The Fall of Heavenly Star

To cultivate was to cultivate the heart. Every battle was a journey of tempering one's resolve, bringing its own gains and insights. In Li Hao's eyes, the essence of combat had never been killing for the sake of killing. Nor was taking a life an act meant for evil. Repaying violence with violence was the hallmark of this era, as it was of any supernatural age. Only in this manner could one act in accordance with one's heart. If supernatural power sought ultimate transcendence, it ultimately depended on one's strength. His conversation with his teacher had given Li Hao fresh perspectives on the martial path and life itself. The group cultivated and rested for a while, all waiting for Black Armor. At this juncture, none could deny that Black Armor was their sole hope of victory and Li Hao’s greatest reliance. Without him, Saints were simply too formidable to confront. The white tree of Fengyun Tower had been an exhausted Saint on the verge of ruin, yet even then, Director Wang had needed special methods to slay it. Meanwhile, the two Saints outside were nearly at their peak. Apart from the fact that the origin path could not amplify their combat strength, they were effectively peak Great Saints. Even so, because of that lack of amplification, experts of the origin path in this era were far weaker than those of the Neo-Martial era. One could assess every expert today by dropping them a full realm lower. For instance, these Saints would have truly been Saints when the origin path had not yet withered, but now... they were only equivalent to the Immortals of ancient times. Li Hao’s mind churned with myriad thoughts. After an unknown stretch of time, the physical body beside Black Armor vanished, yet he remained clad within the suit of black armor, showing no true face as though reluctant to be seen. Ever since the day Director Wang restored his physical body, he had gone about in his true form, no longer encased in armor as before. "That should do." Black Armor was extraordinarily calm. Even though he had recovered much of his power, rivaling his original body from back then, he remained just as composed, as if none of it was worth celebrating. Seeing his recovery, everyone was overjoyed. Li Hao smiled and said, "Then we shall trouble Senior with what comes next." "Think nothing of it. It is merely an equal exchange." Black Armor paid little heed to Li Hao’s pleasantries. Rising, he walked toward the exit. The others quickly followed. The three demon plants were filled with anticipation, while Black Panther lingered with reluctance, glancing back repeatedly at the treasure pool. Black Panther desperately wanted to jump in for a deep sleep, gorge itself on the fluid, and revel in pure comfort. Unfortunately, Li Hao gave it no such chance. …… Outside the mineral vein. The great battle raged on. Due to the presence of the spiritual domain, none could perceive the fight at the core, not even the two Saint-realm experts. By now, the clash had dragged on for quite some time. All around, corpses of the Black Armor Army lay scattered across the ground. Several Heavenly Star soldiers had also been broken, their armor shattered and their life imprints wiped away. Midair, several demon plants had suffered varying degrees of damage. Among the six silver armors, one had its defenses breached and lay motionless upon the ground, alive or dead unknown. On the whole, the demon plants held a slight upper hand. After all, they possessed more Immortals on their side. In the void, the woman formed by Thorny Rose sneered. Gripping a pair of thorns, she glared coldly at Sun Xin. "If this continues, your side will only grow weaker. As I said, all I want is energy. Grant me one-third of the vein's energy stones and I shall withdraw!" Her voice turned sinister. "Locked in this stalemate, neither of us gains anything, do we?" The golden warrior said not a word. Wielding his war saber, he slashed again and again with immense martial might. Yet Thorny Rose was equally formidable; the twin thorns were part of her true form, resilient and deadly beyond measure. Having exchanged blows numerous times, Sun Xin had failed to gain the slightest advantage. Meanwhile, down below, several demon plants launched a ferocious assault on the remaining five silver armors! All of these demon plants were Immortals. Although their prowess in the same realm was slightly inferior to human combatants, their higher cultivation allowed them to steadily force the five silver armors back. Only in the clash between the Black Armor Army and the Heavenly Star Army did the Heavenly Star forces hold the upper hand, routing the Black Armor soldiers in disarray. Yet victory in such low-level combat could hardly alter the overall outcome! Right at that moment, brilliant radiance erupted from one of the silver armors. The demon plants recoiled in shock. It was the precursor to a self-detonation! Countless human