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Chapter 373: The Supreme Divine Realm, Three Saints as One
🕑 Added 2024-10-29 15:39:18 +0000 UTCHalf a year after the conclusion of the Supreme Heavenly Talents Battle, the numerous rumors and discussions surrounding the event gradually died down.
Across the heavens, the various major powers and factions shifted their focus back to the many matters concerning their own interests.
Time flowed on.
In the Heavenly Origin Realm, within the Holy Land of Chaos.
In a vast cave mansion that seemed to have its own sky, this cave stood towering at ten thousand zhang high, with divine radiance flowing across the dome. A majestic figure exuding an ancient and savage aura sat cross-legged in the center.
The figure was clad in black, its body covered in a shell-like armor. On its head was a sharp, singular horn, as though cast from divine iron, piercing proudly into the heavens.
From the gaps in the armor on its back, brilliant divine light flowed, like divine sand buried within, radiating a terrifying might.
At this moment, it sat there like an ancient monk, seemingly in meditation.
This was the true form of the Holy Lord of Chaos—a colossal primordial one-horned beast.
"Recently, has that person made any moves? Has he been behaving?"
Suddenly, the Holy Lord of Chaos slowly opened his eyes, which were as large and red as rubies, calm and without ripples.
In the cave mansion, the branches of a giant tree swayed gently. The leaves emitted a radiant divine light, surrounded by the aura of the great Dao. Astonishingly, this tree was also a Saint.
"A few months ago, that person left the Dao Heaven Holy Land and visited the Source Ancestor Holy Land. It seems he went to inquire about the method of triple cultivation. Many Heavenly Talents who ascend to Saint status have such ambitions. After that, he returned to the Dao Heaven Holy Land, causing quite a commotion. But the Dao Saint sealed the news, so the details are unclear."
The tree spoke in an ancient voice, "Currently, he is wandering through the Small World of Flaming Sun, traveling and enjoying the sights, tasting fine delicacies. However, the Skylark Tower detected that he passed by some battlefields involved in imperial disputes. I suspect he is absorbing Extreme Dao power along the way."
"Oh?"
The Holy Lord of Chaos narrowed his eyes slightly, "That method from the Source Ancestor for triple cultivation is merely a flawed path. While it can indeed enhance one's strength, the effect is limited, a waste of energy. However, once one reaches the Saint realm, one's strength doesn't increase as rapidly as before. Any improvement is already remarkable."
The branches of the tree swayed gently, as if nodding in agreement:
"At least he hasn't sought revenge against that Buddhist sect yet. Otherwise, we'd be in for more trouble."
"No matter. He walks the path of bodily ascension, which shares the same origin as mine. I helped him cross his tribulation, strengthening his Saint Dao. As long as he doesn't engage in a Dao debate, the only ones in the heavens who can kill him are the Supreme Saints."
The Holy Lord of Chaos said calmly.
"But in a few months, it will be time for the Dao Debate Assembly, a grand event. The Source Ancestor will surely come to preach, and that boy will likely attend. The Buddhist sect and the Void Holy Land will not miss this only chance to eliminate him."
The giant tree said, its tone carrying a hint of concern, "They will certainly use the opportunity to act."
The Holy Lord of Chaos chuckled, "No one will touch him under my watchful eye. Before he matures through the three disasters, I will not allow anyone to disrupt my plans..."
As he spoke, his eyes seemed to narrow slightly, "That method from the Source Ancestor, isolating the three paths with barriers... Haha, those barriers are likely not so simple. It seems I must make additional preparations."
The giant tree was slightly startled by these words, its branches trembling briefly, but it quickly understood and sighed:
"You have thought it through. The Source Ancestor may perceive your intentions and will not sit idly by. If you manage to take that next step, the heavens will no longer be under his control alone, especially with that Ancient Hall about to open..."
At the mention of the Ancient Hall, a glimmer of light flashed in the eyes of the Holy Lord of Chaos, and a cold smile appeared on his lips:
"We need to ensure he completes the three disasters before probing the Ancient Hall. If necessary, we may need to offer some assistance in secret."
...
In the Small World of Flaming Sun.
Inside a luxurious private room of a restaurant in a grand imperial city.
A table was laden with a feast of sumptuous dishes, and five people sat around it—three men and two women.
Among them, a young man dressed in fine clothing sat at the head of the table. His appearance had changed slightly, and his aura was restrained. He was dressed as a wealthy young master, exuding a noble air, as if he had been born above the world, with his feet never touching the dust.
Seated on either side of him were a lively girl in a red dress and a graceful woman in a flowing gown—Xiyan and Hongyue.
