Shrouding the Heavens: Starting by joining the Holy Land of Yao Guang

Chapter 321 The Cruelty of the Ancient Road

Bloodbath battlefield,

Located between the first and second human cities, this place acts like a bridge and is a habitable planet.

This place is inhabited by many natives, divided into several factions, such as the Kingdom of Gods, the Kingdom of Spirits, the Kingdom of Demons, and the Kingdom of Nine Heavens.

These races were all defeated and subdued by the strong on the ancient path of humanity, and then left here to become a training ground.

There are no requirements for traveling from the first city to the second city; the only condition is to survive for two months.

This is actually not difficult. Those who can pass the trial are all powerful figures in their own right. If you throw them onto any planet, they could easily survive for two months.

However, in the bloodbath battlefield, there is a divine object like the Source of the Dao. It is impossible to find a place to hide and survive for two months. One must enter the killing field and find the Source of the Dao.

This will inevitably lead to encounters with other powerful entities, and friction is unavoidable.

Therefore, the two months spent on the battlefield were destined to be a blood-stained period.

This will not change just because Li Yao obtained more than a dozen Dao Sources; in fact, it may even make him more insane.

The source of the Dao is rare and precious, and has rarely appeared in the past.

Even though countless geniuses searched diligently, they almost all came up empty-handed. The last time it appeared was about two years ago, when it was obtained by a prodigy named Di Tian.

Going back further, for almost several decades, there was no news of the source of the Dao appearing in the world.

The Origin of the Dao is a divine object that has no probability of appearing in the mortal world; it depends entirely on luck. Just because someone has obtained a dozen or so Origins of the Dao doesn't mean it won't appear in the mortal world. The others didn't give up because of this; instead, they became even more actively involved in the search for the Origin of the Dao after Li Yao went into seclusion.

Even Qing Shi and Long Ma were the same. After Li Yao went into seclusion, he went alone into the trial grounds to search for the source of the Dao.

"when……"

The bell tolled softly and suddenly, its great sound resounding throughout several ancient battlefields, allowing the many trial participants to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the trial was over and they were about to arrive at the Second Holy City.

The brutality of the Bloodbath Battlefield is beyond everyone's imagination. In the past two months, countless people have perished, turning this place into a purgatory where everyone is struggling to survive.

I'm so tired!
At the summit of a majestic mountain, Li Yao concluded his enlightenment.

The Myriad Dao Furnace rises and falls, releasing countless strands of Dao power, ancient and powerful, interwoven with the divine laws of the Great Dao, further enhancing its power.

Two months later, the character "皆" has completely solidified, reaching its current limit, and the character "前" is becoming more and more full of Daoist charm, which makes the power of the Myriad Dao Furnace increase day by day.

This shikigami technique has become his trump card. Simultaneously unleashing several powerful secret techniques, who can withstand it?!

Li Yao dispersed the Myriad Dao Furnace, stood up, and made a simple movement that was full of the rhythm of the Great Dao, uniting with heaven and earth, and with all the Dao present!
That was the unyielding divine essence of the Great Dao, and in a short period of time, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, surpassing his physical body and emanating from it.

He is now like a vessel of the Great Dao, a weakened version of the source of the Dao. When others are by his side and comprehend the Dao, they will find it easier to touch the origin of the Great Dao.

In the past two months, with the help of the Source of the Dao, Li Yao has been frantically comprehending the Dao more than twenty times, which is no less than the time he did at the Daotai, but in a shorter period of time.

This is why we have such an exaggerated effect now; the power of cultivation has spread like a flood, overflowing the dam.

The "Previous Word Secret" technique has only been studied for a little over half a year, but it is not far from breaking through to the limit.

How outrageous!

It should be noted that both the "Xing" and "Jie" secrets took nearly ten years to reach their ultimate level.

However, in less than a year, the "Former Secret" has already caught up with the previous two sacred arts in several years.

The ancient road of the human race was definitely the right choice.

Li Yao deeply agreed. Feeling the powerful cultivation within his body, he silently thought to himself that otherwise, it would have taken at least several years to reach his current level of cultivation.

