Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 444

Volume 3 - Chapter 130: Sword Lord’s Command Token, Yao Ancestor’s Trial - Part 2

When Li Hao reached the seventh level of the Sword Tower, it was already at the stage of Dao-grade techniques and divine abilities.

Here, there were Dao-grade body refinement techniques and sword techniques. Upon reaching perfection, the swordsmanship could align with the Dao itself.

The eighth level of the Sword Tower exclusively housed Dao-grade techniques, including exceedingly rare superior-grade divine abilities.

Divine abilities were the ultimate killing techniques of the Dao Law Realm, more intricate than basic applications of laws and harder to counter.

On the ninth level of the Sword Tower, there were the most advanced Dao techniques, sacred laws, and supreme divine abilities that could be disseminated from within the Sword Ancestor Holy Land.

Only Holy Sons and Holy Daughters were eligible to practice them, second only to the secret techniques personally passed down by Semi-Saints and Saints.

Li Hao recorded everything he could before selecting a supreme Dao-grade sword technique.

This technique, created by the Sword Saint, wasn’t his strongest swordsmanship but was among the most formidable.

However, mastering it was exceptionally challenging. This sword technique was called the Great Dao Sword Technique.

With Li Hao’s comprehension of swordsmanship at the eighth segment, he quickly deduced the technique to perfection after recording it. As his focus deepened, his understanding advanced again, reaching the level of supreme perfection.

He then integrated his Sole-Self Sword Intent into it, further deepening his understanding and elevating its level to a state of true form.

The Great Dao Sword Technique lived up to its name. In Li Hao’s hands, the sword was no longer just a weapon—it was the Dao itself.

The Dao became the sword, and the sword embodied the Dao—indestructible!

The Great Dao Sword Intent emanating from the technique was merged by Li Hao into his Sole-Self Sword Intent, refining and purifying the latter even further.

Even the Dao could be severed!

Although Li Hao had mastered the sword technique, he decided to take the Great Dao Sword Technique with him from the Sword Tower.

After all, leaving the Sword Tower empty-handed would be suspicious.

...

When Li Hao exited the Sword Tower, Jiang Yingyue and the two Sword Attendants, who had been waiting for some time, immediately directed their gazes at him. However, their eyes held a subtle change compared to before.

The Sword Lord’s words still echoed in their ears. As they observed Li Hao, they couldn’t help but feel that even his gait carried a hint of an expert’s demeanor.

Yet upon closer inspection, he was merely walking normally.

“Do you really have ninety-seven layers of Dao Domain?”

As Li Hao approached, Jiang Yingyue couldn’t help but ask impatiently.

Her eyes were fixed on him, as though awaiting confirmation.

She didn’t know why she was so agitated, but her emotions were far from calm.

Although Li Hao understood the reason, he responded with a question, “Where did you hear that?”

“The Sword Lord himself said so.” Jiang Yingyue stared at Li Hao, as if challenging him to deny it.

Li Hao feigned a look of realization but internally felt a twinge of helplessness. A Saint couldn’t possibly be wrong, so he had no choice but to admit it.

He nodded. “That’s correct.”

Upon hearing his acknowledgment, Jiang Yingyue felt her heart tremble. Though she knew a Saint couldn’t be mistaken and she hadn’t misheard—after all, the three of them had heard it together—hearing Li Hao confirm it himself was still like a stone dropped into her heart, creating immense ripples.

Ninety-seven layers of Dao Domain—it was beyond shocking. Even without eating, drinking, or doing anything else, cultivating so many layers would take an exceedingly long time.

“With this alone, your strength in the Supreme Dao Realm should already be top-tier.”

The female Sword Attendant in the bronze mask sighed with emotion.

“Unless you encounter those monstrous prodigies at the pinnacle, just the combined force of so many Dao Domains would likely slow even the penetration of laws. It’s truly extraordinary.”

The male Sword Attendant nodded in agreement, remarking, “Our master always taught us that one must focus solely on one thing. Only the purest individuals can achieve the pinnacle, and that’s how the concept of extremities came to be. Are you planning to abandon everything else and concentrate solely on the eighth extremity?”

While Li Hao indeed harbored such intentions, it wasn’t his sole focus. He replied,

“This is related to my cultivation, so I hope the three of you can keep it a secret.”

In battles against enemies, one’s cultivation foundation often served as a hidden killing move. The trio understood this well, and the two Sword Attendants nodded, indicating they would keep his secret.

However, Jiang Yingyue kept her eyes fixed on Li Hao. “To cultivate to this level, have you also mastered other extremities? Aren’t you an alchemist? How old are you this year?”

Li Hao gave her a strange look and replied, “Senior Sister Jiang, this should be my private matter.”

Jiang Yingyue’s expression shifted subtly, growing more complex. She realized she had been too excited but couldn’t help it—ninety-seven layers of Dao Domain were simply too overwhelming.

As an inner disciple and one of the top talents, Jiang Yingyue had always prided herself on reaching the peak of cultivation and effort, second only to the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters. Yet, here stood someone with ninety-seven layers of Dao Domain, far surpassing her.

If Li Hao’s earlier martial realms had been mediocre and he had focused solely on the eighth extremity, she could accept it. But if he had also achieved other extremities, it would be terrifying.

