Volume 3 - Chapter 390: Northern Domain, The Su Clan (Part 3)
The Black Tortoise Emperor Soul continued slowly, “Secondly, taking human form conceals one’s true body. It prevents other races from instantly recognizing your origin or background. For example, if you were a rat-type demon and revealed your true form, you’d likely be targeted by snake-type demons immediately.”
“When everyone appears human, it’s easier to coexist in peace.”
Li Hao finally understood. So that was the real reason everyone transformed into human shape. He had initially thought it was out of aesthetic preference for the human form. Clearly, that was wishful thinking.
After all, only humans appreciated their own looks. In the eyes of demons, human appearance was likely hideous beyond words.
“This is a Command Star,” the Emperor Soul explained patiently. “In the Northern Domain, aside from Emperor Stars, these hold the highest status.”
“The Heavenly Dao Emperor Stars are supreme. Great clans are stationed there. The Su Clan you’re seeking resides on one of those Emperor Stars.”
“Families based on Command Stars can have experts at peak Immortal King level. They’re not to be trifled with.”
Li Hao nodded quietly, and an image rose in his mind—Ying Xiaoxiao. Her reincarnated self was in the Su Clan. He hadn’t expected the Su Clan to be such an ancient and powerful family. It now made sense why her soul would choose them.
Without lingering, he entered the city.
On the streets, many demons in human guise caught the scent of a human from him and turned frequently to look.
Only when they sensed he was at the Immortal Lord Realm did some retract their gazes—but deep within their eyes still flickered bloodlust and hunger.
Li Hao hadn’t expected such blatant hostility in their stares. He frowned. Whispers filled his ears, though spoken in languages of various demon races—tongues he couldn’t understand. He kept moving along the street, scanning with his Primordial Spirit for a teleportation array.
“I possess a demon-tongue script of the Northern Domain. I can pass it on to you,” said the Black Tortoise Emperor Soul in a voice transmission, sensing his awkwardness.
At once, a vast stream of knowledge flowed into Li Hao’s mind. It was the collective language systems of the region’s demon races.
He halted in the middle of the street, furrowed his brow, and closed his eyes to absorb the information.
Moments later, the whispers around him transformed into intelligible speech—clear as human language.
“Look at that human idiot. What’s he doing just standing there?”
“Keep it down. That one has a strong aura—definitely an Immortal Lord.”
“Just an Immortal Lord. If this were outside the city, I’d have eaten him alive. Look at that tender skin—he must taste divine.”
“Too bad the city’s under the laws of the Barbaric Niu Clan. No killing allowed inside... or else.”
Li Hao turned toward the speakers—a trio, two men and a woman. The woman laughed behind her hand, her eyes flirtatious, but her words brimmed with greedy longing to devour him.
He hadn’t expected such boldness. These demons openly spoke of eating him as though he were livestock. They clearly didn’t see him as a threat.
Humans who’d lived long in this place likely understood the demon tongue. The fact that these three didn’t care implied just how low human status had sunk here.
“Look, the human’s staring at us. Think he understands what we’re saying?”
“So what if he does? Think he dares pick a fight?”
“He should be grateful the Barbaric Niu Clan’s laws let him breathe. Otherwise, we’d have torn him apart already.”
The three chuckled, flashing their pristine teeth before turning away with disappointment—unable to eat, they lost interest.
Li Hao glanced at the shops along the road. In some, human bones were openly displayed—one leg bone even shimmered with golden light, exuding divine radiance. It had likely belonged to a powerful celestial.
Worse, in some shops, human men and women were imprisoned—terror in their eyes—on public display, priced for sale.
His expression darkened.
So it was true. Just as the Emperor Soul had said, the Northern Domain had reversed the roles. Humans here were beasts—pets—commodities to be slaughtered at will.
To thrive in such a place, a human clan had to be truly extraordinary.
Still, even the strongest would find their path riddled with obstacles.
Li Hao didn’t linger.
From the chatter of demons along the street, he gleaned the location of the teleportation array and headed there.
As for the many imprisoned humans he passed, his heart ached—but he knew. As a newcomer, meddling would only bring death.
Besides, these horrors had persisted for countless ages before he arrived. If they were to end, it would only be when he was strong enough—when a single word from him carried more power than any drawn blade.
Soon, he reached the teleportation array.
Back on the Heavenly Dao Bridge, he had traded his Dao-Origin Essence with the imperial clans for celestial stones. He was not lacking in resources.
He paid ten thousand celestial stones.
According to the Emperor Soul’s instructions, he activated the array to teleport to the Su Clan’s Emperor Star—Gusu Emperor Star.
Teleportation costs revealed something else: humans paid ten thousand celestial stones; demons had to pay thirty thousand—triple the price. On top of that, demons had to undergo soul verification, proving they had not eaten humans in the past ten thousand years to be allowed entry.
At Gusu Emperor Star’s teleportation point, a special celestial artifact stood ready—designed to detect traces of human blood and soul essence. Any demon who had consumed humans would be exposed.
When Li Hao arrived via teleportation, the first thing he saw was a grand avenue and a majestic city sprawling before him.
Above, a massive mirror etched with ancient sigils floated in the sky, pointed directly at the teleportation array. Within it, one by one, the newly arrived figures appeared—Li Hao among them.
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