Chapter 384: I Trust You!!

just the enthusiastic scene of students lining up for signatures but also the respectful demeanor of the city leaders towards scientists.The presence of the city leaders to personally listen to lectu...Chapter 384: I Trust You!!

Hao Ren silently followed Zhao Haoran, heading towards the palace behind.

As the "Supreme Emperor" of Donghai Dragon Palace, Zhao Haoran's residence naturally had a high level of specifications.

Crossing four multi-eaved pavilions with sharp roofs and then passing through a white marble balustrade spanning a river, stepping on dozens of high-grade spirit stones arranged in a small practice field that was ten feet wide and long, Hao Ren saw the signboard: Hongshou Palace.

The spirit stones were each polished very smoothly. Hao Ren's feet felt comfortable as he stepped on them, with his spiritual energy activating continuously inside him.

Dragon cultivators possessed dragon pearls and their innate talent to absorb natural qi could not be compared with human cultivators. Therefore, they did not need to rely on spirit stones for cultivation assistance. However, only a wealthy family like Donghai Dragon Palace could afford to use huge high-grade spirit stones as the bricks of the courtyard in front of the palace.

Using spirit stones so lavishly would definitely astonish cultivators above the Fifth Heaven Tier if they saw it.

The first time Hao Ren arrived at Donghai Dragon Palace, Chancellor Xia had led him to tour around but did not bring Hao Ren here.

Because this was Zhao Haoran's residence. Even when he didn't live in Donghai Dragon Palace, it remained a restricted area of the palace.

Four black-clothed guards stood still by the entrance of the palace.

Hao Ren looked up at these four guards and immediately felt an unfathomable sense. Often interacting with Su Han and the Lu sisters, Hao Ren could feel that these four ordinary-dressed guards were all experts above the Heaven Rank.

They were Zhao Haoran's personal bodyguards as well as his close associates.

Their gaze did not look at Hao Ren but rather was scattered around aimlessly, seemingly blending with nature.

Zhao Haoran took a step forward and led Hao Ren into the palace, once again letting Hao Ren experience what it meant by golden splendor.

In thousands of square meters of grand hall, eighteen columns were neatly lined up, all dragon-patterned golden pillars. The beams, brackets, and ceilings were also adorned with gold dragons. At the top of the hall was a square well decorated with coiled dragons, hanging a piece of Xuanyuan Treasure Mirror.

In the center of the grand hall stood a golden throne and a golden screen, exuding an imposing aura.

Zhao Haoran waved his hand. The four black-clothed guards standing outside the palace immediately closed the door.

Bam…

The wooden panels collided, producing echoes inside the palace.

Zhao Haoran took a few steps forward and sat on the golden throne, looking down at Hao Ren from above.

There were no civil or military officials to accompany them. Standing in the middle of what was like an open square hall, Hao Ren felt immense pressure as he looked up at Zhao Haoran.

"G-Grandpa."

Hao Ren hesitated for a few seconds before shouting. He had initially intended to call him "Ancestor," but thought it inappropriate at the last moment and changed it to "Grandpa." This was because Zhao Yanzi called Hao Ren her grandfather, so Hao Ren should also address him as such.

Zhao Haoran's expression did not change in the slightest.

Therefore, Hao Ren continued, "I cannot take on this position of Grand Marshal."

As he spoke, Hao Ren picked up the token and walked towards Zhao Haoran. Considering the situation at hand, Hao Ren couldn't refuse outright there and then, but now he had to return the token to Zhao Haoran.

"Hmph!"

Zhao Haoran sitting on his throne let out a cold snort.

A sharp aura immediately stabbed at Hao Ren's forehead. Immediately after that, a fierce energy rushed into Hao Ren's divine sense, causing him to retreat three steps and lose all thoughts temporarily, as if he had gone into shock for several seconds.

At the critical moment, Hao Ren desperately circulated his spiritual energy inside his body to clear the blockages in his Ren and Du meridians. Only then did his mind become clear again.

