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Chapter 457: Immortal Dynasties and the Demon Suppression Bureau
Chapter 457: Immortal Dynasties and the Demon Suppression Bureau
Those who had just awakened from sword enlightenment, including Ji Qingxuan, gathered around Li Tiemu. Some still had a look of contemplation and reminiscence in their eyes.
As the Eldest Senior Brother, Ji Qingxuan had already composed himself and asked:
"The Southern Domain Battle is still a long way off. Are we already deciding the participants now?"
"This climb up the Imperial Sword Mountain is a selection process. Our Sword Abyss has ten spots. Those who meet the soul age requirements will be chosen through this screening, and we will select eight. The remaining two spots have already been filled by those who comprehended the Imperial Sword during their time outside."
Li Tiemu explained.
Upon hearing this, Murong Qingwu and Yue Xi both looked at Li Tiemu curiously.
Even Murong Qingwu, who had been a beginner for hundreds of years, was participating in the Southern Domain Battle for the first time and was unfamiliar with many details.
"Can't Eldest Senior Brother participate?"
Yue Xi turned to Ji Qingxuan and then to Senior Sister Wei Hongye, who had often taken care of her.
Wei Hongye smiled and shook her head, remaining silent.
Li Tiemu sighed inwardly. He wished his senior disciple, the leader of the Monsters, could participate, but Ji Qingxuan's soul age had long surpassed three thousand years, making him ineligible.
"Qingxuan and the others have more important tasks to undertake. This time, it's up to you all."
Li Tiemu's gaze became more solemn as he looked at Murong Qingwu, Yue Xi, and Gu Yan. "This time, our Sword Abyss has ten spots, and four of them are from my disciples. The burden on you is heavy. The Nine Depths of the Great Dream is a Tiansi Sect, and whether it can ascend to a Tianyi Sect depends on your performance!"
He knew his words would put pressure on them, but he believed that prodigies thrived under pressure and grew faster because of it.
"Four of us..."
Murong Qingwu, hearing his words, noticed that the seventh junior brother was missing.
She looked around but couldn't see him and asked in confusion, "Master, where is Seventh Uncle? His name is... Hao something, right?"
She had just returned from the Immortal Dynasties' sword lecture and was not familiar with the three new junior brothers and sisters, especially since her attention had been focused on Gu Yan, and she had only a vague impression of Li Hao.
However, Li Hao's climb up the mountain at the last moment had left a lasting impression on her.
Li Tiemu rolled his eyes at her question. They were supposed to be supportive of each other within the sect, but not even remembering someone's name was a poor start.
"He went down the mountain."
Li Tiemu replied irritably.
"Already?" Murong Qingwu was surprised.
Yue Xi, who had just realized what was happening, was stunned. She remembered the figure she had seen when she was unconscious half a year ago, when the sword scar monument had appeared, and her eyes widened as she asked:
"He climbed up the mountain too?"
"Yes."
Wei Hongye nodded, adding softly, "After you."
Yue Xi stood there, realizing that her initial impression had not been a mistake. But how had he managed to climb the mountain?
She clearly remembered that his cultivation realm was lower than hers, and he had only been at the True Immortal Realm when he first joined the sect.
She had only managed to climb the Imperial Sword Cliff and leave her name by activating the Yanhuo Clan's bloodline true energy, and yet he...
Her face turned pale.
"When did he leave?"
Gu Yan suddenly spoke up, his voice breaking the silence.
Yue Xi and Murong Qingwu turned to look at him, surprised that the usually quiet junior brother had spoken.
Gu Yan's gaze, however, remained fixed on Li Tiemu.
Li Tiemu, thinking of Li Hao's actions, shook his head helplessly and said, "He went down the mountain half a year ago."
"Half a year ago?"
Ji Qingxuan and Lu Wuchen, along with the others, were all taken aback.
"Why?"
Wei Hongye asked, looking at Li Tiemu with confusion.
