Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1808 Chapter 472: Gathering

Following a quick introduction among themselves, Long Ying guided Li Hao and Shi Miao up to the initial and subsequent levels.

Rather than mirroring the tower's exterior appearance, these levels unfolded like a hidden domain, a vast and idyllic landscape. Within lay sprawling mountains and flowing rivers, adorned with unusual blooms and precious plants, plus an immortal formation that drew in celestial energy, boosting cultivation speed well beyond the outer realms.

"The landscapes within this hidden domain are yours to shape as you wish."

Long Ying explained, "After you get accustomed to it all, we'll hold a parting feast tomorrow to build stronger bonds and share tales from Dragon Gate City's history, helping you grasp things better."

"Alright."

Li Hao gave a nod.

With Li Hao showing no resistance, Shi Miao followed suit without any qualms.

Once Long Ying departed, Shi Miao joined Li Hao for a walk through the hidden domain on his level, before heading back to her own.

Yet shortly after, she came back from her level and told Li Hao, "Why not join me on my floor? The immortal formation there pulls in even more celestial energy."

Li Hao felt a touch of astonishment at first, yet it quickly dawned on him that it fit; without advantages, the floor rankings from the trial would serve no purpose, and mere height for a better view would lack real value.

"If that's so, why not head to the eighth floor yourself?"

Li Hao proposed.

Shi Miao declined with a shake of her head, "I prefer being near you, ready to act fast if trouble arises. This immortal formation offers a minor boost, but the gap isn't huge for someone like me."

Li Hao realized she cherished moments beside him, and he grinned right away, "Fine, you remain on the second floor then; this immortal formation's benefits are just so-so for me too."

His cultivation drew from grasping artistic realms, and he'd arrived at this frontier warzone for real battles, now the moment to harvest gains and contribute.

In the end, even a mighty lineage like Ancestor Dragon would dispatch their geniuses to handle genuine tasks once they hit Immortal King Realm, rather than keep pampering them endlessly.

Geniuses represent tomorrow's strength, yet they can't linger eternally in safety, hoarding precious treasures.

With Li Hao putting it that way, Shi Miao stopped pushing back. She and Li Hao both favored directness over pretense, and since their bond formed through time-space journeys, politeness felt redundant.

Shi Miao went back to the second floor, while Li Hao settled into the immortal formation. Positioned atop a lofty peak and encircled by vibrant flora and scarce botanicals, a serene pool crowned the summit. As Li Hao entered the waters, a strange force permeated his form, revitalizing his celestial physique, while his cultivation base seemed to receive sustenance too, stabilizing the circulation of myriad Dao principles.

Without splitting the celestial energy from the formation, Li Hao would have welcomed Shi Miao to train alongside him.

Despite his recent advancement, Li Hao already sensed the grueling nature of progress in the Immortal King Realm. A supreme talent like Shi Miao, who'd stayed with him three centuries at Extreme Dao Mountain, had merely climbed to the Fourth Tier of Immortal King.

That meant one tier every century!

Challenges mount higher with each step; hitting the Immortal King Realm's apex in under two millennia counts as remarkable.

"Time drags on so heavily..."

Basking in the spring's embrace, Li Hao murmured with a sigh. Gazing into the distance, a wave of temporal weariness washed over him.

Back at Extreme Dao Mountain, he'd poured his focus into training, taking over a century to master a single mindset up to its thirteenth level.

"Luckily, here on this frontier, hunting Ancient Demons lets me gather True God Blood; ten thousand drops signal completion, and with the True God enduring undying, even a Quasi-Emperor's hold might not trap me..."

Li Hao's gaze sparked with excitement. In the True God Realm, only a Great Emperor's direct strike could truly end him—he'd be nearly indestructible!

During the inheritance from the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor, he'd met a Venerable God in the God Tower, body destroyed in a massive conflict, but his True God intact.

"Forming True God Blood from nothing but personal effort, without Ancient Demon remains, would demand a decade for just one drop; far too arduous!"

Li Hao pondered quietly.

Amassing ten thousand drops that way would span a hundred millennia!

Plenty of Quasi-Emperors enter True God Realm yet never reach its fullness!

Only rare Divine Medicines could hasten True God Blood formation, but such elixirs spark fierce bids from every power when they surface.

"Next, I'll keep delving into the Musical Rhythm Dao, having already glimpsed insight and crossed the entry point; one more effort remains..."

"Once done, I'll fuse it into the Sword Dao, lifting Sword Dao to thirteenth level."

"Still, then I'll face the puzzle of harmonizing three realm types without them clashing..."

Li Hao's brow creased, struck by how endless and demanding his path to Dao proved. Pushing a mindset to thirteenth stage was tough enough, and every new realm's grasp demanded fresh ways to prevent them from devouring one another. This road to Emperor was brutally demanding.

Thankfully, he could prioritize mindset exploration first, embedding only when assured, buying himself some leeway.

"Musical rhythm..."

Li Hao recalled the Endless Heavenly Domain, the faint Dao murmurs from Heavenly Ascension Road, echoing like arcane Tao Realm births, as if unlocking them would instantly reveal the Great Dao Origin's tenfold perfection.

He lifted his palm, stirring watery waves, and a gentle liquid melody filled the air.

The breeze howled by, stirring feelings of isolation.

Li Hao stared at the encompassing realm, clarity shining in his eyes.

Every element of sky and land appeared to resonate with noise.

To this existence, sound held staggering significance.

As Li Hao's frame channeled the process, drawing celestial energy from heaven and earth to refine his cultivation and fortify internal immortal channels, he sank deep into reflection and insight.

...

Within Dragon Gate City's City Lord's Residence.

Qingxuan had barely stepped inside when a loyal subordinate relayed a summons from the City Lord.

Without delay, he hurried toward the City Lord's meeting chamber.

Stepping in, Qingxuan spotted four commanders already there, their faces etched with gravity.