Settling Old Scores

Setting out once again, Li Hao did not even bring Black Panther. He had sent the beast out on scout duty. The fellow was first-rate at concealing its presence and tracking people; keeping it cooped up at home wasting food was worse than putting it to work. Li Hao also slipped away without saying goodbye to anyone. Having truly achieved initial success with his divine abilities, he quite enjoyed traveling alone to test out his new powers. ... Earth escape. Beneath the surface, Li Hao felt as though he were bathing in a soothing hot spring. He moved swiftly through the earth, the terrain ahead mapping itself in his mind with incredible speed. He crossed mountains when he met mountains and traversed rivers when he met rivers. In desolate wilderness where people were few, Li Hao would surface and transform into a burst of fire, streaking across the sky. This was what a true divine ability was supposed to be. He was experimenting with wind and lightning secret arts as well, trying to transform into a hurricane, into lightning. Every journey was treated as cultivation. It was also a chance to unwind. In secluded places where no one could see, Li Hao was like a child soaring freely, reveling in the joy of cultivation. Cultivation was full of pleasure. Being forced to cultivate, to cultivate solely for slaughter, was never the outcome he truly wanted. That was not the point of cultivation. Martial master or supernatural, in Li Hao's eyes, both existed to explore the mysteries of the human body. As for vying for supremacy, for becoming human kings—he never really understood those people. Wasn't cultivation meant to make oneself stronger and transcend the limitations of mortal life? Roaming between heaven and earth, Li Hao felt free. Yet that feeling was soon shattered. In the distance, a figure was also streaking across the sky at incredible speed. Seeming to sense something, the figure halted and looked back toward Li Hao. Li Hao looked toward the distance as well. At this moment, he got a clear view of the person far away. The features were exquisite, appearing very young—a woman. The instant he recognized her features, Li Hao had a fair idea who she was. In the world today, very few women possessed such strength. Lin Hongyu, City Lord of the City of Supernaturals, and the Flying Sword Immortal of Feitian Pavilion. The person before him was not the Flying Sword Immortal he had seen before. Since it wasn't her, it had to be Lin Hongyu of the City of Supernaturals. Rumor had it she was the descendant of an ancient clan and had become City Lord at an extraordinarily young age. Lin Hongyu looked youthful, and in fact, she seemed not very old at all. Li Hao knew little about her, only having heard that she was around thirty, yet she had suppressed all the ancient families in the City of Supernaturals to become its master. One had to admit she was remarkably capable and powerful. She wore a deep-green dress and did not look like a martial master from afar. Li Hao had not expected to run into her here. His thoughts churned, and a glint of murderous intent gradually surfaced in his eyes. What a coincidence! A couple of days ago, the City of Supernaturals had announced an alliance with two of the Seven Sacred Mountains—Jade Flute Sacred Mountain and Sunset Sacred Mountain. This was the road heading north, meaning she might very well be bound for Jade Flute Sacred Mountain. It was said the Jade Flute Mountain Lord was also female. Naturally, both Jade Flute and Sunset Sacred Mountains kept a low profile, so Li Hao was unfamiliar with either mountain lord. Was she heading to Jade Flute Sacred Mountain? With that thought in mind, Li Hao dispensed with courtesies and vanished on the spot. Thunder roared! In the distance, Lin Hongyu's expression shifted slightly, though she showed no fear. She had never anticipated bumping into Li Hao, the most famous figure under the heavens, out in this desolate wilderness. She had never interacted with him before. Li Hao had killed several divine ability experts on the side of the City of Supernaturals, but the city had swallowed the loss without showing outright hostility toward the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office. Of course, the Governor-General's Office taking down the City of Supernaturals was practically an inevitability. The moment Li Hao vanished, she knew trouble was brewing. This guy... was just as arrogant as rumors claimed! As a fellow peak six-element combatant, her true standing on the Wind and Cloud List placed her within the top ten, which spoke volumes of her strength. Li Hao attacking without a single word showed just how overbearing he truly was. The two clashed instantly! A curved blade materialized in Lin Hongyu's grasp. As she slashed out, the void seemed to shatter, and powerful vital blood surged into the clouds. It was evident she was a martial master as well, protecting her meridians with a divine weapon just like Chen Zhongtian and the others. Wind and lightning intertwined! *Rumble!