Seeing their expressions, Li Tiemu understood their concern and replied, "I don't know why. The kid said he came to see things and then left. But he didn't go far; he's still at the foot of the mountain."
Previously, Li Hao had noticed something when he entered the first crevice of Imperial Sword Mountain, but he did not intervene when Yun Wumian shook his head.
Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances.
They were enlightened on the mountaintop, and the other person was enlightened at the foot of the mountain?
Gu Yan's eyes flickered, and he suddenly stood up, saying to Li Tiemu, "Master, I'll go down to the mountain and take a look."
Without waiting for Li Tiemu's response, he flew off straight away.
Yue Xi saw his back and immediately sensed that this young junior brother seemed to place great importance on the young man who had joined the sect with her.
Although they had only met a few times over the past two years, this was the first time she had seen such a reaction from him. She could feel that she was not regarded as a rival in his heart.
She gritted her teeth slightly and followed him, flying off as well.
Seeing that they had all left, Murong Qingwu found it interesting and followed them.
Li Tiemu's mouth opened slightly, seeing them all run off in a flash. He felt his face lose some of its dignity as a Master and couldn't help but look a bit sour.
"No discipline at all!"
Wei Hongye saw his angry expression and couldn't help but laugh. Knowing that his Master was overjoyed to have such a group of prodigious disciples, he said, "Master, where are we going since the young junior brothers are heading to the Southern Domain Battle?"
Li Tiemu turned to look at them, his expression serious and earnest. "What you are to do is even more dangerous, and it also concerns the sect's competition!"
"Hmm?"
Wei Hongye's eyes flickered.
Lu Wuchen's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharpness showing in their depths.
Ji Qingxuan, who had already known, showed no change in expression.
"You will go to the Yan-Chu border, join the Demon Suppression Bureau, and work alongside the border guards to slay ancient demons, accumulating immortal merit!"
"Join the Demon Suppression Bureau?"
Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen couldn't help but look at Ji Qingxuan. Wasn't this the path their Eldest Senior Brother had taken?
"That's right. Qingxuan was summoned for another reason."
At this point, Li Tiemu felt it was time to explain some things to them. He said solemnly, "This time, the sect's reorganization is not just about the Southern Domain Battle to showcase the sect's potential. There's another point: it's to test the sect's foundation! What is a foundation? Every Heavenly Sect has an Immortal King, but an Immortal King cannot easily participate in battles. If they are injured or severely wounded, and the news leaks, it could bring great calamity!"
"Therefore, the sect's foundation is demonstrated on the battlefield."
"Moreover, the Yan-Chu Imperial Clan has intentionally arranged an immortal merit list at the border. Disciples from various sects will compete for immortal merit, and the final assessment will be based on the combined ranking of the immortal merit list and the results of the Southern Domain Battle!"
"As you can see, while they are preparing for the Southern Domain Battle, the sect will send other highly skilled disciples to the border battlefield. However, to prevent sects from using underhanded methods to boost their military achievements by recruiting large numbers of disciples, only the top one hundred immortal merit earners from each sect will be counted!"
"So, your task is just as heavy, if not heavier, than Hao Tian and the others!"
Hearing Li Tiemu's words, Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen finally understood, their expressions becoming serious.
The battles at the border were far more dangerous than the Southern Domain Battle. After all, the Southern Domain Battle took place under the watchful eyes of various sects and even the Heavenly Palace's Supreme Sage, so the likelihood of casualties was low.
"Qingxuan was sent to the border earlier to gather some experience. He will share this with you later."
Li Tiemu continued, "Although the mission is dangerous, the sect will provide the chosen hundred with Immortal Pills and Immortal Weapons to aid you in your battles."
Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen exchanged glances and nodded.
"For the sect, disciples are willing to face any danger!"
Wei Hongye said, exuding a heroic and valiant spirit.
Lu Wuchen remained silent, but his eyes were sharp.
Seeing their determined gazes, Li Tiemu felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He looked around and telepathically said:
"Letting you join the Demon Suppression Bureau for this border conflict actually has another reason."
