Chapter 326: Pursuit

"Xuanshen!"

Seeing Ji Xuanshen blocking the way, Ji Daoxin's expression changed slightly, and he gave a light shout.

But he didn't blame him; he saw that Ji Xuanshen only wanted to stop Li Hao from leaving, not that there was any real hostility.

"No need to challenge; you've already won."

Li Hao looked at the youth before him and said calmly: "In the Ji Clan, you are the strongest Heaven's Pride."

"But I haven't defeated you!"

Ji Xuanshen's expression was complex, both angry and powerless. He stared at the divine flame clothing on Li Hao's body and said: "You are already in the Taiping Dao Realm now. Although I don't know how you managed it, you were able to defeat me when you were in the Three Imperishables Realm before. Now, you should be even more formidable, right?"

"One move, just one move!"

"If you can defeat me within one move, I'll let you walk out!"

He stared fixedly at Li Hao: "Do you dare to accept?"

Hearing the youth's words, other Ji Clan members were stunned. No one thought Ji Xuanshen was overestimating himself or being brainlessly arrogant. They all saw that the "one move" the other party spoke of was an intention to use all his strength to keep this opponent who had once defeated him.

This wasn't hostility, but friendship!

Perhaps, this was the mutual appreciation between Heaven's Prides?

"That's right. If you don't defeat Xuanshen and run away after winning, that's retreating!"

"If you want to leave the Ji Clan, accept the battle!"

Other Heaven's Prides rushed over, also seeing Ji Xuanshen's intention, and all voiced their support and provoked him.

Facing Li Hao, who mastered the Dao Domain, they had no confidence in holding out for one move in front of him, but Ji Xuanshen also mastered the Dao Domain. If he cooperated with the power of the Holy Bones, blocking one move might not be impossible!

These words sounded like an invitation to battle and seemed like unwillingness, but other Ji Clan elders looked at Li Hao one after another, hoping he could accept it.

Give Ji Xuanshen a chance.

Not a chance for a challenge, but a chance to keep him.

How could Li Hao not understand Ji Xuanshen's intention? He was silent for a moment.

Going up the mountain at the beginning, there were countless obstacles.

Going down the mountain now, there were still countless obstacles.

It was for the Ji Clan then.

Now, it was also for the Ji Clan.

It was just that this time, the obstruction was the exact opposite.

"Then let's try."

Li Hao said as if sighing. In fact, he already knew the result and the answer in his heart.

Hearing Li Hao willing to accept, the anger and complexity in Ji Xuanshen's eyes turned into joy. He breathed a sigh of relief, afraid that Li Hao would insist on leaving and not give him a chance at all.

After all, if Li Hao really wanted to leave, he couldn't stop him.

But one move, he still had this confidence.

Although he had been defeated by Li Hao in the Three Imperishables Realm before, during this period, he had completely stepped into the Taiping Dao Realm! In just an instant, his Dao Domain could unfold, and the power of the rules would also increase several times.

Being in the same Dao Realm, he was the Ji Clan's top Heaven's Pride; he didn't believe he couldn't hold out for one move from Li Hao.

"Keep your word!"

Ji Xuanshen took a deep breath, his eyes becoming solemn, his aura gradually rising, and the Heaven and Earth Veins appeared, gathering the power of the four directions of heaven and earth.

Having had the experience of fighting the enemy last time, this time he chose to strike first. Although it was a bit unfair, he still took the lead in plundering all the power of the nearby heaven and earth.

In this way, he could avoid Li Hao quickly entering the Land Immortal Realm. In a confrontation in that realm, he felt he might not be able to take even one move. After all, the current Li Hao was different from the Three Imperishables; he was at the peak of the Four Standing Realms! With majestic power condensed on his body, Ji Xuanshen radiated a heavy pressure, and fission power like thunder and lightning condensed around his body.

He stared at Li Hao, but saw that Li Hao didn't seem to have any posture of accumulating power or making a move.

"Don't blame me for not giving you time to prepare!"

If they were fighting on the Dao field again, he would stop and wait, but at this moment, he only said one sentence and immediately exerted his Dao Domain to press down on Li Hao.

In a battle in the Taiping Dao Realm, the Dao Domain is supreme. Whoever's Dao Domain is stronger, whoever seizes the initiative first, is the winner.

Ji Daoxin and the others looked at Li Hao, seeing that Li Hao had no posture of erupting, and felt secretly happy in their hearts. Perhaps, Li Hao was actually willing to stay in his heart?

Just as everyone was shocked by Ji Xuanshen's power and secretly surprised in their hearts, Li Hao just lifted his foot and continued to walk forward.

Facing the fission Dao Domain coming toward him, he was indifferent, ignoring it, just walking straight out.

The Dao Domain shrouded his body, but what made Ji Xuanshen and the crowd dumbfounded was that Li Hao's body didn't change in the slightest, only his hair fluttered lightly, like a spring breeze brushing his face.

