Chapter 406: The Descent of the Ancient Demons, The Saints' Regret
In the Tianyuan Holy Land, inside Yuan Zu's cave, Saints had gathered from all corners.
"Yuan Zu, the Saint Infant has achieved the Sixth Extreme Realm!"
One of the Saints who arrived first spoke excitedly.
In the crowd were other Supreme Saints like Fa Sheng, Ming Sheng, and Mo Sheng, all appearing calm on the surface, but their hearts were filled with anticipation and excitement.
After so many years, the Heavens had finally produced a second individual to achieve the Sixth Extreme Realm!
The Immortal Path was no longer under Li Hao's exclusive control.
During the Supreme Talent Battle, they had witnessed the emergence of someone who could step into the Sixth Extreme Realm, thinking they could manipulate this person. However, Li Hao had unexpectedly grown at a monstrous speed, shocking the world with his Dao of Sacrifice to achieve Sainthood. Now, after returning from the Immortal Path, even the Supreme Saints were unable to suppress him.
It was like a net they had weaved for ten thousand years had developed a tear, and the fish they failed to catch was now strong enough to devour them.
"Finally, we no longer have to endure Hao Tian Zun's dominance!"
"Hao Tian Zun? That hypocrite! He blocked the Immortal Path for his selfish desires. He's a disgrace to all Saints!"
"How could someone so despicable have written the Dao Sutra, a piece that stands as a pinnacle of Saintly wisdom? It's utterly absurd!"
"Laughable! He preaches, 'The one who does not contend, the world cannot contend with,' yet his actions are the complete opposite!"
As the Saints gathered, their excitement turned into accusations against Li Hao. Their voices were no longer restrained, for now they, too, had the qualifications to step onto the Immortal Path!
Once they entered the path to immortality, even if their growth wasn't as rapid as Li Hao's, their collective strength would allow them to eventually suppress him.
Furthermore, they planned to expose Li Hao's alleged deceitful nature to the Immortals he had apprenticed under, letting those Immortals know of his "shameful conduct."
"Everyone, we must act quickly. Li Hao will surely notice something if we delay any longer. We must ascend the Immortal Path as soon as possible."
At this moment, the Yinyang Supreme Saint spoke calmly.
Mo Sheng, who stood nearby, remained silent. He still remembered his conversations with the young Li Hao during the Dao Assembly. Coupled with his disciples' connection to the Jiang family, he had always held a favorable opinion of Li Hao.
However, the situation now made him hesitate. Even if he doubted Li Hao's words, the allure of the Immortal Path was too strong. He had to see it for himself.
"That boy is cunning. We can't let him ruin this for us."
"Yi Sheng is guarding the Ancient Hall. She foolishly trusts that boy's lies. What do we do if she tries to stop us?"
A Saint spoke with frustration.
Yuan Zu raised his hand slightly, signaling for silence. Now that the Saint Infant had succeeded and the Immortal Path lay before them, he wouldn't let anyone disrupt his plans.
"My Avatar has already opened the Gate to the Immortal Path and brought the Saint Infant back."
Yuan Zu spoke with a grave tone. "But while the Saint Infant has comprehended the Heaven-Man Extreme Realm, his cultivation is still at the Three Undying Realm and hasn't reached the Four Establishments Realm. Without the Heaven and Earth Space, we must elevate his cultivation before he can carry us onto the Immortal Path."
"I have a Sacred Medicine that can rapidly increase cultivation for those below the Wen Dao Realm, though it comes at the cost of unstable foundations."
An elderly Saint stroked his beard and offered.
Yuan Zu nodded. He knew of the Sacred Medicine in question, and the Saint was subtly inviting him to use it.
"It doesn't matter. The Saint Infant was created for one purpose: to bring us to the Immortal Path. Even if his foundation becomes unstable, it won't affect our goal."
Yuan Zu declared.
The others all nodded in agreement.
The elderly Saint took out the Sacred Medicine, and not long after, a figure appeared, soaring into the Holy Land.
It was Yuan Zu's Avatar, which dissolved into starlight, leaving behind a young man—handsome, refined, and brimming with vitality.
However, standing before the assembled Saints, the young man looked bewildered, nervous, and a little fearful.
He had been cultivating when he was suddenly brought here, utterly confused. Yet, in the presence of the Saints, his fear was mixed with a strange feeling of kinship, as though something in his blood resonated with them.
Seeing the Second Saint Infant, all the Saints' gazes turned toward him, their eyes glowing with fervor.
"Child, don't be afraid," Yuan Zu said with a warm smile. He took the Sacred Medicine from the elderly Saint and handed it to the Saint Infant.
Half an hour later, the Saints, led by Yuan Zu and Shen Wang, set off for the Ancient Hall in the void.
The Ancient Hall floated amidst swirling clouds and mist, lightning flickering faintly around it. It was difficult to approach, but for these Saints, it wasn't a significant obstacle.
