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Chapter 390: Full Firepower, Battle of the Supremes
🕑 Added 2024-11-18 14:19:30 +0000 UTC"I originally planned to explore the Immortal Path first and deal with you later when I had the chance. But I didn't expect you to walk right into my trap. This must be what Buddhism calls 'fate'!"
Hun Tian Shengren (the Saint of Chaos) laughed heartily as his figure shot forward, weaving through the fissures in the heavens and earth to pursue Li Hao.
In a flash, they traversed countless miles. The passage stretched endlessly, its terminus revealing a majestic mountain shrouded in thunderclouds. From time to time, bolts of thunder, like silver serpents, struck the mountain's peak.
The moment Li Hao arrived at the location, a suffocating and foreboding sensation gripped his heart. It felt as though a ferocious beast lay ahead, waiting to devour him. Before he could pause to catch his breath, the thunderous energy atop the mountain was drawn toward him and descended like a judgment from the heavens.
This thunder contained a terrifying tribulation force, seemingly intent on forcing him to transcend a calamity. Furthermore, it carried the raw power of the laws of the universe—like the order of the Heavenly Dao itself.
Li Hao vaguely sensed the presence of a dreadful being atop the mountain, but he had no time to linger. Without hesitation, he charged forward, diving headlong into the thunderous assault.
Enveloped by the lightning prison's killing force, Li Hao's body moved like an agile loach. The lightning failed to harm him, and the destructive energy of the tribulation dissipated on contact.
He had tempered his body with the laws of the heavens, achieving the pinnacle of the Dao Ancestor's extreme realm. Untouched by the myriad paths, he passed through unscathed. The thunderfire, akin to a gentle breeze, left him unfazed.
"Hmm?"
Hun Tian Shengren, who was chasing after him from behind, immediately perceived the formidable nature of the thunderfire. Seeing Li Hao pass through it unimpeded made his expression shift.
"The power of this physical body... is beyond my expectations," he muttered, narrowing his eyes, which soon gleamed with a fiery intensity.
The stronger, the more nourishing!
"Is that... an immortal deity's shadow?"
Despite his growing excitement, Hun Tian Shengren remained cautious. The ominous aura emanating from the mountaintop made him hesitate. Sweeping his divine sense across the peak, he saw a faint, illusory figure sitting cross-legged.
That figure appeared to be cultivating, absorbing the power of the sun, moon, and stars. Surrounded by the essence of the Great Dao, the thunderfire was a manifestation of its densely concentrated Daoist resonance.
Just a single glance was enough for Hun Tian Shengren to grasp the truth. His heart trembled.
In the ancient primordial era, he had once glimpsed the traces of an immortal. However, they had not been as clear as the shadow before him.
If he were not at the Supreme Saint level, he might have mistaken this illusory figure for an actual immortal deity. The oppressive might it exuded was overwhelming—just its lingering shadow inspired a fear surpassing even the oppressive force of facing the Origin Ancestor.
"This mountain once hosted an immortal deity. Their presence has been etched into the space-time continuum. Or perhaps the surrounding laws of the heavens instinctively converge and operate according to their cultivation. What kind of unimaginable power could leave such an imprint for eternity?"
Hun Tian Shengren's heart shook. Even as a Supreme Saint, he would eventually succumb to time, borrowing strength from the Heavenly Dao. Immortals, however, seemed to reign as the true masters of the heavens and earth.
His awe quickly gave way to fervor. For the first time, he began to understand the Origin Ancestor's relentless pursuit of immortality.
To experience it was to crave it—to be driven mad by its allure!
"Die!"
Hun Tian Shengren abandoned his previous games. This place was far from Long Sheng (the Dragon Saint). He revealed his true form without hesitation. A pitch-black horn extended from his forehead, and the carapace on his back cracked open, revealing a dark, abyss-like void.
Leaping like a roc, his massive form cast an immense shadow that enveloped Li Hao entirely.
The surrounding thunderfire surged toward his body but failed to harm him. The terrifying waves of force radiating from his body repelled it with ease.
With a resounding boom, he unleashed his full might, channeling his Supreme Saint power. Instantly, the fabric of the heavens seemed to shift, as if all of existence had been reduced to his fists and feet.
A vast and crushing force descended, as if ten thousand mountains had been dropped onto Li Hao. The very air seemed to grip him, pressing inward like invisible hands.
"Eternal Dao Domain, activate!"
