Chapter 440: Seizing the Fleshly Body
Hearing Wang Lao's words, everyone instinctively turned their gaze to Li Hao. At this moment, Li Hao stood clad in the Extreme Thunder Celestial Armor, holding the Tao Wu Celestial Sword, both celestial treasures radiating an overwhelming aura of might.
This single set of celestial equipment alone held immense power, enough to easily annihilate a Ninth Stage True Immortal.
Under this tremendous aura, everyone felt their hearts racing with unease. At the same time, their eyes shone with fervent desire. They realized that this moment might be their last chance to get close to the young man who now shone like a star.
The hope of inheriting the Celestial Emperor's legacy was shattered. Now, they could only settle for less. Becoming one of his celestial guards would be a hundred times better than being an ordinary True Immortal.
For those wanting to make a name for themselves in the True Realm, this was an undeniable shortcut.
"Li Hao, I admit that I misspoke earlier. Please don't hold it against me. I am willing to become a celestial guard and follow you!"
Someone was the first to break the silence, stepping forward with a smile of apology. Inwardly, he regretted not befriending Li Hao earlier and even offending him with his words. Now, he wasn't sure if he would be accepted.
Li Hao glanced at the speaker but said nothing.
"Li Hao, I have spent eight thousand years cultivating spear techniques to achieve Origin True Intent. Would you allow me to follow you?"
Lin Sheng spoke up from among the crowd.
Earlier, he had doubted that Wang Lao might have given Li Hao special treatment during the True Respect Tower challenge. But now, after witnessing Li Hao endure 27 Heavenly Tribulations and condense the Nine-Flower Celestial Seal, Lin Sheng was utterly convinced. His mindset had shifted, and he now sought to follow Li Hao on the path to greatness.
Hearing Lin Sheng's words, the surrounding people were shocked. Among those present, Lin Sheng was regarded as the most talented. Now, he was willing to become one of Li Hao's celestial guards?
After all, while celestial guards gained access to immense cultivation resources and powerful celestial techniques, they were bound to serve and fight for Li Hao. This was a point of hesitation for many.
Li Hao turned his gaze to Lin Sheng and saw the unwavering determination in his eyes—a fervent resolve to pursue the Dao. With a slight nod, Li Hao said, "Alright."
Lin Sheng sighed in relief, his face relaxing as he bowed and said, "Thank you. I won't let you down!"
"Li Hao, we are also willing to follow you. Will you accept us?"
This time, Hua Sheng and You Sheng spoke together.
Seeing their earnest expressions, Li Hao smiled and said, "Sure."
The two of them also relaxed, nodding to Li Hao with gratitude.
In the past, they had founded the Hua-You Society out of despair, believing that their path to immortality had ended. But deep down, they had always longed to ascend to immortality. Now that the opportunity was in front of them, they would not let it slip away.
Following their example, others began to step forward and offer themselves as celestial guards.
However, Ming Sheng and Mu Sheng remained silent, conflicted. Ultimately, they decided to walk their path independently.
"Celestial guard positions are precious," Wang Lao transmitted to Li Hao. "You don't have to fill all ten slots here. You can always recruit others from the outside."
Li Hao nodded and finalized his choices, selecting five people.
Aside from Lin Sheng, Hua Sheng, and You Sheng, he also picked Dong Dao and Chen Baoyu, the two he had met early on and found trustworthy.
Those not chosen looked on with complicated emotions. They understood why Li Hao had passed them over. They had hardly interacted with him before and had done nothing to earn his trust.
"I will take them to inherit the celestial guard legacy. You should go meet Zun Shen," Wang Lao said to Li Hao after the selection was complete.
Li Hao nodded and headed toward the True Respect Tower.
Inside the tower, Zun Shen's projection was already waiting. He greeted Li Hao with a smile.
"You'll soon be leaving. Even though you're now an official disciple, don't become complacent. Becoming a personal disciple offers benefits beyond imagination. The Celestial Emperor once had tens of thousands of official disciples, but only three personal disciples."
Li Hao nodded with a smile. "I'll do my best."
Seeing Li Hao's calm and easygoing demeanor, Zun Shen chuckled and shook his head. Over the past few years, he had observed this young man closely and had come to appreciate his character. There was no need for excessive encouragement. Li Hao's current achievements were already remarkable.
"Prepare yourself. I will transfer the True Respect Tower to your soul."
Zun Shen's tone grew serious.
Li Hao nodded, readying himself.
...
...
The Land of the Saints.
Five years had passed, and tremendous changes had reshaped the land. After Yuan Zu Shen Wang and others departed with Chi Ying Xian Jun to cultivate at the Celestial Palace, a series of celestial forces began to arrive in the myriad realms.
