Battle Heaven City.
The city was livelier and more bustling than before.
Following General Huai's awakening, he naturally drew upon the nearby void energy. Although Silver Moon had very little energy to speak of, the energy of heaven and earth was continually reviving, allowing him to extract a trickle.
As a result, Battle Heaven City was also in a stage of resurgence.
However, the pace was unimaginably slow.
Perhaps hundreds or thousands of years from now, the city would fully recover, provided energy continued to exist. For these ancient beings, centuries or millennia were not so distant. They were in no hurry and took things in stride.
Life in Battle Heaven City was peaceful and tranquil.
Ever since everyone learned that Li Hao had reached a cooperative agreement with the city, the people of Silver Moon had ceased entering, and guards remained stationed outside the ruins.
At this moment, some of the guards had stopped watching the city gates.
A few soldiers were busy repairing houses within the city.
The buildings in the outer city had also been fully restored.
Though everything here could mend itself over time, the rate was painfully slow. Having nothing better to do, the soldiers found tasks to occupy themselves.
Just then, Director Wang, who was still busy working inside the city, raised his head and looked outside.
He seemed somewhat bewildered.
In the next instant, Old Turtle materialized, looking every bit like that director of educational affairs from Yuanping Martial Arts University.
*Why is he back again?*
If he did not come, they wished he would visit more often. Yet when he came too frequently, these ancient people could not help but grumble. *Why keep running here every two or three days? Do you have nothing else to do?*
Last time, he had stayed for a week and carted off countless treasures.
Now he was back already. *Are you trying to pick Battle Heaven City clean?*
Outside the outer city, General Huai also wore an odd expression.
*Why is he here again?*
At that moment, the newly arrived Li Hao bellowed like a striking bronze bell, his laughter ringing out, "Seniors, I've come to see you!"
His voice was deafening!
All across the city, those working, slumbering, or cultivating turned their eyes toward the outside. Some felt helpless, while others were overjoyed—like Zhang Liang in the Quartermaster Department. If he had possessed a face, he would have broken into a massive grin.
*My beloved Division Commander Li is here!*
Only yesterday, he had received the endorsement of the guardian demon plant and guardian divine weapon, earning a battlefield promotion to head of the Quartermaster Department. Aside from the title and a swap to golden armor, he had gained nothing else.
Yet it was enough.
To achieve in death what he had never accomplished in life—how could he not rejoice?
If he had not been duty-bound to oversee the Quartermaster Department, he would have flown straight out to welcome their lovely, respectable Division Commander Li.
***
General Huai's figure manifested, wearing a strained smile. "The Eleventh Division Commander has returned."
"Thank you for your hard work, General Huai!"
Li Hao nodded and beamed brilliantly, looking every bit like an inspecting dignitary.
General Huai was left momentarily speechless.
Soon, Li Hao said, "General, please come into Battle Heaven City in a moment. I have a major announcement to make and want to hold a brief meeting."
"..."
*You want to hold a meeting?*
*What kind of meeting could you possibly hold?*
*Besides, since when is it your turn to call a meeting in Battle Heaven City?*
*Where do you get the nerve?!*
Despite the endless gripes running through his mind, General Huai was ancient and shrewd. Coupled with the shameless temperament inherited from his ancestor and the ancestor's bonded Sovereign Emperor, he kept all those thoughts bottled up.
"Very... well."
"Good. I trouble the general to make the trip!" Li Hao chuckled. "Then I'll head into the city first."
With that, he strode away.
Watching him depart, General Huai smiled and shook his head. *The young truly brim with vigor. We're all old now.*
***
At the city gates, Li Hao spotted the three regimental commanders and called out, "Commanders, head to the City Lord's Estate for a meeting shortly!"
The three looked at one another. *A meeting?*
*What in the world?!*
*We've been dead for countless ages. Even when orders are issued, they come directly through our armor. Since when do we sit down for meetings?*
Ignoring their confusion, Li Hao pressed on toward the city's interior.
