Chapter 424: The Celestial Emperor's Legacy
Li Hao could sense that the old man before him was terrifyingly powerful. With a simple motion, the elder had obliterated the True Immortal ancient demon's soul as effortlessly as crushing an insect, without causing any disturbance, as if it were the most natural thing.
Yet, the elder bore him no malice. Otherwise, he could have destroyed Li Hao along with the demon.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Hao slowly descended.
The oppressive celestial laws of the Double Rift Valley had already dissipated. Li Hao could feel the density of the surrounding space, as solid as the battlefield of the ancient paths.
This felt like a piece of genuine soil from the True Realm.
Far away, on the meditation mats, more than a dozen Saints noticed the newcomer. Many turned their heads to look. Upon sensing that Li Hao only had the aura of a Two-Calamities Saint and possessed only a residual soul, they exchanged knowing smiles.
"Another newcomer—looks like he's in bad shape."
"Chased so badly by that demon that he only has his soul left. Coming here must feel like his last desperate move."
"But now, he's found his salvation."
"I wonder, how many years have passed in the outside world?"
As these Saints chuckled and chatted, Li Hao descended in front of the old man's hut. Bowing slightly, he said, "Thank you, Senior, for your assistance!"
The old man took his time studying Li Hao. His face bore a kind smile, but as his gaze lingered, the smile deepened with interest.
"Rare, very rare," the elder finally remarked. "You've already cultivated divine bones. Even without my help, that creature probably wouldn't have been able to kill you."
Li Hao's heart tightened. His divine bones were currently concealed under the suppression of the Double Rift Valley's laws. His soul appeared faint, on the verge of dispersing. Yet, this elder had seen through the concealed power within him with a single glance.
Terrifying.
But given that the elder could so easily annihilate the True Immortal ancient demon, his strength was at least at the level of a Celestial Monarch.
"Senior, may I ask, what is this place?"
Li Hao glanced around curiously. Who could have imagined such a vast and serene world hidden in the depths of the Double Rift Valley?
"That is the Hall of Catastrophe. I am its caretaker," the elder said, pointing toward the colossal palace that towered into the heavens, its endless stairs exuding unparalleled majesty.
Looking at Li Hao, the elder's smile faded, replaced by a more somber expression. "How did that creature end up here? Has the Xuanni Gate been breached?"
The Hall of Catastrophe. Li Hao's heart sank. Nangong Jian had mentioned that the myriad worlds were created by a Celestial Emperor—the Celestial Emperor Tianyang. Could this palace truly belong to him?
"The Xuanni Gate remains functional, but there is a breach allowing occasional entry. This ancient demon forced its way in. However, I don't know how it managed to bypass the gate's barrier against True Immortal beings," Li Hao replied honestly.
The elder's frown eased, but his expression remained worried. "Even if only Saint-level demons are coming through, does the outside world have any True Immortals to hold the line? If not…"
Li Hao understood the elder's concern. The ancient demons were unrivaled among their peers, overwhelming even the strongest dragon tribes. Without a True Immortal to anchor the defenses, even a single Saint-level ancient demon could doom the myriad worlds.
"There are no True Immortals in the myriad worlds, but this True Immortal ancient demon has been dealt with. The breach allows only one demon at a time. If the Saints defend the gap, it should hold until reinforcements from the True Realm arrive," Li Hao explained.
"Reinforcements from the True Realm? You've been to the True Realm?"
The elder paused, startled. He grasped Li Hao's arm suddenly, his grip almost crushing Li Hao's soul.
"The True Realm—how is it now? Is the war over? Did you meet the Celestial Emperor? Is the Yangshen Army still intact? What of the Western Sea?"
The elder's barrage of questions and his fervent gaze overwhelmed Li Hao. Placing his free hand over the elder's, he patted it gently and said, "Senior, please calm down. I've been to the True Realm, but only to the battlefield outside the Xuanni Gate."
Li Hao continued, "There are still ancient demons stationed there. I never ventured beyond the battlefield, so I know little about the True Realm's current state."
The elder's enthusiasm dimmed, and he released Li Hao's arm, realizing how tightly he had been gripping it. A soft, soothing energy emanated from his palm, restoring Li Hao's arm and even strengthening his soul.
"The ancient paths… the battlefield… Could it be that the war was lost?"