experts throughout history had chosen to detonate themselves at the end of the line. Whenever such a situation arose, it proved an immense headache for any opponent. Even when one knew an enemy intended to self-detonate, stopping it in time was often exceedingly difficult. Just then, a stern shout suddenly rang out: "Halt!" …… Inside the mine tunnel. Li Hao was waiting for an opportune moment when Director Wang’s expression shifted, and he abruptly dashed out. Li Hao’s face changed slightly. Black Armor did not stir. He merely pressed a hand down, keeping Li Hao and the others back. Li Hao frowned in silence. Director Wang... was he still clinging to illusions? …… Boom! A deafening explosion rang out. Director Wang struck out with a fist, forcing one of the demon plants back, while his other hand clamped onto the silver armor on the verge of self-detonation. "Stand down!" The silver armors were stunned, and the two clashing Saints froze as well. How could someone else suddenly emerge in this place? The golden warrior was utterly shocked and bewildered. How could this be! This man... wasn't this Wang Ye? The silver armors had initially prepared to attack, but once they caught sight of the newcomer, they all froze and swept their spiritual power over him. Director Wang’s face was ice-cold. A seal materialized in his hand—the Black Tortoise Seal. Rays of light radiated outward. The silver armors instantly ceased their movements. The one who had been about to self-detonate was filled with shock and joy. "Commander of the Seventh Regiment, Third Division of the Heavenly Star Army, pays respects to Director Wang!" In this era, here of all places, they had actually encountered a director from a main city. It was beyond belief! Yet a moment later, realizing something, they all took several steps back. How had he arrived here? Could it be... Ancient memories resurfaced. Could it be that the attack on Heavenly Star Town all those years ago was tied to Battle Heaven City as well? Otherwise, how could he have appeared here? Director Wang gave no one room to maneuver, declaring coldly, "Sun Xin, Deputy Commander of the Heavenly Star Army, has colluded with external foes. By this decree, all his military authority is hereby temporarily revoked! Surrender yourself to await trial by the Battle Heaven Army! Every other member of the Heavenly Star Army shall submit to investigation! "The guardian demon plants of Heavenly Star Town have rebelled against humanity, led by Thorny Rose, in total defiance of martial law. You shall be executed!" Up in the void, the two Great Saints halted simultaneously. The golden warrior’s aura fluctuated. Thorny Rose, however, chuckled. Looking at Director Wang, she said softly, "Wang Ye? How... unexpected!" The golden warrior said in a low voice, "Wang Ye, why have you appeared behind the mineral vein?" The other demon plants exchanged wary glances. Why was Wang Ye here? A member of Battle Heaven City! Jiang Chen and his companions paled even further. Battle Heaven City was Li Hao’s backer. How could someone from there be present? Battle Heaven City lay tens of thousands of li away. This Wang Ye had just repelled an Immortal demon plant with a single punch; his strength was formidable, yet he had appeared right here! It was simply unimaginable! Director Wang merely stared coldly at the golden warrior. "Sun Xin, my presence here is not for you to question! Countless experts fell in Heavenly Star Town back then. I ask only one thing: why are you still alive?" Before Sun Xin could speak, a silver armor hastily interjected, "The commander lived to defend the mineral vein..." Director Wang turned to the silver armor and snapped, "Defend the mineral vein? Then let me ask you: have any of you ever set foot into the core of the vein?" The silver armors froze, exchanging glances. Soon, one replied quickly, "The core contains a self-destruct mechanism. Fearing traitors, the commander forbade anyone from entering the core area..." When Director Wang mentioned the core area, the golden warrior’s aura trembled slightly, his voice dropping low. "Wang Ye, let me ask once more: why have you appeared here? How did you slip past everything and bypass the Four Symbols Void-Locking Formation? Have you and Thorny Rose long reached an understanding? You claim I have betrayed... In my view, it is Battle Heaven City that has betrayed everyone!" Sun Xin barked, "Kill him! Wang Ye, you dare sow discord in the ranks—you deserve death!" With that, he abandoned Thorny Rose entirely and slashed his saber straight toward Wang Ye! Countless thoughts raced through his mind. What shocked him most was that Wang Ye was here... Then... what about inside? What on earth had happened? The second resurgence had not even begun, so how could Wang Ye appear here? Shouldn't he be in Battle Heaven City? Myriad notions flashed past. Meanwhile, Thorny Rose made no move to stop him. Wearing a mocking, peculiar