Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1776 Chapter 457: Realms Beyond Realms (Part 2)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
"This Divine Sense rivals my own and may even exceed it!"
Li Hao's eyes narrowed a touch. Could this indicate that the opponent's True God Blood outstrips his?!
During his travels, Li Hao had faced numerous powerful adversaries, yet this marked the initial occasion he crossed paths with someone whose Divine Sense topped his in the identical realm.
A grave look settled on his face as he paused his advance and ceased progressing.
Separated by thousands of miles, they locked eyes from a distance.
Upon the lake's surface, the black-robed youth's gaze shimmered faintly with surprise, brimming with shock.
Such an expansive Divine Sense?
Attaining this extent within the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain meant the foe wasn't merely at Primordial Spirit Extreme Realm but had absorbed substantial True God Blood!
"Immortal Monarch Realm, True God Blood, no less than three thousand drops?"
The black-robed youth appeared momentarily stunned, briefly pondering if this was a reincarnated comrade from bygone eras?
"That young man looks like... the Human Race's Haotian who stirred up such chaos earlier?"
"Not of my kin—perhaps a Great Emperor of the Human Race reborn?"
"The tale of igniting 69 stars in one day... nothing short of a Great Emperor's revival explains it."
His gaze wavered lightly. Should the other be a Great Emperor as well, his trek along the Heavenly Ascension Road promised companionship.
Clashing solely with those minor cultivators would grow tedious otherwise.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he inclined his head toward the figure, his eyes blending a trace of lethal intent with polite grace and poise.
Li Hao sensed the serene yet composed killing intent in the other's stare and felt a brief jolt. It was an odd sensation—this murderous aura remained utterly tranquil and steady. Not born of private enmity, but akin to a clash between races, holding the equanimity of viewing a rival and the resolve to fight without restraint.
"Even the Divine King, a Quasi-Emperor reborn, never evoked such peril in me..."
Li Hao's gaze quivered faintly, "Is this person truly a Great Emperor's reincarnation?"
He had learned of Great Emperor rebirths before and even clashed with them amid contests against fellow prodigies, but most such reincarnations carried only fragments of lingering soul or will, lacking full recollections from prior lives. Hence, despite their impressive feats, they often fell to the era's rising stars.
But this black-robed youth set himself apart from the rest.
"Those who make it to the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain are no ordinary sorts, it seems."
Li Hao cast a profound look, etching the black-robed youth's presence into memory, then pressed on without delay, vaulting beyond and forging ahead.
Their arena of confrontation lay not here, but upon the Heavenly Ascension Road.
Atop the lake, the black-robed youth watched Li Hao depart and gradually withdrew his sight. His once listless and detached spirit ignited with a spark of eagerness, as though discovering delight.
"Heavenly Ascension Road, I'll await you there."
He whispered to himself, then resumed his leisurely stride with hands clasped behind.
Though his pace seemed unhurried, every stride spanned hundreds of feet in a flash, leaving the lake behind in mere moments, propelling him swiftly onward.
...
Li Hao pressed on with his pursuit and path-clearing, spotting various clusters en route, including over a dozen cultivators uniting to chase Chaos Dao Seeds, though their energies felt markedly feebler. From their wielded Chaos Law methods, it was clear they hadn't fused 23 Chaos Laws yet.
So, despite their group effort, capturing Chaos Dao Seeds in this area proved especially taxing.
Li Hao spared them a quick look but ignored them, pushing further.
As he kept slaying and purging, the count of Chaos Dao Seeds across the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain dwindled swiftly.
Meanwhile, after Li Hao departed from the clash with the Divine Venerable, Xue Consort lingered briefly but, upon noting the Divine Venerable's absence, ventured off solo to pursue Chaos Dao Seeds.
"With both unleashing their hidden aces, they posed threats I couldn't easily overcome. Grandmother spoke true—anyone navigating the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain unaccompanied boasts exceptional might."
