Li Hao sprinted at full speed.
This time, he hadn’t asked anyone to pick him up. Instead, he bounded like a soaring bird, leaping through the air and covering a hundred meters in a single stride, moving with blistering speed.
Just a moment ago, an idea had struck him: he wanted to see Hong Yitang.
Even though Golden Spear was right there in front of him, he had felt no desire to discuss the martial path with the man.
A thousand cups of wine were too few among kindred spirits.
He hadn’t exchanged more than a single sentence with Golden Spear, but from that single exchange alone, Li Hao knew they were not the same kind of person.
Golden Spear might be a good man, a fine teacher, a capable general, an accomplished martial master...
None of that mattered much.
Right now, what Li Hao needed was someone with unique insights into the martial path.
In that brief instant, the renowned grandmaster had left Li Hao with a distinct impression, reminding him of people he had once known—classmates whose faces hadn’t crossed his mind in a long time.
Following the playbook to the letter, sticking strictly to standard answers—the model straight-A geniuses.
The kinds of people who scored perfect marks on every test!
Li Hao’s academic marks had been decent enough; otherwise, he never would have gotten into the Silver City Ancient Academy. But decent grades didn’t mean perfection. In the eyes of certain teachers, he had actually been a problem student, prone to bizarre, unprompted ideas.
When taking exams where there was clearly one fixed answer, he would insist on taking a convoluted detour, refusing to follow the standard procedure, twisting and turning through several loops before finally circling back to the point.
Only Yuan Shuo had looked at that and thought it was wonderful, praising him for refusing to walk beaten paths.
Yet not everyone was Yuan Shuo.
So when Li Hao heard Golden Spear say the Bird Art was about effortless freedom, he knew what sort of person Golden Spear was: rigid and solemn. He had no real grasp of what true freedom actually meant.
*No wonder Golden Spear didn’t break Teacher’s mental suppression on his own... He couldn’t!*
Racing forward at top speed, the realization crystallized in Li Hao’s mind.
At the same time, he felt a twinge of pressure regarding his upcoming stint in the Martial Guard Army. A stern man like Golden Spear would probably find him irritating. That brought Mu Lin to mind; with Mu Lin’s slovenly, irreverent demeanor, Golden Spear probably didn’t care much for him either.
Men like that preferred obedient boys.
Li Hao soon pushed thoughts of Golden Spear aside.
He moved with blinding speed; having just grasped the essence of extreme sharpness, his strides cut through the air like an arrow piercing the sky.
Before long, he crossed into the northern district of the city.
This was the territory of the Inspectorate.
Just as Li Hao dashed into the city, he spotted Inspectorate personnel on patrol ahead. Seeming to sense Li Hao’s incredible speed, they tensed up noticeably.
Li Hao flashed a medallion in his palm. “Night Patrollers inspector!”
At those words, the inspectors finally relaxed.
Li Hao quickly asked, “Where is the Sword Sect’s White Moon City liaison office?”
There were three inspectors ahead.
The older one among them glanced at Li Hao, quickly sizing him up, and answered promptly, “Near the southern district, by the Clock Tower...”
“Thanks!”
Before the sound of his voice faded, Li Hao leapt and vanished from sight.
The inspectors watched his vanishing figure with a touch of envy.
Was this the Night Patrollers?
They knew of the Night Patrollers and had seen them before, but usually they appeared ordinary. Just now, they had watched Li Hao charge in from the distance—as swift as a streak of lightning!
“Sigh. Against someone like that, are firearms even useful?” one inspector sighed softly.
At that speed, you could barely catch a glimpse of him, let alone hit him with a gun.
Pure fantasy!
At that moment, the younger inspectors couldn’t help envying such supernatural figures. The older inspector, however, maintained an indifferent expression. After speaking a few words of report into his communicator, he remarked, “An ordinary life is the real blessing. The greater your strength, the greater the peril. The supernatural world only brings endless trouble.”
Saying no more, the veteran inspector resumed his patrol.
Young people always craved excitement. Once they reached his age, they would understand that no thrill compared to the quiet comfort of being ordinary.
Supernatural powers were fine and well, but a super could end up dead at any time, anywhere.
***
The Sword Sect base.
The Sword Sect maintained a liaison office in White Moon City—a six-story building. They were not an evil super organization; as a native supernatural faction, they even assisted the Night Patrollers from time to time.
The authorities had never designated them as an evil super organization either.
Chiefly, this was because the Sword Sect functioned very much like a traditional sect—a martial arts sect.
They still retained the atmosphere of the martial forest and the habits of the jianghu. Whether supers or martial masters, they operated strictly within their own sphere rather than interfering in ordinary society. Consequently, the Sword Sect’s supers rarely meddled with mortal affairs.
