Star Gate

Chapter 782: Official Students (III)

“Withdraw...” Li Hao angrily transmitted to the others. “We’ll go out and show that guy what we’ve got! This is all a scheme from that fucker!”

The young man was enraged beyond words, but Hong Yitang and the rest looked at each other with an inward sigh. Show that Black Armor what they got? Go toe-to-toe with a Saint? Wasn’t that the biggest joke of all?

They were no match for that august personage even if the Black Armor commanded only one tenth or one hundredth of his strength. Their speculations coincided with Li Hao’s thoughts—there must be some overall rules restricting the Black Armor’s actions. If they won this battle and became official students, they likely really would be able to leave this place.

Hong Yitang looked at Hou Xiaochen and transmitted, “You should understand the situation as well. I don’t mind. Look after the Sword Sect a bit for me and leave the rest to fate!”

A dark expression stole over Hou Xiaochen’s face, but he wasn’t able to respond. His opponent firmly had the upper hand.

Hong Yitang laughed wryly. What in the blazes was this situation that they were caught in? Did all martial universities test their students like this back in the day? Or was this an exception because their proctor actually wanted them to die?

There was no need to say anything else. Blood qi rose to the fore and overwhelming sword intent manifested between heaven and earth. A ‘sword’ character hovered in the air.

“KILL!” A sharp yell echoed as domineering blood qi became one with mental strength. It was just the Incantation of the Blade of Blood. Plenty of people knew it. Yuan Shuo knew it and those on good terms with him knew it as well. It was just... who actually used it back in the day? Yuan Shuo didn’t, not before sword energy appeared. To do so was to cherish a death wish.

“Li Hao!” Hong Yitang shouted as his presence built. “You need to make it out alive! Everything is lost if you don’t! Take care of my daughter... the rest doesn’t matter! You can win! Whether it is the nine ministries or royal family... All of them are completely worthless!

“Be careful of the ancient civilization!” A sword pierced through the world and ran through the head of the enemy facing him. Hong Yitang immediately turned on another powerhouse, his longsword of blood qi rampaging through the battlefield. He was indomitable!

Li Hao watched lividly and suddenly set his jaw, summoning his blood qi as well. He ran his hand through his opponent’s heart and sneered at the sky. “I am a rogue, not a king! It’s enough that Director Hou makes it back. Silver Moon has stood for many years and it makes no difference if I am there or not.

“If worst comes to worst, just retreat to Silver Moon! Senior Sky Sword still has Sky Sword Mountain to take care of. I have absolutely no ties to others in this world, so what do I care about this? I am Li Hao! Do you think so little of me??”

Li Hao’s blood qi erupted after he clawed out an enemy’s heart, melding with his mental strength. His characters flew out with a rumble and exploded in the air, ripping through the powerhouse that Sky Sword faced!

“I brought Senior Little Tree here. If the two of you have the mind to, escort it back to Mount Cat Head when you leave. You can continue to transact with the senior for Water of Life. As for my teacher... Tell him... to go home... and stay home... Don’t go running around anymore!”

Li Hao raised his blood qi to the maximum amount possible and charged in front of Hou Xiaochen. The director glowered to see the young man run off. His blood qi had gathered as well, but Li Hao was one step ahead of him and so fast that he completed the Incantation of the Blade of Blood in the blink of an eye!

“Stop fighting, you two. There’s no need to coalesce the incantation. Having one more person die is just the actions of an idiot!” Li Hao’s expression was chilly. He blazed with hatred! He hated that Black Armor! He knew that he was caught squarely in a plot, but there was nothing he could do about it as he wasn’t strong enough.

“Kill Ying Hongyue for me if you have the chance to!” Other than that, Li Hao didn’t hold too many regrets in life. The world was just this unfair at times, what was he supposed to do?

I wanted to do something because I was motivated to from the bottom of my heart. Since I cannot achieve my goals, there is nothing that I regret.

Hou Xiaochen landed on the ground, grinding his teeth. He suddenly howled with outrage and jabbed with his spear, stabbing all around him and pulverizing all of the powerhouses that came for him!

“KILL!” He didn’t know who to hate, just that he’d failed so completely and utterly on this excursion! He’d even briefly hesitated when he coalesced the Incantation of the Blade of Blood. He was as sickly as they labeled him, alright!

Heavily injured, Sky Sword thudded heavily to the ground. He lost himself in thought as he stared at the sky. Under normal circumstances, they should ensure Li Hao’s safety. But when Hong Yitang erupted with the incantation, he’d hesitated briefly, wondering if Hong Yitang alone was sufficient to defeat the enemies.

Reality demonstrated that... he could not. Even with Li Hao momentarily raising his strength to new heights, the enhanced duo could not overcome their numerous opponents. Even more enemies charged them while their presences grew weaker.

A period of decline inevitably followed the enormous eruption of strength for the Incantation of the Blade of Blood. The opponent facing the little tree, in particular, was highly formidable. The tree didn’t know the incantation, so its situation was dire indeed. Hong Yitang rushed over, but found himself unable to turn the situation around!

