Chapter 184: Three Imperishables, Peak of Transcendence (Combined Chapter)

Outside Tianmen Pass, three thousand li to the north.

There lies a Red Water River, its waters dark red, the riverbed strewn with crimson stones, inhabited by aquatic demons.

Beside the lake stands a mountain, at its foot a thatched cottage; in this desolate wilderness, an idle old man often sat there—a demon of the Three Imperishable Realm, who dubbed himself the Red God.

The Red God commanded all demons within a thousand li, this Red Water River being his ancestral land; originally a Crimson Blood Python that had swallowed the sun and moon for three hundred years, cultivating into a dragon, then roaming far and wide to hunt and feast until reaching his current Three Imperishable Realm.

Yet now, before this thatched cottage, the Red God knelt trembling on the ground.

Three figures rested beside the cottage, radiating immense pressure; even though they deliberately restrained it, the Red God's heart and liver trembled—he had no idea how he'd angered these three demon kings.

"Damn Li family, damn old bastard, damn brat!"

The Wan Mountain Demon King clenched his fists, eyes bloodshot, breathing heavily; he was severely wounded, suppressing both his injuries and his rage.

He hadn't avenged his son's death, and had lost a brother as well.

He'd paid an enormous price to recruit these two beside him, and all his subordinate demons had been wiped out.

His thousand-year foundation within the Wan Mountain Demon Domain had been utterly destroyed! His hatred for that boy was nearly insane.

"That old Li bastard appeared here—so the Divine General's Mansion must be at its weakest now. I heard the Li family still has two immortals: one's whereabouts unknown, the other guarding the ancestral shrine."

"Too bad, sending word now is probably too late—we should've anticipated this. If we'd contacted the Shenggong or Longmen earlier, had them lie in wait outside Qingzhou City while we crushed the boy, we could've dealt a crippling blow!"

The silver-robed youth narrowed his eyes, a flicker of regret in his gaze—this was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

"Hard to say. That Fist Saint dared appear here—perhaps he's summoned the Li family's two old hags who married out long ago to come back and guard the mansion."

Beside him, the Dragon Lord shook his head slightly: "Besides, the elders in the ancestral shrine aren't easy targets. If the Shenggong and Longmen were willing to unite, there might be hope."

"They've already secretly reached out."

The silver-robed youth revealed a shocking truth: "Those people who came seeking us—you think only a Tai Xu cultivator could rally them? If I'm not mistaken, they've all begun forming alliances. This Emperor Da Yu Divine Dynasty should be split into ten provinces, so we can have some peace."

"They're cooperating?"

The Dragon Lord froze, staring at the silver-robed youth in disbelief—these factions had long avoided interference and secretly clashed as enemies. Could they truly unite? The silver-robed youth shook his head slightly and said no more: "Let's focus on us now. The Demon Suppression Bureau beyond the border will soon arrive, listing us as wanted. Those dogged Demon Suppression officers have sharp noses. Do we travel together, or part ways?"

Upon hearing this, neither the Dragon Lord nor the Wan Mountain Demon King spoke.

"If we go together, are you planning to take us to the Shenggong?" the Dragon Lord asked him.

The silver-robed youth nodded slightly, sighing: "I left the Shenggong long ago, hoping for a quiet life. But because of Brother Wan Mountain's affair, I'm forced to bow my head and return. Outside the Shenggong, I don't want to go to the Great Wilderness—those creatures there are too terrifying."

The Wan Mountain Demon King's eyes were icy; he still grieved over his unavenged vengeance and the death of Brother Gao. Meanwhile, these two beside him were already planning their retreats and destinations.

In short, they'd only come because of the earlier deal—what did they care for his feelings?

"I have no interest in the Shenggong. What about you? If you're going somewhere, it'll be Longmen, right?" the Wan Mountain Demon King said to the Dragon Lord.

The Dragon Lord nodded slightly, sighing: "Going to Longmen isn't a good thing either. Longmen invited me long ago, but I wanted freedom, so I refused. Now I go back in disgrace—it's embarrassing."

