Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 469

Volume 3 - Chapter 143: The Trail of Immortals, The Ranking of the Top Ten - Part 1

“The path to immortality has been severed?”

Li Hao froze for a moment and asked, “Are there immortals and gods in this world?”

Hearing Li Hao’s question, Ye Zu chuckled softly and replied, “Immortals and gods are ethereal, unseen by mortal eyes. But they have been recorded in ancient texts. For instance, on the Moonwatch Cliff, there is a sword stele bearing the shadow of a sword technique known as Immortal’s Guiding Finger. Such an exquisitely profound move could only have been executed by an immortal.”

“That’s right,” someone else chimed in. “It’s said that even the Sword Saint failed to comprehend it. Other Supreme Saints have also remarked that the sword techniques in the stele could only have been left by immortals and gods—beyond the grasp of human capability.”

“Beyond the Immortal’s Guiding Finger on Moonwatch Cliff, there’s also the palm print in the Cold Ancient Land and the tattered silken robe adrift in the Soul-breaking Sea. These relics suggest that immortals and gods once existed in this world. However, for reasons unknown, they seem to have departed from the mortal realm, leaving no trace behind.”

Though young, the speaker knew much about ancient secrets and said, “While saints can endure for millennia, they cannot achieve eternal life. Immortals and gods, however, can. To ensure one’s path endures eternally, one must surpass the Supreme Saint Realm and ascend to become an immortal or god, earning the worship of the masses for all eternity.”

“Should one achieve immortality, merely appearing in the mortal world and manifesting divine phenomena would inspire boundless faith among the people. Even saints would venerate a living immortal or god. Who wouldn’t revere such beings?”

When the topic of immortals and gods arose, Qing Zu joined the conversation, though his tone carried a hint of regret.

Li Hao was stunned. He hadn’t expected to hear such astonishing secrets shortly after joining the Huayou Association.

“What did the Supreme Saints mean when they said the path to immortality has been severed? Were they referring to the path of cultivation, or is it a literal road?” Li Hao asked curiously.

“It’s a literal road,” Ye Zu explained. “Some Supreme Saints touched upon that barrier and communed with the will of the Heavenly Dao of this realm. They learned that achieving immortality here is impossible. One must leave this realm to succeed.”

“For this reason, Supreme Saints have long sought and explored ways to transcend this realm, searching for a heavenly path. Following the traces left behind by immortals and gods, they found such a road. However, it is sealed. This realm is akin to a closed egg, trapping us within. No matter how long we live, we can only perish here, unable to transcend.”

Li Hao was dumbstruck. This was his first encounter with such secrets about the Land of Saints, and the revelation filled him with despair.

Was eternal life truly unattainable? Would all eventually perish?

No wonder the Huayou Association existed. Since death was inevitable, why not enjoy the present?

“Recently, the Supreme Saints discovered a second road, located in a dangerous region. However, breaking the seal seems to require the cultivation of all extreme realms. Only then is there hope of treading that path and breaking through!”

Qing Zu continued, “For this reason, over the past millennium, the saints have reincarnated repeatedly. Some use avatars to reincarnate, aiming to cultivate all the extreme realms and be the first to break through that path, ascending as immortals or gods.”

“However, this road is fraught with difficulty. Cultivating the Nine Extreme Realms is already arduous, requiring unparalleled talent. Additionally, the existence of the road is mere speculation—its truth can only be verified through trial.”

“Yet even this sliver of hope has spurred the saints to compete fiercely, for it is the sole chance for immortality!”

Li Hao was shaken.

Previously, he had learned from Lin Shanhai that the saints’ reincarnations revolved around some great secret. He hadn’t expected it to be about immortality.

No wonder the saints would take such risks. Reincarnation was perilous and could lead to eternal obscurity through countless lives. Without such a significant incentive, why would the saints gamble so recklessly?

The Nine Extreme Realms... Li Hao’s eyes flickered. He had already reached the Seventh Extreme Realm. With access to sufficient cultivation methods, the Eighth Extreme Realm was within reach. As for the Ninth Extreme Realm, the Path-seeking Extreme Realm, achieving it would require elevating his Dao mastery to the ninth rank, at which point he might glimpse its mysteries.

However...

“Even with their prolonged lifespans, have the Supreme Saints failed to cultivate the Nine Extreme Realms?” Li Hao asked.

“Some extreme realms are insurmountable,” a young voice interjected. “The Supreme Saints are unparalleled geniuses and have cultivated for eons. They’ve mastered other extreme realms, but it’s said the Sixth Extreme Realm is the hardest. No one has achieved it. The pinnacle of the Heaven and Man Realm seems to require merging with the heavens and earth. While they have the hearts for such an endeavor, they lack the will of the heavens to complete the fusion.”

Li Hao was momentarily taken aback. The Sixth Extreme Realm?

He had previously heard that the Sixth Extreme Realm was challenging but hadn’t expected even the Supreme Saints to be stuck at this juncture.

He recalled a faint trace of the will of a Celestial Sovereign he had encountered before. The culmination of the Heaven and Man Realm was the Celestial Sovereign Realm...

“You’re behind on the news. A decade ago, it was reported that the Yunxia Realm opened a passage to the mortal world and found a prodigy who achieved the Sixth Extreme Realm. However, this prodigy was personally slain by a Void Saint, snuffing out that hope,” Qing Zu suddenly said.

Li Hao was startled, his heart skipping a beat upon hearing a mention of his past.

“That incident?” Ye Zu remarked. “I heard about it too. Without the protection of a Supreme Saint, even cultivating the Sixth Extreme Realm doesn’t guarantee safety. After all, the saints seek to achieve the Sixth Extreme Realm through their own efforts. Why would they allow someone else to claim the opportunity?”

