Chapter 516: Rest Before the Battle
Chapter 516: Rest Before the Battle
Meanwhile, outside the Divine Tree.
One by one, figures leaped down from the Divine Tree, as a force of exclusion pushed out from it.
"Is it ending already? I was so close to comprehending the third realm!"
"How fast, seven years have passed so quickly?"
The figures landed beneath the Time Essence Tree, and their minds connected with their personal immortal weapons, confirming the time and realizing they would soon leave the Origin Secret Realm.
"Seven years have already passed, the Southern Domain Battle..."
Beneath the Divine Tree, Chu Yueli stood among the crowd, her eyes somewhat dazed. Seven years had flown by, and the Southern Domain Battle was about to begin.
Her gaze suddenly shifted to the branches of the Divine Tree, where she saw a figure seated, causing her face to darken slightly.
But soon, a look of resignation appeared in her eyes. Seven years had passed, and the other party's realm had not advanced; they were still at the Ninth Rank of the True Immortal Realm.
Cultivating in the Origin Secret Realm indeed wasted time; enlightenment was more beneficial.
Even if Li Hao could advance to the Tenth Rank of the True Immortal Realm in the remaining time, breaking through to the Immortal Lord Realm would require both opportunity and sudden enlightenment.
"So what if he only ranks in the True Immortal Realm group? The final overall ranking won't even match the lowest Immortal Lord Realm!"
Chu Yueli sneered inwardly, knowing she would have a good reason to ask her imperial father to annul the marriage.
On the Divine Tree, several figures, including Chu Tianhuang, who was perched on a branch dozens of meters above Li Hao, slowly opened their eyes and withdrew their minds. Though they harbored regrets, they did not show their emotions and slowly stood up, bidding farewell to the Divine Tree.
If they could continue cultivating here for a few more years, they believed they would gain immense benefits, but time did not wait for them.
"Let's go, see you at the Southern Domain Battle."
Chu Tianhuang saw Li Hao stand up from the branch below and greeted him with a smile.
The others also glanced at Li Hao, remembering his face, but did not pay him much attention.
While Li Hao's performance in the Time Dao had earned their respect, the gap in the True Immortal Realm was significant. In a real battle, the difference would be vast. By the time Li Hao reached a level to match them, they would already have ascended to higher realms.
Ultimately, only combat strength mattered. Otherwise, whether it was the Time Dao or the Space Dao, it was all just an empty framework.
"Sure."
Li Hao nodded and descended with Chu Tianhuang.
"Hao Tian."
Yue Xi saw Li Hao and hurriedly called out.
Li Hao looked at her and flew over, asking, "How did your comprehension go?"
"I'm doing well. The immortal seal gained another flower, and it's the Time Dao."
Yue Xi said, her eyes shining with excitement. Being able to comprehend the Time Dao and add a flower to the immortal seal had significantly increased her strength.
"Congratulations."
Li Hao smiled.
On the other side, Chu Yueli saw Li Hao chatting and laughing with Yue Xi, who was dressed in white and had a breathtakingly beautiful face. Her face darkened, and a flash of anger crossed her features.
Despite having a marriage pact with her, he was openly affectionate with another woman, clearly not taking her seriously.
But recalling the previous times she had tried to talk to Li Hao and been rebuffed, she gritted her teeth and endured, vowing to ask her imperial father to annul the marriage.
"Let's go."
Li Hao invited Yue Xi to leave with him.
At this moment, the other people beneath the Divine Tree exchanged glances. Some, who had previous conflicts, issued challenges.
Li Hao also spotted Jin Fengling, whom he had encountered earlier. She noticed him as well, and they exchanged a glance, both seeing the killing intent in each other's eyes.
Li Hao remained calm and led Yue Xi away.
The others also stepped into the teleportation passage in front of the Divine Tree, leaving the Temporal Origin Secret City.
"Young man, the opportunity to grasp Dao Origin lies within the Dao Heart."
As Li Hao was about to leave, a clear and calm voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
Li Hao was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but turn to look at the Time Essence Divine Tree behind him, which was shining brilliantly and reaching toward the heavens. He then stood still, clasped his hands in a salute, and bowed deeply before turning to leave.
Yue Xi, standing beside him, was somewhat puzzled by Li Hao's actions, but she remembered that they had come here to study Dao and had benefited from the Time Essence Divine Tree. She immediately followed Li Hao's lead and bowed to the Divine Tree as well.
Passersby who noticed their actions merely sneered and swept past them.
After leaving the Temporal Origin Secret City, Li Hao and Yue Xi made their way to the Heavenly Dao Bridge outside.
At that moment, the Heavenly Dao Bridge was crowded with figures, and the flowing light that had filled the sky had already dissipated.
"Come over, once everyone is gathered, I will send you all away."