The Wan Mountain Demon King sneered.

One claimed he wanted peace, the other freedom—what nonsense! They simply weren't tempted by the profit. They'd foreseen the worst outcome of this operation long ago and had already prepared their escape routes.

"Since both of you have destinations, let's part ways here."

Said the Wan Mountain Demon King.

He was wounded, far worse than these two beside him; he felt some wariness about traveling with them.

"And you—where are you headed? Tai Xu Realm?"

Asked the Dragon Lord.

The Wan Mountain Demon King nodded: "At this point, there's no other choice. I've heard those folks are all detached, ascetic, and secluded—hah!"

The Dragon Lord caught the sarcasm in his tone but didn't know if it targeted the Tai Xu Realm or himself—he didn't care: "The Tai Xu Realm will soon attack Liangzhou. When that happens, you'll get your chance at revenge."

"Revenge my ass!"

The Wan Mountain Demon King's eyes turned icy: "Their battle plan ignores Tianmen Pass entirely—avoids this thorn—plans to feast first."

Just a bunch of brainless fools… he thought, but didn't say it aloud—lest the Tai Xu Realm hear and make trouble for him.

"They've been secluded for years. Now that they've emerged, it's natural they want a good meal first."

Said the silver-robed youth.

Then he rose and said: "In that case, I wish you both a glorious journey. I hope when we meet again, we can still share wine and meat."

"Fair enough. We've known each other for years—there's some friendship here," the Dragon Lord chuckled lightly, his smile amiable.

The silver-robed youth smiled faintly, said nothing more, glanced at the kneeling Red God, then turned and flew off without looking back.

Seeing this, the Dragon Lord said to the Wan Mountain Demon King: "Brother, I'm off too. Until we meet again!"

The Wan Mountain Demon King gave a slight nod.

The Dragon Lord looked at the Red God and said: "Would you like to come with me to Longmen?"

The Red God's mouth tasted bitter. He'd cultivated for thousands of years, once roamed far and wide, and had heard of all these demon factions mentioned by these great demon kings—he'd received invitations from them long ago.

But he'd refused, for the same reason as these demon kings: he wanted peace.

He'd guarded this ancestral river for four or five hundred years, cultivating and contemplating the Dao here—utterly at ease.

But now, he sensed the Dragon Lord's silent implication in his gaze.

If he refused, he'd likely be killed.

These three demon kings were wanted by the Emperor Da Yu Divine Dynasty, and he'd learned their whereabouts—there was no way they'd leave him alive.

"I agree."

The Red God bowed his head, speaking gratefully, though his heart was bitter.

"Good. Then come with me."

"May I gather my things first?"

"Granted."

Moments later, the Dragon Lord departed with the Red God.

Only the Wan Mountain Demon King remained seated before the thatched cottage, his expression grim.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze drifted over, slowly forming behind him into a figure clad in pure white robes.

The Wan Mountain Demon King's expression changed slightly, but he didn't turn.

"You've caused such a great disaster—still determined to go your own way?" the white-robed figure said calmly.

"Hah. Did he send you to bring me back?"

The Wan Mountain Demon King's eyes revealed mockery.

"If you're willing to sever your demonic nature and plant good roots, you can still be redeemed," said the white-robed figure.

"You've never lost a son, have you?" the Wan Mountain Demon King sneered.

The white-robed figure replied coldly: "But this isn't your first son to die."

"But it's my last!"

The Wan Mountain Demon King whirled around, roaring.

His eyes were bloodshot, glaring at the white-robed figure: "I'll never raise another son so brilliant. Do you understand? You know how terrifying his talent was—in time, he could've unified our entire race! The Shenggong, Longmen—they'd all kneel before him!"

The white-robed figure remained unmoved by his roar, speaking calmly: "Your son was brilliant, but to reach that level, he'd need at least a thousand years."

"And now, there may not be a thousand years left."

The Wan Mountain Demon King glared at him furiously, yet knew the truth in his words.

