Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1753 Chapter 448: Gathering at the Eighth Layer Heaven (Part 2)

"If Senior Sister feels troubled, simply view it as a favor you owe me."

Observing Di Lingshu's hesitation, Li Hao spoke with a gentle smile.

Di Lingshu stared at Li Hao and released a soft sigh. "It is more than just a favor. I am merely reflecting on how this grace is comparable to the guidance my own master has provided. How could I possibly settle such a debt in the future?"

"I have a fondness for fine cuisine and Divine Wood. If Senior Sister possesses any, giving me some would be repayment enough," Li Hao remarked.

Di Lingshu offered a bitter smile, assuming Li Hao was merely jesting. How could such trivial items ever be equated to the supreme opportunities found within the Endless Heavenly Domain?

Though she sighed inwardly, she did not decline. Despite her immense pride as a member of the Emperor Clan, she recognized that this rare chance might never present itself again.

"Since Junior Brother has shown such kindness, if I attain the rank of Immortal Emperor in the future, I shall repay you tenfold."

Di Lingshu spoke these words to Li Hao with absolute sincerity.

Hearing this, Li Hao cast a wary look her way. "And what if you do not become an Immortal Emperor?"

Di Lingshu was stunned for a moment before her solemn expression shifted into a look of playful irritation. "Are you looking down on me?"

"No, it is just that becoming an Immortal Emperor is..."

"Hmph, even if I fail to become an Immortal Emperor, I will still find a way to repay you!"

Di Lingshu snorted with feigned anger. She secretly decided that if his words came true and she failed to reach that realm, she would indeed pay him back with nothing but food and Divine Wood just to see the look on his face!

Chuckling, Li Hao brought Di Lingshu onto the back of the Chaos Dao Beast, directing the creature to travel further into the Endless Heavenly Domain.

Prior to their departure, Di Lingshu gathered all the Divine Medicine growing on that land. Nourished by the power of the Heavenly Dao and Chaos, these ancient Divine Medicines were priceless treasures capable of extending a lineage's lifespan and were never sold to outsiders.

Leaving that territory behind, Li Hao pushed deeper, sensing the void's pressure rising alongside the intensifying Chaos Power ahead. Using this sensation as his compass, he pressed forward, bypassing several lands without stopping to scavenge them.

Having killed some Chaos Dao Beasts previously, Li Hao realized they were inferior to the four he had slain near the Chaos River; their internal Heavenly Dao Power was meager. Furthermore, the strength levels among these Chaos Dao Beasts varied greatly.

"Those four that ambushed us by the river were likely at the Seventh or Eighth Layer!" Li Hao mused.

He had used the Destiny Sword Dao to dispatch them so quickly that he hadn't properly measured their strength at the time. However, he could intuitively feel that an ordinary Cultivator would be in grave danger if caught in an ambush by those four.

Before long, after crossing dozens of lands, a visible boundary appeared in the void ahead.

Li Hao’s consciousness brushed against it, finding that he could pass through as easily as moving through a thin film of water without any true resistance.

Beyond this transparent veil, the constraints of space became significantly heavier.

"We must have reached the Second Heavenly Domain," Di Lingshu remarked.

Li Hao nodded in agreement. Points of light like distant stars were scattered before them. He picked a specific land, landed upon it, and swept his Divine Sense across the area, quickly locating four or five Chaos Dao Beasts.

"Let us slay two of them to gauge the difference in power," Li Hao suggested.

At his word, Di Lingshu leaped from the Dao Beast's back and sought out a target, lunging forward with her sword drawn.

Li Hao moved to intercept the remaining Chaos Dao Beasts.

A short while later, Li Hao returned his blade to its sheath and sat back upon the Dao Beast. He confirmed that this was indeed the Second Heavenly Domain, as the combat strength of these creatures was noticeably higher than those on the previous lands.

Di Lingshu finished her engagement shortly after. The fight had taken her longer than before, and she appeared slightly more fatigued.

"They are definitely more powerful," Di Lingshu noted.

"Let’s move on. We should keep going."

