https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-264-Nine-Layers-of-Dao-Domain-Ultimate-Dao-Cycle/13450396/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-266-Severing-the-Bonds-of-Affection/13450398/
Chapter 265: That Child Is Dead
Chapter 265: That Child Is Dead
The two terrifying adversaries were slain, felled by the young man's might alone!
He suppressed Long Jueshen and Feng Lingxiao, then cut down two more Enlightened Realm beings, sweeping away the Demon Tide outside Qingzhou City with a single sword stroke.
All of this happened in a mere moment. After the young man's arrival, the terrifying gloom that had shrouded Qingzhou City for days dissipated as if by magic.
It was as if a divine hand had reached down from the heavens, dispersing the dark clouds above.
Now, the dawn's first light shone upon Qingzhou City, bathing every household in its glow. The light was no longer cold but seemed to shimmer with rainbow hues, bringing the warmth of summer and making everyone's blood feel hot and turbulent, filled with excitement and joy.
"Have we been saved?"
"Who is that? Is it General Haotian?"
"I heard the demons call him General Haotian!"
The commoners within the city and the soldiers guarding the walls, though they could not see the young man's face, which glowed with a golden radiance, could only see one figure standing tall in the world, radiating a brilliant power like a condensed beam of golden divine light.
Around him, no demons roared or flew; everything was calm.
"An Enlightened Realm being, actually killed like that..."
"Is that really an Enlightened Realm being? If so, does that mean this young man can slay the True Person of Qian Dao Palace?"
"Nine Layers of Dao Domain, how did he do it? Our Ancestor only reached the third layer before falling."
The numerous Li Family Ancestral Heroic Souls were in shock.
They had fought with burning souls, prepared to have their lingering spirits extinguished and completely dissipate, but this young man had turned the tide of despair with a single wave of his hand!
Two Great Peace Dao Realm demon leaders, in Li Hao's presence, were like children, utterly powerless, and even an Enlightened Realm being was slain!
"Actually able to kill an Enlightened Realm being..."
In the Divine General Manor, at the Ancestral Hall, three golden residual souls rose into the air. They had not rushed to the battlefield immediately, staying behind to assist Ancestor Li Tianyuan.
But now they saw that the battle had been settled.
"That's not an Enlightened Realm being, it's an Incarnation."
Li Tianyuan's divine soul also emerged from the Golden Statue in the Ancestral Hall, hovering above the Divine General Manor, gazing into the distance.
Since Li Hao's appearance and the reversal of the city's situation, they had paused the ritual to sacrifice Li Family blood to forge a physical body, closely watching the battlefield.
"An Incarnation?"
The three golden residual souls looked at this old ancestor in disbelief.
Li Tianyuan, a Divine General of the Great Peace Dao Realm, had fought alongside the Former Emperor, conquering over a dozen states and expanding the territory. He was well-versed in the world.
"I have seen Enlightened Realm beings, and they are far more terrifying. They are truly beings who have touched the 'Dao,' with indestructible Dao Power and divine weapons that struggle to harm them. They possess the power to summon wind and rain, and many other incredible abilities, far beyond this level."
Li Tianyuan's gaze was heavy as he stared at the golden young man at the edge of the city:
"But an Incarnation that can slay an Enlightened Realm being is already extremely formidable. That young man... he is invincible below the Enlightened Realm!"
Hearing Ancestor's words, the three golden residual souls were stunned.
Though they were also Li Family ancestors, they had missed Ancestor's glorious era. While they had seen Enlightened Realm beings, they had not witnessed their full power, so they did not fully understand just how terrifying Enlightened Realm beings truly were.
But the power displayed by the two Enlightened Realm Incarnations earlier was enough to shock them.
After all, the two Great Peace Dao Realm demon leaders were utterly powerless in the young man's presence and didn't even have the chance to engage in battle, yet those two Enlightened Realm beings had managed to force him to unleash his Nine Layers of Dao Domain.
"That young man seems to be holding back. He's still so young, and if given more time, he will surely reach the Enlightened Realm. At that point, who in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty would dare to invade?"