* It was as though a torrential tempest were descending. The next instant, torrential rain poured down, shrouding heaven and earth in gray mist. A streak of blade light slashed clean through the firmament. At the peak of six elements, Lin Hongyu was undeniably terrifying. With a single strike, she ripped through the wind and lightning, crushed the downpour, and parted the surging waves. Meanwhile, Li Hao reached out with his hand, and flames erupted between heaven and earth! Golden sword qi swept across the sky. Across the vast desert, the sands churned and rose into a colossal giant towering into the sky. Quicksand shaped itself into a colossus that swung a punch toward Lin Hongyu. The two had encountered each other without exchanging a single word. The meeting began in bloody slaughter. Li Hao was caught off guard by the encounter, and so was Lin Hongyu, yet neither held back or bothered with probing strikes. Li Hao happened to be testing his five-element divine abilities. It was sheer luck; he had just been contemplating these abilities, and running into a formidable opponent suited his needs perfectly. The quicksand colossus struck, shaking heaven and earth. Lin Hongyu let out a low cry and carved a blade arc across the vault of heaven. The quicksand giant collapsed in an instant! Fierce! This woman was remarkably strong. No wonder she ranked higher than Qi Pingjiang and the others. On the true ranking list, Lin Hongyu stood in fifth place, surpassed only by Li Hao, Ying Hongyue, the Old Heavenly Star King, and the old head of the Administrative Department. At this moment, her curved blade faintly cut into the void itself—she possessed the might to shatter space. Li Hao was unbothered. He closed his eyes, and gale winds began to howl. Lightning danced in jubilation! The next instant, the five elements converged from all directions, drowning the world in boundless haze. Metal, wood, water, fire, and earth coalesced into five elemental figures. A fire tiger, a wood willow, surging water waves... The five elemental figures instantly converged around Lin Hongyu. Lin Hongyu's face drained of color! What was this? Li Hao had not even drawn close; he was manipulating the elements of heaven and earth and transforming them into divine abilities. It was simply inconceivable. She leaped into the air, her curved blade tearing the sky once more while her long hair whipped out like tens of thousands of sharp blades piercing through heaven and earth. The five giants could not hold her. *Boom!* With a deafening crash that sliced through the colossal waves, Lin Hongyu turned to flee. The moment the five elements manifested, she knew she was in grave trouble. Li Hao also possessed wind and lightning, which meant he had stepped into seven elements. It was just that seven elements were rejected by the world, seemingly preventing him from fully unleashing their might. Regardless... she could not remain here any longer. Otherwise, she would very likely perish at Li Hao's hands. She never imagined that a casual trip to handle some business at Jade Flute Sacred Mountain would lead to an ambush by Li Hao halfway there. "Trying to leave?" Li Hao looked at her coldly. In an instant, heaven and earth seemed to turn into a cage, making Lin Hongyu's face contort in terror! The next moment, the Five Elements Domain locked down the surrounding void like an inescapable prison! Stepping through the air, Li Hao said softly, "Since we've met, you might as well stay!" "Governor-General Li!" Lin Hongyu's expression turned grim. "Is there a grudge between us?" Li Hao smiled faintly. "Indeed there is. Back during the battle of Yuanping Martial Arts University, three divine ability experts from the City of Supernaturals besieged me! During the battle of the Heavenly Star Sea, that Heavenly Eye cultivator threatened my teacher to seize the Five Animals Secret Art! Tell me, is there a grudge or not?" Before Lin Hongyu could reply, a flash of sword light traversed heaven and earth, slashing out! The firmament split right open! This time, Lin Hongyu's face twisted in horror! "Impossible!" Seven elements! With a shrill scream, Lin Hongyu slashed her blade through the void. At the same time, a redwood materialized in the empty air, emanating a terrifying aura. Yet the moment it appeared, its presence recoiled in shock! "Peak Realm?" Mental energy churned violently as Lin Hongyu shrieked, "Break through the lockdown!" *Boom!