205-208
Chapter 205: Ancestral Divine Weapon, Touching the Limit (Extra Chapter for Alliance Leader 'M Wumian', Thank You)
Boom!
Within Dragon City, in a certain tavern.
A figure suddenly flew out, crashing through the railing and tumbling onto the street below.
A sword wound marred their chest, but instead of blood, dark, demonic energy spurted forth. Their body, upon landing, quickly transformed into its demonic form, its body convulsing as it manifested.
But before the transformation could fully complete, a sword qi, swift as an autumn wind, swept across its form. The trembling body instantly stilled, then fell to the ground, dead.
From the railing, Li Hao and Li Xiaoran approached.
The fallen demon on the street was like a drop of ink falling into a lake, spreading fear among the surrounding citizens, who dared not approach.
Li Hao glanced at his mission progress. The exploration mission hadn't increased, but the completion rate of the Nether River had ticked up by a mere 0.001.
Killing a Heavenly Man Realm demon only yielded such a minuscule amount of mission progress, sending a shiver down Li Hao's spine.
At this rate, wouldn't 1000 Heavenly Man Realm demons only equal 1 point of Nether River completion?
He was currently 13 years into his [Growth] mission, with the Nether River completion rate at 7.2.
"Based on the mission progress, surviving here is harder than hunting demons."
"That's usually the case. If an outsider were to come here to clear the mission, without Li family bloodline, reborn into an ordinary family, they might have been secretly assassinated by the demons in the city long ago."
"Revealing one's talent easily attracts demonic scrutiny, but without revealing it, one can't obtain cultivation resources, it's a predicament!"
"Furthermore, there's a chance of being reborn directly into a demon's neighbor's house, which would be a disastrous start."
"If it weren't for Fourth Master, I would have almost been attacked at the banquet earlier."
Li Hao's eyes flickered. Though he hadn't engaged in much direct combat with demons, he now felt the true difficulty of the Nether River mission.
No wonder even the Taiping Dao Realm only had a slim chance of clearing it.
If this Nether River hadn't been linked to the confinement of Li Tianzong, resulting in the emergence of Dragon City, it might have been even more perilous and unpredictable.
"Humph, this demon was merely providing intelligence to the demons outside the city, a mere insignificant pawn."
Li Xiaoran glanced at the fallen demon, letting out a cold snort.
Li Hao knew that the situation within the Nether River was ultimately different from the outside world. The demons were more numerous and powerful, leading to only a few safe zones within the city.
Outside, in any major city guarded by a Divine General's Mansion, life was generally peaceful and stable, with demonic attacks rarely occurring, perhaps not even once in decades.
Organized demons dared not approach, and disorganized ones lacked the ability to do so. They could only rely on those intimidated by the demons or those who had pledged allegiance to them, lurking within the city to spy on the Divine General's Mansion, but they were always extremely cautious.
However, Dragon City was rife with demonic strongholds.
This was the third one they had destroyed.
And it was only half an hour since they had left the mansion.
Li Hao leaped down from the railing, raising his palm and pressing it against the demon's body. The cultivation technique within his palm activated, extracting a minuscule amount of life essence from its flesh.
This life essence, guided by the technique, condensed into his own flesh, further strengthening his physical body.
This technique was developed by Li Hao, combining numerous body refinement arts. It was called the [Myriad Blood True Demon Technique].
Its rank transcended the pinnacle, only developed after reaching the seventh stage of the Physical Dao, imbued with extraordinary power.
The name itself carried a demonic aura, incorporating numerous demon techniques and some taboo body refinement arts, such as the Devouring Infant Technique, the Fetal Birth Fist, and others, ultimately fused and refined into this one.
It forged the self by consuming lifeblood.
A single achievement, a million corpses wither!
Li Xiaoran, witnessing Li Hao's cultivation, his eyes flickered, recognizing it as an extremely sinister technique. However, he didn't interfere. Within the Nether River, anything that could enhance one's strength was acceptable.
Moreover, having witnessed courtly intrigues, martial arts heroes, and demon-human conflicts, he understood that the technique was secondary; the individual wielding it was the key.
While some toxic techniques could cloud one's mind, leading to dark and bloodthirsty tendencies, the technique Li Hao practiced seemed to only foster aggression and brutality, without any apparent negative impact on his character.
Furthermore, upon reaching the Grandmaster Realm, martial arts were the core, and techniques were merely skills, having limited influence on the individual.
The two then proceeded to their next destination.
Within the city, two figures leaped across various locations: teahouses, theatrical stages, a secluded wealthy merchant's residence, and even a common farmer's home.
Each location they visited left behind the corpse of a demon.
The weakest among these slain demons were astonishingly all at the Fifteen Li Realm!
Li Hao's heart grew heavy, increasingly aware that the upcoming Dragon City battle would be incredibly fierce and challenging.
Furthermore, Candlelight God and Lu Yuan would also be present this time.
Thinking of them, a murderous glint appeared in Li Hao's eyes. If he could use this Nether River to slay those two great Demon Kings, it would be ideal.
Within the city, in a certain mansion.
A wealthy lord was listlessly sipping tea when a young servant approached, reporting:
"Master, the twenty-seventh young mistress has given birth."
"Given birth again?"
The lord, his belly distended and rotund, his eyes lit up.
Beside him, the steward, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes gleamed, as if he had swallowed his saliva, saying:
"Congratulations, Master. Master will be able to enjoy a hearty meal again."
"Haha, quickly, quickly bring the child here."
"The midwife has already brought the child."
The servant replied respectfully, his eyes also flickering with a strange light.
Soon, a midwife rushed in carrying a swaddled infant, respectfully saying:
"Master, it's a healthy, rosy-cheeked child."
"I can smell it, I can already smell it."
The lord's eyes shone brightly: "So fragrant, quickly, quickly give it to me."
As he spoke, he reached out and exerted force, sending the swaddled infant flying towards him.
The infant, a newborn, had delicate scales on its cheeks and arms, and a snake-like, writhing tail, still coated with unabsorbed amniotic fluid.
Such a monstrous child, yet the lord's eyes shone with delight. He caressed the infant, murmuring in a痴迷 tone: "So cute."
As he spoke, he rubbed his forehead against the infant, as if showing affection.
But the infant, as if sensing something, its newly opened eyes were entirely black, devoid of whites. It clawed at the swaddling cloth, attempting to flip over and crawl out, escaping.
Just then, the lord, with a smile on his face, suddenly opened his mouth wide.
It was a grotesque, gaping maw, filled with sharp teeth.
With a whoosh, he sucked the infant into his mouth, chewing relentlessly.
"So delicious."
"Are there demons who specifically raise human children for food?"
"Indeed, and this demonic clan is quite large. They are born needing to escape from their nests, or they will be eaten by their own mothers."
Two voices drifted in, followed by the flash of blades and sword light.
The lord, who was chewing, paused, startled by the sudden attack. He dodged the sword light but was struck by the blade.
With a puff, the blade tore through a large patch of scale-like armor on his chest.
His body contorted into a monstrous form, his head bulging, his eyes filled with rage: "Who dares?!"
Li Hao and Li Xiaoran didn't bother with pleasantries, immediately launching their attacks. The mere residual force of their attacks killed the servant and the midwife standing nearby.
