Chapter 1612: Being Poor Makes Me Rise With Force and Spirit (III)

The world seemed to be splitting apart. Multiple formidable consciousnesses locked onto the young man as soon as Li Hao appeared inside Orchid Forest.

There were a lot of people on guard!

Just the appearance of a single exalted emperor attracted a lot of attention. For a split second, Li Hao could clearly discern at least thirty different exalted emperor presences in the surroundings. That was too many!

Although Orchid Forest was so big—much bigger than Silver Moon—that one could not envelop the entire world with its senses, it was still terrifying to find thirty exalted emperors within the immediate vicinity.

Orchid Forest was not Skyward, this was a world with a master.

But Li Hao could also sense that various disturbances rocked the dao universe. It seemed that the world master might not have time to spare for them. Of course, there was also the possibility that it was a trap.

The world master might want to capture all of the chaos wanderers in one fell swoop to make up for his losses. The chaos was this harsh sometimes. The slightest misstep would turn one into building blocks for a dao universe.

Li Hao didn’t sense the presences of the Sword Sovereign and Void. Where had the two sixth ranks hidden themselves? It was rather Gan Wuliang and the rest that the young man picked up on.

He heaved a slight sigh of relief.

Thank goodness.

There should be no problem if they were here. His only concern had been that Red Moon might have captured them. That was no longer an issue since he’d sensed them here.

A violent air of rebellion permeated Orchid Forest. Some exalted emperors concealed their presences, while others didn’t bother. It was like they were looking for a chance to pick a fight.

Li Hao didn’t bother looking at the exalted emperors whose presences indicated they were approaching him. He swiftly transported away, dashing straight at where he felt Gan Wuliang and the rest were.

It was much easier and simpler to travel through a major world than the chaos.

......

“Li Hao’s here!” Lin Hongyu suddenly said within a resplendent residence inside a city. As exalted emperors, their addition to Orchid Forest was hardly a secret. Since they were out in the open, there was no need to suffer through subpar living conditions in the name of keeping a low profile.

They’d bought a massive complex inside a humongous city; the process was all too easy. Innumerable cultivators nearly fought each other for a chance to sell when Lin Hongyu offered one dao crystal.

The rest of the group started with joy when they heard her declaration. Even the Pagoda King and Celestial Pole relaxed a little with relief. Li Hao was here!

If he was here, what about the Sword Sovereign?

If the Sword Sovereign was also on Orchid Forest, that made for a fearsome group that could take down seventh ranks. It immediately boosted the Silver Moon group’s morale. This world was too destabilized as of late, with numerous exalted emperor presences crisscrossing it. While they had multiple exalted emperors in their group, the situation on Orchid Forest was still very intimidating.

Not to mention, the Silver Moon group exalted emperors were mostly low ranks. And they were right under Red Moon’s nose.

“It is good news that the Silver Moon king has arrived.” The Pagoda King plastered a fawning smile on his face. “There is hope for us now.”

Gan Wuliang looked at him and didn’t say anything. It was quite helpless and maddening to have this old senior constantly saying the words he would be saying. There was nothing he could say to the Pagoda King about it either.

His only thoughts were that he would wait until Li Hao arrived. Gan Wuliang was the stalwart supporter who’d been by Li Hao’s side all this time, after all! He needed to go on the offense and be the first to curry favor when they met Li Hao.

Lin Hongyu’s senses twitched for only a short while before a figure appeared in the yard. The group brightened and quickly walked out to welcome the newcomer. It was a sizable pack that totaled ten exalted emperors.

On Silver Moon’s side, there were Gan Wuliang, Hong Yitang, Panther, Lin Hongyu, and the three surrendered exalted emperors. From New Martial’s side, there were Celestial Pole’s replica, Celestial Pole’s primary body, and the Pagoda King.

Li Hao blinked when he saw two Celestial Poles. Although they’d somewhat changed their appearances and presences so as to not arouse suspicion...

“Seniors... why... are you still like this?” the young man asked with confusion. The Pagoda King and Celestial Pole were both part of the river of dao, why wasn’t Celestial Pole one person again? What was the point of dithering around with a replica now? Did he have too much time on his hands?

Or did Celestial Pole’s replica want to rebel?

Li Hao didn’t understand. Had something gone wrong with the replica?

Celestial Pole’s replica rolled his eyes, highly put out with the situation. “Why? Why not? Have you ever heard of a primary body unwilling to be in charge and wanting the replica to take over??”

Li Hao paused. What did that mean?

“He wants me to be the primary consciousness!” Celestial Pole’s replica pointed accusingly.

“......” Li Hao blinked, then looked at Celestial Pole’s primary body.

