Chapter 309: Four Tests, Unparalleled Talent
In the sky, the golden light slowly split open, revealing a towering gate that seemed impossible to look at directly.
Around it, energy surged and spread like rippling waves in the air, exuding a mysterious aura.
"Is this the Immortal Gate?"
"Are those who walk out of there as terrifying as real Daoists?"
"More than that. Beyond that gate lies the distant realm of the Saints, a truly brilliant and dazzling world."
"I missed the opportunity a thousand years ago. Finally, this time, I've made it."
Among the crowd in the imperial city, not only were the young prodigies excited, but even some elderly figures had faces full of fervor, their eyes burning with intensity.
Though they appeared old, in the face of a lifespan lasting millennia, they were still considered young despite being less than a thousand years old.
In the mortal world, they had already cultivated martial arts to the pinnacle, and with their esteemed positions, they had little motivation to continue further. However, with the reopening of the Immortal Gate and the splendor that lay beyond, they felt the long-lost surge of passion as if their youthful vigor had returned.
At Qiandao Palace, Daoist Master Qin stepped out of his secluded chamber and stood atop the palace, gazing into the distance.
Below him, seven or eight disciples leaped into the air, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Among them, Qingjingzi and Mingyue Jian were the most talented of all the personal disciples, and at this moment, their eyes gleamed with excitement.
"This time, you may all go. Rely on your abilities and see if you can receive the teachings of the Saints. If one of you becomes a Saint in the future, do not forget the Jiang family's kindness," Daoist Master Qin said softly to his disciples.
Though his life was nearing its end, he did not restrict his disciples. Choosing someone to inherit his legacy now would be a cruel decision, possibly leading to resentment.
Therefore, he allowed his disciples to compete freely, deciding that if they failed, he would choose from among them afterward. However, in that case, the disciple inheriting his legacy would likely be the one with the lowest talent, making it difficult for Qiandao Palace to reach new heights, and it might gradually fade away.
But it no longer mattered…
The Jiang family's ancestor would revive in ten years, and by then, Dayu's world would no longer need Qiandao Palace for protection.
"Master…"
The disciples felt ashamed hearing his words, but the glorious opportunity of martial arts lay before them, and they couldn't muster the courage to refuse.
Mingyue Jian and Qingjingzi exchanged glances. They had previously told Daoist Master Qin that they didn't wish to participate and wanted to stay in the mortal world with him. However, their master insisted they join, not wanting them to waste their potential. This left the two of them with no choice but to participate.
Despite this, they couldn't deny their anticipation for the mysterious world of the Immortal Gate. As cultivators, it was impossible not to yearn for such a place, though they felt there were more important things than cultivation.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, there was no morning court today, and the grand palace seemed unusually quiet.
In the rear hall of the imperial palace, Li Hao and Emperor Yu were having breakfast.
The food in the palace was indeed exquisite, prepared by top chefs. Emperor Yu had even asked the chefs to prepare a few signature dishes for Li Hao, which left him amazed. The dishes were at least of the fifth level in Culinary Arts.
At that moment, they were enjoying a medicinal dragon meat porridge. The dragon meat had been boiled until tender, tasting sweet and delicious without any trace of the usual dragon meat's gamy flavor.
"The Immortal Gate has opened."
Sensing the energy fluctuations above the palace, Emperor Yu glanced upward, his eyes flashing with a slight gleam. He had witnessed this scene a thousand years ago, and back then, despite being the emperor, he could barely contain his excitement.
But this time, his heart was much calmer.
He turned to look at the young man beside him, who, after glancing at the Immortal Gate, casually continued eating.
This kid… Emperor Yu sighed inwardly. Even though it was the Immortal Gate, this guy didn't seem the least bit excited.
"Another bowl, please."
Li Hao handed his empty bowl to Chu Jiuyue beside him.
Chu Jiuyue quickly took the bowl. Though he could act more casually at the fence courtyard, in the imperial palace and especially in the presence of Emperor Yu, he had to show utmost respect to Li Hao's title. Li Hao was the only Heavenly General of the Dayu Dynasty!
He had the authority to kill members of the royal family at will. This alone demonstrated his immense status.
Soon, the bowl was filled again, and Li Hao continued to eat while casually glancing at the Immortal Gate. He could feel the powerful auras emanating from within, all belonging to Dao Law Realm cultivators.
