Re-entering Battle Heaven City

Revisiting Battle Heaven City. At this moment, Li Hao enjoyed a rare sense of tranquility. Aloft the city wall, three regiment commanders landed. "Twelfth Commander!" The moment the mental wave pulsed, Li Hao recognized him—Seventh Commander Jiang Shixun. The three commanders seemed a bit more humane than before. Recognizing Li Hao, Seventh Commander's tone carried a hint of warmth: "You have returned!" "Yes, Seventh Commander!" Li Hao smiled as his silver armor manifested. "Is everyone doing well?" "Same as always. No one comes from outside anymore." Among the three commanders, Seventh Commander talked the most, while Eighth and Ninth Commanders spoke very little. However, the last time Li Hao left, Ninth Commander had reminded him that he could trade with General Huai for some Spring of Life. Later, Li Hao had obtained a drop at very little cost. "Why has Twelfth Commander stepped onto the energy path?" Seventh Commander was somewhat puzzled. "The energy path clashes somewhat with the Battle Heaven Army. It is not necessarily bad, but... many of the Battle Heaven Army's battle arts are rooted in blood qi. The energy path cannot use them, and equipment like armors will also suffer restrictions." "It was an accident; I had no choice." Li Hao looked up toward the sky. "If I fly, will I be attacked?" "No. You are a regiment commander, so you will not be attacked." That was good to hear! Seventh Commander did not pry further, soon asking, "Are you heading back to report to the division commander, Twelfth Commander? The division commander is at the military camp..." "No rush. I'll meet with Director Wang first." Li Hao chuckled awkwardly. Forget it—he still remembered that man beating him to this day. "Then I will enter the city first. Will the commanders come along?" "No. We still have duties and cannot abandon our posts." All right. Li Hao said no more. These were soldiers; taking the time to exchange pleasantries was already quite generous of them. Leading Black Panther, he entered the city. He did not leap over the walls; the city gates opened, and he walked in on his own. Aloft the gate tower, the two massive characters "Battle Heaven" remained clearly legible. But nowadays, Li Hao would not stare at them rashly; he couldn't comprehend them anyway, and it would be a waste of effort. Once Li Hao and Black Panther had walked away, Seventh Commander glanced back and transmitted mentally, "Twelfth Commander seems to have changed a great deal. Did you sense it?" The other two commanders said nothing, but both nodded slightly. He indeed had changed significantly. Not much time had actually passed. The former Li Hao had been somewhat somber and reserved, with a youthful, impulsive killing intent. Yet not long after, seeing him again, he seemed completely different. It was hard to pinpoint the difference, except that the previous Twelfth Commander had matured all at once. Ninth Commander transmitted mentally, "He must have gone out into the world, broadened his horizons, made progress, and become an energy martial master, clearly enduring trials along the way... That is good too!" After a brief discussion, the commanders fell silent. Quiet returned to the city wall once more. *** This time, Li Hao had the leisure to look around as he walked. Battle Heaven City was not particularly large at present, but it was well laid out and impeccably planned, with distinct zones: commercial, industrial, and military districts were clearly demarcated. Previously, he had not paid attention to the number of schools, only noticing them after Hong Yitang mentioned it last time. This time, he observed them more closely. There were indeed many schools. Recalling the gigantic library, he thought that perhaps... everyone here was literate back then. Walking along, stopping here and there to look around, Li Hao took a long time to reach the center of the city. The colossal turtle tower stood as steadfast as ever. Here, Black Panther trembled slightly. Remembering something unpleasant, Black Panther felt somewhat fearful and stuck close to Li Hao's legs, not daring to move recklessly. "Li Hao, Commander of the Twelfth Regiment, Ninth Division of the Reserve Guard Army, requests an audience with Director Wang!" The gates of the City Lord's Estate swung wide open. "Enter!" Li Hao strode inside. The main gates led directly to the great hall of the City Lord's Estate with hardly any obstructions in between. One could even glimpse the golden radiance emanating from Director Wang; standing outside, one could probably watch them work. Inside the hall. Director Wang sat in a chair, looking Li Hao up and down before nodding slightly. "You seem to be doing well." "The director flatters me!" Li Hao chuckled. Director Wang wore golden armor, obscuring his face completely, yet Li Hao could easily distinguish him from the division commander. That division commander was aloof and proud, while this director was far more approachable. By comparison, this man was somewhat like Hao Lianchuan, while the division commander was like Golden Spear. Fittingly enough, the parallels held. One was the