Yang Hao’s gaze pierced through the shop owner like needles, causing him to stumble backward in fear. In an instant, although Yang Hao hadn’t visibly moved, everything inside the shop began to fly about as if enchanted, colliding with each other and creating utter chaos.
“Ahhh! Awww!” The shop owner plopped onto the ground, wailing, “I can’t live like this! I can’t live like this!!”
“What’s going on?” The mercantile law enforcement team arrived rather quickly, clearly stationed permanently in Starlight City. These enforcement squads, composed of regular soldiers and functioning similarly to police, were common in every trade metropolis to handle disputes. Several officers in gray uniforms rushed in, took in the chaotic scene, drew their particle guns, and aimed them at Yang Hao. “Who are you?”
Who was he? Yang Hao couldn’t be bothered to answer. His identity was far beyond what these low-ranking soldiers could handle.
Considering the enforcement team was under the jurisdiction of the Mercantile Guild, Yang Hao waved his hand dismissively, choosing not to dwell on the matter.
However, these officers clearly lacked discernment. Blocking the doorway, they roared, “Daring to cause trouble in Starlight City! Don’t you know this is the territory of the Starlight Circus?”
“Aren’t you part of the Mercantile Guild’s enforcement team?” Kan Ling frowned. “Why are you taking orders from the Starlight Circus?”
“Whoever feeds us, we obey.” The few words from the enforcement officers sealed their tragic fate.
Yang Hao’s expression darkened again, this time not directed at those inside the shop, but at the Mercantile Guild headquarters. After all, he was one of the top ten council members, overseeing all merchants across the realm. Yet since assuming this role, aside from burdens, he had gained no benefits whatsoever.
The old men at the Mercantile Guild headquarters couldn’t even control their subordinates—it was truly disappointing.
Yang Hao raised his hand casually, pointing a finger. A streak of fire shot from his fingertip, accurately striking the enforcement team’s vehicle parked at the entrance.
With a thunderous explosion, the entire Starlight City trembled. The vehicle was engulfed in flames, launching several meters into the air before crashing down in a fiery tumble, sending up a massive cloud of dust.
“You…” The few enforcement officers finally realized Yang Hao was someone they could never handle. They glared bitterly at the shop owner before hastily stepping aside, clearly intending to escort Yang Hao out.
However, Yang Hao had no intention of leaving. He stood quietly with his hands behind his back, waiting patiently.
About ten minutes later, the air in this district began to vibrate violently. A squad of swordsmen was instantly teleported here using a teleportation device. Although the Mercantile Guild’s management was lackluster, their response was indeed swift.
Seeing the swordsmen arrive, the enforcement officers regained their composure and rushed forward to greet them. “Grand Swordmaster Chen Tie, you’ve arrived just in time. There’s someone causing trouble here, someone who dares to disturb the peace of Starlight City.”
“Anyone violating the Mercantile Guild’s regulations…” Chen Tie was about to begin reciting the laws before apprehending the suspect when he suddenly caught sight of Yang Hao slowly turning his head around.
“Ahhh!” Startled, Chen Tie and the swordsmen behind him were equally astonished. This squad of swordsmen, who moments ago appeared imposing, immediately knelt before Yang Hao.
“Councilor Yang Hao!” The thunderous voice indeed reflected the grandeur of one of the Mercantile Guild’s forty elite sword squads.
“Chen Tie, you arrived rather quickly!” Yang Hao said coldly. Naturally, Chen Tie recognized him; he was the leader of one of the forty elite sword squads under the Mercantile Guild headquarters. When Yang Hao officially assumed his councilor position, all forty sword squads had sworn loyalty to him.
“Hehe, Councilor Yang Hao, what brings you here?” Chen Tie stood up and asked, trying to be accommodating.
“Ask them.” Yang Hao tilted his chin toward the few people around.
The shop owner and the enforcement officers were utterly terrified. Especially the shop owner, who finally understood why Zhou Yao had fled in such a panic. The person standing before him was no ordinary man.
