Follow the path of Dao from infancy

"After reviewing the chapter titled ’Holy Master of Law,’ feel free to go back and check the revised second half to connect with this chapter. If you haven’t read it, you can ignore this; it doesn’t affect the plot."

...

Twenty layers, thirty layers...

Several days later, with the addition and assimilation of the cultivation techniques, the number of Dao Domains increased to forty-nine, adding thirty-four new ones.

Each Dao Domain had its own set of laws, some quite similar yet subtly different.

This included many top royal cultivation techniques—apart from the core ones from the Divine General Mansion, everything else there could be found here.

As the number of Dao Domains increased, Li Hao could clearly feel that the accumulation of Dao Domains was gradually leading to a qualitative change rather than just a quantitative one.

Previously, the Dao Domains were easily penetrated by the laws when facing the Dao Law Realm, but now with the stacking of forty-nine layers, Li Hao felt an indestructible sensation.

He planned to find Master Qin to have him test his Dao Domains with his laws.

However, before doing that, he rummaged through the Dao Treasury Hall, finding aside from the cultivation skill manuals, only some teachings on the Dao; there were no collections of famous chess strategies or paintings.

Li Hao chuckled bitterly, finding it hard to locate famous paintings and chess strategies in this martial-ruled world, realizing he would have to gather them from the common folk.

Luckily, with Emperor Yu’s assistance, collecting such items was much easier.

Brushing the dust off his clothes, Li Hao walked out of the Dao Treasury Hall and saw two figures at the entrance who had been waiting there for days. He smiled and said,

"Thank you for waiting, I’d like to meet your master now."

"General Haotian is too polite, we thought you might stay for a month,"

Replied Pure Zi with a smile.

Both appeared quite surprised that Li Hao had come out so soon.

The Dao Treasury Hall collected all the cultivation techniques in the world; even spending a month there without eating or drinking might not be enough to see everything.

They guessed that Li Hao might have only chosen a few of the top royal techniques to look over.

These royal techniques were usually exclusive to the Imperial Family, but now with a decree from Emperor Yu, Li Hao was allowed to learn these techniques. ＲАNŏᛒЕş

"Alright, I’ll take you there now,"

Said the young Bright Moon Sword, nodding as he appeared slightly nervous, not possessing the typical arrogance of a top prodigy.

Following them, Li Hao arrived at the Dark Hall of Gan Tao Palace and saw the old Daoist sitting in front of a memorial tablet, seemingly mourning.

Pure Zi led Li Hao over and, looking at the back of his master and the memorial tablet of their eldest senior, whispered,

"Master, General Haotian has come to see you."

The absent look in Master Qin’s eyes trembled slightly, gradually focusing as he slowly turned around and saw three young, vigorous figures behind him, the youth in the middle particularly striking.

His gaze flickered. Two years ago, when this young man’s reputation had soared, he hadn’t imagined that the Dao lineage of Dayu would ultimately not fall to either of his two most talented disciples, but to this freely growing young man outside of the emperor’s control.

Master Qin was already aware of Li Hao’s past experiences; he knew that even with the resources of the Divine General Mansion, precious as they were, they could not nurture such a supreme True Dragon prodigy.

"Regarding this assistance, I am indebted beyond words. His Majesty has already spoken with you about the incense fire, hasn’t he?"

Master Qin spoke softly.

Li Hao nodded, explaining his intention.

Master Qin was surprised to hear that his own laws were to be used to test the Dao Domains. He looked intently at Li Hao, whose terrifying combat power during a previous battle at Six Great Dao Law Realms always made him subconsciously overlook Li Hao’s actual realm, treating him as if he were already a top figure in the Tao Comprehension Realm.

However, Li Hao’s actual cultivation had not even stepped into Tao Comprehension.

Master Qin inwardly smiled wryly, finding it hard to imagine the extreme level to which one must cultivate martial arts to bridge such a gap and possess such great power.

He immediately agreed to Li Hao’s request, and they soared to the skies above Gan Tao Palace.

