264

Chapter 264: That Child is Dead

The two formidable enemies were slain, killed by that boy alone!

He subdued Dragon Absolute God and Feng Lingxiao, then consecutively beheaded two Enlightened Realm beings, sweeping away the demonic tide outside Qingzhou City with a single sword strike.

All of this happened in mere moments. After the boy's arrival, the terrifying gloom that had shrouded Qingzhou City for several days dissipated.

It was like a divine hand reached down from the heavens and cleared away the dark clouds above.

Now, the dawn's light still bathed Qingzhou City, every household basking in the glow. But this light was no longer cold; it seemed to shimmer with a rainbow-like arc, making everyone feel the warmth of summer, their blood heating up, feeling both thrilled and excited.

"Have we been saved?"

"Who is that, is it General Haotian?"

"I heard those demons call him that. He is General Haotian!"

The numerous citizens and the soldiers defending the city couldn't clearly see the face of the boy bathed in red-gold light. But at this moment, the only figure standing in the sky, radiating brilliant power, was like a condensed golden divine light.

Around him, no more demons roared or flew, everything was silent.

"An Enlightened Realm being was killed just like that…"

"Is that truly an Enlightened Realm being? Does that mean this boy can kill the Daoist Master of Qiandao Palace?"

"Ninefold domain, how did he achieve that? I heard our ancestor only reached the third fold before falling."

Many of the Li family's ancestral spirits were in shock.

They had fought with the determination to sacrifice their residual souls, ready to be completely annihilated. Yet this seemingly hopeless situation was flipped and suppressed by that boy in an instant!

Two Taiping Dao Realm demonic leaders were like children before Li Hao, unable to resist, even the Enlightened Realm beings were slain!

"He can actually kill Enlightened Realm beings…"

Within the Divine General's Mansion, at the ancestral shrine, three golden residual souls floated up. They had stayed behind to assist the ancestor, Li Tianyuan, rather than heading straight to the battlefield.

However, now they saw that the battlefield had been pacified.

"Those weren't true Enlightened Realm beings, they were avatars."

Li Tianyuan's soul flew out from the golden statue within the ancestral shrine, standing in mid-air above the Divine General's Mansion, looking into the distance.

Since Li Hao's arrival, reversing the entire city's plight, they had paused the sacrificial ritual of the Li family bloodline to forge bodies, closely monitoring the battle.

"Avatars?"

The three golden residual souls looked at the old ancestor.

Li Tianyuan was a Taiping Dao Realm divine general, having fought alongside the late emperor across numerous regions, expanding territories, and was highly knowledgeable.

"I've seen true Enlightened Realm beings; they are far more terrifying. They genuinely touch upon the 'Dao,' their Dao power indestructible, immune to divine weapons, capable of incredible feats. This is not of that level."

Li Tianyuan's eyes were grave, fixed on the golden-red boy at the edge of the city:

"But to slay the avatars of Enlightened Realm beings is already exceedingly formidable. That boy… he's invincible below the Enlightened Realm!"

Hearing the ancestor's words, the three golden residual souls were stunned.

Though they were also Li family ancestors, they had missed the glorious era of the founding ancestor. They had seen Enlightened Realm beings but never witnessed their full power, so they weren't fully aware of their might.

But the power displayed by those two Enlightened Realm avatars was enough to astonish them.

After all, the two Taiping Dao Realm demonic leaders were unable to even qualify for battle before that boy, yet those Enlightened Realm avatars forced him to reveal a ninefold domain.

"It seems the boy didn't even use his full strength. If he's given more time, he'll undoubtedly reach the Enlightened Realm. At that point, who would dare to invade Dayu Divine Dynasty?"

"Previously, when the celestial gate opened, it took away many prodigies, causing Dayu Divine Dynasty's fortunes to wane. Now, it seems a new peak will be reached, possibly surpassing the era before the celestial gate!"

"I wonder which noble family the boy comes from. It's a pity he's not from our Li family, such a pity!"

As the Li family's ancestral spirits conversed, many familiar with Li Hao in the city, after regaining their composure, excitedly flew towards him.

"Hao'er!"

"Brother Hao!"

He Jianlan, Li Hongzhuang, and others rushed towards Li Hao.

The slightly slower-reacting Li Xuanli, Gao Qingqing, and others, after a brief shock, also became excited and hurried over.

Li Yuanzhao shouted at the top of his lungs, borrowing the power of the ancestors, flying towards Li Hao.

"Do you really know him?"

The Li family ancestor spirit attached to Li Yuanzhao was a bit surprised, not expecting this chubby boy to truly know the prodigious youth.

Seeing his tear-filled eyes, it was evidently not a lie, and their relationship seemed deep.

The other Li family ancestral spirits also noticed the reaction of these Li family bloodlines. Seeing their genuine emotions towards the boy, they felt both surprised and delighted.

Though the boy came to aid them, it could have been out of duty or shared humanity. But now it seemed he had a close relationship with the Li family.

"Hao'er?"

From a distance, Ji Qingqing heard the excited calls from He Jianlan and the others, and her initially puzzled expression suddenly froze.

Then, her heart seemed to be gripped tightly.

The image of the boy falling before the abyss flashed rapidly in her mind.

Her blood seemed to both boil and chill, her whole body trembling slightly.

Could it be… was it really him?

Tears streamed from Ji Qingqing's eyes as she looked at the towering, god-like boy, the radiant figure that caught everyone's attention. Could he be… her child? Her body trembled uncontrollably, and she finally lost control, following the others as they flew towards the boy, getting faster and faster. The closer she got, the clearer she saw the boy's face, that stern expression. It differed somewhat from the face of the boy who fell into the abyss…

And his aura was also clearly different.

