Chapter 731: Chapter 142 Supreme Saint Power
“Is this his swordsmanship?”
On the other side of the battle stage, Chi Guang, a woman in cloud clothes, and a youth in purple who had previously been defeated at the Emperor Hall were also watching Li Hao’s bout.
There was no grand battle; it ended in the blink of an eye because the opponent was too weak and couldn’t even make Li Hao show his true capability.
Yet, despite that, they could still sense that Li Hao’s Sword Qi contained an extremely strong Daoist Charm, which was terrifying.
“There’s indeed something special.”
Chi Guang narrowed his eyes and smirked coldly.
…
The woman in cloud clothes looked solemn. Emperor Canghai had offered the opponent ten cities of Incense Fire and allowed the selection of three top Cultivation Techniques; now, it seemed he truly was a formidable enemy.
This was the battle among the top hundred; Prince Luo Jia had made a notable impression before, but now he was defeated in seconds by Li Hao, making him even more noticed by many.
Upon learning that Li Hao had just been invited as a cleric by the Divine Dynasty, many forces secretly lamented that the wily Emperor Canghai was as quick as ever.
After the battle, Li Hao stepped down from the arena and continued to ponder on matters of the Dao Domain.
What he lacked now was Cultivation Techniques; several forces threw olive branches, and Li Hao was considering whether to accept some.
There were gains and losses; these olive branches, while providing convenience, also required his corresponding support and reputation.
With the Divine Dynasty involved, Li Hao felt he could manage it. But if there were too many, he felt it might be too burdensome.
The most difficult debts to repay in the world are those of kindness.
“Excuse my intrusion, Mr. Qingfeng, may I come forward to talk?”
While Li Hao pondered, a woman with a graceful figure and elegant demeanor approached his solitary seat outside the combat area and softly said, her voice clear and melodious like a silver bell.
Li Hao regained his senses and looked puzzled, saying, “Who are you?”
“I heard earlier of Mr. Qingfeng’s unmatched skills in painting. I wonder if Mr. Qingfeng has heard of the Flower Travel Association?”
This woman, dressed in bright yellow luxurious clothing and wearing a smiling face, transmitted her voice.
Without showing any reaction, Li Hao transmitted back, “Where did you hear this news?”
“Of course from when Mr. Qingfeng showcased his painting at the Emperor Hall.”
Seeing Li Hao probing her identity, Gui Qingshuang smiled, not hiding anything, and transmitted:
“My father is Emperor Canghai, but my visit is unaffiliated with the Divine Dynasty; rather, I’ve heard of Mr. Qingfeng’s supreme painting skills. I thought perhaps Mr. Qingfeng is also a Flower Guest who delightfully wanders the spring of the Mortal World; hence, I wished to inquire if Mr. Qingfeng is interested in joining the Flower Travel Association?”
Li Hao was somewhat surprised; before him stood a princess.
This gesture was an offering of an olive branch, but it was the first time someone invited him for his other skills, not for martial arts.
“Flower Travel Association?”
Li Hao lifted the restrictions, allowing her to approach for a talk, and casually set up a sound-blocking barrier around them.
“Yes, the Flower Travel Association was initially founded by two Supreme Saints. Now that the Saints have retired, it’s managed collectively by several Semi-Saints. However, the association is extremely leisurely, requiring no accumulation of merits or task execution. The main focus is on cultivating leisurely interests, a group of like-minded individuals discussing poetry, prose, playing chess and enjoying flowers together,” Gui Qingshuang spoke softly.
Li Hao was stunned and somewhat astonished; there was such a force?
And moreover, it was founded by two Supreme Saints?
Li Hao was somewhat shocked; in the Land of All Saints, Supreme Saints are supremely revered. They say a Saint teaches thousands, dedicated to cultivation, and yet they also enjoyed leisure?
However, thinking of the Sword Master who also sat alone fishing, Li Hao felt reassured.
“Do you mean to say that the members inside all enjoy playful interests?”
Li Hao couldn’t help but ask.
If it were a group of prodigal sons in the Mortal World forming such an organization, Li Hao wouldn’t be surprised, but managed by Semi-Saints and founded by Supreme Saints, this was quite astonishing.
