A Game of Go at the Foot of the Mountain

"That is the Dao Questioning Mountain!"

"The Supreme once comprehended the Heavenly Dao Emperor Heart atop it; such a treasure trove is actually being used as a trial for these young Heavenly Prodigy."

Throughout the Southern Region, countless people gazed up at the reflected image of the Dao Questioning Mountain, discussing it animatedly.

"This Dao Questioning Mountain will reflect your Dao Realm Avatar. The more Great Dao you comprehend, the more and stronger the reflected avatars will be!"

"Either surpass your own Dao Realm, or bypass them and rush towards the Mountain Summit with all your might."

Beside Li Hao, the Dream Master Whispers to Li Hao and the others.

In the distance, Yin Jingcheng and Meng Huaiyue both nodded, but their gazes were fixed on Li Hao.

Li Hao just secured ninth place on the True Immortal Realm Dao Fire Ranking, bringing glory to his Sect once again. In contrast, they only managed to obtain one or two Dao Fire in the Immortal Lord Realm group, performing only moderately well.

Although they have the ability to hunt down more Dao Fire, that would also increase the risk, as they might encounter Ancient Demon at the seventh or eighth level of the Immortal Lord Realm. If they were killed and reincarnated, it would be a terrible situation.

"Um."

Li Hao and the others all nodded.

"I wonder what Dao Heart Realm needs to reach to pass this."

"I can't breathe," asked Su Yechen, a disciple of the Spear Abyss.

He was also one of the three disciples of the sect's three Immortal Lords. His performance just now was comparable to that of Yin Jingcheng and the other two disciples Personal Disciple Sect Master. He did not reveal too much of his strength, since the real highlight was in the disciple competition later, and it would be disadvantageous to reveal too many of his methods in advance.

"At least Chaos Dao Heart is required."

The Dream Master Whispers.

Although in the ordinary True Immortal Realm, reaching the Heaven Grade Dao Heart is already considered qualified.

The Chaos Dao Heart often corresponds to the Tenth Layer of the Immortal Lord Realm.

However, the Heavenly Prodigy the Southern Region look to the Future. Their Dao Heart can reflect the path of the Future. If they don't even have Chaos Dao Heart, it means that even breaking through to the Tenth Layer of the Immortal Lord Realm will be extremely difficult.

Although Dao Heart will improve in the Future and one may achieve sudden enlightenment and expansion, the True Immortal Realm is the foundation of Immortal Deity, and the aptitude of Dao Heart is sufficient to be reflected in the True Immortal Realm.

Upon hearing the words of the Dream Master, Yin Jingcheng's eyes flickered slightly. His Dao Heart was Chaos Dao Heart, but it had not reached the pinnacle.

However, he is, after all Immortal Lord Realm. If even he cannot pass, then many more people will likely be blocked outside.

Thinking of this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his gaze turned to Li Hao. His Master had said that the other party's Dao Heart was not low, and he wanted to see just how high it was.

"Haotian, this trial is not difficult for you, but you must be careful of the Dao Realm Avatar, and don't be careless."

Li Tiemu also spoke up, offering his advice to Li Hao.

At the same time, worried about favoritism, he also gave Gu Yan and Yue Xi a few words of advice.

They all nodded.

The other Nine Abysses were also instructing their disciples.

Yue Xi looked at Li Hao. She vaguely remembered that she and Li Hao entered the Daoist sect at the same time. When Li Hao entered the sect, nine sounds resonated in the Heart Questioning Pagoda, indicating that his Dao Heart Realm was higher than hers.

"This second trial has only one thousand slots available."

The Immortal Guard Commander glanced calmly at the disciples of each dynasty and said, "They must at least reach the Forget Heart Hall halfway up the mountain before they can be considered to have passed!"

"What if more than a thousand people made it to the top?" someone asked.

The previous incident with the Dao Fire Ranking caused many people to suffer in silence, so now they choose to ask more questions in advance.

