Chapter 321: Ninety-Seven Layers of Dao Domain, Is He an Alchemist?
Yaozu?
Lin Shanhai and the others followed Yaozu's gaze. When they saw her looking in Li Hao's direction, they were all astonished and quickly turned to Li Hao.
Since when did Li Hao know Yaozu? Could it be that his ability to purify medicinal herbs had impressed her?
"You'd better go quickly, don't keep Yaozu waiting," Lin Shanhai urged.
Li Hao nodded and swiftly flew out from his floating seat, crossing over the ten platforms and landing in front of Yaozu and the other two Semi-Saints.
Besides Lin Qingying and Bian Ruxue, there were two more Holy Sons and Holy Daughters present. One of the Holy Sons had left halfway through the competition, looking disinterested.
"Greetings, seniors," Li Hao cupped his hands in respect.
Yaozu observed Li Hao's calm and composed demeanor, standing there without any sign of fear or nervousness. Her eyes flashed with a hint of appreciation as she smiled slightly and said:
"We've just been discussing placing your recent painting in the Sword Tower. What do you think?"
A painting? Li Hao was a bit surprised, but as an artist, this was undoubtedly a great honor. He smiled and responded, "I'd be more than happy to."
The three Semi-Saints had expected his answer. After all, the Sword Tower was an important place, and even artists who considered themselves masters had difficulty getting their works displayed there.
"In that case, I'll send word to them. You can deliver it there yourself shortly," Yaozu inquired.
Li Hao's mind stirred, and he nodded, "Sure."
He had originally planned to visit the Sword Tower anyway. Although he wasn't an official disciple of the Holy Land, he could easily find a way in with the help of some connections among the alchemists.
Although he had already recorded many techniques during the initial battles, all of which had been carefully selected by the inner disciples from the Sword Tower, he had heard that the tower had nine levels, each housing vast collections of sword techniques and other extraordinary skills.
If he could explore them all, the number of techniques he mastered would reach an incredibly terrifying level.
And once these techniques reached a sufficient quantity and were fused together, reflecting upon each other, Li Hao could develop even stronger ultimate skills.
"Yaozu, may I also browse the techniques in the Sword Tower?" Li Hao asked, wanting to save the trouble of asking Lin Shanhai and the others to pull more strings. It would only take one word from a Semi-Saint.
Yaozu was slightly surprised by his request and said, "Aren't you an alchemist? There's nothing related to alchemy in the Sword Tower."
"I'd just like to take a look at some sword techniques," Li Hao replied with a light cough.
"You mean seeing their battles has sparked your interest in swordsmanship?" The tall, burly man beside them, known as Mountain Ancestor, frowned. "Swordsmanship is no trivial matter. If you wish to study it, you must devote yourself entirely. As an alchemist, you'd do well to focus on refining your pills instead of wasting your talent and time chasing after other things!"
Yaozu shook her head slightly at Mountain Ancestor's harsh words and addressed Li Hao, "Since you're interested, it's fine to take a look. However, Mountain Ancestor is right—only by focusing can you achieve the Great Dao. How about this: go to the Sword Tower and pick a sword technique that interests you, then come to Yaochi Peak. I'll personally guide you in your training and assess your aptitude for swordsmanship. If your talent is ordinary, you can refocus your efforts on alchemy."
Li Hao sighed in relief and nodded, "Thank you, Yaozu."
Mountain Ancestor frowned but said nothing more, seeing that Yaozu had already made up her mind.
Nearby, Lin Qingying glanced at Li Hao, her mind stirring. Could it be that he also wanted to practice swordsmanship?
Earlier, when Li Hao had painted her and pointed out the flaws in her sword intent from her appearance, she had sensed that perhaps Li Hao had a natural affinity for swordsmanship, but had yet to showcase it.
If he truly revealed a talent for swordsmanship and became Yaozu's disciple, it would be a great thing, and they might even fight side by side in the future…
The thought filled her with anticipation.
On the other hand, Bian Ruxue glanced at Li Hao briefly and then looked away, showing little interest.
The other Holy Son and Holy Daughter present were familiar with the renowned Qingfeng Alchemist. Earlier, they had even sent people to build connections with Li Hao. But now, hearing that he was interested in swordsmanship, they couldn't help but find it amusing.
So young, and like a child—fascinated by whatever catches his eye? Wanting to learn everything he sees isn't necessarily a good thing.
"This is my token. With this, you can enter any level of the Sword Tower and choose a technique. But remember, don't break any of the rules there," Yaozu said as she tossed a dark purple token engraved with the character "Yao" to Li Hao.
The token carried a faint fragrance. Li Hao accepted it, filled with joy, and quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Yaozu."
