Chapter 540: The great battle begins, he has arrived!

"Do you think he still remembers us?"

"How could he not? Ji Xuanshen previously crossed swords with him and was once his rival; it's impossible for him to have forgotten."

"That's true, and besides, he counts as half a member of the Ji Clan."

"Hush, don't mention that."

Outside the gate, Ji Xuanshen and the other prodigies of the Ji Clan whispered to each other.

They had previously crossed the Immortal Gate and were all disciples under the Sages of the Primordial Sacred Land. This time, some had come to participate in the battle, while others had failed to be selected and had come along to watch.

Having arrived early, they had been searching everywhere for Li Hao's residence and whereabouts.

Ever since Li Hao made a name for himself on the Heavens Battlefield, his movements had been closely monitored by the Skylark Tower. Many factions had obtained intelligence on Li Hao from the Skylark Tower; after all, this information had not been deliberately concealed, and the commotion he caused was so great that many people knew Li Hao had taken first place in the Canglan Realm and was currently hiding in the Heaven-Stealing Sacred Land.

"Oh, you all have come too?"

Behind them, several figures approached. Leading them was Jiang Ziyan. Seeing Ji Xuanshen and the others waiting outside the courtyard, her eyes flickered slightly.

She had known beforehand that they seemed extremely concerned about the youth her Imperial Father cared for, but she had not expected them to rush over to visit him at the first opportunity, just as she had.

"Miss Ziyan."

Ji Xuanshen nodded slightly upon seeing her.

The latter was a Saintess of the Primordial Sacred Land with an extremely high status, but she was over the age limit and had no chance to participate in this Prodigy Battle.

"Holy Son Xuanshen."

Jiang Ziyan also nodded in greeting, knowing he hailed from the Great Desolate Sacred Clan and, like their Jiang Clan, had ancestors who were Sages.

Within the Primordial Sacred Land, Ji Xuanshen had performed brilliantly. Shortly after becoming a disciple, he had broken through all the way, his cultivation base rising rapidly. In the various duels within the sect, he had revealed a dazzling edge and quickly became a Holy Son. Now, he was one of the top figures among the many young Holy Sons.

She was naturally happy to befriend this promising Holy Son of the sect, and since they both came from the mortal world and were of the Desolate Ancient Sacred Clan, their relationship could be considered quite good.

"Are you very familiar with him?"

Jiang Ziyan took this opportunity to ask curiously.

In the sect, everyone was busy with their own cultivation, and there were few opportunities to interact.

"He is a rival, and also a friend. At least, that is how I see it."

Ji Xuanshen said calmly.

Although he had previously lost to Li Hao, he would never forget that scene. Instead, it had become the driving force for his cultivation. Whenever he felt stuck or encountered setbacks, that proud, unyielding figure would appear in his mind.

Hearing Ji Xuanshen's words, Jiang Ziyan's eyes flickered; it was much as she had expected.

She smiled sweetly: "I heard he offended the Buddhist Sect and was previously hunted by that Void Sage. I was worried he wouldn't dare to come."

"Dare not?"

Hearing her words, a faint smile appeared on Ji Xuanshen's calm face: "Under the heavens, there is nothing he dares not do. Just the fact that he dared to offend a Sage is something we ourselves feel inferior to."

Jiang Ziyan was slightly stunned, a trace of suspicion rising in her heart. What was there to envy or compare about offending a Sage? Looking at him, it seemed that regardless of whether the other party was right or wrong, he held him in high esteem. This didn't feel like a rival, but rather a sense of admiration.

However, Ji Xuanshen was a hotshot Holy Son of the Primordial Sacred Land, arrogant and proud; would he admire someone else?

Jiang Ziyan shook her head secretly, casting the thought to the back of her mind. She was not familiar with the youth and had barely spoken a few words to him. She had only noticed his terrifying aptitude when he crossed the Immortal Gate, which could be called peerless, so she wanted to use this to solidify the relationship between him and the Jiang Clan.

After all, he had left the mortal world for over ten years. Although he had a friendship with her Imperial Father, she feared that without long-term contact, it would fade.

