The East Wind Has Arrived

Li Hao altered his course and returned to Heavenly Star City. Meanwhile, within a certain ancient ruin... Darkness enveloped the land, but a gleam of radiance rose from within a city, illuminating its expanse. The city was by no means small. At this moment, inside a colossal hall at the center of the city, a dark silhouette emerged, carrying an air of depression and discontent. His voice was low and grim. "Are those Silver Moon people still lingering nearby?" "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, they are!" A voice swiftly responded from the shadows. "Not only that, but they may have already pinpointed our general location. Over the past few days, the range of their search has been drawing closer and closer to our Fengyun Pavilion's entrance!" "Useless trash!" the dark figure cursed under his breath. Utterly useless! It was humiliating. Their very first formal appearance had met with setbacks; a problem had occurred with the Fengyun Ranking, and immediately following that, Li Hao and his faction had rapidly locked onto their whereabouts, swiftly rooting out their scouts in the outside world one by one. Fengyun Pavilion had remained dormant for years, intending to shock the entire world the moment it emerged. Who would have guessed they would cross paths with Li Hao, only to be relentlessly hounded by that mad dog? Indeed, a mad dog. In his eyes, Li Hao was a rabid hound—catching a mere whiff of their scent and refusing to let go. He ignored the Nine Departments, ignored the royal family, ignored the Three Great Organizations, and even set aside his blood feud with Ying Hongyue. For the past half-month, he had fixated solely on Fengyun Pavilion. From the moment the undercover operatives above were eliminated, he knew that Li Hao was tracking them. He simply had not expected the man to narrow down the area so swiftly. Had they not been nestled inside an ancient ruin, they would likely have been unearthed long ago. "Mad dog!" The dark silhouette cursed once more. A ray of light shone from outside, revealing his true visage. His complexion was somewhat pale—the natural consequence of not seeing sunlight for a long time, even if light existed within the ruin. He appeared quite young, though his brow was currently furrowed in clear irritation. Fengyun Pavilion... the Fengyun Ranking. In years past, whenever the Fengyun Ranking was published, the whole world stirred at the news. Daoist Fengyun, wielding the Fengyun Ranking, had been invincible beneath the heavens, hailing from a clan that produced four Sovereigns. The young pavilion master had believed that unveiling the ranking now would allow him to continue that former glory... Yet to fall before achieving victory! What foul luck! Cursing inwardly, displeasure showed on his face. "Li Hao keeps harassing us. Does he truly think we have no way to deal with him? Where are the Eight Divisions?" "Present!" Outside the grand hall, a chorus of hushed shouts echoed as hundreds of powerful figures answered in unison. "If those people dare linger nearby any longer... kill them all!" "Understood!" everyone responded. At this moment, an elder clad in black robes stepped forward within the hall and said softly, "Pavilion Master... should we not reconsider? The Silver Moon martial masters are not weak, and neither is Li Hao. While our Fengyun Pavilion fears no one beneath the heavens, fighting to the death with them right now will only benefit others—especially Red Moon. The forces backing Red Moon are formidable. Li Hao may be our future enemy, but our greatest enemy right now is Red Moon..." "No, no, no, Left Protector, you are mistaken!" The young pavilion master shook his head. "Our greatest enemy right now is actually Li Hao. Red Moon is a future enemy. I know full well that Red Moon has backers behind them, so we can settle accounts with them after the second resurgence. But Li Hao is our greatest trouble right now. He will not wait for the second resurgence; after all, there are too few resurrected powerhouses on Silver Moon's side. Before the second resurgence, he will stir up tremendous trouble for everyone!" The Pavilion Master of Fengyun had judged accurately and did not agree with the Left Protector's reasoning. Fengyun Pavilion possessed three great protectors—the Left, the Right, and the Central Court—all of whom were formidable experts. Yet they did not truly understand Li Hao's circumstances. Just then, an elderly woman stepped forward. Her hair was stark white, and her voice carried a slightly piercing edge. "I, for one, feel the Pavilion Master is entirely correct to make an example of them. Those Silver Moon martial masters are merely a bunch of novices who have just entered the supernatural realm. There is nothing to fear from them..." The two protectors held conflicting views. Within the hall, several people turned their gazes toward the Central Court Protector—a powerhouse who also appeared quite young and happened to be a woman. Noticing the pavilion master looking her way as well, the black-robed woman spoke softly. "The Pavilion Master may decide as he sees fit! Before that, however, we should activate the replica of the Fengyun Treasure Mirror once more to gauge the strength of the Silver Moon experts..." The pavilion master frowned slightly. "It has only been twenty