These auras were not concealed, as if they were intentionally exuding a sense of intimidation.
"The strong from the three great sacred places have come to recruit disciples."
At this moment, Jiang Ziyan and several princes and princesses arrived.
These were the most talented members of the royal family, who had studied at Qiandao Palace. With the royal family's top techniques, they were among the best in their generation.
In the entire Dayu Dynasty, only a handful of people could surpass them within the same realm.
When they saw Emperor Yu and Li Hao casually eating breakfast, Jiang Ziyan was momentarily stunned. What was with this relaxed atmosphere around them?
The princes and princesses behind her felt a bit uneasy seeing Emperor Yu. They knew that by going to the Immortal Gate, they were essentially abandoning Dayu. They had made many mental preparations before making this decision.
"Greetings, Father."
The princes and princesses quickly knelt and paid their respects.
At the same time, they couldn't help but glance at the young man eating with Emperor Yu. Their eyes showed a hint of oddness, mixed with a slight tinge of jealousy.
But they knew that the young man was Dayu's Heavenly General, who had saved the imperial palace and the capital. Without him, the royal family would have been wiped out.
Moreover, the authority vested in him was immense. If they dared to offend him, he could kill them on the spot, and their father might even applaud.
"Rise."
Emperor Yu spoke calmly.
Seeing the passion and anxiety in his children's eyes, he could read their thoughts as clearly as if they were written on paper.
This made him sigh inwardly. Without comparison, there would be no disappointment. As his offspring, they were more attached to the Immortal Gate and its promises of fame and fortune than Li Hao. Who in this world is immune to such allure?
Thinking of fame, Emperor Yu glanced at the dark sword by the young man's side. The one who cared the least about fame had named his sword "Gongming" (Honor and Merit). He hoped this sword would indeed live up to its name and become the object of countless people's pursuit, shining brightly in that other world.
A smile slowly appeared in his eyes as he said to Li Hao, "I hope to see you standing atop the mountain one day, radiating brilliance."
Li Hao handed his empty bowl to Chu Jiuyue again. Hearing these words, he chuckled, "Your Majesty, please don't pressure me…"
"…"
Emperor Yu wanted to roll his eyes but restrained himself in front of his children, maintaining his dignity.
He hummed lightly and said to his children, "Since you're going to compete, bring back a worthy name for yourselves. Don't disgrace the Jiang family!"
Receiving their father's permission, the princes and princesses were overjoyed, nodding vigorously and making solemn promises.
Emperor Yu noticed more royal family members arriving, and his gaze fell on his younger brother, Jiang Qingshan. His eyes flickered as he said, "Qingshan, you should try your best as well."
Jiang Qingshan shook his head slightly. "I won't join the excitement."
"You're not going?" Emperor Yu was surprised.
Jiang Qingshan smiled warmly. "If I go, who will stay and chat with you?"
"…"
Emperor Yu fell silent for a moment.
Just then, the golden light from the Immortal Gate grew brighter, and seven figures stepped out.
One of the blurred figures stood in the golden light of the Immortal Gate, towering like a giant, seemingly one with the heavens and earth. Though indistinct, the immense aura of a saint radiated from him, spreading over the entire imperial palace like waves.
"I am Yu Zu of the Yuan Shi Sacred Place. Today, I open the Immortal Gate, bestow fortune and merit, and grant mortals the path to sainthood."
"All prodigies who meet the qualifications may cross the Immortal Gate to seek great fortune and listen to the teachings of the saints!"
The blurred figure's voice was indifferent yet majestic, floating gently through the air, each word like a precious gem echoing in the souls of all within the imperial city.
It reverberated deep within their spirits, leaving them buzzing with awe.
Upon hearing this voice, the common people instinctively felt reverence, and many knelt down in worship without realizing it.
"That is my master," Jiang Ziyan said, her eyes filled with admiration. Her master was a Semi-Saint, not a full saint, but only after reaching the Dao Law Realm did she understand the vast gap between the Dao Law Realm and the Saint Realm.
Like an ant compared to the heavens, utterly unreachable!
Li Hao put down his chopsticks as he finished his meal.
He quietly observed the figure standing in the Immortal Gate. That immense aura made him feel waves of pressure even from afar.
