As Li Hao laid eyes on the figure, he found himself being appraised in return by a pair of profound and restrained eyes, hidden within disheveled hair. The gaze was calm, yet it carried a sharp killing intent.
Transcendent State... Li Hao observed carefully, noting the sharpness in the figure's eyes, yet detecting no apparent murderous intent.
He scanned his surroundings and was relieved to see that the courtyard remained undamaged.
"Who might you be, senior?"
Li Hao approached and sat on the cushion usually reserved for guests, casually picking up the already brewed tea and taking a sip.
"My surname is Jiang. Jiang Licheng." The elder's eyes were cold, and he paid no heed to Li Hao's actions. Instead, his gaze fixed intently on Li Hao's face.
"You certainly made me wait!"
"...Jiang..." Li Hao paused, recognizing the surname as that of the royal family. Could this elder before him be of royal blood? However, with his current status as a duke, even if he encountered royalty, there was no need to perform a grand ritual.
"Your Highness, why were you waiting for me?" Li Hao asked, glancing at the other's attire, which resembled a beggar's clothing. This prince seemed rather unconventional.
"I waited to receive you outside the Mie River, but you sneaked off to Youzhou without my knowledge. I chased after you there, only to find that you had gone to Qingzhou. And now, as I pursued you to Qingzhou, you've returned here..."
As Jiang Licheng spoke, his voice gradually grew angry. In his life, he had never been given the runaround like this.
"..."
Li Hao was left speechless, unaware that during his recent travels, he had been trailed. It seemed he had thoroughly shaken off this unexpected tail.
For the moment, all he could do was smile awkwardly and say, "When I have time, I'll personally express my gratitude to His Majesty."
"Hmph, whether you thank him or not is none of my concern. Besides, I didn't even manage to receive you, so what is there to be grateful for? You are his general, and it is only right that he sends people to escort you."
Jiang Licheng let out a cold laugh. "My meddlesome older brother is not always right. Look at you now; you don't need anyone's help. At such a young age, you've already reached the Supreme Unity realm. Remarkable!"
"It was merely a coincidence," Li Hao quickly replied with humility.
"Although you played me for a fool and led me on a wild chase, it was also thanks to you that I was able to get out. Let's call it even!" Jiang Licheng finished his one-sided rant, as if explaining to Li Hao would absolve him of any karmic debt. Whether it truly balanced out was, of course, up to him to decide.
Subsequently, he fixed his gaze on Li Hao, his eyes briefly scanning the young man's palms.
"I heard you also wield a sword?"
"Hmm?" Li Hao was taken aback but nodded in affirmation. "I know a little."
"Hmph, I saw the lingering sword aura outside Qingzhou City, where you slew the demons. It was not bad." Jiang Licheng paid no mind to Li Hao's modesty and spoke bluntly, unconcerned with propriety.
"Looking at your palms, they don't seem like the hands of a swordsman. But there are many sword geniuses in this world, and you are not the only one. When I first practiced the sword at the age of six, I was able to execute perfect sword techniques. Even then, my hands were smooth and delicate, far surpassing those mundane mortals who had undergone countless temperings."
"You've cultivated to the Supreme Unity realm at such a young age, which shows that you are also an intelligent person. Let me see the depth of your swordsmanship!"
As he spoke, his eyes locked onto Li Hao, and a formidable might suddenly burst forth from his body.
Li Hao was startled. At this moment, the aura emanating from the elder contained a hint of killing intent.
Just moments ago, they had been talking amicably, and now the elder seemed poised to draw his sword.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Li Hao frowned.
"Draw your sword and let me see it!" Jiang Licheng demanded, his eyes piercing.
"Are you challenging me to a spar? But you won't be able to beat me." Li Hao shook his head.
"So what if it's the Realm of Paths? My swordsmanship is enough to break through it! I pursue the extreme of the sword path. Even without the Realm of Paths, I can still break through it. Even without enlightenment, I can still cut through the path with my sword!"
