Chapter 405: The Saint Infant's Completion, The Second Transformation into Immortality
Evidently, though Mi Xu Tian was isolated from the outside world, news from beyond still found its way in.
Li Hao said, "I don't deserve such praise. My name is Li Hao."
"I've heard of your name. A genius unseen in ten thousand years within the Zhutian—a true prodigy unmatched by reincarnated Saints. Your battle projection was shown to me by my disciples. It was indeed remarkable."
Mi Tian Shengren smiled, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration for Li Hao.
Li Hao was slightly surprised but smiled lightly in return and said, "Senior overpraises me."
Mi Tian Shengren said, "I've heard that the Sixth Extreme Realm allows one to wield a sliver of Immortal Power. If you could guide it, perhaps I might refine a true Immortal Pill."
"Perhaps we can try," Li Hao suggested.
"Very well."
Mi Tian Shengren agreed and immediately called for one of his disciples, also a Saint, to prepare the Alchemy Room and gather the necessary materials.
Refining an Immortal Pill required not only an Alchemy Room and auxiliary herbs but also the activation of a Grand Array to gather the sacred vein's energy and channel it into the room to ensure the energy remained abundant.
This preparation would take half a month. With nothing else to do, and at Mi Tian Shengren's invitation, Li Hao temporarily stayed in Mi Xu Tian.
"Senior also enjoys playing chess?"
Li Hao noticed that Mi Tian Shengren's courtyard was extremely simple. Next to it was another herb garden, with tools for cultivating the herbs—shovels, hoes, and other implements that seemed ordinary, though the entire courtyard was impeccably clean.
Besides a teapot and two freely roaming spirit cranes, there was also a chessboard laid out on a mat.
"Hmm, living too long means finding ways to pass the time. I've taken an interest in chess; its strategy is quite fascinating. Do you know how to play?"
Mi Tian Shengren invited Li Hao into his courtyard as a guest. He personally brewed tea for Li Hao using leaves he had grown, picked, and roasted himself. The tea had miraculous effects—it could enhance cultivation, calm the mind, and solidify one's Dao Heart.
If one had any distractions or inner demons, just one cup of this tea could cleanse and soothe the mind completely.
"A little," Li Hao replied with interest. It was rare for him to find someone who shared his hobby. "Shall we play a game?"
Mi Tian Shengren, hearing this, put down his hoe and smiled: "I'd be delighted."
He dusted off the mud on his clothes, patted his sleeves, and gestured for Li Hao to sit down across from him. With a wave, he brought over the previously prepared tea.
As he poured tea for Li Hao, he said, "Usually, I play with my little cranes. My disciples know I enjoy this pastime, so they've tried to learn and play with me. But they're too distracted by thoughts of winning and losing; it spoils the game. Don't hold back against me."
After pouring tea for himself as well, his manner was relaxed and carefree.
Li Hao took a sip and felt the tea's rich aroma seep into his mind. A surge of energy coursed through his body, leaving a lingering, miraculous fragrance. He couldn't help but praise:
"Good tea!"
Afterward, the two began their game.
In chess, true skill is revealed within just a few moves.
After a few exchanges, the casual smile on Mi Tian Shengren's face gradually turned more serious. It was clear to him that Li Hao's chess skills were no mere trick; they were truly impressive.
At this point, Li Hao had already reached the eighth dan in chess. Across the heavens, this level was considered top-tier.
"Not bad, not bad…"
Mi Tian Shengren grew increasingly focused as he placed his pieces, smiling as he realized Li Hao was a rare opponent.
Li Hao also recognized that Mi Tian Shengren's chess skills exceeded his own, which delighted him.
In their first match, Li Hao lost, but rather than feeling disappointed, he was happy to find such a worthy opponent.
In the following days, Li Hao spent time in Mi Tian Shengren's courtyard. Aside from playing chess, he accompanied the elder in tending the herb garden. Mi Tian Shengren used a small shovel to clear weeds, adjust the roots of medicinal plants, and trim unnecessary branches while casually teaching Li Hao about herbs and their properties.
Although Li Hao wasn't particularly interested in herbs, he quietly listened.
As their relationship grew closer, Li Hao realized how kind and gentle Mi Tian Shengren was. One day, after finishing a game of chess, Li Hao couldn't help but ask:
"Senior, I heard that Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng were once your disciples. Why did they leave this place?"
