Chapter 430: Challenging the True Venerable Tower

After demonstrating, Li Hao retracted the Earth Luo Shield Art, and his primordial spirit returned to his body.

Opposite the chessboard on the wooden stake, Elder Wang stared blankly at Li Hao. Since Li Hao had arrived three years ago, he had never cultivated, yet his first display had unexpectedly reached the Perfected True Meaning level?

Could it be that he was secretly deducing and comprehending it within his mind? But Li Hao has been playing chess with him all along, and in his spare time, he learns immortal herb cultivation. How could he have had the mind to comprehend this Netherworld Immortal Art?

"..."

Elder Wang fell into silence, Li Hao's performance somewhat exceeding his expectations.

At this moment, from the distant meditation cushions, someone sensed the powerful primordial spirit fluctuations from the house and opened their eyes. When they saw the Netherworld manifestation that Li Hao had displayed, they couldn't help but freeze.

He hadn't chosen the primordial spirit cultivation path, and therefore hadn't cultivated the Netherworld Battle Art. But previously, someone had chosen the Netherworld Battle Art to cultivate, but failed to master it.

Yet now, this newcomer youth seemed to have mastered this art!

Could it be that Elder Wang really gave him special tutoring?

"Does this count as passing?"

In front of the house, Li Hao asked Elder Wang.

Elder Wang snapped out of his thoughts, a strange expression appearing on his face. He said, "How did you comprehend it? You couldn't have obtained the inheritance of this art elsewhere. Could it be that while playing chess with this old man every day, you were also distracted, secretly comprehending the Netherworld Immortal Art?"

Li Hao grinned, "Otherwise, how could I always lose to you, Senior?"

"You小子 (little brat)."

Hearing this, Elder Wang rolled his eyes at him in exasperation. He didn't believe Li Hao's nonsense. This kid's focused and engrossed manner when playing chess made it impossible for him to have the mind to think about anything else. That only left one possibility: Li Hao had used very little spare time to comprehend this art and actually mastered it.

He recalled what Li Hao had said before:

"Once you reach the peak, you are free in the heavens."

This brat… Elder Wang muttered in his heart, this kid really managed to show off.

"Since you have cultivated the first level of this art, Desolation, to the level of Original True Meaning, then yes, it is considered passing. You can go challenge the True Venerable Tower. That is a place that truly tests quick wit."

As Elder Wang spoke, he collected the chess pieces in his hand, his gaze towards Li Hao containing a hint of感慨 (admiration/sigh).

This kid was too strange. He had only been here for three short years and hadn't even diligently cultivated much, yet he had lightly passed the first test that others had spent thousands, even tens of thousands of years, failing to overcome.

This could only mean that Li Hao's original foundation and accumulation were far beyond others, which was why he had the possibility of sudden enlightenment.

Moreover, this kid could even beat him at chess! Unbelievable!

"Then I'll go try it."

Li Hao said.

If it was as he had previously guessed, then perhaps he could easily pass this second test.

Elder Wang nodded without objection, smiling and shaking his head. "If you go challenge it now, it's estimated that the others will go crazy with envy. But it's also good, let them be stimulated and strive to improve as well."

Seeing the hint of a mischievous smile at the corner of his mouth, Li Hao was a little speechless. This was the same expression he wore every time he schemed against him in a chess game.

"I'll come back to play with you after I'm done with the challenge."

Li Hao said, then stood up and flew towards the distant, pitch-black True Venerable Tower.

The Saint who had previously sensed Li Hao's aura, when he saw Li Hao flying towards the True Venerable Tower, was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened suddenly, and he stood up abruptly, exclaiming:

"He's going to challenge the True Venerable Tower?!"

Along with this sharp cry of surprise, several people beside him also opened their eyes, looking over in confusion. They then saw Li Hao flying towards the True Venerable Tower, and couldn't help but be taken aback.

"What is he doing?"

"Challenging the True Venerable Tower? Impossible, don't joke around."

"Exactly, how long has he been here? He's probably just going to observe, maybe inspired by Lin Saint and wanting to take a look."