Li Hao tapped the Dao Beast, and Di Lingshu understood his intent. With the natural elegance of the Emperor Clan, she descended onto the creature's back and took her seat.

Li Hao continued to lead the Dao Beast deeper into the domain.

While Li Hao and Di Lingshu traveled further in, more cultivators began to arrive at the Chaos River.

"So this is the Endless Heavenly Domain."

"The ones who arrived first must already be inside; we cannot afford to fall behind."

These figures emerged from the Chaos River in a second wave. Each had refined 23 Chaos Laws, yet unlike the Red Chaos Demon Clan, they were currently playing it safe to preserve their strength.

"Junior Brother Zhexuan, I have brought you this far. You may hunt along the edges of the First Layer. I am heading for the more treacherous Eighth Layer. If you run into trouble, I might be unable to come to your aid."

Luo Ningshuang spoke solemnly to Lin Zhexuan after leading him out of the Chaos River.

Lin Zhexuan felt a pang of disappointment, but he understood their relationship wasn't close enough for Senior Sister Nine to escort him into the Eighth Layer. He wouldn't be able to hunt anything there anyway, and expecting her to share her spoils would be delusional.

"Understood. Please be careful, Senior Sister," Lin Zhexuan replied, accepting the situation gracefully.

Luo Ningshuang felt relieved; it would have been awkward if this Junior Brother had insisted on following her.

"Arriving early with me has already given you a head start. The experts who came before us won't waste time in the outer domains, including that Haotian you mentioned. They have surely headed for the Eighth Layer, which is the true battlefield. Since the First Layer is currently empty, you should hunt as fast as possible. I have also heard that Divine Ore and Divine Medicine can be found here—some are rare materials for forging Immortal Soldiers and Domain Artifacts, which would be a great boon to your Lin Family."

Luo Ningshuang offered this advice.

Lin Zhexuan nodded in understanding. "Senior Sister Nine, you should hurry, or the Chaos Dao Beasts in the Eighth Layer might all be taken."

Despite her internal urgency, Luo Ningshuang smiled at his comment. "Perhaps in the Seventh Layer, but not the Eighth. That place is a danger zone for everyone."

Even those with 23 Chaos Laws had to be wary in the Eighth Layer, as a coordinated attack by Chaos Dao Beasts could be fatal.

Without further words, Luo Ningshuang dropped Lin Zhexuan off at a piece of land in the First Heavenly Domain before vanishing into the depths.

At the same time, the Su sisters, Di Lincen, and several others emerged from the Chaos River, following another senior brother.

"Stay within the First Layer. If you face a crisis, use the Domain Artifact our master gave you," the sturdy middle-aged man commanded his juniors.

The sisters from the Ghost Tribe and Di Lincen bowed in thanks.

"I am heading out as well. Little sisters, stay here and hunt. If you work together, your efficiency will be much higher—our Su Family's bloodline resonance is second to none," Su Wanyi instructed her three younger sisters.

Including her, all four Su sisters had attained the status of Direct Disciple under the Chaos Immortal Emperor, a feat rarely seen in any single clan.

"Yes, Sister. Please take care of yourself," Su Muqing and the others said, their eyes filled with concern.

Su Wanyi gave them a gentle smile, said her goodbyes, and blurred toward the Eighth Layer.

After her departure, Su Muqing and Su Wanqing looked at one another. Three centuries had passed, and in the face of the dangers within the Endless Heavenly Domain, Su Wanqing’s previous coldness toward Su Muqing had thawed significantly.

"Let us go," Su Wanxue declared. With their eldest sister gone, it was her duty to protect her two younger sisters.

Long after they had departed, a third wave of cultivators appeared by the Chaos River. This group was smaller and quickly dispersed toward various regions of the domain.

Much later, a fourth wave arrived, far larger than the third. They appeared in a massive surge, consisting mostly of talents who had refined seven or eight Chaos Laws.

Finally, the largest group of all arrived as the fifth wave, a desperate scramble of people. Even knowing they were far behind the leaders, they continued to push forward with everything they had.