Chapter 826

With the Great Completion of his Celestial Immortal body, Li Hao felt that even if he stood still and allowed attacks from his peers, he could easily withstand them.

Now that his immortal body had transformed to perfection, his own cultivation realm was too low and his immortal power was weak. Once his realm improved and his immortal power capacity increased, the power of his immortal body would surge again.

Li Hao estimated that with his current immortal body, he could easily withstand attacks from the Seventh or Eighth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm.

If he were to encounter that Imperial Clan's Di Jiming again, he wouldn't need to draw his sword; his immortal body alone would be enough to trade blows with him.

It had been nearly six years since he came here from the Southern Region. Li Hao had already passed his hundred years of soul-life; now at 102 years of soul-life, he was still extremely immature compared to those with four or five hundred years of soul-life.

In addition to his Celestial Immortal body, he had cooked the corpses of Ancient Demons over these five years, and his Primordial Spirit Golden Bones had also increased and improved, with three hundred more!

Added to his previous Primordial Spirit Golden Bones, he now had over eight hundred!

But this still failed to cover his entire body. Li Hao estimated that to cultivate the Primordial Spirit Golden Bones to perfection and achieve a body of golden bones, he would need about twelve hundred.

By then, he could cross to the final step: refining the True Blood of the Primordial Spirit.

Once he reached the True Blood level, his Primordial Spirit would completely transform and head toward the final hurdle of the ultimate realm. His Primordial Spirit power would undergo a subversive increase, even comparable to the existence of an Immortal King Realm!

Over these five years, these changes and improvements were not deliberately sought by Li Hao. His mind was entirely on his skills, as the changes brought by the improvement of skills were the greatest and the fastest way to progress.

And after five years of playing chess day and night, he finally barely touched the light of breaking through the Dao of chess, missing only the final step.

Furthermore, his Dao of cooking had also realized its state of mind, improving to the Eleventh Level.

And the Eleventh Level of the cooking state of mind was used by Li Hao in his fist techniques. Now his movement techniques, fist techniques, sword techniques, and control techniques had all reached the Eleventh Level!

The Dao of the physical body and the Dao of painting were at the Twelfth Level.

Among the seven skills, only music and poetry remained at the Sixth Level, while the rest were at the Eleventh Level.

Li Hao really had no time to spare to study music and poetry. Even if he improved them to the Eleventh Level, for him, it was nothing more than cultivating two more Great Daos, and the improvement to his combat power would not be obvious.

Killing an enemy only takes one move.

The chessboard also determines victory or defeat with one piece.

If skills like the Dao of chess and fishing could break through to the Twelfth Level, his Sword Dao and Form Dao would also improve accordingly. By then, combined with the Dao of the physical body, the improvement of these three Great Daos would complement each other, bringing the greatest change in combat power. He could reach the top in the Immortal Monarch Realm in one step and have combat power rivaling the Perfected Immortal Monarch!

Clack!

A piece fell on the chessboard. Li Hao lowered his eyes, gazing solemnly in thought.

His mind was entirely on the chessboard, completely indifferent to the maids and Wu Ma and others coming and going in the courtyard.

Suddenly, two sounds of wind whistled from afar and landed in the Zhe Xian Courtyard.

Just after landing, the two graceful figures saw the youth deep in thought outside the palace. Su Wanqing's figure flickered, and she came to the chessboard with a smile, saying:

"Playing chess again? Have you seen my sister lately?"

"No."

Li Hao returned from his deep thought. Seeing it was her, he knew he could see Ying Xiaoxiao's face again today, but he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

It was said to be a hundred years of companionship, but in these five years, he had had very few opportunities to see Su Muqing, mostly only seeing her for a while when Su Wanqing came over.

For this reason, he was quite diligent in teaching Su Wanqing the Dao of painting, hoping she would come here often.

But in total, he had seen her less than sixty times, averaging once a month.

"You, do you really intend to wait like this for a hundred years?"

Su Wanqing felt a little helpless upon hearing Li Hao's words.

Beside her, another woman also walked over slowly; it was Su Xuexue.

Over these five years, Su Xuexue had also come a few times. Seeing Li Hao's seriousness and dedication to Su Muqing, she only sighed but did not say much.

