Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1836 - 484: Heaven Tower (2)

"Don’t worry about it; he’s simply envious that I chose you as my disciple."

Li Hao felt stunned and turned his gaze toward his master, a tangled and bitter emotion surging inside him.

He knew full well the arrogance of an Immortal Emperor; how could they steal someone else’s personal disciple? The Chaos Immortal Emperor had a point.

Still, his master remained unperturbed and even stepped in to reassure him.

"You’ve accepted plenty of disciples, yet it looks like only two among them might vie for True King status."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor cast a look at the crowd trailing behind him and remarked with a subtle grin.

Hundreds of silhouettes lingered behind the Chaos Immortal Emperor, including several faces Li Hao knew well, like Luo Ningshuang and Su Wanyi. But no other Su Family folks were present; they must still be training on the Chaotic Star, much like Senior Sister Di Lingshu.

Two standout figures among them caught the eye, their gazes calm yet sharp, backs rigid, positioned as if they commanded the universe, radiating a fearsome presence.

Immortal King Realm Perfection!

Li Hao’s stare sharpened, and the two fellow Immortal King Realm Perfection disciples next to him showed faint shifts in expression, sensing the intense pressure.

"Hmm? He’s really here and survived."

Su Wanyi and Luo Ningshuang spotted Li Hao, a strange flicker passing through their eyes. Earlier, they’d headed to the Eastern Domain and got ambushed by Ancient Demons at the Dragon Pass front. The defenses collapsed, but due to their elite standing, they gained special safeguards and fled back to Ancestral Dragon City.

They only made it safely to the Chaos Sea after being escorted by fellow disciples dispatched by their master.

Such perks came from being direct disciples of an Emperor. For regular disciples, amid those wild clashes, anyone with lesser roots or even solid ones but poor fortune would have perished horribly long ago.

"Even just two is decent enough; out of ten kings, securing two satisfies me greatly."

The Chaos Immortal Emperor let out a light laugh.

His two Immortal King Realm Perfection disciples shot a cold glance at Li Hao and his group, lingering briefly on Li Hao before shifting away.

They were aware of Li Hao’s reputation across the Primordial True Realm, but in this clash against Ancient Demons, raw power alone counted. Former glories meant nothing; no amount of genius or promise could bargain with the Ancient Demons—absolutely not.

As the Chaos Immortal Emperor appeared, waves of astonished cries echoed once more nearby, with two Immortal Emperors showing up in a row stirring thrill and buzz among the masses.

"You all remain here; once the Star Emperor Venerable and the other Immortal Emperor Venerable show up, they’ll explain the full regulations."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor instructed Li Hao and the rest.

Li Hao and his companions gave nods, lingering until their master’s form faded away like drifting dust, then they all bowed deeply to honor his departure.

Witnessing this, the Chaos Immortal Emperor didn’t linger and departed after briefing his own followers.

Once both Immortal Emperors had gone, the tension eased among the others, and numerous eyes kept darting toward the Chaos Immortal Emperor’s group, chatting about the contrasts between the Chaos and Dao Origin branches.

"Is that really the Chaos Immortal Emperor? How come they bring so many disciples?"

"I’ve heard the Chaos Immortal Emperor holds more sway in the Primordial True Realm, drawing larger crowds."

"I recall the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor picks his disciples carefully, leading to a smaller group?"

"Does that imply the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor’s followers are more powerful?"

"Tough to tell; the upcoming trial will reveal it."

Amid the buzz of talk, the pair of direct Chaos lineage disciples, both at Immortal King Realm Perfection, eyed Li Hao and the others before guiding their followers to soar off elsewhere.

Li Hao traced their direction and noticed a cluster of people stationed at the far end, clad in silver garments, projecting an air of worldly detachment.

"The Emperor Clan?"

Li Hao hadn’t anticipated the Emperor Clan’s presence, and judging by the size over there, hundreds of them had gathered too.

"Did you head to the Eastern Domain as well?"

As Li Hao observed, a voice sounded nearby, with Su Wanyi and Luo Ningshuang slipping from the rest of the disciples to approach.

Being direct disciples of the Chaos Immortal Emperor, their rank matched those two Immortal King Realm Perfection ones and freed them from restrictions.

"You went there too?"

