Thinking of this, Luther’s heart and soul were ready to burst. He spat blood into the sky, using his remaining hand and foot to crawl away. As he turned his head to look back, he saw Brothers A and B, the two sycophants, still standing afar, watching the scene unfold.
Luther screamed desperately, like a drowning man clutching at straws, “Hurry and save me! Save me!! I’ll give each of you one billion imperial credits and a planet of your own!”
The two brothers exchanged glances, their minds in perfect sync: “Fine!”
Then both unsheathed their long swords and dashed toward him.
Luther felt a slight relief. Naturally, he wasn’t naive enough to believe these two could actually defeat Yang Hao, but at least they could buy him a little more time to escape. Sacrificing others as cannon fodder was a typical strategy of the Divine Pardon Sword Group.
Just as Luther thought he had outsmarted the situation and began bravely crawling away, two familiar swords pierced through his heart simultaneously.
Staring blankly at the sword tips protruding from his chest, he recognized the very blades he had once gifted. Back then, the two recipients had been so grateful they were practically licking his toes.
But now, they had taken his life.
Yang Hao and Elder Hertz witnessed the treacherous murder before them and couldn’t help but furrow their brows.
Yet the two sycophants reacted quickly. After killing Luther, they plunged their swords into the ground and performed a deep, respectful bow toward Yang Hao: “Lord Yang Hao, we’ve taken care of this minor matter for you.”
“Want to use this man to save your own lives?” Yang Hao shook his head. “It seems insufficient. To me, a spoiled brat like him isn’t worth more than a dog.”
B quickly replied, “What’s a spoiled brat? Lord Yang Hao, your reputation spreads far and wide, your martial skills unparalleled. You should only kill someone more formidable.”
“Like the leader of the sword group,” A promptly chimed in, perfectly in sync.
“We know where the leader of the Divine Pardon Sword Group, Haik, is hiding and can guide you there,” they said together, smiling with flattery.
“Oh?” Yang Hao responded, “Where is Haik?”
“He’s hiding on the planet Huosha, less than a light-year away,” A quickly revealed. “We heard he’s guarding a plant called Huoyun Grass, and the entire Divine Pardon Sword Group is stationed there.”
“Fire Cloud Grass?” Yang Hao’s expression shifted slightly as he nodded.
“What’s wrong?” Hertz asked.
With this thought, Luther felt as if his liver and gall were about to split. He spat blood into the sky, using his remaining arm and leg to crawl desperately away. Just as he turned his head, he saw the two sycophants, Sycophant A and Sycophant B, standing at a distance, watching the scene unfold.
Luther, as if grasping at a lifeline, screamed frantically, “Save me! Save me!! I’ll give you a billion imperial coins and gift each of you a planet!”
The two sycophants exchanged glances, their minds in perfect sync: “Deal!”
Immediately, they drew their longswords and sprinted toward Luther.
A flicker of relief crossed Luther’s mind. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe these two could defeat Yang Hao, but at least they could buy him some time to escape. Sacrificing others as cannon fodder was a standard tactic of the Divine Absolution Sword Sect.
Just as Luther thought his plan was working and crawled away with renewed vigor, two familiar longswords pierced his heart simultaneously.
He stared blankly at the sword tips protruding from his chest, recognizing them as the very blades he had once gifted to these two men. Back then, they had groveled in gratitude, practically kissing his toes.
Yet now, those same swords had taken his life in an instant.
Yang Hao and Elder Heard frowned slightly at the sight of subordinates betraying their master.
The two sycophants, however, reacted swiftly. After killing Luther, they planted their swords into the ground and performed an exaggerated bow toward Yang Hao. “Lord Yang Hao, we’ve taken care of this minor nuisance for you.”
“Trying to trade his life for yours?” Yang Hao shook his head. “Not enough. In my eyes, this spoiled brat isn’t even worth a dog’s life.”
Sycophant B quickly chimed in, “What’s a spoiled brat compared to you, Lord Yang Hao? Your martial prowess is legendary. If you’re going to kill, it should be someone far more formidable.”
“Like the leader of the Divine Absolution Sword Sect,” Sycophant A added, their thoughts perfectly aligned.
“We know where Sect Leader Haike is hiding,” they said in unison, their smiles dripping with sycophancy. “We can lead you to him.”
Yang Hao raised an eyebrow. “Where is Haike?”
“Less than a light-year away, on the planet Fire Sand,” Sycophant A revealed. “Rumor has it he’s guarding a plant called Flame Cloud Grass. The entire Divine Absolution Sword Sect is stationed there.”
“Flame Cloud Grass?” Yang Hao’s expression shifted slightly before he nodded.
“What is it?” Elder Heard asked.
“It’s a key ingredient for my next-tier sword elixir. Seems the Elder Council is preparing for me.”
Heard frowned. “Fire Sand is a choke point between the acceleration station and Earth. Even if we break through here, reinforcements from Fire Sand will intercept us.”
“Then we kill him,” Yang Hao said coldly. “Anyone who dares stop me from delivering medicine to Earth will die.”
Since the battle at the Great Palace, Yang Hao had sworn never to let anyone harm his brothers again. Those who had stood by him in the Alchemy Sword Sect had shed blood and sacrificed everything for him.
For them, Yang Hao would slaughter gods and demons alike.
Haike was indeed on Fire Sand—not hiding, but stationed there after securing what he considered a glorious mission.
This time, Haike had left only his younger brother at the acceleration space station while mobilizing the main force of the Divine Absolution Sword Sect to Fire Sand for a critical reason.
Fire Sand was a unique planet orbiting the Alpha Centauri star system. While its conditions allowed for survival, the extreme heat rendered its surface a barren expanse of fiery red sand with little sign of life.
The only trace of vitality came from the Flame Cloud Grass near the Divine Absolution Sword Sect’s encampment.
Fire Sand’s temperature rarely dipped below 30°C, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur. At times, one could even feel the subterranean magma churning beneath the surface.
Yet Flame Cloud Grass was a peculiar plant that thrived only in such an environment. It was a fiery red organism that required constant high temperatures and irrigation from molten lava to grow. Legend had it that the grass took decades to sprout from its seeds, but once it did, it grew rapidly, reaching full maturity in about two months.
However, once it reached its peak, the entire plant would be engulfed in flames from within, burning to ash within three days.
Thus, the window for harvesting Flame Cloud Grass was only three days—decades of growth for a fleeting opportunity.
And now, those three critical days had arrived. One of Haike’s primary tasks was ensuring no one harvested the grass. If the Flame Cloud Grass burned away naturally, his mission would be a success.
Fire Sand was already scorching, but the area near the Flame Cloud Grass was even hotter. Haike had removed his armor, relying on the cold air pumped from his ship, yet he couldn’t suppress the rising frustration within him.
This frustration wasn’t just from the heat—it stemmed from the turmoil in his heart.
Lately, the empire had been in upheaval, with power struggles fiercer than anything seen in decades.
But Haike prided himself on always picking the winning side.
When the Ten Sword Sects clashed with Yang Hao, Haike wisely conserved his strength. When Yang Hao weakened, the Divine Absolution Sword Sect struck hard, destroying Alchemy Group’s shops and burning down the Alchemy Sword Sect’s estate—a feat that earned him great favor with the Elder Council.
When the Enchantress seized control of the Ten Sword Sects, Haike sided with the Elder Council, avoiding the foolish rebellion led by the Dusk and Wang families.
Thanks to these choices, Haike secured the crucial mission of guarding Fire Sand.
Sitting in his tent, guzzling drinks, Haike mulled over the current situation.
The Enchantress had fully taken over the Ten Sword Sects, and as a loyalist, Haike’s status within them had risen significantly. The “Stranglehold” and “Dragon Trap” strategies had firmly placed the imperial capital under the Elder Council’s control. The Alchemy Sword Sect was nearly wiped out, and even the once-invincible emperor had been reduced to a cornered beast.
Now, all that remained was confirmation of Yang Hao’s death for the Elder Council to claim total victory. The emperor would either be deposed or imprisoned, stripped of power forever. Meanwhile, Haike would ascend further—Elder Yi had promised to teach him the secret techniques left by the Supreme One, granting him the qualifications to join the Elder Council as a revered elder.
Just three more days. After that, Haike could return to the imperial capital with the Divine Absolution Sword Sect and fulfill his dream of becoming an elder.
Just as Haike was basking in his own brilliance, an alarm blared outside.
It was the highest-level alert, prearranged between the Divine Absolution Sword Sect and the outer family forces.
Haike didn’t even bother with his outer robe, grabbing his cross sword and charging out. The oppressive heat hit him like a wave, fueling his irritation.
“What’s happening?” he demanded as soon as he stepped out, finding the camp in chaos. Even the four flanking squads were in disarray.
“Report, Sect Leader! The outer family fleet stationed around Fire Sand has sent an alert—three merchant ships from the Oracle Autonomous Region breached their defenses five minutes ago and are heading toward Earth.”
