Seeing Emperor Yu personally greeting them, Jiang Ziyan and the others were surprised, and immediately thought of the person Emperor Yu had spoken of before.
They took pride in their status and did not come forward to greet them, instead scanning the area with their Divine Thought.
Meanwhile, over at Gan Tao Palace, Master Qin also conveyed his thoughts to Li Hao, whispering in his ear:
“General, the sword I have forged for you is ready. When will you come to fetch it?”
“I’ll come for it later.”
Li Hao responded.
“Good, I eagerly await the General.”
Master Qin said warmly.
His Divine Thought then faded away.
Emperor Yu was, at that moment, inviting Li Hao towards the rear hall of the Imperial Palace.
Ren Qianqian followed close to Li Hao, somewhat restrained all the way. This was the Imperial Capital, and even though her father was a Grandmaster, she had never come to experience it, and the elder before her was the Emperor of Dayu, looking so gentle.
“Your Majesty, have you found that little fox demon I mentioned earlier?”
Upon arriving at the rear hall of the Imperial Palace, Li Hao inquired about the Little White Fox.
He had previously entrusted Emperor Yu to find it but had heard nothing since.
Hearing this, Emperor Yu shook his head slightly, “I have ordered the Monster Suppression Department to search with all their might, and the Head himself has gone to look, but so far there is no news. The information is sparse, and there are too many fox demons; it may take some time.”
Li Hao sighed. Where on earth had that little creature gone off to? Could it really have been that something had happened and it had been devoured by other demons?
At that thought, his brows involuntarily knitted together, “Then I will have to trouble Your Majesty once more.”
“Fox demons excel in hiding. I’ve already had the Monster Suppression Department spread the word. Perhaps one day it will come out on its own, knowing you’re looking for it,” Emperor Yu consoled Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded and then inquired, “What about the calligraphy, paintings, and chess manuals…?”
Emperor Yu laughed, “I’ve already found quite a few for you, and afterward, I can take you to appreciate them.”
“Good.”
Li Hao nodded, wondering what sort of exotic and strange attributes he might obtain this time.
At this moment, several figures approached in the rear hall; it was Jiang Ziyan and the others.
They saw the youth sitting with Emperor Yu in the courtyard, speaking in a gentle tone, and their eyes flickered slightly. Before they went to the Immortal Gate, they had never seen anyone besides the Royal Family’s offspring dare to converse so casually with their father.
If it were not for the fact that they had returned from the Immortal Gate with increased cultivation, they too would be quivering with fear before Emperor Yu’s majesty.
Emperor Yu noticed the approach of Jiang Ziyan, his children, and Imperial Family brothers and immediately started to introduce Li Hao to them.
By the time Li Hao entered the Immortal Gate, with Li Hao’s talent, he would undoubtedly be admitted to the Saint Mountain, and hence they could support each other in the future.
“…This is my daughter, Jiang Ziyan; Ziyan, this is the young man I’ve told you about who saved our Dayu Divine Dynasty and is also our Jiang family’s benefactor.”
The way Emperor Yu spoke didn’t explicitly ask Jiang Ziyan to look after him, but his eyes were quite solemn.
Jiang Ziyan sized up Li Hao and realized that although she was in the Dao Law Realm, she couldn’t see through Li Hao’s aura at all, detecting only the slight layer he had intentionally revealed as being from the Tao Comprehension Realm.
So young, yet cultivating in the Mortal World, was he capable of killing six from the Dao Law Realm across cultivation realms?
Jiang Ziyan found it hard to believe in her heart, but she knew her father wouldn’t lie and was not easily fooled. Furthermore, during the past few days, she had visited Grandpa Qin and had a general understanding of that battle’s course.
She had witnessed all sorts of extraordinary secret techniques and divine skills within the Immortal Gate, alongside the existence of the Martial Arts Extreme Realm. If someone combined various techniques, there indeed could be a chance for overcoming adversaries in adverse circumstances.
Moreover, the youth before her was a reincarnation of a Saint and must possess remarkable abilities.
“General, thank you for your assistance to my Jiang family; this favor Ziyan remembers.”
Jiang Ziyan spoke softly, “In three days, the Three Great Sacred Lands of the Cloud Realm will come here to recruit disciples. The main target this time is those who possess Extreme Realms, followed by top talents. Since the General was able to kill someone from the Dao Law Realm, you must have mastered quite a few Martial Arts Extreme Realms, right?”
