Star Gate

Chapter 257: The Terrifying Sight of One’s Back (II)

Li Hao opened his eyes with a long exhale. “What a pity... I might have made a full recovery if it was a Sunflare level blood pearl, but thank you to leader Violet Moon all the same!”

A variety of looks filled the crowd’s eyes. These effects... were incredible! The young man had been so gravely injured moments ago, and while he didn’t seem to be returned to full health, internal force circulated in his body again and his organs no longer bled or shook from strain. At the very least, it didn’t seem like his foundations were harmed anymore...

And this was just a Darkmoon level blood pearl. What about a Sunflare level one, or even a Solar?

“Li Hao, the previous matter really looks to be a misunderstanding!” suddenly remarked the Celestial spokesperson Ding Chen. “I asked Kong Qi—it wasn’t him who attacked you. Of course, it might take some time to undo the misunderstanding...”

He tossed a ring to the young man. “This is a new invention from the central region—a storage ring. It’s small, but can hold a large sum of one thousand cubes of mysterious power. It’s divided into five slots—you can store the same kind of mysterious power or five different types inside it. Let this be our compensation to you. There’s also one hundred cubes of fire energy within, the type that you need!”

Li Hao was rather taken aback, he was truly surprised! Celestial... is giving me a present? This is a wonderful item! Storage boxes were so big and bulky; they were a hassle to carry around. They also couldn’t store too much energy—a couple hundred cubes was their maximum.

So this tiny little ring could store one thousand cubes?

A startled Hao Lianchuan looked at Ding Chen. What was this fellow investing so much for?

“I have a small question,” Ding Chen continued. “Are blood pearls effective for all martial masters, or are they effective only for those of the Five Styles discipline?”

First he built up a relationship, then he gave a present. It seemed that the Celestial spokesperson was after this answer.

Li Hao frowned with thought, then answered, “It’s effective for all martial masters, but the breathing method of the Five Styles offers the best results. Those of other disciplines won’t have the same marked effects. If my discipline’s conversion rate is ninety percent, then the others will see at most seventy. However, the effects are miraculous all the same!”

He answered honestly as these answers could be easily obtained through experimenting with other martial masters. The marvelous effects of the Breathing Method of the Five Styles was a known factor, so there was no need to keep that a secret. People wouldn’t believe him if he lied too much.

Seventy percent! Eyebrows raised in the crowd. That was still very impressive. Violet Moon’s eyes narrowed and she looked at Ding Chen. What is your purpose in asking this question at this time?

“Is it effective for supernaturals?” Ding Chen didn’t seem to see her. “Can supernaturals strengthen their bodies if they absorb blood pearls?”

“It’s hard to say.” Li Hao frowned. “Generally no, it doesn’t seem useful even when paired with the Breathing Method of the Five Styles. But, that’s not to say that they’re completely useless.”

“Nonsense!” Violet Moon roared with fury. “How dare you speak nonsense, Li Hao! It’s true that the blood pearls are useful for martial masters, but they’re absolutely ineffective for supernaturals. They even absorb mysterious power instead!”

This last speculation absolutely could not become fact, not even rumor. The consequences would be unimaginable if it took shape. The general public was just curious for the moment. Martial masters were tempted, organizations that raised martial masters were tempted. But if it was said that blood pearls were useful for supernaturals... then Red Moon would face trouble far beyond what it faced now!

They would run the risk of being annihilated!

The three great organizations weren’t truly invincible. When everyone in the world had their eyes on you and treated you as nutrients... The dire consequences were easy to imagine!

There was already enough killing between supernaturals because mysterious power could be used to strengthen oneself. If scarlet shadows were more effective, then what was the point in hunting supernaturals? They would kill scarlet shadows, of course!

These things could be artificially fostered; there were even those who wished to charge into Red Moon headquarters and seize the method to create them.

Li Hao frowned at Violet Moon and said in a quiet voice, “I’m not spouting nonsense, I’m just talking about my findings. What are you in such a hurry to deny? Just give it a try to find out if it’s real or fake.

“The power contained by the blood pearls does indeed conflict with mysterious power to a certain degree. There are no benefits to be had from absorbing it under normal circumstances, and it may give the user more pain instead.

“But my teacher discovered that blood pearls can strengthen supernatural locks! I don’t know if the supernatural domain has made the same discovery that the stronger the locks are, the greater the potential released when they are broken. Therefore, enhancing supernatural locks is a good thing—but only for geniuses!

“If a genius’ locks are too weak and easily broken, they’ll ascend easily, but their foundations will be too weak. This is where blood pearls are useful. They can be absorbed by supernatural locks and make it harder for ascension. It’s the same concept as martial masters enhancing their supernatural locks, but without the need for martial training. It’s the same idea as how you guys raise martial masters in regular times!