"Hmm?"
Lu Wuchen and Wei Hongye were momentarily taken aback, but their expressions quickly returned to normal. However, they were puzzled about what could be so delicate that it needed to be conveyed through telepathy.
"The former Demon Suppression Bureau Marshal of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty has fallen, causing significant internal turmoil within the bureau. Now is the perfect time to join the Demon Suppression Bureau."
Li Tiemu's expression seemed calm, but his telepathic voice was extremely low and serious: "Establishing immortal merit and performing well at this time can easily secure you a position within the Demon Suppression Bureau. You know the power and status of the Demon Suppression Bureau in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty—they dare to slay even the imperial clan!"
"If you can secure a position in the Demon Suppression Bureau, it will provide your sect with more connections and power in the future, preventing any counterattacks or constraints."
Hearing his words, Lu Wuchen and Wei Hongye immediately understood. This move was not just for the present but also for the future.
The Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, an ancient Immortal Dynasty, existed during the era of the Immortal Emperor, with vast territories and deep roots.
Although the seven ancient Immortal Dynasties rank below the Heavenly Palace, their ability to maintain a harmonious relationship with the Heavenly Palace over the years speaks volumes about their capabilities.
For them, securing a position in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, particularly in the Demon Suppression Bureau, would elevate their status even higher than that of a Heavenly Sect disciple.
After all, the Nine Depths of the Great Dream is just a sect within the Tiansi Sect of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, while the Demon Suppression Bureau, established by the Immortal Dynasty, wields far greater authority than a Heavenly Sect.
Meanwhile, at the base of the mountain.
At the first level of the cliff valley, Li Hao was playing chess with an elder of the spirit race.
His brows were furrowed as he concentrated on the chessboard, searching for a way to break the deadlock.
The spirit race elder smiled at Li Hao, not urging him. Over the past six months, Li Hao had made significant progress, but fortunately, the elder's deep chess skills still allowed him to maintain the upper hand.
"Hmm."
Beside them, Ah Ling suddenly turned her head, looking into the void.
There was a spatial fluctuation, much faster than the transmission of energy. For Ah Ling, who had mastered the second level of the space dao origin, it was easy to detect the approach of an enemy.
"Someone is coming, two... three."
Ah Ling narrowed her eyes and calculated the time. "It should be a Sword Abyss disciple. The Imperial Sword Mountain trials should be over, so why are they coming now?"
"Probably to find him."
The spirit race middle-aged man beside her said, a smile on his lips.
Soon, three figures appeared in the air above the cliff valley, led by Gu Yan.
Seeing the scene before him, Gu Yan was momentarily stunned.
Yue Xi, who followed closely behind, also stopped, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. Had Li Hao been playing chess with the spirit race here for the past six months?
After a brief silence, Yue Xi flew down but did not get too close. The three spirit race individuals before her gave her a different feeling from other spirit race members.
She asked Li Hao, "Master said you came down the mountain early. Have you been here playing chess the whole time?"
Li Hao snapped out of his thoughts, looked up, and saw the three of them. He smiled and greeted them, "Why are you here?"
"Come to see you."
Murong Qingwu's figure flickered, and she appeared beside Li Hao. She glanced at the chessboard but couldn't understand it, so she stopped looking and asked, "I heard you stayed at the first level of Imperial Sword Mountain for a long time before coming up. You've been here the whole time, haven't you?"
"That's right."
Li Hao replied.
Murong Qingwu was speechless at Li Hao's casual response: "Don't tell me you've been playing chess here the entire time, even during the past two years?"
"That's right."
Li Hao said.
Murong Qingwu was taken aback for a moment before asking, "So you didn’t Cultivate at all during the two years you were here?"
Li Hao was speechless for a moment before responding, "Why are you here?"
"The Imperial Sword Comprehend has already ended. We’re here to take you back", Yue Xi said, landing beside them. Her gaze was complex as she looked at Li Hao.
