces. What was going on?
The fifth chime?
Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow – four chimes were already the limit. How could there be a fifth chime?!
While everyone was shocked and astonished, Elder Wang, standing not far away on the grassy slope, was also slightly stunned. Then, his eyes suddenly brightened, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
A fifth chime? He knew that Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow corresponded to four levels of dao heart, but Heaven-level dao heart was not the peak.
The Immortal Dao inheritance from all heavens was collected and sealed here. No one knew that after Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, there were still Chaos Dao Heart, Eternal Dao Heart, and the supreme Heavenly Dao Emperor Heart, mastered only by the Immortal Emperor!
If a Heaven-level dao heart possessed a dao heart comparable to Heaven and Earth, then a Chaos Dao Heart was to traverse the river of time and condense Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, possessing the ambition to create a world.
As for the Eternal Dao Heart, it wasn't about pursuing eternal and undying existence. The pursuit itself was something for the weak. The Eternal Dao Heart had no pursuit. It condensed millennia into a single instant. Oneself is eternity. Self-contentment comes from within. Control everything, see everything directly, becoming the supreme master of heaven and earth!
As for the Heavenly Dao Emperor Heart that only the Immortal Emperor possessed, Elder Wang didn't know either. That was a state of mind he couldn't imagine.
Amidst everyone's astonishment, the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth continued to vibrate, and the sixth chime rang out.
Elder Wang stroked his beard and smiled, nodding repeatedly. This Great Bell of Heaven and Earth resonated four times, corresponding to Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.
As for the Chaos Dao Heart, it would chime three times consecutively after the four chimes, meaning seven chimes in total!
And the Eternal Dao Heart would be ten chimes!
As for the Heavenly Dao Emperor Heart, it couldn't be tested by the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth. Nothing in this world could prove it.
Soon, the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth chimed seven times. Everyone was a little numb, turning their heads in shock to look at Elder Wang. At this moment, they even suspected that there was something wrong with this instrument. Surpassing Heaven-level dao heart was already unbelievable, but it had rung three more times consecutively, spanning three levels? Was this possible? They couldn't imagine it.
"No need to be surprised, this is a Chaos Dao Heart, capable of making the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth chime seven times."
Elder Wang sensed the incredulous gazes directed at him and smiled reassuringly.
Hearing Elder Wang's words, everyone was both shocked and bewildered. They had never heard of it, but clearly, this surpassed the Heaven-level dao heart and was a state of mind beyond their comprehension.
As the reverberations of the seventh chime faded, Li Hao was also a little surprised. But at this moment, the eighth chime rang out.
This time, the smile on Elder Wang's face suddenly vanished, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the young man's back.
Dang—!!
Soon, the ninth chime resounded, deafening and echoing outside the entire Heavenly Calamity Hall.
Everyone was a little lost, looking at Elder Wang.
He had just said that Chaos Dao Heart was seven chimes, so what about now?
Elder Wang stared at Li Hao's back, saying nothing. As the lingering sound of the ninth chime gradually dissipated, this time, the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth seemed to slowly quiet down, no longer vibrating, and the fluctuations emanating from it also gradually subsided.
The Great Bell of Heaven and Earth stopped vibrating.
It returned to its original state, suspended in the void.
And behind Li Hao, a deathly silence fell.
Nine chimes resounding, in the human realm, nine was the extreme number. This was also why emperors called themselves the "Nine-Five Supreme."
Li Hao had actually reached the extreme. This was already beyond their comprehension.
"I… I didn't mishear, did I?"
"Is this a dream? Nine chimes? Elder Wang said Chaos Dao Heart was seven chimes, so what does this count as…"
"Just how high is his dao heart?"
Shock was evident in everyone's eyes. This newcomer had given them an enormous shock, something never before seen.
Elder Wang also recovered from his surprise at this time. He took a deep look at Li Hao, a trace of excitement surfacing in his eyes. In his heart, he faintly felt that the person he had been waiting for countless years seemed to have finally appeared.
Nine chimes, this meant that Li Hao's dao heart was an Eternal Dao Heart. Although it hadn't reached perfection, even among Immortal Kings, only a few possessed such a dao heart.
