Chapter 670: Inheritance of the Imperial Palace

Li Hao listened and clicked his tongue in secret; such stringent requirements for a personal disciple were merely the basic conditions to become an Immortal Emperor.

He smiled bitterly: "It seems this path is truly difficult."

"The path of climbing a mountain is difficult, but walking downhill is easy—you just slide all the way."

The Venerable God said humorously.

Li Hao could not help but burst into laughter.

The Venerable God said: "Now that you have become an official disciple, we can also go out with you. However, you only have the status of an official disciple and do not yet have the qualifications to use the True Venerable Tower. I will place the True Venerable Tower within your Primordial Spirit; when you encounter a lethal Primordial Spirit attack, the True Venerable Tower will block it for you automatically."

"If you encounter other dangers, Wang Shanhe will also protect you. As long as it is not a Quasi-Emperor level existence, you will basically be safe."

Li Hao asked curiously: "Besides you, Senior, and Old Wang, are there others?"

"Of course."

The Venerable God said: "You will be able to see those fellows when you go to the Tianyang Palace. Unfortunately, you are not a personal disciple and cannot control the Tianyang Palace. This imperial palace is the best treasure here. Moreover, I also need to guard by your side until you grow to the Immortal King Realm; only then can I let go and leave."

"Then, in that case, will you not be traveling with me after going out, Senior?"

Li Hao could not help but ask.

The other party was a tower spirit, yet he would not follow him?

The Venerable God sighed lightly, a trace of loneliness appearing in his eyes. He patted Li Hao on the shoulder and said: "With Wang Shanhe there, it is enough to help you settle many dangers. After I go out, I have other things to do."

He paused for a moment, as if explaining to Li Hao, or perhaps reminiscing: "During that great battle back then, I followed the Tianyang Immortal Emperor to war, but we were besieged by the Ancient Demon Kings. Coupled with the Samsara Art killing move of an Ancient Demon Great Emperor, my True God soul was nearly extinguished. Fortunately, I was saved in time by Lord Immortal Emperor, who sent me here to heal. As for the subsequent battles, I missed them..."

Speaking of this, there was no joy of surviving a disaster in his eyes; instead, there remained only pain and chill.

"Now, my wounds are almost healed. After I go out, I want to search for the traces of Lord Immortal Emperor. Even if I die, I must bring back his Eternal Imperial Body."

Looking at the hatred and killing intent in the depths of his eyes, Li Hao fell slightly silent. This was hatred suppressed for one hundred thousand years; he knew he could not stop it.

Moreover, the Tianyang Immortal Emperor he had never met had now become his Master; searching for his remains was also something he, as a disciple, ought to do.

"The situation in the True Realm seems very dangerous; you must be careful then, Senior," Li Hao said.

The Venerable God glanced at Li Hao, the sharp killing intent in his eyes receding. He smiled and said: "No matter. I have left a soul seal in the True Venerable Tower. Even if something happens, I can borrow the soul seal to be reborn. As long as nothing happens to you, it will be fine."

"Then how will I find you when the time comes?"

"With the soul seal, I can sense you. If you want to find me, you only need to call out to me within the True Venerable Tower."

The Venerable God looked at Li Hao with extremely gentle eyes and said: "This True Venerable Tower is not as simple as you imagine. It is by no means just a tool used for projections to test disciples. It is an Imperial Artifact. Although it was damaged in the great battle and does not possess the true power of an Imperial Artifact now, its true power is very terrifying. You must work hard; if you can become a personal disciple, you will know how sought-after this True Venerable Tower is."

Seeing the eyes that held high expectations for him, Li Hao nodded. If it wasn't difficult, he would work hard; if it was too difficult, then forget it...

"Go, Wang Shanhe is waiting for you."

The Venerable God smiled.

Li Hao bowed, bid him farewell, and left the True Venerable Tower.

When he came out from the True Venerable Tower, he saw that Old Wang was already standing outside the tower.

"Did you find the answer?" Old Wang asked with a smile.

"No."

Li Hao shook his head slightly, then revealed a smile and said: "But I found a friend."

Old Wang was slightly stunned, then soon laughed as well, sighing: "One hundred thousand years of waiting, waiting for you—we should all thank you and keep this favor of yours in mind!"