Li Hao was stunned for a moment. Had it really been half a year already?
"You have such strength, why didn’t you leave a name on the Imperial Sword Cliff?"
Yue Xi held back for a while but couldn’t help but ask the question that had been on her mind.
"..."
Li Hao was speechless. This girl’s obsession with the Imperial Sword Cliff was really deep... He remembered answering her a few times before and now gave a bitter smile.
"I told you, I’m not interested."
Yue Xi’s lips pressed together. At first, she thought Li Hao couldn’t leave a name and didn’t want to embarrass himself, but now, she believed he genuinely wasn’t interested.
But, it was such a great honor!
Gu Yan’s expression changed slightly when he heard Li Hao’s words, his eyes becoming even more profound.
"I want to Sparring with you."
Gu Yan suddenly said.
Li Hao looked at him in surprise and quickly shook his head. "Not interested. If there’s nothing else, you guys should head back. I’ll leave once I finish this game."
With a sudden sound, a surge of Sword Intent erupted, and Gu Yan, with his bare hand, unleashed a Sword Light directly toward Li Hao.
Before Li Hao could react, the old man of the Spirit Race sitting opposite him flicked his finger, shattering the Sword Intent.
The old man’s calm gaze shifted slightly, looking at Gu Yan. He could tell this young man was highly Talented, but it didn’t concern him.
"Little one, why are you so disrespectful? Has your Master not taught you manners?"
The old man of the Spirit Race said coldly, "The trial is over. You should leave now, or you’ll disturb my peace, and I won’t be so polite."
Yue Xi and Gu Yan’s expressions changed, and they stared at the old man of the Spirit Race.
What a powerful Spirit Race... They could sense the aura of a True Immortal Realm Fifth Tier, but the power that shattered the Sword Intent with just a gesture was far beyond what a True Immortal Realm Fifth Tier should possess, containing an extremely formidable Great Dao Origin!
"Let’s go."
The middle-aged man of the Spirit Race, who had been standing nearby, said coldly, folding his arms. "You young ones passed the first level easily, but don’t think the Spirit Race has no one."
As he spoke, a strange force field emanated from his body.
Sitting on the stone, Li Hao immediately felt the earth origin power, which was much higher than his own Second Tier Earth Origin Realm.
Feeling the overwhelming aura from the middle-aged man of the Spirit Race, the three of them changed expressions again, realizing that these three Spirit Race members were far more formidable than the others they had defeated.
Moreover, they recalled that among the Spirit Race members they had defeated earlier, none of these three were present.
"I counted earlier; I defeated a maximum of 97 Spirit Race members..."
Gu Yan’s eyes flickered. To seek some fairness, he had made sure to face each level alone in the later Challenges. Even if other disciples were around, he would rush over and defeat the Demon Race members they were fighting.
"If my Master and the others had intervened, apart from the few who arrived first at the Imperial Sword Mountain, none of you would have made it through, unless you all have the combat strength surpassing the Ancestral Dragon..."
Ah Ling said coldly from the side.
Gu Yan and the others’ pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this.
The old man of the Spirit Race sitting before the Chess Board had power surpassing that of the Seventh Level Ancestral Dragon?
The three of them were filled with doubt but also sensed that the Spirit Race girl wasn’t lying.
Murong Qingwu’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Li Hao, feeling that this junior brother was quite extraordinary. For such a powerful Spirit Race member to sit with him was truly remarkable.
"Since that’s the case, Seventh Junior Brother, we’ll take our leave. You should come back soon; Master is urging us."
Murong Qingwu said with a smile, looking quite lively.
With that, he turned and flew away, not daring to linger any longer.
Gu Yan’s expression changed. Seeing Li Hao’s gaze return to the Chess Board, apparently still not interested in a Sparring match, he felt a tinge of disappointment and turned to leave. Before he went, he said:
"Once the Southern Domain competition begins, I will seek your guidance again, Senior Brother."
