Chapter 480: Chong Er Makes the List

Gu Changming nodded slightly, not refusing Li Hao's thanks. His assistance to this young man was not just because of the Celestial Emperor's grace, but also because he saw potential in the youth himself.

The power this young man had displayed in slaying ancient demons during the ancient demon tide was far beyond that of his peers. His ability to exert such formidable strength against the odds even at the True Immortal Realm had led Gu Changming to wonder if he might be a personal disciple of the Celestial Emperor.

"Currently, your file has just been sent to the Demon Subduing Agency. You'll need to wait a few days for your battle merits to be recorded in your file, which will allow you to be promoted to Spirit Officer. This will grant you many benefits and privileges from the Demon Subduing Agency. Within the Yan-Chu Celestial Dynasty, no power, except for the Imperial family, will dare to make you bow your head!"

Gu Changming stated, his tone casual, yet it revealed a hint of dominance.

Li Hao's eyes flickered as he thought of his Eldest Brother, Ji Qingxuan, who had previously been ordered by their sect to come to the border to earn merits and had been promoted to First-Rank Demon Subduing Guard. Even with his Immortal Lord cultivation, he had yet to become a Spirit Officer, showing how strict the hierarchy of the Demon Subduing Agency was.

However, strictness and rules were often meant for those without background or backing.

"Once this military report reaches the Immortal Capital and is reviewed by His Majesty, the 1.92 million Immortal Merits will be approved for you."

Gu Changming chuckled lightly, leading Li Hao out of the dark hall, and said, "However, even with your current merits, you'd be among the top twenty on the Immortal Merit榜 at the Qingcheng River of Demise border!"

Li Hao didn't particularly care about this and asked, "Elder Gu, I see that countless demon corpses are left behind from the demon slaying here at the border. I was wondering where they're all sent. Is it the Demon Subduing Agency?"

"Demon corpses?"

Gu Changming was somewhat surprised, but then he remembered the scene he had witnessed in the starfield projection. Besides slaying ancient demons, this young man had also conveniently collected all their corpses. Although this wasn't unheard of, it was still quite rare in such intense combat situations.

Other soldiers would also search for demon corpses and turn them in for a small amount of Immortal Merit, but no one would bother with such a small amount of merit during intense battles.

"Some demon corpses are sent to the Demon Subduing Agency, and some to various departments of the Immortal Army. In these ten thousand years of war, we've been dissecting ancient demons constantly, trying to understand them better and find ways to restrain them more effectively…"

Gu Changming continued, "Moreover, there are Immortal Pharmacists who can refine demon corpses into Essence Soul Pills. These pills can drastically boost spirit soul power in the short term, but long-term consumption will corrode the spirit soul, leaving behind something special within the spirit soul imprint that cannot be removed. When it accumulates to a certain point, some mutations will occur. If it reaches a critical threshold…"

He paused for a moment. This was a secret of the Demon Subduing Agency. Over the past ten millennia, even the powerful hundred clans factions had known about this, but only as a top-level secret.

Seeing the curious look in Li Hao's eyes, he took a breath and continued, "…they will become distorted into demon-like ancient demons and lose their rationality."

Li Hao was slightly stunned, feeling both relieved and regretful in his heart.

It seemed that the methods used by these Immortal Pharmacists to refine demon corpses were inferior to his cooking, having such severe side effects.

If it could be as harmless as his cooking, then perhaps the ancient demons would have been eradicated long ago over the past ten millennia.

"In that case, does the Demon Subduing Agency have a large number of demon corpses? If I become a Spirit Officer, can I take some?"

Li Hao inquired.

Gu Changming was puzzled, not understanding why Li Hao was so interested in demon corpses. However, since Li Hao was a descendant of the Celestial Emperor, he must have secrets beyond his comprehension. He didn't delve further and simply said, "Once you become a Spirit Officer, you can requisition some demon corpses under the pretense of dissection and refinement. However, demon corpses must not be exposed to the public to prevent potential disasters or plagues."

Li Hao's eyes lit up. If that was the case, then he could avoid risking his life fighting enemies at the border.

Furthermore, ancient demon incursions at the border only happened once every few centuries. Although he had many demon corpses in his world space, based on his consumption rate, they wouldn't last even ten years.

