Chapter 687: One day to ascend the mountain, one day to descend

Within the Void Immortal Path, a youth's figure appeared, looking left and right as he walked out.

His posture was upright, and his Heaven Court disciple robes were spotlessly clean, without a single speck of blood or the slightest tear, as if he had been strolling through a garden and had simply wandered here. His expression lacked the lingering fear or relief one might expect after battling an Ancestral Dragon; he merely carried a hint of curiosity.

"Another one has climbed up?"

The crowd before the thatched cottage narrowed their eyes slightly, not expecting that as the end drew near, someone would actually climb up in succession.

The young girl who had been teleported earlier had collapsed the moment she landed and had to be supported and rescued by Elder Li and the others. Yet, this one appeared quite calm and composed, causing many to feel a sense of awe.

Li Hao had only been an apprentice for a short time, and since he spent his days either in the courtyard or out at Buddha-Slaying City, the other Heaven Court disciples had no impression of him. However, when Elder Li, Zhou Qingyun, Wei Hongye, and the others saw Li Hao's appearance clearly, their eyes widened, and their faces revealed expressions of utter disbelief.

"Little... Seventh Junior Brother?"

Wei Hongye was stunned.

Li Tiemu, who was holding the unconscious Yue Xi, was also frozen, his eyes wide as he stared at Li Hao as if he had seen a ghost.

This kid could make it through too?

"Hmm?"

Murong Qingwu also looked at Li Hao with surprise, as if seeing this Junior Brother for the first time.

She had heard from their Master that Yue Xi and this Junior Brother had joined the sect not long before Gu Yan. That Yue Xi, with the bloodline of the Calamity Clan, being able to climb up was already surprising enough, but she had fought until she was heavily injured and unconscious, her condition currently unknown. Yet this kid looked extremely relaxed.

Nearby, Ji Qingxuan and Lu Wuchen exchanged a glance, both with a hint of surprise in their eyes. Ji Qingxuan was not familiar with these three new Junior Brothers and Sisters, but he knew their general situation. He just hadn't expected that besides the Sword Immortal Physique, the other two would also climb up one after another.

"How did you get up here?"

The old woman standing beside Zhou Qingyun flickered and appeared before Li Hao, looking him up and down as she asked with suspicion.

They had seen Yue Xi defeat the Ancestral Dragon and assumed no one else would challenge it near the end, so they had sent Yue Xi to the summit. They hadn't expected that in the short time they were gone, someone would climb from the Seventh Realm to the summit.

This short interval wasn't even enough to fight a battle. She even suspected Li Hao had bypassed the Seventh Realm and flown in from outside the Emperor Jianshan's Sixth Realm, but that possibility was even lower, as the Abyss Master's Immortal Kingdom enveloped the area; such a thing could not happen.

"I walked up."

Li Hao said.

The old woman was speechless, looking Li Hao up and down twice. "You defeated the Ancestral Dragon?"

Li Hao thought of the Ancestral Dragon that had been split in two, but he hadn't used the power of the Fourth Level of Space Origin in that strike; the opponent should be able to heal:

"I suppose so."

Seeing the relaxed smile on the youth's face, the old woman's expression grew solemn. She faintly sensed a peculiar feeling about this youth, a temperament different from other prodigies—seemingly easygoing, yet capable of erupting with immense danger at any moment.

Behind Ji Qingxuan and the others, Gu Yan, who stood at a distance from Old Man Li, stared at Li Hao, as if it were the first time since arriving at this Sword Abyss that he was seriously observing this Senior Brother who ranked ahead of him.

Yue Xi's arrival had already moved him, but he hadn't expected Li Hao to reach the summit as well.

As a natural Sword Immortal Physique, he had always been far ahead of his peers and those of the same realm, but now, the cultivation gap was not as large as he had imagined.

"That youth seems to be a disciple who only recently became an apprentice under Elder Li."

"No wonder he's a new face."

"He climbed to the summit shortly after becoming an apprentice? What is his cultivation? I can't even sense it."

"I heard there was someone who caused the Dao Heart to ring nine times; could it be him?"

"Most likely."

"So many disciples under Elder Li have reached the summit this time; almost all of them are here!"

Before the thatched cottage, many disciples were whispering, all observing Li Hao.

Outside the Emperor Jianshan, there was a sudden uproar and boiling excitement.

Yue Xi and Li Hao climbing up one after another, securing spots to contemplate the Emperor Sword near the end, left many disciples shocked and envious.