The advancement in one's cultivation is also a great gain, meaning that one's combat power will be stronger, and future cultivation will be smoother, with no possibility of encountering bottlenecks.

It's important to understand that a cultivator's combat strength is complicated to explain in detail, but broadly speaking, it can be categorized into physical body and cultivation level.

The stronger these two are, the stronger the combat power will be. The physical body includes magic power, blood and qi, and primordial spirit. The physical body is the lower limit of combat power, while the cultivation level is the upper limit of combat power.

Once one enters the realm of divine restriction, the shackles that once bound them disappear, and the strength of their cultivation level largely determines their combat power.

"boom!"

His magical power and cultivation surged, his shackles were shattered, and Li Yao felt as if he were ascending to immortality, with boundless power bestowed upon him. His combat strength surged like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins.

"It's much stronger than it was two months ago, but it hasn't reached the level of a minor realm of the Great Sage yet."

After trying it out, Li Yao was not disappointed.

Cultivation is like climbing a mountain. The further you go, the steeper the slope becomes, and the more arduous the journey. Every step is difficult, and you can no longer easily cross realms and strike through obstacles as before.

His current rate of growth is already quite astonishing.

"when……"

Just then, the ancient bell's divine sound resounded across the battlefield once more, as if urging them on. A massive altar appeared in the void, showering down dazzling divine light.

It flew across the sky, appearing in various ancient battlefields, and the trial participants took to the air, preparing to embark on their journey.

On the enormous altar, Li Yao quietly appeared beside Longma and Qing Shi.

After two months of fierce fighting, the aura of both the man and his horse has suddenly increased significantly, becoming stronger than it was two months ago.

Of course, he is nowhere near comparable to Li Yao.

When he appeared, Qing Shi and Long Ma were both startled, feeling the rich Daoist aura that guided their cultivation, causing it to slowly rise.

This is something that can be seen with the naked eye, making a person and a horse feel as if they are wandering in a realm of Tao, where countless principles instantly emerge, profound and mysterious.

This……

"If we had stayed by your side to cultivate these past two months, our improvement would probably have been even greater," Longma said wearily after a moment of silence.

Qing Shi did not refute, but nodded in deep agreement.

At this moment, it was as if the Great Dao itself had descended, and Li Yao was embracing him to comprehend the Dao. This was even more extraordinary than him trying to comprehend the origin of the Great Dao on his own.

This left both the man and the horse feeling somewhat helpless, as if their recent efforts had been misguided.

Whether it's Qing Shi or Long Ma, what troubles both of them is how to improve their cultivation.

For them, once they reached a certain level of cultivation, they could break through to the next level, which was the opposite of Li Yao's cultivation situation.

They go to fight and battle constantly, all in order to comprehend the Great Dao and improve their cultivation.

Staying by Li Yao's side and constantly sensing the Daoist essence emanating from him was actually more effective.

“Once we reach the second city, you will follow me to cultivate for a period of time. This is a rare occurrence, even for me,” Li Yao said.

To others, he is now a weakened version of the Source of Dao. It would be more effective to stay by his side and cultivate than to waste energy fighting him.

Qing Shi and Long Ma nodded happily, their eyes filled with longing.

"boom!"

The altar swayed and then shook violently, beginning to traverse the void.

Not long after, the altar descended upon the Second City, and the figures of the group appeared outside the Second City's territory.

After leaving the altar, the group entered the city.

There was no riot this time. After passing through the First City and the Bloodbath Battlefield, different tiers of forces had been formed.

Although they were very unwilling, these outstanding individuals understood that they were no longer the dominant figures in their region.

On the ancient road, there are many who are stronger than them. Not to mention the pioneers, even among this batch of trial participants, there are those who are stronger than them.

This is the harsh reality, and we can only accept it.

Those who don't accept it are already dead.

More than 500 people entered the first city together, but after the bloody battlefield, only about 100 people made it to the second city.

If they refuse to accept reality in this situation, their downfall is imminent. When pride is shattered, their youthful vigor gradually fades, and they lose their sharp edge.

Li Yao and his entourage undoubtedly led the way, striding proudly through the city gate and entering the ancient city amidst the envious gazes of the soldiers.