Supernatural organizations that didn’t meddle in mortal affairs were generally not branded as evil organizations by the government.
There weren’t many people at the liaison office.
Keeping an office here was primarily a gesture to show the Night Patrollers that the Sword Sect operated out in the open—an honorable, legitimate existence with nothing to hide.
At this moment, on the first floor of the office.
In a large private dining room, Hong Yitang was eating a meal with his family—which simply consisted of his daughter and his second wife.
Over the past few days, he had remained in White Moon City without leaving.
The Sword Sect’s headquarters wasn’t in White Moon City, but with so many forces currently gathered here, Hong Yitang stayed behind to ensure he could react quickly, planning to remain until the ruins opened again or Hou Xiaochen departed Silver Moon.
The family of three chatted as they ate.
Hong Qing did most of the talking. Many veteran martial masters adhered strictly to the rule of silence during meals and rest, but Hong Yitang doted on his daughter and didn’t enforce such formalities.
“Dad, do we really have to keep staying here? When can we go home?”
“Wait a little longer.”
Hong Qing wasn’t actually complaining. The Sword Sect’s mountain headquarters wasn’t bustling at all; it was quiet and rather desolate. Ever since arriving in White Moon City, she had quite enjoyed herself. It was lively, with countless delicious foods to eat, fine clothes to wear, and exciting things to do.
However, noticing that her father seemed preoccupied over the past few days, she assumed he was homesick.
Hong Yitang picked up a morsel with his chopsticks, drinking no wine, still lost in thought.
Beside him, Madam Hong saw this, placed some food into his bowl, and said softly, “When eating, just eat. Don’t worry about other matters.”
“Mm, you two eat as well.” Hong Yitang smiled.
Hong Qing asked curiously, “Dad, is the Night Patrollers looking to cause us trouble? If it really comes down to it, why don’t we just offer all the black armor we got last time to them? Wealth moves people’s hearts, and we claimed a hundred sets of black armor... The Night Patrollers must be eyeing them!”
Last time, close to nine hundred black-armored figures had been eliminated, and over eight hundred sets of black armor were recovered.
With the independent cultivators wiped out entirely, the Three Great Organizations, the Night Patrollers, and the Sword Sect were the biggest winners.
Yet the Three Great Organizations had suffered horrific casualties.
In the end, because the Sword Sect possessed two Sunglorious experts, they claimed quite a few sets. In truth, had the Sword Sect not voluntarily taken less, their surviving strength at the time could easily have justified taking two hundred sets.
His wife urged him as well. “Why not trade the black armor for some mysterious energy? Although our Sword Sect has plenty of members, we don’t have many martial masters. Keeping so much black armor isn’t particularly useful to us, and it only invites covetous eyes.”
Hong Yitang smiled wryly. “I’d love to give them away... but it’s not that simple!”
He didn’t actually care much about the armor and wanted to part with it, but... sometimes, you couldn’t just give things away whenever you wished. He had actually communicated with the Night Patrollers, and their reply had been simple: they did not seize by force or extort!
Unless you were one of their own, they could not accept such a lavish gift from the Sword Sect!
Evidently, Hou Xiaochen’s intent was plain: either join them as one of their own—at which point the armor naturally belonged to the Night Patrollers, men and armor combined—or keep them yourself!
Keeping them was hardly a blessing.
The Three Great Organizations also knew the Sword Sect possessed a hundred sets of armor; how could they not covet them?
What difference did it make that the sect was guarded by a mere two Sunglorious experts?
Hou Xiaochen was absorbing the Sword Sect without shedding a drop of blood. It was a masterclass in manipulation, yet left you entirely without recourse—could you blame someone for refusing your treasures?
Give them to the Three Great Organizations, then?
Fine, the moment you handed them to the Three Great Organizations, you would be branded as collaborators colluding with evil super factions—you would become an evil super organization yourself.
Thus, even Hong Yitang could only sigh in rueful admiration.
Hou Xiaochen killed without leaving a trace of blood!
Killing out in the open was nothing.
Standing atop the clouds, looking down upon you, compelling you to walk up and surrender without ever lifting a finger—that was true craft.
With two Sunglorious, over a dozen Solar Luminaries, more than a dozen Hundred-Breaker martial masters, and over a hundred Ten-Slayers and Starlights, the Sword Sect was a formidable power in Silver Moon. Once absorbed, the Night Patrollers’ strength would swell dramatically.
More importantly, the Sword Sect possessed its own foundation and was practically self-sufficient, requiring no training from scratch.
Once the Battle Heaven City ruins surfaced, Bright Island had been wiped out, the Three Great Organizations severely crippled, and those reckless independent cultivators cleared away... By now, Hong Yitang had long realized that the Battle Heaven City ruins had likely been leaked and opened intentionally.
