Chapter 677: Li Tianzong, Third Rank

"I am the Second Earth Li Tianzong, Chun Xue Jian Sect; once one of the Nine Imperial Swords of the True Realm, the Chun Zhan Emperor Sword, which once bestowed its sword art upon our founding ancestor—its imperial sword aura still lingers. If you can comprehend it, you may wield the Emperor Sword's might and cut down all injustice in the world!"

The young true immortal immediately spoke to Lin Lin Qingying.

I've long heard this is a false realm of the Immortal Emperor, already birthing two prodigies; if we can pick up another stray, perhaps Chun Xue Jian Sect can ascend to the First Earth Li Tianzong!

Yet upon hearing the young true immortal's words, the woman in green robes immediately turned her gaze toward the boy beside her, her eyes filled with inquiry.

This posture clearly misled the young true immortal; he slightly furrowed his brow and said coolly:

"Miss, you need not concern yourself with him—he is merely First Realm True Immortal. I hear your realm's immortal path has been severed, so you lack knowledge: True Immortal has ten realms, ten being the peak. He is barely across the threshold of True Immortal."

"Come to my sect, and within ten years, I guarantee you will reach Saint-level Supreme, forge an Immortal Seal, cross this True Immortal threshold, and far surpass other True Immortals. If you work hard enough, even forging a Three-Flower Immortal Seal is not impossible."

The young true immortal's words also educated Feng Bo Ping and others on the True Immortal realms; now they all turned to look at Li Hao.

They clearly remembered how Li Hao had raised his hand and slashed with a single sword, felling those three True Immortals!

They knew Li Hao had just entered the True Immortal realm, but they never imagined that even after crossing the threshold, he remained as extraordinary as ever.

Whether True Immortal or Saint, within the same realm, no one had ever shaken him!

For a moment, Feng Bo Ping and the Sword Master both smiled with awe; five years had passed, the world had changed, yet this boy remained the same familiar boy.

Hearing the young true immortal's words, Li Hao's heart stirred; he looked up at the old man arraying the formation overhead and whispered:

"Old Master, is what he said true? Can I become his disciple?"

He admires Lin Lin Qingying—that's an opportunity. If the sect is truly worthy, it wouldn't hurt to train there.

"Half-truth, half-lie."

Wang Lao, while forming the immortal array, replied coolly in thought: "The True Realm indeed had nine supreme Emperor Swords; Chun Zhan was one. But his claim of 'bestowing the sword'? Likely, Chun Zhan Emperor Sword merely gave slight guidance to his sect's founding ancestor. Otherwise, if it truly passed the sword, his sect would at least be a Heaven Four Sect—or their founding ancestor was too foolish to grasp even a fraction."

Li Hao immediately understood Wang Lao's meaning and whispered back:

"What do 'Earth Two, Heaven Four' mean?"

"If the old rules remain unchanged, still following the ten-thousand-year-old system, then the Heaven Sects of the True Realm are divided into three grades: Heaven, Earth, and Mystery!"

"Each grade has four levels: One is highest, Four is lowest!"

"Mystery Sects have no Lords, Earth Sects have no Kings, Heaven Sects have no Emperors!"

Wang Lao whispered back: "In short, an Earth-grade Li Tianzong has no Immortal Kings. If it did, it would be rated at least Heaven Four."

Li Hao instantly understood: the young true immortal's sect had at most an Immortal Lord as its highest.

"That girl's body truly holds the Ultimate Sword Dao's Primordial Embryo—the Supreme Sword Dao's Hun Xu Sword Embryo!"

Wang Lao continued whispering: "Though still in its infancy, she's an excellent seed. Ten thousand years ago, she would have been worthy to become a disciple of a Heaven One Sect!"

Hearing this detailed explanation, Li Hao felt immense joy for Lin Lin Qingying. He pulled his thoughts back, saw the young true immortal urging him, and said:

"Apologies, we already have a direction for seeking a master."

The young true immortal, hearing Li Hao speak, raised an eyebrow and sneered: "What sect are you from? Who gave you the right to speak?"

He turned to Lin Lin Qingying: "Make your own choice. Don't worry about him—if he resists, I can crush him with a flick of my wrist!"

