“Hahahaha, the damn blockhead has indeed won!” Li Weiwei laughed, clapping her hands.
Sha Yuan was also extremely shocked, and exclaimed, “This is too inconceivable. He could still win in this kind of situation? Strange, strange, this is much too strange!”
Meanwhile, Zhao Lun looked like he had been struck dumb.
For the sake of this battle, he had spent a whole 400,000 True Origin Stones. Just now, he had boasted wildly, yet now reality gave him a heavy slap.
Not only had Ling Han not died, he had turned the battle around and killed Wu Ziren!
He lost his man, his face, and also his money!
“Zhao Lun, what were you saying just now?” Li Weiwei giggled. She had never been a benevolent one. Since she now had the upper hand, she was naturally going to press her advantage.
Zhao Lun’s face was ashen. Although he was the son of a Great General, 400,000 True Origin Stones was definitely not a paltry sum, and caused him great heartache. Now, being mocked by Li Weiwei in this manner, it could be imagined how horrible a mood he was in.
“We’re leaving!” He felt shamed, and directly left with a flutter of his robes.
Yang Luodan quickly followed suit, inwardly anxious. Zhao Lun was not in a good mood right now, so when they returned, he would definitely vent it on her. Who knew how much she would be tortured this time.
‘This brat must definitely be gotten rid of as soon as possible!’ Sha Yuan stared at Ling Han, who was standing in the stadium. His eyes were flickering with killing intent. ‘And that stone slab. Exactly what kind of treasure is it that it can actually disperse the attack from a pseudo-Sun Moon Tier foe? After this lowly commoner is killed, aside from taking his cultivation technique, we cannot miss this stone slab, either.’
Only at this moment did the people in the Iron Blood Stadium finally release the restrictions, and were able to enter into the stadium.
Xiu , a female guard flew in, and stood at the top of the high flagpole in the Iron Blood Stadium, conveying an imperial decree in a dignified manner. “By Her Imperial Majesty’s command, Ling Han is summoned!”
“We shall obey your imperial decree!” everyone quickly exclaimed, appearing to be incredibly reverent and fearful.
Oh no, even the empress had been disturbed. Now, no matter what secrets Ling Han had, it was of no relation to any of them.
Who would dare compete with the empress?
Ling Han shook his head internally. In that situation, he only had two options. Firstly, he could hide into the Black Tower, and secondly, he could use the Absolute Beginning Stone to excuse himself. Although he did not want to reveal the Absolute Beginning Stone, in comparison, the importance of the Black Tower far exceeded the former’s.
Thus, he chose to use the Absolute Beginning Stone.
This time, it was not the Ninth King conveying a false imperial decree. Ling Han followed that female guard into the Imperial Palace. After passing through multiple layers of defense, they finally arrived at the imperial garden.
“Your Imperial Majesty, Ling Han has been brought!” The female guard half-knelt to pay her respects.
Empress Luan Xing had her back to them, her beautiful figure wrapped in a bright red cloak. Only her beautiful cloud-like hair was visible, draping over her shoulders, slightly showing her slender nape and a little of her earlobe. Yet, she was filled with an enchanting grace that could make anyone’s spirit and heart drunk.
Formidable and imperious, but also filled with grace and tenderness. Merely her rear view was enough to perfectly meld these two opposing sides perfectly. She was probably the only one in the world who could accomplish this.
Slight confusion once again rose up in Ling Han’s heart. The charm of this empress was really too much. Though he had tried his best to suppress the memory of her figure at the bottom of his heart, it was immediately incited once more with him seeing her now. Furthermore, the memory was 10 times stronger than before.
After staying with her for a while longer, was there really any man in this world that could resist her charms?
“That stone slab, let me see it!” Empress Luan Xing said. She was not at all reserved with Ling Han, and directly spoke up.
She was the ruler of the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire, and could give and take as she desired.
