“Recruiting disciples again…”
Emperor Yu furrowed his eyebrows slightly. A thousand years ago, when the Immortal Gate recruited disciples, countless geniuses rushed to join, which led to the gradual decline of the Dayu Divine Dynasty thereafter.
He had agreed at that time because the opportunity was rare and he had foreseen that when the incense fire of the Ancestor was about to be fully gathered, it might be coveted and contested. Sending Jiang Ziyan and other members of the Imperial Family was in hopes that they would return after achieving the Tao Comprehension Realm to sit in council together over Dayu.
But now, they had indeed reached the Tao Comprehension Realm, and moreover, the Dao Law Realm. Unable to stay longer in the Mortal World after their return, they faced yet another cycle of Immortal Gate disciple recruitment.
This time, the fate of Dayu would likely decline further.
Although disasters had subsided and there were no wars, Master Qin had once been severely injured, and his longevity could not sustain for another thousand years.
Among the current geniuses of Dayu, someone must take over Master Qin’s mantle, to preside over Dayu, or someone like Jiang Ziyan who was willing to stay and take up Master Qin’s role in taking care of Dayu.
As for Li Hao… Emperor Yu knew that such a True Dragon could not be imprisoned in a cage like Dayu. Even if Li Hao were willing to stay and protect, he still hoped the latter would venture into the Immortal Gate.
“If it’s about taking in disciples, is there any one of you willing to stay in the Mortal World to take over Master Qin’s position?”
Emperor Yu asked.
At his words, the expressions of Jiang Ziyan and the other five slightly changed. Jiang Baishan and the others looked towards Jiang Ziyan, who whispered softly,
“Father, since the disaster in Dayu has been resolved, although we will not stay, we will not let Dayu fall into peril again. On this trip, I have obtained some treasures from my master, which can be handed over to Grandpa Qin to protect Dayu.”
While speaking, she took out numerous items from the Heaven and Earth Space.
“Although these may seem like middle-rank artifacts of the Saint Heart, they have been refined by incense fire and are extremely powerful. With these weapons, Grandpa Qin who is a Dao Law Realm cultivator will not be significantly weaker when facing other Dao Law Realm adversaries.”
“This is a secret technique of Divine Skills of middle rank, extremely precious. I exchanged for this Divine Skill after completing three tasks for the Sect. Let Grandpa Qin covertly cultivate it. As long as he does not flaunt it in the Land of All Saints, there will be no consequences to face.”
“These are ten Dao Talismans, terrifying in power and diverse in effects. If sacrificed at once, each is comparable to a strike from the Dao Law Realm.”
She handed all these items to Emperor Yu, saying, “With these items, Dayu can be kept safe in this Mortal World.”
Seeing these treasures, not a trace of joy appeared on Emperor Yu’s face; instead, he looked at his daughter.
Then, he glanced at Jiang Baishan and the others, and through their eyes, he vaguely discerned their intentions.
Clearly, they had already discussed and prepared everything, with no one truly wishing to remain in the Mortal World.
After a brief silence, Emperor Yu nodded, having received his answer.
He did not persuade or inquire further, and he even pondered whether they would have returned at all if there were no incident of the Ancestor’s revival?
There was no answer.
Emperor Yu knew it was futile to ponder the human heart deeply. However, he couldn’t help but think of the youth playing chess on that board.
That carefree figure, like a breeze, who had once said, “I haven’t yet seen all there is to see in the Mortal World,” seemed to carry much more weight in his heart at this moment.
It was for this reason that he was even less willing to have him stay and delay his journey.
“Recruiting disciples… then let the recruitment proceed. With these treasures, indeed, Dayu can remain unharmed unless faced with a situation like the previous one.”
Emperor Yu’s demeanor was somewhat dispirited. He summoned Chu Jiuyue and informed her of the Immortal Gate’s recruitment,
“Go there personally and notify that fellow; he must make the journey. This opportunity is rare. Tell him that I’ll be angry if he doesn’t come.”
Chu Jiuyue nodded quickly.
Upon hearing Emperor Yu’s serious instructions, as if fearing the other wouldn’t come, Jiang Ziyan and the others were a bit surprised. Jiang Ziyan frowned and said,
“For geniuses, such matters are fatally attractive; I don’t think anyone would refuse to come.” Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire
Emperor Yu gave her a glance and said no more.
That child was unlike the others, frighteningly indifferent…
The news of the Immortal Gate’s disciple recruitment, along with the return of the strong from the Immortal Gate, spread without much fanfare from Emperor Yu, but the news still circulated among the top powers.
And since most geniuses came from these top powers, once they heard the news, all the geniuses under their command were excited and rushed to the Imperial City of the Holy City.
In Liangzhou, within the Heavenly Gate Pass.
Li Hao was cultivating, transforming Qi Force into Dao Power and ceaselessly forging it into his flesh.
His body was constantly improving, growing stronger and stronger.
When Chu Jiuyue arrived at this pass, Li Hao was in the courtyard, painting while integrating Dao Power into his flesh, and simultaneously cultivating.
Visiting this city and small courtyard again, Chu Jiuyue felt a shocking mix of familiarity and strangeness. It had once been a city reduced to little more than a mound of earth, but now it flourished.
Yet the small courtyard had not changed much, though there were fewer people within.
Upon seeing Jiang Lichen, Chu Jiuyue greeted him with respect, but Jiang Lichen just glanced at her and paid no further attention.
“…That’s the situation. His Majesty has sent this old servant to tell you that you must come,” Chu Jiuyue said.
