Stepping out of the Sea Suppressing Mansion, Li Hao was in high spirits.
Li Fuhai!
This was the very first Neo-Martial expert—a Saint, no less—who had offered his allegiance willingly after a simple visit, without requiring endless persuasion or grand enticements!
It was truly beyond Li Hao's expectations.
He could hardly believe it. Even now, he wondered if the beast had some hidden agenda.
Yet alongside his trepidation, he felt a surge of excitement.
He had anticipated paying a staggering price, wearing himself out with arguments, or even parting on hostile terms in the end. None of that had happened.
The beast had been remarkably proactive!
This was the first time Li Hao had ever seen a Neo-Martial powerhouse take the initiative to align with him. Even Di Wei had not been this eager at the start.
In a buoyant mood, Li Hao returned to Heavenly Star Town.
……
Inside the underground ruins.
Energy had grown much sparser here. Li Hao had mined the vein relentlessly, consuming vast reserves; even so, a substantial quantity of energy stones still remained across the deposit as a whole.
Several distinct factions now coexisted in Heavenly Star Town.
There were the students of Yuanping Martial Arts University, the remnants of the Heavenly Star Army, and the demon plants Li Hao had subdued or forcibly suppressed—no small number, currently totaling more than thirty.
Among them were also several demon plants preparing to head for Battle Heaven City.
Originally, Li Hao had not paid them much mind.
The demon plants that had survived until now had almost all stood at the Immortal Realm in the past.
The only Saint-level entity had been Thorny Rose, but she had committed suicide. Today, the strongest among them were peak Immortal Realm demon plants like Redwood.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Star Army had five silver regiment commanders.
None of them were weak.
Some had even reached the Immortal Realm.
Though few Heavenly Star Army soldiers survived, their perpetual existence inside the energy vein meant their combat strength rivaled that of the Battle Heaven Army, if not surpassed it.
Li Hao's original plan had been to leave these people alone!
He would simply hand them over to Battle Heaven City!
Yet Li Fuhai's words had prompted second thoughts. The middle and lower ranks of Neo-Martial could be won over, and Li Hao's faction was sorely lacking such mid-level power.
In Li Hao's eyes, even the middle and lower echelons of Neo-Martial were at the Peak and Immortal Realms.
Would these individuals, like the high-ranking figures, genuinely hold out hope for a reconnection to the main world, believing they could be revived even in death?
Previously, Li Hao had never considered this angle.
He had thought it would be far too difficult!
To win over Battle Heaven City and Yuanping Martial Arts University, he had treated them with boundless courtesy and generosity. He let them use energy freely, told them to come to him whenever they wished to awaken, and offered to pay them in energy stones whenever he needed them to march into battle. The demon plants he had subdued supplied them with the Spring of Life as well.
Yet… while the results were acceptable, they hardly matched what he had invested.
The demon plants, on the other hand… Li Hao had offered them very little. While they drew energy from the vein, they had consistently provided the Spring of Life and cultivated food crops. Li Hao had overlooked all of that.
He had not valued the demon plants enough.
Even when the peak Immortal Redwood displayed an attitude far more flattering than Li Fuhai's, Li Hao had paid it little attention.
At first, he had not liked Redwood very much.
He had always felt these demon beasts and plants lacked backbone.
Especially Redwood!
A dignified peak Immortal—even if it had not fully regained its peak strength, Li Hao had been quite weak when they met. Yet Redwood had surrendered with barely a struggle. In Li Hao's eyes, it had seemed overly obsequious and weak-willed.
Looking back now… was this not precisely what he needed?
Redwood and its kin were actually very obedient.
Give them energy, and they were willing to give in return—whether producing the Spring of Life, growing grain, or stepping onto the battlefield, they were prepared to do it all.
And they were far from weak!
Strictly speaking, had not the very first Neo-Martial expert to side with him been Di Wei?
Stepping into Heavenly Star Town, Li Hao felt a profound shift in his outlook. Unlike his usual quiet arrivals, he let out a resounding call that echoed in all directions: "All senior demon plants, come meet me at the energy vein at once!"
This group consisted of demon plants that had surrendered at Fengyun Pavilion, another batch subdued in the Central Region's ruins, and several from Battle Heaven City.
All of them were the disciples and grand-disciples of General Locust.
Their numbers were considerable.
At his summons, colossal demon plants soared through the sky from every quarter, blotting out the heavens in impressive numbers.
Di Wei was among them.
It was the leader of the demon plants—though only by Li Hao's appointment. While not the strongest, the other demon plants dared not challenge it.
Within the city…
The soldiers of the Heavenly Star Army heard the call, as did the students of Yuanping Martial Arts University, but seeing that Li Hao had not summoned them, no one went to interfere.
The Heavenly Star Army currently looked to Zhang An as their leader.
After Zhang An executed Sun Xin, the troops had learned his true identity. Eager to redeem their past mistakes, they were entirely focused on facing traitors in battle whenever the chance arose.
……
At the entrance of the energy vein…
One towering demon plant after another arrived in rapid succession.
They were divided into two main factions.
One was led by Di Wei, whose pedigree was unimpeachable. It hailed from an Imperial Palace—even if only a temporary traveling palace—and enjoyed immense prestige. The demon plants from Fengyun Pavilion and Battle Heaven City were naturally closer to Di Wei.
