To condense an Immortal Seal, one must first master the Origin of a Great Dao.
Now, Li Hao's Nine Sequence Origins had all reached the Dao level. This meant he could replace all the components of his Nine Flowers Immortal Seal with the Nine Sequences!
Li Hao remained immersed in comprehending and absorbing the Dao of Carving, which encompassed numerous abilities of the Eleventh Stage of Carving.
The Eleventh Stage of Carving reached directly to the Origin, capable of carving the true appearance of all things, tracing them back to their source. This was far beyond being merely "lifelike"; it was akin to truly bestowing life!
"The Dao of Carving..."
Understanding and shock filled Li Hao's eyes.
To carve a living being – what an incredible ability that was.
It was almost like the power of a Creator!
Perhaps only Immortal King realm experts who had established their own Immortal Kingdoms possessed such an ability – creating things from nothing, creating life, becoming the masters of their own Immortal Kingdoms!
But at this moment, Li Hao already had some grasp of this power.
The gleaming golden sapling of the Origin Divine Tree in his hand radiated the luster of a divine tree and the Dao rhythm of divine mist, exquisite and beautiful, as if carved from gold.
It seemed like a real divine tree sapling, with a tangible sense of vitality extending through its branches and leaves.
But Li Hao knew he could only grant it life temporarily. Soon, the carving power he had applied would dissipate, and it would lose that "essence" of life.
"If my carving technique could become deeper, stronger... perhaps one day, I could truly carve real life!"
Li Hao thought to himself, a fervent glow appearing in his eyes.
There were countless martial Daos, pursued and obsessed over by innumerable people, but other techniques were certainly not without their own charm.
Just the ability to carve life was captivating enough.
A moment later, the Origin Divine Tree sapling in his palm still shone, but it gradually lost a certain special feeling. Li Hao knew its transient life force had already drained away.
He could only grant it fleeting life, not permanence.
But even so, it was already extremely terrifying.
During that brief period of life, what he held was a genuine Origin Divine Tree sapling!
If he carved a True Immortal... it would be a genuine True Immortal!
This was the ability of the Eleventh Stage of the Dao of Carving.
"You've actually glimpsed the level of life..."
The shock in the old man's eyes subsided, but his gaze held astonishment and admiration as he looked at the youth before him. He had initially thought this was a rare, promising talent, but he hadn't expected a peerless monstrous talent who exceeded his wildest expectations.
Merely at the True Immortal Realm, yet able to touch the origin of life – this level of monstrous talent, breaking the limits of even top prodigies, he had only seen in a few ancient personal disciples of Immortal Emperors from the past.
Those were existences that truly overturned the imagination of prodigies; their combat power and aptitude were enough to shatter the dreams of countless geniuses and reverse their understanding of the world.
Li Hao came back to his senses. He had gained enlightenment and improved right under the old man's nose, so some things couldn't be hidden. He smiled and said:
"This is thanks to the divine wood provided by Senior."
The old man shook his head slightly, sizing Li Hao up with narrowed eyes, and spoke softly:
"If I'm not mistaken, you've already mastered the Dao of Time-Space. Additionally, for the Daos of Gold and Wood, you've just crossed the threshold, and your comprehension isn't low – at least enough for you to condense your Immortal Seal!"
"The other three origins – Water, Fire, and Earth – you seem to have grasped them too. You carry that aura."
"Your physical body also seems to have reached the ultimate limit [of its current stage]. You should have also grasped the Dao of Form. Now, only the Dao of Control remains..."
As he spoke, the golden divine tree nearby swayed, its branches and leaves releasing the aura of the Great Dao, forming a barrier that enveloped the area.
Seeing this, Li Hao didn't panic. He sensed no malice from the old man.
"The Nine Sequence Great Daos, you've basically gathered them all. With your talent, I fear you might have already mastered the Dao of Control as well. Even if not, it wouldn't be difficult for you..."
The old man stared intently at Li Hao. "A Nine Flowers Immortal Seal, all composed of the Nine Sequences – this is the prodigy among prodigies, the absolute pinnacle!"
Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly. He had come to this Five Dao Source City precisely to comprehend the Daos of Gold and Wood. He had expected it to take some time, but his cultivation had progressed surprisingly easily. It truly deserved its reputation as a top cultivation ground in the True Realm.
Nine Flowers Immortal Seals also had different levels.
Li Hao had heard this before, and the absolute highest level among them was undoubtedly having all nine 'flowers' be the Nine Sequences!
"Nine Flowers as the Nine Sequences – this is the highest level, and also the threshold to touch upon that legendary Immortal Seal..."
The old man's expression was serious. Previously, when he gave the Divine Tree Dao Fruit to Li Hao, he had felt a tiny bit of reluctance deep down. But now, he admired his own wise decision. It was a pity he didn't have a second one; otherwise, he would have given it to Li Hao, even if the effect of the second one would be halved and somewhat wasted, he wouldn't have hesitated.
"The legendary Immortal Seal? A threshold?"
Li Hao was taken aback, looking at him with some surprise.
Nine Flowers is already considered supreme; could there be an even more terrifying Immortal Seal?
Suddenly, he thought of the test given by his master, the Tianyang Immortal Emperor.
The Nine Flowers Immortal Seal only qualified him to become a formal disciple, not a personal one.
What terrifying level must a personal disciple reach?
Could it be...
His eyes flickered. Before he could ask, the old man nodded, seemingly intending to explain to Li Hao, and said:
"Correct. The world generally only knows the Nine Flowers Immortal Seal as the ultimate limit. A Nine Flowers Seal composed of the Nine Sequences is indeed the limit achievable through cultivation. However, the Nine Sequences are called such not only because they are difficult to comprehend and each can extend into numerous Great Daos, but also because the Nine Sequence Great Daos naturally possess a certain compatibility..."
The old man's voice was calm as he slowly continued: "The five Daos of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth are related; the Great Daos they extend form the foundation of all things in the world. Time-Space and Form-Control, on the other hand, constitute a world unto themselves..."
He whispered: "Legend says, all things begin from One. One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to the Nine Sequences, and the Nine Sequences give birth to all things!"
Li Hao paused slightly, his eyes flickering. This was similar to the Dao scripture he had comprehended back in the Sage Realm.
Back when he recited the Dao scripture, it caused the Heavenly Dao of the Pseudo-Realm to resonate. At that time, he was only in the Sage Realm and could only grasp the surface of the scripture, but even just the surface of that half-step Dao scripture allowed him to suppress the heavens.
"One gives birth to all things, and all things can also give birth to One!"
The old man's words suddenly struck like the evening drum and morning bell, carrying profound power.
He gazed at Li Hao and said: "Above the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal, there is another legendary Immortal Seal, known as the Dao Source Immortal Seal!"
"That is the most ultimate existence, the root of Immortal Seals, and also the root of all Daos!"
Li Hao's heart trembled, his pupils contracting slightly.
Above the Nine Sequences, the Dao Source Immortal Seal? Dao Source...
Seeing Li Hao's shocked expression, the old man's eyes softened, and he said gently: "By condensing the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal, you already possess the qualification to step onto the threshold of the legend. If you can truly condense the Dao Source Immortal Seal, then your future should hold the potential for the Supreme Emperor Realm!"
"Supreme Emperor Realm?"
Li Hao couldn't help asking: "Are all Immortal Emperors Dao Source Immortal Seals?"
"Not all. Some Great Emperors, it is heard, had a late surge, cultivating unparalleled power in the Immortal Lord or Immortal King Realm."
The old man said: "But if one can lay the foundation of legendary potential in the True Immortal Realm, the future path will be somewhat easier."
Li Hao understood. The Dao Source Immortal Seal was perhaps one of the conditions for those Immortal Emperors to accept personal disciples.
Even Immortal Emperors might not necessarily look highly upon a standard Nine Flowers Immortal Seal, but among countless prodigies, it already represented the pinnacle.
