Chapter 479: The Youngest Spirit Officer
Chapter 479: The Youngest Spirit Officer
The young girl was momentarily stunned, standing there in a daze.
The sharp and clear Sword Intent brushed past her, leaving her feeling a bit dazed. She was extremely familiar with that Sword Intent; it was the 'Qing Tian' she had just cultivated!
However, compared to her own Qing Tian, the Sword Intent he just displayed was even purer, as if it could shatter all things, part the clouds, and dissipate the dust, even breaking through the vast and clear sky!
"You..."
The girl snapped back to reality, staring at the young man in front of her. The Immortal Technique she practiced was something her grandfather had repeatedly warned her never to share with outsiders. It was one of the ten lost True Immortal Immortal Techniques, possessing immense power in the True Immortal Realm and being extremely difficult for True Immortals to cultivate and master.
But this unfamiliar young man had casually displayed a more perfect Sword Intent, clearly at a higher realm than hers.
Yet, when she looked at his cultivation... She scanned Li Hao from head to toe and realized that this young man was only a Third Tier True Immortal, while she herself was a Seventh Level True Immortal!
"Who are you?"
The girl narrowed her eyes, looking at the tall young man whose nose was at the same height as her forehead. He stood straight and exuded youthful vigor, his bright eyes and deep brows carrying a gentle smile, like a warm spring breeze. He didn't get angry at her outburst, remaining as calm as a clear wind.
Her lips tightened slightly, and the anger in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by curiosity.
"And who are you?"
Li Hao smiled and countered.
The girl's delicate face returned to calmness. "This courtyard is mine. You're asking me who I am?"
"Yours?"
Li Hao was somewhat surprised and decided not to play games. "Heaven Master summoned me here. What's your relationship with Heaven Master?"
The girl's eyes sparkled, guessing the reason in her heart. She glanced at Li Hao's fingers that had crushed her Sword Qi. A mere Third Tier True Immortal, yet he could easily crush her Sword Qi. She asked, "How many times have you reincarnated? Your cultivation isn't high, but your strength isn't low. Where did you learn this Qing Tian Immortal Technique?"
Li Hao shook his head. "You haven't told me who you are to Heaven Master yet."
"The Heaven Master you mentioned is my grandfather."
The girl's eyes remained calm. "And you, I don't remember my grandfather having a disciple like you."
Li Hao was taken aback and shook his head. "I don't know why your grandfather summoned me here either. We'll wait for him to arrive to find out."
The girl frowned, glanced at Li Hao, and didn't say more. She turned to leave to practice her sword, but as she took a step, she thought about the Sword Qi the young man had casually drawn, feeling a sense of frustration. She had worked so hard to cultivate, yet she couldn't match his casual gesture.
"Hey."
"?"
"How long did it take you to reach this level?"
The girl asked, her tone casual, but with a hint of resentment in her heart.
"A few days."
Li Hao casually replied, his gaze sweeping the surroundings, wanting to explore the courtyard.
The girl was taken aback, then her face darkened. "I'm not joking with you."
"Neither am I."
Li Hao waved his hand, not wanting to argue with the girl, and turned to leave.
"Wait."
The girl's figure flickered, instantly appearing in front of Li Hao. Her delicate face showed a hint of anger. "I was just asking a question, not prying into your affairs. Why are you being so petty?"
Li Hao was speechless, about to speak when a faint wave of Intimidation appeared. He looked up and saw the old man he had seen on the border battlefield slowly descending from the sky.
The girl also saw the old man and stopped talking to Li Hao, turning to greet him with joy. "Grandfather, you're back. Are you hurt?"
"That Earth King is only a Second Level King Realm. He can't hurt your grandfather."
The old man's face showed a doting smile, his wrinkles creasing as he gently stroked his granddaughter's hair. His gaze then fell on the young man by the arch bridge. Seeing his tall and dignified figure, his eyes softened, as if the eons had flashed through his eyes. His smile faded slightly, and his voice was neutral. "What is your name?"
"Chong Er."
Li Hao bowed slightly.
"Chong Er? What a terrible name."
The girl turned to look at Li Hao, pouting slightly. Standing in front of Li Hao, she exuded a refined and aloof charm, like a celestial maiden who seemed untouchable. But now, standing beside her grandfather, she appeared several years younger, her demeanor lively and spoiled, and her speech more casual.
Li Hao couldn't help but give her a withering glance, finding her impolite.
Seeing Li Hao dare to glare at her in front of her grandfather, the girl was taken aback and instantly became angry. Recalling Li Hao's earlier attitude, she turned to the old man, speaking in a petulant tone:
"Grandpa, why did you call him here? Are you going to take him as a disciple?"
The old man's eyelids twitched slightly at the mention of "taking a disciple" and asked Li Hao:
"Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
"Grandpa, you're really going to take him as a disciple?"
The girl's eyes widened, her face showing reluctance, her brows furrowed. Other disciples treated her with utmost respect, pampering her and trying every possible way to please her with rare and precious gifts she barely glanced at. But this young man seemed even more arrogant than she was, making her feel a bit resistant.
The old man ignored his granddaughter and looked at Li Hao calmly.
