Chapter 447: Nine Echoes of the Heart, Stirring the Realm
"Miss, please seek another place."
Cui Yuesheng of Wanshan Sword Tower spoke with an indifferent expression, his tone firm yet courteous.
The elegant and divine-looking woman narrowed her phoenix eyes slightly, a trace of coldness flashing within them.
"A sect of the Tianyi rank, yet you are this cowardly?"
Cui Yuesheng's brows furrowed slightly as he let out a cold snort.
"Miss, mind your words. You are from the Calamity Clan. While you are blessed with unparalleled talent, you lack the fortune of a true genius. I am considering the well-being of our sect's million disciples."
"Hah! So even the great fortunes of a Celestial Sect cannot withstand the calamity of my presence?"
The woman from the Calamity Clan sneered, her eyes filled with ridicule and contempt.
Cui Yuesheng's expression darkened. "If you continue spouting nonsense, disaster will descend upon you immediately."
As his aura surged, the woman's delicate fingers clenched slightly. She refused to back down.
She had devoted herself to the sword and had already researched the various sects present today. Among them, only Wanshan Sword Tower was truly suited for her path. Moreover, she had come with the goal of learning a particular imperial sword technique from them.
If she retreated now, she would never get another chance.
As her phoenix eyes flickered with determination, a figure appeared, carrying the scent of alcohol as he approached with a carefree gait.
"Miss, if this place does not welcome you, then another will. Why be so insistent?"
The old drunkard with the red nose chuckled as he walked up to stand beside the woman.
She turned her gaze slightly, sensing the hidden power within this seemingly disheveled old man. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she asked,
"Which sect do you belong to? Are you willing to accept me?"
The old drunkard inwardly sighed. This girl really doesn't know how to talk. If I declare my identity here, wouldn't that stir up unnecessary trouble?
With a wide grin, he said, "Let's talk somewhere else."
Cui Yuesheng narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing the old drunkard's identity. He arched a brow and spoke with a hint of disdain,
"Dameng Jiuyuan is quite bold. Are you simply embracing destruction now?"
The old drunkard's expression stiffened slightly. Seeing that his cover was blown, he no longer bothered to hide. With a casual smile, he replied,
"Young man, you should mind your words. Ten thousand years ago, Dameng Jiuyuan was already a Tianyi Sect, long before Wanshan Sword Tower even existed."
"And what of today?"
Cui Yuesheng smirked coldly.
The old drunkard fell silent for a moment. A fleeting chill flashed in his eyes.
At the same time, the wine gourd on his back began to heat up slightly, glowing with a faint crimson hue. The surrounding temperature subtly began to rise.
Cui Yuesheng sensed the barely restrained aura emanating from him—like a hidden dragon stirring in the depths—sending a quiet warning through his mind. His gaze deepened.
"Senior, if you are willing to take me in, I will not disappoint you."
At this moment, the woman from the Calamity Clan spoke, her gaze steady as she looked directly at the old drunkard. There was nothing but seriousness in her expression.
Hearing this, the old drunkard's gathering aura slowly dissipated.
With an air of grandeur, he stroked his beard and said with a smile,
"What Wanshan Sword Tower fears, Dameng Jiuyuan dares to accept. What Wanshan Sword Tower lacks, Dameng Jiuyuan possesses. Young lady, joining Dameng Jiuyuan is the right choice."
His tattered robes and ragged appearance made his grandiose words seem almost comical.
Yet the woman's expression remained solemn, without the slightest hint of mockery. Instead, she nodded resolutely.
"Yuexi of the Calamity Clan is willing to take you as my master!"
"Hahaha, no rush, no rush. We'll hold the formal apprenticeship ceremony once we return to the sect."
The old drunkard laughed heartily.
To be able to accept a prodigy who had reached the eighth echo in the Heart-Questioning Tower—though she was from the Calamity Clan—her talent was beyond question.
Seeing this unfold, Cui Yuesheng merely smirked and turned away, stepping back onto the colossal sword without another word.
"How should I address you, Senior? And what are the requirements for entering your sect?"
Yuexi inquired. Earlier, she had only revealed the power of her eighth echo, an Eternal Dao Heart. She had originally intended to showcase her swordsmanship at Wanshan Sword Tower, but they had rejected her outright before she could even try.
