Chapter 111: A Boundless Sea (Additional Chapter 425)
In the Qinglian Court, everyone felt minuscule under the gaze of the heavenly phenomenon, like insignificant specks of dust.
Even Li Tiangang's ten-zhang-tall soul, seemed minuscule in comparison to the phenomenon, reaching only up to its knees.
The terrifying sight left everyone stunned.
Li Qianfeng, supported by his mother, had eyes wide with shock, unable to believe what he was witnessing.
So, this is... Li Hao's true strength?!
He recalled how Li Hao had easily defeated him with a single chopstick, even when he had unleashed the power bestowed upon him by his master, making him unmatched at the same realm. Yet, it had been no match for that single chopstick!
His heart pounded with shock, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
Compared to the dazed Li family members, Li Tiangang's face also reflected shock and disbelief.
He had never heard of such a phenomenon, could this be Li Hao's soul manifestation?!
After returning home, he had inquired about Li Hao and learned that he had not inherited the soul of an ancestor but instead, that of a demonic creature. This was one of the reasons for his anger and dissatisfaction towards Li Hao.
But how could this soul manifestation be the result of refining a demonic creature's soul?
Even his own soul manifestation seemed insignificant in comparison, as if it were a lone boat adrift on a vast ocean.
It felt as if he were facing not Li Hao, but the entire heavens and earth!
This realization left Li Tiangang not only shocked but also filled with anger.
As a father, he should not feel intimidated by his own son. The thought of harboring reverence in his heart for his son was something he could never accept or tolerate!
A kind mother begets filial children, and a strict father ensures their obedience!
A strict father and a kind mother, that was the truth he held dear and the unbreakable order of the world!
"So, you do have some skills. No wonder you dare to turn the heavens upside down!"
Li Tiangang took a deep breath, his eyes radiating an aura that intimidated all around him. Despite being seriously injured due to the broken heart vow and his cultivation dropping from the peak of the Undying Realm to the initial stages, he was still an Undying Realm cultivator!
Just like how a typical Fifteen-li Realm cultivator could easily slay a top-notch Divine Travel Realm cultivator, the gap in realms was not something that could be easily overturned.
With a furious roar, the soul manifestation behind him suddenly surged forward, and countless divine lights converged in his palm, transforming into a divine blade!
"Today, no matter how tough you are, I will cut you down!"
"Come on!"
Li Hao roared, and the heavenly phenomenon radiated dazzling golden light. Within the phenomenon, countless golden light veins seemed to mimic the human body's meridians, and all ninety-eight of them shone forth.
At the same time, the Yin-Yang Meridians were revealed, causing the power of his heavenly phenomenon to increase drastically.
The massive phenomenon raised its palm, carrying the might of the heavens, and struck towards Li Tiangang on the ground.
However, the divine blade in Li Tiangang's soul manifestation's hand seemed to burn with blazing flames as it slashed out. A mournful cry seemed to echo through the heavens, and the giant palm of Li Hao's phenomenon was forcibly cleaved open!
The phenomenon's face twisted in pain, and it retreated.
Li Tiangang's soul manifestation, wielding the divine blade, charged towards the heavens and furiously attacked Li Hao's phenomenon.
Li Hao was furious, feeling as if his palm was being torn apart. The divine blade was incredibly sharp, and despite the power of his phenomenon, he couldn't withstand it!
"This won't do. The phenomenon is too large, and the power is scattered!"
Li Hao quickly realized his mistake. This was the first time he had revealed his phenomenon, and he was still learning to control and master it.
Soon, he pulled his power back, causing the phenomenon to rapidly shrink. As the powers converged, it exploded with an even more formidable might than before.
In the blink of an eye, the phenomenon condensed to a size of about ten zhang, similar to the size of Li Tiangang's soul manifestation.
However, Li Hao lacked the ability to condense divine might and form a divine blade. Instead, he reached out for the physical sword in the real world.
Li Hao's gaze fell upon Ren Qianqian and the black sword box she held.
He was just about to call forth the famous sword, Evernight, from within, but he seemed to think of something and looked towards the courtyard, where he saw the old lady with a grief-stricken expression.
Li Hao's heart twinged as he remembered the kind and hopeful look in her eyes when she had gifted him the sword. If he were to use this sword, his great-uncle's companion sword, to fight against his father, it would surely break her heart.
With that thought, Li Hao held back. Instead, he roared in anger and summoned the divine sword from his own courtyard while fending off Li Tiangang's soul manifestation with his phenomenon.
That sword was one he had chosen from the treasure vault with the accompaniment of his second uncle when he had entered the Divine Travel Realm. Although it was not one of the top ten famous swords, it was still a top-notch divine sword capable of slaying Undying Realm great demons!
It was more than enough to deal with Li Tiangang before him.
With his call, in a distant room within the Shanhe Court,
A wooden sword box suddenly flipped open, and a golden sword with a round hilt shot out with a loud zing, as if a dragon were roaring.
The golden sword instantly pierced through the window, carrying an endless killing intent as it rushed towards its master's call.
The sword light weaved through the courtyards and layers of void, howling as it shot into the palm of the phenomenon of its young master.
The ordinarily sized sword seemed to absorb the mighty power of the phenomenon, and its blade rapidly expanded. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a giant sword radiating golden light!
With the sword in hand, it seemed as if the entire world had changed color.
The translucent golden blade illuminated the rapidly approaching soul manifestation of Li Tiangang, and the phenomenon's face seemed to be filled with a violent aura as it suddenly swung the sword.
The sword howled, and the world seemed to plunge into darkness.
A dazzling and massive moon appeared on the sword, becoming the only source of light in the world!
It was blindingly brilliant!
The moonlight enveloped Li Tiangang's soul manifestation, submerging it entirely.
"Old Seventh!"
Li Xuanli's face twitched, and he unconsciously called out in concern.
At this moment, the might and sword intent unleashed by Li Hao's phenomenon caused him to instinctively worry for Li Tiangang, a cultivator of the third level of the Undying Realm.
Li Minguang, Li Wushuang, Li Yun, and the others from the three generations stared at the scene in shock.
They couldn't imagine that this was Li Hao's true strength!
This was the power that a cultivator of the Fifteen-li Realm could possess!
Li Sibei couldn't help but swallow, feeling that even if she were to fight Li Hao with her cultivation at the Heaven's Equal Realm, she might not fare well.
This cousin of hers was truly monstrous, surpassing even the person she admired the most in her childhood!
Just as everyone was stunned, the dazzling moon was suddenly torn apart. A blazing red light pierced through the center of the moon, and like a scorching sun, it shattered the moon into pieces!
Li Tiangang's soul manifestation, wielding the divine blade, had a stern look in his eyes, as if he were overlooking the world.
"Tiangang!" Suddenly, Li Qingzheng's figure appeared as if he had teleported, blocking Li Hao's soul manifestation.
Shock and anger were evident on his face. He was astonished by Li Hao's heavenly phenomenon, a soul manifestation he had only heard about in ancient tales.
Legend has it that a small number of warriors from the distant ages before the Great Yu Dynasty were able to refine this type of soul manifestation!
Those warriors did not inherit the soul of any person but instead, that of the heavens and the earth! They were pioneers in the path of martial cultivation, and later, they were revered as Heavenly Teachers. Thousands of years later, they were respectfully referred to as... Saints!
In other words, achieving such a level indicated that Li Hao possessed the potential to become a Saint!
It must be known that the Great Yu Dynasty had not seen the birth of a Saint for countless years.
How could the pride of the Li family find himself in such a predicament?
"Fifth Uncle, please step aside!" Li Tiangang's eyes were icy, but he maintained the decorum owed to his elder.
Li Qingzheng angrily retorted, "Why can't we talk this out? Hao'er has exceptional talent; how can you bear to do this?"
"What use is talent if he's so unruly? He's only fourteen and already dares to kill his brother and defy his father. The higher his cultivation base rises, the more uncontrollable he'll become, acting with increasing disregard for rules and morals!" Li Tiangang raged.
"You're simply being foolish!" Li Qingzheng couldn't help but chastise him. "Hao'er has been well-behaved these years in the mansion, never causing trouble for anyone. Why do you need to discipline him?"
