Star Gate-Chapter 1177: Winds Arise (IV)

Those in front of Yu Hai were just replicas, and exceedingly weak ones at that! They claimed that they would suffer a great loss if their replicas died, but Yu Hai cursed to himself when he scanned the replicas. Were they even seventh rank in cultivation strength?

He’d never seen such weak replicas before in his life!

It looked like they were highly suspicious of him and very much on guard.

It would be more tiring for him to kill these replicas than it would for them to produce these replicas! They were likely just here to confirm his identity.

Li Hao hadn’t spoken the truth either. He’d received the favor of the heavenly will and was even bolstered by the great dao. Perhaps he was able to transport the primary bodies of the New Martial powerhouses to this spot.

Such was Yu Hai’s judgment. It was a very big possibility!

He could only cast the line to reel in a big fish. It was a good thing if the young man brought in the primary body of a Saint. If not, Yu Hai would have to brainstorm other ideas after Barren’s invasion reached this spot.

Also, had all of the other main cities been toppled? Why wasn’t there a single heavyweight of the other cities walking through the world?

Although this world levied certain restrictions on them, it didn’t overly restrict the replicas of weaklings. Barren Dynasty was on their doorstep, why hadn’t a single New Martial powerhouse sent a replica to investigate the situation?

It was... inconceivable!

Did none of them care? Or were all of them still asleep?

...that shouldn’t be the case!

......

At the same time.

Apart from the ancient cities of Star River, Martial Alliance, the still hidden city of the Hongs, and the vanished Galewind, there were Skystar personnel in residence at all of the other cities.

Outside Martial Alliance, the seventh elder’s replica fumed. He looked at the one thousand Demon Hunter Guard formed in ranks on the ground, as well as Liu Yan in the lead.

“Martial Alliance has already reached an agreement with Skystar, why are our replicas not permitted to leave the city??” he demanded. “No one has ever dared tell New Martial what to do, and no one can tell New Martial what to do!”

Liu Yan was dressed in silver armor; her presence oscillated through the land. Her strength of Sun and Moon flared and an overwhelming water aura surged. Behind her, one thousand soldiers gathered their water aura, ready for action.

Liu Yan’s tone was frosty and aloof—it lacked the beguiling notes that it once held when addressing others. “The marquis has given these orders in light of discovering New Martial traitors hidden in the various main cities. In order to prevent mishaps from developing, we request that the various seniors be patient.

“The marquis is hunting down all of the turncoats. Once we have a list, he will come and personally apologize to all of the seniors. No one is permitted entrance or exit before that. Those who violate orders will be killed without exception!”

“Kill!” The one thousand soldiers behind her were nearly all Dominators. There were even numerous Mountain and Sea. Their auras immediately blazed into the sky.

The seventh elder’s expression shifted. Who would’ve thought that these people would gain such presence in just a few days??

“You suspect that there are traitors among my Martial Alliance?!” he demanded furiously.

“That’s right!” Liu Yan answered with a flinty look in her eyes. “Everything is possible! The marquis is doing all this for your own good as well. He seeks peace and the continuation of the agreement. Is Martial Alliance going to turn your back on it? If so, the heavens will surely smite you!”

The seventh elder was enraged beyond belief! How infuriating! If my primary body could walk out of the ruins, I’d smack you to death with one palm strike!

As strong as Sun and Moon were, that was only the Apex level. Although he ranked toward the rear of the nine elders, his primary body was also a peak Apex. It was just that with the increasing fragility of the world, the replica he could send out at this time wasn’t as strong as the one he’d sent last time.

Li Hao’s side had outright sealed away the ancient cities. His attitude was vastly different this time around. Previously, powerhouses of the various ancient cities had freedom of movement.

Now that communications were no longer operational since Li Hao had seized the base station, no one could reach the outside world. Even though each city had cultivated their own networks in the world at large, who would dare visit the ruins when one thousand people were sealing off the premises?

Just as the seventh elder prepared to fly into a rage, a shadow appeared over the ground.

“Second Elder!” the seventh elder hastily greeted. It was the second elder in charge of the city these days, to think that his replica would also emerge!

“General... Martial Alliance does not wish to clash with Commander Li,” the illusory figure said softly. “But disturbances rock the city, we can tell that there must be great matters afoot. All of our sources of news have been isolated from us, so can the general possibly share a detail or two?”

“Greetings to the senior!” Liu Yan responded calmly. “We are uncertain of the exact situation as well! We only know that the Zhengs of Boundless may be the main force for the rebels. They previously wished to revitalize the world through killing large sums of powerhouses, but the marquis saw through his scheme.

“After that, Boundless city abruptly activated and disappeared. There’s been no trace of it in recent days—the marquis is pursuing it with everything he has. Not only that, but it’s said that Galewind has also activated and disappeared. The marquis suspects that there are fully revitalized powerhouses holding down the fort in the city.

“Therefore, he is concerned about similar cases developing in the other main cities. That is why we have been sent to various locations to prevent anything undesirable from happening!”

The second elder jerked with surprise, as well as the seventh elder shocked. “You say that Boundless and Galewind have both vanished?”

