https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-344-Buddhist-Venerable-Speaks-Softly-Sole-Sword-Dao/13450532/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-346-Eternal-Dao-Domain-Beating-the-Buddhist-Disciple/13450534/
Chapter 345: Hao Tian, We Meet Again!
Chapter 345: Hao Tian, We Meet Again!
"My Spear Path..."
Chiguang’s face was filled with shock as he stared at the young man before him. His Spear Path, which could incinerate everything in its path, had been severed by a single sword strike!
What kind of Sword Dao was this?
He felt a terrifying tremor, the cutting sensation of the Sword Intent was too strong, as if nothing could stand in its way.
In the Buddhist Hall, the Sword Saint’s indifferent gaze suddenly sharpened. His eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise.
As the Supreme of Sword Dao, he saw more clearly than others. That single sword strike contained countless Sword Intents, hundreds if not thousands!
Such an ultimate Sword Intent, integrated into one’s Sword Dao, made it invincible and incredibly formidable!
The Sword Saint practiced the Path of All Beings, observing all living things before cultivating Sword Dao, a path similar to the one Li Hao was on. The Sword Art levels Li Hao displayed were not inferior to his own.
If they were to compete at the same realm, solely on Sword Art, it would be difficult to determine who was stronger!
Wen Sheng’s eyes glowed with a wisdom-like light, as if the Laws of the universe were condensed within them. He narrowed his eyes and said:
"Such a formidable young talent, to cultivate to this level in less than a hundred years, if given a few more centuries, he might even achieve Sacrificial Dao to Sagehood!"
To ascend within a thousand years was already extremely rare, let alone achieving Sacrificial Dao within a few centuries. His words were a great compliment to Li Hao.
In the audience, Zhantan sat with a few Semi-Saints, including Night Ancestor and Green Ancestor, who had come to support Li Hao.
They all looked at each other in shock at the sword strike that severed the array.
"Clear Wind’s sword..."
"His Sword Dao is that terrifying?!"
As Semi-Saints, their techniques had also reached the Entering the Dao level, but even at this level, the quality of one’s Dao varied. The Sword Saint’s Path of All Beings, for example, was more complex and formidable compared to other Sword Dao paths.
Zhantan was dazed. Li Hao had been discussing Art Dao with her lately, but she had never seen him wield a sword. She never imagined that when he did, it would be so fearsome.
"His strength is not far off from Qingjiu’s."
Zhantan muttered to herself, her shock fading into a look of pleasant surprise.
On the Battle Platform, Li Hao sheathed his sword and didn’t look at Chiguang. That single strike was enough to make the other recognize the gap between them.
His gaze fell on the three Buddhist Disciples, his eyes cold.
"Since you call me a demon, I’ll give you a chance to subdue one. Don’t disappoint me!"
As soon as these words left his lips, the previously silent crowd erupted into a frenzy.
To say such a thing in the highest Holy Land of the Buddhist Sect was sheer audacity!
Chiguang snapped out of his daze, his eyes flickering with confusion.
Only now did he realize that he had truly been defeated.
As Li Hao had said, he was defeated by a single sword strike!
Defeating him took just one strike!
Chiguang had concealed his Spear Path, and Li Hao had concealed his Sword Dao. This was Li Hao’s true sword!
While Chiguang was still in shock, the three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect regained their composure, looking at Li Hao with fear.
Just standing near the Battle Platform, they could feel the terrifying power of Li Hao’s sword strike. If he were to strike again, the three of them together might not be able to withstand it.
"Sir, you are far too arrogant!"
"If it weren’t for the rules of our Buddhist Sect, we would have subdued you long ago!"
The three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect said with grim faces.
"As Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect, when a demon stands before you, you lack the courage to face him?!"
Li Hao’s eyes snapped open, shooting out a cold, sharp light like a sword: "Since you consider it your duty to vanquish demons, now is the time to test your cultivation!"
