“He must be overestimated,” said a beautiful woman who was actually seated among them, speaking frankly. “He’s just a reckless brat. Even if he obtained ancient secrets, how far could he possibly advance?” Though the female elder was fiery tempered, her name was unusually elegant—Rong Li.
The current presiding elder was Xu Yi, who sat upright with a long beard stretching from his jaw to his chest, giving him a very Daoist and sage-like appearance. He spoke cautiously, “Rong Li, don’t underestimate him. Last time we underestimated Yang Hao during our discussions, and when we met again, he had already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage. Tell me, how many people in the Empire have managed to reach the Nascent Soul stage in all these years?”
His words indeed unsettled the other eight elders.
“You overestimate him too much.” A beautiful woman was also seated in the hall, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he obtained some ancient secret manual, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an exceptionally refined name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat upright with a long beard stretching from his chin to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all looked down on Yang Hao. Who would’ve thought that the next time we saw him, he’d already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm? Tell me, how many in the empire have achieved that in recent years?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, the number of cultivators in the empire has dwindled. The rare talents that do emerge are usually recruited by us. But who could’ve predicted that trouble would sprout in the outer regions, giving rise to such a headache?”
“Afraid? Just kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words shocking everyone.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead—”But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent throughout, even keeping his eyes closed as if meditating. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s abilities advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm gave him quite a boost.” The mention of the Divine Realm made the elders visibly uncomfortable. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai was earth-shattering. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept at calculations among the elders—not of wealth, but of the empire’s martial rankings.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “Where does Situ Hai rank now?”
“Fifth among all cultivators,” Tiance raised five fingers. “After comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he ascended to the Sword Saint tier. Fifth is accurate.” By “all cultivators,” Tiance excluded the elders themselves, but ranking fifth in the empire, including the emperor, was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must be in the top five, almost surpassing our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao used the supreme divine technique ‘Reverse Flow’ at a critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield a divine art of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled slightly in mockery. “Without external aid, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed the ceremonial salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the empire could gauge Yang Hao’s true strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply, “In just half a year, he’s gone from a nobody to a top-hundred powerhouse. Yang Hao is indeed impressive. But if we let him roam free, he’ll become a serious threat sooner or later.”
“He already is,” another elder in charge of the empire’s political affairs interjected. “The outer regions have always resisted imperial rule. Yang Hao stirred trouble on Remon Star, then on Saint Bear Star, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s leading an anti-empire alliance, uniting all those scattered forces. If that’s not a threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—this was indeed the question. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose on Remon Star, how he gained favor with the old bear Hede. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. How many divine boons had he obtained? What hidden support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi pondered, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, emanating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief. Relief because the decision on Yang Hao’s fate was no longer his burden. Shock because the Supreme One, of all people, had descended specifically for Yang Hao. Did this mean Yang Hao held some deeper secret?
To the empire’s citizens, the Elder Council was akin to a divine temple. The Supreme One was their true deity, while the kneeling elders were mere disciples. After unifying the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing. His sudden arrival today was utterly unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient being needed no explanation.
Within the radiant white light, a faint silhouette of a pure-white figure emerged. A serene yet aged voice spoke, “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng blurted out, daring to lift his head in shock. Yang Hao had humiliated several major sword sects, especially his Black Wind Sword Sect, leaving him deeply resentful.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was cold, brooking no argument. “The boy is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That, we must guard against.”
The elders knew of the ancient ghost within Yang Hao, though they were unaware of Hunyuanzi’s true identity from a millennium ago or his connection to the Supreme One.
“How should we guard against it? Please enlighten us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the precautions would be delicate.
“Secure the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Let the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly, unlike the previous swords that were easily stolen.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt a chill—the Ten Sword Schools were their disciples.
Second command: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This empire is too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried such weight that even the emperor would kneel to hear them. “The empire’s fate is his responsibility, but if it interferes with my plans…”
Though left unsaid, the implication was chilling. The elders couldn’t fathom what “great matter” concerned the Supreme One, who was already the foremost immortal between heaven and earth.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s voice trailed off, lonely and desolate, as if speaking to no one. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely, yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, edging closer.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed, vanishing into the wind with resignation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his meeting was far duller. Despite their recent victory, which had everyone in high spirits, the people present had grown tiresome—and so had their words.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even after learning of the Three Crystal Seas uprising, they’ve retreated, pulling most of their forces from the outer regions back into the inner territories.”
This news had arrived just that morning. The Three Crystal Seas rebels had feared their uprising would provoke a fierce imperial backlash, perhaps even a joint strike from dozens of nearby star systems. Yet within a day, all imperial forces seemed to receive orders to withdraw eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses—clearly preparing for a prolonged stand.
This effectively ceded the empire’s entire western outer regions to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving the alliance’s leaders grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao dozed off, lulled by Steve’s grand speeches outside and Hunyuanzi’s endless recitation of the Taoist canon inside. Lately, the old ghost had gone mad, forcing Yang Hao through a crash course in foundational culture—reciting thousands of Taoist scrolls one by one, as if determined to bore him to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared at Steve—since when did his opinion matter? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through his glare, Yang Hao reined it in, replacing it with a cheeky grin. “With you here, Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“So what? Kill him before he becomes a threat,” Rong Li slammed the table, her words startling everyone.
“Kill him?” Hei Feng turned his head slightly. Naturally, he wanted him dead, “But can we kill him?”
This question was directed at an elder seated to Hei Feng’s right, a man who had remained silent and even kept his eyes closed while others spoke. But now, he had to answer.
“Since Yang Hao returned from the Divine Realm, his abilities have advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul stage. The imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm must have given him quite a few benefits,” the elder mentioned the Divine Realm, causing uneasy expressions on the elders’ faces. “Later, in his battle with Situ Hai, it was earth-shattering. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, but still failed to defeat Yang Hao…”
He paused briefly, as if organizing his thoughts. This elder, known as the Celestial Strategist, was the most calculating among the elders, though not in matters of money and goods, but rather in ranking martial artists’ skills and strengths.
Wu Yi suddenly asked, “What level is Situ Hai at now?”
“He can be ranked fifth among all martial artists,” the Celestial Strategist raised one hand. “Since he comprehended the Twelfth Sword, he has ascended to the level of Sword Sage. Fifth place should be accurate.” The “all martial artists” the Celestial Strategist referred to naturally excluded the Elders’ Council but included the Emperor among the Empire’s people, ranking fifth already being top-tier.
Rong Li sneered contemptuously, “According to the Celestial Strategist, that kid is about to break into the top five, almost climbing onto the Emperor’s head?”
“Let the Celestial Strategist continue,” Xu Yi interrupted Rong Li.
“If our intelligence is accurate, Yang Hao should have used the supreme divine technique ‘Reverse Flow’ at a critical moment. Surely you don’t believe he could use the divine art of the Sumerian gods?” The Celestial Strategist’s mouth curled slightly in mockery. “If relying solely on his own strength, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. However, since Situ Hai performed that respectful gesture, Yang Hao should be able to enter the top hundred without question,” calculated the Celestial Strategist.
“Not even you can pinpoint his exact position?” Xu Yi felt some concern. If even the Celestial Strategist couldn’t determine it, then it would be difficult for anyone to know Yang Hao’s true strength.
Hei Feng sighed deeply, “In merely half a year, from an unknown poor student to entering the top hundred martial artists, Yang Hao is indeed impressive. But if we continue to let him go unchecked, he will eventually become a major threat to us.”
“You overestimate him too much.” A beautiful woman was also seated at the gathering, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he obtained some ancient secret manual, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an exceptionally refined name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat upright with a long beard stretching from his chin to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we dismissed Yang Hao too lightly. Who would have guessed that the next time we saw him, he’d already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed to reach that level?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Since the Chief Elder resolved to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled to almost nothing. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Yet who could have foreseen that trouble would sprout in the outer regions, giving rise to such a troublesome figure?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent throughout, even keeping his eyes closed in meditation while others spoke. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s abilities advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm granted him significant benefits.” The mention of the Divine Realm made the elders visibly uncomfortable. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The elder paused, as if collecting his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept at calculations among the elders—not of wealth, but of the empire’s martial rankings.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “What rank is Situ Hai now?”
“Fifth among all living experts.” Tiance raised five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he has ascended to the Sword Saint tier. Fifth is accurate.” Tiance’s rankings excluded the elders themselves, but being fifth in the empire—including the emperor—was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat has surged into the top five, nearly surpassing even our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao likely used the ‘Reverse Flow’ divine technique at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield a divine art of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled in mockery. “Without external aid, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. Still, since Situ Hai performed the ceremonial salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact position?” Wuyi felt uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the empire could gauge Yang Hao’s true strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply, “In just half a year, he’s gone from an unknown student to a top-hundred powerhouse. Yang Hao is indeed impressive. But if we let this continue, he’ll become a fatal threat.”
“He already is,” another elder, responsible for the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer regions have always resisted imperial rule. That brat Yang Hao started with Remon Star, then stirred up trouble on Saint Bear Star, depriving us of a military base. Now he’s leading an anti-empire alliance, uniting all those scattered rebels. If that’s not a fatal threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard. It was indeed a dilemma. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose on Remon Star, how he gained the favor of that old bear, Herd. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. How many divine boons had he obtained? What hidden support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, radiating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats and kneeling, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief—relief that the decision to kill Yang Hao was no longer his to make, and shock that the Supreme One, of all beings, would descend specifically because of Yang Hao. Did this boy truly harbor some extraordinary secret?
