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The Bright Moon Sword spanned the heavens, and martial arts flourished. Silver Moon ascended, the fallen heroes returned to life, peace reigned across the realm, and prosperity blossomed. The entire Silver Moon had reached its absolute zenith in an instant. At this moment, it could be said to be the peak of Silver Moon’s people, as well as Li Hao’s peak. An unrivaled sweep, and every formidable foe had fallen! Under heaven, not a soul could stand against him! Laughter and cheerful voices filled the air, with beaming smiles on every face. If one could simply settle into this golden age of Silver Moon with peace of mind, at least a brief era of flourishing prosperity could be enjoyed without worrying about a single thing. Yet... could things truly go as one wished? ... Amidst the joyous laughter and merriment, only a rare few felt an overwhelming pressure, a boundless darkness. Li Hao was approaching death from old age. Only by stepping out of Silver Moon, surviving the Chaos Thunder Tribulation, and advancing to Sovereign was there any hope of recovery. Time could resurrect you, but it could not grant you more lifespan. Once your lifespan was exhausted, even time could scarcely save you. And stepping out of Silver Moon... meant that the brief peace was bound to be shattered once more. Be it Li Daoheng or Bone Corroder, both were considered powerhouses of their realm. Yet the territory they had dominated was merely tiny Silver Moon. Beyond Silver Moon lay the vast universe, the chaotic cosmos with countless worlds, where Sovereigns and World Masters were likely far from uncommon. Neo Martial possessed numerous Sovereigns and countless experts, yet it had still left Silver Moon to drift. Had they lost their way, were they truly outmatched, or were they locked in a bitter struggle? No one knew! Though the Cang Emperor had manifested for a brief moment, if he could have made his way here upon Er Mao’s revival, he would have arrived long ago rather than appearing for a few breaths and vanishing immediately. ... Central Continent. Heavenly Star City. The populace cultivated as energy coursed across the realm. Between heaven and earth, auras crisscrossed everywhere—some stepped into Mountain-Sea, while others crossed into Sun-Moon. The initiative of martial arts for all was already bearing fruit. The Governor-General’s Manor. Joyous voices and laughter made one reluctant to think of home. One revived expert after another was chatting and boasting with friends, recounting what they had seen and heard after dying... though in truth it was all hot air. Death was utter stillness; what could there possibly be to see or hear? ... The backyard. Snow fell in soft flurries as another freezing winter arrived. Time was marching toward the year 1732. Heavy snow drifted down. Yet it felt far less cold. This winter was nowhere near as grueling as the last. A year ago, Li Hao had only just dealt with the Nine Departments and the Imperial Clan, beset by internal troubles and external threats. Last year, countless refugees had fled across the four continents. This year, the continents had unified into one. Only Dali and the Divine Kingdom remained isolated beyond the borders. However, Dali had the King of Dali and Tianji, and the Queen had gone to the Divine Kingdom. With such powerhouses present, this winter would not be too difficult. Upon a stone table, a stove of warm wine sent forth a subtle, wafting aroma. A group of people sat gathered around the four sides. Li Hao, Yuan Shuo, Hong Yitang, Southern Fist, Hou Xiaochen, Liu Long, Jade Rakshasa, Jade Light Sword, Lin Hongyu, Sun Hongxiu—who had rushed back from the west—as well as Hong Qing and Liu Yan, who had insisted on standing guard on the perimeter. Five families... or six, if Southern Fist was counted. Among these people, Yuan Shuo was his teacher, Liu Long was his boss, Hou Xiaochen was his chief, and Southern Fist and Hong Yitang were senior martial uncles who had aided him many times. They were Li Hao’s core foundation from his days in Silver Moon, and the key pillars of support during his rise. Lin Hongyu stood up to pour wine for everyone. The cups were filled to the brim. Li Hao raised his cup with a smile. “I propose a toast to everyone—everything is in the cup!” Among Silver Moon martial masters, not one was not fond of wine. To roam the martial world, licking blood from blade edges, one could hardly be considered a Silver Moon martial master without drinking. Yuan Shuo smiled and raised his cup. The others followed