Li Hao erupted with power, his Dao Domain layering upon itself to form an eternal shield. Countless sword shadows surged forth like an unending tide, slicing through the void and splintering the oppressive force into a myriad of fragments.
The once solid, unyielding void was split open, and the pressure upon him lightened considerably.
Li Hao showed no mercy. He unleashed his ultimate killing intent, activating every ounce of his power. While he wasn't sure if it would be effective against a Supreme Saint, any additional strength was better than none.
"Kill!"
As he fled, Li Hao commanded the sword shadows within his Dao Domain to surge outward, forming a torrent of razor-sharp blades that charged toward Hun Tian Shengren. The sword tide roared like a silver dragon, splitting the heavens.
He knew the importance of this first exchange. His attack appeared furious and reckless, but it was a calculated test.
If his opponent underestimated him and chose to withstand the sword energy head-on, the sheer volume of sword shadows would undoubtedly strike true!
Boom!
The sword tide surged forth. Hun Tian Shengren snorted coldly as he watched his tightly controlled domain being torn open by the assault. Raising one of his massive claws, he pressed it slowly but firmly downward, as if crushing the very fabric of space itself.
Under the colossal force of his palm, the cascading sword tide disintegrated. Yet, even as the fragments scattered, Li Hao's will guided the shattered pieces, turning them into countless shards of light that shot toward Hun Tian Shengren like a hailstorm.
Hun Tian Shengren did not bother to block. He merely gazed indifferently at the fragments, as if he were watching an ant struggle in vain.
Crack!
A sickening sound filled the air. The overwhelming power radiating from Hun Tian Shengren pressed against Li Hao, threatening to crush his very bones. Yet, even under such dire circumstances, Li Hao's eyes remained locked on the shattered sword fragments.
Even the smallest shard—if it could just graze him...
As the fragments approached Hun Tian Shengren, a layer of protective energy suddenly materialized around him. It was like a powerful shield of energy, dispersing the incoming sword light and shattering the remnants into nothingness.
Li Hao's expression shifted slightly, his eyes betraying a flicker of disbelief.
"Dao Gang (Path Qi)?"
Hun Tian Shengren sneered at Li Hao's shock. "You're not even qualified to injure me."
His voice was cold, yet calm, brimming with an unshakable confidence. "My body has achieved sanctification. I've consumed countless ancient ferocious beasts and dragon species, refining their blood and qi into my Dao. My Dao refines into Gang. Among all the heavens, my physical body is unparalleled.
"Only a select few imperial weapons possessed by the Origin Ancestor could harm me. And even those could be counted on one hand."
As he spoke, the remaining sword energy dissipated. At the same time, Li Hao endured the force of Hun Tian Shengren's crushing blow.
Li Hao's Eternal Dao Domain trembled violently, seemingly on the verge of collapse. Yet, as streaks of extreme energy flared within him, the domain began to stabilize once more.
Divine power, the pulse of the heavens, and the burning of his primordial spirit—each one ignited simultaneously!
In the blink of an eye, Li Hao activated every ounce of his strength, stepping directly into his Transcendent Immortal state. There was nothing to hide at this point.
His hair turned a dazzling silver, and the aura around him surged to unprecedented heights, merging seamlessly with the surrounding heavens and earth.
"The Sixth Extreme Realm... it truly is mysterious," Hun Tian Shengren murmured.
The aura emanating from Li Hao had undergone a complete transformation. It now resembled the ancient and elusive energy of the shadow atop the mountain—a faint trace of immortal power.
As an ancient Supreme Saint, Hun Tian Shengren had long studied the depths of the extreme realms. He understood that they represented states of being that surpassed the limits of martial cultivation, perhaps even glimpses of realms beyond the Dao itself.
It was similar to the Void Realm's ability to teleport instantaneously, a power that transcended the limitations of spatial laws.
"I'll strip your primordial spirit, refine it, and unravel the mysteries of this Sixth Extreme Realm. Let's see what makes it so difficult to attain!"
This time, Hun Tian Shengren attacked without reservation. His massive claw condensed the essence of his Saint Dao and slammed downward. The sheer power he unleashed drew upon a fragment of the Heavenly Dao itself.
The thunderfire atop the ancient mountain, which had been raging moments ago, seemed to vanish as if snuffed out by a divine wind.
Li Hao raised his head, his expression cold as frost. He gripped his sword tightly, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly brilliance.
