https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-535-A-Game-at-the-Foot-of-the-Mountain/13451984/
Chapter 534: Ninth
Chapter 534: Ninth
"If one's Dao Heart is not firm, having a strong Talent base will not take them far."
Amidst the puzzled glances of the disciples from the various Immortal Dynasties, the Celestial Guard Commander said, "The second trial will test your Dao Heart. Only those with both a strong Dao Heart and combat prowess will be eligible to participate in the final Prodigy Great Battle, vying for the peak of the Southern Domain!"
Hearing this, some of the sect elders’ eyes lit up, knowing that their disciples had not only obtained the Dao Fire but also possessed a strong Dao Heart, giving them a good chance to pass this second trial.
The Celestial Guard Commander raised his hand and waved, sending out a black-golden list that expanded in the wind.
The edges of the list were adorned with golden dragon shadows, and the center resembled a flowing ink river.
"This is the Dao Fire Prodigy List. The first trial will rank you based on the number of Dao Fires you have. The top ten will be rewarded with an Immortal Weapon."
Upon hearing the Celestial Guard Commander’s words, the disciples from the various Immortal Dynasties outside the Secret Realm were stirred into a frenzy.
"There are rewards? And rankings?"
"If I had known, I would have hunted more Dao Fires!"
"Senior Brother, you were too merciful, giving Dao Fires to others. Now, there are rewards here."
"Rewards? Isn’t that just encouraging human tribulations to plunder more Dao Fires? That’s not fair!"
In the crowd, those who had been eliminated were visibly angry.
More of those holding Dao Fires felt regret. If they had known about the rewards beforehand, they would have hunted more Dao Fires and would not have missed this opportunity to make it to the list, let alone the chance to obtain an Immortal Weapon.
The Immortal Weapon rewarded by the Heavenly Palace was undoubtedly of the highest quality.
Faced with the numerous comments, the Celestial Guard Commander’s expression remained cold and unchanged. He said indifferently:
"We do not advocate plundering others' resources or seizing their spots, but reality is indeed cruel. Opportunities won’t wait for you; you have to seize them, fight for them, and struggle for them!"
"The first trial prepared three thousand Dao Fires, with three thousand spots, but we know that the final number of qualifiers will be far less than three thousand."
"Resentment? Regret? The first trial is meant to teach you that when faced with opportunities, you must do everything in your power to seize them!"
"Once you leave the sect, absorbing countless cultivation resources, you will become the pillars of the human race. Now, you must put aside your naive thoughts!"
Hearing the cold rebukes, the voices of indignation from the various Immortal Dynasties and the Southern Domain fell silent. Indeed, although they were reluctant to admit it, they all understood that in the world, from merchants to imperial clan emperors, the same rules applied.
To achieve something, you must compete and struggle!
"Not announcing it beforehand was to discourage such behavior and give others a chance. Otherwise, some of them might have absorbed the majority of the Dao Fires. This is the benevolence of the Supreme Sage!"
The Celestial Guard Commander said coldly, "Now, these rewards are also a form of encouragement for their efforts. If they have hunted more Dao Fires, they deserve more benefits. This is what fairness means!"
Hearing this, those who were still dissatisfied fell silent, unable to argue further.
In the various Immortal Dynasties, many wise elders could not help but applaud in approval.
The compassion of the strong lies in silence.
They neither favor the weak nor seek to please them.
Seeing no one respond, the Celestial Guard Commander raised his hand, and the Dao Fires in everyone’s possession were drawn toward the black-golden Dao Fire List.
Li Hao watched as the hundreds of Dao Fires above his head flew away, his gaze shifting to Di Lincen. He used telepathy to say:
"I didn’t expect this. I’ll return the Dao Fire you gave me earlier."
"No need."
Di Lincen, hearing Li Hao’s voice, was somewhat surprised. He then smiled faintly, "It’s just an Immortal Weapon. I don’t need it. The list isn’t worth much. The final great battle ranking is the true competition!"
When Li Hao heard this, he didn’t put on any more false modesty.
At this moment, the Dao Fire ranking board began to absorb everyone's Dao Fire, and one by one, rays of golden light began to outline names.
At the very top was none other than the young man from the Ancient God Clan, Shen Wujin.
Right behind him was someone named Sword Heart.
Li Hao’s gaze swept over the list, and he saw his own name ranked ninth.
He hadn’t expected that the Dao Fire he had casually collected would actually earn him an Immortal Weapon, which was quite a pleasant surprise.
However, since he already possessed a Taowu Immortal Weapon, the reward of an Immortal Weapon would only be useful if it had special effects. If it was just a regular weapon, it would have little significance, and he could only give it away.
"Hao Tian, this Dao Fire..."
The disciples of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream looked at Li Hao, their eyes filled with shame.
Their Dao Fire had been given to them by Li Hao, and now that it had proven useful, they found themselves in a difficult position.
"It’s fine, I don’t need your Dao Fire. This is also about Channeling Qi."
