"You are..."
Li Tiangang's eyes narrowed as he recognized the sudden appearance of Feng Boping. He had long been aware of a Four Establishments cultivator aiding Li Hao, allowing him to quickly establish himself after arriving at Tianmenguan.
It must be this man before him.
He scrutinized the other party carefully, and his face suddenly changed as anger rose within him.
"You're the Saint of Thieves?!"
Feng Boping had intentionally avoided the courtyard, not wanting to expose himself. After all, in the vast Li family, the only ones related to him were Li Hao and LiMuxiu.
His appearance now was a desperate move, but since he had decided to reveal himself, he was prepared for his identity to be uncovered.
"It's me."
"So it was you secretly following Hao'er?!"
Li Tiangang was shocked. His eyes widened in anger as he demanded, "What are your intentions? What are you planning?"
Feng Boping let out a cold laugh. "Without me, your son wouldn't have made it to Tianmenguan. Do you know how many demonic eyes were fixed on him with malice the moment he stepped out of your Li family's home? By sending a fourteen-year-old child out, do you understand the burden of hatred he carries on his shoulders?!"
"He carries the wrath of all the demons your Li family has provoked over the centuries!"
"He's bearing the grudges for your family, and without me, your son would have died long ago!!'
"What do you think my intentions are? My intention is to let him live, to let him live with his back straight!!'
Li Tiangang angrily retorted, "But if it weren't for you, Hao'er wouldn't have dared to step out of the Shenjiang Fu. It's because of your protection that he dares to be so reckless and challenge me!"
Feng Boping was so angry that he laughed. "Even if he stayed in your Shenjiang Fu for the sake of survival, what would it change? Would he listen to your discipline? In the dozen or so years you've been away from Yanbei, has your son ever lost to anyone?"
"Does he need your discipline? Does he?!"
Li Tiangang was slightly taken aback by his angry, almost roaring words. Indeed, the years of separation in Yanbei had left him feeling guilty about Li Hao.
In terms of talent alone, the child was indeed no less than anyone else.
And that was precisely why he needed to guide him onto the right path.
"You, a thief, of course, don't understand the basics of morality and loyalty!"
Li Tiangang stared coldly at Feng Boping and said, "Do you think that those who achieve great things can rely solely on their abilities to gain the respect of others? Even if you are an official or a general, relying on force to suppress your subordinates, but once on the battlefield, you may be stabbed in the back!"
"Officials are stronger than civilians, but officials are like boats, and the people are like water. Although water is gentle, it can capsize a boat!"
"Even the current emperor must follow the rituals of virtue and wisdom, combining kindness and strength. What is the use of mere bravery?!"
Feng Boping laughed coldly. "Are you talking about yourself? Can't you see whose flag is fluttering throughout Liangzhou?
"Whose fame is being sung about by countless people?!"
"Is it yours, Li Tiangang? Is it your Li family's?!"
"Then isn't it Hao'er who fought his way through on his own?!"
Li Tiangang roared in anger, "This is why I came here. Who made that battle flag? Surely it wasn't you?!"
Feng Boping sneered, "The name on the battle flag belongs to its maker. Can't you see that? Do you think it was made by some other reclusive expert? Even if there was such a person, why would they help Hao'er? Have you ever thought about that?!"
Li Tiangang was slightly stunned as numerous thoughts flashed through his mind, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Seeing his tongue-tied expression, Feng Boping coldly smiled, "Even if there was such a high-level expert, would they help Hao'er because of your Li family's face? Your family has such prestige, yet six of your nine sons have fallen in battle. Why didn't such an expert help then?"
Li Tiangang's expression turned ugly, but he also realized that what the other party said wasn't entirely unreasonable.
"Was it really Hao'er who made it himself?"
Li Tiangang stared intently at him, temporarily suppressing his anger as he asked.
Feng Boping gave a cold laugh but didn't answer.
Li Tiangang didn't mind his silence, but instead, his heart was secretly astonished and excited.
If it was truly his son's doing, regardless of how he had mastered this secret method, as long as he had this ability, what was there to worry about in the future when dealing with demons on the border of various states?!
If this flag could be mass-produced, with the prestige of the Li family, it would be enough to guard the entire Great Yu Divine Dynasty!
"Was it really you who made it?"
