Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1676 Chapter 423: Familiar Faces in the Southern Domain, Opening the Chaos Dao! (Triple Combo)_6

The proclamation of the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor, "Heaven and earth rejoice together," seemed to truly stir the world into a celebratory frenzy for Li Hao’s sake!

Countless disciples watched the display, their gazes burning with intense envy.

Li Hao himself was deeply moved by the spectacle, realizing for the first time the immense prestige that came with being the personal disciple of an Immortal Emperor.

"I have transmitted your likeness and aura to Chaos and the Original, instructing them to inform their own direct disciples to avoid any life-and-death struggles with you. While sparring is permitted, there is no need for mutual slaughter. Should an irreconcilable blood feud arise, you are to settle it within the Emperor Arena."

The majestic voice of the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor echoed directly within Li Hao’s sea of consciousness.

"Thank you, Master," Li Hao replied with sincere gratitude.

A moment later, the projection of the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor vanished from Extreme Dao Mountain. However, Li Hao’s own image remained suspended high in the heavens, a beacon for the myriad disciples who looked up in awe.

Across the mountain, fervent discussions erupted within dojos of every size.

Li Hao eventually retracted his gaze, steadying his heart. He cared little for the fame; rather, he was touched by the protective intentions of his master.

No longer lingering, he retreated to his courtyard and resumed his cultivation through the art of carving.

"What exactly are you doing?"

The Mystic Turtle Emperor Soul watched Li Hao’s movements, feeling a sense of bewilderment.

"Carving."

"I can see that. I mean, why choose to carve instead of focusing on your Cultivation?" the Mystic Turtle Emperor Soul pressed, sounding confused.

Li Hao answered calmly, "Everything in existence can be a form of cultivation, provided there is intent."

The Mystic Turtle Emperor Soul pondered this; while the sentiment was technically true, every path had its efficiency. Using carving as a primary method of cultivation was undoubtedly a snail's pace.

Nevertheless, since the master of Extreme Dao Mountain had not intervened, the turtle felt it unnecessary to be talkative. Furthermore, for a genius of Li Hao’s caliber, any necessary guidance would surely be provided by the Emperor himself.

The soul promptly retreated back into its shell, drifting off into a comfortable slumber.

Silence once again blanketed the courtyard.

Aside from his carving, Li Hao maintained his routine of preparing the Ancient Demon Corpse for cooking.

While the Ancient Demon Corpse was not as potent as Ancient Demon Blood Essence, the latter was a rarity. Using the corpse to bolster his Primordial Spirit through culinary arts still yielded remarkably rapid progress.

"Carving, Cooking, Chess Tao, Artistic Path..."

Each of these four auxiliary skills had reached the twelfth stage.

Should he reach the thirteenth stage, he would achieve a breakthrough and rise to the rank of a king!

At present, the experience requirements were dauntingly vast. However, being in the presence of the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor provided Li Hao with a perfect subject for his artistic pursuits.

Simply having the Mystic Turtle Emperor Soul nearby allowed Li Hao to paint and carve, gathering a significant amount of experience.

The black giant turtle beneath the Immortal Mountain, a being at the Quasi-Emperor Realm, also served as a rich source of insight.

Li Hao mused that he should eventually ask his Master to serve as a model for his art. If he could capture the Emperor's likeness repeatedly, his experience bar would surely skyrocket!

Once the bar was full, only an epiphany regarding the State of Mind would be required. Such enlightenment could strike at any moment, yet without that specific spark, one might wait a millennium in vain.

Regardless, his priority was to overflow the experience bar first.

Without delay, Li Hao began his work, using the Mystic Turtle Emperor Soul and later the black giant turtle as his muses.

Time flowed swiftly, and several months passed in a flash.

Li Hao eventually completed his artistic studies of the black giant turtle, accumulating experience until he reached the point of diminishing returns.

During these months of constant work, he learned that the massive creature was known as the Yuanming Ancestor.

"Yuanming Ancestor, I shall return to the mountain peak tomorrow. I’ll be sure to bring some delicacies when I visit again," Li Hao said to the gargantuan turtle.

Before him sat a collection of carvings and paintings depicting the 'Yuanming Ancestor.'

"Are you departing so soon?"

The Yuanming Ancestor sent a telepathic message, its voice heavy and resonant, filled with a simple honesty.

After months of company—moving from initial wariness to being won over by the exquisite food Li Hao prepared—the creature found itself feeling a hint of sadness at the youth's departure.

"I am staying right on your back; I can visit whenever I wish. You can also tell me at any time if there is something specific you'd like to eat," Li Hao said, standing up and brushing the dust off his clothes with a grin.

The Yuanming Ancestor realized this was true and stopped trying to persuade him to stay, carefully tucking away the art Li Hao had left behind.

In all its eons of cultivation, this was the first time anyone had captured its likeness; the sensation was quite novel.

It wasn't that the Yuanming Ancestor had never met artists—many prodigies visited the Primordial True Realm, and some were as unique as Li Hao—but most were so intimidated by its massive, terrifying form that they never dared to linger, let alone paint it.

...

The days continued to slip away.

In the blink of an eye, nearly a year had passed.

Within the grand hall atop the mountain, Li Hao and the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor were engaged in a match of chess.

The Immortal Emperor’s mastery of the game was staggering. Li Hao discovered that despite his own Twelfth Stage Chess Tao, he was vastly outmatched. His pieces were swiftly captured, his territories seized, and his remaining forces cornered by just a few of his Master's moves.

Despite the repeated losses, he still couldn't fully grasp the depth of the strategies used against him.

In both the Artistic Path and Chess Tao, Li Hao felt his Master occupied a much higher plane.

An Immortal Emperor was the pinnacle of the True Realm, possessing eternal life and a Divine Sense that far outclassed any Immortal King. While a King might process a hundred thoughts in a heartbeat, an Emperor could process hundreds of thousands. Their minds were sharper and faster; they could master any craft almost instantly.

"I have lost once more."

Li Hao watched his Master’s finger place a piece, his eye twitching. Though he had been silently praying for the Emperor not to spot the weakness, he realized he had been far too optimistic!

If even he could see the fatal flaw in his defense, his Master certainly would not miss it unless he was losing on purpose.

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor chuckled, reaching for the tea Li Hao had prepared. Li Hao had grown two tea trees in his own courtyard, nurturing them with Wood Dao Origin and immortal energy. Though the base variety was common, Li Hao’s cooking-enhanced brewing techniques made the tea exceptionally fragrant and sweet, with a lingering, profound aftertaste.