“What?!” Haike grabbed the subordinate by the collar, snarling, “Breached? That fleet has two battleships and over a hundred warships! How could three merchant ships break through? What the hell are they doing?”
“Th-the merchant ships… they seem to be modified battleships with heavy weaponry,” the subordinate stammered. “The family forces were caught off guard. The enemy has already initiated a warp jump—they’re probably halfway to Earth by now.”
“Useless! All of you, useless!!!” Haike hurled the man to the ground, seething with rage.
Just three more uneventful days, and the elder position would have been his. But now, this colossal blunder threatened everything. The acceleration space station and Fire Sand’s defenses were under his command. If those ships delivered the medicine to the Alchemy Sword Sect on Earth, the Enchantress’s grand plan would collapse.
The thought made Haike’s blood boil. He wished he could fly off this scorching planet and drag those damned ships back himself.
But before he could issue orders, the Divine Absolution Sword Sect’s camp descended into further chaos. The northeastern flank was particularly disordered, with several fiery dragons twisting in the air. Soon, swordmasters from that area were seen fleeing in panic, abandoning their posts without resistance.
“An attack?” Haike finally had an outlet for his rage. “Gather everyone! Kill them!”
He charged toward the northeast alone, his cross sword in hand.
The northeastern defenses had completely collapsed. About fifty swordsmen in white cloaks were cutting through the Divine Absolution forces with ease.
Chasing the cross swordsmen was a fiery dragon—a majestic, terrifying creature that thrived in Fire Sand’s heat, burning enemies to ashes as if it were a real dragon.
“The Sect Leader is here!” The Divine Absolution swordsmen rallied at Haike’s arrival, regaining their footing.
In their eyes, Haike was a grandmaster swordsman on the verge of becoming an elder-level expert—one of the empire’s top fighters, second only to the Elder Council. With him here, no enemy stood a chance.
Feeling his subordinates’ admiration, Haike smirked arrogantly, raising his cross sword and roaring at the dragon, “Divine Absolution! Die!!”
A beam of milky-white holy light shot from his sword, colliding with the fiery dragon.
Something black flew backward.
But the horrified gasps from his men told the real story.
Haike’s supposedly invincible Divine Absolution Sword had clashed with the dragon—and Haike was the one sent flying, vomiting blood five times midair before crashing onto the fiery sand. He struggled to rise, needing his adjutant’s help to stand.
The swordsmen who had believed Haike unbeatable watched in shock as their leader was defeated in a single move. Their morale shattered—if even Haike couldn’t win, what hope did they have?
As Yang Hao sheathed his Flame Dragon Sword and walked forward with Elder Heard, the enemy’s expressions were a mix of disbelief, resentment, and sheer terror.
“Y-Yang Hao…” Haike stared dumbfounded at his foe, his words plunging his men deeper into despair. “You’re alive. You’re really alive.”
The Divine Absolution swordsmen erupted in panic:
“It’s Yang Hao!”
“He’s alive?! Didn’t the Elder Council kill him?”
“Is it true he can’t be killed?”
“People say he’s the Undying War God!”
Yang Hao stood calmly, flanked by Elder Heard—another peak Saint Realm expert—and fifty elite swordsmen from the Alchemy Sword Sect.
This force was terrifyingly powerful. Even if more sects joined the Divine Absolution Sword Sect, they’d struggle to withstand Yang Hao’s icy, lethal aura.
“Sect Leader Haike, it’s been a while,” Yang Hao said coolly. “You killed my disciples, burned my home, and yet you’ve lived this long. Impressive. But your luck ends here.”
“What do you want?” Haike shoved his adjutant aside, making a subtle gesture.
“I’m here to show the entire empire that no one kills my brothers and lives. An eye for an eye, blood for blood—that’s my way.”
Haike took a deep breath, struggling against the chilling aura Yang Hao exuded. Even on this scorching planet, the air turned frigid around him, as if the temperature bent to his will.
“Do you know who you’re opposing?” Haike growled through the killing intent. “The Elder Council! The Enchantress! The empire’s strongest! Your Alchemy Sword Sect is finished! The emperor is finished! And you—just you!”
“Just me.” Yang Hao took a step forward. His Shadow Moon Sword unsheathed itself, tracing a graceful arc through the air before severing the heads of several swordsmen near Haike.
The speed was such that Haike didn’t even react until it was over.
Only then did Haike realize Yang Hao’s power far exceeded his imagination. Back in the imperial capital, Haike had been no match for Yang Hao. Now, he wasn’t even worthy of being an opponent.
One was a fading, broken comet—the other, a blazing sun. They were no longer in the same league.
Yet even now, Haike believed he held the upper hand. He had prepared for this.
The Divine Absolution Sword Sect had survived this long not just through brute force and arrogance, but through cunning and contingency plans.
Haike’s adjutant returned—this time dragging five figures wrapped in white cloaks.
They were mere teenagers, covered in wounds, their white cloaks soaked red with blood.
Hertz frowned, “Huosha Star controls the critical point between the acceleration station and Earth. Even if we break through here, we’ll be stopped by reinforcements from Huosha Star.”
“Then kill him,” Yang Hao said coldly. “Whoever dares to stop me from delivering medicine to Earth must die.”
Since the battle at the Grand Palace, Yang Hao had vowed never to let anyone harm his brothers again. Everyone who had struggled hard in the Dan Ding Sword Sect had shed their blood and sacrificed their lives for him.
For them, Yang Hao would kill gods if he must, and slay Buddhas if he encounters them.
Haik was indeed on Huosha Star, but not hiding there—he had worked hard to obtain this honorable mission.
This time, Haik had left only his younger brother to guard the acceleration space station while bringing the main force of the Divine Pardon Sword Group to Huosha Star, for a more important reason.
Huosha Star was a special planet, revolving around the main star of the Centaurus constellation. Though its natural conditions were suitable for life, the extreme heat made the landscape appear as endless red sandstone, with little sign of life.
The only hint of life was the Huoyun Grass near the Divine Pardon Sword Group’s base.
The temperature on Huosha Star remained above 30 degrees Celsius year-round, and the air was filled with a sulfurous smell. Sometimes, lying on the ground, one could feel the magma pulsing beneath the surface.
Yet Huoyun Grass was an extraordinary plant. It could only grow in an environment like Huosha Star’s. This fiery red plant required constant high temperatures and irrigation with molten lava to grow. Legend had it that the grass needed decades to sprout from its seed, but once it did, it grew rapidly, reaching its prime in about two months.
However, once it reached its peak, the entire plant would be engulfed in flames emerging from within, eventually turning to ash after three days.
Therefore, the timing for harvesting Huoyun Grass was only three days. Decades of growth would only be usable for those three days.
And these days were precisely the most critical period for Huoyun Grass to reach its prime. One of Haik’s key missions on Huosha Star was to protect the grass from being harvested. If the Huoyun Grass successfully passed its three-day prime period and burned completely, the mission would be considered a success.
Huosha Star was already extremely hot, and being stationed near the Huoyun Grass made the heat even more intense. Haik had removed all his armor and was cooling himself with chilled air delivered directly from his spaceship, yet he couldn’t suppress the rising anger within.
This anger wasn’t just from the heat but from the turmoil within Haik’s heart.
Recently, the empire had been in a state of upheaval, with fierce power struggles unseen for decades.
But Haik felt proud of himself because he had always chosen the right side.
When the Ten Sword Streams clashed fiercely with Yang Hao, Haik cleverly preserved his strength. And when Yang Hao’s power weakened, the Divine Pardon Sword Group launched a full-scale attack, not only destroying a series of Dan Ding Group’s shops but also burning down the Dan Ding Sword Sect’s manor, earning significant credit with the Senate.
With this thought, Luther felt as if his liver and gall were about to split. He spat blood into the sky, using his remaining arm and leg to crawl desperately away. Just as he turned his head, he saw the two sycophants, A and B, standing at a distance, watching the scene unfold.
Luther, as if grasping at a lifeline, screamed frantically, “Save me! Save me!! I’ll give you a billion imperial coins and gift each of you a planet!”
The two sycophants exchanged glances, their minds in perfect sync: “Deal!”
They then drew their longswords and sprinted toward Luther.
A flicker of relief crossed Luther’s heart. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe these two could defeat Yang Hao, but at least they could buy him some time to escape. Sacrificing others as cannon fodder was a standard tactic of the Divine Absolution Sword Sect.
Just as Luther thought his plan was working and he was crawling away with all his might, two familiar longswords pierced his heart simultaneously.
He stared blankly at the sword tips protruding from his chest, recognizing them as the very blades he had once gifted to these two men—back when they had groveled at his feet in gratitude.
Yet now, those same swords had taken his life.
Yang Hao and Elder Herd frowned slightly at the sight of subordinates slaying their master.
The two sycophants, however, reacted swiftly. After killing Luther, they planted their swords into the ground and bowed deeply to Yang Hao. “Lord Yang Hao, we’ve taken care of this minor nuisance for you.”