Li Tiangang's gaze shifted past Feng Boping to the Li Hao clone.
The clone's eyes turned cold as he replied, "It has nothing to do with you. Get out!"
Although he knew that the Li Hao before him was just a clone and didn't recognize him, seeing the clone with his son's face speaking so impolitely still made Li Tiangang feel a twinge of anger in his heart.
Feng Boping's eyes turned icy. "What's the point of asking these questions? Hao'er's life and death are uncertain now. Even if he made the flag, so what?"
"If he's dead, everything is for naught!"
Li Tiangang's expression changed slightly, and he said coldly, "You can't imagine the depth of my Li family. With my fourth uncle here, he is extremely familiar with the Death River, if not an expert. Hao'er's combat strength is also excellent, so there's no need to worry."
"I've already deployed hundreds of thousands of troops outside Longcheng's Death River. We'll escort them back as soon as they come out."
"You, a thief, a vagabond, what do you know about connections and heritage?!"
Feng Boping was so angry that his lips trembled, but the words stopped at the tip of his tongue, and he didn't refute.
He also hoped that the Shenjiang Fu's heritage was as Li Tiangang said, that they had the ability to ensure Hao'er's safe return.
"I hope your Shenjiang Fu truly lives up to its reputation."
Feng Boping snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve. "I'm too lazy to argue with you, a junior. If you want to fight, this old man will accompany you, but don't even think about hurting Hao'er again!"
"I didn't reveal myself when I was outside your Shenjiang Fu because I didn't want to bring shame to your Li family. Now that we're here, it's no longer your turn to be rampant!"
"In that case, I should thank you?"
Li Tiangang let out a cold laugh. "You, a thief, running amok everywhere, who are you taking orders from? Who's giving you benefits to instigate trouble in our Li family? Is Hao'er being led astray by you?!"
"Hahaha..."
Feng Boping laughed, "I got along with Hao'er at first sight. Are you saying I'm instigating him?"
"If it weren't for you, Hao'er would still be in Shenjiang Fu. If it weren't for the demon attack when he left the city, he would have been brought back by Li He!"
Li Tiangang said coldly, "You claim to be doing this for Hao'er, but this is a matter between father and son. What right do you, an outsider, have to interfere?
"No matter what you think, I've endured more than my fair share of slander in this life. It's all just the buzzing of insignificant insects."
Feng Boping's face regained its calm, and he stared fixedly at Li Tiangang, "But as long as I'm standing here today, you won't lay a finger on Hao'er!"
"Do you really think you can match me?" Li Tiangang narrowed his eyes. "If it weren't for the fact that you did indeed protect Hao'er, I would have arrested you and sent you to the imperial prison long ago!"
"Oh? Then why don't you give it a try? It would be a great achievement, and it would at least elevate your title from a third-rank duke to a second-rank duke." Feng Boping curled his lips in a mocking smile. "I've been wanting to see for myself the capabilities of the Li family's true dragon!"
Humm!
Suddenly, the Long Xiao Sword vibrated, hovering in front of Feng Boping. The hilt of the sword faced Feng Boping, while the tip pointed at Li Tiangang.
The shadow Li Hao, sensing the rising power between the two, took a step to stand beside Feng Boping, his eyes cold as he declared, "Intruders will be killed without mercy!"
Li Tiangang's expression darkened as he beheld the hovering divine sword and saw Li Hao standing by Feng Boping's side in defiance. A flash of bloodlust crossed his eyes as he demanded, "Say that again?!"
Feng Boping noticed the power being channeled by the shadow Li Hao, and his eyes flickered towards the sword floating before him. A hint of satisfaction crossed his eyes, but it quickly faded, and he said in a low voice, "Hao'er, just stay here and guard this place. I'll go and teach this man a lesson myself, to show him that this so-called thief he speaks of is not someone the Li family's true dragon can trifle with!"
Taking a step forward, he challenged Li Tiangang, "Li Tiangang, do you dare to face me in a fight?"
"Hmph, a wild thief who has been hiding and running all this time dares to speak to me like that?" Li Tiangang glared at him, and in the next moment, their figures suddenly vanished from the courtyard.
"Uncle Feng!"
Ren Qianqian's face paled as she watched Feng Boping and Li Tiangang disappear. She couldn't help but call out anxiously.
