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Chapter 363: Please Grant Me Guidance, All Heavens
🕑 Added 2024-10-20 06:22:58 +0000 UTCLi Hao's expression remained calm as he sensed the changes in the Twin-Buddha Child's aura. Previously, it had been a balance of good and evil, a fusion of both Buddha and demon. Now, however, the Buddha's light had dimmed, and the demonic nature had intensified, with a hint of madness lurking beneath the surface.
It seemed the Twin-Buddha Child had taken a certain path to its extreme, breaking the delicate balance he once maintained.
Li Hao took note of this but did not pay too much attention. Even if the Twin-Buddha Child had inherited the power of his past life's Saint Dao, his current body and cultivation level were still limited to the Dao Fa Realm, restricting the full potential of that power.
In the 33 realms of the heavens, each realm had ten spots, making a total of 330 contestants, including Li Hao. These were the top geniuses chosen from among billions in their respective realms.
At this moment, most of the seats in the waiting area were nearly filled. The seats floated on stone platforms suspended in the air, drawing everyone's attention.
As Li Hao walked forward, aside from the gaze of the Twin-Buddha Child, many others were also watching him, some covertly observing, others more overt and even slightly provocative.
Li Hao scanned the crowd indifferently, meeting several cold and unfamiliar stares, some carrying hidden hostility toward him.
He paid them no mind. With great fame often came trouble.
Leaping to an empty stone platform, Li Hao sat down and exchanged a glance with familiar faces like Lin Qingying and Ji Xuanshen, then began to survey the battleground for the upcoming contest.
The summit of Tian Yuan Sacred Mountain was vast, though it was a peak, it stretched as far as the eye could see. The sky was filled with a myriad of colors, and the energy of heaven and earth was so dense it felt like a thick ocean. At this time, Saints from various heavens had gathered here, restraining their auras. Their true bodies had arrived, and their Saint Daos intertwined in the air, creating a magical and awe-inspiring scene.
Dragon and phoenix shadows of auspicious beasts drifted through the sky, and clouds of Dao energy swirled like mist, emitting ethereal lights across the sky.
Among those Saints who did not conceal their presence, there were some whose Dao rhymes gathered in unusual ways. One Saint was surrounded by countless golden-armored warriors, while another had a divine ruler hovering above his head, seemingly capable of measuring all of heaven and earth.
The grand spectacle made onlookers feel exhilarated, their blood racing in excitement.
Li Hao's gaze shifted, noticing that Fo Zun (Buddha Venerable) had also arrived, his aura unconcealed, seated on a shining lotus platform surrounded by dazzling golden light. Even amidst the strange celestial phenomena, his presence claimed a significant space.
The reward for the winner of the Tianjiao battle—a treasure of heaven and earth—was provided by the Buddhist sect, hence their invitation from the Yuan Zu Sacred Land.
Apart from Fo Zun, Li Hao also spotted Xu Sheng (Void Saint), who similarly hadn't concealed his aura. The space around him seemed to blur and distort, as though he was standing in a separate, intangible dimension, cut off from the world.
As Li Hao looked in their direction, both Fo Zun and Xu Sheng glanced back, though their gazes didn't directly settle on him. Instead, they seemed to sweep across the waiting area, but Li Hao could feel the unmistakable killing intent hidden in their eyes, directed solely at him.
Sensing Xu Sheng's presence, a cold, murderous intent rose in Li Hao's heart. He knew that if this weren't the Yuan Zu Sacred Land, Xu Sheng would've already attacked without hesitation.
There was no longer any room for reconciliation between them; their enmity had become irreparable.
Retracting his gaze with a frosty expression, Li Hao turned his attention to the other Saints.
The most prominent figure among them was an elder dressed in white robes. His towering figure seemed as grand as a Dharma Aspect that reached the sky. Though his robes were white, they were as finely spun as silk, fluttering gently in the wind, giving him the appearance of a celestial being with a crane-like, immortal grace.
Li Hao recognized this man as Yuan Zu, one of the oldest Saints in the Zhu Sheng Zhi Di (Lands of the Saints). His status among the Zhi Sheng (Supreme Saints) was unparalleled.
