https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-197-Liangzhou-s-Turn-for-the-Better/13450266/
Chapter 198: Foundation Building, World-Class Talent (Part 2)
Chapter 198: Foundation Building, World-Class Talent (Part 2)
“Li Hao……”
Li Xuanli clenched his fists, his heart heavy with grief.
The Li Family warriors and the Liangzhou Commander standing beside him had also lost their smiles, falling into a heavy silence.
The elder members of the Xia Clan and the Chen Family, who had rushed to support, were taken aback by the mountainous and oceanic chorus of voices. They had never seen a general command such widespread respect and admiration.
Moreover, among the shouting were many proud nobles from various cities, who called out with even more fervor than the soldiers.
It was well-known that the noble families and warlords of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, while maintaining some social connections, generally looked down on each other.
The warlords despised the noble families for their greed and fear of death, viewing them as parasites and blights on the Great Yu.
The noble families, in turn, feared the warlords' power and, feeling disrespected, looked down on the warlords, secretly scorning their blind loyalty and inflexibility.
To see them united in such a way was truly a remarkable sight.
“Li Hao……”
Li Wushuang was also covered in blood. She had fought alongside the soldiers, hunting down scattered demons. Now, she was utterly exhausted, her hands trembling with fatigue.
The calls she heard were all for that young man.
Her face pale, she asked her father, “Should we go look for him?”
Li Xuanli's heart ached as if pierced by a sharp thorn. His voice was hoarse as he replied, “Where can we look? Where can we find him?”
Li Wushuang's face grew even paler. Indeed, where in this vast world could they find him?
That young man … they had lost him!
She couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow.
As a contemporary of Li Hao, she knew he had done more than enough, yet he had met such a tragic end.
Beside her, Li Tiangang also heard Li Xuanli's words. His face changed, and his large, robust body trembled slightly, as if his blood had turned to ice.
Where could they look …
Three Ultimate Mastery Realm experts were after him, and one of them was even a half-step Great Peace Dao Realm!
After a long silence, he said in a low voice, “Fifth Brother, let's treat the wounded first, reorganize our remaining forces, and deal with the demon infestations in Liangzhou.”
“Once the battle is over, I will go search for him.”
Li Xuanli glanced at him, knowing that any words of comfort would be futile. He said, “I will send two light cavalry units to track him down. Perhaps Li Hao has a deep karmic connection and might escape this fate.”
Li Tiangang's eyes flickered. He thought about how the boy had been favored by so many, indeed a man of great fortune.
He nodded. “That's a good idea. Have them take the War Flag … his War Flag. If they encounter demons along the way, it might provide some protection.”
At this point, he had to admit that his son's reputation was even more renowned than the Li Family Yuan Camp.
At least in this Liangzhou campaign, within Liangzhou, no one would be unaware of him.
Including the demons.
Li Xuanli nodded, understanding this without needing to be told. In Liangzhou, only Li Hao's War Flag was truly effective. Displaying their own War Banners might still provoke resistance from the demons, but Li Hao's War Banners might change their minds.
No one knew if the War Banners were real or fake, and the boy's reputation was so strong. In this battle, he had turned the tide, slaying seven Demon Kings and sweeping across the realm, establishing his dominance with his War Banners.
His feats would spread throughout the demon circles.
Among the demons were those from the Tianji Hall who traveled far and wide, and they were quite adept at gathering intelligence, unless they were some ignorant Lesser Demons from the wilderness.
“We three should also check the other areas. Since we're here, let's see if there are any remaining demons.”
The elder from the Chen Family said, his eyes cold. He had fought the demons earlier, his battle robe stained with blood, but despite his white hair, he exuded a fierce and bloodthirsty aura.
The elder members of the Xia Clan nodded, glancing at Li Tiangang. They had heard the discussions and the calls from the noble family troops, and from the snippets of conversation, they understood the full picture.
The second line of defense had held out this long thanks to Li Tiangang's son.
He had slain seven Demon Kings, and their bodies still lay scattered on the battlefield like small mountains, a terrifying sight.
Such prowess was something even they, as seasoned veterans, doubted they could match.