The elder's gaze grew distant as he stared toward the towering Hall of Catastrophe. His voice trembled as he murmured to himself, sadness filling his eyes.
At that moment, the Saints who had been watching from the mats approached the hut, drawn by the conversation.
Hearing Li Hao and the elder's exchange, the Saints were stunned, exchanging glances as shock rippled through them.
Never before had they seen the old caretaker so visibly affected.
"You've been to the True Realm? How did you get there?" one Saint asked curiously.
Li Hao turned to face the Saints, sensing the aura of the myriad worlds within them. They were likely former Saints who had fallen into the Double Rift Valley.
"Through the Ancient Starry Hall," Li Hao replied.
"What's that?"
One of the Saints frowned, puzzled. "I've never heard of such a place in my era."
"I've heard of it," another Saint interjected. "It's said to hold secrets related to the celestial beings. I didn't think it was real."
"You went to the True Realm? Were there other Saints who went with you?"
The Saints stared at Li Hao, astonished. They had heard tales from the old caretaker about the celestial beings and the ancient demons but had never seen either.
The elder would often recount stories of the grand battle and the glory of the Celestial Emperor Tianyang. These tales of the Emperor's heroism and the tragic Fall of the Empires left them in awe, helping them understand why the myriad worlds no longer had immortals.
Li Hao shook his head lightly, avoiding direct answers. He couldn't help but sigh as he thought of the Saints who had gone to the True Realm and unwittingly drawn more ancient demons to their world.
The elder broke the silence, his voice low and filled with curiosity. "Why do you say there are reinforcements coming from the True Realm?"
Li Hao explained, "I encountered a Celestial Monarch—a woman who appeared to be a general. She promised reinforcements would arrive."
The elder seemed to understand, murmuring, "Could the war still be ongoing? Has it truly not ended?"
"If so… what of the Celestial Emperor?"
The elder's voice grew faint, his expression darkening. Though he had long guessed the truth, hearing it confirmed seemed to solidify his fears.
He turned, hands clasped behind his back, and slowly shuffled into the hut. Without another word, he closed the door behind him.
The Saints, familiar with the elder's temperament, said nothing. Instead, they turned to Li Hao, their faces filled with questions.
"What year is it outside? Have you seen Xuanzu? Has he reached the level of a Saint?"
"Xuanzu…" Li Hao's mind conjured the image of the figure they spoke of. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he replied cautiously, "Are you a friend of Xuanzu?"
The speaker's aura felt restrained, but Li Hao could sense immense strength hidden beneath—a power that rivaled a Saint Supreme.
"Yes."
The man observed Li Hao's reaction and chuckled. "That guy—Xuanzu—was a loner. He didn't have many friends. I'm one of the few he counted as one."
"He's gone," Li Hao said calmly.
The man froze for a moment, his expression shifting slightly as he hurriedly asked, "Gone? Who killed him? Did he offend some Supreme Saint? That's unlikely—he may have been solitary, but he knew better than to provoke one. He could distinguish between friend and foe…"
"I don't know," Li Hao replied, shaking his head. Naturally, he wouldn't admit it was him who had killed Xuanzu.
Having just arrived here, Li Hao didn't want to stir up trouble or add more names to his list of slain foes. His past grievances with Xuanzu had been settled with the latter's death, and there was no need to revisit them.
The man didn't press further, only letting out a heavy sigh. A tinge of sorrow appeared in his eyes as he muttered, "I thought someday we might share a drink together… How could he just be gone?"
He shook his head, stepping aside to lament quietly.
"What about Saint Mitian? Have you met him?" asked another Saint, a youthful-looking man who had been listening in. Upon hearing about Xuanzu's demise, unease flickered across his face.
Li Hao raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Are you a friend of Saint Mitian?"
"He is my master," the youthful Saint replied, his tone respectful. Seeing Li Hao's expression, he immediately brightened. "You've met my master?"
Li Hao nodded, understanding now. This man was a disciple of Saint Mitian, meaning he was a peer of Feng Lao, the Saint of Wind.
"I've met him. We even played chess together," Li Hao said with a smile.
The youthful Saint relaxed visibly, his smile broadening. "My master plays chess now? When did that happen? I never knew he enjoyed it."