suit, downing their drinks in a single gulp. The wine did not intoxicate; it was the drinkers who intoxicated themselves! After draining his cup, Li Hao poured another and drank it dry on his own. “To have you all return warms my heart. Day and night, the battle of Boundless City ate away at my mind and soul!” Making no attempt to hide it, he gave a wistful sigh. “It was like ten thousand arrows piercing my heart. Day and night, whenever I closed my eyes, I saw boundless heroes falling, blood splashing the heavens! Five years ago, I lost both my parents. Three years ago, my brother died without a whole corpse. Fortunately, I received the deep favor of my teacher, and Boss Liu spared no effort, risking his life to keep me safe! “Entering White Moon City and then Battle Heaven City, I gained Chief’s protection, Martial Uncle Hong’s guidance, and Martial Uncle Southern Fist’s righteous intervention... Because of that, I weathered the hardest days, unbroken and uncrushed by hatred, and ultimately took vengeance with my own hands...” Everyone listened quietly. Even Southern Fist, normally so talkative, held his tongue. At this moment, they all recalled the past. Thinking back to those days, mere Ten-Slayer and Hundred-Breaker cultivators had nearly cost Li Hao his life. When the Red Moon Organization attacked, a single Three Suns super had almost slaughtered them all. And now... Hundred-Breakers and Ten-Slayers were everywhere. The women present merely helped pour wine without interjecting, silently listening to the most powerful person in this world speak freely of the past. “I could never have reached where I am today without your support!” Li Hao sighed with deep emotion. “After Sovereign Bone Corroder and the others perished, what I wanted most was to resurrect you all. In the end, I succeeded, and my wish has been fulfilled!” Yuan Shuo took a sip from his cup, a smile spreading across his face like a gentle spring breeze. “As long as the outcome is good, the process isn't so important. It was an inevitable part of growing up. To unify Silver Moon, slay powerful foes, crush a foreign invasion, and accomplish a great feat that no one else achieved in a hundred thousand years in such a short time... To be frank, even if we hadn't been resurrected, so what? “I am already seventy years of age!” Yuan Shuo laughed. “Had I not cultivated, dying of natural old age right now would be par for the course. Among those here, only Liu Long belongs to the younger generation and is slightly younger; the rest aren't that much younger than me. Life is unpredictable. To cultivate and gain longevity is a fortune! But even if one were to die here and now... what's the big deal?” He looked at Li Hao. “Every feast must come to an end! In my youth, some of my companions, good friends, my master, and the elders and peers of my sect all departed from me. Yet I didn't succumb to despair or give up on life. “A person makes continuous progress throughout life, forging ties with friends from all walks of life. One shouldn't always dwell in the past!” He offered his critique of Li Hao, pointing out his flaws: “You are still too young. When you grow a bit older and experience more, you will realize... we are merely a harbor along your life's journey, not your final destination!” Southern Fist wiped the wine from his beard and chuckled. “You can't put it like that. I don't agree with Old Yuan. In my opinion... we're still very important. If I die again next time, just resurrect me again. Don't rush; take your time. I believe you can pull it off... You were far too hasty this time!” Southern Fist laughed heartily. “I hadn't even slept enough or enjoyed the rest... before you dragged us all back!” Li Hao chuckled as well. Today was half a family banquet, and everyone spoke their minds freely. Not lingering on the subject, Li Hao changed the topic: “There are no major crises within Silver Moon right now. The most critical matter is the world's advancement, which still requires some time. “Second... regarding this advancement, I have two concerns. First, the Red Moon Universe should still exist. Will their experts locate Silver Moon or even invade? “Second, the exterior is enveloped by chaotic lightning. Should we venture out or not? If we do, the tribulation lightning is certain to fall! If we don't... we can act like quail, hiding away, deceiving ourselves, and gambling that they can't break in or find us. We've hidden for a hundred thousand years; perhaps we could hide for another hundred thousand!” Li Hao continued, “Beyond that, there are minor