Chapter 480: Chong Er Rises to the Top
Chapter 480: Chong Er Rises to the Top
Gu Changming nodded slightly and did not refuse Li Hao's gratitude. Apart from the favor of the Immortal Emperor, he also saw potential in this young man.
In the ancient demon tide, the power this young man displayed far exceeded that of his peers. Even at the True Immortal Realm, he showed such formidable strength that Gu Changming initially mistook him for a personal disciple of the Immortal Emperor.
"Your dossier has just been sent to the Demon Suppression Bureau. It will take a few days to record your war merits and promote you to spirit officer. This will grant you many benefits and rights within the Demon Suppression Bureau. In the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, apart from the Imperial Clan, no other force will be able to make you bow down!"
Gu Changming said, his tone casual but with a hint of authority.
Li Hao's eyes flickered. He thought of his eldest senior brother, Ji Qingxuan, who had been dispatched by the sect to the border to earn merits and ascended to the rank of First-Class Demon Suppression Guard. Despite his Immortal Lord Realm cultivation, he had yet to become a spirit officer, indicating the strict hierarchy within the Demon Suppression Bureau.
However, strict rules and hierarchy often apply more to those without a powerful background.
"Once the military report is sent to the capital, and the emperor reviews it, the 1.92 million immortal merits will be approved and credited to your account."
Gu Changming chuckled, leading Li Hao out of the dark hall. "However, with your current immortal merits, you can already rank among the top twenty on the Immortal Merit Board here at the Qingcheng Mocheng Border!"
Li Hao didn't seem particularly concerned and asked, "Elder Gu, I noticed the countless demon corpses from the border demon slaying. Where do they all go? To the Demon Suppression Bureau?"
" Demon corpses?"
Gu Changming was a bit surprised, then he recalled the scene he saw in the star domain projection. This young man had not only slain ancient demons but also collected all their corpses. While this wasn't entirely unusual, it was still quite rare in the heat of intense battle.
Other soldiers would also search for demon corpses to exchange for a small amount of immortal merits, but no one would focus on that while fighting fiercely.
"Some of the demon corpses are sent to the Demon Suppression Bureau, and some are distributed among the various units of the immortal army. Over the ten thousand years of war, we have been constantly dissecting ancient demons to better understand them and find ways to counter them more effectively..."
Gu Changming continued, "Moreover, there are Immortal Alchemists who can refine demon corpses into Essence Spirit Pills. These pills can temporarily boost Divine Soul Power, but prolonged use can erode the Divine Soul, leaving a special mark that cannot be removed. When this mark accumulates to a certain level, it can cause certain anomalies. If it reaches a critical point..."
He paused, as this was a secret of the Demon Suppression Bureau, known only to the upper echelons of the powerful clans after ten thousand years.
Seeing Li Hao's curious gaze, he took a breath and continued, "It can cause a transformation into a quasi-ancient demon, leading to the loss of sanity."
Li Hao was momentarily stunned, feeling both relieved and regretful.
It seemed that the method used by Immortal Alchemists to refine ancient demons was far less effective than his cooking, which had no such side effects. If it were as harmless as his cooking, perhaps the ancient demons would have been eradicated over the ten thousand years.
"So, the Demon Suppression Bureau has a large number of demon corpses? As a spirit officer, could I take some?"
Li Hao asked.
Gu Changming was a bit puzzled, not understanding why Li Hao was so interested in demon corpses. However, as a descendant of the Immortal Emperor, Li Hao likely had secrets that Gu Changming didn't know. He didn't probe further and simply said:
"Once you become a spirit officer, you can request some demon corpses for dissection and refinement, but they must not be exposed to the outside world to prevent any disasters or plagues."
Li Hao's eyes lit up. If this were the case, he could save himself the trouble of venturing into the border to kill enemies.
Moreover, the ancient demon invasions at the border only occurred once every few centuries. Although the Heavenly Earth Space had plenty of demon corpses, his current consumption rate meant they wouldn't last him more than a decade.
