Putting herself in Li Hao’s shoes and calculating his thoughts, Lin Hongyu felt far more confident.
Time, life and death, the eight divine weapons concealing stars.
If this was indeed Li Hao’s design, it meant the rascal had every confidence he could resurrect. At that thought, more ideas took shape in Lin Hongyu’s mind.
She looked around at everyone gathered here, including the Neo-Martial experts, as well as the King of Dali and the Western Queen.
She glanced toward the Western Queen. Today, this foolish Western Queen had defied everyone’s expectations, even if so much had happened that her earlier turnabout seemed hardly worth mentioning.
Yet to emerge unscathed from a clash at the Sovereign level and even lend Silver Moon’s power to Li Hao—most importantly, she and Li Hao were truly peers of the same era and the same generation.
Li Hao was ruthlessly decisive and had slaughtered so many foes. Looking across the world today, did he have any enemies left?
And yet, this woman who had opposed him time and again—who had even handed him his very first loss—was actually still alive. That alone proved she was far from simple.
Lin Hongyu kept these thoughts to herself without revealing the slightest hint. Still cold as frost and radiating death qi, she said in a chilly voice, “Since everyone is united in wanting to resurrect the Marquis, that saves us a great deal of trouble!
“Your presence here today is an acknowledgment of the Marquis’s rule. Your Majesty of Dali, Your Celestial Majesty the Queen, what are your thoughts?”
The King of Dali wore a complicated expression. “What thoughts could I have? I don't even have a future, let alone the power to summon it! Li Hao promised that if I took action and killed a half-step Sovereign, he would gift me a half-step Sovereign body... Now everything was blasted to bits by the thunder, so of course I can only wait for him to resurrect and fulfill his promise.”
Besides, what else could he think?
Hadn't everyone seen how Tianji, just to wash his hands of him, had blurted out the secret of beating his own ancestor to death?
Without Tianji’s aid, he was currently just a Heavenly King, not a half-step Sovereign empowered by an avatar. What could he possibly do?
Doing nothing was the best choice.
As for the Queen, she stood with supreme arrogance, casting a sidelong glance at Lin Hongyu, whose body surged with death qi. Savoring the faint hostility, she grew slightly guarded and said coldly, “Li Hao borrowed a massive amount of Silver Moon power from this queen. It was a loan, not a gift... Naturally, this queen can only wait for him to revive and repay my Silver Moon power!”
Both monarchs chose to wait—to wait for Li Hao’s resurrection.
As for whether it would succeed... who could tell?
They had to treat a dead horse like a living one and give it a try!
True or false, everyone needed a common objective right now. Otherwise, if they were truly left to ponder Li Hao’s death, disaster would strike at once, perhaps even igniting widespread slaughter.
Hearing their replies, Lin Hongyu said plainly, “Very well. Since no one objects, let us pull our strength in one direction. Just like before, we shall gather the prayers of the myriad people and use the method of converging faith to channel the Dao into the Great Dao Universe!
“Martial Uncle Hong and General Qian, the two of you may attempt a brief fusion to stimulate the revival of the Time Star and see if the extinguished star can be rekindled!”
Her tone turned frosty: “Both of you are people the Marquis trusted. You must not harbor disloyal thoughts at this juncture. Let me make things clear upfront: whether it is General Qian or Martial Uncle Hong, whoever dares attempt to devour the other right now will bring upon themselves Silver Moon’s battle of total extermination!”
Hong Yitang nodded. “I naturally would not do such a thing!”
Qian Wuliang chimed in hastily, “How could I? Everything Wuliang possesses today is thanks to the Marquis’s elevation. To resurrect the Marquis is naturally my bounden duty. How could I ever contest with Dean Hong for the power of the Dao?”
Lin Hongyu glanced at him once more. This man was clever indeed—an exceptionally shrewd man.
Clever people were often exceedingly difficult to handle. Qian Wuliang did not show the slightest dissent simply because he had become the master of the illusory Dao while Li Hao had fallen. Instead, he appeared incomparably enthusiastic, devoted entirely to reviving Li Hao. If Li Hao truly failed to resurrect, Lin Hongyu would in all likelihood never be able to keep this man in check!
“Then each to their duties...”
As she spoke, she suddenly glanced up at a gateway vaguely materializing in the sky, her brows furrowing slightly. “This Star Gate... someone mentioned that once the eight divine weapons gathered, it could be opened. Can the Sky Sword open the Star Gate right now?”
This was an immensely crucial question!
Silver Moon was still sealed off, but if the Sky Sword could open the Star Gate, it might invite terrible trouble.
She could have kept quiet about it, yet she chose to voice it, casting a sidelong glance at Zhang An and the others as she said solemnly, “If the Star Gate opens... if Neo-Martial lies on the other side, that is ideal. But if it opens within the domain of the Red Moon Great World, we will be in grave peril!
“Earlier, even the projection of the Cang Emperor seemed unable to cross the expanse... whereas when Sovereign Shigu of Red Moon fell, the resonance of his Dao echoed across the void. I suspect we are very likely within the reach of the Red Moon Great World!”
