Chapter 428: Three Years

Old Wang was amused by Li Hao's statement and chuckled, "You are indeed interesting. Then, so be it. To maintain such a peaceful mindset before the Celestial Emperor's lineage, neither hurried nor impatient, is truly rare. No wonder you possess an Eternal Dao Heart."

The previous nine resounding tolls of heaven and earth and the Eternal Dao Heart had made him deeply appreciative of Li Hao.

After all, possessing such a temperament at the Saint level was exceedingly rare, even during the flourishing era before the Age of Emperor's Fall. Such talent was truly exceptional.

"Does that mean senior has agreed?"

Li Hao's eyes lit up slightly.

"If you truly wish to learn, I can indeed teach you. What I plant here are not rice or wheat, but immortal herbs and divine grasses."

Old Wang smiled and said, "If you can truly learn it, it would be considered a skill. If the True World still had even three-tenths of its former prosperity, it would be enough for you to be revered as a distinguished guest in many immortal sects, reaching a position rivaling a Celestial Monarch."

Li Hao was astonished. He hadn't expected the other's immortal herb cultivation techniques to be so potent. Just relying on this one skill alone was enough to rival the status of a Celestial Monarch. Just how formidable was that?

"Then I must thank senior for your instruction."

Li Hao cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, intending to perform a grand bow.

Old Wang waved his hand and said, "If you can pass the three trials, you will be considered a nominal disciple of the Celestial Emperor. There's no need for such a grand gesture towards me. If you fail to pass, I will gladly accept your bow then."

Hearing this, Li Hao refrained from excessive formality. In his heart, his respect for this old senior grew.

"Then, I'll first teach you how to identify immortal herbs…"

Old Wang chuckled. Cultivating immortal herbs was his joy. When discussing these, the smile on his face became even warmer than usual.

Li Hao was led by him to the fields. Acre upon acre of fertile land, filled with immortal herbs and divine grasses radiating hazy, extraordinary phenomena. Li Hao saw the Great Dao in the void, like drifting catkins, landing around the immortal herbs, as if gentle, nurturing hands were delicately cradling these field crops of immortal herbs and divine grasses.

"This is Eternal Life Immortal Grass. It can absorb the energy of heaven and earth, and can grow well even without watering or cultivation. However, if it is cultivated, nourished with the Golden Dao essence, it can transform into Eternal Immortal Leaves, a core ingredient for refining the Eternal Undying Pill…"

Old Wang led Li Hao to the edge of the field, casually pointing at an immortal herb and introducing it to Li Hao.

Li Hao saw his kind expression, looking at the immortal herbs and divine grasses in the field as if they were his own children.

He was intrigued, feeling that immortal herb cultivation was also an interesting endeavor.

However, his panel didn't seem to be able to record this skill; it didn't fall under the category of arts or skills.

But Li Hao didn't dwell on this. He sat with Old Wang on the ridge between the fields, listening to him talk about the cultivation process of these immortal herbs and divine grasses, as well as amusing anecdotes from past cultivations.

Sun rose and sun set. Here, there was an alternation of sun, moon, and stars. Li Hao asked curiously, and Old Wang said it was the Palace Spirit of the Heavenly Calamity Hall autonomously evolving the celestial constellations.

Those constellations were by no means just decorations or for providing the world with day and night alternation and starlight. Instead, they formed a great constellation array, capable of making the power of the Heavenly Calamity Hall everlasting and undying.

Time flew by like an arrow.

Li Hao no longer sat on the futon to comprehend the Dao. Instead, he sat on the field ridge, chatting and laughing, learning various knowledge about immortal herbs from Old Wang.

The two of them were like farmers, completely unconcerned with their appearances. Li Hao rolled up his sleeves and tied his trouser legs high on his thighs. His feet were covered in mud, dangling in the field. From time to time, small black insects, like ants, crawled up his legs along the mud. These were not ordinary insects, but special spirit insects carefully cultivated by Old Wang.