Anticipating Li Hao’s question, Gui Qingshuang chuckled, “Mr. Qingfeng, since your Artistic Skills are unparalleled, you must be a Flower Guest too. Beyond cultivation, there should also be other pleasures in this world; otherwise, wouldn’t we martial artists be mere cultivation puppets? Although the Flower Travel Association does not compete for fame and Incense Fire as other forces do, if there really is a situation, it’s also an existence that other forces dare not provoke.”
“Joining the Flower Travel Association requires two conditions. First, one’s cultivation must at least reach the Tao Comprehension Realm. Second, one must possess skills in any of quqin, chess, calligraphy, painting, etc., and must have achieved the level of masterpieces.”
She softly said, “People strive to be the first in cultivation, seldom having leisure and spare time to dedicate their time elsewhere. Hence, many members of the Flower Travel Association are actually leading figures within their Realms, their own cultivation having reached the limits of a bottleneck. However, with the long years and cultivation not being an overnight achievement, it’s inevitable to grasp some other interests to pass the mundane times.”
She looked at Li Hao and smiled, “Isn’t Mr. Qingfeng also such a person?”
Li Hao hadn’t expected to find like-minded individuals and felt somewhat moved inside. It was indeed a force established by Supreme Saints; even if it’s just exchanging skills in quintessence, chess, calligraphy, and painting, the threshold starts at the Tao Comprehension Realm.
However, since there are requirements for cultivation, it’s probably not as simple as the other party said.
“If it’s just casual chat about poetry and painting, I am indeed interested.”
Li Hao stated.
He was in need of opponents for playing chess; if he could find some highly skilled opponents there and elevate his Chess Tao to the Ninth Stage, his Control Dao would also rise to the Ninth Stage, mastering Daoist Laws and Divine Skills, and perhaps he could even peer into the limits of the Tao Comprehension Realm.
Gui Qingshuang laughed, saying, “Mr. Qingfeng, no need to worry; the Flower Travel Association does not compete for fame or Incense Fire, doesn’t consider Realm or cultivation inside, only regarding higher or lower skills. With Mr. Qingfeng’s painting skills, most likely many will appreciate it.”
“Are there any chess masters?” Li Hao asked.
Gui Qingshuang was momentarily surprised, then laughed, “There are. Does Mr. Qingfeng also study the Chess Tao?”
Chapter 732: Chapter 142 Supreme Saint Power_2
“I have some understanding,” Li Hao nodded.
Gui Qingshuang’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, “If Mr. Qingfeng is interested, I will go and report to the Deputy Leader.”
“Agreed.”
Li Hao nodded. Although it didn’t sound as simple as she described, there was no harm in learning more.
Gui Qingshuang bowed and said goodbye to Li Hao, then gracefully departed.
Outside the crowd, a prince of the Dynasty recognized Gui Qingshuang’s identity, and his expression changed instantly.
…
“She is the Seventh Princess of Emperor Canghai, known to serve the Saints and holds an extraordinary position among the princesses.”
“Indeed, although the Seventh Princess’s cultivation realm is mediocre, she excels in the four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, painting, and also in embroidery. None of the other princesses dare provoke her.”
“Who is she talking to?”
“Don’t you recognize him? That is the newly recruited devotee of the Divine Dynasty of Canghai, one of the favorites to win the championship.”
People murmured quietly within the crowd.
After Gui Qingshuang left, Li Hao planned to close his eyes and meditate, but suddenly he felt intense firelight from outside the arena.
He looked towards one of the stages and saw Chi Guang raising his hand and casting a Fire Element Divine Ability, directly incinerating his opponent.
This was Heart Fire, nearly unsolvable below the Tao Realm.
Li Hao watched for a moment and then shifted his gaze back to his meditation.
As the first battle concluded, three more fights took place successively, one of which involved a youth in purple robes.
Li Hao hadn’t expected to encounter him in the top hundred battles. The youth in purple, who used to be arrogant within the Emperor Hall and looked down upon his peers, was now much more composed after a miserable defeat by Chi Guang, which had nearly shattered his Dao Heart.
He looked intently at Li Hao and gave a clasped fist salute, saying, “Please!”
Li Hao did not hold back, allowing his opponent to make the first move.
The youth in purple again unleashed the Extreme Realm Power from within the Emperor Hall, along with the faint phantom of a great emperor.
