Chapter 701

"Quick, go assist!"

"Help him plug the gap!"

The adjacent Tiger-Lion Army immediately reinforced Li Hao's position.

Although Li Hao was fighting desperately and continuously slaying Ancient Demons, he could only hold one breach.

This breach was simply too large, spanning tens of thousands of miles in diameter. Ancient Demons poured through like a school of fish crossing a river, and even more surged into the rear, clashing with scattered sect disciples and the various Wildfire Army battalions that had come to meet them.

The void was filled with the roar of immortal arts. Some Ancient Demons turned to attack the Tiger-Lion Army, leaving them besieged from both sides and greatly increasing casualties.

"These damn beasts."

Two Major Generals led tens of thousands of Tiger-Lion Army soldiers to reinforce the area, their expressions grim. One could see the scale of the breach from the pitch-black defensive line, yet within this darkness, a light flickered. Even from a great distance, one could see the brilliant sword light that appeared from time to time, as well as the divine light flashing within the Eternal Dao Domain.

"Hurry, use that person as an anchor point to rebuild the defensive line!"

The two generals issued the order in unison, and large numbers of the Tiger-Lion Army extended from both sides of Li Hao, blocking the other Ancient Demons that had taken advantage of the chaos to break through.

Li Hao channeled his sword arts, continuously swinging his blade to slay enemies. The Azure Heaven Sword Art came one strike after another, and from time to time, he would backhand a strike from the Sword God Art!

Of the Nine Swords of the Sword God, Li Hao had currently only mastered the first sword to perfection, while the second was merely at a proficient level.

Li Hao estimated that to master all nine swords and unleash a Sword God Slash truly comparable to a peak Quasi-Emperor strike, his Sword Dao would need to reach at least the thirteenth stage!

Boom!

As the sword light slashed furiously, Ancient Demons perished one after another, their Primordial Spirits shattering into specks of light.

Li Hao noticed that their shattered Primordial Spirits were being absorbed into his identity token.

"Hmm?"

At this moment, Li Hao noticed the number of Ancient Demons around him decreasing. Several thousand miles away, soldiers clad in Tiger-Lion battle armor gathered, their coordinated immortal arts lighting up that patch of the starry sky.

Li Hao withdrew his gaze and continued to bury his head and charge forward.

Kill, kill, kill!

Li Hao continued to swing his sword in battle. Ancient Demons below the Seventh Level of the True Immortal Realm were instantly killed before him, slaughtered like grass.

Corpse after corpse of Ancient Demons was collected by Li Hao into his heaven-earth space, where they had already piled up like a mountain...

"Look, that person is so strong!"

"My god, he's holding off a swarm of Ancient Demons single-handedly?!"

"Those Ancient Demons are actually being killed instantly; this is too exaggerated."

"Which sect's Elder is he? Is this the Immortal Monarch Realm? Why is he alone?"

Many Tiger-Lion Army soldiers were left speechless and shocked by Li Hao's slaughter speed.

These terrifying Ancient Demons were no different from ordinary demons in Li Hao's hands, and their most feared innate secret arts seemed helpless against the youth.

The Tiger-Lion Army soldiers also fought with all their might, unleashing various immortal arts that illuminated the starry sky.

Li Hao continued his frenzied slaughter, unaware that as he fought, this breach was gradually becoming a solid defensive line.

Boom!

Suddenly, a whistling force dove down from the darkness ahead.

By the time Li Hao's spiritual sense captured it, the opponent was already extremely close, needing only one teleportation to strike.

Li Hao's pupils constricted slightly. He felt a terrifying aura—a sensation he found somewhat familiar, the aura of an Ancient Demon Commander he had glimpsed from afar on the Ancient Starry Road.

An Immortal Monarch Realm Ancient Demon!

Li Hao's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly summoned Taowu.

At the same time, Taowu also sensed the danger and whistled over rapidly from its frenzied slaughter.

"Time Origin, accelerate!"

In this moment of crisis, Li Hao unleashed the power of the Time Origin, increasing the flow of time around him.

He could not slow down time, as that might not affect an Immortal Monarch Realm powerhouse, and he could not risk it. Accelerating his own time gave him the time to think and react.

Space Origin, Fourth Level, Dao Domain stacking!

Li Hao layered the void and combined it with the refractive power of the Water Origin. The miraculous stacking of these two powers allowed him to peel the void around him into two layers.

This turned his Eternal Dao Domain into a double layer!

The successive slaughter had given Li Hao great combat inspiration. At this moment, if he were in the True Venerable Tower, Li Hao would have a chance to turn the tide of the battle!

