253-256
Chapter 253: His Name
The Xia Family veteran general, who was about to turn back, suddenly heard the sound of flesh and blood exploding. He paused, turned his head, and saw a horrifying sight.
The large demon, who had just been arrogant and relaxed, now had its body seemingly crushed by something, its true form never revealed.
From the midst of the exploding flesh, a figure struggled to break free. But as soon as it emerged, it was subjected to immense pressure, letting out a mournful cry before dissipating, its soul extinguished.
The demon's final, shrill scream stunned the Xia Family soldiers on the walls of Liyang City. They looked at the bizarre scene in astonishment.
On the official road below the city walls, a young man rode a horse at a brisk pace. Gazing at the closed city gate, he called out,
"Old man, could you have them open the city gate?"
The young man's call in front of the city gate brought the Xia Family veteran general back to his senses. He looked down and was instantly filled with horror.
The young man sat on horseback, appearing calm and composed. Though dressed in simple, coarse linen, his features were as handsome as a painting, his aura unique and unforgettable, giving off a tranquil and serene vibe.
His gaze extended beyond the young man, and he saw the demon horde that had been lurking on both sides of the official road, now stained with the blood of the aristocratic youths, all lying lifeless.
"You..."
The Xia Family veteran general's pupils constricted. He stared at the young man in shock. In his eyes, the young man was now more terrifying than the demons.
On the city walls, with the inexplicable demise of the Three Immortal Foundations Realm demon, the other Xia Family generals also rushed to the front of the magical formation in horror. Upon seeing the situation outside the city, they discovered only a lone young man on horseback.
"Did you kill that demon?"
The Xia Family veteran general dared not fly. He quickly descended in front of the young man. If the large demon had been killed by the young man before him, his strength was far too frightening. He must be at the Four Pillars Realm.
And at such a young age, to possess such power comparable to the Four Pillars Realm, he could only think of one name.
The one from Liangzhou.
"Mm."
Li Hao nodded slightly. There was no need to hide such a trivial matter:
"I heard the Xia Family was in trouble. I happened to be passing by, so I helped you out."
Seeing the young man admit it, the Xia Family veteran general's pupils constricted. He trembled, "You, are you that Haotian Young General?!"
He was filled with astonishment and shock, quickly turning to excitement.
The deeds of Liangzhou had already spread far and wide. Although it wasn't under the Xia Family's jurisdiction, the young man's reputation had spread throughout the various armies of the Nineteen States.
Single-handedly confronting demon hordes, rescuing Liangzhou, which had been completely overrun by demons, was like the actions of the young man who had defended Cangzhou a decade ago. He was like a shooting star that had appeared out of nowhere, dazzling and brilliant.
Moreover, the young man could slay demon kings. Now, he was here, and Liyang City was saved!!
Seeing Li Hao's smiling face, the Xia Family veteran general suddenly came to his senses, realizing his lapse in etiquette. He quickly bowed and said,
"Greetings, Duke Haotian!"
Previously, they had always called him "Young General," simply because they had heard it so often that it had become habit.
But since Liangzhou had turned from crisis to safety, the court had debated for a long time, and the rewards had already been issued.
After all, it had been two months since the end of that great battle.
The rewards had been sent to Qingzhou, to the magnificent Divine General's Mansion, and received on his behalf. The title of the reward had also been proclaimed throughout the empire from the Imperial City.
Ennobled as a Third-Rank Duke!
Jumping directly from Earl to Duke, bypassing Marquis, becoming a Duke of Great Yu. His status alone placed him above countless powerful officials. Even ordinary princes would have to be polite when meeting him.
Besides the elevation in rank, his position had also been promoted from Young General to the Great General of Liangzhou, a real official position, ranking as a First-Rank Official!
He was at the pinnacle of power, on par with the State Minister. Within the entire empire, aside from a few individuals, no one currently in office could clearly surpass this young man in terms of official status.
His ducal title was something that only a few of the older generation of the Five Divine General's Mansions could achieve.
"Duke?"
Li Hao was slightly surprised. Though he knew he would be rewarded, he hadn't expected to skip over Marquis.
The "Ninth Uncle" who had rescued Cangzhou, judging by his merits, was no less impressive than his own actions. It was just that the demon forces that had ravaged Cangzhou weren't as numerous or strong. But there was manipulation by a vassal state behind it, which led him to kill all the way to the Barbarian King's Court, ultimately leading to his own demise.
"Rise."
Seeing the other party still bowing deeply, Li Hao immediately spoke.
The Xia Family veteran general raised his head and said excitedly, "Duke Haotian, with your arrival, the people of Liyang City are saved. Thank you for your help. On behalf of the people of Liyang City, I thank you for your great kindness!"
He was about to kneel.
Liyang City had been besieged for many days, causing panic among the people. The entire city had smelled the scent of being slaughtered by demons. But now, it was like a sudden clearing of the clouds, the gloom instantly dispelled.
Li Hao raised his hand and said, "It was just a matter of convenience. There's no need to be so polite. If you really want to thank me, see if there are any famous paintings or chess scores in your city. Just collect some for me."
The Xia Family veteran general was surprised, but he had also heard that besides martial arts, the young man seemed to be proficient in everything from music to painting and calligraphy, a true scholar-warrior. He sighed with emotion and said with a smile,
"Of course, we have plenty. I'll have them search for them right away."
He ordered the opening of the city gate and invited Li Hao in with respect.
At the same time, several other young generals rushed over.
The Xia Family veteran general quickly told them about the demons being killed outside the city, explaining that it was the work of the young man before them and revealing Li Hao's identity. They were all stunned, staring at the young man in shock.
"Is it really him?"
Among the young generals, a female general stared blankly at the young man. Her thoughts suddenly drifted back to the official road in Qizhou two years ago.
The young man who had been seated in the carriage had left a deep impression on her. He was fourteen years old and guarding a city.
Shortly after, she heard news of the young man again, his name echoing throughout Qingzhou.
Then, at fifteen, he rescued Liangzhou, becoming famous throughout the land.
"This is Xia Qing霜, a prodigy of our Xia Family."
"This is Xia Yu成..."
The Xia Family veteran general quickly introduced the young Xia Family generals to Li Hao, hoping to help them establish connections with him.
Although they all knew about Li Hao's defection from the Li Family, the young man's accomplishments no longer required the Divine General's Mansion to build his reputation. He was his own reputation.
A duke under sixteen, at the pinnacle of power, capable of slaying demon kings, no one wanted to offend him.
As the Xia Family veteran general introduced them, these Xia Family generals, under pressure from Li Hao's ducal title and official position, had no choice but to bow in greeting. They were shocked and excited, but also slightly embarrassed.
After all, they were Xia Family prodigies, and this young man was from the Li Family. They were all of the younger generation, and they were several, even ten years older than him. Yet, they had to bow to him, making them feel as if the Xia Family's glory they carried on their backs had also bent over.
But although the Five Divine General's Mansions were stationed in different regions, their official positions and titles were unified by the dynasty. Li Hao's current status would make him a welcome guest wherever he went. They dared not disrespect him, for to do so would be to defy not only Li Hao but also the emperor and the dynasty's thousand-year-old laws.
Li Hao, riding on horseback, simply nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
The group exchanged polite greetings and escorted Li Hao to the City Lord's Mansion.
Inside the mansion, two young generals exchanged glances, their expressions awkward.
Earlier, in the council hall, they had strongly opposed using the young man's war flag as a tiger skin coat, questioning whether his deterrent power was insufficient and that it would bring shame to the Xia Family. Now, the real deal had arrived, right before their eyes, and they couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
"General Haotian, how did you kill that Three Immortal Foundations Realm demon? We didn't see you make a move..."
Xia Yuanming asked curiously.
He was the one who had been most opposed to using Li Hao's war flag. But now, seeing the real person, he felt a little apprehensive. After all, the young man's feat of slaying seven demon kings was undeniable, it couldn't be faked.
Hearing his question, Xia Qing霜 also looked intently at Li Hao.
She remembered that when he was guarding Qizhou, it was rumored that the young man was already at the Fifteen Miles Realm.
Now, only two years later...
"Your cultivation isn't high enough, I've said it, you wouldn't understand."
Li Hao said to the young man, his tone calm, without any mockery.
