Chapter 708: One Million Three Hundred Thousand Immortal Merits, the Heavenly Master

"Slain two ninth-layer True Immortal Realm ancient demons, five eighth-layer, nine seventh-layer..."

In the courtyard, Shi Shi Tianjin sat at the head of the table, sword across his lap, tallying his immortal merits; when he finished, a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"Finally won't have to keep training new recruits in this Wildfire Army. With my accumulated immortal merits, I've reached two hundred thousand—and with my full tenth-layer True Immortal Realm cultivation, I can apply to join the Kong Que Army!"

Hearing his words, several veteran soldiers looked on with envy, offering congratulations.

To join the Kong Que Army means that, even during leave back within the Qin Xianchao's interior, your status rivals that of an Elder from the Four Heavenly Sects (Immortal Lord Realm).

After all, the Kong Que Army represents the imperial clan of the Yan-Chu Qin Xianchao—untouchable. Even Elders from the Four Heavenly Sects one realm higher must show due deference.

Moreover, if you seek marriage alliances, your bride will be at least a direct daughter of a ten-thousand-year-old clan, or the daughter of a garrison commander from one of the immortal cities.

The other new recruits reacted slightly slower, but seeing the veterans' fawning, they quickly mimicked them, offering flattery.

In the cultivation world, it's both solitary combat and human relations—sect and imperial court alike.

"Little Seven, what about you? You killed quite a few too, right?"

Shi Shi Tianjin looked toward the young man seated beside him.

Though this youth was a new recruit, their victory this campaign owed much to him—without him, they'd have missed the chance to ambush and slay so many ancient demons; otherwise, his immortal merits might have dropped by ten or twenty thousand.

"Mm, over a hundred thousand."

Huo Huo Xiaoqi nodded, his expression calm.

"Over a hundred thousand immortal merits, plus your cultivation—you can enter the Tiger-Lion Army easily. With more effort, you could even make the Kong Que Army!"

Shi Shi Tianjin laughed loudly and clapped him on the shoulder. After months of companionship, he already regarded Huo Huo Xiaoqi as one of his key networking resources, repeatedly showing goodwill—they were practically friends.

Others looked at Huo Huo Xiaoqi with envy. He'd arrived just now and already earned so many immortal merits; they'd seen the treasures in the merit exchange hall—this hundred thousand-plus could buy plenty of cultivation resources.

Hearing Shi Shi Tianjin's words, Huo Huo Xiaoqi felt no joy. He hadn't come here to join the Kong Que Army—he was here to train himself, preparing for the Southern Region War in ten years.

Of course, if he could incidentally earn immortal merits and gain higher military standing, that wouldn't hurt.

Yet at this moment, his thoughts turned involuntarily to that figure.

If he were still here...

Thump. Thump.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

Everyone turned to look toward the courtyard gate, where a boy stood, gently tapping, then walking in slowly.

? ￠o

"Chong Er?"

Seeing Li Hao's face, everyone froze, eyes wide in shock.

Shi Shi Tianjin, who had been lounging with legs sprawled, shot to his feet, stunned for a moment, then quickly forced a smile and hurried forward.

"Chong Er, you're back! Thank the heavens! We've been frantic these past few months—thought you'd met with some accident!"

Li Hao ignored his feigned warmth, saw Huo Huo Xiaoqi was also present, and nodded to him.

Months had passed; Huo Huo Xiaoqi's aura was noticeably steadier, radiating a sharp, cutting edge.

Seeing Li Hao, Huo Huo Xiaoqi froze, then quickly recovered—he flickered forward and stood before Li Hao, exclaiming:

"Where have you been these past months? I thought you'd been too reckless and drawn the attention of an ancient demon commander!"

In battle, standing out too much and being targeted by the enemy's commander wasn't unusual—that's one reason even prodigies hesitated to enter the battlefield; accidents could strike at any moment.

Li Hao smiled. The situation was much the same. "Some minor complications, but overall, I'm fine."