The three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect were so enraged by Li Hao’s words that they could almost spit blood. Test their cultivation? Who did he think he was to say such a thing?
But seeing the cold light in Li Hao’s eyes, they all knew that even if they did act, it would only bring them disgrace.
"Clear Wind, don't be so aggressive!"
The Semi-Saint Buddha riding the green lion murmured a Buddhist chant, frowning as he spoke.
Li Hao wanted to laugh. Who was being aggressive? The other side had thrown the first mud, yet now they were complaining about his counterattack being too forceful.
"Prodigy battles have various rules and restrictions, such as age and realm, putting everyone on the same starting line. If you call me a demon, I’ll allow all three of you to fight me at once. As the esteemed Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect, are you truly afraid to subdue a demon?"
Li Hao’s gaze was sharp as he spoke.
Hearing Li Hao’s words, the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons’ faces turned a deep, purplish color, their hearts filled with intense hatred for Pu Hua Holy Son, who had stirred up trouble and then pushed them into this mess. Why had they provoked this monster in the first place?
The crowd below exchanged glances. Indeed, the rules of the Prodigy battle were designed for peers to compete. Now, Li Hao was challenging all three of them at once, and the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons dared not take action.
Many in the crowd felt disappointed.
You are the future Buddhas!
How can you protect the common people if you retreat in the face of demonic power?
At that moment, the incense surrounding the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons visibly diminished.
Noticing this, their faces changed in unison, their hearts filled with shock and anger.
Being humiliated was one thing, but affecting their incense was like striking at the root of their being!
The foundation for their Ascension was being threatened, as if their parents had been killed—this was unforgivable!
"You are too arrogant. Even if I cannot defeat you, I will extinguish your demonic flames!"
One of the Buddhist Sect Holy Sons, though seething with anger, maintained an austere and solemn expression, murmuring a Buddhist chant. Golden light radiated from his entire body.
A grand Heaven and Earth Dharma Body appeared behind him, a manifestation of his soul’s continuation, dedicated to Ascension. In his youth, he had been a prodigy with unmatched talent, renowned far and wide. Later, he gained the favor of a Buddhist Venerable and was taken under his wing. In this Holy Land, teeming with monsters, he was one of the outstanding figures, perhaps even the best among them.
The other two Buddhist Sect Holy Sons also ceased their hesitation, simultaneously casting out their palms and reciting Buddhist scriptures. The air seemed to resonate with sacred chants, and golden Buddhist light illuminated the heavens and earth like an evening glow.
This magnificent scene left the people of the Canglan World in awe.
The decaying incense around the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons halted, and their expressions became solemn, as if they were ready to face death. Their bodies merged with their Heaven and Earth Dharma Bodies, standing tall on the platform like three majestic Buddhas. They shared a silent understanding and attacked in unison.
In an instant, three Buddha palms descended, their power interconnected and harmonized. The three palms transformed into three massive mountains, forming a range of Buddhist light, aiming to suppress Li Hao.
"It’s the World Honored Buddha Palm!"
"It encompasses the past, present, and future. This is one of the ultimate Buddhist techniques created by a Venerable!"
"One palm out, and the heavens and earth are stilled, time and space will freeze. Clear Wind is about to lose!"
"Challenging three at once, he’s too arrogant. Our Buddhist Sect Holy Sons are not mere commoners; how dare he look down on us like this!"
In the crowd below, many Buddhist Sect disciples exclaimed in shock, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
Lin Shuhai, watching the Buddhist light divine palms forming a mountain range, grew incredibly solemn. He could see that the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons were working in perfect harmony. This Buddhist Palm Technique, when used by a single person, could only unleash a fraction of its power, but with the three of them working together, they had fully unleashed its might!
This was equivalent to a strike from a Buddhist Venerable at the Dao Law Realm!
Though it lacked the power of the Saint Path, it was still a breathtakingly powerful move.
