Chapter 508: The Allure of the Nine Sequences
"Senior, I still don't know how to address you," Li Hao asked before leaving.
The elder replied, "I was the first divine tree of the gold path origin, without name or surname. You may call me Mister Jin."
"Mister Jin…" Li Hao repeated softly. It was truly a plain and unadorned name.
He cupped his hands slightly in farewell, said goodbye to Mister Jin, and turned to head toward the towering Origin City.
At this moment, five-colored lights filled the sky, divine radiance illuminating all, and the entire Origin City was steeped in rich fortune of the great Dao. The five origins were manifested, seemingly within reach. One could profoundly sense the five paths, and this moment could very well lead to sudden enlightenment.
Li Hao's gaze swept toward the golden light at the center, his eyes carrying a complex emotion.
Mister Jin had fought against the ancient fiends ten thousand years ago to protect the entire city. Later, he voluntarily left and gave up his position, only to be blocked from returning when he wished to come back.
He had not expected to see such greed and selfishness even among origin divine trees.
Shaking his head, Li Hao flew toward the nearest water path origin tree.
Mister Jin's wish was not to return, nor had he asked Li Hao to intervene. With his current cultivation, Li Hao had no means to speak on his behalf.
So-called justice must be backed by power; otherwise, justice could only kneel outside and wait.
As Li Hao arrived, he saw more than a dozen water path cultivators gathered around the water path origin tree, hailing from various dynasties and heavenly palaces.
His arrival did not draw much attention, but Li Hao noticed a familiar figure climbing the tree toward its peak—it was Bo Ya Xuejian.
However, beside Bo Ya Xuejian, there were two more figures ascending a cascading waterfall that flowed down the tree trunk.
The waterfall continuously fell, but Li Hao could tell it wasn't a real waterfall—it was the manifestation of water path origin power, likely used to test comprehension.
"Those three again. Looks like they're going to touch the divine fruit on the tree this time!"
"No choice. Their comprehension of the water path far surpasses ours. They're probably already at the fourth or even fifth layer."
"I'm already satisfied to rest on the tree."
"Spineless."
Below the tree, several cultivators from the same immortal dynasty whispered amongst themselves.
Li Hao overheard them and his gaze shifted. Fourth or even fifth layer?
Currently, only the space path and recently acquired gold path origin had reached fourth layer comprehension for him.
The other paths ranged between second and third layers.
Looking at Bo Ya Xuejian, based on Li Hao's perception, the other's water path comprehension might not have reached the fifth layer yet, but it had likely touched the threshold.
He immediately felt some tension. With his level of comprehension, he likely couldn't stand out during this divine eruption.
Only his gold and space path might give him a fighting chance.
At that moment, he realized why Bo Ya Xuejian had come to the Five Element Origin City. In water path comprehension, he reigned supreme in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty; none of the younger generation could rival him. Coming here was the right choice.
Better to master one than dabble in many.
However, Li Hao had already set foot on this path, and now that he had just refined the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal, his combat power had greatly increased. It was just that in this competition of divine resonance, he held little advantage.
Even so, since he was already here, he couldn't turn back empty-handed.
With a flash of his figure, he darted toward the water path origin tree.
Whoosh!
As soon as he entered the canopy's divine light, he felt his body wrapped in a film of water. Here, he could clearly sense the aura of the water path origin, while other Dao paths became faint and unclear.
Li Hao understood—this was a test of his comprehension in the water path origin.
He did not hide anything and began climbing with his second-layer water path comprehension.
His movement caught some attention. When others sensed the level of water path origin he emanated and noted his cultivation realm, bursts of mocking laughter followed.
"Look! A True Immortal dares to try his luck here."
"Only second-layer water path comprehension, and he dares aim for the divine resonance?"
Amid the divine light of the tree, aside from Bo Ya Xuejian and the other two, everyone else had also begun ascending the tree. Most had already reached the vines, while Li Hao had only just begun—his head still far below the lowest vine.
In this place, his Gui Xu Ultimate Realm power lost its path. Li Hao found that even spatial teleportation was impossible. He had to rely on his water path origin, riding unseen chaotic currents in the void, swimming upward like a fish.
Li Hao's water path origin had been elevated through his painting Dao. At the time, he had simultaneously gained insight into space and earth path origins. Perhaps because he balanced three at once, his water and earth path origins were only at the second layer.
