Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1724 - 436: A Century at the Immortal Lord Peak (2)

With a furrowed brow, he muttered softly to himself.

...

Upon the heights of Extreme Dao Mountain.

Within a small, fenced courtyard, a melody of light and relaxing piano music drifted through the air, drawing in the surrounding immortal power.

The Musical Rhythm Dao had reached the Tenth Stage, a level that transcended the mundane and entered the Saint rank. At this height, one could use the very clouds and the roar of thunder as instruments, crafting Tao’s thunderous music to cleanse all animosity. Those who listen for long periods find their Tao Heart significantly strengthened.

"Infinite is indeed quite challenging, yet the threshold for this First Level doesn't appear particularly high to me..."

Having returned from receiving the true teachings of his master, Li Hao began to realize the First Level of Infinite within his courtyard.

Reaching the First Level of Infinite allows one to triple their foundation!

The Second Level increases it sixfold!

However, the requirements for the Second Level are staggering, necessitating the fusion of 20 Chaos Laws just to qualify for comprehension. With his current mastery over the Chaos Dao, attempting to read it was like trying to decipher heavenly books—completely beyond his understanding.

Li Hao felt no rush, choosing instead to focus on refining his artistic skill first.

Once enough artistic skill is amassed, achieving a breakthrough becomes as natural as eating or drinking, a mere matter of taking a breath.

Time flowed by rapidly. Within the courtyard, the scent of roasting meat occasionally lingered, music resonated, and the sound of someone reciting poetry could be heard.

Every five years, a downpour of Chaos Rain fell upon Extreme Dao Mountain, assisting Li Hao in raising his cultivation realm.

Over the last twenty years, through four cycles of Chaos Rain, Li Hao climbed from the Third Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm to the Sixth Level, advancing three entire stages.

Now, another thirty years have slipped away.

Following six more bouts of Chaos Rain, Li Hao’s cultivation rose by another three levels, bringing him to the Ninth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm!

Advancement became increasingly difficult the further one progressed, yet Li Hao's capacity to absorb the Chaos Rain was extraordinary. His foundation was supported by the True God Blood within his Immortal Body, which processed the Chaos Rain so efficiently that the effects were far more potent for him than for others.

Li Hao calculated that with three more sessions of absorption, he would likely attain the Perfect Immortal Monarch Realm.

Standing now at the Ninth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, his previous realm disadvantage compared to other geniuses in the Primordial True Realm had become negligible. This resulted in a significant boost to his combat power, even though his understanding of the Chaos Dao had not yet moved forward.

Throughout these thirty years, what pleased Li Hao most was that both his Musical Rhythm and his Poetry and Books had reached the eleventh stage, granting him two additional points in artistic skill.

As for the Chaos Dao Field, following that initial failed challenge, his dark incarnation’s subsequent battles resulted in a mix of victories and defeats. He no longer held his previous aura of invincibility. Many spectators, even those who noted Li Hao’s growth, felt a sense of disappointment and stopped paying him much attention.

Li Hao remained unbothered by this, utilizing his dark incarnation to collect data from his losses to reflect on his fighting style and flaws.

Such weaknesses could not be overcome by the suppression of Chaos Laws alone; when facing opponents of equal talent, these flaws would become a liability.

Fortunately, through constant combat, Li Hao rapidly made up for his lack of experience, growing more formidable with every fight. Even against foes of equal strength, he could now emerge victorious through superior battle experience.

Thirty years passed, and Li Hao’s presence became more settled and composed. He chose to remain within the safety of Extreme Dao Mountain rather than traveling to the Chaos Star.

The river of time continued to flow.

"Establishing a heart for heaven and earth, decreeing destiny for all living beings, inheriting the ultimate skills of ancient sages, and securing peace for all future generations!"

Li Hao spoke the words quietly within his courtyard.

As he recited the verse once more, he suddenly thought of the Four Stands Realm that follows the Three Immortal Realms: the Tao Heart Realm, the Defying Fate Realm, the Ultimate Study Realm, and the Tai Ping Realm!

Each of these stages was vastly different. The so-called Tao Heart was indeed established during the Tao Heart Realm of the Tai Ping Realm, marking the initial formation of one's Tao Heart!

