Chapter 383: The Outbreak of the Divine War
When Li Hao finally completed the Stellar Meridian's ultimate realm, six months had already passed. Two more years remained until the ancient palace would open.
Li Hao was uncertain whether the Divine War would affect the ancient palace, but he knew he had to be prepared. He could not afford to be just a key or a pawn.
Over these six months, the Thief Saint's Sect had been peaceful. The flowers and plants bloomed and withered in harmony with the seasons, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.
In his spare time, Li Hao played chess with Hong Yue, went fishing with Feng Bo Ping, and occasionally met with the Sword Master and Huang Tian Sheng to fish in the Heavenly River.
After all, the mystical Dao Fish of Divine Waters was a rare treasure of heaven and earth. If he could catch a few more, his sword Gongming could undergo further tribulations.
Currently, Gongming had reached the two-tribulation level. Advancing to a three-tribulation weapon would require 80 treasures, a staggering amount.
"Got a bite!"
Li Hao felt a slight tug on his fishing line, and his eyes brightened as he sensed through the line that he had hooked a Dao Fish of Divine Waters.
He quickly reeled in the line, but didn't pull too hard. Instead, he played with the fish, wearing down its strength.
Once the timing was right, he gave a strong pull, hauling up the exhausted Dao Fish.
"Three fish now. You better be careful not to fish all the Dao Fish out of this river," the Sword Master remarked, eyeing the plump Dao Fish with its luminous scales and swirling Dao aura with a hint of envy.
Even Huang Tian Sheng glanced over. She had only just caught three herself, yet now Li Hao's fishing skills were catching up to hers.
Feng Bo Ping glanced at the catch and then fixed his gaze on his own line, murmuring under his breath, "Come on, fish… come on, fish…"
Li Hao removed the hook and stored the Dao Fish in his spatial ring. Casting the line out again, he glanced at his newly gained fishing experience, smiling to himself.
Both times he had come to the Heavenly River to fish, he'd gained considerably, and his fishing skill had now reached level 7, nearly maxed out.
Once he broke through to level 8, his fishing skill would improve again, potentially surpassing Huang Tian Sheng.
Though Huang Tian Sheng's Way of Deception made her naturally skilled at fishing, she didn't seem particularly invested in it. If she were more focused, Li Hao guessed she could likely reach level 10 in fishing.
After more than ten days, Feng Bo Ping and the Sword Master each hooked a Dao Fish, while Li Hao caught two more, and Huang Tian Sheng landed three.
Li Hao's fishing skill reached level 7 max. With another Dao Fish hooked, he had an epiphany and smoothly broke through to level 8.
A flood of fishing insights filled him, deepening his understanding of the skill.
Just as he was about to cast the line again, the Sword Master and Feng Bo Ping both looked slightly startled, as if they had received some news. Their expressions shifted subtly.
At the same time, Huang Tian Sheng also paused, closing her eyes for a moment. When she reopened them, they glimmered with a hint of shock.
"Something's happened in Yuntian Realm and Xuanfeng Realm!"
"And in the Demon Emperor Realm. The Shura Night Emperor there has been killed!" the Sword Master added, his expression growing serious.
"Yunque Tower reports that it's the Divine Clan. They detected traces of extreme Dao energy, and a large number of Divine Clan members have occupied these holy lands."
Feng Bo Ping's face showed a hint of shock as he relayed the news.
Even though they hadn't been directly involved in the past, they had all heard of the War of Divine Extermination.
They hadn't expected that after so many ages, the Divine Clan would rise again and reappear in the world.
"Three mid-tier worlds have all been taken over so quickly, and no one noticed a thing. Such speed likely means a Supreme Saint is involved…"
Huang Tian Sheng's gaze grew serious. "The Divine Clan follows the extreme Dao, but reaching the level of a Supreme Saint isn't easy. Judging by this, they may have produced a second Divine King."
Hearing their conversation, Li Hao set his line aside, realizing that Ying Xiaoxiao's ancestor had begun to act. He hadn't expected an attack to come so soon after Ying Xiaoxiao's invitation, barely half a year ago, and with such ferocity.
It seemed the Divine Clan, after years of seclusion, had long been plotting and preparing in secret.
"The Divine Clan's reappearance is likely just the opening act. The Yuan Ancestor won't stand idly by…"
The three exchanged worried looks.
If another war like that erupted, the heavens would once again be plunged into chaos, with countless lives lost.
