Volume 3 - Chapter 406: Heaven and Earth Immortal Physique, The Power Struggles of Great Clans (Part 2)
Li Hao shook his head. Whether it was the Dao of Dominion, the Sword Dao, or his movement techniques—he was lacking in all of them. Any one of these reaching the Twelfth Level would mean a tremendous leap in his strength.
If his movement techniques reached the Twelfth Level, even someone like Su Muqing would struggle to lay a finger on him.
As he pondered, a sudden phoenix cry pierced through the skies above the Su Estate.
A streak of crimson light tore through the firmament with a shrill whistle.
Li Hao looked up, a trace of puzzlement in his eyes.
With a sudden bang, the doors of the great hall burst open. A figure shot out so swiftly that even after landing, her immortal robes billowed violently, exuding fierce momentum.
Su Muqing had emerged from seclusion. Her eyes locked onto the crimson light across the skies, her gaze heavy. If it weren’t for something urgent, her father would never activate the Vermilion Bird Summoning Cry.
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, her figure flickered and vanished—heading straight for the Bright Sovereign Hall.
Seeing Su Muqing appear, Li Hao's attention shifted. When he noticed the solemn expression on her face, he immediately sensed something serious was unfolding.
The moment Su Muqing vanished from sight, Li Hao disappeared as well, following closely behind.
Su Muqing noticed Li Hao tailing her, a flicker of irritation surfacing. But now wasn’t the time to drive him off.
Soon, the two of them arrived—one after the other—at the Bright Sovereign Hall of the Su Clan.
The towering, majestic palace loomed high. From various corners of the estate, more streaks of light shot in one after another.
One by one, the core disciples of the Su Clan gathered within the Bright Sovereign Hall.
Li Hao saw that Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue had also arrived. Alongside them were Su Qiyu and another seven or eight outstanding Su youths. Only two had reached the True Immortal Realm; the rest were Immortal Lords, their auras deep and restrained.
“What happened? Why would Father summon us in such a hurry?”
Someone voiced the question.
Everyone wore grave expressions. Su Wanqing glanced at Li Hao and, realizing she hadn’t seen him in some time, sensed a subtle shift in his aura—something about him now made her feel a faint, almost illusory pressure.
Su Wanxue also noticed him, frowning slightly, just about to speak when Su Zhenyuan’s voice echoed from within the hall:
“Come in.”
Su Wanxue held her words. If it were a matter of clan importance, their father would naturally expel any outsiders—no need for her to intervene.
As Su Muqing stepped into the hall, Li Hao followed without hesitation.
“Who are you?”
A youth nearby, who had never met Li Hao before, questioned him directly.
Li Hao said nothing. The others cast him a brief glance and then made their way inside to meet their father.
The youth scoffed at being ignored, slightly amused by Li Hao’s nerve. Still, realizing this stranger had made it here must mean he had some right to, so he gave a snort and entered the hall.
Inside the Bright Sovereign Hall, Su Zhenyuan sat in the seat of honor. Su Qingmei sat beside him, her beautiful face veiled in faint worry.
“Father, what’s so urgent? I was still in seclusion,” someone blurted out.
They were all Su Clan prodigies—either in seclusion or on their cultivation paths. Unlike Su Muqing, they had no interest in side pursuits like the Painting Dao.
Su Qingmei cast a glare at the speaker, signaling him not to be disrespectful.
Su Zhenyuan's eyes swept across the hall, naturally noting Li Hao among the group. His gaze flickered slightly but showed no sign of disapproval. Slowly, he spoke:
“News has just come from the border. The demon clans of the Northern Region are stirring. Have you heard of the Demon God Battle that was held in the Demon Domain last year?”
“The Demon God Battle? Isn’t that the demon clans’ millennial event to select their Northern Region Demon God’s heirs? I heard the top winner earns the right to comprehend the Demon God’s Heart Tower and lay the foundation for becoming an emperor!”
A youth responded immediately.
“What does that have to do with us?” someone else asked, puzzled.
Su Zhenyuan gazed at his more composed children, his expression darkening:
“The demon clans of the Northern Region have been our enemies for tens of thousands of years. Just after this Demon God Battle ended, they announced that the top twenty contestants would travel to the human territories—under the guise of friendly exchange. But in truth, they’re probing the depths of our people!”
“They’re coming to challenge us?”
Su Qiyu’s eyes narrowed, a cold, sharp light flashing within.
“Arrogant beasts! Do they think they can walk into our lands and leave in one piece?!”
“Let them come! I've been bored in seclusion anyway. Other clans’ heirs are too soft—we can’t use killing moves. These demon scum will make perfect targets to test our blades!”
“Is Father calling us here to have us fight? That’s exactly what I hoped for!”
Amidst shock and anger, the hall ignited with bloodlust and eagerness.
Having grown up in the Northern Region, and being from a top-tier human clan like the Su Clan, they knew well how hard life was for the human race here. Their hatred of the demon clans was ingrained in their very souls.
Li Hao noticed even the usually gentle Su Wanqing was now wearing a cold expression, her eyes brimming with killing intent.
Demon clans… Li Hao couldn’t help recalling the scenes of their carnage in the mortal realm. He thought of his early days in the Northern Region, where he had seen human lives caged like livestock—sold as slaves, butchered like animals.
Su Zhenyuan saw the fury in his children and, in the depths of his grim gaze, a faint glimmer of satisfaction surfaced.
Shaking his head slightly, he waved his hand.
“This so-called ‘exchange’ is nothing more than a grand match between the demon clans and us humans. The stakes are no small matter. For every match we lose, we forfeit a King-tier Immortal City. Conversely, for every match we win, the demon clans will hand over a King-tier demon city and return one of our captured Immortal Lords.”
At those words, silence fell like a veil over the hall. Everyone exchanged glances.
The stakes… were enormous.
To lose a match in such a “friendly duel” meant more than just the death of one prodigy. A single loss could cost them an entire city full of immortal citizens.
King-tier Immortal Cities housed tens of thousands—such a loss would be a sin no one could bear alone.
“These demons… are they really that confident?”
Su Wanxue’s brows furrowed, her frosty expression turning contemplative.
Li Hao’s eyes flickered. In an instant, he understood—this was a battle between great clans.
From Su Zhenyuan’s tone, it seemed the human side… had no way to refuse.
A King-tier demon city and a captured Immortal Lord of the human race? If it was only one returned captive… that prisoner’s identity must be extraordinary. Likely hand-picked by the human side.
The fact that the demon clans had agreed… meant they were either supremely confident—or their motives ran even deeper.
Li Hao’s gaze swept toward Su Muqing—and suddenly, his eyes narrowed, turning solemn.
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