Her deduction was no wild guess.
As mighty as the Cang Emperor was, he still could not arrive swiftly, which proved the distance was extraordinarily vast. Yet the Dao resonance of the Red Moon Great World had clearly traveled here.
She continued, “The chaos lightning tribulation descended twice, and Silver Moon advanced in rank. Such a commotion must have been tremendous. Even if Silver Moon went unnoticed like a speck of dust before, now that the disturbance was so immense and we lie within Red Moon’s territory, could it attract the attention of Red Moon powerhouses?
“They must know Shigu invaded Silver Moon. Now that Sovereign Shigu has fallen, when tied together with the commotion in the chaos, I worry even more whether Red Moon powerhouses have already arrived near Silver Moon!
“Even more crucially, can they breach the Star Gate and slaughter their way into the Silver Moon world?”
At these words, everyone’s expression shifted slightly. Even Tianji frowned. “Your speculation is not without reason!”
It was indeed a sound inference. Of course, Lin Hongyu’s words also carried an undertone of warning toward the Neo-Martial faction.
Do not stir up trouble right now. If you do, and the Star Gate opens to reveal Red Moon powerhouses on the other side, you will suffer the consequences!
Even Tianji, with his half-step Sovereign strength and an avatar unbothered by death, would not dare act recklessly with Er Mao in tow.
On the surface, she was warning that all of them were in danger. In reality, it served as a profound deterrent to the Neo-Martial powerhouses.
Even if Li Hao were dead, they would gain nothing. Conversely, if Li Hao lived, with his talent, strength, and intellect, he might lead everyone to safety even within Red Moon’s territory.
At this moment, Zhang An spoke, his voice calm. “Set your mind at ease. We will not take any rash action, nor will we seize the Sky Sword to attempt opening the Star Gate. Opening the Star Gate is not simply a matter of gathering the eight weapons. The moment it opens, Silver Moon’s aura will leak out; even if no one could detect us before, we would be swiftly discovered then. We have already waited for a hundred thousand years—if there is truly hope of resurrecting Li Hao, why should we begrudge waiting a little longer?”
He was no fool either.
Through this dialogue, all sides stated their stances, representing their factions to reach a consensus.
Resurrecting Li Hao had become common ground.
At this point, Lin Hongyu discarded all pretense of gentleness. Having settled the experts’ intentions, she spoke bluntly: “In addition, Dao Jian, the Ninth Division Commander, Your Celestial Majesty the Queen, and Your Majesty the King of Dali—I have a small request for the four of you!”
Her tone hardened: “To avoid any misunderstandings, you four powerhouses will not participate in the grand plan to revive the Marquis! As for the Neo-Martial experts... I trust you all, but you are unfamiliar with the new Dao. Senior Zhang, I must trouble you to accompany these four powerhouses to Dali to contemplate the new Dao for a period of time!”
This was direct to the point of bluntness.
The King of Dali felt displeased, the Queen appeared entirely indifferent, and Dao Jian offered a slight bow, indicating no objection.
As for the Ninth Division Commander, his gaze grew intensely conflicted.
Did Lin Hongyu have reason to exclude him?
She did.
Li Daoheng was his blood brother!
His direct older brother! Had Li Hao not interfered, this Silver Moon heaven and earth would have belonged to Li Daoheng. Zheng Yu could not outplay him, and Sovereign Shigu was clearly no match for his schemes and would have been worn down sooner or later.
As for Tianji’s avatar, it was even less of a match.
If not for Li Hao, the one standing here today would likely be Li Daoheng, ruling over all of Silver Moon, devouring the twin Dao universes, swallowing Silver Moon itself, and stepping in a single leap into the ranks of the stronger Sovereigns—far beyond an ordinary Sovereign.
The Neo-Martial Saints were no fools either. Though Lin Hongyu’s words left a bad taste in their mouths, they all remained silent, offering no objections.
The Ninth Division Commander said nothing either.
Zhang An nodded. “Very well...”
“Senior, you must also temporarily withdraw your star of the corporeal Dao!”
At this, someone finally voiced discontent. A Saint of the Zhang family said in a deep voice, “Is that truly necessary? Director Zhang is the descendant of the Supreme. Since he gave his word, he will never go back on it. If Marquis Li were resurrected, even he would find Director Zhang’s treatment improper, wouldn't he? When Marquis Li was around, he never guarded against Director Zhang like this; their bond was a true friendship between gentlemen...”
A thought crossed everyone’s minds: this woman was truly lacking the magnanimity of a man.
When Li Hao was here, he would never act this way.
He had always treated Zhang An with utmost courtesy. Even when his master fell in battle, Li Hao had not severed ties with Zhang An, only offering a few mild warnings not to interfere in the affairs between him and Neo-Martial.
Even that had been a covert deterrence, never spoken in public.