To him, Li Hao's appearance was like a miracle. Although Li Hao obtained the Immortal Emperor's Dao lineage and received immense benefits, for Old Wang himself, Li Hao's arrival also brought them hope, allowing them to walk out.

During that battle back then, the outside world was fighting in darkness, but they could only cower here, preserving a spark of fire. Their hearts had long been incomparably eager to step out of here.

"It's not a favor, Old Wang, you speak too seriously."

Li Hao said repeatedly.

Old Wang smiled and did not say more, only saying: "Let's go, I will take you to the Tianyang Imperial Palace!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and unleashed a force, enveloping Li Hao.

This force was extremely gentle, containing a profound feeling that transcended the origin of the Dao. Li Hao felt as if he were isolated from the world, surrounded by another world.

If not for the fact that Old Wang had no malice, Li Hao felt that the other party only needed a single thought to control the power of that world and completely crush and annihilate him.

Is this the power of an Immortal King Realm existence?

Li Hao's eyes revealed astonishment as he followed Old Wang and flew toward that towering, sky-piercing giant palace.

Outside the True Venerable Tower, Ming Sheng, Lin Sheng, and the others were all watching this scene from afar, all knowing that Old Wang was taking Li Hao to receive the Immortal Emperor's Dao lineage inheritance.

"After leaving this time, whether it be the Heavens or that True Realm, his great name will soon resound, right?"

"The sharpness of some people cannot be covered up."

"No matter what, we must not leak his identity."

You Sheng said.

Everyone was silent. With the Immortal Calamity Curse upon them, they would be destroyed in body and soul if they leaked even a little.

At this time, Li Hao, following Old Wang, had gradually flown to the front of the Tianyang Immortal Palace.

Those countless layers of sky-piercing steps were solemn and majestic. On this imperial palace, there was a natural domain field enveloping it, making it impossible to approach.

But Old Wang's arrival, coupled with the aura on Li Hao's body and everything that happened when Li Hao underwent the True Immortal Tribulation, were all under the gaze of this imperial palace.

The domain field of the imperial palace opened a barrier-like path, allowing Old Wang and Li Hao to walk in.

Those countless layers of steps each held intense pressure, but these steps were for the countless great generals and worshippers under the Tianyang Immortal Emperor in the past; that imperial might would have left them unable to breathe.

But now, Li Hao arrived with the status of an official disciple, and Old Wang favored Li Hao exceptionally, quietly shielding this imperial might. As the two walked on the steps, their pace was light and quick all the way.

"These Imperial Terrace Immortal Steps were once filled with Immortal Kings and Immortal Lords, all of whom were existences that dominated one side and deterred countless others. Now, however, there are only you and me..."

Old Wang walked upward, one step at a time, his eyes filled with sighs and a trace of sorrow.

This sorrow was a trace of sadness after one hundred thousand years had passed, and that heart-wrenching grief had gradually become numb.

Li Hao looked around, imagining the past grandeur from Old Wang's words, and suddenly felt a sense of yearning.

Unfortunately, such grandeur could no longer be seen.

"Can one not fly here?"

"Except for the three personal disciples of the Immortal Emperor, as well as those few official disciples deeply favored by the Immortal Emperor, everyone else must walk, whether they are Immortal Kings or peerless monstrous Immortal Lords, it is all the same."

Old Wang wore a smile, but his hunched back seemed to slowly straighten at this moment. "This is imperial might. When people come from all directions to pay homage, they all walk and bow, without exception."

Li Hao looked up toward the top of the steps, where there was an extremely empty space. He seemed to be able to imagine the projection of the Tianyang Immortal Emperor's imperial body sitting there, looking down upon the myriad worlds.

As the two walked step by step, finally, after several tens of minutes, they climbed to the top of the steps of this imperial palace.

Here, it was unexpectedly an extremely vast and boundless square.

In the center of the square, high above, there was a sphere glowing like a scorching sun, emitting intense light.

And beneath that sphere stood a peerless, city-toppling beauty, wearing a silver-gray long dress that shimmered with rippling light. Her dress hem fluttered, spreading on the ground like a fox tail. Although she was only seen from the side, with only a side profile, her beauty was peerless. She seemed to be gazing at a lotus pond filled with immortal mist in front of the sphere.