A True Immortal Ninth Layer comprehending two second-layer nine-sequence origins already counted as a genius, but not a top-tier one. Reaching third layer marked a peak genius. Fourth meant extreme prodigy.
But here in the Origin Secret Realm, genius was just the entry point—the most basic threshold. What Li Hao now displayed was clearly at the bottom tier.
"Looks like this won't work."
He channeled all his water path comprehension to climb against the current, but the surging force from the origin water kept pushing him back. He had barely reached the vines when he already hit his limit.
Li Hao sighed inwardly and was about to give up—when suddenly, the surging pressure of water path origin around him receded like a tide.
He blinked in surprise—his body suddenly felt lighter.
"Hmm?"
Li Hao looked up and saw that others were still struggling upward, some already flushed with effort.
As Li Hao was still puzzled, a gentle force, like an invisible, tender hand, lifted his body and guided him gently upward along the divine tree.
Soon, the vines appeared beneath his feet and became more and more distant as his body continued to rise along the vertical upstream current flowing along the tree trunk.
Seeing this, those who had earlier mocked and ridiculed Li Hao couldn't help but widen their eyes in disbelief.
At this moment, Li Hao had already surpassed them in height, and they could only sense that a dense aura of water path origin enveloped him, deep and unfathomable, far beyond the level of their own comprehension.
"What's going on?"
"That True Immortal kid's water path origin comprehension is actually higher than mine?"
"Who is that kid? Where did he come from!"
The others all noticed Li Hao now. Some showed expressions of surprise, while others narrowed their eyes.
Li Hao himself was completely bewildered. He had no idea what was happening.
Just as he rose into the thick canopy of the tree, amidst its lush leaves, he suddenly heard a gentle and airy voice reaching directly into his soul:
"Youth, what is your name?"
Li Hao paused for a moment, looked around, but saw no one nearby. Thinking of Mister Jin, he suddenly understood and replied through his divine soul:
"Are you the water path origin divine tree?"
Perhaps it was because of Mister Jin's earlier story that he instinctively thought so. Faced with this gentle voice, he couldn't help but feel a bit strange.
"That's right," the divine tree's voice was soft. "It's been so long since I've seen a Nine Sequence Immortal Seal. Do you also want a divine tree origin fruit? If you are willing to form a contract with me, I can grant you one and even let you drink my divine dew."
"Divine dew?"
Li Hao was stunned. He hadn't expected the other party to sense his Immortal Seal.
"Nine Sequence origins. Imperial potential. The divine tree origin fruit is rightfully yours. Our existence was originally established by that elder to bless the world for generations," the soft voice said.
Li Hao was taken aback. He suddenly felt that this entity was different from what he had imagined.
"What does forming a contract involve?" Li Hao asked through his divine soul.
"A heavenly Dao contract. When you become an emperor, your soul imprint will appear on my body, guarding this Origin City for me. In return, I will provide you with cultivation resources. The first divine tree origin fruit has the greatest effect, but my divine dew can be drunk once every ten thousand years. Its effects are not inferior to the fruit and will continually grant you insights into the Dao," the water path origin divine tree transmitted.
Li Hao fell silent. This arrangement felt quite similar to Mister Jin's.
At the same time, he realized just how rare and powerful the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal was—so much so that even the origin divine trees were willing to offer support in advance for its potential.
"What if I fail to become an emperor?" Li Hao asked.
"You possess the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal, meaning you have imperial potential, but the actual probability of becoming an emperor is still extremely small. It merely means you barely qualify to step toward that threshold. Whether you can cross it is unknown. The journey is long, filled with countless variables, and the possibility of falling midway is even greater," the water path origin divine tree said. "Only the weak demand guaranteed exchanges, because they cannot afford to lose."
"But the rarest things in the world often come with great uncertainty. For me, this is a gamble. Maybe out of ten Nine Sequence Immortal Seal holders, none will become emperors and all will fall along the way. But if just one succeeds, then any sacrifice I've made will have been worth it."
Li Hao's heart trembled. He was struck by the allure and terror of imperial cultivation.
It made sense. An Immortal Emperor was a peerless existence that suppressed an entire era—a myth of invincibility, representing the pinnacle of power beyond the reach of billions of immortals and gods.