Redwood led the other faction.
The wild demon plants and those from minor ruins answered almost exclusively to Redwood. Even the date tree from Sky Sword Manor, which had once vied with Redwood for favor, now stood with Redwood rather than aligning with Di Wei.
Though Di Wei was closer to Li Hao, its strength was modest. Furthermore, because Di Wei came from an Imperial Palace and was linked to the Sovereigns, Redwood's faction viewed them as the court nobility and saw themselves as the common folk.
Even though Redwood had once guarded a communications tower, it did not belong to the official court lineage of demon plants and had originated in the wild.
Li Hao treated them quite leniently these days.
He traded energy stones for the Spring of Life and grain. As long as they were willing to provide supplies, an unlimited amount of energy stones was theirs for the taking. Retaining their original bodies, the demon plants had recovered considerably over this period, their auras growing far more formidable than before.
Even the demon plants from Fengyun Pavilion that had nearly been drained dry now showed visibly surging strength.
With their true bodies intact, their recovery speed even surpassed that of the Neo-Martial humans.
Li Hao could sense that Redwood's aura was no weaker than that of Ninth Division Commander without his physical body.
It had likely restored itself to the peak of the Immortal Realm.
"Commander!"
"My Lord!"
Mental transmissions rippled out from the demon plants, addressing him with various titles.
Li Hao swept his gaze over them and counted. For the first time, he had a clear tally of the demon plants under his command: thirty-six in total.
A portion came from Battle Heaven City.
Battle Heaven City had deployed numerous demon plants. Following the battle against the Divine Kingdom, they had not departed, and several had initially traveled to the Central Region to recover. Thirteen belonged to Battle Heaven City.
However, almost all of them were at the Peak Realm.
Had General Locust not sheltered them, none would have survived this long.
Counting Di Wei, who was on the verge of a breakthrough, fourteen of the thirty-six demon plants were at the Peak Realm, while the remainder stood at the Immortal Realm.
Furthermore, Redwood was not the only peak Immortal among them.
This was an imposing force!
Even so, demon plants were somewhat weaker than Neo-Martial humans at the same cultivation level, hindered by inferior battle techniques and fragmented legacies. While Neo-Martial had been mighty, its dominance had belonged primarily to the human race.
The demon race had actually been far weaker than in ancient times.
"Lately, I've been running about, preoccupied with all sorts of trivial matters… I fear I've neglected you, seniors!"
Li Hao spoke with immense courtesy the moment he arrived.
At these words, the demon plants chimed in via mental voice: "You are too kind, Commander! You attend to countless affairs each day. Allowing us to cultivate here is already a tremendous fortune…"
Redwood's voice was the loudest of all.
This fellow was brimming with shrewdness.
Lin Hongyu's recent advancement to the middle Sun-Moon stage was largely due to Redwood's quiet support, as it had secretly gifted her a great deal of the Spring of Life. Li Hao had not objected.
Winning the support of a demon plant was a testament to Lin Hongyu's own capability.
Li Hao gave an approving nod with a faint smile and continued, "Recently, I conquered Boundless City and slew its guardian Peach Tree. I still have parts of its Saint-path demon plant body. Though somewhat damaged, I wonder if they might be of use to your lineage…"
A stir ran through the demon plants.
Those that had not yet heard the news were struck with shock and disbelief.
Boundless City had been destroyed?
How… how was that possible?
Li Hao added, "Unfortunately, the Neo-Martial experts were unwilling to assist me. Only a handful, like Director Wang, lent a hand. Though we eliminated three Saints and dozens of Immortals in that battle, my teacher, Director Hou, Martial Uncle Southern Fist… none of them can return!"
Shock rippled through the gathering once more.
Di Wei had actually taken part in the battle!
However, Di Wei was reserved by nature and had not mentioned a word since returning. The revelation left the demon plants—Redwood in particular—trembling in terror beneath their astonishment.
Li Hao's side had slain three Saints on their own?
Fearing that wrath might fall upon them, Redwood ventured cautiously, "Commander, did Section Chief… Zhang intervene?"
"No."
The demon plants shivered even more.
What… did this mean?
Did he believe they were useless because the Neo-Martial humans refused to fight?
The terrifying crux was that he had somehow slain three Saints.
Li Hao went on, "Fortunately, we emerged victorious. Not only that, but we eliminated three Saints from the Divine Kingdom—the Sun God, the Dark God, and the Prophet God. A total of six Saints fell by our hands, laying an invincible foundation for Heavenly Star!"
The demon plants trembled violently.
He had slain so many Saints?
The strongest among them was only at the peak of the Immortal Realm.
A faint smile played on Li Hao's lips. "Of course, after that battle, I secured the backing of others. Battle Heaven City has pledged its full support; its Saints are all willing to fight on my behalf…"
The demon plants from Battle Heaven City breathed a collective sigh of relief. They had nearly been frightened to death!
"Senior Li Fuhai from the Sea Suppressing Mansion even took the initiative to cooperate… He is willing to fight for Heavenly Star, to fight for Silver Moon! I declined several times, but he was simply too enthusiastic, filled with a righteous spirit. He asked only that I preserve his position as the Sea Suppressing Emissary after unifying the realm, and in return, he would campaign across heaven and earth for me… Truly… an offer impossible to refuse!"
