https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-90-Sword-Dao-and-the-Secular-World/13450029/
Chapter 89: Sensation
Chapter 89: Sensation
After Old Zhao and Li Fu left, Yu Xuan looked at Li Tiangang with a hesitant gaze and said:
"Marshal, you just returned yesterday, and now there's such a conflict and misunderstanding with Young Master. It's bound to affect the father-son relationship. Do you think you should go and comfort Young Master?"
Li Tiangang glanced in the direction Li Hao had left, realizing that his attitude had been a bit too harsh. But then he thought of Li Hao's cold stare, and a sudden, nameless anger rose within him.
He patted Yu Xuan's shoulder and said, "You had to deal with this child's temper today."
Yu Xuan quickly bowed, "Marshal, you're too kind. It's not a big deal for me, but Young Master..."
"I'll go see him later."
Li Tiangang sighed, "Even if I was wrong, this child has been pampered for years and has a terrible temper. He even said we could do whatever we wanted with the painting. Since the painting is of Qing Qing, his mother, he's willing to give it up over such a trivial matter? He deserves a beating!"
Yu Xuan opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure how to persuade him.
After all, he didn't understand such matters. He was an orphan of the battlefield, and the strict discipline of the military didn't allow him to speak out of turn.
At that moment, a figure suddenly flew down from the sky.
Li Tiangang looked up and saw it was Second Uncle, and he immediately smiled.
"Second Uncle!"
He called out, stepping quickly out of the corridor to greet him.
"What brings you here, Uncle? I was just about to thank you."
Li Muxiu landed in the courtyard and looked at Li Tiangang's sturdy figure, sighing, "You've grown much stronger over these past ten years on the frontier. Where's Qing Qing?"
Li Tiangang was taken aback and replied in a low voice, "She's gone."
"Gone?"
Li Muxiu frowned, staring at him. "Is she coming back?"
Li Tiangang was surprised and looked at Second Uncle.
"Answer me", Li Muxiu said irritably.
Li Tiangang hesitated and said, "Second Uncle, do you know something about Qing Qing?"
"Hmph, do you really think you can hide it from everyone? Everyone knew back then. Your father knew, and your mother knew!"
Li Muxiu said irritably, "Otherwise, would they have let you marry her?"
"My father and mother knew..." Li Tiangang was struck speechless, as if he had been hit by lightning. After a long moment, he regained his composure, and his eyes were moist.
Li Muxiu casually released an energy barrier around them and stared at him. "Tell me the truth. Is she coming back?"
Li Tiangang clenched his fists and slowly shook his head. "She's not coming back."
Not coming back... Li Muxiu took a deep breath, then thought of something and quickly asked, "I wasn't in the manor yesterday, but I heard you returned yesterday. What about the others? Do they know what happened? What about Li Hao? Does he know?"
Faced with his rapid-fire questions, Li Tiangang shook his head again. "I didn't go into detail. Everyone thinks Qing Qing is..."
"Li Hao doesn't know either?"
Li Muxiu asked immediately.
Li Tiangang nodded slightly.
Li Muxiu was taken aback for a moment, then sighed.
He nodded and said, "You did the right thing. It's better that Li Hao doesn't know. Since Qing Qing isn't coming back, there's no need to tell him. Just consider her dead."
Hearing this, Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly, but in the end, he clenched his fists and remained silent.
"Did you end the Yanbei war because of Qing Qing?" Li Muxiu suddenly asked.
Li Tiangang shook his head slightly and said, "Partly, but mostly because the Holy Palace has grown weak after years of fighting."
Li Muxiu snorted, "Those monsters. Once Li Hao inherits the True Dragon Seat and the family has an heir, I'll personally pay a visit to those ten-thousand-year-old Demon Kings!"
"Second Uncle, the family still needs you to protect it."
Li Tiangang smiled bitterly, knowing Second Uncle's temper. He changed the subject:
"Speaking of Li Hao, I was just about to thank you, Second Uncle."
"Thank me for what? Taking care of Li Hao is my duty. He's the only one among all the nephews and grandnephews I can stand. The rest are as stubborn as wooden heads, including you and your brothers." Li Muxiu said bluntly.
