Chong Er made the rankings

Gu Changming nodded slightly and did not refuse Li Hao's thanks. He helped this young man this time not only because of the grace of that Immortal Emperor, but also because he thought highly of the young man himself.

The power this young man displayed in slaying the Ancient Demon amidst the Ancient Demon Tide far surpassed that of others in the same realm. The fact that he possessed such formidable strength against adversity even in the True Immortal Realm led him to mistakenly believe that the young man was Personal Disciple of the Immortal Emperor.

"Since your file was just sent to the Demon Subduing Division, it will take a few days before your merits are recorded in your file, thus promoting you to the Spirit Official and granting you the many benefits and rights of the Demon Subduing Division. Within the territory of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, apart from the Imperial Clan, no other force can make you bow down!"

Gu Changming said casually, yet revealing a hint of domineering arrogance.

Li Hao's eyes flashed as he thought of his Eldest Senior Brother, Ji Qingxuan, who had previously been ordered by the Sect to perform meritorious service at the Frontier and was promoted to First-Rank Demon Subduing Guard. Even with his Immortal Lord Realm cultivation, he had not yet become Spirit Official, which showed how strict the hierarchy of the Demon Subduing Division was.

However, strict rules and regulations are often only followed by those without connections or powerful backers.

"Once this Military Report is sent to the Immortal Capital and His Majesty reviews it, the 1.92 million Immortal Merit will be approved for you."

Gu Changming chuckled, leading Li Hao out of the dark hall, and said, "However, with your current Immortal Merit, you're more than qualified to be in the Top Twenty on the Immortal Merit Board at the Frontier of the Qingcheng Fallen River!"

Li Hao didn't seem to care about this and asked, "Old Gu, I see countless demon corpses from the demon-slaying at the Frontier. I wonder where they were all sent? Was it the Demon Subduing Division?"

"Demon Corpse."

Gu Changming was somewhat surprised, then he recalled the scene he had seen on the Star Domain Miniature. In addition to killing the Ancient Demon, the young man had also taken away all their Ancient Demon Corpse. Although this was not unusual, it was still quite rare in such an intense battle.

Other generals and soldiers will also search for demon corpses, and handing them over can be exchanged for a small amount of Immortal Merit, but no one will bother with such Immortal Merit while engaged in fierce fighting.

"Some of these demons were sent to the Demon Subduing Division, while others were assigned to various departments of the Celestial Army. For ten thousand years, we have been constantly dissecting Ancient Demon, trying to understand them better and find ways to more effectively subdue them—"

Gu Changming said, "Moreover, there are already Immortal Alchemist who can refine the Demon House into Primal Spirit Pill. It can increase the power of the Divine Soul in the short term, but long-term use will erode the Divine Soul and leave special things in the Divine Soul imprint that cannot be cleaned. When enough accumulates, certain mutations will occur. If it reaches a critical point --."

He Pause for a moment. This was a secret of the Demon Subduing Division. For 100,000 years, the powerful forces of the Hundred Clans had known about it, but it was only kept secret among the upper echelons.

Seeing Li Hao's curious gaze, he took a breath and continued, "They will mutate into Ancient Demon and lose their minds."

Li Hao felt a mixture of relief and regret upon hearing the news.

From this perspective, the Immortal Alchemist's method of refining Ancient Demon is even less effective than his Cooking, as it has such strong side effects.

If it could be as unaffected as his Cooking, then perhaps the Ancient Demon would have been eradicated long ago Past 100,000 years.

"So, the Demon Subduing Division has a large number of demon corpses? As Spirit Official, could I take some?"

Li Hao asked.

Gu Changming was somewhat puzzled, wondering why Li Hao was so interested in the Demon Lord. However, as the successor of the Immortal Emperor, Li Hao must have secrets unknown to him. He didn't inquire further, only saying:

"Once you become Spirit Official, you can summon some demon corpses under the guise of dissection and refining, but the demon corpses must not be exposed."

To prevent disasters and plagues.

Li Hao's eyes lit up. If that was the case, he wouldn't have to risk his life fighting enemies on the Frontier.

Moreover, the Ancient Demon invasions on the Frontier only occur once every few hundred years. Although he has many demon corpses in his Heaven and Earth Space, at his rate of consumption, they wouldn't last even ten years.