The demon plants stirred.
Having crushed Boundless City, Li Hao had secured the backing of Battle Heaven City and the Sea Suppressing Mansion in one fell swoop. That… actually made sense.
The Sea Suppressing Mansion was effectively the leader of the demon race.
It was just that their ties to the demon plant lineage were not particularly close.
Before Di Wei could fully grasp the situation, Redwood piped up eagerly, "Commander, we too are willing to wage war across heaven and earth on your behalf, to fight for righteousness and light! It is only that our strength is humble, and we fear we cannot match a Saint… Yet there are many of us! Even if a Saint appears, united, we demon plants can make them perish with regret!"
It hurried to add, "Drawing energy from the Heavenly Star vein all this time, I can feel my true body on the verge of advancing toward the Saint rank! Although we lack the tempering of the origin path, modern Saints lack a true path as well; it all comes down to physical strength, vitality, combat techniques, and weapons…"
Di Wei finally came to its senses: "I am willing as well!"
It was still too young, lacking Redwood's thick bark.
Li Hao chuckled. "The outside world is exceedingly dangerous, and my enemies are complex. Perhaps… they were once your old superiors, or even the descendants of Sovereigns…"
Redwood countered immediately, "You jest, Commander! The situation is perilous, and that is precisely why we must follow you, the descendant of the Sword Venerable, to crush our foes on every front and restore peace and tranquility to Silver Moon! Silver Moon rightfully belongs to you, Commander. Whether other Sovereigns or their descendants, here, all fall under the Sword Venerable's domain!"
Redwood affirmed Li Hao's legitimacy without hesitation, pressing on: "You need not belittle yourself, Commander! In this world, no one holds greater authority than you! Even in the Neo-Martial era, since you earned the acknowledgment of the Starry Sky Sword, you are the direct heir of the Sword Venerable—the crown prince of the Silver Moon territory…"
Li Hao sighed. "The Starry Sky Sword is broken. It detonated to destroy Boundless City."
Redwood gasped in awe. "Heavens! The personal sword of the Sword Venerable! Since antiquity, only the Sword Venerable could ever detonate it! Clearly, the Starry Sky Sword recognized you to the utmost, regarding you as the Sword Venerable himself! Otherwise… who could possibly detonate a divine weapon forged by the Human King? That it could detonate proves… it carried the Human King's will, affirming your absolute right to wield it!"
It marvelled with lavish praise, and the other demon plants thought… that actually sounded reasonable.
They had been shaken at first by the news.
Listening to it now… it truly made sense.
Apart from a descendant of the Li family, apart from the Sword Venerable's approval, apart from the Human King's blessing… who else could detonate the Starry Sky Sword that represented the Sword Venerable?
He truly was the crown prince of Silver Moon!
Li Hao looked at Redwood and smiled.
How fascinating!
Had Li Fuhai not brought it up, he never would have noticed what extraordinary talents these demon plants were.
Redwood in particular. He used to find its flattery grating, but hearing it today… it sounded wonderful!
Just listen to that!
Anyone else hearing that the Starry Sky Sword was destroyed would think all was lost, that the symbol of legitimacy was gone.
Yet in Redwood's eyes, this meant both the Human King and the Sword Venerable had acknowledged Li Hao, granting him even greater legitimacy than before.
Li Hao did not take the bait, only sighing softly. "If only everyone thought that way! Still, that is beside the point… What truly matters is…"
He paused, hesitating slightly before letting out another sigh. "What matters is that rumor claims once Silver Moon reconnects with the main world, those who perished might be revived. But… those who can be brought back will only be high-ranking figures and the descendants of Sovereigns.
"Setting aside whether we can reconnect at all, even if we do… Senior demon plants, I have heard your lineage has no Sovereigns of its own. Even the ancestor of General Locust was not a Sovereign… Without a Sovereign, if any of you fall in battle… there will be no way to revive you."
He sounded helpless. "That is why I originally hesitated to ask for your aid—it is simply too dangerous! When Neo-Martial experts die, they might return to life. But you… does the Human King remember who you are? Who would remind the Human King of your names to seek your revival? Could General Locust command such favor?"
"……"
Silence fell over the clearing.
Li Hao looked toward Di Wei. "Di Wei, you are a guard of the Imperial Palace. I hear your father once received help from Cat Tree, the mightiest among the demon plants. If you die in battle, is there any hope of your revival?"
Di Wei hesitated before murmuring, "This… my father… has already fallen, and the Imperial Palace lies abandoned. Senior Cat Tree likely does not even know who I am. Why would it… seek my revival? Besides, Senior Cat Tree's help back then was a passing gesture; it has probably forgotten my father long ago…"
Li Hao turned his gaze to the descendants of the locust trees. "What about you? The ancestor of the locust tree lineage was said to be the companion demon plant of Sovereign Locust King…"
At this, the locust demon plants fell silent.