Going to the outer realms to hunt ancient demons alone was far too dangerous. He would need Elder Wang's company; otherwise, if he accidentally ran into a King Realm ancient demon on a wandering spree, he would end up as nothing more than a meal.
To him, this was an unnecessary risk.
"Given your age, will you be participating in the Southern Domain Battle?"
Gu Changming led Li Hao through the courtyard, asking with interest.
Li Hao nodded. "I've already been to the Immortal Capital."
Gu Changming chuckled. "The Immortal Dynasties only have a thousand spots. With your combat strength, securing a spot shouldn't be a problem. However, your soul age is too short, barely a century, and your realm is too low. If you had a thousand years, this Southern Domain Battle would likely be your stage."
Li Hao smiled. "That doesn't matter. A fleeting brilliance cannot match eternal radiance."
"You have a good perspective on things."
Gu Changming led Li Hao over the arched bridge to where Gu Xingwan had been practicing her sword earlier. She was standing outside the pavilion, dressed in pale yellow, her head lowered as she held her sword, her brows furrowed in thought.
"Xingwan."
Gu Changming called softly.
Gu Xingwan snapped out of her daze, looking up to see the young man who had been causing her some frustration.
However, seeing him standing beside her grandfather, his posture straight and his face as beautiful as if forged by heaven and earth, a spring-like smile on his lips, made her frustration subside by a third.
She drew a sword shadow, sheathing her Immortal Weapon, and walked over.
"Grandfather."
She called out obediently, glancing at Li Hao but not initiating any conversation.
Gu Changming smiled. "Chong Er has made a significant contribution this time. I will promote him to Spirit Officer in the Demon Suppression Bureau, a position with a bright future. You should get along well with him."
"He? A Spirit Officer?"
Gu Xingwan was taken aback. She knew the status of a Spirit Officer; it required significant immortal merit, and that was just one of the criteria. There were also requirements for cultivation, combat strength, and achievements in slaying demons within the Demon Suppression Bureau.
"Grandfather, he's only at the True Immortal Realm. Could he be hiding his cultivation?"
Gu Xingwan couldn't help but ask.
Gu Changming replied, "Chong Er's cultivation may not match yours, but his combat strength is not inferior. He is so outstanding that he deserves to be cultivated. The Demon Suppression Bureau is both the wielder of the sword and the Dragon Vein of Yan Chu. It needs to cultivate talent with the heart to bear great responsibilities."
Gu Xingwan was taken aback. This young man was only at the Third Tier True Immortal Realm, and her grandfather was saying his combat strength was on par with hers?
Moreover, she had seen countless prodigies, but her grandfather had only glanced at them indifferently. He had never shown such concern before.
"In ten years, for the Southern Domain Battle, Chong Er will participate just as you will. You need to work hard and get along well with him, so you can support each other."
Gu Changming told her, his heart filled with affection for his granddaughter. After assessing Li Hao's true capabilities, he had a few thoughts. He wanted his granddaughter to get closer to Li Hao. As long as Li Hao didn't fall, being an Immortal Emperor's successor, even if not a personal disciple, he would have a place in the vast True World.
"What? He's going to participate in the Southern Domain Battle?"
Gu Xingwan was shocked, staring at her grandfather in disbelief.
She then looked at Li Hao, her star-like eyes widening with a mix of disbelief and stubborn anger.
The Qing Tian Sword Art Li Hao had displayed was far beyond her level. She had assumed his soul age was much higher than hers, but now she realized he could participate in the Southern Domain Battle.
This meant his talent far surpassed hers, didn't it?
"Have you been to the Ancient Immortal Realm? Which wasteland have you entered? The tenth?"
Gu Xingwan turned to look at Li Hao, her brows knitting coldly as she fixed her gaze on him.
"Been there."
Li Hao said.
Gu Xingwan raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. "You still need to work harder. Although reaching the Tenth Wasteland at the Third Tier True Immortal Realm is quite impressive, three years have passed, and others will have strived to improve, pulling out all the stops for their final push. You need to have the endurance to last at least seven days in the Tenth Wasteland."
