Chapter 2124: Villain (II)

“I mean it, I’m not trying to goad everyone on to greater effort,” Li Hao laughed. “I’m just... a bit tired and finally eased some of the burden off my shoulders. If all of you stay with me... To be honest, I have no desire to fight for supremacy in the chaos. Sticking with me... means that you’ll lose out on some opportunities.

“What I mean is that New Martial is still expanding and destroying worlds. That means a chance for everyone!” the young man grinned. “All of our dao comprehension is very strong, but we lack sufficient energy. Therefore, this is our opportunity!

“Whether it is the various pre-existing worlds or some of the ninth rank major worlds, they’re mostly still there. And in fact, they’re at their weakest right now since their eighth ranks have taken off!

“Chaos Sky and Skyward are going around searching for the new chaos and don’t have time to pay attention to the rest of us. New Martial... won’t be letting this opportunity slip through their fingers!” Li Hao looked at the rest of the group seriously. “I mean that we shouldn’t let New Martial have all of it to themselves!

“Spring Autumn has some eighth ranks under her banner, but she’s afraid of me and New Martial. Even if she makes a play for them, she might not be able to wrest anything away from New Martial. You guys should take advantage of this opening to move with New Martial. There’s a lot to be had!”

Glances were swiftly exchanged in the crowd.

“So you mean... that... we should go on some raids with New Martial?” Void raised an eyebrow. “And grab whatever energy we can to help you recover? That works too!”

“You don’t need to worry about me.” Li Hao waved off his friend. “It’s fine if only you guys grow stronger! It would take care of one of my heart’s desires if you guys grew stronger. All of you have been with me for a very long time and helped me a lot, but to be honest, a youngster like me is weary of a group of people always looking to me for support...”

The general mood turned awkward, but they had to admit to the truth of what the young man said. He’d conducted campaigns all over the chaos these years and gained a great deal for it, but most of the benefits had gone to other people’s pockets.

Without exception, all of the recently born eighth ranks had ascended with Li Hao’s deep support and backing. One had to know that before that, whether it was Fog Mountain or the Thunder Emperor, none of them had been eighth rank.

And now?

They were a group of eighth ranks!

It slightly mortified them that Li Hao had brought it up, but new hesitations came to mind. If we leave... it’ll be so dangerous for you over here!

Are you going to rely on Gan Wuliang?

He’s not that bad after combining the two daos. The gap between him and us isn’t that big. But is that guy... reliable?

He’s the Silver Moon king now!

What if he suddenly thinks Li Hao isn’t up to the task anymore and is in the way instead? Will he turn on Li Hao without forewarning?

Gan Wuliang stared wordlessly at them, as if knowing what was going on through everyone’s minds. Don’t fool around, alright!

Would I ever dare do that??

Setting aside the fact that Li Hao isn’t weak right now, I wouldn’t dare resist even if his cultivation fell below seventh rank!

He would have to die...

Fine, I probably wouldn’t dare do anything even if he died. He’d have to be dead for a very, very long time... for it to cross my mind. And seriously, what are you guys all looking at me for?!

“There’s really no need to worry about me, I’ll figure out a way,” Li Hao laughed. “I’m not a fool. I’d just be waiting for death now if I really didn’t have any confidence in my chances. You guys should take advantage of this lull period. I’m not that interested in running throughout the chaos with everyone.

“The Human King has a lot of energy! I’m also a lot more at peace with him around. Use this chance to eradicate the foundations of the ninth ranks! That will give everyone more chances to improve. It’s not just you guys, but everyone in Silver Moon who should go out and take a look around the chaos!

“Everyone was too young before this and didn’t know enough about the great dao. You guys were different from me and lacked the opportunities I benefited from. But now with a period of time spent in Allheaven Hall and spirit from a newly established chaos, I’d say that most of you will be able to make it to seventh or eighth rank now!”

“And you?” Lin Hongyu suddenly broke her silence. “Are you going to stay here alone? If all of us leave with New Martial, you’ll be under extreme threat once Chaos Sky or Skyward’s replica pops in!”

It was a good idea to take a look at the world outside, but what would Li Hao do?

“I’ll just find a spot to go into closed door cultivation,” Li Hao chuckled. “Is it that easy to find me when the chaos is so big? I’ll actually be safer when I’m all by myself...”

“But there’s still... no need to work with New Martial!” Void abruptly interjected. “We can do it ourselves! There aren’t that many powerhouses in the chaos these days. While New Martial is strong, they won’t be able to eliminate everyone immediately. Why don’t we go at it alone?

“Spring Autumn probably won’t dare do anything to us. We have a lot of eighth ranks, we’re not afraid of them! We’re self-sufficient... so this might be better than cooperating with New Martial. The Human King’s used to taking everything for himself. Even if he splits the gains, he’ll split it with New Martial. We might not stand a chance.