Yue Xi had already made a name for herself in the Sword Abyss and left her name on the Emperor Sword Cliff; many knew her.

But Li Hao, who climbed up later, was unknown to most disciples. They were now whispering, discussing who this person was.

"It's him..."

Xu Jianming stood on the hill, blankly watching the last figure to reach the mountain. He hadn't expected it to be the easygoing Junior Brother he hadn't seen in two years, who had remained at the First Realm.

He stood there in a daze. A moment later, he looked around and realized that besides himself, there was no one left.

Except for him, the Senior Brothers and Sisters ahead, and the Junior Brothers and Sisters behind, had all climbed the mountain!

Leaving only him behind.

"Damn it..."

Xu Jianming wailed internally.

At the summit of Emperor Jianshan.

Not long after Li Hao arrived, the old woman and Zhou Qingyun bid farewell to Old Man Li and returned to the Seventh Realm to continue their watch.

They wanted to avoid encountering another weirdo like Li Hao, who had slipped up without a sound, and they also wanted to verify things with the Ancestral Dragon.

However, when they arrived at the Seventh Realm, they saw the Ancestral Dragon healing its body. The process was slow, and its aura was extremely withered.

"You..."

The old woman and Zhou Qingyun were shocked, looking at the massive tear on the Ancestral Dragon's body, with half of it still unhealed. By the looks of it, it had clearly been split in two by a single sword strike!

When the Ancestral Dragon saw them, it suddenly felt a sense of familiarity, feeling for the first time that these two old fogies weren't so annoying or hateful.

"You finally came. I need to heal my wounds first; I can't fight for the time being."

The Ancestral Dragon said immediately.

It was terrified that another such monster would come; it had no strength left to fight.

That sword strike just now had made it smell the scent of death. That youth was too terrifying, leaving it shaken and unable to forget.

"... Was it that youth who injured you?"

After the shock, Zhou Qingyun couldn't help but ask.

The Ancestral Dragon, while healing, said indignantly, "Otherwise, could I have done this to myself?"

There was a hint of resentment in its voice.

Just now, when these guys left, it had almost died!

It was sheer dereliction of duty. No, it had to report them to the Abyss Master later!

While the Ancestral Dragon was grumbling internally, Zhou Qingyun and the old woman were too shocked to speak.

In such a short moment, that youth had actually defeated the Ancestral Dragon and injured it to this extent. This was too shocking.

"If I remember correctly, that youth previously revealed his aura, and it was only the Third Realm of the True Immortal..."

Zhou Qingyun looked at the old woman. They exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. Just how many monsters did Old Man Li bring back from this trip?!

At the summit.

Wei Hongye and Murong Qingwu surrounded Li Hao, curiously prying and asking how he had climbed up.

Li Hao could only answer honestly: he had fought his way up.

But clearly, this answer did not satisfy them.

However, as time passed, the time for the trial on the Emperor Sword ended. Disciples staying in various parts of the Emperor Jianshan were sent out by a vast, mighty force.

At the same time, an indifferent and calm voice echoed from the summit throughout the entire secret realm:

"The Emperor Jianshan trial has ended. Those who failed to pass, return to the Sword Abyss, cultivate diligently, and you will still have opportunities in the future."

"It's the Abyss Master's voice!"

Some older disciples' eyes lit up.

Many disciples were excited and stirred. Although they hadn't climbed to the summit, they had known this result two years ago; after all, everyone basically knew how far they could go the moment they entered the Emperor Jianshan.

"Senior Brother Zhou climbed the mountain; this time he will definitely go further and represent our Sword Abyss in battle!"

"That's right, in Yan and Chu, on the Southern Territory battlefield, we will be able to see them show their might!"

"Let's go, let's go. We must also cultivate well. The gap has widened even more now; we must cultivate hard."

"Bad luck. Jiang Shijie Zhao couldn't pass the Seventh Realm after a long time. What a pity."

Many disciples left in groups, some with regret, some with hope, some with unwillingness. Eventually, as they left, the entrance to the secret realm closed along with them.

"..."

Xu Jianming returned alone, looking somewhat desolate. In his heart, only ten thousand "grass-mud-horses" were passing by.

At the summit.

Yun Wumian's figure landed before the thatched cottage. When the disciples saw him, they hurriedly bowed in worship:

"Disciples pay respects to the Abyss Master!"

Li Hao also bowed, while slightly raising his eyes to curiously observe the other party, only to find the other party looking at him with gentle eyes. Their gazes met for an instant.