"Earlier, the Immortal Gate opened, drawing in many prodigies and causing the Great Yu Divine Dynasty's fortune to decline. Now, it seems we are about to reach a new peak, perhaps even surpassing the time before the Immortal Gate!"
"Unknown which Noble Family that young man hails from, but it's a pity he's not from our Li Family. Alas, what a loss!"
As the Li Family's Ancestral Heroic Souls conversed, many people in the city who knew Li Hao immediately rushed over to him, their excitement palpable.
"Li Hao!"
"Hao Ge!!"
He Jianlan, Li Hongzhuang, and others charged toward Li Hao.
Others, like Li Xuanli and Gao Qingqing, who were slightly slower to react, quickly came to their senses, their faces filled with excitement, and hurried over as well.
Li Yuanzhao yelled at the top of his lungs, using the power of his Ancestor, and dashed toward Li Hao.
"Do you really know him?"
The old ancestor draped over Li Yuanzhao was somewhat surprised, not expecting this little fatty to actually know that formidable young man.
Seeing his moist, teary eyes, it was clear he wasn't faking it and that their relationship was very close.
The other Ancestral Heroic Souls of the Li Family also noticed the reactions of their descendants. When they saw the genuine emotion in their eyes, they were astonished, then felt a wave of joy.
Although the young man had come to help, it was possible he was following orders or representing the Human Race. However, it now seemed he had a close relationship with the Li Family.
"Li Hao?"
From a distance, Ji Qingqing heard He Jianlan and others calling out excitedly. Her originally puzzled expression froze.
Suddenly, her heart felt as if it had been gripped tightly.
The image of the young man who had fallen into the Abyss flashed through her mind.
Her blood seemed to surge, then turned icy cold, causing her body to tremble slightly.
Could it be... really him?
Tears welled up in Ji Qingqing's eyes as she looked at the towering, god-like young man, the dazzling figure everyone was focused on. Could this be... her child?
Her body shook, and she couldn't control herself, joining the others as they flew toward the young man, faster and faster. The closer she got, the more clearly she saw his face, the stern expression, and the differences from the young man who had fallen into the Abyss.
His aura was also clearly different.
Her speed slowed, a feeling of fear and hesitation overtaking her. It was like touching a beautiful dream, real yet illusory, daring not to approach yet wanting to, daring not to touch yet yearning to.
Soon, He Jianlan and others reached the edge of the city, looking at the young man whose divine light had already receded, and at his slightly unfamiliar face. They were momentarily dazed, but tears soon streamed from their eyes.
Despite the changed aura and appearance, they still recognized him as that child, the one who occasionally brought them the food he cooked, the one with a unique style in the Divine General Manor.
He was still so distinct and vibrant, but unlike in the Divine General Manor, where he was playful and carefree, the young man before them now radiated brilliance, like a god, with less laziness and more sternness in his features.
The only thing that remained unchanged was his eyes, still clear and warm, as transparent as crystal.
He Jianlan couldn't help but cover her mouth, tears streaming down her face. The scenes of the child greeting her in the morning, eating breakfast with her, and chatting and laughing together were still vivid in her mind.
But the time that had passed seemed so long.
Now, he was covered in blood, and when no one could protect him, he had become his own shield, blocking the rain and snow.
"Hao Ge!"
Li Yuanzhao and Li Wushuang, among others, also caught up. Seeing Li Hao, they seemed nervous and hesitant to recognize him, but Li Yuanzhao called out excitedly.
Li Hao looked at the little guy, his stern expression softening a bit, and smiled. "You're already at the Divine Wanderer Realm, it seems you haven't been slacking off."
Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Yuanzhao's eyes welled with tears, and he threw himself at Li Hao.
"Hao Ge, I'm so glad you're okay, so glad you're okay!"
Li Hao was slightly stunned, then smiled. When he felt Li Yuanzhao's head rubbing against his chest, he immediately pushed him away.
"You little rascal, don't smear your snot all over me."
Li Yuanzhao quickly wiped his nose with his sleeve, but a snot bubble still emerged from his nostrils:
"Hao Ge, I'll wash it for you later."
"Get lost."
Li Hao said with a huff.