days since the last time." The primary issue was the steep consumption. Each time they scanned the surroundings, the cost was counted in the millions. Although they had plenty of divine energy stones, every activation burned through a staggering figure, and a full month had not even passed yet. Having endured this many days already, he preferred to wait a few more until the end of the month before conducting another probe. The Central Court Protector pressed the matter no further; this was for the pavilion master to decide. She understood his temperament. It was rarely wise for the Left Protector to oppose his decisions. The pavilion master was bent on becoming a second Daoist Fengyun—or at least an existence like him on the Silver Moon continent, ruling over the world. He disliked being restrained, and he despised being provoked. Li Hao had already provoked his wrath. Rejecting his proposal now would not be a wise choice. Seeing that the woman had fallen silent, the pavilion master nodded slightly and looked down at the assembly. "Our Fengyun Pavilion possesses three great protectors, the True Monarchs leading the Eight Divisions, and supernatural experts beyond count. The moment we emerge into the world, we are destined to shock all under heaven! That Li Hao fails to recognize what is good for him. We originally intended to release the Fengyun Ranking to dampen his arrogance and let organizations like Red Moon and the Nine Departments find trouble with him... Yet he refuses to know his place and insists on provoking us. "Since that is the case... we shall slaughter the chickens to scare the monkeys, letting everyone under heaven know that Fengyun Pavilion is the true ancient lineage, mighty beyond measure!" "The Pavilion Master speaks with absolute wisdom!" the assembly echoed in agreement. The pavilion master said no more and waved his hand. Outside the gates, the Eight Divisions swiftly dispersed to hunt down and kill the nearby Silver Moon martial masters. As for exposure... whether they acted or not, they were already exposed. So what if they were? That was only on the outside. If Li Hao and his cohort dared step foot into the ruin, however many came would be however many died. Infuriating! Had the second resurgence not yet commenced, would that brat Li Hao ever have had room to act so arrogant? Brooding over this, the pavilion master dismissed the crowd. *** A short while later, the Pavilion Master of Fengyun walked into the estate's rear courtyard. A towering, snow-white tree stood there. Unlike other demon plants that gleamed with golden-yellow hues, this tree was pure, pristine white. "Pavilion Master." The massive trunk bent slightly, seemingly offering a bow. Back then, a branch director of the Night Patrol had noted that the demon plant here treated the Pavilion Master of Fengyun with unusual deference, leading him to suspect the man was an ancient figure. And now, the great tree truly acted in such a manner. Had Li Hao witnessed this, he too would have been astonished, for it was exceedingly rare for a demon plant to bow to a human. The pavilion master frowned, paying no heed to the tree's posture. He said in a deep voice, "That Li Hao makes progress with every passing day. Venerable White, do you think it is possible that he is the reincarnation of an ancient powerhouse?" A ripple of spiritual intent radiated from the white tree. "That seems unlikely. If he were a reincarnated powerhouse, he ought to have lived within the ruins just like the Pavilion Master, having a chance to awaken only twenty years ago..." Before the tree could finish, the pavilion master snapped in dissatisfaction, "Do not compare me to him! Is he worthy?" The white tree fell silent. It sighed inwardly. Lacking the interplay of yin and yang from the main world, attempting reincarnation within a subsidiary realm was indeed fraught with flaws. During the Neo-Martial era, the master before it had been reasonably wise and discerning. Yet now, he had grown arrogant and conceited. Having slumbered for countless eras only to awaken today, it remained uncertain whether this was a blessing or a curse. The pavilion master dropped the subject and frowned. "Why does using the replica of the Fengyun Treasure Mirror still cost me so much energy even now? My memories tell me that in the past, the consumption was minuscule..." The white tree said softly, "Pavilion Master... even a replica of the Fengyun Treasure Mirror recognizes an owner." "Am I not its master?" the pavilion master demanded in irritation. The white tree paused, then slowly replied, "After undergoing reincarnation, after all, a bit of time is required to adjust and align with it..." "Humph!" The pavilion master was thoroughly displeased. *It is my possession! Even if it belonged to the past me, it is still mine!* Yet using it now demanded a staggering toll, which irritated him endlessly. Otherwise, scanning the world once a day would have been far more to his liking. Now, a single use burned through millions of divine energy stones, nearly exhausting the city's reserves. Frowning, he added, "I plan to head outside... ideally making a trip to Heavenly Star Town. The city's energy reserves are almost depleted. Those useless trash have done nothing but consume energy all these years. I want to visit the energy vein and siphon back some power..." The white tree was rendered speechless. *How has he conceived such an idea again?