Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Chapter 936: Chapter 189: Achieving Imperial Fame, Divine King’s Invitation (+4K Guaranteed Extra 13)_3

Li Hao uncrossed his legs and sat under the eaves, quietly gazing at the layers of clouds. He could feel the exuberant spiritual sense of Gong Ming. It was not fearful but rather filled with an unstoppable momentum.

As claps of thunder rumbled repeatedly, the clouds were suddenly torn apart after some time. A beam of sword light illuminated the heavens and earth, as though it sought to cleave Saint Mountain itself in two.

The clouds were bisected, and a massive sword descended slowly from within, akin to an emperor reigning supreme over the mortal world.

Though it was merely a sword, as it descended, it seemed to become the sole radiance of existence, attracting all attention.

“Whose sword is that?”

“It looks like a Divine Weapon undergoing tribulation.”

“I heard from friends in the Artifact Ancestor Sacred Land that crafting a Divine Weapon often invites calamity. The thunder fire tribulations vary depending on the level of the Divine Weapon. I wonder who owns this weapon.”

“Given such an imposing scene, with thunder roaring far beyond nine peals, it must be a Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon!”

The disciples across Saint Mountain could feel a profound majesty radiating from the sword, as if an emperor had descended to overlook the mortal world.

They were overcome with an urge to kneel in reverence. All things possess spirit, but a weapon that has achieved the level of a Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon carries a presence no less formidable than that of a Saint appearing in person.

Across Saint Mountain, countless swords trembled in response. Some swords containing sword souls even broke free from their scabbards, slipping out from their owner’s waists and embedding themselves into the ground, quivering uncontrollably.

Though Lie Sky Saint Land did not center around swordsmen, its teachings were diverse, and many disciples used swords. After all, masquerading as a graceful swordsman made it easier to deceive and lower others’ guard.

If one were to appear disheveled and suspicious, any nearby thefts would immediately cast doubt upon them, even if they were not the culprit.

Thus, many disciples within Lie Sky Saint Land appeared, at least outwardly, as paragons of righteousness.

Much like the disciples of Lie Sky Saint Land, who all exuded the gentility of scholars, with women appearing poised and elegant, their mild demeanor betraying nothing of the lies they readily wielded.

As Gong Ming split the thunder tribulation and descended, tens of thousands of swords across Saint Mountain bowed in submission, causing an uproar.

Li Hao, desiring not to cause too great a disturbance, called Gong Ming back.

With but a flash, Gong Ming returned to the courtyard. The sword, which measured over ten zhang in length, contracted to the size of an ordinary longsword. Its entirely pitch-black surface was sheathed in flowing light and tribulation fire. Merely hovering naturally in mid-air, it left faint cracks in the void.

Like a fallen leaf rippling across water, it stirred unceasing waves in its surroundings.

Li Hao marveled inwardly—the sword seemed even sharper now.

Grasping the hilt, he immediately sensed a surge of jubilant emotion.

“It is often said that the pursuit of merit and fame is paramount,” Li Hao murmured. “From the moment all beings are born, they possess a name. Surnames are roots, and given names signify fate. The lifelong endeavor to make one’s name known is universal, even among Saints…”

He spoke softly, as though lost in thought, reflecting on the instinctual desires driving all existence to seek recognition.

“Merit and fame… If one could even sever fame itself, that would truly be the sharpest existence in the world.”

Li Hao’s voice was gentle.

The sword in his hand, as though hearing his whispers, trembled faintly in response, radiating a joyfully resolute spiritual sense.

Li Hao smiled knowingly. As a swordsman, his attachment to the blade in his hand was only natural. Lifting Gong Ming, he drew it lightly across the back of his hand.

He noticed that the muscles on the back of his hand were exceptionally resilient. It required eighty percent of his strength merely to break the skin.

His current physique was comparable to a Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon, meaning Gong Ming was capable of cutting other Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapons.

“Indeed sharp, but it seems you aren’t yet full…”

Li Hao smiled, picking up Gong Ming to continue feeding it the remaining Heaven and Earth Treasures.

With the absorption of another ten portions of Heaven and Earth Treasures, the Daoist Charm and radiance emanating from Gong Ming grew even more dazzling, its tribulation power ever stronger.

When Li Hao fed it another ten, thunder resounded once more from the heavens.

The disciples who had earlier speculated about the origin of the sword were all stunned by the sudden second bout of thunder, their shock visible.

Li Hao sensed the trembling of Gong Ming in his hand, as well as its overwhelming fighting intent. He froze momentarily, surprised that it would actually trigger another heavenly tribulation.

He loosened his grip, refraining from intervening. He could feel that Gong Ming did not want him to meddle in its tribulation.

The moment he released his grasp, Gong Ming transformed into a streak of pitch-black light and charged straight into the clouds.

Soon, the sound of thunder echoed once more within the stormy heavens.

“You brat, looks like your spoils from clearing out the Buddhist Sect and Void Holy Land were quite remarkable—you’ve actually pushed a Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon to reach the First Tribulation!”

At that moment, Feng Boping appeared in Li Hao’s courtyard, glancing up at the sky as he spoke with admiration.

Li Hao turned his head, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. “Is it possible, then, that if enough is absorbed, it could undergo a Second Tribulation, or even a Third Tribulation?”

“Indeed.” Feng Boping nodded. “A Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon is sufficient to wound a Saint and possesses destructive power comparable to one. If it undergoes yet another tribulation, even Three Calamities Saints must tread cautiously. Should it reach the Second Tribulation or Third Tribulation stages, slaying a Three Calamities Saint would be a trivial feat. Even an ordinary Saint wielding such a weapon would leave the rest of us fleeing in terror.”

Li Hao was taken aback, surprised by Feng’s seemingly exaggerated claim. Yet he knew Feng would not deliberately embellish the truth.

Seeing Gong Ming overcome its thunder tribulation and reveal its sharpened edge, Li Hao could already sense that it was capable of slaying a newly ascended Saint.

It was too sharp, imbued with destructive tribulation power that could directly erode the Saint Path. Saints could only evade it.

“Do you know why the Source Ancestor commands reverence across all heavens?” Feng continued. “Besides being the oldest Saint and wielding an overwhelming accumulation of Incense Fire Power, another reason lies in his possession of a Seven Tribulations Tao Tribulation Emperor Weapon!”