Not far from Yuan Zu stood five or six other Saints, their presence even more imposing than that of the others. Li Hao knew these figures were Zhi Sheng from the Upper Three Realms.
Aside from them, Li Hao also noticed a familiar face—Jian Zhu (Sword Master).
Jian Zhu hadn't hidden his aura either, sitting calmly in the air, surrounded by countless sword shadows flickering in and out of existence. His expression was indifferent, making it clear that he was not easily approachable.
When Li Hao looked his way, Jian Zhu smiled at him.
Li Hao couldn't help but smile back and nod in acknowledgment.
Among the Saints, there were also many Ban Sheng (Half-Saints). Li Hao glanced around and realized that the area closest to the battlefield was ringed with them—an entire circle of Half-Saints!
Truly, Half-Saints were as common as dogs here.
But Li Hao knew that this was merely a gathering of those who came for the event; many more probably hadn't even bothered to show up.
Among the Half-Saints, Li Hao also spotted some familiar faces, such as Yao Zu (Ancestor Yao) and Zhan Tan.
When their eyes met, they exchanged friendly smiles.
Surrounded by Saints and Half-Saints, the center of attention was the massive battlefield. There, violent storms of snow and ice gathered, lightning flashing intermittently, marking it as a hazardous zone.
Before long, more contestants arrived one after another.
Of the 330 seats, seven remained empty.
For those who didn't show up, their sect's Half-Saints approached Yuan Zu, nervously explaining the reasons. Some had entered critical moments in their closed-door cultivation, and their sects chose not to disturb them. Though the Tianjiao battle was important, if they had little chance of making the top ten, their sects preferred that they continue their cultivation instead of risking it all here.
Others had missed the event due to certain "unexpected incidents."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. It seemed that apart from him, other realms were also involved in significant internal struggles.
Where there is profit, there is conflict.
Li Hao sighed inwardly. Not even Saints were immune to this.
Mortals and immortals alike chased fame and fortune.
Masters founded sects, receiving hundreds of years of incense offerings.
Saints spread their teachings, leaving their mark for millennia. This cycle repeated endlessly.
In the end, even Li Hao wasn't exempt from this pursuit. He had come here for fame, knowing that behind fame lay fortune.
As the sunlight shone over the horizon, the appointed time arrived. Yuan Zu spoke, officially announcing the commencement of the Supreme Heavenly Genius Battle.
With that, the entire sacred mountain trembled, and the previous clamor of discussions and cheers momentarily fell silent.
Yuan Zu then calmly explained the rules.
First, the top 100 seats would be selected, and from there, further battles would determine the final rankings.
The selection process was simple and direct. Any contestant confident enough could step onto the stage and accept challenges. Defeating three challengers or facing no challengers would secure a spot in the top 100.
Each contestant was allowed only one challenge. If they won, they would take the place of the current seat-holder, needing to win two more battles to secure their place.
This method of selection was undeniably swift and efficient, causing many of the gathered geniuses to be taken aback. Some couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable.
They had fought their way through countless battles in the small worlds, defeating their respective realms' top contenders, only to be treated like grains of sand in a rough, brutal selection process.
If they failed to make the top 100, they would be forgotten.
After traveling across vast distances to reach this sacred place, they could end up as just one of many unremarkable competitors.
While some looked troubled, others had bright eyes gleaming with confidence. They thought the method was perfect, suiting their competitive nature as geniuses.
No need for lengthy explanations—just fight it out. The strong would naturally rise to the top.
After Yuan Zu finished outlining the rules, he handed the task of overseeing the process to another Saint from Yuan Zu Sacred Land.
Floating beside the battlefield was a massive Ying Gu Jing (Reflecting Bone Mirror), which every contestant had to pass through to prevent imposters from sneaking in.
"Who will go first?"
The Saint overseeing the contest smiled as he asked the gathered crowd.
There was a slight stir as several participants seemed ready to step forward, but one figure moved first, using Gui Xu (Return to the Void) movement to instantly appear before the mirror.
As the Reflecting Bone Mirror shone, it revealed his age—68 years old! Among the geniuses present, this was considered quite young.
Once his age was confirmed, he strode confidently onto the stage. His posture was tall and straight, and his face was handsome and refined.