The other two guests, however, sat somewhat nervously at the table, as though mere companions.
"There's no need to be so reserved when enjoying a meal. You mustn't waste such fine food."
Li Hao smiled and gestured to the two, encouraging them to relax.
One of the guests was an old acquaintance of his, Chiguang.
Upon hearing that the Small World of Flaming Sun had seen a rise in imperial disputes, Li Hao had come here to absorb incense power while traveling with Xiyan, enjoying the sights of the heavens and tasting fine cuisine.
In addition to Xiyan, he had also brought along Hongyue to play chess and keep him entertained.
Shortly after their arrival, Chiguang's first master had somehow learned of his presence and brought Chiguang to apologize and make amends with Li Hao.
It was only then that Li Hao learned this Small World of Flaming Sun was Chiguang's homeland.
And his first master was a Half-Saint.
"We're deeply honored that you would grace us with your presence, bringing your Saintly self to accept our humble apology. We are endlessly grateful."
The middle-aged man, known as the Flame Ancestor and Chiguang's first master, spoke respectfully. Though seated, he remained slightly hunched over, filled with trepidation as he addressed Li Hao with the utmost reverence.
He knew that Li Hao was not only a Saint but also a Saint of the Dao of Sacrifice, who had defeated the Buddhist Sovereign and Void Saint shortly after his ascension. With strength that could suppress those who had survived the three disasters, and boundless future potential, Li Hao could not be taken lightly.
Chiguang felt uncomfortable seeing his master so deferential, but he said nothing.
He sat quietly, head bowed, his expression complex.
By now, he understood that the gap between himself and Li Hao was an unbridgeable chasm.
A Saint who had mastered three Dao paths and seven supreme arts—Li Hao was among the seven greatest of all.
After the Heavenly Talents Battle, Chiguang had pushed himself to improve, honing both his Flame Dao and spear techniques to the peak of the Dao Law realm. Yet, compared to a Saint, it was like comparing a firefly to the bright moon—no comparison at all, especially since Li Hao's status far exceeded that of an ordinary Saint.
"That's all in the past. I settled the matter on the spot back then, so I haven't thought about it since."
Li Hao smiled, his tone light. He had been somewhat surprised when they came to apologize, but he understood it was the weight of his current reputation. If it had been before, they might not have bothered.
Chiguang's lips twitched slightly at Li Hao's words. Back then, Li Hao had said he only needed one sword to defeat him, and during that conflict, Li Hao had indeed settled the matter instantly.
"Your boundless generosity is truly humbling. On behalf of the Scarlet Flame Holy Land, we are forever in your debt!"
The Flame Ancestor stood up, gratitude written all over his face.
He mentioned the Scarlet Flame Holy Land in an attempt to ingratiate himself further with Li Hao.
Chiguang had been a student abroad, training in Flame Dao techniques at the Scarlet Flame Holy Land and wandering the Canglan Realm, perfecting his spear skills.
Li Hao shook his head slightly, "Sit down. The food here is excellent; savor it properly and don't let it go to waste."
With that, he no longer paid them any attention, turning to Xiyan and Hongyue as they began to enjoy the many signature dishes of the restaurant.
This restaurant was said to be the most famous in the entire empire, and when the Flame Ancestor learned that Li Hao wanted to taste the food, he had brought him here. It was indeed a pleasant surprise.
The level of these dishes was at least at the seventh level of Culinary Dao, which was quite rare!
Seeing Li Hao nod in approval as he ate, the Flame Ancestor relaxed visibly, relieved that Li Hao seemed to be in a good mood, which lifted his own spirits as well.
"Delicious!"
Xiyan's eyes gleamed with delight, her lips glistening with oil.
Hongyue, however, couldn't let herself be as uninhibited as Xiyan. Although Li Hao had been nothing but kind and easygoing with her, she still felt overwhelmed by the honor. After all, Li Hao was no longer just a Holy Son—he was a Saint, standing at the pinnacle of the heavens. For someone like her, even meeting him would be nearly impossible, let alone sharing a meal.
After they had eaten their fill, Li Hao patted his stomach and said:
"Let's go. Let's find another place to explore."
Chiguang felt his arm being tugged by his master, snapping him back to attention. He quickly stood up.
"Wherever you wish to go, let me lead the way."
The Flame Ancestor quickly offered.
"No need. It's in the past, so let's leave it at that."
Li Hao replied.
Just as Li Hao was about to leave, Chiguang suddenly seemed to gather his courage, lifting his head to address Li Hao:
"When I become a Saint, I want to face your sword again!"