As for hunting Ancient Demon in the outer realms alone, that's too dangerous. You need Old Wang's company, otherwise you might accidentally run into a wandering King Realm Ancient Demon, and become his meal.

For him, this was an unnecessary risk.

"Given your age, would you participate in this Southern Region Assembly Battle?"

Gu Changming led Li Hao through the courtyard, asking with great interest.

Li Hao nodded, "I've already been to the Immortal Capital Imperial Domain."

Gu Changming laughed and said, "The Immortal Dynasty only has a thousand slots. With your combat strength, securing a slot shouldn't be a problem. It's just that your Soul Lifespan is too short, only a hundred years, and your cultivation level is too low. If you were given a thousand years, this Southern Region Assembly Battle would most likely be your home ground!"

Li Hao smiled and said, "That doesn't matter. A moment's brilliance cannot compare to Eternity glory."

"You're quite open-minded."

Gu Changming led Li Hao across the arched bridge to the place where Gu Xingwan had practiced her sword before. There, they saw Gu Xingwan, dressed in a pale yellow dress, standing outside the pavilion, holding her sword with her brows furrowed, seemingly lost in thought.

"Starry Evening."

Gu Changming called softly.

Gu Xingwan, looked up, and saw the boy who had been making her feel somewhat annoyed.

However, at this moment, the boy stood beside his grandfather, his posture upright, and his handsome face, as if sculpted by Heaven and Earth, wore a smile as warm as spring, which unconsciously dispelled some of the gloom in her heart.

She drew a sword in a flash, sheathed the Immortal Weapon, and then Past.

"Grandfather."

She called out obediently, glanced at Li Hao, but didn't respond.

Gu Changming smiled and said, "Chong Er has made a great contribution this time. I will promote him to Spirit Official of the Demon Subduing Division. He has a bright future ahead of him. You should get along well with him."

"He? Became Spirit Official?"

Gu Xingwan was immediately startled. She knew the status of Spirit Official. Without outstanding immortal Immortal Merit, one could not gain a foothold. Moreover, Immortal Merit were only one part of the requirements. There were also conditions such as cultivation level, combat strength, and merits in slaying Devil Cultivation Method within the Demon Subduing Division.

"Grandpa, he's only at the True Immortal Realm. Could it be that he's hiding his cultivation level?"

Gu Xingwan couldn't help but ask.

Gu Changming said, "Although Chong Er's cultivation is not as high as yours, his combat strength is not necessarily inferior to yours. He is so outstanding and deserves to be cultivated. The Demon Subduing Division is not only the sword wielder but also the Dragon Meridian of Yan-Chu. It should have the virtue to bear the weight of responsibility and the heart to cultivate talents."

Gu Xingwan was astonished. This young man was only at the True Immortal Realm Third Layer, yet her grandfather claimed his combat strength was no less than hers?

Moreover, she had seen countless Heavenly Prodigy, and her grandfather had always remained indifferent, never showing such concern.

"Ten years from now, in the Southern Region Assembly Battle, Chong Er will participate just like you. You must work hard and get along well with Chong Er so you can support each other."

Gu Changming said to her, he doted on this granddaughter. After seeing through Li Hao's background, he also had some thoughts about getting his granddaughter closer to Li Hao. As long as Li Hao did not perish, as the successor of the Immortal Emperor, even if he was not Personal Disciple, he would still have a place in the entire Vast True Realm in the Future.

"What? He's going to participate in the Southern Region Assembly Battle?"

Gu Xingwan was shocked and looked at her grandfather in disbelief.

She then looked at Li Hao, her starry eyes slightly widened, filled with disbelief, but this was quickly followed by a stubborn Anger.

The Azure Sky Sword Technique that Li Hao had previously displayed was far superior to hers in terms of skill level; she had assumed that the latter's Soul Lifespan was also far greater than hers.

I never expected to be able to participate in the Southern Region Assembly Battle.

Doesn't this mean that the other person's Heavenly Talent far surpasses mine?

"Have you been to the Ancient Immortal Realm? Which Desolate Region have you entered? The tenth?"

Gu Xingwan turned to look at Li Hao, her expression turning cold as she stared intently at him.

"I've been there."

Li Hao said.

Gu Xingwan raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Then you still need to work harder. Although it's already quite remarkable that you can enter the Tenth Desolate Domain with only the third level of True Immortal cultivation, three years Past, and others will definitely strive to improve, sparing no effort in their final sprint. You at least need to have the stamina to endure for seven days in the Tenth Desolate Domain."

