Negotiations

Inside the Myriad Dao Pavilion. Upon the Illusion Square, Sovereigns emerged from time to time to preach their Daos—speaking of their personal paths without regard for quality or touching upon core secrets. Even so, Li Hao listened in silence, gleaning insights from each of them. When three walk together, one must be my teacher. Every individual who had ascended to the level of a Sovereign, whether mighty or weak, whether their Dao was mediocre or peerless, possessed their own personal comprehension of the Great Dao. Different civilizations, different races, different tongues, and different techniques—even along the exact same Great Dao, cultivators could develop in entirely distinct directions. Such was the Great Dao. The same Five Elements could manifest in utterly diverse forms. One person might refine the Dao of Fire into something akin to freezing ice; another might forge it into a Dao of cultural heritage; yet another could kindle it into a light-like Dao that illuminated the darkness. The flame burning in each person's heart was never truly the same. Throughout the day, Li Hao listened attentively without uttering a single word. A few Sovereigns in the square were also there merely to listen, keeping their silence as well. When a Sovereign finished preaching, if their words resonated with the audience, the listening Sovereigns could offer ratings. Doing so was simple: one only had to project a wisp of spirit to register praise through the illusion realm. The Myriad Dao Pavilion would then bestow rewards upon the speaker based on that feedback. Of course, if a Sovereign had enough allies, such a system could theoretically be exploited to farm positive reviews... Yet under normal circumstances, no Sovereign would stoop to such antics, not to mention that just entering the pavilion cost a hundred thousand Great Dao crystals. Li Hao listened as Sovereign after Sovereign expounded their Daos. After a long while, his spirit body finally flew forward. "Listening to the paths of my fellow Daoists today has yielded me a great deal. Allow me to offer a brief discourse on the Dao of the Five Elements!" Li Hao stepped forward. Sorting through his understanding of the Five Elements and the insights gained from cultivating them, he wove together the Five Animals Secret Art and the Domain of the Five Elements to begin expounding his Dao. The surrounding Sovereigns listened in silence, none raising questions. At first, they merely listened casually. Countless cultivators practiced the Dao of the Five Elements, mostly specializing in a single element or perhaps two. Moreover, most of their insights were largely identical, rarely featuring unique perspectives. Yet Li Hao gradually delved deeper, beginning to articulate the concept of a domain of the Five Elements. A domain was the pivotal threshold for any Sovereign seeking to step into the high ranks, but in the chaos, only those at the seventh rank could speak of domains—or at best, peak sixth-rank cultivators might tentatively touch upon the concept. Li Hao's domain was a simplified version of a Dao domain. Built upon a foundation of divine characters, it synthesized Heaven's Will, world power, and force into a streamlined domain. Domains had been pioneered by Yuan Shuo. Between a basic domain and a true Dao domain lay a vast chasm. Yet a domain was indeed a simplified precursor to a Dao domain, and the crux lay in "force." Force was exceedingly peculiar. Many martial artists of Silver Moon could wield it, whereas outside cultivators mostly could not. Some did, of course, though they might call it by a different name. In Xinwu, for instance, some knew how to use it. Force was a spirit forged from condensed intent, and extreme self-confidence could also give birth to it. However, to great powerhouses, force generally seemed of little practical use. Even if they possessed it, few paid it much heed. Yet if force could be used to construct a domain, then that once-overlooked force became utterly astounding! *** While Li Hao was expounding upon force and domains, even delving into the construction of divine characters... Inside a palace within Mid-Worlds Alliance City. The powerhouse presiding over this place was a peak sixth-rank cultivator. At this moment, this Sovereign was also listening in silence. Her expression shifted subtly. Low- and middle-rank Sovereigns might not grasp the profound depths of what was being spoken, but to her—a peak sixth-rank Dao Universe Master—the impact was entirely different. Indeed, the guardian here was a peak sixth-rank master of a Dao universe, and the Great Dao Universe opened to this location was under her governance. As Li Hao laid bare the nature of force and domains, the Dao Lord's eyes flickered continuously. A domain! This was something nearly every sixth-rank cultivator had to master to cross into the seventh rank. Seventh-rank Sovereigns of eighth-rank worlds might not necessarily need it, but everyone else did. Without it, the seventh rank remained an insurmountable threshold, nearly impossible to cross. For high-rank Sovereigns, there were no shortcuts to cultivating a domain; it stemmed primarily from one's mastery of the Dao, gradually