Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 441

Volume 3 - Chapter 129: Dao Domain Ninety-Seven, Is He a Dan Master? - Part 1

"Yao Zu?"

Lin Shanhai and the others turned their gaze in the direction of the voice. When they saw the glance cast by Yao Zu, they were all stunned. Their gazes shifted immediately to Li Hao.

When did Li Hao become acquainted with Yao Zu?

Could it be that Yao Zu admired his skill in refining medicinal ingredients?

“Go quickly, then. Don’t keep Yao Zu waiting.”

Lin Shanhai urged him without delay.

Li Hao nodded, soared out from his floating seat, traversed ten arenas, and descended before Yao Zu and two other Semi-Saints.

Beside them stood Lin Qingying and Bian Ruxue, as well as two other Holy Sons and Holy Daughters. One Holy Son had left earlier with an indifferent expression halfway through the event.

“Junior greets the three seniors,” Li Hao cupped his hands respectfully.

Yao Zu noticed that Li Hao’s demeanor remained calm and collected, without the slightest timidity or unease. Her eyes revealed a hint of appreciation, and she smiled slightly.

“We’ve just discussed placing the painting you made earlier in the Sword Tower. What do you think?”

A painting?

Li Hao was somewhat surprised, but as a painter, this was undoubtedly a significant recognition of his work. He smiled and said, “Of course, I’d be honored.”

The three Semi-Saints had anticipated this response. After all, the Sword Tower was an extraordinary place, and even those acclaimed as painting sages within empires rarely succeeded in having their works displayed there.

“In that case, I’ll notify them. You can deliver it personally later,” Yao Zu suggested.

Li Hao’s heart stirred, and he nodded, “Alright.”

He had already planned to visit the Sword Tower. Although he lacked the status of a disciple from the Holy Land, with the connections he had built among dan masters, gaining entry through the backdoor was relatively easy.

So far, he had already gathered many carefully selected techniques brought out by these inner sect disciples from the Sword Tower during today’s initial matches. Yet, he had heard that the Sword Tower had nine levels, each containing vast collections of sword techniques and other supreme arts.

If he could fully explore and absorb them all, the techniques he mastered would reach a terrifyingly profound level.

By accumulating a sufficient number of these techniques and supreme arts, he could meld them, reflect them against one another, and even develop a more powerful unique skill.

“Yao Zu, may I also explore the techniques within the Sword Tower?”

Li Hao inquired. This way, he could avoid troubling Lin Shanhai and the others to pull strings on his behalf. For a Semi-Saint, it was merely a word to grant access.

Yao Zu was slightly surprised by his request. “Aren’t you a Dan Master? The Sword Tower doesn’t have anything related to dan mastery.”

“I’d still like to take a look at the various sword techniques,” Li Hao coughed lightly.

“Is it because watching the matches today inspired you to practice swordsmanship?”

The burly middle-aged man standing nearby, Shan Zu, frowned and said sternly, “Swordsmanship is not child’s play. To truly study it requires full dedication. Since you are a Dan Master, you should focus on refining your pills and avoid being overly ambitious. Don’t waste your potential and time!”

Yao Zu, observing his harsh tone, shook her head slightly and said to Li Hao:

“Since you’re interested, you may look around. However, Shan Zu is not wrong—only through focus can one achieve the Dao. Here’s the deal: choose one sword technique from the Sword Tower that you like and come to Yaochi Peak. I’ll personally guide you in its practice and assess your aptitude for swordsmanship. If your aptitude is mediocre, you should focus solely on refining pills.”

Li Hao exhaled in relief and nodded, “Thank you, Yao Zu.”

Shan Zu furrowed his brow but said no more when he saw Yao Zu’s decision.

Nearby, Lin Qingying’s heart stirred as she glanced at Li Hao. A sudden thought crossed her mind—was he really going to take up swordsmanship?

Earlier, when Li Hao had drawn a painting for her, he had pointed out the flaws in her sword intent through her form. At that moment, she vaguely sensed that perhaps Li Hao also possessed swordsmanship talent, though he had never cultivated or revealed it.

If he truly demonstrated swordsmanship aptitude this time and became Yao Zu’s disciple, it would undoubtedly be an excellent opportunity. In the future, they might even fight side by side...

At this thought, a trace of anticipation arose in her heart.

Bian Ruxue, on the other hand, gave Li Hao a brief glance and then withdrew her gaze, showing little interest.

The other Holy Sons and Holy Daughters present, who already knew this Qingfeng Dan Master, had even sent people to establish good relations with him earlier. Now, seeing that Li Hao was also considering practicing swordsmanship, they couldn’t help but find it amusing.