“The key thing is that it saves a lot of time. It takes a few years to raise a Slayer, at the very least. But one blood pearl will easily take care of that!”

Some breathed rapidly within the crowd, others looked around with shifting expressions on their faces, while yet others grappled with a surge of emotions. Li Hao’s words were absolutely useless for regular supernaturals. Strengthen our supernatural locks? Do you take us for idiots?

But when it came to powerhouses of the large organizations, they knew more. Enhancing supernatural locks, for instance, and then shattering them did indeed release more potential. Was this why martial masters made for a much stronger supernatural when they crossed over?

Martial masters trained internal force, an energy that also strengthened supernatural locks. That wasn’t to say that martial masters are always stronger when they ascend, but that more of their potential was released, so they could aim for higher cultivation levels.

It was the aspect of nurturing martial masters that was time consuming and more trouble than it was worth. But if one blood pearl could resolve that problem, then didn’t that mean an ordinary person could take one blood pearl, break their locks, thereby skipping past Starlight and start off as a Darkmoon?

If that was the case, then this was incredible!

Ding Chen asked no more questions; his thoughts flew rapidly. Could he trust what Li Hao said? All he needed was to verify it through someone. He needed a candidate with decent potential, one that ascended easily but lacked strong foundations. They could take a blood pearl to see if that would turn this kind of person into a powerhouse with deep foundations.

“How do we send the blood pearl into the supernatural locks after it enters the body?” asked the Revolution King despite himself. “You said that it conflicts with mysterious power...”

Li Hao frowned without saying anything.

“You’ve already talked about the crux of the issue.” The Revolution King smiled. “Plus, we all know your true motives. Why don’t you tell us a little more?”

Did anyone here still not grasp what the young man intended? He spoke about all of this so matter-of-factly because he wanted to put Red Moon in even more difficult conditions!

“It’s not that hard.” Li Hao exhaled slowly and ignored the vicious glare coming from Violet Moon. “Those who can control mysterious power can suppress it and make room for the blood pearl’s strength. Those who cannot can just exhaust their reserves. Supernaturals do not have infinite reserves of energy. There is no conflict when their bodies are devoid of mysterious power!”

Abrupt enlightenment dawned on the assembly. It wasn’t that they hadn’t thought of this possibility, but that they didn’t realize it would be so simple! The key thing was that it was hard to exhaust their reserves at their level. They had no further questions since it was so easy.

“Then Summoner of Spirit...” pressed the Revolution King.

“Do you think I’m an idiot??” Li Hao roared with anger. “Only my teacher can reach that level, how am I supposed to know?!”

These guys were out of bounds! I’ve already spoke about so much, but you keep asking and want to know about Summoner of Spirit!

The Revolution King didn’t respond in the same vein, he smiled instead. It was fine if the young man didn’t say anything, they’d already gained a great deal of important information. Blood pearls could strengthen supernatural locks and enhance a supernatural’s foundations. To be honest, they knew much more at the Solar level and understood that at times, supernatural locks shouldn’t be broken just because they could.

It might lead to the supernatural’s death!

Many peak Solars or Novas wished dearly that they wouldn’t shatter further locks. It was usually done prematurely at their level and led to the supernatural’s death.

Blood pearls... Red Moon!

Violet Moon’s brow was furrowed as she fell deep into thought. She looked at Li Hao without censure or irritation. Could blood pearls really strengthen supernatural locks? She didn’t know!

Divine shadows were Ying Hongyue’s personal domain. Red Moon members were aware of their existence and that they were useful to martial masters, that was all.

If they could enhance supernatural locks...

The look in her eyes shifted as she thought of something. Was that why some Solars could fight five or six of their peers at the same time? Her leader was invincible when he was a Solar and nearly the same when he became a Nova. Were these revelations a factor in his strength as well?

Enhancing supernatural locks was a bad thing for many people, but it was wondrous news for geniuses and powerhouses. There was nothing more they wanted than to deepen their foundations. Continuously breaking through without thought would only end up in self-detonation as they reached beyond their means!

Everyone mused over this new information. What Li Hao revealed was very worthy of further contemplation. Not many knew of the scarlet shadows’ effects before this. Although many in Red Moon did, no one dared easily lose theirs. They belonged to Ying Hongyue! Who dared use them for personal gain?

Only a few people had obtained blood pearls over the years and they didn’t dare use them randomly. Eating one was the last thing on their mind. Only someone like Li Hao and his teacher were that bold.

Quiet descended upon the scene. Meanwhile, Liu Long and Liu Yan had been petrified by amazed shock all this time. They didn’t say a word while stupefaction and incredulity gripped their hearts. Li Hao was getting better and better at lying!