Thinking this, Jiang Ziyan explained the reason to the attendant at the gate and waited patiently.

At this moment, Li Hao in the courtyard had already risen to push open the courtyard gate.

"Ji... Haotian!"

Seeing the courtyard gate open, Ji Xuanshen's eyes instantly turned from indifferent to solemn and earnest. When he saw that familiar face, his heart trembled slightly, and he felt a sensation of blood rushing faster through his body—a long-lost excitement at meeting again, along with an inexplicable, indescribable thrill.

Jiang Ziyan also knew about Li Hao making a name for himself in the Heavens. This matter was too sensational; as long as they weren't completely cut off from news, the Holy Sons and Saintesses of all the major Sacred Lands basically knew about it.

She gazed at the youth, secretly astonished. After he crossed the Immortal Gate, she had thought a generation of prodigies had fallen, but he had actually survived the pursuit of a Sage's incarnation and stirred up a huge storm in this Sacred Land where prodigies gathered.

She couldn't help but secretly praise that her Imperial Father's judgment was indeed much sharper than her own.

"Haotian, do you still remember us?"

Jiang Ziyan smiled beautifully. Usually, her expression was cold, carrying the nobility and arrogance of an Imperial Princess, unapproachable, but at this moment, she was like a gentle spring breeze, without the slightest airs.

Ten years had passed, and her appearance had not changed, which was why she asked this.

"The Princess has come too."

Li Hao saw Jiang Ziyan and remembered she was the daughter of Emperor Yu. He nodded slightly at her.

Seeing Li Hao still address her by her mortal identity, Jiang Ziyan pursed her lips and smiled: "We have heard about your affairs, and we all support you!"

Li Hao was stunned and couldn't help but smile, "Many thanks."

Ji Xuanshen looked intently at Li Hao and said: "I will also participate in the Supreme Prodigy Battle this time. Ten years have passed; when I crossed the Immortal Gate, I thought about crossing swords with you again. We have both been cultivating bitterly in the Sacred Land, pushing forward together. It's just that now, I am still not your equal, but if there is an opportunity, I still want to spar with you."

He was straightforward by nature and didn't like to beat around the bush, stating his thoughts and intentions directly.

Li Hao was slightly stunned by Ji Xuanshen's words. It was truly not easy for this proud prodigy to say such things, admitting he regarded him as a rival and a target to chase, and admitting it so frankly.

He nodded slightly, feeling no resentment, but rather a bit more favor toward him; he liked people who spoke their minds.

"Fine, if there is an opportunity, we shall discuss and learn from each other, without hurting our friendship."

Li Hao smiled. Seeing these old familiar faces, now all rapidly increasing in strength, he felt a great deal of gratification.

He thought that if there was a chance, he could pass on some of the techniques he had deduced and advanced on his panel to them, if they needed them.

"My Imperial Father sent a secret message to me, asking me to convey his greetings to you and to help you as much as I can if there is an opportunity. But looking at it now, I'm afraid I can't even speak of helping."

Jiang Ziyan's eyes flickered as she said softly.

Although she didn't like the schemes and intrigues of the Imperial Court, now that years had passed and she had washed away the vanity, she had gradually come to value the things she had rejected in her youth, and gradually understood their importance. It was inevitable that she would have more thoughts when speaking.

Li Hao nodded, faintly sensing the Princess's goodwill, though he felt it was unnecessary.

Based on his relationship with Emperor Yu, even if a hundred or a thousand years passed, meeting again would be just the same! And as for Emperor Yu's descendants, as long as they weren't malicious, he would naturally have goodwill and kindness toward them.

"Everyone, don't stand at the door. Come in and sit."

Li Hao invited them into the small courtyard.

He then brought out tea, wine, and the small snacks he had made in his spare time.

With friends coming from afar, one naturally treats them with good wine and drink.

During the gathering, everyone ate, drank, and chatted. Ji Qingshuang's eyes were cold as she sized up Li Hao.

Her father was the Ji Clan's newly promoted God of War, Ji Qingyuan. Among the many Ji Clan prodigies present at the time, Li Hao had fought them alone. When it was her turn to step out, she had been shouted back by Ji Xuanshen and hadn't been able to cross swords with the youth before her.