These insects could stimulate the growth of immortal herbs and also eat away at the dull and obscure areas of the Great Dao within the immortal herbs, enhancing their quality.

In the spare time from learning farming, Li Hao casually asked Old Wang if he knew how to play Go. Old Wang smiled and countered, asking if he knew how?

Upon hearing this, Li Hao understood the situation. He took out a Go board from his spatial storage and challenged Old Wang to a match.

Old Wang was surprised to see that Li Hao actually carried a Go board with him. He then burst into laughter, rolled up his sleeves, and sat with Li Hao in front of the house, placing the Go board on a wooden stump used for chopping firewood on ordinary days. The old and the young began their game.

Li Hao was full of confidence, wanting to give this extremely high-realm senior a little shock in the way of Go. However, as his move landed, he was utterly crushed. It was as if he was proactively delivering his pieces into the opponent's hands. What had seemed like an advantageous situation reversed and transformed in an instant with the opponent's move.

As the game progressed, Li Hao began to doubt his life. He could no longer discern the advantage or disadvantage on the board, and his moves became hesitant and timid.

After losing three games in a row, Li Hao was somewhat bewildered. This was the first time in Go that he had suffered such a crushing defeat.

Old Wang chuckled, gathered his pieces, and said, "Your Go skills are already extremely rare and commendable, but if you want to beat this old man, you'll have to live for another hundred thousand years."

As he spoke, he laughed heartily, his expression brimming with pride.

Li Hao, however, had a dark face. He could accept defeat in combat, but definitely not in Go.

He stroked his chin, propped his cheek on his hand, and mentally reviewed the just-concluded games.

If his Go style lay in exquisite strategic layout, then the other's Go style was like a deer hanging its horns, leaving no trace to be found.

After a night of rest, Li Hao continued to pester Old Wang for another match the next day.

After losing four or five games in a row, finally, Li Hao faintly glimpsed a hint of Old Wang's Go strategy. With a piece sealing off the position, placed in an extremely inconspicuous spot, Old Wang let out a soft "hm?" of surprise. He carefully examined the board for a moment, then looked at Li Hao again, and couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration, "This kid's comprehension is truly high!"

However, in the art of Go, he would not show any leniency.

With a series of moves, he quickly ended the game.

Li Hao felt as if he had been punched twice, holding back a breath of frustration, almost spitting blood in anger.

Seeing Li Hao's stifled expression, Old Wang laughed even more heartily and asked, "Want to play again?"

"Play!"

Li Hao became even more serious, his moves even more carefully considered.

Then, he lost even more miserably.

The old and the young fiercely contested before the house. On the futon, a figure suddenly opened his eyes. His restrained aura subtly leaked out. A light bloomed in his eyes as he looked up towards the black tower in front.

Then, as if thinking of something, he turned his head to look around, but couldn't find that figure on the futon. His gaze immediately shifted to the front of the house.

He saw the wooden stump before the house. An old man and a young man, completely disregarding appearances, sat there back to back, fully engrossed, staring intently at the Go board.

The old man was composed, a smile on his face. The young man, on the other hand, scratched his ears and cheeks, his expression extremely grave, seeming completely focused, as if pouring all his mind into the game.

Seeing this scene, Saint Ming slightly raised an eyebrow. Earlier, in the midst of his comprehension, he had thought of that youth and looked over a few times. Every time he saw him, the other was either sitting on the field ridge chatting and laughing with Old Wang, or in front of the house, playing Go with him. He had never seen him sit on the futon.

Not cultivating?

Or was he trying to curry favor with Old Wang, hoping to get special treatment and instruction from him?

A cold smile faintly curled at the corner of Saint Ming's mouth. When he first arrived, he had also hovered around Old Wang, busying himself with tasks, pouring tea and water, massaging his legs and shoulders, showing utmost diligence. But although Old Wang enjoyed it and was very friendly to him, he had clearly told him that he would not impart any hints related to the trials.

