Star Gate

“Is there a reason why you’re in such a hurry to get back?” Li Hao was rather confused. I already said that I can create new bodies for everyone. Why are you in a rush?

“There are naturally matters to take care of at Battle Heaven. The Reserve Defenders alone number one hundred thousand,” the Ninth Division leader said calmly. “Only a portion have been in sight—we are busy reviving the others these days. The entire Reserve Defenders stayed back that year, not just the Ninth Division! Since energy is growing in concentration at Silver Moon, we are making use of this chance to revive more of our warriors!”

“Are all one hundred thousand present?”

“All present.”

“Is the commander present?”

“Yes,” nodded Li Daozong. “However, he took a risk and traveled outside that year, eventually returning with heavy injuries. He has been silent all of these years and unable to return to wakefulness. Hence, I am acting commander. Therefore, please treat me as you would a superior officer, Eleventh Division leader!”

What are you so cocky about??

The Ninth Division leader could not abide seeing such smug self-satisfaction. He couldn’t be bothered to say anything before, but mentioned it now. I am the acting commander, do you understand?!

Li Hao smiled and didn’t pay much attention. He would just pretend that he didn’t hear anything. The young man looked at the array of Battle Heaven soldiers arrayed behind his peer; it was a solemn and dignified sight. Most of them were robotic suits of walking armor—those people might truly prove impossible to revive. The troop leaders were feasible, and some of the Bronze Armors with a feeble consciousness left might be able to return to life.

Li Hao didn’t say much and turned to the Demon Hunter Army. “Well done! The Demon Hunter Army stems from the Battle Heaven Army, so our strength is naturally less than our predecessor, but our valor must be sufficient! We have an important mission ahead of us and many tasks to straighten out! If we do not accomplish them, then we leave this trouble for our children and grandchildren!

“I will have the Battle Heaven Army drill you in the days to come. Do not be afraid of hardship or injury—if New Martial could do it, then we can as well!” The young man further raised his voice at this time. “We are introducing a new cultivation method these days, City Lord Lin has just demonstrated it for everyone. This new method will soon be commonplace throughout the dynasty, but the military has first priority!

“We all have a chance to be a favored child of this era. We can be Mountain and Sea—the equivalent of Apexes, and Sun and Moon—the equivalent of Immortals! I believe that in one thousand years, the reputation and prestige of the Demon Hunter Army will be greater than that of the Battle Heaven Army! This age is ours!”

Li Hao raised his arm and bellowed, “Demon Hunters!”

“Demon Hunters!"

“Demon Hunters!” howled thousands of soldiers and commanding officers, each of them beet red with enthusiasm. We will surpass the Battle Heaven Army! We will!

Li Hao grinned, having concluded his round of raising morale. He didn’t want his troops to be too dejected. There was naturally no way they measured up to the Battle Heaven Army at present, but that didn’t mean this would continue to hold true in the future.

“Swiftly advertise the new dao when the sky canopy system is complete,” he shouted at Lin Hongyu and the rest. “The new martial dao will be named the Hao Cosmos Dao! We will complete its rollout in the central region first. I hear that you recorded the previous battle with the ancients. In that case, we will use it as primary marketing material.”

“That will expose our strength,” transmitted a slightly alarmed Director General Wang. “If the traitors see it…”

“What are we afraid of?” Li Hao laughed. “The second awakening hasn’t begun yet. They will awaken ahead of time if they are strong enough to, so I will use this to intimidate them. The more hesitant they become because of it, the better.

“When the new martial dao is disseminated, thousands upon thousands of cultivators will spontaneously drain the world of energy. That will force the traitors to expend uncontrollable amounts of energy to revive. I’d like to see if this will empty their resources!”

Director General Wang didn’t say anything else.

“Very well, I will make the arrangements immediately.” Lin Hongyu dimpled charmingly. “Commander, what should we do with those who surrender in the meantime?”

“Execute those who are guilty of crimes and release those who are not! They can surrender if they want, I don’t care if they don’t. I will send out troops in a few days to cleanse the four continents!”

Lin Hongyu said nothing further.

……

Li Hao invited the Ninth Division leader into Skystar City. Although the latter wasn’t very willing to visit, he couldn’t decline the young man’s ardent invitation. Li Hao was almost enwrapping the replica with his energy! As irritated as Li Daozong was, he had no other choice since he was just here in replica form.

As for Director General Wang, Li Daozong couldn’t be bothered to talk to the man. We sent you out, but your figure has changed, your presence has changed, and your great dao is no more…

He almost wanted to execute the director general for being a traitor.

Fine, how did the saying go? To each their own. There was nothing he could do since the guy had chosen this path.

……

At the same time, while all sides were busy with their preparations.

The death of fourteen ancient replicas didn’t cause a big stir since not everyone knew of their existence. On the fifth day of their extermination, the canopy system was fully set up through the central region. Thanks to more than ten thousand pieces in the research center, there was one in nearly every central region city.

On this day, they simultaneously lit up early in the morning. Countless canopies whirred to life and hovered in the void while projecting massive images into the air.