taking shape over time. As for how specifically to train it, even now, the entire chaos lacked a complete, codified method for cultivating a Dao domain. At this moment, the sixth-rank Dao Lord was thoroughly entranced. Force? Using force to manifest divine characters, merging divine characters into heaven and earth, each character embodying a Dao, governing Daos through characters, and constructing a domain through Daos... Li Hao made it sound simple, but he was actually deconstructing the entire architecture of a Dao domain into fine, meticulous parts. To others, this was profound, unshareable secret knowledge. Li Hao had witnessed far too much. He had encountered numerous high-rank Sovereigns, listened to the Dao of ninth-rank powerhouses, and mastered a domain early on. None of these advantages were shared by ordinary Sovereigns. "A high-rank Sovereign?" The presiding Sovereign's expression shifted as she listened, growing suspicious that a high-rank Sovereign had arrived. It was not impossible; after all, this place bordered the barrier of the Sixth Heaven. For a high-rank Sovereign from the Seventh Heaven to pass by and preach a few words on a whim was not unheard of. Yet even so, past high-rank Sovereigns had never touched upon advanced theories like Dao domains. And even if they had, they would have spoken in cryptic, unfathomable riddles—never laying it out as simply and effortlessly as Li Hao did. It sounded as if... anyone could construct a Dao domain. As she continued listening, a voice suddenly echoed directly by her ear—unfathomably piercing through the illusion realm to reach her. The illusion realm of the Myriad Dao Pavilion had not actually been built by her. However, as the powerhouse stationed here, she oversaw it. Normally, even if a high-rank Sovereign entered, tracing its origin would be exceedingly difficult, because the cultivator who constructed this illusion was himself a high-rank Sovereign. Such illusion realms had been erected across many Mid-Worlds Alliance cities to provide a platform for Sovereigns to exchange insights on the Great Dao. The Dao of Illusion was not exceptionally difficult, and many cultivated it. Yet constructing an illusion so profound that even Sovereigns could not see through one another's true identities was extraordinarily difficult. What proved even harder was withstanding the mental power of so many Sovereigns; the illusion realm itself had to possess immense durability. Yet now, it had been breached. "Pardon the intrusion, fellow Daoist. While traveling the chaos, I was delighted to find such a platform for exchanging insights on the Great Dao... I wonder if you would be willing to confer with me?" The presiding Sovereign's face stiffened. A genuine high-rank Sovereign! And likely a formidable one among the high ranks, for an ordinary seventh-rank would struggle to breach the illusion, pinpoint her location, and transmit a message directly to her. Her thoughts raced, filled with trepidation. Unfamiliar high-rank Sovereigns posed a grave threat to sixth-rank Dao Lords. These Dao Lords controlled Great Dao Universes, and Great Dao Universes were prized treasures coveted by many high-rank universes—whether to devour them or to nurture new seventh-rank cultivators. High-rank Sovereigns were numerous in the Outer Chaos, yet they were held in check to some degree. The Mid-Worlds Alliance played a significant role in this, deterring high-rank Sovereigns from recklessly obliterating and devouring sixth-rank worlds. After deliberating repeatedly and quietly preparing to call for aid, she finally replied, "For Senior to grace No. 9 Mid-Worlds Alliance City is an honor for our city... I must also thank Senior for your generous guidance in expounding the method of the Dao domain..." After exchanging polite pleasantries, she continued, "If Senior has any teachings to bestow, this junior will listen with utmost respect..." She did not refuse, but neither did she agree to meet. Meeting a seventh-rank Sovereign face-to-face was exceedingly perilous. "I am Li Hao, from the Four Regions..." The moment Li Hao introduced himself, the peak sixth-rank Sovereign nearly choked on her breath. Li Hao! The Silver Moon King! How could she not know of him? Across the entire East, what cultivator with even the slightest awareness of current events had not heard of these figures? Shock battered her mind, and for a fleeting moment, she wanted nothing more than to flee. These people were utterly savage—the moment they emerged from the Four Regions, they wiped out the eighth-rank Gemini World and nearly shattered Samsara, the foremost hegemon of the East! "I harbor no malice." "Senior... Senior..." The sixth-rank Sovereign was already trembling with anxiety. Was today the day she would perish? Had he come for her Great Dao Universe? Even if she called for help and other members of the Mid-Worlds Alliance rushed to her aid, this faction was terrifyingly ruthless. What good would a few arriving seventh ranks do? She trembled inward. Then she heard Li Hao continue: "This time, we were traveling the chaos and passing by when we happened to hear of the Myriad Dao Pavilion. We came to take a look, and upon entering, several