Chapter 695: Langya Painting Realm

"Hmm?"

Lin Mingrong raised her eyebrows slightly and said: "Junior brother, don't talk nonsense. Just now, your master, Elder Li, didn't seem to mention you."

"He told me quietly."

Li Hao was helpless and only said: "Senior sister, just go your way. I'll follow you, and I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

Seeing Li Hao say this, Lin Mingrong frowned. She didn't know how to expose such a clumsy excuse, but since the other party said he would take responsibility and wasn't under her master's sect, it wouldn't implicate her, so she couldn't be bothered to pay attention anymore.

"Suit yourself."

She left a sentence and turned to walk straight ahead.

Passing through the fragrant courtyard, there were attendants standing at the door to receive Li Hao and Lin Mingrong.

Behind the courtyard was a palace like an ink-wash landscape painting. The hall was covered by a barrier, and the immortal power here was rich, with Dao power flowing. Just standing here, it seemed one could feel the Great Dao Origin.

Li Hao had just stepped onto the long stairs outside the palace when he was shocked by the landscape scene before him.

When he looked up and around, seeing the colorful clouds in the sky, the golden, warm, yet non-blinding sun, and the winding colorful clouds, he instantly determined that this was not a palace, but... a painting!

Except for the towering palace in front of him, everything around was a painting!

Such exquisite painting skills—Li Hao was somewhat surprised. Although he could also paint dragons, phoenixes, and other monsters to give them combat power, the world before him was so natural that its painting skill was clearly above his own.

"Hmm?"

Lin Mingrong felt the footsteps behind her stop and frowned slightly. Seeing Li Hao stop, she said:

"It's not too late to regret now. There's nothing to be a hero about. You're still young, go back."

Li Hao was stunned. Hearing her inexplicable words, he immediately knew that the misunderstanding in her heart hadn't been cleared up. He shook his head and said: "You go first."

Saying this, ignoring her furrowed brows, he turned and walked toward the pond and trees nearby.

There were ripples in the pond, and fish were swimming at the bottom, lifelike.

But Li Hao saw at a glance that these were all painted.

The fallen leaves on the trees were yellowing, drifting with the wind, swaying and struggling in the breeze, and finally falling from the broken branches with reluctance.

This was also a painting.

The other party's painting already possessed vitality.

At this very moment, Li Hao was like a devout apprentice, like a sword fanatic who believed in Sword Dao, standing in front of the strongest Sword Saint, his heart filled only with surging emotions, amazement, and infatuation.

His painting path was at the eleventh stage, and he could barely feel the skill and exquisiteness in these paintings.

Integrating layers such as space, water source, and earth source, there was even a hint of the meaning of time origin.

Relying solely on painting to integrate so many Great Dao Origins—the strength of this Great Da Da Meng Zhu must be unfathomable and terrifyingly strong.

Moreover, Li Hao vaguely felt that the thick immortal power around this palace seemed... also to be painted by the other party.

If this were true, it would be somewhat heaven-defying!

Li Hao stood by the pond like a visitor wandering here, poking his head to look at the beautiful scenery around him, his eyes filled only with amazement and infatuation.

And everything in the entire palace and painting realm was presented in the highest part of the palace, in a pair of dreamlike eyes.

She sat in the elegant pavilion on top of the palace, wearing a thin veil on her face, her eyes dreamlike and agile like aurora, overlooking all the disciples who walked into her painting realm. Among them, the young man standing by the pond, standing on tiptoe and looking around, was the most eye-catching.

The amazement and infatuation in the young man's eyes made these eyes, which had been serene for ten thousand years, ripple for the first time.

A breeze lifted the veil on her face, seemingly drifting into a smiling arc.

A long time passed.

Outside the palace, disciples from other abysses arrived in the painting realm one after another and walked into the palace.

The attendants serving at the palace entrance saw the young man still looking around by the pond not far away, showing a strange look on their faces. They stepped forward to greet him and invited him to the palace.

Li Hao came back to his senses and remembered the important business. He followed the attendant into the palace with reluctance.

This palace was towering and huge, about a thousand feet high. Li Hao, standing at the door, felt like an ant crossing into a giant's world, like a speck of dust.

He saw twelve backs standing not far ahead, plus Li Hao, a total of thirteen people.

This was also the total number of people from the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan who were able to rank in the top 1,000 in the Ancient Immortal Realm this time.

Seeing Li Hao really dare to come up, Lin Mingrong frowned but didn't say anything more.

In front, with Li Hao's arrival, the sky of the relatively dim palace suddenly glowed with hazy light. Immediately after, a projection image of a body gathered like stars appeared in the palace; it was the Great Da Da Meng Zhu.

She wore a veil, her figure was exquisite, like a misty and ethereal immortal, and also like an empress sitting in possession of the world, overlooking everything.

"I am very gratified that you were able to pass the test of the Yanchu Imperial Clan. The future of the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan lies in your hands."

