"This senior brother, you truly are exceptionally gifted in martial prowess," Shi Hao said as he stood up. Just this one sentence caused Huo Ling’er to be so startled that she nearly fell from mid-air, almost dropping the precious artifact she was on.
She gritted her teeth, her brows furrowed, and her beautiful eyes widened in anger, wishing she could devour the insolent child in one bite.
The visitor was very tall, enveloped in a radiance, moving with the grace of a dragon and the might of a tiger. Every step he took shook the ancestral land, as if the Great Dao was resonating with him.
This person had an extraordinary presence, covering hundreds of yards with each step, coming from the edge of the horizon. He was a being with immeasurable divine powers, truly capable of shrinking the land into inches.
"Can you speak? If not, then don’t speak recklessly," Huo Ling’er scolded.
Shi Hao chuckled awkwardly. He naturally knew who had arrived. Since Huo Ling’er had already spoken, how could he not recognize it?
The Fire Emperor possessed an unparalleled aura, with each step perfectly synchronized with the rhythm of the heavens and earth. This was not the ordinary sense of unity with nature but a transcendent stance, truly ruling the world.
Shi Hao smiled, glancing at this emperor-level master and then at Huo Ling’er, who was struggling to keep up while wielding the precious artifact and panting heavily.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Fire Emperor," he said again.
Huo Ling’er ground her teeth and gave him several glances. This address was acceptable; had he used the previous one, she would have definitely lunged at him in a fit of rage.
"What did you say just now?" the Fire Emperor asked calmly.
They were in a desolate and barren land, not a blade of grass in sight, dotted only with a large lake of magma, with a high temperature. No human figures were visible in this area.
Shi Hao scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
The Fire Emperor, having seen many grand scenes, did not say much more. He was accustomed to meeting beings from the ancient divine mountains and found the situation merely amusing.
This was not the Fire Emperor’s true body but an avatar or a spiritual incarnation. His descent into the ancestral land meant that no one could hinder him.
To be honest, Shi Hao was still a bit uneasy. After all, this was the ancestral land of the Fire Clan, and it was quite inappropriate for an outsider like him to be here.
"Since Ling’er has allowed you to enter, I won’t say much more," the Fire Emperor said, as if seeing through his thoughts.
"I wonder if the Fire Emperor has any guidance," Shi Hao asked humbly. Such grand figures did not appear without reason; there must be something they sought.
Overall, Shi Hao had a good impression of the Fire Emperor. Over two years ago, when he was on the brink of death in the Void Divine Realm and faced ambushes from various sects, only the Fire Clan came to his rescue.
"I heard you have great talent in cultivation, so I came to have a look."
The Fire Emperor's heart moved, and he glanced at Huo Ling’er.
"I see you have been struggling recently. Just as my father has descended with a spiritual incarnation to the ancestral land, you may consult him if you have any doubts," Huo Ling’er said.
Shi Hao looked up at these words. This was no small favor—inviting an emperor-level figure to resolve doubts was quite a significant gesture. Only Huo Ling’er could achieve this.
In fact, Huo Ling’er was not very optimistic about Shi Hao's battle with Shi Yi. Shi Yi had extraordinary talents, with a rare double-pupil and even Shi Hao's Supreme Bone. He was nearly invincible. Although their last battle seemed to end in a draw, Shi Yi’s greatest strength had not yet been revealed.
Thus, she had invited the Fire Emperor to help and see if he could provide some guidance.
"Thank you," Shi Hao said sincerely. His gratitude was not just for one person but for both father and daughter.
The Fire Emperor merged with the heavens and earth, creating a sense of emptiness while standing there. Yet, observing him brought an immense pressure, evoking awe.
"Go on," he said, allowing Huo Ling’er to leave while he sat cross-legged on a piece of blue stone. In an instant, the entire desolate land was shrouded in mist, as if chaos was spreading, filled with the aura of the Great Dao.
With Huo Ling’er gone, only the two of them remained.
"The world is about to be thrown into chaos. I hope that one day, when you have the ability, you can ensure Ling’er’s safety."
These plain words from the Fire Emperor shook Shi Hao profoundly.
"The Fire Emperor looks down upon the desolate regions. With you here, who would dare harm the princess?"
"Who can predict the future? Many great figures will die; nothing is impossible," the Fire Emperor said. He did not seek any promises, only offering a piece of advice.
"Alright, I will do my best," Shi Hao said earnestly, not swearing an oath but emphasizing his seriousness.
"If you have any questions about cultivation, you can ask me," the Fire Emperor said. He was in harmony with the heavens and earth, sitting in a foggy area, surrounded by mist and the aura of the Great Dao.
Ordinary people would surely feel their souls tremble under such pressure and be unable to bear it. Shi Hao, however, withstood it, finding tranquility after the opening of the Ten Celestial Domains.
This was the most basic test. If he could not withstand the Fire Emperor’s natural aura, then there would be no point in staying to teach him.
The Fire Emperor had such qualifications. As the Emperor of the Fire Nation, inheriting the Daoist legacy, and having been at the center of a nation for so many years, all the national resources were at his disposal. Like a sacrificial spirit, he enjoyed the baptism of divine fire and had long achieved a level of mastery.
Shi Hao did not stand on ceremony but earnestly asked questions, presenting some of his confusions. The Fire Emperor responded seriously.
To be honest, having the Fire Emperor give guidance was a rare opportunity even for those princes. They all practiced under their own masters. Today, Shi Hao had gained a great chance.