Before Ji Xuanshen could be shocked, two layers of Dao Domains expanded from Li Hao's body. In just an instant, they tore through Ji Xuanshen's Dao Domain, forced his Dao Domain back, and then pressed back in the opposite direction, finally forcing his Dao Domain completely back into his body.

Within Li Hao's double Dao Domains, his Dao Domain was suppressed to death and couldn't be unfolded at all!

And the rules within Li Hao's double Dao Domains didn't use full strength, only slight suppression.

Subsequently, Li Hao walked forward straight away, brushing past Ji Xuanshen.

From beginning to end, Li Hao looked as if he hadn't even lifted his hand, without making a move.

And Ji Xuanshen was already unable to move, like a stiff stone statue. He stared dumbly at the youth who was walking toward him and brushing past his shoulder, leaving only his eyeballs able to turn.

The shock and horror in his heart could no longer be described in words.

Was the gap really this big?

Following this was a burst of frustration and painful bitterness.

Ji Daoxin, Ji Tianchao, and the others had originally thought they would see a fierce collision, but the momentum Ji Xuanshen had condensed for half a day was actually easily stopped by Li Hao, like spring rain moistening all things, without a sound.

This was... defeat.

And it was a thorough defeat! Ji Daoxin, Ji Tianchao, and the others were all stunned. The moment Li Hao revealed his double Dao Domains, they felt their hearts twitch fiercely, knowing the result.

The youth before them had not only become a Dao Realm master but was also stunning far beyond their imagination.

The other numerous Ji Clan members who had rushed over were all silent at this moment.

The Heaven's Prides who had come to help earlier were also dumbfounded, looking at this scene, unable to believe that Ji Xuanshen, who had stepped into the Taiping Dao Realm, had actually been defeated so easily.

Not to mention one move, Li Hao didn't even need to make a move; his Dao Domain alone completely crushed him. The gap was unimaginably large!

Looking at the youth's back as he walked further and further away, Ji Daoxin and the others finally reacted and quickly chased after him.

"Can you really not stay in my Ji Clan?"

Ji Qingyuan felt shocked in his heart, looked at this youth with a complex expression, and asked in a low voice.

Ji Daoxin couldn't help but glance at him, not expecting him to speak to keep him, feeling both surprised and miserable in his heart. "Although I am not a member of the Ji Clan, I can be a friend of the Ji Clan. Everything depends on fate."

Li Hao said, his tone peaceful.

Hearing the youth's words, Ji Daoxin and the others were silent, knowing that walking to this step, they couldn't keep Li Hao.

This youth had never cared about all the resources of the Ji Clan.

As for the so-called family protection, it was even more of a ridiculous empty talk. After all, this youth had already completely grown and risen, enough to roam the Great Wilderness Heaven.

Except for the War Gods of the various Holy Clans, as well as a few old immortals and some forbidden lands, there were basically no places that could stop him.

Ji Daoxin couldn't stop sighing in his heart. After seeing Li Hao reveal his double Dao Domains, he felt even more painful and regretful in his heart, even regretting the slight pause when Li Hao questioned him earlier.

If he had answered yes directly at that time, could this youth have changed his mind? In this low atmosphere, they finished this road and arrived before the Holy Land Secret Realm.

Although Ji Daoxin

He raised his hand, and a secret rune resembling a magic array appeared on his palm, presenting itself before Li Hao's eyes.

Li Hao saw it and initially wanted to refuse, but since he had already seen this secret rune, unless he could erase this memory, it was already considered mastered.

Seeing the other party so persistent, Li Hao didn't say much more, only sighed inwardly, raised his hand, and bid them farewell.

"Let me see you off a bit further."

Ji Yunyue and the others stepped out, wanting to accompany Li Hao a little longer.

Li Hao politely declined, but since Ji Yunyue and the others insisted on seeing him off, he had no choice but to let them be.

Ji Tianchao just accompanied him silently without speaking again, but the old man's eyes were filled with extreme vicissitudes and dejection.

After stepping out of the Ji Clan's Holy Land secret realm and being escorted by them for a thousand miles, Li Hao politely declined again.

"In the future, if you ever enter the Great Desolate Heaven again, remember you must come to visit us."

Ji Yunyue said with teary eyes.

Ji Yunqing and the others were also reluctant to part.

"I will." Li Hao nodded, and immediately bid them farewell.

Watching the back of the youth as he departed, Ji Yunqing murmured, "Since our ancestor, it seems our Ji Clan has painfully lost a future Sage."

"Third Brother said that if given ten years, he could fight side-by-side with me. At the time, I thought Third Brother was being too short-sighted; now, I think Third Brother was being too conservative."

Ji Tianchao gazed in that direction and whispered, "Dual Dao Domains—with such comprehension, if he seeks the Dao with a single mind, he should be able to hear the Dao within five years. In our lifetime, we might even have the hope of witnessing the rise of a Sage with our own eyes."

"A Sage, huh..."

