Chapter 1161: Gathering All Sides (IV)

Numerous plant spirits summoned their core origin dao to brand their names into the golden booklet of dao. Some of the pagoda tree lines hesitated, whereupon Li Hao said with understanding, “Seniors of the pagoda tree line don’t need to be in a hurry to put your names down. General Pagoda might have other plans in mind...”

“Battle Heaven and the commander are of the same breath and branches to begin with,” one of the pagoda trees swiftly protested. “We are ashamed to hear the commander’s words. It is our duty to help the commander master the world. How would the pagoda tree line fall behind others?”

It quickly entered its name onto the golden page, followed by the rest of its brethren.

There were soon thirty-seven names on the page, including Li Hao’s. The young man looked at it with gratification and punched through the void, sending the page into the Hao Cosmos.

“This booklet will live in the world and be indestructible through the ages! Once I assume control over the dao universe, I will seal the booklet within the heart of dao so that all future descendants can view it!”

The golden page darted into the dao universe and disappeared. The plant spirits suddenly felt that they had a new connection with this world. This was a surprising and exciting development!

Existing in an imperishable manner for all generations to come—if Li Hao really could become master of the world and of great dao, then wouldn’t these thirty-six plant spirits be the ancestors of plant spirits to come, even the forefathers that established the new dao??

“Seniors, we are one entity after today,” Li Hao’s voice rang out. “Please raise any requests you have, I will do my utmost to satisfy them. Am I to help outsiders and leave my own on the sidelines? There is no need to feel uneasy or embarrassed about asking me. I would be very happy to see the seniors become Saints, Empyrean Kings, and even exalted emperors!”

“The commander is far too kind,” the redwood piped up again. “How could we ask for reward without having accomplished anything yet? The commander will find your footing in the world only if rewards and punishments are clearly laid out.

“If the commander has missions for us, please give us a chance to earn merit first. Once we have accomplished deeds of valor, we will naturally not stand on ceremony with our requests!”

“Merit... there is an opportunity in front of us!” Li Hao burst out laughing. “But... it’s very dangerous!”

“We do not fear danger!” the redwood swiftly continued.

“The more danger, the better!” interrupted the imperial guard. “Please go ahead, commander! We will participate even if the task at hand is to kill an exalted emperor!”

“......” The redwood cursed to itself. This guy was throwing away all considerations of face (bark) in its bid to leave an impression!

By my roots, an exalted emperor?! You go kill it! They’ll topple you from one exhale!

“We won’t go that far,” Li Hao belly-laughed. “Wouldn’t we just be going to our deaths if it really was an exalted emperor? It’s just a minor matter I’d like to ask of the seniors—perhaps you can corral the four corners or hold down the fort in a ruin to prevent strong enemies from running away. Naturally, the enemies themselves will be the responsibility of Saint-level experts like us.”

The plant spirits heaved a collective sigh of relief. That was good!

Of course, they were also shaken by the request. This meant that the young man really was about to march on strong foes, and that they might be very, very strong. Otherwise, Li Hao had already said that the Saints of Battle Heaven and the Sea Pacification Envoy were going to help him. But the commander was still worried about his enemies getting away?

Then... they might really be going against those stronger than the Saint level! That was still very frightening!

“Seniors, help me excavate ore for the moment. We’ll take as much as we can get,” Li Hao continued. “We’ll need all of it in the days to come! I may have very few opportunities to come by here in the future...”

The plant spirits turned over his words before vanishing on the spot. Loud rumbles shook the ruins the next second as plant spirits furiously dug into the mine shafts.

That prompted some people to leap to their feet. Several Skystar Silver Armors rushed over and were disconcerted by the sight of monster spirits madly emptying the mine.

“Division Leader Li.” One of the Silver Armors walked out. “The... Skystar mine functions to stabilize the world and revitalize it. Excavating too much of its reserves will cause the mine to shrivel away and make the veins of ore brittle. They will no longer be able to absorb energy from the world and their roots may shatter instead...”

“That’s alright!” Li Hao smiled. “I’m going to march on strong enemies next. If I win, this mine won’t be worth anything. If we lose, it would only serve to benefit the enemy if the mine is still here. We cannot permit the enemy to lay hands on the mine. This is for everyone’s safety as well. No one is safe while the mine remains here!

“In addition, I’ve located those who betrayed New Martial and already engaged in several skirmishes against them. We have killed Zheng Gong, the second son of the Zheng family, Vice Commander Han Jiang of the Boundless Army, and the nameless plant spirits of Boundless!

“Despite that, the whereabouts of Zheng Hongyuan and Zheng Yu remain unknown. We are searching for them—a fight is inevitable. The source of temptation that caused Vice Commander Sun Xin to rebel is actually a powerhouse of the Red Moon major world. We are also looking for their tracks and will engage them sooner or later.

“Since New Martial cannot eliminate these people, then I, Li Hao, will stride bravely forward!”

The young man’s response initially excited the Silver Armors, but his last words made for uncomfortable hearing.

“Commander Li,” intoned one of the Silver Armors. “New Martial can also eliminate traitors and exterminate the powerful Red Moon foes...”

“Then you can wait for the second awakening,” Li Hao responded faintly. “For the moment, we can only rely on ourselves! My teacher and others have fallen in the battles against them. As opposed to relying on others, it is better to rely on oneself. Wouldn’t you say so?”

