The Name of Eternity.

Chapter 614 Carving the True Meaning, Shi Miao Awakens (Part 2)

Countless peach blossoms have fallen, and countless seasons have passed since the pen was first used to write.

A profound sense of time permeated the mountaintop and Li Hao's surroundings, as if enveloping him in a giant cocoon, along with the Time God Tree floating before him.

That section of sacred wood is no longer recognizable as wood; instead, it has transformed into a lifelike image of a gray-haired youth holding a wine jug.

The sculpture sits casually in the void, exuding imperial might. The space around it ripples slightly. If you look closely, you will find that the origin of the Great Dao is gathered, and the void is layered like folds, extending out from around it in a very subtle way.

In front of this sculpture is the real Su Jiuzhe, who sits casually on the grass, as quiet as a stone sculpture for years, gazing silently at the boy he has painstakingly sculpted.

Three years is but a blink of an eye for him; a few thoughts have already passed.

For the past three years, they have not communicated with each other. The young man devoted himself wholeheartedly, purely, attentively, and obliviously to sculpting him, while he simply observed quietly, feeling the earth-shattering changes in the young man.

That's right, it's earth-shattering. In just three years of carving, this young man has already made an invisible breakthrough to the sixth level of the Origin of Time.

In addition, the spatial origin realm also broke through from the fifth level to the sixth level.

The Golden Dao Origin also advanced successively, from the fourth level to the peak of the fifth level.

The same applies to the origin of wood.

There is also the Dao of Form, which progresses from the sixth level of the Origin Realm to the peak of the sixth level.

I'm not far from breaking through to the seventh level.

It was only three years, a mere three years.

Even before cultivation, merely carving caused a leap in the five fundamental realms of its nine orders.

All of this happened right under his nose; he witnessed it firsthand, without any other means.

Su Jiuzhe finally understood why the other party could reach such an incredible level in just a hundred years of soul lifespan. This was definitely a monstrous talent that was unique throughout the ages!
Could it be that he is a gift from Heaven, capable of ending all this war? Su Jiuzhe's eyes flickered, his thoughts soaring, traversing ten thousand years of history.

While he was lost in thought, a strange fluctuation suddenly appeared before his eyes.

The fluctuation drew his primordial spirit in, as if something was shining upon it, refracting a beam of light and shadow.

The power that could shake his primordial spirit must be at least at the Quasi-Emperor level.

Su Jiuzhe's eyes flickered slightly, and when he came to his senses, he saw the sculpture in front of him radiating a dazzling light, as if it were his own reflection rather than a carved decoration.

"Ok?"

Su Jiuzhe's eyes narrowed slightly. He was very knowledgeable and could tell at a glance that the sculpture was extraordinary.

This... is already like a substitute.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an external avatar. The ultimate realm 'Great Thousand World' that he controlled was actually sculpted by Li Hao, and fluctuations appeared around the sculpture.

Although incomplete, it is already an incredibly incredible thing.

As Su Jiuzhe intently observed, the boy before him seemed to loosen from his slumber, gradually regaining consciousness from his absorbed carving.

As Li Hao gazed at the sculpture before him, his eyes gradually cleared, and a light began to shine in them. He revealed excitement, surprise, and a strong love for his work.

He even automatically ignored the pop-up notifications on the panel in front of him.

Only by truly devoting oneself to the Tao can one attain it!

"This... is true sculpture."

Looking at the imperial sculpture before him, Li Hao finally understood the true meaning of sculpture. All his previous sculptures seemed like mere decorations in comparison to this masterpiece.

The most beautiful sculptures are inevitably sculpted by time.

As if in the beginning of chaos, time sculpted the true world and all living beings.

Everything can be sculpted... including the very origin of the Great Dao.

The carving technique is so exquisite that it transcends the divine and reaches the primordial realm.

At the same time, Li Hao realized that carving twelve sections was only the beginning of entering the path of carving.

In the past, carving could only be described as "shaping".

The sculptures of today are truly natural, products of time.

He wields his divine power as a pen-sword, transforming into the driving force behind time.

"When rain falls into the mud, it carves a pit."

"My white hair is but a facet etched by the years..."