Elder Wang had served by the Immortal Emperor's side and knew a secret: although dao heart couldn't significantly affect actual combat strength and realm, when cultivating to certain bottlenecks, the higher the dao heart, the faster the breakthrough. This was an invisible influence!
Furthermore, to reach that supreme imperial throne, one must surpass the Eternal Dao Heart. This was the first threshold!
"Senior."
Li Hao had already returned to Elder Wang's side. As he passed by, he caught sight of the shocked gazes of Luo Sheng, Chen Baoyu, and the others on the meditation cushions. Combining their previous words, he immediately realized that he might have caused a big stir and become the center of attention.
He chuckled inwardly. This was not what he had intended. He didn't want to attract too much attention so early after arriving here.
"What is my situation?"
Li Hao asked Elder Wang, puzzled.
Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow should have ended at four chimes, but it had stubbornly reached nine chimes, surpassing Heaven-level dao heart by five levels. This was a bit exaggerated and outrageous.
Elder Wang's thoughts returned, and looking at Li Hao's bewildered expression, a thick smile of joy appeared on his face. He said, "No need to be too surprised, child. Heaven-level dao heart is just the starting point for becoming an immortal. Above that, there are Chaos Dao Heart and Eternal Dao Heart. You currently possess an Eternal Dao Heart."
As he spoke, he explained the relationship between dao heart and the bell chimes.
Everyone on the meditation cushions perked up their ears, listening attentively. When they heard Elder Wang's words, they were enlightened. In this light, it was only surpassing Heaven-level dao heart by two levels.
However, this was in comparison to their previous imaginations. Thinking carefully, it was still an extremely terrifying thing.
"Chaos Dao Heart, Eternal Dao Heart!"
"This is the first time I've heard of them. Elder Wang has never mentioned them to us before."
"Perhaps he thought it was impossible for us to reach them. After all, among those who have come here, only a few have a Heaven-level dao heart right from the start. I wonder what kind of state of mind a Chaos Dao Heart is. Isn't being comparable to Heaven and Earth enough?"
"Eternal Dao Heart, could it be pursuing eternity? If so, then it doesn't seem to be much different from a Heaven-level dao heart."
Everyone discussed, their gazes fixed on the young man, temporarily setting aside the cultivation they had been contemplating.
Hearing everyone's discussion and seeing their complex expressions, Elder Wang knew that this matter had had a great impact on them. If he didn't explain it clearly to these youngsters, distractions would affect their subsequent cultivation.
He was in a very good mood, smiling and saying, "This Eternal Dao Heart is not about pursuing eternity, but rather, the heart is eternity! As for the difference within, you can slowly comprehend it yourselves. But for you all, the most important thing right now is to strive to pass the trials. Dao heart is just a threshold, far too distant for you."
His words were meant to comfort and advise, but when they fell into everyone's ears, they tasted somewhat unpleasant.
Clearly, Elder Wang had already decided that they couldn't reach it, and pondering it was meaningless, a waste of time.
"The heart is eternity…"
Mu Sheng's eyes flickered as he muttered to himself. How could one be considered eternity?
The other saints also fell into contemplation. Elder Wang paid them no more attention, instead saying to Li Hao, "Come, I will impart immortal techniques to you. With your situation, immortal techniques of immortality are definitely out of consideration. This Ninth-Grade Mixed Origin Divine Blood is fixed and cannot be improved. Even if you use immortal techniques to cultivate, you won't be able to cultivate it. Only in the second trial will you need to use your physical body."
Returning to the front of the thatched cottage, he was no longer in the leisurely mood to sit on the rocking chair and sway. He said to Li Hao, "With your primordial spirit strength, you should be able to master the Yama Immortal Technique quickly."
Li Hao nodded, saying, "Yama and Myriad Daos, I want to try both."
His physical body was not here, so immortal techniques of immortality were impossible to cultivate. However, once he had thoroughly studied Yama and Myriad Daos, he could ask for immortal techniques of immortality later to record in his panel, so that when he had the chance to leave this place, his physical body could use them.
"Oh?"
Hearing Li Hao's words, Elder Wang was not annoyed by his ambition. Instead, he said with interest, "It seems you are very confident in your techniques. Which dao are you cultivating?"
"Sword Dao."
