Star Gate-Chapter 1480: Complete Eradication (II)

It was Scintillating who smiled after sensing Li Hao’s existence. He’d sensed the newcomer for a while, but hadn’t mentioned it. “Fellow Daoist Skyriver, there seems to be a new friend in Skyriver Region. Are you not going to meet them?”

That was an exalted emperor, at the very least! Ignoring their presence was a bit too humiliating for the visitor.

“Is that so?” Skyriver laughed. “I was so engrossed in our conversation that I didn’t notice. I must be quite a sight to the fellow daoist.”

He cast a sidelong glance at the only second rank exalted emperor in the room. “Fellow Daoist Yu Ji, since we have guests, I’ll trouble you to receive them. Tell them that I was unable to come in person because I am attending to important matters!”

The exalted emperor in question quickly rose to his feet with a smile. “I will be back shortly. Fellow Daoist Scintillating, please enjoy your conversation with Brother Skyriver.”

Scintillating inclined his head, basking in Skyriver Region showing him such favor. Even if it was just a display for his eyes, they were showing him face in ignoring another exalted emperor for him. One had to know that this would easily offend the one they were giving the cold shoulder to.

This was particularly true when the other clearly was interested in Skyriver Region. The latter wasn’t concealing his presence, indicating that he wished to call upon the region master.

But since it was just a first rank exalted emperor, Scintillating didn’t say anything.

......

The administrative seat of Skyriver Region, the front gates.

Two cultivators at the door looked at each other with awkward expressions. Their visitor... seemed... to be an exalted emperor? But no one was coming out of the complex to welcome the newcomer.

This was highly inappropriate!

No one coming to the door to greet an exalted emperor was very discourteous treatment indeed. The visitor had not concealed his movement or identity. He’d openly displayed his presence and come in full daylight.

But today, operations were not functioning smoothly with the Skyriver senior council.

Of course, the guards knew that this was likely due to the other exalted emperor. All of the exalted emperors within the region were dancing attendance on that one.

Just as the two cultivators on duty were floundering for next steps and beginning to be terrified by the lack of courtesy, a life-saving voice sounded from inside. “We have failed to greet our friend from afar! Yu Ji of Skyriver Region greets the fellow daoist!”

“I am Hao Moon of Dragon Observatory!” Li Hao peered inside with a smile.

Dragon Observatory?

Yu Ji blinked. He knew all of the Dragon Observatory exalted emperors... Ah, wait, I remember them recruiting a new first rank a few days ago. So this is the one.

He was immediately slightly more at ease upon realizing that he faced a first rank, and a newly recruited one at that. As strong as Dragon Observatory was, this person was not a direct subordinate. He was an outsider who’d thrown himself under their banner. As such, his status and identity didn’t amount to much.

Even so, he had to observe the courtesies. “Greetings to Fellow Daoist Hao Moon!”

Yu Ji quickly walked out and waved off the guards. He sized up Li Hao with a smile.

“We have been remiss in our hospitality. The Exalted Scintillating Emperor of Suncloud Region is visiting. Due to hosting our visitor, I and Fellow Daoist Skyriver have not released our consciousness in the surroundings, so we did not detect the fellow daoist’s arrival.

“Is Fellow Daoist Hao Moon passing by, or...”

“The Exalted Scintillating Emperor?” Li Hao asked instead of responding.

“That’s right.” Yu Ji nodded with a gentle smile. “Skyriver is currently hosting an honored guest. If the fellow daoist doesn’t mind, you can also join us for a bit.”

In actuality, the undertones of his words were—we’re hosting a third rank exalted emperor and you’re with Dragon Observatory now. Get as far away as you can, we have business to take care of.

Read the room and leave. Come back next time if you have business of your own to take care of with us.

Of course, he couldn’t be that blunt about it.

Li Hao thought it over and said slowly, “I’m here because I’m looking for the Exalted Scintillating Emperor.”

Yu Ji blinked. Why?

“It’s said that the Sword Sovereign of New Martial destroyed Suncloud Region!” Li Hao continued. “There was a Suncloud exalted emperor in Dragon Observatory territory a while back. He ran afoul of a powerhouse and was killed for it, so I’m here to notify the exalted emperor of his comrade’s death!”

Killed? Yu Ji blinked again. Surely not! Can it be... surely not! There was news before that an exalted emperor had died somewhere. Can it be Yun Cang?

If it was, then this was dicey.

He’d thought that the visitor was here representing Dragon Observatory. Yu Ji’s expression shifted when he heard that it was proper matters to take care of.

“Please come with me, fellow daoist!” he quickly said.

Li Hao nodded. It was best if he could trick Scintillating into coming with him. I’m not interested in fighting all of these guys if I don’t have to. There’s five exalted emperors here! Killing one means I have to kill two. Killing two means I have to eradicate them all!

It’d be best if I can lure Scintillating out.

......

Inside the hall.

Skyriver and the rest could sense that Yu Ji was returning to them with their visitor. Skyriver frowned, then quickly relaxed his brows. “Perhaps something has come up. Yu Ji would not come back with him otherwise. We are being derelict in our duties as a host to Brother Scintillating!”

