Chapter 683: Born with the Sword Immortal Body

The sword aura rushing toward him stood like the hilt of an emperor's blade; Li Hao glanced at the very center above, where it seemed the emperor's eyes gazed upon him.

Yet this imperial aura paled vastly compared to the majesty of the Heaven's Calamity Emperor's Palace.

That former chief disciple of the Sword Abyss, who had split the mountain, had just entered the Immortal King realm and could barely unleash a fraction of the emperor sword's might with full Immortal King power.

Li Hao cast a glance and withdrew his gaze; though the cliff bore many names, he had no interest in joining the crowd.

If he truly wished to leave his name, he might as well carve his own wall.

Back in the courtyard atop the mountain, Qi Meng'an, upon learning Li Hao had returned, hurried forward to inform him that Lady Miss Master Yue Xi had inscribed her name on the Emperor Sword Cliff.

The steward secretly harbored a hope to spur Li Hao on, for he had never seen such a lax swordsman.

After hearing this, Li Hao recalled how he'd passed by earlier without noticing below—but it was a trivial matter; he nodded and told Chief Qi to send his congratulations, then went to the courtyard's sword ground, opened its barrier, where only he and Xiyuan, who held the sword token, could enter.

This time, his breakthrough in fishing meditation yielded the greatest gain not in swordcraft, but in his comprehension of the primordial Dao of time.

In the Nine Sequences, time and space reign supreme.

Previously, painting had helped him grasp the primordial Dao of space; now, fishing revealed to him the passage and vastness of time, allowing him to fish and sever fragments of years from the river of time.

His earlier refined Nine Flower Immortal Seal contained five primordial Daos from the Nine Sequences; now, Li Hao intended to replace one of the remaining four with the primordial Dao of time.

The Immortal Seal could hold at most nine flowers; Li Hao tried to integrate the primordial Dao of time, but it refused to merge—he could only replace one existing flower.

Of the remaining four, he chose the Immortal's Guiding Finger from Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan; though exquisite, this sword art's primordial essence was merely a branch of sword Dao, barely coalesced into a single flower.

Within the barrier, Li Hao entered seclusion to replace and refine his new Nine Flower Immortal Seal.

As the primordial Dao of time merged, Li Hao's Nine Flower Immortal Seal instantly emitted a collapsing suction, rapidly drawing in the surrounding celestial energy.

All the celestial energy in the courtyard surged toward the sword ground, yet still fell far short; Li Hao was forced to unleash the ultimate power of the Ten Thousand Star Veins.

This time, starlight surrounded his body—real stars of the True Realm, their projections pouring boundless celestial energy directly into him.

As Li Hao cultivated, Qi Meng'an in the courtyard sensed the strange flow of celestial energy; when he realized it all converged upon the sword ground, he exhaled in relief, a smile tugging at his lips.

It seems Lady Miss Master Yue Xi's progress did stir some motivation in his young master…

As the new Nine Flower Immortal Seal solidified, the flowers of time and space seemed to fuse together, weaving a complex, exquisite Dao pattern that subtly warped the surrounding spacetime.

These two patterns rested at the seal's base, like branching roots and leaves, lifting up the other Dao-flower patterns.

As Li Hao slowly drew the seal into his body, he instantly felt spacetime's power align with his own—as if every gesture could effortlessly control the surrounding spacetime; this primordial-level mastery surpassed celestial energy, rendering even an opponent with ten, dozens, or hundreds times his own energy powerless against him.

The first year at the Sword Abyss ended.

That year, Li Hao's Nine Flower Immortal Seal gained three layers of primordial Dao of time patterns.

His swordcraft also successfully reached the eleventh level.

His chess and painting skills likewise gained minor insights and progress.

At year's end, heavy snow fell from the sky, blanketing ten thousand li in white.

The slopes and pavilions of the Sword Abyss were draped in silver.

In this snowfall, Li Li Tiemu returned to the summit, bringing with him a strikingly handsome young lad.

"This is your new junior brother, Gu Yan!"

Li Li Tiemu gathered Wei Wei Hongye, Li Hao, and others before the Immortal Sword Pavilion and publicly took the boy as his disciple, introducing him to them.

The boy appeared roughly Li Hao's age, seventeen or eighteen, with sword-like brows and starlit eyes; his irises were heterochromatic—the upper edge crimson fire, the lower edge silver-white, extraordinarily divine.

One with such unusual eyes clearly possessed an extraordinary Dao body.

"Gu Yan? The Gu surname?"

Upon hearing Li Li Tiemu's introduction, Wei Wei Hongye's expression shifted slightly, as if recalling some ancient legend.

