Chapter 49: Mourning River Battle Realm
Chapter 49: Mourning River Battle Realm
Li Hao’s eyes lit up with interest as he looked at the speaker.
"The later four realms are where Martial Artists transcend the mundane world."
Su Yehua explained, "Each realm is not divided into ten stages. For instance, the Fifteen Li Realm—why is it called that? Because the Fifteen Li Realm focuses on Object Control Technique. Not only can one traverse the heavens and earth, but they can also control their body with their spirit, allowing them to soar through the skies!"
"With each breath covering one li, the fastest speed can reach fifteen li, hence the name."
"Fifteen li in a single breath?"
Many were stunned. Such speed was akin to a gale, allowing one to move out of the city in an instant, or even cross mountains and rivers, spanning entire regions!
"In the Fifteen Li Realm, one can control flying swords, striking enemies from fifteen li away, decapitating them before any blood is even shed!"
"Thus, those who reach the Fifteen Li Realm are truly formidable and terrifying, capable of killing without a trace."
Su Yehua said calmly.
"What about the Heavenly Being Realm?"
"Those in the Heavenly Being Realm are called Grandmasters, and they must comprehend the Master's Heart to enter this realm."
Su Yehua continued, "This realm is where Bone Measurement talent becomes less effective, focusing instead on temperament and insight. Throughout history, many Ninth-Rank War Body prodigies have fallen short of this realm, with the Fifteen Li Realm being their ultimate limit. Therefore, it is also known as the 'Spring Breeze Fifteen Li.'"
After the spring breeze, comes the withering autumn.
Then, the silent winter follows.
She glanced around the room and said coolly, "The Three Immortalities can pass on their bloodline powers. Each of the Three Immortalities is a realm of its own, and it is a great achievement to advance one realm in sixty years. You don’t need to know these details yet."
The listeners were captivated, feeling the vast gap between them and these lofty realms.
The Three Immortalities are the pinnacle of Dayu’s divine generals, while the Fourth Establishment Realm is the domain of the holy. These are figures even their parents revere.
Li Hao felt a bit disappointed by the brief overview, wishing he could hear more intriguing details.
However, he had already learned the finer distinctions of these realms at the age of ten, while reading in the Rain Listening Pavilion.
He also heard many stories from the old man during their fishing trips, so he was familiar with much of this information.
Spring Breeze Fifteen Li is not the limit.
For instance, the Li Family’s supreme Object Control Technique can reach Object Control Twenty Li.
According to the old man, the royal family’s *Nine Heavens Cloud Ascension Technique* can achieve Object Control Two Fifteen Li, allowing one to cross a small city in a single breath and traverse rivers and mountains in two breaths, an incredibly powerful feat.
Elder Feng had also helped him steal the royal family’s treasured Object Control Cultivation Techniques, which were only copies of the originals, as the real ones were too dangerous to touch.
After all, the royal family was too close to Qian Dao Palace, where the first-ranked cultivator of Dayu resided.
Li Hao combined the two supreme Cultivation Techniques, and with his Sixth Rank of Object Control Path insight, he can currently cover forty li in a single breath. He could sense that this was not his limit. If he could find more supreme Object Control Techniques and integrate them, his speed would continue to improve.
And he was currently at the peak of the Fifteen Li Realm.
He was just one step away from the Master Realm.
With his comprehension of the sixth stage of Flesh Dao, he could complete the leap to the Master Realm at any time. However, he had not yet taken that step because he lacked a Master's Heart.
However, Li Hao felt that he could touch that opportunity at any moment.
How to condense a Master's Heart?
First, he needed to touch the Heavenly Gate, and second, he needed to find his own path.
His comprehension of Flesh Dao had already allowed him to touch the elusive Heavenly Gate, which meant he was halfway into the Master Realm.
But staying in his residence, he spent each day immersing himself in various arts and boosting his Art Skill Points. As a result, his mind was not focused on Martial Dao, and he had not found his Master's Heart.
Now that he was out to clear his mind, Li Hao felt that the opportunity to enter the Master Realm could come at any moment.
On the stage, Su Yehua finished explaining the Eight Martial Realms and then addressed the crowd, "Being able to enter the Alpha Court means that you all have excellent aptitude, but don’t be arrogant. The true secret techniques of Tan Palace Academy are in the Black and White Hall. Only those who enter the Black and White Hall are the true prodigies!"
Li Hao's gaze flickered, and he looked at her.
"There are two ways to enter the Black and White Hall."
"First, we have a Martial Dao Ranking in the Alpha Court. If you make it into the top five and stay there for six consecutive months, you can enter the Black and White Hall."
"Second, there is the Mourning River Battle Realm test."
