25: Chapter 25 The Immortal Path in the Mortal World, Emerging from Seclusion

But this wasn't truly living a new life; it was more like a helpless slumber and waiting.

"And to go further, to live a third life, a fourth life... and eventually achieve transcendence,"

Jiang Hao's thoughts turned toward more distant legends. "The difficulty would increase exponentially."

Each life required a deeper understanding of the Great Dao than the last, necessitating even more arduous transformations.

The requirements for Dao Heart, Opportunity, and talent were so harsh they could drive any Prodigy to despair.

Ancient history vaguely mentioned that the supreme Dao Venerable of the Mythological Era might not have disappeared, but instead embarked on such a long and lonely path.

But these were merely rumors; no one had confirmed them. No one had seen the Dao Venerable since, nor had anyone witnessed a successful example in later generations.

Many Forbidden Zone Supreme Beings had tried to find their way during their long lives, but none succeeded, leaving the path littered with the bones and sighs of failures.

To many, it was almost equivalent to an illusory hypothesis.

But Jiang Hao did not think so.

He closed his eyes and looked inward, feeling a more fundamental understanding of this Universe after merging with the heavenly heart imprint.

"This Heavens and Myriad Worlds was formed after the Immortal Realm shattered; its Origin is incomplete, and the world is flawed."

Enlightenment dawned in his heart,

"Under the suppression of such incomplete Laws of heaven and earth, it's nearly impossible to achieve success in a single lifetime and directly ascend to immortality."

So, where was the path?

It was through quantitative change leading to qualitative change.

"If one life isn't enough, then two; if two aren't enough, then three... even five, seven..."

A clear thought rose in his Dao Heart.

"Using quantitative change to trigger qualitative change, within this flawed Mortal World, through one arduous transformation after another, I will continuously mend my Origin, sublimate my life level, and finally... push open that immortal gate!"

This path sounded distant, even insane, but based on Jiang Hao's understanding of the Great Dao and his insights as a transmigrator, he felt it was likely the only correct direction under the logic of this world.

It relied on no external items, depending entirely on one's own struggle, transformation, and transcendence within the vast Mortal World, turning every cycle of life and death into a stepping stone forward.

"If one can truly achieve Immortal Ascension through this method... what should this Path to Immortality be called?"

Jiang Hao pondered, and then a name naturally surfaced in his mind.

"Struggling in the Mortal World, transforming through the years, remaining indestructible through ten thousand tribulations... such an immortal should be called a Red Dust Immortal."

Yes, a Red Dust Immortal.

This name was like a bolt of lightning, cutting through the mist in his heart regarding the path to longevity and illuminating a vague but real possible route.

It was no longer just a hazy rumor in ancient texts but had become a concrete goal.

Though the road ahead was long and fraught with unknown dangers, at this moment, Jiang Hao's Dao Heart grew even more firm and clear.

With the Emperor Scripture Chaos Scripture as his Foundation, the near-immortal Chaos Body as his basis, and the distant yet clear goal of becoming a Red Dust Immortal to guide him.

"Red Dust Immortal..." Jiang Hao silently repeated this weighty title.

It meant there was no need to enter the ethereal Immortal Realm; one could undergo countless hardships right here in the vast Mortal World.

Living again and again through Rebirth, transforming continuously over nearly infinite ages, eventually cultivating one's own Laws to the limit, becoming an existence that rivals or even surpasses the True Immortals of the Immortal Realm!

This was a Realm that bordered on legend.

The path of a Red Dust Immortal was one of absolute loneliness, hardship, and uncertainty.

But it was also a path of supreme strength, relying entirely on oneself to transcend all limits!

Jiang Hao silently contemplated this vague information captured from the fragmented scriptures of the Ancient Emperor Heavenly Venerables and his own resonance with the heavenly heart imprint.

He held an undying divine medicine in his hand, which could serve as an important insurance, a backup.

The Chaos Body's near-immortal potential, the Chaos Scripture that had shown its all-encompassing nature since its inception, and his own invincible conviction tempered by trials all gave him enough confidence to look toward that path filled with legends and the unknown.

"However, that is the distant future after all."

Because he possessed the Chaos Body and a solid Foundation, his lifespan was significantly longer than that of an average Dao Prover.

In this life, he had at least tens of thousands of years.

Jiang Hao reined in his thoughts, his gaze returning to clarity.

He had just become an Emperor; there was still plenty of time in this life.

With his mind set, the surging Dao rhymes around Jiang Hao's body completely settled.

He stood up, his black robe fluttering without wind. After eighty years of seclusion, his Cultivation had reached Perfection; it was time to emerge.

Outside the door, Sect Master Li Daoran and several core Elders, who had long since sensed the movement, were waiting with bated breath.

When Li Daoran saw Jiang Hao's figure appear, his aura mellow and deep without a trace of the sharp edge he had when he first entered seclusion eighty years ago, a look of joyful surprise erupted in his eyes.

"Great Emperor." He stepped forward, his voice trembling with excitement. "You have emerged from seclusion!"

"Sect Master, Elders, thank you for waiting."

A gentle smile appeared on Jiang Hao's face as his gaze swept over the crowd.

Li Daoran was already at the Peak of the Saint King Realm with a solid aura, and the Elders had also made progress. What pleased him most was the natural air of composure between their brows born from the Sect's prosperity, which was entirely different from the cautiousness he remembered.

"Not long, not long at all!"

Elder Zhang, who had raised him, walked up with a chuckle and examined him closely.

"Your aura is stable, and it seems your Dao injuries are completely healed. Good, truly good!"

"Grandpa Zhang, you look even more energetic."

Jiang Hao smiled.

"Thanks to you, the Sect is now abundant in resources. This old bag of bones is benefiting too, living a few more years to see the grand sights of our Dao Seeking Sect!"

Elder Zhang stroked his beard, filled with emotion.

The group surrounded Jiang Hao as they walked toward the main hall.

Along the way, many Disciples rushed over upon hearing the news, standing at a distance and watching excitedly, yet not daring to step forward and disturb him.

Jiang Hao saw many fresh faces with clear eyes and solid Cultivation Foundations, clearly excellent Disciples recruited in recent years.

"The current state of the Sect far surpasses my time," Jiang Hao remarked.

Li Daoran hurriedly said:

"It is all thanks to the protection of the Great Emperor's prestige. Now, let alone Ziwei Ancient Star, even in the dozens of surrounding Star Domains, no one dares to lightly provoke our Dao Seeking Sect. Recruiting Disciples, selecting talents, and acquiring resources are all a hundred times smoother than before. When Disciples travel abroad, as long as they announce the Sect's name, they mostly receive respect."

As he spoke, a proud flush appeared on his face.

"Even more heartening is that within the Heavens and Myriad Worlds, the situation of our Human Race has greatly improved. Those powerful races that used to bully humans have become much more restrained; at least on the surface, they no longer dare to be as unscrupulous as before. Many branches of the Human Race in remote Star Domains are living much better lives."

An Elder in charge of external affairs added:

"Indeed, Great Emperor. Now, whenever the Myriad Heavens speak of the Human Race, they always include your title as the Chaos Great Emperor. This invisible deterrent is worth more than a thousand words."

Jiang Hao listened and nodded slightly; this was exactly one of the outcomes he had hoped for when he proved his Dao.