https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-304-The-Dao-Treasury-Second-Update-/13450471/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-306-Seeking-the-Dao-Second-Update-/13450473/
Chapter 305: Triple Divine General, Eternal Guardian Deity (First Update)
Chapter 305: Triple Divine General, Eternal Guardian Deity (First Update)
Twenty layers, thirty layers...
A few days later, as the cultivation techniques were absorbed and digested, the number of Dao Domains increased to forty-nine, with thirty-four new types of Dao Domains added.
Each Dao Domain had its own unique Rule, some were similar but still had subtle differences.
This collection included many top-tier cultivation techniques from the imperial family. Apart from the core top-tier techniques of the Divine General Manor, everything else from the Divine General Manor was included here.
As the number of Dao Domains increased, Li Hao could clearly feel that the cumulative enhancement was gradually approaching a qualitative change, rather than just a simple increase in quantity.
Previously, Dao Domains could be easily invaded by Dao Laws, but now, with forty-nine layers of Dao Domains stacked together, Li Hao could distinctly feel a sense of unbreakable strength.
He planned to find Taoist Qin and have him test his Dao Domains with his Dao Laws.
Before doing so, he rummaged through the Dao Treasury Hall and found that besides cultivation techniques and secret manuals, there were mainly some texts on Dao cultivation. There were no famous paintings or chess manuals.
Li Hao chuckled bitterly. In this world where martial prowess was highly valued, it was indeed difficult to find famous paintings or chess manuals easily. He would have to collect them from the common folk.
Fortunately, with Emperor Yu's help, gathering famous paintings and chess manuals would be much easier.
Dusting off the dust from his buttocks, Li Hao pushed open the door and walked out of the Dao Treasury Hall. He saw two figures still standing at the entrance, waiting for him, and smiled.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I want to meet your master."
"General Haotian, you're too kind. We thought you might stay for a month."
Qingjingzi smiled.
They both looked surprised, not expecting Li Hao to come out so quickly.
The Dao Treasury Hall contained cultivation techniques from all over the world. Even if one stayed inside for a month without eating or drinking, they might not see everything.
They guessed that Li Hao had only picked a few top-tier royal secret techniques to study.
These royal secret techniques were originally exclusive to the imperial clan, but with Emperor Yu's imperial edict, Li Hao was now free to practice them.
"Alright, I'll take you there."
The young man, Mingyue Sword, immediately nodded, looking somewhat uneasy, unlike the typical top genius, who would be full of pride.
Under their guidance, Li Hao was led to a dark hall within the Qian Dao Palace, where he saw the old Taoist.
The old Taoist was sitting in front of a memorial tablet, seemingly in mourning.
Qingjingzi brought Li Hao in and, looking at his master's back and the memorial tablet of his eldest disciple, whispered,
"Master, General Haotian wants to see you."
Taoist Qin's eyes, which had been lost in thought, trembled slightly and gradually focused. He slowly turned around and saw three young, vibrant figures standing behind him, with the central young man standing out the most.
His gaze flickered. Two years ago, when this young man's reputation soared, he never imagined that the Dao Tradition of Dayu would ultimately not fall to his two most outstanding disciples, but to this young man who grew freely outside the palace.
He was well aware of Li Hao's past experiences. He knew that even with the Divine General Manor's precious resources, it would be impossible to cultivate such a top-tier true dragon prodigy.
"This assistance is beyond words of gratitude. The matter of the incense has already been mentioned to you by His Majesty, right?"
Taoist Qin said softly.
Li Hao nodded and explained his purpose.
When Taoist Qin heard that Li Hao wanted to test his Dao Domains with his Dao Laws, he was somewhat surprised. He gazed at Li Hao, who had previously slain six Dao Law Realm beings with terrifying power, and had subconsciously overlooked his realm, treating him as a top-tier Enlightened Realm cultivator.
However, Li Hao's true cultivation had yet to reach the stage of comprehending the Dao.
Taoist Qin smiled bitterly in his heart, finding it hard to imagine how extreme Martial Dao cultivation must be to cross such a realm and possess such great power.
He immediately agreed to Li Hao's request, and the two soared into the high sky outside the Qian Dao Palace.
