Chapter 496: The Chu Emperor Bestows Marriage

Inside the dark tower, after Li Hao's brief acclimatization, it suddenly seemed to light up from within. This tower was not a sealed, cramped space, but rather like a vast and boundless chaotic world.

Li Hao could sense the aura of numerous Great Dao Origins, drifting and wandering around him, seemingly within easy reach to grasp.

As Li Hao was sensing this, suddenly, a luminous figure appeared before his eyes.

"We meet again. Three years, and you've made quite a bit of progress, lad."

A warm laugh echoed, and standing before Li Hao was Yuan Xinggang, his figure like a projection, carrying an ethereal and illusory quality.

Li Hao was taken aback, looking at him in surprise, and quickly clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Greetings, Imperial Preceptor."

"No need for formalities. Come with me, His Majesty wishes to see you."

A hint of complexity flashed in Yuan Xinggang's eyes, and with a soft chuckle, he gestured for Li Hao to follow.

Li Hao was stunned. At this moment, His Majesty wanted to see him?

Yuan Xinggang turned and raised his hand. A illusory ripple appeared beside him, signaling Li Hao to come with him.

Li Hao immediately flew towards him. Passing through the ripple, his vision suddenly brightened, revealing a magnificent and luxurious palace. The spirits of dragons and phoenixes circled around, emanating terrifying auras, actually the remnant souls of King-level beings, coiling around the pillars like dragons.

Throughout the palace, dazzling pearls were inlaid, and the precious Qi of glazed tiles filled the air, all exuding the aura of the Chaotic Great Dao. The decorative items alone seemed to be extremely rare materials for refining treasures.

Although the palace was magnificent, it was not as grand as the Imperial Palace Li Hao had seen before. At this moment, at the eaves of the palace, three figures sat cross-legged in a triangular formation. A chessboard was placed between them.

Two of them were playing chess. One was Shangguan Hong, clad in golden armor. The other was a majestic and extraordinary-looking middle-aged man, his eyes seeming to contain the sun, moon, and stars, profound and restrained, possessing a power like a deep abyss capable of swallowing mountains.

Li Hao recognized him at a glance – it was the Chu Emperor himself.

But at this moment, the Emperor was simply sitting casually on the ground in ordinary attire, dressed in comfortable black imperial robes, his collar slightly loose, long hair naturally flowing over his shoulders, looking relaxed and indifferent.

"Flying Star!"

With a snap, a chess piece landed with a crisp sound. The Chu Emperor looked up, a light smile appearing on his face as he looked at the Marshal of the Nation opposite him, "A hundred years without practice, your chess skills have declined."

Shangguan Hong frowned, staring at the chessboard. After a long while, he sighed in resignation, and dropped his chess piece. Although at first glance the chess game seemed to have many moves left, in their eyes, victory and defeat were already decided.

"It is Your Majesty's chess skills that are even deeper now."

Shangguan Hong shook his head.

The Chu Emperor chuckled, "In this aspect, you still can't compare to old Yuan."

Losing to the Chu Emperor, Shangguan Hong was willing to accept, but when it came to comparing himself to his old rival Yuan Xinggang, he immediately became unconvinced, saying, "As long as he doesn't resort to underhanded tactics, I can't possibly lose to him."

Yuan Xinggang, listening from the side, secretly shook his head, but on the surface, he stroked his beard and smiled. Little Hong, ah Little Hong, His Majesty is not talking about chess skills, but that your defeat is too obvious, hot stuff!

The Chu Emperor laughed, as if only then noticing Li Hao not far away, and turned to look at him.

Yuan Xinggang, who was watching the chess game from the side, reacted swiftly. What he was observing might not have been the chess, but the people. At this moment, he very naturally and smoothly called out to Li Hao, speaking to the Chu Emperor,

"Your Majesty, this child has been brought here."