Upon hearing this, Xia Yuanming felt a little embarrassed and annoyed, but considering that the other party had saved Liyang City, he didn't take it to heart. He simply grunted and stopped trying to flatter him.
The Xia Family veteran general, however, thought Li Hao's response was perfectly normal. He looked at Xia Yuanming with a hint of reproach. Attack techniques were martial arts secrets. The question was a bit presumptuous.
"General, it was rumored that you were being chased by a Profound Void Realm demon king. Have you just escaped?"
He changed the subject and asked politely.
During this time, countless eyes were fixed on the River of Oblivion outside Liangzhou, but there was no movement. They hadn't expected the person they were waiting for to suddenly appear in Youzhou.
"Sort of."
Li Hao responded and then asked about Liangzhou.
Although he had learned a little from the innkeeper, the information held by a Xia Family general was vastly different.
After learning the details, Li Hao was completely relieved. Liangzhou was indeed peaceful.
However, while Liangzhou was peaceful, other states of Great Yu had erupted in war.
The Xia Family veteran general brought the conversation to Youzhou. Youzhou was now surrounded on all sides, at war with the top demon force, the Gluttony Valley. If it weren't for Li Hao's arrival today, the northwestern region would likely have fallen to the demons soon.
And Liyang City wasn't even the main battlefield of Youzhou.
War reports had been coming from the eastern border for a long time, and the Xia Family's main forces were concentrated there.
After the Xia Family veteran general finished speaking, he suddenly knelt before Li Hao, begging him to lend a hand to the Xia Family.
The other young Xia Family generals were stunned. They never expected their uncle to show such great respect to Li Hao.
Li Hao helped him up and frowned slightly, pondering, "I can't rashly intervene in this matter. You'd better ask your Xia Family's clan head."
Hearing Li Hao say this, the Xia Family veteran general immediately understood that the young man before him was incredibly intelligent. He had tried to use his own connections to get the young man to act, but his influence was clearly insufficient.
"I will report to the clan head. I hope you can stay in Liyang City for a few more days."
The Xia Family veteran general quickly said.
Li Hao nodded slightly, "That's fine. But I'm waiting to return to Liangzhou and can't stay long. Let's say three days."
"Three days..."
The Xia Family veteran general became nervous and agreed.
He immediately sent someone to arrange accommodations for Li Hao.
But Li Hao didn't stay at the City Lord's Mansion. He simply asked them to find a quiet courtyard in the city for him.
After Li Hao left, the Xia Family veteran general quickly sent a messenger with a letter, using expedited delivery across thousands of miles.
As Li Hao entered the city, a bird demon perched high above Liyang City observed everything.
Seeing the strangely dead demons on the official road and the fallen Three Immortal Foundations Realm demon, its initially relaxed expression turned to horror, nearly causing it to shed its feathers.
Then, it saw the young man on horseback being respectfully invited into the city by the Xia Family veteran general. There was no doubt that it was all the young man's doing.
And to be able to kill a large demon so easily, and to be a young man, combining these two factors, there was only one identity.
The young man who was said to be trapped in the Youdu-level River of Oblivion, had he returned?
Guessing this, the bird demon quickly fled in panic, flying to a hundred miles outside Liyang City, where the demon horde's main force was stationed. Two Three Immortal Foundations Realm demon lords were also stationed there.
On the mountaintop, two demon lords were drinking. One of them, with a hidden aura, was tearing at a human leg while drinking, looking very relaxed and at ease.
The Tianji Palace bird demon flew over in a panic and quickly reported the situation.
"What?!"
"That fellow from Liangzhou, he's here?!"
"Wasn't he said to be in the River of Oblivion?"
The two demon lords were instantly startled. They repeatedly confirmed with the bird demon. Finally, filled with panic and fear, they quickly ordered the demon horde to retreat for the time being.
The vast demon horde gathered here, under the watchful eyes of the Xia Family's hidden scouts, retreated like a tide.
Then, the bird demon also relayed the news back to the Tianji Palace, where the Youzhou branch of the Tianji Palace discussed it and quickly transmitted it to the front lines of the Youzhou battlefield.
Almost at the same time that the Xia Family in Youzhou City received the news, the leader of the Gluttony Valley, stationed on a mountaintop on the demon battlefield, also received news from the Tianji Palace.
The young general from Liangzhou, he had arrived in Youzhou!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 254: The Xia Family's Invitation
Youzhou City, the Xia Family's General's Mansion.
In the Eastern Pavilion Courtyard, a noblewoman sat in the main hall.
She appeared to be in her forties, but her skin was like congealed fat, more delicate than a maiden's. Against the backdrop of her luxurious attire, she seemed like a beautiful woman who had stepped out of a painting, her bearing both elegant and noble.
She wasn't merely a wife; she was the current head of the Xia family, Xia Linglong, and the previous True Dragon.
Because she had vowed to never marry, she had qualified to compete for the position of True Dragon. Coupled with her extraordinary talent, she was rumored to be the most gifted individual in the Xia family in centuries.
At the age of twenty, she had reached the Three Immortality Realm. Though not as impressive as the Li family prodigy who had achieved the Three Immortality Realm at nineteen a decade earlier, her achievement had been incredibly brilliant, making her famous throughout the land.
When she took over the leadership of the Xia family, various demon forces, taking advantage of her being a woman, mocked the Xia family's decline, believing them to be weak and easy to bully. They caused chaos in other major states under the Xia family's control, leading to widespread suffering.
But after Xia Linglong took power, she swiftly retaliated with decisive actions, slaying and driving back these demons.
In many battles, she personally led the troops, donned iron armor, and stained her hands with the blood of countless demons. When she returned home from battle, she would don colorful silk robes, apply rouge and powder, and enjoy flowers and tea like the noble ladies of the court.
However, the books those noble ladies read were "Discourses on Women" and "The Art of Being a Wife," while Xia Linglong held military manuals, strategy books, and maps of the demon territories.
A half-month ago, the Gluttonous Valley, which had been besieging the River of Death outside Liangzhou, suddenly shifted its offensive towards the Xia family's Youzhou. This attack came without warning, and with the Gluttonous Valley's elder leading a personal expedition, the eastern border defenses were breached. Now, half of eastern Youzhou was under occupation.
Over thirty cities had been destroyed or burned.
Each city and its surrounding towns and villages had a population of at least four to five million, some even reaching ten million.
Her own state, the one she was responsible for protecting, had suffered such a devastating blow that she hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. The Gluttonous Valley's master had acted with wanton disregard, even launching a surprise attack on the General's Mansion. However, several of her uncles, who were in the Absolute Skill Realm, had combined forces to drive him back.
However, this battle had made her realize that the Gluttonous Valley's master was a formidable opponent. Though not in the Dao Realm, he was almost unmatched within the Absolute Skill Realm. His flesh was refined to the level of a top-tier divine weapon, and even the strongest Absolute Skills of the Absolute Skill Realm had a diminished effect on him.
Fortunately, the Gluttonous Valley's master was not as old as those in the Vast Void Realm. He was a great demon king who had risen to prominence five hundred years ago and had not yet entered the Dao Realm.
Otherwise, the Xia family would have faced a true calamity, needing to utilize their most powerful resources to resist!
But even so, the Xia family was currently in a dire situation.
"From the eastern battlefield, Xia Changkong sent word that the second line of defense is about to fall. They're planning to retreat to the Ming River area and activate the third line of defense there."
Within the hall, an old man said in a low voice.
He was an elder of the Xia family and had already donned his armor, ready to go to war at any moment.
His gaze fell upon Xia Linglong, who was dressed as a noblewoman. Though she was a woman, no one in the Xia family dared to underestimate her. Everyone held her in great respect and awe.
"Master, please allow me to go to war and join Changkong in defending the border!"
The old man volunteered, his eyes sharp like a hawk. "If the third line of defense falls, I will fight the Gluttonous Valley to the death!"
The others' expressions changed, and they hesitated, wanting to dissuade him, but not knowing what to say. As members of the General's Mansion, this was the mission they had always carried, especially now that countless soldiers had already fallen on the front lines. They also had loved ones.
"A fight to the death is the ultimate choice, but not the goal."