Li Hao replied.
"Have you made a Sacrificial Dao?"
Elder Wang inquired.
"Yes."
Li Hao nodded.
Elder Wang laughed. Being able to make a Sacrificial Dao, no wonder he was so confident. However, compared to Li Hao's primordial spirit, even the Sacrificial Dao was still a bit lacking.
But he didn't advise or stop him too much. After all, being able to make a Sacrificial Dao was enough to show that Li Hao's talent in sword dao was extremely high. Choosing the Myriad Daos Immortal Technique was not wrong either.
"You can decide for yourself. If you cultivate both, I don't doubt you can master them, but your mastery speed will be slowed down. You came later than them, but here, there is no difference between early and late arrivals. It's not calculated based on cultivation time. Whoever passes the three trials first can go to that Heavenly Calamity Hall and receive the ceremony to become a nominal disciple of the Immortal Emperor."
Elder Wang said, "The fastest among them is already in the second step and is about to break through. You have to hurry."
Li Hao nodded slightly, understanding in his heart.
Mu Sheng, Ming Sheng, and the others in the distance also heard Elder Wang's words, their expressions complex. But similarly, they withdrew their thoughts and realized that this newcomer was extremely extraordinary. They sensed a strong sense of urgency from Li Hao.
If they didn't continue to speed up, they might be surpassed by this newcomer who had come later.
This was the Immortal Emperor's lineage. Even if they only obtained the nominal disciple status temporarily, after leaving this place and going to the True World, they could become extremely dazzling existences.
Soon, they all closed their eyes, forcing themselves to calm down, abandoning distractions, and immersing their minds back into the previous comprehension.
Luo Sheng and Dong Dao also felt a sense of urgency. They glanced at Li Hao and then threw themselves into cultivation.
Although they were still in the first step, no one was willing to give up until the last moment.
In front of the thatched cottage, Elder Wang raised his hand and tapped Li Hao's forehead, saying, "I will first impart the Yama Immortal Technique to you. This is an immortal technique specifically for condensing the primordial spirit. It also includes three primordial spirit combat techniques, specializing in slaying evil souls and ancient demons!"
Li Hao immediately felt vast amounts of information flood into his memory, as if they were things he had already mastered, only suddenly recalled.
The Yama Combat Technique had three levels, but Elder Wang only imparted the first level.
Completing the first level to perfection was considered passing.
This first level had three primordial spirit combat techniques: Yama Avatar, Yama Blade, and Netherworld Shield Technique!
The first two were offensive combat techniques, and the third was defensive, capable of withstanding the opponent's attacks in primordial spirit battles.
Li Hao absorbed them quickly. His tenth-stage Dao Comprehension and numerous understandings were all on parallel lines. Anything below the parallel lines could be easily absorbed and understood.
The cultivation methods for the three combat techniques were quickly absorbed by him.
"This is the Myriad Daos Immortal Technique. You can choose sword dao. Using sword dao to break through myriad daos to achieve perfection is considered passing."
Elder Wang said, and another set of immortal techniques was transmitted from his fingertip.
Li Hao slowly accepted it. The Myriad Daos Immortal Technique included blade, sword, axe, spear, and so on. One only needed to choose one and cultivate it to perfection.
Li Hao chose the Sword Dao Immortal Technique. His tenth-stage Sword Dao comprehension quickly absorbed and understood it.
He wasn't in a hurry to bring up the panel to check, but simply nodded, saying to Elder Wang:
"For cultivation, is it on the meditation cushions over there?"
"That's right, those meditation cushions are made from silk drawn from the bark of the Enlightenment Dao Tree. They can increase your chances of sudden enlightenment."
Elder Wang said to Li Hao, "Remember not to be greedy."
But after saying that, he chuckled to himself and shook his head. With the Eternal Dao Heart of nine chimes, he was definitely not the type to be greedy for such things.
Li Hao nodded and feigned going to the meditation cushions.
As Li Hao arrived, many saints who had calmed their minds still heard Li Hao's footsteps and sensed his aura, opening their eyes to glance at Li Hao.
But they soon frowned, cursing themselves inwardly, and continued to close their eyes and meditate, abandoning distractions.