Ling Han knew that he could not possibly resist. Hence, he took out the Absolute Beginning Stone, and said, “This is something I obtained not too long ago when I was travelling outside. It can absorb all attacks.”
The female guard by his side received the stone slab from him, and took small, quick steps to Empress Luan Xing. She half-knelt, while her hands held up the Absolute Beginning Stone.
Empress Luan Xing received it, and directly held her index and middle fingers together to draw a line over it.
“En?” She released a surprised exclamation. Although she had not used too much power in her fingers, the attack was completely absorbed. This had far, far exceeded her imagination. She began to gather power, wanting to release a stronger power to test out the limits of this stone slab.
Suddenly, their surroundings darkened. Only Empress Luan Xing stood proudly, releasing an overbearing presence that proclaimed her sole supremacy in this land.
Too strong, she was really too strong!
Ling Han did not doubt in the least that if Empress Luan Xing wanted to kill him, he would not even have the chance to duck into the Black Tower.
The gap between every cultivation tier in the Immortal level was really too wide. To the present him, the Heavenly Body Tier was so far that it seemed like the horizon.
However, even after she had gathered power for such an attack, it still did not produce the slightest effect when the attack landed on the Absolute Beginning Stone. There wasn’t even the smallest ripple.
Ling Han thought, ‘This is the Absolute Beginning Stone. Only power of the Genesis Tier can damage it. Heavenly Body Tier would really not have much use against it.’
“Ling Han…” Empress Luan Xing began, yet she paused slightly.
Ling Han knew her intention. He did not have a choice, so he could only say, “I was just thinking to gift this amazing stone to you, Your Imperial Majesty. Please allow me to do so, Your Imperial Majesty.”
Humph, just treat it like a betrothal gift. When they got married in future, they would have ‘fun’ every day in return!
This thought passed in his mind, and Ling Han couldn’t help but feel stunned. Unconsciously, he had again been captivated by the charm of this Empress Luan Xing. Subconsciously, he had thought of taking her as one of his wives, but in truth, he had not even seen the real face of Empress Luan Xing.
This was too scary. How could there be such a seductive beauty? Shui Yanyu appeared to be graceful and elegant, but compared to her, they were completely of two different worlds.
Empress Luan Xing was very pleased. She was an overlord of this era, so how could she possibly open her mouth to ask for something from her subject? After some thought, she said, “Your cultivation level has progressed rapidly. In the future, you could become a pillar of support for our Empire, so I shall bestow on you the title of a ninth-rank military officer. You’ll also receive a salary from the empire!”
Weng!
Above the Imperial Capital, a change immediately took place on that totem, releasing a pillar of light that show towards Ling Han. Moreover, Ling Han’s name was added to the totem, releasing a brilliant light.
Was this compensation?
Ling Han sighed internally. There was nothing to be done. Since the empress had that intention, he could not refuse. However, it was not bad that he got an official rank out of the deal. From this moment on, he could draw on power of the nation to cultivate and boost his battle prowess. More importantly, now that he had an official rank, he was no longer a hostage!
It meant that he was finally a free man!
Chapter 1053 - Having an Official Rank
Translator: Henyee Translations
Editor: Henyee Translations
After being bestowed with his title, Ling Han was led out of the Imperial Palace by the female guard. Empress Luan Xing was very much interested in the Absolute Beginning Stone, and wanted to study it properly.
Ling Han returned to the Academy. Immediately, a group of people surrounded him, pulling him out for drinks.
Too astonishing!
He had killed his opponent who had battle prowess of pseudo-Sun Moon Tier; what kind of miracle was that!
“What, you have even now been bestowed the title of a ninth-rank military general by Her Imperial Majesty?” When they heard Ling Han reveal this, everyone was extremely stunned.
Even though Li Weiwei, Ji Yun’er, Lin You, and the others were descendants of nobles, they had not been bestowed any titles. In theory, they had the same status as commoners… Of course, this was only in theory. No one would really treat them as if they were actual commoners.
