Chapter 446: Heavenly Sects Ranked

"I am from the Earth Second Heavenly Sect, the Spring Sword Sect, inheritor of the Spring Cleave Emperor Sword, one of the Nine Swords of the True World in the past. The might of that Emperor Sword still lingers to this day. If you can comprehend it, you can wield the Emperor Sword's power and eliminate injustice in the world!"

The young True Immortal immediately addressed Lin Qingying.

He had long heard that this was a pseudo-world of an Immortal Emperor, and two prodigies had already emerged. If he could pick up another gem, he might even have a chance to elevate the Spring Sword Sect to the ranks of Earth First Heavenly Sect!

However, upon hearing the young True Immortal's words, the woman in green robes immediately turned her gaze towards the young man beside her, her eyes showing a hint of inquiry.

This posture was obviously misunderstood by the young True Immortal. He frowned slightly and said indifferently:

"Young lady, you don't need to consider him. He is merely at the first level of the True Immortal Realm. I heard that the immortal path here is broken, so there are many things you are unaware of. The True Immortal Realm has ten levels in total, with ten being the peak. He has only just crossed the threshold of True Immortality."

"If you come to my sect, within ten years, I can guarantee that you will reach the Saint-level Supreme realm, condense an Immortal Seal, and surpass this True Immortal threshold, far exceeding other True Immortals. If you are diligent enough, it's not impossible to even condense a Three-Flower Immortal Seal."

The young True Immortal's words also served as a general education about the True Immortal Realm for Feng Boping and the others. At this point, they all turned to look at Li Hao.

They clearly remembered that Li Hao had raised his hand and with a single sword strike, had felled those three True Immortals!

They knew Li Hao had just stepped into the True Immortal Realm, but they hadn't expected that even just crossing the threshold, he would still be as extraordinary as ever.

Whether True Immortal or Saint, under the same realm, it seemed no one could ever shake him!

For a moment, Feng Boping and the Sword Master and others all revealed smiles of admiration. Five years had passed, the world had changed, but this young man was still the familiar young man they knew.

Hearing the young True Immortal's words, Li Hao's heart stirred. He looked up at Old Wang, who was arranging the Immortal Array in the sky, and transmitted a voice message:

"Old man, is what this person saying true or false? Is it worth becoming a disciple?"

The other party admiring Lin Qingying was also a kind of opportunity. If it was truly worthwhile to join a sect, it might not be bad to study there.

"Half true, half false."

Old Wang, while condensing the Immortal Array, casually responded via voice transmission: "The True World does indeed have nine supreme Emperor Swords, and Spring Cleave is one of them. But what he means by 'passed down the sword' is likely just that the Spring Cleave Emperor Sword slightly guided his sect's founding patriarch. Otherwise, if it was a true sword inheritance, their Heavenly Sect should at least be a Heaven Fourth Heavenly Sect. Or perhaps, their founding patriarch was too stupid to comprehend even a fraction of it."

Li Hao immediately understood Old Wang's meaning, and at the same time, asked via voice transmission:

"This Earth Second, Heaven Fourth, what's the meaning behind these rankings?"

"If the rules haven't changed and are still following the regulations from a hundred thousand years ago, then the Heavenly Sects in the True World are divided into three grades: Heaven, Earth, and Xuan!"

"Each grade is further divided into four levels, with level one being the highest and level four being the lowest!"

"Xuan-grade sects do not produce Immortal Monarchs, Earth-grade sects do not produce Immortal Kings, and Heaven-grade sects do not produce Immortal Emperors!"

Old Wang transmitted back, "Simply put, Earth-grade Heavenly Sects do not have Immortal Kings. If they did, they should at least be rated as Heaven Fourth."

Li Hao immediately understood. In other words, the highest cultivation level within the young True Immortal's sect was only an Immortal Monarch.

"That little girl indeed possesses a Sword Dao Extreme Embryo, and it's the supreme Sword Dao, the Chaotic Void Sword Embryo!"

Old Wang continued via voice transmission, "Although it's just a fledgling form, it's still a good seed. A hundred thousand years ago, it would have been enough to be accepted as a disciple by a Heaven First Sect!"

Hearing his detailed explanation, Li Hao felt deeply happy for Lin Qingying. He pulled back his thoughts, seeing the young True Immortal urging him, and said:

"Sorry, we already have a direction for seeking apprenticeship."

Seeing Li Hao speak, the young True Immortal immediately raised an eyebrow and coldly snorted, "What sect are you from? How dare you interrupt?"

He turned to look at Lin Qingying and said, "You decide for yourself, you don't need to consider him. If he is unwilling, I can suppress him with a flick of my hand!"

