Chapter 510: Stepping onto the Imperial Path
Chapter 510: Stepping onto the Imperial Path
"Perhaps, Mr. Jin never hated you."
Li Hao said.
The Water Path Divine Tree was taken aback and said, "What do you mean?"
Li Hao shook his head and said, "Mr. Jin asked me to promise that if I have the ability, I will protect the Origin World, not help him reclaim his rightful place."
The Water Path Divine Tree's body trembled slightly, as if struck by lightning, and she stood there in a daze.
After a moment, she fixed her gaze on Li Hao and asked, "Is what you're saying true?"
"I have no reason to lie."
Li Hao said frankly.
The Water Path Divine Tree fell silent.
The Divine Tree Secret Realm also fell into silence, until several voices broke the quiet.
"Third Sister, I heard that the one with the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal is this young man?"
"Indeed, he has the aura of the Fire Dao Origin."
Several powerful intentions extended into the Divine Tree Secret Realm, then materialized into four figures—three men and one woman—standing around Li Hao, examining him.
Li Hao glanced around and realized they were the Dao Consciousness Incarnations of the other Primordial Dao Trees.
"That's right, it's him."
The Water Path Divine Tree, now back to her senses, said to them, "I've already completed the contract with him, and he has agreed."
Upon hearing the Water Path Divine Tree's words, the figures' eyes narrowed slightly as they glanced at Li Hao, but they did not doubt her. The figure in a golden robe, who seemed to have a relatively weaker aura, focused his gaze on Li Hao and said:
"You have the aura of the Metal Dao Divine Tree's Dao Fruit. Have you been to Outside the City?"
Li Hao looked at him; this one must be the second Metal Dao Primordial Dao Tree that grew from Mr. Jin's tree seed.
"Yes."
"Have you seen him?"
Another woman with fiery red hair and a graceful figure couldn't help but ask.
Li Hao nodded again.
The Water Path Divine Tree, standing beside him, spoke up on his behalf, recounting what Li Hao had just said to the others.
"Elder Brother... he..."
Upon hearing the Water Path Divine Tree's words, their expressions changed, and their eyes grew complicated. The woman with fiery red hair, the Fire Dao Origin, even shed tears.
"Elder Brother hasn't changed; he always rushes to the front when danger looms."
An elderly man with a hunched back sighed. He exuded a vibrant, green life aura but had an extremely aged face, indicating he was the Wood Dao Origin.
"The more Elder Brother acts like this, the more we need to make him hate us. Hating us is the right thing to do."
A robust middle-aged man said. He was the Earth Dao Primordial Dao Tree.
"The great calamity can arrive at any moment. If not for the internal strife within the Ancient Demon Clan over the fragment of the wheel of reincarnation, they would have already united their forces to invade. But now, with the changes in the True World, the Ancient Demon Clan will likely join forces soon to exterminate the ten thousand races."
The Water Path Divine Tree said softly.
"This young man has the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal and the potential to reach the Emperor Realm. He can indeed be supported. I still have a reserve of Divine Tree Dao Fruits for such situations."
The red-haired woman said.
The others also looked at Li Hao, nodding slightly, though their eyes held indescribable emotions.
However, with Li Hao, an outsider, present, they did not delve into the details, but their minds were all on Elder Brother in Outside the City.
"Young man, are you willing to enter into a contract with us to protect the Origin Secret Realm and the True World, to safeguard the passage of the ten thousand races' prodigies?"
The hunched man, the Wood Dao Origin, asked solemnly.
Li Hao met his gaze and nodded, saying, "Of course. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken."
As he spoke, poetry books experience flashed before his eyes.
Li Hao was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected that a casual ancient saying could also count as poetry books experience.
It seemed that only words containing profound truths or poetry could earn poetry books experience.
His poetry books and music skills were both at the Sixth Rank, the slowest to progress among his many skills. However, Li Hao felt that once other skills like fishing reached the Tenth Rank, they brought about significant changes in his cultivation and enlightenment, including the Nine Sequences. If poetry books and music could break through to the eleventh level, they would likely bring about equally incredible changes.
However, the difficulty of practicing and comprehending these skills was far greater than the others.
"You're quite perceptive. Knowing this truth, you indeed deserve a Divine Tree Dao Fruit."
The burly middle-aged man said, his eyes filled with admiration.
"The Dao Consciousness Incarnations are here. Once you've comprehended enough, come to us. We will not only give you a Divine Tree Dao Fruit but also a gift of our essence nectar."
