Yellow Springs Houtu, the Original True World (Two chapters in one)

Where did he go?

Su Muqing froze, suddenly remembering the strange expressions on Su Wanqing's and her sister Su Wanxue's faces. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a strong sense of unease.

Seeing that she had only just noticed the boy, Su Wanqing felt a pang of irony, a sharp pain piercing her heart like a needle. He had been by her side for so long, yet he still held no place in her sister's heart?

But... it's alright. My sister never cared about him anyway, so it's better that he left, saving her from suffering here. They didn't even see each other in the first place; it was just a misunderstanding.

Just like the Immortal Charm Purple Osmanthus he gifted to himself, it was simply folded casually, without any other meaning.

But... why do I feel so sad?

Su Wanqing turned her head away, remaining silent and not responding to Su Muqing.

Seeing that Su Muqing had finally noticed the boy had disappeared, Su Wanxue sighed and said, "He's gone."

"They've left?"

Su Muqing's body trembled slightly, a strong sense of foreboding washing over her. She hurriedly asked, "Where did you go? The Ancestral Land?"

Su Wanxue shook her head slightly. Li Hao and the Primordial Spirit girl left, and her father, Su Zhenyuan, followed them. Although she and her younger sister, Su Wanqing, stayed behind to take care of Su Muqing, their avatars also chased after them to the Bright Emperor Hall, where they waited for their father and learned from him where Li Hao had gone.

The other party has already left the Su Clan.

Where it went, no one knows; it was the Progenitor who personally sent it away.

Su Wanxue and Su Wanqing both witnessed Li Hao's reunion with the Primordial Spirit girl. They understood that the young man had achieved his purpose in coming to the Su Clan, and therefore had no reason to stay there any longer.

After all, with that young man's Heavenly Talent, he was bound to have a bright future. The Su Clan was a top family in the Northern Region, but they couldn't keep such a Heavenly Prodigy.

"Not our Ancestral Land? Then where is it?"

Su Muqing was stunned for a moment, and a sudden emptiness filled her heart, as if she had lost something extremely precious.

"Have no idea."

Su Wanxue shook her head and sighed, "Even my father didn't know where she went. The Progenitor himself sent her away."

"Send them away? Why?"

Su Muqing was puzzled and asked, "Could it be that he made a mistake in the Ancestral Land and offended the Progenitor, and was punished by Progenitor? But he had previously rendered meritorious service in slaying demons and saved the Northern Region..."

Of course not!

Su Wanqing, who had been silent, couldn't help but interrupt her, looking up at her older sister, who had been with her since childhood, with an extremely unfamiliar gaze:

"Why do you think he would make a mistake or offend the Progenitor? You have no idea how much the Progenitor likes him! Apart from him, even among us, even you, who has been summoned by the Progenitor, who has ever paid homage to the Progenitor? He has been to the Ancestral Land four or five times."

"Moreover, I heard from Fourth Master that the Progenitor was extremely fond of him, and he could enter the Ancestral Land without even needing to announce his arrival. This is a right that even we, the Bloodline, do not have. Even Father had to report to the authorities at the foot of the mountain before he could visit!"

Her voice grew more and more excited as she spoke, and her eyes became slightly red and moist with emotion.

Seeing her expression, Su Muqing was stunned, and suddenly felt a sense of realization.

Yes, I wasn't even qualified to pay homage to the Progenitor, nor was I ever summoned by Progenitor.

But the young man was summoned to the Ancestral Land by the Progenitor after he finished slaying the demon.

In the following few years, he left again and went to the Ancestral Land several times, once staying for three years. According to Nanny Wu, he might have been cultivating in the Ancestral Land and received guidance from the Progenitor...

But if he hadn't offended the Progenitor, why would he have been sent away by Progenitor?

Su Muqing felt her heart growing heavier and heavier, as if something extremely oppressive was about to surface at any moment.

Looking at her excited younger sister, she suddenly sensed something was amiss and couldn't help but ask, "Wanqing, do you... like him?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wanxue, who was standing nearby, let out a sigh. It was something that anyone with eyes could see, but only Su Muqing noticed it.

If it were yesterday, Su Wanqing would have blushed and dared not look Su Muqing in the eye after her feelings were exposed. But at this moment, she said without hesitation, "That's right, I admire him!"

She spoke with great force, her eyes fixed on Su Muqing, and said, "You said before that you would never be interested in him, that you would ignore him, that you only had eyes for your Lin Zhixuan. If that's the case, then why can't I admire him?"

Su Muqing stared blankly at her, as if she didn't recognize this younger sister.

But he only has eyes for you, only for you!

Su Wanqing clenched her fists and bit her lip until it bled, but soon, sadness welled up in her eyes again, and she laughed self-deprecatingly, "But you can't say that. He doesn't have you in his eyes at all, he's never had you, there's only her, only that person..."

When Li Hao and Shi Miao embraced, the way they gazed at each other was something Su Wanqing knew was an emotion that no one could influence or interfere with.

Su Muqing's expression changed slightly, and she said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? You admire him, and I haven't blamed you. Now tell me, why did the Progenitor send him away? Was it his own choice?"

"We don't know the reason either."

