"Hold on."
Just as everyone was about to move, Chu Xiangtian released a force, halting them.
Seeing the puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Chu Xiangtian calmly said, "This Origin Secret Realm is connected to the Chaos Origin Land of the True World. Besides my Yan Chu, other Immortal Dynasties also control pathways to it!"
"These nine Immortal Towers each correspond to a level of entrance. The deeper the entrance, the lower the chance of encountering disciples from other Immortal Dynasties, and similarly, the closer you are to the depths of the Origin Secret Realm."
"While you can comprehend the Great Dao's origin there and progress rapidly, danger also accompanies it. Not just danger from the Origin Secret Realm itself, but also the perils from other Immortal Dynasties."
As he spoke, noticing the astonished and doubtful looks from Xing Lan and the others, he calmly continued, "In this Origin Secret Realm, your focus should be cultivation. If you encounter danger, you can use Immortal weapons to defend yourselves, and you don't need to be bound by the rules. Furthermore, the Grand Preceptor of my Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty is stationed there. If you are in danger, you can seek his protection."
As he spoke, with a wave of his hand, he flicked out ten greyish tokens. Grey mist and electric light radiated from the tokens.
Li Hao and the others received them, feeling a pure chaotic aura within these tokens.
"Go then. You have seven years. Make the most of this opportunity."
Chu Xiangtian waved his hand, this time no longer obstructing them.
"Danger? And people from other Immortal Dynasties?"
Xing Lan and the others frowned, not expecting this Origin Secret Realm to be connected to other Immortal Dynasties, seemingly an independent mystic realm with pathways accessible to others.
"The Southern Domain War will happen in seven years anyway. Encountering them beforehand isn't necessarily a bad thing."
A member of the royal family smiled faintly, a hint of battle intent in their eyes.
"Hmph, I'd like to see what kind of mettle the royal family of other Immortal Dynasties possess." The royal woman's expression was haughty and disdainful. She pocketed her token and stepped out first.
She teleported to the front of the nine Immortal Towers. Just as she was about to enter, she suddenly paused.
She stopped at the sixth Immortal Tower. According to her Immortal Seal, she could enter this tower.
Instead of moving, she turned to look at the others.
Previously in the desolate region, opportunities to meet and exchange blows with others were rare. This was a good opportunity to observe.
Seeing the royal woman stop, the others who had caught up also realized the situation. They all paused, looking at each other.
"So polite?"
The young man from Phantom Sea Gate smiled, also unwilling to go in first and reveal the strength of his Immortal Seal.
"Brother Boya, please."
At this moment, Chu Tianhuang, standing at the forefront, turned to Boya Xuejian beside him and smiled.
Boya Xuejian also smiled back, not showing any intention to delay, and said, "After you."
They were extremely courteous, gesturing to each other. Then, Chu Tianhuang no longer hesitated and flew directly towards the best, ninth Immortal Tower.
"Ninth Immortal Tower, Nine Flower Immortal Seal?!"
Seeing Chu Tianhuang's direction, Xing Lan and the others' eyes narrowed, their faces showing a hint of shock.
That royal family prodigy, besides reaching the Immortal Lord Realm, had also condensed a Nine Flower Immortal Seal?
If it were just condensing a Nine Flower Immortal Seal, they might be able to achieve it with more time. After all, with their comprehension abilities, they were one in billions, even trillions. Given more time, they could definitely gradually perfect it and condense a Nine Flower Immortal Seal!
But the problem was time.
It could take eight thousand years, ten thousand years, or even tens of thousands of years.
By then, even if they mastered the Nine Flower Immortal Seal, it would be meaningless. They couldn't expect their sects to protect them forever, could they?
Moreover, once the news spread, enemy sects would also target them, assassinate them, and set up schemes to ruin their progress. Cultivating a Nine Flower Immortal Seal was not easy!
This Southern Domain War, with its short three-thousand-year lifespan limit, forced them to make trade-offs. Barely condensing a Six Flower Immortal Seal was already considered exceptionally monstrous.
After all, within three thousand years, ordinary talents might not even reach the Saint Realm!
