The Tianfang Great World.
Stretching across the chaos, it was impossibly vast. For a Sovereign to circle it completely would take months.
Compared to the boundless chaos, it was insignificant. Yet for a world, it was unimaginably colossal. Before Silver Moon had advanced, Li Hao, having attained the Sovereign rank, could cross from south to north in an instant. But in this world, a Sovereign needed an entire month just to make a single circuit.
One could easily imagine its sheer scale.
Tianfang had no master!
It had been masterless for countless years. To many Sovereigns, the Lord of Tianfang was a legend, a myth, having departed Tianfang eons ago... Of course, rumors also claimed everyone in the Tianfang World had perished.
Yet no one considered that plausible. At its peak, the Lord of Tianfang had allegedly reached the legendary threshold of a ninth-rank Sovereign.
As for high-rank Sovereigns, counting them on both hands would have been difficult.
Weaker Sovereigns were innumerable. No one believed such a world could be destroyed—least of all silently wiped out. That would be too terrifying, too impossible.
Ever since the Lord of Tianfang departed, this world had become the headquarters of chaos wanderers.
From every direction, across countless worlds, countless wanderers converged on Tianfang. Over endless years, a bustling Great World had formed here, with outside experts entering at almost every moment.
In each of the four cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north—stood a massive gateway leading into the gargantuan world.
Here, crowds came and went. Here, one would discover that the chaos actually held many people, unlike what Li Hao had experienced, where not a single ghost of a soul was seen for an entire month.
***
Before the colossal gateway.
Li Hao arrived. At this moment, however, he looked slightly different, shrouded in an aura of desolate stillness.
He resembled an undead spirit!
When traveling abroad, maintaining a low profile and a suitable disguise was essential.
Zu An had not necessarily been a good person.
Perhaps Zu An had acted kindly only because he knew he could not take Silver Moon. Yet there was no guaranteeing he hadn't harbored other intentions. If he called upon a few friends in the Tianfang World and waited, certain Li Hao would come, that would spell trouble.
Knowing the Tianfang Great World lay directly ahead, Li Hao had no choice but to come here for now. Still, avoiding such dangers whenever possible was wise.
Figures stood before the colossal gateway.
There were not only humans, but also a massive dragon coiling nearby.
They appeared to be guards stationed here.
Tianfang was masterless... but that did not mean it lacked factions.
Li Hao arrived with caution.
Instantly, a powerful presence—not a Sovereign, but an expert roughly at the Heavenly King level—soared up toward him. The newcomer showed no arrogance; after all, those capable of roaming the chaos alone were almost always Sovereigns.
The figure was exceedingly polite. Seeing Li Hao, he transmitted a mental wave: "Greetings, Senior Sovereign! I am Ju Ao of Huilong Temple, stationed at Tianfang's South Gate! May I ask if Senior is visiting the Tianfang World for the first time, or are you a frequent guest?"
Noticing the visitor was quite courteous, though apparently non-human, Li Hao nodded slightly. "It is my first time here..."
"Does Senior require a guide? You must be unfamiliar with the Tianfang World. If needed, Huilong Temple can provide Senior with a guide free of charge. All matters can be resolved through the guide... Should you encounter any trouble, you may also seek assistance from Huilong Temple at any time... Our temple master, Sovereign Huilong, is a sixth-rank Sovereign, comparable to the lords of some Great Worlds..."
Some Great World lords were indeed only at the sixth rank, so this claim was not an exaggeration.
Li Hao was taken aback.
Sixth rank?
*Damn!*
*That strong?*
According to his own deductions, he would need to push Life and Death to their limits, then cultivate Yin and Yang to their limits, before possibly reaching the sixth rank. Right now, he didn't even have a clue about Yin and Yang.
A sixth-rank expert was not someone to cross.
The Red Moon Sovereign he had battled for so long and barely managed to kill had only been at the third rank.
As he pondered, Ju Ao spoke again: "Senior need not worry. If Senior finds our Huilong Temple agreeable... you are welcome to join us at any time. If you feel that unnecessary... we simply wish to forge a good affinity. Roaming the chaos, where the expanse is unimaginable, we might look out for each other should we cross paths elsewhere in the future!"
Li Hao's interest was piqued, and he smiled. "You... is this Huilong Temple's territory?"
"Not entirely!"
Not daring to neglect him, Ju Ao answered swiftly, "This Tianfang World is masterless, possessing four domain gateways in the east, south, west, and north. Within the Tianfang World, there are currently countless factions, large and small. Among them, four powerful factions have secured the rights to guard the four gateways!"
"The main purpose is to befriend experts and aid one another so that everyone can fare better in the chaos..."
The fellow was clearly articulate. Huilong Temple and the other three factions had paid a hefty price to secure the guarding rights, but it was well worth it. There were many Sovereigns in the chaos.