"Your Dao Heart alone is enough. I believe your talent will not disappoint."
The old drunkard replied.
Hearing this, Yuexi refrained from asking further. She was confident in her own swordsmanship.
The sword intent left behind by Wanshan Sword Tower had been visible to all in the plaza. She had only glanced at it from afar but had already grasped a portion of its essence. Given three days of focused study, she was certain she could fully comprehend it.
"When do we return to the sect?"
Yuexi asked.
"No rush. We're waiting for one more person."
The old drunkard grinned. "Let's see if that kid can meet the requirements."
Inwardly, he mused to himself.
I only said six echoes earlier to make Dameng Jiuyuan sound more prestigious. If that boy doesn't reach it, even five echoes would be enough. Heck, even four echoes… If his sword talent is strong enough, I might still take him in.
After all, Dameng Jiuyuan is no longer what it once was…
"Hmm?"
Hearing the old drunkard's words, Yuexi's eyes flickered, but she quickly concealed her thoughts.
Just then, a sudden resonant chime rang out from the sixth level of the Heart-Questioning Tower.
Both of them turned their gazes toward the tower, where the sixth level trembled slightly.
Reaching the fifth level of the Heart-Questioning Tower would already cause a noticeable resonance outside. Upon stepping into the sixth level, the reaction would be even stronger.
Earlier, when Yuexi reached eight echoes, many in the plaza had heard it clearly.
"Six echoes?"
"Another monstrous talent has emerged."
"That's already at the mid-level of a Chaos Dao Heart—enough to push one to the peak of the Celestial Lord realm!"
"If they reach seven echoes, that Dao Heart would be enough to make them an unrivaled Celestial Lord, capable of dominating all four domains of the True Realm!"
Many in the plaza turned their attention toward the Heart-Questioning Tower, murmuring in hushed voices.
The old drunkard turned to glance at the small hill where Li Hao had been fishing—only to find the young man had already disappeared.
His eyes flickered slightly. Could it really be that kid who reached six echoes?
—
As the old drunkard arrived beside Yuexi, Li Hao reeled in his fishing line and stood up. Brushing the dry grass off his robes, he took to the sky and flew toward the Heart-Questioning Tower.
Beside him, the crippled old man remained seated, quietly fishing in the mist, paying no attention to Li Hao's departure.
As Li Hao approached the tower, many others were also making their way inside. Along the way, he overheard conversations between Saint-level cultivators and their elders, discussing the testing methods of the Heart-Questioning Tower. He listened carefully, picking up useful information.
The moment he stepped inside, darkness engulfed him, as if he had been swallowed into an isolated world.
All external auras vanished. Sound disappeared entirely.
The Heart-Questioning Tower now only had ten levels. It was said that the top had been destroyed, leaving it incomplete. Originally, it was capable of verifying the Dao Heart of an Emperor.
To test one's Dao Heart, one had to ascend level by level.
The old drunkard had mentioned six echoes, which meant reaching a mid-level Chaos Dao Heart. Li Hao intended to climb to the sixth level and stop there.
However, just as this thought crossed his mind, the surrounding darkness was suddenly torn apart by an overwhelming, imperial aura.
Above, the sky churned, clouds boiling like a cauldron on the verge of eruption.
From within the mist, a colossal palm emerged.
Its lines and ridges were clear, vast like an ancient god's hand, descending from the heavens to suppress all below.
The immense pressure shook the entire world. Beneath the falling palm was a towering city, standing on the edge of an abyss.
At the center of the city was a grand, imposing tower, as if it were a nail driven into the earth itself.
That giant palm was pressing down on the tower—and also on Li Hao.
The infinite majesty bore down, suffocating and absolute. It was as if the will of the heavens demanded submission. His Dao Heart trembled. Even his primordial soul felt as though it would shatter and flee.
Li Hao held his breath. His entire body felt frozen, his strength locked within him.
Only his unwavering conviction allowed him to remain standing before that giant palm.
Kneel. Flee. Beg for mercy. Cry out in despair…
Countless thoughts surged through his mind.
Yet in an instant, they were all severed by a clear, resounding sword cry.
In his mind, he saw an aged hand placing a chess piece on a board.