“Trying to trade his life for yours?” Yang Hao shook his head. “Not enough. In my eyes, this spoiled brat isn’t even worth a dog.”
Sycophant B quickly chimed in, “What’s a spoiled brat compared to you, Lord Yang Hao? Your martial prowess is legendary. If you’re going to kill, it should be someone far more formidable.”
“Like the leader of the Sword Sect,” Sycophant A added, their thoughts perfectly aligned.
“We know where the Divine Absolution Sword Sect’s leader, Haike, is hiding. We can guide you there,” they said in unison, their smiles dripping with sycophancy.
Yang Hao raised an eyebrow. “Where is Haike?”
“He’s hiding on the planet Flamesand, less than a light-year away,” Sycophant A revealed. “Rumor has it he’s guarding a plant called Flamecloud Grass. The entire Divine Absolution Sword Sect is stationed there.”
“Flamecloud Grass?” Yang Hao’s expression shifted slightly before he nodded.
“What is it?” Herd asked.
“It’s a key ingredient for my next-tier Sword Pill. Seems the Elder Council is preparing for me.”
Herd frowned. “Flamesand controls the choke point between the acceleration station and Earth. Even if we break through here, reinforcements from Flamesand will block us.”
“Then we’ll kill him,” Yang Hao said coldly. “Anyone who dares stop me from delivering medicine to Earth will die.”
After the battle at the Grand Palace, Yang Hao had sworn never to let anyone harm his brothers again. Those who had stood by him in the Dan Ding Sword Sect had shed blood and sacrificed everything for him.
For them, Yang Hao would slay gods and buddhas alike.
Haike was indeed on Flamesand—not hiding, but stationed there after much effort to secure this “honorable” mission.
This time, Haike had left only his younger brother to guard the acceleration station while mobilizing the main force of the Divine Absolution Sword Sect to Flamesand for a far more critical reason.
Flamesand was a unique planet orbiting Alpha Centauri. Though habitable, its extreme heat rendered its surface a barren expanse of fiery red sand with little sign of life.
The only trace of vitality came from the Flamecloud Grass near the Divine Absolution Sword Sect’s camp.
Flamesand’s temperature never dipped below 30°C, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur. At times, one could even feel the subterranean magma churning beneath the surface.
Yet Flamecloud Grass was a peculiar plant that thrived only in such harsh conditions. Resembling flickering flames, it required perpetual heat and irrigation from molten lava to grow. Legend had it that the seeds took decades to sprout, but once they did, the plants matured rapidly, reaching full bloom in about two months.
However, once fully bloomed, the entire plant would be engulfed in internal flames within three days, reducing it to ashes.
Thus, the window for harvesting Flamecloud Grass was a mere three days—decades of growth for just three days of utility.
And these very days marked the critical period for Flamecloud Grass’s full bloom. One of Haike’s primary tasks was ensuring no one harvested the grass. If the plants safely burned out after three days, his mission would be deemed a success.
Flamesand was already scorching, but the area near the Flamecloud Grass was even hotter. Haike had removed his armor, relying on cold air piped from his ship, yet it did little to quell the rising fury within him.
This anger wasn’t just from the heat—it stemmed from the turbulent power struggles within the empire.
Recent times had seen unprecedented shifts in power, yet Haike prided himself on always picking the winning side.
When the Ten Sword Sects clashed with Yang Hao, Haike wisely conserved his strength. But when Yang Hao weakened, the Divine Absolution Sword Sect struck hard—destroying Dan Ding’s shops and burning their estates, earning Haike immense favor with the Elder Council.
When the Enchantress seized control of the Ten Sword Sects, Haike sided with the Elder Council, avoiding the doomed rebellions of the Dusk and Wang families.
Thanks to these choices, Haike secured the crucial mission of guarding Flamesand.
Sitting in his tent, guzzling drinks, Haike pondered the current state of affairs.
The Enchantress had fully subdued the Ten Sword Sects, and Haike, as a loyal servant, had risen in rank. The “Strangle” and “Dragon Trap” strategies had firmly placed the capital under the Elder Council’s control. The Dan Ding Sword Sect was nearly annihilated, and even the once-invincible emperor had been reduced to a caged beast.
Now, all that remained was confirmation of Yang Hao’s death for the Elder Council’s total victory. The emperor would either be deposed or imprisoned, stripped of power, while Haike would ascend further—promised the secret techniques of the Supreme One by Elder Wuyi, granting him entry into the Elder Council.
Just three more days, and Haike could return to the capital with his sword sect, ready to fulfill his dream of becoming an elder.
Just as Haike was basking in his triumph, alarms blared outside—the highest alert signal agreed upon between the Divine Absolution Sword Sect and the outer family fleets.
Haike didn’t even bother with his coat, grabbing his crossblade and rushing out. The sweltering heat hit him like a wall, fueling his irritation.
“What’s happening?” he demanded, finding the camp in chaos, with even the four flanking squads in disarray.
“Report, Commander! The outer family fleet stationed around Flamesand just sent an alert—three merchant ships from the Divine Mandate Autonomous Region breached our defenses five minutes ago and are heading toward Earth!”
“What?!” Haike grabbed the subordinate by the collar, snarling, “Breached? That fleet has two battleships and hundreds of warships! How could three merchant ships break through? What the hell are they doing?”
“Th-the merchant ships… they seem to be retrofitted battleships with heavy weaponry. The family fleet was caught off guard, and the enemy initiated a warp jump. They’re probably already far toward Earth.”
“Useless! All of you, useless!!!” Haike hurled the man to the ground, seething with rage.
Just three peaceful days, and the elder position would have been his. But now, this colossal blunder threatened everything. The acceleration station and Flamesand’s defenses were under his command. If those ships delivered medicine to the Dan Ding Sword Sect on Earth, the Enchantress’s grand “Strangle” plan would collapse.
The thought enraged Haike. He wished he could fly off this scorching planet and drag those damned ships back himself.
But before he could issue orders, the Divine Absolution Sword Sect’s camp descended into further chaos. The northeastern flank was ablaze with twisting fire serpents, and the swordmasters there were fleeing without resistance.
“An attack?” Haike’s fury finally found a target. “Gather everyone! Kill them!”
He charged toward the northeast alone, crossblade in hand.
The northeastern defenses had completely collapsed. About fifty swordsmen in white cloaks were cutting through the Divine Absolution forces with ease.
Chasing the swordsmen was a fire serpent—a majestic, terrifying creature whose power was amplified by Flamesand’s heat. It burned through the Divine Absolution swordsmen like a true dragon, reducing them to ash.
“The commander is here!” The sight of Haike rallied the fleeing swordsmen, who stood their ground once more.
To them, Haike was a peak grandmaster, soon to be an elder-level expert—one of the empire’s top fighters, second only to the Elder Council.
With Haike here, no matter how formidable the enemy, they’d soon fall beneath his crossblade.
Basking in his subordinates’ admiration, Haike smirked arrogantly, raising his crossblade and roaring at the fire serpent: “Divine Absolution—DIE!!”
A slash of milky-white holy light shot forth, clashing with the fire serpent.
Something black was sent flying.
But the horrified gasps of the Divine Absolution swordsmen told the real story.
Haike’s supposedly invincible Divine Absolution Slash had collided with the fire serpent—and it was Haike who was sent flying, vomiting five mouthfuls of blood before crashing onto the sand, unable to rise without his adjutant’s help.
In the eyes of his men, Haike—the unbeatable—had been defeated in a single move. The Divine Absolution Sword Sect’s morale shattered. If even their strongest leader fell so easily, what hope did they have?
So when Yang Hao sheathed his Flame Serpent Sword and strolled over with Herd, what they faced were looks of disbelief, resentment, and sheer terror.
“Y-Yang Hao…” Haike stared dumbfounded at his enemy, his words plunging his men into despair. “You’re Yang Hao. You’re really alive.”
The Divine Absolution swordsmen erupted in panic:
“It’s Yang Hao!”
“He’s alive?! Didn’t the Elder Council kill him?”
“Is it true he can’t be killed?”
“People said he’s the Undying War God!”
Yang Hao stood calmly, flanked by Herd—another peak Saint Realm expert—and fifty elite Dan Ding swordsmen.
This force was terrifyingly powerful. Even if several more sects joined the Divine Absolution Sword Sect, they’d struggle to withstand Yang Hao’s icy, lethal aura.
“Commander Haike, long time no see,” Yang Hao said coolly. “You killed my disciples, burned my home, and yet lived this long. Impressive. But your luck ends here.”
“What do you want?” Haike shoved his adjutant aside, making a subtle gesture.
“I’m here to show the empire that no one kills my brothers and lives. An eye for an eye, blood for blood—that’s my way.”
Haike took a deep breath, struggling against the chilling aura Yang Hao radiated—so cold it seemed to freeze the scorching planet around them.