The Immortal Guard Commander said, "If someone surpasses the previous one, they will be eliminated in order of arrival, or... if they reach the Mountain Summit, they will directly qualify for advancement, regardless of their ranking."

The group exchanged glances and looked towards the Mountain Summit of the Dao Questioning Mountain.

"I've heard that to climb to the Mountain Summit, one must possess Eternal Dao Heart!"

"Eternal Dao Heart, that's equivalent to the Dao Heart of the Immortal King Realm; even the words of Immortal King cannot shake its Conviction!"

We must sprint as fast as possible!

Many people are secretly adjusting themselves to return to their previous state in the Secret Realm.

They had already begun to recover when they stepped out of the Secret Realm. After all, everyone present was Heavenly Prodigy, and the Immortal Power here was abundant and rich. The energy consumed in the Secret Realm was quickly restored, and their injuries had also been healed.

"Now, let's climb the mountain!"

The Immortal Guard Commander and said, "The second trial will last for three days. Everyone, make good use of your time!"

As his palm fell, the Barrier surrounding the Dao Questioning Mountain suddenly vanished.

In an instant, numerous figures rushed out.

Whoosh whoosh!

One after another, figures, poised to strike, flew Past the Dao Questioning Mountain like arrows released from a bow.

"Walk!"

Without hesitation, Li Hao called to Yue Xi, Gu Yan, and the others, and they sprinted forward.

"Follow me!"

Yin Jingcheng, however, spoke loudly, taking it upon himself to assume the leadership of the Great Dream Nine Abyss, and called upon the disciples of the other Nine Abysses to follow him.

With a swift movement, he conjured an Immortal Road in the Void. Stepping onto it granted him a speed boost, allowing him to teleport continuously.

However, upon arriving at the foot of the Dao Questioning Mountain, an irresistible force pressed down, restricting all those who were speeding and teleporting. Unknowingly, they fell from mid-air like birds with broken wings, landing on the ground.

Those who reacted quickly landed gracefully, while others, caught off guard, tumbled down in a sorry state. Fortunately, they were all physically fit and escaped injury.

" To Dao Questioning Mountain, one must climb step by step; there are no shortcuts!"

The Immortal Guard Commander's voice rang out, and those who had fallen in disarray cursed inwardly, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Looking up again, I saw that the Heavenly Palace Disciple, as if they had expected it, had landed in advance and looked relaxed and composed, already climbing the steps up the mountain.

Li Hao and the others didn't set off very fast, but seeing the people in front of them falling, they all had time to react and landed as well.

"Huh? What's that?"

"Dao Realm Avatar!"

Suddenly, Li Hao and the others saw that the people who had climbed to the top of the Dao Questioning Mountain ahead were standing on the steps when their shadowy figures suddenly appeared and attacked them.

In an instant, chaos erupted ahead as all the disciples who had climbed the mountain encountered their own Dao Realm Avatar launching attacks against them.

Among them, some were caught off guard and injured by their own Dao Realm Avatar, while others easily destroyed their own Dao Realm Avatar with a wave of their hands, then quickly climbed up, leaving the crowd behind and taking the lead.

"This is the Dao Realm Avatar?"

Li Hao surveyed the chaotic battlefield ahead, filled with curiosity.

"Let's go, ignore them. The Dao Realm Avatar at the foot of this mountain are the weakest. Let's finish them off quickly!"

At this moment, Yin Jingcheng shouted from the side and rushed out as he spoke.

The disciples from Nine Abysses turned to look at Li Hao, seemingly awaiting Li Hao command.

Flying dozens of feet away from Yin Jingcheng, he sensed this scene from behind with his Divine Sense. His expression changed, turning somewhat ashamed Anger. As Immortal Lord Realm and the Sect Master's Personal Disciple, these guys weren't following him, but instead waiting for that kid's attitude?!