Shi Shi Tianjin, ignored by Li Hao, felt a flicker of embarrassment. When Li Hao first arrived, he'd dismissed the third-layer True Immortal Realm kid outright, treating him like a corpse. Now, being ignored in return, he could only grit his teeth.

"We never properly thanked you for saving us back then. Come, come, sit."

Shi Shi Tianjin warmly invited Li Hao to sit, concealing his resentment, hoping to cultivate Li Hao as a networking resource.

Li Hao didn't refuse, sat down, and noticed the courtyard's figures had halved since last time. He hadn't even recognized half the missing ones—perhaps this was the cruelty of the border war.

"In these past months, with Brother Chong Er's strength, you must've amassed a fortune in immortal merits—probably several hundred thousand!"

Shi Shi Tianjin grinned, pouring tea and offering it to Li Hao.

Li Hao lightly tapped the table in thanks but didn't drink; instead, he turned to Huo Huo Xiaoqi: "What about you?"

"Can't compare to you."

Huo Huo Xiaoqi shook his head, gazing at Li Hao with complex eyes—from initial shock and excitement to calm now. Recalling the power Li Hao had shown when saving them, he murmured: "Are you a disciple of the Heavenly Palace?"

Li Hao shook his head. Thinking of Huo Huo Xiaoqi's mention of the Southern Region War, he smiled: "You'll know when the Southern Region War comes."

Huo Huo Xiaoqi couldn't help but smile bitterly. He remembered how, when the boy had first asked him, he'd given the same reply.

Seeing Li Hao had no interest in befriending him, Shi Shi Tianjin's eyes flashed with irritation, yet he forced a smile.

"Brother Chong Er, with your talent, I can recommend you to the Demon-Slaying Office—I have a brother there serving as a Demon-Slaying Guard."

Hearing this, others stared at Shi Shi Tianjin in surprise—didn't know he had ties to the Demon-Slaying Office.

Shi Shi Tianjin's lips curled slightly. Since Li Hao wouldn't take notice of him, he'd have to invoke the Demon-Slaying Office's prestige.

Though the "brother" he mentioned was merely an acquaintance—he doubted anyone would check.

Li Hao's eyes flickered. Demon-Slaying Guard? His former senior brother, Ji Ji Qingxuan, had been one.

"Well?"

Shi Shi Tianjin asked, smug.

Li Hao shook his head. "Not interested."

Shi Shi Tianjin froze, his face flushing with embarrassment, a sting of shame rising within.

Huo Huo Xiaoqi silently shook his head—he knew someone with Li Hao's talent wouldn't be swayed by the Demon-Slaying Office. Besides, if one truly wanted to join, there were other ways. He changed the subject: "How many immortal merits do you have?"

"Not counted yet."

Li Hao picked up his identity token. "Let me check."

He sent a strand of spiritual sense into the token, beginning to tally his immortal merits.

Shi Shi Tianjin's eyes gleamed with envy and anger. If he'd known Li Hao was this strong, he never should've agreed to let him go solo—then Li Hao's merits would've been split by the battle camp, and he'd have gotten half for free.

With Li Hao's cultivation, if he'd worked hard, he could've amassed hundreds of thousands of immortal merits in just months!

The thought made his heart ache.

Others, seeing Li Hao tally his merits, paused their actions, watching the boy intently, curiosity in their eyes.

Others, seeing Li Hao settle his immortal merits, all paused their actions, watching the boy intently, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Li Hao's spiritual sense finished processing the ancient demon essences absorbed by the token. The final immortal merit count surprised even him.

Li Hao's spiritual sense completed the accounting of the ancient devil marrow absorbed by his identity token, and the final tally of immortal merits surprised even him.

Shi Shi Tianjin, seeing Li Hao put down the token, was the first to blurt out.

Li Hao met Huo Huo Xiaoqi's curious gaze. "One million three hundred seventy thousand immortal merits."

Li Hao saw Huo Huo Xiaoqi's curious gaze and said, "One million three hundred seventy thousand immortal merits."

The courtyard froze as if encased in ice—no sound at all.

