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Chapter 132: Repaying the Li Family's First Favor
Chapter 132: Repaying the Li Family's First Favor (7K Unity Chapter)
Seeing Li Hao chatting so familiarly with the Great Demon King, Li Hongzhuang and Li He felt a mix of complex emotions.
They could both tell that the Great Demon King held a deep fondness for Li Hao, treating him like a close friend. This kind of relationship was not something the Li Family's reputation alone could bring about, nor was it likely due solely to Li Hao's exceptional talent.
After all, this was a Great Demon King of the Fourth Establishment Realm.
Even if Li Hao's talent was unparalleled, his future ceiling would most likely be the Fourth Establishment Realm, at best reaching the level where he could touch the toes of the True Person of Qian Dao Palace.
Transcending the Fourth Establishment Realm was an extremely difficult feat. Each step in the Fourth Establishment Realm was a formidable barrier, as hard to cross as ascending to the heavens!
In the clouds, Feng Boping nodded slightly to Song Qiumo and then vanished without coming down to make polite conversation.
He was used to his freedom and didn't like getting involved in mundane affairs. He didn't have much to talk about with other Fourth Establishment Realm beings, and only a few could engage him in meaningful conversation.
If it weren't for Li Hao, he would be a gentle breeze wandering through the world.
When the wind rises, the mind remains still; when the mind moves, the wind cannot be calmed.
"How long do you plan to stay here?"
After meeting Song Qiumo, Li Hao brought her to the camp.
Song Qiumo looked around, her gaze lingering on the small mound that was once the city. She then saw the sword-wielding girl, Ren Qianqian, and the little white fox, which was nervously watching her, and she smiled.
"How long do you want me to stay?" she asked Li Hao casually.
Li Hao replied without hesitation, "The longer, the better."
Song Qiumo smiled, "I thought you were struggling, and I would come to offer you some help, making you feel grateful and indebted. Then, when you reach the Fourth Establishment Realm, you could repay me. But now it seems I'm just adding a flower to a brocade."
"In this vast desert beyond the border, perhaps what's missing is just a flower like you."
Li Hao smiled.
Song Qiumo, clearly not expecting such a response, blushed slightly and gave him a gentle glare. Then she said, "I'll stay for at most half a year."
Li Hao nodded, understanding that she had commitments. Half a year was already a significant amount of time.
"During these six months, you can eat whatever you want", Li Hao said with a smile.
"I want fried sesame pancakes."
"No problem."
The camp had no flour or other ingredients, so Li Hao found some paper and a pen and wrote down everything he needed. He included a lot of personal items, such as ingredients he liked to eat and supplies like ink, paper, and brushes.
He also added a chessboard, so he could play during his free time.
However, without an equally skilled opponent, there was little chance of improving his skills.
But Li Hao didn't mind; he would keep it for when the right person came along.
Li Hao obtained a map of Liangzhou from Li Hongzhuang and gave it to Song Qiumo, asking her to go to the nearest city to purchase supplies.
Even the closest city was a thousand miles away.
Previously, with Old Feng around, they had to be cautious of any Fourth Establishment Realm Demon Kings that might appear, so they couldn't leave. Now, with Song Qiumo's help, the camp's supplies could finally be replenished.
Li Hao used his Object Manipulation Power to gather trees and stones, building a small fence around the mound and creating a small courtyard.
He then constructed several pavilions using the trees.
A Fifteenth Li Realm expert serving as a foreman was indeed in the best position.
Seeing Li Hao gradually transform the dilapidated camp, Li Hongzhuang felt a sense of illusion, as if the youth would rebuild the city that had been destroyed!
However, this feeling seemed a bit unrealistic. The Great Demon King had said he would only stay for half a year.
After half a year, he would leave, and only the Fourth Establishment Realm elder in the clouds would remain, and it was uncertain how long they could protect Li Hao.
Such top-tier experts rarely tied themselves to one person.
Soon, Song Qiumo returned from her shopping trip, bringing back a large amount of supplies and food.
Li Hao had Ren Qianqian and the little white fox help him move everything into the small courtyard.
Little White Fox, though still unable to transform, held some mats and blankets in her tiny paws, standing on her hind legs and wobbling as she carried them into the small courtyard.
After a busy half-day, the place was completely transformed.
However, the newly built courtyard still had a fresh, woody scent, lacking the warmth of human habitation.
But that was how it was; a place only gained life when people lived in it.
Li Hao set up a fire in the courtyard, selecting some Demon bodies and cutting out the fattest parts to grill over the charcoal.
He asked Ren Qianqian to help tend the fire while he kneaded dough to make pancakes for Song Qiumo.
If not for the blood-stained Demon corpses outside the fence and the piled-up bodies, the scene inside the courtyard would have been quite cozy.
Li Hongzhuang, however, felt a bit aimless, as if she had nothing left to do.
With two Fourth Establishment Realm cultivators present, the news would spread quickly. Unless it was some foolish minor demon, the Great Demons would not dare to approach.
She no longer needed to hold her sword, ready for battle at all times.
After years of being on high alert, her body gradually relaxed.
So she sat by the fire, savoring the aroma of the roasting meat and watching the young man kneading dough beside her. Suddenly, it all felt like a dream.
She had never imagined that one day, in such a perilous place, she would have such a peaceful moment.
Soon, the dough was ready. With Li Hao's infusion of power, the fermentation process accelerated.
Li Hao set up a pan to bake the pancakes and prepared a fried sesame pancake for Song Qiumo, adding some cilantro and other spices to enhance the flavor.
"Time to eat!"
Once everything was ready, Li Hao called Old Feng to join them.
Now that Old Feng's true form was revealed and known to Li Hongzhuang, there was no need to hide it, except for his identity.
The group gathered around the fire, eating and drinking casually.
Old Feng indulged himself, eating the roasted meat and drinking wine.
Li Hao handed him a baked pancake, filled with roasted meat.
Old Feng found it novel, took a few bites, and couldn't help but praise it.
As Old Feng was enjoying his meal, Li Hao casually took his wine bottle for a couple of sips, feeling a wave of comfort.
Old Feng, realizing what had happened, glared at him and snatched back the bottle, which was almost empty.
Seeing Li Hao's intimate and casual interaction with this elder, Li Hongzhuang and Li He found the young man even more enigmatic.
After eating and drinking, Feng Boping patted his bottom and stepped out of the courtyard, vanishing without a trace, looking incredibly carefree.
Li Hao watched Old Feng leave, sighing inwardly. He knew Master Zi was afraid of being recognized by Li Hongzhuang and the others if he stayed in the courtyard for too long, so he chose to sit alone in the treetops, enjoying the natural breeze.
Feeling a sense of guilt, Li Hao got up to tidy up the Demon corpses.
He planned to brew a fine wine for Master Zi.
After carefully selecting some good parts from a few Three Immortalities Great Demons, Li Hao returned to the courtyard and began the brewing process.
Song Qiumo, meanwhile, lay in a side room, yawning and looking bored.
Occasionally, her gaze would fall on the young man busily handling the chores, and she couldn't help but smile, finding it somewhat amusing.
She had come to deliver the Sword Manual and the Tan Palace secret technique, which the young man had casually tucked into his chest. She had observed that since receiving the Sword Manual, Li Hao hadn't even glanced at it a second time.
The world's supreme cultivation techniques and the immense wealth of the Divine General Manor seemed to be less important to this young man than the simple pleasures of daily life.
What a peculiar little fellow...
In the evening, Li Hao finally finished setting up the wine jars and buried them in the cellar behind the courtyard to ferment.
Bathed in the red glow of the setting sun, Li Hao finally had some free time. He sat in a master chair he had made from trees, gently swaying, and pulled out the cultivation technique manual from his chest, slowly flipping through it.
Taiji Universe Sword.
Yin-Yang Intersection.
Li Hao turned the pages, and when he finished the first read, a notification appeared before his eyes, indicating he had entered the initial stage.
Li Hao immediately put away the Sword Manual, leaned back in the chair, and closed his eyes to meditate.
As the Sword Techniques were recorded, a flood of information surged into his mind. The essence and core of this Sword Technique gradually unfolded under his contemplation and understanding.
What is "Tai"?
More than just "big."
What is "big"?
Heaven and Earth are vast!
"Everything in the universe follows a path. My understanding of the realm and the Dao is still shallow. These Sword Techniques and Cultivation Techniques seem to share commonalities. If they could be integrated, perhaps I could create a technique that encompasses the Myriad Phenomena!"
Li Hao had a moment of clarity.
Now that he had entered the Tianren Realm, he had merged with the Heavenly Gate, achieving a unity of body and spirit, a semi-transcendent state beyond the mundane.
His thoughts were no longer confined by the specific forms of Cultivation Techniques. He could grasp the essence of any technique in the world without being bound by its form.
His Master's Dao was the essence of all things, but Li Hao felt that he had only taken a small step on this path. If he could truly reach the end, his journey as a Grandmaster would reach its pinnacle.
What kind of scenery would he see then?
Li Hao's thoughts drifted for a moment, then he smiled lightly.
It's best to let things take their natural course.
Just like his Master's Heart, the right balance is natural.
There's no need to deliberately pursue or conform to the ways of the world. Like the sun shining on the earth, it is not done with intent, but rather as part of the natural cycle.
If one greedily chases after a sliver of light, pursuing the sun, it is like Kuafu chasing the sun, ultimately leading to exhaustion and death.
The sun, though warm, cannot be gazed upon directly.
The moon, though cold, illuminates the past and present.
There's no need to be fixated on one aspect of the world. Everything in the universe has its own beauty.
This is true of Heaven and Earth, of people, and of Cultivation Techniques.
Li Hao felt that his mindset had advanced a bit further. Numerous Cultivation Techniques in his mind began to subtly change, but he was still far from the pinnacle of the Grandmaster realm.
He smiled faintly, not minding, and called for a painting board, paper, and brush. Then, his Soul Essence soared, and he observed the pile of Demon corpses in the distance.
He sketched them with ease, stroke by stroke.
Though the Demons were dead, drawing their corpses still provided valuable experience.
Li Hao sketched one after another, and his Art Dao experience rapidly increased, approaching the Sixth Rank.
In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
During these two days, the small courtyard was unusually quiet, with no more Demons appearing.
The young man in the courtyard enjoyed the peace, sketching over a thousand drawings, each Demon corpse drawn multiple times. He harvested almost all the experience and smoothly broke through to the Sixth Rank, earning an Art Skill Point.
To advance from the Sixth Rank to the Seventh Rank required 100,000 experience points.
He still needed to accumulate 100,000 experience points to reach the bottleneck of the Sixth Rank, and then he would need to undergo Spiritual Immersion to advance to the Seventh Rank.
"Spiritual Immersion, when will I be able to undergo Spiritual Immersion..." Li Hao muttered to himself, feeling that he still had no clear idea.
He stopped sketching and continued writing down the Cultivation Techniques he had refined.
He recorded each technique that had been improved in grade.
By midday, the small courtyard was filled with the scent of cooking, and a group of riders approached the camp.
Feng Boping seemed to sense something and disappeared from the fire where the meat was nearly done.
The others were used to his sudden appearances and disappearances and paid no attention, focusing instead on the new arrivals outside the courtyard.
Li Hongzhuang looked closely and was slightly surprised: "Eunuch Chu?"
She recognized the man; he was the one who had personally delivered her father's imperial decree in her childhood.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue rode through the gate and was immediately struck by the devastation and the pockmarked ground. The earth here was a reddish-brown, as if stained with countless amounts of blood.
His gaze swept across the area, and he soon saw the ravaged campsite, with many tents torn and piled together.
On the other side, there was a dark shadow, a mountain of Demon corpses, some already showing signs of decay.
He caught a whiff of the foul and putrid odor and pulled a face, but quickly composed himself. His eyes then fell on the center of the camp, and he was immediately taken aback.
Compared to the chaos and carnage outside, the center of the camp was a unique and picturesque small courtyard.
Smoke rose from the courtyard, as if it were a simple farming household.
But how could there be a farming household at this Border Pass?
He rode forward, with several imperial guards following behind.
As he approached the small courtyard, Eunuch Chu Jiuyue clearly saw the scene inside. His eyes met those of Song Qiumo, who sat by the fire, his expression calm and unresponsive.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue noticed Li Hao and Li Hongzhuang on the other side and realized why the atmosphere was so serene. It made sense with the Great Demon King present.
He felt a bit surprised. The Tan Palace, known for its policy of non-interference, seemed to have made an exception.
Chu Jiuyue dismounted and walked into the courtyard.
"Imperial Edict of Emperor Yu. Please, Earl Li Hao, receive the decree."
Chu Jiuyue announced softly.
Li Hao, recognizing the familiar face, dusted the flour off his hands and stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Eunuch, it's been a while."
"Is young Master Li well?" Chu Jiuyue asked with a smile.
Li Hao furrowed his brow slightly and nodded. "I am well."
"Emperor Yu is grateful for the Earl's bravery in defending the border. He has specially bestowed a precious sword upon you. Please accept it", Chu Jiuyue said simply.
There were no idle onlookers, so he didn't need to make grand speeches.
Li Hao saw the dark golden sword being offered and was a bit surprised, but he accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Emperor Yu, and thank you, Eunuch Chu."
"You don't need to thank me. I'm just the messenger."
Chu Jiuyue smiled and continued, "His Majesty has instructed me to inform you that if the Earl is willing, you may visit Dayu Province at any time to train at the outer hall of Qian Dao Palace and listen to the Sage's teachings."
Upon hearing this, both Li Hongzhuang and Li He stood up, their faces filled with shock as they stared at Li Hao.
This young master was so favored by Emperor Yu?
Training at Qian Dao Palace was a privilege reserved for the Imperial Clan's descendants. Even among them, the competition was fierce, and not every prince could qualify.
Li Hao, the young master of Divine General Manor and a potential future True Dragon, had a highly sensitive identity. If he were to train at Qian Dao Palace, it would create an overly intimate relationship with the Imperial Clan, which would be a concern for the other Four Divine Generals' Mansions.
This favor was indeed quite alarming.
Li Hao understood the weight of these words and was surprised. Had Emperor Yu really met him? Could it have been the old man he played chess with under the willow tree?
There seemed to be no other possibility.
Looking at Chu Jiuyue's kind, smiling eyes, Li Hao bowed. "Thank you for His Majesty's kind offer, but I have a mission to complete. I hope His Majesty will understand."
Chu Jiuyue was a bit taken aback. He scrutinized Li Hao carefully. Was the boy making wild guesses, or did he truly want to stay and defend the border?
He had heard about the conflict between Li Hao and his father and understood the situation better. It seemed Li Hao was determined to sever ties with his father.
Giving up that noble surname and wealth, and now the opportunity to train at Qian Dao Palace—was he willing to do anything to cut all ties?
Chu Jiuyue gazed at Li Hao. "You are young. Don't make such decisions too impulsively."
"Thank you for delivering the message, Eunuch", Li Hao replied.
Chu Jiuyue realized he couldn't persuade Li Hao and didn't press further. He nodded slightly and said, "Since you are determined, I will report your words verbatim."
Li Hao nodded.
Chu Jiuyue glanced at him, then mounted his horse and bid farewell.
After riding out of the camp for dozens of miles, Chu Jiuyue suddenly thought of something. "I might have left a bit too early. The smell of roasted meat in that courtyard was quite nice..."
His stomach rumbled slightly.
Shaking his head, he thought, "A good horse doesn't eat its own tracks." He couldn't bring himself to turn back, so he urged his horse to full speed and continued on his way.
...
...
In the courtyard.
After Chu Jiuyue left, Li Hongzhuang and Li He overheard the conversation and could see from Li Hao's response that he was determined. They hesitated, unable to find the words to say, and sighed inwardly.
To give up the opportunity to train at Qian Dao Palace showed just how resolute this young man was. They knew their persuasion would be futile.
Li Hao returned to the fire, and Song Qiumo's gaze fell on the sword in his hand. "The sword is quite impressive."
Li Hao, hearing this, gripped the hilt and drew the sword slowly.
With a sharp sound, the sword left the scabbard, and a dragon-like cry seemed to echo through the air. A bright light flashed across the sky.
The sword's edge, sharp even in the moment it was drawn, seemed to cut through the air.
"It's Dragon Dawn!"
Li He gasped, his eyes wide with shock and awe.
Li Hongzhuang's expression also changed. He hadn't expected Emperor Yu to bestow such a precious sword.
This is the foremost of the Ten Famous Swords!
Its reputation and status surpass even that of Eternal Night. After all, Eternal Night took a decade to forge, but was only unsheathed for three years before being sealed away again.
The Dragon Dawn, on the other hand, has passed through the hands of several powerful figures in the Dayu Dynasty. It has been forged for several hundred years and was once the sword of a Sword Saint.
"Indeed, it's a fine sword."
Li Hao lightly tapped the blade, and a deep dragon's roar seemed to echo, like a wave of Killing Aura, making him feel the biting edge of its sharpness.
After a brief inspection, Li Hao sheathed the sword again and handed it back to Ren Qianqian.
Ren Qianqian hung the sword at her waist, her eyes filled with surprise and excitement. She had heard of the Dragon Dawn, and it was a top-tier sword. Even her father had never had the chance to see it, and now she had the opportunity to touch it.
"The meat is almost ready. Let's start eating."
Li Hao smiled.
Li Hongzhuang and Li He snapped out of their daze, their expressions complex. At the same time, a figure appeared silently—it was Old Feng, who had just left. He didn't pay much attention to Li Hao receiving the reward; he merely glanced at the Dragon Dawn, then took out his wine gourd and prepared to eat and drink.
That night.
Li Hao copied 124 Cultivation Techniques. These were the total of the Li Family Cultivation Techniques he had learned in the Rain Listening Pavilion, and he copied down the advanced versions after his own deductions.
What he once learned as Lower Grade, he now returned as Upper Grade, considering it a fair return with interest.
In addition, he wrote three secret techniques, all created after he reached the Grandmaster Realm, combining his own insights with the essence of the myriad things.
He included these three secret techniques in the package, gifting them to the Li Family.
However, learning these three secret techniques was not easy, as there were prerequisites.
After finishing, Li Hao handed the package to Song Qiumo, entrusting her to deliver it to the nearby Liangzhou city, where she was to find the local Li Family garrison and have them send it back to the Li Family.
...
...
A few days later.
In Qingzhou City, in front of the Divine General Manor.
Several Dragon Lions galloped in. These Dragon Lions were large enough to carry seven or eight people, and some had large bundles tied to their backs.
The leader dismounted and approached the gate, showing his identity token and whispering a few words.
Soon, the message reached the Mountain and River Courtyard.
In the study, Li Tiangang was reviewing interrogation results, his face grim and his eyes flashing.
At that moment, an attendant entered to report the situation outside the manor.
Li Tiangang was taken aback, slamming his hand on the table in anger. "Return the first favor to the Li Family? What does he mean? You said he sent back many Cultivation Techniques?!"
Seeing the attendant nod, Li Tiangang's face turned ashen. "Bring them all in. I want to see what he has returned!"
Soon, the large bundles from the Dragon Lions were brought to the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Along with the bundles, there was a letter.
Yu Xuan handed the letter to Li Tiangang, and as he casually opened the bundle, he saw that it was filled with books.
Li Tiangang opened the letter to find a few lines of elegant and neat handwriting.
The handwriting was clearly superior to that of their warriors.
After reading it, his expression darkened.
He levitated a few books into his hands and quickly flipped through them.
The Cultivation Techniques in the books seemed to be written by the same person, in the same handwriting.
After finishing one book, he moved on to the next, reading several in quick succession.
The courtyard was eerily silent, with no sound at all.
Old Zhao and Li Fu stood to the side, their faces filled with worry.
"Good, very good!"
After reading several books, Li Tiangang's eyes were filled with both anger and shock.
The Cultivation Techniques he had randomly picked were all of Upper Grade quality, just as the letter said!
Not only had he returned the Cultivation Techniques, but he had also returned them with interest, in excess!
In total, there were 124 books.
Additionally, there were three secret techniques.
Li Tiangang found it hard to believe that his son had learned so many Cultivation Techniques!
Over a hundred!
In just fourteen short years, he managed to learn over a hundred cultivation techniques?
While practicing so many diverse cultivation techniques, he was also able to advance his cultivation to the Fifteen Li Realm? And during their battle, he even achieved a sudden enlightenment to the Heavenly Master stage?
Li Tiangang's heart couldn't help but waver at this realization.
Such talent was unheard of; even if demons were to reincarnate and seize a body, they might not achieve this level.
Could it be that he was truly wrong?
Had he been too harsh on him?
But soon, the image of those cold eyes, poised to draw a sword, flashed through his mind, and the warmth in his heart quickly cooled.
His talent was indeed unparalleled, but his character was clearly not suitable for the position of the Li Family's True Dragon. If he could draw a sword against him, what would he do to other members of the Li Family?
If he were to entrust the Li Family to him, he couldn't rest easy.
Dayu was currently facing numerous challenges, and he had to steer this ship with utmost care, allowing no room for error. Otherwise, even a millennium of glory could be destroyed in an instant, and how could he face their ancestors then?
Taking a deep breath, Li Tiangang picked up the remaining cultivation techniques and began to review them.
These cultivation techniques were labeled, and he handed the Upper-Grade cultivation techniques to Yu Xuan for review, while he personally examined the secret techniques.
With Yu Xuan's status and achievements, he was not yet allowed to easily access the secret techniques.
At the same time, Li Tiangang summoned several elders from the Rain Listening Pavilion. These elders were bound to the estate for life and were the outstanding figures of the Secondary Lineage from Li Muxiu's generation. They usually assisted Li Muxiu in managing and overseeing the Rain Listening Pavilion.
These elders were living encyclopedias of the Li Family, their minds filled with numerous secrets of the family.
The cultivation techniques collected in the Rain Listening Pavilion were also reviewed by them on a regular basis.
As the elders mobilized, the other courtyards received the news and were both surprised and taken aback, rushing to the Mountain and River Courtyard.
Within a day and a night, the elders had thoroughly examined all the cultivation techniques, confirming that they were all complete and usable, with no defective ones.
Learning this, Li Tiangang's heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions—shock, pride, joy, and an indescribable anger.
When they heard the elders' words, He Jianlan and Li Xuanli were also stunned.
This was a collection of over a hundred Upper-Grade cultivation techniques. Even for a Grandmaster, aside from dedicating their entire life to deducing their own secret techniques, deducing other cultivation techniques would take a considerable amount of time, and few would waste their time on such a task.
The last time so many Upper-Grade cultivation techniques were collected in the Rain Listening Pavilion was a thousand years ago.
At that time, various sects were causing chaos and disrupting the government, using their martial prowess to break the law. The imperial court dispatched the Divine General Manor to suppress and eliminate these sects, resulting in a bloodbath that led to the collection of hundreds of cultivation techniques, of which only about a hundred were of the Upper-Grade level.
Now, these cultivation techniques were all gifts from Li Hao alone?!
Could it be that several Fourth Establishment Realm experts had helped Li Hao deduce these techniques?
What shocked them most was that they knew Li Hao spent a lot of time in the Rain Listening Pavilion with his Second Uncle, where he could freely learn the cultivation techniques. Being from the Main Lineage, this was not a problem.
However, Li Hao was only fourteen years old, and he had managed to learn over a hundred cultivation techniques from there. This was simply too extraordinary.
Where did he find the time and energy for all this?
"Tian Gang, are you satisfied now?"
Li Muxiu was alarmed and rushed over. Upon understanding the situation, however, there was not a trace of joy on his face; instead, he looked at Li Tiangang with a cold, icy expression.
Hearing his words, the others' expressions also changed, realizing the purpose behind Li Hao's gift of these cultivation techniques.
(End of Chapter)
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