The youngest spirit official

The girl was slightly dazed and stood there, stunned.

The sharp and clear Sword Intent brushed past her, leaving her slightly dazed. She was extremely familiar with that Sword Intent.

It was the "Blue Heaven" technique she had just cultivated!

However, compared to the Blue Heaven she cultivated, that Sword Intent was much purer, seemingly capable of shattering anything it touched.

Let the Cloudmist break apart, let the smoke and dust dissipate, even the bright sky Heaven and Earth sun seem to shatter!

"You--."

The girl snapped out of her reverie and looked at the boy before her with a contented Immortal Arts. Her grandfather had repeatedly warned her never to pass on the immortal techniques she practiced to outsiders. Moreover, it was one of the Ten Immortal Arts of true True Immortal, possessing immense power within the True Immortal Realm, yet also extremely difficult for True Immortal to cultivate and master.

But the unfamiliar young man before her, with a casual display of Sword Intent that was far more refined and complete, clearly demonstrated a higher level of skill than hers!

Judging by their cultivation levels, she glanced at Li Hao and realized that the young man was only at the True Immortal Realm Third Layer, while she was at the True Immortal Realm Seventh Layer.

"Who are you?"

The girl slightly narrowed her eyes, looking at the tall, straight-backed boy whose nose was at head height. His posture was upright.

Full of vitality, with bright eyes and a slight smile between his brows, he was like a gentle Spring Breeze, unperturbed by her rebuke, as soft as a gentle Qing Feng.

Her lips tightened slightly, and the Anger in her eyes subsided considerably, replaced by curiosity.

And who are you?

Li Hao smiled and asked in return.

The girl's delicate face regained its composure, and she said, "This courtyard is mine. You ask who I am?"

"Your?"

Li Hao was somewhat surprised, but he stopped beating around the bush and asked, "The Celestial Master summoned me here. What is your relationship with the Celestial Master?"

The girl's eyes flickered, and she guessed the reason somewhat. She glanced at Li Hao's fingers, which had just crushed her Sword Qi.

"How could someone at the True Immortal Realm Third Layer so easily shatter her Sword Qi?" she asked.

"How many times have you reincarnated? Your cultivation level isn't high, but your strength is considerable. Where did you learn this Azure Sky Immortal Technique?"

Li Hao shook his head and said, "You still haven't told me your relationship with the Celestial Master."

The Daoist master you're talking about is my grandfather.

The girl's eyes were calm as she said, "And you? I don't remember my grandfather taking you as an apprentice."

Li Hao suddenly realized, and shook his head, saying, "I don't know why your grandfather summoned me here. Let's wait until he arrives."

The girl frowned, glanced at Li Hao, and didn't say anything more. She wanted to turn around and practice her sword, but as soon as she took a step, she thought of the Sword Qi that the boy had casually slashed out. She felt a sense of dejection. She had worked so hard to cultivate, yet she was no match for the other party's casual finger.

"Hello."

"?"

"How long did it take you to reach this level?"

The girl asked casually, but there was a hint of Qi Ingestion in her heart.

"A few days."

Li Hao said casually, but his gaze swept around, as if he wanted to go for a walk in another part of the courtyard.

The girl was taken aback, then her face darkened, and she said, "I'm not joking with you."

"Me too."

Li Hao waved his hand, no longer wanting to get entangled with the girl, and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute."

The girl's figure blurred, and she instantly appeared in front of Li Hao. A hint of anger appeared on her delicate face as she said, "I was just asking, I didn't pry into anything, why are you being so petty?"

Li Hao was speechless. Just as he was about to speak, a faint Aura of pressure appeared. He looked up and saw the old man he had seen in the Border Battlefield slowly descending from the sky above the courtyard.

The girl also saw the old man, and without saying anything more to Li Hao, she turned around and greeted him joyfully, "Grandpa, you're back!"

Are you alright?

"That Di Qiu is only at the second level of the King Realm; he can't harm your grandfather."

An affectionate smile spread across the old man's face, his wrinkles deepening as he gently stroked his granddaughter's hair before his gaze fell upon the boy standing by the arched bridge.