Hearing this question, the triumphant smile on Mi Tian Shengren's face faded. He fell silent for a moment, took a sip of tea, adjusted his sitting posture, and gazed into the distance beyond the eaves.
"To be honest, I was much too arrogant when I was younger. I was obstinate and trusted myself too much, which led to their suffering."
"Oh?"
Li Hao was a bit surprised. Mi Tian Shengren appeared so easygoing now that it was hard to imagine him as someone arrogant and self-centered.
But Li Hao also knew that time changes people. Even in the short lives of mortals, those who despised certain things in their youth might find themselves pursuing and embracing those same things later in life.
"Back then, they followed me, learning alchemy and artifact refinement. Both had immense talent, and I taught them with all my heart. But then, in one incident, I found a top-tier dao weapon embryo in a forbidden land."
"That embryo, if refined properly, had the potential to become the strongest dao weapon in the heavens."
"Unfortunately, it was lost."
"Only they had access to my refining chamber, where the embryo was kept. Naturally, I suspected them of stealing it."
As Mi Tian Shengren spoke, his voice grew quieter, and his gaze shifted to the medicinal garden, though it seemed unfocused, as if lost in memory.
Li Hao, recalling the story briefly mentioned by the Saint who had led him here, remained silent.
"What happened after, you can probably imagine."
"In my anger, I interrogated them relentlessly, but they refused to admit anything. I tried everything but never found the dao weapon."
"In the end, under the pleas of others, I let them go. I planned to secretly watch and see if they would bring out the weapon. But even after they reached Sainthood, they never revealed it…"
Mi Tian Shengren shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with a sense of regret and age-old sorrow.
"In retaliation, they discarded everything I had taught them and created their own Saint Paths—one a path of theft, the other a path of deception. Just as I once accused them, they now embraced those accusations as their dao titles."
Li Hao was stunned. He hadn't expected Feng Lao and Huang Tian Sheng to have such a painful past.
Stealing and lying. Although Mi Tian Shengren hadn't elaborated, Li Hao could imagine the immense suffering and torment they must have endured under such accusations.
"Did you ever find the dao weapon?" Li Hao asked.
Mi Tian Shengren shook his head. "No. But I'm certain now that they weren't the ones who took it. Back then, only a Supreme Saint could have entered the refining chamber besides them. I've spent years investigating, but I've yet to find any conclusive evidence."
Li Hao nodded and looked at the elder. It was difficult to determine who was right or wrong in this story.
However, Li Hao knew that as a third party, he had no right to judge who was right or wrong. That would mean placing himself in a position of supreme authority to criticize others.
The act of judging others itself is often a form of error.
"If this Immortal Pill can be refined successfully and help them touch the threshold of Supreme Saint, it will be a small compensation from me."
Mi Tian Shengren said softly.
Li Hao nodded but said nothing, silently sipping his tea.
Half a month later.
All the preparations for refining the Immortal Pill had been completed.
In the small courtyard, Li Hao was playing chess with Mi Tian Shengren when suddenly, Jian Zhu rushed in.
Seeing the two calmly playing chess, he hurriedly said:
"Li Hao, something's happened!"
"Hmm?"
Both Li Hao and Mi Tian Shengren turned to look at him, frowning slightly.
Jian Zhu's expression was somewhat grim as he said, "The Zhutian world is now spreading rumors about you everywhere. They're saying you're monopolizing the Immortal Road and using brute force to block the Saints from ascending. Now, all the divine dynasties across the smaller worlds are denouncing you for it."
Li Hao froze for a moment, and then he understood why the incense power had diminished. Only the portion coming from the Human Realm remained stable as usual.
"Is this the work of the Saints?"
Li Hao's expression turned icy. He hadn't expected them to involve innocent mortals in this matter.
"Yes, but they haven't directly targeted you. If we investigate now, they've probably already thought of ways to cover their tracks. Too many forces are spreading the rumors; it's impossible to trace the source."
Jian Zhu quickly continued, "The people everywhere are now in an uproar. They're calling you selfish. Look at your incense power—hasn't it already been cut off?"
Li Hao's eyes revealed a cold killing intent as he said, "It seems I've been too kind. Slandering my reputation—if I don't kill a few to make an example, they won't learn their place!"
"If you do that, it will only worsen your reputation. The rumors have already spread, and they can't be extinguished now."
Jian Zhu advised with concern.