Within the Mercantile Guild, he was practically a godlike figure.
Who else could have transformed his group into one of the top ten mercantile powers within a single year?
Who else could have, at such a young age, risen to become one of the top ten councilors? And who else could have expelled the Ten Sword Streams, lifting the long-standing oppression the merchants had endured?
Such a figure, and the shop owner hadn’t even recognized him. He wasn’t just terrified—he was practically terrified out of his wits.
“Councilor Yang Hao!” The shop owner dropped to his knees with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably. “Spare me, please spare me!”
Chen Tie glanced around, quickly understanding the situation. He signaled with his eyes, and his group of swordsmen immediately rushed forward, apprehending the shop owner and the few enforcement officers.
“How should we handle them?” Chen Tie asked cautiously, clearly sensing Yang Hao’s foul mood.
Unexpectedly, Yang Hao’s first outburst was directed at someone of high rank. “Handle them? Handle what? Go back and tell those nine old men at headquarters that I’m extremely dissatisfied. What kind of nonsense is this? Nine people can’t even manage the Mercantile Guild headquarters properly. They might as well all go home and retire. Starlight City! Who exactly governs Starlight City—the Starlight Circus or the headquarters?”
Chen Tie shrank his neck, too afraid to respond. Councilor scolding councilor—this was one councilor berating nine. How could he possibly respond?
Kan Ling pulled Yang Hao’s hand, calming his anger slightly.
“Lock all these people up and deal with them according to the Mercantile Guild regulations.” Yang Hao sighed, his eyes darkening. “Then send me ten sword squads. I want the entire Starlight City destroyed.”
“What?” Everyone in the room was stunned.
Yang Hao had already made up his mind. “I’ve been here a few times. The entire Starlight City claims to be under the Mercantile Guild, but in reality, it’s controlled by the Starlight Circus. If this continues, will it be the Ten Sword Streams governing the Mercantile Guild or the headquarters? This situation cannot be allowed to persist. Therefore…”
Chen Tie’s expression turned solemn. Naturally, he understood Yang Hao’s meaning. “Understood. I’ll immediately return to mobilize the troops. However, if the Starlight Circus resists, what should we do? After all, they are one of the main forces within the Ten Sword Streams and possess considerable military might.”
“If they ask, tell them it was my order. If the Starlight Circus dares to retaliate, then next time it will be the Dan Ding Sect taking action.” Yang Hao snorted. “I doubt Zhou Chuanqian would dare to interfere.”
In fact, Yang Hao’s prediction was spot on.
When fifteen sword squads from the Mercantile Guild headquarters entered Starlight City and began smashing shops and shutting them down one by one, the Starlight Circus merely sent a few people to inquire. Upon hearing the words Yang Hao had left behind, Zhou Chuanqian immediately withdrew, not daring to utter another sound.
Starlight City, which had followed the Starlight Circus for centuries, almost becoming its附属 and提款 machine, was thus obliterated with a single word from Yang Hao.
Naturally, on that day, Yang Hao and Kan Ling could not have known that their outing would bring about such significant changes to the empire’s future.
Although the Snow Night Star Lion wasn’t purchased, Kan Ling’s mood wasn’t bad. At the very least, she had witnessed Yang Hao’s devotion to her. Therefore, after leaving Starlight City, it was she who dragged Yang Hao along, touring the entire outskirts of the imperial capital. Along the way, they didn’t see much scenery, but they encountered nearly all the nobles of the capital. Kan Ling used this method to quietly announce to others that from this day forward, she was Yang Hao’s woman.
However, this matter wasn’t over yet. Late into the night, when Yang Hao and Kan Ling returned to the Dan Ding Sect, they discovered the manor in uproar, nearly as chaotic as the end of the world.
Yang Hao thought something unexpected had occurred and rushed in hastily.
