Chapter 76: Secret Techniques
Chapter 76: Secret Techniques
Back in Qingzhou.
Li Hao and his companions, carrying the task letter from the Cangyu City Demon Suppression Bureau, reported back to Tan Palace Academy.
The letter bore the official seal of the Demon Suppression Bureau, and all five of them received perfect evaluations.
Su Yehua, upon receiving the letter, wasn't surprised.
After all, two Li Family Young Masters had accompanied them, and the Cangyu City Demon Suppression Bureau, with a bit of discernment, wouldn't dare to make things difficult for them.
She didn't bother to scrutinize the details, as background and strength were often intertwined.
Even she had to show a bit of courtesy to the Li Family Young Masters and Young Misses, given the influence of the Divine General Manor.
The world of martial arts was not out in the wilderness, but right within the city walls.
Once the reporting was complete, Ren Qianqian approached Li Hao and expressed her resolve.
However, Li Hao didn't immediately agree. Instead, he suggested that she discuss it with her parents, as becoming a personal sword servant was a significant matter. Once she learned the Li Family's secret techniques, she would be bound to the Li Family for life, and even self-destructing her cultivation wouldn't free her.
After Li Hao finished speaking, Ren Qianqian revealed that she had lost her mother at a young age and didn't want to consult her father about this matter. She insisted that she could make her own decisions.
Seeing her determination, Li Hao became even more reluctant to agree. He insisted that she should still talk to her father, as he couldn't just easily take her away. If her Grandmaster father later caused a scene at the Manor, while the Li Family wouldn't fear it, it would still be embarrassing.
After rejecting Ren Qianqian, Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao returned to the long-missed Mountain and River Courtyard.
He placed the box containing the Tiger Robe Immortal's head in his room and then carried the other delicacies and snacks he had collected in Cangyu City. He sent a portion to Fifth Master, who was guarding the Ancestral Hall, and took the rest to the Rain Listening Pavilion.
Not finding Second Master at the Rain Listening Pavilion, Li Hao looked at the sky and immediately knew that Second Master was likely fishing by the Blackwater Lake at this hour.
He immediately took flight, leaving the Rain Listening Pavilion and heading for the Blackwater Lake.
Before long, the vast Blackwater Lake came into view.
Li Hao found the spot where Second Master often fished and, as expected, saw him and Wind Elder there.
Noticing someone approaching, the two turned to look.
Li Hao descended from the sky, landing beside them, and said with a smile, "Second Master, Wind Elder, how's the fishing today? Who caught more?"
"It's Hao'er", Feng Boping said with a smile. "Of course, I caught more!"
Neither of them was surprised by Li Hao's flight, as they were already aware of his cultivation level.
After all, at the age of twelve, this young man had, in front of the two elders, unexpectedly fished out a Divine Wanderer Realm little dragon.
At the time, they were both shocked and envious.
They were shocked by Li Hao's talent, which was terrifyingly high, even surpassing Li Jiulang, who was said to appear only once every thousand years.
But they were envious of his luck, as he had actually managed to catch a dragon!
They were both angry and frustrated with the stupid dragon, and after Li Hao stewed it, they savored several pieces, secretly lamenting why it hadn't bitten their hooks instead. Was their bait not fragrant enough?!
Despite the teasing, seeing Li Hao's talent, even the unassuming Li Muxiu was moved to consider teaching Li Hao the martial arts, hoping to help him focus and avoid wasting his time on frivolous pursuits.
After all, with such a Talent and his personal guidance, Li Hao’s future achievements could even surpass his own. If the Li Family could produce a True Person, it would truly shake the world.
But Li Hao promptly sought help from Old Feng, the Thief Saint, who had a broader perspective and a somewhat carefree attitude. He managed to dissuade Li Muxiu.
Moreover, the example of Li Jiulang helped to dispel Li Muxiu’s thoughts, allowing Li Hao to choose the life he loved.
Li Muxiu had long realized that even if he forced Li Hao to cultivate, the boy would likely not take it seriously, which was quite frustrating.
He was also puzzled; despite not seeing Li Hao practice much, his realm was advancing rapidly.
Due to Li Hao’s insistence, Li Muxiu did not publicize his cultivation, so the others in the manor were still unaware.
At this moment.
Hearing Feng Boping’s smug laugh, Li Muxiu shot him an irritated glance. “What good are they? They’re just small fry. I’m trying to catch a dragon.”
Neither of them used fishing rods; instead, they used threads of energy from the heavens and earth to pierce the bodies of the small Fish Demons, guiding them to areas where larger fish or Jiaolongs might be feeding.
“Let’s see if you can catch one first,” Feng Boping said with a smile.
Li Muxiu huffed, then noticed the bags in Li Hao’s hands. “Where did you buy all this? Weren’t you supposed to be bullying kids at the Tan Palace Academy?”
“I just finished a mission for the academy. I brought back some snacks from Cangyu City.”
Li Hao smiled and handed the items to the two elders. “Here, this one’s good.”
“Wow, this twisted dough has milk cream inside.”
Feng Boping took a bite and smacked his lips. “Tastes great.”
