Chapter 504: Hao Tian, We Meet Again!

"My spear Dao..."

Chi Guang stared at the young boy before him, utterly stunned—his spear Dao, capable of burning away all things, had just been severed by a single sword strike?!

What kind of sword Dao was that? He felt a terrifying tremor—the cutting sensation of that sword intent was overwhelming, as if nothing could stand in its way.

In the Buddhist hall, the Master Master Jian Sheng's usually indifferent eyes suddenly sharpened; a glimmer of astonishment flickered within them.

As the supreme master of sword Dao, he saw more clearly than others—within that single sword strike lay countless sword intents, hundreds or even thousands! Such extreme sword intent, absorbed into one's own Dao, rendered it unbreakable and utterly terrifying! The Master Master Jian Sheng cultivated the Dao of All Beings—first understanding all life, then cultivating the sword. His path echoed the boy's, and Li Hao's current level of sword art was no lesser than his own.

If they were of equal realm, and purely compared in sword technique, it was still uncertain who would prevail!

The Literary Saint's eyes shimmered with light like flowing scriptures, as if wondrous laws had coalesced within them; he squinted and said:

"Remarkable young man—in less than a hundred years, you've refined your art to this level. If given a few more centuries, you may even attain Dao and become a Saint!"

To become a Saint within a thousand years was already extraordinary; to achieve Dao within a few centuries? His words were an immense compliment to Li Hao.

Below the stage, Zhan Tan sat with several half-Saint figures—these were Ye Zu, Qing Zu, and others who had come to watch and support Li Hao.

Seeing the sword that severed the formation, they exchanged stunned glances.

"Qingfeng's sword..."

"His sword Dao is this terrifying?!"

As half-Saints, their own techniques had reached the level of Dao mastery—but even among Dao-level arts, there were hierarchies. The Master Master Jian Sheng's Dao of All Beings, for instance, was far more complex and terrifying than other sword Daus.

Zhan Tan was dazed. These past days, Li Hao had been discussing painting Dao with her—he'd never once drawn a sword. Yet now, when he finally unsheathed it, it was this terrifying.

"His strength rivals Qing Jiu's."

Zhan Tan murmured to herself; her shock faded, replaced by delight.

On the stage, Li Hao sheathed his sword and no longer looked at Chi Guang—this one strike was enough to make the other recognize the gap between them.

His gaze fell upon the three Buddhist disciples, cold in his eyes:

"You call me a demon? Then here's your chance to subdue one—don't disappoint me!"

At these words, the previously silent crowd erupted in uproar.

To speak such words in the highest sacred ground of Fomen was sheer audacity!

Chi Guang snapped back to awareness, his eyes trembling, dazed.

Only now did he realize—he had truly been defeated.

As Li Hao said, he had been defeated by a single sword strike! One strike was all it took! He had hidden his spear Dao; Li Hao had hidden his sword Dao—this was the true sword. While Chi Guang was stunned, the three Buddhist disciples regained their composure, staring at Li Hao in fear.

Merely standing beside the stage, they had felt the terror of that sword strike. If he struck again, all three of them together might not withstand it.

"Master, you are far too arrogant!"

"Had our Buddhist sect not held to its rules, we would have subdued you long ago!"

The three Buddhist disciples spoke with grim faces.

"As Buddhist disciples, when a demon stands before you, do you lack the courage to even look him in the eye?!"

Li Hao's eyes snapped open, shooting out sword-like frost: "If subduing demons is your duty, then now is the time to prove your cultivation!"

The three Buddhist disciples were so enraged they nearly spat blood—test their cultivation? Who was he, to speak such words? He wasn't their elder!

But seeing the frost in Li Hao's eyes, all three knew that to strike back would only bring them shame.

"Master Qingfeng, do not be so aggressive!"

The half-Saint Buddha seated atop the green lion murmured a Buddhist chant, frowning.

Li Hao wanted to laugh—who was being aggressive? They had thrown mud at him, yet now blamed him for striking back too hard?

"In the Heavenly Prodigy Contest, all rules—age, realm—are equal. Since you call me a demon, I allow all three of you to attack together. Are the great Buddhist disciples too afraid to subdue a demon?"

Li Hao's gaze was sharp.

