Star Gate

Li Hao had gone to extreme effort to move Battle Heaven into the dao universe, but shifted it out not long ago. Now the dao universe was open again, but the young man wasn't letting the ancient city back in.

That was strange, but Li Daozong didn't say anything. Li Hao bore a lot of his own thoughts now; he was no longer the naive little boy on his first visit to Battle Heaven, the one who needed their pointers and instruction.

A Li Hao at seventh level Sun and Moon levied the same amount of pressure and threat as a Saint would. He might be stronger than he was when they attacked Boundless!

......

Within the dao universe.

Li Hao stood over the river of stars, frowning into the distance.An illusory star...Was it the center of the universe?

He hadn't said anything when the two Saints were here moments ago—there was only him and Panther now.

"Panth, what do you think is at the end of the universe?" he murmured. "What is the end of the great dao? Which great dao is the strongest in the world? Is the master of a world stronger, or the master of great dao?"

Panther didn't make a sound.I'm just a dog, one that's followed you all this time and doesn't know much. How are you asking me questions that you don't know yourself? How would I have any answers??

Also, I'm a very sad and lonely dog. You said before that I could have the white horse, but it's gone after the will of chaos exploded. This is such a cold and friendless existence, okay?

Li Hao didn't seem to expect an answer from Panther either. He continued muttering to himself, "The great dao is too complicated and I only know surface level details. What a pity... a very big pity that there is no one around to discuss the dao with me.

"Everyone has their own goals in mind. People like Zheng Yu and Ying Hongyue only pursue their own interests and don't truly discuss the great dao with me. When teacher was alive, he felt that I'd surpassed him and no longer needed his guidance. It's only after he left that I realize how alone I am!

"The river is still there." Li Hao pointed at the river of stars. "But you and I are the only ones here now! Silver Moon is just a small world, but it's riddled with countless problems. I need to resolve Silver Moon's issues as soon as possible!

"Although time may not be constant between our worlds, it doesn't matter which of New Martial or Red Moon won their fights. We might end up facing one of them!" The young man looked at the black dog. "If Red Moon wins, then we'll fight Red Moon! If New Martial won't... Tell me, where should I go then?

"Silver Moon stems from New Martial and those ancient heavyweights in Battle Heaven all come from New Martial. Are the Silver Moon martial masters supposed to offer up our world on bended knee? The Human King of New Martial is unparalleled. Are we to occupy part of his territory right beneath his nose?

"Would you agree to it, if it was you?" Li Hao's thoughts stretched very far into the future. Panther wasn't thinking that far ahead.

"I did not have ambitions to begin with, but I also do not wish for Silver Moon denizens to live under another's roof. It is one hundred thousand years for us, but perhaps only a few years for them. At the same time, Silver Moon has severed many connections to New Martial.

"I have no desire to set myself against New Martial, but what if they wish to conquer us again? Silver Moon originates from New Martial. They did not have an opinion about the Sword Sovereign being in charge, but will the Human King think the same way if I am in charge?

"Silver Moon and New Martial might be set at odds with each other then. Even if I am not so inclined and neither is the Human King so inclined... Our positions from different worlds might destine us to fight each other!

"Do you know why I want to organize the dao universe? I want to study the chaos, the universe, great dao, and this world in preparation for the future. I have no desire to swallow the heart of Silver Moon. My thoughts are that if New Martial triumphs in their war, I am willing to leave with those who want to leave with me. I will create a new world in the chaos!

"This world is not the one and only! If Silver Moon could strengthen itself to present day with residual energy from New Martial... then... Everyone wants to devour the world, but I want to plant a seed for a new world. Everyone fights over this world and has lost their dao heart in the process. Things should not be like this!"

Panther looked on with a strange look. Wasn't this all too far removed from them?

Li Hao wasn't actually speaking to the dog, but to himself. He was telling himself that if New Martial won and they encountered each other, then he would return Silver Moon world if they wanted it.

It was born of New Martial, after all.

But I need a territory of my own, so I'll take those who are willing to leave with me.

If New Martial is defeated and Red Moon major world comes for us... I am willing to fight as well. I am unafraid, no matter if we win or lose!

A myriad of thoughts ran through his mind. Were these any that others would understand? Whether it was Li Daoheng or Zheng Yu, all they wanted was the minor world. And that... was not Li Hao's aim.

But how many people will believe me if I speak of it?Li Hao laughed at himself.I talk loftily of empty ambitions. Look at me, constrained by someone else all the same right now!

"It's time to get to work!" Li Hao laughed. "I haven't comprehended new understanding of the great dao for a while. I hope to emerge from this seclusion with new enlightenment!"

The river of stars trembled as countless stars shook. He began reorganizing the river of scintillating celestial bodies. As opposed to simple movement of them this time, he stripped out some celestial strength bit by bit. He took only a very faint, very little amount of great dao power from countless stars.