The refractive stacking of the double Eternal Dao Domain, combined with the solidification of the Fourth Level Space Origin within the domain, brought Li Hao's Dao Domain to an unprecedented level.

Boom!

The sudden Immortal Monarch Realm Ancient Demon flashed into Li Hao's Dao Domain.

"A mere True Immortal dares to seek death!"

This was a massive Ancient Demon with eyes full of thunderous rage. The defensive line had been broken and it could have launched a major offensive, but a major problem had occurred here, leading to significant losses and even affecting the situation in this sector.

It charged into Li Hao's Dao Domain, about to crush him and annihilate his Primordial Spirit, but suddenly felt something was wrong.

It was like jumping into an extremely viscous swamp; its body speed slowed by hundreds of times, and its released immortal power was obstructed.

"What kind of domain is this?"

The Ancient Demon was shocked. It could sense that the youth was only in the True Immortal Realm, not an Immortal Monarch at all, and should have been wiped out instantly. Yet, at this moment, the opponent's Dao Domain could actually affect it!

Break!

It grew even angrier, directly erupting with immortal power to snap the suppression within the domain. Having reached the Immortal Monarch Realm, it possessed its own immortal path and could ignore other Sage Dao laws.

However, the Fourth Level of the Space Origin within Li Hao's Dao Domain already touched upon the immortal path, stepping into the threshold of the Immortal Monarch Realm.

Therefore, although it erupted suddenly, the suppression only weakened slightly, and the core Space Origin power remained locked onto it.

Yet, as the Ancient Demon struggled, in just an instant, Li Hao's immortal power was completely exhausted, and he could no longer maintain the Dao Domain.

Li Hao was horrified and hurriedly channeled the power of the Heavenly Star Meridians, but the flow of the Heavenly Star Meridians into his body also required time, like a reservoir—if the pool were instantly emptied, it would take time to refill.

And this brief moment was extremely fatal.

Boom!

Just as the Immortal Monarch Realm Ancient Demon's attack was about to land, a whistling sound suddenly arrived. It was the Taowu Immortal Sword, like a streak of blood, piercing the Ancient Demon's arm and standing horizontally before Li Hao.

"Seeking death!"

The Taowu Immortal Sword stared angrily at the Ancient Demon. If the opponent killed Li Hao, it would inevitably alarm that old man, who would come to collect Li Hao's corpse and take both Li Hao's remains and the sword back to the Imperial Palace, leading to endless slumber and imprisonment.

Having finally gotten out, it was naturally afraid of returning to that place for a long wait.

"Master, leave it to me!"

As Taowu transmitted this to Li Hao, it shot out instantly to clash with the Ancient Demon.

The Ancient Demon Commander was shocked and angry, not expecting Li Hao to possess such a powerful immortal weapon.

"You think you can save your life with an immortal weapon? Be crushed, all of you!"

The Ancient Demon Commander was furious, its body radiating terrifying demonic energy that shrouded the area like dark clouds before it killed toward Taowu.

Li Hao's expression was solemn as he retreated to create distance. This battlefield was truly treacherous; a moment could span ten thousand years. From the moment the Ancient Demon Commander appeared until now, it had only been the blink of an eye. If not for the Taowu Immortal Sword, he would already be in crisis.

A series of roars erupted from the black mist, and suddenly, the Taowu Immortal Sword was sent flying out.

"Master, my own immortal power reserves are insufficient; I need your reinforcement!"

The Taowu Immortal Sword hurriedly transmitted.

Although immortal weapons are strong, they require immortal power to channel. As its master, Li Hao could transfer immortal power directly to it.

Li Hao did not hesitate and transferred his immortal power. The Taowu Immortal Sword received a steady stream of power and killed back into the black mist.

As the fierce battle continued, Li Hao felt his immortal power being drained frantically, like a bursting dam. If not for the supply from his Heavenly Star Meridians, he would have run dry long ago.

However, this also showed how intense the battle inside was.

Boom!

Suddenly, a roar came from within, followed by the vibration of the black mist as a large number of Ancient Demons gathered from all directions.

The Ancient Demons quickly formed a formation, and before long, the Taowu Immortal Sword was knocked flying.

"Master, run!"

The Taowu Immortal Sword hurriedly said, "This thing is too despicable, there are too many of them, we can't beat them."

Li Hao knew that he could not kill the Ancient Demon Commander, so he turned and ran at full speed.

The commotion here attracted the attention of other nearby Tiger-Lion Army units. Upon seeing the massive body of the Ancient Demon Commander, they were horrified. The two Major Generals hurriedly issued commands while personally killing toward the Ancient Demon.

