Chapter 425: Eternal Dao Heart, Nine Chimes of Heaven and Earth
As the bell's chimes reverberated through the air, many Saints abruptly opened their eyes, turning their gazes toward the young man standing before the Heavenly Bell.
This young man had used his own Dao Heart to resonate with the Heavenly Bell, ringing out a fourth chime—a sign of a Heaven-grade Dao Heart!
The expressions of many Saints grew serious, no longer as composed as before.
"A Heaven-grade Dao Heart... it seems his aspirations are monumental."
"To establish a divine dynasty and protect the people is only a Mysterious-grade Dao Heart. To preach teachings that endure through millennia is but an Earth-grade Dao Heart. Only by aspiring to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with heaven and earth, in pursuit of the eternal Celestial Dao, can one forge a Heaven-grade Dao Heart. Eternity is the ultimate aspiration."
Among those who had spoken with Li Hao earlier—Luo Sheng, Dong Dao, and Chen Baoyu—each now wore a solemn expression. None of them had expected this newcomer to possess a Heaven-grade Dao Heart. This meant that while they once sought to preach and protect mortal realms, he had already set his sights on the eternal Celestial Dao—on being eternal, indestructible!
They could all sense it. This newcomer was destined to be a formidable rival.
Indeed, here within the realm of the Celestial Emperor's legacy, the competition among the Saints was hidden but fierce. Though they presented a facade of camaraderie, they were secretly competing, as only one person could inherit the legacy. In the early days, some Saints had attempted to sabotage others, but after being severely punished by Wang Lao, no one dared repeat such actions. Instead, they focused on bettering themselves.
As the Saints memorized every detail of Li Hao's appearance, the Heavenly Bell suddenly quivered again, and a fifth chime rang out!
Clang—!!
This sound, akin to a morning drum or evening bell, reverberated deeply within the hearts of all present.
The gathered Saints froze, their expressions turning to shock.
A fifth chime?
The Heavenly Bell was tied to the realms of Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. Four chimes should have been the pinnacle. How could there be a fifth?
While the Saints stood in stunned disbelief, Wang Lao, who had been observing from a nearby grassy knoll, also paused momentarily before his eyes lit up with joy.
A fifth chime? He understood what it meant. The standard levels of Dao Heart—Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow—were not the ultimate limits.
The Celestial Dao legacy, sealed within this space, was hidden from the myriad worlds. Few knew that beyond the Heaven-grade Dao Heart were the Chaos Dao Heart, the Eternal Dao Heart, and the ultimate Heavenly Emperor's Dao Heart—a realm known only to the Celestial Emperor himself!
If the Heaven-grade Dao Heart symbolized aspirations to rival heaven and earth, then the Chaos Dao Heart represented the power to traverse the river of time and forge new worlds.
The Eternal Dao Heart, however, was not about seeking eternity. Seeking, after all, was the path of the weak. The Eternal Dao Heart required no pursuit; it embodied eternity itself. To those who held it, their existence was everlasting, their mind satisfied and sovereign, able to gaze down upon all things as the ultimate master of the heavens!
As for the Heavenly Emperor's Dao Heart, Wang Lao had no understanding. That realm was beyond his imagination.
As the Saints reeled from their astonishment, the Heavenly Bell rang again, marking the sixth chime.
Wang Lao stroked his beard with a smile, nodding repeatedly. The first four chimes corresponded to the foundational levels of Dao Heart: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow.
The Chaos Dao Heart was marked by three additional chimes, totaling seven in all.
The Eternal Dao Heart required nine chimes.
As for the Heavenly Emperor's Dao Heart, it transcended even the Heavenly Bell's ability to measure.
Soon, the seventh chime resonated, leaving the Saints visibly shaken. They turned their stunned gazes toward Wang Lao, many suspecting that the artifact was malfunctioning. How could it resonate beyond Heaven-grade Dao Heart? Was such a thing even possible?
"This is the Chaos Dao Heart," Wang Lao explained calmly, addressing their unspoken questions. "It is natural for the Heavenly Bell to chime seven times in its presence."
Hearing Wang Lao's words, the Saints were left speechless. Though they had never heard of such realms, it was clear that this surpassed their understanding of the Dao Heart.