"It's precisely because of Fifth Uncle's spoiling that he's become like this. If I had been around these years, I would have taught him a strict lesson long ago!" Li Tiangang gritted his teeth.
Li Qingzheng wanted to say something more, but Li Hao, who was beneath him, spoke up. "Fifth Uncle, how is Xiao Rou?"
Li Qingzheng paused, then looked down at Li Hao and quickly assured him, "She's fine. I've used my Undying power to protect her vital meridians. She's alive and currently recuperating. Your father didn't use his full strength, otherwise..."
Li Hao smiled faintly, as these things were no longer important. "It's good that Xiao Rou is alright. Fifth Uncle, please step aside."
"Hao'er!" Li Qingzheng exclaimed in concern.
"Let me see how he intends to teach me a lesson," Li Hao said with a smile. "Second Uncle isn't here, and Fifth Uncle, you need to guard the ancestral hall. Don't let this matter cause you to break your heart vow and get injured."
Li Qingzheng's body trembled as he looked at the smile on Li Hao's face, but his own expression turned sorrowful. "Hao'er, rest assured. With Fifth Uncle here, I won't let him hurt you!"
"Fifth Uncle, the ancestral souls in the clan temple cannot be affected by this matter," Li Hao said, his smile fading as he spoke seriously.
Li Qingzheng's face changed slightly as he looked deeply into Li Hao's eyes, then turned to Li Tiangang and said, "Hear that? Hear that? Your son is still able to consider the bigger picture. What about you?"
"Tiangang, if your son were born anywhere else, any father would be proud to have him!"
"But unfortunately, his father is you!"
Hearing these words from his Fifth Uncle, Li Tiangang's expression turned ugly, but he admitted that what Li Hao had just said had indeed made him see him in a different light.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Fifth Uncle, what he said is true. Please step aside. Today's matter is a family affair; no one else should interfere!"
Li Qingzheng raged, "Your father died too early. Otherwise, he would have taught you a harsh lesson today!"
Upon hearing these words, Chen Hefang's face paled slightly.
Li Tiangang gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. "Fifth Uncle! Move aside!!!"
Disappointment flashed in Li Qingzheng's eyes as he looked at Li Tiangang intently. "You will regret this!"
With that, he stepped away from the battlefield.
Just as Li Hao had said, he couldn't afford to be injured and break his heart vow.
Currently, with Limuxiu absent from the mansion, he was the only one holding down the fort.
If he were to be injured at this moment and someone took advantage of the chaos to attack the mansion, the ancestral souls in the clan temple would suffer a heavy blow!
Those souls were merely lingering remnants and not in their prime state. Even a cultivator at the Four Establishments Realm could sweep through them with ease.
This was the reason why he had remained shut in the clan temple for so many years.
Although the God General Mansion had accumulated prestige over the years and no one dared to provoke them, those who dared to covet the God General Mansion were certainly no ordinary people.
"You at least have a sense of the bigger picture and aren't completely hopeless!"
After Li Qingzheng left, Li Tiangang coldly addressed Li Hao.
Li Hao laughed, and then a cold light flashed in his eyes. "Stop wasting time. Come on!"
"Still so defiant!" Li Tiangang roared.
His soul manifestation brandished the Divine Might Sword and slashed towards Li Hao, who also swung his sword, but this time, it wasn't the Moonrise Sword Style; it was the Boundless Sea!
This was the fourth style and the ultimate sword technique!
Boundless Sea, Accompanied by Heaven!
As the sword in his soul manifestation's hand gathered its power, boundless sword intent seemed to surge down from the nine heavens above.
This sword intent was like a tidal wave, and the sword's radiance like a vast ocean, as if the entire world was covered in the light of the sword!
Such an extreme level of swordsmanship left the onlookers in the courtyard stunned. They couldn't believe that a cultivator at the Fifteen-li Realm could achieve such a terrifying level of sword mastery!
Chapter 112: Questioning the Grand Master with All Things
An overwhelming sword aura engulfed the sky above the entire God General Mansion.
The young man holding the golden divine sword, his figure akin to a god among swords, commanded the submission of countless blades.
Within the courtyard, Bian Ruoxue looked up, her bright eyes reflecting the countless sword shadows, causing her to fall into a daze.
Such sword aura could shake the heavens and the earth; she had only witnessed something similar in the hands of her master.
But her master was a Sword Saint, a peak expert at the Four Establishments realm, who had questioned his heart with the sword and achieved immense power!
Yet, Li Hao had only reached the fifteen-mile realm and already possessed such formidable might. His understanding of the sword had caught up to his master's footsteps and far surpassed her own.
Outside the mansion, in the high skies above Qingzhou City, the guests who had left earlier were now pausing to witness the intense battle between father and son within the illustrious God General Mansion.
Their faces were filled with disbelief and shock.
They had thought that Li Hao's display of nearly killing a Buddha's personal disciple with a single chopstick was already unparalleled in the world, unmatched by any at the same realm.
Who would have thought that he hadn't even shown his true strength yet?
The sword tide before them was the young man's true killer move!
If this swordsmanship had been used during the True Dragon competition, there wouldn't have even been a need for Li Qianyuan to take the stage.
Such formidable might even made the few Grand Masters present feel the oppressive pressure, their hearts pounding intensely.
"That child..."
Jian Wudao stared, his shock growing by the moment. The young man without sword shadows in his eyes had reached such a terrifying level in swordsmanship.
Could it be that the young man had only casually practiced swordsmanship without any passion or dedication, and without the sword entering his heart, he could still become the pinnacle of swordsmanship?
Jian Wudao refused to believe it; it twisted his understanding.
In the sky above the God General Mansion, as countless sword tides condensed and surged, Li Hao's Dharma figure waved his hand, and the sword tides rushed down towards Li Tiangang.
It was like a thousand-foot-high waterfall of sword shadows crashing down!
Li Tiangang's pupils constricted as shock filled his heart. Although he was a knife user and had not cultivated the Boundless Sea, he knew that the final move of this sword technique was extremely difficult to master!
Yet, Li Hao had achieved it.
Facing the terrifying incoming sword qi, a fierce intent burst forth from Li Tiangang's eyes. Was this child truly going to commit patricide?
The divine soul above his head burst forth, and a dazzling divine might emanated from the Shenwei Knife, taking a mighty step into the sea of sword shadows.
The white sword shadows resembled surging waves, but the blood-red figure was like a proud sun. Wherever the Shenwei Knife passed, the sword shadows quickly dissipated.
However, the number of sword shadows was too overwhelming, like an endless torrent, frantically washing over everything.
Even the divine light of the Shenwei Knife was drowned out.
"Shatter!"
Li Tiangang roared, unleashing his divine might!
This was a power that only a Grand Master could exhibit. With his three layers of immortality, the divine soul manifested divine might, and its effect far surpassed that of a Grand Master.
Like a reigning God Emperor, the immense oppressive pressure rippled out like sonic waves.
The countless sword shadows in the sky suddenly shattered into pieces!
The strongest move of the Boundless Sea was broken by his divine might and roar!
At the same time, under the suppression of the divine might, Li Hao's face turned deathly pale, and his chest surged with blood. Fresh blood trickled from the corners of his mouth.
In his eyes, he seemed to be facing a heavenly god-king, and he felt an urge to bow down in reverence. Under that vast divine might, he felt the urge to submit.
However, bow down?!
A violent, bloody intent suddenly appeared in Li Hao's eyes.
When father and son first met, even if it was just a word from Li Tiangang, he would have been willing to kneel and bow down.
A son kneeling to his father!
Kneeling for the bond of blood, kneeling for the grace of his father risking his life to slay a three-thousand-year-old great demon and using its blood to build his foundation!
But now, the father-son bond had withered away.
He would rather die in battle than kneel down!
"Aaahhhhhh!!!!"
Li Hao roared towards the sky, his rage driving him insane. A roar also echoed from his throat as he exhibited the characteristics of the Physical Realm, Tiger Suppress!
