https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-496-Emperor-Chu-s-Grant-of-Marriage/13451914/
Chapter 497: Origin Secret City
Chapter 497: Origin Secret City
Above, the world was enveloped in chaotic gray mist, with vibrant flowing light streaking through like a shower of stars.
Li Hao was stunned by this dazzling scene. The countless streams of flowing light, ever-present and unceasing, were clearly Primordial Dao. If he could capture and comprehend them, it would significantly speed up his understanding of Primordial Dao.
He now found himself in a majestic and ancient city, its walls black and towering, exuding an ancient and heavy aura, standing here for what seemed like millennia.
Li Hao extended his Divine Sense and discovered that the city was vast, but extremely empty. Many of the houses were old and uninhabited.
The city was exceptionally quiet, but Li Hao still saw three figures. Apart from Chu Tianhuang and Boya Xuejian, who had arrived earlier, there was another unfamiliar young man in a unique silver robe, appearing extremely noble.
"Hmm?"
While Li Hao was observing his surroundings, Chu Tianhuang and Boya Xuejian, who were also surveying the area, sensed his presence through their Divine Sense.
Both were taken aback, their eyes showing surprise. They had seen Li Hao's formidable talent and terrifying combat strength in his battle with Chu Tianzheng, but they hadn't expected him to reach this level as well.
"You actually made it to the ninth level. You must also have the Nine Flower Immortal Seal?"
Chu Tianhuang's eyes flickered, and his figure blurred as he appeared beside Li Hao. His aged face bore a kind expression as he asked gently.
Previously, Li Hao had publicly suppressed Chu Tianzheng and even stepped on the emperor's body, but now, Chu Tianhuang looked at him kindly, without a trace of anger.
Li Hao sensed the restrained power emanating from him, recognizing that this member of the Imperial Clan was clearly several levels stronger than the Chu Tianzheng he had defeated.
"Where are we?"
Li Hao nodded, curious.
He had gone to meet Emperor Chu some time ago, but from the looks of these two, they had just arrived.
It seemed that in the hall where he met Emperor Chu, the power of time was extremely strong, causing a significant difference in the flow of time compared to the outside world.
At that moment, the air around them suddenly cooled, and Boya Xuejian, dressed in white, instantly appeared beside Li Hao.
"To be able to defeat an Immortal Lord Realm Second Tier with just a True Immortal Realm, you're quite impressive."
Boya Xuejian smiled at Li Hao, a smile that seemed to be one of mutual admiration among geniuses.
"You're too kind."
Li Hao responded humbly.
Chu Tianhuang then answered Li Hao, saying, "The Origin Secret Realm has nine levels, each corresponding to a different immortal seal. This is the ninth level, the closest to the Primordial Dao. Look at our heads; those are all Primordial Dao. In the other levels, chaotic forces interfere, making it harder to intuitively feel them, and it would be more difficult to comprehend them."
"So, the stronger one is, the more sense it makes."
Li Hao said.
The Nine Flower Immortal Seal was already top-tier, and to gain such significant benefits in the Origin Secret Realm would likely widen the gap between him and others even further.
"But these are just ordinary Dao. To truly gain an advantage, you should aim to comprehend the Nine Sequences."
Boya Xuejian added from the side.
Chu Tianhuang nodded and said, "To comprehend the Nine Sequences, you need to go to the four Origin Secret Cities. This place is just a Chaos Gateway City."
"Four Origin Secret Cities?"
Both Li Hao and Boya Xuejian looked at him curiously.
Chu Tianhuang, looking entirely approachable and friendly, explained, "Legend has it that an Immortal Emperor once established five Origin Secret Cities in the Origin Secret Realm. They are the Time-Space Origin City, the Five Dao Origin City, the Shape Mastery Origin City, the Chaos Origin City, and the final City of Fate!"
"Each Origin Secret City can Comprehend the corresponding Primordial Great Way, but now only four Origin Secret Cities remain. The City of Fate disappeared countless ages ago, leaving it shrouded in mystery. Some say it was hidden by the True World Dao to prevent Immortal Deities from tampering with their own Fate. Others claim it was destroyed by an external Power."
He shook his head and continued, "Regardless, ever since the City of Fate vanished, it has become extremely difficult to Cultivate the Fate Dao. Those who once grasped the Fate Dao gradually faded into obscurity after the City of Fate's disappearance, their Cultivation stalling."
Li Hao listened attentively, knowing that the Imperial Clan was privy to many secrets. It was often said that space-time was the king, and Fate was the supreme ruler. In the face of Fate, all other paths were insignificant.
If one could Comprehend the Fate Dao, they could reverse their Heavenly Destiny. This Power was immensely dominant and terrifying, making them invincible within their realm without a doubt.