To reach that realm would take at least a thousand years—already astonishing speed! But those bastards were growing restless.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his rage, speaking low: "I won't go back with you. I must seek revenge—I must avenge Brother Gao!"

"Will you stubbornly cling to your path until you die?"

The white-robed figure's eyes turned icy.

The Wan Mountain Demon King sneered, staring at him: "If you want to stop me, try."

The white-robed figure stared at him for a moment, then slowly said: "Your demonic nature runs deep, and you refuse to repent. I can't control you—but don't use certain techniques in public. Otherwise, don't blame me when I come to capture you."

The Wan Mountain Demon King remained silent, face grim.

"Here is a Sacred Heart Treasure Talisman. Keep it for your life—it's your last chance!"

The white-robed figure extended a talisman shimmering with dark green light, warning coldly, then vanished with a flicker.

The Wan Mountain Demon King took the talisman, his eyes darkening as he sneered: "You think I'm a dog? I've cultivated for ten thousand years—I'm a king, king of the forests, king of demons!!"

He glared bitterly southward—toward Tianmen Pass—then turned and shot skyward. As he crossed the Red Water River below, he raised his hand and slammed down a furious palm strike.

Palm-veins of demonic energy surged into the river.

The demons playing within suddenly paled, terrified, staring up at the sky.

"Red God, save us—"

One demon cried out in terror, but his voice was swallowed.

In an instant, the entire Red Water River turned to blood. From high above, the crimson hue looked like a winding tear across the earth.

The Wan Mountain Demon King's figure had vanished from the horizon.

Soon after his departure, the white-robed figure appeared high in the sky.

He looked down at the blood river below, murmured softly: "Is this Yesuanjiangyaochumo?"

…

…

The next day.

Li Hao had Li Li Hongzhuang arrange escorts to return the Nine Cauldrons Demon King's blood to Qingzhou.

This was his second debt repaid to the Li family.

Though he'd heard they were no longer in Qingzhou, it didn't matter—as long as the item returned to that courtyard, it was enough.

Now, only one promise remained: guarding for three years. Already, over half a year had passed; spring was near.

Only two more years remain.

The snowstorm beyond the border has ceased, but the cold wind still bites; in two months, the southern regions will welcome the spring rains.

Liangzhou lies within the southern reaches of the Emperor Da Yu Divine Dynasty, so its spring arrives earlier than in Yanzhou and other areas.

Cangya City is still under construction and refinement, with residential buildings continuously being built within its walls.

The officials of the Bureau of Celestial Observations are constructing arrays on the city walls, while Li Hao flies out of the city to a solitary peak a hundred li beyond.

He lays down hidden surveillance lines, then calls up his system panel to check his attributes.

Now, his Body Dao, Control Dao, Sword Dao, and Fist Dao are all at Stage 6.

His Body Movement Dao is at Stage 3.

His Fishing Dao and Painting Dao are both at Stage 6, and their experience points are nearly full.

His Chess Dao is at Stage 5, Music Dao at Stage 3, Poetry and Literature at Stage 3, and Carving Dao has also reached Stage 3—developed during Li Hao's spare time over the past half-year by refining the Pig Tooth Sword.

That Pig Tooth Sword has been shaped into a sword's form, but with the Long Xiao Sword available, it has become nothing more than a decorative object—or rather, a piece of carved art.

Adding his newly attained Stage 7 Cooking Dao, he now has a total of 33 Art Skill Points.

He has spent 27 points, leaving him with 6 remaining.

His Art Skill Points are abundant, but his Body Movement Dao is stuck at Stage 3 because he has had no time to immerse himself in Poetry and Literature to break through to Stage 4.

Without a new mental state to help him shatter the bottleneck at Stage 3, he remains temporarily stalled.

Yet, among the mental states now listed in his attribute panel, besides those already consumed like the Chess Mind, a new one has appeared.

【Mental State: Cooking Enters the Spirit (Usable)】

Without doubt, Li Hao chooses to apply this mental state to his Body Dao.

First, raise his own realm.

With the upgrade prompt, Li Hao selects to use it; the Art Skill Points vanish, and simultaneously, his Body Dao breaks from Stage 6 to Stage 7.