Not to mention that he had lured away three Ultimate Mastery Realm experts, and the Void Realm's ruler, the Candlelight Deity, had revealed a shocking secret—almost reaching the Great Peace Dao Realm, nearly on par with the Buddhist Master.
"It seems the next generation of the Five Divine General Manors has all lost..."
"The Li Family's True Dragon is unrivaled..."
The elder of the Xia Clan sighed inwardly, thinking of the few outstanding young talents in his own family. Comparing them, he couldn't help but shake his head.
The gap was too obvious.
However, the Li Family's True Dragon being so exceptional might not be a bad thing for the impending situation.
Thinking of the various secret intelligence, the Xia Clan elder's expression grew even more serious.
"Calamity befalls the people, and we all bear the responsibility. I will accompany you two on this journey once more."
Qianji Daoist gently flicked his feather duster and said to the two.
He glanced toward his distant disciple, his eyes flickering slightly. The scene of recruiting the disciple from the Li Family flashed through his mind.
When he took Wushuang away, the young man standing beside her went unnoticed by everyone.
Who could have predicted that today, he would shine so brightly, outshining everyone else.
Even he himself had been saved by the other, owing a debt of gratitude.
Having lived for several hundred years, he had made a mistake in judgment...
Sighing inwardly, he felt regret. He sent a mental message to Li Wushuang, urging her to be extremely careful, and then left with the elders of the Xia and Chen families, beginning their sweep through Liangzhou to hunt down the remaining Demon Kings.
...
...
Outside the borders of Liangzhou, in the Mourning River of Dragon City.
Inside the Divine General Manor, in the Qinglian Courtyard.
After absorbing Sword Dao knowledge and taking another nap, Li Hao had now reached the age of two.
At this moment, in the courtyard, Li Hao was huddled together with the young man, Li Xiaoran.
Now that Li Hao could speak, the two could communicate.
"Others don't matter, but in front of your grandfather, my eldest brother, you must conceal your identity. Don't let him know that you came from outside the Mourning River."
Li Xiaoran looked around, set up a Soundproofing Barrier, and whispered, "In front of others, even if you seem strange, as long as it doesn't happen too often, they won't notice. But not in front of my eldest brother. His obsession has its own consciousness, and the entire Dragon City exists because of him."
"If he detects anything unusual about you and realizes you came from outside the Mourning River, not from his son Li Shilang, he will expel or even eliminate you. Remember this!"
Li Hao's expression grew serious, and he nodded.
Li Xiaoran's cautious visits suggested he was also disguising his identity.
Strangely, here, he had no name, only the title Li Shilang.
Perhaps, before his death, Master Zisheng had only nine sons, and the addition of this tenth child was unexpected, so he hadn't thought of a name for the tenth son, hence the title.
"Did you also start from infancy when you came in?" Li Hao asked curiously.
"Pretty much, from the beginning."
Li Xiaoran nodded, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "My eldest brother always felt that his defeat was due to his lack of effort before he died."
"Perhaps this thought is why this Mourning River has such unique rules. The rules of other Yudu-grade Mourning Rivers are different."
I see... Li Hao understood and asked curiously, "So, you came in much earlier than me?"
"That's right. Time here is strange, as you've already noticed. I've been here for a long time. Besides cultivation, I've also been hunting down the Demons. They have already infiltrated Dragon City, and they will reveal themselves when the battle of Dragon City erupts on your eighteenth birthday."
"I will eliminate them in advance!" Li Xiaoran's eyes flashed with killing intent.
Li Hao felt the surging aura from him. This Fourth Uncle had already reached the Three Eternities Realm.
Li Xiaoran looked at Li Hao, seeming to read his thoughts.
"My identity does give me an advantage in navigating this Mourning River, so I have always been the one to defend it. Each time I enter, I retain my original identity. I suspect this is a deliberate arrangement by my eldest brother's obsession before he died."
"He also wants liberation and for me to take him home..."
As he said this, a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes.
Li Hao fell silent for a moment and asked, "If I show extraordinary talent, will it expose me?"
"No."
Li Xiaoran quickly composed himself and shook his head. "No matter how extraordinary, it's fine as long as you don't say anything strange or reveal things you shouldn't know according to his memory."
Li Hao understood. As long as everything followed the expected trajectory of his development.
