"Quick, go assist!"
"Help him block it up!"
The adjacent Tiger-Lion Army units immediately reinforced Li Hao's position.
Despite Li Hao's desperate fighting and continuous slaying of ancient demons, he could only hold one gap.
However, this gap was simply too large, tens of thousands of miles in diameter. Ancient demons surged in like carps crossing a river, and even more rushed into the rear, engaging in fierce battles with scattered sect disciples and the Wildfire Army's various battalions that had come to meet them.
Immortal arts boomed everywhere in the void. Some ancient demons turned to attack the Tiger-Lion Army, putting them in a pincer attack and greatly increasing their casualties.
"These damned beasts."
Two Brigadier Generals led tens of thousands of Tiger-Lion Army soldiers to reinforce. Their expressions were grim. They could see from the pitch-black defensive line just how massive the breach was. But within this darkness, there was a ray of light shining – visible even from a great distance – a dazzling sword light flickering from time to time, along with the sudden bursts of divine light from within an eternal domain.
"Hurry, use that person as an anchor point to rebuild the defense line!"
The two generals gave the order in unison. Large numbers of Tiger-Lion Army soldiers extended outwards from Li Hao's sides, blocking the other ancient demons that had taken advantage of the chaos to rush in.
Li Hao activated his sword techniques, continuously swinging his sword to slay enemies. Azure Heaven Sword Art followed Azure Heaven Sword Art, and from time to time, he would slash out with a Sword God Technique in a backhand strike!
Of the Nine Swords of the Sword God, Li Hao currently only mastered the first sword to perfection, and the second sword was merely at a proficient level.
Li Hao estimated that if he wanted to master all nine swords and unleash a true Sword God Slash that could rival a peak quasi-Emperor level attack, his sword Dao would need to reach at least the thirteenth stage!
Bang!
As the sword light furiously slashed, ancient demons fell one after another. Their primordial spirits shattered, turning into specks of light.
Li Hao noticed that their shattered primordial spirits were being absorbed into his identity token.
"Hmm?"
At this moment, Li Hao noticed that the number of ancient demons around him was decreasing. Several thousand miles away, soldiers wearing Tiger-Lion armor gathered, and their combined immortal arts illuminated that patch of starry sky.
Li Hao withdrew his gaze and continued to charge forward, burying himself in the fight.
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Li Hao constantly unleashed his sword strikes, slaughtering. Ancient demons below the seventh level of True Immortal Realm were instantly killed in front of Li Hao, butchered like mowing grass.
Corpses of ancient demons piled up like mountains within Li Hao's heaven-and-earth space…
"Quick, look, that person is so strong!"
"My heavens, one person is single-handedly holding back a horde of ancient demons?!"
"Those ancient demons are actually being instantly killed; this is too exaggerated."
"Which sect's elder is he? Is he in the Immortal Lord Realm? Why is it just him alone?"
Many Tiger-Lion Army soldiers gasped in amazement and were deeply shocked by Li Hao's slaughtering speed.
These terrifying ancient demons were no different from ordinary demonic creatures in Li Hao's hands. Even their most feared innate secret techniques seemed to be ineffective against that youth.
The Tiger-Lion Army soldiers also fought with all their might, unleashing various immortal arts that illuminated the starry sky.
And Li Hao continued his frenzied slaughter. He was completely unaware that as he fought continuously, the gap he was guarding was gradually becoming a fortified part of the defense line.
Boom!
Suddenly, from the darkness ahead, a whistling momentum descended rapidly.
By the time Li Hao's divine sense captured it, the opponent was already extremely close, requiring only a single teleport to attack.
Li Hao's pupils slightly constricted. He sensed a terrifying aura, a feeling he was somewhat familiar with – the aura of an ancient demon commander he had glimpsed from afar on the ancient starry sky road.
Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon!
Li Hao's expression drastically changed. He hastily summoned Taotie.
At the same time, Taotie also sensed the danger and quickly howled as it traversed through the frenzied slaughter, rushing over.
"Source of Time, accelerate!"
In this instant of crisis, Li Hao unleashed the power of the Source of Time, increasing the flow of time around him.
He couldn't slow down time, as that might not affect an Immortal Lord Realm expert, and he couldn't risk it. Accelerating his own time flow, however, gave him time to think and react.
Source of Space, fourth level, Dao Domain superposition!
Li Hao divided the void into layers and integrated the refractive power of the Source of Water. The wondrous superposition of these two powers allowed him to peel the void around him into two layers.
This transformed his Eternal Dao Domain into a double layer!
The continuous slaughter earlier had given Li Hao tremendous combat inspiration. At this very moment, if he were inside the True Venerable Tower, Li Hao would even have a sliver of opportunity to reverse the situation!
