Chapter 439: Inheritance of the Imperial Palace

Li Hao clicked his tongue in amazement. Such stringent requirements for a direct disciple were actually just the basic conditions to become a Celestial Emperor.

He said with a wry smile, "It seems this path is truly difficult."

"The road to climb a mountain is always hard, going downhill is easy, just slide all the way down."

The Venerable Divine said humorously.

Li Hao couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The Venerable Divine said, "Now that you've become a formal disciple, we can come out with you, but with your current formal disciple status, you are not yet qualified to use the Pagoda of True Reverence. I will place the Pagoda of True Reverence within your primordial spirit. When you encounter a fatal primordial spirit attack, the Pagoda of True Reverence will automatically defend you."

"If you encounter other dangers, you will also have the protection of Mount and River of Hope. As long as it's not a Quasi-Emperor level existence, you will generally be safe."

Li Hao asked curiously, "Besides you and Venerable Wang, are there others?"

"Of course."

The Venerable Divine said, "You'll meet those fellows when you go to the Tian Yang Palace. Unfortunately, you are not a direct disciple and cannot control the Tian Yang Palace. That Imperial Palace is the best treasure here. Moreover, I need to stay by your side and protect you until you reach the Celestial King realm before I can leave you."

"In that case, after you come out, you won't be traveling with me?"

Li Hao couldn't help but ask.

The other party was a pagoda spirit, yet wouldn't accompany him?

The Venerable Divine sighed softly, a hint of loneliness surfacing in his eyes. He patted Li Hao's shoulder and said, "With Mount and River of Hope, it's enough to help you deal with many dangers. After I go out, I have other matters to attend to."

He paused, as if explaining to Li Hao, and also reminiscing, "During the great battle back then, I accompanied Celestial Emperor Tian Yang on his expedition, but we were ambushed by the Ancient Demon King and his allies. Furthermore, a Grand Demon Emperor's reincarnation killing move almost caused my True Divinity to perish. Fortunately, the Celestial Emperor saved me in time and sent me here to recover. But I missed the battles that followed..."

Speaking of this, there was no joy of surviving a catastrophe in his eyes, only pain and coldness remained.

"Now, my injuries are almost healed. After I get out, I will search for the Celestial Emperor's remains. Even if it means death, I must bring back his Eternal Emperor body."

Looking at the hatred and killing intent in his eyes, Li Hao fell silent. This was hatred suppressed for a hundred thousand years, and he knew he couldn't stop it.

Moreover, the Celestial Emperor Tian Yang, whom he had never met, had become his master. To find his remains was also something he, as a disciple, should do.

"The situation in the True World seems still very dangerous. Venerable Divine, please be careful then," Li Hao said.

The Venerable Divine glanced at Li Hao, the sharp killing intent in his eyes receding, and smiled, "It's alright. I left a soul imprint in the Pagoda of True Reverence. Even if something happens, I can be reborn through the soul imprint, as long as you are safe."

"Then how can I find you when the time comes?"

"With the soul imprint, I can sense you. If you want to find me, just call out to me within the Pagoda of True Reverence."

The Venerable Divine's gaze towards Li Hao was extremely gentle. "This Pagoda of True Reverence is not as simple as you imagine. It's definitely not just a tool for projections and disciple trials. It is an Emperor artifact. Although it was damaged in the great battle and doesn't currently possess the power of a true Emperor artifact, its true power is terrifying. Work hard. If you can become a direct disciple, you'll understand how coveted this Pagoda of True Reverence is."

Seeing his expectant gaze, Li Hao nodded. If it wasn't too difficult, he would try his best. If it was too difficult, then he would just let it go…

"Go, Venerable Wang is waiting for you."

The Venerable Divine smiled.

Li Hao cupped his fist in a bow, bid farewell to him, and left the Pagoda of True Reverence.

When he emerged from the Pagoda of True Reverence, he saw Venerable Wang already standing outside the pagoda.

"Did you find the answer?" Venerable Wang asked with a smile.

"No."

Li Hao shook his head slightly, then smiled and said, "But I found a friend."

Venerable Wang was slightly stunned, then quickly smiled and sighed, "A hundred thousand years of waiting, and you were the one we waited for. We should all thank you and remember this kindness!"