Li Hao felt embarrassed and lowered his eyes.

"No need for formalities."

Yun Wumian saw the youth's sheepish look, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but reveal a smile.

Who could have thought there would be such an unexpected surprise this time.

Although he hadn't paid attention to this youth, he could grasp everything that happened on the Emperor Jianshan in an instant if he wished.

When Li Hao rushed to the Sixth Realm at an extremely fast speed and defeated the Eighth Realm Ancient Demon of the True Immortal Realm, he had noticed Li Hao. Later, he saw Li Hao enter the Seventh Realm and defeat the Ancestral Dragon with a single sword strike.

And that sword strike, he recognized.

One of the Ten Great Immortal Arts that had been famous in the True Realm one hundred thousand years ago: the Azure Heaven Sword Art!

Nowadays, although it had been replaced by new Ten Great Immortal Arts, its power was still tyrannical and terrifying.

And that youth had mastered such sword art, and his attack also added the power of Earth Origin and Space Origin to increase the offensive. Although both were only at the Second Level, this was the Nine Sequences!

Mastering two Nine Sequence powers and contemplating them to such a degree was extremely rare.

Besides that natural Sword Immortal Physique, Yun Wumian hadn't expected to encounter such a gifted monster. Unlike Gu Yan and that young girl from the Calamity Clan, he didn't see any bloodline power in Li Hao. This youth was neither from an Imperial Clan nor a descendant of Ancient Immortals; his mastery of sword art and origin seemed to be purely from comprehension.

When comprehension reaches an unimaginable degree, it can rival bloodlines, and even exceed them!

And this point also made him feel very happy.

As everyone stood straight, Yun Wumian's gaze swept past the youth inadvertently. Looking around, he saw Old Man Li's anxious expression and the unconscious young girl in his arms.

He had perceived it when the young girl triggered the true power of the Calamity Clan's bloodline. Now that she had suffered a backlash, it was normal. He raised his hand slightly, and a wisp of spiritual light shot from his fingertips, dragging a deep blue arc like a firefly, arriving before Old Man Li, and then sinking into Yue Xi's forehead.

"A few days of quiet rest will suffice. I have temporarily helped her seal that power within her body. It will only open if she encounters danger."

Yun Wumian said softly and indifferently, "This power is not something she can master yet. She can only truly control it when she reaches the Perfected True Immortal Realm."

Old Man Li heard this and said gratefully, "Thank you, Abyss Master."

At this time, the unconscious Yue Xi's eyes trembled slightly, her eyeballs moving as if she were about to wake up, or as if she were trapped in a nightmare, muttering to herself in a low voice:

"Mother, don't go, Mother..."

"Don't kill my mother..."

The young girl's whispers were like murmurs in a dream, extremely faint, but everyone present was a person of status and heard them clearly.

Some looked toward the young girl, seeing her haggard face, and pity rose in their eyes.

Some remained silent, lowering their heads, as if thinking of certain past events.

Others remained calm and indifferent, not feeling any empathy.

Li Tiemu quickly raised his hand, forming a barrier around her to protect the young girl's inner world and her self-esteem.

"Congratulations to you all for passing the Emperor Jianshan trial. You will all receive the opportunity to contemplate the Emperor Sword."

Yun Wumian spoke at this time, and his words pulled everyone's thoughts back, making many eyes light up and hearts stir.

"My Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan has an ancient heritage. I once followed a certain Immortal Emperor and received that Immortal Emperor's guidance, leaving behind two Emperor Sword Intents. If you can contemplate them, not only can you learn the heaven-reaching Emperor-level sword art, but you also have the opportunity to touch the Heavenly Dao Emperor Heart, laying a higher foundation for your own Dao Heart!"

Yun Wumian's voice was calm, with a demeanor that commanded respect without anger, flowing into everyone's hearts like thick spring water.

"This opportunity is rare. The contemplation time is half a year. You must cherish it well."

Yun Wumian said.

Everyone responded in unison.

At this time, the young girl in Li Tiemu's arms also woke up. She clutched her forehead, feeling a stinging pain and a desire to vomit.

But soon she was startled, seeing the scene around her, her gaze immediately attracted by Yun Wumian.

That was the existence of the Immortal King Realm; where he stood was like the center of heaven and earth.

When she saw Ji Qingxuan's figure, Yue Xi was a bit dazed, and a surge of excitement suddenly rose in her heart.

