The day after the banquet at the Li family concluded, in a distant place, Yu Zhou, the imperial city...
Within an extravagant palace that attracted countless gazes but was impossible to breach due to its layers of tall walls...
A thousand-year-old ancient palace stood solemnly, its dark golden dragon-scaled carpet extending from the entrance to the steps of the dragon throne within.
The civil and military officials residing in Yu Zhou were lined up on both sides.
From the top-ranked ministers, Grand Preceptors and Grand Tutors, to high-ranking generals, and down to the fourth-ranked officials such as the governors of various provinces and the director of the Guozijian, all bowed their heads and stood with their hands clasped in front.
Even the lowest-ranked among these officials could make the people of dozens of cities bow their heads and kneel with a mere stomp of their feet.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
"The Li family of Qingzhou held a banquet yesterday, announcing to the world that another genius has emerged from their family!"
Someone respectfully reported.
Seated on the profound and dignified dragon throne was a tall figure. Although his face looked aged, his posture was straight, and he wore a black dragon robe with nine dragons embroidered on it. His gaze was like the flame of a candle, impossible to stare into, as he looked down upon his subjects.
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Your Majesty, I heard that the Qilin child is Li Hao, the one you bestowed a name upon fourteen years ago!"
"He is also the son of Xing Wu Hou, the Minister of Justice, who came to accept his noble title a few days ago!"
"Your Majesty's wisdom is truly awe-inspiring!"
The rest of the officials couldn't help but praise and congratulate him.
"Your Majesty foresaw this child's peerless talent fourteen years ago. It's as if a general star descended into the mortal realm. Indeed, it is a blessing for our Great Yu!"
Someone exclaimed excitedly.
"Fourteen years ago, Zhen Guo Hou pacified the century-long plague of yao in Cangzhou. He slew the Great Yao and slaughtered the Yao King, but unfortunately, he fell into the Yu Du River and perished in Cangzhou. His heroic soul still has no place to rest."
"Perhaps, this Li Hao is the reincarnation of Zhen Guo Hou's general star, a new blessing bestowed by the heavens upon our Great Yu!"
Someone spoke with fervor.
Facing the congratulations of his subjects, the figure on the dragon throne had his thoughts drawn back to that sorrowful day many years ago.
The infant who had been bestowed his dragon blood treasure was now a youth with such remarkable achievements? A slight smile appeared on his face, and his gaze seemed to drift beyond the palace, toward the distant Qingzhou, thousands of miles away.
"Your Majesty, this child has peerless talent, yet he has never revealed himself until now. I believe the Li family owes an explanation for this."
After the congratulations died down, someone suddenly stepped forward and said, "To deceive Your Majesty is a crime that deserves punishment!"
The crowd was surprised and turned slightly to see that it was He Lian Bo Ya, the lord of one of the Five Great Marshal Mansions. They then understood that this was not unexpected.
Among the Five Great Marshal Mansions, some families had closer relationships than others. For example, the Wang family and the Li family were linked through marriage.
Where there was closeness, there was also distance, and even disdain. This was the case between the Li family and the He Lian family.
Seeing that the Emperor hadn't spoken, another military official stepped forward. He was a Grand Commander of the Second Rank who had followed the Li family on their campaigns. He respectfully said, "Lord, I believe that Xing Wu Hou and his wife have been fighting in Yanbei for many years, leaving their young child alone in the mansion. It is understandable that they would want to keep their child's cultivation a secret to avoid attracting the attention of hidden enemies. Their intentions were pure."
"Hmph!"
He Lian Bo Ya coldly snorted, "Although the child is young, he is protected by countless martial lords within the Marshal's Mansion. Who would dare to harm him in secret? Are you questioning the loyalty of the ladies of the Li family, suspecting that they would harm their young master?"
Most of the ladies of the Li family had been bestowed official ranks. For example, the chief wife, He Jianlan, held the rank of First Grade Country Lady.
Although they didn't have real power, their status was extremely high, and they could directly enter the palace to meet the Emperor at any time. Even if they made a mistake, the Court of Justice couldn't punish them directly.
"I believe that the Li family has been guarding against yaomo for many years and has slain countless demons. Their precautions are not unjustified."
The Grand Commander still bowed his head and said.
He Lian Bo Ya scoffed, "Are you saying that there are still yaomo daring to invade Qingzhou? Are you looking down on the Li family?"
"Lord, I think it's reasonable for the Li family to be cautious. Now that Li Hao has reached the fifteen li realm and has the ability to protect himself, there will be no more worries even if he ventures out in a few years to strive for the position of Sect Master."
Another civil official stepped forward with a smile and said, "Moreover, Xing Wu Hou just returned and immediately announced it to the world. There was no intention to deceive Your Majesty, and it's just a minor matter. Lord He Lian, there's no need to be so serious."
"It's precisely because it's a small matter that it shouldn't have been concealed," He Lian Bo Ya insisted.
The crowd shook their heads secretly, feeling that Lord He Lian was being unreasonable this time, but they were used to it.
Over the years, whenever there was a bestowal of a noble title to the Li family, except for the time when the true dragon of the Li family perished fourteen years ago, causing universal grief, the He Lian family had not dared to utter a word. However, during the rest of the times, they often had something to say.
Including this time, when Xing Wu Hou returned victorious from Yanbei, having pacified the yaomo unrest, driven back the Holy Palace, and established remarkable achievements, Lord He Lian of the He Lian family had also argued about the prolonged warfare, the heavy consumption of food and grass, and so on for half a session.
And during the decade-long war in Yanbei, the He Lian family and those civil and military officials close to them had not hesitated to find faults and even proposed unrealistic impeachment of Xing Wu Hou, the marshal.
However, everyone knew that only the He Lian family could get away with such criticism. If anyone else dared to find fault like this, they would have long been branded as traitors and put to death.
While the He Lian family was known to have a poor relationship with the Li family, they could not be called traitors. After all, the He Lian family had shed plenty of blood beyond the border, enough to dye several cities red.
"This Lord He Lian is too hasty. This time, Xing Wu Hou has established a great achievement. Even if he caused trouble at such a critical moment, he wouldn't be punished, let alone for such a minor matter..."
Many officials thought to themselves.
At this moment, the Yu Emperor on the dragon throne raised his hand, putting an end to the argument. With a smile, he said, "Lord Liu Aiqing is right. It's just a minor matter, not worth mentioning. This time, Xing Wu Hou has fought hard and made great contributions to protecting the border while neglecting his family. His loyalty shines as bright as the sun and the moon. Let's discuss the matter of Cangyu City."
Seeing that the Yu Emperor had made a decision, He Lian Bo Ya glanced at the civil official, coldly humphed, and did not say anything further. He turned his head to look at the dragon pillar in the great hall, expressing his dissatisfaction as if to say, "You guys chat, I won't participate."
Everyone also knew that when it came to such matters, if the He Lian family didn't want to get involved, they wouldn't. If they did, they would only find faults. So, they didn't pay much attention to him and began to discuss the matter.
"Cangyu City almost suffered destruction. Yue Shu Hong has taken the blame and is now imprisoned in the Sky Prison. His self-reflection letter clearly states the details, and it's all thanks to the young master of the Li family that Cangyu City was protected. A true hero has emerged at a young age!"
"According to the number of yao slain, he should be bestowed the title of a first-grade viscount.
One by one, they introduced themselves to Li Hao, giving him a glimpse into the challenges faced by these less favored offspring.