"Is that a saint?"
In the imperial city, many strong figures who had come for the Immortal Gate were filled with excitement. Though they couldn't clearly see the figure, they felt even more reverent.
"To enter the Immortal Gate, you must pass four tests: the Reflection Mirror, the Extreme Dao Monument, the Heart of Dao Tower, and the Ascending Heaven Staircase."
"Your age, realm, cultivation, and Dao Heart will be assessed comprehensively by us."
"Now, let the trials begin…"
With those words, Yu Zu's figure gradually faded and disappeared.
The seven Dao Law Realm experts who had stepped out quickly retrieved various items.
A massive, pitch-black mirror floated in mid-air, over ten zhang tall, oval-shaped, with darkness inside, reflecting neither blue sky nor white clouds.
Next, eight Extreme Dao Monuments that Li Hao had seen before were taken out and suspended in the air.
Then came a small spinning tower, radiating a purple aura, hovering above the Immortal Gate.
At the same time, a pure white staircase, seemingly condensed from energy, extended out from the Immortal Gate, consisting of forty-nine steps.
The Extreme Dao Monuments were placed next to the staircase, one every five steps, with the Heart of Dao Tower positioned after the final nine steps.
In front of the first step stood the massive oval Reflection Mirror.
"Who will go first?"
A Dao Law Realm expert stood beside the staircase, glancing around.
His divine sense had long enveloped the entire city, recognizing the powerful auras gathered here. His voice was calm, yet carried a hint of cold indifference.
"That's Senior Brother Zhang," Jiang Ziyan remarked, stepping forward and flying over to him.
"Junior Sister," the Dao Law Realm youth smiled slightly as he saw Jiang Ziyan approach, his gaze briefly sweeping over her delicate collarbone.
"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother Zhang," Jiang Ziyan said with a slight bow.
"No need to be so polite," the youth replied with a faint smile.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jiang Ziyan turned and called over several princes and princesses, saying, "Come, show everyone the strength of our Jiang family's royal bloodline."
Although they were royalty and accustomed to being in control, the pressure of the situation made them hesitant, exchanging glances that conveyed, "You go first."
Finally, one of the older princes stepped forward and said to Jiang Ziyan, "Sister, I'll go first."
"Go ahead," Jiang Ziyan nodded.
The prince then bowed respectfully to the seven Dao Law Realm experts before approaching the Ascending Heaven Staircase.
As he neared, the massive oval mirror rippled with white light, revealing his silhouette and reflecting information.
Ancient characters appeared:
Age: X years.
The prince paused, surprised that the Reflection Mirror could reveal his age.
Taking a deep breath, he revealed his full aura and stepped onto the staircase.
As soon as he set foot on the steps, he felt a tremendous pressure envelop him.
It seemed to be some kind of law!
His expression changed, and he unleashed his full strength.
He quickly ascended the steps, but as he reached the fifth step, the Extreme Dao Monument beside him remained unchanged.
Clearly, he hadn't cultivated a Divine Power Extreme Dao.
Without stopping, the prince continued to push forward, his aura growing stronger, but his pace gradually slowed.
He unleashed his ultimate technique, advancing with all his might, his eyes locked on the Immortal Gate, filled with determination and resolve.
Finally, he crossed the forty-ninth step and stood before the Immortal Gate.
The small tower above the gate began to spin, emitting a purple light that shone on him.
Then, the purple light retracted, and the tower's aura shifted from purple to golden.
The prince glanced at it and stepped toward the Immortal Gate, only to be suddenly blocked by an invisible force.
"Hmm?"
His expression changed.
"Three hundred years old, Yellow-level Dao Heart, talent: low. Unqualified."
Yu Zu's indifferent voice echoed.
The prince was stunned, his face turning pale with shock. "How can that be? I'm at the Absolute Art Realm! Even though I'm over three hundred, I reached the Fate Defying Realm at sixty! It only took me one jiazi!"
"We only assess talent, not cultivation. Your Dao Heart is too weak, and your future prospects are limited. You're better off living out your days in the mortal world."
Yu Zu's voice remained cold as an irresistible force enveloped the prince and transported him back to Jiang Ziyan's side.
Although Yu Zu knew he was Jiang Ziyan's younger brother, there was no leniency.
