Chapter 144: The Last Lesson I'll Teach You
"How dare you, are you tired of living?!"
As Li Hao's sword light flew forth, a furious voice suddenly rang out from the void.
Immediately afterward, a piercing sound tore through the air, and a dazzling golden feather shot forward.
This feather pierced through the void, its appearance extremely abrupt, as quick as a flash of lightning.
By the time Li Hao saw it, it was already about to pierce his eyeball, right before his very eyes.
"Can't block it!" Li Hao's pupils constricted, and he felt his blood freeze. In this moment, death loomed close, and he had never felt such a foreboding sense of doom.
But in the next instant, the feather disappeared.
An aged hand reached out like a dragon grasping at the moon. The movement seemed extremely slow, creating layer upon layer of afterimages, but in reality, it had instantly snatched the feather away.
A figure appeared before Li Hao, clad in a simple gray robe and with a plain, broken wooden hairpin in his hair. Yet, his back was straight and proud, and it was none other than Feng Boping, who had been secretly following them.
Li Hao came to his senses, his expression changing drastically as he quickly looked forward. He saw a figure like a ghost, having appeared at some point above the Little Demon King's head. Dressed in black, his eyes held a chilling anger.
"A Demon King trespassing into our lands, do you truly wish to die?"
Feng Boping looked at the figure with indifferent eyes, his hand tightening around the feather that glowed with a divine light. The feather crumbled into nothingness in his palm.
"Grand Elder Gao."
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain also reacted, hastily calling out to the black-clad man.
"Since I've made my move, you will all die!"
Killing intent emanated from the black-clad man's eyes, and a formidable demonic aura surged from his body, causing the sky to darken.
Li Hao felt this surging aura, and his heart began to beat rapidly out of control. The opponent was actually a Demon King! From the Little Demon King's cry, it seemed that this was not the Wan Mountain Demon King but another one.
"I'm afraid that might be a little difficult."
Feng Boping's expression remained unchanged, and he even chuckled lightly.
Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he said to Li Hao without turning his head, "Little Rat, it's up to you here. Can you hold on for a quarter of an hour?"
"No problem," Li Hao said in a low voice.
Elder Feng had not shown himself earlier, most likely because he had secretly sensed the presence of this Demon King.
There probably wouldn't be a second Demon King here, so there was no need to remain hidden anymore.
On the other side, the black-clad man also understood Feng Boping's thoughts. They couldn't fight here; otherwise, they would end up hurting the people they were trying to protect, resulting in mutual losses. He was also worried that the Little Demon King would be slapped to death.
"What are you still fooling around for? Hurry up and finish them off and protect the young master!"
The black-clad man coldly transmitted his voice.
The Flood Dragon Demon, who was fighting Li He, saw him appear, and his expression changed drastically. His body trembled slightly as he hastily replied, "Yes!"
The Bull Demon on the other side was also scared out of his wits and quickly responded in the same manner.
"Then let's see who dies first within that quarter of an hour!"
After giving his instructions, the black-clad man said coldly to Feng Boping.
The two men stared at each other, and then their bodies suddenly disappeared without a trace.
However, the formidable demonic aura that enveloped the sky above did not dissipate; instead, it became even more intense, as thick as ink.
"Damn you, you should die!!!"
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain looked up at the departing black-clad man, and when he turned to look at Li Hao, his expression was contorted with rage.
He had not used his true strength earlier, which had almost led to him being severely injured by Li Hao. This had also caused Grand Elder Gao, who had been secretly following them, to make his move.
But once Grand Elder Gao took action, it meant that he would be put on the must-kill list of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty. The dynasty would send their top powerhouses at the Four Establishments Realm to suppress him, and he would have to hide in the Great Desolate Heaven to have a chance of escaping.
Because of his negligence and underestimation of his opponent, Grand Elder Gao would now have to live a life on the run. The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain was utterly furious.
His body trembled, and from his chest to his arms, crimson-red veins appeared, like fiery red flames. This was an extremely powerful demon-refining technique he had obtained from a fragment of an ancient scroll.
It was this refining technique that made his body as tough as divine iron, indestructible. Among the Three Unbreakables at the same realm, very few could injure him. Yet today, he had been slashed by a mere human Grandmaster!
"I will make you pay with your life!!!"
He roared, finally drawing the blade from his back.
The blade had originally been very small, hidden within his fur. But now, as it absorbed his demonic power, it swelled in response to the storm, transforming into a massive golden blade dozens of meters long. Just the wind from the blade's movement was enough to flip houses and split the earth!
Rumble, rumble~~!
He swung his massive blade, chopping down towards Li Hao's head. The blade contained his Grandmaster Martial Realm, the power of wind and thunder!
In the face of this explosive and fierce blade, Li Hao was like a tiny black ant. But his eyes shone with a profound light, for he had not come away empty-handed from the earlier exchange with the Grandmaster. While facing off against the world's top masters, he had also gained insight into their Grandmaster Realm, deepening his understanding of the world.
Sword intent rises with the wind!
Facing this explosive and fierce wind and thunder blade, Li Hao's sword light was like a gentle breeze. His body became as light as a fluttering butterfly, and in the face of the blade's gust, he nimbly dodged to the side.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, he darted past the massive blade, and his sword light, like rolling thunder, stabbed towards the Little Demon King of Wan Mountain's eye.
"My Wind and Thunder Path!"
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain discerned the concept contained within Li Hao's sword, and his pupils contracted as shock and anger filled his eyes. "How could you possibly know it too?!"
Just as the sword light was about to pierce his eyeball, a gray bone fragment shot out, emitting a hazy gray mist that blocked the sword light.
The bone fragment was knocked away without breaking, but Li Hao was also affected by the impact, and in that brief moment of pause, the Little Demon King of Wan Mountain hastily dodged to the side.
"Lionheart Nine Revolutions!"
He roared as he unleashed a secret technique, causing his aura to surge once more. At the same time, he swung his blade towards Li Hao again. The blade seemed to burn with fiery illusions, indicating that he had cultivated a knife technique to the level of true form!
Li Hao's expression changed slightly as he quickly dodged, employing the movement techniques from the Thousand Mountains Bird Flight Chart and the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox Chart. His figure became agile, his speed enhanced, and combined with his martial arts, he moved like a gentle breeze, effortlessly evading the howling blade.
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain roared in pursuit, swinging his blade relentlessly. However, Li Hao merely danced around, temporarily avoiding the brunt of the attack.
Perhaps due to the immense consumption of this knife technique, the Little Demon King soon began to pant heavily, his eyes filled with rage as he seemed to grasp Li Hao's strategy. "Do you think you can tire me out? Don't forget, I am in the Unfading Realm!"
He unleashed the power of the Unfading Realm, and the wounds on his arms began to heal at a visible rate, while his aura stabilized.
He stimulated his blood and flesh once more, executing the Lionheart Nine Revolutions again. At the same time, the protective divine might around his body transformed into flames, engulfing his blade as he rushed towards Li Hao.
With a constant influx of power, his offense became even more fierce and violent than before, and with each step he took, deep pits formed in the ground beneath his feet.
However, Li Hao, who had been retreating, suddenly stopped.
In that short moment of evasion, he had already sorted out his thoughts, drawing inspiration from the boundless sea and the towering heavens.
A new move born from the sword in his hand, Li Hao named it the Heaven Peak Sword.
The might of this sword was comparable to the Other Shore, but with a different concept. The Other Shore could sever spatial distances, achieving extreme speed and assassination capabilities.
On the other hand, the Heaven Peak Sword represented the pinnacle of power, condensing the surging sword intent of the tumultuous sea into an absolute peak.
But that wasn't all Li Hao had been contemplating.
He had been attempting to fuse the Other Shore, the Heaven Peak Sword, and the ultimate Taiji Qiankun Sword of the Tan Palace.
Yin and Yang, death, and assassination!
Under Li Hao's thoughtful amalgamation, the three ultimate techniques shed their extraneous branches, forming a new ultimate sword technique.
Li Hao named this technique Reincarnation.
Facing the roaring Little Demon King of Wan Mountain, Li Hao took a deep breath, once again pushing the power of his grand meridians to their peak, triggering the Seven Star Lamp Lighting characteristic for the second time.
Normally, using it once would lead to physical exhaustion, but after cultivating the two demon-refining techniques, his physique had been greatly enhanced, allowing him to withstand another activation in a short period.
As the technique rapidly circulated, power surged within his body, and the power of controlling objects, infused into the Heavenly Dharma Image, augmented Li Hao's being.
In this moment, his physical strength, qi, and divine power all peaked.
Hum!
The Longxia Sword vibrated, and the dragon coiled around the sword seemed to sense its master's intent, letting out a cold and deep roar.
Li Hao stepped forward, and his sword glowed brilliantly, as if slicing through the darkness of the night sky.
The arc of the sword's light resembled a full moon, or perhaps a door to death itself!
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain's massive golden blade, which he swung down, had its trajectory altered by the vortex-like sword light, and the divine flames that coated it were completely eroded.
As the blade was sent flying, the sword's shadow and light rolled forward, traveling along his arm. In an instant, countless hairs and flesh burst open, turning into fragments.
The sword's shadow and light rolled straight forward, aiming for the Little Demon King's head.
His pupils constricted, revealing a mix of shock, awe, and a hint of terror.
"Young Master!"
Not far away, the Flood Dragon Demon let out a heaven-shaking roar. Its spirit soul suddenly burned like a blazing flame, moving at an unimaginable speed as it rammed into the Little Demon King, knocking him away. However, its spirit soul collided with the sword's shadow and light.
A loud bang echoed, and its spirit soul shattered into pieces, its hundred-zhang-long body breaking into several segments, melting like ice and snow.
"Young Master, run..."
In the distance, the Flood Dragon Demon's eyes were unfocused, and it let out a piercing, weak call.