ideas occurred to me. I believe the Mid-Worlds Alliance and I might share common ground and could perhaps pursue some cooperation..." "Of course, do not misunderstand. Not everyone who emerged from the Four Regions is a bloodthirsty fiend; not everyone is like the Xinwu Human King..." The female Sovereign groaned inwardly. What a thing to say. Your reputation, Silver Moon King, is hardly better than the Human King's. The Human King slew Fusheng, but didn't you slay Diyang? Wasn't this walking calamity supposed to be in the Thunder Realm? Why had he come here? Did he come alone, or... had a whole horde arrived? As her thoughts whirled, Li Hao spoke again: "Our passing through was originally intended as a journey southward to witness the Dao of Spring and Autumn. However, my thoughts have shifted somewhat. I am speaking openly with you because I wish to confer face-to-face—or perhaps negotiate cooperation with the leaders of the Mid-Worlds Alliance. Rest assured, this is no trap, nor is it an attempt at murder and plunder. Our side has three eighth ranks and multiple seventh ranks; we merely concealed our auras to avoid causing trouble, with no intention of scheming against anyone." The female Sovereign nearly ground her teeth to dust. Three eighth ranks? Weren't there only two? When did another one appear?! Was this... being open and honest, or a blatant threat to cow her? Three eighth ranks! Along with numerous seventh ranks! Such a force was an existential threat capable of obliterating the Mid-Worlds Alliance entirely! "Silver Moon King... what is it that you wish to discuss?" "Can we speak face-to-face?" The female Sovereign sighed in resignation. Would refusing accomplish anything? She was merely a sixth-rank. Even if her native world was nearby, allowing her to draw upon world power and the Great Dao Universe—even if she had some confidence in contending against ordinary seventh ranks—clashing with a whole cabal of high-rank Sovereigns was nothing short of suicide. What difference did it make whether they met face-to-face? If they truly wanted to kill her, there was no way out anyway. Swallowing her fear, she replied, "Naturally, Senior..." The moment the words left her mouth, the space before her rippled. A figure materialized almost instantly. The female Sovereign's expression shifted. He had arrived so swiftly and effortlessly! Was this the Silver Moon King from the Four Regions? It was said he was absurdly young—not even a century old, was he? Utterly unbelievable! *** Li Hao materialized in an instant, wearing an easy smile that gave him an air of polite refinement. The female Sovereign, who had been sitting cross-legged, rose hurriedly and offered a slight bow. Though stunned inward, she maintained an exterior of deep reverence: "Junior Wanqiu greets the Silver Moon King!" Seeing this, Li Hao smiled. "You are too polite. It is I who have intruded, and I hope Fellow Daoist Wanqiu will not take offense." *I take immense offense!* *I just don't dare say so.* Sovereign Wanqiu was momentarily speechless, yet dared not reveal the slightest displeasure. High-rank world warfare and high-rank Sovereign conflicts were matters in which mid-rank worlds rarely involved themselves; whoever claimed hegemony had little bearing on them. So long as these powerhouses did not slaughter indiscriminately or lay waste to entire worlds, that was the greatest blessing they could ask for. Noticing her wariness, Li Hao said no more on the subject. He took a seat naturally, making himself at home, and asked with mild curiosity, "This Myriad Dao Pavilion was not built by you, was it?" Sovereign Wanqiu remained standing and replied respectfully, "It was not. How could I possess the ability to construct something capable of accommodating high-rank Sovereigns? It was built by a high-rank Sovereign." She paused, then added, "Although the Mid-Worlds Alliance is primarily an alliance of middle worlds, high-rank worlds also ascended from middle worlds. The Mid-Worlds Alliance has existed for an exceedingly long time, so in truth, several high-rank worlds are alliance members as well—even... eighth-rank worlds!" She stole a glance at Li Hao as she spoke. It was a bid for self-preservation and a subtle deterrent, even if it might prove useless. Would these people truly care about eighth-rank worlds? Li Hao nodded slightly. Sovereign Wanqiu continued, "The powerhouse who constructed this illusion realm is a rogue Sovereign known as Sovereign Wanhua! A peak seventh-rank expert who enjoys roaming far and wide, he is a crucial member of our Mid-Worlds Alliance and serves as one of our elders!" "The core members of the alliance are mostly lords of middle worlds, but we also count rogue cultivators and several great world lords among our ranks..." Without waiting for Li Hao to ask, she voluntarily offered information that was common knowledge. She then asked, "May I ask what cooperation the Silver Moon King wishes to discuss?" She hastened to add, "As a peak sixth-rank cultivator from a world that birthed a Great Dao Universe, I have the fortune of serving as an elder of the alliance as well. If the matter Senior wishes to discuss is within my authority to grant, it can