Hearing this, the three Buddhist disciples' faces turned purple with fury, their hearts seething with hatred toward Pu Hua—the one who had stirred up trouble and now left them exposed. Why had they ever provoked this monster?! Below, the crowd exchanged glances—indeed, the rules of the Heavenly Prodigy Contest demanded peer-to-peer competition. Li Hao was challenging all three at once, yet the three Buddhist disciples dared not move.

For a moment, many felt deep disappointment in the three.

You are the future Buddhas! How can you retreat before a demon's might? How will you ever protect the people?

Instantly, the incense offerings gathering around the three Buddhist disciples noticeably weakened.

Sensing this, their faces changed in unison, shock and fury rising within them.

To be humiliated was one thing—but to strike at incense offerings was to strike at their very lifeline!

To damage the foundation of sainthood was like killing one's parents—unforgivable!

"You are too arrogant! Even if I cannot defeat you, I will crush your demonic flame!"

One of the Buddhist disciples, though furious, wore an expression of solemn dignity. He murmured a Buddhist chant, and his body erupted in brilliant golden light.

A vast cosmic manifestation appeared behind him—his soul bound to heaven and earth, his vow to become a Saint. In youth, he had been a prodigy of unmatched talent, renowned far and wide. Later, he had won the favor of the Buddha Lord and been taken as a disciple. Even among this gathering of monsters, he stood among the elite—perhaps even the top two.

The other two Buddhist disciples no longer held back—they struck together, chanting sutras. The heavens echoed with Sanskrit chants; golden Buddhist light bathed the world like twilight.

This magnificent spectacle left the people of Canglan Realm stunned.

The fading incense offerings around the three disciples stabilized. Their expressions turned solemn, resolute as if marching to death. Their bodies merged with their cosmic manifestations, becoming three towering Buddhas upon the stage. Without a word, they struck as one.

In an instant, three Buddha palms descended, their energies linked, forming a single force—three palms merging into three great mountains, connected into a mountain range of Buddhist light, aiming to crush Li Hao.

"It's the World-Honored Buddha Palm!"

"It encompasses past, present, and future—one of the Buddha Lord's supreme Dharma techniques!"

"One palm, and heaven and earth are sealed—even time and space freeze! Qingfeng is finished!"

"To challenge all three at once? How arrogant! Our Buddhist disciples are not weaklings! How dare he treat us so lightly?!"

Below, many Buddhist disciples cried out in shock, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Lin Lin Shuhai stared at the mountain-range of Buddhist palms, his face grim—he could see that while one person could only unleash part of this technique, the three together had fully activated it!

This was equivalent to a single strike from a Dao-Realm Buddha Lord! Though lacking Saintly power, it was still earth-shattering.

On the stage, Chi Guang had recovered. Seeing the Buddhist light bearing down on Li Hao, his expression changed—he hadn't expected these disciples he'd dismissed to possess such power.

Even if it was a combined technique, the fact that their unity posed a threat to him was terrifying.

They said there were higher heavens beyond heavens—Chi Guang now saw again the strength of other prodigies.

Li Hao looked up—his vision filled with golden light. Beyond it stood three cosmic Buddha manifestations, descending upon him in unison.

Li Hao spun his sword in a flourish, his gaze unchanged, as before—he raised his hand and slashed!

The black blade carved a pitch-black scar through the air—the void split, golden light cracked as if violently invaded, Buddhist light shattered! The united palm seals were cleaved apart by a single sword stroke; sword qi surged skyward, sweeping horizontally, shredding the heavens of Buddhist light, then striking directly into the cosmic manifestation of one Buddhist disciple.

The Buddha manifestation's face twisted in horror—only by direct contact could he feel the terror of Li Hao's sword Dao, the grotesque, Jizhi intensity of that cutting intent!

Boom! The Buddha's golden light extinguished. The sword light split the disciple's shoulder, severing one arm.

Li Hao slashed again, sweeping horizontally.

The black sword light surged through the Void's Abyss in an instant. The other two disciples tried to dodge—but the sword qi came too fast. The Buddhist Gangqi on their manifestations had barely formed before being cleaved open; their manifestations were severed, forcing their bodies out.

The sword qi did not kill them—it was like a whip, lashing them from their manifestations and slamming them hard against the newly reformed formation.

