Chapter 895: All In Readiness (III)

Li Hao and Director General Wang flew toward the imperial palace ruins as they chatted with each other. The little tree was surprised by the newcomer’s presence when the director general entered its territory. Director General Wang didn’t mind; he scanned the structure behind the tree.

“The imperial palace is not what it once was,” he sighed. “The building is still there, but those that populate it are no longer. I visited a few times back in the day, but to think that this place would fall into disrepair as well!”

The little tree was a bit wary, but didn’t make a sound.

“There’s no need to pay attention to him, Senior Imperial Guard,” Li Hao laughed. “Let’s go. Just seal this place away!”

The little tree still remained silent; it swiftly transformed into a tiny, crystalline tree.

“Are you headed out too?” laughed Director General Wang. “Come, hitch a ride on my shoulder so you’re not torn to pieces! You can hold up, right, ole brother Li?”

“Just about!”

“Then good. Otherwise, whoever kills you now will also get me, this imperial palace guard, and the five auxiliary generals in one go!”

What’s with this doomsaying!

Li Hao groused to himself.

Who can kill me on land? What a joke! Plus, aren’t you recovered now? You seriously talk a lot.

The little tree was also feeling ornery.

If I’d known that someone was going with Li Hao... then I wouldn’t have gone. This guy looks at me very strangely.

Director General Wang seemed to sense the little tree’s regard. “What a pity that you’re a cottonwood tree and not a fruit bearing tree. Otherwise, we’d have some fruit to eat. I didn’t think it was a good idea when Battle Heaven brought the pagoda tree in...”

Li Hao couldn’t be bothered to respond. This one hadn’t ceased talking from the moment he left Battle Heaven. When they left with the little tree, the imperial palace ruins trembled. The young man could vaguely see a withered tree shift to enclose the entire structure. Plainly, the little tree had used the corpse of its father to enshroud the palace.

......

When Li Hao convened with Huang Yu, the selected troop of ten thousand was already clad in armor. Not a sound could be heard from those assembled. It was eerily quiet, like there was no one alive on the parade ground.

Director General Wang blinked when he saw the soldiers, finally adopting a more serious attitude. He seemed to see the Battle Heaven Army of yore, albeit this army was much weaker. Its discipline was just as strict. He glanced at Huang Yu, but didn’t say a word.

Huang Yu also cast a sidelong glance at the newcomer. He frowned slightly, not recognizing the unfamiliar face. He wouldn’t possibly have recognized the man either. The only thought that Huang Yu had was that Li Hao had fished out another powerhouse from somewhere, one that was very strong.

The young man truly had some tricks up his sleeves!

Li Hao didn’t say anything either; a flying ship quickly appeared in the air. Huang Yu took a deep breath and commanded, “Board the ship!”

Ten thousand soldiers swiftly marched onto the vessel.

“They’re weak, but their discipline is good,” transmitted Director General Wang after a period of observation. “They’ll... pass muster when wearing Battle Heaven armor. I won’t accept soldiers that are too useless.”

“This is the Silver Moon army, the most elite army of the modern age.”

“Is that so?” Director General Wang smiled without another word. Was this all there was to the most elite army? Alright then. It wasn’t his place to say anything else.

The flying ship was quite large and could travel through the void at a clip of five hundred kilometers per trip. They were typically used against Apexes, but the only thing it was good for now was to present an intimidating front. It was still spacious after ten thousand people poured in. There was another world contained within it.

Li Hao boarded the vessel as well and connected it to the golden armor. It instantly threaded through the void and vanished on the spot. The young man didn’t mind that utilizing this vessel consumed a large quantity of mysterious power stones.

......

Director General Zhao abruptly manifested a long while after they left. “They left so quickly, the little bastards... Was it Li Hao again?”

He hadn’t come near just now, but when Huang Yu said that he wanted to leave, the old man knew that it was likely that little jerk Li Hao that’d come to headhunt his people again.

“He’s taken the army with him this time...” The director general furrowed his brows. What use was the army to Li Hao? He didn’t understand it! Although he hadn’t drawn close earlier, he could vaguely sense an enormous threat in the air!

What was that?

Director General Zhao sighed to himself. They were all gone, but Silver Moon was the heart of the world.

How are you guys going to protect us after running off?

......

Li Hao’s speed was very fast aboard the flying ship. It was just that the rate of resource consumption was rather high. However, he was also enduring too much of the world’s pressure at the moment. Hence, anything that shortened this period of time was worthy of utilizing. He needed to transplant the five plant spirits to their new territory as soon as possible.