“I’m part of Silver Moon’s dao river now, but I’m not too familiar with Silver Moon,” chuckled the relaxed Celestial Pole. “I was also in charge of cleanup in New Martial and didn’t often travel into the chaos. I see that my replica has been tempering itself in Silver Moon for one hundred thousand years, so I have the idea of it being the primary consciousness instead. That makes everything more convenient too, but it turns out, he’s not willing!”

“......” Those around them suppressed eye rolls at the exchange and didn’t join the conversation. These two... no, this one person... was very weird!

Even Li Hao reeled for a moment. He understood!

The replica wanted the primary body to absorb it, but the primary body refused to. He wanted the replica to be the main consciousness, but the replica didn’t want to. These two... no, this one person was locked in a conflict with himself and unwilling to become one.

Hot damn, did I mishear something or is he for real? I know that Celestial Pole is seriously lazy, but surely not to this point?

Although they would still be one person after reintegration, Celestial Pole’s attitude toward Silver Moon would be different if it was his replica in charge. He’d lived in Silver Moon for one hundred thousand years, after all.

If it was the primary body in charge, he would be closer to New Martial since he’d always lived there. That was a given.

Li Hao had never thought of having Celestial Pole’s replica take over as he subconsciously felt that it should be the primary body taking back the replica. But reality proved... otherwise!

Even the Pagoda King was mortified by the situation and wanted to say something.

“Your Lordship,” Gan Wuliang cut in with a smile when he saw that the Pagoda King wished to speak. “You must be tired from your travels and exertions from earlier. Why don’t you come inside for a cup of tea and get off your feet?

“Ah, the marquis has outright convened with us after arriving at Orchid Forest. Is that... possibly inappropriate?”

“......” The Pagoda King flicked a glance at Gan Wuliang. He smiled and didn’t say a word.

As an old hat at drifting with the wind, he chose to exercise more prudence in front of the Silver Moon king that he wasn’t too familiar with. The Pagoda King didn’t want to clash with old faces as soon as he arrived, so he presented a very quiet front.

Gan Wuliang was slightly proud of occupying the upper hand at first, then stiffened when he realized what the Pagoda King was doing. This was a tough opponent to crack! He was patient and didn’t panic at all.

“Let’s go inside.” Li Hao nodded, ignoring the undercurrents playing out in front of him. “It’s fine, I’m just a low rank. How would I dare enter a major world? It’s only to be expected that I’m part of a team. It’s also very normal that I’d meet up with my team. Otherwise, how would a bunch of low ranks dare make an attempt for a cut of the spoils?”

“The marquis is wise!” Gan Wuliang quickly said.

Li Hao ignored him, looking at the others. Their strength hadn’t changed—Gan Wuliang and Hong Yitang were still second ranks. Even Celestial Pole’s primary body was a second rank now.

The limits of the masters of dao were the limits of all exalted emperors under their purview. They did not enter third rank after the two New Martial powerhouses became part of the dao river. From that, it was evident that it was very difficult for a dao universe to advance.

His people were all second ranks now, with just Lin Hongyu and Mo as first ranks.

After entering the main hall, Li Hao headed straight for the head seat. Celestial Pole and the Pagoda King didn’t wish to take the two prime seats beside him, but they were herded to that position nonetheless.

They were New Martial seniors after all, some courtesies needed to be observed.

“The two seniors have suffered heavy losses after becoming part of the dao river. What a pity,” Li Hao sighed. The third rank Celestial Pole had chosen to assimilate with the river! It was rather a good thing that his replica had not been reabsorbed then. If he had, then he wouldn’t have had a chance to ascend.

“There’s nothing to it.” Celestial Pole’s primary body smiled dashingly. “Whether it’s second or third rank, it’s no major difference to us.

“How is the Sword Sovereign?” he transmitted the last question.

“Doing very well!”

Celestial Pole nodded, that was good. It looked like Old Man Li hadn’t suffered any injuries.

“I have only one goal with this trip—eliminate Orchid Forest!” Li Hao transmitted to the group. “We won’t give Red Moon any chance to recover or get stronger! What we need to do is destroy Red Moon’s surveillance of this world.”

The young man cut straight to the chase. “Investigate where all of the cracks are and seize control of them. Seal them off! We will not permit outsiders to come and go as they will or keep watch over the world!

“It’s good that there’s a lot of us, we can split up. It’s also good that we’re all part of the dao river, that means we can concentrate our strength. The dao river will conceal the cracks and seal them away!”

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Celestial Pole and the Pagoda King looked at each other, already bewailing their misfortune. As expected, people like these were natural sources of pandemonium! He was setting missions for them as soon as he arrived. The young man didn’t say anything other than they would be taking down a major world!

He’s so damned savage!