Chapter 417: Wrath
Seeing Li Hao return safely, Wind Elder felt both relief and gratitude.
To survive a battle against a True Immortal was already a miracle. The destruction of Li Hao's physical body underscored the difficulty and danger of this encounter.
"As long as you're fine, as long as you're fine… But don't take risks like this again!"
"Understood," Li Hao nodded, sensing Wind Elder's turbulent emotions. A hint of guilt flickered in his eyes. "I'm sorry to have worried everyone."
"What are you apologizing for? It's already a blessing that you're back." Sword Lord rarely smiled, but this time, he couldn't help himself.
Lies Heavenly Saint walked over, pinching Li Hao's arm. "You gave us a real scare this time. Old Wind was on the verge of tears. The last time he looked this pathetic was when he got expelled from his sect…"
She turned and flashed a mischievous smile toward Heavenly Saint Mi Tian, her tone playful.
Mi Tian Saint chuckled wryly. "Back then, I…"
"It's all in the past. I just mentioned it casually," Lies Heavenly Saint quickly said.
Wind Elder shot her a glare. Though it was a sore spot, their recent visit to Xu Mi Heaven had offered a chance for reconciliation.
As they talked, the other Saints slowly approached.
"Haotian Zun, it's a relief to see you unharmed."
The Nominal Saint's face lit up with joy. He had expected Li Hao to meet the same fate as the Source Ancestor and Divine King, sacrificing himself to hold back the True Immortal ancient demon. For a moment, he had believed humanity's strongest warrior was lost, yet here was Li Hao, returning alive—a miracle.
The realization left him speechless. If anything, it hinted that Li Hao might be even stronger than the Source Ancestor and Divine King.
It was a staggering thought. The young man before them had defied conventions since the beginning. During the Supreme Talent War, he had shocked everyone by achieving sainthood without any ancestral blessings.
"What about the ancient demon?"
The Nominal Saint's joy gave way to unease as he remembered the True Immortal ancient demon.
The question silenced everyone. All eyes turned to Li Hao, their concern evident.
Li Hao's expression grew serious. "I wasn't able to kill it. Instead, it destroyed my physical body in an instant. I barely managed to escape and shake it off before coming here. As for that demon…"
He paused before continuing in a heavy tone. "It's either searching the heavens for me or… slaughtering indiscriminately."
The word "slaughter" struck a nerve. The Saints clenched their fists, their expressions darkening—not out of anger, but deep guilt.
They had already anticipated this outcome. Without their intervention, the demon would inevitably wreak havoc across the heavens, leaving untold devastation in its wake. Yet, knowing it was happening brought a sense of unbearable remorse.
Li Hao said nothing more. There was no point in blame or reproach. The damage was done, and no amount of regret could undo it. Perhaps if he had personally guarded the Immortal Gate, he could have prevented their actions.
A sense of sorrow welled in his heart as he scanned the sanctum, his gaze settling on a group of citizens from Da Yu.
Their distinctive attire made them easy to identify. Although the heavens were home to many divine dynasties, each had subtle differences in dress influenced by their respective beliefs.
"This is what it's come to," Li Hao sighed softly.
Wind Elder's face darkened. He glanced at the gathered Saints and then addressed Li Hao. "Don't dwell on it too much. We're in this refuge now. Rest for ten years. With your potential, you'll surely reach new heights by then—perhaps even attain the status of Supreme Saint. Combined with the Soldier Saint's battle formation, we might have a chance against that True Immortal ancient demon."
The Saints had already discussed the formation after assuming Li Hao would fall like the Source Ancestor and Divine King.
Hearing Wind Elder's words, the Saints collectively snapped out of their stupor, quickly voicing their agreement.
The rest, however, remained silent, finding it difficult to articulate their feelings.
Their mistakes had brought this calamity upon countless innocent lives. Now, they had to ask Li Hao to prioritize his survival, forsaking vengeance for the greater good. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but necessary.
"You're not even thirty years old and already a Saint who can slay veteran Three Tribulation cultivators. After spending twelve years on the Ancient Path, you've surpassed the Source Ancestor and Divine King. You even managed to escape a True Immortal. If you train for another ten years, you might truly be able to confront a True Immortal head-on."
The Nominal Saint spoke earnestly, his eyes alight with hope and admiration.
The youth before them was undoubtedly the most prodigious talent in the history of the heavens. A thirty-year-old Saint was already astonishing, but reaching a level beyond the Source Ancestor in just twelve more years was unimaginable.
Li Hao nodded. He shared their optimism.
Even without ambient energy for cultivation, this sanctuary was an excellent place to refine his techniques and cultivate his mind.
"Ten years should be enough," Li Hao affirmed, signaling his agreement.