Though he desperately wanted to take the girl, he still wished to give her the chance to choose herself—eyesight matters greatly too.

Lin Lin Qingying sensed the subtle shift in atmosphere and did not wish to cause trouble; she quickly said: "Thank you for your kindness, but I follow only him."

Her eyes flickered toward Li Hao, her cheeks faintly flushed; since he endured the death tribulation, she had waited five years, gazing until her eyes ached—now she no longer hid her feelings.

The young true immortal could not miss that the girl had already given her heart away, yet he did not covet her beauty; though she was exquisitely elegant, in the True Realm's great sects, the immortal maidens were even more ethereal, bewitching all who beheld them—he too had his own beloved. Now he merely felt a trace of amusement, and said coldly:

"Your taste wastes your fine talent. Very well, since fate has brought us together, I shall make this choice for you—someday you will thank me!"

As he finished speaking, Li Hao suddenly felt a surge of killing intent, his eyes darkening.

Zeng!

In an instant, sword light reversed, sweeping horizontally from the void—the young true immortal drew his sword and slashed in one seamless motion, striking Li Hao without warning.

This sudden turn shocked Feng Bo Ping and the others; they barely reacted before turning pale with horror.

To draw a sword and kill over a single word—no one expected it.

But Li Hao had already reacted; he snorted coldly, and the immortal weapon Taowu flew out, roaring like a ferocious tiger, instantly shattering the opponent's sword light, severing his jade-like blade, then piercing straight through the young true immortal's skull—faster than lightning, far more brutal.

The moment his life-soul weapon was severed, the young true immortal realized—his pupils contracted—but the sword light came too fast, like a streak of silver radiance, instantly piercing his pupils before he could even close his eyes.

Boom—his skull exploded. His immortal laws were sealed by the weapon's primordial power, stripping him of self-healing; his physical body was obliterated.

His Immortal Seal and Primordial Spirit flew out from his skull, staring in terror at Li Hao.

Is that… an immortal weapon?

A mere First Realm True Immortal, wielding an immortal weapon? Which great sect's disciple is this?

The other three True Immortals reacted, instantly unleashing True Immortal pressure, forming a small five-man formation, their energies linked, watching Li Hao with tension.

This unremarkable True Immortal boy had drawn an immortal weapon—something they never anticipated.

"We deeply apologize, please forgive us!"

One of the True Immortal women hurriedly said, even daring not to ask Li Hao's sect—wielding an immortal weapon without being devoured by it proved he had the backing of a great sect's powerful elder, forcing the weapon to submit obediently.

"You said to join your sect and wield the sword to cut down all injustice—yet what you just did, how is that fair?"

Li Hao coldly swept his gaze over the three True Immortals, then looked at the young true immortal, now reduced to his Immortal Seal and Primordial Spirit, and said:

"This, my first sword in the True Realm, shall cut down this injustice!"

As he spoke, the Taowu immortal weapon slashed out with an eager cry—it reveled in chaos, bloodthirsty and savage; had Li Hao not had Wang Lao beside him, it would have long since sought out blood everywhere.

Seeing Li Hao's resolve to kill, the young true immortal roared as his Immortal Seal shattered—two "patterns" on his seal exploded simultaneously; a howling torrent of immortal energy surged like a hurricane toward Li Hao.

Taowu cleaved through the chaotic, roaring immortal energy, but two primordial truths surged directly toward Li Hao, accompanied by the dying roar of the young true immortal's Primordial Spirit, seeking to drag Li Hao down with him.

Li Hao's expression remained calm; a faint outline of an Immortal Seal appeared on his forehead. The face of the young true immortal's Primordial Spirit, snarling within the two primordial truths, rushed toward him, intent on destroying his seal—then froze.

One… two… three… He was instantly stunned.

But Li Hao acted with ruthless efficiency; with a casual wave of his finger, he pinched a wisp of green smoke and severed both primordial truths and the Primordial Spirit in one motion!

A True Immortal of Eighth Realm was erased in an instant by Li Hao's flick of the finger—the remaining three hadn't even seen what happened.