She knew her sister's temperament; she was impervious to both soft and hard tactics and would never be moved so easily.

Someone had once pursued Su Muqing and nearly died in a dangerous place, only to have the treasure he retrieved discarded by her like trash when he presented it to her.

The Su family was not short of rare treasures, and with Su Muqing's status, sending immortal weapons and rare great elixirs could hardly catch her eye.

There were also those who took a different path, trying to move Su Muqing with true feelings, kneeling outside the Su mansion for a long time. As a result, when Su Muqing went out and encountered him, the other party pestered her, and she slapped him unconscious, damaging his cultivation.

But afterwards, the man not only held no grudge but instead publicized everywhere that Su Muqing's sister felt sorry for him, which was why she injured him.

Regarding this, Su Xuexue and the others were speechless, only feeling that the minds of the men in the world were somewhat infatuated and unbelievable.

During that period, there were pursuers everywhere outside the Su family, disturbing the Su family to the point of annoyance. It was only after that Imperial Son returned from cultivation and announced his relationship with Su Muqing that all this subsided.

No one dared to compete with that True Dragon of the Lin family, and they all retreated in shame.

Now, the youth before her was relying on that marriage contract, attempting to oppose that Lin family Imperial Son, which in Su Xuexue's view was also wishful thinking.

Li Hao answered selectively, but did not reveal his own cultivation and techniques.

"You really don't listen to advice. Sigh, forget it. Next time I have a chance, I'll find a Chess Saint to come and guide you in chess."

Seeing Li Hao so stubborn, Su Wanqing did not waste any more breath. She had persuaded him many times in these five years and had long since given up.

"A Chess Saint is not qualified to play chess with me."

Li Hao shook his head.

A Chess Saint was at most at the Ninth Level of the Dao of chess; playing against him was just a waste of time.

"You have a big mouth."

Su Wanqing was dumbfounded and said somewhat speechlessly: "Is your Dao of chess very strong?"

She did not understand the Dao of chess, so she could not see Li Hao's level.

Li Hao shook his head and did not explain.

"Wanqing, call Muqing out."

Su Xuexue interrupted Su Wanqing and ordered, not wanting to waste time here.

Before Su Wanqing could respond, the tightly shut palace doors had already opened, and a stunning figure stood there. When Su Wanqing and the other woman arrived, she had already sensed the aura of her sisters.

The first thing she saw upon opening the door was the figure she hated.

It had been nearly six years, and the other party had been like this day and night, still not intending to stop.

A hundred years of soul-life is already a genius; wasting six years is worse than an ordinary person wasting sixty!

Su Muqing's eyes were extremely cold as she stepped into the courtyard.

"Sister Xuexue."

Su Muqing nodded and said.

Seeing this stunning and cold sister, Su Xuexue could not help but feel a flash of amazement in her eyes, sighing in her heart that it was no wonder countless geniuses would be moved.

"The Sword Pool laurel competition is about to begin. There is half a month left, so we came early to let you know. You will surely be the center of attention this time, so prepare well. I heard that in addition to the Divine Spring Jin Gui, the Immortal Rhyme Purple Osmanthus, which blooms once in ten thousand years, will also appear this time. It likely has extraordinary requirements, so let's try to pick them all then!"

Su Xuexue said, her eyes full of confidence.

Su Muqing's eyes brightened slightly. "The Immortal Rhyme Purple Osmanthus is appearing? Great, I will definitely pick it!"

Su Xuexue laughed, believing in this sister's ability. If even she couldn't pick it, then no one in the Gusu Imperial Star could.

The three women stood together, chatting happily, talking about news of the younger generation of various clans, and whispering sisterly secrets.

It was only when they talked about some more secret matters that they remembered there was still an outsider nearby.

Su Muqing noticed Li Hao's gaze, and her expression suddenly sank. Since she stepped out of the palace, the other party's eyes had never left her.

"Do you really think you can move me with such tricks?"

Su Muqing's expression was cold, without a trace of emotion, and she said: "You came to my Su family, and it's been nearly six years. If you had been willing to cultivate hard, with the immortal power in this courtyard comparable to the holy lands of other clans, you could have at least cultivated to the Second Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm and made further progress!"

