Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1834 Chapter 483: The Strongest Ten Kings (Part 2)

He instructed, "Return and take some rest. After two days, I'll escort you away."

Li Hao along with Shi Miao held back from additional words or inquiries, offered their farewells to the master, and withdrew toward the modest courtyard atop the mountain.

Di Wushe and Zhan Qinghuang remained within the hall, since the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor held further directives for them.

Upon the mountaintop, silence enveloped the drifting clouds and fog, making time drag on with unusual sluggishness in this place.

Within the fenced small courtyard, Li Hao positioned himself beside the zither stand as Shi Miao settled onto the swing, both staying quiet.

A sense of impending storm hung over them, suggesting these quiet moments could herald a fierce clash, and perhaps these couple of days marked their final stay in this cozy spot.

"Three hundred years..."

Shi Miao cast her gaze around, her eyes brimming with tender fondness, let out a gentle sigh, and murmured, "Even if it's nowhere near sufficient, I've grown rather satisfied with it."

Li Hao watched her in quiet contemplation before uttering softly, "In the times ahead, I'll remain by your side forever."

A smile graced Shi Miao's lips as she kept her silence. Amid the looming disaster where fates hung in the balance, Li Hao's assurance filled her with warmth and joy.

"I believe it."

She replied, "For in the far-off future, your silhouette stands eternally in my vision..."

A shadow of sorrow passed through her gaze. Her words rang true; she had witnessed it—his form enduring through ages, but forever isolated, beyond the grasp of any soul.

Time raced onward with haste.

Moments passed like lightning, and two days slipped away.

"Young friend, should this mountain appear before you on the battlefield once more, know that it shall be I."

Right before their departure, Yuanming Ancestor, bearing the Extreme Dao Mountain, intoned gravely.

His tone carried the weight of years, yet softened with the warmth of a benevolent senior.

Li Hao's gaze wavered, a sudden ache gripping his heart as though peril loomed in their impending reunion.

Yet he understood that regardless of his reluctance, such a confrontation could still unfold.

"In that case... Ancestor, I'll seek you out amid the fray."

Li Hao offered a profound bow.

"Then we'll stand as allies in battle."

Yuanming Ancestor responded in his resonant timbre.

The ancient turtle, who had shouldered the Extreme Dao Mountain across endless eras, released a faint chuckle.

Li Hao joined in the laughter, though his thoughts swirled with visions of myriad souls, his grip tightening on his fists.

From his early days, battles had been a constant for him, yet urgency had rarely stirred within. In brushes with mortality, he faced outcomes solo, wagering only his own existence at most.

However, this looming calamity engulfed the whole True Realm. Beyond Dragon Gate City, the devastating sight of Immortal Monarchs crumbling to nothingness like scattered motes would soon replay across every corner of the True Realm as the storm broke. Feng, Emperor Yu, and their companions... all lingered within the True Realm.

Retreating to the Heavenly Calamity Illusion Realm offered no guarantees; should the True Realm fall, the Ten Thousand Clans would follow into oblivion.

Not only must he pursue cultivation with fervor, but with utmost speed, to locate them and shield them close at hand.

"Time to depart."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor uttered in a mild tone.

At those words, he lifted his hand in a sweeping motion, wrapping Li Hao and Shi Miao in an encompassing force.

Even as this was merely an avatar, he opted to guide them personally.

Positioned inside their master's Sleeve Space, Li Hao and Shi Miao reached a different location on the mountaintop. Alongside them, more than twenty figures assembled, featuring three in the Immortal Monarch Realm, the majority at the Ninth Level of the Immortal King Realm, plus two who had attained Immortal King Realm Perfection!

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor uttered no words, merely flicking his hand to draw these individuals into the Sleeve Space as well.

Beyond Li Hao and Shi Miao, all these hailed from the Dao Origin lineage, handpicked for eligibility in the True King pre-selection.

Though not formal disciples, they hovered at key thresholds with clear promise for breakthroughs ahead.

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

The group of over twenty spotted Li Hao and saluted with clasped hands.