"Perhaps you left too early," Li Hao replied lightly.
The youthful Saint considered this and nodded thoughtfully. "Time changes many things. By the way, I'm Chen Baoyu. You can call me Saint Bao."
"Li Hao," Li Hao introduced himself simply.
The nearby Saints, intrigued by this newcomer, began to question Li Hao about the outside world. Li Hao didn't hide much and truthfully shared whatever details were safe to disclose.
Eventually, he asked, "Why are you all still here? Is it impossible to leave?"
"That's right. If we could leave, we would have done so long ago," replied an older Saint named Luo Sheng, who had long white whiskers and a kindly demeanor. "This Double Rift Valley is one-way. The only way out is to pass the trial of the Celestial Emperor Tianyang and inherit his legacy."
"The Celestial Emperor's trial? His legacy?" Li Hao repeated, momentarily stunned. He turned his gaze toward the towering Hall of Catastrophe in the distance. The Celestial Emperor's legacy?
Nangong Jian had told him that in the True Realm, a Celestial Emperor stood at the pinnacle of existence, overseeing countless worlds. Celestial Kings served as their generals, and billions of True Immortals were their soldiers. Such a figure was a rarity, emerging perhaps once every million years. To obtain their legacy would drive even a Celestial King mad with desire, let alone a Celestial Monarch.
And yet, that legacy was right here before him? Did that mean falling into the Double Rift Valley was actually a blessing?
Sensing Li Hao's thoughts, another Saint named Dong Dao shook his head and said, "It might sound like a blessing, but the trial is incredibly difficult. You'll understand when you try. We've been trapped here for countless years. The earliest among us is Saint Mu, who lived in the same era as Yuan Zu, just a few millennia younger. Even he remains trapped here."
Li Hao followed Dong Dao's gaze to a white-haired, upright Saint meditating on a mat in the distance. His closed eyes and serene demeanor radiated wisdom and power.
Just a few millennia younger than Yuan Zu? Li Hao thought, his heart shaking. That was ancient indeed. Yuan Zu was one of the oldest Saints, born in an era when Saints were just beginning to emerge.
Dong Dao continued, "Then there's Saint Ming over there. He was already a Supreme Saint when he arrived, yet he's been stuck here ever since."
Chen Baoyu pointed toward another figure, an elderly man surrounded by a clear, flowing river manifested by his domain. The air around him shimmered with celestial phenomena.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed slightly. He had heard of Saint Ming's arrival in the Double Rift Valley. It was said his inability to escape had cemented the valley's fearsome reputation throughout the myriad worlds. If even a Supreme Saint couldn't leave, who would dare enter lightly?
"What is the trial?" Li Hao asked curiously.
"The first step is over there," Dong Dao said, pointing to a massive floating bell near the meditation mats. "It measures the grade of your Dao Heart. Only a Heaven-grade Dao Heart is considered qualified."
Li Hao stared at the bell, recalling the small tower he had encountered in the imperial palace of Dayu. That tower had also tested Dao Hearts but had failed to measure his, as it surpassed the Earth grade. Evidently, his Dao Heart was at the Heaven grade, but the tower's limits had hidden this fact.
"Even for Saints, a Heaven-grade Dao Heart is rare. I only reached it after years of studying celestial arts and understanding celestial insights here," Dong Dao said. He glanced at the hut and added, "Wang Lao often says a Heaven-grade Dao Heart represents a belief and willpower comparable to the heavens themselves. Without it, even if one ascends to immortality, they'll never progress beyond the True Immortal realm. Only a Heaven-grade Dao Heart provides the foundation to comprehend the legacy of the Celestial Emperor Tianyang."
Li Hao nodded, absorbing this new understanding. This was his first time learning that the celestial path required such high standards for the Dao Heart.
"If you wish to study celestial arts, you'll need Wang Lao's guidance. None of us have the qualifications to teach them," Chen Baoyu told Li Hao.
"Can one practice celestial arts without becoming a True Immortal?" Li Hao asked in surprise.
"Of course," Luo Sheng said with a chuckle. "Celestial arts aren't exclusive to True Immortals. Some are simple enough for ordinary mortals to practice for physical fitness. The celestial arts Wang Lao teaches are the introductory chapters suitable for Saints. They're incredibly powerful and fundamentally different from the techniques we've cultivated. The focus is on drawing power directly from heaven and earth. You'll understand more once you start practicing."
