Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1851 Chapter 491: Absorption and Challenge (Part 2)

Li Hao selected this treasure chiefly for the outstanding wood of the tree, perfect as carving material, rather than just the Five Elements Dao Fruit.

The next treasure picked was the Chaos Dao Map, taking the shape of a detailed painting.

By meditating in front of the Dao Map, cultivators can grasp the essence of chaos, yielding results even more profound than those from a Chaotic Star. A Great Emperor labored over this artwork, encapsulating the full chaos prior to its fragmentation.

Li Hao's selection of this item stemmed not from a desire to master the Chaos Dao, but to delve into the advanced painting techniques embedded within.

He could tell that the artistic level of this painting soared to extraordinary heights, surpassing the Thirteenth Stage of the Artistic Path by a wide margin.

Should he manage to unravel its secrets, his own painting abilities might surge forward to the Fourteenth Stage!

Upon merging the Fourteenth Stage of the Artistic Path Heart Realm, Li Hao pondered whether it might propel him into the Immortal Emperor Realm or perhaps the Quasi-Emperor Realm.

In any case, such a breakthrough would deliver a massive surge in his overall power.

The final choice made by Li Hao was the Heavenly Dao Blood. As Shi Miao explained, a single drop could propel someone to the Three Immortal End Realm in cultivation. While it aids in fostering the Heavenly Dao Infant, its benefits remain modest unless ample amounts are used for real progress.

Nevertheless, Heavenly Dao Blood stands as a supreme resource coveted by every clan. Even securing a mere hundred drops proves a daunting task for the Ten Thousand Clans.

Should all available Heavenly Dao Blood be gathered and poured into the Heavenly Dao Infant, the transformation would prove utterly astounding.

After all, not even the grandest clans would lavish hundreds of drops on just one individual.

And even if they entertained the idea, they might lack the reserves to make it happen.

With Li Hao's selections complete, Shi Miao proceeded to pick her own treasures, opting away from Heavenly Dao Blood in favor of items better suited to her needs.

Observing Li Hao's picks of the Five Paths Divine Tree and Chaos Dao Map, Shi Miao showed a flicker of surprise yet held her tongue. She simply noted that these two ranked as middling among elite treasures, falling short of the absolute best. For pure cultivation gains, a serving of Time Tree Juice outshines them vastly, granting instant insight into the Time Dao Origin upon ingestion.

In contrast, these two only bolster understanding gradually, demanding both time and sharp perception from the user.

"Beyond the elite treasures, options from the upper-grade ones await selection."

Shi Miao promptly guided Li Hao to the vault housing the Ten Thousand Clans' upper-grade treasures.

Through a round of careful picks, they gathered several fine items, among them resources to boost True God Blood, albeit limited to ten drops.

Included too were aids for fortifying the Immortal Body. Li Hao's had evolved from Heavenly Immortal to Celestial Immortal Body, and it grew stronger still upon hitting the Immortal King Realm. Yet, inside the Immortal King Realm, the Celestial Immortal Body doesn't rank at the pinnacle, leaving space for further upgrades.

While sifting through middle-rank treasures, Li Hao also grabbed a Realm Domain Pill that speeds up progression by a full level.

Still, he intended to save it for the Eighth Layer of the Immortal King Realm, as great clans typically deploy it there to squeeze out maximum value.

Having claimed a bounty of treasures, Li Hao and Shi Miao departed the Heaven Tower, catching sight of others streaming in and out amid ongoing trials.

Plenty had ventured into the Emperor Arena, forged by a pair of Immortal Emperors.

This bustle had thinned the crowds lingering outside the Heaven Tower from earlier.

"Let's head out."

Without delay, the pair made their way toward the Emperor Arena.

They aimed to assimilate and harness the fresh haul of treasures right there.

Reaching the Emperor Arena, Li Hao at once detected a dense aura of immortal power, far denser than the outer world's, wrapping around them snugly.

This energy pulsed with abundance, seeping eagerly into their forms.

"Have you only just broken through to the Immortal King Realm?"

Li Hao and Shi Miao settled into a quiet corner to descend, drawing glances from three nearby figures. A red-haired youth flashed them a grin and asked:

"We hail from the Western Regions Yan Fire Clan; and you?"

Li Hao paused in surprise, uncertain how to reply, since his origins lay in the Mortal World, outside the Ten Thousand Clans.