At least, when they were forced by their parents to flatter another youth, he felt embarrassed. But some of these children had already mastered the art of sycophancy.
Such skills seemed to have little to do with maturity or experience; some children were more eloquent than adults, adept at sweet-talking and persuasive arguments, purely due to differences in personality and temperament.
As for Li Hao's temperament, he was of a somewhat carefree nature, taking life as it came.
Early one morning, Li Hao was still asleep when he heard a knock on his door.
He opened his eyes, and with a sweep of his spiritual sense, he saw Yu Xuan, his father's trusted aide, standing outside.
Li Hao turned over and asked, "Are you here to ask me to practice martial arts again?"
Yu Xuan thought of what had happened the other day, and a bitter smile appeared on his face as he said, "Young Master, the Marshal asks that you get ready and accompany him to pay respects to the ancestor, and at the same time, request the ancestor to confirm the identity of the true dragon."
Li Hao raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then got out of bed and called for Qingzhi to help him change into new clothes.
Soon, after washing up and dressing, Li Hao opened the door and glanced at the young man, saying indifferently, "Let's go."
Yu Xuan knew that Li Hao was still upset with him because of the painting incident, but he didn't mind. He gestured and said, "Please, Young Master."
Passing through the corridors, they arrived at the main hall.
There, Li Hao saw his father, who had removed his armor and donned a white robe. Unlike his fifth uncle, who exuded an air of elegance, his father's demeanor carried a hint of sternness and authority, likely due to his years of campaigning.
____________
"Haor."
Seeing Li Hao, Li Tiangang's face lit up with a smile, and he said, "Come, follow your father to the ancestral hall to pay respects to our ancestors."
"Okay," Li Hao nodded.
After leaving Shanhe Court, the two rode through the air, one in front of the other, toward the deepest part of Shenjiang Fu.
In front of the ancestral hall on the hillside, the white-robed Li Tiangang and Li Hao flew over and landed in the square outside the hall. They then walked towards the grand and majestic hall that carried a thousand years of the Li family's glory.
"Fifth Uncle!"
Li Hao immediately called out when he saw Li Qingzheng by the door of the ancestral hall.
Hearing Li Hao's call, Li Tiangang, who had been solemn-faced, frowned slightly. He glanced at Li Hao, who had already taken a few steps ahead and was running towards the fifth uncle in the hall.
"It's Haor," Li Qingzheng replied, his eyes lighting up slightly as he turned his head with a delighted expression. "What made you think of coming to see me?"
He then noticed the tall man behind Li Hao and added, "Oh, Tiangang is back too."
"Fifth Uncle, your chess game...the black pieces are about to lose again," Li Hao said with a smile as he glanced at the chessboard in front of his uncle.
Fifth Uncle bared his teeth slightly. "Don't talk nonsense. The game isn't over yet."
At this moment, Li Tiangang walked over. With a solemn expression, he bowed slightly and said, "Fifth Uncle, how have you been lately?"
Li Qingzheng ignored Li Hao, the annoying kid who was commenting on his chess game, and turned his head to look at Li Tiangang. "It's been over a decade, and you've grown much sturdier. Why are you growing a beard now? How has it been for you up north in Yanbei? Has it been tough?"
"It's fine," Li Tiangang replied with a smile. "It's just a bit sandy, but I've gotten used to it. I don't have time to shave often since I'm always fighting beyond the border."
Hearing this, Li Hao looked up at his father. Compared to the vague figure in his memory, his father had transformed from a tall and handsome young man into a middle-aged man with a beard.
He suddenly felt that he might have also lacked some care for this father of his.
"You're all grown up now. You're not as mischievous as you used to be," Li Qingzheng said with a smile, a hint of emotion in his eyes.
The young man had grown up, and they had grown old.
Although their cultivation realm allowed them to live for a long time, humans were different from demons. Demons lived long lives in a state similar to hibernation, mostly fighting only for food.
Humans, on the other hand, lived their lives driven by two words: human relations.
With emotions came desires, so humans fought wars, acted heroically, and sought fame, resulting in wounds all over their bodies. Old wounds hadn't healed before new ones were added, thus reducing their lifespan.
Living a long life wasn't difficult. One could live comfortably for hundreds or even thousands of years by staying within the borders, enjoying wealth and nobility, and refraining from touching weapons.
However, in the midst of this turbulent city, it was incredibly challenging to remain unmoved by killing intent for hundreds of years.
For example, what would you do if a neighbor with whom you often exchanged eggs and vegetables was oppressed by evildoers one day? It would be hard not to get involved.
And if you chose to look the other way, your Dao heart might be damaged, and you would feel discontent.
Such a long life, spanning hundreds of years, would be arduous.
"After all, he's already a father," Li Tiangang said with a smile, a trace of reminiscence in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself.
The frost of the years would continually temper that soft heart of youth, forming calluses and making it harder and more restrained.
"Fifth Uncle, I've brought Haor to pay respects to our ancestors and also to seek guidance from them regarding this generation's True Dragon," Li Tiangang said, getting straight to the point.
Li Qingzheng had expected his purpose and nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Li Hao beside him.
His eyes softened, and he said with a smile, "Haor's talent is unparalleled. He surpasses your ninth brother. In our Li family's thousand-year history, he's the fastest to reach the fifteen-li realm. He's truly broken records."
"Back then, Junye became the True Dragon of your generation, but unfortunately, he passed away at a young age, so you temporarily took his place."
"But in Haor's generation, he's truly outstanding, leading by a wide margin. There's no one who can even catch up to him."
Hearing the Fifth Uncle's high praise, a smile appeared on Li Tiangang's face.
Indeed, when it came to talent, his son could be considered outstanding to the extreme!
This also made him feel proud and arrogant deep down.
"Go on," Li Qingzheng said with a smile.
Li Tiangang nodded, gave a slight bow to his uncle again, then turned and led Li Hao to the prayer mats in front of the ancestral hall.
"Li Family's 107th generation descendant, Li Tiangang, pays respects to the ancestors!"
"Li Family's 108th generation descendant, Li Hao, pays respects to the ancestors!"
Father and son knelt and bowed together.
In the ancestral hall, the numerous tablets trembled slightly and glowed, and the souls of the ancestors appeared on them.
After bowing, Li Hao raised his head. He hadn't looked carefully last time, but this time, he noticed that while there were many ancestors' souls in the hall, there were also quite a few tablets that were dull and lifeless, with no souls appearing on them.
Among them, on the closest tablet, was an engraved familiar name:
Godly Position of Li Family's 107th Generation Descendant, Li Junye.
On the left side of the tablet was his title: Marquis of Guarding the Country.
And on the right was his military position: Supreme General of Heaven's Mandate.
This was the tablet of his ninth uncle, but there was no soul appearing on it.
Like the other ancestors, the left and right sides of their tablets had their titles and military positions, or their achievements. Only a few had only their titles and, on the other side, a poem praising them.
For the common folk's tablets, it was even simpler. One tablet would be inscribed with "Godly Position of Past Generations' Ancestors," encompassing all the ancestors in one go, making it convenient to pay respects to all of them at once.
After all, most commoners might end up displaced after some time, and with the passage of years, their family trees might be lost, so this was a practical solution.
Only those who could be considered "noble families" would have relatively complete family trees and legacies, with the names and achievements of their ancestors clearly recorded.
"Tiangang, I heard you've been fighting in Yanbei, slaying demons. How many have you killed?"
A light laughter rang out.