After a long while, a Peak Realm locust tree said in a subdued voice, "That lord… was exceedingly cautious, terrified of drawing attention. His reputation… was never very good to begin with, so he would never trouble Lord Human King for our sake! Not just us—even if… even if Locust Saint fell in battle, he would never take the risk of asking for a revival…"
The infamous Sovereign Locust King was terrified of scrutiny and preferred to hide in the shadows.
If a few demon plants died—not even his original companion, but mere distant offspring among countless generations—why would he ask a favor of the Human King on their behalf?
Li Hao sighed. "So that's how it is! Then it's fortunate I didn't summon you before. Otherwise, if you fell in battle… you wouldn't be revived even if the world returned to the main universe. What a narrow escape!"
Yet his words struck a painful chord within the demon plants.
Indeed!
The Neo-Martial powerhouses and the descendants of Sovereigns did not fear death.
If the small world rejoined the main realm, they would be brought back to life.
If the world failed to return… it meant Neo-Martial was likely gone entirely, making death a relief.
What about them, though?
They had no hope whatsoever!
The demon plant lineage was simply too weak.
Even the demon beasts could boast a few Sovereigns.
A heavy gloom settled over the demon plants.
Suddenly, Redwood spoke up: "Commander, if you take control of heaven and earth, with the new Dao appearing and the Dao Universe under your command, wouldn't you… also possess the power of revival?"
Li Hao shook his head upon hearing this. "There are too many formidable enemies. How could I be certain of mastering this world? Rumor even has it that a Sovereign is sealed within this realm! On top of that, we of Silver Moon have only risen recently…"
"You are wrong, Commander! In the past, the Human King's rise took merely a few short years!"
Redwood seemed to grasp Li Hao's underlying intent, growing thrilled and animated: "What is more, you command a Dao Universe, Commander! I believe Master Yuan and the others will also awaken and return in time. If you can govern heaven and earth… why should our demon plant lineage fear death? It is only that…"
Pausing, Redwood let out a rueful sigh. "Our lineage is weak. You might not look favorably upon us, Commander…"
Li Hao gave a light laugh. "What kind of talk is that? All things under heaven have their purpose! In my eyes, the demon plant lineage is essential. You produce the Spring of Life, nourish crops, and stabilize heaven and earth. Without vegetation, wouldn't this world be utterly desolate? Everything born into this world has its strengths… Combat prowess isn't everything. Besides, your combat strength is far from weak, seniors—especially you, Senior Redwood, who are already nearing the Saint rank!"
He smiled faintly. "Still… expecting me to revive you is… thinking far too highly of me! Naturally, if I ever gain that power, I will never forget you. Few people in this world share a close bond with me right now. They say conquering the realm is hard, but if it is accomplished, what ruler would ever forget those who aided his rise? Even if I were to forget, those who survive would never allow me to…"
The demon plants experienced a sudden flash of insight!
All of Li Hao's groundwork had led to this very statement.
Follow me, conquer the world, and if I win, even if you fall in battle, I will master heaven and earth and control the Great Dao. You need not fear; I will remember you and bring you back to life!
It sounded a bit like painting cakes to stave off hunger, an illusion built on air.
Yet… at least it offered hope.
The demons pondered: If Neo-Martial was truly gone, and if this small world came under another's rule without ever returning to Neo-Martial, could Li Hao become the master of the world?
If he succeeded, could they become the first generation of demon plants in this new era?
Even in Neo-Martial, there had been no Sovereign-level demon plants.
There had been some in ancient times, but the Human King had slaughtered them.
Later, the mightiest among them—the foremost tree of heaven and earth, the Cang Emperor's Cat Tree—had never attained the Sovereign realm. In a new world, might they have a chance to change their destiny?
Before they could finish the thought, Redwood shifted into the form of a middle-aged human.
With an expression of solemn resolve, it declared, "You saved us from peril, Commander, and helped us recover. Now you are even willing to revive us after death… In any era, the demon plant lineage has always occupied the lowest rung… Today, I, Redwood, am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse! The worst that can happen is death. If you triumph, drive out our foes, and master heaven and earth, our demon plant lineage… can stand atop the world! So long as you do not disdain our meager strength, Commander, I am willing to lay down my life for you!"
With those words, it moved to drop to its knees.
Li Hao hurried forward to support it, his face solemn. "Senior, you speak far too gravely!"
At this, the other demon plants snapped to attention.
Led by the date tree, they shouted in unison, "We are willing to serve you like dogs and horses, Commander! We are willing to fight to the death for you! We only ask that you never forget our sincere devotion…"
Previously, Li Hao had never shown much interest in winning them over.
He had always treated them as auxiliary laborers, uninvolved in major affairs and called upon only to produce the Spring of Life.
Yet now… for some reason, Li Hao had abruptly changed his mind.
Redwood and the others seized the opening, climbing the offered branch without missing a beat. In the blink of an eye, an unspoken pact was sealed between them.
Di Wei recovered its senses and hurried to speak: "I am willing to die for you, Commander…"
Internally, it was filled with chagrin; it had only just caught on.
Redwood had stolen every line.
It was supposed to be the leader of the demon plants… yet Redwood had completely snatched the spotlight.
Damn it!
It was still too green!