“Do you know who you’re opposing?” Haike roared through the killing intent. “The Elder Council! The Enchantress! The empire’s strongest! Your Dan Ding Sword Sect is finished! The emperor is finished! And you—just you!!”
“Just me.” Yang Hao took a step forward. The Shadowmoon Blade flew from his body, tracing a graceful arc in the air before severing the heads of several swordsmen beside Haike.
The speed was such that Haike didn’t even react.
Only then did Haike realize Yang Hao’s power far exceeded his imagination. Back in the capital, Haike had been no match for Yang Hao. Now, he wasn’t even qualified to be an opponent.
One was a fading, broken comet; the other, a blazing sun. They were no longer in the same league.
Yet Haike still believed he held the upper hand—because he had prepared.
The Divine Absolution Sword Sect had survived this long not just through brute force and arrogance, but through cunning.
Haike’s adjutant returned—this time dragging five figures wrapped in white cloaks.
They were mere teenagers, their bodies covered in wounds, the white cloaks soaked red with blood.
Because of this, Haik was entrusted with the important mission of guarding Huosha Star.
Sitting in his tent, Haik drank heavily while calculating the current situation.
With this thought, Luther felt as if his liver and gall were about to split. He spat blood into the sky, using his remaining arm and leg to crawl desperately away. Just as he turned his head, he saw the two sycophants, Sycophant A and Sycophant B, standing at a distance, watching the scene unfold.
Luther, as if grasping at a lifeline, screamed frantically, “Save me! Save me!! I’ll give you a billion imperial coins and gift each of you a planet!”
The two sycophants exchanged glances, their minds in perfect sync: “Deal!”
Then, they drew their longswords and sprinted toward Luther.
Luther felt a slight relief. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe these two could defeat Yang Hao, but at least they could buy him some time to escape. Sacrificing others as cannon fodder was the usual tactic of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect.
Just as Luther thought his plan was working and crawled away with all his might, two familiar longswords pierced his heart simultaneously.
He stared blankly at the sword tips protruding from his chest, recognizing them as the very swords he had once gifted to these two men. Back then, they had groveled in gratitude, almost kissing his toes.
But now, those same swords had taken his life.
Yang Hao and Elder He De frowned slightly at the sight of subordinates killing their master.
The two sycophants, however, reacted swiftly. After killing Luther, they planted their swords into the ground and bowed deeply to Yang Hao. “Lord Yang Hao, we’ve taken care of this minor nuisance for you.”
“Trying to trade this man for your lives?” Yang Hao shook his head. “He’s not worth much. In my eyes, a spoiled noble like him isn’t even as valuable as a dog.”
Sycophant B quickly added, “What’s a spoiled noble compared to you, Lord Yang Hao? Your martial prowess is legendary. If you must kill, it should be someone far more formidable.”
“Like the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect,” Sycophant A chimed in, their thoughts perfectly aligned.
“We know where the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect, Haike, is hiding. We can guide you there,” they said in unison, their smiles dripping with sycophancy.
Yang Hao raised an eyebrow. “Where is Haike?”
“He’s hiding on the planet Flamesand, less than a light-year away,” Sycophant A revealed. “Rumor has it he’s guarding a plant called Flamecloud Grass. The entire Divine Mercy Sword Sect is stationed there.”
“Flamecloud Grass?” Yang Hao’s expression shifted slightly before he nodded.
“What is it?” He De asked.
“It’s a key ingredient for my next-tier sword elixir. Seems the Elder Council is preparing for me.”
He De frowned. “Flamesand controls the bottleneck between the acceleration station and Earth. Even if we break through here, reinforcements from Flamesand will stop us.”
“Then we’ll kill him,” Yang Hao said coldly. “Anyone who dares stop me from delivering medicine to Earth will die.”
Since the battle at the Great Palace, Yang Hao had sworn never to let anyone harm his brothers again. Those who had stood by him in the Dan Ding Sword Sect had shed blood and sacrificed everything for him.
For them, Yang Hao would slay gods and buddhas alike.
Haike was indeed on Flamesand. But he wasn’t hiding—he had fought hard to secure this prestigious mission.
This time, Haike had left his younger brother to guard the acceleration station while mobilizing the main force of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect to Flamesand for a far more critical reason.
Flamesand was a unique planet orbiting the Alpha Centauri star. Though habitable, its extreme heat rendered the surface a sea of fiery red sand with little sign of life.
The only trace of vitality came from the Flamecloud Grass near the Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s encampment.
Flamesand’s temperature never dropped below 30°C, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur. Sometimes, lying on the ground, one could feel the molten lava pulsing beneath the surface.
Yet Flamecloud Grass was a miraculous plant that thrived only in such an environment. It was a fiery red organism that required constant high temperatures and irrigation from lava to grow. Legend had it that the seeds took decades to sprout, but once they did, the plants grew rapidly, reaching full maturity in about two months.
However, once fully grown, the entire plant would be engulfed in flames from within and burn to ashes within three days.
Thus, the window to harvest Flamecloud Grass was only three days—decades of growth for a fleeting opportunity.
These were the crucial days when the Flamecloud Grass reached its peak. One of Haike’s primary tasks was to ensure no one harvested it. If the grass burned safely over these three days, his mission would be a success.
Flamesand was already scorching, but the area near the Flamecloud Grass was even hotter. Haike had removed his armor, relying on the cold air pumped from his ship, yet he couldn’t suppress the rising fury within him.
This anger wasn’t just from the heat—it stemmed from the turmoil in his heart.
Recently, the empire had been in upheaval, with power struggles fiercer than in decades.
But Haike prided himself on always picking the winning side.
When the Ten Sword Sects clashed with Yang Hao, Haike wisely conserved his strength. When Yang Hao weakened, the Divine Mercy Sword Sect struck hard, destroying Dan Ding’s shops and burning their estates—a feat that earned them great favor with the Elder Council.
When the Enchantress seized control of the Ten Sword Sects, Haike sided with the Elder Council, avoiding the foolish rebellion led by Mingse and the Wang family.
Thanks to these choices, Haike secured the critical mission of guarding Flamesand.
Sitting in his tent, guzzling drinks, Haike analyzed the current situation.
The Enchantress had fully taken over the Ten Sword Sects, and Haike, as a loyal servant, had risen in status. The “Strangle” and “Dragon Trap” strategies had firmly placed the capital under the Elder Council’s control. The Dan Ding Sword Sect was nearly destroyed, and even the once-invincible emperor had been reduced to a cornered beast.
Now, once Yang Hao’s death was confirmed, the Elder Council would claim total victory. The emperor would be deposed or imprisoned, stripped of power. Haike would ascend further—Elder Yi Yuan had promised to teach him the secret techniques left by the Supreme One, granting him entry into the Elder Council as a revered elder.
Just three more days, and Haike could return to the capital with the Divine Mercy Sword Sect to fulfill his dream of becoming an elder.
Just as Haike was basking in his triumph, alarms blared outside.
It was the highest alert signal agreed upon between the Divine Mercy Sword Sect and the outer family fleets.
Haike didn’t even bother with his outer robe, grabbing his cross sword and rushing out. The sweltering heat hit him like a wall, fueling his irritation.
“What’s happening?” he demanded as chaos erupted in the camp, with even the four flanking squads in disarray.
“Report, Commander! The outer family fleet guarding Flamesand just sent an alert—three merchant ships from the Oracle Autonomous Region breached our defenses five minutes ago and are heading toward Earth.”
“What?” Haike grabbed his subordinate by the collar, snarling, “Breached? That fleet has two battleships and hundreds of warships! How could three merchant ships break through? What were they doing?”
“Th-the merchant ships seem to be modified battleships with heavy weaponry,” the subordinate stammered. “The family fleet was caught off guard. The enemy has already initiated warp—they’re likely far ahead by now.”
“Useless! All of you, useless!” Haike hurled the man to the ground, seething with rage.
Just three peaceful days, and the elder position would have been his. But now, this disaster struck. The acceleration station and Flamesand’s defenses were under his command. If those ships delivered medicine to the Dan Ding Sword Sect on Earth, the Enchantress’s “Strangle” plan would fail.
The thought enraged Haike. He wished he could fly off this scorching planet and drag those damned ships back.
But before he could issue orders, the Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s camp descended into further chaos. The northeastern flank was ablaze with twisting fire dragons. Soon, swordmasters fled in panic, abandoning their posts without resistance.
“An attack?” Haike’s fury finally found a target. “Gather everyone! Kill them!”
He charged toward the northeast alone, cross sword in hand.
The northeastern defenses had collapsed. About fifty swordsmen in white cloaks danced through the battlefield, slaughtering the Divine Mercy forces with ease.
Chasing the cross swordsmen was a fire dragon—a fearsome, horned beast whose power was amplified by Flamesand’s heat. It burned the Divine Mercy swordmasters to ashes as if they were mere kindling.
“The Commander is here!” Seeing Haike charge forward, the Divine Mercy swordmasters rallied, no longer fleeing.
