Chapter 1053: A Strategy of Provocation (III)

The king of Great Li had seen Li Hao’s replica before. “No wonder you’re so bold and so arrogant.” The king frowned. “This must be the method you used last time, when you transformed into ten replicas and surrounded me with them. Is this a product of the dao meridians mentioned in your research?”

He knew a bit of the Hao Cosmos dao since Li Hao had given them the new dao’s research material.

“Yes, the ability of the fire attributed meridian has become a supernatural character.” Li Hao nodded with a smile.

“What difference is there between this and a core origin replica?” asked the Great Li king. He’d thought that the young man wouldn’t respond and was surprised when Li Hao did.

“Core origin replicas will not cultivate self-autonomously, they can only passively absorb some energy. That is one difference. Another is that supernatural character replicas will possess slightly different abilities from the primary bodies. For example, a fire attribute replica will be exceedingly skilled at fire abilities, but the primary body will no longer possess that ability after it is separated into a replica.

“Third, primary bodies are gravely impacted when core origin bodies break. When supernatural character replicas break... there’s not much of a backlash. Well, of course, my fire abilities will be affected.

“Fourth, they’re more discreet. At the very least, it’s not that easy for you to determine which is my primary body and which is my replica. I’m demonstrating the difference to you right now, but in reality, the presences exuded by the two are different!”

The Great Li king was shaken by the last point, but didn’t ask further.

“I’ve come to the king with some thoughts,” Li Hao laughed. “I’d like to exert some pressure on Ying Hongyue, so I hope that the Great Li king and main priest can lend me a hand. Or rather, we can help each other. How about the three of us go to Great Li together and surprise him?”

“Are you kidding?” The king looked coldly at him. The young man wanted all of them to leave together, but have his primary body remain on site. That would consign the Great Li army to death!

What if Li Hao ambushed the army as soon as the king and main priest were gone?

“The Great Li king’s scope of vision is too small,” sighed Li Hao. “What use are armies when powerhouses exist? Armies and training troops are only meaningful when powerhouses do not exist. When they do, then there is no real point to defeating an army. You guys are in greater danger without the constraints of an army.

“Just as the Great Li king is concerned, will you in turn slaughter my army as soon as I leave? I will become an assassin once I am free from the fetters of an army, will you be able to withstand the fires of my revenge then?”

Jiang Li frowned and said in a low voice, “Has Commander Li come in person just to deal with Ying Hongyue?”

Why did he think that matters weren’t as simple as this?

“My goal has always been Ying Hongyue.” Li Hao nodded. “He ranks number one on the list of priorities. Everything else can be set aside.”

“Then why isn’t your primary body here?” The king looked coldly at him.

“I’m also worried that you’d summon the Initial Martial god once I’m there all by my lonesome,” the young man laughed. “You’ll kill me on the spot! So I better be careful. Not to mention, you’d have to worry about me being too strong and throwing Great Li into disorder if my primary body went with you! Isn’t this perfect?

“Or is the Great Li king really not worried about the three great organizations slaughtering citizens in your nation?”

“They wouldn’t dare!” the king said confidently. “If they dare do so, Great Li will hunt them down at all costs!”

“Don’t be too confident!” Li Hao’s laugh deepened. “Everything is possible! And... are the two of you really not going to consider my proposal?’

“You want us to leave, but your primary body isn’t here,” the king suddenly said after some thought. “Do you actually have another goal in mind and don’t wish us here interfering with it?”

Li Hao smiled without a word.

“Can it be... that you wish to ambush one of the three nations because they’ve all mobilized their troops?” The Great Li king looked around. “That’s why you’re so eager for me to leave, because it will buy you time?”

“It is if you say so, king of Great Li.” Li Hao grinned.

“Then this king will not go!” sneered the man. “This king will be the thorn in your side!”

“In that case, I’ll have to bring out my full strength against you if

I

wish to go,” the young man cackled. “We can handle the three great organizations together right now. You will have time to put your affairs in order and I’ll have time to do what I want. It’s the best of both worlds. Why create more trouble for yourself?”

The king was unmoved!

“How about this, I might be targeting the ancient cities next. They have many powerhouses and abundant core origin energy. I’ll count you in for a portion.”

“What?” The king’s heart skipped a beat.

“I’m targeting the ancient cities!” Li Hao laughed. “Not everyone in the eight main cities are on the side of good or even my side. Since that’s the case, I’ll target who I should and completely annihilate those I should. The cities can fully sink into silence! Doesn’t Great Li need core origin energy? I’ll give you a chance, how about that?”

The king’s expression shifted through a variety of changes.

“Your audacity knows no bounds!” Jiang Li quickly interjected. “The ancient cities have countless powerhouses and they are not entities you easily manage even if they’re not fully awake. You are invincible in the outside world, but even a peak Immortal might be able to kill you inside a ruin!”

“Thank you for your concern!”

Am I concerned about you??

Jiang Li didn’t know what to say. Li Hao’s brain was truly wired differently.

“Are you too scared to?” sniffed the young man. “How are you to conquer the world if you’re scared of a task like this? Does an overlord only pick on the weak and bow to the strong?”

“Are you trying to provoke this king?” sneered the king.

