Chapter 438: Legacy of the Emperor's Palace
Li Hao couldn't help but feel awed as he listened. The requirements for a personal disciple were daunting—becoming a Celestial Emperor was merely the foundation.
He smiled bitterly. "This path is truly difficult."
"Every uphill road is tough. Downhill? You can just slide all the way." The Sovereign Spirit chuckled with a hint of humor.
Li Hao couldn't help but laugh aloud.
The Sovereign Spirit continued, "Now that you've become a formal disciple, we can leave this place with you. However, you're not yet qualified to fully utilize the True Sovereign Tower. For now, I'll embed the tower into your soul. If you face fatal soul attacks, the tower will shield you automatically."
"If other dangers arise, Wang Shanhe will protect you. As long as your opponent isn't at the quasi-emperor level, you'll remain safe."
Li Hao's curiosity was piqued. "Aside from you and Wang Lao, are there others?"
"Of course." The Sovereign Spirit nodded. "Once you reach the Tianyang Palace, you'll meet those 'others.' Unfortunately, since you're not a personal disciple, you can't fully control Tianyang Palace. That palace is the real treasure here. As for me, I'll stay by your side until you reach the Immortal King realm. Only then will I step away."
Li Hao blinked in surprise. "You won't accompany me after we leave?"
The Sovereign Spirit sighed softly, his expression tinged with a rare sorrow. He patted Li Hao's shoulder. "With Wang Shanhe by your side, you're well-protected. As for me, there's something else I must do."
Pausing, he added with a somber tone, "In that ancient battle, I followed Tianyang Celestial Emperor into battle but was ambushed by the Ancient Demon Kings and a deadly reincarnation technique from an Ancient Demon Emperor. My True God nearly perished. The Celestial Emperor saved me and sent me here to heal. I missed the rest of the war…"
A shadow passed over his face—not relief at having survived, but a deep pain and chill that seemed etched into his very being.
"Now that my wounds are nearly healed, once I leave, I'll seek out the Celestial Emperor's remains. Even if it costs me my life, I'll bring his eternal imperial body back."
Seeing the hatred and resolve in his eyes, Li Hao fell silent. Ten thousand years of suppressed grief and fury—nothing he said could change that.
Moreover, this Celestial Emperor was now his master. Retrieving the emperor's remains was a duty he couldn't shirk.
"The True Realm seems perilous. Please be careful, senior," Li Hao said earnestly.
The Sovereign Spirit glanced at Li Hao. His steely resolve softened slightly, replaced with a faint smile. "Don't worry. I've left a soul imprint within the True Sovereign Tower. Even if something happens to me, I can reincarnate through it. Just make sure you stay safe."
"How will I find you if needed?" Li Hao asked.
"With the soul imprint, I'll sense your presence. If you wish to contact me, simply call for me within the tower," the Sovereign Spirit replied, his gaze warm. "This True Sovereign Tower isn't as simple as it appears. It's not merely a testing tool for disciples; it's an imperial weapon. Though damaged in the ancient war and unable to wield its full might, its true power is extraordinary. When you become a personal disciple, you'll understand just how coveted it is."
The Sovereign Spirit's eyes were filled with trust and expectation.
Li Hao nodded earnestly. If the challenge wasn't impossible, he would give his all. But if it was too overwhelming… well, he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
"Go on now. Wang Shanhe is waiting for you," the Sovereign Spirit said with a smile.
Li Hao bowed deeply in gratitude before leaving the tower.
Outside the True Sovereign Tower, Wang Lao stood waiting.
"Did you find the answers you sought?" Wang Lao asked with a knowing smile.
"No," Li Hao shook his head but then grinned. "But I made a friend."
Wang Lao was briefly stunned before breaking into laughter. "Ten thousand years of waiting, and you've arrived. We should be the ones thanking you and remembering this debt of gratitude."
To Wang Lao, Li Hao's arrival was nothing short of a miracle. While Li Hao gained the Celestial Emperor's legacy, he also brought hope to those confined in this desolate place, granting them the chance to step outside once more.
During the ancient war, they had been forced to hide here, preserving a sliver of light amidst chaos. Now, the opportunity to leave this sanctuary was finally within reach.
"There's no need for such gratitude, Wang Lao. You overestimate my role," Li Hao said humbly.
Wang Lao smiled without further elaboration. "Come. I'll take you to the Tianyang Emperor's Palace."
He extended his hand, enveloping Li Hao in a gentle yet boundless force. The power surpassed any comprehension of Dao origins and carried an unfathomable depth. Li Hao felt as though he were separated from the natural world and encased in another dimension entirely.
Were it not for Wang Lao's lack of malice, Li Hao suspected this power could obliterate him with a mere thought.