Security Bureau Director, and the other was a division commander; military generals always seemed to carry an aloof, solitary pride. Director Wang looked down at his boots, somewhat surprised. "You obtained the Wind-Chasing Boots?" "Yes." "Seems you've had some gains." Director Wang sighed with faint emotion. "The Wind-Chasing Boots... They hold quite a reputation. Long ago, they were a divine weapon used by the Battle King's family. Later, they fell into the hands of the Human King, who then bestowed them upon your ancestor... Afterward, they were passed down to the Liu family, and in the blink of an eye, they have landed in your hands once more..." Li Hao was startled. "These Wind-Chasing Boots are connected to my ancestor as well?" The Battle King's family... That reminded him of the golden booklet from earlier: the "Pierce" formula, piercing all things. "Indeed." Director Wang nodded, then looked at Li Hao. "None of that matters. Did you come to Battle Heaven City for a reason?" Li Hao nodded. "There are a few minor matters I hope Director Wang can clarify." "Speak." "I am curious about the ancient civilization, particularly regarding its social system, which puzzles me." Frowning slightly, Li Hao said, "During the ancient civilization, there were also experts—supreme experts! Was society strictly hierarchical? Did the upper echelon oppress and exploit commoners? How did you manage disputes, connections, status, and rank between transcendent beings and ordinary mortals...?" Director Wang paused. He had expected Li Hao to ask about the energy path. Instead, Li Hao asked about this. He pondered for a moment before speaking. "Why do you wish to know these things?" "I simply want to understand." Li Hao thought for a moment. "I am deeply puzzled! For instance, if an ordinary person offends an expert and I kill him, does he simply have it coming? And how were the laws of the ancient civilization established?" "Society has a division of labor; experts are not all that exists!" Director Wang replied calmly, "An expert is merely invincible on the level of martial prowess; it does not make them omnipotent! Li Hao, you must understand that in this world, whether a Great Dao or a minor path, all are Daos! If only experts remained... then this world would face nothing but destruction! If everyone became an expert, with no one to labor, no one to bear children, no one to build... then very soon, this civilization would collapse!" Director Wang continued placidly, "From the very beginning, you approached the question from the wrong angle. It is not about differentiating the strong from the weak, but about balancing different divisions of labor... Society is divided according to roles and functions, not according to strength and weakness." Li Hao seemed to grasp it: divided by function. Director Wang added, "As for how experts were managed, that was even simpler—treated equally, the law was still the law! Of course, experts paid a heavy price to become strong; with extra privileges came extra duties and responsibilities! For instance, going to war: experts enlisted in the military and submitted to military law. Ordinary people could not use the law to bully them either; necessary respect had to exist and was required. Commoners were not permitted to rely on legal equality to demean or insult experts..." Director Wang explained a great deal, but he was merely a security bureau director. He could only outline the general realities without diving into fine details, for he did not fully understand them either. Due to the division of labor, he was only a security director, not the lord of a city. However, he was somewhat surprised by Li Hao's line of inquiry. Li Hao asked again, "Director, what do you think was the reason the ancient civilization became so prosperous and powerful?" "The reason?" Director Wang pondered for a moment before replying, "If you ask me, I cannot give a complete answer. There were many reasons, but the fundamental cause lay in prosperity across four major domains: culture and education, economic construction, the military, and technology. "Experts fell under the military sphere. Whether part of the armed forces or not, they formed the bedrock of military power. So if you think it was merely because there were many experts, you are mistaken. That was only one of the four pillars." Li Hao was rather surprised. "Only one pillar?" "Yes, though it was also a core pillar!" Director Wang continued. "Without formidable military strength, a civilization cannot prosper. Yet it cannot be allowed to run out of control either; military power that slips its leash is useless and only brings greater catastrophe!" "Education, economy, technology..." Li Hao noted this down, then asked, "Was the literacy rate in the ancient civilization very high?" "Hmm?" "I noticed there are many schools in the city..." "Isn't literacy the bare baseline?" Director Wang asked in bewilderment. "Without literacy, how could one cultivate? How could one work? How could one develop anything? How could one think? How could one learn and absorb more technology and knowledge? Literacy... from the early days of