As for venturing alone into the outer territories to hunt ancient demons, that was far too dangerous. He would need Elder Wang's company, otherwise, if he carelessly stumbled upon a roaming King Realm ancient demon, he would become easy prey.

To him, it was an unnecessary risk.

"Given your age, will you be participating in the Southern Domain War in ten years?"

Gu Changming asked with interest as he walked with Li Hao in the courtyard.

Li Hao nodded, "I've already been to the Immortal Capital Royal Domain."

Gu Changming laughed and said, "The Celestial Dynasty only has a thousand slots. With your combat power, securing a slot shouldn't be a problem. It's just that your lifespan is too short, barely a century, and your realm is too low. If you were given a thousand years, this Southern Domain War would likely be your stage."

Li Hao smiled and replied, "That doesn't matter. A moment of brilliance is not as good as eternal radiance."

"You do have a detached perspective."

Gu Changming led Li Hao across an arched bridge to where Gu Xingwan had been practicing her sword earlier. He saw Gu Xingwan in her pale yellow dress standing outside the pavilion, holding her sword, eyes lowered, brow furrowed, lost in thought.

"Xingwan."

Gu Changming called out softly.

Gu Xingwan snapped out of her thoughts and looked up, seeing the young man who had left her feeling rather vexed.

However, at this moment, the young man stood beside her grandfather, his posture tall and straight, his face, as handsome as if sculpted by nature itself, bore a spring-like smile, causing the vexation in her heart to dissipate by a third.

She flourished a sword shadow and sheathed her immortal weapon, then walked over.

"Grandfather."

She called out obediently, glancing at Li Hao but not taking the initiative to greet him.

Gu Changming smiled and said, "Chong Er has performed great merit this time. I will recommend him to be promoted to Spirit Officer of the Demon Subduing Agency. His future is boundless, you should get along well with him."

"Him? A Spirit Officer?"

Gu Xingwan was instantly startled. She knew the status of Spirit Officers, unattainable without significant Immortal Merit. Moreover, merit was only one part of the criteria, also factoring in cultivation, combat power, and demon slaying contributions within the Demon Subduing Agency.

"Grandfather, he's only at the True Immortal Realm. Could he be concealing his cultivation?"

Gu Xingwan couldn't help but ask.

Gu Changming said, "Chong Er's cultivation might not be as high as yours, but his combat power may not be inferior. He's so outstanding, it's worth nurturing him. The Demon Subduing Agency is both the wielder of the sword and the dragon vein of Yan-Chu, requiring a capacity for great virtue to nurture talents."

Gu Xingwan was astonished. This young man was only at the third level of the True Immortal Realm, yet her grandfather was saying his combat power was not inferior to hers?

Furthermore, she had seen countless geniuses, but her grandfather had only ever given them a cursory glance, never showing such attentiveness.

"In ten years, both Chong Er and you will participate in the Southern Domain War. You must also work hard and get along well with Chong Er so you can support each other then."

Gu Changming told her, his heart full of love for his granddaughter. Having seen through Li Hao's background, he had some thoughts of fostering a closer relationship between his granddaughter and Li Hao. As long as Li Hao didn't perish, as a descendant of the Celestial Emperor, even if not a direct disciple, he would have a place in the vast True World in the future.

"What, he's going to participate in the Southern Domain War?"

Gu Xingwan was shocked, staring at her grandfather in disbelief.

Then, she looked at Li Hao, her starry eyes slightly widened, filled with incredulity, quickly followed by a stubborn sense of anger.

The Azure Heaven Swordplay Li Hao had displayed earlier was far beyond her level. She had assumed his lifespan was also far greater, but unexpectedly, he was also eligible to participate in the Southern Domain War.

Did this mean that his talent surpassed hers by a significant margin?

"Have you been to the Ancient Immortal Realm? How far into the desolate domains did you go, the tenth?"

Gu Xingwan turned to look at Li Hao, her brow becoming cold, her gaze fixed and piercing.

"I have."

Li Hao replied.

Gu Xingwan raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk appearing at the corner of her lips. "Then you still need to work hard. Although it's commendable that you reached the tenth desolate domain at the third level of the True Immortal Realm, three years have passed, and others will definitely be striving to improve, at any cost, for a final sprint. You at least need to have the stamina to last seven days in the tenth desolate domain."