Everyone's expression changed. The old man of the Dao Domain inside also had an ugly expression. Ji Yunqing was also in the Heavenly Human Realm; even if he burned his divine soul, they wouldn't be his match, after all, their condition was too poor.

A person who could have brought glory to their Ji Clan once more, yet they failed to grasp the opportunity.

The day after seeing Li Hao off.

At the summit of the Holy Mountain, Ji Xuanshen and several other heaven-gifted talents arrived to seek the Clan Head, Ji Daoxin.

"You want to go outside the Great Desolate Heaven?"

Upon hearing Ji Xuanshen's words, Ji Daoxin couldn't help but be stunned. Seeing that the other heaven-gifted talents all had firm expressions, he couldn't help but frown.

"That child will not return to the Ji Clan anymore. It is useless for you to chase after him; don't let your efforts backfire," he said.

Ji Xuanshen shook his head slightly and said, "I just want to go and see what kind of environment it is outside the Great Desolate Heaven, in that place ruled by the Jiang Clan, in that barren dynasty, that could cultivate a heaven-gifted talent like him."

"That's right, I also want to go and see. We enjoy countless divine elixirs and treasures in the Ji Clan, yet we are not his equal. I also want to see what kind of place that is outside the Great Desolate Heaven."

Ji Qingshuang said.

Her father, Ji Qingyuan, had known his daughter's thoughts yesterday. Hearing this from the side, he only frowned, sighed inwardly, but did not stop her.

With Ji Xuanshen, who was in the Taiping Dao Realm, accompanying them, these Ji Clan heaven-gifted talents were not weak to begin with, so they shouldn't run into trouble in that place.

After all, the heaven-gifted talents of the Desolate Ancient Holy Clan were not canaries in a birdcage; they were not that delicate.

Ji Daoxin scanned them and then looked at Ji Xuanshen. Seeing the child look straight at him without flinching, he understood in his heart that the other party had already made up his mind.

If he were to stop them again, it would become a hurdle in the other party's heart that could not be overcome, and he feared their cultivation would struggle to make any progress.

"Very well. That Emperor Da Yu Divine Dynasty is ruled by the Jiang Clan. Although it is a place outside the wilderness, when you arrive there, you must try your best to abide by their rules. Remember that that dynasty bears the surname Jiang."

Ji Daoxin said earnestly.

Ji Xuanshen and the others exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Understood. One of the eight Desolate Ancient Holy Clans that once stood side-by-side with our ancestors—the Jiang Clan." Ji Xuanshen nodded.

"Correct."

Ji Daoxin said, "Back then, the ancestors of the Jiang Clan were defeated in the Holy War of the Great Desolate Heaven and could only be expelled from the Great Desolate Heaven, banished to that barren land outside. However, their heritage and Dao lineage were not severed because of this."

"Thousands of years ago, a heaven-gifted talent was born in the Jiang Clan, naturally possessing a hundred meridians connected. He unified that barren land, opened up a dynasty, and established order. He could be considered a top-tier powerhouse. Later, it is said he died in battle, though it is unknown if it is true or false. In any case, there is no need to provoke them."

Ji Xuanshen and the others felt solemn in their hearts; naturally possessing a hundred meridians—that was truly a heaven-defying talent.

"Additionally, when I previously looked for information on that child, I incidentally investigated that Emperor Da Yu Divine Dynasty. Nowadays, they are in decline and surrounded by demons. A great war could break out at any moment. Behind these demons are the shadows of ancient demons from within our Great Desolate Heaven. There will surely be a life-and-death battle that will shake the Imperial Capital. You must remember not to easily go to their Imperial City."

Ji Daoxin instructed seriously.

Hearing this, Ji Xuanshen and the others felt a chill in their hearts. Was the youth's hometown already in such a precarious state? "Understood." Ji Xuanshen nodded.

Ji Daoxin looked at him, paused for a moment, then let out a long sigh and said:

"Xuanshen, living in the same era as that child is your misfortune, but you need not be too obsessed with him. Besides him, you are the most outstanding heaven-gifted talent of our Ji Clan and the pride of your parents. Do you understand?"

Ji Xuanshen was silent for a moment and said, "I understand."

Ji Daoxin nodded slightly, his expression softening a bit, and said, "If you see that child, and if he has any need for help, you may send word back at any time. If he wishes to prop up that Jiang Clan dynasty, our Ji Clan will surely assist him with all our might!"

Ji Xuanshen couldn't help but look at this Clan Head. As a member of the Desolate Ancient Holy Clan, he knew better than anyone that the tribes within the Great Desolate Heaven, even the small ones, sneered at the lands outside the Great Desolate Heaven and disdained to set foot there, let alone step forward to assist and support them with all their might.

"I understand."

Ji Xuanshen said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Ji Daoxin revealed a gratified smile.

Several more days passed.

On the edge of the Great Desolate Heaven, a youth sat on the back of a demon with red fur all over its body, resembling a fire lion.

Gazing at the distant mountain peaks, the youth whispered, "I'm back..."

(End of chapter)