But despite this, she knew she was no match for him, and now the gap was even larger.

This youth's background in the Ji Clan was even lower than hers; he was half-blooded, while she at least counted as a member of a concubine line.

Originally, she had been slightly dissatisfied with her background, but after seeing the youth defeat all the prodigies on the mountaintop with his iron fists, the small knot in her heart had been untied from that moment on.

Therefore, compared to others, she had a special impression of this youth.

In him, she saw the shadow of her father—becoming a God of War from a concubine line; bloodline could not affect his achievements.

The group chatted and reminisced, from the mortal world to the Sacred Land, from food and drink to cultivation, and finally, the conversation fell to this Supreme Prodigy Battle.

"There are several favorites to win this time who are extremely terrifying. They are all under the Supreme Sages, with peerless talent, and were taken notice of by the Supreme Sages."

Jiang Ziyan's eyes flickered. Coming to find Li Hao to befriend him this time, she naturally brought some dry goods—intelligence.

Ji Xuanshen had been in seclusion cultivating and didn't know much about these external matters. To him, no matter who the prodigies were, his goal was to first surpass himself and then catch up to Li Hao.

"No matter, it doesn't affect anything."

Li Hao smiled. His goal was not these participants, but the Void Sage and the Buddha Venerable.

Now that he had survived their ambush, what remained to be considered was the condensation of his own Sage Dao prototype, and then, by borrowing this incense, to cross over and become a Sage!

At that time, it would be the moment for his true revenge.

"..."

Jiang Ziyan opened her mouth slightly, waiting for Li Hao to ask so she could take the opportunity to introduce them in detail, but the result was such an answer.

Seeing the youth's casual smile, she was slightly stunned. Could it be that he didn't intend to compete for first place? Or was he too confident? She pondered for a moment, then decided to lead the conversation herself and share the intelligence.

But in this way, it was her own willingness, not Li Hao owing her a favor.

Although she felt helpless about this, the Prodigy Battle was about to start anyway, and the intelligence would be useless by then. Even if she couldn't earn a favor, she hoped Li Hao could be prepared.

Hearing what Jiang Ziyan said, Ji Xuanshen's expression turned solemn. He hadn't expected that besides Li Hao, those few under the Supreme Sages were also so terrifying.

He had originally been full of confidence, feeling he had a chance to enter the top ten, but now he felt a bit unsure.

If he couldn't even enter the top ten, how could he talk about sparring with Li Hao? Wouldn't that be shameful?

His expression was heavy as he drank tea cup by cup.

Li Hao saw the atmosphere suddenly become heavy and felt a bit helpless. It was a gathering of old friends, and he just wanted to talk about happy and light things, but now everyone was full of worries.

"Let them be strong, the clear breeze brushes the mountain ridge. It's just a competition, not the end of life."

Li Hao immediately spoke to comfort them.

Hearing Li Hao's words, Ji Xuanshen looked up at him. Seeing the completely indifferent smile on Li Hao's face, he suddenly felt his own worries were a bit excessive.

He naturally understood this principle, but the person before him seemed to have implemented it into action, which infected him to some extent.

"That's right, even if we lose this time, it won't affect us continuing to cultivate and becoming Sages in the future!"

Another Ji Clan prodigy said.

Ji Qingshuang nodded. Regarding such matters, she was the most open-minded. Her father came from a low background, didn't he still become a God of War!

Being able to cultivate to the Hearing Dao Realm in the mortal world, one could imagine his aptitude. If he were in the Sacred Land, he would likely have hope of cultivating to a Half-Sage!

Ji Xuanshen was already a top prodigy in the mortal world. Borrowing the abundant resources of the Sacred Land, he soared like a dragon. In just ten short years, he had leaped to become a Holy Son with great fame in the Primordial Sacred Land.

If he were given another few decades and came to participate in the battle again, he would surely shock the Heavens.

The atmosphere became relaxed and happy again. Seeing Li Hao say this, Jiang Ziyan also knew that her effort to inquire about these things was a bit superfluous.