Neo-Martial, it was already universal among all people. In the later stages, it was developed to the utmost extreme. Could there truly be people who are illiterate? You must realize that Neo-Martial's strength stemmed from education! "In the early era of Neo-Martial, the Ministry of Education was of paramount importance. Whether in martial arts, technology, or other fields... the resources and funds invested each year even surpassed those of the Military Department! "Back then, martial arts universities were plentiful, and later they expanded everywhere, all to cultivate versatile talents possessing both military-grade capabilities and vast reserves of knowledge..." Li Hao understood! Universal education. He asked again, "What about food? With so many people taking up martial arts—and martial arts consuming massive amounts in the early stages, requiring far more food than an ordinary person—how did you satisfy everyone's needs?" "The Ministry of Agriculture handled that. Later on, they improved rice cultivars and raised vast herds of edible livestock. When meat and fat intake increases, the demand for grain actually drops. On top of that, demon plants were extensively cultivated, primarily to gather heaven-and-earth essence..." Li Hao's eyes flickered. "The director means... improving seeds?" "That is only one aspect!" Director Wang explained. "All kinds of modern machinery were put into service, transcendent means were used to help breed seedlings, demon plants served as bases... With so many methods in place, could food ever be an issue?" He genuinely found the question odd. Was that even an issue? He then added with a faint gravity, "Is the outside world not like this? I see that you also have transcendent practitioners who command wind, rain, thunder, and lightning at will. Under such conditions and foundations, could you possibly be troubled by these problems? Merely dispatching a few energy martial masters to summon wind and rain to solve the food problem should be absurdly simple, shouldn't it? You aren't living in a primitive society!" Li Hao shook his head. "Supernaturals consider themselves high and mighty. How could they be made to farm?" "Heh!" Director Wang grasped the situation and chuckled. "It seems the outside world is even worse off than I imagined. But that is only natural: wielding power without the mental maturity to match means such power will run amok sooner or later! "What is wrong with farming? Farming is also a Dao! One can achieve godhood through farming, become a saint, become a living sage of the contemporary age... You people do not understand because you are too weak. The weaker people are, the more they obsess over so-called face and notions of high and low birth... "The Great Dao is boundless. What is a true Dao? Even in Neo-Martial, no one claimed that a supreme expert's Dao was the only correct one. The Great Dao has no right or wrong, only suitable and unsuitable, only exploration and the future. The Dao itself is not what matters; what matters is action! "Action, as in doing; action, as in putting it into practice." Li Hao experienced another flash of enlightenment. Director Wang glanced at him. "I thought these were all common sense, but evidently not. Does that mean you pondered all this on your own?" "No, someone guided me." Li Hao smiled. "I am learning, and I am gaining insights." "That is a good thing!" Director Wang nodded approvingly. "Practice yields true knowledge! Whatever you wish to know or understand, participate in it personally. Even if you don't understand at first, it doesn't matter—watch more, listen more, learn more! Of course, a person's energy is finite, so you must also learn to employ people and make good use of talent! You cannot know everything, nor can you do everything." Li Hao nodded repeatedly. Indeed, Director Wang remained the easiest to talk to, explaining matters thoroughly. "Director, I know the rise of the ancient civilization was closely tied to external enemies; facing powerful foreign foes united everyone as one. But what if there are no external enemies, only internal troubles?" Director Wang was speechless. "Isn't having no external enemies a good thing? If there are no foreign foes, then purge your internal rot and seize the opportunity to rapidly advance economic, commercial, cultural, and technological reforms. Besides... who said you have no external enemies?" Li Hao froze. Director Wang said, "Neo-Martial is gone. Do you think things are that simple? Even if I do not know the full picture, I know it cannot be simple... This is a rare period of peace and development for you, yet you don't seem to know how to cherish it!" Li Hao frowned slightly, remaining silent. After a moment, Li Hao said, "Director, in the Central Region... which was likely Heavenly Star Island in the past, some ancient demon plants or ancient demon beasts are dormant. They seem eager to enter Silver Moon. Why is that?" "What the hell does that have to do with you?" "..." Li Hao was dumbfounded. What did he mean? This man had been so pleasant all along—why the sudden curse? "Don't understand?" Director Wang chuckled. "It literally