Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1789 Chapter 463: Return (Part 2)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
Using their Divine Sense, Yue Xi and Gu Yan pinpointed Li Hao's location and dashed toward him the moment they detected him.
With a wave of his hand, Li Hao paused until they drew closer, then asked, "How did you manage to enter the Primordial True Realm, and where is the Sect Master?"
At the mention of the Great Dream Master, Gu Yan hurriedly replied, "Senior Brother, after your departure from the Southern Domain, the Sect Master utilized the Great Dream Clan's allocation to bring Senior Sister Yue Xi and me here. It was a secure entry for one of the top hundred clans."
Li Hao understood now why Yue Xi and Gu Yan had gained access as well.
"The Sect Master called us the sect's great hope. If he learned of your arrival too, he'd be thrilled beyond measure," Yue Xi added, her eyes growing misty with emotion.
The sect's top prodigy, Li Hao, had nearly perished in the Southern Domain, cornered by a Supreme's might and driven away. This lingering pain haunted their deepest thoughts.
Li Hao gave a subtle nod, though a heavy sigh stirred within him. On this return, once he advanced and claimed kingship, he vowed to honor the Great Dream Master's favor. Yet stepping into the Southern Domain would alert that Supreme, potentially drawing peril to the Great Dream Master.
I'll never set foot in the Southern Domain again until I ascend to Emperor.
Shen Wuji, along with the Ghost Tribe sisters and the rest, gathered around Li Hao, eager to hear of his path since fleeing the Southern Domain.
Without reservation, Li Hao shared a concise account of his travels to the Northern Domain.
Su Muqing and her companions observed from nearby, watching Li Hao encircled by elite prodigies, their emotions swirling with envy and awe.
For the moment, Di Lincen, Shen Wuji, and others lagged behind Chi Yuan and Luo Ningshuang, but that was merely due to their brief time in the Primordial True Realm. In due course, they would rise to dominate the Immortal Lord Realm, much like the future stature of Luo Ningshuang.
Su Muqing reflected on the reports she'd heard: this youth had crushed every True Immortal in the Southern Domain, only to be hounded by a Supreme into the Northern Domain, where fate had led her to cross his path...
This realization made her bite her lip fiercely, until it split and blood trickled forth.
In this uncommon gathering, Li Hao conversed freely with them, accepting invitations from the Ghost Tribe sisters and Shen Wuji to visit their clans someday.
Several resonant calls rang through the void as powerhouses from diverse factions arrived to collect their charges. With reluctance, everyone pledged to reunite once they all achieved kingship.
They recognized that Li Hao's comeback meant he'd soon shatter barriers to become a king and depart the Primordial True Realm.
In contrast, their own paths demanded thousands more years of cultivation, fully refining all 23 Chaos Laws before that pivotal leap.
"Little Junior Brother, Sixth Junior Sister!"
A warm voice rang out, and Senior Brother Gu Mofan's form materialized overhead, overlooking Li Hao and the group.
Spotting Li Hao amid a crowd that included Luo Ningshuang, Su Wanyi, and Xue Consort—all supreme talents who had fused 23 Chaos Laws—Gu Mofan betrayed a flicker of astonishment, yet he grasped that extraordinary minds naturally drew together.
"Senior Brother."
Li Hao glanced upward, offering a warm smile in greeting to his senior brother.
"Looks like your journey brought substantial rewards. Any unfinished business? If not, return with me to give your report," Gu Mofan suggested with a grin.
At that, Li Hao bid farewell to Gu Yan, Di Lincen, and the others with a wave.
"Haotian..."
Just as Li Hao prepared to depart, Su Muqing called out abruptly.
Li Hao turned to her in astonishment, right as she opened her mouth to speak, when a radiant seven-colored Divine Light suddenly wrapped around him. In an instant, a figure emerged at his side, clad in green robes, her breathtaking features strikingly familiar—mirroring Su Muqing's own!
The words caught in her throat, as though an invisible barrier sealed them, silencing her completely.
"You're back."
Shi Miao gazed at Li Hao with tender warmth, a gentle smile curving her lips.
Upon seeing her, Li Hao's face lit up with a smile, and he replied, "You've waited too long."
"Come, we'll discuss everything at home," Shi Miao murmured softly.
Li Hao nodded in agreement.
Hand in hand, the pair, under the watchful eyes of all, trailed after Gu Mofan's silhouette and vanished from Boundary Flipping Mountain together.
Su Muqing remained frozen in place, staring at the unfolding scene. Only after the figures faded entirely did she regain her senses, her complexion draining to ashen.
"That woman..."