They were both Immortal Monarch Realm powerhouses, but only at the First Level. Against this Ancient Demon Commander, they could barely hold it back.

Roar!

The Ancient Demon Commander was furious and crazed, staring viciously at the fleeing figure. It ignored the attacks of the two Major Generals and used its innate secret art to repel them. Its Primordial Spirit power was formidable, and under the shock, the two Major Generals turned pale, their souls trembling.

Swoosh!

The Ancient Demon Commander chased after Li Hao frantically.

Li Hao felt the commotion behind him and his expression changed suddenly. This Ancient Demon was acting like a madman, determined to kill him.

"Damn it!"

The Taowu Immortal Sword was also shocked and angry, seeing that the Ancient Demon Commander was enraged and would not stop until Li Hao was dead.

Li Hao did not dare to pause, using both Time Origin and Space Origin powers for his movement technique. Although his movement technique was only at the tenth stage, barely at the level of Sacrificing the Dao, it erupted with the speed of a peak Tenth Level True Immortal.

"Faster, faster!"

Li Hao fled at full speed.

Seeing the Ancient Demon Commander getting closer, the Taowu Immortal Sword said, "I'll go block it!"

It then struggled out of Li Hao's hand and killed toward the Ancient Demon.

Li Hao continued to flee at full speed but could constantly sense the state of the Taowu Immortal Sword. Before long, the sword exhausted its power and caught up to Li Hao.

The Ancient Demon Commander was also chasing them.

Seeing the Ancient Demon Commander about to close in, Li Hao prepared to unleash the Immortal Seal for a desperate fight, when suddenly, a whistling sound struck.

Swoosh!

As Li Hao heard the sound, the space before him was lit up by starlight. Immediately after, starlight and moonlight condensed beside him, and someone stepped out from the void, teleporting to Li Hao's side, grabbing his arm and pulling him behind her.

"Don't be afraid."

A cold and elegant voice sounded, accompanied by a fragrant breeze. Li Hao saw a young girl in a star-and-moon skirt before him—the very same one he had seen in the Tenth Desolate Domain.

Roar!

The Ancient Demon Commander let out an angry roar, its head slashed by a crescent-like arc of light, nearly severing it.

It stared angrily at the youth who had arrived, but a look of solemnity appeared in the depths of its eyes.

"Actually being chased by an Ancient Demon Commander..."

Xing Lan's expression was calm, but ripples of surprise rose in her heart. She had been slaying Ancient Demons all the way here and hadn't expected to encounter such a powerful Ancient Demon aura—an Immortal Monarch Realm one.

At the same time, she sensed a familiar aura, and upon getting closer, she discovered it was that interesting youth.

That was why she had acted without hesitation to save him.

However, she couldn't help but be surprised. An Ancient Demon Commander could kill a True Immortal instantly; the fact that Li Hao could be chased by it meant he still had a sliver of ability to escape before an Ancient Demon Commander!

"Star-Slaying Art!"

Xing Lan put aside other thoughts, her eyes solemn. She was only at the First Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm. Under the same realm, Ancient Demons were stronger than all other races, but as a human prodigy, she might not necessarily lose to this Ancient Demon Commander.

As she acted, stars and moons rose around her, turning into beams of light that killed outward.

At the same time, Li Hao felt the stars and moons she condensed actually refract the phantom of star meridians, causing his Heavenly Star Meridians to absorb immortal power at a slightly faster rate.

"Primal Demon Sound!"

The Ancient Demon Commander also unleashed its innate secret art. Black mist suddenly filled its eyes, followed by a sudden low roar.

This low roar vibrated like sound waves, but it was an increasing, murderous attack of Primordial Spirit power.

Shockwaves of Primordial Spirit power in the void accumulated higher like ocean waves, attacking indiscriminately in the blink of an eye.

Xing Lan had clearly done her homework on Ancient Demons. She blocked Li Hao behind her, then her palm traced a bright moon. Above her head, her Primordial Spirit soared out like a holy goddess, surrounded by specks of starlight.

Li Hao saw that her Primordial Spirit actually had brilliant golden divine meridians and two divine bones.

Although far inferior to his own Primordial Spirit, it was still quite formidable.

Coupled with the fact that it was an Immortal Monarch Realm Primordial Spirit refined to such a degree, the Ancient Demon Commander might not be her match.

Boom!

