[Name: Li Hao]
[Age: 0 years]
[Cultivation: Mortal]
[Mastered Arts: None]
[Skill Points: 0]
The clear characters turned out to be a character panel that Li Hao was very familiar with.
The reason for this familiarity was because he had seen this thing in his previous life.
But not in reality, in a game.
When Li Hao transmigrated, he was just bored, casually downloading a relaxation mobile game from the Leading Ahead Store, and this panel was the character panel in the game.
However, at this moment, there was an additional attribute labeled [Cultivation].
Also, the age and name slots had switched to his current real status instead of the unchanged username: Past Becomes Wind.
As for the last [Skill Points], he felt even more connected.
Unlike the market's adventure exploration and card-based gaming epics, this game focused on relaxed entertainment.
There was no battle system, no battle equipment, only flamboyant fancy costumes and various artistic relaxation entertainments.
Like chess, fishing, painting, carving, and so on.
You could also watch movies and play poker.
The serious kind.
There were no wild monsters, nor could you battle.
Different skill enhancements would accumulate [Skill Points], each skill point could directly enhance the art level, unlocking more gameplay.
Unexpectedly, upon transmigration, this thing came along as well.
Wait a minute.
*Could this thing really want me to become a full-time life master just like in the game?!*
Li Hao was a bit stunned and speechless.
*This is the Fleeting World, what good is art!*
*I need to fight!*
...
...
"Report—"
As Li Hao was immersed in the shock of the panel, an ear-piercing military report suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard.
A Li Family private soldier rushed into the courtyard, quickly shattering the peaceful and joyful atmosphere. He knelt on one knee before Marquis Xingwu and swiftly reported,
"Marquis, Northern Yan is in turmoil, Prince Pingcheng has colluded with demons and slaughtered the border city Mofeng City and eight surrounding small towns. Emperor Yu has decreed that you depart immediately to quell the rebellion!"
The gazes of the prominent families and ladies in the courtyard immediately focused on Marquis Xingwu, each with a different expression.
Li Hao snapped back to reality, a bit surprised.
*How could there be another war in just a few months?*
The smile disappeared from Marquis Xingwu's face, now filled with a killing aura. His eyes were as sharp as cold lightning as he stared at the private soldier in front of him, then slowly stood up.
Seemingly sensing something, he looked over at Li Hao, making eye contact with his wife.
The killing intent in the man's eyes dissipated, showing an apologetic expression, "Qingqing, you accompany Hao Er for his hundred-day banquet, I'll make a quick trip and return."
Ji Qingqing's face turned slightly grim. She turned and handed Li Hao to the Fifth Lady beside her, looking at the baby in swaddling clothes. Ji Qingqing had a feeling, almost as if the child was seriously looking at her, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
She was momentarily dazed, dismissing it as an illusion. After all, the child was only a few months old, what could he know about farewells?
"Mom will be back soon, be good," Ji Qingqing gently stroked Li Hao's forehead, also filled with reluctance in her eyes.
But then she resolutely walked toward Marquis Xingwu, "This trip is dangerous, I will go with you!"
Marquis Xingwu immediately shook his head, "You stay to accompany Hao Er, he's still young and needs you to take care of him."
"I'm a general in the army, the commander has already arrived, how can I be absent?"
Ji Qingqing's eyes were solemn, "Prince Pingcheng is cunning and sly, enduring in silence for years, but now acting suddenly, I'm worried there's something else going on. Let me accompany you instead."
Marquis Xingwu stared at her, knowing his wife's stubborn character, sighed, and didn't try to persuade anymore, "Fine, then I'll leave Hao Er in the care of my sister-in-law and the others, we'll be back as soon as possible."
"You must be careful."
The first wife walked over, worried, and said, "Rest assured, we'll take care of Hao Er, no need to worry."
"Thank you, sister-in-law."
Marquis Xingwu smiled slightly, then turned around and commanded, "Prepare the horses, gather the Fazi Camp soldiers, come with me!"
Being a military family, they were accustomed to acting swiftly when going on campaigns. The couple soon led a team of private soldiers out of the mansion, hurrying overnight toward the Northern Yan border camp.
That was the land where the Li Family had been fighting for many years. They were most familiar with its terrain, environment, demons, and opponents, as it was under the Li Family's guardianship.
It was precisely because of this that Ji Qingqing decided to accompany him.
There were many eyes in the courtyard, so there was one thing she didn't say publicly. Why did Emperor Yu receive the news of the Northern Yan riot before they did?
...
...
Early winter, Qingzhou City welcomed its first snowfall.
More than a year had passed since the hundred-day banquet, and Li Hao was already one and a half.
His parents were still on the battlefield in Northern Yan, and from the secret reports in the Li Family Army, the situation there was a stalemate, seemingly turning into a protracted conflict.
At this moment,
the one-and-a-half-year-old Li Hao stood alone in the Mountain and River Courtyard, hands behind his back like a little adult, staring at the goose feather snowflakes falling all over.
He didn't know how the little girl who became his mother was faring in Northern Yan.
The house servants and maids around him were no longer surprised by the little master's behavior.
Though Li Hao had just turned one, his reputation as a prodigy had already spread within the Li Mansion.
Since he started babbling sounds at half a year old, Li Hao hadn't wet the bed again.
While other children cried and yelled, the little master could already use simple words like "eat" and "poop" to remind the wet nurses to feed and clean him.
By the time he was one, other children were just starting to learn to walk, but little master Li Hao was already running around, pointing at the words in books, getting the servants to read to him, and teaching himself to read.
Not crying or fussing, but intelligent and understanding, this was the impression the house servants and maids had of this little master.