I have endurance, but I lack patience.

Li Hao shook his head.

Gu Xingwan was stunned, then laughed in exasperation, saying, "You're really arrogant. Do you think you can just break through the Tenth Desolate Domain and directly qualify for the battle?"

"Um."

Li Hao nodded.

Gu Xingwan looked at Li Hao as if he were a madman, then sneered, "That depends on whether you have the ability. Last time, after the Ancient Immortal Realm ended, I ranked 68th. Where did you rank?"

"Top Twenty."

Li Hao said.

"?"

Gu Xingwan was about to make a few sarcastic remarks, but she froze, staring blankly at Li Hao for a long while before turning to look at Gu Changming:

"Grandpa, is he crazy?"

Gu Changming also looked at Li Hao in surprise, but he knew Li Hao wouldn't lie. However, regarding the Top Twenty...

That would require at least the power to break through the Tenth Desolate Domain, and that power is already barely enough to contend with the Immortal Lord Realm.

He recalled how Li Hao had withstood the attack of the Ninth Level of Immortal Lord Realm Ancient Demon. Although the power Li Hao unleashed at that time was strong, it was not enough to compare with the Immortal Lord Realm, but it was the limit of the True Immortal Realm.

It now seems that the young man before them has other methods he hasn't used yet.

"Xingwan, don't talk nonsense."

Gu Changming sternly reprimanded his granddaughter, "There are always people more powerful than you. You mustn't be arrogant. Although he is only at the True Immortal Realm Third Layer, his mastery of the Azure Sky Immortal Technique far surpasses yours. You must study hard."

Gu Xingwan had already experienced Li Hao's Azure Sky Immortal Technique firsthand. She gritted her teeth slightly and said:

"That's a different matter. Even if he has top-notch Sword Dao talent, it doesn't mean he can break through the Tenth Desolate Domain. He's only at the True Immortal Realm Third Layer. Is that even possible?"

"I've told you before that some Heavenly Prodigy are born extremely dazzling, and the entire True Realm cannot block their brilliance. Like that Supreme's Direct Disciple of the Heavenly Palace, who possesses the top-tier Nine Flowers Immortal Seal, which is extremely rare in the world. He suppressed Ancient Demon at the Immortal Lord Realm Seventh Layer soon as he became an Immortal Lord, and became famous in one battle. Countless people have witnessed this. If you haven't seen it and it's just a story told by word of mouth, would you believe it?"

Gu Changming frowned and said.

"That was Supreme's Direct Disciple, not him."

Gu Xingwan's expression changed slightly, and she pouted a little, but her eyes still showed complete disbelief when she looked at Li Hao.

How is it possible that someone whose cultivation level is Fourth Layer lower than hers has superior combat strength?

Seeing that Gu Changming was about to reprimand her, she immediately said to Li Hao, "If you're really that capable, let's have a go and I'll be impressed."

Li Hao was somewhat helpless. "Why should I need your obedience?"

Seeing that Gu Changming also gave him a gesturing look, Li Hao could only say, "Whatever."

"Alright, let's do it here then. I won't use Immortal Weapon; let's rely on our own abilities."

Gu Xingwan snorted coldly.

He was immediately sent flying backward, his aura exploding, his Immortal Power soaring like a rainbow, revealing an extraordinary and peerless demeanor.

Behind her, Immortal Power wove together, reflecting the Dharma Form a Dharma image with ribbons covering its eyes.

The Dharma Form's eyes and forehead were covered. Li Hao had previously learned from Gu Changming that they were from the Heavenly Eye Clan.

Clearly, that Dharma Form was the image in Gu Xingwan's mind.

"Blue Heaven, I am no match for you, because I have only been practicing for thirty years. Take this sword from me!"

Gu Xingwan gathered Immortal Power in her palm, which faintly transformed into a sword shape. Then, Immortal Power swirled around the sword like a vortex. The vortex grew stronger and stronger, surrounding the Immortal Power sword shape like star rings, causing the temperature of the surrounding Heaven and Earth to drop drastically.

Li Hao saw that the sword force contained the fundamental Principle of Water Dao Origin, and that the comprehension was quite high, reaching the Third Level Realm.