* The great tree's myriad branches shook, shattering the void. It unleashed astonishing combat power in that instant, instantly blasting through Li Hao's Five Elements Domain and tearing space apart. Spatial slicing shredded the tree, and Li Hao let out a muffled grunt as he rapidly drew back the five elements' power. Lin Hongyu tore through the void and vanished in an instant. Meanwhile, the giant tree was hacked to pieces in the blink of an eye. Li Hao's face turned icy. Reaching out, myriad strands of sword intent surged forth. With a single strike, the tree cracked apart with a loud snap! A burst of origin power threatened to detonate, but Li Hao's five-elements cage snapped into place once more, instantly trapping all the origin power. The origin power fluctuated violently! Li Hao frowned slightly. This great tree was likely the clone of a formidable demon plant possessing Peak Realm combat power. However, once removed from the shroud of his Five Elements Domain, it could not unleash its full might here and was shredded by spatial slicing. Breaking the domain was a suicidal move for the tree. Yet it had shattered the domain just to save Lin Hongyu. Didn't it know that doing so would doom its clone? Li Hao looked toward the distant streak of green that had fled, his voice booming across the world as it carried on the wind: "Lin Hongyu! Within ten days, have the City of Supernaturals lead its million people to surrender and lay down arms before the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office... Otherwise, you may escape today, but you won't escape tomorrow! Let us see how many origin clones are willing to die for you—or if the true body will come instead!" Li Hao spoke with chilling indifference. Had it not been for this Peak Realm clone stalling for time, Lin Hongyu would have died without question. At this moment, though shattered, the origin clone was still struggling violently, filled with disbelief and shock: "Who... are you really?" "Li Hao!" Watching the clone fluctuate wildly, Li Hao frowned slightly. He was not keen on absorbing origin power, but wouldn't letting it dissipate be a waste? On second thought... forget it. He would keep it for now and deliver it as a greeting gift to Little Tree's true body. He had always been a polite person. As for Lin Hongyu escaping, while Li Hao was somewhat displeased, he didn't care all that much. Even if the news leaked, what of it? Seven elements? Weren't there three other seven-element experts on the ranking list? What did it matter if he, Li Hao, became the fourth? "Heh... quite interesting..." Li Hao looked at the mangled origin clone. "You were actually willing to destroy your own clone just to protect her. If you had kept fighting me inside the domain, given your strength, why break it?" The tree clone remained silent. Li Hao raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't matter if you won't say. It's my good fortune anyway—scoring a Peak Realm clone's origin for free. Just in time for my return to Silver Moon, as I was short on greeting gifts... Thanks!" The tree tried to speak again, but in an instant, Lifeless sword intent erupted! *Boom!* The origin shattered completely, dissolving into nothingness. The fractured origin power was swept up into Li Hao's Five Elements Domain. At this moment, Li Hao's might was truly unfathomable. ... In the distance. Fleeing for her life, Lin Hongyu was pale as a ghost. When had she ever imagined that, even under the protection of an origin clone with Peak Realm combat power, she would be reduced to such a wretched state? She had lost Redwood's origin clone and nearly been slain on the spot. Had it not been for the clone's sacrifice, she would have died directly. "Impossible... Seven elements... A seven-element expert who can unleash his full strength..." Lin Hongyu's face was deathly white. How could Li Hao have possibly reached this stage? It defied belief! Surrender the City of Supernaturals within ten days... At this thought, Lin Hongyu wore a tragic expression. She had originally believed that even if three seven-element experts appeared, she would not need to fear them by joining forces with Jade Flute and Sunset. After all, seven-element experts could not unleash their full might in the outside world. Even if they possessed methods to evade spatial slicing, their strength would be severely compromised. Yet today... what she witnessed was beyond comprehension. She felt utterly lost. She had always believed she was the most talented martial master in the realm—reaching