The sole purpose was to purge Silver Moon’s supernatural realm!
Every step had been part of someone’s calculation, executed with terrifying elegance, while everyone walked obediently into the trap.
Just as he was pondering these vexing matters, his brow suddenly twitched.
A moment later, his wife seemed to sense something as well. Frowning, she asked, “Someone has arrived?”
The feeling wasn’t very distinct; it didn’t feel like a super.
A martial master?
Moments later, a laugh rang out from outside the door. “Li Hao of the Five Animals Sect comes to pay his respects to Martial Uncle Hong!”
Inside the private room, all three of them froze slightly.
Li Hao?
Hong Yitang felt rather mystified. Why had this kid come to his door?
“Come in! You’re far too polite!”
Hong Yitang stood, about to step out and welcome him, but in the blink of an eye, like a gust of wind, the door swung open, and Li Hao appeared at the threshold.
Behind Li Hao, several Sword Sect disciples looked on in sheer shock.
So fast!
“Master!”
“Sect Master!”
The disciples spoke up anxiously, appalled that someone had slipped right past them in an instant.
“It’s fine!”
Hong Yitang waved his hand and looked at Li Hao with a smile. “Li Hao, you’re here. Have you eaten?”
It happened to be mealtime.
“Not yet.”
Li Hao didn’t stand on ceremony. He cupped his fists toward Hong’s wife. “Greetings, Madam Hong!”
Then he glanced at Hong Qing and gave a smiling nod. “Thanks for the sword last time!”
Hong Qing didn’t speak, only eyeing Li Hao with curiosity.
Why was he here?
Madam Hong offered a polite smile, but inwardly she was deeply shaken. This Li Hao was astoundingly fast!
“Martial Uncle Hong, mind if I join you for a bite?”
Li Hao chuckled casually and took a seat without hesitation. Looking at the table full of dishes, he rubbed his belly and smiled. “I really am a bit hungry...”
Hong Yitang’s eyes flickered slightly, and he chuckled. “Then join us. We’ve already started, though, so I’ll have them bring out some fresh, hot dishes...”
“No need for the fuss!”
Li Hao grabbed a clean pair of chopsticks and a bowl and dug right in, leaving both Hong Qing and Madam Hong somewhat stunned.
This was the sort of thing only an exceptionally close disciple or martial brother would do.
It signified intimacy!
Coming from an outsider, however, it bordered on bad manners.
They looked toward Hong Yitang, but Hong Yitang didn’t mind in the least. Chuckling, he sat down as well, watching Li Hao eat, and took the initiative to ask, “Don’t you usually eat at the cafeteria at noon? What brought you to the Sword Sect office?”
“I missed Martial Uncle!”
“...”
Hong Yitang was struck speechless. Were the two of them... truly on such familiar terms?
“I also came to apologize. I ruined Martial Uncle’s Earth-Overturning Sword. I’m truly sorry for failing to cherish it.”
Hong Yitang laughed. “A trivial matter. Besides, once I gave it to you, it became yours.”
At this, Hong Qing exclaimed in shock, “Ruined? The Earth-Overturning Sword is incredibly sturdy and formidable! How could it be ruined?”
Li Hao smiled. “It shattered when I hacked someone with it. A couple of days ago, some people tried to kill me, so I hacked back at them, and it accidentally broke.”
Hong Qing was still incredulous. “But... that sword was exceptionally tough. Could someone have swapped it on you?”
She still hadn’t grasped the truth.
Madam Hong, however, caught on. Her eyes shifted toward Hong Yitang, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Her heart trembled in shock!
She understood!
Li Hao... was the killer who had slaughtered Yu Xiao and the others that day!
Unbelievable!
She knew the Earth-Overturning Sword intimately. Without unleashing overwhelmingly monstrous power, it was utterly impossible for that sword to shatter.
Had this Li Hao... already reached such a stage?
Li Hao was starving. After wolfing down some food, he was just about to speak when Hong Qing suddenly blurted out, “Were you attacked again? Why are you covered in blood? And your ears... what happened...”
“No, just practicing martial arts.”
Hong Qing was speechless. How could practicing martial arts leave someone looking like this?
Li Hao smiled, turning to Hong Yitang. “Martial Uncle, I came today because I have a few perplexities and wished to seek your guidance.”
One does not visit a temple without a reason!
Hong Yitang understood, his smile widening. “Speak. What could possibly stump the great Li Hao?”
Li Hao considered his words, then asked, “If an object’s speed reaches the extreme, does that inherently mean greater explosive power?”
“No.”
Li Hao paused, taken aback.
