Star Gate

In the distance.

The void trembled when Ying Hongyue reappeared. The man’s face was stark white while the bloodline power within his body agitated violently. He frowned deeply and summoned a few weapon shadows of his own to suppress the bloodlines.

Although the bloodlines quieted down, Ying Hongyue remained frowning.

“Stellaris… is too targeted at me!” he muttered after a long moment of silence. The sword might be a regular weapon to anyone else, but to him, it was one aimed at his throat!

When it came to strength, he didn’t fear Li Hao in the slightest due to the successful combination of the seven bloodlines. Not to mention, the young man wasn’t in prime condition at the moment. He was just slightly stronger than six elements and less than seven. And yet, Ying Hongyue could do nothing but flee when the two encountered each other.

That outcome had very much to do with Stellaris!

Three heritage weapons had broken and their weapon souls devoured. Stellaris had captured them and could coalesce them at any time, then break them to disturb Ying Hongyue’s bloodlines. While the affliction would not be as severe as when the actual weapons broke, this would crop up each time the two met.

“This… cannot be permitted to continue,” Ying Hongyue took a deep breath and soared through the air once more.

Li Hao had the City of Supernaturals in his grasp; the three great organizations needed to withdraw from the central region. If not, it was only a matter of time before they were exterminated by the young man.

He made swift time, slowing his pace only when he arrived at a massive mountain in a mountain range. Moments later, he had returned to the Red Moon headquarters.

The scarlet cloak appeared as usual. “Has the leader gone out?” it said affably.

“I made a trip out to investigate the situation.” Ying Hongyue’s expression was as usual. “Things are not looking good outside. Li Hao may have the City of Supernaturals in his grasp. I met him near the city and nearly lost.”

The scarlet cloak had long sensed the agitation of his blood qi, but was astonished by the recounting. “Can he defeat even you now?”

“Stellaris poses too great a threat to me!” Ying Hongyue shook his head with a sigh. “Who would’ve thought that the sword would once more recognize a master countless years later? Who else apart from the Sword Sovereign could entice it to take a master from the Lis? It’s very strange!”

“I agree,” the scarlet cloak said with hesitation. “The other seven weapons are another matter, but logically speaking, Stellaris should not have been able to be activated. It should remain sealed even with the bloodline of the Lis present.”

“Did they have other plans in mind in leaving Stellaris behind?” asked Ying Hongyue. “Why did the Sword City not take it with them in the retreat?”

“We’re not certain why the heritage weapons circulated either.” The scarlet cloak shook its head. “Let’s set that aside. It is indeed inadvisable for Stellaris to remain in Li Hao’s hand. We need to think of a way to seize it.”

It’d be easier to just kill Li Hao! Ying Hongyue couldn’t be bothered with a response.

“Upstairs has agreed that the three great organizations can convene,” continued the scarlet cloak. “A retreat is permitted and a new headquarters must be established…”

“I understand.” Ying Hongyue walked off.

“Red Moon leader,” the scarlet cloak couldn’t help but say. “Upstairs wishes for you to make a trip back. The seven bloodlines are almost one. Additionally, it is a grave loss that the mallet of the Hongs has been lost and destroyed…”

“It was an accident, what can I do about it?”

“……” The scarlet cloak fell silent and watched Ying Hongyue leave. This person was an ingrate that did not act in their best interests!

……

The City of Supernaturals.

Lin Hongyu looked Li Hao over when the young man returned. She relaxed to see the young man unharmed. He didn’t say anything and simply looked at the still pale-faced scrawny old man.

“I have use for you. Do your job well, there will be plenty of benefits in it for you!”

“Thank you, commander!” Old Scrawny was overjoyed.

“How many people did you sense?”

“Four!”

Li Hao raised a brow. Ying Hongyue was one, the other three could be Yama, the Celestial Flying Immortal, and the lord of Yonder Mountain. If it was them, then the whole crew was present.

Interesting!

These guys were a mysterious bunch. When it came down to it, they were part of the strongest cohort in the ancient civilization. That made them more or less connected to Silver Moon. They had to have their own unique personality characteristics since they were able to establish the three great organizations in modern times.

Now it rather seemed that they were related to those traitors. Not only that, but Ying Hongyue might have other thoughts in mind as well.

Who should Li Hao kill?

If all four were strong, they might be able to kill a dilapidated Immortal if they combined their efforts.

The young man didn’t venture any other opinions. The impromptu assessment of ability was over. Lin Hongyu had files on most of these people. Some brimmed with so much evil that their backgrounds could not be hidden. Others kept such a low profile that not even Lin Hongyu had gathered much information on them.