* "Pavilion Master, it would be best not to. Space is currently unstable..." "I am well aware, but with the Fengyun Treasure Mirror in hand, how could mere spatial rifts harm this seat?" The white tree tried patiently to dissuade him. "Pavilion Master, the mirror has not yet attained full harmony with you..." "That excuse again!" The pavilion master grew increasingly agitated. *Not in full harmony!* If word got out that his own treasure was not in harmony with him, it would become an absolute laughingstock. Seeing this, the white tree continued, "Do not be impatient, Pavilion Master. Once the fabric of heaven and earth stabilizes, your strength will undergo an explosive surge. When that time comes, neither Li Hao nor Red Moon will be worth fretting over. "Across this Silver Moon continent, aside from a select few within Yuanping Martial Arts University, no one possesses status more noble than yours..." Cutting the tree off once more, the youth fumed, "Are they worthy of being compared to me? Are their clans stronger than mine? I am a member of the Hong family! Four Sovereigns from a single clan! Even the Suppressing Star Li family falls short of my Hong family! Even the Fang family—were it not for our Hong family's aid, could their Fang clan ever have become the Lords of the World...?" "Pavilion Master, watch your words!" The white tree trembled slightly. "What is there to fear?" A flicker of apprehension crossed the pavilion master's face, yet remembering something, he let out a sneer. "This is no longer the Neo-Martial era. What are you afraid of? Besides, did I say anything that was not the truth?" During the Neo-Martial era, it was four Sovereigns from his Hong family who had marched to their deaths together, thereby forging the brilliance of the Neo-Martial era. Otherwise, how could there have been such glory? As for the Suppressing Star Li family or the Jiang family, in his eyes, they were nothing more than ordinary. The white tree fell silent. At this moment, it felt all the more that... perhaps something had gone wrong with the pavilion master's reincarnation. He should never have chosen reincarnation in the first place; even retaining a remnant of spiritual power would not have reduced him to this state. Yet now, he was fundamentally altered. Perhaps this was the inherent drawback. Reincarnation brought benefits, but the consequences now appeared severe: the pavilion master actually dared to openly mock the Human King. This was nothing short of courting death! Would the Neo-Martial era truly fall? The white tree did not believe so. Heaven and earth might currently be severed, making perception difficult. But the moment the barrier opened, these very words might be perceived. When that time came, it would not matter if the pavilion master perished—even the Hong family might be dragged into ruin alongside him. That Human King was truly not someone one could lightly provoke. Never mind a mere junior of the Hong family; even if the head of the Hong family scolded him to his face, he might not take offense, but speaking ill of him behind his back required utmost caution. If the Human King were truly provoked, four Sovereigns, five Sovereigns—he would slay them all! Of course, things might not reach such an extreme, but if the Hong family caught wind of this, they would be the first to cut him down! The white tree felt increasingly helpless. Yet certain truths could not be spoken aloud. The youth before it was the true master of this place, while the tree was merely the city's guardian. Its primary directive was to protect him, above all else. Fortunately, the pavilion master harbored a shred of lingering fear and did not dare pursue the topic further. Though he claimed to be fearless, a twinge of regret gnawed at him the moment the words left his mouth. Restless and irritable, as he had been for days, he lost the patience to converse further with the tree. Impatiently, he barked, "Venerable White, give me one thousand drops of life essence. I will cultivate for a few days!" "Pavilion Master..." "Hurry up! Once I conquer that massive mine, I will naturally compensate you!" "Understood." The white tree sighed inwardly and said no more. Droplets of the Spring of Life condensed from its branches, though its interior was already running dry. The reserves within the city were nearly spent. The pavilion master consumed far too much and squandered it recklessly. The past was the past; back then, he had multiple Great Sage demon plants beneath his command, alongside countless demon plants below the Great Sage realm. Who would not give him face? Yet things were different now! To squander resources like this, bestowing dozens or hundreds of drops as mere rewards at whim—how could the reserves not be emptied? The pavilion master turned and departed. A weathered face manifested upon the white trunk, looking around with a deep sense of sorrow. Over the years, its old companions had been drained dry and had sunk into silent dormancy. If things continued like this, its own turn would come soon enough. Outgoings vastly exceeded intake! Yet it had no way to refuse. It truly hoped the pavilion master would mature soon. Otherwise... under such circumstances, how could he ever succeed? If this