They quickly stepped onto the hall's stairs, enduring the Laws of the Dao emanating from the steps, and soon entered the Ancient Hall.
"What are you all doing here?"
At the entrance of the hall, Yi Sheng sat cross-legged. She wore a white silk gown that fluttered gently in the wind, and her hair flowed like a waterfall. Under the starlight illuminating the Ancient Hall, she looked ethereal, transcendent, and otherworldly.
Seeing Yuan Zu, Shen Wang, and the Saints gathered behind them, Yi Sheng frowned slightly, her expression shifting.
"Yi Sheng, the Second Saint Infant has already comprehended the Sixth Extreme Realm. The power of the extreme realm is no longer exclusive to Hao Tian Zun."
Yuan Zu looked at Yi Sheng with a calm expression and said, "The creation of this Saint Infant also owes something to your contributions. Step aside. Let us ascend the Immortal Path together!"
Yi Sheng was startled and immediately extended her senses. Sure enough, she found that the Second Saint Infant was no longer in the mortal world; its aura was concealed near Yuan Zu.
She knew that with such a grand formation of Saints gathered here, they wouldn't have come without confidence. A hint of hesitation flickered across her mind.
"Yi Sheng, do you truly believe Hao Tian's one-sided claims?"
Ming Sheng stepped forward, his tone cold and sharp.
Yi Sheng remained silent. She wasn't fully convinced of Li Hao's warnings, but she believed them at least eighty percent. After all, she couldn't think of any reason why Li Hao would lie to them.
"Step aside. The opportunity for immortality is right in front of us. All you have to do is let us pass."
Yuan Zu spoke again, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a suppressed excitement.
Fa Sheng added softly, "Yi Sheng, you alone cannot stop us. Don't waste time."
Yi Sheng fell silent. It was true—alone, she couldn't stop Yuan Zu and Shen Wang. If she tried to resist, she would be putting herself in danger.
Previously, Long Sheng had been hunted down by Shen Wang and had vanished without a trace. They hadn't had the chance to speak with him to confirm anything.
"Everyone, if Hao Tian's warnings are true and your actions break open the Immortal Gate, drawing the Ancient Demons, won't you be dooming the Heavens to catastrophe?"
Yi Sheng stared at the Saints and spoke gravely.
"Don't let Hao Tian scare you. Ancient Demons? If a real catastrophe occurs, can we not handle it by working together? If he could survive there for over ten years, how powerful could these Ancient Demons possibly be?"
"Exactly! And if we truly find the situation untenable, we can simply turn back."
The other Saints immediately spoke up.
"We're just going to take a look. If it's true, so be it. But if it's false, we can't miss this opportunity to ascend!"
"That Li Hao has only been there for twelve years and has already grown so powerful. Aren't you tempted?"
As the other Saints chimed in one after another, Yuan Zu turned to Yi Sheng and said:
"Step aside. Don't waste our time."
Yi Sheng watched as Yuan Zu and Shen Wang's overwhelming auras slowly radiated outward. After a brief silence, she stepped aside.
"If what he said is true, you all must return as soon as possible!"
Yi Sheng said with a grave expression.
But no one responded to her words. The moment she stepped aside, Yuan Zu, Shen Wang, and the other Saints rushed into the Ancient Hall without hesitation.
The formations Yi Sheng had set up were easily dispelled by a wave of Yuan Zu's hand.
As one of the oldest Saints, Yuan Zu's cultivation had reached countless bottlenecks over the ages. He had too much time to hone his mastery of other disciplines—alchemy, artifact refinement, formations, and more.
In every field, he had reached a pinnacle level. Among the heavens, he was not only the most powerful in combat but also the most versatile. No one could surpass him in overall mastery.
With the formations dismantled, Yuan Zu and the others once again entered the Starry Rift.
"Whoosh!"
Yuan Zu waved his hand, and the Saint Infant flew out of his sleeve.
"Try to see if you can enter that rift," Yuan Zu instructed.
The Saint Infant nodded, no longer showing any fear toward the assembled Saints but instead displaying complete compliance.
He walked toward the Gate and lightly placed his palm against it.
His flesh began to decay and tear apart—this was the harm brought about by Extreme Immortal Transformation.
He had not yet achieved the Three Undying Realms, so his Immortal Transformation could only be maintained for a very brief moment.
But Yuan Zu had already prepared a solution: using the Sacred Medicine he had accumulated to heal the Saint Infant's body.
Some of these sacred medicines could temporarily activate the body's self-healing abilities, amplifying it a hundredfold. However, the price was the loss of nearly half his lifespan!
As the Saint Infant's blood splattered and his skin cracked open, his appearance became grotesque.
Yet the power surging from his body grew stronger, accompanied by a faint, ethereal force.
Soon, the Saint Infant reached the edge of Extreme Immortal Transformation. His hand turned phantom-like, merging into the surrounding void and touching the crack on the Gate's surface.
