Back to Qingzhou.
Li Hao and the others, carrying the mission letter from the Monster Suppression Department of Cangyu City, returned to Tan Palace Academy to report.
The letter bore the official seal of the Monster Suppression Department, and all five of them received full marks in their evaluations.
Upon receiving the letter, Su Yehua wasn’t surprised.
After all, with two young masters from the Li family joining the mission, the Monster Suppression Department in Cangyu City, possessing the slightest bit of discernment, wouldn’t make things difficult for them.
As for the truth behind the letter, she couldn’t be bothered to scrutinize it closely. After all, background was a part of one’s strength too.
Even she had to show some courtesy to these young masters and ladies of the Li family, in consideration of the face of the Divine General Mansion.
Jianghu was never outside the city but within it.
After the reporting was over, Ren Qianqian found Li Hao and expressed her wishes; she had made up her mind.
Li Hao, however, didn’t agree immediately, but instead asked her to discuss with her parents. After all, becoming an attendant sword servant was a serious matter. It wasn’t easy to break away once one joined; learning the peerless technique of the Li family would bind her to them for life, and even giving up one’s cultivation level wouldn’t set her free.
After Li Hao finished speaking, Ren Qianqian revealed that she lost her mother when she was young and didn’t wish to discuss it with her father. This was a decision she could make on her own.
Seeing this, Li Hao was even less inclined to agree and suggested that it would be better for her to communicate with her father.
The young lady was inexperienced in the ways of the world, and he couldn’t just spirit her away so easily. Otherwise, if her grandmaster father caused a commotion at the mansion in the future, although the Li family wouldn’t be afraid, it would still be an unsightly mess.
Having refused Ren Qianqian, Li Hao took Li Yuanzhao and returned to the long-missed Mountain and River Courtyard.
He placed the box containing the head of the Tiger Robe Immortal in his room and, with other delicacies collected from Cangyu City, had Qing Zhi deliver a portion to the fifth elder guarding the family shrine, while he took the rest to Listening Rain Tower.
Not finding the second elder at Listening Rain Tower, Li Hao saw the daylight and instantly knew that at this time, the second elder was likely fishing by the shore of Black Water Lake.
He immediately flew out from Listening Rain Tower, heading for the shore of Black Water Lake.
Before long, the vast expanse of Black Water Lake came into view.
Li Hao found the second elder’s usual fishing spot and, indeed, saw his and Elder Feng’s figures.
Noticing someone approaching, the two turned their heads to look.
Li Hao descended from the sky, landing next to them, and said with a smile, “Second Elder, Elder Feng, how was the catch today? Who caught more?”
“It’s Hao Er.”
Feng Boping’s face showed a smile as he said, “Of course, I’m the one who caught more!”
Li Hao’s ability to fly didn’t surprise them; they already knew about his approximate cultivation level.
After all, at the age of twelve, this young fellow had, in front of the two elders, accidentally fished up a small flood dragon from the Divine Travel Realm.
That had shocked and envied them greatly.
The shock was from Li Hao’s frightening talent, surpassing even that of Li Jiulang, who was said to be a once-in-a-millennium genius.
But their envy was due to this lad’s luck for actually managing to catch a flood dragon!
As for the silly dragon that was caught, they were both angry and annoyed, and after Li Hao cooked it, they ate several portions with gusto.
While eating, they muttered to themselves, “Why didn’t it bite my hook? Is my hook not attractive?!”
Words aside, trouble aside, seeing the talent Li Hao displayed, even the fame-indifferent Li Muxiu was tempted, on the spot, to teach Li Hao martial arts and hoped he would focus more and not waste his time in frivolous pursuits.
With such talent, added to his personal teaching, Li Hao’s future achievements might even surpass his own. If the Li family could produce a True Immortal, it would truly cause an earthquake across the land.
But Li Hao promptly sought the advice of Elder Feng, the Saint of Thieves, who had a more open view and persuaded Li Muxiu to relent.
With the example of Li Jiulang, Li Muxiu gave up the idea, allowing Li Hao to choose the life he liked.
Li Muxiu had also realized early on that even if he forced Li Hao to cultivate, the youngster would probably not do so wholeheartedly, which was quite frustrating.
He was puzzled, seeing that, without witnessing Li Hao’s training, his realm was nonetheless soaring rapidly.