Had she passed the Seventh Realm and reached the summit of Emperor Jianshan?

But soon, she saw another figure in the crowd, somewhat familiar. Looking from the side, it was indeed Li Hao.

Her just-excited heart suddenly fell, and she looked pale and dazed.

That guy... how could he be here?

Isn't this the summit of Emperor Jianshan?

How long had she been unconscious, and what had happened?

While Yue Xi was bewildered, Yun Wumian had already raised his hand. With his exertion, the entire Emperor Jianshan trembled violently.

Everyone felt the ground beneath their feet shaking violently. Some released their spiritual sense and were shocked to find that the Emperor Jianshan, which had previously been cut and divided into seven worlds, was now closing its gaps, gradually merging into one single, massive, towering mountain!

And the Spirit Race and Monster Race in various parts of the mountain seemed to have been transferred somewhere and disappeared.

Along with the merging of the Emperor Jianshan, a silver-gray light appeared between Yun Wumian's eyebrows. It was a shrunken lotus mark.

If someone looked closely, they would find that the lotus had many petals, blooming in succession.

Boom—!

The earth behind the thatched cottage trembled violently.

Immediately after, dust flew, and two towering stone tablets rose from the mountain body.

On the two stone tablets, there were two deep sword marks, one deep and one shallow, one thick and one thin.

Along with the rising of the giant sword-marked tablets, a vast, ancient, and desolate sword intent emanated from them, sweeping away all the dust on the ground.

When the giant sword-marked tablets stopped shaking and everything returned to calm, that sword intent seemed to gradually reveal itself from being sealed, becoming increasingly terrifying, as if it had come from the primordial era, slashing stars and splitting moons!

Everyone looked up, their eyes filled with shock.

This was the Emperor Sword Intent!

Yue Xi, who hadn't understood the situation, was also shocked, finally realizing that this was indeed the summit of Emperor Jianshan.

However, she couldn't care about thinking why Li Hao was here; her eyes were completely attracted by the two giant sword-marked tablets.

Yun Wumian looked at the crowd who had fallen into a daze and said slowly, "These two Emperor Sword Intents have existed for countless years. Now that they are revealed, you are like seeing the Great Emperor. How much you can contemplate depends entirely on your own opportunities and comprehension!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and cushions fell before the two giant sword-marked tablets.

The other disciples realized this and hurriedly flew over, sitting on the cushions, looking up to contemplate the Emperor Sword Intent.

Ji Qingxuan's figure flickered, and he was the first to teleport over, sitting in the front position.

The other figures of the Immortal Monarch Realm followed closely behind.

Lu Wuchen and Wei Hongye also hurriedly rushed over. With only half a year of contemplation time, they had to race against time.

Yue Xi, who hadn't understood the situation, also suddenly snapped to attention, rushing out of Li Tiemu's arms and heading toward the cushions.

As many figures scrambled over, only Li Tiemu and a few other elders, along with Yun Wumian, remained in place. At the same time, there was also a youth's figure.

The youth's figure appeared particularly abrupt here.

Li Hao looked up. When these two giant sword-marked tablets appeared, he felt a familiar aura.

It was the aura of the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor. In his heart, a voice seemed to be telling him that these sword marks were left by the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor!

"Is this the sword swung by the Great Emperor..."

Li Hao's eyes flickered. The Third Realm of Sword Dao Origin allowed him to immediately record these two Emperor Sword Intents into his panel.

But it was only the surface; it couldn't even be considered an entry.

The thick sword mark was the Emperor Sword style "Sky Breaker"!

The thin sword mark was the Emperor Sword style "Moon Saver"!

Although he had only contemplated the surface, as the information flooded in after recording, Li Hao felt as if two sword energies appeared before his eyes, piercing down from the firmament, leaving two sword marks in the void before him!

That magnificent momentum and sword force made him feel a trace of Emperor Intent while contemplating the power of the Emperor Sword.

Li Hao's eyes flickered, and he stopped in place, lost in thought.

The gazes of Yun Wumian, Li Tiemu, and the others fell on this youth. Everyone in the world was competing, but only he did not compete, which was inevitably a bit unconventional.

"Kid, what are you thinking about?"

Li Tiemu couldn't help but urge him via sound transmission: "There is only half a year, why are you in a daze!"

Li Hao came back to his senses, looked at him, and then looked up at the two giant sword-marked tablets. His contemplation was already over. Staying here any longer was meaningless, just wasting half a year in vain.