Then, taking the opportunity, Li He and the three Unbreakables of the He Clan swiftly beheaded it, causing its massive head to roll down, spraying blood everywhere.
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain, who had fallen to the distance, stood there in a daze as the splattered blood from the Flood Dragon's neck soaked his body, scalding and burning.
That was the blood of the Flood Dragon...
"Young Master... run..."
In its final moments, the dissipating spirit soul still held a faint voice, which eventually faded away, completely annihilated.
The Little Demon King's blood seemed to freeze in his veins, and he stood there, somewhat dazed.
For hundreds of years, under the protection of his father, he had cultivated with exceptional talent. His journey had been smooth, and he had broken through the realms with ease!
He was born with a perfect body at the completion stage of the Revolving Heaven Realm.
Soon after, he entered the Soul-Sealing and Spirit-Traveling stages, reaching the fifteenth level!
All of this had taken only a decade, an achievement that was considered the top genius even among demon kings.
Then, he spent another sixty years to enter the Heaven-Man Realm.
A hundred years later, he stepped into the Three Unbreakables Realm.
When he cultivated to the second stage of the Three Unbreakables, the Unbreakable Body, he ventured out of seclusion. Accompanied by the Flood Dragon and the Bull Demon, he waged battles along the border of Liangzhou.
First, he subdued the Three Unbreakables of other demon clans, bringing them under his command.
Ambition burned in his heart, a desire to conquer and devour.
For decades, he made his moves along the border, again and again, his boldness growing with each success. His intrusion into the heart of Liangzhou this time was due to the information he received, coupled with his own audacity.
He had thought everything would go smoothly, but at this moment, he felt a strange sensation.
It was the feeling of death, of fear, and of trembling!
"Young Master!!!"
A heaven-shaking roar echoed from a distance, filled with urgent calling.
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain snapped back to his senses, his pupils constricting as he realized he had just been in a daze.
He looked up and saw the human Grandmaster coming at him again, the longsword in his hand once more wielding sword shadows and arc lights, as if opening a door made of swords in the darkness.
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain came to his senses, his heart filled with anger, but he valued his life even more.
He knew that with his talent, he would surely become a great Demon King and could even surpass his father.
At that time, he would have the hope of reaching that remote and unimaginable pinnacle and gently touching it.
He must not die!
He must not die here!
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain roared fiercely, releasing a Lion's Roar, but it had little effect on the sword shadows and arc lights.
His body no longer maintained its semi-human form and transformed into a complete lion form. Two wing-like appendages extended from his back, a manifestation of his mother's bloodline power.
However, the wings were rather small and could only increase his speed. At this moment, he sprinted at full speed towards the city gate not far away, choosing to flee.
His heart was filled with grief and indignation. In his hundreds of years of conquering one mountain after another, when had he ever been so disheveled?
Li Hao raised his eyebrows slightly, watching as the opponent, who had just roared angrily and vowed to kill him, seemed to have a change of heart and turned to flee.
He thought the opponent would continue to be stubborn and attack.
As expected, demons were not to be trusted.
Li Hao paused slightly, then quickly gave chase. At the same time, he released the Longxia Sword, controlling it with his will, and slashed out with extreme speed.
"Die!"
In the distance, the Bull Demon roared and rammed into the three Unbreakables, rushing towards Li Hao. He released countless bull hairs like needles, shooting them towards the Longxia Sword.
The Longxia Sword was incredibly sharp, easily slicing through these bull hairs. However, under the continuous onslaught of the bull hairs, like raindrops patting on him, Li Hao's attack was somewhat affected.
"Die!"
The Bull Demon suddenly arched forward, as if trying to move a mountain with its might. Li Hao's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he felt a sharp aura piercing at him. He recalled the Longxia Sword and once again executed a Reincarnation move.
The sword light spun like a vortex, completely erasing that sharp aura. It then continued on its path towards the Bull Demon's head.
The Bull Demon roared, its body burning with a flame-like radiance as it chose to burn its spirit soul.
It lifted its bull hoof and stomped down on the sword light.
However, the sharpness of the sword light exceeded its expectations. Although it was in the Unbreakable Realm, its physical body was not as sturdy as the Little Demon King's. Under the tear of the Longxia Sword's aura, the bull hoof was swiftly severed as if it were tofu, with seemingly no resistance at all.
The bull hoof fell, and the sword light continued its relentless path, slicing through half of the Bull Demon's body.
The Bull Demon's eyes widened in disbelief as it looked at the young man before it. Was this the power of a Grandmaster?
Its body collapsed, but it let out an ear-piercing roar, the sound waves causing the nearby houses to explode.
Its spirit soul detached from its body, burning with fiery light, as it executed a unique demon ability, crashing forward like a giant mountain.
Li Hao raised his sword and brought it down straight.
The dragon soul on the Longxia Sword flew out, coiling around and biting down on the Bull Demon's spirit soul, pinning it to the ground. The sword light then fell, and the spirit soul dimmed.
"Young Master..."
The Bull Demon's eyes, as it lay on the ground, reflected the fleeing figure of the giant lion in the distance. It roared in grief and despair, "Blackie has failed you..."
The fiery light swept through, and the divine might emanating from the Longxia Sword devoured and annihilated its spirit soul.
One of the three Unbreakables who had been fighting the Bull Demon rushed over and paused upon seeing this scene, his expression changing slightly as he looked at Li Hao.
Of course, he knew the identity of this young man, but he couldn't imagine how a 14-year-old youth from the Li family could possess such formidable power.
Li Hao didn't pay attention to him and instead directly pursued the Little Demon King of Wan Mountain with his sword in hand.
Letting the lion escape would leave future troubles.
Just as he started his pursuit, the ground suddenly trembled.
Li Hao's expression changed slightly, and his spirit soul flew out, hovering in the air above the Great Yue City. He then saw that the demon wave, which had been a hundred miles away earlier, was now rushing towards them.
On the walls of the city, the Grandmasters who had been discussing their cultivation earlier had already taken their positions, joining the city guards in preparation to face this demon wave.
The Unbreakable noticed this as well, his expression changing as he quickly rushed over.
Among the demon wave were also three Unbreakables, and it would be difficult for the Grandmasters to hold them off alone.
Li Hao only glanced at it before continuing his pursuit of the Little Demon King of Wan Mountain. The Longxia Sword left his hand and chased after the fleeing demon king.
The Little Demon King of Wan Mountain slapped behind him, but it was shredded by the Longxia Sword. His heart was filled with grief and anger, but he dared not turn back. For the first time, he felt that a quarter of an hour was an incredibly long time, and Elder Feng still hadn't returned!
The city gate was right before him, and the Little Demon King of Wan Mountain could already see the demon army outside the city. As long as he could join them, he could conceal his presence and make it difficult for his pursuers to find him.
However, at this moment, a chilling aura of death approached from behind.
He was already moving at top speed, so how could the young man's control over his sword be so extraordinary?
Bang! The sword light cleaved through, causing the Little Demon King's head to explode. Brain matter splattered, and his massive body tumbled forward, crushing and flattening the shops and buildings in its path.
The next moment, a divine light burst forth from the headless lion body, rushing away into the distance.
Like a bolt of golden light, Li Hao chased after it, instantly cleaving through the divine light. A tragic scream echoed through the air.
Desperate to survive, the Little Demon King burned his spirit soul, his eyes wild with panic. Never before had he felt so helpless, and at that moment, his only thought was to stay alive.
As his spirit soul burned, his speed increased dramatically. Even though this might halt his cultivation forever, staying alive was more important than anything else at that moment.
Boom! Suddenly, a sword aura extended like a ghostly shadow and slashed at the Little Demon King's spirit soul.
"How is this possible...?"
The Little Demon King's consciousness trembled as it teetered on the brink of collapse and annihilation. He couldn't believe what he was seeing as he turned to look behind him. There was the young man, far in the distance, and the famous sword he wielded was also far from his reach. This attack should have been out of range...
But why was he still hit?
He couldn't comprehend it, and his thoughts scattered as he lost the ability to think.
Seeing the Little Demon King's spirit soul completely dissipate and vanish, Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief. He had almost failed to catch up, so he had no choice but to use the Flying Sword technique.
It must be said that the Flying Sword technique was incredibly effective when used by surprise.
His control over the sword's movement doubled its range, allowing it to reach up to a hundred miles!
Li Hao recalled the Longxia Sword and rushed to the Little Demon King's corpse, carefully examining it to confirm that he was truly dead before relaxing.
At that moment, the ground shook more violently, and anguished roars of enraged demons and monsters reverberated in the air.
Outside the city, the demons and monsters, having witnessed the battle through their spirit souls, saw their extraordinarily talented Little Demon King burn his spirit soul and still fail to escape the young man's attack. They roared in rage, their eyes popping with fury.
Countless demons and monsters responded to the call, and instead of fleeing after losing their king, they became even more ferocious and insane.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed as he noticed that these demons and monsters seemed to be a well-trained army, unlike a hastily assembled mob that would scatter like sand if their leader fell.
"It seems the threat of the demon forces is more formidable than expected."
Li Hao spoke to himself.
If other demon kings led their forces with the same ferocity and fought with the same tenacity as humans, then a war between the two sides would undoubtedly be extremely brutal.
Without further ado, Li Hao lifted his head, and his spirit soul stepped out from behind him, soaring into the sky to survey the surroundings. Soon, he spotted Shen Yunqing and the others, as well as the White Temple disciples, on top of a city tower.
As he focused his attention, he noticed that the demon wave outside the city, which had been a hundred miles away earlier, was now surging towards them.
On the city walls, the Grandmasters who had been discussing their cultivation earlier had already taken their positions, joining the city guards to face this onslaught.
The Unbreakable noticed this as well, his expression changing as he quickly rushed over.