Li Tiangang felt a bit helpless when he was included in the criticism but didn't respond.
Back when they were young, out of the nine brothers, most had been looked down upon by Second Uncle, except for a few.
He hadn't expected Li Hao to win the affection of the eccentric Second Uncle and smiled.
"If it weren't for Second Uncle defying heaven and altering fate for Li Hao, he wouldn't have achieved what he has today. This kindness, I will always remember!"
"What?"
Li Muxiu was taken aback and said, "Defy heaven and alter fate? For Li Hao?"
"Hmm?" Li Tiangang looked at him with confusion.
The young man, Yu Xuan, also looked at this pillar of the Li Family with a surprised expression.
"Second Uncle, Li Hao is fourteen this year and has already reached the Fifteenth Li Realm. If it weren't for you..."
Li Tiangang's words were cut off halfway.
"Are you mistaken?"
Li Muxiu suddenly realized what the other person was thinking and couldn't help but say irritably:
"With my fondness for Li Hao, I would indeed want to defy heaven and alter fate for him, but my opportunity was used up long ago. How could I have another chance?"
"Besides, Li Hao's talent is unparalleled, surpassing ancient and modern times, even more so than your ninth brother. He doesn't need to defy heaven and alter fate. You might just ruin him."
"Ah?"
Li Tiangang, who had been battle-hardened for years, couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
Not Second Uncle?
Li Hao reached this level of cultivation entirely on his own talent??
Yu Xuan was also stunned, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at this Master.
Seeing Li Tiangang's stunned expression, Li Muxiu couldn't help but laugh, understanding his reaction.
After all, Li Hao's talent, even among the Li Family's prodigies, was unparalleled and overwhelming.
"Li Hao's intelligence surpasses the ordinary, far beyond the realm of a mere genius", Li Muxiu said with a smile.
Li Tiangang came to his senses and asked, puzzled, "But I heard that Li Hao had blocked meridians?"
He was Li Hao's biological father, and the information he received couldn't be false.
There was no reason to hide it from him, right?
Besides, with his mother's bloodline, such a situation wasn't impossible.
"Indeed, he had blocked meridians."
Li Muxiu sighed and said, "That's why it's terrifying. According to Li Hao, his meridians were suddenly unblocked in a dream. I've researched this; it's a false meridian blockage, not completely sealed. This kind of accident is a million times rarer than purely sealed meridians. After all, most commoners' children have accumulated impure blood over generations, leading to many cases of sealed meridians."
"When his meridians were unblocked, he was already six or seven years old."
Blocked meridians were not uncommon in ordinary families, but they were rare in the Divine General Manor.
Li Tiangang's eyes widened as he listened.
He had seen countless battles and never blinked, but now he was speechless.
This meant that Li Hao only started cultivating at six or seven years old?
Without Foundation Building or Blood Dissolution, he reached the Fifteenth Li Realm in just seven years?
And from what he had learned, Li Hao didn't even focus on cultivation, spending most of his time playing around...
No wonder even Second Uncle called him "terrifying"!
Li Tiangang had seen the most monstrous geniuses, like his ninth brother, but now he realized that even they couldn't compare to his son.
This was his son!
Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly, unable to hide his excitement.
Yu Xuan was speechless, his eyes wide with amazement.
The lazy Young Master was actually so powerful?
Seeing their reactions, Li Muxiu smiled smugly, enjoying their wide-eyed surprise.
I can't be the only one to be shocked by this.
"Where is Li Hao?"
Li Muxiu looked around.
Li Tiangang, still excited, said, "Li Hao should be in his courtyard."
Li Muxiu nodded and said with a smile, "I came here first to see you, and second, to take care of some business. Now that you're back, I can go about it with peace of mind. Li Hao is in your care."
"Li Hao has already reached such a cultivation level; he can roam the world freely. He doesn't need my care", Li Tiangang said with a smile.
Li Muxiu's smile faded slightly, and he looked at him meaningfully, "He may be strong, but he's still just a fourteen-year-old boy."
"I don’t mean he needs protection from bullies. I mean he needs someone to keep him company, do you understand?"
