In tears, Ding Hao listened to the man in front of him, who was majestic and noble like the God Emperor, talk like a nagging auntie in the neighborhood. It was really hard to imagine that this man used to be the War God who had commanded the most powerful army on the Eastern Continent. He had outshone countless geniuses in this world and had once been a legendary figure who could even turn the world upside down.
At this moment, this legendary man was no different from an ordinary father. He was long-winded, as if he had endless words to say. He was no longer as calm as before. Although he was peaceful even when he was facing a deadly enemy, he was a bit at a loss what to do at this moment.
“Goodbye, my child. Your mother and I will always love you…”
His last words sounded. The light gradually dimmed and turned into a glow before disappearing into the void.
Ding Hao was very anxious. He stretched out his arms, trying to stop him, but he could only hold the air.
The smooth jade plate fell back into his hand and it felt very cold.
Teardrops were falling onto the jade plate.
Ding Hao held the jade plate carefully as if he were holding a peerless treasure. Then he carefully put it away. Ding Shengtan’s image was still in it. During so many years, this was the only thing his father gave to him. When he looked up at the starry sky, he could inject Qi into the jade plate. Then he could see his father’s image again.
Time ticked by.
After an unknown period of time, Ding Hao slowly recovered from the sadness as well as joy.
He carefully sorted out his thoughts and finally heaved a sigh of relief after quite some time. He became much more peaceful.
With a stir of his mind, he removed the inscription tactical deployment of words around the wooden house. Ding Hao pushed the door open and saw four or five men outside. Obviously, they had been waiting outside for a long time. The leader was the Third Divine Prince Ding Xinghua. Behind him were Busan and Busi as well as some white-robed soldiers including Wu Feng.
“You’ve come out.” The Third Divine Prince smiled.
Ding Hao was in a trance for a moment. The Third Divine Prince was extremely handsome and elegant, and his facial features were a little similar to Ding Shengtan’s. Ding Hao almost called him “Uncle”. After a pause, he nodded and said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
The Third Divine Prince sized Ding Hao up as if he were marveling at him. After a long while, he said, “Bro, you don’t have to be so polite. In the battle in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, if you hadn’t given us support, we might not win the battle. You are our benefactor.”
Ding Hao said hurriedly, “I’m flattered.”
Time was ruthless and peerless geniuses would grow old.
The Third Divine Prince was also a famous peerless genius 16 years ago. Now he was only less than 100 years old. For a God Realm Master, such an age was the prime of life, but there was some white hair at his temples. He was not aging physically, but it was a sign of toil on this former peerless genius under the pressure of fate. In the past 16 years, Ding Xinghua put in great efforts to support Ding Hao’s father.
Ding Hao could not help but feel a little grieved.
“What lovely relatives!”
Some chose to follow the demon and some chose to follow the Buddha. The 13th Divine Prince could repay kindness with ingratitude for power and status while the Third Divine Prince could give up everything for family affection.
“What did my uncle say to you?” Ding Busi couldn’t help asking him.
Ding Hao smiled, but he didn’t reply.
“Don’t ask things you shouldn’t ask.” The Third Divine Prince, Ding Xinghua, glared at Ding Busi.
Ding Busi was frightened. He stuck out his tongue and moved aside. Obviously, the peerless genius was afraid of his father, though he was bold and unrestrained in front of other people.
“This is what my eldest brother has left for you.” The Third Divine Prince handed over a simple small Storage Ring.
Since Ding Shengtan had told him about it before, Ding Hao did not refuse. He took the ring and sank his Divine Senses into it. There were only three small cards shining with purple brilliance in the ring. They should be the so-called Purple-gold Cards of Shengyuan Bank.
“May I ask your name, Bro?” The Third Divine Prince’s expression changed and he asked calmly.
Ding Hao hesitated for a moment, and finally, he smiled frankly and said, “My surname is Ding.”
“Well?” The Third Divine Prince’s eyes lit up as if he had thought of something. He didn’t go on asking about his name. He changed the subject and said, “What do you plan to do next, Mr. Ding?”
Ding Hao thought about it and said, “I’ll stay in Stone Mouth City for a period of time. I have friends in the city.”
“But this city will be very dangerous.” The Third Divine Prince reminded him. “The most dangerous place is indeed the safest, but it’s not always the case. The God’s Palace has begun to pursue us in various places. Once they can’t find any clues in other places, they will eventually think of this place. Among the subordinates of the Fake God Emperor, there are always many smart people. You can’t underestimate them.”
“I have a way to deal with them.” Ding Hao smiled faintly and said proudly, “Those people can’t do anything to me.”
The Third Divine Prince looked astonished, but he finally nodded and said no more.
“Your Highness, what about you? What do you plan to do?” asked Ding Hao casually.
The Third Divine Prince smiled and said, “We have to deal with some other issues. We have to temporarily leave this place.”
Ding Hao nodded and stopped asking about it. He suddenly thought of someone else and asked, “By the way, where did the two demon stars, Ice Demon and Buddha Demon, go? Why did they help us?”