Being able to freely choose techniques from all nine levels of the Sword Tower was far more advantageous than relying on Lin Shanhai's connections.
The Sword Tower had nine levels. Outer disciples could only access the first three.
Inner disciples were allowed up to the sixth level.
A select few prodigies who had accumulated significant contributions as disciples of the Holy Land could access the higher levels of the tower.
As for the Holy Sons and Daughters, they were permitted to enter all nine levels of the Sword Tower.
Now, with this token from a Semi-Saint, Li Hao had been granted temporary free access.
Mountain Ancestor glanced at Yaozu, his brow slightly furrowed. Yaozu, who was known for her cold and distant demeanor toward men, seemed unusually fond of this alchemist—a rare occurrence indeed.
Before long, Yaozu summoned one of her female disciples to guide Li Hao to the Sword Tower. She also sent a message ahead to notify those in charge of the tower.
The Sword Tower was located on the Sacred Mountain, near Sword Cliff. Yaozu's female disciple, Jiang Yingyue, was one of the top inner disciples, already at the Dao Law Realm. Li Hao had watched her successfully defend the stage in the previous competition, demonstrating her incredible strength and mastery of three Extreme Realms—truly a stunning talent.
At the moment, being summoned by her master to guide someone left Jiang Yingyue feeling somewhat uncomfortable. However, when she learned that Li Hao was the famed Qingfeng Alchemist, her expression softened slightly. Though she was still displeased, at least she didn't show it outwardly, knowing that Li Hao was a rising star among alchemists. Offending him would be equivalent to offending the majority of the alchemy community, making future pill acquisition difficult.
Before long, Jiang Yingyue flew Li Hao to the Sword Tower on her sword.
As they descended from the flying sword, Li Hao looked up at the Sword Tower and felt as though he were staring at a towering, sharp peak.
The nine-story Sword Tower was tall, each level with high eaves adorned with chains. The entire tower resembled a giant sword piercing the heavens, and the chains wrapped around it seemed designed to restrain its sharpness, sealing and imprisoning it.
"So this is the Sword Tower…" Li Hao murmured, feeling a sense of awe. This structure was far grander and more majestic than anything in the mortal world, even surpassing imperial palaces.
Outside the Sword Tower, two sword attendants wearing bronze masks were already waiting.
They recognized Jiang Yingyue but did not know Li Hao. Still, they quickly deduced his identity and approached him.
"You must be the Qingfeng Alchemist? We've heard that Yaozu and the elders have decided to place your painting in the Sword Tower. Have you brought it?" one of the attendants asked.
"I have." Li Hao flipped his hand, retrieving the painting from his spatial storage—the Sword God's First Battle.
Seeing the scroll in Li Hao's hand, the two sword attendants nodded and said, "Follow us. The Sword Master must give his approval for this."
"The Sword Master?" Li Hao asked, puzzled.
The two attendants didn't elaborate, simply glancing at Li Hao with a hint of displeasure, clearly feeling that his ignorance of the Sword Master was disrespectful.
"The Sword Master is the second Sword Saint of the Sword Ancestor's Holy Land," Jiang Yingyue explained via divine transmission. "He has long guarded the Sword Tower. His word is law here. Be careful not to offend him."
She gave this warning partly out of concern that Li Hao might say something wrong and cause trouble for Yaozu. It was also an opportunity to ingratiate herself with Li Hao, as making connections with the Qingfeng Alchemist could be beneficial despite the minor irritation of leading him around.
"The second Sword Saint…" Li Hao felt a chill. There were two Sword Saints in the Sword Ancestor's Holy Land?
He had always thought there was only one Saint in the Holy Land. To think there was another!
The sword attendants led Li Hao and Jiang Yingyue up the wide plaza steps in front of the Sword Tower, bypassing the tower itself and arriving at Sword Cliff.
Opposite the cliff was a snow-white waterfall, cascading from a towering ledge into the depths of Sword Cliff. The rushing water echoed in the deep chasm below, where the sound of the river could be faintly heard.
At the edge of the cliff sat an old man wearing a bamboo hat. To Li Hao's surprise, the man held a fishing rod, not with a line formed of energy, but with a real fishing line, seemingly crafted from some kind of treasure, and he was calmly fishing in the depths of the gorge.
"Master."
The two sword attendants greeted the old man. Their address startled Li Hao—were these sword attendants actually the disciples of a Saint?
"Yaozu and the elders have sent word that they intend to place this Qingfeng Alchemist's painting in the first level of the Sword Tower. We've come to seek your approval," one of the male attendants said quietly.