The steward, too, transformed into a demon, revealing the aura of a Three Immortals Realm cultivator.
Li Hao, without hesitation, unleashed a sword strike.
His Skill Points were still plentiful, his swordsmanship having reached the 6th stage. The sword light, like starlight and lightning, struck instantly.
Li Xiaoran's Endless Sky Wanderer Blade originated from the [Boundless Sea] Sword Technique, and Li Hao's move was similar, instantly closing the distance, making it almost impossible to miss.
The two demons were sent flying backward. The lord still had some breath left, but the steward was dead, his body cleaved by Li Hao's sword light, unable to withstand the force. Li Hao had already noticed that Li Xiaoran had also comprehended the [Boundless Sea] Sword Technique and extracted the sword intent within it, integrating it into his own blade technique. This meant that Fourth Master, in addition to his masterful blade technique, also possessed exceptional talent in swordsmanship.
"Demon Kings have infiltrated the city, this is truly alarming."
Li Hao said, quickly joining the fray, attacking alongside Li Xiaoran.
"Li family brats, I haven't colluded with the demons outside the city, I just want to settle down here, why are you ruining my good time?!"
The lord roared, his true form fully revealed.
However, he was merely at the Dao Heart Realm. Li Hao and Li Xiaoran didn't waste any words, unleashing a furious barrage of attacks. The demon's scales and flesh cracked and tore, and soon, it fell into a pool of blood.
"Li family... damn you..."
The Demon King's breath ceased.
Li Hao crouched down, plunging his hand into the demon's flesh, stirring it while activating the Myriad Blood True Demon Technique, absorbing the essence of its flesh and blood.
True to its status as a Demon King, its flesh and blood essence were incredibly abundant, comparable to divine elixirs.
Li Hao immediately transformed this energy, refining his Unbreakable Divine Body, further enhancing his physical strength.
His body, already refined by the Supreme Body, True Dragon Body, and other techniques, was comparable to a six-forged divine weapon, nearly identical to his body in the outside world.
Now, absorbing the Demon King's blood essence, his flesh and blood condensed, nearing the strength of a seven-forged divine weapon.
"Two or three more Demon Kings should be enough."
Li Hao thought to himself.
He had annihilated the Demon King's final soul, and he checked the Nether River completion rate, which had only increased by 0.1!
When he had just killed the Three Immortals Realm steward demon, his completion rate had only increased by 0.01!
Li Hao was stunned. Was this a joke?
This meant that just killing Demon Kings alone would require slaying 1000 of them to clear the Nether River!
Where would he find 1000 Demon Kings to kill?
1000! What a concept! These were Four Pillars Realm existences. There were only a handful in the entire Divine General's Mansion, and even the total number of Four Pillars Realm cultivators in the entire Great Yu Dynasty wouldn't be close to that number!
Let alone killing them all!
"Fourth Uncle, how many days did you manage to hold Dragon City at most?" Li Hao couldn't help but ask Li Xiaoran.
"Did you see the progress?"
Li Xiaoran, seeing Li Hao's shocked expression, sighed, "This is the difficulty of a Netherworld-level Nether River. Dao Heart Realm cultivators can barely survive in it, it's not absolute, bad luck and they might die very quickly."
"The highest completion rate I ever achieved was only holding Dragon City for four days!"
Li Xiaoran sighed, "The demons outside Dragon City are no longer the same as the ones outside Yanbei Dragon City before. Among these demons are various demons never seen before in the Great Yu Dynasty, all of them are demons trapped and imprisoned in the Nether River!"
"There are countless Demon Kings. In just four days, I encountered over a hundred Demon Kings."
His expression turned grave as he continued, "But thankfully, these Demon Kings were only at the Dao Heart Realm, not particularly difficult to deal with. It's just that they become stronger and stronger later on. There are Demon Kings at the Absolute Technique Realm, and those are the truly terrifying ones."
The four steps of the Four Pillars Realm had vast differences in strength.
The Dao Heart Realm was the weakest, the Absolute Technique Realm could easily kill Dao Heart Realm cultivators, sometimes with just one full-power attack!
And those at the Absolute Technique Realm generally mastered martial arts extreme principles and absolute techniques, their most powerful moves were incredibly terrifying, giving them the capital to fight to the death with their enemies.
This was also the reason why no one wanted to provoke them easily.
To be precise, even Dao Heart Realm cultivators were extremely formidable. After all, the guaranteed hit nature of their attacks was enough to make Three Immortals Realm cultivators tremble in fear.
As for the Absolute Technique Realm, they had the qualifications to single-handedly charge into a major power and fight them to the death.
The Taiping Dao Realm was even more terrifying, their Dao Domains could sweep across and conquer everything!
"Just four days, over a hundred Demon Kings..."
Li Hao's eyes darkened. The Nether River contained countless demonic soul fragments, and this Netherworld-level Nether River had existed for an incredibly long time. No one knew how many Demon King remnants had been drawn into it.
If he only reached the strength he had outside, it wouldn't be enough. He needed to become even stronger!
Li Hao took a deep breath, refraining from further questioning, and worked with Li Xiaoran to dispose of the Demon King's corpse and eliminate the remaining minor demons in the mansion before turning to leave.
In the following days, Li Hao, besides cultivating and accumulating Skill Points, followed Li Xiaoran to clear demons throughout the city.
Upon learning that Li Hao could slay Demon Kings at the age of thirteen, Li Tianzong was speechless with astonishment.
The other nine Li family sons, though exceptionally talented, seemed to be overshadowed by Li Hao's brilliance in this place.
Even Li Junye was affected. He was once the most dazzling individual, but now, he was merely a firefly beside Li Hao, easily overlooked.
However, Li Junye cultivated diligently and progressed rapidly. Though he couldn't catch up to Li Hao, he reached the Heavenly Man Realm at the age of fifteen, surpassing the record of seventeen years old outside.
Li Hao guessed that this might be due to some irregularities in the Nether River, along with the butterfly effect caused by his and Li Xiaoran's presence.
As time passed, Li Hao hunted more and more demons, his name striking fear into the hearts of the demons in the city. Every day he stepped outside the Divine General's Mansion, demons would die within the city, accompanied by a bloody storm.
As he continued to hunt demons, aided by the numerous precious medicines Li Tianzong had prepared for him, Li Hao's cultivation progressed at an incredible speed.
Consuming too many precious medicines could lead to a shaky foundation and unstable realm, but this was for ordinary individuals. Li Hao possessed various techniques, all at the True State or even Extraordinary level. With a slight activation, he could completely digest the precious medicines.
His body was like a bottomless pit, capable of devouring endless energy, which was absorbed and refined by those techniques, strengthening every part of his body.
Li Hao's physical strength steadily increased, quickly reaching the level of an eight-forged divine weapon.
Li Tianzong further opened the Li family's core treasury to Li Hao, containing the Li family's treasured divine medicines, secret treasures, techniques, and more.
Li Hao didn't hesitate or consider saving them for the future. After all, there was no future in this Nether River, everything was an illusion, only the obsession of the current Li Tianzong was real.