Xia Linglong spoke, her autumn-water eyes devoid of their usual tenderness, replaced by a cold intensity:
"If the Gluttonous Valley's master intervenes, even the third line of defense might not be able to hold. The current disparity in power between the two sides is too great, especially in terms of peak strength. At the same time, we must also guard against the possibility of other demon forces taking advantage of the chaos. Until the situation becomes clearer, we must not act rashly!"
The old man's expression changed slightly. He stared at her but didn't question her, waiting for her next words.
After a brief pause, Xia Linglong said in a low voice,
"We'll feign defense at the third line, luring the Gluttonous Valley's master into the Cangling Mountains. There, our Xia family ancestors have hidden a formation. We'll use the formation to seal the Gluttonous Valley's master. Then, we'll attack the front lines and eliminate all the demons. Finally, we'll engage in a decisive battle with the Gluttonous Valley's master. This time, I plan to summon the Saintly Treasure of our ancestors!"
Hearing her words, the old man's expression changed, and the others' pupils constricted.
They all sensed the immense determination of their master.
"But if we do that, and the third line of defense is breached, we'll lose dozens more cities…" the old man couldn't help but say.
Xia Linglong stared at him and said, "I've already ordered Seventh Uncle to lead ten thousand troops to evacuate the residents of those cities. We've only left a small force to defend them. It doesn't matter if the cities fall, as long as the people are safe. Once the war is over, the Xia family will send troops to help them rebuild."
"Have they all been evacuated?" the old man couldn't help but ask.
Xia Linglong paused for a moment before saying, "It's not possible to evacuate everyone, but cutting off a limb to save the rest is necessary to protect more people. We have no other choice."
Everyone fell silent, including the old man. He knew that his niece was intelligent and capable of strategic planning. If she couldn't think of a better solution, it meant that there wasn't one.
"We've sent a plea for aid to Dayu State, but it's said that demons are also lurking outside the imperial city, so they can't send reinforcements. Since the Liangzhou War, no, it should be said, since the frequent demon attacks of the past few decades, all targeting the areas guarded by the Li family, which almost led to the Li family's extinction, I've had a premonition that these demons are plotting something big…"
Xia Linglong took a deep breath, her eyes cold. "The Liangzhou War was just the beginning. Fortunately, that young man defended it. Otherwise, given Liangzhou's location, if it had been occupied by demons, the next target would have been Youzhou. And they could have used the rivers to attack other states, making it a place that could both attack and defend. It would have been a major disaster!"
"They failed in their swift attack, and their momentum was cut short. They had to shift their focus. They want to tear a hole in our Youzhou. This is just the beginning. His Majesty must have sensed it too, but he hasn't sent any reinforcements. If I'm not mistaken, the demons' true goal might not be Youzhou, but the imperial city…"
"Now, it's a matter of who acts first, who loses their patience."
"Therefore, we can only rely on ourselves!"
Hearing her words, everyone's expressions turned serious. They understood that the thousand years of peace in the Dayu Divine Kingdom had been shattered.
As members of the General's Mansion, they had been exposed to border reports for years, and they had long had this premonition. They had also noticed that the Dayu Divine Kingdom's deterrent power against these demons was weakening year by year.
The demons were becoming increasingly rampant. This war was inevitable, but they hadn't expected it to come so soon.
"In times of chaos, heroes emerge. That young hero has already emerged, which shows that the era of chaos has arrived…"
Someone sighed softly.
"Then I'll go to the Cangling Mountains and set up the formation in advance." The old man said to Xia Linglong.
Xia Linglong nodded, "Thank you, Fourth Uncle."
"Why are you thanking me for slaying demons? Don't insult me." The old man snorted coldly.
Xia Linglong's cold eyes softened slightly, "I was wrong."
The old man waved his hand and was about to get up when, suddenly, a ray of light like an arrow shot towards the General's Mansion.
The old man instantly sensed it, his expression changing slightly. He reached out and captured the urgent message sent using the Xia family's special secret technique.
"Liyang?"
Seeing the words on the surface of the letter, the old man's expression changed. It was a letter from Liyang!
Xia Linglong's expression also tightened. "Has Liyang fallen so quickly?"
The old man pushed the letter towards her.
Xia Linglong quickly scanned it. Her initially serious expression softened slightly.
"Liyang has fallen?"
"Is it fallen or a plea for help?"
The others, hearing that it was news from Liyang, also felt a pang in their hearts. If the northwest fell, the demons would be able to attack Youzhou from two sides.
Xia Linglong finished reading the letter and looked up at the old man.
The old man's eyes showed a questioning look.
Xia Linglong's eyes, however, gradually shone with a bright light, "Liyang is safe!"
"They won?"
"Didn't they say that their supplies were cut off? The demons cut off their supplies, probably intending to use a siege tactic. They should have held out for a while, right?"
Everyone was stunned, then their faces lit up with joy.
In the midst of continuous bad news, they finally heard some good news.
"Could it be that my son, Xia Yuanming, made a breakthrough in the midst of battle?"
"Your son isn't as clever as Qingshuang. It must be Qingshuang. But she only entered the Heaven and Man Realm recently. She shouldn't be able to influence the outcome of a battle, should she?"
Hearing the good news, everyone's faces were unusually cheerful, and they even exchanged a few playful remarks.
Xia Linglong didn't keep them in suspense, "Do you all remember the young Marquis who was granted the title of Duke? He's come to our Youzhou!"
"Hmm?"
"What!"
Everyone was stunned, then they reacted. There was only one young Marquis in the entire Dayu Divine Kingdom, the one who was defending Lower Liangzhou.
They were certainly familiar with him. And when the young man's deeds spread, a phenomenon occurred in the cities of various states: people began storing war flags with the words "Haotian" inscribed on them, ready to hoist them in case of demon attacks and battles.
After the deterrent power of those war flags became known, they were treated as a strategic resource by various factions.
Perhaps, one day, when the Dayu Divine Kingdom is in dire straits, every city will raise those flags and invoke the young man's legendary name!
As members of the General's Mansion, though they were envious of the young man's fame, they also understood that only he could achieve this. The unique nature of the war flags had made his reputation surpass even the ancestral banners of the Five General's Mansions.
"Are you talking about that Haotian General?"
"Isn't he at the River of Death outside Liangzhou? Why would he come to Youzhou? Did he come to reinforce us?"
"Liangzhou and Youzhou aren't far apart. Maybe he heard the news? But we haven't heard any news of him leaving the River of Death. It's true that the demons outside the River of Death retreated a while ago to attack Qingzhou. Now, there are no more demons outside the River of Death. Maybe he came out and there wasn't a major battle, so we didn't know?"
"Could the news be wrong? Qingzhou is about to fall. He's not in Qingzhou, but he's come to our Youzhou first?"
"Doesn't he know about Qingzhou?"
Everyone looked at Xia Linglong with suspicion.
Xia Linglong also realized that if the young man had come out, he should have rushed to Qingzhou. Could the news be wrong?
But then, she recalled some things about the young man, her eyes flickered, and she suddenly understood the reason.
It seemed that the father-son battle in Qingzhou had had a significant impact. The young man had truly chosen to leave the Li family and sever all ties with them!
Not only was there no gratitude, there was probably resentment. Otherwise, why would he come to Youzhou instead of Qingzhou?
Thinking about this, a hint of doubt crossed her mind. Though she didn't know what had happened between the father and son, the young man had appeared to save Liangzhou and had even sacrificed himself to attract the attention of a Vast Void Realm master. This showed that he had a kind and righteous heart. What kind of mistake could he have made to warrant such treatment from the Li family?
"The military document hasn't been opened, and the inscription on it hasn't been broken. The news is real, unless the demons have already entered Liyang and forced them to write this message."
Xia Linglong said, but this also meant that the news was undoubtedly true.
Because the Xia family soldiers there would never betray their family.
Everyone understood the meaning behind her words. Someone said with a joyful expression,
"No matter what, he's willing to help our Xia family. That's a favor. Since Liyang has been defended, and it's said that he can kill demon kings and has the power to rival those in the Absolute Skill Realm, why don't we invite him here and ask him to discuss how to defeat the Gluttonous Valley's master?"
"That's right. If he's willing, we can ask the old madam to give him a little chick." Another person suggested.
Xia Linglong nodded slightly. That was also her idea.
The little chicks raised by the old madam weren't ordinary chicks; they were great demon beasts.