Although there was no audible roar, a sense of mighty tiger tremors seemed to emanate from his body, charging towards that vast divine might.
Surprise flashed in Li Tiangang's eyes. Was this the divine might of a Grand Master? Although the might was average, it already had a rudimentary form!
He coldly harrumphed, and his divine soul, wielding the knife, stepped forward to completely annihilate Li Hao's Dharma figure and suppress him.
Seeing that Tiger Suppress was unable to stop his father, Li Hao's eyes turned sinister. He quickly brought up the numerous catalogs he had collected earlier.
After the battle in Cangyu City, he had found quite a few famous paintings that he hadn't embedded yet.
These paintings were:
- 'Thousand Mountains and Birds Flying' remains the same, as it's a poetic name.
At this moment, Li Hao was too anxious to filter through them and didn't have time to think about what characteristics each painting could provide for his Physical Realm. He embedded all of them into his Physical Realm in one go.
In an instant, his bones and muscles seemed to undergo a transformation and change under some unseen vast power.
Streams of information poured into his mind, all of them being the characteristics brought by the various catalogs.
There were three paintings with effects similar to "Tiger Suppress"!
A bloodthirsty light appeared in Li Hao's eyes as he activated these three paintings one after another.
Blood Sea Evil Dragon!
A dragon-like roar resounded from within his body, and the air around him seemed to thicken with a bloody aura. A vague shadow of a huge evil dragon coiled behind Li Hao, a hundred zhang long!
The dragon's shadow seemed to be rolling and tumbling in a sea of blood, roaring towards Li Tiangang, who was approaching with divine might.
However, the golden light of the divine soul was only slightly halted by the dragon's roar before continuing forward without stopping. Instead, its steps quickened!
But immediately afterward, the might of the second painting was revealed.
Coiling Mountain!
It was as if a majestic and majestic mountain appeared behind Li Hao, suppressing the eight directions and giving Li Hao's body an unshakeable feeling of stability.
"Hmph!"
The divine soul in Li Tiangang's eyes was cold. Although he was shocked, his steps didn't stop. So what if there was a mountain? He had slain countless demons in Yanbei. If there were demons, he would slay them; if there were mountains, he would level them!
Everything would be crushed under his feet!
But just then, a low rumble like the mooing of a cow suddenly sounded.
Its divine majesty was akin to that of a true fierce beast, striking fear into all who beheld it.
Li Tiangang's expression changed as the blazing divine flames on his Shenwei Knife were forced to dissipate, leaving only the gleaming blade.
With the combined pressure of three beasts, including the previous tiger, the young man stood in the center, his hair stirring without wind, surrounded by what seemed like a hundred beasts. He exuded a terrifying aura and wildness, akin to a king of the mountains.
Even Li Tiangang's divine soul took a step back, awe-struck by the overwhelming pressure, which would cause even a Grand Master to bow their head.
"So, this is my son?" Li Tiangang's voice was filled with a mix of emotions.
With his fifteen-mile realm, Li Hao's talent was enough to shake the ancient and astonish the modern world, a source of great pride.
However, his temperament was untamed and wild.
Li Tiangang's eyes turned cold once more as he regretted not keeping Li Hao by his side all those years ago. Perhaps he should have taken him to Yanbei, even if it meant facing greater dangers. If he had kept him close and cared for him, Li Hao wouldn't have developed such a wild nature.
With such talent, what couldn't he achieve?
"Well done, but you've taken the wrong path!" Li Tiangang took a deep breath, and as his eyes flickered, a captivating divine light shone forth.
He showed no more mercy as his divine soul tightly gripped the blade, unleashing an extremely domineering strike!
A terrifying blade intent formed, seeming to split apart not just the entire Qinglian Court but also the God General Mansion.
This display of might was several times more ferocious than Li Hao's previous Boundless Sea Sword Technique.
"Li Tiangang!" Li Qingzheng couldn't help but exclaim in shock, his face twisting in anger.
But Li Tiangang paid him no heed as his blade aimed straight for Li Hao's divine soul.
The blade intent contained a killing intent as cold as ten thousand years of icy frost, carrying the might to split the heavens and the earth, unstoppable.
Li Hao's expression changed drastically. Even with the traits of the three paintings protecting him from his father's divine majesty, he couldn't withstand this strike!
Without hesitation, Li Hao quickly returned his divine soul to his body, merging them together, and unleashed the Power of Control, fleeing at full speed.
His body seemed to suddenly become ten times lighter as the Thousand Mountains and Birds Flying and the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox paintings empowered his movement techniques.
However, the incoming strike was too fierce. Despite Li Hao's evasive maneuvers, he was still hit. In the moment he tried to dodge, his father's strike suddenly accelerated!
Li Hao spat out a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying, crashing through several courtyard walls before finally coming to a stop.
The servants and maids within the courtyards stared blankly at Li Hao's fallen form.
In the cloud of dust, the young man crawled up, bloodied and battered.
Without hesitation, Li Hao fled toward the outside of the God General Mansion at full speed.
Although he was filled with rage, the gap in their realms was just too vast. If he stayed any longer, the consequences would be far worse than just a few injuries.
"Where do you think you're going!" A furious roar echoed, and Li Tiangang's figure chased after him like a meteor with burning divine light.
Li Hao didn't turn back, using the Power of Control to flee at full speed.
His speed with the Power of Control was forty miles per breath, and by stimulating his meridians and releasing the power of the Yin-Yang dual meridians, he further increased his speed by several miles.
This speed far surpassed that of the fifteen-mile realm, but the pursuing howl behind him was even faster!
Li Tiangang, having temporarily taken over the True Dragon, had also received enhancements from the clan's ancestral hall for each realm. As a Three Immortals realm expert, despite his injuries and brief fall, he far surpassed the fifteen-mile realm.
A palm strike slammed down, slamming Li Hao back to the ground from mid-air.
Li Hao crashed into a building, struggling to his feet amidst the rubble. Several bystanders nearby were injured by the impact, but he had no time to spare them a thought.
However, as he climbed to his feet, he saw two figures standing outside the ruined building—Zhou Zheng and his father.
Li Hao's body trembled slightly as his mind recalled the furious roar he had heard before class that day:
"...I know my son is a human being, a righteous and upright person. He's not a pot of porridge that's gone bad!"
"...He may not have succeeded in his martial arts cultivation, but that doesn't make him unworthy of being human!!"
"My son may not have high talent, but he has a pure heart. Even if he's only at the Penetrating Power realm, he's still my pride. Who are you to insult him so?"
Li Hao coughed up a mouthful of blood, a self-mocking smile on his face.
Strange, why do I remember the words of a stranger so clearly?
Could it be that I held some expectation deep in my heart?
Is it the power of blood or the secular notion that a father and son should share a deep bond?
Or is it the gratitude I felt when he saved me from a demon in my childhood that softened my heart?
I once cherished that gratitude, but who would have thought that it would lead to me being battered and bruised like this?
At that moment, a violent palm wind pressed down from the sky, as if it would crush the entire earth.
Li Hao looked up, his face lashed by the fierce wind, and saw the angry, icy eyes behind the palm strike, prompting a cold smile to appear on his face.
But the next moment, he turned and fled into the distance.
He didn't expect his father to show any mercy, and he wanted to keep his life. He didn't want to die here.
"Stop right there!" Li Tiangang's eyes were cold and relentless as he retracted his palm strike, avoiding harm to the innocent bystanders.
Then, he pursued his son.
In the streets and in the sky above, the father and son continued their deadly chase.
Ordinary people couldn't see them, but the terrifying killing intent that swept through the area caused countless people to look up, their hearts trembling.
A loud bang echoed! Li Hao's body was struck by a palm and sent crashing into another building. He climbed to his feet, pulling out his tablet as he did so.
He saw the music catalog and immediately embedded several musical scores into his Control Path.
A flood of information rushed into his mind, resembling the sound of a phoenix's cry and the melody of a small horn, with several traits emerging as a result.
However, none of them, in Li Hao's quick perusal, could help him escape his perilous situation or bring about a significant improvement.
He opened the panel, intending to search, but what met his eyes was a dense array of cultivation techniques.