A very dangerous feeling emanated from Hao Ren's mind.

If Hao Ren had only reached the Earth stage at that moment, he would have instantly collapsed.

"Indeed, you've reached the Geng stage." Zhao Haoran said indifferently.

Hao Ren felt slightly annoyed. Such a ferocious way of testing was merely to gauge his level.

But if Hao Ren's level hadn't reached the Geng stage, that blow would have taken his life.

"Since you've reached the Geng stage, then I can proceed with the body infusion technique," Zhao Haoran said next and suddenly crossed his hands as he extended them towards Hao Ren.

Standing inside the grand hall, Hao Ren immediately felt a powerful spiritual energy surging from all directions towards him.

Hao Ren couldn't fathom this ancestor's mindset; however, since Zhao Haoran was in the same league as Zhao Kuo, he definitely looked down on ordinary people. How could Hao Ren stand there dumbly and wait for capture The sword beams of his Geng-stage Fenguang Jianying Sword Technique shot out.

Heavenly Talents Array

The 320 sword beams split into three barriers in front, middle, and back to protect Hao Ren's vital points.

"This is interesting," Zhao Haoran’s power suddenly intensified.

It felt like the seawater from all directions was rushing towards the vacuum area that was Hao Ren. Hao Ren’s sword beams had no chance of blocking; they were immediately surrounded by a thick spiritual energy.

Hao Ren once fought with Qin Shaoyang and knew how ferocious Earth-stage experts could be. And this time, he realized there was a huge difference between Heaven and Earth stages as well.

The maximum power of the sword array was equivalent to that of a Duan-level one, and it couldn't even withstand one second in front of the strength of a Qian-level martial artist.

Whoosh...

Hao Ren's feet left the ground as he rose into the air, carried away by this powerful spiritual energy.

Two hands, like steel claws, grabbed Hao Ren’s shoulders.

A gale blew inside the palace hall.

However, the four guards standing outside of the palace remained motionless.

Hao Ren felt that all his acupoints were sealed; he couldn't even shout for help.

All of his spiritual energy seemed to be pouring out like a river flowing into the sea.

Immediately afterward, an even more overwhelming flow of spiritual energy poured into Hao Ren’s body through his Jianjing acupoint.

This was a very refined and abundant amount of spiritual energy that surged fiercely into Hao Ren's narrow meridians, causing each of his acupoints to turn red and swollen.

This method completely disregarded any resistance from Hao Ren; it was an entirely forceful injection.

Hao Ren practiced the Splitting Sword Image Technique. Inside his body were the Five Elements Qi. Zhao Haoran poured in the most abundant and endless Primordial Water Qi.

If not for Hao Ren already reaching Geng-level and having a certain level of physical strength, such an injection method would instantly cause Hao Ren's body to burst apart.

Bang bang bang

The powerful spiritual energy made three dragon cavities crack open in Hao Ren’s Dragon Pearl.

"Your foundation is solid and your disposition calm. You are the perfect candidate for cultivation, destined to become a great figure. However, you have more than enough courage but lack dominance; it's difficult for you to become an overlord."

While forcefully injecting spiritual energy into Hao Ren’s body, Zhao Haoran said.

The Splitting Sword Image Technique inside Hao Ren’s body tried its best to convert these primordial water qi into metal qi, wood qi, fire qi, and earth qi.

"Zhao Kuang has grand ambitions but lacks decisiveness in battle. Zhao Kuo is invincible but lacks strategy. Zhao Kuan possesses unparalleled wisdom but his physical constitution limits his cultivation potential, only ensuring that he can maintain the prosperity of this lineage."

Zhao Haoran pumped out the scorching spiritual energy without a rush as he spoke.