Yet not everyone was a Sovereign.
Some adventurous Heavenly Kings, or even Saints, might venture forth... Though perilously dangerous, that did not mean they couldn't make the journey. Some Great World experts might also bring juniors along to tour the chaos.
Sovereigns without backing from a world, those willing to settle down rather than remain wanderers, were actually few and far between.
The factions stationed in the Tianfang World all wished to recruit them.
No matter how steep the cost, it was worth it. Every single Sovereign was a treasure. Being able to recruit some by guarding the gates was immensely worthwhile for the various factions of Tianfang.
As for guides and other minor matters, they were negligible to a Sovereign!
There was certainly no need for entrance fees, which would only make them look petty and cheap.
These people were not mere guards; they stayed here specifically to form ties with Sovereigns.
Realization dawned on Li Hao, and he nodded slightly.
He had thought they were collecting tolls!
It turned out they were seeking to befriend the strong.
He smiled faintly. "I am merely a newly ascended Sovereign, first-rank..."
Before he could finish, Ju Ao hurriedly said, "Those capable of entering the Sovereign rank are rare under the heavens! In the vastness of the chaos, how many Sovereigns can there be? Even within a mighty Great World, it can only accommodate around a hundred Sovereigns! And how many living beings reside in a Great World? Hundreds of billions? Trillions? You are one in tens of billions... For Senior to speak like this shames us!"
This time, Li Hao genuinely chuckled.
He had assumed Sovereigns were a dime a dozen here.
Yet even a faction possessing a sixth-rank Sovereign treated him with such courtesy, without the arrogance he had anticipated.
He had expected to keep his head down and tread on eggshells.
Behind Ju Ao were several others—some human, some non-human. That giant dragon was obviously of the beast clan.
Noticing Li Hao glance their way, even the giant dragon bowed slightly to show respect.
Quite interesting!
From Zu An's earlier description, Li Hao had thought this place would be utter chaos where a fight could break out over the slightest disagreement!
He truly knew little about Tianfang.
Zu An had shared some information, but Zu An supposedly hadn't visited in many years and wasn't entirely up to date.
A guide...
Being a newcomer, having one wasn't a bad idea.
Li Hao had no plans to cause trouble upon arrival anyway; with so many Sovereigns around, he couldn't afford to be reckless.
"Then I shall trouble you. I do need a guide..."
"Senior, what do you think of me?" Ju Ao offered eagerly. "I can lead the way for Senior..."
Li Hao paused. "Aren't you guarding the gate?"
Reading Li Hao's thoughts, Ju Ao explained at once, "We remain here precisely to wait for Sovereigns! As Senior traverses Tianfang, some places may carry danger, and minor chores can all be handled by us!"
If the guide was too weak, it was pointless.
A Sovereign could take a single stride and leave them hopelessly behind.
Delaying a Sovereign's time risked incurring displeasure. Heavenly Kings were the ideal rank; though seemingly just one step away from Sovereign... how many Heavenly Kings failed to cross that threshold in their entire lifetimes?
With some luck, receiving a bit of guidance or minor benefits could be an opportunity.
If one were too weak, one wouldn't even understand a Sovereign expounding the Dao.
Of course, such opportunities were rare.
Moreover, the person before him was only a first-rank Sovereign, so the potential benefit was modest, but a first-rank Sovereign was still a Sovereign.
After considering it, Li Hao nodded slightly. "Very well, that will do. Thank you for the trouble!"
"I dare not claim credit!"
Ju Ao showed a hint of excitement and quickly asked, "As Senior has just arrived at Tianfang, would you like to circle the perimeter and take a look at the Tianfang World? The circumference of the Tianfang World in the chaos is ninety thousand chaos chi. Circling it would take Senior roughly a month. For us, a full loop would likely require more than three months!"
He added, "The Tianfang World is immense, and lingering Dao traces remain on the surrounding world barrier. It is said there are even traces of a ninth-rank Sovereign carving open the Dao... Though we lack the vision to recognize them, Senior might gain some insights from circling the perimeter."
"No need!"
Li Hao shook his head. There was no point.
Crowds of Sovereigns must have already circled it. If there were any benefits, others would have claimed them long ago; why would any be left for him?
It would only waste time!
"Let's go inside and have a look!"
"Understood!"
Without another word, Ju Ao took the lead. The Heavenly Kings flanking the entrance respectfully stepped aside, watching Ju Ao escort Li Hao into the Tianfang World.
Soon, someone sent a message back into the Tianfang World.
The arrival of any Sovereign required attention. To local factions, even if these Sovereigns did not join them, it was best they did not join rival factions either. Naturally, the ideal scenario was for them to simply sightsee and leave without stirring up trouble.
