Chapter 710: The Youngest Celestial Official

The girl stared blankly, frozen in place.

The sharp, crisp sword intent brushed past her, leaving her dazed—it was profoundly familiar, the very "Azure Sky" she had just begun cultivating!

Yet compared to her own Azure Sky, that sword intent was purer, as if ready to cleave all things apart, split clouds and mist, scatter dust and smoke, even making the bright blue sky and sun seem ready to shatter!

"You…"

The girl snapped back to herself, staring at the boy before her. Her grandfather had repeatedly warned her never to teach this immortal art to outsiders—it was one of the Ten True Immortal Arts, long lost, immensely powerful in the True Immortal realm, and exceedingly difficult for even True Immortals to master.

Yet this stranger boy had summoned it effortlessly, his sword intent far more refined, clearly surpassing her realm.

But his cultivation… she scanned him from head to toe and realized he was only True Immortal Realm Third Layer, while she was Seventh Layer!

"Who are you?"

The girl narrowed her eyes, gazing at the tall boy whose nose stood at her forehead level. His posture was upright, brimming with vitality; his bright eyes and deep brows held a faint smile, like a spring breeze brushing her face—unruffled by her anger, as gentle as a clear wind.

Her lips tightened slightly, the anger in her eyes fading, replaced by curiosity.

"Who are you?"

Li Hao smiled and asked in return.

The girl's delicate face regained composure. "This courtyard is mine. You ask who I am?"

"Yours?"

Li Hao was surprised, and stopped playing coy. "The Celestial Master summoned me here. Who are you to him?"

The girl's eyes flickered; she guessed part of the reason. She glanced at his fingers, which had just crushed her sword qi. A True Immortal of only Third Layer had shattered her sword qi so easily. She asked:

"How many times have you reincarnated? Your cultivation is low, yet your power is not. Where did you learn the Azure Sky Immortal Art?"

Li Hao shook his head. "You haven't told me who you are to the Celestial Master."

"The Celestial Master you speak of is my grandfather."

The girl's gaze was calm. "I don't recall him ever taking a disciple named you."

Li Hao understood, shook his head. "I don't know why your grandfather summoned me. Let's wait until he arrives."

The girl frowned, glanced at Li Hao, and said nothing more. She turned to practice her sword—but her foot had barely moved when she remembered the sword qi he had casually drawn. A wave of despair washed over her: all her hard work, and she still couldn't match his idle gesture.

"Hey."

"?"

"How long did it take you to reach this level?"

The girl asked, her tone casual, yet her heart held a trace of resentment.

"A few days."

Li Hao replied offhandedly, his gaze sweeping the courtyard, seeking other places to explore.

The girl froze, then her face darkened. "I'm not joking."

"Neither am I."

Li Hao waved his hand, ended the exchange, and turned to leave.

"Wait."

The girl's figure blurred, instantly appearing before Li Hao. Her delicate face flushed with anger. "I just asked a question—I'm not prying. Are you really this petty?"

Li Hao fell silent. Just as he was about to speak, a faint but potent pressure surged. He looked up and saw the old man he'd seen on the border battlefield slowly descending from the courtyard's high air.

The girl saw him too, and stopped arguing with Li Hao. She turned, beaming, and rushed forward. "Grandfather, you're back! Are you hurt?"

"That Emperor Qiu is only Wang Realm Second Layer—he can't hurt your grandfather."

The old man smiled indulgently, wrinkles folding together as he gently stroked his granddaughter's hair. Then his gaze fell upon the boy beside the arched bridge.

Seeing the boy's upright figure and noble bearing, his eyes softened, as if centuries of change had flickered across his gaze in an instant. His smile faded slightly, his voice unreadable.

"What is your name?"

"Brother Chong Er."

Li Hao bowed slightly.

"Brother Chong Er? What a terrible name."

The girl turned to look at Li Hao, pouting. A moment ago, standing before him, she had seemed a cold, untouchable immortal maiden. Now beside her grandfather, she appeared years younger—lively, spoiled, speaking more freely.

Li Hao glanced at her, unimpressed. Rude.

Seeing Li Hao dare to glare at her in front of her grandfather, the girl was startled—and instantly furious. Remembering his earlier attitude, she turned to the old man, voice sweet as a child's plea:

"Grandfather, why did you summon him? Are you going to take him as your disciple?"

At the word "disciple," the old man's eyelid twitched slightly. He turned to Li Hao.

"Would you like to become my disciple?"

"Grandfather, you're really going to take him?"

The girl's eyes widened, her face showing clear reluctance. Her brow furrowed. All other disciples treated her with utmost respect, showering her with rare, priceless gifts she barely glanced at.

But this boy seemed even more arrogant than she was—and it stirred her resentment.

The old man ignored his granddaughter, his gaze fixed calmly on Li Hao.

Li Hao hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, I already have a master."