"I have stamina, just not patience."

Li Hao shook his head.

Gu Xingwan was taken aback, then chuckled in exasperation, "Big talker! Don't tell me you're thinking of breaking through the tenth desolate domain and directly securing a spot for the war?"

"Yeah."

Li Hao nodded.

Gu Xingwan looked at Li Hao as if he were crazy, then scoffed, "That depends on whether you have the ability. Last time the Ancient Immortal Realm closed, I was ranked 68th. What was your rank?"

"Top twenty."

Li Hao replied.

"?"

Gu Xingwan was about to retort sarcastically, but the words caught in her throat. She stared blankly at Li Hao, then turned to Gu Changming after a long moment.

"Grandfather, is he insane?"

Gu Changming also looked at Li Hao in surprise, but he knew Li Hao wouldn't lie. However, top twenty meant at least breaking through the power of the tenth desolate domain, which was already comparable to an Immortal Lord Realm expert.

He recalled Li Hao's earlier defense against the ninth level Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon. The power Li Hao had unleashed then was strong, but not enough to rival an Immortal Lord Realm expert, yet it was already the limit for the True Immortal Realm.

Now it seemed that this young man still had other means he hadn't used.

"Xingwan, don't talk nonsense."

Gu Changming slightly frowned at his granddaughter and chided, "There is always someone better. You must not be arrogant. Although he is only at the third level of the True Immortal Realm, the level of just that Azure Heaven Swordplay alone is far superior to yours. You should learn from him."

Gu Xingwan had already experienced Li Hao's Azure Heaven Swordplay. She slightly gritted her teeth and said, "Those are two different things. Even if he has top-tier swordsmanship talent, it doesn't mean he can break through the tenth desolate domain. He's only at the third level of the True Immortal Realm. Is that even possible?"

"I've told you before, some geniuses are born exceptionally brilliant, their radiance unstoppable by the entire True World. Like that Supreme being's personal disciple from Heavenly Palace, possessing the top-tier Nine Petal Immortal Imprint, a rarity in the world. As soon as he became an Immortal Lord, he suppressed a seventh level Immortal Lord Realm ancient demon, becoming famous in a single battle. Countless people witnessed this. Would you believe it if you hadn't seen it yourself and only heard it by word of mouth?"

Gu Changming frowned as he spoke.

"That's a Supreme being's personal disciple, he's not."

Gu Xingwan's expression shifted slightly, pouting slightly, but her gaze towards Li Hao remained skeptical.

Four levels lower in realm, yet stronger in combat power than her? How could that be possible?

Seeing that Gu Changming was about to scold her, she quickly said to Li Hao, "If you're really that capable, let's spar, and I'll be convinced."

Li Hao was somewhat helpless. What would he gain from her being convinced?

Seeing Gu Changming also cast an encouraging glance, Li Hao had no choice but to say, "As you wish."

"Good, right here then. I won't use an immortal weapon, let's compete on our own abilities!"

Gu Xingwan harrumphed coldly.

She then flew backwards, her aura exploding, immortal power like rainbows, displaying an extraordinary and peerless stance.

Behind her, immortal power wove together, projecting a Law Manifestation with silk ribbons covering its eyes.

The manifestation's eyes and forehead were covered. Li Hao had learned from Gu Changming earlier that they were of the Celestial Eye Clan. Clearly, the manifestation was the image within Gu Xingwan's heart.

"My Azure Heaven Swordplay is not as good as yours, that's because I only comprehended it for less than thirty years. Take this sword strike!"

Gu Xingwan concentrated immortal power in her palm, vaguely forming a sword shape. Then, immortal power like a vortex gathered around the sword, the vortex growing stronger, encircling the immortal power sword form like rings of stars, causing the ambient temperature to drop drastically.

Li Hao observed that the sword power contained the Water Element source law, and her comprehension was not low, reaching the third level.

While his Water Element source law was only at the second level.

But…

The wind-up was too slow.

Li Hao lifted his foot, tapping lightly on the ground. His figure flashed past in an instant. The combination of Space Element source law's teleportation and Return to Void allowed him to reach her almost before she could react.

