Chapter 533: Mountain of Inquiry
Chapter 533: Mountain of Inquiry
"It's you?"
While gathering ancient demon corpses, Li Hao encountered a disciple of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream.
Lin Mingrong's clothes were tattered, and she looked injured, though the wounds had already healed. Her disheveled hair indicated she had been through a tough battle.
Encountering Li Hao in mid-air, she was momentarily stunned, her eyes instantly sparking with surprise.
Li Hao's performance in the Ancient Immortal Realm had deeply impressed her, making her acutely aware of the gap between herself and this young man. Her master had even privately told her that he would surely make a stunning showing in the Southern Domain Battle, with a good chance of placing in the top ten.
Now, meeting Li Hao, she felt as if she had found a solid foundation.
"You're injured?"
Li Hao had a vague recollection of her. She had led him to the Great Dream Master's hall, but there had been a misunderstanding at first. Despite that, they hadn't interacted much afterward.
"I'm fine."
Lin Mingrong shook her head, but her eyes quickly darted to Gu Xingwan and Lin Qingying, who were with Li Hao. A trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes but vanished almost immediately. She then said to Li Hao, "Can I stay by your side? I already have a Dao fire, but I'm worried others might try to take it."
As she spoke, she took out the Dao fire in her hand, fearing Li Hao might misunderstand.
Li Hao was already used to having Gu Xingwan, who was a bit of a liability, around. "Sure, you can come with us."
The Great Dream Master had previously advised him to help fellow disciples if he encountered them inside, provided it didn't inconvenience him too much.
Lin Mingrong breathed a sigh of relief, immediately putting away the Dao fire and following Li Hao.
Li Hao continued flying, and soon, they encountered Gu Yan and Yue Xi.
Both looked somewhat disheveled, clearly having been through tough battles, but Li Hao noticed that Gu Yan's aura had become even more intense, with a sharp edge, suggesting he had made progress in the Sword Dao.
Learning that they had already hunted Dao fires, Li Hao didn't mention giving them any.
They then continued to other ancient demon gathering sites to collect more corpses.
The others were curious about Li Hao's peculiar actions and asked him about it, but he casually brushed them off.
As time passed, they gathered more and more ancient demon corpses and encountered more disciples of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream.
Some of these disciples hadn't managed to hunt a Dao fire yet, so Li Hao handed over several dozen Dao fires he had collected.
The disciples were pleasantly surprised and grateful, as this gift gave them a chance to advance to the second round.
Hunting a Dao fire was no easy task, but for someone with Li Hao's combat prowess, it was a simple matter. For others, it was a life-or-death struggle.
With each ancient demon gathering site being cleared, the trial within the True Immortal Realm was drawing to a close.
Most people wandering in the secret realm had grouped up in twos and threes, only a few still acting alone.
"That red cloud seems to have disappeared."
"It looks like they've all been cleared out."
"On my way here, I heard someone single-handedly cleared an ancient demon gathering site. It was terrifying."
Li Hao, along with Lin Qingying, Gu Yan, and the other Nine Depths of the Great Dream disciples, continued searching for ancient demon traces. The red clouds that had been visible from a distance earlier were now gone, and they could only look for lone ancient demons.
"The trial should be ending soon."
Lin Mingrong glanced at the time and whispered.
Yue Xi frowned. "Why haven't we seen Senior Sister Qing Wu? I hope nothing has happened to her."
Gu Yan's usually calm eyes showed a hint of worry upon hearing this.
Li Hao glanced at the two of them, thinking that with Murong Qingwu's combat strength, she had a good chance of hunting a Dao fire unless something unexpected had occurred.
"Why are you here?"
Suddenly, a group of figures flew toward them, all dressed in silver-white sword robes, looking formidable.
One of them saw Li Hao and his expression changed slightly. Then he noticed Lin Qingying standing beside Li Hao and couldn't help but frown as he asked.
The Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower, as the Heavenly One Sword Sect of Yan Chu, had almost all the Sword Dao Disciples from the entire Immortal Dynasties flock to it. However, in the Nine Depths of the Great Dream, there was also a Sword Abyss that had long harbored ambitions to usurp the Tianyi Sect's position, which was common knowledge. Therefore, the relationship between the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower and the Nine Depths of the Great Dream was not harmonious.
"Senior Brother Bai Ying."
Lin Qingying nodded at him, acknowledging his presence.
"They are Disciples of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream, come over quickly."
The young man's expression was not pleasant as he spoke to Lin Qingying.
Lin Qingying shook her head and said, "I have already obtained the dao fire. I will wait until the trial ends. Senior Brothers, please take care of yourselves."
"You!"
Zhang Bai Ying's face darkened, "Are you planning to betray the sect?"
Lin Qingying frowned and replied, "I am just traveling with them. We haven't discussed anything about the sect, and I won't betray it."