If the Elder Council was like a divine temple in the eyes of the empire’s people, then the Supreme One was the true god within that temple. Those kneeling before him were mere disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing even once in years. His sudden arrival today was beyond unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were just discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient deity needed no lengthy explanations.
Within the radiant white light, a faint silhouette of pure white could be discerned. A voice, aged yet serene, echoed, “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng blurted in disbelief, daring to raise his head. Yang Hao had humiliated several major sword sects, especially his own Black Wind Sword Sect, and he was furious.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was indifferent but brooked no argument. “The boy himself is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That, we must guard against.”
The presence of a thousand-year-old ghost within Yang Hao was a well-kept secret, but leaks were inevitable. The elders already knew, though they were unaware of Hunyuanzi’s true identity from millennia past—or his connection to the Supreme One.
“How should we guard against it? Please instruct us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the precautions would be delicate.
“Secure the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. Do not let them be stolen as easily as the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt a chill down their spines. The Ten Sword Schools were their disciples, after all.
The second command followed: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This empire has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried such weight that even the emperor would kneel to hear them. “The empire’s fate is his responsibility, but if it interferes with my greater plans…”
Though he left the threat unspoken, the implication was clear enough to send shivers down their spines. The elders couldn’t fathom what “greater plans” the Supreme One, already a celestial being of unmatched supremacy, could possibly have.
“An old friend… it’s time we met.” The Supreme One’s voice turned desolate, as if speaking to someone unseen. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely from the altar. Yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed but had no choice. He dissolved into the wind, vanishing without a trace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his was far more tedious. Though they had just won a battle, leaving everyone in high spirits and brimming with ambition, the people present were tiresome—and so were their words.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even though news of the Three Crystal Seas uprising has reached them, they’ve retreated three steps. Most imperial forces in the outer western regions have withdrawn inward.”
This was fresh intelligence from the morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared that news of their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash—perhaps even a joint assault from garrisons across dozens of nearby star systems. Yet, within a single day, all imperial troops seemed to receive orders to relocate eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses, signaling a long-term stance.
This effectively ceded the empire’s entire western outer region to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving the alliance’s leaders grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao was drowsy. Outside, Steve pontificated; inside, Hunyuanzi droned on, reciting the entire Taoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had gone mad, insisting on teaching Yang Hao “basic cultural education”—reciting thousands of volumes of scriptures one by one, enough to bore a man to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question startled Yang Hao awake. He turned, wanting to glare at Steve—since when did his opinion matter? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao reined it in, replacing it with a cheeky grin. “With Mr. Steve here, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“Then… shall we kill him?”
“Kill or not?” Xu Yi stroked his beard, pondering. It was indeed a problem. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the Elders’ Council’s control. It was still feasible to kill him now. But even if they dispatched scouts, Xu Yi still couldn’t fully grasp Yang Hao’s background. How did he get his chance in Laimeng Star? How did he gain the favor of the old bear Herd? What’s more concerning to Xu Yi was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm—how many benefits did he receive from the gods, and how much potential support lay behind him? These were all things that needed to be guarded against.
As Xu Yi was deep in thought, the entire hall suddenly shone with white light, and dazzling brilliance flickered above the altar.
“You’re overestimating him too much.” A beautiful woman sat upright in the hall, speaking bluntly, “Just some reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on ancient secrets, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an exceptionally refined name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight, his long beard flowing from his chin down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all underestimated Yang Hao. Who would’ve thought he’d break through to the Nascent Soul realm upon our next encounter? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed to reach the Nascent Soul realm?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder resolved to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled to almost none. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Yet who could’ve foreseen such a troublesome figure sprouting up in the outer regions?”
“Afraid of what? Kill him before he becomes a threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent throughout, even keeping his eyes shut as if meditating. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s power advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm gave him quite the boon.” At the mention of the Divine Realm, the elders’ expressions grew uneasy. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The elder paused, as if organizing his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept at calculations among them—not of wealth, but of the empire’s martial rankings.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “Where does Situ Hai rank now?”
“Fifth in the world,” Tiance raised five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he’s ascended to the Sword Saint tier. Fifth is accurate.” By “the world,” Tiance naturally excluded the Elder Council, but ranking fifth among all, including the emperor, was already supreme.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat’s practically barged into the top five, almost stepping over our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao must’ve used the supreme divine art ‘Reverse Flow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the arts of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled slightly in mockery. “On his own power, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed that salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi felt a pang of worry. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the world could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply, “In just half a year, from a nameless poor student to a top hundred powerhouse—Yang Hao is somewhat admirable. But if we let this continue, he’ll become a fatal threat sooner or later.”
“He already is,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer regions have always resisted imperial rule. That brat Yang Hao stirred trouble on Remon Star, then on Sacred Bear Star, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, rallying all those scattered forces. If that’s not a fatal threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—this was indeed the question. Yang Hao was still inexperienced, far from escaping the Elder Council’s control. Eliminating him now was feasible. Yet even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose on Remon Star, how he won the favor of that old bear, He De. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. Just how many divine boons had he obtained? What hidden support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, radiating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One graces us!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief. Relief, because the troublesome decision of whether to kill Yang Hao was no longer his to make. Shock, because the Supreme One—of such lofty status—had deigned to appear specifically for Yang Hao. Did this brat truly harbor some extraordinary secret?
If the Elder Council was like a divine temple in the eyes of the empire’s citizens, then the Supreme One was the true god within that temple. Those kneeling below were mere disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely showing himself. His sudden appearance today was utterly unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were deliberating Yang Hao’s matter,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient deity required no lengthy explanations.
From within the dazzling white light, a faint, pure-white figure emerged. A voice, aged yet serene, spoke: “Yang Hao? He must not be killed.”
“Must not?” Heifeng blurted out, daring to lift his head in astonishment. Yang Hao’s recent victories, especially the humiliation dealt to his Black Wind Sword Sect, had left him seething.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret. I have use for him—do not kill him yet.” The Supreme One’s tone was icy, brooking no argument. “The child is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That, we must guard against.”
The presence of a thousand-year-old ghost within Yang Hao, though secret, had inevitably leaked. The elders already knew, but they were unaware of Hunyuanzi’s true identity from a millennium ago—or his connection to the Supreme One.
“How do we guard against it? Please enlighten us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, there must be a significant reason, making the boundaries of caution difficult to define.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. Don’t let them be stolen as easily as the last few swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt a chill down their spines, panic rising. After all, the Ten Sword Schools were their disciples.
Second command: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This world is far too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine decree—even the emperor would kneel to hear them. “The empire’s fate is his concern, but if it interferes with my grand plans…”
Though left unsaid, the implication was bone-chilling. Yet the elders couldn’t fathom what “grand plans” the Supreme One—already a celestial being, peerless in heaven and earth—could possibly have.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s murmur was lonely, desolate, as if speaking to no one in particular. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely from the altar. Yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed but had no choice. Like a wisp of wind, he vanished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his meeting was far duller. Despite their recent victory, which had everyone in high spirits, the atmosphere was soured by the presence of certain individuals.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even upon learning of the Three Crystal Seas uprising, they’ve retreated, pulling most of their forces from the outer regions back into the inner territories.”
This news had arrived just that morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash—perhaps even a joint assault from garrisons across dozens of nearby star systems. Yet within a day, all imperial troops seemed to receive orders, withdrawing eastward to form a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses, signaling a long-term stance.
Effectively, the empire had ceded the entire western outer regions to the Anti-Empire Alliance. No wonder the alliance’s leaders grinned like newlywed grooms.
Only Yang Hao dozed off, lulled by Steve’s grand speeches outside and Hunyuanzi’s endless recitation of Daoist scriptures inside. Lately, the old ghost had gone mad, insisting on teaching Yang Hao “basic culture” by reciting thousands of volumes of Daoist texts—enough to bore a man to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared at Steve—since when did he have a say? Wasn’t he just a puppet leader?
But halfway through his glare, Yang Hao reined it in, replacing it with a cheeky grin. “With you here, Mr. Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“You’re overestimating him.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he obtained some ancient secret manual, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder bore an ethereal name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat upright with a long beard cascading down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we dismissed Yang Hao too lightly. Who would have thought he’d break through to the Nascent Soul realm upon our next encounter? Tell me, how many in the empire have achieved that in recent years?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder resolved to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled. Rare talents that do emerge are swiftly recruited by us. Yet who could have foreseen such a troublesome figure arising from the outer domains?”
“Afraid? Just kill him before he becomes a real threat!” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead—”But can we?”
His question was directed at the elder seated to his right, who had remained silent, eyes closed in meditation. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s power advanced further, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. Likely, those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm granted him significant benefits.” The mention of the Divine Realm made the elders visibly uneasy. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still failed to defeat Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept among them at calculations—not of wealth, but of martial rankings across the world.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “What rank is Situ Hai now?”
“Fifth in the world.” Tiance raised five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he has ascended to the Sword Saint tier. Fifth is accurate.” His ranking excluded the elders themselves, but being fifth among all, including the emperor, was already supreme.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat has surged into the top five, nearly surpassing even our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao likely used the supreme divine art ‘Countercurrent’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the divine arts of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled mockingly. “Without external aid, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. Still, given Situ Hai’s final salute, Yang Hao undoubtedly ranks within the top hundred.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the world could gauge Yang Hao’s true strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply. “In just half a year, he’s gone from an unknown student to a top-hundred powerhouse. Admirable, truly. But if left unchecked, he’ll become a dire threat.”
