Star Gate-Chapter 1641: United Opinions (II)

“I... do have another matter that I would be so bold as to ask the world master,” Li Hao said diffidently. “I wonder if... the world master would be willing to answer it?”

“Please be frank, little friend.”

Li Hao hesitated before saying, “Orchid Forest is able to hold out against Red Moon only because New Martial poses a great threat to Red Moon. Red Moon also seeks to preserve its dignity, so it doesn’t wish to openly conquer its allies!

“But if... that crucial moment arrives... it won’t matter if the world master has ascended to seventh rank or not. You will face the Red Moon threat all the same. It won’t be just Red Moon, but others who will be lying in wait for you too if you cannot advance!

“But if you do enter seventh rank... that will result in no advantage in this chaotic Red Moon Region. More than one seventh rank has already died, so I would like to know if the world master will ultimately join Red Moon?

The Orchid Forest master remained silent. Was this person from New Martial, Blazing Sun, or some other faction? Is he asking me about my future plans?

He could ignore the questions of a fourth rank to a peak sixth rank, but Myriad Dao’s identity was unknown. He might have a formidable faction behind him. Whether it was New Martial or Blazing Sun, neither were factions that Orchid Forest could provoke.

The world master thought for a while before saying slowly, “Orchid Forest resides in Red Moon Region at the end of the day! This region is named after Red Moon! An eighth rank is close by and might arrive at any moment. If I cannot ascend, then Orchid Forest must join Red Moon!

“If I can break through...” he sighed with resignation. “It will have to take New Martial appearing and standing against Red Moon. Otherwise, I will only be an initial seventh rank even after making the advancement. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“We are too close to Red Moon and have killed Red Moon exalted emperors. At that time, I will have to join Red Moon in order to protect Orchid Forest’s interests!”

Li Hao nodded. “So that means to say that no matter what results we achieve in Orchid Forest, we will ultimately join Red Moon?”

The Orchid Forest master remained silent. That was true! It was inevitable and there was no escaping it. Red Moon would never permit Orchid Forest to leave. Joining Red Moon was the only option.

The might of an eighth rank was too much. All that the Orchid Forest master was fighting for now was future profits within Red Moon. As for killing Red Moon exalted emperors, it didn’t matter who they killed when he became a seventh rank. Red Moon would not make trouble for a seventh rank master of a world and a crowd of exalted emperors over a few weaklings.

“Is there no way for Orchid Forest to maintain its independence?” sighed Li Hao.

“That would be very difficult!” the world master sighed as well. “We might stand a chance if the Red Moon master ignores Orchid Forest. But if he interferes, then we will never be able to stand on our own two feet!”

“Will the three major worlds around us intervene?”

“No,” the world master snorted. “They are fearful of Red Moon and of New Martial. New Martial is crazy—the Nether Moon master is particularly traumatized. He’s deathly afraid that the Human King really will kill him next time.

“The Human King killed the Utmost Dark master last time. It doesn’t matter whether he killed the right guy or not. The Nether Moon master will never dare join New Martial!

“New Martial is immensely powerful and Red Moon has suffered grave losses lately. They would be happy take us in at a critical moment and recover some of their strength. At the very least, that will make the alliance a bit stronger!

“The other three worlds don’t wish to weaken Red Moon at present. Who would stand against the threat of New Martial then?”

That was true!

Li Hao nodded, the Orchid Forest master had a clear view of things. Therefore, the three major worlds had representatives here only because they wanted to see if there were any pickings to be had. If not, then Orchid Forest was certain to join Red Moon and help the faction recover!

The young man fully understood. If Red Moon wasn’t strong, who would lead the charge against New Martial when they came calling?

In ordinary times, without the threat of New Martial, these masters of the world would laugh their heads off at Red Moon losing three seventh ranks. A weakened tyrant meant an opportunity for them to fill that spot. But now...

They would be dead without a doubt if Red Moon was weakened to an utmost and fell to New Martial.

“Then... we’ve killed a lot of Red Moon exalted emperors thus far,” Li Hao sighed. “Our status is less than the world master’s. If the Red Moon master really does take Orchid Forest in the future, won’t we be at the end of the road as well?”

“Not necessarily,” the Orchid Forest master said softly. “It’s normal for casualties to occur when two armies meet in body. Whether within a world, outside it, or in the chaos, there is no custom of seeking vengeance after the victor accepts a surrender. They will not punish exalted emperors for those who have died in battle. That would be such a blow to morale and easily cause rifts with the vanquished!

“Red Moon has devoured many worlds and taken in many exalted emperors. There are those who’ve killed Red Moon exalted emperors, but go on to live fine lives...”

It wasn’t just Red Moon who acted in this function, but many other worlds that did as well. They did not kill those willing to join them just because of those defeated in battle. The only exception was if war was conducted with annihilation in mind.

If recruitment was the primary cause, then everything was different.

“But have they killed as many as I have?” whispered Li Hao. “World master, I seem to have killed many!”

The Orchid Forest master didn’t know what to say. That was... true.