Jiang Licheng's eyes sparkled, but his words were somewhat frightening, like those of a madman.
Li Hao was stunned but did not scoff. Instead, he stared intently into the elder's eyes, seeing not arrogance but obsession, belief, and an extreme, passionate pursuit.
This feeling went beyond a spiritual entry into the soul.
Li Hao fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but this is not the place for a fight. Please follow me, Your Highness."
"Is there a need to choose a location? Anywhere will do." Jiang Licheng's eyes blazed even brighter now that Li Hao had agreed, barely containing his eagerness to engage in a duel.
"This is my courtyard. It is something I cherish, just as you cherish your sword." Li Hao had intended to fight right away, but upon hearing Li Hao's words, Jiang Licheng's expression shifted, and he restrained himself.
"I'll wait for you!"
As he spoke, Jiang Licheng suddenly soared into the sky and flew away.
Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he could leave Ren Qianqian here to wait safely. He quickly gave chase.
Soon, the two of them arrived at a mountain outside the city.
"Where's your sword?" Jiang Licheng looked at Li Hao's hands.
"Every grass and tree can be my sword." Li Hao casually broke off a dried-up old branch and held it in his hand.
Jiang Licheng laughed heartily upon seeing this. "Good! I was once like that too. Everything could be a sword, but not anymore. A sword is a sword. It is not just anything, and it can only be a sword!"
As he spoke, a black, seemingly incomplete longsword at his waist suddenly flew into his hand.
This sword had no sheath because it needed no concealment. As the sword landed in his hand, sharp ringing sounds reverberated, like the proud roar of a dragon.
Without hesitation, Li Hao unleashed his Domain.
Intimidation!
The domain's laws enveloped Jiang Licheng, instantly trapping him within.
The oppressive feeling of intimidation prevented him from releasing his power beyond his body.
However, at this moment, a fierce and eager battle intent burst forth from Jiang Licheng's eyes. Power surged from his meridians like sword qi, and the strength he had swallowed was condensed into countless sword auras, hidden within his body.
While Li Hao cultivated a single breath of celestial qi in his dantian, Jiang Licheng had countless sword auras swirling within his heart. Even under the suppression of the domain's rules, he unleashed a formidable power, resisting the erosion and suddenly swinging his sword.
Swoosh!
A dazzling aurora, as brilliant as a silver moon bursting apart, seemed to contain a certain understanding of the Dao. It cleaved through the air in an instant.
Li Hao was taken aback as he witnessed his domain being torn apart by a sharp and powerful force.
He immediately considered layering a second layer of the domain but quickly abandoned the idea.
A spark of battle intent ignited within him, and he, too, swung his hand, the broken branch in his grasp unleashing a powerful sword qi.
Bang! The cycling sword light collided with Jiang Licheng's sword qi, and with the enhancement of the domain's rules, the two attacks reached a stalemate.
"Your sword is not pure enough!" Jiang Licheng glared, his eyes burning with intensity. "Is that your strongest sword art? It's still not enough!"
Before Li Hao could react, Jiang Licheng slashed out with another sword. This strike once again tore through the domain, and the refined sword light, like an aurora reflecting from the heavens, arrived in the blink of an eye.
Li Hao lifted the broken branch and forcefully slashed downward.
The sword light extinguished, and neither gained the upper hand.
However, the branch in Li Hao's hand had snapped in two.
Moreover, Li Hao knew that if not for the enhancement of the domain's rules, he would have lost in terms of pure sword skill.
"Your sword path is only at the level of a half-Sage." Jiang Licheng's aura surged, and he stood unharmed within the domain. His eyes turned cold as he continued, "However, for your age, it's not bad. Perhaps in ten years, you might be able to challenge me again."
Li Hao nodded slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
His understanding of the sword had only reached the sixth level of insight, and he had yet to achieve the spiritual level. His sword skill was not yet extraordinary, whereas Jiang Licheng's comprehension of the sword path was likely at the seventh or eighth level.
