Li Hao was immensely resigned by his recounting of Silver Moon’s properties because the world hadn’t been formed by strength from the core origin dao universe. It was shaped from the War Sovereign’s power. The two strengths were different.

If Silver Moon really had originated from dao origin energy, then it could be used to lock onto New Martial. But now... would Li Hao really be unaware of whether or not they could trace New Martial from Silver Moon?

It couldn’t be done!

New Martial was unable to locate Silver Moon either. It wouldn’t have spent fifty years searching otherwise and eventually giving up. They’d sensed something only due to the Star Gate.

And while the Star Gate was still present now, the world was isolated in Panther’s stomach. New Martial had long lost contact with it.

These guys all have their eyes set on Silver Moon so they can extrapolate New Martial from it... But hello, New Martial is out in the open now. Why do you guys have your eyes on Silver Moon still?

......

After reading these reports, Li Hao had a more concrete understanding of Dragon Region. He opened his eyes and manifested a map. “This is Phoenix major world’s area of influence. The princess promised me one hundred worlds for my territory. Can I just circle where I want to be my territory?”

“Of course you can,” chuckled Phoenix Mountain. “But some places need to be excluded. Spots with sixth rank worlds cannot become part of the senior’s territory. Sixth rank worlds are part of Phoenix jurisdiction in name only. We are all vassals of Dragon major world!

“In addition, there are two other areas much like the fellow daoist’s—territory of external exalted emperors. Some powerhouses do not like staying on Phoenix. Too many heavyweights on a world can make for a stifling atmosphere, so they chose to venture out as well. These two zones are off limits!”

He circled the places in question. Not only were the sixth rank worlds unavailable, but the area around them were also forbidden. It would easily cause conflict if they were chosen as Black Dog was just a fifth rank.

With that, not many choices were left.

Li Hao studied the map. Phoenix major world sat in the center of the drawing and its territory bordered Dragon, Treasure, Giant Elephant, and Valiant Tiger. Since Phoenix sat in the middle, that meant to say that half of the four cardinal directions was Phoenix territory and the other half belonged to the four worlds.

Since Dragon was situated to the east of Phoenix...

That meant there was more danger there as there were also more powerhouses there. And with Dragon major world being the boss of the region, anyone whose territory directly bordered theirs would suffer from quite a lot of pressure on their flanks.

But when Li Hao looked over, he quickly chose a region to the east. “I want this place. Is that alright?”

“Of course...” nodded a surprised Phoenix Mountain. “But permit me to remind the senior that Dragon major world’s sphere of influence will lie on the other side. Some people don’t like being neighbors with Dragon...”

“It’ll be so safe!” Li Hao grinned. “I’ll have Dragon on one side and Phoenix on the other. Is there any place safer than that? Not even an eighth rank will dare put a toe out of line when they come!”

That was true!

“It will indeed be very safe!” Phoenix Mountain agreed. “But the senior needs to be... somewhat careful. There are some guys in Dragon territory that like to throw their weight around. They sometimes cross borders and we’re not at liberty to say or do anything.

“However, it’s a common sight for them to stop by any worlds they come across. Hence, there are no sixth rank worlds in the vicinity. Any that are usually move out as it’s too much of a hassle!

“There isn’t much to worry about, at the same time. These guys aren’t dragons and Phoenix major world is not an easy target either. They’ll just demand some food at the worst. If you encounter them, give them some food and send them on their way!”

“How dare they hit us up?” Li Hao grumbled. “Aren’t they afraid of starting a war and drawing the Dragon master’s attention...”

“Well, it wouldn’t come down to that for a little bit of food. Of course, I know that the senior is not used to this after wandering the chaos for many years. The senior might not be willing to abide by that. No worries, Phoenix will compensate the senior for your losses. In Dragon Region, it is custom for powerhouses to be offered food when they pass by a world.”

So the rat beast had been correct. It was all to be expected that a passing heavyweight solicited food from worlds they passed by.

This so-called food was naturally humans.

You guys pop us like dessert!

Even Phoenix major world felt that this was a normal practice. It was just some humans, no one is short on humans. If you don’t want to do that, we’ll compensate you for your loss.

Despite the world’s powerhouses imitating humans and even appearing to be welcoming and accepting of all, including humans, only the strong were considered as humans. Those beneath exalted emperor weren’t worthy of that distinction.

They were just two-legged beasts, also known as food.

“Then I choose this place,” Li Hao said rapidly. “And I’ll put my world near here. So all these worlds are under my control?”

“Ahem...” Phoenix Mountain thought this would be an appropriate time to give a gentle reminder. “Not quite under the senior’s control, but that they need to offer certain resources to the senior. The senior cannot command the world masters. While the senior can move the worlds as discussed with Her Highness, you cannot mobilize their troops...”

In other words, these worlds were just here to have fun with Black Dog and to offer him some resources. The rest had nothing to do with him.

