Chapter 480: Divine Bone Two Hundred
"Who is Chong Er?"
At the Great Dream Nine Abyss battle camp, elders of Nine Abyss and the top disciples of each abyss all gathered, looking up at the grand, majestic Immortal Merit Ranking. When they saw the newly revealed name in the golden light, they were all filled with confusion—none of them had ever heard of such a person.
"The previous rank 100 was pushed down. This is a newcomer who has never been on the list before."
"There's no one by that name in the other immortal sects, so they must be from the immortal army. It probably has nothing to do with us."
"Luckily, Qing Xuan killed a significant number of ancient demons this time, increasing his immortal merit. He is now ranked 98 and hasn't been pushed out of the list."
"Qing Xuan, along with Shuang Xue and the two elders, are our sect's only hope now."
"Our total sect merit has reached over one and a half million immortal merit points. In this battle, we collectively accumulated a million merit!"
"I just checked—among the Five Great Tianyi Sects, their gains have been tremendous. Huanhai Sect alone surged by nearly two million merit points, and with what they had before, they've now surpassed three million!"
"The others, Wan Shan Sword Tower and Xingchen Hall, are close behind, only about a hundred thousand apart."
"In comparison, we still have a long way to go. However, our total merit is finally catching up to some of the Tian Er Sects."
Everyone was engaged in discussion, while Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen both turned their gazes to their senior brother, their eyes filled with admiration.
In Great Dream Nine Abyss, the Sword Abyss was entirely supported by Ji Qingxuan. Among the Nine Abyss disciples, only Qin Shuangxue of the Spear Abyss could match him.
The other seven abysses had no one capable of standing at their level.
Though Ji Qingxuan brought honor to their sect, the current battle for the Immortal Merit Ranking wasn't just about individual benefits—it was tied to the prestige of the entire sect. They wished that more exceptional talents would emerge from the other abysses as well.
Unfortunately, they had yet to see one.
"This name, Chong Er, is quite strange. Perhaps it's not a real name. I wonder who this person is."
Lu Wuchen looked up at the Immortal Merit Ranking, his usually calm eyes flickering slightly.
Wei Hongye nodded, a helpless smile appearing at the corner of her lips. "A single person earning a million merit points… If only they could join our sect. With their contribution, we'd be able to catch up to Wan Shan Sword Tower."
"If they earned so much in just one battle but had never been on the list before, it means their merit wasn't higher than senior brother's before this."
Lu Wuchen shook his head. "To accumulate this much merit in a single battle, the only possibility is that they are at the high ranks of the Immortal Lord Realm."
By 'high rank,' he meant between the sixth and ninth levels.
"Immortal Lord high rank…"
Wei Hongye stared at the name. Countless True Immortals spent their entire lives striving to become powerful Immortal Lords.
As for the King Realm, those figures were lords of their own domains in the True Realm. Reaching that level required not only talent and cultivation but also rare and exceptional fortune.
Even obtaining the inheritance of an Immortal King or stumbling upon a chaotic divine treasure wouldn't necessarily allow an Immortal Lord to break through that barrier.
After all, an Immortal King could not necessarily nurture another Immortal King. Only those who had reached the peak of the King Realm or had stepped into the Quasi-Emperor Realm had some degree of certainty in shaping a new King through their own means and planning.
"Rest well while you can. No one knows when the ancient demons will attack again. If they don't return within the next ten years, then the rankings from this battle will be finalized."
Ji Qingxuan's expression was solemn as he spoke to the two.
Wei Hongye and Lu Wuchen's gazes flickered, their moods turning heavy.
"If that happens, then we can only rely on our junior brothers and sisters to achieve higher rankings in the Southern Territory Grand Battle."
"But that would put too much pressure on them."
Lu Wuchen clenched his fingers slightly, his eyes darkening.
"If that's the case, they will need to rank ahead of all the Tianyi Sect geniuses in the Southern Territory Grand Battle. Only then can our sect reclaim its former glory…"
Wei Hongye's mind flashed with the images of four figures—Yue Xi, who was stubborn and hardworking; Murong Qingwu, who was lively and cheerful; Gu Yan, whose talent was unmatched; and Haotian, the one who always seemed lazy yet remained an enigma.
Despite their different personalities, they shared one thing in common—they were young and full of vitality.
It was already difficult enough to compete with the top geniuses of the Tianyi Sects, let alone surpass them.
"If the ancient demons attack again, I will kill more… more…" Wei Hongye murmured under her breath.
Beyond the Great Dream Nine Abyss battle camp, other immortal sect camps were also discussing Chong Er, while tallying up and analyzing their own accumulated battle merit.
"A single battle earning a million immortal merit points… It seems we had a strong reinforcement present."
"If the ancient demons suffered such a devastating defeat, they might not dare to return for the next ten years."