was the outcome, all the painstaking effort poured into reincarnation had truly been for nothing. *** While the white tree within Fengyun Pavilion prayed for its master to mature, Li Hao stood within Heavenly Star City, frowning slightly. His gaze swept over the surroundings, sensing something peculiar. Previously, both the Bureau of Military Law and the Department of Administration had exuded an oppressive aura, located not far from the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office. Upon his return this time, their people were still present. Yet their presences flickered faintly, as though they were stepping in and out of the ruins repeatedly. What were they up to? Not only that, but he caught the scent of abundant vitality. Someone was consuming the Spring of Life in massive quantities! Inside the Heavenly Star Governor-General's Office... Director Wang was lounging blissfully on a chair, holding a cooked chicken in his left hand and a roast duck in his right. Li Hao stared at him with a furrowed brow. This man was truly... beyond words. Nearby stood two puppets, watching him with clear longing and envy! Director Wang beamed. "I never expected to run into the two of you. It has been far too long. Are your parents well? Would you like some? If you want to eat, have Li Hao prepare some. The flavor is truly exceptional..." Jiang Yingli appeared to sniff the air. Naturally, the puppet's nose did not move, but Li Hao could almost hear a sharp inhale. "It smells so good!" "Smells good, doesn't it? Even if you cannot eat it, taking in the aroma is fine enough." Director Wang's mouth was slick with grease as he chuckled cheerfully. "How is your dean doing?" "He is doing fine!" Both puppets answered perfunctorily. Whether he was doing well or not, who could say? In any case, their teacher never spoke of it. As for Director Wang before them, they were not particularly close, but they had crossed paths in the past. At the very least, they treated him with far more warmth than they did those demon plants. Taking another bite, Director Wang grinned. "Then you two should cooperate more with Li Hao. Slay a few more demon plants and gather more energy. Perhaps that will allow you to revive your teacher. When that time comes, you can eat whatever you desire." "Teacher is very powerful, unlike Director Wang. Director Wang is too weak, so reviving you was simple. Teacher is far more difficult..." Li Shengzhang's words were blunt to a fault, nearly choking Director Wang on the spot. Yet what she said was the honest truth. Helpless, he cleared his throat and coughed. "That might not be true. If I recall correctly, your teacher never managed to step into the Heavenly King realm in the end, did he? In that case, it should be simple enough..." *What is there to flaunt?* *He was much older than us, practically of the older generation. So what if he was a Great Sage?* *Sheltered by the Human King's younger sister, yet he still never made it to Heavenly King...* Just as the thought crossed his mind, Jiang Yingli remarked, "It is useless saying that to us. If you dare say to Teacher's face that he never reached the Heavenly King realm... he will definitely discipline you. Careful he doesn't catch you and sentence you to sweep latrines for a hundred years!" "..." Director Wang was struck speechless. He buried his head and went back to eating. This was precisely why he had avoided visiting that person; he simply had no desire to go, and... meeting him would serve little purpose anyway. Their statuses back then had never been equal. It was the ancestor of the Wang clan who met with him, not someone of his standing. Among the Wang clan's branch members, he was considered exceptional, which was how he had become the security director. But before that person, he had no standing to boast. He was merely taking advantage of the fact that the man had not yet revived to act bold. To the side, Li Hao observed in silence, not bothering to intervene. Having finished his meal, Director Wang wiped his hands casually and turned to Li Hao. "What are you staring at?" "Looking at our neighbors." "Oh!" Director Wang turned his gaze toward the neighboring compounds. A moment later, he said, "Who said the Spring of Life was precious in the outside world? That fellow next door is so weak, yet he drinks the Spring of Life like water... What a waste!" "You sensed it, Director?" "Of course!" Director Wang chuckled proudly. "So long as I wish to, what could possibly hide from me?" In this day and age, claiming to be number one beneath the heavens would hardly be an exaggeration, wouldn't it? Li Hao found it curious. He had sensed it as well—it was likely Qi Pingjiang's son utilizing the Spring of Life. When he had last sensed the current head of the Bureau of Military Law, the man possessed roughly four-element supernatural power. Li Hao had only been away for a few days, yet the man had already reached five elements. Was he aiming straight for six? What an extravagant waste! Just how much of the Spring of Life had he consumed? Over at the Department of Administration, a similar sensation faintly lingered. Zhao Huamin, the current head of the department, also appeared to be strengthening himself. They were truly wealthy! Li Hao muttered inwardly. Just then, his heart stirred, and he quickly said, "I need to