***
Crossing the world barrier in a single step.
It felt like a spatial teleportation. Li Hao's mind stirred slightly as heaven and earth spun, carrying the sensation of spatial transit. For a teleportation array to accommodate a Sovereign without causing any discomfort, the boundary-gate array was quite impressive.
He appeared in an instant. Expecting to arrive in a grand city, he found himself instead in a small town.
No formidable experts presided here, only a few Heavenly Kings and Saints. Seeing Ju Ao accompanied by Li Hao, they understood that a Sovereign had arrived.
A Heavenly King stationed here spoke promptly: "If Senior wishes to depart Tianfang, you may return here as well. No token is required; you may simply teleport away! However... I must remind Senior that the various factions expended great resources to establish this teleportation array. If pursued by powerful foes, you must not damage the array; otherwise, it will invite retaliation from Huilong Temple!"
The Heavenly King spoke with a grave expression. "Tianfang is rather chaotic. As long as Senior does not damage the teleportation array, even if a battle erupts here, no one will interfere!"
In short: fighting was fine, but property destruction was not.
Otherwise, a sixth-rank Sovereign was not someone to offend!
Li Hao nodded without saying much. His attention was already drifting as he surveyed his surroundings. The energy here was dense—inconceivably so!
Such rich energy!
Sensing it, he found the Great Dao somewhat chaotic, unlike Silver Moon.
The Daos here felt disorderly, laced with abundant chaotic aura. In Silver Moon, such an aura did not exist; it only appeared when desolate beasts invaded, and even then, it had never felt this concentrated.
The world was so vast he couldn't perceive its entirety.
What an enormous world!
What dense energy!
Cultivating here for a single day might equal ten or even a hundred days in Silver Moon!
Was this a Great World?
And a Great World without an active Great Dao at that!
No wonder it drew so many people, including experts from Great Worlds who brought their entire families along. Even without a Great Dao Universe, routine cultivation here was far faster than in ordinary minor or medium worlds.
A splendid place!
If Silver Moon could swallow this world, could it advance into a Great World?
The thought flashed across his mind.
Li Hao secretly clicked his tongue. *How can I think like that?*
How many experts were here!
Reportedly, there were several sixth-rank Sovereigns. Below the sixth rank, counting the wanderers, weren't there over a hundred?
It shouldn't be weaker than an ordinary Great World. Otherwise, another Great World would have seized it long ago. If other Great Worlds didn't dare or couldn't take it, how could he harbor such an absurd thought? Truly terrifying!
*Li Hao, you can't let your thoughts run wild!*
The Silver Moon World belonged to the Li family, and what belonged to the Li family belonged to him, so that was fine.
This world, however, did not belong to him, nor did it belong to Silver Moon.
Of course, there was no harm in imagining it... Sweeping his senses casually, Li Hao clicked his tongue again. Beneath the ground... damn it, there was actually a sizable energy vein! Silver Moon had advanced to a medium world, but too little time had passed; currently, it didn't possess a single genuine energy vein!
Truly wealthy!
A single vein meant little to a Sovereign like him, but if he could haul back a thousand or so, Silver Moon would become a holy land of cultivation!
And this was merely a small town!
Judging by the population... it was sparse, perhaps just a thousand or so residents.
He couldn't tell whether they were newcomers or residents of local factions.
In that brief moment, countless thoughts flitted through Li Hao's mind. Like a country bumpkin, everything he saw seemed precious and wondrous. Things those Heavenly Kings ignored caught his keen interest.
Truly wealthy!
Truly extravagant!
Even the materials used to forge the paved ground were treasures.
This place was genuinely remarkable.
If others saw this, they would probably drool. The Neo-Martial Human King probably had never visited; had he come, who knew if he wouldn't have stripped the place bare!
Of course, that was when he was weak. Now that he was powerful and possessed broader horizons, perhaps he wouldn't care?
*I am a cultured gentleman... I cannot take after the Neo-Martial Human King!* Li Hao cautioned himself inwardly against wild fantasies.
Snapping back to reality, Li Hao looked toward Ju Ao, who was waiting ahead. Seeing Li Hao glance over, Ju Ao smiled, clearly accustomed to such reactions.
"Senior, this is the Tianfang World's Southern Region, within the territory of the Huilong Sub-Domain!"
"The Tianfang World is divided into four major regions, and each major region contains many sub-domains, each akin to an entire realm! In the Southern Region, our Huilong Sub-Domain possesses the largest territory and greatest population. Besides our Huilong Domain, there are nine other domains in the south. The master of any domain is at least a fourth-rank Sovereign!"
He quickly explained, "The entire south is divided into ten sub-domains... Not because there couldn't be more, but because the current division is the most practical. If other Sovereigns wish to establish roots here, they must either wipe out a domain or pledge allegiance to one..."
