Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1781 Chapter 459: The Struggle Between Dragon and Serpent, How Could I Not Be Involved (Part 3)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
"Hmm."
Elder Qi gave a slight nod.
The bamboo grove swayed gently while the pair gathered the chess pieces and began another round.
In the meantime, having departed from the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain, Li Hao hurried straight to the outer edge of the First Heaven.
Along the journey, he shut his eyes, called up the panel within his Sea of Consciousness, selected to distribute points, and advanced the Chaos Dao to the Seventh Stage!
With a deduction of 3 Artistic Skill Points, the Heavenly Dao Power inside him swiftly diminished by roughly one percent. Simultaneously, his Chaos Dao reached the Seventh Stage, and powerful Dao Thoughts flooded into his mind.
In the earlier clash against the Divine Venerable, Li Hao had nearly been pushed to unleash his utmost power. For this contest on the heavenly path, he intended to tackle it in peak condition. The three Domain Artifacts remaining with him might prove inadequate.
As the Dao Thoughts merged, Li Hao's whole presence shifted dramatically.
Moving from the Sixth Stage to the Seventh Stage of Chaos Dao marks a key milestone, bringing a profound shift in the grasp of Chaos Dao.
Even though he continues to merge Chaos Dao at 24 Dao, reaching the Chaos Infinite level, this stands as the Immortal Lord's ultimate realm, with no further breakthroughs possible. Yet, his command over Chaos Infinite power has sharpened greatly, unlike before when it resembled a novice swinging a blade against a true sword expert—utterly outmatched.
After quite some time, once the Seventh Stage of Chaos Dao was completely integrated, Li Hao opened his eyes, which seemed to hold the sun, moon, stars, and the tangled threads of chaotic causality.
He blinked once, and the faint luminous effects faded from his gaze, restoring its ordinary look.
Li Hao's form blurred as he dashed through the void, covering ten thousand miles in a flash, and quickly reached the First Heaven.
Right away upon landing, Li Hao spotted the immense and imposing Heavenly Ascension Road, flanked by 72 ancient giants in the Quasi-Emperor Realm.
This awe-inspiring sight briefly froze Li Hao in place, but catching sight of the throngs of people swarming toward it with zeal, he pushed the surprise aside and dashed ahead.
"Haotian?!"
The moment Li Hao showed up, several thrilled voices rang out.
Glancing below, he noticed the Su Family sisters on the Heavenly Ascension Road, together with Di Lincen.
Standing nearby were Lin Zhexuan, the Ghost Tribe sisters, and the rest—all disciples under the Chaos Immortal Emperor.
"Hmm?"
Li Hao spotted someone fighting against them, hindering their climb, and without delay, he lifted his hand in a wave; the force of Chaos Infinite rippled out, hurling everyone nearby into the air.
"Why did you arrive so late?"
Spotting Li Hao once more, Su Wanqing's eyes brimmed with delight. Hundreds of years had elapsed since Li Hao entered the Primordial True Realm. She frequently caught word of him but lacked chances to see him face-to-face; now, her heart swelled with happiness, tears glistening faintly in her eyes.
"They all ascended and mentioned you're short on Domain Artifacts, too scared to proceed."
Su Wanqing hurried to Li Hao's side, then abruptly turned her palm to reveal three Domain Artifacts, offering them over as she said: "I've been holding out for you, waiting for your arrival. These are my three Domain Artifacts; take them."
Li Hao stood there in surprise, noting the girl's thrilled expression, and a twinge of remorse stirred in him; he shook his head and replied: "Keep these for yourself; I've got my own."
"You have?"
Su Wanqing paused in shock.
Su Muqing and the others rushed over too. Witnessing her sister about to hand Domain Artifacts to Li Hao, Su Muqing's expression flickered just a bit before her focus shifted to his statement, prompting her to blurt out: "Some fellow named Divine Venerable boasted that you've exhausted your Domain Artifacts."
Li Hao glanced at Su Muqing, whose features mirrored Shi Miao's exactly, leaving him briefly lost in thought, but he quickly recalled she was no longer that person.
He nodded, keeping his composure, and stated: "That's just the enemy's fabrication."
"Rumor or not, you need to take them; more Domain Artifacts are always better," Su Wanqing insisted, clenching her teeth as she stared at Li Hao.
"You're right, I'll hand over mine too; once you make it to the peak, let me know what the view's like from there," Di Lincen chimed in, tossing two Domain Artifacts Li Hao's way.
But Li Hao refused to take them, gently sending them back instead.
"Hold onto them yourselves; I've got plenty of Domain Artifacts already."
He offered no further details, having now perfected the Chaos Dao at the Seventh Stage; Domain Artifacts held no necessity for him anymore.
"I have some too..."
Su Muqing quickly drew out her Domain Artifacts, yet before she could pass them along, Li Hao had already launched skyward, calling back with a single line: "Heading up first—keep pushing, all of you!"
The group stared as Li Hao's shape vanished instantly; the crushing weight of the Heavenly Ascension Road felt like an insurmountable peak to them, yet for that youth, it appeared utterly trivial.
Along this Heavenly Ascension Road, even if they couldn't claim the top, deploying Domain Artifacts let them scale further, securing certain rewards that would immensely aid their future cultivation.
"He actually showed up; that earlier talk was just gossip—I knew he'd definitely arrive."
Su Wanqing whispered to herself, eyes fixed on the point where Li Hao had faded, brimming with anticipation.