Li Tiangang froze, the smile on his face slowly fading into silence.
Is it companionship he needs?
Suddenly, Li Tiangang’s mind flashed back to the questions Li Hao had asked him earlier.
"If I were to focus solely on becoming a Grandmaster, what would it matter?"
"What if I were the greatest prodigy in a thousand years, what then?"
Li Tiangang couldn’t help but take a deep breath, his expression changing.
So, the boy was wondering what he would get from his outstanding performance—praise from his parents or their company?
Thinking about the fourteen years he had spent in Yanbei, Li Tiangang sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of guilt. He had indeed failed in his duties as a father.
He said to Li Muxiu, "Second Uncle, I understand. I’ll take good care of Li Hao and make up for the years I’ve been absent."
Li Muxiu’s face broke into a smile. "Alright, I won’t keep you. I’ll just check on Li Hao and then leave."
"Second Uncle, may I ask where you’re going?" Li Tiangang hurriedly inquired.
"To meet an old friend and talk about the rain", Li Muxiu said with a smile, waving his hand before turning and departing with a carefree air.
...
...
Li Hao returned to his courtyard.
As soon as he stepped inside, the white fox Xiao Rou darted out from somewhere and pounced into Li Hao’s arms.
Li Hao, coming back to his senses, smiled and stroked the fox’s fur, saying, "Where did you run off to? I didn’t see you anywhere."
The white fox gave him a pitiful look, unable to speak, and buried its head in Li Hao’s chest.
Li Hao didn’t think much of it, holding the fox as he sat down at his desk. He picked up a chess piece from the chess set and idly turned it between his fingers, leaning back in his chair and gazing out the window.
Suddenly, a figure leaped through the window, startling Li Hao.
"What are you doing here, kid? Isn’t Old Five around to play chess with you?"
It was Li Muxiu.
Li Hao froze for a moment before coming to his senses and smiling. "Second Uncle, do you have time? Let’s go fishing for dragons."
Li Muxiu glared at him, unamused. "Fishing for dragons? You think you can catch one? Your father is back; you should spend more time with him."
Li Hao’s lips curled into a smile. "If I caught a water dragon last time, I’ll definitely catch a real dragon next time."
"You’re dreaming. Last time was just a lucky fluke!"
Li Muxiu rolled his eyes and continued, "I’m going to be away for a while. If you want to go fishing, find Wind Uncle. Try not to go alone; I haven’t found the old dragon in the lake yet, and even though you’re in the Fifteen Li Realm, it’s still dangerous."
Li Hao smiled. "Alright."
...
At the same time, in the Changchun Courtyard.
"What?!"
In the main hall, He Jianlan’s teacup fell to the carpet, spilling tea and scattering leaves.
But she paid no attention, rising abruptly and staring at Li Fu in shock. "Say that again?"
Li Fu, inwardly amused, was not surprised by the First Lady’s reaction. Who wouldn’t be shocked upon hearing about the Young Master’s condition for the first time?
He respectfully replied, "First Lady, the Marquis has instructed me to inform you that he is holding a Family Feast to celebrate Young Master Li Hao reaching the Fifteen Li Realm!"
He Jianlan stared at him, dumbfounded. Li Fu was a soldier and wouldn’t lie about such a matter, especially not when it was a direct order from Li Tiangang.
But Li Hao reaching the Fifteen Li Realm?
Suddenly, her mind was flooded with a series of rapid thoughts, then everything came to a halt, and she felt a sudden clarity.
All these years, it was just an act?
Li Hao could not only cultivate but had a talent that surpassed imagination!
That hateful Seventh Uncle, did he not trust her, even to the point of hiding such a crucial fact from her?
She felt it was all Li Tiangang’s doing; how could a child know such things?
He Jianlan was a mix of joy, anger, and frustration, but ultimately, she was overwhelmed with happiness.
"Li Hao is in the Fifteen Li Realm... and he’s only fourteen."
She murmured to herself.
The hall was silent.
The maids, servants, and her personal attendants all stared at Li Fu in shock, trying to process this incredible news.
Over the years, Li Hao had often visited the Changchun Courtyard, and they all knew his situation well.