With the arrival of Old Wang and Li Hao, the figure did not move at all, until Old Wang revealed a respectful expression on his face, bowed slightly, and said:

"Empress Li, after one hundred thousand years of searching, finally someone has been able to pass Lord Immortal Emperor's test and become his official disciple!"

His aged voice echoed, and after it dissipated, this place returned to silence.

Li Hao stood to the side, not speaking, only honestly observing that beautiful figure.

That figure was like a sculpture, not moving a single bit, as if she had been standing there quietly for countless years.

But that ice-muscle and jade-skin was as delicate as snow, as if a falling leaf would cut her.

After a brief silence, Empress Li slowly turned around, a pair of azure blue eyes, reflecting each other like the meeting of sea and sky, fixed on Li Hao.

Her eyes were calm, without a trace of impurity, possessing a purity untainted by the secular world, yet also profound as if hiding many things.

With just one glance, Li Hao felt as if his whole body had been seen through.

Including the thoughts in his heart, hidden ideas, and so on...

Making him feel as if his body had instantly tightened.

"Your name is Haotian, right?"

Empress Li spoke softly, her voice as moving as immortal music, crisp and calm.

Li Hao bowed slightly, and Old Wang's voice transmission came into his mind: "This is the Imperial Soul of the Tianyang Imperial Palace. She was once a Quasi-Emperor level powerhouse and is also the daughter of the Tianyang Immortal Emperor!"

Li Hao was startled and could not help but look at the beautiful woman before him.

Empress Li, through the ripples in Li Hao's eyes, seemed to have heard the introduction Old Wang gave Li Hao, but her expression did not change much, only saying:

"I have remembered your name. May you truly be able to become a personal disciple and inherit that supreme, glorious name."

Li Hao bowed and said: "This junior will do his best."

Empress Li watched Li Hao quietly for a while before withdrawing her gaze. She casually made a stroke in the void, and instantly a crack appeared, inside which shimmering mist and rosy light flickered. She said to Old Wang:

"Take him to receive the inheritance." Old Wang bowed and agreed repeatedly.

Immediately after, he took Li Hao toward that misty crack.

Li Hao was somewhat surprised, having thought the inheritance would be bestowed by this Empress Li before him.

Under Old Wang's lead, he entered the crack and saw before him an immortal-mist-filled treasure palace, standing in the clouds, extremely magnificent.

"Everything you do here, Empress Li seems to know. You must work hard and not let down Empress Li's high expectations."

Just as he stood firm, Li Hao heard Old Wang say to him.

Li Hao thought of this towering imperial palace, which occupied ninety percent of the space in this forbidden area. As the soul of the imperial palace, if Empress Li wanted to investigate things here, she could know everything, down to the smallest detail.

"This is your disciple reward."

Old Wang at this time pulled Li Hao's attention back to the present, pointing to the treasure palace before him, his eyes revealing vicissitudes as he said:

"Originally, as an official disciple, you should perform the apprenticeship ceremony in person and kowtow to Lord Immortal Emperor. But now, Lord Immortal Emperor's soul image left here has dissipated, so this apprenticeship ceremony is skipped. You step forward and reveal the Nine-Flower Immortal Seal, and the treasure vault will automatically open the second layer for you. That is the inheritance blessing for an official disciple."

Reading original text!

Upon hearing this, Li Hao followed Old Wang's words, stepped forward, and offered the Immortal Seal.

The Nine-Flower patterns on this Immortal Seal were complex, and instantly it bloomed with dazzling light, extremely eye-catching.

As the light waves shone onto the treasure vault, the treasure palace cracked open a gap, and several rays of light shot out from within one after another.

Old Wang raised his hand and caught the rays of light. After the light dissipated, he looked twice to confirm there was no mistake, then handed them to Li Hao, saying:

"As an official disciple, I will become your guardian on this journey after you leave, protecting your safety. The True Venerable Tower will also reside in your Primordial Spirit, guarding your Primordial Spirit. As long as you do not encounter a Quasi-Emperor level threat, it can keep you safe!"

"Besides your safety, this is your cultivation resource."