smile, she watched. Wang Ye... had appeared. The Security Bureau Director of Battle Heaven City, one of the eight main cities, had shown himself. Moreover... he carried the City Lord Seal. This meant he possessed the authorization of Battle Heaven City and had not come as an individual rogue. She scanned the surroundings, casting her gaze toward the tunnel behind. Wang Ye had appeared, but were there others? Furthermore, the Four Symbols Void-Locking Formation had not triggered in the slightest. Was Wang Ye here all along, or had he only just arrived? If he had been here from the start, that was one thing. If he had only just arrived... the implications were terrifying. As Sun Xin descended with the might of a Great Saint, Wang Ye roared furiously, "Impudent! Soldiers of the Heavenly Star Army, if you remain loyal to Neo-Martial, execute this man!" The silver armors exchanged glances, utterly shaken. One was their deputy commander, with whom they had shared countless eras side by side; the other was Director Wang from a main city... Sun Xin was their current commander, and naturally they ought to obey his orders. Yet... a director from a main city carrying a City Lord Token, and from Battle Heaven City at that—a city left behind by the Blood Sovereign, even if he had only visited once... After a split second of hesitation, the silver armors stepped between them. One silver armor shouted, "Commander, there may be a misunderstanding..." How could they simply strike down an envoy from a main city! Having slumbered here for countless ages, whether Wang Ye had issues or not, the priority was capture followed by a trial. Besides, they were in the middle of a crucial battle. Seeing their commander abandon the siege on Thorny Rose to target the newly arrived Wang Ye, the silver armors grew uneasy. Sun Xin barked, "Have you forgotten military law? This man appeared without warning; there is certainly treachery afoot. As a third party on the battlefield... kill him first!" Director Wang said coldly, "You acknowledge me as a third party. I am the Acting City Lord of Battle Heaven City, an officer of the superior city overseeing the Heavenly Star Army! Which military regulation states that a special envoy of a main city may be struck down on the battlefield?" Director Wang stood firm as a mountain. "Sun Xin, even now, do you still wish to play with words and invent excuses for yourself?" Sun Xin glared at him with icy eyes. Glancing at the silver armors, he turned toward Thorny Rose. "As he is a third party... let us slay him before discussing anything else..." Thorny Rose remained silent. Killing a third party... If it were a purely neutral entity, she naturally wouldn't hesitate. But this was someone from a main city. That was the first issue. The second... she was still pondering whether Wang Ye had come alone or with many others. How had her formation been breached without a sound? Sun Xin frowned slightly and barked once more, "Step aside! I shall take him first, and we can discuss the rest after the battle!" He had settled for the second-best option. He could not push the silver armors to the opposing side, or it would become a massive problem. The silver-armored regiment commanders hesitated. The situation was profoundly complicated. Wang Ye’s arrival had been utterly unforeseen. Capturing him first to investigate after the battle to eliminate unexpected variables was indeed a reasonable course of action. While the silver armors still wavered, Wang Ye sighed softly. "It seems you truly have no grasp of the truth. I suppose even if the Heavenly Star Army rebelled, it wouldn't be all of you!" The silver armors froze. One could not help but say, "Director Wang, we have never rebelled! We have guarded our post faithfully all these years! Such words..." It was heart-wrenching! They had stood lonely vigil over this place for countless ages, only to be branded with such a monstrous accusation the moment someone arrived. Anyone would feel a chill in their heart. Wang Ye said indifferently, "Then you are simply fools. As former Peak Realm experts, you possess not a shred of judgment. How can such idiots lead troops?" The silver armors bristled with anger! Just then, a figure appeared without a sound. Sun Xin’s expression shifted dramatically! The others were also shaken. Who was this? The newcomer did not speak immediately. He merely revealed a token, speaking with absolute calm: "Dean of Yuanping Martial Arts University. Do you recognize me?" At these words, the silver armors shuddered to their cores. A moment later, one slammed his fist against his chest in salute and roared, "Greetings, Dean Zhang!" Boom! The silver armors snapped to attention, chests held high. In this instant, their deference far eclipsed anything shown to Director Wang. Up in the void, Thorny Rose froze. She stared at Black Armor for a long while before a bitter smile crept across her face. Sighing softly, she bowed