Li Hao nodded, then asked with some puzzlement, "The Tianfang World seems to house many Sovereigns. Besides serving as a trading hub for chaos wanderers and possessing dense cultivation energy, it lacks a Great Dao Universe. Why do so many Sovereigns congregate here?"
"If a sixth-rank Sovereign dedicated their efforts to nurturing a medium world, wouldn't there be hope of advancing it into a Great World? Once it becomes a Great World, they might open their own Great Dao Universe and have a chance to ascend to the seventh rank. But staying here... there's little hope, isn't there?"
This was what puzzled him.
Setting aside ordinary wanderers, what was the point of several sixth-rank Sovereigns lingering here?
There was no Great Dao Universe!
Remaining here seemed far inferior to patiently nurturing a medium world, which at least held the promise of reaching the seventh rank.
Here, that hope was practically nonexistent.
Ju Ao froze, momentarily stunned, before offering an awkward smile. "This... Senior's words are quite reasonable, but a seventh-rank Sovereign... is something one can only dream of! Raising a medium world to a Great World is... as difficult as ascending to heaven!"
Now he was certain the person before him was indeed a newly ascended Sovereign.
What a joke!
Even the lords of some Great Worlds were only at the sixth rank.
Did he think just anyone could become a seventh-rank Sovereign?
Even with a Great Dao Universe, that didn't guarantee one could reach the seventh rank. Furthermore, a Great Dao Universe didn't just appear out of nowhere; it required profound comprehension of the Dao!
Only then was there a chance to summon a Great Dao Universe from the unseen depths to open and nurture it... In short, it was an arduous endeavor.
In any Great World, the birth of a Great Dao Universe was sparked by peerless figures reaching profound enlightenment. It had little to do with where one resided; it wasn't as though staying in a specific location was required to birth a Great Dao Universe in a medium world and advance it to a Great World.
Hearing his explanation, Li Hao realized he had spoken rashly.
He gave a light chuckle. "I am newly ascended and not very familiar with these matters... Please forgive my ignorance! By the way, are there places or opportunities in the Tianfang World that can aid a Sovereign in cultivation and advancement?"
Ju Ao breathed a sigh of relief, having feared the newcomer might continue with reckless remarks.
"There are!" Ju Ao answered briskly. "The Tianfang World is extraordinary. In the past, it was home to a ninth-rank Sovereign—the only ninth-rank Sovereign within a radius of hundreds of millions of chaos chi..."
Li Hao calculated mentally: each of his spatial shifts covered one chaos chi, so that was a span of a hundred million shifts.
Shifting several hundred times a day wouldn't be an issue.
How many days would that take?
Roughly... around a thousand years?
He inwardly clicked his tongue. Of course, he was only a first-rank Sovereign right now. The stronger he grew, the faster he would travel; once he reached higher levels, it naturally wouldn't take so long.
"Though this world fell into disuse after the Lord of Tianfang departed, many high-rank Sovereigns resided here back then, leaving behind quite a few Dao resonance lands!"
"Over the years, several Sovereigns have gained insights there!"
"Within our Huilong Domain, there are several such Dao resonance lands!"
At this point, Ju Ao continued, "In Huilong Domain, the three most famous Dao resonance lands are open to visitors. Senior may go take a look, but... with the passage of time, the Dao resonance is faint now, so you might not gain much!"
"Furthermore, in the Huilong Domain... or rather, across the entire Tianfang Great World, conflicts often break out at all the Dao resonance lands..."
He offered this word of caution. Li Hao asked in confusion, "If anyone can visit, why do conflicts break out? Does Huilong Temple forbid it, or are there restrictions?"
"That's not it!"
Ju Ao hesitated, then explained, "This isn't a secret anyway! Those Dao resonance lands have mostly grown dormant. Since I am not a Sovereign, I don't know the exact details, but rumors outside say that Sovereign blood and Sovereign Daos can stimulate the Dao resonance... Consequently, large numbers of Sovereigns often gather at these sites!"
"Some Sovereigns... deliberately pick fights to spark conflicts and create chaos. Those Sovereigns are usually quite formidable!"
The unspoken implication: *You are relatively weak, so it's best not to go looking for trouble.*
*It's dangerous!*
Li Hao's thoughts stirred. Dao resonance lands, stimulated by Sovereign blood...
How interesting!
No wonder so many went there. If high-rank Dao resonance truly remained and aligned with one's own path, contemplating the Dao resonance of top experts would provide substantial help.
"Have Sovereigns fallen there?" Li Hao inquired.
Ju Ao nodded slightly. "Yes!"
Li Hao felt a twinge of wariness.
Then it truly was perilous.
Even Sovereigns had died there!