"Abyss Master, can I descend the mountain early?"

Li Hao looked toward the Abyss Master, bowed slightly, and asked.

Hearing the youth's words, the scene fell silent instantly. Li Tiemu's throat seemed to have been cut; he stared at Li Hao in a daze, doubting if something was wrong with his ears.

What the hell? Just arrived at Emperor Jianshan and want to descend? And early?

The Emperor Sword Intent had been revealed for one hundred thousand years, and generation after generation of disciples had come to contemplate it, yet no one had ever said they wanted to leave early.

After all, the longer you stay, the more you can contemplate. Who would waste this precious opportunity?

Yun Wumian was also a bit dazed. Clearly, this was the first time he had encountered or heard of such a situation. He was always calm and indifferent, even if ten thousand Ancient Demon armies were sweeping before him, his expression wouldn't change. But at this moment, he showed a rare hint of surprise and asked:

"Why? Do you feel you cannot contemplate it, or do you feel you have already understood it?"

Li Hao shook his head slightly. To say he had already understood it would be too arrogant; after all, he had only taken a glance, and it was only the surface.

"I have come, I have seen, and now I want to do something more meaningful."

Li Hao said.

Yun Wumian's eyes narrowed slightly. Listening to the youth, he was actually going to turn around and descend the mountain immediately.

"More meaningful things? What kind of things?"

He couldn't help but feel a bit of curiosity and asked.

Li Hao looked at the backs of the many disciples who were already sitting before the giant sword-marked tablets, withdrew his gaze, turned to look down the Emperor Jianshan, and said:

"Play a game of chess, paint a picture, eat a delicious meal, and perhaps carve some small things."

The youth's crisp voice echoed softly before the thatched cottage at the summit of Emperor Jianshan.

Simple words, put together and spoken from the youth's mouth, left Li Tiemu, Zhou Qingyun, and the other elders dumbfounded, their eyes wide with shock.

In that youth's view, these mundane and simple things could actually be more meaningful to him than contemplating the Emperor Sword Intent?

Yun Wumian hadn't expected the youth to say this either. He was a bit dazed, but when he saw the youth's sincere and clear gaze, he suddenly realized the other party wasn't lying, and these words weren't an excuse or evasion.

While all the prodigy disciples of the Sword Abyss were scrambling to rush up the mountain, this youth had only taken a glance at the Emperor Sword Intent and was now turning around to descend, rushing down from the summit.

Yun Wumian was silent. Such a youth, he had only seen once in his life.

If he hadn't witnessed the invincible scene of the youth slaying the Ancestral Dragon with one sword, he would have just taken this youth for a foolish, stupid kid.

But that sword strike told him that this youth was not stupid, but possessed peerless comprehension and intelligence.

Now, he seemed to see that this youth also had an extraordinary temperament that was rare in the world and unique.

However, whether this temperament was good or bad, he couldn't be sure.

But, it was interesting.

He said slowly, "Your name is Hao Tian?"

"Yes."

The youth nodded.

"What is your surname? From which family do you come?"

"Surname Hao, name Tian. No family. To this world, I came alone."

Li Hao said calmly and frankly.

"Hao..."

Yun Wumian searched his mind for such a family and realized there really was no major family with the surname Hao. He said softly, "Daring to use 'Tian' (Heaven) as a name, what a bold temperament!"

"Born of heaven and earth, using the name to respect heaven, why not?"

Li Hao said.

Yun Wumian's eyes moved slightly. Staring at the youth's calm eyes, his gaze suddenly became much softer, and he said:

"I heard from Elder Li that you only became an apprentice of the Sword Abyss two years ago. You have a certain power on you that draws the rules of the Heavenly Dao, appearing and disappearing. Even for me, it is difficult to see your true cultivation unless you reveal your Immortal Power. Do you know this is a very dangerous thing?"

Li Hao was slightly startled, immediately realizing he was talking about his Myriad Phenomena attribute.

Under the cover of the Myriad Phenomena attribute, it could help him hide his realm.

Unless he actively exposed his aura.

And Li Hao instantly understood the meaning of the other party's words.

Even an Immortal King found it so difficult to pry into him; they would inevitably suspect he was hiding some strange treasure!

"As a prodigy, it is common to have various opportunities. I will not pursue this."

Yun Wumian's voice was light and gentle, "But remember, you became an apprentice of my Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan, so you are a person of my Sword Abyss. If you have any difficulties, the Sword Abyss is your backing. No one can cross the Sword Abyss to hurt you!"