***
After a brief walk, he reached the City Lord's Estate.
The Turtle Tower still stood tall.
The interior remained dim, though somewhat brighter than before.
Director Wang stood right before the gates of the estate, gazing at Li Hao with an inquiring look that clearly asked: *What are you here for?*
"Greetings, Director!"
Li Hao brought his foot down with a sharp stomp, causing the ground beneath them to tremble.
Director Wang sighed in resignation. "Greetings, Eleventh Division Commander."
"Director Wang, please issue an immediate notice to convene an emergency wartime meeting!"
"..."
Seeing Director Wang remain silent, Li Hao added, "As a division commander and one of the current highest military commanders, I have the authority to convene an emergency wartime meeting."
*One of the highest military commanders?*
*Fine!*
Technically, he was.
Director Wang was at a loss for words. Still, nobody had much to do right now, and having something to pass the time was harmless enough. *This brat is just begging for a beating. The Ninth Division Commander is definitely going to pummel him later.*
*Fine. You want a meeting? I'll give you a meeting.*
He did not bother trying to talk Li Hao out of it. If Li Hao insisted on courting death, what could he do?
The golden armor emitted a faint luminescence.
An emergency wartime meeting was convened!
In an instant, figures soared into the air.
From the military barracks, the Ninth Division Commander, Zhang Liang, and a figure clad in red armor took flight, speeding toward the estate. The red armor belonged to the Oversight Guard, indicating an awakened officer from their ranks, though Li Hao did not know the exact rank.
By the city gates, the three regimental commanders—barely qualifying to attend—also rose into the air and flew over.
General Huai stepped through the sky, wearing an expression of weary helplessness. *He truly has too much time on his hands.*
Old Turtle manifested directly. He shot Li Hao a glance, then turned toward Black Panther beside him, his eyes carrying a hint of warning: *Dog, you didn't even try to talk him down? When you get thrashed later, don't expect me to help you.*
In mere moments, everyone converged on the hall with remarkable speed.
Even with the city in ruins, once an emergency wartime meeting was declared, standard protocol kicked in. No matter how much they cursed inwardly, the meeting had to be held.
***
Inside the grand hall of the City Lord's Estate, Director Wang took the central seat. He served as the acting city lord, overseeing all affairs of the city, even if his personal strength was not overwhelmingly high.
Soon, General Huai arrived and took a seat opposite Old Turtle, flanking the room to the left and right.
The two venerable figures sat in solemn alignment.
A moment later, the Ninth Division Commander arrived and sat beside General Huai. A pair of red glows beamed from his visor, fixing upon Li Hao in absolute silence.
Before long, Zhang Liang walked in, clad in golden armor. Li Hao almost failed to recognize him until Zhang Liang sent a mental transmission: "Welcome back, Eleventh Division Commander!"
"..."
"Director Zhang is too kind!"
Li Hao grinned. The man's promotion had certainly lifted his spirits.
The red-armored figure sat quietly below, silent and virtually devoid of presence.
The three regimental commanders arrived swiftly as well. They offered a crisp salute before taking their seats at the lower end.
Director Wang turned to Li Hao. "Eleventh Division Commander, take a seat as well! You convened this meeting, so I hope you are not playing games. As a premier city, Battle Heaven City only deliberates major affairs in emergency wartime sessions. If... there is no critical matter and this was convened frivolously, you will face punishment under military law."
The Ninth Division Commander added coldly, "If anyone treats military law as a game, I will teach him that military law is anything but!"
Li Hao flashed a brilliant smile and made no move to sit, speaking up directly: "We are all straightforward men here. Let's not waste time on pointless nonsense!
"Right now, the second resurgence is drawing near, yet Battle Heaven City's recovery remains far from ideal. Heavenly Star Island's recovery far outpaces ours. Once the second resurgence officially begins, even if we draw a bit of energy, Silver Moon has so many demon plants—how much can we siphon, and how much can we recover?"
Li Hao cleared his throat. "Because of this, we cannot just sit idly by and wait for death!"
