Chapter 554: Crushing the Void Saint, Flesh Transcends (Guaranteed 4K Bonus Chapter 7)

"If you fear your disciple's soul-fragment dissipating, and wish to prove his innocence, I have a method to ensure his safety."

At this moment, the Saint of Medicine also spoke slowly.

Her gaze was gentle and calm, as if untouched by dust; her emerald-green robes, like luli, fluttered as if woven from a translucent and pure life force.

Hearing the Saint of Medicine's words, the Void Saint's face darkened further—he knew, once spoken, he had no way to evade.

Before all eyes, he knew that if he truly surrendered the soul-fragment, and if it contained even a fragment of memory from this framing, it would utterly destroy the Void Sacred Land's reputation and leave it infamous.

As his thoughts turned, a chill crept through his heart; his expression softened: "Since the Saint of Medicine speaks, then let him..."

He withdrew the soul-fragment, but a thread of Void power subtly seeped out, aiming to destroy it.

Yet at that instant, heaven and earth trembled slightly—a vast force descended, intercepting the seeping Void power, enveloping the soul-fragment, and dragging it high into the sky.

The Void Saint's face changed instantly; he glared in shock and fury at the Seeing Yuanzu.

The Seeing Yuanzu, however, gave him a meaningful glance, then smiled: "Then please, Saint of Medicine, examine it."

The Void Saint felt his breath choke—he was filled with a trembling, furious rage. He had not expected the Seeing Yuanzu to act so decisively, having anticipated his every thought.

Had this been merely a matter of turning a blind eye, allowing him to quietly destroy it, he could then feign sorrowful surprise: "My disciple was too frail, he could not endure it"—and the matter could be buried.

Though such an act amounted to tacit admission, he did not care what the other Saints thought of him—as long as he could deceive some of the mortal masses.

After all, mortal minds vary in depth; some would inevitably be fooled by such words, allowing the Void Sacred Land to preserve its incense offerings.

But the Seeing Yuanzu's move severed his escape route.

He also knew: the other had chosen to intervene precisely to grant that young man a favor.

Compared to that rising star—the newly ascended Saint of Sacrifice—whose weight mattered more, the Seeing Yuanzu had already decided.

As countless thoughts flashed through him, the Void Saint's face grew even darker; he stared at the soul-fragment suspended midair, now placing all hope on the possibility that the fragment was incomplete—that the crucial memory was missing.

He even now regretted why he had summoned the soul-fragment at all instead of erasing it outright.

Even if it meant bearing the backlash of a soul-oath, it would be better than this loss.

Yet this regret was but a fleeting thought—Saints do not turn back lightly.

At this moment, the Saint of Medicine raised her slender white finger and lightly touched the void.

Instantly, a series of memory-scrolls surfaced upon the suspended soul-fragment, projected clearly before all.

"Wu-wu-wu, Mother, I'm hungry..."

"This realm has such a vast divine dynasty—excellent! Its highest peak is merely the Realm of Hearing the Dao—I claim its incense!"

"Gentlemen, if this succeeds, I take seventy percent of the divine dynasty's incense; the remaining thirty percent you six divide among yourselves..."

"Master, if that man wins first place in the Supreme Heavenly Prodigy Tournament and immediately ascends to Sainthood, he will surely come after our Void Sacred Land first..."

"I understand, Master. I swear to obey your command—even if I die, I will drag him down!"

One after another, the scrolls unfolded, including childhood scenes of the Void Prodigy—but no one cared.

Li Hao's gaze settled on several scenes: unmistakably, memories of plotting against the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

A flash of icy light gleamed in his eyes; then he saw the memory of the Void Prodigy speaking with the Void Saint.

As this memory surfaced, countless eyes locked onto it; once the words were heard, the crowd erupted in uproar.

The Void Saint's heart plummeted straight to the abyss.

Damn it!

He felt a gnashing of teeth—why, why did he remember these?! "Clearly, the truth is now revealed—he did not kill Li Hao. This was a frame-up!"

"Such a despicable trick—using one's own life to frame another! How shameful!"

"Void Saint, you owe us an explanation!"

As the evidence surfaced, all the Saints turned to the Void Saint; some spoke coldly—Saints with longstanding grudges against the Void Sacred Land immediately voiced sharp accusations.