After chatting for a while, someone else came to visit.

Li Hao swept his spiritual sense over and realized it was another acquaintance, so he immediately asked the attendant to invite them in.

"Brother Haotian."

The visitors were True Person Qin's disciples, Ming Ming Yue Jian and Qing Jingzi.

They had also become disciples in the Primordial Sacred Land. Ming Ming Yue Jian had come to participate in the competition, while Qing Jingzi had unfortunately failed to be selected and had accompanied him to watch the battle.

Ming Ming Yue Jian was a Dao Heart Dao Body, extremely prone to sudden enlightenment when at a bottleneck, so his cultivation was rapid. After becoming a disciple of a Sage, he received abundant resources and rare treasures, forging his physical body and cultivating to the extreme realm. His cultivation base's improvement was not inferior to Ji Xuanshen's, but his overall strength was still slightly inferior.

Seeing that their fellow disciples Ji Xuanshen and Jiang Ziyan had already arrived, Ming Ming Yue Jian and Qing Jingzi were both slightly stunned, instantly realizing that compared to these big brothers and sisters, they were still much slower.

Ming Ming Yue Jian was two years younger than Li Hao and was now 26, but he looked only eighteen or nineteen, with bright eyes and white teeth, and skin as fair as jade. He had the appearance of a woman, making it hard to distinguish his gender.

His eyes were pure, just as they were when he first saw Li Hao in the Dao Palace, carrying a bit of shyness and bashfulness: "Ming Ming Yue Jian pays respects to Brother Haotian."

"We are all of the same generation, no need for such formalities."

Li Hao laughed and invited him to take a seat at the gathering.

Ming Ming Yue Jian's face flushed slightly, and he said: "Master said that although you are not his disciple, we must treat you as we treat him."

Li Hao was stunned and felt a bit helpless: "You've been here for ten years, and you still remember your Master's words."

"A teacher for a day is a father for life; I dare not forget."

Ming Ming Yue Jian's face became earnest as he said this.

Hearing this, Li Hao laughed and said: "Good, well said, worth a drink!"

Ming Ming Yue Jian saw the wine cup being handed over, and his expression became nervous and constrained again: "Master also said that drinking wine is harmful to the body, I do not drink wine..."

"..."

Li Hao was speechless and couldn't help but laugh loudly. He didn't force him and said: "Then let's substitute wine with tea."

Ming Ming Yue Jian breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, picked up the teacup, and toasted with Li Hao.

As the number of people in the courtyard increased, it became even livelier.

However, not long after Ming Ming Yue Jian and Qing Jingzi arrived, someone else came to visit.

Li Hao swept his spiritual sense over and realized it was another acquaintance.

He couldn't help but laugh and asked the attendant to invite them in quickly.

The visitors this time were from the Sword Ancestor Sacred Land: Lin Qingying, her grandfather Lin Shanhai, and the alchemist Shi Huajin and others.

Seeing many people in Li Hao's courtyard, Lin Qingying and the others were stunned. Jiang Ziyan and the others also glanced over, slightly surprised. These faces were not those who had crossed the Immortal Gate initially, so it was clear they were people Li Hao had met in the Sacred Land.

"I heard you arrived, so we came to see."

Lin Qingying looked at the youth in the gathering, her eyes fixed as she said softly.

"Was your journey here smooth?"

"With the Sword Master personally escorting us, we didn't encounter anything. On the way, we encountered demons, but they were cleared away by the Sword Master with one sword," Lin Qingying said.

"The Sword Master came too?"

Li Hao was slightly surprised; he hadn't expected it to be the Sword Master instead of the Sword Sage.

Could it be that he had to stay behind to guard the Sacred Land?

Thinking that he could see this fishing buddy again, Li Hao felt quite happy.

"Are these all your friends?"

Lin Qingying looked at Jiang Ziyan, Ji Xuanshen, Ming Ming Yue Jian, and the others, sensing that they all seemed to be prodigies with exceptional talent. Thinking that besides her, Li Hao had so many good friends, her eyes flickered slightly, and she bit her lip lightly.