He saw a line being cast into the mist, a laugh accompanying the motion.
He saw a brush dancing across paper, composing a masterpiece.
His fear and unease faded.
His expression turned tranquil.
At that moment, it was as if he stood at the top of the tower, gazing calmly at the descending palm, which loomed over the entire city.
The collapse of the heavens… what does that have to do with me?
The boundless pressure passed over him, sweeping across his vision. Then, like mist in the morning sun, it all dissipated—vanishing like a dream.
Darkness returned.
Yet within his mind, a sequence of resonant chimes began to ring.
Five echoes. Six echoes. Seven echoes…
The entire Heart-Questioning Tower seemed to tremble, as if responding to his presence.
—
Buzz!
In the outside world, after six echoes came seven!
Earlier, only a handful of people had noticed the six echoes, but the seventh was loud enough to draw the attention of many.
Then came the eighth echo.
The entire tower quivered at this moment. Nearly everyone in the plaza noticed. Conversations died down as countless gazes turned toward the towering structure.
But it was not over yet.
Then came the ninth echo.
At this moment, the Heart-Questioning Tower rumbled violently.
The vibrations spread downward, shaking the entire plaza. The very ground seemed to tremble in response!
In an instant, every single cultivator in the plaza was staring at the ancient tower in shock.
Nine echoes.
From the cloud-covered summit of the tower, beyond what could be seen.
—
High above, atop the colossal sword of Wanshan Sword Tower, Cui Yuesheng and the other elders wore expressions of shock as they turned their gazes toward the Heart-Questioning Tower.
A Dao Heart with nine echoes—this level of Dao Heart could reach the peak of the Immortal King realm!
In other words, before reaching the perfected Immortal King realm, this person would never have to fear trials of the heart. Any challenge of mental will, any obstacle of the soul, would be effortlessly overcome!
—
The old drunkard was momentarily stunned. His eyes widened slightly.
A faint, excited tremor ran through him.
Could it really be that kid?!
Beside him, Yuexi's breathtakingly beautiful face also showed a moment of astonishment.
She had always believed her Dao Heart to be unmatched. No one in her generation had ever surpassed her.
Yet now, someone had.
For the first time, curiosity flickered in her eyes.
And perhaps… a hint of competitive fire.
—
At the edge of the plaza, atop an unnoticed small hill, the crippled old man who had been fishing in the mist remained still.
Yet for the first time, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He raised his long smoking pipe and took a slow, measured inhale.
As he exhaled, the smoke drifted like mist, and he gently tapped the pipe against the air.
A subtle, imperceptible ripple spread outward.
"Still too young… No need to be so dazzling just yet. Dragon sparrow, dragon sparrow… This trace of heavenly dragon essence, I'll keep it for now."
As he muttered to himself, the trembling Heart-Questioning Tower slowly calmed.
The plaza, which had been caught in a wave of stunned silence, gradually returned to a state of normalcy.
—
"A Dao Heart with nine echoes… This would be considered top-tier even in a Tianyi Sect."
"Just based on Dao Heart alone, this person is an unparalleled prodigy."
"Which clan does this monster belong to? Could they be from a great Chaos lineage?"
"Maybe an Emperor's descendant!"
"Nine echoes in the Heart-Questioning Tower… With sufficient talent, they're guaranteed to reach the perfected Immortal King realm. In this era, with no Emperors emerging, an Immortal King at full perfection is already invincible!"
The entire plaza was in an uproar, countless cultivators whispering in astonishment. All eyes were fixed on the clouded summit of the tower.
—
Those who had just recently joined sects and had yet to leave—Feng Boping, Jianzhu, and others—also halted, staring in shock.
A certain figure emerged in their minds.
Elsewhere, Lin Sheng, Hua Sheng, and the other five celestial guards exchanged glances.
They knew exactly who was responsible for this phenomenon.
Apart from joy, a trace of complexity flickered in their eyes.
Even in the True Realm, that boy's brilliance could not be hidden.
—
Amidst the fading clouds, a lone figure descended from the tower.
It was Li Hao.
As the ninth echo faded, he waited momentarily for the darkness around him to recede.
He now stood near the summit of the Heart-Questioning Tower.
Turning back, he saw a massive crack at the top of the tower.