“He already is,” interjected another elder overseeing the empire’s political affairs. “The outer domains have always resisted imperial rule. That brat Yang Hao stirred trouble on Remon Star, then on Saint Bear Star, depriving us of a recruitment base. Now, he’s leading an anti-empire alliance, uniting scattered forces. What else would you call that but a dire threat?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—a genuine dilemma. Yang Hao was still inexperienced, not yet beyond the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. Yet even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s origins—how he rose on Remon Star, how he won favor with the old bear Hede. More troubling was his journey to the Divine Realm. What divine boons had he gained? What hidden support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, radiating from the divine altar.
“The Supreme One graces us!” The elders dared not delay, kneeling hastily, not daring to raise their heads.
Wuyi knelt swiftly, torn between relief and alarm—relief that the decision on Yang Hao’s fate was no longer his, and alarm that the Supreme One himself had descended over this matter. Did Yang Hao truly harbor deeper secrets?
To the empire’s people, the elders were akin to gods—yet the Supreme One was their deity, while they were mere disciples. After unifying the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing. His sudden arrival today was beyond unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were deliberating Yang Hao’s case,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient being needed no elaboration.
Within the radiant light, a faint white silhouette emerged. A serene yet aged voice spoke: “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng blurted, daring to look up. Yang Hao’s defeat of the major sword sects, especially humiliating his Black Wind Sword Sect, had left him seething.
“Yang Hao holds a great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone brooked no argument. “The boy is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That, we must guard against.”
The elders knew of the ancient spirit within Yang Hao, though none realized it was Hunyuanzi, nor his ties to the Supreme One from a millennium past.
“How should we guard against it?” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the boundaries of caution were unclear.
“Secure the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Sects safeguard them. Do not let them be stolen like the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt a chill—the Ten Sword Sects were their disciples.
Second command: “Order the emperor to quell the rebellions. This world is too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine decree, even for the emperor. “The empire’s fate is his concern, but if it hinders my plans…”
Though unspoken, the implication was clear. The elders wondered—what grand affair could concern the Supreme One, who already stood peerless between heaven and earth?
“An old friend… it is time we met…” The Supreme One’s murmur was lonely, melancholic, as if speaking to none. The light flickered, then vanished. The nine elders remained kneeling for ten minutes before rising.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Recall the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One?”
Heifeng sighed, vanishing into the wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the elders convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting—though his was far duller.
Despite their recent victory, the mood was self-congratulatory, bordering on tedious.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is preoccupied. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Though aware of the Three Crystal Seas uprising, they’ve retreated, pulling most forces back to the inner domains.”
This morning’s news had relieved the rebels, who feared a brutal imperial crackdown. Instead, within a day, all imperial troops had withdrawn eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses—effectively ceding the western outer domains to the alliance.
Naturally, the alliance leaders grinned like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao dozed off, lulled by Steve’s grandstanding and Hunyuanzi’s droning recitation of ancient Daoist texts. Lately, the old ghost had taken to lecturing Yang Hao on foundational culture, reciting thousands of scrolls—a torment.
“Leader Yang Hao, what should we do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared—since when did his opinion matter? He was a figurehead at best.
But mid-glare, Yang Hao grinned instead. “With you here, Steve, we’ll follow your lead, of course.”
“You’re overestimating him too much.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on some ancient secret manual, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an ethereal name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight, his long beard flowing down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all dismissed Yang Hao too lightly. Who would’ve thought he’d break through to the Nascent Soul realm by the next time we saw him? Tell me, how many in the empire have achieved that in all these years?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder resolved to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled to almost none. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Yet who could’ve foreseen that trouble would sprout in the outer domains, giving rise to such a headache of a figure?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent throughout, even keeping his eyes closed as if meditating. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s abilities advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm granted him significant boons.” The mention of the Divine Realm made the elders visibly uncomfortable. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still failed to defeat Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept among them at calculations—not of wealth, but of martial rankings across the realm.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “What rank is Situ Hai now?”
“Fifth among all under heaven,” Tiance raised five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he has ascended to the Sword Saint tier. Fifth is accurate.” By “all under heaven,” Tiance naturally excluded the Elder Council, but ranking fifth even with the emperor included was already the pinnacle.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must’ve broken into the top five, almost surpassing even our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our scouts’ reports are correct, Yang Hao likely used the supreme divine art ‘Countercurrent’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield a divine technique of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled slightly in mockery. “On his own power, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed that salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, then no one in the world could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Heifeng let out a long sigh. “In just half a year, he’s gone from a nameless poor student to a top-hundred powerhouse. This Yang Hao is indeed somewhat admirable. But if we let him roam free, he’ll become a fatal threat sooner or later.”
“He already is one,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer domains have always resisted imperial rule, but that brat Yang Hao stirred up trouble starting from Remon Star, then Saint Bear Star, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, rallying all those scattered forces. If that’s not a fatal threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—this was indeed the question. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the Elder Council’s control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s full background—how he rose to prominence on Remon Star, how he won the favor of that old bear He De. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey into the Divine Realm. Just how many divine boons had he obtained? What unseen support lurked behind him? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly flooded the hall, radiating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief—relief that the burden of deciding Yang Hao’s fate no longer rested on him, and shock that the Supreme One, of all beings, would descend personally over this matter. Did Yang Hao truly harbor some extraordinary secret?
If the Elder Council was like a divine temple in the eyes of the empire’s people, then the Supreme One was the true god within that temple. Those kneeling below were mere disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the realms, rarely appearing even once in years. His sudden arrival today was utterly unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were deliberating the matter of Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient deity required little explanation.
Within the dazzling white light, a faintly discernible figure of pure white emerged. A voice, aged yet serene, spoke: “Yang Hao? He must not be killed.”
“Must not be killed?” Heifeng blurted out, daring to lift his head in astonishment. Yang Hao’s recent victories, especially the humiliation dealt to his Black Wind Sword Sect, had left him seething.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret—one I have use for. He is to remain alive for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was indifferent but brooked no argument. “The child himself is no concern, but an old friend lingers within him. That cannot be ignored.”
The presence of a millennium-old ghost within Yang Hao was a closely guarded secret, yet leaks were inevitable. The elders here already knew, but none were aware of Hunyuanzi’s true identity from a thousand years ago—nor his connection to the Supreme One.
“How should we proceed, then? Please enlighten us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, there had to be a profound reason, making the boundaries of caution difficult to define.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Sects safeguard them properly. They must not be stolen as easily as the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng both felt a chill down their spines, uneasy at the implied rebuke—after all, the Ten Sword Sects were their disciples.
The second command followed: “Order the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This realm has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine decree, as though even the emperor had no choice but to kneel and obey. “The empire’s fate is his to bear, but if it interferes with my greater purpose…”
Though left unspoken, the implication was bone-chilling. Yet the elders couldn’t fathom what “greater purpose” the Supreme One, already a celestial being unmatched in heaven and earth, could possibly have.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The murmur, lonely and desolate, seemed directed at no one in particular. The white light flickered briefly before vanishing from the altar, yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, edging closer.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who would dare defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed but had no choice. Like a wisp of black smoke, he dissolved into the wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
His, however, was far more tedious. Though fresh from victory, with everyone brimming with triumph and grand ambitions, the company had grown tiresome—and so had the conversation.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even upon learning of the Three Crystal Seas uprising, they’ve retreated, pulling most of their western forces back into the inner domains.”
This news had arrived just that morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash, perhaps even a joint strike from garrisons across dozens of nearby star systems. Yet within a day, all imperial troops seemed to receive orders, withdrawing eastward to form a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses—clearly preparing for a prolonged stand.
This effectively ceded the empire’s entire western outer domain to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving the alliance’s leaders grinning like newlywed grooms.
Only Yang Hao drowsed, half-asleep. Outside, Steve held forth; inside, Hunyuanzi droned on, reciting volume after volume of the Daoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had taken it upon himself to tutor Yang Hao in “basic culture,” subjecting him to endless scrolls—a torture in its own right.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think our next move should be?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared at Steve—since when did his opinion matter? Hadn’t he always been a figurehead?
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao checked himself, replacing it with a cheeky grin. “With you here, Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“You’re overestimating him too much.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just some reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on ancient secrets, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an exceptionally refined name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight, his long beard flowing from his chin down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all looked down on Yang Hao. Who would’ve thought that by the next meeting, he’d already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed to reach that level?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled to almost nothing. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. But who could’ve predicted that trouble would sprout in the outer territories, giving rise to such a headache?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent the entire time, even keeping his eyes closed as if meditating. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After Yang Hao emerged from the Divine Realm, his abilities advanced another level. His cultivation has reached the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm gave him quite a few benefits.” The mention of the Divine Realm made the elders visibly uncomfortable. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet he still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The elder paused, as if organizing his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept among them at calculations—not of wealth, but of martial prowess and rankings across the world.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “Where does Situ Hai rank now?”
“Fifth in the world,” Tiance held up five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he’s ascended to the level of Sword Saint. Fifth is accurate.” By “the world,” Tiance naturally excluded the Elder Council, but ranking fifth among all, including the emperor, was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must be in the top five, almost stepping over our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao must have used the supreme divine art ‘Counterflow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the divine arts of the Xan race?” Tiance’s lips curled slightly in mockery. “If he relied solely on his own strength, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed that salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact position?” Wuyi felt uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, then no one in the world could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Heifeng let out a long sigh. “In just half a year, he’s gone from a penniless student to a top hundred powerhouse. Yang Hao is truly someone to admire. But if we let this continue, he’ll become a fatal threat sooner or later.”
