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Chapter 434: Incense Divine Realm
Chapter 434: Incense Divine Realm
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Hao once again approached the True Venerable Tower.
Stepping through the tower's gate, darkness enveloped him like a tidal wave. When he opened his eyes again, Li Hao found himself standing on the second level.
Dark pillars loomed before him, and he had not been directly transported to the battlefield.
Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly, his mind already set on battle. After a brief preparation, he reached out and touched one of the pillars.
In an instant, the pillar absorbed him as if drawing water, pulling his body into its depths.
The scene before him shifted, the surrounding darkness fluttering away like paper shreds. The vast yet desolate world of Heaven and Earth unfolded like a grand tapestry, with winds sweeping in from all directions.
The pillar floated in mid-air, towering majestically. Dark purple light rapidly gathered on the pillar, converging at a single point, and Li Hao's projection began to take shape.
Just as the projection was about to form, Li Hao quickly brought up the panel and selected the Extraordinary Chess Heart, embedding it into the Body Movement Path.
Following the panel's prompt, he confirmed the selection. Li Hao felt a ethereal Dao Will descend upon him, followed by an overwhelming flood of information surging into his mind.
In that moment, his thoughts seemed to plunge into chaos, time appearing to stand still. Countless light and shadow memories, the inheritance of Dao Sounds, flashed before his eyes. It felt as if decades, even centuries, had passed, but when Li Hao came to his senses, only a fleeting moment seemed to have elapsed in the outside world.
The projection had fully formed but did not immediately attack Li Hao. Instead, it bowed slightly and made a gesture of invitation, just as it had done before.
Li Hao raised his head slightly and noticed that, unknown to him, a Raid Cloud had gathered above.
With the Extraordinary Chess Heart embedded, he simultaneously chose to allocate points.
Body Movement Path, Tenth Rank.
Sacrificial Dao Sainthood Immersion!
To Li Hao's surprise, the presence of the Sacrificial Dao Raid Cloud suggested that this place might be a true Heaven and Earth, not just an illusory realm.
As he pondered, the Raid Cloud continued to grow denser. The projection, too, looked up but seemed unconcerned. Its body radiated a brilliant golden light, and its hair rapidly turned silver, revealing its Ultimate Realm Power.
Behind the projection, the Heaven and Earth Dharma Body materialized, and its size expanded dramatically, entering the Emulate Heaven and Earth state.
Seeing this, Li Hao did not hesitate. He quickly elevated his battle state to its peak.
His silver hair billowed, his size rapidly increasing as he entered the Emulate Heaven and Earth state. With the fusion of the Heaven and Earth Dharma Body, an overwhelming aura swept out, like an ancient barbaric giant!
Two towering figures stood, but the projection's aura was even more formidable. The sheer intimidation it emitted made the Raid Cloud above churn violently, as if about to disperse.
This Sacrificial Dao Raid Cloud was originally part of the Sacrificial Dao trial, but for the current Li Hao, it could be dispelled with a wave of his hand.
Li Hao paid no attention to the Raid Cloud, focusing instead on the projection before him. During their previous encounter, when he had retreated to the Return to the Abyss, the projection had used Heaven and Earth Power to sever his connection. Here, he could not rely on the Return to the Abyss to delay the battle; the outcome would be decided in an instant.
Now, with the Body Movement Path at Tenth Rank, Li Hao was unsure if he could maneuver and find a way to turn the tide.
Begin.
As Li Hao assumed his battle stance, the projection's attack suddenly descended.
A massive amount of Heaven and Earth Power condensed, controlled by an unimaginably formidable Soul Spirit Power, forming a Sword Qi that could cleave through heaven and earth. It descended upon Li Hao with a force that seemed to bring a tempest and thunder, the power of the heavens and earth concentrated in a single strike, pressing down on the sky and the earth, causing them to bow and collapse!
Li Hao's form wavered, like a small boat in a raging sea, on the verge of being capsized. But he suddenly unleashed the Yanluo Outer Image, the ancient and majestic True World Yanluo coalescing in black flames behind him, as if supporting the collapsing heavens.
