Chapter 457: The Immortal Dynasty's Demon Subduing Division
Just awakened from their sword meditation, Ji Qingxuan and the others gathered around Li Tiemu, some still carrying lingering contemplation and aftertaste in their eyes.
As the eldest disciple, Ji Qingxuan had already composed himself, his gaze now reserved. He inquired, "The Southern Region Grand Tournament is still some time away, is it already time to finalize the participant list?"
"This climb up Emperor Sword Mountain was a selection process. Our Sword Abyss has ten slots. Those who meet the soul lifespan requirement, we've selected eight from this process. As for the remaining two, they've already been chosen from outside during your time meditating on the Emperor Sword," Li Tiemu explained.
Hearing this, Murong Qingwu and Yuexi looked at Li Tiemu with curiosity.
Even Murong Qingwu, who had been a disciple for centuries, was participating in the Southern Region Grand Tournament for the first time and was unaware of many things.
"Can't Eldest Brother participate?" Yuexi turned to look at Ji Qingxuan, then at Senior Sister Wei Hongye, who had always taken good care of her.
Wei Hongye smiled and shook her head without speaking.
Li Tiemu sighed inwardly. He, too, wished his monstrously talented eldest disciple could participate in the battle, but Ji Qingxuan's soul lifespan had long exceeded three thousand years; he was born at the wrong time.
"Qingxuan and the others have more important matters to attend to. This time, we'll have to rely on you all." Li Tiemu's expression turned solemn, his gaze sweeping across Murong Qingwu, Yuexi, and Gu Yan. "This time, Sword Abyss has ten slots, and four of them are from my lineage. The burden on your shoulders is heavy. Our Great Dream Nine Abyss is a Heavenly Fourth Sect. Whether we can ascend to become a Heavenly First Sect depends on your performance!"
He knew these words would put pressure on them, but he believed true prodigies were not afraid of pressure; on the contrary, pressure would accelerate their growth.
"Four people..." Murong Qingwu, hearing his words, finally noticed that the figure of their seventh junior brother was missing.
She looked around but couldn't find him, and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Master, where's that seventh one? What was his name... Hao something?"
She had just returned from delivering sword lectures in the Immortal Dynasty and wasn't familiar with these three new junior brothers and sisters, especially since her attention had previously been focused on Gu Yan. She only had a shallow impression of Li Hao.
However, Li Hao's last-moment climb up the mountain had left an impression of that young man in her heart.
Li Tiemu rolled his eyes upon hearing her words. People always said fellow disciples should love and cherish each other. Not even remembering his name – love and cherish my foot!
"He's gone down the mountain," Li Tiemu said curtly.
"Left so quickly?" Murong Qingwu was surprised.
Yuexi also reacted at this moment and was immediately stunned. Recalling the figure she had vaguely seen after fainting half a year ago, when the Giant Sword Scar Stele had appeared, she hadn't had time to think more about it. Now, her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but ask, "He also climbed up the mountain?"
"Yes," Wei Hongye replied, her voice low, "After you."
Yuexi stood there in a daze. So it wasn't an illusion back then. But… how did he climb the mountain? She clearly remembered that his cultivation realm was even lower than hers. When he had just joined the sect, he was only at the True Immortal Realm First Layer.
She had left her name on the Emperor Sword Cliff, and even stimulated the bloodline power of the Calamity Clan, barely managing to climb up. But him…
Her face paled slightly.
"When did he leave?" At this moment, Gu Yan suddenly spoke.
Hearing this taciturn little junior brother speak, both Yuexi and Murong Qingwu turned to look at him.
The young man's gaze didn't waver; instead, it was fixed on Li Tiemu.
Li Tiemu, thinking of Li Hao's actions, helplessly shook his head and said, "He went down half a year ago."
"Half a year ago?" Upon hearing this, even Ji Qingxuan and Lu Wuchen were surprised.
"This... why?" Wei Hongye couldn't help but ask, looking at Li Tiemu with some incomprehension.
Li Tiemu saw their expressions and understood their feelings. He said helplessly, "How would I know why? That kid said he came, took a look, and then went down the mountain. But he didn't go far; he's still at the foot of the mountain right now."
Earlier, when Li Hao had re-entered the crevice of the first level of Emperor Sword Mountain, he had noticed it, but Yun Wumian had shaken his head, so he hadn't intervened.