“If you’re really going into seclusion, that’s fine too,” Void looked at Li Hao. “Don’t worry about Silver Moon. We’ll take it out for you and bring it back in one piece!

“It’s just... I’m afraid the disturbance will be too great if you absorb energy while in closed door cultivation.” Void studied his friend with concern. “It would be extremely troublesome if someone discovered you.”

The times now were not what they were before. It would be difficult for Li Hao to run if he didn’t have the dao of time to utilize. On their side, the dao chess could not provide transportation anymore either. It would be hard to offer reinforcement once they traveled far!

Li Hao would be doomed if anyone got close to him. Whether it was Chaos Sky or Skyward’s replica, neither of the two were feasible opponents for him at the moment. They also needed to be on guard against Spring Autumn!

“It’s fine, I’m not that much of a fool,” Li Hao chuckled. “I won’t stop you guys from striking out on your own, the Human King is indeed very heavily prejudiced toward his own. You might not get much for your efforts if you go with him.

“We have a lot of eighth ranks too, so just set our sights on the ninth rank worlds and take them out one by one. Eating one will strengthen you guys a lot! At least twenty ninth rank worlds came out of hiding this time. The Human King obliterated Yin Yang major world, Spring Autumn took down Life Death major world... There are still plenty left!”

It would be a full meal if his side got three to five worlds for their own!

“Milord, would you be able to return to your previous peak if you devoured one complete ninth rank world?” Gan Wuliang asked after some thought. It sounded like he was ready to really put his back into it!

Since the marquis doesn’t want to move, then let those of us from Silver Moon do the dirty work! If we can, we must help Li Hao recover to peak battle condition.

Otherwise, what’s he going to do once the ninth ranks arrive in the future?

In their eyes, Li Hao had more potential than the Human King. As for the one in the future, he benefited from a dao that Li Hao did not want. No matter how strong he was, he was borrowing from Li Hao’s limelight.

But if the young man paled too far in comparison then, that would be too bitter of a pill for those of Silver Moon to swallow then.

“The best outcome for me is if I don’t have to worry about you guys,” Li Hao smiled meaningfully. “Take care of yourselves. A great battle will be soon upon us! Too many of the ninth ranks have me in their crosshairs. If this is the strongest you guys are then, it would be better for you to stay away from me when the fighting starts!

“In addition, the unrest in chaos dao won’t continue for long!” The young man made quick calculations. “It’ll be a year at most and half a year at least before it settles back down. You guys have very limited time. Granted, it’s not like they’ll immediately pop back as soon as everything is quiet again!

“But no matter what, they’ll return with peak eighth rank strength! I rather hope that you guys are able to participate in this kind of battle in the future. Even if you can’t, you should be confident of getting away from them. Things will be very difficult if you guys can’t manage even that!”

The crowd turned over these words. So Li Hao meant that he was confident?

But why? Where would he get the energy from?

Li Hao had absorbed some energy in the new chaos, but most of his time had been spent on comprehending the great dao. He hadn’t taken in too much energy. If he wanted to recover and wouldn’t participate in the battles of the worlds... was he looking to chaos dao to supply him with resources?

But those ninth ranks were highly on guard against him now! He would have to make it past them if he wanted to absorb any energy.

Despite his confusion, Gan Wuliang understood what the young man meant. You guys can strengthen yourselves! Just don’t drag me down. Don’t worry about me, I’ve got ideas in mind.

Gan Wuliang relaxed after some thought. As limited as Li Hao’s battle strength appeared to be at the moment, he had a very agile mind.

“If the marquis is alright, then we are willing to go with Senior Void and the others to sweep through the chaos. We will not lose face for the marquis!

“There are many powerhouses in New Martial,” chuckled the man. “If milord means that we must wait until the heavyweights of the future world join us, then we caught a glimpse last time as well. They have a lot of seventh ranks!”

And very many of them!

Seventh rank!

So the connate demons and gods that they’d been a part of had reached that level!

They’d all sensed the strength of those seventh ranks. If the one from the future could eventually unite the chaos, then he would certainly not be any weaker than the connate demon gods. He would only be stronger and perhaps command many seventh and eighth ranks as well.

New Martial had many seventh and eighth ranks because it was a thousand years older than Silver Moon. That was one thing. But if those who came later had more powerhouses under his command than Li Hao did...

Well, that would be egg on everyone’s faces who was associated with Li Hao.

Although time flowed faster in the new chaos, there was only so much energy in it. The actual chaos outside had many more opportunities.

“There’s no need for a competition... but do as you guys wish!” Li Hao waved them off. Go now. Go while it’s quiet and safe enough. Your ideas are good and this is an opportunity for you.

It’ll be harder if you go any later.

Although the group was still worried about Li Hao, they had to respect his wishes given his insistence.

“We won’t press you for details since you have your own plans in mind,” Void said at the end. “But let us know whenever you have need of us. Although spatial transportation isn’t an option anymore, I’m sure that you’ll have your ways!”

“Don’t worry about me!”