He’s too young, like a child easily swayed by excitement. Wanting to learn everything he sees is not a good trait.

“This is my token. Present it, and you may select techniques from any level of the Sword Tower. But remember, do not violate its rules.”

Yao Zu handed Li Hao a token, dark purple in color, engraved with the character “瑶” (Yao).

A faint fragrance lingered on the token. Li Hao glanced at it and felt great joy, immediately expressing his thanks, “Thank you, Yao Zu.”

The ability to freely select techniques from all nine levels of the Sword Tower was far superior to the connections Lin Shanhai and the others could provide.

The nine levels of the Sword Tower were restricted: outer sect disciples could only access the first three levels, inner sect disciples up to the sixth level, and a select few geniuses, having accumulated significant merits within the Holy Land, could venture further.

As for Holy Sons and Holy Daughters, they had access to all nine levels of the Sword Tower.

Now, with this Semi-Saint token, Li Hao had temporarily gained unrestricted access.

Shan Zu glanced at Yao Zu, his brows slightly furrowed. He was somewhat surprised that the typically aloof and distant Yao Zu, who rarely showed warmth toward men, was extending such favor to this Dan Master. It was a truly rare sight.

Before long, Yao Zu summoned one of her female disciples to escort Li Hao to the Sword Tower. At the same time, she sent a message to the Sword Tower to inform them of the arrangement.

The Sword Tower stood atop the Holy Mountain, positioned in front of the Sword Cliff. The female disciple, Jiang Yingyue, was one of the top inner sect geniuses and already at the Dao Law Realm. Li Hao had seen her earlier in the martial matches, where she successfully defended her stage and demonstrated exceptional strength, even mastering three forms of the extreme. Her talent was truly outstanding.

Being called upon by her master to guide someone was an uncomfortable task for Jiang Yingyue. However, upon learning that this individual was the famed Qingfeng Dan Master, her expression softened slightly. Although she was still somewhat displeased, she refrained from showing any outward hostility. After all, offending Li Hao would be akin to offending half of the dan masters in the Holy Land, which would only make alchemy in the future significantly more difficult.

Not long after, Jiang Yingyue flew her sword, carrying Li Hao to the Sword Tower.

The two disembarked from the sword and stood before the imposing tower. Li Hao looked up and was immediately struck by its magnificence. The tower was like a sheer, towering mountain, exuding an icy sharpness.

The nine levels of the Sword Tower were astonishingly high, with eaves and corners adorned with chains that coiled around the structure. The entire tower resembled an otherworldly sword piercing the heavens. The chains appeared to suppress the sword’s aura, concealing and imprisoning its power.

“So, this is the Sword Tower...”

Seeing it with his own eyes, Li Hao felt a wave of awe. It was far more imposing than any mortal architecture he had seen, surpassing even the grandeur of an imperial palace.

Outside the Sword Tower, two sword attendants wearing bronze masks were waiting.

They recognized Jiang Yingyue as a top inner sect genius but didn’t know Li Hao. After a brief moment of observation, they quickly deduced his identity and stepped forward.

“This must be the Qingfeng Dan Master. We’ve heard that Elder Yao Zu and the other elders decided to place your painting within the Sword Tower. Have you brought it with you?” one of the attendants asked.

“I have,” Li Hao replied, flipping his hand to retrieve the scroll of the "Sword God’s First Battle" from his spatial realm.

The attendants nodded upon seeing the scroll. “Follow us. This requires the approval of the Sword Lord.”

“The Sword Lord?” Li Hao asked, puzzled.

The two attendants didn’t elaborate, but their glances revealed a trace of displeasure, clearly finding it offensive that Li Hao didn’t know about the Sword Lord.

“The Sword Lord is the second Sword Saint of the Sword Ancestor Holy Land,” Jiang Yingyue explained to Li Hao via voice transmission. “The Sword Lord oversees the Sword Tower. You must be cautious not to offend him.”

Her warning was partly to prevent Li Hao from speaking carelessly and causing trouble for her master, and partly an opportunity to ingratiate herself with Li Hao. Although she found leading the way annoying, forming a connection with this prominent Qingfeng Dan Master wasn’t a bad idea.

“The second Sword Saint...”

Li Hao’s heart skipped a beat. He had always thought there was only one Saint in the Holy Land. To his surprise, there was another!

The two attendants led Li Hao and Jiang Yingyue up the stone steps in front of the Sword Tower, bypassing the building to reach the Sword Cliff at the rear.

