Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1887 Chapter 505: Breaking into the Top 100, Challenging the Quasi-Emperor
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
Deep within the Abyss, Immortal Kings from diverse clans stir gradually, their eyes fluttering open.
Having heard the female emperor's decree via the Daoist Charm, surges of long-slumbering Immortal King auras burst forth from all around.
"Has the True King election truly arrived at last?"
"Eight hundred years passed so swiftly, vanishing in an instant."
"Even though just eight hundred years have elapsed, it exceeds ten thousand years of grueling practice in the outer realms. I wouldn't dare aspire to True King status, yet the deputy role for the True King..."
"For my clan's hopes, I'll battle fiercely to claim it!"
"In this immense catastrophe engulfing the Ten Thousand Clans, seizing authority is the only way to shield one's lineage!"
Myriad eyes now shift toward the Heaven Tower, fixating on the brilliant top ten spots atop the leaderboard beyond the structure, spots desired by everyone.
At that instant, inside the tower, silhouettes rocket upward from every floor, swarming like insects.
With the Daoist Charm's decree relayed, the Heaven Tower's tests have halted, forcing those within to exit naturally.
"At long last, the moment arrives—eight hundred years of relentless training, advancing from Immortal King Realm First Level to the Ninth Layer. I still hold the Realm Domain Pill unswallowed; this is the perfect instant."
Amid the throng, Luo Ningshuang, clad in verdant robes, narrowed her eyes and murmured.
She has transformed immensely since eight hundred years prior, her youthful vigor diminished, replaced by an air of serene depth.
"Father, for the True King deputy position, I'll give everything I have!"
Su Wanyi's gaze locked onto the gleaming golden leaderboard, her hand quietly balling into a fist. Her progress in cultivation mirrors Luo Ningshuang's, both wielding Ancestor Emperor Power. Across these years, without sighting the young man's form, the pair has vied and spurred one another, unlocking deeper cultivation depths together.
...
"It commences at last, junior sister—are you ready?"
Within the masses, the Divine Venerable in resplendent golden armor, his eyes crackling with golden lightning, scans the area before settling on the silhouette from the Great Emperor Dojo.
The figure lounges at ease, yet carries a slippery essence, evading any grasp of her presence or exact features. Merely her eyes shine with exceptional clarity, and loose locks of hair float about, her bearing shrouded in Space-Time, rendering her misty and intangible.
This all-too-familiar look tells the Divine Venerable that his junior sister has reclaimed her zenith, nearly all of her past cultivation and might restored!
From her prior existence, only that final stride to Quasi-Emperor lingers undone.
"In your last life, junior sister, you stood unmatched below Quasi-Emperor as one of the Seven Monarchs. This time, I've closed the gap."
The Divine Venerable's eyes narrow faintly; through eight hundred years of tireless effort, he not only reached Immortal King Perfection but also reclaimed his former life's prowess, forging a fresh supreme Realm Heart for fusion. Combined with the Pseudo-King World Heart that integrated six Realm Hearts from before, it evolved into a genuine King's Realm Heart, reshaping his domain into a authentic King's Realm.
A domain like this can simply clash with other Immortal Kings' realms and shatter them with ease!
Alas, without Li Hao's banishment from the Heavenly Domain yielding vast Heavenly Dao Power, he might have soared to even loftier peaks in this incarnation.
In essence, though formidable now, his strength mostly draws from past-life legacies, with scant new gains in this one.
...
"Mingyuan, beware that reincarnated Great Emperor."
In the Heavenly Emperor Clan, hosts of Immortal Kings rouse, clustering near Di Mingyuan, their faces alight with eager poise and steadiness. Yet, when their sights drift to a particular Abyss region, hints of wary caution and fear emerge.
After all, this contest features the Emperor's rebirth. Regardless of Di Mingyuan's might, matching the reincarnated Emperor proves no sure feat.
"No issue there."
Di Mingyuan's demeanor stays utterly serene, infused with an immaculate grace, as he declares, "Be it Emperor or Quasi-Emperor, during the True King election, everyone levels at Immortal King Realm! Equal footing offers the ideal chance to test if I've touched the absolute pinnacle!"
"Exactly—on even realms, attaining the supreme limit means even an Emperor reborn could only end in stalemate at best!"
Nearby, an Emperor Clan Immortal King affirms with a nod, his forehead etched with the imperial lineage's pride and haughtiness.
...
"This round's bid for the foremost True King spot is truly formidable."
Among the Saint Clans, throngs of Immortal Kings display gravity, unconcerned over their Saint Heir claiming a True King seat, but doubting the top position's grasp, a feat of immense challenge.
...
"No matter what, should our Dao Clan fail the prime True King this time, claiming at least two True King slots will do."
In the Dao Clan, encircled by fellow Dao Clan Immortal Kings, Dao Qingyin—after eight hundred years of unyielding toil—has risen from Immortal King Realm Fourth Level to full Immortal King Realm Perfection.
The Dao Clan's Supreme Tao Scripture and array of Emperor Dao Skills flow through her veins, granting her combat might that surges forward, rivaling numerous elder Dao Clan Immortal Kings at Perfection.
...
Through the clans' hushed discussions and murmurs, Shi Miao's attention drifts to a specific section of the Heaven Tower.
Then, spotting that form, the calm in her eyes dissolves like melting ice on water, her lips curving faintly upward.
She had known without doubt that he would prevail.
At the same time, freshly exiting the Heaven Tower, Li Hao feels the pull too, lifting his head to connect with that distant stare across miles.
A grin spreads unbidden across his features; his shape blurs, and he dashes swiftly in that direction.
"Time presses, so no need for chit-chat. The True King election rules are straightforward: rankings from the forthcoming Heaven Tower dash determine preliminary picks. The top hundred earners qualify for the later rounds!"
As Li Hao hurtles toward Shi Miao, a stern and icy proclamation of the guidelines echoes from above, voiced by the Immortal Immortal Emperor:
"Once the top hundred secure preliminary entry, they'll face four trials within the Heaven Tower. Beyond oversight by me and the Star, eight additional Emperors join to evaluate, score, and rank; ultimately, the twenty highest in total scores advance to the decisive True King contest!"