No?
Hong Yitang smiled. “High speed alone does not equate to explosive power! You’re an educated man; you should understand that explosive power is tied to increases in speed—what is known as acceleration. In that process, energy accumulates, momentum gathers—that is the factor behind immense explosive power!”
“Simply put, you need continuous bursts, progressively increasing your speed and multiplying the impact. When speed accelerates throughout the motion rather than remaining constant, only then can you unleash vastly greater force!”
Li Hao saw the light and nodded. “Yes, exactly!”
Then he added, “So the power unleashed is actually the momentum gathered along the way. It remains your own strength, but just like Nine Refinements Force, it’s a process of rapid compounding, isn’t it?”
“Since you already know, why bother asking?”
Hong Yitang didn’t quite know what Li Hao was driving at, but he didn’t mind indulging him in the conversation.
Li Hao understood, murmuring, “So in essence, it remains a process of gathering momentum, only sliced into discrete segments, ultimately erupting into a unified force, right?”
“You could say that.”
Hong Yitang thought for a moment before adding, “The ancients spoke of gathering momentum as well, but what you describe is a dynamic gathering—easier and swifter. In truth, the ancients also practiced static momentum gathering: holding one’s breath and pent-up force during ordinary times, only to unleash it at the critical moment...”
Li Hao was enlightened once more.
He was well-versed in ancient texts, and this explanation deepened his understanding of the Bird Art significantly.
However, Li Hao still had a question: “Then what about changing directions or spinning around to counterattack? Wouldn’t that break the momentum? Unless you’re in continuous pursuit, but pursuit implies you’re already stronger than your opponent. If you face a situation like that, your momentum breaks and fails to build. What do you do then?”
Hong Yitang chuckled. “You shouldn’t be asking me this; you should ask your teacher... Not Yuan Shuo, but your academic teachers. Did you ever study parabolas? Who told you the apex of a parabola is when speed is greatest or explosive power is at its peak?”
“When you move, must it strictly be along a straight line? Can’t it follow a parabola? A curve?”
Li Hao blinked, looking at Hong Yitang. *Good heavens, are you giving me a physics lecture?*
Hong Yitang sipped his tea, ignoring the astonished looks from his wife and daughter. Looking at Li Hao, he reflected for a moment and added, “Whether pursuing or retreating, it doesn’t have to be a straight line. Just like a falcon diving for prey, its dive isn’t a straight trajectory because the prey moves. Throughout the dive, it constantly adjusts its direction.”
Li Hao nodded, deep in thought.
He ate a few more mouthfuls. The confusion that had troubled him earlier was beginning to clear up.
After a brief pause, Li Hao asked again, “Then how does this extreme speed transform into momentum? Into spirit intent...”
Hong Yitang looked at him in surprise. Into spirit intent?
Was this kid trying to comprehend another kind of momentum?
After pondering for a while, he spoke again: “Among the Seven Swords, Jade Light Sword’s blade is exceedingly fast—as fast as a ray of light! I can’t tell you how to comprehend it yourself, but I can share how Jade Light Sword does it, for your reference.”
“When Jade Light Sword draws her blade, there is actually a brief moment of momentum accumulation. Thus, the moment before she strikes is the prime opportunity to kill her, because she experiences that split-second pause. When she strikes in that instant, the eruption is overwhelmingly powerful!”
“Simply put, slow to draw, swift to strike, swifter to land! This places immense demands on arm strength, wrist strength, and proper channeling of inner force. Year in and year out, Jade Light Sword struck this way until, eventually, she naturally comprehended her Jade Light sword momentum.”
“Sword momentum sometimes depends on talent, but at other times it hinges on sheer perseverance. If swinging your sword ten thousand times doesn’t work, do it a hundred thousand times. If a hundred thousand isn’t enough, do it a million times... Until drawing your sword is the momentum itself!”
Drawing the sword is the momentum itself?
Li Hao fell into contemplation. Sword techniques flashed through his mind—striking repeatedly, fast, faster and faster, reaching the absolute limit, detonating in an instant...
Bursting open! Brilliant as fireworks!
Yes, fireworks...
Soaring, accelerating, exploding!
Erupting into brilliant light in a single heartbeat.
Li Hao looked at Hong Yitang, his eyes brightening. “Does Jade Light Sword’s technique resemble an exploding firework?”
Ordinary people truly couldn’t keep up with his erratic leaps in logic, but Hong Yitang didn’t mind. Reflecting on it, he nodded. “Somewhat similar! Now that you put it that way, it really does resemble that. For a firework to launch into the sky, it requires ignition to build pressure, gunpowder burning to generate propulsion... and only then can it burst into brilliance. A process of gathering momentum!”