Opposite the Sword Cliff was a snow-white waterfall cascading from a high cliff into the depths of the Sword Abyss. The thunderous roar of water echoed from the abyss, suggesting the presence of a river at the bottom.

At the edge of the cliff sat an elderly man wearing a bamboo hat. To Li Hao’s astonishment, the old man was holding a fishing rod. The fishing line, made of an actual material rather than condensed energy, extended into the depths of the Sword Abyss. The line appeared to be forged from some kind of treasure.

“Master,” the two attendants addressed the elder, their words leaving Li Hao momentarily stunned. These attendants were disciples of a Saint?

“Elder Yao Zu and the others have sent word that they intend to place the Qingfeng Dan Master’s painting in the first level of the Sword Tower. We’ve come to seek your approval,” one of the attendants said quietly.

The old man’s back remained motionless, showing no reaction.

Li Hao and Jiang Yingyue could only wait silently. Jiang Yingyue dared not even breathe loudly, lowering her head while sneaking glances at the Sword Lord. This figure was more esteemed than her master, a presence she found awe-inspiring.

Time passed slowly.

The two attendants stood silently in place, their posture unwavering.

Although they were waiting, Li Hao did not feel irritated or impatient. He could tell the Sword Lord was deeply focused on fishing, and their arrival was an intrusion.

Putting himself in the Sword Lord’s position, Li Hao thought that if he were fishing, he wouldn’t appreciate someone disturbing him either.

Li Hao’s gaze wandered to the fishing rod, observing the line trembling gently. The turbulent waters of the abyss made fishing an exceptionally challenging task, requiring precise control and patience.

Using divine sense to probe the waters would have made the task much easier, but that would strip away the joy of fishing.

Fishing, after all, was about engaging in a blind contest with the fish, much like mortals contending with the unknown will of the heavens—a pursuit full of endless delight.

Suddenly, the line paused slightly. Li Hao’s eyes lit up; he knew a fish was approaching.

But the fish hadn’t taken the bait yet. It wasn’t time to act.

The line slackened again, as if the creature below was merely testing the waters.

Wait... wait a bit longer... Li Hao’s eyes were fixed intently on the line, his thoughts sharpening in concentration.

As time passed, the waters grew still, and the line remained slack. Did the fish escape?

Li Hao knew that moments like this called for even greater patience.

Abruptly, the line tightened again, ever so slowly.

Not yet!

Li Hao’s gaze grew sharper. The fish was still testing the bait—this wasn’t the signal to strike.

It had to wait.

Just as expected, the Sword Lord didn’t lift the rod. The line, now taut, slackened once more. But then, in a sudden snap, it tightened violently.

“Strike!” Li Hao exclaimed in excitement.

At that precise moment, the Sword Lord acted. In an instant, the rod jerked upward, and the taut line pulled something out of the abyss. With a swift motion, the Sword Lord swung his rod, hauling a massive shadow into the air.

A colossal creature emerged, its massive, serpentine form roaring in agony. Its long fangs and five claws were unmistakably those of a dragon!

The dragon’s mouth was pierced by an enormous iron hook, blood dripping as it writhed in pain.

Li Hao froze in astonishment. When he sensed the dragon’s aura, he realized it was at the True Person Realm!

Such a being would be considered a dragon king in the mortal world.

But here, this dragon demon was yanked out of the abyss like an ordinary fish. When its gaze fell upon the Sword Lord, it shuddered in terror and wailed, “Please, Sword Lord, spare me!”

The Sword Lord said nothing, simply raising a hand. An immense force of Dao Law suppressed the dragon’s massive form, refining it into a tiny golden fish.

As the line reeled back, the golden fish dangled pitifully at the end, its small body swaying helplessly.

The Sword Lord unhooked the fish and chuckled softly. “Out of your seven siblings, only you are greedy enough to bite. Learn your lesson this time.”

With a flick of his hand, the Sword Lord tossed the golden fish back into the Sword Abyss, where it vanished into the depths of the Dragon Pool along with the waterfall.

Only after this was done did the Sword Lord finally turn around. His long, gaunt face was sharply angular, and his eyes were deep, as though containing the heavens themselves. His calm yet piercing gaze was impossible to meet directly.

The Sword Lord’s eyes landed on Li Hao with a trace of curiosity. “Young man, was it you who shouted earlier? You know how to fish?”

Li Hao snapped out of his daze, feeling slightly embarrassed. He had been too engrossed and forgot himself.

“I dabble occasionally,” Li Hao answered humbly.

The Sword Lord’s lips curled into a faint smile. To accurately judge the timing of a catch wasn’t something a casual fisherman could do. Clearly, Li Hao was an experienced angler.

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