Hearing this, the group exchanged confused glances.
They were at the mountaintop comprehending the Dao, and he was comprehending the Dao at the foot of the mountain?
Gu Yan's eyes flickered, and he suddenly moved, saying to Li Tiemu, "Master, I'll go down the mountain to take a look."
Having said that, he didn't wait for Li Tiemu's response and flew straight out.
Yuexi, watching his retreating figure, immediately sensed that this little junior brother seemed to place great importance on that young man who had joined the sect with her.
Although they had rarely met in the past two years, this was the first time she had seen such a reaction from this little junior brother. She could feel that in his heart, she was not seen as a rival.
She slightly gritted her teeth and also flew out, following him.
Murong Qingwu, seeing them both leave, found it quite interesting and also chased after them.
Li Tiemu slightly opened his mouth, but seeing them all disappear in a flash, he, as their master, felt quite humiliated. His face turned slightly dark. "No sense of discipline!"
Wei Hongye, seeing his frustrated look, couldn't help but laugh. She knew that this Master was overjoyed to have accepted such monstrous disciples, even if he didn't have time to show it. She said, "Master, Little Junior Brothers are going to the Southern Region Grand Tournament, where are we going?"
Li Tiemu heard her question and turned to look at them, a serious and earnest expression appearing on his face. "What you are going to do is even more dangerous. And similarly, it concerns the sect's competition!"
"Hmm?" Wei Hongye's eyes flickered slightly.
Lu Wuchen's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of sharpness flashing in their depths.
Ji Qingxuan had already known this, so his expression remained unchanged.
"You will go to the Yan-Chu border, join the Demon Subduing Division, cooperate with the border warriors to slay ancient demons, and accumulate Immortal Merit!"
"Join the Demon Subduing Division?" Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen couldn't help but look at Ji Qingxuan. Wasn't this the path Eldest Brother had taken previously?
"That's right. Qingxuan's earlier conscription was for other reasons as well."
At this point, Li Tiemu felt it was time to tell them some things and said in a deep voice, "This sect reshuffle, besides the competition among disciples from various sects in the Southern Region to showcase their potential, has another aspect: it's about the sect's foundation! What is foundation? Heavenly Sects all possess Immortal Kings, but Immortal Kings cannot easily engage in battles. Once injured or heavily wounded, if the news leaks out, a great calamity will surely follow!"
"Therefore, the sect's foundation is also reflected on the battlefield."
"Furthermore, the Yan-Chu Imperial Family has intentionally arranged to establish an Immortal Merit Ranking at the border. Disciples from various sects will compete for Immortal Merit. Ultimately, the evaluation will be based on a combination of the Immortal Merit ranking and the ranking of disciples in the Southern Region Grand Tournament!"
As he spoke, his gaze turned to Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen. "In other words, during the time they are preparing for the Southern Region Grand Tournament, other disciples in the sect with outstanding combat power will be assigned to the border battlefield to fight to the death. However, to prevent some sects from unscrupulously刷取 (shua qu - to farm/grind) military merits, recklessly recruiting disciples, and broadly accepting people to gain an advantage in numbers, each sect will only consider the sum of the Immortal Merit of their top hundred disciples!"
"Therefore, the task on your shoulders is very heavy, no less easy than Haotian's and theirs!"
Hearing Li Tiemu's words, Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen finally understood, and their expressions turned solemn.
Slaughtering on the border was definitely more dangerous than the Southern Region Grand Tournament. After all, the Southern Region Grand Tournament was held under the watchful eyes of numerous sects and even the Heavenly Palace Supreme. The possibility of casualties occurring was not high.
"Letting Qingxuan go to answer the summons earlier was also to let him gain some experience in border combat. Later, Qingxuan will tell you about it," Li Tiemu said. "Although this time is dangerous, the sect will provide Immortal Pills and Immortal Weapons to the hundred selected disciples to assist you in fighting to the best of your abilities."
Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen exchanged a glance and both nodded. "For the sect, disciples are willing to go through fire and water!" Wei Hongye said, displaying the heroic spirit of a valiant woman.
Lu Wuchen didn't speak, but his gaze was sharp and determined.
Li Tiemu saw their resolute gazes and felt deeply gratified. He glanced around and transmitted his voice, "Having you join the Demon Subduing Division and compete for military merits at the border this time actually has another reason."