On the Battle Platform, Chiguang had already recovered his senses. Seeing the Buddhist light descending upon Li Hao, his expression changed slightly. He hadn’t expected these Buddhist Sect Holy Sons, whom he had underestimated, to have such formidable means.
While it was a combined technique, the fact that they could unite to pose a threat to him was still terrifying.
They say there's always a higher heaven, and Chiguang once again witnessed the formidable strength of other prodigies.
Li Hao raised his head, and all he saw was Golden Light. Beyond the Golden Light, three Dharma Images in the form of Buddhas were combining their forces to suppress him.
Li Hao formed a sword flower in his hand, his expression unchanged. He raised his hand and swung his sword!
The pitch-black Achievement cut a dark sword mark through the void, splitting it open. The Golden Light cracked as if invaded by a terrifying force, and the Buddhist Light was slashed to pieces!
The combined Palm Seal that was suppressing him was actually severed by a single sword strike. Sword Qi surged upward and suddenly swept across, shattering the sky full of Buddhist Light and directly cleaving through the Dharma Image of one of the Buddhist Sect Holy Sons.
The Dharma Image of the Buddha showed shock. Only upon direct contact did he realize the terrifying power of Li Hao's Sword Dao and the ferocity and ultimate nature of his Sword Intent!
Peng!
The Golden Light of the Buddha faded, and the Sword Light split the shoulder of the Buddhist Sect Holy Son, severing his arm.
Li Hao swung his sword again, sweeping it out.
The pitch-black Sword Light, guided by the Return to the Abyss technique, arrived in an instant. The other two Buddhist Sect Holy Sons tried to dodge, but the Sword Qi was too fast. The Buddhist Path energy that had just appeared on their Dharma Images was immediately split apart, and their Dharma Images were severed, forcing their physical bodies out.
This Sword Qi did not take their lives; instead, it acted like a whip, lashing them out of their Dharma Images and slamming them into the newly reformed array.
Peng! Peng! Peng! Three loud thuds echoed as the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons were sent flying into the array. The Buddhist Light on their robes flickered and then dimmed, and their physical bodies, shaken, spewed blood.
Li Hao did not pursue them. He sheathed his sword and looked at them coldly.
One sword broke through a secret technique; one sword defeated three prodigies!
Seeing the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons fall from the array, the excitement on the faces of the many Buddhist Sect disciples in the audience froze, as if their throats had been gripped and they had been slapped hard. Their eyes were filled with disbelief.
The World Honored Buddha Palm had actually lost?
Three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons were no match for a single sword strike from Li Hao!
The Realm Stone reflected the scene, and the people of Canglan World were all stunned into silence.
The young man stood tall on the Battle Platform, holding a three-foot black sword, like a young Sword God, defeating all prodigies!
"This is his true Sword Dao..."
Hao Yue Holy Son stared at Li Hao's figure, and as a swordsman, he could better understand Li Hao's sword. This Sword Dao was too terrifying, seemingly containing an ultimate Dao Will, invincible!
As a sword, the other party had pushed sharpness to its ultimate limit.
The Flame Dao could be cut, the Buddhist Light could be cut, as if everything could be severed!
Earlier, he had wanted to challenge Li Hao again. During this seclusion, he had made some progress and wanted to reclaim his earlier disgrace. But now, he deeply realized the vast gap between them.
The other party was like his master, lacking only Ascension. The terrifying nature of this Sword Dao was in no way inferior!
On the platform, Li Hao defeated the three Buddhist Sect Holy Sons without using lethal force. The severed arm could regrow, and this was, after all, the Buddhist Holy Land, so he held back.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Li Hao noticed that the incense gathering from all directions had increased.
He was slightly stunned and felt a mix of surprise and irony.
It seemed that even in Canglan World, which was heavily influenced by the Buddhist Sect, the root of human nature was still the reverence for strength. This was a natural instinct.
