Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1677 Chapter 423: Familiar Face from the Southern Domain, Opening the Chaos Dao! (Three-in-One)_7

"A year has nearly passed. Do you intend to keep waiting?"

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor posed the question with a relaxed smile.

With a touch of gloom, Li Hao gathered his chess piece and dropped it back into the container without much thought, answering:

"I will wait. I am certain she will arrive."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor gave a slight nod. He did not believe the young woman would go back on her word. After all, if she could journey across ten thousand years, what was a mere physical distance to her?

"However, if you remain here for a full year before heading to comprehend the Chaotic Star, you might find yourself falling behind your elder sister, Lingshu."

Li Hao didn't even look up as he replied nonchalantly, "Losing doesn't matter. Since we belong to the same Sect, there is no requirement to fight for dominance."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor hesitated for a moment before a small smile formed. Although his attempt to stir Li Hao’s competitive spirit had failed, he found himself strangely pleased by the youth's perspective.

"Your skill in brewing tea is impressive, yet the seeds you use are of poor quality. I shall grant you two Ancient Demon Tea Seeds shortly; they should prove highly advantageous to you."

After sampling the brew, the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor spoke with a meaningful undertone.

Li Hao stiffened, realizing instantly that his master had detected something. He asked with curiosity, "Ancient Demon Tea Seeds?"

"These are two exceptional Divine Teas. They were cultivated within the chest cavity of an Immortal King Ancient Demon, where they nourished themselves on the demon's essence blood and soul intent. The tea is somewhat tainted, but it possesses a peerless flavor."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor clarified.

Li Hao was stunned. Using the remains of an Immortal King Ancient Demon as fertilizer for tea plants?

Such a technique was quite savage. If the members of the Ancient Demon Clan ever learned of this, they would likely be consumed by rage.

Furthermore, discovering that their kin were being used as mere ingredients would surely drive them to fury.

Another month slipped away in an instant.

The experience bars for Li Hao’s Artistic Path and Carving Arts were now nearly halfway to completion.

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor had granted Li Hao’s request without delay. By using Su Jiuzhe as a living model for Li Hao, he had quietly assisted in rapidly accelerating the growth of Li Hao’s Artistic Path and Carving Arts experience.

When Li Hao entered the grand hall once more carrying refreshments, he had just set the trays down when the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor spoke:

"It appears the one you have been expecting has finally arrived."

Li Hao was taken by surprise.

Moments later, a powerful and familiar presence manifested outside the hall.

It was Shi Miao!

Reacting immediately, Li Hao’s heart surged with joy. He sprinted out of the hall to greet her.

Shi Miao was equally moved upon seeing him. Although only a year had gone by, it felt like an eternity. She threw herself into his embrace and asked:

"Have you been waiting a long time?"

"It is fine. Only a year has passed," Li Hao whispered back.

Shi Miao wanted to say more, but a sudden realization struck her. She quickly straightened her clothes and offered a profound bow toward the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor inside the hall.

"The junior Shi Miao pays her respects to the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor. I thank you for your immense mercy in saving my life!"

Seated before the chessboard with his elbow resting on his knee, the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor said, "I have taken your beloved as a direct disciple. I trust you have no complaints?"

Shi Miao froze, her face flushing as she answered, "If he is willing, then I have no objections."

"You stubborn girl. Back then, your master introduced you to countless geniuses in hopes of continuing your lineage, yet you turned them all away. It seems your heart was set on this path all along."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor shook his head, a hint of amusement touching his voice as he recalled the past.

Sorrow flickered in Shi Miao's eyes at the mention of her late master.

"He predicted the great disaster that would strike the world, yet he failed to foresee his own end... nor did he expect the Heavenly Emperor to be such a treacherous person..."

Hatred flashed in her eyes when the Southern Domain Venerable was mentioned.

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor peered into the distance and remarked, "How can you be certain he didn't foresee his death? It is possible he accepted it willingly. Without his sacrifice, the Southern Domain would not exist as it does today. Though, I agree, that Heavenly Emperor is indeed a disappointment."

He shook his head slightly while speaking.

Shi Miao was stunned. Had her master truly known he would die?

She fell into a sudden silence. Perhaps he had known from the start and was simply choosing to stand against the calamity regardless of the cost.

"Now that you have reached the Primordial True Realm, do not squander your time. Be on your way."

With a wave of his hand, the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor dismissed them.

Shi Miao bowed deeply with a serious expression before following Li Hao out of the hall.

"We are heading to the Chaotic Star. Have you picked which one to visit first?" Shi Miao inquired.

Li Hao was aware that each of the sixty-nine Chaotic Stars was unique. Cultivators usually selected the one that best matched their highest Dao comprehension to ensure the fastest Cultivation.

"I will go wherever you go," Li Hao said.

Shi Miao beamed at him and said, "I came here to be with you, so naturally, I will follow your lead. Besides, we must eventually comprehend them all, so the starting point is irrelevant."

As she spoke, she gestured with her hand, manifesting a space-time array in front of them.

"While you are comprehending on the Chaotic Star, an Immortal King stands guard against the Chaos Domain above. I shall be your protector there."

Li Hao looked at her with astonishment. He suddenly realized her aura had transformed; she was no longer at the Immortal Monarch Realm. She had ascended to become an Immortal King!

"Your Cultivation has increased?"

"Mhm."

Li Hao didn't press for details, knowing that Shi Miao’s advancement was far from ordinary.

Together, the pair stepped into the space-time array.

The forces of space and time shifted around them until the array opened to reveal a massive, jagged Sword Peak.

It was a literal Sword Peak; its shape was identical to a blade, sharp on both sides with edges as thin as a razor.

Despite its impossible thinness, the earth and stone were held together by the power of Dao Law.

Li Hao watched in awe. As he looked around, he noticed the flora at the mountain's base looked uncannily like swords, all pointing toward the sky with lethal sharpness.

Some plants resembled swords, while others looked like spears or took on distorted shapes, appearing like warped reflections in the water.