"So this is the power of an Immortal King?" Li Hao marveled inwardly as he followed Wang Lao toward the towering palace.
From the distance, Ming Sheng, Lin Sheng, and the others watched enviously. They knew Wang Lao was leading Li Hao to inherit the Celestial Emperor's legacy.
"Once he leaves, his name will resound across the heavens and the True Realm," someone remarked.
"Some people's brilliance can't be hidden," another agreed.
"No matter what, we must never reveal his identity," You Sheng added sternly.
The others nodded in agreement. With the Celestial Doom Curse binding them, any leak would lead to their utter destruction.
Approaching the Tianyang Emperor's Palace, Li Hao gazed at the endless steps leading to the towering structure. The palace exuded an innate field of imperial majesty that deterred any unauthorized entry.
However, as Wang Lao approached with Li Hao, the palace recognized their presence. A shimmering path formed, allowing them entry.
Each step radiated immense pressure—traces of the imperial might that once overwhelmed Immortal Kings and Monarchs. These stairs, designed for the Celestial Emperor's subjects and warriors, symbolized the pinnacle of power and reverence.
Yet, under Wang Lao's quiet shielding, the pressure was entirely nullified for Li Hao. Together, they ascended the staircase with ease.
"These steps once bore the weight of countless Immortal Kings and Monarchs—figures who commanded awe and terror across the realms. Now, it's just you and me…" Wang Lao murmured, his voice heavy with nostalgia and a faint sadness.
That sadness stemmed from ten millennia of loss. The sorrow, once overwhelming, had dulled into an enduring ache.
Looking around, Li Hao imagined the grandeur that had once graced this place. His heart swelled with longing, but he knew such scenes were now lost to history.
"Can't we just fly up?" he asked casually.
"Aside from the three personal disciples of the Celestial Emperor and a few favored formal disciples, everyone else—be they Immortal Kings or peerless prodigy-level Immortal Lords—must ascend these steps on foot," Wang Lao said with a smile. His hunched back seemed to straighten slightly. "This is the Emperor's majesty. Those who come to pay homage must walk these steps in reverence. No exceptions."
Li Hao raised his gaze toward the summit of the stairs, where a vast, empty space loomed. He could almost envision the Celestial Emperor's imposing figure, seated in regal splendor, commanding reverence across all realms.
Step by step, the two climbed steadily upward. After nearly an hour, they finally reached the summit of the Emperor's palace.
At the top, an expansive plaza spread out, seemingly boundless. At the plaza's center hovered a radiant sphere resembling a blazing sun, emitting intense light. Beneath the orb stood a peerless figure clad in a flowing silver-gray gown that shimmered like rippling water. The hem of her dress trailed like a fox's tail, fanning across the ground. Even though she stood in profile, her unmatched beauty was evident. Her gaze seemed fixed on the ethereal lotus pool before her, its surface shrouded in swirling immortal mist.
The woman didn't move, not even when Wang Lao and Li Hao approached. Only when Wang Lao bowed slightly, a hint of respect on his face, did he speak, his voice reverent:
"Your Majesty Li Huang, after ten thousand years of searching, someone has finally passed the Celestial Emperor's test to become his formal disciple!"
His elderly voice echoed, fading into silence.
Li Hao stood to the side, observing quietly. His eyes lingered on the stunning figure ahead, who resembled a sculpture, unmoving and eternal. Yet her skin, pale as snow, looked so delicate it seemed a mere touch could mar it.
After a brief silence, the woman turned slightly. Her ocean-blue eyes, as if reflecting the horizon where sea and sky met, fell upon Li Hao. Her gaze was tranquil and devoid of worldly distractions, pure yet unfathomably deep.
With just one glance, Li Hao felt as if he were laid bare. It was as though every thought, every secret he harbored had been exposed under her piercing scrutiny. A tense shiver coursed through his body.
"Your name is Hao Tian?" she asked softly, her voice as clear and serene as celestial music.
Li Hao bowed slightly, and in his mind, he heard Wang Lao's voice transmitting to him: This is Li Huang, the soul of the Tianyang Emperor's Palace. She was once a quasi-emperor and the daughter of the Celestial Emperor!
Stunned, Li Hao looked again at the exquisite woman before him.
Li Huang's calm expression revealed nothing. It was as if she had heard Wang Lao's introduction herself. Her voice remained steady as she said, "I will remember your name. May you truly become a personal disciple and inherit the Celestial Emperor's unparalleled legacy."
Li Hao replied respectfully, "I will do my best."
Li Huang regarded him for a moment longer before withdrawing her gaze. She raised her hand and made a casual gesture in the air. A rift appeared, glowing with vibrant light. She turned to Wang Lao and said, "Take him to receive his inheritance."