Li Hao smiled lightly, gesturing for them not to worry about it.
Seeing Li Hao’s carefree attitude, the others couldn’t help but feel admiration. If before, Li Hao had won them over with his talent and combat prowess, now he earned their genuine respect with his magnanimous character, which already surpassed many others.
Li Hao’s gaze swept across the list again, and he saw Di Lincen’s name at the very bottom.
He couldn't help but shake his head, thinking that although the Dao Fire rankings didn't carry much weight, they would still have a lasting impact on the countless ordinary people from the various Immortal Dynasties.
At this moment, the Celestial Guard Commander took out another Dao Fire ranking board and absorbed the Dao Fire from the Immortal Lord Realm group.
"Those who did not obtain Dao Fire will also be eliminated!"
The Celestial Guard Commander said coldly to the few individuals in the Immortal Lord Realm group who had no Dao Fire.
Upon hearing this, their faces changed, a mix of shock and anger.
One of them said, "We are already in the Immortal Lord Realm, and we are being eliminated? We don’t even get the chance to participate in the final great battle?!"
"Exactly, the requirement is a soul age of three thousand years. We have already cultivated to the Immortal Lord Realm, and we are still stronger than those in the True Immortal Realm. How can you eliminate us?"
The others were also shocked, expressing their dissatisfaction.
The Celestial Guard Commander replied coldly, "You should have the standards and awareness of your realm. As Immortal Lord Realm cultivators, if you can’t even compete with those in the True Immortal Realm, isn’t that laughable?"
"But the rule is a soul age of three thousand years. We haven’t exceeded that limit. Is it wrong to advance our realms too quickly?"
A young man in a golden robe gritted his teeth, no longer caring about offending the other party.
"Once you step into the Immortal Lord Realm, you should follow its rules. If you are at the bottom of the Immortal Lord Realm, there’s no need for you to participate in the subsequent great battle. Unless you want to compete with the True Immortal Realm? Even if you win, what does it prove? Your realm advancement might have been forced by consuming certain heavenly treasures. This is why we have two groups: the True Immortal Realm and the Immortal Lord Realm."
"Some people want to solidify their foundations, while others only care about the outcome of this great battle, striving for quick advancement. If all of you can pass, then in the future, everyone will focus solely on advancing their realms, neglecting their foundations. This Southern Domain Prodigy Battle would then become a place where people destroy their own foundations for fame and profit. It would be better not to hold it at all!"
The Celestial Guard Commander’s words hit them like thunder, resonating in their ears.
The few individuals flushed red, as if their blood was boiling. The angry words that had been on the tip of their tongues a moment ago now could not be spoken.
Not obtaining the Dao Fire indeed placed them at the bottom. In the Immortal Lord Realm, they lagged behind others, though they were still stronger than those in the True Immortal Realm. However, they couldn't compare with the True Immortal Realm; winning against them would be expected.
"Can't even get the Dao Fire, and you still have the nerve to argue?"
At this moment, an Immortal Lord Realm disciple, holding the Dao Fire, said this with a casual air.
But these words were like a stab to the heart, causing their faces to turn crimson, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
As the Dao Fire rankings of the Immortal Lord Realm soared, names quickly began to appear in a list.
Compared to the True Immortal Realm, the numerous battles that had taken place in the Immortal Lord secret realm drew more attention from the various Immortal Dynasties.
"That guy..."
When Chu Yueli saw Li Hao ranked ninth on the True Immortal Dao Fire list, her eyes flickered. At this moment, her aversion towards Li Hao had significantly decreased.
His soul age, measured earlier, was less than a hundred years—far too young.
Such a stunning talent made even her proud heart feel a bit of admiration.
If he truly became her husband, it might not be so bad.
Seeing Li Hao's ranking, a hint of pride flashed in her eyes. Once the Southern Domain Battle ended, if her imperial father insisted on the arranged marriage, she would simply accept it.
With her imperial father's backing, even if Li Hao possessed an unparalleled talent, he would not dare to neglect her. After all, she was one of the most talented princesses in the Yan Chu Imperial Clan.
This arranged marriage seemed to hint at her imperial father's favor. Having such a prodigy as her husband would surpass her other sisters, and it might help her status in the future.
Li Hao, of course, had no idea about Chu Yueli's chaotic thoughts. He was observing the Dao Fire rankings of the Immortal Lord Realm and saw that Chu Tianhuang was ranked sixth, which made him inwardly chuckle. It seemed Chu Tianhuang was also a master of slaughter.
As the Dao Fire rankings were displayed, the Celestial Guard Commander took out the Immortal Weapons that had been prepared and rewarded the top ten of both rankings.
Li Hao received an Immortal Weapon, a jade bracelet that emitted the aura of the Dao of Space.
He briefly sensed it and realized it was a life-saving Immortal Weapon. It could help him teleport over an extremely long distance and leave a mark in the void, allowing for a pinpoint teleportation far beyond his own instantaneous movement speed. This would be useful in escaping from powerful enemies.