Su Wanxue pulled Su Wanqing back, stopping her from speaking further, and shook her head with a sigh, "But one thing is certain, it was his own choice. Otherwise, why would the Progenitor, who loved him so much, not want to keep him in the Su Clan?"

"Impossible!"

Su Muqing said resolutely, "He couldn't have left willingly. He... he waits here every day, he..."

After mentioning "him" twice, her tone suddenly weakened.

The boy willingly waited here every day, but... every day he could only face the tightly closed palace doors and his own indifference.

Has he... given up?

Su Muqing suddenly felt a sense of panic, an indescribable feeling.

Seeing that Su Wanxue's eyes showed a hint of pity. She said, "Muqing, don't overthink it. His leaving now is exactly what you wanted. Without his interference, you can be with Lin Zhixuan, and no one will interfere with your Betrothal anymore."

In the past, Su Muqing would have felt pleased and agreed with these words, but at this moment, it felt like a heavy hammer had hit her chest, and her face turned pale instantly.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief and a hint of Anger.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"How could he leave willingly? He just waited a few more years. I, I..."

Her words suddenly caught in her throat, and she couldn't say them for a moment.

She had clearly planned that once her Seclusion ended... if he proposed to her father and insisted on marrying her, she would acquiesce.

But... why can't we wait?

We've waited over a decade already, why not wait a little longer?

Even in the face of Demon, they were willing to stand up and die for themselves!

Clearly for his own sake, he disregarded life and death, defying seven realms to challenge the top Demon Prodigies!

Why, now that it's just a few more years, do we have to leave?

She clenched her fists, her fingers tense, and her knuckles turned slightly white.

"I'm going to find my father and get to the bottom of this!"

She suddenly moved, about to step out of the palace gate.

Su Wanqing stood numbly to the side, offering no assistance.

Su Wanxue quickly grabbed it, her eyes filled with complicated emotions, and said, "Don't go, it's no use."

She didn't want Su Muqing to know the truth and cause harm to her younger sister.

"No!"

Su Muqing suddenly unleashed her Immortal Power, easily breaking free from Su Wanxue's wrist. She gave her a resolute look, then rushed out of the hall without looking back.

"No matter where he goes, I need to know why. I want to get to the bottom of this!"

As she spoke, her figure vanished in an instant, disappearing with unimaginable Movement Method.

Su Wanqing didn't speak, but she also stepped out of the Palace Hall, her figure disappearing in a flash.

Su Wanxue immediately realized that Su Wanqing had also gone along, and couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself. What was the point of this? That young man had only been in the Su Clan for less Twenty Years, but he had left an indelible impression on her.

Judging from the situation, Su Muqing is clearly not the same Su Muqing she used to be.

She sighed inwardly, but when she thought of the young man's dashing figure, her eyes, besides showing complexity, remained silent.

In the blink of an eye, the three Sisters arrived one after another in the Bright Emperor Hall.

"Father!"

Su Muqing barged into the hall without waiting to be announced.

The guards followed him in and hurriedly knelt down before Su Zhenyuan above to beg for forgiveness.

Su Zhenyuan waved for the guards to leave, and when he saw Su Muqing, who looked furious, he frowned slightly.

"Where is Haotian? Where did he go? Why did he leave?!"

Su Muqing questioned loudly.

"Muqing."

Su Qingmei nearby, frowned slightly and gently stopped Su Muqing's presumptuous behavior.

Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue followed behind. After entering the hall, one of them lowered his head and remained silent, like a ghostly shadow, while Su Wanxue bowed gracefully to Su Zhenyuan above, politely calling him "Father" in a low voice.

Su Zhenyuan said with a stern face, "Haotian has his own affairs. He is simply returning to his own place. He was never a person of our Northern Region to begin with!"

"I know he's not from the Northern Region, I just want to know why he left!"

Su Muqing gritted her teeth and said.

Su Zhenyuan's gaze swept over Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue, and Su Wanxue shook her head slightly at her father.

Su Zhenyuan immediately understood that they hadn't told Su Muqing the truth, but there were many witnesses to this, so there was no need to keep quiet; they would find out sooner or later.

He said calmly, "Haotian came to the Northern Region to find someone. Now that he has found him, he will naturally leave."

He Pause, looked at Su Muqing, and said, "It's good that he's gone; it suits you just as well. Take back what I said during the demon-slaying Sparring. You and Lin Zhixuan don't need to worry anymore. Your Betrothal will proceed as scheduled, preferably before you enter the Original True World. It would be best if you could have children before then..."

"Who is he looking for?!"

Su Muqing suddenly interrupted him loudly, her expression somewhat agitated. "Didn't he come to the Northern Region to find me?"

Su Zhenyuan was stunned. Seeing his daughter's discomposure, he suddenly realized something and asked in surprise:

"Could it be that you have feelings for that kid?"

Su Muqing's expression changed slightly when her father saw through her thoughts, but she didn't blush. She just gritted her teeth and said, "These are two different things!"

Su Zhenyuan stared at her for a moment before saying, "If you have any, I advise you to put them away. It's still early enough to stop. Lin Zhixuan was born in the Northern Region, and you two are childhood sweethearts, so you're a good match."