The refractive superposition of two layers of Eternal Dao Domain, coupled with the fourth level solidification of the Source of Space within the domain, made Li Hao's Dao Domain reach an unprecedented level of strength.
Bang!
The suddenly appearing Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon instantly flashed into Li Hao's Dao Domain.
"You dare to court death at True Immortal Realm!"
This was a gigantic ancient demon, its eyes filled with thunderous rage. The defense line had been breached, allowing them to launch a full-scale attack, but a major problem had arisen here, causing significant losses and even affecting the situation in this combat zone.
It charged into Li Hao's Dao Domain, ready to crush him, annihilating even his primordial spirit. But suddenly, it felt something was wrong.
It was as if it had jumped into an extremely viscous swamp. Its body speed was reduced by hundreds, if not thousands, of times, and even its released immortal power was hindered.
"What kind of domain is this?"
The ancient demon was shocked. It could sense that the youth was merely in the True Immortal Realm, definitely not an Immortal Lord. It should have been able to obliterate him instantly, but at this moment, the opponent's Dao Domain could actually affect it!
Break!
It became even more furious, directly erupting with Immortal Dao power to shatter the suppression within the domain. Reaching the Immortal Lord Realm meant possessing one's own Immortal Dao, allowing one to ignore the laws of other Saint Daos.
However, the fourth level of Source of Space within Li Hao's Dao Domain already touched upon the Immortal Dao, stepping into the threshold of the Immortal Lord Realm.
Therefore, although it suddenly erupted, the suppressive force only weakened slightly. The core spatial source power still imprisoned it.
However, as the ancient demon struggled, in just an instant, Li Hao's immortal power was completely depleted, unable to maintain the Dao Domain any longer.
Li Hao was greatly alarmed. The power of the Heavenly Stars Meridian was hastily drawn and condensed, but drawing the Heavenly Stars Meridian power into his body also took time. It was like a water reservoir – if the reservoir was emptied instantly, refilling it also required time.
And this brief moment was extremely fatal.
Bang!
Just as the Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon's attack was about to land, a sudden whistling sound arrived. It was Taotie Immortal Sword, like a streak of blood-colored light, piercing through the ancient demon's arm and standing horizontally in front of Li Hao.
"Courting death!"
Taotie Immortal Sword glared angrily at the ancient demon. If the opponent killed Li Hao, it would surely alarm that old man, who would come to collect Li Hao's corpse and take both Li Hao's remains and itself back to the Emperor's Palace. Then it would be back to endless slumber and confinement.
Having finally escaped, it naturally feared returning to that place of long and silent waiting.
"Master, leave it to me!"
Taotie transmitted to Li Hao, and at the same time, it instantly shot out, engaging in a fierce battle with the ancient demon.
The ancient demon commander was shocked and enraged, never expecting Li Hao to possess an immortal weapon of such powerful might.
"Thinking you can protect your life with an immortal weapon? I'll shatter it all!"
The ancient demon commander roared in fury, its body radiating terrifying demonic energy, shrouding the area like dark clouds. Then it attacked Taotie.
Li Hao's expression was solemn. He retreated, widening the distance. This battlefield was truly treacherous, changing in the blink of an eye. From the moment this ancient demon commander emerged until now, it was only a brief instant. If not for Taotie Immortal Sword, he would have been in grave danger.
Rumbling sounds echoed from within the black mist. Suddenly, Taotie Immortal Sword was blasted out.
"Master, my own stored immortal power is insufficient! I need your support!"
Taotie Immortal Sword urgently transmitted.
Immortal weapons were powerful, but they needed immortal power to activate them. Li Hao, as its master, could directly transfer immortal power to it.
At this moment, Li Hao did not hesitate and transmitted his immortal power. Taotie Immortal Sword received a continuous stream of immortal power and charged back into the black mist.
As the fierce battle continued, Li Hao felt his immortal power being frantically drained like a burst dam. If not for his Heavenly Stars Meridian supplying him, he would have long run out of power.
However, this also conveyed how intense the battle inside was.
Bang!
Suddenly, a furious roar erupted from within, followed by the black mist shaking. A large number of ancient demons gathered from all directions.
These ancient demons quickly formed a formation, and before long, Taotie Immortal Sword was flung out again.
"Master, run!"
Taotie Immortal Sword urgently said, "This thing is too despicable. It has numbers on its side. We can't win."
Li Hao also knew that he couldn't defeat this ancient demon commander. He immediately turned around and fled at full speed.