The red-haired woman said to Li Hao, her eyes showing warmth. She could sense the pure fire dao origin in the young man before her, and his comprehension was not low.
Li Hao looked at her, his eyes also showing appreciation. The cooking path had allowed him to comprehend the Chaos Divine Fire, deepening his understanding of the Fire Dao and making him naturally fond of fire dao origin.
"Very well."
Li Hao agreed, bowing. "Thank you, esteemed seniors. If I have the strength in the future, I will surely repay you."
"We'll see about that later."
The Wood Dao origin was calm. They admired Li Hao, but after living for countless years, they had seen many Nine Sequence Immortal Seal Monsters like him. Some of them had unexpectedly fallen, dashing their hopes.
Nevertheless, they were still willing to bestow their efforts on such Monsters, for there was no other choice.
As the Dao Consciousness Incarnations of the group dispersed, the Water Path Divine Tree said to Li Hao, "Start comprehending. If I'm not mistaken, you only have this chance because of the Southern Domain Battle. You don't have much time left."
Li Hao nodded and immediately gathered the surrounding immortal power into ink and water, splashing it before his eyes.
The Water Path Divine Tree watched Li Hao's actions with some confusion but did not interrupt him.
Li Hao was fully immersed in his cultivation and comprehension.
Time flew by.
The Divine Tree Dao Fruit gifted by the Water Path Divine Tree was absorbed and digested by Li Hao. He continued to paint, depicting the wondrous scenes of the Origin Secret Realm. His painting Dao scripture had long reached the bottleneck at the eleventh level.
In his painting, he constantly sensed the realms of space and Water Dao, as well as the earth essence. However, due to the Water Path Divine Tree Dao Fruit, his understanding of Water Dao was the deepest, and his comprehension of Water Dao grew deeper, making his paintings more perfect, reaching the pinnacle of the eleventh level.
However, Li Hao still struggled to comprehend the painting Dao Mind Realm. Perhaps due to the influence of the Water Origin Dao, his mind was filled with the comprehension of Water Origin Dao.
In the blink of an eye, Li Hao's Water Origin Dao had unconsciously advanced from the second level to the third, then broke through the bottleneck to reach the fourth level of the origin!
When Water Origin Dao reached the fourth level, Li Hao's understanding of Water Origin Dao underwent a profound transformation. This level was already close to that of the two Immortal Lord Realm experts he had previously encountered.
But Li Hao felt that he was still far inferior to Boya Xuejian in terms of the Water Origin Dao levels.
After thoroughly digesting the Divine Tree Dao Fruit, the Water Path Divine Tree once again presented Li Hao with a palmful of Divine Tree Essence Dew. It was a clear, emerald liquid, as pristine as morning dew, exuding a fragrant aroma.
After consuming it, Li Hao felt as if every pore in his body had opened, giving him a sense of merging with the Water Path Divine Tree.
In that wondrous feeling, he seemed to touch deeper levels of the Water Origin Dao. The Water Origin Dao also advanced further, reaching the fourth level of the Primordial Realm, and he could faintly sense the fifth level.
"I have nothing more to offer you. Come back in ten thousand years, and I will give you another dose of Nectar."
The graceful woman, the Incarnation of the Water Path Divine Tree, gazed at Li Hao and said.
Li Hao nodded and asked, "How long have I been here?"
"Almost a year."
"Such a long time..."
Li Hao was somewhat surprised. No wonder True World said that a thousand years pass in the blink of an eye. He had felt only immersed in cultivation and absorption, yet a year had already passed.
In the past, he could have accomplished so much in a year, played so many games of chess.
But he also knew that the Primordial Dao was extremely profound. Just one absorption and comprehension had taken his mind on a journey over vast distances.
"Thank you, Senior." Li Hao bowed and bid farewell to the Water Path Divine Tree.
In total, it had been seven years since he started his journey, and he had already spent two years here.
He had spent the better part of a year on the Heavenly Dao Bridge, leaving him with little time.
"I will send you directly to Second Brother's Divine Tree Secret Realm."
The Water Path Divine Tree said.
With a wave of her hand, the deep blue secret realm before Li Hao vanished, replaced by a vast, emerald green secret realm. The space was still boundless.
The Water Path Divine Tree disappeared, and in her place stood the hunched elder he had met before.
"You have arrived."
The Wood Dao Primordial Dao Tree looked at Li Hao with a kind expression and immediately handed him a Divine Tree Dao Fruit. "Begin."
