Star Gate

“What, does senior want to beat me up?” Qi Yun didn’t care about the vicious look shooting from Zhang An’s eyes. “Violence between our own is the greatest prohibition in Demonic Martial. Once your actions are discovered… the senior will be grievously punished even though you are the supreme’s grandson! Not to mention, I am just a strand of mental strength!

“As the strongest Demonic Martial alumni of this age, senior should refrain from referring to yourself as such if you are not of a mind to reconsolidate the university or New Martial!”

Zhang An snorted and walked off.

“What is the senior concerned about?” Qi Yun frowned with displeasure. “Are you still clinging to your identity as the supreme’s descendant? They are long gone! That might actually be a good thing for the senior. At the very least, you don’t have to think about considerations of background anymore!”

“I’ll consider it. I don’t need a lecture from the likes of you!” Zhang An was already gone.

“Who would want to talk to you if you weren’t so strong?” Qi Yun murmured. “What a pity that none of us possess the same strength as the Human King. We would’ve challenged you a long time ago!”

That was the Demonic Martial tradition. If one wasn’t up to the task, someone else would be and would mount a challenge for the right. Sadly for Qi Yun, his strength wasn’t up to par, so there was nothing he could do.

Forget it, he couldn’t be bothered with saying too much more. If Zhang An wasn’t willing to enter the Hao Cosmos, they would try it themselves.

……

Li Hao was unaware of their discussion. He was rushing to the Skystar Sea. A powerful presence was apparent from far away—it was familiar. He knew who’d come; Ninth Division leader Li Daozong.

It was likely his core origin replica.

Director General Wang sensed it as well. He didn’t need Li Hao’s protection anymore—he could freely move about the world, but with much weaker strength.

“That guy’s here!” He was excited by the presence that he knew. “But… why is he here?”

This was strange! The world did not fully tolerate them yet. Based on Battle Heaven’s plans, they would not mobilize troops just yet.

……

The Ninth Division leader also sensed certain things in the air; he saw Li Hao and the others break through the void in the next moment. The young man smiled when he saw the Gold Armor and other familiar faces.

“The Ninth Division has come to visit! What a happy occasion!” Li Hao smiled and walked through the air, ignoring the rest. He immediately drew close. “Test me again today and see if I am qualified to be a division leader!”

He punched with the momentum of a ferocious tiger descending the mountain and shook the sky! Tiger Roar Through Mountain and Woods! It even shattered the void.

The Ninth Division leader looked coolly at him. His golden armor emanated light as he punched back! The kid always wanted to turn the tables and looked for chances to get his own back whenever possible. He loved to hold a grudge.

But… can you do it?

Two Gold Armors balled up their fists and slammed into each other in the void!

BOOM!

The sea exploded!

An enormous black hole swirled into being to devour seawater and raise a vortex. Li Hao walked over the water surface, dispersing the vortex. The ferocious tiger punch reappeared and brought with it a magnificent surge of strength.

RUMBLE!

Neither of the two stepped backward after exchanging a dozen punches. “The Ninth Division leader’s replica is strong. I shall use a replica against you as well! Go!”

A figure appeared behind his opponent and punched with the momentum of a descending mountain. The sea was as if the ground as the figure absorbed earthen energy and shook the world with its punch!

BAM!

The divine body didn’t shift from the punch this time, but the Ninth Division stumbled a few steps backward. A light glinted in his eyes as he looked at Li Hao with some amazement.

This world and this time period could just barely tolerate Apexes. Therefore, his replica was very strong and nearly invincible! And yet, he was suppressed by Li Hao’s replica and beaten back! The young man’s replica didn’t seem alive, but there was Li Hao’s presence active within it. It was very strange.

The Ninth Division leader was surprised, as were the troop leaders behind him. Although their superior officer wasn’t here in the flesh, everyone was well aware of his battle strength. But… the Eleventh Division leader had sent him reeling!

“We’re just having some fun,” Li Hao roared with laughter. “You don’t mind, do you, ninth brother?”

“……” The Ninth Division leader paused. “What… did you just call me?”

“You are the Ninth Division leader according to military regulations, I am the Eleventh Division leader,” Li Hao smiled. “You are ranked number nine, I am number eleven. We’re all brothers here, so let’s not be so formal!”

Still roaring with laughter, he addressed the troop leaders standing further away. “So the Seventh and Eighth Troop leaders have all come! Long time no see, I’ve missed you a lot. Are you interested in joining my Eleventh Division as troop leaders?”

The troop leaders found themselves in a very awkward spot and didn’t say a word.