However, the crack had been sealed by a force that seemed solidified. Though the Saint Infant's form had turned into a vaporous state, he couldn't break through it.
He tried several times, but all his efforts ended in failure.
Unable to maintain his Immortal Transformation, he withdrew, his body rapidly healing.
"This crack is blocked. I can't break through it. You may need to destroy whatever is sealing it," the Saint Infant turned back and said to Yuan Zu.
Hearing this, the expressions of the Saints shifted, and someone immediately cursed:
"That Li Hao is despicable! He really sealed the Immortal Path!"
"He refuses to let us in and even blocked the path—how malicious can he be?!"
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang exchanged glances. Shen Wang stepped forward and said, "Let me give it a try."
He drew his sword and approached the Gate, his gaze falling on a faint trace of aura emitting from the surface.
"That must be the crack."
With a sudden motion, he drew his sword. The power of Extreme God Realm erupted, and black flames ignited all over his body. He slashed fiercely at the Gate.
"Boom!"
The sword aura surged forward, colliding with the Gate.
The faint aura sealing the crack was quickly weakened and burned away by the black flames.
The material Li Hao had used to seal the crack was part of his own flesh and blood, albeit a very small amount. Even though it contained a trace of Immortal Power, it couldn't withstand the attack of Shen Wang's Extreme God Realm. Cracks soon began to appear.
Under the continued burning of the black flames, the crack was fully exposed.
However, despite the crack being visible, it was impossible for Shen Wang, Yuan Zu, or the other Saints to pass through it.
Even if they turned their bodies into liquid blood, they couldn't seep through.
"The obstruction is gone," the Saint Infant sensed the change and spoke up.
Shen Wang sheathed his sword, a look of disdain flickering in his eyes. "Is this all he could manage?"
At the same time, in the Yunxia Realm, inside the private room of a top-tier restaurant—
Li Hao, who was sharing food and drinks with Ji Xuan Shen, Zhan Tan, and others, suddenly froze. The wine cup in his hand halted halfway to his lips.
"Hm?"
Night Ancestor, sitting beside him, looked at him with confusion.
Li Hao's expression changed. He could feel that the small portion of his flesh and blood he had left behind had been destroyed.
"Could it be the Ancient Demons from the Ancient Path? Have they found the Xuan Pin Gate?"
His mood instantly soured. Without further delay, he stood up and said to the others:
"There's trouble at the Immortal Path. I need to go take a look. You all continue."
Without waiting for a reply, his figure blurred and disappeared from the spot.
The others stared blankly, looking at each other.
"The Immortal Path is in trouble?"
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this…"
Li Hao raced through the void cracks at full speed, traversing countless miles toward the Ancient Hall.
The Yunxia Realm was far from the Ancient Hall, almost spanning half of the entire Heavenly Realms.
While Li Hao rushed to the scene, events continued unfolding at the Ancient Hall.
With the seal on the crack broken, the Saint Infant activated his Immortal Transformation once again. This time, he extended his vaporous body into the crack—and succeeded.
"It works!"
The Saint Infant's voice echoed in excitement.
The Saints' faces lit up with joy. Yuan Zu let out a sigh of relief and immediately said:
"The obstruction was created by Li Hao. He may sense this and come here. We must act quickly!"
The Saint Infant nodded and activated his Heaven and Earth Space. Without hesitation, the Saints entered it one by one.
They were all Supreme Saints. Even inside the Saint Infant's Heaven and Earth Space, they had no fear of being harmed.
Soon, with all the Saints inside, the Saint Infant fully transformed and passed through the crack.
At the same moment, Yi Sheng appeared at the rift, standing in front of the starry void and the massive Gate. She furrowed her brows as she gazed at the Ancient Gate, a hint of hesitation flashing through her eyes.
The Saint Infant quickly passed through the crack.
After traveling through a long, dark passage, a faint light finally appeared ahead.
The Saint Infant, much like Li Hao had done previously, leapt into the light. Suddenly, his vision became clear.
However, what appeared before his eyes was an ugly, charred black stone.
The Saint Infant was shocked, but within his Heaven and Earth Space, all the Saints could sense the external environment. Without hesitation, they broke free from the Saint Infant's space.
"Hm?"
Yuan Zu was the first to step out. Immediately, he sensed that this world was vastly different from the Heavenly Realms.
The space was filled with a thick, oppressive power—immense and boundless—but he couldn't absorb or refine it.
Without a doubt, that was Immortal Power.
However, mixed within was a strange, malicious intent that surged toward him, causing his brows to furrow.
What lay before them were large, jagged black stones blocking the way forward.
Yuan Zu didn't immediately blast the stones apart. Instead, he extended his divine sense, and what he saw made him jump in shock. Within a crevice between the rocks sat a figure in meditation—it was Li Hao!
"You…"
Yuan Zu was momentarily alarmed, but soon realized this was only Li Hao's shadow clone, not his true body.