The Chu Emperor nodded slightly, sizing up Li Hao, and said, "To have a soul age of merely a century, yet reach such a level… I heard recently that the Heavenly Calamity Pseudo-World was found by Heavenly Palace, and they even brought out several disciples of extraordinary talent from within. It seems that place is truly a treasure land."

Li Hao's gaze flickered slightly. He knew the Emperor was referring to Yuan Sheng and the Divine King and others who had emerged from the pseudo-world.

But the second half of the sentence was difficult to fathom.

The Chu Emperor said, "Haotian, is it? Just now there were too many people outside, and some things were not convenient for me to say openly. You say you are not a direct disciple, then I wonder, are the direct disciples of the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor still alive?"

Li Hao knew his background had already been seen through. In front of these old monsters who had lived for countless years, it was too difficult for him to conceal secrets. He could only say,

"The identities of direct disciples are esteemed, I am not yet qualified to know their whereabouts. However, after that great war ended, I fear they have all fallen."

He did not mention that the soul lamp had not withered and that Old Wang was searching, after all, he did not yet have deep contact with the Chu Emperor, and he could not gauge how much allure the Immortal Emperor's inheritance held in the other's eyes.

The Chu Emperor nodded slightly, sighing softly, "Back then, in that great war, the territory of my Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty was also swallowed up, invaded by ancient demons all the way to the outside of the Imperial Palace. Your soul age is only a century, you should have just stepped out of that pseudo-world, right? Do you happen to know of the Demon Abyss Mountain outside my Imperial Palace?"

Li Hao's expression became even calmer. The other party could even deduce that he had just left the Heavenly Calamity Pseudo-World. It seemed there were no secrets he could conceal.

He shook his head, "I do not know."

"In the great war of a hundred thousand years ago, the corpses of ancient demons piled up like mountains there. My Yan Chu almost suffered the same fate as other Immortal Dynasties, to be swept away and submerged by ancient demons."

The Chu Emperor's expression was peaceful, slowly and methodically recounting the earth-shattering past. He continued slowly, "Now, after a hundred thousand years of recuperation, we finally have the strength to resist ancient demons. You are a inheritor of the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor, and so young. In ten thousand years, your name will surely be renowned throughout this True World."

Li Hao remained silent. All the great figures he had come into contact with were optimistic about him, believing he would become famous and establish his name.

But he had long since taken merit and fame as his sword, and he had no heart to pursue them.

Becoming famous for all eternity was just something for later generations of mediocre people to discuss and compare, devoid of meaning.

"You say you are not a direct disciple, then I wonder, what conditions are required to become a direct disciple?"

The Chu Emperor asked with interest.

Li Hao sensed the sharpness of this Emperor. Although the conversation was extremely amiable, it revealed a sense of control over everything. The questions he asked were also extremely pointed, revealing a lot of information.

"Even stronger talent is needed. Perhaps reaching the True Immortal Realm, and being able to defeat experts at the fourth or fifth level of the Immortal Lord Realm, one can achieve that." Li Hao said.

"That's truly monstrous."

Shangguan Hong couldn't help but say.

Yuan Xinggang also nodded slightly, his eyes also showing some wistfulness, but he did not doubt Li Hao's words, only saying,

"Back then, those disciples of the Emperor Monarchs, rampaged across all directions, they truly did have such exaggerated levels of power. I remember the Heavenly Calamity Immortal Emperor had a direct disciple named Shi Miao, his control over the Origin Great Dao of Time was unmatched in the same realm. It is said that in the Immortal Lord Realm, he could escape from the hands of a King Realm being, simply unbelievable."

The gap between the True Immortal Realm and the Immortal Lord Realm was already a chasm, and the gap between the Immortal Lord Realm and the Immortal King Realm was even more incomparable.

The Chu Emperor nodded, believing Li Hao's words. His eyes flickered as he said, "If I were to let you cultivate in the Origin Secret Realm for a thousand years, do you have the confidence to become a direct disciple?"

Li Hao's mind raced, and he asked, "Does Your Majesty intend to help me?"

