Star Gate

Chapter 221: Hu Dingfang (II)

Yama’s leading representative seemed to be on the same level as Violet Moon; he also looked to possess an origin weapon. As Li Hao scanned him from a hundred meters away, the young man vaguely made out something that was either a dragon or a snake swimming through his body.

These origin weapons seemed to take animal shape. Or, that was how they appeared in the balls of light, at least. Their tangible forms may be some sort of weapon. Could it be that animals or monster spirits had been used to forge these weapons back in the day? Animals such as Panther?

Panth barely counted as a dog spirit for the moment—it wasn’t truly one in name. Li Hao also wasn’t too concerned that he hadn’t seen the little black dog all day. The dog was smart as hell and had likely found a place to hide after sensing the abundance of powerhouses.

He’s not of the five elements! Li Hao determined with one look at the Revolution King. The shape of his ball of light seemed more like that of a wind supernatural. It drifted around the man—behavior that was similar to the one around Huang Yun.

Li Hao kept looking, there should be another Solar within the Yama delegation. As he thought, he saw the second Solar after the Revolution King shifted slightly. His ball of light was smaller—on par with Hao Lianchuan’s. He might be peak initial Solar.

Mm, this guy is good! He’s a metal supernatural! Li Hao registered with interest and quickly moved his gaze. A metal supernatural was good, but sadly, he was a Solar.

The young man continued to scan the newcomers; the delegations would likely send all of their powerhouses to forestall any trouble from arising if any stayed behind. Or it might be that they were ready to enter the ruins and couldn’t be bothered to return to camp.

There weren’t that many from Yama—roughly thirty. There were even fewer from Celestial, just twenty cloaked figures. Sword Sect showed up with the largest numbers at almost fifty. Plainly, many supernaturals had joined the local organization. It was in quality that they fell short. Judging from the balls of light, some were only initial Darkmoon and even Starlight.

Some small organizations that’d yet to leave also slipped in among the crowd.

Two Solars from Yama and... two Solars from Celestial! Li Hao realized with shock. Celestial had sent such a tiny delegation, but there were still two Solars present. He didn’t, however, see anyone on par with the Revolution King’s existence.

The young man was further surprised when he looked at the Sword Sect. They seemed to possess another Solar apart from Hong Yitang, but that one kept a very low profile and stayed hidden within the crowd. There were also a few martial masters among their ranks that Li Hao couldn't see through.

So the Sword Sect also has two Solars! The young man concluded with astonishment. This meant that if it wasn’t for Hou Xiaochen and Manager Yu, the Night Watchers would be less than the Sword Sect. They only had one Solar in the form of Hao Lianchuan.

What the heck was this situation? It was one thing for the Night Watchers to be less than the three great organizations, but they shouldn’t stand even lower than the Sword Sect!

These guys are still so powerful even without Red Moon!

There were even more Sunflares if he was to count that level. Celestial had the most number of Sunflares, not Yama or the Night Watchers. A startled Li Hao made a careful count. Out of Celestial’s twenty-two cloaked figures, two were Solars and a potential thirteen were Sunflares. Seven looked to be Darkmoon, and they were stronger than Fullmoon.

The fuck??

Didn’t they all say that Sunflares were a rare sight? The Night Watchers had sent seven in their delegation due to the importance of the ruins. Li Hao thought that was a sizable amount, but it turns out that it wasn’t much? Had these fellows emptied out their provincial strongholds?

“After some thought, I’ve decided that the expedition shall take place at 6am tomorrow.” Hou Xiaochen walked over and skipped the pleasantries. “Does anyone wish to withdraw? If not, we will enter in the morning! All of us can enter together and then decide whether or not to separate when we run into several forked roads. If we don’t go in together, the doors to the ruins open only once a month. You’ll have to wait for next month or for the others to exit...”

“We can go in together,” the tall Reincarnation King said from a distance. “But there are other details that we need to discuss first.”

“Go ahead.”

“There needs to be a limit on the number of people.”

“How so?” Hou Xiaochen laughed.

“Twenty from each faction!” the Reincarnation King said calmly. “It’s not good for too many people to go inside. Conflicts will easily arise and we’ll interfere with each other’s explorations. Yama, Celestial, the Night Watchers, and Sword Sect will send twenty people each. The smaller organizations can send a combined twenty people. A total of one hundred is enough.”

Too many was indeed not ideal. A disorganized situation would more easily set off extraneous mechanisms.

A cold snort sounded in the midst of their discussions as a violet shadow landed from the sky. “Revolution,” she said coldly. “Have you forgotten Red Moon?”

“I haven’t.” The man frowned. “But Red Moon...”

Is all dead, isn’t it?

His eyes shifted rapidly as his voice trailed off. Figures wearing ghost face masks rushed to join them, giving rise to strange expressions throughout the assembly!

Red Moon still had people! After losing their entire delegation and a few Solars, they still had people to send! Just how many members had the organization sent to Silver Moon?