Although he desperately wanted to take this woman as his disciple, he also wanted to give her a chance to choose for herself. Discernment was also very important.

Lin Qingying sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere and didn't want to cause trouble. She quickly said, "Thank you for your kind intentions, but I will only follow him."

Her eyes glanced at Li Hao, her pretty face slightly flushed. Since Li Hao survived his tribulation and her five years of waiting, her longing had become undeniable. Now she no longer hid her feelings.

The young True Immortal could easily see that this woman already had someone she was devoted to. But he didn't covet her beauty. Although this woman was enchantingly elegant, the immortal maidens from major sects in the True World were even more ethereal and captivating. He too had someone in his heart. At this moment, he only felt a touch of ridiculousness and coldly said:

"Your eyesight is truly wasted on such good talent. Fine, since we have fate today, I will make a decision for you this once. One day you will be grateful to me!"

As he finished speaking, Li Hao suddenly felt a surge of killing intent erupt, and his eyes deepened.

Clang!

Suddenly, sword light flashed, sweeping out from the void. The young True Immortal suddenly drew his sword from the void and swung it in one smooth motion, instantly slashing towards Li Hao.

Such a sudden change startled Feng Boping and the others, and they were aghast.

To draw a sword and kill without a word, it was completely unexpected.

But Li Hao had already reacted. He coldly snorted, and the Immortal Armament Taotie instantly flew out, letting out a roar-like sword cry like a ferocious tiger. In an instant, it crushed the other party's sword light, shattered the jade-like blade, and then directly pierced through the young True Immortal's head with a speed faster than lightning, and even more ferocious.

The moment his Natal True Treasure was shattered, the young True Immortal realized what was happening, his pupils constricted. But the sword light was too fast, like a streak of silver-white light illuminating, instantly piercing through his pupils, leaving him no time to even close his eyes.

Bang! His head exploded. Immortal Dao laws were imprisoned by the source power on the Immortal Armament, losing their self-healing power, and his physical body was directly destroyed.

His Immortal Seal and Primordial Spirit flew out from the top of his skull, looking at Li Hao in horror.

This is… an Immortal Armament?

A mere True Immortal Realm level one, could actually wield an Immortal Armament? Which major sect's disciple is he, out traveling?

The other three True Immortals reacted as well, all shocked. They hurriedly unleashed their True Immortal aura, forming a small Five-Element Array, their auras connected to each other, nervously watching Li Hao.

This ordinary-looking True Immortal youth, could bring out an Immortal Armament with a raise of his hand, it was completely unexpected.

"Many apologies, please forgive us!"

One of the female True Immortals hurriedly said, not even daring to ask about Li Hao's background. Being able to wield an Immortal Armament without suffering its backlash, was enough to show that behind him were powerful figures from a major sect, who could make the Immortal Armament obediently submit and listen to a True Immortal's control.

"You said to join your sect, wield a sword to eliminate injustice. But your own actions, how can you talk about fairness?"

Li Hao coldly swept his eyes over the three True Immortals, then looked at the young True Immortal who was only left with his Immortal Seal and Primordial Spirit, and said:

"This first sword I draw upon entering the True World, will first eliminate this injustice!"

As he spoke, the Immortal Armament Taotie swiftly slashed out, letting out an excited cry. It feared nothing more than a peaceful world, and was violently bloodthirsty. If not for Old Wang being by Li Hao's side, it would have long since wanted to devour blood everywhere.

Seeing Li Hao's killing intent was decided, the young True Immortal roared, his Immortal Seal exploding. Two "patterns" on his Immortal Seal simultaneously shattered. A surge of howling immortal power, like a hurricane, fiercely attacked Li Hao.

The Immortal Armament Taotie cleaved open the chaotic, howling immortal power. But two strands of source true intent directly suppressed towards Li Hao, accompanied by the remaining roar of the young True Immortal's Primordial Spirit, wanting to perish together with Li Hao.

Li Hao remained calm, a faint outline of an Immortal Seal appearing on his forehead. The young True Immortal's face,狰狞 roaring within those two strands of source true intent, as it approached Li Hao, wanting to destroy his Immortal Seal, suddenly froze when he saw the faint marks appearing on Li Hao's forehead.

One flower, two flowers, three flowers… He was momentarily stunned.

But Li Hao was extremely decisive and ruthless. With a casual wave of his hand, his fingertips like plucking a wisp of green smoke, he extinguished the other's two strands of source true intent and Primordial Spirit together!

A True Immortal Realm level eight expert, was reduced to ashes between Li Hao's fingers. The remaining three didn't even see clearly what happened.