Li Hao looked up at the retreating figure, somewhat helplessly, "This little junior brother still knows to call me Senior Brother."
Yue Xi glanced at Li Hao with a complex expression, then silently turned and left.
"This little junior brother doesn't understand the rules; don't let him disturb your enjoyment, Senior. Let's continue", Li Hao said to the elderly spirit race elder.
The spirit race elder, of course, wasn't angry. He smiled again and said, "Let's see how you handle this move."
"I have a plan..."
Li Hao said with feigned confidence.
Half an hour later.
He conceded defeat with a dejected look. After two and a half years of playing chess here, he had won only a few games against his opponent, and his skills were still far too weak.
"I'll take my leave now. Until we meet again."
Li Hao stood up and bid farewell.
The three of them waved to Li Hao with smiles.
Watching Li Hao leave, the spirit race elder put away the chessboard and sighed, "The Imperial Sword Mountain has ended. I wonder how the Abyss Lord will handle us."
Hearing this, the middle-aged spirit race member and Ah Ling's faces showed a hint of worry.
...
Leaving the first level of Imperial Sword Mountain, Li Hao flew straight to the summit. He saw a number of disciples gathered there.
He scanned the area and spotted Gu Yan, Yue Xi, and Murong Qingwu, who had returned earlier. They also noticed him.
Li Hao's gaze didn't linger; he looked toward the thatched hut and quickly saw the figure of Abyss Lord Yun Wumian.
Li Hao flew over and bowed, "Junior pays respects to Abyss Lord."
Over the past six months, Yun Wumian had been observing Li Hao's behavior. He was surprised to see that Li Hao had truly immersed himself in chess, with no hint of cultivation. Even while observing, he had secretly analyzed a few games to understand the charm of the chessboard.
However, he had never been fond of such activities. After a few games, he found them tedious and stopped watching.
"How was your trip down the mountain? Did you gain anything?"
Yun Wumian asked with a gentle smile.
Li Hao, thinking of the countless losses and the mere two lucky wins, scratched his head awkwardly, "It was alright."
He had lost so many times...
Yun Wumian chuckled inwardly and said, "Did you come to plead for the spirit race?"
Li Hao was surprised and quickly said, "Abyss Lord is truly wise."
Seeing such a crude flattery, Yun Wumian couldn't help but roll his eyes. He said calmly, "You don't need to worry about it. Apart from the Demon Race and ancient demons, I won't execute the spirit race."
Hearing this, Li Hao felt relieved and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Abyss Lord, for your kindness!"
"Go on."
Yun Wumian waved him off.
Li Hao bowed and left.
When he returned to Li Tiemu, Li Tiemu informed him about the gathering and then asked, somewhat unwillingly, "How was your half-year stay down there? Any regrets?"
Li Hao was taken aback but smiled, "None at all."
Li Tiemu was speechless, huffed, and, seeing that the other elders had arrived, said, "Come, I'll introduce you to the disciples of the other eight abysses."
Under the lead of Li Tiemu, Zhou Qingyun, the old woman, and the other elders, all the disciples left Imperial Sword Mountain.
Upon reaching the Sword Abyss, they paused briefly before leading Li Hao and the others to the main peak of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream, the Great Dream Mountain.
The head of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream, known as the Dream Lord, resided on the main peak.
Soon, Li Tiemu and the others led the numerous disciples to the Great Dream Mountain.
The Great Dream Mountain was vast and majestic, towering high with many disciples, far more impressive than the Sword Abyss.
As Li Hao and the others landed, they saw a group of figures rushing toward them.
"They are the Spear Abyss disciples."
Li Tiemu said, glancing at them.
The number of Spear Abyss disciples was greater than that of the Sword Abyss. After landing in the square, they approached Li Tiemu and the others.
Li Hao scanned the crowd and spotted Lin Yufeng.
Lin Yufeng also saw Li Hao. Without any surprise, he pushed through the crowd and walked over, preparing to bow to Li Hao.
(End of Chapter)
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