Chapter 1484: Entering Second Rank (II)

“Everyone, we are living through an eventful autumn! The battle of Red Moon Region has affected Skyward Region and the major world we reside on. All of us may find it hard to avoid being implicated in the days to come!” intoned the leader of Dragon Observatory. “A critical development is that some anomalies have taken place in the world recently. Everyone should’ve sensed them as well! This may be an omen... if that is the case, then Skyward will soon become the heart of attention from nearby regions!

“If a major world is truly going to give birth to a dao universe again... It is easy to foresee that whether it is seventh rank or even eighth rank exalted emperors, all of them might be tempted to claim it for themselves.

“It is mid ranks that are the main fighting force in the chaos at present.” There was no need to hide anything at this stage. The leader looked on solemnly. “Another critical point is that large numbers of sixth rank exalted emperors may seek to take advantage of this opportunity and ascend to seventh rank. They will truly be high rank exalted emperors that way!

“There are only four sixth ranks at Skyward at the moment, but that doesn’t mean there will continue to be only four!”

The group turned over his words. The two exalted emperors from other regions hesitated and looked at each other.

“Then we will be imposing on Fellow Daoist Dragon,” one of them said after prolonged silence. “We might be visiting Dragon Observatory for a few days.”

“Welcome!” The Dragon Observatory leader brightened. This was indeed his fortuitous opportunity! Two mid ranks had suddenly chosen to join his banner. While their inclusion wasn’t certain, it wasn’t likely that the two would leave if further trouble quickly developed.

That meant Dragon Observatory’s ranks had just swelled to eighteen exalted emperors—no, nineteen. He’d almost forgotten about one that’d just joined. The two new additions also had multiple exalted emperors who answered to him. They were only first or second rank, but still strong enough to be significant.

That would make for more than twenty exalted emperors fighting for Dragon Observatory. Even a mid world couldn't support so many.

The Dragon Observatory leader suddenly didn’t care about who was responsible for killing five exalted emperors. Their actions had created an opportunity for him.

The killer was likely a decrepit fifth rank! He could even utilize special methods to raise his battle strength to sixth rank. It was best to stay out of the way of someone like this. He could investigate further, but decided to set it aside after further thought.

The Dragon Observatory leader suddenly laughed and waved a hand, dismissing all of the water energy in the air and leaving behind only sword intent. The other exalted emperors raised their brows at this gesture.

“How dare the New Martial Sword Sovereign trespass on Skyward!” laughed the leader. “He’s got quite the nerve! We should send warnings to the other region masters in the south. Everyone needs to be on their guard! These New Martial powerhouses are crazy in their fanaticism! We need to be careful of falling to his sword!

“Send messengers to the heavyweights of Utmost Dark and Elysian Fields. They need to be careful as well. The Sword Sovereign killed Skyriver and Scintillating, most likely because those two were New Martial enemies. In that case, the Utmost Dark and Elysian Fields survivors need to be careful.

“The sixth ranks of the other three major factions need to be careful as well. Anyone who accepts those two delegations might be faced with the Sword Sovereign’s vengeance!”

The Dragon Observatory leader had quickly come up with a perfect plan! The culprit behind this slaughter was the Sword Sovereign! That was the case even if it wasn’t true!

First, the Sword Sovereign’s arrival would intimidate the other factions. They would no longer dare accept the fifth ranks from the two fallen worlds. When those two delegations had no choice, they might choose to join Dragon Observatory.

Those two major worlds still had quite a few surviving exalted emperors to their name. In this way, Dragon Observatory’s strength would spontaneously increase severalfold!

Second, this would spur Skyward to action and establish a feud between Skyward and New Martial. This would also impart legitimacy to future campaigns against New Martial.

Third, the other region masters in the south might voluntarily seek to join Dragon Observatory once they knew that the Sword Sovereign was on the world and killing people. The Dragon Observatory leader even felt that he could hoist the banner of war against New Martial, thereby increasing his own influence.

A hiding premier swordsman who was a crazy serial killer would induce great fear on all sides.

However, the caveat to all of his plans was that the powerhouses of other premier major worlds weren’t attracted by the action as well. If that happened, then the Dragon Observatory leader would be in trouble.

Therefore, he had to clamp down on this information and prevent it from leaking.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind. Pursuing the decrepit exalted emperor was the last thing on his mind now. That one’s existence would help him instead. It wouldn’t be good if he actually caught up to his quarry.

The other exalted emperors instantly understood what was being planned here. They didn’t find anything inappropriate about Dragon Observatory’s machinations. If the faction really did grow stronger, then it would be nice to band together. The leader of Dragon Observatory had grand ambition, which wasn’t a bad thing for them.

None of the exalted emperors raised the idea of pursuing the culprit. Staying alive was the most important. Who knew what a doddering mid rank exalted emperor might do in the heat of the moment? Not to mention, how many years had they been alive to reach the end of their lifespan?

