Chapter 307: Summoned to the Immortal Gate
"Recruiting disciples again..."
Emperor Yu frowned slightly. A thousand years ago, when the Immortal Gate recruited disciples, countless prodigies flocked to join, leading to the gradual decline of the Dayu Dynasty. He had agreed to it then because it was a rare opportunity, and he foresaw that when their ancestor's incense offerings were nearly complete, the dynasty might be targeted. He sent Jiang Ziyan and the royal family members to cultivate in the Immortal Gate, hoping they would return at the Dao Comprehension Realm to help defend Dayu.
Now they had indeed reached the Dao Comprehension Realm, and even the Dao Law Realm. However, they could no longer remain in the mortal world and instead had to participate in another round of recruitment by the Immortal Gate.
This time, Dayu's fortune would likely decline further.
Although the disaster had passed, and there was no more war, Daoist Master Qin had been severely injured and couldn't last another thousand years.
Now, Dayu's prodigies must produce someone capable of inheriting Daoist Master Qin's mantle and guarding Dayu. Perhaps Jiang Ziyan or another of the returned prodigies could stay and take up the responsibility.
As for Li Hao... Emperor Yu knew that such a true dragon couldn't be confined by Dayu. Even if Li Hao wanted to stay and protect the dynasty, Emperor Yu hoped he would also venture into the Immortal Gate and explore his potential.
"If there's going to be disciple recruitment, would any of you be willing to stay in the mortal world and take over Daoist Master Qin's duties?" Emperor Yu asked.
Hearing this, the five of them exchanged glances, their expressions changing slightly. Jiang Baishan and the others looked toward Jiang Ziyan, who spoke softly:
"Father, now that the disaster in Dayu has been resolved, although we won't stay, we won't let Dayu fall into danger again. During this trip, I obtained some treasures from my master, which I can leave with Daoist Master Qin to help protect Dayu."
As she spoke, she retrieved several items from her storage space.
"Although these may seem like saintly treasures, they've been tempered by incense offerings and are extremely powerful. With these weapons, Daoist Master Qin won't be at a disadvantage against other Dao Law cultivators."
"This is a mid-tier divine ability manual, extremely precious. I exchanged it by completing three missions for my sect. Daoist Master Qin can practice it in secret. As long as he doesn't flaunt it in the Realm of the Sages, he won't be punished."
"These are ten talismans, each with terrifying power and different effects. If used together, they are equivalent to ten strikes from a Dao Law cultivator."
She presented all these items to Emperor Yu and said, "With these treasures, as long as we don't encounter a crisis like the last one, Dayu will be safe."
Despite seeing these treasures, Emperor Yu's face showed no joy. Instead, he looked at his daughter, then at Jiang Baishan and the others. From their expressions, he could tell that they had already discussed and prepared everything, and none of them intended to stay in the mortal world.
He realized that, besides securing their positions in the Immortal Gate, the cultivation environment there must be extremely enticing to them, and they had never considered giving it up.
After a brief silence, Emperor Yu nodded, understanding their decision.
He didn't try to persuade them further, and he even began to wonder if they would have returned at all if it weren't for the upcoming resurrection of their ancestor.
There was no answer to that question.
But Emperor Yu knew that pondering human nature too deeply was futile. Still, his thoughts drifted to the young man at the chessboard.
That carefree figure who once said, "I haven't seen all of the mortal world yet," suddenly weighed more heavily on his mind.
Because of this, he was even less inclined to let that young man stay here and hold him back.
"Recruit disciples... Let it be. With these treasures, as long as we don't face another major catastrophe, we should be fine."
Emperor Yu's mood seemed a bit lackluster as he called for Chu Jiuyue and informed him about the Immortal Gate's disciple recruitment. He instructed, "You must personally deliver the message to him and make sure he comes. This is a rare opportunity. Tell him I'll be upset if he doesn't come."
Chu Jiuyue nodded quickly.
Jiang Ziyan and the others were surprised to see Emperor Yu so insistent, as if he feared the person might not show up. Jiang Ziyan frowned and said:
"Such an opportunity should be irresistibly attractive to any prodigy. Who wouldn't come?"
Emperor Yu glanced at her but said nothing further.
That child was different from the others—detached to a frightening degree...
The news of the Immortal Gate's disciple recruitment quickly spread through the top circles, thanks to the returning Immortal Gate powerhouses. Though Emperor Yu didn't make a grand announcement, the news circulated among the top factions, causing excitement among the prodigies, who eagerly prepared to head to the holy city and capital.
In Liangzhou, within Tianmen Pass, Li Hao was in the midst of his training, converting his strength into Dao power and continuously tempering it into his flesh.
His body was growing stronger and stronger.
When Chu Jiuyue arrived at the pass, Li Hao was in the courtyard, simultaneously painting and infusing Dao power into his flesh.
Returning to the city and courtyard once again, Chu Jiuyue was deeply moved by the changes. The once-battered city had become prosperous, though the courtyard remained unchanged, albeit with fewer people inside.
Seeing Jiang Lichen, Chu Jiuyue was surprised and respectfully saluted him, but Jiang Lichen only glanced at him before turning away.