"I have the endurance, just not the patience."
Li Hao shook his head.
Gu Xingwan was taken aback, then burst out laughing. "You sure have a big mouth. Do you actually plan to conquer the Tenth Wasteland and secure a combat qualification outright?"
"Yep."
Li Hao nodded.
Gu Xingwan looked at Li Hao as if he were a lunatic, then sneered. "We'll see if you have the capability for that. After the last Ancient Immortal Realm ended, I ranked 68th. Where did you rank?"
"Top twenty."
Li Hao replied.
"?"
Gu Xingwan was about to mock him, but her words died in her throat. She stared at Li Hao blankly for a moment before turning to Gu Changming.
"Grandfather, is he crazy?"
Gu Changming also looked at Li Hao in surprise, but he knew Li Hao wouldn't lie. To rank in the top twenty, one had to break through the Tenth Wasteland's power, which was barely enough to match an Immortal Lord Realm. He recalled how Li Hao had withstood the attack of a Ninth Tier Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon. At the time, the power Li Hao had unleashed was strong, but not quite on par with the Immortal Lord Realm, though it was the limit of the True Immortal Realm.
It seemed the young man before him had more tricks up his sleeve.
"Xingwan, no nonsense."
Gu Changming scolded his granddaughter, his face stern. "There's always someone better out there. You mustn't be arrogant. Although he's only a Third Tier True Immortal, his mastery of the Qing Tian Immortal Technique far surpasses yours. You should learn from him."
Gu Xingwan had already experienced Li Hao's Qing Tian Immortal Technique. She gritted her teeth. "That's a different matter. Even if he has top-tier sword dao talent, it doesn't mean he can break through the Tenth Wasteland. He's only a Third Tier True Immortal. How is that possible?"
"I've told you before, some prodigies are born with exceptional brilliance, and the entire True World can't dim their light. Take the Supreme Personal Disciple of Heavenly Palace, for example. He possesses the rare and top-tier Nine Flower Immortal Seal. As soon as he became an Immortal Lord, he suppressed a Seventh Tier Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon, earning his fame in one battle. Many people witnessed it firsthand. If you hadn't seen it, would you believe it just from hearsay?"
Gu Changming frowned.
"That's the Supreme Personal Disciple, not him."
Gu Xingwan's face paled slightly, and she pouted, but her eyes still held a deep disbelief.
Four realms lower than her, yet with greater combat power? How could that be?
Seeing Gu Changming about to scold her, she quickly turned to Li Hao. "If you're really that capable, let's spar. I'll admit defeat if you win."
Li Hao felt a bit helpless. What good would it do for her to admit defeat?
Seeing the look of approval from Gu Changming, Li Hao reluctantly agreed. "Fine, it's up to you."
"Great, right here. I won't even use an Immortal Weapon. Let's see who's better!"
Gu Xingwan coldly huffed.
She then shot backward, her aura erupting, Immortal Power radiating like a rainbow, displaying an extraordinary and peerless presence.
Behind her, Immortal Power wove together, forming a dharma image with its eyes covered by ribbons. The dharma image's eyes and forehead were concealed, and Li Hao knew from Gu Changming that they were the Tianmu Clan. Clearly, this dharma image represented Gu Xingwan's inner self.
"I'm not as good at Qing Tian as you, but I've only comprehended it for about thirty years. Take this sword!"
Gu Xingwan gathered Immortal Power in her palm, forming a vague sword shape. Immortal Power swirled around the sword, the vortex growing stronger and stronger, encircling the Immortal Power sword like rings of stars, drastically lowering the temperature of the surrounding Heaven and Earth.
Li Hao saw that the sword force contained the Laws of the Water Dao, and the comprehension was not low, reaching the third realm.
However, his own Water Dao comprehension was only at the second realm.
But...
The lead-up was too slow.
Li Hao stepped forward, his toes barely touching the ground, and his figure instantly darted forward. The combination of spatial origin and Return to the Abyss allowed him to appear before her almost without her noticing.