"Even white hair and a youthful face can be sculpted, and so too can my own cultivation!"

Li Hao's mind was completely absorbed in the carving, as if he had merged into the universe, with an open and humble heart that seemed to encompass all things.

Numerous insights into carving flooded my mind.

[Sculpted Path: Twelve Sections]

[Understanding the Mindset: Sculpting the True Meaning]

Li Hao has mastered the twelve dan levels of both painting and chess, gaining extraordinary special abilities in each. These are unique to the twelve dan level, much like the hidden power within the bloodlines of those great families.

Carving twelve sections also brought Li Hao a power, a method condensed from his insights and gains in carving, the sharp blade of time!

Sculpture and painting share some similarities, but they also have differences.

The art of painting that Li Hao has mastered is the realm of time, which allows him to maximize the power of the essence of time within his own domain.

The sharp blade of time is also closely related to time, but it is even sharper than the landscape painted by time.

He can sculpt cultivation, sculpt Li Hao himself, and also sculpt enemies!
"At the cost of my lifespan, I can use the Blade of Time to sculpt myself to a higher level of cultivation in a short period of time!"

The origin of the Great Dao can be sculpted, and so can cultivation realm. This power is extremely terrifying. Li Hao had never seen any of those demonic geniuses wield it when he fought them before.

If he were to encounter that Black Princess again, Li Hao felt that he would not need to burn his primordial spirit to sculpt himself with the Blade of Time, but could temporarily raise his cultivation to the same level as her to make up for the power difference caused by burning his primordial spirit, and thus fight without taking any damage!
If she were to burn her primordial spirit again, Hei Ji could kill her, leaving her no chance to escape!
Li Hao increasingly felt that the power brought by these skills, whether it be chess or carving, as they were continuously improved, was by no means inferior to the Nine Orders Great Dao!

After all, comprehending a single skill can lead to breakthroughs in several of the Nine Orders Great Dao's original realms. Usually, the Nine Orders split and evolve into all things, but these skills can actually split and comprehend the Nine Orders, which shows how miraculous and terrifying they are.

Returning to the present moment, Li Hao looked at Su Jiuzhe. The other woman's movements seemed unchanged, and gratitude welled up in Li Hao's eyes. He stood up and said:

"Thank you for your help, senior."

"I'm just sitting here."

Su Jiuzhe smiled calmly.

He scrutinized Li Hao and noticed that the young man's aura had become more restrained, showing a significant change. However, this change was not reflected in his cultivation level and could perhaps only be seen during a battle.

"To comprehend the essence of the Dao with such a minor skill as carving, you are a rare figure throughout history."

Su Jiuzhe said.

Upon hearing this, Li Hao was surprised and asked, "Are there others who have also attained enlightenment through this method?"

"Of course there is."

Su Jiuzhe said, "Since you possess the Dao Source Immortal Seal, you should know that all paths lead to oneness. Regardless of whether it is the Great Path or the Lesser Path, mastering them to the extreme will lead to one pinnacle, which is to open up your own path to becoming an emperor!"

"Throughout history, countless people have entered the Dao through various unorthodox techniques. However, those who persist in the later stages gradually become fewer and fewer. After all, due to the pressure of competition in cultivation, these unorthodox techniques ultimately lead to slow cultivation and are difficult to compete with the great Dao."

"Moreover, not everyone has your level of understanding and perseverance, and can delve into this subject to such an extent."

Li Hao nodded slightly. He understood deeply how much pressure those powerful families with deep resources had to endure to cultivate these "unorthodox methods."

"Do you know the passage of time outside?" Su Jiuzhe asked.

"Outside?"

Li Hao was surprised. He had been so engrossed in carving that he hadn't noticed the passage of time. He couldn't help but ask, "Has a long time passed?"

"Not long, only three years."

Su Jiuzhe said, "You sculpted with time, so the time and space you are in is ten years, and your soul lifespan is also equivalent to an increase of ten years, but only three years have passed outside."

"I've been carving this for ten years?"

Li Hao was surprised. Ten years? How many decades has he actually lived through?
This carving took so much time!

Three years away from home, that's a long time.