the peak of six elements at thirty, protecting her meridians with divine weapons, and standing as one of the strongest martial masters of the era. Divine abilities were nothing to boast of! She had believed supernatural seven elements were nothing special either, but today, she realized that seven-element supernaturals could be frighteningly powerful. Neither side had expected this encounter. Yet the outcome left Lin Hongyu in shivering despair. How could Li Hao be this strong? Even Redwood's clone was gone! Myriad thoughts raced through Lin Hongyu's mind. Abandoning her journey to Jade Flute Sacred Mountain, she fled at top speed toward the City of Supernaturals! Now, perhaps... only that place could bring her any sense of security. Even the City of Supernaturals was not entirely safe; only the nearby Lin clan secret realm could offer safety, for Redwood's true body stood guard there. ... In the desert, Li Hao chuckled. Not bad! Taking a casual stroll had yielded unexpected spoils. That was quite pleasant, and the fight hadn't even been strenuous. The tree clone had practically committed suicide; otherwise, had it truly fought inside the Five Elements Domain, killing it without Little Tree's clone in hand would have been quite an ordeal. Of course, Li Hao was invincible outside. He could have retracted the Five Elements Domain on his own, though the tree might have escaped then. "Going out and having benefits delivered right to my door... I wonder if that woman will actually lead a million people to surrender within ten days?" Li Hao had only said it offhand. It didn't matter if they didn't surrender; he would wipe them out sooner or later! Now that the tree had lost a Peak Realm clone, Li Hao was even considering whether to march straight over and destroy its true body. With a soft laugh, Li Hao soared through the sky and departed. Long after they had both left, someone arrived at the scene. The shattered void had already knit back together. The newcomer inspected the surroundings carefully and murmured in disbelief, "Space was shattered... Who did this?" A mutual destruction? Power exceeding the limits of heaven and earth had been unleashed, causing the void to rupture. Was it the clone of a demon plant, the clone of a demon beast, or something else? As for the people of this era... who possessed such capability? The three seven-element experts on the list were all supposedly staying put in their nests. ... Silver Moon. Li Hao moved with astonishing, almost unbelievable speed. In a buoyant mood, the journey felt effortless. He went neither to White Moon City nor anywhere else, heading straight for Cat Head Mountain. In an instant, the Imperial Palace temporary lodge ruins opened. Little Tree's true body swayed gently, radiating confusion. "You... returned?" Where is my clone? Without the clone's return, Little Tree had no way of knowing what had transpired on the other side unless the two merged again. Li Hao smiled. "I'm back, and I brought you some good food!" As the words fell, an incomparably rich surge of origin power drifted forth. Little Tree was stunned! "This..." "I ran into a Redwood clone on the road just now and killed it along the way." Little Tree was utterly dumbfounded. Sensing that dense origin power, its shock was beyond words. Killed it along the way? This... with so much origin power, the opponent's strength was likely not inferior to its own clone. And Li Hao hadn't even been carrying its clone! Under such circumstances, how could he possibly slay a clone with Peak Realm combat power? Little Tree even forgot to rejoice, asking in utter disbelief, "You... you killed it?" "Yeah." "Your... your strength improved? But..." "Senior will understand once you see your clone later. You should make haste and advance yourself, Senior; right now, your clone might not be weaker than your true body. Consider this origin power a greeting gift. I'll trouble you to cultivate another batch of food for me—the more the better!" Little Tree's shock knew no bounds. My clone advanced too? Just what did Li Hao and the others do? While Little Tree remained in a state of utter shock, Li Hao glanced toward the hazy Imperial Palace lodge nearby. Recalling how Little Tree had suppressed everything using the projection of the Imperial Palace, it truly was formidable. This Imperial Palace likely still held the lingering Dao resonance of a Great Emperor. Even without any treasures, it remained a sacred ground. Seeing Li Hao look toward the Imperial Palace, Little Tree grew somewhat nervous. Yes, nervous. It feared Li Hao might set his sights on the Imperial Palace. Right now, it could not gauge Li Hao's depths at