"What?! The Source of the Dao has reappeared in the world and been obtained by someone! Someone obtained it two years ago, how can it have appeared again now? Unbelievable, it's happening too frequently!"

As they entered the second city, news of what had happened on the Bloodbath Battlefield began to spread.

The news caused a stir in the Second Holy City, leaving many powerful figures shocked and unable to remain calm.

Moreover, this news was not limited to the Second Holy City, but was transmitted to the Holy Cities behind it through special channels, and the shock was spreading.

The Second Holy City is in turmoil, and so is the road ahead, both shaken by this news.

But no one dared to act rashly, because along with the news of the Source of the Dao, Li Yao's formidable strength also spread.

In one battle, hundreds of saints were annihilated!

This news is no less significant than the source of the Dao, leaving countless people speechless.

What incredible combat power! It's terrifyingly strong and makes one feel uneasy.

Is this the strength and level that a normal trial participant should have?

Even the Grand Commander and the Guide of the Second City were getting restless.

They guarded this place and were quite knowledgeable; every few years, they would see a stunningly talented person emerge.

For example, two years ago, Di Tian's appearance amazed them, and they felt that he had the potential to attain enlightenment.

Both the guide and the Grand Commander took the initiative to lower their status and befriend each other, thus establishing good relations.

How long has it been? Now another prodigy has appeared, performing even better than Di Tian. How can anyone remain calm about this?

Li Yao and his party had just settled into the inn when, not long after, someone came to invite them for a chat, on the orders of the guide and the Grand Commander.

Without a doubt, this violates the regulations. As law enforcers on the ancient road, we must be fair and treat everyone equally; otherwise, chaos will inevitably ensue.

Qing Shi and Long Ma remained unfazed, not expecting the local law enforcement officers to be so unscrupulous, blatantly leading the way in violating the rules.

Li Yao was not surprised; the Second City was already rotten, exuding an aura of decay from top to bottom.

In the original work, both the guide and the commander coveted the source of the Dao in Ye Fan's body and repeatedly broke the rules of the ancient road.

This situation is not uncommon on ancient roads. Or rather, apart from a very few, most people are the rules themselves, rather than the rule-makers.

The guides and commanders of the First Holy City are already considered to be among the better ones.

It's not great, but it's not the best, but it's not the worst either; it's just doing the right thing.

But there are reasons for that. As the starting point of the ancient road, the First City naturally holds a different status. Many important figures on the ancient road attach great importance to it. Whether this is due to external factors, such as adhering to the rules or being forced to do so, is unknown.

In the center of the Second Holy City, in a sacred garden that resembled a celestial abode, the guide sat with the former commander-in-chief, looking at the lone soldier with extremely grim expressions.

"Did he say anything?"

A hint of jealousy flashed in the soldier's eyes as he said, "He said he couldn't, and his expression was very contemptuous. He didn't take you two seriously at all."

"Crack!"

The white jade teacup shattered, and the Grand Commander's expression suddenly changed, his eyes flashing with ruthlessness, and his voice icy cold.

“We took the initiative to lower our stance, but he ignored us with disdain. He is extremely arrogant.”

The guide's expression was also somewhat unpleasant.

As the lord of a city, he was used to being high above others, and his words carried the weight of law. When had he ever been treated so disrespectfully?

"Heh, as a monstrous genius, it's normal for him to be a bit arrogant." The guide's expression returned to normal, and he waved for the soldiers to leave.

The sacred garden fell silent, and not long after, the Grand Commander also departed.

The two leaders of the second city wanted to befriend the trial participants, but were rejected, which was undoubtedly a slap in the face.

No matter how angry they were, the two of them could only suppress their anger.

Such a prodigy would certainly not take action against the other party because of something like this.

A single, decisive blow would be fine, but if they fail, they will face the deepest hell.

Therefore, they dared not act rashly and could only harbor resentment in secret, hoping that one day when Li Yao suffered a defeat, they might avenge today's humiliation.

Although both are trial participants, Li Yao and Ye Fan are ultimately different.