The Saints breathed a collective sigh of relief. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a glimmer of hope sparked in their hearts.
If this unparalleled talent was given ten more years, could he create another miracle?
As Li Hao scanned the sanctum, his attention fell on the barrier surrounding the refuge. "These barriers… What's their purpose?"
"The Celestial Deity Relic is damaged," the Fox Lord explained. "The destructive forces of the Divine Sun seep inside. We've had to reinforce the sanctum with barriers to protect it. Even so, we can only hold out for ten years."
Her gaze was complex. The memories of her mortal self—of that small, naive fox in the mortal realm—merged with her own. They felt like a dream, yet seeing Li Hao made the dream vivid and real.
Back then, he had defended a solitary city against insurmountable odds. Now, he had risked everything for the heavens.
"Damaged…"
Li Hao's gaze swept over the barriers and the surrounding Celestial Deity Relic. He could indeed see threads of destructive energy permeating the sanctum, colliding with the barriers.
Now he understood why they had mentioned the ten-year limit.
But for him, ten years was sufficient.
"Haotian Zun, whatever you need to continue your cultivation, we will provide," the Nominal Saint said earnestly. "Be it treasures or divine medicines, you only need to ask."
He turned to the gathered Saints. "If anyone has resources that can aid his cultivation, I ask that you offer them now. Once we overcome this catastrophe, I will personally repay this kindness."
"Nominal Saint, there's no need for repayment," an elderly Three Tribulation Saint interjected. "Without Haotian Zun, we'd already be dead. The least we can do is repay this life-saving debt!"
Another Saint nodded. "I have a divine medicine that temporarily strengthens spiritual consciousness. It's extremely effective—even for those at the Primordial Soul extreme realm."
"I have three Yin-Yang Profound Nirvana Pills. They can bring someone back from the brink of death, allowing them to be reborn with enhanced strength and resilience."
"I also have…"
The Saints began offering their treasured divine medicines one by one.
Li Hao raised his hand slightly, signaling for them to stop. These medicines meant little to him. Most of them were intended to assist cultivators in breaking into the extreme realm, but he had already reached the pinnacle in every stage. Taking these pills would have minimal effect and wouldn't help him break through the ultimate limits.
"We'll talk about it when I actually need something," Li Hao said to the Saints.
The Saints froze momentarily, stunned by Li Hao's lack of interest in their offerings. Even the Source Ancestor or Divine King would struggle to remain composed in the face of such treasures.
"Haotian Zun, don't hold back. Even the slightest benefit to you is worth it. You're the hope of the heavens!"
A Saint spoke with solemn sincerity.
Li Hao shook his head slightly. "There's no need to mention it again. I need to focus on my cultivation now."
The Saints, understanding the urgency, immediately stepped aside, refraining from further conversation to avoid delaying Li Hao's preparation.
Time was of the essence, and every moment counted in cultivation.
As Li Hao was about to leave, he noticed a sudden decrease in his incense power and froze.
A loss of incense power could only mean two things: either believers had abandoned their faith, or they had died.
Recalling the True Immortal ancient demon, Li Hao's expression darkened.
"That demon… it might already be slaughtering indiscriminately."
His face grew heavy with the weight of the thought. Countless lives across the heavens were at stake—far beyond tens of billions.
A single small world alone could house over a trillion humans and numerous divine dynasties. The combined populations of the Thirty-Three Heavens were unfathomable.
"What's wrong?"
Wind Elder noticed Li Hao's troubled expression and asked.
Li Hao shook his head slightly. "My incense power is decreasing. That demon is likely already on a rampage."
The Saints were startled. A few of them quickly sensed their own incense power and noticed a similar decline. They exchanged anxious glances before questioning the others.
However, the majority of the Saints found their incense power unaffected.
The few whose incense power had decreased looked grim. Most of their believers were concentrated in a specific small world, the main site of their teachings. It was evident that this small world had fallen victim to the demon's attack.
"Damn it!"
"That monstrous demon!"
The affected Saints gritted their teeth in rage, their anger barely containing their despair.
"If anyone wishes to see the situation outside, I have an Emperor Weapon of the Dao Tribulation level. It can reveal the coordinates and scenes of any location in the heavens."
A young-looking Saint spoke up.
The Nominal Saint and Moxia Saint turned to him. The Nominal Saint seemed to recognize the item and asked, "Are you referring to the Zhaotian Mirror?"
"Exactly," the young Saint replied, slightly surprised that the Nominal Saint was familiar with it.
"I obtained it from an ancient forbidden land. It can project any location in the heavens. Not even the Divine Sun's interference can obstruct it—I just tested it," the Saint explained.
The Saints turned their attention to him, one asking, "Can it also spy on sanctuaries like this one?"