Li Hao was stunned. He stared at this Abyss Master, then bowed and worshipped: "Disciple will remember!"

Yun Wumian revealed a rare smile on his face, which made Li Tiemu and the others show expressions of surprise.

"The Emperor Jianshan opened early this time to let you all comprehend the sword intent. Kid, do you know why?"

Yun Wumian said.

Li Hao's heart stirred, and he said, "Is it related to the Southern Territory Battle? To cultivate disciples in advance?"

Yun Wumian looked at Li Tiemu. Li Tiemu had a wronged expression, indicating he hadn't leaked the news in advance.

"That's right. The Southern Territory Battle, the nine great Immortal Dynasties, the prodigies of many Heaven Sects and Earth Sects, and the monsters in that Tiangong, all compete together."

Yun Wumian looked at Li Hao with a smile, "Within three thousand years of soul life, all can participate. And this battle will concern the ranking of the entire Southern Territory sect status, the distribution of Immortal Vein resources, and many other benefits. Therefore, every sect is competing!"

Li Hao nodded, able to imagine how intense the Southern Territory Battle would be.

"But besides the sect, for the participants, there are also great benefits."

Light appeared in Yun Wumian's eyes, and he said softly, "If you can enter the top ten, you will have the opportunity to enter the Chaos True Realm to cultivate."

"Chaos True Realm?"

Li Hao was puzzled.

Seeing that Li Hao didn't even know about the Chaos True Realm, Yun Wumian was slightly stunned, then laughed dumbly. This time he truly believed Li Hao had no family background.

However, to be alone and reach this step, to reach his presence, was somewhat incredible.

"That's right. It is a cultivation holy land that even the descendants of the Imperial Clan are fighting for. There, you can touch the Chaos Great Dao, and contemplating other Great Daos is also easier. Countless sects, families, and even the disciples under that Supreme One in the Tiangong, all yearn to enter the Chaos True Realm, but the spots are limited..."

Yun Wumian looked at Li Hao and smiled lightly, "You must grasp this opportunity well."

Li Hao heard this, and immediately understood in his heart, nodding, "I will."

Seeing Li Hao's indifferent reaction, Yun Wumian asked, "Do you still want to descend the mountain now?"

"Descend the mountain."

The youth's answer made Yun Wumian feel a bit helpless.

"Why?"

"Because descending the mountain is more meaningful."

The youth said seriously.

Yun Wumian met his gaze and suddenly realized that his introduction and encouragement just now seemed to have been a waste of effort.

But, he also inexplicably didn't get angry. Perhaps the youth's eyes were too pure, making him truly believe a little that what the other party wanted to do really seemed very meaningful.

Perhaps, for this youth, it was so.

Yun Wumian shook his head and smiled, "Go ahead. If you need anything, just tell Elder Li."

As he spoke, he turned and returned to the tea table before the thatched cottage to sit down. He hadn't spoken so much in one breath for a long time, and he felt a bit thirsty.

Li Hao bowed to bid farewell, then waved to Old Man Li, and turned to descend the mountain.

"Hao Tian, are you really going to descend the mountain?"

Li Tiemu saw Li Hao's actions, immediately woke up, and couldn't help but get anxious.

The youth said "Hmm," then leaped from the summit and disappeared before their eyes.

Li Tiemu's steps to chase stopped, and he stared at this scene in a daze.

But he soon chased out again, wanting to bring the youth back. Zhou Qingyun pressed his shoulder and shook his head, saying:

"Don't chase. That kid is the one you mentioned with the nine-ring Dao Heart, right? With such a Dao Heart, his mind is higher than yours. In my opinion, that kid should have already gained something and wants to go digest it himself."

Li Tiemu froze, looking at him suspiciously.

Zhou Qingyun said indignantly, "You don't even know how that kid passed the Seventh Realm. You really are a failed Master."

Li Tiemu then realized. That kid could climb up, which exceeded his expectations, and he didn't even know how he had climbed up.

"How did he pass the Seventh Realm? The Ancestral Dragon is not so easy to talk to." Li Tiemu asked hurriedly.

Zhou Qingyun shrugged, "How did he pass? How else? He just walked over."

"Speak properly!"

"Hey, getting anxious now? Your good disciple almost beat the Ancestral Dragon to death with one sword, and then walked over generously. Do you understand now?" Zhou Qingyun looked indignant, but his eyes were full of envy.