This was a Great Dao constraint left by the Celestial Emperor. Moreover, even without this Great Dao constraint, Old Wang had no intention of revealing anything. The reverence in his heart for that Celestial Emperor surpassed everything, and he would never desecrate it.

After Saint Ming, he had also seen other Saints retrace his path, but they still received the same result.

Now, this newly arrived prodigy also wanted to take this shortcut, but he was clearly mistaken in his wishful thinking.

With the other's talent, if he honestly focused on cultivation, he still had a chance to catch up to them. But now, wanting to take a devious path and wasting time for nothing, he could only be sorry for himself.

Saint Ming stood up and headed towards the black tower.

Some Saints sensed his aura leaving and opened their eyes to look. Immediately, one of them said, "Saint Ming is going to challenge the 'True Venerable Tower'."

Hearing his words, other Saints who were not deeply immersed in comprehension also focused their minds, opened their eyes, and looked over, their expressions becoming solemn.

If the other passed, then he would have entered the third step, and the gap would become very large.

Among them, Saint Mu, with snow-white hair, sitting at the front, also slightly opened a slit in his eyes, coldly watching that retreating figure.

Among all the Saints, only he and Saint Ming regarded each other as rivals in the second step of the trial. After all, there was only one Celestial Emperor's lineage. Once obtained, one would soar to great heights, possessing a foundation to stand above all living beings in the True World.

And once one failed, one could only become one of the many True Immortals, even the pursuit of Celestial Monarch would become distant and arduous. The gap was too vast.

"Hm? That one is still playing Go with Old Wang."

At this moment, someone noticed Li Hao. He was not on the futon but still mixed in with Old Wang.

Although Old Wang's strength was extremely powerful, an existence they could only look up to, Old Wang would not help them with the trials. He would not offer guidance or relevant hints, so they had no time to engage in much conversation with this powerful figure.

"Probably wants Old Wang to guide him, but it's useless."

Someone shook his head, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Saint Luo, Saint Dongdao, Saint Chen Baoyu, and a few other Saints who had spoken with Li Hao earlier couldn't help but sigh inwardly, but they didn't say anything. Although they had a good impression of Li Hao, Li Hao was also their competitor. To remind the other party now would be equivalent to helping this most promising competitor get back on the right path.

Saint Hua and Saint You exchanged glances. Saint You suddenly transmitted a message to Li Hao, saying:

"Saint Ming is going to challenge the True Venerable Tower. If he passes, he might be the first to proceed to the third trial. When that happens, Old Wang will teach him the Dao of Immortality."

Currently playing Go and deeply engrossed in thought, Li Hao was completely oblivious to external matters. His mind seemed to be immersed in the Go board before him, in an absolute mental space, with only the Go board spread out in the starry sky, and a giant of Go sitting opposite him, looking down at him.

This pressure of Go skill forced Li Hao to devote his entire mind to the game, so that he could at least lose a little less quickly.

"Haotian, did you hear me? Although Old Wang is a good person, he won't help you in cultivation."

At this moment, Saint You's voice transmission sounded again.

This time, Li Hao heard it. He turned his head and looked, seeing Saint You and Saint Hua both looking at him with worry. He was taken aback, then understood their intention and immediately laughed:

"No hurry, when I can beat Old Wang, I'll come to cultivate."

If he could beat Old Wang, he felt his Go skill might even break through to the eleventh level.

"This…"

Saint You was slightly stunned, a bit speechless. Was Go really that captivating, making even the Celestial Emperor's lineage pale in comparison?

Li Hao withdrew his gaze, fixed it on the Go board, and immersed his mind in it again, completely unaware of external matters.

He pondered deeply, while Old Wang waited for Li Hao's move, looking at the young man before him with interest. The other was not pretending but truly showed no sense of urgency. Old Wang smiled slightly. Although letting Li Hao play Go with him was somewhat delaying things, he could see the aptitudes of those Saints. They wouldn't make significant progress in a short time. When Li Hao's interest gradually faded, he would pick a suitable time to make Li Hao honestly focus on cultivation.

