Chapter 874: Gathering at the Eighth Heaven

Boom!

A sharp sword cry rang out; Di Lingshu’s silver hair flew wildly as her body was thrown back.

Before her, in the empty air, the lingering ripples of the spacetime tear slowly contracted and healed; the Chaos Dao Beast she had fought now lay split open, its body pierced by hundreds of sword rays.

Di Lingshu saw the Dao Force revealed within the Chaos Dao Beast, exhaled in relief, her eyes filled with delight—this was her first harvest of Dao Force!

She raised her hand and summoned the Dao Force into her palm, then swiftly absorbed it into her body, carefully sensing it.

Soon, she realized this supreme power, just as her master had said, could not be controlled—only absorbed, never mastered; only when reaching the Immortal King realm and forging a domain would she gain the right to wield it.

“Has Xiao Shidi finished over there?”

Di Lingshu pulled her thoughts back and swept her spiritual sense across the land; here, her spiritual sense was severely suppressed, unable to perceive the full picture—in the outside world, a single sweep of her spiritual awareness could cover the entire land.

But here, she could only perceive one-third.

Soon, she saw a giant beast facing off against Li Hao in a nearby lake.

But upon closer inspection, she was startled—it wasn’t a standoff; the giant beast appeared frozen in ice, while Li Hao sat cross-legged before it, waving his hand as if casting a mirror image, slowly outlining another giant beast in the air.

“Painting?”

Di Lingshu froze; she had heard this little brother favored fringe arts, but she never imagined his painting skill was this extraordinary—he could perfectly replicate a Chaos Dao Beast.

“Go.”

As Di Lingshu watched, Li Hao softly waved his hand.

Instantly, the painted Chaos Dao Beast bared its ferocious gaze and charged at the giant beast.

The giant beast’s eyes filled with horror—it could not comprehend this power—but its ferocity was ignited, and it roared as it charged toward its own reflection.

Soon, a fierce battle erupted across the lake’s surface, shaking the water violently and causing the surrounding mountain veins to tremble.

Both Chaos Dao Beasts used identical techniques; for a time, neither gained the upper hand—but as the battle intensified, the painted Chaos Dao Beast suddenly unleashed terrifying temporal power, accelerating and pausing time at will, and soon gained dominance, shoving the other into the water and tearing its body apart in a few swift strikes.

“Not bad.”

Li Hao smiled at the sight; for his first painting, to perceive the Chaos Dao Beast so thoroughly was truly remarkable.

After all, the beast had not moved—his painting insight alone had uncovered its every technique, which was no small feat.

But this was mainly because his Chaos Dao cultivation had reached the sixth stage, granting him control over fate power, allowing him to glimpse the fate traces emanating from the beast.

These fate traces seemed inscribed with the beast’s techniques and life history—he could barely perceive one-third of them.

“Is this what it feels like to wield fate power? To the Immortal Emperors, wouldn’t all living beings have no secrets at all?”

Li Hao thought to himself.

Immortal Emperors must all wield fate power, having refined countless abilities to their peak; after all, they possess infinite resources and infinite lifespans—terrible beyond imagination.

“This fate power, fused into my Painting Eye, though lacking others’ bloodline power, should still be no inferior to those Rebirth Eyes or Emperor Eyes!”

As Li Hao spoke, time-space laws crisscrossed in his eyes, and a vertical sword scar stood firm, forming a peculiar pupil—this was his self-cultivated Painting Eye.

“Your painted beast is incredible!”

At that moment, Di Lingshu’s figure flew over, staring in awe at the Chaos Dao Beast standing in the lake.

Though painting was a minor art, reaching this level surpassed her imagination—she felt even she might not be able to defeat this painted beast.

Li Hao swept his spiritual sense and asked, “Did you finish your Chaos Dao Beast?”

“Mm.”

Di Lingshu nodded. “Let’s go find the others.”

“I’ve already taken care of the others,” Li Hao said.

Di Lingshu froze, swept her spiritual sense—and only then noticed that the Chaos Dao Beasts in the forest and caves she had seen earlier had vanished.

She was stunned—when? So fast?

“Master said the Heavenly Realm has nine layers—let’s go to the highest one. The Dao Force inside these Chaos Dao Beasts here is too weak,” Li Hao suggested.