all. Especially after hearing that Li Hao had casually slaughtered a Peak Realm Redwood clone, Little Tree grew intensely anxious. It had never expected Li Hao to become this terrifyingly powerful in such a short span of time. "Rest easy, Senior!" Li Hao chuckled. "I'm only looking. I harbor no ill intentions. Whether it's an emperor's lodge or a human king's lodge... to me, they are merely ancient relics without much value." His strength might still be modest, but his horizons had expanded. It was only a temporary lodge, after all! If it were the true Imperial Palace, he might have had a sliver of interest. "Senior, please help me cultivate more grain. I'll take my leave first and make a trip to Battle Heaven City. I want to see if using the trunk of an Immortal Realm demon plant can revive General Huai..." "Immortal Realm?" "Yeah. A few days ago, working together with your clone, Senior, we killed an Immortal Realm demon plant—one of the ten guardian demon plants of Heavenly Star Town from back then. It was a coconut tree... Golden Palm." Little Tree was staggered beyond measure, even feeling a chill of dread. How could that be possible! They killed an Immortal Realm true body! The next moment, Little Tree's mental energy trembled. "Li... Li Hao, isn't the outside world incapable of accommodating the Peak Realm?" "Yeah." "Then..." "I can!" Well then. Little Tree was rendered utterly speechless. As for how he could, it did not know and dared not ask further. At this moment, only shock and an inexplicable dread remained. Li Hao's strength practically transformed by the day. It was genuinely terrified. "Senior, I shall take my leave now..." "Then... do you not need the Spring of Life anymore?" Little Tree pulsed its mental energy: "With so much origin power, I can provide you with some Spring of Life..." "No need!" Li Hao smiled. "Senior, just focus on cultivating grain. If General Huai revives, conversion will be much faster. If he doesn't revive, your clone is over there, and its conversion speed is quite fast now as well..." With that, Li Hao vanished from the spot. Little Tree suddenly felt a surge of urgency. I... don't seem to be that important anymore. As for the clone being over there, it currently had no idea of the clone's status. Li Hao had gone out without even bringing the clone along. That was absolute confidence—confidence that he would come to no harm even without the clone by his side. Sure enough, running into a Peak Realm clone on the road, he had still slaughtered it on the spot! This was too horrifying! "What should I do?" Moreover, he was heading to revive General Huai right now. Once General Huai revived, what role would be left for it? Little Tree was frantic. It had finally latched onto Li Hao's coattails, even severing half of its origin, but who could have foreseen that his progress would be so rapid that even that half of its origin might no longer be needed... This filled it with frantic anxiety. Throughout history, perhaps only the people of the Human King's era possessed such fortune and talent. He was advancing even faster! ... Li Hao was oblivious to Little Tree's panic. Speaking that way was partly meant as a deterrent to keep these demon plants from entertaining inappropriate thoughts. Now that the secondary recovery could erupt at any time, Li Hao was willing to converse more with the demon plants he was familiar with and had cooperated with in the past, rather than the unfamiliar ones. He simply wanted them to harbor no stray thoughts. Before long, Li Hao arrived at Cross-Cut Gorge. Guards still manned the perimeter outside the gorge. Yet the place was far quieter now. With Li Hao campaigning across the four directions in Heavenly Star, Silver Moon had become much more peaceful. Ordinary supernaturals dared not step foot into Silver Moon anymore. Winter had arrived. Within the gorge, pure white snow blanketed the ground. The supernaturals stationed here had grown somewhat lax, as Silver Moon had been uneventful recently. When a figure appeared in the sky, everyone froze. At first they were tense, but the next moment, excitement and reverence took over: "Minister Li!" Li Hao smiled and nodded. "You've all worked hard!" "Not at all!" A Night Patrol expert quickly rushed over... well, the so-called expert was merely at the Three Suns level. Li Hao remembered him—a deputy minister of the Night Patrol, Director He, a water-attribute supernatural. "Minister Li, are you... entering the ruins?" "Yeah!" This time, Li Hao chose not to conceal himself. He smiled and said, "No need to notify the others; I'll be leaving shortly..." "Understood!" Director He nodded hurriedly. Li Hao was their