He handed the three jade plaques in his hand to Li Hao, but a trace of sighing appeared on his face as he said:

"That great battle back then was too intense. The Immortal Stones and Source Stones at that time were all refined into the power of the Immortal Forbidden Imperial Artifacts and were all exhausted. These three jade plaques are respectively the IOUs from the largest merchant guilds of the three major forces in the True Realm back then, and they are also the King's Orders of their merchant guilds."

"If those three major merchant guilds still exist, with these three jade plaque King's Orders, you can extract one Immortal Vein from each of their merchant guilds, which is enough for you to cultivate to the peak of the Ninth Level of the Immortal Lord Realm!"

He said to Li Hao: "If it were back then, an official disciple could at most receive one Immortal Vein as a gift, which is one million Immortal Stones. Now, it has tripled!"

Li Hao was slightly dumbfounded. IOUs?

The catastrophe back then was so tragic, and the Immortal Emperor had fallen; whether those three major merchant guilds still existed was unknown.

Old Wang seemed to realize this point as well, his smile toward Li Hao somewhat sheepish as he said: "If the three major merchant guilds no longer exist by then, then we can only think of other ways."

Li Hao smiled bitterly and took the three jade plaques.

"Besides these cultivation resources, a set of First Grade Origin Immortal Weapons of the Immortal Lord Realm has also been prepared for you!"

Old Wang said: "As for which specific model, you can go to the treasure vault to choose for yourself. You use a sword, so you can choose a sword. I remember there are seven Origin Immortal Swords, but their effects are all different. Among them, there is one named Taowu, which is extremely fierce and is also the Origin Immortal Sword with the strongest power remaining inside. If you can subdue it, you can choose it."

As he spoke, he pressed his palm on Li Hao's back and pushed gently.

Li Hao instantly felt himself pushed into the crack of the treasure vault, the dazzling light stinging his vision white.

Soon, in this pure white space, he saw sets of Immortal Armor hovering and floating around him.

Beside them were pieces of weaponry, sabers, swords, axes, spears, and so on, all emitting extremely strong pressure.

Li Hao's heart was astonished. Previously in the True Realm, he had picked up many damaged Immortal Artifacts, all of which were dim in light, with only the Immortal Artifact itself remaining, and it had already decayed.

But these Immortal Weapons were all well-preserved, emitting terrifying auras.

"Choose me, choose me!"

"Choose me, I am the most powerful!"

"Choose me!"

While Li Hao was pondering and observing, these surrounding Immortal Armor and Immortal Weapons suddenly issued voices one after another, transmitting into Li Hao's mind.

Li Hao was startled and could not help but look over, seeing soul spirits reflecting out from the Immortal Armor and Immortal Weapons—some were in the appearance of graceful fairies, some were handsome youths, some were children, or old men. But without exception, all of them looked at Li Hao with faces full of longing, their eyes filled with urgency.

Roar!

Accompanied by a low roar, the auras of several soul spirits were vastly different, like savage beasts from the wilderness, sweeping toward the other Immortal Armor and Immortal Weapons with deterrence, then looking at Li Hao, their eyes becoming gentle again, saying:

"Choose me, I am the strongest here!"

"What are you saying? Want to fight? I am the strongest!"

"I sense that you have a Sword Dao Origin heart. I am the strongest sword here, choose me!"

"I want to go out and kill the enemy, I want to go out, choose me! As long as you choose me, I will help you climb to the highest peak!"

These Immortal Armor and Immortal Weapons chattered and argued.

Li Hao was somewhat startled. He had originally been thinking about how to choose, but ended up being fought over instead.

He thought of the Venerable God's words and was instantly dumbfounded. It seemed these fellows had been stifled here for too long.

"Which one is Taowu?" Li Hao asked curiously.

Hearing his words, the other weapons all stopped. The soul spirits on several Immortal Swords also turned to look at a ferocious-looking beast soul spirit, though its size was only that of a small tiger.

"Me, it's me, it's me!"

This Taowu soul spirit, hearing Li Hao's words, instantly became excited, howling as it rushed in front of Li Hao, saying: "Choose me, I am the strongest sword here!"

"It likes slaughter and bloodthirst, and it doesn't like to listen to its master. If you choose it, with your cultivation base, you won't be able to suppress it."

At this time, an Immortal Sword soul spirit beside it said immediately.

Hearing its words, the Taowu soul spirit's eyes flashed with cold light, and sword light suddenly shot out, striking the Immortal Sword back with a clang.