Li Li Tiemu, aware his disciples had powerful backgrounds and keen insight, did not conceal it: "Correct. He is of the Ancient Immortal bloodline, the Gu clan—born with the innate Sword Immortal Body."

Upon hearing this, Li Hao and Xu Li Jianming exchanged puzzled glances—they had never heard of it.

But Wei Wei Hongye and Miss Master Yue Xi both narrowed their pupils, staring at the boy in shock.

Among the myriad races of the True Realm, the Ancient Immortal bloodline was exceedingly rare, a near-extinct top-tier race.

Legend said the Ancient Immortal bloodline was born with various divine abilities; and this boy, it turned out, was the innate Sword Immortal Body—the legendary strongest Dao body for sword cultivation!

Miss Master Yue Xi stared at him in awe, her eyes filled with disbelief.

The boy named Gu Yan remained expressionless, almost numb; he listened silently to Li Li Tiemu's introduction, saying nothing, his gaze never wandering, only slightly raised, fixed on the pavilion behind Li Li Tiemu.

Seeing Li Hao and Xu Li Jianming's stunned expressions, Li Li Tiemu was delighted, smiling as he explained:

"See that plaque behind me? Sword Immortal Pavilion—in sword cultivation, the highest realm is Sword Immortal!"

"And the innate Sword Immortal Body, from childhood, can grasp the primordial essence of sword Dao—in other words, the moment he begins learning and practicing swordplay, he can already offer his sword to the Dao!"

Hearing this, Li Hao and Xu Li Jianming both grew uneasy.

Li Hao thought himself blessed, yet here was someone even more absurdly gifted.

To offer his sword to the Dao right after picking up a blade?

Xu Li Jianming stared in stunned disbelief—two prodigies had just arrived, and now came another even more outrageous one?

"Master, where did you find him?"

Xu Li Jianming couldn't help asking.

Li Li Tiemu's eyes gleamed with pride: "Naturally, fate brought us together; our Sword Abyss's depth in swordcraft is sufficient to fully unleash his Sword Immortal Body—he has a chance one day to ascend to the pinnacle of sword Dao!"

He naturally didn't mention that this exceptional talent was snatched from the hands of the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower.

Otherwise, why did he spend his days wandering the realm, rushing from place to place?

Xu Li Jianming didn't believe the old man's nonsense; he rolled his eyes slightly, secretly wondering if the heavens had exploded for Li Li Tiemu lately—his luck was too explosive.

"The sword art we learn upon entering the Sword Abyss—I'll demonstrate it once. You must master it within seven days."

At this moment, Li Li Tiemu spoke to the boy, Gu Yan.

Gu Yan's expression remained calm, but upon hearing "sword art," his numb eyes flickered with a sharp glint.

Miss Master Yue Xi's expression grew complex; she glanced at Li Hao, seeking some resonance.

She had inquired: when Wei Wei Hongye and Fourth Senior Brother Xu Li Jianming joined, they'd been given half a month; she and Li Hao had been given half a month too—considered exceptional talent.

Yet now, this boy was given only seven days!

As Li Li Tiemu demonstrated, the Immortal's Guiding Finger sword art flowed gracefully, embodying the essence of ultimate simplicity.

Li Hao, watching Li Li Tiemu's demonstration, wore a thoughtful expression.

This sword art demonstration by Li Li Tiemu was already at the level of true intent—the same level Li Hao currently possessed.

But he wondered: was this even the full extent of Li Li Tiemu's teaching ability?

Soon, Li Li Tiemu finished; before he could speak, Gu Yan suddenly closed his eyes, then opened them moments later, a sword appearing in his palm, and he began to wield it on the spot.

Li Hao, seeing the opening stance, immediately understood and stepped back.

Miss Master Yue Xi reacted slightly slower, nearly cut by the blade; only after dodging did she stare at him in horror.

The sword art Gu Yan practiced was precisely Immortal's Guiding Finger!

Initially clumsy, but soon Dao rhythm coalesced—he had entered the art!

He mastered it after seeing it only once!

And he grew increasingly skilled, the art's subtle nuances emerging naturally.

This stunned not only Miss Master Yue Xi, but Wei Wei Hongye and Xu Li Jianming too—they stared, dumbfounded, at the new junior brother.

Li Li Tiemu froze, then his mouth split into a grin stretching nearly to his ears, his joy impossible to contain.

He'd truly found a treasure!

He was already imagining how this boy would shock the entire Southern Region's sects and heavenly clans during the Southern Region Battle.

"Good! Good! Good!"