"Go."

Li Hao said coldly.

The three True Immortals were terrified; they turned and fled in panic.

As they hastily fled on their swords, Wang Lao completed his immortal array; he descended, glanced at the three distant figures, and said to Li Hao:

"You cut the grass but left the roots—don't you fear their revenge?"

"Didn't you say Earth Sects have no Kings? Even if their sect master comes, he can't cross your immortal array, right?"

Li Hao said.

"That's true."

Wang Lao nodded slightly, then smiled faintly: "Your benevolence is good—but your status is no longer what it was. You may spare them, but I cannot."

As he spoke, a faint thunder sounded from afar.

Rolling from the distant horizon, it sounded light—but Li Hao could imagine the cataclysmic roar that must have erupted there.

Li Hao nodded slightly at Wang Lao's action, saying nothing; he acted by his heart, and so did others.

"Let's go."

Li Hao raised his hand, signaling Feng Lao and Lin Lin Qingying to depart, heading toward this vast and turbulent True Realm.

All who witnessed Li Hao's power felt exhilarated, as if embarking together on a journey across the star-sea.

Walking this path again, Li Hao felt deep emotion. Previously, he had come alone, fumbling through, trembling as he crossed the gorge.

Now, surrounded by friends, laughter ringing around him—he felt deeply satisfied.

Many of the bones in the gorge had vanished; Feng Bo Ping and the others followed behind Li Hao as he explained the place. Their earlier excitement and mirth slowly faded, their faces now solemn.

Only now did they learn the oldest history and origins of the Ten Thousand Realms.

This path had been blocked by the white bones of countless Immortals and Gods, holding back the Ancient Demons to preserve the false realm.

Wang Lao walked beside Li Hao, his face veiled in mist, expression unreadable.

Suddenly, he leapt into the air and left Li Hao a thought-voice: "Keep walking—I'll find you."

Then his figure vanished.

Li Hao's eyes flickered—he knew Wang Lao had long yearned to see this battlefield; when forming the array, he must have endured unbearable pain.

After crossing the gorge, Li Hao glanced toward a certain spot—but the war chariot and its figure were gone.

A book, one p>

Look again!

Nangong Xue Jian—I wonder how he is now.

Emerging from the gorge, before them stretched a more desolate, boundless battlefield, littered with the bones of Ancient Demons.

All felt stunned; the Ancient Demons that once plagued the Ten Thousand Realms had each been terrifying—yet here, their corpses lay piled like forests.

Li Hao led them forward, seeing that all Ancient Demons here had indeed been cleared; they encountered no others, but met True Immortals flying from other directions, avoiding them at a distance as they headed toward the Yu Xuan Ni Gate.

Li Hao knew they would return empty-handed and didn't care—he had absolute faith in Wang Lao's power.

After traversing uncharted territory for a million li, Li Hao saw a patch of void where countless light points swirled like stars circling the moon; at its center, a massive silver disc pulsed, drawing threads of starlight together—a portal of immortal transmission.

True Immortals guarded this place; their arrival immediately drew the guards' attention.

They wore silver battle armor, elegant yet ancient, wielding identical divine spears. One stepped forward, glanced at Lin Lin Qingying and the others, and instantly recognized their identities.

Then he turned to Li Hao, surprised: "Which sect are you from?"

"Must I tell you?" Li Hao asked.

The True Immortal raised an eyebrow, finding Li Hao's tone impudent; he sneered: "No such rule. Fine—pay one hundred immortal stones. Each Saint-level pays ten. All below Saint-level pay one stone each. Pay and be gone!"

He waved his hand dismissively.

Li Hao felt he could have charged more, but didn't care; he had looted twenty to thirty thousand immortal stones from the three True Immortals he'd slain—this toll was easily paid.

The three IOUs granted by the Immortal Emperor each bore a debt of one million Immortal Stones, but they had to be claimed—and whether they could be reclaimed remained uncertain.

Li Hao took out three hundred Immortal Stones but did not hand them over immediately; instead, he waited here for Wang Lao.

The True Immortal glanced at the Immortal Stones in Li Hao's hand, said nothing further, and returned to the Immortal Gate teleportation point.

