The North Sea.
Li Hao flew over the North Seaâit was frozen over. It was simply too cold in the north. Of the four seas, it was the only one to be completely frozen. It spanned five hundred kilometers, but could still freeze over. That was a sign of how cold the weather was this year.
Not only that, but there were still people walking over it despite the frigidness. They were fleeing from the north to the central region. Although Silver Moon had started to accept refugees, that was a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things. Unrest continued in the north and there were far more than one million refugees seeking shelter.
Li Hao looked at the frozen expanse and felt that with one million supernaturals to change the weather, though such actions would be a slight violation of the rules of nature, at least it would save quite a few people from freezing to death in these conditions.
The characters of his five elements had melded into the void. Heâd wanted to dispel some of the chilly air, but decided to forgo the notion after seeing how many people were on the ice. Itâd be another problem if the ice melted.
One person was hard pressed to change everything. He was not the Exalted Blood Emperor who could part the land with one blade stroke.
It was then that he saw a familiar face on the ice. Li Hao was surprised, but also found the sight to be expected.
Lu Chuan.
It was the Starlight whoâd been accompanying refugees over the sea. His cultivation seemed to have improved and heâd possibly set foot into Darkmoon. At present, his duties were to refreeze some parts that had broken up.
The North Sea pirates had a difficult time this season as well. Silver Moon presented an unforgiving front to them and many of them ran off after the death of the North Sea King. A portion of them chose to hole up in their hideouts; the White Shark Raiders that Li Hao wanted to kill were nowhere to be found lately.
......
Lu Chuan was freezing the patch in front of him when someone abruptly stood in front of him. He focused his eyes to see... the man from last time!
Information flowed unevenly throughout the dynasty. A powerhouse like Li Hao was instantly recognizable in the eyes of the powerful and strong, but not to civilians. Official authorities such as the Inspectorate and Night Watchers had his photograph, so they would identify the young man even if theyâd never seen him before. Meanwhile, the rest of the people only knew Li Haoâs name, but not his features.
âHave you come to take in the sights again, milord?â Lu Chuan was more at ease at their second meeting. Heâd been very worried that Li Hao would take some sort of action at their last meeting, but the young man hadnât.
âNo, Iâm just passing by.â Li Hao shook his head with a smile. âHow have you been?â
âMe?â Lu Chuan was confused, but still smiled. âQuite well. At least, better than before. There were more pirates in the North Sea before and all sorts of disturbances rocked the land. Theyâve quieted down with the onset of winter and there are fewer pirates these days.
âThe Skystar Commander Office established at Skystar City has the authority to execute supernaturals that commit crimes throughout the dynasty. Even the supernaturals keep a much lower profile now. We should be able to enjoy a respite so long as the Skystar Commander Office stands.â
Li Haoâs actions already had an effect. Although heâd yet to commence an official cleansing of villainous supernaturals, the Inspectorates and Night Watchers of various provinces had increased the scope and breadth of their patrols. There was a new superior in charge, after all. Although the same leader helmed the Inspectorate, that institution had issued many orders as of late.
Local armies had also received orders from the Ministry of Armed Forces to keep their troops in check, that they should not incur unnecessary trouble. The ministry did not wish for disputes to occurâthat would give Li Hao the chance to seize any incident to make an issue of. It would give the young man the perfect opening.
Therefore, those such as Lu Chuan felt very noticeable changes. It was only because that true war had broken out in the three northern provinces that no one paid attention to Li Hao. Otherwise, there wouldnât be anyone fleeing for foreign lands in this kind of weather.
âSo the Skystar Commander Office is good for something?â
âOf course!â laughed Lu Chuan. âYou might not know, milord, that the supernaturals were unfettered before. Although the Night Watchers were present, they lacked confidence and didnât dare easily invoke supernatural wrath. But now that they have backing, regular supernatural organizations donât dare run afoul of the Night Watchers. It doesnât matter that the Skystar Commander Office hasnât fully completed its desired reforms, no one wants to give that institution a pretext for any action...â
He looked at Li Hao as he spoke, unsure of which side Li Hao was on. Was he part of the Skystar Commander Office or was he from another faction? He seemed to be from Silver Moon, however, and was likely from the Skystar Commander Office.
Li Hao nodded and looked at the refugees around them. âIsnât Silver Moon accepting refugees from the three northern provinces? Why are they still heading south?â
âSilver Moon is indeed accepting people,â sighed Lu Chuan. âAnd many have rushed over. But itâs a barren land itself, so how many can it keep alive? Not to mention, bandits and robbers abound at Near River. Itâs a complete mess, making the North Sea a safer place to be.â
Near River again! Li Hao frowned faintly. How dare a mere Near River province cause trouble over and over again? Where had they stolen such courage from? Fan Chang had just been a metamorphosis expert! He might be an Arcanus now, but how dared he make things difficult for Silver Moon after the latterâs full strength was displayed?