"...That's the situation. His Majesty asked me to inform you and request that you attend." Chu Jiuyue explained, though his gaze occasionally drifted toward the firewood pile, knowing it was almost mealtime.
"The Immortal Gate? Recruiting disciples?"
Li Hao raised an eyebrow, feeling indifferent. If he wanted to enter the Immortal Gate, he could simply activate the saint's imprint in his sea of consciousness and summon the saint willing to take him as a disciple.
The saint would open a path just for him.
However, he had refrained from doing so because his business here wasn't finished yet.
Still, upon reflection, it seemed like a good time to visit the Immortal Gate and deal with some unfinished business. It would prevent the person who had escaped from causing more trouble.
"Speaking of which, how many paintings and other items has His Majesty gathered so far?" Li Hao asked.
Chu Jiuyue was taken aback. He hadn't expected Li Hao to be more concerned with those trivial items than the Immortal Gate.
Glancing at the brush in the young man's hand, Chu Jiuyue sighed inwardly and replied, "A considerable amount has been collected. You can check them out when you visit the palace."
"Good."
Li Hao nodded. "You may return now. I'll head there shortly."
Chu Jiuyue nodded but hesitated for a moment, glancing at the sky before asking, "May I stay here a bit longer?"
Li Hao looked at him, puzzled. "Suit yourself."
When mealtime arrived, Li Hao personally prepared the food. With his nine-stage cooking skill, he expertly carved and cooked some of the demon king's flesh, releasing a fragrant aroma that filled the courtyard.
The refined meat was like a precious medicinal herb.
Li Hao called Ren Qianqian over to eat with him.
Having waited for a long time, Chu Jiuyue eagerly joined them with a grin.
Finally understanding why Chu Jiuyue had lingered, Li Hao handed him a portion without hesitation.
After the meal, Chu Jiuyue left in high spirits, and Li Hao cleaned up his brushes. He decided to bring Ren Qianqian along—her talents should qualify her as a top candidate for recruitment.
Yue Yan transformed into a red bracelet that wrapped around Li Hao's wrist.
"Let's go."
Li Hao set off.
Since the fusion of the Fire God and his wife wasn't complete, he had to travel on his own.
Jiang Lichen followed closely, his eyes filled with anticipation. "I missed the Immortal Gate last time. I won't miss it this time."
Li Hao wasn't surprised by his eagerness to enter the Immortal Gate.
As Li Hao and his companions made their way to the Immortal Gate, elsewhere in the Dayu Dynasty, several figures passed through a city and heard the news.
"The Immortal Gate?"
They exchanged surprised glances, shocked to hear that the Immortal Gate was recruiting disciples within the Jiang family's territory.
"Xuan Shen, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even in our Ji family, it takes the intervention of the Three Ancestors to send a Dao Seed into the Immortal Gate every three hundred years. Now, all we need is to be chosen."
A woman remarked.
The central figure, a strikingly handsome young man, though deliberately low-key, radiated a commanding presence.
They had followed the young man to Dayu, wandering through its territories and learning of his legendary feats, leaving them in awe.
They had planned to leave soon and bid the young man farewell before returning to the Ji family for seclusion and training. But now, this news had changed everything.
"Dayu has a merit treasury and now the Immortal Gate. The Jiang family must have planned this long ago when they left the Great Wilderness."
"Let's seize this opportunity. We should prepare immediately. I'm not sure what the Immortal Gate's requirements will be, but we should have no trouble passing. If we can't, then no one else will."
They quickly decided to return to the Ji family and inform the younger prodigies of this chance.
Previously, only Dao Seeds could enter the Immortal Gate. Now, the situation had changed.
Moreover, by going, they could seek out the Ji family's roots in the Immortal Gate, making cultivation and development there easier than for others.
Soon, they would shine brightly, keeping pace with that young man.
"Let's go."
With their plans set, they quickly departed.
Meanwhile, Li Hao had arrived in the imperial capital.
As soon as he reached the palace, he sensed several powerful yet concealed auras within the palace grounds.
He already knew from Chu Jiuyue that these were likely the royal family members who had returned from the Immortal Gate.
Li Hao and Ren Qianqian drifted down before the palace. His status as the Heavenly General allowed him to bypass palace protocols and enter directly.
"You're here."
Emperor Yu detected the slight presence Li Hao had deliberately revealed and immediately flew out from the rear hall to greet him.
At the same time, Emperor Yu noticed that Li Hao's aura had shifted from the Tai Ping Realm to the Dao Comprehension Realm.
He was stunned. How long had it been?
The last report from Liangzhou during the great battle had described Li Hao as still in the Three Immortal Realms. Yet, within just over a year, he had already reached the Dao Comprehension Realm...
Remembering Daoist Master Qin's promise to hold on for another ten years, Emperor Yu bitterly smiled. He had thought ten years would be enough, but he had still underestimated this young man.
"The recruitment begins in three days. You can stay here for now."
Emperor Yu smiled as he spoke to Li Hao.
At the same time, several divine senses reached out to them—it was Jiang Ziyan and the others.