He possessed an extensive collection of techniques, but at this moment, not a single one could help him escape the danger!
At the same time, the figure imbued with the might of the heavens and earth had already caught up, and its overwhelming power loomed overhead.
"Keep running, why aren't you running?"
"You thought you were so powerful that you could bully your brother and kill your father, but is this all you've got?"
With icy eyes, Li Tiangang looked down at Li Hao and suddenly raised his hand to strike.
Li Hao's eyes widened in fury as he gazed at the palm bearing down on him, and once again, he unleashed the Boundless Sea!
A vast sword aura converged and spread in all directions.
Amidst the countless sword shadows, Li Hao stopped fleeing and knew that he couldn't escape.
His only choice was to fight to the death!
The boundless sword light reflected on his face, but his eyes suddenly calmed.
The sea has the sky as its companion, but what about me?
A hint of sadness flashed in Li Hao's heart, but he soon thought of the little white fox who had stood before him fearlessly, and Li Yuanzhao, who had always trusted him.
He also thought of Second Uncle, Feng Lao, and Fifth Uncle... A smile appeared on his face as he realized that, at the very least, he hadn't failed in these past few years, and he had a few people with whom he could speak his heart.
A strong light shone in his eyes as he looked at the countless sword shadows shattering under the divine might.
Though the sword shadows were numerous, they couldn't withstand the might of the divine power.
And despite possessing countless techniques over the years, he had not found his own path.
Where is my path?
Where is my true place in this world?
Li Hao recalled the many ancient tales he had read in the Rain Listening Tower recently.
Most Grand Masters drew inspiration from others' techniques or the natural instincts of demonic beasts to establish their own cultivation systems.
A Grand Master was a master of their own path.
Without a teacher, one blazed their own trail, becoming the teacher of that path.
If that was the case, why be constrained by the forms of these techniques?
Suddenly, Li Hao's mind seemed to be struck by a flash of lightning, and he experienced a sudden epiphany.
He possessed numerous techniques, a diverse assortment, and while they all benefited his physical body and cultivation improvement, they were not categorized.
These techniques were not his own, but those of others.
With his comprehension of the Dao, he could refine the essence of some lower-grade techniques.
This essence was like a path blazed by the techniques, but it was not complete.
Thus, he had only half-stepped into the Grand Master realm.
Speaking of drawing inspiration...
Li Hao's gaze fell on the figure that shattered the countless sword shadows, but his eyes drifted past, landing on the vast sky filled with dark clouds.
Time seemed to freeze around him, and the howling wind fell silent.
Even the mighty Li Tiangang, one of the Three Immortals, existed within this world, beneath this very sky.
If one were to draw inspiration, why not take the heavens and all things as a reference?
In that moment, the countless sword techniques in his mind vanished.
The countless frames and boundaries disappeared, leaving only the sword intent itself.
The energy within him naturally began to wander, and without his conscious awareness, it flowed along a special trajectory in his meridians, surging and roaring.
This flowing energy seemed to extend to Li Hao's eyes, and he could see a door appearing in the heavens and earth before him.
That was the Celestial Gate.
It turned out that the Celestial Gate was everywhere, not just in the heavens and earth, but also in one's heart!
Li Hao burst into laughter, and the energy in his chest surged like a whirlwind.
At this moment, Li Hao felt a sense of freedom, like the feeling he had described in his poem at the brothel:
"Like a roc soaring into the sky, I rise straight up to ninety thousand miles!"
As the Celestial Gate opened, it seemed to lead to another world.
He felt incredibly refreshed, as if he had entered a new world, emerging from deep waters to the surface, with an extraordinarily sensitive and clear perception.
He could see every speck of dust and perceive even the tiniest details!
This was an extremely delicate and exquisite control over his body.
And with this control, Li Hao could push his techniques to a deeper level.
As his mental barriers shattered, the floodgates of information that had been restricted until now burst open, rushing into his mind.
Behind the Boundless Sea Sword Technique, a new sword style emerged.
Boundless Sea - The Other Shore!
A crisp sound rang out as Li Hao's sword erupted with a dragon's roar, as if it sensed its master's intent, shining with a brilliant light.
All these changes happened in an instant, for in the world of the mind, time flowed differently from the outside world. One could flash through hundreds of thoughts in a single breath, while in reality, one could barely lift a hand.
And the epiphany he had just experienced delved even deeper into his consciousness, where thoughts rushed like a torrent, generating tens of thousands of ideas in a moment that barely passed in the outside world.
As the sword tip rose again, a new sword technique emerged—self-creation!
The figure that had descended from the heavens now rushed before him, and like a Buddha subduing demons, a palm strike descended towards his head.
But suddenly, that palm strike seemed to grow distant.
A sword light slashed through, severing the distance between them.
This sword seemed to cut through space itself, imbued with the power of a law!
Chapter 113: No Longer Bearing the Surname Li
The palm strike missed Li Hao, and a furious Li Tiangang was momentarily stunned.
That sword strike was like countless petals drifting before his eyes, causing his vision to blur.
Reincarnation Bloom.
This sword intent actually affected him!
Li Tiangang's eyes widened in shock, but after all, he was a pinnacle Three Unyielding soul. Despite his diminished state, his mental fortitude was formidable, and he quickly regained his wits.
A cold glint appeared as a deadly strike came slashing towards him.
The shock in his eyes instantly turned into towering rage.
"Abominable creature!!"
Roaring, Li Tiangang's soul brandished a knife and dove down for a swift chopping strike.
But Li Hao was closer, and his sword was faster!
Li Tiangang could only barely sidestep, and the sword edge grazed his shoulder, the impact creating a metallic clanging sound as it tore through his flesh, leaving a bloody hole.
The Three Unyielding realms were: Unyielding to Destruction, Unyielding to Damage, and Unyielding to Decay!
Upon reaching the "Unyielding to Damage" realm, one could, with a single thought, achieve an indestructible body that was impervious to blades and swords!
It was only because Li Hao wielded a divine weapon that he was able to pierce through his body. If it were a lower-grade weapon, it wouldn't have been able to harm Li Tiangang at all.
With this kind of power, a strong cultivator in the Three Unyielding realm could move unhindered among an army of tens of thousands on the border and decapitate their commander in the midst of the crowd!
If it were a Grandmaster instead, they would be formidable in one-on-one battles, but as soon as they were surrounded by an army, they would be pierced by a thousand arrows and chopped into mincemeat in an instant!
Especially against the massive armies trained by the Divine General Mansion—against them, even Grandmasters were helpless!
Blood flowed from his wounded shoulder, and Li Tiangang's eyes widened in shock and anger as he glared at Li Hao. But in the next moment, he raised his hand and grabbed the sword edge before Li Hao could retract it, his movement as fast as lightning.
In terms of combat experience, Li Tiangang had honed his skills amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, his body almost instinctively reacting.
Ignoring the risk of his palm being sliced open, he unleashed a fierce punch aimed at Li Hao's chest.
Li Hao quickly released his grip on the sword, but his body did not retreat. Instead, he clenched his sword-wielding hand into a fist and roared as he executed the Half-step Invincible Fist!
This punch broke the rules of the Half-step Invincible Fist as he instantly fused it with sword intent, using his arm as a sword to deliver a strike that combined both fist and sword!
The domineering fist intent and sharp sword intent collided with Li Tiangang's palm, and his rough hand, like a big fan, tried to grasp Li Hao. However, the sword intent within Li Hao's fist penetrated his bones, causing a cracking sound in his arm and forcing him to retreat.
The clash sent both of them flying backward.
"The Heaven-Man realm?!"
Li Tiangang stared at Li Hao in shock, now realizing that Li Hao had, in that fleeting moment, kicked open the Heavenly Gate and stepped into the realm of Grandmasters!
His techniques were no longer constrained by rules, becoming unpredictable and elusive.
Li Hao's eyes turned icy as he glanced at the sword in Li Tiangang's hand. As a swordsman, it was a disgrace to be disarmed, and any other swordsman in his place would have likely chosen to take Li Tiangang's palm strike head-on, even at the cost of severe injury, rather than let go of their sword.