To him, Li Hao's appearance was like a miracle. Although Li Hao gained immense benefits by inheriting the Celestial Emperor's lineage, for Venerable Wang himself, Li Hao's arrival brought them hope, allowing them to finally leave this place.

In the great war back then, the fighting outside was earth-shattering, but they could only huddle here, preserving a spark of life. Their hearts had long been yearning to step out.

"Kindness is too much to say, Venerable Wang is too polite," Li Hao quickly said.

Venerable Wang smiled and didn't say more, just said, "Let's go, I'll take you to the Tian Yang Imperial Palace!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and cast a force, enveloping Li Hao.

This force was extremely gentle, containing a profound feeling beyond the origin of the Great Dao. Li Hao felt as if he was isolated from the world, surrounded by another realm.

If Venerable Wang didn't have good intentions, Li Hao felt that the other party could control the power of that realm with just a thought, completely crushing and annihilating him.

Is this the power of a Celestial King realm existence?

Astonishment was revealed in Li Hao's eyes as he followed Venerable Wang, flying towards the towering, sky-reaching giant palace.

Outside the Pagoda of True Reverence, Ming Sheng, Lin Sheng and the others were all looking up from afar at this scene, knowing that Venerable Wang was taking Li Hao to receive the Celestial Emperor's lineage inheritance.

"After leaving this time, whether it's the Heavens or the True World, his name will soon resound, right?"

"Some people's brilliance cannot be concealed."

"No matter what, we must not reveal his identity."

You Sheng said.

Everyone was silent. With the Curse of Celestial Calamity upon them, they would be utterly destroyed if they slightly leaked any information.

At this time, Li Hao, following Venerable Wang, gradually approached the Tian Yang Celestial Palace.

The countless tiers of sky-reaching steps were solemn and majestic. An innate domain field shrouded this Imperial Palace, making it unapproachable.

However, Venerable Wang's arrival, coupled with Li Hao's aura and everything that happened during Li Hao's True Immortal tribulation, were all under the watch of this Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace's domain field opened a path like a barrier, allowing Venerable Wang and Li Hao to enter.

Each of the countless tiers of steps possessed a strong pressure, but these steps were originally for the countless generals and worshippers under Celestial Emperor Tian Yang's command. The Emperor's might would make them breathless.

But now, Li Hao arrived as a formal disciple, and Venerable Wang had a special fondness and love for Li Hao. He subtly shielded this Emperor's might, and the two walked on the steps, their pace light and swift.

"This Celestial Imperial Stairway, in the past, was filled with Celestial Kings and Celestial Lords, all beings who dominated their realms and awed countless existences. Now, only you and I remain…"

Venerable Wang walked upwards, one step at a time, his eyes filled with emotion, also carrying a trace of sadness.

This sadness was a trace of melancholy after a hundred thousand years had passed, and the heart-wrenching pain of the past had gradually become numb.

Li Hao glanced around, imagining the magnificent scene of the past from Venerable Wang's words, and a feeling of longing suddenly arose in his heart.

Unfortunately, such a grand scene would never be seen again.

"Can't we fly here?"

"Except for the Celestial Emperor's three direct disciples, and a few formal disciples deeply loved by the Celestial Emperor, everyone else could only walk. Whether Celestial Kings or peerless genius Celestial Lords, it was the same," Venerable Wang said with a smile, but his hunched back seemed to slowly straighten at this moment. "This is Emperor's might. All who come to pay homage must walk and bow in reverence, without exception."

Li Hao looked up at the top of the stairs, where there was an extremely vast open space. He seemed to be able to imagine the Celestial Emperor Tian Yang's Emperor body projection sitting there, majestically dominating all realms.

Step by step, after several tens of minutes, the two finally climbed to the top of the Imperial Palace's stairs.

Here, it was actually an extremely vast and boundless plaza.

In the center of the plaza, there was a ball of light shining like a blazing sun, emitting intense radiance.