has nothing to do with you! What kind of stature do you have right now? Is it your place to manage such things? Rather than fretting over that, you'd be better off worrying about how to grow stronger and accomplish your own goals. In any case, they cannot emerge or come here anytime soon. Even if they do, someone else will deal with them. Is there any point in you worrying about it?" Li Hao laughed wryly. Director Wang continued, "Of course, if you rapidly grow powerful, then it will become your business. When that time comes and you seek me out, I will tell you. If one does not hold the post, one does not deliberate its policies. Right now, you don't need to concern yourself with it." "Understood!" Li Hao nodded. The exchange had yielded plenty of insight, but he still had unfinished business: "Director, General Huai is still alive, right?" "Yes, in deep slumber." "Can he be revived?" "Of course." "Does it require massive amounts of energy or life essence?" "Yes." "How many cultivation energy stones would it take?" "..." Director Wang looked at him. "From the sound of it, you seem to have made some gains and want to revive General Huai?" "I do have that thought." "It's very difficult!" Director Wang stated bluntly. "Immensely difficult. Naturally, a complete revival for General Huai is out of the question right now. You could only awaken his spirituality and allow him to recover a bit; after that, he could revive on his own. By your standards, with those trashy divine energy stones of yours, don't even open your mouth unless you have tens of millions. It would be meaningless." Tens of millions! Actually, Li Hao really did have that much. Of course, he had seven million divine energy stones, but he also had numerous Origin God Armaments. If the little tree could use them, General Huai naturally could as well. Whether to revive the little tree or General Huai was a major question. Moreover, Li Hao had to consider cost-effectiveness. He wasn't giving them away for free! At his current stage, he needed these resources as well. He couldn't afford to just hand them over for nothing. At this thought, he suddenly said, "Director, do you know of an Imperial Palace? The kind shaped like a cat..." "Hmm?" Director Wang suddenly started up. "An Imperial Palace? You have seen one? Impossible... There is no Imperial Palace here. In the Silver Moon lands... Wait... there might be, but... it was only an abandoned Imperial Palace!" He looked puzzled. "You have seen an abandoned Imperial Palace?" "Yes!" Li Hao nodded. "And there is a demon plant there. However... the old demon plant died, and later another demon plant sprouted from its roots. Director, would you say such a demon plant is good or bad?" "Hard to say." Director Wang was surprised, yet not entirely so. "A demon plant capable of growing near an Imperial Palace certainly wouldn't be too wicked. However, as time passes, even human hearts change, let alone the heart of a demon plant." "It has guarded the Imperial Palace the entire time, never leaving, nor allowing anyone inside. I feel it has been loyally fulfilling its duty..." "I suppose so." Director Wang pondered for a moment. "Since the Imperial Palace was abandoned, that demon plant probably isn't too strong. The more powerful an entity, the harder it is to revive! To be able to revive at this stage... its strength must be mediocre." Li Hao was taken aback. What did he mean? "The director means..." "The energy density between heaven and earth is very low. Under such circumstances, any revived expert won't be overwhelmingly powerful—like me, for example..." Li Hao coughed. What kind of remark was that? Was he belittling himself? Director Wang didn't care in the slightest, chuckling, "What? It is completely normal! You must understand that I am merely a Security Bureau Director. There were plenty of people stronger than me. Why am I here while others are not? Take your Reserve Guard Army: only your division commander has revived. Where is your Guard Army's corps commander? "General Huai is also incomparably mighty, yet even now he has not revived, showing no signs of doing so at all, precisely because he is stronger than I am." Li Hao nodded. Fair enough. "Then... what would happen if I provided ten million divine energy stones to General Huai?" "Ten million... General Huai should be able to revive somewhat, regaining some basic intelligence. He might also be able to circulate his techniques independently and absorb ambient energy, and Battle Heaven City might revive a little." "Just that?" "What else did you expect?" "..." Li Hao was depressed. Just that? That was far... far too wasteful! Hesitating, he asked, "If I were to provide ten million divine energy stones to that little tree, could it... could it revive completely?" "Depends on its strength. If its strength is mediocre, it should be about enough. If it is formidable... then definitely not! But you mentioned it merely sprouted from the roots of an old tree and inherited some of the old tree's heritage. At most, it had only recently stepped into the Peak Realm..." He paused, then added, "It isn't exceedingly strong, but