Chapter 1618: A Little Taste of One’s Skills (II)

A group of people reached the barrier crack in less than a minute.

“The Exalted Myriad Dao Emperor is here,” Rat King said with a furtive look on its face. “What brings you back? Do the fellow daoists wish to leave?”

“Orchid Forest has placed great importance on us.” A courteous Li Hao inclined his body at the waist with utmost seriousness. “They have recruited us to be the world’s peacekeepers. There are cracks in the world barrier that must be repaired. I hereby request the three fellow daoists to move to another area so that I can take over this region!”

At the same time, he transmitted to his own group, “If these three don’t leave, all of you will work together to kill them! Xun Ruo, Cicada, and Mo—you guys are in charge of the second rank dog head.

“Seniors Celestial Pole and Pagoda King are in charge of the first rank rat spirit. Gan Wuliang, Martial Uncle Hong, Panther, and the senior’s replica will take care of the third rank cow spirit!”

“......” Celestial Pole and the Pagoda King exchanged glances, a strange feeling brewing in their hearts. What did this mean?

Although Celestial Pole had been demoted to second rank after becoming part of Silver Moon’s dao universe, he and the Pagoda King were still New Martial exalted emperors at the end of the day. They were veterans and members of a mighty civilization. They were not weak!

Damn!

The two of us are both second ranks, and peak second rank at that. But you want us to focus on a first rank rat spirit?

You... think so little of us!

These three are wandering cultivators through and through; they’re from minor worlds. These kinds of exalted emperors are really weak, alright?

Although both of us just want to kick back and relax, I hadn’t thought that you’d put us on the back burner so much! Even my replica is being valued more than me—he’s being sent after the third rank!

Celestial Pole didn’t know what to say and the Pagoda King also felt a bit awkward.

Well, alright the latter was probably putting on a front. All the same, he felt a very complicated mix of emotions that was hard to describe.

If they were fighting with a New Martial contingent, this would not be their assignment. Although Silver Moon was sending them out on the first engagement they encountered after the two joined, having them face off against a first rank...

They would be an affront to all exalted emperors around if they didn’t find something amiss about this setup!

“Are the three fellow daoists going to move or not?” Li Hao asked again, deadly serious. “This is Orchid Forest and you are proclaiming dominion over a portion of its territory. Orchid Forest is not a den of bandits, it is a major world and possesses the dignity of such.

“Bygones will be bygones if you leave now. But I will be forced to kill you if you do not leave. You will be made an example of!”

The three exalted emperors looked at each other, finding it difficult to proceed. Their leader, the quiet Exalted Gold Cow Emperor, said, “We know what Fellow Daoist Myriad Dao speaks of. However, the fellow daoist probably doesn’t know who we represent!

“It is not the three of us who wish to occupy this area, but...” it intoned as Li Hao watched it. “It is Red Moon that wishes to take it!”

“Really?” Li Hao asked, perplexed. “Then have Red Moon send over an official document. I’ll believe you when I have a document of dao in my hands and leave you alone.”

Are you insane?! If Red Moon really wanted open hostilities, it would’ve taken action a long time ago! Would it take action this way??

It’s going to all this trouble because it wants to maintain a good reputation! What kind of joke are you running your mouth off with?

Not even Red Moon exalted emperors on Orchid Forest are saying that they’re from Orchid Forest, much less us!

“The fellow daoist should know full well the truth of what I speak of!” snapped Gold Cow. “Why set yourself on opposing sides with Red Moon for a tiny bit of profit? Orchid Forest is not a stable thigh to attach yourself too! Be careful of going down with them if you tie yourself to the wrong ship!”

“So you’re not going to move?”

“You’re out of your mind...”

“I gave you a chance!” Li Hao sighed. “Do it!”

The three exalted emperors felt that the young human might be truly insane, or joking, at the very least. Would he really take action?

I already told you that we’re not here on our own behalf, that we represent Red Moon! Didn’t you hear me?? That’s an eighth rank world!

Although it’s lost a few seventh ranks lately, it’s still an eighth rank world and a premier faction. You bastards, we’re not that far from it!

Boom!!

Loud crashes shook the world as soon as Li Hao gave the order. The exalted emperors behind him sprang into action. No one hesitated; it was like they didn’t know what Red Moon was. They were more like puppets, executing whatever instructions Li Hao put forth!

Even in Lin Hongyu’s absence, there were nine exalted emperors with the young man, if counting Celestial Pole’s replica. Great daos shook the skies when they all leapt into motion. Currents of dao strength crisscrossed the land, vibrating the world.

They really had attacked at the drop of a hat, not hesitating in the slightest.