Li Hao found a meditation cushion and sat down, then looked around, seeing that the saints around him were all diligently cultivating with closed eyes. He smiled faintly and brought up the panel to check.
Soon, in the many cultivation methods on the panel, he found the two immortal techniques that had just been recorded:
Immortal Technique: Yama · Desolation (True Meaning Perfection)
Immortal Combat Techniques: Yama Avatar (True Meaning Perfection), Yama Blade (True Meaning Perfection), Netherworld Shield Technique (True Meaning Perfection)
Seeing the display, a smile appeared on Li Hao's face. Combining the three combat techniques he had mastered in his mind, as if he had practiced them for hundreds of years and was extremely familiar with them, all that was left was to personally demonstrate them.
"This Yama Immortal Technique has three levels. The first level is Desolation. Tenth-stage Dao Comprehension can actually directly bring it to True Meaning Perfection. If I break through perfection, it will be the 'Origin Source' level."
True Meaning, Origin Source, Ultimate.
These were the three levels of Immortal Dao, each level having the distinction of entry and perfection.
Li Hao's previous tenth-stage Sword Dao had mastered even the most basic Dreamlike Nine Abyss Sword Art, Immortal's Guidance, to the Origin Source level, its power increased several times, extremely terrifying.
"If it were just a Sacrificial Dao, one might not be able to cultivate to perfection. The main reason is the panel's tenth stage, which not only includes the Sacrificial Dao, but also absorbs all tenth-stage comprehensions. Cultivating on one's own would take countless years."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. With his tenth-stage Dao Comprehension, he could only master the first level 'Desolation' of this Yama Immortal Technique to the True Meaning Perfection level, not the Origin Source level. This was only the first level of this immortal technique. It was evident how high the grade of the complete immortal technique was, probably extremely famous immortal techniques even in the True World.
Immediately after, Li Hao looked at the Myriad Daos Immortal Technique.
Myriad Daos Immortal Technique · Sword Dao (True Meaning Perfection)
As he expected, it had also reached the True Meaning Perfection level.
If he were to demonstrate it to Elder Wang now, he should be able to directly proceed to the second step of the trial.
However, Li Hao was not in a hurry. The second step of the trial would definitely be more difficult than the first. He wanted to understand it first.
His tenth-stage Dao Comprehension and tenth-stage Sword Dao were both accumulated from the past. If the second and third steps of the trial were more difficult and tenth-stage Sword Dao and tenth-stage Dao Comprehension were not enough, he would have to seize the time to cultivate and find a way to break through the bottleneck of painting dao, cooking dao, and carving dao.
He just didn't know if adding points to the eleventh stage would directly make him a True Immortal.
After thinking, Li Hao left the meditation cushion and came to the front of the thatched cottage.
"What, feeling it's difficult?"
Elder Wang was sitting on the rocking chair, swaying leisurely. Seeing Li Hao come over so quickly, he couldn't help but chuckle and say,
"These are immortal techniques, different from what you have cultivated before. It's normal for you to feel it's difficult. Although I have high hopes for you, I can't break the rules. I can only impart immortal techniques to you. The rest is up to your own self-comprehension. I cannot interfere or control these things."
His words were very clear. If he were biased and gave the participants special tutoring, then the nominal disciple would be appointed by him, and the trials left by the Immortal Emperor would be meaningless.
Seeing that he had misunderstood, Li Hao didn't explain. He simply asked curiously,
"Senior, I just want to ask, what is tested in the second step of the trial?"
Elder Wang raised an eyebrow. If it were someone else, he would think they were reaching for the sky, having just begun to comprehend the first step and already thinking about the second.
But for Li Hao, based on his previous dao heart, he didn't think so. He would only think that Li Hao had other ideas, saying,
"This first trial tests your comprehension talent. The second trial is also like this. After all, to become a nominal disciple of the Immortal Emperor, one must have extraordinary comprehension. Otherwise, those Emperor-grade immortal techniques that shake the True World, if one doesn't have enough talent and comprehension, they can't comprehend them at all. Even if they are placed right in front of you, they are like looking at a celestial text."
"This second trial is to test your practical combat skills. I will replicate your own self, inheriting all the techniques you have mastered, and enhance them by onefold!"