"That's right, I have high hopes for you."

The Chu Emperor said frankly and generously, "When you rise to prominence, I believe you will not forget this kindness."

Li Hao could not discern whether his words were true or false, and said cautiously, "If it is a thousand years, it might be possible to achieve it."

The Chu Emperor laughed, saying, "Then after your Southern Domain Tournament concludes, come to the Origin Secret Realm. I will personally decree the isolation of the secret realm for you, and open the Origin Secret Realm solely for you for a thousand years."

Hearing this, Shangguan Hong and Yuan Xinggang exchanged glances, their expressions subtly changing, and they both looked at Li Hao.

"This…"

Li Hao hesitated slightly. He had never entered this Origin Secret Realm before. Cultivating inside for a thousand years, he wondered if it would be like being imprisoned.

Seeing Li Hao's hesitation, the Chu Emperor waved his hand, saying, "No need to decline. A thousand years is but a fleeting moment. However, when your Southern Domain Tournament concludes, this tournament can earn you a spot in the Original True World for cultivation. That is also a great opportunity. If you can grasp it, and then add a thousand years of arduous cultivation in the Origin Secret Realm, I believe in the not-too-distant future, the True World will surely know your name!"

Li Hao gave a wry smile, saying, "Thank you for Your Majesty's kindness, but I would like to consider this matter further."

"Alright."

The Chu Emperor agreed very readily, then, thinking of something, he said to Li Hao,

"You are still young, and not yet married, are you? I have a daughter, with decent talent. Her mother consort is a Star Origin Spirit, and within her body flows both Imperial blood and the power of Star Origin. You should have met her, she was ranked seventh on the Immortal Monument this time, named Chu Yueli."

Li Hao was stunned. The arrogant and aloof gaze of the princess he had seen earlier immediately surfaced in his mind.

"I will betroth her to you as your wife, how about that?"

The Chu Emperor said with a smile, "She is now two thousand years old in soul age, although quite a bit older than you, in the vast expanse of cultivation lasting tens of thousands of years, this age difference can be disregarded. Moreover, you are both Immortal Gods, with eternal youth. As long as you do not experience great calamities or the collapse of heaven and earth, you will have almost inexhaustible lifespans."

Li Hao felt his scalp tingle, and he clasped his fists, saying, "Thank you for Your Majesty's kind intentions, but I currently have no plans for marriage."

"With your soul age and potential, I know your mind is focused on cultivation, but there are many paths to cultivation. If you were to unite with my little daughter, the Star Origin power within her body can also nourish you. Your offspring will surely be outstanding, perhaps even born with Immortal Bones!" The Chu Emperor chuckled lightly.

Li Hao was somewhat speechless, looking at the Chu Emperor. If he didn't know the other party was an old monster who had lived for countless years, and had so many children he couldn't count, he would have found it hard to imagine these words coming from a father's mouth. Indeed, Imperial families only cared about interests, not affection.

"Your Majesty, this really won't work." Li Hao said with a wry smile.

The Chu Emperor asked, "Could it be that you look down on her?"

Li Hao quickly said, "How dare I, junior would never! It's just that I truly have no plans in this regard."

"The affections of the mortal world are but fleeting amusements in the short span of a hundred years of life. You need not be too concerned. Marriage doesn't necessarily require romantic love, but merely shared aspirations."

The Chu Emperor said, "My little daughter is also single-mindedly pursuing cultivation. You two are perfectly compatible."

"Your Majesty…"

Li Hao's face was full of difficulty. He suddenly felt the vast difference in values between himself and this old Emperor.

Seeing Li Hao's constipated expression, the Chu Emperor also found it somewhat amusing, saying, "Given Yueli's conditions, it's not exactly beneath you. Moreover, once you are married, you will also be considered one of the Yan Chu people. I will also do my utmost to assist you. If you truly are unwilling, then in this Southern Domain Tournament, if you can win first place in the True Immortal Realm competition group, I can consider, letting that child be wronged a bit, and become your concubine, without restricting you."

