Chapter 484: Departure

As the number of Heavenly Sects gathering at the Ancient Immortal Realm grew, a familiar aura arrived. Gu Yan and the other two turned their heads and saw Li Tiemu's figure flying over on a gourd.

Behind him were disciples and elders from other abysses of the Great Dream Nine Abyss.

"Master."

The three immediately spoke, feeling a sense of reliance and support.

In this vast Ancient Immortal Realm, even though they were peerless prodigies, they felt a sense of being alone. After all, everyone else around them was also a genius, accompanied by their teachers and elders, their imposing presence casually displayed, while they had to be cautious and avoid suffering immediate losses.

"Mmm, mmm, your eldest brother told me about your situation, and you really haven't disappointed me."

Li Tiemu sensed the changes in his three beloved disciples' realms, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. Compared to three years ago, they had all greatly improved, and this time they might very well be able to break into the top thousand.

After all, compared to other Heavenly Sect disciples, Li Tiemu felt that Gu Yan and the others only lacked time.

If they all reached soul ages of over two thousand years, with their talents, they would definitely easily enter the top thousand, or even higher, especially Gu Yan, who even had a chance to break into the top ten!

"Master, didn't Hao Tian come with you?"

Murong Qingwu glanced behind Li Tiemu, finding it empty, and couldn't help but ask.

Gu Yan and Yue Xi also tiptoed and looked into the distance, but didn't see that familiar figure.

"I was wondering if he would catch up with you at the border later and come here together." Li Tiemu frowned slightly upon hearing Murong Qingwu's words. He scanned his surroundings, a hint of helplessness on his face, and said, "That kid, he really doesn't give me peace of mind. I don't know where he ran off to. It's been three years, and he hasn't even sent a greeting. Does he even have me, his master, in his eyes anymore?"

The three exchanged glances, all remaining silent, but their eyes seemed to whisper to each other: Obviously not.

Li Tiemu sighed, but quickly shook off his worry and said, "You don't need to worry either. That kid is lucky and received the Chaos Tribulation Dao Fish treasure bestowed by the Dream Master. That thing can predict fortune and misfortune, and can also withstand a tribulation for him. If the Dao Fish breaks, the Dream Master will sense it, but there's been no movement so far."

Hearing his words, the three exchanged glances, inwardly relieved.

At this moment, disciples from other abysses of the Great Dream Nine Abyss also landed nearby, including the old woman from Sword Abyss and Zhou Qingyun, who also led their respective disciples.

When Zhou Qingyun saw the changes in Gu Yan and the others' aura, his eyes widened slightly, then he smiled and said,

"Old Li, it seems your disciples, besides that Hao Tian, might have a few more making the cut this time."

"How could we be absent from the Southern Domain Meet?"

Li Tiemu laughed, his face full of pride.

"We are from the same sect and abyss, and we rise and fall together. I hope they can all participate and achieve good rankings in the Southern Domain Meet!" the old woman said softly.

Li Tiemu looked at the disciples beside them, also noticing significant improvements, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

Beside the old woman, Lin Mingrong, the snow-clad woman who had broken into the top thousand three years ago, scanned Gu Yan and the others, but didn't see that figure.

She frowned slightly and said to Li Tiemu, "Elder Li, may I ask, where is your disciple?"

"Are you talking about Hao Tian?"

Li Tiemu glanced at this young girl, noticing her aura was even more profound and restrained than three years ago. Although still in the True Immortal Realm, she had an indescribable Dao charm surrounding her. He chuckled and said,

"Hao Tian is a playful child. Who knows where he's gone off to play."

"Playful?"

Lin Mingrong was slightly stunned. She immediately recalled the scene before the Dream Master three years ago. That young man had followed her to pay respects to the Dream Master but was left behind alone. He was the one who had achieved the highest ranking in the entire Great Dream Nine Abyss at that time.

However, afterwards, he didn't cultivate with them but left the Langya Painting Realm.

"Let's not talk about my disciple. You all should work hard. Everyone else is improving, so don't fall behind."

Li Tiemu said with a smile, though his smile couldn't hide his affection for that disciple. Everyone could see how fond he was of him.

"Mingrong, focus, and give it your best."

The old woman said softly to her beloved disciple.

Lin Mingrong's eyes narrowed, she nodded, took a deep breath, and then drew her sword and walked into the desolate region.

"You guys go too, let me see the results of your three years of hard training."

Li Tiemu smiled at Gu Yan and the other two.

Gu Yan and the others' eyes sharpened upon hearing this. Although they hadn't encountered ancient demons while training at the border, fighting against the strong soldiers in the army was no less intense than fighting ancient demons. Their tireless cultivation day and night, and the figure who had achieved 19th place pressing down on them, constantly fueled their desire to catch up.

Even in their dreams, they were running and chasing.