"If that's the case, then this might be the final ranking battle for the Immortal Merit Ranking. We need to send word back to the sect, urging our disciples in the Southern Territory Grand Battle to fight harder. They're our last hope now."
All the immortal sects were engaged in discussion, secretly competing against each other.
In the Wildfire Camp, inside the Yinglong Yuwu Battalion.
Shi Tianjin and Huo Xiaoqi, along with others, looked up at the golden glow of the Immortal Merit Ranking. When they saw the name on it, their expressions changed.
Although they had some expectations when Li Hao left earlier, they never imagined he would rise to such a level in one leap.
Ranking within the top fifty on the Immortal Merit Ranking of Qinghe Mo City, where billions of soldiers gathered, was an astonishing feat.
This list included many powerful Immortal Lords—at least several thousand of them!
Breaking into the top hundred was extremely difficult. Aside from raw strength, it required actively participating in battle, continuously slaying demons, and risking one's life in the process.
"That guy…"
Huo Xiaoqi stared blankly, unconsciously clenching his fists. He had always considered himself one of the top talents of Huanhai Sect, even concealing his identity to come here. Yet, unexpectedly, he encountered such an extraordinary person.
Thinking about how he would be fighting alongside someone like that in the Southern Territory Grand Battle, he suddenly felt an intense surge of excitement.
…
In the secret realm within the courtyard of Shuiyue Hall.
Gu Xingwan turned her head, staring at Li Hao in stunned silence. A mere True Immortal third realm? Over a million merit points?
Gu Changming had long been aware of Li Hao's situation, so he wasn't particularly surprised, though he did feel some admiration. It had been many years since he had seen such a monstrous talent.
He turned to Li Hao and said, "The 1.92 million merit points from the battlefield have been reported to the Immortal Capital Royal City. Once His Majesty approves it, they will be added to your identity token. With your current merit, you'll have over three million in total."
Li Hao nodded. The 1.92 million merit points were an unexpected surprise. On his way here, he had casually glanced at the total merit of some of the top Tianyi Sects. Some of them hadn't even reached three million—less than him.
…
Gu Xingwan remained silent.
Another 1.92 million merit points still unaccounted for?
If those were added, what rank would he climb to?
She quietly observed Li Hao. The curiosity she had earlier about his immortal arts suddenly seemed unimportant.
Whether it was his mastery of Qingtian Immortal Arts, his overwhelming victory in their sparring match, or his absurdly high merit, it was hard to believe all of this was concentrated in a single True Immortal third realm cultivator.
And he was even qualified to participate in the Southern Territory Grand Battle, meaning his soul lifespan was under three thousand years.
"I've already ordered preparations for a banquet. Come, let's have a drink."
Gu Changming smiled and gestured for Li Hao to follow him to the main hall.
"Then I'll need some good wine," Li Hao said with a grin.
Gu Changming burst into laughter. "Straightforward! No problem. The food might not suit your taste, but I guarantee the wine will be satisfying."
Gu Xingwan stood in place, watching the old man and the young man walk away. Her expression was complicated.
Then, as if realizing something, her face flushed slightly. She let out a soft hum and followed after them.
…
The night sky was dark, with scattered stars twinkling faintly.
Gu Changming did not disappoint Li Hao. While the dishes were decent, they were not as exquisite as his own cooking. However, the wine—Drunken Dragon Chant—impressed Li Hao greatly.
Wine was also a part of the culinary arts. Li Hao could brew his own, but he admitted he couldn't produce something like Drunken Dragon Chant.
Drinking to his heart's content, Li Hao soon drifted into a deep sleep.
The intense battles and the three months he spent outside the border, always maintaining full vigilance, had left him exhausted. Now, he finally got a proper rest.
Gu Changming was slightly tipsy as well, but he didn't pass out. Looking at the sleeping boy, whose mouth hung open slightly as he snored, he chuckled.
"A straightforward and genuine kid."
Gu Xingwan sat nearby and frowned slightly as she looked at the sleeping Li Hao.
"Grandfather, why did you let him drink so much?"
"What, are you worried about him?"
Gu Changming glanced at her, noticing her ears turning red. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry, that boy's body is incredibly strong, and his immortal physique is top-tier. This Drunken Dragon Chant could knock out an ancestral dragon with a single drop, but for him? He'll be fine."
Saying this, he looked at the empty wine jars nearby and felt a pang of regret. With a wave of his sleeve, he put away the remaining jars and left.
"Grandfather?"
Seeing Gu Changming leave so abruptly, Gu Xingwan was taken aback.
Now, only she and the sleeping Li Hao remained in the quiet pavilion.
Mist swirled through the air, and the stars and moon hung silently in the sky.
…
When the blinding sunlight streamed in the next morning, Li Hao groggily woke up.
Surprisingly, he didn't feel any headache or discomfort. On the contrary, his whole body felt refreshed and full of energy.
