Chapter 334: Vast Sea Tower, Dao Domain Surge
Chapter 334: Vast Sea Tower, Dao Domain Surge
This experience compression was something Li Hao had already experienced on the Chess Dao. With his current level in Chess Dao, if he were to compete against opponents at the second or third rank, he would only gain a small amount of scattered experience.
The greater the rank difference, the less experience he would gain, as there would be no real benefit from the match.
Sometimes, he would only receive a symbolic "1" point of experience.
Fortunately, although the experience varied, the Land of Sages was not lacking in strong individuals. The accumulation of Painting Experience remained rapid. To ascend from the Ninth Rank to the Tenth Rank, one needed five million experience points, and a single Sage could grant him three to forty thousand points. With ten Sages, he could easily gather enough to reach Perfection.
If it were a Semi-Saint, he could gain about four to five thousand points.
At this moment, painting Emperor Canghai allowed Li Hao to harvest over forty thousand points of experience.
Previously, when Li Hao painted Yaizu, he initially received fifty thousand points. Whether it was because Emperor Canghai was not as formidable as Yaizu, or because his Art Dao had advanced to the Ninth Rank, slightly compressing the Painting Experience gained from painting an Eighth Rank artist, was unclear.
Regardless, Emperor Canghai’s Divine Dynasty had ten Semi-Saint Elders. If he could paint them in sequence, he could accumulate around four or fifty thousand points. If he painted them multiple times, he could gather over a million points.
As he painted, Li Hao could also discern the differences in strength among these individuals. However, he was unsure how much Painting Experience he would gain from painting himself.
Li Hao had tried self-portraits in the Alchemy Courtyard, but there was no experience prompt.
It seemed that, like playing chess against himself, he gained no experience and couldn’t exploit the system.
Otherwise, every time his strength increased, he could paint himself and be self-sufficient in this way.
The difference in Painting Experience between Chiguang and the Semi-Saints was less than fifteen thousand points, equivalent to the gap between Chiguang and Yunshang Woman. This surprised Li Hao, as the Fire Elemental Skill the other party had displayed earlier was apparently not their true strength.
They had concealed their abilities deeply, clearly not willing to reveal their capabilities prematurely for the sake of a little Incense.
After all, the Supreme Young Hero Battle was the main event. If they revealed too much too soon, and the news leaked, it could backfire.
“Elder Qingfeng actually understands the Art Dao?”
Emperor Canghai was somewhat surprised upon seeing Li Hao’s paintings. With his extensive experience, he immediately recognized that Li Hao’s work was of Famous Paintings caliber, capable of becoming a timeless classic. This was not something a Martial Artist could achieve by simply relying on their physical strength; it was the essence and depth of the artwork that mattered.
Without dedicating considerable effort to research and practice, it was difficult to achieve this level of mastery, unless Li Hao was a naturally gifted prodigy in the Art Dao.
Chiguang, Yunshang Woman, and the others also turned to look at Li Hao’s paintings. Initially, they had thought Li Hao was just putting on a show, but he had genuinely produced several Famous Paintings.
“This painting has Dao Resonance!”
Yunshang Woman’s eyes narrowed as she recognized the depth of the painting.
Chiguang gave it a quick glance, raising an eyebrow with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
The painting was indeed impressive, but it seemed laughable that someone with such talent would waste their time on a Minor Dao rather than focus on cultivation, thereby ruining their own future.
The chief painter of the Imperial Dynasty, however, was taken aback by Li Hao’s work, his eyes wide with awe.
Having delved deeply into the Art Dao, he understood the profound skill required to produce such a masterpiece. For a mortal to achieve this level of mastery was virtually impossible, and even he had not reached it. Yet, this young Martial Artist had attained this realm.
The painting’s essence resonated with the Dao, a pinnacle of his art.
His gaze toward Li Hao was now filled with genuine respect.
Li Hao painted casually, not infusing his works with any power. After reaching the Ninth Rank in the Art Dao, his paintings had become incredibly lethal, far beyond mere decorative pieces.
After the master craftsmen finished taking measurements for Li Hao and the others, Li Hao mentioned his other request: cultivation techniques.
Seeing Li Hao’s urgency, Emperor Canghai smiled and called over the Crown Prince: “My son, take Elder Qingfeng to the Vast Sea Tower and show him around.”
The Crown Prince stood tall and regal, but at this moment, he wore a warm smile that made one feel as if basking in a gentle spring breeze. He said to Li Hao, "Elder Qingfeng, please follow me."
It was only then that Chiguang and the others realized that Li Hao had additional demands beyond the ten cities.
Chiguang raised an eyebrow, surprised that the other party also had requirements. To the Imperial Clan, the value of top-tier cultivation techniques far outweighed that of a princess.
He scoffed inwardly, thinking of the shortsighted Canghai Divine Dynasty!
He hadn't even shown his full strength. The Fire Elemental Skill? That was merely the surface of his abilities. He had no intention of revealing his true prowess here, or even before leaving the Canglan World. Otherwise, how could he compete with the heavens later?