Therefore, he absorbed and consumed all those divine medicines, taking out the ancestral divine weapons stored within. Among them, a row of weapons was placed at the highest position, belonging to the ten founding ancestors. The third in line was a treasured sword.
The founding ancestor, Li Tianyuan, used a spear, and the third-generation ancestor, his grandson, wielded a sword.
That sword had been forged nine times, nearing the level of a Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure.
Li Xiaoran told Li Hao that unfortunately, the founding ancestor's weapon had broken and was damaged. It was a Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure, and since the Heavenly Treasure Daoist passed away thousands of years ago in the Great Yu Dynasty, no one had been able to repair a Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure.
The "Heavenly Treasure" in Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasure was named after the Daoist's Dao name.
His disciples and descendants lacked the talent to inherit his mantle, and the legacy was lost, a regret for the Great Yu Dynasty.
Currently, the master of the Myriad Weapons Tower was a descendant of the Heavenly Treasure Daoist, though how many generations removed was unknown. He had the ability to barely forge Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasures, but the success rate was low.
Li Hao took the sword, learning that its name was 'Frostbite', and remarked that it was a good name.
He then sheathed the sword, taking this long-sealed ancestral divine weapon out of the treasury.
Li Tianzong didn't say anything about it. After all, Li Hao was now the Li family's True Dragon, qualified to inherit the ancestral divine weapons.
If it were other direct descendants, it would require consideration. After all, the ancestral divine weapons were not only powerful weapons but also symbols of status.
If every direct descendant could freely choose, many would have been lost long ago.
With the weapon sheathed, Li Hao once again immersed himself in cultivation and demon slaying.
The demons in the city were being continuously purged, and Li Hao, with the help of absorbing demonic blood essence and the treasury's divine medicines, his body grew stronger day by day.
He attempted to comprehend the Dao Heart, but during the process, his mind wandered, and time subtly accelerated.
Li Hao learned from Li Xiaoran that this was a normal phenomenon. When Li Xiaoran entered the Dao Heart Realm and comprehended the Dao Heart, time accelerated subtly for seven or eight years.
Li Hao had only briefly immersed himself in contemplation, and time accelerated, bringing him to the age of seventeen.
The Dragon City battle, nearing its arrival, was also approaching rapidly.
"My physical body seems to have touched the limit of the Three Immortals Realm..."
Li Hao felt his body, his flesh and blood condensed, the power within him like a viscous ocean, with a sense of endlessness.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 206: The Dragon City Showdown, Nine Sons' Sacrifice
Li Hao used the Azure Frost to slice his finger, only to see it heal instantly.
The lingering sword energy imbued in the Azure Frost was unable to impede the speed of its regeneration.
Li Hao felt that even if he were to lose a limb, it would regrow within a single breath. What a terrifying vitality!
Immortality, invincibility, and eternal youth – the Three Immoralities. At this moment, he seemed to be truly approaching immortality and invincibility.
"If I reach the Apex Realm, I should be considered truly immortal..."
Li Hao mused inwardly.
Sadly, though he was incredibly close to the limit, he had not yet truly broken through, had not yet reached that Apex Realm state.
At this time, in the 17th year of Li Hao's life, the demons outside Dragon City were stirring.
Demons began to infiltrate and attack the city, though no full-scale war had yet erupted. They were merely probing, testing the defenses.
And with each probe, if the soldiers of Dragon City did not resist fiercely, the demons might seize the opportunity to launch a full-fledged assault.
Within the Divine General's Manor, the atmosphere at the dinner table grew increasingly heavy.
"Where's Xingbei? Is he still guarding the city?"
Li Tianzong, his expression grim, asked while picking at his food.
Chen Hefang's once-lavish adornments of jade and precious stones had diminished, her appearance now more austere. Many of the resources within the Divine General's Manor were being sent to the front lines, and everyone within the manor had begun to tighten their belts.
"He and Fengping are together, watching out for each other. You don't need to worry too much,"
Chen Hefang, her eyes filled with a mother's worry, said softly. "Now that you're back, rest well and conserve your strength."
Li Tianzong fell silent for a moment, then said, "If only I could step into the Heavenly Peace Dao Realm, these demons wouldn't be so rampant..."
Chen Hefang chuckled wryly. "The Heavenly Peace Dao Realm isn't so easily attained. Each step from the Four Pillars Realm is a leap to the heavens. You've already done remarkably well."
Li Tianzong didn't respond, simply eating in silence.
But when his gaze fell upon Li Hao, the severity and gloom in his eyes softened slightly, replaced by a look of pride and relief.
"Just ten more years, and Little Ten will surely step into the Heavenly Peace Dao Realm. At that time, those demons will surely tremble..." He had immense faith in Li Hao's talent.
Though at the level of the Four Pillars Realm, one's initial innate aptitude was no longer a major factor, with focus shifting towards opportunities and comprehension, he believed that Li Hao could achieve it.
Hearing this, Li Hao sighed inwardly. It was unlikely they would have ten years.
Would his strength a year from now be enough to defend Dragon City?
Li Hao longed to clear the trial, but recalling Li Xiaoran's words – that over a hundred Demon Kings would appear within the first four days of defending the city – his heart weighed heavy with pressure.
And this time, the Candlelight God and the Old Dragon Lu Yuan were also hidden within the fray.
Li Hao shook his head. He dared not continue his Dao heart cultivation here, fearing that the time flow would accelerate and skip directly to a year later. Before that, he needed to focus on enhancing his physical strength and pushing his other realms to their utmost limits.
This was the only way to maximize his combat power.
After dinner, Li Hao rose and took his leave, heading to his training grounds.
If he could integrate another Art Technique into his spirit and elevate his Dao Mastery to the seventh stage, his battle prowess would also increase significantly.
Li Hao placed his hopes on the Art of Painting.
He immersed himself completely in his painting skills. During his rest periods, he would accompany Li Xiaoran on patrols around the city, slaying demons.
By now, the demons within the city had been mostly cleared out.
They would occasionally venture out to the nearby outskirts to hunt.
Dragon City was far larger than Li Hao had imagined, but the distant sky beyond the city walls was an endless expanse of black, like an abyss.
It seemed like a place where thoughts themselves could not reach, a place that concealed countless demons.
Li Hao absorbed all the Demon Kings he killed using the Myriad Blood True Demon Technique, his physical body constantly refining and growing stronger.
"Painting..."
Occasionally, Li Hao would sit atop the city walls, gazing into the distance, picking up his brush to paint.
This sight caused some of the other soldiers guarding the city to feel surprised, but they all knew of this Li family scion's extraordinary talent, his unparalleled genius. They didn't comment much, simply carrying out their duties.
The tip of his brush danced, capturing the dark, oppressive expanse of the horizon, like an inverted abyss that chilled the heart.
His painting experience was already complete, and Li Hao immersed himself in it, comprehending the spiritual essence within the paintings.
From that day on, Li Hao painted every day on the city walls. For ten consecutive days, countless sheets of paper fell, depicting the black sky beyond the city and the grotesque demons peeking out from within.
It was not until Li Hao painted a "Myriad Demons Emerging from the Abyss" that he finally touched upon a trace of spiritual essence.
Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere of the withered grass swaying outside the city, his heart felt a pang of sorrow, and the demons in the painting seemed to struggle to break free and fly out.