Qingjingzi and the Mingyue Sword also curiously arrived above the Qian Dao Palace, looking up at their master and the young man.
They had only heard about the previous battle within the Imperial Palace; they had not seen it with their own eyes. Their master had placed them in the Dark Hall Array to preserve their incense and keep them safe from harm.
Now, seeing the young man, who was so young yet capable of confronting their master on equal terms, they couldn't help but watch with keen interest.
"Then I'll make my move."
Taoist Qin said, and upon Li Hao's nod, he suddenly unleashed a Dao Art. Instantly, a surge of rule power rushed toward Li Hao.
Li Hao, in response, released the forty-nine layers of his Dao Domain, layer upon layer, enveloping himself.
The rule power struck the Dao Domain, but it was as if it had suddenly plunged into deep water, slowing down significantly, becoming increasingly sluggish.
But eventually, it slowly reached Li Hao. By then, the rule power had become extremely weak, and Li Hao dispelled it with a casual wave of his hand.
It seemed that even the forty-nine layers of the Dao Domain couldn't completely block out rule power, but they had greatly diminished its impact.
Seeing this, Taoist Qin's pupils dilated slightly, a hint of shock appearing in his eyes.
During the previous battle, he had seen Li Hao use fifteen Dao Domains, assuming that was Li Hao's limit. But now, it was forty-nine layers?
Could he have comprehended them in the Dao Treasury Hall?
He was filled with doubt. Was it even possible in such a short time? However, the forty-nine layers of the Dao Domain had already shattered his preconceptions; he had never seen anyone who could comprehend so many Dao Domains.
With such talent, if he had focused on the path of enlightenment, he might have already reached a higher realm.
Below, the Mingyue Sword looked up and saw Li Hao merely wave his hand. He turned to his senior brother with a puzzled look. "Are they done?"
Qingjingzi, whose expression had always been calm, was now dazed, his eyes filled with shock. After a moment, he came to his senses and whispered, "They're done."
Having reached the Fourth Establishment Realm, he had only just begun to glimpse the existence of Dao Domains. The Mingyue Sword, despite being highly talented and second only to Li Hao in Dayu, was still only at the Tianren Master Realm, a vast gap in realms.
Qingjingzi counted the forty-nine layers of the Dao Domain, but his heart was in turmoil.
Was this what true prodigies were like? In comparison, he suddenly felt like a mere mortal. Could his Martial Dao ever reach the same level as the young man's, even in a lifetime?
This realization left him feeling a sense of futility in his own Martial Dao, and his Dao Heart wavered slightly.
"Qingjingzi, remember your Dao name, and adhere to the purity of your heart. The mortal world has many paths, and you are your own path."
Taoist Qin's voice echoed in his mind.
Qingjingzi's body trembled, and he snapped out of his gloomy and despondent state. He paused for a moment, then quickly suppressed his distracting thoughts, and with a serious expression, he bowed slightly.
Then, he looked at the young man again, his eyes complex but calmer.
Taoist Qin sensed his disciple's Dao Heart recovering and inwardly sighed. Just seeing this young man display his talent and strength was enough to shatter the Dao Hearts of his peers. It was truly extraordinary.
But the young man before him was indeed unprecedented.
At the end of the test, Li Hao bowed to Taoist Qin and took his leave. As he was about to go, Taoist Qin said, "General Haotian, what are your plans now?"
Li Hao thought for a moment and replied, "First, I'll visit some old friends and say goodbye. Then, I'll head to the Immortal Gate to deal with that Holy Son and eliminate any lingering threats. After that, I'll return to the mortal world and slowly explore the places I haven't seen. I promised a friend to show her everything, from the mortal world to the heavens."
Hearing Li Hao's plans, Taoist Qin nodded slightly. The departure of the Holy Son had left him with lingering concerns, fearing that the Holy Son might return with even stronger allies.
If they did, it might involve a semi-saint.
A Sage, on the other hand, would not stoop so low as to personally come to the mortal world to compete for incense.
Moreover, a Sage descending to the mortal world would damage their own incense, so they needed to maintain a distance from the mortal world.
Unless it was a Sacrificial Dao to Sagehood, but such beings usually had no ties to any factions, focusing solely on the path of enlightenment and rarely getting involved in the affairs of the mortal world.
