Chapter 1558: Killing Fiend (IV)

This was Li Hao’s first time coming in contact with seventh rank strength in the true sense of the notion. This was bonafide power of a high rank, no matter how illusory.

Such was the power of time!

It was only through wielding the power of time did he have this kind of chance. Otherwise, the current Li Hao wouldn’t possibly have an opportunity to become acquainted with a seventh rank’s strength—not unless the seventh rank was from New Martial. It wouldn’t be good for anyone else to see this display of power.

“Latter day descendant Li Hao of Silver Moon borrowed the senior’s dao comprehension last time,” Li Hao’s voice boomed through the depths of the river like the bell of great dao. “Today, I wish to borrow the senior’s past strength!”

This was the heavyweight who’d reminded Li Hao that however much he borrowed on this day would require repayment of ten to one hundred times in the future. The shadow seemed to recall this exhortation.

It regarded Li Hao with a hint of pity. Borrowing from the past and future time and time again, utilizing strength that was not his, and exceeding his limits... The shadow was even starting to wonder if he might see this cultivator of time again in the future.

Was Li Hao the only one who walked the path of time? Had there never been any other cultivator of time since the primordial past? If there were, why had no one ever laid eyes on one?

Perhaps they were all like Li Hao, depleting themselves again and again with this great dao. Perhaps the other cultivators of time were less than Li Hao since they didn’t walk the path of life and death as well. Perhaps they died the first time they borrowed strength that exceeded the limits of their capacity.

Li Hao had already died three times. If he counted the time when a thunder tribulation came for him before the Star Gate was opened, that would be four times. That hadn’t been a chaos tribulation then because Silver Moon had been sealed away.

Other cultivators of time would die after one instance, if they hadn’t comprehended life and death. They wouldn’t have so many opportunities to borrow strength again and again.

Daoist Flamefire should be one of the stronger heavyweights among seventh ranks. His voice traveled into Li Hao’s ears from a mystical distance away. “If I remember correctly, you might already owe me a favor. You may not be able to repay that one and I hope no hopes for this one...

“If you operate the dao of time without moderation and exceed your capabilities again and again, then I do not think highly of your future, cultivator of time!”

Li Hao furrowed his brows without a word. Perhaps his past successes had given him the impression that everyone thought well of those who walked the path of time. But this Daoist Flamefire was telling him on their second meeting that he didn’t think much of Li Hao anymore.

The young man remained quiet. Perhaps... the senior was correct. Repeatedly exceeding his limits and even using the strength of a third rank to borrow from a seventh rank...

How much of a price will I pay in the future?

Can I safely endure the tribulation this time? If not, I’ll have to experience my fourth death.

Even though I have nine lives to play with, utilizing them like this renders this option completely ineffective.

Flamefire was right, neither did Li Hao think he was wrong. However, he responded with the notes of great dao, “Regardless, the senior’s past strength is here and it would be a waste for it to recede right now. Why not put it all on the line this one time!

“Since the senior is willing to accept the summons and come, then let us bet that I will remain alive before I meet the senior!”

He was here already! Flamefire wouldn’t have come if he had no intentions of lending out his strength. It meant that no matter where or what era the powerhouse resided in, he’d sent his strength over to a future descendant.

“True enough... every cultivator is a gambler!” laughed Daoist Flamefire. He was here already, despite saying that he didn’t think much of Li Hao’s future. Would he be here if he really was unwilling?

It was just one gamble, a bet that this cultivator of time did indeed possess a future. It would be quite the handsome payoff if Flamefire won the bet. Even if he lost, he himself would still be alive in the future. He’d just possibly suffer some injuries at that point. It wasn’t like he’d be dead.

Formidable strength of fire melded into Li Hao’s body.

“I do not cultivate cause and effect, so I do not know how much of it you must endure.” Daoist Flamefire’s voice echoed in Li Hao’s mind. “But I do know that life and death have much to do with cause and effect as well.

“You seem to walk the path of life and death, but that will prove ineffective! Sooner or later, you will encounter unprecedented danger and be unable to borrow a single tendril of strength. Your cause and effect are too great! True powerhouses might be able to sense it and be unwilling to lend strength to you!”

It wouldn’t be Li Hao unable to use his powers, but that the next heavyweight might detect certain things. If they judged that the young man was shouldering too much, they might refuse to answer Li Hao’s call.

There would be no need to take that risk, because the young man was doomed. Since he had no future, why help him?

Li Hao jolted with shock! So he’d be unable to borrow strength? Indeed, Daoist Flamefire already seemed reluctant this time. He might be completely unwilling next time. And here the young man had thought of borrowing strength one more time to kill the leader of Dragon Observatory and the others.

Perhaps he’d have to pay the senior at Coiling Dragon Well a visit, because that one had invested in him! That senior might find it too much of a loss if he couldn’t recoup his investment. He’d have no choice but to make a second investment. The dragon senior at that dao foundation site might be willing to lend him a second instance of strength.

