One should not go to extremes in anything. By leaving seven-tenths of the original essence, the Chaos Green Lotus can remain undying, waiting for the true destined one.
He put away the blue beads, turned around, and walked down from the platform.
At this time, people had already begun to climb to the top of Qingyu Square.
Snow Empress was still meditating. She was the first to reach the summit, and her aura was becoming increasingly profound. The icy blue light around her was restrained, indicating that she had gained a lot.
Following her, the Yaochi Holy Maiden, the Ji Family Divine Body, the Great Xia Prince, the Solar Divine Dynasty Divine Son, the Yaoguang Holy Son, and others also ascended to the summit one after another. At this moment, they were all meditating and recovering their energy in the square.
When Lin Hao walked out of the main gate of the Azure Emperor Palace, everyone's eyes were instantly focused on him.
"Someone has come out of the palace?!"
"Who is he? When did he go in?"
"Could it be that he reached the summit even before Snow Empress?"
Everyone was filled with surprise and doubt.
The Snow Empress opened her eyes, saw Lin Hao, a smile flashing in her eyes. She rose and walked to his side, nodding slightly. "Your Majesty."
The sound of "Your Majesty" caused the pupils of everyone present to shrink sharply.
His Majesty?
What, Your Majesty?
When did such a figure appear in the Eastern Wasteland?
The Yaochi Holy Maiden looked at Lin Hao with her beautiful eyes.
A moon-white robe, white hair adorned with a wooden hairpin, his demeanor serene and otherworldly. Though he stood there, he seemed to merge with heaven and earth; one could hardly sense his presence unless seen with one's own eyes.
Unfathomable.
This was the first impression of the Yaochi Holy Maiden.
The Ji Family Divine Body was even more direct. Purple energy rose in his eyes as he tried to see through Lin Hao's true nature, but all he could see was a hazy chaos, as if the other party did not exist in this space-time.
"Fellow Daoist..."
The Great Xia Prince spoke, his voice clear and melodious. "May I ask your name? And when did you enter the Azure Emperor Palace?"
Lin Hao glanced at him and said calmly, "I am Lin Hao. As for when to enter... it will be when you ascend the steps."
"What?!"
Everyone was shocked.
He went in while climbing the steps? Doesn't that mean he didn't even use the steps, but entered the palace directly through some other means?
"That's impossible!"
The Yaoguang Holy Son frowned. " The Azure Emperor Palace only has the Heaven-Ascending Steps Staircase; that's common sense."
"Common sense?"
Lin Hao chuckled, "That only applies to you."
These words were quite blunt. Yaoguang Holy Son's face darkened, and the 108 divine halos around his body shone brightly, as if he was about to lash out. However, after glancing at Snow Empress beside Lin Hao, he forcibly suppressed his anger.
He had already witnessed the Snow Empress's strength, and it was by no means inferior to his own. For such a figure to address him as "Your Majesty," Lin Hao's strength must be even greater.
"Fellow Daoist Lin."
The Yaochi Holy Maiden spoke, her voice gentle. "Since you entered the Azure Emperor Palace before us, I wonder if you have gained anything? Has the Azure Emperor's inheritance been obtained by you?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes were fixed intently on Lin Hao.
The inheritance of the Azure Emperor is their ultimate goal for this trip. If someone else gets there first, then all their efforts will have been in vain.
Lin Hao said frankly, " The Azure Emperor's legacy is still in the palace; those with the right destiny will obtain it. I only took a small part of it."
"Little things?"
The Solar Divine Dynasty Divine Son: "What is this? May we take a look?"
You are not qualified.
Lin Hao's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
The Solar Divine Son's face darkened. He was the Solar Divine Dynasty Divine Son, a man of high status. When had he ever been so disrespected?
"Fellow Daoist, you are far too arrogant!"
He took a step forward, and the True Solar Fire rose around him, transforming into a golden sun that hovered behind him. The scorching heat swept across the square, and even the jade ground began to melt.
" Solar Divine Son, wait!"