Li Hao hadn't yet gotten used to seclusion that often lasted hundreds or even thousands of years, and couldn't help but smile wryly. However, when he saw the work in front of him, he felt it was worthwhile, or rather, more than worth it.

Even if you give him another ten years, he might not be able to carve it out again; it might take even longer.

After all, the space surrounding this sculpture is filled with layers of folds and cracks, sculpted over time, a testament to painstaking effort and tireless dedication.

"Consider this a small gift from you."

Su Jiuzhe raised his hand and accepted the small Su Jiuzhe carved by Li Hao.

This object is not merely an ornament; it is also a reflection of itself, capable of wielding immense power and even displaying some of Su Jiuzhe's techniques.

Li Hao knew that this item was precious, even comparable to a top-tier immortal weapon, but he was still able to carve it, and if it weren't for Su Jiuzhe's help, he would have had difficulty carving it to break through the realm.

"I'm glad you like it, senior. If there's an opportunity in the future, I would like to have it engraved on your imperial weapon."

Li Hao said with a smile.

"You're not at a loss at all." Su Jiuzhe smiled faintly, clenched his fist, and the strange phenomena of the Great Dao Origin around the sculpture immediately gathered together, as if sealed, turning it into an ordinary wooden sculpture, but one that was extremely spiritual.

He casually tucked it into his pocket and waved, saying, "Go."

Li Hao stood up, bowed deeply, and then carried the basket of pastries down the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, when Fourth Uncle saw Li Hao finally emerge, he immediately noticed that Li Hao's aura had changed and his lifespan had increased.

Although there was no Soul Mirror, with his level of cultivation, Fourth Uncle could roughly sense the changes in Li Hao's soul lifespan without needing a Soul Mirror.

"Did the Ancestor give you guidance?"

Fourth Uncle asked with a smile.

Li Hao nodded, "I guess so."

He then waved goodbye to his fourth uncle and hurriedly left the ancestral land to head to the Immortal Abode.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, and I don't know if she has woken up yet.

Li Hao felt a pang of guilt; he had promised to stay by her side, but he had failed to do so.

……

The Su family mansion, in the courtyard of the banished immortal.

Years passed, and after the prosperity faded, the Su family settled down. Su Muqing also sat in the cultivation room to meditate and comprehend.

The courtyard was empty. The figure, who seemed to have become part of the scenery in the courtyard, had gone to the ancestral land and had not returned for a long time.

Su Muqing sent Wu Ma to inquire, and learned that Li Hao was still in the ancestral land, seemingly receiving guidance from the ancestor and cultivating there.

Upon hearing this news, Su Muqing felt a strange sense of relief, but also a complex mix of emotions.

As one of the Su family's top talents, she had only seen the face of the ancestor when he awoke this time. She hadn't even spoken to him, received his summons, let alone received any guidance.

On the contrary, Li Hao was favored by the progenitor.

She wasn't jealous of Li Hao, but she was disappointed and puzzled as to why the ancestor hadn't summoned her.

During the year that Li Hao went to his ancestral home, the Lin family seemed to have recovered as well. A message was sent to the Su family and was respectfully handed to her.

Upon seeing the message, she realized that she had closed the jade pendant, and the other party was unable to contact her directly through the jade pendant, so they had to communicate through the Su family.

She felt a pang of guilt as memories of their hundreds of years together flashed before her eyes. He had sheltered her from the storms of life since childhood, helping her like an older brother. Countless people had high hopes for them, saying they were a match made in heaven.

She herself thinks so too.

After all, apart from him, other young men in the world would seem nothing special.

In terms of character, appearance, cultivation, and talent, none can compare.

Even those great clan prodigies who are highly sought after by the world and have countless followers, are defeated in a single move in front of him; they are not even on the same level.

However, this arrogant and domineering attitude that stood out from the crowd was broken.

However, even if someone surpasses her in talent, she will not distance herself from them. After all, her father often said that there are heavens beyond heavens. She has also heard of many other legends of great emperors, including the Primordial True Realm. She has heard that among the geniuses there, there are those of her and Lin Zhexuan's level, and even those stronger than them!

Such as those geniuses who have mastered the Dao Source Immortal Seal.

