Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1798 Chapter 468: Winds of Farewell
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
The Sword Intent radiated keen ferocity, infused with a torrent of lethal majesty, dominating Li Hao as though it were an emperor on high.
Provoked by this Sword Intent, Li Hao's inherent Sword Dao surged forth, resembling a bridge emerging from ocean depths, rushing ahead to confront the Sword Intent.
Only Me Swordsmanship, scorn the skies and lands, utterly unmatched!
Encircling the Sword Dao were countless elite Sword Daos, akin to stars orbiting the central sun.
The Sword God Technique itself, famed for "slaying all beings under heaven in a single stroke, only to reincarnate as a Sword God anew," orbited the Only Me Swordsmanship, enhancing its splendor!
Sensing the essence of the Only Me Swordsmanship, the intense Sword Qi's killing aura slowly withdrew, while the pitch-dark sword abruptly gleamed, darting before Li Hao, rising steadily on end like a shadowed killer, fixing its gaze on him; then the vivid crimson eye atop the hilt rotated, drawing nearer to Li Hao.
Sensing a pull, Li Hao reached out his hand, and the hilt settled into it on its own.
"Junior Brother has actually earned the acknowledgment of the 'End of Immortal Sword'!"
This sight left Long Qingge mildly astonished, given how swiftly the recognition had come.
In the past, he along with the Sixth Junior Sister had tried to claim this Divine Sword, only to face rejection and ultimate defeat.
Observing the event, Dao Origin Immortal Emperor's gaze softened as he spoke, "Haotian, the End of Immortal Sword stands as a flawed Emperor Sword. Conquering it and securing its approval proves immensely challenging; an Emperor Sword typically demands an Emperor's Heart to match its might, and without harmony in the Emperor's Heart, its full strength remains locked away; your success in gaining its favor eases Master's worries for your cultivation path."
Stunned and a bit dazed, Li Hao realized the sword's exceptional nature but never imagined it as a broken Emperor Artifact!
"Master, this, this is far too precious!"
Li Hao blurted out involuntarily.
During his time in the Southern Domain, his escape had been possible only because Master had bestowed a damaged Emperor Artifact upon the Southern Domain Venerable, coupled with his personal honor, allowing him that vital opportunity to depart.
Another damaged Emperor Artifact appeared now, piling on debts he could scarcely repay!
Dao Origin Immortal Emperor shook his head and replied, "If it has chosen you, accept it without hesitation. Yet it's currently impaired, with most abilities sealed tight, beyond the reach of non-Emperor Power to unleash; given your Immortal King Realm cultivation, channeling Realm Power into it will let you tap only a fraction of its might, though as a Domain Artifact, it remains without doubt among the finest!"
Li Hao gave a nod, fully aware of the dread power hidden in this flawed Emperor Sword; as the scarlet eye swiveled, appearing to stare intently, he abruptly felt that this Emperor Sword had endured profound solitude across endless ages.
"End of Immortal Sword… a fitting title, yet I reject finales, favoring fresh starts instead, so join me on this road to kingship!"
Li Hao murmured softly.
He clenched the sword tighter, and instantly, it let out a faint vibration, seeming to echo back at Li Hao.
At the same moment, a blade silhouette burst into view next to Li Hao, fully blood-red and exuding horrifying Evil Qi.
But at present, this Evil Qi held back, with the blade's surface rippling smoothly—it was none other than Taowu.
"Master, I cannot join you in battle anymore."
Taowu conveyed its message with sorrow.
Li Hao meant to offer solace, yet Taowu cut in right away, "Still, sharing even a segment of your path has filled me with joy. Your road stretches far; through the Immortal Monarch Realm, I'll stay by your side; beyond that, leave it to this one—summon me whenever required, and I'll ever hone my blade for you!"
Those heartfelt words stirred Li Hao deeply; unable to refine artifacts, he couldn't aid Taowu's advancement, and even with upgrades, reaching Emperor Weapon status lay out of reach.
As Taowu noted, the voyage of existence spans vast distances, with unions and separations beyond prediction, yet precisely for that reason, cherished recollections endure.
"Once my Carving Arts advance, I'll boost your essence, maybe fulfilling it amid my pursuit of Emperor Dao."
Li Hao whispered gently, adding, "For now, I must impose on you."
Even without artifact refinement skills, Li Hao's carving expertise enabled him to craft superior weapons on his own, such as Immortal Armor and more.
Be it the Divine Sword 'Merit' that had journeyed with him from the Mortal World or 'Taowu', Li Hao aimed to refine them further through his progressing Carving Arts.
"Mm."
Taowu answered with delight.
Li Hao placed it into the Heaven and Earth Space; its inability to battle beside him didn't equate to forsaking it.
"Junior Brother shows such deep affection and loyalty to his blades." Long Qingge observed quietly, witnessing the moment, her eyes toward Li Hao growing warmer and more earnest.
Dao Origin Immortal Emperor warned, "Demons infest the Eastern Domain; tread with utmost care."
"Yes."
Li Hao inclined his head.
Dao Origin Immortal Emperor offered no further words, handing Li Hao a Jade Token while drawing three drops from his Divine Blood, binding them to Extreme Dao Mountain.
The Jade Token permitted Li Hao to reach Dao Origin Immortal Emperor at any moment; those three drops of Divine Blood guaranteed that, short of utter annihilation, Li Hao could revive from them, averting total demise.
Having received Heavenly Dao Blood from Dao Origin Immortal Emperor at his initiation, Li Hao had already stepped partway into the Three Immortal End Realm, rendering him everlasting and impervious to true death.
Unlike a full Divine Venerable's completeness, ending his life remained profoundly arduous.
Nevertheless, the Immortal King Realm brimmed with countless techniques, offering no absolute security even at such a pinnacle.
"Now, go down the mountain."
Dao Origin Immortal Emperor uttered gently.
Li Hao and Shi Miao both bowed in unison, offering their goodbyes.
Long Qingge promptly vowed to dispatch aid for Li Hao, making certain her junior brother received proper protection.
Learning of Li Hao's departure, projections of Di Lingshu and the rest materialized to see him away.
"Come to the Emperor Clan whenever you can; your fame has echoed widely, sparking talks even among my Emperor Clan's members."