Dao Questioning Mountain

"It's you?"

While collecting the Ancient Demon Corpse, Li Hao encountered a disciple of the Great Dream Nine Abyss.

Lin Mingrong's clothes were tattered, and she looked like she had been injured. Although the wounds had healed, her disheveled hair indicated that she had suffered a hard battle.

She was momentarily stunned when she encountered Li Hao in mid-air, but then her eyes lit up with surprise.

Li Hao's performance in the Ancient Immortal Realm made her deeply aware of the gap between herself and this young man. Her Master had also told her privately that the latter would definitely have an amazing performance in the Southern Region Assembly Battle and was expected to break into the Top Ten.

Now that I've met Li Hao, it's like I've found my pillar of support.

Are you injured?

Li Hao had some recollection of this woman. He had followed her to the Dream Master's Palace Hall, where she had misunderstood him, but they hadn't had any further interaction since.

"Fine."

Lin Mingrong shook her head, but her gaze quickly swept over Gu Xingwan and Lin Qingying beside Li Hao. A hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. She said to Li Hao, "Can I stay by your side? I already Dao Fire, and I'm worried that someone else will take it from me."

As she spoke, she took out the Dao Fire from her hand, afraid that Li Hao might misunderstand.

Li Hao was already used to having Gu Xingwan as a burden by his side, and said, "It's okay, you can come along."

The Dream Master had previously instructed him that if he encountered any fellow disciples inside, he should help them if he could, but only if it was convenient for himself.

Lin Mingrong breathed a sigh of relief, immediately extinguished her Dao Fire, and followed Li Hao to his side.

Li Hao sped along, and before long, he encountered Gu Yan and Yue Xi again.

The two looked somewhat disheveled, clearly having gone through a fierce battle, but Li Hao noticed that Gu Yan's Aura was even stronger than before, and his whole body had a sharp feel to it, as if he had made some progress in his Sword Dao.

Knowing that they had already hunted down Dao Fire, Li Hao didn't mention sending Dao Fire any more.

He then led them to other Ancient Demon gathering places to collect Ancient Demon Corpse.

The group questioned Li Hao about his strange behavior, but Li Hao casually brushed them Past.

As time passed, they collected more and more Ancient Demon Corpse and encountered more disciples of the Great Dream Nine Abyss.

Some of them hadn't yet hunted down Dao Fire, so Li Hao took out the hundreds of Dao Fire he had collected and casually gave them to them.

The disciples were pleasantly surprised and grateful for Li Hao's generosity, as it was as if he had handed them the qualification to enter the second round.

Acquiring the Dao Fire is no easy task, but for someone of Li Hao's strength, it's a piece of cake. For others, it's a life-or-death struggle.

After the Ancient Demon strongholds were wiped out one by one, the trials within the True Immortal Secret Realm were also nearing their end.

Most people wandering in the Secret Realm travel in groups of three or five, with only a few still acting alone.

"It seems that the Crimson Cloud can't be found."

"It seems they've all been wiped out."

"On my way here, I heard that someone single-handedly wiped out an Ancient Demon stronghold; it was terrifying."

Li Hao, along with Lin Qingying, Gu Yan, and other disciples of the Great Dream Nine Abyss, continued searching for traces of the Ancient Demon. However, the crimson clouds that could be seen from afar before had now vanished without a trace, leaving them only able to search for lone Ancient Demon.

"The trial should be over soon."

Lin Mingrong glanced at the time and said softly.

Yue Xi frowned and said, "Why haven't I seen Senior Sister Qingwu? Could something have happened to her?"

Upon hearing Gu Yan's usually calm eyes.

Li Hao glanced at the two of them, pondering in his heart that with Murong Qingwu's combat strength, there was still a good chance of her hunting for Dao Fire, unless an accident occurred.

What are you doing here?

Suddenly, a group of figures came rushing towards them, all dressed in silver-white sword robes, looking majestic and imposing.

One of them saw Li Hao, his expression changed slightly, and then he saw Lin Qingying next to Li Hao, and couldn't help but frown and ask.

As the Heaven One Sword Sect of Yan-Chu, Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion attracts almost all Sword Dao disciples from the entire Immortal Dynasty. However, there is also Sword Abyss in the Great Dream Nine Abyss, which has been plotting to seize the position of the Heaven One Sect for many years, a fact known to all. Therefore, the relationship between the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion and the Great Dream Nine Abyss is not harmonious.

"Senior Brother Baiying."

Lin Qingying nodded and called out to the other person upon seeing them, which was considered a greeting.

"They are disciples of the Great Dream Nine Abyss, come here quickly."

The young man's expression was rather unpleasant as he spoke to Lin Qingying.

Lin Qingying shook her head and said, "I have already obtained the Dao Fire. I'll be fine after the trial. Senior Brother, please take care of yourselves."

"You!"

Zhao Baiying changed, and she said, "Do you perhaps intend to betray the Sect?"

Lin Qingying frowned and said, "I'm just a colleague; we haven't discussed Sect matters, and I would never betray Sect."