Although he also favored Li Hao could not be his son-in-law. Putting Li Hao aside, Lin Zhixuan was naturally the only choice.

Su Muqing gritted her teeth and said, "I said, these are two different things! Who is he looking for in the Northern Region? Hasn't he always been with our Su Clan?"

Su Zhenyuan sighed softly and said, "See for yourself. You'll understand after you see it."

Without further ado, he raised his hand and made a Void, and ripples spread out in the air like a scroll painting.

The scene that had previously occurred in the Immortal's Abode Courtyard was reflected and reappeared.

A surge of Immortal Power erupted from the Palace Hall, followed by Shi Miao's appearance. She met Li Hao, and the two embraced...

The hall was extremely quiet, except for the deeply moving yet restrained conversation between Li Hao and Shi Miao after their reunion.

Su Muqing looked up, her pupils slightly contracting.

When she saw the two embracing, and saw the boy's sincere and familiar eyes, her face suddenly turned deathly pale.

It turned out that the person he had been gazing at for so long was not himself...

But who is that girl?

A moment later, the light and shadow disappeared, but the atmosphere inside the hall seemed frozen.

Su Muqing's face turned pale and then red, and she clenched her Path of the Fist, "Who was that person?"

"That is the person Haotian is looking for, Descent reborn into the world using your body; he is a former powerful figure."

Su Zhenyuan said, without hiding anything.

The truth may be swift and painful, but it will be known sooner or later. Moreover, if Su Muqing cannot even bear this, then her Dao Heart must be tempered further, otherwise she will find it difficult to achieve great things in the future.

Su Muqing felt a sharp jolt in her chest. Was that the person she was looking for? So that was the person she was looking for!

Am I... just a shell?

She was shaken, and suddenly felt a sharp pain.

So, I was just a stand-in?!

Even though I am just a shell, the person who has been with him for the past ten years or so has always been myself, myself!

She bit her lip tightly. As the scene of light and shadow disappeared, she realized that the young man's eyes were only on the Primordial Spirit girl. Even when he followed her away, he never once looked at the Palace Hall below again!

Not even a glance!

Su Muqing bit her lip until it bled. The golden Divine Blood was sweet, but as it seeped into her throat, an indescribable sorrow welled up inside her.

She suddenly remembered the scene before she fell into a deep sleep, when she had activated that hidden power.

It turns out that the other party was the hidden force.

She bit her lip even harder.

So, it was you who took the initiative to release her!

At that moment, she suddenly had a feeling, an extremely strong feeling, that she wished she could turn back time!

However, even with her Mastery the Time Origin Seventh Level, it would be difficult for her to do so, because the part of Time and Space she wanted to reverse included her father, Su Wanqing, Li Hao, and the Primordial Spirit girl.

Even if everything else goes backward or reverses, they will never be affected by their own time.

Moreover, she couldn't reverse the Time and Space where so many powerful individuals gathered.

The Palace Hall fell silent, as if in death.

After a long silence, Su Muqing said in a low, hoarse voice, "Even if he wants to leave, at least... he should say goodbye to me."

"After all, we've been together for over ten years, and he's been living in my yard for over ten years!"

Su Zhenyuan sighed softly and remained silent.

Does saying goodbye have any meaning? No.

The most painful thing in life is Bieli.

"Say goodbye to you? Or just sit here in the courtyard waiting for you to open the palace gates?"

No one answered from the front, but a voice came from behind Su Muqing —it was Su Wanqing's cold words.

Su Muqing felt as if a sharp knife had pierced her chest, a stinging pain. Her expression changed several times, and she opened her mouth slightly as if to say something, but in the end, she found that she couldn't say anything.

She suddenly realized that in the past ten years or so, she seemed to have never given that boy a kind look.

But he always endured it silently and never got angry.

So, it was because she needed to get close to that Primordial Spirit girl that she was able to endure it?

She suddenly felt a little ridiculous; she had actually foolishly assumed that he was doing it because of her...

"Report!"

Suddenly, a sound came from outside the hall.

Su Zhenyuan looked up and commanded, "Speak."

The messenger from outside the hall entered, knelt down and kowtowed, and quickly said, "Family Head, we have found out the matter you asked us to handle earlier, including Haotian's identity and background!"

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall perked up their ears. Su Qingmei also stared Past at the young man, extremely curious about which of the True World Hundred Clans could cultivate such an extraordinary individual.

Su Zhenyuan's eyes flickered slightly. Li Hao's matter was currently a secret. After all, helping the Northern Region would inevitably attract the attention of that Demon, so it was not advisable to make it public and let more people know.

But those people in the hall... even if they don't say anything now, they'll probably pester me later.

Fortunately, they were all his wife and daughters, so he trusted them and immediately said, "Just tell me."

"That Haotian comes from the Southern Region. Thirty years ago, he suddenly appeared in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, one of the seven ancient immortal dynasties in the Southern Region, and the Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect. Since then, he has quickly become famous. He rose from Yan Chu and has become one of the top ten geniuses in Yan Chu. It is also rumored that he has sparred with the Yan Chu royal family and defeated the Immortal Lord royal family with the True Immortal Realm!"