Because of Li Hao’s persistence, his cultivation affairs were not widely publicized by Li Muxiu, so others in the mansion were still unaware.
At that moment.
Hearing Feng Boping’s smug laughter, Li Muxiu gave him an annoyed glance, “What’s the use of catching more? They’re all small fish and shrimp. I’m aiming to catch a dragon.”
Neither of them used fishing rods while fishing; they simply used energy from heaven and earth as lines to pierce through the bodies of small demon fish, guiding them to where bigger fish or flood dragons might be hunting for food.
“Catch one first, then talk,” Feng Boping laughed.
Li Muxiu snorted lightly, noticing the packages in Li Hao’s hands, and said, “Where did you buy these? Weren’t you at Tan Palace Academy bullying the kids?”
“I just went on a mission for the academy, brought back some delicacies from Cangyu City,” Li Hao said with a smile as he shared the food with the two elders: “Here, these are delicious.”
“Wow, there’s dairy crisp in this twisted doughnut,” Feng Boping took a bite and commented, “The taste is good.”
“You’ve grown thoughtful, kid,” Li Muxiu said, laughing as he picked up some food and started eating.
At this moment, the white fox Xiao Rou joyfully ran over. Li Hao squatted down to embrace it in his arms and took out a piece of roasted meat for it, “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you.”
“This little fox of yours, just like a cat, sure loves to eat fish,” Li Muxiu commented.
Xiao Rou, holding the roasted meat with her two small paws, chewed meticulously. Hearing the words of Second Elder, she revealed a fox’s typical grin, her eyes curving into slits.
Li Hao smiled, rubbed her head, and let her eat to the side. He also took out a portion for himself, sat down beside the two elders, and began to eat, chatting idly as he did.
“It shouldn’t be long now before your father returns,” Li Muxiu said while eating a crispy biscuit.
“Oh?” Li Hao expressed in surprise.
Could the war that had lasted for over a decade finally be coming to an end?
“I heard there’s been a twist at the Northern Yan battlefield, and the Holy Palace intends to retreat,” Li Muxiu explained.
Li Hao’s eyes brightened. Does this mean he would get to see his parents?
“Little Hao Er, it’s been over a decade since you’ve seen your parents, do you still recognize them?” Feng Boping teased with a smile.
Li Hao thought for a moment; the images of his parents in his memory had indeed gotten somewhat blurry.
Li Muxiu gave Feng Boping a disgruntled glare. It was quite the unwelcome reminder. He then said to Li Hao:
“It just so happens that your generation has all grown up. The Li Family’s True Dragon seat will likely be decided this year. With your father back to support you, securing the True Dragon seat should be almost certain,” he said.
“With Hao Er’s talent, is there any dispute? If it was up to me, I’d give him the True Dragon seat right now,” Feng Boping said as he ate.
Li Muxiu shot him a glance, “I wish it were that simple. Do you think managing the vast affairs of the Li Family is like being a lonely old man like yourself? We must keep other branches of the family satisfied. We can’t favor one over the other and foster resentment in their hearts.”
He then turned to Li Hao and said, “Right, Hao Er?”
“Mhm,” he replied.
Li Hao nodded with a smile.
He had long heard talk of the True Dragon seat from his Second Elder.
Each generation, the Li Family would select a True Dragon who would receive the most abundant resources from the family, and also receive assistance from numerous ancestors in the ancestral shrine to enhance the quality of their soul!
The number of soul forms that one could condense in the Soul Succession Realm was closely linked to the targets inherited from the ancestors.
There were eighty for the Four Stands Realm.
Yet, there exists another method to increase the number of condensed souls, a secret technique created by the ancestors of the Li Family.
With the combined effort of the ancestral spirits, the quality of the soul forms could be elevated, reaching a level comparable to the True Human tier inherited by the royal families.
That is, 180 condensations!
Upon reaching the Divine Travel Realm, they would also help condense the Divine Soul, expanding the reach of the Divine Soul Realm.
Furthermore, upon attaining the Fifteen Li Realm, they would also help by imbuing the power of the ancestral spirits, pushing the Fifteen Li Realm beyond the pinnacle genius level, achieving top-tier standards.
The so-called True Dragon is to be unrivaled in their realm, truly invincible.