internal affairs, but those are trivial. What makes me hesitate right now is this: if we leave, should I go alone, or take a group of people, or what? “What is the state of the chaotic cosmos? Is it suitable for exploration? If we remain content in this quiet corner, will we draw the greed of powerful enemies? “In the past... we were merely a minor world. If we had nothing to do with Neo Martial, others might not have bothered with us. But now, we are considered a medium world. That is the first point. Second, we possess a Great Dao Universe! According to Senior Tianji and the others, Great Dao Universes are only found in great worlds.” Indeed, not every world possessed a Great Dao Universe. Silver Moon had not possessed one previously. Cultivators either practiced the Daos of other worlds or simply cultivated the physical body without cultivating the Dao at all. Only by acquiring a Great Dao Universe did a world gain the opportunity to advance to a great world, possess its own path, and embark upon its own direction. Such a world held enormous potential. Great worlds were not found everywhere. It was said that some minor worlds were utterly primitive, with extremely low levels of civilization. Silver Moon was unique only because it inherited so much from Neo Martial. Having said this, Li Hao added, “Now that a Great Dao Universe has appeared, will it draw the attention of other civilizations or worlds? Where exactly are we located? Where is Silver Moon currently situated in the chaos? “And what is the situation in the chaotic cosmos right now... We are completely ignorant of it!” The mood turned slightly solemn. Hong Yitang, however, remained calm and composed as he spoke: “Going out is an absolute certainty! One cannot cultivate the Dao while keeping oneself eternally isolated. Furthermore, our Silver Moon does not even have a single true Sovereign. Setting aside comparisons with true medium worlds, even ordinary minor worlds can produce a Sovereign... “If we do not interact with the strong or make contact with high civilizations in great worlds, we will always lag behind. “We have benefited somewhat from Neo Martial's legacy; otherwise, Silver Moon could hardly have reached today's heights...” He looked at Li Hao. “We also know you will never be content remaining in Silver Moon for the rest of your life. It's just that... do you have the confidence to survive the Chaos Thunder Tribulation right now? We saw the tribulation lightning earlier; even a Sovereign was struck dead, and that was inside Silver Moon. Outside, it may be even stronger! “Not only that—facing the tribulation inside is manageable, but if you face it outside... what happens if Sovereigns from Red Moon arrive?” He looked at Li Hao and said, “Therefore, I suggest we wait! To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. Right now, Silver Moon is on the verge of advancing. Qian Wuliang and I have been growing in strength lately, and the entire populace is improving, which is beneficial for the Great Dao. Soon, we will be able to step into the seventh level of Dao Integration, reaching the half-step Sovereign tier! “Furthermore... whenever the Human King and the others set out on an expedition, they always bring an army...” He looked at Li Hao. “Why bring an army to war? To a Sovereign, an army of tens of millions can be wiped out with a single sweep. Yet since the Human King and the others were so powerful, why did they still do it? In my view, there are many reasons. First, training troops! Powerhouses emerge from the weak; no one is born strong. Training troops helps birth more experts. “Second, plundering! As powerhouses conquer, the army sweeps through, invading worlds and plundering the civilizational fruits, wealth, technology, and talents of various worlds... “Third, broadening horizons! Someone trapped in a tiny village for a lifetime sees only that palm-sized hamlet. Only by visiting a city does one realize how vast a city is; only by traveling the continent does one know how vast a continent is; and only by going beyond the world can one comprehend the vastness of the universe and the boundless expanse of heaven and earth! One’s horizon is often the key to walking farther! “Bringing along an army of a hundred million serves to train soldiers, and it also broadens their horizons... letting them see that the universe is vast and filled with everything under the sun! That, in turn, sparks their ambition to advance.” Hong Yitang was suggesting that an army be assembled so they could step out of Silver Moon together. Rather than Li