Xue Consort observed with a serious gaze. After beholding Li Hao and the Divine Venerable's duels, her former haughtiness within faded, awakening her to greater powers abroad. Even as an Ancient Immortal Clan member, she couldn't assume dominance over all here.
Beside the Human Race youth's radiant feats, her own luster dimmed somewhat.
"Still, their Domain Artifacts lie in ruins now, stripping them of rivalry on the Heavenly Ascension Road."
Xue Consort shook her head and advanced, declining to linger for the Divine Venerable—he served only as a fleeting ally to accelerate the hunt for Chaos Dao Seeds in this realm.
Halting to await him would invert their aims.
...
In a flash, two days elapsed.
Li Hao had scoured the full Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain, crossing many prodigies during his sweep, yet he refrained from claiming their lucky breaks, merely skirting past to target remaining Chaos Dao Seeds.
What they claimed was their fortune; what evaded them, Li Hao claimed gladly.
"Rumors say the Heavenly Ascension Road might emerge anywhere across the Nine-layer Heavenly Domain, but has it shown itself already?"
"Word is it demands just three days; with eight left, I can spare three for caution and spend five days with Elder Qi, watching a chess match."
Li Hao mused inwardly.
Such considerations brought a wave of cheer to him.
With that in mind, he reached the core of the Endless Heavenly Domain, extending his Divine Thought and proclaiming: "Elder Qi, this junior seeks to watch the game a few more days, if senior would permit."
He then bowed his hands toward the emptiness in respect.
Convinced of Elder Qi's vast abilities—likely Quasi-Emperor tier at minimum, if not Immortal Emperor—the elder ought to sense his words anywhere in the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain.
True enough, soon after Li Hao's call, the space ahead rippled, unveiling a path through bamboo groves.
"As a fellow enthusiast, enter, enter."
Elder Qi's elderly voice rang out with warmth and mirth.
Elated, Li Hao trailed the bamboo trail, quickly spotting the humble hut where the two elders dueled over chess, the large black dog nearby.
Spotting Li Hao, the big black dog craned its neck for a peek, its stare brimming with clear grievance and ire.
Li Hao drew near, and Elder Qi grinned: "You've gathered plenty of Chaos Dao Seeds these last two days, riling up this pup considerably."
Li Hao eyed the big black dog, viewing it as among the mightiest Chaos Dao Seeds in this Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain, curious about its store of Heavenly Dao Power?
Catching Li Hao's intent, the big black dog's eyes flipped from bitter to wary, fixing him with sharp, alert glares as if demanding, what do you intend?
Noting its uneasy state, Li Hao shelved the notion—being the cherished companion of the elders, he wouldn't dare pursue it.
"I see you've grasped the core lessons from that lad Dao Origin. Young one, train diligently, aim to outdo that lad Dao Origin."
Elder Eight uttered from his seat, facing away without a glance.
Li Hao froze in surprise. Hearing the casual "that lad Dao Origin" left him somewhat at a loss. Though unclear on his master's exact age, it surpassed a hundred thousand years, as the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor endured that ancient demon conflict ten thousand years back.
Still, the elder addressed his master like a youth, no differently than himself.
Recalling these two elders as Chaos-born entities, Li Hao gave a wry smile, replying, "As you command, senior; I'll give it my all."
"Hmph."
Elder Eight huffed, resuming his chess moves.
Li Hao realized the recent external fray hadn't slipped these elders' awareness. Intrigued, he inquired, "Senior, any idea where the Heavenly Road could manifest?"
"That hinges on the Heavenly Dao's whim. Should it fancy a prank, it might tuck it away in the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain," Elder Qi chuckled in reply.
Li Hao found himself speechless. Were that the case, few here would ever catch sight of the Heavenly Road, much less the Heavenly Ascension Road.
"If you're here for the game, observe it in peace. If distractions plague you, best depart."
Elder Eight stated coolly.
At those words, Li Hao refocused instantly, declaring, "I'm here solely to watch the game, senior."