Chapter 511: The Final Spiritual Eruption
Since reaching the peak of the fourth level in the Water Dao Origin, Li Hao's understanding of the Painting Dao deepened, and his control over ink became more delicate.
Ink was not merely ink; immortal power could also transform into ink, and time could turn into ink as well, depending on how one understood it.
Li Hao looked up at the Time Divine Tree, his thoughts drifting. He used space as a canvas and time as a brushstroke, drawing upon the celestial power of the stars in the void to sketch the visage of the Time Divine Tree.
Painting such a wondrous scene was both a training and a challenge for the Painting Dao.
However, as soon as Li Hao made the initial strokes, he felt that he had hit a wall.
The magnificent image of this Time Dao Origin Divine Tree was the highest difficulty he had ever encountered in his life.
Just the divine leaves on the tree crown made Li Hao begin to sweat on his forehead.
Each divine leaf was a changing fragment of sealed time, one leaf, one moment of time, rising and sinking, changing endlessly, with no set order.
Li Hao's forehead started to bulge with veins. A look of struggle and effort appeared in his eyes. Each divine leaf carried a shifting moment of time, each different from the other. Trying to paint it was nearly unimaginable.
Li Hao used the power of time on the painted divine leaves, showing a river of changing moments, but as soon as the river was depicted, the fragments of time on the leaves changed, and the lines he had drawn could not keep up with the changes; they had already become fixed.
"This is impossible to paint!" Li Hao was shocked in his heart. This was the first time he had encountered an impasse in his Painting Dao since he had mastered it.
Previously, his Painting Dao was still shallow. When he painted complex demon bodies, although crude and unrefined, they were still enough to be used as wanted posters, capable of identifying features and appearance.
With repeated practice, his Painting Dao had grown, and even complex demons could become vivid and lifelike.
But now, he couldn't even paint the first divine leaf.
"Everything in this world can be painted. The stars in the sky of the pseudo-world of Tianyang were all painted, so this Time Dao Origin Divine Tree should be no different," Li Hao thought to himself, yet his resolve in Painting Dao remained strong. With his current mastery, no matter how he pondered or exhausted his thoughts, he couldn't figure out how to present the Time Dao Origin Divine Tree.
However, Li Hao felt that, sooner or later, he would be able to paint it and imbue it with the vitality of sculpture.
"If I reach the twelfth stage in Painting Dao, perhaps I can give it a try," Li Hao thought.
He stared at the divine leaves again and tried to paint once more. But as the time changed on the leaves, the time continued to flow. After several attempts, he still failed.
Despite these failures, Li Hao, having exhausted his thoughts, gained a more thorough understanding of his Painting Dao, and there was some small gain.
He stood up and left, heading toward the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree.
This Space Dao Origin Divine Tree was entirely silver-white, as if standing in the city or standing in another time and space.
The tree's leaves fluttered gently but effortlessly sliced through the surrounding space.
The slashed space quickly healed and then was torn again, with the surrounding void rippling like water waves.
Li Hao's expression grew serious. The Space Dao Origin Divine Tree was not easy to paint either, but compared to the grotesque appearance of the Time Dao Origin Divine Tree, it was clearly much simpler.
With his experience from researching the Time Dao Origin Divine Tree, Li Hao sat down cross-legged and expanded his Dao domain, once again carefully sketching and painting.
Over the next half month of careful observation, Li Hao discovered that the repeated rifts in the space, like water waves, did not possess the same disorder as time. The split space displayed a kind of constant order.
Every time it went through a thousand and eight different space cracks, it would return to the beginning, repeatedly going back and forth.
"I can't just think horizontally, I need vertical thinking as well. Like space, I can see the thousand and eight changes as one!" Li Hao thought.
"I wonder if the Time Dao Origin Divine Tree is like this, just with more changes..."
Li Hao's mind shifted, and two words suddenly appeared in his mind: Reincarnation.
His heart slightly shook, and he faintly felt as if he had grasped a profound principle of the Heavenly Dao, but it was still unclear.
Soon, the feeling between enlightenment faded, and his mind returned to the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree before him.
Li Hao viewed the constant ruptures as one, and using time as his brush, he gradually began to sketch it out.
Soon, with the first divine leaf completed, the second, third, and so on followed.
Time continued to pass, and Li Hao's immortal power fluctuated as he focused entirely on his painting.
The celestial star veins around him naturally emerged, supplying him with an endless flow of immortal power.
Without the constant supply of immortal power from the celestial star veins, Li Hao would have exhausted all his energy just painting a single Space Dao leaf.
Li Hao remained undistracted, continuously painting the divine leaves. Before him, the dazzling silver-white crown of the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree gradually began to take shape, radiating a terrifying aura of the Space Dao.