Three hundred thousand years?

Five hundred thousand?

Or a million?

Who knew!

One thing was certain, and that was that the culprit certainly had some trump cards up their sleeves after living for so long.

......

Word quickly spread on this day. The Sword Sovereign of New Martial had come to the southern region to kill Scintillating, Skyriver, and three other exalted emperors! He’d killed five exalted emperors in one go!

All of Skyward reeled from shock. Five exalted emperors were suddenly dead!

Worst of all was that the Sword Sovereign was possibly still at large in the world. This news put the exalted emperors from Utmost Dark and Elysian Fields on edge. Although their delegations were led by fifth rank exalted emperors, the Sword Sovereign was a sixth rank and one extremely adept at offense!

This was no small matter. Everyone was abruptly afraid of their own shadow!

The general hysteria overshadowed the fact that Dragon Observatory took advantage of the opportunity to recruit two mid ranks. In regular times, this would’ve raised quite the fuss as well.

......

Dragon Observatory.

Void listened quietly to his subordinate, not minding the report that an elderly Li Hao seemed to be on the verge of death. That was a cultivator of life and death, so what if he appeared a bit older? The important detail was that he really had killed a fourth rank exalted emperor!

A jade slip suddenly appeared in his hand as he ruminated over his thoughts. It was a Dragon Observatory communication talisman.

“The Exalted Hao Moon Emperor invites the Exalted Void Emperor for a meeting!”

Void raised an eyebrow. That was fast. This message had come from Big Claw, which meant that Li Hao had returned. That was very fast. Asking for a meeting at this time meant that he was about to break through.

That was to be expected as well. Li Hao had said that he needed power of life and death. If killing a fourth rank and multiple low ranks didn’t reap him a sufficient harvest... then his ascensions were much too hard.

Void looked at the fifth rank next to him and thought for a while. “Forget about everything you saw before! Don’t speak of it even when we return to the major world, and do not reveal what you know. If you do...”

He fixed his gaze on the man and said softly, “Well, it would not be a major issue. You would just have to be more careful in the future.”

However, the fifth rank inwardly tensed. “Don’t worry, Your Highness!” He quickly nodded, then continued carefully, “Highness, all of Skyward seemed to change when that person borrowed strength. I was there, so I saw something a little different. A star seemed to materialize—possibly the foundation of the dao universe.”

Skyward might be birthing a dao universe soon, that was major news to anyone! It was exceedingly important news to a master of a major world.

“Most likely,” Void inclined his head. “You can go back with this news. Do not speak of anything else.”

The fifth rank relaxed somewhat when he saw that Void wasn’t commanding him to outright lie. It would be very difficult to explain himself then.

“Understood, I will go back with this report. Your Highness, the leader of Dragon Observatory has quite the ambition. You are here to cultivate and train, if a conflict erupts...”

“I am aware, there is no need to worry.”

Upon receiving that reply, the fifth rank said no more and quickly retreated.

Since the Highness doesn’t care, then I have nothing to say. And isn’t he just a fourth rank? But I always feel nervous and uneasy when I face him. Perhaps he has more aces to play.

After all, he reached fifth rank early on. He’s cultivating all over again and accomplishing quite the feat to be a mid rank both times.

Void leisurely made his way out when the other was gone. “I’m heading out for a bit. When the leader comes back, tell him I went off to cultivate!”

None of the others dared stop him. With the leader gone, he was the only mid rank in residence. No one dared offend him.

......

The volcano.

Li Hao seemed to be gasping for his last breaths; he didn’t seem long for this world. Big Claw was both apprehensive and afraid. What should he do?

One outing had been sufficient to reduce the young man to near death. Even more frightening was the feedback that Dragon Observatory’s communication system kept delivering.

All of the Skyriver exalted emperors had fallen. All five, including the fourth rank Skyriver! This was utterly shocking!

Had all of that been accomplished by the one in front of him?

If so, that was horrifying.

Even a peer of the same level would find it difficult to kill a fourth rank. It would take at least a fifth rank, no?

Big Claw’s heart was in his mouth; he asked carefully, “Milord, if the Exalted Void Emperor really does come, will he...”

That one was a fourth rank at the very least, and this lord seemed to be gravely injured. He also had the gains from a few exalted emperors on him. If Void took the opportunity to move against him... wouldn’t Li Hao be in grave trouble?

“Killing me would net him only some exalted emperor treasures,” Li Hao laughed. “Of the five, there was only one mid rank. It would be the equivalent of drying up the pond to fish—an unworthy proposition for him!

“Not to mention, this is a dao foundation site. Even if he has the desire to, he won’t do so here.”

Void wouldn’t be so short-sighted. Killing Li Hao was just one instance of looting for him. Did Void lack for treasures? Leaving the young man alive might result in so many more riches.