https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-453-Emperor-Sword-Mountain-Strife/13451800/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-455-A-Single-Step-to-the-Top-Part-1-/13451812/
Chapter 454: Ancestor Immortal Body
Chapter 454: Ancestor Immortal Body
The majestic Emperor Sword Mountain hovered before the disciples' eyes.
Beyond this Emperor Sword Mountain lay an endless expanse of lush green plains, with undulating hills. At the moment, the disciples stood in groups on these hills, all of them sizing up the towering Emperor Sword Mountain with an air of distinction.
Li Hao, Yue Xi, and Gu Yan entered one after another, landing on a hill.
"I’m going first."
Yue Xi glanced at Li Hao, then cast a quick look at Gu Yan standing beside him.
Seeing that Gu Yan wasn’t looking at her, Yue Xi’s eyes flickered, and she turned and flew away without a backward glance.
Li Hao looked around, taking in the surroundings. He saw many disciples pause briefly before rushing toward the Emperor Sword Mountain.
As he casually observed, he noticed that his junior brother, Gu Yan, was still standing quietly, showing no signs of moving.
“Aren’t you going?”
Li Hao asked, somewhat surprised.
"Competing together makes it easier, but winning that way is no fun."
Gu Yan replied with a indifferent expression.
Li Hao was taken aback and couldn’t help but chuckle. Tsk, that’s the pride of a top genius for you.
But does your mom know that talking like that could get you a beating outside?
“Then I’ll go first.”
Li Hao said, then joined the crowd of disciples heading toward the majestic Emperor Sword Mountain.
Seeing Li Hao fly away, Gu Yan’s expression remained as calm as ever. He simply gazed at the summit of the Emperor Sword Mountain, where he faintly sensed a gaze also fixed on him.
...
Soon, Li Hao arrived at the first level of the Emperor Sword Mountain.
An Immortal Power Barrier enveloped the exterior, making the landscape inside appear blurry from the outside.
Li Hao passed through the Barrier and immediately felt a sense of enlightenment. A voice guided him, telling him that the way to clear the first level was to reach the central area, where a passage to the second level could be found.
Before him lay a vast, boundless world. He was floating above a forest, and nearby, he could sense only two intense battle auras.
Li Hao was surprised. From the outside, the Emperor Sword Mountain appeared to be the size of a city, but inside, it was a world of its own.
"The power of the Space Dao’s origin..."
Li Hao’s gaze swept around, and he immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of the Emperor Sword Mountain.
Through subtle sensations, he could roughly determine the location of the central area, guided by some unseen force.
However, Li Hao didn’t rush to find the central area. Instead, he headed toward one of the battle zones, as he had yet to see a spirit race member.
Soon, Li Hao reached the battle area and saw a woman in a red sleeve fighting four figures.
So, this is the spirit race? Li Hao observed in surprise. The True World spirit race looked no different from the human race, except for their silver-white hair and transparent eyes, which gave them an otherworldly appearance, as if they had stepped out of an Ice and Snow realm. Their auras were more elusive, and their use of Immortal Power seemed incredibly light and refined.
The woman in the red sleeve was struggling, continuously using Divine Guidance, but her Sword Techniques were not yet perfected, and this single sword strike couldn’t provide her with a clear path.
Li Hao’s arrival wasn’t hidden. The woman in the red sleeve quickly noticed him, and upon recognizing his Heaven Courtyard disciple’s robe, her eyes lit up with joy. She urgently called out:
"Senior Brother, save me!"
The four spirit race members also noticed Li Hao. One of the youths suddenly broke away from the encirclement and flew toward Li Hao, intending to restrain him first.
Li Hao watched their battle for a while and began to understand their fighting style. Compared to the human race, the spirit race’s combat was more agile and graceful, but they seemed to value their lives greatly and avoided direct confrontations. Otherwise, the woman in the red sleeve, who was only at the Third Level of the True Immortal Realm, would have been defeated long ago by their combined efforts.
"Want to save her? First, get past me..."