It’d only been a few days, but Li Hao had killed an entire group of exalted emperors that contained two mid ranks. And it was tough to say if the killing would stop there. In that case, his value as a fourth rank might not measure up to his victims...

“Whatever, things will always work out in the end!” said the young man with a smile. “I don’t have any other thoughts in mind—just one. If I can’t be saved, that’s fine! World master, my friends are only helping me. Red Moon won’t target them, will it?”

The Orchid Forest master wasn’t certain what Li Hao’s goals were, so he wasn’t in a rush to respond.

“In addition, can I ask about something else?”

“Please go ahead, little friend.”

“Can Orchid Forest break away after it becomes part of Red Moon?”

The Orchid Forest master frowned, what did the young man mean?

“I mean to say that if the Red Moon master leaves his world during the recruitment process, then can the world master flee with Orchid Forest in tow?” Li Hao said bluntly. “Can you roam through the chaos with the identity as an independent world?”

The world master’s shadow briefly wavered. Even his primary body widened his eyes. Who... was this person?! What did he mean by this?? Why would the Red Moon master leave this place during the recruitment process?

He would never leave now unless some more seventh ranks appeared at Red Moon. He also needed eyes on New Martial’s movement. How would he easily depart otherwise?

But what if he really did so?

“The integration of a major world takes time!” the man responded slowly. “This period of time might be a few months at the shortest and a couple of decades at the longest. It will be an initial integration at first—an eighth rank being in residence can accelerate this process!

“But if he suddenly leaves... then we can naturally break free if we pay a certain price!

“If there is a chance to be independent... does the little friend think that any seventh rank or master of a major world is willing to be at someone else’s command? They would lose control over their world and become someone else’s lackey. Go ask the seventh ranks of the eighth rank worlds—see which of them wish to leave. All of them do!”

That was a publicly acclaimed fact. They weren’t sons of the Red Moon master, who wanted to bow and scrape before him?

They would all leave if they could, they just couldn’t or didn’t dare do so at present.

What Li Hao proposed required a lot of moving pieces to come together.

First, the Red Moon master needed to leave in the process and didn’t swiftly return. Second, the Orchid Forest master needed to ascend to seventh rank. Sixth ranks didn’t have much of a voice.

Third, the whereabouts of New Martial needed to be exposed. Even if they weren’t, one had to be certain that they weren’t close by. Otherwise, the Red Moon master wouldn’t dare depart no matter how bold he was.

Fourth, changes needed to occur at Red Moon or the entire chaos. An opportunity like this would be hard pressed to come by otherwise.

The Orchid Forest master was already starting to suspect that these were powerhouses from New Martial. Blazing Sun and Crimson Flames didn't seem like a likelihood anymore. It was much more possible that they were from New Martial.

“I understand then, world master!” Li Hao laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t create trouble for Orchid Forest. In addition, I have another very minor matter to ask... Will it cause ripples in the great dao for you to force Orchid Forest to break away after joining Red Moon?”

The world master’s expression changed drastically! Ripples in the great dao... You have a lot of questions for being a fourth rank!

“It will! It most certainly will!” The world master nodded after a long moment of silence. “But those ripples don’t mean much so long as the Red Moon master is still alive. He will suppress them sooner or later!

“In addition, don’t place too much hope on seizing the dao universe,” he said solemnly. “No one will be taking it so long as its eighth rank master is still there. You’d have to kill him first!”

These guys weren’t thinking of claiming the dao universe, were they? That was impossible to do! They would have to kill the Red Moon master first. But if they could... why go to all this trouble?

A headache had well and truly set in. Some things were better off not knowing. Ignorance was indeed bliss and the best cover. It would be very difficult once everything was out in the open.

Even now, despite guessing that Li Hao came from New Martial, he wouldn’t make a move. He wouldn’t care and wouldn’t ask, and exposing them to Red Moon would be the last thing he did. Otherwise, that would turn into Orchid Forest colluding with New Martial to kill Red Moon exalted emperors.

That was a fault that he could not endure.

When that took place, it would be Orchid Forest’s annihilation and not recruitment!

So the Orchid Forest master could only hope for one thing, that this guy would stop talking. Don’t tell me that you come from New Martial, I don’t know what I’ll do after that!

Such was the tragedy of being a weakling!

He could do anything he wished if he was strong. But being just a sixth rank, he did not have the right or ability to offend anyone.

“What other conditions does the world master need to fulfill in order to ascend to seventh rank?” Li Hao suddenly changed the topic and asked something he shouldn’t.

The world master well and truly fell silent; he didn’t make a sound. What, do you want to help me break through? Are you able to? Or are you just testing me?

Li Hao understood the man’s reservations when a response was not forthcoming. “I can figure out a way to resolve the issue if you just need the dao strength of a sixth rank. You won’t even have to make a move—that will save you some trouble and avoid Red Moon’s vengeance.

“I can... take care of some sixth ranks!” His tone turned meaningful. “Even peak sixth ranks aren’t a problem!”

“......” Fucking hell! You really are from New Martial! You absolutely are!!