Chapter 765: Ninth

"If the Dao Heart is not firm, even with talent and foundation, it is difficult to go far."

Amidst the mutual glances of the various Qin Xianchao disciples, the Immortal Guard Commander said: "The second trial below concerns the Dao Heart. Only those who possess both Dao Heart and combat strength are qualified to participate in the final genius battle and compete for the peak of the Southern Region!"

Hearing this, some sect elders revealed joy in their eyes, knowing that their disciples had not only taken the Dao Fire but also had a high Dao Heart, so there was great hope of passing this second trial.

The Immortal Guard Commander lifted his hand, waving out a black-gold list that rose against the wind.

The edges of that list were coiled with golden dragon shadows, and the center was like a flowing ink river.

"This is the Dao Fire Genius List. This first trial is sorted according to the number of Dao Fire clusters in your hands. The top ten will receive an Immortal Weapon reward."

Hearing the Immortal Guard Commander's words, the disciples of various Immortal Dynasties outside the secret realm all boiled over.

"There's still a reward? And a ranking?"

"If I had known this, I would have hunted more Dao Fire!"

"Senior Brother, you were soft-hearted and left the Dao Fire for others. I didn't expect there to be a reward here."

"Reward? Isn't that encouraging others to plunder more Dao

Fire? This is unfair!"

In the crowd, those eliminated disciples were somewhat angry.

And more people holding Dao Fire were regretful. This reward was not explained in advance; otherwise, they would have hunted more Dao Fire. Now, they had missed this opportunity to climb the list and also lost an Immortal Weapon.

The Immortal Weapon rewarded by the Grand Void Gate, without a doubt, would certainly not be bad.

Facing the many discussions, the Immortal Guard Commander's expression was cold and unchanged, saying indifferently:

"We do not advocate plundering others' resources or snatching others' quotas, but reality is this cruel. Opportunities will not wait obediently there; you need to strive for them yourself, to snatch, to fight!"

"For this first trial, we prepared three thousand Dao Fire clusters, having three thousand quotas, but we know that the final qualifiers will definitely not be three thousand people."

"Resentment? Regret? This first trial is to tell you that when facing opportunities, you must strive for them at all costs!"

"Once you walk out of the sect, you who absorb countless cultivation resources will become the pillars of the human race. Now, put away those naive thoughts of yours!"

Hearing those cold reprimands, this voice was reflected throughout the Southern Region. In various Immortal Dynasties, many commoners who were originally filled with righteous indignation now also fell into silence.

Indeed, although they were unwilling to admit it, they all understood that many strata in the world, from merchants and peddlers to royal emperors, were all like this.

If you want to obtain, you must fight, you must strive!

"Not mentioning it in advance is not advocating it; it is to give some opportunities to others. Otherwise, some among them might have absorbed most of the Dao Fire. This is the Supreme's mercy!"

The Immortal Guard Commander said coldly: "Now, this reward is also an encouragement for their efforts. Since they hunted more Dao Fire, they should have more benefits. This is fairness!"

Hearing this, those who were originally somewhat unconvinced now also went silent, unable to speak.

And in various Immortal Dynasties, many old people who understood the ways of the world couldn't help but clap and say it was good.

The mercy of the strong lies in silence.

Not favoring the weak, and likewise, not pandering to the weak.

Seeing no one respond, the Immortal Guard Commander lifted his hand, and the Dao Fire in everyone's hands was drawn, rushing toward the black-gold Dao Fire List one after another.

Li Hao saw the hundreds of Dao Fire clusters above his head fly away, but his gaze swept toward Di Linchen on the other side, and he transmitted his voice:

"I didn't expect this to happen. I'll return the Dao Fire you sent me earlier."

"No need."

Di Linchen heard Li Hao's voice and was somewhat surprised, then the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "It's just an Immortal Weapon. I'm not lacking one. This list is nothing worth climbing; the final ranking of the battle is the

true contest!"

Hearing this, Li Hao did not act coy or push it away again.

At this time, the Dao Fire List absorbed everyone's Dao Fire, and golden light appeared on it one after another, outlining names.

Ranked at the very top was actually that Ancient God Clan youth, Shen Wuji.

Following closely behind was someone named Jian Xin.

Li Hao's gaze swept over and saw his own name ranked ninth.

He hadn't expected that the Dao Fire he collected casually could actually bring him an Immortal Weapon; it could be considered an unexpected harvest.

However, he had the Taowu Immortal Weapon. If the rewarded Immortal Weapon was of a special effect type, it would be useful. If it were a weapon, it would not have much significance and could only be given away.

"Haotian, this Dao Fire..."

Several disciples of the Great Dream Nine Abyss looked at Li Hao, revealing shame in their eyes.

Their Dao Fire was sent by Li Hao. Now that the number of Dao Fire clusters was useful, this put them in a dilemma.

"It's fine, I don't lack these. This is also luck."

Li Hao laughed lightly, signaling them not to take it to heart.