Li Hao showed surprise.

"Yeah, we ended up at the Dragon Pass."

Luo Ningshuang gave a nod. She’d learned Li Hao was positioned at the safer rear lines, which left her a touch let down by him.

After all, venturing to the Eastern Domain for tempering but shying from the vanguard felt somewhat timid.

"Dragon Pass... did you catch sight of my Fifth Senior Brother?"

Li Hao asked instinctively.

Su Wanyi shook her head, "Countless talents and plenty of Immortal Kings filled the place. Zones were split, leaving no room for mingling, though I glimpsed him during the retreat..."

Li Hao went rigid, unable to stop picturing the grim chaos in his thoughts, and quietly released a heavy breath.

"Put the Eastern Domain behind you; since you’re here now, concentrate on solid Cultivation. Sure, the timeline won’t let us chase True King, but reaching the ninetieth floor—on par with peak Tenth Layer Immortal King Realm fighters—could at least snag us a True King Deputy slot, future deputy leader over the True Realm’s Immortal Kings, second to none and above countless others!"

Luo Ningshuang declared, her gaze blazing with fighting spirit.

Li Hao stayed silent, but memories of Feng and other known faces flooded him. For the first time across his easygoing, carefree days, a fierce drive to Cultivate gripped him!

"The War Clan, Ghost Tribe, Ancient God Clan..."

"All these mighty lineages have shown up."

Su Wanyi’s eyes scanned around, whispering under her breath.

Nearest the Heaven Tower, various clusters claimed their own patches of illusory space, their distinct presences and haughty stares identifying them as the elite top-ten True Realm powers, each boasting hundreds in their ranks.

"This ten kings contest seems set to be fiercely contested."

Luo Ningshuang narrowed her eyes. The top ten clans alone claimed ten positions, and loads of Immortal King Realm Perfection powerhouses had joined, not in short supply.

"That said, Senior Brother Bieli and the rest are bound to succeed."

Su Wanyi added, brimming with faith in those two senior brothers.

Luo Ningshuang agreed with a nod and murmured, "Let the mighty clans fret over snatching the leftover openings."

During their exchange, more arrivals trickled into this deep chasm.

Li Hao paid no attention to the surroundings, shutting his eyes instead and sinking into quiet reflection.

Never before had such an intense will to train hit him, wiping away all outside distractions; nothing but understanding and insight lingered.

To boost his battle prowess swiftly ahead of the looming disaster, the quickest way lay in forging the Emperor Road!

Thus, refining additional supreme Realm Hearts became essential.

He had to push all seven Artistic Skills to the Thirteenth Stage of the State of Mind!

At the same time, grasping how to layer the seven supreme Realm Hearts without fusing them into an Emperor Road was crucial!

His available time felt painfully short; every instant demanded his focus.

While he meditated with eyes closed, Su Wanyi, poised to chat more with Li Hao, found her path halted by a Barrier that Shi Miao erected with a wave.

"Ladies, head back now; with catastrophe approaching, you ought to grab every second for Cultivation too."

Shi Miao stated evenly.

Luo Ningshuang arched a brow at his words, but sensing Shi Miao’s Fourth Level Immortal King Realm Cultivation, she creased her forehead a bit, held her tongue, and tugged Su Wanyi toward the Chaos disciples’ gathering.

Moments slipped by.

The assembled great clans mingled and connected, rivals for the moment yet some prodigies from rival houses turning foes into allies. Meeting in this spot, they spurred one another on.

In an instant, days flew past.

A abrupt ripple in the void jolted Li Hao from his meditation.

Raising his sight, he noted the crowd had swelled by a third from earlier.

Over the grand Heaven Tower in front, two silhouettes drifted down gradually, projecting the awe of Emperor Venerables.

This embodied genuine imperial might; just the aura alone forced myriads to seal their lips, almost ceasing to breathe.

"Incredibly powerful!"

Most prodigies rarely beheld an Immortal Emperor, but now an overwhelming impulse to bow washed over them.

These two Emperor Venerables featured one in a flowing gown shimmering with endless stellar grains, time’s graceful dance woven into its creases, her look distant and icy, radiating a chill that scorned the world.

The other boasted pure white locks, a gaunt visage resembling an old sage, though his flesh showed no trace of lines.