ultimate superior now; no one held greater authority than him. Even the Night Patrol headquarters had been integrated into the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office. Watching Li Hao enter the ruins, everyone felt a wave of wistfulness. Li Hao had left White Moon City not long ago, yet once he went out, he had soared to the heavens, deterring every corner of the dynasty and slaying countless experts, sending divine ability cultivators raining down in death. This was something none of them had anticipated. ... Battle Heaven City. In an instant, Director Wang sensed something and appeared near the city gates. In the distance, a figure emerged. Li Hao looked up at the colossal locust tree, far larger than the palm tree—so vast he could not even see its end. "General Huai, I'll enter the city first and come find you later!" With that, Li Hao strode forward. General Huai showed no reaction whatsoever, making it impossible to tell whether he was in deep slumber. Li Hao stepped forward, appearing near the city gates in an instant. The three regiment commanders were surprised. So fast! Divine radiance flickered within Director Wang's golden armor. "You're back?" "Yeah!" Li Hao smiled. "Director, long time no see!" A long time? Director Wang was somewhat puzzled. It hadn't been long at all—had a month even passed? Just about. Could such a brief span be called a long time? "You..." Director Wang glanced at Li Hao but couldn't discern anything. Upon entering the ruins, Li Hao had thoroughly restrained his five-element divine abilities, tucking them into secondary space. He looked no different from before, possessing only two-element divine abilities. That had been Li Hao's displayed strength during his last visit. This time, there seemed to be no change. Yet Director Wang sensed that this fellow was somewhat different. Li Hao appeared far more confident and powerful than before. Li Hao glanced at Director Wang and made an assessment: he didn't know whether Director Wang had been in the Peak Realm or the Immortal Realm in the past, but right now, his strength was not particularly overwhelming. Back then, he had seemed invincible only because everyone else was too weak. Looking at him now, Director Wang was at most barely at the Peak Realm. Comparable to the clone of the great tree he had just killed. He seemed... a bit weak. Right at this moment, Li Hao's eyes suddenly flashed with divine light. Looking toward the interior of the city, he raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Senior, please don't stare at me like that; it's quite uncomfortable..." Director Wang was surprised. "What's wrong with looking at you?" "I wasn't talking to you, Director." "..." Director Wang froze. The next instant, he realized what was happening. Sure enough, a voice rippled through the void: "You... surprise me greatly." Li Hao bowed slightly. "Senior flatters me!" "..." Director Wang was flabbergasted, turning his head toward the Tortoise Tower. The guardian divine weapon was speaking to Li Hao! What was going on? "Director, open the gates... I'm heading in." "..." Director Wang was utterly stunned, at a loss for words. His image of an esteemed senior seemed to have barely lasted before this fellow started treating him with little regard. What in the world was happening? The city gates swung wide open. Li Hao looked up at the two characters, "Battle Heaven," his heart stirring. Perhaps... he could gain something this time. The words "Battle Heaven" had been personally penned by a Sovereign of the ancient civilization, containing the Sovereign's Dao. In the past, he hadn't understood it, only catching a few illusions. Yet this time, perhaps he could look again. He might be able to comprehend something, and if he could transform those two characters into his own divine characters... it would certainly bring him immense gains. Li Hao strode into the city. The three regiment commanders appeared in an instant as well. Divine light flared in Li Hao's eyes. Taking a look, he sighed inwardly. This time, he could see it clearly. Armament spirits! The three regiment commanders were truly dead, having transformed into armament spirits. Black Armor had previously mentioned that true Neo-Martial experts would rather possess a divine weapon—transforming into an armament spirit—than possess a human body... Now, Li Hao believed it. So many martial masters and supernaturals had entered from the outside before; if they truly wanted to seize bodies, why would they reduce themselves to armament spirits? It seemed... these true Neo-Martial people had their own convictions and pride. "Three commanders... long time no see!" The