Earlier, the Buddha Sovereign had sworn by his Buddha-heart to prove Li Hao guilty—but this evidence was far more convincing! "That Void Prodigy actually committed suicide to frame Li Hao—how despicable!"

"Is this what a Void Sacred Land Prodigy is like? Such moral depravity!"

"Didn't you see? This wasn't the Prodigy's scheme—it was his master's! The Saint's plan!"

"No wonder he's a Saint—this scheme is ruthless! Had Li Hao not ascended to Sainthood, this peerless prodigy would have been destroyed by false accusation!"

"And the Buddha Sovereign—he must also explain himself! He swore by his Buddha-heart; the prior karmic ties must have been manipulated!"

"Two Saints colluding to frame—shameless!"

Across the Li Tianyuan Realm, countless voices erupted in fury.

The law does not punish the masses; though both the Buddha Sovereign and the Void Saint were Saints, forbidden to speak against, the sheer tide of righteous outrage now forced even Saints to retreat.

After all, they were Saints of Incense—not Sacrifice Saints—and could afford to ignore mortal opinion.

Moreover, many among them worshipped their own Saints; if other Saints dared strike, they would have to weigh whether their own patrons would intervene.

The Void Saint could not hear the fury echoing across the Li Tianyuan Realm—but even the angry murmurs outside the arena told him: after today, the Void Sacred Land's reputation would collapse, its incense offerings severely diminished!

It would take at least centuries to recover.

After all, life renews itself; even if many did not die, they would gradually forget these events over centuries.

"Buddha Sovereign, you owe me an explanation!"

At this moment, the Law Saint turned to the Buddha Sovereign, his gaze icy.

The Buddha Sovereign had sworn by his Buddha-heart—such an act was nearly irrefutable evidence. But now it appeared his oath concealed hidden means.

"All things carry karma. Karma magic can only determine cause and effect. Though he did not kill him, the death occurred because of him—hence the result."

The Buddha Sovereign spoke solemnly, as if he had long prepared this reply.

Yet this explanation was flimsy, forced—but Mianqiang, it could pass muster.

The Void Prodigy was indeed not killed by Li Hao—but he committed suicide precisely to frame Li Hao! Thus, the karmic thread clung to Li Hao.

Seeing the Buddha Sovereign's explanation, all knew that further pressing would only let him wriggle free with this flimsy defense.

The Void Saint, hearing the Buddha Sovereign's words, felt his eyes flicker—this explanation sounded rehearsed. The other had clearly anticipated exposure and prepared his rebuttal. But the Void Saint had not considered this—he believed his scheme was certain, a classic yang-mou strategy, especially with the Law Saint present. He would never allow open defiance of the law!

In truth, he had counted the Law Saint as a crucial part of his plan.

Earlier, why had the other Saints remained silent? Precisely because they feared the Law Saint's harsh punishment—and dared not offend him.

But in his meticulous planning, he had failed to account for one thing: Li Hao would ascend to Sainthood! With four thousand, he overturned a thousand—reversing every scheme.

"A fine karma!"

The Law Saint's eyes turned cold—he knew the Buddha Sovereign's argument could not be suppressed by law, or it would appear tyrannical, contradicting his own Saintly Dao.

He turned to the Void Saint, his expression icy. Now the truth was clear—he saw plainly that the Void Saint had manipulated him too, using him to strike at his enemy.

"Void Saint, you are a Saint, yet you framed a Dao-Fa cultivator. I, the Seeing Yuanzu, and the other Supreme Saints organized this Supreme Heavenly Prodigy Tournament precisely to seek more prodigies for the Saints' realms—to help more beings ascend to Sainthood!"

"For your own selfish ends, you let your disciple die and framed a junior—your crime is unforgivable!"

The Void Saint's face darkened: "My disciple's memories are incomplete. This scheme was his own idea—not ordered by me. I am to blame only for spoiling him too much—my sin is indulgence!"

"Stop lying!"

The Law Saint roared: "From today, the Void Sacred Land is sealed for a thousand years—no teaching, no proselytizing!"

His words were divine punishment: the Void Sacred Land would be sealed for a millennium. Within that time, all disciples within would receive no incense, and none could leave.

Hearing this severe sentence, the Void Saint's face paled—but he said nothing, only bowed his head: "I accept my punishment."

