Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1736 Chapter 441: Artistic Path Thirteen, Heart of Reverse Time (Part 2)

"Senior Brother Han Ku, he..."

The Immortal King Realm disciples standing before Li Hao, including Bitter Bridge and several others, exchanged looks with grim expressions.

A sudden chill struck Li Hao's heart, and he urged them, "What happened? Speak plainly."

"Senior Brother Haotian, Senior Brother Han Ku departed for the Original Border three years ago to serve as a Demon Slayer. However, it is a tragedy..."

Bitter Bridge’s gaze turned complicated as he tightened his grip, stating, "The conflict at the Original Border was savage. Word reached us a year ago that Senior Brother Han Ku fell in battle."

"Fallen in battle?"

Li Hao stood frozen in disbelief.

He remembered their first encounter, how that Immortal King junior brother had been so full of pride and confidence before him. Had he truly perished?

"But he had attained the Immortal King Realm... where exactly is this Original Border? Are Ancient Demons attacking there as well?"

Li Hao felt compelled to ask.

Bitter Bridge looked at Li Hao and explained with a bitter tone, "Senior Brother Haotian might be unaware, but tens of thousands of years ago, the Ancient Demons launched an invasion of the True Realm. It wasn't just the outer regions; even the Primordial True Realm faced chaos. That war reached every corner. If the Ancient Demon Clan hadn't been so arrogant and greedy, spreading their forces across multiple fronts, they might never have been pushed back..."

"It's true. Had the Ancient Demon Clan moved with steady caution, conquering the major domains of the True Realm one by one, the entire realm would likely be under their control by now."

Another Immortal King added his agreement with a nod.

"The Original Border marks the site of that ancient invasion. It was only through the defense led by the three giants—our Master and the Chaos Ten Clans—that peace returned to the Primordial True Realm. Yet, the fighting at the Original Border has never truly ceased; it remains intense," Bitter Bridge remarked.

Li Hao was stunned, never imagining that the Primordial True Realm had also been victimized by the Ancient Demons.

"The Chaos Ancient Clan permitted our Human Race to enter the Primordial True Realm not just because of our Master and the Chaos Immortal Emperor, but because they need our strength to help hold back the Ancient Demons," a female Immortal King disciple noted.

Li Hao then questioned, "If we share a common enemy, are the Chaos Ancient Clan and our race still at odds?"

"To the Chaos Ancient Clan, we are little different from the Ancient Demons. The only distinction is that the demons are an immediate threat, while we are seen as a lurking danger. If they can use one danger to neutralize another, it serves their interests perfectly," Bitter Bridge replied.

Li Hao remained silent; the deep-seated prejudice between races was clearly difficult to overcome.

"Senior Brother Haotian possesses unrivaled talent and was brought into the Sect personally by the Master. We are not so lucky. Some of us rely on the influence of great clans to secure a spot for a few members, while others must bleed at the Original Border. Only by achieving great merits are they permitted to Cultivate internally and enter the Chaotic Star to comprehend the Dao!"

"Certain powerful clans have members fighting at the Original Border to earn glory, just so they can pass their quota to the younger generation, sending them to Emperor Dao Mountain as apprentices. Even as outer sect disciples, they gain the chance to study at the Chaotic Star."

The group explained the situation to Li Hao.

Li Hao was taken aback, realizing that the Chaotic Star—a place he hadn't even bothered to visit—was a dream nearly impossible for others to reach.

Even gaining entry to Extreme Dao Mountain for Cultivation required the sacrifice of entire generations!

"Even though Han Ku was part of the first field, he was still required to serve. He had to go to the Original Border every three centuries and secure a hundred great achievements before he could come back," someone mentioned.

"A hundred great achievements?"

"That means killing a hundred Ancient Demons of the same cultivation level. Since we study under the Immortal Emperor's disciples—though we lack Senior Brother Haotian's genius—defeating an Ancient Demon of equal rank is manageable."

The combat prowess of Ancient Demons is terrifying; they nearly dominate the Ten Thousand Races of the True Realm at the same level. Even the top ten clans can only barely overcome them, and they fall far short when facing the Ancient Demon Royal Family.

However, those who manage to reach the Primordial True Realm are all capable of fighting Ancient Demons of the same rank, often defeating them with ease.

"Killing a hundred demons isn't the hard part; it's the unpredictability of the battlefield. Ancient Demons are devious and cunning. Accidents happen constantly, and even the most brilliant geniuses can fall," Bitter Bridge said.