Yet today, Lin Hongyu openly declared she did not trust Zhang An, which left many Neo-Martial powerhouses feeling aggrieved.
Zhang An spoke up instead: “Fine, I shall temporarily withdraw it... However, the new Dao is ultimately attuned to the Great Dao Universe; it cannot remain stored outside for too long.”
“I understand!”
Lin Hongyu nodded. “When the time comes, Senior may naturally return to the Great Dao Universe!”
Zhang An pressed the matter no further.
Lin Hongyu seemed entirely unbothered by whether they were pleased or not. If she intended to unify the world under her rule, she would have needed to be cautious, drawing people to her side where necessary. But did she feel that was needed?
Not at all!
Since that was the case, safety came first. Though everyone appeared united on the surface, only they themselves knew their true thoughts. Taking precautions was an absolute necessity.
“Then so it shall be... Time cannot be wasted. Starting today, we begin preparations for the Marquis’s resurrection...”
She issued orders before concluding, “On my end, I will first scour the lands of Silver Moon to gather the shattered Heaven's Will, seeing if we can use it as a catalyst to assemble the broken will and resurrect the Marquis!”
She swiftly assigned tasks to everyone. In this moment, no one raised objections, each complying and taking their leave to act.
What they lacked right now was a pillar of support.
Since Lin Hongyu had stepped forward to make Li Hao’s revival the primary objective, everyone was willing to give it a try regardless of whether they believed it would work.
***
Once the crowd had departed, Tianji and Er Mao prepared to leave as well.
Lin Hongyu suddenly spoke: “Seniors, please wait a moment... Hongyu has something to say.”
The man and the cat halted their steps.
Tianji was somewhat puzzled. Instead of gathering Heaven's Will, why was she calling him back?
Lin Hongyu remained silent for a breath before speaking: “Earlier, when heaven and earth were divided into eight, the Blood Saber stood within a small world, a small realm... Both seniors know of it and can enter. There is no day like today. Right now, I intend to go there and revive Li Hao! I hope the two seniors will protect me. Once Li Hao is resurrected, he will surely reward you generously!”
Tianji was stunned. “What?”
Weren't they unprepared?
Though Lin Hongyu felt some hesitation, wondering if Tianji might harbor ill intent, after careful consideration, she had made up her mind: “That was merely a cover! To resurrect Li Hao, I alone am enough!”
“...”
Damn it!
Tianji cursed inwardly. Truly a rotten lot—Li Hao was like this, and so was this woman.
Who was she guarding against?
Things had already reached this point, and everyone had declared their allegiance, yet all along... you were setting up a smokescreen?
Who was that performance for?
At a time like this, would anyone truly step forward to rebel?
“Aren't you afraid that I...”
“I trust Senior, and Li Hao trusts Senior!”
Lin Hongyu’s expression was earnest. “Had he not trusted you, Li Hao could have easily used his Heaven's Will body to share the final thunder tribulation with all of you. In truth... since Li Hao did not do so and chose not to annihilate all the powerhouses in one stroke, it means that those who survived were people he trusted!
“However... I am merely a woman after all. A woman’s heart is somewhat narrow, and with my husband’s life and death at stake, I naturally took a few extra precautions... I ask for Senior’s understanding!”
With words put so neatly, what else could Tianji say?
She had claimed she was not guarding against everyone, merely worried, and even asked him to stand guard, demonstrating absolute trust in him. In truth, Tianji was the one who had dealt with Li Hao the least.
What else could he say?
He nodded without further comment and soon remarked, “That place is indeed splendid—the true central locus of heaven and earth! It can gather the power of the eight directions. In the past, the Blood Sovereign carved out a small realm there, yet it still belongs to Silver Moon. Choosing that place for the resurrection... is not a bad choice at all.”
This woman had a sharp mind to settle on that location so quickly; she was certainly remarkable.
Yet could she truly resurrect Li Hao alone?
Who knew!
And could Li Hao truly be resurrected?
Tianji was a Sovereign after all, possessed of ample insight. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Can he truly be resurrected?”
“I don't know. We'll find out once we try.”
What a perfunctory answer!
Tianji was left speechless. Beside him, Er Mao chimed in enthusiastically, “Little Tianji... your name is Tianji, right? I seem to remember... you are the Western Sovereign’s son... This cat thinks it might be possible to resurrect him...”
Tianji felt helpless. Give me some face; don't call me that in front of outsiders.
I am hardly small in front of these people.
I lived for countless years in the Neo-Martial era. Calculating it all... aren't I over two hundred thousand years old?
I've forgotten the exact count myself!
I am a dignified Sovereign, and in the entire Silver Moon world, aside from you, I have the greatest seniority!
Fortunately, this Cang Emperor projection had a different personality from the actual Cang Emperor. If the real Cang Emperor were here, Tianji would have fled long ago rather than chat idly. Right now, Tianji did not refute it, merely nodding: “That's good, then!”
Er Mao floated in the air, flying alongside Tianji and Lin Hongyu toward their destination. As they flew, it asked, “Little Tianji, earlier, that chubby one... was that Big Cat? How did Big Cat get even fatter?”