Li Hao, however, narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled: "Before the sealing, what must be returned, must be returned."

The Void Saint's expression flickered: "What do you mean?"

"Since it is proven I did not kill him, my injustice is cleared—but my rage must be washed in blood!"

Li Hao's eyes glinted with killing intent. A thousand-year sealing? What did that matter to him? He had no intention of waiting a millennium to seek revenge.

The Law Saint frowned: "Li Hao, though you have ascended to Sainthood, justice has been restored. You must not overstep!"

"Justice restored?"

Li Hao laughed, his gaze sharp as frost: "This justice I won myself! With my own fists, my own steps, my own sword!"

"Had I not ascended to Sainthood, I would already be crushed beneath that Buddha palm! Who would have told me then—whose voice would have restored my justice?!"

"They framed me! They slandered me! They wounded me!"

"Then my vengeance—I shall take myself!"

Li Hao's eyes were cold; his words echoed across the Li Tianyuan Realm, and under the reflection of the Realm Stone, countless souls heard the icy killing intent in his voice.

Many nodded. If one cannot repay one's own vengeance, how can one release the breath of rage trapped in the chest? A man lives for that breath; even Buddhas fight for a stick of incense. The irony? The breath Li Hao now sought to release was aimed squarely at the Buddhist sect.

Hearing Li Hao's unhidden killing intent, the Void Saint's face turned cold. The game was over—he no longer bothered to feign. His eyes glinted with lethal intent: "You want to kill me? Or the Buddha Sovereign? You? Even if you are a Sacrifice Saint, we have already crossed the Three Calamities! If you dare move, come try!"

As he spoke, he looked around.

"He defies the law, provokes us openly—destroying him is no crime!"

Though he had witnessed Li Hao's strength, he still had unplayed cards—he did not believe he could lose.

The Buddha Sovereign's face was equally cold. Though he had barely salvaged his reputation, the Buddhist sect had still lost face. If Li Hao first clashed with the Void Saint, then turned on him, it would be a one-on-one duel—and he would not give Li Hao that chance.

"Li Hao, your murderous nature is so deep, even Sainthood cannot change it. I once wished to bring you to my Buddhist sect, to purify your soul. But now you've ascended, touched the Great Dao's sacred tone—I can only advise you: I have two hundred and seventy scrolls of Mahayana Sutras. I offer them to you freely, hoping to dissolve your murderous thoughts!"

He spoke with solemn gravity. Though no killing intent showed, his words carried an air of superiority over Li Hao.

Li Hao narrowed his eyes—he understood the Buddha Sovereign's intent. This "advice," this "gift of sutras," this talk of "murderous thoughts"—all were meant to provoke him.

He could see through others' schemes—but he had his own nature. He despised indirectness, and saw no need for it.

"You're just trying to make me angry? So what? You're all united!"

Li Hao said directly.

He knew: when he pushed the Void Saint to the brink, the Buddha Sovereign, even without reason, would invent one—uttering some smooth phrase like "Buddha's mercy, good sir, please hold back"—and thus gain the right to interfere in any matter, while erecting a lofty moral pedestal.

That simple Buddhist phrase held profound Daoic wisdom.

The other would never let the Void Saint die, then face Li Hao alone. If so, Li Hao had no patience for further words.

"How arrogant! A Dao-Fa cultivator dares debate Saints—and now that you've become a Saint, you clearly hold no reverence for the heavens' Saints!"

The Void Saint sneered; these words were subtly stirring up hatred against Li Hao.

Li Hao paid no heed. The other Saints were no fools—they could see through the Void Saint's hidden intentions. If he could be so easily provoked, Li Hao didn't care to fight such a man.

"Enough talk. It's time to die!"

As Li Hao spoke, he strode forward, waving his hand to scatter the endless tapestries of memory; that strand of soul-essence likewise dissolved, utterly annihilated.

The Void Saint showed no reaction, only fixed his gaze on Li Hao. Though he did not believe he would lose, the powers Li Hao had just displayed were certainly not those of a mere newly ascended Saint.

Whoosh! Suddenly, the Void Saint's body flashed violently, and in an instant, nine phantom shadows of the Void Saint appeared around Li Hao!

Void Extremity Instant Movement—and nine instant shifts in a single breath!

