Volume 3 - Chapter 417: Fame Shakes the Imperial Star, Progenitor of the Su Clan (Part 4)
Lin Zhexuan transmitted his voice quietly.
At this point, Li Hao’s name resounded across the land. Everyone was calling out for Hao Tian. Lin Zhexuan knew that confronting the other youth directly or turning hostile would do neither himself nor the Lin Clan any good.
“His name is Hao Tian. I’m not sure where he came from either,” Lin Daogong replied, his eyes glinting. “I just inquired with Zhenyuan. Apparently, he came from another domain, bearing a marriage contract left behind by the Su Clan’s Progenitor, and came specifically for Su Muqing. For now, he’s staying with the Su Clan.”
“To be able to arrange a marriage pact with the Su Clan’s Progenitor... he must not be ordinary,” Lin Daogong continued. “He’s very likely a Great Emperor himself.”
Lin Zhexuan’s fingers clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked.
The Dao Origin Immortal Seal alone proved that this youth had the backing of a Great Emperor.
Even if he didn’t, with such talent, he could easily find one.
Lin Zhexuan’s greatest regret in his cultivation journey was failing to condense the Dao Origin Immortal Seal at the True Immortal realm. He had fallen one step short of the legend, his foundation imperfect.
But even so, in the Northern Domain, he had always stood at the peak, unchallenged.
Yet today, he finally felt the sting of that flaw—the sharp pain of what was missing.
If he too had the Dao Origin Immortal Seal, why would he fear that demonic woman? Even if it meant burning his soul, he would’ve fought to the death!
And if he had done that, how could this youth have stolen the spotlight?
Thoughts churned in his mind. His expression twisted, and the calm of his internal energy shattered—waves of turbulent aura billowed outward.
Lin Daogong noticed at once. His face darkened slightly and he barked lowly, “Zhexuan!”
Lin Zhexuan snapped out of it and turned toward him.
“Do not let your Dao heart waver!”
Lin Daogong warned him sternly, his face grave.
Lin Zhexuan was shaken. His expression shifted again. Finally, he slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them once more, the storm had calmed. But his eyes had turned colder.
“I understand,” he said quietly. “I’ll speak with Sister Muqing myself. If she truly... has chosen, then I will let go. My path is to pursue the supreme Dao of emperors. When I become a Great Emperor, everything in this world will be within reach!”
At those words, his gaze turned sharp, resolute.
Lin Daogong said nothing. He simply stood in silence.
…
The demons had retreated.
Thus ended the first formal duel between the humans and the demons—with the demons utterly defeated.
The projection stone had shattered earlier, but Jiang Qiuyue took out another and transmitted the entire scene to the Imperial Star, explaining everything.
Upon hearing of the demon retreat, countless people in the Celestial Cities erupted into cheers.
When the projection disappeared and the oppressive imperial pressure blanketed the entire star, many feared something catastrophic had happened.
Now, hearing Jiang Qiuyue’s report, they finally relaxed.
“So it was the demons playing dirty, trying to assassinate Su Muqing and Lin Zhexuan!”
“Hmph, they came to kill our top human prodigies. Despicable tactics like that are no surprise.”
“But credit where it’s due—thank heavens for Hao Tian. He slaughtered all those demon prodigies, leaving only that Black Princess!”
“That Black Princess is the most dangerous. She should’ve been killed. A few thousand years from now, she’ll probably rise to the top of the demon ranks!”
“What’s there to fear? Hao Tian beat her once, he can beat her again!”
“Exactly! Don’t forget—Hao Tian’s soul age is only a little over a hundred years, and he’s already that monstrous. In ten thousand years, he might be unrivaled beneath the Great Emperor realm!”
All thirty-six thousand Celestial Cities were abuzz. Excited chatter filled the streets, and many taverns opened their doors for a day of free wine and celebration.
The humans of the Northern Domain were far more united than those in other regions of the True Realm. When traveling abroad, their only support was each other.
After ten thousand years of war against the demons, their hatred ran deep.
…
Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard of the Su Clan.
Su Muqing flew back to her residence.
Her gaze landed on the name inscribed above the gate: “Transcendent Courtyard.” Her eyes flickered.
Just then, Li Hao arrived behind her.
Noticing his presence, Su Muqing turned to face him.
Only now did she see the youthful face clearly—handsome, without a trace of arrogance. Perhaps it was this quiet modesty that had made him seem so ordinary before.
“Why did you follow me?” she asked. “You held off the demons alone in the Northern Domain. Every noble house patriarch is probably eager to host you. This is a rare opportunity.”
Her eyes were calm. Her voice was calm.
Only her fingers curled slightly.
Li Hao looked at her in silence, then—as if nothing had changed—walked back to his usual wooden chair and sat down.
Su Muqing saw this and suddenly remembered: for more than a decade, he had always waited for her here.
Her lips gently bit down.
A long pause.
“Why didn’t you show your strength sooner?” she finally asked.
Li Hao spoke at last. “If I had… what would’ve changed?”
What would’ve changed?
Su Muqing was stunned.
Then she fell silent.
Yes… what would it have changed?
If he’d shown it, she might have looked at him differently—but would that have meant agreeing to marry him?
Just because he was strong? Just because he was a peerless genius?
After a while, she shook her head.
She thought of Lin Zhexuan. Of walking past him and seeing his silent expression.
Her heart twisted with irritation.
She turned away, said nothing more, and entered the main hall of her courtyard.
Bang!
She shut the door behind her.
The courtyard returned to silence.
Just like it had always been.
In the distance, Aunt Wu and the maids had been watching quietly.
They had seen the entire battle outside Gusu City through the projection stone. From that moment on, they no longer saw the youth in the same light.
None of them had expected the boy they’d known for ten years to be the Northern Domain’s top prodigy.
Yet here he was, following the young miss back. And the distance between them… still felt like a chasm.
As servants, they dared not say much.
But their eyes were filled with reverence, and they couldn’t help stealing glances at him.
For ten years, they had never seen him cultivate. He had simply waited here—like a fool—for the young miss.
A prodigy like him… willing to wait, forsaking even his cultivation. It was enough to move them to tears.
After the doors closed, Li Hao turned his gaze away, picked up a piece of wood, and resumed carving.
Suddenly, several figures approached at high speed.
Aunt Wu and the maids looked up and gasped.
It was the Su Clan’s patriarch, Su Zhenyuan, and the Jiang Clan’s matriarch, Jiang Qiuyue, along with others.
“Master!” the maids hurried forward to greet him.
Su Zhenyuan glanced around, then asked, “Muqing’s inside?”
“Yes,” Aunt Wu replied, lowering her head. Her voice trembled slightly for reasons she couldn’t explain.
Su Zhenyuan said nothing.
He knew about Su Muqing and Lin Zhexuan’s childhood bond. His earlier promise had forcibly severed that tie. She was likely angry with him now.
He sighed inwardly but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he softened his tone, turning toward Li Hao.
“Hao Tian, Clan Leader Jiang has something she wishes to say to you.”
Li Hao rose and clasped his hands in greeting, then looked at Jiang Qiuyue.
Her eyes were scanning the courtyard.
So this was where the youth lived?
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