Dragon Region.

A minor world stood at the edge of the region’s territory. Its world master had been slightly vexed lately—two half step emperors of incredible boldness had popped up out of nowhere and dared throw their weight around in its territory!

As an exalted emperor, it was very easy for the world master to kill these two interlopers. But as the situation stood, there was more to these two than met the eye. Although they were half step emperors, they didn’t seem to be from a major world. And yet, they wielded formidable battle strength and seemed to draw from an experience of a hundred battles.

They were clearly a cut above the two-legged beasts within the world master’s territory.

The two were cunning and wily, even the world master couldn’t locate them. It’d found them once and even engaged in a fight, but the two worked together to escape.

What was more troublesome was that the duo was stealing large numbers of two-legged beasts. The world master didn’t care about the beasts, but without them, the chaos beasts and monster spirits started to refuse its orders.

Chaos beasts and monster spirits were used to eating their fill, but now that amount was much less than before. And the key was, the remaining two-legged beasts also started agitating, wanting to flee their villages.

That was... a headache indeed.

Chaos beasts were not skilled at administering worlds. The evolution and development of a world was more up humanity’s alley. They could turn a patch of desert into an oasis. Chaos beasts, on the other hand, were more adept at destruction. Were their subordinates supposed to develop a world?

That would never happen.

The world’s growth paused without the two-legged beasts. That was very uncomfortable for any world master as no one wished for their world to stop growing. Whether they ate or killed the two-legged beasts, they normally left some alive to facilitate the continued development of the planet.

The entire world was grinding to a halt these days—this was starting to affect the bottom line of the chaos beast’s interests.

“Those two bastards!” The chaos beast that resembled a rat griped with frustration. It would be the laughingstock of the chaos beasts if word of this got out. Two half step emperors were showing it up in its own home! How ludicrous was this?

“Have you found them yet?” It snarled at some half step emperors standing beneath it.

“Not... not yet...” stammered a half step emperor. “Those two guys are hiding very well. They didn’t show themselves even when we killed many of the two-legged beasts they took away. We’re concerned about impacting the operations of the world as well, so we didn’t kill all of the humans.

“However, they show up as soon as we leave and kill a large number of our people...”

With that, it looked hopefully at the large rat. World masters exercised control over the world, so logically speaking, it should be easy to find the two. But their master of the world... seemed powerless.

That was very confusing!

The big rat cursed to itself. One thing that set chaos beast masters of the world apart from humans was that their control over the world was weaker, since they were not native inhabitants. They were outsiders, so they weren’t as strong as masters of the world with local roots.

Those two guys were also skilled at hide and seek, making it difficult to catch wind of their movements.

The rat was fretting over how to find them when... another wave of confusion arose. It took to the air and sped for the world gate. Was a powerhouse passing by? A strong presence seemed to be drawing near.

......

Outside the minor world.

Panther approached it at an exceedingly fast pace. Hong Yitang’s voice rang out from the dog. “I can sense that we’re closing in on the Great Li king and queen. They should be in the world up ahead!”

Li Hao peered forward, finding a minor world that was only first or second rank. It was like a firefly in the chaos—tiny. Major worlds were as sizable as a massive sun.

A first or second rank world... No wonder those two are still alive. Whether it was the Great Li king or the queen, both of them had fought him in the past. They’d also exchanged schemes and wiles with Li Daoheng and Zheng Yu for a very long period of time.

Either of the two were the equivalent of a regular exalted emperor. For them to still be alive at this time meant that a simple first or second rank exalted emperor was no match for them.

Even though they were very far away, Li Hao could sense something different up ahead. A... peculiar strength of faith had been born in this world.

“I was wondering why these two wouldn’t come home. So... it’s because they’re really propagating faith here!” laughed the young man.

Though he’d guessed at it before, he was still impressed when he truly sensed it. Do those two know what kind of place this is?

It’s the Dragon Region!

They’ve got a bunch of seventh and eighth ranks here, whereas you two half steps dare start a dao of faith here and take in humans. You’ve got some balls!

Any exalted emperor passing by can smash the hell out of you if they’re irritated by what you’ve done. You’re really quite bold!

......

Panther soon drew near the world in question. A large rat hovered over it, sending its mental ripples toward the large dog.

“Which senior has graced my world? Does the senior need some food to stave off the rigors of travel? My world is too small to host the senior...”

The rat was very polite and courteous. Just as the previous beast had said, masters of minor worlds would voluntarily offer some food to powerful chaos beasts passing by. It was best that they left after eating their fill!

......

At the same time.

The Great Li king looked at the queen, the queen looked back at the Great Li king.

