Volume 3 - Chapter 368: The Supreme Chessboard - Part 3
In the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty’s Nine Thousand Immortal Cities, countless figures wore sorrowful expressions. Many bore bitter faces, and some had tears welling in their eyes as they murmured to themselves:
“Good… good… good. After a hundred thousand years, someone finally dares to question him. Truly worthy of being chosen by the Supreme!”
“A poor child, with a soul lifespan of barely a hundred years… This kind of burden should never have fallen upon you. Those three promissory notes—others may not believe them, but we do.”
“Child, don’t let your heart grow muddled.”
The suffocating frustration that had been trapped in their hearts seemed to ease ever so slightly at the young man’s quiet rebuttal. That single question brought them immense comfort, enough to move many to tears. Their fury melted into sympathy and affection for the youth.
In the mist above, Jianxin and Mingyue’s expressions froze momentarily before darkening.
The Supreme of the Celestial Palace remained composed, regal and aloof, his voice slow and solemn as he said:
“Even if you refuse, I will spare your life and have you fight for the Southern Domain. After all, our human race is sorely lacking in talent these days.”
At his words, the crowd came to their senses, erupting in praise for the Supreme’s boundless mercy.
Li Hao let out a breath of relief, though he knew things were far from simple. He asked, “If that’s the case, this junior thanks the Supreme for your grace. But I already have a master. No matter who I follow, as long as the Ancient Fiends appear, as long as they violate the forbidden laws—wherever I’m needed—I will step onto the battlefield.”
His voice rang with conviction, sincere and unyielding.
Beyond the Ancient Fiend flesh’s power to strengthen his primordial spirit, the scenes of the Ancient Fiends ravaging the Heavenly Calamity Pseudo-Realm remained seared in his memory. He had no wish to see such tragedy repeated across the world.
If catastrophe truly came, he would not retreat. After all, under a collapsing nest, how could any egg remain whole?
Yet his rejection shocked the masses. Before the Supreme’s offer to take him as a disciple, Li Hao actually declined!
This was a position as a personal disciple—unfathomably prestigious—granting him power to act with impunity across the Southern Domain.
To put it simply, if Jianxin or Mingyue encountered any trouble within any Immortal Dynasty in the Southern Domain, the entire dynasty would have to give the Celestial Palace an explanation!
“He actually…”
Many of the competing disciples stood stunned, eyes filled with disbelief.
Among them, even the Immortal Lord Realm cultivators of various Immortal Dynasties—figures like Chu Tianhuang, Bo Ya Xuejian, and other Immortal Lords from the great clans—all froze in place.
They had come to this battle not only for fame and to measure themselves against other talents, but also in hopes of becoming disciples of a powerful master.
Now, the greatest opportunity stood before Li Hao—yet he had turned it down.
How many would give anything for such a chance?
“H-he… What is he thinking?”
Chu Yueli was dumbfounded. When she first heard the Supreme of the Celestial Palace wanted to take Li Hao as a disciple, her heart had been filled with joy and excitement. If her husband became the Supreme’s disciple—just like Jianxin—their status in the Yan Chu royal clan would soar above all others. Even those monstrous older siblings of hers would no longer intimidate her.
No matter how entrenched their factions in court, none could rival her husband alone.
But Li Hao… had rejected it?
When she came to her senses, her face turned livid with fury. She could hardly restrain herself from charging forth to confront him on the spot.
As the crowd reeled and whispered in shock, the Supreme of the Celestial Palace remained calm, saying:
“Though I may spare your life, you carry too many burdens that you shouldn’t. The disciple imprint on your soul must be erased. In other words, I shall preserve part of your memories and find you a new vessel for reincarnation. Will you accept this?”
Li Hao’s expression darkened. He knew it wouldn’t be that simple. A new vessel for reincarnation?
Wasn’t that still killing him?
And to only retain part of his memories—would the one who lived again still be him?
For a Supreme to say such ruthless words while appearing merciful… Li Hao’s face grew grim. This wasn’t a choice at all.
Yet among the crowd, few found the Supreme’s words surprising. Given Li Hao’s identity, letting him go entirely unpunished would set a dangerous precedent. If another human ever defected to the Ancient Fiends, how could they justify their response? How could they uphold the law?
“So I don’t have a choice,” Li Hao said. “What’s the trial to become your disciple?”
The Supreme replied evenly, “Very simple. If you can withstand three moves from Jianxin, you pass.”
At those words, all eyes turned toward Jianxin.
Jianxin was momentarily stunned, then his gaze sharpened into cold resolve.
A voice rang in his mind—his junior sister Mingyue’s transmission: “Senior brother, you must go all out. I don’t want someone like him as my fellow disciple.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t either,” Jianxin responded through sound transmission.
Mingyue let out a quiet breath of relief, a cold smile forming as she looked at Li Hao.
If he lost and failed to become a disciple, his end would be anything but kind.
To show such disrespect and defiance toward their master—she yearned to defeat Li Hao with her own hands, perhaps even kill him herself.
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