Boom! Boom! Boom! All three Buddhist disciples were flung into the formation, their monk robes flickering with fading Buddhist light. Their bodies trembled, spitting blood.

Li Hao made no move to pursue. He sheathed his sword and looked on coldly.

One sword shattered the ultimate technique. One sword defeated three disciples!

Seeing the three Buddhist disciples fall from the formation, the Buddhist disciples below froze—their excitement vanished as if their throats had been crushed and their faces slapped hard, eyes wide with disbelief.

The World-Honored Buddha Palm had been defeated? Three Buddhist disciples, undone by Li Hao's single strike! The World Stone reflected this scene—those in Canglan Realm were struck silent in horror.

The tall, upright youth stood upon the stage, holding a three-foot black sword, like a young sword god who had vanquished all prodigies!

"This is his true sword Dao..."

Hao Master Yue Saint Disciple stared at Li Hao's figure. As a swordsman, he understood Li Hao's sword better than most—this sword Dao was terrifying, as if infused with ultimate Daoic intent, unbreakable!

As a sword, he had pushed sharpness to its absolute extreme.

Flame Dao could be cut. Buddhist light could be cut. It seemed nothing could resist it. He had once wished to challenge Li Hao again—after his recent seclusion, he had improved, hoping to reclaim his former shame. But now, he fully grasped the vast gulf between them.

He was like his own master—save that he had not yet become a Saint, his sword Dao was no less terrifying!

On the stage, Li Hao had defeated the three Buddhist disciples without killing them—the severed arm could regrow. After all, this was a Buddhist sacred ground—he had held back.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Li Hao sensed that the incense offerings gathering around him had increased.

He paused, startled, then felt a touch of irony.

Even in Canglan Realm, so deeply influenced by Fomen, human nature still revered strength—it was innate.

The law of the strong devouring the weak applied across all realms. Though branded a demon, his display of overwhelming power had still drawn abundant incense offerings.

Behind Li Hao, Lin Lin Qingying was dazed. At the Sword Ancestor's sacred ground, she had once seen Li Hao's sword strike that dimmed the entire sacred site. Now—was this his own sword Dao?

She never imagined the wounded boy she had rescued would possess such terrifying power.

Is this what a disciple of the Supreme Saint's sect truly is?

She stared deeply at Li Hao's back, her thoughts settling. She gripped her sword tightly and stood silently within his shadow.

On the stage, with the three Buddhist disciples defeated, silence fell.

Chi Guang stared deeply at Li Hao. Though his heart ached, he had to admit—Li Hao was strong. Far beyond what he could now match. Others who had once hoped to vie for first place now fell silent. To claim first place, one must defeat Li Hao—otherwise, winning anyone else meant nothing.

This peak stood there, evoking a sense of towering, unclimbable height.

Lin Lin Shuhai sighed softly, shaking his head, letting go of his last lingering thought.

"It seems the incense offerings of the hundred cities will go to this young man. I wonder which sect he belongs to."

The Literary Saint smiled faintly.

His last words sounded casual—but his gaze flickered toward the Buddha Lord. This was no ordinary remark.

The Buddha Lord understood the hidden meaning. What seemed like idle chatter, if unexamined, sounded meaningless—but the Buddha Lord knew the Literary Saint was warning him not to act against the boy. This was a subtle reminder.

A youth who performs like this—if he's merely from the top force of a divine dynasty—it's too incredible.

Unless one is a sage reincarnated, relying on memories from a past life, or has a sage guiding from behind—possibly even a direct disciple of the Ultimate Sage.

"Such a sword path—and yet not a disciple of the Master Jian Sheng? What a pity."

The Buddha Sovereign spoke to the Master Jian Sheng beside him.

The Master Jian Sheng slightly narrowed his eyes, knowing the other was testing whether they had any connection. Though he disliked Li Hao—the man had previously defeated the Moonlit Sage Disciple, bringing shame to his own disciple—he now found himself unwilling to harass him, since the Lin Qingfeng had already aligned against the Buddhist sect.

"In the myriad worlds, there are countless swordsmen. Though my Sword Ancestral Sanctuary is the holy ground of swordsmen, and sword prodigies from all realms come here seeking fame, there are still some swordsmen who walk their own paths—no cause for regret."

"To witness such astonishing sword art is already a blessing for me," said the Master Jian Sheng.