"Then come back. Are they coercing you?"
Zhang Bai Ying's eyes scanned Li Hao and the others, his gaze filled with caution.
Lin Qingying shook her head and said, "I have a friend here. I'll be fine."
"Friend? Who?"
Zhang Bai Ying's gaze swept over Li Hao and the others, and upon noticing Lin Qingying standing beside Li Hao, his face changed. He spoke in a low, grave tone, "Aren't you worried that Eldest Senior Brother will blame you?"
Hearing him mention Tian Hongyi, Lin Qingying's calm expression turned cold, and she said, "What right does he have to blame me?"
"Eldest Senior Brother is a genius of unmatched talent. His fondness for you is well-known. You..."
Zhang Bai Ying couldn't help but say.
Lin Qingying's expression changed, and she said angrily, "Whom he likes is his own business. I've already told him that my heart belongs to someone else and asked him to stop pestering me."
"You..."
Zhang Bai Ying was furious, "How many Holy Maidens of the sect would die for Eldest Senior Brother's favor, and yet they cannot obtain it. Before entering the secret realm, Eldest Senior Brother even instructed me to take good care of you if I met you. You actually show no gratitude at all?!"
"I made it clear to him long ago that even if the Empress were to favor him, it would have nothing to do with me, Lin Qingying."
Lin Qingying's face was cold as she spoke, and her gaze swept over Li Hao, as if worried that he might misunderstand.
"You're taking yourself too seriously. If it weren't for Eldest Senior Brother's sake, I..."
Zhang Bai Ying said with a mocking laugh.
Before he could finish, Li Hao interrupted, "Considering we are both from the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, I don't want to make things difficult for you. But if you get too full of yourself, I won't mind sending you all out of here."
His words were calm but made Zhang Bai Ying's face change instantly.
"You."
Zhang Bai Ying stared at Li Hao, his fists clenched tightly.
The other Disciples of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower behind him also changed expressions, looking at Li Hao with shock and anger.
His words were too presumptuous, showing no respect for them.
But thinking about this young man's performance in the Ancient Immortal Realm, where he had humiliated Chu Tianzheng of the Imperial Clan while in the True Immortal Realm, even if they didn't know if Li Hao had used immortal treasures, it still left a deep impression on them.
"You're ruthless. I hope you can make it to the end. Eldest Senior Brother will teach you a lesson!"
Zhang Bai Ying suppressed his anger, gritting his teeth as he said to Li Hao.
He was about to wave his hand to signal a retreat.
But a cold gleam appeared in Li Hao's eyes. They wanted to leave after spouting off?
"Too talkative, then you stay!"
He raised his hand, and a strand of Sword Qi condensed at his fingertips, then suddenly shot out.
This Sword Qi contained spatiotemporal power, arriving in an instant, striking and piercing through Zhao Bai Ying's body in the blink of an eye, splitting him apart!
The sword cut through before Zhao Bai Ying could react, the damage from the past manifesting at that moment, as if it were the power of karma.
Boom!
Zhao Bai Ying's body exploded, his Soul Spirit breaking free, his face filled with shock. But before he could even scream, his Soul Spirit trembled violently, then cracked, disintegrating into golden fragments that scattered in the air.
The other disciples of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower were stunned, then utterly horrified.
Zhao Bai Ying, one of the strongest among them, had been instantly killed, his Soul Spirit shattered. This was far too terrifying!
After all, Zhao Bai Ying's Soul Spirit had transcended the Ultimate Realm, forming spirit essence golden veins and birthing two golden spirit bones!
Such strength, yet he was effortlessly slain by Li Hao's casually condensed Sword Qi. This was far too terrifying!
"Run!"
The others scattered like they had encountered ancient demons, fleeing in all directions, fearing Li Hao would kill them all.
But Li Hao was not a bloodthirsty person and did not pursue them. As the corpses shattered and fell, the cold look on his face faded.
"Let's go."
Li Hao waved his hand, as if nothing had happened, speaking with a calm and collected demeanor.
Behind him, the numerous disciples of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream Sect were all stunned. Although they had seen Li Hao's swift and decisive killings of ancient demons before, Zhao Bai Ying was a different story. He was a renowned figure in the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower, far more formidable than any ancient demon, capable of hunting dozens of them. Yet, he was easily dispatched by Li Hao.
Gu Yan's eyes narrowed as he stared at Li Hao's back, feeling a bit dazed.
The sword beam Li Hao had just condensed was extraordinarily exquisite, leaving him in awe.
Even in the domain of swords, where Gu Yan took great pride, Li Hao far surpassed him.
Spatiotemporal power was contained within the sword, but Gu Yan had never comprehended the essence of time.
"Such a fast sword, capable of cutting through time..."
Gu Yan murmured to himself, his eyes showing a mix of emotions.
