Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1765 Chapter 452: Tai Cang Ancestor Skill, Descending the Mountain to Reap

Li Hao fell into a deep silence, his mind racing.

His physical constitution had reached the pinnacle of the Final Realm of Universal Force, possessing Divine Blood and a twelve-layered body. This was the absolute limit of the Immortal Monarch Realm, granting him the power to clash with a Dragon Sparrow of the same level, yet he remained unable to transcend the Final Realm itself.

Even with the augmentation of Control Force, his touch upon the bamboo simply dissipated into nothingness. Brute strength was useless against it; the plant could not be broken, only gradually worn down.

Li Hao began to violently shake the bamboo back and forth. However, after half a day of persistent struggle, the stalk remained as resilient as ever, snapping back to its original position the moment he released his grip.

“It might take years of attrition before it finally snaps.”

A wave of discouragement washed over Li Hao, and he couldn't help but flash a self-deprecating smile. It was truly absurd; he was a cultivator who could slaughter demons like chickens in the Immortal Monarch Realm, yet here he was, completely stymied by a single stalk of bamboo.

“My method must be incorrect.”

Standing before the bamboo, Li Hao abandoned the use of raw power. Instead, he fixed his intense gaze upon the plant, reaching out to touch it with extreme care, trying to perceive its inner structure.

However, the surface felt as though it were shielded by a realm barrier, isolating it from his senses. He could only vaguely detect that the bamboo was saturated with a massive amount of Chaos Power.

“Steady yourself... feel it with precision...”

Closing his eyes, Li Hao sank his entire consciousness into the sensation. He severed his connection to the outside world, focusing every bit of his awareness on the small patch of bamboo beneath his palm.

“The lad possesses a commendable temperament.”

Elder Qi stole a glance at him, a faint smile touching his lips.

“Are you truly intending for him to attempt the integration of Emperor Dao and Tai Cang? Even if the two are compatible, the time required is immeasurable. It is pointless; reaching the peak of just one is enough to stand at the summit of the world.”

Elder Eight let out a soft chuckle. Without lifting his eyes from the board, he spoke with an air of indifference.

“I am merely pointing out a path. The choice to walk it belongs to him. If the journey proves too grueling, he is free to turn back; no one is compelling him to continue.”

Elder Qi gave a light laugh in response.

That was precisely his intent. It was fine to let this spirited youth attempt a path that they themselves were unwilling or too lethargic to tread. Whether he surrendered halfway or reached the destination was of no concern to him.

Looking through the vast spans of history, why not offer a new direction to the younger generation?

“Should he actually succeed, he might even be able to take a turn within that cycle.”

Elder Eight remarked, glancing briefly at the young man. Observing Li Hao’s unwavering focus and lack of distraction, he gave a small snort before returning his attention to the game.

Elder Qi said nothing more. The two figures returned to a silence that seemed to span eons, their minds consumed by the chessboard.

Nearby, the black dog sat watching, its eyes filled with mockery. Break the bamboo? Utterly impossible!

In the past, its old master had also let it try, promising a great Creation if it succeeded. Yet, even after wasting countless years, it hadn't been able to leave a single tooth mark on the bamboo.

Could a mere member of the Human Race actually achieve it?

...

The tides of time flowed rapidly.

In what seemed like a heartbeat, half a month had vanished.

Within the Endless Heavenly Domain, every level except for the Eighth Layer was consumed by the flames of war and chaotic struggles across the lands.

Boom!

The form of a Chaos Dao Seed shattered into pieces. A figure dressed in blue, gripping a divine spear, lunged through the explosion and seized a cluster of Heavenly Dao Power in his hand.

He consumed the energy instantly, then turned and vanished without a second look.

He retreated directly to a hidden cave, only stopping to rest once he was inside, where he vigilantly scanned his surroundings.

Now, he had to be wary not just of the Chaos Dao Seeds, but of other cultivators looking to plunder his gains.

“That makes thirty-four hunted!”

“I’ve gathered a significant amount of Heavenly Dao Power. I’m not certain if it will be enough for the breakthrough, but Master insisted that more is always better...”

Lin Zhexuan’s eyes gleamed as he began to regulate his breathing for recovery. He looked out from the cave entrance: “I wonder how Senior Sister Luo is doing in the Eighth Layer. Only half a month remains. As the end draws near, I must search for the Heavenly Ascension Road. It still hasn't surfaced...”

He whispered to himself, but his expression suddenly hardened as he completely suppressed his aura.

A few miles outside the cave, two massive figures soared past. They were members of the Chaos Ancient Clan.

“Those bastards from the Chaos Ancient Clan... they nearly robbed me earlier. I was forced to expend a Domain Artifact. Dammit!”

Lin Zhexuan’s gaze turned cold, his heart filled with a burning animosity toward the Chaos Ancient Clan.

...

The Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain.

Deep within a forest gorge, the earth shook with sporadic tremors. Four figures were locked in a fierce struggle: two Chaos Dao Seeds against two fairies in fluttering robes.

“Hurry, we must focus our strength to take one down first!”

Luo Ningshuang spoke through clenched teeth. Her usual grace and pristine appearance were gone; her jade-green dress was tattered and stained with blood, and the green sigil on her brow had grown dim.

Beside her, Su Wanyi appeared just as battered. Her hair was a tangled mess and her white robes were splattered with crimson.

“Be quick! We cannot cause too much of a disturbance, or we will attract others.”

Dread was visible in Su Wanyi’s eyes as her strikes became more desperate. Here in the Ninth-layer, they had discovered while hunting together that the Chaos Dao Seeds were terrifyingly powerful. Each one required their absolute best, and even then, victory wasn't guaranteed—especially now that they were facing two at once.

To their horror, another one had been slumbering in the depths of this dwelling; they never would have taken the risk had they known.

Battles of this scale could easily draw in more Chaos Dao Seeds. If a third one joined the fray, they would be in mortal danger and forced to use a Domain Artifact to survive.

However, that specific treasure was being saved for the Heavenly Ascension Road. Using it now would severely jeopardize their chances of ascending.

“Spring and Summer Sword Skill!”

Su Wanyi unleashed the second technique of the Su Family Ancestor’s martial arts.

Her blade erupted with a blinding radiance. Combined with the power of twenty-three refined Chaos Sword Dao paths, the strike landed instantly, tearing a massive, unhealable gash across the chest of the centipede-like Chaos Dao Seed.

Seeing the opening, Luo Ningshuang lunged forward, her sword blurring in a relentless assault. Under their combined pressure, the Chaos Dao Seed was rapidly pushed to the brink of death.