Stretching lazily, he sensed a deep warmth and robust power coursing through him.
As he sat up, he noticed a soft blanket draped over him.
At the edges of the fabric, a small embroidered pig, round and plump, was stitched in white.
Li Hao chuckled to himself. With his physique, how could he possibly catch a cold?
He lifted the blanket and glanced around. Aside from the mess of empty bowls and dishes, both Gu Changming and Gu Xingwan were gone.
Unhurried, he got up, tidied himself, then leaped from the pavilion. Spreading his divine sense, he quickly noticed a slender figure practicing swordsmanship by the bridge in the courtyard.
"Where's your grandfather?"
He stepped forward and asked.
Gu Xingwan stopped her sword movements, turned to look him up and down, and asked, "Are you leaving?"
"Yeah."
"This courtyard is within the Shuiyue Secret Realm. Cultivating here enhances your comprehension of water-based laws," Gu Xingwan immediately pointed out.
Li Hao had already sensed this and replied, "I know."
"If you want to stay, I can talk to my grandfather and let you cultivate here."
"No need."
Li Hao quickly waved his hand.
"You—"
Gu Xingwan saw his eager refusal, and her delicate, elegant face showed a hint of annoyance.
"My grandfather has many responsibilities. Since he isn't here, I'll take my leave first. Just let him know for me," Li Hao said, waving a hand.
Before she could reply, he vanished instantly.
"You—"
Gu Xingwan wanted to chase after him, but she quickly realized she could no longer detect his aura or any trace of his movement. Shocked, she also felt slightly irritated.
Cultivating in the Shuiyue Secret Realm was a privilege countless people dreamed of. Even among her grandfather's disciples, only the most favored were allowed here.
"This ungrateful guy!"
She bit her lip lightly, stomped her foot, then remembered that he would be participating in the Southern Territory Grand Battle. A glint of determination appeared in her eyes as she let out a soft huff and headed toward the main hall.
She went straight to the dark chamber, where the immortal energy around her began to shift as she fully immersed herself in cultivation.
…
Li Hao returned to the Yinglong Yuwu Battalion. When Shi Tianjin and the others saw him, they immediately stood up and greeted him warmly.
After exchanging brief words with Huo Xiaoqi, Li Hao went straight back to his courtyard.
He activated his Dao Domain, extending the internal space within. Though the external area was only the size of a palm, the space inside stretched a hundred miles, turning his small courtyard into a vast secret realm.
He retrieved the ancient demon corpses and began cooking once again.
Time passed swiftly.
Li Hao secluded himself in his courtyard. Shi Tianjin and the others dared not disturb him. After all, he was no longer the same as before—now carrying over a million merit points. As long as his identity was clean, he could easily join the Chu Immortal Army.
With his daily diet consisting of ancient demon flesh, Li Hao's primordial spirit rapidly strengthened.
Six months passed, and his golden divine bones increased from 72 to 160. Yet, he still hadn't reached his limit, as they continued to grow steadily.
However, his primordial spirit's strength had undergone a drastic transformation. Just in terms of divine soul combat, Li Hao estimated that he could now directly contend with a low-tier Immortal Lord!
As time went on, he stopped focusing too much on the growth of his golden divine bones and instead dedicated himself to refining his ancient demon cuisine.
Having spent three months before and another six months now consuming demon flesh daily, even though the taste was excellent, he had begun to grow weary of it.
He sought greater enjoyment, striving for a deeper level of culinary mastery.
However, for now, there was no progress.
Li Hao remained patient. Each day, as he cooked, he reflected and refined his techniques, free from distractions.
During this time, the 1.92 million merit points had been approved and added to his identity token.
Combined with his initial 1.37 million merit points, his total had soared to 3.29 million!
His name shot up to rank 19 on the Immortal Merit Ranking!
At this level, nearly every name on the list belonged to veteran warriors who had fought countless battles in Qinghe Mo City. Each had a formidable record of accomplishments and was on the verge of being promoted to higher positions—receiving titles and noble status.
His rise caused another wave of shock across Qinghe Mo City. Countless people discussed the matter, and many rumors spread about the significance of his contributions to the decisive battle.
But Li Hao himself paid no attention to any of it. His focus remained solely on his culinary pursuits.
As he reached the one-year mark since arriving here, his golden divine bones had reached 200!
His divine soul power surged once more, becoming even more radiant.
Meanwhile, outside, at the teleportation platform of Qingcheng Mohe, three figures arrived through a transmission array, appearing as though they had traveled together.
"So this is the border?"
"What a massive city… The sky is completely dark. It looks like even the starlight has been swallowed up here."
"Let's find Senior Brother first. I heard Haotian is here too. Wonder how he's been performing? We can't let him surpass us."
The three figures stepping off the teleportation platform were none other than Murong Qingwu, Yuexi, and Gu Yan.