"Ming Jia Sacred Land's Bai Yuan. Please grant me your guidance, all heavens!"
His clear, confident voice rang out, carrying an unmistakable air of dominance. A wave of murmurs and exclamations immediately spread through the crowd.
Ming Jia Sacred Land hailed from the Zi Yang Realm in the Upper Three Realms. It was a prestigious sect with a Zhi Sheng overseeing it. Bai Yuan was likely a disciple of one such Zhi Sheng.
Though his fame wasn't widely known across the heavens, he had already made a name for himself in the Upper Three Realms. As a result, those in the crowd who hailed from the Upper Three Realms became excited, cheering for him.
Many of the other competitors, who had initially been eager to go first, paused. Their expressions grew solemn.
Even those unfamiliar with Bai Yuan recognized the weight carried by the name Ming Jia Sacred Land.
A disciple of a Supreme Saint!
Those four words alone were enough to cause a stir.
The crowd grew quiet as no one stepped forward to challenge him.
With his bold declaration of "Please grant me your guidance, all heavens," Bai Yuan had seemingly suppressed the entire audience!
Seeing this, the disciples from Ming Jia Sacred Land erupted in joyous cheers, their excitement palpable.
"Bai Yuan Saint Son is invincible!"
"So domineering! He's our Sacred Land's pride! No one in the heavens dares to challenge him!"
The disciples were overjoyed.
Their comments, however, came too late. Had they spoken sooner, it might've prompted someone to come forward and knock Bai Yuan down a peg.
Hearing the Saint from Yuan Zu Sacred Land announce his advancement to the top 100, Bai Yuan smirked as his gaze swept across a few individuals in the crowd, as if to say, "I'm waiting for you."
Finally, his eyes landed on Li Hao, and a hint of mockery appeared in his gaze. Bai Yuan clearly harbored intentions of defeating this famed Tian Bei (Heavenly Monument) contender, but Li Hao had not stepped forward.
With a swift movement, Bai Yuan descended from the stage and returned to the waiting area.
Such an imposing display had left a deep impression on the many nobles and powerful figures from various realms who had come to watch. They would undoubtedly remember this top-tier genius.
Li Hao noticed Bai Yuan's mocking glance but didn't pay it any mind. He had no intention of stepping forward to challenge anyone just yet.
After Bai Yuan left the stage, another figure quickly moved to the Ying Gu Jing and took the second opportunity to step forward.
This time, the mirror revealed an age of 78 years.
The youth had an air of composed confidence as he ascended the stage. His name was Lin Zhuo from Yin Yang Sacred Land. He bowed politely and said, "Please grant me your guidance, everyone. My cultivation is mediocre, so I hope no one wastes this chance."
His words were humble, but his tone carried a clear sense of arrogance, even a challenge.
His provocation didn't go unnoticed. Almost immediately, someone in the waiting area could no longer hold back. In an instant, another figure appeared before the mirror, passed the test, and ascended the stage.
"I've only been cultivating for a short while, just trying to make it into the top 100. Might as well pick an easy target," the challenger said calmly, but the meaning was obvious.
The audience immediately sensed the brewing conflict.
Lin Zhuo smiled at the challenger's words. "Then let's see if you've chosen wisely."
Soon, the Fa Zhen (Law Array) was activated, and the battlefield's storms of snow and lightning began to materialize, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the fight.
Boom!
The battle erupted, and Lin Zhuo immediately summoned a Sun and Moon Divine Wheel, imbued with the essence of Yin and Yang.
The challenger unleashed his extreme power, revealing several extreme abilities. Realizing the terrifying force contained within the Sun and Moon Divine Wheel, he quickly activated his Dharma Aspect.
A towering Dharma Aspect materialized behind him, and with a flick of his hand, he summoned a blast of lightning to tear apart the Divine Wheel.
However, the Sun and Moon Divine Wheel spun together, slicing through space itself. Lin Zhuo's face remained calm, but a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. The Divine Wheel suddenly converged, radiating a destructive force from a budding Saint Dao!
Boom!
The vast lightning blast was torn apart, and even the surrounding storms of wind and ice were dispersed.