The law of the jungle applied everywhere in the Heavens. Despite being labeled as a Demon Path practitioner, he still garnered a large amount of incense by displaying overwhelming power.
Behind Li Hao, Lin Qingying was somewhat dazed. She had seen Li Hao's sword strike that made the entire Holy Land pale in comparison at the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary. Now, was this Li Hao's own Sword Dao?
She never imagined that the young man she had saved, covered in scars, would possess such terrifying power.
Was this the disciple of the Supreme Sage's disciple?
She gazed deeply at Li Hao's back, her thoughts receding as she clenched the sword in her hand, standing silently in his shadow.
On the Battle Platform, the quiet fell as the three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect were defeated.
Chiguang glanced deeply at Li Hao, though he felt a twinge of discomfort, he had to admit that Li Hao was incredibly strong, far beyond his current capabilities.
The others who had been eager to vie for first place now fell silent. To claim the top spot, they would have to defeat Li Hao; otherwise, defeating anyone else would be meaningless.
This towering peak stood firm, evoking a sense of awe and reverence.
Lin Shuhai sighed softly, shaking his head slightly, his lingering thoughts subsiding.
"It seems the Incense from a Hundred Cities will have to be given to this young man. I wonder which school he hails from."
Wen Sheng smiled gently and said softly.
Though his last words were casual, the glance he gave the Buddhist Venerable was anything but simple.
The Buddhist Venerable also picked up on the meaning behind Wen Sheng's words. What seemed like a casual remark would be dismissed as idle chatter if not analyzed, but the Buddhist Venerable knew that Wen Sheng was warning him against taking action against the young man.
For a young man to display such prowess, it would be an exaggeration to say he only came from the top forces of the Divine Dynasty. Unless he was the Reincarnation of a Sage, relying on memories from a past life, or had a Sage guiding him, possibly even a disciple of the Supreme Sage.
"Such mastery of the Sword Dao, yet not from the Sword Saint's School, is indeed a pity."
The Buddhist Venerable said to the Sword Saint beside him.
The Sword Saint narrowed his eyes, aware that the other was probing. Though he disliked Li Hao, who had defeated the Hao Yue Holy Son and shamed his disciple, now that Clear Wind was in opposition to the Buddhist Sect, he wouldn't make things difficult for him.
"The All Heavens world is filled with countless swordsmen. While my Sword Ancestor Sanctuary is a Holy Land for swordsmen, attracting prodigies from all realms, there are still some who forge their own paths. It's not a loss to see such brilliance."
"To witness such a stunning display of the Sword Dao is a rare fortune for me", the Sword Saint said.
The Buddhist Venerable smiled, knowing the Sword Saint was unwilling to reveal more. He said softly, "Everything has a cause and effect. Let me try to trace the origins of this young man, to uncover his background and clarify things for everyone."
Clearly, you just want to know for yourself... The Sword Saint smiled inwardly, understanding the other's concerns.
However, he had long heard of the Buddhist Venerable's mastery of the Causality Path, which was extremely formidable, even surpassing his own Path of All Beings.
After all, all beings are ensnared in causality. Among the many Saint Paths, the Buddhist Venerable's Causality Path was considered one of the top, and he was one of the few top Sages below the Supreme Sage.
Wen Sheng's eyes flickered, also curious about Li Hao's origins.
As the Buddhist Venerable began to trace the causality, a radiant Virtue Wheel appeared behind him, emitting a brilliant Buddhist Light. His fingers moved, and the flow of causality swirled around them. Everything has an effect, and every effect has a cause, allowing him to trace the roots.
However, as the Saint Path condensed and he sought the source, something seemed to block the Saint Path's power.
"Hmm?"
A subtle hint of surprise flickered in the Buddhist Venerable's eyes.
To block his causality probe?
Only a Supreme Sage could achieve this, and even then, only if the Supreme Sage personally intervened!
Could it be that there is a Supreme Sage protecting him all along?
