Star Gate

Lin Hongyu frowned when more blood seeped out of the corners of her mouth. She raised her head to the sky. Was the pressure still so immense after the addition of Earthturner Sword? Did that mean there was more pressure on Li Hao?

Serves you right!

This guy was... completely heartless. Fine, he was heartless toward people that he didn't view as a friend. With those, he was the definition of cruel.

But when it came to Yuan Shuo, Hong Yitang, and a few others... the guy would probably help carry the blade if they rose in rebellion! He might even secretly support them.

Lin Hongyu sighed to herself.This is the road I chose, so I have to finish walking it even if I cry every step of the way. Since I cannot become the master of all, I can... marry the master of all. That works too.

As for what Li Hao thinks about all this... whatever!

She seemed to think through some things and regained clarity of mind. Lin Hongyu looked up at the sky again and internally grumbled once more about how heartless Li Hao was.

But no matter how she was annoyed at him, there were responsibilities to take care of. Another string of instructions had to go out to maintain the people's concentration.

"Have all of the plant spirit Saints shift to various locales and rain down Water of Life! Distribute more where there are more elderly, women, children, and infirm!"

"Water of Life is the foundation of the plant spirits... will they agree to this?" An officer next to her hesitated.

"Just go!" Lin Hongyu couldn't be bothered to explain. The redwood would do its best to see that her orders were carried out. Having sent these people out, she looked at Gan Wuliang dawdling nearby. "General Gan!"

Gan Wuliang rushed over, wreathed in smiles. Lin Hongyu smiled back at him.

"Your talent is wasted here! I would like to trouble the general to make a trip to Galewind!"

"......" The corners of Gan Wuliang's lips drooped.

"Find Zheng Yu and tell him that we want him to lend us some Immortal strength, Water of Life, and energy stones!"

"......" Gan Wuliang was completely sober now and looked expressionlessly at her.You're trying to get me killed, aren't you.

"General Gan can read the human heart. What Zheng Yu wants most right now is for the world to support his presence as soon as possible. He doesn't care about anything else!" Lin Hongyu smiled. "Tell him that we need it to change the daos of the Evenround Martial students, to stabilize the world, and to stabilize the great dao!

"If he is willing, we will permit his Immortals and Apexes to freely walk through the world. They can also change to the new dao if they wish. So long as he dares, then we do as well! Of course, he needs to supply the resources they'll need."

Gan Wuliang turned over her words and ultimately nodded with a smile. "The commander knows best, I'll go right away!"

With that, he was off.

Lin Hongyu watched him go, cursing the man's back.You didn't know what I meant before? Of course you did! You knew better than anyone! You were just playing dumb!

You never volunteer for anything if you're not tapped for it. You're worried of being in the limelight and raising everyone's hackles.

I was like that before as well and rarely spoke up unless Li Hao asked me about something. But things are different now!

I'm the marquise!

Lin Hongyu smiled.

......

Very soon, Galewind.

General anger rose when Gan Wuliang appeared and stood outside the city, speaking loudly of his demands. Most were furious, but some were thoughtful.

Change to the new dao? There was danger involved in that since it meant they would be easily controlled by Li Hao.

Zheng Yu also sank into deep thought. Changing daos, stabilizing the world and great dao... That was very true and necessary. Was this why Li Hao had created such an uproar these days?

Probably not.

He likely did want to resurrect Yuan Shuo and the others.

Of course, having a new batch of powerhouses switch to the new dao would also enhance Li Hao's grasp of the bigger picture. He controlled the new dao universe; he would be able to manipulate these people on a more direct basis if they swapped their dao.

With that in mind, Zheng Yu was no longer angry. He looked at Gan Wuliang outside the city and said calmly, "Li Hao does not need to worry about my people! You want cultivation resources, but do you think we'll have any left after one hundred thousand years?"

"The lord is magnificent and unparalleled." Gan Wuliang grinned widely from ear to ear. "Any small amount that you portion out will be sufficient for our purposes. Also, it's the imperial descendants who are changing daos this time, making this a tremendously important matter!

"If they succeed, they might be grateful for your help. If we do return to New Martial one day... they might plead for mercy on your behalf! Senior Human King might not care if one or two people were making that plea, but if it was a sizable group of students or their family's exalted emperors... The lord may be spared from death then!"

"You've got some nerve!" Zheng Yu burst out laughing.Spare me from death?

