Star Gate

Li Hao ignored Hong Yitang’s declaration of weakness and thought for a moment. “The Sword Sect focuses on the sword and I am also a swordsman. If Earthturner Sword no longer wishes to take up the sword... then send some of your martial masters to join my banner. It might be of some help to them. This arrangement is to our mutual benefit!

“As Silver Moon attracts more attention and Director Hou reveals his strength, that means the margin of survival for the Sword Sect is closing. Some things within Silver Moon cannot be easily disturbed. If they are, Director Hou and some others will be very dissatisfied.” The young man looked at Hong Yitang and said softly, “Does martial uncle think that Director Hou is the greatest of Silver Moon?”

Hong Qing and Madame Hong blinked with astonishment. Was he not? How was someone who’d killed a Nova with a single spear jab not the greatest of the province? He’d be a premier existence even in the central region!

“Is this coincidence or fate?” Hong Yitang couldn’t help but laugh. “We happen to want to draw close to the Night Watchers and have one hundred sets of black armor in our possession. You happen to be a swordsman and come to me at this time—everything is just such fortuitous timing. I don’t seem to have a reason to refuse you.”

“That’s right, it’s destiny!” Li Hao smiled. “Am I right that martial uncle isn’t surprised that Senior Golden Spear is with the Silver Moon Guards?”

“What’s there to be surprised about?” Hong Yitang chuckled. “That’s good, it suits him! Golden Spear... is... how do I put this. Those who utilize spears are upright, honest people! They are as straight as their weapon. They strike without regret and press forward without looking back! Spears are more unswerving than swords!

“While I can’t say that all spear wielders are good people, most of them are! Golden Spear was the first spear of Silver Moon and we all thought that he should’ve joined the army. His current circumstances suit his preferences. He is certainly stronger after joining the Silver Moon Guards. The dao of the spear doesn’t have to be a unique one. So long as one carries themselves with righteousness and integrity, their dao will only grow stronger!”

Such was Hong Yitang’s evaluation of Golden Spear. Li Hao nodded; he wasn't familiar with Golden Spear, but Hong Yitang must have his basis of understanding to speak thus.

“My Sword Sect doesn’t have many martial masters,” Hong Yitang raised at this point. “Do you want them all, or just Sunderers?”

“I want them all, it’s not hard for Slayers to become Sunderers in this day and age! Late Sunderer isn’t hard either, the difficulty lies with comprehending aura! Those who have caught martial uncle’s eye and been accepted must be good talents. But I will have one limitation for them, which is that they cannot cross over to the supernatural.”

Hong Yitang considered the term and nodded. “Alright, twenty Slayers and ten Sunderers. These are all the martial masters that the Sword Sect possesses at the moment. My Slayers are not initial Slayers, so it shouldn’t be too hard for them to break through to Sunderer.”

Thirty people! Hong Qing and Madame Hong gaped.

“Dad, we... we...” Hong Qing couldn’t help but protest. Had her father agreed, just like this? She and the others had been sold with just a few words? Sold to the Silver Moon Guards and to Li Hao, with no negotiation at all? Selling them to Hou Xiaochen was better than Li Hao!

“This is very good!” Hong Yitang chuckled. “You have a chance of comprehending the aura after you join the Guards. Only then do you have hopes of becoming a Dominator. I can’t bear to let you go, of course, but I have to as a martial master!

“I can’t bear to let you risk your life fighting others or engaging in death duels. I can’t bear to let you go either. But the fledgling has grown and it is time for you to learn how to fly. To keep you by my side my entire life... The times are different now!”

The man sighed with emotion. The times were indeed different—the Earthtuner Sword was no longer Silver Moon’s supreme swordsman!

Li Hao ignored Hong Qing and transmitted to Hong Yitang, “Martial uncle, there seems to be many drawbacks to supernaturals converting to martial masters! It appears to be very troublesome to fully abandon mysterious power, the key point being that there is one violent impact during the process. Those whose organs aren’t strong enough find it hard to endure and will have to break the supernatural locks of their organs at the same time...”

Hong Yitang slightly raised his brow.

“Martial uncle was a half step Dominator many decades ago, so you crossed over as a Sunflare. Solar should not be too difficult for you to attain. Not only do martial masters possess many supernatural locks, but they can also discover these locks. Therefore... martial uncle may have been strengthening your locks and organs all along to prevent backlash! Perhaps your locks are at an incredible peak now.

“Breaking four locks makes one a Solar, another one of the five organs makes a Nova. Martial uncle may have broken all four locks on your limbs, but your attribute doesn’t seem that apparent. Are you fire, metal, or earth? I’ve seen several hints each time martial uncle makes a move, and you seem to be of the earth attribute to the outside world...”

The young man wasn’t making sense, but Hong Yitang continuously raised his brow. “Li Hao,” he transmitted. “I’m old and don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“It’s fine,” Li Hao transmitted with a grin. “But blood pearls really are very helpful when it comes to strengthening the five organs! Martial uncle may not have realized it before, but I suspect that this is how Ying Hongyue walks his path. He strengthens the five organs and their supernatural locks in preparation for returning to martial dao. Blood pearls are truly unique!”

Hong Yitang sank into deep thought.

“Be at ease with your people in my care, martial uncle,” Li Hao continued aloud. “I won’t hurt them. However, Red Moon powerhouses are tasty treats these days. If martial uncle wants a bite, you better hurry. Someone else might make off with them otherwise!”