"If we spend a few decades here, how much time will pass outside?" Li Hao asked, having been worried about this issue.
The three Demon Kings are unsure if they have entered the Mourning River, whether they are guarding outside, or if they have turned back to Liangzhou.
"Are you worried about the Demon Kings outside?"
Li Xiaoran, seeing Li Hao's concern, smiled and said, "Don't worry, they have all entered this Mourning River. A few years before you were born, the Candlelight Deity, relying on his ability to open the Great Peace Dao Realm, was able to bypass certain special rules within the Dao Realm and directly attacked Dragon City, intending to quickly eliminate both of us."
"But he underestimated the power of the Li Family, and he underestimated the power of my eldest brother's resolve!"
"During the battle a few years ago, my eldest brother led the Ancestral Heroic Souls of the Li Family Ancestral Hall to repel him. The enemy is likely lying in wait outside Dragon City, waiting for the opportunity to attack again when the city is besieged."
Li Hao was slightly taken aback. The enemy had actually come a few years earlier?
He had just entered the Mourning River, and the enemy had come in after him, yet in the timeline of the Mourning River, they were ahead of him?
"Since the Great Peace Dao Realm can bypass certain rules, wouldn't a Buddhist Master be able to easily handle it?" Li Hao asked curiously.
Given the Li Family's connections, it wasn't impossible to ask a Buddhist Master for help, as long as the price was right.
"Only some rules can be bypassed. Even if the Great Peace Dao Realm can operate within its Dao Domain, it can only ensure self-preservation. If certain taboos are violated, there would still be danger. The intricacies here are profound, and you will gradually understand them", Li Xiaoran explained.
Li Hao felt a chill. If a Buddhist Master, a powerhouse, could still be in danger, what exactly was hidden here?
"Besides the Candlelight Deity, I suspect that the Old Dragon Lu Yuan has also come. At most, the Yin Madam might be left outside to watch over things."
Li Xiaoran looked at Li Hao and said, "They are pursuing you because of your talent. I remember your birthdate is the same as Xiao Jiu's memorial day, and you are fifteen years old this year, right?"
Li Hao nodded.
Li Xiaoran couldn't help but sigh, "This explains why they are so attracted to you. A Three Eternities Realm at fifteen, with that terrifying power in dire situations, no wonder they are so desperate to kill you. You are even more terrifying than Xiao Jiu. Tian Gang, that big oaf, really has a good son!"
He didn't notice Li Hao's frowning face and continued, "The time in the Mourning River is peculiar. The time you spend here awake is the same as the time that passes outside. The Old Dragon Lu Yuan must have also entered. The Dragon Gate has had a Demon King come to this Mourning River before and would have shared the information with the Dragon Gate. With the Candlelight Deity already inside, it's likely that he brought the Old Dragon Lu Yuan along as well."
"This defense of Dragon City will be more challenging than ever."
His expression grew serious as he told Li Hao, "But for you, it's also an opportunity. Re-cultivating will allow you to refine your Martial Dao, identify any flaws, and the new insights you gain will stay with you when you leave the Mourning River."
"When you compare these insights with your own Martial Dao outside, you will see significant improvements."
"You are only two years old now, and although you have sixteen years left, the actual time you can spend cultivating is much less. Only when you reach the Divine Wanderer Realm can you go without sleep for years."
"So the time you spend cultivating here is actually shorter than outside. You need to redouble your efforts!"
Li Hao understood and said, "I understand. Take care of yourself as well."
Li Xiaoran noticed a maid nearby searching for Li Hao and knew it was time. He picked Li Hao up and handed him to the maid, playfully teasing him.
Li Hao played the part of a two-year-old child, laughing happily.
"Little Young Master, there you are."
The maid, relieved to see Li Hao, bowed to Li Xiaoran.
Li Xiaoran waved her off with a playful smile and bid Li Hao farewell.
Li Hao watched him leave the courtyard and, sitting in the maid's arms, pondered for a moment before closing his eyes.
...
In the courtyard, Li Hao was immersed in a large medicinal tub.
He was now three years old.
In the Divine General Manor, the cultivation process was refined over millennia: Foundation Building at three, Blood Dissolution at four, Bone Measurement at five, and Cultivation at six. This was the most suitable cultivation process.
