Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1753 Chapter 448: Gathering at the Eighth Layer Heaven (Part 2)

"If Senior Sister feels uneasy, just consider it a favor you owe me."

Noticing Di Lingshu's hesitation, Li Hao spoke with a grin.

Di Lingshu stared at Li Hao and let out a soft sigh, "It's more than just a favor. I'm simply thinking that such grace is comparable to the guidance my master has provided. How could I ever hope to repay this in the future?"

"I have a fondness for fine cuisine and Divine Wood. If Senior Sister possesses any, simply offering some to me would be repayment enough," Li Hao remarked.

Di Lingshu gave a bitter smile, assuming Li Hao was merely jesting. How could such trivial items compare to the supreme opportunities found within the Endless Heavenly Domain?

Although she sighed inwardly, she did not decline. Despite being a member of the Emperor Clan and possessing immense pride, she understood that this chance was a rare gift that might never be seen again.

"With such grace bestowed by Junior Brother, should I ascend to become an Immortal Emperor in the future, I shall repay you tenfold."

Di Lingshu spoke these words to Li Hao with absolute sincerity.

Hearing this, Li Hao gave her a wary look, "And if you don't become an Immortal Emperor?"

Di Lingshu was stunned for a moment before her solemn face shifted into a look of playful irritation, "Do you look down on me?"

"No, it's just that becoming an Immortal Emperor is..."

"Hmph, even if I don't become an Immortal Emperor, I will still find a way to repay you!"

Di Lingshu snorted with mock anger. Secretly, she thought that if his prediction came true and she failed to reach that stage, she truly would repay him with nothing but food and Divine Wood just to see the look on his face!

With a light chuckle, Li Hao brought Di Lingshu onto the back of the Chaos Dao Beast, directing the creature to travel further into the Endless Heavenly Domain.

Before they departed, Di Lingshu gathered all the Divine Medicine growing on that land. Nourished by the power of the Heavenly Dao and Chaos, these ancient Divine Medicines were priceless treasures capable of extending a clan's longevity and were never sold to outsiders.

Leaving that region behind, Li Hao pushed deeper. He could feel the spatial pressure mounting and the Chaos Power growing more turbulent ahead. Using this intensity as his compass, he pressed forward, bypassing several lands without stopping to scavenge them.

Having killed several Chaos Dao Beasts previously, Li Hao realized they were inferior to the four he had slain near the Chaos River; their internal Heavenly Dao Power was lackluster. Additionally, there was a clear gap in the strength levels among these creatures.

"The four that tried to ambush us by the river were likely at the Seventh or Eighth Layer!" Li Hao mused.

He had used the Destiny Sword Dao to dispatch them previously, and the battle had ended too quickly to fully measure their strength. However, he intuitively felt that an average Cultivator would be in dire straits if caught in an ambush by those four.

It wasn't long before they crossed dozens of territories, and a visible boundary seemed to manifest in the void ahead.

Li Hao reached out with his mind and found that he could pass through it effortlessly, as if moving through a thin film of water.

Once past this transparent veil, the constraints on the surrounding space became significantly more crushing.

"This must be the Second Heavenly Domain,"

Di Lingshu remarked.

Li Hao nodded in agreement. Before them, points of light like distant stars were scattered about. He picked a specific landmass, landed upon it, and swept his Divine Sense across the area, quickly locating four or five Chaos Dao Beasts.

"Let's take down two of them to gauge the difference in power," Li Hao suggested.

At his words, Di Lingshu leaped from the back of the Dao Beast and sought out a target, lashing out with her sword.

Li Hao moved to engage the remaining beasts.

A short while later, Li Hao returned his blade to its sheath and sat back down on the Dao Beast. He had confirmed that this was indeed the Second Heavenly Domain, as the combat strength of these Chaos Dao Beasts was markedly higher than those in the previous region.

Di Lingshu finished her own encounter shortly after. She took a bit more time than before and appeared slightly more fatigued.

"They are definitely more powerful than the ones before," Di Lingshu noted.

"Let’s move on, we're going deeper."

Li Hao patted the beast's back. Understanding his intent, Di Lingshu descended onto the creature with the refined elegance of the Emperor Clan and took her seat.