The opponent had an ancient lineage in his body, one of the reasons he was considered a genius.
Seeing that phantom, Li Hao chose not to use Lin Qingyue’s Gentle Sword Dao but switched to Haoyue Saint Son’s Sun and Moon Sword Dao instead.
Brilliant sword light suddenly shot forth, like a dazzling Divine Yang plunging down.
With a loud crash, amidst the tremendous noise, the phantom of the emperor behind the youth in purple trembled and faded, his body slammed against the Array, and his face turned pale.
“…”
He sat down on the ground, looking up at Li Hao who had merely flicked his sleeve, his eyes revealing shock but quickly turning bitter.
This monster revered in ten cities was not inferior to Chi Guang. He profoundly felt the terror of that Sword Dao.
Moreover, the Sword Dao that Li Hao used was different from the previous one; it was another kind of dominating and piercing Sword Dao!
“A second type of Sword Dao?”
Li Hao’s move had many in the crowd watching intently, eyes filled with amazement.
“He actually controls two Sword Daos?!”
Below the stage, Li Qingyi and others revealed shock. Li Hao’s previous Sword Dao was gentle and elusive, untouchable, while this current Sword Dao was domineering and aggressive, two completely opposite powers, yet he mastered both!
Although the two Sword Dao could not be combined to increase lethality, having two meant greater difficulty for opponents to guard and respond against.
Li Hao withheld his hand, looked at the defeated youth in purple, slightly bowed, and then left the stage.
The Sun and Moon Sword Dao was just one of the numerous Sword Daos he had refined into his Only Me Swordsmanship.
“This guy.”
Chi Guang also watched this battle, his gaze becoming more solemn, but he soon shook his head.
“Jack of all trades, master of none. Previously he even dabbled in Artistic Path, wasting his talent. He’s on the wrong path.”
Pity appeared in his eyes. Although Li Hao’s talent was exceptional, perhaps not inferior to his, the regret was that he was too greedy. He had encountered many monsters. Some had wonderful talents but were too arrogant and proud, leading to their eventual downfall.
As fight after fight unfolded, the top ten were finally determined.
Li Hao advanced smoothly, and so did Chi Guang and the lady in cloud robes. Although the youth in purple lost to Li Hao, he won the other battles and also made it into the top ten.
Aside from the four of them, six others also possessed extraordinary abilities.
During the rest period of the competition, Li Hao continued to refine his Dao Domain in a small courtyard.
He had finally completed all the Cultivation Techniques recorded in Hanhai Tower, and his Dao Domain had reached 220 layers.
Li Hao stretched lazily and, hearing someone visiting outside the courtyard, his Divine Thought reached out and saw it was the woman from before. He immediately sent a voice transmission to the Royal Family guard who was watching over him, letting him in.
“Mr. Qingfeng, the Deputy Leader has seen your painting and agrees to let you join.”
Gui Qingshuang came in front of Li Hao and bowed respectfully.
Now that Li Hao had joined the Flower Travel Association, his status was higher than hers.
Otherwise, if he was merely a devotee earlier, even as a genius, she would have treated him courteously and would not have been afraid.
“This is your Flower Order.”
Gui Qingshuang raised her hand, delivering a scarlet token to Li Hao.
Li Hao took it, and upon his Divine Thought touching it, immediately numerous imprints of Dao sounds emerged inside.
These Dao sounds narrated the history and rules of the Flower Travel Association.
Images of painting scrolls emerged in Li Hao’s mind. In ancient times, two stately figures shrouded in clouds—Saints—oversaw everything as the initial founders of the Flower Travel Association, known as the Supreme Saints.
Their true identities were unknown, addressed only as Flower Fairy and Carefree Travel.
Since they had vanished into seclusion, the Flower Travel Association had been taken over by a Semi-Saint who had originally managed it.
The rules of the Flower Travel Association were no internal killing, no bullying others with one’s Martial Arts cultivation, and merit determined by skill alone; beyond that, there weren’t many other rules.
The members of the Flower Travel Association spread across the Thirty-Three Realms, yet the total number wasn’t large, only 97 members. Now with Li Hao’s inclusion, there were 98 members, roughly two to three members per realm of the Flower Travel Association.
