The group was deeply wary of the ancient figure before them, who had been dead for who knew how many years.
From what he said, his physical body had long since perished, meaning he was much like the people in Battle Heaven City—nothing more than lingering mental power.
What puzzled Li Hao was that this being was supposedly at the Grand Sage level. Could even such an existence suffer physical decay?
Just how many years had passed since the ancient civilization?
Fifty thousand years?
A hundred thousand?
Hadn't they claimed to possess eternal life and immortality, imperishable and indestructible?
To make such grand claims only to rot away after tens of thousands of years... could that truly be called immortality?
Or was there another reason?
Furthermore, what benefits could they actually claim right now?
During the second trial, it had been said that defeating two opponents yielded rewards, while defeating three brought a special reward...
Since they were no match for him, their plan was simple: seize the benefits first, and once they had taken enough, leave immediately without having any further contact with him.
If all else failed... having their fines waived would be fine too.
Of the more than one hundred million energy stones from earlier, Black Panther had swept up half, and the other half had likely been absorbed by this entity. Yet there was nothing Li Hao and the others could do about it; the energy stones had originally been cast aside by the various factions.
Those fools. Had they kept them inside storage rings, the stones might have been slightly safer. Tossing them onto the parade ground had practically fed them straight to him.
Perhaps it was precisely that influx of energy that had revived him.
Otherwise, he most likely would not have awakened at all. How else could the people from the Department of Finance have entered previously without being completely wiped out?
With these thoughts, everyone suppressed their earlier grievances.
The black armor offered no further remarks.
Rising to his feet, he looked at them, his demeanor placid as ever. "Follow me."
As he walked, he explained, "Yuanping Martial Science University is not large. It has only four main facilities: the teaching building, the administration building, the cultivation building, and the faculty and student dormitories. This is the teaching building.
"In former years, each building had one hundred Yuanping puppets stationed within to oversee daily affairs..."
Li Hao glanced at the puppets trailing them. Had there truly been four hundred of them in the past?
"What is the strength of these puppets?"
"Peak Realm."
The black armor replied indifferently, "Of course, in practical terms they fall short of true Peak Realm combatants. Their offensive and defensive power reaches that benchmark, but a puppet is still a puppet. Their adaptability is far inferior, and they cannot match a genuine Peak Realm expert in battle."
The group understood, yet their hearts still trembled.
Peak Realm!
That was unimaginably powerful. Not a single person in the present age had reached that level; even Li Hao was far from it.
It required at least the strength of a seven-discipline divine power.
For superpower users, that meant unlocking the five viscera divine powers alongside wind and lightning divine powers to barely reach that tier.
It was virtually the same for martial masters.
As of now, only that many meridians had been identified within the human body. As for the one within the cranium... no one dared to develop it. Thus, for contemporary martial masters and superpower users alike, the ultimate ceiling was seven-discipline divine power.
Yet here, a mere puppet wielded such formidable strength. It was unbelievable.
Li Hao held his tongue. Having long known the terrifying might of the ancients, he knew he simply had to keep pressing forward.
The black armor led them steadily downward.
As they descended, he continued, "As formal students... now that the martial science university has long fallen dormant, there are no great treasures to bestow upon you. As compensation for the third trial, I shall take you to a certain place. Whether you gain anything depends entirely on yourselves.
"If you do reap something... it may very well be a tremendous harvest."
With that, he suddenly looked at Li Hao. "Perhaps for you... it will be an immense gain."
Li Hao was surprised. For me?
What kind of gain?
The black armor said nothing more.
Li Hao wondered: Could it be a treasure? A divine weapon? Or something else?
They walked for a long time.
Deep beneath the earth, a small pavilion came into view. Building a pavilion underground struck Li Hao as rather eccentric, but this place seemed to contain its own pocket of space.
The black armor continued forward. Outside the pavilion stood several puppets as well.
Upon seeing the black armor approach, they bowed slightly, like living men.
Evidently, the black armor held considerable status.
The grand doors of the pavilion opened of their own accord.
In an instant, countless tomes greeted their eyes. Was this... a library?
Li Hao cast a casual glance and instantly drew in a sharp breath.
*Sky-Breaking Sword Art*, *Imperishable Golden Body*, *Ten Thousand Dharmas Returning to One*, *Sacred Scripture of Returning to the Origin*, *Divine Path of Wind and Cloud*, *Divine Feast of the Eight Directions*...
