Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Chapter 1817: Chapter 475: Jianlong Pass Falls (Part 2)

Shi Miao saw their expressions, her furrowed brows slightly relaxed, and she nodded faintly. Although she had reservations about them earlier, she let it go at this moment. Her figure flickered as she came to Li Hao’s side and said, "Are you okay?"

"I’m okay."

Li Hao shook his head, revealing a smile.

The initial battle was a success, and he could feel the terror of the top-tier battlefield at the border.

Even now as an Immortal King, there were still moments where he could face imminent destruction.

Shi Miao looked at him reproachfully and transmitted her voice, saying, "No need to, don’t burn your True God Blood. Although it’s your trump card, burning it and then having to cultivate it back is not easy."

Although Li Hao could refine True God Blood by consuming Ancient Demon Flesh, it took a lot to recover. Compared to ordinary people, it was an extremely abnormal method of cultivation but ultimately a strain on himself.

Li Hao knew she was concerned for him, nodding slightly, "I won’t easily use it unless it’s truly necessary."

Shi Miao nodded, understanding that the situation earlier was critical and there were no better options. However, Li Hao didn’t have other choices, she did.

"Brother Haotian, earlier we underestimated you. We didn’t expect your performance to be on par with ours."

Gui Xuanbing of the Ghost Tribe spoke to Li Hao.

The others also cast their gaze on Li Hao. Besides Shi Miao, his performance was surprising, not dragging them down. His earlier explosive momentum and quick counter-attack against the Yan Ghost Array were better than most of them.

Duan Yuan’s eyes changed slightly, quickly revealing a respectful expression as he said to Li Hao:

"I was short-sighted earlier, hoping you’ll forgive my discourtesy."

Li Hao knew what he meant, shook his head with a smile, and said, "That was years ago. Since we’re now fighting alongside each other as comrades, there’s no need to say such things."

Seeing Li Hao’s carefree expression, Duan Yuan was slightly stunned. He thought Li Hao might retaliate or act coldly like Shi Miao, but he didn’t seem to mind the past at all.

An unexpected warm feeling surged in his heart. Such an open-minded character made him admire Li Hao, and he once again clasped his fists towards Li Hao without saying more.

The others, seeing this, also revealed smiles, and the atmosphere became harmonious and joyous.

All over the battlefield, the cheers of the armies erupted at this moment, like an unstoppable wave, filled with invigorating energy.

Within the city, the Dragon Drum was sounded, signaling the retreat.

Long Ying and others dismantled the Dragon Array, and both armies uniformly thanked the nine of them before returning to the city together.

"This time killing five Yan Ghost Arrays, in terms of Immortal Merit, is the most we’ve achieved in a thousand years."

At the top floor of the seventh level of Dragon Shield Tower, Long Ying looked at everyone and said, "According to the old rules, merits are rewarded based on collective recognition. I propose the main credit goes to Shi Miao, who opposes?"

Duan Yuan and the others all looked at Shi Miao. If it weren’t for her blocking the Ghost Witch Formation earlier, they would have been finished. Naturally, there was no opposition at this moment.

Long Ying nodded, "No objections, the main credit goes to Shi Miao. For first-class merit, I propose two people: Duan Yuan and Haotian. Who opposes?"

The crowd exchanged glances but no one spoke up.

Duan Yuan was second only to Long Ying and had performed exceptionally well earlier. Li Hao’s performance was also surprising. Despite being at the tail end, he coordinated with the armies to block the Yan Ghost Array, quickly counter-killing one and assisting others in severely injuring another, making a considerable contribution.

Shi Miao and Li Hao exchanged looks but said nothing. They had no strong opinions on Immortal Merit and did not refuse it.

"I think for the next engagement, Haotian should be responsible for the dragon’s body."

Liuli said.

"Indeed, I also think Haotian has this capability."

The others nodded in agreement.

"Brother Haotian, are you at the First Level or Second Level of the Immortal King Realm? Looking at your aura, it seems to have fallen to the First Level again. Did you take some kind of Divine Medicine earlier?"

Gui Xuanbing asked curiously.

Li Hao knew the art of Carving was difficult to explain, so he nodded.

"Does it have side effects?"

Gui Xuanbing couldn’t help but ask.

The others also focused on Li Hao, since using something to temporarily elevate one’s cultivation, like the Pill Long Ying wanted to give Li Hao earlier, usually carried severe side effects.

