Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1797 Chapter 467: King's Domain Realm (2)

Furthermore, should time allow... one could even keep forging additional supreme World Hearts, fusing them together to enable several King's Domain Hearts to exist simultaneously!

Li Hao mulled it over further, and the notion struck him as increasingly frightening. If it ever advanced to that stage, envisioning its sheer might became nearly impossible.

"He speaks the truth. While the King's Domain Heart possesses great strength, back among the Seven Monarchs from a hundred thousand years past, just two managed to carve out their personal Emperor's Path; the others all stumbled, right down to the one standing next to you."

Dao Origin Immortal Emperor stated evenly.

Shi Miao shot him an annoyed look upon hearing that, irked that he downplayed her status before Li Hao, and grumbled, "Without the Ancient Devil War getting in the way, I surely would have carved my Emperor's Path. In this life, I'll absolutely tread it!"

Li Hao grasped what his master meant; in essence, the King's Domain Heart paled in comparison to the Emperor's Path.

"This disciple gets it."

Li Hao replied.

Noting Li Hao's quick insight, Dao Origin Immortal Emperor gave a faint nod. He knew full well how sharp this young pupil was and continued, "For your journey to the Eastern Domain this time, your fifth senior brother will keep an eye on you. The trial in the Original Demon Cave won't hold much real value for you, and as your master, I grant you leave to head down the mountain."

Li Hao inclined his head and inquired, "What exactly is the Original Demon Cave?"

"The Original Demon Cave stands as a profoundly alarming secret realm. You're aware that the core zone of the Primordial True Realm lies in Chaos. It formed the earliest True Realm; hence, it sits nearest to the world's beginnings. In that spot, a location links to the world's profoundest depths, and that's the Original Demon Cave!"

"There, it counts as the very earliest Ancient Demon Cave, containing the primal blood essence of the Ancient Demon Clan!"

"Primal blood essence?"

Li Hao's face shifted a bit, surprised to sense the Ancient Demons' influence lingering here.

"In simple terms, it's the first Ancient Demon. The Ancient Demons roaming the outside world these days stem from endless lineages afterward. They pale far in comparison to those primal Demons."

Shi Miao explained.

Li Hao's features altered once more. Primal Demons surpassing Ancient Demons in might? Keep in mind, the Ancient Demon Clan's exceptional build let them overwhelm the Ten Thousand Clans at equal ranks, where only same-tier prodigies could fell them, and regular powerhouses could scarcely hold their own.

"Master, from where did this Ancient Demon Clan first arise?"

Li Hao questioned, sensing the Ancient Demon Clan's deep enigma, yet figuring his master held the key to their roots.

At Li Hao's query, Dao Origin Immortal Emperor grew quiet. Moments later, he began deliberately, "Now that you've shattered your limits and claimed kingship, certain truths no longer require concealment from you. Still, grasping them won't bring much gain. This Ancient Demon Clan hails from Reincarnation!"

"Reincarnation?"

Li Hao jolted in shock, abruptly remembering words from the Ancient Demon Clan maiden, Mi Xueyao, regarding Reincarnation Fragments.

"Legends claim Reincarnation has fractured, driving the Ancient Demons into the True Realm to claim the domain of the Ten Thousand Clans."

Dao Origin Immortal Emperor elaborated steadily, "Long ago, an Immortal Emperor aimed to rally allies for a 'Reverse Demon Plan', seeking to breach the Ancient Demon Clan's realm, only to discover it already ruined. This left the Ancient Demon Clan without fallback. We even dispatched an Immortal Emperor to parley, offering to cede a portion of the True Realm for their dwelling, yet that Immortal Emperor ended up vilely ambushed by them, fleeing with grave injuries, nearly meeting his end."

With those words, a chill flickered in his gaze.

The True Realm's Ten Thousand Races had extended olive branches, ready to share existence with the Ancient Demons, but the Ancient Demon Clan sought to devour the full True Realm's Ten Thousand Races, lording over them and turning the Ten Thousand Clans into mere beasts.

Li Hao froze briefly, his visage darkening unbidden, aware that his master included, numerous Immortal Emperors had poured vast efforts and trials into the past, all in vain, sparking the devastating disaster of a hundred thousand years back.

"Even the seventh layer trial of the original demon cave, should you attempt it, you could clear it. It demands combat prowess at the second layer of the Immortal King Realm, and your base runs profound. Fresh from your breakthrough to kinghood, you already stand able to clash with the second layer of the Immortal King Realm."

Shi Miao told Li Hao.

Beyond the Double World Heart alone; Li Hao's inner Heavenly Dao Power, blended with assorted Extreme Realm and Final Realm forces—like Extreme Dao Chaos, True God Blood, and more—sufficed for Li Hao to erupt with second-layer Immortal King Realm strength.

