Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1834 Chapter 483: The Strongest Ten Kings (Part 2)

He instructed, "Return and rest for now. In two days, I'll see you off."

Li Hao and Shi Miao chose not to press with more words or queries, offered their respects to the master, and withdrew to the modest courtyard atop the mountain.

Di Wushe and Zhan Qinghuang lingered in the hall, for the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor had further directives reserved for them.

Upon the mountain peak, clouds and fog hung in quiet stillness, making time drag on with unusual slowness.

Within the fenced little courtyard, Li Hao positioned himself near the zither stand as Shi Miao settled onto the swing, both lost in silence.

A sense washed over them that this tranquility heralded an epic clash ahead, and these couple of days could mark their final moments in this cozy haven.

"Three hundred years..."

Shi Miao cast her gaze around with deep fondness, let out a gentle sigh, and murmured, "It's nowhere near sufficient, yet I'm truly satisfied."

Li Hao watched her quietly before responding in a measured tone, "I'll stand by you through all that lies ahead."

A smile graced Shi Miao's lips as she stayed wordless. Amid the looming disaster where fates hung in the balance, Li Hao's assurance filled her with warmth.

"I trust you."

She added, "For in the far-off times to come, your presence endures forever..."

A shadow of sorrow crossed her eyes. Her words rang true; she had glimpsed it—his solitary form, ever steadfast, yet isolated beyond anyone's reach.

Moments raced onward.

Just like that, the two days slipped away.

"Young friend, should you spot this mountain amid the fray next time, know that it shall be me."

Right before their departure, the Yuanming Ancestor, bearing the Extreme Dao Mountain, intoned gravely.

His tone carried the weight of years, yet softened with the warmth of a benevolent senior.

Li Hao's gaze wavered, a sharp dryness pricking his eyes as if foretelling a perilous encounter at their reunion?

Still, he understood that even if he wished to evade it, destiny might force the issue.

"In that case... Ancestor, I'll seek you out on the battlefield."

Li Hao offered a profound bow.

"We'll fight as allies then."

The Yuanming Ancestor replied in his resonant timbre.

The ancient turtle, who had shouldered the Extreme Dao Mountain across endless eras, emitted a soft chuckle.

Li Hao joined in the laughter, though his thoughts brimmed with myriad silhouettes, his grip tightening on his fists.

From his early days, Li Hao had weathered numerous conflicts, yet urgency had seldom gripped him. Even facing mortality, he ventured solo, staking only his own existence at most.

Yet this impending doom engulfed the whole True Realm. Beyond Dragon Gate City, the spectacle of Immortal Monarchs crumbling like specks would replay across every corner of the True Realm once the storm broke. Feng, Emperor Yu, and their kin... all dwelled within the True Realm.

Fleeing to the Heavenly Calamity Illusion Realm offered no guarantees; should the True Realm fall, the Ten Thousand Clans would follow into oblivion.

He must not only pursue cultivation with fervor but at breakneck speed, enabling him to locate and shield them close by.

"Time to depart."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor uttered calmly.

With those words, he lifted his hand in a sweeping motion, wrapping Li Hao and Shi Miao in an enveloping force.

Even as merely an avatar, he opted to guide them personally.

Li Hao and Shi Miao found themselves inside their master's Sleeve Space, materializing at a different point on the summit. Alongside them, more than twenty figures assembled, comprising three Immortal Monarch Realm experts, the majority at the Ninth Level of the Immortal King Realm, plus two who had achieved Immortal King Realm Perfection!

Without a word from the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor, another gesture drew these individuals into the Sleeve Space as well.

Excluding Li Hao and Shi Miao, the group hailed from the Dao Origin lineage, handpicked for eligibility in the True King preliminaries.

Though not formal disciples, each teetered at a breakthrough threshold with clear promise for greater heights.

"Salutations, Senior Brother."

The two dozen or so cultivators spotted Li Hao and saluted with clasped hands.

Li Hao mirrored the courtesy, his eyes sweeping over them. He noted the trio of Immortal Monarch Realm powerhouses, each at the Perfect stage, their presences subdued yet immense, gazes sharp as lightning. Not direct pupils, but their might placed them close, marking them as elite prodigies.