“He already is,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer territories have always resisted imperial rule, and Yang Hao has only made it worse—starting with Remon Star, then Saint Bear Star, where we lost our recruitment base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, rallying all those scattered forces. If that’s not a fatal threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard. It was indeed a dilemma. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the Elder Council’s control. Eliminating him now was still feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t fully grasp Yang Hao’s background—how he rose to prominence on Remon Star, how he gained the favor of that old bear, He De. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey into the Divine Realm—just how many benefits had he obtained from the gods, and what unseen support did he have? These were all things to guard against.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, emanating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats and kneeling, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi also knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief—relief that the troublesome decision of whether to kill Yang Hao was no longer his to make, and shock that the Supreme One, of all people, would descend specifically because of Yang Hao. Could there be more to this boy than they knew?
If the Elder Council was like a temple in the eyes of the empire’s people, then the Supreme One was the true god within that temple. Those kneeling below were merely his disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely showing himself. His sudden appearance today was beyond unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were just discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing that the omniscient deity needed no lengthy explanations.
Within the dazzling white radiance, a faintly discernible figure spoke in an aged yet serene voice: “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill?” Heifeng was stunned, daring to raise his head in disbelief. Yang Hao had humiliated his Black Wind Sword Sect, and he was furious.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret. I have use for him—do not kill him yet.” The Supreme One’s tone was cold, brooking no argument. “The boy himself is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That is what we must guard against.”
The fact that Yang Hao harbored an ancient ghost within him was no longer a secret, though none of the elders knew of Hunyuanzi’s true identity or his past connection with the Supreme One.
“How should we guard against it? Please instruct us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, they needed to know the limits of their caution.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills. Ensure the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly—no more losses like before.”
Wuyi and Heifeng both felt a chill down their spines. The Ten Sword Schools were their disciples, after all.
The second command: “Tell the emperor to suppress the rebellions on both fronts. The world has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried such weight that even the emperor would have to kneel and listen. “The empire’s fate is his responsibility, but if it interferes with my plans…”
Though he didn’t finish, the implication was clear enough to send shivers down their spines. Yet the elders couldn’t fathom what great matter the Supreme One, already a celestial being, could still be concerned with.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s voice trailed off, lonely and desolate, as if speaking to no one in particular. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely from the altar, yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed, vanishing into the wind with resignation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his meeting was far more tedious. Despite their recent victory, which had everyone in high spirits, the people present were tiresome, and so were their words.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even though news of the Three Crystal Seas uprising has reached them, they’ve retreated, pulling most of their forces back into the inner territories.”
This was fresh intelligence from the morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared that news of their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash, possibly even a joint strike from garrisons across dozens of star systems. Yet, within a single day, all imperial forces had withdrawn to the eastern edge of the Three Crystal Seas, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses—clearly preparing for a prolonged stand.
This effectively ceded the entire western outer territories to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving the alliance’s leaders grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao was half-asleep, with Steve’s grand speeches outside and Hunyuanzi reciting the entire Taoist canon inside his head. Lately, the old ghost had gone mad, insisting on giving Yang Hao a crash course in foundational culture—reciting thousands of scrolls one by one, as if determined to bore him to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question startled Yang Hao awake. He turned, wanting to glare at Steve—since when did he have a say in their plans? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through his glare, Yang Hao softened, instead grinning cheekily. “With you here, Mr. Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
In the dazzling white light, a faint white figure appeared, a calm and indifferent voice emerging from it: “Yang Hao? Cannot be killed.”
“Cannot be killed?” Hei Feng was astonished, daring to raise his head to ask. After all, Yang Hao had defeated several sword sects, especially disgracing Hei Feng’s Black Wind Sword Sect, which greatly angered him.
“You overestimate him too much.” A beautiful woman was also seated in the hall, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he obtained ancient secret manuals, how far could he progress?” This female elder, though fiery-tempered, had an exceptionally refined name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat upright with a long beard stretching from his chin to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we convened, we dismissed this Yang Hao, only to find he had broken through to the Nascent Soul realm upon our next meeting. Tell me, how many in the empire have achieved that in recent years?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Since the Chief Elder resolved to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled. The rare talents that emerged were all recruited by us. Who would’ve thought an outsider like him would become such a thorn in our side?”
“Afraid? Kill him before he becomes a real threat!” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—he certainly wanted to—”But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent, even keeping his eyes closed as others spoke. But now, he had to answer.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s power advanced further, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. The imprisoned monsters there must have granted him significant boons.” At the mention of the Divine Realm, discomfort flickered across the elders’ faces. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still lost to Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. This elder, known as Tiance, was the most adept at calculations among them—not of wealth, but of martial rankings across the land.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “Where does Situ Hai rank now?”
“Fifth in the world,” Tiance raised five fingers. “After comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he ascended to Sword Saint level. Fifth is accurate.” His ranking excluded the elders but included the emperor—placing fifth was already supreme.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must be in the top five, almost surpassing our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao used the supreme divine art ‘Reverse Flow’ at a critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield a Shining God’s technique?” Tiance’s lips curled mockingly. “Without it, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. Still, since Situ Hai performed the salute gesture, Yang Hao undoubtedly ranks within the top hundred.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one could determine Yang Hao’s true strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply, “In just half a year, he’s risen from an unknown student to a top hundred powerhouse. Admirable, indeed. But if left unchecked, he’ll become a dire threat.”
“He already is,” interjected another elder overseeing imperial politics. “The outer domains have always resisted imperial rule. Yang Hao stirred trouble in Remon Star, then in Ursa Major, costing us our recruitment base. Now he leads an anti-empire alliance, uniting scattered forces. What else would you call that?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard. Yang Hao was still inexperienced, not yet beyond the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. Yet even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose in Remon Star, how he gained favor with the old bear Hede. More troubling was his journey to the Divine Realm—what boons did he obtain? What hidden support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, radiating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One graces us!” The elders hastily knelt, not daring to raise their heads.
Wuyi knelt swiftly, torn between relief and dread—relieved the decision was no longer his, yet alarmed that the Supreme One himself would descend over Yang Hao. Was there more to this boy?
To the empire’s people, the elders were like gods—but the Supreme One was their deity, while the kneeling elders were mere disciples. After unifying the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One wandered the cosmos, rarely appearing. His sudden presence today was unprecedented.
“Supreme One, we were deliberating Yang Hao’s matter.” Wuyi knew explanations were unnecessary—the Supreme One knew all.
From the radiant light emerged a faint white figure, its voice aged yet serene: “Yang Hao? Do not kill.”
“Do not kill?” Heifeng blurted, daring to look up. Yang Hao had humiliated his Black Wind Sword Sect—he couldn’t accept this.
“Yang Hao holds a great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone brooked no argument. “The boy is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That must be guarded against.”
The elders knew of the millennium-old ghost within Yang Hao, but not its true identity or its ancient ties to the Supreme One.
“How shall we guard against it?” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the boundaries of caution were unclear.
“Secure the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Let the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them—no more losses like before.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt chills—the Ten Sword Schools were their disciples.
Second command: “Order the emperor to quell the rebellions. This realm grows too chaotic.” The Supreme One spoke as if even the emperor must kneel to listen. “The empire’s fate is his concern, but if it hinders my plans…”
Though unspoken, the threat was clear. The elders wondered—what grand purpose could the Supreme One, already a celestial being, still pursue?
“An old friend… it is time we met…” The words, lonely and desolate, seemed directed at none present. The light faded, yet the elders remained kneeling for ten minutes before rising.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Recall the assassins. None dare defy the Supreme One.”
Heifeng sighed, vanishing into the wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the elders convened, Yang Hao was also in a meeting—though far duller.
Despite their recent victory, the discussions were tedious. Though triumphant, the attendees’ smugness grated on him.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is preoccupied. After the Sunset Fleet’s destruction, they’ve reassessed our strength. Though aware of the Tri-Crystal Sea uprising, they’ve withdrawn forces eastward, fortifying a defensive line with three dead star fortresses.”
This morning’s news had stunned the rebels—they’d feared a massive imperial retaliation. Instead, the empire yielded the entire western outer domain, leaving the alliance leaders grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao dozed off, lulled by Steve’s monologue and the old ghost Hunyuanzi reciting Daoist scriptures inside his mind. Lately, the ancient spirit had taken to lecturing him—thousands of volumes memorized, enough to bore one to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what should we do next?” Steve’s sudden question startled Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared—since when did his opinion matter? He was just a figurehead.
But halfway through the glare, he grinned instead. “With you here, Mr. Steve, we’ll follow your lead.”
“You’re giving him too much credit.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on some ancient secret manual, how far could he really progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an ethereal name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight, his long beard flowing from his chin to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all looked down on Yang Hao. Who would’ve thought he’d break through to the Nascent Soul realm the next time we saw him? Tell me, how many in the empire have achieved that in recent years?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Who would’ve thought an outsider like him would become such a headache?”
