Star Gate-Chapter 1584: Exchanging Blows! (III)

“Very well!” Celestial Pole had no other options available to him. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the supreme. He did, which was why they were here as bait.

But the continued delay of reeling in that bait could only point to one conclusion—something had gone wrong.

A seventh rank had appeared and New Martial was not prepared to take them out. Or they could, but whatever resource they would use to do so was preoccupied elsewhere or had another major world in their sights. Whatever it was, the plan here had taken a backseat.

In that case, they could save themselves.

As for whether or not that might ruin some other plans in progress, that wasn’t important. New Martial wasn’t in the habit of doggedly sticking to a single arrangement. They adapted to the situation. So long as upstairs didn’t give them the order of executing the plan at all costs, they could do whatever they wished.

The supreme would pick up the pieces if anything went wrong.

“Ill figure out a way to send a message to my replica and have them be ready to meet with us! We’ll head straight for Red Moon after we assemble!” Celestial Pole transmitted rapidly.

The Pagoda King nodded in confirmation. This was good! They needed to throw away whatever it was they were carrying. The presence associated with it was too strong. Although it was just a replica, it was still very easy for powerhouses to target it.

“Based on what I know, the major worlds that have gathered around Red Moon after the demise of Utmost Dark are Nether Moon, Skywave, and Cold River. These major worlds are still very dangerous. But there’s one of them that’s more trash compared to others...”

Celestial Pole knew what his comrade was referring to. Were there any major worlds that were more inferior to the rest?

Of course there were.

The most useless of them all sent their master of dao to tail the Human King prior to Fang Ping killing the Utmost Dark master. That master of dao had only been a sixth rank and casually disposed of by the Human King.

That major world only had two premier sixth ranks. One was the master of dao, the other was the master of the world. Upon learning that the dao master was dead, the master of the world was so terrified that he took off running with the world and shot for Red Moon’s arms.

Since the world still existed, its dao universe likely remained despite the master of dao being dead. The world master was most likely traumatized and heavily injured from the experience, and so was recovering from those wounds.

Defenses would be the most lax on that world, which made it the safest place for a hiding spot. Due to its damaged dao universe, the master of the world might not immediately detect an intrusion. There were also bound to be many outsiders on the world already.

Why?

The dao universe probably still existed and the master of the world was only peak sixth rank. How could some sixth ranks not get other ideas in mind?

They had plenty of possibilities to think about!

At the same time, most people wouldn’t dare do anything out of line due to Red Moon’s talks to form an alliance. They would draw Red Moon’s ire if they started any trouble. Perhaps even Red Moon had their sights set on the world!

Then it was up to the sixth rank master of Orchid Forest to decide if he would join Red Moon, or have the major world support him in devouring and repairing the dao universe. If he ascended to seventh rank, he would become Red Moon’s loyal lackey.

Regardless of the situation, Celestial Pole and the Pagoda King were certain that it would be very disorderly on the major world with plenty of visitors running around. They were equally uncertain of Skyward, but wouldn’t head there even if they knew more. The conflict there was of a higher level and involved high ranks. Where they were considering, however, had opportunities that a fourth rank could obtain.

“Are you thinking of Orchid Forest major world?”

“That’s right!” Mirth appeared in the Pagoda King’s eyes. “That’s the one! It was a weak major world to begin with and now its master of dao is dead. Even if its dao universe still shines, it’s sure to be shaking and quaking from the repercussions. All sides will be eying it. Mayhem reigns!

“The master of the world must be focusing on stabilizing the dao universe, and its state will also affect the rest of its exalted emperors. If we go now, it’ll be the equivalent of slipping in through a broken front door.

“Red Moon won’t be openly investigating them either, since they’re a recruitment target. How else will they form their alliance? Even if they know that we’re there, they won’t send someone too strong to look for us!”

Celestial Pole nodded again. There was nothing wrong with his words, the logic was sound. The caveat was that the Human King did not pay Orchid Forest a visit. Nothing else was important so long as that requirement was fulfilled.

This would be a wonderful hiding spot.

“Shall we go there?”

“Yes!”

They had their destination set. But... would Silver Moon be willing to run with them once they convened?

Their only concern would be that the Silver Moon king was too confident and would insist on fighting the seventh rank. He might be obliterated in half a second...

Forget it, if he insisted on doing that, the two would run off themselves and forget about Silver Moon. The young were brash and impulsive; Celestial Pole and the Pagoda King didn’t want to be dragged down with them.

But Celestial Pole’s replica had been telling him to wait all this time. Clearly, it was aware of the dangers. It didn’t seem to be that much of a fool.

There was no other ideal destination other than Red Moon major world. No place nearby was easy to run to or hide in. Although it looked like a dangerous place, that made it the safest.