He let out a quiet breath of relief and turned his attention to the surroundings.
Before them lay a barren canyon—not the picturesque, verdant paradise they had imagined.
This sight surprised him, but he quickly rationalized it. Perhaps this was merely the Immortal Path, not the true Immortal Realm. Once they crossed this canyon, they would reach the fabled land of the Immortals.
While Yuan Zu examined the area, the other Saints were also surveying their surroundings and quickly noticed Li Hao's shadow clone.
"So this is the Immortal Path?"
"It's not quite what we expected…"
"So desolate. But the energy here—it's completely different from what we cultivate in the Heavenly Realms. If we could absorb it, we would surely ascend to immortality!"
"Our current cultivation methods might not work here. We'll probably need to join an Immortal Sect to refine this power."
The Saints muttered quietly among themselves.
At that moment, Li Hao's shadow clone opened its eyes, clearly aware of the uninvited guests.
"This is Li Hao's clone? That wretch really is cunning, leaving behind a clone to stand guard here. He must be trying to prevent other Immortals from discovering the exit to our world."
"Kill his clone, then we'll search for the way forward."
"Something feels off about this place. We should be cautious."
"Agreed."
Among the Saints, while some were brimming with anger toward Li Hao, others had begun to sense that something wasn't quite right.
Yuan Zu said nothing. He ignored Li Hao's shadow clone and began walking toward the canyon.
However, Li Hao's clone moved to block his path.
Yuan Zu's face darkened. "Step aside."
The shadow clone didn't respond. It held a broken sword in its hand and stared coldly at him.
"You dare to stop us? You overestimate yourself!"
One of the Saints, unable to contain his anger, struck out. A powerful palm descended toward the shadow clone.
The shadow clone responded instantly, drawing its broken sword. A blinding sword light slashed forward, shattering the attack in an instant. The broken sword then swept out like a flash of moonlight, slicing through the Saint's body and tearing him apart.
"What a terrifying weapon!"
The Saints were shocked. None of them had expected that Li Hao's mere clone would be so powerful.
The one who attacked was a Three Tribulations Saint, yet his physical body had been easily torn apart. Even his Saint Domain had been broken—this was unbelievable.
Yuan Zu's gaze also fell upon the broken sword. He could see that it was no ordinary weapon.
An Immortal Artifact…
Yuan Zu's eyes flickered with a sharp light. Although the sword had lost most of its power, it was still an immeasurably valuable treasure.
Before he could act, a burst of flames surged forward—Shen Wang had already made his move. He charged at the shadow clone, black flames swirling around his sword as he unleashed the full might of his Extreme God Realm. A terrifying and oppressive aura erupted as his sword descended.
"Boom!"
The sword light smashed through Li Hao's Domain.
The shadow clone only inherited one-third of Li Hao's strength and had no Extreme Realm or Ultimate Realm power.
For example, the Domain required 360 layers to become an Eternal Domain, but the clone only had 120 layers.
Even so, the clone's Primordial Spirit retained a third of Li Hao's strength, making it far superior to that of other Saints.
The broken sword shot forward with incredible speed. While the shadow clone's body was struck by Shen Wang's fiery sword light, the blade still pierced through Shen Wang's armor, slicing his body in half.
Both sides suffered injuries. Li Hao's shadow clone burned with black flames, its wounds unable to heal as the Extreme Power continued to destroy it.
Shen Wang's body, however, quickly regenerated. His face twisted with fury. As a dignified God King, he couldn't believe he had been wounded to this extent by Li Hao's clone.
He continued swinging his sword, the black flames spreading and engulfing the shadow clone.
"The God King's Extreme Power really is overbearing."
"But that clone of Li Hao's is even more frightening. It's just a clone, yet it can hold out for so long."
"He cultivated the Immortal Path—naturally, he's capable of such feats."
The Saints watched the battle with awe.
Just as the shadow clone was about to be destroyed by Shen Wang, a sudden roaring sound echoed through the void.
The shadow clone looked up sharply toward the source of the noise. Ignoring Shen Wang's attack, it hurled its broken sword forward.
However, before the sword could reach its target, Yuan Zu intervened. With a flick of his hand, he unleashed his Saint Power, deflecting the sword and enveloping it in his energy. The weapon was torn from the clone's control.
"You're good at picking up scraps, aren't you?"
Shen Wang's expression turned cold as he glared at Yuan Zu.
Yuan Zu held the broken sword calmly, unaffected by Shen Wang's glare. With an Immortal Artifact in his hand, he knew its terrifying potential—it had even injured Shen Wang.
Before the two could argue further, the roaring sound drew closer. It entered the Saints' divine sense, causing their expressions to change.
"What is that?"
A Saint's pupils contracted sharply, his eyes filled with horror.
"That… that looks like an Ancient Demon!"
"Yes! It's exactly like the Ancient Demon Li Hao showed us before!"