"Hmph, what's the big fuss? Brother Tianhuang's talent is considered top-tier among Father Emperor's many children. In terms of talent alone, there are no more than three who can surpass him!"
Beside her, the handsome royal youth ranked fourth said with a faint smile.
The middle-aged royal standing beside him glanced at him, a meaningful look in his eyes. "Younger brother, Brother Tianhuang might not appreciate hearing that."
The royal woman also glanced at him, the corner of her mouth slightly upturned in a disdainful sneer.
Among the numerous members of the royal family, excessive talent wasn't always a good thing. The other party's flattery technique was too simplistic.
"You guys overthink things."
The handsome youth raised an eyebrow, slightly annoyed.
Xing Lan and Li Hao and the others didn't care about these remarks, but instead looked towards the tall and imposing figure.
They saw Chu Tianhuang arrive before the ninth Immortal Tower. His presence also attracted the attention of the other nine hundred-plus promoted individuals, and exclamations of surprise arose.
"The ninth Immortal Tower, could Chu Tianhuang have condensed a Nine Flower Immortal Seal?"
"Steadily holding the first place on the Immortal Stele, he's the strongest prodigy of Great Yan Chu in recent years. Reaching Nine Flower Immortal Seal doesn't seem surprising."
"Easy for you to say, this is the Nine Flower Immortal Seal, the limit of Immortal Seals!"
"Limit? Not necessarily. Haven't you heard of that legend?"
"Can someone really achieve that legend?"
"Legend says the Immortal Emperor's personal disciples can achieve it, but such figures are as radiant as the True World's sun. How can we possibly see them clearly?"
The crowd discussed, all shocked by Chu Tianhuang's actions.
Hearing these discussions, Li Hao couldn't help but feel curious. Above the Nine Flower Immortal Seal, was there an even higher limit? Immortal Emperor's personal disciples… If Old Wang could find Ying Xiaoxiao, there might be an answer. Had her Immortal Seal already transcended nine flowers?
But Li Hao remembered Old Wang saying that nine flowers was the limit. No matter how many other Great Daos were condensed, no matter how much comprehension, it was impossible to surpass it.
While Li Hao was pondering, a burst of exclamations rang out. He looked up and saw a brilliant light radiating from Chu Tianhuang's head, flowing with nine light shadows, exuding nine different Great Dao auras. It was indeed the Nine Flower Immortal Seal!
With the Nine Flower Immortal Seal revealed, Chu Tianhuang flew straight into the tower. He quickly entered, and the tower door closed, not rejecting him.
After a brief silence, sounds of amazement erupted.
Xing Lan and the others also changed color, their expressions complex. They were also in the Immortal Lord Realm, but the gap between them and this Chu Tianhuang seemed a bit too large.
Before, they were only competing in the desolate region, only seeing each other's rankings, but not knowing the extent of their abilities. Only now did they realize how vast the difference was.
Boya Xuejian, dressed in white snow-like robes, slightly raised his head, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips, his eyes becoming even brighter.
He slowly stepped forward and also flew directly towards the ninth Immortal Tower.
Seeing Boya Xuejian's action, the previously astonished crowd exclaimed again.
This Boya Xuejian was also a Nine Flower Immortal Seal?
Including the royal woman, those royal family members' expressions changed. In their eyes, they had long known that Chu Tianhuang was a monstrous being, and they had no intention of competing with him. But they didn't expect this non-royal family guy to also reach the Nine Flower Immortal Seal!
At this moment, Boya Xuejian arrived before the ninth Immortal Tower. He didn't display his Immortal Seal, but in his flowing white robes, he flew directly into the Immortal Tower.
The Immortal Tower seemed to sense something and opened as he approached. After he entered, it closed again.
Without a doubt, this Boya Xuejian had also condensed a Nine Flower Immortal Seal, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to open the tower door!
"That guy…"
The expressions of several royal family members became extremely solemn. Chu Tianhuang being ranked first was a given in their hearts, not surprising at all. If he wasn't ranked first, that would be the real strange occurrence.