toward the ground. "Guardian Demon Plant Jing Ci of Heavenly Star Town greets Dean Zhang!" Sun Xin’s face drained of color as well. He ripped off his helmet at once and said in a heavy voice, "Deputy Commander Sun Xin of the Heavenly Star Army greets Dean Zhang!" A mere dean of a martial arts university, yet these formidable figures bowed their heads one after another. Even the Immortal demon plants stared in disbelief before lowering themselves to the ground. Each and every one of them was paralyzed with hesitation. What... what was going on? Black Armor looked calmly at Sun Xin. "Do you wish to flee, or fight?" Sun Xin gritted his teeth. "This subordinate knows not what wrong he has committed! Even you, Dean Zhang, cannot chill the hearts of the military in this manner! I have guarded the Heavenly Star Great Mine for a hundred thousand years, enduring endless ages of solitude! Just because of a word from Wang Ye, you wish to capture and execute me?" Black Armor looked at him and laughed. Everyone heard his chuckle. Without another word, he reached out a hand to seize him. Sun Xin’s expression twisted violently. In a flash, a wave of immense spiritual power surged forth as he vanished from the spot, roaring, "Jing Ci, join forces with me!" Yet Thorny Rose made no move. She merely sneered and stood rooted in place. Sun Xin reappeared in the void, fleeing frantically toward the mineral vein behind. A colossal palm descended from the heavens. Boom! Amid a deafening crash, Sun Xin’s armor shattered, instantly exposing his scarred and battered body. He roared wildly, "Zhang An, what right do you have to kill me?" Zhang An! Li Hao and the others were stirred. This was the very first time they had learned Black Armor’s true name. Black Armor was as calm as ever. "By the simple fact that you betrayed Neo-Martial!" "You say I betrayed them, so I betrayed them?" "Yes. If I say you did, then you did!" Black Armor brought another palm crashing down. Heaven and earth seemed to hold nothing else but this strike. Sun Xin was consumed by terror. A boundless surge of vitality blood erupted, unleashing terrifying might. A phantom Great Dao materialized across the void as saber light swept across heaven and earth. "You are not a man of the military... nor are you my superior officer! What right do you have..." He roared incessantly, hoping to throw his opponent off. Yet Black Armor struck palm after palm, shaking the firmament! "So what if I am not of the military? I was an instructor for the Demon Guard Reserve. Is that status sufficient?" He stepped forward and threw a punch. With a thunderous boom, Sun Xin was sent flying, his body cracking apart. "If that is not enough, I was the commander of Principal Fang's personal guard. Is that sufficient?" Boom! Another strike followed, drawing bellow after agonized bellow from Sun Xin. "If even that is insufficient, I was a tutor of Demon Martial. Is that enough?" Boom! Boom! Boom! Between heaven and earth, Sun Xin was sent hurtling again and again, spitting blood in all directions. The silver armors were long struck dumb! Thorny Rose sighed softly, while the other four demon plants were too terrified to know what to do. Jiang Chen and the rest were similarly petrified. Who... who was this man? Yuanping Martial Arts University—once again, it was connected to Li Hao! Terror seized them; this man was simply too powerful. A Saint who had fought Thorny Rose on equal terms was being beaten so thoroughly that he couldn't even retaliate. How could this be? Was he a legendary Heavenly King? Rumble! Sun Xin struggled again and again, unwilling to resign himself and submit, for he knew that once captured, the only outcome... was death. No matter what he said or did, whether he offered to redeem himself through service or anything else... he was a dead man. Blood Qi surged wildly across the void! A blood saber coalesced—the Blood Saber Art! It cleaved the heavens asunder! He was going to resist! "Does a traitor deserve to wield the Blood Saber Art?" Black Armor seemed genuinely angered. A sharp roar tore from his throat, utterly unlike his previous composure. A book materialized in his hand, and in an instant, a figure manifested with hands clasped behind his back—a phantom projection, extraordinarily serene. "No..." Sun Xin’s terror peaked in an instant. "Minister..." "Oh, so you were an old subordinate of my grandfather's..." Black Armor suddenly chuckled. "And yet... you dared to commit treason. Sun Xin, your audacity knows no bounds!" The phantom figure made no elaborate movement. The moment it appeared, one of its clasped hands casually swung out. Boom! Sun Xin’s Blood Saber Art shattered in an instant. His will to fight collapsed entirely as he whimpered in breakdown, "No, no, no... I didn't betray anyone..." With a heavy thud, he slammed violently into the ground. Black Armor reached out, conjuring a restrictive seal that instantly enveloped Sun