Li Hao nodded, understanding the grim reality of war.

"As a Direct Disciple, the Master will not permit Senior Brother Haotian to enter such dangerous places until you have reached full maturity," someone told Li Hao, their eyes filled with a mix of envy and respect.

The status of a Direct Disciple was indeed special. While they felt a twinge of jealousy, they acknowledged it fairly, as talent of that level commanded respect from everyone.

"Senior Brother Han Ku met with an unfortunate accident..."

A female Immortal King disciple spoke with a heavy heart.

The rest fell into a somber silence. They had spent thousands of years together, training and debating. They were true companions on the path of Immortality.

"Did he not leave any Divine Blood behind?"

Li Hao felt compelled to ask.

Usually, when venturing into danger, one leaves Divine Blood behind to allow for rebirth.

"In the past, we could use Divine Blood to save ourselves, returning to the fight even after being crushed. But the Ancient Demons eventually developed a technique to sever the link with one's Divine Blood. It destroys the Divine essence entirely. Even if Divine Blood is stored thousands of miles away, being killed by this method causes the remaining blood to rot instantly."

Bitter Bridge continued, "Furthermore, Senior Brother Han Ku's Primordial Spirit was destroyed. Fighting with avatars doesn't allow for full power, especially since the Ancient Demons use avatars as well."

Li Hao was silent. Thousands of years of grueling Cultivation could be extinguished in a single day of war.

"I belong to the Unbreakable Domain..."

Those words seemed to echo in the air, yet the man who spoke them was gone.

Li Hao said nothing more and returned to the mountain peak. He expanded his Painting Realm, and within it, a new image took shape: the fallen Han Ku.

"Senior Brother Haotian, I am from the Unbreakable Domain, please observe..."

The image of Han Ku materialized in the Painting Realm, smiling as he bowed to Li Hao, as if the past had been brought back to life.

Shi Miao watched Li Hao, remaining silent and offering her quiet company.

The years rolled by.

Every few years, Li Hao would descend the mountain to discuss the various realms with his Immortal King peers.

However, with every visit, Li Hao noticed that one or two of his previous companions were gone, their places taken by new faces.

These newcomers were either sponsored by major clans or sent by elders serving at the Original Border.

Having heard of Li Hao's reputation, they always greeted him with great respect and sought to converse.

"Where is Junior Sister Baihua?"

"She... died in battle."

"And Junior Brother Wuheng?"

"He also..."

The Chaos Rain fell time and again.

Upon the mountain, flowers withered and bloomed in cycles, but the celestial seeds stayed vibrant and unchanging through the centuries.

"This is Junior Brother Baichuan; his mastery of his realm is quite impressive."

"What of Bitter Bridge?"

"Bitter Bridge, he..."

Noticing the pained, familiar expressions on the few remaining old faces, Li Hao’s heart skipped a beat, and a cold sensation washed over him.

He didn't remember the walk back to the summit, but he found another figure waiting within his Painting Realm.

"I belong to the Shore Realm, Senior Brother Haotian..."

The figure offered a deep, respectful bow toward the tea chair where a youth sat in silence.

Time felt as if it had stopped, and that first meeting at the base of the mountain was perfectly recreated.

After a long silence, Li Hao slowly stood up, cupped his hands, and spoke:

"Greetings, Junior Brother Bitter Bridge."

As the eras shifted and the sun and moon moved across the courtyard, time within the Painting Realm seemed to flow backward. Heavy rain rose from the ground, turning back into clouds in the sky.

The Chaos Rain reversed and the years changed, yet the number of gathered figures grew. They were all the familiar faces Li Hao had met over the years.

"Han Ku, Bitter Bridge... Baihua..."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Haotian!"

It felt as though time had never moved at all, and everything remained in its original state.

Li Hao suddenly began to laugh, though tears fell as he did. These people had opened their most private realms to him without hesitation—realms that had once impressed him and represented the pinnacle of humanity.

"Shi Miao."

Li Hao spoke suddenly.

"I am here," Shi Miao answered softly.

Standing amidst the shifting sun and moon and the reversal of time, she appeared to exist outside of space and time itself. She watched the youth quietly with warm, tearful eyes. Only she could grasp his current state of mind and the depth of his fervent heart.

"A hundred years have passed..." Li Hao murmured.

"Yes."

Shi Miao nodded firmly, "One hundred years."