This was an unexpected bonus, and Li Hao accepted it. After some thought, he turned and gave it to Lin Qingying.
"Hmm?"
Lin Qingying was taken aback when she saw Li Hao hand her the jade bracelet.
"Here, take it."
Li Hao smiled.
Although the jade bracelet was a fine Immortal Treasure, Li Hao judged that the Dao of Space aura within it might be blocked by an Immortal Lord Realm cultivator at the seventh or eighth level. Therefore, it would only be useful against those at the fourth or fifth level of the Immortal Lord Realm, and not higher.
Given this, its life-saving effect for him was greatly diminished, so he thought it would be better to give it to Lin Qingying.
"Me?"
Lin Qingying was stunned. Seeing the jade bracelet, her cheeks turned slightly red, but she shook her head and quietly said, "This is an Immortal Treasure, too valuable."
"It's just a bracelet, take it."
Li Hao smiled and directly placed it in her hand, slipping it onto her wrist.
Lin Qingying's fair, smooth hand was held by Li Hao, and her cheeks turned even redder. However, she did not pull away, only lowering her head slightly and nodding.
Beside them, Gu Xingwan saw this scene, her lips parting slightly, but she ultimately remained silent.
Chu Yueli, who was standing at a distance, happened to catch this moment and was immediately stunned. A surge of jealousy quickly rose in her eyes.
What did this mean? Even before they were officially married, he was already finding a concubine for himself.
Her cheeks were cold, and she stared intently at Li Hao, her eyes filled with unmasked anger.
Li Hao, feeling the piercing gaze, turned to look and saw it was the Imperial Princess. He raised an eyebrow, shot her a disdainful glance, and then turned away, ignoring her completely.
His attitude nearly drove Chu Yueli to the brink of fury. To give gifts to another woman right in front of her and act so arrogantly was a clear sign that he didn't even consider her worth a second thought.
In the distant starry sky.
The events of the secret realm were also reflected in the starry sky.
A figure cloaked in a blue-green aura suddenly paused, seeing this scene. The young man, with his fair hand, was placing a bracelet on the wrist of another woman, whose beauty rivaled frost. Their eyes met, revealing a deep connection.
She had seen that woman before but never imagined that their relationship had progressed to this point.
After a brief pause, the blue-green figure resumed its flight, surrounded by a rainbow glow, vanishing into the distance.
...
“The second trial will take place at the Mountain of Inquiry!”
After the Immortal Weapon awards ceremony, the Celestial Guard Commander announced loudly, “I’m sure many of you have heard of the Mountain of Inquiry. It is forged from Heavenly Dao Stone, containing the profound truths of the Heavenly Dao, and can reflect one’s Dao Heart!”
“Please, everyone, follow me to the Mountain of Inquiry!”
He addressed the emperors and patriarchs of the various Immortal Dynasties. As he spoke, he casually traced a line in the air.
The void suddenly split, revealing a massive crack leading to another part of the continent.
Beyond the crack stood a towering mountain, exuding an ancient aura filled with the weight of countless calamities.
“Is it really the Mountain of Inquiry? I’ve heard that the Supreme Sage cultivated his Imperial Heart here in his early years!”
“Testing the Dao Heart, I wonder if mine will pass.”
“Not just the Dao Heart, but the Mountain of Inquiry is said to reflect one’s Great Dao, forcing you to battle it.”
Some prodigies, backed by powerful races with vast knowledge, discussed among themselves, their eyes gleaming with determination and anticipation.
“Your Dao Heart, I wonder how far you can go in the Mountain of Inquiry. I’ll be waiting for you at the summit.”
As Li Hao looked around, he heard Di Lincen’s telepathic message. He was somewhat surprised and glanced at the other, impressed that Di Lincen could gauge the strength of his Dao Heart.
“Let’s go.”
The Celestial Guard Commander signaled for everyone to follow, and they were transported to the base of the Mountain of Inquiry. The crack shortened the distance, and they emerged directly in front of the mountain.
The Mountain of Inquiry was topped with a layer of snow, and golden clouds swirled around the summit, with the faint sound of thunder rumbling within.
Everyone could tell that it wasn’t ordinary thunder but the Great Dao Thunder, the resonance of the Primordial Dao. If one could comprehend it, it would bring significant gains in their Dao Realm.
“Besides testing your Dao Heart, the Mountain of Inquiry will also reflect an incarnation of your own Dao Realm. You must overcome this incarnation to proceed. This trial requires you to surpass yourself!”
The Celestial Guard Commander said coldly, “For ordinary people, surpassing oneself is a rare moment of sudden enlightenment. But for top geniuses, it is a necessary ability. Otherwise, the challenges you will face on your cultivation path will only increase, and you must constantly surpass yourself to progress further!”
Everyone’s expressions were solemn, understanding the arduous nature of the cultivation path.
Just reaching the Immortal King Realm required immense opportunities, let alone pursuing even more distant goals.
(End of Chapter)
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