As for the proper timing... the hell were they waiting for?? They needed to take care of themselves first. Those who did not were not long for the world. Depending on someone else’s arrangements would lead to nothing good. These two were all too aware of that logic.

......

Celestial Pole and the Pagoda King began to plot their escape route. All was in readiness. Some exalted emperors were waiting in the shadows, but no one dared approach to ambush them.

“There’s been some unusual movement from my primary body,” Celestial Pole’s replica suddenly transmitted to the group. “He’s picked up speed and is approaching us! I’ve already told him to stay away, but he’s doing the opposite. He might have detected some danger and wants to run.”

He knew himself best.

“And with the Pagoda King by his side, that one’s probably encouraging my primary body to run away as quickly as possible. They must have some sort of plan in mind and have probably decided that there’s a seventh rank nearby. They might want to make use of the contingency plan that New Martial’s arranged to throw off that pursuer and convene with us.”

Hong Yitang was surprised. It was very difficult to communicate in the chaos; communication was almost impossible when the distance was too great. Because of this, Celestial Pole’s primary body and replica were unable to converse before coming together.

This replica... really knew himself well.

Hong Yitang was also taken aback that Celestial Pole’s primary body and the legendary Pagoda King could really determine the lay of the land from limited information. Could they truly identify the dangers around them?

And now that the duo was approaching them, did they have a plan in mind or just wanted to meet up...

Hong Yitang hesitated. Brashly responding in kind might doom then. Li Hao still had not given word for them to assemble, clearly. because he didn’t think it was safe enough.

Celestial Pole’s replica looked at him. It was Hong Yitang and Lin Hongyu in charge of this group. Li Hao had not sent them a message, so should they meet the New Martial duo or not?

One could not always wait around for someone else’s next step in the chaos; adaptation with the changing tides was necessary. Otherwise, it would be too easy for them to miss the appropriate timing.

The trio that’d recently joined them did not have the right to cast a vote. Hence, Hong Yitang sank into deep thought.

Should they convene? Was it dangerous?

It was certainly very dangerous.

Li Hao had not yet sent them word...

“Senior Celestial Pole and I will approach them. Hongyu, the rest of you should leave. I’ll meet them!”

They needed to go as gathering together was required. But they didn’t all have to go together. It would be very troublesome if Lin Hongyu and the rest were dragged into the situation.

“You go?” Lin Hongyu crinkled her brows and transmitted back, “How will you find Li Hao after you meet them and leave me behind? He won’t be able to lock onto everyone without me. Everyone else can stay, but I must go!”

Hong Yitang blinked, then nodded with resignation. That was true. The chaos was too big. Without Lin Hongyu in tow, Li Hao really wouldn’t be able to find them.

While the young man had Gan Wuliang with him, that weakling was only second rank. His perception was very limited in scope. It would be too difficult for him to find them. Otherwise, they could just send one of the three new additions into the dao universe. Gan Wuliang would be able to sense them then, but his range at present was too limited.

“Then let’s go together!” Lin Hongyu smiled. “Since Senior Celestial Pole’s primary body is here, there’s no problem with taking a risk. Since his primary body has dared come, that means he has some degree of confidence.”

Celestial Pole was so afraid of dying that the presence of his primary body represented a certain degree of confidence. Everyone understood the implications of her words, whereas Celestial Pole’s replica remained noncommittal.

There was nothing wrong with the woman’s words. Would his primary body dare come if he wasn’t mostly assured of success?

Of course not!

Since he’s here, let’s give it a try.

The group decided to meet the New Martial duo after some discussion. All could wait until they’d gathered. Lin Hongyu and the rest were also planning on sending back the comprehension of the dao of extreme yin before doing anything else.

So what if they took more of a risk?

Continuing to wait while Celestial Pole’s primary body made a move might lead to other accidents. Those two cowardly New Martial exalted emperors might run off on their own, which would make locating them much harder later on.

......

There was still no word from Skyward.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow as he rushed through the chaos. “Lin Hongyu and the rest didn’t move before, probably because they were waiting. Now it looks like they’re on the move... perhaps something has happened there too!”

He picked up speed and tossed everyone else traveling with him into the river. “We need to catch up to them, but where we should run after that is the real question. If a seventh rank has their eyes on them and no ripple has appeared from dao chess... Void might not be exploring it anymore. He might have left Demon Summit.”

Li Hao was slightly resigned by the situation. Void was probably out of the dao foundation site. Otherwise, given Li Hao’s knowledge of him, he would absolutely have fought for a chance for Li Hao if he made it to five thousand squares.

Man, Void, you’re not that reliable sometimes.

Granted, Li Hao wasn’t one to talk. One could only say that the situation in Skyward changed too quickly. Perhaps multiple seventh ranks had appeared, maybe even one from Light major world. Void would have to meet them then.

Whatever!

Li Hao focused on meeting up with his people first. As for where they should run to...