“...”
Tianji was at a loss for words. How should I know? Besides, the Cang Emperor could eat and drink anything, devouring non-stop from morning to night. It would be strange if he weren't fat.
Just as he was pondering how to reply, Er Mao asked again, “Did the teacher die?”
The teacher...
Tianji was briefly dazed, casting a sidelong glance at Er Mao.
The teacher it spoke of... was the Emperor of Battle Heaven.
That peerless prodigy who had illuminated an entire era!
Did he die?
He had died... hadn't he?
Reduced completely to dust and ash. He had never seemed to contemplate resurrection or rebirth, which was why the Blood Sovereign had never toiled for such a purpose—because that had been his own choice.
In the era of the Nine Sovereigns and Four Emperors, only that man... was truly carefree. I come as I please, and I go as I please. No man in this world can kill me; I simply could not bear to witness the fickleness of the human heart, and so I departed.
Tianji was lost in thought. In this moment, for reasons unknown, he thought of Li Hao once more.
He thought of this fellow who was actually quite weak, completely different from the Emperor of Battle Heaven. Li Hao did not resemble the Human King in the slightest, yet in Tianji’s eyes, why... did he seem a little like the Emperor of Battle Heaven?
Of course, he was not as pure as the Emperor of Battle Heaven.
Yet he was just as carefree: I die if I wish to die, and even in death, I will not die by an enemy’s hand. My departure is mine alone to decide.
Tianji recalled some memories of the past. After a moment of silence, he said, “I don't know. Perhaps he went to another world to live freely!”
Even he could not help but sigh with deep emotion when mentioning that figure.
Er Mao did not seem sorrowful, only a little wistful: “Oh... that must be it! This cat remembers now. That day, he said he was leaving, and he brought me along so we could go eat delicious food in another world!”
It said no more, falling silent.
It originated from the projected world, having lived alongside the Emperor of Battle Heaven since its inception. Throughout those countless years... the only thing etched into its life was that scholar who taught.
It did not know why it had been resurrected... Was resurrection truly a good thing?
Tianji remained silent as well.
Resurrecting Er Mao had been the Blood Sovereign’s decision. In truth, success had been nearly impossible; even in Silver Moon, it had merely been a gamble on luck. Yet in the end, it had actually succeeded. But what of it?
The Emperor of Battle Heaven was dead!
He suddenly felt that resurrecting Er Mao might not have been a good decision. With the Emperor of Battle Heaven gone, didn't resurrecting Er Mao merely add to its sorrow?
He was not very familiar with this cat, but he knew that back then, when the Emperor of Battle Heaven bent his bow to shoot the Heavenly Emperor, sundering the origin and wounding him, this cat had been part of that arrow, willingly merging into it. The Cang Emperor had once wanted to bring it back, but it had refused.
Ahead of them, Lin Hongyu had been listening all along.
She did not know much about the secrets of the Neo-Martial era, but she knew this cat was a projection of the Neo-Martial Cang Emperor. Now it seemed it carried quite a story.
At this moment, she spoke up: “Li Hao can reverse time. In the future...”
Before she could finish, Er Mao said, “No need.”
Lin Hongyu froze, saying no more.
She merely felt a strange sensation: was this cat truly of one body with the legendary Cang Emperor?
Why did it feel like there was not the slightest resemblance between them?
Furthermore, she could not truly gauge its exact strength.
***
Surrounded by silence, the two people and one cat soon entered the small realm where the ruins of Star Suppressing City once lay.
This place still existed.
Lin Hongyu inspected it. It was a fine location; though merely a small realm within Silver Moon, it could conceal many things.
She did not delay.
Long delays brought unexpected troubles.
If too much time passed and he could not be reversed back, Li Hao might truly die, and that would be disastrous.
Though that heartless man might not care whether he lived or died, how could she let him walk away scot-free?
He shouldn't be given a single day of peace!
Die today, live today.
Though Silver Moon’s crisis was resolved, who knew how many storms brewed in the outer world? If he wished to steal half a day of leisure from floating life, he was dreaming.
“Seniors, I shall use death qi to cloak heaven and earth, life and death as the foundation, and the stars of the Sky Sword’s eight weapons as the framework... to attempt stirring time. If the death qi cannot shield against the chaos lightning tribulation...”
Tianji shuddered. “There’s more?”
Damn it!
I want to go home!
To be honest, even if his true body came, taking that tribulation would be agonizing.
There couldn't possibly be another, right?
Did she really intend to summon it three times in one day?
I'm just a half-step Sovereign avatar—don't torment me like this!
“I said *if*...”
Tianji had a headache. “Little girl, let me put it this way: if that thing truly comes, though I have a half-step Sovereign body, I am utterly helpless against it. You saw what happened earlier... If that arrives, I... will run!”
He did not blush in the slightest.
It was merely an avatar. Never mind an avatar—even if his true body were here, he would say the same thing. If that thing descended, he would flee.