Li Hao frowned slightly. "It remains too dangerous. My foes are not merely Saints, but Heavenly Kings, even Sovereigns…"
Redwood spoke up hastily: "Since antiquity, who among those contending for supremacy did not rise from weakness, growing stronger with every clash? Right now, powerful entities face heavy restrictions, which presents a tremendous opportunity! Slaying formidable enemies… provides the greatest divine medicine to nurture oneself! Our lineage has many Immortals. While we might struggle against a Heavenly King, united, we can certainly battle one or two Saints!"
Li Hao's feelings grew complicated at these words.
Before destroying Boundless City, his mindset had indeed been flawed. His attention had been entirely fixed on Saints, on Zhang An, on Battle Heaven City, and on Yuanping Martial Arts University.
Had he moved to rally these demon plants and the Sea Suppressing Emissary first, would things have unfolded differently?
Of course, without that battle, the Sea Suppressing Emissary might never have been so courteous. The emissary's respect had grown because Li Hao proved capable of slaying Saints.
Without that victory, and without the claim of six slain Saints, these demon plants might not have been so accommodating either.
Did he regret it?
He suppressed the faint remorse in his heart!
There was nothing to regret. If he could win and master the Great Dao, his teacher and the others would return. If he could not, he would be defeated, and death would await him; when that time came, he could join them in the beyond.
Casting those emotions aside, Li Hao spoke softly: "You show such sincerity, seniors. If I refuse again, would I not be failing both heaven and earth, and betraying your trust? In that case… I shall grant you peace of mind… I am willing to establish a vow upon the Great Dao, a force of the Dao itself: should any senior fall in battle, once I control the Dao, I shall surely revive you!
"And if you do not fall, then once I attain the Sovereign realm, I will assist you… At the very least, our demon plant lineage must produce a Sovereign!"
Looking solemn, Li Hao reached out and tore through the void. The Great Dao surged, and in an instant, a golden record floated down from the Dao Universe.
With grave dignity, he let a drop of his blood fall onto the page. The golden leaf instantly erupted with dazzling light!
Inscribing characters upon it, Li Hao said in a deep voice, "In a moment, I ask that all seniors leave your names! I fear I might forget; I fear heaven and earth might forget you… If that is so, let this golden record, these characters of the Great Dao, be preserved within the Bright Star Universe! As long as the Dao endures, this vow shall not perish! You fight for the new era, seniors, and the new era shall bestow supreme glory upon you!"
The demon plants were filled with excitement, apprehension, and fierce anticipation.
Redwood and a few others grasped the deeper meaning.
This… was also a pledge of fealty!
A golden record of the Great Dao!
Did it serve any other purpose?
Who could say!
Yet sign it they must; with Li Hao proposing it, refusing would be tantamount to defying him.
In Li Hao's hands, the golden page radiated Dao brilliance. His expression was solemn and majestic, his voice booming: "I shall ensure this golden record endures forever, remembered by all future generations of Silver Moon! Who contributed at the dawn of the new era, and how much they contributed, shall be recorded in detail so that all living things across ten thousand generations remember it! Not just humanity, but demon beasts, demon plants, the spirits of the world, and the spirits of the Dao shall hold it in their hearts! Though you have not yet cultivated the new Dao, that matters not. Once my comprehension deepens, I can help you transition to it without losing strength. Transplanting a Dao is something I have done before!"
The demon plants grew even more thrilled.
In the next instant, Li Hao inscribed his own name upon the golden page with sweeping, vigorous strokes. Heaven and earth trembled at the sight!
The golden record then drifted before Redwood.
Li Hao spoke in an earnest tone: "Inscribing your names with your Dao origin will also help you acclimate to the new Dao Universe ahead of time. Leaving a trace of your origin power in the Bright Star Realm will allow me to observe which path suits each of you best! Once matched, you can switch Daos in an instant, perhaps even advancing your strength a step further!"
Redwood's heart skipped a beat, but it raised no objection. In an instant, its origin path materialized.
The remnant origin power within the path quickly imprinted its name upon the golden page: Shan Qi.
So they had their own names.
Li Hao mused inwardly, though he did not voice it. He had grown accustomed to identifying them by their species, but upon reflection, they were all intelligent great demons; having their own names was only natural.
Moreover, when multiple great demons emerged from the same species, they could hardly all be called Redwood or Locust.
With Redwood taking the lead, Di Wei stepped forward immediately. An illusion of the Imperial Palace manifested, using its power to brand its name onto the page: Di Wei!
This was a name Li Hao had bestowed upon it.
It had been nameless before.
One after another, the demon plants summoned their origin paths and branded their names. Several locust trees hesitated, and Li Hao showed understanding: "Seniors of the locust tree lineage, there is no need to rush. General Locust may have other thoughts…"
At this, a locust tree blurted out, "Battle Heaven City and the Commander are already one! Your words bring us shame, Commander! Supporting you in ruling the world is our bounden duty. How could the locust tree lineage of Battle Heaven City lag behind others?"
With that, it swiftly imprinted its name.
The other demon plants followed suit.
Soon, thirty-seven names were inscribed, including Li Hao's.
Li Hao felt a surge of emotion. Throwing a punch, he tore the void open once more, sending the golden record flying into the Bright Star Realm. He shouted, "This record shall endure between heaven and earth for ten thousand generations! Once I master the Dao Universe, I will enshrine it at the heart of the Great Dao for future generations to behold!"