"Subsequently, he represented the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty Heavenly Prodigy in the Southern Region Assembly Battle, vying for a spot in the Original True World!"

"In the Original True World, he displayed extraordinary talent, easily breaking through levels one after another and defeating top Heavenly Prodigy from various races, including the Ancient God Clan and the Ghost Clan, both among the Top Ten in the True Realm!"

"The Southern Region Assembly Battle is not yet over, but he has already been recognized as the number one True Immortal Realm in the Southern Region, and is considered invincible in the True Immortal Realm!"

The messenger spoke rapidly, his words echoing throughout the hall.

The Palace Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; only the messenger's words echoed in the eerie silence.

Apart from Su Zhenyuan, everyone else was shocked, their eyes filled with disbelief, and they were speechless.

A strange look appeared in Su Zhenyuan's eyes, but considering Li Hao's performance in slaying the demon, it was not surprising that he had such an amazing achievement.

"The number one person in the Southern Region's True Immortal Realm... tsk."

He chuckled softly, then said, "Go on."

The messenger's expression changed slightly, and he whispered, "When he defeated the Southern Region Supreme's Personal Disciple and became the number one True Immortal Realm, his identity led to the exposure of some ancient secrets of the Southern Region. In the end, he was suppressed by the Southern Region Supreme and nearly perished in the Southern Region."

"What?"

Su Zhenyuan's smile Solidification, he was stunned, and stared at the messenger in astonishment.

Such Heavenly Prodigy, nearly perished in the Southern Region?

Secrets? Identity?

He asked, "What's the reason?"

Su Muqing, Su Wanqing, and the others also recovered from their shock, their expressions changing. They hadn't expected that the young man had such a legendary experience.

To be suppressed by the Southern Region Supreme is even more shocking.

The messenger immediately explained that Li Hao was related to the Tian Yang Immortal Emperor, was his disciple, and mentioned the ancient upheavals in the Southern Region, such as the pursuit and killing of traitors.

Everyone found it unbelievable.

What kind of nonsense is this?

What does all this have to do with Li Hao? He's only a hundred Soul Lifespan!

Moreover, given the current state of the True Realm, is it really necessary to suppress and kill a peerless Heavenly Prodigy with a Dao Source Immortal Seal for such a trivial matter?!

"And then what happened?"

Su Muqing couldn't help but ask.

"Later, Haotian was surrounded by enemies. The Quasi-Emperor Scion of the Emperor Clan wanted to kill him, but a young woman suddenly broke in and saved him. She fought against the Supreme for him and eventually died. Just as he was about to perish in front of the Supreme, the Dao Source Immortal Emperor of the Original True World intervened and rescued him. After that, he left the Southern Region. Judging from the timeline, he should have come directly to our Northern Region."

The messenger spoke quickly, uttering only a few words.

Upon hearing his words, Su Zhenyuan fell silent, never expecting that the young man had come to the Northern Region as if he were fleeing a disaster.

Such Heavenly Prodigy, a rare talent in the world, had fallen to such a state as a stray dog. It was truly laughable to him. The Southern Region was such a place, and the Southern Region Supreme was so narrow-minded, despicable, and disregarded the overall situation!

"I never imagined he had suffered so much..."

Su Zhenyuan sighed.

Upon hearing this, Princess Su Muqing trembled slightly. At this moment, she understood that the young man had actually come as a refugee.

Despite having such an astonishing record in the Southern Region, he nearly perished and fled in defeat.

Heavenly Prodigy should have been cherished and protected, but instead they were driven out and forced to wander. It's easy to imagine how painful that must have been!

The other party had just arrived in the Northern Region and come to the Su Clan when they were met with cold treatment and utter disgust...

He had lost his home in the Southern Region, and upon arriving in the Northern Region, he was met with disdain...

Su Muqing felt as if a knife had been plunged into her chest, and suddenly felt a suffocating pain, so painful that she wanted to reach out and cover it.

What exactly was I doing before?

She felt as if tears were flowing in her heart. She didn't know if the other person had felt any heartache or pain when they met her gaze.

She bit her lip, all the resentment Anger she had felt earlier dissipating. She suddenly realized that the other person didn't owe her anything; on the contrary, she was the one who owed the other person an apology.

"So, that Betrothal Document was given to him by Dao Source Immortal Emperor?"

In the silent hall, Su Wanqing's voice suddenly rang out, revealing an extremely calm demeanor.

Su Zhenyuan nodded slightly. He already knew that the Immortal Emperor who had given the Betrothal Document and had a relationship with the Progenitor was the Dao Source Immortal Emperor.

"Since Dao Source Immortal Emperor is stationed in the Original True World, and he bestowed Betrothal Document upon him, then... he must have also granted him the qualification to travel to the Original True World, right? Did he go to the Original True World?"

Su Wanqing stared intently at Su Zhenyuan and asked.

Su Zhenyuan nodded slightly. Although the Progenitor hadn't said it, the young man might not be in the Original True World right now, but he would enter it sooner or later.

After all, the Original True World is extremely important to True Immortal and Immortal Lord Realm. If they can master those powers there, it will make a significant difference in their later breakthroughs and King-Sealing!