Hao going alone! Everyone understood Li Hao's thoughts. No one failed to grasp them! Listening to him speak here, the crowd also realized that he likely wished for them to stay behind—or perhaps, he was bidding them farewell. Perhaps... by tomorrow, this young man might quietly vanish. Anything was possible! After resurrecting Yuan Shuo and the others, Li Hao's heart had found peace, and he had become increasingly unburdened. Venturing beyond Silver Moon alone might be to scout the path, or perhaps... a departure without return. If Silver Moon faced no major crises or dangers, he might never come back. At that moment, Liu Long, who had remained silent all this while, spoke up in a gruff voice: “Every able man needs three helpers! No matter how formidable your abilities are, I believe... you still need people to handle chores, lend a hand, and talk with, so long as they don't drag you down! Do you know what the chaos looks like? Do you understand what lies outside? Having someone beside you to consult with brings an extra measure of peace of mind, even if their martial strength is lacking. The days of leaving home and wandering abroad are never easy...” Li Hao smiled. “What is Boss worrying about?” Liu Long spoke bluntly: “That you won't come back!” “How could that be? This is Silver Moon, my homeland.” “Why couldn't it?” Liu Long looked at him. “Ying Hongyue shouldn't have died... The moment Ying Hongyue died, you became like a kite with a severed string. Nothing can hold you tethered now!” Hearing this, everyone felt a touch of emotion. It seemed that was truly the case. Li Hao chuckled helplessly. “Am I really so untrustworthy to you all?” None of them paid attention to his protest. Hou Xiaochen pondered for a moment before speaking: “Setting aside whether you'll return, the key issue right now is that you know nothing about the chaos! For now, we still have enemies out there. Even though we haven't ventured out yet, you killed Sovereign Bone Corroder. For a great world, having one of their Sovereigns slain is not something they'll easily let slide! “Moreover, whether it's your River of Time, our dual corporeal and illusory Daos, or the fact that a medium world lacks a single Sovereign... any world with an appetite for conquest will target us.” He looked toward Li Hao. “At present, the ones who understand the chaos best are likely Seniors Tianji and Zhang An. Both of them have journeyed through the chaos before. Furthermore, finding Neo Martial would be ideal! Neo Martial is immensely powerful. If Silver Moon can be placed under their protection... you will have more freedom as well. Naturally, one must always maintain vigilance. Although we share the same origin as Neo Martial, some precautions are still necessary to prevent mishaps. “You should communicate more with those two.” Li Hao nodded. “Before departing, I will speak with them. Teacher, do you have any good suggestions?” Yuan Shuo stroked his beard. “Suggestions... I have no suggestions. Your wings are fully grown now; you can fly on your own! However, I've been thinking: now that you've devoured both the corporeal and illusory Daos, can you directly advance to Sovereign? I feel it would be best for you to reach the Sovereign tier before venturing out!” He continued, “After all, our path differs somewhat from Neo Martial's. You are currently at the ninth level of Dao Integration. Are there levels above Dao Integration? If so, how should one cultivate? You have already opened 360 Dao meridians—and opened them across both the corporeal and illusory paths—yet you are still only at the ninth level of Dao Integration. Compared to Neo Martial’s Sovereigns, how should you cultivate, and how should it be evaluated?” Opening 360 Dao meridians across both the corporeal and illusory paths was practically the absolute limit. The human body possessed more Dao meridians than that, but at Li Hao’s level, opening additional inconsequential meridians was of little significance and provided minimal gain. A Sovereign represented an inevitable major transformation. When Neo Martial cultivators reached this stage, the Great Dao entered the physical body, integrating fully with the origin star. Only then were they Neo Martial Sovereigns. The nature of Neo Martial's heaven and earth was also distinct, with spatial boundaries serving as clear demarcations that made tiers easy to distinguish. Yet for the Silver Moon Dao, upon reaching the ninth level of Dao Integration, the path ahead seemed to run out of road. If Li Hao did not advance to Sovereign, none of them felt comfortable