Among the demon wave were also three Unbreakables, and it would be challenging for the Grandmasters to hold them off alone.
Li Hao glanced at the situation before continuing his pursuit of the Wan Mountain Little Demon King. The Longxia Sword left his hand and chased after the fleeing demon king.
The Little Demon King frantically swatted behind him, but the Longxia Sword shredded his hand. Filled with grief and anger, he dared not turn back. For the first time, he felt that a quarter of an hour was an incredibly long time, and Elder Feng still hadn't returned!
The city gate was right before him, and the Little Demon King could already see the demon army outside. He knew that if he joined them, he could conceal his presence and make it difficult for his pursuers to find him.
However, at that moment, a chilling aura of death approached from behind.
Chapter 145: Li Tian Gang, He Defeated Your Younger Self (Two-in-One Guaranteed Chapter)
"The last lesson?"
Upon hearing Li Hao's words, the numerous disciples of the White Palace were stunned.
With the formidable demon horde before them and Great Mountain City hanging in the balance, Li Hao still hadn't forgotten about the lesson he owed them.
Buzz!
Before anyone could react, the Dragon Xiaojian in Li Hao's hand buzzed, releasing streams of sword energy like cracking ice that coiled around his arms.
"Sea Tide Birth!"
Li Hao ascended the city walls and took to the air, like an exiled immortal detached from the mortal world, exuding an air of calm and composure.
The cultivation technique within his body rapidly circulated, forcefully triggering the third Seven Star Lighting.
The power surging from his major meridians converged in his palm, and for a moment, everyone seemed to hear the sounds of seabirds and waves, but it was the sound produced by the friction of the bursting sword energy.
The Dragon Xiaojian left his hand, and at the same time, a hallucination of surging waves seemed to permeate the city walls, an endless stream of sword energy gathering with Li Hao's sword strike.
The Dragon Xiaojian that whistled out transformed into a roaring true dragon, its dragon form spiraling and carrying with it a sea of sword energy that collided with the demon horde over a dozen li away!
In an instant, the sword energy surged like a tidal wave, engulfing everything in its path.
Within the waves, the Dragon Xiaojian was like a joyful dragon playing in the water, roaring and charging through, instantly overturning and piercing through a large patch of blood fog, countless demons perishing in the blink of an eye.
Such a terrifying sight left all the soldiers on the city walls, including Shen Yunqing and the others, completely dumbfounded.
Single-handedly holding back a horde of demons!
This sword strike incorporated the Bright Moon Rising and Boundless Sea techniques, as well as the blending of the Falling Snow Sword Art, creating a tide-like and avalanche-like realm. Its intricacy and profoundness were comparable to the recently comprehended Reincarnation Sword Art.
However, reincarnation was a solitary burst, while this was a sword tide with an extremely wide range.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of sonic booms reverberated throughout the area as countless blood mists in the demon horde burst and were swept into the sword tide.
From the Consecration Realm to the Divine Wander Realm, and even up to the Fifteen Li Realm, they were like grains of sand being washed away by the waves, unable to withstand the onslaught and slaughtered without resistance!
Only some of the Heavenly Man Realm demons could barely hold their ground, using demon arts and spiritual treasures to protect themselves.
However, as the sword tide raged on, more and more demons perished, allowing many strands of sword energy to merge and concentrate their attacks on the larger demons.
Moreover, these condensed sword energies gradually manifested different Grand Master realms.
Stars and moon, flowers and birds, falling leaves.
Rotten, sharp, swift.
Numerous Grand Master realms were displayed within the sword tide, like waves crashing against the demon horde.
Shen Yunqing and the others' pupils constricted as they widened their eyes in astonishment. Zhao Zongyuan hurriedly said, "Quick, watch carefully!"
The White Palace disciples strained their eyes, not only out of shock but also to observe how this sword strike was born and how it created such a sweeping momentum and spectacle.
"Don't focus on the sword techniques, you won't understand them. He's not teaching moves, but the path! The path of the sword!"
Shen Yunqing shouted excitedly, his face flushed with excitement as he, too, intently stared, committing every ounce of sword intent to memory.
"Is this the Grand Master realm he has comprehended? How can it encompass so much?"
Su Yehua stared in amazement, finding it unbelievable. Her mind raced, captivated by the countless splashes within the sword tide, each one representing a Grand Master's martial path!
Among the generals on the city walls, there were also Grand Masters, including the one who had previously fallen to Li Hao, White Chunhai, and his disciple. They, too, stood transfixed by the scene before them.
The young man, detached from the mortal world, simply stood there, exuding an air of calm might that seemed unchallenged.
And the surging sword tide was even more awe-inspiring and unprecedented.
"Quick, watch carefully!"
White Chunhai snapped out of his daze and urged his burly male disciple behind him.
The disciple's eyes were already glazed over, completely entranced by the vast sword intent of the mighty waves.
"Is this the limit of the Grand Master realm...?"
White Chunhai muttered to himself, suddenly remembering the painting the young man had sought to purchase earlier. If they managed to survive this, what was the harm in letting go of his beloved possession?
Outside the city walls, the demon horde was in a dire state. The surging tide had forcefully halted their advance, keeping them at bay ten li away from the city.
The charging demon army in front had been reduced to blood-soaked corpses, their bodies pierced through. Some wounds were minuscule, yet they were fatal.
Within the demon horde, a triple immortal demon led the charge, its eyes revealing shock. It couldn't fathom that this was an attack a human Grand Master could unleash.
To maintain such a vast range of sword energy required an immense amount of strength, something that was impossible to supply unless one had reached the Unfading Realm.
"Damn it!"
Its eyes blazed with fury and hatred. It couldn't retreat just because the Little Demon King had perished.
"Kill!"
It roared and charged towards the divine sword that resembled a true dragon.
At the same time, Dragon Xiao also sensed the triple immortal demon and let out a buzz. It flew into the sky from within the demon horde and swiftly slashed at its target.
"Devil Marsh Covering the Sky!"
The massive demon let out a roar, its body releasing countless strands of black mud light. The ground beneath its feet rotted, turning into a swamp from which a mud dragon extended and charged towards Dragon Xiao.
Boom! Dragon Xiao burst forth with dazzling divine light, like a striking rod, slicing through the mud dragon and instantly penetrating the demon's body.
The countless mud particles were swept away by the sword energy tide, completely engulfed.
The massive demon panicked, for it was not in the Indestructible Realm. Its physical body wasn't that strong, and the divine sword was terrifyingly sharp. Though it felt hatred, its survival instinct kicked in, and it chose to flee.
Dragon Xiao gave chase but soon disappeared without a trace.
Its divine soul was exposed and had nowhere to hide. It let out a miserable shriek as it burned its divine soul and fled into the distance, only to be swatted into oblivion by Dragon Xiao's tail.
After disposing of this mighty demon, Dragon Xiao returned to the demon horde, continuing to roar and slaughter, cutting down countless demons.
In just a moment, this vast demon horde was defeated and fled in disarray, leaving only a mere thousand or so demons who finally came to their senses and chose to flee for their lives.
Dragon Xiao chased after them, and within a hundred li radius, which was Li Hao's attack range, the sword tide disappeared. Dragon Xiao, however, was like a golden needle, piercing through the remaining demons, finishing them off in the blink of an eye without a single one escaping!
The crowd on the wall, who had been tense to the point of sweating palms and bracing for the worst, suddenly snapped out of their trance, feeling as if they had just woken up from a dream.
It was unbelievable that such a desperate situation had been turned around by a single person and a single sword.
A buzzing sound broke through the air, rushing towards them like a beam of golden light. From dozens of li away, it rapidly reversed its course and landed in Li Hao's hand.
Li Hao's face was slightly pale, as expending his own power to slay the numerous demons had also greatly exhausted him.
Back then, outside Cangyu City, he had also relied on his own power to kill countless demons, a number comparable to today's. However, his previous battle with the Wan Mountain Little Demon King had already taken a toll on him.
Moreover, the quality of these demons was much higher than those at Cangyu City. Among them, the Fifteen Li Realm demons seemed to be merely small squad leaders, and there were also seven or eight Heavenly Man Realm demons and the triple immortal demon, all of whom were capable of easily annihilating an ordinary city.
Li Hao slightly adjusted his breath and turned to look at Su Yehua, the White Palace disciples, and the others. He had already done his best to showcase his skills, and whether they could learn and remember anything depended on their comprehension.
"I'll go take a look elsewhere," Li Hao said.
Then, he strode forward and headed towards another direction to the city gate.
His divine soul manifested behind him as he observed the heavens and the earth. Li Hao saw that the demon horde had already reached the other three walls, and a chaotic battle had erupted.
Without hesitation, he immediately rode his sword and flew into the midst of the chaotic battle.
However, this time, he didn't have the energy to unleash another sword energy wave and could only rely on the sharpness of Dragon Xiao and the remaining power of his artifact to quickly slash and kill the demons.
Even so, with the addition of Dragon Xiao, the pressure on the defenders on the west side of the wall was quickly alleviated. Many Grand Masters who were about to be surrounded and killed by the demons were rescued by the golden divine sword that swiftly circled around, slaying the demons.
These Grand Masters recognized the sword and their faces changed as they unconsciously looked around, spotting Li Hao flying towards them from a distance, looking weary.
During the Grand Master discourse, ninety percent of the Grand Masters had taken the stage and exchanged blows with Li Hao. They didn't bear any ill will towards the young man, as it was partly due to the influence of Mount Wu Liang, and also because they wanted to use that opportunity to reflect on their own shortcomings.
Regardless, their actions had sided with Mount Wu Liang, and now, this young man was treating everyone equally and was willing to lend a helping hand.
The Grand Masters had complex expressions as they glanced deeply at the young man. After steadying themselves, they once again plunged into the demon horde to reinforce the others.
Soon, the offensive of the demon horde on the west side of the wall was also relieved, and with the combined efforts of the crowd and Li Hao, all the demons were slain.