"I see." Li Hao nodded.
"I'll return to my meditation. If you have questions, feel free to ask us. There's plenty of time," Dong Dao said before heading back to his mat.
"You've all achieved Heaven-grade Dao Hearts?" Li Hao glanced around, noticing that their auras were restrained and difficult to read—different from the Saints he had encountered outside. This likely had to do with the celestial techniques they practiced.
Dong Dao smiled faintly. "That's right. Don't worry; once you start practicing celestial arts, your Dao Heart will naturally ascend to the Heaven grade. Then you can take the true trial of the Celestial Emperor's legacy. Currently, Saint Ming and Saint Mu are progressing to the second step. The rest of us are still on the first step, studying the 'Ten Thousand Dao Celestial Scripture.'"
Chen Baoyu smiled at Li Hao as he spoke.
Curious, Li Hao asked further questions.
Chen Baoyu didn't hold back, explaining, "The Heaven-grade Dao Heart is the threshold. Wang Lao says the trial consists of three steps. The first step is mastering one of the three celestial arts he teaches and cultivating it to perfection to pass."
"These three celestial arts are Yanluo Celestial Art, which focuses on the soul; Undying Celestial Art, which fortifies the body; and Myriad Dao Celestial Art, which emphasizes techniques such as swords, sabers, axes, and spears. Most of us warriors who've traveled this far typically focus on weapons, so we primarily choose the Myriad Dao Celestial Art."
Li Hao nodded, asking, "What about the second step?"
Chen Baoyu chuckled. "The second step is much harder. If I tell you now, it might dampen your enthusiasm. Let's wait until you've crossed the Dao Heart threshold. Most people spend tens of thousands of years on just the first step—take your time."
Li Hao was surprised. Tens of thousands of years on the first step? Judging by what Chen Baoyu said, most people seemed stuck for far longer than that. Perhaps he was being polite in his phrasing.
"Time is precious; I'll get back to meditating," Chen Baoyu said with a slight bow before taking his leave.
Luo Sheng and the other Saints also bid farewell. The remaining Saints nodded at Li Hao and returned to their mats to continue their contemplations.
Li Hao observed their diligence with some surprise. Despite being trapped here for countless years, they still pursued their efforts tirelessly. But as his gaze shifted to the towering Hall of Catastrophe in the distance, he understood. In the face of the Celestial Emperor's legacy, who wouldn't strive with every fiber of their being?
Li Hao didn't rush. He chose not to immediately test his Dao Heart—he already knew the results from his experience with the Dao Heart Tower in Dayu's imperial palace. Instead, he decided to wait for Wang Lao's confirmation and to learn celestial arts from him directly.
Looking around, he made his way to the old rocking chair in front of the straw hut. Sitting down, the gentle rocking motion made him feel calm. To his amazement, the chair seemed imbued with strange laws, sharpening his thoughts and subtly enhancing his divine sense.
"Is this… a celestial artifact?" Li Hao murmured, stunned. The ordinary-looking rocking chair was quietly augmenting his divine sense.
His eyes wandered to the nearby farmland. To his surprise, the fields were filled with celestial herbs—far more potent than the celestial grasses he had seen in Mitian Saint's herb garden.
"This place really is a paradise," Li Hao thought, withdrawing his gaze. If not for the inability to leave, this would indeed be the perfect place to live out one's days.
His thoughts turned outward, and his brows furrowed slightly. He couldn't help but wonder if the Saints he left behind were capable of holding their ground. He had no confidence in them.
By now, Feng Lao and the others likely think I've already perished.
He worried about his physical body. Was it still intact? Had the allied Semi-Saints taken proper care of it?
Lost in his thoughts, Li Hao didn't notice when the old man emerged from the hut. The elder saw the young man lounging in his rocking chair, quietly rocking back and forth, and couldn't help but laugh softly. In all his years, no one had ever dared sit in his chair.
But he didn't disturb Li Hao. He stood aside, waiting patiently until Li Hao noticed him. When Li Hao finally did, he quickly stood and greeted the elder, "Senior."
The elder smiled warmly. "They've already explained much about this place to you, haven't they? And yet, here you are, so at ease. Why haven't you come to me sooner?"