However, upon entering the gate, what first caught his eye was the Snow Night Star Lion. More accurately, it was many Snow Night Star Lions. Within the manor, at least thirty Snow Night Star Lions of varying sizes and appearances were running wild, causing complete havoc. These lions were too powerful; a single swipe of their paws could topple a tree, and a headbutt could bring down a wall. With such playful antics, the entire Dan Ding Sect would soon be reduced to rubble.
Therefore, all the experts and novices of the Dan Ding Sect had mobilized to catch the lions. A large group of people were chasing and intercepting the Snow Night Star Lions, playing an exciting game.
The funniest sight was still He De. As a peak Saint-level expert, he had one lion riding under him, one in each hand, and another clinging to his neck, yet he couldn’t dare to let go. Seeing Kan Ling witness this scene, she joyfully cheered and joined the lion-catching frenzy.
“Councilor,” Chen Tie respectfully stood in front of Yang Hao.
“Ah?” Yang Hao finally noticed him, shaking his head helplessly. “What’s going on here? Did you bring them?”
Chen Tie grinned slyly. “The nine elder councilors heard what Councilor Yang Hao said and ordered me to bring thirty Star Lions. They asked me to convey to you, Councilor Yang Hao, that they will handle the Mercantile Guild matters, but since Councilor Yang Hao has too much free time, he indeed needs something to do.”
Too much free time? Something to do?
Yang Hao could only sigh in bitterness. Looking at the chaotic scene before him, it was obvious that those nine elderly councilors, who were not to be trusted, were taking revenge for his scolding them earlier that day.
These guys were indeed vindictive.
Actually, vindictiveness wasn’t limited to those nine old councilors. Councilors taking revenge might only send a few Snow Night Star Lions, ostensibly as retaliation but actually as a way to please him.
However, if one offends a woman, the trouble becomes much greater.
Just as Yang Hao unleashed a fiery blast, obliterating the enforcement team’s vehicle, in a nearby club, two individuals were sipping drinks while watching Yang Hao’s display of power.
Princess Xianlan seemed to have been waiting for an opportunity all along. After Zhou Yao was driven out of that premium store by Yang Hao, she dragged him into the club, where he sat dejectedly drinking.
The thunderous explosion, although not shattering the club’s glass, still made everyone’s ears ring uncomfortably.
Xianlan frowned, touched her earlobe, and looked at Zhou Yao sitting across from her with a gloomy expression. She sneered, “Look how mighty Yang Hao is. That’s what a real man should be.”
Zhou Yao recalled the humiliation of being driven away by Yang Hao earlier, his frustration boiling over. He gulped down his drink, treating the cup’s contents as his enemy.
“What good is drinking?” Xianlan looked down on the man even more. “Your fiancée was taken away, and all you can do is drink. Are you even a real man?”
Zhou Yao, already full of anger, couldn’t bear such mockery. He slammed his cup on the table, furious. “Yang Hao dares to break off the engagement with the princess. What wouldn’t that kid dare to do? What can I do?”
Xianlan’s expression changed, her hatred evident.
These two were truly in the same boat. One was a favored daughter of heaven, and the other was a renowned talent in the empire. Yet before Yang Hao, they were worse than a drowning dog.
Xianlan’s hatred slowly solidified into something sinister. She asked coldly, “Zhou Yao, do you want to win back Kan Ling?”
“Of course I do! How could I not!” Zhou Yao scoffed loudly. “But wanting it is useless. Yang Hao is now at his peak. Even the Ten Sword Streams retreat from him. Who dares to interfere with his affairs?”
“As long as you have the courage, like a real man, I can help you.”
“Me?” Zhou Yao shook his head in disbelief. “You can’t even help yourself. How can you help me?”
A sinister gleam appeared on Xianlan’s beautiful face. She leaned close to Zhou Yao’s ear and whispered something.
Zhou Yao’s expression immediately changed. “Really? You’re not lying to me?”
“We’re on the same boat. Why would I lie to you?” Xianlan said.
“I hate Yang Hao even more than you do.”
Zhou Yao took a deep breath. He knew Xianlan was someone who always sought revenge, especially after the humiliation of having her engagement broken off by Yang Hao, which she could never swallow.