be settled." At this moment, she wished for nothing more than for this man to leave immediately. Even suffering a massive loss in resources would be acceptable. So long as he did not demand her Great Dao Universe, she would surrender any treasure. Anything to send these harbingers of doom on their way! The Silver Moon King alone was more than she could handle, filling her with dread—not to mention that the rest of his cohort seemed to have arrived as well. That was what truly terrified her! Li Hao, however, was in no rush to dive into business. Instead, he asked with curiosity, "From what you've said, there are many Mid-Worlds Alliance cities? This is only City No. 9..." "Many!" Wanqiu answered immediately. "Mid-Worlds Alliance cities are primarily built across the lower six heavens, with presences in each heaven to facilitate trade and exchange among Sovereigns from all quarters. There are even cities in the South, West, and North. It is just that each region governs itself and maintains little contact with us, though if we happen to cross paths, we exchange insights..." "To date, a total of 189 Mid-Worlds Alliance cities have been established across the Eastern region..." "In the Sixth Heaven, there are currently 47, and this place is Alliance City No. 9." Li Hao nodded. That was a respectable number. Of course, it was not overwhelmingly large either. One hundred and eighty-nine cities stationed along the barriers between the various heavens—the East was unimaginably vast, and one could wander for ages without encountering a single one. "Does every city have a sixth-rank Sovereign presiding over it—or a Dao Universe Master like yourself?" "Certainly not." Though Li Hao's inquiry probed into their strength, Wanqiu felt helpless. To a powerhouse of his caliber, whether he probed or not made little difference. She explained, "Only certain crucial alliance cities, or those located at pivotal transit points in the Sixth Heaven, are overseen by people like us. The primary reason is the possibility of encountering high-rank Sovereigns from the Seventh Heaven... Relatively speaking, we still have a chance to converse with seventh-rank Sovereigns on somewhat equal footing." "And the Myriad Dao Pavilion... is there one in every city?" "No, only a small handful of alliance cities have them. Sovereign Wanhua is of an easygoing, unfettered disposition. He constructs a Myriad Dao Pavilion only when the whim strikes him. The alliance has no means—and no desire—to force Sovereign Wanhua to build them. This place merely serves as a venue for Sovereigns to exchange insights; it is not meant for profit..." She vaguely guessed that Li Hao had come because of this. Yet... she remained puzzled. The Myriad Dao Pavilion was somewhat useful to low- and middle-rank Sovereigns, but to someone like Li Hao, it should have been utterly useless, shouldn't it? Moreover, its scope was severely limited. It only covered a tiny localized area, barely providing a platform for people to converse about the Dao. Strictly speaking, in the eyes of many, it was far less valuable than a small world. If one wanted to exchange insights, couldn't they just do so inside a small world? Any corner of the chaos would suffice. The only real advantage of the illusion realm was that it allowed people to enter in spirit form without revealing their identities, making it relatively safer. Coupled with the backing of the Mid-Worlds Alliance, many found it more trustworthy. That was the crux of its appeal. Yet Wanqiu could not fathom why Li Hao would care about such a thing. For a powerhouse capable of conquering great worlds, why would an illusion realm that wasn't even a Great Dao Universe draw his interest? "Sovereign Wanhua..." Li Hao murmured softly. "He constructed several illusion realms across various regions to provide a place for everyone to exchange insights on the Dao..." He pondered for a moment, then said, "The Dao of Myriad Transformations... Ascending as a rogue cultivator, he must possess a Dao domain and is likely constructing a law domain as well. Building these illusion realms was probably aimed at absorbing insights into various Great Daos, wasn't it?" At those words, Sovereign Wanqiu's expression shifted slightly. Li Hao continued, "And you overseers can also listen in on their discourses. In the end, everyone gains something..." Sovereign Wanqiu fell silent. Indeed. In this world, where were there so many selfless philanthropists? If there were no benefits to be had, who would expend the effort and resources to erect such a venue? When Sovereigns entered to debate the Dao, both the overseers and the creator reaped advantages. Listening to the paths of others and drawing from diverse perspectives was a vital key to their own advancement. Li Hao's sudden mention of this made Wanqiu uneasy. Could he be displeased because she had overheard his discourse earlier? Was he looking to stir up trouble? Li Hao, however, continued: "Yet this setup has drawbacks. For instance, the scope is far too small—a mere 189 cities in total, and perhaps fewer than half even have such a pavilion. Furthermore, when few people gather, they aren't necessarily eager to share, and gathering in person