And beneath that ball of light, there stood an overwhelmingly beautiful figure, dressed in a silver-gray long dress, shimmering with glistening light. The hem of the dress fluttered, spread out on the ground like a fox tail. Though only her side profile and countenance could be seen, her beauty was peerless. She seemed to be gazing at a lotus pond filled with ethereal immortal energy in front of the ball of light.

Venerable Wang and Li Hao's arrival didn't cause the figure to move at all. It was only when Venerable Wang showed a respectful expression, bowing slightly, and said:

"Imperial Concubine Li, after a hundred thousand years of searching, someone has finally passed the Celestial Emperor's test and become his formal disciple!"

His aged voice echoed and dissipated, and silence returned to this place.

Li Hao stood aside, saying nothing, simply honestly appraising the exquisite figure.

The figure was like a statue, motionless, as if she had been standing here quietly for countless years.

But her skin was as white as snow, as delicate as jade, as if even a falling leaf could cut her.

After a short silence, Imperial Concubine Li slowly turned around. A pair of sea-blue eyes, the color where the sea meets the sky, settled upon Li Hao.

Her gaze was serene, devoid of any worldly taint, pure yet profound, as if concealing a world of secrets within.

With just one glance, Li Hao felt as if his entire being had been seen through, including his inner thoughts and hidden intentions.

It gave him a feeling of instantaneous tension throughout his body.

"You are called Hao Tian, are you?"

Imperial Concubine Li spoke softly, her voice as moving as celestial music, clear and calm.

Li Hao bowed slightly, and Venerable Wang's voice transmission came into his mind: "This is the Imperial Soul of the Tian Yang Imperial Palace, once a Quasi-Emperor level powerhouse, and also the daughter of Celestial Emperor Tian Yang!"

Li Hao was taken aback, and couldn't help but look at the beautiful woman before him in surprise.

Imperial Concubine Li seemed to sense Venerable Wang's voice transmission through the ripples in Li Hao's eyes, but her expression didn't change much. She only said:

"I have remembered your name. May you truly become a direct disciple and inherit that supreme and glorious title."

Li Hao bowed and said, "Junior will do his best."

Imperial Concubine Li quietly looked at Li Hao for a while before retracting her gaze. She casually drew a line in the void, and a crack appeared, filled with shimmering misty rays of light. She said to Venerable Wang:

"Take him to receive the inheritance."

Venerable Wang bowed in agreement.

Then he led Li Hao towards the misty crack.

Li Hao was somewhat surprised, he had thought the inheritance would be bestowed by Imperial Concubine Li before him.

Under Venerable Wang's lead, he entered the crack and saw a treasure palace filled with immortal energy in front of him, standing in the clouds and mist, extremely magnificent.

"Everything you have done here is known to Imperial Concubine Li. You must work hard and not disappoint Imperial Concubine Li's high expectations."

As soon as he stood firm, Li Hao heard Venerable Wang say to him.

Li Hao thought of this towering Imperial Palace, occupying 90% of the underground space, and Imperial Concubine Li, as the palace's soul, could know everything here in great detail if she wanted to.

"This is your disciple reward."

At this time, Venerable Wang drew Li Hao's attention back to the present, pointing to the treasure palace before him, his eyes revealing vicissitudes, "Originally, as a formal disciple, you should have performed a formal apprenticeship ceremony, kowtowing to the Celestial Emperor, but now, even the Celestial Emperor's soul phantom left here has dissipated. Forget about the apprenticeship ceremony. Go forward and display your Nine-Flower Immortal Seal. The treasure vault will automatically open its second layer for you. That is the inheritance blessing for a formal disciple."

Hearing this, Li Hao followed Venerable Wang's instructions and stepped forward to present his Immortal Seal.

The nine-flower patterns on this Immortal Seal were intricate and complex, and it immediately burst into dazzling light, extremely eye-catching.

As the light waves reflected onto the treasure vault, a crack appeared in the palace, and beams of light shot out from within, one after another.

Venerable Wang raised his hand and caught several beams of light. When the light dissipated, he glanced at them, confirmed they were correct, and handed them to Li Hao, saying:

"As a formal disciple, when you leave this time, I will become your Dao protector, shielding your safety. The Pagoda of True Reverence will also reside in your primordial spirit, protecting your primordial spirit. As long as you are not threatened by a Quasi-Emperor level being, you will be safe!"