“You’re a thoughtful one, kid.”
Li Muxiu also smiled and took a piece, picking at it as he ate.
At that moment, the white fox Xiao Rou ran over happily. Li Hao squatted down, picked her up, and handed her a piece of roasted meat. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty for you.”
“You little fox, you’re just like a cat, always craving fish,” Li Muxiu said.
Xiao Rou held the roasted meat with her tiny paws and chewed it carefully. Hearing Second Uncle’s words, she gave a typical fox smile, her eyes curving into slits.
Li Hao chuckled, rubbed her head, and let her eat in peace. He took a piece for himself, sat down next to the two elders, and started eating, chatting idly as he did.
“Before long, your father should be returning,” Li Muxiu said, munching on a crisp biscuit.
“Oh?” Li Hao was surprised.
After over a decade of war, it was finally coming to an end?
“I heard there’s been a change on the Northern Yan Battlefield. The Holy Palace plans to retreat,” Li Muxiu explained.
Li Hao’s eyes lit up. So, he would see his parents soon?
“Little Rat, you haven’t seen your parents in over a decade. Do you even recognize them?” Feng Boping teased from the side.
Li Hao thought about it; the faces in his memory were indeed a bit blurry.
Li Muxiu glared at Feng Boping, annoyed that he had brought up a sensitive topic. He turned to Li Hao and said, “Fortunately, your generation has grown up. The True Dragon quota for the family will likely be decided this year. With your father’s support, you’re almost certain to get it.”
“Little Rat’s Talent is beyond dispute. If it were up to me, I’d give him the True Dragon quota right now,” Feng Boping said as he ate.
Li Muxiu shot him another glance. “I wish I could, but our Li Family is a large household. It’s not like you, a solitary individual. We need to ensure that the other branches are satisfied and avoid resentment.”
He turned to Li Hao. “What do you think, Hao?”
“Yeah.”
Li Hao smiled and nodded.
He had heard about the True Dragon Seat from Second Uncle before.
Every generation, the Li Family selects a True Dragon, who receives the most resources from the family and can also receive assistance from the numerous Ancestors in the Ancestral Hall to enhance the quality of their Soul Image!
The number of times a Soul Image can be condensed in the Soul Succession Realm is closely tied to the goals of Soul Continuation.
In the Fourth Establishment Realm, it's eighty times.
However, there is another method to increase the number of Soul Condensations, a secret technique created by the Li Family Ancestor.
By uniting the Ancestral Heroic Souls, the quality of the Soul Image can be elevated by one rank, reaching a level comparable to the True Person of the royal lineage.
This means 180 Soul Condensations!
Upon reaching the Divine Wanderer Realm, the Ancestors will also help to condense the Divine Soul, expanding the scope of the Divine Wanderer Realm.
Moreover, at the Fifteen Li Realm, the Ancestors will infuse the power of the Ancestral Heroic Souls, elevating the Fifteen Li Realm beyond the top prodigies to a superlative level.
A True Dragon is meant to be the best in their realm, virtually invincible.
As the Li Family's True Dragon, one not only gains enhanced power from the Ancestral Heroic Souls but also shoulders the responsibility of the entire Li Family, likely becoming the future head of the family.
If there are millions of prodigies in the world, those who achieve the Ninth-Rank War Body can be considered first-rate. However, a prodigy like Li Family's Ninth-Rank, combined with various top-notch cultivation techniques, is considered top-tier.
And a True Dragon is superlative!
Although Li Hao is already at the Fifteen Li Realm, if he becomes the True Dragon, he can still benefit from the Ancestral Heroic Souls' assistance in reshaping and enhancing his previous realms.
Apart from the Soul Succession Realm, Li Hao feels he has not yet reached his limits in the other realms.
Even in the Soul Succession Realm, he is unsure if he can continue to improve and looks forward to it.
Of course, the most crucial point is that if he doesn't take the True Dragon Seat, it will likely go to someone else.
If it weren't for the poisoning incident, Li Hao wouldn't have cared much about being the True Dragon. After all, becoming the True Dragon comes with a significant responsibility, bearing the burden of the Li Family, a thousand-year-old clan, to break through all obstacles and continue its legacy.
Just thinking about it is exhausting.
However, when someone plotted to destroy him for their son's future, planning it more than ten years in advance, Li Hao naturally couldn't let them succeed. He has been waiting for this day.
"The True Dragon Test evaluates various aspects, not just talent, but also character, connections, achievements, and more."
Li Muxiu told Li Hao, "Sending you to Tan Palace Academy is also to let you go out and make some friends, instead of always hanging around with us old folks."
Feng Boping sneered, "Don't be silly. The most important factor is definitely talent. The other aspects are just icing on the cake."
"Go away, don't corrupt Hao", Li Muxiu scolded.
"Ha ha ha..." Feng Boping laughed heartily.
Li Hao smiled and listened quietly to the banter between the two elders.
Before long, Second Uncle's line had a bite.
As the sun set and stars twinkled by the river, Li Hao used the Fish Demon caught by Elder Feng to make a barbecue, solving dinner for the three of them and the fox.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