if it revives, at the current stage, it would be an invincible existence to you people." Li Hao was stunned. "Peak Realm?" "A term from the origin path. Of course, that is human terminology; when demons reach this stage, they generally call it the True God Realm." He looked at Li Hao. "Beating someone like you would pose little problem." Li Hao raised an eyebrow. "I have reached the Divine Powers Realm now. I am much stronger than before..." "I know!" Director Wang laughed. "You are much stronger, but... still not enough! Put it this way: the day you can tear through the void across a thousand li and traverse it in an instant, you will have reached that level! Whether through your force, spirit intent, divine energy, or whatever else—as long as you can achieve that, you will have reached that level." Li Hao sucked in a breath of cold air! "Traverse a thousand li... tear through the void?" "Yes!" Li Hao swallowed hard. "Was... was the director at this level in the past as well?" "Naturally!" "..." Li Hao felt a twinge of toothache. That strong? Director Wang chuckled. "Actually, it's nothing special. Judging from your current condition, in terms of sheer power alone, as long as you shatter a few more of your so-called supernatural locks—break another three to five—you might be able to achieve it as well." Li Hao's teeth ached even more! "Another three to five? I've already broken six supernatural locks!" "I know." Director Wang spoke again. "Superpowers cultivate power. Your power is insufficient, and your physical body isn't strong enough, so break a few more! When you truly reach that level, even if the cultivation methods differ, the path is the same... and the result is the same! I have sensed the current space; its stability is mediocre at best. Once you tear it open, you will faintly sense a great distance—a kind of perception that allows you to cross the void and arrive instantaneously... Then you can be considered an expert! Even during the Neo-Martial era, you would be considered an expert, having truly stepped into the ranks of the strong..." Li Hao was struck utterly speechless! So after all this, he had barely gotten started? At the thought that the man before him had once stood among the peerless experts, Li Hao couldn't help but sigh in awe. He asked, "Then... how did the regiment commanders in their prime compare to my current strength?" "A notch stronger, but the gap isn't huge." Director Wang explained, "In their current state, they died long ago, lacking flesh bodies and blood qi. In our era, the Battle Heaven Army was primarily based on blood qi and physical bodies. Back then, they were only ordinary, and now they are even worse. In their prime, they were only slightly stronger than you, not by much... You don't need to be discouraged. You've only been cultivating for how many days? Besides, nine out of ten parts of the energy in the Silver Moon lands were absorbed by ancient beings..." Li Hao's thoughts churned. Director Wang seemed to recall something. "You want to revive that tree? It is possible... Take a Battle Heaven Army command token with you. Furthermore, that tree might not know much. You must warn it not to run around recklessly right now! Heaven and earth have not fully revived, and the origin path has gone silent and extinct. Running around at this time can easily leave its Dao with nothing to anchor to, causing total collapse... Otherwise, revived experts would have fled outside long ago. "One more thing: did you comprehend its origin path?" "Yes." Director Wang frowned in dissatisfaction and warned gravely, "Do not seek to comprehend it! Of course, knowing of it and coming into contact with it is fine, but do not deeply comprehend it. That is no good thing; you will easily lose yourself and become the next demon plant..." He issued a few stern warnings, concluding, "Also, if that little tree harbors ill intentions, you must learn to guard against it. Times have changed; the Demon Suppressing Emissaries and Sea Suppressing Emissaries are gone. Who knows what the current demon race is like?" Li Hao nodded, not pressing further. Remembering something else, Li Hao quickly asked, "Right, Director, do you know a method for transforming into a dragon?" "Transforming into a dragon?" "There is a snake that is about to become a flood dragon, but it doesn't know how to transform into a true dragon. It wants to advance and take a step further." "A snake?" Director Wang pondered for a moment, seemingly recalling something, before finally replying, "I do not know any dragon-transformation methods. But... what is its strength?" "A bit weaker than me." "Then why the hell transform into a dragon?!" Director Wang was dumbfounded. "Is it suffering from delusions? With strength like that, what is the point of turning into a dragon? Does a dragon look prettier? Snakes and dragons are not the same race—why draw legs on a snake? If it wants to advance, it's simple: purify its bloodline. Purge impurities and refine the bloodline. At higher realms, dragons are indeed stronger, and only then could it consider transforming into a dragon, though even that is no simple