The spirit race youth teleported over, coldly addressing Li Hao, while simultaneously shooting a brilliant blue, butterfly-like light blade at him.
Just as the word "gate" was about to be finished, Li Hao flicked his finger, and a beam of Sword Qi shot out, shattering the butterfly blade and piercing through the shoulder of the attacker, forcing them back.
Next, Li Hao took a step forward, approaching the woman in red sleeves. With a wave of his hand, the space trembled, and the other three spirit race members were forced to retreat.
Seeing the overwhelming power Li Hao displayed with just a casual gesture, the four spirit race members were shocked. They exchanged glances and realized that this disciple was beyond their capabilities.
Moreover, they recognized the Heaven Courtyard Disciple uniform, indicating that this person was surely a disciple under some Elder. They didn’t linger any longer and quickly turned to fly away.
Their mission here was to intercept disciples who didn’t meet the criteria. Someone like Li Hao, who clearly didn’t belong in the first level, they didn’t hesitate to retreat from.
As the four spirit race members retreated, the woman in red sleeves finally had a chance to catch her breath. She saw Li Hao wave his hand and force the four spirit race members back without unleashing any overwhelming Immortal Power, but rather using some other means.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your help. My name is Hu Hongyao. May I know how to address you, so I can thank you properly in the future?"
Wiping the sweat from her temple, the woman in red sleeves approached Li Hao and spoke with a relieved smile.
Li Hao looked at her radiant smile, which had a touch of innocence, and couldn’t help but smile as well. "Just call me Hao Tian. It was nothing, really. You’re an Earth Courtyard Disciple, right? This trial is a bit too challenging for you. You should consider withdrawing."
Hu Hongyao didn’t take offense at Li Hao’s words and instead nodded. "Yes, I’m here mainly to train and make use of the facilities. If I can observe other senior brothers in battle, it might help me improve a lot. After all, we are all from the same sect..."
She spoke her thoughts, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Li Hao was taken aback for a moment and couldn’t help but laugh. It was rare to encounter such a straightforward woman. He said, "Be careful, then."
Hu Hongyao nodded vigorously, like a little chick pecking at rice, and then blinked her star-like eyes at Li Hao. "Senior Brother Hao Tian, my hometown is Muduxing County. There’s a delicious fruit called Mudan Fruit there, and every August and September, the Ziheshi Blossoms bloom. I can bring you some when they’re in season."
Li Hao laughed. "For saving your life, why not give me an Immortal Pill instead?"
Hu Hongyao was taken aback, her face turning red instantly. She stammered, "I thought you, Senior Brother, being a Heaven Courtyard Disciple, wouldn’t lack any cultivation resources. If you really want it, I have ten Immortal Pills Buxianzi and some Immortal Stones... let me count them."
As she spoke, she was about to open her Heavenly Earth Space to give the items to Li Hao.
Li Hao sensed the spatial fluctuations and saw that she was serious. He waved her off, saying, "I was just joking. I like food, so just bring me some of your local delicacies."
"So, Senior Brother Hao Tian is a food lover too?"
Hu Hongyao’s eyes sparkled, as if she had found a kindred spirit. She quickly said, "I’ll find some for you. I know a few small eateries with really good food."
Li Hao laughed. "Alright, go ahead. Take advantage of the crowd here."
Hu Hongyao finally remembered her task, tapped her head, and nodded. She bowed deeply to Li Hao several times in gratitude before waving goodbye and leaving.
After she left, Li Hao slowly flew toward a certain direction.
After flying for several thousand miles, Li Hao suddenly sensed three spirit race auras at a cliff valley. He released his perception and saw a flat, polished area where three spirit race figures were sitting, engaged in a chess game. An old man and a middle-aged spirit race member were playing, with a little spirit race girl serving them.
Li Hao was somewhat surprised. The spirit race actually played chess?
Li Hao moved closer.
At the cliff valley, the two spirit race members playing chess seemed to sense something. The old man glanced into the void and sighed, "We didn’t go looking for trouble, but trouble has come to us."