"Hmm?" Lu Wuchen and Wei Hongye were both slightly taken aback, but their expressions quickly returned to normal. They were just puzzled as to what matter was so sensitive that it needed to be conveyed through voice transmission.
"The former Marshal of the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty's Demon Subduing Division has fallen, causing a shockwave through the various factions within the Demon Subduing Division. Now is the most opportune time to join the Demon Subduing Division."
Li Tiemu's expression seemed calm, but his voice was extremely low and serious. "Establishing Immortal Merit and performing outstandingly now will make it easy to gain a position within the Demon Subduing Division. You know the power and status of the Demon Subduing Division within the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty; they even dare to execute members of the Imperial Family!"
"If you can attain official positions and status within the Demon Subduing Division, even if the sect becomes a Heavenly First Sect in the future, we will have more connections and power, and we won't be subjected to counterattacks and constraints."
Hearing his words, Lu Wuchen and Wei Hongye instantly understood. So, this strategic move was planned even for the future.
The Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty, as an ancient Immortal Dynasty, existed since the era when Immortal Emperors ruled. Its territory was vast and its foundation extremely deep. Although the Seven Great Ancient Immortal Dynasties were subordinate to the Heavenly Palace, their ability to coexist harmoniously with the Heavenly Palace for so many years was a testament to their capabilities.
For them, if they could obtain an official position in the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty, especially within the Demon Subduing Division, their status and influence would even surpass that of a Heavenly Sect disciple.
After all, Great Dream Nine Abyss was merely a Heavenly Fourth Sect within the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty, while the Demon Subduing Division, relying on the Immortal Dynasty, wielded power and authority far exceeding a Heavenly Sect.
While they were talking, at the foot of the mountain, in the cliff valley of the first level of Emperor Sword Mountain, Li Hao was playing chess with the Spirit Clan elder.
His brows were furrowed, his gaze fixed on the chessboard, searching for a way to break the deadlock.
The Spirit Clan elder watched Li Hao with a smile, not urging him. In the past half year, Li Hao's chess skills had improved significantly, but fortunately, with his profound skill, he was still able to suppress this young man.
"Hmm." Beside them, A Ling suddenly turned her head, looking towards the void.
Spatial fluctuations were trembling over there, much faster than the speed of aura transmission. For her, who had grasped the Second Layer of the Space Dao Origin, she could detect the enemy situation in advance.
"Someone's coming, two… three people." A Ling focused her eyes and then calculated the time, saying, "It should be Sword Abyss disciples. Emperor Sword Mountain should be over by now, what are they coming for?"
"Probably to find him," the middle-aged Spirit Clan man beside them said, a smile playing on his lips.
At this moment, three figures quickly appeared in the sky above the cliff valley. Leading them was Gu Yan.
He saw the scene before the cliff valley and was momentarily stunned.
Yuexi, closely following behind him, also stopped and was somewhat taken aback by the sight before her, her beautiful eyes widening slightly.
In this half year, this person had been playing chess with this Spirit Clan member at the first level of Emperor Sword Mountain?
After a brief silence, Yuexi flew down but didn't get too close. After all, the three people in front of her were Spirit Clan, and they gave her a feeling of being unusually different from other Spirit Clan members.
She asked Li Hao, "Master said you went down the mountain early. Have you been playing chess here all this time?"
Li Hao snapped out of his thoughts, looked up, and saw it was the three of them. He smiled and greeted them, saying, "Why are you here?"
"To check on you," Murong Qingwu's figure flashed, appearing beside Li Hao. She glanced at the chessboard and quickly realized she couldn't understand it. Too lazy to look further, she asked, "I heard earlier that you stayed in the first level of Emperor Sword Mountain for a long time and only came up late. Don't tell me you've been here all along?"
"Yes," Li Hao replied.
Seeing Li Hao's relaxed answer, Murong Qingwu was somewhat speechless. "Don't tell me, you've been playing chess here the whole time, and the previous two years were the same?"
"Yes," Li Hao said.
Murong Qingwu was taken aback, then asked, "Then in the two years you were here before, you haven't cultivated at all?"
Li Hao was a little lost for words, saying, "What are you here for?"
"The Emperor Sword meditation is over. We've come to pick you up to go back," Yuexi said, also landing at this moment, her gaze complex as she looked at Li Hao.