Li Hao mirrored the courtesy, his eyes sweeping over them. He noted the three Immortal Monarch Realm experts all embodied the Perfect Realm, their presences subdued yet deep, gazes sharp as thunder. Despite lacking direct disciple status, their strength neared that level, marking them as elite prodigies.

"Where's Senior Sister Lingshu? Is she still cultivating on the Chaos Star?"

A sudden recollection of Di Lingshu prompted Li Hao to question.

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor replied, "Yes, once her cultivation advances sufficiently, she could join the True King pre-selection too, though the process drags on for her. She might manage a brief trial at most, yielding scant benefits."

In contrast to Li Hao, Di Lingshu could require millennia to achieve Immortal King Realm Perfection. Merely grasping the Chaos Star might demand a thousand years.

"Fourth Senior Brother gained entry via his clan; you'll encounter him there."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor mentioned.

Li Hao realized this pointed to Senior Brother Lei Jingfeng.

"Won't Fifth Senior Brother join us?"

Li Hao asked instinctively.

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor paused briefly, then shook his head softly, offering no reply.

Clearly, Long Qingge had resolved to battle unto death alongside the Eastern Domain, refusing to depart during this pivotal juncture.

It may lack prudence, yet it captured his essence perfectly.

"Our destination?"

Shi Miao asked.

The rest pivoted toward the young woman, their looks blending intrigue and evaluation, yet none pressed further.

Currently, their thoughts dwelled on the looming True King selection and the catastrophe drawing near, burdening them with worries that dulled any keen interest or urge to probe.

"Toward the True Realm Abyss."

Declared the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor, prompting shocked narrowing in many stares.

Shi Miao's expression shifted too, as she hesitantly queried, "The True Realm Abyss? Where the laws of Ten Thousand Dao twist in chaos, paths lie in ruins—such a perilous zone for trials and cultivation?"

"We've chosen one among the seven Abyss areas to reshape. Though it remains unforgiving, it permits cultivation and insight, boosting effectiveness by scores over external realms, even eclipsing the setup atop Extreme Dao Mountain!"

"Sealed away before, shrouded in mystery, its Abyss essence blocks straight incursions from the Ancient Demon Clan, shielding you from their Emperor-tier assaults."

Explained the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor.

This True King pre-selection amassed the Four Domains' finest geniuses and might; a strike from the Ancient Demon Clan's Emperor would wipe out their future, forcing unyielding, all-out warfare.

Shi Miao appeared momentarily dazed, enlightenment dawning in her eyes, "The Ancient Demon Clan employs the Reincarnation Gate to cast projections, shedding light on True Realm sections. Activating it lets Emperors arrive, yet the True Realm Abyss defies this; it's scarcely an Abyss but rather a colossal rift born of ancient Emperor clashes!"

"Not even the Reincarnation Gate can pierce the chasm; absolute security."

Upon hearing her account, the puzzled onlookers displayed nods of comprehension.

"For this True King pre-selection, Quasi-Emperors stand watch over you, with two Emperors securing the Abyss against surprises. If you shine brightly, guidance from them awaits. Their paths to Emperor differ from my own, each excelling uniquely, and gleaning their advice might hasten your advancement."

Stated the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor.

His statement sparked a subtle gleam in the others' eyes, struck by the scale of deploying two Emperors for guard duty.

As they exchanged words, the surroundings near the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor wavered into haze, propelling them beyond the Primordial True Realm into the True Realm proper.

With a destination apparently set in advance, they materialized facing a cosmic Abyss, its depths impossible to fathom.

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor wasted no time, leading them directly inward.

In other expanses, stars twinkled vibrantly, but this Abyss swallowed all in absolute blackness, barren of any glow.

Descending further, the journey stretched longer than the transit from Primordial True Realm to True Realm, yet at last, illumination returned, unveiling stellar vistas.

It resembled bursting from total void into mounting radiance.

Deep inside the Abyss, a fresh starry expanse revealed itself, akin to a vast Grotto Heaven realm.

Across this celestial domain, throngs of silhouettes clustered then, scattered thickly throughout. Erect and varied, alongside the Human Race stood alien-shaped kin from other tribes, and Li Hao spotted Ancestor Dragon Clan members among the crowd.