But Li Hao had never possessed the resolve of a typical swordsman.
Whether it was a blade, a sword, or a fist—he would use whatever worked best to attack.
Weapons were external tools; the true core was oneself.
With these thoughts in mind, Li Hao's consciousness became increasingly clear and calm. He had just entered the Grandmaster realm, and while his mental barriers had been broken, he had yet to establish his own path as a Grandmaster.
But at this moment, he had already touched upon it.
Originally, there were no rules or restrictions in the world. It was because of the existence of people that rules were created.
But what about the heavens and the earth?
The sun, the moon, the stars, the rivers and mountains, the flowers and trees—they were all different yet harmonious, complementing each other perfectly.
True harmony did not come from forcing things together with rules but from a natural balance where one's excesses were another's deficiencies.
It was not one-sided!
Perhaps, the "half-step" that Second Grandpa had mentioned referred to this.
Achieving one's own "half-step" was enough!
Li Hao's eyes suddenly erupted with a dazzling brilliance as countless martial arts techniques converged in his mind.
"The myriad phenomena of heaven and earth, why should I be constrained?"
"There are countless rivers in the world, but in the end... all rivers flow to the sea!"
Li Hao had found his own path, even if he had only seen the first step.
But at this moment, he knew which direction to take.
A formidable and majestic aura began to gather around his body. Without a sword in hand, he could still release sword energy, but without the boost of a divine weapon, it would be difficult to achieve the deadliest strike.
Therefore, Li Hao chose to use his fist.
His fist technique was also at the sixth level, no less powerful than his sword!
Facing the shocked and angry gaze, Li Hao felt an urge to shatter it with his fists. He roared towards the sky, and the ground beneath his feet cracked inch by inch. The terrifying might caused the surrounding area to sink, and numerous martial arts techniques merged into his fist.
His body charged forward, his fist like the rivers and mountains!
The prototype of this punch was still the Half-step Invincible Fist, but it only bore a slight resemblance.
"Audacious!"
Li Tiangang also regained his senses, and divine flames seemed to ignite his eyebrows: "I have shown mercy time and again, yet you dare to remain obstinate!"
A terrifying aura surged from his body as the power of the Three Unyielding realms erupted. At the same time, he suppressed his severe injuries and temporarily unleashed the power of the Unyielding to Decay realm.
His originally wounded body showed signs of temporary recovery, and his realm seemed to be on the verge of climbing higher!
This action would leave him with even more severe injuries afterward, but the momentum Li Hao was displaying left him with no other choice.
He wanted to crush Li Hao's stubborn bones, even if he was a Grandmaster!
"Tiangang!!"
The figures of Li Qingzheng and the others arrived, and seeing this scene, they couldn't help but roar in grief and anger.
Li Tiangang fused countless supreme techniques, comprehended their principles, and created his own pinnacle palm technique, which he unleashed like a vast and brilliant sun.
Boundless golden light illuminated the nearby streets, causing them to darken in comparison.
Li Hao's eyes turned bloodshot, and the techniques within his body rapidly activated the Seven Star Lighting the Lamp trait. With the secondary circulation, his power doubled!
Even though there would be side effects and he would be left exhausted afterward, he couldn't worry about that now.
He was like a moth recklessly flying into a flame as he rushed towards that palm, which exuded an aura of annihilation, enveloped in dazzling divine light.
Then, he was submerged by the divine radiance.
A thunderous boom shook the heavens and the earth, causing terrifying cracks to appear on the streets. The violent force tore through the surrounding houses, reducing them to rubble.
Li Qingzheng quickly acted, teleporting the inhabitants of the houses to safety, preventing any casualties.
The golden divine palm suddenly disintegrated in a burst of radiant light.
Everyone stared in awe at the spectacle, knowing that aside from Li Qingzheng, Li Xuanli, and Li Fenghua, none could intervene in such a battle, unless it was Lin Wuji.
However, he merely watched, his eyes filled with shock and a deep contemplation as he witnessed the unfolding events.
As the golden light of the divine palm dissipated, Li Tiangang couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. The ferocious force of Li Hao's punch had shredded his clothes, revealing his muscular and robust upper body beneath.
Countless scars crisscrossed his body, as ugly as earthworms, each one a testament to the countless battles he had endured on the border.
Even though he had reached the Three Unyielding realm, where the body becomes impervious to destruction, these wounds remained, a stark reminder of the brutality of his fourteen years of warfare and the countless lives he had taken.
In contrast to Li Tiangang's shredded clothes, Li Hao's body was sent flying like a cannonball, knocked back by the overwhelming power of Li Tiangang's palm.
The punch that had concentrated all of Li Hao's strength had failed to reach its target, and he was batted away like an insect.
Li Hao's body flew back hundreds of meters before finally coming to a stop. He stared back at Li Tiangang, his eyes filled with shock. Although he had just stepped into the Grandmaster realm, he hadn't had sufficient time to consolidate his newfound power, hastily gathering all his cultivation techniques in a rushed and imperfect manner.
Nonetheless, that punch had been the strongest attack he could muster at that moment.
And yet, he had still lost! The gap in their cultivation levels, coupled with Li Tiangang's status as an exceptional genius, was simply too vast to overcome.
Li Hao turned back, his eyes falling upon the figure shrouded in terrifying killing intent, striding forward like a god emerging from the flames.
As the shadow of death loomed over him, Li Hao gritted his teeth and turned away, crawling towards the distance before summoning his object-controlling power to flee.
"Get back here!" Li Tiangang roared in fury.
His aura surged as he pushed himself to the mid-stage of the Three Unyielding realm.
A thunderous force, like a peal of thunder, struck Li Hao from above, sending him crashing back to the ground, his spine seemingly shattering upon impact.
Li Hao hit the ground but refused to yield, crawling out of the crater and once again charging into the distance.
However, Li Tiangang's figure suddenly appeared right before him, as if he had teleported, and unleashed a palm strike at close range.
Li Hao was sent flying once more, his ribs shattering into pieces, his internal organs damaged. Blood gushed from his mouth as if it were being squeezed out, flowing from every orifice.
Blood trickled from his eyes, ears, and nose, painting a pitiful and horrifying picture.
"You would kill your brother and father? Do you truly wish to fall into the path of demons?!" Li Tiangang's eyes turned icy cold.
Li Hao struggled to prop himself up, a stubborn determination fueling his actions. He refused to fall, refused to yield before this man!
Seeing the defiance in Li Hao's eyes, Li Tiangang's gaze burned with rage. "So what if you have exceptional talent? Don't forget your surname, Li! You are a member of the Li Family!"
"You are part of the Li Family!"
"Every member of the Li Family you see has dedicated their lives to the clan. What have you contributed? What have you given in return for all that you've taken from the family?"
"The food you eat, the clothes you wear, the servants who serve you—they all belong to the Li Family! They are all paid for by the blood and sweat of your relatives!"
"It is the warriors on the border, your uncles, who have fought and died to protect this family and bring us glory and wealth!"
Li Tiangang advanced step by step, his eyes flashing with an intense light: "You feel wronged, and it is true that I was not there for you. I wronged you, but did you lack anything in your life?"
"How many children were born only to lose their parents to war? Should they feel wronged as well?"
"You say you ingested a poisonous pill, and even if that's true, so what?!"
"You're still alive, and with your talent, do you still need to care about that drop of divine blood?"
"You can come to me, and I will right this wrong, but do you have to kill them, orphans and widows? Have you thought about your deceased uncle? How can his spirit rest in peace knowing what you've done?"
Finally, Li Tiangang stood before Li Hao, towering over the battered young man.
"Tell me, what gives you the right to act so recklessly?"
"Is it because of the power you gained through the resources of the Li Family?!"
Li Hao listened to the other man's angry rebuke, trying to hold back the blood that kept surging up his throat and the pain from his shattered ribs and damaged organs.
But the more he tried to suppress it, the more the blood seemed to flow.
He spat out the broken pieces of his internal organs, lifting his head to look at Li Tiangang, his eyes reflecting both a smile and a grim determination.
"Why say so much? If you want to, just kill me. From now on, I won't bear the surname Li anymore!"