Receiving one from the Calamity Clan, he was a bit envious.

Receiving a natural Sword Immortal Physique, he was jealous.

Now another monster like this had come; he really wanted to strangle this old guy!

Li Tiemu heard his words, his whole body shook, and he froze in place.

Almost beat the Ancestral Dragon to death with one sword? He couldn't imagine that scene, but it seemed he could barely imagine what kind of scene it was.

That kid... is he that powerful?

Li Tiemu looked at the old woman, saw her rolling her eyes, and was immediately convinced that this old guy Zhou Qingyun wasn't lying.

He couldn't help but get excited. He knew Li Hao was only at the Third Realm of the True Immortal. To be able to defeat the Ancestral Dragon with one sword using the Immortal Power of the Third Realm, didn't this mean he had the potential to be invincible in the True Immortal Realm?

"That kid is the one hiding the deepest. In my opinion, if they really fought, that little guy with the natural Sword Immortal Physique might not be his opponent."

Zhou Qingyun said, pinching his beard.

Li Tiemu's heart jumped, then his heart beat wildly. He ignored Zhou Qingyun and came before Yun Wumian at the thatched cottage tea table, saying:

"Abyss Master, is it really like this? That kid..."

Yun Wumian took a sip of tea, nodded slightly, his expression not as cold as usual, and his eyes had a bit more gentleness.

"Indeed a rare sword seedling. Compared to the descendants of Ancient Immortals..."

He drank the tea and said two words: "Not bad."

Just these two words made Li Tiemu tremble with excitement. He knew that everything that happened on the entire Emperor Jianshan couldn't be hidden from this Abyss Master, and he knew that being able to get such an evaluation from the other party must be extremely true.

"Being able to receive these two disciples, your contribution to the Sword Abyss this time is great. After the Southern Territory Battle ends, just say what you want."

Yun Wumian looked at Li Tiemu and said peacefully.

Li Tiemu's voice was a bit shaky with excitement, but his eyes became inexplicably wet and red at this moment. He gritted his teeth and said:

"I only want the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan to return to the Heaven One Sect and restore the glory of one hundred thousand years ago!"

Once these words were spoken, Yun Wumian was silent.

He looked at the old man with tears in his eyes, his gaze also seeming to have a bit of emotion. He looked up at the two giant sword-marked tablets standing in the distance, his eyes carrying desolation and nostalgia:

"Yes, I also want to..."

His soft whispers made Li Tiemu's body tremble slightly.

"The Immortal Emperor fell, and that Supreme One sits in the Southern Territory, wanting to cut off all traces of the Emperor. The Ten Great Immortal Arts of the past are almost broken in heritage. I don't know where that youth learned them..."

Yun Wumian's eyes seemed to flash with the brilliance of ten thousand stars, and he said gloomily, "My Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan has been cautious all these years, not committing crimes, not causing trouble, just so as not to give that Supreme One a handle. The Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan not only needs to survive but also needs to return to the position that once belonged to us, to prove that the traces of the Emperor are not extinguished, and the Immortal Emperor will not be buried by time..."

These words seemed to express what was in Li Tiemu's heart. He was so excited he almost cried.

One hundred thousand years. That battle was dark and gloomy, the Emperor fell, and for ten thousand years after the battle ended, that Supreme One alone controlled the Southern Territory.

The traces of the Emperor of the past were silently covered up.

The countless hot blood spilled in that battle also seemed to be covered in dust in the passage of time, distorted and slandered by those with ulterior motives.

Many people had long forgotten that the Southern Territory could exist today because of the countless bones buried in the long river of void on the Southern Territory border.

"Abyss Master has heart. Li Lao has only one wish in this life, and that is to see the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan return to the Heaven One Sect. That should have been ours. We followed the Immortal Emperor, how can we disgrace the glory of the Emperor Dao!"

Li Tiemu wiped the corner of his eye, quickly gathered his emotions, lowered his head, and gritted his teeth.

Yun Wumian nodded slightly, and the trace of desolation and emotion in his eyes was also quickly put away. For these one hundred thousand years, they had long learned to suppress and restrain their inner thoughts, not giving that Supreme One any handle or opportunity.

"There is still some time before the Southern Territory Battle. Do those two kids have a chance?"

Li Tiemu asked again.

Yun Wumian's eyes flickered slightly. He looked at the back of the Sword Immortal Physique youth before the giant sword-marked tablets and nodded:

"Fifty percent."