With that declaration, the golden record vanished into the cosmos.
In an instant, the demon plants felt a subtle connection forming between themselves and this world.
All of them were filled with nervous excitement.
To be preserved for all posterity, never to perish… If Li Hao truly gained control of heaven and earth and mastered the Great Dao, the thirty-six of them might become the ancestors of all future demon plants, the founding demon ancestors of a new era!
Li Hao's voice rang out again: "Seniors, we are now bound together. If you have any needs, speak freely, and I will do everything in my power to fulfill them. If I do not help my own, whom would I help? Do not feel uneasy or constrained. If all of you become Saints, Heavenly Kings, or even Sovereigns… I would be delighted!"
Redwood quickly responded, "You are far too generous, Commander! Without merit, how could we ask for rewards? Only by maintaining clear rewards and punishments can you stand tall between heaven and earth. Command us as you will, Commander; grant us the chance to earn merit first, and once we have done so, we will not be shy about accepting rewards!"
Li Hao laughed heartily once more. "Merit… There is an opportunity right before us, though… it is very dangerous…"
"We fear no danger!"
Redwood chimed in again. Di Wei could bear it no longer and blurted out, "The more dangerous, the better! Command us, Commander—even if it means slaying a Sovereign, we dare to fight!"
"……"
Redwood cursed under its breath. This fellow was shedding all shame just to show off.
Sovereign, your grandfather!
Go on and fight a Sovereign, then!
They could kill you with a single breath!
Li Hao chuckled. "That won't be necessary. Going against a true Sovereign would simply be throwing lives away. It is merely a small task: I may need you to suppress heaven and earth or secure ruins to keep powerful enemies from escaping. The foes themselves will naturally be handled by those of us at the Saint level!"
The demon plants breathed a collective sigh of relief.
That was much better!
Yet beneath their relief, shock lingered. This meant a battle against mighty foes was truly imminent, and against enemies so terrifying that Li Hao worried they might flee despite the backing of Battle Heaven City's Saints and the Sea Suppressing Emissary.
Perhaps… they were beyond the Saint rank!
That was a frightening thought!
Li Hao added, "For now, help me mine the energy stones. Take as many as you can carry; we will need them all shortly! If left here, my chances of returning might be few and far between…"
The demon plants took his meaning to heart. Without another word, they vanished, and moments later, thunderous rumbles echoed across the subterranean realm.
The massive energy vein was swiftly mined by the demon plants.
In an instant, others found it impossible to sit idly by.
Several silver-armored Heavenly Star Army soldiers arrived in haste. Watching the demon plants furiously excavate the vein, they felt deeply uneasy. A silver regiment commander stepped forward and said, "Division Commander Li, this is… the Heavenly Star vein. It serves to stabilize and revive heaven and earth. Excessive mining will cause the vein to wither, easily fracturing it and stripping its ability to absorb environmental energy, which could sever its roots entirely…"
Li Hao smiled faintly. "No matter! I must face formidable enemies. If I win, the vein is inconsequential; if I lose, leaving it behind only benefits the enemy. We cannot allow our foes to seize it. This is for your safety as well—otherwise, with the vein here, none of you will be safe!
"I have already located those who betrayed Neo-Martial and clashed with them several times. We have slain three Saints: Zheng Gong, the second son of the Zheng family; Han Jiang, the vice commander of the Boundless Army; and the guardian demon plant of Boundless City, whatever its name was! Currently, the whereabouts of Zheng Hongyuan and Zheng Yu remain unknown, but we are tracking them and will battle them sooner or later! The root cause that seduced Vice Commander Sun Xin into betrayal was an expert from the Red Moon Great World; we are searching for their traces as well, and will battle them in due time… Since Neo-Martial cannot eliminate these people, I, Li Hao, shall take up the mantle without hesitation!"
His opening words stirred their spirits, but his closing remarks left the commanders bristling.
A silver-armored commander said heavily, "Commander Li, Neo-Martial is capable of purging traitors and eradicating the Red Moon foes…"
Li Hao said coolly, "Then we shall speak of it after the second resurgence! For now… we can only rely on ourselves. My teacher and his comrades died in battle to eliminate them. Relying on others is worse than relying on oneself—would you not agree, seniors?"
The commanders' hearts jolted!
"Pro… Professor Yuan…"
Li Hao replied calmly, "The three Saints of Boundless City were in peak condition; there was no other choice! Enough of that. I need energy stones to wage war against mighty enemies. Left here, they are merely dead objects—are we to slay enemies by throwing an energy vein at them? Of the eight main cities, only Battle Heaven City is willing to deploy troops to aid me. As for the Heavenly Star Army… seniors, continue sweeping the city. Sweep it clean. The vengeance for someone seducing your vice commander and slaughtering every soul in Heavenly Star Town… I will claim it on your behalf!"
These words stung the commanders to their core.