Among them, Li Hao recognized several familiar manuals.
Not because he had studied them, but because he had heard their names before.
*Divine Feast of the Eight Directions* was said to be among the top three secret scriptures in the history of the demon race.
*Sky-Breaking Sword Art* was a top-tier secret art within the Battle Heaven Army, one Li Hao had lacked the funds to exchange for.
Yet all of them... were right here before him.
His pulse quickened!
Could it be... was he going to be given one of these manuals?
Beside him, though Black Panther could not read, it stared intently at the jade scrolls, its eyes turning bloodshot. It seemed to sense faint auras within them and grew visibly excited.
Hong Yitang and the others, experienced and knowledgeable though they were, also sucked in cold breaths.
Just what kind of place was Yuanping Martial Science University?
Some of these secret manuals were legendary texts they had read about in ancient records—cultivation methods practiced by the supreme powerhouses of the ancient civilization. While martial science universities in the ancient era had embraced all disciplines, and great experts had rarely hoarded their knowledge out of pettiness, their arts were still not meant for just anyone to study. Typically, they were preserved in sacred sanctuaries, accessible only to powerhouses who had reached a certain threshold.
Yet here... they were laid out everywhere!
Even after countless ages, every single manual still emanated the radiant glow of the Great Dao. They felt that merely cultivating here without even opening the books would yield immense progress before long.
The black armor, entirely unfazed, looked at them. "These combat arts were all left behind by top powerhouses of the past. Yuanping Martial Science University has an extraordinary heritage, which is why it gathered the martial disciplines of nearly every great expert in the realm!"
The group gasped!
Li Hao was equally awestruck. "Just what is the background of Yuanping Martial Science University to be able... to assemble all these martial disciplines?"
"More than just these. This is only a portion. The Sword Venerable of your Li family... also left sword arts here."
The black armor said flatly, "Of course, they are not specific sword stances, but rather certain insights. They may be of help to you. However, you are a newcomer; I cannot grant all your wishes at once.
"This time, you may choose one manual. Aside from Hou Xiaochen, the tree and Hong Yitang may each select one as well. As for Sky Sword, he may choose an inferior one."
Hou Xiaochen was speechless.
He got nothing.
Well, in the second trial, he had indeed only met the bare passing standard.
Just as a thought surfaced in Li Hao's mind, the black armor warned, "Do not think of transmitting them outward. These are no ordinary martial arts; they carry inherent restrictions that touch upon the Great Dao. If you attempt to spread them, you will find yourself unable to utter a single word!"
That exaggerated?
Li Hao felt skeptical, but did not argue.
The reward was certainly generous.
His ancestor's sword insights?
That was a Sovereign powerhouse, a peerless hegemon! To him, it was an absolute treasure.
Yet the figure looked at him and said, "Naturally, I would advise against choosing those sword insights. In truth... every person's sword is different. Your ancestor was never skilled at teaching disciples, so his path does not suit you very well."
Li Hao froze. What did that mean?
He wasn't going to let him have it?
"As compensation for the third trial... I recommend you study another combat art..."
Li Hao frowned slightly, but quickly offered a smile. "May I ask... what kind of combat art is it?"
"You will understand once you see it."
Leading Li Hao forward several paces, he seemed to remember something and glanced at Hong Yitang. "If you wish, you may come along as well. That combat art might be of some help to you too."
Hong Yitang was somewhat puzzled, but after a moment's consideration, he followed.
The black armor's voice drifted back from behind: "Sky Sword, you may take whichever books you can move. Those you cannot budge, you cannot have. Hou Xiaochen, you may read the free books that require no payment. Consider it a modest gain—a privilege granted to students. Black Panther, stop staring at that demon secret art. If your strength grows sufficient, you will naturally comprehend it. Without the strength... studying it is entirely pointless. Release the tree; perhaps some demon cultivation methods here will assist it."
Behind them, Hou Xiaochen felt rather helpless.
How lamentable!
It seemed the black armor was giving Li Hao and Hong Yitang special treatment!
He could not help feeling a pang of jealousy.
***
The black armor led the two men steadily upward. The pavilion seemed to stretch high into the heavens and deep into the earth. After climbing for who knew how long, they stepped into a small, enclosed chamber.