Let’s lay all our cards on the table!
No beating around the bush!
Lin Hongyu was speechless. Was this... truly a Sovereign?
His mettle seemed even inferior to Shigu’s.
Well, there was a reason this man had survived for so long.
“Very well!”
Tianji breathed a sigh of relief. “That's fine, then!”
Lin Hongyu said no more. At this moment, death qi flooded the world. Tianji examined it, still feeling somewhat perplexed: “The Neo-Martial world divides into yin and yang: life in the Yang Realm, death in the Yin Realm... there is also a distinction between life and death! But... this state of yours, being half-alive and half-dead—to be honest, this is the first time I've seen it... Silver Moon’s new Dao differs quite significantly from the Dao of Neo-Martial.”
Lin Hongyu shook her head. She did not know what to say, because she had no idea why she had become like this either.
Li Hao seemed to have done something to her... In any case, she was supposed to be dead, yet Li Hao had pulled her back.
As for how he accomplished it, perhaps only Li Hao knew.
Who cared!
Regardless, she knew that she was currently still a living person... Though death qi saturated her body with a sense of extinction, she was undeniably alive.
Without further chatter, her death qi spilled outward, blanketing the small realm.
At this moment, a sword flew forth.
Vaguely, three treasures emerged: a tree, a seal, and a stone.
Deep within, stars seemed to manifest faintly.
The Time Star seemed to rest among them, yet it lay extinguished.
When this sword appeared... Lin Hongyu understood. The power of time within her body was not the crux of the resurrection; rather, it was meant to stimulate the Time Star and awaken it!
Only in this way could more power of time be generated continuously. Hers was merely a spark.
“Humph!”
Lin Hongyu suddenly let out another cold snort, leaving Tianji completely bewildered.
Yet a question had crossed Lin Hongyu’s mind... If I did not resurrect this fellow, would the mutual fusion of the corporeal and illusory Dao universes have awakened the Time Star?
If it could... did that also mean Li Hao could resurrect?
Was he waiting!
Not only waiting for her, but also waiting for Hong Yitang and Qian Wuliang! If either of those two harbored the desire to devour the other, he would return once more!
Or if an outsider tried to devour both Daos, he would return as well!
He had not truly made it impossible to return, nor had he given up.
Instead... he thought: if all is well, I will leave it be; if trouble arises, I shall walk back from the ends of time and space.
Lin Hongyu thought she might be overthinking it... yet she could not stop herself, and the more she thought, the more she felt he was precisely that kind of person.
If Qian Wuliang truly dared to harbor designs on devouring Hong Yitang... he might be astonished to find Li Hao appearing right behind his head, cleaving him in two with a single sword strike!
The corners of Lin Hongyu’s mouth curved slightly upward. This man was truly overbearing.
If I don't give it to you to devour, you aren't permitted to devour it!
If you dare entertain such notions, I will return and slaughter you. Truly worthy of the man I, Lin Hongyu, chose!
Beside her, Tianji grew increasingly perplexed... What on earth was this lass thinking?
Was she mentally twisted?
One moment smiling, the next furious, then lost in a daze... Are you going to get to business or not?
Amid Lin Hongyu’s wandering thoughts, a surge of vitality radiated from her body, and an infinitesimally faint wisp of temporal power suddenly surged into the Sky Sword.
The Sky Sword shuddered violently.
Deep within the longsword, a star seemed to be ignited.
In that instant... Lin Hongyu’s expression shifted slightly as she looked toward the sky. Even with the death qi isolating them, she seemed to sense a wisp of heavenly might!
Igniting the star had drawn the attention of the chaos lightning once more.
Tianji’s expression also changed. That sensation... sent shivers down his spine. Damn it, was a third chaos lightning tribulation truly on its way?
Right then, Er Mao raised its chubby head to glance at the sky. Suddenly, it opened its mouth. It did not swallow the world; instead, it spat out a stream of peculiar energy that blanketed the small realm.
The impending heavenly might... vanished in an instant.
Er Mao sounded slightly feeble: “Just blocking it a bit. This cat doesn't know the power of time, but I know how to isolate heaven and earth... In the past, we lived in an isolated space.”
That had been a projected world, cut off from the outside, almost nonexistent in reality.
Now, it had utilized that very energy.
Lin Hongyu hastily offered her thanks: “Thank you, Senior!”
What a good cat!
In the Neo-Martial era, everyone feared the Cang Emperor... How strange. This cat was so gentle.
Though it was not the Cang Emperor, weren't they of one body?
Before she could dwell on it, she realized she no longer needed to do anything. The Sky Sword began to vibrate violently, and one star after another materialized from the illusory void, arranging themselves in sequence.
Gradually, an illusory sword appeared between heaven and earth.
It was the meridian of the Dao, formed by three hundred and sixty stars!
Yet all of them were dim.
Only the central star held a faint glow, drawn from the wisp of temporal power within Lin Hongyu’s body.
Drop by drop, liquid manifested upon the illusory sword.
