Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1736 Chapter 441: Artistic Path Thirteen, Heart of Reverse Time (Part 2)

"Senior Brother Han Ku, he..."

The Immortal King Realm disciples gathered before Li Hao, including those like Bitter Bridge, exchanged glances with grim expressions clouding their faces.

A sudden chill struck Li Hao's heart. "What has happened? Speak plainly," he urged.

"Senior Brother Haotian, three years ago, Senior Brother Han Ku departed for the Original Border to serve as a Demon Slayer. However, it is a tragedy..."

Bitter Bridge’s gaze turned complicated as he tightened his grip. "The conflict at the Original Border was merciless. Word reached us a year ago that Senior Brother Han Ku fell in battle."

"He fell in battle?"

Li Hao stood there, stunned.

He recalled their first encounter, remembering that Immortal King junior brother who had stood before him with such overwhelming confidence and pride. Had he truly perished?

"But he had achieved the Immortal King Realm... exactly what is this Original Border? Is it also under siege by Ancient Demons?"

Li Hao felt compelled to ask.

Bitter Bridge looked at Li Hao and spoke with a trace of bitterness, "Senior Brother Haotian might be unaware, but tens of millennia ago, the Ancient Demons launched an invasion of the True Realm. It wasn't just the outer regions; even the Primordial True Realm was plunged into chaos. That war reached every corner. Had the Ancient Demon Clan not been so consumed by greed and arrogance, opening too many fronts at once, they might never have been pushed back..."

"It's true. If the Ancient Demon Clan had advanced methodically, conquering the great domains of the True Realm one by one, the entire realm would likely be under their heel by now," another Immortal King added with a nod.

"The Original Border marks the site of that ancient invasion. It was only through the defense of the three giants—our Master and the Chaos Ten Clans—that peace was returned to the Primordial True Realm. Yet, the fighting at the Original Border has remained relentless ever since," Bitter Bridge explained.

Li Hao was surprised; he hadn't realized the Primordial True Realm had also endured the scourge of the Ancient Demons.

"The Chaos Ancient Clan permitted the Human Race to enter the Primordial True Realm not merely because of our Master and the Chaos Immortal Emperor, but because they require our strength to help hold back the Ancient Demons," a female disciple of the Immortal King Realm noted.

Li Hao questioned, "If that is the case, are we and the Chaos Ancient Clan still at odds like fire and water?"

"In the eyes of the Chaos Ancient Clan, we are little different from the Ancient Demons. The only distinction is that the demons are an immediate threat, while we are a lurking danger. If they can use one danger to neutralize a threat, it serves their interests perfectly," Bitter Bridge replied.

Li Hao remained silent, realizing how difficult it was to bridge the gap of racial prejudice.

"Senior Brother Haotian possesses peerless talent and was personally recruited by the Master. We are not so lucky. Some among us rely on the influence of great clans to secure a place, while others must bleed at the Original Border. Only after achieving great military merit are they permitted to cultivate here, entering the Chaotic Star to seek the Dao!"

"Certain powerful clans have members fighting at the Original Border, and they transfer their hard-earned quotas to their younger kin so they may apprentice at Emperor Dao Mountain. Even as outer sect disciples, they gain the chance to study the Chaotic Star."

The group explained the situation to Li Hao.

Li Hao was taken aback, realizing that the Chaotic Star—a place he hadn't even bothered to visit yet—was a distant dream for others.

Even reaching Extreme Dao Mountain for Cultivation required the accumulated effort of multiple generations!

"Though Han Ku was part of the first field, he was still required to serve. Every three hundred years, he had to go to the Original Border and secure a hundred great achievements before he could return," someone remarked.

"A hundred great achievements?"

"It requires slaying a hundred Ancient Demons of the same cultivation level. Since we study under the disciples of the Immortal Emperor—though we lack Senior Brother Haotian's brilliance—defeating an Ancient Demon of equal rank is manageable."

The combat prowess of Ancient Demons was terrifying; they nearly reigned supreme among the Ten Thousand Races of the True Realm at the same level. Even the top ten clans could only barely overcome them, and they were far inferior when facing the Royal Family of the Ancient Demons.

However, those who managed to reach the Primordial True Realm possessed the strength to face Ancient Demons head-on, or even dominate them.

"Killing a hundred demons isn't the hard part, but the battlefield is volatile. Ancient Demons are devious and full of tricks. Disasters happen constantly, and even the most brilliant geniuses can fall," Bitter Bridge said.