Using his true abilities before leaving the Canglan World would be a failure for him.
His goal was never just a spot in the Canglan World's team, but to be the first among the Thirty-Three Realms!
When the Canghai Divine Dynasty offered him the Nation's Incense as a guest of honor, it would only be a small number among his followers. Chiguang sneered inwardly, but he didn't mind. For a Sage, more incense was always better. Wars between Sages often began over the competition for incense.
A man fights for a breath of air, and a Buddha for a stick of incense.
Some Sages, though not Supreme Sages, held high status due to the vast amount of incense they received.
After the matters in the Imperial Hall were settled, Li Hao followed the Crown Prince to the cultivation technique treasury of the Canghai Divine Dynasty, the Vast Sea Tower.
The Vast Sea Tower was tall and majestic, guarded by two Dragon Monsters at the Dao Law Realm. Li Hao couldn't help but think of Song Qiumo from the Mortal World, wondering how she was faring as the National Guardian Divine Beast of the Dayu Divine Dynasty.
"Elder, please go in and select what you need. I will wait outside", the Crown Prince said with a smile, treating Li Hao with great courtesy.
Li Hao nodded. During the painting session, he had also drawn a portrait of the Crown Prince, who had brought an experience value of 18,000!
This experience was close to that of the Yunshang Woman, indicating that he was a highly powerful cultivator. However, the aura he displayed was just that of an ordinary Dao Law Realm cultivator.
Li Hao wasn't interested in the political machinations within the Imperial Clan. He bowed and entered the Vast Sea Tower.
Inside, cultivation techniques were piled up like mountains. Li Hao's divine sense swept through, and he casually flipped through the books, finding that the cultivation techniques here were also sealed with Law Seals, similar to those in the Sword Tower.
However, this had no effect on him. These Law Seals were primarily designed to prevent people from memorizing and replicating the content. After all, even Three Eternities Realm martial artists had exceptional memories, almost to the point of photographic recall.
Li Hao, as he had done in the Sword Tower, began to record these cultivation techniques one by one.
As the number of cultivation techniques on the panel increased, a flood of information poured into his mind. However, this time, Li Hao did not cultivate directly in the Vast Sea Tower.
Having learned from his experience in the Sword Tower, Li Hao was concerned that this building might also be a weapon of Emperor Canghai.
After a day, Li Hao had completed the recording of all the cultivation techniques in the Vast Sea Tower.
The number of cultivation techniques here was not inferior to those in the Sword Tower, but their quality was much lower, especially in terms of top-tier Dao Level cultivation techniques and divine powers, which were less than a fifth of those in the Sword Tower.
Despite this, Li Hao still found it a rich harvest.
Tomorrow is the Top 100 Battle, but Li Hao isn't particularly concerned. He picked three cultivation techniques from the Vast Sea Tower to bring along, ostensibly for the Crown Prince to decipher the laws inscribed on them. After that, he set off on his return journey to Ji Dao Mountain.
Chiguang and the others, including Yunshang Woman, had already returned in advance. Upon returning to Ji Dao Mountain, Li Hao, now an Elder of the Canghai Divine Dynasty, retreated to his secluded courtyard.
Royal guards stood watch outside the courtyard, ensuring Li Hao could cultivate undisturbed during his preparation period.
Li Hao set up a barrier around the courtyard and then sat down in his room to cultivate.
He reviewed the many cultivation techniques he had recorded, practicing each one in turn. Among these techniques were several saber and spear techniques, which Li Hao couldn't practice. He had only recorded them at a basic level and had no intention of investing skill points in them, despite having a few to spare.
Moreover, one offensive technique was more than enough.
In a battle between experts, a single decisive move is all that's needed; the rest is just preparation.
As he practiced the Body Refinement Technique and Sword Dao cultivation techniques, Li Hao's Dao Domain gradually expanded, quickly reaching 180 layers!
However, Li Hao still hadn't touched the Dao Domain Limit, proving his previous guess incorrect.
"Could it be 360 layers?"
Li Hao's eyes flickered. If so, it would align with the Soul Condensation limit of the Soul Continuation technique.
Soul Continuation can condense the soul 360 times, reaching the Ultimate Realm.
With this thought, Li Hao felt a surge of motivation, eager to know what it would be like to achieve the Ultimate Realm of the Dao Domain.
After all, the Dao Domain is the most powerful tool in the Fourth Establishment Realm. The difference between having and not having a Dao Domain is like the gap between heaven and earth. While a few monsters, like Jiang Lidust, can rely on their Sword Dao to break through a Dao Domain, such monsters are rare. In the Fourth Establishment Realm, those who can cultivate their Sword Dao to the seventh or even eighth level are considered terrifyingly insane.
For example, the Sage Sons and Daughters of the Sword Ancestor Holy Land, who are at the Dao Law Realm, can only reach the eighth level of the Sword Dao, and their Sword Intent varies in strength.
Even at the same level, the gap can be significant. Hao Yue Holy Son's Sword Dao, for instance, is far superior to others at the same level.
Li Hao didn't stop, continuing his cultivation.