Chapter 733: Chapter 142 Supreme Saint Power_3
Through the Flower Travel Association, members are able to communicate and sense each other; moreover, the token contains Semi-Saint laws and can also facilitate the escape of members in danger, unless the opponent is also a Semi-Saint of great strength, capable of interrupting the process—otherwise, it is a very powerful life-saving treasure.
Li Hao came to his senses, and after absorbing the information within the Flower Order, he understood that the other party had not lied before. The Flower Travel Association is somewhat akin to a gathering initiated by two Supreme Saints for those seeking leisure.
At the same time, Li Hao also learned the identity of the princess. Although the Flower Travel Association does not vie for fame and gain and is more laid-back, most of its members have incredibly powerful backgrounds, just as Gui Qingshuang said, all are monsters of their realm, comparable to the Saint Child Level prodigies of a thousand, or even several thousand years ago.
Such characters were already well-known, with deep connections and power. Therefore, there were not a few who served the Flower Travel Association, and Gui Qingshuang was one of them.
In the Flower Travel Association, she and those like her were referred to as “Butterflies.”
They specialize in scouting for qualified personnel to invite into the association.
…
“Mr. Qingfeng, if you have any other instructions, just call on me at any time. This is my command token; as long as within the Canglan Realm, I can receive your message.”
Gui Qingshuang took out another fragrant token and handed it to Li Hao with both hands, a blush emerging on her cheeks as she spoke.
Li Hao knew that the duty of the Butterflies in the Flower Travel Association was to fulfill all requests made by the members.
“Uh, you may go,” Li Hao accepted the command token and said.
Gui Qingshuang bowed to Li Hao to say goodbye. Before leaving, she stole a glance at Li Hao, thinking that if there truly were any improper requests, it wouldn’t be too bad for her.
After Gui Qingshuang left, Li Hao extended his Divine Thought into the Flower Order.
Within the order, there was a space like chaos, where one could see several silhouettes standing.
Li Hao was somewhat surprised and was just looking around when someone called out, “A new person has come! Quickly state your name. To join the Flower Travel Association, you must first bow and pay respects to all the seniors here.”
“Go away, don’t bully the newcomer. Newcomer, what is your name, what are you good at, and would you like to have a game of chess with this old man?”
Li Hao saw two vague silhouettes speaking and was a little surprised, saying, “Where is this?”
“This is the Intentional Space created by the Supreme Saint. With the Flower Order, you can enter here from anywhere. Of course, some ancient Forbidden Lands with their own terrible laws that invert all common sense are exceptions,” another woman’s voice said, revealing a dignified and elegant demeanor, as if she looked down upon the world like an Empress.
Li Hao looked over and saw only the silhouette of a graceful woman, just the contours of the silhouette made him imagine she had an extraordinary temperament, standing above the Mortal World like a Goddess.
Intentional Space? It was Li Hao’s first encounter with the methods of a Supreme Saint. It was astonishing that people from various parts of the Thirty-Three Realms could communicate through a small token.
You must understand, the Thirty-Three Realms are vast and boundless. Yet this Flower Order allows for synchronized communication. If used in the battlefields of the Mortal World, it would indeed be a nation-protecting treasure.
When the Dayu Divine Dynasty encountered disaster, they had treasures such as Eight-direction Messenger, but those were scarce and consumable, and despite their speed of delivery, they were not as direct as the consciousness communication available now.
“I am Qingfeng. I have a basic grasp of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting,” Li Hao decided to introduce himself first but used his current alias identity.
“Wow, what a bold claim. Mastery of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Now I have to test your Chess Tao,” the previously elderly voice said, changing its tone.
“Ye Ancestor, don’t try to pull a fast one; you just want an excuse to find someone to play chess with,” the first young-sounding voice scoffed.
The ancient-sounding Ye Ancestor argued indignantly, “It’s not like Green Ancestor is any better. Last month, he lost three games in a row to me. It was supposed to be a single decisive game, but he dragged it into a best-of-three, then a best-of-five setup. He hasn’t had the face to see me since.”
“You stop spouting nonsense! I had just slain a Demon Ancestor at that time and wasn’t in good form, which is why I carelessly lost to you,” a sudden angry voice retorted.
Ye Ancestor chuckled, “Now that there’s a new person, you’ve finally decided to show your face?”