An elderly voice echoed, and Li Hao recognized it as Grand Master's. He looked around and quickly spotted Grand Master's figure in the void outside the bridge. He immediately flew over with Yue Xi.
"Thank you for your assistance earlier, Senior."
Yue Xi bowed to Grand Master as soon as she saw him.
Grand Master waved his hand and said, "If you want to thank someone, thank your friend here. I was merely carrying out his request."
Yue Xi was taken aback and glanced at Li Hao beside her, instantly understanding. Her eyes showed a mix of emotions as she whispered, "Thank you!"
Li Hao smiled and said, "We are of the same sect, there's no need to thank me."
Yue Xi didn't say anything more, but stood beside Li Hao, waiting for the others from the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty to arrive.
Soon, more figures started to fly over to the Heavenly Dao Bridge, gathering around Grand Master.
Chu Tianhuang and others also arrived. As the Imperial Clan Leader, he quickly had other Imperial Clan members gather around him, including Chu Yueli.
However, with so many people around, Chu Yueli's expression remained unchanged when she saw Li Hao. She pretended not to notice him, avoiding any public confrontation that might reveal the marriage pact and embarrass her.
Before long, Gu Yan and others also emerged.
After several years, Li Hao noticed that Gu Yan's aura had changed significantly, becoming more profound and restrained. His cultivation had reached the peak of the True Immortal Realm, tenth rank, but he had yet to advance to the Immortal Lord Realm.
Though the gap between True Immortal and Immortal Lord was small, many prodigies were stuck at this bottleneck for thousands of years, unable to break through. Breaking through within a thousand years was considered both a matter of opportunity and qi cultivation.
Gu Yan nodded in greeting to Li Hao, his expression calm, like a precious sword in its sheath.
"Meeting again, which city did you go to?"
A figure accompanied by starlight appeared, and it was Xing Lan. She floated over from the Heavenly Dao Bridge and, upon seeing Li Hao, couldn't help but smile and ask.
Li Hao noticed that she seemed even more radiant, with starlight faintly emanating from her, as if forming some innate Dao diagram.
"Temporal Origin Secret City, what about you?"
Li Hao asked.
Xing Lan's eyes immediately showed a hint of envy as she said, "I didn't have such good qi cultivation and failed to capture the space-time Primordial Dao, so I had to settle for Shape Mastery Origin City."
Li Hao had guessed her destination, as he had visited both the Five Dao Origin City and the Temporal Origin Secret City but hadn't seen her there.
"That's not bad, considering it's one of the Nine Sequences", Li Hao said.
Xing Lan smiled and said, "Seven years is too short. If it were seven hundred years, it would be much better."
"Probably everyone thinks so", Li Hao chuckled.
Chu Yueli, standing nearby, turned her head away, her eyes cold.
Before long, as more and more people emerged, Grand Master said once everyone had gathered:
"Let's go. I'll see you off. Go back and prepare well. You are all prodigies of our dynasty, and you must bring glory to us."
"Yes."
Many responded loudly, shaking off the regret of parting from the Origin Secret Realm, their eyes filled with anticipation.
With Grand Master leading the way, he brought everyone back to Origin Reception City. Then, he opened a Passage in the courtyard and sent everyone through one by one.
"Kid, time is tight this time, so I won't keep you. If you have the chance, come back and play a game of chess with this old man."
Grand Master telepathically communicated to Li Hao as he saw him off.
Li Hao was slightly taken aback and quickly replied, "Definitely next time!"
"You better do well. If you can secure a good ranking in the Southern Domain Battle, His Majesty will likely grant you another opportunity to enter the Origin Secret Realm for comprehension."
Grand Master laughed and telepathically added.
"Sure."
Li Hao agreed and then stepped into the transmission Passage with Yue Xi, Gu Yan, and others, leaving the Origin Secret Realm behind.
Upon exiting the Origin Secret Realm, they found themselves in the Chaos Secret Realm where they had initially entered. Many figures gathered on the plains, and in the front, there were Immortal King Realm experts teaching and enlightening the cultivators.
As Li Hao and Chu Tianhuang's group of prodigies emerged from the Origin Secret Realm, the tranquility of the Chaos Secret Realm was broken. Many people opened their eyes, sensing the powerful and familiar auras.
"It's Chu Tianhuang!"
"The Imperial Clan, they're all back!"
"Xing Lan, Tian Hongyi, they've all returned. Is the Origin Secret Realm cultivation over?"
"Yes, it's been seven years, already seven years!"
The people in the Chaos Secret Realm stood up, their eyes filled with awe, envy, and a touch of regret. They also had a sense of anticipation for the upcoming Southern Domain Battle. Although they couldn't compete with Chu Tianhuang and the other prodigies, if they could shine in the Southern Domain Battle and show their prowess, they would still be remembered by many.