Normally, after Void Movement, there is a brief pause before another Void passage can be opened. But as a Saint of the Void Domain, the Void Saint achieved seamless teleportation.

The nine Void Saints simultaneously swung their sharp daggers toward Li Hao.

The daggers emitted a dark purple glow, infused with violent, warping forces of shattered void—weapons of supreme Dao strength.

Forged through the Thunder and Flame Heavenly Tribulation, this was a Saintly Imperial Weapon. A Saintly Imperial Weapon surpassed Saintly Heart Treasures but fell short of Dao Tribulation Imperial Weapons—it was essentially a man-made Dao Tribulation Imperial Weapon!

Li Hao was about to strike when a wave of Buddhist light washed over him. The Buddha Saint had unleashed the Eternal Buddhist Realm, and with a sweep of his hand, sent a thousand palm prints crashing down upon Li Hao, layer upon layer, like golden divine peaks pressing from above.

The two Saints now joined forces, seizing this chance to crush and exterminate Li Hao! Previously, they had hesitated, preserving a shred of dignity—but now that the soul-essence evidence had been exposed, all pretense was gone.

"Die!!"

The nine Void Saints arrived at Li Hao's side in an instant, sealing every possible escape route.

Li Hao knew that even if he used Void Extremity Instant Movement, the Void Saint would likely still track him—he was a Saint of the Void Domain!

But he never intended to dodge. Gazing at the Void Saint hurtling toward him, his eyes revealed a cold smile.

Boom!!

Suddenly, Li Hao raised his palm, ignoring the daggers piercing toward him, and smashed a fist straight into the face of the frontmost Void Saint.

The daggers blazed with brilliant light, slicing across Li Hao's arm, carving a path to his neck, sparking lightning and fire.

Yet what stunned everyone was that Li Hao's skin bore only a seared, blackened scar—immediately healing itself!

In contrast, Li Hao's fist struck like a midnight bell tolling—resonating violently from the Void Saint's skull, the impact shattering bone against bone. Blood sprayed—Saint's blood—scattering through the void. The Void Saint's body was flung backward, his eight phantoms vanishing. His true body's skull caved in, eyeballs bulging out, horrific and gruesome.

Countless onlookers were stunned, even the other Saints, their eyes filled with shock.

They had sensed Li Hao's body was extraordinary before—but now, they truly felt just how terrifying it was. A Saintly Imperial Weapon had merely scratched him, unable to destroy him. Worse still, Li Hao possessed Blood Rebirth—he had denied them even the chance to reduce him to blood! "What Dao is he cultivating? The legendary Body Refinement to Sainthood?!"

"Can such a brute art as Body Refinement truly lead to Dao?"

"His body resembles that of the Heaven-Confounding Saint…"

At this moment, some Saints' eyes flicked toward the Supreme Saint of the Heaven-Confounding Saint Sect.

He was not human, but a world-shaking great demon. During the Era of the Primordial Ancestor, when heaven and earth were still wild and primitive, he had roamed the cosmos, probing the Dao of Power, cultivating through it. Among all the Saints, the Heaven-Confounding Saint's body and strength were universally recognized as the greatest. But now, it seemed a second such monster had appeared!

At this moment, the Heaven-Confounding Saint's gaze was utterly cold, his eyes flickering with unknown thoughts.

Having shattered the Void Saint's skull, Li Hao did not pause—he instantly teleported via Void Extremity to the man's face and swung another fist.

The Eternal Buddhist Realm immediately engulfed him, a thousand Buddhist palms blocking his path, buying the Void Saint a moment to breathe.

But Li Hao didn't even glance at them. In his palm, a sword coalesced, and he slashed it out.

The brilliant "Immortal's Guiding Finger" reappeared once more. Its elegance and supreme brilliance, no matter how many times witnessed, still left viewers awestruck.

The thousand Buddhist palms shattered. The swordlight swept across heaven and earth, scattering clouds and mist, cleaving the Buddhist Realm apart.

Then, Li Hao stepped forward, his silver hair flowing, his aura reaching its zenith. He struck a single fist through empty space toward the Void Saint.

The Void Saint's head had already reformed, but his face was grim, his eyes filled with shock. His Saintly Imperial Weapon, refined with countless treasures, had once split open the Heavenly Tribulation itself—so sharp it was legendary. Yet now, it had failed to even cut Li Hao!

