Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1811 Chapter 473: Great Battle

Li Hao and Shi Miao reached Dragon Gate City, where life continued in its regular rhythm, with both of them focusing on their individual cultivation practices.

From time to time, Shi Miao would drop by the first floor to check on Li Hao, and finding him deeply absorbed in cultivation, she would settle down silently close by for a bit before slipping away, careful not to interrupt him.

Days flowed on, yet the mood across the city differed sharply from other places, enveloped in gloomy shadows and heavy with the threat of catastrophe, the atmosphere thick with the metallic tang of bloodshed.

In what felt like an instant, seven full years slipped past.

By the spring at the mountain's summit, Li Hao watched as a Yaoqin took shape from the streaming waters in front of him. With a gentle pluck of its strings, the melody spread out in waves, awakening innumerable threads of harmony, each one capturing the essence of diverse laws. Each surge of the tune held the might of numerous laws, brimming with immense destructive force.

"Just a little more..."

Li Hao sensed he was merely a single step from hitting the barrier of the third stage.

Boom! Boom!

All at once, the mountainside shook violently, and a mighty dragon's cry resounded from the heights above.

Li Hao glanced upward and spotted a golden dragon soul apparition racing rapidly toward the mountain's crest.

"The tower master calls for you—hurry and assemble."

The dragon soul apparition spoke in a rush, as a gleaming golden pathway materialized in its wake, stretching across the whole Dragon Shield Tower right up to the summit.

A cold shiver ran through Li Hao's core, aware that some conflict was probably stirring; else, the tower master would hardly interrupt anyone's cultivation or recovery without cause.

Wasting no words, he leaped up from the spring in a flash, got dressed, and then noticed Shi Miao's silhouette materializing from the emptiness.

In her grasp was the tower token from his level, granting her unrestricted passage.

"The tower master has called us—I fear an ancient demon assault is underway."

Shi Miao informed Li Hao swiftly, her face etched with seriousness, "In the fight ahead, stick close to me and avoid any needless dangers. A conflict this massive carries huge weight, and the mightiest ancient demons could ambush without warning, shattering even the bold and sturdy. Staying under the radar helps ensure you last longer."

Li Hao realized her words stemmed from worry over his well-being, and he replied, "Rest easy, I'll watch myself."

Shi Miao gave a nod, and together they trailed the golden glow up to the tower's peak.

Upon reaching there, they discovered seven more figures waiting, their stares locking onto the pair, particularly settling on Li Hao.

Li Hao picked up on the heaviness and concern in their looks; clearly, he stood out as the frailest among them.

"A formidable foe force is attacking—gear up for combat."

Long Ying scanned the group and announced with grave intent.

Duan Yuan and the rest inclined their heads, already geared in full battle readiness, donning celestial helms and protective gear.

"For this mission, beyond the earlier Dragon-cutting Army, we're now tasked with the Nine Camps' Kun Dragon Army as well!"

Long Ying declared with deep solemnity, "The range is broader, so we'll have to drive the Six Harmonies Dragon Scale Array to its utmost to shield every one of them!"

"The Kun Dragon Army falls to us too?"

The expressions of Duan Yuan and his companions shifted subtly, while Liuli voiced her astonishment, "Has something gone wrong at Dragon Shield Tower?"

"No, that's not the case; other operations are in play, so our load grows heavier."

Long Ying denied it with a shake of his head, though his eyes turned to Li Hao, "Brother Haotian, even with your command over the array, you're still only at Immortal King Realm First Level—your strength falls short. I've obtained this Blast Realm Pill, which can briefly elevate you to Immortal King Realm Second Level, but it'll bring repercussions later, such as a heavy toll on your lifespan..."

Even before his words trailed off, the violet-black glowing pill in his palm got blasted aside by a surge of force.

Shi Miao stated icily, "He'll rely on my portion—no way should he ingest something like that!"

Long Ying's lips parted in surprise before he let out a wry laugh, understanding that Immortal Emperor's followers would never touch such elixirs. Beyond the issues he noted, it might fracture their cultivation base, hindering progress and breakthroughs.

The group was fully aware of this; they stayed quiet, not pressing Li Hao. In their shoes, none would swallow it save in desperate straits.

"With that settled, Brother Haotian, you'll manage the dragon tail. Shi Miao, since your strength outstrips Duan Yuan's, I'll claim the dragon's head, and you'll seize the heavenly claw!" Long Ying instructed.

Shi Miao's brow furrowed, tempted to object since it would separate her too much from Li Hao, yet before she uttered a word, Li Hao sent her a mental note, "Keep it this way. We're here for the tempering, so hunting ancient demons is key; if not, I'd just drag everyone down and render this pointless."

At Li Hao's words, Shi Miao looked his way, noting the resolve and firmness in his gaze. She grasped that this youth's spirit cared not just for his protection but also held a broad mercy for all existence.

"Watch out for yourself then."

Shi Miao responded.

She was aware Li Hao possessed that elite set of immortal armor and the End of Immortal Sword, granting him superior defenses compared to most in the tower. Should issues arise, she could rush aid in time; otherwise, she'd refuse to depart, no matter his protests.

Buzz!

Right then, a grand and resounding dragon bellow thundered beyond the tower, akin to oxen bellowing, echoing like a tiger's roar from ocean depths, profound and overpowering.

Long Ying lifted his arm, lifting the tower's concealing shield, making the barriers appear see-through and unveiling the view outside. The majestic Dragon Gate City loomed, with endless edifices rising like peaks, and from amid these colossal forms, silhouettes streamed forth in droves, some unveiling their true shapes with potent spectral energies, others hailing from assorted dragon lineages.

These appeared as twisted variants of dragon kin, with some looking like slithering winged reptiles, others plump as sheep yet covered in scales, and more akin to massive alligators but sporting antlers and draconic tails, known as the Crocodile Dragon Clan.

Within the Eastern Domain, the bulk consisted of Demon Race members, who nonetheless counted among the True Realm's Ten Thousand Races. Humans were rare in these parts, and thanks to the Ancestor Dragon Court's oversight, the Demon Race avoided infighting. When ancient demons assaulted, they shouldered the role of guardians for the Eastern Domain, since this land and the True Realm formed their true homeland.