Star Gate

Those of Thunder Region had nothing to worry about after seeing New Martial’s projection. It offered real time battle updates. There was definitely something wrong with the Human King’s brain to be doing this!

It wasn’t like he was overpowering his opponents. He was only exposing everything about his own capabilities. That such a stupid man had survived to present day could only mean that there were no other talented people in existence!

How else would someone like this reign over the east?

He had strength and was very strong, but that put the Human King on par with Thunder at most. There was nothing for the man to be arrogant about.

Someone like him a million years ago would’ve long met his end at the hands of a few ninth ranks looking to teach him a lesson. He wouldn’t be alive and hopping around still!

“That’s right, how can someone like this reign supreme over the east? If this was back in the day, we’d teach him how to behave!”

“Don’t be like that, he’s young...”

“So what? Death doesn’t care if you’re young or old...”

“That’s true!”

“......” The group chuckled in playful banter, not the least bit concerned. Skyward was hardly in a bad position and even if it was, that wouldn’t be something to worry over.

Based on what they knew of the Skyward master and a few hints from their own dao master, Skyward would certainly be bringing more with their return than this. The Skyward master’s replica might descend in person!

That he hadn’t appeared yet didn’t mean that he would continue to stay away. Perhaps he was waiting for the accumulation of spirit, or he was scheming after something else. Regardless, the New Martial contingent was dead meat in the Calamity faction’s eyes!

On Calamity's side, they needed to take in large sums of spirit to give their dao master a chance to return in person. Things might be easier with their dao master back in the four regions because chaos tribulations were everywhere and anywhere!

“They seem... to have entered!” Thunder smiled and looked around sharply. “Seal off Thunder Region and trap them here!”

Countless thunder pillars within the region abruptly sparkled with light. A territory that one could freely walk in and out of before was suddenly sealed away.

Having just set foot inside, Hu Qingfeng and the others looked around nervously. They numbered only three people...

No, they were one person, one treasure, and one dog. Hu Qingfeng was very apprehensive indeed!

He wasn’t strong and was just playing the role of bait this time. Li Hao had been very clear on what their function was. The marquis would greatly support his continued growth so long as they succeeded.

Hu Qingfeng had already obtained many benefits from Li Hao. He’d forced his way into fifth rank from peak third rank! That put him beyond many veteran Silver Moon martial masters.

If they succeeded this time, sixth rank would be solidly within grasp. There was even hope of seventh rank, but the danger involved would also be great. Although the marquis had said that he would resurrect them even if they died, but...

Hu Qingfeng was trembling, drawing a sidelong glance from Panther. Scaredy-cat!

The dao chess was more composed. He was eighth rank, after all, and had absorbed Hornet’s poisonous spikes. That kind of cultivation level would ensure that he held his own against enemy eighth ranks for a while, even if there were many on the other side.

He followed behind the simulacrum of Li Hao and studied it intently. This was... a damned uncanny dao. The Li Hao in front of him was like the real thing, apart from a bit of unique sentience. How was it created?

The dao chess had comprehended a myriad of daos for a very long period of time. Hu Qingfeng’s dao contained a certain kind of will within it, one that turned the virtual into real. He couldn’t wrap his mind around it.

“Steady now...” The dao chess was older, after all, so he comforted Hu Qingfeng. “Don’t be so nervous. There might be some people spying on us, so we won’t be in much danger as long as we don’t split up.”

As for when Li Hao would come, the treasure didn’t know. But he did know that since everyone carried an immaterial world with them, Li Hao would be here fast if he wanted to come. The only worry on the dao chess’ mind was if the young man could handle their opponents once he arrived.

After all, the Calamity master was a ninth rank, so his subordinates wouldn’t be that weak either.

The three of them didn’t know much about Thunder Region and would be here, going to their deaths, if this faction was too strong. Although Li Hao had fully saturated his three thousand worlds, he was on par with only five thousand dao rules.

He was a powerhouse, but not an apex heavyweight. There wouldn’t be much that the young man could do under these circumstances.

......

The outskirts.

“Thunder Region’s been sealed off.” Li Hao raised an eyebrow. “It looks like they think they’ve got us!”

He checked the image projection—it’d passed through Thunder Region and was being sent to the outer regions. Within it, the Human King was going one against two and suppressing his opponents.

One could tell that the light and dark envoys alone grasped five thousand dao rules each. Their teamwork could let loose with nearly seven thousand dao rules. It was a horrifying increase.