Though this Celestial Master was powerful, Li Hao had been taught by an Immortal Emperor. His entry into Great Dream Nine Abyss was merely to familiarize himself with the True Realm—there was no need to take another master.

"Hmm?"

Hearing Li Hao's answer, the girl froze.

Her grandfather was the Celestial Master of the Demon Subjugation Bureau. Countless prodigies had begged to become his disciples—geniuses among ten thousand, even top monsters nurtured by Earth Sects—all desperate to connect through him to enter the Demon Subjugation Bureau.

And now, someone refused?

The old man's eyes flickered slightly, but he wasn't surprised. Instead, a faint smile curled his lips. He descended and said:

"I am Gu Gu Changming, a Three-Star Celestial Master of the Demon Subjugation Bureau. Would you like to join?"

The Demon Subjugation Bureau… Li Hao's eyes flickered. The old man's words clearly meant more than mere recruitment—he would offer support, nurture him within the bureau.

"If I join the Demon Subjugation Bureau… is it busy?"

Li Hao hesitated.

Gu Gu Changming blinked, clearly unprepared for this reaction. Over the years, when he invited favored youths to join, most were ecstatic; a few politely declined. But never had anyone asked if it was busy.

He couldn't help laughing. "That depends on you. If you want a leisurely post, it's possible."

"There are leisurely posts?"

Li Hao thought a moment. "Then no problem."

"You…"

The girl beside them was furious. Her grandfather rarely extended invitations—and now this boy was haggling like a merchant? How outrageous.

"Gu Xingwan, go practice your sword. I need to speak privately with this young man."

Seeing his furious granddaughter, Gu Gu Changming chuckled and waved her off.

"Grandfather, are you really that impressed by him?"

Gu Gu Xingwan was surprised. She rarely saw her grandfather so gentle.

Gu Gu Changming smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Gu Gu Xingwan studied Li Hao deeply, then turned and left obediently.

Once Gu Gu Xingwan was far away, Gu Gu Changming clasped his hands behind his back and walked to Li Hao. His eyes gently studied him, filled with sighs and emotion.

"Follow me."

He led Li Hao into the Water-Moon Hall.

Within the towering hall, potent immortal energy swirled. He brought Li Hao deep inside, raised a hand, and lightly tapped the air. Silver-gray ripples shimmered—some hidden barrier had been unlocked.

The shimmering silver-gray ripples matched the patterns on the chariot tracks Li Hao had once sat upon along the Starry Ancient Road.

Before them, water-like waves parted, revealing a dark hall.

The hall's light was dim, so faint that even Li Hao's spiritual sense could barely perceive his surroundings—some immense force suppressed his spiritual sense from extending outward.

In the area he could see stood a totem pillar. Coiled at its base were dragon and phoenix; carved upon its surface were immortal gods and deities, each standing atop dragon and phoenix, radiating grandeur—but their postures were wild, insane, tears of blood streaming from their foreheads, as if their third eyes had been gouged out.

Gu Gu Changming took two steps and stopped. Li Hao, following behind, was forced to halt.

"Earlier, during the review in the Commander's Hall, we tallied the immortal merits of all generals. After deliberation, your contribution in this battle—beyond slaying the ancient demon—was decisive at the final moment. You earned 1.92 million immortal merits!"

Gu Gu Changming spoke, his back to Li Hao, his voice unreadable.

Li Hao froze, a surge of joy rising—then quickly chilled by dread. He asked:

"How exactly are these immortal merits calculated? What merit do I have to deserve this?"

Gu Gu Changming turned. His face, in the dim hall, grew even deeper. "The ancient demon woman who accompanied you—how did you meet her? Did you know she was an ancient demon?"

His gaze, like two cold stars in the dark night, locked onto Li Hao.

Li Hao's expression changed. He felt immense pressure. The old man's words made it clear: everything that happened on the battlefield had been seen.

"I knew."

After a brief silence, Li Hao answered: "But she didn't know I knew her identity. So I used her to aid the Peacock Army."

He avoided explaining how he learned of Mi Mi Xueyao or their months together—only spoke truths, and thus sounded utterly candid.

It was a trick learned from the Saint of Deceit: the finest lie is to omit certain truths, speak only partial truths, yet still create deception through information gaps—unbreakable.

Gu Gu Changming studied Li Hao for a moment, then nodded slightly. "I believe you. But others don't. They suspect you of being an ancient demon spy and want to interrogate you."

Interrogate? Li Hao frowned, but showed no strong reaction. He fixed his gaze on the old man. The man told him this for a reason.

Seeing Li Hao's calm expression, Gu Gu Changming's eyes showed a flicker of approval. Then he sighed softly.

"But you needn't worry. I told them you're one of ours. I've already ordered your file sent to the Demon Subjugation Bureau. Your identity as 'Brother Chong Er' has been a Demon Subjugation Guard for three years."

Li Hao froze. The implications were enormous. He stared at the old man, wondering why he was helping him.

"Qingtian Sword Art, Ancestral Immortal Body..."