The young Saint's face grew somewhat uneasy as he nodded. "Yes, it can."
The Saints were momentarily stunned, exchanging wary glances. The Emperor Weapon seemed almost too powerful. If its owner wished, it could potentially spy on others even during their most private moments.
No wonder the young Saint had kept it a secret until now. Such an item in anyone's possession would make the others feel perpetually uneasy.
"No wonder you established the Skylark Tower, the number one intelligence organization across the heavens."
A Saint remarked coldly, his gaze implying suspicion that the young Saint had spied on him before.
The young Saint, known as the Dark Saint and the Skylark Tower's elusive "Skylark Master," was infamous for his mystery. Speculation had long surrounded his identity, yet no one had uncovered it—until now.
"I once felt the presence of someone watching me. Was it you?"
The Medicine Saint narrowed his eyes, glaring at the Dark Saint.
The Dark Saint's expression shifted slightly, shaking his head. "No, no, I would never spy on my fellow Saints."
His denial did little to ease the tension. Even Moxia Saint's gaze grew colder, silently accusing him of trespassing on their secrets.
It was disconcerting to realize how much the Dark Saint might know about them while they remained oblivious.
"Enough chatter. Take it out. From now on, this mirror will remain in a public space. It cannot remain in the hands of one person," Yin-Yang Saint declared.
The Dark Saint sighed inwardly, knowing this would be the outcome. Under normal circumstances, revealing the mirror would have led to disaster, but in the face of the ancient demon, he had no choice.
Without protest, he nodded. "Understood."
With a flick of his wrist, the Dark Saint summoned the Zhaotian Mirror.
The small silver mirror was about the size of a palm, its frame adorned with flowing silver and natural patterns of the Dao.
Under his control, the mirror emitted a silvery beam that projected an image onto the walls of the Celestial Deity Relic.
The Dark Saint focused the mirror on the small world where the incense power had diminished.
A horrifying scene emerged within the projection.
Mountains of corpses piled high. Rivers of blood flowed like seas. Everywhere, terrified figures fled in despair, their screams piercing the air.
Among them were lifeless bodies, their expressions vacant, their souls visibly consumed.
Dark fog roiled across the sky, casting everything into a hellish inferno.
The Saints stared at the scene, their expressions twisting with horror and rage.
Li Hao furrowed his brows as he watched the projection. The faces of countless innocents flashed across the screen, their terror and confusion evident.
The mortals couldn't comprehend why such a monstrous calamity had suddenly descended upon them.
Why had the Saints they revered—their supposed protectors—vanished without a trace?
Amidst the black mist, a hideous and massive figure soared. Li Hao instantly recognized it—it was the same True Immortal ancient demon he had previously fought.
The demon joyfully glided through the air, harvesting the souls on the ground below. Occasionally, its enormous body descended upon a city, crushing countless civilians underfoot. Elderly men and women, children, beggars, and wealthy merchants alike were reduced to pulp without distinction.
Witnessing such brutal carnage, the Saints' expressions grew grim.
Li Hao's face darkened rapidly, his fists clenching involuntarily.
Although he had already accepted the inevitability of slaughter across the heavens, seeing it unfold before his eyes ignited an uncontrollable fury within him.
The despair and sorrow etched on the faces of the victims, caught in the clutches of doom, were too heart-wrenching to bear.
This was just one city. A single small world contained thousands upon thousands of such cities.
Imagining the scale of the disaster was one thing, but seeing it with his own eyes was another entirely.
"That beast!"
The Saints gritted their teeth, seething with anger and anguish.
They hated the ancient demon with every fiber of their being, but they also felt the sting of their own culpability.
"Hm?"
The Dark Saint's face suddenly changed.
The True Immortal ancient demon in the projection seemed to sense the Zhaotian Mirror's gaze. It turned its cruel, blood-red eyes toward the projection, as though piercing through endless time and space to stare directly at Li Hao and the Saints.
Those crimson, merciless eyes sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"Not good! It can sense us!"
The Dark Saint's expression twisted in alarm. Though the Zhaotian Mirror was a Three-Tribulation Emperor Weapon, its design prioritized observation over offense or defense. It lacked the ability to shield against retaliation. Yet, even when spying on Saints, it had never been detected—until now.
In the projection, the True Immortal ancient demon opened its mouth as if to roar. The projection abruptly collapsed. The Zhaotian Mirror emitted a sharp cracking sound, and a jagged fracture split across its center.
The Dark Saint's heart ached as he lifted the mirror, gently brushing his hand over the crack.
"Will it trace us here?" a Saint asked, visibly shaken.
The Dark Saint looked up to see similar unease reflected in the faces of the others. Suppressing his distress, he replied, "No. The mirror's Dao Spirit entered slumber before the demon could reverse-trace us. It assured me the link was severed."