The Xia family's cultivation methods focused on controlling objects and refining the spirit, so they were also skilled at taming demon beasts and warhorses.
The best warhorses in the Dayu Divine Kingdom came from the Xia family. The imperial dragon-jiao were also raised and trained by the Xia family. They had a position in the imperial court called the Dragon Tamer, a position that had always been held by the Xia family.
Many high-ranking officials' mixed-blood mounts, such as the Jiao-Lion of Qingzhou, came from the Dragon Taming Department.
"Such a powerful ally is worth any price." The old man said to Xia Linglong.
Xia Linglong nodded and immediately ordered someone to write a letter to Liyang.
…
Liyang City.
The sentries returned from outside the city and reported to the Xia family's old generals and others that the demon army outside the city had completely withdrawn.
Hearing this news, everyone was stunned. They hadn't expected the demon tide that had filled the city with fear and anxiety to retreat so easily, and it had done so silently.
All because of the arrival of a young man.
One person entered the city and scared away millions of demons outside!
Was this the young man's reputation?
They had heard about the young man's various deeds from various sources, and they were shocked and envious, even a little jealous. But at this moment, they truly felt the extent of the young man's deterrent power among the demons!
All the controversies and rumors were concretized at this moment.
The young man had simply ridden into the city, without saying a word to the demons, yet it had been more effective than their desperate roars and desperate resistance!
This was the difference.
Several young Xia family generals had complex expressions. They were the younger generation of the Xia family, and they were compared to the younger generation of the Li family. The young man was from the Li family, but now, they had been completely defeated.
Even if they were tied together, they wouldn't be a match for the young man, which made them feel sad.
Li Hao didn't stay in Liyang City for two days before receiving a reply from the Xia family. Xia Linglong, the head of the Xia family, had personally written a letter inviting him to the Xia family's General's Mansion for a visit to express her gratitude.
Li Hao was a little surprised. He had planned to leave Liyang City after his stay and return to Liangzhou. But the head of the Xia family had personally extended a sincere invitation, and it would be impolite to refuse.
Fortunately, it was less than half a day's journey from Liyang City to Youzhou City, so it wouldn't be a significant delay.
To his disappointment, the Xia family's old general had collected some famous paintings and chess scores for him, but none of them met the requirements of a true "masterpiece" and couldn't be collected.
Liyang City was a border city, constantly at war. The supplies of bows and arrows and grain there far exceeded the number of literary works. There was nothing he needed.
"Perhaps I can ask the Xia family to help me find some when I meet them."
Li Hao thought, got on his horse, and asked the Xia family's old general for a safe-conduct pass.
The Xia family's old general wanted to accompany Li Hao personally, but Li Hao refused because Candlelight God didn't want to carry him.
With the safe-conduct pass, Li Hao didn't need to hide anymore. He told Candlelight God to fly at full speed.
Candlelight God soared into the air, revealing his body, which resembled a fire lion with a dragon's tail. In an instant, he disappeared within Liyang City.
"That's… a demon mount?"
The Xia family's old general and Xia Qingshuang and the others were stunned. They had dealt with demons their entire lives, but they hadn't recognized that Li Hao's horse was actually a transformed demon!
Moreover, the aura emanating from the demon filled them with fear. It was no ordinary great demon.
Youzhou City, the Xia Family's General's Mansion.
Li Hao arrived on Candlelight God. As he approached the city, he jumped off and told Candlelight God to transform into a human form and follow him into the city.
The city was bustling and prosperous. Li Hao didn't rush, allowing Xiyan on his wrist to enjoy the sights. Earlier, in that small town, he had taken her to watch a play, and she had been happy for days.
On the streets, various lanterns, paper umbrellas, and rouge stalls were set up.
Li Hao bought a string of candied haws and held it in his hand. Xiyan occasionally extended a small crimson tendril to sneak a taste.
"So sweet~"
Xiyan secretly licked the candied haws. Her small crimson tendrils were very nimble, and she ate with gusto. "Though it's not very nutritious, it's delicious."
Li Hao smiled, "I haven't had a chance to cook for you yet. I'll let you experience my cooking skills later."
"Okay!"
Xiyan readily agreed.
Li Hao smiled slightly and took her for a stroll through the streets before heading towards the Xia family's General's Mansion.
Upon learning of Li Hao's arrival, the Xia family was immediately alerted. They hadn't expected him to come so soon.
Xia Linglong, upon hearing the news, immediately put down her teacup and rushed out of the Eastern Pavilion Courtyard to greet him at the entrance of the mansion.
When she saw the young man and the boy standing outside the mansion, Xia Linglong's gaze fell on Li Hao. She hadn't seen Candlelight God in his human form before. After all, Candlelight God had been in seclusion for many years. Though he had appeared in Liangzhou, he had been radiating immense divine power. His current aura was much more restrained, and besides, those who had seen him then wouldn't have been able to describe his appearance to others.
"General Haotian, welcome to my Xia family's mansion."
Xia Linglong said with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 255: Taking Care of Business Along the Way (Two-in-One)
Accompanying Xia Linglong were other Xia Family elders, both direct and collateral lineage, standing beside Xia Linglong, their faces filled with curiosity as they secretly sized up the young man.
This young man, who had emerged from the Heavenly Origin Divine General's Mansion in Qingzhou, was now being personally greeted by the head of their Xia Family's Town-Suppressing Divine General's Mansion. Such an honor was unprecedented, even for Chu Gonggong, the eunuch from the Emperor's side who had come with an imperial decree. He had only been invited into the mansion, with a welcoming party at the gate.
But no one found it strange now.
After all, this was a fifteen-year-old Duke, a general appointed as the Grand Marshal!
"Greetings, Senior Xia Linglong."
Li Hao bowed in greeting, acknowledging their meeting.
Xia Linglong smiled radiantly. Her luxurious attire exuded nobility, possessing the dignified authority of a family head while also carrying the gentle warmth of a woman. She invited the young man into the mansion, treating him as an honored guest.
Along the way, besides the two Xia Family elders, other renowned generals and Madam Shu of Xia Linglong's generation followed behind, curiously observing this fifteen-year-old boy who walked side-by-side with their family head.
"We can't even fathom his aura."
The two Xia Family elders' faces were grave. Rumors were one thing, but seeing him in person, they realized the rumors hadn't exaggerated a single bit.
Arriving at the East Pavilion Courtyard, Xia Linglong led Li Hao to the seat of honor, ordered tea to be served, and began a conversation.
"I heard that General Haotian, for the sake of the countless people of Liangzhou, didn't hesitate to sacrifice himself to lure away the Taixu Realm's Candle Flame God, causing him to fall into the Youdu-level River of Oblivion. I wonder when General Haotian returned?"
Xia Linglong asked curiously.
The young man's appearance had been without any fanfare. While everyone in the various states and the Emperor himself had been eagerly awaiting his return, he had appeared in Youzhou. She even wondered if their Xia Family's intelligence network had malfunctioned, or if it had been neglected for too long, allowing corruption and parasites to fester.
Li Hao was slightly surprised. From the tone of the Xia Family head, it seemed she didn't know that the River of Oblivion had already been cleared.
So, Li Xiaoran hadn't spread the news?
Li Hao's eyes flickered. The Li Family's actions must have had a hidden motive.
"Recently."
Li Hao replied, without elaborating.
Seeing that Li Hao didn't want to discuss the River of Oblivion, Xia Linglong didn't press further. After all, with the Merit Treasure Vault now open, information about the River of Oblivion was extremely valuable, especially a Youdu-level one.
"Regarding the matter of Liyang City, my Xia Family, on behalf of the people of Liyang, expresses our gratitude to General Haotian."
Xia Linglong's smile faded, and she spoke with solemnity.
Favors were hard to repay, but she didn't gloss over it.
This was Youzhou, and the Xia Family would ultimately acknowledge this kindness. Even if it were a fierce general sent by the Emperor, they would still owe him three favors.
"A small matter, Senior doesn't need to worry about it."
Li Hao chuckled, not taking the matter seriously at all. It had been a simple act of kindness.
It had nothing to do with fame or favors. As a human, seeing demons slaughter people, he simply couldn't stand idly by.
Xia Linglong then brought up the events in Liangzhou, praising the young man to ease the unfamiliar atmosphere between them.