His Water Dao Origin is only twofold.

But.

The wind-up animation is too slow.

Li Hao lifted his foot, his toes barely touching the ground, and his figure flashed by in an instant, a combination of Space Origin transfer and Return to the Ruins.

He arrived in front of her almost without her reacting.

A look of shock flashed in Gu Xingwan's fierce eyes, but she reacted quickly and was about to strike with her Sword Momentum in advance. Although her Sword Momentum was not at its peak, it was still stronger than Li Hao's hasty attack!

However, just as she raised her wrist, time seemed to slow down. She watched as her body suddenly seemed to lose its rhythm, and in the moment her hand remained motionless, Li Hao's fingers came together, a tiny, condensed Sword-Ray appearing at his fingertips.

It was the Azure Sky Immortal Technique that he had casually unleashed earlier.

Just like before, he lightly swept his fingers across her face, brushing past a strand of hair near her cheek, then with a flick of his fingers, his body vanished and returned to its original place.

All of this happened in an instant. When Gu Xingwan raised her wrist, she saw Li Hao standing in front of Gu Changming, his fingertips holding a strand of hair by her cheek, gesturing with his hand.

Gu Xingwan remained in place.

The Sword-Ray she raised shone like the bright moon, but she hesitated to unleash it. The icy temperature around her seemed to slowly melt away, and the powerful Sword Momentum gradually weakened until it dissipated.

Only the gentle murmur of flowing water remained beside the arched bridge, a profound silence.

Not only was Gu Xingwan stunned, but a glint of light also flashed in Gu Changming's eyes as he stared intently at the young man beside him.

In their recent exchange, compared to Gu Xingwan's imposing aura, Li Hao's attacks were extremely decisive, yet their subtlety was somewhat terrifying.

In addition to the Space Origin, it also possesses a considerable amount of power of Time Origin.

With the two strongest powers of the Nine Orders combined in one person, his granddaughter's defeat was not unjust.

"You--"

After a long while, Gu Xingwan came to her senses. This time, the way she looked at Li Hao had completely changed.

I lost. I actually lost, and I lost completely.

If it were a life-or-death battle, my head would already be gone.

Although she can Blood-Drop Rebirth, the power contained in her attacks at this level is by no means simple. It can completely restrict regeneration and even severely damage the Primordial Spirit!

Li Hao tossed his fingernails and blew a breath, watching the hair float forward before slowly settling on the Greenstone. He then turned to Gu Changming and said:

"Old Gu, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

Gu Changming snapped out of his daze and said, "Stay and have a meal with us?"

"Have a meal?"

Li Hao raised an eyebrow, but stopped in his tracks.

Gu Xingwan had regained consciousness. She looked at the relaxed and casual-looking young man, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Although she still had trump cards up her sleeve and hadn't activated her Heavenly Eye, no matter what, a loss was a loss.

Just as she opened her mouth, about to ask Li Hao what kind of Immortal Arts he had used, a dazzling light suddenly shone down on her head.

A phantom image stretching for countless miles unfolded like a scroll—it was the Immortal Merit Board!

The Immortal Merit Board, like golden waves, stretched across the sky, and countless people throughout the city looked up in astonishment.

The appearance of the Immortal Merit Board indicates that someone else has climbed to the top.

However, with the great battle just over, the ranking of Immortal Merit has likely just been settled, so it's not surprising that someone has climbed to the top. "I wonder who it is; another capable person is going to emerge on the Immortal Merit Board this time."

"Look! The golden light has split open in the middle—it's the newlyweds!"

"Who is it? Making their debut on the Immortal Merit Board, and already in the fifties?!"

Countless people throughout the city stopped and looked up in astonishment.

Gu Xingwan also raised her head. She had also killed Ancient Demon on the Frontier, but Gu Changming was worried about her safety and did not let her go to the front line. However, she had also hunted down quite a few Ancient Demon. In particular, Gu Changming used his authority to have the celestial army pass on Intelligence some lone Ancient Demon to her, giving her the opportunity to hunt and fight alone. This made her relatively safe and allowed her to accumulate a lot of Immortal Merit.

She also made it into the top 100 of the Immortal Merit Board, ranking 95th, with over 500,000 Immortal Merit!

At this moment, as the golden light dissipated, she suddenly saw that the name that appeared had extremely simple strokes.

Chong Er!