feat... At its current stage, it is utterly unnecessary and makes for a laughingstock!" Li Hao smiled sheepishly. Was that so? "Then how does one purify the bloodline...?" "Is your Starry Sky Sword just for show?" Director Wang was thoroughly exasperated. "Haven't you been using it all along? The sword energy within it can purify bloodlines! It is a simple matter. If not for that, why would this dog's bloodline grow purer by the day?" He pointed at Black Panther. "If this dog hadn't followed you, where would it find such a fortuitous encounter? Even though its ancestor was extraordinary and held exalted status... after countless generations of diluted bloodlines, it would have amounted to nothing long ago!" Black Panther wagged its tail. Yes, sword energy could refine bloodlines. It had sensed it, though it had forgotten to mention it—and couldn't speak anyway. Li Hao froze. Was that really how it worked? Director Wang said with blatant disgust, "Don't ask such idiotic questions next time. It's a waste of both our time! As for that snake... handle it yourself. I can't be bothered to meddle in someone else's business." Fair enough! That was plenty. Li Hao felt he had gained a great deal and prepared to leave. Pausing, he hesitated and asked, "If I provide ten million divine energy stones to General Huai, could I receive some benefits so that my trip feels worthwhile...?" "Where would benefits come from?" Director Wang laughed. "Forget about it! Unless you provide a hundred million stones to awaken its spirituality—at which point Battle Heaven City would also revive significantly and bathing in life essence wouldn't even be an issue—at this stage, you would only revive a mere fraction of it, with negligible effect. If you wish to save that little tree, suit yourself." All right then! Li Hao was somewhat disappointed. In truth, he had wanted to offer some help to Battle Heaven City in exchange for rewards, but now it seemed that wouldn't work. Since Director Wang had put it so plainly, he did not press the matter. Just as he was about to take his leave, he remembered another matter: "Director, I previously obtained two golden booklets containing origin secret arts—the 'Pierce' formula and the 'Strike' formula. Can I learn them?" "Suit yourself!" Director Wang replied, "I didn't recommend you learn them last time because your horizons were too narrow. Looking at you now, your knowledge has broadened considerably, so whether you study them or not is up to you. As for the 'Pierce' formula, you could ask your Seventh Commander for advice. He has ties to the Jiang family, a collateral branch... separated by more than five generations, but still distantly related. He knows a bit of it." Li Hao was surprised. There was that kind of connection? "However, these are origin path secret arts. Do not become obsessed with them. Grasping their essence is key, not the surface forms! In the past, they were merely secret arts whipped up by a few experts to fool their descendants... If you want a truly formidable secret art in the Battle Heaven Army, it would be the Void Breaking Sword Art within your own ranks! Since you cultivate the sword, you can trade for it and seek enlightenment." "I am no longer a martial master..." "Foolish!" Director Wang seemed somewhat dissatisfied, or perhaps took him more seriously than before and was willing to share more. "Your so-called 'no longer a martial master' just means your force is sealed and your energies are mixed, right? What does that have to do with whether you are a martial master or whether you wield a sword? Remember this: your ancestor fused everything back in the day! Regardless of whether it was energy, blood qi, or spirit... in the end, it was all within my sword! Apart from one's life—and in fact, even life itself—everything is a form of energy. Energy doesn't care about distinctions... as long as it works, use it!" Li Hao was momentarily dazed. "However, supernatural power is an external force, whereas inner force is generated from within." "Then find a way to integrate it into your body!" Director Wang was growing impatient. "Energy bullies the weak and fears the strong. If you insist on fusing it, beat it into submission if it doesn't obey! When flesh, blood, and energy fuse, won't it all belong to you in the end? Energy itself has no good or bad; it depends on how you wield it. As for the specifics, figure it out yourself. I'm not a person of your era, and our physiological structures might even be somewhat different. Read more books, study more, comprehend more, and sooner or later you will resolve it!" Li Hao felt as though an entirely new world had just opened before him! In an instant, a flurry of ideas sprang into place. Director Wang was already looking impatient. "Don't ask about everything. Learn first, try first, and only ask when you run into walls! If you ask from the very beginning, listening to the answer will be useless! Only after experiencing it firsthand can you raise crucial questions instead of asking for common sense." "Yes, yes, I understand! Many thanks, Director!" "Off you go!" "Huh?" "Go to the military camp!" Director