However, seeing that Li Hao only responded lightly, without any arrogance or pride in his expression, Xia Linglong couldn't help but feel a little surprised. With such immense achievements, it was rare for someone to remain so composed.
As they continued to converse, she gradually realized that the young man was easygoing and unconcerned with trivial matters, like a wandering swordsman, possessing both a chivalrous spirit and a refined gentleness.
She couldn't help but compare him to the younger generation of the Xia Family in her mind. But after comparing, aside from cultivation, his composure and adaptability in the face of change had already surpassed most of the young ones.
She sighed inwardly. Why could the Li Family cultivate such a free-spirited and intelligent child, while their Xia Family, a similarly ancient and solemn martial family, were all so rigid and proper? While this ensured they could become renowned generals in an orderly manner, it inevitably lacked vitality for a Divine General's Mansion that, despite its outward glory, was actually on the decline.
Besides her exceptional martial talent, Xia Linglong was also intelligent and adept at social interactions. When she wrote to invite Li Hao, she had already gathered information about him. Her words were tailored to his preferences, avoiding a direct request for him to risk his life for the Xia Family.
After all, starting a conversation by asking for help against the Gluttonous Valley Master was a bit too much to ask.
As the banquet progressed, Xia Linglong accompanied Li Hao in discussing poetry, songs, and literature, as well as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She had dabbled in these areas, but as she conversed with Li Hao, she discovered that the young man wasn't just a casual enthusiast, but possessed a profound understanding.
This amazed her greatly. It was hard to imagine that a young man with such exceptional martial prowess would also take the time to delve into other things. He truly was a versatile talent, as the rumors suggested.
Fortunately, she had prepared for this and invited a retired Hanlin Academy scholar from Youzhou to the mansion beforehand, hoping to keep Li Hao entertained while he was staying with the Xia Family.
However, when the scholar was introduced during the banquet, upon learning Li Hao's identity, he became excited and grabbed Li Hao's hand, reciting the poems Li Hao had casually mentioned in the brothel.
After reciting each line, he would ask Li Hao, "Did you write this too?"
Li Hao felt a little awkward, like he had been caught plagiarizing. He hadn't felt this uneasy even when facing demon kings…
"Three thousand miles in a single battle, a single sword once faced a million soldiers!"
The scholar, though frail, trembled, his eyes filled with tears. "Only a general with such a heroic spirit could write such poetry!"
During the banquet, Xia Linglong and the others were also stunned by the poems the scholar recited, feeling a surge of blood rushing through their bodies. The strong wine they had drunk felt like a raging fire, igniting their bloodlust, making them yearn to immediately grab their swords and rush to the battlefield to fight demons to the death!
Although they were martial artists and didn't delve deeply into poetry, they could at least understand the general meaning and quality. They were all staring at the young man in shock.
The iron-blooded spirit, the resounding heroic ambition, and the domineering aura in the poems, combined with the young man's feats of defeating the Dragon Gate's Grand Elder alone and battling a Taixu Realm master, caused their eyes to shine with a wolfish gleam, a mixture of admiration and complex emotions as they looked at the young man. They almost wished he wasn't a Li, but a Xia.
Why couldn't their Xia Family produce such a prodigy!
Xia Linglong's eyes also shifted from initial surprise to complexity. Two lines from the poems the scholar recited stuck with her. They felt like her own state of mind when she had fought on the demon battlefield.
To sleep rough and eat simple, never to give up.
To drink blood, using it as rouge.
She was a woman, yet on the battlefield, she used blood to apply makeup.
Others embroidered silk handkerchiefs, she embroidered the mountains and rivers of Dayu.
At first, she had heard of the young man's name and thought he was just a gifted prodigy. But upon seeing him, she realized he was extraordinary, beyond the ordinary.
During the banquet, Xia Linglong and the other Xia Family members were completely captivated by Li Hao's erudition and talent. Midway through the meal, Xia Linglong watched the Hanlin Academy scholar and Li Hao engaged in lively conversation. She sat to the side, her eyes slightly distant.
She suddenly felt hesitant, unsure whether she should tell the young man about the Eastern Border battlefield, whether she should invite him to join the fight.
If given a few more years, the young man would undoubtedly protect the entire Dayu. But to ask him to risk his life now filled her with a sense of guilt.
The banquet ended, and Xia Linglong still hadn't spoken. Li Hao had heard about Youzhou's situation in Liyang City, especially the chaos in the east, and the countless casualties.
Seeing that the family head hadn't brought it up, he was surprised and asked:
"I heard that the eastern part of Youzhou is in turmoil, and the situation is dire. Do you need my help?"
Xia Linglong's heart tightened at Li Hao's question. Looking at the young man's sincere and bright eyes, she suddenly felt pity and smiled gently, shaking her head:
"Although there is turmoil, my Xia Family can handle it."
"Family Head."
Xia Yuanwu, an elder of the Xia Family, saw Xia Linglong avoiding the topic and couldn't help but change his expression slightly.
Although he also greatly admired the young man, Youzhou was now in a critical state. The young man's strength was comparable to a Peerless Technique practitioner, a huge asset!
The other Xia Family members noticed Xia Linglong's intention, their expressions changing, a mixture of complex emotions.
Their admiration and fondness for the young man made them reluctant, but thinking of the situation in the Eastern Border and the danger facing Youzhou, their hearts ached even more.
In this conflicting and complex emotional state, their faces became unnatural.
Li Hao noticed this, feeling a little puzzled. He said to Xia Linglong:
"Senior Xia, just say whatever is on your mind. Whether I can do it or not, we'll talk about that later."
He also realized that the Xia Family hadn't invited him simply to express gratitude for the Liyang City incident.
Xia Linglong's face changed slightly at Li Hao's words. She stared at the young man. At this moment, the Hanlin Academy scholar also sensed the shift in the atmosphere and stopped speaking, quietly watching them.
Xia Yuanwu and the others looked at Xia Linglong, their hearts filled with anxiety. They wanted to speak, but due to family rules and Xia Linglong's authority, they dared not overstep their bounds.
Xia Linglong and Li Hao's eyes met for a while. She paused slightly, sighed softly, and thinking of the people of Youzhou, finally spoke her mind.
"The Gluttonous Valley Master?"
Li Hao's eyes flickered at Xia Linglong's words.
This was also a powerful demon king. Before Candle Flame God revealed his half-step Dao Realm power, he and Candle Flame God were of equal status.
But compared to the Taixu Realm, the Gluttonous Valley's foundation was still thin. It had suddenly risen to prominence five hundred years ago, relying on its bloodthirsty and brutal nature to grow savagely, becoming a top-tier demon force in just five hundred years, striking fear into the hearts of all.
Many border cities, upon hearing the name of the Gluttonous Valley, didn't even dare to defend them, fleeing in the dead of night.
If other demon forces attacked, there was still a chance of survival, a possibility of reinforcements arriving. But the demons of the Gluttonous Valley were extremely bloodthirsty and brutal, capable of devouring an entire city in a single night, not even sparing the rats.
Li Hao had read about these top-tier demon forces as if they were storybooks in the Listening Rain Tower long ago.
"Only the Gluttonous Valley?" Li Hao asked.
Xia Linglong's eyes were serious. She looked at Li Hao and said, "That's right. The Sacred Palace and Dragon Gate are besieging Qingzhou. Currently, only the Gluttonous Valley's presence has been detected in Youzhou. There might be other forces behind them, but it's just a possibility."
"Besieging Qingzhou?"
Li Hao's eyelids twitched when he heard Qingzhou.
Liangzhou had just been pacified, and Youzhou was already in turmoil. How could Qingzhou be under siege?
"What's the situation in Qingzhou?" Li Hao asked hastily. Images of many faces flashed through his mind: the gluttonous girl, the two old men, the First Madam, Yuan Zhao, the students of the Tantan Palace Academy…
And the many dessert shops on the streets.
His heart tightened.
Hearing Li Hao's urgent words, Xia Linglong and the others were surprised. They immediately understood that the young man truly didn't know about Qingzhou.
Perhaps he had just emerged from the River of Oblivion and was unaware of the outside world… Xia Linglong made a quick judgment. Seeing Li Hao's anxious expression, she felt a sense of loss and regret, knowing that the possibility of Li Hao helping Youzhou was basically gone. But she still carefully explained what she knew:
"I heard that Qingzhou has already fallen for the most part. The leaders of the Sacred Palace and Dragon Gate have both taken action, even reaching the outskirts of Qingzhou City. They should still be fighting, but after the Gluttonous Valley attacked Youzhou, we've had less information about the situation in Qingzhou."