Among so many trial-takers, the one he valued most in his heart was the young man before him. Although he couldn't give him hints or special treatment, he could at least urge him to cultivate.

At the futons, many people were silently calculating the time Saint Ming would take to complete the challenge.

Not long after, Saint Ming came out of the True Venerable Tower.

"It took longer than last time. It seems Saint Ming wasn't affected much and has even made a breakthrough!"

"Indeed, that one has gone down the wrong path, trying to curry favor with Old Wang, wasting his own time. My state of mind has also recovered."

"Old Wang said that if one can pass, one's combat intuition will reach an extremely exaggerated level. This is not a combat skill. Skills are accumulations of experience, but intuition is a kind of extraordinary combat ability that changes in an instant, requiring special methods to cultivate."

"We also need to work harder. Don't let Saint Ming truly step into the third step and cultivate the Dao of Immortality while we are still pondering the methods of the Immortal Dao."

Many Saints' expressions became solemn. They withdrew their gaze from Saint Ming, who had returned, and then all closed their eyes and concentrated on cultivation. Some also smiled and congratulated Saint Ming.

Saint Ming's expression, however, showed no joy or anger, appearing quite cold. Although he had lasted longer this time, he felt he was still far from defeating it. He had already used his quick wit several times to turn danger into safety, but it was still not enough.

He turned his head and glanced at the figure before the house. Seeing the other fully focused on the Go board, his eyes showing no distraction, he couldn't help but slightly frown and a cold smile faintly appeared at the corner of his mouth. But he quickly retracted it, turned around, and returned to his own futon, continuing to meditate and comprehend.

Time slowly flowed by.

It was very quiet here, occasionally punctuated by the laughter of an old man and a young man, sounding somewhat loud.

However, everyone was cultivating, shrouded in Dao Domains. Unless there were some changes in aura, mere sounds would not disturb or affect them.

In the past, when everyone was cultivating, there were only the sounds of Old Wang hoeing the ground and the sound of flowing water from the stream outside the field. But now, this seemingly idyllic place had gained a bit more of a human touch.

In the blink of an eye, a year passed.

Li Hao's Go skill had improved to the ninth level of perfection, but he was still miserably defeated by Old Wang, never winning even once.

Li Hao had never lost so miserably before. In his spare time, he tried to study painting, but his mind was entirely occupied by the Go games he had lost, his heart unable to find peace. Forcibly comprehending painting also yielded little effect.

The more he lost, the more he wanted to play again, as if addicted. In contrast, Old Wang, winning too much, even had the leisure to water the fields and gather the Great Dao to nourish the immortal herbs while playing Go with Li Hao. When he finished and returned, seeing Li Hao had not yet moved, he would make tea for himself and rub the mud from between his toes.

When Li Hao finally took a long time to make a move, he would quickly drop a piece, making the smile that had just bloomed on the young man's face instantly freeze, and then he would fall back into contemplation.

Seeing the other's expression change so dramatically, Old Wang also found it somewhat amusing. He had never seen someone so concerned about Go. If it were someone else, he would have won so much that it would have become boring. But the young man before him, with his unwillingness to admit defeat and the feeling of holding his breath, always made him unable to resist the urge to continue winning against him.

Hmm, although it was a bit cruel, he also didn't like the feeling of losing.

Another two years passed.

Before the house, beside the Go board, the young man was intently placing a piece.

Suddenly, from the futons in the distance, a powerful spear intent coalesced and erupted, as if to pierce the sky.

This powerful spear intent affected even the young man immersed in thought before the Go board. He turned his head to look.

"Finally, there is a third person who has cultivated the Myriad Battles Immortal Technique to perfection." Old Wang glanced over, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

(End of Chapter)