The Buddha Sovereign smiled, knowing the Master Jian Sheng would not reveal anything. He spoke softly: "All things have cause and effect. Let me calculate the karmic origins of this young man, to see where he comes from—perhaps it will answer your questions."

You're the one who wants to know… the Master Jian Sheng silently chuckled, realizing the other was worried.

Yet he had long heard of the Buddha Sovereign's Karmic Dao—it was terrifying, even surpassing his own Dao of All Beings.

After all, all beings are sunk in cause and effect. Among countless sacred paths, the Buddha Sovereign's Karmic Dao stood among the pinnacle, one of the few supreme sages beneath the Ultimate Sage.

The Literary Sovereign's eyes flickered slightly—he too wished to know Li Hao's origins.

At this moment, as the Buddha Sovereign activated his karmic power, the wheel of merit behind him radiated brilliant Buddhist light. His fingers moved in intricate seals, karmic currents flowing at his fingertips. All things that have an effect must have a cause—he could trace back to the source.

Yet as the sacred power coalesced and sought the origin, suddenly something seemed to block the sacred force.

"Hmm?"

A faint, almost imperceptible shock surfaced in the Buddha Sovereign's eyes.

Could something block his karmic investigation?

Only the Ultimate Sage could accomplish such a feat—indeed, only the Ultimate Sage himself could do it! Could it be that someone, always hidden behind him, was protecting this youth? The Buddha Sovereign's gaze sharpened as he studied the boy on the battlefield, his eyes flickering with thought.

"Buddha Sovereign, have you calculated it?"

After waiting a moment without a response, the Literary Sovereign asked, slightly surprised.

The Buddha Sovereign's expression remained calm. "Karma is unpredictable. With such talent, he must come from a distinguished lineage."

"Which sage's disciple?" asked the Master Jian Sheng.

The Buddha Sovereign smiled but said nothing.

Seeing his inscrutable demeanor, the Literary Sovereign and the Master Jian Sheng exchanged a long look—and said no more.

On the battlefield, Li Hao's gaze swept across the other ten champions.

The Moonlit Sage Disciple, meeting Li Hao's gaze, paled slightly, lowered his head in silence, then leapt off the stage, abandoning his claim to first place.

The others, when met with Li Hao's gaze, offered no response.

Lin Lin Shuhai smiled at Li Hao. Though he said nothing, his expression seemed to say: Congratulations, brother.

Li Hao nodded slightly to him, then turned his gaze to the final figure: the Twin Buddha Disciple.

The other had stood motionless on the stage since the beginning.

Now, seeing Li Hao's gaze, the Twin Buddha Disciple smiled gently and said:

"That sword art… is truly formidable."

Hearing the Twin Buddha Disciple's words, the crowd below stirred in surprise—no one expected even this Buddha Disciple to concede Li Hao's sword art.

Yet even the weakest cultivators could feel the terror in Li Hao's few strikes—their vision seemed sliced apart, a needle-like pain piercing their eyes; merely gazing at it caused injury.

"Will you fight for first place?"

Li Hao's expression remained impassive.

The Twin Buddha Disciple chuckled softly. "I won't let you have first place. Come to think of it… we truly are fated to meet."

"Hmm?"

Li Hao fixed his gaze on him.

"Hao Tian—we meet again. It seems you haven't recognized me."

At these words, Li Hao froze, then his expression changed instantly.

A chill swept over him, spreading through his entire body. He stared at the Twin Buddha Disciple. "Who are you?"

"My incarnation in the mortal realm was slain by you, disrupting my Dao. Now you come here to compete with my true self for offerings—have you forgotten me?"

The Twin Buddha Disciple smiled.

Li Hao's pupils contracted slightly. "You're the Buddha Lord?"

He was stunned—the Twin Buddha Disciple before him was the Buddha Lord?! Though the man's aura bore resemblance to both Buddha and Demon, and the Buddha Lord had indeed used an incarnation to cultivate demonic power while his true self cultivated Buddhist power, seeking to unify them and transcend the Threshold to Sagehood, the Buddha Lord had cultivated for over two thousand years—how long had this Twin Buddha Disciple existed?

If this were reincarnation, the timeline didn't match.

The Twin Buddha Disciple appeared no older than sixteen or seventeen. Even if the Buddha Lord had reincarnated immediately after being slain by Li Hao, he would now be only about ten years old.

