Star Gate

After Liu Long left, Li Hao debated how to allocate the remaining nine sets of silver armor. The armor could effectively defend itself against any being below Apex. The identity of a Silver Armor was also immensely useful, while the on-demand communication with Black Armors was also pivotal. Also, they would be recognized in any ruins that were of an official city that still recognized New Martial.

Various possibilities flitted through the young man’s mind; he was in no hurry. It was time to make more preparations for the City of Supernaturals, just in case it turned out to be a trap. Although he was bringing a strong team, the appearance of a true Apex or Immortal would cause tremendous trouble all the same. If he couldn’t take the little tree with him, what about… other things? Like the puppets?

Inspiration struck the young man—the puppets in Evenround Martial weren’t weak. The Black Armor was strong, as were the puppets. The puppets lacked core origin and their bodies were made out of metal. Would the void also seek to cut them to pieces?

Even if it did, it wouldn’t matter much. His domain of the five elements could help them stabilize the nearby void. Li Hao could barely sit still after the idea flashed through his mind. Safety was more important than anything, he had to be prepared for everything!

……

Evenround Martial University.

The Black Armor flew into a rage! Again?! He’d thought that peace was at hand after a week of no more Li Hao visits, but here the young man was again!

Boom!

The void nearly split open the second Li Hao appeared. A robot cat abruptly smacked him, startling him so much that he quickly jumped through the air and disappeared.

The robot cat disappeared as well, breaking through the void with a rumble. Li Hao flashed into view, then disappeared again. He manifested behind the Black Armor, startling the man.

“That’s enough!” shouted the Black Armor.

‘’He touched me!” The robot cat stopped with reluctance.

“……” Li Hao was speechless and recalled that he’d patted this robot cat last time before he left. He’d simply found its shape cute as it had a cartoon cat’s head. Who knew that the other would still remember this, and they were quite strong to boot?

There was no talk of martial dao battle methods, just pure strength. The pure strength of a puppet!

The Black Armor was equally resigned and took a while to respond, “He touched a metal construct, not your body.”

“……” The robot cat went mute, those words were too sad to hear. It flashed back to the school gates and took an unmoving position, turning into pillars at the gates with the other cat puppets.

Li Hao wiped off nonexistent sweat from his brow, heart palpitating from the earlier exchange.

“Senior, is that one of the female cultivators from back in the day?” he transmitted to the Black Armor.

“……” So you know as well! “What do you think? Don’t go around randomly touching or feeling things!”

These students hadn’t been that old when they died. After spending so many years silent or sleeping, their personalities haven’t changed much. Do you think you won’t be smacked for touching a girl in her twenties?

“Do you have a reason for your return?”

“Yes, the Ninth Division leader of the Reserve Defenders wanted me to pass on the word that Battle Heaven is still fighting the good fight. They wish to reactivate the city, leave Silver Moon, and return to the main world.”

“He’s still there?” paused the Black Armor.

“Yes, do you know him, senior?”

No shit!

“And he didn’t beat you?”

“What?” Li Hao blinked.

“I said, why didn’t he beat you to death?”

“……” Li Hao was speechless. The heck man? I haven’t antagonized him, why would he attack me? Granted, I was beaten twice, but not to the point of being beaten to death.

Judging from the young man’s reaction, the Black Armor understood that Li Hao didn’t know the particulars. He said nothing further and inclined his head. “He thinks too much. I might truly despair if I was the only one here, but right now… I still have my responsibilities!”

He didn’t matter, but these puppets had been students in their time and were the descendants of exalted emperors. They were the Human King’s most steadfast supporters, so he had to bring them home.

Li Hao didn’t mention the students, but they themselves ought to know that the Black Armor wouldn’t give up. He might despair or rage against his circumstances, but he wouldn’t give up because they were still here.

“Is that it? Did you revive the pagoda tree?”

“Do you know about that too, senior?”

“I sensed some of it,” the Black Armor said calmly. “That was not a good choice. That guy’s family… forget it, I won’t speak ill of others. The eight guardian families were the core strength of New Martial, they should be worthy of trust.”

As for whether or not anyone had turned traitor, that could be left unsaid. He didn’t want to speculate wildly. There might be traitors, but baseless guesses without evidence would only wound the feelings of the other main cities.