Li Hao’s form appeared in front of everyone for the first time. He was wearing golden armor and a calm expression on his face. The young man was visible throughout the central region as all of the canopies filled in. It was his first time addressing the people.

“Friends, countrymen, lend me your ears! I am Li Hao of the Skystar Commander Office. Today is the eleventh day of the first month in the year 1731 of the Star Era. The Skystar Commander Office has made a very important decision!

“The world is rocked with unrest and internal discord. Many have forgotten that we have strong enemies surrounding us. The four nations bordering Skystar intend to match on the central plains and devour the world! They wish to seize our land, kill our men, raze our cities, and humiliate our children and wives!

“The rise of the supernatural has only intensified this conflict and given rise to further battles. The people suffer in utmost agony…

“In order to withstand our enemies, to protect ourselves, ensure the continued survival of the central plains, and safeguard our families… we must grow stronger!

“And how shall we grow stronger?

“We need to strengthen ourselves, the dynasty, and the military so that the darkness of conquest stays far away from Skystar! Those who stir up trouble will stay far away from us!

“Popularization of martial dao is a must! Everyone should rouse to action and grasp destiny in their own hands! Have you ever been forced out of your home because of supernatural turmoil? Have you ever reached the end of the road because of superhumans?

“Only when the people learn martial dao and become superhuman can everyone shake off the fate of being at someone else’s mercy!”

The young man’s voice reverberated throughout Skystar. Hundreds of millions of citizens were glued to the screens. There were some in the other four continents, but very few. All the same, many pairs of eyes were fixed on them. It was the first time that Silver Moon province was seeing this technology in action. A few dozen had been distributed to thirty-two cities.

Everyone’s face was turned up to the sky and a fiery light flickered in their eyes. That was right, everyone knew that practicing martial dao and becoming superhuman was the only way to withstand superhumans, but martial dao and the supernatural domain were too hard!

Back to the sky canopy.

“Martial dao academies are being set up throughout the nation, but we lack faculty. The academies are not open for enrollment yet, so everyone can study on their own first. Once the academies are running and teachers in the classrooms, they will help everyone improve even more!

“We hereby present a new martial dao method as modified by the Skystar Commander Office. Everyone can practice it—it was called the Breakthrough Incantation!

“There are 360 acupoints in the human body. Opening one of them makes one a Slayer of Tens! There are four levels to Slayer and nine acupoints per level. Thirty-six acupoints makes one a peak Slayer!

“The thirty-seventh acupoint puts one in Sunderer of Hundreds. There are four levels to Sunderer and nine acupoints per level. Seventy-two acupoints makes one a peak Sunderer!

“The seventy-third acupoint makes one a Dominator of Thousands. There is no need to comprehend the aura to enter Dominator. There are three levels to Dominator and thirty-six acupoints per level. 180 acupoints makes one a peak Dominator!

“Mountain and Sea comes after. There are nine levels to Mountain and Sea and five acupoints per level. 225 acupoints makes one a ninth level Mountain and Sea!

“There are more cultivation levels after that, but they are too far removed from everyone right now.” Li Hao’s voice rang through the land. “Seventh level Mountain and Sea rivals a seven element Arcanus! Everyone can practice it and everyone can reach it! Setting foot into Mountain and Sea makes one an Arcanus! Dominators can withstand Solars and Novas, Sunderers can fight Sunflare, and Slayers can kill Starlight.

“The new Hao Cosmos Dao is greater and easier than the martial dao of before! The Skystar Commander Office has printed three million copies of the Breakthrough Incantation and will be posting it on announcements boards throughout the dynasty. Everyone has a chance to practice the new dao. It is up to you if you can make use of it and soar to the heavens!

“Additionally, there are evil existences left of the ancient civilization who wish to overturn this age and bring theirs back. They have attempted to eliminate the Star Era multiple times already. The Skystar Commander Office killed multiple evil seven element Arcanus a few days ago! We will broadcast that footage for you today and show the citizens how mighty the new dao is!”

Li Hao disappeared from sight, replaced by scenes of a battle over Skystar Sea. Thousands of soldiers sealed off the void, fourteen powerhouses broke through the air. Their punches ripped through the void, shocking everyone in the audience.

Was this even in the capacity of human beings? They were breaking through the void! It was the general population’s first time learning that space itself could be broken!

Next came Lin Hongyu and rest. There was no one’s voice apart from the city lord’s—sixth level Mountain and Sea!

The mighty city lord broke through the air with her curved blade and dispatched her opponent with the final stroke.

The battle’s conclusion was simply stunning and overwhelming. A sixth level Mountain and Sea… could kill seven element Arcanus? Whether supernatural or martial master, all were dumbfounded. The Arcanus level that everyone held in extreme regard amounted to… only… that! Seven element Arcanus had died by the droves, to say nothing of two elements.

And hadn’t Commander Li just said that the Skystar Commander Office possessed countless Sun and Moon cultivators? That was an even higher level, right?