Seeing Li Hao so carefree, admiration couldn't help but rise in their eyes. If Li Hao had convinced them with talent and combat strength earlier, now there was an additional heartfelt respect. This open-minded

temperament had already surpassed countless people.

Li Hao's gaze swept over and saw Di Linchen's name ranked at the very end.

He couldn't help but shake his head. This Dao Fire List had no gold content, but for the countless commoners of various Immortal Dynasties, it would still leave a deeper impression.

At this time, the Immortal Guard Commander took out another Dao Fire List and absorbed the Dao Fire of the Immortal Monarch realm group as well.

"Those among you who failed to obtain Dao Fire are also eliminated!"

The Immortal Guard Commander said indifferently to the few in the Immortal Monarch realm group who had no Dao Fire.

Hearing this, their expressions changed drastically, somewhat shocked and angry.

One of them said: "We are already at the Immortal Monarch realm, eliminated? Without even the qualification for the final battle?!"

"Exactly. The soul life requirement is three thousand years. We have already cultivated to the Immortal Monarch realm; no matter what, we are stronger than these True Immortal realm ones, right? You actually say you are eliminating us?"

The remaining few were all shocked, expressing that it was difficult to convince the public.

The Immortal Guard Commander said indifferently: "In what realm you are, you should have the standard and awareness of that realm. Being at the Immortal Monarch realm, yet wanting to compare with the True Immortal realm, don't you feel ashamed?"

"But the rule is three thousand years of soul life, and we haven't exceeded the soul life. Is it a mistake to improve the realm too fast?"

A youth in golden robes gritted his teeth. At this time, he couldn't care about offending the other party by speaking.

"Since you have stepped into the hall of the Immortal Monarch realm, you should abide by the rules of the Immortal Monarch realm. Since you are at the bottom of the Immortal Monarch realm, there is no need to participate in the later battles, unless you want to compare with the True Immortal realm? Even if you win that way, what can it explain? Your realm improvement might also be taking some heaven and earth treasures to forcibly raise your realm. This is why it is divided into the True Immortal realm and Immortal Monarch realm groups!"

"Some people want to consolidate their foundation, while others only care about the results of this battle, wanting to quickly raise their realm. If you could all pass, then in the future, everyone would focus on improving their realm, ignoring all foundations. Then this Southern Region Genius Battle would instead become a place of fame and profit that destroys foundations. It would be better not to hold it at all!"

The Immortal Guard Commander's words were like thunder, shaking in the ears of those few.

Hearing this, their expressions flushed, as if their blood was rolling. The angry words that were on their lips now could no longer be spoken.

Failing to get Dao Fire was indeed being at the bottom, lagging behind others in the Immortal Monarch realm. Although they were stronger than the True Immortal realm, they couldn't compare with the True Immortal realm; winning that way was a matter of course.

"If you can't even get Dao Fire, what are you being stubborn about?"

At this time, an Immortal Monarch realm disciple holding Dao Fire said lightly.

But these words were heart-piercing, making their faces blood-red, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

As the Dao Fire List of the Immortal Monarch realm rose, names were soon arranged one after another.

Compared to the True Immortal Secret Realm, the many battles in the Immortal Monarch Secret Realm earlier attracted more attention from the various Immortal Dynasties.

"That guy..."

Chu Yuli saw Li Hao ranked ninth on the True Immortal Dao Fire List, her eyes flickering. At this moment, her aversion to Li Hao was greatly reduced.

Having measured his soul life earlier, it was not even a hundred years; he was too green.

Such astonishing talent made her proud heart unable to help but feel convinced.

If the other party truly became her husband, it would not be unacceptable.

Seeing Li Hao's ranking at this time, there was a hint of pride in her eyes. After the Southern Region Battle ended, if her father insisted on the marriage, she would simply accept it.

The other party would be her husband, and with her father there, even if the other party had peerless talent, he would not dare to neglect her. After all, she was one of the top geniuses among the many princesses of the Yan Chu royal family.

And this marriage seemed to reveal her father's favoritism. Having such a genius as her husband was better than those other sisters of hers, and perhaps it would be of no small help to her status in the future.

Li Hao naturally did not know Chu Yuli's wild thoughts at this moment. He was watching the ranking of the Immortal Monarch realm Dao Fire List and saw Chu Tianzheng ranked sixth, laughing inwardly. The other party was also a murderous master.

As the Dao Fire List was hung, the Immortal Guard Commander took out the prepared Immortal Weapons and rewarded the top ten of both lists.

Li Hao took the Immortal Weapon and discovered it was a jade bracelet with spatial Dao rhyme aura inside.

He sensed it slightly and realized this was a life-saving Immortal Weapon, capable of helping him teleport once over an ultra-long distance, and leaving a mark in the void, allowing for fixed-point teleportation. The distance far exceeded his own teleportation speed, allowing him to save his life when encountering strong enemies.

This item was an unexpected harvest. Li Hao accepted it, thought for a moment, turned, and gave it to Lin Qingying.