To break through the domain with pure sword skill, to have one's sword reach the divine level and approach the Dao—that was a profound level of attainment.
"Is that your full power, or do you have other means? Show me your true strength so that I may see if you can sharpen my sword further!" Jiang Licheng's gaze remained fixed on Li Hao.
Li Hao saw the determination in his eyes and nodded. "Alright."
As he spoke, he released the remaining half of the broken branch, letting it fall to the ground.
At that same moment, four layers of the domain abruptly overlapped.
The sudden surge of terrifying pressure caused Jiang Licheng's sharp gaze to narrow, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes. But the next moment, an even brighter light burst forth, and he laughed with excitement and fervor.
"Well done!"
His entire body erupted with soaring sword radiance, and his spine became translucent and dazzling, resembling a sword.
He soared into the sky, his body exuding a vast and mighty aura. He gathered his power into his sword, preparing to strike.
But in the next instant, another layer of the domain was added.
Six layers of the domain instantly enveloped him, and with a loud bang, it was like a giant hand had grabbed Jiang Licheng, forcing his radiant energy back into his body. He was frozen in place, unable to move within the domain.
Li Hao did not fully unleash the power of the domain's rules, as doing so would have instantly torn Jiang Licheng apart.
"You..." Jiang Licheng's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Li Hao gradually retracted his power and withdrew the domain.
Jiang Licheng's aura immediately surged outward, but his sword-wielding posture remained suspended in mid-air as he stared blankly at Li Hao.
After a long while, he suddenly rushed towards Li Hao and asked, "Six layers of the domain? Is that your limit?"
Li Hao shook his head slightly.
Jiang Licheng appeared dazed for a moment, but soon, he burst into loud laughter. "Good, good, good! I thought my sword was already sharp enough, but now it seems I still have a long way to go!"
"When I can cut through your domain, that will be when I attain the Way!"
Li Hao's heart stirred, and he asked, "Your Highness, are you familiar with the Way-Enlightenment Realm?"
"Familiar? Well, if you want to learn about it, I can tell you." Jiang Licheng could tell what Li Hao was thinking and laughed a few times. He didn't hide anything as he continued, "Even with your background from the Shenjian Fu, unless that ancestor of your Li family personally tells you, such profound secrets are never recorded in books. Some old fellows would rather take such secrets to their graves than let them be known."
At this point, he steered the conversation back on track. "The Way-Enlightenment Realm also has levels. The first level is the True Person Realm, and the second is the Dao Fa Realm!"
"The True Person from the Qian Dao Palace is in the True Person Realm. One must break through the domain's rules, touch the true Dao, and distinguish the true from the false. By entering the Dao through techniques, one attains the True Person Realm!"
He continued, "As for the Dao Fa Realm, it's even more mysterious and powerful. With the domain's rules, one can make things happen with a word, summon wind and call rain, and perceive the heavenly Dao. It transcends techniques and reaches the level of rules!"
"Techniques are but the surface, the Dao is the bone, and the rules are the flesh!"
Jiang Licheng glanced at Li Hao and said, "All cultivation methods, secret manuals, and ultimate skills are still at the level of the surface. Even the most supreme skills only barely touch upon the true essence, remaining outside the threshold of the Dao.
The True Person Realm, the Dao Fa Realm...
To be able to speak and have the laws follow—wasn't that akin to being an immortal?
Li Hao's eyes flickered, and he suddenly realized why those two avatars of the Wild Gods had been so difficult to kill. Even if they had reached the True Person Realm, they would have refined their Dao power, and Dao power couldn't be eradicated. With their bodies forged by the Dao, the influence of the Dao Domain on them would be minuscule.
The difference between realms was like the difference between clouds and mud.
"You are gifted, and if you can let go of worldly pursuits and cultivate peacefully here, you will surely achieve greatness in the future."