Several Saints recovered from their initial shock, giving the person who had just exclaimed a somewhat speechless look, thinking that he was making a fuss over nothing. Challenging the True Venerable Tower after only three years? How could that be possible? Three hundred years would be an exaggeration.

As they were conversing, Li Hao had already arrived in front of the True Venerable Tower.

He looked up at it. From a distance, it looked like a small tower, but up close, the tower's layers were towering and imposing, exuding a solemn and dignified feeling, radiating a strong aura of the Great Dao.

Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly, then he imitated the way Mu Saint and others had challenged it before, arriving at the tower door at the bottommost level.

As he approached, the tower door seemed to sense him and slowly rose, revealing the darkness within.

Li Hao slowly walked in.

In the distance, the several Saints who saw Li Hao actually walk into the True Venerable Tower were all stunned, expressions of astonishment appearing in their eyes.

Soon, they thought of something, and someone turned their head to look towards Elder Wang.

If one rashly entered the True Venerable Tower without passing the first test, Elder Wang would definitely severely punish them.

But in front of the house, Elder Wang was simply arranging another part of the chess pieces on the chessboard, putting them back into Li Hao's chess box.

"Elder Wang, that newcomer has entered the True Venerable Tower!"

A Saint couldn't help but remind him.

Elder Wang leisurely collected the chess pieces, closed the lid of the chess box, then looked up. Seeing that the tower door of the True Venerable Tower had already closed, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He then stood up unhurriedly and flew towards the meditation cushions.

"Elder Wang, he…"

Someone wanted to complain, but suddenly noticed the calm smile on Elder Wang's face, and was stunned. They then looked at Elder Wang with some disbelief. Could it be that the shortcut he had taken had really worked?

Could such a thing really be tolerated?

As Elder Wang arrived, the others on the meditation cushions sensed Elder Wang's aura and also woke up, looking over in confusion.

"He has already passed the first test and can challenge the True Venerable Tower."

Elder Wang said with a smile.

Although they had already surmised the answer from his expression and felt it was unbelievable, hearing Elder Wang say it himself, the previous few Saints still felt like their jaws were about to drop, suspecting that their ears were playing tricks on them.

Already passed the first test?

That newcomer?

Only been here for three years?

Passed?

Already.

The other Saints, however, were somewhat茫然 (at a loss), wondering what was going on. Who passed the first test? Lin Saint?

Wasn't that something from before?

At this time, someone noticed that the young figure in front of the house was gone, and their heart couldn't help but tremble.

Hua Saint and You Saint had thought of Li Hao the moment they saw Elder Wang. Immediately, they looked for Li Hao's figure but couldn't find him. Now, hearing Elder Wang's words, their hearts contracted, and they exchanged glances, both seeing the disbelief and suspicion in each other's eyes.

"Hao Tian, that newcomer, although he has only been here for three years, has already passed the first test. His speed is far beyond you all. You must all work harder."

Elder Wang said with a smile, his tone calm and gentle, but these words were like a thunderclap on flat ground, making everyone who was still confused feel their brains go numb.

In the crowd, Lin Saint's eyes narrowed slightly, and the pores all over his body seemed to tighten instantly, feeling a sense of blood congealing. Then, his scalp tingled slightly, looking at Elder Wang in disbelief.

In just three short years, that youth in front of the house who had always wanted to take a shortcut, had actually passed the first test?

How could this be possible?

This was absolutely impossible!

Lin Saint suddenly came back to his senses, his eyes fixed on Elder Wang.

Ming Saint, Mu Saint, and the others were also a bit发懵 (dazed), and when they recovered, they couldn't help but look at Elder Wang.

Back then, Elder Wang had said that he would never give them any related hints, but now… had the principle changed?

Not only them, but the other Saints also recovered and looked at Elder Wang with suspicion.

Elder Wang still wore a smile on his face. He came here not only to explain Li Hao's situation but also because he anticipated that such a monstrous talent would inevitably cause these little fellows to feel suspicion and jealousy. He smiled and said:

"I said before that I would not give you any hints and that you could only rely on your own comprehension. Hao Tian is the same. Although I am very fond of him, we only discuss the Dao of Chess and immortal herb cultivation, and have never talked about Immortal Arts. I also didn't use the Dao of Chess to give any corresponding hints. That would be meaningless."