However, there was no response from the heavens and earth, and their figures were nowhere to be seen. Only the sound of violent movement came from a distant place.
The two men had intentionally avoided Cang Cliff City and had already traveled thousands of miles away in the blink of an eye.
Whoosh! The shadow Li Hao took a step forward and chased after them.
"Young Master!"
Ren Qianqian was worried, but she could only see the Long Xiao Sword turning into a golden light and following Li Hao's figure into the distant horizon.
...
...
Outside Liangzhou, by the Long City Mortuary River.
After Li Hao's body tore apart and disappeared, he felt his consciousness being shredded as well, merging with the heavens and the earth, and then melting like snow, bit by bit.
The more he melted, the weaker his consciousness became.
This feeling was extremely strange and frightening, as if something was slowly eating away at him.
Darkness, coldness, dampness, and silence.
All these unsettling sensations enveloped him, and Li Hao wanted to struggle, but he was like a salted fish nailed to a chopping board, unable to move at all.
His vision blurred, and the world before his eyes grew dim.
In his last moments of sight, Li Hao saw Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran howling in grief, but they seemed unable to see him. Their gazes did not focus on his consciousness, and their anguish was directed at the vast sky and earth.
Li Hao wanted to laugh and bid them farewell, but he no longer had a physical body.
The darkness was like a tightly shut window, sealing away that ray of light completely.
Li Hao felt his consciousness disintegrating and falling into an endless abyss.
Is this extra life of mine coming to an end?
However, in the end, it seemed that he had done one good deed, a fitting conclusion to his story.
Li Hao thought to himself, and he felt a chill in the darkness, as if he could hear the clear sound of the river flowing.
At the same time, a voice seemed to echo in his heart:
"Don't you want to go home?"
It was less like a voice and more like a thought that had emerged in his mind.
Home...
Li Hao's thoughts wandered, drifting to that luxurious and empty courtyard, then drifting out of it, passing through countless rivers and mountains.
He landed in Tianmenguan, then in that small courtyard with the bamboo fence, and along the way, he recalled the blooming flowers he had seen on the Longguandao.
Where is home? On this journey, there had been snow and blizzards, clear skies and sunshine, the scenery had changed, but the laughter and companionship by his side had remained constant.
He had no home, but he had friends.
Li Hao sighed softly in his heart, feeling regret and guilt.
He wouldn't be able to go fishing with Old Feng anymore, nor could he guide Ren Qianqian in her sword technique to help her attain the level of a grandmaster. That little girl had endured many hardships on this journey with him.
And there was Little White Fox, who would now have to fend for himself.
Second Uncle, Big Aunt... Yuan Zhao...
Li Hao sighed inwardly, feeling the chill in the darkness fade away, and his consciousness growing weaker and weaker.
Was it because he was about to die that he couldn't feel anything anymore?
Li Hao's consciousness continued to sink.
However, as he fell deeper, a warm sensation suddenly emerged from his "chest."
Li Hao's consciousness, which had almost faded into sleep, gradually became clear again.
He lowered his head and saw a bright red light emanating from his chest, growing stronger and more intense, like thick blood, illuminating the darkness and enveloping his consciousness.
Then, Li Hao witnessed the darkness gradually dissipating.
When the darkness vanished, he found himself standing in front of a thatched cottage.
Next to the cottage was an old man in tattered robes, his back turned to Li Hao as he busied himself with something in front of the cottage.
Li Hao looked up and saw a mountain in front of the cottage.
The old man seemed to be moving the mountain!
Or was he building a mountain?
Li Hao was perplexed by what he was witnessing. As he stood there in confusion, the old man seemed to sense something, and his hands, which had been busy moving, suddenly stopped.
Then, the towering mountain in front of him trembled, a huge crack appeared, and with a mighty rumble, it collapsed!
Li Hao instinctively wanted to dodge, but the falling rocks did not hit him. Instead, the mountain seemed to split open a deep, bottomless pit, swallowing the entire mountain!
Li Hao stood there, dumbfounded, staring at the old man, a stranger with an expressionless face.
Li Hao was stunned for a moment as he looked around and saw only the bright moon. He was astonished and felt that he was still somehow in the Death River.
"I make my home in the heavens and the earth. Old man, have you also been trapped by this Death River?" Li Hao asked, suspecting that the old man before him was a wandering soul trapped within the Death River.