“I’ve been healing lately; do you think I’m avoiding you? Hmph, give me a few more days to recover, and we’ll fight again. Same place!” Green Ancestor responded loudly with anger.
“Fine, this time I’ll go first and wait for you there. Whoever doesn’t show up is a cowardly dog,” Ye Ancestor laughed.
“…”
Li Hao listened to their exchange and was somewhat dumbfounded. Those referred to as Ancestors were at the Half-Saint Realm level.
Those solemn and steady Semi-Saints were actually so childish in private.
What surprised Li Hao was that it seemed they all knew each other’s real-life identities and had no intention of hiding them. But considering the strength of the Flower Travel Association’s members, there was indeed no need to hide. Rarely would anyone trouble them in their daily lives, and after all, what was revealed within the Flower Travel Association was merely leisure activities, nothing that would inspire greed in others.
Li Hao pondered for a moment before asking:
“If we talk about exchanging skills such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, why doesn’t our Flower Travel Association attract some people who do not have Martial Arts cultivation but have profound skill sets?”
“Haha, I’ve heard this question thirty times!”
“You’ve only heard it thirty times? I’ve heard it over fifty!” Ye Ancestor and the youth laughed.
Li Hao was startled and then realized that other newcomers must have had the same question as well.
“Every time a new person comes in, they have the same question. It’s unavoidable, though we’ve answered it many times, but one more time won’t hurt.”
The youth continued in a cheerful tone: “The reasons are somewhat complex. First, mortals have limited lifespans; even if they delve into other arts and do not pursue Martial Arts, they would soon age and die, rarely achieving Great Accomplishment.”
“Secondly, mortals would revere our status once they came here, making the exchange unpleasant for both sides. Lastly, and most importantly, even though we enjoy these arts, we have not completely abandoned Martial Arts cultivation, and we can occasionally exchange martial insights with each other.”
He then said, “You might also want to ask why a Supreme Saint would have such leisure pursuits?”
At this, his laughter ceased, and he said:
“Because the Supreme Saint once said during his seclusion, ‘Since the Immortal Path is severed, it’s better to wander in the Mortal World intoxicated.’ This is the origin of our Flower Travel Association.”
Chapter 734: Chapter 143 Haotian’s Tracks, Top Ten Ranking (Two in One)
“Is the Immortal Path severed?”
Li Hao was stunned and asked, “Are there immortal divines in this world?”
Upon hearing Li Hao’s question, Ye Ancestor chuckled lightly and said, “Immortal divines are ethereal and elusive; no one has seen them with their own eyes, but there are records in ancient texts. For instance, the sword stele at Moon Viewing Cliff, inside which the sword shadow called ‘Immortal Guide’ is recorded—such a masterful sword technique, except for immortals, no one else could execute it.”
“Indeed,” Li Hao said. “It’s said that even the Sword Saint went there to comprehend it but failed to discern its essence. Other Supreme Saints also mentioned that only an immortal divine could have left those sword techniques behind, impossible for mere mortals to grasp.”
“Apart from the ‘Immortal Guide’ at Moon Viewing Cliff, there’s also the palm imprint in Cold Shudder Ancient Land, and the tattered silks drifting in Broken Soul Sea, all signs that immortal divines once existed in this world, just disappeared for reasons unknown, leaving no trace behind.”
Despite his youthful voice, the young man was knowledgeable about many ancient secrets and said,
…
“Even though a saint can be revered for millennia, they ultimately cannot escape decay, but an immortal divine can. To eternally preserve one’s own Dao, one must transcend to become an immortal divine, the only way to be eternally worshipped by the masses.”
“If one becomes an immortal divine, merely appearing in this world and manifesting a miracle would bring forth the faith of countless mortals. After all, who wouldn’t revere a living immortal divine, not just us, but even saints?”
Speaking of immortal divines, Green Ancestor also chimed in, his voice tinged with regret.
Li Hao was somewhat shocked; he didn’t expect to hear such incredible secrets just after joining the Flower Travel Association.
“So what does the Supreme Saint mean by saying the Immortal Path is severed? Does he refer to the cultivation path or an actual path?”
Li Hao asked curiously.
“It’s an actual path.”
Ye Ancestor said, “There’s a Supreme Saint who has reached that barrier, touched the Heavenly Dao Will of this realm, and learned that it’s impossible to become immortal within this realm, only by stepping out of it.”