Therefore, she never regarded her talent as the best in the True Realm, so that even if she lost, her Dao heart would not be damaged.

Her Dao heart was strong enough to withstand her first defeat.

But... she could not forget the scene of her crossing past them in that desperate situation, ready to fight to the death.

She could understand them, but understanding and acceptance are two different things, especially after comparison.

Su Muqing gripped the letter in her hand, ultimately deciding to meet with the person.

Outside the Su family's residence, in a lakeside pavilion.

A tall figure stood there, waiting quietly.

Su Muqing's figure appeared instantly. Upon seeing the figure in the lake, her eyes were filled with complex emotions. She then slowly descended into the pavilion.

"Are you blaming me?"

Upon meeting, Lin Zhexuan turned around and looked at the girl in front of him, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and anger.

Su Muqing knew he was criticizing her for closing the jade pendant, so she whispered, "I've been too busy lately, so I'm in seclusion."

Lin Zhexuan naturally wouldn't believe such a lie; on the contrary, he found it somewhat laughable. However, he neither laughed nor got angry, but quietly said:

"We both heard what Uncle Su said at the time. What was your decision?"

Su Muqing's heart trembled slightly, and she fell silent. After a long while, she finally said:

"I do not know."

"do not know?"

For the first time, anger appeared on Lin Zhexuan's calm face. His fists clenched slightly as he said, "I thought you would refuse decisively!"

Su Muqing stared at the furious young man before her, speechless for a moment. She truly didn't know, and even now, she didn't know how to face him.

"The Dao Source Immortal Seal is indeed a true dragon among men, but the Chaos Laws are no less impressive!"

Lin Zhexuan looked deeply at Su Muqing and said, "After hundreds of years of getting along, you should know my feelings."

Su Muqing remained silent; she naturally understood.

"In ten years, I will go to the Primordial True Realm. The family has already made arrangements."

Lin Zhexuan stared at her and said in a deep voice, "Your Su family should also have such an arrangement. What I mean is, if you choose me, then we should get married as soon as possible and have a child before going to the Primordial True Realm, so that the family can take care of the child. You know that the competition in the Primordial True Realm is even more intense. At that time, you will be fully focused on cultivation and there will be no time to talk about these things!"

Su Muqing's expression changed slightly. Once upon a time, all of this was a natural and logical thing.

But now... a rare hint of hesitation appeared in her heart.

Lin Zhexuan seemed to see through her thoughts, gave her a deep look, then turned away and said:

"Think about it again in ten years."

After saying that, his figure tore through the void, soared away, and disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Su Muqing remained in the lake, gazing at the empty pavilion. Suddenly, she felt a void in her heart as well. Her eyes, like the ripples on the lake, shimmered and sparkled.

After returning from the gathering at the lakeside pavilion, Su Muqing secluded herself in the palace, refusing to see anyone.

time flies.

Outside the courtyard, Li Hao's figure returned from his ancestral home.

Seeing the courtyard unchanged for three years, Li Hao's gaze immediately fell on the tightly closed palace gate. Seeing that it was still closed, he felt somewhat disappointed, it seemed that there was still no sign of awakening.

He carried the basket back to the carved chair, saw that the chessboard was covered in dust, and casually waved his hand to shake it off.

When Wu Ma saw Li Hao return, she was overjoyed and hurriedly came to greet him.

"Master, you are back."

"Has she gone out?"

Li Hao asked.

Wu Ma immediately knew that Li Hao was referring to Su Muqing, and said, "In recent years, Miss has rarely gone out and has kept herself locked in the palace."

Li Hao responded with an "oh," indicating that the other party hadn't cared at all about his three-year absence.

He shook his head slightly, not thinking much of it.

He dismissed Wu Ma and, as usual, continued playing chess and carving.

However, now, on the twelve-section carving path, the Ying Xiaoxiao he carved seems to contain a soul.

Li Hao carved one and placed it beside him as a companion.

Time flies.

During the three years that Li Hao went to his ancestral home, Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue both came to the Immortal Abode to look for him. After learning where he was, they were happy for him and did not bother him again.

However, they would still send someone over from time to time to check if Li Hao had returned.

