Chapter 688: Imperial Court Demon-Suppressing Division

Ji Qingxuan and the others, who had just awakened from sword contemplation, all gathered around Li Tiemu. Some still had thoughts and aftertastes in their eyes.

As the Senior Brother, Ji Qingxuan now had his gaze restrained. He asked:

"The Southern Territory Battle is still far off. Is it necessary to confirm the spots so quickly?"

"This climb of Emperor Jianshan was a screening. Our Sword Abyss has ten spots. Those who meet the soul life requirements were screened to eight people this time. The remaining two were selected outside during the time you were contemplating the Emperor Sword."

Li Tiemu said.

Hearing this, Murong Qingwu and Yue Xi both looked at Li Tiemu curiously.

Even Murong Qingwu, who had been in the sect for hundreds of years, was participating in this Southern Territory Battle for the first time, and she didn't know many things.

"Can't Senior Brother participate?"

Yue Xi turned to look at Ji Qingxuan, then looked at Senior Sister Wei Hongye, who had taken good care of her.

Wei Hongye smiled and shook her head at her, not speaking.

Li Tiemu sighed internally. He also wanted his monster-like eldest disciple to participate, but Ji Qingxuan's soul life had long exceeded three thousand years; he was born at the wrong time.

"Qingxuan and the others have more important things to do. This time, it depends on you all."

Li Tiemu's eyes became a bit more solemn. His gaze swept past Murong Qingwu, Yue Xi, and Gu Yan, saying: "This time, our Sword Abyss has ten spots, and my sect produced four. The burden on you is very heavy. My Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan is a Heaven Four Sect. Whether we can be promoted to a Heaven One Sect this time depends on your performance!"

He knew this would put pressure on them, but he felt that prodigies didn't fear pressure; instead, they would grow faster with pressure.

"Four..."

Murong Qingwu heard his words and noticed that the figure of the Seventh Junior Brother was missing.

She looked around but didn't see him, and asked suspiciously: "Master, where is the Seventh one? He is called... Hao something, right?"

She had just returned from lecturing on swords in the Immortal Court and was not familiar with these three new Junior Brothers and Sisters. Especially since her attention had been on Gu Yan, she only had a shallow impression of Li Hao.

However, Li Hao climbing the mountain at the last moment had made her remember that youth.

Li Tiemu heard her words and couldn't help but roll his eyes. They said disciples of the same sect should love each other, but she didn't even remember his name. Love each other my foot!

"He descended the mountain."

Li Tiemu said indignantly.

"Leaving so hurriedly?" Murong Qingwu was surprised.

Yue Xi also reacted at this time, stunned, thinking of the figure she saw after she fell unconscious half a year ago. At that time, the giant sword-marked tablets appeared, making her unable to think much. At this moment, her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but ask:

"He also climbed the mountain?"

"Hmm."

Wei Hongye responded to her, whispering: "After you."

Yue Xi stood in place. So it wasn't an illusion back then, but... how did he climb the mountain?

She clearly remembered that the other party's cultivation realm was even lower than hers, only at the First Realm of the True Immortal when he first became an apprentice.

She had left her name on the Emperor Sword Cliff, she had triggered the true power of the Calamity Clan's bloodline, and only then had she barely climbed up, but he...

Her face was a bit pale.

"When did he leave?"

At this time, Gu Yan suddenly spoke up.

Hearing this little Junior Brother who had always been silent speak, Yue Xi and Murong Qingwu both looked at him.

The youth's eyes didn't drift, but stared at Li Tiemu.

Li Tiemu thought of Li Hao's actions and couldn't help but shake his head helplessly, saying: "He went down half a year ago."

"Half a year ago?"

Hearing this, including Ji Qingxuan and Lu Wuchen, everyone was surprised.

"This... why?"

Wei Hongye couldn't help but ask, looking at Li Tiemu with incomprehension.

Li Tiemu saw their expressions and understood their mood. He said helplessly: "How would I know why? That kid said he had come and seen, so he descended the mountain. But he didn't go far; he's still at the foot of the mountain."

He had noticed Li Hao entering the gap in the First Realm of Emperor Jianshan earlier, but under Yun Wumian's shake of the head, he hadn't come forward to disturb him.