The commotion here also attracted the attention of other Tiger-Lion Army units nearby. When they saw the massive form of the ancient demon commander, they were all horrified. The two Brigadier Generals hastily gave commands and charged towards the ancient demon themselves.
They were all Immortal Lord Realm experts, but only at the first level. Facing this ancient demon commander, they could only barely hold it back.
Roar!
The ancient demon commander was enraged and went berserk. Its eyes were ferocious as it stared at the fleeing figure. It ignored the attacks from the two Brigadier Generals, directly using its innate secret technique to send them flying. Its primordial spirit power was formidable. Under the shockwave, both Brigadier Generals' faces paled, and their souls trembled.
Whoosh!
The ancient demon commander chased after Li Hao frantically.
Li Hao sensed the movements behind him and his expression also changed drastically. This ancient demon was like a madman, determined to kill him.
"Damn it!"
Taotie Immortal Sword was also shocked and enraged, realizing that the ancient demon commander had been provoked and would not rest until it killed Li Hao.
Li Hao dared not stop. He utilized both the Source of Time and Source of Space power in his movement technique. Although his movement technique was only at the tenth stage, barely at the Sacrificial Dao level, it unexpectedly burst out with the speed of a peak tenth-level True Immortal Realm.
"Faster, faster!"
Li Hao fled at full speed.
Taotie Immortal Sword saw the ancient demon commander closing in and said, "I'll block it!"
It then broke free from Li Hao's grasp and charged towards the ancient demon.
Li Hao continued to flee at full speed, constantly sensing Taotie Immortal Sword's situation. Before long, Taotie Immortal Sword was exhausted and caught up with Li Hao again.
The ancient demon commander was also catching up.
Just as the ancient demon commander was about to close in, Li Hao prepared to unleash the Immortal Seal in a desperate fight. Suddenly, a sound of air being torn apart violently arrived.
Whoosh!
At the same moment Li Hao heard the sound, his eyes were illuminated by starlight. Then, starlight and moonlight gathered around him. Someone stepped out from the void, teleporting to Li Hao's side, grabbing his arm, and pulling him behind her.
"Don't be afraid."
A clear and refined voice spoke, accompanied by a faint fragrance. Li Hao saw a young woman in a star and moon patterned skirt standing before him. It was the one he had met in the Tenth Desolate Domain.
Roar!
The ancient demon commander let out an angry roar. A crescent-shaped arc of light had slashed a huge wound on its head, almost severing it.
It glared furiously at the arriving youth, but a look of caution appeared in its eyes.
"To actually be chased by an ancient demon commander…"
Xing Lan's expression was calm, but ripples of surprise appeared in her heart. She had been slaying ancient demons all the way here. Unexpectedly, she encountered a powerful ancient demon aura, an Immortal Lord Realm.
At the same time, she also sensed a familiar aura. When she approached, she realized it was that interesting youth.
Therefore, she had acted without hesitation to save him.
However, she couldn't help but be amazed. An ancient demon commander could kill a True Immortal Realm expert instantly. Yet Li Hao could be chased by it, which meant that he still possessed some ability to escape in the face of an Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon!
"Star Severing Technique!"
Xing Lan put aside her other thoughts, her gaze becoming serious. She was only at the first level of Immortal Lord Realm. Within the same realm, ancient demons were stronger than any of the myriad races. However, as a human race prodigy, she might not lose to this ancient demon commander within the same realm.
As she attacked, stars and moons suddenly rose around her, transforming into beams of light that shot out.
At the same time, Li Hao sensed that the stars and moons she condensed actually refracted the phantoms of star meridians. This subtly increased the speed at which his Heavenly Stars Meridian absorbed immortal power.
"Primal Demon Sound!"
The ancient demon commander also unleashed its innate secret technique. Black mist suddenly filled its eyes, followed by a sudden low roar.
This roar vibrated like sound waves, but it was actually primordial spirit power, surging over with murderous intent.
Shockwaves of primordial spirit power rippled through the void, rising higher and higher like waves, indiscriminately crashing over in an instant.
Xing Lan had obviously done her homework and understood the ancient demons. She shielded Li Hao behind her, then drew a bright moon with her palm above her head. Her primordial spirit soared out, like a sacred goddess, surrounded by specks of starlight.
Li Hao saw that the opponent's primordial spirit actually possessed dazzling golden divine meridians and even two divine bones.
Although it was far inferior to his own primordial spirit, it was still quite formidable.
Coupled with the fact that her primordial spirit itself was at the Immortal Lord Realm and condensed to such a degree, the ancient demon commander might not be her match.
Bang!
As Li Hao expected, the Primal Demon Sound was blocked by the bright moon. Then, Xing Lan unleashed a Star-Moon Domain, shrouding the ancient demon commander, leaving a sentence for Li Hao:
"Wait for me here."
