Chapter 493: Yan-Chu Emperor

The imperial daughter paused slightly upon hearing Li Hao's words, looking at him with some anger and resentment. "I don't want to waste words with you. Get your foot off him now and return his physical body to him, or you will desecrate imperial authority, and even the execution of your nine clans wouldn't be enough!"

Bang!

Li Hao stomped down, cracking the chest of the immortal body beneath his foot.

Seeing Li Hao's arrogance, the imperial daughter's expression clearly changed, and several other royals ranked near the front also frowned slightly.

If it were just a personal grudge between Li Hao and Chu Tianzheng, they wouldn't intervene. But now, Li Hao was publicly trampling the imperial body, causing the imperial family to lose face. If they remained indifferent, it would be hard to explain to the imperial clan.

"Stop!"

The imperial daughter's immortal power surged, causing her black hair to fly wildly, revealing her imposing aura, as if she was about to attack.

Li Hao ignored her, instead fishing out a token from his robes.

Seeing the token in Li Hao's palm, the imperial daughter, who was about to attack, instantly changed her expression, her pupils constricted in shock.

Several other royals also had a change in expression, suppressing the anger in their eyes and staring intently at the youth.

"Chu King Token?"

On the platform, Xing Lan and the others also saw the token in Li Hao's hand, their faces shifting with shock.

This token was incredibly rare, only obtainable with significant immortal feats. Even the Sect Master of their Heavenly Oneness Sect would not dare to be impudent to Li Hao when faced with this token, or they would be surrounded by the iron hooves of the Chu Immortal Army in an instant.

There was even a saying that with the Chu King Token, one could kill even an unfavored imperial prince without consequence.

Chu Tianzheng, facing Li Hao, also saw the token. His furious expression froze, and he stood there dumbfounded.

This youth actually possessed the Chu King Token? Who bestowed it upon him?

In the past two years at the border, Li Hao had spent much of his time in the Water Moon Secret Realm, learning many secrets of the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty from Gu Changming, including the various powers and privileges within the dynasty. He understood immortal laws.

These laws were different from the cultivation laws, but in some ways, they were even more powerful!

Immortals and gods in the True World could roam freely, but even immortals were subject to the control of the immortal dynasty.

With the Chu King Token, even if Li Hao severely injured an imperial prince, he wouldn't be held accountable, unless Marshal Shangguan Hongyuan himself revoked the token.

"So lively?"

As the platform fell into a brief silence, a chuckle was heard, sounding very affable yet also carrying a detached and transcendent air.

Hearing this voice, the royals on the platform all trembled and hastily looked over. Seeing two figures emerge from the clouds in the depths of the desolate region, their expressions shifted, and they quickly bowed in respect.

As imperial princes, they still had to treat these two pillars of the immortal dynasty respectfully, even more so than their own imperial father, let alone princes who hadn't even inherited the title of Crown Prince.

While the imperial family was an unattainable existence to sects and aristocratic families, they had to be cautious and prudent in front of certain figures, as it concerned their future prospects.

Standing on a high platform, one wrong step could lead to a fall into the abyss. Sometimes, they were even more cautious and worked harder than the prodigies and geniuses of sects and families.

Li Hao put away the token and looked at the two arriving figures. The one speaking was indeed Old Man Yuan Xinggang.

Beside him stood Shangguan Hong, clad in golden armor, imposing and霸气 [bàqì - domineering aura]. He had a beard and eyes as sharp as cold stars. When facing Li Hao, he unusually showed a hint of gentleness, nodding slightly to him.

Li Hao immediately bowed in salute.

"It's the State Preceptor and the Grand Marshal!"

"Heavens, they actually came to oversee it personally!"

"Are those their true bodies? They actually walked out from the desolate region."

"The previous Southern Domain War selections didn't seem to have such a big commotion."

"This selection is for the most outstanding prodigies of Yan-Chu in recent years. It's not surprising that these two would appear."

The area below the platform erupted in shock and excitement. Within the nine thousand immortal cities reflected in the sky, similar exclamations arose. Countless people recognized these two pillars of the immortal dynasty, knowing their lofty positions and the decades of prestige they held within the dynasty.

Xing Lan and the others, startled, also lowered their heads in obeisance.

"Stop embarrassing yourself!"

Shangguan Hong glanced at Chu Tianzheng and snorted coldly. With a casual wave of his hand, a drop of fresh blood flew out from the immortal body at Li Hao's feet, landing before Chu Tianzheng's nascent soul.

Chu Tianzheng's face flushed red. Losing face so thoroughly before the Marshal would undoubtedly impact his future competition for the Crown Prince position, hindering him from gaining the Marshal's support.

He felt stifled and resentful, but still quickly thanked the Marshal before merging his nascent soul with the drop of divine blood. He was reborn through a drop of blood, reforming his physical body.