The old man stared at Li Hao for a moment and then suddenly laughed, "No wonder I couldn't trap you with the Death River. I never expected to meet someone like you..."
As he spoke, Li Hao's expression changed as he suddenly realized something and quickly called out to the Death River in his mind.
Golden light characters appeared before his eyes, converging into several messages:
Death River Progress: 99%.
Main Quest: Defend Longcheng (Completed)
Side Quest: Growth (Completed)
...
Li Hao was stunned. The progress of the main quest was not perfect, even though he had completed such a difficult main quest.
So, completing the main quest didn't mean passing through the river?
As if reading Li Hao's thoughts, the old man's mood seemed quite good as he said,
"The so-called main quest you completed can only help you leave this Death River and free yourself from Li Tianzong's obsession. But if you want to pass through, you're thinking too simply."
Li Hao was speechless.
That main quest was insane, and yet it still couldn't get him through. This Death River was truly terrifying!
"However, now you only need to do one more thing to truly pass through."
The old man smiled, "This Death River was originally at the Underworld level, but because my wandering soul drifted here and merged with it, it became a Ghost Capital level river. But now, its power and my obsession have both been broken by you, and there's only one last thing left to do. If you can accomplish it, you will truly pass through."
Li Hao's eyes flickered, "What is it?"
"Take me home."
The old man said, "The wandering souls drawn here by the Death River, because of me, all have a deep obsession with returning home. The deeper the obsession, the harder it is to break free. Similarly, those with the same obsession cannot truly pass through this Death River!"
"Even if you complete the so-called quest, in the end, you won't be able to see through this point and let go of the obsession with 'home' in your heart. You won't be able to break through here."
He turned around and looked at the mountain behind him, which had now turned to dust, a hint of ruefulness in his eyes, "I merged with the Death River, and my obsession deepened. Over the years, I've been building this mountain here, wanting to recreate my home in my heart. But over these years, because of my obsession, the Death River has attracted more and more wandering souls, and their presence has made the Death River stronger and stronger."
"The stronger the Death River becomes, the deeper my obsession grows, and so the cycle continues, making it impossible to break free."
As he spoke, he smiled faintly, but there was sadness in his eyes, "Now, the obsession I built has been broken by you. As long as I return to my hometown, I can rest in peace, and the power of this Death River will also completely disappear."
As the old man spoke, Li Hao listened intently, his eyes flickering with doubt.
Could this old man before him be the source of the Death River's obsession?
If so, then he was the big boss behind everything?
But he seemed kind and amiable, not at all sinister.
"You don't have to be suspicious. Now, the Death River is already in the process of collapsing. Those wandering souls are all trying to escape. In a moment, I will return your consciousness to your body, back outside the Death River. I will shrink myself and reside in your body."
The old man said, "Once you take me back to my hometown, I will completely dissipate, otherwise, I will take root in you, and over time, the power of the Death River will gradually grow stronger again, eventually returning to what it is now. So, you don't have much time."
Hearing this, Li Hao began to believe the old man's words. If he could return to his body outside the Death River, everything could be verified.
Moreover, if this was an illusion, he could test it through his physical body's interface.
With these thoughts, Li Hao said, "Then send me away first."
Suddenly remembering something, he quickly added, "Wait, can you also send out the one who came in with me?"
The old man smiled, "Of course. He's been here many times, but his obsession is too deep. He will never be able to pass through this river, even if he truly awakens to the Dao."
"Also, I will send Li Tianzong's wandering soul out as well, but don't think that just because he passes through the Death River, he will truly be freed. You're thinking too simply."
"This is a Ghost Capital level Death River. The wandering souls here have already been corrupted. Even if they pass through, they will dissipate."
The old man continued, "But I can use the remaining bit of the Death River's power to temporarily sustain him, at least enough for him to truly return home for one last look."
Li Hao was stunned. So, Grandpa Li wouldn't be able to stay in the ancestral hall forever?
He could only... take one last look?
Li Hao's expression turned ugly, but he knew that this was something he couldn't change at the moment.
"If you're ready, I'll take you both away." The old man said quietly.
Li Hao nodded slightly.
In an instant, Li Hao felt his surroundings shift as if the stars were moving and the rivers were turning. Countless mountains and rivers flashed by, and his vision blurred before finally plunging into darkness.