The middle-aged spirit race member placed a piece and asked, "Master, we were ordered to guard the disciples. Is it really okay to ignore them here?"
"Don’t you see the chaos outside? The real trial is happening up there. This is just a formality", the old spirit race member said calmly. He then turned to the girl beside him. "You go and drive that boy away. Don’t let him bother our game."
The spirit race woman nodded slightly and then vanished on the spot.
Li Hao, now at the fourth level of the Spatial Origin Dao, found the Netherwast Teleportation to be as slow as a turtle's crawl. With just a thought, he could alter the path of the Netherwast Teleportation, making the opponent teleport to a place that would leave them utterly bewildered, or redirect the path to a point where he could strike, catching them off guard.
However, Li Hao had little interest in the little girl at the moment. His gaze instead fell on the Chess Board.
Just a fleeting glance, and he couldn't tear his eyes away.
The Chess Game was like a vast net, capturing his entire mind. The intricate layout and the intense battle of wits made Li Hao's breathing quicken.
"Stop right there. This is not a place for you. Don't seek your own demise."
At that moment, the spirit race woman teleported in front of Li Hao. Seeing that he continued to fly forward as if he hadn't noticed her, she frowned. A powerful wave of Immortal Power, indicating the Fifth True Immortal Realm, radiated from her body.
But beyond this Immortal Power, her eyes turned a water-blue hue, and the surrounding void seemed to ripple like water.
Whoosh!
She suddenly struck, pointing lightly with her hand. The void twisted like a vortex, and Immortal Power surged toward Li Hao in a highly intricate trajectory.
Li Hao seemed oblivious, continuing to fly forward.
Seeing that Li Hao made no attempt to evade, the spirit race woman's face changed, a hint of anger appearing in her eyes. She had only intended to give him a lesson, hoping to make him back off, but he seemed to be courting death!
She decided to let the attack land without holding back.
Bang!
The vortex-like attack struck Li Hao's chest. His Ancestor Immortal Body automatically activated, radiating Immortal Power that shattered the vortex.
Such an attack could not harm his Ancestor Immortal Body; it felt like a mere tickle.
But Li Hao finally came to his senses. He looked at the spirit race woman, whose eyes were wide with shock, and bowed. "Miss, I mean no offense. I only wish to watch the game."
This time, it was the spirit race woman's turn to be unable to process what Li Hao was saying. She stared at this human in shock.
She and her Master had been imprisoned in this Abyss Lord's domain, their cultivation suppressed to the Fifth True Immortal Realm. However, she was far beyond the Fifth True Immortal Realm, and her attack just now, even a Seventh True Immortal Realm expert would have been at risk of injury. Yet, this human had blocked it with just his immortal body, and without a scratch!
At this moment, the two chess players also noticed the commotion. Hearing Li Hao's words, the spirit race elder's eyes widened with surprise, and he smiled with interest.
"Young man, you understand chess?"
Li Hao followed the voice and immediately avoided the spirit race woman. Using the Dao Resonance of his Spatial Origin Dao and the Netherwast Teleportation, he moved at a speed several times faster than Netherwast Teleportation, appearing before the cliff valley without leaving a trace.
"I have a slight understanding. I apologize for the disturbance. Please continue your game."
Li Hao bowed deeply, his attitude extremely humble.
The two exchanged glances, both surprised that Ah Ling had failed to stop this human youth.
Moreover, they recognized the Disciple robe Li Hao was wearing, identifying him as one of the Sword Abyss's top Heaven Courtyard Disciples.
A monster?
Both smiled, finding it truly interesting. It was rare to encounter such a fascinating prodigy among the human race.
"Very well, then you may watch."
The spirit race elder said no more and continued the game with the Disciple.
Li Hao focused intently, and when the spirit race elder made his move, he asked:
"Excuse me, where did the predecessor place the first move?"
"Oh?"
The spirit race elder glanced at him, then pointed to the Chess Board.
"And you, sir?"
