Volume 3 - Chapter 388: Lord Haotian (Part 2)
The Dao of Water—it is dew upon the grass, it is a trickling brook, it is the abyss, it is the boundless sea.
The true meaning of the Painting Dao is not pigment or decoration, not a mere display of technique or beauty. It is the essence—the sincere origin captured across time.
It cannot be faked through skill. It cannot be forged through ornamentation. It speaks directly to the soul.
As the aura of a Lord surged from him, Li Hao's entire being underwent a transformation. The Dao-Origin Immortal Seal on his forehead let out a piercing sword cry.
In the void, Immortal Dao laws condensed—stretching out like chains. The Nine Sequences of the Dao materialized as nine massive silver chains. Among them, the chain of the Sword Dao was a sword-scar shaped brand, piercing through the void and coiling around Li Hao.
Seeing this scene, Han Lao’s eyes flickered. But there was no joy in them—only sorrow and ache.
Outside, the Dream Clan erupted in astonishment. None had expected Li Hao to break through at such a dire moment, stepping into the Lord realm!
By contrast, the Wind Spirit Clan and Hidden Sea Clan were dumbstruck, their expressions turning ashen.
They had never imagined that this young man would be protected to such a degree. That a damaged Imperial weapon—a half-step Emperor artifact—would tear through time and space to preserve his life. That even the Dao-Origin Immortal Emperor of the Primordial True Realm would intervene personally.
This youth hadn't even entered the Primordial True Realm yet, and already its emperor had come to receive him in the True Realm. Such treatment… not even the most esteemed disciples of the Supremes had ever received.
"He became a Lord…"
"A Lord under a hundred years old… surely that's a new record—the youngest Lord in history?"
On the mountaintop, as the Imperial pressure of the Supreme withdrew, so too did the majesty of the Dao-Origin Immortal Emperor. The many figures prostrating atop the peaks were now barely able to lift their heads—and saw the wondrous scene unfolding in the heavens.
There, bathed in the divine light of the Black Tower, the youth underwent transformation. His realm surged upward. It was breathtaking.
"A Lord…"
Gui Lingyue’s eyes were filled with mixed emotions. She hadn’t expected that before the Southern Domain battle had even concluded, this youth would already rise to the Lord realm. If they were to fight again, she wouldn’t survive even a single strike.
Not far away, Shen Wuji watched the same scene unfold. Yet to him, breakthroughs were nothing difficult. Had he not been deliberately building a solid foundation, he could have reached the Lord realm long ago.
"Good. Well done."
He murmured to himself, eyes shining. Though he had previously suffered a bitter defeat at this youth's hands, watching the breakthrough unfold sparked a strange excitement in his heart. A powerful anticipation. He yearned to fight him again—at their peak. And he hoped the youth would seize this chance to rise beyond all reach.
Everyone watched the ascending youth. For someone of his talent, breaking through the shackles of the True Immortal Realm was no longer a rarity.
Their eyes turned to another figure, cloaked in emperor's might, standing atop the clouds. None knew how today’s conflict would end.
The Supreme gazed at the change in Li Hao’s aura, expression calm and unmoved.
True Immortals, Lords… to him, all were dust. Not even ants. Only those who reached the Immortal King Realm could barely qualify as ants—barely worth lifting a hand to crush.
As Li Hao’s aura gradually stabilized, his gaze settled on the painting. But in his eyes, there was no joy. No sorrow. Only a still, abyssal calm—as if all happiness and grief were now irrelevant to him.
He raised his hand and gently put the painting away, as if taking her hand into his own.
And the girl in the painting still looked softly at him, a hint of blush and joy in her eyes.
After stowing the painting, Li Hao looked up toward the outside world. Upon breaking through to the Lord realm, he had sensed everything that had transpired beyond the Black Tower.
"Child, come with me to the Primordial True Realm. Join my sect, and cultivate under my guidance."
The Dao-Origin Immortal Emperor’s voice echoed in his mind. Calm, but tinged with kindness.
Li Hao’s lips moved slightly. After a long silence, he replied, "Thank you for your grace, Great Emperor. But there is one place I wish to go first."
"Where?"
"The Northern Region."
The Dao-Origin Immortal Emperor narrowed his eyes. Within them, traces of countless Dao marks and the currents of fate flickered.
He nodded slightly. "Then I shall await you in the Primordial True Realm."
With those words, a stream of light flew from his fingertip and merged into Li Hao’s body.
"This is a realm-seal of the Primordial True Realm. Once activated, it will bring you there instantly."
Li Hao sensed a vortex of power spiraling within him—gentle yet mysterious, its nature unfathomable.
"This is the Shell of the Black Tortoise Source. It will conceal your aura and sever your karmic dust. Keep it safe. Should it shatter, I will appear in your defense. Although the Heavenly Emperor has sworn not to pursue you, it is best not to linger in the Southern Domain."
Hearing these heartfelt words, Li Hao looked at the silvery, frost-like artifact flying toward him. He fell silent once more.
Then he accepted the treasure, looked up, and met the gaze of the Dao-Origin Immortal Emperor.
He saw a face of unparalleled beauty—radiant yet not dazzling. Eyes like deep seas, filled with the weight of countless years, yet softened by compassion.
Clutching the treasure, Li Hao slowly knelt in the air.
He knocked his head to the ground. Three times.
Loud and solemn.
"This grace—I shall remember for all eternity!"
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