When he opened his eyes again, bright lights appeared.
At the same time, a strange scent of trees and grass wafted through the air.
As Li Hao opened his eyes, he saw towering trees, as huge as steep mountains, requiring over a hundred people to encircle a single tree.
Where was this?
Li Hao was perplexed. This didn't seem to be the rugged valley outside Longcheng's Death River.
"Hao, Hao'er?!"
At that moment, two astonished and delighted voices, filled with disbelief, sounded beside Li Hao.
Li Hao turned his head and saw Li Xiaoran standing there in shock.
Beside him, a translucent figure floated, none other than Li Tianzong, his face also filled with astonishment and shock.
"You're still alive!"
Li Xiaoran, seeing Li Hao, rushed forward and hugged him tightly, his arms squeezing Li Hao as if to confirm that he was truly alive.
Then, he grabbed Li Hao's shoulders and examined him up and down. When he saw the red light on Li Hao's chest, he asked in concern, "Are you alright? What is that?"
Li Hao looked down and saw that his chest was glowing with an odd red light. He had been curious about it in the Death River, and now, looking down, he saw that his clothes were stained red.
Li Tianzong's spirit exclaimed softly, his face filled with surprise. "Could this be bestowed by Emperor Yu?"
Li Hao was equally astonished. He never expected that the object emitting the red glow was the treasure jade given to him by the Emperor not long after his birth.
"This...?"
Li Hao muttered, holding the two shattered pieces of jade.
Li Tianzong stared at it for a while before heaving a long sigh. "The Li family has received Emperor Yu's favor. Although Xiao Jiu died unexpectedly in battle, the Emperor ensured the continuation of our true dragon bloodline. Hao'er, you must always remember Emperor Yu's grace!"
"Did this Dragon Blood Treasure Jade save me?" Li Hao asked in disbelief.
Ever since he was bestowed this jade, he had worn it daily, feeling its gentle warmth and noticing its slow nurturing effect on his body. However, he had never imagined that it possessed such a powerful ability to reverse life and death.
"Indeed," Li Tianzong confirmed. "Not many people know about this jade's secret. It is said that a Real Man from Qiandao Palace refined it, sealing the reverse-life power of a Reverse Life Realm expert within. This jade has the ability to reverse one's life in dire situations, essentially giving one a second chance at life!"
Li Hao was dumbfounded.
To seal the reverse-life power of a Reverse Life Realm expert within? What kind of ability was that? When a Reverse Life Realm expert faced death, they could reverse their fate and alter their destiny. Even in the face of instant death, their power would automatically trigger and grant them a new chance at life!
He had never heard of any ability that could seize the reverse-life power of such an expert! This was truly terrifying. Was this the power of the number one expert of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty?
Moreover, he had almost lost this treasure jade several times!
"It's merely deceiving fate," a calm voice suddenly spoke, causing the three of them to pause.
Li Hao looked over and saw the vague figure of the old man, the source of the Death River's obsession, floating beside them. The old man looked at them with indifference, as if they were insignificant.
"You are...?" Li Tianzong's face changed slightly as he felt a strong sense of oppression from the old man, making him shudder. It seemed that with just a thought, the old man could send him into an inescapable abyss.
Li Xiaoran also sensed the unique aura emanating from the old man, but he didn't feel the same oppression as Li Tianzong. Instead, his gaze turned sharp and focused.
"You mortals from the wilderness probably don't know my name." The old man spoke indifferently, clearly not holding them in high regard.
Li Tianzong was slightly taken aback by the familiar term. He suddenly had a realization.
"Senior, where are we?" Li Hao asked, having already probed their surroundings and noticed the towering trees that seemed to touch the sky. This place didn't resemble the rugged valley outside Longcheng's Death River.
"This is the source of the Death River," the old man replied nonchalantly. "The place you entered before was just an opening of the Death River. As I said, to send me back, I naturally had to bring you to the source. From here, we are closer to my hometown..."
As he spoke, the old man glanced in a certain direction, his eyes filled with longing, anticipation, and a hint of impatience.
Li Xiaoran's expression changed as he turned to Li Hao and asked, "What conditions did you agree to with him?"
"Yes, he's the source of the Death River's obsession. I have to send him back; otherwise, the Death River will revive," Li Hao explained.