Pure Zi and Bright Moon Sword also curiously arrived above the palace, looking up to see their master confronting the young man. They had only heard of the battle within the Imperial Palace and had not witnessed it themselves as their master had kept them in the Dark Hall’s array to preserve the incense fire and prevent them from getting killed.

Now, seeing the young man, who at such a young age could openly confront their master as if they were equals, they couldn’t help but watch intently, driven by curiosity.

"Then I shall make my move."

Master Qin spoke and, as Li Hao nodded, he suddenly deployed his Dao laws, instantly sending a surge of law power towards Li Hao.

Li Hao then released his forty-nine layered Dao Domains, each layer overlapping and enveloping him.

The laws hit the Dao Domains and slowed down drastically as though diving into deep water, becoming slower and slower.

But eventually, they reached Li Hao, though by then, the law power had weakened significantly, and Li Hao casually dispersed it with a wave of his hand.

Seeing this, Master Qin’s pupils contracted slightly, a hint of shock appearing in his eyes.

During the previous battle, he had seen Li Hao deploy fifteen layers of Dao Domains, thinking that was the limit. But now, forty-nine layers?

Could it be a revelation from inside the Dao Treasury Hall?

His mind filled with amazement and surprise, breaking his understanding that such a number of Dao Domains could exist.

With such an insight, if he had concentrated on researching the Tao Comprehension Realm, perhaps he could have stepped into it long ago.

Below, Bright Moon Sword looked up and seeing Li Hao merely wave his hand lightly, he puzzledly asked his senior brother, "Are they done fighting?"

Pure Zi, whose expression had always been calm, was now dazed, his eyes showing shock. After a moment, he regained his senses and whispered, "They’re done."

Reaching the Four Stands Realm, he had only just glimpsed the existence of Dao Domains. Although Bright Moon Sword was immensely talented in Dayu, second only to Li Hao, being in the Celestial Master Realm meant his realm was still far behind.

Forty-nine Dao Domains, Pure Zi counted them, but his own heart was in disarray.

Is this what a true monster-like prodigy looks like? He suddenly felt as if he were mere dust, wondering if he could ever touch even the fringes of such a martial path in his lifetime.

This realization left him feeling a sudden sense of emptiness regarding his own martial path, subtly shifting his state of mind.

"Pure Zi, remember your Daoist name, stay true to your heart. Being pure is to do nothing. There are countless paths in the Mortal World, but you must be yourself."

Master Qin’s voice suddenly emerged in his mind.

Pure Zi’s body shook, and he snapped back to reality, breaking free from the previous gloomy and disheartened state of mind. He was slightly stunned, then he immediately cast aside all distracting thoughts and bowed slightly with a serious expression.

Then, he looked again at that young man. Though his gaze was complex, it had quieted considerably.

Master Qin sensed that his disciple’s Daoist heart had recovered and he could not help but inwardly smile bitterly. Just seeing the young man’s exhibited talent and strength was enough to shatter the Daoist hearts of his peers—how exaggerated.

But indeed, this young man was unprecedented.

At that moment, he even doubted whether Li Hao was truly a reincarnated Saint.

After the test was over, Li Hao bowed to Master Qin and as he was about to leave, Master Qin asked, "Haotian General, what do you plan to do next?"

Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "I will first meet an old friend to say goodbye, then go to the Immortal Gate to deal with that Saint Heir, to prevent future troubles. After that, I will return to the Mortal World to slowly explore the places I have not seen. I promised a friend that I would show her everything from the Mortal World to the heavens."

Hearing Li Hao’s plans, Master Qin nodded slightly. The departure of that Saint Heir had been worrying him, fearing the other party might seek powerful reinforcements. Stay connected with

If another attack occurred, it might even involve a Semi-Saint.

A true Saint, he thought, would not descend to the Mortal World to shamelessly compete for Incense Fire.

Moreover, a Saint coming to the Mortal World would harm his own Incense Fire, making it necessary for Saints to keep their distance from the Mortal World.