Li Hao understood. “I see!”
“Good.”
Listening to their exchange, Hong Qing and Madam Hong were thoroughly bewildered.
What on earth were they talking about?
One moment it was fireworks, the next parabolas, and then this and that. They couldn’t make head or tail of the core discussion.
In reality, the core was quite simple: extreme speed, fast enough to explode, exploding into momentum...
From beginning to end, that was what they had been discussing.
Li Hao knew Hong Yitang could understand. Sure enough, Hong Yitang grasped his meaning completely. Had he spoken these words to anyone else, they would only have dismissed it as nonsensical gibberish!
Li Hao took a deep breath. He had gained some clarity, though this momentum would require time and deliberate practice; it wasn’t something formed in an instant.
He moved on from the topic, saying instead, “Martial Uncle, I want to witness the Earth-Overturning Sword.”
Hong Yitang smiled. “I don’t practice the sword anymore... Though if you’re interested, I can teach you.”
“No, not teach!”
Li Hao shook his head. “Of course, there’s no rush right now. I need to digest today’s insights first. Martial Uncle, I’m serious: I want to find a time to spar with you. Going all out or fighting to the death—if you can hold back, please do; if not... that’s fine too. I just want to experience the Earth-Overturning Sword!”
Beside them, Hong Qing and Madam Hong both frowned, even growing somewhat annoyed.
Was this a challenge?
A martial master’s duel?
Years ago, Li Hao’s teacher had sent a formal challenge as well, but Hong Yitang had still been a martial master back then.
Hong Yitang smiled. “Refused.”
“...”
Li Hao felt deeply frustrated, almost frantic. He truly wanted to witness the Earth-Overturning Sword.
Truly!
Even getting injured or dying wouldn’t matter.
Yes, it really didn’t matter.
How many fates awaited a martial master, after all?
Either die at the hands of someone stronger, or grow old and infirm, withering away on a sickbed.
Or... reach the very end and stand invincible under heaven!
What martial master didn’t consider death every time they fought?
So dying in a duel would merely mean his skills were lacking. He could genuinely accept that outcome.
Seeing Li Hao’s gloom, Hong Yitang chuckled. “I am a super now, not a martial master! The rules of martial masters no longer apply to me. Even if they did... as an early Sunglorious, I’m no match for you anyway. Why bother?”
Li Hao exhaled softly and dropped the subject. After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Does Martial Uncle have any disciples at the Hundred-Breaker culmination? The kind who have comprehended the Earth-Overturning Sword?”
“No.”
Hong Yitang shook his head. “My most accomplished disciple is my daughter, at late Hundred-Breaker.”
Hong Qing rolled her eyes at that.
She cast a glance at her stepmother... Forget it, she couldn’t be bothered to say it out loud. *Your most capable disciple isn’t me—though she’s become your wife now.*
Li Hao suddenly said, “I’ve joined the Martial Guard Army, and Director Hou is letting me build an independent hundred-man unit. The compensation is fantastic! Thousand-Battler martial masters get a base salary of twelve divine energy stones a year, plus a chance every three months to comprehend the momentum left behind by the ancients. Late Hundred-Breakers get to comprehend it twice a year...”
Hong Yitang paused slightly.
Li Hao continued, “Mysterious energy and the like are provided in abundance. Joining the Martial Guard Army also means entering the same system as the Night Patrollers, but with fewer restrictions than them. In the Martial Guard Army, they only have to answer to me. As for Regimental Commander Golden Spear, I can handle him myself; the people under me won’t need to deal with him...”
“In other words, I have the final say. Whoever I say is righteous is righteous!”
Hong Yitang stared at Li Hao, then took another look.
Li Hao smiled. “The Sword Sect holds black armor that isn’t of much use sitting around. I happen to have none, and the new unit needs it. I can persuade the Martial Guard Army to buy it with treasures! Senior Golden Spear feels like an honorable gentleman martial master, and a gentleman... can be reasoned with and manipulated through upright pretenses! Director Hou is away these days, so Senior Golden Spear can decide for himself. He will definitely buy the black armor!”
Hong Yitang’s mouth fell slightly agape.
Li Hao added, “We recruit only a portion, not everyone. That way, with some joining the Martial Guard Army, you become military dependents rather than just the Sword Sect.”
Hong Yitang laughed!
It was a helpless chuckle, mixed with a hint of suspicion. “You... aren’t afraid of Hou Xiaochen?”
Wasn’t this unraveling Hou Xiaochen’s schemes?
Li Hao shook his head, however. “Director Hou merely wants fewer headaches; he doesn’t necessarily covet the Sword Sect’s overall strength! Perhaps he only values the Earth-Overturning Sword; the rest... doesn’t truly matter to him!”