seeing him leave, nor did they feel comfortable with him facing the tribulation. Yet dissuading Li Hao was extraordinarily difficult. His desire to leave was not merely to explore. In truth, anyone who had witnessed him resurrecting everyone knew that Li Hao still harbored regrets—such as his companion and his parents, who had not been brought back. However, Zhang Yuan had died three years ago. If someone who died three years ago could not be reversed, his parents, who had died five years ago, had even less hope. The power of time was not omnipotent. Moreover, Li Hao's grasp over it was not yet deep enough. Therefore, this venture outward was likely also to seek better methods, to elevate himself faster, and to gain deeper enlightenment into the Dao of Time. That was likely the true reason Li Hao was determined to leave. “Above Dao Integration...” Li Hao pondered for a moment before speaking: “The ninth level of Dao Integration corresponds to 360 astral Dao meridians. Yet whether at the ninth level or any other level... cultivators are divided into corporeal Dao cultivators, illusory Dao cultivators, and those who unite both Daos! Only those who fuse both Daos are truly formidable. If an ordinary seventh-level Dao Integration cultivator struggles against a Neo Martial half-step Sovereign, one who has fused both Daos can certainly rival a half-step Sovereign! “And I mean a true Origin half-step Sovereign!” Li Hao looked at the group and continued, “As for the realm above Dao Integration... to be honest, I have some ideas, but they are not fully developed.” Yuan Shuo spoke up: “You can share them with us... Although our vision and experience fall far short of yours now, listening might still bring us insights, and we might be able to offer a pointer or two, even if it might not be useful.” He had now stepped into Dao Integration as well, yet the gap between him and Li Hao had grown even wider. He no longer claimed Li Hao was lacking. In terms of insight, experience, and combat strength, this disciple of his had surpassed him completely. Li Hao reflected for a moment before saying, “My thought is that beyond the ninth level of Dao Integration, the Dao stars enter the body, continually dividing and uniting. Although our 360 stars have formed a cycle, they have not completely fused with the physical self... So I wonder: if they fuse completely, would that be equivalent to internalizing the Dao into the body? Would it mean that, just like an Origin Sovereign, I become the Dao, and the Dao becomes me, thereby stepping into the Sovereign tier?” The crowd frowned slightly. “Doesn't your River of Time count as having fused?” Li Hao nodded, then shook his head. “It's different... The River of Time is merely a simple, general fusion, not a thorough integration! A thorough integration means time is me, and I am time!” With a furrowed brow, Li Hao said, “Yet as of now, I haven't found such an opportunity... Of course, that's just for myself!” He looked toward Hong Yitang. “Martial Uncle Hong doesn't need to worry about this. For now, you just need to concentrate on fusing the ten thousand Daos. When the ten thousand Daos fuse, then as the populace grows stronger, you grow stronger. Sooner or later, you will advance to Sovereign. That path can be followed step by step without rush! “Aside from the two Dao Lords, for anyone else who cultivates the Dao, achieving Sovereign status will be exceedingly difficult...” Li Hao did not yet have a fully defined vision for his own path. For the others, however, he had some ideas: “Take Martial Uncle Southern Fist, for example. He cultivates the Fist Dao, and will eventually gather 360 stars as well. It would be best to achieve a fusion of the 360 corporeal and illusory stars. In the end, condense a Fist Star, control a Fist Domain, establish a branch upon the Great Dao, and open a tributary upon the Great River! Using the Great Dao River as a foundation, carve out a tributary, gather the fist intent of the world, and attain the rank of Sovereign! However, there is a drawback to this: it might result in a situation where the next Fist Dao cultivator cannot become a second Sovereign unless your Dao sources differ!” Li Hao understood their paths very clearly. He added, “At this tier, one could call it a Sovereign according to Neo Martial terms, or a Dao Lord according to my thoughts—either works fine! “It simply boils down to whether the Dao you command is powerful, the depth of your mastery, and whether the tributary you carved out is formidable... These are the key factors determining