Chapter 404: Enemies of the Heavens, Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens
When the Saints heard Li Hao's words, they were momentarily stunned. The Saints who had previously been deprived of heavenly treasures by Li Hao didn't have the best impression of him. One of them frowned and said:
"Li Hao, what do you mean by this? Don't try to scare us with nonsense!"
Yuanzu and Shen Wang both stared at Li Hao, their gazes filled with suspicion. In their hearts, they believed Li Hao was being excessive—taking their treasures and then trying to monopolize the Immortal Path.
Li Hao scanned the crowd, noting their expressions. Except for Jian Zhu and a handful of others, most of the Saints' suspicion turned into outright doubt, clearly questioning the truth of his claims.
Li Hao knew they wouldn't believe him based on his word alone. Even if Yuanzu said this, he would still face skepticism.
Without hiding anything, Li Hao said directly:
"You are too weak. The world beyond this gate is not the paradise you imagine, filled with beauty and peace. The Immortal Gods' Domain has been invaded by the Gu Mo and has fallen into war. Beyond this gate lies a battlefield!"
"The Gu Mo there—even the weakest among them possess the power of a Supreme Saint. If you go in, you're just food for them!"
Hearing this, the Saints were stunned. A battlefield beyond the gate? Gu Mo?
Seeing their uncertain and shocked expressions, Li Hao revealed everything he knew, including the pseudo-world, the true world, and the Gu Mo invasion.
"You mean to say that the true world where Immortal Gods reside has been invaded by Gu Mo, and even the Immortal Gods have perished?"
A Saint could not help but shout, his face pale, seemingly unable to accept this.
It was as if the path they had long pursued turned out to be a ruin. Their dreams were shattered.
The starry space fell into silence as the Saints digested the shocking news Li Hao had delivered.
Yuanzu and Shen Wang's expressions grew darker, their faces stormy and silent.
After a long pause, a Saint said coldly: "Li Hao, to stop us, you made up this story. Do you find this amusing?"
"Oh?"
Li Hao turned to the Saint who spoke, instantly recognizing him. This was Zhan Sheng, who had joined forces with Xu Zu at the Dao Debate Conference to challenge him and had only resolved the matter after paying compensation.
"Zhan Sheng is right. Li Hao, we respect your talent, but even with such incredible talent, what do you have to fear? Even if we all go to the Immortal Gods' Domain, we won't compete for your cultivation resources. The world is vast—we won't get in your way. Why are you stopping us?"
Another female Saint, Yu Sheng, spoke softly, her face dark and displeased.
"Li Hao, what you're saying is riddled with flaws. If the Gu Mo are such a threat, how could the Immortal Gods fail to notice? Are you suggesting they were that foolish?"
"That's right, Li Hao. Why are you making things difficult for us?"
The Saints spoke one after another, some with cold faces and others trying to persuade him.
Li Hao hadn't expected them to be so obstinate. He couldn't tell whether it was because his reputation was too shallow or because their obsession was too deep.
"You think I'm lying?"
Li Hao sneered, staring at Yu Sheng: "You yourself said I have unmatched talent. If it were truly as wonderful as you imagine beyond that gate, why would I stop you? With your pitiful talent, do you think you could pose a threat to me? You've cultivated for countless years, and I've already caught up to you. If we start cultivating together today, leaving you behind would be as easy as eating a meal!"
His blunt words stung the Saints, filling them with anger. Yet when they thought of Li Hao's talent, much of their anger dissipated.
Over the past ten years, they had sent their incarnations to relive their lives in pursuit of the Sixth Extremity Realm. Through this process, they fully realized how monstrous Li Hao's talent truly was.
Now that they were all Saints, if they cultivated together, Li Hao would leave them behind in no time.
"Do I have any reason to fear you ascending to the Immortal Path? What would I gain by stopping you?"
Li Hao questioned sternly.
The Saints exchanged glances. Yu Sheng, whose beautiful face was partially concealed beneath a blue veil, looked pale under Li Hao's sharp rebuke. She gritted her teeth and said:
"That's exactly why you shouldn't stop us. You claim it's dangerous, yet if it's as perilous as you say—where even Immortal Gods have fallen—then how did you manage to return?"
Hearing this, the Saints seemed to awaken. The brief flicker of doubt Li Hao had sown was quickly dispelled.
They stared at Li Hao with hostile gazes. Yuanzu and Shen Wang also fixed their eyes on him. In truth, when Li Hao first mentioned the Gu Mo, they had already thought of this point. It was the most glaring flaw in Li Hao's story.
If the Gu Mo were truly as strong as Li Hao claimed, how could he survive in such a perilous place for over a decade?
"You said you were protected by some battlefield veteran. If that veteran could protect you, then there's no harm in letting us enter and take a look for ourselves, is there?"
Another Saint spoke, his tone mocking as though mocking Li Hao's "veteran story."
Li Hao narrowed his eyes, sweeping his gaze across the Saints. Except for Jian Zhu, Wen Sheng, Yi Sheng, and a few others who remained thoughtful and silent, the rest clearly did not believe him.
"No wonder Xu Tian Sheng once said: true or false, they're all true. If the truth aligns with what you want to hear, it's true. If it doesn't, no matter how real it is, it's false."