"So then, those two who conquered the Original Demon Cave's ninth layer could effortlessly dispatch the pinnacle of the first layer in the Immortal King Realm?"

Li Hao voiced in astonishment.

Shi Miao affirmed with a nod, "That level already touches on the might of the third layer in the Immortal King Realm, Ancestor Emperor Power, utterly daunting."

Li Hao felt a touch lost for words; despite forming the Double World Heart, it couldn't rival the foe's stirred Ancestor Emperor Power. Was this the edge of heritage?

A straightforward route lacking roots still falls short of the effortless prowess from the Heavenly Dragon People... Li Hao gave a wry smile, yet harbored no urge to vie with such figures. The path of Cultivation marks a lone pursuit of the Dao, much like him pondering a board of Go, where this journey isn't about besting rivals, but piercing through nearly impossible dilemmas; such growth stems from inner elevation and refinement, independent of others.

Carving an Emperor's Path mirrors that very pursuit; the "foe" consists solely of one's inner hurdles and puzzles on harmonizing multiple World Hearts.

"Old Wu."

Dao Origin Immortal Emperor summoned, and Long Qingge's projection materialized, advancing to bow: "Master."

"I'm entrusting Hao Er to your care; protect him well."

Long Qingge dipped his head, recalling the master's prior mention of this. He wouldn't pass up the chance to bond tighter with his little junior brother; as fellow disciples, forging a deeper alliance into combat allies would prove hugely advantageous for the future Ancestor Dragon Court in the Eastern Domain.

"Master, have no worries—even staking my life, I won't allow my little junior brother to suffer harm!"

Long Qingge vowed at once.

Dao Origin Immortal Emperor offered a subtle nod, then addressed Li Hao: "In that case, go with your fifth senior brother."

"Understood."

Li Hao agreed with a nod.

Dao Origin Immortal Emperor lifted his palm, tracing a loop through the emptiness, whereupon six beams of Divine Light cascaded down, shockingly assembling into a full array of Domain Artifacts!

As he eyed this array of Domain Artifacts, a hint of sorrow flashed in Dao Origin Immortal Emperor's gaze, swiftly hidden away. He directed the array toward Li Hao and intoned gravely:

"This came from a disciple of an old companion long ago, bound by three seals. You'll release them upon hitting the third, sixth, and ninth layers of the Immortal King Realm. At your present strength, handling it proves impossible otherwise."

"Twilight of the Gods?"

Shi Miao's face twisted in recognition of the Domain Artifacts, a bit taken aback.

Li Hao peered closer, observing how the Domain Artifact's armor bore golden streaks like tears, akin to parched remnants—more precisely, blood remnants!

"How did this Domain Artifact end up with you?"

Shi Miao couldn't resist glancing at Dao Origin Immortal Emperor.

Dao Origin Immortal Emperor regarded the Domain Artifact, replying steadily: "Obviously, both that old companion and his disciple have gone eternally quiet."

Shi Miao's look shifted faintly, though as if recalling some detail, she ultimately held her tongue.

Li Hao turned to Shi Miao, "What's the backstory behind this Domain Artifact?"

Shi Miao gave a small nod, "This Domain Artifact once graced one of the Seven Monarchs from a hundred thousand years ago, the shed Armor of the God-Slaying Emperor. Prior to the great clash, the God-Slaying Emperor had ascended to the Quasi-Emperor Realm. In their early days, over a certain incident, they razed the Ancient God Clan, besting their youthful talents. On that fateful day, the Ancient God Clan endured a crushing blow, their renown greatly diminished. It was during that time, clad in this Domain Artifact, that it earned its name."

Li Hao stood amazed, instantly grasping the artifact's ancient legacy.

The Ancient God Clan's Shen Wuji, whom he'd encountered earlier, had treated him warmly.

Affairs from a hundred thousand years prior differed vastly from those ten thousand years on, so Li Hao wouldn't muddle them, particularly with these mighty lineages, where folks inevitably mix the noble and the vile, the righteous and the ruthless, defying blanket judgments.

"This ranks as a premier Immortal King Realm Domain Artifact, serviceable clear to the Tenth Layer of the Immortal King Realm."

Dao Origin Immortal Emperor informed Li Hao, "Moreover, your current Immortal Sword falls short for displaying your full might. As your master, I'll provide you with a superior one."

He extended his hand, and abruptly a dim electric glow sparked in the void, the fabric of space quivering subtly, as though some dreadfully potent force neared emergence.

Moments later, a jet-black Ink Sword surfaced, entwined with coiling blood strands along the grip, and an eye at its base that, as Li Hao observed, abruptly spun, fixing directly on him.

Their stares met, and Li Hao abruptly sensed a faint tremor in his spirit, like a mighty spiritual sword intent piercing his awareness, resembling a flash of sword gleam slashing across his senses, delving far into the Sea of Consciousness.