What he meant by meaningless was that if he really wanted to help, he wouldn't need to hint. He could just directly tell them, and no one would dare to say anything.

Everyone understood this point. Hearing Elder Wang's explanation, they couldn't help but be stunned.

With Elder Wang's realm and strength, there was no need to explain anything to them, and he also had no need to lie. Or rather, they were not enough to force him to lie.

"You are all dragons among men to have cultivated to the Saint level, peerless geniuses. But in the face of the Immortal Dao, even dragons among men are still just men. In the face of the Immortal Dao, everyone is equal. It's just a pity that there are always some rare geniuses in all the realms, who can easily transcend even the Immortal Dao. They are born with that Immortal Dao Wisdom Root!"

Speaking of this, Elder Wang couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "Passing the first test in three years, even in the True World, is considered a top genius. Just this cultivation speed alone, without any other Immortal Dao family inheritance or foundation, even being a formal disciple of the Immortal Emperor is more than qualified!"

Ming Saint's eyes flickered and he asked, "Is Elder Wang saying that in the True World, there really are people who can comprehend this Netherworld Immortal Art within three years?"

"Yes."

Elder Wang said, "But very few, as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. However, to be able to become a disciple of the Immortal Emperor, to become his disciple, is itself a fortuitous opportunity that is hard to cultivate even over a hundred lifetimes, a once-in-ten-thousand-realms genius."

Everyone was silent, speechless.

At this moment, they finally felt just how big the gap was between them and the top geniuses Elder Wang spoke of.

This seemed to also give them a glimpse into the terrifying competition and vastness of the True World.

These former prodigies of theirs, entering there, might only be considered excellent.

"Then, how terrifying would the Immortal Emperor's personal disciples be?"

Mu Saint suddenly asked.

Elder Wang was slightly stunned, the smile on his face disappearing as he fell into silence.

A peerless and elegant figure flashed in his mind, an immortal appearance and jade-like countenance, devastatingly beautiful. But in that Emperor's Fall battle, she went to war with the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor and never returned.

That was the Immortal Emperor's personal disciple. Her level of genius transcended all realms!

Even in the competitions and exchanges between the Immortal Emperors' disciples, she had shown great brilliance, a future quasi-Emperor level existence.

But alas, she had already fallen.

"Personal disciples… they are all extraordinary from birth, existences that cause celestial phenomena. Some are reincarnations of Chaos Dao Seeds, others are souls condensed from the True World's Chaos Origin Power, born already with a primordial spirit…"

Elder Wang said in a low voice, "These Immortal Arts, they may only need half a month to master. Some of the more exaggerated ones, perhaps just glancing at them, they can immediately comprehend them…"

His voice was very soft, and as he spoke, he seemed to be reminiscing about something.

That was a glorious era in the past. He had once had the honor of accompanying that Immortal Emperor's personal disciple in her cultivation, watching from the side like an old servant.

In that courtyard, that peerless immortal maiden danced gracefully, enchanting all beings, a genius to the extreme.

All Immortal Arts in the world, she could master at a glance.

Even the Immortal Dao laws taught by the Immortal Emperor, she could comprehend after only a few years of slight contemplation. Cultivation for her was as simple as eating and drinking.

Such geniuses easily surpassed so-called prodigies from all heavens and realms, truly standing as anomalies at the very peak of all realms!

Listening to Elder Wang's low murmur, the eyeballs of everyone on the meditation cushions widened to the point of popping.

They had never asked about these things before, nor had they thought to ask, but now, they felt a sense of their three worldviews being shaken, both shocked and heartbroken.

Such Immortal Arts, someone in the world could learn them after just a few glances?

Master them in half a month?

They felt deeply defeated. After cultivating so bitterly here for so many years, they deeply understood the difficulty of this art. The shock in their hearts was overwhelmingly intense.