“Afraid? Just kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
His question was directed at the elder seated to his right, who had remained silent, eyes closed in meditation. But now, he had to answer.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s power advanced another level. He’s now at the Nascent Soul stage. Those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm must have given him significant benefits.” At the mention of the Divine Realm, the elders’ expressions darkened. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet he still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. This elder, known as Tiance, was the most adept at calculations—not of wealth, but of martial rankings across the realm.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “Where does Situ Hai rank now?”
“Fifth in the world.” Tiance raised five fingers. “After comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he ascended to the Sword Saint level. Fifth is accurate.” His ranking excluded the elders themselves, but being fifth in the empire, including the emperor, was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must be in the top five, almost surpassing our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao must have used the supreme divine technique ‘Counterflow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the divine arts of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled in mockery. “Without it, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed the salute gesture, Yang Hao should rank within the top hundred.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If even Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the world could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply, “In just half a year, he’s gone from a nobody to a top-hundred powerhouse. Admirable, really. But if we let this continue, he’ll become a serious threat.”
“He already is,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer domains have always resisted imperial rule. That brat Yang Hao started trouble on Remon Star, then on Saint Bear Star, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s leading an anti-empire alliance, uniting all those scattered forces. If that’s not a threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard. It was indeed a dilemma. Yang Hao was still inexperienced, not yet beyond the elders’ control. Killing him now was feasible. But even after dispatching scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose to prominence on Remon Star, how he gained the favor of that old bear, He De. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. What benefits had he gained from the gods? What hidden support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, emanating from the divine altar.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats and kneeling, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart torn between shock and relief—relief that the decision about Yang Hao was no longer his to make, and shock that the Supreme One, of all people, would descend personally over this matter. Did Yang Hao truly hold some deeper secret?
To the empire’s people, the Elder Council was akin to a divine temple. But the Supreme One was the true god among them, while the kneeling elders were mere disciples. After unifying the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing in person. His sudden arrival today was utterly unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient deity needed no explanation.
From the dazzling white light, a faint, pure-white figure emerged. A serene yet aged voice spoke, “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng blurted out, daring to lift his head in shock. Yang Hao had humiliated his Black Wind Sword Sect by defeating several major sword schools. He couldn’t accept this.
“Yang Hao holds a great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was cold, brooking no argument. “The boy is no threat, but an old friend lurks within him. That, we must guard against.”
The elders knew of the ancient ghost within Yang Hao, though they didn’t realize it was Hunyuanzi, nor his connection to the Supreme One from a thousand years ago.
“How should we guard against him? Please instruct us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the precautions would be delicate.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. Don’t let them be stolen like the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt a chill down their spines. The Ten Sword Schools were their disciples, after all.
Second command: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This world is too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine decree, as though even the emperor had to kneel and listen. “The empire’s fate is his responsibility, but if it interferes with my plans…”
Though he didn’t finish, the implication was chilling. The elders couldn’t fathom what “great matter” the Supreme One, already a celestial being, could still pursue.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s voice turned desolate, as if speaking to someone unseen. The white light flickered before vanishing from the altar. The nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Recall the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed and vanished into the wind, resigned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his meeting was far duller. Though they had won a battle and morale was high, the attendees’ smugness grated on him.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even though news of the Three Crystal Seas uprising has spread, they’ve retreated. Most imperial forces in the outer western domains have withdrawn inward.”
This news had arrived just that morning. The Three Crystal Seas rebels had feared the empire’s retaliation—perhaps a joint strike from garrisons across dozens of nearby star systems. Yet, within a day, all imperial forces seemed to receive orders to retreat eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three Death Star bastions, signaling a long-term stance.
Effectively, the empire had ceded the entire western outer domain to the Anti-Empire Alliance. No wonder the alliance’s leaders grinned like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao dozed off, lulled by Steve’s grandstanding outside and Hunyuanzi’s endless recitation of Daoist scriptures inside. Lately, the old ghost had gone mad, forcing Yang Hao through a crash course in foundational texts—thousands of volumes memorized one by one. It was torture.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He almost glared at Steve—since when did his opinion matter? He was just a figurehead.
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao forced a grin. “With you here, Mr. Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“You’re overestimating him too much.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just some reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on ancient secrets, how far could he really progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an ethereal name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight, his long beard flowing down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all dismissed Yang Hao. Who would’ve thought that the next time we saw him, he’d already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed that?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Yet who could’ve foreseen that trouble would sprout in the outer territories, giving rise to such a headache?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent, eyes closed as if meditating. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After Yang Hao emerged from the Divine Realm, his power advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm gave him quite the boon.” At the mention of the Divine Realm, the elders’ expressions darkened. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still lost to Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. This elder, known as the Strategist, was the most adept at calculations—not of wealth, but of martial rankings across the land.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “Where does Situ Hai rank now?”
“Fifth in the world,” the Strategist held up five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he’s ascended to the Sword Saint tier. Fifth is accurate.” His ranking excluded the elders themselves, but being fifth in the empire, including the emperor, was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to the Strategist, that brat must’ve broken into the top five, nearly surpassing our emperor?”
“Let the Strategist finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao must’ve used the supreme divine art ‘Reverse Flow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the arts of the Shining Ones?” The Strategist’s lips curled slightly in disdain. “Without external aid, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. Still, since Situ Hai performed the salute gesture, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pin down his exact position?” Wuyi felt uneasy. If the Strategist couldn’t calculate it, no one in the empire could gauge Yang Hao’s true strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply. “In just half a year, he’s gone from a nobody to a top hundred powerhouse. Yang Hao is truly impressive. But if we let this continue, he’ll become a fatal threat.”
“He already is,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer territories have always resisted imperial rule. That brat started with Raymon Star, then stirred up trouble on Ursa Major, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, uniting all those scattered forces. If that’s not a fatal threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard. It was indeed a dilemma. Yang Hao was still inexperienced, not yet beyond the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose to prominence on Raymon Star, how he gained the favor of that old bear, Herd. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. Just how many boons had he received from the gods? What unseen support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, radiating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief. Relief that the decision to kill Yang Hao was no longer his to make, and shock that the Supreme One—a being of such stature—would descend personally over Yang Hao. Did this brat truly harbor some extraordinary secret?
If the elders were like gods in the eyes of the empire’s people, then the Supreme One was the true deity among them. Those kneeling below were mere disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing even once in years. His sudden arrival today was beyond unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were just discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient being required no lengthy explanations.
Within the dazzling white light, a faintly discernible figure spoke in an aged yet serene voice: “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng blurted out, daring to lift his head in disbelief. Yang Hao had humiliated his Black Wind Sword Sect—he couldn’t accept this.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was cold, brooking no argument. “The boy himself is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That, we must guard against.”
The elders knew of the ancient ghost dwelling within Yang Hao, though they remained unaware of Hunyuanzi’s true identity and his past ties to the Supreme One.
“How should we guard against it? Please instruct us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the extent of their precautions was unclear.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. Do not let them be stolen as easily as the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt a chill down their spines. The Ten Sword Schools were their disciples—this was a direct reprimand.
Second command: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This empire has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine decree, as if even the emperor had no choice but to kneel and obey. “The empire’s fate is his concern, but if it interferes with my plans…”
Though he left the threat unspoken, the implication was clear enough to freeze the elders’ blood. Yet they couldn’t fathom what great matter could concern the Supreme One, who was already the foremost immortal between heaven and earth.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s voice trailed off, lonely and desolate, as if speaking to no one in particular. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely from the altar, yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One?”
Heifeng sighed but had no choice. He vanished like a wisp of black wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the elders convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting—though his was far more tedious.
Despite their recent victory, which had everyone in high spirits, the atmosphere was spoiled by the presence of certain insufferable figures.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even though news of the Three Crystal Seas uprising has reached them, they’ve retreated, pulling most of their forces from the outer territories back into the inner regions.”
This news had arrived just that morning. The Three Crystal Seas rebels had feared imperial retaliation—perhaps even a joint assault from garrisons across dozens of star systems. Yet within a day, all imperial forces had withdrawn eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses, signaling a long-term defensive stance.
Effectively, the empire had ceded the entire western outer territories to the Anti-Empire Alliance—no wonder the alliance’s leaders were grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao seemed disinterested, drowsing off while Steve pontificated outside and Hunyuanzi droned on inside his mind, reciting the entire Taoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had taken it upon himself to educate Yang Hao, subjecting him to thousands of scrolls—enough to drive anyone mad.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared at Steve—since when did his opinion matter? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao forced a grin instead. “With you here, Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“You’re overestimating him too much.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on some ancient secret manual, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an exceptionally refined name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight with a long beard flowing from his chin down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all underestimated Yang Hao. Who would’ve thought that the next time we saw him, he’d already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed to reach that level?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder resolved to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled to almost none. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Yet who could’ve foreseen that trouble would sprout in the outer territories, giving rise to such a headache of a figure?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent throughout, even keeping his eyes closed as if meditating while others spoke. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s abilities advanced another level. His cultivation has reached the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm gave him quite a few benefits.” The mention of the Divine Realm made the elders visibly uncomfortable. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai was earth-shattering. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet he still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The elder paused, as if collecting his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept among them at calculations—not of wealth, but of the empire’s martial rankings.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “What rank is Situ Hai now?”
“Fifth among all under heaven,” Tiance raised five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he has ascended to the level of Sword Saint. Fifth is accurate.” By “all under heaven,” Tiance naturally excluded the elders themselves. But ranking fifth, even including the emperor, was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must’ve broken into the top five, almost surpassing our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies’ reports are correct, Yang Hao likely used the supreme divine technique ‘Counterflow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the divine arts of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled slightly in mockery. “On his own power, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed that salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, then no one in the empire could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Heifeng let out a long sigh. “In just half a year, he’s gone from a nobody to a top-hundred powerhouse. This Yang Hao is indeed impressive. But if we let him roam free, he’ll become a serious threat sooner or later.”