A black Yanluo Blade condensed in Li Hao's hand, while he channeled the Heaven and Earth Power to its ultimate form, holding it back. Just as the sword was about to strike, his figure darted away like a ghost, weaving through the air like a butterfly evading a flower, narrowly avoiding the attack.
He seamlessly combined the Netherwasteland Extreme Realm and the Heaven and Earth Untraceable Body Movement Techniques, blending reality and illusion. This allowed him to barely evade the sword, and the Yanluo Blade in his hand suddenly unleashed a ten-thousand-mile-long black light, as if splitting the Heaven and Earth, slicing towards the Projection.
A hint of surprise flickered in the Projection's eyes, seemingly caught off guard by the sudden improvement in Li Hao's Body Movement Techniques. However, recalling the Sacrificial Dao Raid Cloud, the Projection seemed to understand. Unlike the first level, the Projection's expression was not numb; instead, a smile formed at the corners of his mouth, and a look of appreciation appeared in his eyes.
Next, the Projection swung his Sword Light, and a Yanluo Outer Image materialized behind him. Under the influence of five times the Soul Spirit strength, the Yanluo Outer Image transcended the primordial true meaning, reaching a more Limit Realm.
Thus, the fierce and imposing figure of the Yanluo Outer Image exuded an even more formidable aura.
Another black Sword Light was swung, though it was a follow-up attack, it carried new force, splitting Li Hao's prepared Sword Light into two halves, as if peeling a black sugarcane.
Li Hao's eyes deepened, the fivefold difference was more than he had expected. However, he did not stop; after one sword was broken, he continued to strike, his attacks circling around him like flickering starlight, attacking from all angles.
The Projection stood calmly in place, casually swinging his sword, seemingly enjoying the sparring session or wanting to gauge Li Hao's true capabilities.
With ease, he dismantled Li Hao's all-out attacks.
Li Hao's heart grew heavier with each attack. The fivefold difference made him feel like an ant trying to shake a tree. The Tenth Rank of the Body Movement Path did not bring a qualitative change; the Projection's Soul Spirit strength was sufficient to predict his Body Movement Techniques, and all of his attacks were seen through and countered.
Fortunately, this Projection was significantly different from the first level, lacking a strong offensive desire and instead seeming to have a will of its own.
Seeing all his attacks being dismantled, Li Hao quietly completed his layout. Finally, with the Cosmic Chess Layout in place, Li Hao's eyes flashed with determination—this was his last chance!
Peng!
He deliberately exposed a weakness, striking a sword as if his stance was unsteady, getting too close to the Projection.
This was the perfect opportunity to attack, but it would also leave him vulnerable.
However, the Projection watched Li Hao with a playful expression, showing no intention to attack.
Li Hao's scalp tingled under that gaze, and his heart sank. He did not give up, attacking again and exposing a weakness to verify.
This time, the Projection suddenly swung his sword, striking with the Yanluo Blade the moment Li Hao exposed his weakness.
Li Hao's eyes instantly brightened, and the Cosmic Chess Layout was activated. The Hidden Threads and Sword Qi buried in the void converged with the Sword Light in his hand, unleashing a force several times greater, slicing towards the Projection.
The dazzling Sword Light illuminated Li Hao's own eyes.
But at the same moment, an even more brilliant light overshadowed Li Hao's Sword Qi.
Sword Qi suddenly appeared in the void, converging in the Projection's hand, forming a more piercing sword beam that cut through the air, splitting Heaven and Earth.
Li Hao's step froze mid-air, his eyes widening in shock, then narrowing sharply.
This was also a Cosmic Chess Layout?
The same moves, the same layout, all perfectly replicated!
And with even greater, more terrifying power!
Li Hao suddenly realized that when the Projection casually blocked his attack earlier, it was also laying down the Hidden Threads.
Using the Fishing Hidden Threads technique, the Projection had set up the layout without Li Hao noticing, demonstrating a skill in this area that was five times greater than his own!