three regiment commanders were also dumbfounded. Long time no see? It hasn't been long at all! Has your memory gone haywire? "Uh, yeah... long time no see..." They felt somewhat awkward. When had Li Hao become so flamboyant? Yes, flamboyant. Not quite, though—it was genuine, boundless confidence surging from the depths of his heart. It wasn't that he could run rampant through Battle Heaven City, but rather that after slaying an ancient demon plant, he had shed that instinctual dread toward the experts of the ancient civilization. Believing the ancient civilization was invincible had been his mindset in the past. Now, he thought: I can kill ancient demon plants too! Director Wang was also thoroughly astonished, remaining silent for a long while. Meanwhile, Li Hao looked toward the Tortoise Tower inside the city. He had sensed a wisp of mental energy probing him earlier. Seeing it now, this Tortoise Tower... was extraordinary. Was it the spirit of an ancient divine weapon? Such a powerful ancient divine weapon? One had to know that even a Saint's weapon was only so-so. His own Starry Sky Sword didn't seem to display overwhelming might either, yet this Tortoise Tower... was unusual. A treasure of Battle Heaven City? The Wang family's tortoise? Previously, he had assumed the Black Tortoise Seal was one of the eight divine weapons. Could he have been mistaken—was the true Black Tortoise Seal actually this Tortoise Tower? Thoughts flashed through his mind, but Li Hao was in no rush to discuss other matters. Instead, he smiled and said, "This subordinate has just returned and must first report to the barracks to see the Division Commander. I will call on the Director later!" "..." Everyone was bewildered. Previously, this fellow had avoided the barracks like the plague. Yet today, the moment he returned, he headed straight for the military camp. No longer afraid of the Division Commander? How bizarre! Director Wang could hardly object, nodding. "Fine, go make your report first..." Before he finished, Li Hao had vanished. He had truly gone to the barracks! "What a strange fellow!" Director Wang muttered. Beside his ear, the old tortoise's voice drifted over: "This boy has gained quite a bit; he's no ordinary lad! I sensed something on him... Not long ago, he might have slain a Peak Realm expert!" "..." Director Wang froze. "I cannot tell if it was a true body or just a clone... but he must have slain one. I sensed lingering slaughter qi, accompanied by the bitter resentment and grievance of a dying Peak Realm expert. It must have happened very recently, or it wouldn't be this distinct!" Director Wang was filled with disbelief: "How is that possible?" The next instant, a thought struck him: "That Imperial Palace guard? Last time, a clone followed him..." "I don't know. Perhaps... not." The old tortoise said no more. It hadn't sensed the Imperial Palace guard's presence, so the being might not be on Li Hao's person. ... Inside the barracks. A group of red armors saluted Li Hao one after another. A regiment commander was an officer, after all. Meanwhile, Li Hao headed straight for the headquarters building of the Ninth Division. At this moment, he felt a surge of excitement. His nightmare was about to end! The Ninth Division Commander, a former Peak Realm expert, heheh... how much combat power did he still have today? Back then, you knocked me flat with a single punch. Today... I'm back! Li Hao strode forward with commanding steps into the building, roaring at the top of his lungs outside the office door, "Regiment Commander Li Hao of the Twelfth Regiment, Ninth Division, returning to report for duty! Greetings, Division Commander!" The shout reverberated with immense volume! The office doors swung open on their own without any wind. Inside, the Golden Division Commander seemed perpetually occupied. At this moment, he looked up, golden light flickering in his eyes. "Shouting so loudly—do you feel you finally have the backbone for it?" Li Hao snapped his heels together with a loud *clack* and shouted, "As a soldier, one must speak loudly and observe proper decorum! Only sissies speak softly! Division Commander, I've come to report!" "..." The Golden Division Commander stared at Li Hao for a long while before speaking: "Mm, acknowledged. Dismissed!" Li Hao refused to budge, shouting, "Division Commander, I wish to reclaim the rank of general!" The Division Commander paused, taken aback. Li Hao shouted, "As a descendant of the Li family, according to what you said that day, I am qualified to be conferred the rank of general, yet you withheld it! Division Commander, I believe I am now ready to reclaim the rank of general!" The