He recalled the giant palm.
Could that palm have been the one that shattered it?
He pondered briefly, then stepped through the mist and descended.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless figures streaked through the air like shooting stars, converging toward Li Hao.
The moment he descended from the Heart-Questioning Tower, the old drunkard with the red nose was the first to rush forward.
At the same time, Cui Yuesheng and the elders of Wanshan Sword Tower hurried over.
Even further away, representatives from various sects, all here to recruit disciples, scrambled to get ahead.
In the blink of an eye, Li Hao found himself completely surrounded by members of different sects.
Seeing how young he was, many elders from the sects were visibly astonished, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
However, in the face of nine echoes in the Heart-Questioning Tower, age and soul lifespan no longer mattered—such talent transcended ordinary requirements.
"It really is you!"
The old drunkard's expression was a mix of joy and disbelief as he stared at Li Hao.
This was the same brat who had tricked him into paying for his meal, yet his talent was far beyond anything he had imagined.
Though he had long noticed that Li Hao was extraordinary, he never expected him to reach such heights.
"Young man, you're a sword cultivator, aren't you?"
Cui Yuesheng stepped forward and introduced himself.
"I am Cui Yuesheng from Wanshan Sword Tower."
Before coming to this city, Li Hao had already activated his Wanxiang Attribute, masking his cultivation. Even someone at Cui Yuesheng's level—an Immortal Lord—couldn't detect his true realm.
But through Li Hao's demeanor, Cui Yuesheng could still tell—he was a sword cultivator.
Hearing Cui Yuesheng's words, the expressions of the other sect representatives darkened.
If Li Hao was a sword cultivator, then few sects here could compete with Wanshan Sword Tower for his recruitment.
"Yes."
Li Hao answered plainly.
His primary path was the sword—his secondary was the fist.
Cui Yuesheng's eyes gleamed. He spoke immediately, trying to secure Li Hao for Wanshan Sword Tower before anyone else could interfere.
"Join Wanshan Sword Tower. I guarantee you a place as an inner disciple. Once you participate in the sect's competitions, your talent will surely earn you the 'Sword Seal'—allowing you to cultivate atop 'Imperial Sword Mountain.'
"Our sect possesses an 'Imperial Sword Technique.' If you can comprehend it, it will be enough to help you reach the very peak of the True Realm!"
His tone was urgent, and his enthusiasm was clear.
Hearing this, the old drunkard's face twisted in alarm.
He quickly interjected, "Kid, you already promised me. Originally, six echoes were enough to qualify for my Dameng Jiuyuan. Now that you've reached nine, we can skip all other tests!"
"Dameng Jiuyuan also possesses an 'Imperial Sword Technique.' If you're interested in something else, we also have top-tier body techniques, formations, and other profound cultivation methods!"
Cui Yuesheng's expression darkened.
He immediately countered, "Young man, don't listen to his nonsense. Dameng Jiuyuan has long since declined—it is now merely a Tier Four Celestial Sect."
The old drunkard's face changed instantly.
A powerful pressure erupted from his body, and he glared at Cui Yuesheng.
"So what if we are a Tier Four Celestial Sect? Do you want to test my strength?"
Cui Yuesheng's expression stiffened.
The aura radiating from the old drunkard was that of an Immortal Lord at full perfection!
Meanwhile, Cui Yuesheng himself was only at the sixth level of the Immortal Lord realm. If they truly fought, he would undoubtedly lose.
"Are you really willing to oppose Wanshan Sword Tower over this?"
Cui Yuesheng changed tactics, trying to intimidate him.
While he might not be able to defeat the old drunkard personally, Wanshan Sword Tower had many powerful cultivators—certainly more than the now-declined Dameng Jiuyuan.
But the old drunkard simply sneered.
"Let's stop talking. Just say the word—do you dare to fight me in front of this young man?"
Seeing that the two were on the verge of fighting, many sect representatives quietly withdrew.
They knew they had no chance of recruiting Li Hao.
Cui Yuesheng's expression darkened further.
"A genius like this—what resources do you even have to nurture him?"
"Wanshan Sword Tower possesses the Nine-Tier Sword Pagoda. Our sword techniques are among the best in the Southern Domain. Our sect is a holy land for sword cultivators!