"Young man, I am the strongest. If you choose me, you won't be wrong. I can guarantee you become an Immortal Lord!"

That Taowu Immortal Sword said.

Li Hao observed it for two glances, then a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth as he said: "Good, I choose you."

"Haha!"

Hearing Li Hao's words, the Taowu Immortal Sword instantly burst into laughter.

Immediately after, it couldn't wait to bind with Li Hao's Primordial Spirit.

Li Hao didn't dawdle either. After completing the contract with it, he felt a fierce aura surge into his mind, carrying sinister and cruel thoughts.

"Master, I won't hurt you. After we go out, take me to kill the enemy. I didn't participate in that battle back then; I want to kill my way back!"

Taowu's voice instantly sounded in Li Hao's sea of consciousness.

Li Hao smiled and responded: "Good!"

Seeing Li Hao bind the contract with Taowu, the other Immortal Weapons all sighed and returned to their positions, no longer making a sound.

And those Immortal Armor pieces crowded over to fight for him.

Li Hao asked them one by one. After picking for a while and simultaneously asking Taowu, under Taowu's disclosure, he chose a set of jet-black Immortal Armor. On the surface were lines like withered vines, and faintly, an Ancestral Dragon was coiled around it.

That Immortal Armor also bound with Li Hao's Primordial Spirit, named the Extreme Thunder Immortal Armor.

Li Hao asked them and learned that they were all weapons mastered by those in the Immortal Lord Realm. Only the Immortal Emperor's official disciples could receive such rewards. Having Immortal Lord Realm Immortal Weapons for protection was enough to survive the fragile period of the True Immortal Realm.

In the True Realm, an Immortal Lord was already considered a powerhouse capable of standing alone.

After the Extreme Thunder Immortal Armor and Taowu were chosen, Li Hao was teleported out of the treasure vault.

Old Wang saw the Immortal Weapon and Immortal Armor Li Hao had chosen and could not help but laugh, saying: "So fast. You really chose Taowu. Can you suppress that little fellow?"

"I should be able to," Li Hao said.

Old Wang heard this answer and saw Li Hao's relaxed expression, instantly laughing.

"As an official disciple, you can also choose one of the ten supreme Immortal Arts of the True Immortal Realm to cultivate. Whether you can comprehend it depends on your luck. This Immortal Art is taught by the inheritance stone left by Lord Immortal Emperor."

Old Wang raised his hand toward the treasure vault, and a glowing stone flew out from within, emitting profound imperial might that made one afraid to touch it easily.

"Offer your Primordial Spirit and enter the inheritance stone."

Old Wang held the inheritance stone in both hands, his expression more solemn and serious than before.

Li Hao heard this, offered his Primordial Spirit, and touched it to the inheritance stone.

The next moment, he felt his Primordial Spirit being sucked in, and then he arrived in a world surrounded by immortal mist.

The surrounding white mist was boundless. Li Hao looked around, but suddenly, rays of light and shadow appeared before his eyes.

In those rays of light and shadow were fragments of time. In the towering Tianyang Immortal Palace, countless immortal gods gathered, looking magnificent and vast. And in a courtyard behind the imperial palace, a figure sat withered with eyes closed, suddenly stood up, drew a sword, and swung it. A sword light broke through the clouds above the imperial palace, causing the heavenly light to be extinguished and the world to fall into darkness.

That sword seemed to have slashed the entire Divine Sun until it was extinguished.

Li Hao saw that terrifying sword appear before his eyes and was somewhat stunned.

The youth in the courtyard sheathed his sword, and the world gradually returned to brightness.

Afterward, the scene gradually dissipated and faded.

At this time, a vicissitudinous and sighing voice came to Li Hao's ears, saying:

"He is Qingxuan, Lord Immortal Emperor's second disciple. His soul heart has not withered. I do not know how many cycles of reincarnation he has gone through, nor do I know where he has reincarnated, or if his soul thoughts are scattered. If you can find him and bring him back to the Tianyang Imperial Palace, Empress Li will be able to restore his memory and let him return to his peak!"

That voice continued: "At that time, you will also be able to receive Lord Immortal Emperor's commendation, allowing you to also receive a chance to be promoted to a personal disciple!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 671 =====