Evidently, the rumors held truth; otherwise, bloody conflicts wouldn't have persisted for so many years.
Seeing that Li Hao seemed intrigued, Ju Ao hastily added, "Senior, aside from the three public Dao resonance lands in our Huilong Domain, Huilong Temple preserves one of its own, which our temple master paid a great price to secure! If Senior is willing to join Huilong Temple, there is no need for bloodshed. As long as you guard for Huilong Temple for a millennium, you may observe it at any time... Of course, each viewing requires an offering of Sovereign blood essence. One viewing is free every century... otherwise, Senior must pay the price yourself."
Li Hao chuckled.
Strolling aimlessly without a set destination, he surveyed the surroundings and asked, "Huilong Temple is already very powerful, right? With such strength, unless an entire Great World attacks, there shouldn't be much danger. Why continue recruiting Sovereigns?"
Ju Ao explained, "First, conflicts occasionally break out between us and the other three major factions of the Tianfang World... over the contest for Dao resonance lands, or when ancient treasures surface."
"Second, chaos wanderers sometimes... sometimes recklessly attack the Tianfang World, requiring all our factions to join forces in defense!"
"Third, to deter Great Worlds!"
He did not hide the truth: "The Tianfang World has attracted covetous eyes from other Great Worlds, especially newly ascended Great Worlds whose world lords are stuck at the peak of the sixth rank and unable to advance to the seventh. They are particularly interested in Tianfang, often tempted to seize it. When that happens, the various factions must act together to deter or even eliminate them!"
"Fourth..."
This time, he glanced at Li Hao before speaking meaningfully: "Even without such threats, cultivation requires opportunities. Occasionally, the Tianfang World organizes punitive expeditions against chaotic agitators!"
"Chaotic agitators?"
Li Hao's interest was piqued, and he looked at him. "What are chaotic agitators?"
Ju Ao lowered his voice: "Those who... create chaos! To use a nearby example, in the Red Moon Domain further to the south, both the Red Moon World and the Yin-Yang World are considered chaotic agitators! Those Great Worlds frequently initiate wars and annihilate other worlds! They devour worlds to strengthen themselves, which inevitably plunges the chaos into turmoil! Thus, certain factions in the chaos specialize in eradicating such forces!"
"Of course, any world daring to create chaos is exceptionally formidable... so multiple factions must unite to destroy them!"
Li Hao drew in a breath. "Surely not? That crazy? I actually know of the Red Moon Great World and the Yin-Yang Great World; I came from that direction. It was far too chaotic there. A massive war erupted recently, and I heard two Great Worlds were destroyed. Does Huilong Temple dare go destroy them?"
Ju Ao smiled sheepishly. "Our Huilong Temple naturally wouldn't go alone! However, if the lords of neighboring Great Worlds join forces to take action, the Tianfang World will take part... Of course, that hasn't happened yet; the Red Moon World and Yin-Yang World are too powerful. But this is common knowledge—if possible... an effort will be made to eliminate them!"
"Saying this so openly... aren't you afraid of trouble from both sides?" Li Hao looked at him quizzically.
Huilong Temple was remarkably bold!
Those worlds possessed seventh- and eighth-rank Sovereigns, wielding immense power, and Great Worlds had already fallen to them. To brazenly use such promises to recruit people... were they mad?
Ju Ao sighed. "It's not that we aren't afraid; it's that they aren't! By sowing chaos and constantly invading other worlds, they will provoke a Chaos Alliance sooner or later! That is inevitable... In the chaotic universe, such occurrences are common. The chaos gives birth to worlds, and the existence of worlds is the foundation for experts to arise. Such wanton devouring and conquering of worlds will naturally draw the ire of other factions!"
"Can you handle seventh- and eighth-rank Sovereigns?"
"Of course we cannot!"
Ju Ao hastily smiled. "I mean that if other powerful figures are willing to take action, Tianfang will likely serve as a bridgehead. We are too close to the Red Moon Domain."
Li Hao nodded slightly, saying no more.
Pot calling the kettle black: that side called this side chaotic, and this side called that side chaotic... None of them were saints, including Neo-Martial... Well, frankly speaking, Silver Moon wasn't purely innocent either.
Once beyond the borders of one's own world, nobody submitted to anyone else, and everyone wanted to crush everyone else.
Moreover, multiple sixth-rank Sovereigns were gathered here... Li Hao suspected these fellows were mostly hoping to obtain opportunities left behind by the Lord of Tianfang.
Otherwise, what was the use of sixth-rank experts lingering here? That had to be their primary motive.
Everything else was just an excuse.
"Does the Tianfang World have any other rules?"
"None, so long as you don't assault the seats of the various domain lords... Even if you start a fight in a domain city, no one will interfere, though it's best avoided. If too many weaklings are caught in the crossfire—many brought along by domain lords—it easily leads to friction! As long as others are uninvolved, even if a Sovereign falls, no one will care."