Li Hao laughed coldly. A sharp chill and anger surfaced between his brows as he said:
"You ask how I could return, how I could survive for so many years? The answer is simple—because I'm stronger than you!"
Yuanzu and Shen Wang's eyes narrowed. They realized that Li Hao's confidence in returning must mean he was fully prepared.
The other Saints also began to consider this point. However, Zhan Sheng smirked coldly, thinking Li Hao's words were far too arrogant. They insulted the dignity of the gathered Saints.
"Stronger than us? Are you saying you're stronger than Yuanzu?"
Zhan Sheng sneered. "If you claim to be stronger than me, I'll accept it. But if you want to stop all of us, then let Yuanzu and Shen Wang verify your claims by going in. Let them see for themselves!"
By redirecting the matter to Yuanzu and Shen Wang, Zhan Sheng cunningly removed himself from the equation.
Li Hao saw through his intentions. He also noticed that Yuanzu and Shen Wang shared the same doubts. Although they let others speak, they were the ones making the final decisions.
"That's right. Li Hao, we'll admit your strength. But surely you won't claim to be stronger than Yuanzu and the other Supreme Saints?"
"If you're so afraid, why not let us take a look and judge for ourselves?"
The Saints chimed in, echoing Zhan Sheng's suggestion.
Yuanzu looked at Li Hao calmly, his voice soft as ever: "Li Hao, what do you say?"
Hearing this, Li Hao laughed again and said, "I just sealed the breach in this gate. If I let you through and your actions expose it, drawing the attention of the Gu Mo, who will take responsibility?"
"That's our concern. You don't need to worry about it."
Before Yuanzu could reply, a Saint interjected.
Shen Wang said coldly, "You've taken our reparations and spoken your piece. Stop dithering. Or do you truly want to make enemies of the heavens?"
Li Hao glanced at Shen Wang and then turned his gaze to the Saint who had spoken earlier.
"If the Gu Mo come and invade the heavens, can you bear that responsibility? What will you use to take responsibility—your life?"
The Saint who had been stared at by Li Hao felt his heart tremble. Li Hao's gaze was sharp and filled with a terrifying pressure. Embarrassed by Li Hao's public questioning, his face turned ugly, and he muttered stiffly:
"Are you saying that all of us Supreme Saints here can't take responsibility for this?"
"Do you think too highly of yourselves? Do the Supreme Saints have the right to decide the life and death of the people of the heavens?"
Li Hao scolded angrily.
He no longer wanted to waste words. Raising his hand, he projected the ferocious figure of a Gu Mo into the air.
As the image of the Gu Mo emerged, the Saints were momentarily stunned and even a little alarmed. However, they quickly realized it was only a projection.
"This is the Gu Mo you're talking about?"
A Saint asked skeptically.
Soon, another Saint sneered and said: "It's just a mere shadow. What does this prove? I could conjure something like this too. Whatever you want to see, I can create it."
Hearing this, real anger surged in Li Hao. He had already consumed the Gu Mo corpses, and even if he hadn't, he suspected that if he took out their remains, these people would still sneer, claiming they were nothing more than Saint-level beasts and couldn't represent anything significant.
Having had enough, Li Hao dispersed the projected image of the Gu Mo, then stepped in front of the Xuan Pin Gate with his broken blade in hand:
"You want to go through? Fine—whoever wants to pass must get through me first!"
Seeing Li Hao's stance, the Saints assumed he had been exposed and had no way to hide his lies.
"Li Hao, do you really want to make enemies of all the heavens?!"
The Saints shouted angrily, shocked that Li Hao was so resolute. They hadn't expected his audacity—even at his peak, Shen Wang hadn't dared to behave so brazenly.
Yuanzu's expression gradually turned cold as he said, "Li Hao, I once admired you, thinking you were a smart and interesting young man. I didn't expect you to be so selfish. I am truly disappointed!"
Seeing that Yuanzu had dropped his facade, Li Hao sneered and replied:
"I also thought you were a virtuous and respected elder. Now, I'm just as disappointed in you!"
"Li Hao, you dare to disrespect my master?!"
In the crowd, Xiao Tianyu, who had always held complicated feelings toward Li Hao, couldn't hold back and shouted angrily.
In his heart, Yuanzu was sacred, lofty, and inviolable. Even though he admired Li Hao, he could not allow his master to be insulted.
Li Hao gave him a cold glance, his eyes turning even more frigid upon seeing Xiao Tianyu's fury.
"Today, no one is getting through. That's my word!"
Li Hao couldn't be bothered to say more. Power surged through his body. If it weren't for the ordinary people of the heavens, he wouldn't even bother stopping these Saints. If they insisted on rushing into the flames, so be it.
However, if they passed through, they would certainly alarm the Gu Mo. The Saints' souls were nowhere near as strong as those of the Gu Mo. By the time they saw the Gu Mo, the Gu Mo would have already noticed them.
Once the Gu Mo were drawn over, the gap Li Hao had just patched up wouldn't hold against their attack and would inevitably be torn open.
"Li Hao, you're too arrogant!"
A Saint roared in anger.
Shen Wang narrowed his eyes slightly, remaining calm and composed. He didn't know where Li Hao's confidence came from, but no matter what, he decided to test him.
"If that's the case, then let me see for myself!"