At the same time, as a True Dragon of the Li Family, one must bear the duty of enhancing the power granted by the ancestral spirits, and take on the legacy of the entire Li Family. Without any mishaps, they are expected to become the head of the family.
If there are millions of prodigies in the world, reaching the ninth-ranked battle physique would put one in the first-rate category. And for a ninth-ranked prodigy of the Li Family, coupled with numerous supreme cultivation techniques, this would be considered among the top echelons.
And the True Dragon would surpass the top-tier!
Although Li Hao was already at the Fifteen Li Realm, if he became a True Dragon, he would still enjoy the reshaping and assistance of the ancestral spirits for the previous realms.
Apart from the Soul Succession Realm, Li Hao felt that he had yet to reach the limits of the other realms.
Even for the Soul Succession Realm, he didn’t know whether he could continue to progress and was quite eager about it.
Of course, the most important aspect was that if he didn’t take the seat of a True Dragon, it was highly likely to fall to another individual.
Had it not been for the poisoning incident years ago, Li Hao wouldn’t particularly care about the position of the True Dragon. After all, being a True Dragon carried with it immense responsibilities: to carry on the legacy of the Li Family, a millennium-old noble house, push through all obstacles, and perpetuate and magnify its glory. He knew very well how taxing it would be.
Only, someone had attempted to ruin him for the sake of their son’s prospects years ago, scheming more than a decade in advance. Naturally, Li Hao couldn’t let them get their way. He had been waiting for this day.
“The test for the True Dragon looks at all aspects, not just innate talent but also temperament, connections, contributions, and so on,” Li Muxiu told Li Hao. “Sending you to Tan Palace Academy was also to let you get out and make some friends, not just keep company with us old folks all the time.”
Feng Boping sneered, “Don’t kid yourself; talent is definitely the most important. Everything else is just icing on the cake.”
“Get out of here, don’t lead Hao Er astray,” Li Muxiu said with a stern look.
“Haha…” Feng Boping burst into laughter.
Li Hao smiled quietly, listening to the two elders’ banter.
Before long, the line of the Second Elder’s fishing rod twitched; something had taken the bait.
As the sun set into dusk and stars began to sprinkle across the riverside sky, with the evening drawing near, Li Hao cooked a demon fish that Feng had caught, preparing a barbecue that served as dinner for the three men and a fox.
Chapter 80: Chapter 77: Breaking the Mold
Three days later.
Song Yueyao returned to Tan Palace from Cangyu City with a tired look on her face, her task as a patrol envoy completed, and she temporarily set aside her official duties to report back.
She had already learned that Li Hao and the others had returned ahead of schedule, and by now, they must have already arrived back in Qingzhou.
Thinking of the strength Li Hao had displayed, she clenched her teeth in secret frustration. She had seen all sorts of geniuses during her years of study in Black and White Hall, but it was her first time encountering someone like him.
This, to some extent, struck a blow to her.
“Yue Yao?”
As Song Yueyao was preparing to return to Black and White Hall to report Li Hao’s situation to her grandfather truthfully, she happened to run into Su Yehua, who was passing by outside the hall.
Seeing her friend, Song Yueyao slowed down her steps: “Su.”
The two were only three years apart in age and had known each other as sisters for over a decade.
“You’re back so soon? Was the task successful? You didn’t encounter any Great Demons, did you?” Su Yehua asked gently upon seeing Song Yueyao’s weary state.
Upon hearing “Great Demon,” the image of neatly arranged demon corpses piled up high on the mountain top flashed through Song Yueyao’s mind, causing her complexion to change slightly.
“What is it?” Su Yehua also looked slightly stunned. Could it be that she had really encountered a Great Demon?
“It’s nothing.” Song Yueyao shook her head slightly and then, with a sudden thought, asked, “Su, have Li Hao and his group already come back?”
“Hmm?”
Surprised, Su Yehua knew of Song Yueyao’s cool nature over the years, her indifference to outsiders, and her usual lack of concern. Why would she ask about the two young masters of the Li Family?
Suddenly, she remembered that the task location assigned to those two also seemed to be Cangyu City.
“What, did they make trouble for you, add to your difficulties?”
Thinking of one of them, known for his lax demeanor and fondness for sleeping in class, Su Yehua frowned slightly and said reassuringly:
“After all, he is a young master from a prominent family who likes to act spoilt; don’t take it personally…”
Song Yueyao was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head and said, “No, there was a major incident in Cangyu City. If it weren’t for Li Hao taking action, I might not have been able to return at all.”