Mi Tian Shengren looked at Li Hao and said, "I've heard about your situation. I believe what you said before, but my belief is useless. The method they're using is straightforward—cutting off your incense power. They likely think you're trying to gather the incense of this world, so they're forcing you to respond."
Li Hao paused, considering it, and realized that Mi Tian Shengren's analysis was correct.
"If you strike back in anger now, they'll only claim to be wronged. If you kill them, it will surely be made public, and the people of the Zhutian will see you as cruel and tyrannical. They will then have legitimate grounds to unite against you."
Mi Tian Shengren continued.
Li Hao fell silent.
Mi Tian Shengren glanced at him and said, "Right now, you have two options. The first is to negotiate with them and get them to stop. That would calm things down. The second is to endure. Endure until a hundred years pass, and this generation of mortals dies off. Then you can reestablish your temples for incense."
Li Hao knew that negotiating with the Saints was meaningless. Their greed would not disappear, and no matter what he said, they would not believe him.
"To think I guarded the Ancient Path and bought the Zhutian ten years of peace, only to be rewarded with this."
Li Hao sneered coldly. At that moment, he felt an urge to open the Xuanpin Gate's gap and let them see for themselves. Let them go in and take a look.
But this impulse was ultimately suppressed by his rationality.
If he did that, there would be no turning back.
Once the Ancient Demons invaded, it would not only affect his friends in the Zhutian but also allow the demons to wreak havoc on the Human Realm.
For the sake of the greater good, he could only endure.
Jian Zhu looked at Li Hao with concern, afraid that he would act impulsively and start a battle with the Saints. Such a battle would undoubtedly result in the deaths of many Saints, and Li Hao would also be in danger.
The small courtyard fell into silence. After a long time, Li Hao's expression calmed, and he said:
"I'll accept this for now."
Mi Tian Shengren patted him on the shoulder in comfort and said, "I know you're unwilling, but I believe that one day you'll clear your name."
Li Hao shook his head slightly, unwilling to talk about it further to avoid fueling his anger.
He took a sip of Mi Tian Shengren's tea, feeling his mood calm significantly. Then he said: "When will the Immortal Pill be refined? Once it's done, I want to visit the Human Realm."
"Are you sure you're in the right state of mind?"
Mi Tian Shengren's eyes showed a trace of concern.
Li Hao smiled faintly and said, "It's fine. No matter how much they curse me, I'm not living for them. I'm living for my friends."
Mi Tian Shengren looked deeply at Li Hao. "At first, I had my suspicions, but hearing you say this, I believe what you said before is true. When the Immortal Gods vanished back then, I already sensed that something was wrong. It felt as though they were fleeing or encountered some great crisis. It seems I was right."
At this, he seemed to think of something, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he said:
"That Yuan Zu, he probably also has his suspicions. But his obsession with ascension is too deep. Perhaps not many people know this, but his ancestors were Immortal Gods!"
Li Hao was taken aback. Yuan Zu's ancestors were Immortal Gods?
He couldn't help but recall what Nangong Jian and the red spear woman had said. Could it be that Yuan Zu was a descendant of Tianyang Immortal Emperor?!
"He dreams of following in his ancestors' footsteps. He became a Saint far too early and has experienced everything. His lifelong wish is to take that step forward. As long as there's even a sliver of hope, he'll chase it like a madman. You'd better watch out for him." Mi Tian Shengren warned.
Li Hao nodded slightly. He had indeed sensed Yuan Zu's deep-rooted obsession.
Shaking his head, Li Hao said, "Let's not think about this for now. Let's focus on the matter at hand."
"Alright."
Mi Tian Shengren nodded.
He then took Li Hao to the Alchemy Room, leaving Jian Zhu waiting outside.
"Is the sacred vein connected to the Alchemy Room?"
Mi Tian Shengren asked his disciple. Refining the Immortal Pill was an incredibly complex process, and he needed his disciples to assist him.
"Everything is ready."
The disciple, who was the same Saint that had previously guided Li Hao, replied.
Mi Tian Shengren immediately brought out a stalk of Immortal Herb. Using other spiritual herbs, he carefully stripped away the thin strands of the Immortal Herb before handing them to Li Hao.
"Take a look. Can you refine the Immortal Power from these threads?"
Mi Tian Shengren's expression was serious.
Li Hao had some confidence when he had offered to help refine the Immortal Pill earlier. Aside from extracting the Immortal Power, his cooking path at the tenth level would also assist in refining the pill.