"Do you accept?" the water path origin divine tree asked softly.
Li Hao recalled Mister Jin's words. After a moment of hesitation, he replied, "I accept."
He had already realized that only with power could one speak of right and wrong. Though he now possessed the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal and was nearly invincible in his realm, he was still lacking in front of Immortal Lords—especially those at higher stages. Not to mention that above the Immortal Lord realm was the Immortal King realm, whose mere gesture could shatter him.
This origin divine tree's strength—Li Hao guessed—even if it wasn't at the Immortal King level, it wasn't far off.
A True Immortal discussing morals with an Immortal King was like an ant debating weight with an elephant—utterly laughable.
With Li Hao's reply, a soft force immediately surged around him, lifting him higher until he was rapidly approaching Bo Ya Xuejian and the other two.
The three seemed to sense the disturbance behind them and turned to look. When Bo Ya Xuejian saw Li Hao, his eyes showed surprise.
Li Hao felt a bit awkward. After all, he was cutting the line. In terms of pure water path origin comprehension, he couldn't compare with Bo Ya Xuejian.
"A True Immortal?" the other two sensed Li Hao's aura and their expressions changed. A mere True Immortal was about to catch up to them?
Bo Ya Xuejian narrowed his eyes at Li Hao for a moment, then turned away and sped up, quickly ascending the waterfall.
The other two were soon left behind by him, but they were unwilling to be outdone and burst forth with powerful water path origin energy, continuing their ascent.
However, as the climb continued, the other two's momentum gradually slowed until they had no choice but to stop.
Meanwhile, under the divine tree's blessing, Li Hao maintained a steady pace and continued rising smoothly.
Soon, Li Hao passed by the other two.
The two stared at his face as if seeing a ghost. Their eyes were filled with both shock and complexity.
Soon, only Li Hao and Bo Ya Xuejian remained high above, steadily climbing until they reached the depths of the tree canopy.
There, divine radiance sparkled brilliantly, and ahead, a deep blue glow shone like a radiant pearl.
Li Hao smelled the scent of the divine tree origin fruit, but his gaze fell on Bo Ya Xuejian ahead. For the other to climb this high, his comprehension of the water path origin must be terrifying. He likely had already reached the fifth level of understanding.
At that moment, divine radiance suddenly enveloped them, surrounding both of them. Then, all the surrounding branches vanished. Li Hao felt himself transported into a vast, boundless blue world with no visible end.
It was a special space, and ahead, a woman in a flowing azure dress stood with unmatched grace, her figure ethereal and exquisitely beautiful as she faced away.
"Congratulations," a soft and gentle voice sounded. The woman in the blue dress turned around, her face as delicate as if it were finely carved.
Only then did Li Hao notice that Bo Ya Xuejian was still beside him. The two exchanged a glance. Bo Ya Xuejian's eyes showed a strange look, followed by a strong fighting intent.
"Your comprehension of the water path origin is so deep. I hadn't noticed before," Bo Ya Xuejian said.
Li Hao coughed lightly, a bit embarrassed, but he didn't explain.
"In terms of aptitude in the water path origin, you're the most gifted I've ever seen—even surpassing me. I hope I get the chance to spar with you before the Southern Domain battle!" Bo Ya Xuejian directly issued a challenge, his eyes filled with fervor.
Li Hao recognized that look—it was the same gleam he had when encountering a worthy opponent on a game board.
He understood Bo Ya Xuejian's feelings but also knew that, at the moment, he likely didn't yet have the strength to match him in battle. After all, the gap between True Immortal and Immortal Lord was vast, and Bo Ya Xuejian was no ordinary genius like Chu Tianzheng.
"You are both outstanding. Here are the divine tree origin fruits for you," the previously overlooked water path origin woman finally spoke softly, clearly unable to suppress her voice anymore.
As she waved her hand, two azure fruits appeared and floated toward Li Hao and Bo Ya Xuejian.
Bo Ya Xuejian glanced at his fruit, but his expression showed no particular excitement—he simply raised his hand and accepted it.
"May you achieve godhood through ten levels of comprehension in the water path origin," said the water path origin woman to Bo Ya Xuejian.