Later, Shi Hao spoke about the transformation of the Divine Xi into a cauldron, a bell, and a Kunpeng, seeking guidance.
He was stuck on the Kunpeng transformation, finding it extremely difficult and unable to take action, only vaguely constructing a few, unlike those weapons densely packed inside.
The Fire Emperor’s eyes widened at these words, clearly moved, and said, "You have already touched upon this step."
"In the transformation of spirits, I did this and used it to break through the extreme realms. Now I am obstructed in transforming into a Kunpeng," Shi Hao replied.
The Fire Emperor looked at him with a somewhat unusual expression, seemingly complex, and finally nodded, saying, "You are very impressive."
"Why do you say that?" Shi Hao asked humbly.
"Many people practice their entire lives, even if they have become kings or lords, and they never touch upon this issue because they lack the qualification," the Fire Emperor said, then explained.
Shi Hao’s issue was quite significant. To touch upon and achieve his own Dao fruit at the stage of spirit transformation was indeed astonishing.
Strictly speaking, this issue only arises from the stage of the Inscription Mirror, and only a few can comprehend it and take that crucial step in the long years to come. Solving it would accompany one’s entire life, until reaching the esteemed or even higher realms.
"Perhaps it can be resolved at the time of becoming a deity. At that time, you will witness the astonishing divine power brought by quantitative change leading to qualitative change."
Upon hearing this, Shi Hao was taken aback.
He had thought this was his own achievement, something only he had realized. Now, with the Fire Emperor providing guidance, he hoped to enlighten the other party and bring benefits. He did not expect that the predecessors had already known this, and that all brilliant individuals would eventually step onto this path.
It was just that Shi Hao had realized it too early, using it to break through the extreme realms in spirit transformation. This was a problem that troubled even those who reached the deity level and could not be solved at his current stage.
Even ancient brilliant figures had only understood it fully after reaching the completion of the Inscription Mirror. Shi Hao’s case left the Fire Emperor silent, deeply shocked.
The Fire Emperor meditated here for half
Shi Hao lowered his head, silently reflecting. Today's gains were significant; at the very least, the path ahead was becoming ever more brilliant. He only needed to take determined steps forward.
According to the Fire Emperor, if he could now transform the Divine Xi into Suan Ni, Xuan Wu, Kunpeng, and other forms, easily condensing countless primordial symbols within his body, then he would have touched the threshold of becoming a deity.
"Then let’s start with a few symbols, engraving them while comprehending the supreme mysteries of the Kunpeng’s divine technique," Shi Hao murmured, beginning his cultivation.
The Fire Emperor's visit was not in vain. He had bestowed a divine mansion, emerging from the cracked underground and partially hidden within the magma.
Shi Hao entered it, earnestly engaging in comprehension and practice. He was deeply grateful for this generous gift and remembered the Fire Emperor’s kindness. What he needed most now was time.
Clearly, this divine mansion was extraordinary. It was different from the ancient halls usually found in the ancestral land, radiating a soft golden light.
"Why do I feel that spending a day here in cultivation is worth several tens or even hundreds of days outside?"
Because of this, he could calm his mind, reflect silently, and devote himself fully to understanding the law and the Dao without worrying about wasting time.
When one lets go, their potential becomes immense. Shi Hao’s mind was serene, free of any flaws, fully immersed in his practice.
The process of refining the Divine Xi and engraving the runes was also a process of analyzing the primordial symbols of the Kunpeng. He was diligently studying this supreme divine technique.
Capturing the Yang Fish and using divine essence to elevate his realm was necessary, but mastering the ultimate treasure technique he held was even more crucial.
Thus, within this golden mansion where time was not a concern, Shi Hao let go of everything and closed himself off for deep meditation.
Finally, he took out a meditation mat, a rare treasure woven from Kunmu wood obtained from the Kunpeng's lair. Sitting on it, he became ethereal.
As time went on, the ancient golden hall emitted a grand chanting sound, easily drawing one into a state of enlightenment. The meditation mat, too, produced a vast ancient scripture sound, with even more terrifying effects.
Faintly, the world transformed, as if returning to the ancient era. A black giant fish leapt from the deep sea, waves splashing into the starry sky, cleansing the stars.
Its entire body shone with dark light, covered in symbols, appearing both present and elusive, stirring the power of the moon and shaking the entire sky.
Then, golden rays flowed, the ocean disappeared, and a giant bird soared up, striking the heavens with fury, charging into the vast domain beyond, shaking its golden wings, shattering the great stars and disturbing the void.
It condensed the power of the sun, being extremely tough and invincible, as if the entire starry sky could not contain its true form.
On the meditation mat, Shi Hao sat, seemingly drifting in the ancient world. Sometimes he struck the waters for 300,000 miles, and other times he soared up to the nine heavens.
He was comprehending the Kunpeng method, experiencing the Dao as if he were living the Kunpeng's life. This feeling was quite marvelous.
Finally, the black giant fish and the golden giant bird merged into one, blending the moon and the sun, transforming into the true Kunpeng, which could be a fish or a bird, changing endlessly.
With a loud explosion, Shi Hao released a terrifying aura, causing the entire hall to rumble. Eventually, the ancient golden hall cracked and then shattered.
"I’ve done it. I’ve comprehended the Kunpeng divine technique," Shi Hao opened his eyes, filled with surprise, excitement, and immense satisfaction. He never expected to fully understand it today.
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