"Hm?"

Lin Qingying saw the jade bracelet Li Hao handed over and was somewhat astonished.

"For you."

Li Hao laughed.

Although this jade bracelet immortal treasure was good, Li Hao judged that if he encountered someone at the seventh or eighth level of the Immortal Monarch realm, the other party would mostly have a way to block it. Therefore, it was useful against those at the fourth or fifth level of the Immortal Monarch realm, but not against higher realms.

In this way, the life-saving effect of this item for him was greatly weakened, so it was better to give it to Lin Qingying.

"For me?"

Lin Qingying froze. Seeing the jade bracelet, her cheeks suddenly flushed red, but she shook her head and said in a low voice: "This is an immortal treasure, too precious."

"It's just a bracelet, take it."

Li Hao laughed, directly stuffing it into her hand and putting it on her.

Lin Qingying's fair, jade-like hand was held by Li Hao, her cheeks flushing even more, but she did not break free, only lowered her head gently and said "Hm."

Beside them, Gu Xingwan saw this scene, her lips parted slightly, and finally she was silent.

Chu Yuli in the distance happened to catch a glimpse of this scene and was stunned, then a surge of jealousy rose in her eyes.

What does this mean? Not even married yet, and already finding a concubine for himself.

Her cheeks were cold, staring tightly at Li Hao, not hiding the anger in her gaze at all.

Li Hao sensed this stinging gaze, turned to look, saw it was that imperial daughter, couldn't help but raise his brows, gave her a white look, turned his head, and ignored her.

And his attitude made Chu Yuli almost go crazy. Giving things to other women in front of her, and daring to be so arrogant, simply didn't put her in his eyes at all.

In the distant starry sky.

The various events before the secret realm were also reflected in the starry sky.

A blue-green figure traveling through the stars suddenly saw this scene and couldn't help but pause.

That youth held a fair hand, wearing a bracelet for another beautiful, frost-like woman. The eyes they looked at each other with clearly showed their relationship was not shallow.

She had seen that woman, but didn't expect their relationship to have progressed to this extent now.

After a brief pause, the blue-green figure flew out again, her figure carrying colorful, misty light, traveling through and disappearing.

"The second trial will be held at Asking Dao Mountain!"

After the Immortal Weapon reward ended, the Immortal Guard Commander said loudly: "I presume you have all heard of Asking Dao Mountain. It is cast from Heavenly Dao Stone, containing the supreme principles of the Heavenly Dao, and can reflect the Dao Heart!"

"Everyone, please, follow me to Asking Dao Mountain!"

He said this to the emperors of various Immortal Dynasties, as well as the sect masters of various Immortal Dynasties.

As he spoke, he lifted his hand and drew lightly in the void.

The void suddenly split, revealing a massive crack leading to another part of this continent.

Behind that crack was a towering giant mountain, emanating an ancient aura that rushed toward them, carrying the taste of vicissitudes and having experienced disasters.

"It's actually Asking Dao Mountain. I heard the Supreme cultivated the Emperor Heart on this Asking Dao Mountain in his early years!"

"Testing the Dao Heart, huh? I don't know if my Dao Heart can pass."

"Not just the Dao Heart, I heard this Asking Dao Mountain will also reflect one's own Dao realm and fight against oneself."

Some geniuses had powerful backgrounds and were well-informed. At this moment, they discussed animatedly, revealing fighting spirit and anticipation in their eyes.

"Your Dao Heart, I don't know how many layers of this Asking Dao Mountain you can walk to. I'll wait for you at the summit."

Li Hao was looking around when he heard Di Linchen's voice transmission.

He was somewhat surprised, looked at the other party, and didn't expect the other party to be able to see that his Dao Heart was not low.

"Let's go."

The Immortal Guard Commander called everyone to transfer to Asking Dao Mountain.

That crack shortened the distance. After traveling through, they arrived directly before Asking Dao Mountain.

They saw this Asking Dao Mountain, its summit covered like white snow, with golden clouds coiling around the summit, and thunder faintly sounding within.

But everyone heard that it was not ordinary thunder, but Great Dao Lei Ming Sound, the sound of the Great Dao Origin echoing. If one could comprehend it, one would gain something in one's own Dao realm.

"Asking Dao Mountain, besides testing the Dao Heart, will also reflect the incarnation of your own Dao realm. You must cross your own Dao realm incarnation to walk further. This level even requires you to transcend yourself!"

The Immortal Guard Commander said coldly: "For ordinary people, transcending oneself is a rare epiphany, but for top geniuses, it is a necessary ability. Otherwise, the difficulties you face on your future cultivation path will be even greater. You must transcend step by step to walk further!"

Everyone's expression was solemn, all understanding the difficulty of the cultivation path.

Just cultivating to the Immortal King realm required great opportunity, let alone chasing after that more distant goal.

Merely cultivating to the Immortal King Realm requires immense fortune, let alone pursuing that even more distant goal.