Here, there was only a single book.
Truly, only one.
*Records of Yuanping*.
Li Hao looked at the title and blinked. What in the world was this?
A storybook?
The black armor gazed at the volume, seemingly lost in memory. Only after a long while did he say, "This book was penned by the chancellor himself back then. After writing it, he asked the Human King to review and revise it..."
Li Hao's heart shook!
Reviewed and revised by the Human King himself!
Just what was the origin of Yuanping Martial Science University?
The black armor suddenly let out a soft laugh. "Of course, in truth... the chancellor merely borrowed and emulated the methods of a certain powerhouse. Now that the chancellor is no longer here, I suppose I can speak freely without restraint."
Li Hao looked at him with curiosity. "Does Senior mean... this book was plagiarized?"
"Ahem... you cannot put it like that!"
The black armor chuckled. "It was not plagiarism, merely... certain methods modeled after an ancient powerhouse. That expert... was terrifyingly powerful! A pity, however... he eventually fell."
"Fell?"
Could an expert that powerful still perish?
Li Hao felt a trace of doubt.
The black armor, however, sighed with deep emotion. "Do not assume that falling makes one weak! Quite the contrary... even after countless ages following his demise, he still shaped the subsequent Neo-Martial era. That the Human King grew so mighty in his early days was largely thanks to certain methods that man left behind. Battle Heaven City is a branch lineage of the Blood Sovereign, and the Blood Sovereign's relationship with that man was immensely intricate. Strictly speaking, the words 'Battle Heaven' in Battle Heaven City represent that fallen supreme powerhouse. From the dawn of creation, he left an indelible mark on all existence!"
Seeing him invoke a Sovereign's title so openly, Li Hao could not help but ask, "You... Senior Tree mentioned that the titles of certain powerhouses cannot be spoken aloud..."
The black armor smiled. "This is Yuanping Martial Science University; there is no issue here. Outside, of course, in other places... you had best avoid mentioning them. Yuanping Martial Science University is somewhat special. Though no treasures or supreme existences remain here... unique Dao charms circulate within this place, shielding it from outside perception."
Those words carried immense weight!
Both men now turned their gazes toward the book.
It appeared utterly ordinary.
There seemed to be nothing special about it.
Yet the black armor had claimed it would help them, and that it had drawn upon methods left by a supreme powerhouse. Li Hao had likely glimpsed the Sovereign of Battle Heaven City in the calligraphy of the words "Battle Heaven"—was that expert wielding the blood saber with the longbow across his back the Blood Sovereign?
Now the black armor was saying that "Battle Heaven" actually represented that fallen supreme figure.
Li Hao felt slightly muddled.
Of course, none of that was the crux.
What mattered was that this book was likely extraordinary.
"You two must decide for yourselves whether to choose this book or another. This time, I have granted you special rewards... you will not have such an opportunity again."
Li Hao pondered for a moment before making up his mind. "This one!"
"Me as well!" Hong Yitang agreed.
He believed the black armor had no reason to deceive them. After all, if they could freely pick from those priceless secret arts outside, why go out of his way to trick them? Besides, this book occupied an entire floor on its own; it was clearly exceptional.
The black armor seemed to smile once more. "Very well. You two... take your time reading!"
With those words, he vanished.
Once he was gone, Li Hao suddenly said, "His parting words sounded somewhat meaningful. What did he mean?"
"I have no idea."
Hong Yitang shook his head with a bitter smile. "Sigh, in this place... we are nothing more than ants. Best not overthink it; just let nature take its course. If he truly wanted to kill us, we would have zero power to resist."
"We'll see what the future holds!"
Li Hao was far from disheartened. He grinned. "We can take things step by step! How long have we been cultivating, anyway?"
Hong Yitang chuckled and said no more.
Both sat down, and Li Hao looked at the book on the desk. It seemed someone had sat here reading it in the distant past.
*Records of Yuanping*—it felt somewhat like a diary or a chronicle of events.
He wondered what made it special.
Li Hao flipped it open and paused.
*"When I was young, our family was very poor. I always wished for something good to eat, but we had no money. It wasn't until my brother became a martial artist and started earning money... that I had pocket money to buy whatever I wanted. Those were happy times..."*
Li Hao browsed through a few pages, completely dumbfounded.
This reads like a storybook!
No, a memoir.
