Chapter 343: Buddha's Gentle Whisper, My Sole Sword Dao
Upon hearing Li Hao's words, Chi Guang raised his eyebrows, his smile vanishing as a fierce crimson flame suddenly erupted from his body:
"Your Hundredfold Dao Domain seems to have given you great confidence. Well then, let me see how you defeat me in one move!"
With a leap, he ascended onto the battle platform, ready to face Li Hao head-on.
Witnessing this sudden development, the crowd below erupted in gasps. Were two top-tier prodigies from the Divine Dynasty about to clash head-to-head right now?
Many eyes sparkled with anticipation, full of excitement.
At that moment, a half-saint from the Buddhist sect spoke with a cold expression:
"Since this is a contest, there are rules. You two must not break them. If you wish to fight, settle it privately after the match or wait until the battle for the first place. Right now, this is the top ten contest. The victor, please leave the stage!"
His voice was as resonant as a great bell, vibrating across the entire city.
Millions of people felt their eardrums buzzing, overwhelmed by the immense force of the sacred Dao.
Chi Guang's eyes were cold, but the flames around him remained ablaze. Being humiliated by Li Hao as a top prodigy was something he couldn't swallow, and he wanted to teach Li Hao a lesson right here and now.
Seeing that his words were ineffective, the half-saint from the Buddhist sect frowned slightly. In an instant, his figure flickered, appearing on the battle platform. His manifestation was draped in a kasaya, exuding a solemn and dignified presence as he gazed down at Chi Guang:
"Benefactor, please do not break the rules!"
Though his words were polite, his tone was firm, and his eyes gleamed with the sacred light of the Dao, resembling a golden flame.
Chi Guang's face shifted slightly, feeling the increasingly oppressive aura emanating from the half-saint. He knew that if the other party insisted on intervening, it would be impossible to fight Li Hao here.
"Hmph, I'll let you go for now!"
Chi Guang's eyes flashed with a cold light as he retracted his flames and turned back to the ground.
Li Hao, ready to make a move, also dispelled the sword Dao gathering in his palm and turned away without looking back as he descended from the stage.
Their seats were close, but as they reached the ground, neither spared the other a glance.
With the stage cleared, the half-saint's expression relaxed. He glanced at Li Hao with a hint of coldness before returning to his original position, sitting atop a blue lion.
"What a shame. We almost saw a great fight."
"That Qing Feng is so arrogant with his Hundredfold Dao Domain, claiming he'll take first place and defeat Chi Guang in one move. Is it true?"
"Defeating Chi Guang might be possible, but claiming first place might be a bit of a stretch."
"Isn't he a demonic cultivator? Maybe he hasn't even shown his full strength yet. This is probably not all he has."
"Just because they say he's a demonic cultivator, does that make it true? With his strength, does he need to become one?"
In many worlds across the heavens, demonic cultivators were despised, making it difficult for them to gather incense. For top prodigies, it was more of a disadvantage than an advantage.
Unless they came from small worlds where demonic Dao reigned supreme, places that revered the law of the strong, disregarding distinctions between righteous and demonic paths.
"The words of the Holy Son of the Buddhist Sect should not be slanderous."
"If he truly is a demonic cultivator, why would the Buddha tolerate it?"
The crowd was abuzz with speculation about Li Hao's identity, with many eyes turning to the Buddha seated on the lotus platform.
If the Holy Son of the Buddhist Sect could recognize Li Hao as a demonic cultivator, the Buddha should certainly be able to as well. If he admitted it, then Li Hao's identity would be confirmed.
If he denied it, then the Holy Son would be accused of malicious slander.
The Buddha, hearing the murmurs and feeling the attention of the masses, remained calm, his expression unreadable. He spoke softly:
"Although Qing Feng has fallen into the demonic path, everyone in the Canglan Realm is allowed to participate in this Heavenly Prodigy Battle. Even as a demonic cultivator, he has the right to compete. However, I hope that Qing Feng will not be lost in these trivial ways. Once the battle is over, if he is willing to join my Buddhist sect, I can personally help him achieve enlightenment."
The Buddha's words caused an uproar among the crowd, and many looked at Li Hao with disdain and contempt.
The Buddha's personal proclamation was definitive proof.