Li Hao bowed in gratitude, completed the contract, and took the Divine Tree Dao Fruit.
After consuming the Dao Fruit, he closed his eyes and began to comprehend.
Time passed.
In Five Dao Origin City, spiritual explosions occurred annually, drawing many participants in the competition.
As time went on, more and more people came to Five Dao Origin City.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
At this moment, Li Hao stood in the secret realm of the Fire Origin Divine Tree.
He was cooking the remains of the ancient demons from the Heavenly Earth Space, feasting heartily in front of the red-haired woman.
"You are truly skilled at this."
The red-haired woman, smelling the aroma of Li Hao's cooking, couldn't help but marvel. She also found herself increasingly believing Li Hao's previous words.
Feasting on ancient demons, the young man before her was more trustworthy than she had imagined. Even without a contract, she felt she could trust him.
Li Hao smiled, finished eating, and continued cooking. As he mastered the fire, the Divine Tree Dao Fruit he had consumed gradually digested, and his Fire Origin Dao Realm broke through from the third level to the fourth level of the Primordial Realm!
"Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth..."
With the breakthrough of the Fire Origin Dao, Li Hao suddenly felt a sense of clarity in his mind, as if struck by something, giving him a dazed feeling.
When all Five Dao Origins reached the same level, he suddenly sensed that beyond their mutual generation and restraint, there seemed to be a terrifying cyclical power connecting them.
This power, like a cycle, was endless and could unleash incredible special abilities.
"Hmm?"
The red-haired woman looked at Li Hao, suddenly sensing something amiss. A terrifying fluctuation appeared in Li Hao’s aura.
She was momentarily stunned, her eyes widening slightly. That terrifying fluctuation gave her a familiar feeling, as if a sealed memory had been unlocked.
It was from the very beginning, when the Five Supreme Immortal Emperors established Five Dao Origin City and created them.
At that moment, the terrifying fluctuation seemed to overlap with the aura released by the Five Supreme Immortal Emperors who had created them!
"He…"
The red-haired woman was dazed, her heart racing. She quickly summoned the others.
Soon, the hunched elder, the Water Path Divine Tree, and the others appeared in the secret realm, looking at the young man with surprise.
The young man had his eyes closed, his body undergoing some kind of terrifying transformation, as if he were in the midst of a metamorphosis.
"This aura…"
The hunched elder’s eyes fully opened, flashing with a terrifying light, revealing shock. "It feels like the aura of the Five Supreme!"
"You’re right. Could it be that he has Comprehended the Five Supreme’s Imperial Dao?!"
"If I’m not mistaken, he has reached the fourth level of the Five Dao Realm. Perhaps he really has a chance to touch upon the opportunity for a Sudden Enlightenment to the Five Supreme’s Imperial Dao path!"
All of them showed signs of surprise and joy, never expecting that this young man would touch upon the Imperial Dao path while still in the True Immortal Realm. This was truly terrifying!
"However, the Five Supreme’s Imperial Dao path has already been walked by the Five Supreme. Even if he retraces it and reaches the Ultimate, he can only become a half-step Imperial Realm and will never truly become an Immortal Emperor."
"Each Emperor’s path is unique and can only be walked once. Even if he perfectly replicates it, he cannot become an Immortal Emperor."
"Whether this is a blessing or a curse, we don’t know. We can only hope that he can walk the Imperial Dao path but find a way to break free from the Five Supreme’s path and carve out his own Imperial Dao!"
"Regardless, if he steps into the Imperial Dao, he will be an almost insurmountable existence among those in the same realm below the Imperial Realm!"
The group whispered among themselves, their eyes flashing with a mixture of excitement and concern.
They were excited because Li Hao’s comprehension of the Imperial Dao path would make him incredibly powerful in every realm up to the Imperial Realm, except for the fact that he couldn’t become an Immortal Emperor.
But they were also worried that if he became too influenced by the path, unable to break free, it would become a prison for him. It would make him powerful, but it could also lead to his downfall.
Unless he could reach the peak and then find his own Imperial Dao path!
At this moment, the terrifying fluctuation from Li Hao’s body grew stronger, making the others feel a growing sense of unease. They realized more and more that this young man was truly touching the Imperial Dao of the Five Supreme.
Given his current performance, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he had inherited the legacy of the Five Supreme.
However, although an Immortal Emperor might take a Personal Disciple, they wouldn’t let their disciples follow the same path. After all, walking the same path would only create a shadow of the Emperor. Immortal Emperors usually nurture their Personal Disciples in the hope of cultivating another Immortal Emperor.