Hearing this, several people looked at each other.

They were contemplating the Dao at the summit, and the other party was contemplating the Dao at the foot of the mountain?

Gu Yan's eyes flickered, and he suddenly moved, saying to Li Tiemu: "Master, I'll go to the foot of the mountain to see."

After speaking, he didn't wait for Li Tiemu's answer and flew straight out.

Yue Xi saw his back and immediately felt that this little Junior Brother seemed to attach extreme importance to the youth who had become an apprentice with her.

Over the past two years, although they had met only a few times, this was the first time she had seen such a situation in this little Junior Brother. She could feel that in the other party's heart, she was not regarded as an opponent.

She gritted her teeth slightly and followed him.

Murong Qingwu saw that they had all left and was interested, so she followed them too.

Li Tiemu opened his mouth slightly. Seeing them all run away in a flash, he, the Master, had no face, and couldn't help but feel a bit foul-mouthed:

"No rules at all!"

Wei Hongye saw his angry look and couldn't help but laugh, knowing that this Master was too happy to have received such monster disciples, saying:

"Master, the little Junior Brothers are going to the Southern Territory Battle, so where are we going?"

Li Tiemu heard this, turned to look at them, his expression showing solemnity and seriousness, saying: "What you are going to do is more dangerous, and it is also related to the sect competition!"

"Hmm?"

Wei Hongye's eyes moved slightly.

Lu Wuchen's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of sharpness appearing in his eyes.

Ji Qingxuan had long known, and his expression didn't change much.

"You are going to the Yan and Chu border, joining the Demon-Suppressing Division, cooperating with the border soldiers to kill Ancient Demons, and accumulating Immortal Merit!"

"Join the Demon-Suppressing Division?"

Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen couldn't help but look at Ji Qingxuan. Wasn't this the path the Senior Brother had taken before?

"That's right. Qingxuan was summoned before, and there was another reason."

At this time, Li Tiemu felt that some things should be told to them. He said in a deep voice: "This sect reshuffle, besides the competition of disciples from various sects in the Southern Territory to show the sect's potential, there is another point, which is to look at the sect's foundation! What is foundation? Heaven Sects all have Immortal Kings, but Immortal Kings cannot easily enter the competition. Once injured or severely wounded, if the news leaks, there will be a great disaster!"

"Therefore, this sect foundation is reflected on the battlefield."

"And the Yan and Chu Imperial Clan intends to arrange for an Immortal Merit List to be set up at the border. Disciples of various sects compete for Immortal Merit, and finally, it will be evaluated based on the Immortal Merit ranking and the ranking of disciples competing in the Southern Territory!"

He said, his gaze looking at Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen, saying: "That is to say, during the time they go to prepare for the Southern Territory Battle, other disciples with outstanding combat power in the sect will be arranged to go to the border battlefield to fight. But to avoid some sects using unscrupulous means to brush up military merit, indiscriminately recruiting disciples, and winning by quantity, each sect only takes the sum of the top one hundred Immortal Merits!"

"So, the task on your shoulders is very heavy, not at all easier than Hao Tian and the others!"

Hearing Li Tiemu's words, Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen finally understood, and their eyes became solemn.

Fighting at the border, the danger is definitely more intense than the Southern Territory Battle. After all, the Southern Territory Battle is conducted under the eyes of many sects and even the Supreme One of the Tiangong, so the possibility of casualties is not high.

"Previously, letting Qingxuan go to be summoned also allowed him to explore some experience in border combat. Later, let Qingxuan tell you."

Li Tiemu said: "Although this time is dangerous, the one hundred people selected by the sect will be given Immortal Pills and Immortal Weapons to help you fight with all your might."

Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen looked at each other and nodded.

"For the sect, the disciples are willing to go through fire and water!"

Wei Hongye said, with a heroic and spirited temperament.

Lu Wuchen didn't speak, but his eyes were very sharp.

Li Tiemu saw their determined gazes and felt very gratified. He looked around and transmitted via sound:

"Letting you join the Demon-Suppressing Division, this border competition for military merit actually has another reason."