As the lingering echoes of the seventh chime faded, Li Hao himself appeared slightly surprised. But before he could dwell on it, the eighth chime rang out.
This time, the smile on Wang Lao's face faded, replaced by a look of intense concentration as he stared at the young man's back.
Clang!!
The ninth chime soon followed, its sound deafening and awe-inspiring, echoing throughout the vast space surrounding the Heavenly Bell.
Many Saints looked to Wang Lao in confusion.
Moments earlier, Wang Lao had declared that seven chimes corresponded to the Chaos Dao Heart. What, then, did nine chimes signify?
Wang Lao gazed at Li Hao for a long time without speaking. As the echoes of the ninth chime gradually faded, the Heavenly Bell grew still, its vibrations subsiding until it returned to its previous state of tranquility, suspended in midair.
Behind Li Hao, the air fell into a deathly silence.
Nine chimes. In the mortal world, nine was the number of the ultimate. It was why emperors referred to themselves as the Nine-Five Supreme.
For Li Hao to resonate with nine chimes was beyond comprehension.
"Did I… hear that wrong?"
"Am I dreaming? Nine chimes? Wang Lao said the Chaos Dao Heart is seven chimes. What does this mean?"
"What level is his Dao Heart?"
The Saints stared in utter disbelief. The newcomer had delivered an unprecedented shock to them all.
Wang Lao finally broke his silence, his gaze on Li Hao filled with both reverence and excitement. In his heart, he felt that the individual he had waited countless ages for had finally arrived.
Nine chimes. This signified that Li Hao possessed an Eternal Dao Heart. Though not yet perfected, such a Dao Heart was rare even among Celestial Kings.
Having served under the Celestial Emperor, Wang Lao was privy to a profound truth: while the Dao Heart might not directly influence combat power or cultivation level, it was a decisive factor in overcoming bottlenecks. A higher Dao Heart made breakthroughs far easier, serving as an invisible advantage.
Moreover, surpassing the Eternal Dao Heart was the first threshold to ascending to the Celestial Emperor's throne!
"Senior," Li Hao said, returning to Wang Lao's side. On his way back, he noticed the stunned gazes of Luo Sheng, Chen Baoyu, and others, recalling their earlier comments. He realized he must have made quite the impression.
He sighed inwardly. This was not what he intended. As a newcomer, he had hoped to keep a low profile.
"What does this result mean?" Li Hao asked Wang Lao, his tone filled with genuine curiosity.
The elder smiled, seeing the young man's puzzled expression. "Don't be alarmed, child. A Heaven-grade Dao Heart is merely the foundation of becoming a Celestial. Beyond it lies the Chaos Dao Heart and the Eternal Dao Heart. You, currently, possess the Eternal Dao Heart."
He proceeded to explain the relationship between the Heavenly Bell's chimes and the various levels of Dao Heart.
The Saints on the meditation mats listened intently. As Wang Lao elaborated, they finally understood, though many remained in awe. To surpass the Heaven-grade Dao Heart by two levels was an extraordinary feat.
"Chaos Dao Heart, Eternal Dao Heart…"
"This is my first time hearing about these concepts. Wang Lao never mentioned them before."
"He probably thought we'd never reach them. After all, only a handful of us arrived here with Heaven-grade Dao Hearts. But a Chaos Dao Heart? What kind of mindset surpasses rivaling heaven and earth?"
"An Eternal Dao Heart—is it about pursuing eternity? If that's the case, how is it different from a Heavenly Dao Heart?"
The crowd discussed among themselves, their eyes fixed on the young man. They had set aside their own contemplations and turned their full attention to him.
Wang Lao listened to their discussions and noticed their complicated expressions. He understood the profound impact this revelation had on them. If he didn't clarify things, their scattered thoughts might hinder their cultivation progress.
In high spirits, Wang Lao smiled and said, "An Eternal Dao Heart is not about pursuing eternity but about having a heart that is already eternal! The difference lies in your understanding, something you'll need to contemplate on your own. However, what matters most to you right now is passing the trials. The Dao Heart is just the gateway—it's far beyond your current reach."
His words were both a reassurance and a gentle admonishment. But to the listeners, they left a sour taste.