Upon hearing the words, "Even if that's true, so what?", Li Hao had lost all desire to continue this conversation.
He didn't even bother to explain that aside from his basic necessities, he had never enjoyed any cultivation resources from the family.
There was no point in explaining himself to this man; it would be futile.
In that moment, he even felt a strange sense of relief and gratitude towards the stepmother he had resented for so many years, for destroying the divine blood within him.
He hated and loathed even the blood that flowed within him, the same blood that ran through Li Tiangang's veins.
Chapter 114: To Hell with Father and Son
"Do you want to die? It won't be that easy. Even if I cripple you, I'll beat that rebellious nature out of you. Otherwise, when you fall into the devil's path in the future, I, Li Tiangang, will have failed the world!"
Li Tiangang said coldly, his eyes icy.
He raised his hand, and a force suddenly surged and swept through the area.
His immortal divine sense quickly covered the entire Divine General Mansion. Soon, from a dark dungeon within the mansion, two chains suddenly flew out and rushed over at high speed!
The chains pierced through the Divine General Mansion and across the skies above countless households, like two streaks of black starlight, falling from the heavens.
They landed in front of Li Hao.
"I intended to make up for my absence, but after years of being indulged and spoiled, I will break my promise and break your bones first!"
Li Tiangang said coldly, "Don't forget what I do for a living. I have plenty of ways to erase your rebellious nature!"
"Li Tiangang!!!"
Li Qingzheng glared at him, his aged face flushed with anger, and he rushed forward, "What are you doing? Do you intend to torture your own son?!"
"Fifth Uncle!"
Li Tiangang's expression changed slightly, and he angrily said, "This is a family matter. Don't interfere!"
"You... You're trying to drive me to my death!"
Li Qingzheng pointed at him and scolded, "You just came back from the border, and you've been showing off your might there. Are you still not satisfied?"
"You haven't visited Hao'er in so many years, and now that you're back, you want him to change this and that. Have you gone mad?"
"Fifth Uncle, stop talking!"
Li Tiangang's face turned icy, and he said, "I've actually been enduring all this time. You and Second Uncle have spoiled this brat these past years, leading to his rebellious nature. I didn't want to bring this up, considering your kindness in raising him in my stead."
"But if it weren't for your indulgence and protection, how could Hao'er have turned out like this?"
"Can't you see what he's become? He dared to lay his hands on me. He just obtained the True Dragon slot and gained some power, and now he's already so rampant!"
"In the future, when he achieves the Three Immortals and steps into the Four Establishments Realm, I'm afraid even you uncles will be trampled under his feet. He even dared to smash the ancestral tablets!"
"You... You..."
Li Qingzheng pointed at him, his whole body trembling with anger, his eyes wide with fury. For a moment, he was speechless.
Was he blaming them for protecting Li Hao?
But when had they ever protected him?
In this vast mansion, aside from these two old men, who else could keep this child company?
And what wrongs had this child ever committed?!
"You're simply... beyond reasoning with!" Li Qingzheng gritted his teeth.
His usually calm demeanor was now truly angry. If it weren't for the thought of the ancestral tablets in the ancestral hall, which needed someone to guard—the thousand-year foundation of the Li family, even more important than the Listening Rain Tower—he would have taken action already and, in place of his deceased brother, severely disciplined his son!
"Get out of my way!"
Li Tiangang's face was filled with killing intent, and he no longer wanted to talk to Li Qingzheng. In his opinion, everything the latter said was just making excuses for Li Hao.
"Fifth Grandpa, please step aside. Don't let this mad dog break your oath."
Li Hao's voice came from behind Li Qingzheng.
Li Qingzheng's body trembled slightly, and his expression changed as he turned to look at Li Hao, who was covered in wounds, his clothes in tatters, and his face stained with blood. His eyes filled with pain and sorrow, he said, "Hao'er, just admit your mistake and apologize."
"After all, he is still your father. If you just admit your mistake, that will be enough."
After all, he is still your father?!
Li Hao laughed, throwing his head back and laughing loudly.
But soon, the laughter abruptly stopped.
"Fifth Grandpa, please step aside," Li Hao said again.
Li Qingzheng's expression was ugly, but in the end, he moved aside.
There was no longer any barrier between father and son. That dignified, awe-inspiring face was now fully revealed before Li Hao.
Li Tiangang said coldly, "Fifth Uncle is right. After all, we are father and son. Although it's too late for you to admit your mistake now, if you do, I will spare you from torture today!"
Li Hao laughed again, then spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Go to hell with 'after all, we are father and son'!" Li Hao roared.
It was because of this notion, because of this idea of millennium-old ritual and heritage, that the child living in his heart had continued to yearn for those borderland parents for fourteen years.
And it was this idea of inheriting ritual and music that had put him in such a desperate situation today, covered in wounds!
Hearing the young man's roar, everyone's expressions changed slightly.
Li Qingzheng was taken aback and was about to stop him.
But Li Tiangang's face was filled with rage, and he said, "You're a beast!!!"
The chains on the ground suddenly flew out, and the front ends of the chains turned out to be two sickle-like blades, which now shot out violently.
He was nailed down like a convict about to be executed!
The violent force sent Li Hao's body flying backward, only to be abruptly pulled back and flung to the ground at Li Tiangang's feet.
"I will make you admit your mistake!" Li Tiangang glared at his son, his eyes blazing with fury.
But the next moment, a furious roar echoed from the edge of the world.
"Li Tiangang!!!'
Even before the roar reached them, a gale swept down like a pressing sky, shaking the ruins and dust in the surroundings.
A figure descended in an instant, landing between the father and son, and cradled the young man in his arms.
"Haoer!!!"
It was LiMuxiu, who had just returned to Qingzhou City. He had intended to witness Li Hao's ceremony of inheriting the True Dragon but was greeted by this scene instead.
With his perception, he could cover an entire city.
Staring at the young man in his arms, Li Hao's weak and dying breath caused LiMuxiu's eyes to nearly bleed with rage.
His white hair billowed without wind, and his eyes held a fury that had been dormant for over a decade.
"Haoer, don't be afraid. I'm back. If no one else stands up for you, your Second Grandpa will!"
Feeling the warmth of those arms, Li Hao's exhaustion gave way to a sense of relief.
Seeing Second Grandpa's furious expression, Li Hao's lips curved into a slight smile as he said, "I'm sorry, Second Grandpa. I intended to wait until the guests had left before taking my revenge, not wanting to embarrass the Li family. But I never expected that I would still end up embarrassing the family."
Their father-son battle had shaken all of Qingzhou City, and news of it would undoubtedly spread far and wide.
Hearing Li Hao's words, LiMuxiu's heart trembled. Although he didn't know the specifics of what had transpired, could he not understand Li Hao's character after all these years? After so much time together, their moments by the lake, and countless conversations, how could he not see through a child's heart?!
"Haoer, don't speak anymore. Second Grandpa will stand up for you. Even if your grandfather were here today, Second Grandpa would still stand up for you!!'
LiMuxiu's words were almost grit through his teeth.
Hearing LiMuxiu, Li Tiangang's expression changed, especially when the other party mentioned his deceased father.
Anger flashed in his eyes as he said, "Second Uncle, isn't Hao'er's behavior these years a result of your spoiling him?"
LiMuxiu gently placed Li Hao down, looking at the chains piercing his body, his eyes filled with sadness. He dared not remove the chains for fear of worsening Li Hao's injuries.
He stood up, turned to Li Tiangang, and said angrily, "Yes! So what?"
"It's my fault for spoiling him. Do you want to punish me, too?" Li Tiangang asked, his face darkening.
"Second Uncle! Although you are my uncle, and I am grateful for you and Aunt raising Hao'er, his behavior today is also a result of your indulgence. You share the blame!" Li Tiangang replied, his tone grim.
"Who wants your gratitude?" LiMuxiu roared. "If we didn't spoil him, would you have spoiled him instead? You and your wife are guarding the border. It's our duty to take care of Hao'er!"