“I can at least get them together for a meeting or something, can’t I?” Li Hao complained.

“Ah... we naturally have no opinions otherwise if the world masters are willing.” Phoenix Mountain smiled awkwardly. A meeting? Who the heck will come for a meeting?

These world masters might attend if they decided to show Black Dog some face—this was a fifth rank, after all. The low ranks would attend, but the mid ranks might decide not to. There were more than a dozen mid rank worlds in this territory and two of them were even overseen by fifth ranks. They just weren’t direct Phoenix subordinates.

Black Dog’s position would be higher than theirs since he served Phoenix.

“Very good!” Li Hao didn’t care about this. “If those guys are taken in by my charisma and voluntarily decide to serve me, is it acceptable if they become my vassals?”

“Well...” Phoenix Mountain had to offer another reminder. “Senior, it is the law of the jungle in the chaos! But there is one thing to keep in mind in Dragon Region, senior, and it is that there are rules here. The rules of the dragons!

“No one will stop the senior if there is a world master truly willing to serve, but the senior cannot bring force to bear on them! Apart from alliance members, no one can mount an offensive against another world. The twelve alliance members can do so, but must send word ahead of time!”

If someone had so little self worth that they wished to serve another, then nothing could be helped for that. But force was not permitted to bring this result to fruition!

“Why use force?” Li Hao snorted. “This seat is a fifth rank and has a deep understanding of dao. Can I not take in a few servants through the teaching of dao? Don’t worry, I know the rules. I will not offend the Dragon master!”

“So long as the senior is aware. The rest can be done as the senior seems fit!” Phoenix Mountain laughed once more. “There is only one more point. If Phoenix has need, the world will summon the senior...”

He handed over a jade stone. “It is difficult to maintain communications in the chaos. Thankfully, there is an agreement between the allied worlds that our world strength is permitted to extend out from our worlds.

“This is a phoenix stone. If it breaks, that means we are summoned for a task. The senior must rush back to Phoenix when the stone breaks. Apart from that, the world does not impose too many limitations on its powerhouses.”

“Alright!” Li Hao was eager to get started. “Then... can I leave now?”

“Is the senior not going to refine your sixth rank world here?”

“No, I’ll wait until I reach my territory!” he cackled. “No one will dare attack me or seize my treasure in Dragon Region, so what am I afraid of? I’d like to see if anyone will dare ambush me. If so, will they pay a price for it? If not...

“Then I’ll give that a go in secret as well!” His cackle deepened.

Phoenix Mountain didn’t know what to say. You’re bolder than you should for your own good! These wanderers were all the same! They were a complicated mix of being stupendously daring, but also horribly timid as a mouse. If no one gave it a try, then they wouldn’t dare make the first move.

But if someone did, then they would as well. They were very willing to take certain risks!

Such a complicated nature fit the chaos beast personality. Of course, Phoenix Mountain and his kind rarely conducted themselves in this manner because they had a defined territory to operate from these days.

Those with nothing to their name were the biggest daredevils. However, chaos beasts that owned a world had something to their name.

“Don’t worry, senior. You’re heading to the intersection of Dragon and Phoenix territory. Who would dare throw their weight around there? Powerhouses often pass by, sometimes even seventh ranks can be seen!”

“That’s good!” Li Hao laughed. “Then I’ll be off. Right, how do I prove to them that this place belongs to me?”

“If the senior doesn’t mind, I can make the trip with you. I’ll visit the masters of the mid worlds and let them know of these new developments. As for the minor worlds, they wouldn’t dare do anything even if they don’t know anything.”

“That works too!” Li Hao didn’t mind the company. This guy would lend more credibility to his words. That was good!

......

Li Hao quickly sped for his new territory. He’d chosen it for one reason only—to gamble!

Gamble what?

That Dragon major world would soon leave!

Once the world departed the region, there would be no major worlds around him. There would be easy sailing ahead and the world would be his oyster!

Of course, they’d be in trouble if Dragon major world decided not to leave. Being frequently visited by powerhouses was the greatest issue of all. If the Dragon master decided to stop by for a chat one day when he was in the neighborhood, that might be the last conversation that Li Hao ever held.

It was also good for Phoenix major world that Li Hao had chosen that corner. It further emphasized that there was nothing wrong with their new recruit. How would he dare choose that side if he had an ulterior motive in mind?

He’d be courting death!

Li Hao didn’t say anything to the Phoenix princess before he left, following Phoenix Mountain to the east.

......

Phoenix City.

The princess knew that Black Dog had left; she didn’t mind. She’d allotted her new recruit ten years of freedom. In that case, he could do as he wished.

However, she shook her head at seeing the territory he’d chosen. He... really knew how to pick his places. There might be many Dragon powerhouses that passed through the area. Although she wasn’t familiar with Black Dog, she could tell how proud he was.

Hopefully, there wouldn’t be any major conflict that resulted.