head out for a moment. Will you accompany me, Director Wang?" "Naturally!" Nonsense—if Li Hao left, what was he supposed to do? Li Hao rose quickly and walked toward the rear courtyard. Director Wang had no choice but to hurry after him, feeling rather disgruntled; this was the single most annoying part of his current existence. The two puppets also scrambled to keep up. Seeing someone from their own era made them quite happy. Even though this fellow had tempted them with food, they were magnanimous enough not to hold a grudge against him. The group followed Li Hao into the rear courtyard. Li Hao opened the entrance to the ruin and stepped inside, prompting Director Wang to hurry in right behind him. *** Inside the ruin... The little tree swayed gently, as if sensing their arrival. A miniature tree swiftly flew out from Director Wang's body, and in the blink of an eye, the two trees merged seamlessly. A surge of aura billowed outward. In an instant, it became far stronger than before. As the clone and the true body fused, each learned of the other's recent experiences. Director Wang glanced over and nodded. "Good fortune. From the looks of it, you have hope of stepping into the Immortal Realm, and perhaps quite soon. Consume a bit of imperishable substance, and you should be able to break through." Li Hao laughed. "Didn't I feed all of it to you? Otherwise, Di Wei would have advanced already." Without lingering on the topic, Li Hao turned his gaze toward Yuan Shuo not far away. At this moment, Yuan Shuo appeared to be completely enveloped in a cocoon of light. Li Hao had only just returned and had not had time to enter before Director Wang clamored for food. Having sensed something earlier, combined with the little tree's summons, he had finally come in. Looking at his cocooned teacher, Li Hao frowned slightly. "Senior Di Wei, what happened to my teacher?" The little tree replied hurriedly, "I don't know either. Your teacher was cultivating properly before, and I was steadily supplying him with the Spring of Life to aid his practice. But... just yesterday, a sudden surge of energy radiated from his body, and then he began weaving a cocoon around himself. The moment I sensed your return, I notified you to come over." Li Hao furrowed his brow as he looked at his teacher. What kind of situation was this? "Teacher..." Just as he called out, Director Wang waved a hand, stepped forward to inspect the scene, studied it for a while, and then looked back at Li Hao. After some thought, he said, "It is not a bad thing, but... whether it is a good thing remains unclear." "What do you mean?" Li Hao did not understand. What was that supposed to mean? Director Wang crouched down, examining the cocoon closely before offering an uncertain assessment. "This kind of cocoon seems to stem from a unique power. Your teacher may have entered a deep state of cultivation. As for what specific energy it is, I cannot disturb him right now to make an accurate judgment. But I can tell that your teacher is likely in the midst of a metamorphosis." A metamorphosis? Li Hao was puzzled. Glancing at his teacher, he asked in a low voice, "Is there any danger?" "Hard to say." Li Hao felt helpless. *You are an Immortal Realm expert; how can you not even discern this?* *And why has Teacher turned himself into a silkworm cocoon?* *He was cultivating just fine, so how did he end up like this?* He stepped forward to inspect it himself, not daring to disturb him rashly. The little tree piped up guiltily, "I didn't do anything! He ended up like this all on his own..." Its clone had been stationed here the entire time. If something went wrong with Li Hao's teacher and the blame fell on it, defending itself would be difficult. Li Hao took a deep breath. "It's fine. My teacher simply enjoys doing bizarre things." Sensing the cocoon, he noted that the energies within were remarkably chaotic and multifaceted. All manner of energies were present, intertwined with various forces. Who knew what his teacher was practicing this time? Perhaps he was modifying the Five Animals Breathing Technique again? The little tree hurriedly added, "Right, that Thorny Rose came to investigate earlier, but I repelled it." Li Hao nodded. "Good!" Director Wang had ceased watching Yuan Shuo. Peculiar though Yuan Shuo's state was, other matters pressed more heavily on his mind. He walked swiftly toward the front courtyard where the Security Bureau was located. Li Hao glanced once more at his teacher and followed along. Without a word, Director Wang headed straight for the bureau's main hall. Li Hao had seen it before; it was completely empty, with nothing of note. Director Wang entered and approached the desk at the front. A seal materialized in his hand—the Black Tortoise Seal. He stamped it several times behind the desk, and with a sudden scrape, the desk shifted, revealing a hidden compartment. Li Hao was surprised; he had neither seen nor sensed it previously. Director Wang took it in stride. "This is standard equipment for Security Bureau hidden compartments. In an emergency, if a message must be left behind and cannot be transmitted through other means, it is placed here, awaiting retrieval by other security bureaus or higher-ranking departments." With that, he pushed open the compartment door. Yet... it was completely empty. Li Hao said