Li Hao had already learned about these matters from Chu Jiuyue and simply nodded.
“If you have mastered one Extreme Realm, you could be selected by the Holy Land; if three, you could become a disciple of a Semi-Saint or even come under the notice of Saints; if four, you can become a Saint’s Disciple…”
Jiang Ziyan glanced at Li Hao, “If the General can become a disciple of a Semi-Saint, I hope you will choose my Primordial Holy Land. Even among the Land of All Saints, my Primordial Holy Land has a great reputation and is also the number one Holy Land in the Cloud Realm.”
Li Hao’s eyes flickered faintly as he inquired about the situation in the Land of All Saints.
Jiang Ziyan did not conceal anything from Li Hao and informed him of the general situation.
Only then did Li Hao realize that the Land of All Saints was beyond his imagination—a vast expanse with thirty-three small worlds and one hundred and eight Holy Lands. No wonder it was called the Land of All Saints.
Saints that were rarely glimpsed in the Mortal World were numerous there, shining like a myriad of suns, illuminating countless Dynasties.
However, even in the Land of All Saints, it was extremely difficult to meet a Saint in person, and only those with peerless talent had a chance to see one with their own eyes.
Occasionally, when a Saint passed on laws and teachings, it would attract geniuses from all over to gather for a grand event.
After briefly conversing, Jiang Ziyan and the others left, as they also wanted to scout some of the Royal Family’s chosen to see if they were willing and qualified to go to the Immortal Gate.
Meanwhile, Li Hao followed Emperor Yu to the Royal Family’s Secret Vault to select the collected calligraphy, paintings, and chess manuals.
Additionally, Li Hao took out one hundred and seventy of the battle flags he had created and handed them over to Emperor Yu.
Leaving only ten at the Heavenly Gate Pass was already quite sufficient.
Li Hao informed Emperor Yu of the wonderful uses of the battle flags. Emperor Yu had already learned of them during the battle in Liangzhou, knowing that Li Hao’s battle flags contained arrays with powerful lethality. Now, seeing Li Hao gift these items, he was both astonished and curious.
“Where did you learn to make these?”
Emperor Yu couldn’t help but feel that Li Hao must indeed be a reincarnation of a Saint, mastering all sorts of inexplicable techniques.
“I figured it out myself.” Unable to explain, Li Hao simply had to brazen it out.
Emperor Yu smiled and did not pursue the matter further, as it involved secrets.
He took the battle flags and felt somewhat sentimental. According to Li Hao’s words, the deterrent force of these one hundred and seventy battle flags was perhaps stronger than the ten Dao Talismans donated by Jiang Ziyan.
After all, the battle flags’ capabilities went beyond their inherent lethality—if used to their full potential, it wasn’t just a matter of one hundred and seventy; it could be much more.
Each flag exuded a intimidating force.
“If Dayu faces calamity again in the future, it will certainly be planted with your battle flags…” Emperor Yu spoke softly.
Li Hao felt somewhat helpless, “Your Majesty, you shouldn’t entertain such thoughts, what if they come true?”
Emperor Yu led Li Hao to the front of the calligraphy, paintings, and chess manuals, and said, “These are the items, choose whatever you like. I don’t understand them much myself. If you need anything, call me; I need to attend to some mundane affairs.”
Li Hao nodded, and after Emperor Yu turned around and left, leaving Li Hao, an outsider, alone in the royal treasure trove, it seemed that he wasn’t worried about Li Hao stealing anything.
Once Emperor Yu was gone, Li Hao’s gaze swept over the numerous calligraphy works and paintings. He pulled up the panel and began to scan and record them.
Soon, the panel displayed a prompt:
“Detected the famous painting ‘Great Earth Roaring Moon Chart’, do you want to record it?”
“Record.”
Not long after, an entry for the famous painting was added to the panel’s manual.
In the real world, the painting of the proud standing mountain peaks disappeared.
Li Hao glanced at it and chose to embed the ‘Great Earth Roaring Moon Chart’ into his Physical Body Dao.
Shortly after, the properties of the chart in the manual came to life:
Great Earth Roaring Moon Chart: Attack power has a piercing effect.
Li Hao was slightly startled, ‘Piercing effect?’
This was the first time he had seen such an attribute, but it seemed powerful.