As Li Hao delved into the Art of Painting, he felt the surrounding time accelerate, though not as rapidly as when he was cultivating his Dao heart.
Li Hao vaguely sensed that this was a hidden rule of the River of Death, intentionally preventing anyone from using it to cultivate their Dao.
Once someone became immersed in Dao cultivation, the River of Death would accelerate, either kicking them out or pushing them into a final, desperate situation.
"It seems that unless one reaches the Heavenly Peace Dao Realm, using their Dao Domain to envelop themselves and isolate the rules of the River of Death, they cannot freely survive here."
Li Hao thought to himself. He wondered how the Candlelight God was faring. Was he hiding among the demons, cultivating or plotting, controlling a portion of them?
He didn't know, but in the present, as he hunted demons daily and cultivated the Art of Painting to integrate it into his spirit, time in the River of Death silently passed for over half a year.
The demons' attacks grew more ferocious and chaotic.
After a time jump, Li Hao returned to the manor, only to see two coffins lying in the main hall – those of his elder brother, Li Xingbei, and his second brother, Li Fengping!
Li Hao's expression changed slightly. Seeing Li Xiaoran there, he immediately approached and transmitted his questions.
Li Xiaoran had now recovered his previous cultivation, reaching the Absolute Art Realm. He transmitted a message to Li Hao, explaining that Li Xingbei and Li Fengping had been killed during a surprise attack by Demon Kings while guarding the city. They had barely managed to defend the city, but at the cost of their lives.
Both were in the Three Immoralities Realm. Though their talents were exceptional, they couldn't, like Li Hao, slay Demon Kings at that level.
Li Hao's face darkened. The Dragon City battle hadn't even begun, and the Li family's Nine Sons had already begun to fall.
The cause of his elder and second brother's deaths was also different from the outside world. The environment here caused many events to deviate from their usual course.
"Don't be too anxious. Clearing this trial is inherently difficult. If it becomes truly impossible, I'll take you out through the ancestral shrine. That's the exit from Dragon City, the exit from this River of Death."
Li Xiaoran transmitted to Li Hao. "You're only in the Three Immoralities Realm now. Even if you reach the Dao Heart Realm, it'll be difficult. I suspect that in the next few days, Heavenly Peace Dao Realm Demon Kings will appear in Dragon City, along with the Hegemon from the Vast Void Realm who entered this time. This trial is far more challenging than usual."
Now, witnessing Li Hao's extraordinary talent, Li Xiaoran's thoughts had subtly changed.
Instead of risking the River of Death trial, ensuring Li Hao's safe retreat was the key.
As the elder brother within the River of Death had said, Li Hao was the future hope of the Li family!
With Li Hao's talent, as long as he continued to cultivate, he would surely lead the Li family to the most glorious future, rivaling the era of their ancestors!
When Li Hao reached the Heavenly Peace Dao Realm, they could assist him in clearing the trial together in the future. It wouldn't be too long a wait, given Li Hao's cultivation speed.
Hearing Li Xiaoran's transmission, Li Hao nodded slightly. Their main mission was to defend Dragon City, while the Candlelight God's main mission was likely to destroy it.
"My elder brother's remnant consciousness anticipated that our Li family descendants would come to liberate him, to bring him home. So, he left us a back door..."
Li Xiaoran gazed at the elder brother in the hall, whose expression was filled with sorrow. Though the current figure wasn't his living elder brother, merely a remnant consciousness, even one influenced and enslaved by the River of Death, his emotions were still stirred.
However, he quickly regained control.
This wasn't his first time in the River of Death.
He had seen this scene many times before.
Li Hao also fell silent as he looked at the hall.
The other seven siblings, including the fifteen-year-old Li Hongzhuang, were all filled with grief. Some were filled with anger, others clenched their fists, all radiating hatred and killing intent towards the demons.
Li Hongzhuang wore a lady's dress and adorned her hair with a swaying ornament. Her skirt and earrings, if moved too vigorously, would lose their elegance. They were both decorations and reminders of graceful posture and etiquette.
But at this moment, her eyes were red-rimmed, fixed on the coffins, as if lost in thought.
Li Hao knew that this "younger sister" would, in this River of Death, walk the same path as she had in the outside world, transforming from a pampered young lady into a sword-wielding general.
Perhaps this was an inescapable destiny.
Li Hao didn't linger on the scene, choosing to skip past the current sorrow. He maintained his composure, watching as his growth mission neared 100%. He knew that his eighteenth birthday was approaching.
With the deaths of Li Xingbei and Li Fengping, the prelude to this war had begun. He needed to focus more intently on his martial arts.
A few days later, the sixth brother, Li Ziye, was killed by a Demon King who had infiltrated the city. When Li Hao and Li Xiaoran arrived, they only saw half of his body, a gruesome sight.
Though they knew it was the River of Death, and everyone in Dragon City except Li Tianzong was a product of Li Tianzong's obsession, seeing Li Yuanzhao's father die so tragically, so painfully, ignited a surge of anger within Li Hao.
He suddenly drew his sword, cleaving the Demon King in two, severing the street along with it, unleashing divine power.
After killing the Demon King, Li Hao rushed to Li Ziye's side. His breath had ceased, but his eyes remained open.
But in his eyes, there was a hint of relief, a smile on his lips, as if he had seen the Demon King slain, as if he had seen his reinforcements arrive...
Li Hao gently closed his eyes.
He recalled the demon attack at the banquet when he was four, lying injured in bed. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was this "sixth brother," struggling to stay awake, guarding him by the bedside.
Though they were merely products of obsession, Li Hao had heard from Li Xiaoran that these individuals were based on the appearances and personalities Li Tianzong had seen in his life, with little difference in character.
This meant that, in reality, this "sixth brother" would also have been gentle and caring, the most considerate of them all.
Yuanzhao, you have a good father... Li Hao thought to himself.
It was a pity that Yuanzhao was born just as his father died in battle, never having met him.
He carried Li Ziye's body back to the Divine General's Manor.
Seeing his "mother," Chen Hefang, in grief, Li Hao noticed that strands of white hair had begun to appear at her temples.
Li Hao's lips moved, wanting to offer words of comfort, but he suddenly didn't know what to say. In the end, he remained silent.
He clenched his fist slightly, choosing to accelerate time, skipping past those sorrowful eyes and the mournful cries.
In the month following Li Ziye's sacrifice, the third and fourth brothers also met their ends.
Countless demons, it seemed, had somehow infiltrated Dragon City, which had been previously cleared. The defensive formations seemed to have lost their ability to warn against the demons, leaving Li Hao puzzled.
"Dragon City was like this before, infiltrated by demons. Those demons killed the demons who carried the imperial decree issued by the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, taking their tokens..." Li Xiaoran said in a low voice.
Li Hao fell silent. This must have been etched into Li Tianzong's heart, becoming a demon within him, causing this illogical situation.
As Li Hao once again cultivated the Art of Painting, before he could fully emerge from his immersion, the growth mission that was nearing 100% finally displayed a prompt.
Mission Complete.
Those four words, though usually a cause for joy, caused Li Hao's heart to sink.
He glanced at the River of Death trial progress. Completing the growth mission only provided 10% of the trial progress.