One commander could not hold back a muffled roar: "Commander Li's words… are rather distasteful! No one wanted a traitor in our Heavenly Star Army. We have guarded this vein for a hundred thousand years, all for the resurgence of Neo-Martial…"
Li Hao remarked indifferently, "You care because you care, but that does not mean everyone does. Whether traitors rule or Red Moon experts take charge, once heaven and earth are unified, who cares who holds the reins? Perhaps they might even contact the main world, bringing the Human King and the Supreme. Why struggle on your own? Of course, we of Silver Moon have no choice; we must stand on our own two feet… Very well, seniors, if there is nothing else, return to your duties. I have matters to attend to."
"There is meaning behind Commander Li's words—are you saying we of Neo-Martial are unwilling to resist powerful enemies?"
Another silver-armored officer shouted furiously, "The shame of our Heavenly Star Army can only be washed away by our own hands! We swore a blood oath that if we encountered traitors, we would fight to the death, charging at the forefront without taking a single step back! You… look down on us, Commander!"
Li Hao smiled. "Not at all, Senior. You misunderstand… Forget it, take it as thoughtless chatter! Besides, you must still take orders from Section Chief Zhang. It is better to wait until Section Chief Zhang returns! Now then, I am very busy and must leave shortly…"
He turned to walk away. Behind him, the commanders felt ready to burst with indignation.
A silver-armored commander dashed forward, catching up to Li Hao. In a heavy voice, he asked, "Are you going to battle the traitors, Commander?"
"Yes."
"Can you… can you take us with you?"
"You are soldiers; you must obey orders. You are not my subordinates, and I have no right to interfere…"
"Not so! Are you not a division commander in the Battle Heaven Army? The Battle Heaven Army is a grand legion, while the Heavenly Star Army is a smaller force. Since you are a division commander of the Battle Heaven Army, your rank is equivalent to a vice commander in our Heavenly Star Army… If you give the order, Commander, we can march into battle!"
"Wouldn't that be overstepping my bounds?"
Li Hao chuckled. "It would only invite criticism. Better not…"
"Commander Li, the enemy is right before us, our foes at our doorstep, yet we cannot seek revenge! Are you forcing us to break out of the ruins by force? If we do that, we might disrupt your plans…"
The silver-armored officer spoke with fierce reluctance: "We made a mistake in the past by placing misplaced trust in Sun Xin, and now we wish to atone through meritorious service! Had you not spoken, we wouldn't even know the enemy's whereabouts had been discovered. Now that they have shown themselves…"
"The enemy is a Heavenly King!"
"Our Heavenly Star Army knows no fear!"
The silver-armored commander roared fiercely, "What of a Heavenly King? Even if we cannot prevail, we will tear a piece of flesh from them! A Neo-Martial legion has never feared battle!"
"Still, it is better not to…"
"Are you still a soldier, Commander?"
The officer grew furious. "Why make excuses? Do you believe we of Neo-Martial are cowards? You are sorely mistaken, Commander! There may be cowards among Neo-Martial people, but none exist within our ranks! Brothers in arms never fear battle, nor do they fear death!"
Li Hao frowned. "Easy to say… but I will not allow a unit of Neo-Martial troops that does not heed my commands to disrupt my plans. If the enemy uses their status to pressure you, you might turn on me instead… Who can say?"
"Do you take us for fools, Commander? Once battle begins, soldiers focus only on fighting, disregarding all else! Words… will never make us waver or retreat…"
"That is hardly certain. When Section Chief Zhang appeared back then, did you not immediately turn on Sun Xin? The Heavenly Star Army has a history of mutiny before a battle—that is the ultimate taboo!"
At these words, the commanders' faces drained of color. One of them said in agony, "Section Chief Zhang is a descendant of the Supreme, and Sun Xin was a traitor… We… we…"
"And what if another Section Chief Zhang appears and proclaims that I am an enemy of Neo-Martial? What will you do then?"
Li Hao shook his head. "Too unpredictable! I fear I might survive the enemy only to be captured, slain, and presented to some Sovereign's descendant by your hands. Wouldn't that make me the unluckiest fool alive?"
"……"
The commanders' expressions shifted erratically.
What a thing to say.
Another commander said in a low voice, "You cannot be a traitor to Neo-Martial, Commander, because you are not a person of Neo-Martial! Right now, those who obstruct you from slaying the enemy are far more likely to be traitors and Red Moon operatives… We will never repeat what happened before…"
Li Hao laughed softly. "And if Section Chief Zhang returns and orders you to apprehend me?"
"How could that happen!"
The silver commander replied instantly, "Section Chief Zhang is a descendant of the Supreme, entirely dedicated to destroying the enemy…"
Li Hao sighed and gave a faint laugh. "Perhaps Section Chief Zhang has his own difficulties? Waiting for traitors to take control of heaven and earth might allow a safer connection to Neo-Martial, and I might simply be getting in the way of his plans…"
At this, the commanders recalled something, their expressions changing drastically.
One of them said in a heavy voice, "That cannot be… Soldiers would rather take the straight path than yield to compromise! Placing hope in the enemy taking control of heaven and earth to reconnect with the Neo-Martial main world—would that not mean abandoning the Neo-Martial spirit? Neo-Martial struggles against all odds; even if outmatched, we fight! You must be mistaken, Commander!"
Li Hao turned to face them, his tone turning solemn. "What if… they—and I do not speak only of Section Chief Zhang, but of experts in other main cities as well—harbor these very thoughts? Will you still cling to your course? Will you still resist? Will you still stand against them?"