Li Hao shook his head. "There's no rush, Senior. Since this is the Celestial Emperor's legacy, why is it hidden in such a secluded place? If it were made accessible to the myriad worlds, surely someone would have inherited it by now. Perhaps the calamities of the worlds could have been avoided altogether, or even led to an earlier path back to the True Realm."
The elder's lips curved slightly, his gaze softening. "To think you would view things this way. You have a compassionate heart."
He sat back down in his rocking chair, gesturing for a small stool to fly over.
"Come, sit down. Let me tell you about it in detail," he said.
Li Hao obediently sat on the stool, listening attentively.
"The great battle of old saw the Celestial Emperors join forces to defend the True Realm. It was a conflict that pushed the myriad races to the brink of extinction. The Celestial Emperor's descendants—Celestial Kings, Celestial Monarchs, and True Immortals—did not shy away. They emerged from their hidden worlds, ready to perish in the fight against the ancient fiends."
The elder's eyes were filled with reminiscence. "That battle was fought with the resolve to achieve victory even at the cost of one's life. And yet, the Celestial Emperor left behind a seed of hope: the Hall of Catastrophe."
He gestured toward the colossal hall in the distance.
"You don't see the presence of True Immortals in the outer world because every single one perished in that battle," he continued. "The celestial arts were gathered here in the Hall of Catastrophe to prevent them from falling into the hands of the fiends. Those creatures are cunning and adaptive. Should they gain access to celestial arts, they would only become more terrifying."
The elder turned his steady gaze to Li Hao. "Now, do you understand why the legacy of the Celestial Emperor is hidden here? The celestial laws surrounding this place ensure that it remains undetected. Only a Celestial King-level fiend could uncover its secrets. And if such a threat emerges…" His eyes glinted coldly, sharp as blades. "I will deal with it myself."
Li Hao felt a chill run through him, sensing the overwhelming power contained within the elder despite his calm demeanor.
"But the outer realms have remained free of fiends…" Li Hao hesitated, voicing his doubts.
The elder shook his head. "My duty as the Guardian of the Hall is to remain here unless the fiends discover it. This place serves as both a sanctuary and a trap. Those who enter can never leave. Over time, it became a forbidden ground, feared across the myriad worlds."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Even without the rules binding them, many choose not to leave. If they did, their memories could be extracted by the fiends, exposing this sanctuary. That would invite not just a Celestial King fiend but perhaps even the Six Dao Fiend Ancestors themselves…"
His gaze flickered briefly before he looked back at Li Hao. "But we'll talk about all this in due time. I don't want to delay you further. Your soul longevity is short, yet your talent is extraordinary—far surpassing the others. Perhaps you truly have the potential to reach the third step and become a named disciple of the Celestial Emperor in this era."
"A named disciple?" Li Hao asked, intrigued.
Li Hao was stunned. He had thought the possibility of becoming a personal disciple of the Celestial Emperor was real. Yet, a named disciple? That was a rank even lower than a true disciple.
The elder chuckled. "To completely inherit the Celestial Emperor's legacy and become a personal disciple is exceedingly difficult—nearly impossible. Based on your current state, I'd say your odds are one in a hundred thousand."
Li Hao was dumbfounded. One in a hundred thousand? Isn't that absurd? How could it be so difficult?
"Even becoming a named disciple requires passing the three trials first. Look at them," the elder said, pointing to the Saints meditating on their mats. "The one who's been here the longest has trained for ninety thousand years and is still stuck on the second step. Such aptitude is only average. They'll likely spend their entire life striving to become a mere named disciple."
The elder gestured toward Mu Sheng, seated upright among the Saints, and continued, "To complete the trials within a hundred thousand years qualifies as decent talent. Those who manage it within ten thousand years are considered of moderate aptitude and may have a one-in-ten-thousand chance of becoming a personal disciple."
Seeing the shock on Li Hao's face, the elder grew serious. "The Celestial Emperor stands at the pinnacle of the myriad worlds, wielding powers beyond imagination. Without sufficient aptitude, attempting to inherit such a legacy would destroy you in the process. It would do you more harm than good."
Li Hao trembled inwardly, feeling the immense weight of the Celestial Emperor's status.
