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Chapter 384: Indeed, That's Me
🕑 Added 2024-11-14 14:06:36 +0000 UTCAs streams of fundamental law energy merged into his body, a dense Dao aura surrounded Li Hao. Seated in his courtyard, his entire presence radiated like a star-filled void, with the grand laws flashing in dazzling divine light and thunder rumbling faintly.
His entire body, from his Dao Bones to his divine blood, was now infused with the essence of laws, blending seamlessly with heaven and earth.
Over the past year, Li Hao had honed the essence of laws daily. The extraordinary insights from Yudao at the ninth level granted him direct perception of the elemental forces—wind, fire, thunder, lightning—revealing their very origins.
As he refined these laws, melding them into his Dao Body, Li Hao felt his physical form reaching an unprecedented strength.
His blood and flesh had transformed to the utmost, now capable of containing the essence of laws and his own saintly Dao, growing stronger overall.
The ultimate state of his physical body was like a deeply fortified foundation that allowed Li Hao to harness these immense powers.
"Gongming…"
Drawing his sword, Gongming, its black blade flickered with a faint tribulation light, and spatial ripples appeared along its sharp edge.
He casually swiped it across his hand. Instantly, the laws within his flesh retaliated, forming a powerful force of order, ready to push back against Gongming.
However, the tribulation force in Gongming's edge was destructive, slicing through the laws layer by layer, finally leaving a bloody mark. When it struck his Dao Bones, the laws engraved there repelled the tribulation force, sending the blade bouncing off.
A glimmer of surprise appeared in Li Hao's eyes. Gongming, having passed through two tribulations and able to cut through even Sanzai Saints effortlessly, could no longer cleave through his bones.
Moreover, he wasn't even actively defending himself.
"When my divine blood and Dao Bones reach completion, I may even withstand attacks from five- or six-tribulation Dao Emperor weapons."
Li Hao murmured to himself, his eyes bright with anticipation for the power of the Pinnacle of Comprehension.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the courtyard. Li Hao glanced over and chuckled, "Feng Lao, it's not very kind of you to go fishing without inviting me."
Feng Bo Ping, carrying a fishing basket, gave it a shake. Three demonic beasts flew out, quickly expanding to several thousand feet in height, coiling in the air above the courtyard.
"Mercy, oh saint, mercy…"
Sensing Li Hao's aura, the three demons felt as if they'd fallen into an abyss, trembling and begging pitifully.
"Didn't go to the Heavenly River, just wandered around the Minor Thousand Realm," Feng Bo Ping laughed. "So, which one looks best as a snack?"
The three demons were all beasts at the Wendao stage, each a dominant force in their own territories, revered by mortals. Hearing Feng Bo Ping's question, they shivered even more violently; they'd enjoyed tormenting humans, but now the tables had turned.
"The one in the middle. Keep the other two for later," Li Hao said nonchalantly, recognizing Feng Lao's boasting about his catch. It seemed there was also a shared motive: Feng Lao's cooking skills were among the best across the realms.
"Got it."
Feng Bo Ping's face creased into a smile. He kept the middle one, whose wails grew even more pitiful, while putting the other two back into the basket.
After sealing the mouth of the wailing demon, Feng Bo Ping looked at Li Hao and said, "On my way back, I saw a saint from the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land waiting outside the Minor Thousand Realm. Likely another visit for you."
Li Hao raised an eyebrow. The last invitation had already been declined; the Yuan Ancestor's people should have understood his stance. Were they that desperate?
"If they're here, let them wait. Let's eat first."
Li Hao dismissed the thought, piercing the wailing demon's spirit with a casual slash and preparing it as fresh meat.
He expertly cooked various parts of the demon using different techniques: boiling, frying, steaming, and grilling.
As the food's aroma spread, Feng Bo Ping, delighted, headed back to fetch fine wine.
Just as they'd settled down, halfway into their meal, a breeze announced a visitor at the gates of Thief Saint's Sect.