with regret, "There is nothing inside." "No!" Director Wang stated calmly. "There was something, but it was taken away. And the only people who could take it were from a higher-ranking security bureau, holding both the command token of the Security Bureau and the command token of the city lord." Li Hao frowned. "Why say that? Perhaps nothing was ever left behind?" "Precautions were always taken. One item was mandatory inside this compartment: a voice-recording talisman. Now, it is gone. Furthermore, every security bureau has unique markings. The intruder took the original voice-recording talisman and left nothing behind, which proves they knew of this hidden compartment's existence..." He let out a dry laugh. "A self-incriminating blunder!" Of course, leaving it behind would have caused even more trouble. Shaking his head with a sigh, he said, "Among the other seven cities, one has definitely turned traitor!" Moving forward, he approached a layer of black barrier. Reaching his hand directly into it, a violent burst of chaotic origin energy erupted. His body trembled slightly, a dark hue surfacing across his skin. Director Wang appeared to be in pain, but he soon drew a deep breath. "Ruthless! They slaughtered everyone in one breath, leaving not a single survivor! The security director here possessed Immortal Realm strength—an early-stage Immortal, comparable to me. In addition, there were six deputy directors, all at the absolute peak of the Peak Realm, along with the Security Bureau personnel—over three hundred of them, all organized under military standards. When joining forces to form a grand formation, ordinary peak Immortals would find it difficult to breach! There was also a guardian demon plant here, likewise at the Immortal Realm... The only one capable of wiping them out instantly was a Great Sage! A Great Sage struck and slaughtered them in an instant!" Looking into the distance, he added, "There are nine or even more than ten places like this. At least ten Great Sages made a move! "Then there was the Heavenly Star Army. Its commander was a true Saint-level powerhouse leading an army of a hundred thousand. To wipe them out, it would require either a Heavenly King or multiple Great Sages acting together... "In the land of Silver Moon, aside from the Sword Venerable, only the city lords of the eight main cities approached the Heavenly King realm... though they had not yet reached it. Of course, some might have broken through later without my knowledge." His gaze turned icy cold. "To obliterate this place in an instant... yet leave behind an army stationed within the energy vein..." Just who had done this? Frowning, he looked toward the center of Heavenly Star City, then turned to Li Hao. "Li Hao, are you certain that deputy commander is still alive?" "Certain! Of course, that was according to the demon plants; I have never been there myself." "Alive..." Were they wary of triggering a massive explosion of the vein? Or had the attackers failed to notice them before Heavenly Star Town was destroyed? "I want to make a trip to the energy vein..." One of his tasks upon emerging this time was to investigate the truth. Now that he had entered the Heavenly Star Town ruin, he wanted to see for himself. After all, that deputy commander might still be alive. Regardless of the circumstances, he had to meet him. Just then, Jiang Yingli chimed in bluntly, "That person might very well be someone left behind by the traitors. Going there—aren't you just walking into your own death? Even if he was only an Immortal back then, he has been guarding a colossal energy vein all this time. Even if he hasn't advanced, he must be at the peak of the Immortal Realm by now! He might have even stepped into the Saint realm!" "Even so, I must go and see!" Director Wang frowned, prompting Jiang Yingli to retort peevishly, "Acting tough when you don't have the strength for it!" Her words were a brutal blow to his pride. Director Wang sulked, while Li Hao interjected, "He wouldn't truly be a Saint, would he? If he were a Saint, would Thorny Rose and the others still dare covet the place? They seemed to have clashed before." "Perhaps he deliberately ignored them? After all, with the demon plants absorbing energy, it could delay the vein's swelling and eventual detonation." Well, that made some sense. Li Hao glanced at Director Wang. *You've only just revived; you aren't about to go throw your life away, are you?* Even if that person were merely a peak Immortal, Director Wang was only at the early stage. More critically, that person might not have slumbered at all—he might have been awake the entire time. That was what made it terrifying! As for whether he was friend or foe, it was safest to treat him as an enemy for now. Otherwise, there wouldn't even be time for regret. Director Wang's expression was rather unsightly. That had stung deeply! Li Hao persuaded him, "Why don't we wait? Once our strength grows a bit, and I finish off the people from Fengyun Pavilion and slay their demon plant, perhaps you can absorb some imperishable substance and become stronger, Director?" *Why rush over now!* *I was counting on you to help me handle things. If you get yourself killed before accomplishing anything, wouldn't I be at a massive loss?