After all, the Southern Domain Battle would be known throughout the Southern Domain of the Great True World. Even if just a fraction of a percent of the attention focused on them, it would still be an unimaginable number.
"So strong, compared to seven years ago, their auras seem even more powerful!"
"That's right. Our sect's Eldest Senior Brother Nie Yuanshan is clearly even more terrifying than before!"
"Origin Secret Realm cultivation is said to be rapid, and now the gap between us and them is even greater. In the future, it will only widen!"
"I heard that those who perform well in the Southern Domain Battle have a chance to enter the Primordial True World for cultivation. That place is the supreme cultivation holy land of the True World!"
"Don't think too much. Although the Primordial True World is suitable for cultivation, it is also extremely dangerous. Many prodigies have entered, but few have returned."
The people on the plains of the Chaos Secret Realm chattered among themselves.
The Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty had a thousand participants for the Southern Domain Battle, but only a few hundred were capable of entering the Origin Secret Realm. The remaining nine hundred had spent their time in the Chaos Secret Realm.
Amidst the chatter, sudden dragon roars echoed from the distance, drawing closer.
Chu Xiangtian, riding an Ancestral Dragon and clad in imperial armor, soared overhead, looking down at the crowd and declared:
"The Southern Domain Battle will take place in three months. At that time, everyone must gather at the Imperial Capital Immortal Ascension Platform to head to the Supreme Heavenly Palace for the battle!"
"In these final three months, focus on refining your skills. Remember, in the Southern Domain Battle, the use of Immortal Weapon, Treasure Armor, and the like will be strictly prohibited. You can only rely on your own abilities. Do not resort to petty tricks and disgrace the Immortal Dynasties!"
His voice was sharp and commanding, resonating in their hearts like the tolling of a bell.
As one of the top Princes, he had already reached the peak of the Immortal Lord Realm, looking down on many Immortal Lord Realm experts and even managing to exchange a blow with those in the Immortal King Realm. Such strength was absolutely awe-inspiring to Li Hao and other young prodigies!
The plain fell silent, thoughts swirling.
"For the sake of your sects and yourselves, I hope you will give it your all. Go forth!"
Chu Xiangtian declared loudly.
Only then did the oppressive aura above them ease slightly, and the crowd couldn't help but sigh. This Prince's presence was stronger than many sect patriarchs, a testament to the might of the Ancient Immortal Dynasties' Imperial Clan!
Chu Tianhuang and others, upon seeing Chu Xiangtian's imposing figure, had varied expressions, their eyes flickering with different emotions.
"Hmph!"
After Chu Yueli and the other Princes finished speaking, they glanced at a young man in the distance, flicked their sleeves, and soared away, leaving first.
The rest of the Imperial Clan members also hurried to leave, each making final preparations.
"Brother Hao Tian, farewell."
Before leaving, Chu Tianhuang flew over to Li Hao and smiled.
Li Hao immediately felt the gazes of many Imperial Clan members converge on him. His eyes flickered, and he realized that this seemingly simple greeting carried a deeper meaning, as if declaring their relationship to the other Imperial Clan members.
These Princes vied for power and influence, forming alliances, and Li Hao understood the implications. However, he didn't want to dwell on it. All illusions were mere fantasies, and all changes stemmed from the heart. He responded to the greeting with a calm and composed nod.
After Chu Tianhuang left, Gu Yan telepathically spoke to Li Hao:
"Do you wish to follow this Imperial Clan?"
Li Hao knew that Chu Tianhuang's greeting had already had its effect. If Gu Yan could think this way, others in the Imperial Clan would likely do the same. If he encountered an Imperial Clan member opposed to Chu Tianhuang, they might come after him. If he couldn't see through this, he might inadvertently be pushed closer to Chu Tianhuang, solidifying their relationship.
"No, just a nodding acquaintance."
Li Hao telepathically replied.
Gu Yan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said, "The struggles within the Imperial Dynasty are extremely complex. We cultivators should not waste our best years and time on these matters. As long as we are strong enough, even the Imperial Dynasty will bow at our feet. True strength doesn't need these trappings."
Hearing the concern in Gu Yan's words, Li Hao couldn't help but smile and said, "Don't worry about me. You also gained a lot this time. Go back and absorb it well."
Gu Yan glanced at Li Hao and nodded.
"Let's go."
Li Hao also set off. In the Sword Abyss, he had become a focal point and now led the way out of the secret realm.
Outside the Chaos Secret Realm was the Ancient Immortal Realm, and around it, Imperial Clan guards had formed a long line, waiting for the prodigies to return from the secret realm.
They were escorted through the sky, all the way to the immortal transmission array at the edge of the Ancient Immortal Realm. This was Yan Chu's first immortal transmission array, capable of transporting to any of the nine thousand immortal cities.
Li Hao and the others returned to the Nine Depths of the Great Dream.
(End of Chapter)
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