Star Gate

There was another way to determine if the man with a sword on his back was Li Daoheng or not. The new dao!

There wasn't much power of the new dao around the man, but Li Hao felt that Li Daoheng must be cultivating the new dao and had even grasped the immaterial dao universe...

Can he be like me, or somewhat different in that he stored his original strength in this man's body and keeps his primary body in the immaterial dao universe? He's cultivating the new dao there. As of present, it's tough to break through the Fused Dao level. I haven't comprehended the cultivation level beyond it, so he shouldn't be that much faster than me...

This was very possible!

If this was the case, then the man with a sword on his back may just be a container for the old dao!

And not just him, but Zhang An also seemed to have done the same thing.

Zhang An didn't display too many ripples of the new dao either. One of the five Saints within Star River was very mysterious—could he be Zhang An?

Li Hao suddenly grinned, now this was getting interesting!

These folks preserved the old dao while assimilating the new dao. Both daos were present. Perhaps they were waiting for the two sides to be on the same level of strength before combining the two. That would break through certain barriers in one move. Was Li Daoheng scheming after the level of exalted emperor?

And was Zhang An doing so to achieve half step emperor?

A variety of thoughts and speculations rose in Li Hao's mind. It was just one sword stroke that outsiders wouldn't pay attention to, but it contained all too many clues for Li Hao. He could derive the wielder's personality, strength, trajectory, and preferred style of resolving matters from it. The man with the sword on his back was strong alright, but he was not the best!

......

There was no need to speak of this with anyone else. It was enough for Li Hao to know some things himself. Sharing with too many people would only increase his worries.

No matter how the battle turned out, he had emerged victorious on all fronts. It was his most glorious and fruitful skirmish to date.

The group rushed to Skystar City.

The Skystar Commander Office.

All personnel were in attendance and erupted with cheers when they saw the group return. "Congratulations to the marquis for demonstrating your might! Felicitations for killing Saints, slaying Empyrean Kings, and making your glory known throughout the world!"

They already knew the outcome of the battle since many people had been waiting near Ash Mountain. Although only Saints could participate in this battle, the rest had been ready with numerous preparations.

As it turned out, painstaking effort wasn't needed from them. Li Hao had taken care of all of the enemies by himself! It was such an astounding and exciting result!

The young man smiled faintly and looked around, "How come you guys have learned to treat me with flattery?"

"This isn't flattery, Your Lordship!" Director General Zhao walked out with a radiant smile. "The battle was so inspiring! We suddenly feel that half step emperors are nothing to fear and exalted emperors are not concerning. It's broken the fearful reverence that new age humans hold toward the old age powerhouses!"

"Now now, half step emperors are frightening and exalted emperors even more so!" laughed Li Hao before walking into the great hall.

The group trailed behind him; Li Hao sat down on the throne on an elevated dial. When he saw Lin Hongyu standing, he pointed to his left. "Sit here, Hongyu!"

Glances were exchanged within the crowd, but no one said anything. Lin Hongyu didn't say anything either; she took the uppermost seat on the left hand side.

Everyone found their own places.

Director General Zhao insisted that Hong Yitang take the seat on the uppermost right hand side. Hong Yitang protested politely and the two went back and forth for a while before the director general was offered the seat.

Li Hao watched the interplay without saying a word. He cut straight to the chase when everyone was settled in. "The world has revitalized and can tolerate Saints again, even peak Saints! I once said that I don't wish for people to be left in the dust behind me!

"Everything I've done today is to reduce the interference that those people impose on Skystar! Twenty-nine Saints, five Empyrean Kings, and more than one hundred Immortals were killed in this battle..."

Sharp gasps abounded through the hall! Although they knew that Li Hao had taken Thunderblast, they were stunned beyond belief at hearing Li Hao say that he'd killed five Empyrean Kings. The crowd knew that Empyrean Kings had most likely died—one maybe, or two...

But five??

Heavens above! This is unbelievable!

"We now possess two Empyrean King-level blood pearls," Li Hao continued, ignoring their reactions. "Twenty Saint-level blood pearls, and one hundred Immortal level ones. In addition, we collected some more things that aren't that useful or valuable!

"The blood pearl of an Empyrean King won't propel you to the heavens with one step or make you an Empyrean King, but it might help some Suns and Moons complete the first circulation by opening a lot of dao meridians. I think the greatest likelihood is facilitating their ascension to Fused Dao!"

That meant to say, these new resources would likely result in two new Fused Dao cultivators. That tempted a lot of people. Only Lin Hongyu and Hong Yitang had ascended to that stage thus far, due to various opportunities. Of the remaining, there were quite a few seventh level Sun and Moon or even eighth and ninth. But there hadn't been anyone who naturally ascended to Fused Dao yet.

There hadn't been enough time to accomplish that.

"We need to carefully allot the two Empyrean King-level blood pearls," Li Hao asserted. "As of the current situation, battle strength may not be the primary consideration. I need someone who will contribute to great effect as soon as they break through! Strength paves the way for improvement...