"You're not human—you're a demon!"

The Void Saint gritted his teeth, glaring at Li Hao in fury and terror, retreating rapidly as lightning gathered within him and void forces seeped through his body—he was gathering his utmost strength, knowing only his strongest technique might harm Li Hao. Li Hao sneered, ignoring him, relentlessly closing in.

The Void Saint's form flickered constantly, using Void Extremity to teleport, and for a time, Li Hao could not get close.

"Eternal Dao Realm!!"

Li Hao, growing impatient from failing to catch him, unleashed his Eternal Dao Realm, suppressing the surrounding void.

This Eternal Dao Realm now contained the power of his Body Refinement Dao—its strength had surged over dozens of times beyond before. The void froze, time itself halted.

Li Hao sensed that time's flow within the realm had slowed drastically—far slower than outside.

This was the strongest Eternal Dao Realm he had ever unleashed—and it had achieved this effect!

"This isn't just a Dao Realm anymore—it's approaching the scale of a miniature world. Only the area is too small…"

A thought flashed through Li Hao's mind. He instantly locked onto the Void Saint's teleportation path. The man's form now appeared within the realm—his previously seamless Void Movement now showed a pause! He mastered void forces; among all Saints, save the Supreme Saints, he could appear or vanish at will. But now, with time slowed, even his seamless teleportation faltered as time stretched.

The Void Saint's pupils contracted, feeling the crushing pressure of the realm. His body felt as if submerged in the deep ocean—no longer nimble, everything moving in slow motion.

"Die!"

Li Hao suddenly raised his hand and clamped his fingers shut.

The Eternal Dao Realm obeyed his will. The 360 layers of Dao power, amplified by his Saintly Dao, condensed into a single point in an instant.

Boom! The Void Saint's body exploded within the realm, blood spraying everywhere. The entire Shengshan fell silent as if struck mute.

Countless disciples of the Void Saint Sect stood gaping, frozen in stunned horror.

Their own Saint had just been crushed to death by Li Hao in public. Other Saints from various sects grew grim-faced; some even flickered with fear.

Some among them were only First or Second Disaster Saints. Earlier, they had looked down on Li Hao as a mere youth. Though his brilliance in the Heavenly Prodigy Battle had startled them slightly, they never imagined he would ascend to Sainthood, his power exploding beyond them.

He hadn't even crossed the Disaster Tribulation—and yet he had shattered a Third Disaster Saint. What would he become if he crossed it? "You!"

The Buddha Saint's face changed. He had watched Li Hao chase the Void Saint without attacking, thinking Li Hao arrogant and foolish—the Void Saint was hard to kill. If Li Hao could be held back, he could simply strike from behind. But now, the Void Saint had failed to escape Li Hao's Dao Realm—this was a Void Saint! As Li Hao prepared to utterly destroy the Void Saint's body, he suddenly sensed a trace of energy escaping the realm, slipping into the void.

"Hmm?"

Li Hao swiftly sensed it—and realized it was the Void Saint's Primordial Spirit.

The Primordial Spirit, wrapped in Saintly Dao, shot through the void at blinding speed, vanishing from Mount Li Tianyuan in an instant, even fleeing beyond the Li Tianyuan Realm. In a single breath, it vanished from Li Hao's perception—faster than anyone could fathom.

Li Hao's eyes grew cold. The Void Saint had escaped—no surprise. He was among the top Saints in survival ability.

He had no intention of chasing immediately. The Buddha Saint and the Yin Yin Yang Sheng still remained.

Compared to the Buddha Saint, the Yin Yin Yang Sheng had not moved earlier. But Li Hao had been monitoring his aura. Now, seeing the Void Saint's defeat and escape, the Yin Yin Yang Sheng was quietly slipping away.

"Since you've come, why leave?"

Li Hao's figure flickered, suddenly appearing directly in the Yin Yin Yang Sheng's escape path.

The Yin Yin Yang Sheng's face darkened as Li Hao appeared before him. His entire body was wreathed in Dao, appearing pure, refined, and majestic—but now his expression was grim. "Don't overstep. I merely watched. I never struck you."

Li Hao laughed. "That's because you thought the Void Saint's avatar could kill me. You didn't bother."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and slashed a sword through the air, cleaving straight toward the Yin Yin Yang Sheng's head.

