Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1787 Chapter 462: Heavenly Authority (Part 2)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
Yet, the sight of the black-robed youth effortlessly defeating Gu Xie, even after the Domain Artifact was activated, left them utterly stunned; despite their frustration, they held back from acting.
Xue Consort lingered nearby, her expression darkened with unease. Though she held herself in high regard, she knew she couldn't stand against this mysterious figure in black robes. Deep down, she suspected he might be the reincarnation of a Great Emperor; the prior Divine Venerable had been a reborn Quasi-Emperor, yet lacked such overwhelming might.
This reincarnated Great Emperor aimed to seize the same fortune as them, stirring up disdain and bitterness in her heart, but all she could do was swallow her pride.
Suddenly, the weight of the Heavenly Dao descended, and swirling clouds and vapors gathered swiftly around the black-robed youth, completely enveloping him.
A supreme force from the heavens spread out from the summit, making everyone's faces pale in alarm.
"So, Haotian truly couldn't claim the Heavenly Heart after all!"
"Looks like his attempt ended in failure."
Su Wanyi stood frozen, her gaze mixing astonishment and mixed emotions, never imagining that a prodigy of such incredible gifts would fall short in proving the Heavenly Heart.
"To prove the Heavenly Heart isn't just about raw talent; other factors play a role too. Based on his cries from before, it sounds like he suffered immense agony and decided to give up on it,"
Luo Ningshuang murmured softly, quietly diminishing the black-robed youth's standing in her mind.
When faced with the chance to prove the Heavenly Heart, no amount of torment should deter one, since it leads straight to Emperor status!
The pinnacle of cultivation, a true leap toward the divine!
Before such an epic prospect, what wouldn't one give up, what suffering couldn't be borne?
Su Wanyi grasped this truth as well, feeling deep sorrow for Li Hao. A genius of his caliber failing at the last step drew heavy sighs from her.
"If he fails too, then our shot remains open."
Luo Ningshuang remarked, her eyes gleaming with intent, pondering ways to interfere with the youth's Heavenly Heart trial.
Beyond her, several others nursed the same scheming ideas.
At that moment, Li Hao descended smoothly along the path, and as he neared the base, he spotted numerous climbers pushing toward the heights.
Among those figures, he recognized the Su Family sisters from their earlier encounter.
"Haotian?"
Spotting Li Hao, the Su sisters and the rest froze in surprise, caught off guard.
"Planning to head up there?"
Li Hao scanned them briefly, noting that Di Lincen was present too, alongside Shen Wuji from the Ancient God Clan, the Ghost Tribe sisters, and various Southern Domain prodigies who'd fought in the prior clash.
"Did they make you do this...?"
Su Muqing blurted out, her eyes showing concern, though she trailed off, fearing she'd bruise Li Hao's pride.
Su Wanqing swiftly pulled out two Domain Artifacts, her gown ripped and marked with traces of Divine Blood, yet her resolve unyielding: "Here are my two Domain Artifacts. I ran into trouble before and spent one; take both of these. Do we still have time?"
Li Hao paused briefly, observing Di Lincen offering a Domain Artifact as well, while the Ghost Tribe sisters each revealed one. Touched by their gesture, he soon broke into a grin and replied:
"I've already reached the top; I chose to come back down. Follow me, and I'll bring you all up for a look."
With those words, he lifted his hand to invoke the Chaos Law, wrapping them in its embrace.
"You've already gone up?"
His statement left them all dumbfounded, then their faces lit up with delight as they turned to him.
Shen Wuji pressed eagerly: "Did you manage to prove the Heavenly Heart? What's it like at the peak?"
Li Hao sidestepped the first question, thought for a beat, then answered: "The view from up top is merely expansive; it's wider but not sharper."
Standing atop the mountain offers no more than a sweeping vista of existence, yet immersed in that existence, one doesn't always need to scale the heights.
His words rendered the group momentarily speechless, but Li Hao offered nothing further, shifting forms and pressing on to collect Gu Yan and Yue Xi. At the same time, he guided the others higher along the path.
Though the ascent held little purpose for him now, ascending further allowed companions to grasp additional laws, serving as a trial for their own Heavenly Hearts.
