Star Gate

Chapter 728: Making Out Like Bandits (III)

Yao Si had a good impression of these four, particularly Dao Sword. Although the lad was a supernatural, he had exceedingly good potential. He was bold, yet conscientious. If it wasn’t for Li Hao’s appearance, Dao Sword would absolutely be one of the premier existences among the younger generation. The current crop of Arcanus were all veteran powerhouses.

Of the younger generation, there didn’t seem to be anyone other than Li Hao stronger than Dao Sword at the moment. The latter’s metamorphosis state was stable and he might be able to smoothly set foot into Arcanus if his organs were a little stronger. He would be the first... alright, the second among the younger generation to be an Arcanus.

Li Hao was younger than Dao Sword, but he was already an Arcanus.

Dao Sword didn’t care about this and smiled. “Don’t think so much. C’mon, let’s go to the Nine Dragons Pavilion for a meal and chat about the circumstances over the past couple of days. I feel like the atmosphere in the Night Watchers has changed, and that there are a lot of stories to be shared.”

“So many stories!” giggled Big Eyes. “Let’s go eat. We’ve almost lost our appetites with how long you stayed in there!”

The four merrily went on their ways after taking their leave of Yao Si. The man laughed as well when they were out of sight. The Night Watchers would be a more interesting place with Dao Sword out of closed door cultivation. The young man appeared cultured and refined, but he was also someone who feared nothing beneath the heavens. He didn’t even fear the heavens themselves. How else would he have dared kill Yama’s grandson and taken the Heavens Dictate?

When his thoughts touched upon the Heavens Dictate, Yao Si looked in the direction that Dao Sword had disappeared in. The treasure had stayed with the young man this entire time because he’d been in closed door cultivation. Had Dao Sword gleaned any new comprehension from it? It was an uncommon treasure.

While it wasn’t one of the legendary weapons of the eight families, it was still an immensely powerful treasure from the ancient civilization. The three great organizations had been constantly fighting the Night Watchers for it.

“Things will be interesting when Li Hao comes back!” Yao Si laughed. Dao Sword was likely no match for Li Hao at the moment, but it would be hard to say once he crossed into the Arcanus realm. Dao Sword was another beloved child of the heavens. He was a supernatural, but had a deep study of martial dao. He’d once visited Sky Sword Mountain and received personal pointers from Sky Sword for a period of time. One had to know, Sky Sword didn’t think much of most people.

And considering the three other young geniuses in the mix, their powers of fanning the flames were unrivaled. They also liked to watch a good show.

This was when Yao Si’s thoughts turned to how Li Hao had called him disgusting. A wave of disgruntlement rose in the old man’s heart. So I love watching a good show, what about it?! I’m going to watch your show, you little bastard! How dare you want to make me your subordinate!

......

News of Dao Sword emerging from closed door cultivation quickly spread throughout the world. All parties paid attention to this stunning genius in the Night Watchers. Since the quartet had gone to the Nine Dragons Pavilion, there would be visitors knocking at their door shortly.

......

Off in Silver Moon, Li Hao also received word. He’d taken a transmission pendant with him on this trip, one that was tied to the Silver Moon communication system. However, he didn’t normally look at it and didn’t really care about the news that he did receive from it.

He hadn’t said anything when Big Eyes and the rest joined the battle in Skystar City, and didn’t care that Dao Sword didn’t appear because he was in closed door cultivation. So what of geniuses? All they needed to do was stay out of his way. If they disrupted his plans, he’d turn a genius of this world into a genius of the underworld.

......

On the third day of his return to Silver Moon, Li Hao visited Mount Cat Head again.

Outside the imperial palace.

The little tree’s presence undulated through the surroundings and its core origin wafted gently. It seemed rather tired, but was much stronger than before. Compared to its previous appearance, it was noticeably larger now.

“I am pleased to report that I have fulfilled my mission!” Drops of Water of Life converged out of the air. Li Hao brought out the large jug that he created last time. Every drop of this resource had been precious before, but now he had five hundred drops!

It wasn’t enough to fill his container, but at the very least, it was visible in the jug now.

“Congratulations!” Li Hao laughed. “The senior looks to have noticeably improved.”

“Not improvement, just recovery. I was very much in a state of lack before,” answered the little tree’s ripples. “Are you leaving?”

“Yes!” Li Hao nodded. “Not much will be happening in Silver Moon in a short period of time, so I’m going out for a bit.”

“To the central region that you mentioned?”

“Yep.”

“It’s said that the Skystar mines are there.”

“The senior knows of them too?”

“I see mentions of them in my memory.” The little tree swayed, as if assessing Li Hao. “I mentioned coalescing core origin talismans for you before, but with how much you’ve improved, you may not need them...”