The Dao Source Immortal Seal, however, transcended the category of prodigies. It represented the true Emperor-level aptitude with the potential to stand at the very top of the pyramid in the vast True Realm!
Thinking of this, Li Hao noted the barrier the old man had erected, isolating them from the outside, seemingly unwilling for their recent conversation to be leaked.
His thoughts turned, and he said: "Senior, could I trouble you to stand guard? Can I condense the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal now?"
"No problem. I also wish to witness it myself."
The old man smiled warmly. "Although I have lived for countless ages, the prodigies who came before me had already condensed their own Immortal Seals. I have yet to personally witness the formation of a Nine Sequence Immortal Seal."
Hearing this, Li Hao didn't overthink it and immediately sank his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness.
The comprehension of the Dao of Gold brought by that Divine Tree Dao Fruit had already been absorbed during the recent carving. His understanding of the Gold Dao Origin had reached the fourth level!
And following the breakthrough in the Dao of Carving, he had gained new insights into the Dao of Gold. He felt that, given time, he had hopes of comprehending the fifth level of the Dao of Gold!
If he could truly reach the fifth level, he would be practically invincible within the True Immortal Realm!
One must know that comprehending the third level of a Dao in the True Immortal Realm already marked one as a top prodigy. Reaching the fourth level made one a rare monster. Reaching the fifth level was comparable to geniuses at the sixth or seventh level of the Immortal Lord Realm!
At this moment, as he summoned his Immortal Seal, the Nine Flowers Immortal Seal slowly emerged on his forehead.
Upon it were the nine Great Dao Origins: Time-Space, Form, Control, Water, Fire, Earth, Sword Dao, and Yama Dao.
Now, Li Hao intended to replace the Sword Dao and Yama Dao.
As his thoughts shifted, the Dao rhythms of the Sword Dao and Yama Dao on the Nine Flowers Immortal Seal gradually loosened, and their Great Dao Origins peeled away from the seal.
Immediately after, his fourth-level Gold Dao Origin was inscribed onto it.
At the same time, besides the comprehension of the Dao of Gold, the breakthrough in carving had also elevated his Wood Dao Origin to the third level!
This Wood Dao Origin also followed, merging into the Immortal Seal.
In an instant, nine ancient immortal patterns appeared on the Nine Flowers Immortal Seal. They seemed to merge naturally and perfectly, outlining an exceptionally beautiful Dao Realm diagram.
The diagram emanated a vast, ancient aura, like that of the Heavenly Dao itself, causing palpitations and giving the feeling of facing majestic heavenly might.
Seeing this, a peculiar light flickered again in the old man's eyes. A single Divine Tree Dao Fruit had allowed this youth's Dao of Gold to directly reach the fourth level – truly worthy of a top monstrous talent capable of condensing the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal.
Now, with all Nine Sequence Origins integrated into the Immortal Seal, Li Hao clearly felt an extremely distinct change. An incredibly terrifying power fluctuation emanated from it. With just a slight exertion to draw upon it, he could unleash ten times his previous power!
Previously, Li Hao had heard that certain Six Flowers Immortal Seals could defeat standard Nine Flowers Immortal Seals and was skeptical. Now, comparing his current seal to his previous one, it seemed there might be truth to such comparisons based on quality over quantity!
His previous Nine Flowers Immortal Seal merely stacked the nine Great Dao Origins together simply.
But now, Li Hao felt the nine powers were interlocked, forming a solid, integrated whole. Exerting one unit of effort resulted in a nine-fold amplification; two units resulted in an eighteen-fold amplification!
His previous Nine Flowers Immortal Seal could only achieve a cumulative doubling amplification of 256 times. But now, starting from a nine-fold base synergy, the cumulative amplification across its nine components reached 2304 times!
Compared to an ordinary True Immortal with a One Flower Immortal Seal, Li Hao's instantaneous burst of immortal power at the same realm was over two thousand times greater. The disparity was even larger than that between a True Immortal and an Immortal Lord!
"This is the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal, the ultimate Nine Flowers!"
