Star Gate

Understanding dawned and someone denounced coldly within the crowd, “So it looks like there are already supernaturals of the Arcanus level in the City of Supernaturals! That’s why they’re so eager to declare themselves and publicize their strength. This will entice more supernaturals to take up residence there. It would seem that the effects of the eastern battle are making themselves felt!”

Those of the sixth cultivation realm couldn’t withstand their impatience. The old Steadfast Duke had shown himself, as had Sky Sword. If no one else came to the fore, be it the nine ministries, royal family, or three great organizations… that would put those factions on the back foot.

Although the Steadfast Manor had suffered tremendous losses, one powerhouse of the sixth cultivation level was sufficient to make up for it all. Such a presence might even attract fealty from even more heavyweights or factions simply because they had an existence beyond Nova.

It wasn’t important that the City of Supernaturals had chosen to publicize the name of the cultivation level at this time—the key was that they’d utilized a rather blatant way to lure everyone to the city. Come to us, we have Arcanus level supernaturals! How else would we be familiar with the level? They wouldn’t be able to name it without in-depth knowledge.

The group in the Inspectorate quickly understood the city’s intentions and Yellow Dragon couldn’t help a snort. “The City of Supernaturals? They’re a tumor that’s not much better than the three great organizations. Look at them taking a stand!”

“Ahem!” someone coughed. This was a city situated in the central region with countless supernaturals living within it. It was a legitimate existence, so there would certainly be more than met the eye there. It was better to not cause trouble. They all had their guesses as to who backed the city, so there wasn’t much that anyone could say.

“It looks like Xu Qing’s death needs some more time to cook. Let’s wait and see. Those of the sixth cultivation realm will jump out one after another. Any that don’t are probably afraid of drawing wrong attention,” someone laughed ruefully and shook their head with resignation.

“And what about the Inspectorate?” Another frowned.

That was right! If other factions had this new level of heavyweight showing themselves, then what were the Inspectorate’s plans? Would there be any authority left to its name if it didn’t possess such an existence? How would it keep the land orderly?

“Announce to the world that my father, the previous inspector general, has entered the Arcanus level,” an amused voice traveled out. “Since the City of Supernaturals has declared the name, we’ll go along with them!”

The crowd started. Your father? The first inspector general!

“The old inspector general… is still alive?” came a shocked inquiry.

“No shit. If Xu Qing’s old man is still alive, how can mine be dead?”

“……” Alright, they had nothing to say to that. Various emotions flickered across faces. If the old inspector general was still alive, what about the other eight ministries? What of the previous Skystar King?

These had all been famed personages in the historic handover eighty years ago. They’d been forty to fifty years old then, making them more than one hundred years old now. That might not be old in the ancient civilization, but that was too old for this age!

Whether it was supernaturals or martial masters, the higher the cultivation level, the greater the danger. A strong body was useless if the organs were weak; one still ran a high risk of self-detonating.

How had these people managed to survive to present day? Did they depend on Water of Life? That would be terrifying!

The inspector general only sent his voice to the assembly—he didn’t show himself. The discussions didn’t continue as the people grew curious. What cultivation realm was their inspector general? As young as he looked, he was in his seventies now. Having held his post for thirty years, he was certain to be very strong.

……

The aftermath of the battle continued to ripple outward, as did the name of the sixth cultivation level. The central region was the first to learn of it. When it came to the north, the senior executives were naturally first to know. Those below them might not know for a long while yet.

Arcanus!

The City of Supernaturals in the central region had bestowed a name and explanation at first light. Supernaturals of the sixth level commanded two elements. That combination gave rise to supernormal powers that could destroy cities through a single supernatural’s efforts.

……

Silver Moon.

Director General Zhao looked at Huang Yu. The commander-in-chief of the provincial armies thought for a bit before nodding. “The name isn’t too bad. They obviously came prepared. Energies of the five elements abound in our environment and when two are combined, that does indeed give rise to a unique power with tremendous force…”

The director general agreed with a smile. “We also have word from the central Inspectorate that Li Hao is to be promoted, while the rest are going on the wanted list!”

“Then we’ll put out notices for their arrest!” Huang Yu remarked with unconcern. “Disseminate the proper documents and carry out the dynasty’s orders! We’ll post a bounty—whoever kills one of the five demons will be rewarded with one hundred pieces of mysterious power stones!”

“……” The director general was caught off guard and couldn’t immediately react. He smiled after a long pause. “Ole Huang, you… this is over the top!”

“One hundred pieces is a lot.” Huang Yu seemed to be always coolly composed. “Silver Moon is too weak. When Li Hao wanted thirty thousand pieces, there was no way we had the reserves to satisfy his wishes. Upstairs didn’t say anything about rewards, but we can’t have people toiling away for free. One hundred pieces can be traded for ten thousand cubes of mysterious power or countless star coins. Killing one of the five demons means instant riches. That’s sufficient!”