The Yin Yin Yang Sheng's face changed instantly. A myriad of blazing flames erupted from his body. He roared: "Do you truly wish to make an enemy of the Yang Dao Saint Sect?!"

"Enemy? I'll come and crush your sect myself!"

Li Hao said, his sword never pausing. He split the Yin Yin Yang Sheng's gathered divine sun like parting a sea of fire. The immortal intent pierced straight to the Yin Yin Yang Sheng's third eye, carving a deep gash across his forehead. Compared to the Buddha Saint and Void Saint, the Yin Yin Yang Sheng was not a Third Disaster Saint—he was only Second Disaster. He had not yet crossed the Heavenly Tribulation, slightly weaker than the other two.

Now, under Li Hao's sword, he was grievously wounded.

"Law Saint, you must uphold justice! He's massacring innocents!"

The Yin Yin Yang Sheng, reeling backward, cried out to the Law Saint.

The Law Saint's expression darkened. He said to Li Hao: "I've calculated your feud with the Yin Yin Yang Sheng. He has sinned against you, but not enough to deserve death."

"If he had the will to kill me, don't blame me for killing him!"

Li Hao replied simply.

As he spoke, he used Void Extremity Instant Movement, speeding after the Yin Yin Yang Sheng to slay him.

"I'll remember this. If you have the courage, come to the Yang Dao Saint Sect!"

Seeing Li Hao's madness, the Yin Yin Yang Sheng's face twisted. He retreated violently, using Void Extremity while unleashing multiple divine arts—his form instantly transformed into a divine flame, dissolving atop the Shengshan.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

Feng Bo Ping saw Li Hao's mobility was insufficient to trap him. He swiftly acted, appearing before the divine flame in an instant, slapping his palm down and extinguishing the fire, forcing the Yin Yin Yang Sheng's body back into view.

The Yin Yin Yang Sheng grunted, seeing Feng Bo Ping, his face darkened. "The Theft Heaven Saint Sect wants to make an enemy of me?!"

"Enough talk."

Feng Bo Ping sneered. "You don't get to leave until you've explained yourself."

The Yin Yin Yang Sheng nearly spat blood. Was this explanation? This man meant to kill! In that moment of Feng Bo Ping's restraint, Li Hao closed in, instantly enveloping the Yin Yin Yang Sheng in his Dao Realm.

Time seemed to freeze. The Yin Yin Yang Sheng, enraged, erupted in blinding, scorching light—like a star exploding.

But within the slowed time, that instantaneous explosion became an exquisite painting—brilliant beyond measure, leaving countless onlookers dazzled.

Amidst that ultimate spectacle, a blade of light surged forth, slicing through the flames and striking the core of the blazing light.

The Yin Yin Yang Sheng felt the sword intent contained terrifying destruction—not merely sword Dao power, but Li Hao's Saintly Dao as well.

"Impossible…"

The Yin Yin Yang Sheng screamed as his body was split open, shattering into countless fragments.

Under the crushing Dao Realm, countless sword qi surged, turning the Yin Yin Yang Sheng's body into a sieve of holes, reducing him to shards.

Remembering the Void Saint's escape, Li Hao also shattered his Primordial Spirit.

Yet after both body and Primordial Spirit were destroyed, a trace of Saintly Dao essence drifted from the debris, swiftly fleeing into the distance.

Feng Bo Ping saw it, but only frowned, making no move to stop it.

Saintly Dao essence could not be destroyed—only broken through Dao debate. Force alone could only imprison it.

That was why Saints were hard to kill. Ordinary means could not kill them. Even if their bodies shattered, they could hide their soul-essence within their Saintly Dao and be reborn again.

Even if their reborn body was killed, the Saintly Dao essence would once more carry the soul-essence, continuing rebirth until they regained their former power.

Li Hao saw the Saintly Dao essence and moved to pursue it, but Feng Bo Ping stopped him, whispering the truth about Saintly Dao into his mind.

Li Hao frowned. Just let him be reborn?

He had heard that only the Supreme Sage could directly kill a Sage—that was why Sages feared the Supreme Sage.

Aside from the Supreme Sage, when other Sages clashed, they did not merely contend in strength, but also in Dao discourse.