As the dazzling Sword Light approached, at the edge of life and death, Li Hao's eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce light. He pushed his Body Movement Techniques to the ultimate level, combining it with Return to the Abyss. By alternating between Return to the Abyss and his Body Movement Techniques, he left a Residual Image on the spot and instantly fled to a distance of ten thousand miles.
In that split second, the Ultimate Body Movement Techniques surpassed Li Hao's Limit. By the time he avoided the Sword Light and regained his senses, he could hardly believe that he had actually dodged the strike.
He panted heavily, though the Heavenly Stars Vein provided him with a constant stream of Power. He still felt drenched in cold sweat and mentally drained.
The Sword Qi Severing projected by the Projection cut through the mountains below, splitting the earth and causing a rumbling vibration. Rivers and lakes flowed backward, creating a magnificent scene.
The first strike missed, and the Projection seemed surprised. He glanced at Li Hao and attacked again.
Li Hao quickly dodged, but the Projection's attacks became increasingly fierce, with the frequency of strikes rapidly increasing, making it increasingly difficult for Li Hao to evade.
At Body Movement Path Tenth Rank, he could barely outmaneuver the Projection's Body Movement Techniques. Any mistake would mean instant death!
In this ultimate flight, Li Hao didn't even have the time to set up another layout.
Was this the oppressive force of a fivefold gap, leaving no room to breathe?
Li Hao's heart pounded. Even using Body Movement Path Tenth Rank and the Cosmic Chess Layout, he couldn't kill the Projection. Could anyone truly complete this challenge?
Li Hao thought of Elder Wang, of the lonely figure in the fertile fields. His eyes flickered with determination. While fleeing, his Body Movement Techniques left many Residual Images, but under the Projection's relentless pursuit, these images shattered one by one.
Phantom... Li Hao's eyes wavered.
Illusion, reality...
He seemed to catch a glimpse of something, and his mind filled with traces of brushstrokes.
In painting, the key is the combination of form and intent. Intent is illusory, form is real.
A master-level painter can already master this perfectly, let alone Li Hao, whose paintings had long Entered the Dao.
But at this moment, he sensed another layer of meaning in the interplay of illusion and reality.
Suddenly, a bone-chilling Sword Intent pierced his back, and Li Hao snapped back to reality. Seeing the approaching Sword Light, he hastily swung his sword to block it.
With a resounding thud, his arm trembled as if struck by a thousand mountains, and his body was sent flying like a withered blade of grass.
Crashing through several mountain peaks, Li Hao barely managed to stabilize himself, his body covered in blood. However, the Divine Blood state greatly enhanced his healing ability, and the wounds were rapidly mending.
At this moment, the Projection was already closing in.
A gentle breeze fluttered through his robes, making them sway lightly, as if he were a divine being looking down upon Li Hao. Then, he raised his hand again, condensing a dazzling Sword Technique, the Divine Guide.
The sword descended from the sky like a finger gently touching the earth.
The Sacrificial Dao Raid Cloud above his head quietly dissipated under the brilliant Sword Light, as if it had been torn apart and shattered.
Li Hao's eyes blurred, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips. He knew this challenge was about to fail.
And this failure would make the next challenge even harder, for when the Projection appeared next time, it would also be at Body Movement Path Tenth Rank.
"This Immortal Emperor trial is truly twisted..."
Li Hao muttered to himself.
He raised his head to face the sword, the wind buffeting his face, his body seemingly about to be shattered.
The old figure passed before his eyes, and he clenched his fists, a glint of defiance in his eyes.
But suddenly, after the Sword Light, a dazzling Golden Light, like a golden river cascading down, poured from the shattered Raid Cloud, flowing like a torrent of sand.
Li Hao was taken aback.
Before he could react, the golden, sand-like light rapidly followed the Sword Light, like countless arms compressing and covering its power, catching up with the Sword Light just as it was about to reach Li Hao. The light then wrapped around Li Hao, enveloping him.