“If the black armor enters the Martial Guard Army, Sword Sect members enlist, and the Earth-Overturning Sword makes his stance known—especially if you send your own daughter into the army—your stance will be unmistakably clear. Director Hou should understand that a formidable swordsman would rather break than bend. This is the optimal choice!”
Hong Yitang chuckled. “I’m no formidable swordsman. I’m not even as strong as you.”
Li Hao ignored the deflection and pressed on, “The Sword Sect focuses primarily on the sword, and I too am a swordsman. The Earth-Overturning Sword refuses to wield his blade again... so letting some Sword Sect martial masters serve under a swordsman like me might offer them some help.”
“Consider it mutually beneficial!”
“As Silver Moon draws increasing attention and Director Hou reveals his strength, the Sword Sect’s living space is being squeezed. Certain things in Silver Moon cannot be touched lightly; otherwise, it won’t just be Director Hou who’s displeased—others will be as well.”
He looked at Hong Yitang and asked softly, “Does Martial Uncle truly believe Director Hou is the undisputed number one in Silver Moon?”
Beside them, Hong Qing and the others were dumbfounded.
Was he not?
Killing a Rising Light with a single spear thrust—if that didn’t make him number one, what did?
Even in the Central Region, he would be among the peak figures!
Hong Yitang couldn’t help laughing heartily. “Is this coincidence, or destiny? It just so happens our Sword Sect harbored thoughts of aligning with the Night Patrollers, just so happens we received a hundred sets of black armor, just so happens you are a swordsman, and just so happens you came looking for me at this exact moment. Everything fits together so seamlessly... It seems I have no reason to refuse?”
Li Hao smiled broadly. “Indeed, it was meant to be! By the way, Martial Uncle doesn’t seem surprised that Senior Golden Spear is with the Martial Guard Army?”
“Why should I be?”
Hong Yitang smiled. “It’s quite good, actually; it suits him well! As for Golden Spear... it’s hard to put into words, but spear wielders are usually upright individuals! A straight man, a straight spear! A thrust without regret, pressing forward without turning back! The spear is more upright than the sword!”
“Masters of the spear might not all be good men, but the vast majority are!”
“Golden Spear was the First Spear of Silver Moon. Back in the day, we all felt he belonged in the military. You can only say this aligns with his heart’s desire. Joining the Martial Guard Army will only make him stronger. The spear path doesn’t necessarily require oddity; as long as one harbors righteous energy, the spear path will only grow stronger!”
Such was Hong Yitang’s evaluation of Golden Spear.
Hearing this, Li Hao nodded. He didn’t know Golden Spear well, but Hong Yitang spoke from deep familiarity.
Hong Yitang then asked, “As for martial masters, my Sword Sect doesn’t have many. Do you want them all, or only those in the Hundred-Breaker realm?”
“All of them. Advancing from the Ten-Slayer realm to Hundred-Breaker isn’t difficult in this era! Even late Hundred-Breaker isn’t hard; the difficulty lies in comprehending momentum! Anyone who caught Martial Uncle’s eye and was accepted into the sect won’t be lacking. But there’s one condition: they cannot advance into supers.”
Hong Yitang pondered and nodded. “Very well. Twenty Ten-Slayers, ten Hundred-Breakers. That is every martial master the Sword Sect can muster right now. None of the Ten-Slayers are novices, so reaching Hundred-Breaker won’t be too difficult for them.”
Thirty people!
Hong Qing and the others were utterly dazed.
Unable to hold back, Hong Qing stammered, “Dad, we... we...”
He had agreed just like that?
With just a few sentences, their own father had sold them off?
Sold to the Martial Guard Army, sold to Li Hao?
Without even negotiating terms?
If they were being sold to Li Hao, they might as well have been sold to Hou Xiaochen!
Hong Yitang laughed softly. “What’s the rush? It’s a good thing! In the Martial Guard Army, you’ll have a real chance to comprehend momentum and advance to Thousand-Battler... Under my wing, I’ve always been reluctant to let you go, but for a martial master, overprotection is fatal!”
“I couldn’t bear to see you risk your life against others, couldn’t bear to let you fight to the death, couldn’t bear to part with you... But when a fledgling grows, it must learn to fly on its own. Keeping you by my side for a lifetime... the era has changed!”
He was filled with emotion. Times were different; the Earth-Overturning Sword was no longer that invincible master whose name resounded throughout Silver Moon!
Right then, ignoring Hong Qing, Li Hao sent a voice transmission: “Martial Uncle, switching from a super back to a martial master seems to carry quite a few drawbacks! Completely discarding mysterious energy is troublesome, but the crux lies in the enormous backlash during the transition. If the five viscera aren’t strong enough, one cannot endure it! One must also shatter the supernatural locks on the five viscera...”