Shen Wang said, his body suddenly igniting with divine flames. The power of Extremity God Realm surged from him, emanating a terrifying pressure.
"Ancestor!"
At that moment, the Saints resting in the ancient palace outside the crack in the starry sky hurried over, startled by the commotion.
A woman in blue and white robes—Ying Xiaoxiao—rushed forward and was shocked to see Li Hao confronting Shen Wang. For a moment, she forgot her joy at seeing Li Hao again and exclaimed anxiously.
Shen Wang ignored her completely. With a sudden motion, he drew his sword and charged at Li Hao.
His figure flickered, entering Gui Xu as he performed a strange movement technique, appearing in front of Li Hao like a flash of lightning.
The sword light blazed with terrifying divine fire, and even before it reached him, the pressure alone seemed capable of turning the world to ashes.
Li Hao merely stared at him coldly, his expression unchanging. If this had happened before he entered the Ancient Road, he wouldn't have been able to resist at all. But now, under the cover of his powerful yuan shen, Shen Wang's every action appeared slow, as if in slow motion.
Li Hao raised his hand, and the ten streams of immortal force in his body erupted. When extended outside, they transformed into boundless heavenly energy.
With his palm pressed forward—no techniques, no moves—just a simple slap.
Boom!
The overwhelming force felt like the weight of a million mountains, crashing down.
Shen Wang's pupils shrank as he felt the sky above him collapse.
That palm—so slender yet vast—seemed to reach behind the heavens, dragging the sky itself down with it!
The divine fire on his sword was suppressed and extinguished. The sword he had been aiming at Li Hao's chest was forced upward to block the force descending upon him.
The terrifying pressure nearly shattered the bones in his arm.
Horrified, Shen Wang had no choice but to summon all his power to break free. At the last moment, as the palm struck his helmet, he fled backward in a hurry, staggering across the starry void.
The oppressive might in Li Hao's palm dissipated as quickly as it came. It didn't cause any damage to the surroundings—it was perfectly controlled.
For a moment, silence blanketed the scene.
Not a single sound.
The Saints who had berated Li Hao moments earlier were now completely dumbfounded.
With just a single palm strike, Shen Wang—an existence comparable to Yuanzu—had been forced back. Shen Wang's furious attack had been so easily neutralized. The sheer power was terrifying.
Even Ying Xiaoxiao, along with the Saints who had just arrived, was stunned by what she saw.
In just twelve short years, Li Hao seemed to have become unimaginably strong.
They knew that Li Hao's growth rate was astonishing. However, after reaching the Saint realm, it was nearly impossible to advance as rapidly as before. Typically, even a slight improvement over decades would be considered extraordinary.
The one most shocked, however, was Yuanzu.
He knew Shen Wang's strength better than anyone else. Yet Li Hao had suppressed him without using any techniques, relying solely on raw power.
Shen Wang cultivated the Extremity God Realm, which meant his strength already far surpassed ordinary Saints. And yet, Li Hao had overpowered him.
Moreover, when Li Hao released that power, Yuanzu sensed an ethereal energy he had never felt before. In an instant, it merged with the heavens and transformed into unimaginable, boundless force.
Yuanzu could only think of one possibility—Immortal God Power!
The realization made his heart tremble, not out of fear but out of excitement.
This was the power he had dreamed of—the power of the Immortal Gods. Yet, it was even more awe-inspiring than he had imagined.
Li Hao withdrew his hand and coldly surveyed the Saints.
Shen Wang steadied his breathing and looked at Li Hao with disbelief. The pressure had come so quickly and vanished just as fast. It almost felt like an illusion, but the pain in his broken arm told him otherwise.
"Anyone else want to try?"
After a moment of silence, Li Hao asked in a cold voice.
Li Hao swept his gaze over the Saints who had been particularly active earlier.
War Saint and the others could not hide the shock on their faces. This scene overturned everything they thought they knew. They believed that no matter how powerful Li Hao had become, the only reason he dared return was because he had a method to escape back to the so-called Immortal God Realm. They never expected him to rely solely on his strength.
"In just twelve years, he can suppress Shen Wang?"
"Doesn't that mean… he is already stronger than Yuanzu?"
The Saints came to their senses, their expressions full of disbelief. Even Law Saint, Name Saint, and the other supreme Saints were deeply shocked. If Li Hao could suppress Yuanzu, it meant that he was capable of killing them. As for dealing with other Saints? That would be even easier for him.
Yet, after the initial shock, their fear faded, replaced by intense excitement and greed.
Li Hao's question was met with silence. The Saints' eyes shifted from shock to burning enthusiasm, with a tinge of madness.
Li Hao frowned. Sensing their intentions, his expression grew colder.
"Li Hao, are you really going to stop all of us alone?"
Yuanzu finally spoke, his gaze fixed on Li Hao. He said slowly, "In just twelve short years, you have reached such a level. You must have been accepted as a disciple by an Immortal God and taught the Immortal Dao, right? We won't steal your glory, so why not give us a chance?"
"That's right, Li Hao. You've already gained the Immortal God's secrets. Why can't you share the opportunity with us?"
"You monopolizing the Immortal Path is just too selfish!"
The other Saints chimed in, their voices much softer now, carrying a pleading and bargaining tone instead of earlier hostility.