"Start by measuring your Dao Heart. Afterward, I will teach you the three trial methods. Given the strength of your divine soul, I recommend you cultivate the Yanluo Celestial Art, which focuses on the divine soul. With your aptitude, you may master it within a thousand years and complete the first step."
The elder's tone reflected clear confidence in Li Hao's potential.
Li Hao's eyes flickered. His divine soul had been tempered by consuming ancient fiends and repeatedly breaking past its limits. Here, however, there were no fiends to hunt, which meant his growth would rely solely on insights and Dao comprehension.
Strengthening his understanding of the Dao might expedite his mastery of soul-based celestial techniques and allow further refinement of his divine soul.
At the same time, however, using his aptitude to enhance Myriad Dao Celestial Art—as Chen Baoyu had described—could yield similarly powerful results through swordsmanship.
Still, without his physical body present, cultivating the Undying Celestial Art was not an option.
"You lack a physical body, so the second trial will evaluate your overall capabilities," the elder explained. "For now, I can lend you a drop of Nine-tier Mixed-Origin Divine Blood to serve as your temporary body."
The elder stretched out his hand, revealing a drop of golden, radiant divine blood that pulsed with life and celestial energy.
Li Hao immediately sensed the blood's immense vitality and connection to heavenly laws.
"Fuse your divine soul into it," the elder instructed. "This Mixed-Origin Divine Blood will form your temporary body, comparable to a five-tribulation imperial artifact—stronger than most Saint-level bodies."
Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly. A body comparable to a five-tribulation imperial artifact was only slightly inferior to his original one.
Focusing his divine soul, Li Hao fused it into the divine blood. Almost instantly, the blood's vitality surged, coalescing into a physical form identical to Li Hao's previous body.
The Mixed-Origin Divine Blood seemed to lack any awareness of its own, functioning like a mere shell—a suit of armor housing Li Hao's divine soul.
"Your original body likely possessed unique Dao Bones, which this Mixed-Origin Body lacks. However, its five-tribulation strength should more than compensate," the elder explained.
Li Hao nodded slightly, following the elder to the enormous suspended Heavenly Bell for his Dao Heart test.
On his way, Li Hao subtly counted the Saints meditating on their mats. There were a total of seventeen.
As he approached the bell, most Saints remained engrossed in their meditations. Only two or three briefly glanced at Li Hao before closing their eyes again.
New arrivals typically had Dao Hearts rated as Earth-grade, and few could achieve the threshold Heaven-grade rating. Even Heaven-grade, however, was merely the starting point for the trials.
"Go ahead," the elder encouraged. "Release your Dao Intent for the Heavenly Bell to measure."
Li Hao nodded, stepping forward and releasing his Dao Intent.
The massive bell hung in midair, exuding an aura of profound stillness. The moment Li Hao's Dao Intent touched it, it was as if his thoughts had been absorbed into a vast and boundless realm, vanishing without a trace.
Suddenly, the bell trembled faintly, its stillness disrupted. A low, resonant clang echoed from within, reverberating across the space.
Many Saints opened their eyes in surprise, their contemplations interrupted as they turned to see what was happening.
When the first chime's lingering echoes faded, a second chime rang out.
"Another newcomer?" muttered Mu Sheng, a middle-aged Saint with snow-white hair. He frowned slightly, irritated by the disturbance but chose not to voice his displeasure. After all, such tests were rare occurrences.
"He's new," said Luo Sheng with a smile. "I hear he's been to the True Realm."
Mu Sheng's eyes narrowed. Looking over, he noticed the aura of the Mixed-Origin Body enveloping Li Hao. "Did Wang Lao lend him Mixed-Origin Divine Blood for a body?"
"Indeed," came the reply. "He arrived here with only his divine soul, having been pursued to this place."
This explanation caused knowing nods among the Saints. Most who arrived here were forced by dire circumstances. Only a few, like Ming Sheng, ventured in of their own volition, driven by curiosity or hubris—only to find themselves trapped.
As the second chime's reverberations faded, a third chime followed.
"Heaven, Earth, and Profound—three chimes. That's Earth-grade Dao Heart," someone commented indifferently.
The Saints remained composed. Most had scored three chimes during their own first tests.
As the third chime faded, many Saints closed their eyes again, resuming their meditations.
But then, unexpectedly, a fourth chime resonated!
Clang—!