Su Wanqing didn't say anything more, but suddenly turned around and left without saying a word.

Su Wanxue understood that the other party was probably rushing to cultivate, so that they could compete with the other Heavenly Prodigy who had arrived earlier in the Original True World they were about to go to.

"The Original True World..."

Su Muqing paused for a moment, then suddenly stopped talking and turned to leave.

Su Wanxue did not linger any longer. She bid farewell to her parents respectfully and left the Bright Emperor Hall as well.

"It seems that Muqing's thoughts have changed somewhat."

After the three Sisters left, Su Qingmei whispered worriedly.

Su Zhenyuan nodded slightly, also sensing it. He hadn't expected that just over a decade had shaken the centuries-old childhood friendship between Su Muqing and Lin Zhixuan.

He had previously worried that forcing his daughter into marriage would lead to her fierce resistance, but now it seems he had worried unnecessarily.

However, the situation now seems to have fallen into another predicament.

He frowned slightly, then shook his head, feeling that he couldn't possibly think through all these troublesome matters.

"To put it bluntly, they're all too young. Little do they know that in life, it's easier to find someone who likes you than someone who likes you."

Su Zhenyuan sighed softly.

Upon hearing this, Su Qingmei raised an eyebrow slightly, grabbed his arm, and said, "So, you're looking for me because I like you?"

"That's for sure..."

Su Zhenyuan had barely opened his mouth when a sharp pain shot through his arm, making him realize he had misspoke. But being Quasi-Emperor Realm expert, he reacted quickly and smoothly continued, "That's right. I came to find you because I like Madam. Otherwise, why would Madam be so happy?"

"You..." Su Qingmei poked his forehead with a finger, annoyed.

Outside the Su Clan, outside the Gusu Emperor Star.

On the edge of a secluded battlefield in the Northern Region.

Here, a crack appeared, and then two figures emerged from it.

The crack vanished in an instant, containing a terrifying, collapsing Emperor's Might that could not be traced and left no mark.

Li Hao looked up and saw Xingchen full of stars in the distance. But among those Xingchen, there was a patch of yellow sand-like pebbles reflected in the sky, like the Setting Sun's Afterglow. The light reflected from those Xingchen onto that meteorite illuminated this Void battlefield, which looked like an abandoned continent, turning everything yellow and orange, like the afterglow of a sunset.

All around were dark green grasses, like countless drops of blood spilled and absorbed by the grass.

The overwhelming aura of death and the stench of blood made Li Hao look around. This was an Ancient Battlefield with large swathes of giant beasts, their bones grayish-white, as if they had endured countless Years.

Li Hao recognized that many of them were the Ancient Demon Corpse. Those that reached this size were mostly Ancient Demon at the Immortal King Realm King-Level, but they had also perished here. Their bones were almost weathered away, unable to withstand the wind and sand in the Starry Sky.

Are you scared?

Shi Miao held Li Hao's hand and turned her head to ask softly.

Li Hao smiled and said, "With you here, I naturally have nothing to fear."

Shi Miao smiled too. A gentle breeze was blowing around them. She held Li Hao's hand and walked slowly through this place filled with the Aura of death, yet it felt like a young couple strolling through a flower valley in the Spring Breeze.

"If it weren't for slaying the Ancient Demon, I wouldn't have chosen such a place to refine my body."

She explained to Li Hao.

Li Hao shook his head. "It's alright. I've eaten just as many Ancient Demon as I've seen here."

Shi Miao also laughed. She knew about some of Li Hao's special abilities and understood that although Li Hao did not have the Emperor Blood, the Chaos Bloodline, or the countless Immortal Herb objects supported by the foundation of a great clan, he still had his own special power.

Although she didn't know what that power was, she knew it was Li Hao's trump card in fighting against those powerful clans' Heavenly Prodigy.

However, what she truly cared about and liked was not Li Hao's special power, but Li Hao himself.

And that unforgettable experience from the distant Future.

"This place was once one of the 'nests' of the Ancient Demon when they came to the True Realm; we called it the Yellow Springs Valley!"

Shi Miao raised her hand and pointed to a raised hillside not far away, saying, "Look, that's it. It's been shattered now, split open by the 'Dominator,' severing this lair and sealing off the path for the Ancient Demon to Descent from here!"

Li Hao followed her finger and saw that there was indeed a hillside there, with a deep cave at the bottom of the hillside. The Great Dao Origin of Space was floating outside. The cave seemed to be only a few hundred meters in size, but it was like the Heaven and Earth Space. Within millimeters there, there was probably a huge space like Xingchen.

"Dominate?"

Li Hao wondered, without a doubt, this must be the title of some Immortal Emperor.

"That's Su Jiuzhe, whom you just met."

Shi Miao said, "He was once known as the ruler of the world, and therefore, after being crowned Empress Consort, he was respectfully called the ruler by the world."

Li Hao was stunned; he hadn't expected it to be him.

Recalling what Su Jiuzhe had told him about opening up the Terminal Realm, the "Great Thousand Worlds," Li Hao roughly guessed the reason for its imperial name.