Xin, immobilizing him. He said indifferently, "I will deal with you thoroughly later!" With that, he turned to Thorny Rose. "And what is your story?" Thorny Rose had lost her coquettish charm. Looking bitter, she bowed slightly. "There is no story. When those people attacked back then, Heavenly Star Town was wiped out in an instant. I was terrified, and I chose to surrender. "Afterward, I agreed to help them secure Heavenly Star Town, waiting for their people to return and complete the world's resurgence... "However, after a hundred thousand years, I grew unreconciled. I was unwilling to serve humanity any longer! When they sent people to haul away mineral stones, I killed them and seized the goods, which is why my strength never waned, but grew even greater instead. "Today... I believe that having become a Saint in this sealed world, I have earned the right to pursue my own freedom..." Thorny Rose spoke with equal composure. "Neo-Martial is gone. Must I still serve you? Dean Zhang, even you do not possess that right." Black Armor looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and nodded. "That makes sense. So that is why you fell out with Sun Xin?" "Not quite. He and I were never of the same faction to begin with." Thorny Rose smiled faintly. "I was merely timid, cowardly, and fearful of death, surrendering during battle. But that man... he surrendered long before. I ask that the dean not lump me together with the likes of him!" The other demon plants trembled with dread. Black Armor studied Thorny Rose for a moment, was quiet, and then said, "What you say is not entirely wrong. Surrendering in wartime is detestable, punishable by death, and loathsome! But compared to Sun Xin, it is indeed somewhat better." "Thank you for the acknowledgment, Dean." Thorny Rose smiled. "However... I refuse to accept fate! Back then, when the Catacombs were defeated, the demon plants and demon beasts surrendered, pledging loyalty to humanity and the Human King! It was at that time that I pledged my allegiance to humanity! Back then, the Human King was present, the Sovereigns were present, and our submission carried no grievances... because they were simply too terrifying! "Yet today, I still wish to test whether the surviving remnants of humanity's experts are truly invincible!" Black Armor sighed softly. "Then let us put it to the test!" In an instant, heaven and earth shifted. Thorny Rose reverted straight to her true form—a colossal rose swaying gracefully. A Great Dao materialized, threatening to tear heaven and earth apart! "How can the surviving humans of this era convince me to yield?" Thorny Rose laughed aloud, her voice enchanting and alluring. In an instant, boundless origin energy spilled out as the Great Dao unfolded. It was as though tens of thousands of young maidens were stepping forth, swaying their supple waists in peerless seduction! "I invite the dean into my origin realm for a gathering!" Black Armor vanished, reappearing directly within the void of the Great Dao. He chuckled softly. "The path of charm is nothing more than a minor trick!" "You are wrong! How can the Great Dao be divided into major and minor? You have high standards and boundless pride, Dean, but in the end, you are only of the third generation, not one of the first-generation founders of Neo-Martial. Compared to your father and your grandfather, you fall far too short!" Boom! The Great Dao roiled, turning heaven and earth upside down! In this moment, the Saint demon plant displayed overwhelming pride and brazen arrogance. In the void, countless figures appeared, detonating the moment they approached Black Armor, yet an endless stream continued to emerge. The remaining demon plants trembled in fear, desperate to flee. They shifted stealthily, seeking an escape route. It was too terrifying! They could not believe a supreme expert of this caliber had appeared in this era. What was more... they now knew who he was. Over by the array, Jiang Chen was frantically dismantling the formation. Not daring to make a sound, he wanted only to open a passage and slip away in secret. The deputy commander had been captured. Though the Venerable was mighty, they could all see that she was fighting a desperate battle and would most likely lose. The moment the demon plants prepared to flee, Director Wang barked, "Thinking of running? Heavenly Star Army, follow me to slay these rebels!" "Understood!" The silver armors dared not say another word. Though shaken beyond belief, they sprang into action. There were five silver armors, one of whom was an Immortal, and Director Wang was an Immortal as well. While the four opposing Immortals were powerful, the group showed no fear. Just then, a massive tree manifested—the redwood. Immediately after, the little date tree appeared as well. Two more Immortals had arrived, with the redwood being at the peak of the Immortal realm. The silver armors paused in shock, but Director Wang shouted, "Allies!" The opposing demon plants were horrified and unleashed their full strength. A giant Xunmu tree bellowed, "Kill! Break the formation and flee!" Boom! The two sides clashed instantly. Fierce auras roiled in all directions. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen and his group had no desire to take part. Moving with utmost caution, terrified of drawing attention, they knew these demon plants were finished. Even if the plants escaped this spot, they could not leave the ruins. Yet Jiang Chen's group could! At this moment, they all suspected that this somehow involved Li Hao. Right then, laughter rang out: "Gentlemen, where do you think you're going?" Li Hao! Qi Pingjiang frowned slightly and stopped in his tracks. Sure enough, Li Hao had appeared. Alongside Yuan Shuo! Furthermore, there was a dog and a tree—Di Wei. Zhao Tianyang sighed. "I truly did not expect this!" He truly hadn't! Li Hao had actually brought these experts here. As for how Li Hao had accomplished it, they no longer cared. At this moment, they felt only helplessness. Li Hao smiled and said, "What was there not to expect?" He looked toward the yellow-robed old man. "You are the previous Heavenly Star King?" Jiang Chen smiled and nodded. At this juncture, he carried himself with considerable poise. Among the gathered figures, only the directors of the Department of Merit Examination and the Department of Foreign Affairs appeared timid; the rest remained composed. Qi Pingjiang said coldly, "The victor is king, the loser a bandit. It seems we have lost once more! And yet... Li Hao, the experts of the ancient civilization still live. Even if you replace us, you will only end up walking our old path!" Back then, we too harbored grand dreams. Yet the ancient civilization was too mighty, the demon plants pulled the strings, the Nine Departments lost their purpose, and the realm fell into chaos. Li Hao was full of hot-blooded fervor now, but... how long would it be before he became just like them? Li Hao chuckled. "Then we shall wait and see! Of course, the lot of you will most likely not have the chance to witness it." Their auras erupted as divine weapons materialized in their hands, each radiating immense power. Violent currents of energy roiled! Zhao Tianyang remained calm. The foremost director of the Nine Departments looked at Li Hao and said, "In the end, resistance is our only option. There is no need for talk of surrender. But whether we win or lose, could Commander Li resolve a doubt or two for me?" Li Hao smiled. "What doubt does Director Zhao have?" Zhao Tianyang revealed a smile as well. "Once you bring down the Nine Departments and the imperial family, the realm will be thrown into turmoil, with experts of the ancient civilization running rampant. Silver Moon, where you hail from, holds the greatest number of ancient experts, and Battle Heaven City is now backing you with all its might. What do you intend to do next, Commander?" Li Hao was somewhat surprised. He glanced at him and smiled. "I don't know. I'll take it one step at a time. First, excise the tumors! Then ensure everyone has food to eat. Once bellies are full, end the wars across Heavenly Star, develop education, and advance technology. Martial arts and supernatural paths will not be extinguished, but their official development will be regulated... As for the ancient civilization's experts, I have no great solution for now." Zhao Tianyang sighed. "Back then, the Nine Departments tried to do the exact same thing. But soon, we found our every step blocked! The demon plants had voracious appetites, demanding energy, treasures, and resurgence. They even wanted to open the Star Gate to leave this realm or conquer the world... Doing this, aren't you merely treading the same old path?" Li Hao laughed. "One can only do one's best. How can everything go as one wishes?" Zhao Tianyang looked somewhat regretful. "True enough. The existence of the ancient civilization is indeed a hurdle that is difficult to cross. But you are young, Commander; perhaps you still have a chance..." With that, he chuckled. "Then let us witness the might of Silver Moon's Five Animals Old Demon and the Demon Sword, two masters of the Five Animals Demon Sect!" In an instant, a sword thrust forward! Yuan Shuo had long grown impatient. Snorting coldly, he threw a punch as a ferocious tiger roared across heaven and earth! Boom! A massive collision rang out as the two engaged in fierce combat. Jiang Chen chuckled as well, a spear materializing in his grasp. "Jiang Chen of the Heavenly Star imperial family... Marquis of Heavenly Star, grant me your instruction!" As the words fell, his spear lunged forward! Li Hao laughed and vanished in an instant. Jiang Chen was formidable, a seven-element expert. Having lost his divine characters, Li Hao’s strength was not what it once was. And yet... so what? A seven-element expert was indeed strong, but Li Hao felt not