Who would have thought he would suddenly reveal such terrifying cultivation talent?
Xue Jian, standing quietly to one side, had a look of utter astonishment on her face.
She was deeply impressed by the child. The first time, she accompanied him to the Rain Listening Pavilion. At the time, she thought he was just a little kid fooling around, and she had no choice but to follow orders and keep him company.
It turns out he was secretly cultivating even back then?
But how old was he then? To be able to hide it so perfectly, his Character wisdom is truly terrifying!
“I understand. Go ahead and tell Seventh Uncle that I’ll settle the score with him later.”
He Jianlan came to her senses and glared at Li Fu, believing he had known about this all along.
He usually acted like a stubborn old log, pretending to earnestly advise Li Hao in front of her, which she had even found somewhat admirable.
Li Fu, oh Li Fu, you really are a “honest man,” aren’t you?
...
The news of the Family Feast spread from the Changchun Courtyard all the way to the kitchen and other courtyards.
He Jianlan didn’t hide anything, instructing the serving maid to announce it openly.
Celebrating Li Hao’s entry into the Fifteen Li Realm!
This news alone sent shockwaves through the Li Estate!
In the Ninth Courtyard, at the Training Grounds, everyone was in a frenzy!
The military elder, who was an instructor at the Training Grounds, was dumbfounded. He was no stranger to that Main Lineage Young Master, after all, he had even introduced the Young Master’s fiancée to the Sword Saint’s School.
But… that Young Master, who was once rejected by the Sword Saint, is now at the Fifteen Li Realm?!
Are you kidding me?
His fiancée, who joined the Sword Hut, is probably just at the Divine Wanderer Realm!
At that moment, the news not only stunned the military elder but also shocked many of the Li Family’s Secondary Lineage disciples training at the grounds.
Fourteen years old, Fifteen Li Realm!
These words pierced their minds like sharp needles, completely overturning their previous understanding.
Is this the terrifying power of a Main Lineage genius?!
In the Shuihua Courtyard.
Liu Yuerong was getting dressed in her room.
The bronze mirror reflected her beautiful face, and despite being in her forties, she looked as if she were in her early thirties.
She had a graceful figure and a charming demeanor, with a mature allure in her eyes. Her hair was styled in an elegant bun, making her look like a woman from a beautiful painting.
A maid was helping her with her hairpins when another maid gracefully entered the room, lowered her head, and softly reported that a maid from the First Lady of the Changchun Courtyard had come to deliver a message.
Liu Yuerong gave a faint glance and instructed the maid to bring the visitor in.
Soon, a senior maid entered the room, bowed to Liu Yuerong, and informed her about the Family Feast.
“What?”
Liu Yuerong, who had been admiring her reflection in the mirror, suddenly froze and then turned sharply.
The jewels hanging from a hairpin on her cloud-like bun swung and hit her forehead due to the sudden movement.
“Celebrating Li Hao’s entry into the Fifteen Li Realm? Li Hao?!!”
“Yes.”
The senior maid bowed gracefully.
Liu Yuerong looked at the obedient maid, but her mind was buzzing with confusion.
Real? Fake? A joke?
That child, Fifteen Li Realm?!
A wave of dizziness suddenly hit her, and she felt as if she hadn’t slept well the night before, causing her vision to blur.
In an instant, numerous thoughts flooded her mind.
All the unreasonable and incomprehensible aspects were shattered and reassembled into a plausible explanation, and she had already guessed a possible reason.
Her chest heaved a few times before she regained control.
She then smiled and dismissed the Changchun Courtyard’s maid, immediately calling for her elderly housekeeper to verify the news.
Soon, the housekeeper returned and confirmed that the news was true.
Liu Yuerong’s face turned grim. How is this possible?
Unless Li Hao isn’t a Waste Body, and Li Tiangang had instructed Lin Haixia to return and cover up Li Hao’s condition from the beginning.
That would make sense.
All the talk about failed Foundation Building was just a show for them.
You clever man, Li Tiangang!
With your thick eyebrows and big eyes, you have so many tricks up your sleeve!
