A sense of anticipation filled Li Hao's heart at the thought of meeting those familiar faces again.
However, unlike the excitement of reuniting with Lie Tiansheng, the Ancestral Source and Divine King had feigned death back then, forcing him to face the ancient demons alone and nearly die. This debt needed to be settled.
But now that they had pledged allegiance to the Heavenly Palace, he wasn't sure of their status and would need to find a way to handle the situation appropriately when the time came.
As Li Hao's thoughts turned, two figures walked in from outside the palace, talking.
Li Hao looked up and saw a man and a woman. They looked extremely compatible, standing together like a golden boy and a jade girl.
The young man was exceptionally handsome, with deep blue eyes and a touch of feminine beauty on his cheeks.
The woman looked young, around eighteen years old, with eyes that seemed to contain a faint, colorful mist. Her clothes were like drifting clouds, somewhat similar to Grand Dream Master's attire.
"Hmm?"
As Li Hao observed the two, they also noticed him and stopped their conversation, both startled.
Inside their master's palace, besides the two of them, there was actually someone else?
Although their master had other disciples, they had long since exceeded three thousand soul years and were not participating in this trip.
After all, their master said he would go personally to escort them. At that time, Grand Dream Abyss would need others to be stationed there to prevent outsiders from using tricks to invade.
"It's you?"
Soon, the two recognized Li Hao, both of them stunned, and their expressions immediately changed.
Li Hao's face in Dengxian City on the Ancient Immortal Realm, where he defeated the royal family and was reflected in the Nine Thousand Immortal Cities of Yan Chu, was already familiar to them. After all, he was a prodigy from their Grand Dream Abyss.
"Why are you here? Who allowed you in?"
After the young man's expression changed, it immediately darkened as he stared intently at Li Hao.
Li Hao sensed the change in their expressions, as if they were hostile, but he didn't pay attention, merely asking, "And who are you?"
"We are Master's disciples, you are not!"
The young man was angered that Li Hao dared to question him back.
Li Hao realized in his heart and calmly said, "Grand Dream Master told me to come here."
"Master?"
The young man's face changed slightly, but he seemed to have expected it. After all, without his master's permission, it would be difficult for outsiders to intrude without authorization.
But how could their master favor this young man so much, even allowing him to come here!
He felt a bit jealous, his eyes darkening. "Is that so? This is where Master rests. You can stay here, but don't wander around randomly."
Li Hao raised his eyebrows slightly, glanced at the other person, and remained silent.
Seeing that Li Hao didn't say anything, the young man felt even more displeased, but before he could speak, the young woman beside him asked with interest:
"You've been in the Origin Secret Realm for seven years. Which Origin City did you go to?"
Li Hao's heart stirred, and he asked, "You've been there too?"
He hadn't seen these two in Origin City, or even when Grand Dream Abyss challenged the Desolate Domain in the Ancient Immortal Realm. Moreover, these two were clearly in the Immortal Lord realm, with a restrained aura but a feeling that True Immortals didn't possess.
In the Grand Dream Abyss Sect, besides the one from the Spear Abyss, there were actually two more Immortal Lords. Was this their trump card?
"Yes, we went ahead of time. It was through another connection of Master's, but also with our own abilities. We achieved great immortal merits outside the border passes and also held positions in the Demon Suppression Division. My senior brother and I are both Grade 1 Demon Suppression Guards, and we are also pre-selected Spirit Officials. That's how we had the opportunity."
The young woman said.
The young man's face beside her changed slightly and he said, "Junior Sister."
He wanted to stop her, but it was too late. He could only transmit his voice, "This matter is a secret, there's no need to say too much to him."
"It's alright. Unless he gets a good ranking in the Southern Domain War, Master won't go to the trouble of sending him there again." The young woman transmitted back indifferently.
The young man thought this made sense and immediately said no more.
"Spirit Official?"
Li Hao's heart stirred. The other party was a reserve Spirit Official, while he, thanks to Elder Gu and his accumulated immortal merits, was already a Spirit Official in the Demon Suppression Division. He wondered if he could go to the Origin Secret Realm again through this connection.
Even fishing and painting there were better than meditating outside and he could break through realms at any time.
"You're all here."
Just then, a gentle voice sounded, and outside the palace, the figure of the Grand Dream Master floated in.
"Master."
Seeing the Grand Dream Master, the two quickly bowed.
"Senior." Li Hao also quickly greeted her.
The Grand Dream Master waved her hand slightly, indicating that the three did not need to be so polite, and then said to her two disciples:
"This is Haotian. You should all know him. Haotian, these two are my disciples. Get to know each other. If other sects target you in the Southern Domain War, you can support each other."
"Support?"
The young man glanced at Li Hao, a hint of sneer in his heart. Did a True Immortal also qualify to support an Immortal Lord?
But he knew his master's meaning was for them to take care of this young man more. On the surface, he didn't show any displeasure. After all, his master hated internal strife among disciples the most.
"Hmm."
Li Hao just nodded in response and didn't think too much about it.