If Li Hao damaged his foundation because of this, it would be a tremendous loss from their perspective.

"It only costs some lifespan."

Li Hao didn’t elaborate, as he could afford a loss of five hundred years of life.

Even though Li Hao spoke lightly, everyone’s faces changed subtly, remaining silent, knowing that the cost for him was definitely significant.

He was, after all, directly taught by the Immortal Emperor, a position of utmost prestige, and he was willing to sacrifice lifespan in battle.

"In that case, Brother Haotian should still be responsible for the dragon’s tail next time, while others provide more support."

Long Ying said.

The others nodded. Earlier, their care for Li Hao was driven by doubling their Immortal Merit, but now, they felt a genuine willingness to care for this extraordinarily talented youth.

In him, they saw a glimmer of hope, the hope of the future!

After the distribution of Immortal Merits concluded, Long Ying instructed everyone to go and rest.

Li Hao also returned to their respective floors with Shi Miao.

With the end of the Extreme Dao Chaos, Li Hao felt exhausted and weak all over, lacking any real strength. He soaked in the mountain spring, silently restoring himself, feeling the Divine Blood within his Immortal Body being rejuvenated and nourished.

The fatigue of depleting one’s foundation slowly eased over time.

Scenes from earlier on the battlefield replayed in Li Hao’s mind. This great battle left a strong impression on him, whether it was the Quasi-Emperor Realm battle by the City Lord, the various military formations’ charges, or the deathly shadow cast by the Ghost Witch Formation...

"The great battle of a hundred thousand years ago must have been a hundred or a thousand times more intense than this..."

Li Hao’s thoughts drifted afar, knowing that the highest combat power on each side in this battle was at the Quasi-Emperor Realm. The war a hundred thousand years ago involved the whole True Realm, where even Great Emperors perished, and countless Quasi-Emperors met their end. It was inconceivable to imagine the devastation!

"My power is still too weak... I must forge my own Emperor Road to have the faintest chance of survival in such future battles."

Li Hao mused silently in his heart.

The Musical Rhythm echoed in his mind, stirred by the countless fierce roars on the battlefield earlier.

Especially the City Lord’s ancestral dragon battle cry, which stirred the blood and morale of numerous soldiers.

All things in the world have their own sound...

Li Hao slowly closed his eyes, like someone asleep, as he soaked in the mountain spring.

Shi Miao, having finished healing herself in her own tower, immediately went to the first floor of the Dragon Shield Tower to check on Li Hao. She saw him soaking in the mountain spring, appearing asleep, surrounded by strange Daoist Charm, with the Ten Thousand Dao Laws circulating around him like a cocoon.

She was slightly startled but immediately realized Li Hao was in a state of Tao Realm epiphany and quietly stayed by his side without disturbing him.

Time passed.

The Immortal Merits were reported, approved, and distributed. Long Ying came to inform them, but Shi Miao proactively approached him, preventing him from entering the floor to disturb Li Hao’s cultivation.

Throughout Dragon Gate City, in each floor and location, everyone was resting after the war.

In the City Lord’s Mansion.

Qingxuan, Long Potian, and the four Great Commanders were in the Council Hall, discussing the casualties and the purpose of the Ancient Demons’ attack.

"Indeed, they came for the Teleportation Array, making the purpose of the previous traces quite obvious."

"Under these conditions, we must request aid from Jianlong Pass. Otherwise, if the Ancient Demon Army pressures us again, we may not hold.

"This offensive was already strong, but we were prepared. They didn’t go to extremes, choosing to retreat instead."

The commanders all chimed in.

"Dragon Gate City is one of the hundred cities of the second defense line and must remain secure," a commander noted solemnly.

Long Potian nodded slightly, then frowned, "But Jianlong Pass, as the first line of defense, also has tight resources. Instead of asking them for aid, we should seek assistance from other hundred cities. Jianlong Pass cannot afford to be compromised either."

"That’s true."

Qingxuan nodded, agreeing with the City Lord’s statement.

They continued discussing quietly.

In the blink of an eye, another three years passed.

In Li Hao’s first decade in the Eastern Domain, he opened his eyes while in the mountain spring atop the peak.

At the same time, a secret report sealed with Dragon Blood was urgently sent to the City Lord’s Mansion in Dragon Gate City.

The seal broke, and a dragon’s roar emerged, conveying a terrifying message:

Jianlong Pass has been breached!