She then engaged in a fierce life-and-death battle with the ancient demon commander within the domain.
Earlier, the ancient demon commander chased after Li Hao, causing it to become separated from the ancient demon army. It originally thought it could quickly kill Li Hao and retreat, but unexpectedly, it encountered Xing Lan. The two immediately became locked in a desperate struggle.
Li Hao widened the distance, holding Taotie Immortal Sword, watching the battle from afar.
However, under the shroud of the Star-Moon Domain, he could only see fragmented shadows inside.
"Immortal Lord Realm…"
Li Hao's eyes flickered. From this battle, he could feel that there was still a considerable gap between him and a true Immortal Lord Realm expert.
Although he hadn't used the power of the Nine Flowers Immortal Seal, even if he did, he might not be able to win.
His own realm was too low, he needed to reach at least the seventh level of True Immortal Realm.
Or condense more primordial spirit bones…
Thinking of primordial spirit bones, Li Hao thought of the mountain of ancient demon corpses piled up in his heaven-and-earth space. His eyes suddenly brightened, and he even felt a bit of his mouth watering.
As Li Hao pondered, before long, a violent tremor erupted from within the Star-Moon Domain. Then the domain's light dimmed considerably.
After a few breaths, the domain收拢 (shrunk/retracted).
Xing Lan's clothes, which had previously flowed like a saintess's, were now somewhat torn, and her hair was disheveled, but her expression remained calm.
Her body was stained with a lot of blood, while behind her was the massive body of the ancient demon commander… already lifeless.
Xing Lan raised her hand, opening her heaven-and-earth space to收拢 (gather/collect) the ancient demon's corpse.
Then, she glanced around, saw Li Hao, and flew over.
"Are you alright?"
Li Hao asked.
Xing Lan slightly shook her head. The injuries and aura around her were stabilizing. She took out a small green bottle, poured out a crimson red pill from it, and swallowed it. Her injuries visibly recovered at a rapid pace.
"Are you alright?"
Xing Lan scrutinized Li Hao, noticing the starlight floating around him. Her gaze deepened, "You've mastered the Heavenly Stars Meridian?"
Li Hao nodded.
Xing Lan was slightly silent. To cultivate this ultimate realm in the True Immortal Realm was extremely rare even within the Star Palace. Moreover, the Star Palace had related ancient records and inheritance guidance.
"With your ability, you should at least be within the top thousand, right? Why aren't you cultivating in your sect, and instead came here?"
Xing Lan inquired.
Li Hao said, "I came here to train in actual combat. What about you, why are you here?"
Xing Lan didn't believe Li Hao's words. At True Immortal Realm third level, he could at least improve another one or two realms within three years. The improvement to his strength would be even greater then, there was no need to come here to court death.
The battlefield was ever-changing, even Immortal Lord Realm experts could fall, let alone True Immortal Realm experts.
"Me too."
She replied faintly. But she was telling the truth. With her realm, in the ten years before the Southern Domain war, relying on various immortal pills and divine medicines, she could at most only improve to the third level of Immortal Lord Realm. But more importantly, it was practical combat training.
"Thank you this time." Li Hao cupped his hands and said.
"No need to thank me. I also have to thank you for letting me encounter such a lone ancient demon commander, and one that just advanced, allowing me to get a hundred thousand immortal merits!"
Xing Lan said, then glanced at Li Hao and asked, "How many immortal merits have you accumulated?"
A hundred thousand immortal merits? Li Hao's eyes flickered. Shi Tianjing had only mentioned the immortal merits corresponding to True Immortal Realm ancient demons, not mentioning Immortal Lord Realm ones. He must have thought that if they encountered an Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon, they would only die, so he didn't waste his breath explaining.
A tenth-level True Immortal Realm ancient demon was worth ten thousand immortal merits, while a first-level Immortal Lord Realm was worth one hundred thousand… Li Hao noted this silently in his heart. He hadn't counted how many ancient demons he himself had killed, and he shook his head, saying:
"I don't know, I haven't counted."
"Haven't counted?"
Xing Lan raised an eyebrow, glancing at Li Hao's identity token, and said, "Don't you know if you take a look? Didn't your sect tell you? This identity token is specially made. The Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty invited top-notch immortal formation masters from the Heavenly Palace to design it. If you kill an ancient demon, this thing will absorb the primordial spirit essence of the ancient demon to judge how many ancient demons you've slain. This is also how they count the immortal merits of many warriors."
"It can be seen through this?"
Li Hao was surprised. He had thought that they relied on corpses for tallying.
(End of chapter)