"Hmm?"

Lu Wuchen and Wei Hongye were both stunned, but their expressions quickly returned to normal, only feeling puzzled in their hearts. What was worth being so cautious and needing to transmit via sound?

"The former Marshal of the Yan and Chu Immortal Court's Demon-Suppressing Division has fallen, triggering shocks in many factions within the Demon-Suppressing Division. Now, it is the best time to join the Demon-Suppressing Division."

Li Tiemu's expression looked calm, but the transmitted voice was extremely low and serious: "Establishing Immortal Merit at this time and performing outstandingly makes it easy to mix into an official position in the Demon-Suppressing Division. You know the power and status of the Demon-Suppressing Division within the Yan and Chu Immortal Court. Even the Imperial Clan dares to behead!"

"If you can obtain an official position and status in the Demon-Suppressing Division, in the future, when the sect becomes a Heaven One Sect, there will be more connections and power, and it will not be counterattacked and constrained."

Hearing his words, Lu Wuchen and Wei Hongye suddenly understood.

It turned out that this step was buried for the future.

As an ancient Immortal Court, the Yan and Chu Immortal Court existed in the Emperor era once controlled by the Immortal Emperor, with vast territory and deep foundation.

Although the Seven Great Ancient Immortal Courts were under the Tiangong, they had been able to get along with the Tiangong for many years, which showed their ability.

For them, if they could obtain an official position in the Yan and Chu Immortal Court, and still an official position in the Demon-Suppressing Division, their status would even exceed that of Li Tianzong disciples.

After all, the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan was only a Heaven Four Sect in the Yan and Chu Immortal Court, while the Demon-Suppressing Division was established based on the Immortal Court, and its power was far beyond that of the Li Tianzong.

While they were talking, at the foot of the mountain.

At the cliff valley of the First Realm, Li Hao was playing chess with the Spirit Race old man.

He frowned, staring at the chessboard, looking for a way to break the game.

The Spirit Race old man looked at Li Hao with a smile, not urging him. Over the past half year, Li Hao had made obvious progress, but fortunately, he was able to suppress this youth with his deep chess skills.

"Hmm."

Beside him, A-Ling suddenly turned her head and looked at the void.

There was space fluctuation trembling over, much faster than the speed of aura transmission. For her, who mastered the Second Level of Space Dao Origin, she could detect the enemy situation in advance.

"Someone is coming, two... three."

A-Ling narrowed her eyes, then calculated the time, saying: "Should be Sword Abyss disciples. The Emperor Jianshan should be over. Why come here?"

"Probably looking for him."

The Spirit Race middle-aged man beside him said, with a smile on his lips.

At this time, three figures soon appeared above the cliff valley. The leader was Gu Yan.

He saw the scene before the cliff valley and froze.

Yue Xi, who followed closely behind him, also stopped her body, stunned when she saw the scene here, her beautiful eyes widening slightly.

This half year, the other party was in the First Realm of Emperor Jianshan, playing chess with this Spirit Race? After a brief silence, Yue Xi flew down, but didn't get too close. After all, the three before her were Spirit Race, and they gave her a feeling different from other Spirit Races.

She asked Li Hao: "I heard from Master that you descended the mountain early. Have you been playing chess here all along?"

Li Hao came back to his senses from his thoughts, looked up, saw it was the three of them, greeted them with a smile, saying: "Why are you here?"

"Come to see you."

Murong Qingwu's figure flickered and appeared beside Li Hao. She looked at the chessboard, then found she couldn't understand it, and was too lazy to look again, asking:

"I heard you stayed in the First Realm of Emperor Jianshan for a long time before climbing up. Could it be you have been here all along?"

"Yes."

Li Hao replied.

Murong Qingwu saw Li Hao answer so easily and was speechless: "Don't tell me you have been playing chess here all along, and it was like this for the previous two years?"

"Yes."

Li Hao said.

No mistake in the content!

Murong Qingwu was dumbfounded, then asked: "Then you didn't cultivate during the two years you came in before?"

Li Hao was speechless, saying: "You came here to?"

"Emperor Sword contemplation has ended. We came to pick you up." Yue Xi looked at Li Hao with complex eyes at this moment.