"Is this real? Could this be some kind of creature summoned by Li Hao's clone?"
Some of the Saints' eyes showed shock and fear, while others still believed it was Li Hao manipulating events from behind the scenes. Their eyes burned with anger.
"Quick! Kill that thing!"
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang both saw the Ancient Demon, and their expressions changed. They couldn't determine whether it had been summoned by Li Hao, but his earlier warnings had left a faint mark on their minds. The desolate scene before them, coupled with the appearance of this Ancient Demon, made Li Hao's words resonate more clearly in their hearts.
If what Li Hao said was true and this place was exposed, the entire Heavenly Realms would face a catastrophe!
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang launched their attacks simultaneously. Yuan Zu, in particular, fought with extra fervor because he had just snatched the broken weapon from Li Hao's shadow clone. He could tell the clone had been trying to kill the Ancient Demon when he intervened and stopped it.
Therefore, this Ancient Demon couldn't possibly have been summoned by Li Hao—leaving only the worst possible outcome!
Boom!
As Yuan Zu, Shen Wang, and the other Saints unleashed their attacks, their blows quickly struck the Ancient Demon, sending it crashing to the ground.
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang followed up with a killing strike, but the Ancient Demon's regeneration was terrifyingly fast. Despite their attacks tearing its body apart, it regenerated in the blink of an eye.
At the same time, the Ancient Demon released a cloud of black mist that spread outward, rapidly enveloping the surrounding area.
The Saints, thinking it was some kind of sorcery, drove their weapons forward to slay the demon. But to their horror, the power within their weapons was corroded by the mist, and they experienced a searing pain in their souls!
"What… what is this attack?"
The Saints were shocked and hurriedly withdrew their weapons, turning to their Saint Domains in an attempt to suppress the black mist and contain it around the Ancient Demon.
However, as soon as their Saint Domains touched the mist, the power within them began to burn away.
This mist was like molten iron—untouchable.
Yuan Zu's expression grew darker. He abruptly raised his hand, summoning his Dao Tribulation Imperial Weapon. In the void, arcs of lightning crackled, and a terrifying tribulation force spread outward. The number one weapon of the Heavenly Realms, the Heaven-Subduing Whip, radiated its unparalleled might.
Boom!
The Heaven-Subduing Whip lashed out, ripping a gap through the black mist before smashing into the Ancient Demon, tearing its physical body apart and splitting its Primordial Spirit.
The tribulation force carried by the Heaven-Subduing Whip shattered the Ancient Demon's soul. Yet, even in its heavily injured state, the Ancient Demon did not perish instantly.
This stunned Yuan Zu. Gritting his teeth, he lashed the whip several more times. At the same time, Shen Wang's black flame-covered sword slashed down with devastating force. The combined attacks of the two Saints eventually shattered the Ancient Demon's soul, and its body was torn into countless pieces.
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang exchanged a glance, both seeing the lingering shock in each other's eyes.
Li Hao had once warned them that the weakest Ancient Demon was comparable to a Saint. At the time, they had scoffed. Now, they had seen it firsthand.
In fact, the Ancient Demon seemed even more resilient and troublesome than a Saint. Its Primordial Spirit was unusually strong. If not for their powerful weapons, the battle could have turned into a drawn-out struggle.
"This place… doesn't seem to be what we thought it was."
Shen Wang's face was dark and somber.
Yuan Zu's expression was even worse. His heart felt as though it had clenched into a tight fist. After spending countless years chasing after the Immortal Path, could it all be a lie?
The Immortal Realm—could it truly have been overrun by Ancient Demons, as Li Hao had said?
Yuan Zu raised his head, looking toward the faraway sky, hoping for some kind of answer. But the heavens here were silent and unreachable, offering him nothing.
Worse still, in the distant sky, he could faintly see more black shadows beginning to gather.
Yuan Zu's face changed dramatically. His voice rang out sharply, "This is bad! Quick, we have to leave now!"
The other Saints were still in a daze. The pressure here suppressed their divine senses, preventing them from perceiving the distant horizon.
However, Yuan Zu's frantic tone caused a chill to settle in their hearts.
They had ignored Li Hao's warnings, determined to see the truth for themselves. But now, the situation had taken a terrifying turn.
Suddenly, the sound of something tearing through the air erupted. A group of Ancient Demons, dozens strong, leapt across the canyon and charged toward them.
The Ancient Demons had an uncanny ability to sense foreign presences, and the gathered Saints—so numerous and bright—were like lanterns in the dark, attracting the demons like moths to a flame.
At this point, Yuan Zu no longer had any doubts. These Ancient Demons were not summoned by Li Hao. Everything Li Hao had said in front of the Immortal Gate was true.
This so-called Immortal Realm was indeed overrun by Ancient Demons.
And these creatures were terrifying beyond comprehension!
"Run!"
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang turned and fled toward the Xuan Pin Gate without hesitation.