Moreover, the progress had already reached 99%; they were so close to completion.
"Where do we need to send you?" Li Tianzong asked anxiously.
Li Hao also looked at the old man, feeling that they were indeed outside the Death River, and the old man's words seemed trustworthy.
However, the whole situation was so bizarre that it exceeded his understanding.
He never imagined that the Death River could be moved and that its source would reside within a wandering soul.
"The Great Wilderness Heaven Realm, the ancient Holy Maiden's home of the Huang Clan!" the old man said indifferently.
Upon hearing his words, the three of them were shocked.
Li Hao's mind suddenly flashed back to the words Li Rumeng had said during the True Dragon Competition, about the children of the eight ladies from the Great Wilderness Heaven.
The Great Wilderness Heaven, his mother's home, and her surname was Ji!
Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran's pupils contracted. When Ji Qingqing married into their Li family, they were both present, and they knew of her origins. Hearing the old man mention the Ji family, they couldn't help but make the connection.
"Are you... from the Ji family?" Li Tianzong blurted out, unable to contain his curiosity.
If that was the case, then they were practically in-laws!
However, the old man before them didn't seem to recognize them.
"You know?" The old man was surprised to hear this and looked at him with renewed interest. He never expected that these people from the wilderness would know of the Ji family's name. Could it be that their family's reputation had spread beyond the Great Wilderness Heaven?
Li Tianzong hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping short. Finally, he asked, "I don't know your status in the Ji family, but do you know Ji Qingqing?"
"You know Qingqing as well?" The old man was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at Li Tianzong. Then, as if realizing something, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Calculating the time, that little girl should have grown up by now. What? Did she come to play in your Great Yu Dynasty? Hmph, with her displayed talent, she could easily sweep through the younger generation of your Great Yu Divine Dynasty, I suppose?"
As he spoke, he curled his lips, a hint of pride showing in his eyes.
Li Tianzong was speechless. He didn't know Ji Qingqing's cultivation level, but he knew that it was quite good. However, she had never really shown her full capabilities.
They only knew her identity through private conversations after her marriage to Li Tiangang. Not many people were aware of this secret.
After all, the various families of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, including the other Divine Generals' Mansions, viewed the residents of the Great Wilderness Heaven with wariness and exclusion.
Li Tianzong glanced at Li Hao, wanting to say something, but ultimately remaining silent.
He knew the rules of the Ji family. Ji Qingqing's decision to marry Li Tiangang was made without their family's consent. If it weren't for the deep love between the couple, he, as her father-in-law, wouldn't have agreed to the marriage.
With a soft sigh, Li Tianzong didn't voice his thoughts but instead transmitted his voice to Li Hao: "Hao'er, do you know your mother's identity? After we send him back, we must not stay in the Ji family for long. You must also be careful not to let anyone know that your mother is Ji Qingqing. I'm afraid they might harm you."
Li Hao was slightly taken aback. During his time at Tianmenguan, he had chatted with Old Feng and learned a little about the Great Wilderness Heaven. Although Old Feng didn't know much, he did share a few key points. One of them was that the families of the Great Wilderness Heaven had exceptional bloodlines, so they rarely intermarried with outsiders.
"Let's go, it's time for us to depart." The old man urged.
"We're coming too," Li Xiaoran said as he stood up.
Li Hao snapped back to attention and looked at the two of them, who were also preparing to leave. He quickly said, "Fourth Uncle... " Turning to address Li Tianzong, he hesitated, unsure of how to refer to him.
If he called him "Grandfather," wouldn't that imply that he still acknowledged that identity?
But if he didn't use that term, how would the other party feel if they learned of his current situation? Thinking of how the Ji family elder had said that he only had enough time to take one last look, Li Hao felt a pang of sadness.
Having experienced the Battle of Longcheng, he understood the depth of the other's longing to return home.
"You two should go back. The power of the Death River has seeped into Grandfather's body, and he... I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on for much longer," Li Hao said.
For this final journey, he intended to spare the elder from any harm.
Li Xiaoran was taken aback, and he glanced at Li Tianzong.
Li Tianzong's face changed slightly as he, too, realized the severity of his condition, though he hadn't expected it to be this serious.
"Indeed, you should hurry back. This kid alone is enough to escort me home," the Ji family elder impatiently said.