* Director Wang did not overthink Li Hao's motives. Pondering for a moment, he nodded slightly. "That also makes sense..." Naturally, he had no idea what Li Hao was truly thinking, or he likely would have been infuriated. *So you've already determined that I'd be killed?* As they spoke, Director Wang suddenly glanced beyond the barrier and chuckled. "Now this is getting interesting." "Hmm?" "I seem to have sensed something... It looks like Thorny Rose might be preparing to make a move." Li Hao was startled. Director Wang closed his eyes to sense further. "It feels that way. The commander's estate here seems to have some activity, possibly attempting to activate a grand formation... Well, never mind that. There might be a good show to watch." Li Hao was bewildered. Connecting the dots with those people constantly devouring the Spring of Life earlier, his thoughts raced. "Does the Director mean... Thorny Rose might be trying to seize the energy vein?" Director Wang nodded. "Ordinary people wouldn't sense it, but when a formation is activated, we can detect a trace or two. A typical city possesses two or three sets of formations. One is activated by the military, one by the city lord's estate, and one by the guardian demon plant... There is some movement now. You'll understand if you look at the ground." Li Hao looked down but saw nothing. However, once a blood-red light surfaced within his eyes, his gaze flickered. He faintly caught sight of energy patterns. Was this... a formation? Director Wang assessed the situation. "The energy isn't quite sufficient. Activating it will take time. From the looks of it, the guardian demon plant's set will likely succeed, but over at the commander's estate... can they truly activate it?" "They have a division commander!" Li Hao recalled something and spoke up hurriedly. "Then they have a chance!" Director Wang's thoughts stirred. "In that case, that deputy commander might truly have become a Great Sage. Otherwise, Thorny Rose is hardly weak, yet alongside other demon plants, it still needs to activate the formation... Exercising such caution—how intriguing." He smiled. "What a coincidence. It is fortunate I happen to be here; otherwise, there really wouldn't be any show to watch." Li Hao felt an instant headache. These people were planning to seize the energy vein? *But... that was something I reserved for myself!* He absolutely had to claim that prize. Li Hao was torn. Fengyun Pavilion's location had been discovered, and now the royal family and the Nine Departments seemed to be collaborating to explore the colossal energy vein. What was he supposed to do? His head pounded. He hurriedly asked, "Director, how long will it take for this formation to activate?" "Hard to say. It depends on whether that division commander can locate the formation core and whether he can initiate it... Without a few days, it will likely be difficult, and it will require a massive quantity of energy stones." He added, "A division commander... Can Heavenly Star City still produce a new division commander? Bizarre!" He shook his head. Unless one was a direct descendant of the ancient military, becoming a division commander was nearly impossible. Of course, he did not dwell on the matter. Seeming to recall something, he suddenly chuckled. "Under normal circumstances, activating a city's formations requires cooperation from all sides. Now that they are activating theirs... if you want to stall for time, it is actually quite simple." "How?" "Have Di Wei frantically devour the surrounding energy, draining it so they cannot swiftly complete the activation. To power the formation, they will have no choice but to continuously pour in more energy until Di Wei can no longer absorb and disrupt it. Let it siphon their energy for a few days and bleed them dry!" Li Hao's heart stirred. But if they did that, the little tree would not be able to accompany him. *Forget it, who cares!* As for the energy vein, Li Hao was in no rush at this moment. If a Great Sage truly resided there, what was the hurry? He would first resolve Fengyun Pavilion, seize their treasure, and probe the enemy's strength. Only by being fully certain of their power could he make further plans. If all else failed, he could attempt to draw out that dean from Yuanping Martial Arts University. Otherwise, how would Li Hao dare provoke a Great Sage? He was acutely aware of how terrifying a Great Sage could be! Soon, Li Hao conversed with the little tree for a moment. Upon hearing that it could devour energy without restriction, the little tree was overjoyed. Previously, it might not have been able to stomach that much, but now that its true body and clone had fused and its strength had surged, consuming a bit more would pose no problem. Having finalized the plan, Li Hao stepped out of the ruin. The moment he emerged, Liu Long hurried over in great haste. "Senior Sky Sword sent a message! He couldn't reach you earlier, so he contacted me. He says that near South Peak, a group of powerful black-robed figures suddenly attacked the nearby Silver Moon martial masters. Several members of the Night Patrol have already perished. Their strength is formidable, and they are likely people from Fengyun Pavilion. They came out on their own initiative!" Li Hao's expression shifted slightly, and he let out a cold snort. *They came out on their own initiative!