Could it ignore the crude and brutal physical bodies of the Dragon Clan, or some protective armors, he wondered. Including the indestructible Dao Power, whether his attacks could penetrate obstacles and directly slay the enemy.
These would need to be tested in real combat to know.
Li Hao continued to record other items.
Several chess manuals and famous paintings successively entered the panel.
Although not all the paintings and chess manuals could be considered masterpieces worthy of recording, he still gained a dozen or more entries.
…
Meanwhile, within the Nineteen Provinces, young prodigies from all directions converged on the Imperial Capital.
Outside the entire Imperial City, it was extremely lively, with the scions of various families looking forward with anticipation.
“Do you think Hao will also enter the Immortal Gate this time?”
“Mother asked us to try; not sure if we can succeed.”
In a tavern outside the Imperial Palace, several figures gathered, Li Wushuang and Li Yuanzhao among others had arrived.
Currently, there were no selection criteria. They only knew about the recruitment, and they were also considered prodigies of the Mortal World. Although incomparable to a monster like Li Hao, setting him aside, they were still extremely outstanding.
If they could be favored by a Holy Land within the Immortal Gate, even just listening to a Saint’s teachings once or twice would be immensely beneficial.
“It’s a pity; if Uncle Jiu were still around, with his talent, he would surely be selected.”
Li Yuanzhao sighed softly, then looked towards the Imperial Palace, hearing that Li Hao would also be coming, he felt a bit excited at the thought of soon seeing that big brother.
Li Wushuang came with her younger sister Li Zhining, and Li Yun, who had slightly lower talent, did not come to join.
“It’s said that this recruitment is extremely strict; we might not be chosen,” said Li Wushuang, her eyes flickering. Although she also wanted to cultivate within the Immortal Gate, she was not overly obsessed.
Apart from them, many other prodigies from the Divine General Mansion had also arrived, not only the young generation but also many of the older generation. Despite their greater age, in the context of relatively long lifespans, they were still hopeful individuals.
A thousand years ago, when the Immortal Gate took in disciples, it didn’t just include the young generation; many well-known strong practitioners were chosen as well.
However, compared to the Li Family, the other families of the Divine General Mansion were much more prolific. After all, the demons’ hundreds of years of scheming targeted primarily at the Li Family, attempting to first tear down and destroy this seat of power to create a breach.
While the Imperial City was bustling, figures from the Great Wilderness Heaven emerged from the border, rushing towards Dayu State Imperial City to attend this grand event.
At the same time, after Li Hao finished recording the chess manuals and famous paintings in the royal secret vault, he then went to Gan Tao Palace.
Master Qin awaited his arrival and handed over the Daoist Palace Sword that had already been forged to Li Hao.
The sword was dark and profound, its surface ink-black without luster, lacking the Saint Heart Essence of a holy treasure, appearing lifeless, yet it was sufficiently heavy and sharp.
Li Hao grasped the sword, feeling as if he was holding a mountain.
Had it not been for his Physical Body Strength easily reaching five to six million jin after his breakthrough into the Tao Comprehension Realm, he might have struggled to swing it with ease.
“A sword of a million jin, it certainly has enough heft.”
Li Hao weighed it in hand, feeling quite comfortable with it.
“General, what name do you wish to give this sword?” Master Qin asked with a smile.
Li Hao looked at it and after thinking for a while said, “Since it’s named after the Daoist Palace, let’s choose ‘palace’ as the name. Palace as in achievement and fame, let’s call it ‘Achievement.'”
“Achievement.”
Master Qin pondered it for a moment and then nodded, “Indeed suits its sharpness.”
Li Hao stored away the Dao Sword ‘Achievement’ and then returned to the Imperial Palace, playing two games of chess with Emperor Yu.
After much urging by Emperor Yu, Li Hao agreed to go to the Immortal Gate. Feng was waiting there to catch up, and that Saint Heir needed to be dealt with as well.
“I’ll be back after I’m done killing,” Li Hao told Emperor Yu. Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire
Emperor Yu forced a smile, “I hope you become a Saint there.”
“I’ll try my best,” Li Hao replied.
Three days flew by, and above the Imperial Palace, along with the rising dawn, a surge of energy began to bubble up like boiling water.
Then, a beam of golden light emerged, slowly opening up, reflecting endless rosy clouds.
The splendid Immortal Gate opened at this moment.
This superlatively majestic aura aroused all the powerhouses in the Imperial City, as they turned their collective gaze toward the sky above the Imperial Palace.