"You are truly incorrigible!"
Li Hao took a deep breath and said coldly, "All of my strength was honed in life-and-death battles. I already told you: there are no Immortal Gods there, no Immortal sects. Even if there are, you won't reach them. If you go there, you will die!"
He continued, his voice colder: "If you all want to seek your own death, I can't stop you. But the problem is, by going there, you will bring back the Gu Mo and bring disaster upon the countless living beings of the heavens. If it were truly the paradise you imagine, why would I stop you?"
"Because you're selfish!"
A Saint gritted his teeth and said in a low voice.
Li Hao turned toward the Saint who had spoken, his anger flaring. He flickered and appeared in front of him in an instant.
His ninth-level body techniques combined with Gui Xu movement made him as elusive as a ghost, catching the Saint completely off guard.
Boom!
With a simple swing of his sword, Li Hao sliced the Saint's body in half.
The Saint's yuan shen emerged in horror, staring at Li Hao.
Li Hao's yuan shen power wrapped around the Saint's yuan shen, suppressing it instantly. The Saint struggled, only to find Li Hao's yuan shen power utterly unbreakable.
Without hesitation, Li Hao crushed his yuan shen, erasing him completely. In the blink of an eye, Li Hao returned to stand before the Xuan Pin Gate.
The entire sequence of events happened so quickly that the other Saints could barely react. Seeing Li Hao kill a Saint with just a casual strike, their faces turned pale, horrified.
"You refuse to listen to reason and think I'm someone who can be trifled with?"
Li Hao's icy gaze swept over the Saints. His tone was firm and resolute:
"I'll say it one last time. This ancient palace is now sealed. No one is allowed to set foot here. If you want to go to the so-called Immortal God Realm, I'll send you on a one-way trip to reincarnation!"
The Saints were enraged and stunned. None of them had expected Li Hao to be this domineering and willing to stand against all the Supreme Saints.
Yuanzu's face darkened. Li Hao's defiance went far beyond his expectations. He knew that if he didn't act now, the situation would spiral out of control.
"Li Hao!"
Yuanzu took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Li Hao as he said, "I know you've obtained Immortal teachings and greatly improved your strength, but don't forget—you're still a Saint. Do you really think you can stand against all of us working together?"
Seeing Yuanzu finally tear off his mask, Li Hao scoffed and replied: "If you don't believe me, then come and try!"
At this point, Li Hao knew that reasoning was useless. Once the seed of doubt had been planted and their desires blinded them, no amount of persuasion would work.
"Everyone, there's no need for conflict. Maybe what Li Hao is saying is true. Why would he go to such lengths to stop us? What benefit does he gain from opposing us all?"
At that moment, Medical Saint spoke up.
Her calm gaze fixed on Li Hao. Though she wasn't fully convinced, the strength and confidence Li Hao had displayed made her lean toward believing him.
"That's right. Have you all considered that if what he says is true, you will be bringing a calamity upon all of the heavens?"
Sword Master added, his tone grave. He trusted Li Hao's character and believed he wouldn't act so selfishly.
Literary Saint and a few others also spoke in agreement.
However, the majority of Saints frowned. Deep down, they weren't entirely dismissive of Li Hao's words, but the temptation of the Immortal God Realm was too overwhelming. It was right in front of them, just one step away!
Moreover, Li Hao's overwhelming strength seemed to validate their suspicions. If there weren't Immortal Gods teaching him, how could he have reached such a level in only twelve years?
"Stop making excuses for him. Whether it's true or not, let us see for ourselves."
"Exactly! If something does happen, we can work together to deal with the Gu Mo."
"I think he just gained the benefits of the Immortal Gods and now wants to monopolize everything, even siphoning the Incense Power here."
Other Saints began to speak up, their words growing sharper.
Shen Wang stared at Li Hao and said coldly, "Back then, these people worked together to seal me away. Even if you're stronger than me now, can you block them all when they join forces? Back then, they only needed a third of their power. Now, all the Saints are here. Even if a few don't act, you can't stop us. Step aside!"
Hearing this, Li Hao smiled coldly and said: "Don't compare me to you. You are you, and I am me. Besides, even if I let you through, what can you do? Can you even enter?"
Shen Wang froze.
The angry Saints were also stunned, momentarily silenced.
Indeed, even if Li Hao stepped aside, they couldn't enter.
They would have to rely on Li Hao to bring them through. Given Li Hao's current strength, they couldn't force him to comply. If they pushed him too far, he could retreat back to the Immortal God Realm and permanently seal off the path. That would be an even worse outcome.
For a moment, the Saints' gazes flickered, their anger dissipating as they began to calm down.
Li Hao observed their expressions and guessed their thoughts. He couldn't help but sneer, though a deeper sadness welled in his heart.
"If everything you think is true—if I truly have an Immortal Master—then by provoking me now, I could simply go back and report this to the Immortal Master, who would then seal this path forever!"
Li Hao mocked them openly.
His words struck directly at their weak spot. The aggressive tension in the air evaporated immediately.
Yuanzu's icy gaze softened, and he looked visibly nervous, as if afraid that Li Hao would do exactly that.
"Li Hao, what will it take for you to let us through?"
Yuanzu remained silent for a while, then sighed toward Li Hao and said, "Name your conditions. All the Supreme Saints of the heavens are present here. Whatever the condition, we will do our best to fulfill it."
