Star Gate

"I already mentioned it, this person is... eccentric!" Zhang An shook his head. "He'd rather have one less thing on his plate than one more, and he's probably only here in replica form. Whether it's Li Daoheng or Zheng Yu, they both have something to do with the exalted emperor.

"He won't get involved even though I'm the grandson of the supreme! Not unless... we manage to take out the other two and go to him to team up against the Red Moon exalted emperor. He might make a move then because then it will be against an external foe. What's between us is civil discord!"

Li Hao nodded thoughtfully and couldn't help but ask, "But he's an exalted emperor too at the end of the day. How would he... be wary of some exalted emperor descendants?"

"He's not wary of them, he just can't be bothered with them. He'd want nothing more than to be ignored by the entire world and to ignore it in return," Zhang An sighed. "He and his father are invincible! But no matter the side, they don't want to help anyone. They want nothing more than the entire world to forget about them.

"In New Martial, the Pagoda King—the master of General Pagoda's ancestor—and this one were considered the number one fair-weather friends in the world. The Pagoda King was so because he had no choice—he lacked sufficient strength. Meanwhile, this family was so purely because they didn't want to get involved in anything."

Li Hao nodded, highly amused. "So if things are as the dean's surmised, he won't pay attention to us so long as I don't ruin the Exalted Blood Emperor's resurrection plan?"

"Yes. In fact, if you guys kill each other, that's one less source of trouble on his radar. He won't care about us!" Zhang An was quite resigned. "There's also no way to ask more from this one. It would be one thing if his primary body was here, but since it's his replica, then not even the Human King would be able to force him to do anything. He'd just tell us to kill his replica, so what can we do about that?"

"What's his name?" Li Hao's interest was piqued.The son of the West Emperor?

The nine emperors and four sovereigns of New Martial were powerhouses that spanned the three eras of Initial Martial, core origin, and New Martial. They'd been strong from beginning to end. How ancient would one of their direct descendants who was an exalted emperor himself be!

"I can't speak of it because if it is him, he'll sense us using his name even if it's only his replica here. I can't talk too much about him either. If I do and he thinks you're scheming against him, he'll strike first and eliminate a potential threat even if he doesn't like to get involved!"

"But you're the grandson of the supreme..." Li Hao laughed.According to what you say, he won't do anything to you.

"I am," Zhang An nodded. "And... you aren't!"

"......" Li Hao had no response for that! His laughter deepened.

"When you spoke of having me visit Great Li, it'll be a much easier trip if it's his replica there. He'll leave you alone so long as you're sure that you won't ruin the Exalted Blood Emperor's plan!"

"Very good! And, have Li Daoheng and Zheng Yu guessed his identity as well? It looks to me that both of them are ignoring Great Li and seem to be completely indifferent to that god."

"Probably!" Zhang An confirmed. "I didn't know that there was a cat inside the blade. Had I known early on, I probably would've been able to determine his identity a long time ago. These two... have probably seen that blade for themselves. You must be careful. It's to be expected that Li Daoheng has, but when has Zheng Yu ever laid eyes on it?"

"His replica visited the ruins a while back," Li Hao responded.

"Maybe that was it!" Zhang An nodded. "Regardless, this person is most likely the one I speak of. Li Daoheng and Zheng Yu wouldn't be so unconcerned otherwise. If he is that one, then their thoughts are the same as ours. He won't interfere, it's just that simple."

"To think that someone like this would exist..." Li Hao still found it incredible. "He has the strength to make a change, but he stays removed. He certainly lives a... carefree lifestyle?"

Was this carefree?

In a way, it was.

But judging from this information, it was only the god's replica on Silver Moon world. This august personage still feared certain people—such as the Human King. If the god's primary body was here, he wouldn't dare stay out of the proceedings. But as such, he had a perfect excuse.

"Then we're settled, Dean Zhang. You don't need to be involved with anything else. Give me control over Star River at a critical moment and don't let the one in Great Li interfere. I can take care of the rest!"

"Are you... really set on doing this?"

"Of course!" Li Hao nodded.

"Ai!" Zhang An sighed. "You've improved very rapidly, so perhaps you could wait until you're sixth level Fused Dao. You'll be able to stand your ground for a blow or two against a half step emperor then, assuming you still can't match him at that point. You're only fourth level Fused Dao at the moment and are making such quick progress that you might be sixth level in another half year!"

"I'd have to be at least peak sixth level Fused Dao." Li Hao shook his head. "That means roughly 252 dao meridians. At present, I lack a major opportunity to open another 108 dao meridians. Even if I open one every three days, that'll still take me a year. Not to mention... how will I have a chance to open one every three days given current conditions?"

He'd killed everyone he could lately, what opportunities were left?

Zhang An started to speak, then stopped. Now that was a reply that stabbed one's heart. How could anyone run their mouth at saying they could open one dao meridian every three days and rival a half step emperor after a year?

Fuck off, kid!