However, this plan was extremely risky. Zhou Yao could die at any moment, and even the entire Starlight Circus might perish with him. Therefore, he had to be extremely cautious.
“I see. You’re not even a real man. Without even this much courage, no wonder Kan Ling doesn’t like you.” Xianlan mocked again. “The man Kan Ling likes must be a heroic figure, someone fearless of death.”
Mentioning Kan Ling reignited Zhou Yao’s anger. He had devoted his entire life to her, but now it was all for naught. Even an ordinary man couldn’t bear such a loss.
“Fine!” Zhou Yao roared. “I’ll do it. This time, I’ll fight Yang Hao to the death.”
“We will succeed.” Xianlan raised her eyebrows, exuding charm. “Yang Hao is doomed.”
“Doomed!”
Their glasses clinked together, the amber liquid swirling darkly, as if narrating some sinister plot.
Throughout the cosmos, the stars revolve, never altering their course for any single individual.
As Princess Xianlan said, breaking off an imperial engagement was no easy matter. Especially since this engagement had been approved by the emperor, publicly announced, and known throughout the universe.
Therefore, no matter how sweet Yang Hao and Kan Ling’s days together were, external resistance had already begun to surface.
Firstly, rumors spread everywhere claiming Yang Hao was fickle, having deceived the princess and now trying to steal Kan Ling, aiming to claim all three beauties of the imperial capital for himself. This rumor likely originated among the nobility and eventually spread throughout the galaxy. While many men might see this as a matter of pride rather than shame, among the older generation of powerful nobles, Yang Hao’s reputation had already begun to wane.
The other backlash surprisingly came from Kan Ling’s own family. Born into a prestigious family, Kan Ling had been educated by both the Senate and Feng Feng, and had become friends with the princess, clearly not an ordinary household.
Kan Ling’s family was essentially composed of nobles, with her father holding a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and several of her brothers serving as leaders of star systems, making it a family of influential power.
Such a family had one defining characteristic: they valued appearances and couldn’t tolerate public criticism.
Therefore, in the eyes of the Lan family, the relationship between Kan Ling and Yang Hao was seen as rebellious and unacceptable. Yang Hao had dared to refuse the emperor’s arranged marriage, and Kan Ling had fallen head over heels for him, not even returning home. This was utterly unforgivable.
No matter what gifts Yang Hao sent, they were all returned by the Lan family. Kan Ling’s father publicly declared that he would never accept Yang Hao as their son-in-law.
The old man was truly foolish. His daughter was already living at Yang Hao’s house, yet he still insisted on this charade, which was utterly redundant.
However, regardless of the circumstances, Yang Hao’s decision to break off the engagement had placed him in a disadvantageous position in public opinion, making this court assembly particularly significant.
Originally a matter of royal family affairs, Princess Xianlan insisted on holding this court assembly, claiming she wanted the high-ranking officials of the empire to judge the matter fairly.
Was there anything left to judge? Xianlan had already prepared the public opinion and put on the guise of a pitiful woman. Naturally, all the ministers in the palace stood on her side.
So when Yang Hao stood alone in the middle of the grand palace, he was met with a chorus of condemnation from the ministers, as if Yang Hao, this heartless man, didn’t quickly marry the princess, the moral fabric of the Galactic Empire would unravel, and the nation would fall into chaos.
Yang Hao endured for a long time but could no longer hold back. He glared fiercely at the ministers, practically cursing their ancestors for eight generations.
The ministers, sensing Yang Hao’s murderous intent, wisely shut up. The current Yang Hao was no longer the helpless prisoner who could be bullied at will. He was the top expert of the pro-imperial faction and the most powerful person in the universe. If they truly enraged him, they might not even survive the journey home.
Seeing the ministers dare not speak, Princess Xianlan couldn’t help but feel sorrow and began to sob softly.
