Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1849 - 490: True King Seed (2)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
The silence enveloped the abyss, leaving just a handful of silhouettes behind, their gazes shifting restlessly, laced with a detached chill.
Luo Ningshuang had anticipated this outcome long ago, so it didn't catch her off guard; instead, her forehead creased in thought. She managed to reach the 36th floor, which qualified as special grade, but that youth... 43 floors—might there exist a rank beyond special grade?
"Special grade evaluation grants you the right to seek advice from me and the Star Empress whenever you wish, and you may pick any five elite treasures from the core resources offered by the Ten Thousand Clans, such as domain artifacts, Divine Medicine, and extraordinary rarities."
His gaze held profound depths as he spoke with layers of implication: "These elite treasures surpass what you can fathom, representing the ultimate legacies of various races, including vital heirlooms that protect entire lineages from some clans!"
"As everyone surely knows, the Realm Pill holds merely a mid-tier spot in this treasure ranking gathering, far from upper-tier, let alone the elite level!"
His declaration caused numerous eyes to widen once more, filled with disbelief.
A Realm Pill could instantly boost a cultivator by an entire realm up to the Ninth Level of the Immortal King Realm, matching a full millennium of dedicated practice!
Each person in the Immortal King Realm gets just one such pill over their lifetime, making it a vital asset for countless powerful families.
Yet a prize like this only merits mid-tier status?!
"Special grade lets you claim five elite treasures..."
Those who had just earned first-grade ratings saw their eyes gleam uncertainly, wondering if the substantial core cultivation aids they obtained contained any elite treasures.
"First grade secures a single elite treasure, alongside plenty of upper-tier ones and a host of mid-tier selections."
The Immortal Immortal Emperor grasped the crowd's inner doubts and explained deliberately: "Gaining more demands relentless effort and growth. The greater your power, the richer your rewards, and those rewards fuel even greater power. That's the endless cycle of might—if you seek more, push yourself to seize it!"
"These Immortal Emperors mean business this round."
Shi Miao murmured softly next to Li Hao.
"Immortal Emperor?"
Li Hao felt confused; hadn't these treasures come from the True Realm Ten Thousand Races?
Shi Miao sent a mental message: "Back in wartime, the Realm Pill rated at least upper-tier, but now it's dropped to mid-tier, signaling that many lineages are offering their finest assets—yet for such shifts to happen quietly, some brutal circumstances must be unfolding."
Li Hao froze in shock, a sudden iciness gripping his core.
The truth is, the world runs on cold strategy and iron resolve, not mere fervor or affection.
Everyone grasps the ties of mutual dependence, but these harsh realities persist anyway.
Those lineages unveiling their prime possessions mostly do so under duress, not by choice.
Certain groups might fall short in their contributions, leading to isolation, hostile strikes, or outright banishment from the 'Ten Thousand Races Alliance.'
"Pre-battle alignments require trimming loose ends, an inevitable step."
Shi Miao feared Li Hao's empathy might stir and clarified for him.
Li Hao gave a faint nod; viewing the larger picture, he knew perfect equity never exists—where life endures, sacrifices follow.
Take the warriors on the front lines of war: choosing who charges ahead and who holds the rear never achieves utter justice.
From the standpoint of origins, perhaps it traces to a single lazy afternoon long ago, when some slumbered while others honed their blade skills with fervor.
Certain folks enter life amid riches, but their forebears toiled ceaselessly, building legacies that inspire envy yet remain beyond reach.
"The trial floors we discussed earlier align with the Immortal King Realm. Surpassing the 100th floor and tackling the Quasi-Emperor Realm sections marks second-grade potential!"
"Pushing past 105 floors earns first-grade!"
"Going beyond 110 floors signifies special grade!"
The Immortal Immortal Emperor's eyes roamed over the Emperor Clan, catching sight of a majestic form amid the noble assembly that radiated an unmatched aura.
That individual holds the top trial record right now, conquering 125 floors—Di Mingyuan!
Despite their elevated benchmarks for potential, his achievement far outstrips special grade, positioning him as worthy of True King recognition already!
As the two Immortal Emperors turned their focus, members of the Emperor Clan reacted variably, but all directed their attention to the central figure where Di Mingyuan positioned himself. Clearly, only their clan's jewel, the invincible force beneath Quasi-Emperor status, could draw such imperial scrutiny.
