Star Gate-Chapter 1654: Capture at Last (III)

“Do you simply hope to reach seventh rank and not a special kind of seventh rank? Is my conclusion correct?”

“Can I reach seventh rank through ordinary means?” Zhang An asked with resignation. He looked at Li Hao; just listen to yourself. Which seventh rank isn’t special?

“That can be the case,” Li Hao laughed. “Some of the seventh ranks of eighth rank major worlds aren’t anything to write home about. They only reached that rank because they are the confidante of an eighth rank master of the world. The world master utilized all of the strength in that world to push those seventh ranks to that height!

“That’s one option. Outright seizing a seventh rank dao universe is another option. There is more than one way to reach seventh rank.”

That was the logic... but it wasn’t a reliable course of action. How was Zhang An supposed to seize a seventh rank universe?

As for an eighth rank dao universe throwing its resources behind him... Li Hao wouldn’t be the Silver Moon world master even if he reached eighth rank, and it wasn’t as if his dao river was accepting people either.

“Doggedly keeping yourself in perpetual closed door cultivation is not a good idea,” said Li Hao. “We have a rare chance in front of us right now. I’ve known the senior for a long time, but I wouldn’t continue to supply you with resources for no reason at all. I don’t have enough for myself as it is.

“With the chances in the chaos and Red Moon being two factions’ enemy, this is an opportunity for you and me!” the young man continued seriously. “I might need the senior’s help this time around, but I’ll need the senior to become an exalted emperor first. If not, you won’t even have the right to help me!

“If the senior is insistent on ascending only after you integrate the two daos, then we can forget about your participation in this operation. The senior can continue to stay in seclusion and the dao of Silver Moon will remain open to you.

“But if the senior is able to make a choice in forgoing one of the daos and break through for the purposes of our plan, then the harvest should be rich. I wouldn’t dare say that we’d quickly help the senior into seventh rank, but peak third rank will only be a matter of time! There may be more opportunities to come. We just need to take things one step at a time!”

Zhang An looked around, dazed. He’d held out for so long... should he give up now?

“Does the senior recall Li Daoheng?” asked Li Hao.

Zhang An blinked. Of course he did, why wouldn’t he? It hadn’t been that long.

“If Li Daoheng hadn’t reached for something beyond his grasp and sought too much, he would’ve become an exalted emperor long ago. If he had, he wouldn’t need to wait for the appearance of Silver Moon’s dao universe.

“He could’ve killed Bone Eclipse early on and saved Silver Moon. He would be at least a second or third rank then!

“He could return to New Martial after achieving great merit and participate in the war against Red Moon. And after New Martial destroyed major worlds, Li Daoheng would be able to force his way into fourth rank when he received rewards commensurate with his accomplishments.

“Given his strong comprehension of sword dao, he stood a chance of reaching fifth or even sixth rank! Since he was someone that the Sword Sovereign valued, once the Sword Sovereign officially reached seventh rank, wouldn’t sixth rank be within grasp for Li Daoheng? The Sword Sovereign is unrivaled and will eventually establish his own dao universe!

“How would he ever end up where he did—dying a coward’s death in Silver Moon? There are no strong descendants related to the Sword Sovereign and he is half a master to the Human King. The Human King would greatly prize a strong general like Li Daoheng. Once New Martial broke through a seventh rank dao universe, it would be a chance for Li Daoheng to further advance!”

Li Hao fully mapped out the route that Li Daoheng could’ve taken. While seventh rank would be very hard based on the young man’s words, there was hope for sixth rank. Very big hope.

Li Daoheng’s potential was undeniable—he was the cream of the crop in the latter days of New Martial. His family background was impressive as well!

He had potential, the proper background, strength, and ability...

And ended up with nothing in the end because he’d sought more in Silver Moon.

Zhang An was sent into another daze with this comparison. He really... did show signs of walking in Li Daoheng’s footsteps. His mind had also been unbalanced lately when he cultivated.

He was like Li Daoheng, bitter at being overshadowed and thought less of by others. Li Daoheng had once said that Zhang An was very similar to him, but that there was one thing better about the other.

Zhang An could control his inner desires and hold the line against certain things. That was why he hadn’t changed after one hundred thousand years.

But now, it hadn’t been long since they left Silver Moon. Zhang An was losing control over himself because after seeing the Human King rise in power, he now saw Li Hao rise up.

The man closed his eyes without a word.

“Senior, the principal of Evenround likes decisive men.” Li Hao decided to go in for the kill when he saw Zhang An’s reaction. “She worships an unrivaled, domineering man like her brother. He’s decisive and takes action after he considers something. He’s a hero in her eyes even if he fails!

“According to New Martial customs, the principal would be blind to look fondly upon a sissy like you! There is only one word to describe New Martial culture—fight!”