He continued in a grave voice, "Battle Heaven City may have fallen quiet, but its battle spirit remains! Can the humans, the powerhouses, the soldiers of the Neo-Martial era sit around in this city all day waiting to die? Would that still be worthy of the name Neo-Martial?"
"..."
Silence filled the room.
*What utter nonsense. You think we want to live like this? But what choice do we have?*
Li Hao launched into his critique: "Ninth Division Commander, you are the foremost military officer of Battle Heaven City. Have you ever considered how to save ourselves? You spend all day holed up in your office reading documents. Can reading paperwork save Battle Heaven City?
"Did Neo-Martial teach you to loaf around in an office and wait to die?"
"..."
The Ninth Division Commander bristled with irritation, but held his tongue.
Li Hao pressed on: "Let me ask you: over all these years, did you ever consider stepping outside to save yourself?"
"..."
Director Wang cleared his throat. "Eleventh Division Commander, it isn't that we refuse to save ourselves. We awakened only recently, and... we cannot go out. The external space is far too unstable."
"I know that!" Li Hao frowned. "Do you think I'm blind to it? But if demon beasts and plants can sever an origin clone, why can't humans? If I recall correctly, humans can do so as well. Why have you human seniors never considered this? Slacking off, lacking all ambition, less daring than the demon plants?"
"..."
Helpless, Director Wang could only explain, "We are somewhat different from the demon plants. Their true bodies remain intact; even if they sever a portion, their foundation remains unshaken. As for us... only mental power remains. If we sever a portion and it gets destroyed, the resulting backlash could annihilate us completely."
Li Hao had struck right at their sore spot.
Did his words make sense?
Somewhat.
Yet it was also complete rubbish. They wanted to venture out and save themselves too, but could they actually pull it off? One misstep meant utter obliteration.
Li Hao nodded. "That reason... is barely passable. So, if there were a stable, reasonably safe method, you would all be willing to step outside and save yourselves?"
Director Wang nodded.
Li Hao nodded as well. "Good. I thought the Neo-Martial spirit had been ground out of you, reducing you to like that fellow at Yuanping Martial Arts University who only knows how to sleep and has no thought of self-salvation. It seems the Battle Heaven spirit still endures!"
"..."
The Ninth Division Commander grew restless and barked, "Is this all this meeting is about?"
"What's the rush?!" Li Hao snapped back.
The Ninth Division Commander nearly flared up right then and there. Fortunately, Director Wang intervened quickly: "Eleventh Division Commander, everyone is busy... get to the point."
Li Hao said in a heavy voice, "Very well, the point. As far as I know, you perished because your physical bodies decayed and your indestructible substance was exhausted, leaving you unable to recover. You can only persist in the form of mental power, or even as armament spirits.
"As long as there is enough indestructible substance, you can still recover. However, aside from the true bodies of demon plants and beasts, the world today can barely produce indestructible substance. The eras are different, and the powers cultivated are different.
"That being the case, as a division commander of Battle Heaven City, I cannot stand by and watch the outside world revive while Battle Heaven City remains dormant. Therefore, I have made a decision..."
Li Hao assumed an expression of absolute solemnity. "I will hunt down those Immortals and Grand Saints, seize their true bodies, and harvest their indestructible substance to revive a military commander—such as the Ninth Division Commander. I will restore his physical body so he can march out to battle alongside me, seeking a path to our revival and Battle Heaven City's restoration..."
The hall fell dead silent.
After a long pause, Old Turtle murmured, "This method... the Eleventh Division Commander has slain an Immortal before and knows how difficult it is. That is the first issue. Second, even if we pursue revival, reviving demon plants would be far more cost-effective at this stage. Restoring a human physical body requires immense expenditure; the cost to revive one human could likely revive three to five demon plants..."
Li Hao countered gravely, "That's not how the math works! Reviving too many demon plants will cause massive ripples and draw the wariness of powerful demon plants. Take General Huai's awakening, for example—it caught the attention of the major cities and the demon plants on Heavenly Star Island. If we revive more demon plants now, first, we won't have enough energy for them to absorb, and second, it will make all factions wary, perhaps even driving them to unite against us.