The thought flashed through Li Hao’s mind before he set it aside. It felt like his body was exploding! The body of a third rank at grand perfection felt like it was being immolated as a surge of colossal power beyond his imagination rose within him.

......

At the same time, Skyward seemed to tremble. A billion stars appeared out of thin air, drawing everyone’s attention. Even Crimson Cloud paused and looked at the sky, shock and incredulity writ large in his eyes.

The exalted emperors turned their attention from reinforcing the strength of fire drifting around themselves. They raised their heads, shaken by the sight.

A dao universe seemed to have appeared in the cosmos. A billion stars sparkled and one of them—the star of fire—blazed with ferocious light. There was a smaller star of water next to it, also glittering with light.

That star was the result of Li Hao activating the strength of water.

......

Demon Summit.

The dao chess was present and someone was inside the treasure to comprehend dao. The weapon spirit was observing Void’s progress when it suddenly jerked its head up, looking in another direction.

“He has a death wish!” it murmured. The little guy really was courting death! Had he called upon the power of time again to borrow strength?

And it looked like he was borrowing the strength of fire!

That was a seventh rank!

The cultivator of time could not proceed as haphazardly as this. He would be the death of himself sooner or later.

The kid looks genteel and cultured, but he’s completely off his rocker! He won’t come to me to borrow the dark envoy’s eighth rank strength next time, will he?

In that case, he’ll be as dead as doornail. An eighth rank tribulation was not something he could survive.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Borrowing external strength to fortify oneself and instantly becoming a premier powerhouse... Is that kind of desire hard to keep under control?

Perhaps Li Hao was addicted to this way of action? The sudden infusion of strength could easily make the young man lose himself and impart the feeling of invincibility. These situations were often seen. Even the supernaturals of Silver Moon had lost themselves with a sudden addition of arcane abilities.

I am invincible beneath the heavens!

The weapon soul thought over everything with a hint of regret. If people were unable to control their desires, then it was only a matter of time before their desires became the death of them.

What a pity!

Time cultivators were rare indeed. Sadly, their unique abilities and penchant for borrowing strength were the start of a slippery slope to an early death.

There had never been a true dao master of time in the chaos universe. Was it because other powerhouses were unaware of this power?

But even if someone was lucky enough to cultivate time, they would follow in Li Hao’s footsteps and exceed their personal limits again and again until they caused their own deaths.

The shadow shook its head and said nothing more. Instead, it refocused on Void. This person was not bad at all. He was only a fifth rank, but had made it past three thousand squares in a short period of time and continued to move forward. Void had also done so in an easy fashion.

Last time a fifth rank tried dao chess, he’d nearly done himself in after one thousand squares. Compared to the one in the treasure now, that other fifth rank was absolute trash.

So the time cultivator had a keen eye for appraisal; he’d recommended someone decent enough. Perhaps this one hadn’t made it to the second test last time because the weapon soul had been asleep. It didn’t discover the uniqueness of this cultivator.

It was clear to see that Void possessed the qualifications to enter the second trial and try out dao chess. The shadow also ignored the man.

It couldn’t dictate how Li Hao chose—that kind of person wouldn’t listen to others either. It was up to him whether he saw the light or not. Anyone who could cultivate time was a stunning talent!

But reality was stark, there was no dao master of time in the chaos universe!

......

Inside the volcano.

Li Hao felt that his strength had swelled to incredible limits. He was invincible and omnipotent. The abundance of strength within him made him feel that he could kill even the New Martial Human King if the man was present in front of him.

Of course, that was likely just a misconception.

Borrowing strength...

the strength that’d appeared out of thin air sent him into a daze. It was too strong! For a moment, there was even some violent frustration that rose in the depths of his heart.

Fire was an agitating element to begin with; Li Hao was even being affected by the past strength of fire. Cruel bloodthirsty dominated his thoughts.

I’m so strong that I can do anything I want and kill anyone I wish. I can even borrow the strength of the past Skyward master—the ninth rank—and kill all of my enemies!

A sound rang in his ear.

“Milord!” Gan Wuliang called out urgently. Li Hao had borrowed the strength he needed, but the young man didn’t move after that. Fire raged over him and it seemed to be on the verge of exploding. Gan Wuliang had no choice but to take a risk and awaken Li Hao. He reached out with trepidation, despite brimming with the mighty strength of great dao himself.

When Li Hao opened his eyes once more, Gan Wuliang could immediately sense the crazed bloodlust and mad penchant for violence. He was highly alarmed!

Li Hao had never been this way. If he ever had been, there was only that one time when he killed Ying Hongyue. He’d been exceedingly tyrannical then. But no matter how dangerous the situation was in normal times, no matter how difficult, Li Hao was never like this.

Well, there was one other instance of losing control—when he failed to revive whoever that was. So altogether, this was the third time in which Gan Wuliang saw the young man in such a brutal state.

Once when Li Hao killed Ying Hongyue, once when he failed to resurrect someone, and today for no reason at all!

Gan Wuliang’s heart shook. Had something gone wrong with Li Hao?