His words brought a measure of relief to the group.
"That was far too risky."
"We cannot afford to spy on such a being carelessly again."
The Saints exhaled deeply, their lingering fear evident.
Li Hao's face, however, remained grim. The images from the projection lingered in his mind, vivid and haunting.
Ten years.
If this continued, the heavens would be reduced to wastelands within a decade.
How many would die in that time?
Elderly men, women, children, commoners, and emperors alike—none would be spared.
Countless cultivators who had spent their lives striving toward ascension would be snuffed out by this sudden calamity.
It was unjust. It was cruel.
Li Hao stood in silence.
Would he really just watch the heavens fall apart?
While he had previously accepted this grim reality, witnessing it with his own eyes had shaken his resolve.
"Little rat, don't overthink it. There's nothing we can do right now," Wind Elder said urgently, sensing Li Hao's unrest.
The Saints noticed his expression as well and quickly chimed in to console him, worried he might act rashly.
Although they had been enraged moments ago, they had since regained their composure.
Li Hao, outwardly calm, was anything but.
Ten years…
The Saints' words seemed distant, as though coming from another world. He heard them but didn't process them. His mind was consumed by the faces of the grieving and dying.
After a long while, he took a deep breath, the fog of his thoughts lifting. The Saints' voices suddenly became clear again.
Li Hao looked at their anxious faces and smiled faintly. His gaze swept over the sanctuary and the nine celestial islands.
"This place can only last ten years. I'll find a way to extend that time."
Wind Elder's face changed. "What are you planning?"
Li Hao glanced at him but said nothing, his smile faint yet resolute.
"Don't do anything reckless! If you die, we'll lose all hope!"
Wind Elder's voice rose, his urgency palpable.
Li Hao shook his head. "As long as this sanctuary remains hidden from the True Immortal ancient demon, it's the safest place in the heavens. If we can extend its viability, reinforcements from outside the Celestial Gate might arrive in time. The message has already been sent."
He thought of the woman with the crimson spear and of Nangong Jian. Even if he couldn't count on the former, Li Hao trusted the latter after their twelve years of camaraderie. Nangong Jian had promised to return, and Li Hao believed he would.
The Saints realized his intentions and grew visibly agitated.
"Haotian Zun, don't act impulsively! What if reinforcements never come?" the Dark Saint pleaded, regret flashing across his face.
Li Hao fell silent. He had considered that possibility, that unforeseen circumstances might prevent Nangong Jian's return.
"This isn't impulsiveness," Li Hao said after a pause. "It's strategy. If the True Immortal ancient demon devours every soul in the heavens, it could very well undergo a metamorphosis. It might even break through its current level."
The Saints froze, their faces draining of color.
"What… What do you mean?"
"Is it evolving by consuming souls?" the Law Saint stammered.
Li Hao nodded slowly. If the demon feasted on enough souls, it might ascend to a commander-level being. At that point, unless Li Hao reached the pinnacle of the True Immortal realm within ten years, he would stand no chance.
But even that was mere conjecture. The gap between True Immortal and Immortal Sovereign was unfathomable. The woman with the crimson spear, an Immortal Sovereign herself, could obliterate True Immortals effortlessly.
"This…"
The Saints were struck with terror. The faint glimmer of hope they had just grasped seemed to shatter.
Li Hao said no more. He had to act quickly. Every moment the demon roamed free, more lives were lost.
Though this fight carried immense risk, Li Hao couldn't simply abandon Wind Elder, the Sword Master, and the others. They were his closest companions, and this sanctuary was their lifeline.
If he fell in battle, they would only have ten years left to live—a death sentence in all but name.
Determined, Li Hao stepped out of the sanctuary and into the blazing heart of the Divine Sun.
The intense heat scorched his body, but he endured it.
Releasing his soul, he began absorbing the abundant solar essence in the air to strengthen his spirit.
At the same time, he started work on a monumental project: a barrier large enough to encompass the sanctuary and the nine celestial islands.
It was an unprecedented challenge. The scale of the barrier needed to shelter over ten billion lives.
Li Hao crossed his legs mid-air, his mind racing as he devised a plan.
"Haotian…"
Watching Li Hao's actions, the Saints felt a pang of unease.
Wind Elder remained silent, his gaze heavy. He understood Li Hao's determination.
"Don't disturb him. Don't distract him. Let him work. Every second matters now," Wind Elder said coldly to the others.
The Saints fell silent, a sense of helplessness washing over them as they watched Li Hao's unwavering resolve.
High above, Li Hao focused entirely on his task. The faces of the dead haunted his mind, but he pushed the images aside, his heart gradually stilling.
As his thoughts cleared, his vision sharpened, and he began the meticulous work of creating something extraordinary.