The prince was dazed, realizing what he had lost. His face turned pale and bitter.
A weak Dao Heart?
How could that be? His Dao Heart was set on inheriting the throne of Dayu, becoming the ruler!
Wasn't that the greatest ambition? Unless one aspired to become a Saint, of course.
But who would dare think of such a thing?
Jiang Ziyan's expression darkened slightly, but she knew her master's temperament. Besides, a Yellow-level Dao Heart was indeed too weak.
Where was his ambition?
"What is your Dao Heart?" Jiang Ziyan asked, looking at her brother. Although he hadn't reached the Extreme Dao, reaching the Fate Defying Realm within sixty years was impressive.
The prince glanced at her and lowered his head without speaking.
If he said it aloud, he feared his father might have him executed.
Seeing his reaction, Jiang Ziyan could guess, and she sighed inwardly. Aspiring to inherit the throne was merely that—inheriting. True ambition would be to establish a divine dynasty of one's own, becoming the founding emperor. That would be a truly lofty goal.
"Forget it. Who's next? Don't embarrass us again," Jiang Ziyan said.
The prince's face twitched, but knowing he had lost his chance at the Immortal Gate and the throne, he dared not show any dissatisfaction. Instead, he felt a growing sense of dread.
Now that he had failed to enter the Immortal Gate, his chances of inheriting the throne seemed even slimmer.
The prince's failure surprised the others. None of the remaining princes and princesses felt any schadenfreude; instead, their faces grew tense.
Meanwhile, the strong who had gathered outside the imperial palace's square watched in shock and anxiety.
An Absolute Art Realm expert was rejected? The Immortal Gate's criteria were too harsh!
Soon, the second royal family member stepped forward, this time a princess.
Her reflected age was only thirty-two.
Her cultivation was at the peak of the Three Immortal Realm.
She was just a step away from the Four Pillars Realm and had not yet formed a Dao Heart.
Without a Dao Heart, there was no need for that test.
But reaching the peak of the Three Immortal Realm at such a young age showed her exceptional talent.
She stepped onto the Ascending Heaven Staircase and quickly ascended, sprinting like the prince before her.
The prince, watching her rapid progress, couldn't believe his eyes. Realizing something, he hurriedly asked Jiang Ziyan, "Sister, does the law pressure on the staircase adjust based on each person's realm?"
"Yes," Jiang Ziyan nodded.
The law pressure tested actual combat ability, including cultivation techniques.
If someone had cultivated poor techniques and was weaker than others in the same realm, completing the staircase would be challenging.
The princess quickly ascended, using the royal family's top-tier Meridian-Splitting Technique. She pushed her energy to the limit and finally reached the Immortal Gate.
The black tower showed no reaction, and she hesitated only briefly before stepping through the Immortal Gate.
This time, there was no barrier, and she entered without issue.
Seeing her succeed, the other royal family members smiled, while the prince stood in stunned disbelief.
She succeeded that easily?
He thought his talent far surpassed his sister's, yet he had been blocked.
How frustrating—having no Dao Heart had spared her one test.
The prince seethed with resentment.
Jiang Ziyan, however, watched the Immortal Gate and sighed inwardly. Although her sister passed, her talent must have been deemed ordinary, making it difficult for her to enter a sacred place.
She noticed her brother's resentment and shook her head, saying, "Don't dwell on it. The talent screening is for your own good. If you're not talented enough, you'll face endless hardships there, far worse than your days in the mortal world."
Hearing this, the remaining royals felt somewhat relieved. Still, none were willing to give up and resolved to give it their all.
Soon, more stepped onto the Ascending Heaven Staircase.
One by one, the tests continued.
Some succeeded, while others failed.
Of the seven royals, only three made it through, while four were blocked. None of the Extreme Dao Monuments were activated.
Seeing the high rejection rate among the royals, the various prodigies gathered in the imperial square grew increasingly tense and conflicted. Their enthusiasm was dampened, as if doused with cold water.
The Immortal Gate wasn't something anyone could just walk through.
They considered themselves prodigies, but compared to the royal family, they fell short.
Once the royals had finished, Jiang Ziyan didn't delay and turned to the gathered prodigies, inviting them to take their turn in an orderly fashion.