Li Tiangang looked up and saw his Third Uncle, Li Xuanyin.
His soul still appeared as it had in the prime of his life—only in his thirties, with a handsome face and a jade-like bearing.
Li Tiangang's eyes flickered slightly. When he was a teenager, his third uncle had favored him the most. Unfortunately, his third uncle had also passed away at a young age.
His father's generation had six brothers, but three of them had perished in battle, leaving only the second uncle, fifth uncle, and the long-absent fourth uncle.
His father and third and sixth uncles had already passed away.
Moreover, even if they had the strength to do so, it would still be difficult because it was a Youdu-level River of Death. To rescue them, one would have to clear the river.
Even a cultivator at the Four Establishments would find this challenging; it would likely require the combined efforts of several cultivators to succeed.
"Nephew pays respects to Third Uncle."
Li Tiangang gave a polite bow before continuing, "I have slain almost all the demons crossing into Yan State."
"Good!"
Li Xuanyin burst into laughter. He had always hated demons the most in his life because the person he loved had perished at their hands, filling him with deep hatred.
"Where's Qingqing? Why didn't you bring her along?" Li Xuanyin asked.
Li Tiangang's expression changed slightly, and he lowered his voice, "She's gone."
Gone... Li Xuanyin was slightly taken aback, and just as he was about to ask further, he noticed Li Hao beside him and immediately stopped himself. He then transmitted his voice, "Has she left?"
Li Tiangang's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "Mhm."
A hint of regret appeared on Li Xuanyin's face. He had been quite satisfied with that niece-in-law and had been pleased with her background. After all, he had been the first to voice his approval of the marriage.
"You brat, will you ever stop chatting? He didn't come here to catch up. Isn't he here to discuss important matters?"
At that moment, a scolding voice came from above Li Xuanyin's head.
Li Xuanyin shrunk his neck and turned his head to see his father, feeling a little embarrassed. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Dad, Tiangang is still here, and so is his son. Can't you give me some face?"
"I think you need a beating. Our awakening consumes a lot of energy, and if you want to waste it, that's your business, but don't drag our ancestors down with you. I want to kick your ass!"
"Dad..." Li Xuanyin immediately lowered his head, looking a little aggrieved.
Li Hao stared at the exchange, dumbfounded.
The third uncle, who had just appeared so dignified and elegant, was now being scolded like a grandson.
Or rather, a son.
However, that great-grandfather had quite a temper.
"Why are you shouting? Xuanyin just said a few words. What's wrong with catching up? It's just a little energy. If you can't afford to waste it, then scram back to sleep!"
At that moment, an old man with white hair and beard, who had just scolded Li Xuanyin, spoke up angrily from above.
The previously irritable great-grandfather shuddered and turned helplessly, "Dad, this kid really needs a spanking..."
"I think you're the one who needs a spanking." The great-great-grandfather coldly snorted.
"You brats, stop shouting. Don't you have any respect for your elders? Hurry up and discuss the important matters. I'll go back to sleep after you're done." Another voice spoke up.
The great-great-grandfather's expression changed slightly, and he quickly nodded, while also shooting a glance at his son.
The great-grandfather looked helpless and glared fiercely at Li Xuanyin.
Li Xuanyin's face turned awkward, and he gave Li Tiangang an embarrassed smile, not daring to speak anymore.
Li Hao, witnessing this scene, found it hard to suppress his laughter and almost burst out laughing.
With hundreds of generations of ancestors gathered together, it was indeed quite a lively scene.
The Li family's ancestors had followed the First Emperor in establishing the dynasty and had built a millennium-old lineage. However, a millennium-old lineage didn't just refer to a thousand years but rather a history spanning over three thousand years. It was one of the two oldest lineages among the Five Divine Generals' Mansions.
With the Great Yu Dynasty's history spanning over three and a half thousand years, it was now approaching its twilight years.
It was a pity that the awakening of the ancestors' souls consumed energy. Otherwise, I could get a set of mahjong tiles for them to play with... Li Hao thought to himself.
Just imagining the scene brought a smile to his face.
"You little punk, dare to win against your grandpa?"
"Winning the first round? How dare you, punk, draw the tiles of your ancestors! I'll beat you to death!"
"You want to 'pong' my tile? Someone get me the son of a bunny here. I'll teach him a lesson..."
Thinking about these scenarios, Li Hao struggled to contain his amusement.
"Alright, let's get to the main topic."
One of the ancestor souls above spoke up.
Li Tiangang nodded solemnly and said, "Today, I have come to ask the ancestors to decide on the True Dragon candidate."
"First, tell us about this generation's situation," said one of the ancestor souls.
Li Tiangang nodded and proceeded to explain the situation he had learned from his eldest sister-in-law over the past two days.
"So, this generation doesn't have many descendants with good qualifications. However, your son's talent is too monstrous. He's even stronger than we were at a young age. He alone is worth several of the others."
"If there's no suspense, there's indeed no need to drag it out. Moreover, he has already started cultivating."
"But we can't just hand it to him directly. We also need to test his heart and ensure that others acknowledge his capabilities. The selection will proceed as usual, but we can move it up. Let's set it for two months from now, giving others some time to prepare as well."
After a quick discussion, the ancestors came to a decision.
Li Tiangang nodded and bowed respectfully again.
Seeing this, Li Hao followed suit and bowed as well.
"Kid, watch your son closely and make sure he doesn't become another Junye," instructed an ancestor from several dozen generations ago as they were about to leave the ancestral hall.
Li Tiangang quickly nodded in agreement.
The other ancestor souls gradually faded away.
"Let's go."
Li Tiangang was about to take Li Hao away.
Li Hao looked at Fifth Uncle and said, "Can I stay here and keep Fifth Uncle company for a while?"
Li Tiangang frowned slightly, puzzled, "Fifth Uncle doesn't have time to play with you. The True Dragon decision will be made in two months. You still have a lot to prepare, even though your talent is the best. You can't fall short in other aspects and give people room to gossip."
Li Qingzheng smiled and said, "There's no need to worry about Hao'er's talent. No one will dare to dispute it. Tiangang, you don't have to overthink it. But I won't hold Hao'er back. You've just returned, so spend more time with your son."
Li Tiangang nodded and bowed to bid farewell to Li Qingzheng.
Li Hao also waved at Fifth Uncle, "Then, Fifth Uncle, I'll come to keep you company next time."
"Go, go." Li Qingzheng waved back with a smile.
He watched as the father and son walked away.
In the now-quiet ancestral hall, only the countless silent tablets, the lonely chessboard in front of Li Qingzheng, and his solitary figure remained.
After an unknown period, his gaze slowly retracted from the chessboard. He thought for a moment, then reached out and placed a white piece on the board, murmuring,
"Your move."
Soon after, he picked up a black piece from the other chess box and gently placed it on the board, deep in thought.
____________
The True Dragon's decision would be made in two months.
Li Tiangang conveyed this message to He Jianlan and informed the entire mansion.
For a moment, there was an uproar throughout the various courts.
However, they had anticipated this. Ever since Li Wushuang descended from the mountain, they knew that it was all for the True Dragon position.
However, the candidate vying for the True Dragon position, who was originally expected to be from the Water and Flower Court, was now unexpectedly Li Hao from the Mountains and Rivers Court.
"Hmph, Liu Yuerong must be furious," Xiao Yuqing sneered within the Intricate Court.
