Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1765 Chapter 452: Tai Cang Ancestor Skill, Descending the Mountain to Reap

Li Hao fell into deep contemplation.

His physical form had already attained the Final Realm of Universal Force, possessing Divine Blood and a twelve-layer physique. This represented the absolute peak of the Immortal Monarch Realm, granting him the power to contend with a Dragon Sparrow of the same level, yet he remained unable to transcend the Final Realm itself.

Even with the augmentation of Control Force, his attempts to affect the bamboo caused his power to simply vanish into nothingness. Raw strength was incapable of snapping it; it could only be gradually eroded over time.

Li Hao began swaying the bamboo back and forth incessantly. However, after half a day of these repetitive efforts, the stalk remained stubbornly flexible, snapping back to its original position the moment he released his grip.

“It might actually take years of constant wear before this thing breaks.”

A sense of discouragement washed over Li Hao, accompanied by a self-deprecating smile. It was truly absurd that he could slaughter demons in the Immortal Monarch Realm as easily as chickens, yet now found himself completely baffled by a single stalk of bamboo.

“My approach must be fundamentally flawed.”

Standing silently before the bamboo, Li Hao abandoned the use of brute force. Instead, he fixed his intense gaze upon the plant, reaching out to touch it with precision, trying to perceive its inner composition.

However, the surface felt as though it were shielded by a realm barrier, isolating it from his senses. He could only vaguely detect that the bamboo was saturated with an immense amount of Chaos Power.

“Quiet the mind... perceive it with care...”

Closing his eyes, Li Hao sank his entire consciousness into the sensation. He blocked out all external distractions until the only thing remaining in his universe was the bamboo beneath his palm.

“This young lad possesses an impressive temperament.”

Elder Qi looked up momentarily, a faint grin appearing on his face.

“Are you truly planning to let him attempt the integration of the Emperor Dao and Tai Cang? Even if they are technically compatible, the time required is astronomical. It’s pointless; reaching the pinnacle of just one path is enough to stand at the top of the world.”

Elder Eight let out a low chuckle. Without raising his head from the game, he spoke in a relaxed tone.

“I am simply pointing out a path. Whether he chooses to walk it is entirely his decision. If he finds the journey too brutal, he can quit at any time; no one is forcing his hand.”

Elder Qi gave a soft laugh.

That was precisely his intent. It was fine to let this spirited youngster attempt a path that they themselves were unwilling or too indifferent to walk. Whether the boy surrendered halfway or reached the destination was of no concern to him.

Looking through the lens of history, why not offer a new direction to the younger generation?

“If he actually manages to traverse it, he might just earn a chance to enter that cycle.”

Elder Eight remarked, glancing toward the youth. Observing Li Hao's unwavering focus, he gave a short snort before returning his attention to the chessboard.

Elder Qi fell silent, and the two vanished back into the timeless stillness of the ages, their minds occupied only by the game.

Nearby, the black dog sat watching with a mocking glint in its eyes. Snapping that bamboo? Utterly impossible!

In the past, the old master had permitted it to try as well, promising a great Creation if it succeeded. Yet, even after wasting countless years, the dog hadn't been able to bite through a single stalk.

Could a member of the Human Race really achieve such a feat?

...

Time marched on relentlessly.

In what felt like a heartbeat, two weeks had slipped away.

Throughout the Endless Heavenly Domain, every level except for the Eighth Layer was consumed by the flames of war and territorial disputes.

Bang!

The form of a Chaos Dao Seed erupted into fragments. A blue-clad figure wielding a divine spear lunged through the explosion, seizing a cluster of Heavenly Dao Power in his hand.

He consumed the energy instantly and departed without a second glance.

Flying directly to a secluded cave, he finally stopped to rest, warily scanning his surroundings.

Currently, he had to be vigilant against both the Chaos Dao Seeds and other cultivators looking to plunder his gains.

“That makes thirty-four hunted!”

“I’ve gathered a significant amount of Heavenly Dao Power within me. I’m not certain if it will be enough for the breakthrough, but Master always said the more I have, the better...”

Lin Zhexuan’s eyes gleamed as he began to regulate his breathing for recovery. He looked out from the cave entrance: “I wonder how Senior Sister Luo is doing in the Eighth Layer. The trial ends in half a month. When the end draws near, I’ll go look for the Heavenly Ascension Road. I wonder when it will manifest; it still hasn't been located...”

As he whispered to himself, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and he completely suppressed his aura.

A few miles outside the cave, two massive figures soared past. They were members of the Chaos Ancient Clan.

“Those bastards from the Chaos Ancient Clan... they nearly robbed me earlier. I was forced to use a Domain Artifact to escape. Damn them!”

Lin Zhexuan’s expression darkened, his heart filled with a burning animosity toward the Chaos Ancient Clan.

...

The Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain.

Deep within a forest gorge, the earth shook with sporadic tremors. Four figures were locked in a violent struggle: two Chaos Dao Seeds against two fairies in fluttering robes.

“Hurry, concentrate our power on killing one of them first!”

Luo Ningshuang spoke through gritted teeth. Her previous air of pristine elegance was gone; her Liuli-green dress was tattered and stained with blood, and the green sigil on her brow had grown significantly dim.

Beside her, Su Wanyi appeared just as battered. Her hair was tangled, and her white robes were crimson with gore.

“Be quick! We can't cause too much noise, or we'll attract more of them.”

Dread filled Su Wanyi’s eyes as her strikes became more desperate. Here in the Ninth-layer, they had realized while hunting together that these seeds were terrifyingly powerful. Each one required their maximum effort to suppress, and facing two at once was nearly overwhelming.

They hadn't expected a third one to be slumbering deep within this dwelling; had they known, they never would have taken the risk.

The commotion of the fight could easily draw other Chaos Dao Seeds. If they were surrounded by three, their lives would be in peril, and only a Domain Artifact could save them.

However, that specific treasure was being saved for the Heavenly Ascension Road. Using it now would severely jeopardize their chances of ascending.

“Spring and Summer Sword Skill!”

Su Wanyi unleashed the second technique of the Su Family Ancestor’s sword style.

Her blade erupted with a blinding radiance. Combined with her twenty-three refined paths of the Chaos Sword Dao, the strike landed instantly, tearing a massive, unhealable gash across the chest of the centipede-like Chaos Dao Seed.

Seizing the opening, Luo Ningshuang lunged forward, her sword swinging in a relentless barrage. Under their combined assault, the Chaos Dao Seed was quickly pushed to the brink of death.