Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 468

Volume 3 - Chapter 142: Supreme Saint Force - Part 2

Below the stage, Li Qingyi and the others were astonished. Li Hao’s earlier Sword Dao had been soft and traceless, untouchable. Yet now, it had transformed into a dominating and sharp force. The contrast between the two types of power revealed that Li Hao had mastered two completely different Sword Daos!

Although the two Sword Daos could not combine to enhance killing power, possessing two Sword Daos made it much harder to predict and counter Li Hao in battle.

Li Hao retracted his hand, looked at the defeated youth in the purple robe, gave a slight bow, and then stepped off the stage.

The Sun and Moon Sword Dao was merely one of the many Sword Daos he had condensed into his Sole-Self Sword Dao.

“This guy...”

Chiguang, who had been observing the fight, furrowed his brows in contemplation but soon shook his head.

“Too scattered and not refined. He was dabbling in Painting Dao earlier, wasting his talent. He’s on the wrong path.”

His gaze carried a trace of pity. Although Li Hao’s talent was extraordinary and not necessarily inferior to his own, his greed was regrettable. Chiguang had encountered many prodigies, some of whom were exceptionally gifted but were ultimately ruined by their arrogance and indulgence, fading into obscurity.

As the matches continued, the final ten contestants were determined.

Li Hao advanced smoothly. Alongside him, Chiguang and the Yunshang Woman also made it through. Though the purple-robed youth had lost to Li Hao, he won all his other battles and secured a spot in the top ten.

Apart from these four, the remaining six were all remarkable individuals with extraordinary strength.

...

During the competition’s rest period, Li Hao returned to his courtyard and continued refining his Dao Domain.

The techniques he had studied in the Hanhai Tower were finally all mastered, raising his Dao Domain to 220 layers.

Stretching lazily, Li Hao heard someone at the door requesting an audience. Extending his divine sense, he saw that it was the woman from before. He immediately sent a sound transmission to the royal guard who had been watching over his place, instructing them to let her in.

“Lord Qingfeng, the Vice President has reviewed your artwork and agreed to let you join.”

Gui Qinshuang approached Li Hao and bowed respectfully as she spoke.

Now that Li Hao had joined the Huayou Association, his status surpassed hers.

Previously, as a mere guest contributor, even with his prodigious talent, she had treated him courteously but without deference.

“This is your Huayou Token,” Gui Qinshuang said, raising her hand and presenting a crimson token to Li Hao.

Taking the token, Li Hao immediately sensed it was a treasure. The moment his divine sense touched it, waves of Dao Sound imprints emanated from within.

These sounds narrated the history and rules of the Huayou Association.

Images unfurled in Li Hao’s mind: during ancient times, two majestic figures shrouded in mist loomed over all creation. These were the founders of the Huayou Association—two Supreme Saints known only by their aliases: Flower Fairy and Xiaoyao You.

After their disappearance into seclusion, the association was handed over to Semi-Saint successors.

The rules of the Huayou Association were simple: no internal killing, no use of martial prowess to oppress others, and disputes were to be settled through skill. Other than that, there were few restrictions.

The Huayou Association’s members spanned the Thirty-Three Realms, but their numbers were limited—only 97 in total. With Li Hao’s addition, there were now 98, equating to about two or three members per realm.

Through the Huayou Token, members could communicate and sense one another. Additionally, the token contained Semi-Saint laws, providing a means for members to escape mortal danger. Only opponents of immense strength, such as other Semi-Saints, could possibly disrupt this function. Otherwise, it was an unparalleled life-saving treasure.

As Li Hao absorbed the information within the token, he realized Gui Qinshuang had not lied. The Huayou Association seemed like a gathering of skilled artisans drawn together by the Supreme Saints’ invitation for leisure.

Simultaneously, Li Hao learned of the princess’s identity. While the Huayou Association avoided fame and power, most of its members had significant backgrounds. As Gui Qinshuang had said, they were prodigies of their time, akin to the Holy Sons of millennia past.

Such individuals had long established their names, with deep connections and influence. Consequently, the association employed a considerable number of support staff, Gui Qinshuang being one of them.

People like her were referred to as "Butterflies" within the Huayou Association.

Their primary role was to scout and invite eligible individuals to join.

“Lord Qingfeng, if you have any other instructions, please feel free to call upon me. This is my Xing Token. As long as you are within the Canglan Realm, I can receive your messages.”

Gui Qinshuang took out another token, fragrant and intricate, and offered it with both hands, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Li Hao, aware of the Butterfly members’ duties, which included fulfilling all requests of the association’s members, responded calmly, “Alright, you may leave.”