It chronicled the trivial everyday experiences of a girl growing from childhood into adulthood.
The text mentioned various things: for instance, she had a brother who doted on her and frequently bought her treats.
She had a pet cat that was very cute, but loved sleeping in and had a voracious appetite, devouring so much each time that there was hardly anything left for her.
She had many elders who cared for her, yet she understood that because her brother was a genius, everyone loved her by extension. She was fully aware of it, but did not mind.
There was also a period when she left her brother and ran off with a Teacher Li. She had cried for a long time, terribly homesick. Later, in that place, she killed many people, but never told her brother.
And then... that was it.
Just those things.
The entire book was filled with such mundane trivia. Li Hao flipped through it forward and backward, scanning from top to bottom...
He was thoroughly bewildered!
Utterly baffled!
He looked at Hong Yitang, who rubbed his chin for a long while before murmuring, "Have we... perhaps... been played again?"
"..."
Li Hao was stunned speechless. "Is he really that bored?"
Does the black armor have nothing better to do?
I really want to beat him to death right now!
You made it sound so mysterious, making us believe you realized you were in the wrong and wanted to grant us some benefits. In the end... you have us read a memoir?
What is this?
There were no expositions on the Great Dao, nor any martial knowledge. The mention of killing people was brushed over in a single line, without a single cultivation method appearing. Most of it was idle reminiscing, and the prose was utterly dull.
Describing a single meal took half a page, yet when it came to a major battle, there were only two words: *We won!*
"..."
What kind of nonsense was this!
Even if you gave a brief description of the battle or mentioned a few stances, it might have offered some insight. But this?
Li Hao nearly coughed up blood in frustration!
Hong Yitang said thoughtfully, "There should be no need for him to toy with us repeatedly, should there? What would he gain?"
He picked up the volume and examined it for a moment, pondering aloud, "Perhaps there's a hidden layer inside!"
Li Hao nodded and hurried to inspect it, yet found nothing.
"Could burning it reveal the manual?"
Li Hao looked at him, and Hong Yitang frowned slightly. "Can it be burned?"
"Probably? He never said we couldn't."
With that, flames sprouted from Li Hao's hand... but reality proved him wrong. The moment the flames touched the book, they extinguished instantly. Li Hao's eyes flickered. "I get it! This book... is itself a treasure!"
Now he understood.
The book was an ancient divine weapon.
He was giving them a divine weapon!
Li Hao immediately felt a wave of regret. "Damn it, we were still tricked by him. A single book is just one divine weapon. He made the two of us choose... maybe he intentionally wanted to turn us against each other. This book might be of an exceptionally high tier, and he wants us to fight over it!"
Just as he spoke, a sigh drifted through the air, laden with helplessness: "The book... can indeed be considered a divine weapon! But it cannot be taken away... Read it carefully! Settle your minds; I trust it will be of some help to you!"
It was the voice of the black armor.
Li Hao's heart stirred. The secret did not lie in the grade of the book itself?
Then what was it?
He scrutinized it again, flipping through it for a long time. He attempted acrostics, skipping every other character, reading in reverse order...
He scrambled the characters, examined the first and last words, read alternating lines...
Yet no matter how he looked, he gained nothing at all.
Li Hao's head throbbed.
Is he truly not messing with us?
Hong Yitang studied it closely for a while before suddenly saying, "Calm your mind and just read it. Stop thinking about anything else."
Calm his mind?
In truth, Li Hao's heart was far from calm.
Yet hearing Hong Yitang's words, sensing there might be some deeper meaning, he quieted down. He stopped complaining; after all, this was an unexpected windfall, and whether he gained anything or not hardly mattered.
Continuing to read, Li Hao felt as though he had returned to his days at the ancient academy, studying ancient texts alongside his teacher.
Setting aside the story and the calligraphy, it was written in the ancient script, straightforward and plain, making it well-suited as instructional material.
It contained no abstruse jargon, making it ideal for beginners learning the ancient language.
Once his mind settled, Li Hao grew much calmer.
Reading on, he was no longer as impatient as before.
After a while, his vision blurred slightly. Had he been reading for too long?
That shouldn't be the case.
Rubbing his eyes, he looked again. Gradually, a strange sensation crept over him. He stared fixedly at a single character, and slowly, the character seemed to come alive, moving on the page.