Bo Ya Xuejian's eyes narrowed slightly. He nodded, then looked at Li Hao and said, "When are you free? Don't worry, I'll suppress my cultivation to True Immortal Realm, ninth level."
Li Hao hadn't expected Bo Ya Xuejian to be a battle fanatic. Previously, with his serene demeanor, he had thought him to be a calm and refined individual—but now it seemed he simply hadn't found a worthy opponent until now.
"Uh… probably no time," Li Hao declined.
Bo Ya Xuejian frowned slightly and gave Li Hao a long look. "Then we'll have to meet on the battlefield of the Southern Domain. I hope we get to fight."
Li Hao smiled bitterly and clasped his hands in a slight bow. "There will be plenty of other geniuses to keep you entertained."
"That's different," Bo Ya Xuejian shook his head, glanced at Li Hao, and said no more. He turned to the water path origin and said, "Thank you for the gift, senior. When I reach the tenth level of water path origin, I will surely nourish your divine body."
The water path origin woman smiled with satisfaction and kindness, waved her hand, and said, "Then I shall await your return. Go now—your time here is precious."
Bo Ya Xuejian nodded. His figure rippled like water and vanished.
Once he had left, the water path origin woman looked at Li Hao, her gaze even more luminous than before.
She said softly, "Good thing I had an extra divine tree origin fruit. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have known who to give it to. He would've been wronged."
Li Hao inwardly marveled. From her tone, he couldn't tell whether she was just being polite or if there really had only been one fruit and she would've chosen him.
If it were true, the allure of the Nine Sequence Immortal Seal was almost terrifying.
"He's a rare genius of the water path origin. I can sense the purest form of water path origin energy from him—even his soul contains it naturally. However, walking only a single path toward imperial realm is extremely difficult…" she sighed softly, her gaze now resting on Li Hao.
"Your water path origin is only at the second level. This divine tree origin fruit should allow your strength to leap forward."
Li Hao nodded. After consuming the gold path divine tree origin fruit, he had reached the fourth level of gold path origin.
Now, with the water path origin, he believed he could also cultivate to the fourth level.
That level was already an extreme for the True Immortal Realm.
"My second brother and younger siblings don't know of your existence yet. Once they do, I'm sure they'll each offer you an origin fruit as well. I'll inform them now. Just wait here for a bit," said the water path origin divine tree.
Li Hao was a little stunned by this.
That meant… he didn't need to do anything, just sit here and wait, and the origin fruits would come to him?
If he were to consume them all, wouldn't that mean his five path origins could all reach the fourth level?
Thinking of this, Li Hao couldn't help but get excited. The five path origins complemented one another. If they all reached the fourth level, the transformation might be incredible—and the increase in combat power would be overwhelming.
"Now, let's proceed with the contract," said the water path origin divine tree. She lifted one of her fingers—white, slender, and delicate—and gently tapped through the air. Accompanied by a soft ripple like a drop falling into water, Li Hao felt a vast and profound power envelop him, brushing against his soul.
He understood instinctively. His soul lightly touched it, and in that instant, Li Hao felt as though his soul had merged into an incredibly soft and vast ocean.
On the other side, the water path origin divine tree closed her eyes gently.
After some time, Li Hao felt the sensation fade and opened his eyes, realizing he now shared a faint connection with the divine tree before him.
"After you consume the divine tree origin fruit, I will give you the sweet dew. You may cultivate here," said the water path origin divine tree.
Li Hao nodded.
Then, the water path origin divine tree looked at him and suddenly asked, "Did you previously go outside the city?"
Li Hao's eyes tensed, but his expression remained unchanged. "Yes."
"Then that means you've met our eldest brother?"
"Hmm?"
When Li Hao heard her address him that way, his eyes flickered slightly and turned to look at her. He saw no hostility in her gaze—only sorrow and melancholy.
"I smell our elder brother's aura on you. You must have consumed the divine tree origin fruit he gave you. It seems he thinks very highly of you. After all, being outside the city, it takes thirty thousand years just to condense a single origin fruit..."
She spoke softly, with a sigh in her tone.
Li Hao was a little surprised. According to Jin Xiansheng, these origin divine trees seemed to be on opposing terms with him and had blocked his return to the city. But now, her attitude—was it just for show, or was there another reason?