Once the crisis on the west side of the wall was resolved, Li Hao once again rode his sword towards the north side.
The city gate on this side had already been breached, and some demons had infiltrated the city.
Dragon Xiao swiftly passed by, instantly killing the few demons that had climbed over the defensive line and rushed into the city. Then, the sword light pierced into the demon crowd, slicing through them like a hot knife through butter. With the sharpness and intimidation of Dragon Xiao, Li Hao only needed to exert a little push with his artifact to inflict devastating damage.
At this moment, he was almost exhausted, feeling extremely weary. If not for Dragon Xiao, the effect would have been greatly diminished if he had used the Pig Tooth Sword that he had refined himself.
It must be said that this divine artifact was extremely terrifying. In the hands of a powerful expert, it was akin to a super weapon in this city defense battle.
Li He, the He Lian family, and another triple immortal demon restrained the few triple immortal demons in the demon horde, while Li Hao coordinated with the others to deal with the remaining demons. The defenders from the west and east sides of the wall, who had been liberated by Li Hao earlier, also rushed over to provide assistance.
The tide of the battle quickly turned, and the demons' defeat became irreversible.
Li Hao turned his head and noticed that at some point, the corpse of the Wan Mountain Little Demon King had disappeared, presumably stolen by one of the demons who had taken the opportunity to sneak away.
He shook his head, feeling a bit regretful. However, due to his unique situation, the demon king's corpse and divine blood were of no use to him. Only a sword in his hand was sufficient.
As the demon calamity gradually subsided, Li Hao sheathed his sword and casually tossed it aside.
Dragon Xiao flew out and landed in the discourse arena, about ten li away, returning to Ren Qianqian's sheath like a falling autumn leaf.
Ren Qianqian breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the sword being sheathed, knowing that Li Hao was safe. She couldn't perceive the situation outside as she hadn't reached the Divine Travel Realm yet and couldn't separate her soul from her body by a large distance.
Li Hao stood in mid-air, looking around. The oppressive black cloud of demonic energy that had loomed earlier had now disappeared.
He wondered about Wind Elder's situation.
Li Hao felt a bit worried, but thinking about Wind Elder's unique abilities, his close-quarters combat strength might not be that strong, but when it came to escaping, even Second Grandpa wouldn't be able to catch up to him. The demon probably wouldn't be able to harm him.
As Li Hao waited and pondered, a light laughter suddenly sounded:
"Kid, I asked you to hold on for a quarter of an hour, and look at you, you actually went and killed that little demon king.
"It ran away." Feng Boping said nonchalantly, "Although I could have pursued it, I would have had to leave this area, and it might have escaped beyond the border."
"As long as you're alright." Li Hao smiled, not too concerned about the fate of the demon king. If he didn't kill it today, he could always do it another day. All he needed was time, and in due course, he would be able to deal with it himself.
"You little rascal, worrying about me. If you hadn't killed that little demon king and exposed its weaknesses, I wouldn't have been able to inflict such a heavy blow. Otherwise, it would have gone berserk and tried to kill you." Feng Boping smiled.
From their brief exchange, Li Hao could imagine how intense Feng Boping's battle with the demon king must have been.
"From the way it addressed the demon king, it seems that demon king was from Wan Mountain. I didn't expect there to be two great demon kings in Wan Mountain, looks like some of our intelligence is inaccurate." Li Hao said.
Feng Boping nodded slightly. "If a demon king doesn't show itself and deliberately hides its presence, it's not easy to detect."
As he said this, he looked at Li Hao. "Little Mouse, you also need to improve your strength quickly. In half a year, we might face some trouble."
Li Hao was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood what Feng Boping meant. His eyes turned solemn.
The news of today's slaying of the little demon king would surely reach the other demons, including the Wan Mountain Demon King.
If it had only been the Wan Mountain Demon King, with Feng Boping's protection, they wouldn't have had to worry. But now there were two demon kings, and once Song Qiumo left in half a year, they would likely choose that time to attack.
If they were even more reckless, they might make their move in the coming days.
Either way, they had incurred the wrath of the Wan Mountain Demon King.
"Half a year..." Li Hao sighed. If he gave up on pursuing the peak of the Grand Master realm, with half a year's time to fully focus on his insights, he might be able to enter the spirit and achieve the Three Immortals, or even the Four Establishments.
But if he missed this opportunity to pursue the peak, it would be difficult to achieve it in the future, as his spiritual heart would no longer be complete.
...
...
Feng Boping's figure disappeared again, hiding in the shadows.
Li Hao returned to the Discourse Arena and rejoined Ren Qianqian.
"Young Master, are you alright?" Ren Qianqian asked anxiously when she saw Li Hao.
Li Hao's face was somewhat pale, a sign of the exhaustion he was feeling after suppressing his energy earlier.
After all, he had faced consecutive challenges from countless Grand Masters, slain a peak Three Immortals demon king, and then annihilated a hundred thousand demons. It had taken a toll on him.
"I'm fine, just need to rest for a bit." Li Hao reassured Ren Qianqian and sat down to adjust his breath.
Soon, several Grand Masters returned one after another. When they saw Li Hao resting there, their expressions turned solemn. Many of them came forward to express their gratitude, as they had been rescued by Li Hao's reinforcements.
Li Hao's willingness to help without holding a grudge impressed them, and they couldn't help but feel respect and admiration for the young man.
Aside from his extraordinary talent, his character was also commendable.
The other Grand Masters also heard about how Li Hao had single-handedly defended one side of the city wall and annihilated a hundred thousand demons, as well as his subsequent reinforcements at other battlefields. They looked at the young man with complex expressions.
He was truly a peerless genius, and even the fictional characters in popular stories might pale in comparison to him.
"Li Gongzi, please forgive my previous offense. Thank you for not holding a grudge," Zhou Haitang said, bowing slightly to Li Hao.
This was the greatest courtesy a Grand Master could offer.
Li Hao frowned slightly and said indifferently, "I don't bear the surname Li. Don't call me by that name again. My surname is Ji!"
Upon hearing the young man's words, everyone was taken aback for a moment, and then they recalled the sensational battle in Qingzhou City. Their expressions changed slightly as they remembered that this extraordinarily talented young man had severed ties with the Li family.
However, they had previously assumed that it was just a momentary impulse.
They thought that once the young man encountered obstacles and difficulties in the outside world, he would realize the protection that the Divine General Mansion offered and choose to return.
But now, it seemed that the young man was no longer a bird in a cage.
Calling him a genius didn't seem adequate anymore. He was already a top powerhouse capable of slaying great demon kings on his own!
Grand Masters were invincible, and slaying a little demon king was already enough to make one unrivaled. Just these two points were enough to show that he no longer needed any protection and could stand alone!
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
The process and reasons for that battle were varied and uncertain, but what they had witnessed today was undeniable. They couldn't imagine what could have driven the Li family to treat such an exceptional genius in this manner.
To the extent that he had changed his surname and left his home.
Zhou Haitang was slightly taken aback and felt awkward. He nodded slightly and avoided the topic:
"If you need anything in the future, feel free to send a letter to Iron Sword Peak or Li Hua Gate. I will remember this favor!"
Li Hao nodded slightly, accepting his offer.
Even though he might not need their help, one could never be too sure about the future.
Other Grand Masters also came forward to express their gratitude to Li Hao, but most of them avoided calling him by his surname. Since he didn't like being addressed as 'Li', they simply called him 'Hao Gongzi'.
As for the surname 'Ji', they didn't dare to use it, as doing so might bring trouble upon themselves from the Divine General Mansion.
"Hao Gongzi, regarding the painting you wanted to purchase earlier, I've considered it, and I'm willing to give it to you as a gift. Are you still interested?" Bai Chunhai asked, smiling, as he approached with his disciple.
His disciple, the burly man, looked at the young man sitting upright with a nervous expression and quickly said, "I apologize for my previous rudeness. Please forgive me."
He lowered his head deeply, showing respect to a Grand Master.
Grand Masters were not to be disrespected, or it could result in a deadly outcome.
However, Li Hao didn't hold it against him and smiled at Bai Chunhai. "Since you're offering it as a gift, I'll gladly accept it. Thank you."
Outside the crowd, Li Wushuang had already released a signal. Now that the city defense had ended, she also retreated from the battle.
Li Hao's words earlier had reached her ears, and her expression was incredibly complex as she tightly clutched her sword and bit her lower lip.
Her cousin actually intended to sever ties with the Li family, announcing it publicly like this; the news would undoubtedly spread once again.
If he truly cut all ties in the future, would she and Li Hao still be considered cousins?
Her heart twisted with an inexplicable pain.
Not long after, Li Hao received the painting from Bai Chunhai.
He glanced at it a couple of times and, naturally, did not accept it in front of everyone. Instead, he handed it to Ren Qianqian to hold onto.
Then, bidding farewell to the Grand Masters with a bow, he strode off with Ren Qianqian, leaving the Discourse Arena and heading out of Great Yu City.
Having achieved his purpose for coming here and even participating in a discourse along the way, with no small gains, Li Hao was now ready to return to Tianmenguan.
As he left the city, Li Hao spotted in the distance a massive cavalry army with a 'Xuan' character flag fluttering in the wind. It seemed that the signal released by his cousin had summoned the Fifth Uncle to their aid.
However, the army camp that he commanded was quite a distance away, so they wouldn't arrive as quickly.
Li Hao had no intention of greeting them and instead quietly flew off in another direction with Ren Qianqian from high in the sky.
...
...
Great Yu City was nearly lost!
Wan Mountain Little Demon King led a demon army in a covert attack, and a Four Establishments Realm Demon King made a move, only to be repelled by a mysterious powerful expert!
This news spread throughout the various states, and a more detailed military report was swiftly sent back to Da Yu State, to the imperial city of Shengdu.