He raised his hand, and a Chaotic Divine Flame materialized in the void.
The moment the flame appeared, both Mi Tian Shengren and his disciple widened their eyes in shock. They exclaimed simultaneously:
"Chaotic Divine Flame?!"
None of them expected that Li Hao could summon the Chaotic Divine Flame with just a raise of his hand. This was a supreme flame born from the Heavenly Dao itself, unmatched by any other flame in the world for refining weapons or alchemy.
At this moment, Li Hao enveloped the delicate threads of the Immortal Herb with the Chaotic Divine Flame, treating it as though he were cooking a delicacy. His hair gradually turned silver as he entered the Extreme Transformation into Immortality state.
Borrowing a trace of Immortal Power from his transformation, Li Hao began refining the threads of the Immortal Herb.
Seeing the changes in the threads, Mi Tian Shengren's expression immediately turned excited. He knew that Li Hao had truly done it.
Mi Tian Shengren continued handing Li Hao more threads of the Immortal Herb. As Li Hao refined them, droplets of Immortal Dew emerged one after another.
Fearing the Immortal Dew would evaporate into the heavens, Mi Tian Shengren quickly composed himself, suppressed his excitement, and began the process of pill refinement.
Once all the Immortal Herb was refined, Li Hao sat to the side, exiting his Extreme Immortal Transformation state.
Mi Tian Shengren did not hide his methods from Li Hao. He openly demonstrated his pill refinement techniques, including how he added supplementary ingredients into the Immortal Pill.
"Li Hao, can you add your Chaotic Divine Flame to increase the intensity of the fire for me?"
As more and more precious ingredients were added to the Pill Furnace, Mi Tian Shengren suddenly asked Li Hao.
Without hesitation, Li Hao released the Chaotic Divine Flame and sent it to the bottom of the Pill Furnace, letting Mi Tian Shengren control the intensity of the fire.
As the aroma of the ingredients spread, the Pill Furnace began to tremble slightly. Outside, waves of Heavenly Dao aura started to gather. Even before the pill had formed, dazzling misty rays of light began to envelop the room, and faint rolls of thunder seemed to echo in the air.
Li Hao sensed that the energy in the pill room had grown extremely dense. It was worthy of being called the power of the sacred land.
With the Chaotic Divine Flame refining the pill, extremely rare and precious herbs were continuously added into the furnace.
Three days later.
The misty radiance surrounding the pill room began to fade. The strange and intense fragrance in the air also gradually disappeared. The previously dense energy within the room had thinned considerably. However, strange sounds, like iron balls colliding, began to echo from within the Pill Furnace.
Mi Tian Shengren's face, lit red by the fire, was drenched in sweat. His white beard and hair had become damp. His expression grew increasingly tense, and after three days of extreme focus and energy consumption, every bit of heat control had to be precise beyond compare.
Li Hao sat to the side, merely providing a constant supply of Chaotic Divine Flame.
Midway, Mi Tian Shengren had asked him once whether he could still hold on. Li Hao had replied without hesitation that he was fine.
Seeing Li Hao so relaxed, Mi Tian Shengren felt reassured and stopped worrying about him, focusing entirely on refining the pill.
As the previous phenomena surrounding the Pill Furnace disappeared, Li Hao grew slightly worried. Could this mean failure?
However, when he saw Mi Tian Shengren's expression turn even more serious and tinged with excitement, Li Hao realized that this might actually be the final sign of the pill's completion.
Under the relentless burn of the Chaotic Divine Flame, the Pill Furnace suddenly trembled. A crack unexpectedly spread across its surface!
From within the crack, a dazzling radiance burst forth like liquid light—so dense it seemed to flow.
At the same time, a fragrance so intoxicating that it felt like it could melt Li Hao's very bones began to waft through the air.
As Li Hao marveled at this, Mi Tian Shengren's face changed dramatically. He erupted with power, summoning the sacred vein behind him, drawing immense Heavenly Energy into himself.
He directed this energy into the Pill Furnace while urging his disciple beside him:
"Hurry! The Immortal Pill is too strong—the power of the sacred vein isn't enough. Transfer more energy into the furnace!"
The disciple, startled, quickly summoned his own Heavenly Vein. However, after several days of helping with the pill refinement, his energy was nearly exhausted. Even when pushed to his limit, the cracks on the Pill Furnace only grew larger.