Di Lincen and the others abruptly noticed Shi Miao's visage, an exact match to Su Muqing's, and turned to Su Muqing with wide-eyed wonder.
Feeling their stares scorch her features, Su Muqing suddenly despised her own looks for the very first time.
…
Atop Extreme Dao Mountain.
Li Hao returned alongside Gu Mofan and Shi Miao, accompanied by Di Lingshu.
"Senior Brother, you have no idea..."
En route, Di Lingshu detailed how Li Hao had forsaken the Heavenly Heart for his Dao enlightenment, leaving Gu Mofan and Shi Miao utterly stunned, their eyes fixed on Li Hao in utter disbelief.
Facing their odd, questioning stares, Li Hao inwardly wished he hadn't included this senior sister on the trip. He appreciated her worry for him, but sharing it with everyone wasn't necessary...
Arriving at the summit, they proceeded directly to the Extreme Dao Hall, where their master, the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor, reclined calmly within. His expression held a subtle, enigmatic smile, tempered with profound dignity yet softened to invite closeness.
"Master."
They all lowered their heads in deep respect.
"Little Junior Brother, Sixth Junior Sister, you've returned at last. How did it go? Did you claim any treasures?"
From beside the hall, Fifth Senior Brother Long Qingge inquired with keen anticipation.
Nearby, Third Senior Sister Zhan Qinghuang eyed Li Hao and Di Lingshu with intrigued curiosity.
The full assembly of senior brothers and sisters had convened.
Still, Li Hao discerned these were mere incarnations; their true forms remained absent.
"This..."
Gu Mofan recalled Di Lingshu's account from the journey and glanced involuntarily at Li Hao.
Before Li Hao could respond, Di Lingshu began pouring out the saga of the Endless Heavenly Domain like a torrent, recounting every detail vividly.
Yet prior to starting, she had secretly messaged Li Hao via voice transmission, seeking his guidance on revealing the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain elders to their master.
Li Hao opted for full disclosure, save for his personal panel—nothing else felt concealed from this master.
Furthermore, those ancient chaos elders, Elder Qi and Elder Eight, intrigued him deeply, and he yearned for his master's insights on them.
"Conquered the Eighth Layer Heavenly Domain, and even the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain?"
Zhan Qinghuang and the rest froze at Di Lingshu's tale, gaping at Li Hao in sheer astonishment. Dominating the Eighth Layer alone was a feat of nightmarish prowess. As for the Ninth-layer, their own expeditions had confined them to skimming Chaos Dao Seeds at the edges, too wary to plunge deeper. Yet Li Hao had ravaged it entirely?!
Di Wushè locked his eyes on Li Hao. He trusted Di Lingshu spoke no falsehoods, but overrunning the Ninth-layer implied this junior brother's battle might bordered on the horrifying.
"On top of that, in the Ninth-layer Heavenly Domain, we ran into two peculiar elders..."
Di Lingshu went on to describe the meeting with Elder Qi and Elder Eight.
"Elders born in Chaos's earliest dawn?"
Gu Mofan and Di Wushè recoiled in surprise, their faces clouding with contemplation.
A brief sparkle lit the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor's gaze, nostalgia softening his features as he remarked, "I never imagined you'd cross paths with the Elder Ten. How fare they in health?"
"Elder Ten?"
Li Hao furrowed his brow in confusion.
"In the primordial Chaos, ten supreme powerhouses emerged. They reigned as the era's unchallenged titans, revered by us as the Elder Ten."
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor spoke gently, "Then came the Great Emperor Era, birthing the Emperor Dao Cultivation Method we follow today, which eclipsed the Elder Ten's age. Still, they stand as legendary figures from that bygone epoch."
"Master, what allows them to access the Endless Heavenly Domain?"
Di Wushè voiced his burning curiosity.
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor elaborated unhurriedly, "It ties to their unique cultivation path. That realm served as their origin, granting them entry. Should any of you train under the Elder Ten, you'd freely traverse the Endless Heavenly Domain too. Its Heavenly Dao Power would flow endlessly for you. But from what I know, the Elder Ten haven't taken pupils in ages."
Di Wushè and the others shared knowing looks, and Gu Mofan ventured, "Master, who holds greater power—you or the Elder Ten?"
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor offered a faint smile, replying, "Of course, it's me. This is the Emperor Dao's time now. The Elder Ten's epoch lies in history. Even at their cultivation's zenith, their might aligns only with the Quasi-Emperor Realm, trapped by an unbreakable limit. Such is fate's decree—just as our Emperor Dao era culminates in the Great Emperor. In some far-off tomorrow, perhaps a fresh era will rise, birthing entities surpassing the Great Emperor."