Indeed, as Li Hao expected, the Primal Demon Sound was blocked by the bright moon. Xing Lan then unleashed a Star-Moon Domain, shrouding the Ancient Demon Commander, and left Li Hao with a single sentence:

"Wait for me here."

She then began a fierce battle with the Ancient Demon Commander within the domain.

The Ancient Demon Commander had chased Li Hao, causing it to become detached from the main Ancient Demon army. It had thought it could kill Li Hao quickly and retreat, but it hadn't expected to encounter Xing Lan, and both sides immediately fell into a life-and-death struggle.

Li Hao created distance, holding the Taowu Immortal Sword, and watched the battle from afar.

But under the shroud of the Star-Moon Domain, he could only see mottled shadows inside.

"Immortal Monarch Realm..."

Li Hao's eyes flickered. In this battle, he could feel that he still had a significant gap to bridge before he could fight a true Immortal Monarch.

Although he hadn't used the power of the Nine-Flower Immortal Seal, even if he did, he might not necessarily win.

His own realm was too low; he needed to reach at least the Seventh Level of the True Immortal Realm.

Or refine more Primordial Spirit bones...

Thinking of these Primordial Spirit bones, Li Hao thought of the mountain of Ancient Demon corpses piled up in his heaven-earth space, and his eyes suddenly became much brighter, while his mouth watered.

As Li Hao pondered, before long, a violent vibration erupted from the Star-Moon Domain, and the domain's light dimmed significantly.

A few breaths later, the domain retracted.

Xing Lan's clothes, which had previously fluttered like a saintess', were somewhat tattered, and her hair was messy, but her expression remained calm.

She was stained with quite a bit of blood, and behind her lay the massive body of the Ancient Demon Commander... which no longer showed signs of life.

Xing Lan raised her hand, traced a heaven-earth space, and collected the Ancient Demon's corpse.

She then glanced around, saw Li Hao, and floated over.

"Are you alright?"

Li Hao asked.

Xing Lan shook her head slightly. Her injuries and aura were stabilizing. She took out a small green bottle, poured out a crimson pill, and swallowed it; her injuries began to recover at a visible speed.

"Are you alright?"

Xing Lan looked Li Hao over, saw the starlight floating around him, and her gaze deepened: "You have mastered the Heavenly Star Meridians?"

Li Hao nodded.

Xing Lan was silent for a moment. Being able to cultivate this ultimate path while in the True Immortal Realm was extremely rare even in the Star Palace, and the Star Palace had relevant ancient records and inheritance guidance.

"With your ability, you should be in the top thousand at least. Why aren't you cultivating in your sect instead of coming here?"

Xing Lan asked.

Li Hao said: "I came here to train in actual combat. What about you? Why did you come here?"

Xing Lan didn't believe Li Hao. At the Third Level of the True Immortal Realm, he could at least improve by one or two levels in three years, which would have a greater impact on his strength; there was no need to run here to die.

The battlefield changed in an instant; even Immortal Monarchs could fall, let alone True Immortals.

"Me too."

She replied calmly. She was telling the truth; with her realm, in the ten years before the Southern Region Battle, relying on various immortal pills and divine medicines, she could at most improve to the Third Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, but actual combat training was more important.

"Thank you for this time." Li Hao cupped his hands.

"No need for thanks. I should thank you for letting me encounter such a lone Ancient Demon Commander, and one that had just promoted, earning me 100,000 immortal merits!"

Xing Lan said, then looked at Li Hao and asked: "How many immortal merits have you accumulated?"

100,000 immortal merits? Li Hao's gaze shifted. The immortal merits corresponding to True Immortal Realm Ancient Demons had been mentioned, but Immortal Monarch Realm ones hadn't. Presumably, they assumed that if they encountered an Immortal Monarch Realm Ancient Demon, they would only have a death sentence, so they didn't waste their breath.

A Tenth Level True Immortal Ancient Demon was only 10,000 immortal merits, while a First Level Immortal Monarch was 100,000... Li Hao silently noted this. He hadn't kept count of how many Ancient Demons he had hunted himself, so he shook his head:

"I don't know, I haven't counted."

"You haven't counted?"

Xing Lan raised an eyebrow, glanced at Li Hao's identity token, and said: "Don't you know if you take a look? Didn't your sect tell you? This identity token is custom-made. It was designed by a top-tier immortal array master from the Heavenly Palace at the request of the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty. If you kill an Ancient Demon, this thing absorbs the Ancient Demon's Primordial Spirit marrow to judge how many you've slain. This is also how they tally the immortal merits of many soldiers."

"You can see it through this?"

Li Hao was surprised; he had thought they relied on corpses for the tally.