"What of Senior Sister Lingshu? Is she still honing her skills on Chaos Star?"

A sudden recollection of Di Lingshu prompted Li Hao to ask.

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor confirmed, "Yes, once her progress suffices, she could join the True King preliminaries too, though her pace drags on. At most, she'd manage a brief foray with scant rewards."

Against Li Hao's swift ascent, Di Lingshu might require millennia to attain Immortal King Realm Perfection. Mastering the Chaos Star alone demanded a thousand years.

"Your Fourth Senior Brother gained entry via his lineage; you'll cross paths soon."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor noted.

Li Hao realized this meant Senior Brother Lei Jingfeng.

"Will Fifth Senior Brother join us?"

Li Hao ventured to inquire.

A brief hush fell over the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor before he shook his head softly, offering no reply.

Clearly, Long Qingge had resolved to stand and battle till the end in the Eastern Domain, unwilling to depart during this pivotal hour.

It wasn't the sharpest decision, but it captured his essence perfectly.

"Our destination?"

Shi Miao posed the question.

The rest pivoted toward the young woman, curiosity mingling with assessment in their stares, yet none probed further.

Their thoughts fixated on the looming True King trials and the catastrophe drawing near, burdens pressing heavy without room for idle wonder or probing.

"The True Realm Abyss."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor declared, drawing shocked contractions in many gazes.

Shi Miao's expression shifted too, as she hesitantly confirmed, "The True Realm Abyss? Where the laws of Ten Thousand Dao twist in chaos, paths lie in ruins— a perilous zone for trials and tempering?"

"We've claimed one of its seven regions for reshaping. It's tough going, but ripe for cultivation and insight, yielding gains tens of times faster than the outer realms, even outstripping Extreme Dao Mountain's setup!"

"Sealed away before, shrouded in mystery, and its Abyss essence blocks the Ancient Demon Clan's direct strikes—no Emperor assaults from them can pierce through, keeping you secure."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor elaborated.

This True King preliminary drew the Four Domains' finest youths and strengths; a surprise raid by the Ancient Demon Clan's Emperors would wipe out their hopes, sparking nothing but fierce, hopeless strife.

Shi Miao paused in mild astonishment, understanding dawning in her eyes, "The Ancient Demon Clan channels projections via the Reincarnation Gate, casting light over True Realm swaths. Activating it lets Emperors step forth, but the True Realm Abyss defies that—less an Abyss, more a colossal rift scarred by ancient Emperor clashes!"

"Not even the Reincarnation Gate can extend into the chasm; it's genuinely secure."

Her account cleared the fog for those puzzled, replacing confusion with nods of comprehension.

"For these True King preliminaries, Quasi-Emperors will supervise your efforts, backed by two Emperors securing the Abyss against surprises. Shine brightly, and you could earn their counsel. Their paths to Emperor diverge from my own, each excelling in unique ways—gleaning a few pointers might hasten your strides."

The Dao Origin Immortal Emperor continued.

His description sparked faint gleams in the others' eyes, struck by the scale of deploying two Emperors for guard duty.

As they exchanged words, the surroundings near the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor warped and faded, propelling them beyond the Primordial True Realm into the True Realm proper.

Their landing spot appeared chosen in advance, positioning them before a vast, star-filled Abyss of endless gloom.

No delays from the Dao Origin Immortal Emperor; he led them directly inward.

Other places shimmered with stellar glows, but this Abyss plunged into absolute blackness, swallowing all illumination.

Descent stretched on, feeling longer than the voyage from Primordial True Realm to True Realm, yet light eventually pierced through, unveiling stars once more.

It resembled bursting from total void into mounting radiance.

Deep in the Abyss's core lay another cosmic expanse, a realm akin to a vast Grotto Heaven.

Across this starlit domain, crowds of figures clustered at that instant, scattered thickly throughout. Towering erect, humans mingled with aliens of strange shapes, and Li Hao spotted Ancestor Dragon Clan members among the throng.