Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1888 Chapter 505: Breaking 100, Challenging the Quasi-Emperor (Part 2)
Previously on Follow the path of Dao from infancy...
A hush descended upon the Abyss right after his declaration, soon replaced by a sea of bulging eyes overflowing with disbelief and awe.
Apart from the Immortal Immortal Emperor and the Star Empress, eight additional Immortal Emperors were keeping watch over their selection process?
Keep in mind, these Immortal Emperors stand as legendary powerhouses across the True Realm, commanding whole territories under their rule.
In that instant, the crowd sensed the intense scrutiny and gravity that the diverse clans attached to picking the True King. It likely tied into the vital stakes of the Ten Thousand Clans, drawing such heavy focus from the top tiers.
"Four types of training, I wonder what they are?"
A voice murmured in deep thought.
By now, Li Hao stood right in front of Shi Miao. They exchanged grins like old friends meeting again after ages.
"Do you have confidence?"
Shi Miao whispered gently.
Li Hao shook his head at first, paused briefly, then nodded and replied, "I'll give it a try."
Shi Miao beamed softly and declared, "No matter what, I will secure a position in this selection of the True King."
Her tone carried an air of steady assurance, as if the spot was already hers for the taking.
Li Hao accepted her statement without doubt, just giving a nod. Should Shi Miao claim a spot and he manage one too, that would make two in total. Shi Miao could then assist in locating Feng and the rest, ensuring a more complete search.
The sole worry lingered on where the group had been flung across the True Realm and what chaos reigned beyond these walls.
"Brother Haotian, you've finally returned; we haven't seen you for hundreds of years."
Nearby, the Yan Fire Clan siblings addressed Li Hao, their expressions radiating genuine warmth.
Li Hao grinned back, spotting the surge in their auras, and remarked, "It seems you've improved quite a bit; congratulations."
"Indeed, since this is the Great Emperor Dojo, cultivation here is rapid. Now, we are on par with others in terms of realm, though we are unsure how big the difference is in the same realm."
The Yan Fire Clan siblings, with one hitting Immortal King Realm Perfection and the other at the Ninth Level, brimmed with optimism for this selection.
"Brother Haotian, you've been inside the Heaven Tower for so long, your cultivation has been delayed, somewhat putting the cart before the horse. Attaining higher realms is what greatly enhances combat power; understanding Cultivation Techniques is secondary."
Spotting Li Hao's realm stuck at the Seventh Level of the Immortal King Realm, the young Yan Fire Clan member pointed out.
Li Hao agreed with a nod; the observation rang true. He had fretted over failing to fuse seven Realm Hearts, risking entrapment in the Heaven Tower amid a massive conflict. Thus, he poured everything into insights, shutting out external immortal power and sealing himself away completely.
Consequently, his cultivation progress had come to a standstill.
Yet, should he push to the Ninth Level of the Immortal King Realm and swallow the Realm Domain Pill in his possession, Perfection would hit him right away.
He sat two levels shy of the Ninth Level of the Immortal King Realm at present; another two hundred years of cultivation might...
"...Begin! Don't think about stalling for time; the preliminary challenge is only ten days. Once time is up, the final result will be used. Even if you're in the middle of challenging a level and could pass, if you're ranked outside the top hundred, you'll be disqualified!"
As Li Hao mulled over his thoughts, the Immortal Immortal Emperor finished laying out the selection rules in full.
With his command to start, within the Great Emperor Dojo and amid the throng of silhouettes circling the Abyss, participants surged toward the Heaven Tower in a frantic rush.
Luckily, the Heaven Tower as an Emperor Artifact held boundless might. It could even divide the same floor into separate space-times on the fly, ensuring no interference with fellow challengers' tests.
"Let's go."
Li Hao snapped out of his reverie and spoke to Shi Miao.
The Yan Fire Clan siblings, joined by a handful more, caught the frenzy of others charging ahead and grew restless. They quickly bid farewell to Li Hao and Shi Miao before darting off to the Heaven Tower.
This ten-day ordeal highlighted how every moment now shaped their eventual outcomes.
After all, extra time opened up more paths to conquer the trials.
By the time Shi Miao and Li Hao leisurely approached the Heaven Tower's entrance, the majority had already plunged inside, sparing just a sparse few, among them heirs from major clans.
These heirs traded poised looks, knowing their true rivalry lay beyond this opening round.
As for snagging a top hundred spot, it posed no sweat for them—no need to hurry.
"You're on the 110th level?"
Li Hao glanced upward, mildly taken aback by Shi Miao's ranking on the display, though it fit her capabilities, which far exceeded that mark.
"I'll head up first; see you there."
Shi Miao flashed a charming smile at Li Hao, and they split ways at the 65th level.
Li Hao wasted no time and stepped into the Heaven Tower.
65th level.
The well-known realm of the Heaven Tower spread out once more, as Ancient Demons burst from a crack ahead, each pulsing with Seventh Level Immortal King Realm pressure.
The level matched his own.
Li Hao kept his face steady. He lifted his hand and lightly brushed the emptiness.
Like an unseen blade slicing across the fissure, it effortlessly halved the charging Ancient Demons.
Their forms, split apart, burst into dust like bursting foam, forbidden from reforming.
Foes at his realm proved far too feeble against Li Hao, fragile as glowworms he could pinch out with ease.
With Ancient Demon shapes tumbling down like pouring rain in his path, Li Hao surged through floor after floor. The reek of demon blood clung to his senses, refusing to fade even as he climbed higher.
His advance was swift, his progress marker rising without pause.
70 levels, 75 levels, 80 levels.
Hitting the 80th level, the Ancient Demons facing him now roared at Ninth Level Immortal King Realm strength!
"If only these Ancient Demons were real instead of conjured, what a bounty of ingredients…"