Hearing this, the gazes of all the Saints fell on Li Hao, each wondering what outrageous demand he would make.
Looking at their expressions and Yuanzu's seemingly sincere demeanor, Li Hao only felt it was ironic.
He thought about teasing them, raising a ridiculous request to make them scurry about, but ultimately, he felt it was pointless.
He shook his head slightly and said indifferently, "My only condition is that you don't disturb me. Let me rest for a hundred years, and then we'll talk."
"One hundred years later, it depends on my mood."
The Saints froze, looking at each other in confusion. They hadn't expected Li Hao to make no real demands. At the same time, they realized he hadn't agreed to open the path for them, leaving them puzzled.
"Li Hao, we're serious," Yuanzu said.
Li Hao raised his eyelids, looked at him, and replied coldly, "I am serious, too."
Yuanzu seemed to understand Li Hao's meaning. After a moment of silence, he sighed softly and said, "Fine, we'll talk about it later. You've just returned, and I know you're upset. Calm down first."
After speaking, he waved to the other Saints, signaling them not to provoke Li Hao any further.
In reality, he didn't need to signal. The Saints had already seen enough. Li Hao had just casually killed a Three Calamities Saint. His methods were far too terrifying, and no one dared provoke him again.
"Everyone, leave the ancient palace. This place is sealed now. From today onward, no one is allowed to approach without my permission," Li Hao said.
The Saints hesitated upon hearing this.
"Li Hao, this is too much. If you won't take us through, can't we at least study and explore it ourselves?"
A Saint couldn't help but protest in a low voice. However, his entire body was on alert, afraid that Li Hao would strike again.
Li Hao was too lazy to explain and replied coldly, "What if I say no?"
The Saint's face stiffened, unable to respond for a moment.
"Do I need to spill a little blood here to teach you a lesson?"
Li Hao's eyes flashed with killing intent.
Seeing this, the Saints' faces changed slightly. If it were just a matter of dealing with Li Hao, they might consider joining forces. However, as Li Hao had said earlier, if he had truly joined an Immortal sect, and they failed to kill him, things would only get worse if he escaped back to the so-called Immortal God Realm.
Yuanzu waved his hand and said, "Let's do as Li Hao says. Everyone, leave now."
As he spoke, he sent a telepathic message. After a brief hesitation, the Saints silently agreed.
Soon, under the leadership of Shen Wang and Yuanzu, the Saints withdrew from the starry rift.
After seeing them leave, Li Hao turned to Medical Saint and Sword Master, sending a telepathic message to ask if they knew how to set up formations to seal this place.
Understanding Li Hao's intention, Medical Saint replied that she knew a little about formations and could help seal the area.
Sword Master, on the other hand, admitted that he, like Li Hao, wasn't proficient in formations.
Li Hao left the sealing task to Medical Saint and drove the remaining Saints out of the ancient palace.
"For the next hundred years, if anyone dares to come here without my permission, and I find out, don't blame me for hunting you down and killing you!"
Li Hao's voice carried a clear threat.
The Saints looked at him in anger but didn't dare to speak.
Li Hao no longer cared what they thought. He had initially hoped to maintain good relations, but now he understood that reality was far different from what he had imagined. It didn't matter anymore.
"Sword Master, how are Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng?"
After the Saints left, Li Hao invited Sword Master to accompany him and asked about Feng Lao.
Hearing Li Hao's question, Sword Master had originally wanted to ask about the Gu Mo, but his expression suddenly turned a little grim.
"Brother Feng and Huang Tian Sheng ran into trouble not long after you entered the ancient palace," he said.
"They ran into trouble?"
Li Hao was momentarily stunned.
He had planned to find Feng Lao, have a few drinks, and reunite with old friends from the Hua You Association. Then he intended to visit the mortal world to check on Qian Qian, Yu Huang, and others to see if they wanted to come to the Zhu Sheng Zhi Di.
With Li Hao's current strength, he could freely travel between the mortal world and the Zhu Sheng Zhi Di.
As a Saint of the Ji Dao, going to the mortal world wouldn't affect him much, although the Incense Power within him would slowly dissipate.
Still, compared to reuniting with old friends, the loss of incense power didn't bother Li Hao in the slightest.
After all, he didn't rely on incense power to cultivate.
"Yes, Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng share the same origins. Did you know that?"
Sword Master asked.
Li Hao was taken aback, somewhat confused. Feng Lao had never mentioned this to him before.
However, he had noticed that Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng were very familiar with each other, and their relationship wasn't the hostile one the outside world believed.
Still, he had assumed it was because they both came from the Xiao Qian Jie and had known each other for a long time.
Seeing Li Hao's expression, Sword Master seemed to understand. He sighed and said:
"It seems Feng Lao didn't want to burden you with this, so he didn't tell you. I also only found out after they ran into trouble.
"Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng were originally Tong Zi of Mi Xu Tian. Back then, they were punished because a top-tier Dao weapon embryo was lost. Although they were accused of negligence, nothing was found on them, but they were still expelled.
"This time, with the Saints of Mi Xu Tian also coming to this place, its defenses were weakened. So they took the opportunity to go back and stir up trouble, challenging their former master. However, they were defeated and are currently being held captive there."