Three years had passed, even if they couldn't catch up, they wanted to see just how much closer they had gotten!

Swoosh!

Gu Yan drew his sword and was the first to follow Lin Mingrong's figure into the荒域 (huangyu - desolate region).

Murong Qingwu still remembered to say goodbye to Li Tiemu, and Yue Xi also cupped his fists in farewell before they both chased after him.

"These two little guys."

Li Tiemu shook his head slightly, not minding, and then looked towards Spear Abyss.

This time, in the Great Dream Nine Abyss, besides Li Hao, Spear Abyss had also produced good seedlings. He heard that after three years of hard training, they had received great praise and guidance from the Dream Master in the Langya Painting Realm and had improved by leaps and bounds. He wondered if they could, together with that kid, prop up the entire Great Dream Nine Abyss!

…

Besides the Great Dream Nine Abyss, disciples from other Heavenly Sects also took action one after another.

"Hao Tian, in the Southern Domain Meet, I will definitely catch up to you!"

From within the Myriad Mountains Sword Pavilion, a graceful figure in a cyan dress stood at the edge of a massive sword domain artifact. Her gaze swept towards the direction of the Great Dream Nine Abyss, but she didn't see that familiar figure.

She knew he shouldn't have arrived yet, otherwise, even in a crowd of millions, she would be able to spot him at a glance.

Just like a sword fanatic could find their own sword in billions of sword hilts.

"Qingying, stay by my side, and I can lead you through the tenth desolate region and secure a spot to participate in the war."

Suddenly, a voice sounded beside her.

A young man in a snow-white silkworm robe stood behind Lin Qingying, his expression indifferent, his eyes revealing a sense of detached superiority, as if nothing in the world could catch his eye. Only when he glanced at the cyan-clad woman would a hint of gentleness appear in his eyes.

Lin Qingying snapped back to reality and shook her head. "No need, Eldest Brother, I want to rely on my own abilities."

"You entered the sect too recently. With your talent, you should be qualified to participate in this Southern Domain Meet, but the Immortal Dynasty assessment came early. Give you two more years, and you will definitely be able to break in on your own. I'm just helping you borrow two years of time."

The young man said calmly, the hint of gentleness in his eyes also becoming indifferent.

Lin Qingying shook her head slightly, "My own time, I can carve out myself. Eldest Brother, you represent the sect's face, you should focus on charging through yourself."

After speaking, without waiting for a response, she directly leaped into the desolate region.

The young man frowned slightly.

"Senior Brother Hongyi, she's aloof by nature, don't take it to heart if she doesn't appreciate it. How about you lead me?"

A pleasant female voice approached, her beautiful eyes pure and clear, looking innocent and lovely.

Tian Hongyi glanced at her, coldly snorted, and said, "You've been in the sect for many years. If you had her ambition, you wouldn't need to rely on others."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and soared away, ignoring her.

The woman was stunned, the innocence in her eyes instantly turning to resentment, and she slightly bit her teeth.

…

The desolate region, which had been silent for three years, gradually became lively as disciples from various sects shuttled through it.

On the black Immortal Monument, numerous identity rankings were rapidly jumping and changing.

Inside the Illusion Sea Gate.

Huo Xiaoqi returned to his sect, his appearance drastically changed. His figure had become more upright, his face delicate and handsome, and if his hair was loose, he would resemble a graceful woman.

He scanned around but didn't see that figure. He frowned slightly but didn't worry. After bidding farewell to his sect, he plunged into the desolate region.

High in the sky above the desolate region.

Chu Xiangtian and over a dozen other figures stood at this high vantage point, overlooking the blurred figures in the desolate region.

"Look, Bo Yaxuejian from Bamboo Rain Pavilion is entering the desolate region!"

"Xing Lan is also preparing to enter."

"And that Tian Hongyi!"

Their gazes scanned, mainly focused on the top geniuses from each sect.

Among them, the most eye-catching was Bo Yaxuejian from Bamboo Rain Pavilion.

He had previously broken into the seventh position on the Immortal Monument with his own strength! You must know, the top ten positions were all monopolized by the royal family. Only Bo Yaxuejian had broken this monopoly, entering as a Heavenly Sect disciple!

"Three years have passed, does he intend to contend for the top five?"

"I thought he wouldn't come this time and would continue to cultivate, but I didn't expect him to come early."

"I heard he refused invitations from several princes. He still doesn't intend to rely on any side. It seems he has great ambitions and plans to negotiate after making a name for himself in the Southern Domain!"

"Understandable, I would choose the same if I were him."

"Should we notify Ying Que and give him some tests?" a voluptuous woman in luxurious clothing said with a giggle.

Chu Xiangtian glanced at her, and coldly said, "Don't create unnecessary troubles. Don't forget they are all representing my Yan Chu to fight. It's meaningless to exhaust them here in advance. When we contend with other Immortal Dynasties in the Southern Domain Meet, we will naturally see their abilities!"