Now that Li Hao has returned, less than half a month later, the two of them came to the Immortal Abode to visit him.

"Haotian, I heard you went to cultivate with the Ancestor. It's been three years since I last saw you. Your strength must have improved a lot, right?"

Su Wanxue looked Li Hao up and down, her prejudice against the young man long gone. She pondered how much Li Hao's strength had changed.

"good."

Li Hao replied casually.

Su Wanqing's gaze fell on the sculpture beside her. To avoid being too conspicuous, Li Hao had concealed the origin of the Great Dao on the sculpture and sealed its power, so it only appeared to have divine charm. However, even so, the twelve-stage carving technique made it even more divine than before.

"Your carving skills seem to have improved."

Su Wanqing said in a low voice, but there was a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Did you improve because you repeatedly sculpted your older sister?
Even though you can't see anyone, you're still so focused on carving. Is it because the other person is already deeply imprinted in your heart?

"Ah."

Li Hao didn't think much of it; instead, he was surprised that Su Wanqing could see that he had made a breakthrough in his carving skills.

"Haotian, are you going to the Primordial True Realm? With your talent, you will definitely improve faster if you go there to cultivate."

Su Wanxue asked again, her eyes full of curiosity.

"The Primordial True Realm?"

Li Hao subconsciously looked up at Su Muqing in the hall, then shook his head slightly, "I won't go for now."

"Don't go?"

Su Wanxue noticed Li Hao's gaze and couldn't help but ask, "Is it because of Mu Qing? She'll be going too."

Li Hao said, "If she goes, then I'll go too."

Su Wanxue was speechless, then immediately understood: wherever Su Muqing was, this young man would be there too, even with the allure of the Primordial True Realm.

She couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Where did you meet Mu Qing, and why do you have such deep feelings for her?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing also looked up at Li Hao, concealing her sour gaze, worried that Li Hao would notice and distance himself from her.

This question left Li Hao somewhat stunned, and his thoughts immediately returned to the Southern Region, and then to that small teahouse in the mortal world.

He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought, and did not speak.

Seeing that Li Hao did not answer for a long time, Su Wanxue had no choice but to give up. She then said, "If you want to go to the Primordial True Realm, our Su family can find a way. Your father's affection for you will surely help you obtain the qualification."

Li Hao snapped out of his daze, shook his head slightly, and said, "No need to trouble yourself, I have one."

"You have?"

Su Wanxue and Su Wanqing were both stunned. Then they thought of Li Hao's talent. With such top-notch aptitude, it was not surprising that he had a path to enter the Primordial True World.

The two looked at each other in disbelief. Su Wanxue could not understand, while Su Wanqing bit her lip. Since there was a way to enter the Primordial True Realm, Li Hao was just wasting his time staying here. This also showed that Li Hao's feelings for Su Muqing were beyond their comprehension.

After chatting for a few more minutes, the two left.

Li Hao continued with his own activities, cooking and eating the corpse of the ancient demon to heal his golden bones, while also continuing to carve and play chess.

Although he has reached the twelfth level in both skills, he still needs to accumulate more experience. If he can break through to the thirteenth level soon, he will be able to break through and become a king.

However, at present, this process is obviously quite long, after all, experience alone requires accumulation day by day.

Inside the hall.

After returning from the lakeside pavilion, Su Muqing kept an eye on Li Hao's movements to see if he would return. Seeing that Li Hao had not returned for a long time, she became completely absorbed in her cultivation.

The sparring between demons and geniuses here was a huge blow to her. Whether it was the Crimson Beard of the Spirit Blood Clan or Meng Qing later, especially the Black Princess with the Dao Source Immortal Seal, even Lin Zhexuan was no match for them. For the first time in her life, she saw even stronger geniuses and prodigies besides her brother Lin Zhexuan.

This pressure led her to immerse herself in spiritual practice, becoming somewhat oblivious to her surroundings.

She was prepared to fight to the death, using the forbidden power hidden within her.

As her cultivation level increased, she could feel that power more and more; it wasn't an illusion, but something that truly existed.

However, she also had a hunch that if she really unleashed that power, she would face great danger.