Seeing the young man's tall and imposing figure, a touch of gentleness appeared in his eyes, as if the vicissitudes of life had swept across them in an instant. His smile faded slightly, and his voice betrayed no emotion as he said:

What is your name?

"Chong Er."

Li Hao cupped his hands slightly in greeting.

"Chong Er? What an awful name."

The girl turned to look at Li Hao, pouting slightly. Just now, standing in front of Li Hao, she had a rather elegant and aloof air, like an unapproachable Fairy. But now, standing next to her grandfather, she seemed a few years younger, her expression full of liveliness and spoiledness, and she spoke more casually.

Upon hearing this, Li Hao couldn't help but roll his eyes at her; she was rude.

Seeing that Li Hao dared to speak ill of her in front of her grandfather, the girl was somewhat surprised and immediately became angry. Thinking of Li Hao's attitude just now, she turned to the old man and said in a coquettish tone:

"Grandpa, why did you call him here? Are you going to take him as your apprentice?"

Upon hearing the words "accepting an apprentice," the old man's eyelids twitched slightly, and he said to Li Hao:

Would you like to become my disciple?

"Grandpa, are you really going to take him as your apprentice?"

The girl glared slightly, her face showing reluctance, her brows furrowed. The other disciples treated her with utmost politeness, cherishing her and trying every means to send her rare and precious gifts that she wouldn't even bother to look at, just to make her happy.

But the young man before her seemed even more arrogant than she was, which made her feel somewhat resistant.

The old man ignored his granddaughter and simply looked calmly at Li Hao.

Li Hao paused slightly, then shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I already have a master."

Although the Celestial Master before him holds an extraordinary position, he has a lineage from Immortal Emperor, and his joining the Great Dream Nine Abyss was merely to familiarize himself with the True Realm, so there is no need for him to become a disciple again.

"Um?"

Upon hearing Li Hao's answer, the girl was stunned.

Her grandfather was a Celestial Master of the Demon Subduing Division, and countless Heavenly Prodigy wanted to become his disciples. These Heavenly Prodigy were all exceptional, including top Prodigy painstakingly cultivated by the Earth Sect. They all tried every means to connect with her grandfather and become his disciples, just to enter the Demon Subduing Division through his connections.

Right now, someone actually refused?

The old man's eyes flickered slightly, but he wasn't too surprised. Instead, a slight smile appeared on his lips. He landed and said:

"I am Gu Changming, Three Star Celestial Master of the Demon Subduing Division. Would you be willing to join the Demon Subduing Division?"

Li Hao's eyes flickered. Demon Subduing Division old man's words naturally meant that he not only wanted Li Hao to join, but would also help him and cultivate him within the Demon Subduing Division.

"If I join the Demon Subduing Division—will I be busy?"

Li Hao hesitated.

Gu Changming was taken aback, clearly not expecting Li Hao to react this way. Over the years, he had invited some junior members to join the Demon Subduing Division, and apart from those who excitedly accepted, a few had politely declined. But this was the first time someone had asked, "Are you busy?"

He couldn't help but laugh and said, "That depends on you. If you want a sinecure, it's not impossible."

"A cushy job?"

Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "That's no problem."

"You-"

The girl next to her was furious. Her grandfather had rarely invited her, and now he was haggling over the price—it was going too far.

"Xingwan, you go practice your sword first. I have something to say to this young man alone."

Seeing his indignant granddaughter, Gu Changming chuckled and waved for her to leave.

"Grandpa, you really think highly of him?"

Gu Xingwan was somewhat surprised, as she rarely saw her grandfather be so gentle.

Gu Changming smiled but did not respond.

Gu Xingwan gave Li Hao a deep look, then turned and obediently left.

When Gu Xingwan walked away, Gu Changming walked up to Li Hao with his hands behind his back. He looked at Li Hao gently with his eyes, and said with a sigh and emotion in his eyes:

"Come with me."

He then led Li Hao into the Water Moon Hall.

Within this majestic and towering Palace Hall, a dense aura of Immortal Power swirled. He led Li Hao to the depths of the Palace Hall, raised his hand, and gently tapped the Void, causing silver-gray ripples to sway, as if some kind of Barrier had been opened.