This caused the two people standing on the golden steps to feel uneasy. One of them was the crown prince, who had saved Yang Hao several times. Although Xianlan was his younger sister, seeing his beloved sister so heartbroken, it would be unforgivable not to say a few words as her older brother.
“Councilor Yang Hao, although Princess Xianlan may not be your favorite, there is no longer a law in the empire mandating monogamy. There’s really no need for you to break off the engagement.”
The crown prince’s words were quite tactful. First, he reminded Yang Hao that the empire had long abolished the monogamy law, and most noble officials had multiple wives. As long as you could afford to support them, no one would criticize you. Then he subtly suggested that even if Yang Hao didn’t like Xianlan, he could still marry her. Later, he could bring in Kan Ling or someone else, and no one would interfere.
The crown prince was indeed considerate and had done much for Yang Hao, even the Emperor Yinglie nodded slightly.
Unfortunately, none of them understood that Yang Hao’s reason for breaking off the engagement was not because he disliked having too many wives, but simply because he didn’t like Xianlan and didn’t want any relationship with this woman.
“I’ve already told the Emperor before about breaking off the engagement. As long as I resolved the siege of the Qianlong Pavilion, he would allow me to break it off.” Yang Hao gave no face.
“Yang Hao!” Qin Feng was furious, rarely raising his finger to point at Yang Hao’s nose. “Don’t be too excessive. The Princess’s status is so high. It’s already a great blessing for you to be allowed to marry her. How dare you break off the engagement? Don’t you know that the arranged marriage has already been announced to the world and is known throughout the universe? Do you think it’s something you can just break off at will?”
With Feng’s statement, the matter became complicated.
Among the three people on the golden steps, the crown prince appealed to emotions, Feng threatened with severity, and although Emperor Yinglie hadn’t expressed his stance, as the Princess’s father, he naturally couldn’t stand on Yang Hao’s side.
The ministers in the hall already had a clear idea. It seemed Yang Hao’s attempt to break off the engagement had failed. Whether in terms of reason or force, Yang Hao was at a disadvantage. Other than bowing and submitting, what other good options did he have?
However, these people had forgotten that Yang Hao, at such a young age, had managed to reach such a high position, always having some methods. Sometimes, these methods weren’t just one or two. His firm stance was because he still had an ace up his sleeve.
Now was the time to use that ace.
“Your Majesty, I have another reason for breaking off the engagement.” Yang Hao directly locked eyes with Emperor Yinglie. “The actual situation of the Kuilong Pavilion and the Jiesha Bureau…”
“Silence!!”
Three people angrily shouted, interrupting Yang Hao’s words.
It was naturally Emperor Yinglie, the crown prince, and Feng on the golden steps. Feng was so furious that his robes were flaring, clearly showing signs of attacking.
Yang Hao didn’t continue. He had only intended to say this much, waiting to be interrupted.
Compared to the ministers’ confusion and Yang Hao’s calm demeanor, Princess Xianlan trembled all over, looking at the three people on the golden steps with disbelief.
Clearly, the words Yang Hao was about to say were known to those three.
How did they know?
And why wouldn’t they let Yang Hao expose it? Xianlan didn’t show anything on the surface, but inside, her heart was like a floodgate opening, unable to calm down for a long time.
Yang Hao remained silent, standing there casually, because he knew he was going to win this battle again, and win it easily, something the other side couldn’t reverse.
As expected, after a moment of hesitation, Emperor Yinglie glanced around. The ministers naturally had nothing to say, Feng and the crown prince were frowning, and Xianlan was even more silent.
The secret Yang Hao possessed was absolutely forbidden to be disclosed by the royal family, and it was exactly the emperor’s most sensitive point. Although Yang Hao would have to pay some price later, at this moment, he was the victor.
“If that’s the case, then…” Emperor Yinglie was about to agree to the annulment when something unexpected happened.
Outside the palace, a voice was heard that made Princess Xianlan’s dejected expression perk up.
“I object!” Zhou Yao ran in, following the voice.
