Chapter 1233: Clarity (I)

“A cheetah... Fast speed, quick reflexes, sharp claws... Like a killer in the night...” These descriptors appeared in Li Hao’s mind.

The Five Styles was the foundation method that the cheetah was born from, the actual method spawning the cheetah was the heritage of an unknown Silver Moon martial master—the Night Slay Art. Assassins were fond of these kinds of secret arts.

Li Hao’s thoughts shifted rapidly—the cheetah aura in his body was also restless. It seemed to be struggling to determine where it belonged.

“Speed... the wind represents freedom and speed... a cheetah...”

An eruption!

A spontaneous eruption of speed!

The metal element also spoke to sudden eruptions and was very strong in this regard. However, a cheetah retreated after that initial eruption if they missed. This was more in line with the style of an assassin.

“Is spontaneous eruption a kind of aura as well?”

If it was, what kind of dao meridian would it fall under?

Li Hao didn’t consider the problem from the angle of a dao meridian. He opened his mind to the possibilities and incorporated the cheetah aura within himself. Any strength that focused on the initial moment of speed should come under this category.

The cheetah aura quickly agreed with the young man and gradually became part of his body. The young man withdrew a combination of blood qi, life force, and dao power to mix with the aura. He started tracing a supernatural character that hovered within his body.

“Erupt!” He meant it to be the ‘erupt’ of spontaneous force, not one of an explosion.

The supernatural character took shape!

Li Hao’s presence weakened and retracted on himself. He was like an assassin in the night. When he punched out, his metal and eruption character combined as one.

BOOM!

A detonation sounded in the chaos!

Joy gleamed out of Li Hao’s eyes. Success!

It took more time to form his first character because he needed to try a lot of things. But completing the first one meant that the others would follow quickly.

As I thought, the aura is a special product of failing to connect to core origin. But auras can connect to the new dao... which means there is a close relationship between the new dao and core origin.

With that in mind, Li Hao returned to cultivation.

He set everyone aside and ignored what Ying Hongyue and the rest might be doing. He only cared about himself. He didn’t even care if the ancient Saints would be able to emerge from their ruins and rain down terror in all directions.

Li Hao really didn’t care, because he knew only one thing.

If I can master the great dao, then I’ll be like the Human King and be able to revive everyone who’s dead. If I can’t, then I won’t be able to protect everyone for the rest of their lives.

Life and death weren’t that critical to him anymore. The core of the issue lay with him. Zheng Yu and the others didn’t seek to destroy the world either, but to become its master. Therefore, killing too many people actually ran counter to their aims.

Not to mention, the general population cultivating would eventually result in more powerhouses being able to leave the ruins. That likely further dissuaded Zheng Yu from killing people as he sought to gain his freedom.

Supernatural characters floated in front of the young man. Combined with how many he already possessed before, Li Hao now owned twelve characters.

That was insufficient to build a domain with. According to Li Hao’s calculations, he needed at least twenty supernatural characters to encompass the Barren wasteland. This was already taking into consideration compressing some of the chaos. It would be best if he could field more supernatural characters, such as thirty-six.

......

Li Hao devoted himself to cultivation at the end of the Barren wasteland, ignoring everything happening in the world.

Meanwhile, an unprecedented age of prosperity arrived in Silver Moon world. Millions of supernaturals furiously toiled away at infrastructure, paving wide and smooth roads throughout the dynasty.

Powerhouses lifted immense cities over their heads and walked over the seas. Saints could walk freely in the world now—not just those of Galewind, but those of other areas as well. City upon city was raised high in the air and the four seas filled in!

At the same time, some changes occurred in the ancient cities. There was movement in Thunderblast of the Hongs, Star River of the Zhous, Steadfast Sky of the Zhangs, and Martial Alliance of the Zhaos.

Outside Martial Alliance.

Due to the relaxing of restrictions on Saints, Liu Yan’s Demon Hunter Army was hard pressed to keep the ancient city under further control. There wasn’t open fighting yet simply because the ancients didn’t seem to wish for relations to deteriorate.

Li Hao was the reason why.

When the sky canopies projected Li Hao’s group killing Empyrean Kings, it left a lasting impression on even New Martial Saints. Li Hao had killed Zheng Hongyuan right in front of Zheng Yu in such a domineering, uncaring fashion that it delivered quite a shock.

The second elder walked out of the city. As a Saint of Martial Alliance, he revealed his true form to Liu Yan. His face was slightly pale and his hair laced with silver. He seemed to have depleted so much energy over the years that even his physical body had been reforged.

“General Liu! With the world now tolerating Saints, the situation outside is similar enough to the second awakening. We know that the Zhengs are the traitors and will not wallow in the mud with them...” The second elder was exceedingly polite. “It’s not just the Zhengs, but the Lius and Zhous that we will be wary of as well. We will respect Skystar’s laws. Will you lift the blockade on Martial Alliance?”