"I need to return to the Sword Ancestor's Holy Land to restrain our forces and consult with the Sword Saint. It's best if we avoid involvement in this battle," the Sword Master said, rising.
Li Hao and Feng Bo Ping nodded, not trying to dissuade him.
After the Sword Master departed, Feng Bo Ping sighed. "Another great calamity. For the Divine Clan to reveal themselves so boldly, they must be well-prepared for a confrontation with the Yuan Ancestor. It's likely they'll be no small threat. We should avoid becoming entangled in this conflict. The three worlds targeted were all involved in the Divine Clan war back then, so they may be primarily seeking revenge."
"Indeed."
Li Hao nodded, reassured that Feng Bo Ping and the others had no interest in getting involved.
"We should return as well and seal off the Holy Land. We'd better activate the grand array of the Minor Thousand Realm, to prevent the Divine Clan from rampaging and causing us collateral damage," Huang Tian Sheng said, standing up, abandoning the leisure of fishing.
Seeing this, Li Hao returned with them.
Back in the Minor Thousand Realm, Feng Bo Ping and Huang Tian Sheng activated the world's grand array, sealing it off to prevent any entry or exit.
Once inside the Holy Land, they sealed it off as well and issued orders to the various Divine Dynasties within the Minor Thousand Realm to maintain stability.
"The Yuan Ancestor is unfathomably powerful. For the Divine Clan to act so boldly, they must have some strong backing. We're better off watching from the sidelines," Feng Bo Ping advised Li Hao, hoping to keep him from becoming involved.
Li Hao nodded, deciding not to share what he knew about the Divine Clan's ancestor with Feng Bo Ping, assuming the news would soon become public knowledge anyway.
As the three mid-tier worlds fell, the Divine Clan made its presence felt like thunder. After seizing the three worlds, they dropped all pretense of secrecy, and word of the Divine Clan's reappearance spread across the heavens within a day.
The news struck like a bolt from the blue, shocking the Holy Lands across the heavens. Ancient memories of the Divine Clan resurfaced, and those holy lands that had participated in the war against the Divine Clan wore grim expressions, sealing off their domains and preparing for battle.
Many eyes turned to the Upper Three Realms, especially the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land in the Tianyuan Realm, curious about how the Yuan Ancestor would respond.
Within the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land, however, there was only silence, with no information released.
Meanwhile, the Divine Clan began dismantling the incense shrines across the three conquered worlds, destroying temples dedicated to the holy land's saints, including Supreme Saints. With the temples torn down, the incense lines were severed.
Two days later, news spread that two more worlds had fallen to the Divine Clan.
Four saints had perished in the battles, shaking the heavens.
"Many saints involved in that war have already made their way to the Tianyuan Realm. The Divine Clan's return may be swift and fierce, but this conflict won't last long. There will be a resolution soon."
Within the Holy Land, Feng Bo Ping came to Li Hao's courtyard, where they discussed these matters over tea.
"Has there been any response from the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land?"
Li Hao asked.
Feng Bo Ping shook his head. "The Yuan Ancestor will likely proceed cautiously. He may rally the Supreme Saints of old to recreate the events of the past. It's unclear if the Divine Clan can withstand them this time."
Li Hao felt a hint of concern.
The Divine King, having been besieged in the past, would surely have prepared meticulously this time, and the Yuan Ancestor would also be more prepared.
Days passed.
News continued to emerge of worlds swearing allegiance to the Divine Clan, though whether by force or choice was unknown.
The Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land eventually responded, announcing that the decisive battle would take place at Void Abyss.
Void Abyss was a perilous void rift, an unfathomable chasm rumored to lead beyond the realms of the saints. No one dared explore its depths; those who did never returned. A Supreme Saint had warned that it wasn't the path of immortals or gods and had designated it a forbidden zone.
Shortly after the announcement, a saint from the Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land arrived outside the Minor Thousand Realm.
Feng Bo Ping went to greet him, aware of his likely intentions, but maintained his composure as he escorted the saint to the Holy Land.
After some pleasantries, the saint requested a meeting with Li Hao, directly expressing his desire to invite him to join the war against the Divine Clan.
Feng Bo Ping listened quietly. Though he, too, was invited, his offer paled in comparison to Li Hao's—one world's incense offering versus ten lower-tier worlds for Li Hao.
Furthermore, the Yuan Ancestor promised to protect Li Hao during the ancient palace exploration and ensure he faced no danger.
Li Hao listened to the saint's generous terms without reaction. Though tempting, he had promised Ying Xiaoxiao not to get involved in this conflict.