When Gu Yan finished his swordplay, Li Li Tiemu was beaming, unable to close his mouth: "No wonder you're born with the Sword Immortal Body—this talent, with our Sword Abyss's support and depth, you will surely become the pinnacle of sword Dao!"

He laughed loudly, then said: "Come, I'll take you to the Sword Abyss Pavilion!"

Wei Wei Hongye and Xu Li Jianming opened their mouths slightly, but said nothing—they saw their master's joy and his great regard for this junior brother.

And his sword talent left them no room for envy.

Miss Master Yue Xi watched the master and the new junior brother depart, her expression deeply complex; she bit her lip lightly, fingers tightening.

When her master brought her here, though he valued her greatly, he entrusted her teaching entirely to Wei Wei Hongye—nowhere near as intimate as his treatment of this Ancient Immortal bloodline.

"It seems this junior brother will surpass us soon—I just sensed it; he's also at True Immortal Realm third layer."

Xu Li Jianming said, glancing at Li Hao and Miss Master Yue Xi, his tone full of sighs.

Wei Wei Hongye's eyes flickered: "Master has been traveling frequently lately, seeking prodigies everywhere; this time, concerning the Heavenly Clan rankings, every faction is fiercely competing for prodigies—we've lost our chance to compete, it's all up to you two now."

She looked at Miss Master Yue Xi and Li Hao.

Miss Master Yue Xi stared at the footprints left in the snow, the old man and the boy vanished.

She turned away without a word.

Li Hao brushed snow from his body, gazed at the snowfall—it was perfect for hot pot and grilled meat; he immediately invited Wei Wei Hongye and Xu Li Jianming to his small courtyard.

Hearing Li Hao planned to cook for them, Wei Wei Hongye and Xu Li Jianming exchanged glances, surprised; from Miss Master Yue Xi they sensed urgency and pressure, yet this seventh brother remained utterly relaxed—even after being surpassed by Miss Master Yue Xi, he showed no tension, whether genuine or feigned.

"No need for a meal—we'll have chances later. Junior brother… oh no, you're Seventh Senior Brother now—get back and cultivate."

Wei Wei Hongye said.

Xu Li Jianming nodded, clapping Li Hao's shoulder: "Our branch relies on you to hold up the banner—don't lose to Elder Zhou's disciples."

Li Hao sighed; he'd invited them precisely to cultivate.

But since they refused, he didn't insist—fine food would always find its guests.

He nodded, bid them farewell, and returned to his courtyard.

Thinking of cooking, Li Hao remembered the ancient demon's corpse, and involuntarily swallowed.

Among the True Realm's ingredients, only the ancient demon race is the most nourishing.

Li Hao immediately summoned Qi Meng'an and asked how to find the Ancient Demons.

Upon hearing Li Hao mention the Ancient Demons, Qi Meng'an's expression grew solemn.

In the True Realm, to speak of the Ancient Demons is to name an enemy of all races.

"This is the inner territory of the Yanchu Qin Xianchao; the Ancient Demons rarely dare invade this deep. If you wish to hunt them, you must go to the border, join the Yanchu Immortal Army—then you can accumulate military merit, earn the Dynasty's honors and rewards, all of which are vast resources and treasures!" said Qi Meng'an.

He came from the Sacred State within the Great Da Da Meng Jiuyuan Heavenly Sect's domain—a force immense to mortals, yet in the Yanchu Qin Xianchao, it amounted to little more than a small village.

Hearing this, Li Hao's heart stirred. He had heard from Sister Wei that the senior brother was currently at the border slaying Ancient Demons, under orders from the Sword Abyss—likely because the Sword Abyss had received a mobilization order from the Yanchu Qin Xianchao and dispatched the senior brother to answer the call.

"So it seems the only way to hunt Ancient Demons is to go to the battlefield."

Li Hao's eyes flickered. The nourishment of Ancient Demons might be worth the risk.

If he could forge the Divine Bone and cultivate his Primordial Spirit to its final realm, becoming a True God, he would be nearly immortal!

Then, even if his physical body shattered, his Primordial Spirit would endure—perhaps even an Immortal Lord could not slay him!

Yet before heading to the Yanchu battlefield border, Li Hao planned to first visit the Sword Abyss Tower to select a sword art.

He had been here a year and had yet to choose a sword art—it would be hard to justify.

The snow had ended. Li Hao walked alone to the Sword Abyss Tower.

!. Read

Before him loomed the majestic Sword Abyss Tower, standing in a basin like a canyon, its surroundings dim, the rock walls scarred everywhere by slashes of sword qi.