Droplet after droplet of temporal power surfaced, permeating heaven and earth, washing over the stars, and forming a tiny, barely discernible river of time.
At this moment, the three hundred and sixty stars hovered half-illusory and half-real.
Suddenly, it seemed as if the world was being forged anew.
The power of the Great Dao surfaced. A star was ignited, erupting with brilliant radiance. A surge of Dao power manifested within the river, blending into one with the River of Time.
One star, two stars, three stars...
In the blink of an eye, over a hundred stars had been ignited.
Yet Li Hao had not appeared.
Lin Hongyu was intensely nervous. She had done nothing; all of this unfolded naturally. Sure enough, just as she had guessed, Li Hao had made preparations. It was not as though he could only rely on others to resurrect him.
He could actually resurrect himself—either using her as a catalyst, or using the fusion of the twin Daos as a catalyst!
This man had truly prepared an escape route!
How terrifying!
Star after star lit up, and surge after surge of Dao power poured into the river. The sound of flowing water grew distinct. Nearby, Tianji watched with sheer shock. This fellow... was ridiculously capable!
With just a spark, he could reverse death and be reborn!
Damn it!
If this creature truly stepped out of Silver Moon... who knew how many powerhouses would be schemed to death by him.
Setting everything else aside, Tianji had believed that within the Silver Moon world, if no one advanced to Sovereign, no one could do anything to those powerhouses... Yet Li Hao, despite borrowing boundless future strength, had not truly been a Sovereign.
Even so, he had wiped out an entire cohort of them.
Truly killing without leaving a trace!
Shaken to the core, Tianji felt all the more... that he should stay far away from this fellow. Such a person was best left unprovoked. He wouldn't even offer him flattery—it was best if they simply minded their own business.
In this delicate atmosphere, the river suddenly surged with ripples, presenting a scene reminiscent of the dawn of creation.
Suddenly, a stone sank into the riverbed.
In an instant, the flow halted. The stone expanded across the river, instantly turning into earth. Lin Hongyu’s expression changed, and Tianji’s heart stirred. Seeing her anxiety, he said quickly, “That is the Sword Venerable’s whetstone. It... shouldn't harm Li Hao...”
Er Mao watched blankly for a long while before speaking: “It's fine. This person... he wants to open a new heaven, to open a small world of his own...”
As it spoke, an incomparably illusory figure materialized atop the river that had turned to earth.
Stepping out from an unknown origin, entirely ethereal, he bore the imprint of a star between his brows—the Time Star. His eyes resembled bright moons, gazing outward across time itself.
Looking toward Lin Hongyu, he seemed to offer a faint smile: “Quite clever of you... Also, my thanks to the two seniors for guarding my Dao!”
Walking upon the earth born of the river, his voice echoed as if traveling across time and space: “How long have I slept?”
Lin Hongyu had always been respectful, answering every question Li Hao asked. Today, however, she let out a cold sneer: “You've been asleep for a whole hour!”
“...”
Li Hao’s body froze slightly.
How long?
An hour?
Dealing with Silver Moon’s trivial matters should have taken longer than that, shouldn't it?
A sword appeared in his hand, and with a single slash, he shattered a star. The sight stunned the onlookers. The shattered star instantly dissolved into turbid Dao power, merging into the riverbed earth.
He was actually shattering the Dao!
Li Hao raised an eyebrow slightly. “Too short... Has something happened to Silver Moon?”
Lin Hongyu’s expression was calm. “Nothing. Everything is fine. It’s just that you ran into trouble, so naturally, I had to resurrect my husband at the earliest opportunity! Fearing something might go awry, I have Silver Moon’s tens of billions of living souls praying outside for my husband right now, devoutly wishing for my husband’s immortality! Martial Uncle Hong and the others are preparing for your resurrection, casting aside their advancement, their cultivation, and everything else... Senior Tianji and Senior Cat are also standing guard for you without asking for anything in return...”
In short, everyone is running about for your sake!
Silver Moon is entirely at peace!
Li Hao looked at Lin Hongyu across the void, swinging his sword again to shatter another star. It dissolved into turbid Dao power, merging into the riverbed earth.
After a moment of silence, Li Hao spoke: “Since you moved so swiftly to revive me... you should understand there was no need for their help. It merely wastes labor and exhausts the people...”
Lin Hongyu remained placid: “Everyone acted out of ardent devotion, viewing you as king, as god, as lord... How could we dampen their spirits?”
“Lin Hongyu...”
Li Hao swung his sword, shattering the stars he had painstakingly condensed one by one, causing the river world to expand countless times in an instant. He sounded somewhat displeased: “You are making trouble for me!”
“No, I am foolish—inferior even to the Western Queen... I don't understand your intentions. My only thought was to see you resurrected safely!”
Li Hao paused, feeling helpless, and ceased engaging.
You, foolish?
You're anything but foolish!
It only makes me look foolish. Had I known, I wouldn't have sought you out. Truly a massive pitfall!