Seeing this, Li Hao asked, "Is it enough? Do you need more?"
Hearing his question, Mi Tian Shengren hurriedly replied, "Yes! The more, the better. I underestimated this Immortal Pill. It's already developed consciousness!"
Li Hao didn't hesitate any further. He immediately activated the Heavenly Vein of the Stars.
In an instant, the space where Li Hao sat transformed into a vast starry sky.
1,464 dazzling stars surrounded his body, illuminating everything with brilliance. Beams of starlight cascaded down, bringing an endless stream of power that poured into Li Hao.
In just a moment, the energy radiating from Li Hao far surpassed that of Mi Tian Shengren's disciple.
With Li Hao releasing ten threads of Immortal Power and converting them into vast Heavenly Energy, the force he gathered overwhelmed even Mi Tian Shengren himself.
Under Mi Tian Shengren's stunned gaze, Li Hao pushed all of this energy into the Pill Furnace.
Although Mi Tian Shengren had said "the more, the better," Li Hao still restrained himself, using only ten threads of Immortal Power. He worried that if he unleashed all of his thousand threads of Immortal Power, the Immortal Pill might not survive the overwhelming force.
However, even with his current strength, Li Hao had tested his limits back on the Ancient Path. He knew that releasing more than one hundred threads of Immortal Power would result in backlash, as his body could not yet endure it.
After all, he was still at the Saint Realm. His ability to withstand ten threads of Immortal Power was thanks to his physical sanctification and the enhancements he had received from devouring Huntian Shengren's demon body. Other Saints would have reached their absolute limit with just ten threads.
Boom!
As Li Hao's power surged into the Pill Furnace, the cracks on its surface stopped spreading. At the same time, a deep rumbling sound echoed from within, as though something was breaking free.
Moments later, a muffled clap of thunder erupted!
Mi Tian Shengren's head shot up, his gaze piercing through the layers of formations. Looking beyond the alchemy room's ceiling, he saw clouds gathering in the sky.
It was tribulation lightning!
"This… this is an Immortal Tribulation?"
Mi Tian Shengren's pupils contracted as he stared in shock at the descending clouds.
Fortunately, he had prepared for this possibility.
He quickly activated the formations outside the Pill Room. This time, the tribulation was not meant for him—it was the Immortal Pill that had to endure it.
With a sudden explosion, the top of the Pill Furnace blew open, and a silver Immortal Pill shot out.
Its radiant glow filled the space with light, and a fragrance ten times stronger than before spread in all directions.
The Immortal Pill smashed through the alchemy room's formations, piercing the roof as it soared into the sky.
Li Hao was stunned. This was his first time witnessing a pill undergoing Heavenly Tribulation.
Even a pill has its own tribulation?
The Immortal Pill flew high into the air, where the tribulation lightning descended, striking it and enveloping it entirely. Endless waves of lightning spread outward, plunging the sacred land into darkness.
Li Hao noticed that the tribulation lightning was not only immensely powerful, but it also contained a trace of pure Immortal Power, comparable to the combined force of his one hundred threads of Immortal Power.
His eyes flickered as he thought to himself: If I were to face this tribulation now, could I withstand it?
If he didn't have Immortal Power in his body, he would surely fall beneath this Heavenly Tribulation. Even other Supreme Saints would be annihilated. However, with Immortal Power safeguarding his bones, Li Hao could survive. As long as his bones remained intact, he could regenerate.
At that moment, thunder echoed repeatedly as the tribulation lightning rained down.
The formations prepared by Mi Tian Shengren were easily shattered by the Heavenly Tribulation. The remaining force, however, was completely blocked by the Immortal Pill itself.
Amidst the roaring thunder and flashes of lightning, the Immortal Pill became even more dazzling and radiant, its luster smooth and round, emitting a silver brilliance.
Moments later, as the sixth bolt of tribulation lightning struck down, the Heavenly Tribulation clouds dispersed. The Immortal Pill floated in midair, emanating a faint fragrance refined by the ordeal. Compared to the intense aroma from before, this fragrance was more subtle, yet it penetrated deep into the soul, unforgettable and mesmerizing.
"Thank you, benefactor."
Suddenly, a clear and crisp voice echoed in Li Hao's mind.
Li Hao was startled, his gaze sweeping the surroundings before finally landing on the Immortal Pill. It was the pill itself speaking!
He was astonished.