Wang was exasperated. "You returned, yet you didn't report to your division commander? No organization, no discipline—such behavior in the Battle Heaven Army warrants punishment!" Your division commander had already urged him several times. Otherwise, why did you think he had been trying to shoo you away? Li Hao had a headache. He feared that man; he would beat him. Even now... could he beat him? Hard to say. Battle Heaven City had revived a bit more than before; perhaps the division commander had grown stronger as well. Previously, he possessed roughly the combat prowess of an unsealed martial master, inferior to the Divine Powers Realm, but that might no longer be the case now. Talking with Director Wang had yielded bountiful gains without any fear. But that division commander... was truly cold and aloof! Thoughts aside, Li Hao had no choice but to depart reluctantly and head toward the military camp. Once he left, Director Wang suddenly smiled. "He has changed a lot on this return. He actually asked me questions like that... Guardian, what do you think of him now?" "We shall see." "Mm." Director Wang nodded and said no more. The City Lord's Estate sank into silence once again. *** Inside the military camp. Standing rigidly to attention, Li Hao shouted at the top of his lungs, "Report!" "Enter!" "Sir!" Li Hao's boots clicked briskly against the floor as he entered. The division commander was, as always, seemingly forever occupied, reading documents again. Who knew what kind of official business Battle Heaven City had to process when it had been ruined for countless millennia? "As a soldier, you should have reported to the barracks the moment you returned, rather than running around. Do you understand?" "Understood!" Li Hao didn't argue. "Your strength has progressed?" "Yes, sir!" "You seem to have activated some sets of Battle Heaven armor?" "Yes, sir!" "You must understand: do not recruit people recklessly. The Battle Heaven Army is not a trash bin. Do you understand?" "Understood!" "..." The golden-armored division commander glanced at him. The lad had learned some manners. His tone softened slightly. "Is there anything you need help with?" "Huh?" "When speaking to a superior, do you require him to repeat himself?" "No, sir!" Li Hao shouted, hastily adding, "Commander, I need more Battle Heaven armor! Of course, I can trade for it. I have two thousand sets of Void Breaking armor and three hundred sets of black armor. I wish to exchange them for Battle Heaven armor!" He hurriedly brought out the armors. The division commander glanced at them. "Void Breaking armor... The garrison of Star Suppressing City was dispatched by the Military Department, wearing the armor of the Void Breaking Army. And this black armor... is the armor of the Heavenly Star Army. It seems you went to Heavenly Star Town." He paused, then continued, "Exchanging them is fine. The system settings are simply different; after minor adjustments, they will become Battle Heaven armor! However, as a regiment commander, you can only activate one thousand sets of armor..." Li Hao looked dejected. "Still, I can grant you temporary special authorization to treat your unit as a reinforced regiment!" He didn't make a big deal of it; it was merely a minor matter. He asked, "Is there anything else?" "Yes!" Li Hao quickly said, "Commander, my current silver armor imposes restrictions on my superpowers. I am no longer a martial master!" That was true enough. Reflecting for a moment, the division commander mused, "Once Battle Heaven armor reaches the gold tier, it no longer distinguishes between energy and blood qi—it becomes personalized armor. However, your rank is insufficient." Li Hao felt deflated. "Still, you are a descendant of the Eight Great Families... Very well, I can temporarily loan you a suit of golden armor, but with a condition..." "Please instruct me, Commander!" "The fact that the Heavenly Star Army's armor could be activated... means the Heavenly Star Army's system still persists... Investigate and find out why the energy supply to the eight major cities was severed back then!" The division commander said in a chilly voice, "Had Heavenly Star Town not cut off the energy supply, the eight cities would not have fallen silent so swiftly. A hundred thousand garrison troops vanished without a trace, leaving behind not a shred of news. These matters might have been buried completely, or perhaps... they can still be uncovered!" Li Hao's heart stirred. "Understood!" "That is all. Go to the quartermaster to collect it!" Li Hao scurried away without the slightest hesitation. Speaking with this man was simply far too nerve-racking. Seeing him sprint off so fast, the division commander shook his head helplessly. He had originally planned to say a few more words, but the lad bolted faster than anyone. It was not as if he was going to beat him! Compared to last time, Li Hao looked much more agreeable to him now. After some thought, he pulled out Li Hao's evaluation dossier, covered in remarks. Weighing his words, he appended another line: "Growth potential: moderate. Continue observation to assess future results."