"Young lad, are you interested in considering joining the Chu Immortal Army after the ceremony? I will personally train you for the next seven days, and I guarantee you will become famous in the Southern Domain War in one battle!"

Shangguan Hong looked at Li Hao, a smile playing at the corner of his lips, and transmitted his voice.

Li Hao was slightly stunned, feeling somewhat conflicted. He had planned to spend the next seven days eating demon meat and then finding the Dream Master to delve into the art of painting.

If he could improve his painting Dao, he might have a chance to advance to the Immortal Lord realm.

By then, even when facing Immortal Lord realm experts, he wouldn't be forced to rely solely on external forces to protect himself.

Seeing Li Hao's hesitant expression, Shangguan Hong was taken aback, then burst into laughter, saying, "You brat, you're as stubborn as a mule! Even I can't persuade you!"

He didn't transmit his voice but spoke aloud, causing the royals present and Xing Lan and the others to be astonished, staring blankly at Li Hao.

What was happening? What did the Grand Marshal just invite this guy to do?

And why was he being so amiable towards Li Hao?

Standing not far away, Zhang Xuanyu stared with wide eyes. The succession of events had left him dizzy and bewildered.

"Isn't that just like your temper when you were young?"

Yuan Xinggang smiled slightly, vaguely guessing Shangguan Hong's invitation and the obvious rejection. A smile played on his lips as he said to Li Hao, "Today's grand ceremony, these minor squabbles, let's put them aside for now. We'll chat again later."

As he spoke, he lightly flicked his finger.

The shattered immortal body under Li Hao's foot was instantly struck by some force, exploding and annihilating into nothingness, not even leaving dust behind.

Seeing the State Preceptor casually obliterate his body remnants with a flick of his finger, Chu Tianzheng's lips twitched slightly, but he dared not say a word.

"Xiang Tian, continue."

Yuan Xinggang said to Chu Xiangtian, looking up.

Chu Xiangtian was already sweating profusely on his forehead. He hadn't expected these two great figures to personally appear, thinking they would just observe quietly from afar.

He couldn't help but take a deep look at the youth, memorizing his face. Clearly, this youth was deeply favored by these two, likely due to his exceptional talent besides any background he might possess.

This was definitely a person worth investing heavily in and recruiting.

He bowed in acknowledgement and then released the restrictions on the Immortal Stele, announcing loudly, "The remaining advanced participants may ascend the platform in order!"

The Immortal Stele trembled, and beams of golden light shot out, illuminating those ranked thirteenth, fourteenth, and so on, behind Chu Tianzheng.

As figures ascended the platform one after another, the platform became increasingly crowded.

Those who had previously retreated to avoid the conflict between Li Hao and Chu Tianzheng now descended, returning to their positions.

However, when they looked at the True Immortal realm youth on the platform again, their eyes were filled with seriousness.

The appearance of State Preceptor Yuan Xinggang and Marshal Shangguan Hong had calmed them down. Now, looking at this youth again, they suddenly realized his terror.

A True Immortal realm cultivator had actually defeated Chu Tianzheng, a second-level Immortal Lord realm expert! Such strength in the True Immortal realm was likely unrivaled!

Within the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty's nine thousand immortal cities, the number of True Immortals alone likely numbered in the hundreds of millions.

To achieve this level of power was nothing short of a miracle.

"Hao Tian actually knows the Grand Marshal?!"

"The State Preceptor seems to know him too!"

Within the Great Dream Nine Abyss Sect, the elders of each abyss were all shocked, watching this scene in disbelief.

Li Tiemu also stared wide-eyed, feeling an unprecedented sense of unfamiliarity with this disciple.

Those two top figures on the platform were people even he couldn't approach, let alone be worthy of their attention. Yet, they were being so amiable towards Li Hao.

"He, he..."

Yue Xi stared blankly at the youth, suddenly feeling that the distance between them had become incredibly vast and difficult to bridge.

Gu Yan fixed his gaze on Li Hao's back, his eyes gleaming, and quietly clenched his fist.

At this time, Yuan Xinggang and Shangguan Hong, having settled the minor interlude on the platform, soared into the high sky above the platform, disappearing into the clouds near the imperial palace, their figures looming in and out of sight.

On the platform, as golden light shone down, figure after figure ascended.

After ascending the platform, these figures couldn't help but glance at the youth.

Whether due to connections or personal strength, this youth was remarkable and deserved serious attention.

Zhang Xuanyu had already returned to Li Hao's side. He looked at the youth beside him, his expression extremely complex. The other party had actually defeated Chu Tianzheng, establishing himself with his own abilities, and even gaining favor from those two great figures. Even if someone was jealous of his talent and wanted to assassinate him, they likely wouldn't dare.

Otherwise, if an investigation was launched, it could be far-reaching and devastating.

