Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1763 Chapter 452: Tai Cang Ancestor Skill, Emerging from Seclusion to Reap

Li Hao was momentarily stunned as he met the warm, perceptive eyes of Elder Qi. The chaotic whirlpool of his thoughts settled into a profound stillness, leaving his heart remarkably tranquil. With a faint smile, he spoke:

"My gratitude, senior."

Although the elder hadn't offered a formal lesson, the guidance was clearly deliberate. To accept the benefit was to acknowledge the debt of karma.

"It is truly a rarity to see one so young immerse himself so deeply in such an obscure path," Elder Qi remarked with a soft chuckle.

In this world of Cultivation, while the Dao of Chess can lead to sainthood and the attainment of the Great Dao, it lacks the fervent following of martial arts and weaponry.

Li Hao’s attention returned to the board. To his surprise, the mysterious array hadn't become simple or clear through his enlightenment; instead, it appeared even more complex. Beyond the shifts of space and time, he now perceived the intricate weaving of cause and effect, noticing subtle traces that had previously been invisible to him.

Before entering the Dao, one merely observes the vastness of the ocean; after entering the Dao, one gazes upon the entire galaxy and the universe itself.

"The mastery of Chess Dao held by you two seniors is truly incomprehensible," Li Hao said, his eyes filled with genuine respect. He realized their skill was light-years beyond his own, reaching heights far above the thirteenth dan.

"We have simply lived for a very long time and found ourselves with nothing else to occupy our days," Elder Qi replied. His words were honest; without such longevity and endless leisure, they likely wouldn't have sought out Chess Dao as a form of recreation.

Through the passage of hundreds of thousands of years, one could reach profound levels of comprehension even without intense focus.

However, the Chess Dao they mastered only added a layer of refinement to their combat strength; it was not enough to shatter the limits of their Final Realm.

"Senior is being far too humble," Li Hao said with a shake of his head. His curiosity piqued, he asked: "Senior, you mentioned being born from chaos, making you perhaps the oldest beings in existence. Why then do you claim to be inferior to the Immortal Emperor?"

Given such an eternity, one should surely be able to forge an Emperor Road. Even if talent was an obstacle, time was an endless resource for an immortal. What path to the Emperor Road could remain hidden after so long?

"It is your move," Elder Eight interrupted, his voice laced with impatience.

With a small smile, Elder Qi turned his focus back to the game. After a moment of reflection, he selected a piece and set it down.

As the piece clicked onto the board, Li Hao’s eyes were pulled toward it as if he were witnessing the very pillars of heaven and earth. The white pieces surged with newfound aggression, surrounding the black ones.

Elder Eight fell into a deep, silent contemplation once more.

Elder Qi watched the board for a second before looking up at Li Hao with a smile. "Everything originates from a source. We were born of chaos, following the primal Tai Cang cultivation system. In those days, the Ten Thousand Dao Laws did not exist, nor did the various realms established by later generations. Thus, we reached the peak of the Final Realm."

"The Tai Cang System? The Final Realm?" Li Hao was taken aback. "Does this Final Realm correspond to the status of an Immortal Emperor?"

"Indeed," Elder Qi confirmed with a nod. "Since ancient times, many races and systems have surfaced, but all rivers eventually flow to the same sea. They ultimately transformed into the cultivation of the Ten Thousand Dao Laws and the condensation of realms—what is now known as the Emperor Dao System!"

"The pinnacle of the Emperor Dao System is the Immortal Emperor, a being who wields the power of the Heavenly Dao. At their zenith, they can stand on equal footing with the Heavenly Dao itself!"

"However, the highest peak of the Tai Cang System only equals the combat power of the Quasi-Emperor Realm. That is the absolute limit of the Tai Cang Final Realm."

Li Hao was shocked. The limitation wasn't due to the elders' personal failing, but the inherent ceiling of the system they followed.

"Is it impossible to break through, or simply to switch systems?" Li Hao inquired.

If their path topped out at the Quasi-Emperor level, why wouldn't they transition to the modern Emperor Dao System?

"Born of chaos and having reached the summit of our path, we cannot change, nor do we desire to." Elder Qi shook his head, gesturing toward the surrounding bamboo grove. "This quiet scenery may not be as majestic as the Emperor Hall or famous peaks, but it is our home, and we cherish it. To me, the dragon throne is no more valuable than this weathered wooden chair. The sun and moon both exist—one bright, one dark—neither is superior. That which you love is the finest thing in the world."

Li Hao felt a bit dazed, yet he felt an immediate, deep connection to the old man's words.

Had he not felt the same way his entire life?

The passions of the heart outweigh all worldly treasures.

While others chased the summit, he found contentment in the simple life of the mortals. Rare treasures and legendary sword manuals were, to him, less significant than a well-cooked meal or a book on chess.

Even though he gained actual power through music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, his heart truly loved these arts for what they were.

If swords and spears carried no promise of status or authority, would they ever be as beautiful to him as poetry or music?

Noticing Li Hao’s pensive state, Elder Qi smiled and added in a low, mysterious tone:

"Furthermore, while we may not equal an Immortal Emperor in power, it depends on the location. Within this Chaos World, not even an Immortal Emperor could harm us! The Tai Cang System is the cultivation of the self, whereas the Emperor Dao System focuses on controlling the Ten Thousand Dao and mastering the Heavenly Dao to form an Emperor's Heart. One is the ultimate simplicity, the other the ultimate complexity. Perhaps a future era will bring a system that surpasses the Emperor Dao, but... there are always more peaks to climb. We no longer have the heart for such pursuits. We prefer this old courtyard in the mountains, warming wine, playing chess, and listening to the wind in the bamboo."

"That... is a very good way to live."

As he listened to the elder’s gentle narration, Li Hao felt a sense of belonging, as if his own soul had found a kindred spirit.

He shared that exact perspective.

The pursuit of worldly glory is a never-ending cycle; mortals want to reach the heavens, and once they are emperors, they strive to become immortals. There is no end to it.