A cold light flickered in Li Hao's eyes as he looked up to meet the Buddha's gaze. As their eyes locked, Li Hao felt the deep, vast brilliance within the Buddha's eyes. There was both compassion and indifference in them.
Li Hao retracted his gaze, his heart burning with rage. The Buddha's words clearly protected his disciple. If the Buddha could truly see through him, he would know that Li Hao was not a demonic cultivator. On the contrary, he was purifying and saving those consumed by hatred and slaughter, guiding them to peaceful reincarnation—a virtuous deed!
Only someone with divine blood could accomplish this.
He did not speak, knowing that arguing would be futile. The majesty of a saint outweighed his words. How could the world believe him over a saint?
Where there is good, there must be corresponding evil!
Even if they come from the same source.
Otherwise, how could goodness profit?
Fortunately, after being chased by the Void Saint, Li Hao had already shattered his illusion of saints and felt no admiration for them. He wasn't disappointed, just furious.
Li Hao thought of Ying Xiaoxiao, who was labeled as a member of the demonic clan, already accustomed to the slander.
The truth no longer mattered; in this world, everything revolved around profit.
Li Hao took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. At that moment, he noticed that some of the incense wafting towards him had diminished. This incense had been gathered by the Great Emperor of the Sea for building temples in his city.
Now, this portion of incense was decreasing.
Through the Realm Stone, many people in that city were watching the battle. After hearing the Buddha's words, many of his former believers had lost faith in him.
Good, good, good... Cutting off incense is no different from severing one's path!
Li Hao had heard of the fierce competition among saints for incense. Now, he experienced firsthand the power of a saint. Since he was not a saint, the saint's words alone caused his incense to dwindle. Only when he became a saint himself, able to publicly debate with others, could he compete for incense on equal footing.
The Great Emperor of the Sea had raised his incense to the level of fifteen cities, but in just a short time, it had dwindled to ten cities and continued to decline.
"Such a disgrace! Who will step forward and subdue this man?"
"How could he abandon the righteous path and choose such a twisted one?"
"Who knows how many innocent souls he has harmed."
The crowd's chatter continued, with princes and nobles also showing disdain. Criticizing the demonic path only served to elevate their own righteousness.
The world judges evil not out of hatred but out of the need for moral superiority.
In the distance, Lin Qingying looked worried, hoping these rumors wouldn't affect Li Hao's state of mind. She knew Li Hao well—spending his days playing chess and painting. Such a person who was so carefree in life couldn't possibly fall into the demonic path.
But with the Buddha's words, unless a saint spoke on Li Hao's behalf, his fate was sealed.
"I didn't expect the Buddha to be like this..."
In the crowd, Lin Shanhai sighed, his eyes filled with disappointment and regret.
As an old man, he had come to believe in certain ideals, finding solace in the light of Buddhism. But he didn't expect the Buddha to label Li Hao as demonic.
He had spent a year with Li Hao. How could he not know the boy's nature?
"Is he really from the demonic path?"
Li Qingyi and others from the Wen Zu Holy Land were shocked. Being part of a holy land that revered scholars and righteousness, they despised the demonic path. They couldn't believe that Li Hao was truly from the demonic path.
In the Canglan Realm, where the Buddhist sect reigned supreme, many were naturally influenced to look down on demonic cultivators.
"But he doesn't seem like one. Yet, the Buddha said so..."
Li Qingyi's gaze wavered. Though unwilling, disappointment flickered in his eyes.
Lin Shuhai's expression remained indifferent, showing no sign of being affected.
The Twin Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect looked at Li Hao with a faint smile on their lips.
In the Buddha Hall, Wen Sheng and Jian Sheng glanced at the Buddha with meaningful looks but said nothing.
Jian Sheng's face remained indifferent. If Qing Feng, like Haoyue and Bian Ruxue, were his personal disciple, he would have spoken out to defend his innocence.
But he had heard from Jian Zhu earlier that Qing Feng was a disciple of the Supreme Sage, sent here due to unfortunate circumstances.
As for the Buddha's claim that Qing Feng was a demonic cultivator... Jian Sheng didn't believe it, though he couldn't tell for sure.