While Li Hao was pondering, the water path origin divine tree asked, "Did eldest brother speak to you about us?"
Li Hao's mind turned quickly. "Not much."
The water path origin divine tree was silent for a moment, then said, "Child, I've lived countless years, seen countless people, and witnessed the hearts of countless beings. There's no need to lie before me."
Li Hao was slightly startled and feigned confusion. "Lie?"
"When I mentioned that our eldest brother was outside the city, you showed no surprise. That means he already told you many things. Otherwise, if you had suddenly learned he was outside the city, wouldn't you have shown some confusion or questions in your heart?"
Her sapphire eyes were like a deep ocean as she gazed at Li Hao.
Li Hao felt his scalp tighten, a tingling sensation creeping over him. These ancient beings who had lived for countless years were indeed meticulous in thought.
Though he had lived two lives, together they amounted to less than a hundred years. Among the heaven's proud sons competing in the origin secret realm, some had likely reincarnated four or five times—far more experienced than he.
"Jin Xiansheng did mention a few things," Li Hao had no choice but to admit.
"What did he say?" she asked, a trace of hope in her eyes.
Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "Jin Xiansheng protected the origin city ten thousand years ago, battled the ancient demons, and was seriously wounded. Later, he voluntarily left the origin city. When his injuries began to heal, he tried to return..."
He glanced at her, feeling there was no need to continue—she probably knew what happened better than he did.
Upon hearing Li Hao's words, the glimmer of hope in her eyes gradually dimmed. She whispered, "Did he say that we stopped him from returning?"
Li Hao didn't answer, which was as good as confirming it.
The water path origin divine tree exhaled lightly and smiled a little. "That's not exactly wrong."
Li Hao was startled and looked at her intently.
"Eldest brother nearly lost his soul and had his seed wither when protecting us back then. Without him, there would be no five-path origin city today," she said softly.
Seeing her expression, Li Hao's eyes showed a trace of doubt. "If you know that, then why…?"
She looked at him, the corners of her lips lifting slightly, and suddenly the surrounding light seemed to brighten. She said gently, "Eldest brother was injured once—he must not be hurt again."
"Ten thousand years ago he protected us. Ten thousand years later, it's our turn to protect him. The ancient demons are not gone, immortal emperors continue to fall, and sooner or later, another war will reach the origin city again."
She fixed her gaze on Li Hao. "If he returns to the origin city, he will stay here. It's easy to come in, but hard to leave!"
Li Hao froze, his expression changing slightly as he suddenly realized the misunderstanding.
"Eldest brother probably thinks we are ungrateful, that we denied him entry again, refused to share the origin city's nourishment. But we are five siblings!"
"In this world, besides the Five Absolutes Immortal Emperor who created and nurtured us, we are the closest to one another!"
"Nourishment? Resources? What do those mean to us? If we really treasured such things, we would crush the divine tree origin fruit, bury it beneath our roots, and nourish ourselves."
Her eyes glistened with mist, yet her face held a self-mocking smile.
Li Hao felt a tremor in his heart. He asked, "If that's the case, then why not tell him directly?"
"Tell him?"
She looked at Li Hao, the corners of her mouth lifting again. "Do you have any siblings? Or… do you have parents?"
Li Hao was slightly stunned. A faint, indescribable light flashed in his eyes. A few faces surfaced in his mind but quickly sank again.
"I did once," he answered softly, his voice lower and heavier than before.
"Then that's enough," she said, unaware of the shift in his mood. "You should understand. If someone you cared about was in danger, wouldn't you step forward to protect them? Eldest brother is that kind of person. If we told him, he would come back no matter what. Even if he didn't enter the city, he would stay and guard us to the end—fight to the end!"
As she spoke, her eyes revealed nostalgia, her face bathed in glowing warmth.
"He's just that kind of person."
"So."
Her smile faded, and her gaze turned solemn. "We had no choice but to treat him like that. When he confided in you, he probably hated us—thought we were selfish, greedy!"
At this moment, Li Hao regained his composure, but he felt as though his blood were boiling, a rush he couldn't describe.
He thought of the old voice beneath the golden tree outside the city, the promise he had made:
If I become an Immortal Emperor, I will guard this origin world!
A single city wall. Ten thousand years of separation. Yet both sides—each in their own way—were still guarding one another with their hearts.