Soldiers had been on guard outside the city gates all this time—a form of imprisonment. It’d been so long since they’d experienced sunlight on their faces! Now with a much revived world being able to support their presence, it was finally time for some fresh air!

If it wasn’t for truly being concerned about Li Hao and his companions, the second elder would’ve given orders to fight their way out a long time ago.

Liu Yan’s expression was frosty. She took a deep breath, preparing to go on the offensive in case her reply was not well received. A figure drifted in along the wind and Gan Wuliang smiled radiantly at the group.

“Don’t be in a hurry, seniors of Martial Alliance,” the latest addition greeted them warmly. “And don’t be mad. The marquis is doing this out of consideration for everyone’s safety. He was previously worried that you’d be assassinated by the Zhengs. Now that the world can support Saints, the marquis has much less to worry about.

“Everything the marquis has undertaken is to protect everyone and the seniors of New Martial...”

“Please thank Marquis Li on my behalf.” The second elder grew more polite.

“This is what we should be doing, there is no thanks needed...” Gan Wuliang smiled radiantly. “The marquis remains worried about potential traitors in the various main cities. Of course, we’re not saying that they exist for certain, just that there are possibly traitors amongst you!

“Therefore, the marquis tasked me to deliver a message that people can leave if they wish, you are free to see the world. So long as you abide by the laws and regulations, we will have no problems at all.”

Liu Yan forced down a scowl from her face; the second elder was rather surprised by the announcement.

“However, to prevent mishaps from occurring, the marquis further says that the city lord seal and the city itself may not move!”

“What do you mean by that?” The second elder blinked, a frown developing.

“Great disturbances are easily sent throughout the world when the main city activates. There is also a lack of energy in the environment, so activation is difficult. It is better to remain on the spot for now!

“In order to stabilize the world and Silver Moon, the remaining four cities cannot be shifted. Galewind is confirmed to be occupied by the Zhengs, Sword City is within the seal, Battle Heaven has entered the Hao Cosmos, and Boundless is on patrol. Trouble might develop if more ancient cities move around.

“Not to mention that cities not controlled by the traitors will lack energy and find it difficult to mobilize! The marquis has sent me to discuss with the seniors that your people can leave, but the city stays. And if your people leave, all of them must leave!”

“All of them must leave?” The second elder raised his eyebrows.

“Correct!” Gan Wuliang nodded. “The marquis is further worried that if the traitors are still in hiding, they might activate the city with hidden stores of energy once all the powerhouses are gone. Won’t we be in trouble then? Therefore, everyone is to leave the city!”

“Just come out and say that you want to take our city!” someone raged before the second elder had a chance to respond. “We will never agree to this! We are here if the city is here!”

Gan Wuliang was just beating around the bush, hiding the fact that Li Hao wanted the ancient cities!

In reality, the young man wasn’t concerned about the Saints or Immortals of the main cities anymore. However, the city itself was not permitted to be shifted. It was a formidable weapon once activated.

If there were multiple Saints in residence at a main city, its offensive and defensive capabilities would be extremely notable once fully mobilized. The cities themselves also served to stabilize heaven and earth. The world would be thrown into disorder if any confusion happened with them.

Many people had awakened in Martial Alliance these days; they were highly dissatisfied by the announcements. The city was theirs!

Li Hao’s meaning was very clear. Either they all left and emptied out the city, or none of them did.

“Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” The seventh elder had dealt with Li Hao before, so he joined the conversation at this moment. “The main city is the foundation of the various families, we stand if it stands. We were the guardians left behind one hundred thousand years ago. What difference is there between us and the traitors if we leave it behind?”

“I understand the seniors’ difficulties,” Gan Wuliang nodded with a smile. “But the seniors must also understand the great pains that the marquis has gone to! My lord understands that the seniors wish to leave, and he is willing to let you leave. But if you do and anything happens to the city, then that would be a disaster for the entire world.”

“What if only a portion of us leave and I remain in residence?” the second elder said softly. “With my strength, even if there are traitors...”

“Even Commander Wu Peng and the Zheng patriarch betrayed New Martial. Who can be sure in this matter?” Gan Wuliang said softly. “Under normal conditions, one city will have three Saints in residence. The guardian plant spirit, the commander of the army, and an administrative official. The balance will be broken if any one of them leaves!

“If the Zhengs have installed a traitor in a city, it should be one Saint at most. If they have more than one Saint in place, they wouldn’t have needed to wait until today to take the city!

“So either all three of these Saints leave, or none of them leave!”

The second elder looked on gravely. Gan Wuliang made sense, but it would be too dangerous if only Immortals and Apexes ventured outside. Saints also needed to recover, fortuitous occurrences, and opportunities.

Opportunities might await in the outside world. If they continued staying here, death might truly be the only result awaiting them.

Just as the Martial Alliance ancients waffled over their course of action, the void shimmered as a person walked out of it.