Through interactions with these celestial factions, the remaining Saints in the myriad realms learned that Yuan Zu and Shen Wang had been tested in the Celestial Palace and discovered to possess unparalleled talent. They had been accepted as disciples by celestial kings, their futures shining brilliantly.
Among the hundreds of remaining Saints, several were also recognized as prodigies with the potential to ascend to the Celestial Lord Realm.
This revelation brought the Heavenly Scar Celestial Emperor's remnant realm into the spotlight. The Celestial Palace took notice, dispatching celestial armies to clear the Ancient Path Battlefield of ancient demons. Fierce battles ensued, resulting in a forbidden zone that the ancient demons no longer dared approach.
Following these battles, representatives from the Celestial Palace began traveling through the myriad smaller worlds to recruit disciples.
Beyond the Saints, those at the Four Pillars Realm and Dao Seeking Realm also faced corresponding tests and recruitment opportunities.
With the Celestial Palace's overwhelming influence and the revelation of Yuan Zu and Shen Wang's exceptional talents, their fame spread beyond the Celestial Palace. This drew other nearby factions to the area, hoping to find hidden prodigies overlooked by the Celestial Palace.
As a result, the Land of Myriad Realms became extremely lively. Numerous celestial and divine beings visited, stirring excitement and reverence among the smaller world realms. Many divine dynasties eagerly sought to send their princes and princesses under the tutelage of these celestial beings. If successful, it would guarantee their supremacy and deter rival dynasties.
After all, no one could predict whether these royal heirs, upon returning fully trained, might retaliate in anger and obliterate a rival dynasty with a single strike.
"Think carefully. We have extended courtesy before force. Don't push us!"
At this moment, tensions were high in the Haotian Holy Land, suspended in the void.
A group of individuals stood in confrontation, their words sharp and threatening.
Feng Boping, the Swordmaster, and Mie Tian Shengren were all glaring angrily at three figures who radiated celestial energy.
Though their group numbered only three, the True Immortal aura emanating from them pressed down on the Holy Land, leaving everyone struggling to breathe.
"Don't push it too far! Courtesy before force? Not selling means not selling! This is outright robbery!"
Feng Boping clenched his fists, suppressing his fury.
"Hmph. You said it yourself—this is just a corpse. Its primordial spirit has already dissipated. Instead of letting it rot away with time, why not give it to us? We can refine it into a supreme celestial pill and make use of it. You will each receive a hundred celestial stones and even the opportunity to become disciples of our sect. We can take you to the True Realm to ascend!"
"This is a win-win situation. Don't force our hand!"
The silver-robed youth on the right sneered coldly.
"This is your final chance. Don't let it slip away."
Beside him, a stunningly beautiful woman in a radiant dress spoke with icy indifference, her celestial energy surging with impatience.
Faced with the woman's oppressive aura, Feng Boping and the others were brimming with suppressed rage but dared not act out.
If they initiated combat, they would be facing three True Immortals.
One of them seemed to be an elder of a sect, a powerful presence even among True Immortals.
"Feng, hold your temper. Restrain yourself. If a fight breaks out, we will all perish!"
Mie Tian Shengren's face darkened as he transmitted his thoughts to Feng Boping. He knew the deep bond between his former disciple and that young man, but he feared Feng Boping might lose control.
Yet, he also recognized the coldness in the three True Immortals' eyes. If a battle erupted, they might annihilate the entire Holy Land without sparing anyone.
Their methods could be far more ruthless than those of the Saints in the Land of Myriad Realms. Saints still had to consider future ties, but True Immortals were unfettered by such concerns.
"When Huang Tian Sheng was here, they hid their true intentions, merely admiring Haotian's corpse. But now that Huang Tian Sheng has followed the Celestial Palace, they no longer feel the need to restrain themselves!"
The Swordmaster transmitted his thoughts, his words filled with seething anger and killing intent, though he, too, held himself back.
Hearing this, Feng Boping's hands trembled. Before the ancient demon invasion, Huang Tian Sheng had prophesied a miraculous turning point. The lie had become truth when Li Hao achieved it, earning Huang Tian Sheng a massive karmic reward and elevating her to the True Immortal realm.
When the Celestial Palace discovered this realm, bereft of celestial energy yet capable of producing a True Immortal, they were astounded. They repeatedly invited her, offering immense rewards, but Huang Tian Sheng declined each time, wanting to remain and accompany Feng Boping and the others.
Both Feng Boping and Mie Tian Shengren persuaded her to join the Celestial Palace, seeing a brighter future for her there.
Under their insistence, Huang Tian Sheng finally agreed and left with the Celestial Lords of the Celestial Palace to recruit disciples.
Shortly after her departure, the three True Immortals who had previously visited the Haotian Holy Land to recruit disciples revealed their true colors.
The celestial and benevolent demeanor they had displayed before was shed, replaced by their current threatening manner. It became clear that they had been coveting Li Hao's corpse all along.