"Ask General Huai yourself: when he awakened, wasn't the commotion immense? Didn't it draw the gaze of the major cities? Even if you won't say it, I know full well: among the eight major cities, someone may have betrayed us!"
Li Hao pressed on: "Because of this, we cannot continue reviving demon plants. We must take them by surprise, reviving humans to deliver a crushing blow to our enemies! Furthermore, the Neo-Martial era was unified under human rule. Whether it is the vice commander of Heavenly Star Town or the powerhouses of the eight major cities, will they show deference to humans or to demon plants? Humans can communicate across factions far more effectively. When it comes to demon plants, General Huai might not carry more sway or authority than a Neo-Martial division commander, would he?"
At those words, even General Huai nodded slightly in agreement.
That was indeed the reality.
The Ninth Division Commander spoke in a low voice: "So you came all this way just to say this?"
"Correct!" Li Hao nodded. "Precisely this! You never attempt to save yourselves, Ninth Division Commander, and that will not do. To open the Star Gate, return home, and battle the heavens once more, humans must step forward!"
"Do you know how immense the cost is to revive a single human?"
Li Hao shook his head. "I don't. But we can work toward that goal. Should we give up just because the cost is steep? Tell me, Ninth Division Commander: if you had the true bodies of Immortal demon plants like the one before, how many would you need to reforge your physical body?"
The Ninth Division Commander seemed displeased, answering coldly, "Ten!"
"..."
Li Hao's jaw dropped. "Wait, back in the day, you were only at the peak of the Immortal Realm. How could you possibly need so many?"
"First, those demon plants have burned through massive amounts of indestructible substance over the years; they are battered husks! Second, I stood at the peak of the Immortal Realm, while they were only at the early or middle stages. The gap between us was vast to begin with. Third, they are demon plants while I am human—an elite human general at that. The cultivation methods I practiced are superior to theirs, and the indestructible substance I condense is of far higher quality... Fourth..."
He paused briefly. "My mental power is vastly stronger than theirs. Ten is merely my estimate; it might not even be enough!"
"..."
Li Hao was dumbstruck.
Seeing his stunned expression, the Ninth Division Commander smirked beneath his golden helmet.
*Done spouting your grand rhetoric?*
*Have you had your fill yet?!*
*Did you somehow take down another Immortal demon plant, bring back its corpse, and dream of reviving me so I'd risk my neck for you?*
*Dream on!*
Everyone had vaguely figured out Li Hao's little scheme, and amusement rippled through the room.
Li Hao felt a massive headache coming on. Suddenly, he looked at Director Wang: "Then... Director, you wouldn't need that many, would you? You were only an early-stage Immortal."
"What a way to put it!" Director Wang chuckled. "I don't need quite that many. I'm weaker than him, and my mental power isn't as formidable. If I had half his amount—say, five of them—there would be hope for my revival..."
Seeming to enjoy Li Hao's deflation, he chuckled and added, "At this stage, a single true body of an Immortal demon plant is far from enough to revive one of us humans. Reviving a demon plant would be feasible since their true bodies remain intact. Of course, reviving the regimental commanders... might also work, but..."
At this point, he shook his head and sighed. "They have all transformed into armament spirits. If this were earlier, it might have been possible, but now it is exceedingly difficult."
Inside, Li Hao was locked in fierce turmoil. *Why?!*
*I only have enough to revive Director Wang? I refuse to accept this!*
The Ninth Division Commander was stronger, and he was always throwing his weight around. If Li Hao revived him, the man would have no choice but to follow him around like a shadow, or risk getting shredded by spatial rifts.
Yet now, it was impossible.
*You're just an Immortal, and you need ten Immortal corpses to have a shot at revival? What kind of monster are you?!*
A stampede of curses surged through Li Hao's mind.
As for reviving Director Wang... the man wasn't particularly strong.