She paused, seeing the urgency in the young man's eyes, and whispered:
"If you were to go to Qingzhou to provide reinforcements now, it's still possible. My Xia Family can lend you our war flags to bolster Qingzhou's morale."
By "lend you war flags," she meant that if Li Hao went to Qingzhou, he could deploy troops under the Xia Family's banner, pretending to be Xia Family reinforcements.
Although the Xia Family's war flags weren't as effective as Li Hao's, they still held considerable deterrent power against demons. After all, it meant that the Xia Family was entering Qingzhou, a force to be reckoned with. This would make the Sacred Palace and Dragon Gate, who were attacking Qingzhou, think twice, at least buying some time.
Li Hao heard her words and understood that she was entrusting the Xia Family's honor to him. This was a great return of favor for the Divine General's Mansion.
He no longer had any appetite for food. He stood up and said, "I thank the Xia Family on behalf of the people of Qingzhou for their kindness. Time is of the essence. Let's go."
Li Hao remembered the Nineteen States Surveying Map. If he wasn't mistaken, the Eastern Border of Youzhou was also the route to Qingzhou, just slightly off course.
"Then we wish General Haotian a triumphant return…"
Xia Linglong and the other Xia Family members also stood up and left the table, their faces complex. The young man was from Qingzhou, and it was only natural for him to rush to his hometown to provide aid. They had no reason to hold him back.
"Hm? What are you all standing there for? Lead the way. We'll take care of the Gluttonous Valley while we're at it."
Li Hao was about to leave when he saw Xia Linglong and the others still standing there, simply bowing to see him off. He couldn't help but call out.
"What?"
Li Hao's words startled the Xia Family members. Xia Linglong reacted and said in astonishment, "You… you want to help us attack the Gluttonous Valley first?"
"It's just a small matter. Let's go."
Li Hao said.
Hearing Li Hao's bold words, Xia Yuanwu, an elder of the Xia Family, couldn't help but speak up, "General Haotian, the Gluttonous Valley Master is at the peak of the Peerless Technique Realm. Although he hasn't mastered a Dao Realm, he's still very difficult to deal with. If you're truly willing to help, we can lure him to the Youzhou Ming River area…"
"No need for that. I'll just kill him for you."
Li Hao interrupted him. Anticipating their concerns and doubts, he didn't waste time and spoke bluntly, "I can handle the Gluttonous Valley Master with my Taiping Dao Realm. You don't need to worry."
"!!"
The Xia Family members were stunned, staring at Li Hao in shock, suspecting that the young man had misspoken.
Li Hao didn't have time to waste explaining. In the time it would take to explain, he could probably kill the Gluttonous Valley Master dozens of times.
He looked at Xia Linglong and said, "Senior Xia Linglong, lead the way?"
Xia Linglong was stunned. Looking at Li Hao's casual gaze, she suddenly realized that the young man had emerged from the River of Oblivion, survived being chased by Candle Flame God, and likely had made a breakthrough.
Could it be that he was already capable of matching a Taiping Dao Realm practitioner?
This thought was too terrifying, but the young man had already created too many miracles. She felt a tremor in her heart. Although she couldn't believe it, Li Hao had said it himself, so she could only choose to believe him.
"Alright, I'll lead the way!"
Xia Linglong was decisive. With a wave of her hand, a long spear flew from a distance and landed in her hand.
"I'll go too."
Xia Yuanwu quickly said, summoning his own weapon.
Whether Li Hao's words were true or not, he was willing to help, and he could also contribute on this occasion.
"Follow as fast as you can. I might be a bit faster."
Li Hao gave Candle Flame God a nod. Candle Flame God nodded slightly, his body suddenly twisted, engulfed in flames, transforming from a young man's appearance into the ferocious form of a fire lion with a dragon tail. His hooves were like those of a qilin and a lion, strong and majestic.
He soared into the air, his body radiating flames and intense heat, the heat wave engulfing the entire Town-Suppressing Divine General's Mansion.
Li Hao leaped onto his back and sat down, then asked Xia Linglong to point out the direction.
Xia Linglong and the others looked at the young man seated on the demon's back, feeling as if he were a god amidst flames, filled with shock and awe.
That young man was actually a demon, yet none of them had noticed!
Such a feat could only mean that the demon was incredibly terrifying, beyond their imagination.
Xia Linglong, holding her spear, flew into the sky. Sensing the aura emanating from the demon Li Hao was riding, she felt a wave of terrifying pressure, her heart pounding with an incredible sensation. It seemed that the demon's strength was even greater than hers!
"Let's go!"
Li Hao shouted.
His voice brought Xia Linglong and the others back to their senses. If they had any doubts or concerns before, they were now filled with confidence. Xia Linglong quickly pointed in a direction, "Over there!"
Whoosh!
Flames surged, and Candle Flame God's four hooves pounded the ground, leaving a trail of fire as he sped off.
So fast!
Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu were startled and quickly gave chase.
Besides them, another Xia Family elder was also shocked but remained in mid-air, staying behind to guard the Xia Family's Divine General's Mansion.
"My heavens, did I see that right?"
"Is that a Four Pillars Realm mount?"
"He said he'd take care of the Gluttonous Valley Master casually. Did I hear wrong?"
"I don't know, but I heard he defeated the Dragon Gate's Grand Elder before. Now… he's probably even stronger?"
After Li Hao and Xia Linglong left, the remaining Xia Family members were all shocked, exclaiming in confusion.
The young man was refined and gentle, seemingly approachable, but now, with a hint of fierceness, he gave off an invincible aura.
His figure, seated on the demon's back, surrounded by divine fire and flames, ignited hope in their eyes. Perhaps the young man could truly resolve the turmoil in Youzhou?
…
…
Li Hao sat on Candle Flame God's back, speeding like lightning.
Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu used the Xia Family's top-tier body techniques to fly at full speed, but they could only barely keep up. Both were shocked, unable to discern the details of the demon Li Hao was riding.
The Xia Family elder who had previously gone to Liangzhou to provide reinforcements was not Xia Yuanwu, so he didn't recognize Candle Flame God's identity.
And Candle Flame God rarely appeared in public, so few people knew what he looked like.
After about half an hour, under Xia Linglong's guidance, they arrived at the Eastern Border battlefield of Youzhou, at the second line of defense.
Only Candle Flame God could sustain this full-speed travel. Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu were almost forced to use their Undying Power, their physical strength almost completely depleted.
After all, they had been sprinting at near-full speed the entire way, even a Four Pillars Realm practitioner couldn't handle it.
Fortunately, the Undying Power they had retained allowed them to still be combat-ready upon reaching the battlefield.
From a distance, Li Hao could hear the deafening roars coming from the battlefield.
His face darkened slightly. It felt like when he had chased the old dragon to the Liangzhou border defense battlefield.
Looking up, he saw a towering defensive line on the plain ahead. Countless demons were attacking like a flood, and the protective formation on the line had clearly been broken. Humans and demons were fighting together in a chaotic melee.
Li Hao's gaze swept across the scene, sensing several powerful auras lurking behind the demon tide.
But these auras weren't strong enough, at most Defying Fate Realm.
"Gluttonous Valley Master, come out!"
Li Hao shouted.
The young man's sharp voice, like thunder rumbling across the sky, rolled out rapidly. In an instant, accompanied by a howling wind, it spread across the vast battlefield, like a deafening thunderclap in the ears of the countless demons on the battlefield.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 256: Overwhelming Power (Extra Chapter 2)
Upon hearing Li Hao's furious shout, Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu's faces changed drastically. They had been considering flanking the enemy for a surprise attack, but Li Hao had inadvertently revealed their position.
They quickly scanned the battlefield, wary of the Gluttonous Valley Master.
Meanwhile, behind the demon tide, four demon figures with grotesque appearances stood tall, intently watching the chaotic battle, ready to join at any moment.
Behind them, a girl in a golden silk dress stood on a hillside.
A golden curved feather adorned her head, and her demonic aura was faint. Her expression was restrained, her hands hanging by her sides, showing a hint of respect as she looked at the burly man in front of her.