the strength of a Dao Lord or Sovereign! “As for Martial Uncle Hong, he could be called the Lord of the Great Dao, or the Lord of the Ten Thousand Daos!” Li Hao possessed extensive ideas for conventional paths. Unfortunately, he was not walking a conventional path. Yuan Shuo and the others listened thoughtfully. Indeed, this young man now possessed a profound understanding of the Great Dao. Yuan Shuo asked, “Other than carving out a tributary to become the lord of a single Dao, are there other ways?” Li Hao considered it and said, “One can internalize the Dao into the body and open a world of one's own, just like I did... However, doing so makes subsequent progress exceedingly troublesome. It doesn't necessarily mean greater potential; it only means breaking free from some constraints. At the very least, Martial Uncle Hong cannot bind me!” “Then what about now... do you have any ideas regarding your Dao of Time?” Li Hao felt a slight headache. “Having opened my own small world, advancing further is immensely difficult! Of course, it's not impossible. The most fundamental method is to continue opening Dao meridians in my body, opening every single Dao meridian, fusing all ten thousand Daos into the river, expanding the river, with time as the core! If I can open them all and comprehend them all, I would also count as a Sovereign! “However... if I do that, even if I truly open all the Daos, I still might not reach the level of Neo Martial’s Human King. That is because my core essence is the power of time, and the key lies in how to strengthen my Dao of Time!” Li Hao sighed. “That is the real dilemma! Throughout the eras, very few have had significant contact with the Dao of Time, and others didn't even possess such power. Strengthening time is the hardest part of all! Therefore, even if I truly assemble the ten thousand Daos and become a top-tier Sovereign... in all likelihood, I still won't reach the Human King's level.” “...” Everyone was rendered speechless. So it wasn't that he couldn't become a Sovereign; he simply felt he couldn't reach that pinnacle. He couldn't strengthen time! Truly... there was nothing to say. Lin Hongyu, who had remained quiet all this time, couldn't help but ask, “Time... Your past and future incarnations previously had some drawbacks, but following that approach—infinite summoning, infinite fusion... could that also be a form of the Dao of Time?” Li Hao nodded. “Of course it counts, but the drawbacks are immense! You speak of infinite summoning... but in truth, the stronger you become, the harder it gets. The crucial issue is that when you become peerlessly strong, what you summon might not actually be stronger than you!” This was not a fundamental method. Li Hao knew it was merely a clever shortcut, viable only if one was unafraid of encountering crisis after crisis. Yet it was not a long-term solution. The crux remained how to strengthen the foundation of time. At this moment, however, no one could answer his questions. Even when Li Hao looked toward Yuan Shuo with a hint of anticipation, Yuan Shuo wrestled with it for a long while. He truly did not want to disappoint his disciple, but in the end, he could only say, “I have no way either. I know nothing about this. But I do know that while we don't understand it, the top powerhouses outside might know something... If you truly venture out, you can make contact with some supreme beings!” It was too high-level and too complex. Who could truly explain time? Li Hao had no choice but to nod, saying nothing more. Relying on his teacher was an old habit, but his teacher had only just entered Dao Integration and knew nothing of time, so naturally he could not provide any solid advice. Even so, Yuan Shuo offered a thought: “Making contact with supreme beings carries immense danger. However, I have an idea. The past is unique, and can't you trace back the past? If you encounter some top experts... provided you don't provoke them, you could try tracing their past, observing them, or even coming into contact with their past selves. Perhaps that might yield some benefits.” Tracing the past of others? Li Hao's heart stirred slightly, though his brows knitted. “It's very difficult for me to trace back the past of others. I've only ever traced back my own...” “I believe it's possible!” Yuan Shuo said earnestly, “Earlier... as I told you, I had a dream! I don't remember if I had it before, but after reviving, I remember having had such a dream. That means... the person you met was truly me!” Li Hao was struck by this realization. In other words, the