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu's voice was soft, moisturizing everyone's hearts like rain, yet without losing the majesty that made people bow their heads involuntarily:

"There are still three years left. Do not slack off and be caught up by others. Now that the universe is not yet settled, dragons and snakes are rising, and all can strive to cross!"

The disciples bowed their heads, feeling that warm affinity as well as that inviolable sacred majesty.

"These are thirteen Flying Immortal Pills. You must know their effects. A True Immortal Realm cultivator can only take two in a lifetime, and each one can directly break through a realm!"

In an instant, thirteen snow-white, crystal-clear immortal pills flew down in front of Li Hao and the others.

The rich smell of the immortal pills drifted around, making people feel refreshed and having a feeling of pores opening.

Li Hao was surprised in his heart. He didn't expect there to be such top-tier immortal pills that could directly break through a realm of cultivation?

A limit of two... which meant that a True Immortal Realm cultivator only needed to cultivate to the Eighth Level of the True Immortal Realm to reach the Tenth Level perfection?

However, such immortal pills must be extremely precious and in short supply. It was estimated that only major forces could take out some as rewards.

Seeing the Flying Immortal Pills, Lin Mingrong and other disciples were all moved. Many of them had cultivation realms between the Seventh and Ninth Levels. If they obtained the Flying Immortal Pills, their strength would definitely go a step further.

After all, every step was like ascending to heaven; every time they improved a realm, the immortal power they controlled would double!

As the immortal pills were in hand, Lin Mingrong quickly raised her hand to take them and thanked her, but at the same time noticed that Li Hao also accepted the allocated immortal pill.

She couldn't help but be slightly stunned. The Great Da Da Meng Zhu personally bestowed them, so there would definitely be no mistake. Could it be that it was really as that junior brother said?

It was just that she had heard about the arrival of others, but only when this junior brother arrived, Elder Li didn't report it, which was inevitably a bit strange.

"You may practice in this Langya Dream Realm. The immortal power here is rich, and there is Great Dao Origin flowing. If you touch the Great Dao Origin during your practice, I will preach for you, so that you can have a greater improvement as soon as possible."

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu said softly: "Other cultivation resources can be used at will. You only need to do your best to improve yourself within these three years!"

Hearing her words, Lin Mingrong and the others suddenly raised their heads, their expressions excited.

In the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan, the best holy land for cultivation was this legendary Langya Dream Realm!

It was said that practicing here for one year was better than a hundred years outside!

"Thank you, Great Da Da Meng Zhu!"

Everyone said in unison.

Li Hao also thanked her and secretly remembered the name of this painting realm.

"If you can achieve a good ranking in the Southern Region Battle three years later, there will be more rewards. You just need to do your best to become stronger. Remember, do not slack off!"

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu exhorted again.

Everyone responded in unison. Then the Great Da Da Meng Zhu waved her hand, letting everyone retreat. Someone took them to the arranged cultivation place in the Langya Dream Realm.

Li Hao stood where he was, somewhat hesitant, not knowing if he should speak.

Other disciples had already turned around. The Great Da Da Meng Zhu's eyes flowed to the young man and said softly: "What is your name?"

Hearing this, other disciples were surprised and turned to look, only to see the Great Da Da Meng Zhu asking a young man she hadn't seen before.

"Disciple Haotian."

Li Hao bowed and said.

"You stay, others go down first."

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu said softly.

Hearing this, Lin Mingrong's gaze moved, staring at Li Hao. The Great Da Da Meng Zhu bestowing the pill earlier showed that Li Hao's words before were not lies. Now that she kept Li Hao, she suddenly felt that this junior brother was a bit mysterious.

"Great Da Da Meng Zhu, I counted earlier, we have twelve disciples who made it into the top 1,000. I don't know why there is one more?"

At this time, a tall and straight young man suddenly bowed and asked, but his gaze looked at Li Hao.

(Note: Garbled text again.)

He had long noticed the number, and now seeing this young man kept by the Great Da Da Meng Zhu, he couldn't help but feel strange. This remark was also a test.

Hearing this, other disciples also looked at Li Hao one after another.

Everyone present was meticulous and had long noticed this point, but no one said much.

"Haotian also made it into the top 1,000, but his rank is too high, so it's not convenient to make it public. You all also need to keep it secret for him."

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu said softly.

As soon as these words came out, the hall fell into a brief silence.

Lin Mingrong and the young man who had just bowed and spoken, including other disciples, were all shocked and looked at Li Hao in unison.

Made it into the top 1,000, and the rank is so high that it needs to be kept secret?

The young man who bowed and spoke was the chief disciple of the Spear Abyss, and the Spear Abyss was currently the lineage with the most disciples and the fiercest competition in the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan.

He stood out here, and his ranking in the Ancient Immortal Realm was also the highest among the disciples in the abyss, rushing into the top 600 and stepping into the Tenth Desolate Domain!