The man stood on a pile of bones, both human and demonic.
His body was covered in thick brown fur, and curved ram's horns sprouted from his head. His pale green eyes seemed devoid of emotion, exuding a cold demonic aura.
"Lord Taisui, are you really not going to retreat? The news from the western part of Youzhou is mostly accurate. If that young man is invited by the Xia Clan to join the battle, I fear that Youzhou will suffer a great loss."
The girl in the golden dress respectfully urged again.
The burly man was the Gluttonous Valley Master, Lord Taisui, a figure of great renown among the demons. Gluttonous Valley was feared by many demons, for they were a group of reckless and ferocious creatures who devoured anything in their path.
"Humph, just a piece of news, and you want to scare me away? What face would Gluttonous Valley have to command the demons then?"
Lord Taisui's eyes were cold, like sharp swords as he swept a glance at the girl. "Don't speak without seeing it with your own eyes. Even if that human brat really comes to Youzhou, I'll still want to exchange a few blows with him. What the Candlelight Divine couldn't do, I'll try!"
"But if that young man joins the battle and cooperates with the Xia Clan, we're likely to suffer heavy losses. The Divine Being only asked us to hold them back. We shouldn't push them too hard..."
The girl in the golden dress lowered her head and said.
"Humph!"
Lord Taisui coldly snorted, his voice like a drumbeat resonating in the girl's chest, causing her face to turn pale.
"You of the Heavenly Pivot Palace only need to provide information. Do your duty. When did it become your place to interfere?"
Seeing his slightly bared fangs, the girl trembled, quickly crouching down and bowing her head, not daring to speak further.
The other four demons saw the girl's frightened state and a hint of bloodlust and disdain flickered in their eyes. If it weren't for the Heavenly Pivot Palace, they wouldn't mind savoring this little morsel.
"Don't compare us of Gluttonous Valley to those wastes of the Vast Void Realm. They couldn't even conquer Liangzhou, even with a sneak attack, and they're only at the Half-Step Dao Realm. It's laughable!"
Lord Taisui crushed a skull he had just finished gnawing on, his eyes filled with disdain.
Initially, hearing that the Candlelight Divine had reached the Half-Step Dao Realm, he had been surprised and taken aback. But later, when he heard that the Candlelight Divine couldn't even defeat a human boy, he felt that the Candlelight Divine's Half-Step Dao Realm was a bit too inflated.
Below the Dao Realm, facing a Dao Realm expert, there was almost no resistance. This was a universally acknowledged fact, unless the Dao Realm was merely a facade.
Besides, who wasn't at the Half-Step Dao Realm...? Lord Taisui thought to himself. This was his secret. Because he knew the dominance of a Half-Step Dao Realm expert against a Supreme Realm expert, he found the Candlelight Divine laughable.
When he had attacked the Xia Clan's Divine General Manor earlier, he had only been testing the waters, not revealing his true strength. It was precisely because of his Half-Step Dao Realm that he dared to challenge them. After all, these ancient Divine General Manors possessed Sacred Heart Heavenly Treasures, and perhaps a few old monsters were hidden there. A Supreme Realm expert wouldn't be enough.
But after testing them, he hadn't touched the true foundation of the Divine General Manor. However, he could sense that even if he did, he could likely escape with his full strength.
Now, as he awaited the second feast of delectable food, a sharp, youthful shout suddenly echoed through the sky.
The sound, like thunder, reverberated across the battlefield. Lord Taisui and the four Gluttonous Valley elders were stunned, their faces filled with killing intent as they looked towards the source of the sound.
"It's the Xia Clan!"
"That's Xia Linglong. She dares to step out of the Xia Clan. Isn't she afraid of death?"
"Are they planning to fight us to the death here?"
Several Gluttonous Valley elders recognized Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu. These two were the pillars of the Xia Clan, and they were willing to leave the protection of the formation.
"Since you've come, don't think about leaving!"
Lord Taisui's eyes flashed with a cruel killing intent. He had clashed with Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu before, but that was outside the Xia Clan's Divine General Manor. He had been distracted, worried about other old monsters emerging from the manor. He had only been testing them, not daring to fight with all his might.
Here, he could unleash himself without restraint.
They wouldn't really think I'm just a Supreme Realm expert... Lord Taisui's lips curled into a cruel smile. He soared into the sky, leading the four elders towards Li Hao.
"This young man?"
At the same time, they also noticed Li Hao. It seemed that the one who had dared to shout was him.
The Gluttonous Valley elders weren't stupid. They immediately recalled the Heavenly Pivot Palace bird demon's report... Was this the Heavenly Emperor's General from Liangzhou?
They were startled. The general's reputation was no less impressive than the older generation of the Xia Clan. He could match a Supreme Realm expert and defeat Lu Yuan, the Dragon Gate's Grand Elder. This was enough to show his terrifying strength, and he couldn't be treated as a mere youngster.
"Here they come!"
In the air, as Lord Taisui and the other demon kings flew towards them, Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu saw them and their expressions turned serious.
One of the Gluttonous Valley's Grand Elders was a Supreme Realm expert, and Lord Taisui, the Gluttonous Valley Master, was also a top-tier Supreme Realm expert. Earlier, they had joined forces outside the Divine General Manor to attack him, but they hadn't caused much damage. His flesh was incredibly condensed, comparable to eight-forged divine weapons, extremely formidable.
Only nine-forged divine weapons could inflict some damage, but it was still limited.
After all, it wasn't easy for a nine-forged divine weapon to cut through an eight-forged one.
"Be careful..."
Xia Linglong quickly transmitted a sound to Li Hao, "This Gluttonous Valley Master's body is incredibly tough. We should take out the others first, then join forces to kill him."
"So you're the human boy that even the Candlelight Divine couldn't kill?"
Lord Taisui's gaze also fell on Li Hao, his eyes narrowed, his killing intent even more intense.
Li Hao was a little surprised. The other party didn't recognize the Candlelight Divine sitting beside him. The Vast Void Realm's seclusion seemed a bit excessive.
"Is this all of Gluttonous Valley?"
Li Hao asked.
"What do you think? We of Gluttonous Valley are not like those wastes of the Vast Void Realm." A Gluttonous Valley elder said with a ferocious expression.
"Answer what I ask."
Li Hao didn't bother with idle chatter. He decided to make an example first, his Dao Domain shooting out like a sharp sword.
With a loud bang, the Gluttonous Valley elder, who had just been looking ferocious, suddenly exploded, his body crushed and shattered.
His soul burst out from the mangled flesh, already terrified. But before it could struggle to escape, the ensuing power enveloped it, erasing it.
All of this happened while Li Hao was speaking. The sudden change was too fast, and everyone was caught off guard.
Not only Lord Taisui and the others, but Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu were also taken aback. Only when the demon king's soul was erased, without even a scream, did they react, staring in shock at Li Hao beside them.
At this moment, the only one who could do this here was Li Hao.
"This..."
Lord Taisui and the remaining three Gluttonous Valley elders were also stunned. Their initial cold expressions were now filled with terror. They couldn't see how Li Hao had attacked.
"You... you're a Tranquil Peace Realm expert?!"
Lord Taisui sensed the traces of the Dao Domain, but he found it hard to believe. His previously burly body seemed to have shrunk a bit, his imposing aura completely gone. He looked at Li Hao in horror.
Instantaneous Dao Domain?
This wasn't something a Half-Step Dao Domain could compare to. This was a true Tranquil Peace Realm!
Hearing Lord Taisui's words, Xia Linglong and the others, along with the three Gluttonous Valley elders, were all shaken, their minds buzzing as they stared blankly at Li Hao.
Tranquil Peace Realm experts were few and far between in the entire Great Yu Dynasty. And now, this young man was one?
"You're not completely blind."
Li Hao glanced at the burly man, "You're the Gluttonous Valley Master, right? What's your purpose in attacking Youzhou? Did you plan this? Also, how much do you know about the previous attack on Liangzhou? Do you demons intend to break with the Great Yu Dynasty? Who gave you the courage? Who's backing you?"
He asked a series of questions in rapid succession. When he finished, he calmly stared at him, "You better not give me any nonsense. Answer my questions one by one, and I'll give you a quick death."
Silence.
The air fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone looked at the young man. Under his calm and composed expression, a hint of impatience flickered.
