Star Gate

Chapter 551: Wood Sword Aura (I)

After he killed all of the pirates, Li Hao left through the air. He could already see some balls of light in the distance.

......

Light Sword looked around with a frosty expression on her face. She’d still been surrounded after running for a day. More and more numbers of powerhouses were gathered around her—she was done for this time.

Did she have regrets?

There was nothing to regret. The only thing she might regret was that she hadn’t killed enough people. She wasn’t strong enough to deter people, and Silver Moon was too far away!

She grasped her longsword in her right hand; it stayed within the scabbard. Light energy emanated from her being—her body had long been dyed red with blood. Some of it came from her, some of it from the enemy.

“Hand over the Windchaser Boot, Light Sword!” someone shouted. “We do not wish to kill you. Hand over the treasure and we’ll leave you to settle the grudge with the Xus yourselves.”

Indeed, they were just here for treasure. Killing the swordswoman was a Xu family matter. Light Sword was plainly on the verge of death and Silver Moon martial masters were very difficult to deal with under such circumstances. They might easily bring down some powerhouses in a final stand.

It was a very arduous path to become a Nova. No one wanted to be dragged down by this old witch. When Light Sword advanced, they retreated, but didn’t leave. They dogged her steps like a pack of hyenas and would make their moves as soon as she revealed weaknesses. No one wanted to be the first to erupt in an offensive!

Increasing numbers of heavyweights gathered on all sides. Some wore masks, others wore cloaks, and some were dressed in armor like Li Hao. Many concealed their identities, wary of the Xus, those around them, and Silver Moon...

Silver Moon martial masters were a unified whole outside their home. They fought each other tooth and nail within the province, but often joined forces elsewhere. Killing Light Sword might draw revenge from other Silver Moon martial masters. No one would be concerned about this if the state of the world was as it was before, but that view changed after more Silver Moon martial masters left the province. Their displays of power demonstrated they were exceedingly domineering.

......

In the distance.

Li Hao had made it. He saw Light Sword surrounded by a group of powerhouses, they backed away each time she took a step forward. No one was leaving; the swordswoman was dead without a doubt if the situation continued.

The young man could see her ball of light—it was very disorderly and confused. This was the drawback of erupting after snapping the supernatural locks. Energy seeped out of the supernatural locks, causing mysterious power to erupt, which was then forcefully suppressed by the wielder...

He didn’t need to take a look to know that it must be a complete mess inside Light Sword’s body. There was also a peculiar strain of energy that seemed to be protecting the swordswoman and healing her organs, but it wasn’t very effective. That was likely light energy.

Li Hao did not draw close. He looked around and sighed softly. Damn! There were fourteen big balls of light around them, meaning fourteen Novas. Their weakest was mid Nova and there were two that were particularly eye-catching! This level of brightness was comparable to the four major monster spirits. It was stronger than the snake, but not quite as strong as the other three. Perhaps they were in metamorphosis, but were weaker than monster spirits. They should be beyond peak Nova!

“Two in metamorphosis, four peak Novas, six late Novas, and only two mid Novas...” Li Hao’s heart spasmed at his findings. His earlier bravado was completely gone.

This was insane! Where did so many powerhouses come from? He’d thought that it would be impressive enough to have a few Novas pursuing Light Sword, but this was so much more than that! All of the premier powerhouses in the nearby surroundings had come. There might even be more if not for the distance.

Was this really necessary??

The Windchaser Boots are just a heritage treasure of the eight families. How come not that many people come looking for me? Li Hao mulled the difference over. Perhaps... it was because they were wary of Silver Moon.

The crafty foxes of Silver Moon didn’t often make moves, but that didn’t mean that people didn’t know how strong they were. Hou Xiaochen was one such example. Although no one stepped up to protect Li Hao, one had to say that it was to the province’s credit that the young man was still fine at the moment.

First it was Yuan Shuo, then Hou Xiaochen, and now Li Hao was no weakling. Combined with protection from the province, it meant that no one would make trouble for him in Silver Moon. The stronger one was, the more one understood the dangers.

“Fourteen Novas...” Li Hao was at a loss for what to do. This was just the immediate vicinity! Who knew if there were more powerhouses hiding elsewhere?

The young man sank quietly into the sea. He’d been quite cocky earlier—it was better to keep a low profile now. It was easy for martial masters to hide themselves. Light Sword would’ve been able to do the same if she hadn’t broken her locks. Unfortunately, her wildly fluctuating energy made her easily detectable.

Within the sea, Li Hao thought rapidly on how he might save Light Sword. No matter how many powerhouses there were, he was not the weakling he once was. He was not afraid of such a force as he’d seen too many experts at the level of metamorphosis before. Hou Xiaochen and the others were such examples. Hong Yitang and He Yong also exceeded Nova when they unsealed themselves. The Silver Armors of Battle Heaven were strong enough to be in metamorphosis when they reawakened, and Gold Armors were even more valiant.

