When he learned that Di Jun and the others had returned, Shang Yang immediately came up with a plan.
"Pass down the order: invite Lord Bai Ze to the Star Gazing Palace!"
The Star Gazing Palace was Shang Yang's residence outside the Sun Star.
But they were still some distance from the Sun Star.
Di Jun looked at Li Mo and said, "Li Mo, I'd like you to serve as a personal guard at the Sun Palace. You won't have to stay by Bai Ze's side anymore. Go pack your things later, then head straight to the Sun God Palace."
The main reason was that he wanted to hear Li Mo's thoughts.
Bai Ze was overjoyed.
Di Jun was showing favor to his disciple. As his master, Bai Ze felt honored too.
"Lord Di Jun, serve as your personal guard? Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Li Mo said, his brows knitting together. He was clearly reluctant.
[Dammit! Go to the Sun God Palace and serve as your personal guard? Wouldn't I have to go to war eventually? I'm not going. I'd rather die than go!]
"Hm? You dare refuse my elder brother's orders?"
Tai Yi glared at Li Mo, clearly displeased.
In front of the two women from the Moon Star, this little brat had actually dared to slight his elder brother.
"It's fine!" Di Jun smiled, signaling Tai Yi not to lose his temper.
At the same time, he continued, "Li Mo, think it over. I'm offering this because I was impressed by your performance in the Purple Firmament Palace. You did exceptionally well, advancing through several realms in a short time."
"Besides, as a personal guard at the Sun God Palace, you won't have to go to the battlefield. And I'll allow you to cultivate in the Eight Treasures Merit Dragon Pool every day."
His words left everyone in shock.
"What? Big brother?!"
Tai Yi looked utterly astonished.
The Eight Treasures Merit Dragon Pool! It was an Innate Supreme Spiritual Treasure. By his and Di Jun's estimates, it could increase their cultivation speed tenfold.
Wouldn't this little brat take off once he got in? Of course, it would consume an enormous amount of resources. His elder brother was actually willing to spend so much to cultivate him.
Tai Yi wasn't the only one stunned. Changxi, Xihe, and even Bai Ze beside them were all just as shocked.
At those words, Li Mo's eyes lit up like lightbulbs.
[This is the life! I don't have to go to the battlefield! And the Sun Star is a natural barrier. Ordinary living beings can't even set foot on it.]
[As for that ridiculous Eight Treasures Merit Dragon Pool, what does it have to do with me? All I need to do is lie back and enjoy myself.]
Di Jun's mouth twitched.
The Eight Treasures Merit Dragon Pool was the trump card he'd just played! And Li Mo didn't care about it at all. What he wanted most was to avoid the battlefield.
"Very well. Thank you, Lord Di Jun," Li Mo said.
"Good. We'll reach the Sun Star soon. You two return to your quarters first. Once you've finished, I'll send someone to bring a Fire-Repelling Pearl and escort you to the Sun God Palace." After speaking, Di Jun parted ways with Li Mo and Bai Ze outside the Sun Star.
Bai Ze looked at Li Mo as if he were a prized treasure and muttered, "My dear disciple! What on earth did you do to make Lord Di Jun like you so much? Teach me!"
What he wanted most now was to earn Di Jun's trust, so he could help Di Jun and Tai Yi unify the Primordial World in the future.
He'd planned to show off his own wisdom on this trip, but his disciple had repeatedly stolen the spotlight.
"How should I know? Maybe I'm just too talented." As he spoke, Li Mo flicked the fringe hanging over his forehead.
Back at their quarters, Li Mo lifted the bed and pulled out some animal hides from underneath. They were covered in Chinese characters.
"These are all masterpieces! The Plum in the Golden Vase, Bai Xiaojie, High School Student Bin Ge! Thank goodness I read so much back in the day. I managed to memorize all of it. I can even recreate most of the plots. Whenever I'm bored, I can read them again. It's the best."
Just then, a loud voice sounded from outside.
"Lord Bai Ze, the Star Gazing Master requests your presence."
"Go on back. I'll be there shortly," Bai Ze said, dismissing the messenger.
"Master, Shang Yang wants to see you?" Li Mo asked, putting away the rare books.
"Exactly. I haven't been under Lord Di Jun for long, and this time I went to the Purple Firmament Palace with Lord Di Jun and his brother. Shang Yang may have taken offense. I still need to build up my standing among the others so I can lead a million living beings."
"Shang Yang holds a high position. I need to cultivate a good relationship with him. If you've rested enough, wait here for someone to come escort you to the Sun God Palace. I'll go see him."
After speaking, Bai Ze turned into a streak of light and vanished.
Li Mo didn't have anything important with him. After packing up a little, he lay back on the bed and waited.
He'd barely closed his eyes to sleep when a low, piglike grunt woke him.
"Li Mo, the demon soldiers are being mustered in front of the Sun Star. Get out here at once!"
Li Mo was in a bad mood after being woken, and immediately cursed, "Muster my ass! I'm not even registered. What does the muster have to do with me?"
As he spoke, footsteps approached. Dozens of living beings had already entered.
At their head was Dang Kang.
He had a pig's snout, tusks, and a coat of brown fur.
He was a centurion under the Star Gazing Master, Shang Yang, and commanded a hundred soldiers.
"As someone under Lord Di Jun and Lord Tai Yi, the muster concerns you too. You've been absent without leave, which is a serious offense. Take him to the execution platform and give him thirty lashes with the Law Whip!"
"Men, seize him!"
At Dang Kang's order, several soldiers rushed forward and dragged Li Mo off the bed.
"Damn it, you dare mess with me? Do you think I'm an easy target?"
Until now, nothing had happened to him. He wasn't registered in the military rolls; he was merely traveling with Bai Ze.
Now someone had come after him. They were obviously looking for trouble.
Would Li Mo put up with that? Absolutely not.
He broke free from the two men restraining him and punched each of them in the face.
The power of a Late True Immortal burst out of him.
The two soldiers were sent flying.
At the sight, Dang Kang's expression changed drastically. He was utterly astonished.
Li Mo had already reached the Late True Immortal realm!
Behind him, the other soldiers exchanged bewildered looks.
Hadn't they heard that Li Mo was only at the Earth Immortal realm?
It had only been a short while, yet he'd already reached the Late True Immortal realm.
His advancement was unbelievably fast!
But this also gave Dang Kang the perfect excuse.
He'd already intended to drag Li Mo to the execution platform and teach him a lesson.
Now Li Mo had openly attacked his soldiers.
Dang Kang swung the sledgehammer in his hand, pointed it at Li Mo, and bared his teeth. "Li Mo, you openly attacked my men. Your crime is unforgivable. I'll kill you right here and now, and no one can say a thing about it."
Before you continue