Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 411

Volume 3 - Chapter 111: The Dao Repository

Such grand achievements were unparalleled, surpassing even the ancestors of the Li family.

He looked at the youth in the crowd, surrounded and celebrated as if by a sea of stars, feeling a sense of confusion in his heart.

Meanwhile, Li Hao was examining Emperor Yu's injuries. After the six enemies had been slain, the laws of power binding Emperor Yu had dissipated. His crushed arms and self-severed legs had already regenerated.

Apart from some weakness, he was otherwise unharmed.

Li Hao approached the old Daoist, noting his weak aura, and asked, "Can you heal on your own?"

The slumped Qin Zhenren looked at the youth who blocked out the light in front of him. His expression was complex as he gave a bitter smile.

"I’ll be fine. This time, I owe you."

"That's good to hear."

Li Hao nodded. He had no miraculous pills or treasures to aid in the Daoist's recovery.

Other martial masters who had come as reinforcements also approached Li Hao to express their gratitude.

Among them were Wang Xiezhi, the Gun Saint, and Zu Han, the Blade Saint—both renowned figures who had dominated their era for centuries.

Standing before this handsome, youthful face, they all sighed inwardly, realizing their age.

Even members of the imperial family came forward to thank Li Hao.

Outside the crowd, Li Muxiu didn’t step forward but instead silently observed the radiant youth. His eyes held a trace of comfort and a smile as he rejoiced for Li Hao.

However, when his gaze landed on Li Tiangang beside him, the smile vanished, replaced by cold indifference.

"You were so critical back then. Now, do you think your former son is worthy?"

Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly. He didn’t turn to look but merely gazed silently at the youth.

He felt as though an insurmountable chasm had severed their bond.

...

At this moment, Li Hao had already arrived at the rear hall of the imperial palace.

Emperor Yu instructed the others to tend to their injuries and not disturb Li Hao further. He knew the youth disliked small talk and pleasantries.

Once the others had left, Emperor Yu sighed softly and said to Li Hao, "This time, we owe everything to you. Tell me, how should I compensate you? With your current power, titles or rewards are meaningless. Whatever you want, just say the word, and I will grant it!"

His voice carried a heavier tone in his last three words, underscoring his sincerity.

Li Hao smiled lightly. "Didn’t I already mention it to Your Majesty before? Sheet music, famous paintings, those sorts of things. Surely, Your Majesty hasn’t forgotten?"

Emperor Yu frowned. "I’m being serious. Stop joking around."

I am serious... Li Hao sighed inwardly and said, "Your Majesty, I truly mean it. If you feel the need to compensate me, then... I’ve heard the Dao Repository Hall in Qiandao Palace houses a collection of all the world’s martial techniques. Could I take a look there?"

"That’s all?"

Emperor Yu gave him a glance and thought for a moment. Considering Li Hao's current strength, there truly wasn’t much in the human realm that could entice him.

After a brief pause, Emperor Yu dismissed the attending physicians and spoke to Li Hao in a low voice.

"Our Jiang family rose from the Great Wilderness Heaven to establish this dynasty with the aim of resurrecting our Jiang clan's ancient ancestor. The incense offerings we’ve been gathering are almost complete."

He looked at Li Hao. "In about ten years, we should have enough. When the time comes, I will allow you to inherit a new Dao lineage and establish a Golden Body Martial Temple. For the next three thousand years, incense offerings will be dedicated to you, aiding your path to sainthood!"

Li Hao’s eyes flickered slightly as he considered the three paths to sainthood: Incense, Sacrificial Dao, and Extreme Dao.

Currently, the most common path was sainthood through incense offerings—accumulating enough incense power to ascend.

The Sacrificial Dao, however, was the most challenging, requiring unparalleled enlightenment to surpass the understanding of saints before even reaching their threshold.

As for the Extreme Dao, it was similar to incense sainthood but relied on accumulating energies such as slaughter and resentment.

Three paths, three ways to sainthood.

Li Hao, with his unique panel, was inclined toward the Sacrificial Dao—it suited him best.

...

But could the Sacrificial Dao, incense sainthood, and Extreme Dao coexist?

This question remained unanswered, as no one had ever achieved it.

"In that case, I thank Your Majesty," Li Hao replied to Emperor Yu without declining the incense offerings.

Seeing Li Hao agree, Emperor Yu nodded and smiled. "Though you’ll inherit a new Dao lineage, you needn’t worry about restrictions. Go wherever you wish. The Great Yu is too small to confine you. If the Immortal Sects open again, you may explore those lands for greater opportunities."

"I haven’t even seen all of the human realm yet," Li Hao remarked.

Emperor Yu was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.

Li Hao continued, "But first, I need to deal with the Holy Son who escaped earlier. It would be troublesome if he causes future problems."

Emperor Yu immediately recalled the Holy Son who had fled to the Immortal Sects. Knowing that this individual was the mastermind behind the recent chaos, his expression grew solemn.

"The opponent is likely at the peak of the Dao Law Realm, aiming to ascend through our Great Yu’s incense offerings. If he returns, he might seek reinforcements. However, saints descending to the human realm would weaken their sacred bodies unless the favor owed or the price paid is substantial. He likely cannot summon a saint easily."

He glanced at Li Hao. "If no saints intervene, with your strength, you are invincible in the human realm."

This evaluation from the Emperor of Great Yu carried great weight.

Li Hao coughed lightly. "Your Majesty, is the Great Yu Divine Dynasty the largest kingdom in the human realm?"