“Yep!” Li Hao nodded. “You and I are the favored sons of heaven in this age. Why should we have to get approval from another in our affairs? Are you bold enough to deal with replicas, but not the ancient cities themselves?”

“You’re still doing this for your own benefit. You want me out of the picture so you can pursue your own goals...”

“That’s right!” Li Hao was very sincere. “I’m going to leave whether or not you leave. I’ll leave the army behind, so kill them all if you want. You’ll be clearing out some riffraff for me in the process and also infuriating all Skystar citizens. None of the four nations can even consider taking another step in Skystar after that. Everyone will view you as their arch nemesis!”

“We can give it a try!” The king was unimpressed.

“I’m giving you a chance, are you really not going to take it?” Li Hao smirked. “King of Great Li, do you really want open hostilities between us?”

The look on the king’s face was unpleasant, but he suddenly smiled. “Very well, this king can agree to your request, but I have one in return...”

“Go ahead.”

“Don’t you want to point your sword at someone? Don’t you look down on picking on the weak and bowing to the strong?” smirked the king. “Very well, if you go to the west and fight Divine Nation, this king will be willing to coordinate with you!”

Divine Nation of the west was the greatest among the four!

The Great Li king knew full well that his nation could be counted as number two among the nations at most. Great Li was less than the nation of countless divine spirits. Which target did Li Hao have in mind?

Barren Dynasty seemed most likely to the king. They had a massive cavalry and were very mobile—they could easily run through the entire eastern continent.

Watercloud Dynasty focused on their navy, so they didn’t pose much of a threat. Divine Nation was too strong, they wouldn’t be Li Hao’s target. Therefore, the Great Li king was certain that Li Hao had his sights set on the Barren Dynasty!

Would the king permit him to have his heart’s desire?

Of course not!

I won’t create any trouble for you if you go against Divine Nation!

Great Li was likewise highly wary of Divine Nation. As the former worshipped a god of Initial Martial, they were very clear on the fact that sometimes faith could be frightening. There were too many religious fanatics in the west. That kind of nation was very difficult to contend with. It might have to take a razing of their nation to end the resistance in the west. Great Li could possibly conquer even Skystar Dynasty, but Divine Nation would be the hardest.

“Divine spirits have started to awaken in the west,” Li Hao frowned. “They are incredibly formidable. Fighting them now would be a grisly affair. You certainly dream big and dare speak of anything!”

“Aren’t I just following your train of thought?” the king roared with laughter. “Since you wish for this king to leave, then point your sword at Divine Nation in the west. That nation propagates their faith throughout the land and will become the most dangerous opponents for Skystar as their divine spirits continue to show themselves. Aren’t you brave enough to take on the ancient cities? How are you not able to fight Divine Nation?”

“It’s not that I’m not bold enough to, but that this isn’t the right time!” Li Hao looked coldly at him. “I’ll naturally take care of their so-called divine spirits once I settle the three nations...”

“Now is the time!” The king refused to give way. “Only then will this king give you a chance. Otherwise, this king will spontaneously occupy the entire northern continent if you dare leave!”

“Don’t court death!” The young man glared at him.

“Just try me!” The king smiled grimly. “This king would also like to see if I can kill you once the divine bone of Initial Martial is part of me!”

Li Hao took a deep breath, his temper flaring. A violent surge of fiery energy rose in the surroundings. Jiang Li looked around with solemn wariness. The Great Li king watched with narrowed eyes. He was ready to launch into a desperate fight at any second!

He wasn’t afraid of complete hostilities with the young man since he’d dared send out the Great Li army on this campaign. It was only a matter of time! He wasn’t one of Li Hao’s generals. Was he supposed to do whatever the young man proposed?

“I’ll take down Barren Dynasty first and then move on to Divine Nation...” Li Hao took a deep breath.

“Stop dreaming!” snorted the king. “You can’t touch Barren!”

“Then I’ll obliterate Great Li first!” A ferocious tiger appeared in Li Hao’s eyes and he spoke with dense killing intent.

“Just give it a try!”

“Ahem!” Jiang Li coughed as he saw that the two seemed ready to leap at each other’s throats. “How about a word of advice from me, Commander Li? Divine Nation does indeed pose a greater threat. As they spread their faith, they easily affect the ignorant. Whether it is the commander conquering the world or Great Li conquering the world, Divine Nation is a tumor for us all...

“We of Great Li are well aware of the problems with faith. Once it spreads, all of Skystar might be rocked with catastrophe!” The priest flashed a smile. “If the commander is willing to march against Divine Nation, not only will Great Li not stop you, but we will assist the commander. For example, I can take to the field and help the commander eliminate the enemy.”

Li Hao frowned at them and said coldly, “Divine Nation is formidable. Once the situation stalemates...”

“The commander is valiant and mighty, how would you be afraid of Divine Nation?”

“Are you trying to provoke me?” Li Hao snorted.

“So what if I am? You just tried that on me earlier,” the king said faintly.

“I’ve never been afraid of provocation!” the young man grinned. “In that case... very well, I will set Divine Nation as the target!”

“......” The king and main priest looked at each other with confusion. Did Li Hao... really dare do so?