He added, "Furthermore, the Dao resonance lands usually house bustling markets! Senior can also trade for treasures on behalf of your juniors. While treasures suitable for Sovereigns are hard to come by, there are plenty useful for those below the Sovereign rank!"
Pausing, he continued, "Among them... minor worlds, for instance, are highly prized trading commodities!"
He glanced at Li Hao and said softly, "Though a minor world is decent, once a cultivator attains the Sovereign rank, its usefulness diminishes. Trading it away might fetch top-tier treasures!"
Li Hao's brows twitched slightly.
At this moment, he sensed an alien sensation—a chilling ruthlessness.
"A minor world... the living beings within can't be relocated, can they?"
"Well... if one wishes to take them, one naturally can. However, a minor world holds a large population, and suitable treasures to carry them are scarce..."
The unspoken implication: *Why bother taking them?*
*Where would you take them?*
*Better to just leave them behind to avoid the hassle.*
Once traded away, the world was either devoured or refined into a treasure. Either way, whether the mortals inside lived or died depended on luck.
Ju Ao quickly added, "Of course, this is entirely voluntary! Devouring worlds is technically forbidden, but if a world lord trades it voluntarily... that is acceptable!"
*What hypocritical nonsense!*
They labeled Neo-Martial and Red Moon chaotic agitators for devouring worlds.
Yet they were no different!
How was trading worlds any better?
Li Hao was speechless.
Sure enough, one couldn't judge by appearances. The experts of the Tianfang World were fundamentally a pack of bandits too.
From the sound of it... they probably raided others outside whenever an opportunity arose!
As long as nobody caught them, anything went.
Lacking interest in such matters, Li Hao simply asked, "Are there places for discussing the Great Dao? Whether it's the Dao of a Great Dao Universe, the chaotic Daos of minor worlds, or the Dao of Chaos... are there people who exchange insights on the Dao?"
Ju Ao was taken aback.
This time, he was genuinely dumbfounded.
After a long pause, he said, "There are!"
"There are?"
Li Hao's curiosity flared, but Ju Ao promptly poured cold water on his excitement: "Senior, different worlds possess different Daos. Even if two practitioners walk the Dao of Fire, their paths are fundamentally distinct and might not belong to the same system! Exchanging insights often yields little gain, wastes time, and allows enemies to probe one's bottom line. Consequently, few experts are willing to discuss their Dao."
Li Hao frowned. "Why? Without exchanging insights on the Great Dao, how does one improve? Even if the Daos differ, analogies can be drawn. Only by witnessing diverse paths can one achieve comprehensive mastery. With so many experts here, could they all be so short-sighted?"
Ju Ao sighed and said as he walked, "It's not that no one has tried... But on many occasions, after such discussions, the participant's Dao was leaked... including its weaknesses. This made many too fearful to engage. Senior is a newly ascended Sovereign and may possess an earnest heart, but as your guide, I must warn you: some individuals deliberately use the pretense of discussing the Dao to deceive others. Once Senior departs Tianfang, you might be tailed, and could even... fall!"
Li Hao frowned faintly.
This was not an outcome he wished to see.
Only through extensive exchanges and observing diverse paths of the Great Dao could one hope to advance further. Neo-Martial's Origin Dao and Red Moon's Dao of Desires had both broadened his horizons and elevated his realm.
Those were just two worlds. If he could encounter more, it would greatly aid his comprehension of the Dao of Time and the perfection of his own Great Dao of Time.
Yet according to this guide... because everyone was terrified, none dared to share anymore.
Chaos truly bred selfishness!
He said nothing more on the subject, stating simply, "Take me to any Dao resonance land first to have a look."
"Senior..." Ju Ao cautioned once more, "Since Senior is a newly ascended Sovereign... when we arrive, try... try your best to steer clear of powerful experts! Third-rank Sovereigns are usually present at those sites! And newly ascended Sovereigns are their favorite targets to provoke!"
Whether they wounded you or killed you, revitalizing the Dao resonance land to comprehend high-rank Dao resonance brought them immense benefits.
They didn't pick fights for no reason; they did it intentionally!
Not out of malice, but pure profit.
Every Sovereign who went there understood this dynamic, yet still chose to go. Ju Ao had witnessed it several times and had even personally escorted a Sovereign who ended up severely injured shortly after arriving.
"Only third-rank?" Li Hao asked, puzzled.
Ju Ao paused, then chuckled helplessly. "At the fourth rank, these public Dao resonance lands offer little utility! Moreover, fourth-rank Sovereigns... even if they visit the Dao resonance land preserved by Huilong Temple, receive one free viewing without needing to join—it is a modest gift prepared by our Huilong Temple for fourth-rank Sovereigns!"