"Is our Eastern Sea lineage doomed to decline Ah Zi is impetuous and unsuitable for cultivation or power. Zhao Kuo seeks the peak but has no intention of managing the Dragon Palace. The lineage of Zhao Kuan, with its waning dragon nature, only enjoys worldly splendor. I am growing old; who will uphold the grand scheme of our Eastern Sea"

The spiritual energy surging from Zhao Haoran's palm suddenly accelerated.

"The situation in the East Sea is precarious. I do not wish for the great general's token to fall into others' hands. Your power is still weak, but your heart is pure and devoted to the East Sea. Your cultivation is true and upright, as is your nature. Rather than let the position of great general fall into the hands of someone unworthy, I would rather it remain vacant. Before Zhao Kai returns, you will take command of the million-strong army of the East Sea for me," Zhao Haoran said with a gleam in his eyes.

Despite feeling uncomfortable all over, Hao Ren understood Zhao Haoran's meaning. He had no experience leading an army, but from the standpoint of family lineage, he was closest to Zhao Guang and Zhao Kai. To the East Sea Dragon Palace, he would be the safest commander.

"My lifespan is nearly at its end; I originally intended to pass all my cultivation onto Zhao Kai, not wasting a thousand years of effort. But he has flown far away and even failed to return in this critical moment for the survival or death of the East Sea Dragon Palace. If I were to pass it on to Zhao Guang, with his talent and ability, it would be futile; Azur's nature is unstable, and her level is too low," Zhao Haoran continued.

Hao Ren, whose body was swelling up, was greatly surprised by this—Zhao Haoran wasn't testing his physical limits but preparing to pass on a thousand years of cultivation to him.

By provoking war between the East and West Seas, Zhao Haoran forced Zhao Kai to appear. However, even under such circumstances, Zhao Kai didn't show up, proving that he truly had flown far away.

The East Sea took advantage of the gradual weakening of the West Sea and thoroughly defeated it because Zhao Haoran knew that if he didn't act now, there would never be another opportunity.

"I cultivated for a thousand years but ultimately failed to break through due to too much killing intent. However, as an old man who has ruled the East Sea for a thousand years and led a wild life, I have no regrets. This is the cycle of heaven and earth, and it's time for this retribution."

Zhao Haoran's hands were slightly trembling.

Hao Ren felt that the pressure on his shoulders was not as urgent as before and quickly steadied himself to turn around and look at Zhao Haoran. Compared to when he returned home full of energy, the current Zhao Haoran looked extremely aged.

While transferring spirit power to Hao Ren, Zhao Haoran sensed a very weak yet mysterious thread of spirit power circling near Hao Ren's dragon nucleus, perfectly suppressing the overwhelming spirit power beyond Hao Ren's capacity.

This was an inscription left by a cultivator far surpassing the Heaven rank, thus able to seal Zhao Haoran's thousand years of cultivation within Hao Ren’s body.

Zhao Haoran knew that Hao Ren must have another chance for greatness but didn't want to disclose it.

These cultivation skills might enable Zhao Kai to break through the Heavenly Dragon realm if passed on to him, but stored in Hao Ren's body, their future utility was uncertain.

"Believing that I am still alive and possessing formidable power, you must have reservations. Today’s matter is known only by us," Zhao Haoran took out a black longsword from an ancient ring and stared at Hao Ren: "This sword will be handed over to him personally upon his return."

Hao Ren received the cold, black iron sword with both hands.

Roar...

Zhao Haoran suddenly transformed into a coiling dark dragon in the grand hall. Rolling twice, he gradually dissipated under a starry sky to reveal only half a meter of his dragon soul.

Bang!

The ferocious black dragon soul charged into the black sword blade, turning an ordinary sword tip into a coiled dragon spike—Black Dragon Spear. Intense killing intent instantly spread across the sharp four-edged Black Dragon Spear's surface.inally not a cultivator from the East Sea Dragon Palace.From a structural perspective, the Four Seas Dragon Palaces were an alliance of four super forces, while the Dragon God Temple was an alliance o...