The Silver Armors’ hearts shook!

“Professor... Professor Yuan...”

“The three Saints at Boundless were in peak condition, there was nothing that could be done about it!” Li Hao replied calmly. “That’s enough of that. I need the ore to prepare for fierce battle against our foes. They are dead, unutilized resources if left here. Are we supposed to throw a mine against our enemies?

“Of the eight main cities, only Battle Heaven is willing to support me with troops. When it comes to the Skystar Army... I would ask the various seniors to continue cleaning the city. Make everything spick and span! I will avenge your blood feud of the enemy beguiling a Skystar vice commander and slaughtering all residents in this city!”

The Silver Armors were immensely uncomfortable by this declaration.

“These words make for difficult hearing!” roared one of the Silver Armors. “No one wanted traitors to appear within the Skystar Army! We have guarded this mine for the past one hundred thousand years in preparation for New Martial revitalization...”

“What you want is your business, not necessarily everyone’s concern.” Li Hao remained unmoved. “Whether it is the traitors or Red Moon powerhouse, once the world is unified, they might contact the main world no matter who they are. That will quickly bring the Human King and Supreme Zhang back to Silver Moon. Therefore, why is there a need for you guys to take a stand?

“Of course, Silver Moon denizens have no choice in the matter. This is our only home. We have to support and sustain ourselves. Alright now, if the seniors have nothing else to do at the moment, you can return to your duties. I have other matters to attend to.”

“Does the commander mean that we of New Martial are unwilling to fight strong foes?” growled another Silver Armor. “The shame of the Skystar Army can only be washed clean by ourselves! We made vows in blood that day that we would battle any traitors to the death. We will take the lead and never back down! The commander... belittles us!”

“Definitely not, please don’t misunderstand, senior,” Li Hao laughed. “Let’s not talk about this anymore, I ran my mouth a little too much! Not to mention, the various seniors are under Dean Zhang’s command. Let’s wait for Dean Zhang to return! Alright, I’m very busy and need to leave soon...”

The Silver Armors behind him were ready to explode when he walked off. One of them quickly caught up to the young man.

“The commander is going to fight the turncoats?” he asked heavily.

“Yes.”

“Can you... bring us?”

“You are soldiers and should obey orders. You are not my subordinates, so I do not have the right to interfere...”

“That is incorrect! Isn’t the commander a Battle Heaven division leader? The Battle Heaven Army is a major army and the Skystar Army is a minor one. Since the commander is a Battle Heaven division leader, you are the equivalent of a vice commander in the Skystar Army. We can march out if the commander gives the order!”

“Wouldn’t I be meddling with someone else’s affairs then?” Li Hao laughed. “That will easily give rise to criticism from others. Let’s forget about it...”

“The enemy is at hand, Commander Li. They are right beside us, but we are unable to take revenge. Is the commander forcing us to break out of the ruins and compel the outside world to accept us? That might actually interfere with the commander’s plan instead...” The Silver Armor was unwilling to accept Li Hao’s dismissal. “We made a mistake that year and wrongly trusted Sun Xin. We now wish to pay for our crimes with worthy action! We would not have known that the enemy had revealed themselves if the commander hadn’t mentioned it...”

“The enemy is an Empyrean King!”

“The Skystar Army is unafraid!” howled the Silver Armor. “So what of an Empyrean King?! Even if we cannot overcome them, we will tear off a piece of meat from their bodies with our teeth! The armies of New Martial never cower from battle!”

“Still, let’s forget it...”

“Is the commander a soldier or not?” The Silver Armor flew into a rage. “Why do you keep making excuses? Does the commander think that we of New Martial are weak?! You would be grievously wrong if that was the case! There might be cowards among New Martial, but they do not exist within the army! Fellow comrades in the army do not fear battle or death!”

“That’s what you say... but I will not permit a New Martial troop that does not listen to my commands to ruin my plans.” Li Hao frowned. “Once the other side brings their leaders into play, you might attack me instead. Who can say for certain?”

“Does the commander think we’re idiots?! Soldiers are only in charge of fighting once battle is joined. Words will not make us shrink back in retreat...”

“That’s not necessarily the case. Didn’t you guys not even trust Sun Xin when Dean Zhang appeared on the scene? Such is the Skystar Army tradition. Mutiny before battle is the greatest taboo of all!”

Some of the Silver Armors’ eyes widened at these words and one of them replied painfully, “Dean Zhang is the descendant of the supreme and Sun Xin was a traitor. We... we...”

“Then what if another Dean Zhang comes along and says I’m a New Martial enemy. What of the situation then?” Li Hao shook his head. “There’s too much instability! I’m rather afraid that you guys would capture me before the enemy kills me. Wouldn’t I be terribly lucky after you hand me over to an exalted emperor?”

“......” The Silver Armors’ faces flickered through a variety of expressions. These words were insanity!

“The commander cannot possibly be a New Martial traitor because the commander is not of New Martial!” murmured a troop leader. “Those who stop the commander from killing traitors now are more likely to be the turncoats themselves, or affiliated with Red Moon! We would not see a repeat of last time...”

“Then what if Dean Zhang comes again and wants you to capture me?” Li Hao laughed.

“How is that possible??” swiftly responded a Silver Armor. “Dean Zhang is the grandson of the supreme and wants nothing more than to kill enemies...”