These environmental hazards had been designed to prevent drawn-out battles. As time passed, the intensity of the storms would increase, forcing a quicker conclusion.
But the battle had only just begun, and the hazards were still relatively mild, posing little threat to the fighters.
After obliterating the lightning, the merged Sun and Moon Divine Wheel transformed into a brilliant beam of crimson-gold light, leaving a trail of sparks in its wake.
Boom!
The beam ripped through the challenger's Dharma Aspect, cutting it in two.
The challenger spat out blood as his Dharma Aspect collapsed. Shock filled his eyes as he stared at Lin Zhuo.
Though he had revealed his Five Extreme Realm abilities, he had been defeated in just two moves.
And Lin Zhuo hadn't even used his full strength, merely revealing his Heaven and Earth Veins extreme power.
"So strong!"
"That's the power of a Supreme Saint's disciple! His arrogance is well-deserved!"
"He wasn't arrogant—he was being modest."
"...You'll be lost in the Void Realm with that mindset."
"Still, that guy was strong. He's a Five Extreme genius, and yet he was crushed so easily!"
"Of course, Lin Zhuo used techniques at the Half-Saint level. How many in the Dao Fa Realm can compete with Half-Saints?"
The audience buzzed with excitement, their voices filled with awe.
Lin Zhuo retracted his Sun and Moon Divine Wheel, looking at the coughing challenger with a faint smile. "It seems you picked the wrong easy target. If you want to make it into the top 100, you'll have to keep training."
With that, he turned to scan the crowd. "Does anyone else wish to grant me their guidance?"
As he spoke, his eyes passed over the crowd, lingering briefly on Li Hao with a playful smile.
Li Hao raised an eyebrow. It seemed that many of these competitors had him on their minds.
But he didn't bother responding. Lin Zhuo's budding Saint Dao, based on the fusion and collision of Yin and Yang, was impressive, but it was different from Li Hao's own path.
At the moment, Li Hao's Saint Dao was still in its embryonic stage, not yet fully defined in terms of its deeper meaning.
"If I rush to achieve Half-Saint status through the Path of All Beings, I would enter the Half-Saint realm faster. But the Path of All Beings is not my true intent..."
Li Hao's eyes flickered as he pondered his Saint Dao.
Seeing that Li Hao didn't react, Lin Zhuo chuckled and waited calmly for the next challenger.
However, no one else stepped forward.
With Lin Zhuo smoothly securing his place, the next participant soon ascended.
One by one, more and more participants took their turns. The first four or five to succeed were all disciples of Supreme Saints, and it wasn't until others from the Middle Nine Realms Sacred Lands took the stage that real challenges began.
The battlefield erupted in fierce battles.
Li Hao watched quietly as Lin Shu Hai, Chi Guang, and the others held off on making their moves. Since each participant only had one opportunity to challenge, missing it meant they could only defend. And if they lost during their defense, they would be eliminated.
Though they harbored ambitions to break into the top ten, seeing so many of the Supreme Saints' disciples demonstrating Half-Saint abilities dampened their enthusiasm, making them even more cautious about when to strike.
As the intense battles unfolded, the atmosphere became electrifying.
Dozens of matches passed, and those who had initially rushed to fight now became more hesitant, taking their time to observe.
Soon, Chi Guang and Ji Xuanshen took their turns to defend their positions.
They weren't widely known outside the Cang Lan Realm, so they were quickly challenged by participants from other small worlds.
However, both demonstrated exceptional strength during their battles.
Chi Guang's mastery of Fire Dao arts was profound, allowing him to easily incinerate his opponent. His name quickly gained recognition across the heavens.
Ji Xuanshen showcased his Five Extreme Realm abilities. Though he didn't unleash any particularly flashy techniques, his fighting style was smooth and practiced, revealing his extensive combat experience. Many onlookers were left in awe.
Soon after, Ming Yue Jian (Bright Moon Sword) stepped up to defend.
When the Ying Gu Jing revealed his age, the entire audience gasped in shock.
At only 26 years old, he had secured a spot in his small world's quota and arrived to compete. This was extraordinary.
As the crowd cheered, Ming Yue Jian's face flushed red, like a ripe apple. But once he drew his sword on stage, the redness faded, replaced by a serious focus.
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