Seeing Li Hao deep in thought, Jiang Licheng said, "Don't listen to my brother's nonsense about running around to save those ordinary folks. What does it matter if they all die? They are fools, born to be stepping stones for others. For them, dying early is a blessing, as they can be reborn into wealthy families, instead of toiling for a hundred and eighty years. It's for the better."
Li Hao was stunned, at a loss for words.
It was hard to imagine that these words were coming from a prince. He seemed more like a malevolent demon.
"Moreover, my Great Yu Dynasty is deeper than you think. Even if you hadn't gone to Youzhou or Qingzhou, at most, only a few commoners would have died. When these demons cross the bottom line, someone will inevitably step in to slay them."
Jiang Licheng scoffed, and his eyes glinted faintly. "Although the Great Yu Dynasty has declined, we still have some tricks up our sleeves to scare people. The divine arrays in the cities housing the Five Great Divine Generals aren't just for protecting the people, you know. Just focus on your cultivation here."
With that, he turned and flew back into the city.
Li Hao was taken aback and followed him back to the courtyard.
When he saw the prince sitting in his previous spot as if he owned the place, Li Hao was left speechless.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by that divine array?" Li Hao asked curiously.
Jiang Licheng waved his hand dismissively. "The less you know, the better. The fewer distractions, the clearer your mind."
Li Hao smiled bitterly. Seeing that the prince wasn't going to elaborate, he said, "Your Highness, I have many matters to attend to here at the border, so I'd appreciate it if you could find another place to stay."
"I won't leave until I break through your Dao Domain." Jiang Licheng huffed, paying no heed to Li Hao's request. His gaze fell on Ren Qianqian, who was holding her sword, and he glanced at the sword in her hand with disdain before scoffing and ignoring her.
Ren Qianqian breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Li Hao return safely. However, when she noticed the prince's contemptuous glance, she was puzzled and wondered why this elderly man, despite his lofty status, would look down on her.
"Even if I'm weak, Your Highness, you are a respected elder. Surely you wouldn't disdain me?"
Li Hao saw that the prince had no intention of leaving, and although he was a royal, he couldn't very well force him out. So, he said, "Then do as you please, as long as you don't disturb me."
"You do your thing, and I'll do mine," Jiang Licheng replied.
Li Hao didn't press the issue further.
Time passed.
Soldiers came and went in the courtyard, reporting on their search for Feng Lao, but there was still no news.
Additionally, the Celestial Mechanism Court had also sent a message that they hadn't found any trace of Feng Lao or Xiaobaihu. Li Hao had also asked them to help look for the little fox, and they were to inform him directly if they found any clues, but so far, there was nothing.
According to Ren Qianqian, Xiaobaihu had disappeared one day without a trace. At first, they thought he was just playing somewhere, but when he didn't return by nightfall, they realized he was missing.
When they sent people out of the city to search for him, they found nothing, no signs of a struggle, and the trail went cold halfway through.
"I hope that little guy didn't come to harm..." Li Hao frowned, a heavy weight in his heart.
"Are you looking for someone?"
Jiang Licheng, who had been cultivating his sword techniques in the courtyard, overheard the soldiers' reports and raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Li Hao and said, "When I came to the Mie River to meet you, I noticed no movement there, so I decided to come here. I saw someone fighting outside the city, perhaps the person you're looking for?"
Li Hao was stunned. "Did you see who it was, Your Highness?"
"I wasn't paying much attention, but one of them had impressive movement techniques. Unfortunately, they met a cultivator in the Great Peace Realm, so their agility didn't help much."
Li Hao's heart skipped a beat. Good movement techniques?
"When was this?" he asked eagerly. This other battle couldn't have been between Feng Lao and Li Tiangang, as the opponent was in the Taiping Dao Realm.
Jiang Licheng thought for a moment. "About half a month ago."
"Half a month ago..." Li Hao was taken aback. This was after Feng Lao and Li Tiangang's confrontation.
Could it be that after Feng Lao's battle with Li Tiangang, he had stayed in the shadows, continuing to protect Cangya City, and then encountered another fight?