"For so long, you still don't know my real name. From now on, you can call me Sect Master Meng, or Senior Meng. I am from the Grand Dream Clan." The Grand Dream Master said softly to Li Hao.
Li Hao had long heard that there were myriad races in the True Realm, and among them, a hundred races stood out, becoming the pillars of the True Realm and the strongest hundred races.
"Senior Meng." Li Hao nodded.
The Grand Dream Master smiled and said to the young man and woman beside her, "This is Yin Jingcheng from the Profound Yin Clan, and this is Meng Huaiyue, a prodigy of my Grand Dream Clan."
Li Hao glanced at the young woman. No wonder her attire was somewhat similar to the Grand Dream Master's, and her eyes also held a hint of dreamlike color.
Seeing that Li Hao was indifferent upon hearing his race, Yin Jingcheng couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. The Profound Yin Clan was ranked quite high among the hundred races, one of the Six Primeval Clans. Anyone who heard it would take a second look.
"I wonder, Junior Brother Haotian, which clan are you from? There doesn't seem to be a clan named Hao among the hundred races."
Yin Jingcheng showed a look of interest, but a hint of disdain was hidden in his eyes.
Li Hao's expression was calm. "There wasn't before, there will be in the future."
"Oh?"
Yin Jingcheng raised his eyebrows, clearly misunderstanding, but he sneered in his heart while saying with a smile:
"Junior Brother has great aspirations. Could it be that you want to bring your clan into the ranks of the hundred races by your own strength? That requires passing the test of the Hundred Clans Imperial Battle Mountain."
Li Hao looked at him calmly, but a sharp glare and warning emanated from his eyes. He had previously thought his intrusion here was a misunderstanding, but now his words were prickly, which was somewhat offensive.
Seeing the sharp glare in Li Hao's eyes, Yin Jingcheng was startled and couldn't help but feel a bit angry.
He couldn't lose his temper in front of his master, but this kid actually gave him a look.
Suppressing his anger, he chuckled softly. "I heard Junior Brother hasn't been in our sect for long. I wonder where you practiced before. With such talent, which sect would be willing to let you leave? Could it be that Junior Brother was previously hiding his strength and wasn't valued by his previous sect?"
Li Hao's face turned cold. "What's it to you?"
"..."
Yin Jingcheng was stunned, clearly not expecting that Li Hao would actually dare to get angry at him in front of his master.
The Grand Dream Master also saw the problem between the two and couldn't help but change her expression, her smile disappearing as her face darkened.
"Master, this Junior Brother..."
Seeing the change in the Grand Dream Master's expression, Yin Jingcheng was secretly pleased and immediately began to feign innocence.
Li Hao also noticed the change in the Grand Dream Master's expression. Thinking that he had indeed reprimanded her disciple in front of her, he couldn't help but sigh, but his Dao Heart was such that he would no longer be unfair to himself.
If the Grand Dream Master blamed him, he would repay the favor in the future, and there would be no further connection.
But the reprimand Li Hao was waiting for did not come. Instead, the Grand Dream Master said to Yin Jingcheng with a cold face:
"Jingcheng, what do you mean by your prickly words? As your Senior Brother, I have already warned you to get along well with Haotian and help each other. Are you questioning Haotian's origin? Is this something for you to question?."
Hearing the Grand Dream Master's stern voice, Li Hao and Yin Jingcheng were both stunned. Meng Huaiyue, who was beside them, also looked at the Grand Dream Master with a look of surprise. She clearly hadn't expected this young man to have such a high status in her master's heart.
"Master, he... I just said it casually. Who knew this Junior Brother had such a explosive temper."
Yin Jingcheng felt a bit wronged, but in his heart, he almost gritted his teeth, and his jealousy of Li Hao increased several times.
"Do you think I have lived these years in vain? If you can't even understand this little bit, how can you hold down this hundred-thousand-year-old sect!"
The Grand Dream Master's face was cold, and she said sternly, "Your Dao Heart has stopped at the Immortal Lord realm. I have warned you many times to open your heart. If you want to become a King, you must at least have the temperament of a King yourself. Otherwise, how can you be close to the Heavenly Dao, and how can you comprehend the Heavenly Dao?"
Yin Jingcheng's face changed, and he lowered his head, no longer speaking.
"Master, Senior Brother didn't do it on purpose."
Meng Huaiyue quickly said. After all, her Senior Brother had been with her day and night, and she couldn't help but want to say something good for him.
"Then he did it on purpose."
The Grand Dream Master snorted coldly and glanced at Yin Jingcheng. The anger in her eyes subsided, replaced by a hint of disappointment and a sigh, saying:
"You all go and cultivate. In this Southern Domain War, you will have to bear the honor and disgrace of the sect. The opponents you face are very strong. The Ten Thousand Mountain Sword Pavilion and my Grand Dream Abyss have had disputes in the past. If you encounter that Tian Hongyi, he will definitely not show you any mercy."
Mentioning Tian Hongyi, the strongest disciple of the Ten Thousand Mountain Sword Pavilion, Meng Huaiyue's face also changed slightly, and a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.