With a single slash, he struck upward.
This was his first serious clash with a Supreme Saint. His "Sole Sword of the Self" technique, infused with the essence of "Immortal Guidance," cut through the air like a beam of divine light, illuminating the ancient mountain as though splitting time and space itself.
Boom!
The sword energy radiated outward for three thousand miles, shining like a brilliant river of stars.
However, the massive claw descended mercilessly. The Extreme Saint Dao itself was an exceptionally terrifying power, rooted in the source of all existence and second only to the Primordial Origin itself.
After all, even the origin of all things cannot separate itself from the concept of force.
When paired with a body sanctified to the extreme, comparable to a Six-Tribulation Imperial Weapon, the supreme sword strike Li Hao unleashed left not even a scratch on the claw!
Li Hao's expression shifted slightly. That sword had enough power to kill a Three-Tribulation Saint ten times over, yet it failed to even breach Hun Tian Shengren's defense.
Seeing Li Hao's reaction, Hun Tian Shengren's cold smirk deepened, and the massive claw accelerated its descent.
Li Hao's figure flickered as he attempted to escape using the Void Return technique, but the fissures in the surrounding space suddenly sealed themselves, filled with an overpowering force.
Boom!
Li Hao's body was slammed violently into the side of the mountain, creating a massive crater on impact.
Hun Tian Shengren raised his claw, and an absorbing force surrounded the crater. Within moments, Li Hao's figure shot out like lightning, utilizing that pull to strike a second sword slash.
This strike was ten times brighter and more dazzling than the last, with such radiant power it seemed capable of splitting the entire mountain in two.
"Hm?"
Hun Tian Shengren hesitated, surprise flashing in his eyes. The power of this strike far surpassed Li Hao's earlier attack. Yet the energy Li Hao had unleashed previously was already near Supreme Saint level. How could it still rise further?
He observed closely as Li Hao's body radiated an overwhelming aura, every trace of his Eight Extreme Realms surging to their peak. By all logic, Li Hao should have already been fighting at full strength.
With a loud boom, the sword light tore through space and struck Hun Tian Shengren's forelimb. The terrifying force ripped apart his domain and sent the claw flipping backward.
For a brief moment, Hun Tian Shengren froze, his gaze fixed on Li Hao with newfound astonishment.
At this moment, Li Hao's entire body glowed with concentrated brilliance, surrounded by the essence of the Great Dao. Behind him, the veins of the Heaven and Stars emerged clearly, like the shadows of countless celestial bodies. Their light emanated an unfathomable power, amplifying Li Hao's strength.
The pulse of the heavens around him, like a raging hurricane, seemed insignificant in the face of the boundless might of the Heaven and Stars.
"Is this... the realm beyond the Heaven Pulse Extreme?"
Hun Tian Shengren stood in shock. Having mastered the Ultimate Divine Blood Realm and perfected his physical body to its peak, he had begun exploring what lay beyond other extreme realms.
Yet the Ultimate Realm was vastly more complex than the Extreme Realms. Apart from the Divine Blood, even the Heaven Pulse Extreme Realm had led him to create three power paths—Force Veins.
Despite this, he had yet to touch upon the true Ultimate Realm.
And now, right in front of him, Li Hao seemed to have discovered another path to the same level. His aura was even more terrifying than Hun Tian Shengren's force-based veins.
Had he been wrong about the direction of the Ultimate Realm?
Countless thoughts flickered through his mind in an instant, but the surging killing intent in Hun Tian Shengren's eyes only grew stronger. For the first time, he felt a faint chill of fear emanating from Li Hao.
This youth, not even thirty years old, had already achieved such incredible mastery. He had conquered the Eight Extreme Realms and even begun breaking into the Ultimate Realm. It was a monstrous feat, almost beyond belief.
Even the legendary immortals and deities might not have possessed such extraordinary talent!
"Given a bit more time, you'll grow far too dangerous," Hun Tian Shengren murmured, his tone dark. For the first time, he felt a sense of relief that he had encountered Li Hao now rather than later. If Li Hao were allowed to cultivate further, reaching the Three Tribulations Realm, even Hun Tian Shengren wasn't confident he could kill him.
Though such an idea sounded absurd, it no longer seemed impossible.
Hun Tian Shengren did not hesitate any longer. He unleashed his true power. The black horn on his forehead glowed fiercely, emitting a terrifying light that coalesced into the shape of a curved blade.