"Meanwhile, Dameng Jiuyuan spreads its focus too broadly—you'll only waste his potential!"
The old drunkard scowled. "Enough nonsense! When Dameng Jiuyuan was a Tianyi Sect, your tower didn't even exist!"
"Hah! What's the point of bringing up ancient history?" Cui Yuesheng scoffed. "In today's world, your sect is merely Tier Four."
Hearing their heated argument, Li Hao found himself speechless.
He hadn't expected that the old drunkard had been tricking him earlier.
However, technically, what he said wasn't a lie—ten thousand years ago, Dameng Jiuyuan was indeed a Tianyi Sect. He had never explicitly claimed that it still was…
This guy…
Li Hao sighed inwardly.
First, he mooched a meal. Now, he was being deliberately vague with his words.
Honestly, the old drunkard didn't seem all that reliable.
However, Dameng Jiuyuan was a sect founded by the bloodline descendants of Celestial Emperor Tianyang—that connection alone gave Li Hao reason to consider it.
"There's no need for you both to argue."
Li Hao spoke up at last.
He had already made his decision, but he also didn't want Dameng Jiuyuan to make an outright enemy of Wanshan Sword Tower.
Turning to Cui Yuesheng, he said,
"I gave my word to this senior earlier. A gentleman does not go back on his promise. I hope you will not hold this against me."
Cui Yuesheng's expression shifted.
The old drunkard blinked in surprise before breaking into laughter.
Still, deep down, he was skeptical.
A gentleman does not go back on his word?
Brat, you made me pay for your meal earlier—how does that make you a gentleman?
Nonetheless, he was slightly puzzled.
Earlier, Cui Yuesheng had exposed his half-truths, which had been somewhat embarrassing. Yet Li Hao still didn't mind?
A Tianyi Sect and a Tier Four Celestial Sect—the difference was significant.
"Young man, don't be reckless. This could affect your future. Dameng Jiuyuan is no longer what it once was—don't be fooled by his exaggerations."
Cui Yuesheng continued to persuade him.
The old drunkard snapped, "You have no idea what kind of foundation my sect has!"
Li Hao cupped his hands toward Cui Yuesheng.
"I appreciate your offer, senior. But my decision is final."
Cui Yuesheng's expression flickered, but in the end, he could only glare at the old drunkard before turning away with a cold snort.
Meanwhile, the old drunkard grinned from ear to ear.
Once the crowd dispersed, he patted Li Hao on the shoulder and said,
"Kid, you've got great judgment! And let me tell you—what I said about Dameng Jiuyuan's foundation? That wasn't a lie!"
Li Hao simply shook his head and chuckled.
At this point, he wasn't placing much trust in the old man's words.
Ultimately, sect rankings wouldn't affect his cultivation progress too much.
Nearby, Yuexi watched Li Hao closely.
Throughout the argument, she had remained silent.
Seeing how fiercely Cui Yuesheng had fought for Li Hao—while she had been outright rejected—she only felt a deeper chill in her heart.
Even though her Dao Heart was at eight echoes, she had been dismissed outright.
At that moment, her determination solidified.
One day, she would make Wanshan Sword Tower regret their decision.
"Alright, let's go back to the sect!"
The old drunkard was in high spirits.
He had gone out to recruit, and ended up bringing home two monstrous talents.
Li Hao, however, did not immediately agree to leave. Instead, he turned to the old drunkard and said,
"Wait, I still have friends here."
The old drunkard smacked his forehead, suddenly remembering the promise he had made earlier. He laughed and said,
"Alright, I'll wait for you."
With Li Hao's Dao Heart of Nine Echoes, even if he brought a few companions along, the old drunkard didn't mind. At worst, they would just be outer disciples. In Dameng Jiuyuan, cultivation resources were earned by merit anyway.
Li Hao nodded, then turned and walked toward the crowd, searching for Lin Sheng and the others.
Soon, he found them standing in a relatively secluded part of the plaza.
"Congratulations, my lord," Lin Sheng said with a deep bow.
Li Sheng and the others watched as Li Hao descended, drawing countless gazes upon him. They exchanged smiles and stepped forward to congratulate him.