is troublesome... The chaos is vast; no one can keep traveling to an alliance city indefinitely." "Moreover, low- and middle-rank Sovereigns cannot travel far. In truth, with people coming and going, it always boils down to the exact same crowd in the end, doesn't it?" Wanqiu started, then nodded. "Yes, exactly as Senior says. Over time... the limitations become severe. In truth, most who come now are Sovereigns from nearby regions. Even without revealing their identities, once someone preaches their Dao, many can readily guess who it is. The chaos is vast, yet for us, leaving the perimeter of our worlds carries immense danger, so..." Those who frequented the pavilion were indeed local Sovereigns. After a year or two, it was fine, but after centuries, millennia, or tens of thousands of years... they were all familiar faces. Even when new Sovereigns emerged, they hailed from the adjacent regions. The breadth of exchange was severely constrained. Li Hao asked again, "Then have you ever considered linking the entire illusion network—every single illusion realm—together?" Wanqiu parted her lips, looking somewhat embarrassed before finally managing, "Well... Sovereign Wanhua did consider it. But as Senior knows, the chaos is simply too vast. To link the illusion realms would require countless Great Dao Universes, having all of them blanket the illusions... How many would that take? Unless all the high-rank worlds joined forces, covering the entire East would be impossible! For us, that is merely a fantasy, impossible to realize." Inwardly, she was exasperated. *What are you thinking?* *You're a high-rank Sovereign yourself—don't you understand this?* If you wanted to link them, sure: gather countless high-rank worlds and use their Great Dao Universes to stretch, blanket, and bridge the distance into a single unified whole. Was that possible? Completely impossible! Li Hao smiled. "So Sovereign Wanhua and the Mid-Worlds Alliance have indeed entertained this notion?" Wanqiu felt helpless. Of course they had! Who didn't know that expanding the scope of the illusion would foster greater exchange and draw in more Sovereigns? The problem was that it could only ever remain a dream. Seeing Li Hao harp on these pointless questions, she felt exasperated yet dared not contradict him. She could only muster a strained smile. "Naturally, we had such thoughts, but it is simply too difficult to achieve. Even if it were accomplished, moving and shifting spirit bodies across such vast distances within the illusion would also be extraordinarily difficult..." Li Hao nodded. The distances were indeed immense. He agreed, "That is true, but if teleportation formations are established within the illusion, it ceases to be difficult. Teleportation in reality is hard because one must overcome the suppression of the chaos, but teleporting mere spirit bodies is not difficult at all." Not difficult? Wanqiu didn't take it to heart. What was the point of discussing this? Li Hao continued: "It seems the top powerhouses among your Mid-Worlds Alliance understand that to construct a Great Dao Universe or a domain, one must understand and comprehend more Daos. Sovereign Wanhua also understands that stepping into the eighth or ninth rank requires the unification of myriad Daos..." Wanqiu's heart shuddered! The unification of myriad Daos? Ignoring her reaction, Li Hao pressed on: "In the chaos, opportunities to comprehend and exchange Daos are scarce. Yet in truth, cultivators pursue the Dao solely to grow stronger; no one expends effort in vain." "This time, I wish to make a small transaction with you—or rather, with the Mid-Worlds Alliance..." "What kind of transaction?" Sovereign Wanqiu was both puzzled and rattled. Li Hao kept bringing up the illusion realm... Sure enough, in the next moment, Li Hao declared, "I wish to construct a Myriad Dao Illusion that blankets the entire lower six heavens of the East, complete with an illusion teleportation system. That way, every Sovereign across the lower six heavens can merge their spirit into the illusion realm without stepping out their front doors, freely exchanging Dao techniques!" "Constructing such a system will be exceedingly troublesome, demanding astronomical resources... It will also require formidable power, immense concealment capabilities, and robust defensive measures..." Sovereign Wanqiu was already convinced he had lost his mind. How could that be possible? Even a ninth-rank Great Dao Universe could hardly blanket the entirety of the lower six heavens! What a joke! Was this fellow insane? Li Hao, however, calculated silently before adding, "Naturally, I will require some assistance from your side. For example, if Sovereign Wanhua does not find it too troublesome, he will need to construct one thousand illusion spaces, and I will be responsible for linking them together!" "As for the alliance cities, it would be best to build more barren-island cities and have Sovereigns garrison them. This will not only stabilize the network, but the presiding Sovereigns will also reap benefits—overseeing an illusion space just like you do, which will aid their own Dao comprehension." Cooperation had to be mutually beneficial. Demanding