“He already is,” another elder, responsible for the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer territories have always resisted imperial rule. That brat Yang Hao started causing trouble on Remon Star, then stirred up chaos on Saint Bear Star, depriving us of a key military base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, rallying all those scattered rebels. If that’s not a serious threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—this was indeed the question. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose to prominence on Remon Star, how he gained the favor of that old bear, He De. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. Just how many divine boons had he obtained there? What unseen support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, radiating from the sacred altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not even daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi also knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief—relieved that the decision to kill Yang Hao no longer rested on his shoulders, yet shocked that the Supreme One, of all people, would descend specifically because of Yang Hao. Could there be more to this boy than they knew?
If the elders were like gods in the eyes of the empire’s people, then the Supreme One was the true deity among them. Those kneeling below were mere disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing even once in years. His sudden arrival today was beyond unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were just discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient immortal needed no explanation.
Within the radiant white light, a faintly discernible figure emerged. A voice, aged yet serene, spoke: “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng blurted out, daring to raise his head in disbelief. Yang Hao had humiliated several major sword sects, especially his own Black Wind Sect, and he couldn’t swallow his pride.
“There is a greater secret within Yang Hao. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was indifferent but brooked no argument. “The boy himself is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That, we must guard against.”
The elders already knew about the ancient ghost dwelling in Yang Hao’s body, though the details—such as Hunyuanzi’s identity a millennium ago and his connection to the Supreme One—remained hidden from them.
“How should we guard against him? Please instruct us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, there must be a profound reason, and the line between caution and action was delicate.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. Do not let them be stolen as easily as the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng both felt a chill down their spines, uneasy at the implied rebuke—after all, the Ten Sword Schools were their disciples.
Second command: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This empire has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine decree, as if even the emperor had no choice but to obey. “The empire’s fate is his responsibility, but if it interferes with my greater plans…”
Though he left the rest unsaid, the implication was clear enough to send shivers down their spines. The elders couldn’t fathom what “greater plans” the Supreme One, already a celestial being, could possibly have.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s murmur was lonely and desolate, as if speaking to no one in particular. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely from the altar. Yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who would dare defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed but had no choice. He vanished into the wind like a shadow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the elders convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his was far more tedious. Though they had just won a battle, leaving everyone in high spirits and brimming with ambition, the people present were tiresome—and so was their talk.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even though news of the Three Crystal Seas uprising has reached them, they’ve retreated three steps back. Most imperial forces in the western outer territories have withdrawn inward.”
This was fresh news from the morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash, even a joint strike from garrisons across dozens of nearby star systems. Yet within a single day, all imperial troops seemed to receive orders to consolidate east of the Three Crystal Seas, fortifying a defensive line centered around three dead star fortresses—as if preparing for a long siege.
This effectively ceded the entire western outer territories to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving the alliance’s leaders grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao was drowsy, struggling to stay awake. Outside, Steve droned on; inside, Hunyuanzi recited the entire Taoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had gone mad, insisting on giving Yang Hao a “cultural foundation” by reciting thousands of scrolls—enough to bore a man to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question startled Yang Hao awake. He turned, wanting to glare at Steve—since when did he have a say in anything? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao softened his expression and grinned instead. “With you here, Mr. Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
Wu Yi and Hei Feng both felt a chill down their spines, their hearts filled with panic, considering the Ten Sword Streams were their disciples.
“You’re overestimating him too much.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just some reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on ancient secrets, how far could he really progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an ethereal name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight, his long beard flowing down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we dismissed Yang Hao too lightly. Who would’ve thought he’d break through to the Nascent Soul realm by the next time we saw him? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed to reach that level?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Yet who could’ve foreseen that trouble would sprout in the outer domains, giving rise to such a headache?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat!” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Blackwind tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
His question was directed at the elder seated to his right, who had remained silent throughout, eyes closed as if meditating. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After Yang Hao emerged from the Divine Realm, his power advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul stage. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm gave him quite the boon.” At the mention of the Divine Realm, the elders’ expressions darkened. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still lost to Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if collecting his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept among them at calculations—not of wealth, but of martial rankings across the land.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “Where does Situ Hai rank now?”
“Fifth in the world.” Tiance raised five fingers. “After comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he ascended to the Sword Saint tier. Fifth is accurate.” By “the world,” he naturally excluded the elders themselves, but ranking fifth among all, including the emperor, was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must’ve broken into the top five, nearly surpassing even our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao must’ve used the supreme divine art ‘Counterflow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the divine arts of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled slightly in mockery. “By his own strength, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed the salute of respect, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi felt uneasy. If even Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the world could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Blackwind sighed deeply. “In just half a year, he’s gone from a nobody to a top-tier powerhouse. One has to admire Yang Hao for that. But if we let this continue, he’ll become a fatal threat sooner or later.”
“He already is one,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer domains have always resisted imperial rule. That brat Yang Hao started causing trouble on Remon Star, then stirred up chaos on Saint Bear Star, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, rallying all those scattered forces. If that’s not a fatal threat, what is?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—this was indeed the question. Yang Hao was still inexperienced, far from slipping out of the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi still couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose to prominence on Remon Star, how he won the favor of that old bear, Herd. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey into the Divine Realm. Just how many divine boons had he obtained? What hidden support did he have? These were all things to guard against.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, emanating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief—relief that the troublesome decision was no longer his to make, but shock that the Supreme One, of all people, would descend specifically because of Yang Hao. Could there truly be more to this boy?
If the Elder Council was like a divine temple in the eyes of the empire’s people, then the Supreme One was the true god within that temple. Those kneeling below were mere disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing in person. His sudden arrival today was beyond unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were just discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient immortal needed no lengthy explanations.
Within the radiant white light, a faint silhouette of pure white could be discerned. A voice, aged yet serene, spoke: “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Blackwind was stunned, daring to raise his head in disbelief. Yang Hao had humiliated his Blackwind Sword Sect by defeating several major sword schools. His resentment ran deep.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was cold, brooking no argument. “The boy himself is no threat, but an old friend lurks within him. That, we must guard against.”
That Yang Hao harbored an ancient ghost within him was no secret to these elders, though they knew nothing of Hunyuanzi’s true identity from a thousand years ago or his connection to the Supreme One.
“How should we guard against it? Please enlighten us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, there must be a profound reason, making the boundaries of caution difficult to define.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. Don’t let them be stolen as easily as the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Blackwind felt a chill down their spines, uneasy at the implied rebuke—after all, the Ten Sword Schools were their disciples.
The second command followed: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This world has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried such weight that even the emperor would kneel to hear them. “The empire’s fate is his concern, but if it interferes with my grand plans…”
Though he left the rest unsaid, the implication was chilling enough. The elders couldn’t fathom what “grand plans” the Supreme One, already an immortal transcending heaven and earth, could possibly have.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s voice trailed off, lonely and desolate, as if speaking to no one in particular. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely from the altar. Yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Blackwind whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Blackwind sighed but had no choice. He vanished into the wind like a wisp of smoke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council deliberated, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his meeting was far more tedious. Though they had just won a battle, leaving everyone in high spirits, the people present were tiresome, and so were their words.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even though news of the Three Crystal Seas uprising has reached them, they’ve retreated, pulling most of their forces from the outer domains back into the inner regions.”
This was fresh news from the morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash, even a joint strike from garrisons across dozens of nearby star systems. Yet, within a day, all imperial forces seemed to have received orders to withdraw eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses—clearly preparing for a prolonged stand.
This effectively ceded the empire’s entire western outer domain to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving the alliance’s leaders grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao sat drowsily, struggling to stay awake. Outside, Steve droned on; inside, Hunyuanzi recited the entire Taoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had taken it upon himself to teach Yang Hao “cultural basics,” reciting thousands of scrolls one by one—enough to bore a man to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question startled Yang Hao awake. He turned, wanting to glare at Steve—since when did his opinion matter? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao softened, instead grinning cheekily. “With you here, Mr. Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“You overestimate him too much.” A beautiful woman was also seated in the hall, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he obtained some ancient secret manual, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an exceptionally elegant name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat upright with a long beard stretching from his chin to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all underestimated Yang Hao. Who would have thought that the next time we saw him, he’d already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed to reach that level?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, the number of cultivators in the empire has dwindled. Even the rare talents that emerge are quickly recruited by us. Yet who would have thought that trouble would arise from the outer regions, giving us such a headache?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
His question was directed at the elder seated to his right, who had remained silent throughout, even keeping his eyes closed as if meditating. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After Yang Hao emerged from the Divine Realm, his abilities advanced another level, reaching the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm gave him quite a few benefits.” The mention of the Divine Realm made the elders visibly uncomfortable. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet he still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. This elder, known as Tiance, was the most adept at calculations among them—not of wealth, but of the rankings of martial prowess across the land.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “What rank is Situ Hai now?”
