Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1934 - 518: Old Friend Returns, Time Dao at Its Peak (2)

"So, you are suggesting that a True King is poised to descend and govern all the various factions soon?"

A woman, whose gaze was as frigid as ice, spoke with gravity. "During this tumultuous era, the Ancient Demons have intensified their assaults, rendering even the Heavenly Eye Clan’s domain far from secure. On our last expedition, we stumbled upon a contingent of their scouts, and even those mere scouts wielded power equivalent to the Immortal Monarch Realm. Had it not been for the timely intervention of a Heavenly Eye Clan patrol, our return would have been impossible."

"I have heard whispers that some smaller clans, much like our own, unable to secure alliances with stronger powers, have already been annihilated by the Ancient Demons," remarked another individual within the grand hall.

Upon hearing this, a heavy silence enveloped the chamber. Ever since the devastation of the Eastern Domain, news of such catastrophes had spread like wildfire, leaving the Southern Domain in a state of prolonged unease for centuries. A pervasive sense of insecurity gripped everyone; despite their affiliation with the Heavenly Eye Clan, they lived in constant trepidation, uncertain of when disaster might strike. The escalating demands for tributes from the Heavenly Eye Clan were a stark reminder of their precarious position, fueling fears of being cast out should they incur displeasure.

"Qianqian, Sword Master, considering the gravity of the current crisis, you two are the most promising candidates to advance to the Immortal King realm. However, at this juncture, we can only allocate all our cultivation resources to one individual."

At that moment, the elder presiding over the hall spoke with profound seriousness. "Once an Immortal King is born among us, we shall no longer need to pay tribute to the Heavenly Eye Clan. With the power to defend ourselves within the True Realm, even achieving the Perfect Immortal Monarch Realm would drastically reduce the cultivation resources required to train the second candidate."

As his words echoed, all eyes turned towards the snow-skirted woman with the icy demeanor and the middle-aged man wielding a colossal sword, his eyes burning with fierce intensity.

Currently, both stand at the Third Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm within the clan, possessing exceptional talents and having benefited from certain personal opportunities. However, their progress is hampered by the scarcity of cultivation resources.

Upon hearing the elder’s decree, both fell into a thoughtful silence.

"Perhaps we could let the two of them engage in a fair duel, with the victor assuming this crucial responsibility?" an elder clad in green attire proposed during the silence, subtly using the word “responsibility” rather than “qualification.”

Receiving the clan’s complete backing signified not only a rapid acceleration in cultivation but also the heavy burden of carrying the entire clan on one’s shoulders.

The woman with the cold countenance remained silent for a beat before responding, "I shall defer this matter to the Sword Master; he is a senior who imparted much knowledge of the Sword Dao to me in the past."

The middle-aged man with the greatsword gently shook his head. "Though I once guided you and shared some insightful experiences, your progress is undeniable and evident to all. I believe you are the more suitable candidate."

Witnessing both politely decline the honor, the elder at the forefront couldn't help but emit a quiet sigh. In any other clan, a coveted opportunity like this would ignite fierce competition, even a fight to the death. Yet, within the Dayu Clan, this remarkable unity, while a positive trait, left him, the clan leader, with a profoundly bittersweet and solitary feeling. If only he possessed greater strength, perhaps then...

"If a responsibility must be shouldered, then I volunteer!"

At that precise moment, a clear voice resonated through the hall.

All heads turned in unison, following the source of the voice. The speaker was a tall, handsome young man, his sharp eyes emanating an imposing and cool aura.

"Li Ping’an, your cultivation is merely at the Second Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, still a considerable distance from the Perfect Immortal Monarch Realm."

Beside him, a graceful woman subtly shook her head in gentle disagreement.

Li Ping’an’s gaze, however, remained undaunted by the slightly doubtful expressions of those around him. He spoke with earnest conviction, "Esteemed elders, although my cultivation is currently at the Second Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, do not forget that I was previously granted an extraordinary opportunity—the inheritance of an Immortal King's remnant soul legacy. If I am provided with ample cultivation resources, upon reaching the Perfect Immortal Monarch Realm, I can fully integrate that remnant soul’s legacy, thereby possessing the greatest potential to ascend to the Immortal King realm!"

"Furthermore, everyone here is aware of my cultivation speed. Among those present, if we consider longevity, you are all my seniors. However, if we were to compare cultivation talent and potential from the same starting point, I consider myself equal to any, capable even of rivaling the prodigies of the Heavenly Eye Clan!"

His pronouncements struck the hall into a profound, nail-biting silence.

An unspoken quiet hung in the air; in terms of raw talent, Li Ping’an was indeed not lacking. However, Ren Qianqian and Sword Master also possessed their own unique advantages and opportunities, and crucially, their current cultivation realm was one level higher.

The Dayu Clan could no longer afford to wait; a champion was urgently needed to step forward and bear this critical responsibility.

"I am only one level behind, and with the concentrated resources of the clan, I am confident I can bridge that gap swiftly," Li Ping’an declared once more, perceiving the collective contemplation of the elders.

The elder paused his words above the hall, then turned his gaze towards Sword Master and Ren Qianqian. "What are your thoughts on this matter?"

A shared glance passed between them, their eyes eventually settling on Li Ping’an.

Observing the spirited young man before them, another figure inevitably came to mind.

It was his own brother... perhaps this youth truly possessed the potential to shoulder the burden of the entire clan, just like that other person?

Simultaneously, within the domain of the Heavenly Eye Clan, a solitary figure abruptly pierced the domain's barrier, descending upon them.

The breach triggered the domain's defensive alert, causing the Heavenly Eye Clan leader to jolt awake. He ascended into the sky with haste, his eyes catching sight of the divine being suspended at the heart of the Heavenly Eye Clan's territory.

"You..."

The clan leader's expression contorted as recognition dawned upon him; his initial inquiry transformed into shocked stammering, "Hao, Heavenly King Haotian?!"

Li Hao's projection materialized, his divine sense sweeping across the entirety of the Heavenly Eye Clan's domain. He immediately assessed the elder present, noting he was among the clan's strongest, surprisingly situated at the Ninth Level of the Immortal King Realm.

"Is there a Dayu Clan that has submitted to your authority in this place?" Li Hao inquired.

The Heavenly Eye Clan leader had been under the impression that Li Hao sought to enlist soldiers from his clan. Hearing this unexpected question, he faltered—the Dayu Clan? Fragments of memory surfaced, recalling a minor subordinate clan, utterly insignificant beneath the Heavenly Eye Clan's might.

His complexion drained of color, and he trembled, "No, there's no mistake. Could it be they have incurred Your Majesty the True King's displeasure? I shall have them eradicated immediately!"

A shadow crossed Li Hao's face, his piercing gaze scrutinizing the clan leader. In that instant, the leader understood his previous words had been incorrect or misunderstood. As he stood bewildered, Li Hao, unwilling to prolong the exchange, rapidly expanded his divine sense. It stretched beyond the Heavenly Eye Clan's territory, encompassing the entire domain, and soon detected other clan territories situated at the periphery of the Heavenly Eye Clan's domain.