At this moment, the corners of Lin Hongyu’s mouth curved slightly.
At a loss for words now, are we?
Looking across time and space, she asked, “Why are you shattering the stars?”
“As long as the myriad Daos converge, why divide them so distinctly?”
Li Hao said, “Assemble your natal star. In a moment, I will shatter it with my sword!”
“...”
Lin Hongyu said no more, beginning to gather the stars within her body. Li Hao turned his head to look at her again: “Shatter it with a single strike, understand?”
“I am foolish and ignorant; I don't quite understand!”
“...”
Li Hao was left speechless and could only say, “Drop the act!”
Failing to intimidate her, he continued, “Assemble life and death. I will shatter your star and merge the Dao of life and death into the River of Time! I originally intended to enjoy this new sky alone, but life and death are difficult to comprehend. By a stroke of fortune, you managed to summon life and death... Since that is the case, merge into my new Dao!”
A smile surfaced on Lin Hongyu’s face as a star gradually emerged within her body—half-black, half-white, exceptionally complex.
Tianji could no longer hold back: “Li Hao, why does this Dao of life and death differ from our Neo-Martial Dao of yin and yang?”
“Yin and yang are yin and yang; life and death are life and death!”
Li Hao continued shattering stars as he spoke: “I do not know what Neo-Martial’s yin and yang truly are. In my Dao, life and death are linked to time. The past is life, the future is death; the present gathers life and death, converging the past and the future...”
Tianji felt a headache coming on.
Li Hao did not elaborate further, looking toward the sky and then toward Er Mao. “Senior Cat, thank you for your trouble! I originally thought that when the lightning descended, you would help me swallow a portion of it. I did not expect you would use such a method to isolate heaven and earth... half-illusory and half-real, somewhat reminiscent of the Great Dao Universe!”
He spoke without concealment, as if he had anticipated that Er Mao would help him swallow the lightning.
As expected!
In that split second, Lin Hongyu cursed inwardly again. This heartless man had even calculated this cat into his plans.
Er Mao seemed somewhat languid and said nothing.
It merely cast a glance at Li Hao, its eyes... filled with vicissitudes.
Li Hao turned to look at Er Mao, seemingly realizing something, and added, “If Senior finds things dull, before finding the Blood Sovereign, you may take a stroll in my new sky, wandering through the past and the future. Though it is merely an illusory scene, it might offer some solace!”
Er Mao looked puzzled: “One can travel through the past and future?”
“Yes!”
Li Hao nodded. “However, it is all illusory. The past is unique, while the future holds myriad paths... Traveling upstream into the past, or drifting downstream into the future! At every moment, it consumes energy and lifespan. Senior cares for neither lifespan nor energy; having returned through resurrection, why not travel upstream into the past to amuse yourself...”
Tianji could not help but blurt out, “Li Hao, don't mess around!”
Li Hao smiled: “Follow your heart! The Dao is the heart! If Senior Cat wishes to return to the past, why not travel upstream along the river and return to the depths of your memory? If you wish to step out, you can do so at any time. If you do not... what harm is there in deceiving yourself within your own memories for a lifetime?”
“Everyone knows the past has faded... who doesn't understand that?”
As Li Hao spoke, Er Mao nodded slightly. Suddenly, it vanished, stepping into the space-time of the river.
In an instant, it plunged into the river, swimming upstream against the current with a hint of sorrow: “You resemble him... but you are not him. This cat knows the past cannot be pursued, but I... still want to see him!”
Swimming upstream, time flew like an arrow!
The cat gradually turned illusory. Beneath Tianji’s near-collapsing gaze, the cat vanished into the river in an instant, plunging toward the river’s end, never to return!
“Li Hao!”
Tianji was on the verge of madness. What the hell!
You actually... actually lured Er Mao away!
Li Hao let out a soft sigh: “Senior, that one did not seem very happy. You and the Blood Sovereign resurrected it, but it might not have wished for that... Living in Silver Moon now is boring for it. It is better to let it immerse itself in the past; perhaps... with time, it will come to terms with things! If it truly lets go, it will naturally walk out!”
At this moment, from the end of the River of Time, the clear sound of reading aloud seemed to echo.
In the vague distance, an illusory silhouette appeared—infinitely ethereal, clad in white untainted by dust. A cat leaped and tumbled, tears rolling down like strands of pearls into the river, drifting downstream, leaving behind only boundless sorrow and solitude.
“Sigh!”
Li Hao sighed softly: “Among us people, these living beings, who says we must wish to live a long life?”
These words were spoken for Er Mao, for Lin Hongyu, and perhaps for himself as well.
If possible, I too would like to swim upstream, return to the past, immerse myself in that false, illusory world, and live within my own memories.
Boom!
The stars completely shattered, leaving only the Time Star adorning his brow.
Stepping out of the world, he reached out and grasped a star of life and death that had materialized. Li Hao raised his longsword: “Once this star shatters... you will have no way back!”