Li Hao felt the surging power within the Immortal Seal. He felt that if he were to venture into the Desolate Domain now, reaching the Thirteenth Desolate Domain would be absolutely no problem, and he might even have a chance to challenge the Fourteenth Desolate Domain!
"Not bad, not bad."
The old man nodded slightly, a smile and sense of gratification appearing in his eyes. "Unexpectedly, after countless ages, I can once again witness a Nine Sequence Immortal Seal. The last time I saw one was sixty thousand years ago..."
He shook his head, filled with emotion.
"Sixty thousand years ago?"
Li Hao asked in surprise.
"At that time, there was also a world-shocking monstrous talent who came to this Five Dao Source City. They only stayed for a year before leaving, but had already comprehended all five Dao Origins to a relatively deep level."
The old man said: "Now, if that person hasn't fallen, they might have already stepped half-way into the Emperor Realm."
Speaking of this, a trace of regret appeared in his eyes. "Unfortunately, he never came back."
Hearing this, Li Hao's initial excitement quickly cooled. There was always someone stronger; countless experts existed in this world. The True Realm was too vast, and it was inevitable that unimaginable talents would emerge.
"Am I considered to have a Dao Source Immortal Seal now?"
Li Hao asked.
The old man shook his head. "No, this is just a Nine Sequence Immortal Seal. It merely has the chance to become a Dao Source Immortal Seal. As for how the transformation occurs, that depends on fate and opportunity. I don't know the specific method either. After all, throughout the countless ages of the entire True Realm, only a scant few have achieved it, and no one revealed how it was done. Even if such knowledge exists, it's not something an old tree buried here like me would know."
Li Hao felt a bit regretful, but also curious and filled with longing.
Just with the current Nine Sequence Immortal Seal, he already felt an indescribable power. If it transformed into the Dao Source Immortal Seal, how exaggeratedly strong would it be!
"With such an achievement, your sect must not be simple. Perhaps you can ask the experts within your sect. Staying here, the scenery I see ultimately cannot compare to the outside world."
Li Hao sensed the loneliness in his words and asked: "Senior, do you not wish to leave this place?"
"I don't."
The old man shook his head. "Although I may not be able to see all the scenery in the world, I have no regrets. Spring, summer, autumn, winter – the same scenery has different faces. Ten thousand years ago and ten thousand years later, it presents another aspect. How can one possibly see all the world's scenery? It's better to stay put in one place and watch the scenery one enjoys."
Understanding dawned in Li Hao's eyes. He often felt regret for rushing through the myriad realms and then coming to the True Realm, feeling he hadn't seen enough of the mortal world's scenery. But the sights along his journey seemed quite good after all.
Rather than regretting the past, it's better to appreciate the present.
"Senior, do you know about Reincarnation?"
Li Hao's thoughts suddenly shifted, and he asked the old man.
The old man's eyes narrowed slightly. His previously calm gaze suddenly held a sharp glint. "Reincarnation is the final destination for all things in the world. Are you asking about Reincarnation because of the Ancient Demons?"
"Yes."
Li Hao nodded. He was thinking about the Reincarnation fragment held by the Ancient Demon woman Mi Xueyao, and the origin of the Ancient Demons.
"Since the collapse of Reincarnation and the appearance of the Ancient Demons, many factions have begun to pay attention to Reincarnation and are investigating it."
The old man sighed softly. "Currently, the greatest crisis in the True Realm, besides the Ancient Demons, is the shattering of Reincarnation. Life only perishes; it cannot reincarnate. This means that after the Primordial Spirit is obliterated, it is completely wiped out, unable to enter Reincarnation again."
"What about Transmigration?"
Li Hao asked.
"Transmigration and Reincarnation are two different things. Reincarnation completely erases the soul imprint, becoming a completely new life. Transmigration, however, involves extracting the Core Soul, removing the shackles and limitations imposed by the physical body, and merging it into a stronger bloodline and body. It is often controlled by powerful beings, and the soul's lifespan doesn't change."