As she spoke, a group of figures swiftly stepped forward, exuding an extraordinary aura.
At the front was a young man, elegant and handsome, with an exceptional presence.
He flew into the air but suddenly glanced toward the imperial palace.
His gaze passed over the peach blossoms in the rear hall and landed on the young man at the dragon table.
A warm smile appeared in his cold eyes as he nodded slightly and said softly, "I'll go ahead and wait for you there."
With that, he approached the Ascending Heaven Staircase.
Jiang Ziyan was surprised and glanced at Li Hao. Did these two know each other?
She could see that the young man had an extraordinary temperament and a high realm—at the Peaceful Path Realm. But what of his age?
"Go for it, Xuanshen!"
"Show them what you're made of."
The others cheered him on.
They were all prodigies of the Ji family.
In the void beyond the square, Ji Tianchao had also arrived, quietly observing from the shadows. He had accompanied these youngsters here.
With the opening of the Immortal Gate on the Jiang family's territory, such an opportunity couldn't be missed.
However, he had advised them not to draw too much attention and to avoid revealing their Ji family surname. The ancient holy clan had always preferred to keep a low profile.
Boom!
Ji Xuanshen suddenly erupted with a vast aura, shining like a god, his entire body glowing with golden light.
Power Extreme Dao!
The faces of the seven Dao Law Realm experts by the Ascending Heaven Staircase lit up with interest.
Finally, a true prodigy had arrived.
"What is that?"
"Why has his skin turned golden?"
"What an overwhelming aura. I can feel the heat from his body like a furnace."
"Who is this prodigy? I've never seen him before. What's his name?"
In the square, people were astonished by Ji Xuanshen's transformation, feeling the immense aura he exuded like a blazing sun.
Ji Xuanshen didn't waste any time and strode forward.
As he stepped onto the Ascending Heaven Staircase, the law pressure immediately descended upon him. He felt his shoulders heavy, but he pressed on with long strides.
The Reflection Mirror beside him displayed his age.
Twenty-nine years old.
Everyone was shocked by the revelation.
Only twenty-nine?!
Even the older generation who had come for the Immortal Gate were stunned.
They could sense the aura of a Peaceful Path Realm expert from him—one of the top powerhouses in Dayu. And yet, he was only twenty-nine years old?!
They suddenly felt like they should reconsider competing. With such a monster in the running, what chance did they have?
Meanwhile, Ji Xuanshen's aura grew stronger as he advanced, withstanding the increasing pressure of the law.
As he passed the fifth step, the first Extreme Dao Monument beside him lit up brilliantly.
Power Extreme Dao, Divine Power!
Ji Xuanshen didn't stop and continued forward. Soon, he passed the tenth step, and the second Extreme Dao Monument lit up again.
Heaven and Earth Veins!
Two Extreme Daos, lighting up two Extreme Dao Monuments.
At only twenty-nine years old, if given a few more decades, he would undoubtedly comprehend even more Extreme Daos.
As the Dao Seed of the ancient holy clan, his potential was enormous, placing him among the top prodigies in the mortal world.
Ji Xuanshen quickly and easily reached the forty-ninth step of the Ascending Heaven Staircase, standing before the Immortal Gate.
He didn't light up any more Extreme Dao Monuments.
As he stood there, the Heart of Dao Tower shot out a purple light, circling around him before retracting.
Then, the tower emitted a silvery-white glow.
"Silver-level Dao Heart!"
A voice murmured from within the Immortal Gate, but it wasn't Yu Zu.
Ji Xuanshen stood before the gate and turned back, glancing down at the young man in the imperial palace. He nodded slightly, conveying with his eyes, "I'll be waiting for you there," before stepping through.
Seeing Ji Xuanshen succeed, the other Ji family prodigies smiled, relieved yet unsurprised.
If Ji Xuanshen couldn't pass, the Immortal Gate would be unfair.
"Now it's my turn."
Another prodigy stepped forward. Before approaching the Ascending Heaven Staircase, he glanced at the young man in the imperial palace, bowed slightly, and then charged up the stairs.
He, too, was young—only thirty-two years old—and had reached the Absolute Art Realm.
He soon lit up the first Extreme Dao Monument and passed through smoothly.
His Dao Heart was also silver, though not as dazzling as Ji Xuanshen's.