At that level, why would they need public sites?
Did he think fourth-rank Sovereigns were common?
A fourth-rank Sovereign could conquer an entire territory in the Tianfang World and rule as lord!
Outside, a fourth-rank Sovereign was fully qualified to command a medium world.
Strictly speaking, the fourth and sixth ranks still shared the same broad stage of cultivation. Huilong Temple would dispatch at least another Sovereign to accompany a fourth-rank guest, rather than a Heavenly King like him.
Dropping the matter, Ju Ao said, "Senior, I shall first guide you to the Coiling Dragon Well!"
"The Coiling Dragon Well is allegedly the cultivation site of a past seventh-rank Sovereign who specialized in the physical Dao of flesh and blood essence. Many Sovereigns cultivate this path, which is commonly present across various worlds, though details may vary."
"Yet time is relentless, and Dao resonance rarely manifests there nowadays!"
"Fewer Sovereigns gather there, mostly first- and second-rank ones. Third-rank Sovereigns are rare, having moved on to the other two sites. Besides, this is only the Huilong Domain; some Sovereigns have already departed for other domains..."
Li Hao nodded.
Admittedly, having a guide made things far more convenient; he learned all the critical details without having to investigate them himself.
With mostly first- and second-rank Sovereigns... even if conflicts arose, he had nothing to fear.
Even against a third-rank Sovereign... while the current Li Hao might not defeat one, killing him wouldn't be easy either.
A Sovereign of Life and Death possessed considerable prowess.
Furthermore, his Dao of Time had merely dispersed, not vanished.
At a critical juncture, he could always reconvene it!
However, that would trigger immense trouble.
A chaotic lightning tribulation might descend once more, which Li Hao wished to avoid. It was better to keep a low profile—as a newcomer, harmony brought fortune!
***
Meanwhile.
Tianfang World.
Huilong Domain.
Inside a colossal hall, several Sovereigns were gathered, chatting idly.
One spoke: "In the Red Moon Domain, the Yin-Yang World made a move. In a single stroke, both the Bliss and Absolute Darkness Great Worlds were annihilated! Now, several Great Worlds such as Lunar Nether and Tianlan are converging toward the Red Moon Great World, likely preparing to join forces against the Yin-Yang World... This is a rare, titanic war in our neighboring region!"
"High-rank Sovereigns are common sights in this conflict!"
"And Great Dao Universes... there are quite a few!"
"If our Huilong Temple could seize the opportunity to capture a Great Dao Universe, our temple master would surely have hope of reaching the seventh rank..."
"..."
Above the crowd, a Daoist figure remained silent.
Below, someone remarked, "They are not to be trifled with! The current turmoil in the Red Moon Domain involves countless powerhouses, including many high-rank Sovereigns. Neither the Yin-Yang World nor the Red Moon World is weak. The Yin-Yang World boasts at least three seventh-rank Sovereigns! As for the Red Moon World, if the Lord of the Red Moon is truly at the eighth rank, that makes one eighth-rank and four seventh-rank Sovereigns..."
"Add in Great Worlds like Tianlan... more than ten high-rank Sovereigns might enter the fray..."
Pulling chestnuts from the fire was easier said than done.
After a long silence, the temple master above spoke slowly: "Let us watch and wait. The two sides have yet to engage in full-scale war. Moreover... the factions of the Tianfang World have not reached a consensus, and the neighboring Great World lords have not decided to act..."
Interfering now was tantamount to seeking death.
However, preparations could be made. Neighboring Great Worlds would intervene sooner or later; otherwise, should one side emerge victorious and swallow the other, they would grow uncontrollably powerful, which would spell true disaster.
Neither Red Moon nor Yin-Yang was benevolent; both were aggressively expansionist!
"Lately, we must recruit more Sovereigns to join Huilong Temple!"
The Daoist said slowly, "Right now, neither the Red Moon Domain nor Tianfang is particularly stable. One more Sovereign gives us one more measure of certainty! The surrounding turmoil has driven many chaos wanderers into the Tianfang World, presenting a rare opportunity! Several Sovereigns have arrived in recent days... Our Huilong Temple commands Tianfang's South Gate, which faces the Red Moon Domain. Many experts have fled here recently seeking refuge... This is a boon and an opportunity for our Huilong Temple! Currently, a fifth-rank Sovereign from the Absolute Darkness Great World and another from the Bliss Great World, along with several second- and third-rank Sovereigns, are in our southern region. If we can recruit them, Huilong Temple's strength will increase by thirty percent!"
Someone hesitated slightly. "Might this incur the displeasure of the Yin-Yang World?"