Her eyes, however, were glancing toward the firewood area, presuming it was almost time for meals.
“Immortal Gate? Recruiting disciples?”
Li Hao raised his eyebrows slightly, feeling rather indifferent. If he wanted to go to the Immortal Gate, he would simply need to activate the Saint’s mark within his Sea of Consciousness and call upon the Saint willing to accept him as a disciple.
The Saint would make special arrangements and welcome him.
He had no immediate plans to enter, for there were still matters here that had not been concluded.
However, now that he thought about it, it was almost time to make a trip to the Immortal Gate and kill someone before returning.
Just to save himself the trouble of that escapee from the Immortal Gate causing more problems.
“Speaking of which, how many of the famous paintings and such that you were commissioned to collect for His Majesty have been found?” Li Hao inquired.
Chu Jiuyue was taken aback, not expecting Li Hao to be concerned with those trivial items rather than the Immortal Gate.
He glanced at the writing brush in the young man’s hand and silently let out a wry smile, saying, “Many have been collected; the General may go to the Imperial Palace and have a look when convenient.”
“Alright.”
Li Hao nodded and said to him, “Thank you for the trouble, eunuch. You may go back first; I will follow shortly.”
Chu Jiuyue nodded and then hesitated. Looking up at the sky, he said, “May I stay a while longer in the General’s precious place?”
Li Hao was surprised, giving him a curious look: “As you wish.”
By mealtime, Li Hao personally took to cooking. Now with Ninth Stage culinary skills, he sliced off a portion of the Demon King’s flesh he had slaughtered earlier, refining and cooking it, filling the small courtyard with a fragrant aroma.
Through the purification of the meat, a dish became as precious and nourishing as a restorative elixir.
Li Hao invited Ren Qianqian over to eat and drink.
The long-waiting Chu Jiuyue also came over happily.
Only then did Li Hao understand his reason for staying and was not stingy, handing him a share.
After the meal, Chu Jiuyue left contentedly, and Li Hao tidied up the writing materials, taking Ren Qianqian with him. If it were a disciple recruitment event at the Immortal Gate, Qianqian’s talents should be considered top-notch.
Xiyan swayed her skirt, transforming into a red ring that wrapped around Li Hao’s wrist.
“Let’s go.”
Li Hao set off immediately.
The Candle Flame God and his wife were still merging, so he could only make the journey himself.
Jiang Lichen followed, his eyes full of anticipation: “I missed the Immortal Gate in the past, but this time I won’t miss it.”
Li Hao remained noncommittal, not surprised by his desire to go to the Immortal Gate.
While Li Hao and others were on their way to the Immortal Gate, in a certain part of the Dayu Divine Dynasty, several figures casually passed through a city, hearing the news.
“The Immortal Gate?”
They looked at each other in surprise, not expecting the Jiang family Dynasty’s realm to actually open an Immortal Gate to recruit disciples.
“The Mysterious God, this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Our Ji Family also needs the Third Ancestor to come forward to contact the Immortal Gate. We can only send one Dao Seed every three hundred years for training. Now, we just need to be chosen by one from within.”
A woman could not help but speak.
The young man in their center was strikingly handsome, and even though he purposely restrained himself, his haughtiness stood out in the crowd.
They had followed that young man here, wandering in Dayu’s realm, seeking his traces. After traveling through various states and hearing many legends about the young man, they were unspeakably shocked.
They had already planned to leave this Dayu, prepared to bid farewell to that young man before returning to the Ji Family to retreat and cultivate. They did not expect to hear such news.
“This Dayu has the Merit Treasure Vault and the Immortal Gate. The Jiang family must have planned ahead when they left the Great Wilderness Heaven to come here.”
“The opportunity is rare; we should also prepare quickly. I don’t know the conditions for accepting disciples in the Immortal Gate, but we should easily pass. If even we cannot be chosen, then there is even less chance for others.”
After a quick discussion, they decided to bring the news back to the Ji Family, so that the outstanding youth of the Ji Family could try their luck.
In the past, only Dao Seeds could enter the Immortal Gate, but now it was different.
Moreover, by going there, they could seek protection from the Ji Family’s foundation and either cultivate or develop more easily than others.
“Let’s go.”
After the discussion, they quickly returned, aware of the urgency of time.
On the other side, Li Hao had already arrived at the Imperial City.
Upon reaching the Imperial Palace, Li Hao felt several discreet but powerful presences dwelling within.
He had already learned about the situation from Chu Jiuyue; these must be the members of the Imperial Family who had entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago.
Carrying Ren Qianqian with him, Li Hao floated over to the Imperial Palace, his status as a Heavenly General allowing him to enter the Imperial Palace directly, disregarding the order of the Imperial City.
“You’re here.”
Emperor Yu sensed the faint aura deliberately revealed by Li Hao and immediately flew out from the back hall of the Imperial Palace to meet him.
At the same time, he noticed that Li Hao’s aura had changed from the Tai Ping Tao Realm to the Tao Comprehension Realm.
He was a little stunned. How much time had passed?
According to the secret reports from the battle in Liangzhou, Li Hao’s cultivation was still in the Three Immortal Realms, and it had only been a year. Now, he had already reached the Tao Comprehension Realm…
Thinking of what Master Qin had previously said about supporting Li Hao for another ten years, Emperor Yu inwardly smiled bitterly. What had seemed like ample time was still drastically underestimated for this young man.
“There are still three days before the recruitment begins, so you might as well stay here for a few days,” the Emperor Yu said to Li Hao with a smile.
At the same time, several Divine Thoughts probed over; it was Jiang Ziyan and others.