"Scram."

Li Hao said coldly.

The three True Immortals were all terrified, and hastily turned around and fled.

As they hastily flew away on their swords, Old Wang's Immortal Array was also completed. He descended, glanced at the three figures in the sky, and said to Li Hao:

"Cutting grass without removing the roots, aren't you worried about them seeking revenge?"

"Didn't you say that Earth-grade sects do not produce Immortal Kings? Even if their sect master comes, he won't be able to break through your Immortal Array, old man, and won't be able to take revenge, right?"

Li Hao said.

"What you say is true."

Old Wang slightly nodded, then smiled slightly, and said, "You have a benevolent heart, that's a good thing. But your identity is different now. If they offend you, you can forgive them, but I cannot."

As his understated words fell, a faint rumble, like distant thunder, could be heard.

It rumbled over from the distant horizon, sounding very faint, but Li Hao could imagine how explosive and loud it must be in that distant place!

Li Hao slightly nodded to Old Wang's action, not saying anything. His actions were guided by his own heart, and others acted according to theirs.

"Let's go."

Li Hao raised his hand, beckoning Old Feng and Lin Qingying and the others to leave, heading towards the magnificent True World.

Everyone had witnessed Li Hao's methods and were extremely excited, feeling like they were embarking on a journey through the stars together.

Walking this path again, Li Hao felt deeply moved.

Previously, he had come alone, exploring by himself, crossing the canyon with trepidation.

Now, however, he was surrounded by friends, laughter and joy filling the air. Life reaching this point, he was already very satisfied.

Many of the white bones in the canyon had already disappeared. Feng Boping and the others followed behind Li Hao, listening to Li Hao introduce this place. The initial excitement and laughter slowly subsided, and their faces inevitably became more solemn.

At this moment, they finally understood the earliest history and origins of the Heavens.

And this path, was paved with the white bones of countless Immortals and Gods, blocking the ancient demons, so that the pseudo-world could be preserved.

Old Wang walked beside Li Hao, his face seemingly shrouded in mist, making his expression unclear.

He suddenly flew out, leaving a voice transmission for Li Hao: "You continue on, I will come find you."

Then his figure disappeared.

Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly, knowing that what Old Wang had longed for for many years was to come and see this battlefield. When he was arranging the array earlier, he must have already found it unbearably hard to resist.

Passing through the canyon, Li Hao looked in a certain direction, but there was no sign of that war chariot and figure.

Nangong Jian, he wondered if he was well.

Emerging from the canyon, what appeared before everyone was an even more desolate and vast battlefield, covered with the skeletons of ancient demons.

Everyone felt only shock. The ancient demons that had brought disaster to the Heavens were each incredibly terrifying. But here, there were corpses everywhere, piled up like forests.

Li Hao led them forward. He saw that the ancient demons here had indeed been cleared away, they didn't encounter any. Along the way, they encountered True Immortals flying from other places, and they passed each other from a distance, heading towards the direction of the Gate of the Mysterious Female.

Li Hao knew they would return empty-handed, and didn't bother to pay them any attention, having great faith in Old Wang's power.

After walking out of the previously unexplored area, traversing millions of miles, Li Hao saw in a void, countless points of light flowing, like stars surrounding the moon. The light in the center, like a huge silver disk, drew in wisps of starlight, converging. It was an Immortal Gate传送 (chuánsòng - transmit, transport) location.

There were True Immortals guarding this place. Li Hao's group's arrival immediately attracted the attention of the True Immortals guarding this place.

They wore silver battle armor, the style ornate and ancient, and held uniform divine spears. One of them stepped forward, scanned Lin Qingying and the others, and immediately recognized their identities.

Then, he looked at Li Hao, somewhat surprised, and asked, "Which sect are you from?"

"Is it necessary to state that?" Li Hao asked.

The True Immortal raised an eyebrow, feeling Li Hao's words were quite presumptuous. He coldly snorted, "There's no such rule. Alright, pay one hundred Immortal Stones, Saint-level are ten Immortal Stones each, those below Saint-level, uniformly charged at one Immortal Stone per person. Pay up and move on!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand to wave them away.

Li Hao felt he should probably have asked for a few more Immortal Stones for profit, but he was too lazy to argue. Earlier, when he killed those three True Immortals, he also looted two or three thousand Immortal Stones from their belongings. He could still afford this toll.

And the three promissory notes given by the Immortal Emperor, each was worth a million Immortal Stones, but he had to go and collect them, and it was still unknown whether he could retrieve them.

Li Hao took out three hundred Immortal Stones, not handing them over immediately, but waiting for Old Wang to arrive.