Li Hao was stunned. Half a year had passed?

"With such strength, why didn't you leave your name on the Emperor Sword Cliff?"

Yue Xi held back for a while, but still couldn't help asking the question in her heart.

"..."

Li Hao was dumbfounded. This girl had such a deep obsession with the Emperor Sword Cliff... He remembered answering her several times. He smiled bitterly:

"I said, I have no interest."

Yue Xi pursed her lips. If she had only thought Li Hao couldn't leave his name and didn't want to lose face before, but now, she believed it. The other party really had no interest.

But, that was such glory!

Gu Yan heard Li Hao's words, and his face couldn't help but change slightly, his eyes becoming deeper.

"I want to spar with you."

Gu Yan suddenly said.

Li Hao looked at him in surprise, then quickly shook his head: "No interest. If there's nothing else, you go back first. I'll leave after I finish this game of chess."

With a "zeng" sound, a sudden sword intent emerged. Gu Yan waved his empty hand, and a sword light actually attacked Li Hao directly.

Before Li Hao could respond, the Spirit Race old man sitting opposite him suddenly flicked his finger, shattering that sword intent.

The Spirit Race old man's indifferent eyes tilted slightly, glancing at Gu Yan. He could see that this little guy had extremely high talent, but it had nothing to do with him:

"Little guy, why are you so unruly? Did your Master not teach you?"

The Spirit Race old man said coldly: "Now that the trial is over, you should go. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite if you disturb my interest."

The faces of Yue Xi and the other three changed, and they stared at the Spirit Race old man.

Such a strong Spirit Race... They could feel that the other party had the aura of the Fifth Realm of the True Immortal, but the power to shatter sword intent with a flick of the hand was definitely not something the Fifth Realm of the True Immortal could master. It contained extremely terrifying Great Dao Origin!

"Let's go."

The Spirit Race middle-aged man beside him hugged his arms and said coldly: "Previously letting you little guys pass the First Realm easily, did you really think the Spirit Race had no one?"

While speaking, he emanated a strange force field around him.

Li Hao, sitting on the stone, felt it immediately. This was Earth Origin, and it was much higher than his own Second Level Earth Origin realm.

Feeling the might of the Spirit Race middle-aged man, the three of them changed their faces again, immediately realizing that these three Spirit Races were much more terrifying than the other Spirit Races they had defeated before.

Moreover, they also recalled that among the Spirit Races they had defeated to pass the First Realm, there were no faces of these three.

"I counted before, the most Spirit Races I defeated was 97..."

Gu Yan's eyes changed. To seek a kind of fairness, in the later challenges, he tried his best to let himself be the only one challenging in every layer.

Even if there were other disciples, he would rush over and defeat the Monster Race fighting with other disciples.

"If my Master and the others took action, except for those few guys who arrived at Emperor Jianshan first, you others basically couldn't pass, unless you all have combat power surpassing the Ancestral Dragon..."

Beside him, A-Ling said coldly.

Once these words were spoken, the pupils of Gu Yan and the other two shrank slightly.

This Spirit Race old man sitting before the chessboard had power surpassing that Seventh Realm Ancestral Dragon?

The three were suspicious, but faintly felt that the Spirit Race girl wasn't lying.

Murong Qingwu's eyes moved, her gaze falling on Li Hao, and she suddenly felt that this Junior Brother was somewhat miraculous. Such a powerful Spirit Race was actually willing to sit at the same table with him.

"Since that's the case, Seventh Junior Brother, let's go first. You come back quickly, Master is urging."

Murong Qingwu said with a smile, looking very lively.

After speaking, she turned and flew away, not daring to stay here for long.

Gu Yan's eyes changed. Seeing Li Hao's gaze fall on the chessboard again, he really seemed to have no interest in sparring with him. Disappointment appeared in his eyes, and he turned and left, but said before leaving:

"When the Southern Territory competition comes, I will ask Senior Brother for advice again."

Li Hao looked up at the other party's departing back, somewhat helpless: "This little Junior Brother, still knows to call me Senior Brother."

Yue Xi looked at Li Hao with complex eyes and also silently turned and left.