Their relationship had deepened in the past couple of minutes, evolving from fellow daoist to brothers.

“It’s alright, proper business is important. Skyriver’s matters are my matters,” Scintillating smiled.

The two looked at each other and smiled. That was good!

Yu Ji soon entered with someone. Everyone in the hall looked over, pausing with surprise when they saw the newcomer. This was... a very unusual person! There was an uncommon bearing about him.

Skyriver felt like he’d seen another Void. He’d met Void of Dragon Observatory once before. Although they were of the same rank, that person gave him an uncomfortable and arrogant feeling. He could tell that the other would neither be affected by insults nor praise.

Void exuded the impression that he was different from everyone. That kind of manner didn’t sit well with many. It was stand-offish and snobby.

Li Hao was emanating the same atmosphere, drawing Skyriver’s ire as soon as he saw the young man. While a first rank didn’t have to scrape and bow in front of a fourth rank, he should at least be smiling ingratiatingly, no?

But the reality was that Li Hao did nothing of the sort.

Skyriver didn’t express his irritation. “Yu Ji,” he said when both were inside the hall. “What is the situation with this fellow daoist?”

Yu Ji was put on the spot and looked at Li Hao instead. The young man didn’t mind the attention.

“I’m here to convey the information that Yun Cang of Suncloud was killed in Dragon Observatory Region. I know that the Exalted Scintillating Emperor would be here, so I have come to notify him!”

“What?!” Scintillating’s broad grin immediately froze over. Killing intent shot at Li Hao and he snarled, “What did you say?!”

“Exalted Emperor Yun Cang has been killed!” Li Hao enunciated.

“How dare they!” thundered Skyriver before Scintillating had a chance to respond. “This is outrageous! How dare they kill a Skyriver exalted emperor!”

He was also dismayed at hearing of Yun Cang’s death and deeply afraid that the agreement they’d just reached would fall through. Thus, he hastily declared his stance on the matter. He needed to reassure Scintillating first and also express his sentiments.

As for Yun Cang’s death... he was just a first rank! Dead was dead!

Li Hao furrowed his brows with consternation. Scintillating hadn’t said anything yet, but this one...

It looked like the two were as thick as thieves.

“We’re not certain of the killer’s details,” Li Hao said calmly. “But it might have something to do with New Martial! I have come to pass on this message and also with information from all sides, including... New Martial. There is a general order that no one is to accept the survivors of New Martial’s enemies!

“Is Skyriver Region going to shelter the Exalted Scintillating Emperor and oppose New Martial?” The young man looked at Skyriver.

The latter started, then snorted disdainfully. “And who are you? Scintillating has reached an alliance with this seat. As strong as New Martial is, what of it? This is Skyward! What is New Martial worth?!”

He’d almost been cowed, but quickly came back to his senses given their present location. This wasn’t New Martial, what was he afraid of?

How ludicrous! 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Exalted emperors from Utmost Dark and Elysian Fields were also on Skyward—everyone was trying to appeal to them. No one was afraid. And here this newcomer was, trying to scare him!

Who was this person?

“This is the Exalted Hao Moon Emperor from Dragon Observatory!” Yu Ji quickly introduced. Those not in the know would think their visitor was from New Martial!

Li Hao regarded Skyriver. So... just New Martial’s name wasn’t enough. The other didn’t care at all.

This also meant that he’d made up his mind to recruit the third rank. Anything else Li Hao said would fall on deaf ears. Several seventh ranks hadn’t been enough to scare off Skyriver. The young man was just a first rank. If he dared say that he was from New Martial, not only would prove ineffective, but that might land him in a dungeon before he could blink!

Scintillating exhaled confidently from the show of support. He looked at Li Hao with narrowed eyes. “Fellow Daoist Hao Moon, did Dragon Observatory send you to notify this emperor?”

He’d almost thought just now that the young man came from New Martial. There was a kind of air around him. Scintillating was much more at ease to hear that the young man came from the Dragon Observatory.

“No, but that’s not important,” Li Hao shook his head. “What’s important is if the Exalted Scintillating Emperor is advancing and retreating with Skyriver, now that you have joined the region?”

Scintillating frowned. This person was very strange! He didn’t say much because this Hao Moon came from the Dragon Observatory; it was Skyriver who grew irked. This kid was here to poach a recruit, wasn’t he?!

Dragon Observatory already has exalted emperors from two major worlds. I finally got a third rank to join me, but here you are. Damn you little bastard!

“Of course!” Skyriver said in cold tones. “As strong as New Martial is, it is beset from within and without by enemies these days. It proceeds counter to the proper order of things, so its demise is only a matter of time!

“Skyriver Region will help Brother Scintillating exact vengeance for the fall of Suncloud. Dragon Observatory does not need to be concerned about this! If fellow daoist is here to confirm anything, then I can tell you plainly that if New Martial sends people, I will be the first to take them down!”

Was that clear enough?

Li Hao thought it over, then looked at the group again. What else could he say now?