Chapter 512: The Final Spirit Burst

Since his Water Dao Source reached the peak of the fourth layer, Li Hao's understanding of the Painting Dao had deepened, and his control over ink wash techniques had become more refined.

Ink wash wasn't merely ink; Immortal Power could also transform into ink wash, as could Time itself – it all depended on one's understanding.

Li Hao looked up at the Divine Source Tree of Time, his thoughts drifting. Using space as his canvas and time as his brush tip, he drew upon the Immortal Power of the Myriad Stars of the Heavens, sketching the form of the Divine Source Tree of Time within the void.

Painting such a wondrous spectacle was a form of honing and testing one's Painting Dao.

However, just as he began his initial strokes, Li Hao felt like he had hit a steel plate this time.

The marvelous spectacle of this Divine Source Tree of Time presented the highest difficulty he had ever encountered in his life.

Merely the divine leaves on the tree's crown caused sweat to bead on Li Hao's forehead.

Each divine leaf flowed with and transformed a certain sealed fragment of time. One leaf, one era; ebbing and flowing, never settling into a fixed sequence.

Veins gradually bulged on Li Hao's forehead, his eyes showing a look of struggle and strain. The time carried on each divine leaf was constantly changing, each different from the next. Trying to capture it in a painting was simply unimaginable.

Li Hao applied the power of Time to the divine leaves in his painting, also manifesting a changing river of time. But as soon as that river of time was depicted, the time fragment on the actual divine leaf would change, while the fragment already sketched by his brushstroke could not follow suit, having already set.

"This is simply impossible to paint!"

Li Hao was shocked. This was the first time since mastering the Painting Dao that he encountered a situation where he found it difficult to continue painting.

Previously, when his understanding of the Painting Dao was still shallow, he had used the complex bodies of demons and monsters as subjects. Although his work was crude and unrefined, unable to capture their essence, it was at least sufficient for a wanted poster, clearly distinguishing features and appearance.

And as he painted again and again, his Painting Dao continuously deepened, allowing him to render even complex demons and monsters vividly lifelike.

But in the situation before him now, he couldn't even manage to depict the first divine leaf.

"Anything in the world can become a painting. In that Tian Yang False Realm, the myriad stars in the sky of the Land of All Heavens were all painted. This Divine Source Tree of Time should logically be paintable as well."

Li Hao's expression was complex, but he did not doubt his Painting Dao. At his current realm in the Painting Dao, no matter how he racked his brain, exhausting his thoughts, he couldn't figure out how to represent the Divine Source Tree of Time before him.

But Li Hao felt that sooner or later, he would be able to paint it and imbue it with vitality akin to a sculpture.

"If my Painting Dao reaches the twelfth stage, perhaps I could try," Li Hao thought inwardly.

He gazed at the divine leaves, attempting to paint again. But time shifted and flowed upon them; he tried several times in succession, ultimately ending in failure each time.

However, through these few failures, Li Hao exhausted his mind, deepening his grasp of his Painting Dao more thoroughly and reaping some small gains.

He rose and left the area, heading towards the Divine Source Tree of Space.

This Divine Source Tree of Space was entirely silver-white, appearing as if standing tall within the city, yet also as if standing in another dimension of space-time.

The tree's leaves fluttered gently, yet easily stirred and tore the surrounding space.

These torn spaces healed instantly, only to be torn again repeatedly, making the surrounding void ripple like water.

Li Hao's expression turned serious. This Divine Source Tree of Space was also difficult to paint, but compared to the outlandish nature of the Divine Source Tree of Time, it was clearly much simpler.

Drawing upon his recent experience studying the Divine Source Tree of Time, Li Hao sat cross-legged, unfurled his Dao Domain, and once again carefully began to sketch and paint.

During half a month of continuous, careful observation, Li Hao discovered that while the void repeatedly tore and rippled like water, it wasn't chaotic like time; the torn void exhibited a constant order.

After cycling through one thousand and eight different types of void tears, it would return to the beginning, repeating in a continuous cycle.

"I can't just think horizontally; I should also think vertically. Like space itself, the one thousand and eight variations can be viewed as a single entity!"

"I wonder if the Divine Source Tree of Time is also like this, just with more variations..."

Thoughts flickered in Li Hao's eyes, and two words surfaced in his mind: Cycle.

His mind trembled slightly, faintly feeling as if he had grasped some profound principle of the Heavenly Dao, yet it remained vague and unclear.

Soon, that feeling bordering on enlightenment disappeared, and his focus returned to the Divine Source Tree of Space before him.

Li Hao treated the constantly tearing and changing space as a single entity, used time as the brush tip, and gradually rendered it in his painting.

Soon, with the completion of the first divine leaf, followed the second, the third...

Time flowed ceaselessly, while Immortal Power surged around Li Hao as he remained fully engrossed in his painting.

His Myriad Stars Meridians of the Heavens automatically manifested around him, channeling a continuous stream of Immortal Power.

If not for the enduring Immortal Power provided by these meridians, Li Hao would have exhausted all his Immortal Power just painting a single spatial divine leaf.