“Fifth among all living experts.” Tiance held up five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he has ascended to the level of Sword Saint. Fifth place is accurate.” By “all living experts,” Tiance naturally excluded the elders themselves. But ranking fifth in the empire, including the emperor, was already extraordinary.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat has broken into the top five? Almost surpassing even our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao likely used the supreme divine art ‘Countercurrent’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the divine arts of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled slightly in mockery. “Without external aid, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed that salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi felt uneasy. If even Tiance couldn’t calculate it, then no one in the empire could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply. “In just half a year, he’s gone from a penniless student to a top-hundred powerhouse. Yang Hao is indeed impressive. But if we let him roam free, he’ll become a serious threat sooner or later.”
“He already is a serious threat,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer regions have always resisted imperial rule. That brat Yang Hao stirred up trouble on Remon Star, then on Saint Bear Star, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, uniting all those scattered rebels. What else would you call that?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—this was indeed the question. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the elders’ control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t fully grasp Yang Hao’s background—how he rose to prominence on Remon Star, how he gained the favor of that old bear, He De. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. How many divine boons had he obtained? What hidden support did he have? These were all risks that couldn’t be ignored.
As Wuyi pondered, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, emanating from the divine altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats and kneeling, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi also knelt hastily, his heart a mix of shock and relief—relief that the decision on Yang Hao’s fate was no longer his to make, and shock that the Supreme One, of all people, would descend specifically for Yang Hao. Could there be more to this boy?
If the Elder Council was like a divine temple in the eyes of the empire’s citizens, then the Supreme One was the true god within that temple. Those kneeling below were merely his disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One began wandering the world, rarely appearing in person. His sudden arrival today was utterly unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were just discussing Yang Hao,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient immortal needed no explanation.
From within the radiant white light, a faint, pure-white figure emerged. A calm yet aged voice spoke: “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng was stunned, daring to raise his head in disbelief. Yang Hao had humiliated several major sword sects, especially his own Black Wind Sword Sect, and he was furious.
“There is a greater secret within Yang Hao. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was indifferent but brooked no argument. “The boy himself is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That is what we must guard against.”
The presence of a thousand-year-old ghost within Yang Hao was a well-kept secret, but leaks were inevitable. The elders here already knew, though they were unaware of Hunyuanzi’s true identity from a millennium ago or his connection to the Supreme One.
“How should we guard against it? Please enlighten us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, there must be a significant reason, and the extent of caution required was unclear.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. Do not let them be stolen as easily as the previous swords.”
Wuyi and Heifeng both felt a chill down their spines, uneasy at the implied criticism—after all, the Ten Sword Schools were their disciples.
Second command: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. The empire is too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine authority, as if even the emperor had no choice but to kneel and obey. “The empire’s fate is his responsibility, but if it interferes with my plans…”
Though the Supreme One didn’t finish, the implication was chilling enough. The elders couldn’t fathom what “great matter” the Supreme One, already an immortal beyond mortal concerns, could possibly be pursuing.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The Supreme One’s voice trailed off, lonely and desolate, as if speaking to no one in particular. The white light flickered before vanishing from the altar, yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, leaning in.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Call off the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed but had no choice. He vanished into the wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
But his meeting was far more tedious. Despite the recent victory, which had everyone in high spirits, the discussions were dull. The more people talked, the more annoying it became.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Even though news of the Three Crystal Seas uprising has reached them, they’ve retreated. Most imperial forces in the outer western regions have withdrawn inward.”
This was fresh news from the morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash, even a joint strike from garrisons across dozens of nearby star systems. Yet, within a day, all imperial forces seemed to receive orders to retreat eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses, as if preparing for a long-term stand.
This effectively ceded the entire western outer region to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving the alliance’s leaders grinning like newlyweds.
Only Yang Hao was half-asleep. Outside, Steve pontificated; inside, Hunyuanzi droned on, reciting the entire Taoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had gone mad, insisting on teaching Yang Hao “cultural basics,” reciting thousands of scrolls one by one—enough to drive anyone to despair.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He almost glared at Steve—since when did he have a say? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao softened, grinning instead. “With you here, Mr. Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
“An old friend… it’s time to meet again…” The voice was lonely and desolate, though no one knew to whom it was directed. After a while, the white light vanished from the altar, but the nine presiding elders below remained kneeling for nearly ten minutes before daring to rise.
“What now?” Hei Feng leaned over, whispering.
“You overestimate him too much.” A beautiful woman was also seated in the hall, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he obtained ancient secret manuals, how far could he progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an exceptionally refined name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat upright with a long beard stretching from his chin to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed, we underestimated Yang Hao. Who would have thought he’d break through to the Nascent Soul Realm upon our next meeting? Tell me, how many in the empire have achieved that in recent years?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled. Even the rare talents we’ve managed to recruit are few and far between. Who could’ve foreseen such a troublesome figure emerging from the outer regions?”
“Afraid of what? Kill him before he becomes a threat!” Rongli slammed the table, her words startling the room.
“Kill?” Black Wind tilted his head—he was certainly in favor—”But can we?”
The question was directed at the elder to Black Wind’s right, who had remained silent, even keeping his eyes closed in meditation while others spoke. But now, he had to answer.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s abilities advanced further, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm bestowed him with great benefits.” At the mention of the Divine Realm, the elders’ expressions darkened. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept at calculations among the elders—not of wealth, but of martial prowess rankings across the realm.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “What rank is Situ Hai now?”
“Fifth among all under heaven.” Tiance raised five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he’s ascended to Sword Saint level. Fifth is accurate.” By “all under heaven,” Tiance excluded the Elder Council, but ranking fifth even including the emperor was already supreme.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must’ve broken into the top five, almost surpassing our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao likely used the super divine technique ‘Counterflow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield a divine art of the Shining Ones?” Tiance’s lips curled mockingly. “Without external aid, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. But since Situ Hai performed the salute gesture, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is certain.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact rank?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the realm could truly gauge Yang Hao’s strength.
Black Wind sighed deeply, “In just half a year, from a nameless poor student to a top hundred powerhouse—Yang Hao is indeed impressive. But if we let this continue, he’ll become a fatal threat.”
“He already is,” another elder in charge of imperial politics interjected. “The outer regions have always resisted imperial rule. Yang Hao stirred trouble from Remon Star to Holy Bear Star, robbing us of a military base. Now he’s leading an anti-empire alliance, uniting scattered forces. What else would you call that but a fatal threat?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard—this was indeed the question. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the council’s control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even with scouts dispatched, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose on Remon Star, how he gained favor with the old bear He De. More worrying was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm—what benefits he obtained from the gods, what hidden support he had—all factors that couldn’t be ignored.
As Wuyi pondered, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, shining above the divine altar.
“The Supreme One graces us!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart torn between shock and relief—relief that the decision on Yang Hao’s fate was no longer his burden, shock that the Supreme One would descend personally over Yang Hao. Could there be deeper secrets?
If the Elder Council was like a divine temple to the empire’s people, then the Supreme One was the true god within it—those kneeling were mere disciples. After unifying the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One wandered the realms, rarely appearing. His sudden presence today was utterly unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were deliberating Yang Hao’s matter,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient deity needed no explanation.
Within the radiant light, a faint white figure emerged. A serene yet aged voice spoke, “Yang Hao? Do not kill.”
“Do not kill?” Black Wind was stunned, daring to lift his head in question. Yang Hao had humiliated his Black Wind Sword Sect by defeating several major sword schools—his resentment ran deep.
“Yang Hao holds another great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was indifferent but brooked no dissent. “The child is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That must be guarded against.”
That Yang Hao harbored an ancient ghost was no secret here, though none knew of Hunyuanzi’s identity a millennium ago or his ties to the Supreme One.
“How shall we guard against it? Please instruct us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the boundaries of precaution were delicate.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly—not like before, letting them be stolen so easily.”
Wuyi and Black Wind felt a chill—the Ten Sword Schools were their disciples.
Second command: “Tell the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This realm has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words implied even the emperor must kneel to listen. “The empire’s fate is his concern, but if it disrupts my greater plans…”
Though left unsaid, the implication was chilling. The elders couldn’t fathom what “greater plans” the Supreme One—already a celestial being, peerless under heaven—could possibly have.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The voice turned desolate, as if speaking to no one in particular. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely, yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before rising.
“Well?” Black Wind whispered.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Recall the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Black Wind sighed, vanishing into the wind with resignation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting—though his was far duller.
Despite their recent victory filling everyone with triumphant pride, familiar faces bred familiar, tiresome speeches.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is too preoccupied with its own troubles. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Though aware of the Three Crystal Seas uprising, they’ve retreated, pulling most outer-region forces back inward.”
This morning’s news had initially worried the Three Crystal Seas rebels—exposing their revolt might provoke a fierce imperial backlash, even joint strikes from nearby garrisons. Yet within a day, all imperial troops seemed to receive orders to withdraw eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses—clearly preparing for a prolonged stand.
This effectively ceded the empire’s western outer regions to the Anti-Empire Alliance, leaving its leaders grinning like newlywed grooms.
Only Yang Hao drowsed, besieged externally by Steve’s grand speeches and internally by Hunyuanzi reciting the entire Taoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had inexplicably decided to teach Yang Hao “cultural basics,” droning through thousands of scrolls—enough to bore one to death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you propose we do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared—since when did the “leader” have a say? He’d always been a figurehead.
But halfway through his glare, Yang Hao grinned instead. “With you here, Steve, we’ll naturally follow your lead.”
Hei Feng sighed, reluctantly disappearing into the breeze.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the same time the Elders’ Council was holding its meeting, Yang Hao was also in a meeting.