A hint of pessimism appeared in the old man's eyes as he spoke in a low voice: "Since the shattering of Reincarnation, the populations of the myriad races in the True Realm have been gradually decreasing. What you see now is far from the prosperous True Realm of a hundred thousand years ago. That was the brilliant era where a hundred races contended, and Immortal Emperors from all sides displayed their might..."
"So, the populations of all races are constantly decreasing, and will continue to decrease further," Li Hao couldn't help asking.
But looking at the Yanchu Immortal Dynasty, with its nine thousand immortal cities and boundless territory, he had thought it was already prosperous enough.
"Correct. But the Ancient Demons are unaffected. They are born from within Reincarnation and can continuously emerge through it."
At this point, the old man sighed. "Perhaps in another hundred thousand years, the numbers of the myriad races in the True Realm will plummet, and many races will go extinct. That will be the time of complete collapse."
Li Hao fell silent. He hadn't expected the True Realm to be facing such a desperate situation. If this was a war between the myriad races and the Ancient Demons, then the myriad races' side was like having their supply lines and reinforcements cut off – every soldier lost was one less, while the Ancient Demons' side was endless...
Seeing Li Hao's grave expression, the old man collected himself and said: "These are not things you should be thinking about now. You need to at least reach the Immortal King Realm before you are qualified to delve into these secrets. Right now, you are still too weak!"
Li Hao nodded, understanding that he was like a small fry worrying about grand matters, perhaps taking himself a bit too seriously.
He shook his head and asked the old man for more divine wood again.
Having just improved his Dao of Carving, he felt an urge to immediately practice the many carving techniques he had just comprehended.
The old man didn't refuse, letting Li Hao take some.
But Li Hao exercised restraint, taking only a small piece before immersing himself in carving once more.
"Mine's hooked too."
The old man's fishing line suddenly twitched, and he laughed.
Li Hao glanced over and saw that he had also caught a Divine Water Dao Fish. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly, but still offered his congratulations.
As time passed.
Accompanied by the illumination of five blazing rays of light from the city, Li Hao finished carving a figure – a woman holding a long sword, bearing the exact likeness of Ren Qianqian.
But this Ren Qianqian only resembled her in appearance; her memories were different. She bowed slightly to Li Hao and said, "Master, what are your orders?"
Li Hao was already used to this. This was the fourth piece he had carved since his breakthrough.
Previously, carving the Origin Divine Tree could bestow life, temporarily becoming a real divine tree.
Li Hao had tried carving humans or dragon beasts, and they too would temporarily become real living beings.
"Show me your swordsmanship," Li Hao said.
The carved Ren Qianqian nodded slightly, then drew her sword and began to wield it.
The sword Dao she displayed was surprisingly the Void Sword Dao.
Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly, a trace of joy rising in his heart. Although the memories were different, the Dao she mastered was the one he had carved, and her cultivation was even stronger than the original Ren Qianqian – she was at the True Immortal Realm!
The old man watched quietly from the side, long accustomed to Li Hao's carving level.
"Time passes so quickly."
Li Hao withdrew his gaze from the carved Ren Qianqian and turned to look at the city.
Five rays of light pierced the heavens, signifying that a year had passed since he arrived in this Five Dao Source City.
That previous time when he consumed the Divine Tree Dao Fruit and carved the Origin Divine Tree, he had been completely absorbed, lost in the process. In reality, that carving session alone had taken nearly half a year.
After carving a few more times subsequently, a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
The five Origin Divine Trees within the city began a new round of spiritual energy bursts.
"You can go give it a try."
Seeing Li Hao's gaze, the old man said to him: "With your current Dao realm and talent, there's a good chance you'll gain their favor, which will also benefit you."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. He thought of the royal family member from the Jinyun Immortal Dynasty who had tried to suppress him when he first arrived here, and a glint appeared in his eyes.
"Then I'll go take a look."
Li Hao said.
For now, continuing to advance his Dao of Carving to the Twelfth Stage seemed almost impossible. Taking this opportunity to explore the city was a good option.
(End of Chapter)