The ministers were in an uproar. Everyone here knew that the Starlight Circus was the backbone of the Ten Sword Streams and currently the only sword sect with remaining strength.
Since the royal family and the Senate had split, no one from the Ten Sword Streams had been allowed to attend the court sessions.
However, Zhou Yao managed to enter without obstruction thanks to a royal pass, clearly indicating that someone within the royal family had orchestrated this scene.
“You object?” Yang Hao was furious beyond words. He had already dealt with the Eunuch King, yet a mere brat dared to oppose him. Did Zhou Yao even have the right to object?
“I not only object, but I also challenge you.” Zhou Yao gritted his teeth, throwing a sword at Yang Hao’s feet. “Yang Hao, I challenge you to a duel.”
“Do you want to die?” Yang Hao coldly looked at him. Naturally, he wouldn’t kill him in the grand palace.
“I don’t want to die; I want a duel. I challenge you like a real man.” Zhou Yao said with determination. “Yang Hao, if you lose, you must leave Kan Ling and marry the princess.”
“Why should I duel with you?” Yang Hao looked at him with a bored expression.
Breaking off the engagement with the princess and being with Kan Ling had already become a fact. Why bother fighting and killing someone? Of course, Yang Hao didn’t mind killing Zhou Yao. The key was that this bet was too trivial.
“Are you afraid?” Zhou Yao provoked him.
“Yang Hao, the Lord of the Land, has unparalleled martial skills. What is there he dares not do?”
Princess Xianlan began to speak. “I think he’s worried about making a mistake and being ridiculed by the whole world.”
Yang Hao sighed, looking at Xianlan. Truly, it was said that heaven-sent misfortunes could be avoided, but self-inflicted ones could not. Today, Zhou Yao’s sudden appearance was clearly Xianlan’s idea.
The Minister of the Privy Council coughed lightly. This old fox was naturally cunning. Earlier, when the ministers were strongly opposing, he hadn’t spoken much, aiming to observe the emperor’s attitude. But now it was clear that in the entire empire, there was no one more powerful than Yang Hao. Once Yang Hao made up his mind, even Emperor Yinglie had to agree.
The current situation required everyone to find a way to save face.
So the Chief Minister of the Privy Council stepped forward. “Your Majesty, although Zhou Yao is rash, his method is not without merit.”
Yang Hao rolled his eyes in exasperation. What kind of method was this? Two men fighting over Kan Ling, and the loser had to marry the princess?
There was no more self-deprecating method in the entire world.
Yet Princess Xianlan was such a self-deprecating person. She also mournfully said, “Since it’s like this, I don’t want to make things difficult for my father. If Lord Yang Hao wins, this marriage will be called off.”
Yang Hao was puzzled. Why did these high-ranking people always like to make decisions for others, and after making those decisions, they thought they were doing others a favor, expecting gratitude?
It was like this when the engagement was arranged, and now it was the same with the duel. Yang Hao hadn’t even spoken, yet they were already acting as if everything was decided.
However, in reality, everything was indeed decided.
Xianlan dared to set up this scheme, having already predicted that Yang Hao wouldn’t refuse. Naturally, there was also a reason Yang Hao couldn’t refuse.
Zhou Yao then said, “Besides the engagement, I will also use the remaining four divine swords of the Ten Sword Streams as stakes. If I lose, these four swords will all belong to you.”
“Four divine swords?” Yang Hao was startled, beginning to take the matter seriously.
The Ten Sword Streams were renowned for their ten divine swords. Legend held that these ten swords had been personally granted by the Supreme Sovereign, and although the true purpose of the divine swords remained unknown to all, they were without a doubt the most precious treasures of the Ten Sword Streams.
Yang Hao had already obtained six divine swords, and his goal was obvious to everyone—he aimed to collect all ten swords. The current problem was that the remaining four sects guarded their swords tightly. If there were no high-level experts in the sect, the swords were certainly hidden in unknown places. Even if Yang Hao wiped out the sects, he might not be able to retrieve the swords.
But now, this was an opportunity.
