Chapter 492: Yan Chu Emperor
Hearing Li Hao's words, the royal princess paused for a moment, her expression filled with anger as she glared at him. "I don't want to waste my breath with you. Quickly remove your foot and return his body to him, or else, you will desecrate the royal power. Your nine clans won't be enough to bear the consequences!"
Boom!
Li Hao stomped his foot down, crushing the chest of the immortal body beneath him.
Seeing Li Hao act so wildly, the royal princess visibly changed color, and the other royal members, who were ranked higher, also slightly furrowed their brows.
If this were just a private grudge between Li Hao and Chu Tianzhen, they wouldn't involve themselves. However, seeing Li Hao publicly trampling on a royal body, damaging the royal face, they could no longer remain indifferent. It would be hard to explain their inaction now.
"Stop!"
The royal princess unleashed her immortal power, sending her hair flying as she revealed her imposing aura, seemingly preparing to act.
Li Hao, however, did not look at her. Instead, he took out a token from his chest.
Upon seeing the token in Li Hao's hand, the royal princess's expression changed dramatically. Her pupils contracted slightly in shock.
The other royal members also showed a change in expression, their previously simmering anger quickly subdued as they focused their gazes on the young man.
"Chu Wang Token?"
On the immortal platform, Xing Lan and the others also noticed the token in Li Hao's hand. Their faces shifted, visibly surprised.
This token was incredibly rare, only someone with immense immortal power could receive it. Even the Sect Leader of Tian Yi Sect would not dare act recklessly against Li Hao, for doing so would result in the Chu Immortal Army swiftly surrounding them.
There was even a saying that with the Chu Wang Token, one could slay an unpopular royal prince without consequence.
Chu Tianzhen, standing opposite Li Hao, also noticed the token. His furious expression froze, and he stood still in place.
The young man in front of him actually had the Chu Wang Token? Who gave it to him?
In the past two years, Li Hao had been in the Water Moon Secret Realm on the border, where he had learned many secret matters about the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty. He had also come to understand the various forces and privileges within the Immortal Dynasty and knew the immortal arts.
This technique wasn't the same as others, but it was even more powerful than the others!
The immortal gods of the True Realm roamed freely, but they still adhered to the rules of the Immortal Dynasty.
With the Chu Wang Token, Li Hao could seriously injure or even kill a royal prince without fear of retribution, unless the General Shangguan Hong decided to invalidate the token.
"Such excitement?"
During a brief silence on the immortal platform, a cheerful voice echoed. It sounded friendly, yet with a hint of detached calm.
Upon hearing this voice, the royal members on the platform immediately trembled. They hurriedly turned their heads and saw two figures emerging from the depths of the Ancient Immortal Realm's fog. Their faces changed as they quickly bowed in respect.
As royal princes, even their father, the emperor, would treat these two figures with courtesy. They were far from the crown prince position, after all.
Though the royal family held supreme status before the sects and noble families, they still had to be careful around certain individuals, for their future power struggles were at stake.
Standing atop a high platform, one wrong move could lead to a fall into the abyss, and at times, it was even harder and more cautious than the challenges faced by the genius disciples of the sects and noble families.
Li Hao put away the token and looked at the two individuals who had arrived. The one speaking was Yuan Xinggang, the elder.
Beside him stood Shangguan Hong, dressed in golden armor, with a powerful and imposing figure. He had a beard and piercing eyes, yet he surprisingly displayed a softer side when facing Li Hao, nodding slightly at him.
Li Hao immediately bowed in respect.
"Is it the National Teacher and Grand Marshal?"
"Oh my, they actually came in person to oversee this!"
"Is this their real form? They actually walked out of the Ancient Immortal Realm!"
"Usually, the Southern Territory War selection doesn't cause such a stir."
"With the top geniuses of Yan Chu this year, it's no surprise these two are personally making an appearance."
The crowds beneath the immortal platform were abuzz with shock, while the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities reflected similar astonishment. Countless people recognized these two pillars of the Immortal Dynasty, knowing their unmatchable status. They had accumulated a powerful reputation over thousands of years, and no one in the Immortal Dynasty was unfamiliar with them.
Even Xing Lan and the others, though stunned, lowered their heads in respect.
"Don't embarrass yourself!"
Shangguan Hong glanced at Chu Tianzhen with disdain, then casually waved his hand. Blood splattered from the immortal body at Li Hao's feet, flying toward the soul in front of him.
Chu Tianzhen's face turned red. Being humiliated in front of this general was a huge blow. If he were to compete for the position of crown prince, this would definitely affect his chances of gaining support.
