Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1790 Chapter 464: Breakthrough and Becoming King
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
"Quasi-Emperor Realm?"
Upon catching those words, Di Wushè concealed his shock. Being at the Quasi-Emperor Realm himself, he lost some reverence when Li Hao spoke of the enigmatic elder whose fighting prowess matched his own.
"Yet, Master, why do they refuse to switch their path to the Emperor Dao?" Gu Mofan inquired.
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor shook his head. "To alter one's cultivation is to reject all that came before. Though their strength mirrors the Quasi-Emperor Realm, their longevity rivals that of Immortal Emperors. In essence, they possess immortality. Absent any conflicts, there's no reason to transform their practice."
"Were it up to me, I'd choose to start anew, no matter what, just to chase the absolute summit."
Di Wushè spoke with composure, his gaze filled solely with an unyielding drive toward the heights.
Listening to his second disciple's declaration, the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor offered a subtle smile before replying, "Your hunger for the summit stems from never having touched it. Back in the Ancient Chaos era, they stood at the pinnacle, unmatched across the realms. At that time, your master and the other Immortal Emperors hadn't even formed. Ruling as Emperors for countless ages, repeating it holds scant appeal—especially since ascending to Immortal Emperor doesn't guarantee true supremacy."
Struck by their master's explanation, Long Qingge and Lei Jingfeng froze in surprise. Long Qingge, her features etched with astonishment, blurted out, "Master, is there really something greater than an Immortal Emperor?"
"No, there isn't."
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor denied it with a shake of his head. "However, as you are aware, your master's feats across two lives in this realm include two major accomplishments: First, forging the Dao Origin Immortal Seal Ultimate Realm; second, devising the Extreme Dao Method that shatters foundational bonds and exceeds all boundaries!"
"These represent two distinct Emperor Roads!"
"To break it down, if you're talented enough to defy the heavens, you could carve out a third road, a fourth..."
"Differences exist even among Immortal Emperors!"
The master's revelations left the pair reeling, igniting a profound realization of boundless knowledge yet to grasp.
"Once you've ascended to your master's heights, the sun and moon stand side by side. Were it solely for personal survival, no ancient demon disaster or cosmic turmoil could touch you. Across infinite epochs, additional Emperor Roads would inevitably unfold. Yet... invincibility carries its own tedium."
"Without shouldering the weight of all sentient life, one has no right to claim the title of Emperor."
In that brief instant, a flicker of melancholy crossed the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor's eyes, though he swiftly suppressed it, giving a gentle shake of his head as he turned to Li Hao:
"You've conquered two levels of the Heavenly Domain and amassed ample Heavenly Dao Power. Did you face powerful foes along the Heavenly Ascension Road?"
Li Hao's pulse quickened, sensing his master was subtly inquiring about the youth in black robes.
Without waiting for Li Hao's response, Di Lingshu hurriedly recounted every detail, revealing how Li Hao had let the Heavenly Heart slip away.
Shi Miao and Gu Mofan had learned of it during their journey, remaining unmoved, while Di Wushè and the rest gaped in disbelief at Li Hao.
The chance to claim emperorship, forsaken by this young junior brother of his own accord?
After absorbing Di Lingshu's account, the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor displayed little outward change; he merely regarded Li Hao with mild astonishment before grinning and commenting:
"Your Dao Heart soars too high, which isn't always beneficial; it's overly pure and direct."
Li Hao blinked in surprise, bracing for a scolding from his master, only to receive this casual observation.
Di Lingshu hadn't anticipated such a mild response either, questioning in bewilderment, "Master, you're not upset?"
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor cast an even glance her way. "Seizing the Dao via the Heavenly Heart offers a peerless chance, yet the Heavenly Heart defies prediction. What you gain, you also forfeit. It's a pity, true, but if it clashes with your inner Dao Heart, forcing it would leave imperfections—even as an Emperor, cracks would form."
Di Wushè, Gu Mofan, and Zhan Qinghuang exchanged contemplative looks but held their silence.
Di Lingshu seemed puzzled. "Master, are you saying this could actually turn out well?"
"You've trained under this master for centuries now. That's no brief span, though hardly eternal. Your grasp of Time Origin has hit the Sixth Level's flawless stage, mere moments from the Seventh. The gap lies in incomplete insight. Before the endless flow of time, nothing remains constant. Mountains and rivers today become chasms tomorrow; universal acclaim shifts to universal scorn—what counts as fortune, what as misfortune?"
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor fixed his steady gaze on Di Lingshu, his every syllable echoing like profound truths of the Dao, rendering her lost in thought. The lingering resentments in her soul and the ache she carried for Li Hao began to ease. In her trance, visions of shifting worlds paraded across her mind, and her locked Time Origin Realm now hinted at piercing its barrier.
"So, what do you intend next?"
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor turned to Li Hao, his eyes calm and piercing, as though unraveling every secret in Li Hao's mind.
Li Hao paused briefly, struck by the sensation that this master perceived all, peering through veils of time past and yet to come.
He bowed deeply at once, confessing honestly, "This disciple plans to advance and claim kingship."
"Mmm."
The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor betrayed no shock, simply nodding. "Your base has hit its zenith; it's time you advanced. Regarding Lingshu..."
He hesitated, then added, "Remain here and keep refining your cultivation."
Di Lingshu had no desire to ascend alongside Li Hao right then. Though kingship lay within her immediate reach, she'd integrated just ten Chaos Laws—far short of the twenty-three required—so building a stronger foundation was her clear aim.
"This latecomer junior brother is set to claim kingship ahead of us all," Long Qingge let slip in astonishment.
Her words barely landed when two piercing stares like daggers hit her; glancing aside, she locked eyes with junior sister Di Lingshu and flushed with embarrassment.
Zhan Qinghuang stifled a chuckle behind her hand. "Junior Sister, you ought to push harder lest your junior brother outpaces you entirely."
Di Lingshu's cheeks burned as she shot back a fierce look. "He's your junior brother as well! None of you should slack off. At his pace, he could hit Quasi-Emperor while you're all frozen in place!"