"I've agreed to the two points you mentioned, is there anything else?" Zhang An couldn't be bothered with the rest of the conversation. Li Hao was a person who saw more clearly than most. Anyone who thought he was taking a risk would be the ones taking a risk. The guy probably had a bunch of contingency plans!

It looked like he was risking his life, but he always managed to weather the storm!

Li Hao was a gambler, but he wasn't purely gambling with his tokens. Rather, his bets continuously increased his chances of success. He didn't take action until his chance of success reached its peak.

Someone like that could not be considered a gambler.

"There's nothing else. But since the dean is being so hospitable, perhaps I should think of something in response," Li Hao chuckled. "How about you lend me the book of dao for a few days? I'd like to read it."

"......" Zhang An looked at him without a word. Sometimes, Li Hao was a gentleman. Other times, he was the height of shamelessness.

The book of great dao!

If Zhang An had a son, even he wouldn't dare raise such a request. This had to do with one cultivation, after all.

"I will be generous in turn if the dean lends me the book," Li Hao chuckled before the man had a chance to respond. "I will let the dean's dao star swim through the river of chaos in which my body is in! You saw it last time too that there are a myriad of daos in my river.

"As for how strong or how important they are... of course they do not measure up to the daos of the New Martial exalted emperors. However, the dean's book isn't an exalted emperor's book of great dao!"

If it was Supreme Zhang's book, then this would not be a worthwhile transaction. But Zhang An was not the supreme, just his grandson. He was only a half step Empyrean King. This was no loss to him, quite a bargain in fact because he cultivated the new dao.

Zhang An glanced at Li Hao and frowned slightly. "Do you care so little about your dao?"

You let anyone peruse it?

"Sharing is a type of generosity, we did so in New Martial as well. But tests are still required when it comes to the heart of the knowledge. We did not share randomly. In addition, you have opened up the dao universe to a motley array of characters. You're taking too much risk!"

Li Hao had opened his dao universe to Silver Moon, permitting his inner circle and a lot more to enter as they would. This had lifted the veil of mystery from the dao universe. Untoward happenings might occur if this continued!

"I trust everyone!" Li Hao smiled.

Zhang An took a deep look at him.Do you trust everyone this much?

Li Hao smiled back at him.I do. Those that I don't... have long been shifted to the mental sea. It's not like you guys know about it! I just haven't found your star yet. Once I do, I'll move it to the mental sea too. You'll have plenty to cry about then.

"Dean Zhang, would you like to make this deal?"

"I would!" Zhang An nodded after a while.

"My thanks to Dean Zhang!"

Zhang An didn't know what to say, there was no need for gratitude. This was a simple transaction that he was benefiting more from. Just as Li Hao said, he was not his grandfather. While his book of great dao touched upon a great deal of the mentality of exalted emperors, he did not truly understand that cultivation realm.

Zhang An summoned his book without another word. Li Hao accepted it with equal ease.

"The dean can head to my river whenever you'd like to take a bath! I would have hidden a thing or two before... but now I think most people have guessed something. It's fine! However, just look around. Don't try to absorb my power!"

"......" Zhang An was once more speechless. "I won't! Where are you..."

The young man had risen to leave.

"I'm going to see the queen!" smiled Li Hao. "It's been a few months, I'm going to see them and Zheng Yu! People worry about me being up to no good whenever I disappear from the public eye. In that case, I'll show myself and visit them!

"Ah, yes, Dean Zhang, move the city next to Galewind when you have a chance. It'll be much more convenient that way!"

"They have multiple Empyrean Kings within their walls!" Zhang An rolled his eyes. It wasn't like their city was empty!

"Is the dean afraid of them?" Li Hao laughed and spontaneously disappeared. His voice reverberated through the city to address the people who'd come with him. "Go with Dean Zhang and stroll around Galewind. New Martial seniors, you can kill a few Empyrean Kings with no problem wit they dare show themselves!"

Li Hao had already drifted away.

Zhang An appeared in front of the group when he was gone, frowning in the direction of his departure. This fellow... was growing ever more bold. He wanted to expel Zheng Yu from his base this time!

If he succeeded... Ying Hongyue really was going to die at the end.

......

The north.

A bright moon sparkled and wanted to run away, but Li Hao instantly appeared in front of it and blocked its way. The queen manifested with an inward cry of agony.

I would've kept a low profile if I'd known this would happen! What does Li Hao want with me now?? I haven't done anything to him lately!

"Long time no see, Your Majesty the queen." Li Hao grinned radiantly. "I've missed you so, you haven't given me any presents lately!"

"......" The queen was silent.

"You made out like a bandit when I broke the Moon God's real body," the young man laughed. "It's fair to say that you owe me one, hmm?"

"What do you want?" snapped the queen.

"Nothing, just one thing. Go to Galewind and tell Zheng Yu that you want to let him into the primary body of the moon. Tell him to move. I want Galewind!"

"What??"

"I want Galewind!"

"Li Hao, you're crazy!" raged the queen.What do you take me for?!