"Besides your safety, these are your cultivation resources."

He handed the three jade tokens in his hand to Li Hao, a hint of sigh on his face, "The great battle back then was too fierce. The immortal stones and origin stones at the time were all refined into the power of forbidden Emperor artifacts and completely exhausted. These three jade tokens are promissory notes from the three largest chambers of commerce in the True World back then, and also their chamber of commerce's royal orders."

"If those three chambers of commerce still exist, with these three royal order jade tokens, you can each extract a Celestial Vein from their chamber of commerce, enough for you to cultivate to the peak of the ninth level of Celestial Lord Realm!"

He said to Li Hao, "In those years, a formal disciple could at most receive the bestowal of one Celestial Vein, which is a million immortal stones. Now it has tripled!"

Li Hao was slightly speechless. Promissory notes?

The calamity of the past was so tragic, and even Celestial Emperors had fallen. It was still unknown whether those three chambers of commerce still existed.

Venerable Wang seemed to realize this as well, and his smile towards Li Hao was somewhat embarrassed. "If the three chambers of commerce are no longer there by then, we will have to think of other ways."

Li Hao smiled wryly and took the three jade tokens.

"In addition to these cultivation resources, we have also prepared a set of first-grade origin immortal weapons of the Celestial Lord Realm for you!"

Venerable Wang said, "You can choose which one you want in the treasure vault yourself. You use a sword, so you can choose a sword. I remember there are still seven origin immortal swords, but their effects are different. Among them, there is one named Taotie, which is extremely ferocious, and also the only remaining origin immortal sword with the strongest power. If you can subdue it, you can choose it."

As he spoke, he placed his palm on Li Hao's back and gently pushed.

Li Hao suddenly felt himself being pushed into the crack of the treasure vault. Dazzling light turned his vision completely white.

Soon, in this pure white space, sets of immortal armor floated around him.

Beside them were weapons, blades, swords, axes, spears, etc., all exuding extremely strong pressure.

Li Hao was astonished. Earlier in the True World, he had picked up many damaged immortal artifacts, but they were all dim, with only the artifact itself remaining, and they were already decaying.

But these immortal weapons were all perfectly preserved, exuding terrifying auras.

"Choose me, choose me!"

"Choose me, I am the most powerful!"

"Choose me!"

While Li Hao was pondering and observing, these surrounding immortal armors and immortal weapons suddenly spoke one after another, their voices reaching Li Hao's mind.

Li Hao was stunned and couldn't help but look. He saw spirits projected from the immortal armor and immortal weapons, some in the form of graceful fairies, some as jade-like young men, some as children, and some as old men. But without exception, all were looking at Li Hao with pleading faces, their eyes full of eagerness.

Roar!

Along with a low roar, the auras of several spirits were quite different, like wild beasts, intimidatingly sweeping towards the other immortal armors and immortal weapons. Then they looked at Li Hao, their gazes becoming gentle, and said:

"Choose me, I am the strongest here!"

"What nonsense, are you looking for a fight? I am the strongest!"

"I sense the heart of sword dao origin in you. I am the strongest sword here, choose me!"

"I want to go out and kill enemies, I want to go out, choose me, as long as you choose me, I will help you reach the highest peak!"

These immortal armors and immortal weapons chirped and argued.

Li Hao was somewhat taken aback. He was originally thinking about how to choose, but instead, he was being抢购 (rushed to buy/scrambled for).

He thought of the Venerable Divine's words and was immediately speechless. It seemed these guys had been stuck here for too long.

"Which one is Taotie?" Li Hao asked curiously.

Hearing his words, all the other weapons stopped talking. The spirits on several immortal swords also turned to look at a ferocious beast spirit, only the size of a small tiger, but with a menacing aura.

"Me, it's me, it's me!"

The Taotie spirit became excited upon hearing Li Hao's words, howling and rushing to Li Hao's front, "Choose me, I am the strongest sword here!"

"It likes to kill and is bloodthirsty, and it doesn't like to listen to its master. If you choose it, with your cultivation, you won't be able to suppress it."

At this time, an immortal sword spirit next to it immediately said.