Li Hao was slightly taken aback, then shook his head and said, "Sorry, I already have a master."
Although the Heaven Master before him held a distinguished position, Li Hao had already been initiated by the Immortal Emperor. He had joined the Nine Depths of the Great Dream to familiarize himself with the True World, and taking another master wasn't necessary.
"Hmm?"
Hearing Li Hao's response, the girl was momentarily stunned.
Her grandfather was the Heaven Master of the Demon Suppression Bureau, and countless prodigies vied to become his disciple. These prodigies were one in a million, including the top monsters carefully cultivated by the Dizong Sect, all trying their best to form connections to become his disciples, hoping to gain entry into the Demon Suppression Bureau through his influence.
Now, someone was actually refusing?
The old man's eyes flickered, but he wasn't too surprised. Instead, a slight smile curved his lips. He descended and said:
"I am Gu Changming, a three-star Heaven Master of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Would you be willing to join the Demon Suppression Bureau?"
The Demon Suppression Bureau... Li Hao's eyes gleamed. The old man's words clearly meant not only inviting him to join but also offering to support and cultivate him within the bureau.
"Joining the Demon Suppression Bureau... Would it be busy?"
Li Hao hesitated.
Gu Changming was taken aback, clearly not expecting this reaction. Over the years, when he invited favored younger generations to join the Demon Suppression Bureau, most responded with enthusiasm, while a few politely declined. But this was the first time someone asked if it would be busy.
He couldn't help but laugh and said, "That depends on you. If you want a leisurely position, it's not impossible."
"Leisurely positions?"
Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "That's not a problem."
"You..."
The girl beside him was furious. Her grandfather rarely extended such an invitation, and this person was actually haggling over it, which was simply too much.
"Xingwan, go practice your sword. I need to have a private chat with this young man."
Gu Changming saw his granddaughter's indignation and chuckled, waving her away.
"Grandpa, you really think so highly of him?"
Gu Xingwan was surprised; she rarely saw her grandfather show such a gentle attitude.
Gu Changming smiled but didn't respond.
Gu Xingwan gave Li Hao a deep look before turning and obediently leaving.
Once Gu Xingwan was far enough away, Gu Changming folded his arms behind his back and walked up to Li Hao. He glanced at Li Hao with a mix of sighs and regret in his eyes and said:
"Follow me."
He then led Li Hao into the Water Moon Hall.
Inside the towering hall, a thick aura of Immortal Power permeated the air. He led Li Hao deep into the hall, raised his hand, and lightly touched the air. A silver-gray ripple appeared, as if some secret barrier had been opened.
The silver-gray ripple matched the pattern on the battle chariot Li Hao had ridden on the Ancient Star Path.
The rippling waves revealed a dark chamber.
The chamber was dimly lit, and even with Li Hao's Divine Sense, he could barely see his surroundings. Some powerful force restricted the expansion of his Divine Sense.
In the area Li Hao could see, there was a totem pillar. At its base, a dragon and phoenix coiled, and the sculptures on the pillar depicted Immortal Deities standing on dragons and phoenixes, exuding a majestic aura. However, their postures were wild and deranged, with blood streaming from their foreheads, as if a third eye had been gouged out.
Gu Changming only took two steps before stopping, and Li Hao, who was following behind, was forced to stop as well.
"Earlier in the Commander Hall, we reviewed the battle and tallied the immortal merit of all the generals. After discussion, it was decided that you, in addition to slaying ancient demons, made a significant contribution at the critical moment, earning 1,920,000 immortal merit points!"
Gu Changming's back was to Li Hao, and his voice betrayed no emotion.
Li Hao was taken aback, feeling a mixture of surprise and joy, but quickly a chill of unease and fear crept over him. He asked, "How was this immortal merit calculated? What merit do I have to deserve such a reward?"
Gu Changming turned around, his face appearing even more profound in the dim light of the hall. "The ancient demon woman who was with you, how did you meet her? Did you know she was an ancient demon beforehand?"
His gaze, like two cold stars in the dark night, fixed on Li Hao.
Li Hao's expression changed slightly, feeling an overwhelming pressure. The words of the elder clearly conveyed that everything that happened on the battlefield was visible to them.
"I knew."
After a brief silence, Li Hao answered, "But she didn't know that I knew her identity, so I used her to assist the Peacock Army."
He avoided mentioning how he had known Mi Xueyao and the months they had spent together, sticking to the truth. This was a technique he had learned from the Lying Heaven Sage: the most cunning lies are often those that omit certain truths while telling others, making them impossible to disprove.
Gu Changming gazed at Li Hao for a moment, then nodded slightly. "I believe you, but others do not. They suspect you of being a spy for the ancient demons and want to review you."
Review? Li Hao's brow furrowed, but he didn't react strongly. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the elder, knowing that there must be another reason for him to share this information.
Seeing Li Hao's calm demeanor, a hint of approval flickered in Gu Changming's eyes. He seemed to sigh lightly, "But you don't need to worry. I told them that you are part of the Demon Suppression Bureau. I've already ordered your file to be sent there. Your identity as Chong Er has been serving as a Demon Suppression Guard for three years!"