Looking back, Li Hao realized that these four cultivation realms corresponded perfectly to those four phrases.

Establishing Heart, Setting Destiny, Ultimate Skill, and Peace!

"The being who devised the Tai Ping Realm must surely have been a Great Emperor with immense compassion for all of humanity!"

Li Hao fell into deep introspection.

He gained new insights into the realms and an unprecedented grasp of those poetic lines.

In the Tao Comprehension Realm, one's words are accompanied by the law; in the Saint Realm, it manifests as Tao’s thunderous music!

In the True Immortal Realm, it transforms into the Immortal Law Truth!

"Poetry... it is not just a collection of beautiful words; it should possess the sharpness required to perceive the fundamental truths of the world!"

With a wave of his hand, Li Hao summoned the Time Painting Realm. Immortal power gathered in the air like splashing ink, forming a painted world before his eyes.

Inside the painting, the ocean at dusk merged with the horizon, while a distant flock of birds flew past in a blur.

"The setting sun and a lone goose fly side by side; the autumn waters and the vast sky share a single hue!"

The birds faded into the distance; mountain peaks rose on either side of the waters, turning the sea into rivers and crags where a small boat drifted against the light.

"Quiet shadows glide upon the ink-stained mountain, as golden scales guide the light vessel!"

As the rivers and mountains twisted, they transformed into a powerful yellow torrent surging violently downward.

"Have you not seen how the waters of the Yellow River descend from the heavens!"

The roaring waves carried immense power as they flowed into the distance.

The seasons shifted, and snowflakes began to fall upon the world. On a bamboo raft upon the river, white snow collected on an old man fishing.

"An old man in a bamboo hat, fishing alone in the snowy river!"

The snow swirled fiercely, shifting within the painting into countless tiny figures that scattered across the wide earth.

"Heaven and earth are without kindness, treating all creation as if they were nothing more than straw dogs!"

Li Hao whispered softly. At that instant, the painting realm vibrated in harmony with the verse, causing the heavens and the Heavenly Dao to tremble!

Within the painting, the myriad figures seemed to raise their heads, looking toward the sky and beyond the realm toward Li Hao—their creator. They then dissolved into immortal power and spiritual light, flowing out of the painting and surging into Li Hao’s body.

Poetic illusions manifested around Li Hao like swirling Buddhist scriptures, dancing through the air.

"Poetry turns immortal!"

In this moment, Li Hao’s poetic attainment crossed from the tenth stage into the eleventh stage.

He had grasped the true soul of poetry and realized the true essence of the Tao.

With this leap in his state of mind, a massive flood of poetic insight filled Li Hao’s heart. Countless masterpieces appeared in his mind, and he felt as if he were traveling through the very landscapes described in every poem.

A long time passed.

Eventually, Li Hao returned to the present from that sea of masterpieces. His thoughts turned to the future—could he perhaps create a realm similar to the Tai Ping Realm?

The Eight Realms of Martial Arts: Universal Force, Circulation, Soul Continuation, Divine Traveling, Fifteen Miles, Heavenly Human Realm, Three Immortal Realms, and the Four Stands Realm!

To go beyond these eight and forge a new realm comparable to the Four Stands Realm.

Li Hao felt that if he could accomplish this, he would be carving his own path to becoming an emperor!

However, despite the sudden spark of inspiration, once Li Hao thought about it seriously, he recognized the overwhelming hurdles and dangers involved.

Trying to innovate a new realm beyond the established eight was incredibly difficult; even his own master had only managed to expand the existing stages into a Final Realm.

"Those who established these realms must have been truly peerless figures..."

Li Hao mused, his heart filled with respect.

Following his breakthrough in poetry, besides the strange phenomena within his courtyard, the world outside remained as it was.

Within the Primordial True Realm, numerous prodigies continued their cultivation upon the various Chaos Stars.

Without anyone noticing, Li Hao had already spent a full century within the Primordial True Realm.

"One hundred years have passed..."

Standing in his courtyard, Li Hao looked up at the falling Chaos Rain. This time, he held an umbrella to shield himself from the downpour.

Decades ago, his cultivation had already reached the Peak of the Immortal Monarch Realm, leaving him with no further room to grow.