Beside her, Meng Huaiyue also noticed this and was surprised. It wasn't like this before. It seemed that something they didn't know had happened since the end of the Secret Realm trial.

However, with the trials of Dao Questioning Mountain beginning immediately, she didn't have time to ask her Master.

Let's go.

Li Hao remained calm and composed. Seeing that everyone wanted to follow him, he spoke up.

He led his team to the foot of the mountain, which was extremely majestic. Although many disciples had gathered there, there were still vacant spots for them to climb.

Ahead, disciples from other Sect were battling their own Dao Realm Avatar. Li Hao immediately unleashed his Eternal Dao Domain, enveloping all the Sect disciples within it and blocking the aftershocks of the other battles outside the Dao Domain, forming a safety barrier.

"Um?"

At this moment, Li Hao discovered that the attacks from the other disciples' Dao Realm Avatar were penetrating his Dao Domain indiscriminately, without any resistance.

"Let's go, forget about them!"

Upon seeing this scene, Yin Jingcheng's face darkened, and without turning his head, he rushed forward at full speed.

Meng Huaiyue glanced at the people in Li Hao's Dao Domain, her eyes flickering slightly, but ultimately she didn't linger and followed her Senior Brother Yin Jingcheng to quickly climb the steps.

Soon, they all encountered their respective Dao Realm Avatar.

However, as Yin Jingcheng said, the Dao Realm Avatar at the foot of the mountain was not strong. The two of them made a powerful move and quickly suppressed it, and then rushed up the mountain at full speed.

"In this situation, if one is strong enough, could one eliminate the other people's Dao Domain avatars and escort them directly up?"

At this moment, Lin Qingying, who was standing next to Li Hao, asked curiously.

Li Hao glanced around and saw that the disciples were all fighting against his Dao Realm Avatar. Some of them tried to help, but their attacking Immortal Arts failed.

He suddenly realized, and said, "This Dao Domain Avatar can only be affected by oneself; attacks from others will be ineffective and ignored!"

No wonder.

Yue Xi gazed intently and said, "Then it seems we still have no choice but to rely on ourselves."

"Haotian, you go first, don't worry about us. You are the hope of the Sect."

At this moment, Gu Yan said to Li Hao.

Upon hearing this, the others all looked at Li Hao and immediately echoed his sentiments:

"That's right, Junior Brother Haotian, you go up first, don't miss out on a spot."

"Since we're going to rely on ourselves, we have to. This is the Southern Region's Heaven Pride Assembly Battle; we're not here to be a burden."

"Junior Brother Haotian, we have no way to repay the kindness shown to us in the previous Secret Realm. This time, we will rely on ourselves!"

Others then spoke up.

Li Hao didn't seem to mind, saying, "It's alright, a little time won't make a difference. I'll hold off the others' attacks for you, you can go ahead."

"Junior Brother Haotian..."

Some people still wanted to offer advice.

Li Hao raised his hand to interrupt, saying, "Hurry up, stop being so wishy-washy."

Seeing Li Hao's insistence, the others stopped being coy and modest. After all, they could have sprinted a short distance in the time it took to talk.

As they climbed, their Dao Realm Avatar soon appeared within Li Hao's Dao Domain, and each began to attack their own Dao Realm Avatar.

Li Hao was somewhat surprised as he sensed the numerous Dao Realm Avatar reflected in the Dao Domain. He could have a detailed grasp of everything within this Eternal Dao Domain, but these Dao Realm Avatar avatars had just appeared out of thin air without him sensing any signs or disturbances, as if they had truly appeared out of nowhere.

"What kind of power is this?"

Li Hao couldn't help but feel curious. He had already mastered the Nine Orders, and the foundation of Myriad Daos in the world was basically contained within the Nine Orders. However, the power before him seemed to transcend the Nine Orders.

Or is it that my understanding of the Nine Sequences Great Dao is too shallow to perceive it?

While Li Hao was pondering, Yue Xi, Gu Yan, and the others also drew their swords and charged out.