With such results, after three years, he basically wouldn't be squeezed out and could steadily be considered to have obtained the battle order.

Even so, his results weren't hidden, and now, that unknown young man actually needed to hide his ranking?

The young man couldn't help but ask: "May I ask Great Da Da Meng Zhu, what is his rank?"

He asked this question, although his tone was cautious, but he was somewhat unconvinced in his heart.

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu seemed to see their thoughts and still said softly:

"Haotian is in the top 100. You will know the specific rank after three years."

In the top 100?

Lin Mingrong and the young man both had their pupils contract slightly, and other disciples also looked at Li Hao in horror.

This young man, ranked in the top 100?!

How is that possible!

They all knew that the batch in the top 100, besides those Immortal Monarch Realm monsters who had already broken through the Tenth Desolate Domain, the rest were the batch that persisted the longest in the Tenth Desolate Domain!

And that young man was actually in the longest-persisting batch?

The young man, Lin Mingrong, and other disciples' complexions all changed. Being able to make it into the top 1,000 meant they all stood in the Tenth Desolate Domain.

It was just the difference in how short or long they stayed inside.

Precisely because of this, they all deeply realized the terror of the Tenth Desolate Domain, the endless Great Dao Origins and primitive immortal arts attacks, whose power was terrifying and unprepared. Those who could persist inside were all perverts!

"This..."

Lin Mingrong opened her mouth slightly, her beautiful eyes vibrating slightly. Besides her, there was actually such a monster in the Sword Abyss?

Top 100... She murmured repeatedly in her heart, somewhat lost.

Then she suddenly thought of her previous words, and her face turned bright red, feeling burning hot.

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu said softly: "You go first. Time is precious, don't delay."

The disciples all woke up, their eyes complex, looking deeply at the young man who looked calm and relaxed, and then walked out of the hall one after another.

After they all left, the Great Da Da Meng Zhu looked at Li Hao, her eyes soft, and said: "What were you looking at by the pond earlier?"

Li Hao was stunned. He thought the other party had some special reward, but didn't expect her to ask about this.

Intense interest immediately surged in his eyes, and he said: "Great Da Da Meng Zhu, did you paint this Langya Dream Realm yourself?"

Seeing the inexplicable excitement and agitation in the young man's eyes, the Great Da Da Meng Zhu's eyes changed slightly. When the other party received the Flying Immortal Pill earlier, it was just a bit of surprise under calmness, without any joy. At this moment, it was as if he had stepped on some switch and suddenly became excited.

"It's not easy that you can see it's a painting."

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu said softly.

Li Hao's eyes shone and said: "Did you paint it yourself, Great Da Da Meng Zhu? It's too amazing!"

Hearing the young man's heartfelt amazement and praise, the corners of the Great Da Da Meng Zhu's mouth under the veil seemed to curve slightly.

"Tell me first, how did you see it?"

Her voice still maintained the previous tone, asking without showing any emotion.

Li Hao said without thinking: "Being in the painting, the Great Dao Origin in your painting, senior, pointed out the trajectory of the painting to me. I suppose this was also intentional by you, senior?"

A trace of surprise appeared in the depths of the Great Da Da Meng Zhu's eyes. That was indeed intentional, like a gap in the brushwork left behind, but the young man in front of her could actually capture the Great Dao Origin guidance in her painting, which was very surprising.

"Are you also good at painting?"

"I know a little."

"Can you show me a little?"

"Then this junior will show off."

Mentioning painting, Li Hao became energetic. He didn't be polite either, raising his hand to use the space in front of him as a canvas, using the surrounding immortal power as ink, dyeing it. His fingers were like blades, sketching sparsely in the void. Immortal power gathered like spiritual light, crossing light arcs. In an instant, a flood dragon condensed from the void.

Accompanied by a low dragon roar, the flood dragon suddenly turned, coiling around Li Hao's body, its momentum fierce.

Seeing this scene, amazement appeared in the Great Da Da Meng Zhu's eyes. This painting foundation was quite profound, exceeding her expectations, and it integrated the Dao rhyme of space origin and water source origin. Although she couldn't tell what depth it had reached, it was at least the first level of origin!

Her eyes rarely showed a gaze, and she suddenly said: "You are a disciple of the Sword Abyss, have you seen that divine sword?"

"Divine sword?"

Li Hao was surprised.

The Great Da Da Meng Zhu said softly: "The Southern Region Battle limits weapons and treasure armor. After the Southern Region Battle ends, come and pull that divine sword. If you can pull it out, I will gift it to you."

Li Hao was confused, but understood this was a good thing, so he said: "Then thank you, Great Da Da Meng Zhu."

At the same time, on the Imperial Sword Mountain of the Sword Abyss.

Yun Wumian, sitting by the grass hut, suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose and said suspiciously: "Who is whispering about me behind my back?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 696 =====