It was clear Wang Lao didn't believe they could reach such a level. Thinking about it, in his view, pondering it would be meaningless and a waste of time.
"A heart that is already eternal…" murmured Mu Sheng, his eyes glimmering as he spoke softly to himself. "How does one become eternal?"
The other Saints were also lost in thought. Wang Lao, however, didn't concern himself with their introspections. Instead, he turned to Li Hao and said, "Come here. I will pass on the Immortal Methods to you. Given your circumstances, there's no point in considering the Undying Immortal Method. The Nine-Tier Primordial Divine Blood is fixed and cannot be improved. Even if you use an Immortal Method to cultivate it, it won't yield results. It will only come into play during the second trial."
When they reached the area in front of the thatched hut, Wang Lao, without indulging in his usual leisurely rocking on the old chair, said to Li Hao:
"Given the strength of your soul, you should be able to quickly grasp the Yan Luo Immortal Method."
Li Hao nodded and said, "I want to try both Yan Luo and the Ten Thousand Paths."
Without his physical body, the Undying Immortal Method couldn't be practiced for now. But once he had fully explored Yan Luo and the Ten Thousand Paths, he could request the Undying Immortal Method to record it into his system panel. When he left this place, his body would become its proving ground.
"Oh?"
Wang Lao heard Li Hao's words, but instead of reprimanding him for his ambition, he grew intrigued. "It seems you're very confident in your skills. Which path do you cultivate?"
"The Sword Path," Li Hao replied.
"Have you reached the Sacrificial Path?" Wang Lao asked.
"Yes." Li Hao nodded.
Wang Lao chuckled. Reaching the Sacrificial Path explained Li Hao's confidence. However, compared to Li Hao's soul strength, even the Sacrificial Path seemed barely adequate.
But Wang Lao didn't discourage him or try to dissuade him. The ability to reach the Sacrificial Path alone spoke volumes about Li Hao's exceptional talent in Sword Dao. Choosing the Ten Thousand Paths Immortal Method wasn't a mistake.
"You can make your own decisions. I have no doubt you'll grasp both techniques, but cultivating two at the same time will slow you down. Although you arrived here later than the others, there's no distinction of early or late in this place. Time isn't a factor; it's all about who passes the three trials first. That person will gain entry into the Tianyang Palace and undergo the ceremony to be acknowledged as the Celestial Emperor's registered disciple."
Wang Lao continued, "Currently, the fastest among them has already reached the second stage and is on the verge of completing it. You need to pick up the pace."
Li Hao nodded slightly, fully understanding the situation.
From afar, Mu Sheng, Ming Sheng, and the others overheard Wang Lao's words, their expressions growing complex. But soon enough, they refocused their thoughts, realizing the newcomer was extraordinary. The sense of urgency emanating from Li Hao forced them to reevaluate their progress.
If they didn't push harder, they risked being overtaken by this new contender.
This was the Celestial Emperor's legacy. Even a temporary status as a registered disciple would make one shine brilliantly upon returning to the True Realm.
Quickly, they all closed their eyes and forced themselves to calm down, banishing distractions and immersing themselves in their previous contemplations.
Luo Sheng and Dong Dao also felt the pressure. After exchanging a glance with Li Hao, they dove back into their cultivation.
While still at the first stage, no one was willing to give up without a fight—not until the very end.
Near the thatched hut, Wang Lao placed a finger on Li Hao's forehead and said, "I will first pass on the Yan Luo Immortal Method to you. This technique is specifically designed to refine the soul and includes three combat techniques focused on vanquishing malevolent souls and ancient demons!"
Li Hao felt a torrent of information flood his consciousness as if he were recalling knowledge he had long mastered.
The Yan Luo Method consisted of three tiers, but Wang Lao only imparted the first tier. Mastering this tier to perfection was enough to pass the trial.
The first tier included three soul-based combat techniques:
Yan Luo Manifestation – A visualization technique to suppress malicious spirits.
Yan Blade – A concentrated offensive technique.
Earthly Net Shield Method – A defensive technique for countering soul-based attacks.
Li Hao absorbed the knowledge quickly. With his mastery of the Tenth Layer of Path Attunement, anything below this level was effortlessly comprehensible.