As they approached the gate, they saw Li Hao's shadow clone—still burning with black flames, its body covered in wounds inflicted by Shen Wang. Instead of retreating, the clone was charging directly at the Ancient Demons.
This scene stunned Yuan Zu and Shen Wang. For a moment, they were frozen, their hearts shaken.
The clone's determination, its willingness to fight the Ancient Demons at the cost of its own destruction, made their faces turn ashen.
The broken sword in Yuan Zu's hand suddenly felt unbearably heavy and scalding.
"Move!" Yuan Zu roared at the other Saints who were still stunned.
The other Saints had now noticed the group of Ancient Demons charging toward them. Their faces paled, and they quickly gathered around Yuan Zu and Shen Wang.
"These… these Ancient Demons are real!"
A Saint muttered in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock.
"Look! Li Hao's clone… he's charging at the Ancient Demons!"
"He's going to die!"
The Saints watched as Li Hao's shadow clone recklessly fought against the group of Ancient Demons. Without his weapon, the clone relied solely on sword qi. But the Ancient Demons' bodies were so resilient that the sword qi only caused shallow wounds, unable to kill them.
In no time, the clone was surrounded and torn apart by the Ancient Demons.
The Saints were silent, a deep sense of shame settling over them. Compared to Li Hao's shadow clone, they suddenly felt weak and cowardly.
"Go!"
Yuan Zu urged the Saint Infant.
The Saint Infant, flustered, quickly opened his Heaven and Earth Space. Yuan Zu and Shen Wang entered first, followed closely by the other Saints.
Once they were all inside, the Saint Infant pushed his power to the limit, activating Extreme Hua Xian, and squeezed through the crack in the gate.
From within the Saint Infant's space, the Saints could still see the outside world. The last thing they saw was Li Hao's shadow clone being ripped apart and the swarm of Ancient Demons charging toward them.
Whoosh!
They passed through the dark tunnel. Moments later, they emerged back through the crack, returning to the starry void.
Before them stood the ancient, towering gate that had endured countless ages.
The Saint Infant's face was pale, his body riddled with wounds from Hua Xian. Blood streamed down his form as his lifespan was drastically shortened.
The Saints stumbled out of his space, landing in the starry void, their expressions heavy and filled with lingering fear.
Under the familiar starry void, the Saints still felt a lingering fear.
The hideous appearance of those Ancient Demons was exactly as Li Hao had shown them earlier. It had taken all of their combined might to kill just one. Now, with dozens of them gathering, they knew full well that if they were surrounded, casualties would be inevitable.
"How… how could this happen?"
"That Immortal God World truly has such creatures. He wasn't lying!"
"What Li Hao said was true. That shadow clone of his wasn't guarding the Immortal Path to block us—it was there to defend us!"
"No wonder the entrance was buried under layers of stone. He was protecting us, hiding the Immortal Gate… Everything he said was true!"
The Saints' eyes were filled with horror as they recalled the last image of Li Hao's shadow clone, fighting the Ancient Demons fearlessly and being torn apart. The memory felt like one slap after another across their faces, leaving a stinging pain that couldn't be ignored.
"We've caused a catastrophic disaster!"
The Saint of the Mo family looked grim. Previously, he had felt disappointed in the young man. But now, in hindsight, Li Hao must be even more disappointed in him.
Yet more importantly, the real problem now was that their presence had been exposed, drawing the attention of the Ancient Demons and revealing the Immortal Gate.
This was precisely why Li Hao had stopped them earlier. He hadn't even wanted them to look because doing so would reveal the disaster.
The Mo Saint felt bitter, his gaze shifting toward Yuan Zu.
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang both looked equally grim. They, too, now fully realized the seriousness of the situation.
The Ancient Demons were real. That meant the catastrophe was real. Li Hao had warned them that once the Ancient Demons were disturbed, their numbers would be overwhelming. If they broke open the Immortal Gate, then the entire Heavenly Realms would fall!
"You…"
While the Saints stood with dark expressions, Yi Sheng, who had been guarding the crack, saw them return. She froze briefly, noticing their grim faces. Her heart sank instantly—she knew something terrible had happened.
Looking at the returning Saints, Yi Sheng recalled their earlier words and felt a surge of anger. However, now was not the time for blame. The reality of the catastrophe was far more urgent.
"Is what he said true? If so, then now…"
Yi Sheng hurriedly rushed to Yuan Zu, staring directly into his eyes.
Yuan Zu instinctively avoided her gaze and said solemnly, "That side… is filled with Ancient Demons. The Immortal God World… is nothing but a dream. Now, the Ancient Demons have noticed the Immortal Gate. I don't know if the gate can hold them back."
Yi Sheng's face turned pale. A storm of anger flashed in her beautiful eyes as she swept her gaze across the Saints, her fury evident. But she knew that scolding them was now meaningless.