Gu Gu Changming looked at Li Hao, a smile tugging at his lips. "I wasn't fully certain before—perhaps it was mere coincidence—but after seeing you just now, I'm certain. You are a descendant of the Lord Tianyang Immortal Emperor, and his direct disciple?"

Li Hao's expression shifted slightly. For the first time, his identity had been recognized.

Yet, seeing no murderous intent from the other, his taut body relaxed slightly.

Seeing Li Hao remain silent, Gu Gu Changming's admiration did not wane. "Don't worry—I my clan once received the Immortal Emperor's grace. I will keep your identity secret. That's why I brought you here. Even Gu Xingwan, that girl, won't know. She's trustworthy, but still too young..."

As he spoke, his expression grew utterly sincere.

Li Hao knew any explanation now would be useless. If the man had intended to kill, he would have acted the moment suspicion arose—better to kill wrongly than let one slip. The fact they could speak so closely now proved he was no enemy.

"Why do you think so, Elder?" Li Hao asked.

Gu Gu Changming laughed. "Third-layer True Immortal realm, yet you withstand attacks from an Immortal Lord? Such a prodigy, plus an Ancestral Immortal Body, the lost Qingtian Immortal Art... and you're barely a century old. Do you really think it's hard to guess?"

"..."

Hearing this, Li Hao himself found it highly plausible.

"Thank you, Elder, for concealing my identity," Li Hao bowed in gratitude.

Seeing Li Hao's doubts dispelled, Gu Gu Changming smiled. He didn't think Li Hao naive—rather, if someone still harbored hostility after receiving such clear signals, they were simply a fool.

"So—are you the Immortal Emperor's descendant, or...?"

Gu Gu Changming asked curiously.

"Disciple."

Li Hao said: "But not yet a direct disciple."

"Not yet a direct disciple?"

Gu Gu Changming froze, his eyes filled with shock. Such a prodigy—and still not chosen as the Immortal Emperor's direct disciple?

No wonder he's the Immortal Emperor...

"After that great battle, did the Immortal Emperor truly... fall silent?"

Gu Gu Changming whispered.

Li Hao gave a slight nod.

Gu Gu Changming clenched his fingers slightly, falling silent. After a long while, he drew a deep breath and said:

"Have you ever heard of the Tianmu Clan?"

"No."

Li Hao shook his head.

Gu Gu Changming's lips curled in bitterness. "Of course not. One hundred thousand years is too long. Three thousand years after that battle, my clan was driven out of the Hundred Clans Mountain. You wouldn't have heard of us—it's likely the Immortal Emperor's legacy never mentioned us either. After all, we were merely a minor clan he happened to save. Why would he care...?"

Li Hao's eyes flickered. This Tian Shi's ancestors had once received grace from the Lord Tianyang Immortal Emperor?

Gu Gu Changming turned and continued walking toward the front of the dark hall, leading Li Hao to the totem. He pointed to it and recounted a buried past.

Once, the Tianmu Clan was insignificant among the ten thousand clans of the True Realm. But thanks to the Lord Tianyang Immortal Emperor's aid, they earned a place among the Hundred Clans, leaving their mark on the Hundred Clans Mountain.

After becoming one of the Hundred Clans, the entire Tianmu Clan underwent a dramatic transformation. Their strength surged, and they grew rapidly.

But good fortune did not last. The Ancient Demon Cataclysm arrived. The Lord Tianyang Immortal Emperor perished. For tens of thousands of years afterward, the Tianmu Clan was expelled from the Hundred Clans Mountain. Combined with the post-cataclysm environment of the True Realm, where clans slaughtered and competed with one another, the Tianmu Clan grew ever more reclusive to avoid conflict, hiding their identity.

With Gu Gu Changming's current power and status, he had no fear of others learning he was Tianmu. But he preferred silence, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Since you are the Immortal Emperor's disciple, and have accomplished great deeds this time, I will fight for you—to make you the youngest Lingguan in the Yanchu Qin Xianchao!"

Gu Gu Changming said gently after revealing his identity.

"Lingguan?"

Li Hao froze. In the Fumo Bureau, Lingguan was a position reserved for Immortal Lords, wielding considerable authority. Many noble houses and sects vied to curry favor with them.

"Exactly. Whatever you need, just tell me. Within the Yanchu Qin Xianchao, I will do my best to protect you. You are the Immortal Emperor's disciple—you're no ordinary fish. You will surely rise to fame across the True Realm. This Yanchu Qin Xianchao won't be your final destination."

Gu Gu Changming spoke, seeing clearly Li Hao's brilliant future.

Li Hao fell silent briefly. He knew the old man had given him immense aid—even if it was only out of respect for the Immortal Emperor, whom he had never met.

"Thank you."

Li Hao bowed. He understood: the man helped him not only to repay the debt to his former master, but perhaps also to cultivate a connection.

And what Li Hao must do now is ensure he can repay that favor in the future.