Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1724 Chapter 436: A Century at the Immortal Lord Peak (2)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
A deep frown creased his forehead as he whispered to himself in thought.
…
High atop the Extreme Dao Mountain.
Within a small, fenced courtyard, a melody of cheerful and serene piano music drifted through the air, drawing the surrounding immortal power toward it.
Having reached the Tenth Stage of the Musical Rhythm Dao, his skill had already transcended into the Saint rank. He was now capable of utilizing the very clouds and the roar of thunder as his instruments, producing Tao's thunderous music to cleanse all animosity. Those who listened to it over long periods would find their Tao Heart significantly strengthened.
"Infinite is indeed quite complex, yet the threshold for this First Level doesn't appear that daunting to me..."
After returning from his master with the true teachings, Li Hao began to comprehend the First Level of Infinite within his courtyard.
Mastering the First Level of Infinite allows one to triple their foundation!
The Second Level increases it sixfold!
However, the requirements for the Second Level are staggering, demanding the fusion of 20 Chaos Laws just to qualify for comprehension. With his current mastery of the Chaos Dao, trying to understand it was like reading heavenly books—completely beyond his grasp.
Li Hao felt no rush, choosing instead to focus on refining his artistic skills first.
Once enough artistic skill has been gathered, breaking through is as natural as breathing, or as simple as eating and drinking.
Time slipped away quietly. Occasionally, the scent of roasting meat wafted through the courtyard, accompanied by the echoes of music and the soft recitation of poetry.
Every five years, a downpour of Chaos Rain would fall upon Extreme Dao Mountain, facilitating the elevation of Li Hao’s cultivation realm.
Over the span of twenty years and four cycles of Chaos Rain, Li Hao progressed from the Third Level to the Sixth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, jumping three full stages.
Another thirty years passed in the blink of an eye.
Following six more bouts of Chaos Rain, Li Hao’s cultivation rose by another three levels, reaching the Ninth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm!
While advancement becomes increasingly difficult at higher levels, Li Hao’s ability to absorb the Chaos Rain was unparalleled. His foundation was bolstered by the True God Blood within his Immortal Body, allowing him to convert the Chaos Rain with far greater efficiency than others.
Li Hao calculated that with three more sessions of absorption, he would likely reach the Perfect Immortal Monarch Realm.
Standing at the Ninth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, the gap between him and the other geniuses of the Primordial True Realm had become negligible. Even though his Chaos Dao hadn't advanced, his actual combat power had seen a massive surge.
During these thirty years, Li Hao was most pleased that both his Musical Rhythm and his Poetry and Books had reached the eleventh stage, granting him two additional points in artistic skill.
As for the Chaos Dao Field, following that initial failed challenge, his dark incarnation’s subsequent battles resulted in a mix of victories and defeats. He no longer held his previous invincible aura. Many observers, despite seeing Li Hao’s steady progress, felt a sense of disappointment and eventually stopped paying him much mind.
Li Hao was indifferent to their opinions. He continued to send his dark incarnation to gather data from his losses, using the experiences to reflect on his combat flaws and habits.
Such shortcomings could not be fixed by the mere suppression of Chaos Laws; when facing opponents of equal talent, these small gaps would become fatal disadvantages.
Fortunately, through constant battle, Li Hao rapidly made up for his lack of experience, becoming more formidable with every fight. Even against foes of equal strength, he could now secure victory through superior combat intuition.
Thirty years had tempered him, leaving Li Hao’s aura more composed. He chose to remain within the confines of Extreme Dao Mountain rather than traveling to a Chaos Star.
The river of time continued to flow.
"Establishing a heart for heaven and earth, decreeing destiny for all living beings, inheriting the ultimate skills of ancient sages, and securing peace for all generations!"
Li Hao spoke these words softly in the quiet of his courtyard.
As he recited the verse once more, his thoughts drifted to the Four Stands Realm that follows the Three Immortal Realms: the Tao Heart Realm, the Defying Fate Realm, the Ultimate Study Realm, and the Tai Ping Realm!
Each of these stages was vastly different. The so-called Tao Heart was indeed established within the Tao Heart Realm of the Tai Ping Realm—it was the moment the Tao Heart truly took form!