The shimmering silver-gray ripples matched the patterns on the tracks of the chariot Li Hao had ridden on the Starry Sky Ancient Road.

Before my eyes, like ripples on water, appeared a dark palace.

The light in this dark hall was extremely dim. Even Li Hao's Divine Sense could only barely see his surroundings. There was some kind of extremely strong force restricting the outward projection of his Divine Sense.

Where Li Hao could see clearly, there was a totem pole with dragons and phoenixes coiled around its base. The pole itself was Sculpting with immortals and Immortal Deity riding on dragons and phoenixes, exuding a majestic aura. However, their figures appeared mad, with blood weeping from their foreheads and between their brows, as if a third eye had been plucked out.

Gu Changming stopped after taking only two steps, and Li Hao, who was following behind, was also forced to stop.

"During the previous review in the Commander-in-Chief Hall, when we tallied the Immortal Merit of all the generals, it was decided that, in addition to slaying the Ancient Demon, you made a great contribution at the last moment, earning 1.92 million Immortal Merit!"

Gu Changming, carrying Li Hao on his back, spoke in a voice that revealed neither joy nor anger.

Upon receiving the evidence, Li Hao felt a surge of joy, but soon a chill and apprehension washed over him. He asked:

"How will this Immortal Merit be settled? What merit or ability do I, a junior, possess?"

Gu Changming turned around, his face even more profound in the dark hall, and said, "The Ancient Demon Woman beside you..."

How did you encounter her? Did you know beforehand that she was Ancient Demon?

As he spoke, his gaze was like two cold stars in the dark night, fixed on Li Hao.

Li Hao's expression changed slightly as he felt an immense pressure. The other party's words at this moment undoubtedly told him...

They could see everything that happened on the battlefield.

"I understand."

After a brief silence, Li Hao replied, "But she didn't know I knew her identity, so I used her to help the Peacock Army."

He avoided mentioning how he knew Xue Yao and how he had spent several months with her, speaking only the truth, and was therefore extremely candid.

This is also a technique learned from the Lie Heaven Saint. The most skillful lie is to avoid telling certain truths and only tell part of the truth, but it may still be a lie due to information gaps, making it impossible to expose.

Gu Changming stared at Li Hao for a moment, nodded slightly, and said, "I believe what you say, but others don't. They see you as a suspected spy for the Ancient Demon and want to investigate you."

"Investigation? "Li Hao frowned, but didn't react much. Instead, he stared at the old man in front of him. There must be another reason why the other party was telling him this.

Seeing Li Hao's calm expression, Gu Changming's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation, then he seemed to sigh softly and said:

"But you don't need to worry. I told them you're one of my Demon Subduing Division. I've already sent someone to deliver your file to the Demon Subduing Division, confirming your identity as Chong Er and that you've been a Demon Subduing Division Demon Subduing Guard for three years!"

Li Hao realized that these words revealed a great deal of information. He stared intently at the old man, wondering why the other party wanted to help him.

"Azure Sky Sword Technique, Ancestral Immortal Body ---"

Gu Changming looked at Li Hao, a smile appearing on his lips, and said, "Originally, I wasn't entirely sure; perhaps it was some kind of coincidence. But after seeing you just now, I'm certain that you are a descendant of the Tian Yang Immortal Emperor, or even his Immortal Emperor's Personal Disciple?"

Li Hao's expression changed slightly; this was the first time his identity had been exposed.

However, seeing that the other party did not show any killing intent, his tense body relaxed slightly.

Seeing Li Hao remain silent, Gu Changming's admiration did not diminish. He said, "Don't worry, my clan once received the grace of the Immortal Emperor. I will keep your identity a secret. That's why I brought you here. Apart from me, even that girl Xingwan won't know. Although she is trustworthy, she is still too young—"

As he said this, his expression became very sincere.

Li Hao knew that explaining at this moment would be useless. If the other party had murderous intent, once suspicion arose, they would rather kill the wrong person than let them go. The fact that they could still talk at such close range was enough to show that the other party was not an enemy.