The figure sitting on the cliff gave no response, remaining motionless as if unaware of their presence.
Li Hao and Jiang Yingyue could only wait in silence. Jiang Yingyue didn't dare to even breathe loudly, keeping her head down and only occasionally stealing glances at the Sword Master, who was more revered than her own master.
Time slowly passed.
The two sword attendants remained still, their posture unchanged.
Though waiting in silence, Li Hao didn't feel any frustration or impatience. He could tell that the old man was focused on fishing, and their arrival was something of an interruption, even an offense.
If the situation were reversed, and he was the one fishing, he wouldn't appreciate someone talking his ear off either.
Li Hao's gaze shifted past the old man's back to the fishing rod in his hands. He watched the line sway gently, indicating the fast-moving current below the cliff. Fishing in such rushing waters was extremely difficult and required a high level of skill and control.
Using divine sense to probe the water or manipulate the line would be an entirely different matter.
But that would ruin the joy of fishing.
Fishing was a blind battle with the fish, much like how people cannot see fate yet contend with the heavens and earth. It was a pursuit filled with endless enjoyment.
Suddenly, the fishing line paused slightly. Li Hao's eyes brightened—there was a fish nearby.
However, the fish hadn't taken the bait yet, so the old man remained still.
At that moment, the fishing line slackened again. Whatever was in the water had merely brushed past, possibly testing the bait.
Li Hao concentrated, knowing it wasn't time to act yet.
More time passed, and the waters below became calm once more. The fishing line lay slack—had the fish left?
But Li Hao knew better than to rush. Now was the time for patience.
Suddenly, the fishing line tensed slightly, then began to tighten slowly.
Not yet!
Li Hao's eyes narrowed. The fish was still testing the bait. This wasn't the sign to reel it in.
He had to wait longer!
Fortunately, the Sword Master didn't pull the line prematurely. The taut line slackened again, only to suddenly snap tight a moment later.
"Now!" Li Hao couldn't help but mutter excitedly.
At that exact moment, the Sword Master moved with astonishing speed. Just as Li Hao spoke, the old man yanked the fishing rod upward, and the tight line pulled sharply. Then, with a swift motion, the Sword Master flicked his body, and a force pulled the line from the depths of the gorge.
A massive black shadow burst from the depths, its huge, serpentine body thrashing as it let out a miserable roar. With long fangs and sharp claws, it was a dragon!
The dragon's mouth was pierced by a large iron hook, which tore through its jaws and drew blood.
Li Hao was stunned. Upon sensing the dragon's aura, he realized it was at the Wen Dao Realm—a Dragon Demon!
In the mortal world, such a creature would be considered a Dragon King!
But now, this Dragon Demon was being pulled out of the gorge by a mere fishing hook. Its roars echoed, but when it saw the Sword Master's face, it immediately cowered, its body going limp as it pleaded:
"Sword Master, spare me!"
The figure in the bamboo hat said nothing, simply raising his hand. A vast power of laws enveloped the dragon's massive body, refining it into a small, delicate goldfish.
As the fishing line reeled in, the goldfish dangled before the Sword Master, its small body swaying and struggling pitifully as it stared at the old man.
The Sword Master casually removed the fish from the hook, seeming to chuckle lightly as he said, "Of your seven siblings, you're the only one this greedy. Perhaps this will teach you a lesson."
With that, he tossed the fish back into the gorge, where it plunged into the dragon pool below, carried by the waterfall.
Having finished his task, the Sword Master turned around, revealing a gaunt, elongated face, with cheeks sharp as a sword.
His eyes were deep, containing the vastness of the universe, with a balanced and harmonious aura, yet a sharpness that made it hard to meet his gaze.
His eyes fell on Li Hao, with a hint of surprise. "Boy, was it you who called out earlier? You know how to fish?"
Li Hao quickly snapped out of his daze, feeling a little embarrassed. He had gotten too caught up in the moment and had blurted out loud.
"I occasionally fish," Li Hao said modestly.
The Sword Master smiled slightly. Being able to identify the right moment wasn't something that could be achieved with casual fishing. It was clear that Li Hao was also an experienced angler.
Yet Li Hao was incredibly young. At this age, most people were focused on advancing in martial arts. Who would have the patience for such a leisurely pursuit?
"You mentioned something about a painting. Let me take a look," the Sword Master said.
The two sword attendants turned their gazes to Li Hao.
Jiang Yingyue was also curious to see what kind of painting had caught the attention of her master enough to suggest placing it in the Sword Tower.
Without hesitation, Li Hao waved his hand, and the enormous scroll unfolded in mid-air.
As the painting unfurled, the ten platforms, millions of disciples watching, and tens of thousands of prodigies clashing in fierce combat gradually came into view.