Annoyed by the interruption, Feng Bo Ping smacked his lips in frustration. Upon recognizing the visitor, he rose to let them in.
"It's you two…"
In addition to the saint from the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land, Huang Tian Sheng had also arrived. Catching the rich aroma filling the courtyard, she couldn't help but swallow at the sight of the hovering dishes.
Recognizing familiar faces, Li Hao quickly invited her to join.
The Yuan Ancestor's saint, meanwhile, frowned slightly. Outside, the Divine Clan and Yuan Ancestor's forces were locked in intense conflict, yet here was an atmosphere of fine wine and good food, as if oblivious to it all.
Approaching them, he managed a polite smile. "Haotian Zun, it's been a year. I trust you've been recovering?"
"Much better," Li Hao smiled. "Thank you for asking."
"These days, the demonic clan grows more ferocious and cruel. The Yuan Ancestor is holding a Demon-Slaying Banquet, inviting saints from all around to witness it. We hope Haotian Zun will attend," the saint cut straight to the point.
Demon-Slaying Banquet? Li Hao raised an eyebrow and considered. "Since the Yuan Ancestor invites me with such courtesy, I won't refuse."
"Then I'll see you at the banquet." The saint, after sharing the time and details, cast Li Hao a meaningful glance before leaving Thief Saint's Sect.
"Does this mean the Yuan Ancestor plans to confront the Divine King?" Huang Tian Sheng, holding a bowl of meat broth, finished it off with a satisfied smile and looked at Li Hao.
"Haotian wouldn't know," Feng Bo Ping muttered with a frown. "This Demon-Slaying Banquet doesn't sound simple."
Li Hao glanced at Huang Tian Sheng, who wore a fox-like grin as if seeing through his thoughts.
"You seem to know more about the Divine Clan than the rest of us," she teased with a smile. "Talking about the Divine Clan, it's like you're hiding something. Don't forget, I'm the Lie Saint. I can tell right away if someone's being honest or not."
"…"
Li Hao was speechless. "Being so clever will leave you lonely."
"Hmm!" Huang Tian Sheng shot Feng Bo Ping a glance, then coldly snorted and turned to sample other dishes.
Feng Bo Ping looked somewhat uncomfortable and coughed lightly. "The Yuan Ancestor went to great lengths to invite you; it's not simple. Be careful."
"Understood."
Li Hao nodded.
A few days later, Li Hao and Feng Bo Ping disguised themselves and left the Minor Thousand Realm, heading toward the Tianyuan Realm.
When they arrived, the atmosphere was unusually calm. At the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land, Li Hao sensed the presence of only two saints, one of whom felt somewhat familiar.
"Hm?" Feng Bo Ping's eyes glinted.
Li Hao narrowed his gaze. Could this invitation to the Demon-Slaying Banquet be a trick?
Just then, a saint from the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land emerged, glancing at Li Hao with a complex expression.
"You've grown stronger," Xiao Tianyu murmured, his gaze intense.
Having met before, he recognized Li Hao, but now felt an even more profound aura around him, with a constant presence of the Dao.
"Where's the Yuan Ancestor?" Li Hao asked.
"The Yuan Ancestor is at the Void Abyss holding back the demonic clan. The Demon-Slaying Banquet will be there. Please, follow me." Xiao Tianyu, sensing their hesitation, reassured them with a smile.
Li Hao and Feng Bo Ping exchanged a look, then followed him into the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land.
Upon reaching the summit of the holy mountain, Li Hao saw a massive void rift leading to an unknown destination.
"The Void Abyss is there. My master has been awaiting your arrival," Xiao Tianyu explained.
Feng Bo Ping's eyes widened. "This place is millions of miles from the Void Abyss… The Yuan Ancestor can actually…"
Xiao Tianyu allowed himself a small smile. "My master has broad interests and has studied the void Dao."
Li Hao's gaze grew serious. The Yuan Ancestor's ability to maintain a rift across such a vast distance meant his understanding of the void was comparable to Xu Zu.