The moment these words left his mouth, the Flame Ancestor's face turned pale. He quickly turned to Li Hao and said, "Please, pay no mind to his foolish words, Honored Saint."
Li Hao chuckled. He could sense the determination in Chiguang's eyes. It wasn't resentment or provocation, but simply a pure desire for the Dao.
"You'd better hurry, then."
Li Hao smiled, waving them goodbye. With Hongyue and Xiyan by his side, he stepped through a void rift, disappearing tens of thousands of miles away in an instant.
Once Li Hao had vanished from the restaurant, leaving no trace of his presence in the surrounding area, the Flame Ancestor sighed in relief, although he was still both astonished and fearful.
"You nearly caused a disaster!"
He couldn't help but scold Chiguang angrily.
Chiguang looked at his master, and besides the anger, he could see the pain in his eyes.
His lips moved slightly, but in the end, he said nothing. Instead, he turned his gaze to the empty plates on the table, realizing he hadn't even touched his food.
Memories of the past flooded his mind—how the youth who had once clashed with him had now become someone who painted pictures before battle and, even now, savored life's pleasures.
It seemed… he had always taken life seriously.
Chiguang's expression changed slightly, and he found himself lost in thought.
...
Tens of thousands of miles away, Li Hao, along with Hongyue and Xiyan, wandered freely, eventually arriving at the border between two great empires.
In this border region, the remnants of soldiers, weapons, and rotting corpses littered the ground, while vultures feasted on bleached bones.
The contrast was striking—having just come from the aromatic private dining room to this hellish battlefield. Li Hao couldn't help but feel a strange sense of life's contradictions. Perhaps this was the nature of existence.
He could easily see that this place had recently been the site of a great battle, where many lives were lost. Meanwhile, in a luxurious restaurant far away, others indulged in extravagant meals and pleasures.
Under the same sky, some lived lives as insignificant as ants, struggling to survive, while others were born into prominence, living in opulence and feasting every night.
"The heavens are flawed, striving for perfection. But what do all beings truly seek…"
"Is it just to live..."
Li Hao's eyes flickered, and he muttered to himself before his thoughts shifted once more.
He raised his hand, and in his palm, his divine blood surged with absorbing power. In an instant, the battlefield's killing intent and grievances, invisible to the naked eye, gathered into his palm and were absorbed into his divine blood.
Once he had finished absorbing the energy, Li Hao transported Hongyue and Xiyan to a remote mountaintop, thousands of miles away.
There, he sat cross-legged and began to refine the killing intent and grievances using his divine blood.
When he opened his eyes again, night had already fallen, and the sky was adorned with a brilliant river of stars.
Li Hao's primordial spirit flew from the top of his head, shooting towards the endless starry sky. He couldn't help but wonder, the Meridian of the Heavens and Stars—could it truly connect to all the stars in the heavens? And just how many would that be?
There must be a limit, right?
However, in just a few months of refining, his speed had increased dramatically, raising his meridians from just over three hundred to 837!
Keep in mind, his main meridians, including the 108 Great Meridians and the Yin-Yang Dual Meridians, only amounted to 110!
Now, his energy meridians alone numbered over eight hundred!
When the Heavenly Star Meridian erupted at full power, the energy he could command would be seven to eight times greater than that of other cultivators at the extreme level of the Heavenly Meridians!
And he still hadn't reached his limit!
Before long, Li Hao's primordial spirit soared to the top of the sky, passing through the barriers of the small world. Although he couldn't enter the battlefield of the heavens, with his ability to fly at the limit, he could still touch the barriers of the world.
Before long, Li Hao found a star that hadn't yet been connected to his Meridian, and he began to comprehend its laws, cultivating his energy meridians.
The night was silent and still.
On the mountain peaks, the young man, like a deity, sat in meditation, bathed in the light of the moon and stars, quietly cultivating.
Meanwhile, Xiyan and Hongyue sat nearby, with Xiyan clearing a space and bringing out a chessboard, asking Hongyue to teach her how to play.
Seeing how much Li Hao enjoyed the game, she had become curious about it herself.
As the two women played chess and the young man meditated, time flowed by.
Once they had explored the entire Small World of Flaming Sun, absorbing the killing intent from the battlefields of the various empires, Li Hao moved on to another small world called Guwu.
By this point, he had absorbed almost enough Extreme Dao power. Li Hao estimated that once he had finished exploring this new small world, he would be able to ascend as an Extreme Dao Saint!
At that time, when the three Saints merged into one, something extraordinary would happen—perhaps he would even touch the threshold of the extreme level!