At the same time, another military report crossed mountains and rivers, returning to Qingzhou and the Tian Yuan Shenjiang Mansion.
In the discussion hall of the mansion, Li Tiangang gathered the mansion's retainers, the ladies of the various courts, and LiMuxiu to discuss the matter.
On the table was a huge map of Liangzhou, and the previously received secret reports were also laid out. The situation in Liangzhou was more grim than anyone had imagined.
Among them, Gao Qingqing's face was the most unsightly and grave.
Because her husband, Li Xuanli, was currently stationed in Liangzhou, and with six of the nine Li sons having fallen in battle, she was extremely worried that her husband would become the seventh casualty.
Ever since Li Xuanli had been ordered to go on the expedition to Liangzhou, Gao Qingqing had not slept well. She would always wake up from nightmares, dreaming that she was at a funeral, only to find that the person in the coffin was her husband's pale face. She had screamed herself awake several times, her hair damp with tears.
As Li Tiangang pointed to the map and discussed the strategy and the traces of the demons, he also noticed the uneasy expression on the Fifth Madam's face, and he sighed inwardly. He was even more anxious about the situation than she was, and he, too, hoped that the Fifth Brother would be safe.
In the midst of their conversation, a military report arrived from Liangzhou.
Hearing that it was from Liangzhou, everyone turned to look.
But the first thing that happened was that the military report was handed to Li Tiangang. His expression immediately became solemn as he quickly opened it, and there were actually three copies of the report.
He quickly scanned through them one by one, carefully and swiftly.
The first military report described the situation of the demons outside Liangzhou.
The second military report was about the Grand Master discourse in Great Yu City.
The third was about the details of the demon attack on Great Yu City.
When Li Tiangang read the first military report, his eyebrows furrowed. When he saw the second report, his eyes widened slightly.
And when he read the third report, a look of shock appeared on his face.
Seeing Li Tiangang's expression change, the others became tense.
"Tiangang, what's going on?" LiMuxiu frowned and asked.
Although he was extremely displeased with the other party at the moment, this was a major event, and he might have to go to Liangzhou's aid at any time, so he needed to understand the situation.
Li Tiangang held the military report and remained silent for a long time. It was only after everyone else had asked with concern that he handed over the reports for them to read for themselves.
Gao Qingqing quickly scanned the reports, and when she saw that there was no record of what she feared in the reports, she breathed a sigh of relief. But soon, she was shocked into silence by the information contained within.
"Hao'er actually participated in the Grand Master Assembly as well?"
"How is that possible? He actually defeated Li Qianfeng's senior brother, Qin Wuque, who has been at the top of the Qianlong Ranking for three years. At this time, he's practically the number one in Da Yu!"
"And he even defeated all the Grand Masters in the discourse?"
"Hao'er has just stepped into the Heavenly Man Realm. How could he possibly defeat a Grand Master?"
Everyone was shocked as they read the report of the Grand Master Assembly, and they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
LiMuxiu also flipped through the report, and a joyful expression appeared on his face, his eyes shining brightly as he laughed, "Good, good, good!"
This was the happiest moment he had experienced in the past few days.
That little rascal, he always brings surprises! LiMuxiu couldn't stop smiling, and his heart was also secretly shocked at Li Hao's terrifying growth rate. He had witnessed it before, but now it seemed even faster.
Had the kid finally decided to buckle down and focus on cultivation?
Was this his true cultivation speed?
LiMuxiu laughed heartily and looked at Li Tiangang. When he saw the other man's silent and expressionless face, he smiled coldly and said,
"Li Tiangang, that disciple personally taught by the Buddha, Qin Wuque, stepped into the Heavenly Man Realm at the age of nineteen. His talent is extremely high!"
"Back then, you were also nineteen when you stepped into the Heavenly Man Realm, weren't you? Hao'er has defeated the younger version of you!"
"And he did it with just one finger!"
Chapter 146: Saving Face
Upon hearing LiMuxiu's words, the others' complexions slightly changed, with some looking towards LiTiangang, while others lowered their heads, remaining silent.
Li Tiangang remained unmoved by LiMuxiu's ridicule and kept silent.
LiMuxiu was surprised by his reaction and had expected his words to make the other party fly into a rage.
"Does he regret it?"
This thought suddenly crossed his mind as he heard He Jianlan's voice, "Second Uncle, take a look at this letter from Xuanli."
LiMuxiu looked at He Jianlan in surprise, noticing her strange expression, and quickly unfolded the military report.
Soon, his pupils contracted slightly, and a hint of astonishment flashed in his eyes.
That brat actually slew three immortal demon kings?!
LiMuxiu thought he knew LiHao quite well, but now, the boy's growth rate had once again exceeded his imagination, or one could say, it had broken the genius cap of the Great Yu Dynasty.
Defeating countless martial arts masters was already astonishing, but to be able to kill three immortal demon kings, and at such a young age, was beyond comprehension.
If it weren't for the fact that the report mentioned numerous witnesses among the martial arts masters, LiMuxiu would have suspected misinformation.
"Hao'er, Hao'er..."
LiMuxiu's lips quivered slightly, and at this moment, his heart was more agitated than anyone else's. He felt as if he could foresee the most prosperous and glorious future for the Li family.
However.
His eyes soon dimmed, and a pang of sorrow filled his heart.
Turning his head angrily towards Li Tiangang, he saw the other man's silent and unmoved expression, which made him feel both angry and amused, but mostly sad.
Rebuking Li Tiangang was now meaningless; he didn't know if that child would ever turn back.
"The Dragon Rising Sword, that famous sword, is said to be in the royal treasury. How did it end up in Hao'er's hands? Was it a gift from the Yu Emperor? When did this happen?"
Gao Qingqing held the letter in her hand, murmuring to herself.
Upon hearing this, Chen Hefang, who was sitting next to her, was slightly stunned. She immediately thought of the Eternal Night.
If the Eternal Night were in that child's hands at this moment, it would surely become famous along with him.
But now, the Eternal Night lay dormant here, just like Little Nine, quietly sealed in the darkness.
The hall fell silent as everyone digested the news, each lost in their thoughts.
No one had expected that the boy who had just left the General's Mansion would, in the blink of an eye, shock the entire world with his own strength.
When Li Tiangang had scolded that teenager, he had been relying on the prestige of the General's Mansion. Although they hadn't spoken up, who among them hadn't felt a sense of acknowledgment?
Everyone present had basked in the glory of this thousand-year-old legacy. Those high-ranking officials who held more power than them approached with respect and deference, and it was all because of the General's Mansion they represented.
But now, what attracted people's attention was no longer the boy's identity but his outrageously monstrous talent!
"Tiangang, why are you so silent?" LiMuxiu looked at the silent Li Tiangang and said, "If you regret it, it's not too late to go to Tianmen Pass and apologize to that child. Don't wait until the three years are over, or everything will be for naught."
Hearing the Second Uncle's words, the ladies were slightly stunned and couldn't help but look at Li Tiangang.
Li Tiangang slowly regained his senses and glanced at LiMuxiu, seeing the anger hidden in his eyes. A slight twitch appeared on the corners of his lips as he said, "Second Uncle, you've seen the child's talent for yourself, but do you approve of his behavior?"
"Hmm?"
LiMuxiu frowned slightly, "What do you mean?"
"Publicly suppressing the Buddha and humiliating Mount Wuliang, making an enemy of the Buddha Master, and then suppressing countless martial arts masters. How many connections and forces do these masters have? How many people has he provoked?" Li Tiangang said slowly.
"Are you saying we should let people bully us instead?! Are you scared?!" LiMuxiu asked angrily.
"Scared?" Li Tiangang shook his head slightly, "Second Uncle, the reason you lost to my father back then and failed to become the True Dragon was because of your lack of foresight. Grandfather's choice was correct."
"You're lecturing me?!" A cold glint flashed in LiMuxiu's eyes, and anger surged within them.
Li Tiangang looked at him calmly and said, "Aside from respecting the royal family, our Li family naturally fears no one. Mount Wuliang's meddling in our family's affairs is a debt I have yet to settle!"
"What are countless martial arts masters compared to the might of my Law and Yuan Battalions?"
"Who dares to utter a single extra word outside our General's Mansion?"
LiMuxiu coldly asked, "Then what did you mean by your previous words?"
Li Tiangang said, "I've always known that Hao'er has the talent, and I've never thought his qualifications were lacking. But his behavior is too extreme and reckless!"
"He's still young, and I can forgive him for many things. However, forgiveness doesn't mean permission or indulgence; otherwise, you'll be no different from spoiling him."
"If he can't take any criticism, how can he amount to anything?"
"Take this recent incident, for example."
He picked up the letter and threw it in front of LiMuxiu, saying, "When the Buddha of Mount Wuliang provoked him, defeating him was enough to gain fame. If they got angry, they wouldn't dare to take immediate revenge, or if they did, others would only think that Mount Wuliang was being petty."
"But by humiliating them so thoroughly, if they seek revenge in the future and the matter is exposed, others will also understand their reasons!"
"The same goes for the countless martial arts masters. On the surface, they are nothing before the Li family, but we can't guard against petty people. Do we need to spend all our energy dealing with their underhanded schemes?"
"He always has better options, but he consistently chooses the worst one!"
Li Tiangang fixed his gaze on LiMuxiu and said, "This is the flaw that has been nurtured by your spoiling him. His actions may be satisfying and cathartic, but what about the consequences?"
"Children can be willful, but adults must learn to restrain themselves!"
"If he releases his anger without restraint, not caring about the consequences, and if he were carrying the identity of the Li family's True Dragon, his actions would represent the intentions of our family!"
"It would mean that the Li family is intentionally suppressing the martial arts masters, not giving them any face!"
"Public opinion is like water; it can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it!"