Using divine power, he peered into the rift, glimpsing the Void Abyss. Reassured, he flew forward.
Feng Bo Ping stepped ahead, stopping at the edge of the rift, his fingertip pulsing with Dao energy. Soon, his expression relaxed, and he chuckled. "Quite lively."
He shot Li Hao a reassuring look before stepping through the rift.
Li Hao followed with a slight smile.
Xiao Tianyu watched them enter, his mission fulfilled. He stood guard as they disappeared.
…
The Void Abyss lay at the boundary of the void.
Surrounded by endless starlight, the area sparkled in divine brilliance.
Millions of miles away, a dark void chasm appeared, like a waterfall of broken space, as though it would swallow the heavens.
At the other end of the spatial rift was a grand banquet hall, floating in the void like an ethereal lake, surrounded by elixirs and fragrant wines.
Saintly figures sat in the void, chatting casually, but all eyes turned toward Li Hao and Feng Bo Ping's arrival, many casting surprised glances.
"That's Haotian Zun, the infamous one."
"What of it? Who would ignore the Yuan Ancestor's invitation?"
"Exactly. Even the Food Saint is here. This demonic clan has met its end."
"This time, the Demon King himself will appear, won't he?"
"Hard to say. His mount alone is more than enough trouble."
Saints murmured among themselves, casting glances toward the banquet's highest seats.
At the center sat the Yuan Ancestor, flanked by another saint of the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land—an elegant, white-browed, white-haired figure.
Beside them were three other saints, each radiating intense power, their auras lighting up the void.
As Li Hao and Feng Bo Ping flew closer, the Yuan Ancestor glanced over, greeting Li Hao warmly.
"It's been a while. I've heard of a saint with immense strength, slaying Sanzai Saints soon after ascension. That would be you, yes?"
Li Hao heard the subtle challenge, glancing at the saint in the black hat. "If there's no second in the heavens, then yes, that would be me."
The words stirred the saint, while some onlookers who had encountered Li Hao's demand for precious treasures laughed bitterly.
"Oh? Then does this mean you surpass the Supreme Saints?" the black-hatted saint taunted.
"You could see it that way," Li Hao replied calmly.
Feng Bo Ping cautioned through transmission, "Be careful. This one is the Star Saint, close to Xu Zu, likely here on his behalf."
"So Xu Zu avoided the world for centuries only to fall at your hand, his Void Holy Land erased. You're no less ruthless than the demonic clan," the black-hatted saint sneered.
After a pause, Li Hao replied, "Perhaps he should've worked harder instead of expecting the world to protect him."
The Star Saint fell silent, anger flashing in his eyes, though he remained expressionless.
"Star Saint has cultivated for countless years, nearly a Supreme Saint. Isn't it disrespectful for you to speak this way?" another saint in a black robe spoke coldly.
"Oh, so saints need to rank themselves now?"
At that moment, the Yuan Ancestor raised his cup, smiling as he interrupted, "Today is a day to slay demons, nothing more. That demonic clan has arrived. Who among us will bring back their leader's head?"
In the distance, on the edge of the dark chasm, a massive army clad in golden divine armor assembled.
In contrast to their massive ranks, the saints' numbers were fewer than one-millionth, yet their auras matched the army's might.
At the head of the Divine Clan's army, a man stood atop a dragon, towering and imposing. His armor blazed like fire, and he wielded a heavy sword, his crimson cape flying like a storm over the stars.
No doubt, he was the Divine King.
By his side, Li Hao spotted a familiar figure—Ying Xiaoxiao.
Clad in her own brilliant armor, her delicate features partly hidden, her sharp gaze met Li Hao's across the void. She blinked, visibly stunned.
"That one is your Haotian, huh? Didn't I tell you? Now he sits at the Yuan Ancestor's banquet table."
The Divine King's piercing gaze swept over the assembly, landing on Li Hao. Clearly, he recognized him.
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