Li Hao continued to lead the Dao Beast forward.

While Li Hao and Di Lingshu traveled deeper into the Endless Heavenly Domain, more groups began to arrive at the banks of the Chaos River.

"So this is the Endless Heavenly Domain."

"The ones who arrived first are likely already inside; we cannot afford to fall behind."

These figures emerged from the Chaos River in a second wave. Each had refined 23 Chaos Laws, yet unlike the Red Chaos Demon Clan, they were currently playing a cautious game.

"Junior Brother Zhexuan, I have brought you this far. You may hunt along the fringes of the First Layer. I am heading to the much more treacherous Eighth Layer. If you run into trouble there, I may not be able to save you."

Luo Ningshuang had led Lin Zhexuan out of the river and now spoke to him with a serious tone.

Lin Zhexuan felt a pang of disappointment. However, he knew their relationship wasn't close enough for Senior Sister Nine to escort him into the Eighth Layer—a place where he wouldn't be able to hunt anyway. It was foolish to think she would do the work and share the spoils with him.

"Understood. Please be careful, Senior Sister,"

Lin Zhexuan replied, maintaining a composed front.

Luo Ningshuang felt a sense of relief; if this Junior Brother had insisted on tagging along, it would have put her in a very difficult position.

"By arriving here with me, you've gained a head start. None of the experts who arrived before us will linger in the Front Domain, including that Haotian you mentioned. They have surely headed for the Eighth Layer, which is where our true competition lies. Since the First Layer is currently empty, you should hunt as fast as possible. I've heard there are Divine Ores and Medicines here—some are rare materials for forging Immortal Soldiers and Domain Artifacts. Collecting them would be a great boon for your Lin Family."

Luo Ningshuang gave him this final piece of advice.

Lin Zhexuan nodded in understanding, "Senior Sister Nine, you should hurry, or the Chaos Dao Beasts of the Eighth Layer will be claimed by others."

Despite her internal tension, Luo Ningshuang managed a small smile, "The Seventh Layer perhaps, but the Eighth Layer is different. That territory is a danger to us all."

Even those who had refined 23 Chaos Laws had to be wary in the Eighth Layer, as a coordinated attack by Chaos Dao Beasts could be fatal.

Without another word, Luo Ningshuang dropped Lin Zhexuan off at a landmass in the First Heavenly Domain before vanishing into the depths.

At the same time, the Su sisters, Di Lincen, and several others followed a different senior brother out of the Chaos River.

"Remain here in the First Layer. If you face a crisis, utilize the Domain Artifact gifted by the master."

The sturdy, middle-aged man gave his instructions to the younger disciples.

The sisters of the Ghost Tribe and Di Lincen bowed in gratitude.

"I am heading out as well. Little Sister, stay here and hunt the Chaos Dao Beasts. If you work together, your efficiency will be much higher—the bloodline harmony of our Su Family is second to none,"

Su Wanyi told her three younger siblings.

Including her, all four Su sisters had achieved the status of Direct Disciple under the Chaos Immortal Emperor, a nearly unheard-of success for a single family.

"Yes, Sister. Please watch over yourself,"

Su Muqing and the others replied with worry in their eyes.

Su Wanyi gave them a gentle smile, said her goodbyes, and blurred toward the Eighth Layer.

Once she had departed, Su Muqing and Su Wanqing looked at each other. Three centuries had passed, and in the face of the dangers within the Endless Heavenly Domain, Su Wanqing’s previous coldness toward Su Muqing had finally begun to thaw.

"Let us begin,"

Su Wanxue declared. With their eldest sister gone, it was her duty to ensure the safety of her two younger sisters.

Long after they had moved out, a third wave appeared at the Chaos River. This group was smaller and quickly dispersed toward various sectors of the domain.

Much later, a fourth wave arrived, significantly larger than the third, creating a massive commotion. Most of these were talents who had refined seven or eight Chaos Laws.

Finally, the largest group of all arrived as the fifth wave, a desperate swarm of people pushing past one another. Even knowing they were far behind, they continued to struggle forward through the waters.