Hong Yitang’s brows arched slightly.
“Martial Uncle reached the culmination of Hundred-Breaker decades ago. Upon awakening, you were already at Solar Luminary, so reaching Sunglorious shouldn’t have been too difficult. A martial master’s supernatural locks are certainly numerous and discoverable... Therefore... unless Martial Uncle has been continuously strengthening those supernatural locks! Strengthening the five viscera to prevent backlash... By now, perhaps Martial Uncle’s five viscera supernatural locks have grown potent to the absolute extreme.”
“Breaking four shackles marks Sunglorious. Breaking one more on the five viscera marks Rising Light... Martial Uncle might have shattered all the locks on his limbs, yet your elemental attribute appears indistinct—is it fire, metal, or earth? Every time I watched you fight, there were traces of each, though you publicly claim to be earth-attribute...”
His words seemed disjointed and cryptic, yet Hong Yitang’s brow twitched repeatedly. After a long silence, he replied via voice transmission: “Li Hao, I’m an old man; I don’t quite follow what you mean.”
Li Hao grinned, transmitting again: “That’s fine. But Blood God Seeds truly provide immense assistance in strengthening the five viscera! Martial Uncle might not have noticed before, but I suspect Ying Hongyue is using this very method to pursue his path—strengthening the five viscera and the visceral supernatural locks, preparing to return to the martial path.”
“The Blood God Seed is truly extraordinary!”
Hong Yitang fell into deep thought.
Li Hao continued, “Martial Uncle can rest easy leaving your disciples to me; I won’t harm them... However, Red Moon experts are hot commodities right now. If Martial Uncle has any ideas, you’d better act early, lest they all be snapped up by others!”
Hong Yitang glanced at him and smiled.
Not taking the bait, he raised his teacup and said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Li Hao, to take good care of Hong Qing and the others from now on! I’ll have them report to you shortly. As for the hundred sets of black armor, whatever compensation the Martial Guard Army can offer is fine; the amount doesn’t matter.”
Li Hao raised his teacup as well, smiling. “Great, then many thanks for Martial Uncle’s support!”
“Don’t mention it!”
Both downed their tea in one gulp, drinking it as though it were wine.
Hong Qing was utterly speechless.
That was... it?
What was her father thinking?
And what was this Li Hao thinking?
“Whenever Martial Uncle feels I am worthy of you drawing your sword, come find me anytime...”
Li Hao stood and smiled. “Currently, I have formed the Fire and Earth swords. Soon, I will condense the Metal sword, and the Water sword is also in my plans. As for the Wood sword, I don’t have much of a lead yet. Once my five swords reach completion, I hope the Earth-Overturning Sword will not withhold his guidance!”
With that, Li Hao opened the door and strode out with vigorous steps, moving just as swiftly, vanishing from the private room in an instant.
In the private room.
Hong Yitang’s brow furrowed slightly.
Fire and Earth swords were already completed; was today’s inquiry about extreme explosive force meant for the Metal sword?
Water sword... evolved from the Nine Refinements Force?
Five Elements Swords!
Five Animals Art!
In this moment, he vaguely understood.
Five Animals Art, merging the five spirits.
When Li Hao killed Yu Xiao and the others, was that after condensing his second sword?
Two swords to kill a mid Sunglorious... Once three swords gathered, wouldn’t he be able to slay late Sunglorious? Even peak Sunglorious?
Then what about four swords, or five?
*He truly thinks highly of me, waiting until he fuses all five swords before telling me to seek him out... Does he plan to slay me like a Rising Light?*
Hong Yitang chuckled. Beside him, his daughter’s anxious voice rang out: “Dad, what are you thinking? Why did you agree to send us to the Martial Guard Army just like that?”
“It’s good!” Hong Yitang smiled. “The Martial Guard Army is safer than the Sword Sect. You’ll get opportunities to temper yourselves and reap benefits—killing multiple birds with one stone. It’s great!”
Seeing the concern in his wife’s eyes, he added, “It’s fine. This boy Li Hao... is good!”
“Yitang, how about I go as well...”
“You’re a super, how could you go?” Hong Yitang shook his head. “You stay and oversee the Sword Sect. I might enter seclusion for a while to ponder some questions and won’t emerge for some time. If you leave, who will manage the Sword Sect?”
“Seclusion?”
“Mm.”
Hong Yitang nodded, looking out the south-facing window. His gaze grew somewhat distant. South... heading south!
All the way south lay the Northern Sea, and across the Northern Sea lay the Central Region.
Yuan Shuo was likely at the Northern Sea, or perhaps already in the Central Region, wasn’t he?
