Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 463

Volume 3 - Chapter 138: Postnatal Dao Embryo, Loose Cultivator’s Challenge – Part 3

After Li Hao left, Sword Cliff fell silent. The Sword Lord let out a soft sigh.

He knew that after this departure, their next meeting would be a long time away.

The Supreme Heavenly Battle of Geniuses was no easy feat. Li Hao needed to focus entirely on preparing. If he managed to secure first place in the future, he would ascend to sainthood. Whether he could still maintain his current detached demeanor by then was uncertain.

Achieving sainthood was not just a matter of cultivating to a higher realm; it also brought significant changes to one’s temperament. Often, a person undergoing this transformation would seem like a completely different individual.

A saint perceived the world vastly differently from those beneath sainthood. Sometimes, the new perspectives were even contradictory, overturning previous understandings. Such revelations naturally brought about shifts in one’s mindset.

“You little mudfish, I’ve gotten tired of hooking you over and over. There’s no novelty in it anymore. Out of consideration for the time we’ve spent together, I won’t kill you. Go, all of you, leave.”

Sitting before Sword Cliff, the Sword Lord spoke gently.

His voice carried the resonance of the Dao, echoing to the bottom of the cliff. The dragon demons swimming in the Dragon Pool froze, looking up in astonishment at the figure atop Sword Cliff.

Was the Sword Lord truly releasing them?

They were both surprised and overjoyed, yet a sudden reluctance welled up within them.

“Sword Lord, we are willing to remain here under your guidance,” Ao Jie leaped into the air, hurriedly addressing the Sword Lord.

The Sword Lord chuckled softly. “I’m heading off to reconnect with some old friends. I don’t have time to play with you anymore. You fools are far too easy to bait. Be smarter when you’re outside; don’t act so stupid.”

Ao Jie almost spat blood in frustration. Wasn’t it because the Sword Lord was so cunning, playing mind games and outsmarting them at every turn? How could they possibly win against him?

Though he silently grumbled, Ao Jie dared not show it on his face. Instead, he pleaded, “But we’ve grown used to living here.”

“Go, go! If you keep babbling, I’ll flay you alive and pull out your tendons.” The Sword Lord spoke with mock annoyance.

Terrified, Ao Jie shrank back into the Dragon Pool, too frightened to say another word.

The group of dragon demons exchanged hushed whispers before taking to the air in unison. They bowed deeply to the Sword Lord, then transformed into streaks of golden light, scattering across the lands beyond the Sacred Mountain.

“We’re free!”

“With our current cultivation, we should be able to challenge the holy sons of the Dragon Clan’s sacred land!”

“Challenge? Whoever dares provoke me, I’ll devour them!”

...

“Hurry! The Supreme Heavenly Battle of Geniuses is about to start. Even the Sword Ancestor Holy Land is selecting participants. We can’t fall behind.”

As they flew through the air, the dragon demons reveled in their newfound freedom. Being captured by the Sword Lord was both a disaster and a blessing for them. Over the past century, they had made significant progress in their cultivation.

In the Land of Saints, demons and the human race were not always mortal enemies. Among the Thirty-Three Realms, there were small worlds entirely inhabited by demons, where humans were the minority, struggling to survive.

Many demons had also reached the Saint Realm, competing for supremacy among myriad races. Within the Dragon and Phoenix Clans, there were both holy sons and holy daughters. The age restrictions for these battles were calculated based on each race’s lifespan. For instance, a demon who had lived for thousands of years might only be considered a few decades old by human standards.

...

“Dragon demons from beneath Sword Cliff…”

Qiu Wuhen, carrying a fishing rod, was on his way to Sword Cliff when he noticed the dragon demons soaring into the sky. He paused briefly, quickly understanding the situation. Without the Sword Lord’s permission, these dragon demons would never dare to leave.

Reaching the top of Sword Cliff, Qiu Wuhen saw the Sword Lord sitting silently, gazing at the waterfall.

After some inquiries, he learned that the Sword Lord intended to visit old friends. He also found out that Li Hao was leaving the Holy Land to participate in the dynasty’s selection.

Upon learning of Li Hao’s departure, Qiu Wuhen’s eyes glinted. He suddenly abandoned his plans to continue his secluded cultivation, curious to witness Li Hao’s performance.

In his previous encounter with Haoyue Holy Son, Li Hao hadn’t even revealed his extreme-level cultivation. What was his true strength?

...

In the Canglan Realm, there were over forty to fifty dynasties, with countless first-rate powers of various sizes.

Without the right connections or background, even a disciple from a small sect could participate in the competition, but only through multiple layers of selection. This process had already been underway well before the Sword Deity Battle began.

For the major powers within the dynasties, the early selection process could be skipped. Each sect conducted internal trials, similar to the Holy Land’s selection process. Once their representatives were chosen, they would compete against others.

This final stage of competition took place on Sacrificial Dao Mountain, within the largest dynasty in the Canglan Realm—the Canghai Divine Dynasty.

Thanks to the connections Li Hao had made through his identity as the Qingfeng Dan Master, he secured a spot in the competition. Bidding a temporary farewell to Lin Qingying and Lin Shanhai, he set off with a map of the Canghai Divine Dynasty, heading toward Sacrificial Dao Mountain.