In the blink of an eye, four months had passed.
In the Twin City, two immense beams of light suddenly erupted, shaking the hearts and minds of everyone present.
Dense immortal power gathered within the city like a storm. With each breath, one could feel their cultivation advancing and improving.
"Spiritual Eruption."
Before the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree, three figures woke from their meditations, their eyes shining as they gazed at the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree.
But soon, they seemed to sense something, turning their heads to see another enormous space divine tree behind them, standing tall in the void!
Two trees?
The three figures narrowed their eyes in shock.
Their thoughts momentarily scattered, but they quickly realized that this space divine tree seemed to have no roots, with only the upper part of the tree visible; the lower half of the tree was missing.
They then saw a young figure sitting cross-legged beneath the tree, continuously waving his hands. Waves of immortal power merged into the space divine tree, slowly causing its trunk to grow.
"What's going on?"
The three were astonished, watching the scene unfold. Even though they had seen much, they had never encountered such a sight before.
"Is it him?"
One of the figures, dressed in royal robes, saw Li Hao's face and paused in surprise. He hadn't expected this strange young man from the True Immortal Realm to be here.
He had come to the Time and Space Origin Divine Tree, but what was he doing?
His gaze became full of confusion, and he began walking toward Li Hao. As he approached, he felt the power of Li Hao's Dao domain, which contained the forces of time and space, blocking him.
With his strength, he could have forced his way through, but it was clear that Li Hao was deeply immersed in something. Interrupting him might turn them into enemies.
However, once the Southern Domain War began, they would both be opponents.
His eyes flashed as he recalled the Space Dao Origin that Li Hao had sold him earlier. He halted his steps, not advancing further.
"The young man from the True Immortal Realm, it looks like he's using immortal power to illustrate the form of the space divine tree," another figure remarked, both surprised and cautious.
They had noticed that Li Hao seemed terrifying, especially as he managed to depict the space divine tree with such likeness, something they would not dare try.
"What sect is this genius from? It doesn't seem like one of our Tianzhao Immortal Dynasty," another figure mused.
"True Immortal Realm, looks like he will be a formidable enemy in the Southern Domain War. If that's the case, then I won't be polite!"
A young man in purple robes, his eyes gleaming coldly, moved toward Li Hao's Dao domain, intending to disturb his concentration.
Li Hao could sense the disturbance, but he remained focused on his task, continuing to paint the divine tree.
The purple-robed youth could tell Li Hao was comprehensively studying the space divine tree. He thought that if he interrupted this, Li Hao would suffer a significant loss.
"Hmph!"
At that moment, the middle-aged figure in royal robes snorted coldly and suddenly unleashed a wave of tremendous pressure, blocking the purple-robed youth.
"Since you're afraid of him, you might as well not take part in the war at all. Don't embarrass yourself!"
The purple-robed youth's face changed, surprised by the interruption. He asked, "Isn't he from your Yuan Zun Immortal Dynasty?"
"Even if he's not, I can't stand this kind of lowly behavior!" The royal-robed middle-aged man coldly responded, disdain in his eyes.
The purple-robed youth's face darkened. Gritting his teeth, he said, "When he becomes an Immortal Monarch, he'll be your Yuan Zun Immortal Dynasty's opponent. Even if he doesn't advance in time for this Southern Domain War, he will be a barrier for you in the future!"
"I, Chi Man, fear no challenge from the same realm. The stronger he is, the more excited I'll be!" The royal-robed middle-aged man sneered.
"You!"
The purple-robed youth clenched his fists in fury, but the opponent was at the Immortal Monarch realm, and he was merely a True Immortal. If he provoked him, he could be crippled, even if he wasn't killed. It wasn't worth the risk.
Gritting his teeth, he could only swallow his anger and retreat back to the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree.
"Since the Spiritual Eruption has begun, I'll go ahead," said another person, eyeing Li Hao but refraining from making a move. He headed toward the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree.
Chi Man glanced at Li Hao but didn't intervene. He simply gave the purple-robed youth a warning look.
The purple-robed youth, filled with anger, could only turn and leave.
Chi Man took one last look at Li Hao but didn't delay. He headed toward the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree, taking advantage of the Spiritual Eruption.
Meanwhile, within his Dao domain, Li Hao was still fully immersed in his painting.
Swish!
With the influx of immortal power, the final stroke was completed, and Li Hao suddenly detached from his deeply focused state.
He gazed at the space divine tree before him, which seemed both real and illusory, and felt immense joy. He had truly succeeded in painting it, bringing the space divine tree to life!
