Chapter 983: Chapter 205: Ancient Demon Cataclysm, Ten Stages of Controlling Dao! (10k Words Update 2)
âThank you for your kindness, Senior.â
Li Hao could feel that the other party bore no malice. If the other party had any ill intent, with their terrifying presence, killing him would have been as easy as flipping a hand.
His mood unexpectedly relaxed, and he found a stone nearby to sit on and said, âSenior, can you tell me about this? What happened in the war within the Emperorâs Calamity Fake Realm and here? Why have the Immortal Divine beings vanished? Did they all come here to join the battle?â
The middle-aged warrior noticed Li Haoâs composed demeanor, devoid of fear or hesitation, and instantly found him more agreeable. Just as he was about to speak, his gaze suddenly froze, and the serene expression in his eyes abruptly sharpened.
In that instant, the sharp intensity stirred Li Haoâs previously relaxed body into tight alertness; a cold chill spread through his entire being as an overwhelming murderous intent made him shudder involuntarily.
But soon, Li Hao realized that the killing intent wasnât directed at him.
At the same time, the malice floating around the surroundings suddenly thickened, and Li Hao sensed sharp, low murmurs resonating in his mind, provoking his inner bloodlust and hostility, making his emotions grow agitated.
âWhatâs happening?â
Li Hao was shocked and hurriedly scanned his surroundings, but his Divine Sense could only extend around ten miles.
This short range of detection meant that if an attack occurred, the enemy would reach him in moments.
Li Hao immediately entered the Transform to Immortal state, blending his body into the heavens and earth.
However, this time, Li Hao quickly noticed that his Transform to Immortal state felt vastly different from before.
Under Ultimate Immortal Transformation, his awareness dispersed into the realm, but this realm contained an oppressive amount of energy, threatening to inundate his consciousness.
âUltimate Immortal Transformation cannot be maintained for long!â
Li Hao instantly realized that if he attempted to remain indefinitely in the Ultimate Immortal Transformation state, his consciousness might be swallowed, dissolving within this realmâa sensation reminiscent of when he had first grasped the Transform to Immortal technique.
Yet, contrary to that drawback, the power he wielded in this current Transform to Immortal state far exceeded its previous iterations, growing several times stronger.
With the transformation, Li Haoâs Divine Sense extended even further.
âIt has arrived. Hurry and hide inside the chariot. Do not come out. Fresh blood like yoursâthose creatures love it most.â
At this moment, the middle-aged warriorâs voice came through, chillingly cold and carrying an irrefutable command.
He seemed to transform into another person entirely, exuding a potent, murderous auraâa deadly energy congealed over millennia of warfareâthat erupted instantaneously, truly resembling an unrivaled God of Slaughter with a terrifying presence.
Snapping back to reality, Li Hao extended his Divine Sense outward up to forty or fifty miles, immediately sensing a series of powerful gales sweeping through the areaâan enormous creature was rapidly approaching.
Li Hao dared not dally and quickly followed the warriorâs instructions, hiding inside the bronze chariot.
As soon as he entered the bronze chariot, Li Hao sensed that its interior was no ordinary space; surprisingly, it contained an incomprehensibly vast area, akin to an expansive square capable of holding a palace!
However, the space inside was piled high with bones, neatly arranged. In front of the skeletal remains were tomb names etched onto stone slabs.
Li Hao assumed this was likely the work of the middle-aged warrior.
Setting aside the curiosity to further explore the chariotâs interior, he extended his awareness once again toward the exterior.
He saw the middle-aged warrior step forward, his Ancient Sword spinning as he performed a flourish, effortlessly forming a Sword Qi out of thin air. Stationed firmly before the chariot, his movements appeared sharp yet natural, endowed with an innate harmony radiating from the fundamental Dao.
Li Haoâs gaze narrowed slightly as he followed the warriorâs sightline. Ahead, the mist now parted, revealing a massive and grotesque demon resembling an oversized bat. Dark red veins coursed like writhing worms across the membrane of its wings. Its bare, hairless body bore dragon-like claws, a tail resembling a giant serpent, and spikes scattered across its surface.
The moment this demon appeared, Li Hao was overwhelmed with a suffocating pressure.
Its aura far surpassed that of Supreme Saints like the Source Ancestor; it was akin to a savage beast of the Barbaric Wilds, brimming with boundless malice.
Li Hao finally understood the origin of the malice permeating the surrounding void; the demon itself was the source.
âHmph!â
The middle-aged warriorâs eyes grew colder at the sight of the demon, tinged with bloodthirsty killing intent.
He spoke no words, suddenly launching his sword toward the target, his figure moving like lightning, closing the distance in an instant, and slashing down with furious swordlight.
His actions were exceptionally concise, exuding a sense of reaching the root of all things. There was a profound simplicity in his movements, yet they carried devastating destructive force.
Bang!
As the swordlight slashed forth, it seemed to accelerate abruptly, transcending time itself. At the moment the sword was drawn, its edge had already landed on the target.
A massive wound instantly tore open the demonâs chest and abdomen, spewing blackened blood in torrents. The demon roared in fury, emitting thick black mist to envelop the middle-aged warrior.
However, before the black mist could fully surround him, the warrior struck it apart with a single swing of his sword before engaging the demon in close combat.
âWhat incredible swordsmanship!â
Li Hao watched the warriorâs battle. Though he couldnât comprehend the movement technique, he could sense the sheer brilliance of the swordsmanshipâimmense, innate, and seemingly the true essence of the Dao of Swordsmanship.
âThis canât merely be swordsmanship at the Tenth Stage. Itâs likely far beyond thatâŠâ
Li Hao was deeply captivated by the warriorâs swordsmanship. The power he unleashed was enough to shake the heavens and earth; even the residual force sweeping toward Li Hao felt perilous. If struck directly, even with full defense, injury was almost certain.
âThis black mistâŠâ
As Li Hao observed the battle, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes, as if scorching chili water had entered themâan intense, stinging sensation.
To his horror, he discovered black blood vessels appearing across his eyeballs, like he had suffered some form of contamination or mutation.
âWhat kind of attack is this?â