“You...” Zhang An flushed with anger, but then laughed ruefully. It was true.

A sissy? Was he one?

Even if he wasn’t, that might very well be what his home thought of him.

Zhang An was quite resigned. “I know, but...”

“That but erases all hope for you!” sighed Li Hao.

Zhang An didn’t know what to say.

“If I ascend to exalted emperor now and swiftly set foot into third rank...” he offered after a while. “I’ll be restricted by the Silver Moon dao masters. But if I walk the path of New Martial...

“First, the core origin dao universe is not here,” he exhaled heavily. “Secondly, even if it was, a newly risen exalted emperor like me would find it hard to secure a spot...”

“It’s fine.” Li Hao gave the new problem some thought. “I think New Martial will become an eighth rank faction soon! If the senior is worried about being held back by New Martial and concerned about the core origin dao universe, I can give you a hand.

“I’ll save the senior’s dao in my river for the moment and help the senior comprehend a different dao!”

“What?”

“A myriad of daos!” Li Hao smiled.

What myriad of daos?

“The daos of a myriad worlds!”

Zhang An was growing ever more confused.

“A book of great dao holds the daos of a myriad worlds!” Li Hao laughed. “To be honest, if it wasn’t for needing the senior’s help, I wouldn’t let anyone else look upon my dao! I’m not miserly, but I haven’t perfected my dao yet. A rare chance is upon us today, and it may only come around once, senior!”

Those words were true. His own dao was not yet complete and he wasn’t a stingy person, but at present, he would not make his own dao available for outsiders to study.

Yet if he wished for Zhang An to successfully pose as the supreme, the man’s book of great dao would need to support a myriad of daos. Zhang An would need to observe Li Hao’s dao then. This was his opportunity!

The young man would not easily make the river of a myriad daos available to Zhang An at any other time.

The man blinked, his expression changing. He came to a certain decision with a clench of his jaw. “I... will verify my dao!” Zhang An took a deep breath. “I will first become an exalted emperor of core origin! Of course, I cannot return to core origin at the moment, so I’ll have to take up temporary residence in your dao river.

“That will also help me avoid the New Martial thunder tribulation! Don’t worry, I’ll back out of the river when we encounter New Martial again. I won’t make things difficult for you!”

“So the senior has come to a decision?” Li Hao was mystified. Someone like Zhang An was very set in his ways once he made up his mind. He wouldn’t have held on for so long otherwise. Although the young man had tried to speak some sense into him for a while, Zhang An had agreed too quickly.

“I’ve finally thought something through...” Zhang An said in a muffled voice after glancing at Li Hao.

“Thought what through?”

“You’ve managed to land yourself a wife despite not becoming unrivaled throughout the chaos yet. Perhaps... I should listen to your advice!”

“......” What the hell? Li Hao blinked.

Zhang An ignored the young man; this was indeed what he thought. Li Hao looked like someone without carnal desires, but he was quite the magnet indeed. Even the Human King hadn’t found himself a consort before he reached an invincible status.

Just look at Li Hao. He’d easily gotten himself a fiancé and had a host of people lining up behind him...

Li Hao didn’t know what to say. Had Zhang An already drifted into a cultivation deviation? What the heck is going on in that guy’s mind?

“I’m just joking.” Zhang An grinned when he saw the young man frown ferociously. “I’ve been thinking about this lately myself. It’s been quite a blow to see everyone improve so rapidly! I watched Hong Yitang and the rest start from weak beginnings to spontaneously reaching third rank!

“I actually can’t sit still anymore. If this continues, I probably will end up in a cultivation deviation!” sighed Zhang An. “It’s time for me to make a decision. Otherwise... if I really do deviate and become the Li Daoheng of the Zhangs... I will dishonor my family. I will shame my grandfather and most of all, my father!”

Being from a loyal and stalwart family, Zhang An could sense his changes lately. He really was about to become completely unhinged. Since Li Hao was giving him a choice now, and a good one at that, he naturally needed to accept it.

Just as Li Hao said, would he have a second opportunity if he passed this one by?

“I’d also like to see what is the dao of a myriad worlds.” He turned to Li Hao. “How does it compare to my book of dao?”

A proud note crept into his tones. My book of dao is incredible!

Li Hao flicked a glance at him and laughed dryly. I’d agree with you if you said the supreme’s book of dao is strong... But yours... has only collected a lot of daos. And the key is, you’re not that well versed in them.

What is there for you to be proud of?

Is Zhang An trying to salvage some of his dignity through me?

“Then let’s be quick about it. The Red Moon exalted emperors will return any moment and I need to make arrangements for the senior on the outside. Let’s talk as we walk. The mission this time is difficult—we need to fool an eighth rank!

“It’s best if we don’t need you, but if we do, the senior needs to consider the possibility of being ripped to pieces if you’re exposed!”