She herself had no children of her own and only had an adopted son, Li Yuanzhao. Although Li Yuanzhao possessed an eighth-grade battle body, it was still lacking. A ninth-grade battle body was merely the baseline for the top geniuses.
Naturally, it would be difficult for him to compete for the True Dragon position.
However, with Li Hao's sudden rise to prominence, astonishing the world, and given his close relationship with Li Yuanzhao, even he would benefit from this turn of events.
Nonetheless, Xiao Yuqing didn't pay much attention to these matters.
Within the Water and Flower Court, Liu Yuerong had anticipated this situation, but she still couldn't help gnashing her teeth in frustration.
She instructed an old maid to prepare a letter. At this point, her only recourse was to seek help from her master, who was on par with the real people of the Qian Dao Palace.
Perhaps that Buddha, who was comparable to the Qian Dao Palace's true cultivators, would have a solution.
Although her child was also fifteen years old, he was ultimately three years older than Li Hao.
...
...
At Mount Wuliang.
In the spiritual realm of the Wuliang Spirit Realm within the Pure Land of Brahma, the rules of Mount Wuliang were strict, and daily necessities such as clothing and food were determined by the Buddhist system. Those who had reached the Vajra (Vajra Mind Palace)
level could reside in the Vajra Heart Hall and gain insights into the heart of the master, cultivating into arhats. The arhats, in turn, could live in the Buddhist halls and receive offerings.
As for the spiritual realm, it was the most supreme and sacred place where the Wuliang Buddha cultivated and resided.
This place was filled with ethereal mist and smoke, resembling a celestial land beyond the mortal realm.
"Amituo Buddha, Buddha Lord, the message has been conveyed to Qiankun Vajra, and he is on his way back. In addition, we have just received a letter from the God General's Mansion, sent by Qiankun Vajra's mother, Madam Liu."
A bodhisattva murmured a Buddhist mantra, holding a letter in her hand, which she offered to the Buddha Lord above.
The Wuliang Buddha Lord was clad in a kasaya, his body emanating Buddhist light. Behind him, a blazing Buddhist wheel shone brilliantly, radiating a light that seemed to guide all beings to salvation.
His massive body stood at several dozen feet tall, a result of a unique cultivation secret technique, giving him unimaginable might.
In contrast, the bodhisattvas who had attained the Four Establishments were of normal human stature, appearing minuscule and ant-like beside the Buddha Lord, only capable of looking up at him in awe.
The letter floated towards the Wuliang Buddha Lord, but he did not reach out to take it. Instead, it hovered in front of him for a moment before disintegrating into ashes, the contents absorbed and understood by his insightful gaze.
"We are already aware of the news, but Madam Liu is overly anxious," the Wuliang Buddha Lord said softly. "Assure her that she need not be hasty. Talent is not solely determined by one's realm; it also depends on the foundation of each realm. Qiankun Vajra cultivates our Buddhist sect's top techniques, coupled with the Li family's secret skills. Among those of the same realm, he is easily within the top five."
"Once he returns, I will impart a Buddhist wish to him, ensuring his invincibility among his peers."
The bodhisattva heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Buddha Lord."
The Wuliang Buddha Lord spoke softly, "In recent years, disputes have been frequent, and the Great Yu's fortune has been declining. Our intervention in the True Dragon dispute within the God General's Mansion is also an inevitable choice. As the chaotic times approach, it is time for us to descend from the mountain and save all beings."
"Amituo Buddha," the bodhisattva replied reverently.
...
...
As the news of the Li family's impending decision regarding the True Dragon spread, various parties received the information and quietly took action.
"The True Dragon's decision depends on two main aspects," Li Tiangang said within the Mountains and Rivers Court, calling Li Hao before him. Looking at his son, he felt both relief and concern.
"The first is talent, and the second is temperament."
"In addition, there are also achievements, connections, and so on, but these are secondary and serve as icing on the cake."
Li Hao nodded. His second uncle had mentioned these things to him before.
The God General's Mansion was a top-notch grand family, and the selection of the heir was not solely based on strength.
While talent was indeed crucial, it was not the only factor. If one's temperament was extremely poor—prone to impatience, arrogance, or obsession—then no matter how exceptional their talent was, entrusting the family to such a person would be akin to letting a madman take the wheel, only accelerating the family's destruction.
A stable, restrained, versatile, and unflappable temperament was what constituted an ideal heir.
In simpler terms, not only did one need outstanding talent, but their moral character and virtues had to be exemplary as well. This was the demeanor expected of an heir to a grand family.
As for connections and achievements, they were merely bonus points.
Connections also reflected one's temperament. After all, how could one establish a network without a versatile and adept approach to handling matters?
If someone offended others with every word they spoke, no matter how strong they were, their future appointment as the family head would only result in the entire family being surrounded by enemies.
The selection process for the Li family's True Dragon was not as stringent as that of a royal crown prince, but it was still meticulous. Unlike smaller households, where a chance opportunity might cause a lesser-born child to suddenly rise and overpower their uncles, forcing them to their knees, the Li family's process ensured that the chosen heir had to be exceptional.
However, in those other families, the lesser-born child often soared to heights far beyond the family's reach, leaving them behind and becoming little more than a figurehead.
This was why the top grand families remained standing—because the family head had to support the entire family and lead them forward together. This was the reason for the emphasis on temperament.
Li Tiangang glanced at Li Hao and said, "I am not worried about your talent, but I have neglected your upbringing in recent years, resulting in your carefree and undisciplined temperament. If you could put in a little more effort, your achievements would be far greater than they are now."
As he spoke, he paused for a moment, his gaze resting on Li Hao.
He had mentioned this to Li Hao before, and now he was bringing it up again.
Li Hao's previous response had been, "So what?" At this moment, seeing Li Hao's expressionless face, he sighed, "I know that your mother and I have failed to accompany you, and it is our fault. But the millions of people in Yanbei need us. If I were to abandon Yanbei, not to mention what the Great Yu would do, the people of Yan State would suffer unimaginable consequences."
"As a descendant of a military family, you should understand this."
"I understand!"
Li Hao spoke up, his gaze fixed on his father, his expression earnest. "Regarding this matter, I have never blamed either of you, not even once!"
"I can bear witness to that," Li Fu, who had been listening with his hands clasped behind his back, interjected.
Looking at Li Hao, his eyes filled with tenderness and reluctance, he said to Li Tiangang, "Lord, after the young master was assassinated, you ordered me to return to the mansion to protect him. I once asked the young master about this, but instead of blaming you, he was worried about whether you and the young lady would be in danger in Yanbei."
"He... he has never blamed either of you."
As an orphan himself, he could understand that feeling.
Abandoned at birth and raised in the military camp, every time he saw other children with their parents at the age of four or five, playing and laughing together, he felt a mix of emotions.
Envy, resentment, and anger.
Countless times in the darkness of night, he had questioned the emptiness, asking why his parents had been so heartless to abandon him. If they didn't want to raise him, why bring him into this world?
This anger lingered until he grew up and gradually faded, as he considered that perhaps his unknown parents had their own unavoidable reasons.
Now, in front of him, was a boy who had been separated from his parents since birth and, at this age, instead of being filled with resentment like himself, he could understand? How old was he?
Looking at the boy's slender frame, Yu Xuan felt as if something was about to overflow from his heart.
He suddenly realized that this was the first time he truly understood his young master.
Li Tiangang was also stunned by Li Fu's words.
Seeing the unusually earnest look in Li Hao's eyes, he knew that Li Hao was not lying, and with Li Fu's testimony, he felt a tingling sensation at the tip of his nose.
