Mao Sui Recommends Himself!

Inside the ancient and tranquil side hall.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Xia Mang Tang knelt and bowed respectfully.

"Get up." A clear voice came, accompanied by a gentle yet irresistible force that lifted Xia Mang Tang from the ground.

"I haven't yet thanked the Third Prince for saving my Mysterious Heaven Sect's two Spirit Sword and Windfire, last time."

"Brother Spirit Sword and Brother Windfire have been friends with me for many years and have helped me a lot. Naturally, they cannot stand idly by when danger comes." Xia Mang Tang raised his head slightly and saw a young man dressed in a simple light yellow Daoist robe sitting cross-legged on the cloud bed deep in the side hall.

The man's face looked familiar; he had seen him several years ago.

Back then, he was the one sitting high on the throne, looking down upon himself. But the prodigy who had just left the Great Xia World to make his way in the world, following his master and elders to pay homage to him, is now... a Dao Ancestor.

At this moment, True Immortal Yu Lin and the two Celestial Immortals, Spirit Sword and Windfire, also arrived.

Since I was an outsider, I didn't feel comfortable interrupting, so I stood aside.

Watching Yu Lin Zhenxian, Windfire, and Spirit Sword Huo go from respect to excitement, and then excitedly leave with what appeared to be a jade object, Xia Mang Tang was in a daze, his mind wandering elsewhere.

How long has it been since my first meeting with the Emperor?

Five years? Ten years?

That's too fast!

It seems that when I first started cultivating, my progress was also very fast.

In just over three hundred years, he overcame the heavenly tribulation and became a celestial immortal, and was regarded as his father's most promising and outstanding son.

But when did progress begin to slow down, and why have we been stuck at the bottleneck for billions of years, unable to take that final step?

It seems that he surpassed the sixth and fourteenth princes to become the strongest candidate to inherit the next generation of the Great Xia Dynasty. He was then sent by his father to the Earth Ruins Realm to oversee the immortal base and wield great power.

Xia Mang Tang fell into deep thought.

Zhou Hao handed the turbid jade stone that bound Indra to Yu Lin Zhenxian and the others, instructing them to take it back to the Profound Heaven Realm and hand it over to Patriarch Mu Yang for disposal. Then he turned his gaze to Xia Mang Tang, who was standing there seemingly lost in thought.

"You're daydreaming here?" Zhou Hao smiled, not minding Xia Mang Tang's rudeness.

Speaking of which, when I first arrived in the Earth Ruins Realm, Xia Mang Tang was very friendly to me and even gave me a detailed information about the Earth Ruins Realm. He could be considered an acquaintance I made when I was still in a lowly position.

He always treated acquaintances with special favor and tolerance.

The sudden silence of the main hall startled Xia Mang Tang awake.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was distracted just now and was rude." Xia Mang Tang was so frightened that cold sweat broke out on his back.

To secure this audience, he had even spent most of his fortune on gifts, hoping to catch the Emperor's attention. How could he have been so distracted at this crucial moment?

"It's nothing." Zhou Hao smiled and shook his head. "We became friends when we were both nobody. I remember you hosting a banquet for me and giving me intelligence. If you have anything to say, just say it."

He had already learned from Spirit Sword and Windfire that the gift Xia Mang Tang presented this time was exchanged for more than half of his wealth accumulated in the Earth Ruins Realm over the years, and did not involve the resources of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Given the separate signature on this gift list, Zhou Hao guessed that Xia Mang Tang intended to leave the Xia Emperor and establish his own faction.

It's like in ancient times when the Xia Emperor left the royal Xia Clan, established the Xia Mang Clan, conquered the Great Xia World, and became the master of the Great World.

As expected, Xia Mang Tang prostrated himself again and respectfully said, "I request an audience with Your Majesty because I wish to serve under Your Majesty."

Zhou Hao nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

"The Three Realms are currently in turmoil, with the Wujian Gate infiltrating all sides. The Emperor is the Great Emperor of the Heavenly Realm, and his previous recruitment of celestial soldiers in the Heavenly Realm likely stemmed from a desire to quell the chaos and save the common people." Seeing Zhou Hao's lack of agreement, Xia Mang Tang continued, "However, as the Emperor is now a Dao Ancestor, it is inconvenient for him to take action easily. He needs a capable subordinate to lead troops to quell the rebellion and promote his prestige."