Just an early-stage Immortal.
The cost to restore an early Immortal's physical body could easily revive five formidable demon plants.
*What a scam!*
Li Hao wrestled with himself. *Should I reveal them? I suddenly don't want to anymore. Maybe... I should just say I have nothing.*
He had arrived brimming with grand ambition, only to be thoroughly deflated. Yet on second thought, Director Wang was not bad either.
At the very least, he was decent and reliable.
At that moment, the Ninth Division Commander grew impatient: "Is this all you called an emergency meeting for?"
Li Hao snorted softly and spoke in a steady cadence, "Of course not! I convened this meeting for the future of Battle Heaven City. If you are this impatient, Ninth Division Commander, how can you command an army?
"Lacking even a shred of patience—is that the temperament of a military commander?"
"..."
The Ninth Division Commander froze. Li Hao had already braced himself for a beating, but to his surprise, after a moment of daze, the Ninth Division Commander nodded slightly. "Having died once, I have indeed been affected. My mental volatility is difficult to suppress, and it has something to do with you as well. Seeing you just makes my blood boil... But you are right. As a man of the military, I shouldn't be like this."
"..."
*I really thought you were about to hit me.*
Seeing that he had not lost his temper, Li Hao felt a spark of delight.
His internal conflict evaporated, and he said in a solemn voice, "For the future of Battle Heaven City, my soldiers and I have braved death without a second thought, all so Battle Heaven City can stand tall across the Silver Moon continent! Therefore, I have made a decision: I will revive Director Wang, allowing him to step out of Battle Heaven City and fight alongside us! For a brighter future, to cross the Star Gate, to return to the primary world, for Neo-Martial, for the Human King, for the people... let us fight together!"
As the words fell, five logs of Immortal demon wood materialized.
The hall plunged into pin-drop silence.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the Immortal demon wood. Director Wang was utterly flabbergasted. *Five?!*
*Where did he get them?*
*Didn't Li Hao leave just a few days ago?!*
The Ninth Division Commander also froze, speechless.
Old Turtle and General Huai exchanged a glance, neither uttering a word.
Zhang Liang looked on, practically swallowing his saliva, murmuring under his breath, "I could actually be revived too, you know..."
*Why did nobody mention me?*
As the former deputy director of the Quartermaster Department, he had possessed considerable strength back in the day; otherwise, how could he have secured the post? Though he had not stepped into the Immortal Realm, he had stood at the peak of the Peak Realm, not necessarily any weaker than Old Wang.
Meanwhile, Director Wang remained completely stunned.
*What does this mean?*
Li Hao said in a grave voice, "Director Wang, as one of the surviving leaders of Battle Heaven City, you have both the responsibility and the duty to contribute to the city! The outside world is perilous, but with me there, I can protect you from the agony of spatial laceration. Of course, there are restrictions; you cannot stray too far from my side. That cannot be helped."
Li Hao sighed. "Though it limits your freedom somewhat, only through this can we hope to restore Battle Heaven City! Powerful enemies surround us now, and out there alone, my strength falls short!
"Of course, if Director Wang is unwilling, we can drop the matter. Coincidentally, I am acquainted with powerhouses from the Zhao Clan's main city. I can go there and revive a human instead, for the future of humanity..."
He then turned to General Huai and said, "General, it is not that Li Hao is unwilling to revive demon plants. First, your true bodies remain intact. Second, during this return, I also plan to transplant several auxiliary generals to Heavenly Star Island. I have slain six Immortal demon plants in total; right now, energy is abundant there, which will allow some of the auxiliary generals to absorb energy on their own, minimizing our resource consumption."
General Huai's heart stirred. Absorbing energy here in Silver Moon was exceedingly difficult; how could his descendants compete against those ancient monsters?
If they were transplanted to Heavenly Star Island... while it might not be as safe as here, there was indeed hope. Reviving on their own would be wonderful.
He offered no objections and nodded slightly.