After all, how could the Supreme Sage's disciple fall into the demonic path? Still, if the Buddha smeared Qing Feng's name now, and he later returned to inherit the saintly position, a great war would surely ensue. That would benefit Jian Sheng.
After all, the Buddhist Sect's position in the Canglan Realm was too high. If it fell, Jian Sheng and Wen Sheng would have a chance to contend for supremacy. If Jian Zu Holy Land could absorb half of the Buddhist Sect's incense, Jian Sheng might advance further, even challenge the heavenly tribulation and surpass the Three Disasters!
Amidst the various disputes, seeing that Li Hao did not refute the claims, the crowd became more convinced.
Li Hao closed his eyes, ignoring the comments swirling around him.
He quickly refined the murderous resentments sealed in his arms. The resentments screamed and howled, but under the baptism of divine blood, they seemed to find peace, gradually dissipating.
As the fifth match began, the crowd's attention shifted back to the fierce competition on the battlefield.
After several rounds, the top ten of the Canglan Realm were finally decided.
With their advancement, all ten participants stood on the battle platform.
These ten would represent the Canglan Realm in the battle against the heavens.
Countless gazes from across the Canglan Realm converged on the ten figures standing on the stage.
Li Hao felt the faint incense drifting towards him, but the amount was meager. It was spontaneously given incense.
Without the Buddha's interference, the fame he gained in this battle alone would have attracted a large amount of incense.
Li Hao glanced at his arms, where the murderous resentments had been fully refined and absorbed.
Among the top ten, aside from Li Hao, Lin Shuhai, and the Twin Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect, there were three other disciples of the Buddhist Sect.
Li Hao's acquaintance, Qiu Wuhen, failed to make it into the top ten, losing to one of the Buddhist Holy Sons.
The loose cultivator Su Yun from the Divine Dynasty also fell short of the top ten.
"Each of you is a dragon among men. The real challenge lies in the battle against the heavens. You will compete today to represent the Canglan Realm. I hope that in the battles to come, none of you will bring disgrace to our realm."
The Buddha spoke gently:
"To avoid revealing any strategies prematurely, the top ten contest ends here. However, in the martial world, there is no second place. Now, we will determine the number one prodigy of the Canglan Realm!"
"We will select only the first. If you have the confidence to compete, step forward. The rest may reserve their strength for the ultimate stage against the heavens."
Hearing the Buddha's words, everyone was surprised but soon understood.
It made sense. This competition was to select the top ten prodigies to face the heavens. It was essentially an internal battle.
Since it was an internal battle, there was no need to fight too fiercely.
Wen Sheng and Jian Sheng exchanged calm glances. Both saw through the Buddha's intentions. The incense of a hundred cities was prepared for the Twin Holy Sons. The Buddha had paved the way for his disciples.
Selecting only the first place, without a second or third, was essentially preordaining the result.
As such, by the end of the contest, all attention would be focused on the Twin Holy Sons, leaving the others in the shadows.
"Buddha, isn't this a bit excessive?"
Jian Sheng spoke softly. Although he didn't expect the Haoyue Holy Son to make a name for himself here, knowing that his true strength would be revealed in the battle against the heavens, he was still unwilling to see his disciple overshadowed before the fight even began.
The Buddha responded quietly, "Your esteemed disciples are also welcome to compete for the top spot. Let their true abilities be revealed on the stage. After all, in the eyes of the Dao, all beings are equal. As someone who practices the Dao of all living beings, you should understand this."
Jian Sheng's face turned slightly cold. The Buddha's words implied that everyone had a chance, depending on their own abilities.
Wen Sheng glanced at the Buddha with a faint smile but said nothing.
Seeing Wen Sheng remain silent, Jian Sheng furrowed his brows and sighed inwardly, saying no more.
It would now be up to Haoyue to prove himself.
No matter the outcome, the greatest benefit of this battle was Bian Ruxue's enlightenment. His sword intent had reached perfection, and if he could use this opportunity to comprehend the Dao, it would be worth more than fleeting glory.
After all, cultivation was a long journey, and temporary setbacks were insignificant.
"This is good. It saves trouble. I'm only interested in first place; the rest don't matter!"