As if sensing Li Hao's shock, the Twin Buddha Disciple smiled. "Had my reincarnated body not been too immature ten years ago, I would have descended into the mortal realm long ago and slain you."

Though he spoke of slaying, his face remained serene, compassionate.

Li Hao suddenly understood.

Though the other had not explained fully, the truth struck him instantly.

The Twin Buddha Disciple was a sage reincarnated—a reincarnated body. This had been speculated earlier; now it was confirmed.

The Buddha Lord's incarnation had not been cultivated by the Twin Buddha Disciple—it had been cultivated by his past life, descending into the mortal realm.

And his true self had only recently reincarnated, becoming the Twin Buddha Disciple before him.

"Your true self reincarnated, cultivating both Buddha and Demon, while your incarnation descended into the mortal realm to master the path of Buddha and Demon—you plan to merge your reincarnated body with your past incarnation when both reach perfection, ascending to the highest realm?"

Li Hao narrowed his eyes, studying the Twin Buddha Disciple, deciphering his scheme.

The Buddha Lord had immense ambition—he sought to bypass the Threshold entirely and leap straight to Sagehood.

Even if only his incarnation, the Twin Buddha Disciple's original plan was formidable—he aimed to ascend to Ultimate Sagehood, even to dominate among the Ultimate Sages!

"Correct. If I succeed, I shall perceive past and present, discern yin and yang, comprehend heaven and earth, master all Buddhist Dharma, all wondrous truths—and become the Ultimate Sage Buddha!"

The Twin Buddha Disciple, hearing Li Hao reveal his plan, showed no surprise. He spoke calmly.

Hearing their exchange, the crowd below was stunned. They had long heard the Twin Buddha Disciple was a sage reincarnated—but now they realized it was true, and that he sought nothing less than becoming an Ultimate Sage!

"What a grand aspiration."

"So this is the Twin Buddha Disciple's vow? No wonder he is a sage reincarnated."

"Then… the Lin Qingfeng and the Twin Buddha Disciple knew each other already? No—Lin Qingfeng was his alias. What did the Twin Buddha Disciple just call him?"

"Hao Tian—it was Hao Tian!"

The crowd below erupted in murmurs.

Outside the arena, Chan Tan and those beside him—Ye Zu and others—were shaken to their core.

Hao Tian?! They had just been discussing that Hao Tian moments ago—was it the same person? Previously, even if Li Hao had revealed his true name, they might not have connected the two—after all, in the myriad worlds, names were countless; hundreds of thousands shared the same name. But with Li Hao's monstrous talent, and now the same name—it could not be coincidence.

Thinking of the legends surrounding that Hao Tian, Chan Tan and the others were stunned—but quickly realized: now that Li Hao's identity was exposed, if the Void Sage learned of it, he would surely come to kill him.

Their thoughts grew chaotic, their faces filled with dread.

Li Hao looked up at the Buddha Sovereign, then spoke to the Twin Buddha Disciple: "You have such a grand vow—to become the leader of the Buddhist sect. Will the Buddha Sovereign permit it?"

"That is a matter between me and the Buddha Sovereign. You should worry about whether you can survive my hands today."

The Twin Buddha Disciple smiled calmly.

Only now did Li Hao understand why the other had occasionally smiled at him—those smiles had been strange, unnatural. The Twin Buddha Disciple had recognized him from the very beginning.

Now that his identity was exposed, this place was no longer safe—he must leave quickly.

If he turned and fled now, the other might not allow it. He must eliminate him first, then find a secure hiding place.

He pondered, his gaze shifting subtly. His hand naturally brushed the blade's edge, silently drawing a drop of golden divine blood. Then, from the space between realms, he retrieved a pill. As he grasped it, the golden blood seeped into the pill.

Li Hao handed the pill to Lin Lin Qingying. "You should go down first."

Simultaneously, he whispered: "Find a place and discard this pill. Do not carry it with you."

He could regenerate from blood—if the Void Sage unexpectedly appeared and killed him now, he could revive using this drop of divine blood.

Under the watchful eyes of three sages, Li Hao could only use the concealment property of the River Snow Painting to hide the divine blood within the pill. Whether it would be detected—he had no certainty.

(End of Chapter)