A long-missed advancement! In an instant, countless vast streams of information flood his mind.

The volume of information this time leaves Li Hao momentarily dazed.

But his current physique does not cause him pain from these inputs—only the sheer bulk feels like having a hundred books' worth of knowledge crammed into his head at once.

Li Hao methodically digests and absorbs these messages; as he integrates them, his body unconsciously adjusts and transforms, every bone and muscle slowly writhing.

Three Immortalities: Undying, Unbreakable, Unwaning!

At this moment, with the investment of this Art Skill Point, the knowledge of all three realms manifests.

Long moments pass.

Li Hao opens his eyes.

He stands, and all the Body Dao techniques previously listed on his panel have now transformed, reaching heights far beyond their former state.

Body Techniques:

Golden Skin Hundred Refinements · Golden (True Form)—this once casually practiced low-grade technique had already evolved to high-grade when his Body Dao reached Stage 6.

Now, it transforms again—Hundred Refinements Unbreakable Body · Immovable King (Extraordinary)!

Compared to the original "Stone Skin Hundred Refinements," the name has undergone a complete transformation.

Most importantly, Li Hao now sees a new realm tier listed after it.

Beyond Perfection, beyond True Form—the Extraordinary Tier!! Entering the Spirit, Extraordinary! Li Hao instantly comprehends it all.

If True Form represents the ultimate limit of mortal techniques, then the Extraordinary Tier has already transcended the very concept of ordinary cultivation methods.

Li Hao takes a deep breath and suddenly activates the essence of this technique: Immovable King!

Instantly, the heavens and earth seem to stir with a chilling wind; Li Hao's flesh and blood surge, like countless small plates swelling and gathering—each inch of his skin contains muscle blocks the size of a fingernail, coalescing and pulsing.

Finally, his body grows slightly larger, rising from his original height of 1.8 meters to nearly two meters.

This volume cannot compare to that of a demon, yet the aura radiating from him is more terrifying than any demon's.

The gathered bodily strength and muscles seem to form a blood-and-flesh talismanic pattern upon his body.

Behind him, a faint shadow emerges—a being born of the harmony of heaven and earth.

That shadow resembles a divine soul, a dharma form—eight meters tall, standing imposingly, hands clasped, like a serene, silent deity bowing its head in silence, yet radiating an aura so potent it halts even the wind!

This is the Extraordinary Power revealed when this technique reaches the Extraordinary Tier!

A force beyond the technique itself, resonating with the grand power of heaven and earth!

Li Hao raises his hand and slowly pushes forward a palm.

The Immovable King shadow behind him also slowly raises its palm and pushes forward.

But the aura generated by their pushes is utterly different—the shadow's push seems to turn heaven and earth into an ocean of water and thick cloth, moving with excruciating slowness, yet carrying an unstoppable, invincible might!

On the ground two hundred meters ahead of the peak, a massive palm-shaped depression slowly sinks into the earth.

No impact sound—only a gradual, crushing indentation!

Soon, a palm print five to four meters in diameter appears on the ground.

Yet Li Hao feels he exerted almost no effort—merely raised his hand.

Li Hao takes a deep breath, feeling the surging power within him; his eyes glow with light, and he feels an urge to challenge a Great Demon King once more.

At this moment, as his practice concludes,

his Body Dao realm, long overdue, begins to climb again.

Of course, this "long overdue" is only from Li Hao's perspective—for others, breaking through from Heavenly Human Realm to the Three Immortalities within half a year would be a tale too wild even for opera, and would provoke outrage!

But now, at this very moment, that barrier vanishes naturally, like melting snow.

From the peak of the Master Realm, he formally enters the Land Immortal Realm—and leaps directly past the Undying Stage, reaching the Unbreakable Stage!

His body transforms; the power of heaven and earth surges in, relentlessly pounding his flesh.

The entire peak is enveloped by heavenly power, swirling like a hurricane, shrouding the mountain completely.