"This little Junior Brother doesn't understand the rules, don't let him disturb the senior's interest. Let's continue." Li Hao said to the Spirit Race old man.

The Spirit Race old man naturally wouldn't be angry. A smile appeared on his face again, saying: "This game, let's see how you break it."

"I have my own way..."

Li Hao pretended to be confident.

Half an hour later.

He gave up and admitted defeat with a dejected face. He had been playing chess here for two and a half years, and the games he won against the other party could be counted on one hand. His chess skill was still too far behind.

"Junior will take his leave. See you later."

Li Hao stood up to bid farewell.

The three waved to Li Hao with a smile.

Watching Li Hao leave, the Spirit Race old man also put away the chessboard and sighed, "Emperor Jianshan has ended. I don't know how that Abyss Master will deal with us."

Hearing this, a trace of worry appeared on the faces of the middle-aged Spirit Race and A-Ling.

Li Hao left the First Realm of Emperor Jianshan and flew straight to the summit, then saw many disciples gathered here.

He looked around and saw the three who had returned early: Gu Yan, Yue Xi, and Murong Qingwu. At the same time, the three also noticed him.

Li Hao's gaze didn't linger, sweeping toward the thatched cottage, and soon saw the figure of the Abyss Master, Yun Wumian.

Li Hao flew over and bowed, "Junior pays respects to the Abyss Master."

Yun Wumian had been observing Li Hao's actions for the past half year. Seeing Li Hao actually completely immersed in playing chess without any intention of cultivating, he was also surprised. He even observed from the side and secretly studied a few games, wanting to see why that chessboard had such charm.

However, he had never liked such things. After watching a few games, he felt it was boring and uninteresting, so he didn't watch anymore.

"How is it? This trip down the mountain, any gains?"

Yun Wumian's expression was gentle, and he asked with a slight smile.

Li Hao thought of losing chess for half a year, only winning two games, and those were lucky. He couldn't help but scratch his head in embarrassment: "It's okay."

Lost miserably...

Yun Wumian smiled in his heart and said: "You came to find me, is it to plead for the Spirit Race?"

Li Hao was surprised and said: "Abyss Master is wise."

Seeing such crude flattery, Yun Wumian couldn't help but want to roll his eyes at him, saying indifferently:

"You don't need to worry about this matter. Except for the Monster Race and Ancient Demons, I will not execute the Spirit Race."

Li Hao felt relieved hearing this and bowed to the end: "Thank you for your mercy, Abyss Master!"

"Go."

Yun Wumian waved his hand.

Li Hao bowed and took his leave.

When he returned to Li Tiemu, Li Tiemu told Li Hao about the gathering, then still asked with unwillingness:

"How was it staying below for half a year? Any regrets?"

Li Hao was stunned and laughed: "No."

Li Tiemu was speechless, snorted, and seeing that the other elders had also arrived, said: "Let's go. Take you to see the disciples of the other eight Abysses."

Then, led by the three elders Li Tiemu, Zhou Qingyun, and the old woman, along with other elders, they led their respective disciples and left Emperor Jianshan.

After arriving at the Sword Abyss outside and staying for a while, they took Li Hao and the others to the main peak of the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan, Great Dream Mountain.

The Sect Master of the Great Dream Daming Jiuyuan, titled Dream Master, was on the main peak all year round.

Not long after, Li Tiemu and others led many disciples to Great Dream Mountain.

This Great Dream Mountain was vast and towering, with many disciples, much more imposing than the Sword Abyss.

Just after Li Hao and the others landed here, they saw a group of figures whistling from afar.

"It's the Spear Abyss disciples."

Li Tiemu said after a glance.

The number of Spear Abyss disciples was more than the Sword Abyss disciples. After landing on the square, they walked toward Li Tiemu and the others.

Li Hao swept his gaze and saw the figure of Lin Yufeng in the crowd.

Lin Yufeng also saw Li Hao, with no surprise in his eyes. When the elders of both sides were exchanging pleasantries, he squeezed out of the crowd, walked over, and was about to bow to Li Hao.

(End of chapter) *** **Chapter 689: Ancient Immortal Realm**