Gan Wuliang came running back, apprehension writ large on his face. “Commander, I’ve convinced a few people, it’s just that…”

Qin Lian punctuated the scholar’s explanation with a transmitted explanation. The fellow who could read emotions had lied to those outside that Lin Hongyu had decreed him the vice commander of the new army. She would be the commander and had given him the task of reorganizing the random teams outside.

After a persuasive speech and modifying his responses based on people’s reactions, he was able to consolidate the smaller groups of supernaturals. Those who agreed to follow him were changing into their new uniforms.

“Commander, I told them to make camp in the barracks outside the city for now,” Gan Wuliang said softly. “I said that the rest of those who entered the inner city are undergoing more assessments, but I need some people to back me up or everything I said will seem especially fake. What do you think…”

Li Hao nodded and looked at the people around him. There were approximately seventy that he’d selected from the impromptu talent show. “You guys will coordinate with Gan Wuliang. It’s best if you can convince all of them to obey and make up camp outside of the city!”

He then looked at Hu Qingfeng and the rest close by. “You guys put on armor as well and blend in with the teams. Help these guys lead all of the recruits outside and set up camp. Complete your integration of the City of Supernaturals as quickly as possible!”

“Understood, sir!” The excited group didn’t dare speak too much.

Gan Wuliang also heaved an inward sigh of relief.

“You can give fleeing a try if you want to make a run for it once you exit the city gates!” Li Hao said to those who were given permission to leave.

“We wouldn’t dare…” The group shook their heads, hearts in their throats.

“Milord, those guys are mouthing lies.” Gan Wuliang suddenly pointed at three people. “They’re definitely making a run for it once they get outside!”

The people he pointed at blanched with fear and cursed up a storm to themselves. That damned animal! He’d betrayed them at the drop of a hat and was being such an earnest dog!

“Commander, we’re innocent…”

“Arrest them!” Li Hao commanded. Those around the three leapt into action. It wasn’t their own lives on the line and they had to do everything possible to ensure that the situation stayed that way!

“Milord, I’m afraid that some people are hiding their intentions deep, it’s hard for me to pick up their emotions that way.” Gan Wuliang looked carefully at Li Hao. “How about we test them a few more times…”

“No need for that!” Li Hao laughed. “Do your job well, I have high hopes for you!”

He clapped the scholar’s shoulder, sending a peculiar surge of energy into Gan Wuliang’s brain. The latter swallowed audibly and beamed as brightly as he could. Not only was he not afraid, but he felt much safer. This was good, this was very good!

He’d been highly afraid that Li Hao would want to execute all of the troublemakers! It looked like that probably wouldn’t happen.

“The Lin third elder will go with them. Also, arrange for some city defenders to accompany and manage them for now!”

Standing off in the distance, the third elder had long been completely won over by the young man a long time ago. He quickly bowed with respect, “Understood!”

“Go on!”

The group marched out, leaving roughly two hundred behind. Those remaining looked nervously at each other.

“Don’t worry, most of you will be fine,” Li Hao laughed. “Only some of you have to die for your crimes. Small transgressions are a simple matter. But if you riot, that will pan out differently for your future!”

“We wouldn’t dare!” chorused the remainders. Each of them was the very picture of docility. These were all quick-witted folks, they wouldn’t dare rebel.

They’d heard it just as well. The nine ministries were no more, the royal family was no more. The City of Supernaturals was now Li Hao’s, which meant that the central region hailed the young man as its sovereign. Wouldn’t they be pursuing death if they chose to cause trouble now?

……

The motley array of soldiers within the inner city soon marched out of the metropolis, led by their new leaders. Some of them were unwilling, but they heard that other arrangements were in store for the other leaders. The new recruits were to be assembled into a new army.

Seeing that a dozen of the original leaders were among them, these people didn’t dare say anything. They left with Gan Wuliang and the others, heading toward the military barracks outside the city.

The barracks had lain unused until this day; they would be put into use now.

……

With the departure of these people, that defused the last potential threat from the City of Supernaturals. Li Hao no longer kept a low profile. Lin Hongyu knew he was here, so there was no point in concealing his movements anymore.

“The City of Supernaturals has ever wished to become a place of long-term development for Skystar supernaturals and create a land of peace.” As the new supernatural army convened outside the city, the city lord’s voice rang through the metropolis. “However, we have strayed from our original intentions.

“Some supernaturals do not respect law and order. In the interest of prolonged prosperity for Skystar’s supernatural domain, the city hereby joins the banner of the Skystar Commander Office today and follows Commander Li Hao’s orders.

“We will fight for supernatural success and create a thriving age that eclipses the ancient civilization! Only Commander Li is able to do so!”

etvolare’s Thoughts

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