"Before General Haotian leaves, I will bestow a generous gift upon you", Taoist Qin said.
"Oh? What is it?"
"General, you don't have a suitable weapon yet, do you?"
Taoist Qin smiled and said, "This Qian Dao Palace is a fragment of a Dao Tribulation Imperial Weapon. I have used it to forge a sword, which I will gift to you, General."
Li Hao was slightly taken aback. A Dao Tribulation Imperial Weapon?
He looked down at the magnificent Qian Dao Palace. With his focused attention, he immediately noticed some peculiarities.
"Unfortunately, this sword is merely hard, and the might of the Imperial Weapon has long since dissipated."
Taoist Qin sighed.
Li Hao nodded slightly. He indeed lacked a suitable Divine Sword. The initial Dragon Sky Divine Sword was as delicate as willow fluff and would easily deform or break if too much force was applied. The other Holy Heart Treasures were comparable in hardness to his own Physical Body, making them somewhat dispensable.
"No matter, as long as it is hard and sharp enough."
Li Hao said.
Taoist Qin nodded and then set a time with Li Hao.
Learning that it would take three months, Li Hao was not in a hurry. He still had many things to do.
After bidding farewell to True Person and the two others below, Li Hao left the Qian Dao Palace.
When he returned to the Imperial Palace, the damaged halls had already been repaired. After all, in a world of Martial Artists, constructing buildings was a simple task.
Upon seeing Li Hao again, Emperor Yu's expression became more complex. "You little rascal, if it weren't for the Wang Family, how long were you planning to keep this from me?"
Though his words were reproachful, his tone was filled with concern.
"What?"
"Chong Er is actually you, and you opened the Virtue Treasure Vault. You..."
When Emperor Yu first heard this news from Wang Zhendong and the reinforcements, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, completely stunned.
While Li Hao was indeed powerful, Emperor Yu knew that the situation in Mourning River was complex, and brute force alone might not solve everything.
Saving the Imperial Palace, opening the Virtue Treasure Vault for Dayu, and benefiting countless Martial Artists—Emperor Yu looked at the young man before him, unsure how to express his feelings.
"These are minor matters, just for survival."
Li Hao smiled, not taking the matter too seriously. He then asked Emperor Yu, "Your Majesty, are you still helping me gather the Famous Paintings and Chess Manual?"
Emperor Yu came to his senses and replied with a bitter smile, "I have already dispatched two divisions to help you collect them."
Li Hao nodded and bid him farewell.
Learning of Li Hao's plans, Emperor Yu did not stop him, only saying, "Though you now have more than enough merit and titles, I will still grant you an Incense Offering in the future, to announce it to the world."
"Understood."
Li Hao nodded without objection.
As Li Hao left the Imperial Palace, an Imperial Decree of Appointment was issued throughout the Imperial City, announcing it to the world.
The decree listed Li Hao's various achievements and revealed his identity as Chong Er.
For his achievements, he was bestowed the title of Divine General.
For saving the three states—Liangzhou, Youzhou, and Qingzhou—he was again bestowed the title of Divine General.
For saving the Imperial City and the Imperial Palace and guarding the Incense of the Taoist Temple, he was once more bestowed the title of Divine General.
With three Divine General titles in one person, Emperor Yu broke the precedent set by the Former Emperor and bestowed Li Hao the title of Great Yu Heavenly General, granting him a Great Province, building a Heavenly General Mansion, and bestowing him the title of Eternal Guardian Deity!
With the announcement of this decree, the entire Nineteen Provinces erupted in shock and excitement.
The various Divine General Manors and countless Noble Families were also shaken to their cores.
The listed achievements and the name Hao Tian echoed throughout the Nineteen Provinces.
The title of Heavenly General, ranking alongside the Son of Heaven, granted him the same authority as an emperor and the power of life and death over all within Dayu. Even members of the Imperial Clan could be executed if they offended him.
His rank surpassed that of the Divine General Manors, allowing him to command any military authority in the land, and the various Divine General Manors must respond to his call at any time, without disobedience!
As the details of the decree were revealed, countless people were left dumbfounded.
This was practically a God of War, and some even said he was the second emperor of Dayu.
(End of Chapter)
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