With this thought, Li Hao's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
The Guwu Small World had been mentioned by Feng Lao, who had pointed him to several small worlds that had recently been experiencing frequent wars. In this particular world, demons and monsters were the dominant forces, while humans struggled to survive in the cracks.
However, in the Land of the Saints, there were demonic beings who had ascended to the rank of Saints. For instance, the Holy Lord of Chaos was one such ancient demon from the primordial era.
As a result, demons and humans were no longer seen as inherently good or evil but coexisted in this world.
However, since demons fed on humans, in human-dominated worlds, most demons were slaughtered, whereas in demon-dominated worlds, humans found themselves struggling to survive.
In the Guwu Small World, as its name suggested, thick fog filled the air. Even during the day, the world was shrouded in mist, and the air was filled with a grayish sand-like substance.
Here, Li Hao had no interest in sightseeing. Using his divine blood to sense the aura of the Extreme Dao, he swiftly moved from place to place, absorbing it.
In one valley, the ground was littered with corpses, the scent of blood thick in the air, so strong it felt like it might flood one's mouth, causing a frown.
Li Hao looked at the bodies—most of them human, though there were also the massive remains of demons. Clearly, a battle had recently taken place between the two races.
However, contrary to his expectations, the amount of Extreme Dao power in this place was rather thin.
"Hm?"
Li Hao was surprised. Although the ground was soaked in blood, there was very little lingering killing intent.
Narrowing his eyes, he soon noticed something unusual—there were traces that someone else had already been here, absorbing the power!
Aside from him, there was someone else here absorbing Extreme Dao power?
Could it be the Buddhist sect?!
Recalling the connection between the Buddha Sovereign and the Floating Life Demon Domain, Li Hao's eyes narrowed. That Buddha Sovereign had undoubtedly reached the culmination of his cultivation in the Way of Strength but had hidden it deeply.
If the Buddha Sovereign were here, this would be an ideal opportunity to strike him down!
Li Hao immediately suppressed his aura, placing Xiyan and Hongyue into his inner world.
Now that his body had ascended to the Saint realm, the space within him had grown immensely. If he were to push it to its limits, he could even fit an entire empire within it!
However, the greater the space, the more power it would consume to maintain, which would become a burden.
Neither Hongyue nor Xiyan objected. They knew Li Hao had detected danger, so they obediently entered the inner world.
Once they were safely stored away, Li Hao concealed his presence and swiftly followed the traces left behind.
He moved through the cracks in space, crossing thousands of miles in an instant, and soon arrived at another battlefield, heavy with the stench of blood.
The moment he arrived, Li Hao saw a cloud of black energy, formed from Extreme Dao power, condensing in the sky. It was quickly absorbed into a golden bell.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the black energy being drawn into the golden bell, which then flew towards a slender, pale wrist. Looking at the owner of that wrist, he saw a young woman in azure and blue robes, standing tall and graceful like a bright moon in the mist. Her beauty was unparalleled, ethereal and pure, like something out of a dream.
As soon as he saw her face, Li Hao froze for a moment. She looked very familiar.
Since he had become a Saint, his memories had sharpened, and it didn't take long for him to recognize her—it was Ying Xiaoxiao, someone he had crossed paths with several times before.
But wasn't she supposed to be in the Mortal Realm?
And… the aura she now carried was that of a Saint!
Just as Li Hao recognized her, Ying Xiaoxiao turned and saw him as well. She looked surprised but soon broke into a smile.
Realizing it was an acquaintance, Li Hao stepped out from hiding and approached her, asking:
"What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be in the Mortal Realm?"
"I've become a Saint, so I can't remain in the Mortal Realm any longer. Once you ascend as an Extreme Dao Saint, it starts to affect the Mortal Realm, though it's not as pronounced as with incense power."
Ying Xiaoxiao laughed softly and continued, "You've made quite a name for yourself in the heavens, especially after taking first place in the Supreme Heavenly Talents Battle."
Li Hao understood that she must have heard of his exploits by now, so he asked, "When did you get here?"
"Probably a little earlier than you."
Ying Xiaoxiao blinked playfully. Despite her Saintly aura, which was surrounded by the essence of the great Dao, there was still a hint of girlish mischief in her expression.
Li Hao, however, knew that with just a thought, she could wield the power of the great Dao, displaying the immense pressure of a Saint, lofty and detached.
"I didn't expect to find you here absorbing Extreme Dao power…"
Li Hao smiled wryly. He had thought it might be the Buddha Sovereign.
"What, are you disappointed to see me?"