Several days passed before Wang Lao finally arrived.

Li Hao noticed the bloodshot circles beneath his eyes and sighed inwardly.

"Let's go."

Wang Lao arrived and spoke to Li Hao, then turned his gaze to the guarding True Immortal, his eyes narrowing slightly as he whispered: "Tiangong?"

He stared at the True Immortal, his eyes flickering as if pondering something.

Seeing Li Hao look over, he snapped back to himself, frowned, and transmitted a voice message:

"If I recall correctly, during that great calamity, Tiangong led the charge—and even the Immortal Emperor perished. How could Tiangong have survived?"

"Could it be that the Tiangong Emperor never perished?"

As he spoke, his frown deepened further.

But soon, he told Li Hao: "Let's go first. I need to learn what the True Realm is like now."

Li Hao had thoughts of his own but said nothing, following the man forward.

The previously guarding True Immortal stepped forward to block Wang Lao, demanding the teleportation Immortal Stones. Wang Lao merely raised a finger—and the Immortal Gate teleportation point once again manifested a swirling vortex.

Seeing this, the True Immortal froze in stunned disbelief.

To summon Immortal Dao with a gesture and transmit across countless realms—that was the power of an Immortal King!

This old man before him… he began trembling.

"Go."

Wang Lao swept his sleeve; Li Hao and the others followed him into the newly opened Immortal Gate teleportation.

"An Immortal King has graced this place…"

After they left, the several True Immortals guarding the site were all shaken.

As they flew through the Immortal Array, enveloped in Immortal energy, the journey was exceedingly smooth. Before Li Hao and the others could fully sense it, a towering city appeared before them, suspended in the starry void.

"Wenxin Fotu City?"

Wang Lao saw the city's silhouette, his gaze trembling. He had followed the Immortal Gate's path here, unaware of where it would lead—but never imagined it would be this.

Yet time had eroded it. The once-renowned city of the True Realm, ten thousand years past, now bore massive cracks in its walls, seemingly irreparable, and a terrifying claw mark deeply imprinted upon them.

When they emerged from the teleportation point, they stood outside the city. Immediately, a True Immortal approached demanding an entry fee.

Wang Lao stood frozen, lost in a flood of memories.

Hearing the guard's urging, Li Hao, unwilling to draw attention, stepped forward to inquire and paid two hundred Immortal Stones for entry.

"You're lucky—our Fotu City has recently seen many Immortal Sects come to recruit disciples. If you're chosen, you'll have great fortune."

The True Immortal, having received the Immortal Stones, glanced at Li Hao and the others, noting Lin Lin Qingying's low cultivation, and chuckled.

At this moment, Wang Lao came back to himself, his eyes filled with melancholy. He walked beside Li Hao and said:

"Ten thousand years… I never imagined Wenxin Fotu City would sink to this. A mere minor array can teleport one here, and not even a trace of King Dao energy remains. In the past, this was the city that defended the True Realm's Abyss against countless dead demons… All races once vied to have their names inscribed here in glory. Now…"

He gazed at the city, where countless names were still etched densely upon its surface—but time had blurred the strokes, and no one seemed to care anymore.

A pang of sorrow crossed Wang Lao's eyes as he stepped into the city.

The city gate of Fotu City was immensely majestic, like a black heavenly gate. Beyond the entrance rose a towering mountain, its terraces and pavilions rising and falling, with figures darting through the air—few walked on the ground.

"Even the Emperor's markings on the gate have dimmed…"

Wang Lao's expression grew somber, witnessing the decay of ten thousand years.

As soon as they entered the city, a vast pressure surged from afar, accompanied by a howling wind—a colossal sword, over a hundred li in diameter and more than twenty li wide, slashed across the horizon, visible to countless eyes.

"That's the Wanshan Sword Tower of Tianyi Sect. Have they come to recruit too?"

"I heard their trials are extremely harsh."

"Hurry, hurry—let's go see! Even if we just get to do menial work, it's better than nothing."

Instantly, the many True Immortals flying nearby rushed toward it, including numerous Saint-level cultivators.

(End of Chapter)