One was a half-saint, while the other had killed hundreds of saints. The difference between them was like heaven and earth, so the treatment they received was naturally very different.

Even though he had been humiliated, his power still prevented the two arrogant giants from making any rash moves.

What year is it tonight? The starry sky is filled with the chaos of seasons, and the ancient places are all different.

When they fought on the battlefield, it was still springtime, but upon arriving at the Second Holy City, it was already autumn. The autumn wind swept through, and all things withered. The yellowed leaves floated in the wind, giving a sense of autumn's desolation—a poignant scene.

Embarking on the ancient road to the stars, only battles remain. Countless heroes have withered away like fallen leaves, a poignant reminder of the times.

From the exuberance of spring blossoms to the melancholy of autumn.

The atmosphere in the second holy city is completely different from that in the first holy city.

Li Yao strolled along the street, his senses incredibly clear.

In the First Holy City, the trial participants were full of vigor and ambition. Each of them felt that they were unique and could fight to the end and defeat all powerful enemies.

At this moment, the trial participants fell silent, recuperating their minds and bodies in preparation for the upcoming battle and for their survival.

They are like students on Earth who have finally left their comfort zone and faced the harsh reality. Some of them endured it, while others were completely shattered, suffering both physically and mentally, but losing their will to win.

Li Yao strolled around for a long time before entering the most bustling restaurant in the city, where he heard something that was not at all surprising to him.

“I’ve made up my mind. I’m not going to continue. I’m leaving the ancient path, giving up my illusions, and ceasing my dream of attaining enlightenment.”

The speaker was a young man of great martial prowess. In just a few months, he had gone from being full of vigor to looking weathered. His once sharp eyes were now somewhat dim, and his temples were even streaked with white.

"Is that really how it is? Did you give up on your own?" Someone nearby said sadly, as if asking someone else, but also as if asking themselves.

"A hundred-year dream, ending in this way, the price is far too high," a cultivator said sorrowfully. His younger brother had embarked on the journey with him; now, only he remained...

Upon hearing this, many people fell silent, a pang of sorrow rising in their hearts. Although they did not recount their own experiences, they felt a deep sense of empathy.

The people sitting here have one thing in common: the same resentment and sorrow. They were all once heroes of their region, but now they have lost that glory and become ordinary people they used to look down on.

Finally, they also experienced the feeling of those who had been defeated and fallen at their feet in the past, who had become stepping stones in the eyes of another group of strong people.

A strong young man kept pouring alcohol into his mouth. After numbing himself, he finally couldn't hold back anymore, and tears streamed down his face.

"I was once proud and glorious, invincible in my region, above thousands of people, standing at the very top. Now I have been ruthlessly trampled on and reduced to a pathetic passerby and a mere foil."

These words evoked countless memories, reminding people of their glorious past, when they once considered themselves the best in the world, arrogant and domineering, with the spirit to swallow thousands of miles like a tiger. But upon arriving at the ancient road, they experienced a desolation they had never felt before, a desolation that was so unbearable, so heart-wrenching.

Someone started the conversation, and one person finally let go of their pride, embraced their broken self, and whispered,
"My beloved died right before my eyes. I saw it... I saw the longing in her eyes. She was so reluctant to leave. I... I know she wasn't afraid of death; she just couldn't bear to leave me."

I'm just a coward. Even if I risked my life, I couldn't save her. I could only lift her from the pool of blood and watch helplessly as her beautiful eyes dimmed, lost their luster, and her body gradually grew cold.

The ancient path of conquest is for only a select few; for me, it brings only endless sorrow and grief. I no longer wish to face it, so I will depart tonight.

The young man was already sobbing uncontrollably, his whole being shattered and his heart dead. His once-proud fighting strength had been reduced by more than 30%, but he didn't care at all.

In the wine shop, he left behind his last words, as if bidding farewell to his former self, before rising to leave. As fewer and fewer people gathered, he staggered toward the city center, embarking on his journey back to leave this place.

On this very night, figures carrying resentment and pain, and a sense of desolation, chose different coordinates in the starry sky and embarked on their solitary journeys, their silhouettes looking utterly forlorn.

(End of this chapter)