The flying ship traveled through the darkness and arrived at the City of Supernaturals before long. Li Hao was in more of a hurry to settle down the five plant spirits than Huang Yu and the army. With these five, the nearby energy tide would soon be depleted.

As expected, the dense concentration of energy vanished in the blink of an eye as soon as the five entered the ruins.

......

Where the redwood tree was.

The redwood jerked awake and cursed lowly to itself. Had a pile of starving firewood arrived? Who had Li Hao brought? The abundant energy was suddenly no more. Although it wasn’t hungry these days, it was like the newcomer had never seen energy before.

Damn it!

It swayed with surprise as a massive ship threaded through the air.

Li Hao?

“Isn’t this a communication station?” A familiar voice rang in its heart. “I remember there being a redwood tree here before, right?”

The redwood’s heart pounded with alarm!

Director General Wang manifested—there was no need for Li Hao’s protection in the ruins. He laid a hand on the startled tree’s trunk. “Yo, you’re still here! ...it is you, right?”

The redwood swiftly projected a human shape and stared at Director General Wang. It couldn’t believe its eyes. “Director... Director General Wang...?” it stammered.

“You know me?” chuckled the man. “I wondered whose territory this was, so it’s yours.”

“How... can... Director General Wang... be...”

“Alive?” the man laughed. “Are the other plant spirits dead?”

“Ah... dead.” The redwood’s heart pounded with fear, even when the other was weaker than it. It was still shocking to see Director General Wang actually step forward in front of it.

“How did they die?”

“From... lack of... energy.”

“And their bodies?”

“Um... um...”

“You ate them?”

“N-no...” The redwood jumped with dismay. “I... was... too weak... They decayed directly upon death... They naturally collapsed when... I extracted energy from them...”

“Do you know what the crime is for killing those of your kind?” Director General Wang asked calmly. “Of course, those were unusual circumstances and it’s difficult to investigate events from that time period or pass judgment. This is no longer New Martial. But if I remember correctly, you are subordinate to the military. You have a title of major general, don’t you?”

“Y...yes...”

“But there are standing orders that if you meet peers from a major city, you are automatically considered half a rank lower, correct?”

“Yes!”

“Then why did you have so many thoughts otherwise when Commander Li wished to requisition you before?” Director General Wang frowned. “Is that true?”

“Director general, I... I...”

“That’s enough, this is not to be repeated again!” Director General Wang flicked a glance at it. “Don’t think of yourself as something just because you are a peak Immortal. You’re a broken peak Immortal and a plant spirit at that. Of humans, beast spirits, and plant spirits, it is plant spirits that are the weakest! I will execute you next time you defy orders! Or do you think that I cannot execute you anymore?”

“Of course not!” The redwood hastily bowed. “This is a misunderstanding, director general! I just...”

“That’s enough!” Director General Wang didn’t want to bother with it anymore. “Ten thousand Battle Heaven troops are going to set up camp here! You will assist them in cultivation even at the cost of utilizing your core origin! You can die, they cannot! If not, you will join them in death!

“Additionally... you must know the locations of the other eight communication stations. Give me a map and where the others are. The nine of you have a ninety-nine percent chance of being able to communicate with each other. Don’t speak of any other nonsense to me, do you hear?”

The redwood didn’t dare waste a single word and quickly coalesced a map for Director General Wang. Li Hao’s jaw dropped! This was a peak Immortal measuring up to an initial Immortal. So their affairs could be conducted in this manner as well?

Director General Wang inclined his head. “At least you recognize the situation you’re in. Do not tell anyone of my resurrection. You will be the first to die if word leaks!”

“Understood, sir!” The redwood quickly responded.

“That’s more like it.” Director General Wang inclined his head. “You have Water of Life on you, don’t you? Give me one thousand drops...”

“Director general, this...”

“What? I’ll return it to you once Battle Heaven awakens. This is an emergency requisition of resources and it is an era of military rule. Do you understand?”

The redwood tree looked like its father had died. After a beat, it brought out a large quantity of Water of Life.

“Don’t look like you’re about to die. Do you think I don’t know how much you’ve embezzled over the years?” snorted the Director General Wang. “You should be happy that I’m not taking you to task for it. What’s with the expression? Do you want to rebel?”

“I would never dare!” the redwood hastily responded with some suffering.

Oh my heavens!

Someone had awakened in the main cities. How were they all supposed to get by from now on?