* This Fengyun Pavilion possessed no small amount of audacity. Fortunately, he had dispatched Sky Sword and the others to that region; otherwise, things would have been troublesome. Still, for Sky Sword to describe them as formidable meant they truly were not weak! *** At the same time... Inside the Red Moon headquarters... The news arrived swiftly. Ying Hongyue raised an eyebrow. "Experts clad in armor of eight different colors... How intriguing. The Eight Divisions?" A red cloak materialized, appearing somewhat enlightened. "It really is the Eight Divisions! I know their origin now. Strange... how could that be?" Ying Hongyue possessed some knowledge, but far less than the Red Cloak. Smiling, he asked, "What is strange about it?" "If I recall correctly, Fengyun Pavilion vanished before the great cataclysm. I assumed they had departed Silver Moon; how could they appear once more? Could it be a remnant ruin left behind? But... that is also incorrect. If they truly possess the ability to probe everyone's strength, they might genuinely hold a replica of the Fengyun Treasure Mirror..." The Red Cloak was thoroughly puzzled, unable to make sense of the situation for the moment. "Is it a genuine lineage, or did someone stumble upon the inheritance by chance? If it were a true lineage, they would hardly act like this—charging about recklessly without a shred of composure, jumping out ahead of time to provoke all factions." At this point, the Red Cloak chuckled. "Clashing with Li Hao's group is actually a good thing. There will be a fine show to watch. Do you wish to take part?" After a moment of thought, Ying Hongyue smiled. "I'll go take a look, but I won't intervene. We'll decide based on how things unfold!" The Red Cloak nodded. "Be cautious all the same. If they truly possess that treasure... once they activate it, it will be difficult for you to conceal your tracks. It's just..." He let out a sigh, still baffled. He could not wrap his head around it. If it truly were a replica of the Fengyun Treasure Mirror, could an outsider even wield it? As for the bloodline of the Hong family... surely none existed on the Silver Moon continent, did they? *** Meanwhile... Within the Imperial Palace... The Heavenly Star King suddenly smiled. "Fengyun Pavilion has struck. In a single move, they deployed dozens of supernatural experts, even entangling Sky Sword and the others. How amusing! No wonder they dared publish a ranking; they truly possess quite a few powerhouses!" Before him, a miniature tree manifested—an incarnation of Thorny Rose. Thorny Rose also chuckled. "Heaven aids our cause! You were constantly worried he would cause trouble, and now trouble has found him. Notify the others to enter the ruin while he is occupied. As long as the formation is successfully activated to seal the colossal energy vein, once this succeeds... the world will belong to your Jiang family. Our objective has never been the Silver Moon continent. Do you understand?" "Understood!" The Heavenly Star King beamed. "As for Li Hao's side, should we meddle a bit..." "No need. If we interfere now and cause him to abandon dealing with Fengyun Pavilion, will you take responsibility?" Thorny Rose was exasperated. At a time like this, less trouble was naturally better than more! *Meddle? Do you have the stomach for the fallout?* *Inordinate greed!* Securing the colossal energy vein outweighed everything else! "I understand." The Heavenly Star King smiled, letting his thoughts fade. He said no more. They would first see how Li Hao and his allies handled the situation. For Fengyun Pavilion to field dozens of supernatural experts in a single deployment... that was no meager strength. The time to reveal their trump cards had not yet arrived, and Li Hao had provoked immense trouble this time. *** At this moment, Li Hao was rapidly transmitting orders to all sides. "Close in toward South Peak and Nandou! All nearby powerhouses, move swiftly to provide support! I cannot reach Senior Sky Sword and the others right now, so pass along the message: do not expose your full strength, and have all members of the Night Patrol withdraw immediately! Keep them tied down; do not let them retreat..." Having issued the commands, Li Hao looked toward Director Wang. "Director, we may have to rely on you this time. There must be powerful experts within their ruin, and they are convinced we will not dare enter!" "Rest assured!" Director Wang laughed heartily. "Now that I have revived, there are few beneath the heavens I dare not provoke, and this Fengyun Pavilion is certainly not among them!" That was reassuring! With the two puppets by their side, even if the enemy was formidable, Li Hao dared to fight. "Then let us move!" Li Hao set off immediately. This time, he did not even bring the little tree. He might need to participate in the battle, and protecting Director Wang would already demand his focus; this was not mere travel, and if someone shattered his domain, disaster would follow. Yet Li Hao was not afraid. If even Director Wang could not handle them... he could exit the ruin at any moment to call for reinforcements. At the very least, he could mobilize Redwood and the little tree. As for the five auxiliary demon plants, their resurgence was still too weak to be of much use. With these thoughts in mind, Li Hao led his companions, speeding swiftly toward South Peak.