However, during this period of seclusion, she couldn't help but wonder, if she could unleash and control it, wouldn't that allow her to take a giant leap forward?
She was prepared to unravel that power slowly, like peeling back layers of an onion, gradually guiding it out, refining it, and controlling it!
As her thoughts reached out and continued to sink, communicating with that hidden power, she slowly felt an indescribable and terrifying aura, an aura that seemed like a vast and mighty river, drawing her into her body from a distant place.

Moreover, this long river is the most mysterious river of time in the True Realm.

It is but a ripple in the long river of time, yet it is enough to drown countless geniuses and prodigies.

And that mysterious river seemed to extend into his body, bringing terrifying power.

The more she touched it, the more shocked and amazed Su Muqing became. If she could master all of this power, she felt that she could easily become invincible in the Immortal Lord realm!
Time... Su Muqing has had an extraordinary perception and understanding of time since childhood; otherwise, she would not have been able to reach the seventh level of the Time Origin.

But the rich aura of time within her body was even deeper and more profound than she had ever sensed!

As she continued to touch it, a distant calling seemed to come from the depths of that power.

The sound transcended the river of time and space, extremely distant and indistinct.

She held her breath and enveloped her consciousness with the essence of time throughout her body, trying to approach that power and sound. Slowly, she seemed to be able to hear it a little.

"Hao...Tian..."

When she heard that indistinct voice, Su Muqing froze. She suddenly felt a sense of horror, like she was having a nightmare.

Is it an illusion? Or is my mind in turmoil? Why would I be calling out to him from the depths of my heart?
They say that love only comes from longing and yearning, but how could I possibly have feelings for him...?

The call vanished as soon as she heard it, as if it were a genuine illusion.

Su Muqing's feelings were complicated, but she quickly put aside her distracting thoughts. The reason why she and Lin Zhexuan were able to become top talents was because, apart from their natural talents, they both prioritized cultivation and put aside all other romantic feelings.

She continued to approach that power and soon sensed a crystal-clear ball of light enveloped in a seven-colored mist.

The ball of light resembled a huge fruit, crystal clear and beautiful, its surface flowing with a magnificent power of time, dazzlingly beautiful.

But amidst that dazzling spectacle, Su Muqing noticed a blurry human figure within the ball of light, its graceful form curled up in the amniotic fluid, as if in the womb…

She was shocked. How could the power within her be in such a state?
She wanted to get closer, but a force blocked her way, preventing her from approaching.

Su Muqing realized that it was time. Although that power was inside her, it was not inside her, or rather, it was in another part of time within her.

To get close to it, to control it, you must... bring it into the present moment.

Su Muqing began to exert her power, condensing her understanding of the seventh level of the Origin of Time, transforming it into an incomparably sharp blade of time, which she slashed out fiercely, severing the dark barrier!

Suddenly, the power of time on the surface of the ball of light froze.

Then, it suddenly pressed against her, and the glowing Time Fruit expanded continuously in her perception until it was right in front of her.

At that moment, she suddenly realized that the figure curled up in the fruit was not an illusion but real, and the face of that sleeping figure... was exactly the same as hers!
As she stared in awe, the figure slowly opened its eyes from the fruit and looked at her.

Their gazes met, as if time and space were spinning, and the cause and effect of past and present lives were instantly intertwined.

At that moment, all of Su Muqing's memories, which served as the vessel, flooded into the fruit.

A crack appeared on the surface of the fruit, and a vast and powerful aura emerged and seeped out.

In the courtyard, Aunt Wu brewed a pot of tea for Li Hao, who drank the tea while quietly making his moves.

Suddenly, a long-lost, familiar aura emerged, as if breaking free from its shell.

From the palace before us.

Li Hao, who was concentrating on playing chess, was suddenly pulled back to his senses. As if struck by lightning, he abruptly looked up and stood up abruptly, his eyes wide open, staring at the tightly closed palace.

At the same time, in the ancestral home of the Su family.

On a hill covered in peach blossoms, Su Jiuzhe was drinking wine. His wine jug paused slightly, and his eyes glanced over as if traversing countless petals and distances to see the scene deep within the palace.

"Has he/she woken up...?"

(End of this chapter)