In Gu Xingwan's imposing eyes, a look of shock instantly appeared. But she reacted extremely quickly, about to preemptively unleash her sword strike. Even though her sword intent wasn't at its peak, compared to Li Hao's hasty attack, it would still be more powerful!

However, just as she raised her wrist, time seemed to slow down. She watched helplessly as her body seemed to suddenly fail to keep up with her consciousness. In that moment when her hand remained half-raised, Li Hao's fingers came together, a condensed, tiny sword芒 at his fingertip.

It was precisely the Azure Heaven Swordplay he had casually flicked out earlier.

Just like before, it lightly traced across her face, past a strand of her hair, then his fingers pinched together, his body abruptly vanishing and returning to his original position.

All of this happened in an instant. By the time Gu Xingwan's wrist was raised, she already saw Li Hao standing in front of Gu Changming, a strand of hair from her cheek pinched between his fingertips, raising his hand in a gesture.

Gu Xingwan stood frozen in place.

The sword radiance she had raised pulsed like a pale moon, but it was never unleashed. The icy temperature that had enveloped the surroundings seemed to gradually dissipate, and the powerful sword intent also slowly weakened, until it faded away…

Only the sound of gurgling water remained by the arched bridge, utterly silent.

Not only was Gu Xingwan stunned, but a flash of brilliance also crossed Gu Changming's eyes as he deeply scrutinized the young man beside him.

In their brief exchange, compared to Gu Xingwan's grand momentum, Li Hao's attack was extremely concise, but the subtlety within was somewhat terrifying.

Besides the Space Element source law, he had even mastered the Time Element source law to a considerable degree.

Combining the two strongest powers of the Nine Sequences in one body, his granddaughter's loss was not unjust.

"You…"

After a long while, Gu Xingwan finally regained her senses. This time, her gaze towards Li Hao had completely changed.

She had lost, actually lost, and lost utterly.

If it had been a life-or-death battle, her head would have already fallen.

Although she could be reborn from a drop of blood, at this level, the power contained within an attack was by no means simple, completely capable of restricting regeneration, and even severely injuring the primordial spirit!

Li Hao raised the strand of hair between his fingertips, then puffed out his cheeks and blew a breath. Seeing the hair flutter forward and slowly fall onto the bluestone slab, he turned to Gu Changming and said, "Elder Gu, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Gu Changming snapped out of his thoughts and quickly said, "Stay and have a meal together?"

"Meal?"

Li Hao raised an eyebrow, the foot he was about to step out with pausing.

Gu Xingwan had already come to her senses. She looked at the young man with a relaxed expression and casual demeanor, her gaze becoming complex. Although she still had trump cards she hadn't used, and her Celestial Eye hadn't been opened, in any case, a loss was a loss.

Just as she opened her mouth, preparing to ask Li Hao what immortal art he had just used, suddenly a dazzling light shone from above.

A phantom image, spanning countless miles, unfurled like a scroll – it was the Immortal Merit榜!

This Immortal Merit榜 was like golden waves, horizontally displayed in the sky, causing countless people in the city to look up in awe and astonishment.

The Immortal Merit榜 had appeared, indicating someone had made it onto the list again.

However, with the recent great battle having just concluded, the merits were likely still being tallied. It wasn't too surprising for someone to climb onto the list at this time.

"I wonder who it is. The Immortal Merit榜 is going to produce another remarkable person."

"Quick, look, the golden light is splitting in the middle, it's a newcomer!"

"Who is it? To be ranked in the fifties on their first entry onto the Immortal Merit榜?!"

Countless people in the city stopped in their tracks, looking up in stunned awe.

Gu Xingwan also looked up. She too had slain ancient demons at the border, but Gu Changming, worried about her safety, hadn't allowed her to go to the front lines. Nevertheless, she had hunted down quite a few ancient demons, especially since Gu Changming used his authority to have the Immortal Army relay information about lone ancient demons to her, giving her opportunities for solo hunts and combat practice that were relatively safe. She had also accumulated considerable Immortal Merit.

She had also entered the top hundred of the Immortal Merit榜, ranked 95th, with over fifty thousand Immortal Merit!

At this moment, as the golden light dissipated, she suddenly saw the name that appeared, its strokes extremely simple.

Chong Er!

(End of Chapter)