Looking at it now, Li Hao realized that these four cultivation realms corresponded perfectly to those four famous phrases.
Establishing Heart, Setting Destiny, Ultimate Skill, and Peace!
"The being who created the Tai Ping Realm must have been a Great Emperor with immense compassion for all of humanity!"
Li Hao reflected deeply.
He now possessed a unique perspective on these realms and an unprecedented grasp of poetic verses.
In the Tao Comprehension Realm, one’s words carry the weight of law; in the Saint Realm, they become Tao’s thunderous music!
In the True Immortal Realm, they manifest as the Immortal Law Truth!
"Poetry... it isn't just a collection of beautiful words. It should possess the sharpness required to perceive the fundamental truths of the world!"
With a wave of his hand, Li Hao summoned the Time Painting Realm. Immortal power gathered in the air like splashing ink, weaving a vivid world before his eyes.
Within the painting, a setting sun touched the horizon of a vast ocean, while a distant flock of birds streaked across the sky.
"The setting sun and a lone goose fly together; the autumn waters and the vast sky share a single hue!"
The birds faded away. Mountain peaks rose from the sea, reshaping the landscape into rivers and crags as a small vessel sailed against the shimmering light.
"Quiet shadows drift upon the ink-stained mountain; golden scales guide the light boat!"
The rivers and mountains shifted again, turning into a powerful yellow torrent that surged violently downward.
"Have you not seen how the waters of the Yellow River descend from the heavens!"
The crashing waves carried an immense, unstoppable force as they flowed into the distance.
The seasons turned, and snowflakes began to fall within the world of the painting. On a bamboo raft near the riverbank, white snow settled upon an old man fishing in solitude.
"An old man in a bamboo hat, fishing alone in the snowy river!"
The snowflakes swirled faster, transforming within the painting into countless tiny figures scattered across the vast earth.
"Heaven and earth are without kindness, treating all creation as nothing more than straw dogs!"
Li Hao whispered the line softly. In that instant, the painting realm vibrated in resonance with the verse, causing both the heavens and the Heavenly Dao to tremble!
Inside the painting, the myriad figures seemed to lift their heads. They looked toward the sky, peering beyond their realm at Li Hao—their creator. They then dissolved into immortal power and spiritual light, flowing out of the painting and surging into Li Hao’s body.
Illusions of poetic verses unfolded around Li Hao like sacred Buddhist scriptures, spinning and flying in the air.
"Poetry turns immortal!"
At that precise moment, Li Hao’s poetic state ascended from the tenth stage to the eleventh stage.
He had grasped the true essence of poetry and realized the fundamental truth of the Tao.
As his state of mind evolved, a flood of poetic insights filled his heart. Countless masterpieces appeared in his mind, and it felt as though he were traveling through the very landscapes described in each poem.
He remained in this state for a long, long time.
When Li Hao finally returned to reality from that sea of masterpieces, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He wondered if he could one day create a realm similar to the Tai Ping Realm.
The Eight Realms of Martial Arts: Universal Force, Circulation, Soul Continuation, Divine Traveling, Fifteen Miles, Heavenly Human Realm, Three Immortal Realms, and the Four Stands Realm!
Could he create a new realm beyond these eight, much like the Four Stands Realm?
Li Hao felt that if he could achieve such a feat, he would be carving his own path toward becoming an emperor!
However, as the initial impulse settled and he pondered the idea seriously, he realized the path was riddled with insurmountable dangers and difficulties.
Creating a new realm beyond the existing eight was an overwhelming task; even his own master had only managed to expand the existing realms into a Final Realm.
"The figures who established these realms must have been truly extraordinary..."
Li Hao mused, his heart filled with genuine admiration.
Following his breakthrough in poetry, the courtyard showed signs of the phenomenon, but the world outside remained oblivious.
Within the Primordial True Realm, countless geniuses continued their tireless cultivation on various Chaos Stars.
Without anyone noticing, a century had passed since Li Hao first arrived in the Primordial True Realm.
"It has been a hundred years..."
Standing in his courtyard, Li Hao looked up at the falling Chaos Rain. This time, he held an umbrella, shielding himself from the downpour.
Years ago, his cultivation had already reached the Peak of the Immortal Monarch Realm. There was no longer any room for him to advance further.