He felt aggrieved, but he quickly thanked them, and then merged his soul with the drop of divine blood, rebirthing it and reforming his physical body.
"Kid, are you interested in considering this? After the ceremony ends, come with me to the Chu Immortal Army. In the next seven days, I will personally cultivate you, and you will certainly gain fame in the Southern Territory War!"
Shangguan Hong looked at Li Hao, a smile on his lips, and transmitted his voice.
Li Hao was slightly stunned, feeling a bit awkward. He had planned to spend the next seven days eating monster meat and then find Meng Zhu to study painting techniques.
If he could improve his painting techniques, he would have a chance to break through to Immortal Sovereign Realm.
At that point, facing Immortal Sovereign Realm experts wouldn't require relying on outside forces for self-preservation.
Seeing the hesitation in Li Hao's expression, Shangguan Hong paused, then burst out laughing. "You're really stubborn, like a mule! Even I can't get you to budge!"
He didn't transmit this via sound, but said it aloud, causing several royal family members and Xing Lan to stare at Li Hao in shock.
What just happened? This General of the Nation actually invited this guy?
And the most surprising thing—he was so friendly with Li Hao?
Standing not far away, Zhang Xuan Yu stared wide-eyed, the series of events unfolding left him dazzled, and he felt somewhat confused.
"This is just like your temper when you were young, isn't it?"
Yuan Xinggang smiled slightly, seemingly understanding what Shangguan Hong had wanted from Li Hao. Clearly, he had been rejected. Yuan Xinggang smiled and said to Li Hao,
"Today's grand ceremony is not the time for small squabbles. We can talk later."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and lightly flicked.
The broken immortal body beneath Li Hao's feet was instantly struck by some kind of power, shattering and disappearing, leaving not even a speck of dust.
Seeing the National Teacher erase his own dismembered body, Chu Tianzhen's face twitched, but he didn't dare to say anything.
"Xiangtian, continue," Yuan Xinggang said, looking at Chu Xiangtian.
At this moment, beads of cold sweat began to form on Chu Xiangtian's forehead. He hadn't expected these two major figures to personally intervene. He had thought they were merely watching from the sidelines.
He cast a deep glance at Li Hao, memorizing the young man's face. Clearly, this young man was deeply favored by these two figures. Apart from his background, it was mostly his monstrous talent.
This was definitely someone worth courting heavily.
He bowed and responded, then removed the restriction on the immortal tablet. "The rest of the ascendants, please ascend the platform in order!"
The immortal tablet trembled, and golden light shot out, illuminating the thirteenth, fourteenth places... one after another.
As the figures ascended, the immortal platform became more and more crowded.
The people who had previously hovered in the air to avoid the battle between Li Hao and Chu Tianzhen now began to land and return to their positions.
However, as they looked at the True Immortal Realm youth on the platform, their expressions were filled with seriousness.
The arrival of National Teacher Yuan Xinggang and General Shangguan Hong had caused them to calm down, and when they looked at this young man again, they immediately realized his terrifying power.
A True Immortal Realm defeating a Second Layer Immortal Sovereign Realm like Chu Tianzhen—this level of strength was almost unparalleled within the True Immortal Realm!
In the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, there were billions of True Immortal Realm cultivators alone.
For someone to achieve such a feat was nothing short of a miracle.
"Li Hao actually knows the Grand Marshal?!"
"Seems like the National Teacher knows him too!"
In Da Meng Jiu Yuan Sect, the elders were stunned, watching this scene in disbelief.
Li Tie Mu's eyes widened, feeling an unprecedented unfamiliarity with his disciple.
The two top figures on the immortal platform were difficult even for him to approach. He wasn't even worthy of their presence, but now they were showing warmth to Li Hao.
"He... he..."
Yue Xi stared at the young man in a daze. She suddenly felt as though the distance between them had grown immeasurably far and almost impossible to bridge.
Gu Yan kept his eyes fixed on Li Hao's back, a glint of light flashing in his eyes as he clenched his fists in quiet determination.
At this moment, Yuan Xinggang and Shangguan Hong, after settling this small disruption, ascended to the high heavens above the immortal platform, disappearing into the clouds beside the Imperial Palace. Their figures were barely visible.
As the golden light continued to shine, one figure after another ascended to the platform.
Each one who ascended couldn't help but glance at the young man.
Whether through connections or their own strength, this young man commanded attention, and they couldn't ignore him.
By now, Zhang Xuan Yu had already returned to Li Hao's side. Looking at the young man beside him, his face was filled with complexity.
The fact that Li Hao had defeated Chu Tianzhen on his own abilities, earning the favor of those two top figures, made Zhang Xuan Yu jealous of his talent. But no one would dare to take any dark actions against him.