The commanders were struck entirely mute.
Seeing this, Li Hao turned and walked away.
Behind him, the commanders stood frozen in place.
What if the high-ranking leadership truly had no desire to resist?
Just as Li Hao stepped further away, one commander suddenly shouted with fierce passion, "You may look down on us, Commander Li, and look down on all the Neo-Martial remnants in this small world, but you must never look down on the Neo-Martial spirit! If that moment truly comes, even if they remain our superiors, they will have betrayed the Neo-Martial spirit! And anyone who betrays the Neo-Martial spirit is a traitor to Neo-Martial—and all traitors may be slain!"
A shiver ran through another commander at those words, and the next moment, another voice roared, "Indeed! Anyone lacking the Neo-Martial spirit may be slain! Neo-Martial… brook no disrespect, brook no slander, and brook no one using the name of Neo-Martial to tarnish its glory!"
Li Hao turned around, his tone grave. "Are these words… truly spoken in earnest?"
"Without a shred of falsehood!"
The commanders bellowed in unison: "Those who do not resist, who surrender without a fight, who sit idly waiting for death—no matter who they are, they are traitors, and all may be executed! Even descendants of Sovereigns may be slain!"
Li Hao watched them for a long moment before nodding slowly. "This time, you may march out with me! However… should you ever betray the Neo-Martial spirit you speak of… I will show no mercy! I had thought your superiors had lost this spirit, yet you still retain it. It leaves me… somewhat astonished."
The commanders burned with internal fury. Who had given Li Hao such an impression?
How could people of Neo-Martial betray the Neo-Martial spirit?
It was their faith!
To resist everything, to fight against all odds—how could they ever compromise with an enemy?
How could they ever rely on the mercy of a foe?
How could they place their hopes on an enemy seizing the world to reconnect with Neo-Martial?
Those who did were traitors!
Li Hao strode away, a faint smile touching his eyes.
Li Fuhai… your words were truly insightful. And I seem to have discovered how to win over a contingent of Neo-Martial people.
Whether they were willing to swear allegiance to him was irrelevant.
The crucial point was that the enemies he wished to crush were also the ones they desired to destroy.
Whoever stood in the way… was a traitor!
This was magnificent!
Had he possessed such an understanding earlier, he might have gathered numerous powerhouses long ago. Seeking common ground while reserving differences was indeed an exceptional approach; in the end, it took someone of Neo-Martial to truly understand their own.
The key was that Li Fuhai had explained things with utter clarity. Figures like Director Wang, perhaps hindered by their lower status, or perhaps understanding internally yet unable to articulate it clearly, had caused Li Hao considerable hardship.
Look at this now—it was infinitely easier.
With effortless ease, he had brought both the Heavenly Star Army and the demon plant lineage into his fold!
As for the students of Yuanping Martial Arts University watching in secret… Li Hao did not bother with them. Perhaps they, too, felt deeply conflicted at this moment.
All of this proceeded just as Li Hao had anticipated.
The massive energy vein was mined with frantic speed.
The commanders departed swiftly, rallying their subordinates in preparation to leave the ruins and confront the mighty enemy.
They cared nothing for the enemy's strength.
Washing away their shame and exacting vengeance was their sole conviction.
At this moment, even Zhang An could not stop them. What was more, Zhang An was not an army commander, whereas Li Hao carried the title of division commander in the Battle Heaven Army.
Meanwhile, Li Hao entered the energy vein and retrieved the battered body of the quasi-Heavenly King.
Ever since using portions of it to reconstruct physical forms for others, the body had become somewhat damaged and diminished, yet it was precisely what Ninth Division Commander sought.
If any remained, it might even help others restore their physical forms.
Li Hao's mood grew brighter with every passing moment.
……
He did not linger long in Heavenly Star Town. Soon, Li Hao departed directly, leading thirty-six demon plants, five regiment commanders, and over a thousand Heavenly Star Army soldiers.
With his heightened strength, his domain enveloped everything around them.
None among them were Saints, so moving them presented little burden.
Heavenly Star Town fell instantly quiet, leaving behind only the students of Yuanping Martial Arts University.
It was not until Li Hao and his company were long gone that one of the puppets smashed a table to splinters with a single fist, his teeth clenched: "Teacher is not that kind of person… He would never compromise or collude with the enemy… This Li Hao slanders our teacher!"
"Will Li Hao… ever return? We have never revived our physical bodies and our combat strength remains frail. Are we… truly to wait like this forever?"
"I want to leave!"
"So do I… Others may be unwilling, but I… don't care anymore!"
"Jiang Yingli and the others have already left. Are we to remain behind, merely watching? Waiting? Waiting for our ancestors to return? We have waited for a hundred thousand years…"
On that day, arguments erupted. Some wanted to leave immediately, while others remained silent.
For the first time, a massive rift opened within Yuanping Martial Arts University.
Meanwhile, Li Hao had already marched off with his forces, feeling like humming a tune as he walked. Indeed, after wiping out Boundless City, everything was turning for the better. Teacher, the light you brought forth is beginning to envelop the lands of Silver Moon!
Chapter 350