Meanwhile, the Buddha Sovereign, seeing the Yang Sage's sacred body shattered and reduced to reincarnation, his expression subtly changed; he murmured, "Amitabha," then suddenly swept his golden-sleeved robe, enveloping the many Buddhist disciples beyond the arena, and cast forth a golden scroll toward Li Hao as he rushed forward.

Li Hao shattered the golden scroll with sword qi; when he looked again, the Buddha Sovereign's figure had vanished.

Li Hao's expression darkened; for the first time, he felt the importance of lacking a swift body technique.

He could defeat his opponent but not kill him—this left him with an uneasy feeling.

But compared to Li Hao's frustration, the entire Li Tianyuan Realm fell into silence as the Buddha Sovereign disappeared.

All the Sages of the heavens exchanged glances, staring at the boy's figure with deep wariness.

Having just become a Sage, he had forced three Sages into retreat—especially the Buddha Sovereign and the Void Sage, both renowned third-calamity Sages of immense dread, yet before this new Sage, they could only avoid his sharp edge.

Though Li Hao failed to kill them, it mattered little; at least, they would now avoid him.

Even if he could not kill, he could cripple—shatter their bodies—enough to inspire dread.

"Feels like I just had a dream."

"Coming to Li Tianyuan Realm was truly worth it—even if this prince lived in that shabby little inn, witnessing this battle makes it worthwhile for lifetimes!"

"He defeated the Buddha Sovereign and drove the Void Sage into flight—he's already a formidable force among Sages!"

"He just became a Sage. Terrifying."

Countless eyes fixed on the boy standing above the battlefield; this scene was etched into their memories, unforgettable, too shocking.

The silence beyond the arena erupted into clamor; countless voices cheered, singing Li Hao's name.

All the Sages of the heavens remained silent; they knew that from this day forward, this Sage Hao would be famed throughout the heavens, drawing an endless stream of incense power. Yet whether he could still control that incense after sacrificing his Dao remained unknown—those who sacrificed their Dao to become Sages were already exceedingly rare.

"Now, are you satisfied?"

The Law Sage spoke coldly to Li Hao.

Clearly, he was furious that Li Hao had acted on his own against the Buddha Sovereign and the Void Sage.

Li Hao saw the coldness in his eyes, frowned slightly, but given his current state, he had no wish to oppose these Supreme Sages; he merely said, "Acceptable."

Hearing Li Hao's reply, the Law Sage nearly laughed in anger. "I'll spare you this time because you've just become a Sage and the Seeing Yuanzu pleaded for you. Don't think your minor talents grant you license to act as you please—we've gone too long without bloodshed; otherwise, erasing you would be effortless!"

His words were a warning to Li Hao—he would not tolerate arrogance or further violations of law and order.

He had established the laws of the heavens; all must abide, even Sages—unless they were Supreme Sages, standing atop the Dao.

Li Hao heard his words and turned to the Seeing Yuanzu, who gave him a slight smile.

Li Hao fell silent for a moment, recalling earlier events, but soon let go of his doubts.

Since the strong rule, and heaven and earth are flawed, his schemes and calculations must be permitted—could this not also be his own Dao?

He shook his head slightly and gave the Seeing Yuanzu a light nod in acknowledgment.

He was about to withdraw his Transcendent Power.

But at that moment, a cold voice rang out:

"You unbound your chains, crossed the human tribulation—then let me lend you a hand."

Li Hao lifted his head and saw the speaker: the Chaos Heaven Sage.

Earlier, this one had targeted him, joining the Void Sage and Buddha Sovereign to speak out first, demanding his punishment.

Now their gazes met; Li Hao clearly saw the condescension and coldness in the Chaos Heaven Sage's eyes.

"Chaos Heaven Sage, you're…"

Feng Bo's face changed, startled.

The Chaos Heaven Sage spoke indifferently: "If I do not act, this tribulation lacks meaning. Since heaven's will calls, I shall follow it. You have been so arrogant as to treat my sacred sect's heir as a mount—I will act only once. If you survive, we call it even. If you die, it is your tribulation."

Hearing this, many heirs in the waiting area turned their eyes toward the Green Qing Qing Lu Wang.

The Green Qing Qing Lu Wang's face burned, yet he did not believe his master targeted Li Hao solely because of him.

The Seeing Yuanzu heard the Chaos Heaven Sage's words, glanced at him, and said nothing further.