In the empire, official ranks were an extremely valuable resource because one could use the power of the nation to speed up their cultivation rate after receiving one. Furthermore, as long as they were in the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire, they would be able to use power of the nation to boost their battle prowess.
Additionally, with an official rank, they represented the dignity of the empire, and no one would be allowed to humiliate them.
Even if people like the Left Minister or the Seven Generals wanted to deal with Ling Han, they would have to first mobilize the Ministry of Justice to investigate if Ling Han had indeed done something that was against the laws of the empire. Only then could they apprehend him.
Otherwise, they would be challenging the authority of the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire, and would result in a punitive expedition from the great armies of the empire.
“This time, no one will dare make trouble for you.” Lin You laughed loudly. Patting Ling Han’s shoulder, he said, “I truly envy you, being bestowed with an official rank of the empire so quickly. Normally, if you want to obtain the title of a ninth-rank military general, you would have to kill at least more than 10,000 enemies!”
Ling Han was surprised, and asked, “Is it really so difficult?”
“What do you think?” Even Li Weiwei was slightly jealous. “Even my father is only at first rank.”
“… Are you sure you are not flaunting your father?” Ling Han asked, laughing.
“However, the rank of military officer cannot be inherited. Otherwise, it would be even more valuable,” Ji Yun’er said.
Ling Han nodded. Now, on the surface, he had really gotten a protective talisman. The official ranks of the empire only differed by being either low or high. They were all subjects of the empress, and no one could use the authority in their hands in a conflict with another.
Even if Ling Han now met with the Left Minister or the Seven Generals, he would only need to pay his respects as a lower-ranking officer, and needed not be reverent in their presence.
It was harder to say when it came to those below the surface. At least, forces like the Dark Night Hall had never recognized the authority of the three great Majestic Empires. As long as you could pay the right price, they would send someone out to dispatch your target. They could wait 10 years, 20 years, or even 100 years.
After all, to Immortals, their lifespan began from 100,000 years onwards, so wouldn’t their waiting for 10-100 years be similar to an ordinary person waiting for a few months?
They all drank too much. Shui Yanyu was especially happy. Now that Ling Han had been bestowed an official rank, the possibility that the Shui Clan would recognize their marriage was now much higher.
After they had had their fill of food and wine, they all dispersed.
Ling Han had created a plan. Since he now had an official rank, and had now got rid of the awkwardness of being a hostage, he could now freely enter or exit anywhere with no need to first make a report.
It was time for him to make a trip home to the Great Ling Empire.
He would bring great amounts of resources back, and fully raise the abilities of his three elder brothers. Additionally, he should also have his three brothers come out and travel around, going to various places and learning from experience.
Real elites were produced with true battles, and definitely not just friendly sparing.
There was also that disciple of his. He also had to properly teach him for a bit to do his duty as master.
He continued planning. Because only a year had passed, Feng Po Yun and the others would definitely not have broken through to Immortal level yet. Hence, the resources he had to prepare were all below Immortal level. In the Immortal Realm, these were really too common, and would not cost much money.
Half a month later, he would return to the Great Ling Empire. In any case, he had the Cloud Piercing Shuttle, so the journey would only take a few days.
The night passed. When Ling Han woke, he had a headache. Yesterday, Lin You, Ma Xing, and the others had forced him to drink a huge barrel of wine. Now, he was having a hangover, and experiencing a terrible headache.
Peng! Peng! Peng!
Pounding was heard from the front doors. As Ling Han went to open the doors, he cradled his head, and said, “Coming, I’m coming. You don’t have to pound on the doors so loudly so early in the morning, right?”
Creak , the doors were opened. At the entrance, there presently stood a beauty. Her beauty was not the slightest bit inferior to Li Weiwei’s and Ji Yun’er’s. It was precisely Gu Lingyu, who shared the title of one of the three great beauties of the Imperial Capital, with them.
