Chapter 1329: Emerging from Seclusion, Ascension (III)

In the immaterial dao universe.

The man with a sword on his back furrowed his brows and looked at the slowly recovering Moon God in front of him. He lifted his eyes to the unbounded void above, feeling that... he was being led around by others lately, others such as Li Hao.

The universe had trembled earlier, there seemed to be something happening again today. He knew that Li Hao was advancing to fourth level Fused Dao, but... could his breakthrough affect the immaterial dao universe?

Or was it only a matter of time before the young man connected the two universes after his advancement?

“It’s getting harder to read that guy!” the man said softly, but quickly laughed again. Would all his schemes of so many years amount to less than a child?

If that was the case... then he was a laughingstock.

The man looked at the much recovered Moon God and said, “Staying here for so long has actually stripped us of some control. Since you’ve recovered, let’s head out. The second generation is quite strong these days and living a good life.”

A massive star transformed into a human figure. It was quickly followed by a bright moon that the Moon God walked out of. She was as cold and aloof as usual, but there was more killing intent in her eyes than before.

Last time she walked into the world, she fell into Li Hao’s trap and was nearly blown up for it. It’d taken so much time and effort for her to barely recover. She could meld into the world and worked with a swordsman of the half step emperor level on the inside, but still fell to Li Hao’s scheming.

“He’s broken through?”

“Yes.”

“The faster he progresses, the faster he dies!” the Moon God bit off with passion. She was truly furious. “Does that idiotic second generation really think she can replace me just because she’s absorbed some power from the moon?”

A bright moon ripped through the dao universe without further word. It appeared in the skies outside, the divine temple once more appearing in the moon. The Moon God turned into a sculpture, and the man with a sword on his back followed her out.

They were once more in the world.

......

At the same time, the north.

The queen lifted her head at the sky and snorted. How dare she come out again!

It looks like she didn’t suffer enough next time.

But with Li Hao having ascended to the next cultivation level, the queen didn’t dare venture to the central continent anymore. That might draw the young man’s attention again.

She looked at the moon in the distance again, also turning into a moon. She rose into the air and illuminated the earth.

There were two moons over Silver Moon world, one in the north and one in the south. They seemed to be facing off against each other.

......

Li Hao didn’t care about anyone else. He quickly completed the four circulatory loops of the 144 dao meridians, bringing forth an immense change in his presence. It was starting to feel suffocating for others.

He opened the passageway of the dao universe and walked out.

A figure soon appeared in the world; more swiftly joined it from all directions. Everyone waited with nervous anticipation, relaxing slightly only when Li Hao appeared. The world seemed able to accommodate Empyrean Kings now, but he was the only one on the Silver Moon side with Empyrean King-level strength.

There were quite a few Empyrean Kings on the Galewind side. Even the queen was a match for an Empyrean King. With the second moon in the sky, everyone knew that Li Daoheng and the true Moon God had appeared. These people were also the equivalent of Empyrean Kings as well.

Silver Moon world would be uneasy if Li Hao remained in seclusion.

“Your Lordship!”

“Congratulations, my lord!”

“......” Salutes rained down from the crowd. Li Hao inclined his head at them and looked around. Quite a few familiar faces were missing—they were likely preoccupied with unknown tasks.

“Not bad!” he smiled at the group. “Everyone’s improved to a certain degree. This is a cause for great joy after many months of being parted. There are more Fused Dao cultivators among you than before, as well as Sun and Moon. It looks like people have been putting their time to good use!

“Have all of the Fused Dao and Sun and Moon cultivators gather. Let’s see if I can kill some Galewind Empyrean Kings to celebrate the occasion after I’ve risen to fourth level Fused Dao!”

“......” The group was completely speechless.

You’re... very courageous!

Li Hao looked to the north, there were a lot of powerhouses gathered there. Killing Empyrean Kings was a secondary goal, this time, he was going to raise a disturbance that would force out all of the replicas, pawns, and puppets!

Not only that, but he was going to seize the remaining two cities.

Galewind was a thorny problem! There was a half step emperor residing within, perhaps...

Li Hao looked up at the sky with a laugh. There were two moons overhead, one of them held Li Daoheng.

Why don’t... Zheng Yu move to the queen’s side?

That was a farfetched proposition, but it wasn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility. If Zheng Yu moved over, then Li Hao stood a chance of reclaiming Galewind.

......

The queen up in the sky suddenly felt uncomfortable. She knew that it was a sign that Li Hao had appeared.

