Chapter 495: The Emperor's Marriage Proposal
Inside the dark tower, after Li Hao briefly adjusted, it suddenly seemed to light up. This tower wasn't a small, sealed space but resembled an expansive, boundless chaotic world.
Li Hao could sense the presence of many different laws and fundamental origins floating around him, seemingly within arm's reach, ready to be grasped.
While Li Hao was immersed in this feeling, a glowing figure suddenly appeared before him.
"We meet again. Three years have passed, and you've made quite a bit of progress."
A gentle laugh rang out, and standing before Li Hao was Yuan Xinggang, his figure like a projection, carrying an ethereal, mist-like presence.
Li Hao was taken aback and looked at him in surprise, quickly cupping his hands in greeting.
"Greetings, National Teacher."
"Don't stand on ceremony, follow me. His Majesty wishes to see you."
There was a flicker of complexity in Yuan Xinggang's eyes as he chuckled lightly and beckoned Li Hao to follow.
Li Hao was momentarily stunned. The Emperor wants to see me?
Yuan Xinggang turned and raised his hand. A ripple of illusory waves appeared beside him, signaling Li Hao to follow.
Li Hao immediately flew toward him. After passing through the ripples, the surroundings suddenly brightened, revealing a magnificent and luxurious palace. Surrounding the palace were dragon and phoenix spirits, exuding a terrifying aura. These spirits were King-level remnants, circling and coiling around the pillars.
Inside the palace, the walls were adorned with sparkling pearls and glazed treasures, all radiating the aura of chaotic laws. Even the decorative items seemed to be rare refining materials.
Though the palace was grand, it didn't compare to the Emperor's Palace Li Hao had seen earlier. At this moment, beneath the palace's eaves, three figures sat in a triangular arrangement, with a chessboard placed in the center.
The two individuals were playing chess—one was wearing golden armor, Shangguan Hong, and the other was a tall, majestic middle-aged man with a remarkable appearance. His eyes seemed to contain the sun, moon, and stars, with a depth that held an abyss-like power, as if countless mountains were collapsing into it.
Li Hao immediately recognized him. This was the Chu Emperor.
However, at this moment, the Emperor was sitting casually on the floor, wearing a comfortable black imperial robe. The robe wasn't fastened, and his long hair naturally flowed over his shoulders. He looked laid-back and indifferent.
"Fei Xing!"
With a crisp sound, a piece was placed on the chessboard. The Chu Emperor raised his head, a light smile appearing on his face as he looked at Shangguan Hong, the General of the Kingdom.
"It's been a hundred years since we last played; your chess skills have regressed."
Shangguan Hong frowned, staring at the chessboard. After a long pause, he sighed and dropped a piece. Although the game still had many potential moves, in their eyes, the outcome was already decided.
"It's your chess skills that have improved."
Shangguan Hong shook his head.
The Chu Emperor chuckled and teased, "In this aspect, you still can't compare to Old Yuan."
Losing to the Chu Emperor was something Shangguan Hong accepted willingly, but when it came to comparing with his old rival Yuan Xinggang, he immediately felt disgruntled.
"He only wins by using tricks; I could never lose to him otherwise."
Yuan Xinggang, standing to the side, secretly shook his head. On the surface, he smiled and stroked his beard. "Little Hong, Little Hong, the Emperor wasn't talking about chess skills. It's because you lost so obviously!"
The Chu Emperor smiled and seemed to have just noticed Li Hao standing nearby. He turned his face toward him.
At the same time, Yuan Xinggang, who had been observing the chess match, quickly reacted. He wasn't watching the game but the people. He casually called to Li Hao, saying to the Chu Emperor:
"Your Majesty, this young one has been brought here."
The Chu Emperor nodded slightly and looked Li Hao up and down.
"Your soul's lifespan is only a mere hundred years, yet you have reached such a level. I heard that not long ago, the Tian Yang False Realm was found by the Heavenly Palace, and several highly talented disciples were brought out of there. It seems that place is truly a treasure."
Li Hao's gaze flickered. He knew the Chu Emperor was referring to Yuan Sheng and Shen Wang, who had emerged from the False Realm.
However, the latter half of the sentence was hard to decipher.
The Chu Emperor continued, "Li Hao, right? There were too many people outside, so I didn't want to say much. You said that you are not a direct disciple, but I wonder if the Tian Yang Immortal Emperor's direct disciples are still alive?"
Li Hao knew that his background had been seen through. In front of these ancient beings who had lived for countless years, it was difficult to hide his secrets. He had no choice but to answer:
"The status of a direct disciple is very prestigious. I haven't reached the qualifications to know their whereabouts, but after that great battle, I'm afraid they have already perished."
He didn't mention the fact that Wang Lao was searching for Yan Xin, especially since his interaction with the Chu Emperor hadn't deepened yet. He couldn't measure the extent of the Immortal Emperor's legacy's allure in the eyes of the Chu Emperor.
The Chu Emperor nodded slightly, sighing lightly.