"Though I am not talented, I have served in the Xia Clan's army and studied the Yellow Emperor's Art of War. I believe I am skilled in military strategy, therefore I volunteer myself." Xia Mang Tang Xia Mang Tang deeply. "If Your Majesty does not reject me, I am willing to become Your Majesty's disciple and serve you through fire and water."

"Take me as your master?" Zhou Hao was taken aback, his mind racing as he pondered silently.

Previously, when he tried to recruit True Immortals and Celestials, he had to rely on the Withered Bone True Lord and the Poison Dragon Venerable to do so. Now that he has reached the level of True God Dao Ancestor, he no longer needs to do so.

Naturally, there are true immortals and celestial beings who want to surrender and become disciples, just like Xia Mang Tang.

Although he had no intention of taking on disciples, as Xia Mang Tang said, if they wanted to intervene in the war in the Human Realm, they did need someone to step forward on their behalf.

After all, he is now True God Dao Ancestor in name only, and cannot easily make a move. The opportunity to slaughter more than 600 true immortals and gods and collect countless resources in the Earth Ruins Realm is only available once, and there is no need to think about it again in the future.

Such a candidate is indeed somewhat lacking in status compared to the ordinary true immortals and celestial gods under his command.

Taking Xia Mang Tang, a descendant of the Ancient Imperial Clan, as a disciple would be quite appropriate.

Even if he establishes a separate lineage in the future, I can simply let him manage my territory, just like the Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor and the Xia Emperor did, and I can just be the one playing the game behind the scenes.

Thinking of this, Zhou Hao said, "I currently have no disciples. Once I accept a disciple, they become my first disciple, and I cannot treat them lightly. Since you have this intention, and your father, Xia Emperor, is an old acquaintance of mine, I will first accept you as a nominal disciple. After you ascend to the True Immortal Human Realm, I will then personally teach you. Are you willing?"

"Disciple is willing. Disciple Xia Mang Tang greets Master!" Xia Mang Tang said with delight, bowing his head repeatedly.

Although there is a big difference between a nominal disciple and a direct disciple, it means that the disciple is only nominally authorized and whether or not they can be taught the techniques and supernatural powers depends on the master's mood.

But who is the master I've been worshipping?

That was the youngest disciple of the Three Pure Ones, the fastest-cultivating prodigy since the beginning of time, and now a top-tier Dao Ancestor.

Just by observing that several leaders personally attended a celebratory banquet, one can tell how extraordinary Master is.

Moreover, being the master's first disciple, even if only a nominal disciple, carries a different significance.

Moreover, there is the opportunity to become a personal disciple, or even the founding disciple.

For a moment, Xia Mang Tang was filled with excitement.

"Get up." Zhou Hao watched as Xia Mang Tang performed another deep bow before standing up respectfully, a sense of joy rising in his heart.

Have you become a master yourself, with apprentices now?

He already had a good impression of Xia Mang Tang, and now that his status had changed, he found Xia Mang Tang even more pleasing to the eye.

Wow~~~

A short hammer, about three feet long, made entirely of purple-gold, with a square-shaped head, appeared in mid-air.

"Although you are my nominal disciple, you are still my chief disciple. Today, I bestow upon you the superior-grade spiritual treasure, the ' Purple Gold Hammer,' for protection. This spiritual treasure was given to me by your grandmaster when I first became your disciple. I hope you will make good use of it and not let it down."

Zhou Hao raised his hand and waved it lightly, sending the Purple Gold Hammer flying towards Xia Mang Tang.

"Yes. This disciple will follow your teachings." Xia Mang Tang suppressed his excitement and quickly knelt down to receive it with both hands.

"As for cultivation techniques and secret arts, I will not teach them to you for now. I will bestow them upon you later after I have understood your strengths," Zhou Hao said with a smile. "Now, tell me your views on the war situation in the Human Realm. If I were to put you in command of the immortal and demonic armies within Perching Dragon Gorge, how would you like to enter the fray?"

"The Human Realm is too vast, and my knowledge is limited, so I dare not speak rashly. I only have the deepest understanding of the Crimsonbright Domain. Therefore, if you want me to take action, I will start from the Crimsonbright Domain." Xia Mang Tang explained in detail, clearly having prepared in advance.