Time seemed to stand still.
A gentle, soothing Power spread over Li Hao's body.
He could feel the multitude of Dao Intents, prayers, and supplications, like a low hum, like ancient thunder, resonating in his mind.
The overwhelming Sword Light, which had seemed unstoppable, halted above Li Hao's head, unable to descend. The golden, divine sand-like Power had blocked this Heaven-defying strike.
The ground around Li Hao crumbled inch by inch, transforming what was once a flat surface into a steep Lonely Peak!
Li Hao stood at the peak.
The Sword Light dissipated, and the Projection's gaze sharpened as it stared at Li Hao.
At this moment, Li Hao's eyes no longer held any Sword Light; instead, they were filled with countless grains of golden divine sand-like Power, which gathered before him, emitting waves of extremely gentle energy.
This was Incense Power!
Since arriving here, Li Hao had seen very little Incense Power, assuming it had been forgotten or blocked out.
But now, it seemed that the Sacrificial Dao Heavenly Tribulation had broken through some kind of barrier, allowing this Incense Power to traverse spatial obstacles, all converging around him.
Five years, five years of accumulation, and Li Hao had never expected to amass such a terrifying amount of Incense Power.
At this moment, he was surrounded by this Incense Power, as if enveloped by countless hands, protecting him on all sides.
Li Hao was momentarily stunned, feeling a deep stirring in his heart.
Currently, he was in his Emulate Heaven and Earth colossal form, yet the Incense Power still managed to wrap around his entire body, forming a golden mound.
The Power seeped through his pores, flowing into his body.
Li Hao felt the Incense Power within him growing more and more intense, becoming scorching hot. Soon, it was like a container filled to the brim with water, with gentle Power seeping out.
The Incense Power within him continuously condensed into sticks of incense, which, when burned, emitted golden Divine Light, forming a smoky incense in the air.
The smoky incense was golden, ethereal, and mysterious.
Li Hao realized that this must be the Primordial Ancestor's realm, the Incense Divine Realm!
The transformation of this Divine Realm required the smoke from burning incense, which, when concentrated to the ultimate degree, would form divine incense. No wonder it took countless years of gathering Incense to achieve this!
As the golden divine incense was lit, Li Hao clearly felt the Incense Power flowing within him become unprecedentedly powerful, at least ten times stronger than before!
However, this was just Incense Power. If converted to Li Hao's overall Power, it only amounted to a fifty percent increase, far from doubling.
After all, the actual combat power Li Hao unleashed was only a small part Incense Power.
This was why Li Hao could overpower the Primordial Ancestor and the god kings.
Even the thick Immortal Power within him, converted into Heaven and Earth Power, could rival the Incense Divine Realm.
If another Sage had such a breakthrough, they might instantly turn the tide of battle, or even pass the True Venerable Tower's third level Personal Disciple trial.
But for Li Hao, this increase in Power was not enough to change the current situation.
Compared to his own fivefold Projection, this merely closed the gap slightly, but it was meaningless.
However...
Li Hao thought of the Three Sacred Powers.
Extreme Dao, Sacrificial Dao, Incense!
These three Powers fused to form the Heavenly Dao Embryo.
And the Power of the Heavenly Dao Embryo was one of Li Hao's primary sources of strength.
At this moment, Li Hao felt as if a deity had possessed him, his mind incredibly clear. He quickly channeled the Incense Divine Realm Power into the Heavenly Dao Embryo.
As the Incense Divine Realm Power ignited, the Heavenly Dao Embryo was enveloped in a golden glow, its aura rapidly ascending. Initially, the three Powers were balanced, with the Sacrificial Dao Power being the strongest. Now, the Incense Divine Realm Power had surpassed the other two.
The entire Heavenly Dao Embryo was covered in golden Divine Light, resembling a divine infant, rapidly growing and changing.
If it was a mere infant before, it now resembled a child of seven or eight years old.
The Power it emitted was also completely different from before.