"Yes."

Li Hao nodded and invited Lin Qingying, Old Man Lin Shanhai, and the others to take seats. The previously spacious small courtyard suddenly became a bit crowded.

Not long after, there was another message from outside the gate. Li Hao looked and saw that Lin Shuhai, Chi Guang, and others had also come.

Li Hao raised his eyebrows slightly. He had no interaction with Lin Shuhai, but there was no friction either, so he could accept his visit. Chi Guang coming, however, was a bit surprising.

Seeing Li Hao's courtyard full of people, Lin Shuhai, Chi Guang, and the others were clearly stunned. They had thought that since Li Hao had offended the Buddhist Sect and such a thing had happened, it should be cold and deserted, with everyone avoiding him, but they hadn't expected it to be so lively.

"Brother Haotian, I am Lin Shuhai. We both come from the Canglan Realm, so we can be considered half-fellow countrymen."

Lin Shuhai cupped his hands, looking gentle and extremely humble. Li Hao returned the salute and, seeing the prodigies of the Literature Ancestor Sacred Land behind him, invited them to take seats as well.

Chi Guang looked at Li Hao, but his eyes were somewhat complex.

During the Divine Dynasty battle, he had hidden his strength and handed the first place to Li Hao. He had originally thought it was because he had yielded, but later he discovered that even if he had been serious at the time, it would have been useless.

His hard strength was not a match for the other party either.

Although Li Hao had defeated him, he was convinced of his loss and held no hostility toward Li Hao. Coming here this time, he actually wanted to give Li Hao a reminder.

"The Twin Buddha Sons have been reborn. I thought you wouldn't dare to come, but I didn't expect you to come anyway. I heard the Twin Buddha Sons have inherited the Sage Dao of their previous lives, and their strength is even more terrifying than before. If you encounter them, be careful."

Chi Guang reminded him.

This was secret information his Master had told him.

"Hmm."

Li Hao hadn't expected the other party to come with goodwill. Seeing this, he didn't put on a cold face anymore and nodded.

After Chi Guang finished speaking, he looked at the people in Li Hao's gathering, his eyes complex. With Li Hao's current status, and two major Sacred Lands hostile toward him, so many people still dared to approach him, not afraid of getting into trouble.

"Farewell."

After Chi Guang finished speaking, he didn't stay long and turned to leave.

"Do you want to stay for a cup of wine?"

Li Hao saw him leaving alone and suddenly spoke: "The wine here tastes quite good."

Chi Guang's figure paused slightly, his expression relaxing a lot. He knew that the previous grievances were now wiped clean.

He stopped his steps and said: "Then I'll have a cup to taste."

Li Hao smiled slightly and invited him to take a seat.

The commotion here was noticed by other Holy Sons in the nearby courtyards. Lin Baichuan had been cultivating in his courtyard for a while and came to look for Li Hao, wanting to invite him out for a walk. When he came to visit, he saw Li Hao's courtyard full of guests.

He was slightly stunned, eyes widening in disbelief.

These Holy Sons and Saintesses usually liked peace and quiet and focused on cultivation, having very few friends, but Li Hao's courtyard was as lively as a vegetable market.

In the void in the distance, two figures stood side by side. Feng Feng Bo Ping gazed at Li Hao's courtyard, seeing it was extremely lively, with the youth in the center of the gathering full of smiles, drinking wine like a playboy, chatting casually. He couldn't help but have his eyes flicker, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"It seems he is quite popular."

The Da Huang Tian Sage also saw it and said softly.

Feng Feng Bo Ping smiled: "He was like this in the mortal world."

"This kind of personality is indeed likable."

The Da Huang Tian Sage said softly. She had seen countless people and could tell at a glance that Li Hao's personality was quite easygoing, unlike other prodigies who were arrogant and hard to approach.

Feng Feng Bo Ping seemed to think of something, the smile on his face fading slightly, and he just nodded.

Time flew by.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The Heavenly Origin Realm was bustling everywhere, but the liveliest place was still the Heavenly Origin Sacred Mountain.