One had to know, this was just a border province. Out of the ninety-nine provinces of the Skystar Dynasty, Silver Moon was neither here nor there in terms of importance. The three great organizations valued the province, but neither Yama nor Celestial could do as Red Moon and swiftly assemble another batch of powerhouses after a band of elites were slaughtered.

There were roughly twenty of them and they were all quite strong! Several Sunflares could be sensed among them; no one could tell if there were Solars.

Li Hao, however, could. There were no Solars. It looked like Red Moon had lost all of their Solars in the province, but Violet Moon was one herself. Would she be joining the expedition? The young man was stunned by the organization’s might. They were incredible to quickly put together another team after losing so many!

He quickly lowered his head as he discovered that not only Violet Moon, but many of the newly arrived Red Moon members were focused on him. Their attention wasn’t too overt, but he sensed it all the same. It was the perception of a martial master. These people were all eyeing him!

Damn it! This meant that Red Moon’s bigger target was still him. Was it because of Silver City’s matter?

“Red Moon is the strongest of the three great organizations, alright!” Hou Xiaochen chuckled. “Impressive!”

The compliment was an obvious attempt to sow discord. But the instigation wouldn’t work as the three great organizations didn’t care about comments like these.

“We all have roughly the same sized delegation,” Hou Xiaochen continued with a smile. “So limiting numbers doesn’t seem as significant a matter. Those who are willing to enter can enter. There aren’t that many of the Night Watchers present and a portion of us will not be joining the expedition.

“Since Violet Moon is also here, shall we discuss who amongst us should not be attending?” The Night Watcher director’s smile deepened. “Me, Violet Moon, and Revolution will not be entering. Half Mountain of Celestial isn’t here, so we can set him aside. How about the three of us act as checks on each other?”

The Revolution King had no opinion, but Violet Moon bit off coolly, “I naturally wouldn’t go inside if Hao Kong was alive. Now that he’s dead, and by Yuan Shuo’s hand, shall I kill Hao Lianchuan first before we discuss this further?”

If she stayed outside as well, there would be no Solars among the Red Moon delegation. What was the point of them attending the expedition then? Just to send their members to their deaths?

Hao Lianchuan glanced at her and cursed inwardly. So now you think of me when you want to kill someone. Why don’t you talk about killing Director Hou?

“You are a peak Solar and wield an origin weapon,” Hou Xiaochen sighed. “The situation will be difficult to handle if you are part of the team as well. I’d wanted everyone to jointly explore the ruins, but with your personality, you’ll start attacking as soon as you’re inside. Then there won't be much of a point to this collaborative excavation.

“Not to mention, Revolution will want to enter if you’re there, so I have to be a part of it as well then. Why don’t we just declare war on each other right here and now?”

Stone-faced, Violet Moon didn’t respond. She was going inside! Not just for the ruins, but also because she wanted to capture Li Hao while inside. With Hou Xiaochen present on the outside, it did deter her from taking action.

Of course, the prerequisite was that Li Hao would be part of the expedition as well.

Hou Xiaochen dithered in an awkward position. The Revolution King chuckled at this time. “I have to be part of the delegation if Violet Moon joins. If you’re interested, you can partake as well, Director Hou!”

Would Hou Xiaochen dare? Silver Moon would be engulfed with pandemonium as soon as the doors closed.

“You’re putting me in a checkmate!” Hou Xiaochen laughed and thought briefly. “What a pity that Yuan Shuo ran for it. Let’s wait for a little bit, I’ve notified someone to come. It’s up to you whether or not you wish to participate after he arrives!”

Some looked askance at each other. Who was it? Why did Hou Xiaochen think they could stand against the Revolution King and Violet Moon?

Hao Lianchuan was also very curious. Are there any other Solars apart from me, and one that can counterbalance powerhouses such as Violet Moon?

“Then it’s settled,” Hou Xiaochen didn’t elaborate. “Additionally, I have to say this even though I may be speaking out of turn. It’s best that we cooperate with each other after heading inside! This ancient city is far more than it seems. Otherwise, we Night Watchers would’ve finished our explorations a long time ago. This joint expedition would never be on the table.

“Being in a rush to eliminate your opponents after entering the ruins is not a good idea! If a mad slaughter begins after you’re all inside, you’re more likely to consign everyone to death!

“Additionally, you’ll have to wait until midnight that day after the doors open. If you enter in the morning, you’ll have to wait until midnight to exit. You won’t be able to open the doors yourself. Novas can’t manage it, to say nothing of Solars.”

Strange expressions crossed faces. So the doors of the ruins were that durable? Of course, it also represented just how extraordinary the ruins were. There was no need for Hou Xiaochen to lie to the assembly.

The director wasn’t willing to say anything else. He turned to walk back to the tents. “That will be all. Come with us tomorrow morning. If all of you stay here, it will look like you want to encircle and mob the Night Watchers.”

The supernaturals outside didn’t say anything. They quickly returned to their campsite, which happened to be quite close to the Night Watcher tents.

contemporary romance