Li Hao was taken aback by the enormity of this information. He stared at the elder, unsure why the man was helping him.
"Qing Tian Sword Technique, Ancestor Immortal Body..."
Gu Changming looked at Li Hao, a smile playing on his lips. "I didn't have complete certainty before, perhaps it was a coincidence, but after seeing you just now, I am convinced. You are the descendant of the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor, and you are even the Personal Disciple of Immortal Emperor?"
Li Hao's face changed, as this was the first time his true identity had been uncovered.
However, seeing that the elder showed no intent to kill, his tense body relaxed slightly.
Seeing that Li Hao remained silent, the admiration in Gu Changming's eyes did not diminish. "Don't worry. My clan has been blessed by the Immortal Emperor. I will keep your identity a secret. I brought you here for that reason. Apart from me, even Xingwan won't know. Though she is trustworthy, she is still too young..."
His expression was now decidedly sincere.
Li Hao knew that explaining himself further would be futile. If the elder had any intention to kill, he would have done so already. The fact that they could still converse at such close range was enough to show that the elder was not an enemy.
"Why do you think so, Senior?" Li Hao asked.
Gu Changming smiled. "A Third Tier True Immortal can withstand attacks from the Immortal Lord Realm. Such a monster, combined with the Ancestor Immortal Body and the lost Qing Tian Immortal Technique... and when I saw you, your soul age was barely a hundred years. Do you think it's hard to guess?"
"..."
Hearing this, Li Hao himself found the reasoning quite convincing.
"Thank you, Senior, for keeping my identity hidden." Li Hao bowed in gratitude.
Seeing that Li Hao's doubts had been dispelled, Gu Changming also smiled. He didn't think Li Hao was naive, but rather that the information he had provided, if still met with hostility, would indicate a foolish and reckless youth.
“So, you are a descendant of the Immortal Emperor, then?”
Gu Changming asked curiously.
“Disciple,” Li Hao replied, “but not yet a Personal Disciple.”
“Not yet a Personal Disciple?”
Gu Changming was taken aback, his eyes widening in shock. For someone of such monstrous talent to not yet be a Personal Disciple of the Immortal Emperor?
Truly, the Immortal Emperor is a figure of legend...
“After that great battle, did the Immortal Emperor truly... fall silent?”
Gu Changming murmured.
Li Hao nodded slightly.
Gu Changming clenched his fingers, falling into a moment of silence. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said, “Have you heard of the Tianmu Clan?”
“No.”
Li Hao shook his head.
Gu Changming’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “It’s been a hundred thousand years. Three thousand years after that battle, the Tianmu Clan was forced out of the Mountain of a Hundred Clans. It’s no surprise you haven’t heard of us. Even in the Immortal Emperor’s lineage, there’s likely no mention of us. After all, we were just a small clan he saved on a whim. How could he have given us much thought?”
Li Hao’s eyes flickered. The Heaven Master before him had ancestors who had once been favored by the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor?
Gu Changming turned and continued walking to the front of the dark hall, leading Li Hao to the totem. He pointed at the totem and began to recount the clan’s buried past.
The Tianmu Clan had once been an insignificant race among the True World’s ten thousand races. However, with the aid of the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor, they managed to leave a mark on the Mountain of a Hundred Clans, becoming one of the hundred clans.
After becoming one of the hundred clans, the Tianmu Clan underwent a tremendous transformation. The clan’s strength soared, and they rapidly grew and developed.
But good times didn’t last. The Ancient Demon Catastrophe struck, and the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor fell. In the ensuing tens of thousands of years, the Tianmu Clan was driven out of the Mountain of a Hundred Clans. The True World, plagued by the aftermath of the Catastrophe, became a place of fierce competition and mutual slaughter among the ten thousand races. To avoid conflict, the Tianmu Clan grew increasingly reclusive, hiding their identity.
Given Gu Changming’s current power and status, he naturally didn’t fear others knowing he was from the Tianmu Clan. However, he preferred not to draw attention to it, to avoid unnecessary trouble.
“Since you are the Immortal Emperor’s Disciple and have done a great service, I will vouch for you to become the youngest Spirit Officer in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty!”
Gu Changming, having revealed his identity, spoke warmly to Li Hao.
“Spirit Officer?”
Li Hao was taken aback. In the Demon Suppression Bureau, a Spirit Officer was typically a position reserved for those in the Immortal Lord Realm, wielding considerable power and influence. Many Noble Families and sects would vie for their favor.
“Yes, if you have any needs, feel free to tell me. Within the borders of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, I will do my best to protect you. As the Immortal Emperor’s Disciple, you are not an ordinary individual. You will eventually make a name for yourself in the True World, and the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty will not be your final resting place.”
Gu Changming continued, recognizing Li Hao’s bright future.
Li Hao fell silent for a moment, aware of the significant assistance the old man was offering him, all in the name of the Immortal Emperor, whom he had never met.
“Thank you.”
Li Hao bowed, understanding that the old man’s help was partly to repay the Immortal Emperor’s past kindness, but perhaps also to cultivate a bond with him.
And what he needed to do was to try his best to repay that favor in the future.
(End of Chapter)
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