The True Immortal glanced at the Immortal Stones in Li Hao's hand, not urging him, and returned to the Immortal Gate传送 (chuánsòng - transmit, transport) location.

Several days later, Old Wang's figure finally caught up.

Li Hao saw that his eyes seemed to have some bloodshot, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Let's go."

Old Wang arrived and said to Li Hao. Then he looked at the guarding True Immortal, his eyes slightly narrowed, and he murmured, "Heavenly Palace?"

He stared at the True Immortal, his eyes flickering, as if pondering something.

Seeing Li Hao look over, he snapped out of his thoughts, frowning and explaining via voice transmission:

"If I remember correctly, during that catastrophe back then, the Heavenly Palace was at the forefront. Even the Immortal Emperor perished. How could the Heavenly Palace be preserved?"

"Could it be that the Heavenly Palace Emperor did not fall?"

As he spoke, his brows furrowed even deeper.

But soon, he said to Li Hao, "Let's go first, let me understand the True World as it is now."

Li Hao had some thoughts in his mind, but didn't say much, following the other forward.

The True Immortal who was guarding earlier stepped forward to block Old Wang, demanding传送 (chuánsòng - transmission) Immortal Stones. Old Wang simply raised a finger, and a vortex actually appeared again at the Immortal Gate传送 (chuánsòng - transmission) location.

The True Immortal was immediately stunned and dumbfounded at this scene.

Raising a hand to condense Immortal Dao, transmitting across myriad realms, this was a method only Immortal Kings possessed!

The old man before his eyes… he began to tremble.

"Go."

Old Wang waved his sleeve, and Li Hao and Feng Boping and the others followed closely behind, all heading into the opened Immortal Gate传送 (chuánsòng - transmission).

"This place, actually has an Immortal King descending…"

After they left, the several True Immortals guarding this place were all in shock.

Flying swiftly in the Immortal Array, enveloped by immortal power, extremely stable. Before Li Hao and the others could carefully experience it, a majestic city appeared before their eyes, suspended in the starry sky.

"Heart-Questioning Pagoda City?"

Old Wang saw the silhouette of the city, his eyes flickering. He had followed the path of the Immortal Gate传送 (chuánsòng - transmission) to come, not knowing where he would be transported to, but he hadn't expected it to be here.

However, time had left its mark. The old city that was once famous throughout the True World, now had several huge cracks in its city walls, seemingly beyond repair. There was also a terrifying claw mark deeply imprinted on it.

When they emerged from the传送 (chuánsòng - transmission) location, they were already outside the city. Immediately, True Immortals came forward to collect city entrance fees.

Old Wang stood rooted to the spot, lost in countless memories, feeling dazed.

Li Hao heard the guards urging them, not wanting to attract attention, stepped forward to inquire, and then paid two hundred Immortal Stones for the city entrance fee.

"You can also be considered lucky. It just so happens that recently many Immortal Sects are coming to Pagoda City to recruit disciples. If you can be selected, you can be considered to have good fortune."

The True Immortal received the Immortal Stones, scanned Li Hao and the others, saw that Lin Qingying and the others were not highly cultivated, and said with a chuckle.

At this time, Old Wang also recovered, his eyes however, showing a hint of melancholy. He followed Li Hao and walked while saying:

"A hundred thousand years… I didn't expect Heart-Questioning Pagoda City to have fallen to such a state. A small array can actually transmit here, and there is not even a trace of King Dao power inside. Back in the day, this was the Pagoda City that resisted countless death demons from the True World's abyssal sea… All races took pride in leaving their names here, but now…"

He looked at the city, still densely packed with countless names branded on it, but time had eroded them, the strokes of those names already blurred, and it seemed no one cared anymore.

A pang of heartache flashed in Old Wang's eyes as he walked into the city.

The city gate of Pagoda City was extremely majestic, like a black heavenly gate. The entrance to the city was a towering mountain, with pavilions and towers rising and falling within it. Figures flew within, rarely anyone walking on the ground.

"The Emperor Runes on this city gate have also dimmed…"

Old Wang looked dejected, witnessing the many signs of decay in the past hundred thousand years.

Just as they entered the city, a vast pressure suddenly came from afar, accompanied by a whistling sound. A giant sword, hundreds of miles in diameter and twenty miles wide, traversed across the sky, reflected in the eyes of countless people.

"It's the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion of the Heaven First Sect, are they also here to recruit people?"

"I heard their trials are extremely strict."

"Quick, quick, go and take a look, even if we can only get in as a handyman, it would be worth it."

Immediately, many of the True Immortals flying nearby all rushed over, including many Saint-level cultivators.

(End of chapter)