The principles behind the three combat techniques flowed seamlessly into his understanding.
"This is the Ten Thousand Paths Immortal Method. You may focus on Sword Dao. Perfecting the sword aspect to its ultimate form will suffice for the trial."
As Wang Lao spoke, he transmitted another set of instructions through his fingertip.
Li Hao received the information steadily. The Ten Thousand Paths Method included various weapons, but he chose the Sword Dao Path. With his Tenth Layer comprehension in Sword Dao, he grasped its essence rapidly.
He didn't rush to pull up his system panel. Instead, he nodded and asked Wang Lao, "For cultivation, is it over at the meditation mats?"
"Yes, those mats are made from the threads of the Enlightenment Tree's bark. They can enhance your chances of attaining enlightenment."
Wang Lao reminded Li Hao, "Be cautious of overreaching."
But after speaking, he chuckled and shook his head. With an Eternal Dao Heart marked by nine bell chimes, greed was far from a concern for someone like Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded and pretended to head toward the mats.
As he moved, the stillness of the meditating Saints was slightly disrupted. Some opened their eyes briefly to watch him before furrowing their brows and chastising themselves internally. They then closed their eyes, driving away their distractions.
Li Hao selected a mat, glanced around at the focused Saints around him, and smiled faintly before pulling up his system panel.
Within moments, the techniques appeared on the panel:
Immortal Method: Yan Luo - Withering Silence (True Intent Perfection)
Combat Techniques: Yan Luo Manifestation (True Intent Perfection), Yan Blade (True Intent Perfection), Earthly Net Shield Method (True Intent Perfection)
Seeing the results, Li Hao smiled. From his perspective, he had mastered these techniques as if he'd practiced them for centuries. The only thing left was to put them into action.
"This Yan Luo Immortal Method's first tier, Withering Silence, has already reached True Intent Perfection thanks to the Tenth Layer. Breaking through to the Origin Stage would be the next step."
Li Hao reflected on the three levels of Immortal Dao techniques: True Intent, Origin, and Ultimate. Each level had entry and perfection stages.
"Without the panel, reaching Perfection of True Intent would take countless years of cultivation."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. With his Tenth Layer comprehension in Path Attunement, he was only able to grasp the first tier of the Yan Luo Immortal Method, "Withering Silence," to the level of True Intent Perfection, not Origin Level. This was just the first tier of the technique, a testament to how extraordinary and renowned it must be in the True Realm.
Next, Li Hao turned his attention to the Ten Thousand Paths Immortal Method.
Ten Thousand Paths Immortal Method: Sword Path (True Intent Perfection)
As expected, it too reached True Intent Perfection.
If he were to demonstrate his progress to Wang Lao now, he might be able to proceed directly to the second trial.
However, Li Hao wasn't in a rush. The second trial was bound to be much harder than the first. He wanted to understand it fully before moving forward.
His Path Attunement and Sword Path, both at the Tenth Layer, were results of his past accumulation. If the second or third trials proved too challenging, his current abilities might not suffice. He would need to refine his skills further, possibly breaking through the bottleneck in Painting, Cooking, and Sculpting Paths.
He couldn't help but wonder—if he pushed any of these Paths to the Eleventh Layer, would it allow him to ascend directly to True Immortal?
After some thought, Li Hao left the meditation mat and approached the thatched hut.
"What's this? Already feeling the challenge?"
Wang Lao, sitting leisurely on his rocking chair, chuckled as he saw Li Hao approach so soon.
"This is an Immortal Method, not like anything you've practiced before. It's natural to find it difficult. Although I have high hopes for you, I can't bend the rules. I can only pass on the Immortal Methods; the rest is up to you. You must comprehend it yourself. I cannot intervene or control this process."
His words made it clear. If he showed favoritism and gave special guidance to any candidate, the entire purpose of the Celestial Emperor's trials would be undermined.
Li Hao, realizing the misunderstanding, didn't explain. Instead, he asked curiously, "Senior, I just wanted to ask—what is the second trial about?"
Wang Lao raised an eyebrow. If it were anyone else, he might have thought them overly ambitious, thinking about the second trial before even fully beginning the first.
But given the depth of Li Hao's Dao Heart, he didn't think so. Instead, he saw it as a sign of thorough consideration.