The houses here were all full, and the proud sons of heaven and dignitaries from all realms had arrived. Some were arrogant and willful, causing some small disputes, but they were quickly calmed down.

Over these three days, many people were discussing who would win the Prodigy Battle. Among those with the highest support, besides the few under the Supreme Sages, there was Li Hao.

Making a name on the Heavens Battlefield was a solid achievement. Although the Heavenly Stele could not measure techniques and was not absolutely accurate, it was an important reference for talent and had extremely high gold content.

"If we go by the Heavenly Stele, then Haotian should be the first of this session, right?"

"The Heavenly Stele is just an indicator, not absolute. Otherwise, why would there be a need for comparison? Just go and press your handprint on the Heavenly Stele."

"That's right, the Heavenly Stele only represents the upper limit in certain aspects. Fighting is not just one aspect; it even includes the mindset during the competition, which will have an impact."

"For such prodigies, their mindset wouldn't be disturbed like ordinary people."

"It's useless to praise him. That Haotian might not even come. Don't forget he is too arrogant and offended the Buddhist Sect and our Void Sacred Land. He might be hiding somewhere with his tail between his legs now."

"Where else could it be? It must be that petty Heaven-Stealing Sacred Land."

"Small Thousand Realm, I think calling it Old Thousand Realm is also quite good."

"Don't say that, it was originally called Old Thousand Realm, but then the Thief Sage felt that 'Old Thousand' was an insult to a great thief, so he changed it to Small Thousand Realm."

In the Heavenly Origin Sacred Land, all realms were discussing.

"Master, has that Haotian arrived?"

In the Legalist Sacred Land, Wu Tian asked his Master, who was one of the Sages of the Legalist School, the Sage of Ten Thousand Nations' Laws, also known as the Law Sage.

"He arrived long ago. Are you very interested in him?"

The Law Sage's eyes were like hanging stars, seeming to contain ten thousand rays of light, and he smiled indifferently.

Wu Tian thought of the scene on the Heavens Battlefield where the other party had suppressed the Azure Qing Qing Lu Wang under his seat with a wave of his hand. That kind of strength gave him a strong fighting spirit.

"Yes, I really want to compare with him to see just how capable he is to leave a red character." Wu Tian said without any avoidance.

"In this exchange, you will have a chance to encounter him."

The Law Sage smiled, as if following some kind of law of the Great Dao, having glimpsed the future.

Wu Tian's eyes brightened slightly. His Master was extremely skilled in divination and deduction, and usually, what he said was eight or nine times out of ten correct, with very few errors.

Elsewhere in the Legalist School.

"After being in seclusion for so long, it seems some troublesome newcomers have emerged outside."

A tall, straight figure, dressed in white, bathing and burning incense, looked proper and regular, revealing tranquility all over, but his eyes were relatively cold, carrying rationality and intense calmness.

"That's right, I heard the other party provoked a Sage while in the Dao Law Realm. The Buddhist Sect and the Void Sacred Land actually didn't pursue it. They are quite magnanimous, possessing the compassion of a Sage."

The attendant serving by his side said submissively, but there was some anger in her eyes.

"Provoking the Sage Dao Discipline, seeking one's own destruction. The Buddhist Sect is the same, allowing a junior to provoke them without severe punishment. The law does not tolerate feelings; this is equivalent to indulging evil, and they should be advised!"

The white-clothed youth said coldly. After hearing about this, he was somewhat dissatisfied with both sides.

As a disciple of the Law Sage, his Master cultivated the Sage Dao Discipline, which all things must follow, including Sages who must also follow his Master's Discipline, yet now someone was destroying it.

Provoking a Sage in the Dao Law Realm was a violation of the Sage Dao.

A Sage not severely punishing this matter was also not following the Sage Dao Discipline.

"The world is like a chessboard, and all things are like these chess pieces, all needing to follow the rules of the chess path to discuss winning or losing. If even the rules are not followed, what is the meaning of this winning and losing?"

In front of the incense-burning desk before the white-clothed youth was a chessboard, and his slender fingers dropped a piece.

He was peerless in the chess path, but he could only play against himself.

