After Liu Long left, Li Hao debated how to allocate the remaining nine sets of silver armor. The armor could effectively defend itself against any being below Apex. The identity of a Silver Armor was also immensely useful, while the on-demand communication with Black Armors was also pivotal. Also, they would be recognized in any ruins that were of an official city that still recognized New Martial.
Various possibilities flitted through the young manâs mind; he was in no hurry. It was time to make more preparations for the City of Supernaturals, just in case it turned out to be a trap. Although he was bringing a strong team, the appearance of a true Apex or Immortal would cause tremendous trouble all the same. If he couldnât take the little tree with him, what about... other things? Like the puppets?
Inspiration struck the young manâthe puppets in Evenround Martial werenât weak. The Black Armor was strong, as were the puppets. The puppets lacked core origin and their bodies were made out of metal. Would the void also seek to cut them to pieces?
Even if it did, it wouldnât matter much. His domain of the five elements could help them stabilize the nearby void. Li Hao could barely sit still after the idea flashed through his mind. Safety was more important than anything, he had to be prepared for everything!
......
Evenround Martial University.
The Black Armor flew into a rage! Again?! Heâd thought that peace was at hand after a week of no more Li Hao visits, but here the young man was again!
Boom!
The void nearly split open the second Li Hao appeared. A robot cat abruptly smacked him, startling him so much that he quickly jumped through the air and disappeared.
The robot cat disappeared as well, breaking through the void with a rumble. Li Hao flashed into view, then disappeared again. He manifested behind the Black Armor, startling the man.
âThatâs enough!â shouted the Black Armor.
ââHe touched me!â The robot cat stopped with reluctance.
â......â Li Hao was speechless and recalled that heâd patted this robot cat last time before he left. Heâd simply found its shape cute as it had a cartoon catâs head. Who knew that the other would still remember this, and they were quite strong to boot?
There was no talk of martial dao battle methods, just pure strength. The pure strength of a puppet!
The Black Armor was equally resigned and took a while to respond, âHe touched a metal construct, not your body.â
â......â The robot cat went mute, those words were too sad to hear. It flashed back to the school gates and took an unmoving position, turning into pillars at the gates with the other cat puppets.
Li Hao wiped off nonexistent sweat from his brow, heart palpitating from the earlier exchange.
âSenior, is that one of the female cultivators from back in the day?â he transmitted to the Black Armor.
â......â So you know as well! âWhat do you think? Donât go around randomly touching or feeling things!â
These students hadnât been that old when they died. After spending so many years silent or sleeping, their personalities havenât changed much. Do you think you wonât be smacked for touching a girl in her twenties?
âDo you have a reason for your return?â
âYes, the Ninth Division leader of the Reserve Defenders wanted me to pass on the word that Battle Heaven is still fighting the good fight. They wish to reactivate the city, leave Silver Moon, and return to the main world.â
âHeâs still there?â paused the Black Armor.
âYes, do you know him, senior?â
No shit!
âAnd he didnât beat you?â
âWhat?â Li Hao blinked.
âI said, why didnât he beat you to death?â
â......â Li Hao was speechless. The heck man? I havenât antagonized him, why would he attack me? Granted, I was beaten twice, but not to the point of being beaten to death.
Judging from the young manâs reaction, the Black Armor understood that Li Hao didnât know the particulars. He said nothing further and inclined his head. âHe thinks too much. I might truly despair if I was the only one here, but right now... I still have my responsibilities!â
He didnât matter, but these puppets had been students in their time and were the descendants of exalted emperors. They were the Human Kingâs most steadfast supporters, so he had to bring them home.
Li Hao didnât mention the students, but they themselves ought to know that the Black Armor wouldnât give up. He might despair or rage against his circumstances, but he wouldnât give up because they were still here.
âIs that it? Did you revive the pagoda tree?â
âDo you know about that too, senior?â
âI sensed some of it,â the Black Armor said calmly. âThat was not a good choice. That guyâs family... forget it, I wonât speak ill of others. The eight guardian families were the core strength of New Martial, they should be worthy of trust.â
As for whether or not anyone had turned traitor, that could be left unsaid. He didnât want to speculate wildly. There might be traitors, but baseless guesses without evidence would only wound the feelings of the other main cities.