Hearing this, Li Hao was stunned. He immediately said, "Mi Xu Tian? There's no such place among the Thirty-Three Heavens."
"It's not part of the Thirty-Three Heavens," Sword Master explained. "The master of Mi Xu Tian is also a Supreme Saint and holds a high status among the Saints. However, they exist outside the Thirty-Three Heavens, having built a holy land in the Tai Xu void, isolated from the world.
"You haven't heard of it because you've only been in the Zhu Sheng Zhi Di for a short time. They rarely appear, only once every few hundred years."
"In addition to Mi Xu Tian, there's also Qian Luo Holy Land and Jiu Tian Xian Zhou. They are all located above Tai Xu, beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens. They don't involve themselves in the matters of the Thirty-Three Heavens, but their power cannot be underestimated, as Supreme Saints oversee them."
Li Hao's expression showed understanding as he said, "It seems the Supreme Saints of Zhu Sheng Zhi Di are more numerous than I imagined."
"These are from the ancient eras—some who grew tired of conflicts, others who are naturally reclusive," Sword Master replied, shaking his head slightly. He then looked at Li Hao and said, "With your current strength, you can seek justice for Feng Lao."
Li Hao nodded without hesitation. "We'll go right now."
At this moment, Li Hao also understood why Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng hadn't participated in the battle for the ancient palace. It was because they were handling their own important matters.
Even the allure of the Immortal Path wasn't enough to sway them. It was clear that this matter was of great significance to them.
"Shall we go directly?"
Sword Master considered for a moment. He had initially planned to discuss this matter thoroughly with Li Hao, but after witnessing Li Hao's recent display of strength, he felt that no further planning or arrangements were necessary. Without hesitation, he turned and prepared to lead the way.
As Li Hao followed Sword Master toward Mi Xu Tian, on the other side, after leaving the ancient palace, Yuanzu, Shen Wang, and the rest of the Saints did not scatter. Instead, they gathered all the Saints in a small world nearby.
They avoided going to Tianyuan Small World to keep their movements concealed from Li Hao, as it would have been too obvious.
"Yuanzu, earlier, we should've combined our strength and directly captured that boy, forcing him to hand over the Immortal techniques he's cultivating. If he didn't comply, we could have killed him and taken control of his reincarnation to extract the truth."
Once the barrier was sealed to isolate the surroundings, a Saint spoke discontentedly.
"That idea might seem viable, but it's too reckless and risky. If we fail to stop him from returning to the Immortal God Realm, then we'll be finished."
Another more cautious Saint shook his head and disagreed.
"The real issue is that boy is too strong—his progress is terrifying!"
"Exactly. In just twelve short years, like the blink of an eye, he's already able to suppress a Supreme Saint. That's beyond terrifying."
"There's no other explanation—he must have mastered Immortal techniques. It's not even on the same level as our abilities."
"So what now? He refuses to let us through. Are we just supposed to wait for a hundred years? I suspect he has other motives and is deliberately stalling for time. Maybe he wants to use those hundred years to cultivate himself into a true Immortal God, and by then, he'll completely block us."
"That's right! I bet the Immortal God Realm desperately needs manpower. If we go there, we might be highly valued and could compete with him for cultivation resources. What other reason would he have to stop us?"
The Saints spoke one after another.
Yuanzu and Shen Wang both remained silent, letting the others voice their opinions. When the debate finally calmed down, Yuanzu said:
"The reason we didn't act earlier was that we were uncertain."
Hearing this, the Saints froze and turned to look at Shen Wang. Seeing his cold expression, as if he was agreeing with Yuanzu, they were deeply shaken.
They had only suspected it, but for Yuanzu to say this outright, it meant that Li Hao was even more terrifying than they had imagined!
"No way… Back then, even Shen Wang was sealed. Are you telling me that even with all of us combined, we still can't deal with him?"
Someone couldn't help but say, glancing at Shen Wang as he spoke.
Shen Wang snorted coldly and said, "That boy took my attack without even using his full strength. He's far more dangerous than I was back then."
Hearing Shen Wang admit it himself, the Saints fell into silence.
"So… do we really just have to wait a hundred years?"
"What if he still refuses after a hundred years? Another hundred years after that?"
"He said we'd have to wait depending on his mood. Are we, the Supreme Saints of the heavens, really supposed to follow his whims? That's too humiliating!"
The Saints muttered angrily.
In the crowd, Ying Xiaoxiao sat quietly. When she heard this, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but feel happy for Li Hao. She thought back to their first meeting at a tea stall—who would've thought that this young man would now leave the Supreme Saints of the heavens utterly helpless? It was unbelievable.
Noticing the faint smile on Ying Xiaoxiao's lips, Shen Wang snorted coldly and said to her, "Leave now and go settle the clan!"
Ying Xiaoxiao froze, her expression changing slightly. She sensed that her ancestor was deliberately trying to send her away.
"I can handle settling the clan with my avatar. I want to stay here with you, Ancestor," Ying Xiaoxiao said quickly, putting on a respectful and obedient demeanor.
Shen Wang, however, sneered inwardly. He had long since been disappointed with this descendant. If not for her exceptional talent and the strange, unexplainable power in her bloodline, he would have already refined her into part of his Blood Source Divine Technique.