As he neared the mountain, he encountered numerous disciples from various sects, converging as if to attend a grand festival.

While passing through a forest, Li Hao heard sounds of battle. A scan of his divine sense revealed a white-robed man slaughtering seven or eight cultivators at the Three Immortals Realm, looting their belongings before quickly leaving.

Where there were large gatherings of people, disputes and disasters were inevitable. Li Hao had no intention of meddling.

Initially prepared to leave, he noticed strands of black energy rising from the corpses.

A thought struck him—this black energy could be related to the path of Ultimate Dao Sainthood, specifically the transformation of slaughter and resentment.

Moved by the thought, Li Hao instantly teleported to the site. With a wave of his hand, his divine blood resonated, pulling the strands of black energy into his grasp.

As the black energy entered his hand, it swiftly coalesced and was absorbed into his dantian, condensing into a faintly solidified thread of dark energy.

Li Hao sensed the screams of anguish and resentment within the black energy. However, under the dazzling brilliance of his divine blood, these cries of resentment were purified, leaving behind only pure, unadulterated slaughter intent.

He began to understand.

If incense power represented the intent of faith, then Ultimate Dao Sainthood was the intent of destruction.

The fusion of these two opposite forces, combined with the rituals of Sacrificial Dao Sainthood, could lead to something entirely unprecedented.

Sensing someone approaching, Li Hao wasted no time. He quickly teleported away.

After traveling hundreds of miles, he slowed his pace, resuming a normal speed of flight.

Amused, he chuckled to himself. He was merely purifying resentment, yet his furtive actions might make him appear suspicious. No wonder Ying Xiaoxiao was called a demon. She often appeared at places of calamity, purifying them for the God Race. Over time, however, her presence came to be seen as a harbinger of misfortune, much like a crow—an auspicious creature misunderstood as a bearer of ill luck.

...

Upon arriving at Sacrificial Dao Mountain, he found it teeming with people.

Using his divine sense, Li Hao quickly located some acquaintances he had befriended earlier. Upon learning he was the Qingfeng Dan Master, they were astonished but immediately confirmed his identity upon seeing the token he had been given. Without delay, they escorted him to a seat.

Sacrificial Dao Mountain was vast enough to accommodate a million people, but without sound-dampening formations, the noise was chaotic and overwhelming.

“Qingfeng Dan Master, here is your battle number. The preliminary selection among the smaller sects has concluded. Now, it’s the selection of ten thousand participants to choose the top hundred, and finally the top ten for the ultimate showdown!”

The speaker, a slightly plump middle-aged man, was a Zhenyuan Sect elder. His cultivation was at the Dao Law Realm. Having heard rumors about Li Hao’s performance during the Sword Deity Battle, his attitude toward Li Hao was exceedingly respectful.

A cultivator skilled in alchemy, a peerless swordsman, and a disciple of a saintly figure—any one of these identities was enough to make Zhenyuan Sect eager to forge ties with him.

“This ranking among the ten thousand participants is the best position Zhenyuan Sect could secure for direct entry,” Zhao Xiulin said with a smile.

“It’s more than enough. Thank you.”

Li Hao replied, “For any future alchemical needs, you can contact Master Lin Shanhai.”

“Thank you, Qingfeng Dan Master.” Zhao Xiulin’s face lit up with delight, quickly expressing his gratitude.

Li Hao took his entry number and waited quietly outside the arena. The place was bustling with noise, with ten platforms hosting battles simultaneously.

Outside the arena, in addition to sects’ disciples and participants, there were several figures in ornate robes—members of royal families from various dynasties—observing the events firsthand.

Compared to the Holy Land’s selection process, this competition was somewhat more chaotic, but the battles on the platforms were far more diverse and thrilling. Participants used a wide array of techniques, from poison and whips to more traditional combat skills.

As Li Hao waited and observed, his attention was drawn to a group of refined-looking individuals seated nearby.

“Qingyi, these people are hardly worth watching. Their matches are dull and uninspiring. You even signed up to participate? If your father hears of this, he’ll say you’re bullying others.”

A youth in a white jade cap, casually fanning himself, shook his head with a helpless expression.

The woman next to him, appearing innocent yet radiating an intelligent gleam in her eyes, replied, “Senior Brother, don’t underestimate them. Some missed the chance to join a Holy Land early on, but later developed astonishing potential.”

“You’re just here to observe, yet you still entered the competition. You’ve already secured a spot as a Holy Land representative. If word spreads that you’re snatching another spot here, these dynasties and sects won’t take it kindly,” the youth said with a wry smile.

The woman grinned mischievously. “I’m just here for fun. When it gets down to the top hundred, I’ll let them win. Anyway, no one can recognize me in this form.”

Hearing this, the others nearby let out relieved sighs. They had been genuinely concerned that this young lady might compete seriously, which would inevitably tarnish the reputation of the Wen Ancestor Holy Land.

“Number 2678, versus Number 9527. Participants, please step onto the platform.”

The referee’s voice boomed, amplified by the power of the Dao, silencing the surrounding chatter.

The youth with the fan smiled. “It’s your turn. Go easy on him.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t even use our Holy Land’s techniques,” the woman said confidently, her expression carefree.

“Your opponent looks young. Don’t shatter his Dao heart,” another young man remarked as he observed the youth already on the platform.

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