And the countless demons he had slain, accumulated together, only amounted to 3%.
The current progress was 13%.
At the same time, the main mission also displayed a prompt, officially commencing.
As the ancient golden characters of the River of Death vanished, Li Hao felt the city walls beneath his feet tremble slightly.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 207: If You Were Truly My Son
"They're here."
Li Xiaoran's figure materialized seemingly out of thin air, appearing behind Li Hao as he gazed towards the pitch-black expanse beyond the city walls, stretching for hundreds of miles.
From that darkness, demonic figures began to emerge, surging forth like creatures clawing their way out of the abyss.
"They're quick."
Li Hao hadn't expected the demonic horde to appear so soon after the main quest, "Defend Dragon City," had begun. It was the dawn of the first day, and they had to endure until the dawn of the tenth day!
He couldn't rest during this time.
Both Li Hao and Li Xiaoran stood watching the encroaching darkness, the withered grass whipping in the wind as the demonic tide surged closer and closer.
Meanwhile, on the command tower atop the city walls, Li Tianzong appeared, clad in battle armor, radiating an aura of formidable authority.
He issued his commands, his deputy signaling with a flurry of colored flags, relaying the orders across the city. Colored signal fires shot into the sky, carrying the messages to every corner of the defenses.
Soon, the demonic horde was upon them.
In an instant, following Li Tianzong's order, countless flaming arrows rained down from the walls. Numerous Heaven's Mandate Realm masters unleashed their weapons, soaring out of the city to engage the enemy.
Li Xiaoran and Li Hao joined the fray, their weapons unleashing a torrent of sword and blade light. Their attacks extended for dozens of miles, cutting into the heart of the demonic tide.
Nine demonic souls clung to the hilt of the Azure Frost Sword, their massive, clawing upper bodies thrashing through the horde, reaping a swift harvest of demonic lives. Among the slain were Heaven's Mandate Realm demons, and even some Immortal Realm Greater Demons.
Li Hao watched the completion percentage of the "Mò River" quest rapidly increase on his interface, a sense of relief washing over him as he guided the Azure Frost Sword in a sweeping arc.
He surged his energy, unleashing a torrent of sword light, a surging river of azure energy that carved a massive swathe through the demonic ranks.
Li Xiaoran's blade light danced amidst the chaos, specifically targeting the Greater Demons, its passage accompanied by a thunderous roar.
"You stay here, I'll go to the other side."
Li Xiaoran instructed Li Hao, "Be wary of the two demons lurking within the horde, ready to ambush."
"Understood."
Li Hao nodded, and the two separated, but not too far, ensuring they could support each other if needed.
With their intervention, the demonic horde's advance was significantly slowed.
However, it wasn't long before a deafening roar echoed from within the demonic ranks. Two monstrous figures, Demon Kings, burst forth, charging towards the Azure Frost Sword.
Li Hao's expression turned cold, his divine sense swirling as he commanded the Azure Frost Sword to counterattack.
A wave of sword light erupted, piercing countless demons, culminating in two brilliant beams of sword energy that slashed towards the Demon Kings.
To Li Hao's regret, he hadn't managed to acquire the "Yellow Sparrow Diagram" during this period. His interface currently lacked the attribute for a fatal strike.
He had obtained the Yellow Sparrow Diagram in Liangzhou, and Li Tianzong had sent people to search for it on Li Hao's behalf. However, perhaps due to the nature of his obsession, it remained elusive.
Without this attribute, Li Hao felt a distinct weakness in his offensive capabilities during this chaotic, multi-target battle.
Otherwise, simply unleashing an endless torrent of sword light would have been enough to slay the Demon Kings. Now, he had to expend his true energy to pose a threat, significantly increasing his consumption.
Boom! Boom!
The two Demon Kings were forced back by Li Hao's sword light, severely wounded. Li Hao commanded the Azure Frost Sword to pursue, the demonic souls roaring as they entangled and devoured the Demon Kings' bodies before the flying sword severed their heads, cleaving their massive forms in two, ripping them open.
The sword light swirled, obliterating the escaping souls.
Two Dao Heart Realm Demon Kings, unable to withstand Li Hao's onslaught for even three rounds.
Cheers erupted from the soldiers on the city walls as a relentless barrage of flaming arrows and the weapons of countless masters rained down, assisting Li Hao in decimating the demonic horde and eliminating any stragglers.
While Li Hao held the city walls, deep within the demonic horde, three figures sat atop a hill, surrounded by a roaring tide of demons surging forward.
"That kid, he's already cultivated to this level?"
"He seems almost as strong as those outside. No wonder he reached the Immortal Realm at fifteen."
"There must be a great secret about that boy, or he possesses some extraordinary treasure. Perhaps he's a Saint reincarnated, using the bloodline of this Divine General's Mansion!"
The three figures, their gazes cold and dark, fixed on the constantly shifting azure sword light in the distance. They were Candlelight God and Lu Yuan.
Beside them stood Yin Madam, who, contrary to Li Xiaoran's prediction, hadn't remained outside the Mò River.
At this moment, their cultivation levels were the same as those outside.
Candlelight God had isolated his domain, separating the rules and maintaining his and his wife's original cultivation levels.
Lu Yuan, on the other hand, had relied on his dragon bloodline to rapidly grow amidst the demonic horde, restoring his cultivation to its former peak.
"Saint reincarnated, humph, just a legend."
Candlelight God scoffed, dismissing Lu Yuan's words. He knew that Lu Yuan was emphasizing the boy's threat to further fuel his killing intent.
"Just wait, it's only the first day. Even without our intervention, they won't last. Those big guys haven't even made their move yet."
Lu Yuan didn't argue, his gaze fixed on the city walls with a chilling intensity.
He dared to enter because the Dragon Gate Demon King had once entered the Mò River and possessed some understanding of its unique rules.
Ten days of siege, and it was only the first day.
They were watching the battle, content to wait for the opportune moment to strike.
"Li Xiaoran has repeatedly attempted to escape from here and always managed to survive. He must have found a way to live and retreat. As soon as he prepares to withdraw, we'll make our move." Candlelight God said.
Lu Yuan nodded.
They waited patiently, while outside the city walls, countless demons fell, their bodies piling up into mountains, their blood flowing like rivers.
The scale of this war was enough to make even Lu Yuan and Candlelight God feel a sense of gravity. Only the sheer number of demons here, a number even they didn't know, prevented their complete annihilation.
With Li Hao and Li Xiaoran, along with the numerous city defenders, leading the charge, the demonic tide began to falter.
However, despite their efforts, other areas of the city suffered some damage.
Li Hao's expression was grave. It was only the first day, and he had already slain five Demon Kings. The scale of this attack was comparable to the numerous demonic forces that had assaulted Liangzhou.
Dinner was delivered from the mansion to the city walls, and Li Hao sat on the ground, sharing a meal with the soldiers.
He had captured the five slain Demon Kings and was refining their blood essence with the Myriad Blood True Demon Technique, further refining and strengthening his physical body.
Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky, obscuring the view. Li Hao asked Li Xiaoran if anyone had been sent to investigate the black region beyond the city.
Li Xiaoran informed Li Hao that anyone who entered the black region beyond the city would never return.