"Haotian General, before you leave, I will give you a generous gift," Master Qin said.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Do you still lack a handy weapon?"

Master Qin smiled and said, "My Gan Tao Palace is actually a fragment of a Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon. I will forge a sword from this fragment of the Daoist Palace and present it to you."

Li Hao was momentarily stunned, a Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon?

He looked down at the magnificent Gan Tao Palace and immediately noticed some clues, given his intention.

"Unfortunately, this sword is merely sufficiently hard; the might of the Emperor Weapon has long since dissipated," Master Qin commented with a sigh.

Li Hao nodded slightly. He indeed lacked a suitable Divine Sword. His initial Dragon Soaring Divine Sword was too delicate in his hands—too forceful a swing might bend or break it. The other Saint Heart treasures had a hardness comparable to his own body, rendering them relatively useless.

"It’s fine, as long as it’s hard and sharp," Li Hao stated.

Master Qin nodded, then they set a time.

Learning it would take three months, Li Hao was not in a hurry, as he still had many things to do.

After saying goodbye to Master Qin and greeting the two below, Li Hao left Gan Tao Palace.

When he returned to the Imperial Palace, the destroyed halls had already been repaired, which was no difficult feat in a world with Martial Artists.

Seeing Li Hao again, Emperor Yu’s expression was full of complexity. He said, "You lad, if not for what the Wang Family told me, how long were you planning to keep me in the dark?"

Though the words were reproachful, they were uttered with a tone of affection.

"What?"

"Chong Er is actually you, and you also established the Merit Treasure Vault, you…"

When Emperor Yu had first heard this news from Wang Zhendong and others who came as reinforcements, he was struck as if by lightning, feeling utterly astonished.

Although he knew Li Hao was strong, he also knew the complexity of the Mo River situation—that mere martial prowess might not be enough.

By saving the Imperial Palace and creating the Merit Treasure Vault for Dayu, he had cultivated countless Martial Artists.

Emperor Yu, looking at the young man before him, was at a loss for words.

"These are minor matters, merely for survival," Li Hao said with a smile, not taking these achievements too seriously. To Emperor Yu, he asked, "Your Majesty, have you continued to help me gather that game of Go?"

Coming back to his senses, Emperor Yu responded with a bitter smile, "I have already dispatched two teams to help you search everywhere."

Li Hao nodded, then he said his goodbyes.

Emperor Yu, knowing Li Hao’s plans, did not stop him, only saying, "Though you now lack neither accomplishments nor titles, to ensure you receive Incense Fire in the future, I will still grant you a title, to be announced across the entire realm."

"Okay."

Li Hao nodded and did not object.

As Li Hao left the Imperial Palace, a decree was issued within the Imperial City, proclaiming to all.

The decree listed all of Li Hao’s achievements and also revealed his identity as Chong Er.

This act conferred upon him the title of Divine General.

For saving three provinces—Liangzhou, Youzhou, and Qingzhou—and for these services, he could also be titled a Divine General.

For saving the Imperial Pallace and safeguarding the Daoist Incense Fire, he could still be titled a Divine General.

The three Divine General achievements, gathered in one individual, prompted Emperor Yu to break the precedent set by former emperors and naming Li Hao the Heavenly General of Dayu, bestowing upon him a great state and establishing a Heavenly General’s Mansion for him, naming him the Eternal Guardian Deity!

With this decree made public, all of Nineteen Provinces were stirred into a frenzy.

The various Divine General Mansions and countless noble families were also shocked.

The list of achievements and the name Haotian resonated across the Nineteen Provinces.

The title of Heavenly General, ranking as high as an Emperor, could equate to that of an Emperor and controlled all life and death authority within Dayu’s territories—even offending members of the Imperial Family could be directly executed.

Positioned above the Divine General Mansion, he could freely mobilize any military force across the lands, and all Divine General Mansions had to respond to his call without defiance!

As the details of various decrees emerged, countless people were dumbfounded and in disbelief.

This was essentially divinity in arms, proclaiming him the second Emperor of Dayu.

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