This is absolute nonsense! The director general inwardly rolled his eyes, but remained unflappable on the surface. You’re joking! Granted, it was a good thought.

“Then let’s settle it this way. Send out the documents and share their photos. Whoever kills one of them will be awarded one hundred pieces of mysterious power stones. Silver Moon needs to support the dynasty’s rule!”

“Understood!” The two nodded at each other when their gazes met.

Off to the side, the overlooked Kong Jie didn’t say a word from beginning to end. He’d been contemplating something and still didn’t speak up when the discussion was over.

“Ole Kong, what are you thinking about?”

“I’m wondering… who is stronger—An Arcanus Sky Sword or us fully unsealed?” Kong Jie steepled his fingers. “Judging from the intelligence reports, we might have to fully break our locks to measure up to this new cultivation realm!”

It was a very irritating realization! Although the four great powerhouses on the scene hadn’t exchanged moves with the old duke, the fact that he’d chosen to act after witnessing their strength meant that the Arcanus level might be able to defeat Hong Yitang and the others. The old duke had retreated only after seeing Sky Sword.

“If you don’t fully unseal yourself or break one of your locks, you probably are indeed less than Arcanus!” chuckled Director General Zhao. “But fully breaking a lock requires some time to absorb and digest the energy. It’s very much similar to Arcanus. You can give it a try if you don’t believe me. Break one of your locks, you might directly ascend to the new cultivation level.”

He would just need some time to acclimate to the change. Xu Qing had almost been there as he’d thoroughly snapped one of his locks. He hadn’t dared attempt two as that might cause his strength to increase too rapidly and overload his body. A martial master’s internal force was too strong.

Kong Jie looked on wordlessly. What kind of bullshit is this? Why don’t you try breaking one of your locks? I’m not doing that!

“What is Sky Sword thinking?” Kong Jie couldn’t make sense of it. “Forget it, I’m not thinking about it anymore! Right now I’m wondering if Li Hao will be coming back? I’ll have a headache if he does, but I think I might have one if he doesn’t.”

What a troublemaker! He’d caused five powerhouses to turn into wanted criminals. It might be the entire province being arrested next time!

“The various factions will soon be displaying their Arcanus heavyweights, regardless of whether or not their expert is stable. Then we…”

“We have Sky Sword!” laughed the director general. “He’s the lord of Sky Sword Mountain Villa. Isn’t he from Silver Moon? He’s the one!”

Kong Jie lost his train of thought. Damn, we can play it this way? He rolled his eyes.

“Ah, right, about Yuan Shuo… He’s reached great perfection with his auras—do you guys think he’ll just set foot into the next cultivation realm? Or will he advance like us and saturate his supernatural locks, find a way to strengthen the organs, and then determine a way forward…”

“Ask him, how would we know?” The director general shook his head. “A lot of Silver Moon martial masters took a stand this time, but we also revealed our weaknesses. It’s such a hassle for martial masters to unseal themselves! Although practitioners of martial dao will focus on the body more than supernaturals, an inability to bypass this bottleneck means that the future of martial masters is still limited.”

“The supernaturals are the same, they haven’t solved their problem either,” Kong Jie murmured. “Present level Arcanus most likely use treasures, Water of Life, or blood pearls to maintain their condition. There should be that many who have solidly set foot in that level.”

“Ai, we’ll see!” That wrapped up their conversation. As for the wanted notices… those were a joke. They didn’t care about the official papers.

……

News after news shook the supernatural domain on this day. Xu Qing was dead. Martial masters could unseal themselves. There was a sixth supernatural cultivation realm!

All of it was shocking beyond belief. In comparison, a piece of news that wasn’t as eye-popping circulated among the youngsters.

The Divine Masters Ranking had been updated.

It’d been a long time since the ranking was last updated. The most noticeable change was the removal and addition of a few names. Demon Sword Li Hao was the most conspicuous name of them all.

He had been an insignificant figure in the north, but now he was on the Divine Masters Ranking of the central region. There were only supernaturals on it before, yet a martial master joined their ranks today. Li Hao!

The Divine Masters Ranking listed the strongest and most famous powerhouses below thirty years old in the central region. It wasn’t that it excluded martial masters, but that there were none under thirty who were qualified to be listed on the ranking!

Li Hao wasn’t the only unexpected addition as the ranking also accepted monster spirits. Any that had awakened for less than ten years were entered, so long as they were famous and strong enough. There was a new addition this time—Golden Hair Hunting Dog.

Indeed, it was Panther. Very few people knew the dog’s name, breed, or monster spirit attribute. This was the name that was eventually settled on.

Li Hao ranked number twenty-seven on the ranking. Just twenty-seven. His strongest battle accomplishment listed was not the metamorphosis Red Beard or killing the Yellow Dragon, but killing Xu Zhe. That was his only public record. Him killing a metamorphosis expert and escaping from Xu Qing’s grasp also went unlisted.