Ying Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow at the hint of disappointment in Li Hao's eyes, playfully huffing in mock displeasure.
Though the two hadn't been particularly close before, their meeting in this foreign land brought a sense of familiarity, as if reuniting with an old friend. Li Hao chuckled and said, "Not at all. I'm quite happy to see you again."
Hearing Li Hao's straightforward response, Ying Xiaoxiao seemed momentarily taken aback, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. But it quickly faded, and she gave him a sideways glance, saying:
"To think you've managed to catch up to me so quickly. I cultivated the Extreme Dao, the fastest path to Saint ascension, and yet here you are, walking the path of the Dao of Sacrifice and still keeping pace. Truly impressive."
"It's mostly luck."
Li Hao humbly replied, "I had a moment of inspiration that came out of nowhere. Even I didn't expect it."
Ying Xiaoxiao laughed at his modesty, then studied him for a moment before saying:
"You're here to absorb Extreme Dao power as well? Judging by your progress, it looks like you're aiming for triple cultivation. Quite the ambitious goal!"
"Once one becomes a Saint, who doesn't harbor such thoughts?"
Li Hao didn't bother to hide his intentions.
"Have you already learned how to cultivate all three paths?"
Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes shimmered with a starlit glow, breathtakingly beautiful, as she mused:
"So the Source Ancestor actually shared the secret of the Divine Realm with you… However, simply knowing the method isn't enough. It's like mortals knowing the heavens are high, but being unable to reach them."
"The Divine Realm?"
Li Hao blinked, confused by her words.
Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Ying Xiaoxiao was also momentarily perplexed. "Wait, no? Did I misunderstand? What method of triple cultivation did you learn?"
"Using barriers to isolate the three Saint Daos."
Li Hao didn't hide the truth, as the method itself was simple; the real secret lay in the nature of the barriers.
"Barriers…"
Ying Xiaoxiao's expression cleared as she nodded. "I see now. That path is flawed—it can't truly allow the three Saint powers to coexist."
"I'm aware."
Li Hao's eyes gleamed slightly as he asked, "You mentioned something about the Divine Realm. What is that path?"
He had already been exploring his own path, but her words hinted at a different approach, and his curiosity was piqued.
"It's not exactly the right path, but it's a correct line of thought."
Ying Xiaoxiao shook her head, hesitating for a moment before glancing at Li Hao. Ultimately, she decided not to hide anything from him:
"The reason it's considered the right thought is because the path is extremely difficult, so much so that no one has ever reached it. Therefore, it hasn't been proven to be true."
She saw Li Hao hesitate, as if unsure whether asking her would be too forward, so she continued:
"After surviving the three tribulations, a Saint's Dao becomes complete. But if one continues to cultivate the Saint Dao to its utmost, reaching its pinnacle, it can result in something akin to an extreme level!"
"However, this is considered a false extreme level, so we call it the Divine Realm."
She went on to explain, "For example, those who ascend using the power of incense can cultivate that path to its peak, gathering enough incense power to reach the Divine Realm of Incense. Similarly, those who walk the path of Sacrifice can reach the Divine Realm of Sacrifice, and the same applies to the Extreme Dao!"
"Once someone reaches the Divine Realm in all three paths and fuses them together, they can achieve the true extreme level of a Saint!"
She glanced at Li Hao, adding, "Before one can triple-cultivate, it's crucial to first focus on one path and push it to the Divine Realm. Only then can the special nature of the Divine Realm be used to gradually merge the other Saint Daos. However, this process is incredibly difficult—only the progenitors of my race may know the full details."
Li Hao was stunned. This was the first time he had ever heard of the Divine Realm.
Reaching the extreme level in three separate paths to create three Divine Realms, then merging them into the true extreme level of a Saint!
But right now, through his mastery of the Transformation into Immortality technique and the Law of Heaven and Earth, Li Hao was already able to cultivate all three Saint Daos at once!
His eyes flickered. Clearly, his path was viable, but it seemed others hadn't yet discovered this method. Instead, they were pursuing the Divine Realm path—a route that, according to Ying Xiaoxiao, was so difficult that no one had succeeded.
"Aren't you from the Divine Clan? What's the connection between the Divine Realm and the Divine Clan?"
Li Hao asked.
For some reason, he felt a natural inclination to trust Ying Xiaoxiao's words, as if she wouldn't deceive him.
Ying Xiaoxiao explained, "The term 'Divine Clan' comes from the Divine Realm! My clan's progenitor was the first to ascend using the Extreme Dao, creating the path of the Extreme Dao Saint. Back then, nearly all the killing intent and desires of the world were absorbed by our progenitor, allowing them to reach the Supreme Divine Realm of the Extreme Dao!"