Li Tiangang gritted his teeth and said, "Second Uncle, don't lose your temper. These words are inappropriate. I'm guarding the border under the emperor's orders and for the sake of the people there. How could I neglect the welfare of the people for the sake of my son?"
LiMuxiu's expression changed slightly. As a member of a prestigious military family, he couldn't deny this point.
Perhaps ordinary people could afford to put their family first, but not the Divine General's Manor.
If they did so, how could they protect the countless other families?
"I don't know what happened, but what wrong could Hao'er have done to deserve such harsh treatment from you?" LiMuxiu demanded, his anger rising.
Li Tiangang sneered, "He dared to attempt to kill his brother and me right after obtaining the True Dragon. He's fearless because of his talent, but he forgets that his talent comes from me. Although he hasn't awakened the divine blood, the talent of a Li family child is exceptional."
"He can surpass his peers because he carries the blood of me and Qingqing within him!"
"He could reach the fifteen-li realm at the age of fourteen because of the Li family's resources!"
"He can display such extraordinary skills because of the Li family's cultivation techniques!"
"Without the Li family, what would he have?"
LiMuxiu retorted, "He is your son. How could he not deserve these things?"
"Moreover," LiMuxiu added, "Hao'er hasn't relied much on the family's resources these years. He has mostly cultivated on his own."
Chapter 115: Hao'er's Talent, Beyond Your Imagination!
"Second Uncle, stop shielding him!"
Li Tiangang spoke in a cold tone, "Although you are my uncle, I am now the true dragon of the Li family. It's best if you don't interfere. Don't forget the rules set by our ancestors. Do you want me to disregard their legacy and invite their wrath?"
"You... You're insane!"
LiMuxiu was furious. He lifted his hand as if to strike.
Li Tiangang didn't dodge, merely watching him coldly, and said, "Second Uncle, today's matter should end here. We've already given the people around us enough to laugh about. Do you want to give them more?"
"You still care about being a laughingstock?"
Li Muxiu's face turned dark. He could sense that the warriors in the city were rushing towards them, eager to witness the drama unfolding at the General's Mansion.
Among them were several powerful and restrained auras that he recognized as belonging to individuals who had been famous for many years.
Today's events would surely spread throughout the world, bringing shame to the General's Mansion.
"You good-for-nothing!"
Li Muxiu glared at him fiercely, then turned to look at the young man covered in blood on the ground. His eyes turned moist as he squatted down and hugged Li Hao, gritting his teeth, "Li Tiangang, before I left, I entrusted Hao'er to your care. How could you treat him like this?"
Li Tiangang's face turned gloomy as he replied, "I gave him a chance, but he was too reckless. Otherwise, I wouldn't have done this."
Li Muxiu trembled with anger, but he restrained himself. At this point, the most important thing was to treat Hao'er's injuries.
"Hao'er, hold on. Second Grandpa will get justice for you."
Saying so, he prepared to carry Li Hao away.
Li Hao slowly shook his head and weakly said, "It doesn't matter, Second Grandpa."
The old man's body trembled slightly, and then he heard Li Hao continue, "From now on, I won't bear the Li surname anymore. I won't use anything that belongs to the Li family. I'll return everything I've eaten and drunk over the years."
"But this life is mine. Tell him that his son died long ago. He was stabbed to death!"
As he said this, Li Hao's chest surged with blood, and he coughed up another mouthful of blood.
The penetration of the two dragon fangs and the weight of the chains caused excruciating pain as they pulled on his spine, causing Li Hao to bite down hard.
Hearing these words, Li Muxiu's heart trembled, and his eyes turned red and watery, "Hao'er, why would you say such things? Second Grandpa came too late. I'll take you to heal your wounds now."
"No."
Li Hao's originally weak eyes suddenly shone with determination as he gritted his teeth and said, "Second Grandpa, just help me pull this thing out. I can walk by myself."
He wasn't just putting on a brave front. With the 'Conceal and Bide Time' recovery characteristic of the chess manual, he could even regenerate severed limbs, although it would take some time.
This was akin to a special ability of the first level of the Three Immortals.
Li Muxiu's gaze fell on the two penetrating dragon fangs embedded in Li Hao's body, and his eyes shook with anger. He raised his hand and released a force that stabilized the fangs to prevent them from moving and causing further damage to the wounds.
Then he turned and glared at Li Tiangang, not saying a word as he rushed back towards the General's Mansion.
He didn't want to pull out the dragon fangs in front of Li Tiangang, fearing that Li Hao wouldn't be able to withstand the pain.
"Second Grandpa."
Li Hao called out anxiously, but his anxious state caused his qi and blood to surge, and he suddenly fainted.
"Tiangang, you have truly disappointed me."
After Li Muxiu left with Li Hao, Li Qingzheng looked deeply at Li Tiangang and followed suit, his sleeves fluttering.
The others watched from a distance with complicated expressions. They wanted to stop them, but it was clear that Li Tiangang was truly angry. Even the fifth uncle couldn't persuade him, so they had no chance of intervening.
Moreover, they didn't know whom to advise, as Li Hao had dared to be so aggressive towards Li Tiangang. If they advised Li Tiangang, it would be like acknowledging that Li Hao was right to attack him, which went against the rules of propriety.
The best outcome they could hope for was for Li Tiangang to capture Li Hao and then slowly persuade and educate him. However, they never expected that the battle between father and son would be so intense, with Li Tiangang's attacks being so heavy and Li Hao being so stubborn.
"Seventh Brother, you were too impulsive this time."
Li Xuanli walked over with a complicated expression and said, "After all, Hao'er is still a child, and a smart one at that. Although I haven't interacted with him much, I can tell that he has a good sense of propriety. This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly."
Li Tiangang wanted to speak, but his face suddenly changed, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
He quickly covered his chest, and his tall and sturdy body seemed to sway.
Li Xuanli was startled and quickly supported him.
Only then did he realize that the other party must have been severely injured by the suppressed heart oath, but he never expected that the battle with Li Hao would push him to such a state.
However, Li Xuanli soon thought of something, and a smile appeared in his eyes as he said, "Tiangang, did Hao'er just step into the Grandmaster realm?"
Li Tiangang's eyes narrowed slightly as he nodded, "Yes."
"Haha, you've really outdone yourself."
Li Xuanli couldn't help but burst into laughter, "A fourteen-year-old Grandmaster? That's too exaggerated. Has our Li family ever produced such a monstrous talent?"
He lowered his voice and transmitted his voice, "There might truly be something fishy going on."
Li Tiangang's eyes turned slightly cold. "Compared to what he did today, that is not important!"
Li Xuanli was taken aback, looking at his cold and determined eyes. For a moment, he stood there dumbfounded, feeling that his seventh brother, who had been campaigning in Yanbei for over a decade, seemed a bit unfamiliar...
...
...
In the mansion of the Divine General, everyone had returned.
In the Shanhe Courtyard, in one of the bedrooms, everyone looked at the bloodied young man lying on the bed. Their gazes then fell on the divine doctor who was healing Li Hao and stopping the bleeding. He Jianlan asked anxiously, "How is he? Why hasn't Hao'er woken up yet?"
The divine doctor frowned deeply, his expression filled with surprise and doubt. "This is strange, very strange."
"What's strange?" Li Muxiu asked angrily as he paced back and forth.
The divine doctor hesitated for a moment before replying, "Young Master Hao's body seems unable to absorb these medicines. It's as if his meridians are blocked, rendering the healing medicines... completely ineffective!"
Li Muxiu's expression changed drastically, and he quickly rushed to the bedside. Indeed, the precious medicines applied to Li Hao's wounds were flowing out with the blood, not being absorbed at all. He couldn't help but ask in shock, "How... How is this possible?"
Even the divine doctor, who had seen many strange things, was left speechless by this unusual phenomenon.
"Then what about Hao'er's injuries...?" Li Muxiu clenched his teeth. Was he just supposed to wait for death?
The divine doctor quickly said, "Please don't worry. Although Young Master Hao's body cannot absorb the medicines, strangely, his body is slowly healing itself, as if..."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing in a startling manner, "As if he has reached the Immortal realm of the Three Immortals."