Li Hao wanted to answer that he did! But the little tree continued before he had a chance to speak up, “I have thought about it this extensively. You have helped me recover my strength and we of the imperial palace guards cannot be ungrateful. Therefore, I have a thought...” It struggled before continuing. “I can halve my core origin and create a replica. It won’t be too strong, just a little stronger than you, but it will contain some sentience. You can take me with you!

“However, do not leave me in the outside world if there is no need. Whether you wish to trade mysterious power stones or origin weapons, you can do so through my replica. My replica can also produce Water of Life.

“I will use my father’s corpse as my carrier and you can place my replica inside your body or a storage ring. But if I’m in a storage ring, I will not be able to sense the outside world and may not be able to appear at first light. If I am in your body, I will be able to instantly sense everything!”

Li Hao’s jaw dropped with surprise. The little tree wanted to leave the palace? Alright, not all of it wanted to leave, just half of it. But... hadn’t it said before that it wouldn’t venture out as long as the imperial palace stood? Of course, its main body was still here, it was just dividing its core origin in half.

“If the senior’s replica goes out with me, will you be in danger if you take action in the outside world?” The young man swiftly weighed up the pros and cons.

“I’m not sure... but I shouldn’t if my strength does not exceed the limit of this world. The danger lies in the weakness of the world and the ease with which the void breaks. Without sufficient energy consolidating space... Once I bring my full strength to bear and break the void, void turbulence will cut through everything. I might be cut down before the enemy dies!

“This is why you rarely see powerful existences in the world. The void now is much stronger than it was a few decades ago. When I first awoke, it was very, very weak.”

That was before the first awakening of the supernatural!

Li Hao understood and swiftly considered the proposition of taking the little tree with him. There would certainly be many benefits. He would gain a personal bodyguard, a plant spirit that could create Water of Life at any time, and an existence that could craft a sacred land of cultivation. But there would also be drawbacks!

Would other motives arise in the little tree since it was stronger than the human? Would it think of seizing Li Hao’s wealth when it saw how rich the young man was? Putting it in the storage ring might be a better option.

“This is a good idea!” Li Hao said slowly after a few moments of furious thinking. “It will be convenient too. But senior... I’m going to visit Battle Heaven after this. Will it affect your replica to go with me?”

“Battle Heaven...”

“That’s right!” Li Hao nodded. “I’m going to pick up a few things on a very quick visit!”

The little tree dearly wanted to say that you can go first and come back for me after.

“Once I go, I’ll head directly to Skystar City from there,” Li Hao quickly continued. “If the senior would like to leave the palace, you’ll have to divide yourself now.”

“......” The little tree understood. It was only inexperienced in the world, not a fool. The human likely wanted to use Battle Heaven to intimidate it. It hesitated, but still answered, “That’s fine, but... but... as a fellow plant spirit... Will General Pagoda of Battle Heaven... want to... eat me?”

“Of course not!” Li Hao answered with a guilty conscience. “Absolutely not! That’s my territory, would I let the general eat the senior?”

A great internal struggle beset the little tree! But for the future, for continual recovery... it had to go with Li Hao. Therefore, it came to a decision. It would go with the young man!

The little tree shook violently. The fallen, crystalline tree on the ground began shrinking down until it turned into a tiny crystal tree. The little tree’s presence was much weaker than before. Dividing its core origin was an action that led to devastating loss. There wouldn’t be much of a problem if its replica returned, but if it died, then half of its core origin would be gone. It would lose its life if the consequences were that severe, or at the very least see its cultivation level decline if the ramifications were light.

This was an action that required a great deal of resolve!

The mini tree floated in front of Li Hao; the little tree’s presence was much weaker—even its voice was weaker. “Do not abandon me... unless you have no other choice... I might die if you do!”

Li Hao was surprised by the aftereffects. The little tree really had made a hefty investment!

“Does the senior wish to consider this a bit further?”

Oh shut up! The little tree wanted to erupt in a rage. I’ve already cut myself into two. Do you think that doesn’t hurt? You try cutting yourself into two!

But in the pursuit of a beautiful future, it restrained its temper. “No need. Will you let me into your body or...”

“Ah... I think a storage ring is better. My apologies to the senior!” Li Hao responded with resignation. “I would like to place you in my body as well, but Stellaris has just managed to take up residence inside me lately. It has quite a temper and is always shooting off sword qi. I’m afraid of it accidentally hurting the senior!”

Very well, that was a perfect excuse!

The little tree didn’t mind. Whatever. So long as you give me the first cut of all mysterious power stones and origin weapons, everything else is a side thought.