"After reaching such heights, my progenitor's power became unrivaled, even among the greatest in the Land of the Saints. This naturally led to fear among the other Saints, as my progenitor's strength was born from slaughter!"
"Though the killing in the world wasn't caused by my progenitor, could the world ever be free of slaughter? No. And when someone gains power from slaughter, others become afraid. That's why they joined forces to seal my clan…"
As she spoke, a cold and hateful gleam appeared in Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes, which were usually as pure as crystal.
"After my clan was sealed, there was even more killing in the world. All living beings are subject to the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest. Back then, they used my clan as a scapegoat, accusing us of inciting slaughter to justify their actions. But even after we disappeared, nothing changed. Yet we were still branded as the ones who harmed the world!"
Li Hao's eyes flickered, and he remained silent for a moment.
If someone could gain power from water and air, it would naturally cause fear among others.
There were Saints who believed in the inherent goodness of humanity, while others saw humans as inherently evil. But in Li Hao's view, humanity was a mixture of both—good and evil, with evil more easily brought to the surface.
Good and evil were shaped by circumstance. The situation of the Divine Clan was enough to strike fear into the hearts of others, and that fear would inevitably give rise to malice.
Li Hao thought of a story from his previous life.
If water could be used as diesel fuel to power cars…
Then if such a car were to appear, either the car would disappear, or the water would disappear.
And since the water could not disappear, that meant the only thing that could vanish would be...
"So if other Saint Daos are cultivated to the Divine Realm, they can also be passed down through bloodlines..."
Li Hao mused aloud.
Ying Xiaoxiao glanced at him and nodded. "That's right. Saints who reach the Divine Realm can pass their Saint Dao powers down through their bloodlines. Take the Source Ancestor, for example. It's said that he only left behind one bloodline, which eventually died out. Since then, he's had no descendants, which means all his accumulated incense power remains sealed within him, with none of it escaping!"
Li Hao was taken aback, narrowing his eyes. "You're saying that the Source Ancestor has accumulated incense power to the Divine Realm?"
"Exactly. Otherwise, how could he suppress the heavens and be recognized as the most powerful being on the surface?"
Ying Xiaoxiao said, her eyes flashing with coldness, revealing her resentment towards the Source Ancestor.
"So the Source Ancestor and your progenitor were equals..." Li Hao's eyes sparkled with realization. He hadn't expected Ying Xiaoxiao's progenitor to be so terrifyingly powerful.
At the same time, as he observed the coldness in her eyes, he seemed to understand something more.
The suppression and sealing of the Divine Clan's progenitor likely had ties to the Source Ancestor.
Who could truly see through the masks of Saints to uncover their true nature?
Li Hao shook his head slightly. The events surrounding the sealing of the Divine Clan's progenitor must have been an earth-shattering event in the Land of the Saints, but it had long since been buried under the sands of time.
"If you intend to cultivate all three Saint paths, it's best to focus on one first and push it to the Divine Realm before attempting to merge the others."
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at Li Hao, her previous coldness dissipating as she spoke calmly.
Li Hao nodded slightly but didn't mention that he had already achieved triple cultivation. Based on what she had told him, he was increasingly convinced that if this truth were revealed, it would shock the heavens, and he might find himself in the same predicament as the Divine Clan's progenitor!
Until he had absolute power, he needed to keep this hidden.
Though sharing this knowledge might initially attract the goodwill of other Saints eager to learn, once they realized they couldn't follow his path, their attitudes would likely change.
In that case, the only solution would be to eliminate anyone capable of walking this path!
"Your clan was sealed away, but you're..."
Li Hao glanced at Ying Xiaoxiao, who was now traveling the world and absorbing Extreme Dao power.
Sensing his confusion, Ying Xiaoxiao said calmly, "Though my clan has vanished, there are still those in the heavens who seek to follow in my progenitor's footsteps, cultivating to the ultimate level of the Extreme Dao and absorbing its power. Take that Buddhist sect you fought—they've been secretly gathering Extreme Dao power, though their methods are subtle. Still, they haven't gone unnoticed."
"As long as I don't attract too much attention, others will assume I'm one of those practitioners and won't connect me to the Divine Clan."
Li Hao frowned slightly, feeling that her explanation was somewhat unreliable. If she knew that even the Buddhist sect's actions were being scrutinized, it was unlikely that she could travel unnoticed herself.
Li Hao couldn't even be sure whether his recent use of the Law of Heaven and Earth had been observed by anyone.