The techniques they used, the subtle presence of their Dao Domains, all were captured in stunning detail by Li Hao.
Even the expressions on the disciples' faces were vividly depicted, down to the smallest nuances. One could feel their emotions as they fought and the burning resolve within them.
Everyone was instantly immersed in the painting, awed by the grand and intense battle scenes.
Jiang Yingyue, who had been standing by the platforms earlier, hadn't experienced such a feeling at the time. But now, through the painting, it was as if she could once again hear the countless cheers from the crowd and feel the fighting spirit of the competing disciples.
The two sword attendants exchanged glances. Even they were filled with a sense of excitement upon seeing the painting, almost wishing they could join the competition themselves.
But they didn't go because they were already past the age limit.
The Heavenly Pride Tournament was restricted to those under three hundred years old, and they had already surpassed that age.
After observing the painting for a while, the Sword Master's eyes revealed a trace of admiration. "Impressive skill. No wonder the child from Yaochi likes it so much."
He referred to Yaozu as "that child," which made Jiang Yingyue break out in a cold sweat. But considering the Sword Master's status, even her master could only be considered a junior in his eyes.
"Go ahead and hang it up," the Sword Master said casually.
After speaking, he glanced at Li Hao. "Young man, would you like to join me for some fishing? Let me see how you do."
The Sword Master felt a twinge of fondness for Li Hao, who was skilled at fishing. His disciples weren't cut out for it—always focused on swordsmanship. They had no interest in learning, and he couldn't teach them. Encountering someone with a knack for fishing was rare, and he wanted to nurture that talent.
Li Hao was momentarily stunned. As a fellow fisherman, he quickly understood the Sword Master's intent. If it were him, he would also be inclined to invite a kindred spirit to join, regardless of cultivation level or status. It was purely for the enjoyment of the activity.
"Sword Master, I'd like to visit the Sword Tower first. I'll return afterward to accompany you, if that's alright," Li Hao replied, mindful of the task at hand.
"Very well, off you go," the Sword Master nodded and turned back to his fishing.
Jiang Yingyue gave Li Hao a peculiar look. The Sword Master had personally invited him, and yet he declined—a rare opportunity to get closer to a Saint.
The two sword attendants also glanced at Li Hao, their expressions strange, but they said nothing as they led him to the Sword Tower.
Jiang Yingyue, who had initially planned to leave after escorting Li Hao, changed her mind. Realizing that Li Hao would return to fish with the Sword Master, she decided to stay and accompany them. It was a rare chance to be near a Saint.
"You go ahead. I'll wait outside for you, and we can return together," she said.
"Wouldn't that be an inconvenience? You can go back first, Senior Sister Jiang," Li Hao replied quickly.
Jiang Yingyue felt a hint of irritation at his words, but she maintained her polite smile. "The initial battles are over. I have nothing else to do. Since my master entrusted you to me, it's only right that I see you back safely."
"Alright, but I may take a while," Li Hao said.
"No problem, I'll wait," Jiang Yingyue responded.
"Thank you for your patience, Senior Sister Jiang," Li Hao said as he cupped his hands in thanks and followed the two sword attendants into the Sword Tower.
The first level of the Sword Tower was vast, resembling an enormous library. Rows of bookshelves were meticulously arranged, clean and well-organized, with different sections clearly divided.
Li Hao glanced around and immediately noticed that the number of books on these shelves exceeded that of the Dao Canon Hall in Qiandao Palace!
And this was just the first level. Qiandao Palace's Dao Canon Hall was said to contain the most comprehensive collection of techniques in the world, yet it paled in comparison to this one floor of the Sword Tower!
Li Hao couldn't help but marvel as he followed the sword attendants to the back of the tower. There, an imposing wall in the main hall stood prominently. The sword attendants took Li Hao's painting and unfurled it, displaying it on the wall, where it was secured by powerful laws, making it untouchable and indestructible.
Once the painting was set, Li Hao presented Yaozu's token and said, "I'd like to browse the techniques here."
Recognizing Yaozu's token, the two attendants exchanged glances, surprised by the favor this alchemist had earned from Yaozu.
One of the attendants said, "You're free to choose for yourself. The books here are all protected by laws, allowing you to view only a limited portion, such as the general principles. Do not attempt to break the seals, or you will trigger the tower's formations and be executed on the spot by ten thousand swords!"
Li Hao had already noticed the law energy surrounding the shelves. He nodded, put away the token, and began exploring the tower once the attendants left.
As he opened the first technique, he confirmed that only the first few pages could be accessed, while the rest was sealed shut, impossible to open, and impervious to divine sense.