"One Extreme Dao, Silver-level Dao Heart. He's ours."
A voice from within the Immortal Gate murmured.
Some higher-level cultivators overheard and were surprised. Had they already started competing for talents?
Soon, as the second prodigy passed, more followed—third, fourth… Each one who reached the Ascending Heaven Staircase would nod slightly toward the young man in the imperial palace, acknowledging him.
Among them was Ji Qingyan's daughter, Ji Qingshuang.
Back when they competed for the Dao Seed, she had been ordered by her father to defeat Li Hao and clear him out of the way. But in the end, Li Hao had used his iron fists to awe all the prodigies on the mountain, defeating them.
Defeating Dao Domain experts as a Three Immortal had forged an invincible legend, leaving all of Ji's family's prodigies in awe.
Ji Qingshuang nodded at Li Hao as a form of greeting before beginning her test.
The Reflection Mirror revealed her age: X years old.
Power Extreme Dao.
Ji Qingshuang easily climbed the forty-nine steps and entered the Immortal Gate.
Inside the imperial palace, Emperor Yu observed the strength of these prodigies. Almost all of them had mastered Extreme Daos, which was quite terrifying. He could tell they weren't from within Dayu's borders.
He had a suspicion about their origins, but what surprised him was that all of them seemed to know Li Hao.
"Do you know these people?" Emperor Yu asked.
Li Hao nodded. "We've crossed paths before."
Emperor Yu understood, recalling the surname of Li Hao's mother and putting the pieces together.
Jiang Ziyan and the others also noticed that these prodigies were clearly stronger than the rest. All of them had mastered Power Extreme Dao, and the first one even had two Extreme Daos. At only twenty-nine years old, it was quite extraordinary.
"These people seem to know him…"
Jiang Ziyan glanced toward the dragon table in the imperial palace. The boy sitting there, chatting with her father, seemed completely unconcerned.
As the Ji family prodigies continued entering the Immortal Gate, the square briefly fell silent. After Jiang Ziyan's senior brother invited the next challenger, more people stepped forward to test their mettle.
However, as the challenges unfolded, some were in their thirties but only at the Three Immortal Realm. While such a level of talent and cultivation would normally be considered top-tier, compared to the Ji family's prodigies, it suddenly seemed lackluster.
Still, when a few in their thirties and only at the Master Realm stepped up, the excitement of the tests reignited.
Most couldn't even finish the Ascending Heaven Staircase, indicating their combat strength was average for their realm and thus unqualified.
"So difficult!"
"The prodigy from the Chishui Lin family only made it to the thirtieth step."
"Who were those monsters who passed so easily?"
"Look, another Extreme Dao! That seems to be the True Dragon of the Wang family."
On the Ascending Heaven Staircase, the Extreme Dao Monument lit up again. It was a young man from the Wang family, standing tall and proud, his eyes cold.
He activated the Power Extreme Dao Monument, his entire body glowing with crimson gold as he unleashed his formidable physical strength, sprinting up the steps. Before long, he reached the forty-ninth step and entered the Immortal Gate without issue.
"You should go too," Daoist Master Qin said to Mingyue Jian and the others atop Qiandao Palace.
Mingyue Jian and Qingjingzi nodded and flew toward the Immortal Gate.
When the disciples of Qiandao Palace stepped forward, the other prodigies in the square paused their challenges, giving way.
"Then I'll go first," Qingjingzi said.
He climbed the Ascending Heaven Staircase. Though he didn't activate the first Extreme Dao Monument, he lit up the second, having mastered the Heaven and Earth Veins.
Such a unique case was rare.
He soon entered the Immortal Gate as well.
Inside the Immortal Gate was a vast, empty void. Qingjingzi saw the others who had entered before him standing there. In addition, there were three towering figures and numerous Dao Law Realm experts, each exuding an aura that shook him to the core.
At the same time, he immediately felt the dense, profound energy of this world. It seemed to flow into his body on its own, enhancing his cultivation without any effort.
This place was too comfortable. Is this the realm of the Saints?
Qingjingzi marveled inwardly, offering a slight bow before turning his gaze outward. He realized his vision could easily pierce through the Immortal Gate, seeing what was happening outside.
But those outside couldn't see in.
"Hasn't he arrived yet?"