What’s more, Li Hao was an alchemist, a painter of world-shaking art, and possessed numerous skills. His age surely couldn’t be young.

“Can’t you at least tell me your age?”

Jiang Yingyue pressed on, unwilling to give up.

Li Hao sighed. “Asking a man’s age is rather intrusive.”

“...”

Jiang Yingyue was frustrated but knew it was indeed private. Still, she recalled how the Sword Lord had invited Li Hao to fish earlier. The moment Li Hao spoke, the Sword Lord had coincidentally reeled in a true dragon, hinting at Li Hao’s profound expertise in fishing as well.

The most telling sign was Li Hao’s fondness for fishing, which was typically an old man’s pastime.

It was likely he used cultivation techniques and mastery over his flesh to maintain a youthful appearance—something quite common.

Jiang Yingyue herself was over ninety years old this year, and among mortals, she could have seen four generations. Yet she still considered herself a young girl, keeping her appearance frozen at her youthful prime.

At the Three Immortals Realm, aging slowed dramatically, and upon reaching the Four Pillar Realm, one could manipulate flesh and appearance at will.

For demons, attaining the Fifteen Extremes Realm meant being able to shapeshift into anything from a child to a beautiful woman as they pleased.

As such, outward appearances were unreliable indicators of age.

“If only I had an Imaging Bone Mirror...” Jiang Yingyue thought to herself.

Meanwhile, the two Sword Attendants had calmed down. The male Sword Attendant glanced at the technique in Li Hao’s hands and asked,

“Have you made your choice?”

Li Hao nodded and handed over the sword manual, signaling for the male Sword Attendant to release the law seal on it.

The Sword Attendant took the manual and, upon seeing that it was the Great Dao Sword Technique, raised an eyebrow and asked, “You’ve chosen this one? Do you know that this technique was created by the Sword Saint and is one of the top Dao-grade sword techniques?”

“Yes,” Li Hao replied calmly. He had specifically chosen it because it was top-tier.

The Sword Attendant saw that Li Hao hadn’t grasped the deeper meaning of his words and elaborated, “This supreme sword technique requires exceptionally high comprehension. While its power is unmatched, the difficulty of mastering it is immense. If you’re planning to focus on condensing Dao Domains, this technique might demand a great deal of your energy.”

Only then did Li Hao realize the Sword Attendant’s good intentions. He was concerned that the profound nature of the sword technique might cause Li Hao to lose focus, thus delaying the cultivation of his Dao Domains.

“It’s fine. With Yao Ancestor guiding me, I believe I can master it,” Li Hao said.

Seeing that Li Hao was determined, the Sword Attendant said no more. After all, Li Hao had cultivated ninety-seven layers of Dao Domain, demonstrating his extraordinary talent. This sword technique would simply demand more of his concentration.

Without further delay, the Sword Attendant performed a secret seal, lifting the laws binding the sword manual, and handed it back to Li Hao.

“This must never be shared with anyone else. If it’s discovered that you’ve leaked it, you will be imprisoned in the Endless Sword Prison, subjected to a thousand cuts by swords every day without the mercy of death!”

The Sword Attendant’s tone was solemn, clearly conveying the gravity of the matter.

Li Hao couldn’t help but inwardly click his tongue. Indeed, for any power, techniques were the foundation that could not be shaken.

After securing the technique, Li Hao asked where the Sword Lord was, only to hear the Sword Lord’s voice in his mind:

“I’m tired today. If you wish to come fishing, you may do so at any time. Here is my command token.”

As the voice faded, a silver command token, as long as a short dagger, appeared out of thin air and fell before him.

Li Hao quickly caught it.

The two Sword Attendants were momentarily stunned upon seeing the token in his hands, their expressions filled with astonishment.

Their master had casually handed his command token to an outsider?

Jiang Yingyue, who also recognized the token, widened her eyes in disbelief. This was a Saint’s personal command token, and Li Hao had received it so effortlessly!

Li Hao was equally surprised but raised his hand respectfully toward the Sword Tower, giving a slight bow.

“Thank you, Sword Lord.”

Afterward, he stowed the command token and gestured to Jiang Yingyue that they could leave.

Jiang Yingyue snapped out of her daze, feeling a mix of shock and frustration.

Had she really waited all this time just to leave empty-handed?

From the looks of it, the Sword Lord must have spoken to Li Hao in private, and today’s fishing session was clearly canceled.

The fact that the Sword Lord had already reeled in his rod suggested he wouldn’t be accompanying her fishing. Her hopes of getting closer to the Saint were dashed.

Seeing no alternative, Jiang Yingyue said nothing further and led Li Hao back.

When they arrived outside the Ten Rings Arena, the area was already deserted. Only a few disciples remained, sweeping the ground and repairing the arena.

“The initial selection is over. I’ll take you to Yaochi Peak to see my master,” Jiang Yingyue said after a quick glance.

Li Hao thought for a moment. Since Lin Shanhai and the others knew his whereabouts but hadn’t stayed to wait for him, they likely trusted that he would be fine.

“Alright,” Li Hao agreed.

The trip to the Sword Tower had yielded tremendous rewards, as he had recorded so many techniques. It was only fitting for him to thank Yao Ancestor in person.

Although verbal gratitude might not mean much, it was all he could offer at the moment.

...

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