Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1780 Chapter 459: Clash of Dragon and Serpent—How Could I Not Be Involved (Part 2)

At that moment, Chi Yuan and his companions suddenly remembered the pesky human who still hadn't shown his face. That foe had earlier dominated the Eighth Heaven Domain, pushing them into perilous hunts for Chaos Dao Seeds within the Ninth Heaven Domain. The chase proved grueling, nearly forcing them to unleash a Domain Artifact. Had the four not united their efforts, they might have faced dire threats.

Yet, even as the quartet dodged disaster together, the rewards got split evenly, leaving each with meager shares.

"Could he have already ascended?"

Gu Xie gazed upward at the Heavenly Road, his eyes brimming with doubt, and a wave of unease suddenly gripped him.

"No, he couldn't have."

The Divine Venerable shook his head right away, explaining, "From the instant the Heavenly Road emerged, I was present. I never spotted him arriving."

"You?"

At the Divine Venerable's words, the group stared at him in astonishment, and Chi Yuan questioned, "Weren't you stuck in the Ninth Heaven Domain? How did you get here so quickly? And if you were already present, why didn't you climb up?"

Hearing that, the Divine Venerable offered a wry grin and confessed, "Truth be told, this is merely my incarnation; my real body has already exited the Heavenly Domain..."

Chi Yuan and the rest froze in surprise, then examined the Divine Venerable closely, noticing how his aura wavered unstably, clearly not that of his true form.

"You..."

Xue Consort regarded him with astonishment, aware that Li Hao had clashed in a fierce battle with him not long ago. Had his actual self been forced from the Endless Heavenly Domain? Perhaps...

"I clashed in an epic battle with that brat; we depleted our Domain Artifacts entirely. He expended three, and so did I. Right now, he holds no Domain Artifact anymore."

The Divine Venerable spoke gravely, his purpose in arriving here to share this vital intelligence.

These words left Chi Yuan and the others dumbfounded, while Luo Ningshuang and Su Wanyi showed clear dismay. On the other hand, Su Wanqing and Su Muqing grew ashen-faced, their features etched with concern and haste.

Lacking Domain Artifacts, did that spell the end for Li Hao's pursuit of the ultimate heights?

"Xue Consort witnessed that intense battle too."

The Divine Venerable turned to Xue Consort and added, "Should you cross paths with that brat once more, there's no need to restrain yourself; he's out of Domain Artifacts now."

Xue Consort never imagined their confrontation had raged so intensely; one expelled from the Endless Heavenly Domain, the other drained of Domain Artifacts, forfeiting any chance to scale the Heavenly Road.

"I see."

She responded with steady composure.

Chi Yuan furrowed his brow and challenged, "Is that true? You're not trying to trick us, are you?"

Though irritation boiled inside the Divine Venerable, he forced a rueful smile on the surface, replying, "Why would it be a lie? If you suspect I'm manipulating you into a deadly grudge against him, consider that with his three Domain Artifacts, he could barely counter three more of yours—what gain is there? Had my true body remained, I'd have rushed up the Heavenly Road without delay; why loiter around here?"

Chi Yuan mulled it over briefly and saw the logic in the man's explanation. Abruptly, his opinion of this fellow from the human race warmed just a touch.

In the end, forcing that brat to squander three Domain Artifacts deserved some applause.

"Not bad, well played."

Chi Yuan flashed a broad smile, admitting the human lad had been his greatest source of irritation and concern; his moves were far too unpredictable. Luo Ningshuang, despite her established fame, posed no such threat to him.

The Divine Venerable inwardly rolled his eyes at the remark. Were it not for his burning grudge against Li Hao, he'd never spare a kind glance to these Chaos Ancient Clan folks.

"No surprise he's absent; seems like without Domain Artifacts, he lacks the guts to appear."

Chi Yuan chuckled, scanning the surroundings.

Hearing this, Su Wanyi and Luo Ningshuang both revealed intricate looks on their faces. That youth could effortlessly slay Chaos Dao Seeds, his fighting prowess surpassing their own. But now he couldn't even approach the Heavenly Road for ascension?

A pang of sorrow tugged at them, though they pushed the thought aside soon enough.

"With things like this, we should move quickly."

Gu Xie pressed onward.

Chi Yuan held back no further chatter, surging straight for the Heavenly Road.

As they departed, Luo Ningshuang, Su Wanyi, and the rest hastened after with keen anticipation, while Xue Consort transformed into a streak of radiance and sped skyward alongside her attendant.

With their exit, the heavy pressure lifted from the area, allowing the remaining contenders to shake off their daze and resume vying for supremacy.

At the same time, deep within the Ninth Heaven Domain.

With a bold final play, Li Hao watched Elder Qi claim victory in the contest.

"Hmph, it's all on account of that kid lurking behind me, cursing my luck."

The defeated Elder Eight flung the game pieces away and muttered irritably.

Elder Qi caught him pinning the blame on Li Hao and couldn't suppress a grin, remarking, "Oh, you, aren't you worried the youth will mock you for it?"

"Hmph!"

Elder Eight folded his arms and huffed, turning to Li Hao with, "Kid, the Heavenly Road is out. Delay no longer, or you'll miss your shot."

Li Hao jolted from his thoughts—had the Heavenly Road truly manifested?

"Yes, it's high time you departed."

Elder Qi glanced skyward and told Li Hao.

Li Hao reckoned the timing in his mind, confirming fewer than three days remained until the Endless Heavenly Domain closed.

"Understood, thank you both, elders."

Li Hao offered a respectful bow of gratitude.

Through this session of watching the match, his progress in Thirteenth Stage Chess Tao had reached the midpoint!

Remember, advancing experience in Chess Tao comes with immense challenge. Even dueling himself yielded only tiny gains, perhaps requiring millennia of self-matches to hit half that mark.

Should he challenge outsiders, their skill in chess needed to match his own; anything less would yield scant benefit.

"The Heavenly Road lies in the First Level Heavenly Domain—head there now."

Elder Qi smiled lightly as he spoke.

Li Hao inclined his head, voiced his appreciation, and took leave of the two elders, fully aware that future meetings hung in uncertainty, since not even the Immortal Emperor could enter the Endless Heavenly Domain.

With reluctance, he said goodbye and departed.

"A fine young one, truly."

Elder Qi observed his figure fade into the bamboo grove, chuckled gently, and praised.

Elder Eight agreed with a nod, "He possesses sharper cunning than the typical youths. Even sans proving the heavenly heart, he ought to forge his unique way. Opting for this easier route serves merely as a backup, mind you."