“Will the Ten Sword Streams listen to you?” Yang Hao was somewhat incredulous. Zhou Yao was just a spoiled brat. Challenging Yang Hao was almost a sure bet to lose. How could the Ten Sword Streams so easily hand over their divine swords?
However, Zhou Yao said something quite mysterious: “You forgot, who is currently in charge of the Ten Sword Streams.”
Who was in charge of the Ten Sword Streams? Naturally, it was that elusive enchantress. Yang Hao understood. This was indeed a carefully laid trap, and he believed this trap wouldn’t be so simple. The enchantress would set up layers of traps, and those four swords were merely bait.
But Yang Hao was still prepared to jump.
Though thousands oppose, I shall go forth! A few traps were nothing.
Zhou Yao continued to boast to the ministers: “Only the strongest man in the world is worthy of Kan Ling. I will use this battle to tell the entire universe that the Ten Sword Streams are unbeatable, forever unbeatable!!”
His voice grew hoarse, his face turning bright red, making people worry he might burst a blood vessel and die the next second.
“That’s settled then.” Yang Hao said indifferently and walked out of the grand palace without looking back.
The night was like a curtain.
The imperial capital was immersed in an uneasy disturbance. When the news of Zhou Yao challenging Yang Hao was made public, the entire Milky Way was shaken.
There couldn’t be better gossip. It involved the royal family, a princess, a lord, an ice beauty of the imperial capital, and the nobility within the Ten Sword Streams. The so-called scandals, secrets, and scandals were almost all covered.
However, the two cores of the event, the Dan Ding Sect and the Starlight Circus, remained silent afterward, showing no reaction.
Since the day the Mercantile Guild headquarters sent people to flatten the entire Starlight City, the Starlight Circus no longer held public performances. Everyone said the circus was afraid of Yang Hao, but no one knew that Zhou Chuanqian was about to do something secret.
He was going to die.
Generally speaking, a peak Saint-level expert had long transcended life and death. A few hundred years of life were just a blink of an eye. Zhou Chuanqian was only in his seventies, still in his prime.
However, what Zhou Chuanqian was about to do would send him to hell, never to be reborn.
The performance tent of the Starlight Circus, besides its daily performances, had an unknown secret—it was also a training ground.
At this moment, all the swordsmen of the Starlight Circus were stationed around the tent on alert. They all knew that something significant was about to happen on this seemingly quiet night.
The entire tent was silent. The audience seats, which were usually filled, had been removed and replaced with rows of lit candles. The original solid roof had transformed into a brilliant star map.
Thousands of shimmering stars changed colors on the roof. This star map was something no computer in the universe could find, for the stars on it were not real stars in this universe but originated from ancient star calculation techniques.
The stars shimmering on the map were not specific planets but represented the distribution of stellar power in the universe. Or, in the words of the gods, they were the distribution of the Creator’s residual power in the universe. The movement of the stars relied on such power.
The secret of the Starlight Circus’s inheritance lay in this, and the Star Sword was the core to activating this star map. Each member of the Starlight Circus had their unique source of stellar power.
Zhou Chuanqian’s source of power was called “Guxuan.” In ancient records, Guxuan was known as Taiyin, opposing Taiyang. It was rarely seen, almost equivalent to a black hole or antimatter in the universe.
During his journey, Zhou Chuanqian unexpectedly encountered Guxuan, which allowed him to rapidly ascend to the peak of the Saint realm.
Zhou Yao, who was about to duel with Yang Hao, drew his power from the Ziwei Star, known in ancient times as the Emperor Star. Only those destined to be emperors could possess such power. Therefore, the Zhou family had devoted great efforts to nurturing Zhou Yao, hoping that one day he would ascend the throne and bring glory to the family name.
Zhou Chuanqian stood among the candles, gazing up at the stars. His own Guxuan naturally shone brightly, continuously transmitting power. However, the Ziwei Star in the Ziwei Palace appeared dim, with another star brimming with killing intent about to break into the palace.
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