Undistracted, he painted one divine leaf after another. Before his eyes, the crown of a resplendent silver-white Divine Source Tree of Space gradually emerged, emitting a terrifying rhythm of the Space Dao.

In the blink of an eye, four months passed.

Within this Twin City, two beams of light suddenly erupted, shooting towards the heavens and resonating within the minds of everyone present.

Dense Immortal Power gathered like a storm within the city; one could feel their cultivation base advancing with each breath.

"Spirit Burst."

Before the Divine Source Tree of Space, three figures awakened from their comprehension, their eyes gleaming as they gazed at the tree.

But soon, they seemed to sense something. Turning their heads, they saw behind them, another enormous Divine Tree of Space standing tall within the void!

Two trees?

All three cultivators' pupils contracted slightly, shock written on their faces.

Their thoughts descended into momentary chaos, but they soon discovered that this second Divine Tree of Space seemed rootless; only the upper part of the tree existed, lacking the lower trunk.

Immediately following, they saw beneath this Space Divine Tree, the figure of a young man sitting cross-legged, continuously waving his hands. Streams of Immortal Power flowed into the painted Space Divine Tree, causing its trunk to grow slowly.

"What's going on?"

The three stared at this scene in astonishment and doubt. Even with their vast experience and knowledge, they had never seen such a sight.

"It's him?"

One of them, a figure in royal robes, recognized Li Hao's face and was slightly startled. He hadn't expected to see this odd True Immortal Realm youngster here.

He actually came to the Spacetime Source City too, and what on earth was he doing?

His eyes filled with confusion, he got up and walked towards Li Hao. Immediately, he felt Li Hao's Dao Domain, infused with the power of space-time, obstructing him.

With his strength, forcefully breaking through wouldn't be an issue, but he could see the young man was completely absorbed in something. Disturbing him would likely make them enemies.

However, come the Southern Domain Convention, they would inevitably be opponents.

His eyes flickered as he recalled the youth selling him the Space Source earlier. His steps ultimately halted; he did not proceed further.

"A True Immortal Realm kid... he seems to be using Immortal Power to project the image of the Divine Tree of Space."

The other two also approached the edge of Li Hao's Dao Domain, their eyes filled with astonishment and suspicion. Both recognized that this youth was somewhat formidable.

They wouldn't dare attempt such a thing themselves, yet this youth had actually done it, and projected the Divine Tree of Space with such uncanny resemblance.

"Which dynasty's Heaven's Chosen is this? He doesn't seem to be from our Tianzhao Immortal Dynasty."

"True Immortal Realm... looks like in a year, he'll be a formidable opponent in the True Immortal Realm group. In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

One of them, a purple-robed youth, had a cold glint flash in his eyes. He prepared to step into Li Hao's Dao Domain and disrupt him.

He could see that this youth was comprehending the Divine Tree of Space through some method. If he could disrupt it, the youth would surely suffer a great loss.

"Hmph!"

At this time, the royal-robed middle-aged man snorted coldly, suddenly releasing a majestic pressure, blocking the purple-robed youth.

"Since you are both in the True Immortal Realm, if you fear him, just don't bother participating in the convention, lest you embarrass yourself!"

The purple-robed youth's expression changed; he hadn't expected the man to intervene. He asked in surprise and suspicion, "This person isn't from your Yuanzun Immortal Dynasty, right?"

"What if he isn't? I despise petty actions like yours!" the royal-robed middle-aged man snorted, speaking disdainfully.

The purple-robed youth's face turned ugly. He said gloomily, "When he becomes an Immortal Lord, he'll also be a rival to your Yuanzun Immortal Dynasty! Even if he doesn't advance in time for this Southern Domain Convention and doesn't get a chance to face you, he will become an obstacle for you in the future!"

"I, Chi Man, fear no challenge within the same realm! The stronger the opponent, the more excited I become!" the royal-robed middle-aged man sneered.

"You!"

The purple-robed youth clenched his fists, unable to contain his anger. But the other party was in the Immortal Lord Realm, while he was only in the True Immortal Realm. If he truly provoked the other party, even if he wasn't killed, he'd be crippled. The gain wasn't worth the risk.

He gritted his teeth and could only swallow his anger, retreating towards the Divine Source Tree of Space.

"Since the Spirit Burst has begun, I'll make my move first."

The third person had also considered disrupting Li Hao, but seeing Chi Man protecting him, he couldn't be bothered. He turned and rushed towards the Divine Source Tree of Space.

Chi Man glanced but paid him no mind, instead shooting a warning glance at the purple-robed youth.

The purple-robed youth was furious but could only turn away and head towards the tree to begin his climb.

Chi Man looked at Li Hao, then didn't delay any longer. He took advantage of the Spirit Burst to begin his ascent of the Divine Source Tree of Space.

At this moment, within his Dao Domain, Li Hao was still completely absorbed in his painting.

Swoosh!

As Immortal Power surged in, the final stroke was completed. Li Hao instantly broke free from his state of deep immersion.