As for the five demon plant bodies—which could have easily revived five demon plants—General Huai understood Li Hao's reasoning perfectly well. He said nothing; saying too much would only do harm.
A measured degree of wariness was necessary.
Everyone fell into deep contemplation as they stared at the Immortal wood.
After a long while, Director Wang managed to ask in a strained voice, "How... how did you manage this?"
Killing one might be chalked up to luck, but killing so many... in truth, the difficulty was staggering.
This required genuine capability!
"Through struggle and hard work!" Li Hao proclaimed solemnly. "Risking life and limb, fearing no death, for all of you, for our return to the primary world, for the common people... what is there to fear in death?"
"..."
He made it sound so convincing.
Li Hao asked, "Is Director Wang shrinking before hardship?"
"You don't need to goad me..."
Li Hao snapped, "This is a military council, not a game of goading! Let me ask you: do you have the confidence to restore your physical body? Do you have the confidence to fight shoulder to shoulder with me? If not, forget it! This opportunity was bought at immense cost, through the sacrifice of countless people—it is no joke! As a high-ranking official of Battle Heaven City, what kind of talk is that?"
"..."
Director Wang gave a light cough. "My apologies. I spoke thoughtlessly."
Only then did Li Hao nod in satisfaction. "Good. Then I ask you once more: are you willing to be revived?"
Director Wang seemed to struggle internally for a moment, before answering in a solemn, resolute voice, "I am! To fight for Neo-Martial... for humanity!"
He rose to his feet. "Since you have chosen me, I shall not shirk my duty! There is no reason to let a youth who does not belong to the Neo-Martial era sacrifice and bleed for us. We of Neo-Martial... can save ourselves!"
He turned toward the others and declared, "Everyone, since the Eleventh Division Commander has brought these treasures back, I shall take the first step ahead of you all. I will restore my flesh, battle the firmament once more, and let the people of Battle Heaven wage war upon the heavens!"
With that, he reached out to grasp the five logs of Immortal wood!
Li Hao cleared his throat, interrupting him. "Um, I hear a substantial amount of Spring of Life is also required, correct?"
Director Wang blinked, then nodded. "Yes. Indestructible substance is one component, but to restore a physical body, the Spring of Life is equally vital."
"How much is needed?"
Director Wang pondered for a moment, making a calculation, before answering tentatively, "I am an Immortal. To restore an Immortal physical body... well... without ten thousand drops, it will be exceedingly difficult."
*You have it. You took away ten thousand drops just a few days ago.*
Li Hao drew a sharp breath. "Reviving a mere early Immortal takes this many resources? That's enough for me to revive multiple demon plants!"
"..."
Director Wang felt utterly helpless. He had just been brimming with heroic resolve, and now Li Hao was haggling over the bill.
*You were the one who insisted on reviving a human, not me!*
He had no choice but to say, "Well... humans are exceptionally formidable. One against three! Impressive, right?"
"..."
*Still not worth it,*
Li Hao grumbled inwardly. He glanced toward General Huai, but the general turned his head away, refusing to meet his gaze. *Don't look at me. I have nothing; I'm penniless right now.*
"Then... if I revive Director Wang, do I get a promotion?"
"..."
The Ninth Division Commander fumed, "What on earth are you thinking about all day? You're already a division commander—do you want to become a corps commander next?"
*What is he dreaming of?!*
Li Hao was speechless. *I've sacrificed so much!*
Director Wang could only offer, "Well... should we call it off?"
"No! How could I, Li Hao, abandon a task halfway?"
Li Hao felt a pang of reluctance, only hoping that reviving Director Wang would not turn out to be a loss. Once the man ventured outside, he would likely earn it all back for him, right?
Killing a few more demon plants would balance the books.
With a sigh, Li Hao produced a massive vat and scooped out roughly ten thousand drops. Looking at Director Wang, his heart ached. "These are treasures I obtained after brushing against death countless times out there..."
His gains within Battle Heaven City might not even match what he was pouring into it.
Li Hao felt like he had been giving and giving all along—what a tragic fate.