At that moment, the Immortal Pill flashed with silver light and suddenly arced through the air, shooting off into the distance.
Mi Tian Shengren froze for a moment before suddenly reacting. He cried out in alarm, "No! Lock down the sacred land! The Immortal Pill is escaping!"
However, his reaction came a step too late. In the blink of an eye, the Immortal Pill had vanished without a trace, leaving no scent behind.
It all happened so quickly. When Li Hao came back to his senses, he saw Mi Tian Shengren standing there, stunned and dazed.
Li Hao was equally dumbfounded. Not only did the Immortal Pill attract the Heavenly Tribulation, but it also ran away.
"Master…"
Beside them, Mi Tian Shengren's disciple swallowed hard, clearly still in shock.
Mi Tian Shengren stood frozen for a long time before slowly recovering. He stared blankly at the pierced ceiling of the pill room, still reeling.
The Immortal Pill, the only one of its kind in the Heavens, had been painstakingly refined, and yet it had escaped—right under the nose of a Supreme Saint.
Li Hao thought about the Immortal Pill's words before it fled. Its gratitude must have been because of the power he had provided at the critical moment.
Still, it was a shame the pill had escaped.
At that moment, Mi Tian Shengren, looking dejected, returned to the Pill Furnace. However, when he looked inside, his expression froze. Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he hurriedly leaned over, reaching into the furnace.
Moments later, he pulled out three pills.
The three pills were smooth and radiant, with shimmering halos and tiny dragon-like shadows swirling around them. Their scent was exquisite—though not as intense as the fragrance of the Immortal Pill, it was still extraordinary.
"These are… Companion Pills! Three of them! It must be because of the immense power we poured in earlier. They separated from the Immortal Pill."
Mi Tian Shengren muttered to himself, his eyes bright with excitement. He turned to Li Hao, his face filled with gratitude.
"Li Hao, it's all thanks to you. Without your help, this Immortal Pill wouldn't have succeeded. I didn't hold out much hope for this first attempt, but the result has far exceeded my expectations."
Li Hao smiled faintly and replied, "It's all because of your unparalleled alchemy skills, senior."
Mi Tian Shengren held up the Companion Pills, his expression serious. "These Companion Pills may not match the true Immortal Pill, but they are still among the finest pills in existence. I can sense a trace of Immortal Power within them. They will help Feng'er and Huang Tian Sheng reach the threshold of the Supreme Saint Realm. Whether they succeed depends on their own capabilities."
He stored two of the pills and handed the third one to Li Hao. "Take this one. I owe you for this success."
Li Hao glanced at the pill but pushed it back. "I have no need for it. I'm only at the First Tribulation, and when I finish my Third Tribulation, I'll naturally ascend to the Supreme Saint Realm without relying on this pill."
Mi Tian Shengren was stunned by the refusal.
This pill, containing a trace of Immortal Power, was a priceless treasure—an opportunity that every Saint would covet. Yet Li Hao rejected it without hesitation.
Li Hao added with a smile, "Besides, it would be a waste for me to take it. My special constitution might not even benefit from it. If I really wanted to use it, I'd refine it into a dish—eliminating the pill toxins while savoring its flavor."
"This…"
Mi Tian Shengren was surprised. For a Saint to reject such a pill so casually was unheard of. But Li Hao's calm confidence left an even deeper impression on him.
"Most Saints have cultivated for tens of thousands of years—some even longer. By now, their youthful ambition has faded, replaced by caution and scheming. To see someone as confident as you… it's truly rare."
Saints were once prodigies, brimming with talent and pride. Yet, over countless years of cultivation, that pride often eroded into calm calculation.
Mi Tian Shengren sighed and added, "Fine. I'll hold onto it for now. I have another disciple who could benefit from this. If I refine another set of Companion Pills next time, I'll give one to you."
He smiled and said, "Don't refuse it so quickly next time. Even if you don't need it, you could give it to someone else. This is a top-tier item for trade."
Li Hao thought of Jian Zhu and nodded slightly. "When is the next refinement?"
"I've used up most of the supplementary ingredients. These herbs are incredibly rare, so it will take me a few years to prepare."
Mi Tian Shengren replied thoughtfully.
"Alright."
Li Hao said calmly, "If you need me again, just let me know."
Mi Tian Shengren smiled appreciatively and escorted Li Hao out of the Pill Room.
"When they awaken, I'll give these two pills to them."
