Chapter 431: The Third Test, Path to the True Immortal Realm
"Haotian, Elder Wang said you've already passed the first test?"
The moment Li Hao arrived, one of the Saints questioned him.
Li Hao turned to the speaker. Though their tone seemed genuine, there was an unmistakable hint of doubt in their gaze.
"Mm."
Li Hao nodded slightly, not taking it to heart.
"Haotian, how did you manage to last so long on your first challenge in the True Sovereign Tower?"
Another Saint, seemingly curious, asked. There was a faint trace of admiration in their eyes. While jealousy lingered in some, others saw Li Hao's immense potential and were eager to establish a connection.
Among the group, Hua Sheng and You Sheng also watched Li Hao intently. They chose not to question him, trusting that someone accepted into the Hua You Association wouldn't resort to underhanded means. Besides, with Elder Wang's integrity, there was no reason for deception.
"By running—constantly running,"
Li Hao replied simply, meeting the other Saint's gaze. "The projection inside was far too powerful. A direct confrontation was impossible."
Hearing this, Lin Sheng, Ming Sheng, and Mu Sheng all narrowed their eyes. They, too, understood the projection's terrifying strength.
But running? Escaping? That wasn't something one could do so easily.
"Even running would be extremely difficult, wouldn't it? Considering the projection's overwhelming power, it should've been able to overpower you in every aspect. Did you perhaps achieve some sort of enlightenment inside?"
The earlier speaker's expression turned skeptical.
Li Hao smiled faintly but didn't respond.
The test's intricacies involved personal techniques and hidden cards, and the question bordered on intrusion.
"The True Sovereign Tower's challenge doesn't leave much room for tactics. Haotian must've had some breakthrough that disrupted the projection's abilities, allowing him to hold out for so long. Isn't that right?"
Ming Sheng spoke suddenly, his voice calm, though his gaze was fixed on Elder Wang.
It was evident that Ming Sheng doubted Elder Wang's impartiality. If Li Hao hadn't achieved a breakthrough, the only other explanation was that Elder Wang had offered him some form of guidance. Ming Sheng refused to believe anyone could endure against that ferocious projection on their first attempt.
Run? That was absurd—the projection's speed was far superior.
Elder Wang, sensing Ming Sheng's pointed look, smiled lightly and turned to Li Hao.
"You're quite good at hiding your talents, you sly boy. You surprised me earlier."
Li Hao scratched his head, unsure what Elder Wang was referring to.
"You all should work harder on your cultivation. Haotian, come with me,"
Elder Wang said, scanning the crowd before addressing Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded in acknowledgment.
The gathered Saints exchanged complicated glances as they watched Elder Wang openly favor Li Hao.
Ming Sheng, Mu Sheng, and Lin Sheng exchanged a knowing look, a silent understanding passing between them. They all felt an undeniable sense of crisis emanating from Li Hao. For Lin Sheng especially, it was a bitter pill to swallow. He had only recently passed the first test and was preparing to challenge the True Sovereign Tower. Yet, even with his hard-earned progress, he hadn't lasted nearly as long as Li Hao—barely half an incense stick—and had no clue how to defeat the projection.
Having worked tirelessly for years to close the gap with Mu Sheng and Ming Sheng, only to be surpassed so decisively by Li Hao, Lin Sheng's aspirations now felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over them.
The crowd murmured amongst themselves, speculating on who might first reach the third step and claim the Immortal Emperor's legacy.
Meanwhile, Ming Sheng, Lin Sheng, and Mu Sheng made a silent pact. Instead of returning to cultivate, they rose in unison and flew toward Elder Wang's residence.
At the wooden house, Elder Wang led Li Hao inside and set up a soundproof barrier. He was about to explain the third test, as well as the path to the True Immortal Realm and the differences that realm entailed. Just as they sat by the wooden stump, three streaks of light approached.
"Elder Wang."
The three Saints greeted him, offering sheepish smiles despite their visible discomfort. They had spent countless years here, working hard to earn Elder Wang's favor, yet now felt overshadowed by his apparent preference for Li Hao.