In the blink of an eye, the disciples from various sects within the top thousand on the Immortal Stele, as well as people from other forces, had all ascended the platform.

This included geniuses nurtured by the Demon Subduing Division like Gu Xingwan, as well as disciples from other ancient aristocratic families, and so on.

Chu Xiangtian stood on the ancestral dragon, overlooking the crowd below. His gaze swept across them, pausing briefly on Li Hao before moving on, and then slowly announced in a loud voice,

"Congratulations to all of you for becoming the prodigies selected from all levels within the nine thousand cities of my Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty! You thousand individuals will represent the most outstanding young generation of my Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty in the last ten thousand years!"

Cheers erupted below the platform, and countless people in the nine thousand immortal cities also voiced their amazement.

The earlier clash between Li Hao and Chu Tianzheng had excited and shocked countless True Immortal realm cultivators in the nine thousand cities, viewing him as a paragon of the True Immortal realm.

"To cultivate to such a level within the lifespan of just three thousand years, from the Tongli realm to the Saint realm, and then ascending to become an immortal deity, and even reaching the rank of Immortal Lord!"

"Your futures are limitless, the embodiment of the True World's fortune, carrying great destiny and great opportunities! It is hoped that you can shoulder the national fortune of my Great Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty, represent Yan-Chu in battle, defeat the prodigies of the Southern Domain nations, and display the supreme prestige of my Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty!"

Along with Chu Xiangtian's impassioned words, the disciples on the platform all had their eyes shining. Even those who had failed to make it into the top thousand felt a surge of excitement.

To shoulder the national fortune and venture beyond Yan-Chu, competing against the top prodigies of the other six ancient immortal dynasties and the Heavenly Palace in this vast and boundless Southern Domain! What a glorious and exhilarating prospect!

"There are still seven years before the day of battle!"

"In these seven years, I hope that you all will strive for greater heights! The Yan-Chu Imperial Family will also open the royal secret treasury to aid you all, helping you to charge into battle and return triumphantly from the Southern Domain prodigy battlefield!"

Chu Xiangtian declared loudly.

His voice boomed, causing cheers to erupt from each of the nine thousand cities, feeling the imperial might and benevolence.

On the platform, Li Hao and the others listened quietly. Even Li Hao felt a surge of passion in his heart. This prince's powerful and resonant voice was extremely infectious, like that of a born emperor.

If it weren't for the vastness of the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty's territory and the sheer number of imperial princes, with his abilities, he would indeed possess the aura of an emperor.

However, among the numerous Yan-Chu royals, he didn't seem to be ranked at the very top.

After Chu Xiangtian finished speaking, he turned towards the reflected majestic imperial palace and slowly bowed in respect, kneeling on one knee in the void, saying,

"Please, Father Emperor, bestow your blessing!"

As his words fell, countless gazes converged on the towering gates of the majestic imperial palace.

The gates, thousands of feet tall, like mountain peaks, blocked countless gazes, preventing anyone from peeking into the scene within.

It was as if they were an insurmountable level and threshold.

At this moment, the imperial palace gates let out a soft rumbling sound. In the billowing clouds, a crack slowly appeared, and then they slowly opened. The surrounding clouds billowed and swirled, sucked in by the force of the opening gates, surging continuously.

Behind the gates, figures of ancestral dragons and vermilion phoenixes flashed past, like dancing butterflies, fluttering on both sides of the gates.

Immediately afterward, an immense pressure emanated from within the gates, like some icy aura descending, causing everyone on the platform, and even those below the platform in the Ancient Immortal realm, to feel an indescribable majesty. It was as if they were suddenly submerged at the bottom of a lake, their air stolen, instinctively holding their breath.

This pressure spread, and through the projection, the cheers in each of the nine thousand cities seemed to gradually quiet down in an instant.

Across countless distances, they could all feel that ineffable imperial might!

From within the gates, a majestic figure, resembling a Heaven and Earth Dharma Idol, sat enthroned in the imperial palace. His gaze was like divine suns hanging upside down, containing countless brilliant golden light Dao patterns. Divine radiance diffused around him, carrying boundless grandeur.

His gaze was level with all creation, as if he were shoulder to shoulder with heaven and earth, and co-existed with the sun and moon. Just a glance from him gave one the feeling of being as insignificant as an ant, only able to look up in awe, a trembling feeling mixed with reverence.

The naturally flowing imperial might alone silenced everyone in the Ancient Immortal realm.

But this imperial might, besides its majesty, wasn't aggressive, inspiring awe but not suffocation, revealing a faint tranquility.

In Yan-Chu and beyond, there were sculptures and portraits of this Emperor, but seeing him in person was a completely different matter.

Li Hao also saw him for the first time, his heart rate involuntarily quickening, as if he had experienced a similar feeling when he first saw Emperor Luo in the imperial palace inheritance.

(End of Chapter)