Besides, he hadn't planned on relying on anyone during the ancient palace exploration. The Hun Tian Saint would likely make a move against him, and once the immortal path was found, they would leave, likely trying to eliminate him before departure.
It was uncertain if the Yuan Ancestor would intervene against Hun Tian Saint on his behalf.
"I was injured in my recent battle with Qing Deng Fo and Xu Zu, so I am currently recuperating and unfit for combat," Li Hao replied, making an excuse to avoid offending the Yuan Ancestor.
The saint regarded Li Hao in surprise, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. His sincere demeanor shifted as he spoke:
"Revered Haotian, the demonic forces have returned. The Yuan Ancestor leads the saints in battle as an act of justice. The demonic clan is deceitful and cruel, using slaughter to cultivate. Destroying them is a great merit."
Li Hao smirked inwardly but feigned indifference outwardly, nodding. "I'll consider it once I've recovered. Please convey my gratitude to the Yuan Ancestor."
The saint regarded him with a cool gaze, then took his leave, his expression visibly displeased.
After he left, Feng Bo Ping turned to Li Hao. "I fear that by rejecting the Yuan Ancestor, he may grow suspicious and think you're allied with the Divine Clan, which could turn him against you."
Li Hao shook his head. "He won't. The Divine Clan is his primary enemy now, and he wouldn't risk creating another. The more favorable his terms to me, the graver the situation likely is. The Divine Clan might be more formidable than we thought; otherwise, why invite me, who isn't even a Supreme Saint, to assist?"
Feng Bo Ping's eyes gleamed thoughtfully. "That's a good point. If every Supreme Saint was involved, the Yuan Ancestor would've acted by now. The Divine Clan, no matter how powerful, wouldn't dare face the entire heavens alone unless other Supreme Saints refused to get involved."
"Yes…" Li Hao's eyes narrowed, reflecting on this.
Once, the Yuan Ancestor had united several Supreme Saints to subdue the Divine King. Now, those Supreme Saints refused to step in, likely for one reason alone.
The ancient palace.
In two years, it would open, and what lay within was unknown. Should the fight for the immortal path begin, the Yuan Ancestor would be the biggest obstacle.
The Divine Clan's timing likely exploited this knowledge, realizing the other Supreme Saints' thoughts.
Half a month passed swiftly.
The Divine Clan's influence grew, subjugating four or five additional worlds.
In the Tianyuan Realm, saints were dispatched, clashing with the Divine Clan in one of the lower-tier worlds.
As Li Hao kept an eye on the unfolding situation, he continued his cultivation.
Having reached the second ultimate realm, he devoted his focus to refining laws with Dao, integrating them into his body in an attempt to break through to the Pinnacle of Comprehension.
Achieving this realm would greatly enhance his strength.
After all, few saints had mastered the Eternal Dao Domain's pinnacle. The Pinnacle of Comprehension was likely beyond even the Supreme Saints. Achieving it would grant him an advantage in a clash with the Hun Tian Saint.
As he refined these laws, his body grew stronger, his bones hardening into Dao Bones, his divine blood brimming with Dao power.
If he could refine his entire body into a Dao Body, his physical form would reach new, near-indestructible heights.
While he cultivated, the Tianyuan Realm saw increasing saint gatherings. The Yuan Ancestor and Divine Clan's forces clashed repeatedly, though a full-scale war had yet to break out.
Each side was testing the other, with occasional saint casualties, but the Yuan Ancestor and Divine King had yet to confront each other directly.
Feng Bo Ping gathered news, confirming Li Hao's suspicions—none of the other Supreme Saints' Holy Lands had intervened, even those that once allied to slay the Divine King.
Li Hao guessed that in addition to the ancient palace, the Divine King might have secretly offered benefits to these Supreme Saints, ensuring they refrained from joining forces.
As the Divine Clan and Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land continued their skirmishes, the conflict spilled across various worlds. Increasing numbers of saints chose sides, joining the Yuan Ancestor to fight the Divine Clan.
Time flew, and a year passed in the blink of an eye.
The Divine Clan and Yuan Ancestor's Holy Land clashed repeatedly, but neither side launched an all-out assault. Contrary to early predictions of a swift conclusion, the absence of the other Supreme Saints prolonged the stalemate.
Li Hao sensed that the battle might extend until the ancient palace opened, where the true resolution would likely unfold.
With the ancient palace's opening imminent, time was running short for Li Hao.