Despite their internal discontent, they kept their expressions neutral, even warm.
"What brings you here?"
Elder Wang asked, his tone neutral.
Ming Sheng bowed slightly, his smile ingratiating. "Elder Wang, we thought we might gain some insights from you and hear your teachings."
Elder Wang shook his head internally but decided to address their unspoken doubts directly. "You suspect that Haotian lasted so long in the True Sovereign Tower because of my guidance?" He chuckled. "Fine. Since you've been diligent and respectful over the years, I'll use Haotian to teach you your first lesson."
"Hmm?"
The three Saints froze, their expressions awkward. They hadn't expected Elder Wang to call them out so bluntly. Still, they weren't entirely surprised. After all, their suspicions weren't unfounded, and many others likely shared them.
Hearing Elder Wang's offer of a lesson, they exchanged hopeful glances. Perhaps he was finally going to share Li Hao's methods with them?
"The first lesson…"
Elder Wang's expression turned serious as he paused for emphasis.
"…is to learn how to acknowledge others' excellence."
The three Saints: "…"
Elder Wang ignored the stiff smiles of the three Saints and said calmly, "When you eventually enter the True Realm—if even a fraction of its former glory remains—you'll encounter more prodigies, far beyond your current comprehension. They're born into wealth and power, their foundations unparalleled. Some bathe in celestial medicines as infants, consume Dao Fruits as snacks, and cultivate the same techniques at speeds hundreds or thousands of times faster than yours."
He paused, his tone growing heavier. "Then there are others, without such backgrounds, but possessing extraordinary intellect and unrivaled talent. These individuals rise from obscurity, challenging the elite of great powers and carving out their own legacies."
Elder Wang's gaze swept across the three, his words piercing to their very core. "When that time comes, will you still compare yourselves to them? Will you still feel jealousy? Will you burn with anger?"
The three Saints' expressions shifted, their thoughts laid bare. The hidden envy and resentment in their hearts made them unable to meet Elder Wang's gaze.
"Haotian's talent surpasses yours by far," Elder Wang continued. "I didn't teach him anything related to the tests. He spent three years playing chess with me and using his spare time to quietly comprehend on his own. Yet, he managed to cultivate the Yan Luo Immortal Technique to the level of True Intent. This can only mean one thing—his foundation is leagues ahead of yours."
Ming Sheng, Mu Sheng, and Lin Sheng turned to Li Hao, their eyes filled with skepticism.
After all, the aura Li Hao exuded was merely at the level of a Two-Calamity Saint, while they were long-standing Supreme Saints.
"If you have the energy to waste on useless speculation, why not put it toward cultivating? Your aptitudes in the True Realm would only be considered average. Meanwhile, Haotian would be recognized as a prodigy even in that world."
Elder Wang's bluntness cut deep.
The trio's expressions grew more strained. They had heard Elder Wang recount tales of the True Realm before, and they knew his assessment was accurate. Their talents, by True Realm standards, were middling at best.
But to think that the boy before them, in a world brimming with unparalleled geniuses, could still be considered exceptional?
Three years? Could he have truly achieved all this on his own?
"Leave. Don't waste any more time here," Elder Wang dismissed them with a wave of his hand. "I need to instruct Haotian in the immortal techniques for the third test and the path to the True Immortal Realm."
The trio froze, their thoughts racing. A moment later, Ming Sheng couldn't hold back any longer.
"Elder Wang, this… isn't this a bit unfair?" Ming Sheng blurted out.
He had spent hundreds of years serving Elder Wang, massaging his legs and shoulders, and eagerly attending to him. Each time he had sought guidance about the tests, Elder Wang would insist he could offer no hints or clues. Despite this, Ming Sheng had persisted, hoping his sincerity would eventually win Elder Wang over.
In the end, he had earned Elder Wang's acknowledgment, but the advice he received had been limited to cultivating celestial herbs—something he had rejected outright, as his sights were set on the Immortal Emperor's legacy.
Mu Sheng and Lin Sheng, though silent, wore similarly discontent expressions.