"Which great world in the Crimsonbright Domain?" Zhou Hao nodded.

The Crimsonbright Domain is the territory of the Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor, which commands forty-three great worlds. Among the True God Dao Ancestor of the Three Realms, it is a powerful overlord.

"Stele Mountain Great World," Xia Mang Tang said, enunciating each word clearly.

"The Stele Mountain Great World?" Zhou Hao pondered. "The leader of the Wujian Gate Sect in charge there is Green Fox, isn't he?"

The assassination attempt that occurred in Anchan City right after the Immortal Fate Assembly was led by True Green Fox, who was also an old acquaintance!

In the endless void beyond the Three Realms, a mountain peak floats in the air.

The mountain range is millions of miles long, and there are palaces on it, which is the cave dwelling of the great master ' Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor '.

Inside the magnificent hall.

The Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor, an old man with long blue hair, sat high above.

Below stood dozens of celestial beings and immortals, all gazing at a row of round, luminous mirrors in mid-air.

There are sixteen mirrors in total, each representing a great world where the Crimsonbright Domain is waging war against the Wujian Gate.

At this moment, all the gods and immortals, including Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor, watched the armies of immortals and demons fighting on the two mirrors, their expressions heavy.

"Stele Mountain Great World is going to lose."

"Senior Brother Di Hao's Golden Roc Great World is also in a precarious state!"

"The puppets of the Wujian Gate are truly unparalleled in the Three Realms. If they didn't have so many terrifying puppets... how could they dare to simultaneously launch sixteen battles?"

"They're just too despicable. Every time, they start with assassinations and infiltrations, turning the originally loyal immortal and demon tribes against us. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having such a hard time."

"Yes, it's a pity about Jin Bei Brother Jinbei. A dignified True Immortal, he was ambushed and killed by two Celestial Gods. Otherwise, the Stele Mountain Great World wouldn't have been defeated so quickly."

All the gods and immortals watched with concern.

Many of them, filled with righteous indignation, volunteered to their master, the Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor, wanting to personally charge into battle.

But Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor ignored him and simply stared silently at the light mirror.

They also understood that the wars currently breaking out were mostly in the larger worlds under their master's command that had relatively weak foundations.

At the top of the list, only Golden Roc Great World stands out.

If we lose our composure now and all the gods and immortals rush to provide support, what if war suddenly breaks out in other great worlds as well?

Perhaps the Wujian Gate Sect is just waiting for their master to act impulsively.

The Xia Emperor, who was incarnated here, stood at the forefront of all the gods and immortals.

Seeing the scene of the Stele Mountain Great World, where two more immortal formations on his side collapsed and hundreds of celestial immortals and tens of thousands of Loose Immortal Earth Immortal were slaughtered, the tragic scene made Xia Emperor unable to hold back any longer.

"Master," Xia Emperor respectfully transmitted his voice, "Have your disciple dispatch some immortal troops to support the Stele Mountain Great World. Your disciple's Great Xia World has not yet gone to war; it will be enough time to recall the troops once the war begins."

Since the last time Green Fox Zhenxian and his group personally assassinated Zhou Hao, Xia Emperor has found out that the ones who infiltrated his Great Xia World were none other than the Green Fox and Blood Lotus lineage of immortals and demons who are currently conquering the Stele Mountain Great World.

Xia Emperor understood that in the future, the Wujian Gate would be responsible for waging war against the Great Xia World, and it would inevitably be Green Fox and Blood Lotus who were in charge.

The war will begin when Green Fox, Blood Lotus, and their forces have completely wiped out and occupied the Stele Mountain Great World.

Whether it was to delay the war or to weaken the enemy's strength as early as possible, Xia Emperor believed that dispatching a portion of the army from the Great Xia World to provide support was extremely advantageous to him.

To everyone's surprise Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor Chiming slowly shook his head and refused.

"It's not that simple." Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor looked at Xia Emperor. "You haven't truly begun your battle with the Wujian Gate yet. If you only watch from the sidelines, you won't experience their methods firsthand."

"Do you think all the tribes under your command are loyal and won't betray you in the face of battle? Do you think that after you've dispatched a large army to join the battle and provide support, you can easily recall it and withdraw whenever you want?"

The Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor said in a deep voice, "Believe it or not, as soon as you move your troops, the Wujian Gate will immediately send a large army of puppets with equal or even slightly stronger combat power to reinforce you and hold back your army."