"Judging by your improvement speed with your hundred years of soul-life, combined with the immortal veins under my Su family, if you worked hard, it's even possible to reach the Third Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm!"

"But you are still at the First Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, wallowing in degradation, pinning all your hopes on that marriage contract, and attempting to enjoy wealth and honor by relying on me—it is simply too ridiculous!"

Li Hao did not speak, just watched her quietly.

He automatically blocked out the other party's words and just stared quietly at that face.

Beside her, Su Xuexue's expression was calm. Su Muqing's words were also what she thought in her heart, but seeing that there was not a trace of shame or repentance on Li Hao's face, she could not help but frown.

Su Wanqing had spent five years with Li Hao and had some understanding of the youth's temperament. She could see he was idle, but she couldn't see any greed. Hearing this now, she could not help but say:

"Sister, these words are too hurtful."

As soon as she finished speaking, she was pulled by Su Xuexue.

Su Muqing frowned. Seeing Li Hao's calm expression, she couldn't help but sneer and said: "The words are hurtful, but some people are shameless, so how could they be hurt!"

Su Wanqing wanted to say something but stopped. Seeing Li Hao's expressionless face, she finally held the words back.

"One look and you can tell he has never been on the battlefield. What's the use of having talent? If he went to the front line, he would definitely be a coward!"

Su Muqing sneered and said: "Only those who have seen iron and blood know that in this world, only one's own strength is reliable; everything else is empty!"

Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly; he did not expect the woman before him to have such an realization.

"Sister, I won't see you off."

Su Muqing said, ignoring Li Hao and speaking to Su Xuexue.

Su Xuexue nodded and pulled Su Wanqing to leave, but Su Wanqing broke free, intending to stay.

Su Xuexue was helpless and had to leave first.

Su Muqing did not say much more and turned back to the palace.

As the palace doors shut tightly, Li Hao also withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, and continued to play chess as if nothing had happened.

Su Wanqing's expression was complicated, and she said: "With Sister Muqing's words to this extent, you have no hope."

Li Hao did not even lift his eyelids, lowered his head to place a piece, and said: "What she says is not important."

"Then what is important?"

"It is that I know what I am doing."

Su Wanqing gave a bitter smile, raised her hand, took out a glass-like bottle from the heaven and earth space, and handed it to Li Hao:

"There are three Primordial Immortal Pills here, which can help you improve your cultivation. Take them; consider it my tuition."

Li Hao glanced at them and did not refuse. Even if he couldn't use them, he could give them to others later.

Su Wanqing sighed and left the Zhe Xian Courtyard.

The courtyard returned to quiet, and Li Hao also withdrew his mind, immersing himself in the comprehension of the Dao of chess. Once the Ancient Demon flesh and blood in his stomach were digested, he would barbecue again, and once full, he would continue to contemplate.

Time passed, and half a month flew by in an instant. For someone like Su Muqing, half a month was just a retreat, no different from an ordinary person taking a nap.

As Su Xuexue and Su Wanqing arrived again, Su Muqing left the palace, and the three went together.

Seeing Su Muqing about to leave, Li Hao immediately put away the chessboard, rose, and followed.

Seeing Li Hao following, Su Muqing was a little annoyed, but she was used to it and just snorted coldly.

Seeing that Su Muqing did not express anything, Su Xuexue naturally would not say anything.

Su Wanqing deliberately slowed down, forcing Su Muqing and Su Xuexue to slow down as well. In this way, it was easier for Li Hao to catch up, and soon the four were at a distance of almost walking together.

"The place we are going to, if you go, I'm afraid you will only embarrass yourself."

Seeing Li Hao close by, Su Muqing sneered.

"Oh."

Li Hao responded and followed silently.

Seeing that Li Hao did not take her words to heart at all, Su Muqing was furious. In the past, those who tried to please her, when they could talk to her, were all extremely flattering, their words like a string of pearls, never stopping. On the contrary, this youth, besides always following her, seemed indifferent to her attitude.

However, there were those who had pursued her but deliberately provoked her to anger, or even humiliated her, just to attract her attention. Such methods were the ones she found most repulsive among her many pursuers. At this moment, she sneered in her heart and stopped paying attention to Li Hao.