Before she could say anything further, the Saint Infant suddenly screamed:
"Not good! Something's coming through!"
"What?!"
The Saints were startled, turning their gazes toward the Immortal Gate. Black mist had begun to seep from one section of the gate. The mist grew denser, slowly condensing into the form of an Ancient Demon in the void.
"How can this be happening!"
Yuan Zu's face darkened. "Quick, kill it!"
He struck first, launching an attack at the emerging Ancient Demon.
Shen Wang no longer hesitated, immediately drawing his sword and attacking alongside him.
The other Saints, already aware of how formidable the Ancient Demons were, acted with unprecedented haste and ferocity.
The Mo Saint, Fa Saint, Ming Saint, and others also unleashed their full strength without delay.
With one combined assault of Saint Domains and divine weapons, the Ancient Demon, which had barely emerged and hadn't yet had time to use its innate abilities, was killed on the spot under the crushing power of Yuan Zu, Shen Wang, and the gathered Saints.
This Ancient Demon was only third-tier, comparable to a Saint. But it stood no chance against the overwhelming power of Yuan Zu, Shen Wang, and the combined might of the Saints. It was destroyed in a single round.
Seeing the Ancient Demon collapse, the Saints finally let out a sigh of relief.
But the Saint Infant, still pale, stared at the Immortal Gate and said, "There's more…"
Yuan Zu's face grew uglier. "Can you seal it?"
"I can't…"
The Saint Infant shook his head, his voice trembling.
"What are you doing?!"
Suddenly, an enraged voice roared across the starry void.
The Saints felt their bodies tremble at the sound, an instinctive tension gripping them. This voice was far too familiar. In the past, it would have only sparked their fury and disdain. But now, it made them feel ashamed, their hearts weighed with guilt.
Rushing at full speed, Li Hao finally arrived. His gaze swept across the starry void, the gathered Saints, and the corpse of the Ancient Demon.
His face immediately turned dark, his fury barely contained.
"Li Hao…"
Yuan Zu turned to face Li Hao, his expression tinged with guilt. "We were wrong earlier. It's good that you're here. Can you seal the crack again?"
Li Hao strode forward with a cold, oppressive aura. The Saints subconsciously moved aside, avoiding his gaze. For the first time, they didn't feel anger at being confronted by him. Instead, they felt guilt and shame. However, Yuan Zu's words sparked a faint hope among them.
Stopping in front of Yuan Zu, Li Hao's gaze fell on the broken sword in his hand. His expression darkened further, and his eyes turned icy.
That sword had been entrusted to his shadow clone to guard the Xuan Pin Gate. The clone could only follow his orders but couldn't share memories with him.
Seeing Yuan Zu holding the sword, Li Hao instantly understood what had happened.
"You've truly outdone yourselves."
Li Hao gritted his teeth, spitting out each word.
Yuan Zu, noticing Li Hao's gaze, quickly handed back the sword. "This is your clone's weapon. I… I will make it up to you. For now, the bigger picture is more important. Don't hold it against us."
Li Hao grabbed the sword back, glaring fiercely at Yuan Zu. "Make it up to me? What can you possibly offer to make this right? Do you realize the disaster you've brought upon us? Be ready to become food for the Ancient Demons!"
Hearing Li Hao's words, Yuan Zu's face fell. The other Saints also turned pale with shock and anger. Shen Wang said in a low voice:
"Whatever you want, just name it! Seal the crack first, or this will only get worse."
"That's right, Li Hao! Even if we were wrong, blame us later. Seal the crack first!"
"If you don't, those Ancient Demons will come through again!"
The Saints tried to persuade him urgently.
Li Hao sneered. "Seal the crack? You think it's that simple? Sure, I can seal it. But didn't I already seal it once? Who opened it again?"
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang, chastised by Li Hao's words, felt a deep sense of humiliation but said nothing to argue.
The other Saints looked equally ashamed but were also filled with growing dread. The Saint of Yin-Yang stepped forward and said:
"Li Hao-zun, we are all willing to apologize and make amends. Please, just seal the gap first. Whatever the problem is, we can discuss it afterward," Yuan Zu pleaded.
Li Hao looked at him coldly, giving him no face at all, and said sharply:
"Do you not understand what I'm saying? The gap I sealed could be broken by you lot—do you think the Ancient Demons outside are weaker than you? Do you think they can't break through it?"
Hearing this, all the Saints froze, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.
Li Hao continued, "The seal I placed earlier wasn't just to block the gap—it was to prevent any aura from leaking out. I stationed my shadow clone outside to guard the gate. If any wandering Ancient Demons approached and detected the Xuan Pin Gate, my clone would eliminate them immediately. Otherwise, do you think sealing the gap alone was enough to solve the problem?"
"As long as this door is discovered, those Ancient Demons will find a way to attack it!"
"Now, you've attracted the Ancient Demons over here. The gate has already been discovered. Do you think sealing it again will make any difference?"