Temple Master Huilong chuckled. "The Neo-Martial Human King roamed the Red Moon Domain for decades without taking a single step beyond its borders, lingering strictly on its periphery. High-rank Sovereigns haven't been seen in the Tianfang Great World for countless years, so why would he come here? Even if he did, as an outsider, he would find many low- and middle-rank Sovereigns gathered here. If he dared run amok, neighboring Great World lords would not sit idly by!"
Besides, he was currently at war with Red Moon and had no leisure to attend to this area.
While Huilong could not afford to offend that man, it didn't mean that man could act with complete impunity either.
The others nodded in agreement.
Furthermore, two fifth-rank Sovereigns... were indeed an enticing prize. If they joined Huilong Temple, it would be a tremendous windfall!
The Great Dao Universe of the Absolute Darkness Great World had reportedly been destroyed, but the Bliss Great World's Great Dao Universe was said to still exist. As Sovereigns tied to that Great Dao Universe, they might reclaim it if given the chance.
Even if they couldn't, the fifth-rank Sovereign of Absolute Darkness wielded considerable Great Dao Universe power. With enough fortune, they might... even restore the Great Dao Universe, provided they possessed the capability.
In that case, it would be gaining a Great Dao Universe for nothing.
Even if it started out weak, having a Great Dao Universe meant having a chance.
At this point, Temple Master Huilong added, "By the way... investigate the backgrounds of the Sovereigns arriving from the south to ensure they aren't scouts dispatched by Yin-Yang or Red Moon! The Neo-Martial Human King has no time to visit, but many Neo-Martial Sovereigns roam the chaos, and the same goes for Red Moon. Tianfang is not far from the Red Moon Domain, so remain vigilant!"
"Understood!" The crowd nodded in unison.
Finally, Temple Master Huilong instructed, "Recently, the Sovereign blood at the Dao resonance lands has been running low... Find an opportunity to procure some! Be discreet and leave no evidence! Target solitary wanderers who are weaker... Plant some men at the other Dao resonance lands as well to stir the pot. It's best if they start squabbling among themselves... Create some danger for them so they realize roaming the chaos without a major faction behind them is unviable!"
"A minor matter. We have already made arrangements."
"Very good!"
The Daoist smiled. "Turmoil is brewing in the chaos... Without reaching the seventh rank, stability is impossible! Who knows when the grand opportunity here in Tianfang will manifest? If I can step into the seventh rank... and take control of Tianfang, then Huilong Temple will become the master of a Great World, rivaling any established Great World!"
The crowd felt a glimmer of anticipation, yet said nothing.
It was too difficult!
Tianfang had stood here for ages, and many Great World lords had visited, yet all left empty-handed. Who knew if the legends were even true?
Perhaps no such grand opportunity existed here at all.
In this moment, the assembly felt both hope and regret. It was a pity they couldn't seize a Great Dao Universe. Otherwise, if their temple master attained the seventh rank and fortified a Great World, Huilong Temple wouldn't need to guard the gates here, watching Sovereigns casually come and go in this crowded crossroads.
Seeing their expressions, the Daoist said no more.
Opportunities were elusive, and the seventh rank... was something he yearned for intensely. Yet in the boundless chaos, how many seventh-rank Sovereigns existed?
Which Great World hadn't weathered countless trials to give birth to a single seventh-rank Sovereign?
By contrast, that Neo-Martial Yin-Yang World had supposedly spanned only three generations—a mere hundred thousand years or so—yet it had produced seventh-rank Sovereigns, and more than one at that... It provoked searing envy!
The Neo-Martial Human King was allegedly crude and reckless, knowing nothing of refined Dao methods, while the Cang Emperor did nothing but eat and sleep. That even they could reach the seventh rank proved the chaos truly lacked eyes!
Envy was envy, and jealousy was jealousy... but he dared not provoke that faction recklessly.
However, the Neo-Martial Human King was excessively arrogant, and the Yin-Yang World was somewhat unique... Trouble would find them sooner or later. He wondered whether he might reap some benefits from the coming upheaval.
The destruction of Bliss and Absolute Darkness would inevitably trigger massive chaos.
Countless thoughts surfaced in his mind. As if recalling something, he suddenly spoke: "Right, the Yin-Yang World once lost an insignificant minor world. Back then, Yin-Yang's Sword Venerable guarded it, but Red Moon launched a surprise raid, blasting it into the chaos... The Yin-Yang World searched for it but never recovered it, and Red Moon has been searching as well. If an opportunity arises, make inquiries about it!"
The Sovereigns stirred slightly and nodded.
A subsidiary world of a Great World—not an assimilated one, but one born directly within the Great World from leaking energy—might... offer insights into the Origin Yin-Yang Dao.
However, since neither Neo-Martial nor Red Moon had found it, whether they could do so depended entirely on luck.
Chapter 432