Li Wushuang and Li Zhining stood to the side, along with Li Mingjian and Li Sibei, who were He Jianlan's children. After the True Dragon contest, they had mistakenly attacked Li Hao, intending to kill Li Qianfeng, due to a misunderstanding and resentment. However, once Liu Yuerong's situation was clarified, they realized they had wronged that young man.
Now, upon seeing this young man again, their expressions were complex, filled with both shame and excitement.
Seeing Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao chatting casually, Li Jianming and Li Wushuang, who were of the same generation as Li Hao, felt a mix of envy and jealousy towards the little fatty, yet they were also disheartened.
They all lived in the Divine General Manor, but their relationship with Li Hao was much more superficial, barely more than nodding acquaintances.
"Li Hao, do you remember Mother?"
He Jianlan, her eyes red, looked at Li Hao, who seemed unchanged except for his appearance.
Li Hao, looking at the noblewoman who had taken care of him since childhood, his eyes softened, and he said, "I will never forget Mother's kindness."
"Is it just kindness? That's just simple meals and care. What kind of kindness is that?" He Jianlan's eyes grew even redder.
Li Hao was slightly taken aback, falling silent for a moment before he said, "I remember everything. I said before, I remember everything from my childhood."
Hearing Li Hao's words, the others' expressions changed slightly, their thoughts drifting back to two years ago, to the courtyard where the True Dragon contest had ended.
For a moment, many of them lowered their heads in sadness.
At that time, the young man had recounted their childhood memories with such detail, memories that they had long forgotten, leaving them both shocked and terrified. Later, upon reflection, they felt only sadness and sorrow.
"Are you really Li Hao?"
As everyone stood in somber silence, a voice filled with excitement and fear broke through.
Ji Qingqing pushed her way through the crowd, coming to stand in front of Li Hao. Her eyes were brimming with tears, which rolled down her cheeks.
"Did Mother see wrong? Are you really Li Hao?"
Li Hao lifted his gaze to meet hers, her face vivid yet broken by tears, right before his eyes.
Just like it was when he was a baby, gazing up from his cradle, so real.
And like the last glance he had before the Abyss, so distant.
But his expression returned to calm, reflecting the tranquility of his current state. He simply shook his head and said, "You have the wrong person. I am who I am, not your son."
Hearing Li Hao's words, Ji Qingqing was stunned. He Jianlan and the others, who were also moved and saddened, along with Li Xiaoran and Li Qingzheng who had just arrived, were all taken aback, their faces turning grim, but their eyes filled with sorrow rather than anger.
Listening to Li Hao's calm tone, Ji Qingqing felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if a sharp blade had pierced it.
Her tears flowed even more, and she said mournfully, "You don't want to recognize me? It's Mother's fault, it's Mother's mistake. I even wanted to die in your place, but I had no choice. If I could trade my life for yours, I would do it willingly. Do you understand?"
As she spoke, she wept bitterly. The Ancestral Heroic Souls that clung to her body detached, looking on in shock and confusion, their expressions growing serious.
Many other Li Family Ancestors gathered around, listening to their conversation, and were equally stunned.
It sounded like this child was indeed a member of the Li Family.
But this child had no trace of Li Family aura.
Could it be... a case of infidelity?
The Ancestral Heroic Souls exchanged glances.
Li Hao listened quietly to the woman's sorrowful cries, his expression unchanged, and he said calmly, "Those things are in the past. The moment you made your choice, everything was settled. Your child is already gone, and it has nothing to do with your right or wrong. Your guilt and sadness are your own concerns, and you don't need to tell me. I don't care."
He knew that at the time, Ji Qingqing had no choice, but it wasn't that she had no choice; she just chose not to choose him.
Li Hao had already come to terms with it.
He no longer cared or pursued the matter. His ties with this couple were severed, and the shallow bond of kindness was now completely broken. From now on, there would be no further connection.
He had already protected the body he borrowed for his journey until it was fifteen years old. It was no longer possible to use that body to go any further.
It was they who had severed the connection with their own hands, and he felt he had done enough for them.
Otherwise, even a Talent Monster like Li Junye could not have prevented the Zhou Tian Realm assassination at the age of six.
It was enough, more than enough...
(End of Chapter)
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