Fifty percent, which is half.

Li Tiemu took a deep breath, and strong motivation appeared in his eyes. He said immediately, "I'll go see what that kid wants to do first."

Yun Wumian raised his hand slightly, "That kid's talent and comprehension are no worse than the Sword Immortal Physique, just a bit indifferent in temperament. But perhaps it is this temperament that allowed him to reach here. You don't need to change him. How he performs depends on his own mood. If he needs any cultivation resources, you can provide them, and come to me later."

Li Tiemu was slightly startled, wanting to speak but stopping.

Yun Wumian shook his head slightly and said softly, "The burden on our shoulders has deformed us. Don't let those kids be deformed too."

Li Tiemu froze, lowered his head in silence, and said no more.

Below Emperor Jianshan.

Li Hao said he would descend, and he really did.

However, when he reached the bottom of the mountain, he saw that the merged First Realm of Emperor Jianshan actually had a void crack.

Li Hao was a bit surprised, used the power of the Space Dao Origin to push the void crack open, and drilled in.

Just after entering, he saw that there was a vast world inside, exactly the same as the previous First Realm of Emperor Jianshan.

The original space was just compressed into a crack, but there was a world inside.

Li Hao was surprised, then sensed the Spirit Race aura in the air. His eyes lit up, and he immediately headed toward the cliff valley.

"Hmm?"

Before the cliff valley, the Spirit Race old man, A-Ling, and the Spirit Race middle-aged man were still sitting here.

The Abyss Master hadn't released them, so they could only continue to wait here quietly.

Sensing Li Hao's aura, the three of them looked up in surprise.

"Why are you here?"

The Spirit Race old man said in surprise.

Li Hao laughed, "Passing by, saw you were still here, so I came to see."

"Have you been to the summit?"

A-Ling couldn't help but ask, her eyes wide, carrying curiosity.

Li Hao nodded, "Went to take a look."

"How was it?"

"Many people, very magnificent." Li Hao said.

Hearing this, the three of them couldn't help but laugh. The Emperor Jianshan that countless people yearned to climb, in this youth's mouth, was just these six words?

"After reaching the summit, can't you contemplate the Emperor Sword Intent?" A-Ling covered her mouth and laughed, then asked.

"I have already finished contemplating, so I descended the mountain first."

Li Hao said.

"Can you finish contemplating?" A-Ling couldn't help but feel a bit funny, saying, "Isn't it the longer you contemplate, the more you understand?"

That is so... Li Hao nodded, saying, "But my aptitude is dull and I have no patience, so I could only slip away first."

His Sword Dao Origin was at the Third Realm; what he could contemplate, he had already contemplated. Continuing to observe there could indeed improve him, but the effect was extremely meager. This was also the reason he descended the mountain.

"If you are dull, then not many are smart."

A-Ling said indignantly. Being able to block her sword with a physical Immortal Body was not dull, and Li Hao was only at the Third Realm of the True Immortal.

At this time, Li Hao, having been reminded by Yun Wumian, had already put away his Myriad Phenomena attribute.

"Enough talk, let's play chess." Li Hao said.

"You have a big addiction." The Spirit Race old man couldn't help but feel funny. Not going to contemplate the Emperor Sword Intent, but running here to play chess, he also couldn't understand.

"Only after winning against you will I be satisfied." Li Hao laughed loudly.

"Then you'd better go contemplate the Emperor Sword Intent; it's easier." The Spirit Race old man said humorously.

On Emperor Jianshan, two giant sword-marked tablets stood tall.

Many disciples were contemplating before the tablets, forgetting themselves.

Time passed in a hurry, and in the blink of an eye, half a year passed.

Yun Wumian appeared, woke everyone from their contemplation, and raised his hand to press the two giant sword-marked tablets back into the Emperor Jianshan.

Along with the rumbling sound, everyone woke up.

? ￠〇

"Time to descend the mountain."

Yun Wumian said.

Everyone looked at each other, some eyes still revealing bewilderment, their minds filled only with the sword marks.

"Is it over already?"

"Half a year has passed?"

"I, I haven't felt anything yet. I only felt a bit of sword force."

"..."

The disciples stood up, some wailing, some holding their heads, and others closing their eyes, constantly recalling, fearing they would forget.

"Let's go. The other Abyss disciples have gathered, and we should set off too."

Li Tiemu and other elders approached, each calling their disciples to their side. *** **Chapter 688: Imperial Court Demon-Suppressing Division**