After absorbing the Incense Divine Realm Power, the Heavenly Dao Embryo's Power soared, far surpassing its previous form.
The difference in Power was as stark as the difference between a seven- or eight-year-old child and a newborn infant.
At this moment, the Projection seemed to sense Li Hao's transformation and the threat it posed. Its gaze grew serious, and it suddenly descended with great speed.
His speed was terrifying, using consecutive Netherwast Teleportation, and the endless power from the Heavenly Stars Vein allowed him to indulge in its use.
Whoosh!
As his figure approached, the "Lonely Peak" beneath Li Hao was already on the verge of collapse.
At this moment, Li Hao also raised his head, meeting the cold gaze of the Projection. Both could sense that this battle would require their utmost effort!
They drew their swords simultaneously!
The surrounding Heaven and Earth Power was instantly depleted, divided into two streams.
Li Hao suddenly realized that his Projection was not without flaws.
Although the Projection's power was extremely strong, it still relied on Heaven and Earth Power. Since the nearby power was limited, once it was exhausted, even more power would be difficult to harness.
Now, as they both plundered simultaneously, the surrounding Heaven and Earth Power seemed to be split in half, meaning their power was equal!
As Li Hao's eyes erupted with a glow, filled with strong confidence and hope, the Projection's expression remained cold. Its Soul Spirit rose, five times more powerful than Li Hao's, allowing it to gather a larger range of Heaven and Earth Power.
In an instant, the Sword Light in its hand surpassed Li Hao's.
Li Hao's expression froze, and then his eyes flashed with a predatory gleam. There was no more room for retreat. If he couldn't defeat it this time, he would never have another chance unless he ascended to the True Immortal Realm!
Desperation!
Li Hao suddenly unleashed the power of the young Heavenly Dao, burning it to reverse the tide of the battle!
The power of the Heavenly Dao burned fiercely within Li Hao, as if ready to fight to the death. The scorching power enveloped him, and with his sword swing, the clouds in the heavens seemed to be sucked away like water into a whale's mouth.
Boom!!
The vast and Barbaric Age world seemed to shake violently, as if a giant hand was gripping and shaking the entire world.
This was followed by a deafening silence.
The order of time seemed to shatter, everything came to a halt, but as a Sword Light suddenly cut through the illusion, everything returned to reality.
Li Hao was drenched in blood, his massive body covered in countless Sword Qi scars, which were difficult to heal. At this moment, Li Hao focused all his healing power into this final strike.
The Sword Light pierced through the Netherwasteland Extreme Realm, reaching the depths of the fractured Sword Light and impaling the trembling, hazy figure.
The Sword Light split open its head, like a black silhouette, and the world fell silent.
Li Hao panted heavily, waiting for a long time. As the world, shattered by that sword strike, returned to normal, he saw that the Projection's head was broken, its Soul Spirit extinguished, and its body lifeless.
Dark purple light flickered on its body, gradually dissipating like smoke.
Li Hao's heart, which had been in his throat, finally returned to his chest.
Immediately, an indescribable fatigue washed over him from head to toe. Even with the power of the Heavenly Stars Vein nourishing him, his body felt weak and unsteady.
That final strike, fueled by the young Heavenly Dao's aura, touched the deepest part of the Transcend to Immortality Ultimate Realm, borrowing a portion of the Heavenly Sovereign Will and infusing it into the strike, which killed the Projection's Soul Spirit.
At that moment, his body fell like a broken kite.
The once-flat plain was now a deep abyss. After a long descent, Li Hao finally landed at the bottom.
He collapsed on the ground, but a wide grin spread across his face.
However, when he felt the Divine Incense within him, Li Hao's smile slowly faded.
He sat on the ground, silent.
Five years had passed, and the outside world had not forgotten him. The amount of Incense gathered suggested that nine out of ten people in All Heavens had faith in him.
This also meant that the other Sages had not interfered.
Moreover, this was a good sign—All Heavens had not been invaded by ancient demons!
Otherwise, if All Heavens had been destroyed, there would be no way to gather so much Incense.