“Therefore, the Supreme Saint has been pioneering and exploring, searching everywhere for a path that leads out of this realm. He found such a path following the remnants left by those immortal divines, but the path is sealed. This realm is like a closed shell; we spend our whole lives trapped within, unable to transcend.”
Li Hao was taken aback; this was his first encounter with the secrets of the Land of All Saints and such despair.
Hope for immortality lost, we all perish in the end?
No wonder there’s an organization like the Flower Travel Association since perishing is inevitable, better to enjoy the present.
“Now, the Supreme Saints have discovered a second path, located in a perilous place. However, it seems that unlocking all realms is required to have a chance to step onto, let alone open, that path!”
Green Ancestor took over the conversation: “Thus, for over a thousand years, All Saints have continually reincarnated for cultivation, some even using incarnations for reincarnating to cultivate all the realms, aiming to be the first to break open that path and ascend to become an immortal divine.”
“This path is also difficult. Firstly, cultivating the Nine Extremes Realm is very challenging, needing an exceptional caliber. Secondly, whether this path is real or just conjecture, the truth may only be revealed by attempting it.”
“Yet, despite this slim hope, it made All Saints fiercely compete for it. After all, that slim chance of becoming an immortal divine represents the only hope for eternal life!”
Li Hao was stunned.
He had learned from Lin Shanhai that All Saints reincarnated for a secretive purpose— it was all about achieving immortality.
No wonder; reincarnation is extremely perilous, and one might sink across a hundred lifetimes. Without such a great temptation, why would the All Saints take such a risk?
The Nine Extremes Realm… Li Hao’s eyes flickered. Now that he was already at the Seven Extreme Realm, with enough Cultivation Techniques, the Eight Extreme Realm was within reach. As for the Nine Extremes Realm, that was the Wen Dao Extreme Realm. When his Control Dao reached the Ninth Stage, he might be able to glimpse it.
However…
“Are you saying a Supreme Saint with such a long life, couldn’t cultivate the Nine Extremes Realm either?”
Li Hao asked in doubt.
Although some realms are difficult, relying on the accumulation of years and time, one should gradually achieve them.
He managed to cultivate the Seven Extreme Realm primarily due to bonus accumulation points, shortening his cultivation time.
But others have more extended periods to spend, which can bridge the gap.
“It’s not that simple.”
The young man shook his head, “Supreme Saints are exceptional monsters, and their cultivation is ancient. They have achieved other realms, but the hardest is said to be the Sixth Extreme Realm. No one has cultivated it. Cultivation in the Heavenly Human Realm to the utmost appears to merge with heaven and earth. Although possessing the vast heart to integrate with the soul of heaven and earth, finding the will to merge is difficult.”
Li Hao was mildly shocked—the Sixth Extreme Realm?
He’d heard before that the Sixth Extreme Realm was challenging, yet even the Supreme Saints were stuck there.
He suddenly remembered the faint Celestial Venerable Will he had vaguely touched, the ultimate point of the Heavenly Human Realm being Celestial Venerable.
“You’re behind on the news. Ten years ago, it was said that the Cloud Realm opened a Mortal World channel and discovered a monster youth with the Sixth Extreme Realm in the Mortal World, only to be personally eradicated by the Void Saint later, killing that hope.”
Green Ancestor suddenly mentioned.
Li Hao was taken aback, unexpectedly hearing about himself, and he was shocked.
“That incident, I heard about it too,” said Ye Ancestor. “It’s a pity, without the protection of a Supreme Saint, even if one cultivates the Sixth Extreme Realm, accidents are prone to happen. After all, All Saints reincarnating all aim to cultivate the Sixth Extreme Realm themselves and be the first to break through that path, how could they give such an opportunity to someone else?”
“There’s no shortage of monsters in the world, but unblossomed monsters eventually remain just a wisp of a cloud, easily dispersed by a gust of wind.”
Li Hao fell silent; when the Void Saint killed him, it was said to be because he was chasing the Saint Heir of the Void Holy Land in the Mortal World. Now, it seemed there was also this reason mentioned by Ye Ancestor.
Exceptional talents will wither without the protection of a power.
Li Hao took a deep breath, his gaze turning icy. Since the assassination attempt at age six, he had realized that his greatest reliance was himself.