Elder Wang looked at their frustrated faces, unperturbed. "Unfair, you say? Haotian has already passed the second test and cleared the first level of the True Sovereign Tower. Once you pass the same, I'll teach you about the third test's techniques as well. But for now, it's far too early."
His words landed like thunder.
The three Saints froze, their minds blank with disbelief.
For a long moment, none of them could speak. Finally, they turned to look at Elder Wang, then at Li Hao.
"He… passed the True Sovereign Tower's test? The first level? Does that mean… there's a second level?" Mu Sheng stammered, his composure slipping.
Hearing this, Li Hao's mind raced. So Elder Wang had indeed been observing him in the tower. While others couldn't see what happened inside, Elder Wang clearly could.
And there was a second level?
"The True Sovereign Tower has three levels," Elder Wang explained. "The first corresponds to the test for a registered disciple. The second is for formal disciples. And the third is for the Immortal Emperor's personal disciples."
He continued, his tone even, "Of course, for personal disciples, there are additional trials beyond the True Sovereign Tower. Those are not for you to concern yourselves with."
"During the first level, the projection has twice your strength. The second level, five times. The third level… ten times."
"Ten times…"
The three Saints were stunned, as was Li Hao.
So, the challenge he had faced was the second level? That explained why the projection had been so overwhelmingly powerful—at least five times his strength.
And he had been defeated instantly.
But the third level? A projection with ten times his strength? That was unimaginable.
Li Hao's thoughts raced. If his power were amplified tenfold, he would become an unstoppable force, even capable of slaughtering True Immortals. The projection he had faced on the second level already seemed to possess such strength. At tenfold? That would be monstrous.
"For the Immortal Emperor's personal disciples, passing the third level is merely the simplest part of the tests," Elder Wang said coldly. "The fact that these trials exist means they can be conquered. You should already understand that there is always someone stronger, even if you haven't encountered them yet. Haotian is your first glimpse of a sky beyond your own."
The trio looked at Li Hao, their gazes complicated.
Was this youth truly so extraordinary?
"Go now," Elder Wang waved them away, his tone brooking no argument. "I didn't tell you about Haotian's progress earlier because I didn't want to demoralize you."
While Elder Wang hoped Li Hao's achievements would inspire the others to work harder, he also understood that comparing themselves to someone as exceptional as Li Hao might do more harm than good. Excessive pressure could lead to despair and a loss of motivation.
The three Saints felt a heaviness in their chests, but they bowed to Elder Wang before leaving, their steps unsteady and their minds clouded.
After the three Saints departed, Elder Wang's stern demeanor softened slightly. He glanced at Li Hao, then rolled his eyes. "If I'd known you were this clever, I wouldn't have wasted so much time on you these past few years. From now on, you'd better focus on cultivating. Being able to pass the True Sovereign Tower on your first attempt, even if it was due to some breakthrough or enlightenment, means you have a sliver of hope to become the Immortal Emperor's official disciple."
"Don't let this opportunity slip away. Take it seriously and cultivate properly."
Li Hao was dumbfounded. If there was one thing he hated, it was being nagged about cultivation.
After all, wasn't he already working hard enough?
"Elder Wang, it's not like one thing interferes with the other," Li Hao tried to argue.
Hearing this, Elder Wang's frustration boiled over. It was clear from Li Hao's tone that he wasn't planning to take it as seriously as he should. This brat just wants to slack off!
"You, you, you… what am I supposed to do with you? Do you even realize what it means to have passed the test? Do you understand the weight of becoming an official disciple?"
"Doesn't it mean becoming an official disciple?"
"…!"
Elder Wang's eyes nearly rolled out of their sockets. He felt like he was trying to reason with a brick wall—or worse, something even less responsive.
When did it ever become necessary to coax someone into competing for the Immortal Emperor's legacy? It had always been something others fought tooth and nail for!
"In the past, I allowed the Saints here to aim for the title of registered disciples because I knew that, with the broken lineages of the outside world, even producing one registered disciple was a feat. After the devastating war, the Immortal Emperor intended to let registered disciples inherit part of the legacy. Based on their later performance, those who excelled could qualify to become official disciples and unlock more of the Dao lineage's secrets."