Li Hao was taken aback. Half a year had already passed? "You have such strength, why didn't you leave your name on the Emperor Sword Cliff?"
Yuexi had held it in for a while, but she still couldn't help but ask the question in her heart.
"..." Li Hao was speechless. This girl was really obsessed with the Emperor Sword Cliff... He remembered that he had answered her several times. He said with a wry smile, "I told you, I'm not interested."
Yuexi pursed her lips. If she had previously thought Li Hao was just unable to leave his name and didn't want to lose face, now she believed it. He was genuinely not interested. But, that was such a great honor!
Gu Yan's expression also changed slightly upon hearing Li Hao's words, his gaze becoming even deeper. "I want to spar with you," Gu Yan suddenly said.
Li Hao looked at him in surprise, then quickly shook his head. "Not interested. If there's nothing else, you guys should go back first. I'll leave after I finish this game of chess."
With a tseng sound, a wave of sword intent suddenly surged. Gu Yan, empty-handed, abruptly swung out a sword light, unexpectedly attacking directly towards Li Hao.
Before Li Hao could react, the Spirit Clan elder sitting opposite him suddenly flicked a finger, shattering the sword intent.
The Spirit Clan elder's indifferent eyes slightly slanted, glancing at Gu Yan. He could see that this little fellow's talent was extremely high, but it had nothing to do with him. "Little one, have you no manners? Has your master not taught you?" the Spirit Clan elder said coldly. "The trial is over now, you should leave. Otherwise, if you disturb my refined pleasure, don't blame me for being impolite."
Yuexi and Gu Yan's expressions both changed abruptly, their eyes fixed on the Spirit Clan elder. Such a strong Spirit Clan member… They could sense that the other party was exuding the aura of the True Immortal Realm Fifth Layer, but the power to shatter sword intent with a casual flick of the hand just now was definitely not something a True Immortal Realm Fifth Layer could possess. It contained an extremely terrifying Great Dao Origin!
"Let's go," the middle-aged Spirit Clan man beside them said coldly, arms crossed. "You little ones were allowed to easily pass the first level before. Did you really think the Spirit Clan has no one capable?" As he spoke, a strange force field emanated from his body.
Li Hao, sitting on the stone, immediately sensed it. This was the Earth Origin Origin, and it was far higher than his Second Layer Earth Origin Realm.
Feeling the power emanating from the middle-aged Spirit Clan man, the trio's expressions changed again. They immediately realized that these three Spirit Clan members were far more terrifying than the other Spirit Clan members they had defeated before. Moreover, they now recalled that among the Spirit Clan members they had defeated to pass the first level, these three faces were not among them.
"I counted before, the most Spirit Clan members I defeated was 97..." Gu Yan's expression shifted. In order to seek some kind of fairness, in the subsequent challenges, he tried as much as possible to ensure that only he was challenging each level. Even if there were other disciples, he would rush over and defeat the demon clans battling other disciples.
"If my master and them had acted, except for those few fellows who arrived at Emperor Sword Mountain first, it would have been basically impossible for the rest of you to pass, unless, you all possessed combat power surpassing Ancestral Dragons…" A Ling said coldly beside them.
Hearing this, Gu Yan and the others' pupils slightly contracted. This Spirit Clan elder sitting upright before the chessboard possessed power surpassing that of the Seventh Layer Ancestral Dragon? They were uncertain and suspicious in their hearts, but they faintly felt that the Spirit Clan girl was not lying.
Murong Qingwu's eyes flashed, and her gaze fell on Li Hao. She immediately felt that this junior brother was somewhat mystical. Such powerful Spirit Clan members were actually willing to sit at the same table with him.
"In that case, Seventh Junior Brother, we'll go first. You come back soon too, Master is urging us," Murong Qingwu said with a smile, appearing very lively and cheerful. Having said that, she turned and flew away, not daring to rashly stay here for long.
Gu Yan's expression changed again. Seeing that Li Hao's gaze had returned to the chessboard, seemingly genuinely uninterested in sparring with him, disappointment flashed in his eyes. He also turned to leave, only saying before departing, "When the Southern Region Competition comes, I will ask Senior Brother for guidance again."
Li Hao looked up at the other's departing figure, somewhat helpless. "This little junior brother, he still knows to call me Senior Brother, huh?"
Yuexi glanced at Li Hao with a complex expression and also silently turned and left.