If they did, the investigation would lead to a sweeping effect, possibly resulting in dire consequences.
Before long, the disciples from the top thousand places on the immortal tablet, and others from various powers, had ascended the platform.
Among them were also the top geniuses nurtured by the Fumo Division like Gu Xingwan, as well as disciples from thousand-year-old noble families.
Chu Xiangtian stood on the Ancestral Dragon, looking down at the crowd below. His gaze swept across them, briefly pausing on Li Hao before moving on. He then slowly spoke in a loud voice:
"Congratulations to all of you, for becoming the chosen talents from the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty. You one thousand will represent the pinnacle of the younger generation from Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty over the past ten thousand years!"
Cheers erupted from below, and countless people in the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities expressed their amazement.
The earlier clash between Li Hao and Chu Tianzhen had stirred the hearts of countless True Immortal Realm cultivators in the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities. They had been excited and shocked, viewing it as an example of the True Immortal Realm.
"Only with a mere three thousand years of soul lifespan, you've cultivated to such a level, progressing from Tongli Realm to Saint Realm, then ascending to become an Immortal God, and even reaching Immortal Sovereign!"
"You have limitless potential, and you are the epitome of the True World's fortune. You carry great luck and opportunity! I hope you can bear the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty's national fortune and represent Yan Chu on the battlefield, defeating the geniuses of the other nations in the Southern Domain, showing the unmatched prestige of our dynasty!"
With Chu Xiangtian's passionate words, the disciples from the various sects below were filled with excitement. Even though they had failed and didn't make it into the top one thousand, they felt a surge of fiery blood.
Carrying the national fortune and heading out of Yan Chu to compete with the geniuses of the other six great ancient immortal dynasties and the top geniuses from the Heavenly Palace—this was an honor that stirred their blood!
"There are still seven years before the battle begins!"
"In these seven years, I hope you all rise even further. The Yan Chu Imperial Family will open the royal vault to support you all, aiding you in charging into the Southern Domain's genius battlefield and returning victorious!"
Chu Xiangtian said loudly.
His voice rumbled and resonated, shaking the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities, as everyone felt the might and kindness of the royal family.
On the immortal platform, Li Hao and the others listened quietly. Even Li Hao felt a stir of excitement in his heart. The prince's domineering and loud voice was full of charisma, almost as if he were born to be an emperor.
If it weren't for the vastness of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty's territory and the abundance of princes, Chu Xiangtian would certainly have the aura to become an emperor.
However, among the many Yan Chu Royal Family members, it seemed he had yet to rise to the top.
After Chu Xiangtian finished speaking, he turned to look at the towering Imperial Palace that had been projected. He then slowly bowed, kneeling on one knee in the air, and said:
"Please, Father Emperor, grant your decree!"
As his words fell, countless eyes focused on the towering gates of the Imperial Palace.
The gates were a thousand feet tall, like mountain peaks, blocking all sight of what lay beyond.
It felt like an insurmountable barrier, a step that no one could cross.
At this moment, the gates of the Imperial Palace gave a light rumble and slowly cracked open. The surrounding mist swirled, and the power of the gate's opening drew in the surrounding clouds, causing them to surge.
Behind the gate, figures resembling the Ancestral Dragon and Vermilion Phoenix flitted past, dancing like butterflies, moving on either side of the gate.
Immediately, an immense pressure emanated from inside the gate. It felt like a cold, oppressive force descending, causing everyone on the immortal platform, and even those below in the Ancient Immortal Realm, to feel an indescribable sense of awe, like being suddenly submerged in a lake, the air stolen, forcing them to hold their breath.
This pressure spread, and through the projection, it seemed to quiet down the celebrations in the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities as well.
Though they were many miles apart, they all felt that unspoken imperial might!
Through the gate, a grand figure emerged, sitting in the Imperial Hall, eyes shining like the sun, surrounded by brilliant golden rays. A divine aura emanated from him, exuding unmatched power.
His gaze was level, as if his eyes were on the same level as the heavens, as if he and the world were one. It made those who looked upon him feel as insignificant as ants, only able to look up in awe, trembling with caution.
Even the naturally emanating imperial might made the Ancient Immortal Realm silent as a graveyard.
However, this imperial aura, while imposing, was not overwhelming. It commanded respect without suffocating anyone, carrying with it a faint sense of peace.
Across Yan Chu, statues and paintings of this emperor were widely spread, but seeing him in person was something entirely different.
For the first time, Li Hao felt his heartbeat quicken as if he were witnessing the first sight of the Luo Emperor during the imperial inheritance.