But they knew that the youth was the Heavenly General of Dayu, who had previously saved the Imperial Palace and Imperial City. Without him, the members of the Imperial Family would have long been annihilated.
Furthermore, the authority vested in him was immense. Should they dare to offend him and he killed them on the spot, it was probable that even Emperor Yu would stand aside clapping in approval…
“Rise.”
Emperor Yu spoke indifferently.
Seeing the fervent and nervous looks in these children’s eyes, how could he not understand their thoughts? They were as transparent as blank sheets of paper in front of him.
This made him inwardly sigh; without comparison, there is no harm felt. As his progeny, they were even more obsessive about the Immortal Gate, fame, and fortunes than Li Hao, but who in this world could escape such pursuits?
Thinking about fame, Emperor Yu couldn’t help but glance at the dark Mysterious Sword beside the youth. The one who cared least for fame used it for his sword’s name. He hoped that this sword, like its name, would become an object of pursuit for countless people in the world, bursting into the most dazzling brilliance!
A smile slowly formed in his eyes, and he said to Li Hao, “I hope to see you at the summit one day, shining with unparalleled brilliance!”
Li Hao handed the empty bowl back to Chu Jiuyue and, hearing these words, he said with a wry smile, “Your Majesty, don’t put pressure on me…”
“…”
Emperor Yu wanted to roll his eyes but held back due to the presence of his children and his own dignity.
He huffed lightly and told his children, “If you are going to compete, make sure you bring back honor that suits the Jiang family. Do not disgrace us!”
With Emperor Yu’s permission, the princes and princesses were overjoyed, nodding eagerly, promising with determination.
Emperor Yu saw more members of the Royal Family arriving and his gaze fell on his brother Jiang Qingshan, his eyes flickering as he said:
“Qingshan, you should try hard too this time.”
Jiang Qingshan shook his head slightly: “I’ll not join in this excitement.”
“You’re not going?”
Emperor Yu was somewhat surprised.
Jiang Qingshan said with an easy smile, “If I went, who would be left to keep you company?”
“…”
Emperor Yu looked at him and fell into a brief silence.
At this moment, the golden light within the Immortal Gate grew more and more intense, and seven figures stepped out from within it.
One blurry figure, standing amidst the golden light of the Immortal Gate, had a tall and imposing stature as if parallel to heaven and earth, indistinct, yet exuding a majestic and supreme Saint’s aura that slowly spread like waves, enveloping the entire Imperial Palace.
“I am Ancestor Yu from the Primordial Holy Land. Today, I open the Immortal Gate, bestowing the creation of Merit, and granting the Mortal World passage to the path of the Supreme Saint.”
“Those among you who are geniuses, if you possess the requisite talents, may cross the Immortal Gate, seek great fortunes, and listen to the Saint’s teachings!”
The vague figure’s voice, detached yet authoritative, spilled through the air, each word falling like pearls into the ears of everyone within the Imperial City.
It resounded deep in their souls, stirring a buzz within them.
Ordinary citizens who heard this voice instinctively felt reverence and couldn’t help but bow their heads in worship.
“That’s my master.”
Adoration shone in Jiang Ziyan’s eyes. Her master was a Semi-Saint. Although not a Saint, only after reaching the Dao Law Realm did one realize the vast difference between the Dao Law Realm and the Saint Realm.
It was like ants gazing up at the lofty heavens, untouchably distant!
Li Hao had also placed down his bowl and chopsticks; he had finished the porridge and was full.
He quietly watched the figure standing atop the Immortal Gate. That aura was so vast and overwhelming that, despite the distance, it still made him feel waves of pressure.
“Is that a Saint?”
Inside the Imperial City, many strong individuals who came for the Immortal Gate were excited, unable to see the figure clearly, but even more awestruck.
Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire
“Those who are eligible to enter the Immortal Gate must undergo the tests of the Bone-Reflecting Mirror, the Extreme Tao Stele, the Dao Heart Tower, and the sky-reaching ladder.”
“Based on age, realm, cultivation, Dao heart, and other comprehensive factors, we shall assess your talents.”
“Now, let’s begin…”
After finishing his words, Ancestor Yu’s figure gradually faded and disappeared.
Those seven from the Dao Law Realm, however, quickly brought out various objects.
A giant, dark mirror floated mid-air, over ten zhang (30 meters) high, oval-shaped, and dark inside, not reflecting the blue sky and clouds.
In addition, there were eight Extreme Tao Steles that Li Hao had seen before, brought out one by one, floating between heaven and earth.
Then a spinning little tower appeared, floating above the Immortal Gate, emanating a purple haze.
Simultaneously, a snow-white energy-crafted staircase extended from within the Immortal Gate, step by step, totaling forty-nine steps.
The Extreme Tao Steles stood in sequence next to the staircase, with a stele every five steps, and the tower that tested the Dao heart stood before the final seven steps.
And in front of the first step of the staircase was the giant, oval, pitch-black Bone-Reflecting Mirror.
“Next, who will go first.”
A Dao Law Realm individual stood beside the staircase, glancing around.
His Divine Thought had already enveloped the whole city; he had noted that this Mortal World city brimmed with powerful auras. His voice drifted out, not as ethereal and majestic as Ancestor Yu’s, but held a chilling sharpness.
“That’s Senior Brother Zhang.”
Jiang Ziyan recognized the person and immediately rose and flew out to his side.
“Junior sister.”
The young man from the Dao Law Realm had already noticed Jiang Ziyan, and a faint smile appeared as he glanced briefly at the snow-white, delicate collarbone that resembled porcelain.
“Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother Zhang.”
Jiang Ziyan bowed slightly.
“You’re welcome, junior sister.”
The young man smiled indifferently.
After exchanging brief pleasantries with Jiang Ziyan, she turned to call over the princes and princesses and said, “Come, show them a sample. Let’s see the bloodline of the Jiang Imperial Family.”
Although these members of the Royal Family were used to commanding others with arrogant attitudes, at this moment, they felt a constrained unease and looked at each other nervously, all seemingly suggesting with their eyes “you go first”.