However, this meeting was quite boring. Although they had just won a victory, and everyone was elated, feeling ambitious about their great cause. But when you see annoying people, naturally their words also become annoying.
“No war on the western front,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is preoccupied and has suffered the setback of the Sunset Fleet’s destruction, gaining a new understanding of our strength. Although they know about the rebellion in the Sanjing Sea, they’ve kept their distance. Most of the Empire’s military forces on the western outer territories have retreated into the inner territories.”
“You’re overestimating him too much.” A beautiful woman sat composedly among them, speaking bluntly, “Just a reckless brat. Even if he got his hands on some ancient secret manual, how far could he possibly progress?” Despite her fiery temper, this female elder had an ethereal name—Rongli.
The current presiding elder was Elder Wuyi, who sat ramrod straight, his long beard flowing from his chin down to his chest, exuding an air of immortal grace. He spoke cautiously, “Rongli, don’t underestimate him. Last time we discussed this, we all dismissed Yang Hao. Who would’ve thought that the next time we saw him, he’d already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm? Tell me, in all these years, how many in the empire have managed that?”
His words unsettled the other eight elders.
Wuyi sighed and continued, “Ever since the Chief Elder decided to unify the Immortal Sects, cultivators in the empire have dwindled. The rare talents that do emerge are all recruited by us. Who would’ve guessed that trouble would sprout in the outer territories, giving rise to such a headache?”
“What’s there to fear? Kill him before he becomes a real threat,” Rongli slammed the table, her words striking like thunder.
“Kill?” Heifeng tilted his head—of course, he wanted Yang Hao dead. “But can we?”
This question was directed at the elder seated to Heifeng’s right, who had remained silent, eyes closed in meditation. But now, he had no choice but to respond.
“After emerging from the Divine Realm, Yang Hao’s power advanced another level. His cultivation has reached the Nascent Soul realm. It seems those imprisoned monsters in the Divine Realm bestowed him with considerable benefits.” At the mention of the Divine Realm, the elders’ expressions darkened. “Later, his battle with Situ Hai shook heaven and earth. Situ Hai even comprehended the Twelfth Sword, yet he still couldn’t defeat Yang Hao…”
The speaker paused, as if organizing his thoughts. Known as Elder Tiance, he was the most adept at calculations among the elders—not of wealth, but of martial rankings across the land.
Wuyi suddenly asked, “What rank is Situ Hai now?”
“Fifth in the world,” Tiance raised five fingers. “Since comprehending the Twelfth Sword, he’s ascended to the Sword Saint level. Fifth is accurate.” Tiance’s “world” excluded the Elder Council, but ranking fifth, even including the emperor, was already the pinnacle.
Rongli sneered, “So according to Tiance, that brat must’ve broken into the top five, nearly surpassing our emperor?”
“Let Tiance finish,” Wuyi cut her off.
“If our spies are correct, Yang Hao likely used the supreme divine art ‘Counterflow’ at the critical moment. Surely none of you believe he could wield the divine arts of the Shanzu, do you?” Tiance’s lips curled mockingly. “Without external aid, he couldn’t have defeated Situ Hai. Still, since Situ Hai performed that salute, Yang Hao’s ranking within the top hundred is undeniable.”
“Even you can’t pinpoint his exact position?” Wuyi grew uneasy. If Tiance couldn’t calculate it, no one in the world could gauge Yang Hao’s true strength.
Heifeng sighed deeply. “In just half a year, he’s gone from a nobody to a top-hundred powerhouse. Yang Hao is truly impressive. But if we let him run wild, he’ll become a fatal threat sooner or later.”
“He already is,” another elder, in charge of the empire’s political affairs, interjected. “The outer territories have always resisted imperial rule. That brat started with trouble on Remon Star, then stirred up chaos on Saint Bear Star, costing us our recruitment base. Now he’s even leading an anti-empire alliance, rallying scattered forces. What else would you call that but a fatal threat?”
“So… do we kill him or not?”
“Kill him or not?” Wuyi stroked his beard. It was indeed a dilemma. Yang Hao was still inexperienced and far from escaping the Elder Council’s control. Eliminating him now was feasible. But even after deploying scouts, Wuyi couldn’t uncover Yang Hao’s background—how he rose to prominence on Remon Star, how he gained the favor of that old bear, He De. What worried Wuyi more was Yang Hao’s journey to the Divine Realm. Just how many divine boons had he obtained? What unseen support did he have? These were risks they couldn’t ignore.
As Wuyi agonized over the decision, a brilliant white light suddenly illuminated the hall, radiating from the sacred altar above.
“The Supreme One has arrived!” The elders dared not delay, rising from their seats to kneel, not daring to lift their heads.
Wuyi knelt hastily, his heart torn between shock and relief. Relief, because the burden of deciding Yang Hao’s fate was no longer his. Shock, because the Supreme One—a being of such stature—had descended personally over this matter. Did Yang Hao truly harbor some extraordinary secret?
To the empire’s citizens, the Elder Council was akin to a divine temple. But the Supreme One was the true deity within it—the kneeling elders mere disciples. After the unification of the Immortal Sects, the Supreme One had wandered the world, rarely appearing. His sudden arrival today was utterly unexpected.
“Supreme One, we were deliberating Yang Hao’s case,” Wuyi said, knowing the omniscient being required no lengthy explanations.
From within the radiant white light, a faint silhouette emerged. A serene yet aged voice spoke: “Yang Hao? Do not kill him.”
“Do not kill him?” Heifeng blurted out, daring to raise his head in disbelief. Yang Hao had humiliated his Black Wind Sword Sect by defeating several major sword schools. His resentment ran deep.
“Yang Hao holds a great secret. I have use for him—spare him for now.” The Supreme One’s tone was indifferent but brooked no argument. “The boy is no threat, but an old friend resides within him. That, we must guard against.”
The elders knew of the ancient spirit within Yang Hao, though they remained unaware of Hunyuanzi’s true identity and his past ties to the Supreme One.
“How do we guard against it? Please enlighten us, Supreme One,” Wuyi asked cautiously. If Yang Hao couldn’t be killed, the precautions would require careful calibration.
“Gather the materials for the Sword Pills,” the Supreme One commanded. “Have the Ten Sword Schools safeguard them properly. No repeats of past carelessness, where blades were easily stolen.”
Wuyi and Heifeng felt a chill down their spines. The Ten Sword Schools were their disciples’ domains.
Second command: “Order the emperor to quell the rebellions on both fronts. This empire has grown too chaotic.” The Supreme One’s words carried the weight of divine decree—even the emperor would kneel to hear them. “The empire’s fate is his concern, but if it disrupts my plans…”
Though left unspoken, the implication was clear enough to freeze blood. The elders couldn’t fathom what “great matter” could concern the Supreme One, who stood peerless between heaven and earth.
“An old friend… it’s time we met…” The murmur was tinged with desolation, though none knew whom it addressed. The white light flickered before vanishing entirely from the altar. Yet the nine elders remained kneeling for nearly ten more minutes before daring to rise.
“Well?” Heifeng whispered, edging closer.
Wuyi shook his head, raising a finger. “Recall the assassins. Who dares defy the Supreme One’s will?”
Heifeng sighed, vanishing into the wind with resignation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the Elder Council convened, Yang Hao was also holding a meeting.
His, however, was dreadfully dull. Though fresh from victory, with everyone basking in triumph and grand ambitions, the company had grown tiresome—and so had their words.
“The western front is quiet,” Steve emphasized repeatedly. “The Galactic Empire is preoccupied. After the destruction of the Sunset Fleet, they’ve reassessed our strength. Though aware of the Three Crystal Seas uprising, they’ve retreated, pulling most outer-territory forces back inward.”
This news had arrived that morning. The Three Crystal Seas faction had feared their rebellion would provoke a fierce imperial backlash—perhaps even a joint strike from garrisons across dozens of neighboring star systems. Yet within a day, all imperial troops had withdrawn eastward, fortifying a defensive line anchored by three dead star fortresses, signaling long-term containment.
Effectively, the empire had ceded its entire western outer territories to the Anti-Empire Alliance—hence the alliance leaders’ grins, wide as if they’d just wed new brides.
Only Yang Hao drowsed, besieged externally by Steve’s grandstanding and internally by Hunyuanzi’s recitations of the complete Taoist canon. Lately, the old ghost had taken to lecturing Yang Hao on foundational culture, reciting thousands of scrolls one by one—a torture worse than death.
“Leader Yang Hao, what do you think we should do next?” Steve’s sudden question jolted Yang Hao awake. He nearly glared at Steve—since when did his opinion matter? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through the glare, Yang Hao reined it in, replacing it with a cheeky grin. “With you here, Mr. Steve, of course we’ll follow your lead.”
This effectively handed over the western part of the Empire’s outer territories to the anti-Empire alliance, making it inevitable for the alliance’s leaders to smile as if they had just married new brides.
Only Yang Hao was there, drowsy. Outside, Steve was eloquently speaking, while inside, Hun Yuanzi was reciting the Daoist canon. During this period, for some unknown reason, the old ghost had decided to give Yang Hao basic cultural education, reciting the Daoist canon volume by volume. It was truly unbearable.
“Leader Yang, what do you think we should do next?” Steve suddenly asked, startling Yang Hao from his drowsiness. He turned his head, wanting to glare at Steve. What could Yang Hao say? Hadn’t he always been a puppet leader?
But halfway through his glare, Yang Hao stopped, instead smiling and saying playfully, “With Mr. Steve here, naturally everything follows Mr. Steve’s lead.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage