Chapter 118: The World No Longer Knows Li Hao

(Fallback Option – Two-in-One Chapter)

Li Tiangang and the others had assumed that Li Hao had narrowly escaped assassination only because Li Moxiu and the elder generation had secretly protected him behind the scenes.

They never imagined that it was Li Hao himself who had single-handedly化解 the crisis.

But… six years old?

Ordinary children barely began cultivation at that age. How could Li Hao—just six—have effortlessly slain a Circulation Realm assassin on his own?

An assassin’s attack was sudden and merciless. Even an equal-level cultivator might not survive. This meant that at six, Li Hao already possessed the power to confront a Circulation Realm cultivator with ease.

Yet… six years old?

The group stared at Li Hao, stunned, their minds momentarily blank. They had repeatedly praised this child’s cultivation talent, but now they realized—perhaps they had still vastly underestimated him.

His prodigy level was so extreme, even the Saint’s Heir of Qian Dao Palace might have to bow in admiration.

Li Tiangang remained silent for a moment. Though he disliked Li Hao’s personality, he couldn’t deny—this child’s innate talent was among the absolute best.

Suddenly, Li Fu remembered something. He turned to Li Hao and said, “Young Master Hao, when you went to Cangyu City on your mission, I secretly protected you along the way. Those two Jiao Dragon Great Demons you encountered…?”

Li Hao spoke calmly. “I killed them.”

Li Fu’s pupils widened in shock. His heart pounded. He had returned to Frost Snow Courtyard recently and even went to personally thank Gao Qingqing for her protection—she had looked utterly confused. He had been puzzled then, but now it all clicked.

He had been protecting Li Hao… yet the boy had protected him all along.

A deep sigh welled up in Li Fu’s chest—mixed with shame and regret. He should have known. Li Hao had already exposed his Fifteen Li Stage cultivation level in Cangyu City, and had slain a whole pack of demons alone. Why would he need help against two Great Demons?

“Wait… really?” Li Tiangang frowned, turning to Li Fu.

Li Fu quickly recounted the entire incident. Li Tiangang’s eyes flashed with cold, piercing light. “Those Demon Creatures, cornered and dying, still tried to make one last desperate strike. Even the Sacred Palace was ready to retreat. What a joke!”

“Ah,” Li Yuanzhao murmured, recalling the tea stall scene. “So that’s why Hao brother went to slay those Two-Headed Great Serpents without a word.”

They had been casually sipping tea, nibbling on pastries—while Li Hao vanished in an instant to cut down two monstrous serpents, silently and swiftly.

Zhao Bo’s expression was complex. “So, if Young Master hadn’t been unusually resilient and strong, he’d have been dead twice over.”

Hearing Zhao Bo’s words, Li Fu’s face paled. Li Tiangang’s gaze sharpened, his expression darkening.

They had sent Li Fu—of the Divine Travel Realm, a fearsome warrior—to protect Li Hao. In normal circumstances, that should have been more than enough.

But the Demon Clan… they were utterly ruthless.

They sent a Circulation Realm assassin—not a Strength Integration Realm one—against a six-year-old child. Not even giving him a chance.

Then, later, they dispatched a Two-Headed Great Demon, planning every detail to ensure absolute success.

Yet, despite all that… Li Hao had still survived.

By his own strength.

Li Tiangang took a deep breath, his Qi trembling slightly. “My protection of you… was negligent. I never thought the Demon Clan would go this far. I believed you were safe within the Divine General’s Mansion—guarded by personal soldiers, watched over by Lady Others, shielded by sacred arrays. I thought no Demon could ever come near. But you nearly died anyway.”

Li Hao’s expression remained calm. “It wasn’t nearly. It was inevitable.”

Li Tiangang’s brows snapped together. “Are you blaming me? What do you mean ‘inevitable’? You’re alive, aren’t you?”

“Foolish!” Li Moxiu roared without restraint. “How dare you speak like that—cursing Hao’s death?!”

Even though Li Hao’s mind was composed, the outburst made him glance up—just once.

When he saw Li Moxiu’s furious face, a wave of weariness washed over him. He spoke softly, coldly:

“I’m alive? So what? That’s my luck. My strength.”

If he hadn’t been reborn—if he hadn’t had the Character Panel—there was no way he’d have survived.

Yes, the Character Panel prevented him from cultivating normally. But his realm level still rose at the same pace as any other prodigy.

After all, he’d spent years obsessively farming experience, grinding his Character Panel. What others saw as play, he saw as progress. The harder he played, the faster he leveled.

Under normal circumstances, a Li Clan offspring—no matter how weak their innate talent—could still reach Seventh-Rank Combat Body through sheer resources.

And those with true genius—like Ninth Uncle Li Junye, a once-in-a-millennium talent—still began cultivation at six.

But even then, they couldn’t stand against a Circulation Realm cultivator.

Facing Li Moxiu’s rage, Li Tiangang suppressed his fury slightly, his eyes icy.

“You think you’re strong? That you solved this on your own? How laughable.”

“Your cultivation status… even I don’t know. Who taught you this?”

He didn’t look at Li Moxiu—but the old man’s face flushed crimson. The implication was clear.

But Li Hao was six when Li Moxiu first met him!

“You’re arrogant. You think you’re clever, but you’re just foolish.”

“If you’d shown your talent earlier, if you’d stopped hiding… I would’ve sent Yu Xuan to protect you immediately!”

Li Tiangang’s voice turned colder. “Then, whether it was the assassination at six or the one in Cangyu City, Yu Xuan—Celestial Human Sect Master—could have shielded you.”

“And if you’d revealed your talent, you wouldn’t have gone to Tancheng Palace. You’d have joined a true master’s sect, built your connections, earned a direct disciple status from a great power!”

“Instead, you’ve been wandering aimlessly. Who knows how you even caught Emperor Yu’s eye? If not for the Imperial Edict, you’d have lost in a mere connection match. What a joke that would’ve been!”

“A prodigy of supreme talent… yet your connections lag behind Li Qianfeng’s? How would people see you? As arrogant? As isolated?”

Li Hao narrowed his eyes, his voice sharp. “What others think? What does it matter to me?”

“Besides, if you’d revealed your talent, do you think the Demon Clan would’ve sent only a Circulation Realm assassin? If they’d known Yu Xuan was protecting you, wouldn’t they send an Immortal Stage cultivator instead?”

“If I’d shown my talent, and my cultivation level was that fast—wouldn’t an Immortal Stage assassin be perfectly reasonable?”

Li Tiangang paused, his expression flickering. The logic was undeniable.

The Demon Clan was mad. They’d do anything.

They’d send a Circulation Realm to kill a six-year-old. If they knew Li Hao’s true talent, they’d send a Human-Heaven Stage—or even Immortal Stage—from the very beginning.

An Immortal Stage assassin? Without the secret protection of the old generation, it would’ve been impossible to survive.

“True Dragon strength isn’t about connections. It’s about talent. What’s the point of worrying?” Li Moxiu interjected. “Hao’s been favored by Emperor Yu. Why would he need others’ connections? Look at Qianfeng—has the Emperor ever looked at him?”

Li Tiangang glanced at him. He knew the truth. But still, he felt Li Hao was wasting his gift.

Genius wasn’t meant to be squandered.

“The assassination… yes, you have a point. But being a General’s Clan—this is every Li Clan child’s fate.”

Li Tiangang’s voice was grim. “You think you’re the only one? Ask Second Uncle—Demon Clan sees us as enemies. Some of our ancestors’ children were killed at birth. Others were ambushed in the streets, hidden among crowds.”

“You’re lucky to be alive.”

Li Hao stared blankly. “So being born into the Li Clan… is my fortune?”

“Is that all you’ve learned?” Li Tiangang snapped. “You’re a Li Clan son. That’s your duty.”

Li Hao almost laughed—but the sight of Li Tiangang’s furious face killed the urge. He spoke softly, coldly:

“I’m not saying this to blame you. I’m not complaining. I’m not begging for pity.”

“I’m just saying—your son is dead. From now on, I’m no longer a Li Clan member. Please step aside. Don’t block my path.”

“What?” Li Tiangang’s eyes flashed with cold fury. “You dare talk like that? You’re just a child, and already you’re learning to run away?”

“Run?” Li Hao sneered. “This isn’t my home. I’ve been a tenant here for fourteen years. I’ll pay back every meal, every coin I’ve spent.”

Li Moxiu glared at Li Tiangang, but he had no time to rage. His eyes were full of pain as he looked at Li Hao. “Hao, don’t do this. If you don’t like this place, come live with me at the Pavilion of Listening to Rain. No one will bother you. No one will control you.”

“There, you’ll be free.”

Li Tiangang roared, “The Pavilion of Listening to Rain is still part of the Li Clan! The combat scriptures inside—collected by our ancestors! He learned his skills without elixirs—so how could he have done it?”

“Li Tiangang!!” Li Moxiu bellowed, his voice thunderous. “Are you really trying to drive Hao to death?!”

Li Tiangang froze—then refused to back down. “Second Uncle, stop spoiling him. He thinks he earned this power on his own?”

“He carries our blood!”

“No us, no Qingqing—he wouldn’t have such a prodigy-level talent!”

“No Li Clan scriptures—how could he have this skill?”

“If he didn’t bear the Li name, Emperor Yu would never have noticed him! A mere Ordinary Stage cultivator?”

“His glory… comes because he’s Li!”

Li Moxiu was speechless, his face livid. He’d never been spoken to like this—by this man, a boy who’d once been a child.

Li Tiangang had spent years hunting spirit beasts on the frontier, growing from youth to middle age. His temper had changed.

“Uncle,” Bian Ruxue and Li Yuanzhao whispered, their faces pained. They wanted to speak—but the sheer aura of power radiating from Li Tiangang paralyzed them.

That godlike presence made even their bones tremble.

But Li Hao remained calm. His expression was cold. His eyes—like ice.

“Correct,” he said slowly. “So I told you before—I won’t bear the Li name anymore. I’m no longer a Li Clan member.”

“Today, you either step aside… or you kill me.”

“Do you think I won’t?”

Li Tiangang roared. “Try it.”

Li Hao’s aura flared. His eyes turned sharp as blades. “Then let’s see.”

“Heavenly Pole, enough!” Li Moxiu’s face flushed red. His eyes blazed. “Don’t push me to break my Heart Oath. If I do, I’ll break you in half!”

Li Tiangang paled. He knew Li Moxiu’s strength—he couldn’t resist. But he hadn’t expected such loyalty.

His fury burned hotter.

“Hao’s achievements? All because of you!”

Li Moxiu’s voice cracked. “Good, good! You even blame me now?!”

Li Hao shook his head. “Second Uncle, don’t. There’s no need. I’m leaving. Farewell, everyone.”

He turned and walked forward—without hesitation.

Li Tiangang’s face twisted. A surge of power erupted from him.

But Li Hao walked past, as if nothing existed.

Li Tiangang raised his hand—then paused.

Looking at that calm, cold face, a sharp pain pierced his chest.

He clenched his teeth. “You’ll regret this.”

Li Hao didn’t speak.

But the corner of his mouth twitched—upward.

Regret?

He’d die first.

“Hao!” Li Moxiu’s eyes were filled with fury and sorrow. He looked at Li Tiangang—then dashed after Li Hao, blocking his path.

“Hao, don’t be reckless. Second Uncle—”

“Second Uncle,” Li Hao looked up, voice quiet. “Let me go.”

Looking into those eyes—Li Moxiu’s voice died in his throat.

Li Hao stepped past him.

…

…

Outside the Divine General’s Residence.

Besides a few curious onlookers from Qingzhou City who had come to gawk, the street now teemed with a vast, solemn crowd. All of them bore extraordinary auras.

They wore different clothes—some from distant provinces.

But they shared one identity: White Hall disciples of the Tan Palace Academy.

Only the most elite could enter the top tier of the Nineteen Provinces’ premier academy.

Though not quite on par with the true heirs of the great sects, these were still prodigies—golden talents.

Now, they wore their own clothes—not academy uniforms. Some even carried family jade pendants at their waists.

“We wish to meet Young Master Li Hao!”

“We’ve heard of his supreme talent—come to pay our respects!”

“Please allow us entrance!”

They chanted, voices rising.

The Father-and-Son Battle had shaken the entire city. Rumors flew.

They’d heard Li Hao had been severely punished by his father—so they rushed here, not to visit, but to plead.

Their presence drew crowds. The noise grew.

The commotion reached the inner courtyards.

Chen Hefang, seated in the Blue Lotus Courtyard, was helped by the house steward’s elderly woman, leaning on her cane.

The old lady had come out.

The other ladies from the inner courts hurried to gather.

The courtyard was now packed.

“That’s the Young Master of the Qizhou Yu family.”

“That’s the Zhao Clan’s daughter from Youzhou.”

“The Bai family from Qingzhou has come.”

“Is that the son of General Zhou?”

People recognized them. The ladies, with their sharp eyes, could identify the family crests on sleeves, the carvings on their jade pendants.

These weren’t just prodigies. Their families were prominent in their respective provinces.

And yet—they had all come for Li Hao.

Not even at the True Dragon banquet had so many gathered.

“Could they have heard rumors… and come to plead for Hao?” Gao Qingqing muttered, suspicious.

Liu Yuerong’s eyes narrowed. Two days ago, her review process had already been submitted to Li Tiangang. He’d sent it to the Ministry of Punishment’s Vice Minister—in person.

The Vice Minister was en route.

The journey should’ve been done by now. But he’d hesitated—afraid of her status as a National Lady.

The matter was too hot. The Vice Minister had received countless letters from Li family’s allies. He was now in a panic.

“Hao’s made so many friends?”

“Did they not come before?”

They were stunned. But this was unlikely.

Li Hao’s talent was already famous across Qingzhou. If they wanted to curry favor, they’d have come during the True Dragon banquet—not now, after the father-son battle had ruined his reputation.

Now, they came.

Chen Hefang leaned on her cane, silent. But her eyes held sorrow.

She saw it—the sincerity in these young men and women.

Not connections. Not favors.

Real friendship.

Far rarer than any alliance.

Suddenly—two figures descended from the sky, landing gently before the gate.

Song Yufeng and Song Qiumo.

They stared at the magnificent, imposing Divine General’s Residence.

Then, their eyes fell on the gathering White Hall disciples.

Song Qiumo glanced at Song Yufeng.

Song Yufeng smiled faintly. “These kids really know how to cause trouble. Good thing they’re not wearing our academy uniforms. At least they’re not completely clueless.”

They wore their own clothes. Some even carried family jade pendants.

He felt both relieved and amused.

Song Qiumo rolled her eyes. Then, her gaze sharpened.

Azure light flashed in her pupils.

She saw the divine runes—glowing, layered across the walls.

Among them—Demon-warding seals.

If she stepped in, the moment she touched the threshold, the sacred array would activate.

“Lady He Fang,” Song Yufeng smiled, greeting the old lady inside. “It’s been a long time.”

His voice was quiet—but clear.

Everyone inside froze.

Especially when they saw Song Qiumo beside him.

The Demon King of the Tan Palace Academy—no one had forgotten her.

Two Four Foundations Realm masters—both here.

“Song Yufeng,” Chen Hefang said, her voice steady. “You’ve come with the Demon King. Why?”

Song Yufeng smiled. “We’ve heard of Young Master Li Hao’s supreme talent. We came to pay our respects. May we enter?”

The ladies gasped.

They hadn’t expected this.

But then—Li Hao had joined the Tan Palace Academy.

They understood.

But… how could such a prodigy, barely in the academy, draw the attention of the Palace Master?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end