toil without reward was the way of saints. Li Hao wouldn't dare ask people to work for free; he would be beaten to death for suggesting it. He merely needed to comprehend various Daos for his own cultivation. Likewise, if others wished to comprehend Daos and contributed their efforts, he had no objections. "Furthermore, every entering Sovereign must pay a fee in Great Dao crystals. A little adds up to a lot. Right now, it barely covers operating expenses, but once the number of entrants grows—if a hundred won't do, then a thousand, or ten thousand... How many small and middle worlds are there across the entire Eastern region? Certainly more than three thousand! Probably well over thirty thousand!" A tiny corner like the Four Regions—within the Dragon Domain alone, in the vicinity of the Fire Phoenix World—housed hundreds upon thousands of worlds. The entire Dragon Domain easily held several thousand, and across the Four Regions as a whole, large and small worlds certainly numbered in the tens of thousands. What about the entire East? At the very least, tens of thousands of worlds! And how many Sovereigns? Each world had at least one, while middle worlds had dozens. If tallied up, the total number of Sovereigns across the East was a staggering figure. One hundred thousand? Or even more? If each paid a hundred thousand Great Dao crystals upon entry, that would easily amount to ten billion crystals! Li Hao smiled. "Fellow Daoist Wanqiu, could you discuss this with the alliance members? You will build the illusion spaces and alliance cities, and handle publicity, promotion, and the issuance of entry tokens—only those holding a token may enter! In addition, your side has many members, broad experience, and deep knowledge; you can refine the trading, exchange, sparring, and reward systems. Meanwhile, I will handle a single task: linking all these illusion realms into a unified whole! Furthermore, I will construct the teleportation network between the illusion realms, allowing spirit bodies to instantly traverse from one illusion to another. In this manner, we can profoundly deepen the degree of exchange among everyone!" Sovereign Wanqiu stared at Li Hao in utter disbelief. After a long pause, she finally managed, "That is impossible to accomplish!" *Do you take me for a fool?* *I am a sixth-rank Dao Lord, after all. Even if you were a ninth-rank, your Great Dao Universe couldn't blanket the entire East!* Li Hao smiled. "Whether it is possible or not is my concern. Since I have brought it up, I naturally possess a degree of confidence. If we cooperate, both sides will benefit. As for me... my primary goal is to comprehend myriad Daos and form a Myriad Dao Law domain. You may not understand, but certain seventh- and eighth-rank figures likely do: to advance toward the ninth rank, comprehending myriad Daos is the finest and most direct path." He did not mention constructing a pseudo-chaos universe; that was a matter for the future. For an eighth rank, constructing a myriad Dao domain was the road to the ninth rank. Though Li Hao was currently only at the seventh rank, preparing early for the ninth rank could hardly be called overreaching. Sovereign Wanqiu was completely at a loss for words. Was this a good thing? Although Li Hao's faction was branded as fugitives, their might was undeniable. In the East, Samsara had suffered crippling blows, and it was doubtful anyone could oppose them. Moreover, this had nothing to do with the Mid-Worlds Alliance; this was a clash between hegemonic giants. Whether they cooperated or not would hardly alter that landscape. And yet... Could this Li Hao truly pull it off? How? It seemed entirely impossible. Previously, several sixth-rank Great Dao Universes had attempted to connect neighboring Myriad Dao Pavilions, but the cost had been exorbitant and the results abysmal. It had been far better to keep them separate. Her thoughts raced, and she could not help asking, "Then... even if Senior can accomplish this, right now, Silver Moon... Silver Moon is not welcomed in the East. Even if successfully built, it could easily be destroyed by great powerhouses, shattered directly, or the entering Sovereigns could be slaughtered..." Li Hao laughed. "How could that happen? So long as those powerhouses cannot discover or perceive it, how could they destroy it? As for killing them... high-rank powerhouses aren't all raving madmen. One or two Sovereigns, they might dare slay. But when the entering Sovereigns number in the thousands or tens of thousands, destroying spirit bodies causes little true loss to the victims, yet incurs the wrath of tens of thousands of Sovereigns simultaneously. Even the Samsara Sovereign wouldn't dare!" "Cannot discover, cannot perceive?" Wanqiu could scarcely believe it. That was impossible! Even if an eighth-rank universe stretched across all directions, true powerhouses could still detect it. If not for that, the Dragon Lord wouldn't have been able to disrupt the Great Dao Universe's teleportation and force the two eighth-rank Sovereigns of Samsara World out into the open! "This..." She could no longer discern truth from falsehood. If it were true, she had no authority to make such a decision, being