Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1849 Chapter 490: True King Seed (2)

The silence enveloped the abyss, leaving just a handful of silhouettes behind, their gazes shifting with a detached chill lurking in the depths.

Luo Ningshuang had anticipated this outcome long ago, so surprise evaded her; instead, a crease formed on her forehead. She had climbed to the 36th floor, marking special grade, but that youth... 43 floors—might there exist a rank beyond special grade?

"Special grade evaluation grants you the right to seek counsel from me and the Star Empress whenever you wish, and you may pick any five elite items 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 uttered words laced with deeper intent: "These elite items surpass what you can fathom, for they represent the zenith of every race's legacy, including vital treasures some clans dispatch to protect their very survival!"

"The Realm Pill, as everyone surely knows, holds merely a mid-tier spot in this treasure ranking affair, far from upper-tier, let alone elite status!"

His declaration prompted many to widen their eyes once more, filled with disbelief.

The Realm Pill could instantly boost a cultivator by one full realm up to the Ninth Level of the Immortal King Realm, matching a millennium of dedicated practice!

Each person in the Immortal King Realm gets just one such pill over their entire life, making it a supremely valuable asset for countless powerful families.

A gem like this sits only at mid-tier?!

"Special grade lets you claim five elite items..."

Those who had just earned first-grade ratings saw flickers in their eyes, wondering if the substantial core cultivation supplies they obtained contained any elite pieces.

"First grade secures just a single elite item, alongside plenty of upper-tier ones and a bunch of mid-tier selections."

The Immortal Emperor grasped the minds of most present and spoke deliberately: "For greater rewards, push yourself harder and grow mightier. The mightier you become, the richer your gains, and the richer your gains, the mightier you grow. That's the cycle of endless power—if you crave more, then chase it relentlessly!"

"These Immortal Emperors mean business this round."

Shi Miao murmured next to Li Hao.

"Immortal Emperor?"

Li Hao felt confused; hadn't these supplies come from the True Realm Ten Thousand Races?

Shi Miao sent a mental message: "The Realm Pill counted as upper-tier at minimum back in wartime, but now it's slid to mid-tier, which means numerous lineages are unveiling their finest holdings. Yet for this to unfold in the shadows, some brutal circumstances must be at play."

Stunned, Li Hao sensed a sudden iciness grip his core.

Truly, the world turns not on fervor or affection, but on iron-hard strategies.

Everyone grasps the web of mutual ties, but such happenings persist anyway.

The lineages offering their prime possessions do so largely against their will, compelled by force.

Certain ones might hold back too much, risking isolation or fierce assaults, or outright banishment from the "Ten Thousand Races Alliance."

"Pre-war alignments demand trimming loose ends, an inevitable step."

Shi Miao feared Li Hao's empathy might stir and offered this clarification.

Li Hao gave a faint nod; viewing the wider picture, he knew perfect equity never exists—where life endures, sacrifices follow.

Much like frontline warriors in battle, the choice of who charges ahead and who holds the rear line lacks total justice.

Tracing back to origins, perhaps it stemmed from one lazy afternoon long ago when some slumbered while others honed their blade skills with fervor.

Certain folks enter life amid riches, yet their forebears toiled ceaselessly, building legacies through sweat—admirable, yet beyond reach for most.

"The trial floors I spoke of earlier align with the Immortal King Realm. Clearing the 100th floor and stepping into Quasi-Emperor Realm trials marks second-grade potential!"

"Pushing past 105 floors earns first-grade!"

"Surpassing 110 floors hits special grade!"

The Immortal Emperor's eyes roamed toward the Emperor Clan, locking onto a silhouette amid those majestic forms that still radiated unmatched aura.

That individual stood as the top trial climber, at 125 floors—Di Mingyuan!

Despite their elevated benchmarks for potential, his trial conquest far outstripped special grade, positioning him as already worthy of True King rank in their eyes!

As two Immortal Emperors turned their focus, the Emperor Clan stirred in response, but all eyes converged on Di Mingyuan at the heart of the group. Without doubt, only their crown jewel, the unbeaten force below Quasi-Emperor, could draw such imperial scrutiny.