“Why did you wake up so late?” This beauty’s expression was filled with reproach. “Let’s go!”
“Go where?” Ling Han asked.
This woman was a little overly familiar. In other words, she was ignorant of worldly matters; her head was only filled with what she wanted to do, not caring the slightest about whether this matter would be reasonable or not to others.
“My master wants to meet you.” Gu Lingyu pulled Ling Han along and immediately set off.
“Your master?”
“En!” Gu Lingyu nodded.
Ling Han felt like he was about to go crazy. When he said that, what he meant was ‘Who is your master?’, but Gu Lingyu completely did not manage to catch the underlying meaning of his words. Her brain really couldn’t turn around in the slightest, could it?
He could only ask, “Who is your master?”
Only now did Gu Lingyu reply, “The Deputy Head of the Alchemy Institution, Yan Xiaoxuan. Quickly, quickly, don’t make my master wait too long.”
She was practically dragging Ling Han along, without caring whether Ling Han was willing to go or not.
Ling Han recalled that she had once helped him out before, so he decided to give her some face. He did not resist, and allowed her to pull him along.
They walked here and there in the Academy, and finally arrived at a place. It was not very big, but from afar, a strange smell could be smelt from it.
The aroma of herbs!
Ling Han immediately recognized the smell. Any alchemist would be very familiar with this kind of smell, and he couldn’t help but sniff a few times. Instinctively, he began to deduce what medicinal ingredients were contained in this smell.
Gu Lingyu brought Ling Han to stand in front of a courtyard. They had not pushed the doors open yet when they saw the courtyard doors open with a creak. A young man walked out, wearing long snow-white robes.
This man was extremely handsome, and wearing his completely white robes, he seemed removed from worldly affairs. He was so spotlessly clean it was a little too much.
It should be known that since this was the Alchemy Institution, then they were naturally all alchemists here. Alchemists dealt with medicinal ingredients and furnace fire all day, so how could they possibly be so clean?
“Junior Sister Gu?” When this white-robed young man saw Gu Lingyu, his eyes immediately lit up. But when he spotted that she was towing Ling
Han over, a hint of displeasure immediately appeared in his expression. He asked darkly, “Junior Sister, what are you tugging him around for?”
“Oh, under the command of my master, I have brought him here,” Gu Lingyu said indifferently, obviously not at all aware of his feelings.
“Master wants to meet this brat?” The white-robed young man showed an expression of disdain. Their master was the Deputy Head of the Alchemy Institution, a great Seventh Tier alchemist. How esteemed was his position? Even if a great many elites of Sun Moon Tier wanted to meet master, it would have to depend on master’s mood at the moment.
“He is Ling Han!” Gu Lingyu exclaimed.
“Oh, so you are Ling Han. Hehe, you have been quite popular recently, haven’t you?” A hint of dawning realization appeared on the white-robed man’s face, but the expression on his face became even more unfriendly.
Ling Han turned to ask Gu Lingyu, “Who is he? An idiot?”
“He is my senior brother, Jiu Wuqi. He is not an idiot, but rather a genius!” Gu Lingyu had obviously not heard the mockery in Ling Han’s words, and was still explaining to him very seriously.
Yet Jiu Wuqi flew into a rage. “B-bastard!”
Chapter 1054 - Conceited
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Ling Han didn’t take him to heart. It was this person who had acted hostile and spoken in provocation first. As such, what did it matter if he taunted him back?
He had an official rank now, so as long as he didn’t do anything treasonous, even powerful figures like the Seven Generals and the Left and Right Minister couldn’t target him openly. This being the case, why would he still need to tolerate this stupid retard?
Jiu Wuqi didn’t relent, and even raised his finger to point at Ling Han. “Brat, what are you trying to say?!”
Ling Han shook his head, and said, “Pointing at others is very disrespectful, do you understand?”
Jiu Wuqi was infuriated. ‘You f*cking called me an idiot, yet you still have the face to label me as disrespectful?’
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 540