Di Mingyuan stayed composed, offering the two Immortal Emperors a subtle nod of deference.
On this occasion, he aims not merely for True King status but to claim the foremost True King honor.
That alone would elevate him to Grand Commander, directing the Ten Thousand Clans under the Emperor Clan's authority!
At the same time, representatives from other prominent lineages fixed their stares on Di Mingyuan, some creasing their brows under mounting strain.
This opening evaluation revealed stark disparities, prompting many to reassess their goals.
"The Emperor Clan holds its unchallenged supremacy."
Dao Qingyin's forehead tightened; the divide loomed too vast, making even True King pursuit daunting, let alone closing the further gap.
Regarding the Daoist sect's other perfected Immortal King Realm experts, while several gained second-grade potential and one touched special-grade, they trailed Di Mingyuan by a wide margin.
"Catching up requires topping 110 floors, the bare minimum for True King contention!"
Dao Qingyin surveyed the scene and pondered silently.
Right now, seven have cleared over 110 floors, with more hovering near, so she must exert herself to the utmost!
"Now, the rankings for every grade will be revealed."
The Star Empress announced.
With the Heaven Tower quaking, the familiar voice from the tower resounded for all, proclaiming the participants' standings from the lowest grade upward.
Progressing from lowest to highest grade, Li Hao and Shi Miao caught their placements, both landing in special grade.
In total, special grade claims just 37 spots.
Remember, this assembly gathers the elite Immortal King Realm talents from the True Realm Ten Thousand Races, all pre-vetted for attendance, yet only 37 managed special grade by vanquishing foes three realms above their own!
"Keep in mind, this serves as the starting evaluation—those with first or special grade must avoid complacency; ranks can decline, reassessed every century. Lagging behind might lower your standing!"
The Immortal Immortal Emperor declared measuredly: "The rest need not lose heart; keep striving, and higher tiers remain within grasp."
His words ignited a pressing tension in many hearts.
"At this point, everyone from second grade up to special grade may access any floor of the Heaven Tower and visit the Treasure House of Ten Thousand Races to claim the rewards suited to your level."
The Immortal Immortal Emperor continued evenly: "The remaining participants can press on with Heaven Tower trials or train within this Abyss Emperor Arena."
He lifted his palm, summoning a massive landmass that slowly ascended from the abyss's shadowy depths.
Immortal energy saturated the land, threaded with Immortal Path Laws, radiating a potent essence akin to chaotic origins and ancient stellar forces.
"This is our cultivation ground? The energy here is immense, a hundredfold denser than my clan's sacred site!"
"Practicing in this place, even average talents could ascend to Immortal King; the Dao Laws manifest in pure form, ripe for insight."
"What a supreme boon; win or lose the True King path, everyone's cultivation stands to leap forward dramatically!"
Excitement lit up countless eyes, washing away earlier gloom as enthusiasm surged.
"Come on, let's pick our rewards side by side."
Shi Miao suggested to Li Hao.
Concerned he might falter in choices, she offered to steer him through the options.
Li Hao agreed with a nod, intending to test the Heaven Tower post-selection, leveraging its looping nature to grasp his Emperor Road.
The Music Rhythm Realm he'd mastered earlier ought to merge seamlessly into his Sword Dao too.
Mastering three elite domains at once would dramatically amplify his battle prowess!
Plus, it would shore up his current shortfall in aggressive techniques.
Mulling these prospects, Li Hao trailed Shi Miao toward the Heaven Tower, picked a floor at random, and stepped inside together.
Before long, the Heaven Tower identified them both as special-grade prospects, inquiring if they'd proceed to the Treasure House of Ten Thousand Races as a pair.
Shi Miao and Li Hao affirmed in unison, materializing amid a sea of golden light.
Suspended overhead, myriad orb-like spheres drifted like bubbles, each harboring legendary treasures.
"Time Tree Juice!"
Shi Miao's gaze swept across, locking instantly on a luminous sphere enclosing a vibrant, sealed liquid stream.
Shock rippled through her, awed by the splendor of these elite treasures, as the Ten Thousand Clans had unleashed marvels like Time Tree Juice—third in prestige among the True Realm Ten Thousand Races' wonders, a prized relic of the Taichu Clan.