What was happening?
Focusing his mind to look again, it stopped moving.
Intrigued, Li Hao continued reading, immersing himself in that single character. After watching it for a long time... the scene before his eyes abruptly transformed.
The character seemed to morph into a human figure.
A figure was practicing martial arts. Blood qi seeped out bit by bit, peeling away layer by layer, unraveling strand by strand. Li Hao seemed to watch the blood qi split into countless fragments before condensing into a soaring dragon!
The dragon roared!
Startled, Li Hao stumbled back a step, instantly tumbling out of that state.
He was shaken!
What... was that?
He looked back toward the page, slowly sinking into it once more. This time, he perceived the difference and the underlying mystery.
Every single character represented a martial discipline.
No—perhaps they all represented the very same discipline.
He saw it now!
It was... combination?
Yes! The character that had taken human form seemed to be continually recombining. The blood qi was being divided—the exact same amount of blood qi split into countless parts, then rearranged and combined in different ways to produce entirely different forms.
Li Hao was stunned!
In that moment, he felt utterly mesmerized.
Was this... the essence of martial arts?
The true nature of ancient combat arts?
Was this how it worked?
Taking the same blood qi—or inner force, or superpower—dividing it, and then rearranging and reassembling it in different permutations to birth a new combat art.
What was this?
A kind of restructuring at the microscopic level?
He watched in dazed awe. In that instant, he suddenly understood why the black armor had shown him this. His divine character divine powers!
Could characters... be combined?
Could they be broken down again?
Could the character for "Water" be split into countless "Water" characters?
With "Water," could it be recombined into the character for "Ice"?
What about "Snow"?
What about "Frost"?
Could any concept related to water give birth to a corresponding divine character?
It felt as though a whole new world had opened before Li Hao. His mind felt light and dizzy. This book... was truly extraordinary. It had unveiled an entirely new realm to him, opening the door to the microscopic structure of power.
It expounded the very essence of combat arts!
This was not merely a martial path, but a direct illustration of ancient combat arts, allowing anyone to comprehend how combat arts were born, and how different techniques arose...
Heavens!
With just a single glance, Li Hao could hardly believe it. A single character could undergo thousands of transformations, shifting into different characters; a single combat art could branch into countless variations...
Infinite transformation!
Wasn't this... precisely what Martial Uncle Hong had once theorized?
Indeed! Characters were formed stroke by stroke. Were not all characters composed of these very fundamentals?
Then... at the microscopic level, could divine characters also undergo thousands of transformations?
Li Hao was utterly enthralled, unable to pull himself away.
He knew that this time... he had truly encountered a grand fortune!
A monumental opportunity!
Divine energy stones, divine weapons, treasures—none of them could compare to this single book...
***
In the darkness.
The black armor stood silently.
He gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.
*Records of Yuanping* was the ultimate art of Yuanping Martial Science University—an supreme art in the truest sense. It mirrored the methods of the ancient Emperor of Battle Heaven, expounded anew by the chancellor through his own understanding.
The Human King had personally reviewed and revised it. Though he had considered the story rather dull, he had still offered the highest praise.
Originally, these people would never have been qualified to study it.
Yet he could see that the techniques employed by Li Hao and Hong Yitang, when compared to the supreme arts of Zhenxing City from those days, had undergone significant innovation. However, both men seemed to lack a clear path forward, devoid of direction.
And this book... with its combinatory blood qi combat arts, might provide them with inspiration.
Inheriting the past to forge a path into the future.
Had the two of them not taken the initiative to unleash the Blood Saber Art during the third trial, he never would have brought them here. It could only be said that through a stroke of luck, they had stumbled upon such a fortune.
"Be it Initial Martial, Middle Martial, or Neo-Martial... the essence of all martial combat arts is the same. There are tens of thousands of combat arts, yet only what suits you best truly matters... The Great Dao possesses countless branches, but all ultimately return to one..."
The black armor murmured to himself, staring into the heavens.
Can I... still return?
When the heavens changed back then and the Star Gate closed, Teacher Li and the others had departed first. He had remained behind to guard the rear, intending to leave swiftly once the academy was properly settled. Who could have foreseen the cataclysm? The energy was drained in an instant, and the Origin Dao severed all connection with the outside world.
He had been forced into slumber here, missing his chance to depart.
And now... could he still leave?