"Matters concerning the clan are no trivial matter. Do you think an avatar can handle it? Don't forget that aside from the Saints here, we still have enemies, such as Qian Luo Palace outside the Thirty-Three Heavens. If they launch a surprise attack, can you bear that responsibility?"
Shen Wang's voice was cold.
Ying Xiaoxiao's face changed slightly. Nearby, two Saints from Qian Luo Palace exchanged glances, and one of them said:
"Shen Wang, that's all in the past. As long as you don't hold grudges, our Palace Master will not bring up old grievances again."
Shen Wang sneered internally. Not hold grudges? If it weren't for their current predicament, he wouldn't have let any of those who sealed him back then off the hook!
On the surface, though, he merely snorted coldly and said to Ying Xiaoxiao, "Why are you still standing there? Do you need me to escort you out personally?"
Ying Xiaoxiao's expression changed, and she quickly stood up. "I wouldn't dare, Ancestor. I'll leave immediately."
With that, she turned and left the holy ground.
Once Ying Xiaoxiao was gone, Shen Wang glanced indifferently at the two Saints from Qian Luo Palace, then ignored them and turned to Yuanzu.
"You must have a plan. Speak."
Yuanzu knew he couldn't hide anything from his old rival. He looked around at the gathered Saints and said:
"Have any of you considered why someone with such power would return?"
The Saints froze; they hadn't thought deeply about this.
"You may not know, but from Tong Li Realm to Wen Dao Realm, there are extreme realms to achieve. Why don't Saints have one? It's not because it doesn't exist but because no one has ever cultivated it."
Yuanzu said gravely, "From ancient relics, I discovered that the extreme realm for Saints requires the merging of three powers: Incense Power, Ji Dao, and Ji Sacrifice—all cultivated to their utmost limit!"
"Although he may have studied under an Immortal God and advanced his strength, Incense Power must be scarce in the Immortal God Realm. That power is likely controlled by other Immortal Gods. But in this place, the Incense Power is vast and unclaimed. That's why he had to return here!"
Hearing this, the Saints suddenly understood.
"So that's why he came back—for the Incense Power."
"I had my suspicions earlier, but I didn't expect it to be connected to the Saint extreme realm."
The Saints exchanged glances.
Yuanzu continued, "He needs Incense Power. He thinks that with his current strength and his authority comparable to a Supreme Saint, he can accumulate enough Incense Power in a hundred years. But he underestimates how much power it takes to reach the extreme realm. If I'm right, it will take at least a thousand years!"
"A thousand years…"
The Saints looked at each other. They weren't particularly surprised; they even thought Yuanzu might still be underestimating the requirement.
After all, they, as Supreme Saints, had cultivated for far more than a thousand years but had never reached the pinnacle of Incense Power.
"So what does Yuanzu propose?"
"Since he needs Incense Power, let's make him yearn for it but unable to obtain it!"
Yuanzu said calmly, "He claims to care for the people of the heavens? Then let the people speak. Cut off his Incense Power. When that happens, he'll have no choice but to sit down and negotiate with us."
"Brilliant."
"As expected of Yuanzu. Let him taste the consequences of his hypocrisy. When the Incense Power is cut off, let's see how he reacts!"
The Saints chimed in, echoing their agreement one after another.
Yuanzu glanced at Shen Wang, then spoke to the assembled Saints: "Additionally, let's not forget about the Saint Infant. I just probed the mortal realm, and the second Saint Infant, while traveling and enjoying life, seems to have already touched upon some comprehension of the Heaven-Man Extreme Realm, though he has yet to truly grasp its entrance."
Hearing this good news, the Saints' eyes lit up with joy and excitement.
"If the second Saint Infant comprehends the sixth extreme realm, we won't even need to rely on that Li Hao. We'll be able to enter the Immortal God Road directly!"
"Exactly! His arrogance stems from the fact that no one in the heavens has yet achieved the sixth extreme realm."
"We must keep this matter absolutely secret. By the way, Jian Zhu and Wen Sheng were also part of the Saint Infant plan. Would they betray us and tell Li Hao?"
"That's easy. We'll seal off the second Saint Infant's progress together, so nothing leaks out."
The Saints immediately began discussing strategies in hushed tones.
…
Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, in the Void of Tai Xu, lies Mi Xu Tian.
A towering sacred ground stood majestically.
Li Hao and Jian Zhu arrived at this sacred ground. Outside, a formation shrouded the sanctuary, isolating it from the outside world. Without Jian Zhu's guidance, even a Wen Dao Realm cultivator passing by would fail to notice it, misled by the surrounding mist and clouds.
"This is Mi Xu Tian, and its master is Mi Tian Sheng Ren. Besides possessing extraordinary combat power, he also excels in the art of artifact refinement. His connections across the heavens are vast, but he eventually withdrew from the world, cutting off contact with the outside."
Jian Zhu pointed and explained to Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded and approached the entrance of the sanctuary. He released his yuan shen with a tremor, sending his voice through the formation: "I am Li Hao, here to pay a visit. Please open the gates so we may meet."
After a while, a figure emerged from the sanctuary—a Saint. He approached the formation, examined Li Hao up and down, and then looked at Jian Zhu.
Clearly recognizing Jian Zhu, he nodded slightly before asking, puzzled, "The two of you are here for what purpose?"