In their eyes, Haike was a grandmaster nearing elder-level strength, one of the empire’s top warriors. Who could stand against him?
With Haike here, no matter how formidable the enemy, they’d soon fall beneath his cross sword.
Basking in his subordinates’ admiration, Haike smirked arrogantly, raising his cross sword and roaring at the fire dragon: “Divine Mercy—Death!”
A milky-white holy light shot from his sword, clashing with the fire dragon.
Something black flew backward.
But the Divine Mercy soldiers’ cheers turned to horrified gasps.
Haike’s supposedly invincible Divine Mercy Sword had met the fire dragon—and Haike was the one sent flying, vomiting five mouthfuls of blood before crashing onto the sand, unable to rise without his aide’s help.
In the swordmasters’ eyes, Haike, who they believed had no equal, had been defeated in a single move. The Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s morale shattered. If their strongest leader fell so easily, what hope did they have?
As Yang Hao sheathed his Flame Dragon Sword and walked leisurely toward them with He De, the enemy’s gazes were a mix of disbelief, resentment, and sheer terror.
“Y-Yang Hao…” Haike stared dumbfounded at his foe, his words plunging his men into despair. “You’re Yang Hao. You’re really alive.”
The Divine Mercy swordmasters erupted in panic:
“It’s Yang Hao!”
“He’s alive! Didn’t the Elder Council kill him?”
“Is it true he can’t be killed?”
“People said he’s the Undying War God!”
Yang Hao stood calmly, flanked by He De—another peak Saint Realm expert—and fifty elite Dan Ding swordsmen.
This force was terrifyingly powerful. Even if more sects joined the Divine Mercy Sword Sect, they’d struggle to withstand Yang Hao’s cold, relentless killing intent.
“Commander Haike, long time no see,” Yang Hao said coolly. “You killed my disciples, burned my home, and lived this long. Impressive. But your luck ends here.”
“What do you want?” Haike shoved his aide away, making a subtle gesture.
“I’m here to show the empire that no one kills my brothers and lives. An eye for an eye, blood for blood—that’s my way.”
Haike took a deep breath to resist the icy aura Yang Hao exuded. Even on this scorching planet, the surroundings grew frigid, as if the temperature bent to Yang Hao’s will.
“Do you know who you’re opposing?” Haike roared through the killing intent. “The Elder Council! The Enchantress! The empire’s strongest! Your Dan Ding Sword Sect is finished! The emperor is finished! And you—just you!”
“Just me.” Yang Hao stepped forward. The Shadow Moon unsheathed from within him, tracing a graceful arc in the air before severing the heads of several swordmasters beside Haike.
The speed was so fast Haike didn’t even react.
Only then did Haike realize Yang Hao’s strength far surpassed his imagination. Back in the capital, Haike was no match for Yang Hao. Now, he wasn’t even worthy to be his opponent.
One was a fading, broken comet—the other, a blazing sun. They were no longer in the same league.
Yet Haike still believed he held the upper hand. He had prepared for this.
The Divine Mercy Sword Sect had survived not just through brute force and arrogance but through countless contingency plans.
Haike’s aide returned—this time, dragging five figures wrapped in white cloaks.
They were mere teenagers, covered in wounds, their white cloaks soaked red with blood.
With this thought, Luther felt as if his liver and gall were about to split. He spat blood into the sky, using his remaining arm and leg to crawl desperately away. Just as he turned his head, he saw Flatterer A and Flatterer B standing at a distance, watching the scene unfold.
Luther, as if grasping at a lifeline, screamed frantically, “Save me! Save me!! I’ll give you a billion imperial coins and a planet each!”
The two flatterers exchanged glances, their minds in sync: “Deal!”
They then drew their longswords and sprinted toward Luther.
Luther felt a momentary relief. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe these two could defeat Yang Hao, but at least they could buy him some time to escape. Sacrificing others as cannon fodder was a standard tactic of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect.
Just as Luther thought his plan had succeeded and he was crawling away with all his might, two familiar longswords pierced his heart simultaneously.
He stared blankly at the sword tips protruding from his chest, recognizing them as the very blades he had once gifted to the flatterers. Back then, the recipients had groveled in gratitude, almost kissing his toes.
But now, those same swords had taken his life.
Yang Hao and Elder He De frowned slightly at the sight of subordinates betraying their master.
The two flatterers, however, reacted swiftly. After killing Luther, they planted their swords into the ground and bowed deeply to Yang Hao. “Lord Yang Hao, we’ve taken care of this minor nuisance for you.”
“Trying to trade his life for yours?” Yang Hao shook his head. “Not enough. In my eyes, this spoiled brat isn’t even worth a dog.”
Flatterer B quickly added, “What’s a spoiled brat compared to your mighty reputation, Lord Yang Hao? With your unparalleled martial prowess, you should be targeting greater foes.”
“Like the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect,” Flatterer A chimed in, their thoughts perfectly aligned.
“We know where Sect Leader Haike is hiding,” they said in unison, their smiles dripping with sycophancy. “We can guide you there.”
Yang Hao raised an eyebrow. “Where is Haike?”
“He’s hiding on the planet Fire Sand, less than a light-year away,” Flatterer A revealed. “Rumor has it he’s guarding a plant called Flame Cloud Grass. The entire Divine Mercy Sword Sect is stationed there.”
“Flame Cloud Grass?” Yang Hao’s expression shifted slightly before he nodded.
“What is it?” He De asked.
“It’s a key ingredient for my next-tier sword pill. Seems the Elder Council is preparing for me.”
He De frowned. “Fire Sand controls the bottleneck between the acceleration station and Earth. Even if we break through here, reinforcements from Fire Sand will stop us.”
“Then we’ll kill him,” Yang Hao said coldly. “Anyone who dares stop me from delivering medicine to Earth will die.”
Since the battle at the Great Palace, Yang Hao had sworn never to let anyone harm his brothers again. Those who had endured hardship in the Alchemy Sword Sect had shed blood for him.
For them, Yang Hao would slay gods and buddhas alike.
Haike was indeed on Fire Sand—not hiding, but stationed there after much effort to secure this “glorious” mission.
This time, Haike had left only his younger brother at the acceleration station, bringing the main force of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect to Fire Sand for a far more critical reason.
Fire Sand was a unique planet orbiting the Alpha Centauri star. While its conditions allowed for life, the extreme heat rendered its surface a barren expanse of fiery red sand with little sign of life.
The only trace of vitality was the Flame Cloud Grass near the Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s camp.
Fire Sand’s temperature never dipped below 30°C, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur. At times, one could even feel the tremors of magma flowing beneath the surface.
Yet Flame Cloud Grass was a peculiar plant that thrived only in such an environment. It was a fiery red organism requiring constant high temperatures and irrigation from molten lava. Legend had it that the grass took decades to sprout from its seeds, but once it did, it grew rapidly, reaching full maturity in about two months.
However, once it reached its peak, the entire plant would be engulfed in flames from within, burning to ash within three days.
Thus, the window for harvesting Flame Cloud Grass was only three days—decades of growth for a fleeting opportunity.
These were the crucial days when the grass entered its peak. Haike’s primary mission was to ensure no one harvested it. If the grass burned away naturally, his task would be deemed a success.
Fire Sand was already scorching, but the area near the Flame Cloud Grass was even hotter. Haike had removed his armor, relying on cold air piped from his ship, yet he couldn’t suppress the rising fury within him.
This anger wasn’t just from the heat—it stemmed from the turbulent ambitions in Haike’s heart.
Recently, the empire had been in upheaval, with power struggles fiercer than in decades.
But Haike prided himself on always picking the winning side.
When the Ten Sword Sects clashed with Yang Hao, Haike wisely conserved his strength. When Yang Hao weakened, the Divine Mercy Sword Sect struck hard, destroying Alchemy Group’s shops and burning the Alchemy Sword Sect’s estate—a feat that earned him great favor with the Elder Council.
When the Enchantress seized control of the Ten Sword Sects, Haike sided with the Elder Council, avoiding the foolish rebellion led by Twilight and the Wang family.
Thus, he secured the critical mission of guarding Fire Sand.
Sitting in his tent, Haike gulped down drinks while analyzing the situation.
The Enchantress had fully subdued the Ten Sword Sects, and Haike, as a loyal servant, had risen in rank. The “Strangle” and “Dragon Trap” strategies had firmly placed the capital under the Elder Council’s control. The Alchemy Sword Sect was nearly finished, and even the once-invincible emperor was now a caged beast.
Once Yang Hao’s death was confirmed, the Elder Council would claim total victory. The emperor would be deposed or imprisoned, stripped of power. Meanwhile, Haike would ascend further—Elder Yi Yuan had promised to teach him the Supreme One’s secret techniques, granting him entry into the prestigious Elder Council.
Just three more days, and Haike could return to the capital to fulfill his dream of becoming an elder.