"..."

Li Hao was somewhat speechless. This Emperor suddenly being so enthusiastic about this kind of matter was something he had not anticipated.

Judging from the situation, he was clearly planning to use this to tie him to Yan Chu.

But for Immortals and Gods, did such things really have any binding force?

Li Hao temporarily put aside these thoughts. He was about to politely decline again, but the Chu Emperor seemed to see his intention, and decisively announced, "It's settled then! If you really don't want to marry her as your wife, then you'd better work hard!"

Is this old Emperor using this to motivate me in reverse? Li Hao couldn't help but mentally complain. Seeing Old Yuan beside him subtly shaking his head, he had no choice but to go along with it, saying,

"If I can take first place in the True Immortal Realm competition, I only hope Your Majesty can withdraw the imperial decree."

"You really are…"

A hint of helplessness also appeared on the Chu Emperor's face. This lad was truly impervious to persuasion. He said, "Alright, I'll consider it."

Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly said, "If there is nothing else, then I will go and cultivate first."

"No need to worry, the flow of time here is a hundred times slower than the outside world. It won't delay you for long."

With a flip of his hand, a seven-colored mystical light appeared in the Chu Emperor's palm. He handed it to Li Hao, saying, "This is a Phantasmal Light Stone. If you encounter danger in the Origin Secret Realm, it can withstand one calamity for you!"

Li Hao was not one to refuse such life-saving items. He accepted it, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Go on."

The Chu Emperor waved his hand.

An image of light and shadow appeared before Yuan Xinggang, opening a ripple passage for Li Hao, and sending Li Hao out of the palace.

After Li Hao left, the three people at the chessboard became briefly silent. The Chu Emperor said with a smile to Yuan Xinggang, "Come, it's been a long time since I've played with you. You also come and play a game with me."

Yuan Xinggang's expression was somewhat complex as he said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, there are still some matters in the National Oversight Bureau, please excuse my temporary leave."

The Chu Emperor laughed, "You old fellow, you think too much!"

Yuan Xinggang gave a wry smile, and stood up, cupping his hands in obeisance and taking his leave.

Shangguan Hong beside him also stood up to bid farewell.

As their figures faded away, only a chessboard and an Emperor remained in the palace.

"Only the autumn wind understands my heart…"

The Chu Emperor gazed at the phoenix trees outside the palace, their golden fallen leaves drifting over, revealing a hint of loneliness and desolation in his eyes.

The two figures who left the palace were walking in a hazy chaotic void.

"Old Yuan, what is His Majesty planning?"

Shangguan Hong, clad in golden armor, asked in a low voice, his eyes filled with incomprehension.

Yuan Xinggang sighed softly, saying, "A hundred thousand years have passed, and only now has such a disciple emerged. This time, it seems, he's going to clash head-on with Heavenly Palace!"

Shangguan Hong was stunned, his expression shifting for a moment, before finally saying, "Is it very difficult?"

"What if that young man becomes a direct disciple?"

Yuan Xinggang raised his head and asked in return, a hint of irony showing at the bottom of his eyes, "The value of an Immortal Emperor's direct disciple, is not something anyone can compare to."

"But that's at least a thousand years later. Can that child really do it?"

"Did you not see that child's composed appearance? His Majesty promised him a thousand years in the Origin Secret Realm, yet he didn't seem excited, and still gave a conservative response. That conversely shows that he has confidence in his heart. Some people want to say no, but in the eyes of others, it is a nod of agreement."

Yuan Xinggang said.

Hearing this, Shangguan Hong recalled the conversation in the palace just now, and fell silent for a moment.

...

On the other side, Li Hao left the palace and returned to the dark tower.

After he put away the Phantasmal Light Stone, he suddenly saw time reverse before his eyes, his body propelled forward by some force. Suddenly, the scenery before him became bright and clear, and he arrived in an incomparably strange world.

(End of Chapter)