"People revere our General's Mansion, not just because we guard the Great Yu Dynasty and shed blood on the battlefield, but also because we never bully the common folk and always uphold justice without showing favoritism."
"He will lead armies into battle in the future. Second Uncle, have you heard of generals who beat and berate their subordinates, only to end up getting their heads cut off by those same men when they're drunk?" LiMuxiu asked.
Li Tiangang paused, took a deep breath, and said, "Well said. You indeed have enough magnanimity towards your soldiers and subordinates. Your heart can carry all the people of Qingzhou. Why can't you make room for one more, especially since he is your own son!"
"He's my son, so he's different," Li Tiangang said emphatically.
LiMuxiu laughed and said, "He saved the people of Dayue City and previously also saved Cangyu City, thus earning his title. Did you have such achievements when you were fourteen? How do you know that he doesn't have the support of the people and the love of the world?"
"The people are like water, and a Martial Grand Master is like a hand. Water can be guided and directed by the hand. Sometimes, the flow of water depends on the movement of the hand," Li Tiangang replied coldly.
LiMuxiu stared at him and asked, "So, what do you mean? Do you really want to wait for three years?"
Li Tiangang glanced at him and looked down at the letter in front of him. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "With the help of your friend and his own strength, it won't be difficult for him to hold Tianmen Pass."
"But now that he has killed the Demon King of Wanshan, the Wanshan Demon King will not let him off easily. Even with the protection of your old friend, it will be difficult. If they ask for help from other Demon Kings to take revenge for their son, he will also be in great danger."
LiMuxiu raised his eyebrows and said indifferently, "I thought you wouldn't be able to think of this."
Ignoring LiMuxiu's mockery, Li Tiangang said, "I will write him a letter. He is young and impetuous, so I will give him a way out."
LiMuxiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Since you are willing to take a step back, I suggest you go there in person for this matter."
"No time."
Li Tiangang shook his head slightly and tapped his fingers on the table. "Second Uncle, don't forget what we were just discussing. The border of Liangzhou is so vast, and the fact that this demon disaster appeared in Dayue City shows that these demons can no longer be restrained. I still need to go to Dayu State to meet the Emperor."
LiMuxiu frowned and glanced at him twice, then immediately thought of the other party's temperament. If he really went, it might do more harm than good.
So he didn't insist anymore.
Regardless, the other party's willingness to back down was a good thing.
He sighed inwardly and then thought of Feng Boping.
He could almost imagine the expression and smile on that old friend's face.
His heart suddenly felt a burst of irritation.
That guy must have known about Li Hao's situation and deliberately didn't write to tell him. He was probably just waiting to see his startled reaction.
"Old man, wait till I get my hands on you next time," LiMuxiu thought.
...
...
At Mount Wuliang, in the Pure Land of Brahma Heaven.
Deep in the mountains, within the highest spiritual mountain pure land.
Golden Buddhist light shone, and there were stairs leading from the secular world, but only to the foot of the mountain, where miserable commoners and high officials came to burn incense and pray.
At the peak, in a pure land shrouded by a formation array barrier.
The Buddha Master of Mount Wuliang sat on a lotus platform with a gentle and compassionate expression. On his left and right were two bodhisattvas, one was Lin Wuji, and the other was a female bodhisattva with a calm expression, but at this moment, her eyebrows were slightly furrowed.
In front of them, on the spiritual light of the Buddha Hall, several figures knelt, including two Buddhist disciples.
"I already know about what happened in Liangzhou."
The Buddha Master's tone was gentle, but his voice resounded like a great bronze bell, neither jarring nor piercing, but as gentle as water:
"That young man's talent is ancient and brilliant, and he is the first person in the Great Yu Dynasty. You don't need to be angry or saddened by your defeat at his hands, as everything is destined."
The two Buddhist disciples were Qin Wuque and Li Qianfeng.
Hearing the Buddha Master's words, they were both shocked and felt even more ashamed, but at the same time, they felt relieved and bitter.
They were both proud geniuses, but now they had suffered a crushing defeat. Hearing the Buddha Master's words, it seemed to imply that they were not even worthy of comparison with Li Hao.
"Qiankun Jin Gang."
The Buddha Master spoke softly, "You still have three years. Stay on the mountain and cultivate well. If you can step into the Heaven-Man Realm, you will have a chance to compete with him for the True Dragon position. If you don't enter the Heaven-Man Realm, then stay in my sect and become an Arhat Bodhisattva. You don't need to be involved in the karma of the mortal world. Your God General's Mansion guards the people, and my Buddhist sect saves all sentient beings."
Li Qianfeng's heart trembled, and he bowed his head deeply, "Yes, Master."
Next to him, Qin Wuque's bitter and dim eyes lit up slightly, and he looked at the Buddha Master in confusion:
"Master, your disciple is incompetent, and that young man's Martial Grand Master realm is extremely terrifying. Even if Qiankun enters the Heaven-Man Realm, I'm afraid he won't be able to defeat him, right?"
His question was not a doubt but a desire for an answer. He knew that the Buddha Master had a reason for saying this to Li Qianfeng.
"There is no fixed rule for strength in this world. Flowers bloom in March and wither in September. If you can make the flowers bloom in September, even if they are not so bright, what does it matter?"
"Although the dragon and the elephant are strong, they cannot cross the river. Although the birds are weak, they can still fly over the thousands of miles of mountains and waters."
The Buddha Master spoke softly, "There are rules in this world. Heaven is jealous of talent, and those who are too rigid will easily break. That child has good talent, but he has stepped onto a path of no return, and his journey will be difficult."
The two were confused and didn't understand what he meant. Was he saying that Li Hao was too rampant and would bring about his own destruction?
The Buddha Master said gently, "You may leave now and meditate well. Break through the demons in your hearts, and you will be able to continue progressing."
"You should know, all consciousness is like an illusion, and all phenomena in the world are like dreams. Only then can one be truly enlightened!"
Chapter 147: The Fourth Young Master of the Li Family
"Achoo!"
In a firewood shed within the camp of Cangya City, located inside Tianmenguan Pass in Liangzhou, Feng Boping suddenly sneezed as he was adding firewood to the stove, almost blowing out the flames.
Rubbing his nose, he muttered to himself, "Why did my nose suddenly itch? Could it be that someone is talking about me?"
Nearby, Li Hao was kneading dough. Once it was ready, he tossed it onto a warm stone to let it rise.
Then he summoned the Dragon Cloud Sword and began chopping the selected demon flesh, swiftly slicing it into minced meat.
"Such a fine sword, and you're using it as a cleaver," Feng Boping commented, shaking his head.
"Make the most of what you have," Li Hao replied with a smile. Once the ingredients were prepared, he started cooking.
After returning from Dayue City, they had resumed their peaceful lives within Tianmenguan Pass.
The demons outside the pass and the rumors within were blocked by the heavy snowfall, leaving them with nothing but daily hunting and fishing, and their three meals a day.
As lunchtime approached, Li Hao sent the little white fox to call Song Qiumo and Li Hongzhuang to come and eat.
"Delicious!"
Li Hao's cooking skills impressed the group. Aside from their own worries, the only thing they looked forward to each day was the delicious meals he prepared.
During the meal, Li Hao asked Song Qiumo for a favor. He wanted her to go to a nearby city in the afternoon to purchase some supplies for the residents.
In the camp, in addition to their fenced-off courtyard, Li Hao had also been building other houses for the residents.
With his ability to control objects within a fifteen-li radius, construction was a breeze. He split open the distant mountains, cut and transported the stones, and built simple stone houses.
"Do you really intend to build another city here?"
Before Song Qiumo could respond, Li Hongzhuang spoke up, her eyes fixed on Li Hao as she chewed on a piece of meat.
"It's not building anew, but rather restoring the city to its former glory," Li Hao clarified with a smile. "Since we're guarding the pass, it would be good to have a city, don't you think?"
Li Hongzhuang gave him a deep look before turning away, saying, "As long as the demons don't attack again, it should be fine. I'm just afraid that we'll build it only to have it destroyed later."
"We just need to defend it well," Li Hao said.
"What if we can't hold them off?"
"Then we'll build it again."
"..."
Seeing the young man's nonchalant attitude, Li Hongzhuang fell silent, but her heart couldn't help but stir with anticipation.
If this city could be rebuilt, if the demons beyond the pass could be suppressed and intimidated, restoring the pass to its former glory from a hundred years ago, making those cruel and bloodthirsty demons dare not invade... if her third and sixth brothers could see that, they would surely shed tears...
She lowered her head, tearing at a piece of grilled meat with her teeth, only to find it salty.
"I heard that you killed the Young Demon King of Wanshan. What if I leave and the Demon King of Wanshan takes the opportunity to launch a sneak attack?" Song Qiumo frowned. After returning from Dayue City, the group had asked Li Hao about his trip, and he had briefly told them what had happened. That was when she learned that he had killed the son of a demon king.
And this young demon king had exceptional talent. Being a demon herself, she could understand just how much potential he had.
If he were human, he might even be able to rival Li Hao.
Now, to think that such a proud and talented demon had been killed by Li Hao. One could only imagine the fury of the Demon King of Wanshan.
The fact that he had arranged for another demon king to secretly protect this young demon king also showed how much he valued him. Even if they had encountered a cultivator at the Four Establishments Realm, things might not have turned out this way. It was just unfortunate that they had come across Feng Boping and Li Hao together.
"I've left hidden lines within a three-hundred-li radius, so I'll be aware if any demons invade. We'll have enough time to retreat," Li Hao assured her with a smile.
With the hidden lines of the sixth-stage fishing technique and the hidden attribute of the bow, even a cultivator at the Four Establishments Realm would find it difficult to detect them.
Additionally, the famous painting he had obtained from Master Bai Chunhai, titled "Snowy River," had been embedded into his Qu Object ability, providing a hidden attribute that allowed his attacks to be concealed within the environment.