Shi Miao showed no interest in chatting either. Spawned from the Time Chaos Divine Tree, she stood apart from the Ten Thousand Clans as a singular being, without family ties.

Noting their reactions, the newcomers assumed hesitation to disclose origins, so the youth offered an easygoing smile, unperturbed, and continued:

"Arriving fresh off a breakthrough marks you as elite talents in your clan. Crossing paths here is destiny—let's push forward side by side ahead!"

Li Hao returned a faint smile and replied, "Best of luck!"

"What levels did you hit before? I made it to the 18th, and my brother pushed to the 25th!"

A girl sporting tiny red braids beside them eyed Li Hao and Shi Miao with curiosity and added, "Oh, and are you two a couple?"

Shi Miao blinked in astonishment, a blush coloring her face, yet she warmed to the Yan Fire Clan's openness.

"I..."

Li Hao started to answer, but the youth lightly knocked his sister's head, scolding, "Don't lead with questions like that; it's rude."

He then rubbed his head awkwardly at Li Hao and Shi Miao, explaining, "My sister's always blunt like this—forgive her, please. She's an Immortal King, but she trained mostly in the clan, spoiled by family, and hasn't met much hardship."

Li Hao gave a nod and stated, "We are a couple."

Shi Miao beamed and commented, "Your sister seems really cute to me."

The girl with the small red braids shot her brother a look and declared, "See!"

The youth sighed in resignation and sent a mental message, "She's only being courteous."

The girl with the small red braids huffed softly, clearly rejecting her brother's take.

"Time for us to start cultivating as well."

A third youth from the Yan Fire Clan nearby spoke up, his tone serious and sparing of words, already standing at the Third Level of the Immortal King Realm.

At that, the youth and his sister nodded to Li Hao and Shi Miao before each summoning their personal realms and settling into meditation.

Li Hao and Shi Miao followed suit, erecting their own realms and drawing forth the array of treasures inside, launching into absorption and cultivation.

Li Hao began by downing the Time Tree Juice, quickly sensing an odd force surging through him entirely. The juice acted like a swirling ribbon of bizarre space, yanking his form into myriad fragments, each adrift in separate timelines.

In that moment, Li Hao gained a sharper grasp and insight into time, lost in the marvels unleashed by the Time Tree Juice.

...

Moments slipped by.

In a flash, half a month had vanished.

All the treasures Li Hao had chosen, from the Heavenly Dao Blood onward, got fully ingested and integrated.

As his realm dissolved, Li Hao eased his eyes open. In just half a month, his power had leaped ahead dramatically.

"At this level, I ought to handle about the 48th floor."

Li Hao reflected silently.

This jump equaled a solid gain of five levels, all the more striking as it bridged the Fourth Level threshold.

Upgrades to the Immortal Body and fresh Tao Realm understandings would sharpen his fighting prowess immensely.

"But these gains play second fiddle; the true prize is the Emperor Dao!"

Li Hao's gaze sharpened with excitement. Reforging the Emperor Dao prototype could change everything.

"Now that I've taken both Five Elements Dao Fruits, this tree... makes for matchless carving wood."

"If I can unlock the Chaos Dao Map and lift my painting to the Fourteenth Stage, that'd be perfect..."

Li Hao eyed the treasures at his side, suddenly overwhelmed by the demands, yearning to split himself and tackle comprehension and training at once.

Time pressed urgently; though merely at the First Level of the Immortal King Realm, Li Hao set his sights on claiming the True King's deputy role, which would let him wield enough sway to draw Feng, Emperor Yu, and their allies near, guarded under his watch.

Then, even if the Southern Domain Venerable learned of him, he'd lack the nerve to strike, since the True King embodied the Ten Thousand Clans' choice, upheld by countless Great Emperors as the vanguard leader. Attacking him would defy the True Realm's Ten Thousand Races—a gambit too reckless for any Great Emperor!

"Time to try managing three Realm Hearts at once!"

Li Hao's eyes flashed as he withdrew his domain, spotting Shi Miao still shrouded in hers, hiding whatever transpired within.

He wasted no time scanning the area, noting the three Yan Fire Clan folks: two immersed in their domains, the third gone, probably tackling the Heaven Tower.

Li Hao didn't hang around, striding off to the Heaven Tower.

He bypassed straight to the 44th level, taking on the 47th.