Beyond the Star Gate, disaster must have struck.
A powerful enemy attack?
Who could possibly assassinate Teacher Changsheng?
Moreover, the chancellor had departed on the very same day, alongside the lords of the eight main cities and the commanders of the eight great armies, leading tens of millions of soldiers. How could such a force have walked into an ambush?
"Curse my lack of talent... I could only walk the path of the Origin Dao, unable to integrate the Origin into an inner universe... Deprived of the Origin Dao's support... I was reduced to sleeping away the ages..."
The black armor felt a wave of helplessness and sorrow.
Had this influx of energy not arrived, he likely would have perished entirely in his slumber.
Then another thought struck him, and a red gleam flared in his eyes. "Energy drained in an instant, the Great Dao severed... there must have been traitors within the Silver Moon land! Striking from both inside and outside, all to eliminate the chancellor and Teacher Changsheng... Who could be so brazen... Damn them!"
For the Silver Moon land to lose its energy in a flash, someone had undoubtedly sabotaged them from within, coordinating with external foes against those departing powerhouses.
Thoughts raced through his mind.
Glancing back toward Li Hao and Hong Yitang inside, he felt a twinge of sorrow.
The End-Martial era had descended, the world had turned upside down, and a new age had arrived. The era that belonged to them had passed, and in this new age... these people were considered top-tier existences?
What a tragedy!
Precisely because he could see through their thoughts, he felt all the more sorrowful, helpless, and lost.
Could the Star Gate... ever be opened again?
Perhaps... for the rest of his existence, he could only remain here, silently awaiting death. This youth was the descendant of the Li family, holding the Starry Sky Sword. Could he open the Star Gate?
Li Hao... can you do it?
I do not know.
Tears nearly welled in his heart, yet his physical form had dried up and crumbled away long ago; there were no tears left to shed.
The era that belonged to them had vanished from this land.
Yet I... never wished to become like those people of the ancient era.
In the past, the Nine Emperors slumbered, bringing chaos to the realm, until in the end they died or surrendered... What about me?
Countless thoughts flooded his mind, leaving him with the strange feeling that perhaps it would have been better never to awaken at all.
***
Inside the secret chamber.
Li Hao was completely immersed, unable to pull himself away.
Hong Yitang was the same. A single character for "Sword" underwent countless transformations, shifting in an instant, summoning and dismissing various divine energies at will.
At this moment, both knew they had truly encountered a monumental fortune.
Perceiving the shifts within every single character, it felt as though an entire era had been etched into the book.
This was countless times more precious than the books they had obtained from Battle Heaven City that day.
It contained no specific secret arts, only an exposition on the fundamental essence of martial combat arts.
It was simply incredible!
After who knew how long, Li Hao waved his hand, and a character materialized. The word "Water" appeared, transforming in an instant into "Ice," its frosty power freezing the surroundings.
A moment later, it shifted into "Snow." Flakes drifted downward, but quickly disintegrated. Li Hao gave a low grunt and muttered, "My control is lacking, my comprehension insufficient. It turns out... I am still far from where I need to be!"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the voice of the black armor sounded by their ears: "Four days have passed. You seemed intent on leaving after five days. Do not delay your departure; it is time to come out!"
Li Hao snapped back to reality, his head throbbing slightly. He could hardly believe it. "How many days?"
"Four days!"
Hong Yitang also looked at Li Hao with bloodshot eyes, dazed. "Four days?"
How could that be!
It had felt like a mere instant.
"Your mental power is frail, and you fell deeply into it. Four days were naturally gone in the blink of an eye!"
The black armor materialized before them, waving a hand to close the book.
Both men felt reluctant to part with it.
The black armor said calmly, "I have no treasures to bestow upon you. This item serves as your final reward for this trial! Go on out. This place must be sealed once more; I require a period of quiet. If you wish to visit again... come back after I have found peace!"
Li Hao felt somewhat dazed and looked at the black armor. "Are you... also going to revive?"
"Revive?"
The black armor murmured to himself with a soft chuckle. "What does reviving or not reviving matter? Even if I revive, what can be done? Let me think on it further. It is time for you to regroup!"
With those words, their surroundings spun, and they vanished from the secret chamber.
The black armor did not leave. Instead, he sat cross-legged, picked up the book, and studied it closely, filled with reminiscence.