"The first trial tests your aptitude and comprehension. The second trial does the same. To become a registered disciple of the Celestial Emperor, extraordinary comprehension is an absolute necessity. Otherwise, even if you were given the Emperor-level Immortal Methods that shook the True Realm, they would be as incomprehensible as celestial scripture without the right aptitude.
"The second trial tests your combat ability. I will create a duplicate of you that possesses all your techniques and abilities—but with its power doubled."
He smiled as he added, "In other words, you must defeat a version of yourself that is twice as strong."
Li Hao froze, stunned. "Every aspect? And doubled?"
"Exactly. In a seemingly insurmountable scenario, the trial examines how you can find solutions and break through a desperate situation. It's about testing your ability to develop ingenuity in dire combat," Wang Lao explained.
Li Hao was momentarily speechless. This test seemed unreasonably challenging.
"Be glad this is just the trial for registered disciples. The Celestial Emperor's true disciples faced opponents with triple their power. That's real despair—most couldn't even last a single exchange," Wang Lao said with a chuckle.
Li Hao was at a loss for words. Facing a version of oneself with triple power? That was beyond impossible.
"What about the third trial?" Li Hao couldn't help but ask, curious about what lay ahead.
Wang Lao smiled faintly. "The third trial is also about comprehension."
"You must break through to True Immortal, condense your Immortal Seal, and establish your personal Immortal Dao with Heaven and Earth. Moreover, you must achieve the Three-Seal Immortal Dao as a minimum requirement. Compared to the original trials for the Celestial Emperor's registered disciples, the current version is much more lenient. There's no time limit. Previously, it had to be completed within 3,000 years—that was the real challenge."
Even though Li Hao had prepared himself mentally, hearing this still sent a shock through his heart.
The third trial required becoming a True Immortal!
"What is the Three-Seal Immortal Dao?" Li Hao asked.
Wang Lao smiled. "Pass the second trial, and I'll explain it to you in detail."
Seeing that Wang Lao wouldn't elaborate further, Li Hao didn't press the matter. Still, he couldn't help but sigh internally at how daunting the trials were. It was clear that simply becoming a True Immortal wasn't enough; the candidate had to be among the best.
This also meant that even if he passed the first trial now, it wouldn't matter much. He hadn't yet demonstrated his strength in combat for the second trial and wasn't confident about succeeding.
The third trial would likely require him to delve deeply into his other skills, such as Painting Path and beyond.
Li Hao decided not to waste time. The crack in the outside barrier could allow another True Immortal-level Ancient Demon to enter at any moment. Moreover, his comrades, thinking he had perished, were likely grieving. He needed to return as soon as possible.
Returning to the meditation mat, he opened his personal storage space and retrieved a painting board. Among the three Paths he had mastered to the Tenth Layer—Painting, Cooking, and Sculpting—he needed to choose one to focus on. He couldn't afford to spread himself too thin.
As he sorted through his materials, his gaze fell on the Hua You Token within his storage. A thought struck him, and he decided to test it by channeling his consciousness into the token.
However, a barrier blocked his connection, cutting off his consciousness.
"Hua You Token?"
A surprised voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
Li Hao turned to see a young man with flowing hair and a relaxed demeanor, wearing a loose robe. The man had a butterfly-shaped floral ornament on his head and was looking at the token in Li Hao's hand with interest.
"How do you have a Hua You Token?" the young man asked.
Beside him, a woman in elegant golden attire, her movements graceful, also looked over in surprise.
"You recognize it?" Li Hao asked, a thought sparking in his mind as he recalled something Zhan Tan had once said.
"We created it. Are you a member of the Hua You Society?" the young man asked gently.
"So, you must be Hua Sheng and You Sheng," Li Hao said, realization dawning. Zhan Tan had mentioned the founders of the Hua You Society, who had long disappeared without a trace. They hadn't appeared even amidst the chaos of the heavens. To think they had ended up here.
"The Hua You Society still exists?" the woman asked in surprise. Her expression quickly turned to joy as she smiled at Li Hao. "I am You Sheng. May I ask your name?"
Li Hao was taken aback. He had assumed the young man was You Sheng, but it turned out the woman was... the Flower Saint?