Li Hao smiled and said, "Although you are my celestial guards, I will not restrict your choices. You can seek out other sects, and if you find one suitable, you should go and cultivate there. It will help us establish a foundation for the future while also allowing you to continue following me when needed."
The five of them exchanged glances before Hua Sheng and You Sheng said, "We were thinking the same thing. With your strength, we are no longer able to protect you. Instead, we may end up needing your protection. Rather than staying by your side with no real use, it's better for us to join other sects, gather power, and prepare for the future."
Li Hao nodded.
Now that he had obtained the Celestial Emperor's inheritance and become a formal disciple, there was a high chance that he would one day become a personal disciple and inherit the Celestial Emperor's legacy. If that happened, he would need to restore the Celestial Emperor's prestige.
Such an endeavor would inevitably bring great waves of conflict. He needed to plan for the future in advance and gather powerful allies and resources.
"In that case, we will also seek out other sects," said Chen Baoyu and Dong Dao.
Li Sheng, however, looked at Li Hao and said, "I just investigated Dameng Jiuyuan. They have a lineage specializing in spearmanship called Qiangyuan. I can go there to cultivate."
Earlier, when the old drunkard and Cui Yuesheng had quarreled over Li Hao, their conversation had been overheard by most people in the plaza. After all, most of the onlookers were at least Saint-level, and their divine sense easily covered the area.
Li Hao nodded and did not object.
"I have several Supreme Immortal Techniques. Each of you will receive one. Study them diligently, and you will be able to stand at the pinnacle of the True Immortal realm."
Hearing this, the five of them exchanged glances, excitement flickering in their eyes.
In the Celestial Emperor's Palace, Li Hao had recorded six Supreme Immortal Techniques. The palace had no restrictions against him passing them on, as these ten great Supreme Immortal Techniques were not exclusive to Celestial Emperor Tianyang. They were widely known throughout the True Realm and had been collected by various top-tier sects.
Li Hao used his divine sense to transmit the techniques, selecting them based on each person's cultivation path.
For those whose cultivation techniques didn't align with any of the techniques he had, he passed on "Zijin" and "Wan Ying"—both techniques that could be practiced by anyone but required mastery of specific Dao origins.
A Supreme Immortal Technique was enough to make someone unrivaled in the True Immortal realm.
Among them, the spear Dao technique "Lei Xiao" required comprehension of Thunder Dao origin, a rare and difficult path among the Nine Sequences. However, in terms of attack power and destructive potential, it was among the most fearsome.
Li Sheng's real name was Li Yufeng. Upon receiving Lei Xiao, he felt a deep sense of awe. He could immediately tell how terrifying this technique was.
Once he had finished distributing the techniques, Li Hao took Li Yufeng to meet the old drunkard.
The old drunkard glanced at Li Yufeng and lazily asked, "How many echoes in your Dao Heart?"
"Four," Li Yufeng replied, feeling slightly embarrassed.
The old drunkard didn't say much. Since Li Yufeng was being recommended by Li Hao, he couldn't be bothered to investigate further. Instead, he turned to Li Hao and asked, "Can we go now?"
"Not yet," Li Hao replied.
He turned to look at Lin Qingying, who was still sitting cross-legged, immersed in sword comprehension.
The old drunkard sighed. "How long is she going to take?"
"I don't know, but not for long," Li Hao replied.
The old drunkard rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Since Li Hao was now a prized recruit, he couldn't afford to offend him. Meanwhile, Cui Yuesheng was still lurking nearby, clearly unwilling to give up.
With nothing else to do, the old drunkard had Li Yufeng stay beside him, while Li Hao returned to his spot on the small hill.
Earlier, before arriving in the True Realm, Li Hao had already secretly passed on the ten Supreme Immortal Techniques to Feng Lao, Jian Zhu, and the others.
Each of them had received two techniques. He hadn't given more because Supreme Immortal Techniques were incredibly complex and difficult to comprehend. Unlike Li Hao, the others did not possess mastery of the Space Dao, which made learning these techniques even harder.
If they could fully comprehend even one technique, they would achieve tremendous success.
"Dameng Jiuyuan isn't far from here," the crippled old man suddenly said as Li Hao resumed fishing. "If you have time, you should come visit."
Li Hao was a little surprised but nodded. "That's good to know. I'll keep coming until I catch a Dragon Sparrow."