Cultivating too early can easily damage the bones, which in turn suppresses the body's growth, having the opposite effect.
Li Hao accelerated time to when he was three years old, specifically for Foundation Building.
Once the Foundation Building fails, he will have more time to focus on other matters.
At this moment, several figures stood in the courtyard.
His "mother", Chen Hefang, and the "grandfather", Li Tianzong.
There were also his other siblings, including his one-year-old sister, Li Hongzhuang, who had just learned to walk.
Foundation Building was a significant event, and Li Tianzong personally oversaw Li Hao's Foundation Building. The other siblings were also present, including his uncles—First Uncle, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and others. They all appeared as young men and children.
Some were already brimming with valor, while others, though young, had a hint of heroism in their eyes.
Li Hao didn't pay much attention to the others, but he felt a bit nervous in front of his "father", Li Tianzong.
Li Xiaoran had told him that Li Tianzong was conscious and his behavior could change at any moment. Li Hao had to be careful not to reveal any weaknesses.
"Light the incense."
Li Tianzong instructed.
A middle-aged steward, who Li Hao recognized as Old Zhao, though younger and less hunched, respectfully responded and inserted an incense stick into the incense burner.
Li Hao felt a strange sense of familiarity and a tinge of sorrow. He suddenly realized that when he left the estate, he had left behind some precious memories and bonds.
He wondered if Old Zhao was doing well, if Maid Qingzhi was still as chatty, and if Yuanzhao, that little rascal, was still getting stories read to him and eating properly.
"Amazingly fast!"
Li Tianzong's exclamation interrupted Li Hao's thoughts.
Li Hao was startled and looked down at the medicinal tub.
He saw that the black elixir in the tub had strands of even darker elixir being drawn toward his body.
Li Hao was stunned.
He blinked hard and checked his panel, but there was no notification indicating that he could absorb the elixir.
What was happening?
Li Hao was bewildered.
He remembered that he should be immune to elixir absorption, relying solely on the panel's attribute points.
However, he could now feel a hot and peculiar power surging into his body, making him feel intensely warm.
Was this the sensation of Foundation Building?
Was he actually undergoing Foundation Building?
Li Hao was stunned, and then a wave of shock hit him. Was the panel malfunctioning?
He checked it repeatedly and found that the panel could still pop up at will, showing no changes.
Could it be because of the Mourning River?
The Mourning River was incredibly mysterious, and no one knew its origin or could investigate it.
Li Hao's confusion deepened, but then he seemed to understand the reason.
The panel blocked elixir absorption for his original body.
But now, this infant body was not his true form; it was the body within the Mourning River.
Li Xiaoran had mentioned that upon leaving the Mourning River, he could carry his martial insights out, but not the specific cultivation progress, which wouldn't sync with his physical body outside.
In other words, if his cultivation here was weaker, he would return to his original realm.
If his cultivation here was stronger, he would still return to his original realm.
The realm attained here could not be taken out, only the martial insights that merged with his thoughts and memories could be carried over.
Therefore, the elixir was not being absorbed by his true body but by the body within the Mourning River, which was why the panel didn't block it.
Well... although he understood the reason, Li Hao found himself unable to feel particularly happy.
A broken case.
"However, this is a good opportunity to see how far I can cultivate if I can absorb various things and add points from the panel, achieving maximum growth", Li Hao thought to himself.
As the elixir surged into his body, Li Hao felt his flesh and blood become scalding hot, his tiny frame filled with a surging sense of power.
So, this was the sensation of Foundation Building... Li Hao felt as if his body was being massaged, incredibly soothing.
While Li Hao was enjoying the sensation, Li Tianzong, Chen Hefang, and the others outside were stunned.
The other Li Hao's "brothers", who had already completed their Foundation Building, were also amazed by the changes in the medicinal tub.
This speed far exceeded their own.
"So fast, is he going to absorb it all within the time it takes for the incense to burn?" the eldest brother, Li Xingbei, said.
"Much faster than me, even faster than Ninth Brother, how incredible!" the second brother, Li Fengping, exclaimed.