"Why do you think so, senior?" Li Hao asked.

Gu Changming laughed and said, "True Immortal Realm Third Layer, capable of withstanding attacks from the Immortal Lord Realm —such Prodigy, coupled with Ancestral Immortal Body, the lost Azure Sky Immortal Technique —and the fact that my Soul Lifespan is less than a hundred years when I saw you, do you think it would be hard to guess?"

Hearing him say that, Li Hao himself felt that it made a lot of sense.

"Thank you for concealing my identity, senior." Li Hao bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Seeing that Li Hao had dispelled his doubts, Gu Changming laughed. He didn't think Li Hao was naive; rather, he felt that if Li Hao still harbored hostility towards him, he would be a clueless fool.

"So, you are a descendant of the Immortal Emperor, or...?"

Gu Changming asked curiously.

"Disciple."

Li Hao said, "But it's not Personal Disciple yet."

"Isn't he Personal Disciple?"

Gu Changming was stunned, a look of shock immediately appearing in his eyes. Such Prodigy talent, and yet he hadn't been accepted as Personal Disciple by the Immortal Emperor?

As expected of Immortal Emperor.

"After that great battle ended, did the Immortal Emperor truly go into seclusion?"

Gu Changming said in a low voice.

Li Hao nodded slightly.

Gu Changming clenched his fingers slightly, falling silent. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said:

Have you ever heard of the Heavenly Eye Clan?

"Without."

Li Hao shook his head.

Gu Changming's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Yes, ten thousand years is too long. Thirty thousand years after that battle, the Heavenly Eye Clan was squeezed out of the Hundred Clans Mountain. It's normal that you haven't heard of it. I guess it wasn't mentioned in the Immortal Emperor's legacy either. After all, our clan was just a small clan that he casually saved back then. How could he possibly care about it..."

Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly. The Celestial Master before him—had his ancestors received the favor of the Tian Yang Immortal Emperor?

Gu Changming turned around and continued walking towards the front of the dark hall. He led Li Hao to the totem, pointed to it, and recounted a part of Li Zang's past.

The Heavenly Eye Clan was once insignificant among the Myriad Races of the True World, but with the help of the Tian Yang Immortal Emperor, they were fortunate enough to leave their mark on the Hundred Clans Mountain and become one of the Hundred Clans.

After becoming Hundred Clans, the Heavenly Eye Clan underwent tremendous changes, with its members' strength increasing by leaps and bounds, leading to rapid growth and development.

But this period of prosperity was short-lived. The Ancient Demon Cataclysm Descent, and the Tian Yang Immortal Emperor perished. For tens of thousands of years afterward, the Heavenly Eye Clan was driven out of the Hundred Clans Mountain. Coupled with the post-calamity environment of the True Realm, where all races Slaughter each other, the Heavenly Eye Clan sought to avoid conflict.

They are becoming increasingly low-key and have begun to conceal their identities.

Given Gu Changming's current power and status, he is naturally not afraid of people knowing that he is Heavenly Eye Clan, but he is unwilling to make it public to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Since you are the Immortal Emperor's disciple, and you have rendered great service this time, I will strive to make you the youngest Spirit Official in the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty!"

After revealing his identity, Gu Changming spoke gently to Li Hao.

"Spirit Official?"

Li Hao, in the Demon Subduing Division, the position of Spirit Official is generally held by those at the Immortal Lord Realm, wielding considerable power, and many powerful clans and Sect would try to curry favor with him.

"That's right. Whatever you need, just tell me. Within the territory of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, I will do my best to protect you."

As the disciple of the Immortal Emperor, you are no ordinary person. Sooner or later, you will make a name for yourself in the True Realm. This Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty will not be your final destination.

Gu Changming said, "I can see that Li Hao's Future is extremely bright."

Li Hao remained silent for a moment, knowing that the old man before him had given him great help, undoubtedly out of respect for his Immortal Emperor Master whom he had never met.

Thank you.

Li Hao cupped his hands in greeting. He knew that the other party's help was not only to repay the kindness of that Master, but also perhaps to cultivate and befriend him.

What he needs to do is to give the other party something in return in the Future.