Elder Wang leaned closer, his expression turning solemn. "If you can become an official disciple, it's like having a direct path to the Immortal Lord Realm. If you push yourself just a little further, you might even reach the Immortal King Realm."
"The Immortal King Realm?" Li Hao asked, his tone curious.
"In the True Realm, Immortal Kings are sovereign rulers, second only to Immortal Emperors. Wherever they go, they're worshipped by all, commanding reverence and awe."
Hearing this, Li Hao's eyes lit up. "That's… quite something."
"What did you expect? Even now, the resources aren't what they used to be. If the Immortal Emperor were still alive during the peak era of the True Realm, becoming his official disciple would have meant being guaranteed the Immortal King Realm in the future!"
Elder Wang gave him a pointed look.
Li Hao nodded, his interest piqued. "Alright, I'll give it my best shot."
But as he thought of the second-layer projection's overwhelming power, unease crept into his heart.
Still, he had yet to integrate the Transcendent Chess Mind. If he embedded it into his movement techniques, he might stand a 20% chance of success.
Yes—20%. Despite the boost, the projection's overwhelming strength in all areas meant even perfect movement techniques might only offer a marginal edge. It wouldn't close the gap completely.
Seeing Li Hao's resolve, Elder Wang's mood improved. He nodded. "Since you've shown a glimmer of hope, seize it. From now on, I'll treat you as though you're preparing for the official disciple trials. Passing the first test in three years is a pace befitting an official disciple, with time to spare."
Elder Wang continued, "Your next step is to pass the second layer of the True Sovereign Tower. As for the third layer… don't even think about it yet."
"For now, I'll teach you the cultivation techniques needed to ascend to the True Immortal Realm."
Elder Wang's expression grew serious. "The Saint level is merely the stage where you condense your own Sacred Dao. When cultivated to the extreme, the Sacred Dao begins to faintly sense Heaven's Will, reaching the stage of Supreme Saint, or the Saint level's grand completion."
"But to become an immortal, your Sacred Dao must gain recognition from Heaven and Earth. That process is called 'Proving the Dao to the Heavens.'"
"Proving the Dao requires comprehending the True Intent of the Sacred Dao!"
"That's the essence of the first test. In other words, anyone who passes the first test is qualified to ascend to the True Immortal Realm."
As he spoke, Elder Wang glanced at the three Saints now seated in the distance.
In tens of thousands of years, only three individuals had cultivated to the point of qualifying for the True Immortal Realm.
"But that's just the ordinary True Immortal Realm," Elder Wang added. "As I've mentioned before, the third test is to condense three Immortal Seals, also called the Three-Flower Immortal Seal."
"Mastering one True Intent allows you to condense one Flower Immortal Seal. Three Seals require comprehending the True Intent of three Dao paths."
"And official disciples? They must condense the Nine-Flower Immortal Seal."
"Furthermore, their soul lifespan must be under 10,000 years."
Elder Wang's gaze fixed on Li Hao. From the moment Li Hao had arrived, Elder Wang had noted his short soul lifespan—barely a hundred years. Despite that, he had cultivated to this level. In all Elder Wang's experience, Li Hao's potential to become an official disciple was undeniable.
"Nine-Flower Immortal Seal?" Li Hao asked, startled. "That means comprehending nine types of True Intent?"
"Exactly."
"What about personal disciples?" Li Hao pressed, his curiosity piqued.
"Nine is typically the absolute limit," Elder Wang said, shaking his head slightly. "The Immortal Seal can only bear nine flowers—no more. Even if you comprehend additional True Intents, they cannot be inscribed. The Nine-Flower Immortal Seal is the pinnacle of the Immortal Seal."
"However, exceptions exist. Beyond the Nine-Flower Seal lies the Dao Origin Immortal Seal, a rarity across all realms."
"To achieve that transformation, you'd need unparalleled talent combined with extraordinary opportunities. Don't concern yourself with it. Focus on the Nine-Flower Immortal Seal—for those in the True Realm, it's already a hallmark of the most exceptional True Immortals."
Hearing this, Li Hao fell silent, deep in thought.