His Dao Domain steadily grew, and by dusk, it had already reached 200 layers!
Li Hao estimated that the remaining cultivation techniques would allow him to cultivate an additional twenty layers, bringing his total to 220 layers. This was the depth of cultivation techniques available in the Canghai Divine Dynasty.
Of course, some of the most secret and exclusive cultivation techniques within the Canghai Divine Dynasty were not in the Vast Sea Tower, but they were few, perhaps no more than ten.
The next day.
The Top 100 Battle took place on Ji Dao Mountain.
Before the battle began, Li Hao continued to cultivate in his courtyard.
His Dao Domain had grown to 210 layers, and the remaining cultivation techniques would add another ten layers, bringing him to 220 layers.
"If the Dao Domain Limit is 360 layers, I still have a long way to go. The remaining 140 layers will have to come from the cultivation techniques of the major first-rate sects in the Canglan World..."
Li Hao's eyes gleamed. If he could master the cultivation techniques of all the top sects in the Canglan World, he would achieve the Ultimate Realm of the Dao Domain!
Li Hao knew that he was different from the other contestants. His enemy wasn't just the top-ranked Prodigy but the Virtual Sage!
Before he could claim the top spot, he had to have the strength to face a Sage. Only then would he have the right to claim the first place. Otherwise, he might be assassinated by the Virtual Sage during the top ten battles.
While others only needed to compete against their peers, he had to guard against a Sage.
"If I could reach the Ultimate Realm, with my current strength, I should be able to match a Semi-Saint, right..."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. He wasn't sure, as he hadn't tried it. After all, it had been a long time since he had used his full strength.
From the fifty-plus layers of the Dao Domain at the Sword Tower, he had practiced until he reached 210 layers. He didn't know what terrifying things would happen if all the layers of the Dao Domain were combined.
But when he had 97 layers of the Dao Domain, Li Hao felt that he could influence space. Just the Dao Domain alone could easily shatter the laws and solidify the Great Dao!
Now, it would only become even more terrifying.
Moreover, if he could cultivate the Dao Domain to the Ultimate Realm, he would master the Eight Extremes Realm!
"Are you daydreaming?"
On the battle platform, Li Hao's opponent, who had been assigned to him by the draw, saw that Li Hao's gaze was somewhat vacant, as if lost in thought. He was taken aback for a moment, then his face turned cold.
Li Hao snapped back to reality and saw his opponent, who was dressed in luxurious attire and exuded an extraordinary aura. He felt a bit apologetic. "Sorry, I was just lost in thought."
"Hmph."
The young man snorted coldly, not bothering to say more. As soon as the array was formed, he charged at Li Hao with his spear.
Li Hao raised his hand, summoning a gust of autumn wind and slashing it out.
Bang!
Sword Qi shot out like blades of grass, swiftly slicing through the air. The young man's spear trembled, and the momentum he had built up was instantly shattered, leaving a deep sword wound on his chest.
He scrambled to his feet, looking at Li Hao with fear. What kind of Sword Qi was this?
He had just sensed the danger of certain death, but then that aura vanished, as the opponent had held back.
The young man's face turned pale, and he realized he had encountered a formidable opponent.
"Consider this an apology."
Li Hao gave a slight bow to the young man. Once the referee announced the result, he turned and left the platform, continuing to ponder the Dao Domain outside the arena.
The match ended in a flash, but the crowd below was in an uproar.
"Prince Luojia lost, and he was defeated instantly!"
"He had two Ultimate Realms, and he didn't even have time to show his full strength."
"What about that? Have you seen the previous mass battle? This Clear Wind gentleman single-handedly blocked a twenty-layer Dao Domain monster, causing him to retreat with a shattered Dao Heart, not even making it to the Top 100."
The crowd's discussion caused even more shock.
Among the spectators, a few refined and elegant figures sat, one of whom was a young man with a folding fan. He looked at his icy-faced junior sister and chuckled.
"Qingyi, don't take those fools' words to heart."
Li Qingyi snorted coldly but said nothing.
This Top 100 Battle would decide the top ten, so she had come to observe again, hoping to see if anyone could force Li Hao to reveal more of his abilities.
Given Li Hao's strength, she already considered him a future opponent in the Canglan World and was gathering intelligence early.
"Still so decisive. Is he planning to rely on his Sword Art to clear all the rounds?"
Another refined and elegant young man sighed.
"His Sword Art alone is enough to secure a top ten spot, and he might even take the first place", another young man nodded, showing great admiration for Li Hao's Sword Art.
The young man with the folding fan shook his head. "Top ten is possible, even top three, but first place is out of the question. He needs to show something else. If he doesn't, he might not even get the first place."
"Hmm?"
Li Qingyi looked at him in confusion.
The young man with the folding fan smiled. "There's news that a world-class genius named Chiguang has emerged from the Huaguang Grotto Heaven in South Rong. He's a formidable opponent for us, only slightly inferior to the Buddhist Twin Disciples."
"So strong?"
Everyone was surprised. Comparing someone to the Buddhist Twin Disciples was already a frightening statement.
(End of Chapter)
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