“That is correct!” Liu Yan nodded. “Right now, the marquis is mostly concerned with the Star River city of the Zhous. Will anything be forthcoming from it? After all, these families all hail from Tranquil Star!

“The marquis places great trust in Martial Alliance, he has only sent us to you! There are thousands of Demon Hunter Guards in place at the other cities. No replicas are permitted to exit the ruins. Anyone who dares walk out is outright executed! Seniors... I’m afraid this is an action we take out of resignation!”

The two elders inhaled sharply at the news of two main cities suddenly vanishing. No wonder!

No wonder there’d been such massive disturbances lately. Something had felt off. Even their last ties to each other were cut off, like the other side had completely disappeared.

So this was the case. No wonder the previously affable Li Hao had sent people to suppress the main cities with force and refused to let their powerhouses leave. If three main cities really had betrayed New Martial... the consequences did not bear imagining!

“In addition, the marquis has sent me with a warning for the seniors that you should be wary of changes happening within the cities. The scum has already invaded the various cities—even Battle Heaven is said to be affected. Do not trust anyone easily...”

The seventh elder protested with a bit of heat, “Be careful of your words! Everyone would be in danger after what you say. How would New Martial comrades...”

“This is the marquis’ message, you can decide for yourselves if you trust him or not!” Liu Yan interrupted him. “It is better for everyone to be nervous and on edge than for everyone to be ignorant. These words would not have been uttered if it wasn’t for the alliance between Martial Alliance and Skystar Dynasty!

“I do not care if the seniors believe me or not! No one from Martial Alliance is to leave before the new commands from the marquis arrive. Otherwise, do not blame Skystar for being impolite!

“Seniors, please endure what you can on behalf of Skystar, Silver Moon, and all of humanity! If you really cannot contain yourself anymore, the marquis also has standing orders to offer courtesy first and then declare war. Anyone who dares voluntarily trespass will make themselves an enemy of Skystar. We will fight to the death!”

The seventh elder was even beginning to wonder if this person was faking Li Hao’s orders. He’d met the young man before—that had been a refined, genteel person easy to talk to. There was room to negotiate in the conditions he proposed and he was clearly a cultured and polite individual. How could he have uttered these words?

I don’t believe it! They’re too overbearing!

Those of New Martial were used to being overbearing to their enemies. It was their first time seeing someone return the favor to them.

Liu Yan ignored their reactions and stared them down. She even seemed to be subtly taunting these people. She wanted to kill them!

A fire blazed in her heart, but she hadn’t spoken of it to anyone. As soon as these people dared set foot outside of their permitted domain, she would swiftly kill their replicas, break the peace, then await the marquis to be free to outright raze the ancient city!

If they could eradicate Boundless, then they could eradicate Martial Alliance!

Courtesy first, then war! I’ve already said it and there’s nothing I can do if these people don’t listen.

With the formation of the Demon Hunter Guard, she and the rest of the original Demon Hunters became the leaders of the new Guard. She’d understood what had happened when Yuan Shuo, Liu Long, and the others disappeared. Who wouldn’t?

They’d taken Boundless, but was an ancient city so easily overcome?

Therefore, did there need to be any guessing necessary?

Despite Li Hao officially saying that they were on a mission, Liu Yan knew that she might never see these people again. She grit her teeth against the pain and never spoke of it in front of Li Hao, because she knew that the young man would only be in more pain than she was. Therefore, she also knew that if there was an ancient city that voluntarily broke the peace, they might swiftly receive a thunderous strike from Skystar!

Li Hao would not erupt in open hostility with New Martial because he still needed to recruit a portion of them. However, he would not need to keep any reservations in mind if they were the ones who ripped up an agreement first.

Across the way, the seventh elder wanted to say something more, but the second elder raised softly, “In that case, we... shall not venture outside. There are no major matters for us to take care of in the outside world. Our primary bodies are unable to enter the world at large. Since young friend Li Hao has given standing orders, we do not need to make your duties difficult. Ole Seven, let us return.”

“Second Elder, this...”

“Let us return.”

“Very well.” The seventh elder was highly disgruntled and very aggravated. What was going on with Li Hao? Had he had a change of heart? Had it not been Li Hao who he met last time?

What a basket case all of this was!

Liu Yan furrowed her brows to see them voluntarily retreat to the ancient city. She seemed a bit regretful, but didn’t further antagonize them. It was one thing if they wanted to leave of their own accord, further provocation might cause them to erupt in fury.

She would be hard to explain herself then.

......

At the same time, similar situations happened at the other ancient cities. Li Hao truly had sealed them all and did not permit anyone to leave or enter.

Not only that, but there was a troop of the Demon Hunter Guard that investigated in all directions, searching for the city of the Hongs. They swiftly responded to the sighting of any ancient powerhouse and struck ferociously, eliminating the ancient.

From henceforth, any ancient replica that appeared was to be regarded as an enemy, not a friend. Li Hao had given orders to immediately obliterate them!

The restrictions of the world prevented primary bodies from walking around and greatly weakened the strength of the replicas. They were unable to adequately respond to Suns and Moons or thousands of Dominators or Mountains and Seas.

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