"This lair is a dead end, abandoned and desolate by the Ancient Demon, but the power of the Yellow Springs still lingers here."

Shi Miao led Li Hao to a spot not far from the hillside. The space here was layered upon layered. For those who had not mastered the Great Dao Origin Space, once they stepped into this place, they would probably be lost forever. It was like a maze, where every millimeter was a vast Heaven and Earth, making it difficult to get out.

"You wait here, I'll be right back."

Shi Miao said to Li Hao.

Li Hao asked worriedly, "Do you need my help?"

Shi Miao smiled at Li Hao and said, "No need, don't worry, I'm more worried about something happening than you are."

From the look in her eyes when she said those words, Li Hao knew that she wasn't worried about something happening to him, but rather that if something did happen, she would never be able to see him again in this lifetime.

He nodded slightly. Shi Miao's Primordial Spirit Aura was extremely strong, and he felt that it was at the Immortal Lord Realm Peak. Even if he followed, he might not be able to help much.

"Then I'll wait for you."

"Good."

Shi Miao smiled. These words were her own words for the Future.

She released Li Hao's hand and rushed towards the Yellow Springs Broken Valley.

The glow of the sunset from the distant Starry Sky only illuminated the side of the Yellow Springs Broken Valley, leaving the front shrouded in shadow.

Soon, Shi Miao her figure disappeared from Li Hao's sight, like a Dexterous Level fish diving into the layered, wave-like space.

Li Hao stood still, waiting silently, like Sculpture.

There was no Chess, no Sculpting, just gazing at the cave.

When someone is truly waiting for their beloved, they will never have any other trivial matters on their mind.

For a long, long time.

Suddenly, the cave seemed to tremble slightly, and then a dense and vast dark yellow light shot out.

Shi Miao's figure rushed out of the cave entrance. The spatial fluctuations around her could not disturb or shake her. At this moment, she was no longer in her Primordial Spirit form, but in her flesh and blood body, exuding a heavy and profound feeling.

Soon, Shi Miao traversed layers of space and eagerly returned to Li Hao.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Her first question was...

Li Hao shook his head, looked at her body, and said, "Your body seems to be very powerful."

He felt that it was no less powerful than the Heaven and Earth Immortal Body he had created and refined, and perhaps even more powerful and terrifying.

"This body, sculpted and refined from the Yellow Springs Houtu, Mastery the deathly power of the Yellow Springs, possessing high deterrent and lethality against Ancient Demon."

Shi Miao glanced down and smiled at Li Hao.

Li Hao could sense the Sha Qi emanating from its body, as if it were a condensation of countless vengeful spirits and murderous intents. This was an extremely terrifying body of Killing God!

"In this life, do you plan to cultivate to a higher realm?"

Li Hao asked.

Shi Miao smiled and shook her head, saying, "This life is meant to be with you; slaying the Ancient Demon is just a side effect."

Upon hearing this, Li Hao's heart skipped a beat. Although he knew the other person had very deep feelings, these words were still touching.

"Then let's do it together and kill the Ancient Demon while we're at it."

Li Hao said.

Shi Miao nodded, and the two smiled at each other.

If an Ancient Demon were present, upon hearing these words, he would probably be so enraged that his very soul would be steaming.

"So what's next?"

Li Hao asked, "Where to?"

"My Primordial Spirit is not yet fully integrated with this body; I need to borrow the power of the Yellow Springs here to bind them together."

Shi Miao said, "It could take three to five years at the fastest, or seven or eight to ten years at the slowest."

"Then I'll go with you."

Li Hao answered without hesitation.

Shi Miao smiled slightly and said, "Although it will delay your trip to the Original True World, there is Ancient Demon Blood Essence here, which should be of great use to you."

Li Hao's eyes lit up immediately. Ancient Demon Blood Essence? Cooking the blood essence would definitely be more effective than Cooking a whole Ancient Demon.

Shi Miao didn't speak, but instead led Li Hao through the desolate Ancient Battlefield. Before long, they stopped at a spot on the ground, then raised her hand and cleaved the ground open. Dozens of miles deep inside, she found a dark crystal that emitted a thick, bloody smell and the dark Aura of Ancient Demon.

"This is the Ancient Demon Blood Essence. During the great battle, so much blood flowed here that it seeped into the ground. And since this is the exit of their lair, the power of the Yellow Springs diffused and merged with this blood, condensing into blood essence."

Shi Miao handed the Dark Blood Essence to Li Hao, "This stuff is also a great tonic for Ancient Demon, as it can refine their power and Bloodline."

Li Hao nodded and took the object. It felt extremely hard, like a gemstone. He was afraid that cooking it would take some effort, and he didn't know if he could dissolve it.

Shi Miao, holding Li Hao's hand, found three more pieces here.

Although this battlefield dates back Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Catastrophe, the remaining chaotic forces form a special order. Even Li Hao's Primordial Spirit is hindered here and cannot penetrate too deeply, so he can only rely on Shi Miao to search for it.

Shi Miao's Primordial Spirit is stronger than Li Hao's, and it has also condensed True God Blood, and even more of it!

"This is enough, let's eat first and then talk."

Li Hao said.