He looked at the Space Divine Tree before his eyes, which seemed both real and illusory, and felt a surge of immense surprise. He had actually done it! He had painted the Divine Tree of Space!

Compared to the actual tree before him, it clearly still possessed an illusory quality, and its Dao rhythm was also far inferior, but it was at least a complete work.

"I feel like it's still missing something."

Li Hao looked at the Space Divine Tree he had painted, recovering from his initial excitement and joy. He carefully examined and compared it, feeling it was still lacking significantly, but he had no immediate idea how to perfect it.

Just then, Li Hao noticed the Divine Source Tree of Space ahead, blooming with divine light. Elsewhere in the city, an area was shrouded in hazy, seven-colored auspicious clouds, where the treasure light of the Divine Source Tree of Time soared into the sky.

"Spirit Burst?"

Li Hao saw the three figures climbing on the Divine Source Tree of Space and realized that this Spirit Burst was likely the last chance to climb the divine tree.

The time in this Source Mystic Realm was about to end.

If he could obtain a Dao Fruit from the divine tree, Li Hao's Time Dao Source could also reach the fourth layer. His Space Dao Source was already at the fourth layer, but with a divine tree Dao Fruit, perhaps he could even hope to break through to the fifth layer!

Thinking of this, Li Hao's eyes grew fervent. He put away his painting and was about to move.

At this time, Xi Yan, within his personal Heaven and Earth Space, suddenly spoke to Li Hao:

"Hao Tian, someone tried to harm you just now."

"Harm me?"

Li Hao was taken aback. Xi Yan had always been in his Heaven and Earth Space, from where she could observe the outside situation. He had promised Xi Yan he would show her the outside world.

"Yes, the one in purple robes," Xi Yan quickly added. "He tried to force his way into your Dao Domain to disrupt your painting. However, he was blocked by that middle-aged man. You sold him Space Source before; he probably remembered the favor."

Li Hao looked towards the royal-robed middle-aged man and instantly recalled him. He was an expert from the Yuanzun Immortal Dynasty, on par with Chu Tianhuang. He had bought Space Source from him, and had, in return, given Li Hao a top-tier sword art manual from the Yuanzun Immortal Dynasty.

"I have no grievance or enmity with him. Why would he try to interfere with me?" Li Hao asked, puzzled.

Xi Yan replied, "From their argument, the one in purple is also a True Immortal. He saw you as a threat, so he wanted to interfere."

Li Hao raised an eyebrow and glanced at the purple-robed youth. The youth was currently climbing the vines towards the trunk, steadily ascending through the turbulent spatial currents.

Although the other party was also in the True Immortal Realm, his comprehension of the Space Dao also seemed quite profound.

However.

Since the other party had intended to sabotage him, Li Hao certainly wouldn't let him off easily.

Li Hao had no doubts about Xi Yan's words.

Swoosh!

Li Hao's figure flickered and shot forward, plunging into the Spirit Burst range around the divine tree.

Here, space churned like a turbulent current; only those with a deep comprehension of the Space Dao could navigate upwards through the chaos.

Li Hao moved through this turbulence like a fish darting through water. In the blink of an eye, he caught up to the purple-robed youth.

"Hm?"

The purple-robed youth's expression changed. He turned to look at Li Hao. Seeing Li Hao's cold gaze, a chill went down his spine. He said in a low voice:

"What do you want to do?"

"What did you just want to do?" Li Hao retorted.

Even as he spoke, he raised his hand, unleashing a burst of Immortal Power and slashing out with his sword.

"You!"

The purple-robed youth was shocked and furious. "There's plenty of room here! Do you have to fight me for this spot?!"

"There will be plenty of experts at the Southern Domain Convention, yet you insisted on interfering with me. If I had been harmed, would you have been the only one to benefit?" Li Hao sneered, countering with the youth's own logic.

Azure Sky Sword Qi slashed through the spatial turbulence, aiming directly for the purple-robed youth.

The purple-robed youth hastily waved his hand, a long spear materialized in his palm, erupting with the might of a dark-colored Immortal Weapon, blocking Li Hao's sword qi.

Li Hao's eyes narrowed slightly. The Immortal Weapon in the youth's hand was also a top-tier artifact.

Those able to come to this Spacetime Source City almost invariably had significant backgrounds. Even if they didn't initially, after demonstrating their talent within an Immortal Dynasty, they would receive its support and assistance.

"Don't waste your energy! I'll be waiting for you at the Southern Domain Convention!" the purple-robed youth said, his eyes turning cold. Knowing he had already made an enemy, he wasted no more words.

Li Hao glanced at the Immortal Weapon in his hand, knew that seriously injuring him would be difficult. Furthermore, the Southern Domain Convention prohibited the use of Immortal Weapons. At that time, it would be a true contest of strength.

"We'll settle this then!"

Li Hao snorted coldly, his figure flickered, bypassing the youth, and continued rushing upwards through the spatial turbulence.

The purple-robed youth watched Li Hao surpass him in the blink of an eye, his expression couldn't help but change. This indicated that Li Hao's comprehension of the Space Dao was deeper than his own.

(End of Chapter)