She and her Senior Brother had only recently entered the Immortal Lord realm and were indeed not a match for Tian Hongyi. However, this time, the sect wanted to be promoted to the Heaven One Sect, and there would likely be a clash with him.
Yin Jingcheng's heart also trembled when he heard the Grand Dream Master's words, but then he thought of what had just happened, and his heart ached again.
He had to fight for the sect and face strong enemies, yet his master was still so partial.
He was in a low mood, lowered his head in response, and turned to leave.
He didn't look at Li Hao before leaving, to avoid being unable to control his anger and letting his master notice.
Meng Huaiyue glanced at Li Hao and also sighed softly. She vaguely guessed that her master was placing her hopes on the battle in the True Immortal Realm group. At that time, the glory this young man brought to the sect might even surpass theirs.
After the two turned and left, the Grand Dream Master withdrew her gaze, the disappointment in her eyes hard to hide, and said to Li Hao:
"You've seen a joke. Two unruly children. Although they have talent, their Dao Heart is difficult to cultivate."
She shook her head with a wry smile, her expression filled with regret.
Li Hao was a little silent. He hadn't expected the Grand Dream Master to be so partial to him. However, it wasn't exactly partiality. After all, he hadn't done anything wrong; it was the other party who spoke with barbs.
However, the other party was, after all, the Grand Dream Master's disciple, while he was just a passerby in this Grand Dream Abyss.
Seeing Li Hao's silence, the Grand Dream Master came back to her senses and said softly, "Are you still angry with Jingcheng?"
"No."
Li Hao shook his head, looked into her dreamlike eyes, and said softly, "It's an insignificant matter, it won't leave the slightest trace in my heart."
The Grand Dream Master nodded. After two months of getting along, she had already seen that Li Hao's Dao Heart was extremely high. She had specifically sent a clone to ask Li Tiemu of Sword Abyss and learned that Li Hao had made nine sounds in the Heart Questioning Tower, indicating an eternal Dao Heart. She knew that Li Hao's words were true.
If even this small matter couldn't be tolerated, how could one talk about eternity?
"You should also get some rest. We will meet at the Imperial Capital first."
The Grand Dream Master said to Li Hao.
"I'm not tired."
Li Hao shook his head, his gaze sweeping across the main hall. "Did you paint that screen yourself?"
"Yes."
Seeing Li Hao looking at the painting on the screen, the Grand Dream Master's lips curved into a smile.
Li Hao had already noticed that besides the screen, several other things here were also painted.
"Can I admire it?"
"As you wish."
The Grand Dream Master said with a smile.
Not long after, the spaceship arrived above the Imperial Capital of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty.
There were already dozens of spaceships suspended in the air, varying in size, with many figures standing on the decks, all disciples from various sects.
Among them, a giant sword was suspended in the air like a spaceship, which was the Ten Thousand Mountain Sword Pavilion.
There was a majestic palace on that flying sword, stacked like layers in a tree hollow, with many figures standing there.
Above the Imperial Capital, the Chu Emperor's Dharma form appeared, seeing off the disciples of the various sects within the Immortal Dynasty on their expedition.
Compared to the spaceships or other domain artifacts of the various sects, the royal family's entourage was the most prominent. It was a Chaos Ancestral Dragon in the Immortal King realm, carrying Chu Tianhuang and many other members of the royal family on its back.
Their figures stood on the back of the Chaos Ancestral Dragon, appearing as tiny as scales.
At this moment, the scene of this expedition to the Supreme Heavenly Palace was reflected in the nine thousand immortal cities of the Immortal Dynasty. The residents of each city were seeing them off, cheering for all the participants.
However, among these farewellers, a group of figures rushed out of the immortal cities, shouting loudly towards the sky, their expressions anxious, as if they wished their voices could penetrate the reflected scene and reach directly above the Imperial Capital.
However, these figures were inconspicuous in the vast nine thousand immortal cities. Although they caused some ripples in their respective immortal cities, it was difficult for their voices to reach the Imperial Capital far away.
The Chu Emperor's Dharma form raised his hand, and an immortal city magnified in his palm, finally becoming extremely majestic.
The spaceships of the various sects landed on this immortal city.
The Chaos Ancestral Dragon carrying the royal family, with its massive body, coiled outside the immortal city.
Then, the Chu Emperor's Dharma form retracted its palm, and the immortal city shrunk and disappeared into his palm.
"You all watch over the Immortal Dynasty. During this Southern Domain War, the ancient demons may also take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack."
The Chu Emperor's Dharma form turned and spoke majestically to the two figures in the void.
These two were precisely the Chu Emperor's right and left hands, Yuan Xinggang and Shangguan Hong.
Originally, along with the Commander-in-Chief of the Demon Suppression Division, they formed a tripartite force, the three strongest forces under the Chu Emperor, and the three strongest individuals.
But the Commander-in-Chief had fallen, and now only the two of them remained.
After saying goodbye, the Chu Emperor's Dharma form, holding the immortal city in his hand, flew towards the endless starry sky above the dynasty. His massive Dharma form figure disappeared into the starry sky.
(End of this chapter)