Back at the small courtyard, Mi Tian Shengren poured Li Hao another cup of tea.
Li Hao drank it, then informed him of his intent to leave. He had stayed long enough and wanted to visit other places.
Mi Tian Shengren did not stop him. He knew Li Hao had his own matters to attend to.
"Come find me for a game of chess whenever you're free."
Mi Tian Shengren said warmly.
Li Hao nodded. His Chess Dao, now at the eighth level, had reached a plateau. Playing against Mi Tian Shengren had filled his experience bar. Now, he only needed to comprehend the next stage of his mindset to advance to the ninth level.
After bidding farewell, Li Hao and Jian Zhu departed together.
On their way back, Jian Zhu said, "I've spoken to Jian Sheng and Wen Sheng about this matter. Right now, in the Canglan Realm, no one openly criticizes you, but the rumors from other small worlds are still causing trouble."
His tone carried a hint of worry.
Li Hao shook his head calmly. "Cutting off my Incense Power? In time, they'll pay tenfold for this."
Seeing Li Hao's determination, Jian Zhu said no more.
Returning to the Canglan Realm, the first small world he had visited in the Sacred Land of Saints, Li Hao couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Sweeping his divine sense across Canglan Divine Dynasty, Li Hao noticed that the divine statues representing him were gone. Clearly, even if the people remained unaware, the emperor of Canglan had sensed the winds of change and acted accordingly.
Li Hao chuckled coldly to himself. "When the wall collapses, everyone pushes it."
But no matter how many pushed, he wouldn't be crushed.
Retrieving the Divine Blood Imprint he had left behind, Li Hao then made his way to the Sword Ancestor Sacred Land alongside Jian Zhu.
Li Hao's divine sense spread across the Canglan Realm, observing Lin Shanhai and the other alchemists. As always, they were lounging under the sun, sorting herbs, drinking tea, and living their ordinary lives.
However, Lin Qingying was nowhere to be found. Li Hao turned to Jian Zhu to ask her whereabouts, but Jian Zhu shook his head, saying he didn't know.
Li Hao immediately sought out Jian Sheng.
"She went out to wander the world, said she wanted to explore," Jian Sheng said, his expression somewhat complex.
Jian Sheng had been present when Yuan Zu and Shen Wang had discussed their schemes. Afterward, Yuan Zu and Shen Wang had forced the Saints to swear on their Saint Dao not to reveal any information to Li Hao.
Thus, although Jian Sheng knew everything that was happening outside, he couldn't tell Li Hao.
Hearing Jian Sheng's reply, Li Hao's thoughts turned briefly to the woman's serene, cold face. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, but then he shook his head and smiled. He then went to visit Lin Shanhai and the other elderly alchemists.
When they saw Li Hao, they were overjoyed. By now, Li Hao had become a household name across the Heavens, a celebrated Saint. Ever since his ascension, they had rarely had the opportunity to see him.
Although they were senior alchemists, their status was still lower than even Half-Saints, and they were far from being on equal footing with Saints.
Now, seeing Li Hao treating them like old friends, they were secretly moved.
Li Hao spent a few days catching up with Lin Shanhai and the others. He then contacted his friends in Hua You Hui, including Qing Zu and Zhan Tan, and arranged to meet them in the Yunxia Realm.
The Yunxia Realm had changed dramatically. With the collapse of the Void Holy Land, only the Yuanshi Holy Land and the Bingjia Holy Land remained.
Figures like Ji Xuan Shen and Ming Yue Jian were also present. Over the past decade, their cultivation had progressed significantly. Ji Xuan Shen had reached the Half-Saint Realm, rivaling the Ji family's Third Ancestor, who had been in deep slumber for years, making Ji Xuan Shen the undisputed leader of the Ji family.
Meanwhile, Ming Yue Jian had condensed the embryonic form of the Saint Dao, stepping into the Half-Saint Realm at an astonishing pace.
The others were still lingering in the Wen Dao Realm, but they had all made significant progress.
The Yuanshi Holy Land's Yuanshi Shengren knew Li Hao had come to visit Ji Xuan Shen and the others. However, when Yuanshi Shengren saw Li Hao, his expression turned complex.
Yuanshi Shengren had also been present when Yuan Zu and Shen Wang conspired. He, too, was dissatisfied with Li Hao's refusal to open the Gate of Immortals, though he had kept his discontent hidden.