"Are we going to an Origin Secret City now?"
Boya Xuejian's eyes flickered. Born as a Chaos Snow Spirit, he Comprehended the Water Dao. If they were to visit an Origin Secret City, it would be the Five Dao Origin City.
"Yep."
Chu Tianhuang nodded and said, "This is a rare opportunity, and Comprehending Nine Sequences is the most valuable. However, to enter an Origin Secret City, we must first pass the Heavenly Dao Bridge."
Seemingly aware of Li Hao and Boya Xuejian's questions, he added, "But before we go to the Heavenly Dao Bridge, we need to meet with Grand Master. Over the next seven years, if we encounter any difficulties here, we can seek Grand Master's assistance. Aside from me, Yan Chu, the other six Immortal Dynasties can also enter this place. For example, that Silver-robed Youth over there—judging by his attire, he must be from the Jing Tian Immortal Dynasty."
Upon hearing this, Li Hao and Boya Xuejian both used their Divine Sense to observe the Silver-robed Youth. The youth clearly noticed them as well, but his gaze remained calm, exuding a powerful confidence.
Those who could reach the ninth level of the Chaos Reception City were all Nine Flower Immortal Seals, their strength not to be underestimated. They were all top-notch figures in their realm.
"Looking forward to it, seven years from now."
Boya Xuejian's eyes glinted with a hint of battle spirit and anticipation. He suddenly thought of something and looked at Li Hao, saying, "You also wield a sword. Once your Realm catches up to mine, we should have a Sparring match."
"Sure."
Li Hao nodded, understanding that the youth was also a practitioner of the Sword Dao.
Chu Tianhuang glanced at Boya Xuejian. He had previously invited the youth to join his faction, hoping to lay a solid foundation for his future bid for the throne. However, the youth had declined, his ambitions lying elsewhere.
Now, he was seeking out Li Hao, hoping to recruit him. Although Li Hao was only at the True Immortal Realm, his potential was unparalleled in Yan Chu. If such a figure could follow him, it would give him a significant advantage in the future competition against the other Monarchs' siblings.
"It's been a long time since someone new arrived."
"Everyone, come out and take a look. Take your own children back."
Suddenly, various voices echoed throughout the city, some ancient, some hearty with laughter, and others Feminine and refined.
Auras began to emanate from the Chaos Reception City, and in the blink of an eye, Li Hao and his companions found themselves face to face with an elderly man with white hair and beard.
"Hmm?"
The Elder saw the three of them and his eyes showed a hint of surprise. "Three of you?"
Clearly, he hadn't expected that the Nine Flower Immortal Seal in Origin Secret City would attract three visitors at once.
"It's been a while. Looks like the national fortune of Yan Chu has grown strong."
The Elder laughed heartily, then quickly noticed that Li Hao was at the True Immortal Realm. However, what truly caught his attention was the youthful essence of Li Hao's soul, suggesting that his soul age wasn't very high.
However, he didn't point this out in front of everyone. Instead, he turned his gaze to Chu Tianhuang and asked, "May I ask which Prince you are?"
"Chu Tianhuang, I greet you, Grand Master."
Chu Tianhuang bowed deeply.
The white-haired elder, dressed in a black Grand Tutor robe, raised his hand to support Chu Tianhuang. His gaze swept over Li Hao and Boya Xuejian, and he said, "Follow me."
With a flick of his sleeve, the three felt their surroundings shift, and they found themselves in a courtyard.
The courtyard looked somewhat old but was quite spacious, with several pools of water interconnected like a stream. Li Hao noticed divine water dao fish in the pools, which were spiritual beings formed by Dao Resonance. Cooking and eating these fish could enhance one's Enlightenment.
There were a few phoenix trees in the courtyard, their leaves scattered on the ground. A Chess Board sat in one corner, with leaves drifting onto it. The Go Stones were locked in a tight battle, but only one person was sitting there.
"Let me explain the rules of this Chaos Reception City to you."
The Grand Master sat down in an armchair and waved his hand. Li Hao immediately felt the flow of time around him slow down.
The courtyard was a self-contained secret realm, and with the slowed time, they could converse for a long while without affecting their cultivation outside.
However, the slowed time made the surrounding Dao Resonance blurry. The divine water dao fish in the pools could clearly feel the pull of the time change, causing them to swim faster and appear agitated.
While daily activities, including combat, were unaffected by the altered time flow, cultivation required comprehending the Great Dao, which would be hindered by the blurred Dao Resonance. As a result, the slowed time would not increase their cultivation duration but would merely waste time and add to their soul age.
"Within the city, private duels are forbidden except in special circumstances. Otherwise, the Chaos City Lord will intervene and can directly expel you, and I won't be able to stop it."
