Chapter 550: The Impartiality of Heavenly Dao
Chapter 550: The Impartiality of Heavenly Dao
Following the Celestial Guard Commander's announcement, the final Top 100 spots in the Southern Domain Battle were secured. A golden list, stretching thousands of feet long, appeared in the sky, with the names of the Top 100 participants glowing in gold.
"This is the Top 100 list. The order does not matter. Next, the top 100 will compete, with the Heavenly Dao Art selecting the matchups, two by two!"
The Celestial Guard Commander stood before the Top 100 list, revealing his Dharmic Image, a towering figure a hundred feet tall, exuding an overwhelming presence.
"Among this Top 100, though some disciples may have benefited from others' protection, opportunity and fate are also part of one's strength. Their ability to make it into the Top 100 is a matter of fate!"
Empress Yuanzun gazed at the ten imperial platforms. Many of the eliminated disciples wore expressions of frustration. In terms of pure strength, some of them could certainly have made it into the Top 100, but their fate had been less favorable.
At their realm, fate was a crucial factor, something even they could not fully control or comprehend.
The Secret City of Fate's Origin had shattered, the Great Dao had vanished, and only an Immortal Emperor could touch it.
"This top ten competition should be quite interesting."
Emperor Tianzhao smiled, having already noticed that, apart from the Imperial Clan and the two Supreme Sage Disciples, many others would fiercely compete for the top ten spots.
As they spoke, countless people from the various Immortal Dynasties watched with anticipation.
"Our Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower has only three participants. Apart from Junior Sister Qing Ying, only two others managed to barely join forces and make it through."
Elsewhere, many disciples of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower looked uneasy.
The Top 100 competition was far more intense than they had imagined. While they had some extremely powerful disciples among the True Immortal Realm, the Imperial Clans of the other Immortal Dynasties were simply too strong.
"Hmph."
Tian Hongyi glared at the woman standing on Li Hao's imperial platform, his eyes darkening.
"Damn it, Ziyun and the others only managed to secure three spots."
On the other side, many members of the Yunjin Imperial Clan looked grim.
Though they were rivals, they had all had a chance to secure five spots in the Top 100. However, after being driven off the imperial platforms by Li Hao, they could only manage to secure three spots on other platforms.
"Today, we will conduct the first round of the lottery matchups."
The Celestial Guard Commander scanned the crowd and announced, "Please welcome the Supreme Sage to use the Heavenly Dao Art to select the matchups!"
As he spoke, all eyes turned to the massive Dharmic Image of the Supreme Sage of the Heavenly Palace.
The Supreme Sage's expression was serene, as if he held the heavens and earth in his grasp. The aura of prosperity surrounding him was awe-inspiring.
He casually raised his hand and pointed at the sky above.
Instantly, a myriad of divine light beams burst forth, the clouds in the sky dissipating as if a heavenly gate had opened, revealing a deep vortex.
When the vortex appeared, an overwhelming and indescribable aura descended upon the entire mountain range, even permeating through the Boundary Stone Projection to the entire Southern Domain.
People in countless immortal cities felt a sense of trembling awe, as if facing the might of royalty, or something even more formidable. Whether human or demon, including the ferocious beasts in the wilderness, all involuntarily bowed their heads and prostrated themselves on the ground.
In the mist, Emperor Chu and the other emperors also put away their casual expressions, their eyes becoming unusually serious.
The ability to wield the Heavenly Dao Art at will was the mark of an Immortal Emperor, the ultimate realm they all aspired to reach!
On the imperial platforms, Li Hao and the other participants, who had previously stood with unique auras, now showed signs of shock. Many could not help but sit down or crouch on the ground.
Only a few managed to remain standing, but their eyes betrayed a sense of awe and fervor.
Li Hao's expression was grave as he stared at the vortex in the sky. The aura emanating from it was similar to the Will of the Heavenly Sovereign he had touched upon after achieving Ultimate Transcendence to Immortality.
The Heavenly Dao infant within him stirred, as if eager to break free.
In the highest realm of the Dao Heart, the Heavenly Emperor Dao Heart, a thought suddenly surfaced in Li Hao's mind.
The Impartiality of Heavenly Dao, treating all things as mere straw dogs.
Feeling this calm and majestic, boundless aura, he suddenly gained a deeper understanding of this phrase.
This impartiality is not a lack of righteousness, but rather a lack of favoritism!
Heavenly Dao views all beings equally, treating all things with fairness and impartiality.
Impartial kindness is, in a sense, a lack of kindness!
"The sea embraces all rivers, the vast heavens and earth can only embrace all things through impartiality and inclusiveness..."