But just as Haike was basking in his triumph, an alarm blared outside—the highest alert signal agreed upon between the Divine Mercy Sword Sect and the allied family fleets.
Haike, still shirtless, grabbed his cross sword and rushed out, only to be hit by a wave of stifling heat that stoked his fury.
“What’s happening?” he demanded, finding the camp in chaos, with even the four flanking squads in disarray.
“Report, Sect Leader!” a subordinate stammered. “The allied fleet guarding Fire Sand’s perimeter just sent an alert. Three merchant ships from the Oracle Autonomous Region breached our defenses five minutes ago and are heading toward Earth.”
“What?!” Haike grabbed the man by the collar. “Breached? That fleet has two battleships and hundreds of warships! How could three merchant ships break through? What were they doing?”
“Th-the merchant ships… they seemed to be modified battleships with heavy weaponry,” the subordinate stuttered. “The fleet was caught off guard. The enemy has already initiated warp—they’re likely far ahead by now.”
“Useless! All of you, useless!!!” Haike hurled the man to the ground, his rage boiling over.
Three peaceful days were all he needed to secure his elder position. But now, this disaster threatened everything. The acceleration station and Fire Sand’s defenses were under his command. If those ships delivered medicine to the Alchemy Sword Sect on Earth, the Enchantress’s grand plan would collapse.
Just as Haike was about to issue orders, the Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s camp descended into further chaos. The northeastern flank was in turmoil, with several fiery dragons twisting through the air. Soon, swordmasters were seen fleeing in panic, abandoning their posts without resistance.
“An attack?” Haike’s fury finally found a target. “Gather everyone! Kill them all!”
He charged toward the northeast alone, his cross sword in hand.
The northeastern defenses had completely collapsed. About fifty swordsmen in white cloaks were cutting through the Divine Mercy forces with ease.
Chasing them was a fiery dragon—a majestic, terrifying creature that thrived in Fire Sand’s heat, burning swordmasters to ashes as if it were a real dragon.
“The Sect Leader is here!” The Divine Mercy swordmasters, emboldened by Haike’s arrival, stopped fleeing.
In their eyes, Haike was a top-tier grand swordmaster, soon to be an elder-level expert—one of the empire’s strongest, second only to the Elder Council.
With Haike here, no enemy, no matter how formidable, could escape his blade.
Basking in his subordinates’ admiration, Haike smirked arrogantly and raised his cross sword, roaring at the fiery dragon: “Divine Mercy—DIE!!”
A slash of holy white light shot toward the dragon.
Something black flew through the air.
But the horrified gasps of the Divine Mercy soldiers told the real story.
Haike’s invincible Divine Mercy Slash had clashed with the dragon—only for Haike himself to be sent flying, spewing five mouthfuls of blood before crashing onto the fiery sand. He struggled to rise, needing his aide’s help to stand.
The swordmasters’ faith shattered. Their unbeatable leader had been defeated in a single move. If even Haike couldn’t win, what hope did they have?
As Yang Hao sheathed his Flame Dragon Sword and walked forward with He De, the enemy’s gazes were a mix of disbelief, resentment, and sheer terror.
“Y-Yang Hao…” Haike stared dumbfounded at his foe, his words plunging his men into despair. “You’re Yang Hao… You’re really alive.”
The Divine Mercy swordmasters erupted in panic:
“It’s Yang Hao!”
“He’s alive?! Didn’t the Elder Council kill him?”
“Is he truly unkillable? Are the rumors real?”
“People said he’s the Undying War God!”
Yang Hao stood calmly, flanked by He De—another peak Saint Realm expert—and fifty elite Alchemy Sword Sect swordsmen.
This force was terrifyingly powerful. Even if more sects joined the Divine Mercy Sword Sect, they’d struggle to withstand Yang Hao’s cold, lethal aura.
“Sect Leader Haike, long time no see,” Yang Hao said coolly. “You killed my disciples, burned my home, and lived this long. Impressive. But your luck ends here.”
“What do you want?” Haike pushed his aide aside and made a gesture.
“I’m here to show the empire that no one kills my brothers and lives. An eye for an eye, blood for blood—that’s my way.”
Haike took a deep breath, struggling against the icy aura Yang Hao radiated—a cold so intense it seemed to freeze the scorching planet.
“Do you know who you’re opposing?” Haike roared through the killing intent. “The Elder Council! The Enchantress! The empire’s strongest! Your Alchemy Sword Sect is finished! The emperor is finished! And you—just you!!”
“Just me.” Yang Hao took a step forward. Shadow Moon flew from his body, tracing a graceful arc in the air before severing the heads of several swordmasters near Haike.
The speed was so fast Haike didn’t even react.
Only then did Haike realize Yang Hao’s power far exceeded his imagination. Back in the capital, Haike had been no match for Yang Hao. Now, he wasn’t even worthy of being an opponent.
One was a fading, broken comet; the other, a blazing sun. They were no longer in the same league.
Yet Haike still believed he held the upper hand. He had prepared for this.
The Divine Mercy Sword Sect had survived not just through brute force and arrogance, but through cunning and contingency plans.
Haike’s aide returned—this time dragging five figures wrapped in white cloaks.
They were mere teenagers, covered in wounds, their white cloaks soaked red with blood.
Just three days, three days later, Haik would lead the Divine Pardon Sword Group back to the capital and realize his dream of becoming an Elder.
Just as Haik was basking in his self-satisfaction, suddenly an alarm rang outside.
It was the highest alarm signal agreed upon between the Divine Pardon Sword Group and the outer family army.
Without even putting on his outer robe, Haik grabbed his cross sword and rushed outside. The stifling heat wave hit him head-on, further fueling his inner frustration.
“What’s going on?” As soon as he stepped out, he found the camp in chaos, with the four surrounding wing-guarding squads also in disarray.
“Report, Captain! We just received an alarm from the family army fleet stationed at the outer perimeter of Huosha Star. Three merchant ships from the Oracular Autonomous Territory have appeared. They breached the defense five minutes ago and are heading toward Earth.”
“What did you say?” Haik grabbed his subordinate’s collar fiercely, asking angrily, “Breached the defense? That family army fleet has two battleships and over a hundred warships. How could they be breached by just three merchant ships? What are they doing?”
“Those… those three merchant ships seem to be modified battleships equipped with large-scale weapons,” the subordinate stammered, “The family army was momentarily unprepared and was breached. Now the enemy has initiated a jump drive and has probably been flying toward Earth for a long time.”
“Waste!! All of you are wastes!!!” Haik threw his subordinate to the ground, his anger boiling.
With this thought, Luther felt as if his liver and gall were about to split. He spat blood into the sky, using his remaining arm and leg to crawl desperately away. Just as he turned his head, he saw the two sycophants, Sycophant A and Sycophant B, standing at a distance, watching the scene unfold.
Luther, as if grasping at a lifeline, screamed frantically, “Save me! Save me!! I’ll give you a billion imperial coins and gift each of you a planet!”
The two sycophants exchanged glances, their minds in perfect sync: “Deal!”
With that, they drew their longswords and sprinted toward Luther.
Luther felt a slight relief. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe these two could defeat Yang Hao, but at least they could buy him some time to escape. Sacrificing others as cannon fodder was the usual tactic of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect.
Just as Luther thought his plan was working and he was crawling away with all his might, two familiar longswords pierced his heart simultaneously.
He stared blankly at the sword tips protruding from his chest, recognizing them as the very swords he had once gifted to these two men. Back then, they had been so grateful they could have kissed his toes.
Yet now, those same swords had taken his life.
Yang Hao and Elder He De frowned slightly at the sight of subordinates killing their master.
The two sycophants, however, reacted swiftly. After killing Luther, they planted their swords into the ground and bowed deeply to Yang Hao. “Lord Yang Hao, we’ve taken care of this minor nuisance for you.”
“You think trading his life for yours is enough?” Yang Hao shook his head. “Not quite. In my eyes, this spoiled brat isn’t even worth a dog’s life.”
Sycophant B quickly chimed in, “What’s a spoiled brat compared to you, Lord Yang Hao? Your martial prowess is legendary. If you’re going to kill, it should be someone far more formidable.”
“Like the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect,” Sycophant A added, their thoughts perfectly aligned.
“We know where Sect Leader Haike is hiding,” they said in unison, their smiles oozing flattery. “We can guide you there.”
Yang Hao raised an eyebrow. “Where is Haike?”
“He’s hiding on Flamesand Star, less than a light-year away,” Sycophant A revealed. “Rumor has it he’s guarding a plant called Flamecloud Grass. The entire Divine Mercy Sword Sect is stationed there.”
“Flamecloud Grass?” Yang Hao’s expression shifted slightly before he nodded.
“What is it?” Elder He De asked.
“It’s the main ingredient for my next-tier Sword Pill. Seems the Elder Council is preparing for me.”
He De frowned. “Flamesand Star controls the bottleneck between the acceleration station and Earth. Even if we break through here, reinforcements from Flamesand Star will stop us.”