"Ying Xiaoxiao once said that to reach the Extreme Dao Divine Realm, one would need to absorb half of All Heavens' Incense. It seems she was being conservative."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. Five years of accumulating faith in All Heavens had finally allowed him to reach the Divine Realm!
Although the Primordial Ancestor was the oldest Sage, the population of All Heavens was far smaller when he ascended.
Back then, heavenly calamities and human disasters were rampant, and Demons roamed freely. After the Primordial Ancestor ascended and absorbed the incense of All Heavens, he protected the region, bringing peace and allowing the population to flourish, leading to the current prosperity of All Heavens.
As the population grew, other Sages emerged, and the incense was divided among them. Although the Primordial Ancestor always had the most followers in All Heavens, it took him over ten thousand years to reach the Divine Realm.
Once he reached the Divine Realm, he hit the limit of the Incense Saint Path and could make no further progress, so he had to explore other paths.
Compared to other Sages, the Primordial Ancestor had reached his peak tens of thousands of years ago and could only watch as other Sages rapidly improved and narrowed the gap with him.
He still received the majority of the incense from All Heavens and did not want a second Incense Divine Realm to appear.
In the eyes of other Sages, the Primordial Ancestor had long shown power that surpassed ordinary Sages, which was why he was highly respected. No one knew the true extent of his power, and could only guess based on the passage of time.
In reality, the Primordial Ancestor's cultivation had been stagnant for a long time, and the other paths he explored offered only minimal improvement. This was why he was so fervently and desperately seeking the Immortal Deity.
It was the only path he could continue to walk!
And he had been waiting for this path for an incredibly long time.
"I wonder how Old Feng and the others are doing now..." Li Hao's eyes flickered, and he suddenly felt a sense of urgency.
Suddenly, he sensed something and his expression changed as he looked up at the sky.
The projection, which had previously been lifeless, was now healed and slowly descending.
Seeing Li Hao's stunned expression, the projection's lips curved into a mischievous smile, and he raised his hand, gathering a formidable aura.
Li Hao's expression changed. Despite feeling a strong sense of fatigue, he immediately stood up, ready to gather his power for another battle.
But when the projection saw his stance, he suddenly dissipated the power in his hand and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous, you won."
"Huh?"
Li Hao looked at him in surprise. The projection could actually speak?
"Being able to pass the second floor trial of the True Venerable Tower, you have earned the right to know my existence."
The projection smiled, though his body was identical to Li Hao's, his expression and demeanor were entirely different. He crossed his arms behind his back and said calmly with a smile:
"Waiting for ten thousand years, I finally have a young one who can pass the second floor of the True Venerable Tower. It's not easy. Can you guess who I am?"
"Are you... the True Venerable Tower?"
Li Hao asked, stunned.
Even divine weapons have spirits, let alone immortal weapons. The True Venerable Tower, which could serve as a trial for the Immortal Emperor to select disciples and project the power of the Heavenly Stars Vein Ultimate Realm, was far from an ordinary immortal weapon. It was likely an Imperial Artifact!
"Pretty smart."
The projection's lips curved when Li Hao guessed correctly, and he glanced at Li Hao, saying, "I've been aware of the situation outside. I've been waiting for someone to pass the trial and check on the outside world. But those young ones outside are one dumber than the other. Not even a single registered disciple has passed the first floor. Back in the day, if the Immortal Emperor announced he was taking disciples, the entire multiverse would be shaken, and countless people would pass the first floor of the True Venerable Tower within a day. Although those who came to participate were all monsters from the multiverse, numbering in the millions, but..."
As he spoke, his eyes showed a look of reminiscence, but soon turned melancholic.
Shaking his head slightly, the projection said to Li Hao, "Your talent far surpasses theirs, but the Nine Flower Immortal Seal ahead is very difficult. If you encounter a bottleneck in your comprehension, you can come here. I have a way to help you without breaking the Immortal Emperor's rules."
(End of Chapter)
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