He didn’t bother concealing anything after he stepped forward. His presence was exceedingly strong and his sword intent shot toward the heavens.

He was very cocky!

Except... I shouldn’t be his greatest enemy at the moment, so why do I feel uneasy?

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

She didn’t understand it and suddenly felt that the north wasn’t safe. Or rather, nowhere was safe within Silver Moon borders.

......

Even further, nearly at the end of the world, Ying Hongyue clenched his jaw and looked at the central region.

You’ve certainly improved fast, Li Hao! Except... I haven’t advanced that slowly either.

Next to him, the Celestial Sword Immortal was silent in thought.

“Don’t think too much,” Ying Hongyue intoned. “With us two father and daughter acting in concert, Li Hao will die in front of us sooner or later, even though he’s occupied the first mover advantage for now!”

The Celestial Sword Immortal didn’t say a word. Ying Hongyue frowned, but said nothing further. He needed to focus on expelling Red Moon power from his body and didn’t have the effort to spare for this.

The exalted emperor was infiltrating the seal ever more since Li Hao had destroyed part of it. Ying Hongyue could withstand the influence before, but now it was growing harder. The power of the eight bloodlines was not as fierce as it’d once been.

Ying Hongyue breathed out softly with resignation.

Li Daoheng, Zheng Yu, are you guys really not doing anything or keeping this guy in line? Be careful of this coming around to bite you guys in the rear end!

......

Two moons hung in the sky, both of them belonging to the enemy.

Li Hao tilted his head back with a smile.

There are enemies above and below... Since I cannot handle the ones above, then I’ll start with the ones on the ground. The eight main cities are mine!

He would not win if he relied on playing for time and dragging things out against his enemies. His only chance was to go on the offensive!

“Make your preparations for Galewind, I’m going to visit Star River. The New Martial Saints shall come with me. It’s time to chat with Dean Zhang An!” Li Hao looked calmly in that certain direction, seeming to look down his nose around the land.

The New Martial Saints raised their eyebrows and walked out without another word. It looked like Li Hao had made up his mind to conquer all eight ancient cities. However, what should they do about Galewind even after Zhang An relinquished Star River?

Granted, this wasn’t a problem they could help resolve. An ancient city that held an exalted emperor in residence was beyond the abilities of everyone to handle.

......

Star River.

This city hadn’t stayed in one place since coming into Zhang An’s hands, but it’d been under Silver Moon’s gaze all this time. Zhang An didn’t further conceal his tracks, just in case a great conflict broke out between the two sides.

Gan Wuliang made frequent trips to Star River these days. The Saints were polite enough to him, whereas Zhang An couldn’t be bothered with him, but neither did he pay much attention to Gan Wuliang.

Those within the city were discussing the revitalization of the world. Empyrean Kings could set foot in the world again. When Li Hao broke through to fourth level, the Zhang An cultivating inside the city lord manor opened his eyes and looked into the distance.

Some Saints covering with Gan Wuliang also followed his gaze after a while. A river had appeared where the void split open. Someone floated down from it and called out in a hearty and clear voice.

“I’ve emerged from seclusion, Dean Zhang,” Li Hao said in refined tones. “I’ve come to visit Star River today, do you welcome me?”

Zhang An’s form appeared over the city, some confusion in his eyes. The young man seemed to have made more progress than just advancing in his cultivation level. There were some other changes that he couldn’t speak of. He found the young man a bit odd, that for a moment, his sword intent raced to the heavens.

There was also that split second in which he appeared to have no sword intent at all. It hovered in and out of sight, hard to detect.

“Come in if you wish!” Zhang An was as calm as ever.

Li Hao walked through the air, some New Martial Saints behind him. Saints also immediately appeared next to Zhang An. They were all familiar with each other!

Gan Wuliang rushed forward and bowed in greeting. “Your Lordship! This subordinate was busy with public affairs and could not congratulate you in time!”

“It’s just a small matter, there’s no need to be thus!” Li Hao smiled. “You don’t need to be so reserved, Wuliang. Hongyu’s informed me of the situation. This is a perfect demonstration of putting talents to good use, letting everything serve its proper purpose, and striding forward with courage.

“This is a display of your competency! The greater the ability, the more the responsibility. There’s no need for any pressure. Do well and receive more than others!”

Gan Wuliang hastily nodded his head without a word. He was as humble and modest as usual. Even though he’d reached Fused Dao and rivaled Li Hao, he was still very humble when facing the veteran Silver Moon martial masters—even those weaker than him.

So while people might fear his ability, there was very little they would say against him in response.