Volume 3 - Chapter 417: Fame Shakes the Imperial Star, Progenitor of the Su Clan (Part 3)
The Progenitor Great Emperor of the three great clans had fought in the ancient war against the demons a hundred thousand years ago. His defense of humanity was legendary, and none in the Northern Domain's noble clans were unaware of his name.
Were it not for the Great Emperor before them, the human race would have long been erased from the Northern Domain in that distant battle!
“Greetings, Progenitor!”
Su Zhenyuan, eyes brimming with emotion, knelt in the void and pressed his forehead to the air.
The other prodigies of the Su Clan quickly came to their senses, overwhelmed with shock and excitement, and followed suit in bowing low.
Su Muqing finally registered what was happening. Only then did she notice that Li Hao was standing in front of her. And overhead—it was him. The Progenitor of the Su Clan. The Su Clan’s Great Emperor!
Flustered, she dropped to her knees in worship.
In just a few short breaths, everyone was kneeling—save for the lone figure suspended in the void.
Su Jiuze stood tall, ageless, and unmatched.
He lowered his eyes slightly, gazing down first at the girl beneath his feet, then at the upright figure of the young man who had not knelt.
The boy’s gaze was filled not with defiance, but with sincere gratitude.
What an adorable little fellow… Su Jiuze mused. Just now, all were paralyzed by the pressure of his imperial presence—yet only this youth could move freely under it. His Dao heart… had already transcended eternity.
The corners of Su Jiuze’s lips lifted slightly.
In a gentle voice, he murmured, “Hao Tian, is it? A fine name… so nostalgic a name.”
Hands behind his back, he added quietly, “Once this matter is settled, come to the ancestral land of the Su Clan to see me.”
Then, casting one glance toward Su Zhenyuan, who was still kneeling nearby, he said no more.
His figure faded like smoke in the wind, vanishing from the sky.
Li Hao blinked. Was the Great Emperor… talking to him?
Snapping back to himself, he bowed toward the spot where Su Jiuze had vanished. “Yes, sir.”
As Su Jiuze disappeared, the oppressive imperial aura dispersed as well.
Everyone present felt as though a mountain had been lifted from their backs—they could finally breathe again.
They looked around, but Su Jiuze’s form had vanished. Regret filled their eyes. Even if they’d had to kneel for hours, a glimpse of the Great Emperor’s majesty was worth it.
Su Zhenyuan lifted his head. He had heard Su Jiuze’s parting words clearly. He couldn’t help but look at Li Hao, his expression a mix of emotion and complexity.
So the Progenitor had seen the youth’s potential too.
If the Progenitor chose to guide him, Li Hao would surely ascend even higher.
Gradually, people began rising to their feet. Lin Daogong returned to Lin Zhexuan’s side. Seeing his slightly pale face, he sighed in relief. They were lucky—the Progenitor had awakened just in time. Otherwise, their Lin Clan’s true dragon would’ve perished here today. That would have been a devastating blow.
After all, Lin Zhexuan’s talent was without question. If he couldn’t reach the Great Emperor realm, who else in the Lin Clan could?
“Hao Tian, on behalf of the Jiang Clan, I thank you for standing up for us today!”
Jiang Qiuyue now stepped before Li Hao, with the Jiang Clan crowd behind her—including Jiang Huanhuan.
She looked at Li Hao with solemnity, her eyes filled with admiration and warmth.
At her words, the other noble clan patriarchs were jolted to attention. They, too, began to gather.
“Hao Tian. His name is Hao Tian. The Liu Clan will remember this! From today on, any Liu disciple who meets Hao Tian must treat him as an elder of our clan!”
“The Gao Clan remembers as well! Our prodigies owe him their lives!”
The noble clans voiced their gratitude one after another. Even those whose captured prodigies were from lesser houses came forward to thank him.
Had it not been for Li Hao, the human race would’ve lost today. The captives would never have been ransomed, and the psychological blow would’ve shattered morale. The demons might have used the recorded footage to demoralize the border forces, leading to untold losses.
What’s more, if Li Hao hadn’t steadied hearts during the battle, many smaller clans would have fled the Northern Domain in fear.
But those small clans were the foundation. If the foundation collapsed, the entire structure would fall.
Surrounded by voices of thanks, Li Hao remained calm.
Su Muqing stood before him—just a few paces away, yet it felt like a great gulf separated them.
In the Northern Domain, besides Lin Zhexuan, who else could shine like this?
Even the noble patriarchs came to thank him—something not even Lin Zhexuan could achieve.
Yet Su Muqing noticed something strange.
Amid the crowd, as cheers rose around him, Li Hao’s expression stayed exactly the same—calm and composed. His clear, bright eyes, like sunlight reflected on a lake, were quietly gazing at her.
That gaze had never wavered—from the moment they met to now, amidst glory and accolades.
Su Muqing froze. Slowly, a blush crept up her face, and she turned her head away.
After a moment, she could still feel that gaze. She peeked back.
Still looking.
Flustered, she turned her whole body.
A strange mix of emotions surged in her chest—complicated, contradictory, and yet undeniably warm. But it was no longer annoyance or rejection.
At that moment, she turned—and saw someone approaching, only to stop not far from her.
Lin Zhexuan.
Their eyes met. His expression was calm, but his gaze was stormy.
Su Muqing instantly understood what he was thinking. They had grown up together. Yet she didn’t know how to respond—should she reject him outright? Avoid the topic?
Her gaze flickered away instinctively.
But then she caught herself. She had nothing to be ashamed of. She raised her eyes once more.
“Did you hear what your father said earlier?”
Lin Zhexuan’s voice rang in her mind—cold and biting.
Su Muqing hesitated. She remembered it clearly. Her father had said that if Li Hao won, he’d arrange their marriage…
Her expression turned complicated. Her emotions, impossible to name.
“You…”
Lin Zhexuan saw her hesitation, and rage rose in his heart. His face darkened, his voice dropping low.
“You agree?”
Su Muqing’s heart trembled. Seeing the anger in his eyes, she took a deep breath and shook her head. “Father was just trying to motivate him. It doesn’t necessarily mean he truly—”
“What if he meant it?”
Lin Zhexuan laughed bitterly, though no smile touched his face.
He was a half-step Emperor. Anything said in public would carry weight.
Su Muqing knew that too. Her face changed again, her heart in turmoil.
Before today, she would’ve had no doubt—she would’ve chosen Lin Zhexuan in a heartbeat.
But that youth… the way he’d shielded her twice with the resolve of someone facing death—it lingered in her heart like a thorn she couldn’t bear to pull free.
“I’m a little tired. I’m going to rest.”
She shook her head, turned, and walked away.
Lin Zhexuan’s face darkened, and his heart sank with it. He clenched his fists.
Before he could vent, he saw that same youth—surrounded by praise—suddenly break away from the crowd and chase after Su Muqing.
Lin Zhexuan’s face twisted, his eyes practically spitting fire.
Lin Daogong, who had been watching the entire exchange, sighed to himself.
Su Zhenyuan’s words had been spoken in front of everyone—there was no easy way to walk them back.
Unless Su Muqing threatened her own life.
He said quietly, “Zhexuan, I’ll speak with your Uncle Su in private sometime. We’ll try to find a chance for you and Muqing to talk things through—alone.”
Lin Zhexuan wanted to say “Don’t bother,” but the words stuck in his throat.
Years of childhood companionship stopped him. If he gave up now, walking away as the loser, he’d lose every shred of dignity.
“…Who is that boy?”
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