Hong Yitang burst out into laughter after flicking a glance at the young man. He raised his tea cup instead of responding to those comments. “Then I’ll have to trouble you to look after Hong Qing and the others! I’ll have them report to you soon. As for the one hundred sets of armor, I’ll take whatever the Guards can give. It doesn’t matter how much it’s worth.”

Li Hao raised his tea cup as well. “Very well, thank you for your support, martial uncle!”

“You’re welcome!” The two tossed back their tea cups like they were drinking alcohol.

With that, Hong Qing was at a complete loss for words. Was that... it? What was her father thinking?? And what was Li Hao thinking??

“Martial uncle is welcome to come find me when you think I am worthy of a fight...” Li Hao rose with a smile. “I now have the fire and earth swords. I will coalesce the metal sword soon and the water sword is within my considerations. I don’t have much inspiration for the earth sword yet, but when my five swords are complete, I hope Earthturner Sword freely instructs me with his knowledge!”

The young man opened the door and walked majestically, utilizing the same high speed to instantly vanish from the private room.

Within the room.

Hong Yitang furrowed his brows. The fire and earth swords were complete, so was the eruption of speed today from the metal sword? The water sword... would come from the Nine Forged Force?

Swords of the Five Elements! The Five Styles!

The man understood certain things in this moment. The Five Styles summoned the five spirits. Had Li Hao formed his second sword when he killed Yu Xiao and the others? If the young man could kill a mid Solar with two swords, would he kill a late or even peak Solar with three swords?

What about four or five?

Damn, you think highly of me. You want me to find you when you’ve comprehended five swords... You want to fight me as a Nova?

As Hong Yitang laughed to himself, his daughter’s urgent voice traveled into his ear. “What are you thinking about, dad? How did you agree to just send us to the Silver Moon Guards?”

“It’s a good idea!” Hong Yitang’s chuckles continued. “The Guards are safer than the sect and you’ll have a chance to temper yourself. There are benefits and treasures to be had—killing so many birds with one stone is wonderful!” Seeing his wife look at him with some worry, he reassured, “It’s fine, Li Hao is... quite a decent fellow!”

“Yitang, should I go too...”

“You’re a supernatural, what are you going for?” Hong Yitang shook his head. “You should hold down the fort at the Sword Sect. I may need to enter closed door cultivation for a bit and think over certain questions. I won’t emerge for a few days. Who will run the sect if you’re not here?”

“Closed door cultivation?”

“Mmhmm.” Hong Yitang nodded, the look in his eyes remote as he looked out the window. It opened in a southerly direction... the south!

Making one’s way down south would place one at the North Sea. The central region was past the North Sea. Yuan Shuo was possibly in the North Sea or even central region now, wasn’t he? Ying Hongyue and the others were all there—Tyrant Blade, Sky Sword...

Silver Moon’s people were certainly found all over the world. Her martial masters were extraordinary no matter where they were. What a pity that the name of Earthturner Sword no longer rings throughout the world.

Hong Yitang stood after drinking the last cup of tea. “Let’s leave things here for now. Hongxiu, you stay until Qing’er and them enter the Silver Moon Guards. Bring the other disciples back to headquarters with you. I’m going back first to take care of some small errands and then going into seclusion. I’ll visit Qing’er when I’m out.”

“Dad...”

“That’s settled! I’m off, I have business to take care of!” Hong Yitang quickly rushed off, leaving behind a resigned and aggrieved Hong Qing. Li Hao was the one who’d barged in, but she was somehow part of the Guards after he left. Her father had made an expeditious exit, leaving her with nothing but questions!

......

Hong Yitang swiftly drove off in a car. Indeed, he was driving. The car drove very fast as it made its way out of the southern quadrant and headed straight forward!

He turned left and right after leaving White Moon City, veering from the direction of the Sword Sect. Hong Yitang’s car didn’t stop until he reached a large manor. He stood outside the door, finding no one when he peered inside. It seemed to be empty.

Frowning, the man scanned the premises with his senses and spat after a while. “Damn!”

Who knew who he was cursing?

He climbed into the car after a while, still cursing. This time, he drove in the direction of the Sword Sect. He’d come for nothing, they’d left so quickly! So the second generation Blue Moon had run off? His people had seen them here!

What a damned shame! Were blood pearls really that effective? I really don’t know how good a Nova level one might be, what a pity! He hadn’t paid attention to these treasures before. Now that he did, everyone was looking for Red Moon members. There was no chance for him to locate one.

Hot damn, I was a step too late! If he hadn’t been, he could’ve collected a Nova level blood pearl and witnessed its effects. If it was highly useful... Forget that, it should be since Li Hao almost had three swords after strengthening his organs. It must have very good effects.

Yuan Shuo summoning his five spirits had to do with the blood pearls and Ying Hongyue was fashioning more... If everyone was crafting them and said they were good, then they must be good.

“What a pity that the second generation Blue Moon left so fast!” Although regretful, Hong Yitang put it out of his mind and drove for headquarters. He’d made haste when possible, but had still proven to be a step too late.

Hong Yitang sighed—he could only enter seclusion then. He’d have to be in seclusion until he laid hands on a few blood pearls. Who knew if that’d be too late?

As for the various probing words that little Li Hao had said... He couldn’t be bothered with that. I ignored your master’s challenges, so why would I entertain yours? I can’t be bothered with you even after you finish the five swords.

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om