the slightest fear. Having watched top-tier experts trade blows today, his hands were itching for a fight. "Qi Pingjiang, come at me together!" Li Hao barked. A longsword appeared in his hand—not the Starry Sky Sword, but merely a respectable, ordinary divine weapon. The sword light swept across the expanse. Spear and sword collided, sending sparks flying in all directions. Among the other three directors, Qi Pingjiang frowned slightly. Ignoring Li Hao, he turned to charge at Yuan Shuo, his voice cold. "Yuan Shuo, the blood debt from when you killed my beloved wife all those years ago shall be settled today!" Yuan Shuo sneered, "Come then!" Boom! In an instant, the two directors unleashed their power, instantly suppressing Yuan Shuo and forcing him back step after step. Black Panther and the little tree did not join the fray, merely guarding the perimeter. Since these martial masters insisted on single combat, the two saw no reason to intervene and sour their mood. …… Li Hao paid them no further heed. Since they were all martial masters, trading blows felt far more exhilarating. Jiang Chen’s current strength surpassed his own, but Li Hao had witnessed much and had even clashed with the peak seven-element Hong Tu, granting him far greater composure. Every sword strike landed with impeccable timing. Shifting through various sword arts, his Nine-Fold Refining Force surged forth like splitting bamboo. Jiang Chen’s expression grew solemn. In this moment, everyone forgot the battle of the ancient powerhouses; as the paramount figures of this era, none allowed themselves to be distracted. Jiang Chen's spear technique was like a soaring dragon and a brilliant rainbow! The spear dominated the air. This former Heavenly Star King fought with unmatched tyranny, his strikes vibrating with faint traces of sacred intent. With a deafening boom, Li Hao was forced down, cracking the earth beneath his feet. Seeing this, the eyes of the two six-element directors lit up, and they struck without hesitation! They lunged to surround and slaughter Li Hao! Jiang Chen hesitated, but before he could speak, Li Hao’s sword vanished like a phantom. When it reappeared, a crisp crack resounded—the old director of the Department of Merit Examination had his neck severed, eyes wide with disbelief! How could this be? The power Li Hao had just displayed was merely at the peak of six elements. He himself was of the same caliber... How could he be cut down so easily? Li Hao frowned. "Vulnerable as paper!" These two directors were far inferior to those of the Military Law and Administrative Departments. His sword was simply too fast. The Director of Foreign Affairs turned pale with fright. The divine weapon in his hands instantly erupted with terrifying might, but on the other side, Black Panther opened its maw wide. The phantom of the Imperial Palace manifested, instantly suppressing the divine weapon before Black Panther swallowed it whole. Li Hao said nothing. Had the man fully unleashed the might of a sacred weapon, Li Hao would indeed have found it difficult to handle in his current state. Though he had agreed to a fair fight, hadn't he also refrained from using the Starry Sky Sword? Having lost his divine weapon, the Director of Foreign Affairs lost his wits, gripped by panic. Li Hao dodged Jiang Chen’s lunging spear, spun around, and delivered a single slash. The Director of Foreign Affairs went to keep his counterpart from Merit Examination company. Jiang Chen sighed, retreating several paces. "I truly have grown old. To watch a young lad slay two six-element experts right before my eyes... what a farce..." He shook his head and suddenly smiled, the aura about him shifting drastically! Every supernatural lock snapped in an instant! "Marquis of Heavenly Star, I can probably maintain this for three minutes... Shall we try again?" Seeing him shatter all his supernatural locks to unleash overwhelming might, Li Hao smiled. "Relying on the methods of a martial master? Interesting... Come on, then!" With those words, he slashed his sword. Divine abilities erupted! Though his divine characters were gone, his abilities remained, and radiant light illuminated heaven and earth! In this moment, battles raged across all fronts. Blood and slaughter filled the air! …… Two minutes later, Jiang Chen let out a muffled grunt as Li Hao’s sword pierced through his heart. Yet he only laughed as his spear thrust straight through Li Hao’s abdomen, piercing him clean through! "Marquis of Heavenly Star, my five viscera were already shattered... Trading injury for injury with me... was quite unwise!" A smile graced his lips. He was already doomed to die; a destroyed heart mattered not in the least. Knowing this, Li Hao had still traded blow for blow, an irrational choice. "A martial master gives everything until the enemy draws his last breath!" Li Hao pulled his sword free and retreated instantly. Jiang Chen roared with laughter: "Fascinating! It has been many years since the Heavenly Star Dynasty produced a remarkable young talent. The so-called younger generation... one would have to look back to your teacher’s era to find any. But in your generation... a true anomaly has emerged!" As the words fell, he brandished his spear with enough force to uproot mountains! Sweeping the weapon out, his laughter echoed: "Trapped for eighty years, my grand ambitions had long turned to dust. The ancient civilization brought both fortune and ruin. The founding of the Heavenly Star Dynasty was inseparable from them, yet the dynasty's decay was equally their doing. I considered myself diligent and conscientious, yet in the end... I was nothing more than a slave to others! In today’s world, people of my generation... would much rather see you overthrow those bastards!" With that, the spear blazed across the sky, piercing through the firmament! "I have failed my ancestors! The ancestor of the Jiang family died in battle... He never committed treason! I entrust the experts of the ancient civilization to clear my ancestor's name!" As his words fell, his physical form collapsed. With that final thrust, Li Hao swung his sword to meet it, only for the weapon to shatter instantly. Li Hao was forced back continuously, executing the Five Animals Secret Art to batter against the spear. In the end, the spear pierced through him once more, pinning him to the ground. Li Hao coughed up blood and looked across. Jiang Chen’s body was completely mangled, collapsed upon the earth, utterly lifeless! Coughing softly, Li Hao pulled out the spear and shook his head slightly. Jiang Chen had been strong, but killing Li Hao would not have been that easy. The old king hadn't necessarily sought death; he had simply unleashed one final burst of brilliance. Had the battle dragged on, the man would still have died without a doubt. Not far away, Yuan Shuo roared furiously as his Five Elements Domain expanded to engulf Zhao Tianyang. He himself leaped forward, raining punch after punch upon Qi Pingjiang. Striking over a hundred blows in succession, one punch landed squarely on his foe! The Blood Saber Art erupted, and with a ferocious roar, a giant bear materialized. The punch struck home with a sickening crack. Qi Pingjiang coughed up blood, his chest shattered. Gasping for breath, he began to chuckle: "Still as terrifying as ever... Back then... my wife's heart... was also shattered by your punch... Yuan Shuo... in today’s world, when it comes to the martial path... you truly have reached the absolute pinnacle..." With that, he turned his head to look at Li Hao, and then at the fallen Heavenly Star King. He sighed softly: "Actually... that fellow... wasn't so bad... far better than his son... Back then... the Nine Departments could only succeed... because that fellow... stepped aside in the end..." He fell backward, staring at the sky as he murmured, "Old Zhao, our era... has come to an end!" Boom! He crashed heavily to the ground! Within the domain, Zhao Tianyang let out a long, sorrowful sigh. His old friends were departing one by one. The victor was king, the loser a bandit. From the moment Li Hao and the others appeared today, everyone knew there was no path of survival. Even so... watching them fall one after another was still deeply melancholic. "Yuan Shuo, Li Hao... when future histories are written... could you erase this period?" Zhao Tianyang suddenly let out a wretched laugh. "Could you... leave us remembered as we were eighty years ago?" Leave them eighty years ago! Eighty years ago, the old directors of the Nine Departments had already died! After establishing the Nine Departments, they were as good as dead. Li Hao frowned slightly, only speaking after a long pause: "We'll see." "What a pity!" With that, a terrifying force erupted, directly shattering the Five Elements Domain with a thunderous roar. Like a divine demon descending upon the mortal realm, he threw a punch that forced Yuan Shuo back. "Didn't you love using your fists?" "I'll grant your wish!" Boom! Boom! Boom! Punch followed punch, battering Yuan Shuo backward continuously. Yuan Shuo bellowed in fury, retaliating with wild abandon! Exchanging hundreds of punches in rapid succession, both of their fists were battered to pieces! Zhao Tianyang and Yuan Shuo stumbled back several paces at the same time. His aura thoroughly scattered, Zhao Tianyang looked at Yuan Shuo and smiled. "The Five Animals Secret Art... magnificent!" Bang! Both of his arms burst apart, his five viscera shattered, and Zhao Tianyang collapsed entirely, an indescribable regret lingering in his eyes. Eighty years ago, I too was a peerless hero of the world! Perhaps eighty years ago, after overthrowing the imperial family, we should have... died! His eyes closed, looking upon this world no more. In an instant, silence descended over the battlefield. Four directors and the Heavenly Star King had all fallen.