Gu Xingwan's eyes, filled with overwhelming momentum, instantly showed a trace of shock. However, she quickly reacted, attempting to slash down her Sword Momentum. Although her Sword Momentum had not reached its peak, it was still more powerful compared to Li Hao's hasty attack.
Just as her wrist lifted, time seemed to slow for a moment. She watched helplessly as her body seemed to lag behind her consciousness, her hand taking an eternity to rise. Li Hao's fingers came together, and a condensed, miniature sword light formed at his fingertips.
It was the Qing Tian Immortal Technique he had casually thrown out earlier.
At that moment, he lightly traced a line in front of her, slicing past a strand of hair by her cheek, and then his fingers clamped together, and his body vanished, returning to his original position.
All of this happened in an instant. As Gu Xingwan's wrist finally lifted, she saw Li Hao standing in front of Gu Changming, his fingertips still holding the strand of hair from her cheek, raising his hand in a gesture.
Gu Xingwan stood rooted to the spot.
Her sword light, which flickered like a bright moon, remained unswung. The icy-cold temperature around her gradually dissipated, and the overwhelming Sword Momentum slowly weakened until it finally vanished.
Only the gentle sound of flowing water remained by the arched bridge, the silence deafening.
Not only was Gu Xingwan stunned, but Gu Changming's eyes also flashed with a sharp light as he gazed deeply at the young man beside him.
During their brief exchange, Li Hao's movements were extremely swift and precise, yet the underlying intricacies were terrifying.
Apart from spatial origin, he also possessed a significant mastery of Time Essence power.
Combining the two strongest powers of the Nine Sequences, his granddaughter's loss was not unjustified.
"You..."
After a long moment, Gu Xingwan finally came to her senses, and her gaze toward Li Hao completely changed.
She had lost, and lost thoroughly.
In a real battle, her head would have already been on the ground.
Although she could use Blood Drop Rebirth, at this level, the power contained in an attack was not simple. It could completely restrict regeneration and even severely damage the Soul Spirit!
Li Hao lifted the strand of hair from his fingernail and blew it away, watching it drift forward and slowly land on the stone slab. He then turned to Gu Changming and said:
"Old Master Gu, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."
Gu Changming snapped out of his trance and quickly said, "Why don't you stay for a meal?"
"Meal?"
Li Hao's eyebrows twitched, and he hesitated, his foot pausing mid-step.
Gu Xingwan had already regained her senses. She looked at the young man, who seemed relaxed and casual, her expression becoming complex. Although she still had some trump cards and her Heavenly Eye was not activated, she had lost, and that was a fact.
Just as she opened her mouth to ask Li Hao about the Immortal Technique he had used, a blinding light suddenly shone from above.
A vast phantom, stretching for countless miles, unfolded like a scroll in the sky—none other than the Immortal Merit Board!
The Immortal Merit Board, like a golden wave, stretched across the sky, and countless people in the city looked up in amazement.
The appearance of the Immortal Merit Board indicated that someone had climbed it.
However, with the recent battle just ending, it was not unusual for the Immortal Merit to be settled and someone to climb the board.
"I wonder who it is. This time, the Immortal Merit Board will have another standout."
"Look, the Golden Light is splitting in the middle. It's a new entry!"
"Who is it? To be listed on the Immortal Merit Board for the first time and already be in the top fifty?!"
Countless people in the city stopped to look up in shock.
Gu Xingwan also raised her head. She had also fought ancient demons at the border, but Gu Changming, worried about her safety, had not let her go to the front lines. Despite this, she had hunted many ancient demons, especially with Gu Changming using his authority to pass information about isolated ancient demons to the immortal army, giving her safe opportunities to hunt and gain combat experience, accumulating a significant amount of Immortal Merit.
She had made it to the top hundred on the Immortal Merit Board, ranking 95th with over 500,000 Immortal Merit points!
As the Golden Light dissipated, she suddenly saw the name that appeared, with extremely simple strokes.
Chong Er!
(End of Chapter)
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