Li Tianzong watched as the elixir in the vat gradually lightened, being absorbed into Li Hao’s body like water being sucked up by a dragon. After the initial shock, he soon burst into a hearty laugh.
"Excellent! Just as I expected from my son Li Hao!"
He laughed heartily, his face beaming with affection as he looked at Li Hao.
Li Hao, however, was thoroughly enjoying the process.
Within half an incense stick’s time, the vat had become clear, the elixir completely absorbed by Li Hao.
Li Tianzong had already instructed Old Zhao to bring a second vat, which he promptly poured in.
After absorbing three vats, Li Hao’s body finally reached its limit.
Li Tianzong was stunned, muttering to himself, "He absorbed twice as much as Xiao Jiu!"
Li Hao felt his entire body become as light as a feather. Just one day into the Foundation Building stage, his body had already undergone a significant transformation.
Li Hao didn’t stop there. He closed his eyes for a moment and then jumped ahead to five days later, though it felt like a significant leap.
However, he could feel his body was noticeably stronger, indicating that during those skipped days, he had been fully absorbing the Foundation Building elixir.
Encouraged by this, Li Hao closed his eyes again, making time jump even faster, each time opening his eyes a few days later.
He would check his body each time to ensure everything was progressing normally before jumping forward again.
Time continued to fast-forward, and soon it was a year later.
At four years old, Li Hao underwent the Blood Dissolution ceremony.
Due to Li Hao’s extraordinary talent, Li Tianzong had a Demon King slaughtered to obtain its precious blood for Li Hao’s use.
However, the precious blood was diluted for the first attempt, just a shallow trial.
For a typical Blood Dissolution ceremony, using demons of the Heavenly Being Realm was already a sign of great wealth and nobility.
Only a few elite sects’ personal disciples would use demons of the Three Eternities Realm.
As for the Demon King’s precious blood, it was rarely used. First, it was too valuable and hard to obtain. Second, its power was too strong for a four-year-old to handle, risking infection and potential mutation into a half-demon.
Li Tianzong was cautious and didn’t give too much precious blood for the first time.
But soon, Li Hao’s absorption speed amazed him once again, and the diluted Demon King’s blood was quickly absorbed.
"Excellent."
Li Tianzong couldn’t stop smiling, feeling a mix of surprise and joy at his youngest son’s talent. This was undoubtedly the most exceptional talent in the Li Family in a thousand years!
After the Blood Dissolution ceremony at four years old, Li Hao, though still a child, exuded a formidable strength.
Li Hao didn’t continue to skip ahead but fast-forwarded to a time when he wasn’t soaking in strange blood. He found Old Zhao and asked him to get a chessboard.
Old Zhao, though puzzled by Li Hao’s unusual request, was extremely fond of this extraordinarily talented young master and had a servant procure one for him.
During his free time, Li Hao ran to his small courtyard. Besides reciting poetry, he found brush and paper and retreated to a side room to paint.
The courtyard was now relatively quiet, as the other "brothers" were at the training grounds. Only Li Hao and Li Hongzhuang, who was two years younger, remained in the yard.
The two-year-old Li Hongzhuang, for some reason, was very attached to Li Hao. Even when he sneaked off to the side room to paint, she found him.
Seeing this little girl, who in reality was his aunt, running towards him with a cute "big brother", Li Hao felt a mix of helplessness and strangeness.
He didn’t know how they had become such close playmates during his time jumps, but she seemed very affectionate towards him.
Feeling helpless, Li Hao found some snacks and had her sit quietly beside him while he painted.
This familiar feeling reminded Li Hao of the courtyard where he used to play chess and paint, with a little tail always following him.
But later, the little tail was gone.
Li Hao shook his head slightly, refocusing his mind, and continued to sketch rapidly on the paper.
Suddenly, the door to the side room was pushed open with a thud.
Li Tianzong’s tall figure stepped in, and his eyes flickered as he saw Li Hao and Li Hongzhuang there. His gaze settled on Li Hao.
"What are you doing?"
Li Hao’s heart involuntarily skipped a beat, but since he had been caught, he couldn’t hide. He reluctantly replied, "I’m painting."
Li Tianzong glanced at the painting board, and his stern expression softened. He said, "If you want to paint, just say so. Why hide here and make your mother worry?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