Elder Wang came back to his senses, seeing that everyone was silent and pale, he realized that he seemed to have hit these little fellows too hard. He smiled and comforted them:

"You also don't need to compare yourselves to the Immortal Emperor's personal disciples. Those anomalies are true spirits nurtured by chaos, not something you can compare to. Even the Immortal Emperor has to search through all the heavens and realms for a long time to find a satisfactory one. They are existences that are rare even among countless people."

Hearing Elder Wang's words, everyone remained silent, but they did feel slightly better in their hearts.

Rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns even in all realms, then not being able to compare to them seemed normal.

Although they were Saints, existing at the very peak of the pyramid in all the heavens, they had already heard from Elder Wang about the vastness of the True World. These heavens were just pseudo-realms, too small compared to the True World.

"Then does that mean Hao Tian's aptitude has the potential to become a formal disciple of the Immortal Emperor?"

At this time, someone recovered and asked.

Being able to comprehend and master it in three years, although not as fantastical as the personal disciples Elder Wang spoke of, was still quite exaggerated.

Hearing this person's words, the others also reacted, their expressions slightly changing.

Lin Saint's, Ming Saint's, and Mu Saint's expressions changed, becoming somewhat unsightly.

They were competing for only a registered disciple position, and now a guy with qualifications comparable to a formal disciple had come in to compete with them?

They all felt a strong sense of crisis.

Tens of thousands of years of bitter cultivation, unexpectedly only equal to someone else's three years. This speed of being overtaken was too exaggerated!

"Huh? Why has he been inside for so long and still hasn't come out?"

At this time, the Saint who had first noticed Li Hao couldn't help but say in surprise.

Hearing this, Elder Wang also looked towards the True Venerable Tower.

Inside the True Venerable Tower.

When Li Hao stepped into the tower, darkness enveloped him, and then it seemed to transport him to a vast place.

Here, the sky and earth were boundless, the ground extending to unseen horizons, and the clouds were like silvery lead, scattered in chunks in the sky.

Then, Li Hao felt a force sweep over his body, like the scrutiny of some gaze. Immediately afterward, a figure appeared in the void ahead, slowly condensing.

Its appearance was completely identical to his, and even more surprising to Li Hao was that its physical body also had the aura of ninth-grade Chaos Origin Divine Blood, but even denser.

"Physical body enhanced by one times?"

Li Hao slightly raised his eyebrows. He then saw that as soon as the figure condensed, it quickly erupted with numerous extreme realm auras, its entire body flashing with divine light, silver hair flying, entering the extreme immortalization state that Li Hao was familiar with.

Li Hao's heart tightened. Elder Wang was right, this projection's desire to attack was indeed strong, almost instantly in just a few blinks of an eye, it had raised its state to its strongest.

Feeling the terrifying power, Li Hao didn't choose to add points immediately. Anyway, there were many opportunities to challenge the True Venerable Tower. He wanted to try his own abilities first.

Whoosh!

Along with the projection's eruption, it attacked with a dazzling sword light, which was none other than Immortal Guiding the Way!

Facing this sword head-on, Li Hao's eyes were illuminated. He felt a sense of shock, as if the heaven and earth before him were being cleaved apart.

Is my swordsmanship this strong?!

Li Hao was astonished, his body hair standing on end. Intense sword intent enveloped him, giving him a feeling of being pointed at the brow by an immortal's finger descending to the mortal realm.

There was no way to avoid it, only to wait, even feeling drawn to that sword intent, willing to welcome it.

But this mental interference was instantly severed by Li Hao. He suddenly erupted, silver hair flying. Under extreme immortalization, the power of heaven and earth was mobilized, and he also unleashed a sword strike.

Boom!

Two sword lights howled and collided in the sky and earth, the void trembling. Immediately afterward, Li Hao's sword light was submerged within it.

But just as it was being submerged, Li Hao instantly launched three more consecutive sword strikes. This was a sword technique he had once mastered, the Raging Wave Sword, but he had applied this wave-like sword technique to the immortal-grade Immortal Guiding the Way swordsmanship.

(End of Chapter)