Di Lingshu’s lips twitched. “You can’t just listen to half of what Master said. Though the Heavenly Realm has nine layers, Master warned that even if you’ve fused twenty-three Chaos Laws, don’t approach the ninth layer—it’s extremely dangerous! One to three Chaos Laws: first layer. Four to six: second layer!”

“With my strength, I can barely manage the fourth layer at most.”

“Eighteen to twenty-one Chaos Laws: best suited for the seventh layer. Xiao Shidi, if you’ve fused twenty-three, even the eighth layer could be dangerous.”

She spoke with full seriousness.

Li Hao knew the nine layers of the Heavenly Realm corresponded to different levels of Chaos Law fusion among Immortal Juniors.

Only with additional top-tier Immortal arts or bloodline powers could one slightly exceed the current layer’s limits.

“Then let’s head to the eighth layer first.”

Li Hao didn’t mention he had already fused twenty-four Chaos Laws; though he was close to Sister Di Lingshu, there was no need to reveal too much.

“The eighth layer...”

Di Lingshu hesitated; if they went to the eighth layer, the Chaos Dao Beasts there would be far beyond her match—she’d be entirely dependent on Li Hao.

“If you feel uneasy about it, just consider yourself in my debt.”

Li Hao smiled, seeing her thoughts.

Di Lingshu gazed at Li Hao, sighing softly. “It’s not just one debt—I’m wondering how I could ever repay such a favor, even comparable to the grace Master showed me. How will I ever repay you?”

“I like fine food and divine wood. If you have any, just give me some—that’ll settle the debt,” Li Hao said.

Di Lingshu smiled bitterly, assuming he was joking—how could such things compare to the supreme opportunities of the endless Heavenly Realm?

She sighed inwardly but didn’t refuse; though she was of the Di Clan, fiercely proud, she knew this opportunity would never come again.

“If I ever become an Immortal Emperor, I will repay you tenfold.”

Di Lingshu said solemnly to Li Hao.

Li Hao, hearing this, glanced at her cautiously: “What if I don’t become an Immortal Emperor?”

Di Lingshu froze; her solemn mood instantly turned to exasperation as she rolled her eyes. “Do you look down on me?”

“No, it’s just... Immortal Emperor, you know...”

“Hmph! Even if I don’t become an Immortal Emperor, I’ll still repay you!”

Di Lingshu huffed, secretly thinking: If your cursed words come true and I don’t become an Immortal Emperor, then fine—I’ll repay you with nothing but food and divine wood. See how angry you get!

Li Hao smiled, then immediately had Di Lingshu sit atop the painted Chaos Dao Beast and rode it deep into the endless Heavenly Realm.

Before leaving, Di Lingshu harvested every divine herb on the land; nurtured by Dao Force and Chaos energy, their ages were extraordinarily high—outside, they were clan-defending divine herbs, never sold.

After leaving this land, Li Hao pressed deeper, feeling the oppressive force in the air grow denser, and the Chaos energy ahead grow more vigorous—he followed this direction, passing countless lands without stopping to clear each one.

Earlier, when he slew several Chaos Dao Beasts, Li Hao realized they paled in comparison to the four he had killed beside the Chaos River—their Dao Force was far too weak, and their power levels varied drastically.

“Those four ambushing beasts by the river were probably seventh or eighth layer Chaos Dao Beasts!” Li Hao thought.

He had used the Destiny Sword Art to kill them too quickly—he hadn’t properly felt their power—but he could still sense that ordinary cultivators caught in their ambush would likely face disaster.

Soon, after crossing dozens of lands, a barrier appeared before them in the void.

Li Hao’s will touched it and found it easily penetrated—it was like a water membrane, offering no real resistance.

Beyond this transparent barrier, the deep void grew even more constricted.

“This must be the second layer of the Heavenly Realm,” Di Lingshu said.

Li Hao nodded. Ahead, stars sparkled; he chose a land and landed, sweeping his spiritual sense—soon he saw four or five Chaos Dao Beasts within.

“Kill two to test the power gap,” Li Hao said.

Di Lingshu leapt off the painted beast, found one Chaos Dao Beast, and charged with her sword.

Li Hao also moved toward the remaining beasts.

Moments later, Li Hao’s swordlight faded; he sat atop the painted beast, confirming this was indeed the second layer—their power was clearly stronger than those on the previous land.