"During that great battle, the territory of our Yen Chu Immortal Dynasty was also swallowed up, and we were invaded by the Ancient Demons up to the Emperor's Palace. Your soul lifespan is only a hundred years, so you must have just stepped out of that False Realm, right? I wonder if you know of the Demon Abyss Mountain outside the Emperor's Palace?"
Li Hao noticed that everyone around him remained as still as statues, which made him laugh to himself. They had been eager to act earlier, but now they were showing humility.
This situation was something he could ask Gu Yan about when he came out later. There was no need for him to waste time here.
With that thought, Li Hao began walking forward. As he passed by Xing Lan, he waved and said, "Thank you again for speaking up earlier. I'm sure we'll meet again in the Origin Secret Realm when the opportunity arises."
Xing Lan, seeing Li Hao so relaxed, was slightly stunned. She hadn't expected Li Hao to go ahead on his own.
Remembering his earlier actions, she smiled and said, "Even without my words, with your abilities, you could speak for yourself."
Upon hearing their conversation, a few of the royal family members' expressions changed slightly. From afar, Chu Tianzheng's face also shifted, his fists clenching.
Li Hao smiled lightly, saying no more, and waved at Xing Lan before heading directly to the ninth Immortal Tower.
"Hmm?"
The few royal family members who had just been sneering, froze when they saw Li Hao's direction.
Then, they all sneered.
"Did he walk into the wrong tower?"
The princess sneered.
Xing Lan and the others also looked at Li Hao in surprise. In their eyes, there was not just shock but a hint of anxiety. Based on Li Hao's earlier performance, if he really had the Nine Flower Immortal Seal, it seemed very possible!
Li Hao did not hesitate. His movements were decisive. Reaching the ninth Immortal Tower, he did not reveal his Nine Flower Immortal Seal. Like Bai Ya Xuejian, he approached the tower door and felt a special force stir within his body, seemingly activating his Immortal Seal.
The Immortal Seal slightly floated, the Immortal Force flowing through it, then it slowly settled back.
At this moment, the tower doors opened. Li Hao glanced inside. It was pitch black, but he didn't overthink it and flew straight into the tower.
"Hmm?"
As the tower door closed behind him, the royal family members who had previously mocked him changed their expressions.
The princess's eyes widened, showing a bit of shock. The Nine Flower Immortal Seal? That young man?
She herself only had a Six Flower Immortal Seal, already standing at the top of the genius rankings.
Xing Lan and the others were also stunned but quickly recovered. After all, Li Hao had previously crossed realms and defeated Chu Tianzheng, revealing his immense strength. That power stemmed from the foundation of each realm, so now, seeing his Nine Flower Immortal Seal, it seemed only natural.
"That guy's soul lifespan is unknown. If he had another thousand years, reaching the Immortal Monarch realm, his brilliance would probably outshine everyone!"
The Huan Hai Men youth murmured, gazing at the tower with intensity.
The youth from Tide Sect, standing next to him, nodded slightly. They were both at the third level of the Immortal Monarch realm, but beside them stood someone at the Ninth Level of the True Immortal realm, completely shocking them and filling them with admiration.
"That guy... How many secrets does he have that I don't know?"
Xing Lan stared at the closed tower door, her eyes gleaming with light.
High in the air, Chu Xiang Tian glanced at the scene, his expression slightly solemn. He was surprised, yet it seemed to make sense.
On the outside, the disciples from various sects and the royal family members who had ranked lower were all in an uproar.
Li Hao's display of strength in defeating Chu Tianzheng had already shocked everyone. Now, with his Nine Flower Immortal Seal, many of those who had been unwilling to admit it were forced to accept his superiority.
The ability to condense the Nine Flower Immortal Seal required exceptional comprehension and talent—this was a clear gap!
"That guy..."
Gu Yan, standing among the crowd, clenched his fingers slightly, a strong light flashing in his eyes.
He possessed the Seven Flower Immortal Seal, believing he was already capable of looking down on other geniuses. But seeing three people with the Nine Flower Immortal Seal made him keenly feel the difference.
Especially Li Hao—someone he was familiar with—this feeling was even more intense.
Next to him, Mu Rong Qing Wu and Yue Xi also had a change of expression. Yue Xi's eyes showed despair, realizing that she could never catch up to that young man. Her Immortal Seal only had six flowers. She had always thought that she was comparable to other geniuses, but the gap with the Nine Flowers was too wide.
Unless she continued to focus on refining the Immortal Seal and abandoned her cultivation in realms, once she reached the Immortal Monarch realm, her Immortal Seal would stabilize, and she would never be able to reverse it.
In the void, during a brief wait, Xing Lan looked back at her sect, a trace of indifference flashing through her heart. She no longer lingered and headed toward the Immortal Tower.
She chose the eighth Immortal Tower and soon entered it smoothly.
After Xing Lan moved, others began to act slowly. Most were at the Seven Flower or Six Flower Immortal Seals, with two also being Eight Flowers—the middle-aged royal from the third position and Tian Hong Yi from the sixth.