Wang Lao bowed deeply in acknowledgment and gestured for Li Hao to follow.
Li Hao hesitated momentarily, surprised. He had assumed Li Huang herself would bestow the inheritance.
Following Wang Lao through the rift, Li Hao entered a hall shrouded in thick immortal mist. The grand palace stood amidst the clouds, towering and majestic.
"Everything you do here is under Li Huang's watchful eye," Wang Lao said as they stepped forward. "Do not disappoint her expectations."
Li Hao glanced around, recalling the vast underground space dominated by this palace. If Li Huang, as the soul of the palace, wished to observe its happenings, she could undoubtedly oversee every detail.
"This is your disciple's reward," Wang Lao said, drawing Li Hao's attention back. His eyes held a hint of nostalgia as he gestured toward the hall ahead.
"As a formal disciple, you would typically perform a formal bow to the Celestial Emperor and pay homage. However, even the soul imprint left behind by the Celestial Emperor has dissipated. There is no need for this ritual now. Step forward and reveal your Nine Flower Immortal Seal. The treasure vault will recognize your status and unlock its second layer to grant you your inheritance."
Following Wang Lao's instructions, Li Hao stepped forward and summoned his Immortal Seal. The seal's nine intricate flowers radiated an intense light, dazzling and magnificent.
As the light illuminated the treasure vault, a narrow crack opened in the grand doors. Rays of light shot out one after another, streaking toward Wang Lao.
He raised his hand to catch the beams of light. After examining them briefly, he nodded and handed them to Li Hao. "As a formal disciple, I will serve as your protector when you leave this place, ensuring your safety. The True Sovereign Tower will reside in your soul, shielding it from all threats below the quasi-emperor level."
"In addition to protection, these are your cultivation resources."
Wang Lao handed over three jade tokens, a touch of melancholy in his eyes. "During the ancient war, the devastation was immense. Almost all celestial stones and source stones were refined into power for imperial artifacts. These tokens are promissory notes from the three greatest merchant guilds of the True Realm. They carry the authority of their kings."
"If these guilds still exist, these tokens will allow you to withdraw one celestial vein each, sufficient to cultivate to the pinnacle of the ninth level of the Immortal Lord realm."
He added, "Back then, formal disciples were typically granted one celestial vein—equal to a million celestial stones. But now, it has been tripled."
Li Hao blinked, somewhat taken aback. Promissory notes?
Given the war's destruction and the Celestial Emperor's fall, it was uncertain whether those merchant guilds even survived.
Noticing Li Hao's expression, Wang Lao smiled wryly. "If those guilds no longer exist, we'll have to find another way."
Li Hao chuckled softly, accepting the three tokens.
"In addition to these resources, you're entitled to a first-grade Immortal Lord weapon." Wang Lao said. "The specific type is your choice from the vault. If you prefer swords, there are seven Origin Immortal Swords available. Each has unique effects. One, named Tao Wu, is particularly ferocious and the most powerful among them. If you can subdue it, it's yours."
As he spoke, Wang Lao placed a hand on Li Hao's back and gently pushed him toward the vault's entrance.
Li Hao felt himself propelled into the fissure, where brilliant light blinded him momentarily.
As his vision adjusted, he found himself surrounded by suspended treasures—immortal armor, weapons, and more. Swords, blades, axes, and spears hovered in the air, each radiating an overwhelming aura of power.
Li Hao marveled. In the True Realm, he had encountered many damaged immortal artifacts, dulled and decayed. But these weapons were pristine, exuding fearsome might.
"Choose me! Choose me!" a voice seemed to echo faintly in the air.
"Choose me! I'm the strongest!"
"Pick me!"
As Li Hao pondered and examined the surrounding treasures, the immortal armors and weapons began to emit voices, resounding directly in his mind.
Li Hao was startled and looked around, only to see soul projections emerging from the various immortal armors and weapons. Some appeared as graceful women, others as elegant young men, children, or aged elders. Yet, without exception, all of them stared at him with eager expressions, their eyes brimming with anticipation.
A low growl echoed among them, and several souls radiated an aura akin to wild, ancient beasts. Their oppressive presence swept over the other immortal armors and weapons, silencing them temporarily. Then, those beastly souls turned their softened gazes to Li Hao, their tones suddenly deferential:
"Choose me. I am the strongest here!"
"Nonsense! Let's fight and settle it. I'm the strongest!"
"I can sense your connection to the Sword Dao. I'm the most powerful sword here—choose me!"
"I long for battle! Take me out, and I will help you ascend to the highest peak!"
The immortal armors and weapons clamored noisily, each vying for Li Hao's attention.