They acted decisively, unleashing their full power, and quickly dealt with their Dao Realm Avatar.

"Junior Brother Haotian, we..."

After Yue Xi dealt with her Dao Realm Avatar, she turned to look at Li Hao with a complex expression.

Li Hao, however, gave a carefree smile and said, "Don't overthink it, go quickly."

Upon hearing this, Yue Xi didn't linger any longer and turned to climb quickly.

After the others finished off their Dao Realm Avatar, they bid farewell to Li Hao and then quickly rushed away.

Once most of the disciples from the Dao Domain had left, the foot of the mountain became much quieter. Disciples from other Immortal Dynasty quickly climbed up, since the Dao Realm Avatar at the foot of the mountain were the weakest. If they couldn't even get through here, they would hardly be qualified to participate in the Southern Region Assembly Battle.

No one fell at the foot of the mountain; it was just a matter of time.

After Li Hao and the other disciples from the Dao Domain had all left, he also stepped onto the steps.

He was curious, wondering what his Dao Domain incarnation would be like.

The other manifested Dao Domain avatars, some wielding swords and others spears, all represented the Great Dao of disciples from Nine Abysses.

However, Li Hao believed that the Great Dao they comprehended was not of a single kind; it was just that the Great Dao realm revealed by the Dao Realm Avatar seemed to be singular and pure.

Which of the Nine Sequences Great Dao he himself possessed would be reflected?

As Li Hao pondered with curiosity, a phantom materialized beside him, transforming into Dao Realm Avatar with the exact same facial features as himself.

However, the other person is like one's own shadow; the body is an illusion.

The Dao Realm Avatar he projected appeared extremely ordinary, emanating no powerful Aura of Immortal Power.

Suddenly, the opponent raised his hand, and a shadowy power condensed in his illusory palm, transforming into a Go Board.

Li Hao was slightly taken aback, and immediately sensed the Aura of the Great Dao emanating from this Dao Realm Avatar —it was actually the Chess Dao!

"Would you like to play a game of chess with me?"

Li Hao couldn't help but laugh. He was playing a game with himself, which was how he was in his childhood, but now it seemed like he was truly competing with himself.

He immediately raised his hand, indicating to the other party that they should choose a location.

The Dao Realm Avatar simply sat down beside the steps.

Seeing this, Li Hao didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the steps with him.

The Dao Realm Avatar raised his hand, and two Go Box condensed in the Void, filled with Chess Piece. However, the power exerted by the opponent seemed to be illusory shadows. The Chess Piece in the Go Box were not black and white, but one was deep black and the other was light gray.

Let's just consider this light gray color as white.

Li Hao smiled and began to play a game of Go, identifying black and white pieces with his opponent.

As the Chess Piece was placed on the Go Board, he received a white piece, which was the light gray Chess Piece at that moment.

Soon, the game began.

Li Hao immediately realized that his opponent's playing style was very similar to his own.

"So, this is how my playing style is perceived by my opponent...?"

Li Hao felt like he was seeing himself from a different perspective, and he could see himself more clearly and had a deeper understanding of himself.

Only by stepping outside of yourself can you see your true self.

Li Hao suddenly realized the true meaning and purpose of this Dao Questioning Mountain.

This scene, when reflected throughout the Southern Region, immediately attracted the attention of countless people.

Previously, the True Immortal Realm and the Immortal Lord Realm were divided into two groups, and most people's attention was focused on the Immortal Lord Secret Realm. But now, both sides are conducting their work on the Dao Questioning Mountain, so this mountain has attracted the attention of the entire Southern Region.

What is that boy doing?

"Chess? His Dao Realm Avatar is actually the Chess Dao? Are you kidding me!"

"If I remember correctly, his Soul Lifespan was measured at 96 years before. He cultivated to the True Immortal Realm in such a short time, and he's even proficient in Chess Dao?!"

Countless people were stunned and Whispers in shock.