But this Boya Xuejian ranked second… seemed to be not far behind Chu Tianhuang, whom they greatly feared.
The air fell silent.
Li Hao was also in shock, his gaze sweeping over the others. Could it be that these guys were all Nine Flower Immortal Seals?
When did Nine Flower Immortal Seals become so common?
However, even with a Nine Flower Immortal Seal, he was only a formal disciple of the Immortal Emperor, not a personal disciple.
And those two's talents… only meant they had the potential to become formal disciples of the Immortal Emperor.
Thinking about it this way, Li Hao couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. How monstrous must the Immortal Emperor's personal disciples be?!
"Excuse me."
Seeing everyone else silent and motionless, Li Hao suddenly raised his hand.
Chu Xiangtian, in mid-air, also had a solemn expression. Being able to condense a Nine Flower Immortal Seal, without exception, they were all true dragons among prodigies, destined to make a name for themselves in the True World. If they didn't fall prematurely, they would at least become overlords in their own right in the future.
Hearing a call at this moment, he looked down and saw it was Li Hao. His heart stirred slightly, and he said calmly, "What is it? Speak freely."
"If we enter the Origin Secret Realm, can we come out early?"
Li Hao asked.
Hearing this, everyone else turned to look at Li Hao, giving him strange looks, as if looking at an idiot.
Chu Xiangtian was stunned, clearly not expecting Li Hao's question to be so bizarre. Entering the Origin Secret Realm was such a heaven-sent opportunity, who would want to leave early?
But after his initial shock, he quickly replied, "If you wish to abandon such a precious opportunity, naturally no one will stop you."
Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
In the distance, in the crowd, Gu Yan and Yue Xi and others stood amongst the disciples of the Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect. Hearing Li Hao's words, they immediately thought of Li Hao's actions on Emperor Sword Mountain, and couldn't help but exchange glances, disbelief in their eyes.
No way, is this guy still going to play around even when facing the Origin Secret Realm?
"Inexplicable."
Beside her, the royal woman glanced at Li Hao and couldn't help but snort coldly. She had already offended him before, and even knowing now that Li Hao was favored by the Great General of the Nation and the Imperial Preceptor, she was too lazy to curry favor with him.
She knew that people of their status never cared about verbal attitude. When there was a need for mutual benefit, even with a cold attitude, they could still greet each other with a smiling face.
If there was no benefit involved, even if someone was sincerely respectful or even kneeled on the ground begging, they wouldn't even spare a glance.
Attitude was the most meaningless thing, and also what the weak cared about most, because attitude, good or bad, could easily prick their self-esteem.
But the hearts of the strong were powerful enough, and they didn't care about these superficial things. They only talked about practicality.
The others also withdrew their gazes, quietly looking at the Immortal Towers ahead, but no one moved, obviously intending to observe others' performances first.
Seeing them all standing like wooden figures, motionless, Li Hao couldn't help but find it a bit funny. They were all scrambling to be first earlier, but now they were being so polite.
He could ask Gu Yan and the others about this situation later when he came out, there was no need to waste his time here.
Thinking this, Li Hao started walking forward. As he passed Xing Lan, he waved to her and said,
"Thank you for speaking up for me earlier. Let's meet again in the Origin Secret Realm if we have the chance."
Seeing Li Hao's relaxed demeanor, Xing Lan was slightly stunned, not expecting Li Hao to go in first.
Thinking of Li Hao's previous performance, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she said, "Even if I didn't speak, with your abilities, you are more than capable of speaking for yourself."
Hearing their conversation, the expressions of several royal family members subtly changed. Chu Tianzheng in the distance even showed a slight shift in expression, clenching his fists.
Li Hao smiled, said no more, waved at Xing Lan, and walked straight towards the ninth Immortal Tower.
"Hm?"
Seeing Li Hao's direction, the faces of those royal family members who had just sneered stiffened.
Immediately after, derision appeared in their eyes.
"Going the wrong way, are you?"
The royal woman sneered.
Xing Lan and the others also looked at Li Hao in surprise, their eyes showing not only astonishment, but also a hint of apprehension. With Li Hao's previous performance, if he really had a Nine Flower Immortal Seal, it seemed entirely possible!
