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

A frown creased his forehead as he whispered quietly to himself.

…

Upon the heights of Extreme Dao Mountain.

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

Having reached the Tenth Stage of the Musical Rhythm Dao, his skill had already transcended the mundane to enter the Saint rank. He was now capable of utilizing the very clouds and the roar of thunder as his instruments, composing the thunderous music of the Dao to cleanse all animosity. Those who listen to it over a long period find their Dao Heart greatly strengthened.

"The Infinite is indeed somewhat challenging, yet the threshold for this First Level does not seem particularly high to me..."

After returning from his master’s side with the true teachings, Li Hao began to comprehend the First Level of the Infinite within his courtyard.

The First Level of the Infinite possesses the power to triple one's foundation!

The Second Level can increase it sixfold!

However, the requirements for the Second Level are staggering, demanding the fusion of twenty Chaos Laws just to qualify for its comprehension. With his current mastery over the Chaos Dao, the techniques appeared as cryptic as heavenly books, remaining entirely beyond his grasp.

Li Hao felt no sense of urgency, choosing instead to focus on refining his artistic skills first.

He knew that once his artistic accumulation was sufficient, achieving a breakthrough would be as effortless as breathing or taking a drink of water.

As time slipped away, the courtyard was frequently filled with the scent of roasting meat, the echoes of music, and the sound of someone chanting poetry.

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

Over the span of twenty years and four cycles of Chaos Rain, Li Hao progressed from the Third Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm to the Sixth Level, crossing three entire minor realms.

Now, another thirty years have concluded.

Following six more bouts of Chaos Rain, Li Hao’s cultivation climbed another three levels, reaching the Ninth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm!

Although advancement becomes increasingly grueling at higher levels, Li Hao’s capacity to absorb the Chaos Rain was extraordinary. His foundation, bolstered by the True God Blood within his Immortal Body, refined the Chaos Rain so thoroughly that the benefits were far more significant for him than for any other cultivator.

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

Standing now at the Ninth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, the gap between him and the other geniuses of the Primordial True Realm had become negligible. Even without a direct leap in his Chaos Dao, his combat effectiveness had seen a remarkable transformation.

During these thirty years, Li Hao’s greatest source of satisfaction 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 unsuccessful 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, despite seeing Li Hao’s steady growth, felt a sense of letdown and eventually stopped paying him much mind.

Li Hao remained indifferent to their opinions, continuing to deploy his dark incarnation to gather data from his failures, using those experiences to analyze his combat patterns and fix his weaknesses.

These flaws were not something that could be fixed through the mere suppression of Chaos Laws; when facing someone of equal talent, such shortcomings would prove fatal.

Fortunately, through constant conflict, Li Hao rapidly bridged the gap in his combat experience, growing more formidable with every fight. Even when pitted against opponents of equal strength, he could now secure victory through superior battle tactics.

Thirty years had passed, and Li Hao’s presence had become more restrained and composed. He chose to remain within the confines of Extreme Dao Mountain rather than traveling to the Chaos Stars.

The river of time continued to flow.

"To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to secure a destiny for the masses, to inherit the lost teachings of ancient sages, and to ensure peace for all future generations!"

Li Hao softly recited these words within the quiet of the courtyard.

As he repeated the verse, his thoughts suddenly turned to the Four Stands Realm that follows the Three Immortal Realms—specifically 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 within the Tao Heart Realm of the Tai Ping Realm, marking the initial formation of one's Tao Heart!

Reflecting on it now, Li Hao realized that these four cultivation realms corresponded perfectly to the four lines of the poem.

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

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

Li Hao mused inwardly.

His understanding of the realms had shifted, granting him a profound and unprecedented clarity regarding these poetic verses.

In the Tao Comprehension Realm, one's words are accompanied by the law; in the Saint Realm, they manifest as the thunderous music of the Tao!

In the True Immortal Realm, they transform into the very Truth of Immortal Law!

"Poetry... it is not merely a collection of beautiful words. It should hold the sharp power 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 sky like splattered ink, weaving a vivid painted world before his eyes.

Within this painted realm, the glow of the setting sun met the horizon of the sea, while a distant flock of birds streaked across the sky.

"The setting sun and a solitary goose fly together; the autumn waters share a single hue with the vast sky!"

The birds faded into the distance as mountain peaks rose from the sea, reshaping the landscape into rivers and crags where a small vessel sailed against the light.

"Quiet shadows drift upon the ink-stained mountains; golden scales guide the light boat!"

The rivers and mountains twisted and turned, becoming a fierce yellow torrent that surged downward with unstoppable force.

"Have you not seen? The waters of the Yellow River descend from the very heavens!"

The violent waves carried an immense weight as they flowed into the distance.

The seasons shifted, and snowflakes began to fall upon the world. On a bamboo raft drifting by the riverbank, white snow gathered on the shoulders of an old fisherman.

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

The snow swirled violently, and within the painting realm, the flakes transformed into countless tiny figures scattered across the vast terrain.

"Heaven and earth are without kindness, treating all living things as nothing more than straw dogs!"

Li Hao whispered softly. In that instant, the painting realm vibrated in resonance with his words, causing the heavens and the Heavenly Dao themselves to tremble!

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

Visions of poetry swirled around Li Hao like sacred Buddhist scriptures, fluttering through the air.

"Poetry transforms into the immortal!"

At that precise moment, Li Hao’s poetic attainment ascended from the tenth stage to the eleventh.

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

With this mental breakthrough, a massive flood of poetic insight filled Li Hao’s heart. Countless literary masterpieces appeared in his mind, and it felt as though he were traveling through every landscape described in those poems.

A long time passed.

When Li Hao finally returned to reality from that sea of masterpieces, a sudden thought struck him regarding the future: Could he perhaps create a realm similar to the Tai Ping Realm?

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

To create a new realm beyond these eight, much like the Four Stands Realm had been established.

Li Hao felt that if he could accomplish such a feat, he would be carving his own path toward becoming an emperor!

However, while the idea was exhilarating, serious reflection revealed the staggering difficulties and perils involved.

Trying to forge a new realm outside the established eight was a task of extreme complexity; even his own master had only managed to expand the existing realms into a Final Realm.

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

Li Hao contemplated this with deep respect.

Despite his poetic breakthrough and the phenomena it caused in his courtyard, the world outside remained oblivious.

Within the Primordial True Realm, the countless geniuses continued their tireless cultivation upon the various Chaos Stars.

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

"A hundred years have passed..."

Standing in his courtyard, Li Hao looked up at the falling Chaos Rain. He now held an umbrella, shielding himself from the downpour.

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