Only battle, only the Dao

Shi Hao listened to the Willow Deity and rubbed his head sheepishly. Then, as though something had occurred to him, he hesitantly said:

"But this time, I also met a child who was training in the Great Wilderness like me. His strength was incredibly profound."

Streams of emerald light flowed through the branches atop the charred willow stump. Seeing Shi Hao's sheepish expression, the Willow Deity asked with interest:

"Oh? Is that so?"

Shi Hao nodded, a trace of reverence in his eyes alongside a fierce thirst for battle.

"Yes. His name is Li Dao. I met him on the road."

"He's a little younger than me, but he's already reached the Cave Heaven Realm."

"And he even slew a Spirit Transformation Realm Ferocious Beast while still in the Cave Heaven Realm."

As the Willow Deity listened to Shi Hao's account, their heart remained as still as an ancient well. The prodigies and extraordinary talents they had seen were as numerous as carp crossing a river.

They had even encountered prodigies born divine. Still, from what Shi Hao said, it was indeed rare for such a talent to emerge in this barren land.

"Even with just physical strength, I couldn't last more than a few moves against him."

"And there's something strange about him. His punches looked perfectly ordinary, but when they hit me, they sent my blood and qi surging, and even my Divine Power fell into disarray."

"Willow Deity, do you know why?"

What Shi Hao said next piqued the Willow Deity's interest, and they asked him to explain in greater detail.

Shi Hao held nothing back, recounting his clash with Li Dao and all the strange effects he had experienced.

"He has likely set foot upon the Dao he chose for himself."

"The essence of the Dao accompanies every punch and palm strike, which is why he can suppress you."

Shi Hao listened as though lost in clouds and mist, then asked:

"Willow Deity, what is this 'Dao'?"

The Willow Deity did not elaborate. For Shi Hao as he was now, it was a little too profound.

"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao."

"It cannot be explained clearly or expressed fully. In time, you will gradually understand. For now, prepare properly for tomorrow's baptism."

"Once the baptism is complete, I will take you somewhere good."

Shi Hao scratched his head, his mind full of questions. But after hearing the Willow Deity's words, he asked no more. Since the Willow Deity had said so, it must have been for his own good.

After bowing to the Willow Deity, he headed into the village.

As Shi Hao's retreating figure grew more distant, a soft murmur from the charred willow stump scattered on the wind:

"Li Dao? To have already found the path he wishes to tread at such an early age."

"Could you be the reincarnation of some fellow Daoist?"

"At the end of this epoch, will there still be time for you all to grow?"

Hearing that Li Dao could slay a Spirit Transformation Realm foe while in the Cave Heaven Realm had seemed unremarkable. But learning that he had already embarked upon his own Dao changed things.

A faint ripple stirred the Willow Deity's heart, previously as tranquil as an ancient well.

An inexplicable trace of anticipation stirred with the wind.

While Stone Village was still celebrating Shi Qingfeng and Shi Hao's return, the place where Li Dao and the others rested on the plains of the Great Wilderness was also bustling.

Before a stark white skeleton, every disciple of the Heaven Mending Pavilion sat cross-legged on the ground without exception.

Wisps of vital essence streamed from their bodies, their faces flushed as Divine Power surged through them like mighty rivers running wild.

Li Dao sat to one side, turning a Treasure Bone in his hand as he studied it. It was the one he had obtained in the Void God Realm.

Sensing the dense vital essence enveloping the Five-Colored Pheasant beside him, he was rather speechless.

This was the price of gluttony. A few more pieces of Red-Horned Rhino meat, and the bird would have burst from overeating.

Although the Red-Horned Rhino was only a Spirit Transformation Realm Ferocious Beast, it was already an immensely nourishing meal for Cave Heaven Realm beings like the Heaven Mending Pavilion disciples and the Five-Colored Pheasant.

"Haaah!"

The next instant, accompanied by an angry cry, a terrifying ripple burst from the Five-Colored Pheasant's body.

The vital essence drifting between heaven and earth began pouring into the bird in a reverse torrent.

Immediately afterward, two Cave Heavens suddenly appeared behind the pheasant.

The two Cave Heavens, each the size of a well opening, hung in midair. As Divine Power surged incessantly, a reddish-white point of light appeared behind the bird.

Pop!

The sound of a barrier breaking rang out. Then the reddish-white point of light expanded steadily, forming another Cave Heaven.

"Cluck, cluck, cluck!"

"Boss, boss, look! I've reached three Cave Heavens!"

The Five-Colored Pheasant abruptly awakened, voice brimming with excitement. The bird leaped three feet into the air and came straight to Li Dao's side.

"I know, I know."

"Keep making noise, and I'll stew you with mushrooms."

Li Dao leisurely stirred from his meditation. A golden gleam flashed through his eyes as the Dao essence suffusing his body slowly receded.

At the Five-Colored Pheasant's startled cry, the others also gradually awakened.

All of them wore smiles, having evidently gained considerable benefits.

Xia Youyu approached Li Dao and said with a smile:

"Thank you for treating us this time, little brother Li."

"Everyone's strength has improved. I'm sure the elders at the pavilion will be delighted when they hear."

Li Dao waved a hand, taking no credit for it.

"It's nothing. Just a small matter."

"As long as it helped you, Sister Xia."

Seeing this, Xia Youyu did not dwell on it. Saying too much would only create distance between them, so she changed the subject:

"We'll be stopping by the Martial King Manor along the way to invite Shi Yi, the Double Pupils One. Do you have any objections, little brother?"

"If you don't want to go, we can send someone to escort you straight to the Heaven Mending Pavilion to wait for the entrance test."

That said, the so-called test would be little more than a formality for Li Dao.

Hearing her words, Li Dao waved a hand.

"There's no need to go to such trouble."

"I'll just travel with you, sister. I'm rather curious about Shi Yi, the Double Pupils One, myself."

"I'll treat this trip as a chance to broaden my horizons."

Xia Youyu nodded at his reply. Then, seemingly remembering something, she hesitated.

Li Dao naturally knew what was on Xia Youyu's mind. After all, his reputation had already spread far and wide.

Furthermore, the Martial King Manor's relationship with the Rain Clan was murky. If his identity were discovered, another storm of bloodshed would be unavoidable.

"You don't need to worry about my identity being exposed, sister. I have my own way of dealing with it."

As he spoke, the Divine Power within him rippled. Immediately afterward, Xia Youyu saw a change.

Li Dao's body stretched as though made of modeling clay. A cool sensation spread across his face, as if several tiny hands were gently kneading it.

In mere moments, the boy had transformed into a graceful, poised man with a steady aura.

Had Xia Youyu not watched the entire process, she would have found it difficult to connect that unfamiliar aura with Li Dao.

"I never imagined you possessed such a wondrous Treasure Art, little brother."

Li Dao smiled, then returned to his former appearance.

He had comprehended this art from the Treasure Bone he obtained in the Void God Realm. Although it could only last for a limited time, it was sufficient for his present needs.

"You flatter me, sister. It's only a minor trick, but it's more than enough for what we need right now."

Although he knew Shi Yi possessed Double Pupils, the two had never met before, so he was not afraid Shi Yi would recognize him.

Besides, given Shi Yi's temperament, he probably would not pay any attention to a "nameless nobody" like him.

Most importantly, even if he were discovered, it would merely mean a battle.

Only battle, only the Dao. If he could comprehend the Immortal Great Dao through combat, why should he fear fighting?!

Xia Youyu nodded, her anxious heart finally settling. If Li Dao were discovered, matters would become troublesome.

But with such a miraculous Treasure Art at his disposal, there was no need to worry anymore.