Ji Qingshuang looked toward the Immortal Gate, noticing that Li Hao hadn't yet appeared among the challengers. She frowned slightly.
Ji Xuanshen remained expressionless, his eyes gleaming with a faint light, saying nothing.
Outside the Immortal Gate, Mingyue Jian and the others continued their challenges on the Ascending Heaven Staircase.
Their ages were revealed on the Reflection Mirror, ranging from hundreds of years to the youngest, Mingyue Jian, who was only fourteen—two years younger than Li Hao.
Despite being at the Master Realm, Mingyue Jian climbed the Ascending Heaven Staircase. Though he didn't activate the Extreme Dao Monument, when he reached the top, the small tower shook, casting a purple light on him.
As the light retracted, the tower emitted a resonant hum.
"Dao Heart Resonance!"
A voice inside the Immortal Gate exclaimed, "Could it be a natural born talent?"
As Mingyue Jian stepped into the gate, more exclamations followed.
A voice shouted, "This boy is ours for the Void Holy Land!"
Those outside heard the murmurs and were surprised. Did that boy possess extraordinary talent?
Emperor Yu noticed Li Hao sitting beside him, seemingly unconcerned. He said, "You should go too."
"Alright."
Li Hao nodded, not delaying any further. As he rose, he said, "Your Majesty, please remember to help me find that little white fox. It's my companion."
"I will," Emperor Yu assured him.
Li Hao called out to Ren Qianqian, telling her to prepare herself.
Ren Qianqian was nervous and anxious. Having seen many fail earlier, her tension grew.
Li Hao noticed her body was tense and smiled. "Don't worry, take your time. With your strength, even without an Extreme Dao, you're still quite talented."
Ren Qianqian took a deep breath, slowly exhaling, then nodded firmly. "I'm ready, young master."
Li Hao nodded and led her into the air.
As they approached the square, a figure suddenly shot forward, rushing toward the Ascending Heaven Staircase.
"Kid, I'm going first."
It was Jiang Lichen.
With a swift movement, he stepped onto the staircase and soon activated the second Extreme Dao Monument, having mastered Heaven and Earth Veins. He then sprinted up the steps, reaching the top.
Meanwhile, the small tower shook, casting a purple light on him, which soon turned pitch black.
At the same time, a low hum echoed.
"Earth-level Dao Heart?!"
A startled voice exclaimed from within the Immortal Gate.
"And a natural-born talent—what kind, I wonder?"
Another voice exclaimed.
Jiang Lichen stepped into the Immortal Gate.
Inside, murmurs erupted, as if many were fiercely debating something.
Outside the square, the crowd was confused, unaware of what had happened. But they sensed that something extraordinary had occurred.
Jiang Ziyan was equally surprised. She vaguely recognized the man's face—it seemed to be her royal uncle—but he had an Earth-level Dao Heart?!
An Earth-level Dao Heart was something only Saints possessed!
While the common folk didn't understand its significance, in the vast realm of the Saints, such a thing was exceedingly rare!
Jiang Ziyan never imagined her royal family would produce such a prodigious monster!
"Could it be that the Jiang family will have two Saints in the future?"
She was stunned. Including the reviving ancestor, her uncle's Earth-level Dao Heart suggested he had the potential to become a Saint as well.
"Young master, you go first. I need more time to adjust," Ren Qianqian said to Li Hao, still feeling nervous after Jiang Lichen's sensational performance.
It's tough going after a top student… Li Hao thought, seeing her state. Although she had practiced swordsmanship well by his side, she lacked combat experience and had a timid disposition.
"Alright."
Li Hao didn't hesitate and stepped forward.
Jiang Ziyan noticed that Li Hao was finally entering the Immortal Gate, her gaze sharpening.
She could tell that this young prodigy was extraordinary—a Saint reborn, capable of defeating six Dao Law Realm experts. But what would his true potential reveal?
At that moment, Li Hao stood before the Ascending Heaven Staircase.
The crowd below immediately recognized him.
"That's General Hao!"
"Our Dayu's first Heavenly General—he's entering the Immortal Gate too?"
Many people looked up, their faces filled with tension and anticipation.
The Reflection Mirror revealed ancient characters.
It showed Li Hao's age.
Sixteen years old.
Seeing this, many were momentarily stunned.