It must have been that strange woman, Ji Qingqing, who came up with this!
Liu Yuerong gritted her teeth, vividly remembering how, when she rushed to the Mountain and River Courtyard, she saw the child’s body all wrinkled from the water.
But the Elixir didn’t absorb at all. To act to this extent is truly ruthless!
"I can’t let this go. I must inform Qianfeng and have him prepare in advance."
Liu Yuerong suddenly realized this and hurriedly ordered someone to fetch paper and pen to write a secret letter.
...
The reaction from the other academies was equally stunned upon receiving the news.
This news was even more shocking than when they learned that Li Junye, the Ninth Young Master, had entered the Grandmaster Realm at the age of seventeen.
After all, Li Hao had always seemed carefree in their eyes. No one had ever seen him practice martial arts; he was either painting or fishing with his Second Uncle, always seeming to have plenty of leisure time, in stark contrast to the other young men who were drenched in sweat from their arduous training.
Although Li Hao eventually started practicing, no one had bothered to inquire about his realm. It was obvious that without Foundation Building and with such poor bone quality, and being so carefree, how far could he possibly go?
The invitation from Tan Palace Academy was only sent to Li Hao at He Jianlan’s specific instruction.
Even He Jianlan had assumed that Li Hao hadn’t practiced much and would find it difficult to enter Tan Palace Academy on his own, let alone what others thought.
"So that’s why they made an exception for him..."
In Snowfall Hall, Li Yun and his sister were both dazed.
They had thought Li Hao was just a step ahead of them, reaching the Soul Succession Realm. After all, the threshold for Black and White Hall was the Soul Succession Realm.
They never expected him to be several steps ahead, far beyond their reach.
Li Wushuang, standing nearby, only slightly narrowed her eyes when she heard the news, showing no significant change in expression.
She had already experienced Li Hao’s Fifteen Li Realm slap yesterday.
Li Xuanli and Gao Qingqing were also taken aback, looking at each other in surprise.
Noticing her sister Li Zhining’s muttered words, Li Wushuang asked, "What do you mean by ‘made an exception’?"
Li Zhining snapped back to reality, her eyes complex. Seeing her elder sister leaning in to ask, she suddenly realized that even her radiant elder sister seemed to pale in comparison to that young man.
A Divine Wanderer Realm at sixteen and a Fifteen Li Realm at fourteen—what a huge gap!
Under Li Wushuang’s questioning, Li Zhining recounted the story of Tan Palace Academy.
Upon learning that Li Hao had been granted an exception to enter Black and White Hall, Li Xuanli said irritably, "So those old men at Tan Palace Academy knew before us?"
Gao Qingqing, with her quick mind, had already calmed down from the shock and began to think, "They were on a mission for the academy earlier. It’s possible Li Hao showed his strength during that time."
"Why didn’t those guys inform us about such an important matter?" Li Xuanli said, somewhat angrily.
Gao Qingqing glanced at her husband and shook her head, "Think about it. They probably assumed everyone in the Li Family already knew about this. Li Hao has extraordinary talent but hasn’t revealed it, so they might think we were deliberately keeping it a secret. Since his parents are on the frontier, it’s easy to assume that his lack of fame is due to their absence, to protect him from malicious harm."
"Now that they’ve learned the truth, they naturally dare not spread the news, fearing they might leak it."
Hearing his wife’s analysis, Li Xuanli also came to his senses, speechless. This really was a stroke of luck.
Speaking of malicious harm, Gao Qingqing looked at her eldest daughter and said, "You must be more careful when you’re out. The Heaven and Earth List is a ranking of human geniuses, and only Prodigies can make it. But you should know, it has another name."
"Uh-huh."
Li Wushuang nodded. The other name was the Demon Race’s hunting list!
The long-standing enmity between the Human and Demon Races means that if the Demons discovered a Great Demon with exceptional talent, they would send assassins.
Despite this ominous name, the glory and fame of the Heaven and Earth List still attract countless people.
After all, most geniuses have pride. If they were to hide out of fear of assassination, what kind of heroes would they be?
In this world, countless Martial Artists train hard, all for one thing.
Fame.
(End of Chapter)
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