power of time could indeed be applied to others to trace back their past. However... the difficulty must be immense, right? Or could it be that people who existed in his own memory could have their pasts traced back? Thoughts surfaced one after another. A new concept took shape: if that were true... did it mean that the more powerhouses he encountered, the greater the hope of obtaining vital insights, using those formidable experts to aid his cultivation? He said no more. Continuing to drink and chat with the group, the conversation drifted into idle pleasantries. Yet Li Hao knew in his heart that he needed to prepare early and open the Stargate to depart Silver Moon as soon as possible. Otherwise, continuing to cultivate in Silver Moon might eventually allow him to enter the Sovereign realm... but the fear was that he might die of old age before he could make that breakthrough. A medium world was sufficient to birth a Sovereign. The problem was that he did not have much time left. ... At that very moment, as they chatted idly, the entire Silver Moon was expanding continuously. And at a rapid pace! The world barrier of Silver Moon expanded outward in a great circle. The territory of the entire world had enlarged by at least threefold. Previously, having ten billion people crowded on the Central Continent felt somewhat cramped. Now, however, the Central Continent had broadened significantly, and ten billion people no longer felt crowded at all. The Mount Cang range, which originally had not been particularly massive, was now colossal—far larger even than the Mount Cang range of Neo Martial, for Mount Cang had never been considered a major mountain range back in Neo Martial. While Li Hao and his companions were chatting, within the divine temple, several people were discussing matters as well. Zhang An looked toward Tianji with mixed emotions, speaking with a sigh: “Senior Tianji, Silver Moon now has virtually no internal troubles, but external threats remain! Neo Martial's whereabouts are unknown, and Silver Moon may well be within the domain of the Red Moon World. Previously, chaotic lightning fell several times, Sovereigns perished, and Li Hao even came into contact with a projection of the Cang Emperor... With such enormous commotions, both Neo Martial and Red Moon must surely know that the Silver Moon World still exists. Furthermore... the world is currently advancing. If this continues, even if Silver Moon was well-hidden before, it is no longer hidden now!” Tianji kept looking up at the sky, acting as if he hadn't heard a word. Zhang An could not help but urge, “Senior, you are a Neo Martial Sovereign after all...” “I am merely a clone!” Tianji said helplessly. “What do you expect me to do? I'm just a clone with the power of a half-step Sovereign—and a half-step Sovereign without an origin, at that... In reality, I'm only on par with a peak Heavenly King out there. If I truly run into Red Moon powerhouses, could I possibly beat them to death?” “That wasn't my meaning!” Zhang An said, “The chaos is difficult to cross. Once the Stargate opens... Li Hao's departure will inevitably draw lightning! My thought is that currently, between heaven and earth, only you and I have traveled far from our world and traversed the chaos... I want to exit the Stargate with Senior, enter the chaos, and search for Neo Martial! “As long as we can sense the origin, we can travel in its direction. If we can tear open the Origin Universe and step into it... the Cang Emperor will surely sense our presence! “If that happens, whether Silver Moon returns with us, becomes a subsidiary world, or remains independent... Silver Moon and Neo Martial share the same origin, after all; they won't annihilate Silver Moon!” “...” Tianji held his head in exasperation. “You want me to traverse the chaos with you? Don't be ridiculous... The chaos is far too treacherous. To put it bluntly, your grandfather might manage it, but even my true body would struggle, let alone a clone accompanied by a weakling like you! “If we veer off course even slightly, we might walk straight into Red Moon's headquarters!” He had no desire to leave whatsoever. As for what would happen if they stayed put, they would naturally wait. The Cang Emperor knew they were here... With Er Mao here, the Cang Emperor might arrive very soon. Zhang An was well aware of his temperament and said helplessly, “Senior... do you still not know the Cang Emperor's nature? Setting aside his terrible memory, what if he suddenly falls into a deep slumber? A single nap could last... and by then, Red