Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1831 Chapter 482: True King (Part 2)

The fated clash from a hundred thousand years ago appears to be unfolding once again.

"Qinghuang, escort Xiao Wu and Miss Shi Miao back safely. Wushe and I will head over to check on Xiao Wu."

After a moment of surprise, Gu Mofan quickly steadied himself and spoke in a solemn tone.

Zhan Qinghuang paused in shock but responded right away, "Are you planning to fight? Count me in—I'm joining you!"

Even though their master had instructed them solely to retrieve Li Hao, the sight unfolding before their eyes, combined with the knowledge that Long Qingge remained in the fray, stirred their urge to charge in and battle.

"Stay calm and get Xiao Wu out of here first. If trouble strikes, we might slip away, but he can't. Remember the master's command!"

Gu Mofan furrowed his brow as he warned.

As the gifted talent of the Zhan family, Zhan Qinghuang's spirit was forged in the fires of warfare. Her forebears had once defied the Heavenly Dao itself, earning their family name "Zhan" through that seal of defiance. One could easily picture the blazing passion for combat that burned in the Zhan bloodline, leaving her reluctant to withdraw.

"You know it's the master's directive. Big brother, if you're set on retreating, then go ahead. I'm staying right here."

Zhan Qinghuang declared firmly, her face set in determination.

She held back from urging the second brother at her side, well aware that the pride of the Emperor Clan ran too deep for him to yield.

"Both of you, hold back."

In the midst of their dispute, Shi Miao's voice cut through.

The trio shifted their attention to Shi Miao, their brows creasing slightly.

Despite standing only at the Fourth Level of the Immortal King Realm, Shi Miao faced Li Hao's three senior siblings without a trace of intimidation, delivering her words with steady poise: "Right now, just a single Emperor is locked in combat. But considering the cunning nature of the Ancient Demons, they wouldn't dispatch only one Emperor for this assault. More Ancient Demon Emperors are probably hiding nearby, poised to strike from the darkness. The intensity hasn't peaked yet. Rushing in could tip the scales, drawing a second Emperor into the fight without delay!"

Her statement left the three momentarily speechless, exchanging glances as their faces grew somber while taking in the chaos ahead.

Shi Miao's insight rang true—surely, no lone Ancient Demon Emperor would be here.

"If my memory serves, a teleportation array links Ancestral Dragon City to the Ancestor Dragon Court. The city's defense has endured thanks to the endless stream of warriors teleported in to clash and perish. This skirmish is merely the opening act; true triumph or downfall won't emerge until at least three Ancient Demon Emperors commit fully!"

Shi Miao stated gravely, her tone that of a veteran commander coolly evaluating the field.

"All three of you stand at the Quasi-Emperor Realm, honored pupils under the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor. Your urgent priority is to shatter through to Emperor and refine your Emperor Road to perfection—not to throw yourselves into peril here. Any wounds you sustain, even if not fatal, would demand ages to mend. How then would you ascend to Emperors? Should the Ancient Demons overrun the Eastern Domain and ravage the whole True Realm, would you confront them at your present cultivation stage?"

Shi Miao eyed them steadily, her words measured and deliberate.

Her own cultivation lagged behind theirs, yet in that instant, she spoke like a wise senior: composed and weighty, laced with a touch of severity.

From the sidelines, Li Hao observed in awe, witnessing Shi Miao's authoritative bearing and tactical acumen for the first time— a stark shift from her typical soft warmth. She commanded like a sovereign gazing from a towering fortress in crisis, radiating control and icy logic.

Shi Miao's counsel struck Gu Mofan and the rest with inner turmoil. They recognized her standing and had never glimpsed this assertive side before. Her reminder aligned with their master's guidance, urging them to forge their Emperor Dao swiftly before calamity truly struck, then break through and claim Emperor rank.

Their eyes lifted to the fray above, where scores of Quasi-Emperors clashed alongside hundreds at Immortal King Realm Perfection. In a campaign to seize the sprawling Eastern Domain, the Quasi-Emperors couldn't seal the outcome alone. Emperors alone held the power to sway the tide, though sway it they might, not dictate it.

After all, a solitary Emperor couldn't claim the Eastern Domain.

The True Realm housed the Ten Thousand Clans; even the stellar reaches of the Eastern Domain stretched to boundless scales, beyond any one Emperor's grasp.

"Emperor Road..."

Di Wushe balled his hand into a fist. His path to Emperor had stalled for twenty thousand years, the ultimate barrier unbreached. Achieving that breakthrough and rise sounded simple, but proved fiendishly tough.

Across eras, myriad geniuses had languished at that last divide, bowing to Emperors' might, forever barred from true liberty.

By now, Gu Mofan had regained his poise. He drew in a steadying breath, looked to Shi Miao, and declared, "Miss Shi Miao speaks wisely. Wushe, Qinghuang, see Xiao Wu to safety. I'll proceed to Ancestral Dragon City, link up with fifth brother, and convey Extreme Dao Mountain's resolve to stand with them. Rest easy—I won't throw myself into the fight."

"I..."

Di Wushe started to protest, but Gu Mofan silenced him with an upheld palm.

Hailing from the Emperor Clan, he chafed at arriving on this battlefield only to pull back.

"Junior Brother!"

Gu Mofan's firm call halted him, his stare unwavering.

Under Gu Mofan's intense look, Di Wushe parted his lips as if to argue, but in the end, he held his tongue, replying gravely, "Watch yourself then; we'll retreat for now."

Zhan Qinghuang noted his concession and could only exhale softly, holding back further words.

With a gesture from Gu Mofan, a Chaos passage tore open, linking straight to the Primordial True Realm. Once they stepped through in turn, he pivoted and made for Ancestral Dragon City.

Soon after Li Hao and the others departed, a sword's resonant cry pierced the starry void from the battlefield's far flank, mingled with Su Jiuzhe's booming laugh. A torrent of Demon Blood erupted from the black hole, and any formation it brushed against corroded away instantly, melting into nothingness.