Facing Lord Taisui and the Gluttonous Valley elders, the young man seemed to have already regarded them as fish on a chopping block, ready to be slaughtered!
Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu were stunned. They had expected a fierce battle, but the situation was completely different.
They now understood why Li Hao had said it was a side task.
Tranquil Peace Realm, a level just below the True Person! Gluttonous Valley was like a helpless infant in front of a Tranquil Peace Realm expert, utterly vulnerable!
No wonder Li Hao had directly called out to the Gluttonous Valley Master, no wonder he was so reckless. It was all because... he was overwhelmingly strong!
Boom!
Suddenly, another Gluttonous Valley elder exploded, his soul bursting out, screaming for mercy. But in the blink of an eye, it was extinguished like ashes.
It was as if an invisible finger had picked it up and gently rubbed it, causing it to dissipate like dust on a fingertip.
The sudden attack caused the remaining two Gluttonous Valley elders to fall to their knees in front of Li Hao, trembling uncontrollably. They had lost control of their bladders, and they were so terrified that their bile was about to rise.
"General, spare us, General, spare us..."
"We're willing to be your mounts, your servants..."
They kept kowtowing and begging, completely devoid of their previous ferocious and brutal demeanor.
"It seems someone wants to compete with you for carrying me." Li Hao said to the Candlelight Divine beneath him.
The Candlelight Divine's flames suddenly surged, his eyes cold, "Can I eat them?"
"Go ahead."
Li Hao readily agreed.
The Candlelight Divine's Dao Domain suddenly expanded, flames burning and engulfing everything.
The two Gluttonous Valley elders dared not dodge, only begging in even greater despair.
The merciless Dao Domain enveloped them, the scorching rules of fire covering them, instantly igniting their bodies.
"You... you're the Candlelight Divine?!"
Lord Taisui, who had just regained his senses, changed his expression again, finally recognizing that the lion-like demon was the master of the Vast Void Realm!
He felt like a bolt of lightning had struck him. He looked at the other party in disbelief.
Although he looked down on the Candlelight Divine, the other party was still the master of the Vast Void Realm, a demon king who had cultivated for ten thousand years. Where was his demon king's pride?
He had actually become someone's mount!
Hearing Lord Taisui's trembling voice, Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu were also stunned, looking at Li Hao's mount in horror. This demon was the master of the Vast Void Realm?
They were dumbfounded. They suddenly understood why Li Hao had appeared in Youzhou, why there was no movement in the Liangzhou Nether River. It wasn't that their Xia Clan's intelligence was faulty, but that Li Hao had subdued the Candlelight Divine in the Nether River!
This was a Half-Step Dao Realm demon king, and he had willingly lowered himself to become a mount. This was even more difficult than killing him!
Xia Linglong looked at Li Hao, suddenly feeling like the meal she had just eaten was wasted. The sense of familiarity she had just established vanished, and she felt that the young man was so unfamiliar, someone she didn't understand at all.
"Hurry up, don't waste my time."
Li Hao frowned and urged Lord Taisui.
Lord Taisui reacted, his face turning grim. He saw a hint of despair in his eyes, knowing that he would likely not be able to escape today.
His chance to defy fate had already been used, and he didn't have a second life. He was about to perish here.
"Fine, I'll tell you, I'll tell you..."
Lord Taisui's face was ashen, and he lowered his head, "No wonder the Candlelight Divine failed. A monster like you... it's a pity I didn't notice you earlier, but today..."
As he muttered, he suddenly raised his head, his face contorted in a ferocious roar, "Even if you kill me, you'll die too!!"
While he was muttering, his Dao Domain had already quietly unfolded. Now, it suddenly surged out, enveloping his body and expanding outwards, attacking Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu, intending to take them as hostages.
"Dao Domain!"
Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu were startled. They didn't expect Lord Taisui to also have a Half-Step Dao Domain.
Seeing the Dao Domain rapidly expanding, the two quickly unleashed their inexhaustible power to create distance. But the next moment, the Dao Domain dissipated like ice and snow, melting away. Then, it retracted at an extremely fast speed, forcibly pushed back into Lord Taisui's body, unable to spill out even a bit.
"Half-Step Dao Domain, and you dare to act recklessly?"
Li Hao raised an eyebrow, "There are many ways to die. Do you have to choose the most painful one?"
The roar on Lord Taisui's face had died down, and he was stunned.
He had anticipated that he wouldn't be able to escape from Li Hao, a true Tranquil Peace Realm expert, especially with the Candlelight Divine. Two against one, he would likely perish here. But he hadn't expected the gap to be so vast, beyond his imagination and comprehension.
His Dao Domain could be forced back, unable to release even a fraction of its power!
What was the difference between this and having his Dao Domain crippled?
"You, you..."
Lord Taisui stared at the young man like he had seen a ghost. Now, the young man was a nightmare in his eyes.
"Forget it, die."
Li Hao, seeing that he had no intention of speaking and completely losing patience, pressed down with his Dao Domain. With a loud bang, Lord Taisui's body exploded.
His eight-forged body offered no resistance against the Dao Domain. Li Hao had only used one layer.
Against a Half-Step Dao Domain, he didn't need to use two layers.
Lord Taisui's soul burst out of his body, still standing blankly in the air, not fleeing. He seemed to have realized that any struggle was futile.
Only when one came into contact with a Dao Domain did one understand its terror.
Li Hao didn't completely erase it. Instead, he wiped out most of his soul, leaving only a tiny portion, and handed it to Xia Linglong, saying:
"Senior Xia Linglong, the interrogation is up to you. I'm going to Qingzhou. I'll come back and find out more from you later."
As the head of a top-tier demon force, he must have been involved in this grand scheme. Li Hao didn't intend to kill him so easily. He wouldn't let him off that easily.
Xia Linglong received Lord Taisui's remaining soul, feeling a sense of surprise and gratitude. She was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded, "I will. Don't worry!"
She quickly unleashed her power to suppress and seal Lord Taisui's soul.
"Heavenly Emperor's General, be careful on your journey to Qingzhou. Once the Xia Clan pacifies Youzhou, we'll immediately send reinforcements." Xia Yuanwu also quickly said, his words rushing out, not wanting to delay Li Hao's journey.
Li Hao nodded.
Then, he raised his hand, and in an instant, his Heavenly Veins extended, and endless power from the surrounding world converged towards the tip of his finger and his head.
This surging power instantly transformed into endless sword energy. Beams of sword light, like splitting, condensed in the sky above the battlefield, vast and boundless, like a sword cloud that covered the heavens.
Such a magnificent aura and power made Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu stare in awe. Although they could also condense such a powerful attack, its range was not as vast, and its aura was not as terrifying.
And the young man in front of them seemed to be able to unleash it with a mere gesture.
"Kill."
Li Hao uttered a single word, and countless sword energies instantly fell like raindrops, accompanied by a roaring sound like thunder, descending upon the demon tide.
The demons who were still charging towards the battlefield were instantly enveloped by this vast rain of swords. Each sword energy that fell killed a demon, without exception.
Even Heavenly Man Realm demons couldn't withstand a single sword energy.
Only Immortal Realm demons could barely withstand it. But under the continuous bombardment of sword energy, they were instantly covered in wounds. When they received hundreds or thousands of sword energies, they inevitably triggered the 1% fatal attack and perished.
The range and number of sword energies were so vast that they almost obscured the entire battlefield.
What was even more terrifying was that these sword energies could be precisely controlled. Under Li Hao's command, they weaved through the chaotic battlefield where the Xia Clan soldiers were fighting, precisely harvesting the lives of demons.
For a time, everyone on the entire battlefield, stretching for hundreds of miles, saw this vast rain of swords falling from the sky.
The sky seemed to collapse into a sea vortex, pouring out countless raindrops.
They fell in abundance, obscuring most of the battlefield.
With the increased attack range of the Flying Segment attribute, the sword rain easily covered an area of over two hundred miles.
With a single sweep, countless demons fell.
Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu stood beside Li Hao, speechless in shock.
Without Lord Taisui, the Gluttonous Valley's Grand Elder, and the remaining elders, it would have taken them considerable effort and time to eliminate all these demons.
But now, under the relentless sweep of the sword rain from Li Hao's fingertips, in just a moment, the roars on the ground were gradually completely drowned out...
(End of Chapter)