“Then we kill him,” Yang Hao said coldly. “Anyone who dares stop me from delivering medicine to Earth will die.”
After the battle at the Great Palace, Yang Hao had sworn never to let anyone harm his brothers again. Those who had stood by him in the Dan Ding Sword Sect had shed blood and sacrificed for him.
For them, Yang Hao would slay gods and buddhas alike.
Haike was indeed on Flamesand Star—not hiding, but stationed there after much effort to secure this “glorious” mission.
This time, Haike had left only his younger brother at the acceleration space station, bringing the main force of the Divine Mercy Sword Sect to Flamesand Star for a far more critical reason.
Flamesand Star was a unique planet orbiting the Alpha Centauri star system. While its conditions allowed for life, the extreme heat left the surface a barren expanse of fiery red sand with little sign of life.
The only trace of vitality came from the Flamecloud Grass near the Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s camp.
The planet’s temperature never dropped below 30°C, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur. At times, one could even feel the molten lava pulsing beneath the surface.
Yet Flamecloud Grass was a miraculous plant that thrived only in such an environment. It was a fiery-red organism that required constant high temperatures and irrigation from lava to grow. Legend had it that the grass took decades to sprout from its seeds, but once it did, it grew rapidly, reaching full maturity in about two months.
However, once it reached full bloom, the entire plant would be engulfed in flames from within, burning to ash in just three days.
Thus, the window to harvest Flamecloud Grass was only three days—decades of growth for a fleeting opportunity.
And these very days marked the critical period when the grass was at its peak. One of Haike’s primary tasks was ensuring no one harvested it. If the Flamecloud Grass burned away safely after three days, his mission would be a success.
Flamesand Star was already scorching, but camping beside the Flamecloud Grass made the heat unbearable. Haike had removed his armor, relying on cold air pumped from his ship, yet it did little to quell the rising fury within him.
This anger wasn’t just from the heat—it stemmed from the turbulent power struggles within the empire.
Recent times had seen unprecedented upheaval in the empire’s power dynamics, with factions clashing fiercely.
Yet Haike prided himself on always picking the winning side.
When the Ten Sword Sects clashed with Yang Hao, Haike wisely conserved his strength. When Yang Hao weakened, the Divine Mercy Sword Sect struck hard, destroying Dan Ding’s shops and burning their estates—a feat that earned them great favor with the Elder Council.
When the Enchantress seized control of the Ten Sword Sects, Haike sided with the Elder Council, avoiding the foolish rebellion led by the Wang and Ming families.
Thanks to these choices, Haike secured the crucial mission of guarding Flamesand Star.
Sitting in his tent, guzzling drinks, Haike pondered the current situation.
The Enchantress had fully taken over the Ten Sword Sects, and as a loyalist, Haike’s status within the sects had risen significantly. The “Stranglehold” and “Dragon Trap” strategies had firmly placed the capital under the Elder Council’s control. The Dan Ding Sword Sect was nearly finished, and even the once-mighty emperor was now a caged beast.
All that remained was confirmation of Yang Hao’s death for the Elder Council to claim total victory. The emperor would either be deposed or imprisoned, stripped of power. And Haike? He would ascend further—Elder Du Yi had promised to teach him the secret techniques left by the Supreme One, granting him the qualifications to join the Elder Council as a revered elder.
Just three more days. After that, Haike could return to the capital with the Divine Mercy Sword Sect and fulfill his dream of becoming an elder.
Just as Haike was basking in his triumph, alarms blared outside.
It was the highest-level alert, prearranged between the Divine Mercy Sword Sect and the outer family fleets.
Haike didn’t even bother with his outer robe, grabbing his crossblade and rushing out. The sweltering heat hit him like a wall, fueling his irritation.
“What’s happening?” he demanded as he stepped outside to find the camp in chaos, with even the four flanking squads in disarray.
“Report, Sect Leader!” a subordinate stammered. “The outer family fleet guarding Flamesand Star just sent an alert—three merchant ships from the Oracle Autonomous Region breached our defenses five minutes ago and are heading toward Earth!”
“What?!” Haike grabbed the man by the collar, snarling. “Breached? That fleet has two battleships and hundreds of warships! How could three merchant ships break through? What were they doing?”
“Th-the merchant ships… they seem to be modified battleships with heavy weaponry,” the subordinate stuttered. “The family fleet was caught off guard. The enemy has already initiated warp—they’re probably halfway to Earth by now.”
“Useless! All of you, useless!!” Haike hurled the man to the ground, seething with rage.
Just three peaceful days—that was all he needed to secure his elder position. But now, this disaster had struck. Both the Tuohai Acceleration Station and Flamesand Star’s defenses were under his command. If those ships delivered medicinal supplies to the Dan Ding Sword Sect on Earth, the Enchantress’s “Stranglehold” plan would collapse.
The thought made Haike’s blood boil. He wished he could fly off this scorching planet and drag those damned ships back himself.
But before he could issue orders, the Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s camp descended into further chaos. The northeastern flank was particularly disordered, with faint traces of fire dragons twisting in the air. Soon, swordmasters from that sector were seen fleeing in panic, abandoning their posts without resistance.
“An attack?” Haike’s fury finally found a target. “Gather everyone! Kill them all!”
He charged toward the northeast alone, crossblade in hand.
The northeastern defenses had completely collapsed. About fifty swordsmen in white cloaks were cutting through the Divine Mercy forces like a storm.
Chasing them was a fire dragon—a fearsome, horned beast of immense power. On a planet like Flamesand Star, brimming with heat, the dragon was unstoppable, burning Divine Mercy swordmasters to ashes as if they were mere kindling.
“The Sect Leader is here!” Seeing Haike charge forward, the Divine Mercy swordmasters rallied, no longer fleeing.
In their eyes, Haike was a grandmaster at the peak of swordsmanship, soon to become an elder-level expert—one of the empire’s top fighters. Who could possibly stand against him?
With Haike here, no matter how formidable the enemy, they would fall beneath his crossblade.
Feeling his subordinates’ adoring gazes, Haike smirked arrogantly, raising his crossblade and roaring at the fire dragon: “Divine Mercy—DIE!!”
A slash infused with holy white light shot toward the dragon.
Something black was indeed sent flying.
But the result left the Divine Mercy swordmasters screaming in horror.
Haike’s supposedly invincible Divine Mercy Slash collided with the fire dragon—only for Haike himself to be sent flying backward, vomiting five mouthfuls of blood before crashing onto the scorched ground. He struggled to rise, eventually needing his adjutant’s help.
In the eyes of his subordinates, Haike—the unbeatable—had been defeated in a single move. The Divine Mercy Sword Sect’s morale shattered. If even their strongest leader fell so easily, what hope did they have?
So when Yang Hao sheathed his Flame Dragon Sword and walked leisurely toward them with Elder He De, all they could offer were looks of disbelief, resentment, and sheer terror.
“Y-Yang Hao…” Haike stared dumbfounded at his enemy, his words plunging his men deeper into despair. “You’re Yang Hao. You’re really alive.”
The Divine Mercy swordmasters erupted in panic:
“It’s Yang Hao!”
“He’s alive?! Didn’t the Elder Council kill him?”
“Is it true he can’t be killed? The rumors were real?”
“Someone once said Yang Hao is the Undying War God!”
Yang Hao stood calmly, flanked by Elder He De—another peak-level saint—and fifty elite Dan Ding swordsmen.
This force was terrifyingly powerful. Even if several more sects joined the Divine Mercy Sword Sect, they would struggle to withstand Yang Hao’s cold, relentless killing intent.
“Sect Leader Haike, it’s been a while,” Yang Hao said coolly. “You killed my disciples, burned my home, and yet lived this long. Impressive. But your luck ends here.”
“What do you want?” Haike shoved his adjutant aside, making a subtle gesture.
“I’m here to show the entire empire that no one kills my brothers and lives. An eye for an eye, blood for blood—that’s my way.”
Haike took a deep breath, struggling against the icy aura Yang Hao exuded. Even on this blazing planet, the surroundings grew frigid, as if the temperature bent to Yang Hao’s will.
“Do you know who you’re opposing?” Haike roared through the killing intent. “The Elder Council! The Enchantress! The empire’s strongest! Your Dan Ding Sword Sect is finished! The emperor is finished! And you—just you!!”
“Just me.” Yang Hao took a step forward. The Shadow Moon Blade flew from his body, tracing a graceful arc in the air before severing the heads of several swordmasters beside Haike.
It happened so fast Haike didn’t even react.
Only then did Haike realize Yang Hao’s strength far surpassed his imagination. Back in the capital, Haike had been no match for Yang Hao. Now, he wasn’t even worthy of being an opponent.
One was a fading, broken comet; the other, a blazing sun at its zenith. They were no longer in the same league.
Yet even now, Haike believed he held the upper hand. He had prepared for this.
The Divine Mercy Sword Sect had survived this long not just through brute force and arrogance, but through cunning tactics that had saved them time and again.