Shi Miao nodded, and the two returned to the Yellow Springs Broken Valley. They found a small earthen slope there, and Li Hao used his Earth Dao Origin to set up camp. He did not build a luxurious and huge palace, but only a simple Small Courtyard.

Earth-Wood Origin, and infrastructure construction Divine Speed.

Shi Miao was extremely satisfied with the Small Courtyard, clapping her hands in approval. She also created some small ornaments, and soon the courtyard became lively, with a tea table, wooden chairs, and a swing-like rocking chair hanging on a tree in the courtyard.

In the distance, the sunset, projected from the Xingchen, remains unchanged through the alternation of day and night, forever a scene of celestial beauty.

In this desolate and ancient battlefield, littered with wreckage, only this Small Courtyard emits wisps of smoke, filled with a warm and cozy scene.

Li Hao was studying how to cook the Ancient Demon Blood Essence in the courtyard, Shi Miao swayed on the swing, watching Li Hao busy in the sunset-like light with a smile.

Li Hao spent the whole night trying to find a way to dissolve the Ancient Demon Blood Essence, but he couldn't. So he had to Cooking the Ancient Demon's flesh and blood to fill his and Shi Miao's stomachs, and also to improve their Primordial Spirit.

Besides accompanying Li Hao in the courtyard, Shi Miao also gathered some Flowers and Grass from somewhere, wove them into grass wreaths, and decorated the courtyard.

In addition, she would go to that cave every day, disappear for several hours, and enter the gap inside to absorb the power of the Yellow Springs.

Time slips away silently.

Half a month later, Li Hao finally figured out a way to dissolve the Ancient Demon Blood Essence and create the first blood essence Cooking.

However, the taste was disappointing, making it an absolute failure for Li Hao.

He began to put in more effort and constantly improve, spending his Shi Miao but also researching how to make this blood essence delicacy.

Six months later, he finally used blood essence to create a dish that satisfied him.

His Cooking skills are also getting closer and closer to breaking through to a higher level, and he occasionally captures the Flash of Insight of the Twelfth Grade Mind Realm.

Time passed day by day.

But on this battlefield, the setting sun Eternity, the scenery remains unchanged, and neither Li Hao nor Shi Miao in the courtyard find it boring or tedious.

A year later, Li Hao's speed in producing blood essence increased, and he could produce one serving in ten days.

The power brought by this Ancient Demon Blood Essence far surpasses that of Ancient Demon flesh and blood. One portion of blood essence healed over a hundred of Li Hao's previously burned and battered Primal Spirit Golden Bone!

With just eleven blood essences, Li Hao's Primal Spirit Golden Bone were completely restored to their original state.

After consuming the blood essence again, Li Hao felt an even purer Primordial Spirit power beginning to grow within his Primal Spirit Golden Bone.

This power, like vital energy, flows through the Primal Spirit Golden Bone.

When ten Ancient Demon Blood Essence are ingested, this pure Primordial Spirit power will condense and transform into a drop of True God Blood!

This True God Blood contains extremely strong power, completely different from that emanating from the Primal Spirit Golden Bone. It is much purer. If the power brought by the Primal Spirit Golden Bone is a fist, then the True God Blood is a blade.

Although small in size, the terrifying Control Power and Primordial Spirit energy it brings in an instant are dozens of times more powerful than the Primal Spirit Golden Bone!

When his entire body was filled with the True God Blood, Li Hao felt that it was probably stronger than the power brought by hundreds of thousands of Primal Spirit Golden Bones. That was an unimaginable level!

Besides refining the power of the Yellow Springs every day, Shi Miao accompanied Li Hao to search for the Ancient Demon Blood Essence. After returning to the courtyard, when the two were tired from eating and drinking, Li Hao would Sculpting an ancient Ancient Zither and play it for Shi Miao to relieve her boredom.

His Sixth Dan Musical Rhythm has never had the opportunity to study and improve, and now Li Hao treats it as a form of leisure entertainment.

Anyway, he has enough points to improve, and even if his Musical Rhythm is raised to the Seventh Dan or Eighth Dan, he won't need his State of Mind for the time being, so he might as well focus his energy on sharp blades.

If there is no further progress to be made in the future, I may consider gradually improving my Musical Rhythm and Poetry and Literature skills as well.

In the Ancient Demon Battlefield, the Setting Sun's Afterglow; in Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard, wisps of smoke rise from the chimney, and the soft strains of Ancient Zither.

Years flows quietly on this battlefield, a place both feared and forgotten by countless people.

For these two, this place was like their home, a paradise on earth.

They are all homeless; wherever they are, that is home.

When the two of them are together, this is their home.

Seven years Past in the blink of an eye.

The two had been at this Yellow Springs Broken Valley battlefield for seven years. One day, Li Hao was cooking the Ancient Demon Blood Essence when suddenly, the Heaven and Earth trembled slightly, and a strange fluctuation appeared.

But soon, this ripple, like folds on a flat surface, disappeared as quickly as an illusion.

Li Hao was somewhat surprised and looked around the courtyard.

No one will come here.

Shi Miao said, "The area outside has already been placed under a restriction."

Without the Spring Severing Emperor Sword, neither of them could have entered.