As for the supposed explanation of robbers and bandits at large inside the province, Li Hao felt that was on purpose. Could a provincial government not handle some robbers?
The young man viewed Skystar Dynasty as his own territory now. It felt differently to hear of Near Riverâs wrongdoing. Fan Chang deserved death!
At the same time, it was the entire province that engaged in evil. Just killing Fan Chang wouldnât accomplish anything and would only stir up chaos. Li Hao was no longer the young man of limited vision who only knew to kill people. His thoughts now were to kill every single one of the executive leadership, not just Fan Chang. An infusion of new blood was necessary!
Indeed, in times gone by, he mightâve thought that just killing Fan Chang was sufficient. But now, all of them deserved death! There wasnât a single decent person among them from the military to the Night Watchers, the Inspectorate, and the provincial government!
Li Hao nodded and concealed his killing intent. âItâs good enough to go to the central region. The situation there is relatively calm these days and itâs close to Skystar City. Nothing should happen in the short term.â
Lu Chuan was beginning to grow curious about the speakerâs identity. These matters were beyond the authority of ordinary supernaturals, but this person seemed to oversee a lot.
âIndeed, milord...â Lu Chuan wanted to speak further, but suddenly glanced into the distance. He paused as he saw a figure appear in the distance. It seemed to have always been there, but also seemed to have just appeared as well.
It was a womanâa very pretty woman. She wore white silk robes that whispered opulence and blended with the snow when she landed on the ice. She appeared to be an immortal of legend. It only took one peek for Lu Chuan to realize that she was likely a powerhouse. She really was very pretty.
He wanted to recollect his thoughts when he heard the noble personage next to him say, âI recommend you attend the Skystar Martial Academy once youâre done here. They need talent and I think youâre a great one!â
âBut Iâm not a martial master...â Lu Chuan was surprised by the sudden suggestion.
âThatâs not important. It looks like current marketing is insufficient. The Skystar Martial Academy recruits anyone, you donât have to be a martial master.â Li Hao tilted his head at the woman not too far away. Though he smiled, killing intent flashed through his eyes. The snowflakes drifting through the air nearly froze!
Lin Hongyu watched silently from a near distance, not saying a word. She was just slightly surprised that Li Hao would be engrossed in conversation with a Starlight. As expected, the extraordinary did not conduct themselves in an ordinary manner. In her eyes, Starlight really were as if ants.
Sheâd tarried around the North Sea for three days, waiting for Li Hao. She didnât dare go to Silver Moon as the province was very dangerous. She hadnât expected that Li Hao would appear only now. The young man was truly confident, alright. What if someone marched on his base of operations and took down the Skystar Commander Office?
Lu Chuan looked at the woman in white, then at Li Hao. He roughly guessed that the two knew each other. Perhaps they worked together? He didnât linger upon seeing Li Hao look at the woman as well. âI thank milord for your recommendation. I will seek my fortunes in Skystar City once I complete my tasks at hand here.â
âVery good!â Li Hao nodded with a smile, the very picture of affability.
This was a Li Hao that Lin Hongyu had never encountered before. The only time sheâd come across the young man was when she lost a plant spirit replica and nearly died. This was a true demon to her, and today, she saw the demon smile!
Lu Chuan swiftly departed. When he turned back, he saw the two approaching each other. The man didnât dare observe more beyond a quick peep. Was it a wife coming to meet her husband? It seemed a bit like that... but not quite. As expected of someone from noble origins, just her outfit alone was different.
......
âApologies for disturbing Commander Li!â Lin Hongyu offered easily, not the least bit afraid or cowering.
Li Hao smiled and walked toward her. âHave you come with an Immortal replica this time? City Lord Lin is rather bold. It is my first time meeting someone as bold as you...â
Heaven and earth shifted; the skies seemed to tilt as a surge of the five elements enveloped the vicinity! The facade of ice was durable and immovable. Li Hao grinned radiantly, but was also on the alert. Lin Hongyu was truly being inconceivably daring.
âWhy the need for killing intent so quickly?â Lin Hongyu smiled as well. âDidnât the commander say for me to lead the City of Supernaturals into surrendering within ten days? It has been six daysâalmost the commanderâs designated deadline. Here I am!â
â......â Li Hao paused, his eyes narrowing. What was she cooking?
Lin Hongyu smiled again to see the young man obviously on guard. âThe commanderâs words are worth their weight in gold. Are you willing to accept us if I bring the City of Supernaturals to you?â
Li Hao stared frostily at her, ignoring the possibility of schemes or plots. He wouldnât dare say he was completely invincible in the outside world, but it wouldnât be that easy for a regular seven elements or even Apex to kill him.
âWhy wouldnât I?â he responded coldly. âBut can you make that decision?â
âI cannot.â Lin Hongyu shook her head, her smile widening. âTherefore, I have come to the commander for help.â
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