Li Hao could vaguely make out the connotations behind his words. Director General Zhao had spoken of them before as well. The young man didnât say anything and simply committed everything to memory.
âSenior, Iâm going to run a few errands, but it wonât be safe,â he explained the purpose of his visit. âI would like a senior student or several of them to accompany me. Iâd like to bring them out with me.â
âDonât even think about it!â
âAre you worried about the void churning them to pieces?â Li Hao furrowed his brows. âIâve mastered the personal domain and can isolate them from the void.â
âItâs not that,â answered the Black Armor. âTheyâre just puppets made from durable material and lack core origin. They wonât incur a backlash from the void, not unless they utilize their strength. However, the void may not be able to slice them to pieces even if they do take action!â
âThen...â
âItâs because youâre not qualified!â
Li Hao blinked.
âThey are reserve troops for the Demonic Guards. No one has the right to give them commands apart from the principal and Human King.â
The young man looked speechlessly at him. âThis is a misunderstanding, Iâm not looking to order them around. Iâm inviting the seniors out on a field trip with me!â
â......â It was the Black Armorâs turn to be at a loss for words.
âSeniors! Does anyone want to go on a field trip?â Li Hao yelled. âItâs a fascinating world out there and too boring in here!ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
A hundred puppets appeared in a split second. No one made a sound, but they all looked at him, including the robot cats at the school gates. Even the one whoâd hit Li Hao stretched out her cartoony looking head.
âThey are but puppets.â The Black Armor glanced at Li Hao. âNot to mention, you wonât be able to use them in battle if they enter the outside world. Their internal energy is depleted and theyâll need large sums of energy stones to fight. Do you know what the concept of a âlarge sumâ is? The one who hit you, for example, requires a minimum of five hundred thousand energy stones if she is to maintain her full strength for five minutes.â
Li Hao blinked. Five hundred thousand ancient stones... were five million modern stones! That was a crazy consumption rate, and for only five minutes! One minute was the equivalent of one million stones!
His head nearly exploded from the requirements. Were their needs so great? The ancient civilization needed energy to operate everything! Well, that made sense since how was one supposed to erupt in the absence of energy?
âThen... how is their strength?â
âStronger than you!â
â......â Li Hao was speechless. Of course, thatâs a given, I can sense that!
âDo they consume energy when not fighting?â
âVery little! Additionally, Iâm just talking about this. You have many thoughts rattling around in your brain, but allow me to remind you that if you really do bring someone out and they get lost or anything happens to them... my vengeance will be overwhelming! I will issue an order to all of Silver Moon for all New Martial existences to exterminate you! Do not play with fire!â The Black Armor felt that Li Hao was simply out of line. The puppets here werenât real puppets, but students of the university. They all came with great backgrounds. If Li Hao lost one or broke one of them, he wouldnât be able to shoulder the consequences!
The young man nearly reeled from the conversation. That harsh?? And this one probably wasn't joking! The little tree had mentioned before that this one could give commanders to the city lords of the eight main cities. He was just here to find helpers, not be a babysitter.
âThen... forget it...â
Hundreds of puppet heads snapped toward Li Hao. There seemed to be vicious glares bubbling out of them! Youâre the one who said youâre going to bring us out on a field trip, and now you say forget it?? Are you playing with us??
Hundreds of puppets immediately appeared around him. They didnât say a word, but simply clenched their fists or brandished their weapons. They were ready to slice and dice Li Hao at any second!
âYouâre the one who created this trouble for yourself,â the Black Armor remarked indifferently. âI told you not to do anything untoward.â
âItâs not me whoâs not bringing you guys out, but the dean!â Li Hao said with resignation. âI canât do anything about it either!â
What are you guys looking at me for?
The puppets promptly swiveled to the Black Armor.
âAnd what do you want to do out there? You have no bodies, so you can neither eat nor drink. You might get lost in a moment of carelessness and be unable to return. And what happens if someone smashes you guys?â
âTeacher...â
âDonât bother beginning, it wonât work!â he cut them off coolly. âDonât go mad alongside this fellow. He has his goals, what do you have?â
âBut... when our junior grows stronger... he can open the Star Gate!â
â......â The Black Armor stared at them. Li Hao was their junior now? Junior my ass!
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