"This little junior brother doesn't understand manners. Don't disturb Senior's refined pleasure. Let's continue," Li Hao said to the Spirit Clan elder.
The Spirit Clan elder naturally wouldn't be angry. A smile returned to his face as he said, "This game, let's see how you break it."
"There's always a way…" Li Hao said, feigning confidence.
Half an hour later, he dejectedly gave up his pieces and admitted defeat. Having played chess here for two and a half years, the number of games he had won against the other party could be counted on one hand. His chess skills were still too far behind. "Junior takes his leave now, farewell for now," Li Hao said, standing up to bid farewell.
The three Spirit Clan members smiled and waved to Li Hao. Watching Li Hao leave, the Spirit Clan elder also put away the chessboard, sighing softly, "Emperor Sword Mountain has ended. I wonder how that Abyss Master will deal with us." Hearing this, a trace of worry appeared on the faces of the middle-aged Spirit Clan man and A Ling.
…
After leaving the first level of Emperor Sword Mountain, Li Hao flew straight towards the mountaintop and immediately saw many disciples gathered there. His gaze swept around, and he saw Gu Yan, Yuexi, and Murong Qingwu, who had returned earlier. At the same time, the three of them also noticed him.
Li Hao's gaze didn't linger. He glanced towards the thatched hut and quickly saw the figure of the Abyss Master, Yun Wumian.
Li Hao flew over and cupped his hands, saying, "Junior greets Abyss Master."
Yun Wumian had been observing Li Hao's actions for the past half year. Seeing that Li Hao was truly completely immersed in playing chess, with no intention of cultivation, he also felt surprised. He had even secretly seriously pondered a few games of chess himself, wanting to see why that chessboard had such charm. However, he had never liked such things. After watching a few games, he also found it dull and uninteresting, so he stopped watching.
"How was it? Did you gain anything from this trip down the mountain?" Yun Wumian asked with a gentle expression and a hint of a smile.
Li Hao thought about how he had lost every chess game in the past half year, only winning two by sheer luck, and couldn't help but scratch his head awkwardly. "Not bad." Lost miserably, actually...
Yun Wumian smiled inwardly and said, "You've come to me to plead for mercy for those Spirit Clan members, haven't you?"
Li Hao was surprised and immediately said, "Abyss Master is wise."
Seeing such crude flattery, Yun Wumian couldn't help but want to roll his eyes at him. He said calmly, "You don't need to worry about this matter. Except for demon clans and ancient demons, I will not execute Spirit Clan members."
Hearing these words, Li Hao felt relieved and quickly bowed deeply to the end. "Thank you, Abyss Master, for your benevolence!"
"Go then," Yun Wumian waved his hand.
Li Hao cupped his hands and took his leave.
When he returned to Li Tiemu, Li Tiemu told Li Hao about the gathering and then, still unwilling, asked, "How was staying down there for half a year? Any regrets?"
Li Hao was stunned for a moment and smiled, "No."
Li Tiemu was speechless and snorted lightly. Seeing that the other elders had also arrived, he said, "Let's go. I'll take you to meet the disciples of the other eight abysses."
Subsequently, under the leadership of Li Tiemu, Zhou Qingyun, and the old woman, along with other elders, they led their respective disciples and left Emperor Sword Mountain.
After arriving at Sword Abyss outside, they paused briefly and then led Li Hao and the others to Great Dream Mountain, the main peak of Great Dream Nine Abyss. The sect leader of Great Dream Nine Abyss, known as the Dream Master, stayed on the main peak year-round.
Not long after, Li Tiemu and the others led the numerous disciples to Great Dream Mountain. This Great Dream Mountain stretched vast and magnificent, towering and lofty, with many disciples, much more imposing than Sword Abyss.
Just as Li Hao and the others landed there, they saw a group of figures whizzing over from afar. "They are Spear Abyss disciples," Li Tiemu said, glancing at them.
The number of Spear Abyss disciples was even greater than that of Sword Abyss. After landing on the plaza, they walked towards Li Tiemu and the others' side. Li Hao's gaze swept over, and he saw Lin Yufeng's figure in the crowd.
Lin Yufeng also saw Li Hao. There was no surprise in his eyes. While the elders from both sides exchanged pleasantries, he squeezed out from the crowd, walked over, and was about to bow to Li Hao in greeting.
(End of Chapter)