Moon might have already arrived! Besides, if it were easy to locate Silver Moon, they would have found it long ago. The Human King has an impatient temper as well. While Silver Moon may not be crucial, quite a few Neo Martial people are still here. If the Human King could find it, he would have come long ago...” “It's too dangerous!” Tianji still shook his head. “Not that I look down on you, but once you enter the chaos, the slightest disturbance will get you killed! Furthermore, if you have bad luck in the chaos and run into powerhouses roaming the void—be it chaotic demonic beasts or chaotic worlds... we're both finished. Did you think one could survive in the chaos without the power of a Sovereign?” Seeing Zhang An fall silent, Tianji added, “If worse comes to worst, just let Li Hao go out on his own!” Zhang An frowned slightly. “Can he survive the tribulation? Even if he can... he is unfamiliar with Neo Martial and might not go looking for them. Given his temperament, he'll likely deal with whoever he encounters—either clashing or leaving each other alone. It would be hard to convince him to deliberately seek out Neo Martial.” That was indeed true. “Senior is merely a clone...” Zhang An said again, “Even if a clone dies... so what? Er Mao has now been taken into the river by Li Hao, so Senior's mission is complete. Could it be that Senior is reluctant to part with a mere clone?” Tianji waved his hand. “It's not about being reluctant to lose a clone. My clone serves as a beacon. My true body is still in Neo Martial. Only while my clone is here is there hope of finding us; once my clone is gone, that hope will truly be lost! “Silver Moon has certainly broken away from Neo Martial and is likely very far away. You aren't a clone, so counting on your grandfather to locate you is equally difficult... Only with my clone here is there any hope!” Zhang An considered this and found it reasonable. Yet Tianji refused to traverse the chaos, and relying on himself... he stood virtually no chance. Although he had left his world in the past, he had always been led by powerhouses; he had never been the guide. At this moment, Tianji spoke again: “Actually, leaving Silver Moon isn't the most pressing or critical issue, in my opinion! The real problem is that the Silver Moon World is about to advance. A world's advancement is no minor matter. A great world might not notice, but powerhouses roaming the chaos very well might! Even if the Red Moon World hasn't detected it, I worry there may be wandering chaotic experts nearby. If so, that would spell disaster. An advancing world, possessing a Great Dao Universe, whose strongest cultivator isn't even a Sovereign—who wouldn't want a bite of such a fat piece of meat? “And is Li Hao prepared for that? Under normal circumstances, a world advances only when the number of powerhouses reaches the threshold and stands on the brink of breakthrough, so the world's advancement elevates the experts along with it. Only then can they protect the world from being devoured!” However, Silver Moon's advancement had come a bit too quickly. Not only was it fast, but Silver Moon did not even possess a single Sovereign, creating a massive void in power. Under such circumstances, those capable of roaming the chaos were generally at the Sovereign level. Even weaker Sovereigns struggled to traverse it. Of course, if you didn't mind losing your way and had no attachments... a Heavenly King could also venture outside the world, provided they could stay alive. Zhang An's expression shifted slightly. “Will it attract the attention of those entities?” “In all probability, yes!” “Then Li Hao must be warned!” Zhang An grew grave. Tianji, on the other hand, appeared unconcerned. “The Stargate is in place, crafted by several Emperor-tier powerhouses. So long as Li Hao doesn't open it of his own accord or venture out... there will be danger, but it will be limited. Naturally, those fellows outside will certainly want to break in!” He wasn't overly worried about that; he only feared that making too much noise here might attract even more experts. That was where the true trouble lay. Zhang An felt a throbbing headache as well. After a long while, he finally said, “I will still go discuss this with Li Hao. In addition, Senior should reconsider scouting the way outside with me...” Seeing Tianji remain completely unmoved, he felt all the more helpless. This man was just a clone, yet he was still so... cowardly! If a clone died, what did it matter? It was truly beyond comprehension, leaving one thoroughly exasperated.