Li Hao could vaguely make out the connotations behind his words. Director General Zhao had spoken of them before as well. The young man didn’t say anything and simply committed everything to memory.

“Senior, I’m going to run a few errands, but it won’t be safe,” he explained the purpose of his visit. “I would like a senior student or several of them to accompany me. I’d like to bring them out with me.”

“Don’t even think about it!”

“Are you worried about the void churning them to pieces?” Li Hao furrowed his brows. “I’ve mastered the personal domain and can isolate them from the void.”

“It’s not that,” answered the Black Armor. “They’re just puppets made from durable material and lack core origin. They won’t incur a backlash from the void, not unless they utilize their strength. However, the void may not be able to slice them to pieces even if they do take action!”

“Then…”

“It’s because you’re not qualified!”

Li Hao blinked.

“They are reserve troops for the Demonic Guards. No one has the right to give them commands apart from the principal and Human King.”

The young man looked speechlessly at him. “This is a misunderstanding, I’m not looking to order them around. I’m inviting the seniors out on a field trip with me!”

“……” It was the Black Armor’s turn to be at a loss for words.

“Seniors! Does anyone want to go on a field trip?” Li Hao yelled. “It’s a fascinating world out there and too boring in here!”

A hundred puppets appeared in a split second. No one made a sound, but they all looked at him, including the robot cats at the school gates. Even the one who’d hit Li Hao stretched out her cartoony looking head.

“They are but puppets.” The Black Armor glanced at Li Hao. “Not to mention, you won’t be able to use them in battle if they enter the outside world. Their internal energy is depleted and they’ll need large sums of energy stones to fight. Do you know what the concept of a ‘large sum’ is? The one who hit you, for example, requires a minimum of five hundred thousand energy stones if she is to maintain her full strength for five minutes.”

Li Hao blinked. Five hundred thousand ancient stones… were five million modern stones! That was a crazy consumption rate, and for only five minutes! One minute was the equivalent of one million stones!

His head nearly exploded from the requirements. Were their needs so great? The ancient civilization needed energy to operate everything! Well, that made sense since how was one supposed to erupt in the absence of energy?

“Then… how is their strength?”

“Stronger than you!”

“……” Li Hao was speechless. Of course, that’s a given, I can sense that!

“Do they consume energy when not fighting?”

“Very little! Additionally, I’m just talking about this. You have many thoughts rattling around in your brain, but allow me to remind you that if you really do bring someone out and they get lost or anything happens to them… my vengeance will be overwhelming! I will issue an order to all of Silver Moon for all New Martial existences to exterminate you! Do not play with fire!” The Black Armor felt that Li Hao was simply out of line. The puppets here weren’t real puppets, but students of the university. They all came with great backgrounds. If Li Hao lost one or broke one of them, he wouldn’t be able to shoulder the consequences!

The young man nearly reeled from the conversation. That harsh?? And this one probably wasn’t joking! The little tree had mentioned before that this one could give commanders to the city lords of the eight main cities. He was just here to find helpers, not be a babysitter.

“Then… forget it…”

Hundreds of puppet heads snapped toward Li Hao. There seemed to be vicious glares bubbling out of them! You’re the one who said you’re going to bring us out on a field trip, and now you say forget it?? Are you playing with us??

Hundreds of puppets immediately appeared around him. They didn’t say a word, but simply clenched their fists or brandished their weapons. They were ready to slice and dice Li Hao at any second!

“You’re the one who created this trouble for yourself,” the Black Armor remarked indifferently. “I told you not to do anything untoward.”

“It’s not me who’s not bringing you guys out, but the dean!” Li Hao said with resignation. “I can’t do anything about it either!”

What are you guys looking at me for?

The puppets promptly swiveled to the Black Armor.

“And what do you want to do out there? You have no bodies, so you can neither eat nor drink. You might get lost in a moment of carelessness and be unable to return. And what happens if someone smashes you guys?”

“Teacher…”

“Don’t bother beginning, it won’t work!” he cut them off coolly. “Don’t go mad alongside this fellow. He has his goals, what do you have?”

“But… when our junior grows stronger… he can open the Star Gate!”

“……” The Black Armor stared at them. Li Hao was their junior now? Junior my ass!

etvolare’s Thoughts

Not sure if the pros of this idea outweigh the cons, tbh...