"Brother, don't be angry, I just want to let him know the majesty of my royal family."

The luxurious woman covered her mouth and chuckled.

Chu Xiangtian narrowed his eyes. Whether her words were true or false, or had other intentions, he was too lazy to ponder.

…

Time flowed.

While the intense competition was happening in the Ancient Immortal Realm, in the distant border, in the city of Qinghe Mo.

Li Hao stayed in the Water Moon Secret Realm, eating, drinking, and cultivating every day.

Three years had passed. Of the hundred thousand Immortal Merit points exchanged for a hundred thousand Immortal Stones, Li Hao had used up more than half. His realm had also risen from the True Immortal Realm third level to the True Immortal Realm ninth level!

The remaining thirty thousand Immortal Stones, combined with the dense Immortal energy in the courtyard, were enough for him to advance to the True Immortal Realm tenth level of perfection.

And after reaching the True Immortal Realm ninth level, the capacity of his Ancestral Immortal Body had also become larger. Combined with the continuous infusion of power from the Myriad Star Veins, he could unleash even stronger killing moves in an instant!

You must know that the intensity of Immortal power in the True Immortal Realm doubles with each level!

If his previous Immortal power index was 4, then it was now 256, which was 64 times that of the True Immortal Realm third level!!

This was also why the higher the realm, the harder it was to defy the odds and challenge across realms. Just a difference of one or two levels in realm could lead to a world of difference in Immortal power.

And now, the vast Immortal power allowed Li Hao to unleash all the techniques he currently mastered without hesitation, without worrying about being drained or emptying his Immortal power as soon as he made a move.

Even if the power could be continuously replenished, the effect was still different.

"There are still ten days left, it should be ending over there. Aren't you going to take a look?"

In the courtyard, Gu Changming looked at Li Hao and asked with a smile.

"I'll wait another five days. Going too early is meaningless. It's just going through the motions and collecting a reward." Li Hao said.

He had already secured a spot to participate, and challenging the desolate region again was meaningless, as it couldn't improve him.

With that time, he might as well stay here in peace and eat for five days.

"You kid, you really plan to show up at the last moment." Gu Changming couldn't help but chuckle.

But he was also very reassured about Li Hao. After all, he had already secured a spot to participate, and going earlier or later really didn't make much difference.

"It's not that extreme. I'll go there for a few days, meet some old friends, and by the way, see how intense they're getting." Li Hao laughed.

It was said one should see all the scenery, and naturally, one shouldn't miss out on such a lively scene.

Gu Changming laughed heartily upon hearing this.

In the blink of an eye, five days passed.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Li Hao didn't stay any longer. After saying goodbye to Gu Changming, he left the Water Moon Secret Realm, preparing to head to the Immortal Capital.

He headed towards the teleportation point of Mo City. Suddenly, on the road, a graceful figure floated past in front of him. Li Hao was stunned, thinking it was an illusion. He couldn't help but open his eyes to look again, and saw that figure turn and walk into a nearby alley.

He quickly chased after her, and at the corner, he saw her stop in place.

"You…"

Li Hao stared at her back, somewhat dazed, his pupils slightly constricted.

The figure slowly turned her head, revealing a face that was familiar to Li Hao.

Li Hao's heart pounded, feeling as if the blood in his whole body was凝固收缩 (ninggu suosuo - solidified and contracted).

This stunningly beautiful figure was actually the ancient demon woman he had met on the extraterritorial battlefield, Mi Xueyao!

"How could it be you!"

Li Hao couldn't help but exclaim in shock. She had actually appeared in Mo City?

This was human territory, and still a vital border fortress!

Mi Xueyao looked at Li Hao's shocked expression, and couldn't help but smile, saying, "I just sensed your aura, seems you really still remember me."

She had sensed Li Hao's aura and deliberately walked in front of him to attract him.

Li Hao was stunned, and suddenly realized, "You, what are you doing?"

"I was being chased by that ancient demon, aren't you concerned if I got into trouble?" Mi Xueyao asked with interest.

"…"

Li Hao was taken aback, and then said, "Aren't you standing perfectly fine in front of me?"

"Hmph!"

Seeing Li Hao say this, Mi Xueyao's smiling face instantly turned cold, she harrumphed, and said, "It's all thanks to me distracting that guy for you, and you're not even a bit grateful."

Li Hao was speechless. Women's moods were indeed fickle, and he didn't expect the demon race to be the same.

"I'm already doing you a big favor by not shouting right now." Li Hao said in annoyance.

"Go ahead and shout, you can shout yourself hoarse and it won't do you any good." Mi Xueyao crossed her arms and said playfully.

"…"

Why did this line sound a little familiar?

(End of Chapter)