At Li Hao's words, the Saints' faces turned pale. Indeed, if they had been able to break his seal, the Ancient Demons could do the same. Re-sealing it was meaningless now.
"Are we… just supposed to wait here and die?"
"Why don't we just charge out? There were only a dozen Ancient Demons—if we kill them all, the news won't spread."
One of the Saints blurted out anxiously.
Hearing this, Li Hao's face turned icy, his voice full of anger. "A dozen?!"
The Saint who spoke trembled under his fury, his voice weakening. "Yes… is there a bigger problem?"
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang both stared at Li Hao, awaiting his explanation.
Li Hao's face was grim as he said coldly, "A dozen Ancient Demons appearing means that even if they all die, their leader will trace their presence and scent back here. By then, it won't just be a dozen—it will be hundreds!"
"Hundreds…"
The Saints felt their hearts clench, as though suffocated.
It had taken all their power to kill just one Ancient Demon. If there were hundreds, the outcome was unimaginable.
Li Hao glanced at their expressions, making no effort to spare their feelings. Instead, he sneered and said:
"Hundreds is still a conservative estimate. That's only if it's just a leader. If an Ancient Demon commander is present, I'm not even sure if the gate will hold. If it breaks… it won't just be you lot. The entire Heavenly Realms will fall!"
This statement hit the Saints like a hammer, and their faces turned completely ashen.
Yuan Zu clenched his fists tightly, his palms soaked in cold sweat. He stared intently at Li Hao and said with desperation, "Surely you have a solution, right?"
Li Hao glanced at the black mist swirling around the Immortal Gate. He couldn't be bothered to look any longer and turned away. "The only solution I can think of now is to take my friends and find somewhere to hide. Whether we can survive or not… I don't know."
With that, he turned and prepared to leave.
Yuan Zu immediately rushed forward to block him, his composure finally breaking. His voice was filled with rare desperation.
"Li Hao-zun, what happened earlier was our fault. We are all apologizing now. After this, no matter what you demand of us, as long as we can do it, we will. Please, even if not for us, at least consider the countless innocent lives in the Heavenly Realms!"
"Innocent lives?"
Li Hao halted, his lips curving into a mocking smile. "You want me to help those people who called me selfish and greedy?"
Hearing this, Yuan Zu and the other Saints looked uncomfortable. Indeed, they had incited their followers to slander Li Hao, hoping to pressure him by destroying his reputation. Now, it felt like they were reaping what they had sown.
"That was our fault! They're innocent. You can't be this selfish," Yuan Zu gritted his teeth.
Li Hao laughed coldly. "I happen to have this one habit—when people accuse me of something, I make a point to live up to their expectations. If they call me selfish, I'll be selfish, just to show them. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Li Hao-zun, don't take it out on the people of the Heavenly Realms. We're begging you now!" one Saint implored.
Li Hao shot him a withering look and said sternly, "Taking it out on them? I already warned you—you gambled with the fate of all the Heavenly Realms. Who among you said they could bear that responsibility?"
The Saints avoided his gaze, their expressions full of shame.
Among the crowd, the Saint who had earlier declared they would bear the consequences now hung his head low, wishing he could disappear entirely.
Li Hao scoffed and said, "You think I'm just being petty? Now you suddenly believe I can solve anything, don't you? Let me tell you the truth: even if I forgave you and wanted to fix this, I can't anymore! The mess you've made can only be paid for with your lives!"
With that, he pushed Yuan Zu aside and strode toward the Immortal Gate.
Yuan Zu stumbled but didn't retaliate. Fighting Li Hao now would be pointless.
As Li Hao approached the gate, he glanced back at Yi Sheng and asked casually, "Want to come along and find a place to hide?"
Yi Sheng froze. She had been preparing to persuade Li Hao, though her heart was filled with anger at Yuan Zu and the others for causing such a calamity. But Li Hao's words made her realize that even he had no solution left.
"Yes," she replied softly. She thought of her disciples and followers—if nothing else, she wanted to save at least some of them.
Roar!
The black mist at the edge of the Immortal Gate suddenly coalesced into the form of an Ancient Demon.
Seeing the demon emerge, the Saints' expressions changed dramatically, as though facing an overwhelming enemy.
Yuan Zu and Shen Wang stepped forward immediately, ready to attack.
Li Hao narrowed his eyes at the demon. When he saw it lunging toward Yi Sheng, his expression turned icy. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed the broken sword he had just taken back from Yuan Zu.
Boom!
In an instant, the sword moved like a beam of light, piercing through the Ancient Demon and obliterating its body.
At the same time, Li Hao's soul force surged, slashing out a sword aura that split the stunned Ancient Demon's soul into pieces, eradicating it completely.
Once the Ancient Demon was dead, Li Hao reached out, grabbing both its corpse and the previous demon's body. He stored them within his Heavenly Space. Then, he beckoned toward Yi Sheng and strode away without looking back.