The Buddhist Venerable's eyes revealed contemplation as he gazed at the young man on the Battle Platform, his gaze shifting.
"Venerable, have you divined the outcome?"
Wen Sheng waited for a moment, but when the Buddhist Venerable remained silent, he asked with a hint of surprise.
The Buddhist Venerable's expression was calm as he replied, "Cause and effect are impermanent. The other party having such talent is a result of their prestigious lineage."
"From which Sage?" the Sword Saint inquired.
The Buddhist Venerable smiled but did not answer.
Seeing his enigmatic demeanor, Wen Sheng and the Sword Saint exchanged a deep glance and did not press further.
On the Battle Platform, Li Hao's gaze swept over the other ten strong contenders.
When Hao Yue Holy Son noticed Li Hao's eyes on him, his face changed slightly. He bowed his head in silence, said nothing, and jumped off the Battle Platform, abandoning the competition for first place.
The others, under Li Hao's gaze, also remained silent.
Lin Shuhai smiled at Li Hao, though he did not speak. His expression seemed to convey his congratulations.
Li Hao nodded slightly in acknowledgment and then turned his attention to the last person—the Twin-Born Buddha Prince.
The Twin-Born Buddha Prince stood on the Battle Platform, unmoving from the start.
Now, as Li Hao's gaze fell upon him, the Twin-Born Buddha Prince smiled and said softly, "This Sword Dao is truly formidable."
Hearing the Twin-Born Buddha Prince's words, there was a stir among the crowd. They were surprised that even this Buddhist disciple was conceding to Li Hao's Sword Dao.
However, Li Hao's few sword strikes had left an impression even on lower-realm martial artists. The sight of his sword seemed to cut through the air, causing a needle-like pain and potential injury just from looking at it.
"Do you intend to compete for first place?"
Li Hao's expression was neither joyful nor sorrowful.
The Twin-Born Buddha Prince chuckled softly and replied, "This first place, I won't let it go to you. In a way, we are truly fated to meet again..."
"Hmm?"
Li Hao's eyes narrowed as he stared at him.
"Hao Tian, we meet again. It seems you haven't recognized me", the Twin-Born Buddha Prince said softly.
Li Hao was taken aback for a moment, then his expression changed drastically.
A chill ran through his body, and he stared at the Twin-Born Buddha Prince. "You are...?"
"I was your incarnation in the Mortal World, and you severed my Great Dao. Now, here you are, competing against my True Self for the Incense. Have you forgotten me?"
The Twin-Born Buddha Prince smiled.
Li Hao's pupils dilated slightly. "You are the Buddhist Master?"
He was shocked. The Twin-Born Buddha Prince before him was the Buddhist Master?!
Although their auras were similar, with the Buddhist Master using his incarnation to cultivate demonic arts while his True Self cultivated Buddhism to achieve Buddha-Demon Fusion and transcend Enlightenment Ascension, the Buddhist Master had cultivated for over two thousand years. How long had the Twin-Born Buddha Prince been around?
If it were reincarnation, the timeline wouldn't match.
The Twin-Born Buddha Prince appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. Even considering the time difference between the Mortal World and the Land of Sages, if the Buddhist Master had reincarnated immediately after being slain by Li Hao, he would only be around ten years old now.
Seemingly perceiving Li Hao's shock, the Twin-Born Buddha Prince smiled and said, "If my reincarnation body hadn't been too young ten years ago, I would have already descended to the Mortal World to slay you."
Though he spoke of slaying, his face remained smiling, calm, and serene.
Li Hao suddenly understood.
Although the Twin-Born Buddha Prince did not elaborate, Li Hao grasped the situation.
The Twin-Born Buddha Prince was indeed the reincarnation of a Sage, a reincarnated body, as many had speculated. The Buddhist Master's incarnation in the Mortal World was not cultivated by the Twin-Born Buddha Prince but by his previous life. Meanwhile, his True Self had recently reincarnated, becoming the Twin-Born Buddha Prince.