But he rarely shed tears. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the emotions welling up inside him and soon thought of Li Hao's previous attitude, asking: "Then have you ever harbored any resentment in your heart?"
"Yes."
Li Hao answered honestly, without trying to hide his feelings.
The three of them were taken aback. They had just felt that Li Hao was being truthful, but now his words seemed to contradict what he had just said.
Li Hao took a deep breath and stared at him.
"My resentment isn't because you didn't come back, but because you sent back twenty-four military reports over the years. I counted them. That's almost two letters every year!"
"However, in these fourteen years, you only sent back seven family letters!"
Li Hao was not an ordinary fourteen-year-old boy; otherwise, he might have kept these thoughts to himself and sulked silently.
But he chose to speak his mind, perhaps realizing that this was the only way to improve his relationship with his father: "Every time I saw the military reports being delivered to the Changchun Court, I would go and look, hoping that there would be a family letter among them. But I was disappointed seventeen times!"
"On those seventeen occasions, Aunt Liu fabricated seventeen family letters to comfort me. She thought I didn't know, but I could always tell."
"I don't expect you to rush back from thousands of miles away just to see me. But I don't understand, and I can't comprehend why, when you could send letters, you didn't include a single family letter."
"Aren't you the slightest bit curious about your son? Don't you want to know if he has learned to brush his teeth, if he's been bullied, if he's suffered any grievances, or if he's unhappy?"
As Li Hao spoke, the resentment that had been building up in his heart over the years couldn't help but surface.
After all, he carried the blood of the man standing before him, and he saw him as his father.
Even though they had been apart for fourteen years, it might not have fostered a deep emotional bond, but there was undoubtedly disappointment and sadness.
Hearing Li Hao's words, the three men were left speechless.
Li Fu stared at Li Hao, his body trembling slightly.
He had been by Li Hao's side all these years, and he could tell what Lady Liu was thinking just by looking at her eyes and face. Naturally, he knew that those letters were fabricated on the spot.
But he never imagined that young Li Hao would see through them as well.
Yet, every time Li Hao heard those fabricated letters, he would return with a cheerful smile on his face.
Was he pretending all this time? Was it because he didn't want to disappoint Aunt Liu?
Li Fu clenched his teeth. This man, who had shed blood on the battlefield but never tears, now felt like crying.
Li Tiangang and Yu Xuan were also stunned as they looked at Li Hao, their expressions soon turning complex. Li Tiangang was at a loss for words, and facing Li Hao's honesty, he suddenly found himself unable to come up with any excuses.
He wanted to say that the border situation was urgent and the battles relentless, leaving him no time to spare.
But was that a valid reason? He couldn't bring himself to say those words.
No matter how urgent the situation, was there not even time to write a single family letter? They could send military reports, but not a simple family letter?
He could only think of one reason: he had truly neglected this son.
When did this start?
He couldn't remember. Perhaps it was after he had learned of Li Hao's inability to build his foundation and dissolve his blood, that he gradually shifted his focus entirely to the battlefield.
Or maybe the constant battles had worn him down, leaving him too exhausted to pay attention to anything else.
Deep down, he even considered another reason: he had too little interaction with this son, having left soon after Li Hao's birth, to the point where he never really got used to having a son like this.
But... could he say that out loud? Could a father admit to such a thing? The most frightening part was that he didn't have a strong impression of those seven family letters either. It seemed that several of them were only sent because his wife had reminded him...
At this moment, Li Tiangang's face turned pale, and he felt ashamed. For the first time, he realized that despite being invincible on the battlefield, he had failed as a father.
"Hao'er..."
Li Tiangang looked at the boy before him, his eyes clear and earnest.
He felt reluctant to meet his gaze directly, his heart aching as he pulled Li Hao into his embrace, his voice slightly hoarse: "I have wronged you."
Hearing his father's whispered apology, Li Hao's unmoved heart softened a little.
He sighed inwardly. What good were apologies?
Some things could not be made up for.
However, he silently told himself to let it go.
Many things took time.
He was willing to accept his father's apology but couldn't deny that he still felt a sense of loss. Perhaps this was life?
Li Fu and Yu Xuan witnessed this scene, their hearts aching for Li Hao's maturity and understanding. They regretted that the conflicts in the borderlands had not only taken the lives of countless soldiers but had also hurt a child thousands of miles away.
After a long while, Li Tiangang gradually calmed down, his emotions settling. He took a deep breath and said to Li Hao:
"I will make up for the fourteen years I missed of your life.
From now on, whatever you want, I will give it to you!"
Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "Then I hope to have some freedom."
____________
"Freedom?"
"For example, you can no longer force me to practice martial arts, nor can you interfere with my other pursuits." Li Hao stated.
Li Tiangang was left speechless.
He had just realized Li Hao's usual habits, neglecting his studies and wasting his top-notch talent.
This was something he could never tolerate.
But...had he not just promised Li Hao? Was he going to go back on his word now? There was a struggle in his eyes as he thought to himself, 'With Hao'er's aptitude, even if he temporarily stops cultivating and continues his previous lifestyle, it won't affect him much.'
'When he becomes the true dragon in the future, inherits the family business, and feels the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, feeling the hopes of countless soldiers, perhaps then he will wholeheartedly devote himself to cultivation.'
With these thoughts in mind, Li Tiangang nodded to Li Hao and smiled, "Alright, I agree to your terms!"
"Really?"
"Really!"
Li Hao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy boulder had finally been lifted from his heart.
Judging from this father's sternness, his inflexibility was probably the worst in the Li family, far stricter than any of the madams. It had been challenging to argue his case without revealing his true capabilities.
The reason he hadn't intentionally displayed his strength earlier was also because he feared that the madams would push him to cultivate even more, knowing that he possessed exceptional talent.
It was like a person who knew how to make money easily, earning millions in mere minutes, but instead chose to lie down and play video games.
How could that be tolerated?!
Of course, his situation was unique. It was as if he could make millions in minutes, but he was truly here to play games, and he couldn't explain it to anyone, nor would they understand even if he did.
"Then I'll go find Fifth Grandpa to play chess later." Li Hao said.
He had been staying in the Tan Palace for some time now, and with his trip to Cangyu City for training, it had been a while since he last saw the old man.
"Grandpa Tan must be feeling lonely by now." Li Hao added.
Li Tiangang's eyelids twitched, leaving him speechless. All he could say was, "You can go, but you must not disturb the ancestors' spirits."
"Rest assured, I have experience in this," Li Hao replied, causing Li Tiangang to almost choke.
As Li Hao turned to leave, Li Tiangang quickly called out, "Wait, I'm not done talking about the previous matter. The True Dragon decision will be made in two months. During this time, you also need to prepare yourself. I asked your Uncle He Xuan to inquire about your biggest competitor, and it seems that it's the child of Second Madam Liu."
At the mention of Liu Yueyong, a cold light flashed in Li Hao's eyes.
He looked at his father, thinking about the poisonous pill she had given him, but he stopped himself from saying anything.
If he told his father now, it would surely alert the culprit, and he wasn't sure how his father would handle the situation.
Li Tiangang was not only a lord and a general, but also the Minister of Justice, in charge of the Great Yu's criminal law division. As such, his personal guard camp was called the 'Law Word Camp', and he himself was bestowed the title of "Xing Wu Hou"!