Before coming, Li Hao had heard that Li Lao had taken the new junior brother there and won the recognition of three top-tier sword scriptures.

And due to Li Lao's favor, he was specially permitted to take all three top-tier sword scriptures away and cultivate them simultaneously.

Now, Li Hao arrived quietly, alone.

The majestic Sword Abyss Tower stood before him. Li Hao stepped forward and retracted his Ten Thousand Forms attribute.

Here, the cultivation arts chose their master—not the master choosing the arts.

He had to reveal his own sword Dao, his sword intent, so the arts could judge him—and only then would he have the right to choose.

Li Hao's expression was calm as he reached the Sword Display Platform beneath the Sword Abyss Tower.

He shed his disguise, and his sword intent emerged from his third eye.

The Sole Self Sword Dao—this was his core sword Dao, infused with all the sword techniques and scriptures he had mastered, including the Ten Supreme Immortal Arts' Azure Heaven, each leaving traces of its flavor, now all woven into his own sword Dao.

Additionally, the Nine Flower Immortal Seal faintly shimmered before his forehead; the fundamental truths of Time, Space, Water Source, Earth Source, Form Dao, and Control Dao—the Nine Orders and Six Paths—had all, to varying degrees, been integrated into his Sole Self Sword Dao.

The core principle of the Sole Self Sword Dao was to sever all thoughts, all desires within the heart.

Yet to sever, one must first possess.

Now, with his Sole Self Sword Dao infused with the origins of many great Dao paths, it could even twist time and space—its strength had reached a level Li Hao himself could not fathom.

Since stepping out of the Lord Tianyang Emperor's Palace, he had never truly unleashed his full power in battle.

Now, as his Sole Self Sword Dao manifested, the spacetime around him seemed to shift and tremble, countless sword principles swirling near him like innumerable sword shadows.

An unimaginable sharpness, dominance, and haughtiness surged from Li Hao—as if this were his true nature, the blade within his heart.

Before him, the majestic Sword Abyss Tower suddenly trembled faintly.

Then the trembling intensified, the tower began to shake.

Only then did Li Hao realize: the ancient swords embedded in the tower were all quivering, as if striving to break free.

Whoosh!

As the first ancient sword shot out, the others followed in trembling succession, whistling through the air until they formed a storm of sword tide, encircling the entire Sword Abyss Tower and Li Hao's body like a whirlwind.

Li Hao looked up, gazing at the countless floating sword scriptures, stunned—he had not expected so many to choose his sword Dao.

Yet the ancient swords at the very peak of the tower remained only slightly trembling, still unsheathed.

But as the trembling grew fiercer, with a series of sharp clicks, those top-tier ancient swords suddenly leapt free, revealing their formidable sword momentum, and hurtled down to land before Li Hao.

The other swords in the sword tide seemed cowed by their aura, retreating and keeping their distance.

Li Hao knew: these few must be the Sword Abyss Tower's top-tier sword scriptures.

As he prepared to choose, suddenly, several ancient swords seemed to sense something and swiftly withdrew to either side.

Then Li Hao saw a golden divine sword emerge from the very top of the Sword Abyss Tower.

Its light radiated everywhere, exuding golden splendor, its form ancient, its body swirling with countless Dao rhythms.

On its blade were engraved a line of small characters; as it descended slowly, they gradually appeared before Li Hao's eyes:

"One sword cuts down all under heaven; in the next life, still a god of swords…"

Just fourteen characters, radiating haughty, dominant, arrogant power.

Li Hao looked up and saw three characters on the hilt: Sword God Scripture!

Li Hao paused slightly. He had seen many sword art names, but never one so bluntly simple.

The surrounding ancient swords dared not approach; they retreated to the sides, and the circling sword tide thickened, for they now kept greater distance from Li Hao.

Li Hao's eyes flickered. Why think? Even his toes could tell this sword's scripture was the pinnacle of the Sword Abyss Tower.

He reached out and grasped the hilt. Instantly, golden light enveloped the blade, flooding Li Hao's vision and drawing him into a brilliant golden world.

Then ancient whispers arose, and Li Hao seemed to see a peerless figure, wielding a long sword, standing alone against countless forms—immortals, gods, demons, spirits—and with one sweeping slash, the blinding sword light obscured Li Hao's vision and swallowed the countless figures.

But that invincible sword intent remained etched in Li Hao's heart, inscribed upon his sword heart.

When all vanished, Li Hao found the sword in his hand had disappeared, the sword tide gone—all swords had returned to their places.

As if it had all been a dream.