"True Self Reincarnation, the cultivation of both Buddha and Demon, the Incarnation descending upon the Mortal World, walking the path of Buddha and Demon, do you wish to wait until both reach Perfection, for the Incarnation to merge with the previous life, and cultivate to the Highest Realm?"
Li Hao’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the Twin-Born Buddha Prince, trying to discern his plans.
The Buddhist Master had extremely high aspirations, aiming to skip the Enlightened Realm and directly reach the Saint Path.
If it were just a simple Incarnation, the Twin-Born Buddha Prince’s original plan would still be formidable, likely aiming to become the Supreme Sage, and even to be the most revered among the Supreme Sages!
"Indeed, if I succeed, I will observe the past and present, distinguish Yin and Yang, understand Heaven and Earth, master all Buddhist teachings, grasp all profound truths, and become a Supreme Sage Buddha!"
The Twin-Born Buddha Prince, seeing Li Hao reveal his plans, was not surprised and spoke calmly.
Hearing the conversation between the Twin-Born Buddha Prince and Li Hao, the crowd below was shocked. They had long heard that the Twin-Born Buddha Prince was the Reincarnation of a Sage, but they never expected it to be true, and even more so, that he had such grand ambitions, aiming to reincarnate and become a Supreme Sage!
"What a grand vision."
"So this is the Twin-Born Buddha Prince’s grand ambition. No wonder he is the Reincarnation of a Sage."
"Does this mean that Clear Wind and the Twin-Born Buddha Prince have known each other for a long time? No, Clear Wind is just his alias. What did the Twin-Born Buddha Prince call him just now?"
"Hao Tian, it’s Hao Tian!"
The crowd below buzzed with discussion.
Outside the venue, Zhantan and the others, including Night Ancestor, were greatly shaken.
Hao Tian?!
They had recently talked about that Hao Tian. Was it the same person?
If it were earlier, even if Li Hao had revealed his real name, they might not have connected the dots. After all, the All Heavens world was vast, and there could be hundreds of thousands of people with the same name. However, given Li Hao’s current level of power and the same name, it was hard to be a coincidence.
Thinking of Hao Tian’s legend, Zhantan and the others were shocked. But they quickly realized that with Li Hao’s identity exposed, if the Sage of the Void Holy Land were to learn of it, he would surely come to hunt him down.
Their thoughts were in turmoil, their faces filled with worry.
Li Hao looked up at the Buddhist Venerable and said to the Twin-Born Buddha Prince, "You have such grand ambitions, wanting to become the leader of the Buddhist Sect. I wonder if the Buddhist Venerable will agree."
"That is naturally a matter between me and the Buddhist Venerable. What you should be concerned about is whether you can survive today under my hand."
The Twin-Born Buddha Prince smiled calmly.
Only now did Li Hao understand why the other had smiled at him from time to time earlier. That smile was eerie, and it turned out that the other had recognized him from the start.
With his identity exposed, it was not safe to stay here for long. He needed to leave as soon as possible.
If he simply turned and left, the other might not let him. He had to deal with the Twin-Born Buddha Prince first and then quickly find a place to hide.
He thought for a moment, his gaze flickering, and his hand naturally glided over the Sword Edge, secretly cutting out a drop of golden Divine Blood. Then, he took out a pill from the Heavenly Earth Space and, as he held it, the golden blood seeped into the pill.
Li Hao handed the pill to Lin Qingying and said, "Go down first."
At the same time, he telepathically added, "Find a place to get rid of this pill. Don’t keep it on you."
He could rebirth through Blood Drop Rebirth. If a Virtual Sage unexpectedly showed up and killed him, he could still revive using that drop of Divine Blood.
With three Sages watching, Li Hao could only use the concealment property of the River Snow Painting to hide the Divine Blood in the pill. Whether it would be detected, he was uncertain.
(End of Chapter)
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