Now that Li Hao had come alone, he didn't plan to bring up the matter. He knew provoking Li Hao would only bring disaster to the Yuanshi Holy Land.
"Have you heard? Hao Tian Zun has come to our Holy Land."
"What is he doing here? Isn't he the one who monopolizes the Immortal Path, refusing to let others ascend?"
"I heard he's a selfish man. He's friends with Ji Xuan Shen and the others."
"I didn't expect people like Ji Xuan Shen to have such a friend. Even if he's a genius, isn't he far too self-serving?"
"The world is like that. Selfish people always seem to rise faster."
In the Holy Land, many disciples whispered among themselves upon learning of Li Hao's arrival.
Li Hao's Divine Sense was immensely powerful; it could almost cover an entire small world. Naturally, he heard every word.
It wasn't just the disciples of the Holy Land—rumors about him also circulated in the divine dynasties of the Yunxia Realm, and all of them were negative.
"Hao Tian!"
When Ji Xuan Shen, Ming Yue Jian, and the others saw Li Hao, they greeted him with enthusiasm and joy, just like in the past.
The coldness in Li Hao's eyes dissipated, replaced by a faint smile.
Soon, Li Hao took them to the finest tavern in the Yunxia Realm and reserved the entire establishment.
"Hao Tian, don't take those rumors to heart. We know you're not that kind of person."
At the dinner table, before the food was touched, Ji Xuan Shen looked at Li Hao earnestly and spoke.
When Ji Xuan Shen had first heard the rumors, even his master had been furious at Li Hao's alleged actions. But Ji Xuan Shen had only felt shock.
He had even argued with his master over it. He knew Li Hao wasn't the kind of person described by the rumors.
How could someone so proud ever stoop to such self-serving actions?
Back when Li Hao had come alone to the Ji family, facing endless doubts, he hadn't spoken a single word in defense of himself.
He had simply crushed every doubt with his fists and iron will, proving to everyone that they had misunderstood him.
Ji Xuan Shen refused to believe otherwise. He trusted his judgment.
"Exactly! These rumors have spread across the Heavens. It must be a Saint who holds a grudge against you. Their methods are so despicable."
Other Ji family geniuses spoke up, their voices filled with indignation.
They had all been defeated by Li Hao in the past. They had personally witnessed this young man rise step by step, under relentless criticism, to stand atop the Ji family's Dao Arena. With his unparalleled talent, he had silently proven that every doubt was a misunderstanding.
"We believe in you."
Ming Yue Jian, who now looked like a refined man in his twenties, spoke earnestly to Li Hao.
Li Hao smiled. It was for these friends that everything he did was worth it.
"We've been using Hua You Hui's networks to search for the source of the rumors," Qing Zu said. Zhan Tan, the vice president of Hua You Hui, nodded in agreement.
Zhan Tan knew Li Hao well. How could someone so passionate about art and painting ever be selfish in cultivation?
Li Hao shook his head slightly. "No need to look. I already know who's behind it."
They were shocked. "You know?"
Zhan Tan, sharp as ever, glanced at Li Hao's calm demeanor. His face grew slightly serious. "Don't tell me… it's a Supreme Saint?"
Li Hao smiled faintly but did not confirm or deny it.
Seeing his expression, everyone's faces changed slightly. Supreme Saints held immense power and influence across the Heavens. No wonder Li Hao knew but hadn't retaliated.
"There's no need for you all to worry. This will all blow over eventually. Tonight, let's only talk about happy things and enjoy the food."
Li Hao smiled and changed the topic.
Seeing Li Hao's calmness, the others felt a complex mix of emotions. They could sense the pressure he bore.
They couldn't help but ask themselves—if a Supreme Saint targeted them, would they even be able to sleep at night, let alone remain so composed?
Meanwhile, in the Tianyuan Holy Land.
In his cave, Yuan Zu suddenly opened his eyes. His previously calm and indifferent gaze now glimmered with an unprecedented excitement.
"It actually happened… It really reached the threshold?"
"This is the Sixth Extreme Realm—merging with Heaven and Earth!"
As Yuan Zu processed this realization, numerous Saint Orders resonated across the Heavens. Many Saints sent messages, informing Yuan Zu of the progress.
The Second Saint Infant had comprehended the Sixth Extreme Realm!
That night, countless Saints from various Holy Lands were overwhelmed with excitement and rushed to the Tianyuan Holy Land.