His attacks would be stealthy and hard to detect, especially when used with the fishing lines.
Even a cultivator at the Four Establishments Realm would find it challenging to discover them, let alone from three hundred li away with no precautions.
However, maintaining such a long fishing line required Li Hao to constantly supply qi from his body. If he hadn't developed 98 major meridians and the yin-yang dual meridians, he wouldn't have been able to sustain it.
Even now, he was barely managing to maintain it through the constant absorption and emission of qi.
"I'll go," Li Hongzhuang said to Li Hao. "Song Qiumo is right. Although you have this senior's protection, you killed the young demon king. I heard that the Demon King of Wanshan dotes on this son and treats him as a treasure. If he hasn't come by now, it's likely because he's waiting for Song Qiumo to leave."
Song Qiumo's eyes flickered as she glanced at Li Hao, then said softly, "I had originally planned to stay for only half a year, but now that this has happened, I'll stay with you for three years."
Li Hao's heart stirred, and he looked at her, but his face wore a teasing smile as he said, "So, you're going to neglect your Dan Palace?"
"It's just three years. I've been taking care of it for almost a thousand years. It can manage without me for a little while," Song Qiumo said calmly.
However, Li Hao knew that it wasn't as easy as she made it sound. As the recorded demon king in Qingzhou, Song Qiumo couldn't stay away for too long.
Half a year was probably the longest she could be away, and three years would be extremely difficult for her.
"Let's talk about it later. Maybe they won't be able to hold out for half a year," Li Hao said, his heart eager to improve his strength.
Of course, he also had another option—to temporarily abandon this place.
But unless faced with certain death, he didn't want to break the three-year agreement.
Song Qiumo nodded slightly. It was a bit early to discuss such things now. She said softly, "If the Demon King of Wanshan comes, we'll most likely be facing three demon kings!"
She had mentioned this before, and Li Hao and Li Hongzhuang's eyes turned solemn. In addition to the two demon kings in the Wanshan realm, the dragon lord they had encountered earlier would likely take this opportunity to get involved.
In the following days, the group continued their routine in the small courtyard, appearing casual but always on guard for the impending demon king attack.
However, the Wanshan Demon King seemed to have not flown into an uncontrollable rage, as he chose not to make a move.
Perhaps he was hesitant to act due to Li Hao's fearless presence within Tianmenguan Pass, fearing that this young man had powerful backers. As a result, he opted for a more cautious approach—waiting for Song Qiumo to leave.
Or perhaps, he was biding his time for an opportunity to strike.
On this day, two letters arrived at the courtyard.
Both were from the Divine General Manor in Qingzhou.
One of the letters was penned by Li Tiangang himself.
Upon recognizing the handwriting on the envelope, Li Hao crumpled it up and tossed it into the stove to be burned as firewood.
The other letter, which was unsigned, turned out to be from Second Grandfather.
In addition to expressing his longing and concern, the letter also mentioned the Wanshan Demon King.
LiMuxiu feared that the Demon King, in his grief over losing his son, might act recklessly. He advised Li Hao to prepare for a possible attack by three or four demon kings.
Additionally, he suggested an escape route for Li Hao and Feng Laoye in case of danger. He instructed them to flee to a secret location outside Liangzhou.
This place was a hidden site with a Yu-level deadly river!
It was an extremely dangerous place where only those at the Four Establishments Realm would have a chance of escaping alive. Its extension was virtually impenetrable, and the only option was to cordon it off as a restricted area.
However, LiMuxiu's intention in revealing this deadly river site was not for Li Hao to use it to counter-attack the demon kings. Instead, his younger brother, Li Xiaoran, the Fourth Master Li, was stationed there.
In LiMuxiu's generation, there were six sons, three of whom had perished, leaving only three.
There was Li Qingzheng, who presided over the ancestral hall, LiMuxiu himself, who looked after the Listening Rain Pavilion and the Divine General Manor, and the fourth son, Li Xiaoran.
Li Xiaoran was stationed outside this Yu-level deadly river.
The reach of this Yu-level deadly river once extended into Liangzhou, but due to the impossibility of clearing the river, destroying it was equally challenging. As a result, the area was designated as a forbidden zone and considered outside the territory.
A single Yu-level deadly river was enough to force the Great Yu Divine Dynasty to relinquish that piece of land.
However, the reason for his presence there was not to watch over the deadly river but to attempt to clear the river and retrieve the soul of his eldest brother, Li Tianzong, who was trapped within.
Li Tianzong was Li Hao's paternal grandfather. Li Hao recalled Second Grandfather mentioning that the Fourth Master was often absent from the Divine General Manor, choosing instead to challenge and attempt to clear that deadly river.
Unbeknownst to him, this deadly river was located just outside Liangzhou.
Li Hao contemplated briefly before putting away the letter.
In the following days, the Wanshan Demon King remained inactive, but Li Hao received another gift from the Yu Emperor in the imperial capital, delivered once again by Chujiu.
"Count, we meet again."
Chujiu's eyes took in the figures within the bamboo fence courtyard, noticing that compared to his last visit, the place now exuded a more homely atmosphere, akin to a comfortable countryside garden.
Li Hao welcomed him into the courtyard with a smile and accepted the imperial edict, only to find out that it was a bestowal of a noble title, elevating him from a third-rank count to a first-rank count.
Additionally, he was bestowed with a substantial amount of gold, treasures, servants, and more.
Li Hao had not yet visited the fiefdom he received during his previous bestowal, and at this moment, it was likely being managed by his servants on his behalf.
He had little interest in these things, but he considered that having his own fiefdom to fall back on after leaving Tianmenguan Pass in three years would be beneficial.
After accepting the edict, Li Hao invited Chujiu to stay for a meal, and this time, Chujiu did not refuse.
When they were both satisfied with the meal, Chujiu rolled up his sleeves, sat cross-legged by the stove, and ate without any regard for his image.
After he had eaten his fill, Chujiu mounted his horse and left contentedly. Before departing, he secretly slipped Li Hao a treasure talisman, whispering that this was the true gift from the Yu Emperor—a Sacred Heart Talisman.
It could save his life in times of peril.
Li Hao was astonished. He often chatted casually with Second Grandfather and Fifth Grandfather, and he had heard of this object.
It was something that only those at the Four Establishments Realm would use, and it was incredibly precious.
In the world, weapons and treasures were classified by grades, such as the treasure artifacts used by those at the Revolving Heaven and Consolidating Soul stages.
There were spiritual objects for those at the Divine Wander and Heavenly Man Grandmaster stages.
And for those at the Three Non-Mortal and Four Establishments stages, there were divine weapons and divine armor. Li Hao's Dragon Cloud Sword, for example, was a divine weapon and one of the most renowned ones at that.
However, renowned in this context referred to its fame and not necessarily its grade.
Some divine weapons were rarely seen, and those who had seen them might already be dead.
Nevertheless, the Dragon Cloud Sword was undoubtedly a top-tier divine weapon.
Above these were the Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasures, which were extremely rare. Even some at the Four Establishments Realm might not possess them, and only a few Four Establishments Realm experts had them.
And the Sacred Heart Talisman that Li Hao now held was even more precious, as it was a consumable item. Even for those at the Four Establishments Realm, it was exceedingly rare.
The Sacred Heart Talisman in Li Hao's hand was not an offensive talisman but one meant for protection.
If it were an offensive Sacred Heart Talisman, it could even threaten and harm those at the Four Establishments Realm.
Chapter 148: Borrowing a Breath from the Heavens and the Earth
Having received the Sacred Heart Talisman, Li Hao once again expressed his gratitude to Chu Jiuyue and asked him to convey his thanks to Emperor Yu.
Li Hao's impression of the most exalted being in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty was still that of a baby, formed when he first arrived and caught a glimpse of him.
He was a majestic and towering figure, seated on the dragon throne, his aura encompassing the mountains and rivers, with an air of dominance over all living beings.
He seemed like someone to be worshiped from a distance, not someone one could approach or offend.
However, the repeated bestowments from this exalted figure made Li Hao feel that this formidable presence was not as cold, ruthless, and unapproachable as he had imagined.
...
The wind and snow continued to fall.
The burnt letter that had gone unanswered remained silent, with no response from Qingzhou City.
Li Hao continued his daily routine of cultivating, sketching the scenery beyond the pass, painting the wind, snow, and mountains, and fishing for the little demons in the wilderness. At the same time, he explored the vast and profound way of the heavens and the earth, a pursuit that he was reluctant to give up.
Perhaps, he too had a heart for the martial path?
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
From the early winter when he had first arrived at the camp, it was now deep winter, and the snow on the ground had grown thicker.
However, just as everything has its yin and yang, when the snow accumulated to a certain depth, it was time for the clouds and sky to break apart.
In the snowy fields, demons secretly ventured out of their caves to hunt for food.
In the forest, two wild mountain tigers fought over a deer carcass.
The small river was frozen over, but beneath the ice, fish swam back and forth.
On a snowy mountaintop, Li Hao sat cross-legged, sensing everything within dozens of miles, his body seemingly fused with the peak.
He gazed at the clouds, mist, and rising sun, listening quietly to the sound of the melting snow.
The heavy snowfall drifted down from the sky, yet it originated from the earth's vapor, rising and solidifying.
Seeds buried deep in the soil sprouted, grew into towering trees, and in autumn, a gust of wind brought falling leaves that soared towards the distant sky.
Fish, confined to water, lived in the low-lying lands but enjoyed freedom akin to soaring through the sky.
And the people on land, who seemed to roam freely, were bound by various orders and rules, as if shackled by invisible chains, unable to break free.
All things are part of the myriad beings, but myriad beings are not all things.
In this half a year, Li Hao had reached the bottleneck of the Way of All Things. That ultimate insight was right before him; he was just a step away from breaking through the barrier and achieving a profound understanding.