“Prodigies are not scarce in this world,” Qing Zu lamented. “But prodigies who fail to grow strong are like fleeting clouds—easily dispersed by a single breeze.”

Li Hao fell silent. Back when the Void Saint tried to kill him, they justified it as retribution for him hunting down the Holy Son of the Void Holy Land. In hindsight, the reason Qing Zu mentioned likely played a part as well.

Geniuses, no matter how bright, were doomed to wither without the backing of a powerful force.

Li Hao took a deep breath, his eyes turning cold. Ever since surviving an assassination attempt at the age of six, he understood that his greatest reliance could only be himself.

If no one could protect him, then he would make himself invincible!

“There’s no need to dwell on this—it has little to do with us,” Qing Zu said, shifting the topic. “Qingfeng, you still haven’t mentioned what you’re most skilled at.”

Li Hao collected his thoughts. After considering for a moment, he replied, “Cooking and painting.”

Seeing how they had been discussing chess earlier, he added, “I’ve also studied chess a bit. If there’s an opportunity, I’d like to spar with you both sometime.”

“Oh? Such a wide array of interests?” Qing Zu remarked, surprised. “Though the immortal path is severed, many of us have found new passions. However, we typically focus on mastering one pursuit. Yet you’ve even dabbled in cooking?”

“What? You enjoy cooking?”

A round, plump figure emerged from the shadows and moved closer to Li Hao, asking in surprise, “Are you serious, or is it just a casual pastime? Zhantan, what talent did he use to enter the Huayou Association?”

“Another cooking enthusiast? Bai Zu might have found a kindred spirit.”

Ye Zu laughed and said to Li Hao, “We take chess very seriously here. Casual players have no place among us.”

The elegant voice of a woman, the shadowy figure of Zhantan, added softly, “Qingfeng joined the Huayou Association through his painting skills. His mastery of painting is exceptional. Butterfly showed me some of his work, and I must admit, his skills surpass my own—he’s already reached the level of Entering the Dao in painting!”

Hearing Zhantan’s assessment, the group fell silent, all turning their astonished gazes toward Li Hao.

To surpass Zhantan in painting?

It was well known that Zhantan was unrivaled in the art of painting within the Huayou Association and was even nicknamed “Little Sage of Painting.” For her to concede superiority to someone else was almost unbelievable.

Li Hao, realizing the identity of the speaker, immediately understood. This must be the vice president of the Huayou Association mentioned by Gui Qinshuang, a Semi-Saint renowned for her painting expertise.

Moreover, her admiration hinted at a vast collection of famous artworks in her possession—priceless treasures that could enhance his art attributes.

“Painting?”

Bai Zu, the round figure, looked visibly disappointed. “I thought you specialized in cooking.”

Li Hao chuckled. “My cooking is no less remarkable than my painting.”

“Really?”

Bai Zu’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Are you sure?”

“We can exchange dishes and judge for ourselves someday,” Li Hao said confidently.

Bai Zu’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “That’s the spirit! The taste will decide everything. Where are you based? I’ll come find you.”

Li Hao hadn’t expected Bai Zu to take him up on the offer so quickly. Surprised, he could tell that Bai Zu’s enthusiasm for cooking was genuine, reflecting a true passion and plenty of leisure time.

“I’m in the Canglan Realm,” Li Hao replied.

Zhantan interjected, “Bai Zu, you can visit Qingfeng, but don’t be too insistent. Don’t disrupt his cultivation. He’s currently participating in the Supreme Heavenly Genius Battle and seems to have a good chance of representing the Canglan Realm.”

Her words caught everyone’s attention.

“You’re competing in the Supreme Heavenly Genius Battle? How old are you?” Qing Zu asked, astonished.

“Almost thirty,” Li Hao replied casually.

“…”

The group exchanged speechless glances.

“Not even thirty, and you’re already painting and cooking? Are you sure you’re not joking?” Bai Zu asked incredulously.

At thirty, most people were only beginning to embark on their paths of cultivation.

In their younger years, they had been singularly focused on advancing their cultivation, to the exclusion of all else. Even personal pleasures were set aside, as distractions hindered progress.

“This…” Ye Zu stammered, “You’re under thirty and already at the Path-seeking Extreme Realm?”

Reaching such a level at his age was nothing short of monstrous talent.

Zhantan, who had some prior knowledge of Li Hao’s identity through Gui Qinshuang, was similarly stunned. While she knew he was competing in the Supreme Heavenly Genius Battle, she had assumed he was at least eighty or ninety years old to have reached such a mastery of painting.

The Supreme Heavenly Genius Battle allowed participants under a hundred years of age. The fact that Li Hao was not even thirty yet left her deeply shocked.

“This has to be a joke,” the young man murmured in disbelief. “A Path-seeker Extreme Realm cultivator at thirty? Is he a reincarnated saint?”

Li Hao’s cultivation level alone was enough to astound the group. They had all been prodigies and monsters of their generations, reaching great heights. However, none had achieved Li Hao’s accomplishments at his age.

Li Hao had disclosed his age because he knew the Supreme Heavenly Genius Battle would eventually reveal it through the Reflection Mirror. It wasn’t worth hiding.

“Qingfeng’s talent makes him a potential saint. Shouldn’t you focus on reaching the Saint Realm first?” Qing Zu asked.

“Cultivation doesn’t have to come at the cost of enjoyment. Balance is important,” Li Hao replied with a smile.

Hearing Li Hao’s response, even these individuals who had largely given up striving for greater cultivation felt momentarily speechless.

This man truly had an extraordinary mindset...

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