Ying Hongyue and the rest—all of them were there.
Tyrant Saber, Sky Sword...
The people of Silver Moon had ventured far and wide.
Silver Moon’s martial masters were luminaries wherever they went.
Alas, the world no longer remembered the name of the Earth-Overturning Sword.
Finishing his last cup of tea, he stood. “Let’s leave it at that. Hongxiu, you remain here for now. Once Qing’er and the others enlist in the Martial Guard Army, lead the remaining disciples back. I’ll head back first to handle a minor errand, then enter seclusion. When I emerge, I’ll come see Qing’er.”
“Dad...”
“That’s settled. I have business to attend to, so I’ll be off!”
Leaving no room for argument, Hong Yitang departed immediately. Hong Qing was thoroughly lost for words and grumbling inwardly. Li Hao had barged in, and suddenly she was part of the Martial Guard Army, while her father had hurried off—leaving her utterly baffled!
***
Hong Yitang drove away swiftly.
Yes, he drove a car.
The car moved very fast, quickly clearing the southern district.
Straight ahead!
Once fully out of White Moon City, the vehicle twisted and turned through several bends, heading not toward the Sword Sect, but in an entirely different direction.
He didn’t stop until he arrived at a massive manor.
Standing outside the gate, he looked inside. It was empty; there seemed to be no one there.
Hong Yitang frowned slightly. Sensing the surroundings for a moment, he spat on the ground and cursed, “Fuck!”
A curse burst out!
No one knew who he was cursing.
After a while, he got back into the car and drove off, this time heading toward the Sword Sect.
In the car, he cursed again. A wasted trip—they had cleared out so quickly.
How had Second Lanyue run off already?
His sect disciples had clearly spotted them here.
Fucking hell!
Were Blood God Seeds truly that effective?
He genuinely didn’t know how potent a Rising Light-level one was... What a pity!
Mainly, he hadn’t cared much before, and by the time he did, everyone across Silver Moon was hunting Red Moon’s people, leaving him no opportunity.
Hong Yitang grumbled inwardly, cursing his bad timing. A step too late.
Otherwise, he could have harvested a Rising Light-level Blood God Seed to test its efficacy. If it worked well... Never mind, it had to be effective. Li Hao had strengthened his five viscera and nearly completed three swords; it definitely possessed great utility.
Yuan Shuo’s fusion of five momentums into spirit was also tied to the Blood God Seed.
And Ying Hongyue was doing it too...
Everyone was doing it and singing its praises; it had to be truly good.
“Pity, what a pity. Why did Second Lanyue leave so fast?”
Still harboring regret, he stopped brooding and decided to head back first!
Even after rushing over as fast as he could, he had still been too late.
Hong Yitang sighed. He could only enter seclusion now and wait until he could get his hands on some Blood God Seeds later—who knew if it would be too late by then.
As for Li Hao’s constant probing and hints... he couldn’t be bothered to respond.
*I ignored your teacher’s challenge; why would I pay attention to yours?*
*Even if you truly master all five swords, I still won’t bother with you.*
***
At the same time.
In another manor.
A Ghost Face subordinate reported cautiously, “Lord Lanyue, someone just visited our previous base.”
Lanyue wasn’t surprised, asking casually, “The Night Patrollers?”
“No, it appeared to be the Sword Sect’s Sect Master.”
“The Earth-Overturning Sword?”
Lanyue was slightly taken aback, then chuckled. “Could he... want to defect to us? Caught between the Night Patrollers and our Three Great Organizations, the Sword Sect is struggling to survive. Does he want to throw in his lot with us? Unfortunately, he is no longer the formidable Earth-Overturning Sword of old. Early Sunglorious... He might be a figure here, but in the Central Region, he’s truly nothing special.”
He shook his head, lacking any real interest.
Unless the man brought those sets of black armor along, he wouldn’t even consider it.
He couldn’t be bothered to meet him. If the man were a Rising Light or peak Sunglorious, it might be worth a meeting. For now... it was better to stay prudent lest Hou Xiaochen discover him.
Contemplating that he had avoided meeting the Earth-Overturning Sword, Lanyue suddenly felt a wave of relief, as if the gloomy haze that had weighed on his chest had dissipated.
Lanyue smiled. Indeed, following one’s heart was the true natural way.
Had he met with the Earth-Overturning Sword, it might only have felt unpleasant.
With that in mind, he thought no further of it. As for the Earth-Overturning Sword discovering his former hiding spot, that was no surprise either. Over those few days, he hadn’t concealed his tracks much, having even intended to lure Hou Xiaochen into an ambush. It was only after Hu Qingfeng backed out that he abandoned the plan and evacuated swiftly.
Chapter 125