Chapter 342: Reaching the Summit - Part 2
The Dao Manifestation was polite toward Li Hao, clasping its hands in invitation before erupting into blazing flames that dyed the area hundreds of meters around in red, as if they stood in a domain of fire.
The intense heat made even the surrounding True Immortals glance over in surprise. They immediately recognized Li Hao's Dao Manifestation as one of the Nine Sequences.
“It’s the Flame Dao Manifestation!”
“One of the Nine Sequences? Looks like a fierce battle. I wonder how long he’ll take to settle it.”
“Earlier, someone revealed a Space Dao Manifestation and took a long time to resolve the fight.”
Countless onlookers who saw Li Hao’s Dao Manifestation seemed to breathe a sigh of relief for reasons they couldn’t quite explain.
For combat-type Dao Manifestations, based on Li Hao’s previous performance in the True Immortal Secret Realm, he would certainly be faster than painting a picture or playing a game of chess.
“Finish it quickly!”
Li Tiemu clenched his fists for Li Hao, secretly urging him on with growing anxiety.
At that moment, the flames around the Dao Manifestation abruptly compressed and transformed into a searing vortex of fire, spiraling toward Li Hao with deadly intent.
The temperature within the vortex soared with each spin, friction so intense it seemed capable of incinerating even the Great Dao.
Li Hao’s gaze remained calm. This Flame Dao Manifestation's Dao of Fire was still some way off from reaching the third realm—let alone the fourth.
He raised his hand, and a golden flame shot forth.
Whoosh!
The flame tore through the void, causing space to distort slightly. It pierced through the vortex, and its golden brilliance extinguished the entire ring of fire in an instant.
Fire... extinguished by fire!
Countless onlookers stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
The golden spark surged straight toward the Flame Dao Manifestation. With the influence of spatial origin, it reached its target in an instant and landed squarely on the Manifestation's chest.
In that moment, the Flame Dao Manifestation ignited entirely. Yet its expression was serene, showing neither pain nor struggle, as it allowed itself to be consumed by the golden flame.
“You have won,” it said calmly, before its body was consumed and vanished before Li Hao’s eyes.
It had taken but an instant to decide the victor.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
None had expected Li Hao to defeat such a formidable combat-type Dao Manifestation in the blink of an eye. If he had maintained this speed all along, he would’ve already reached the Hall of Forgotten Hearts.
“So strong—this was a Dao Manifestation from halfway up the mountain, and he suppressed it with a single gesture!”
“So that’s the power of someone ranked ninth on the Dao Flame List. No wonder he’s like those who first climbed to the Hall—they all ended battles instantly!”
“Too bad… he’s running out of time.”
“There aren’t many slots left!”
Many people were sweating for Li Hao, eyes locked on the Hall of Forgotten Hearts.
The number of available spots was dwindling...
Having defeated the Flame Dao Manifestation, Li Hao didn’t linger. He moved swiftly and charged up the mountainside.
He soon crossed multiple tiers of stone steps and saw a flat clearing at the summit, where a majestic, ancient palace stood tall at the end.
Many figures had already gathered there. As Li Hao glanced around, he quickly spotted familiar faces—Gu Yan, Yuexi, and the others had all arrived. Even disciples from other abysses of the Great Dream Abyss stood outside the hall, their faces filled with anxiety.
At that moment, dozens of figures were sprinting ahead of Li Hao.
“It’s Haotian—it’s Haotian!”
Outside the hall, Yuexi’s sharp eyes caught sight of Li Hao rounding the mountain path and immediately began hopping excitedly.
Next to her, Gu Yan also noticed him at once. Though he said nothing, joy flickered in his eyes as he instinctively stepped forward, wanting to welcome him.
“He’s here!”
Lin Mingrong and the other disciples from the Great Dream Abyss grew animated as well.
Yin Jingcheng and Meng Huaiyue were a bit surprised, but they too quickly spotted the rapidly approaching Li Hao.
“Hmph, barely made it in time,” Yin Jingcheng muttered, narrowing his eyes with a cold snort.
Meng Huaiyue smiled and said to Yuexi, “Quick, tell him to hurry and pass the others, or he won’t get a slot.”
Yuexi snapped out of it and waved frantically, calling out in urgency, “Haotian, hurry! Hurry!”
At that moment, others from the Celestial Dynasty’s Heavenly Sect were also shouting to their own disciples.
“Hurry up!”
“Only a few spots left!”
“There’s barely a dozen left—go!”
Everyone outside the hall shouted desperately.
Hearing these cries, those still climbing felt a jolt in their hearts and began sprinting with everything they had.
But on these steps, flight and teleportation were forbidden. One could only rely on footwork, and with each step ascended, a strange power seeped into the soul. If one’s Dao Heart wavered, illusions would appear and daze the climber.
Yet anyone who had made it this far all had Chaos Dao Hearts. None faltered.
Li Hao heard Yuexi’s call and quickened his pace.
Just then, a voice called out from behind him.
“Big brother, could you please let me through? I can’t afford to miss this chance!”
A young girl’s voice, tinged with sobs, echoed.
Li Hao turned to see a girl in a green dress running toward him in a panic, crying with tearful eyes like pear blossoms in the rain.
He was momentarily stunned. Before he could respond, the girl pleaded, “If I fail, my whole clan will suffer. Please, I’m begging you.”
Hearing the word “clan,” Li Hao hesitated.
In that fleeting moment, the girl caught up and passed him. She said gratefully, “Thank you!”
Then her footwork shifted. She overtook the youth ahead and got close to him.
But just before reaching the Hall of Forgotten Hearts, her hair suddenly turned into black vines that shot forward, entangling the youth’s waist. With a yank, she pulled him back and used the momentum to leap into the hall.
The youth was dragged back, furious, and chased after her into the hall, yelling, “Do you want to die?!”
The girl, now devoid of any pitiful expression, crossed her arms and sneered, “There’s no rule saying I can’t do that. Blame yourself for letting your guard down.”
“Is that so? Then let’s see how capable you really are!”
The young man roared in fury, unleashing his Dao Domain to strike back.
But just then, the voice of the Immortal Guard Commander rang out from within the Hall of Forgotten Hearts: “No fighting on Mount of Inquiry.”
The youth looked up toward the sky, suppressing his rage. “Then what about what she just did?”
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