He knew these words were not for Li Hao—they were for him. Thus, he had no reason to intervene.

Li Hao frowned; crossing the human tribulation invited death—he had used the Buddha Sovereign and Void Sage as catalysts to ride their chaos, never imagining they were insufficient to form his tribulation!

Two third-calamity Sages, including one second-calamity Sage, still weren't enough—yet they had drawn this Supreme Sage's attention.

But he could not tell if this was merely an excuse—or if heaven's will had truly called.

If the latter, then the Supreme Sage's dread ran deeper than he'd thought.

Yet regardless of whether heaven's will had truly called, if this one acted, it became part of the tribulation—just as when you glimpse heaven's intent, yet still remain bound by it, you remain under heaven's dominion.

"Then, I welcome your teaching."

Li Hao had no more words to say; since this one chose to act, further talk was meaningless.

The Green Qing Qing Lu Wang provoked first; Li Hao had not initiated the offense. But since this one chose to shield his disciple, there was nothing to argue.

Some know you are right, yet still oppose you—that is the nature of allegiance.

Allegiance cannot be shaken by a few words.

Seeing Li Hao's unyielding demeanor, the Chaos Heaven Sage's eyes flickered with coldness; had Li Hao begged, bowed, or pleaded, he might have shown mercy.

He truly felt the unseen influence of heaven's Dao, compelling him to become part of Li Hao's tribulation.

Yet he could have refused—or shown mercy. But Li Hao's attitude displeased him.

He had lived countless eons, reached the pinnacle of longevity, and at his cultivation level, he had seen every prodigy—no matter how brilliant, how supreme, it meant little. Even after enduring trials, they could only barely stand equal to him.

Even the Seeing Yuanzu—he granted only slight deference, not fear. He acted as his mood dictated.

Moreover, the Immortal Path was severed. Li Hao's talent, though monstrous, could never surpass a Supreme Sage, let alone become a second Seeing Yuanzu.

"You walk the body-cultivation path, becoming a Sage through flesh—since ancient times, you are the second to tread this road!"

The Chaos Heaven Sage gazed coldly at Li Hao. "The first was I. Thus, I shall aid you. This weapon is the Ancient Wasteland Feather—a Dao Tribulation Emperor Weapon. See if you can withstand it!" As he spoke, a long, slender silver-white feather appeared in his palm—a single feather, radiating silver radiance, as if the most ultimate light in heaven and earth, encircled by Dao, saturated with profound Dao essence.

The Seeing Yuanzu, seeing this, frowned slightly.

Other Sages' eyes widened in shock; this was a genuine Dao Tribulation Emperor Weapon—immensely terrifying, capable of grievously wounding even a Sage upon contact.

Li Hao gazed upward, unmoving; he knew the strength of his survival power—even if his body perished here, he could be reborn from his Sage Dao.

The Chaos Heaven Sage launched the Ancient Wasteland Feather directly at Li Hao's head.

In heaven and earth, myriad lights converged into a single ultimate beam, instantly reaching Li Hao's chest—and struck.

In an instant, Li Hao felt as if a million tons of piercing force had crushed his chest; stabbing pain surged through his entire body. Simultaneously, wind and thunder swirled around him, his flesh ravaged by the Dao of Wind and Thunder, cracking and breaking.

Lightning burned, gales tore—his body cracked like parched earth, shedding skin, endlessly destroyed and regenerated.

In this extreme struggle, Li Hao faintly glimpsed fleeting images.

A divine bird soared across an ancient, wild world, wings trembling as it shed a single feather.

The feather drifted downward, watching the divine bird fly far away, vanishing.

As time circled, Dao power coalesced—this feather gradually became the origin of heaven and earth, absorbing the essence of all things, enduring thunder and fire tribulations, becoming a Dao Tribulation Emperor Weapon! *Boom! * The divine feather pierced Li Hao's chest—his body shattered, a massive, searing wound splitting open from his chest, like molten lava cracking.

But Li Hao's Sage Dao flowed; his body regenerated, all cracks vanishing swiftly, a more ancient, mighty aura radiating from his flesh.

Li Hao faintly sensed: his human tribulation was complete.

His body had been refined and elevated—his former flesh had merely rivaled a Sage Dao Emperor Weapon; now, it truly matched a Dao Tribulation Emperor Weapon! (End of Chapter)