***
On the campus square.
The four humans, one dog, and one tree were all gathered.
Seeing Li Hao and Hong Yitang appear, Hou Xiaochen said enviously, "Did you receive benefits?"
He truly was envious!
Of course, over the past few days, he had also browsed through quite a few free secret arts, which had yielded fairly good results.
Li Hao let out a breath and was about to speak, but suddenly found himself unable to utter a word. Shocked, he exchanged a glance with Hong Yitang, who was equally shaken. Hong Yitang nodded. "It cannot be spoken of!"
Sky Sword remarked placidly, "I already tested it; it's quite normal. The secret arts passed down here are of too high a tier, seemingly bound by special measures placed by ancient powerhouses. They cannot be shared without permission. There is no need to explain what you gained. Four days have passed—is it time to leave?"
Li Hao's heart stirred. The fines... hadn't been paid!
Had the black armor forgotten about them?
Regardless, even though reading that book had brought monumental gains that made him no longer care about the fines, avoiding them altogether would still be ideal; at least they would retain some spoils. Otherwise, paying the fines would leave them with practically nothing, and many people were currently in need of the Spring of Life, which had been almost entirely depleted this time.
"Senior Black Armor, may we depart at any time?"
"With the medallions in hand, naturally you may!"
The black armor's detached voice drifted over: "The fines must still be paid; these are the rules set down by the chancellor. However... I can grant you a deferral. Do not assume I have forgotten. There is a Heavenly Star Grand Mine nearby; perhaps you can go take a look... Naturally, there seem to be some demon plants there that might still be alive... But if you go to collect from it in your capacity as students of Yuanping Martial Science University and as a division commander of the Battle Heaven Army... refusing to yield is rebellion, punishable by execution!"
Li Hao smiled sheepishly. So he did remember.
As for executing them... don't be ridiculous, what strength do I have?
The other party was at least a Peak Realm existence.
How am I supposed to execute them?
That meant the Heavenly Star Town was indeed around here. Yuanping Martial Science University's establishment in this location back then was likely meant to oversee that grand mine.
"Is that mineral vein... very large?"
"If those trash energy stones from before count as a small mine... then the difference is between an ocean and a creek. A true giant mine sustained an entire world. The powerhouses of old were countless; how could this trash compare?"
Li Hao drew in a breath, understanding dawned!
Just as I thought! For so many powerhouses to rely on a single mine for energy, it obviously couldn't be small!
Indeed, it was a colossal mine!
He only wondered how much was left today.
"Then... we can leave at any time?"
Silence answered him.
Evidently, he did not deign to reply.
Without further instructions or words of farewell, this black armor seemed rather unique. Li Hao did not know who was stronger between him and Director Wang; perhaps... even Director Wang was inferior to him?
Still, the black armor's conduct was rather eccentric, seemingly even more taciturn than Director Wang.
Sky Sword said in a deep voice, "Let's go!"
As for the black armor, no one could fathom his thoughts. This place was not one to linger in. Though he had granted them benefits, the memory of him casually slaying the Lord of Mount Futu remained etched in their minds.
These ancient civilization powerhouses seemed not to care much about them at all. Perhaps... they were simply too weak.
Indeed, why would an elephant concern itself with ants?
Just as the group prepared to depart, the voice of the black armor suddenly sounded beside Li Hao's ear:
"They all seem to harbor great hopes for you... even Battle Heaven City might place a sliver of hope in you... But I must warn you: even if you gather all eight divine weapons, do not open the Star Gate rashly. That is all. Go!"
With those words, the world spun around Li Hao and his companions once more.
They were cast outside!
Only after they had completely vanished did the black armor reappear. Behind him, rows of puppets materialized one after another.
The black armor turned to look at the puppets, gazing at them in silence.
After a long time, one of the puppets spoke: "Teacher, why torment yourself so? We have no regrets. At least... we are still alive! Even if we possess puppets and dwell in puppet bodies, we still live, do we not?"
The black armor remained silent.
After a long while, he murmured softly, "I am sorry... I could not fulfill the duty of guardianship alongside them..."
Silence fell.
At that moment, the puppets said nothing more, striking their chests in unison.
"May humanity... flourish forever!"
The black armor stood in wordless contemplation. Did Neo-Martial... still exist?
When can we return home?
I miss home!
Chapter 248