Fortunately, Li Hao only needed the initial part of each technique to learn its basics, which was enough to record it.
Wasting no time, Li Hao began swiftly flipping through the books.
As a series of notifications rang in his mind, technique after technique was recorded onto his panel.
The vast majority of the techniques on this level were sword techniques, and there was an astonishing variety.
Some techniques, curiously named Sword-knife Techniques, used saber intent to control the sword. Others involved spear techniques adapted for swordsmanship, pushing the boundaries of what swordsmanship could be.
The sheer variety of sword techniques was overwhelming. While Li Hao was focused on swordsmanship, the flood of information gave him the sense that he was gathering the essence of all things.
A simple sword could be used in countless ways.
Perhaps because of the massive amount of information being absorbed at once, Li Hao's thoughts became a whirlwind of inspiration, countless ideas rushing through his mind. He felt a sudden, profound understanding of the sword.
If you see it as a sword, then it is a sword.
If you see it as a knife, then it is a knife.
If you see it as the wind, it can become the wind!
What is a sword?
A sword is both a sword and not just a sword, yet it remains a sword!
Li Hao felt a moment of enlightenment as the flood of techniques strengthened and refined his Solely My Sword Intent.
To sever all things, one must first understand all things.
Now, Li Hao was on the path of understanding.
The techniques on the first level of the Sword Tower were at least of superior quality.
After spending several hours, Li Hao recorded them all. Most of them were sword techniques, and each one was elevated to the Dao Level on his panel.
Li Hao sat cross-legged on the first level of the Sword Tower for three hours, fusing countless techniques and refining his Nine Layers of Dao Domain.
He then proceeded to the second level of the tower.
The second level was primarily filled with ultimate techniques, with only a few superior techniques.
Though fewer in number than the first level, there were still over a thousand books.
Li Hao carefully recorded each one, and his Solely My Sword Intent grew stronger with each new technique.
While most people took months or even years to comprehend a single technique, Li Hao was absorbing thousands of them at once, saving himself an incalculable amount of time.
His sword intent continued to refine, and his understanding of the sword deepened.
On the second level of the tower, Li Hao spent four hours, refining his Dao Domain to Thirteen Layers.
Afterward, he moved to the third level of the Sword Tower.
On the third level, the number of techniques decreased further, but there were still several hundred, all of them ultimate techniques.
Li Hao recorded each one, time slipping away as his Dao Domain reached Eighty-Nine Layers after completing the third level.
Thanks to his All-Encompassing Attribute, Hidden Bow, and Jiang Xue Map, which concealed his aura, Li Hao was able to refine his Dao Domain without causing any disturbance. But he could feel it growing ever stronger. Even though he was still in the Taiping Dao Realm, his many layers of Dao Domain would allow him to suppress those in the Realized Dao Realm with ease!
Without relying on Immortalization, his Dao Domain alone could enable him to fight opponents at a higher level!
Li Hao didn't stop there and continued to the fourth level of the Sword Tower.
Meanwhile, outside the Sword Tower, the two sword attendants withdrew their divine senses from monitoring the tower, feeling somewhat bored.
"This alchemist sure is greedy," one attendant remarked, shaking his head.
The two had been discreetly observing Li Hao's actions inside. To their amazement, he had browsed every single technique, meticulously examining each one. It was practically a carpet search!
Most people with Yaozu's token would have gone straight to the ninth level to choose from the top Dao Techniques and Saint Arts.
But this alchemist? He had methodically examined every single superior technique on the first level, as if he had all the time in the world.
"Is he still not done?" Jiang Yingyue asked, noticing the sword attendants' return.
She had been waiting outside for almost a full day. Li Hao had warned her he would take his time, but she hadn't expected it to be this long!
Was he selecting techniques, or had he fallen asleep inside?
"If you're in a hurry, you could leave first," the male attendant said coolly, refraining from mentioning Li Hao's slow browsing, as that would reveal their surveillance.
Jiang Yingyue was exasperated but couldn't very well leave. She had promised Li Hao she would wait, and she wasn't about to go back on her word.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps approached, and the Sword Master appeared, casually carrying his fishing rod. Seeing the three of them at the tower's entrance, he raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"What are you all doing here?" he asked.
"We're waiting for the Qingfeng Alchemist. He has Yaozu's token and is choosing a technique," the female sword attendant replied, her voice as clear as a songbird.
The Sword Master looked puzzled and glanced at the Sword Tower. Though he stood outside, his gaze seemed to pierce through the walls, and after a moment, a trace of astonishment appeared in his eyes.
"Ninety-seven layers of Dao Domain… And you say he's an alchemist?"