"Haotian, the place we are going to is the Sword Pool. It is a somewhat lively gathering on my Gusu Imperial Star. It is called a gathering, but it is actually a sparring and competition for the geniuses of various clans."

Su Wanqing was amiable to Li Hao and said in a soft tone: "If you can show your style in the Sword Pool, you will surely get a lot of attention, and it can be considered making a name for yourself."

Li Hao nodded and did not speak.

Hearing Su Wanqing's words, Su Muqing could not help but think of Li Hao's performance at the previous art exhibition. Her expression changed slightly. With Li Hao's talent, even if he was still at the First Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, combined with his hundred years of soul-life, he was undoubtedly still a top genius.

He might really gain a reputation because of this.

Her expression suddenly became a bit gloomy.

Not long after, the four arrived outside Gusu City, outside a towering majestic peak.

This peak was majestic and steep, like a sword piercing through heaven and earth.

The mountain was ninety thousand zhang high, standing prominently among the three thousand Dragon Spine Mountains.

"This is the Sword God Peak!"

Su Wanqing said in a low voice to Li Hao.

Hearing this name, Li Hao's heart moved, thinking of the Sword God Technique he practiced in the Great Dream Nine Abyss.

However, the two words "Sword God" were yearned for by all sword wielders in the world, so it was not strange to have the same name.

Outside the Sword God Peak, there was a sealing array barrier and Sword Attendants on guard. Su Muqing and the others did not even need to show an invitation; they could enter just by showing their faces.

In Gusu City, if one didn't even recognize the Four Little Phoenixes of the Su family, it could only mean that the scale of this gathering was too low.

"He is with us."

Seeing the Sword Attendant look at Li Hao suspiciously, Su Wanqing spoke up for Li Hao.

Su Muqing's expression changed slightly, and she frowned: "Wanqing, what are you doing?"

"This Sword Pool laurel competition is a gathering of geniuses. Haotian's talent can be considered a genius, right? Let him come in and play."

Su Wanqing said with a giggle.

Hearing this, Su Muqing glared at Li Hao. Since Su Wanqing had already spoken, she couldn't very well refute her sister's face.

The four entered the mountain, and immediately saw streams of light flying by on swords. The Sword God Peak was extremely lively, and many people had already gathered.

The four flew straight to the top of the mountain. The peak here was extremely vast, with a huge sword stele standing there, engraved with three sword patterns.

A waterfall flowed down from the high mountain behind the top of the sword stele, gathering in the mountain pool in front of the sword stele, stirring up white waves.

In front of the Sword Pool, many figures were seated everywhere, all dressed in immortal treasures and brocade clothes, peerless and expensive; they were all geniuses of various clans.

"Look, that is the Immortal Osmanthus."

Su Wanqing pointed and said to Li Hao.

Li Hao looked over and saw that beside the waterfall of the sword stele, amidst the rushing torrent of the waterfall, a piece of horizontal branch grew on the mountain body next to it, extending into three main veins.

On the lowest edge was a piece of silver branch, on which silver immortal osmanthus bloomed, emitting fragrance.

In the middle was a piece of golden immortal osmanthus, the leaves bursting with divine luster, shrouded in divine clouds, extremely exquisite and luxurious.

At the very top was a short branch, purple all over, as if the purple air of the rising sun was coming from the east. There were six purple flower buds on the branch, surrounded by purple flowing light, as if evolving the Great Dao, faintly emitting a very special fragrance.

"It seems the Immortal Rhyme Purple Osmanthus is really about to bloom."

Su Xuexue's eyes brightened slightly, clearly attracted by the Immortal Rhyme Purple Osmanthus.

Su Muqing was the same, her eyes full of confidence in addition to joy.

At this moment, a commotion suddenly arose.

Many eyes at the scene gathered together. Su Muqing, Su Wanqing, and others appeared, immediately attracting the attention of the whole audience.

On the Gusu Imperial Star, the reputation of the Four Little Phoenixes was extremely loud. The many geniuses of the clans present all had light in their eyes, while some had hidden admiration in the depths of their eyes.