At the time, he had been too absorbed in his cultivation to hide it, so now he could only wait and see, hoping that Feng Lao had successfully sealed the information about him.
"In any case, be careful."
Li Hao said.
Ying Xiaoxiao glanced at him, her eyes softening as she replied, "No more of this unpleasant talk. Actually, when I heard you had become a Saint, I wanted to seek you out. But there were too many eyes on you, so I didn't approach."
"Seek me out?"
Li Hao asked, puzzled.
"Yes. If you're willing to help, you might just encounter a great opportunity, one that could allow you to reach the Extreme Dao Divine Realm!"
Ying Xiaoxiao blinked, her lips curling into a playful smile, a look that would make anyone suspicious of her intentions.
Li Hao knew she was teasing him. After thinking for a moment, considering that she had already shared the secrets of the Extreme Dao and now the Divine Realm, he said:
"If it's within my ability, tell me what it is, and I'll consider it."
He already had a vague idea of what it might be.
Seeing Li Hao so straightforward, Ying Xiaoxiao studied him for a moment before her gaze shifted, as though lost in thought.
After a brief pause, she said, "This matter is of great importance—it concerns my clan. If you swear an oath by your Dao heart that what I tell you next will never be revealed, I'll tell you the details. Then you can decide whether or not to help."
Li Hao had already guessed it would involve the Divine Clan. After a moment of contemplation, he replied:
"Alright, I swear by my Dao heart."
With that, he made his oath, promising not to divulge the information.
Once Ying Xiaoxiao was satisfied with his oath, she let out a sigh of relief and revealed a tremendous secret:
"My clan's progenitor is about to awaken!"
Li Hao froze, his eyes widening in surprise. "Your clan's progenitor..."
"That's right. Our progenitor never died—only sealed away. The Divine Realm of the Extreme Dao is not so easily destroyed."
Ying Xiaoxiao's lips curved into a cold smile, though her eyes also reflected a trace of pain and sorrow as she spoke in a low voice:
"My clan has given everything to ensure the revival of our progenitor. Once they return, they will seek vengeance for the blood debts of the past and throw the heavens into chaos!"
Li Hao fell silent.
He had heard about Ying Xiaoxiao's background before and was aware of the downfall of her clan. If their progenitor, someone as powerful as the Source Ancestor, were to return, the heavens would indeed be thrown into turmoil.
"But don't worry. Our progenitor won't slaughter indiscriminately—only those who are responsible for the blood feud will be made to pay."
Ying Xiaoxiao's voice was cold as she said this, but then her expression softened as she looked at Li Hao and added:
"If, when the time comes, you are willing to assist our progenitor, I will personally request that all the Extreme Dao power left in the aftermath of the battle be given to you, allowing you to absorb it."
"This would give you a chance to reach the Extreme Dao Divine Realm!"
Her eyes locked onto Li Hao as she spoke.
Li Hao frowned slightly. He had no desire to get caught up in such a monumental conflict. For now, all he wanted was to deal with the Buddhist sect and the Void Saint, then return to living a simple, quiet life as a Saint.
Sensing his hesitation, Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes dimmed with disappointment, but she quickly regained her composure. Her voice was calm as she said:
"Even if you choose not to help, I hope you will stay out of the conflict. My clan has been wrongly accused, and our progenitor, despite wielding the power of the Extreme Dao, was the most virtuous person in the world. If war breaks out again, I hope you won't involve yourself."
Li Hao understood her message. If he wasn't willing to help the Divine Clan, then she was asking him not to aid their enemies either.
To this, Li Hao readily agreed. However, remembering Feng Lao and Saint Huangtian, he couldn't help but ask:
"Among those who opposed your progenitor, were the Dao Saint and Saint Huangtian involved?"
Ying Xiaoxiao shook her head slightly. "No. Back then, both of them were still young servants under a certain Supreme Saint."
Li Hao blinked in surprise, not expecting that Feng Lao and Saint Huangtian had once trained under the same master.
"I heard they were expelled for making mistakes. It wasn't until later that they became Saints. By the time they ascended, my progenitor had already been..."
She trailed off before suddenly adding, "But the Buddha Sovereign of the Buddhist sect and the master of the Void Saint are both enemies of my clan."
Hearing this, Li Hao immediately said, "In that case, I can help."
Ying Xiaoxiao was momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter. "You really don't mince words."
"I don't even need payment."
Li Hao added with a smile.