Lin Hongyu looked toward the end of the River of Time and suddenly smiled: “I want a future; I don't want to live in the past! A woman follows her husband through thick and thin... I accept it!”
Li Hao’s head throbbed. The momentary solitude he had felt vanished in an instant, replaced entirely by endless annoyance.
Women... truly... unreasonable!
He slashed downward!
Without the slightest hesitation, the auras of life and death flooded the entire river in an instant. Black and white alternated across Lin Hongyu’s form; one moment lifeless, the next bursting with vigor.
Shifting back and forth in continuous transformation, it brought agonizing pain.
After an unknown duration, the death qi on her body dissipated, and the surging vitality vanished as well, leaving her resembling an ordinary mortal without the slightest aura of a cultivator.
Having shattered the star, Li Hao took a deep breath and looked toward the sky: “Today, I seal the river, shatter the stars, converge life and death, and step into the ninth level of Dao Integration Realm!”
Boom!
A tree and a seal. The tree plunged into the river, taking root across millions of li.
The great seal transformed into a barrier, enveloping the river. In the blink of an eye, a heaven and earth formed of the river—resembling a tunnel with boundless reaches on either end—was fully established!
Li Hao’s aura instantly shifted from illusory to corporeal!
The ninth level of Dao Integration Realm!
Gathering three hundred and sixty stars!
Illusory and corporeal unified, the peak of the ninth level of Dao Integration Realm was, in truth, merely the peak of a half-step Sovereign.
Yet Tianji’s expression changed slightly as he looked at Li Hao, suddenly asking, “The ninth level of Dao Integration Realm... a true peak half-step Sovereign?”
Li Hao turned his head, smiled, and nodded: “You could say that!”
What was a true peak half-step Sovereign?
One with an origin. The previous half-step Sovereigns had lacked the augmentation of an origin, while Sovereign Shigu of Red Moon had lacked the augmentation of the Red Moon Great Dao universe, meaning neither could be counted as a genuine Sovereign or half-step Sovereign.
Of course, within Silver Moon, they could be viewed as such.
Yet Li Hao had stepped into the ninth level of Dao Integration Realm in a single day. Though named the peak of a half-step Sovereign, his current strength was not in the least inferior to Sovereign Shigu when he broke free from the seal, nor was it weaker than Li Daoheng who reigned as an uncrowned Sovereign.
This was the true ninth level of Dao Integration Realm!
Tianji was at a loss for words, feeling helpless. My Er Mao... is lost!
This brat Li Hao had actually stepped into the genuine ninth level of Dao Integration Realm. Strictly speaking, within Silver Moon, he could function as a Sovereign; Tianji could no longer defeat this fellow!
How was he supposed to get Er Mao back now?
Truly... infuriating!
Had he known, he wouldn't have helped him guard his Dao.
At this moment, the death qi in the sky dissipated completely, yet the chaos lightning tribulation that Lin Hongyu and the others feared did not descend. Li Hao smiled: “It’s fine. The new sky is sealed. As long as I do not step out of Silver Moon, even the chaos will not detect anything in the short term.”
If another chaos lightning tribulation descended, he would want to weep too.
Lin Hongyu suddenly asked, “Are you still Heaven's Will?”
“No longer.”
Li Hao shook his head. “Heaven's Will is dead. I opened a new sky—how could I still be Heaven's Will?”
“Then... do you count as human?”
“...”
Li Hao paused, then nodded after a long moment: “I suppose so!”
“That's good, then!”
Lin Hongyu breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought you didn't even count as human anymore.”
“...”
Why did those words sound so terribly awkward?
Lin Hongyu added, “It seemed even simpler than imagined. You succeeded just by shattering a few stars...”
Li Hao gave a bitter smile: “If you think enduring two consecutive chaos lightning tribulations, along with tribulations brought by Sovereigns and half-step Sovereigns, does not count as a trial, and returning from the dead does not count as a crisis, then I have nothing to say. It was indeed simple!”
“The Great Dao merely takes its natural course!”
Lin Hongyu couldn't resist retorting: “You... should ground yourself a little. You are clearly not that old, so why do you sound more and more like an old fogey? You have even less human warmth than Senior Tianji!”
Tianji, catching stray shots, felt utterly helpless.
Li Hao, slightly taken aback, nodded: “That makes sense. I am indeed lacking a bit of human warmth. Perhaps... I need a catalyst.”
Lin Hongyu fell silent. She knew what catalyst was needed.
For those who had died to return.
If Yuan Shuo, Hou Xiaochen, and the others returned, perhaps he would regain his human warmth.
Beside them, Tianji understood as well, suddenly letting out a scoff: “If the two of you have a child, you'll have plenty of human warmth!”
In an instant, he felt boundless sword intent lock onto him!
Tianji cursed inwardly!
You little brat, you dare threaten me... Truly a wretched thing. You stole my cat, and I haven't even settled scores with you yet.
Unfortunately... forget it. His avatar truly couldn't defeat this fellow right now. He would let him off for the time being.
Chapter 416