"The Su family is here too. Immortal Osmanthus matches the fairy; a perfect match."

"I can't get that Immortal Rhyme Purple Osmanthus, but I must pick a Divine Spring Jin Gui!"

"I wonder what the test will be this time?"

Everyone discussed in low voices. Many people stepped forward to greet Su Muqing and the others, their eyes naturally falling on Li Hao, with surprise in their eyes.

To be able to walk so closely with the Four Little Phoenixes of the Su family, unless it was one of the direct descendants of the Su family, that is, the brothers or cousins of Su Muqing and the others.

But they all looked at the youth before them as a stranger.

"Who is that man, actually walking so close to Su Muqing and the others."

"Could it be that guy who is pursuing Su Muqing?"

"You mean that incident a few years ago? The person who pursued Su Muqing at that art exhibition?"

"My god, I haven't seen him for a few years, did that person succeed in his pursuit? Isn't that Lin family Imperial Son..."

"Shh, you dare to say the Lin family Imperial Son is wearing a green hat? Be careful they pluck your head off."

Everyone immediately discussed in low voices, their eyes frequently looking between Li Hao and Su Muqing, their expressions strange.

And these discussions naturally reached the ears of Su Muqing and the others. Su Muqing's expression changed slightly, her brows furrowed, and her eyes became increasingly cold.

Su Xuexue was a bit dumbfounded, not expecting the rumors to spread so outrageously, and could not help but look at Su Muqing with worry.

"The news has spread so much, Muxue, do you want to explain to that person of yours?"

Su Muqing shook her head slightly and said coldly: "It's all nonsense, not worth mentioning. He won't believe it."

Su Xuexue thought so too, so she didn't say anything more.

"Su Muqing?"

Suddenly, a surprised voice drifted over. Lin Jinrou, with flying green hair and dressed in green, came to the few people, followed by four or five Lin family geniuses.

At this moment, these four or five Lin family geniuses all had their eyes on Li Hao, looking him up and down.

The incident from a few years ago was spread wildly outside. After all, it was news about Su Muqing, so it soon caused people to discuss it.

These news naturally reached the ears of the Lin family, but no one cared. No one would think that anyone could be compared with that Imperial Son of the Lin family. As long as Su Muqing was not blind, it was impossible for her to pay attention to him.

It was just that today, the other party was actually following Su Muqing, which was surprising.

"Painter Haotian."

Lin Jinrou soon noticed Li Hao too. After a start, her expression suddenly became a bit resentful, and she said in a low voice:

"I sent you several messages over the past few years; could it be that Painter Haotian did not receive them? Or are you afraid of me and unwilling to give guidance?"

Li Hao was slightly stunned, immediately thinking of those messages sent to the courtyard, all of which he had burned as firewood.

"This... I had something to do and couldn't get away." Li Hao coughed lightly.

Lin Jinrou glanced at Su Muqing beside her, thinking of everything at the previous art exhibition. Her expression was strange, and she said: "Painter Haotian, do you really intend to pursue Muqing?"

As soon as these words came out, the ears of many people around pricked up.

Su Muqing's expression became gloomy, but before she could get angry and want to stop Li Hao from speaking and embarrassing her, she heard Li Hao answer:

"No."

The youth shook his head.

"No?"

Lin Jinrou was surprised.

Beside her, Su Wanqing and Su Xuexue also looked at Li Hao in surprise.

Waiting so infatuatedly, and now saying he is not pursuing her?

Su Muqing was also stunned. She held back the angry rebuke that was on the tip of her tongue and looked at Li Hao.

"Then you..."

Lin Jinrou was puzzled.

Before she could finish asking, a cheerful figure leaped over and called out:

"Wanqing, Painter Haotian, Muqing!"

The few looked over; it was Jiang Huanhuan dressed in a pink immortal skirt, running over happily.

Su Wanqing was closer to Jiang Huanhuan, so she immediately waved, her face full of joy.

"Painter Haotian, you came too?"

Jiang Huanhuan was full of surprise.

She was not surprised by the arrival of Su Wanqing and the others, but she did not expect to see Li Hao here.

Li Hao also remembered the other party and nodded to greet her.

(End of chapter)