As if a leaf drifted past, breaking the stillness, Shi Shi Tianjin's eyes bulged. "What?!"

Huo Huo Xiaoqi too was stunned, mouth agape, staring at Li Hao in disbelief.

He'd started hunting ancient demons alongside Shi Shi Tianjin, then switched to solo combat like Li Hao—only accumulating ten thousand merits. And Li Hao... one million three hundred seventy thousand?!

How many ancient demons had he slain to earn that?

In this dangerous battlefield, a tenth-layer True Immortal could easily slaughter first-layer ancient demons and accumulate merits steadily.

But reality wasn't so simple. Ancient demons formed large formations—like the Kong Que Army's Primordial Immortal Array—that could fight across realms.

Moreover, when a threat emerged capable of disrupting the battle, even stronger forces would descend to eliminate it. Killing ancient demons wasn't hard—but surviving while doing so? Extremely difficult.

And Li Hao had amassed one million three hundred seventy thousand immortal merits—and returned alive. That was terrifying.

"This... this many merits—could he even apply to join the Chu Immortal Army?"

"How many ancient demons did he kill? Did they just lie down and let him slaughter them?"

Others stared at Li Hao in awe, unable to believe it.

In a single campaign, this new recruit boy had already entered an entirely different world from them.

Shi Shi Tianjin snapped back to reality, staring at Li Hao's face, certain he wasn't lying. His eyes grew red. If he hadn't agreed to let Li Hao leave, he'd have gained nearly seventy thousand immortal merits for free!

That many merits could get him into the Dragon Battle Army—and buy a full set of immortal weapons and armor, vastly boosting his combat power!

His breathing grew heavy, throat tight, his heart wracked with regret.

As everyone stood stunned, two sharp whistles pierced the air beyond the courtyard gate.

Then, the gate was knocked again.

Two young men stood at the gate, clad in black robes, wearing black pointed helmets. Their eyes swept the courtyard, cold, arrogant, brimming with lethal aura.

Two young men in black long robes and black pointed helmets stood at the courtyard gate, their eyes scanning the surroundings, their gaze filled with disdain and chilling lethal energy, coldly saying:

Li Hao and the others turned. When they saw the two men's attire, Shi Shi Tianjin's heart lurched—his face paled.

Li Hao turned back with the others; when he saw the two men's attire, Shi Shi Tianjin's heart lurched violently, and his face changed color.

"Why are Demon-Slaying Guards here?"

"Could it be because Shi Camp Commander just mentioned introducing him? But this is too fast..."

Everyone glanced between Shi Shi Tianjin and Li Hao, puzzled.

Shi Shi Tianjin's heart pounded—he hadn't even notified his "brother" yet.

"I am. Who are you?"

Li Hao rose, frowning at the two Demon-Slaying Guards. Their demeanor felt hostile.

But the moment he stood, the two young men's coldness and lethal aura vanished. They smiled, bowed slightly, and said:

Yet the moment he thought it, the two young men before him, seeing Li Hao rise, immediately lost the coldness and murderous intent in their eyes, smiling slightly as they bowed slightly and said:

"Master Chong Er, the Heavenly Master has sent me to summon you. Please come with us to meet him."

Li Hao blinked in surprise, instantly recalling what Mi Mi Xueyao had said before they parted.

Could that Heavenly Master be the old man who fought the Di Jiang clan's Wang-level warrior on the battlefield?

Why would he summon me?

Li Hao's mind raced through possibilities but found no answer—could it be that being seen with Mi Mi Xueyao had labeled him a spy?

Yet he had no guilt to hide, so he felt no fear—unless the other side acted without reason or justice.

"Alright."

Li Hao replied, stepping forward to stand before the two men.

Shi Shi Tianjin and the others froze in shock—even Huo Huo Xiaoqi's face paled. The Heavenly Master—everyone in the Yan-Chu Immortal Empire knew him: he was second only to the Four Great Suppressing Demon Kings in the Demon Suppression Bureau!

"Let's go."

The two Demon Suppression Guards nodded and turned to lead the way.