"Second Madam, the little master is over here."
At this moment, a graceful and noble figure entered the courtyard.
Seeing Li Hao standing alone in the snowy courtyard, the beautiful woman raised her brows, immediately scolding, "How are you taking care of the little master, not afraid of letting the master catch a cold in such snowy weather?!"
The house servants and maids around were startled, hurriedly kneeling.
The leading steward nervously said, "Reporting to Second Madam, it- it was the little master who wanted to watch the snow himself, told us not to disturb him…"
"The master is still a child, whatever he says goes? If he tells you to die, will you die?!"
Second Madam's face turned angry as she quickly stepped over to Li Hao, picking him up in her arms, using her hand to pat the snow off his head,
"Even if the little master wants to watch the snow, can't you hold an umbrella for him, and still dress so thinly, it seems you don't want to live!"
Everyone was instantly drenched in cold sweat, not daring to breathe heavily.
"Second Mom, don't blame them, I told them not to come over." Li Hao said helplessly.
Since his parents had gone to the battlefield in Northern Yan, he had been taken care of by the various madams in turn, each treating him very well. The Second Madam, Liu, was gentle but extremely strict with the servants. If he didn't speak up, the servants serving him wouldn't escape a beating.
Liu Yue Rong's eyes flickered with light as she heard Li Hao's clear words. With a slight snort, she said,
"I'll spare you this time for Hao Er's sake, but if I see it again, you'll experience the winter cold in the lake!"
After speaking, she turned her face and warmly said to Li Hao, "Hao Er, Second Mom will take you to eat something delicious. This child, why aren't you wearing more? Even though the emperor gave you the Dragon Blood Jade, what if you get sick…"
Rambling and filled with concern, she carried Li Hao out of the courtyard.
Li Hao was already used to it, letting her carry him.
After a while, Liu Yue Rong took Li Hao to the Shuihua Courtyard.
In the courtyard, a four or five-year-old child was swinging a wooden sword, impressively turning the sword into a twinkling flower, looking very skillful.
This was Second Madam's only son, Li Qianfeng.
At his young age, his eyes showed focus and determination.
Next to him, a burly middle-aged man was instructing him, nodding frequently.
Li Hao knew he was one of Li Qianfeng's seven military instructors, solely teaching him swordsmanship.
Seeing Second Madam approaching, the burly middle-aged man quickly bowed, glancing at the Li Hao in her arms, knowing he was the Qilin Child bestowed the name by Emperor Yu. After his aptitude test in the future, he might not be any less than Li Qianfeng, whom he was teaching.
The child practicing swordsmanship did not get distracted by his mother's arrival and remained focused.
Liu Yue Rong did not disturb him, nodding slightly to the burly middle-aged man, carrying Li Hao over to the nearby pavilion.
The pavilion table was laid with precious fresh fruits and crispy desserts.
Liu Yue Rong fed Li Hao while watching her child practice swordsmanship, her eyes shimmering with light. Before long, she was lost in thought, forgetting to feed him.
"Is this the Li Family's best swordsmanship, 'Endless Sea'?"
Li Hao curiously observed with his little eyes.
This Second Madam's child, it was said, had already been tested for his bones and had outstanding talent.
*I wonder what my future aptitude test will be like?*
In the courtyard, the five-year-old Li Qianfeng practiced earnestly, although he was only practicing his posture, his stances were standard, which made the burly middle-aged man nod repeatedly in praise.
However, the child's face showed no joy, remaining focused.
"Once more!"
Although the burly middle-aged man praised, his teaching was extremely rigorous.
The child started practicing again from the beginning, his movements skillful, evidently well-practiced.
Li Hao was transfixed. Suddenly, a message popped up before his eyes.
"Basic level learned. Record it?"
What?!
Li Hao was startled and instinctively chose yes.
"Recording successful!"
At that moment, the panel popped up before his eyes.
[Name: Li Hao]
[Age: 1 year]
[Cultivation: Mortal]
[Sword Dao: Beginner (Can add points)]
[Skill: Endless Sea・Tide (Beginner) [Locked]]
[Mastered Arts: Chess Tao]
[Chess Tao: First Dan (82/500) (Can add points)]
[Chess Manual Collection: 0]
[Skill Points: 1]
During this year, Li Hao had been trying to explore his panel, but due to being so young and unable to show too much early prodigiousness, what he could test was limited, and luckily there was a chessboard in the mansion.
At six months old, he lay on the chessboard, playing against himself.
The wet nurses and maids taking care of him saw that the little master seemed to like this "chessboard" toy and were happy to let him play.
It was better than crawling around everywhere.
In his testing, Li Hao was surprised to find that by playing chess, he could like in the game, gain chess experience and climb ranks!
In reality, improving one's chess rank was extremely difficult.
You needed focus, talent, hard work.
And Li Hao himself only had an amateur level not worthy of mentioning.
But now, simply playing on the chessboard allowed him to gain experience value.
Rising from level 0 to First Dan required only 100 experience points.
Going from First to Second Dan required 500 points.
If it weren't for the maids occasionally checking on him, forcing Li Hao not to show too much, he would already have gained more experience.
There was no way around it, even though these maids didn't understand chess, they still had some common sense.
Seeing a less than one-year-old child place all the chess pieces perfectly in their positions would give anyone pause.
But at this moment.
In addition to Chess Tao, the panel had added two new attributes, [Sword Dao] and [Skill], which hadn't been there before.
Especially the hint beside [Sword Dao] intrigued and excited Li Hao. *Could it be that Sword Dao, like Chess Tao, could be directly leveled up with skill points?*
He didn't think much about it and chose to add points.