Di Mingyuan stayed composed, offering the two Immortal Emperors a subtle nod of deference.

This round, he aimed beyond mere True King status—he sought the foremost True King crown.

Only that would elevate him to Grand Commander, directing the Ten Thousand Clans under the Emperor Clan's banner!

At the same time, stares from other great lineages fixed on Di Mingyuan, with some creasing their brows under mounting strain.

This opening trial revealed staggering disparities, forcing many to rethink their goals.

"The Emperor Clan holds its unyielding supremacy."

Dao Qingyin's forehead wrinkled; the divide loomed too vast, making even True King pursuit a steep climb, let alone closing the further gap.

Regarding the Daoist sect's other flawless Immortal King Realm experts, while several gained second-grade potential and one snagged special-grade, they trailed Di Mingyuan by a wide margin.

"Catching up demands topping 110 floors, the bare threshold for True King hopes!"

Dao Qingyin surveyed the scene and pondered silently.

Right now, seven had crested beyond 110 floors, with more hovering near, so her efforts must intensify to extremes!

"Next up, we'll reveal the rosters for every grade."

The Star Empress announced.

As the Heaven Tower quivered, the familiar voice from within the tower resounded for all, proclaiming rankings from the bottom grade upward.

Starting from the lowest and climbing to the highest, Li Hao and Shi Miao caught their placements—both landing in special grade.

And special grade tallied only 37 in total.

Remember, this assembly gathered the True Realm Ten Thousand Clans' prime Immortal King Realm talents, pre-vetted for attendance, yet merely 37 managed special grade by vanquishing foes three realms above their own!

"This marks the starting evaluation; those with first or special grade, avoid complacency—ratings can decline, reassessed every century. Lagging progress might lower your standing!"

The Immortal Emperor declared measuredly: "The rest, don't lose heart; you can still push toward loftier heights."

His words ignited a pressing tension in many hearts.

"Now, from second grade to special grade, you may access any floor in the Heaven Tower and visit the Ten Thousand Races Treasure House to claim what your grade permits."

The Immortal Emperor continued evenly: "Everyone else, keep tackling the Heaven Tower or train within this Abyss Emperor Arena."

With a lifted hand, he summoned a sprawling landmass that slowly rose from the abyss's gloom.

Immortal energy saturated the land, laced with Immortal Path Laws, radiating a potent immortal essence akin to primal chaos and ancient stars.

"This our cultivation spot? The energy's overwhelming— a hundredfold denser than my clan's sacred ground!"

"Practicing here, even average talent could forge an Immortal King; those Dao Laws appear in pure form, ripe for insight."

"This stands as the ultimate boon; True King or not, everyone's cultivation surges ahead!"

Eyes gleamed across the crowd, banishing earlier gloom as excitement surged through them.

"Come on, we'll pick our rewards side by side."

Shi Miao suggested to Li Hao.

She fretted that Li Hao might falter in choices, ready to steer him wisely.

Li Hao agreed with a nod, intending to assault the Heaven Tower post-selection of elite items, leveraging its looping nature to grasp his Emperor Road.

His earlier mastered Music Rhythm Realm ought to fuse into the Sword Dao too.

Should he wield three elite domains at once, his battle prowess would leap dramatically!

Plus, he'd shore up his current shortfall in striking techniques.

Musing thus, Li Hao trailed Shi Miao toward the Heaven Tower, picked a floor at random, and stepped inside together.

Quickly, the Heaven Tower recognized them both as special-grade prospects, querying if they'd visit the Ten Thousand Races Treasure House as a pair.

Shi Miao and Li Hao affirmed in unison, materializing amid a sea of gold.

Overhead, innumerous orb-like bubbles drifted, each housing legendary treasures.

"Time Tree Juice!"

Shi Miao's gaze swept around, locking instantly on one glowing sphere that sealed a vibrant, fluid stream.

Shock rippled through her, awed by the splendor of these elite treasures, as the Ten Thousand Clans unveiled marvels like Time Tree Juice—the third-ranked gem among the True Realm Ten Thousand Races' hoards, a prize from the Taichu Clan.