Ying Xiaoxiao's laughter grew, her amusement making her shake with mirth. Once she calmed down, she looked at Li Hao deeply and said:
"I'll be sure to explain this to my progenitor. You probably don't realize just how difficult it is to reach the Divine Realm of the Extreme Dao. It would take at least half the incense power of the Land of the Saints, or the killing intent of half the realm, to even approach the Divine Realm's threshold..."
"Under normal circumstances, it could take tens of thousands of years!"
Li Hao was stunned, his eyes narrowing slightly.
That sounded… excessive.
Seeing his reaction, Ying Xiaoxiao smiled again. "The Source Ancestor, being the oldest Saint, has accumulated countless years of incense power to reach the Divine Realm. Even other Supreme Saints can only slowly gather what they need."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. If that were true, perhaps she wasn't exaggerating.
And this was just for one Divine Realm. To reach the true extreme level, one would need to fuse three Divine Realms... The difficulty of becoming a Saint of the extreme level was beyond imagination!
"This is my Saint Talisman. Take it with you. If you ever need anything, you can contact me through it."
Ying Xiaoxiao flipped her snow-white hand, producing a golden talisman formed from a blend of divine intent and Saint Dao energy. She handed it to Li Hao.
Then, she lifted the golden bell in her hand, gave it a gentle shake towards him, and waved goodbye with a playful smile.
As Li Hao watched her vanish from sight, he sensed that she had already traveled tens of thousands of miles in an instant, far beyond the reach of his perception.
He held the Saint Talisman in his hand, feeling the faint warmth left by her delicate fingers.
Li Hao's eyes gleamed for a moment before he carefully stored the talisman away.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Hao once again traversed the void, heading to another location to continue seeking out Extreme Dao power.
Before long, he found another battlefield, just as hellish as the last. Here, the air was filled with the sounds of death and slaughter, like the wails of ghosts.
Without hesitation, Li Hao raised his hand and began absorbing the power.
As he continued to travel through this small world, Li Hao absorbed the remaining Extreme Dao power while encountering scattered conflicts between humans and demons. Whenever he came across such scenes, he would lend a hand, saving lives as he went. Though every world had its own rules and every being its own fate, Li Hao still stood by his principles—as a member of the human race.
Before long, he had absorbed enough Extreme Dao power.
However, Li Hao didn't immediately begin refining it. Instead, he sought out a treacherous, fog-filled abyss.
He descended into the depths of a great fissure, thousands of zhang deep into the earth, where he set up a barrier. Only then did he begin refining the Extreme Dao power in his divine blood.
As the Extreme Dao power continued to flow into him and undergo refinement, it gradually merged with his body.
Li Hao's aura rose steadily, growing stronger and stronger.
By now, his cultivation of the Extreme Dao and the Incense Dao no longer required the grand displays of techniques like the Law of Heaven and Earth. His body had already undergone a profound transformation. Even in his normal state, his body had become a world unto itself.
At this moment, within his body, three forces of energy—the Extreme Dao, Incense, and Sacrifice—swirled around each other, forming a triangle.
As the Extreme Dao power reached its peak, a vast and boundless Saintly aura descended upon him.
At the same time, Li Hao seemed to once again touch the breath of Heaven, as though the heavens themselves were glancing down at his body deep within the abyss.
Soon, a majestic force descended from the Heavenly Dao, allowing him to become an Extreme Dao Saint!
In that moment, a new power of the Saint Dao was born from the depths of his Extreme Dao energy.
The three Saint Dao powers intertwined with each other.
"All power of Heaven and Earth is one."
Li Hao's inner voice echoed with the resonance of the Dao, like a great bell reverberating through the cosmos. Within his body, the thin barriers separating the three Saint Dao powers began to dissolve. A primordial energy, akin to the breath of creation itself, enveloped the three powers, merging them together.
In an instant, the aspirations of all living beings, the destructive desires of the Extreme Dao, and the Dao of Sacrifice merged into one.
Boom!
Inside Li Hao's body, it was as if a mysterious passageway had opened, slowly expanding.
A tremendous, unfathomable power surged forth, causing every pore in his body to open, as if his entire being were exhaling.
Moments later, this power began to contract, condensing into a radiant core of light, which contained a terrifying aura of the Saint Dao.
Outside of his body, the surrounding Dao energy, which had been drifting aimlessly through the world, seemed to respond to a call. It rushed into Li Hao's pores, enveloping him in a dense shroud of Dao energy.
All this energy gathered around the core of Saintly light, as though the stars themselves were clustering around a central sun, raising it higher.
This sight left Li Hao deeply shaken. He could feel that the merging of the three forces was giving birth to something extraordinary, something that contained an immense and terrifying power. Moreover, it seemed to possess consciousness!
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