Elder Wang was amused by Li Haoâs words and said, "Youâre quite interesting, then follow your heart. Itâs rare to maintain such a calm demeanor in front of the Immortal Emperorâs legacy, neither anxious nor impetuous, no wonder you have an Eternal Dao Heart."
Earlier, the nine chimes of heaven and earth, and the Eternal Dao Heart, made him greatly admire Li Hao.
After all, possessing such a mindset at the Holy Level, even during the peak periods before the Emperorâs fall battle, was considered rare for a prodigy.
"So, senior, does that mean you agree?"
Li Haoâs eyes lit up slightly.
"If you truly wish to learn, I can teach you. What I cultivate here are not rice or wheat but Immortal Herbs."
Elder Wang laughed and said, "If you can truly learn it, it would be a valuable skill. Even if the True Realm still had a fraction of its former glory, you would be welcomed as an honored guest in many Immortal Sects, attaining the status of an Immortal Lord."
Li Hao was amazed inside, not expecting the otherâs skill in cultivating Immortal Medicine to be so profound. With just this cultivation skill alone, comparable to the status of an Immortal Lord, how formidable must it be?
"Then, many thanks to senior for the guidance."
Li Hao cupped his hands and tried to bow deeply.
Elder Wang waved his hand seeing this, and said, "If you can pass the three tests, you will be the listed disciple of the Immortal Emperor, and thereâs no need for such formalities with me. If you cannot pass, I will then accept this courtesy from you."
Hearing this, Li Hao no longer insisted on the formality, but in his heart, he grew more respectful towards this elder.
"So Iâll first teach you how to recognize Immortal Medicine..."
Elder Wang chuckled, cultivating Immortal Medicine was his pleasure, and when talking about these, his smile was broader than usual.
Li Hao was led by him to the fields, acres of fertile land where Immortal Herbs emitted a hazy phenomenon. Li Hao saw the Tao of the void falling around the Immortal Medicine, like gentle hands lightly nurturing and holding these Immortal Herbs in the fields.
"This is the Eternal Life Immortal Grass, which can absorb the energy of heaven and earth and grow well even without watering or cultivating. But if cultivated, nourished by the Golden Dao Origin, it will transform into an Eternal Immortal Leaf, the core material for refining the Eternal Undying Pill..."
Elder Wang led Li Hao to the edge of the field, pointing to an Immortal Herb, and introduced it to Li Hao.
Li Hao saw his kindly expression, looking at these Immortal Herbs in the fields as if they were his children.
He found it intriguing, feeling that cultivating Immortal Medicine was also an interesting endeavor.
However, it seemed his panel could not record it, as it was not classified as Artistic Skill.
But Li Hao didnât mind this and sat with Elder Wang on the field edge, listening to the cultivation process of these Immortal Herbs and the amusing stories from past cultivations.
With the sun rising and setting, the cycles of sun, moon, and stars occurred in this place. Curious, Li Hao asked, and Elder Wang said it was the Hall Spirit of the Heavenly Calamity Hall that evolved this celestial phenomenon.
These Star Constellations were not mere decorations for aesthetics, nor were they for sun and moon cycles, starlight illumination, but a Star Array that allowed the Heavenly Calamity Hallâs power to remain perpetually undiminished.
Time flew by.
Li Hao no longer sat on the mat to comprehend Tao, but instead talked and laughed on the field edge, learning various Immortal Medicine knowledge from Elder Wang.
The two of them were like two farmers, without any image concerns. Li Hao rolled up his sleeves, tied his pant legs to his thighs, and had mud-covered feet dangling in the fields. Occasionally, small black ants-like insects crawled up his legs along the mud, which were not ordinary insects but special Spiritual Worms carefully cultivated by Elder Wang.
These worms could stimulate the growth of Immortal Medicine and could also gnaw away the dimly nurtured parts of the Tao in Immortal Medicine, enhancing its quality.
Amidst learning farming, Li Hao casually asked Elder Wang if he knew how to play chess. Elder Wang laughed and questioned, could you play?
Upon hearing this, Li Hao took out a chessboard from the Heaven and Earth Space to have a match with Elder Wang.
Elder Wang was surprised to see that Li Hao actually carried a chessboard with him and then laughed heartily. He rolled up his sleeves, sat with Li Hao in front of the hut, and placed the chessboard on a chop-block they often used for wood chopping, and the two engaged in a match.
Confident, Li Hao wanted to give this highly skilled elder a small shock in Chess Tao, but as brilliant moves were made, he was utterly defeated as if he was handing his pieces directly to the opponent. What seemed like a favorable situation suddenly turned with each of the opponentâs moves.
In the latter stages, Li Hao began to question reality, finding it hard to comprehend the strengths and weaknesses of the chessboard, and even hesitated while making moves.
After losing three consecutive games, Li Hao was a bit stupefied. This was his first time losing so badly in Chess Tao.
Elder Wang chuckled while gathering the pieces and said, "Your chess ability is really quite remarkable, but if you want to win against me, youâll need to live another hundred thousand years."
With that, he laughed heartily, a proud expression on his face.
Li Hao, however, looked sullen. Itâs fine to lose in martial arts, but he couldnât stand losing in chess.
He stroked his chin, rested his cheek on his hand, and reviewed the game in his mind.
If his Chess Tao was about exquisite layout, then the opponentâs Chess Tao was already at the level of a goat hanging from a cliff, with no traces to be found.
After a night of rest, the next day Li Hao continued to challenge Elder Wang.
After losing four or five more games in a row, Li Hao faintly glimpsed a bit of Elder Wangâs chess path. With a piece locking a seemingly insignificant spot, Elder Wang lightly exclaimed in surprise, examined closely, looked at Li Hao again, and couldnât help but click his tongue in admiration. This young manâs perception is truly high!
But on the Chess Tao, he would not show leniency.
With a consecutive number of pieces falling, he quickly ended the game.
Li Hao felt like he had been punched twice, holding in a breath, almost spat blood in frustration.
Seeing Li Haoâs aggrieved look, Elder Wang laughed even more heartily, saying, "Want to play again?"