However, that woman had the protection of her title as an imperial consort, and being a first-class imperial consort at that, the Ministry of Justice could only temporarily detain her. They would need to report to the court and go through layers of bureaucracy.
If they were to arrest her, it would surely alert her son, and he might be too scared to return to participate in the True Dragon competition, instead hiding in the boundless Mount Wu. That would make things truly difficult.
And the possibility of this happening was quite high.
In Li Hao's opinion, his fifteen-li radius secret had already been exposed, and in terms of talent, there should be no suspense. The other party's chances of competing for the True Dragon position were slim, and it would be better to take a step back and preserve themselves.
But that was not the result Li Hao wanted.
Once the other party retreated to Mount Wu, they would indeed be helpless against them.
After all, the other party was a personal disciple of the Buddha Lord of Mount Wu.
Over the years, Li Hao had also conducted detailed investigations into Mount Wu.
The Great Yu Dynasty had three top-notch powers.
The first was the Qiandao Palace, the second was Mount Wu, and the third was the Hanlin Palace.
The first power was indisputable, as it was headed by the Great Yu's strongest cultivator, a true immortal.
The second, Mount Wu, was presided over by the Wu Liang Buddha Lord, second only to the immortal.
The third power, Hanlin Palace, was filled with literary scholars, grand tutors, and Confucian scholars, devoid of any martial might. However, their backer was the court itself, and the mysterious and powerful Yu Emperor, who ruled over the empire.
In this world, literary scholars did not possess the ability to turn their words into attacks, but their writings were the laws and rules that governed the land. A single piece of paperwork could bring down a first-rate sect, and no one dared to disobey.
To resist?
That would invite the crushing might of the imperial army. Not only would their properties be seized, but even their chickens and eggs would be taken and smashed to bits.
Thus, although the Hanlin Palace had no martial power, no one dared to provoke them. The power of law was equal to that of martial might, and it was this balance that had kept the Great Yu stable for thousands of years.
Otherwise, if martial artists were allowed to slaughter officials with impunity, disregarding the system, the nation would be ruled by a group of warlords, leading to catastrophe and the suffering of the people.
Beneath these three top powers were the five Divine General Mansions, which were considered semi-top-notch forces.
Next in line were the various court departments, such as the Town Demon Department and the River Death Department.
These were also established by the court, and their status, coupled with their martial might, made them untouchable. Any offense against them would result in the might of the imperial army bearing down upon the offenders.
And finally, there were the pugilist world's first-rate forces, such as the Sword Pavilion and the Thousand Extremes Mountain.
If the Wu Liang Buddha Lord wanted to protect his personal disciple, it would be difficult for even the Divine General Mansions to shake them.
Moreover, if one were to truly calculate, Liu Yueyong's child had not been involved and could be considered innocent.
However, in Li Hao's eyes, the child had enjoyed the benefits brought by his mother, and it was only natural that they should repay the debt together.
Liu Yueyong had given him the poison pill out of the blue, with no grudge or enmity between them. Her main purpose had been to clear the path for her own child.
Li Hao's goal was not just to compete for the True Dragon seat but also to make Liu Yueyong watch as he crushed her child's future, destroying all their hopes.
That poisonous pill he had swallowed thirteen years ago.
After thirteen years, it would finally unleash its cruel and violent toxicity!
At this moment, Li Tiangang continued, "Aside from Second Madam's child, First Madam's and Third Madam's children also have a chance to compete. However, Third Madam's child is a girl, and I've heard that she has found a match within the army. As an engaged woman, she automatically withdraws from the True Dragon competition."
"As for First Madam's two children, they are already in their thirties and have established themselves in the army, both holding the title of general. If they were to compete, they would be quite competitive. However, in terms of talent, they still fall short compared to you and Second Madam's child."
"Moreover, First Madam said long ago that she would not let her children participate in the True Dragon competition, and I do believe her on this matter."
Li Hao nodded, as he was already aware of these matters.
"As for Qian Feng, his talent is not as good as yours, but he studies under the Buddha Lord and cultivates his mind and character by the Buddha Lord's side. I've heard that he has also reached the fifteen-li radius, which is quite impressive, excluding you from the equation.
This was already quite extraordinary, far surpassing the top geniuses.
Of course, this was without comparing him to his ninth brother, that guy.
"If the Buddha Lord is there, their connections won't be lacking, and another bonus point would be official achievements."
Li Tiangang said to Li Hao, "I've already looked into it, and the other party has come down from the mountain but hasn't returned. I presume they've gone to accumulate achievements, which is a bonus point."
"As for you, staying in the mansion all year round without any official achievements will slightly diminish your standing, but it's not a big deal. In the next two months, I plan to arrange for you to go to the border to slay a powerful demon and establish your own achievements."
Hearing the mention of achievements, Li Hao smiled slightly.
Li Fu, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but chuckle as well.
Li Tiangang noticed the strange expressions on their faces and frowned, "What's so funny?"
Li Hao didn't speak, but Li Fu respectfully said, "Lord, Young Master's achievements are probably not low."
"Hmm?"
Li Tiangang and He Xuan both looked at him, confusion evident on their faces.
Li Fu smiled broadly and said, "Lord, do you remember how I found out about Young Master's realm? It was in Cangyu City, where a demon attack threatened the entire city, and it was Young Master who saved everyone single-handedly!"
Upon hearing his words, Li Tiangang and He Xuan were both stunned, taken aback.
They glanced at Li Hao, saving an entire city? That was an enormous accomplishment!
For them, who had been fighting for years, calculating merit was second nature.
"Hao'er, you actually..."
Li Tiangang looked at Li Hao, filled with astonishment, his eyes shining with excitement and joy, his love for this son increasing greatly.
He had thought that Li Hao was carefree and only interested in having fun, but who would have thought that he would quietly accomplish such a remarkable feat!
He Xuan also looked at Li Hao with admiration, his eyes revealing his appreciation. Saving people from a dire situation was truly an impressive achievement!
"Young Master's reward for his meritorious service should arrive in Qingzhou soon." Li Fu smiled as he spoke, eagerly anticipating this development.
"Good, good, good!"
Li Tiangang repeated the word three times, laughing heartily.
"In that case, the position of True Dragon is as good as decided!"
Li Tiangang was completely relieved.
With exceptional talent and great achievements under his belt, even if Li Hao's temperament was a bit too carefree and not at the very top, the fact that he could accomplish such a feat showed that he was outstanding in other aspects, and that was more than enough.
It would be difficult for others to make up for such a gap.
As for the Second Madam's child, even if they went out to establish achievements, it would be challenging to find such an opportunity in just two months.
Achievements were not something that could be obtained on demand. Even if they went to the border to fight, the Li family's border, aside from Yanbei, was mostly peaceful, with no immediate concerns.
Going to other borders would complicate matters.
Moreover, it wasn't easy to establish achievements on the border. In the face of hordes of demons numbering in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions, what could a fifteen-li radius cultivator do?
To command an army of hundreds of thousands of demons, their leader would most likely be a Heavenly Man Grandmaster-level cultivator.
Hearing Li Tiangang's words, Li Hao asked, "So, does that mean I won't have anything else to do after that?"
Li Tiangang had just finished laughing when he heard these words, and he felt helpless again. This child had been left unattended for many years and was truly too carefree.
"What do you want to do if you don't cultivate?" Li Tiangang asked.
"I'll just do whatever I feel like doing at the moment, like painting, playing the zither, or writing poetry," Li Hao replied.
Li Tiangang's lips twitched at the mention of these activities, none of which he considered worthwhile.