Her speed slowed, feeling a mix of trepidation and hope, like touching a beautiful dream, unsure if it was real or an illusion, wanting to get closer but afraid to do so, wanting to touch but afraid to break the illusion.

Soon, He Jianlan and the others reached the edge of the city, looking at the boy whose divine light had now retracted, at that somewhat unfamiliar face. After a moment of daze, tears welled up in their eyes.

Despite the changed aura and appearance, they recognized this child, the one who occasionally brought them his homemade delicacies, the one with a unique presence in the Divine General's Mansion.

He was still so distinct, so vivid. Unlike before, the child who used to play and laugh, carefree, now stood resplendent like a young deity, his face less lazy, his brows more severe. The only unchanged thing was those eyes, still clear and gentle, as transparent as crystal.

He Jianlan couldn't help but cover her mouth, tears streaming down her face. The memories of the child greeting her in the morning, dining and chatting with her, were still fresh in her mind.

But the past seemed so long ago.

Now, he stood stained with blood, holding up his own umbrella when no one else did, shielding himself from the storm.

"Brother Hao!"

Li Yuanzhao and Li Wushuang also rushed over. Seeing Li Hao, others seemed nervous and hesitant to recognize him, but Li Yuanzhao was too excited to hold back.

Li Hao looked at the little guy, the sternness in his eyes softened a bit, and he smiled, "Already reached the Spirit Wanderer Realm, huh? Seems you haven't been slacking."

Hearing Li Hao's words, tears burst from Li Yuanzhao's small eyes as he threw himself at Li Hao: "Brother Hao, I'm so glad you're okay, so glad you're okay!"

Li Hao was slightly stunned, then chuckled, pushing him away as he rubbed his head against his chest: "Hey, don't wipe your snot on me."

Li Yuanzhao quickly wiped his nose with his sleeve, but a snot bubble still blew out from his nostrils:

"Brother Hao, I'll wash it for you later."

"Get lost."

Li Hao said jokingly.

Li Wushuang and Li Zhining stood aside, along with Li Mingjian and Li Sibai. They were He Jianlan's children. After the True Dragon Contest, there had been misunderstandings and dissatisfaction with Li Hao, even clashing when Li Hao attempted to kill Li Qianfeng.

But after the truth about Liu Yuanyong was uncovered, they realized they had wronged the boy.

Seeing Li Hao again, their expressions were complex, feeling both shame and joy.

Watching Li Hao casually joke with Li Yuanzhao, Li Jianming and Li Wushuang, and their peers felt a twinge of envy and jealousy towards the chubby boy but also a sense of sadness.

Though they lived in the Divine General's Mansion, their relationship with Li Hao was far more distant, merely acquaintances.

"Hao'er, do you still remember your aunt?"

He Jianlan, seeing Li Hao seemingly unchanged except for his appearance, said with reddened eyes.

Li Hao, hearing this, looked at the noblewoman who had taken care of him since childhood, his gaze softening, "I dare not forget your kindness, Aunt."

"Just kindness? It was just simple food and drink, how can that be considered kindness." He Jianlan's eyes reddened even more.

Li Hao was slightly taken aback, then fell silent for a moment, "I remember it all, I said before, I remember everything from childhood."

Hearing Li Hao's words, many people's expressions changed slightly, their thoughts drifting back to two years ago, to that courtyard where the True Dragon Contest ended.

Many bowed their heads in sorrow.

Back then, the boy recounted every detail of their time together, which they had long forgotten, leaving them shocked and horrified, and later, deeply saddened.

"Are you really Hao'er?"

In the midst of their silent grief, an anxious yet hopeful voice called out.

Ji Qingqing pushed through the crowd to stand before Li Hao, her eyes brimming with tears, rolling down her cheeks:

"Is it really you, my son?"

Li Hao looked up at her, the familiar face tear-streaked and seemingly fragmented before him.

Just like over a decade ago, when he looked up from his swaddling clothes, so real.

Yet, like the last glance before the abyss, so distant.

But his expression returned to calm, mirroring his inner state, he merely shook his head slightly, saying: "You have mistaken me, I am me, not your son."

Hearing Li Hao's words, Ji Qingqing froze. Those around, both joyous and sorrowful, including He Jianlan and others, were stunned, their expressions turning sad rather than angry.

Ji Qingqing listened to Li Hao's calm words, feeling a sharp pain in her heart, as if a dagger had pierced it.

She wept even more, sorrowfully saying: "You don't want to acknowledge me? It's my fault, I'm sorry. If I could die in your place, I would do so gladly. Do you know that?"

As she spoke, she cried uncontrollably. The ancestral spirit attached to her detached, looking on in surprise and confusion, his expression growing serious.

Other Li family ancestral spirits also gathered, hearing their conversation, they were stunned.

It sounded as if this child was indeed one of the Li family.

Yet, there was no trace of Li family bloodline in him.

Could it be… an illegitimate child?

Some ancestral spirits exchanged puzzled looks.

Li Hao listened quietly to the woman's sorrowful weeping, his expression unchanged, calmly saying:

"All that is past, everything settled when you made your choice. Your child is dead, it's not about right or wrong. Your guilt, your grief, is your own. There's no need to tell me, I don't care."

He knew Ji Qingqing had no other choice, but in truth, she did. She just didn't choose him.

Li Hao was already at peace with it.

It no longer mattered, nor would he pursue it. His past with this couple was severed, any slight bond was completely cut off, no longer relevant.

The borrowed small body that allowed him to grow to fifteen, he could no longer carry further.

It was severed by their own hands. He had repaid them enough.

Otherwise, the assassination at six, no matter how prodigious he was, could not be stopped.

Enough, it was enough…