Because it was extremely difficult to find someone who could play against him.

"Where is Master?"

After dropping the piece, the white-clothed youth suddenly asked.

If Master knew about this, it was impossible for him not to care.

"The Law Sage has gone to contemplate the Heavenly Dao principles. If the Holy Son participates in this Prodigy Battle, the Law Sage should rush back." The attendant lowered her head and said.

Hearing this, the white-clothed youth's expression eased slightly. Master had matters to attend to; no wonder he didn't go to discipline him.

"Master has reached the Supreme Sage level, using the Heavenly Dao as a book to contemplate the Heavenly Dao. These Sages don't know that the discipline Master has formulated is the Heavenly Dao Discipline, which all things follow. If one goes against it, one will only destroy oneself!"

"Spring, autumn, winter, and summer, each season rotates; how can it be disrupted at will."

His eyes were cold as he picked up another piece and slammed it heavily onto the chessboard: "If I encounter this child, I will definitely let him know that the Dao Law Realm should follow the rules of the Dao Law Realm!"

In another secret cave dwelling of the Heavenly Origin Sacred Land.

Deep in the cave dwelling was a stone wall, and a youth sat in front of the stone wall, waking up from contemplation.

"Go, the time is almost here. Your opponent this time is not to be underestimated. You might personally experience that legendary Sixth Extreme Realm."

The white-haired old man in front of the stone wall said calmly.

He sat in that dark cave dwelling, but he looked like a pure white brilliant light, surrounded by a galaxy, dazzling and ethereal, as if not in the mortal world.

The youth was slightly startled and couldn't help but say: "Is it that Haotian? But the Legalist School's Wu Tian and that Law Sage's personal disciple Qiu Tianlv are not to be underestimated."

The white-haired old man shook his head slightly and said no more.

Seeing this, the youth rose, cupped his hands, and took his leave.

In the blink of an eye, the Supreme Prodigy Battle finally began.

As the Boundary Stone reflected it throughout the Heavenly Origin Realm, the clouds above the high sky instantly changed, reflecting the scene on the Sacred Mountain of the Heavenly Origin Realm.

Countless people had finished their breakfast early and were looking forward to it, waiting for this most prosperous and lively grand event in the Heavens.

Once every hundred years, such a grand event was something countless people would find hard to see even once in their lives.

"It's starting, look quickly, that is the Legalist School's Wu Tian!"

"That is the Legalist School's Qiu Tianlv. I heard he is the Law Sage's personal disciple and has hope of inheriting the Law Sage's Supreme Sage mantle!"

"That is the Source Ancestor Sacred Land's Xiao Tianyu!"

"That is the Hun Tian Sacred Land's Azure Qing Qing Lu Wang. I heard earlier that on the Heavens Battlefield, he was suppressed by that Haotian as a mount under his buttocks. I don't know if it's true or false."

"Hush, it seems to be true. His expression has changed; he heard it!"

In the crowd, some people who mentioned the Azure Qing Qing Lu Wang's dark history instantly felt the sharp gaze shot by the Azure Qing Qing Lu Wang, which felt like a piercing, making them break out in cold sweat and not dare to discuss it anymore.

On the Heavenly Origin Sacred Mountain, the battlefield was at the top of the Sacred Mountain, and the prodigies from all realms traveled from the courtyards arranged on the mountainside along the Sacred Dao staircase for participants to the waiting area.

As one Holy Son after another climbed the steps, countless gazes gathered here.

Among them, those Holy Sons under the Supreme Sages walked out, and the cheers were extremely loud; clearly, many people knew them.

After all, just the title of Supreme Sage disciple was scary enough.

"That is the Sword Ancestor Sacred Land's Haoyue Holy Son."

"That is our Sacred Land's Senior Brother Lin!"

In the crowd, Haoyue Holy Son, Lin Shuhai, and others also walked up the Sacred Dao staircase, but besides some people from the Canglan Realm who knew them, other realms didn't have much understanding of them and didn't cause much of a stir.

To let the Heavens know, one must have done something extremely sensational, but they had only had a short hundred years, and their cultivation time was not enough, so how could they have many opportunities to make a name for themselves everywhere?