"What was that just now?" Li Hao looked at her in confusion.

"It's a fluctuation from the Original True World. Someone must have ascended and set foot in the Original True World."

Shi Miao said.

Li Hao was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Wow, that commotion was so loud? We could even feel it here?"

"This is probably why the Original True World is Sacred Land for Immortal Deity to Foundation Establishment."

Shi Miao said, "The Original True World is equivalent to the original True Realm. The Great Dao Origin is everywhere, and there is also extremely abundant Chaos power. When it interacts with and opens the cracks in the True Realm, it's like a red-hot iron being placed in ice water. The void power of the True Realm will pour into the Original True World, and the Chaos power within the Original True World will also dissipate, including the Primordial Consciousness of the Original True World, which will also be affected..."

She said softly, "Over there in the Original True World, there are people who can deal with the infiltrating void power to prevent it from Corruption the Original True World, but they can't stop the leakage of Chaos power."

Li Hao seemed to understand, but not quite. He calculated the time in his mind. They had been in the Ancient Battlefield for seven years and had been away from the Su Clan for seven years. It should be the time when the Su Clan and other top Heavenly Prodigy of the Northern Region entered the Original True World Realm.

This fluctuation was likely caused by them.

Shi Miao, then slowly looked away, glanced at Li Hao, and said nothing.

Life quickly returned to normal, and Li Hao and Shi Miao continued their daily search for the Ancient Demon Blood Essence, keeping each other company in the courtyard.

Seven years Past, and Li Hao's Musical Rhythm Dao have improved to the Eighth Dan.

And through repeated contemplation, he also broke through to the Twelfth Stage in the Path of Cooking.

He obtained the fourth Twelfth Grade Mind Realm.

Besides the Path of the Physical Body and Sword Dao, he can further improve his Dao Realm in two other areas, reaching the Twelfth Stage.

Without a doubt, Li Hao's first choice is Imperial Dao.

As for the second option, Li Hao didn't use it for the time being, leaving behind Twelfth Stage of Cooking State of Mind.

Two more years passed.

Ancient Demon Blood Essence was becoming increasingly difficult to find. It took half a month to find just one piece, and Li Hao realized that the Ancient Demon Blood Essence in this area had almost been exhausted by them.

Over the years, he has made great progress. In addition to breaking through to the Twelfth Stage of the Path of Cooking, he has also condensed a full 121 drops of his Primal Spirit True Blood!

Li Hao dared not imagine how much his combat power would increase if he burned his Primal Spirit Golden Bone and True God Blood at the same time to maximize his combat power, and then combined it with the Years Blade of the Path of Carving.

However, being with Shi Miao, he didn't think about the battle and was extremely relaxed.

"There is very little Ancient Demon Blood Essence left here."

Shi Miao said.

Li Hao nodded, but didn't react.

Seeing Li Hao's indifferent expression, Shi Miao's eyes Wenrou, and she said gently, "Let's go to the Original True World Shi Miao."

Li Hao was stunned and said, "Going tomorrow? What about your health?"

"My body was completely fused six months ago."

Shi Miao met Li Hao's gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she said, "I didn't say that. I just wanted to stay here a little longer and dig up more Ancient Demon Blood Essence for you. Once we get to the Original True World, time is precious there, and we..."

Li Hao immediately understood. He grasped the other person's soft hand and said, "As long as you're happy."

Shi Miao was stunned, her eyes gradually Wenrou. This was the person she had glimpsed countless times over the Years, and who had never changed.

She laughed, and Li Hao laughed too; many things didn't need to be said or explained.

The next day.

Li Hao and Shi Miao stood together outside the Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard.

"I spent time with you in the Mortal World back then, but I wasn't truly myself then."

Shi Miao gazed at the Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard before her. In that Mortal World border town, her Reincarnated Body Ying Xiaoxiao had also visited. There was a hint of nostalgia and reluctance in her eyes.

After living there for nine years, the Small Courtyard truly felt like their home.

Li Hao looked at the Small Courtyard in front of him, nodded slightly, and felt a kind of indescribable reluctance and attachment in his heart.

"We'll come back after we return from the Original True World."

Shi Miao turned around and said to Li Hao.

Li Hao nodded.

"I need to protect it well, I can't let it break down." Shi Miao said, raising her hand to unleash a powerful Time Power, enveloping the Small Courtyard and forming a complex Time Barrier Formation around it.

Li Hao laughed and said, "Even if it breaks, I can fix it."

That won't do.

Shi Miao said earnestly, "It can't break."

"Um."

Seeing her seriousness, Li Hao nodded seriously as well.

Let's go.

Shi Miao said, raising her hand. Dao Light appeared in her palm, as if communicating with a distant being and calling upon some mysterious power.

Seeing this, Li Hao also silently communicated with the power that Dao Source Immortal Emperor had previously bestowed upon him.

Soon, two cracks appeared above their heads, pitch black inside, emanating a Primordial Era and boundless Aura, as if it were some kind of ancient will.

At the same time, a thick and profound Chaos Aura rushed towards him, instantly making Li Hao feel as if every pore on his body was instinctively opening up, greedily inhaling this Chaos Aura.