If a disciple has no hope of surpassing their master, there’s no point in cultivating them.
"All things in the world are connected to the Five Dao… Without the Five Dao, the world would perish. The Five Dao are both creation and destruction, life and despair!"
Li Hao’s thoughts shifted, and the Five Dao Origins circled around him, slowly merging. A terrifying power was being born.
Five-colored light emerged around him, forming like a lotus, embracing his body.
This five-colored Lotus Platform rose from his feet to his head, then slowly transformed into a light, floating five-colored Lotus Platform.
The Lotus Platform contracted, turning into five-colored light.
This light gradually elongated, forming a Sword Qi.
This sword contained the Five Dao and Li Hao’s own Sole Sword Dao.
Or rather, at this moment, Li Hao was integrating the power of the Five Dao into his own Sole Sword Dao.
Only by comprehending all things can one sever all things.
Five Supreme Sword Slash!
Swish!
As Li Hao's eyes opened, a streak of Sword Qi suddenly shot out.
In an instant, five rays of light erupted, casting myriad divine rays of light across the secret realm. They didn't strike any object, yet they emitted a terrifying aura that made one's heart tremble.
The few people surrounding Li Hao slightly opened their eyes, shock evident in their gazes. They were shocked not only by Li Hao's successful step forward, touching the path of the Five Supreme Immortal Emperors, but also by his incredible mastery of the Sword Dao, beyond the Comprehend Nine Sequences.
Li Hao's Sword Dao was at the third stage, but at this moment, his Sword Dao realm had advanced.
This was the first time Li Hao had improved his Sword Dao from the third stage to the fourth stage without relying on the Panel, and he had reached the peak of the fourth stage in one go!
In his Sword Dao, he had integrated the Five Dao Forces and various Sword Dao techniques exchanged from different dynasties.
Li Hao felt that if he continued to cultivate, his Sword Dao would soon break through to the fifth stage of Sword Dao Essence!
"His soul age aura seems to be only about a hundred years!"
"This, this is too exaggerated!"
When Li Hao released his sword, his aura was completely unhidden, and the few people immediately noticed his soul age, their faces showing shock.
They had assumed Li Hao, like other prodigies, was a monster participating in the Southern Domain Battle with a soul age of a thousand or two thousand years. They never expected it to be only a hundred years!
A hundred-year Nine Sequences, and he also mastered such a terrifying Sword Dao. This was simply the most monstrous monster they had seen in a hundred thousand years!
"They seem to have underestimated him!"
"Even an Immortal Emperor wouldn't be much more impressive!"
"He really has the potential to become an Immortal Emperor. If he can fuse the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal and advance further to the Dao Source Immortal Seal, he might even become the youngest Immortal Emperor!"
The few people looked at Li Hao in awe, suddenly feeling that their decision to support him was extremely correct, as they had aided the most likely candidate to become an Immortal Emperor!
At this moment, Li Hao also regained his composure. His aura receded, and he looked at the five Divine Tree Incarnations that appeared before him, momentarily stunned. He then hurriedly clasped his hands.
"Meeting you, venerable seniors."
"Good, good, good, it was worth our investment."
The ancient-looking Wood Dao Incarnation seemed to regain some youthful vigor, his eyes gleaming.
"Hao Tian, we remember you!"
"We hope that in ten thousand years, we will see your name renowned among the ten thousand races of the True World!"
They all looked at Li Hao with excited eyes, filled with great expectations.
"You need to be careful to conceal your sharpness, don't let the Ancient Demon Clan's spies ambush you", the red-haired woman reminded Li Hao.
Li Hao was slightly taken aback but then nodded earnestly.
Through his interaction with the Divine Trees, he also felt the fated struggle between the True World's ten thousand races and the ancient demons. This great battle would come in the near future, sooner or later.
And the reason he received assistance from the five Divine Trees was because of that future battle; otherwise, they wouldn't have invested their Divine Tree Dao Fruits in him.
"Come to me. You've already consumed Elder Brother's Dao Fruit, so eating mine won't have much effect, but I can give you my Nectar", the young man in the golden robe said.
Li Hao nodded.
The others didn't detain Li Hao, knowing that his time in the Origin Secret Realm was limited.
With the red-haired woman's help, Li Hao entered the Metal Dao Divine Tree Secret Realm.
Time passed.
A few months later, Li Hao emerged from the Metal Dao Divine Tree Secret Realm.
(End of Chapter)
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