Although Battle Heaven City had provided him with some support, it still felt like a raw deal.
*Fine, consider it an investment.*
Yes, an investment.
To outsiders, it seemed Battle Heaven City was investing in Li Hao. In Li Hao's eyes, the exact opposite was true: right now, he was investing in Battle Heaven City. Outsiders had no idea how many resources he had poured into this place.
As for the aid Battle Heaven City provided, aside from the division commander status, the name of Battle Heaven, and a few suits of armor, it was nowhere near as monumental as the outside world imagined.
Outsiders believed Li Hao had only reached this point by leaning on Battle Heaven City.
In truth, Li Hao had relied far more on the Silver Moon martial masters and Little Tree from the Imperial Palace; those two had provided vastly greater assistance.
Battle Heaven City was well aware of this reality as well.
Seeing Li Hao's pained reluctance, Director Wang could only assure him, "Once I restore my true body, I will help you earn it all back. At this stage, once my flesh is restored, ordinary Immortals will be no match for me! Provided, of course, that I'm not torn apart by space."
He had harbored no such hopes before, but now Li Hao had brought both the Immortal wood and the Spring of Life right to his doorstep.
The chance to restore his physical body was right in front of him.
Could he say he wanted to give it up?
Only a fool would do that!
Li Hao sighed and nodded. "Very well. I hope that once you step outside, Director Wang, you will fight alongside me and seize even more opportunities."
Turning toward the scholar tree, he added, "General Huai, this time I need to take a few auxiliary generals with me. Roughly five or so. Too many wouldn't be good, and I might not be able to protect them all."
General Huai looked at him, pondering briefly. "Five... is feasible. However, their consciousnesses are almost entirely dormant. They will need a measure of origin power or energy to stimulate their awareness... otherwise, it will be difficult for them to absorb energy and recover independently."
Li Hao knew it!
Sure enough, every visit meant bleeding resources.
He nodded. "How much is needed?"
"Not too much. The Spring of Life will suffice. Stimulating their consciousness doesn't take much—um... a few hundred drops will do."
Li Hao cursed inwardly!
*Not too much?!*
Five of them meant several thousand drops.
He had just handed over ten thousand, and now he had to give up thousands more. The spoils from slaying five demon plants had essentially been handed right back to them.
Everyone felt somewhat embarrassed.
For Neo-Martial powerhouses, whatever they needed, they fought for themselves. Now, Li Hao was indeed parting with a staggering quantity of resources. Old Turtle cleared his throat softly: "Eleventh Division Commander, Battle Heaven City is not a taotie that only devours without giving back. Times are difficult for the city right now, but once the second resurgence begins, or once the world can accommodate Battle Heaven City's emergence, the city will surely repay you."
General Huai nodded as well.
The Ninth Division Commander spoke in a deep voice: "The Battle Heaven Army has never taken without giving! Stop looking so stingy. Since you've brought it out, show some magnanimity. Battle Heaven City will remember this debt of gratitude!"
Li Hao smiled. "Look at what you're saying, Ninth Division Commander. Am I the kind of person who does favors expecting repayment?"
*Yes, I am!*
Everyone was speechless.
"Then it's settled. General Huai, please awaken the consciousnesses of those demon plants first and explain the situation to them. Furthermore, as a general, once I venture outside, those auxiliary generals must obey my commands!
"That includes Director Wang. We can discuss matters, but on major decisions, you listen to me. If anyone finds that unacceptable, we drop the plan right now!"
Director Wang said helplessly, "Rest assured!"
He said no more, simply finding Li Hao thoroughly fascinating—pragmatic to the point where one could not even find fault with him.
Li Hao smiled, then looked at the others: "Everyone, if all goes smoothly, I will revive each and every one of you in due time. Do not fret! Battle Heaven City was the first ancient ruin I ever explored, and I have joined your ranks. We are family. When there are benefits, my very first thought is of you all, not outsiders.
"The Battle Heaven spirit endures forever. Battle Heaven City will surely be the first among the eight major cities to achieve full revival..."