"Of course, this is if we win," Gan Wuliang grinned brilliantly. "If we lose, then none of this is useful. I wonder if the lord would like to establish some good ties today? What if there is the tiniest hope that we win? Those of Silver Moon don't have impressive backgrounds, but these imperial descendants surely do."

"There is no hope for you, cease wasting time here!" Zheng Yu couldn't be bothered with a response. However, Gan Wuliang stuck to them like glue and continued to pontificate outside the city.

He also knew that Zheng Yu would be a true fool if he agreed to their request. He'd agreed last time because Li Hao was willing to trade dao power for the resources. That wasn't the case this time; Gan Wuliang was here empty-handed. Not to mention, they were enemies. How could Zheng Yu possibly agree?

He was here both to mollify them and to play for time. These ancients couldn't be allowed to stir up other trouble!

Gan Wuliang was well aware of his goal, so he wasn't the least bit discouraged by the response. He waxed eloquent until his mouth ran dry, his voice a constant, irritating buzz in the residents' ears. In the end, they activate their isolation formation to block out his words.

Damned annoying!

Gan Wuliang was aware that they couldn't hear him anymore, but he continued with diligent care. He was ready to speak for a full day and night. That should be long enough, right?

......

Inside the dao universe.

Li Hao soon received word that everything was ready. The students could switch to the new dao at any time. He looked at the unstable river and said, "I'm going to bring their great dao close to the river and transmit some dao strength so they can set foot onto the new dao!

"Martial uncle, you and Panth can stabilize the river in my place. Let's make use of the night when the strength of great dao isn't too concentrated."

"No problem!" Hong Yitang nodded.

Li Hao was very reassured when he saw Hong Yitang's composure and left without another word. The moment he left...

Bam!

Hong Yitang was thrown into frenzied motion and Panther bayed with panic as well. It wasn't until now that they realized Li Hao had dealt with the bulk of the river. They'd only suppressed a very small portion.

Now that the young man was gone... it was very uncomfortable to endure.

Pain twisted Hong Yitang's features and he grabbed Panther's head, causing the dog to howl with agony.

"Shut up!" growled Hong Yitang. "It's making things worse!"

"Arf arf!" howled the dog.Am I supposed to be quiet just because you want me to?! Everything hurts!

It didn't know if it was an overload of dao strength that hurt, or Hong Yitang's grip that hurt. Clearly, the man was beside himself as well, but refused to yell out of consideration for face.

But that meant life sucked for Panther!

......

Li Hao was actually aware of their reactions, but he pretended to be unaware. Ole Hong had just lectured him and he wasn't in a position to talk back. Now... the man could suffer for a slight bit. Toiling physically and undergoing mental trials were missions that the heavens sent so that one could grow stronger.

If one survived the baptism of a myriad daos, that would actually be a good thing.

Li Hao tore through the void and appeared out of thin air. Lin Hongyu stood right in front of him. It was his first time seeing Lin Hongyu ever since the announcement. The woman blinked, looked at Li Hao, and quickly ducked her head.

Was she... shy?

Li Hao didn't look for too much longer. He was as expressionless as a master of dao should be. "You've worked hard!" he said calmly.

"As I should!"

"Well done."

"It's all thanks to the marquis' planning."

"......" Silence filled the air.

"Have Battle Heaven move over so all of the students can enter the city," Li Hao said after a moment. "I'm going to change their daos for them inside the city!"

"Alright!" Lin Hongyu gave the instructions.

Silence descended once more; it dragged on.

When Battle Heaven was about to arrive, Li Hao looked at the city in the distance and then back at Lin Hongyu. "The dao strength on you is too much of a mishmash, I'll help you organize it later! Hold up for a few days longer. It's normal if you feel uncomfortable or lose control these couple of days..."

"Mmhmm."

Li Hao walked off.

Lin Hongyu breathed out slowly.He's finally gone.It hadn't been this strained to face Li Hao before, but now it was extremely off-putting. Neither of them knew what to say to the other.

"Um... you don't need to think of pretty excuses when giving orders. Just say anything you're doing is from me." Li Hao suddenly turned back. "You don't need to cover up anything for me, I've never been afraid of criticism!"

Lin Hongyu didn't respond; Li Hao took to the air after pausing for a moment. He flew toward Battle Heaven.

A faint smile appeared on Lin Hongyu's face when he was gone.