"Damn it!"
Chu Tianzheng clenched his fists, feeling frustrated as he chose the sixth Immortal Tower. As he entered, the sounds of jeering came from outside. Despite his extraordinary talent, losing to the boy with the Nine Flower Immortal Seal didn't seem too unjust.
Zhang Xuan Yu had a complex expression on his face as he bowed his head and entered the seventh Immortal Tower.
On the other side, Li Hao had just entered the tower and immediately felt an incredibly familiar sensation.
"Your Majesty, this really isn't feasible," Li Hao said with a bitter smile.
Chu Emperor replied, "Is it because you don't fancy her?"
Li Hao quickly responded, "I would never dare to think that, it's just that I really don't have plans for this matter."
"Love in this world is but a fleeting interest in the short span of a hundred years," said the Chu Emperor, "You need not worry too much. Marriage doesn't necessarily mean love; it simply requires like-mindedness."
The Chu Emperor continued, "My little daughter is also solely focused on cultivating. You two are well suited for each other."
"Your Majesty..." Li Hao felt a bit of a headache, realizing that his views were so different from the old emperor's.
Seeing Li Hao's distressed expression, the Chu Emperor couldn't help but chuckle and said, "With Yue Li's qualities, she's certainly not a poor match for you. Moreover, if you marry, you'll be considered one of my Yan Chu people, and I will help you with all my strength. If you truly don't want her, after this South Domain War, if you win the True Immortal realm's first place in the battle, I can consider letting that child become your concubine instead of your wife, without restrictions."
"..."
Li Hao was speechless. He hadn't expected the emperor to suddenly become so enthusiastic about this matter.
It was clear that the emperor intended to use this to tie him to Yan Chu.
But for Immortals and Gods, did such a matter really hold any binding power?
Li Hao held back his thoughts and was about to politely refuse when the Chu Emperor, as if seeing through his intentions, decisively said, "It's settled. If you really don't want to marry her, then just work hard!"
Is this old emperor using this as reverse motivation for me? Li Hao couldn't help but think sarcastically. Seeing the slightly shaking head of Old Yuan beside him, Li Hao reluctantly complied, saying, "If I manage to win first place in the True Immortal battle, I only hope Your Majesty will reconsider the marriage decree."
"You really are..." The Chu Emperor showed a helpless expression. "This kid truly is stubborn," he said, "Fine, I'll think about it."
Li Hao let out a sigh of relief and quickly added, "If there is nothing else, I will go back to cultivating."
"Don't worry, the flow of time here is a hundred times slower than in the outside world. You won't lose any time."
The Chu Emperor flicked his hand, and a seven-colored glow appeared. He handed it to Li Hao and said, "This is the Illusory Light Stone. If you encounter danger in the Origin Secret Realm, it will protect you."
Li Hao accepted the life-saving object without hesitation, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Go ahead."
The Chu Emperor waved his hand.
A ripple appeared in front of Yuan Xinggang, who opened a portal and sent Li Hao out of the palace.
After Li Hao left, the three people by the chessboard fell into brief silence. Chu Emperor smiled and said to Yuan Xinggang, "Come, it's been a long time since we played. You'll join me for a game."
Yuan Xinggang's gaze became slightly complicated, and he softly said, "Your Majesty, there are some matters in our kingdom's monitoring office. I must excuse myself for now."
Chu Emperor laughed, "You think too much!"
Yuan Xinggang gave a wry smile, stood up, and bowed respectfully.
Beside him, Shangguan Hong also stood up to bid farewell.
As their figures faded, only a chessboard and the emperor remained in the palace.
"Only the autumn wind understands my thoughts..." Chu Emperor gazed at the phoenix tree outside the palace, golden leaves drifting by, and a trace of loneliness appeared in his eyes.
The two figures who left the palace walked through a misty, chaotic void.
"Old Yuan, what does the Emperor intend to do?" Shangguan Hong asked in a low voice, his eyes full of confusion.
Yuan Xinggang sighed softly and said, "Ten thousand years... After countless years, we finally have a disciple like this. This time, it seems he will break through to the Celestial Palace!"
Shangguan Hong paused, his expression changing rapidly, before he finally spoke, "It's difficult, isn't it?"
"What if that young man becomes a direct disciple?" Yuan Xinggang raised his head and asked, a trace of mockery in his eyes. "A direct disciple of the Immortal Emperor? Not everyone can compete with that."
"But that's at least a thousand years later. Can that child make it?"
"Did you not see his calm demeanor? The Emperor promised him a thousand years in the Origin Secret Realm, but he didn't show any excitement. His response was still reserved. That shows he has confidence. Some might want to say no, but to others, it's a yes."
Yuan Xinggang said.
Shangguan Hong fell silent, reflecting on the conversation they had just had in the palace.
...
On the other side, Li Hao left the palace and returned to the dark tower.
After putting away the Illusory Light Stone, he suddenly felt time flowing backward, as though some force was propelling his body forward. Suddenly, his surroundings brightened, and he found himself in an incredibly strange world.