After speaking for a while, Li Hao turned back to Director Wang: "Director, please revive as quickly as possible. I don't have much time and must rush back. I have matters to attend to outside and will return in one day. Is that enough time for your revival?"
"More or less!"
"Then I shall take my leave. Meeting dismissed!"
With that, Li Hao turned and left, leaving behind another three thousand drops of Spring of Life as he walked out.
His stash of twenty-five thousand drops had dwindled to twelve thousand in the blink of an eye.
Now, he still needed to visit Little Tree and give it origin power to absorb as a reward.
Additionally, he had to look for Huang Yu.
As for the proceedings here, he had no interest in watching the revival process. He could already guess how it worked, and sticking around would only waste time.
Only after Li Hao departed did the group exchange bewildered glances. After a long silence, Old Turtle finally spoke: "We thought this fellow would still have to rely on us, but... it has defied all expectations. His growth has been terrifyingly swift, slaying five Immortal demon plants in such a short span. Someone else must have assisted him.
"Director Wang, recover as quickly as you can. Once you're out there... see if you can accomplish something. We've nearly lost all face for the people of Neo-Martial."
Director Wang felt awkward. "I'll do my best, but I probably won't be able to stray too far from him. We'll see how things go!"
The Ninth Division Commander said in a heavy tone, "Once you go out, you have only one mission: find out which of the major cities betrayed us. That's all!"
"You..."
The Ninth Division Commander said coldly, "Just because nobody mentions it doesn't mean it didn't happen! What's the point of playing dumb and deceiving ourselves? Aside from that mission, there is only one rule: follow Li Hao's arrangements. He is a military officer, and in wartime, you are subject to military command!"
Director Wang was speechless. "My rank isn't lower than his."
"That won't help you!"
The Ninth Division Commander could not be bothered to argue further, rising to his feet to leave. "Wang, remember this: the people of Neo-Martial have already died once. We do not fear a second death. I hope that after this revival, your character won't undergo a qualitative degradation!"
"You don't need to worry about that. It wasn't your money that paid for my revival—why stick your nose into it?!"
"..."
The Ninth Division Commander was left speechless. Sneering at the brazen bastard, he mocked, "In the end, you're still relying on my Sword Venerable lineage to revive. Capital Martial... is useless!"
"..."
*Screw you!* Director Wang cursed inwardly, shooting back with a sneer of his own: "If you're so capable, why didn't you step up? If he really brought ten logs of Immortal wood, you'd have to listen to him, follow him around, and run his errands! Heh, direct lineage of Demon Martial, the Sword Venerable branch, a collateral branch of the Li family—yet in the end, you still have to rely on a descendant of the Li family countless generations removed! If I were you, I'd stuff myself into a latrine pit!"
"You bastard!"
"Guardians, you see this! He wants to raise a hand against me! I am the acting city lord—striking me is rebellion! Are you two guardians just going to sit by and do nothing?!"
Director Wang shouted at the top of his lungs as sword intent surged terrifyingly from the Ninth Division Commander.
The two guardians exchanged a glance, and in the next instant, both vanished from the hall.
A flurry of violent clattering and thumping immediately erupted within the City Lord's Estate.
Before long, the Ninth Division Commander took to the sky and departed.
Inside the hall, a suit of golden armor lay severed into dozens of pieces. A spectral spirit drifted upward, carrying a hint of aggrieved misery.
Old Turtle's voice drifted in: "He did it for your own good. That golden armor was on the verge of fusing with you completely. I was just wondering how to peel it off; he did the job for you, which is wonderful."
Director Wang cursed vehemently, "Is this how someone peels it off?!"
Yet cursing was all he could do; he could not beat the man in a fight.
"Hmph, wait until I restore my flesh—just you wait!"
With that, the spectral spirit shouldered the five massive logs and vanished. Old Turtle let out a quiet sigh. *Even if you restore your flesh... you still won't be his match. That fellow's mental power is only growing stronger by the day.*
Chapter 278