Hearing the implication in Li Hao's words, Emperor Yu replied irritably, "The Great Yu stands on the edges of the Eastern Huang Continent. Beyond the Great Wilderness Heaven lies the central region, where many divine dynasties are clustered. Overall, the Great Yu is only mid-tier—not a major kingdom."

"Those major kingdoms are founded by ancient holy clans whose ancestral saints remain alive within the sacred grounds of the Immortal Sects. Meanwhile, they guard the human realm’s foundations."

"Even so, those major kingdoms only have a greater number of Dao Law Realm practitioners. None would surpass the strength of what you faced recently."

"Unless they summon their ancestral saints or semi-saints, but for such beings, coming to the human realm incurs costs they wouldn’t take lightly."

Hearing this, Li Hao was surprised. He hadn’t expected the vast lands of Great Yu to occupy only a marginal position in the world.

Still, considering the Jiang family’s secretive growth here in preparation for resurrecting their ancestor, it made sense.

For the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, thousands of years were merely centuries to the sacred lands of saints.

After finishing his conversation with Emperor Yu, Li Hao took his leave and proceeded toward Qiandao Palace.

Qiandao Palace was not far from the imperial palace, situated atop a towering mountain just outside the palace grounds. The palace loomed magnificently on the peak.

Usually, the area was bustling with incense smoke and visitors, but today, it was eerily quiet. A side hall adjacent to the Dao Palace had even partially collapsed.

Qin Zhenren, having learned of Li Hao’s visit, had ordered disciples to wait outside the palace to greet him.

From the foot of the mountain to its summit, a secondary path known as the Nine Gates of Heaven's Threshold led upward. This path was traditionally used to test disciples seeking to apprentice at the Dao Palace.

Those who could overcome the nine gates would be accepted as disciples under Qin Zhenren.

At this moment, Li Hao effortlessly traversed the Nine Gates of Heaven's Threshold, reaching the mountain’s peak. The restrictions of Daoist energy that would feel insurmountable for anyone below the Three Immortals Realm posed no challenge to him—they were like a light breeze he could dispel with a sigh.

At the summit, two figures were waiting for him.

One was a boy with bright eyes and white teeth, exceedingly handsome. He appeared about the same age as Li Hao but was likely two years younger.

The other was a young man with a gentle expression and refined demeanor.

"Greetings to General Haotian," the young man said with a slight bow and a polite smile. "I am Qingjingzi. My master instructed me to wait here to escort you to the Dao Repository Hall."

Li Hao nodded. His gaze swept over the two figures, and although they concealed their auras, he could immediately discern their cultivation levels: one was at the Fourth Pillar Realm, while the younger boy had reached the Heaven and Man Realm.

For someone so young to achieve Heaven and Man Realm surprised Li Hao.

Noticing Li Hao’s gaze, the boy’s cheeks flushed slightly as he shyly said, "I am Ming Yuejian. Thank you for saving my master and protecting this world."

Seeing Li Hao’s subtle surprise, Qingjingzi smiled knowingly and said, "General Haotian, my junior brother possesses an innate Dao Bone, giving him an extraordinary affinity for Dao comprehension. Combined with our master’s guidance, he has been able to match your cultivation progress."

"Innate Dao Bone?" Li Hao asked, intrigued. This was the first time he had heard of such a thing.

Previously, Jiang Lichen had been said to possess an Innate Sword Bone, while the Dao Seed of the Ancient Ji Clan was known as the Sacred Bone.

"Indeed," Qingjingzi replied. "According to our master, it is an exceptionally rare constitution that naturally nurtures the Dao within the body. With proper cultivation, one can advance to the Dao Seeker Realm. Beyond that, however, the path to sainthood still relies on incense power."

Li Hao couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. He had his unique panel, while others had innate Dao Bones. Truly, everyone had their own fateful opportunities.

"Please, General Haotian, follow us," Ming Yuejian said shyly, his face growing redder under Qingjingzi’s teasing remarks.

Amused by the boy’s bashful demeanor, which was reminiscent of a shy young girl, Li Hao followed the two to the Dao Repository Hall.

The hall was located at the rear of Qiandao Palace. Normally, it was managed by Qin Zhenren’s eldest disciple. However, that elder had perished during the recent battle—his Daoist cultivation at the True Person Stage had proven useless against the overwhelming might of the six enemies, and he was slain before he could resist.

"Our master instructed us to tell you that you may stay as long as you wish in the Dao Repository Hall," Qingjingzi explained with a smile. "You are free to view anything, in any way you prefer."

"Understood," Li Hao replied. He bid farewell to the two and stepped into the Dao Repository Hall.

The interior of the hall was vast and empty. Sunlight filtered through, and specks of dust floated gently in the air.

A serene atmosphere enveloped the space.

Li Hao didn’t waste any time. With a sweep of his divine sense, he located a comfortable spot to sit down. Then, using his abilities, he drew various cultivation manuals and techniques to himself, one after another.

As the collection of techniques in his panel grew, they began cross-referencing and evolving, producing entirely new techniques.

Numerous thoughts surged into Li Hao’s mind as he carefully absorbed, analyzed, and refined them.

Many of the techniques advanced from upper-grade to supreme-grade, and from supreme-grade to absolute-grade.

Eventually, some of these absolute-grade techniques transformed further into Dao Domains.

The number of Dao Domains under Li Hao’s control, originally fifteen, gradually began to increase...

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