"Then come back. Did they blackmail you?"

Zhao Baiying's eyes swept over Li Hao and the others, revealing her wariness.

Lin Qingying shook her head and said, "My friends are here, I'll be fine."

"Friend, who?"

Zhao Baiying's gaze swept over Li Hao and the others. Noticing Lin Qingying standing next to Li Hao, his expression changed, and he said in a low voice, "Aren't you worried that Eldest Senior Brother will blame you?"

Upon hearing him mention Tian Hongyi, Lin Qingying's calm expression immediately turned cold, and she said:

"Why is he blaming me?"

"Our Eldest Senior Brother is Heavenly Talent talented, and everyone knows how much he likes you. You..."

Zhao Baiying couldn't help but say.

Lin Qingying's expression changed instantly, and she said angrily, "Who he likes is his own business. I told him long ago that I have someone else in my heart, and told him to stop bothering me."

"You..."

Zhao Baiying was furious and said, "So many Sect's Saintess yearn for Eldest Senior Brother's favor, yet none can win it. Before entering the Secret Realm, Eldest Senior Brother even instructed me to take good care of you if I encountered you, and you show no gratitude whatsoever?!"

"I made it clear to him long ago that even if the Empress takes a liking to him, it has nothing to do with me Lin Qingying."

Lin Qingying's face was cold, but as she spoke, her gaze swept over Li Hao, as if she was worried that Li Hao would misunderstand.

"You think too highly of yourself. If it weren't for your Eldest Senior Brother's sake, I..."

Zhao Baiying laughed in exasperation.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Hao interrupted him, saying, "Considering we're both from the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, I won't make things difficult for you. But if you're too arrogant, I won't hesitate to pack you up and send you all away."

His words were calm, yet they caused Zhao Baiying's expression to change drastically.

"You."

Zhao Baiying stared intently at Li Hao, her fists clenched.

The other Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion disciples behind him also changed color, looking at Li Hao with extreme shock and anger.

That's incredibly arrogant; they're completely disregarding them.

But thinking of the young man's performance in the Ancient Immortal Realm, where he trampled Chu Tianzheng of the Imperial Clan underfoot with his True Immortal Realm cultivation, although they didn't know if Li Hao had used any external power from Immortal Treasure during that battle, it still left a very deep impression on them.

"You're ruthless. I hope you make it to the end. Your Eldest Senior Brother will teach you a lesson!"

Zhao Baiying suppressed her anger and gritted her teeth as she spoke to Li Hao.

He then prepared to wave and signal for retreat.

But a cold glint appeared in Li Hao's eyes. He thought he could just leave after uttering those harsh words?

"If you talk too much, then stay!"

He raised his hand, and a Sword Qi condensed at his fingertips before suddenly bursting forth.

The Sword Qi contained the Time-Space Power, arriving in an instant and striking Zhao Baiying's body in a flash, cleaving him in two!

This sword strike landed in the Past, before he could react. The damage inflicted in the Past manifested itself at this moment, as if it were the power of cause and effect, Destiny.

Bang!

Zhao Baiying's body exploded, and her Primordial Spirit broke free from its shell and rushed out, her face filled with horror. But before she could even shout, her Primordial Spirit suddenly trembled, then cracked open, turning into golden fragments of light that shattered and dissipated in mid-air.

The other disciples of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion were stunned by the sight, and then utterly horrified.

Senior Brother Zhao Baiying, who was one of the strongest among them, was instantly killed, and even his Primordial Spirit was shattered. This was simply too terrifying!

It should be noted that Zhao Baiying's Primordial Spirit had broken through the Extreme Realm, condensed Primal Spirit Golden Vein, and even nurtured two Primal Spirit Golden Bones!

Such strength was actually annihilated by Sword Qi that Li Hao casually condensed; this is simply too terrifying!

"Escape!"

The others reacted as if they had encountered Ancient Demon, scattering in panic and fleeing in all directions, fearing that Li Hao would kill them all.

However, Li Hao was not a bloodthirsty person and did not pursue the enemy. Once the enemy's body was broken and fell to the ground, the coldness on his face dissipated.

Let's go.

Li Hao waved his hand, as if nothing had happened, and said casually.

Behind him, the many disciples of the Great Dream Nine Abyss all paled in shock. Although they had seen Li Hao kill the Ancient Demon with swiftness and efficiency after meeting Li Hao, Zhao Baiying was extremely famous in the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion, far surpassing the Ancient Demon. The other party also had the ability to hunt dozens of Ancient Demons, yet he was easily killed by Li Hao.

Gu Yan's gaze Solidification slightly as he stared at Li Hao's retreating figure, somewhat dazed.

The Sword-Ray that Li Hao had just condensed was extremely exquisite, giving him a feeling of amazement.

His opponent had far surpassed him even in the field of Sword Dao, which he was most proud of.

Time and Space are contained within the sword, but unfortunately, he never comprehended the Time Origin.

"Such a fast sword, a sword that can cut through time..."

Gu Yan muttered to himself in a low voice, a complex expression in his eyes.