Hearing this, the crippled old man smirked faintly. Though his expression remained unreadable, his lips curled slightly, hinting at amusement. He took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling smoke that blurred his face.
"When they all leave, this place will finally be peaceful again," he said. "Not as noisy as it is now."
"Sometimes, a little excitement is nice," Li Hao replied.
"You're still young. I'm old. I don't like the noise anymore," the crippled old man said, shaking his wine gourd. "Do you like wine?"
"I like drinking companions," Li Hao replied.
The old man suddenly laughed and tossed his wine gourd to Li Hao. "Then consider this a gift."
Li Hao was surprised. Over the past few days, the old man had always kept his distance, giving off the impression that he wasn't easy to get close to.
Still, he didn't hesitate to catch the gourd, shaking it lightly.
"Seems like there's not much left," Li Hao commented.
"…"
The crippled old man fell silent again.
Several Days Later
Lin Qingying finally opened her eyes.
At that moment, a surge of comprehension flooded her mind. The instant she awoke, her entire focus centered on that one sword technique. She instinctively raised her hand and slashed into the void.
Using her finger as a sword, she cut through the air, leaving behind a faint wave-like mark in the void.
Up above on the giant sword, Cui Yuesheng's gaze instantly locked onto her, his pupils contracting.
That sword mark wasn't just a sign that she had mastered "Wanshan Opening Form".
Within that mark, there was a trace of Chaos Dao Sword Intent.
It was faint, almost imperceptible, but after wielding a sword for so many years, Cui Yuesheng was certain—he wasn't mistaken.
Could it be…?
A flicker of unexpected excitement appeared in his eyes.
He had lost the nine-echo prodigy, but this girl… might still make up for it.
"Not bad, you've passed," a voice rang out.
A female elder, draped in frost-like silver robes, flew over. Her usual icy demeanor melted slightly as she smiled at Lin Qingying.
Lin Qingying exhaled in relief.
Then, the first thing she did was look around the plaza, searching for someone.
At that moment, Li Hao, who had been fishing on the hill, had already reeled in his line and was making his way toward her.
"Haotian."
Lin Qingying's eyes lit up with joy.
Cui Yuesheng's heart skipped a beat when he saw the way the two interacted.
Li Hao smiled. "Do you want to join Wanshan Sword Tower, or would you rather come with me?"
Lin Qingying was slightly stunned but didn't hesitate.
"I'll go with you."
Cui Yuesheng's expression darkened, and he let out a light cough before speaking to Li Hao in a deep voice,
"Young man, I don't know why you chose to join Dameng Jiuyuan, but over the past few days, you must have heard some things. In terms of resources for nurturing disciples, my Wanshan Jianlou far surpasses what Dameng Jiuyuan can offer!"
Hearing this, Li Hao remained indifferent. It was precisely because of this that he had asked Lin Qingying for her choice.
"You have another sect in mind?" Lin Qingying asked.
Li Hao nodded and then said, "But just as he said, staying here to train might be more beneficial for you."
If she followed him to Dameng Jiuyuan, he could only provide guidance and pass down supreme immortal techniques, but in other aspects, he wouldn't be of much help.
Lin Qingying understood his meaning. She shook her head and said, "Wherever you go, I'll go."
Cui Yuesheng's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, immediately sensing the relationship between the two. He lowered his voice and said,
"Young lady, the sect he chose is a Tier Four Sect, whereas my Wanshan Jianlou is a Tianyi Sect. The difference is immense. I see great potential in you. If you join us, I can personally apply for a Sword Seal on your behalf, allowing you to train directly on Emperor Sword Mountain!"
"The road of cultivation is long. Instead of simply following someone else's footsteps, wouldn't it be better to catch up and stand beside them? What do you think?"
His words were gentle, clearly well-intended persuasion.
For a moment, Lin Qingying was slightly moved.
But instead of responding to Cui Yuesheng, she turned to Li Hao and asked, "What do you think?"
Li Hao pondered for a moment. Seeing that Cui Yuesheng truly valued Lin Qingying, he considered the matter seriously before saying,
"If you are thinking purely for yourself, then Wanshan Jianlou is a better fit."
"And what if I am thinking for you?"