Li Hao felt a profound enlightenment, as if a sudden clarity had flooded his mind, and his Dao Heart seemed to undergo a subtle refinement.
The world is diverse, with wind and rain, flowers and grass. If one shows kindness to flowers and grass, it is unkind to birds and beasts. Such selective kindness is a form of favoritism and selfishness!
"Heavenly Dao encompasses all things, only through impartiality..."
Li Hao gazed at the vortex, lost in thought.
He controlled the Nine Sequences Fundamental Origin, but only the Five Dao Origins had touched the imperial path, merging into the Sword Dao of the Five Supreme Immortal Emperors.
However, the fusion of the Nine Dao Images had not been achieved.
The Nine Flower Immortal Seal had integrated the nine paths into the sword, but it was still a form of favoritism, with eight paths as auxiliary and the Sword Dao as the main.
This was not impartial.
"All beings are equal, all beings are not equal..."
Thoughts surged in Li Hao's mind, and his body subtly changed as the Nine Sequences Power began to merge within him.
As countless people in the Southern Domain knelt before the Heavenly Dao Aura, and the Seven Imperial Emperors on the misty cloud looked solemn, no one noticed the young man on the imperial platform, lost in a state of sudden enlightenment.
At that moment, beams of golden light descended from the vortex, converging to form the phantoms of Li Hao and the other Top 100 participants.
These phantoms, like moths, quickly flew along a mysterious and chaotic path, soon pairing up.
Seeing this, Emperor Chu, Emperor Tianzhao, and the other emperors also seemed to gain some insight, their eyes filled with contemplation.
For those who had one foot in the Immortal Emperor Realm, the opportunity to glimpse the workings of the Heavenly Dao Art was extremely rare.
However, a mere glimpse was not enough to achieve sudden enlightenment and step into the Imperial Realm. The final step was ten times more difficult than re-cultivating from the Force Mastery stage to the peak of the Immortal King Realm!
Once achieved, one would be at the pinnacle of the True World, the ultimate existence of an Immortal Deity!
"The top 50 matchups have been drawn. Everyone, please take note of your opponents!"
The Celestial Guard Commander's voice rang out, his previously cold eyes now filled with reverence as he looked up at the sky.
"Now, the imperial platforms will merge. Please step back for a moment."
The Celestial Guard Commander addressed the participants on the ten imperial platforms.
Immediately, Li Hao and the others felt a force from the platforms pushing them out.
No one resisted, and they all flew off the platforms.
Once the platforms were empty, the ten imperial platforms converged in the air, their shapes merging to form a single, massive imperial platform!
This new platform, combining the areas of the ten, was vast, almost the size of an immortal city!
"Now, you have three incense sticks to rest and recover. You may take elixirs. Once the rest period is over, the matches will begin from left to right."
The Celestial Guard Commander announced.
Hearing this, the contestants on the far left side quickly returned to their sects and took Immortal Deity’s Treasure Herbs.
The other injured contestants hurried back and used precious medicines to heal themselves.
Many more contestants had already recovered on their own.
Although most of them did not have Heavenly Stars Veins, they possessed numerous Ultimate Powers, including the Eternal and Indestructible realm of Immortality.
Given a chance to catch their breath, they could quickly recover.
Thus, the Top 100 Battle concluded without delay, and the matches continued.
Only a few with severe injuries, even Supreme Treasure medicines could not cure, required the intervention of their sect’s experts to resolve.
"Before you step onto the stage, we will check for any residual effects of drugs in your bodies. Do not take any temporary enhancers for Immortal Power, Soul Spirit, or similar elixirs."
The Celestial Guard Commander’s voice echoed.
Many contestants had already anticipated this and did not overstep the boundaries.
At this point, the other disciples returned to their sects one by one. Seeing this, Li Hao led Lin Qingying, Gu Yan, and the others back to the Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect.
"Qing Ying!"
At this moment, an elder from the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower rushed out, intending to take Lin Qingying back.
Although Lin Qingying had secured a Top 100 spot under Li Hao’s protection, she was still a disciple of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower. On the Top 100 list, not only were their names displayed, but also the names of their Immortal Dynasties and sects.
If they had no sect, their Imperial Clan identity would be shown.
This was a significant form of promotion in the immortal cities.
"You must not forget the sect’s cultivation and care for you."
The elder, dressed in a silk robe, appeared to be in her thirties or forties. She spoke to Lin Qingying.
Seeing her master, Lin Qingying’s expression changed slightly, and she looked at Li Hao.
Recalling Lin Qingying’s words from the secret realm, Li Hao did not want to make things difficult for her. "Go back first", he said.
Lin Qingying hesitated but, seeing Li Hao’s smile, understood his intention and nodded.