Hearing its words, a cold light flashed in the Taotie spirit's eyes, and sword light suddenly shot out, knocking the immortal sword back with a clang.

"Young man, I am the strongest, you can't go wrong by choosing me. I can guarantee you become a Celestial Lord!"

The Taotie immortal sword said.

Li Hao appraised it for a moment, then a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he said, "Okay, I'll choose you."

"Haha!"

Hearing Li Hao's words, the Taotie immortal sword burst into laughter.

Then it couldn't wait to form a contract with Li Hao's primordial spirit.

Li Hao didn't hesitate and completed the contract with it. Immediately, he felt a ferocious aura surge into his mind, carrying sinister and cruel thoughts.

"Master, I won't hurt you. After we get out, take me to kill enemies! I didn't participate in the battle back then, I want to kill my way back!"

Taotie's voice immediately rang in Li Hao's consciousness.

Li Hao smiled and replied, "Okay!"

Seeing Li Hao establish a contract with Taotie, the other immortal weapons all sighed and returned to their positions, no longer saying a word.

The immortal armors, however, crowded around and began to compete.

Li Hao asked them one by one and picked for a while. He also asked Taotie for advice. Under Taotie's guidance, he chose a set of black immortal armor with rugged patterns like withered vines on the surface, and faint ancestral dragon coils.

The immortal armor also formed a contract with Li Hao's primordial spirit and was named Extreme Lightning Immortal Armor.

Li Hao learned from them that they were all weapons mastered by Celestial Lords. Only formal disciples of the Celestial Emperor could receive such rewards. With the protection of Celestial Lord realm immortal weapons, it was enough to get through the fragile True Immortal Realm period.

In the True World, Celestial Lords were already considered powerful individuals who could stand alone.

After choosing the Extreme Lightning Immortal Armor and Taotie, Li Hao was teleported out of the treasure vault.

Venerable Wang smiled when he saw the immortal weapon and immortal armor Li Hao had chosen, saying, "So fast, you really chose Taotie. Can you suppress that little fellow?"

"I should be able to," Li Hao said.

Venerable Wang laughed upon hearing his answer and seeing Li Hao's relaxed expression.

"As a formal disciple, you can also choose one of the ten supreme immortal techniques of the True Immortal Realm for cultivation. Whether you can comprehend it depends on your luck. This immortal technique is taught by the inheritance stone left by the Celestial Emperor."

Venerable Wang raised his hand towards the treasure vault, and a glowing stone flew out, exuding profound Emperor's might, making people dare not easily touch it.

"Sacrifice your primordial spirit and enter the inheritance stone."

Venerable Wang held the inheritance stone with both hands, his expression more solemn and serious than before.

Hearing this, Li Hao released his primordial spirit and touched the inheritance stone.

In the next moment, he felt his primordial spirit being sucked in, and then he arrived in a world surrounded by immortal energy.

The surroundings were misty and white. Li Hao looked around, and suddenly, beams of light appeared before his eyes.

The light beams showed time fragments. In the towering Tian Yang Celestial Palace, countless celestial gods gathered, looking grand and vast. And in a courtyard behind the Imperial Palace, a figure sat in meditation with closed eyes, then suddenly stood up, drew his sword and swung. A sword light pierced through the clouds above the Imperial Palace, causing the celestial light to extinguish and the world to fall into darkness.

That one sword seemed to have extinguished the entire sun.

Li Hao was somewhat stunned by the terrifying sword that appeared before his eyes.

The young man in the courtyard sheathed his sword, and light gradually returned to the world.

Then the scene gradually dissipated and faded away.

At this moment, a vicissitudes and sighing voice came to Li Hao's ears:

"He is Qing Xuan, the Celestial Emperor's second disciple. His soul heart is not withered. I don't know how many reincarnations he has gone through, nor where he is reincarnated, nor whether his soul will be scattered. If you can find him and bring him back to the Tian Yang Imperial Palace, Imperial Concubine Li will be able to restore his memories and allow him to return to his peak!"

The voice continued, "At that time, you will also be able to receive the Celestial Emperor's commendation, giving you another chance to be promoted to a direct disciple!"

(End of chapter)