Meanwhile, he also absorbed power from the great dao and accumulated it on the spot where he stood. He wanted to create a true river and place the stars within. The stars would be the adornments, the river would be the foundation. He would then hide the river to ensure that he had battle strength to his name even if strong enemies barged into the dao universe.

On this day, Li Hao began his own cultivation journey.

Power from countless stars surged into his body and various supernatural characters materialized once more. However, the characters were slightly different this time as the river of stars was divided into unique sections. Each unattributed dao meridian was turned into an acupoint. 360 unattributed dao meridians formed a sword.

Indeed, the river of stars no longer circled the dao universe, but transformed into a sword! The sword pointed toward the end of the universe, that vast and unbounded expanse!

A circular river of stars was good, but Li Hao made some modifications to focus on the 360 dao meridians, turning them into a looped river in the shape of a sword. The circle was still present, but shaped into a sword.

The edge of the sword was where the stars were located and its center was an empty expanse.

Li Hao had prepared this empty expanse for himself, to contact the other side of the universe in the future.

This was a massive undertaking!

Endless dao power circulated the world. The dao universe seemed to undergo some changes when the sword river took shape. It trembled slightly, more stable than with the round river before. That was because these 360 dao meridians were a sword to begin with!

When the 360 dao meridians were reorganized and reshaped, the universe shook violently. A resonance formed that oscillated through the universe!

A large surge of power swept over from the depths of the universe. It encompassed the entire river of stars! Li Hao greeted it with joy. As he thought, the right shape was what denoted true success. He'd shoved the river into the shape he wanted before and it wasn't one that suited this dao universe.Except...

"The heavenly will is a sword, the heavenly dao is a sword, the dao meridians form a sword... Everything is a sword!" Li Hao murmured. "The Sword Sovereign... is all of this a coincidence?"

There were already examples from the heavenly will and dao meridians, but even the river of great dao formed a sword and was acknowledged by the dao universe. One had to keep in mind, the dao universe was a new appearance. It hadn't come into being when the Sword Sovereign departed.

So then, why did even the dao universe feel that a sword suited the river of stars and great dao more??

"Why is this?" Was it influence from the Sword Sovereign, or another reason entirely?

The Sword Sovereign was purported to be a third tier exalted emperor in the Human King's era. First tier were masters of the world such as the Human King, second tier held the supreme, Earth Emperor, Heavenly Dog, and Exalted Blood Emperor. The third tier was for the Sword Sovereign and the rest.

"The Sword Sovereign... a powerhouse of the third tier... can influence the dao universe one hundred years later?" Li Hao suddenly felt that there was more to the Sword Sovereign than met the eye. This ancestor of his... probably his ancestor... was he really just a third tier exalted emperor?

All daos were the same in the end. It was said that he walked his own path and didn't even need to devour Silver Moon. This was a minor world that had elicited the covetous glances of countless powerhouses. He hadn't even wanted it when the Human King offered it to him.

Would a powerhouse like that truly be just a sword fanatic?

Li Hao was suddenly very interested in this ancient. "Perhaps... he didn't devour Silver Moon because he felt that he didn't need to. It's said that the Lis are suited for strong offensives, but not long drawn-out battles. This was the Sword Sovereign of the early days of New Martial!

"The Sword Sovereign once visited other universes and was sent on his way by the master of those worlds. And he didn't even take his sword with him when he marched into war. He was all alone..."

For a swordsman, it was very startling that he didn't even take his sword with him when heading into battle. Either he didn't need it, or he felt that the sword limited him instead.

The dao universe trembled slightly; many more stars were being pulled in this direction. The sword-shaped river of stars provided a greater magnetism. A faint vibration started, as if the universe's heart was moving.

It attracted countless stars to it.

Just as Li Hao was lost in thought, the look in his eyes shifted. Off in the distance, an incredibly bright star that seemed half real and half illusory was also flying over. It broke through the world's limits and raced across the cosmos at an unbelievable speed, heading for Li Hao.

Was that the star that the two seniors had seen? Li Hao's heart quailed! He didn't dare take a look. What if ten thousand years passed with one glance? That would be disastrous!

The star flew over and landed in the sword of stars!

It looked out over everything like it was alive, sweeping through the area with curiosity. All stars halted in their movement, including the ones newly pulled to the area.

Li Hao covered his eyes. Next to him, Panther had its head tilted upward as it looked on dumbly, unmoving like the two Saints had been.

The young man felt an indescribable pressure, but he was awake! The tattered 'dao' character in his mind shimmered with light. It seemed to be protecting Li Hao, being the reason why he had not sunk into silence. It wasn't because he'd covered his eyes.