The elder’s expression softened slightly. She whispered, "Thank you for helping Qing Ying secure a Top 100 spot."
"No need to thank me."
Li Hao shook his head, bid farewell to Lin Qingying, and returned to the Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect.
The elder watched the young man’s back, her eyes filled with a complex emotion. Lin Qingying’s combat prowess and talent were impressive, and despite her short time in the sect, she had already surpassed expectations by passing the first two trials. Making it into the Top 100 was almost impossible, yet she had managed it.
On the other hand, the disciples from other sects, who were highly anticipated, failed to make the cut, with only two managing to enter.
"Qing Ying, what is your relationship with that young man?"
She asked softly, already sensing the emotions in her disciple’s eyes.
"Master, after this Southern Domain Battle, I will leave the sect. I will repay the sect’s cultivation and care in the future."
Lin Qingying shook her head and told her master.
The elder’s expression changed, and she exclaimed in shock, "You want to leave the sect?"
Lin Qingying nodded slightly, without explanation.
The elder immediately guessed it was related to Li Hao. She sighed, "The Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower is a Tianyi Sect. Tian Hongyi’s feelings for you, I have long seen. Are you sure you won’t reconsider?"
"Master."
Lin Qingying frowned. "I will always remember our years together. Please don’t make this difficult for me."
The elder’s expression changed, and she ultimately fell silent.
"Good job, kid! You really did it!"
Back at the Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect, Li Hao had just returned when Li Tiemu grabbed his shoulder excitedly. "For ten thousand years, our Great Dream Nine Depths has been humiliated, but today, we finally have our heads held high!"
For ten thousand years, since the Southern Domain Battle began, the Great Dream Nine Depths had sent disciples to compete every year, but very few managed to stand out in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty. In the Southern Domain Battle, it was even rarer for them to make it into the Top 100.
This time, Li Hao, their lone hope, was expected to vie for a top ten spot, bringing glory to the sect.
But unexpectedly, Li Hao brought them an even greater surprise by leading five other sect members into the Top 100.
Although Li Tiemu was in the Heavenly Palace, he could imagine that the name of the Great Dream Nine Depths was now renowned in the nine thousand immortal cities of Yan Chu!
After all, the Great Dream Nine Depths occupied six of the Top 100 spots!
Including the Imperial Clan, the entire Yan Chu had only 18 representatives!
Apart from the Great Dream Nine Depths, the other sects and the Imperial Clan combined had only 12!
In the Five Great Tianyi Sects of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, some sects had no disciples make the cut!
While their top disciples, in the Immortal Lord Realm, would compete later, at this moment, the name of the Great Dream Nine Depths was unmatched.
"Hao Tian, the sect truly owes you a great deal of gratitude this time."
The Great Dream Master looked at Li Hao, her eyes filled with a gentle smile.
Li Hao quickly replied, "Patriarch, it’s my duty. I did what I could."
"Speaking of duty, the sect has indeed helped you, but your contributions far outweigh what we have given."
The Great Dream Master said, knowing that Li Hao had only been with the sect for a few years. Although she was willing to invest all the sect’s top resources in Li Hao, the time was too short. Moreover, in the Langya Painting Realm, she had wanted to give Li Hao some treasures, but he had refused, choosing instead to discuss minor matters of the Art Dao.
Li Hao smiled. "Gratitude knows no bounds."
Hearing this, the Great Dream Master fell silent. His words, "Gratitude knows no bounds", revealed the sincerity of this young man.
"Earlier, I said that after the Southern Domain Battle, if you can pull the sword from the Sword Abyss, it will be yours."
After a brief silence, the Great Dream Master whispered.
Seeing Li Hao about to refuse, she quickly added, "Don’t decline. You may not be able to pull the sword, but it is one of the True World’s Nine Imperial Swords, with an Imperial Soul that is now incomplete and dusty. It is one of the three greatest treasures of our Great Dream Nine Depths!"
Hearing her words, Li Hao’s mouth opened slightly. Feeling the determination in her eyes, he knew he couldn’t refuse.
After all, his fame in the Southern Domain would attract attention from ancient demon spies. In the future, he might face attacks. Having a stronger weapon for protection was a wise choice.
"Alright."
Li Hao nodded, accepting the offer.
The Great Dream Master breathed a sigh of relief and then looked at Gu Yan and the others. "Hao Tian helped you secure your spots in the Top 100. In the upcoming battles, give it your all. Don’t worry about winning, but show your full potential and let the entire Southern Domain see your unique brilliance!"
"Understood!"
Hearing the Great Dream Master’s words, Yue Xi, Gu Yan, and the others’ eyes sparkled.
Indeed, they did not seek victory, only to fight without regret.
(End of Chapter)
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