He said with a smile, "In other words, you must defeat a version of yourself that is onefold stronger than you!"
Li Hao was stunned, somewhat surprised, and couldn't help but say, "Everything is the same? And onefold stronger?"
"That's right. In the face of an insurmountable absolute power gap in all aspects, see how you can break this dangerous situation, and generate quick wit in desperate battles!" Elder Wang said.
Li Hao was speechless. This trial was too perverted.
"Your trials are just for nominal disciples, not even that difficult. Back then, the Immortal Emperor's direct disciples, the power gap was threefold! That was true despair. Basically, you would be instantly killed upon engagement!"
Elder Wang said with a smile.
Li Hao was somewhat speechless. Defeating oneself with threefold power? That was indeed impossible to fight.
"Then what about the third trial?" Li Hao couldn't help but be curious.
Elder Wang smiled slightly, saying, "The third trial is still about comprehension!"
"You need to break through and become a True Immortal, condense an Immortal Seal, and prove your own immortal dao to Heaven and Earth. Furthermore, you must reach the Three-Seal Immortal Dao. This is the minimum requirement. And compared to the Immortal Emperor's nominal disciple trials in the past, the conditions are now relaxed. There is no time limit. In the past, it had to be within three thousand years. That was truly difficult."
Although Li Hao was somewhat prepared in his heart, he was still shocked.
The third trial actually required becoming a True Immortal!
"What is Three-Seal Immortal Dao?" Li Hao asked.
Elder Wang smiled, saying, "After you pass the second trial, I will explain it to you in detail."
Seeing this, Li Hao didn't pursue it any further, but sighed inwardly. He hadn't expected these three trials to be so difficult. Listening to his meaning, it was clear that it wasn't just enough to become a True Immortal; one had to be among the best of them.
This also meant that even if he passed the first trial now, it would be meaningless. He hadn't shown his skills in the second trial and had no confidence.
As for the third trial, he would need to delve into painting dao and other techniques.
Li Hao didn't delay any further. The gap outside might have True Immortal Realm ancient demons coming in again at any time. Moreover, Feng Lao and the others must be grieving over the news of his death. He had to go back as soon as possible.
He returned to the meditation cushion, opened the Heaven and Earth Space, and took out the drawing board from inside. Among the three tenth-stage techniques he currently possessed, he had to choose one, and not spread his efforts too thinly.
While rummaging through the drawing board and other materials, Li Hao saw the Flower-Play Token in the Heaven and Earth Space. Suddenly, an idea struck him. With the thought of giving it a try, he submerged his consciousness into the Flower-Play Token.
But soon, a barrier appeared, blocking his consciousness.
"Flower-Play Token?"
At this moment, a surprised voice came from beside him.
Li Hao turned his head to look and saw a young man with flowing long hair, wearing loose robes, and surprisingly adorned with a butterfly flower ornament on his head. He was looking at the Flower-Play Token in his hand with surprise.
"How do you have a Flower-Play Token?"
Next to him, another female saint said.
She looked like a peach blossom, graceful in demeanor, her clothes trimmed with gold thread, quite luxurious.
"You recognize it?"
Seeing these two, Li Hao's heart stirred, thinking of what Zhendan had said.
"This is made by us. Might you be someone from the Flower-Play Society?"
The handsome young man with the butterfly flower ornament asked gently.
"So you two are Flower Saint and Play Saint."
Li Hao realized. Zhendan had said that the two saints who founded the Flower-Play Society had long since disappeared and were nowhere to be found. Although the heavens had been so lively recently, they hadn't shown themselves. He hadn't expected them to be here.
"The Flower-Play Society still exists."
The female saint looked surprised, then revealed joy and a smile, saying to Li Hao, "I am Play Saint. How should I address you?"
When Li Hao first arrived, the two of them were in comprehension. It was only when Li Hao made the Great Bell of Heaven and Earth chime nine times that they noticed him, but they hadn't intended to initiate conversation and friendship until now. When Li Hao took out the Flower-Play Token, they sensed a familiar aura, and then a sense of goodwill and closeness towards Li Hao arose in them.
Li Hao was taken aback. He had thought the young man was Play Saint, but… the other was Flower Saint?
(End of chapter)