This Supreme Prodigy Battle was the big stage for them to truly make a name for themselves.

"That is Chi Guang!"

"Who is Chi Guang?"

"It doesn't matter if you don't know him, but you will remember him soon. He is very strong!"

In the crowd, dignitaries and young masters from all realms gathered to watch the battle. They were all from famous families and noble clans; the royal families of the Divine Dynasty were not rare here, and one could grab a handful at random.

As one figure after another climbed the steps, many people watched intently. Toward the end, the figures gradually became fewer.

"What about that Haotian? Why haven't I seen him?"

"Could it be that he really retreated and didn't dare to come to participate?"

"Nonsense, I heard he arrived. Maybe he is walking a bit slowly."

"The Buddhist Sect has already arrived; does he still dare to show his face?"

Outside the Sacred Dao staircase, the crowd watched. If there weren't so many restrictions here that their spiritual sense couldn't sweep everywhere, they would have long since wanted to use their spiritual sense to peek at the foot of the mountain.

While everyone was waiting expectantly, a figure slowly walked up the steps.

He looked a bit sleepy, rubbing his eyes as he walked.

Last night, he had contemplated the Sage Dao prototype and Li Hao had slept too late and woken up late. Although for him now, he could hold on for a month without sleeping, there would be many changes ahead, so he had to rest and build up his energy.

"Truly lively enough."

Li Hao had just walked to the end of the steps when he saw countless figures gathered outside the field, all gazing over at this moment.

"Haotian!"

"He actually really came!"

"He is truly not afraid of death. He offended the Buddhist Sect and the Void Sacred Land, yet still dares to come to participate. Could it be that he really thinks he can take first place?"

"He must be aiming for first place. After all, the temptation of incense is great. Becoming a Sage on the spot, who can resist?"

Many people didn't know Li Hao, but as some who knew him exclaimed, they soon knew that the youth who looked like he had just woken up was the Haotian who was famous throughout the Heavens! Hearing the bursts of exclamations and the discussion that suddenly became dozens of times more intense in the field, the Holy Sons from all realms who had walked past also looked over intently.

Regarding this name Haotian, they had heard it like thunder recently, and even those personal disciples of the Supreme Sages were not as good as the other party.

"Is that him?"

"Is he Haotian?"

Many participating Holy Sons and Saintesses from all realms were sizing up the youth, their eyes filled with caution.

"Hmph, this personality truly doesn't please me."

In the waiting area, Qiu Tianlv, who had already taken his seat, dressed in white, glanced over and saw the youth smiling at the onlookers, then walking toward this side.

Although it was their first meeting, he felt an inexplicable sense of disgust toward the energy on the other party.

Li Hao felt countless gazes gathering on him, but he was already used to it. He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the waiting area, mainly to see if acquaintances like Lin Qingying had arrived.

Seeing that they had all arrived, he felt relieved and then looked into the distance at those obscure and powerful Sage figures.

In this battle, there were actually dozens of Sages gathered on this Heavenly Origin Mountain! It was just that the vast majority did not show their aura and were extremely obscure, but Li Hao, by virtue of his budding Sage Dao prototype, still sensed them.

His eyes were solemn. It seemed this grand event truly made the Heavens care. After all, the purpose of holding this Supreme Prodigy Battle seemed to be to stimulate the prodigies of the Heavens to compete and cultivate, and then stimulate the evildoers with the Sixth Extreme Realm.

Now, he had arrived.

When he walked to the waiting area, Li Hao felt a cold gaze fall on him.

Looking up, it was the Twin Buddha Sons, staring at him coldly.

Li Hao met his gaze. Seeing Li Hao look over, the Twin Buddha Sons revealed a faint cold smile at the corner of their mouths. Having failed to kill Li Hao earlier and learning that Li Hao's true body had arrived here, they knew they had been toyed with.

The sword strike he had seen was mostly caused by the Da Huang Tian Sage secretly assisting. The inner demon he had originally intended to dissipate was stimulated again from this, and even more intense, with hatred deeper and harder to control.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 541 =====