The Grand Master continued, "But outside the city, you must be cautious. There are Princes from other Immortal Dynasties and some old cultivators who have received major achievements and are here to cultivate. If you encounter them, move away immediately, or even I might not be able to rescue you in time!"
The three of them nodded seriously.
"Do you all have Immortal Weapons?"
The Grand Master looked at them and asked, "Fortunately, those at the Immortal King Realm cannot enter this Origin Secret Realm, so the strongest here are only at the Immortal Lord Realm. If your Immortal Weapons are of high quality, they can provide some protection and help you defend yourselves."
"Here are my Golden Talismans. Carry them with you, and if you encounter danger, crush them immediately. I will arrive instantly."
He handed out three Golden Talismans, and Li Hao and the others each took one.
"Why can't those at the Immortal King Realm enter here?"
Li Hao, having received the Golden Talisman, asked curiously.
The Grand Master glanced at Li Hao and explained, "Those at the Immortal King Realm have condensed an Immortal Kingdom within their bodies. The domain power of the Immortal Kingdom is rejected by the Origin World."
Chu Tianhuang added to Li Hao, "Father appointed Grand Master to oversee this place because Grand Master is an invincible existence at the Immortal Lord Realm. Therefore, he can maintain control. If it were another Immortal Lord at the tenth level, they might not be able to hold this place."
Grand Master listened to the subtle flattery in his words and was quite pleased, chuckling, "Prince, you truly live up to your name. You must be well-versed in the matters here. However, you are mistaken. I am not yet invincible in the Immortal Lord Realm, but I should have no trouble dealing with the majority of them."
Chu Tianhuang chuckled, "If Grand Master doesn’t claim invincibility, who dares to?"
Grand Master quickly waved his hands, "That’s too much, too much."
But the smile on his face clearly showed that he was quite flattered.
Li Hao and Boya Xuejian exchanged a glance. Although Chu Tianhuang had a hint of flattery, the fact that the Prince of Talentmonsters was praising him indicated that this Grand Master was no ordinary figure.
"Grand Master is our dynasty’s War God in the Immortal Lord Realm. He gave up the chance to break through to the Immortal King Realm to defend Chaos City in the Origin Secret Realm. Even if he were in the Immortal King Realm, he could still hold his own against a few!"
Chu Tianhuang telepathically told Li Hao at this moment.
Upon hearing this, Li Hao’s gaze toward the elder became much more respectful.
"You have come here to head to Origin Secret City, haven’t you? The Heavenly Dao Bridge is dangerous, so you must be careful. I can’t assist you there; you will have to rely on yourselves."
Grand Master said to the three of them.
The three nodded in unison.
"Go on, the little ones from the other floors are also heading this way. I need to brief them. The Heavenly Dao Bridge is less crowded now, so you can explore without interference. Later, when more people arrive, it will be chaotic."
Grand Master added.
"Alright."
Chu Tianhuang nodded, turning to Boya Xuejian and Li Hao, "Shall we go together?"
"Sure."
Boya Xuejian nodded.
Li Hao glanced at the chessboard, feeling a bit tempted to sit down for a game, but this Comprehend opportunity was rare. He decided to first visit Origin Secret City to broaden his horizons and could always come back to challenge the Master later.
After watching Li Hao and the others leave, Grand Master stroked his white beard, a smile spreading across his face.
"Three at once, that’s quite something. In previous years, one would be a good number. Tsk, tsk."
He sighed, waved his hand, and an avatar appeared, beginning to guide others from the other floors.
He himself prepared to leave the courtyard to secretly watch over the three, but before he did, he glanced at the chess game on the table and said, "Old friend, I’ll come back to play you later."
On the other side of the chessboard, the chair was empty, but a white jade piece sat there.
As his gaze swept over the chess game, he suddenly let out a soft exclamation. He noticed an extra black stone in a tricky position.
He blinked, thinking he might have seen wrong, but upon closer inspection, he confirmed that there was indeed an extra black stone. Moreover, that move contained several hidden strategies, making the situation for the white stones suddenly very difficult.
"Old friend, is that you?"
A slight tremor ran through Grand Master’s heart, and he looked at the white jade.
But the white jade remained still.
Grand Master’s breathing quickened, and his eyes grew slightly red. He picked up the white jade and carefully sensed it, even permeating it with his divine sense, but still detected no change.
Just as it had been for countless years, every day he watched the same scene.
A sense of defeat flashed in his eyes, and he scratched his head.
Suddenly, he thought of something, raised his hand, and the flow of time around him slowed, then reversed.
Next, the figures of Li Hao and the others reappeared, but as phantoms.
In the reversed time, Grand Master saw the young man among the three, who, before leaving, had used his fingertip to pick up a Go stone and place it on the chessboard, precisely that extra black stone.
(End of Chapter)
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