Li Hao nodded, understanding the grim reality of war.

"As a Direct Disciple, the Master will not permit Senior Brother Haotian to enter such perilous places until your Cultivation has fully matured," someone told Li Hao, their eyes filled with a mix of envy and respect.

The status of a Direct Disciple was truly special. While they felt a twinge of jealousy, they accepted it because his talent was undeniable; every Direct Disciple earned their place.

"Senior Brother Han Ku met with an unfortunate accident..."

A female Immortal King disciple spoke with a heavy heart.

Silence fell over the group at her words. They had cultivated together for thousands of years, sparring and debating the Dao. They were true companions on the path to immortality.

"Did he not leave behind any Divine Blood?"

Li Hao asked, puzzled.

Usually, when heading into danger, one would leave a drop of Divine Blood behind to allow for rebirth.

"In the past, we could use Divine Blood to cheat death, returning to the fight even after being crushed. But the Ancient Demons eventually developed a technique to sever the link to one's Divine Blood. It destroys the Divine essence entirely. Even if your Divine Blood is hidden thousands of miles away, being killed by that method causes the remaining blood to rot instantly," Bitter Bridge explained.

"Furthermore, Senior Brother Han Ku's Primordial Spirit was destroyed. Fighting with avatars doesn't allow for full power, especially since the Ancient Demons can utilize avatars as well."

Li Hao fell into a pensive silence. Years of grueling Cultivation could be snuffed out by a single day of war.

"I belong to the Unbreakable Domain..."

Those words seemed to echo in his mind, though the speaker was gone.

Without another word, Li Hao returned to the mountain peak. He manifested his Painting Realm, and within it, a new figure took shape—the fallen Han Ku.

"Senior Brother Haotian, I am of the Unbreakable Domain, please observe..."

The image of Han Ku materialized in the Painting Realm, smiling as he cupped his hands toward Li Hao, as if the past had been brought back to life.

Shi Miao watched Li Hao, saying nothing, simply offering her silent company.

The years passed in a blur.

Every few years, Li Hao would descend the mountain to discuss various realms with his Immortal King peers.

However, with every visit, Li Hao noticed that one or two familiar faces were missing, replaced by newcomers.

These fresh faces were either scions of great clans or those who had inherited spots from Elders fighting at the Original Border.

Having heard of Li Hao's reputation, they always approached him with great politeness.

"Where is Junior Sister Baihua?"

"She... perished in battle."

"And Junior Brother Wuheng?"

"He is also..."

The Chaos Rain continued to fall periodically.

At the summit, flowers bloomed and withered in a cycle, yet the celestial seeds remained vibrant and unchanging throughout the century.

"This is Junior Brother Baichuan; his mastery of his realm is quite impressive."

"What of Bitter Bridge?"

"Bitter Bridge, he..."

Seeing the pained, familiar look on the faces of the remaining old-timers, Li Hao's heart faltered, and his blood ran cold.

He didn't remember the walk back to the peak, but he found another figure had joined his Painting Realm.

"I belong to the Shore Realm, Senior Brother Haotian..."

The figure bowed deeply and respectfully toward the youth sitting silently in the tea chair.

Time felt as though it had frozen; that first meeting at the mountain's base was perfectly preserved.

Li Hao sat in silence for a long time before slowly rising. He cupped his hands and spoke:

"Greetings, Junior Brother Bitter Bridge."

As the eras shifted and the sun and moon rotated over the courtyard, time within the Painting Realm seemed to flow backward. Heavy rain rose from the earth, turning back into clouds in the sky.

The Chaos Rain reversed and the years changed, but the number of gathered figures only grew. They were all the familiar faces Li Hao had encountered.

"Han Ku, Bitter Bridge... Baihua..."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Haotian!"

It was as if time had never moved at all, and everything remained as it was.

Suddenly, Li Hao began to laugh, though tears fell as he did. These people had opened their most private realms to him without reservation—realms that had once filled him with awe, representing the pinnacle of human potential.

"Shi Miao."

Li Hao spoke suddenly.

"I am here," Shi Miao answered softly.

Standing amidst the shifting sun and moon and the reversal of time, she seemed to exist outside of space, untouched. She watched the youth with warm, tearful eyes, being the only one who could truly grasp his current state of mind and the burning passion in his heart.

"A hundred years have passed..." Li Hao whispered.

"Yes."

Shi Miao nodded firmly. "A full hundred years."