A primal, ancient aura radiated from the horn. The light intensified until it shone brighter than the sun, and then, like a celestial saber, it slashed toward Li Hao.
Where the light passed, the void itself split open, revealing a pitch-black abyss.
This scene resembled the fabled battles between the Primordial Origin and the Divine Kings, capable of tearing reality itself apart.
Li Hao's expression turned ice-cold. He had no retreat. His movement technique wasn't fast enough to escape. His only option was to fight to the death!
Li Hao tightened his grip on his sword, his mind calm despite the intense pressure. He knew there was no escape and resolved to give everything he had. If there was even the slightest chance his killing attribute could trigger and deal a fatal blow to Hun Tian Shengren, he would seize it.
"Star Sovereign!"
With a roar, Li Hao fully unleashed the Heaven and Stars vein, revealing its true essence. His Dao Domain, which had been infused with 1,464 celestial stars, ignited in a brilliant, unparalleled burst of light.
The celestial glow cascaded across his body, enveloping him in the combined power of the entire starry sky. Even though a vast ancient temple stood between him and the heavens, the energy pierced through and poured into him, connecting him to the boundless universe.
Bathed in starlight, Li Hao radiated an ethereal aura, as though the stars themselves had descended to his side. With each movement, an unfathomable energy rippled outwards like the tides of a great ocean.
Raising his sword once more, Li Hao felt the immense power channeling through the hilt. The weapon trembled in his grip, humming with exhilaration, its blade exuding a light hundreds of feet long—like a thunderbolt in his hands.
"Slash!"
Channeling all the power of the Heaven and Stars vein, Li Hao condensed his Saint Dao into a single radiant sword strike. This wasn't just a move—it was a culmination of his understanding, his strength, and his defiance against fate itself.
Immortal's Guidance!
Boom!
The ancient mountain quaked violently as the sword energy erupted forth, tearing through the void. The terrifying impact rippled through the surrounding space, carving a deep fissure in the fabric of reality. A deafening silence followed as the shockwave surged into the pitch-black void, swallowing even sound itself.
The void cracked, leaving a jagged black scar in its wake.
Li Hao staggered backward, his body trembling from the backlash. He collided with the ground but quickly steadied himself. Pain coursed through him, but it was fleeting, dulled by the starry light pouring into him. In mere moments, his depleted energy was replenished, and his aura returned to its peak.
Hun Tian Shengren stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief. Despite unleashing his full strength, he had only managed to match Li Hao's sword.
For the first time, a hint of doubt entered his mind. The force behind Li Hao's strike had reached the level of a Supreme Saint—true Supreme Saint power, not the counterfeit strength of a Three Tribulations Saint. Even the most elite Three Tribulations cultivators, like Star Saint and Nether Saint, couldn't produce such an overwhelming attack.
This was genuine Supreme Saint combat ability.
"You…"
Hun Tian Shengren was momentarily dazed. Li Hao's aura still exuded the faint presence of the One Tribulation Realm, with only a trace of tribulation force in his body. Yet this youth had just wielded the might of a Supreme Saint?
Watching Li Hao quickly recover to full strength, Hun Tian Shengren clenched his teeth, his expression darkening. His massive black horn glowed fiercely once again, this time shining several times brighter. He poured every ounce of his power into it, determined to obliterate Li Hao.
"Die!!"
With a ferocious roar, Hun Tian Shengren struck with his horn, the Extreme Saint Dao amplifying his attack to the utmost. He channeled all the energy of the surrounding heavens and earth, fusing it into a single devastating blow.
Li Hao's expression turned solemn. At this moment, he fully extended his awareness, letting his consciousness merge with the essence of the heavens. For the first time, he sensed a faint trace of the Heavenly Sovereign's will.
Tentatively, he allowed his consciousness to blend with that ancient intent. His control over the surrounding energies instantly grew sharper, more absolute.
Through this newfound clarity, he realized Hun Tian Shengren's technique was pulling the energies of the heavens into himself. Though powerful, the process was slow compared to what Li Hao now commanded.
Invoking the will of the Heavenly Sovereign, Li Hao didn't need to draw power—he commanded it. The forces of the heavens and earth responded to his call like an army obeying its general.
Channeling these energies, Li Hao infused them into his sword, wielding it as a vessel for the might of the cosmos. He swung with all his strength, unleashing a strike that carried the weight of the stars themselves.
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