Lin Qingying suddenly asked.
Li Hao was momentarily stunned.
Seeing her earnest and determined gaze, he remained silent for a moment before finally saying,
"Come to Dameng Jiuyuan."
The moment she heard his answer, a slow, radiant smile spread across Lin Qingying's face.
From the slight curve of her lips to the warm glow in her eyes, her entire expression brightened like the rising sun.
She gently transmitted a voice message to him,
"Then I'll go to Wanshan Jianlou. With your talent, you will surely reach the peak even in Dameng Jiuyuan. If I can learn any supreme sword techniques, I'll secretly pass them on to you later."
Her tone was soft, and her eyes were filled with gentle determination.
Li Hao fell silent.
He didn't dare respond to that.
"Young lady—"
Cui Yuesheng, seeing the unspoken exchange between the two, feared that she might act on impulse and quickly tried to persuade her again.
But Lin Qingying turned away from Li Hao and firmly said,
"I will join Wanshan Jianlou."
Cui Yuesheng was momentarily stunned before letting out a relieved breath.
He smiled and said, "Good! Wanshan Jianlou will surely cultivate you well!"
Seeing that she had made her decision, Li Hao nodded slightly. He gazed at her for a moment before taking out one of the three willow leaves that Wang Lao had left him and handed it to her.
Lin Qingying looked at the leaf curiously, sensing a faint divine aura emanating from it.
"It's a life-saving talisman in times of danger," Li Hao transmitted to her.
Cui Yuesheng noticed the willow leaf, his expression deepening as he sensed the incredibly potent aura lingering upon it.
He glanced at Li Hao, his gaze becoming more serious and cautious.
For someone to possess such a treasure, this youth must have an extraordinary background.
A Dao Heart of Nine Echoes was already monstrous. But if he also hailed from an Imperial Clan, then things would become even more complicated.
After saying their goodbyes, Li Hao stepped away, only to be quickly intercepted by the old drunkard.
Fearful that Cui Yuesheng might convince Li Hao to change his mind, the old man hurriedly urged him to leave.
Li Hao did not linger much longer.
Before departing, he sought out Feng Lao, who had just joined a Tier Four Sect, and handed him the second willow leaf.
Then, he made his way to the small hilltop where the crippled old man still sat fishing.
Bowing slightly, he bid him farewell.
"Go on, go on," the old drunkard urged, clearly impatient to leave.
He feared that if they stayed any longer, some other faction might try to snatch his prized disciples away.
Originally, he had planned to stay longer to see if he could recruit more geniuses, but with both Li Hao and Yuexi now under his wing, he was already extremely satisfied.
Even if Yuexi was from the Calamity Clan, he wasn't worried.
At this point, Lin Yufeng followed closely behind Li Hao.
Although they had both officially become disciples of Dameng Jiuyuan, Lin Yufeng continued to maintain his respectful demeanor as a celestial guard.
Yuexi, on the other hand, glanced at Li Hao.
His Dao Heart surpassed hers, meaning that his determination and vision were greater than hers as well.
As they traveled with the old drunkard, she turned to him and asked,
"What realm are you in? Want to spar in swordsmanship sometime?"
Li Hao had been lost in thought, still considering Lin Qingying and Feng Lao's future, when he heard her voice and snapped back to reality.
He shook his head.
"There's no point," he replied.
"Hm?"
Yuexi's eyes gleamed slightly, and she asked,
"Are you looking down on me?"
Seeing the hint of challenge and defiance in her gaze, Li Hao was momentarily speechless.
Then, he let out a soft chuckle and said,
"It just feels boring to me. If you want to train in swordsmanship, there are plenty of senior disciples who can spar with you."
"Boring?"
Yuexi was taken aback.
A sword cultivator calling sword sparring boring?
That was unheard of!
Most sword cultivators and blade cultivators loved sparring, as it was the fastest way to improve one's technique.
Finding a worthy opponent was considered a blessing, often celebrated with wine and laughter.
The old drunkard, seated atop his floating wine gourd, heard this and turned his head slightly, giving Li Hao a doubtful glance.
He had never tested Li Hao's swordsmanship talent before, but now, after hearing these words…
He suddenly had a strange feeling—
Did this kid even have any real talent in swordsmanship?