Volume 3 - Chapter 369: Duel at the Pinnacle of the Sword Dao - Part 2
On that youth’s figure, they saw a boldness they themselves had never dared to embrace—an impulse long buried beneath years of fear and hesitation. Some elders wept openly, tears streaming down weathered faces. Others covered their mouths, choking back sobs. At this moment, all of them felt a pang of regret for not having gone to the imperial capital to stop the young man from leaving.
“Immortal Emperor Tianyang, after countless years, you’ve found yourself another fine disciple!”
“My lord, can you see him? If this child survives, we will follow him to the death!”
“Haotian—remember this name! From this day forth, he is our new master!”
Throughout the Celestial City, countless hearts surged with emotion, yet were weighed down by dread. All eyes watched that single moment unfold, fearful of what decision the Supreme of the Celestial Palace would make regarding the “reckless” youth. Would a single word wipe him from existence—or would he be accepted?
“You’re far too arrogant!”
Before his master could reply, Jianxin stepped forward, a murderous aura blazing in his eyes as he glared at Li Hao.
Earlier, he had remained aloof and composed, with nothing but the sword in his heart and in his gaze.
But now, after witnessing Li Hao’s audacity again and again, fury burned in him.
He no longer even wished for his master to respond. He wanted to strike Li Hao down with his own hands.
Li Hao ignored Jianxin and fixed his gaze on the Supreme of the Celestial Palace. In his heart, he had prepared for only two outcomes: obliteration—or recognition.
This battle echoed across the Southern Region, under countless watching eyes. It was that pressure, that stage, which gave Li Hao the courage to make such a request.
The Supreme of the Celestial Palace met Li Hao’s gaze with calm, and for the briefest instant, a flicker of cold indifference appeared in his eyes, as if peering directly into the youth’s soul. He said slowly:
“If you can withstand ten strikes from Jianxin, I will pardon your offense. As for whether you leave here alive… that depends entirely on your own strength.”
Hearing those words, Li Hao’s brow furrowed. Something about them felt off. But before he could think further, Jianxin had already barked angrily:
“Come then! As you wish—I’ll grant you this fight!”
As he spoke, his long black hair swept through the air, his entire body emanating a terrifying aura. On his forehead, a sword-shaped Nine-Flower Immortal Seal blazed to life.
The seal took the shape of a sword, with nine blossoms blooming along its blade—radiant and razor-sharp.
Seeing Jianxin’s revealed power, the crowd gasped in unison.
No one was surprised that he bore a Nine-Flower Immortal Seal. Nor were they shocked that, like Li Hao, it radiated the essence of the Nine Sequences of the Great Dao—after all, that was the baseline for disciples directly taught by the Supreme.
But the sheer might of the aura he now released sent chills down their spines. Was this the kind of power only a True Immortal possessed?
On the mountaintop, Gui Lingyue, Shen Wuji, and the others who had previously lost to Li Hao all turned pale, their eyes narrowing.
Among the monstrous talents of other great clans, expressions shifted—some solemn, some shaken. All could see that Jianxin, in this moment, was terrifyingly strong. At this level, any Immortal Lord below the third tier might be slain by a single sword from him.
Even the other Immortal Lord participants nearby changed color. No one had expected a being like this to exist within the True Immortal Realm.
Li Hao stared at Jianxin, his eyes tightening slightly. The immortal power now coursing through Jianxin was rich and suffocating—even more formidable than he had anticipated.
Both stood at the pinnacle of the tenth level of the True Immortal Realm, and both bore the Nine Sequences Immortal Seal. In theory, their bodies should contain the same reservoir of immortal power.
But Li Hao could feel it—Jianxin’s energy was denser, heavier, as if refined far beyond his own.
He instantly thought back to the Origin Secret Realm, and the cultivation he’d undergone in recent days, where his immortal energy had slowly transformed from mist to liquid.
Now, Jianxin’s energy seemed even more viscous—nearly syrup-like—refined to a terrifying purity.
“So strong!”
“So this is a direct disciple of the Supreme?”
“Good heavens, I’m an Immortal Lord, and yet I feel like I’d lose to him!”
“Looks like Haotian really made him mad.”
“Ten strikes? Can he even survive three? It’s looking grim…”
The murmurs flew across the crowd.
Earlier, many had thought that enduring three strikes from Jianxin—as the test of discipleship—was challenging but possible for someone of Haotian’s combat prowess.
Now, even surviving three strikes seemed doubtful. Nearly impossible.
“Activate the array!”
Jianxin cast a cold glance at Li Hao, his voice like ice. He spoke not to him, but to the Celestial Guard Commander in the sky.
The commander didn’t mind the tone. He quickly activated the sealing formation’s barrier.
Whoosh!
Jianxin vanished in an instant, reappearing atop the imperial platform. He turned and stared down at Li Hao. “Come.”
His voice was a command, laced with killing intent.
Li Hao glanced at him, then withdrew his gaze. He bowed to the Supreme of the Celestial Palace. “Thank you, Supreme, for this opportunity.”
His manners were impeccable, but to the onlookers, it felt as though the boy had gone mad.
The Supreme may have given permission—but Jianxin was his personal disciple. Li Hao, at most, had inherited a legacy from the fallen Immortal Emperor Tianyang. Even if he spoke the truth, how could a mere legacy compare to a living Emperor’s guidance?
“Go already!”
Mingyue barked coldly, holding no sympathy for Li Hao.
He ignored her. After bowing in gratitude to the Supreme, Li Hao turned and flew toward the imperial platform.
As he soared through the air, his immortal energy steadily gathered and adjusted, preparing for the storm ahead.
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