It wasn't simply a matter of being killed by demons, but a consequence of the Mò River's unique rules, influenced by Li Tianzong's obsession, which had become intertwined with the rules themselves.
During the Battle of Dragon City, the black region represented the demonic army, a place where entry meant certain death.
Therefore, it contained a law of inevitable death.
Only those who had reached the Great Peace Dao Realm could break the rules with their Dao Realm and traverse such forbidden zones.
That night, waves of demons continued to attack, keeping the soldiers on edge and preventing them from resting.
On the second day, the demonic horde's assault intensified. Li Hao and Li Xiaoran's section of the city walls required their full attention to hold.
Lurking within the vast demonic army were Demon Kings. Li Hao, with his Immortal Realm cultivation, stood alone against them, slaying them one by one.
Among these Demon Kings, some had reached the Reverse Destiny Realm, able to withstand Li Hao's attacks and escape.
While Li Hao and Li Xiaoran fought the demons, the rest of the Li family's sons gathered together, supporting each other and defending a section of the wall.
Li Hao and Li Xiaoran held one side of the city, while the other two were defended by the older generation of Li family's illegitimate sons.
"There are so many Demon Kings!"
On the north side of Dragon City, four young figures stood together, their expressions grave.
Li Xuanli, the eldest, gazed at the endless demonic tide beyond the walls. He watched as the illegitimate sons wielded divine weapons, battling the Demon Kings, and clenched his fists.
"Including Little Nine, we've all reached the Immortal Realm, but we dare not leave the city."
"The Demon Kings' attacks are too precise. If we show our heads, we'll be targeted. These demons hate our Li family the most."
The four were filled with apprehension, only daring to control their divine weapons to slay the demons from within the city.
"It's a pity that we don't possess Little Ten's terrifying power. Only Little Ten can kill Demon Kings."
Li Junye stood tall, wielding the Eternal Night Divine Sword.
He was a master of both spear and sword, incorporating spear intent into his swordsmanship. He had reached the Grandmaster Realm and then broken through to the Immortal Realm, now at the Unbreakable Realm, his progress astonishing.
He was once the most brilliant of the nine sons, but now overshadowed by Li Hao's brilliance.
"Don't mention him. Let's think about how to deal with these demons and help Father share the burden." Li Tiangang said sternly.
Li Junye stared intently at the demonic tide, pondering,
"These Demon Kings are all staying far away, not daring to approach. They're only using those lower-level demons to probe. If we can lure them closer and coordinate with the uncles hidden in the shadows, we might be able to take out a few."
"Luring the enemy?"
Li Xuanli's eyes flickered, "That's a good idea, but the Demon Kings' attacks are too terrifying. We might not be able to withstand the first blow."
"I have the Sacred Heart Talisman. It can withstand a blow."
Li Junye said, "I'll go attract them. You wait here for me."
"Don't go, Little Nine! That's too risky. Father said we can only stay within the formation and not step outside." Li Tiangang immediately objected.
Li Junye glanced at the demonic tide and said, "Seventh Brother, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
With that, he suddenly recalled the Eternal Night Sword and charged out of the formation.
The Demon Kings in the demonic tide seemed to sense something and turned their attention to Li Junye.
"Li family brat, you dare to seek death!"
A multi-eyed dragon demon roared and charged towards Li Junye.
The other two Demon Kings, noticing Li Junye, abandoned their fight with the older generation of Li family's illegitimate sons and attacked Li Junye.
Li Junye remained calm and collected, slashing out with his sword, but the Demon King easily swatted him away. Then, it unleashed a bolt of dark lightning, striking Li Junye.
Li Junye didn't rush to use the Sacred Heart Talisman. The Demon King wasn't close enough yet. He unleashed all his strength, activating his supreme technique to protect himself, choosing to endure the blow.
With a loud bang, his body flew backward, spewing blood. His body was riddled with wounds, his skin torn and charred.
The other Demon Kings attacked again, and Li Junye scrambled back towards the formation.
The Demon Kings, enraged, pursued even faster. At this moment, Li Junye ignited the Sacred Heart Talisman.
The other older generation of Li family's illegitimate sons, having received Li Xuanli's message, roared and charged out.
Other older generation members hidden within the city also drew their swords and charged out of the formation, engaging the Demon Kings in battle.
The Demon Kings were shocked and tried to retreat, but it was too late. They were quickly surrounded and slain.
By this time, Li Tiangang had dragged Li Junye back into the formation.
"Little Nine, you're too reckless!" Li Tiangang couldn't help but scold.
Li Junye managed a wry smile, "But we succeeded, didn't we?"
"Go heal your wounds. Don't talk." Li Xuanli urged.
Li Junye immediately calmed himself, took some pills, and closed his eyes to recover his Unbreakable Body.
Thanks to Li Junye's lure, several Demon Kings were killed, significantly reducing the demonic horde's offensive, easing the pressure on the defenses.
These Demon Kings seemed less rational and cunning than those outside the Mò River, perhaps influenced by some lingering remnants of obsession. Upon seeing the Li family bloodline, they charged with reckless abandon.
On the third day, Li Junye repeated his tactic, charging out of the city to attract the demons.
But from within the Demon Kings, a figure suddenly burst forth, striking out with a palm that shattered the Sacred Heart Talisman's protective light that Li Junye had hastily activated. The blow sent him flying, instantly killing him.
"Little Nine!!"
Li Tiangang and the others, upon witnessing this, were heartbroken and roared in anger.
The Demon King was a Supreme Art Realm demon, and his attack was like a thunderbolt, striking the Dragon City formation repeatedly.
Li Tianzong rushed to the scene, hearing the mournful cries of Li Xuanli and the others. His eyes were filled with shock, but even more with sorrow.
He clenched his fists and sent a message to the hidden Third Son, ordering him to leave the city and deal with the Demon King.
Li Xuanyin charged out with his spear, engaging the Demon King in a fierce battle, but neither could gain the upper hand.
That evening, Li Hao and Li Xiaoran learned of Li Junye's death and fell silent.
The deaths of the others had already prepared them for this moment.
But everyone was born from Li Tianzong's obsession, and they didn't feel overly saddened.
The real Li Junye had died in Cangzhou, saving countless people from disaster.
Now, with the impending destruction of Dragon City and the deaths of all within, it was only the beginning.
It was the third day, and Li Hao and Li Xiaoran were both under immense pressure. Seven or eight Demon Kings had appeared in the demonic tide, with a Supreme Art Realm Demon King leading them.
The Azure Frost Sword was entangled with the Supreme Art Realm Demon King, unable to be freed, causing the formation to suffer numerous attacks from other Demon Kings.
"Tomorrow, this formation will likely break."
In a brief lull in the demonic assault, Li Xiaoran rushed to Li Hao's side, saying, "At that point, we'll have to retreat to the Divine General's Mansion. The formation within the mansion can hold out a little longer."
Li Hao hadn't expected the city to be on the verge of collapse on only the third day.
And until now, Candlelight God and Lu Yuan, the old dragon, hadn't made a move.
"Once we retreat to the Divine General's Mansion, Candlelight God will probably come and open his domain outside the mansion, attacking the formation." Li Hao's face was grim.