He had thought he was gradually closing the gap, but now he realized he was even further behind.
"I killed him, does it affect you?"
Li Hao suddenly turned to look at Lin Qingying.
Lin Qingying was taken aback, then shook her head. "No, it wasn't me who did it."
Li Hao nodded, knowing that the events here were being mirrored outside the secret realm, and the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower's sect elder must have witnessed everything.
"Once the Southern Domain Battle is over, come back."
Li Hao said to Lin Qingying.
When they first arrived in the True World, he had arranged for her to join the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower, thinking it would be a good place for her.
Old Feng and the other Sages were also scattered across various locations.
But now, with the Southern Domain Battle coming to an end, Li Hao believed he had the power to protect them and no longer needed to keep them separated.
"Alright."
Lin Qingying nodded without hesitation, a hint of joy in her eyes.
But soon, a hint of regret crossed her face. "Before I leave, I need to say goodbye to my Master. He has been very kind to me, and the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower has shown me great favor. I need to find a way to repay them."
"Of course."
Li Hao nodded, not stopping her. Repaying kindness was the right thing to do.
Although he had just slain the sword sect’s prodigy, he didn’t see it as conflicting with their relationship.
At least, in his view, one thing didn’t affect the other.
Unless the other party couldn’t see it clearly.
Gu Xingwan glanced at Lin Qingying and asked Li Hao, “Have you known each other for a long time?”
“Yeah,” Li Hao nodded.
Hearing Li Hao’s response, Lin Qingying’s lips curved into a smile.
However, a hint of complexity and disappointment flickered in Gu Xingwan’s eyes.
As everyone continued their search, time passed, and suddenly, a majestic and powerful voice echoed through the sky:
“The secret realm trial is about to end, with only one last hour remaining.”
This final hour served as a reminder to those who hadn’t yet hunted down a dao fire.
Soon, among the wandering disciples, those who hadn’t obtained a dao fire began to grow anxious, frantically searching for ancient demons.
However, ancient demons had been mostly exterminated in the various gathering points, with only a few survivors.
Moreover, some people, like Li Hao, had collected a significant number of dao fires, ensuring that many would fail to ascend.
The final hour quickly passed, and Li Hao and the others suddenly felt the surroundings grow quiet. Then, a power enveloped their bodies, and when the scenery abruptly changed, they found themselves standing outside the True Immortal Realm.
“We’re out?”
“I haven’t hunted a dao fire yet. Have I been eliminated?”
“I was so close to killing that ancient demon, ah, why did it end like this?!”
Various voices of complaint and frustration echoed around.
Li Hao turned his head and saw that Lin Qingying and the others were nearby, standing not far from the Ancient Mirror where their soul ages had been measured.
He scanned the area and saw that Great Dream Master and the others were still standing on the mountaintop, which relieved him.
At that moment, dozens of figures appeared out of nowhere in another part of the void, each radiating formidable auras.
These were the Immortal Lord Realm group.
Li Hao noticed that Chu Tianhuang’s robe had a torn sleeve, indicating he had been through a fierce battle, which surprised him.
“The first trial is over. Now, those who have a dao fire, please present your dao fires,” the Immortal Guard Commander announced loudly.
The disciples exchanged glances, and those without a dao fire looked around, their eyes filled with regret.
Li Hao and Lin Qingying, along with the others, took out their dao fires.
At that moment, a series of gasps rippled through the crowd.
Several figures produced large quantities of dao fires, which gathered above their heads.
Li Hao saw that one of them was the more flamboyant young man from the Ancient God Clan.
“So many dao fires!”
“No wonder I couldn’t find any or hunt them, they were all taken by these guys!”
“Bastards, a single dao fire is enough to pass, why did they take so many?!”
Many without dao fires grumbled and glared angrily at the Ancient God Clan young man and others.
Aside from them, a few others had three to five or even a dozen dao fires, but compared to the hundreds of dao fires Shen Wujin and a few others had, they were insignificant.
The cries of despair drew the attention of the Immortal Lord Realm group, but they soon looked away with cold, disdainful expressions, dismissing the complaints.
“Those who possess a dao fire, congratulations, you have passed the first trial!”
The Celestial Guard Commander ignored the cries of despair and resentment and announced loudly.
Many who held dao fires showed signs of joy.
More people, however, remained calm, their eyes filled with anticipation for the great battle to come.
“Those without a dao fire, please return to your respective sects. Those who perished in the secret realm will be given a chance at reincarnation by the Supreme Sage through their soul hearts.”
The Celestial Guard Commander’s gaze swept around, finally landing on Li Hao and the others who held dao fires. “Those who have passed the first trial, prepare for the second trial. As top geniuses, you need not only combat prowess but also an extraordinary Dao Heart!”
(End of Chapter)
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