I thought I was slowly getting closer to the other person, but instead I was left even further behind.

"Will killing him affect you?"

Li Hao suddenly turned his head and looked at Lin Qingying.

Lin Qingying was taken aback, then shook her head and said, "It's alright, anyway, I didn't do it."

Li Hao nodded. He knew that the light from here reached outside the secret Beyond the Border, and the elders of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion Sect outside must have witnessed the whole thing.

"Come back after this Southern Region Assembly Battle is over."

Li Hao said to Lin Qingying.

When she first arrived in the True Realm, she was unfamiliar with the place and its people, so having her become an apprentice of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion was a good option.

The same was true of Old Feng and the other Sage; they were scattered in various places.

But now that the Southern Region Assembly Battle is over, Li Hao is confident that he can protect them and there is no need to scatter them anymore.

"Good."

Lin Qingying nodded in agreement without any hesitation, a joyful smile appearing in her eyes.

But soon, as if remembering something, a sigh appeared in her eyes, and she said, "However, before I leave, I must say goodbye to my Master. He has been very kind to me, and the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Pavilion has also been kind to me. I must find a way to repay their kindness."

"Um."

Li Hao nodded and did not stop him; it was only natural to repay kindness.

Although he had just killed the Heavenly Prodigy of the opposing Sword Sect, the two things did not conflict.

At least in his view, one thing at a time.

Unless the other party is clueless.

Gu Xingwan glanced at Lin Qingying and asked Li Hao, "Have you two known each other for a long time?"

"Um."

Li Hao nodded.

Lin Qingying smiled upon hearing Li Hao's response.

A complex expression, tinged with disappointment, appeared in Gu Xingwan's eyes.

As the search continued, time passed, and suddenly a majestic, resounding voice echoed in the sky:

"The trial in the Secret Realm is about to end; there is only one hour left."

This final hour is a reminder to those who have not yet hunted down the Dao Fire.

Soon, some of the wandering disciples who hadn't obtained the Dao Fire became anxious and began searching for the Ancient Demon.

However, most of the Ancient Demon were wiped out in their various gathering places, with only a very few surviving.

Moreover, some people, like Li Hao, have collected a considerable amount of Dao Fire, which means that even more people are destined to be unable to advance.

The last hour Past quickly. Li Hao and the others felt the Heaven and Earth around them suddenly quiet down. Then, their bodies were enveloped by a force. When the scene before them suddenly changed, they could see clearly again that they were already standing True Immortal Secret Realm.

"It's out?"

"I haven't hunted down the Dao Fire yet. Am I... am I eliminated?"

"I was so close! I was so close to killing that Ancient Demon! Ahhh, why did this happen?!"

Noises and commotion could be heard from all directions.

Li Hao turned his head and saw Lin Qingying and the others standing not far from the Ancient Mirror where he had previously measured Soul Lifespan.

He glanced around and saw that the Dream Master and the others were still standing on the Mountain Summit, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

At this moment, dozens of figures appeared out of thin air in another Void, all exuding a powerful Aura.

Those were all at the Immortal Lord Realm.

Li Hao noticed that Chu Tianhuang's Robe had a torn sleeve, suggesting it had been through a major battle, which surprised him.

"The first trial is over. Now, those who Dao Fire, please take it out."

"Ahead! "the Immortal Guard Marshal announced in a loud voice.

The disciples looked at each other, those who didn't have Dao Fire in their hands looked around, their eyes filled with resentment.

Li Hao and Lin Qingying took out their Dao Fire.

At that moment, gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd.

Several figures appeared, each holding a large amount of Dao Fire in their hands and gathering it above their heads.

Li Hao noticed that among them was the rather flamboyant God Clan Youth.

"So many Dao Fire!"

"No wonder I couldn't find them or hunt them; it turns out they took them!"

"Damn it! One Dao Fire would have been enough to clear this level, why did you take so many?!"

Many of those without Dao Fire grumbled and Anger at the God Clan Youth and his companions.

Besides them, some others also had three, five, or even a dozen Dao Fire in their hands, but compared to the hundreds of Dao Fire held by Shen Wuji and the others, they were insignificant.

The wailing attracted the attention of the people from the Immortal Lord Realm group, but they quickly turned away with indifferent glances and a hint of cold disdain towards the wailing people.

"Congratulations to those who possess the Dao Fire! You have passed the first trial!"

The Immortal Guard Commander ignored the wails and resentments and spoke loudly.

Many who possessed the Dao Fire showed joy in their eyes.

Many others, however, remained calm, their eyes revealing anticipation for the upcoming Grand Battle.

"Those without Dao Fire, please return to your Sect. Those who perished in the Secret Realm will be granted a chance for reincarnation by the Supreme through their Soul Core."

The Immortal Guard Commander surveyed the surroundings, finally glancing at Li Hao and the others who possessed Dao Fire, and said, "Those who have passed the first trial, prepare for the second. As top Heavenly Prodigy, in addition to combat strength, you also need to possess an extraordinary Dao Heart!"