“Li Hao, are you able to employ them effectively if they march under your banner?” snorted the Ninth Division leader. They were all dead. The young man wouldn’t be able to maintain their form if he oversaw them.

“I will if you dare assign them to me!” Li Hao barked with laughter. “If you don’t believe me, troop leaders, just come give it a try. I’ll create a most suitable body for you. It’ll be very useful!

“Director General Wang, come on out and meet my ninth brother!”

Director General Wang felt very awkward standing behind the young man. The kid was… very cocky sometimes.

Ninth brother? You’re the only one with balls to call him that. Although you’re both of the Li family, strictly speaking, he is the brother of your ancestor from eons ago. How are you calling him ninth brother??

Director General Wang broke through the void. The Ninth Division leader regarded the newcomer, ignoring Li Hao and the replica. A light shimmered in his eyes as he sought to pierce through the person.

“You are Wang Ye?” he asked coolly after a long moment.

“It’s me…” Director General Wang nodded with a start. “Do you… not recognize me?”

He immediately realized the crux of the situation. His physical body was a new one, his great dao had collapsed, and he bore the presence of the Hao Cosmos on him. It was like he was a completely different person.

“You turned him into a puppet replica?” The Ninth Division leader looked at Li Hao, a new frostiness in his voice.

“A replica?” Li Hao blinked.

“He bears your presence…”

Aha. Li Hao shook his head with a smile. “I haven’t, I’ve just utilized a special technique. Not to mention… what need would I have for an initial Immortal that’s switched to a new body?”

The connotations of that were that he had a lot of initial Immortals at his beck and call. What need did he have for a Wang Ye in a new body?

“That is true!” The Ninth Division leader inclined his head, then turned back to Director General Wang.

“It really is me,” the man said with resignation when his comrade regarded him skeptically again. “The circumstances are a bit special, so I didn’t have time to tell you guys.”

“We thought you died,” Li Daozong answered calmly. “Everyone in the city bid you farewell when we departed!”

“……” Wang Ye had no words. “So you guys sensed the breaking of my dao?”

“A bit.” The Ninth Divison leader was as composed as usual. “Since you are still alive, I will be returning now.”

“Wait…” Li Hao interjected. “What are you in such a rush to go back for? You’ve already made this trip! Don’t be so hasty, ninth brother. None of the rest are!”

“There are critical missions in the city!” intoned Li Daozong.

“Forget them. Not to mention, the two guardians are present. Is there any room for ninth brother to be involved?” Li Hao chuckled and transmitted, “We’ve found some of the traitors. Your brother, Li Daoheng, was one of them!”

“And then?” an unflappable Li Daozong asked out loud.

Li Hao was astonished. What ‘and then’? Are you not shocked??

“Your brother turned traitor and razed Skystar Town!”

“To each their own. Everyone has their own path and ambitions.” Li Daozong was unmoved. “Although we were brothers, he made his own decisions. Traitors should be killed! I would’ve taken action myself had I encountered him.”

Fine then! Li Hao had nothing to say. Why can’t anything startle a reaction out of him? His blood must run cold after being dead for so many years and existing purely in mental form.

“I’ve found a way for everyone to cultivate the new dao and recover their physical bodies. You may not care, but the troop leaders can’t always be weapon souls, can they? There wasn’t a way to resurrect weapon souls before, but now I am able to.

“There is also a place for these weapons in the new dao. With their armor as the vehicle, there is a big chance that we can recreate their physical body.” This was possible only now. Li Hao didn’t have any feasible methods prior to this. “Strong enemies attacked us right before this, likely from the traitors’ faction. Does the Ninth Division leader not care about this either?”

Why bother going back now that you’re here? This is perfect. I felt that we weren’t strong enough before. But now with these Battle Heaven Army reinforcements, they can help train the Demon Hunter Army. There might be a wondrous effect from this exchange!

There’s no way I’m letting you guys go after you ended up here!

“Of course!” Li Hao grinned. “It doesn’t really matter either way to me personally, but it does once they’ve gone on the offensive against me. Not to mention, they turned against the Li family at the end of the day. I have both personal and official reasons to strike against them!

“We can make use of this time to keep them down and prevent them from stirring up further trouble. Otherwise, I’m not terribly interested in them. But since they want to stick their noses where it doesn’t belong, I won’t show them leniency then!”

“Then I will camp here for a period of time. But… not for too long.”

etvolare’s Thoughts

Chapterrr ONE THOUSAND!

It’s been a helluva ride. Those of you who’re still here, you’re the best and we’re in for even more fun times!