When she mentioned "Mourning River", there was a slight commotion in the crowd.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed.
He had found a lot of information about the Mourning River Battle Realm in the Rain Listening Pavilion. It was an extremely mysterious and dangerous place, but it did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Li Family.
Su Yehua scanned the crowd, noticing that some disciples from prominent families looked tense, while others from noble families seemed bewildered.
She said, "We all know that among the Five Divine Generals, four divine generals guard the Border Pass, suppressing the border-violating Demons. They each preside over the four cardinal directions!"
"The first Divine General Manor, Tianzhao Divine General Manor, oversees the Mourning River Office, which governs the world's Mourning Rivers!"
As she spoke, her gaze swept over a few people in the crowd, including Li Hao.
"The divine generals guard the Border Pass, and the Mourning River Office governs the Mourning Rivers. Both are crucial to the survival of the common people."
"We can sit here comfortably, listening to lessons and teachings, practicing Martial Dao, and even pursuing the glory of slaying demons, all because of the Five Divine Generals. They are the ones bearing the burden!"
"Exactly."
Beside Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao whispered, clenching his small fists under the table, his chubby face full of excitement.
"The border battlefield is beyond our reach, but the Mourning River Battle Realm is like a network of veins, permeating the Dayu Nineteen Provinces. Resolving the Mourning Rivers is the duty of all martial artists!"
Su Yehua's face was stern, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
Subsequently, she looked at the group of disciples and pointed to one, "You are from the Wang Family of Tianzhao Divine General Manor, right? Come and tell everyone what the River of the Dead is."
The one she pointed to was a black-clad youth, around fourteen or fifteen years old, with a sharp and cold gaze that seemed more mature than his peers.
When called upon, he did not panic or fidget but calmly stood up:
"Teacher, my name is Wang Han."
The Wang Family of Tianzhao Divine General Manor.
As the first Divine General Manor, its status is slightly higher than the Li Family.
However, the youth before them was clearly not the most outstanding among the third generation of the Wang Family. His standing within the clan was roughly on par with Li Yun and Li Yuanzhao, the slightly less talented offspring of True Dragons and Phoenixes.
His attendance at Tan Palace Academy was more for the sake of enhancing his reputation and networking, as well as to gain access to the secret techniques of the Black and White Hall.
"Wang Han, please explain", Su Yehua said approvingly.
The others turned their attention to Wang Han, recognizing him as someone from the Tianzhao Divine General Manor, their expressions changing with a mix of awe and respect.
Wang Han was dressed plainly, and the Tianzhao Divine General Manor was thousands of miles away. If not for Su Yehua pointing him out, they wouldn't have recognized his background.
"The River of the Dead Battle Realm has a long and mysterious history, tracing back to an unknown time. In recent years, it has been increasing in number and has started to appear in the remote towns and villages within our territory."
Wang Han spoke calmly, "The River of the Dead Battle Realm is like a separate world, akin to a mirage or an illusion, but if you die inside, you truly die."
"The River of the Dead is difficult to completely eradicate. Even if you destroy it, it will regrow."
"That's why the River of the Dead Office recruits people every year but still faces a shortage."
"Throughout history, very few River of the Dead have been completely resolved. To do so, one must fully clear and break through the realm. The specific difficulty will become clear once you enter the River of the Dead."
Someone couldn't help but ask, "What's inside the River of the Dead?"
Wang Han glanced at the person who spoke, his voice cold, "According to legend, it is a river leading to hell, and inside are the spirits of the deceased."
The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop several degrees, and many shivered slightly.
"Please sit down", Su Yehua gestured to Wang Han, then addressed the group, "In any case, during this year, everyone must work hard to improve. Tan Palace Academy has everything you need; it's up to you to seize the opportunities. The future belongs to you, so give it your all!"
Her final motivational words brought many out of the chilling effect of Wang Han's explanation, their eyes bright with renewed determination.
"Additionally, from now on, regardless of your status outside the academy, everyone will be treated equally here. Mistakes will be punished, and achievements will be rewarded", Su Yehua added.
Many looked at Li Hao, Wang Han, and the two other prestigious young men, wondering if true equality could be achieved.
Li Hao smiled, not particularly concerned.
After Su Yehua left, the courtyard became lively again.
Soon, some approached Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao, initiating conversations.
At such a young age, they had already learned to build networks and accumulate capital for their future under their parents' guidance.
Li Hao didn't mind, but he only engaged in conversation with those who shared his interests.
"Hello, Li Shao, I'm from the Zhao Family of Cangzhou..."
"Do you play chess?"
"Uh, no."
"Painting?"
"No..."
Li Hao lost interest.
Time flew by, and half a month passed.
(End of Chapter)
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