Their three opponents jerked with astonishment, then promptly recovered their true forms. A massive cow so ginormous that it could blot out the sun appeared, roaring with fury. “How dare you actually attack us?!”

They were both shocked and horrified, yelling loudly so that they could notify the Red Moon exalted emperors at the other barrier crack.

We’re under attack here, come help!

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

......

“Are they really fighting?”

“Where do these guys get their courage from?”

“They’re crazy!”

“......” Exalted emperors throughout Orchid Forest reeled with shock. Everyone was well aware that that particular fissure was under Red Moon jurisdiction. Where had this group of wandering cultivators sprang up from?

Twelve exalted emperors were immediately locked in battle. Li Hao did not join the fray; he watched from the sidelines. The disturbance created from twelve exalted emperors fighting was so enormous that the entire world seemed to be shaking.

The land quaked as the might of great dao shot in all directions.

Rumble!

The three Red Moon exalted emperors were immediately suppressed after the first exchange, even the third rank Gold Cow. Third ranks would still fall to four second ranks working in tandem as the gap between second and third rank was not that pronounced.

......

In another locale.

Heaven Rite and a few other exalted emperors took deep breaths. Damn, these wandering cultivators were bold! How... interesting.

“Those ten million dao crystals were well spent!” someone laughed. “It doesn’t matter if they have an ulterior motive or not. Those other three wandering cultivators thought less of us just because they could borrow Red Moon’s might. It’s nice that they’re suffering a bit for it. I feel much better already!”

“These guys have some gall.” Another exalted emperor looked at Heaven Rite with a smile. “I wonder if it might be Red Moon putting on a show for us though...”

Heaven Rite shook his head, he wasn’t certain either. Myriad Dao’s group going on the offensive took all of them by surprise. He looked at another barrier crack, one with two exalted emperors in residence. They were on a completely different level strength wise, with one being a fourth rank and another a third rank.

They were both from Red Moon!

“We’ll know as we continue to watch,” Heaven Rite said softly. “I wonder if Red Moon will intervene...”

“They should, right?”

“It’s uncertain.”

While the Orchid Forest exalted emperors conversed, the two Red Moon exalted emperors hovering in the firmament frowned.

“Damn them!” scowled a fourth rank. He turned to the third rank next to him. “Go tell those guys to not stick their nose where it doesn’t belong! Tell them where we’re from!”

As exalted emperors from Red Moon, they were naturally proud of their background.

We come from an eighth rank major world! These wandering cultivators are crazy, aren’t they?

Our home world is nearby! They’ve got more brawn than brains!

The third rank female exalted emperor was likewise furious. She immediately took to the air, her voice echoing upon the wind, “Should I teach them a lesson?”

“No need, just get them to back off!” The fourth rank shook his head. There was no need to clash with another group of wandering cultivators for the sake of three wanderers. It was enough for that sizable group to cease their hostilities.

While they didn’t know who it was behind the group, surely they wouldn’t be so bold if there wasn’t anyone backing them.

......

Boom!

A massive collision rang through the world. The three enormous beasts roared with outrage and the rat spirit transformed into its true form of a thousand heads.

Li Hao frowned at the hideous sight.

How ugly!

With Celestial Pole and the Pagoda King working together, a mere first rank would not be getting away from them. The young man watched as the two fought. Celestial Pole was the same as ever—complete reliance on body dao and a lack of dao method comprehension. He could smash one head in with one punch. Whereas the Pagoda King...

Li Hao finally made out some clues after a period of observation. The Pagoda King seemed skilled at speed; he was as if a shadow. He flashed through the air like an assassin, cutting off a head each time he passed by.

The rat spirit howled with indignity. It, too, was adept at speed and the art of devouring from the shadows. But it could barely touch its opponents. All of its attacks were easily avoided. These two second rank exalted emperors and first rank wasn’t too far away from them, but it couldn’t even touch them.

“Save me, big bother!” it shrilled, fear beginning to set in. They were all exalted emperors and it’d originally felt that these people wouldn’t dare kill them. However, it lost one hundred heads in the blink of an eye!

This was horrifying!

Meanwhile, Gold Cow didn’t make a sound.

Save you? How am I supposed to save you??

It was surrounded by four second ranks. Two were masters of dao, one was a master of a world, and the last was Celestial Pole’s replica...

If it wasn’t out of necessity to keep their abilities and identities hidden, just the two masters of dao alone could kill it. The cow was barely hanging on, how could it save anyone else?

Wait!

They had to hold on until Red Moon’s exalted emperors arrived. It wouldn’t be long, the other barrier crack wasn’t too far away. It could already sense a third rank rushing over—a Red Moon exalted emperor!

The cow heaved a sigh of relief. Salvation was at hand!