The Yaochi Holy Maiden tried to dissuade him, but her gaze was fixed on Lin Hao, clearly wanting to test his strength as well.
Lin Hao didn't even glance at the Solar Divine Son, but simply said to the Snow Empress, "It's up to you."
Snow Empress nodded, took a step forward, and stood in front of Lin Hao.
His icy blue eyes looked at the Solar Divine Son, and without any further words, he raised his hand and struck out with a palm.
With a single palm strike, Ice Seal for a Thousand Li!
An extreme chill erupted, and the golden sun formed from the True Solar Fire instantly dimmed, its flames frozen in the air, turning into ice sculptures.
The Solar Divine Son's expression changed drastically. He frantically activated the Sun True Scripture, and a Three-Legged Golden Crow phantom burst forth from his body, roaring to the sky in an attempt to melt the ice.
But the Snow Empress's Ultimate Ice is a freeze at the level of rules; how could ordinary fire break it?
The Three-Legged Golden Crow phantom only lasted three breaths before being frozen into an ice sculpture along with the golden sun.
The Solar Divine Son himself was not spared; starting from his feet, the ice spread rapidly, freezing up to his waist in the blink of an eye.
"Stop!"
An old servant from the Solar Divine Dynasty shouted and rushed out from behind, unleashing the aura of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, and struck the Snow Empress with a palm.
Snow Empress didn't even glance at it, casually waving her other hand.
As the icy blue divine light swept across, the old servant instantly turned into an ice sculpture, frozen in mid-air, his expression frozen in terror.
The entire hall fell silent.
Everyone gasped in shock.
The Solar Divine Son is one thing; competition among the younger generation is commonplace. But that old servant was a powerful figure in the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, capable of serving as an elder in Great Sage, yet he was casually Ice Seal by the Snow Empress?
Just how powerful is this woman?
"Show mercy!"
The Yaochi Holy Maiden spoke again, this time with much more urgency.
If the Solar Divine Son dies here, the Solar Divine Dynasty will not let it go, and a great war may break out throughout the entire Eastern Wasteland.
Snow Empress looked at Lin Hao.
Lin Hao said calmly, "A small punishment will suffice."
Snow Empress nodded and withdrew her hand.
The ice that had frozen the Solar Divine Son and the old servant melted instantly, and the two fell to the ground, trembling all over, their faces pale, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at the Snow Empress.
"Thank you so much for your mercy."
The Solar Divine Son spoke with difficulty, no longer daring to show the slightest disrespect.
Snow Empress ignored him and retreated to Lin Hao's side.
After this battle, no one dared to question Lin Hao's words anymore.
The Yaochi Holy Maiden gazed deeply at Lin Hao with her beautiful eyes, and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Lin, since you possess such strength and entered the Azure Emperor Palace before us, you must be most familiar with the situation within the palace. Would you be so kind as to offer some guidance on where the Azure Emperor's legacy is located?"
This is a polite way of saying it, but it's really asking: What did you take? Did you inherit the legacy?
Lin Hao was perfectly aware of the implied meaning, but he didn't care and said directly, " The Azure Emperor's legacy is on the central platform; those with the right destiny can ascend and comprehend it. As for the resources in the side halls, each person can obtain them according to their own abilities."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up with joy.
The tradition is still alive! And there are resources in the side hall!
"Thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist."
The Yaochi Holy Maiden bowed slightly, then looked at the others. "In that case, let us each rely on our own destiny."
As soon as she finished speaking, she transformed into a beam of celestial light and rushed towards the main gate of the Azure Emperor Palace.
The others realized what was happening and followed suit.
In the blink of an eye, only Lin Hao and Snow Empress remained in the square.
Oh, and there's also the Solar Divine Son and his old servant lying paralyzed on the ground, as well as several people with more serious injuries who are still recuperating.
"Your Majesty, shall we not go in?" the Snow Empress asked.
"No need."
Lin Hao shook his head. " The Azure Emperor's inheritance is useless to me, and the resources in the side hall are nothing special. But you..."