Li Hao turned to the middle-aged spirit race man.
The other party immediately picked up on Li Hao's thoughts and couldn't help but laugh, pointing out his own move.
Li Hao glanced at the board, and countless complex chess strategies instantly flooded his mind, using this position as a starting point for his calculations.
Both of them saw that Li Hao was trying to analyze their moves through his initial placement, but this required an extremely high level of chess skill.
They didn't pay much attention to Li Hao and weren't worried about him suddenly attacking. After all, even if he were to make a move, they could handle a True Immortal Realm Ninth Tier Sword Dao Monster.
It was up to them to decide how many could pass through the first level.
Apart from the few who had already climbed over, all of whom were Immortal Lord Realm Monsters, they were truly at a loss...
As the two continued their game, Li Hao watched from the side. The spirit race girl, Ling, who had blocked Li Hao, had returned. Seeing Li Hao focused on the chess game and completely ignoring her, she glared at him with a hint of resentment and then said to the spirit race elder:
"Master, I am useless, I am not his match."
"Hmm, it's fine."
The spirit race elder responded absentmindedly, his eyes fixed on the chessboard.
Ling looked at the human race youth, noting that he showed no signs of caution. The bizarre scene on the cliff valley made her feel somewhat absurd.
Other disciples were rushing to the central area, either avoiding the spirit race to conserve their power or swiftly defeating them. This youth, however, had come to the most dangerous place and was stretching his neck to watch her master play chess...
Three spirit race members and one human race member... the combination seemed absurd.
After a long while.
A gentle breeze brushed against the cliff rocks, and the intense game finally came to an end.
As the last move was made, Li Hao couldn't help but show a hint of admiration in his eyes.
He had thought that Elder Wang's Go was the best he had ever seen, but here he had encountered two others who were on par with Elder Wang.
Moreover, they were evenly matched, each giving their all in the game. This competition gave him a sense of exhilaration.
"Great game!"
Li Hao couldn't help but exclaim.
The spirit race elder, having won the game, smiled with a victorious air and a touch of satisfaction. Hearing Li Hao's praise, he glanced at him and asked with a smile:
"You understand?"
By "understand", he didn't mean the outcome, but whether Li Hao could grasp the brilliance of each move.
Li Hao smiled and said, "Barely."
"Oh?"
The spirit race elder found this intriguing. He picked up six black and five white stones from the board, pointed to a spot, and asked Li Hao:
"If I made this move here, do you think I would still have a chance to win?"
Li Hao focused his gaze, and numerous chess strategies converged in his mind. He pondered and said:
"There's only a slim chance. If I place the stone here, I would need to bypass the dragon's bite and capture a piece from his throat to break out!"
"But if he detects it in advance and closes the dragon's bite, there would be no hope. Therefore, I would need to set up two defensive moves here to protect myself."
Upon hearing Li Hao's words, the spirit race elder and the middle-aged man opposite him were both surprised.
This young man actually understood chess, and his skill was not low.
"Intriguing, very intriguing..."
The spirit race elder couldn't help but laugh. He then waved to the disciple in front of him and said, "You can stand up. I'll play a game with this young man."
The middle-aged man was taken aback, his face showing a hint of shock. "Master, but he is a human race..."
"So what? Ten thousand years ago, the spirit race and the human race were allies."
The spirit race elder replied, then, as if recalling something, shook his head and sighed, "In the realm of Chess Dao, there is no distinction of race. Young brother, come."
He gestured for his disciple to stand up and let Li Hao sit down.
Li Hao, seeing this, didn't hesitate. He had already been itching to play while watching the game.
These two were both at the 12th dan level, the same as Elder Wang. If he could defeat them or even match them, he might be able to reach the 12th dan Chess Dao Mind Realm.
"Ling, how did you lose?"
The middle-aged man stood up reluctantly, walked to the side, and watched as Li Hao and his master grabbed the stones. He then asked Ling:
"His immortal body is terrifying."
Ling glanced at Li Hao and said in a low voice, "My current attacks can hardly injure him."