Haike’s adjutant, whom he had just pushed away, returned—this time dragging five figures wrapped in white cloaks.
They were mere teenagers, their bodies covered in wounds, the white cloaks soaked red with blood.
Thinking of this, Haik was filled with rage. He wished to fly out of this scorching hot planet immediately and capture those damned spaceships.
But before Haik could issue orders, the camp of the Divine Pardon Sword Group became even more chaotic. Especially in the northeast corner of the defensive line, several fire dragons appeared, twisting and turning. Soon, swordsmen from the Divine Pardon Sword Group were fleeing in panic, abandoning their positions without resistance.
“Under attack?” Haik finally had an outlet for his anger, “Gather everyone and attack!”
He took the lead, charging toward the northeast with his cross sword.
The Divine Pardon defense in the northeast had completely collapsed. About fifty swordsmen in white cloaks were flying around, killing the Divine Pardon members mercilessly.
Chasing and attacking these cross swordsmen was a fire dragon. This dragon was already formidable, with immense power. On a planet like Huosha Star, with its intense heat, it became even more powerful, as if it were a real dragon, turning the Divine Pardon swordsmen into ashes.
“The captain is here!” Seeing Haik rushing over, the Divine Pardon swordsmen excitedly cried out, regaining their composure and ceasing their retreat.
In their eyes, Captain Haik had already reached the peak of a grand swordsman and was soon to become an Elder-level expert. He was one of the top experts in the empire, and who else could possibly rival him besides the Senate?
Now that Haik had arrived, no matter how formidable the opponent was, they would merely be ghosts under his cross sword.
Feeling the adoring gazes of his subordinates, Haik arrogantly smiled, raising his cross sword and charging toward the fire dragon with a roar: “Divine Pardon! Die!!”
A white holy light accompanied the sword strike, colliding with the fire dragon.
Indeed, a black object flew out.
But what followed was the Divine Pardon Sword Group’s soldiers’ heart-wrenching exclamation.
Haik’s powerful Divine Pardon sword clashed with the fire dragon, and in the end, it was Haik who flew backward, spitting out five mouthfuls of blood mist in midair. He fell onto the Huosha sand, struggling several times but unable to rise, eventually needing his aide to help him up.
In the swordsmen’s eyes, Haik, who had been considered invincible, had been defeated in a single move. This completely shattered the Divine Pardon Sword Group’s confidence. If their strongest captain could be defeated so easily, what more for themselves?
So when Yang Hao sheathed his Flame Dragon Sword and slowly walked forward with Elder Hertz, what they received was the enemy’s incredulous, unwilling yet extremely fearful gaze.
“Y… Yang Hao…” Haik stared blankly at the enemy before him. His words further plunged his subordinates into despair, “You are Yang Hao. You are really still alive.”
The swordsmen of the Divine Pardon Sword Group were shocked, murmuring in confusion:
“It’s Yang Hao!”
“He’s still alive!! Didn’t the Executive Elder kill him?”
“Could it be true that he’s immortal? The rumors must be real?”
“Someone once said that Yang Hao is the Undying War God!”
Yang Hao just stood there quietly. Behind him were Elder Hertz, another peak Saint Domain expert, and fifty top swordsmen from the Dan Ding Sword Sect.
This force was already terrifyingly powerful. It wouldn’t matter if the Divine Pardon Sword Group had more sects added to their ranks; they would likely be unable to withstand Yang Hao’s cold and ruthless killing intent.
“Captain Haik, long time no see,” Yang Hao gazed at Haik calmly. “You killed my disciples and burned down my house, yet you’ve managed to survive this long. But your good fortune ends here.”
“What do you want to do?” Haik pushed away his aide forcefully, making a gesture.
“I just want to let the entire empire know that no one can kill my brothers and still live. An eye for an eye, blood for blood—that’s my principle, Yang Hao’s principle.”
Haik took a deep breath, trying to withstand the icy aura emanating from Yang Hao. Even on this scorching planet, the surrounding area rapidly turned icy cold, as if the temperature itself changed with Yang Hao’s mood.
“Do you know who you’re opposing?” Haik roared defiantly against the killing intent, “It’s the Senate, the Executive Elder, and the empire’s top experts. Your Dan Ding Sword Sect is finished, and the Emperor is finished too. Just you? Just you!!”
“Just me!” Yang Hao took a step forward. His Shadow Moon sword flew out of its sheath, drawing an elegant arc in the air, taking the heads of several swordsmen near Haik.
The speed was so fast that even Haik himself couldn’t react in time.
Only then did Haik realize that Yang Hao’s strength had far exceeded his expectations. Back in the capital, Haik had already been no match for Yang Hao. Now, he didn’t even have the qualifications to be Yang Hao’s opponent.
One was a dim and broken comet, while the other was a blazing sun—an entirely different level.
Even so, Haik still felt he had the upper hand because he had prepared in advance.
The Divine Pardon Sword Group’s survival until today wasn’t solely due to their martial prowess and arrogance. They had many life-saving tricks that had helped them survive numerous crises.
The aide Haik had just pushed away returned, but this time, he was holding five people wrapped in white cloaks.
These five were only teenagers, their bodies covered in wounds. Their white cloaks served as clothing, now stained red with blood.
Seeing these people, Yang Hao and the fifty disciples behind him changed expressions. They recognized at first glance that these were five brothers from the Hao Sword Corps, five of the orphans Yang Hao had brought from Laimeng Star. On the day of the rescue battle at the grand palace, these five had remained at the Dan Ding Sword Sect. Later, when events suddenly changed, the imperial city’s crisis was lifted, but the Divine Pardon Sword Corps had ambushed the Dan Ding Sword Sect. Not only was Zhuang Guo burned down, but these five were captured.
It turned out that Haik had been waiting for this day. He wanted to use these five as hostages to ensure his own safety.
Yang Hao was furious beyond measure. His feelings toward the members of the Ten Sword Style had always been coldly combative; if the opponent didn’t resist, he’d simply crush them. But Haik had repeatedly harmed his brothers, crossing the very bottom line in Yang Hao’s heart.
To him, the blood of the members of the Hao Sword Corps was linked to his own. When they’d decided to go to the palace to rescue Yang Hao, their lives had already been bound together.
Yang Hao looked at the five people, barely alive. The flames of anger had already enveloped Shadow Moon, and the surrounding temperature rapidly rose, causing the fire cloud grass to show signs of blooming prematurely.
“You want to kill me? Then they’re all doomed to die!” Haik pointed his cross sword at one of the hostages.
“You will die a terrible death—I promise, each and every one of you will die terribly!” Yang Hao spat out each word with gritted teeth, his eyes like knives, seemingly ready to carve a piece of flesh from Haik.
“Immediately withdraw from Huo Sha Star and go back to your autonomous territory!” Haik pierced the sword tip into the hostage’s neck. Blood dripped down the blade. “Otherwise, they will all die.”
“Captain!” The hostage under Haik’s grip regained consciousness from the pain. Seeing Yang Hao, he momentarily forgot his situation and became ecstatic. “Captain, you’re still alive.”
Hearing his weak voice, Yang Hao’s heart trembled, and the flames on Shadow Moon flickered weakly.
Suddenly, the hostage screamed out, “Captain! Kill me—kill all of us!!”
“What?” Haik stared in shock at the man beneath his hand.
The member of the Hao Sword Corps used up nearly all his strength to shout, “Captain, don’t worry about us—hurry back to the capital. Our brothers there are almost finished. They say they’re about to die; you must go and save them.”
His series of desperate cries awakened the other four, and they simultaneously joined in the shouting: “Captain! Saving our brothers on Earth is the priority! Hurry and kill us, and avenge us!”
“No going to Earth, or I’ll kill them!” Feeling increasingly unable to control the hostages, Haik began to panic.
“What should we do?” Herde quietly transmitted his voice.
“Not abandoning even one of them.” That was Yang Hao’s answer.
The hostage in Haik’s grip noticed that Yang Hao had no intention of attacking. His heart felt as if being cut by a knife. The real suffering was not just theirs, but the suffering of more brothers at the Dan Ding Sword Sect on Earth. If Yang Hao didn’t return in time, there would certainly be a massacre.
He gritted his teeth, gathered all his strength, and actually rammed his neck onto Haik’s sword tip.
This was something Haik had never expected. According to his usual self-serving philosophy, people who didn’t look out for themselves deserved annihilation. Yet the hostage in his hands was willing to sacrifice himself.
But these people were Haik’s trump cards for survival. He had kept them alive specifically to prevent revenge from the Dan Ding Sword Sect. How could he let them die in vain?
After all, Haik was a grand swordsman. He quickly withdrew his cross sword with quick eyes and fast hands, making the disciple of the Hao Sword Corps crash into empty space.
But Haik forgot, facing him were still Yang Hao and, even more importantly, the legendary figure Herde.
How could they possibly let such an opportunity slip away?
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