Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 471

Volume 3 - Chapter 144: Defeating Chiguang with a Single Sword - Part 1

"If these two were to clash, perhaps we could gain some insight."

The Haoyue Holy Son’s gaze was cold and detached, completely dismissing everyone else present. He didn’t deem them worthy of notice—except for Li Hao’s earlier sword strike, which he found impossible to forget.

If not for his master’s intervention and reassurance afterward, his Dao Heart would have nearly suffered a crack.

Beyond these Holy Sons, numerous elders from major factions were present among the crowd to watch the battles.

Since they had no access to observe the Sacred Lands’ selection competitions, this free-for-all among the scattered practitioners of the various dynasties instead became a grand spectacle in the Canglan Realm.

Even the Emperor of the Canghai Divine Dynasty had personally arrived to watch, sitting modestly on a floating cloud palanquin.

"I heard from Gui Qinshuang that Qingfeng joined the Huayou Association through Qinshuang’s recommendation. That child has become one of their top-tier members, a Butterfly, and it seems she has achieved something noteworthy."

The Emperor of the Canghai Divine Dynasty chuckled lightly, speaking to the elegant noblewoman beside him. His aged hand gently caressed her jade-like hand, as smooth and white as suet.

This noblewoman was one of his most favored consorts, the mother of Gui Qinshuang. Her position had risen due to her daughter’s prominence.

"Qinshuang is working for Your Majesty’s sake. Just yesterday, she was thinking of you, mentioning that the camellias blooming in March had turned red, and she wished to send some to you," the noblewoman replied with a soft and graceful smile.

The Emperor nodded slightly. "It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. Arrange for her to visit me when there’s time."

The noblewoman smiled gently, then turned her gaze toward the battle platform. "If Chiguang and Qingfeng were to fight, it would undoubtedly be a fierce clash. Let’s hope they don’t harbor grudges because of it."

The Emperor’s eyes, fixed on the platform, revealed a hint of concern.

As the crowd continued to gather, the Ten Strongest Battles officially commenced.

The rules were announced, followed by random pairings. Under the observation of ten semi-saints dispatched by the Ten Divine Dynasties, this competition among the chosen ones unfolded in grandeur.

The scene was overwhelming, but Li Hao, seated in the waiting area, remained as tranquil as still water. Amid the commotion, he felt a serene calmness.

For him, this battle was merely a formality. The ranking held little importance. What truly mattered was the clash with the Three Great Sacred Lands later on, a contest to secure a place in the Canglan Realm’s elite lineup. This was the real priority, and today’s battles were no more than a warm-up.

Before long, the result of Li Hao’s first opponent was revealed.

Looking at it, Li Hao was mildly surprised. It turned out to be Su Yun, the woman he had previously encountered in the Imperial Hall.

Su Yun, too, noticed that her first opponent was Li Hao. Her expression shifted slightly. She still vividly remembered Li Hao’s achievement of claiming the incense offerings of ten cities during their prior encounter. Since then, she had kept an eye on him and learned that he had entered the Sword Dao. She knew she could not match him.

...

With the other matches concluded, Li Hao and Su Yun were set for the third round.

On the battle platform, Su Yun stared intently at the approaching Li Hao. "I’ve heard your Sword Dao has reached a profound level. I’d like to experience it firsthand."

"You may," Li Hao replied with a nod.

Su Yun’s gaze grew serious. As the formation coalesced around them, she immediately unleashed her power at the Four Extremes Realm and wielded a cloud-like sleeve with a sudden sweep.

That cloud sleeve, a precious treasure, emanated illusions of drifting clouds—a manifestation of a divine ability.

Li Hao sensed that the surroundings of the platform seemed to transform into a foggy realm. However, this fog carried a corrosive force, as if seeking to erode his body.

Yet, Li Hao’s physical body had been refined to its utmost limit—the very peak of the Tongli Realm. The corrosive fog was repelled at his skin’s surface and couldn’t harm him in the slightest.

Seeing her divine ability fail, Su Yun’s pupils contracted. She could feel that when her technique touched Li Hao’s body, it was as if it collided with an unyielding divine stone, utterly immovable.

"How... how is this possible?"

Su Yun was momentarily dazed. This was the first time she had encountered such a situation where her ultimate move had no effect.

Li Hao didn’t hesitate. Raising his hand, he pinched a wisp of the cloud mist, condensing it with the power of his Primordial Spirit into a streak of cloud sword qi. With a casual flick, he sent it slashing forward.

The Supreme Soft Sword Dao, following the trajectory of the drifting mist, instantly pierced through Su Yun’s Dao Domain. It grazed past her ear, cutting several strands of her hair, which gently floated down onto her shoulder.

Su Yun froze. Though she hadn’t fully expanded her Dao Domain, it had offered no resistance. This sword qi, having entered the Sword Dao, surpassed the suppressive power of the laws within her domain.

Unless her Dao Domain was significantly stronger, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

Su Yun’s expression shifted, revealing a trace of struggle, but she eventually sighed in defeat. "I’ve lost."

She had anticipated her loss but hadn’t imagined it would come so easily.

Li Hao cupped his hands slightly before turning and stepping off the platform as if he had merely taken a stroll.

The atmosphere among the spectators had barely reached its peak of excitement when the battle abruptly ended. Many were left stunned and shocked. Su Yun’s previous matches had been fierce, with her Cloud Mist Divine Ability overwhelming her opponents, leaving them in utter distress. Yet against Li Hao, the ability seemed ineffective, and she was defeated in an instant.

"That Qingfeng’s sword is terrifyingly strong!"

"I noticed him during the Ten Thousand Combatants Battle. He seemed to win every fight with just a single strike of sword qi."

"Such a fearsome Sword Dao. Could he be from the Sword Ancestor Holy Land?"

"That’s impossible! Although Sword Ancestor Holy Land’s members use swords, not all sword users in the world are from there. I use a sword, too—does that make me one of them?"

"Ha! As if your sword skills could ever compare!"

"Your mother..."

...

In the midst of the heated discussions, a few individuals, such as Li Qingyi, regarded the scene with grave expressions.

Although Li Hao had once again resolved the battle with just his Sword Dao, it was evident that he hadn’t even been forced to reveal his ultimate techniques. He had held back significantly. Furthermore, the corrosive fog of the Cloud Mist Divine Ability should have had a substantial impact on the body, but Li Hao’s physique was entirely unaffected, showcasing his extraordinary physical strength.

"A physique at the peak of the Tongli Realm, in a divine state, yet he didn’t even activate his divine force? Could it be that the divine ability didn’t fully take effect?"

Doubt lingered among the onlookers.

For most cultivators, physique discrepancies existed, but among the chosen ones, their physical bodies were generally comparable, all having reached the peak of the Tongli Realm.

While there could be slight variations in strength, the difference was rarely significant. Moreover, these prodigies had far more to focus on—be it cultivation realms, techniques, or divine abilities, all of which demanded their energy and attention.

"Too weak."

The Haoyue Holy Son’s expression remained indifferent. While Su Yun’s strength was indeed at the level of a Saintess, she was far inferior to Li Hao. Even the Holy Son himself could have easily defeated her.

In the crowd, Lin Qingying’s eyes glimmered as she watched Li Hao’s use of the Supreme Soft Sword Dao. Inspiration and newfound understanding dawned upon her.

Previously, Li Hao had guided her in the ways of the Sword Dao. However, comprehension depended on individual effort, and true insight didn’t come easily. Without a moment of enlightenment, it was impossible to grasp the essence overnight. If it were that simple, the teachings of Saints would produce masters in a single day.

After his match with Su Yun concluded, Li Hao smoothly advanced to the next round. He awaited the pairing of his next opponent while Su Yun entered the loser’s bracket. There, she fought fiercely and managed to secure a victory.

While observing the matches, Li Hao quietly studied the techniques of the other chosen ones. At the same time, he took out a drawing board and began sketching with meticulous care.

When countless divine senses gathered to glimpse what Li Hao was painting, astonishment spread among the spectators. The figure in his painting seemed vividly alive, mid-combat, brimming with a sense of sharp aggression that was anything but ordinary artistry.

"This Qingfeng Gongzi’s painting skills are astonishing!"

"Is this the power of a peerless genius? Excelling not only in martial arts but also in artistic mastery, far beyond what ordinary people could achieve."

"With such talent, he could easily become the chief artist of the Canghai Divine Dynasty."

Whispers of admiration filled the air, but Li Hao remained unaffected by the chatter. His mind was tranquil as he continued painting, his thoughts free and unburdened.

With each stroke of his brush, hints of artistic and martial understanding emerged, gradually refining his skills further...

Before long, it was time for Li Hao’s next match. Setting down his brush, he placed it on the inkstone and rose to his feet. In a single step, he teleported to the battle platform.

This time, his opponent was another competitor from the winner’s bracket, a young man who had noticed Li Hao’s calm demeanor during the painting session. The youth’s eyes were filled with caution as he regarded Li Hao. Among the top ten challengers, aside from Chiguang, Li Hao was perhaps the most enigmatic and fearsome contender, shrouded in an air of hidden depths.

Li Hao’s Sword Dao alone was already formidable, but no one could say for certain what other techniques he might possess.

"You seem confident of your victory," the youth said, staring at Li Hao.

Li Hao paused, then shook his head. "The outcome here is merely a formality. It doesn’t matter."

The youth raised his eyebrows slightly, instantly grasping Li Hao’s meaning. His true objective lay in securing a spot in the Canglan Realm’s lineup. He clearly didn’t consider these preliminary battles worth his attention.

And yet, the youth’s thoughts mirrored Li Hao’s own.

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