“Do you... sense that?” he said slowly after a while.

The woman rubbed her forehead, some dejection appearing in her chilly expression. She set her jaw. “I do, it’s... the Silver Moon dao universe!”

Fucking hell!

She wanted to curse everything in sight. Damn it! I’ve made my way here, but Li Hao still haunts me! What will it take?? He’s even here!

Indeed, the queen was certain in this moment that Silver Moon had come. Or rather Li Hao had come. She could sense some familiar presences and that the master of this world seemed to be welcoming someone.

It went without saying that the newcomer was likely... Panther. The dog was a chaos beast now too, so clearly, Silver Moon was inside Panther.

“It’s all your fault!” She shot a resigned look at the Great Li king.

The king stared wordlessly back at her. What does it have to do with me?

“It must have something to do with your ties to Celestial Pole. Celestial Pole can’t bear to see you go, so he wants you back!”

Bullshit! Celestial Pole’s the type to not look twice at me if I die outside! How would he come for me?

“It’s your fault!” he retorted. “It’s probably Li Hao who can’t bear to see you go. You’ve had a closer relationship than most with him...”

“How dare you slander this queen?!” The queen flew into a rage!

The Great Li king sneered dismissively. He’d been royalty back in the day, so he wasn’t afraid of the woman. What, you don’t want to hear the truth? Just think about it, how many of the young man’s enemies are still alive?

Me? I’m lucky because I recognized the situation I was in and surrendered to Silver Moon early on. It’s also because of Celestial Pole that he didn’t kill me.

And you?

You hid a bit of the heavenly will on you to the very last. You had ulterior motives in mind, but he still didn’t kill you. I bet there’s more to the story than we know!

The furious queen didn’t bother speaking more on this topic. She was also somewhat relieved at the same time. “If that guy’s here... he’s probably here to do something major. If the situation on this world is repeated all throughout Dragon Region, then with his heart of a wandering hero... he’s probably going to go on a rampage through the region!”

She paused and looked at the Great Li king. “Do you think he’s passing by or here to hunt us down? And then... have us work for him?”

Work for him? The Great Li king blinked. Do what work for him?

“Whatever, let’s go take a look!” The queen couldn’t be bothered with wondering more, nor was she afraid of this world’s master. Let’s go near the world gate and take a look. If Li Hao’s here, then he’s probably here for us.

If we don’t go to him, then he’ll have an excuse of us not respecting him. We’ll die if he smacks us even once!

......

Outside the world.

Panther didn’t make a sound this time; Li Hao transmitted mental ripples. “I smell something very good. Your world seems to have two guys that smell good. Offer them to me!”

He’s got a really keen nose!

The large rat didn’t know what to say. How did he smell that? It knew what the other spoke of, it was just... I haven’t caught them yet. If I did, I would’ve eaten them myself.

Naturally, it didn’t dare say anything to a passing mid rank.

“Please forgive me, senior. Two outside two-legged beasts have barged into my world lately... They are half step emperors, but I have yet to catch them. When I do, I will offer them to the senior...”

“No need, I can catch them myself!”

“Senior, there are powerhouses from Dragon major world patrolling all sides,” the big rat said apprehensively. “My world is not open to outsiders. The Dragon master has given orders that worlds with masters are not permitted to be seized!”

“Yours is just a first rank minor world. Do you think this seat will want it?” An intimidating note crept into Li Hao’s voice. “This kind of world isn’t enough for even one mouthful! And who would dare defy the Dragon master’s orders?

“However, has he not said that those passing by can help a world in need? You can’t even catch two half step emperors. What is wrong with this seat in giving you a helping hand? You do not thank me, but threaten me with Dragon major world??”

The big rat cursed to itself once more. But seeing that the other was a fifth rank, he really might not be interested in its world. It was just... still a hassle.

“Please do not misunderstand, senior, I’m just afraid of overly troubling you. I will report this to the patrols when they come by my world. The Dragon patrols will help...”

“How long will it take the patrols to reach this minor world? Are you sure that your world can maintain its peace before they arrive?” Li Hao asked sternly. “Are you questioning this seat??”

“I wouldn’t dare!” The big rat grew even more despondent. “It should be soon, given the routes of prior years. The patrols should reach my world in half a year at most. But since the senior is willing to help... then... you are welcome to enter my world...”

Basically, leave after catching the guys. The patrols will be here in six months at most. I’ll tell on you then if you don’t leave!

Meanwhile, Li Hao was also astonished that Dragon major world truly would send powerhouses to patrol the region. No wonder the chaos beasts in this region were comparatively more at peace with less conflict between them.