Li Hao followed them.

Shi Shi Tianjin and the others exchanged glances. Thinking of Li Hao's million Immortal Merits, they had no doubt this summons was a good omen.

Shi Shi Tianjin's face burned with shame; he clenched his fist secretly. Just moments ago, he had boasted about introducing Li Hao to the Demon Suppression Guards and helping him gain favor—now, the man had been summoned by the Heavenly Master. The gap in status was beyond words.

…

Qinghe Mo City, Commander's Mansion.

The mansion stood at the center of the boundless Mo River, towering like a colossal mountain, with a ten-thousand-zhang-high Tianmen looming above, patrolled by Demon Suppression Guards and Dragon War Troops.

From atop this Tianmen, one could see signals flashing from all districts of the city, and the Immortal Merit rankings of various sects fluttering across the skies.

At this moment, inside the Star Sea Hall of the Commander's Mansion.

The floor of the hall was a miniature replica of a dark starfield, dotted with faint glimmers like grains of sand—these were Immortal Arrays buried throughout the starfield, through which the Immortal Platform amplified spiritual sense to cover half the battlefield.

Now, countless lights flickered within the starfield replica, each one exploding into an Immortal Art.

But these were mere replicas—tiny in appearance, their power no greater than firecrackers—whereas in the real battlefield, they had been devastating attacks capable of shaking heaven and earth.

Seated on the main dais was an elderly man with snow-white temples. His eyes hung low, seemingly closed, yet a narrow slit remained, gazing down upon the starfield replica.

Around him, Immortal energy swirled, revealing fleeting visions of celestial realms, each more wondrous than the last.

Now, under his Immortal Realm's influence, he was slowly reconstructing the months-long battlefield.

"This ancient demon attack was clearly aimed at us."

Beside him, a young man with silver hair and black armor stared at the reconstructed battlefield. Only now, viewing it from a grand strategic perspective, could he discern the subtle maneuvers the ancient demons had executed.

"They feigned two attacks, but hid a Wang-level force. Had the Heavenly Master not warned us in advance, we might all be dead."

A woman with dual-pupiled, heterochromatic eyes spoke solemnly.

The old man gently moved his hand, and the starfield replica shifted accordingly. He spoke softly:

"The Southern Theater campaign is about to begin. These sect disciples are hunting ancient demons with even greater fervor. This time, we're reassigning rankings and resources among the sects—not just based on their performance in the Southern Theater, but also on Immortal Merits. His Majesty's move is brilliant: by consolidating resources, he's made every sect willingly throw themselves into the battlefield to slay demons and eradicate evil!"

"Indeed. These sects have lived in luxury and hoarded resources for too long. It's time they contributed on the battlefield," the silver-haired, black-armored youth nodded.

"Without these sect disciples fighting so hard, the Tiger-Lion Army would have suffered far greater losses."

The woman with dual pupils stared at the starfield replica, where several battlefields of the Heavenly Sect disciples raged in fierce combat against ancient demons.

The old man waved his hand slightly, and the battlefield rotated. A faint smile touched his lips. "These aren't remarkable—but here, this one, do you still remember this boy?"

As the starfield replica turned, a tiny figure appeared on the second defense line, constantly fighting, darting between battle camps and ancient demons.

The woman with dual pupils glanced once and murmured, "Of course I remember."

This was the boy the Heavenly Master had praised months ago—she could never forget him.

"What's so special about this boy?"

A tall, broad-shouldered man in a black Great Dragon Robe asked, slightly surprised.

He sat upon a massive stone chair, surrounded by swirling black dragon qi—the manifestation of Immortal power, as if he were the supreme ruler of nine dragons.

Hearing his question, the old man merely smiled without answering. Instead, he moved his hand, shifting the starfield replica to the final battle moment, and said:

"Without this boy, Prince Zhao, your Kong Que Army would have been annihilated. And if that army fell, these positions, these positions, these several others would have been swept into the collapse. When I repelled Di Qiu, the chain reaction of casualties that followed—you'll see for yourselves…"