Gui Qinshuang bowed and took her leave but stole a glance at Li Hao before departing, thinking that with such handsomeness, it wouldn’t be a loss even if he made an unreasonable demand.

Once Gui Qinshuang was gone, Li Hao extended his divine sense into the Huayou Token.

Inside, he discovered a chaotic space, where ethereal figures stood.

Startled, Li Hao observed his surroundings, and then a voice called out, “A newcomer has arrived! Quickly, report your name and greet all the senior members with a bow!”

“Shoo, shoo, stop bullying the newcomer. Newcomer, what’s your name? What’s your specialty? Would you like to play a game of chess with this old man?”

Li Hao saw two indistinct figures conversing and asked in surprise, “What is this place?”

“This is the Intent Domain Space created by the Supreme Saints. Using the Huayou Token, you can enter here from anywhere, except for certain ancient forbidden grounds where the rules are too fearsome to allow it.”

Another voice, belonging to a woman, answered. Her tone was regal and elegant, exuding the majesty of an empress overlooking the world.

Li Hao turned his gaze and saw a silhouette of a graceful woman. Though only a shadow, her figure emanated an ethereal and divine aura, as if a celestial goddess had descended to the mortal realm.

“Intent Domain Space?” Li Hao murmured to himself. This was his first encounter with the means of a Supreme Saint, and he was astounded that they could create a space allowing communication across the Thirty-Three Realms through a small token.

Considering the vastness of the realms, this synchronization of thought was extraordinary. If such a tool were deployed in mortal battlefields, it would serve as a national treasure.

The Great Yu Divine Dynasty, plagued by demonic calamities, possessed treasures like Eight-Directions Transmission Orders, but those were few in number, one-time-use consumables, and their transmission speed paled in comparison to the real-time interaction enabled by this Intent Domain Space.

“In this humble form, I am Qingfeng. I dabble in (qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting).” Li Hao introduced himself using his current alias.

“Ha! Bold words, claiming proficiency in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I must test your chess skills,” the old voice said, turning sharp with interest.

“Yezu, stop taking advantage of newcomers. You just want another chess opponent,” teased the younger voice that had spoken earlier.

Yezu snorted indignantly. “Is it my fault that Qing Ancestor is useless? Last month, I beat him three times in a row! What began as a single match became a best-of-three, then a best-of-five! Hmph, he hasn’t dared to face me since.”

A gruff voice suddenly interrupted, filled with anger. “Stop spreading nonsense! I had just slain a demonic ancestor at the time. My condition was poor, and I lost by accident!”

“Oh, so you can show yourself now that there’s a newcomer, eh?” Yezu chuckled.

“I’ve been recovering these past days, not avoiding you! Hmph, once I’m fully recovered, we’ll fight again, same place as always!” The rough voice was resolute.

Yezu laughed. “Fine, I’ll go ahead and wait for you there. If you don’t show, you’re nothing but a coward!”

“...”

Li Hao couldn’t help but feel speechless as he listened to their bickering. These figures, titled as Ancestors and at least in the Semi-Saint realm, were so childish in private.

What surprised Li Hao further was that they seemed to know each other’s identities in reality, with no intention of hiding them.

However, given the strength of the Huayou Association’s members, there was little need for secrecy. Few would dare trouble them, and what they revealed within the association were merely their hobbies, unlikely to incite greed.

Li Hao pondered briefly and then asked, “If the Huayou Association values exchanges in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, why not invite those without martial strength but with exceptional artistic talent?”

“Haha! I’ve heard this question thirty times before!”

“Only thirty? I’ve heard it at least fifty!” Yezu and the young voice laughed heartily.

Li Hao blinked, realizing that he wasn’t the first to raise such a query.

“Every newcomer asks this question, so one more time won’t hurt,” the young voice said cheerfully.

“The reasons are somewhat complex. First, ordinary mortals have limited lifespans. Even if they delve deeply into artistic pursuits, they age and die quickly, rarely achieving greatness.

“Second, if mortals pursue both martial arts and the arts, their low cultivation levels cause them to revere us excessively. Such interactions are uncomfortable for both parties.

“And lastly, and most importantly, while we appreciate these skills, we haven’t entirely abandoned martial cultivation. We still occasionally exchange insights into martial arts.”

After a brief pause, the young voice continued, “Are you going to ask next why the Supreme Saints, such exalted beings, would indulge in such leisurely pursuits?”

At this, the voice grew more solemn.

“Because when the Supreme Saints chose to retire, they left behind these words:

‘The path to immortality is broken. Better to revel in the mortal world.’

“That is the origin of our Huayou Association.”

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