"Are Feng Bo Ping and Huang Tian Sheng here?" Li Hao asked coldly.
When the Saint heard the question, he immediately understood their purpose and replied, "Indeed, they are here."
"Release them."
Li Hao spoke directly.
The Saint raised his eyebrows and chuckled lightly: "Young man, you're quite arrogant. I've never heard of you before. Even the Jian Zhu at your side wouldn't dare speak so boldly in Mi Xu Tian."
"Then I'll say it again—release them."
As Li Hao spoke, he suddenly raised his hand, slashing forward with his Can Dao. The formation was instantly cleaved apart, and the icy aura pressed directly against the Saint's neck.
The Saint froze, clearly shocked that his master's formation could be so easily destroyed. When he snapped back to his senses, his expression changed. "What kind of weapon is this? How many tribulations has it endured?"
"What does it matter to you?"
Li Hao said coldly. "Must I destroy your sacred ground before you'll comply?"
Seeing that Li Hao's aura was extraordinary and his power beyond ordinary comprehension, the Saint quickly said, "Don't be impulsive! Senior Feng and Senior Bai are in seclusion. Master has not mistreated them."
"Hmm?"
Li Hao paused in surprise, while Jian Zhu also looked startled. "In seclusion?"
"Indeed."
The Saint smiled bitterly and explained, "You must know about their relationship with my master. It was all a misunderstanding back then, and they have already reconciled. Over the years, my master has deeply missed them but feared they might still bear a grudge. He refrained from reaching out, but surprisingly, they came to seek him out this time."
Sighing, he continued, "The mistake my master made back then fills him with regret. Now he is making amends by gifting them dao artifacts and immortal medicine. They have been in seclusion for more than ten years, refining these gifts."
Li Hao and Jian Zhu exchanged glances. Li Hao then asked, "Did you say immortal medicine?"
"Exactly. My master once discovered an ancient Immortal God relic in a cave dwelling and obtained three stalks of immortal herbs. After spending countless efforts cultivating them, he refined them into pills and gave them to Senior Feng and Senior Bai."
The Saint nodded.
Li Hao immediately understood that "Senior Bai" referred to Huang Tian Sheng.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Take me to them. I want to see this with my own eyes."
The Saint hesitated but then relented, saying, "I will first take you to see my master. You'll need his permission."
Li Hao nodded in agreement.
Following the Saint, Li Hao and Jian Zhu entered the sacred ground.
At the peak of the sanctuary, within a grand hall, the Saint arranged for Li Hao and Jian Zhu to wait. Before long, a figure appeared—it was the projection of a white-haired Saint.
The elder looked at Li Hao with a slightly narrowed gaze, then turned to Jian Zhu and chuckled lightly:
"The boy who once couldn't even hold a sword has now become Jian Sheng."
"Jian Sheng is my junior. I don't deserve that title," Jian Zhu quickly stood up and replied respectfully.
This elder was older than even Jian Zhu's master, holding an esteemed position.
Mi Tian Sheng Ren smiled slightly and turned his gaze to Li Hao: "So you must be the little one Xiao Feng mentioned, the one he asked me to look after. It seems he underestimated you—your cultivation is already approaching the Supreme Saint level. What need do you have for protection?"
Li Hao looked at the kind and gentle elder in front of him and thought to himself, So this is Feng Lao's master?
He stood up and said, "Senior, may I see Feng Lao to confirm his safety?"
Mi Tian Sheng Ren laughed and said, "Very well, then let's go see him."
With that, he led Li Hao and Jian Zhu to the back of the sanctuary, arriving at a cave dwelling.
As he lifted the formations and restrictions, Li Hao saw that within the cave lay a hidden paradise—a medicinal garden and a small courtyard.
At the center of the garden was a stone platform where Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng sat cross-legged. Before them, a dao artifact radiated brilliance, while their auras, vast and restrained, had grown far stronger than before.
"Unfortunately, the immortal herbs in my hands could only be refined into a lesser form. At most, they will allow them to touch upon the Heavenly Dao and barely reach the Supreme Saint level."
Beside him, Mi Tian Sheng Ren sighed regretfully.
Seeing that Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng were safe, Li Hao let out a breath of relief. Hearing Mi Tian Sheng Ren's words, however, he felt a chill in his heart. This elder might be even stronger than Yuanzu.
"Since Feng Lao is safe, I'm relieved," Li Hao said. Then, noticing the look of regret on Mi Tian Sheng Ren's face, his gaze swept over the garden.
At the center of the garden were three radiant immortal herbs, surrounded by numerous spirit herbs that seemed to serve as nutrients for the three main stalks.
The refinement of these herbs required the guidance of Immortal Power. Li Hao asked, "Senior, do you possess the sixth extreme realm?"
Mi Tian Sheng Ren shook his head slightly: "If I had comprehended the sixth extreme realm, I could guide the medicinal power within these herbs and perhaps refine a true Immortal Pill."
Li Hao nodded thoughtfully and said, "If you're willing, I could try to help."
Mi Tian Sheng Ren looked at Li Hao with surprise. Then, as if something clicked in his mind, his gaze sharpened. "You're the rumored genius Saint who stepped into the sixth extreme realm among the heavens, aren't you?"