Ninth Division Commander nearly laughed from exasperation. "On what grounds?" Li Hao shouted at maximum volume, "Rules! These are the rules of Battle Heaven City! As a member of the Li family, I am entitled to this treatment!" "..." The Ninth Division Commander looked Li Hao up and down, then chuckled. "Mm, full of confidence. Not bad! Slew a few experts outside, did you, and now you think you're omnipotent? Proud and complacent..." "Do you think... I'm like that Wang fellow?" Li Hao froze. The Ninth Division Commander rose to his feet, an air of cold detachment settling over him. "A soldier... should never be so conceited! Li Hao, do not think yourself strong. Remember... you are still nothing more than a weakling!" In an instant, Li Hao felt heaven and earth crumbling! His five divine characters manifested immediately, and his seven-element divine abilities erupted. Yet at that very moment, an overwhelmingly terrifying sword intent exploded from the Ninth Division Commander! ... At the city gates. Director Wang blinked. "That fellow is losing his temper?" Back then, that man had been an expert at the corps commander level. It was only because disaster struck Battle Heaven City that his promotion was cut short; otherwise, he would have advanced long ago. The frontline army had already issued his appointment letter, slating him to command an entire army corps—a fact Director Wang knew full well. Unfortunately, Battle Heaven City lost contact with the outside world soon after. Over the endless years, he had remained stuck as the Ninth Division Commander, never having another chance to take the field. Was he... going to beat Li Hao to death this time? ... *Boom!* Li Hao only felt a sword slash into his mind, plunging heaven and earth into chaos. Beside his ear, the Ninth Division Commander's indifferent voice echoed: "That's all? Strength barely rivaling the Peak Realm? Back in the day, someone with this level of strength was mediocre even for a regiment commander. Where did you get the nerve to demand a promotion to division commander?" "A mere half-step Peak Realm, yet one would think you'd become a Great Saint of the mortal realm!" *Boom!* A single punch! With a loud crash, Li Hao slammed into the wall and slid slowly to the floor. The Ninth Division Commander pulled back his fist, stating blandly, "Your physical body is pitifully frail, your five elements' energy is forcibly fused with glaring flaws, and your mental energy is thoroughly average. Only that so-called force of yours is somewhat worth looking at. Is that all you have?" "..." Li Hao stared at him blankly. Why? Impossible! I can fight the Immortal Realm now! I just casually slaughtered a Peak Realm clone! Have you fully revived? "How much combat power do you think your so-called Immortal Realm actually had?" As if reading Li Hao's thoughts before Li Hao could shield his mind, the Ninth Division Commander said coolly, "The Immortal Realm in your eyes was nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs! It was merely an auxiliary guardian demon plant of a military garrison; after countless ages, how much combat power could it possibly retain? Any division commander of a main force army would never fear it! Any corps commander could slaughter it with ease!" "In Heavenly Star Town, the only demon plant with real combat capability was that Bramble Rose! And even then, in its prime, it had to bow its head before me! Little fellow, as a person... don't be so arrogant!" "..." Li Hao stared at him in a daze. In its prime, a formidable guardian demon plant—said to have been at the peak of the Immortal Realm—had to bow its head before you? Aren't you... just a division commander? At best, a division commander should only be at the peak of the Peak Realm, right? At this moment, Li Hao's mind was reeling, the nightmare returning in full force. Why... did I get beaten up again? The Ninth Division Commander returned to his desk, pulled out a sheet of paper, and swiftly brushed several large characters: *Arrogant and tyrannical, carried away by success, beyond grooming. Recommend expulsion from the Battle Heaven Army ranks!* "..." Li Hao saw it—the man was probably showing it to him deliberately. Li Hao sprang up instantly: "Wait, don't—" "Mind your manners!" "Reporting, Division Commander, I was wrong!" "..." The Ninth Division Commander looked at him for a good while before finally saying, "Get out!" "Sir, yes sir!" Li Hao turned and bolted, his face a portrait of helplessness. Was this guy really just a division commander? When people died, their strength declined drastically. Why did this man seem even stronger than before? What kind of monster was he?!