Li Hao was momentarily taken aback. He had expected to carefully select a weapon but instead found himself being courted by the armory. Thinking of Zun Shen's earlier words, he chuckled. It seemed these spirits had been trapped here for far too long.
"Which one is Taowu?" Li Hao asked curiously.
At his question, the room fell silent. The soul projections of the other weapons and armors all turned toward a fierce-looking, tiger-like spirit the size of a cub.
"It's me, it's me!"
The Taowu spirit growled excitedly and leaped forward, stopping directly in front of Li Hao. Its feral eyes gleamed as it declared, "Choose me! I'm the strongest sword here!"
"It revels in slaughter and defies its master's commands. If you pick it, your cultivation won't be enough to control it," another sword spirit interjected.
Taowu's eyes flashed coldly at the comment. With a sharp roar, its blade shot out a burst of light, striking the other sword with a loud clang and forcing it back.
"Young man, I'm your best choice! With me, you'll undoubtedly rise to Immortal Lord!"
Taowu's ferocity was evident, but its tone was enticing.
Li Hao studied the spirit for a moment and then smiled. "Alright, I'll choose you."
"Hahaha!"
Hearing his decision, Taowu burst into laughter, its excitement palpable. Without hesitation, it moved to form a soul contract with Li Hao.
Li Hao didn't delay, completing the contract quickly. Immediately, a surge of ruthless, bloodthirsty energy coursed into his mind, accompanied by a sinister and aggressive intent.
"Master, I won't harm you. Once we leave, take me into battle—I want to avenge myself for missing the last war!" Taowu's voice resonated in Li Hao's sea of consciousness.
Li Hao chuckled and responded, "Alright."
With the contract sealed, the other weapons sighed in disappointment and returned to their places, silent once more.
The immortal armors, however, began competing for his attention.
Li Hao examined them carefully, consulting Taowu for advice. Guided by its insights, he eventually chose a set of pitch-black armor adorned with rugged vine-like patterns that faintly resembled coiled ancestral dragons. The armor, named Ji Lei Immortal Armor, also formed a contract with Li Hao's soul.
From his conversations with the spirits, Li Hao learned these treasures were all designed for Immortal Lord-level cultivators. Only formal disciples of the Celestial Emperor were entitled to such rewards. With weapons and armor of this caliber, one could safely navigate the vulnerabilities of the True Immortal stage.
In the True Realm, Immortal Lords were already considered formidable figures, capable of commanding immense respect and authority.
After selecting the Ji Lei Immortal Armor and Taowu, Li Hao was transported out of the treasure vault.
Wang Lao greeted him with a knowing smile. "That was quick. You really went with Taowu. Are you sure you can handle that little beast?"
"I should be able to," Li Hao replied.
Hearing his confident response, Wang Lao chuckled heartily.
"As a formal disciple, you are entitled to select one of the Ten Supreme Immortal Techniques of the True Immortal Realm for cultivation. Whether you can comprehend it will depend on your fortune. The technique will be imparted through the Celestial Emperor's legacy stone."
Wang Lao raised his hand toward the treasure vault, summoning a glowing stone that exuded a deep, imperial aura. It was so overwhelming that merely looking at it inspired reverence and caution.
"Offer your soul and connect with the legacy stone," Wang Lao instructed, his demeanor turning solemn.
Li Hao complied, projecting his soul forward to touch the stone.
In an instant, his soul was drawn into the stone, transported to a realm shrouded in dense immortal mist.
The surroundings were an endless expanse of white fog. As Li Hao glanced around, luminous scenes began to emerge, displaying fragments of time.
He saw a grand scene within the towering Tianyang Emperor's Palace, where countless immortals and deities gathered in reverence. In the rear courtyard of the palace, a lone figure sat silently in meditation. Suddenly, the figure rose, drew a sword, and swung it.
The sword light cleaved through the palace's skies, piercing the heavens. The radiant day dimmed, and the world fell into darkness.
That one strike seemed to extinguish the very sun.
Li Hao stared at the awe-inspiring scene, momentarily dazed.
The young man in the courtyard sheathed his sword, and light gradually returned to the heavens and earth.
As the vision faded, an ancient, melancholic voice echoed in Li Hao's ears:
"That was Qing Xuan, the second disciple of the Celestial Emperor. His soul and heart remain unbroken, though he has been reincarnated across countless cycles. Where his soul fragments now reside, none can say. If you can locate him and return him to the Tianyang Emperor's Palace, Li Huang can restore his memories and return him to his peak state."
The voice paused before continuing:
"Should you succeed, you will earn the Celestial Emperor's reward—a chance to ascend to the rank of personal disciple!"