Li Xiaoran sighed, "The situation is already much better than before. If I were alone, the formation would have been shattered on the third day, and I would have barely managed to hold on. Now, with you sharing the burden, the pressure is reduced, and others can reinforce other areas. The city remains relatively intact."
Li Hao remained silent.
That evening, Li Hao saw a group of figures approaching the city walls. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were female generals.
They were all in battle armor, including his "mother," Chen Hefang.
"Little Ten, you must be tired."
Chen Hefang saw Li Hao and her stern eyes softened. She approached him and said, "Your father asked me to call you back. He has something important to tell you."
Li Hao couldn't help but look at her for a moment, "What's going on?"
"The Li family has no cowards who fear death."
Chen Hefang said softly, "For the sake of the people, the Li family will fight to the last drop of blood!"
Hearing these words, Li Hao's heart stirred.
The other female generals, upon seeing Li Hao, also smiled.
"I heard Little Ten is the most promising, holding his own against the demonic tide with his Immortal Realm cultivation. He's truly amazing."
"Our Li family has such a son, a worthy heir to our ancestors' legacy."
"Good child, go back now."
These female generals were Li Hao's aunts, cousins, etc., and Li Hao couldn't recognize them all, but he knew they were all part of the Li family.
"It must be about the ancestral hall." Li Xiaoran transmitted.
He had also been informed of this by Li Tianzong when the city walls were about to break.
Li Hao fell silent for a moment, then bid farewell to his "mother" and the female generals before leaping back towards the mansion.
Upon returning to the Divine General's Mansion, Li Hao saw that the once bustling courtyard, filled with guests and activity, was now desolate, with fallen leaves swirling in the wind. Even the ground was unswept.
The courtyard was eerily empty, with only a few servants remaining.
The others had likely joined the city defense forces or been dismissed. Only a few familiar faces remained.
Li Hao saw young Zhao Bo, who was also wearing battle armor, seemingly ready to fight at any moment.
"Young Master, you're back. Master is waiting for you in the main hall." Zhao Bo bowed upon seeing Li Hao.
Li Hao glanced at him, his lips moved, but he didn't say anything.
He turned and entered the main hall, where he saw his "father" sitting at the dinner table, alone and deep in thought.
Upon hearing the footsteps, Li Tianzong looked up. His bloodshot eyes held a hint of dark, sinister energy, like a heavy, oppressive miasma.
Li Hao felt a chilling, eerie aura emanating from him, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. When Li Tianzong saw Li Hao, the previously cold and somber expression on his face softened into a gentle smile.
"Little Ten, come sit."
Li Tianzong beckoned Li Hao, his voice kind and calm.
Li Hao nodded. He had received a message from Li Xiaoran and was prepared.
However, with most of the Li family's nine sons now dead, the carnage was immense. Even knowing that the others were merely manifestations of Li Tianzong's obsession, Li Hao couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Even if it were a play, one couldn't help but feel moved and sigh at the tragic scenes.
Especially since he was experiencing it firsthand, the concern and gentle care shown by his "brothers" were genuine.
It was just that in reality, they didn't have the chance to truly exist.
"Little Ten, you are the most outstanding genius the Li family has produced in centuries."
Li Tianzong gestured for Li Hao to sit beside him. Only the two of them were present at the table. Li Tiangang and Li Xuanli, along with the others, were still on the city walls, ever vigilant.
Li Hao sat silently, listening patiently, waiting for his "father" to reveal the matter of the ancestral hall.
"I've watched your growth these past few days."
Li Tianzong looked at Li Hao with gentle eyes and said softly, "I really like the carvings you made for us, and the paintings you made for me and your mother. I will treasure them. The dishes you cooked were also delicious, the best I've ever tasted..."
"What merit do I, Li Tianzong, possess to have a son like you?"
He extended his broad hand and gently patted Li Hao's shoulder, saying:
"I've enjoyed our time together these past few days."
He then smiled faintly, before whispering with a hint of regret:
"It's a pity, if you were truly my son, that would be wonderful..."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 208: Luring the Candlelight God (Extra Chapter)
Li Hao, who had been eagerly awaiting Li Tianzong's mention of the ancestral shrine, was momentarily stunned by the final whispered words.
His pupils constricted, and he abruptly shot up from his seat, his body springing into a defensive posture, filled with alarm.
However, he only saw a gentle smile grace Li Tianzong's face.
It was as if he was saying, "Don't be afraid, child."
Li Hao's heart pounded with shock. Li Xiaoran's words echoed in his mind, recounting tales of the Mortal River and repeatedly cautioning him against revealing his true identity. He had to maintain his charade.
There was no reason for Li Xiaoran to harm him.
But Li Tianzong, right before his eyes, had already discerned that he was not his son!
"How did you..." Li Hao began, bewildered.
"Don't be nervous, sit down," Li Tianzong said soothingly, beckoning Li Hao with a gentle hand. "Before, I was in a daze, imprisoned in this Mortal River, like a sleepwalker, without control. But in recent days, my consciousness has occasionally become clear, and I've recalled many things."
"Child, I sense the essence of my Li family bloodline within you. Are you my grandson, or perhaps a great-grandson?"
His eyes were filled with a mixture of comfort and anticipation as he gazed at Li Hao.
Li Hao, recovering from his initial shock, subconsciously furrowed his brow. He fell silent for a moment, choosing not to answer.
If he were to tell this grandfather figure that he had severed ties with the Li family, it would likely cause him sorrow…
Seeing Li Hao's contemplation and silence, Li Tianzong, instead of reprimanding him, simply smiled faintly.
"Let's discuss the important matters then," he said. "I don't have much time when my mind is clear. Regardless of whose child you are, the fact that someone like you has emerged from my Li family bloodline fills me with pride."
"Though I, Li Tianzong, may be incompetent, my bloodline is quite strong, and my descendants are incredibly capable!"
He chuckled at this thought.
But soon, his smile faded, and his expression turned serious as he looked at Li Hao.
"Child, the Mortal River is perilous. Though your talent is exceptional, your current cultivation level is insufficient to protect yourself. Even if you reach the Heavenly Peace Dao Realm, it might not be enough… When the city breaks tomorrow, go with my fourth brother to the ancestral shrine to seek refuge!"
"There, if you simply sleep for a while, you can leave the Mortal River."
Li Hao's heart skipped a beat. He looked at his blood-related grandfather and asked, "Did you recognize him too?"
A faint smile played on Li Tianzong's lips, but his eyes held a hint of melancholy. "How could I forget my fourth brother? That little tail, he always followed me around when he was younger. But this time is different. This is the Mortal River, and I am already dead."
"He no longer has any reason to follow me…"
Seeing his grandfather's dejected and bitter expression, Li Hao questioned, "But Fourth Master seems unaware that you've recognized him."
Li Xiaoran had never mentioned that Li Tianzong's memories could return to clarity.
"You call him Fourth Master? So, you are indeed my grandson," Li Tianzong seized upon a key detail in Li Hao's words, his eyes lighting up as he focused on Li Hao. "Which of my sons is it? To have such ability… who did he marry? A member of the Imperial Family? To produce a son as outstanding as you!"
"Was it Little Nine, or Little Six?"
"You must resemble your mother. You seem close to Little Six. Is it Little Six?"