merely one member of the Mid-Worlds Alliance, not its entirety. If it were false, reporting it up the chain to inform the others would make her a laughingstock if it fell through. Moreover, rashly cooperating with Li Hao's faction carried immense risks; if it failed and word leaked, they would offend Samsara World. At present, the Silver Moon faction was reviled by the great worlds. Sovereign Wanqiu wrestled with her thoughts. Li Hao smiled. "Fellow Daoist, if I may ask: does the Mid-Worlds Alliance possess a single powerhouse who truly holds the final say?" Wanqiu remained silent for a moment before shaking her head. "No. But we have a Council of Elders. Sixth-rank Dao Universe Masters, seventh-rank Sovereigns, and a small number of peak sixth-rank powerhouses are eligible to join the council. Under normal circumstances, major matters are deliberated together, but... rarely do matters arise that require our joint deliberation." "There is no single figure who commands true authority?" Li Hao felt a mild headache. An alliance like this seemed loose and equitable, but it was exceedingly troublesome. The looser it was, the harder it was to steer. He had no desire to control them, but reaching a consensus on an initiative might take ages, which worked against his timetable. The discussions could drag on for decades or centuries... To cultivators, after all, such spans of time were negligible. However, Sovereign Wanqiu soon added, "Of course, if a truly monumental matter arises, the several seventh-rank elders carry considerable weight. Among them, Sovereign Wanhua achieved his breakthrough through his own efforts without relying on a world's Great Dao Universe—constructing his own Dao domain to step into the seventh rank. He commands considerable prestige within the alliance. As this matter concerns the Myriad Dao Pavilion, if Sovereign Wanhua steps forward, it might pass very quickly..." Though she remained skeptical, what if... it were true? The powerhouses from the Four Regions possessed staggering, unfathomable abilities. It was said that this Silver Moon King had reached the Gemini Universe in a single instant; he truly seemed cut from a different cloth. Therefore, his claims might not be entirely hollow boasting. If it truly succeeded... it would represent a massive opportunity for the Mid-Worlds Alliance to expand its strength. Li Hao nodded. Sovereign Wanhua. A self-constructed Dao domain! That placed him in the same mold as the Sword Venerable and his peers. Such Sovereigns were never ordinary. Their combat prowess was bound to be formidable! "Can Fellow Daoist contact him? You may convey my proposal... Naturally, if we cooperate, the illusion realm remains under your control, though my people will also need to oversee a portion of it to comprehend the Dao laws... This will be an exchange of the Great Dao across the entire Eastern Chaos Universe... completely simplifying Dao dissemination so that techniques are no longer jealously hoarded..." Wanqiu fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "I can attempt to contact him, but I cannot guarantee I will reach him. That is the first point. Second... if..." She paused, still hesitating. "If great worlds like Samsara step forward... step forward to interfere or destroy it, we... our alliance is primarily composed of middle worlds, and we will not participate in your disputes! If such a situation truly arises, we... we will not dispatch men, nor will we help you fight anyone. We can only protect ourselves, and even self-preservation will be precarious..." She feared dragging the middle worlds into the fray to become cannon fodder. Li Hao nodded. "Naturally. This matter concerns my path to the ninth rank. Severing a person's Dao is no different from murdering their parents. If anyone dares interfere... though I am loath to make enemies, when pushed to that point, my sword is not incapable of killing!" This matter was of immense consequence. If the other side agreed, they would cooperate; if not, Li Hao would construct it himself. Whoever interfered, he would slay! Li Hao spoke in a breezy, nonchalant tone, but his resolve had long been forged. Had the thought not occurred to him, that would be one thing, but now that the path lay before him, he would walk it. Anyone who obstructed his pursuit of myriad Daos was a mortal foe! As it happened, constructing such a network—or building a pseudo-chaos universe—required astronomical amounts of energy. Whoever dared interfere this time would be slaughtered to the last! Even if the Samsara Sovereign intervened, Li Hao had no fear. While they were currently no match for him, Li Hao was already preparing to construct more domains and swiftly elevate himself to the level of two thousand worlds. During this period, even if he had to sustain the war effort through conquest, he would see this construct built. However, without the Mid-Worlds Alliance's cooperation, attracting users would be a major hurdle, as most Sovereigns would not trust them. Sovereign Wanqiu, meanwhile, felt a chill run through her heart. Though he spoke of killing so casually, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. Up to this point, he had seemed polite