If Li Hao had said these things earlier, he would have likely rejected them all, but now that he had promised Li Hao, he could only hold back and sigh, "Alright, it's up to you. I'll keep my promise."
"Good," Li Hao said, relieved that his father would allow him to pursue his interests, even if he didn't understand them.
Without further ado, Li Hao bid him farewell and went to find his Fifth Grandpa to play chess.
Li Tiangang didn't stop him this time and let Li Hao go.
After Li Hao left, Li Tiangang sighed to He Xuan, "I wonder when this child will truly grow up."
Li Fu smiled and said, "Lord, Young Master is actually much more mature and intelligent than his peers. Perhaps he's going to find Fifth Uncle, not just for his own enjoyment, but also to keep him company."
Li Tiangang was taken aback, thinking of the lonely old man in the ancestral hall and the solitary chessboard in front of him.
His expression changed as he fell silent.
A few days later.
As expected, Li Hao's reward for his meritorious service arrived.
In recognition of Li Hao's defense of the city and protection of millions of citizens, he was bestowed the title of Third-Rank Earl!
He was also granted a fiefdom of one city!
In addition, he received ten chests of jewels and gold.
The divine armor and the fiefdom were the main rewards, while the jewels and gold were considered supplementary.
It was similar to when Li Junye fell—the reward included the Yu Dragon Token and ten measures of gold, but the gold was just an extra, while the true reward was the Yu Dragon Token, a get-out-of-jail-free card!
With three Yu Dragon Tokens, one could escape death three times, demonstrating the magnitude of the merit involved!
After the bestowment ceremony, Li Hao received the imperial decree and rewards from the court official, bowing in gratitude.
The news spread throughout the mansion and beyond, reaching the entire city of Qingzhou.
The young master of the Li family, at only fourteen years old, had been bestowed the title of Earl! And he even had his own fiefdom!
Additionally, Li Hao's heroic defense of the city was proclaimed throughout the city, causing the common folk to exclaim in admiration, praising him as a true scion of the Li family!
Some vaguely recalled rumors from about a decade ago, which claimed that the young master of the Li family had a defective martial body, but now it seemed that those rumors were false and baseless.
Li Hao's name resounded throughout Qingzhou and spread even further!
Within the mansion.
Upon receiving this news, the ladies of the various halls were stunned, their eyes wide in disbelief.
He Jianlan was taken aback, as one revelation after another had come to light about Li Hao since Li Tiangang's return, leaving her bewildered.
Was this still the child she had once pitied?
He was so dazzling that she could hardly look at him directly.
"That child... he..."
In the Drifting Snow Hall, Gao Qingqing struggled to believe the news, remembering her advice to her son years ago to distance himself from Li Hao. She now regretted those words.
Li Xuanli, who was beside her, was overjoyed, exclaiming in admiration, "As expected of Lord Seventh's child! His demeanor is truly remarkable, even more so than Lord Ninth at the same age! No, when Lord Ninth was fourteen, he wasn't as dazzling as this!"
"Amazing! Lord Seventh truly knows how to produce outstanding offspring!"
____________
Upon hearing these words, Gao Qingqing's eyebrows furrowed, and she pulled on the soft flesh at his waist, gritting her teeth,
"Li Xuanli, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I can't have children?"
Li Xuanli was taken aback, instantly realizing his slip of the tongue. He dared not resist and pleaded for mercy,
"My dear, I'm sorry, it was a slip of the tongue, truly."
"I think you've spoken your true thoughts!"
"My dear, what are you saying? I adore my children, and in my heart, they are the most outstanding. No one can compare to them!"
"Hmph!"
...
In the Hall of Water and Flowers.
When Liu Yuerong heard the news from the butler, her face turned pale, and she nearly lost her balance.
How could this be?
He's only fourteen years old, and he's been granted the title of Count?
Even if he saved the entire city's populace, it wouldn't warrant skipping directly from Baronet to Viscount!
Being a First-rank Viscount is already remarkable, but why a Count?!
It's worth noting that even He Jianlan's children, who have been in the military for many years, are only Counts. And Li Hao is just fourteen this year!
Liu Yuerong grit her teeth, her heart seething with curses for the foolish ruler.
However, on the surface, she dared not show any skepticism or reveal her true feelings; she could only vent her frustration inwardly.
With only two months left, even if it were extended by half a year or even a year, where could her son, Qianfeng, find an opportunity to achieve a feat worthy of a count's title?
Aside from strength, merit also depends on opportunity.
Going to the border?
That's too dangerous!
After a long while, Liu Yuerong calmed herself, thinking that it was fortunate that merit was only an additional factor and not the deciding one.
She had received a message from Mount Wuliang, reassuring her not to worry, as they had already recalled Qianfeng and would assist him in obtaining the True Dragon position.
Now, Liu Yuerong could only pin her hopes on the otherworldly abilities of the Buddha of Mount Wuliang.
...
...
Time flew by.
Ever since the announcement of the decision regarding the Li family's True Dragon, the outside world had been in an uproar.
Li Qianfeng received a summons from his master, and the proud young man had intended to return to his family first to observe the situation. However, he had no choice but to go back to his sect.
Not long after his return, he learned that his cousin, Li Hao, had been granted the title of Third-rank Count!
This completely shattered his pride, leaving him with a bitter expression.
There was also a reward for the demon he had slain, but it was only a First-rank Baronetcy.
Normally, this would already be extremely difficult, skipping three ranks from Baronet.
But compared to Li Hao, there was a difference of three whole ranks, an entire Viscountcy!
Setting aside his status as a cousin within the family, if he were to meet Li Hao, he would have to bow and address him as "Count," showing deference!
What a humiliation!
Under these blows, when faced with his master's offer of assistance, Li Qianfeng had originally intended to refuse and rely on himself.
However, now he could only accept it.
He carried the hopes of too many people on his shoulders.
When Li Qianfeng returned to Mount Wuliang, numerous gifts from various forces had already been delivered to the Qiankun Heart Palace.
Similarly, even more gifts were sent to Shanhui Court.
Many forces had learned that the Li family's True Dragon would be chosen between these two young masters, so they had taken the initiative to establish connections.
When the third generation of the Li family had been younger, their sharp edges had not yet been fully revealed, so the target of the True Dragon was unclear. If one wanted to forge a connection with the future True Dragon of the Li family, they would have to please everyone, spreading their efforts and resources thin. But now, with a clear goal, investments could be focused, and the more one invested, the better the chances of forming a connection.
Many years ago, when Li Qianfeng had first become a disciple of Mount Wuliang, some people had already started sending gifts and laying the groundwork more than a decade in advance.
Now, with the sudden appearance of Li Hao, it was too late to shift their allegiances, and they could only continue on the path they had chosen.
...
Amidst the surging waves and converging undercurrents, one of the parties at the center of this vortex, Li Hao, rode his horse leisurely to the Tan Palace Academy.
First, he visited Song Qiumo by the Cold Pond and painted two more pictures for her. He also brought some small pastries.
Song Qiumo glanced at them and expressed that she didn't like eating such dry things.
Li Hao smiled and asked her to try them.
She could at least taste them.
Song Qiumo didn't want to reject Li Hao's good intentions, so after tasting them, she immediately asked where he had bought them. Li Hao smiled and, seeing her interest, honestly told her that he had made them himself.
Song Qiumo's eyes widened at this, and she looked at Li Hao with a greedy expression.