"Big Brother, is it really...?" Li Xiaoran's eyes reddened as he looked at Li Tianzong.
Li Tianzong remained silent, his gaze fixed on Li Hao. "Anyway, it's just one last look. Seeing that I have such an excellent grandson, I'm already content," he said.
"Since I'm destined to perish soon, let me pass on my strength to you. Perhaps it will help you reach even greater heights!"
Li Hao understood his intention and shook his head slightly. "I haven't yet comprehended the Dao Heart. Your strength will only enhance my soul's fortitude, but it won't help me break through my current realm," he explained.
Enhancing his soul's fortitude was indeed a good thing, but for Li Hao, cultivating certain spirit-refining techniques could achieve the same result.
There was no need to let this elder sacrifice himself for something that could be achieved through other means.
Li Tianzong hesitated, feeling a sudden urge to cry. "But I haven't given you anything yet, and you almost died because of me..." he said.
"You already have," Li Hao said, looking at him with a smile. "You approved of my paintings, and you accepted my unconventional interests..."
Li Tianzong's heart twinged with emotion, and he said, "Those are trivial matters. My grandson has unmatched talent, and his accomplishments deserve praise."
Li Hao fell silent for a moment, then smiled at Li Xiaoran and said, "Fourth Uncle, take good care of Grandfather on your way back. If I don't return by the time you get back, come and find me."
"No need for that. This kid is much stronger than you," the Ji family elder interrupted with a snort. As the source of the Death River's obsession, he was aware of everything that had transpired within it, and he was very satisfied with Li Hao's performance.
Such talent was indeed rare, even within their Ji family.
"Fourth Uncle, farewell," Li Hao said, bidding them goodbye.
"This place seems to be near the border of the Great Wilderness Heaven Realm, where demons and magical beasts are numerous and powerful. You must also be careful," Li Xiaoran warned.
Li Hao nodded.
"Let's go. Stop dallying," the Ji family elder urged impatiently.
Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong exchanged glances, thinking that the elder, who was probably a relative from the Ji family, had a rather short temper.
After some more instructions and well-wishes, the two bid farewell, intending to rely on the Ji family elder to guide Li Hao on his way.
As they parted ways, Li Hao thought of Tianmenguan and said to Li Xiaoran, "Fourth Uncle, after you send Grandfather back, please make a trip to Tianmenguan. Tell my sword attendant that I won't be returning for a while, and that Tianmenguan will be under her and my clone's protection from now on."
He referred to her as his "sword attendant" instead of addressing her as Feng Lao, mainly because he was concerned that the other party might not accept Feng Lao's identity.
However, once the message reached Ren Qianqian, it would naturally be conveyed to Feng Lao, who would understand his intentions.
"Alright," Li Xiaoran nodded. He recalled the rumors he had vaguely heard about Li Hao and Li Tiangang, and his expression changed slightly. But seeing that Li Tianzong was still with him, he didn't say anything further.
After bidding farewell, Li Hao watched as Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong departed, flying straight along the main road toward the direction of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.
"We should go too," the Ji family elder said.
Li Hao paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.
...
...
Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong flew swiftly through the wilderness.
Every few hundred miles, they would stop to get their bearings and confirm their direction.
As they continued on their journey, Li Xiaoran finally determined their exact location and couldn't help but feel relieved.
"We're outside Liangzhou, and if we follow this route, we'll pass by Tianmenguan on our way back," he said.
"Tianmenguan?" Li Tianzong asked curiously. "Didn't Hao'er just say that he's stationed there? He's only fifteen, so why would they let him lead troops into battle at such a young age? He should still be focusing on his cultivation."
Li Xiaoran smiled awkwardly and said, "Hao'er has exceptional talent, as you've seen. Starting his military training early isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"That's true. He's only fifteen in the outside world, yet he's already capable of fighting against the Demon Kings of the Taiping Dao Realm..." Li Tianzong trailed off, his eyes gleaming with excitement and joy. "To have such a descendant in our Li family, I can die without regrets!"
Hearing the words "die without regrets," Li Xiaoran's expression changed slightly, and he fell silent, thinking of what Li Hao had said earlier about how his grandfather would only be able to take one last look before disappearing.
He felt a lump in his throat and remained quiet, lowering his head as he quickened their pace.