The middle-aged man was taken aback. He was also suppressed at the True Immortal Realm Fifth Tier. Although his Dao Realm comprehension was higher than Ling's, if she couldn't break through Li Hao's defenses, he doubted he could fully suppress him either.
"But he is only at the Third Stage of the True Immortal Realm..."
The middle-aged man glanced at Li Hao. Earlier, Li Hao’s Ancestor Immortal Body had been triggered, and his Immortal Power had leaked out, even Omni Attributes couldn’t conceal it.
Ah Ling remained silent, not saying a word.
At that moment, Li Hao was fully engrossed in the Chess Game, battling the elder of the spirit race.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of miles away from the cliff valley, many Sword Abyss Disciples were fighting the spirit race, vying to enter the central area.
At the second level, there were fifty True Immortal Realm Sixth Stage Demon Race members.
These Demon Race members were bloodthirsty and savage, quickly putting pressure on the Sword Abyss Disciples who had managed to reach this place, forcing many to retreat.
Higher up, some figures were also climbing.
At the same time, on the summit of Emperor Sword Mountain, several figures appeared.
They had just arrived and saw that the summit of Emperor Sword Mountain was quite simple, with only a thatched cottage.
Outside the thatched cottage, there was a stone pile with a sword invertedly inserted into it.
Outside the cottage was a tea table, and a figure in a white snow robe sat there, quietly sipping tea.
His hair was a mix of black and white, as if he had experienced much hardship but still retained a vibrant power.
Seeing that figure, Ji Qingxuan hurriedly bowed and said, "Disciple greets Abyss Lord."
The middle-aged man before them was the Abyss Lord of the Sword Abyss, Yun Wumian.
The other three people beside Ji Qingxuan also quickly bowed in respect.
"Come, have some tea."
Abyss Lord Yun Wumian’s expression was as calm as ethereal mist, his voice rich and magnetic, inviting the four to take their seats.
They were all slightly surprised by the honor, and they came forward to sit before the Abyss Lord, drinking tea one by one.
"According to Elder Li, you slew seven Ancient Demon Commanders on the Frontier. Not bad."
Yun Wumian looked at Ji Qingxuan and offered his evaluation.
To earn a “not bad” from the Abyss Lord, Ji Qingxuan put down his teacup, slightly rose, and bowed, saying, "Abyss Lord is too kind. My sword is yet to be honed. I hope to further refine it through this Emperor Sword Comprehension."
Yun Wumian nodded slightly, then his gaze drifted down to the clouds surrounding Emperor Sword Mountain, as if he were overlooking the countless figures climbing below.
The entire Emperor Sword Mountain was within his Immortal Kingdom domain, and with a single thought, he could decide life and death. He knew everything that was happening inside.
When he saw the figures struggling to climb the fifth and sixth levels, his eyes, like the mist, revealed a hint of satisfaction.
As time passed, more and more Disciples were defeated and teleported out of Emperor Sword Mountain, landing on the plains and mountain peaks outside. Some tended to their injuries, while others closed their eyes to cultivate.
On a hill, Gu Yan, dressed in black sword robes, saw that fewer and fewer Disciples were emerging from the first level of Emperor Sword Mountain. He knew that things had calmed down inside.
At that moment, he also stepped forward and flew toward Emperor Sword Mountain.
On the summit, Yun Wumian noticed the proud young man finally taking action.
A slight smile curved his lips. With a natural Sword Immortal Body, it was truly no easy feat for Old Li to bring back such a precious gem.
As his attention followed the young man to the first level of Emperor Sword Mountain, the entire situation of the first level appeared in his mind.
There were already few Disciples remaining here, and many spirit race members had gathered in the central area, meaning the challenge would be more difficult.
At the same time, his mind also conjured an image of a secluded spot far from the central area, where several figures were gathered at the entrance of a cliff valley.
"Hmm?"
Yun Wumian’s eyes showed a hint of surprise as he saw the scene there.
(End of Chapter)
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