Before she could even ask, Li Hao assured her that he would make more and bring them the next time he visited.
Hearing this, Song Qiumo revealed a satisfied smile, and with a wave of her slender hand, a seven-leaf purple grass flew out from the cold pond.
This purple grass had a deep violet color and emitted a soft glow, looking quite exquisite.
She handed the grass to Li Hao and said, "This is a thousand-year-old Xuan Yu Cao. If you refine it into a pill, it can protect you from ice attacks. It greatly assists in the cultivation of ice-based techniques. Even if you don't cultivate such techniques, it will still enhance your defense if you encounter aquatic demons in the future!"
Li Hao took a look and shook his head. "You should keep this precious herb. I don't need it."
"Why?" Song Qiumo was stunned and immediately asked, "I know your Li family has abundant resources, but this thousand-year-old Xuan Yu Cao should still be a rare treasure for you."
Indeed, Li Hao knew this, but his situation was unique.
While the herb was valuable, he couldn't absorb its benefits, so there was no point in keeping it.
Compared to the improvements he could make through the system's interface, he didn't need the small boost this herb would provide. He could simply record an ice-based technique into the system and surpass the benefits of the herb.
After all, the body had its limits, and no amount of pills could surpass them.
While he could give it to others, the herb was too precious, and it would be useful to Song Qiumo, who was likely planning to keep it until it matured further before consuming it herself.
"You keep it for yourself," Li Hao said with a smile. "I lack for nothing."
Song Qiumo was taken aback, not knowing what to say.
Over the years, she had guarded the Tan Palace Academy and fulfilled her promise. Many disciples had tried to get close to her, but they all had ulterior motives.
Some people also sought to establish connections with him.
However, Li Hao didn't seem to need to go to such lengths.
After all, the other party was the young master of the Shen Jiang Fu, a prodigiously talented individual. Why would he need to go out of his way to curry favor with her, a mere demon at the Four Establishments realm?
"You really don't want it?" Song Qiomo asked, hesitating.
Li Hao sighed in exasperation, "If you have a lot of this stuff and really want to give it to me, I'll take it back to feed the pigs."
"In your dreams," Song Qiomo retorted, rolling her eyes. What pig would be worthy of such a treat?
Li Hao, however, was thinking that it wouldn't be bad to give it to Li Yuanzhao...
In the Jia Yuan of Tan Gong Academy, Li Yuanzhao, who had been inexplicably implicated, suddenly sneezed, looking around in confusion. Who's badmouthing me? Could it be that brat Li Yun?
At the same time, Li Yun also sneezed, turning his head abruptly to lock eyes with Li Yuanzhao. They shared a moment of connection.
Back at the Cold Pond, Song Qiomo put the precious medicine away and returned it to the pond to nurture it back to health. Although it had been slightly damaged when she plucked it out, it was a resilient treasure and would soon take root and recover.
"Then, next time, bring more of those treats you had earlier," Song Qiomo said, winking at Li Hao.
Li Hao smiled and waved, "It'll be hard to feed you to your heart's content, but I can satisfy your cravings."
With that, he bid farewell and left.
Song Qiomo watched the boy's departing figure for a long time, a smile playing on her lips.
Then she turned and quietly slipped back into the cold pond.
Meanwhile, Li Hao made his way to the Black and White Hall.
He had informed Palace Master Song Yufeng that he wanted to teach a class today.
Since he had taken on the role of a registered teacher, he ought to fulfill his duties, and he just so happened to have some free time lately.
When Li Hao arrived at the Black and White Hall, he suddenly heard angry shouts coming from inside:
"Get out! Stand outside the door!"
"What kind of rubbish are you writing day after day? Are you here to practice martial arts or to study?"
"If it weren't for your father's sake, if it weren't for your father begging me, with your talent, how could you possibly enter the Black and White Hall?"
"You should consider yourself lucky to be in the outer Jia Yuan!"
Li Hao was taken aback by these words, his expression turning strange.
This was a bit too much, even for someone like him.
It was as if the teacher was saying, 'Who cares about your academic pursuits? This is PE class! Get your ass to the field!'
Was this a bit too much?
However, this was the Tan Gong Academy, where academic pursuits were naturally frowned upon.
Li Hao took a step forward and entered the hall.
The Black and White Hall consisted of two separate halls, the Black Hall and the White Hall.
The Black Hall was for disciples at the Jie Hun realm, while the White Hall was for those at the Shen You realm.
Song Yufeng had requested that Li Hao teach in the White Hall, and indeed, the hall before him was the White Hall within the Black and White Halls, though it was located near the Black Hall, hence the collective name.
The White Hall was spacious, with only fifty seats arranged neatly in rows.
Inside, Li Hao spotted a familiar figure, Song Yuyao, sitting at the front.
She stood out in the white hall uniform, a beautiful sight.
In front of the students, a young man in his twenties hung his head low, his face red with embarrassment as he endured a scolding.
The scolder was an elderly man with white hair and beard—the teacher of the White Hall.
Li Hao was a little surprised. This young man was, after all, at the Shen You realm. Outside in the Jianghu world, he would be considered a formidable figure.
Yet here he was, being reprimanded like a primary school student.
"If I see you bringing these useless books to class again, don't bother coming back! Don't spoil the whole batch with one bad apple!"
"Get out! Stand outside!"
The old man's temper was explosive, and his voice thundered with anger.
The young man's face burned with shame as he clenched his teeth and left. As he reached the door, he bumped into Li Hao and paused, startled.
At that moment, the other students also noticed Li Hao's arrival.
"It's him."
Song Yuyao was taken aback, surprised, but then she remembered what her grandfather had told her, and her eyes lit up. Was this the person who was going to teach them?
She didn't think Li Hao could teach much, even though he was at the Fifteen Li realm and had a higher cultivation level than her. Having a higher cultivation level didn't necessarily mean one could teach, especially since Li Hao was only fourteen years old and seemed like a little brother to her.
"Hey, he looks familiar," said Lin Feifei, Song Yuyao's good friend, with a puzzled expression. "I feel like I've seen him somewhere before."
Song Yuyao smiled bitterly. She hadn't told her friends about Li Hao being the one who had impressed her that day at the Tong Guan Mi He.
It wasn't surprising that they didn't recognize him. Usually, no one paid much attention to what boys looked like.
They were just blocks of wood and dirt.
"Who is he?"
"He looks quite young. Is he new?"
The surrounding students whispered among themselves.
The young man who had just been scolded blushed as he realized he had lost face in front of a new student. He was also surprised at how young this new student was. He must be some young master from a prestigious family.
"What are you waiting for? Get out and stand outside!"
The angry shouts from behind startled the young man, and he quickly left.
At that moment, the old teacher also noticed Li Hao and immediately recognized him. He had been present when Li Hao was exceptionally allowed to enter the Black and White Hall.
Li Hao's name had been on everyone's lips in Qingzhou these past few days. The fourteen-year-old boy who had become a count was truly remarkable.
"Young Master Li, you're here for the exchange, right? Please come in," said the old teacher, his angry expression softening into a smile. His attitude toward Li Hao was extremely respectful.
The stark contrast in the teacher's attitude left the students below in shock, their mouths agape.
When had they ever seen this grumpy old man be so polite? Perhaps only when the Palace Master made a rare appearance?
"Yes, hello," Li Hao replied with a smile, offering a handshake as he usually did.
When they shook hands, Li Hao placed his other hand over the teacher's palm, giving it a slight shake.