Although compared to the real tree before him, the painting still had an illusory feel to it, and the Dao rhythms were still far from perfect, it was at least a completed work.
"It still feels like something's missing."
Li Hao gazed at the space divine tree he had painted, slowly recovering from his excitement and joy. He carefully examined and compared it, feeling that something was still lacking, but he couldn't figure out what exactly needed to be improved.
At this moment, Li Hao noticed that the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree ahead was radiating divine light. Meanwhile, in another part of the city, seven-colored radiant light enveloped the Time Dao Origin Divine Tree, with its divine light shooting into the sky.
"Spiritual Eruption?"
Li Hao saw three figures climbing the Space Dao Origin Divine Tree and quickly realized that this spiritual eruption was likely the final opportunity to climb the divine tree.
The next time, the time for the Origin Secret Realm would come to an end.
If he could obtain the Divine Tree Dao Fruit, Li Hao's Time Dao Origin could be raised to the fourth level, and his Space Dao Origin was already at the fourth level. However, if he obtained the Divine Tree Dao Fruit, he might have a chance to break through to the fifth level!
Thinking of this, Li Hao's eyes burned with anticipation. He put away his painting and was about to take action.
At this moment, within his Heavenly Domain, Xiyan suddenly spoke to him:
"Hao Tian, someone just tried to harm you."
"Harm me?"
Li Hao was stunned. Xiyan had always been in his Heavenly Domain and could see what was happening outside. He had promised Xiyan to let her see the outside world.
"Yes, that person in purple tried to break into your Dao domain and disturb your painting."
Xiyan immediately said, "But the middle-aged man in royal robes stopped him. You sold him Space Dao Origin earlier, and he must have remembered your kindness."
Li Hao looked at the middle-aged man in royal robes and immediately remembered that he was a powerful figure from the Yuan Zun Immortal Dynasty, on the same level as Chu Tianhuang. He had bought Space Dao Origin from him and also passed on some of the top sword techniques from the Yuan Zun Immortal Dynasty.
"I have no grudges with him. Why would he disturb me?"
Li Hao asked in confusion.
Xiyan replied, "From their argument, that person in purple is in the True Immortal Realm. He sees you as a threat, so he wanted to interfere."
Li Hao raised an eyebrow and glanced at the purple-robed youth. The other was currently climbing the vine, moving up the tree trunk, rising through the chaotic space currents.
Though he was also in the True Immortal Realm, the purple-robed youth seemed to have a deep understanding of the Space Dao.
However.
Since the other party wanted to spoil his plans, Li Hao naturally wouldn't let him have an easy time.
Li Hao had no doubts about Xiyan's words.
Whoosh!
Li Hao's figure flickered, and he soared directly into the divine tree's Spiritual Eruption range.
In this area, space was like turbulent flow, and only those with deep comprehension of the Space Dao could ascend with the current.
Li Hao moved through the turbulence like a fish, quickly catching up with the purple-robed youth.
"Hmm?"
The purple-robed youth's face changed. He turned around and saw Li Hao. Upon meeting his cold gaze, he felt a chill and spoke in a deep voice:
"What do you want?"
"What were you trying to do?"
Li Hao retorted.
As he spoke, he raised his hand, and immortal power erupted, striking with a sword.
"You!"
The purple-robed youth was enraged and shouted, "There's enough space here! Are you trying to fight me?!"
"There will be many strong ones at the Southern Domain War. If you want to ruin my plans, do you think only you will benefit if I'm in trouble?" Li Hao sneered, using his words to counter.
The sword of Qing Tian slashed through the space turbulence, heading straight for the purple-robed youth's body.
The purple-robed youth hurriedly waved his hand, and a long spear materialized in his palm. It emitted the power of a dark, immortal weapon, blocking Li Hao's sword energy.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed. The immortal weapon in the other's hand was also a top-tier weapon.
Those who had come to the Time and Space Origin City almost all had strong backgrounds. Even if they hadn't before, once their talents were revealed in the Immortal Dynasty, they would receive support and assistance from the dynasty.
"Don't waste your effort. We'll meet at the Southern Domain War!" The purple-robed youth's eyes gleamed coldly, knowing he had already offended Li Hao and no longer bothered to speak further.
Li Hao glanced at the immortal weapon in the other's hand and knew that if he truly tried to severely injure him, it would be difficult. But at the Southern Domain War, with the restrictions on immortal weapons, it would be a true contest of strength.
"We'll settle this then!"
Li Hao snorted, his figure flickering as he bypassed the purple-robed youth and shot upwards through the chaotic space currents.
Seeing Li Hao surpass him in the blink of an eye, the purple-robed youth's face changed. This indicated that Li Hao's comprehension of space was deeper than his own.