Chi Guang was quite satisfied with the Buddha's decision. As he spoke, his eyes glanced at the Twin Holy Sons, but they were not looking at him. Instead, their gaze was on Qing Feng beside him, causing him to raise an eyebrow. His gaze then fell on Li Hao.
"Your earlier boast, let's see you take it back now!"
Chi Guang said coldly to Li Hao, his demeanor lofty and condescending.
Li Hao didn't even bother to acknowledge him; Chi Guang wasn't even worth his attention.
"If you wish to compete for first place, step forward. The rest may step back."
A half-saint of the Buddhist Sect announced loudly.
The ten participants exchanged glances, but no one stepped down. The three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect looked at Li Hao, and one of them said:
"We seek no honor in being first, only the eradication of evil and the defense of the righteous path!"
"Indeed, if he's a demonic cultivator, he should return to his demonic lands!"
"We recite scriptures and practice the Dao only to rid the world of demons and restore purity. Even if I'm not first, this demonic cultivator won't take the top spot!"
The three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect gazed coldly at Li Hao, their bodies radiating with Buddhist light.
Hearing their words, Li Hao found it amusing. He couldn't tell if they were too immersed in their scriptures or had ulterior motives, so he said:
"There's no need for so much talk. Why don't you all come at me together? If you say I'm a demonic cultivator, then don't you dare lose to me. Otherwise, what have you been chanting? What Dao have you been cultivating?"
Upon hearing Li Hao's words, the three Holy Sons were enraged. They hadn't expected Li Hao to be so arrogant. They were all in the top ten, the cream of the crop among the Holy Sons, and yet they were being looked down upon by Li Hao.
"You are mine."
Chi Guang said to Li Hao.
Li Hao sneered coldly and said, "You too, come on. It makes no difference."
Chi Guang froze for a moment, and his sneering expression instantly darkened. He said coldly, "This time, not even the half-saint from the Buddhist Sect can save you!"
As he spoke, blazing flames erupted from his body, and the temperature of the entire platform skyrocketed.
The half-saint from the Buddhist Sect looked on helplessly. These prodigies were so arrogant that they showed no regard for rules or face and acted on their whims.
Lin Shuhai smiled faintly, saying nothing, and flew down to the ground, leaving the stage for the battle.
The others followed suit, stepping down from the platform, not interfering in the upcoming clash.
Lin Qingying, however, moved swiftly to Li Hao's side, standing with her sword drawn, clearly ready to face the enemies alongside him.
Li Hao glanced at her and whispered, "Leave. Don't get caught up in this."
"It's just the demonic path. So what if I end up walking it with you?"
Lin Qingying held her sword, her gaze fixed on the three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect ahead.
Upon hearing her words, the three Holy Sons' faces changed. Lin Qingying was different from Li Hao. She was the Holy Maiden of the Jian Zu Holy Land, with the backing of a sacred land.
Li Hao, however, was deeply moved by her words. As he looked at her, the blazing flames around him seemed to make her hair dance, and her bright, determined eyes left a lasting impression on him.
He stared at her seriously for a moment before lowering his head and speaking to Xi Yan on his wrist:
"You should return to the Heavenly Space."
Xi Yan, realizing that a great battle was approaching, said to Li Hao, "Be careful."
With that, she quickly retreated into the spatial rift Li Hao had opened for her, knowing that staying here would only hinder him.
Li Hao then looked up, his eyes settling on the three Holy Sons and Chi Guang, who was burning with crimson flames like a god of fire. A faint smile tugged at his lips:
"It seems I've given you all too much face. You don't know how to cherish it."
"Rubbish! When have you ever given us anything?"
One of the Holy Sons retorted angrily.
Li Hao reached into his Heavenly Space and pulled out a pitch-black sword, saying:
"I've given you too much face!"
As he spoke, the Heavenly Vein behind him suddenly appeared, towering like a pillar connecting heaven and earth, enveloping the entire platform.
With a forceful pull, the energy from the Heavenly Vein surged into him. His body, refined to the pinnacle of physical strength, along with the divine blood coursing through him, allowed him to absorb an overwhelming amount of power. As the Heavenly Vein drew upon this vast energy, a tangible storm of power erupted behind Li Hao, swirling around his form.
Witnessing this terrifying sight, the crowd was astonished.