And yet, they were still on the back foot with the Human King. Fang Ping... had improved too quickly.

Li Hao furrowed his brows. His goal had always been to catch up to the Human King. His three thousand worlds gave him roughly five thousand dao rules. If the Human King hadn’t improved by much, the two of them would be on the same level.

But...

The young man suddenly understood and cursed to himself. He’s probably taken control of New Martial again. How shameless! Look at me, I didn’t devour Silver Moon just to be able to punch harder! I’m so kind!

The Human King likely neared seven thousand dao rules by now and with how crazed he was, he was fully suppressing his two opponents.

“It’s a tough enemy this time...” murmured Fog Mountain as he looked into the distance. He frowned at what he saw, this wouldn’t be easy to handle.

“That’s alright!” laughed Li Hao. “I’m not the Human King and only know how to hack at people. I don’t need to make a name for myself in this fight. I actually hope that everyone can bring their full strength to bear and enjoy themselves.

“Have a grand time and let the chaos universe learn of you!”

The rest didn’t know what to say. And no one will learn of you? What does that mean? Are you not going to get involved? Then what the hell are we prancing around for??

Can we beat those powerhouses?

Do pigs fly??

Even the Thunder Emperor was dejected. Stop playing around!

The Silver Moon martial masters looked around awkwardly. Are you washing your hands of this? We can’t do it by ourselves! We’re too weak to get it done even with self detonations. They’re a group of seventh ranks!

“Don’t be afraid,” Li Hao said in a serious tone. “They’ve just reawakened and get their strength from Thunder Region. The area’s accumulated so much energy over the years that they’ll be too strong when fighting within it!

“However, the Calamity master has been targeting me and time all along.” The young man narrowed his eyes. “Has he forgotten that chaos tribulations get most of their energy from Thunder Region and not the entire chaos?”

The group blinked at him!

“I’m going over to the Human King’s side, you guys can handle Thunder Region!” Li Hao laughed. “I’m going to... bring down a cataclysmic thunder tribulation and use all of Calamity’s strength against Skyward!

“Remember, don’t make a move before I trigger the thunder tribulations. I’m going to extract all of Thunder Region’s energy!

“They’re a bunch of rootless driftwood that we can overpower through attrition! It’s up to you guys if you can make a name for yourselves and if you can vent your frustrations. So what of a bunch of seventh and eighth ranks without any energy reserves?

“Hold out after the first wave of attack. It’ll be your turn to wear them out after that!”

Hearts quailed!

“So you’re... going to lure all of the thunder tribulations yourself and focus the strength of calamity on you...” the Thunder Emperor repeated with some worry. “How... are you going to do that?”

Indeed, how would the young man accomplish that?

Li Hao smiled in a meaningful manner. How would he accomplish that, hmm?

Through time, of course!

How should he use time in a way that would cause the thunder tribulations to go crazy?

Well, there were lots of ways!

I’m going to have those ninth ranks and the Calamity master learn that setting chaos tribulations on me was your worst mistake. You should’ve never done so!

“Don’t worry about that, just remember my instructions!” He smiled at the projection. “The Human King is too weak at the end of the day. How is he supposed to swiftly cut down two powerhouses if this is all the strength he has? Other than having a fun time in fights, what other major benefits does hanging around the Human King bring?

“As the fight drags on and more exalted emperors are killed, much of their dao strength is also whittled away...”

General speechlessness greeted his words. So you’re... looking down on the Human King?

“I’m off, you guys need to pick the right timing. Don’t do anything brash! Let the dao chess and others tough it out for a bit. They won’t die. ‘Kay, I’m heading over while their attention is on the dao chess!”

Li Hao darted into the void and entered the river of time, heading for the four regions. With Thunder Region being sealed off and focusing on the dao chess, they wouldn’t pay attention to this tiny bit of ripples.

They might have sensed it before, but probably not now.

Tension ratcheted up when the young man left!

“Is he... really gone?”

Holy shit!

Their core battle strength had run off right before the major engagement. To be honest, while they’d always felt that Li Hao didn’t give them any chances... this was too much of an opportunity!

They were supposed to face the Calamity powerhouses by themselves. How nerve-wracking!

Even the eighth ranks felt their hearts pounding fiercely. Can we do it?

They’d lost their mainstay without Li Hao and felt quite uneasy. The mere thought of having to face those ancient powerhouses in a while made Fog Mountain and the Thunder Emperor swallow hard!