The divine doctor had treated the Three Immortals before, and this phenomenon was extremely similar to what he had witnessed.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was shocked, their faces filled with astonishment.
Similar to the Immortal realm of the Three Immortals?
Could it be that during this battle, Li Hao had reached the realm of the Three Immortals?
Impossible!
Even Li Tiangang, who was applying medicine in another part of the room, couldn't help but change his expression upon hearing this.
Li Tiangang was already surprised by Li Hao reaching the Heaven-Man realm, but to leap from the Fifteen-Mile realm to the Immortal realm? Even a saint's reincarnation wouldn't be able to do that!
Among the crowd, Liu Yuerong's face also changed drastically, and she looked somewhat dazed.
"Li Tiangang!"
At this moment, Li Muxiu suddenly turned around and rushed to Li Tiangang's front. With gritted teeth, he said,
"Look at what you've done! Hao'er has a special body constitution, and he can't absorb any medicines at all. How dare you claim that he relied on the Li family's medicines to achieve what he has today? You don't understand your son at all!"
Li Tiangang was slightly lost for words. Indeed, this situation was something he had not anticipated.
His union with his wife was also extremely rare. In other words, there had hardly been any cases of children with constitutions like Li Hao's, and even if there were, they had not paid attention to them.
Hearing Li Muxiu's words, everyone's expressions changed slightly as they looked at the bloodied young man on the bed, falling into silence.
Without relying on any medicines, he had cultivated to such a level. This was truly shocking and unimaginable! Even though they were used to seeing geniuses and freaks, they had never encountered such an exaggerated case.
Standing outside the room, Li Mingguang, Li Wushuang, and Li Qianfeng, who were in the courtyard, heard the conversation inside and their faces paled, filled with shock.
As members of the Li family, they had broad horizons and had seen many geniuses. But compared to the injured young man lying on the bed, those geniuses seemed insignificant.
Li Qianfeng's face turned pale, and his fingers clenched tightly within his sleeves.
"Brother Hao..."
Inside the room, Bian Ruxue stood at the foot of the bed, her eyes filled with both shock and worry.
"What should we do now?"
Li Muxiu looked at the divine doctor and asked anxiously.
The divine doctor looked at the young man with a pained expression and said, "If Young Master Hao cannot use medicines, we can only let his body heal itself. However, his body is constantly being ravaged by the dragon fangs, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the self-healing..."
Li Muxiu's fist clenched tightly, and he suppressed his anger as he said, "Then let's pull out the dragon fangs first."
Hearing this, Li Tiangang's lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, but he ultimately held back.
"I'll help," Li Qingzheng immediately offered.
The divine doctor nodded and instructed, "Please protect his heart meridian to prevent any damage when pulling out the dragon fangs."
Under his guidance, Li Qingzheng and Li Muxiu worked together, one protecting the heart meridian while the other pulled out the dragon fangs.
As the piercing chains were removed, the young man on the bed spat out fresh blood, his face contorting in pain. However, his brows were tightly furrowed as if he was trapped in a nightmarish struggle, and he did not wake up.
Li Muxiu's eyes moistened as he watched the divine doctor dress Li Hao's wounds and wipe away the blood. He took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, "Everyone, please leave. Let Hao'er rest. I want to see just what you all have been doing to Hao'er!"
As he spoke, he glared at Li Tiangang before turning and leaving the room first.
...
...
"So, Hao'er injured Qianfeng to avenge the poisoning incident from back then?"
In the Li family's Enforcement Hall, everyone had gathered.
Li Muxiu sat sternly at the head of the hall, his face grim and his gaze sweeping across Liu Yuerong.
He suddenly recalled how, during their first meeting, Li Hao had also been wary of him.
His heart ached as he realized that, at the time, Li Hao's wariness must have been due to remembering the poisoning incident, causing him to be on guard against others.
"Second Uncle, there's no evidence for this. Don't speak recklessly," Liu Yuerong quickly interjected, standing up. "Hao'er has had a rebellious nature these past few years, befriending all sorts of people. Who knows what nonsense he heard from the servants, or if someone instigated him to make our Divine General's Mansion a laughingstock."
"Shut up!" Li Muxiu roared. "Poisonous woman, do you think I don't know what kind of person Hao'er is? With his temperament, if he didn't hold a grudge against you, why would he care about the position of the Li family's true dragon?"
"Even if we hand it over to your son, what then?"
"Fame and fortune? Glory and honor?"
He couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "With Hao'er's talent, those things would be easily within his grasp!"
"He entered the Fifteen-Mile realm at the age of thirteen!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing Li Muxiu's revelation, everyone in the hall was stunned and ashen-faced.
Thirteen years old and already in the Fifteen-Mile realm?!
Li Muxiu glared at the beautiful young woman, who was lost in her thoughts, and sneered, "Tell me, if a thirteen-year-old who has reached the Fifteen-Mile realm desires fame and fortune, whose name in this world would remain unknown to him?"
The hall fell silent, everyone frozen in place.
Given Li Muxiu's temperament, his words were most likely true. Even if Li Hao had been fourteen, that young man would still be an astonishing prodigy.
However, the previous startling events had happened too quickly for them to consider this possibility.
Liu Yuerong snapped out of her daze, her pale face a forced picture of calm. "Second Uncle, even if Hao'er has exceptional talent, it doesn't mean he doesn't covet the position of the true dragon. With the resources and assistance of the Li family's ancestors, he could climb even higher. For a genius, isn't that an enticing prospect?"
Li Muxiu scoffed, "Still trying to argue your case? Do you think I don't understand Hao'er's nature?"
"Fame and fortune pass before his eyes, but they do not touch his heart. Glory and disgrace do not affect him!"
"This child's talent surpasses your imagination. Don't forget, when he's not out fishing with me, he's entertaining himself. Who among you has ever seen him cultivate?"
Upon hearing these words, Li Xuanli and Li Fenghua remained unmoved, but the faces of the other ladies in the courtyard changed drastically.
Indeed.
In recent years, they rarely saw the boy cultivating.
He spent his days eating, drinking, and making merry, even finding time to play with the cooks in the kitchen and learn how to cook, wasting his precious time.
And yet, this same boy was supposed to be vying for the position of true dragon, fabricating lies to kill Qianfeng and eliminate rivals?
Was he really envious of the benefits that came with the true dragon's legacy?
Who would believe that?!
At that moment, everyone in the room was convinced.
Liu Yuerong's body trembled slightly, and she said, "Second Uncle, you've spent a lot of time with Hao'er, so you can't be biased. Hao'er may seem simple, but he's actually quite complex! He said he remembers everything after the age of one, and if that's true, how terrifying is this child?"
"He's been pretending all these years, putting on an act!"
"He's been acting like a simple child, feigning innocence!"
"At such a young age, he has such deep schemes. Can we really trust him?"
"You shut up!"
Li Muxiu slammed his hand on the table and bellowed, "Even if Hao'er is pretending and acting, how precious is a genius's time?!
"No matter how monstrous he is, he still only has the time from sunrise to sunset. When you say he's entertaining himself, don't forget that he's still spending real time doing so!"
"With that time, if he had cultivated instead, he could have reached even greater heights. Forget about the Fifteen-Mile realm, he might have even attained the Three Immortals realm!"
"In that case, why would he care about your son? He could swat your son away like an annoying fly! Your son isn't even worthy of being compared to Hao'er, let alone competing with him!"
Hearing these words, everyone turned to look at Liu Yuerong.
At this point, Liu Yuerong's arguments held no sway over them.
The previous startling events had happened too quickly for them to process, but now, upon reflection, they realized that Li Muxiu's words were true.
More importantly, these were facts.
Li Hao had not cultivated, and even if he had pretended to indulge in entertainment in front of others, the time lost was significant.
With that time dedicated to cultivation, why fear competition? Moreover, Li Hao's talent was truly extraordinary.
Given his exceptional talent, they couldn't imagine any other reason for him to want to frame Liu Yuerong and brutally kill Li Qianfeng.
Competition? As Li Muxiu said, although Li Qianfeng was an outstanding talent and a disciple of the Buddha himself, compared to Li Hao...
He simply wasn't worthy!