and refined, making it hard to reconcile him with the legendary Silver Moon King who had slain Diyang. Yet at this moment, the two images aligned seamlessly. After a brief hesitation, Sovereign Wanqiu said, "Then I will attempt to reach him. If Sovereign Wanhua is interested..." Even if interested, he might not dare come. A seventh-rank Sovereign was strong, especially one with a self-forged Dao domain, yet... a whole nest of death gods was gathered here! She did not know whether Sovereign Wanhua would be willing to make the trip. In any case, while Li Hao's words sounded incredible, they also felt strangely plausible. If Sovereign Wanhua was genuinely intrigued, he might take the risk. As for herself... she simply couldn't flee. Had escape been an option, she would have fled long ago. As they spoke, her mind suddenly stirred. Li Hao also sensed subtle ripples propagating from the outside world. Moments later, Sovereign Wanqiu's expression shifted slightly. Middle worlds were numerous, and the Mid-Worlds Alliance had established alliance cities across various regions; because these middle worlds were not far apart, they often gathered news far more rapidly than certain great worlds. After a brief silence, Sovereign Wanqiu spoke with trepidation: "Some alliance Sovereigns in nearby areas have detected... something unusual... Several hundred thousand chaos chi away, a battle between high-rank Sovereigns appears to have erupted. One side seems to be... seems to be the Xinwu Human King, being pursued by several high-rank Sovereigns..." Li Hao frowned slightly. "The Human King?" Pursued by several Sovereigns? The Human King commanded the power of at least five thousand Dao laws and possessed an internal world, effectively carrying a Great Dao Universe with him at all times. Such a powerhouse fought on home turf wherever he went; slaying him would be difficult even for two or three eighth ranks. If he truly wished to flee, catching him would be even harder. Unless other top-tier powerhouses were pinning him down. Yet in the East, the only eighth ranks stronger than the Human King were likely Samsara, Extreme Ice, and a handful of others, weren't they? "Yes... The clash hasn't produced massive outward shockwaves, as it has been shrouded within a Dao domain the entire time. Our people only observed from afar and dared not draw close... I cannot verify whether it is true." Sovereign Wanqiu spoke with extreme caution. Rumor had it that Silver Moon and Xinwu shared the same origins. Whether that was true, she did not know, and it was hard to imagine how worlds of the same lineage could both produce high-rank Sovereigns, elevate into high-rank worlds, and give birth to distinct rulers. Such a phenomenon was virtually unheard of. Li Hao rubbed his chin, lost in thought. "Is Samsara Sovereign taking his revenge? But their side... only has one eighth-rank Sovereign left..." Where had several of them come from? Had the Sovereigns of other eighth-rank worlds intervened as well? The exact situation was unclear, but if the Human King truly faced peril, he had to go see for himself regardless. "Then please help me contact him first, Fellow Daoist. I shall go take a look..." Of course, this could also be a trap—who knew? He had only just met Sovereign Wanqiu; perhaps... this was a ploy to lure him to his death? That seemed overly convoluted, and she lacked both the time and the ability to mobilize a host of eighth-rank Sovereigns to ambush him. Thoughts flickered through his mind. He would assess the situation first. Leaving a phantom realm here would allow him to teleport back via the River of Time at any moment, so Li Hao felt little fear. When it came to escape methods... he fancied himself even more elusive than the Human King. Except for the apex Sovereigns, ordinary Sovereigns could scarcely detect the existence of the River of Time, and among eighth ranks, only a rare few could perceive it. Besides, would an overbearing, peerless brute like the Human King truly let himself be ganged up on? Without hacking the other side to death first? Puzzles surfaced one after another in his mind. Li Hao swiftly transmitted word to the others to go check it out. Perhaps he might even catch a glimpse of the Human King in a miserable state... Thinking of that, he felt little sense of crisis, finding the prospect rather amusing instead. Soon, the entire group vanished into thin air alongside Li Hao. Sovereign Wanqiu stood shaken. They had truly teleported away... Could they teleport at will even within the chaos? And was Li Hao's claim of blanketing the heavens with an illusion realm true or false? Unable to confirm yet daring not dismiss it, she quickly utilized the alliance's messaging network, transmitting the news world by world toward the region where Sovereign Wanhua resided. She could not decide this matter; she could only await Sovereign Wanhua's response. As for the Human King being hunted... and Li Hao's group rushing to the rescue, she couldn't care less. If they died, she would simply pretend she had never met them. If they survived, their pursuers were in for a grim fate. Naturally, none of this was something a sixth-rank Sovereign like her could meddle in.