After becoming familiar with the Flower Saint and the Travel Saint, the two saints learned that Li Hao was a member of the Flower Travel Association.
"Zhan Tan... I remember that little girl, it turns out she recruited you, truly a good eye." The Flower Saint chuckled, the butterfly embellishment on her head seemed to flutter gently.
"Those kids are still around, which is fortunate. If they work diligently in cultivation, they might not live so long, for cultivation is a struggle, and with struggle comes defeat..."
The Travel Saintâs eyes revealed nostalgia and reflection, casting a glance toward the distant Sky-reaching Giant Hall, she sighed lightly and said:
"Back then, when we saw the heavens sealed, we were discouraged and ceased cultivation, claiming to see the essence of cultivation. Now, observing the outer heavens here, we strive to climb upward just like them, aiming for that Immortal Emperorâs legacy. The so-called non-contest is merely temptations not enough to move the heart..."
Her expression was somewhat melancholy as she spoke.
Li Hao smiled and said, "One need not pursue deliberately, just follow oneâs heart. Wanting is simply wanting, no need to pretend not to."
The Travel Saint glanced back at Li Hao, her eyes brightened, and a faint smile emerged on her snow-like cheeks, "Youâre right, such pretending would be too much."
The three exchanged a glance and laughed together.
"According to Elder Wang, you possess the Eternal Dao Heart, causing Heaven and Earth to resound nine times. Itâs hard to imagine what kind of Dao Heart that is. Your talent is surely far superior to ours; you have a great hope for the Immortal Emperorâs legacy. If you become the Immortal Emperorâs named disciple, we can ride on your wind to check out the True Realm."
The Flower Saint said to Li Hao, with sincere eyes, greatly admiring him.
The Travel Saint, likewise, greatly admired this newly arrived monster, having felt urgency earlier, unaware of Li Haoâs identity, but now relaxed.
Just as Li Hao was about to speak, a Saint nearby solemnly said, "Mu Saint is going to challenge again!"
The Flower Saint and Travel Saint immediately looked, seeing the snow-haired Mu Saint sitting on the mat before them slowly rise. His expression was unseen, yet his silhouette appeared extremely dignified and stable.
He stood momentarily paused, and then swiftly flew toward the front of the venue.
At the venue forefront, besides the Heaven and Earth Bell, farther away was a steep Black Tower.
Mu Saint flew before the Black Tower, its door automatically opening as he stepped inside.
"Seems Mu Saint was provoked a bit."
"You donât say, who hasnât been provoked? My thoughts on the Spear Dao are a bit disordered too."
"I wonder if Mu Saint can break records this time and endure a little longer."
Other Saints slightly opened their eyes, gazing at the Black Tower. Many occasionally glanced toward Li Hao as they conversed.
Li Haoâs arrival was like a boulder falling into a tranquil lake, stirring huge waves in their hearts. The shock of Heaven and Earth resounding nine times was unparalleled.
"They all care about you."
The Travel Saint mildly pursed her lips, chuckling teasingly, yet her eyes lingered on Li Hao, as did the Flower Saintâs, being too astonishing.
Li Hao gently smiled but didnât say much.
At this moment, the Flower Saint pinched her fingertips, a stick of incense appeared, burning autonomously with wisps of smoke.
"Whatâs this?"
"To record Mu Saintâs challenge duration, to see if he can break previous records and improve slightly." The Flower Saint explained.
Li Hao understood in his heart, quietly waiting afterward.
As the stick of incense in the Flower Saintâs hand burned to two-thirds, the Black Tower suddenly opened, and Mu Saint emerged, snow-haired, with a somber face, silently returning to the venue.
"Slightly shorter than last time."
Glancing at the incense in hand, the Flower Saint pinched, making the incense disappear. A smile revealed at the corner of his mouth, "It seems your arrival has unsettled many minds."
Li Hao was speechless.
Others also noticed, slightly shaking their heads, they glanced at Li Hao again, then continued with closed eyes cultivating.
The Travel Saint said to Li Hao, "Donât mind, keep it up, but we wonât hold you up."
Li Hao nodded slightly. As the Flower Saint and Travel Saint prepared to cultivate, he took out his drawing board, commencing his own cultivation.
"What is that?"
The Travel Saint noticed Li Haoâs actions, couldnât help but freeze, then looked at him mildly puzzled.
Understanding her thought, Li Hao smiled, "First, a little mood relief."
"..."
The Travel Saint was somewhat speechless, yet couldnât say much else, merely remarked, "Let me see when youâre done. I have some fondness for this path too."
Li Hao nodded.
After the Flower Saint and Travel Saint each began their cultivation, he seriously devoted to his painting.
Having reached the Tenth Stage of the Artistic Path, possessing his own Saint Path, his paintings embodied abundant Heaven and Earth Power and traces of the Tao. At the moment of drawing, Li Hao scanned his eyes; if portraying the Saints present, the Tao might inevitably interfere, impacting their cultivation, which would be disrespectful.
But aside from portraits, landscapes could indeed be painted.
Li Hao gazed at the Heaven and Earth Bell before him, eyes flashing, immediately beginning to paint.
On the drawing board, he splashed ink liberally, ink binding and magnetizing mighty Heaven and Earth energy, while sketching, the Tao was captivated and united within the traces of his brushwork.
A few strokes sufficed, the Tao converging, a bellâs silhouette subtly emerged.
As the Heaven and Earth Bell manifested, a faint extraordinary resonance seemed to emanate.
Li Haoâs eyes grew increasingly focused, his spirit immersed within the canvas, the bell beneath his brush growing clearer, achieving likeness. Accompanying it was a sudden bell toll resounding beside him; Li Hao felt a surging power emanating from the painting, this power charged directly into his spirit, causing three consecutive bell tolls to echo in his heart!
Each bellâs resonance intensified, seemingly concentrating and fortifying Li Haoâs Primordial Spirit.