At this moment, he had merged with the realm of all things, and many of his sword techniques had been reorganized. Although his cultivation was still at the Heavenly Man Grandmaster realm, he had truly stepped into the limits of the Grand Grandmaster realm, and his actual combat power had increased by about half compared to when he was in Dayue City.
If he were to encounter that Little Demon King again, with the new sword techniques he had comprehended in the past six months, he would be able to easily defeat him.
Back then, during the brief intervals in their battle, he had created the Cycle Sword Technique, which possessed formidable destructive power. Now, after half a year of contemplation, he had further refined and improved this sword technique.
At this moment, a gust of cold wind blew past, brushing against his face and sweeping up the snow on the ground.
Wind? A fleeting thought crossed Li Hao's mind, and he narrowed his eyes slightly, sitting quietly for a moment before the thought slipped away again.
He had been experiencing this feeling frequently lately, but he always felt like he was just a bit short of grasping it fully.
Li Hao brushed the snow off his hands and picked up the little white fox that was curled up by his knees, getting up to leave.
He flew through the air and returned to the camp.
In the past six months, the number of stone houses built around the camp had increased, considering the impending battle that could occur at any time in the next six months. Li Hao hadn't put too much effort into constructing residential houses; he treated it more as a hobby or a process of comprehending nature.
He still cooked the meals himself.
During lunch, Li Hao once again tried to persuade Song Qiumo to return to the Tan Palace and not stay with him any longer.
The fact that the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains could endure the pain of losing his son for half a year showed that he was an extremely shrewd and calm Demon King. If Song Qiumo continued to stay, the Demon King might, out of caution, spend a lot of money to invite other Demon Kings to entangle her.
Therefore, Li Hao felt that she didn't need to stay here with him.
Guarding Tianmen Pass was something Li Hao considered a personal matter, and he didn't want to involve too many people.
Song Qiumo remained silent, quietly eating her meal. After finishing, she looked up at Li Hao and said, "Since you put it that way, I'll leave today."
Li Hao heaved a sigh of relief and said, "When you go back, please give my regards to the Palace Master."
"Okay," Song Qiumo nodded, agreeing readily this time.
After they finished eating, she packed up the small ornaments she had acquired during her stay here—some silk hairbands, bracelets, and other trinkets she had bought while purchasing supplies from nearby cities.
"Regretful?" Li Hao echoed, perplexed.
"Deep down, you must still wish she could stay, right?" Li Hongzhuang said softly.
Li Hao laughed and shook his head. "Then you're wrong. I'm truly glad she's leaving. At least she won't have to face any danger."
"Really?" Li Hongzhuang was taken aback, her eyes fixed on Li Hao.
"If possible, I'd want you to leave too. You don't need to stay here and be buried with me. I might be able to escape, but it's unlikely for you," Li Hao said.
Li Hongzhuang frowned slightly, her gaze intense as she studied Li Hao. "Don't you have any other plans? Relying solely on that senior might not be enough. Unless he's like your second uncle, a master who has reached the realm of the ultimate technique, then perhaps he could suppress them with a single punch."
The Fourth Establishment Realm had four levels, and the power gap between each level was immense. Li Hongzhuang couldn't discern the level of the senior.
"There's only one option," Li Hao stated.
"What is it?"
"If we can't win, we run."
"... " Li Hongzhuang fell silent.
Li Hao smiled and turned back toward the camp.
Li Hongzhuang quickly caught up with him, her expression serious. "It's not the time for jokes. Why don't you go find your fourth uncle? If Uncle Xiaoran steps in, ordinary Fourth Establishment Realm demons won't be a match for him."
Li Hao's eyes flickered, and he shook his head slightly. When he had left the Li family, he had taken nothing with him except the exquisite clothes on his back, not even his famous sword, Eternal Night. He had wanted to sever all ties with the Li family and not rely on their influence in any way.
"Now is not the time to be stubborn!" Li Hongzhuang exclaimed when she saw Li Hao's refusal. "We speculated before that if the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains comes, we'll likely face attacks from three Demon Kings. If two of them team up to hold off that senior for a short while, the remaining one will be able to kill you!"
"I understand," Li Hao said, his gaze steady as he looked at her. "That's why I said that if things don't go as planned, I'll run away beforehand. As for you, you might become a burden, and I won't be able to protect you. If you don't want to die, it's best to leave as soon as possible."
"By the time you realize it, it might be too late," Li Hongzhuang said urgently.
Li Hao shook his head slightly, choosing not to say more on the matter.
Seeing Li Hao's stubbornness, Li Hongzhuang sighed and began to pack her belongings. "I can't convince you. I'll go back to Qingzhou to find your father, your second uncle, and your fifth uncle to persuade you. I hope that by the time the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains arrives, they will already be here."
Li Hao felt helpless and speechless towards this little aunt of his. He shook his head, not bothering to respond.
After packing her luggage, Li Hongzhuang also left. No one could withstand the wrath of the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains, and as Li Hao had said, her presence here would only be a burden.
On the other hand, Li He was anxious and repeatedly sent messages to Qingzhou, but there was no response, as if his messages had fallen into the abyss.
He didn't know what the Duke was thinking, but his orders were to protect Li Hao, and he couldn't just leave like Li Hongzhuang.
At this moment, Li He was contemplating whether he should knock Li Hao unconscious and take him away by force.
However, after the battle in Dayue City, he knew that he was no match for this young master. When the demons arrived, it was uncertain who would protect whom.
As he was pondering whether to launch a surprise attack, his vision suddenly darkened.
The next moment, he found himself face-first in the snow, knocked out.
Fen Boping appeared from behind Li He and casually patted his clothes. Turning to Li Hao, he said, "This stubborn, illegitimate son of the Li family is just like the rest of them. There's no other way but to send him away."
Li He, who had just been contemplating how to knock out Li Hao and carry him away, was now the one who had been knocked out.
Li Hao smiled and handed Li He over to Ren Qianqian. There were fast horses in the camp, and he instructed her, "Take him away from Liangzhou to any place you like. Hmm, go to Qizhou and wait for me in Cangyu City."
Ren Qianqian's face was filled with worry. She wanted to persuade Li Hao, but after witnessing Song Qiumo and Li Hongzhuang's repeated attempts to no avail, she knew that this young man was determined and wouldn't back down.
All she could do was agree. Staring at Li Hao, she said, "Young Master, I'll wait for you in Cangyu City. You must survive!"
Li Hao saw the concern in this girl's eyes, as clear as a calm lake, and he smiled faintly. "Rest assured. You've been learning the sword with me, and I haven't even taught you the true sword techniques yet. It won't be so easy for me to die!"
Ren Qianqian bit her lip, her eyes filled with worry, but she remained silent.
Li Hao sat beside him, took a few sips, and asked, "Wind, you've never once urged me to cultivate during all this time here. Why is that?"
He knew that his daily actions appeared to be a waste of his talents and potential to others. While he had some reservations back in that mansion, he had completely let go of those concerns here.
He had let go of "cultivation."
"Cultivation is also for one's happiness. If you're already happy, what's the point of cultivating?" Feng Boping replied with a light smile.
Li Hao had long known that Wind had a carefree and unconstrained personality, not one to fuss over trivial matters. Hearing these words, he turned and looked at him, then laughed:
"If I could become stronger, it would be less troublesome for you."
Feng Boping shook his head slightly, his expression calm. "A mere three years of frost is nothing to worry about."
Li Hao glanced at him but didn't say anything further.
The old man and the young man drank quietly, gazing at the snowy landscape. With fewer people in the yard, the atmosphere had become even more tranquil.
In preparation for the arrival of the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains, Li Hao and Wind had secretly laid down numerous hidden plans outside Tianmen Pass.
Both of them were skilled at angling, and they were now waiting for their prey to take the bait.
Whether they could match their opponent depended on the size and number of their catch.
If the line snapped, it would be time to cut their losses.
In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.
Li Hao sat atop a mountain, his body buffeted by the cold wind.
Today's wind seemed exceptionally strong and chilling.
Li Hao sat quietly, the little white fox curled up in his lap.
With Li Hao's robust physique, he naturally didn't mind this bit of cold wind. He gazed at the countless snowflakes being swept in by the wind, scattering and falling across the land within his field of vision.
Suddenly, a profound realization struck him, as if something long-buried had suddenly surfaced.
The thoughts he had accumulated over many days, the contemplations that had repeatedly knocked on the door of his heart, and that fleeting spark of insight all converged in this moment, shattering the final barrier in his heart.
Li Hao achieved enlightenment.
He suddenly understood what it was that he had been seeking all this time.
He also suddenly comprehended the commonality between all things in this vast world.
It was a breath!
The mountains, rivers, birds, beasts, and all living creatures moved because of this breath!
The same was true for martial artists in their cultivation.
Ordinary people relied on this breath to live.
Martial artists harnessed the power of this breath to travel through the grand meridians and exert their strength.
The seven emotions and six desires were all driven by this breath.
The growth of all things also relied on this breath!
However, this breath was not the ordinary breath that people understood it to be. It was the breath of the heavens and the earth!
This breath could evolve and nurture all things, giving rise to mountains, rivers, birds, and beasts, as well as the lives of all creatures!
Li Hao closed his eyes, and the qi within his body rapidly contracted, transformed, and merged with the heavens and the earth.
This feeling was similar to cultivation, yet also different.
The qi within his body merged with the heavens and the earth, dispersing and refining itself under their influence, like washing away impurities to reveal a dazzling brilliance.
This brilliance was ethereal and illusory, as if it didn't truly exist in the real world.
Li Hao offered up all the qi in his body to the heavens and the earth, and then he borrowed a breath from them, infusing it into his body.
Li Hao called this breath "xianqi" (celestial qi)
.
Land Immortal Realm, the limit of the Grand Grandmaster realm, achieved!