"At the same time, rumors will spread throughout your Great Xia World, saying that my Crimsonbright Domain cannot withstand the attack and the war is about to collapse, causing widespread panic. Subsequently, more tribes that are unaware of the truth will secretly turn against us."

The Xia Emperor remained silent, pondering for a long time before finally saying, still unwillingly, "So we can only watch like this?"

"Just observe." Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor nodded. "In each of the great worlds that are at war, the strength of the two sides is actually not that different. Occasionally, the Wujian Gate is slightly stronger, but only by a slight margin, which shows that their strength is also limited."

"The war has only just begun. Even if all sixteen great worlds are conquered and occupied, it doesn't matter. The Wujian Gate will have to divide its forces to garrison, set up formations, and build nests, which will weaken their strength. Once their strength has decreased to a certain level, that will be our opportunity."

"Then, we will take back the Great World just as they took it!" The Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor's eyes were filled with boundless killing intent.

Clearly, this powerful overlord was filled with rage, unlike his calm demeanor.

"In terms of sheer power and fortune, your Great Xia World is undoubtedly the strongest among the forty-three great worlds under my command. The challenges you will face in the future will certainly be the most intense and brutal. You must remember, do not act impulsively for temporary gains or losses, and remain calm..."

Just then, a true immortal below exclaimed in surprise.

"Look at the Stele Mountain Great World!"

Both the Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor and the Xia Emperor looked on in confusion.

In the mirror of light, a massive spatial rift suddenly appeared above the battlefield where the fighting was taking place.

Three burly, golden-armored celestial beings were the first to fly out from the spatial rift.

Following closely behind the three celestial beings, eight more figures flew out in succession.

There were eleven figures in total, all of them at the level of celestial gods or true immortals, each exuding a powerful aura.

The terrifying aura caused the Wujian Gate army, which was chasing and slaughtering the immortals of the Stele Mountain Great World, to involuntarily stop and look up at the sky.

After eleven celestial gods and immortals, the rift in the sky, tens of thousands of feet long, still existed, and a vast army of immortals began to fly out.

At first glance, it was indeed densely packed and endless, like torrents surging forth.

"Retreat!" A sharp, urgent female voice echoed through the heavens and earth.

The Wujian Gate army, already filled with fear and unease, immediately fled back to their camp.

In the main camp.

The Green Fox Immortal, as the commander, was filled with rage.

"Is that the army from the Heavenly Realm Perching Dragon Gorge?"

Looking at the nearly 400,000 immortals arrayed in the air, including more than 10,000 celestial immortals, the Green Fox True Immortal crushed the wine cup in his hand.

"Why did they have to come and cause trouble now of all times?!"

Thinking that they could have taken Stele Mountain Great World in one fell swoop today, not only is the duck that was about to be in their hands flying away, but if they don't quickly send reinforcements, they will be the ones who lose.

The Green Fox Immortal hurriedly entered the dream space to pay homage to the God King and request support.

If it were the Green Fox True Immortal and his ilk from the Wujian Gate, they would be gritting their teeth in extreme anger.

Inside the Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor's dojo, the True Immortals and Heavenly Gods were overjoyed to see the army of immortals and demons suddenly appear in the mirror of light.

"What happened?"

"Where did this massive army come from?"

"The three leading celestial beings seem to be the three demon kings, Dust-Avoiding, Heat-Avoiding, Cold-Avoiding."

"And these armies of immortals and demons..."

Just as the gods and immortals thought of that being, they saw their master, the Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor, suddenly stand up and greet a young man in a yellow robe who had just entered the main hall.

"So that's why a large army of immortals and demons suddenly appeared. It turns out to be Fellow Zhou Hao." Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor said with delight, "I was unable to attend the banquet earlier because of the fierce battles under my command. Now that Fellow Daoist Zhou Hao has arrived, we must have a good drink together today."

"Fellow Crimson Bright." Zhou Hao smiled as Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor led him to the seat of honor in the main hall.

"Greetings, Dao Ancestor." All the true immortals and celestial beings bowed in unison.

"No need for formalities, everyone." Zhou Hao nodded, his gaze turning to the black-robed emperor standing at the very front.

"Xia Mang, it's been a long time."

Something's come up tonight, so a second update is uncertain.