While summiting promised the ultimate boon, the ascent and descent themselves forged invaluable cultivation experiences.
As Li Hao carried the group along the celestial route and vanished from sight, onlookers below watched with jealousy, redoubling their efforts to climb.
During the journey, Li Hao overtook climbers who had fused over a dozen Chaos Laws. Nearing the crest, thunder boomed abruptly, the heavenly path quaked, and deep rumbles rose from the depths, resembling faint cries from the 72 statue-resembling Quasi-Emperor Realm behemoths.
An immense energy pulsed through the heavenly path, hurling those above downward like scattered insects, shaking them fiercely.
"What's going on?"
"Someone has proven the Heavenly Heart!"
Myriad cultivators reeled in shock, gripped by confusion and despair.
Li Hao too was flung from the path. Channeling his strength, he shielded the Su sisters and companions, holding them aloft in the air, and witnessed the grand heavenly path wreathed in unparalleled Realm Power, barring any approach. Skies churned with clouds, unveiling a colossal whirlpool akin to a misty cavern, devouring the path entirely.
The 72 Quasi-Emperor Realm colossi rooted to the earth hoisted the heavenly path skyward, thrusting it into the hazy abyss, fading gradually from view amid the crowd.
Witnessing the heavenly path's withdrawal, climbers who'd strained to ascend wailed in regret over unfinished insights.
Li Hao surveyed the scene, catching sight of known faces like Luo Ningshuang and Chaos Ancient Clan members hurrying down from above.
"Huh?"
Li Hao remarked on the black-robed youth's disappearance and asked, "Did he succeed in proving the Heavenly Heart?"
His question drew the group's focus, their expressions blending fury with subtle nuance, tinged with quiet relief.
"Yes, the heavenly path carried him away,"
Su Wanyi answered Li Hao, her features easing a bit upon seeing him with the Su sisters nearby.
Li Hao's gaze shifted, taken aback that this Great Emperor reborn would embrace the Heavenly Heart's call so readily.
"You made it to the top first but couldn't succeed; what a shame."
Chi Yuan's furious stare landed on Li Hao, twisting into scorn as he savored the jab.
"Hmm?"
Li Hao blinked in mild surprise, not anticipating the boldness to provoke him directly.
Bang!
He swung his arm, unleashing a burst of Chaos Infinite Sword Qi in a flash.
The razor-sharp blade sliced through emptiness instantly; Chi Yuan paled in alarm, his features twisting, wholly unprepared for a lethal strike over mere taunting.
He snarled in rage, "Have you lost your mind?!"
With the path vanished, no cause remained to battle Li Hao unless victory was assured.
The sword Qi's dreadfulness chilled him to the core; desperately, he unleashed his Domain Artifact, a heavy impact echoed, Realm Power cloaking him in defense. Moments later, the artifact shuddered violently under the blow, bouncing aside.
Then, the sword Qi fractured abruptly, multiplying into countless layered blade illusions that breached the Realm Power outright.
Chi Yuan's eyes widened in terror, grasping at last why the black-robed youth had fallen; this kid wielded power to overwhelm Realm barriers too!
"You lunatic, cease this now!"
He bellowed in fear; his Domain Artifact twisted to intercept the sword Qi, but it struck too swiftly. The blade rent his torso, shredding his massive frame and spilling dozens of drops of True God Blood, demanding ages to mend.
A single blow shattered the Domain Artifact's guard, inflicting grievous wounds that left him shattered.
The onlookers' countenances shifted at the display, stunned by Li Hao's merciless ferocity.
Chi Yuan wasted no time, his form dissolving into blood mist as he summoned Bloodline Power, unsealing yet another Domain Artifact and fleeing in panic from Li Hao's potential chase.
Su Wanqing, Di Lincen, Shen Wuji, and the rest gaped at the spectacle, astonished that Chi Yuan, deemed among their elite talents, suffered a crushing defeat from Li Hao's single attack, reduced to desperate flight.
"Time to leave; with this trial behind us, we'll all advance and claim our thrones back home,"
Noting the foe's repeated Domain Artifact activations just to survive, Li Hao saw no point in pursuit, addressing his companions instead.