Having seen all this, Li Hao’s experience with the world was no longer what it once was. He made swift calculations and decided that the best course of action was to facilitate Light Sword’s recovery first. After she was back to her usual state, she would have no problem against those peak Novas and ones in metamorphosis.

As for mid and late Novas... Panther could take care of one and Li Hao could take care of another mid Nova, but that was far from enough. The caveat to all this was that Light Sword must recover from her wounds, or all of this was nonsense. He didn’t have as much battle strength as the others. It was only when Light Sword fought at full strength again that no one would dare match her.

Let’s see if I can get closer to her from the water... Li Hao stayed in the water and peered ahead, discovering that there was another late Nova underneath the woman. He was a water supernatural and the reason why she didn’t enter the sea at this time.

There were also enemies underneath her.

There’s too many heavyweights...

There was a real issue with helping Light Sword recover her battle strength. Someone’s voice rang in Li Hao’s ear at this time, “She seems to be at the end of her tether, let me do it.”

Li Hao naturally had reasons to be so confident for this rescue mission, but he still frowned at what he heard. “You’re one person and there’s so many Novas,” he transmitted. “There’s also ones in metamorphosis and this may not be all of them. Light Sword is half crippled now. If you take action, you need to kill them all to prevent further troubles.”

“I can try unsealing myself?”

“Is martial uncle not concerned about wasting mysterious power stones?”

“We’re all Silver Moon martial masters and fellow members of the Seven Swords. I’m the only one with some spare time on my hands in all of Silver Moon these days. Those guys in the central region are a bit too far away. When it comes down to things, I’m the only one who can make a move...”

Indeed, the speaker was Hong Yitang. With Li Hao’s level of caution and knowing that there would be many powerhouses on this operation, he came armed with a few preparations. When he left the ruins, he approached within five hundred kilometers of the Sword Sect to pass on a message. He’d wanted the man to follow and protect him, but Hong Yitang said that he could join the rescue mission.

The reason was simple—none other than the fact that they were both Silver Moon martial masters. As the Earthturner Sword, he should help when Light Sword was caught in trouble away from home.

“Martial uncle, if you unseal yourself as well... it’s not even a matter of mysterious power stones anymore. I may not have time to help both you and Light Sword!”

An unsealed Hong Yitang and gravely injured Light Sword was much more troublesome than a He Yong in need of help in the ruins. Light Sword was in a very poor condition!

“Let’s just go to that trouble,” came Hong Yitang’s response. “Li Hao, Silver Moon is not a big province and we do not have many martial masters. You may not have a deep understanding of what I say, but you will when you head to the central region. Those from the same hometown are still more reliable. It’s Silver Moon martial masters who are willing to take a stand for our own when we run into trouble. It’s because of this that Silver Moon martial masters are famous.

“Otherwise, going at everything alone... As strong as we are, we only have two hands. It’s right and proper that you demand payment from those guys, they deserve it.

“As for Light Sword... there’s no need to resolve certain grudges right this very moment. You can send your teacher to her if it comes down to it, but we still need to rescue her for the time being. Only then will large numbers of Silver Moon martial masters come help you if you need it in the future!

“I’ll draw their attention first and you look for a chance to remove her from the situation. Treat her wounds if you can, you don’t have to pay attention to me for now. However much you can recover is for the best.”

Li Hao frowned sternly. It wouldn’t matter if Hong Yitang wanted to unseal himself and make a move, but these circumstances... Li Hao couldn’t promise that he’d be able to swiftly help the two suppress their internal turmoil. They were also in very dangerous straits; the waters might hide big fish.

Neither was Hong Yitang his subordinate. The man was here not just because of Li Hao; he’d decided to come when he heard that Light Sword was in danger. The young man was just the bearer of some news.

As Li Hao mulled over his thoughts, waves churned over the surface of the sea.

......

Light Sword’s expression shifted slightly as she began to despair. Some of the powerhouses with their identities concealed also looked in a certain direction. There was a person approaching them, walking over the water with a longsword in hand.

Hong Yitang did not conceal his identity and approached in broad daylight.

“Earthturner Sword Hong Yitang?” someone asked coldly with narrowed eyes. Silver Moon martial masters had come? This caused many to scan their surroundings, but they only saw Hong Yitang.

“The Seven Swords of Silver Moon may not see eye to eye, but there’s so many of you ganging up against a woman. Don’t you think your bullying is too much?” Hong Yitang smiled.

“Too much?” someone snorted. So Earthturner Sword had come... how ludicrous. They might be wary if it was Sky Sword. What were they supposed to be afraid of with a long crippled fellow?