The overwhelming aura is sensed even by those a hundred li away in Cangya City; many rush over to investigate, but Ren Ren Qianqian, waiting below the mountain, immediately blocks them, preventing them from disturbing Li Hao.

Upon learning from this girl that Li Hao is cultivating, the warriors relax—they had feared a demon attack.

Yet even as they relax, they are stunned and bewildered by the energy hurricane before them.

Is this the cultivation of the Emperor Da Yu Dynasty's greatest prodigy in a thousand years? He's absorbing heavenly power like a bull drinking water! No wonder his gap with them is so vast.

Compared to Li Hao, their cultivation is like eating rice grain by grain—one grain per meal—while Li Hao lifts the entire plate and devours the feast.

Li Li Hongzhuang also arrives, learns it is Li Hao cultivating, and exhales in relief; she immediately seals off the area, ordering onlookers to leave.

Though these warriors had previously aided him, cultivation is an extremely private matter—even she, had she not been curious, should have avoided the scene.

Yet having witnessed Li Hao's cultivation before, Li Li Hongzhuang is mentally prepared.

Meanwhile, in the mist beyond the peak, Old Feng holds a small wine flask; he had been sipping casually, but now he stops.

He stares fixedly at the mountain, his eyes filled with astonishment.

That boy… broke through to the Three Immortalities?

Three Immortalities at fourteen…

Even Feng Feng Bo Ping, with his vast experience and resilience, cannot help but twitch his eyelid.

When this boy reaches the Four Foundations, won't he still be under twenty?

The thought strikes his heart like a hammer blow.

Good, good—as long as I'm old enough, I'm not his peer, so I won't be humiliated…

With this thought, Feng Feng Bo Ping feels his mind lighten again; he takes another hearty gulp, delighted, slapping his thigh with a grin.

Within the mountain, after completing his practice of the Immovable King essence, Li Hao begins practicing other techniques.

His former Thousand Serpents Sage · Transforming into a Serpent has now become Ten Thousand Serpents Dragon Body · True Dragon (True Form). This technique's inherent level is higher, so with his Body Dao at Stage 7, he has yet to comprehend its Extraordinary Tier.

But its True Form is no less impressive than the Immovable King just now.

As he practices, his flesh and blood surge—not bound by his body anymore; each fragment of flesh seems to hold independent power and consciousness.

Li Hao's physique swells, his bones lengthen, and heavenly power rushes into him at high speed—on his body, scales of true dragon flesh visibly form!

These scales are condensed from flesh and heavenly power, having shattered the boundary of "mortal flesh."

Mortal flesh is also called "common skin."

Entering the Three Immortalities means no longer possessing a mortal body—regenerating severed limbs, unbreakable flesh, unwaning true power—all belong to the Extraordinary tier.

Now, Li Hao's body breaks free from its former shape, like a demon that, after reaching a certain level, uses demonic aura and illusion to assume human form—yet remains fundamentally demonic.

Now, Li Hao can transform too, and his transformation is more real than a demon's—not an illusion, but a restructuring of his flesh and bone.

Appearance can change! With a low roar, Li Hao's eyes blaze with terrifying golden light; his pupils turn crimson-gold, his hands become claws, and his body transforms into a small, graceful true dragon!

This is the extraordinary insight granted by Stage 7 of the Body Dao.

It transcends ordinary understanding of the Three Immortalities' body.

As his form changes, his 48,000 pores transform into 96,000 true scales, dramatically increasing the speed at which he absorbs heavenly power.

Li Hao immediately understands why the dragon race is so dominant—their innate body structure and cultivation speed are incomparable to humanity's.

Crucially, the power absorbed through these scales is rapidly converted within his body.

Some demons have bodies that absorb power easily, but their meridians are fragile; if absorption is too fast, they explode—so they must actively slow it down to maintain balance.

This is the principle of yin-yang inherent in all things.

But the dragon race is different—brutal and simple: absorb quickly, digest even faster!

In an instant, Li Hao's inner aura surges again—from the Unbreakable Stage to the Unwaning Stage! (End of Chapter)