"Who do you guys think should receive the Empyrean King-level blood pearls?" The young man looked around the group.

"The marquis should decide!" Director General Zhao immediately responded. "We did not accomplish anything in this battle. If my lord does not find it convenient to determine who they should be awarded to, then we can have Commander Lin and Headmaster Hong decide."

Li Hao smiled and looked at the director general. "You can have one!"

"I..." the old man hastily protested.

"But, you will have a mission to accomplish if you accept it."

"Please speak of it, my lord!" Director General Zhao braced himself. Of course he wanted to improve, this was Fused Dao they were talking about! He was eighth level Sun and Moon now, nearing ninth level. But there was still some inherent difficulty to progressing to the next cultivation level.

"It's been half a year since we started education efforts aimed at the entire population and martial dao is thriving in the world as well. We have added two more provinces to the list of ninety-nine, making for a complicated situation all throughout Skystar. I don't even know most of the governor generals!" Li Hao began slowly. "What I ask is simple!

"Reorganize the entire dynasty! Everything from administration, laws and regulation, education, finance, agriculture, commerce, arts and culture must be completely overhauled! Skystar is to change its name and start a new calendar!

"The time is ripe! This may be the best and most peaceful opportunity for such sweeping reforms. All sides have suffered setbacks, so we can focus on our own transformation. We must be fast, very fast about it.

"When I say it's simple, that's only relatively speaking. It's easy to conquer the world, but very difficult to manage it. If you accept the mission, one of the Empyrean King-level blood pearls will definitely have your name on it!"

Director General Zhao didn't immediately respond, he mulled over what was being asked of him. This wasn't a simple task at all! It was one filled with a great deal, an enormous deal of hassle!

The good was lumped in within the bad throughout the world these days. Although there weren't many powerhouses elsewhere, sometimes that wasn't the only consideration. Reforms that impacted tens of billions... the entire dynasty... countless profits and interests to be balanced against each other...

He might offend a large number of people. This Empyrean King-level blood pearl was not easily come by! Li Hao clearly didn't mean for him to forcefully impose his will upon the people, but to manage it...

"I..." Director General Zhao's head ached.

"Can you not do it?"

"I... can accept the mission, but... I'll need a lot of people's help..."

"Hongyu will do her utmost to coordinate with you, as well as the military. You can utilize force against anyone causing trouble!"

The director general heaved a sigh of relief. That was good. "Then... then I accept!"

Li Hao nodded and looked at the rest. "Who among you thinks they can take the last Empyrean King-level blood pearl?"

He was actually looking at one person in particular, Gan Wuliang.

The man was naturally highly tempted! But... he hesitated as Li Hao had already said battle strength wasn't the deciding factor. Gan Wuliang possessed a high level of ability and was eighth level Sun and Moon. Entering Fused Dao was also his dream goal, but why did the marquis want him to fight for this opportunity?

Li Hao was staring him down, plainly wanting Gan Wuliang to step forward. The man's thoughts flew furiously. Did Li Hao wish to bequeath the blood pearl to him?

Definitely not!

Gan Wuliang had no choice but to walk forward when impatience bloomed in Li Hao's eyes. "This subordinate would like to put my name forward for the last one!"

"What can you do?" Li Hao smiled, seeming to relax. He leaned back against the chair. "Give me a reason!"

Gan Wuliang struggled briefly before saying, "This subordinate is willing to bring Divine Nation into the fold and will fight for them to be integrated into Skystar Dynasty!"

"That's not enough!"

A resigned Gan Wuliang continued, "This subordinate can resolve the disorder created by the Sacred White Sect and Kui Mountain monster spirits. The Hao Cosmos Continent will complete its unification..."

"Not enough!"

"......" Wide-eyed glances were being exchanged in the crowd. Even that wasn't enough? That was already an immense undertaking! What did the marquis want?

"This subordinate... is willing to send his mind into the immaterial universe as the marquis' vanguard!" Gan Wuliang offered wryly after immense inner turmoil.Is this what you want?

"You can enter the immaterial universe?" Li Hao asked, puzzled.

Gan Wuliang really wanted to cry. Even though he could read people's emotions, it always felt like the young man was toying with him whenever he faced Li Hao. The young man always had the drop on him!

You know better than me if I can!

"It's possible... it's doable!" Gan Wuliang set his jaw. "I can give it a try and may be able to contact the immaterial dao universe when I break through. I... will be dead without a doubt if I am discovered. If I am not, I am willing to be the coordinates for the marquis!"

"It's too dangerous!" Li Hao frowned.

"This subordinate is not afraid!" Gan Wuliang gnashed his teeth. "Our lives can be offered up to the dynasty!"

"Are you really not afraid?" Li Hao smiled.

"No!"

"Very well, the last Empyrean King-level blood pearl is yours!"

"My thanks to Your Lordship!"

"You deserve it!"

No one said a word. As much as they envied the two men, these two blood pearls were not easily come by! Gan Wuliang didn't want it anymore; his heart quailed.

I knew that I would have to pay a hefty price to improve... but this really is too dangerous!