Yet the sword scripture etched into his sword heart told him it was no dream.

He called up his interface and saw a new sword art listed:

【Sword God Scripture (Pseudo-Emperor Rank): One of the Nine Swords (Perfected)】

Indeed, not a dream.

And the Sword God Scripture was a Pseudo-Emperor Rank sword art—the pinnacle, just below Emperor Sword techniques.

Li Hao's Ten Supreme Immortal Arts: Azure Heaven was only Perfected, yet his current sword Dao had only achieved Perfected level with this Sword God Scripture—and only the first layer.

The Sword God Scripture had nine layers, its name brutally simple: One Sword, Two Swords, Three Swords… up to Nine Swords!

Merely from the name, Li Hao could discern the creator's arrogance, dominance, and haughtiness.

Li Hao left the Sword Abyss Tower and returned to his courtyard.

He planned to depart for the Yanchu Qin Xianchao's border to hunt Ancient Demon ingredients, but when he voiced this idea, Qi Meng'an stopped him, informing him of the Sword Abyss's rules.

Li Hao then asked Xu Li Jianming and learned: one must reach True Immortal Realm Fifth Layer before being permitted to leave for external trials.

His previous trip to Fotu City had merely been a leisurely excursion.

"Wanting to train at the border is good, but your cultivation is too low—you'd be nothing but an ant there. Students who have become disciples of our Heavenly Sect are prodigies; none would be sent lightly to die as cannon fodder."

Xu Li Jianming spoke to Li Hao while inquiring about his cultivation level.

Though Li Hao concealed his Ten Thousand Forms attribute, he did not hide it now, since Xu Li Jianming asked.

Upon learning Li Hao was only at True Immortal Realm First Layer, Xu Li Jianming fell silent, then patted his shoulder, urging him to cultivate diligently, and offered to lend him Immortal Stones if he needed any.

Though it was a loan, in this age, someone willing to lend was already exceedingly rare.

Li Hao felt helpless. To leave for external trials required cultivation verification—he could only cultivate first.

Fortunately, with the thirty thousand Immortal Stones he had saved, combined with the Ten Thousand Star Veins, the Heavenly Court's divine power, and other enhancements, his cultivation would now advance by leaps and bounds.

In just one month, Li Hao reached True Immortal Realm Second Layer, his divine power doubling in strength.

Two months later, he reached True Immortal Realm Third Layer, his divine power doubling again.

Yet when his cultivation broke through to True Immortal Realm Third Layer, he heard news: the new junior brother, Gu Yan, had just challenged the Emperor Sword Cliff and successfully left his name on it—above Master Yue Xi.

To leave his name on the Emperor Sword Cliff after only three months in the sect—this news once again shook the entire Sword Abyss.

In Master Yue Xi's courtyard.

Master Yue Xi had just finished cultivation, wiping sweat, when her steward brought the news.

The silk handkerchief in her hand shattered instantly.

"Left his name above me?"

Master Yue Xi's eyes trembled. Only three months—he had entered a year before she had even left her name there.

She prided herself on her sword talent, equal to any; even the prodigy with Nine Echoes of Dao Heart had been overshadowed by her sword brilliance.

After all, Dao Heart was Dao Heart; sword talent was sword talent.

Yet now, this prodigy with the Natural Sword Immortal Body made her feel a strange mix of emotions.

Her expression shifted for a moment, then she asked: "What about Hao Tian?"

"Young Master Hao?"

The steward bowed low: "He hasn't made a move yet—hasn't left his name on the Emperor Sword Cliff."

Hearing this, the breath that had nearly choked her chest eased out.

Earlier, Sister had said: to leave one's name on the Emperor Sword Cliff within three years of entering the Heavenly Court already counted as a prodigy.

That was why her own name had caused such a stir—it surpassed even prodigy status by a wide margin.

She did not rest. She turned and resumed cultivation.

Though having someone to compare to eased her heart slightly, could the Natural Sword Immortal Body truly not be matched?

She refused to believe it.

Since childhood, she had been told she brought disaster—she refused fate. If destiny was written, she would rewrite it!

After Gu Yan's name on the Emperor Sword Cliff stirred uproar for three months, another half-year passed, and Li Hao reached True Immortal Realm Fourth Layer!

During this time, besides cultivation, he spent his days challenging the old man who played chess, or competing with others in other arts.

That day, just after finishing cultivation, Li Hao felt a hum and whistle sweep overhead from above his courtyard.

Immediately afterward, Li Li Tiemu's voice reached Li Hao's ears in the courtyard:

"All disciples, assemble at once."

(End of Chapter)