Di Lingshu soon finished her battle too; this time, her fight lasted longer and seemed more taxing than before.

“They’re definitely stronger than before,” Di Lingshu said.

“Let’s go on.”

Li Hao patted the painted beast’s back; Di Lingshu understood, landing gracefully atop it, every movement radiating the elegance of her imperial clan as she sat slowly.

Li Hao guided the painted beast forward.

As Li Hao and Di Lingshu delved deeper into the endless Heavenly Realm, more figures arrived at the Chaos River.

“This is the endless Heavenly Realm.”

“Those ahead have already moved on—let’s hurry.”

These figures leapt from the Chaos River; they were the second wave, all having fused twenty-three Chaos Laws, merely holding back their strength unlike the Chaos Crimson Demon Clan and others.

“Xiao Di, I’ve brought you here—hunt in the outer edge of the first layer. I’m heading to the eighth layer, where danger is great. If you’re in trouble, I may not be able to protect you.”

Luo Ningshuang led Lin Zhe’xuan out of the Chaos River, speaking seriously to him.

Lin Zhe’xuan felt regret but knew his relationship with Ninth Sister meant she wouldn’t drag a burden like him to the eighth layer; even if he went, he couldn’t hunt the eighth-layer Chaos Dao Beasts—and if she shared her kills with him, it would be too much to ask.

“Alright, Ninth Sister, be careful.”

Lin Zhe’xuan said, his tone decisive.

Luo Ningshuang secretly exhaled in relief; if this little brother insisted on following her, she’d truly be stuck.

“You arrived with me first—you’ve seized the advantage. Those ahead won’t linger in the early layers, including that Hao Tian of yours—they’ve all gone deeper to the eighth layer. That’s our battlefield. The first layer is empty for now—hurry and hunt. Also, rumors say there are divine mines and herbs here—rare ores for forging Immortal weapons and domain artifacts. If you gather any, it’ll greatly benefit your Lin Clan.”

Luo Ningshuang said.

Lin Zhe’xuan understood perfectly and nodded: “Ninth Sister, go quickly—don’t delay because of me. If you wait, they’ll have taken all the Chaos Dao Beasts in the eighth layer.”

Though Luo Ningshuang was anxious, she smiled at his words: “Maybe the seventh layer could be emptied—but the eighth? Impossible. That’s a danger zone even for us.”

The eighth layer—even those who fused twenty-three Chaos Laws had to tread carefully; surrounded by Chaos Dao Beasts, they’d perish.

The two said no more; Luo Ningshuang brought Lin Zhe’xuan to a land on the first layer and sped deep into the endless Heavenly Realm.

Meanwhile, Su’s sisters and Di Linchen also followed another senior brother out of the Chaos River.

“Stay in the first layer. If you’re in danger, use the domain artifact Master gave you.”

The burly middle-aged man said to his fellow junior disciples.

The ghost clan sisters thanked Di Linchen and the others.

“I’m leaving too, little sister. Stay here and hunt Chaos Dao beasts—work together, and your efficiency will be much higher. Our Su family’s bloodline unites as one, something no one else can match.”

Su Wanyi said to her three younger sisters.

Including herself, the four Su sisters had all become direct disciples of the Chaos Immortal Emperor—a single family with four direct disciples—extremely rare indeed.

“Yes, sister, you be careful too.”

Su Muqing and the others looked at her with concern.

Su Wanyi smiled softly, bid them farewell, and sped full throttle toward the Eighth Heavenly Realm.

After she left, Su Muqing and Su Wanqing exchanged glances. Three hundred years had passed, and now they were again in the perilous Infinite Heavenly Realm; Su Wanqing had grown less cold toward Su Muqing than before.

“Let’s go.”

Su Wanxue said. With their eldest sister gone, she, as the second sister, now bore the responsibility for her two younger sisters’ safety.

After they all departed, long afterward, a group of figures gradually reappeared beside the Chaos River—these were the third wave, moderate in number. After surging out of the Chaos River, they rushed eagerly toward every corner of the Infinite Heavenly Realm.

Much later came the fourth wave, extremely numerous—several times the size of the third. As they swam over, the waves they stirred were furious; most had already refined seven or eight Chaos Laws.

After them came the largest group, the fifth wave, scrambling desperately to cross, though they knew they were late, they still strained to swim forward.

(End of Chapter)