Li Hao didn't dawdle, his movements were decisive. Reaching the front of the ninth Immortal Tower, he didn't display his Nine Flower Immortal Seal, just like Boya Xuejian. Arriving at the tower door, he sensed a special force that seemed to resonate with the Immortal Seal within his body.
The Immortal Seal subtly fluctuated, Immortal power flowing, then slowly calming down.
And the tower door opened at this moment. Li Hao glanced inside, it was pitch black. He didn't think much and flew straight in.
"Hm?"
As the tower door closed, the faces of those royal family members who had just been sneering all changed.
The royal woman's expression drastically shifted, showing shock. Nine Flower Immortal Seal? That kid?
She herself only had a Six Flower Immortal Seal, which was already enough to place her at the peak of prodigies.
Xing Lan and the others were also shocked, but having had some prior speculation, they quickly recovered. Li Hao had previously defeated Chu Tianzheng while being at a lower realm, displaying powerful strength, and this strength originated from the foundation of each realm. Now revealing a Nine Flower Immortal Seal seemed only natural.
"If we give that guy another thousand years for his lifespan, to advance to the Immortal Lord Realm, his brilliance will only be more dazzling!"
The young man from Phantom Sea Gate murmured with focused eyes.
The young man from Tide Sect beside him nodded slightly. They were ranked ahead of Li Hao, but both were at the third level of the Immortal Lord Realm. In the end, standing beside them was a True Immortal Realm level nine individual who had long shocked them, while also filling them with admiration.
"Just how many secrets does that guy still have that I don't know about?"
Xing Lan's gaze was fixed on the tightly closed tower door, her eyes rippling with light.
High in the sky, Chu Xiangtian stared at it for a moment, a brief silence, for this result, he was both surprised and yet it seemed within expectations.
And the numerous disciples from various sects outside, as well as the royal family members ranked further back, were all in an uproar and shock.
Previously, Li Hao had defeated Chu Tianzheng, displaying his strength, but now, the Nine Flower Immortal Seal made many of those who were still somewhat defiant finally admit defeat.
Being able to condense a Nine Flower Immortal Seal required comprehension and talent, this was a real, tangible gap!
"That guy…"
Standing in the crowd, Gu Yan's fingers slightly tightened, a strong light appearing in his eyes.
He had a Seven Flower Immortal Seal, originally thinking he was already enough to look down upon other prodigies, but three consecutive Nine Flower Immortal Seals made him deeply feel the gap.
Especially Li Hao, someone he knew well, this feeling was even stronger.
Murong Qingwu and Yue Xi beside him also changed expressions. Despair appeared in Yue Xi's eyes, knowing she would never catch up to that youth. Her Immortal Seal was only Six Flowers, which she considered already not bad compared to other prodigies, but the gap with Nine Flowers was just too big.
Unless she continued to diligently cultivate her Immortal Seal, and stopped focusing on realm cultivation. Once she reached the Immortal Lord Realm, the Immortal Seal would be fixed, and could never be reversed.
In the void, after a brief wait, Xing Lan turned her head to look at her sect, a feeling of blandness briefly flashing through her heart. She didn't linger any longer and walked towards the Immortal Towers.
She chose the eighth Immortal Tower, and soon, smoothly entered it.
After Xing Lan acted, the others also slowly started moving. Most were Seven Flowers, Six Flowers, and there were also two who were Eight Flowers, namely the middle-aged royal family member ranked third and Tian Hongyi ranked sixth.
"Damn it!"
Chu Tianzheng clenched his fists, resentfully choosing the sixth Immortal Tower. As he entered it, boos and jeers rang out from outside. This royal family member's talent was already extremely powerful, but being defeated by that Nine Flower Immortal Seal youth, it seemed he was truly not wronged.
Zhang Xuanyu's expression was complicated, and he also lowered his head and entered the seventh Immortal Tower.
On the other side, Li Hao, having just entered the Immortal Tower, felt an extremely welcoming sensation.
(End of Chapter)