Though it was the same Heavenly Vein and the second extreme, the phenomenon Li Hao displayed was far more grand and imposing.
Chi Guang narrowed his eyes, his expression growing serious as he said, "Come, let me see your strength!"
Standing within his fiery domain, surrounded by blazing flames, Chi Guang conjured a golden spear, as if forged from molten lava, with cracks of golden light running through it.
"I didn't show you my true skills earlier. Now, it's time for you to experience them!"
Golden flames flickered in Chi Guang's eyes as his spear emitted a blinding brilliance. It was the Flame Dao, shining radiantly like a divine sun that could incinerate everything.
"Chi Guang's spear technique has entered the Dao!"
"What a terrifying spear intent! I feel like I'm burning up even from outside the formation."
"What is this spear Dao? I'm starting to sweat all over!"
Through the Realm Stone, countless warriors from dozens of Divine Dynasties across the Canglan Realm, merely watching the projection of the divine spear in the sky, felt as though their eyes were being scorched. Their blood seemed to boil, as if they were on fire.
The spear intent alone was so overwhelming that it was hard to imagine what it would be like to face the spear directly.
Lin Qingying's face turned pale. She hadn't expected Chi Guang's spear technique to be so terrifying after entering the Dao. She felt as if she were being burned alive, her mind filled with images of flames. She struggled to suppress the sensations, recalling Li Hao's earlier advice to immerse herself in nothingness, barely managing to resist.
But she was only coping with the "intent." If Chi Guang actually attacked, she would be powerless to stop him.
"This Chi Guang is terrifying!"
Behind Chi Guang, the three Holy Sons of the Buddhist Sect also turned pale. They hadn't expected this dark horse to be so powerful. His strength far exceeded their expectations.
In the crowd below, Lin Shuhai's eyes flickered, and his smile faded slightly.
On the platform, Li Hao's expression remained cold and indifferent.
He raised his hand, and his entire aura changed. The pretense he had been concealing seemed to peel away, revealing his true form.
The black sword in his hand radiated a power that seemed capable of tearing through the void.
"Hm?!"
Seeing the terrifying Dao resonance emanating from Li Hao's sword, Chi Guang, who had been brimming with confidence, suddenly felt a chill of fear.
Boom! Without any further words, Li Hao swung his sword.
My Sole Sword Dao! At that moment, he unleashed his own sword Dao.
Where his gaze fell, where his intent reached, everything was severed!
What kind of sword strike was this?
The black sword light erupted from the battle platform, and wherever it passed, the void split open, leaving pitch-black cracks. Space itself was torn apart!
The fiery domain surrounding the platform was instantly obliterated, along with the very heat in the air, which vanished into a cold void.
Wherever the sword light touched, nothing could withstand it!
Chi Guang's pupils contracted as he felt an overwhelming sense of disintegration. Every hair on his body stood on end, and his blood boiled with fear.
Screaming in defiance, he roared, "Break!!"
His spear erupted with divine light, the pinnacle of the Flame Dao, capable of incinerating all.
The blazing fire, accompanied by an ancient phoenix's cry, shook everyone's spiritual sea. Even those watching through the Realm Stone felt the phoenix's call reverberating in their minds, leaving them momentarily dazed.
Yet this spear, with all its unmatched power, crumbled like melting ice before the approaching black rift. It shattered instantly, collapsing into nothingness.
The unstoppable sword strike tore through the battle platform, annihilating Chi Guang's spear Dao, slicing through his divine spear, and severing one of his arms before crashing into the formation.
The formation, which had been condensed by the half-saint's power, trembled and then shattered, leaving a gaping hole!
In the Buddha Hall, the Buddha's eyes flashed as he raised his hand, pressing down with a finger. The sword energy that had pierced through the formation was suppressed by a beam of Buddhist light and slowly dissipated.
Meanwhile, across the Canglan Realm, countless spectators who were watching through the Realm Stone felt as though their eyes had been sliced open, experiencing a sharp, stabbing pain.
Many people clutched their eyes, crying out in agony.
That single sword strike could cut through everything, even those who gazed upon it!
This was Li Hao's true sword Dao—My Sole Sword Dao!
With one sword, heaven and earth, there was only my sword, and everything else was obliterated!