This question had always puzzled Ding Hao.
The God of War of Mysterious Frost in the Northern Region and Lord Buddha from the Great Leiyin Monastery both came from the Land of Infinity. Why did they appear in the Hundred Thousand Mountains on that day? It was a bit too far-fetched to say that it was because the enemy of the enemy was a friend.
The Third Divine Prince shook his head and said, “I’m not very clear about it. It seemed that when these two people were hunted down by the God’s Palace, my eldest brother once helped them. They should have come to repay his kindness. After the battle that day, they left. I don’t know where they went. People like them are quite secretive in their movement and trace.”
Ding Hao simply replied, “I see.” He asked no more questions about it.
Both the God of War of Mysterious Frost in the Northern Region and the Central Region Supreme God of War were top God Realm Masters. If they could really stand on his father’s side, they would be of great help to turn the tide of the battle and change the situation of strength.
After thinking for a while, Ding Hao asked, “By the way, how is Feng Xingli now?”
On that day, Feng Xingli was engaged in a fierce battle against Huo Jun, and the two went to the Star Battlefield. Ding Hao didn’t know who had finally won.
Ding Busi’s face darkened. He shook his head and said, “There is news from the God’s Palace that Huo Jun has returned with serious injuries. There has been no news about Uncle Feng. My father went to the Star Battlefield to look for him as soon as the battle was over. Unfortunately, he didn’t find him there.”
Ding Hao sighed.
Since Huo Jun had returned alive, it was very likely that Feng Xingli had already died.
The Star Battlefield was vast and boundless. If one was lost in it, he could only return to the continent according to the coordinates that he had left before. Otherwise, other people could never find him.
“Thank you, everyone. I’m leaving. See you!” Ding Hao waved his hand and left.
After he walked two or three steps, there was a strange change in his body. From a handsome young man, he turned into a dark-skinned lanky man. In a flash, he disappeared in front of everyone.
“How skillful his change is!” The Third Divine Prince nodded slightly. It would be very difficult for the God’s Palace to find him since he had such means of disguise.
The Third Divine Prince knew that the young man intentionally changed his appearance in front of them in order to express his trust in them. If they met him again in the future, they could recognize him.
“Father, this man is very special. I feel that he might have an unusual background,” said Ding Busan, who had been silent, suddenly.
The Third Divine Prince, Ding Xinghua, nodded and said, “I agree. I’ve seen many heroes and young knights. Although I’ve seen countless people, this Mr. Ding has an extraordinary temperament and I can’t see through him… Mr. Wu, when you commanded the army in those days, you were best at judging people. What do you think of him?”
Wu Feng chuckled, saying, “Commander-in-chief, even you can’t see through him, so how can I? But there is one thing that I am certain of. This man is a friend, not an enemy. We can fully trust him.”
The Third Divine Prince, Ding Xinghua, laughed out loud and said, “Since you have said so, there is no problem.”
Ding Busi also nodded and said, “Yes, on that day, all the forces that appeared in the Hundred Thousand Mountains wanted to hit us when we were down. Only he could help us in such a desperate situation. Anyway, from now on, I take him as a friend.”
“Yes, he is a man worth making friends with.” Ding Busan also nodded.
The Third Divine Prince, Ding Xinghua, laughed loudly and said after a long while, “Let’s go. Let’s leave here.”
Ding Hao walked on the streets of Stone Mouth City, feeling relaxed.
After asking several passers-by, he found the general direction of the Red Stone Manor. When it was almost noon, he finally returned to the manor.
Seeing Ding Hao coming back, Shan Xiong and the others were also overjoyed.
There had been news from all channels these days. Some news was good and some was bad. Shan Xiong and the others were unfamiliar with the place and the people. They didn’t know how to find Ding Hao. They were afraid that they would ruin Ding Hao’s plan if they went to seek him rashly, so they could only wait anxiously in the manor. These days, the patience of the people who practiced physical cultivations was almost exhausted. They were about to go out and try their best to look for Ding Hao, but he finally came back.
“My Lord, are you alright?” Shan Xiong and the others were both worried and happy.
Ding Hao’s blood vigor looked somewhat weak. His face was a little pale, and he seemed to have been seriously injured.
“I’m fine.” Ding Hao waved his hand. He had changed back to his original look.
“Master!” Nalan Chu’s eyes were filled with tears. She said excitedly, “You’re finally back.”
Nalan Youxia in a plain white robe also ran over, grinning. “Good man, where have you been these days? I miss you a little… By the way, I’m hungry. Oh yes, cats, dogs, and grandpa have gone out to look for you…”
“Cats, dogs, and grandpa? What the hell are they?” Ding Hao was speechless.
At this moment, a white flowing light flew in at a high speed. The voice of the Demon King, Evil Moon, was heard from a distance. “Human Pet? Is that you? Meow. Hahaha. I have smelt your scent. You’re finally back. Where have you been these days? I was quite worried about you!”