It wasn’t until Li Hao joined him that they managed to suppress the opponent three on one.

Sky Sword watched dumbly, noting that more and more enemies were rushing them. He suddenly found himself bereft of his senses...

Silver Moon martial masters...

He looked at Hou Xiaochen and suddenly said, “Sky Sword Manor is just a place that discusses dao. I have never sought to become an overlord! I am a swordsman... and swordsmen... should not conduct themselves in this manner. I rather regret being one step behind him. Hou Xiaochen... help me disband my mountain after you leave. Tell everyone... that they’re on their own!”

He laughed. I am Sky Sword! The greatest swordsman beneath the heavens! Since when do I need other people to save me?

Hou Xiaochen brooded, not saying a word.

Sky Sword shouted, throwing himself forward like a sword—a blood sword that drilled through countless powerhouses surrounding them. Bodies rained down from the sky!

“I was just thinking that it’s still a bit tough!” Li Hao laughed heartily. “Well met, senior! This should be enough now. There’s no need to be conflicted about anything, Director Hou. Didn’t you hear what those people said earlier? Those who stay have the hardest choice of all! Don’t be brash. All of our efforts will be wasted if you give in to impulse!”

Hou Xiaochen stood on the ground and mechanically swung his spear around, decimating everything in his path.

KABOOM!

Hong Yitang’s ‘sword’ character exploded and eviscerated the little tree’s opponent. The man himself smiled ghastly, looking at Li Hao. “You really dragged me down into the thick of things this time... You were so confident that I thought we could win!”

“I did win...” Li Hao answered with resignation. “Who would’ve thought that a bullshit Black Armor would appear out of nowhere? What can I do about that?”

BOOM!!

Hong Yitang exploded!

Grief flashed through Li Hao’s eyes, a sorrow that quickly turned into a smile. I didn’t anticipate this either, sorry, Martial Uncle Hong. He grabbed some handfuls of flesh and blood, thinking back to when they first met. Earthturner Sword had told him that this was not how one employed the sword...

“KILL!!” All of the young man’s characters detonated, annihilating endless heavyweights. Li Hao’s presence climbed to its peak as a sword aura surged around him. It transformed into a sword that swept in all directions!

Rumble!!

Powerhouses died in droves around him! Li Hao charged into the enemy army and detonated himself, causing maximum damage to their opponents.

Sky Sword took a page out of his book and slammed his broadsword down, turning tens of millions of enemies into ash. His body started falling apart as he turned back to smile at Hou Xiaochen. Some irritation and pride marked the bend of his neck. “This is... what we call the martial world!”

KABOOM!

The one known as Sky Sword exploded and vanished from the world.

Hummmmm.

Bugles sounded as the enemy retreated like the tides. All of their countless numbers were completely frightened out of their wits. Although their powerhouses still stood in the sky, they were horrified and didn’t dare set foot forward.

On the ground, Hou Xiaochen said nothing as he hunted down their stragglers. He didn’t know how many he killed and knew that it was all an illusion, so it didn’t matter how many he killed. But still, he wanted to kill someone.

All of his companions were dead! Even he couldn’t comprehend why he’d been a step slower than Li Hao. Li Hao was the hope of this age, wasn’t he?

Why did you guys leave me behind? Is it because I’m weaker? Or is it because I’m a bureaucrat and not the martial hero of their definition? They think less of me, do they?

The Broken Will Spear swept in a wide arc around him as he tore everything to pieces. There was only slaughter in his eyes!

Behind him, the little tree looked on dumbly, thrusting its roots into the ground as it dragged its branches forward...

Li Hao was dead? What should it do now? Go back to Silver Moon with this Hou Xiaochen? Continue to guard the imperial palace?

The Black Armor’s voice sounded in the duo’s ears after an indeterminate period of time. “The enemy has retreated and our side has not suffered more than half its numbers as casualties. We have won this battle! Congratulations, you two are official students at Evenround Martial University!”

The scene flickered around them as the human and tree abruptly appeared in a classroom. The Black Armor was there as well and greets them happily. “Congratulations!”

Hou Xiaochen stared silently at him before asking slowly, “Where is Li Hao’s sword, the Windchaser Boots, and his storage ring?”

“He’s dead...” The Black Armor was surprised.

“I know. Where are his belongings?”

The Black Armor thought for a moment before producing a storage ring, sword, and a pair of boots. Hou Xiaochen took them and looked at Panther. “Can I take the dog with me?”

“Well, no...”

“Very well, then the little tree and I will be departing...” He looked at the little tree. “Senior, please enter the storage ring. Let’s go!”

“Are we... leaving... just like this?” The little tree shook with shock. Li Hao and the rest had all died here!

“What else should we do?” Hou Xiaochen was particularly composed. The little tree remained silent before transforming into a sapling and vanishing into the storage ring. It remained motionless inside.

“Then I request the senior to send me out!” Hou Xiaochen looked at the Black Armor.