"..."
Li Hao chuckled wryly. Were these the important questions?
Seeing Li Hao's silence, Li Tianzong expressed a tinge of regret. "I know my fourth brother's nature. If I were to acknowledge him, he would come more frequently. To exchange a few words with me, he might take greater risks. But he doesn't always manage to reincarnate into the Divine General's Mansion, and he can't rely on the ancestral shrine to save him every time…"
"I'm telling you all this so that after you leave, you can inform Fourth Brother not to come to the Mortal River again. You must be the true dragon of the Li family's generation. Use the True Dragon Order to command him, forbid him from returning. Remember, child…"
Li Tianzong's voice grew softer, his speech accelerating. "…and don't get close to me when I'm in my usual state…"
He fell silent.
Li Hao was taken aback, looking at him with suspicion and uncertainty.
Soon, Li Tianzong raised his head again, looking at Li Hao with surprise. "When did you arrive? What are you standing there for? Sit down and eat. Finish quickly and get some rest."
Li Hao, slightly stunned, sat down without showing any change in demeanor. He picked up his chopsticks and ate as usual, but he discreetly glanced at Li Tianzong.
Compared to before, Li Tianzong's brow was now etched with worry, just like his usual self, constantly preoccupied with the affairs of Dragon City.
However, a heavy, ominous aura, like a dark cloud, seemed to cling to his brow, giving him an unsettling feeling.
Li Hao remained silent, finishing his meal quietly before taking his leave.
Upon returning to the city wall, Li Hao encountered Li Xiaoran.
"How was it? Did he talk about the ancestral shrine?" Li Xiaoran transmitted through voice communication.
"Did he say something similar to you before?" Li Hao asked calmly.
"No, I discovered it myself," Li Xiaoran shook his head.
Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly. Li Xiaoran's discovery was likely a setup orchestrated by his grandfather during his moments of clarity, leading Li Xiaoran to believe it was his own investigation.
He didn't reveal his grandfather's condition to Li Xiaoran at this time.
With a looming war, he worried that Li Xiaoran would lose his composure. After all, according to his grandfather, Li Xiaoran had a deep bond with his brothers. He had spent years away from the Divine General's Mansion, guarding the Mortal River like a solitary woodsman, enduring countless dangers, all to help his elder brother find a way out.
If Li Xiaoran learned that his grandfather had moments of lucidity, he would likely disregard everything and throw himself into the battles of the Mortal River, his emotions surging even further.
Li Hao took a deep breath and buried the matter in his heart.
It seemed he would disappoint his grandfather. He was not the true dragon of the Li family, and he was no longer a member of the Li family.
He couldn't restrict Li Xiaoran's actions, so he could only keep this information hidden to prevent further complications.
"When you first entered, did you acknowledge your grandfather?" Li Hao asked through voice communication.
Li Xiaoran nodded. "I almost got into trouble back then. He nearly killed me. That's why I told you to hide your identity and not reveal yourself."
Li Hao understood. It seemed that when Li Xiaoran first encountered his grandfather, he was likely overcome with emotion and revealed his identity, leading to the attack.
And the final words Li Tianzong had spoken, "Don't get close to me when I'm in my usual state," were likely a precaution against Li Hao revealing his true identity.
It was evident that while Li Tianzong usually maintained a normal demeanor, acting as the steadfast General guarding Dragon City and a kind "father" figure, he would become extremely vicious and attack them if his identity was exposed.
This was likely a consequence of the Mortal River's influence.
"The demons are coming again," Li Xiaoran said.
Li Hao was lost in thought, about to mention something else, when he heard this and turned towards the distance.
He saw a dense swarm of demons once again approaching the city from outside.
He took a deep breath, his eyes turning cold. "The Candlelight God and that old dragon must be watching us from the shadows. If we leave, they might make their move. Why don't we lure them out beforehand?"
Li Xiaoran glanced at Li Hao and nodded. "We can do that. Do you want to fight them here?"
"Let's try it. I want to experience the power of a Dao Realm," Li Hao replied.
"Alright."
Seeing Li Hao's boldness, Li Xiaoran readily agreed. Geniuses always swim against the current. Though the Heavenly Peace Dao Realm was incredibly formidable, how could they unleash their full potential without experiencing it firsthand?
"Fourth Master will accompany you!" Li Xiaoran said.
As the demon tide surged, Li Hao and Li Xiaoran communicated through voice transmission, initially launching a joint attack, wielding their divine weapons to slaughter through the demon hordes.
But as the demon kings within the tide were forced out, after several consecutive attacks, they chose to withdraw their divine weapons and, along with the weapons, flew back towards the city.
In the distance, within the demon tide.
The Candlelight God, along with Lu Yuan, Yin Madam, and the other three, saw the weapons retract from the city walls, their expressions changing slightly.
"Damn it, are they giving up already?"
"Aren't they Li family members? Shouldn't they be fighting to the death to defend the city gate?"
Seeing this scene, Lu Yuan couldn't help but reveal a ferocious expression, filled with anger.
"Or perhaps it's a deliberate tactic to lure us out," the Candlelight God said with a grim expression.
"But what if they are truly retreating?"
Yin Madam frowned. "After all, there are now Absolute Art Realm demons among them, comparable to our strength. It's understandable if they feel despair. There are still seven days left!"
"Let's go! Send those guys in too. We can't wait any longer. Damn this ten-day period! Let's break through today!"
The Candlelight God took a deep breath. Whether it was a cunning scheme or an open gambit, they couldn't let this opportunity slip.
The enemy abandoning the city walls could mean they were planning to retreat from the Mortal River.
Li Xiaoran had entered the Mortal River several times and always managed to escape unscathed, clearly possessing knowledge of some unique secret within the river.
And if they wanted to retreat, they would have to conquer Dragon City and raze the Divine General's Mansion to the ground!
If the enemy left first, retreating from the Mortal River and returning to Liangzhou, or even Qingzhou, it would be difficult for them to make a move.
Furthermore, their strategic deployment in Qingzhou would be disrupted by the return of these two formidable figures. They had to eliminate them here!
"We can't let that kid escape!"
The Candlelight God quickly transmitted a message, giving his wife a look. Yin Madam immediately understood and unleashed a black crescent moon, which soared into the sky, scattering endless moonlight that illuminated the demon abyss.
Soon, several of the powerful figures he had visited and investigated noticed the brilliant silver moonlight.
However, only two responded, their auras approaching the Candlelight God.
The Candlelight God's face flickered slightly. Only two? These guys were incredibly arrogant!
Just mere dead souls.
He was furious inside but didn't show it. Two should be enough!
"Let's go!"
The Candlelight God roared, swiftly leading his wife and Lu Yuan towards Dragon City.
Their three figures cut through the demon tide, instantly covering dozens of miles, arriving at the barrier in the blink of an eye.
Bang!
The Candlelight God's fiery fist slammed into the barrier with a thunderous boom.
The Dragon City barrier trembled, its golden divine patterns flashing rapidly.
"It can actually withstand my Dao Realm Flame Fist!"
A surge of rage crossed the Candlelight God's face. There was no such barrier in reality. Could it be a divine formation from the Imperial Palace?
(End of Chapter)