“What?”
Su Yehua was stunned, looking at Song Yueyao in disbelief, wondering if she had misspoken.
Song Yueyao was not surprised by her reaction. It seemed her sister was not yet aware of Li Hao’s strength. She recounted briefly what had happened in Cangyu City.
After listening, Su Yehua stared at Song Yueyao, dumbfounded.
“Fifteen Li Realm? Him?”
Images of the boy who used to sleep soundly during class flashed through Su Yehua’s mind. If she remembered correctly, his registered age upon admission was… fourteen years old?
Seeing Su Yehua’s shocked expression, Song Yueyao couldn’t help but smile, feeling an inexplicable sense of joy.
It seemed she wasn’t the only one who had been frightened.
The weariness on her face also dissipated quite a bit as she waved to Su Yehua, “I’m going to report in first.”
With that, she turned and left gracefully.
Coming back to her senses, Su Yehua suddenly had an epiphany.
No wonder Li Hao never attended classes or participated in the Martial Arts Ranking; with such a level, he could be teaching the others himself.
However, having such a Cultivation Level, did he really need to join Tan Palace Academy?
She felt puzzled and decided to inquire more the next time she met Li Hao.
Within a few days, the disciples from Alpha Academy who had been sent out for academy tasks had all returned one after another.
Su Yehua gathered the disciples to evaluate their performance on this round of tasks.
The standout performances undoubtedly came from the teams led by the two princes, who had chosen the hardest tasks worth 15 credits and each received full marks in a unanimous team vote.
In addition, they established meritorious deeds during the tasks, assisting the Monster Suppression Department in cracking significant cases, receiving one third-class merit and one second-class merit respectively.
As for first-class merits, they are hard to come by outside war-torn border areas.
Even second-class merits were quite astonishing.
“Could it be that they also encountered a demon attack on the city?”
Du Qiuyue and Yu Wei whispered among themselves.
Yu Wei glanced over and said in a low voice, “I don’t think so. It’s possible that the Monster Suppression Department was just currying favor with them, attributing original merits to them, or perhaps the place they went to had something to do with their families’ influence…”
“Shush!” Du Qiuyue was startled and hastily signalled him to be quiet.
Yu Wei also realized his indiscretion; the complex politics behind the royal family were not something they should discuss.
Even though these two princes were not favored, they were still of royal blood, and who knew if one day they might ascend to great heights?
Beyond the two princes, the next best performers were Wang Han, Li Yun, and their siblings, who also took on the most difficult tasks and achieved full marks as a team, although they did not earn any additional merits.
The expressions on the faces of other noble family disciples varied; some whispered among themselves, some admired their strength, while others sneered privately, unconvinced, attributing their success to connections.
Though only in their teens, they had already witnessed the huge disparities brought about by differences in status, and this gap would help them become more perceptive and worldly.
“These two…”
Li Yuanzhao watched as Li Yun and his sister were praised by Teacher Su Yehua. Despite a cool façade, his eyes could hardly hide his joy.
Li Zhining was still fine, but when Li Yuanzhao saw Li Yun’s arm wrapped in gauze, clearly injured but still smirking contently, he couldn’t help shaking his head.
Given Li Yun’s strength and status, such injuries were likely due to impatience to excel in the task.
Compared to the showy Li Yun, Li Yuanzhao couldn’t help thinking of Li Hao.
He liked playing with Li Hao, not only because their backgrounds were similar, but also because he genuinely admired the air about Li Hao.
How to describe it? Using some of the strange terms Li Hao once used, it was all about the “swagger.”
Chapter 81: Chapter 77: Breaking the Mold_2
Always maintaining a calm and relaxed demeanor, he acted as if everything was but passing clouds.
“If you encounter a mountain that’s hard to cross… then we just go around it,” Li Hao would say.
If he only knew how to slack off, it wouldn’t count as a talent, but this time in Cangyu City, Li Hao single-handedly defended the city and slew the Great Demon, earning remarkable achievements, yet he remained low-profile and unostentatious, as though it were a minor incident.
Just this quality alone put him leagues ahead of Li Yun and the others.
Even those two princes, who feigned composure, couldn’t compare to Hao in Li Yuanzhao’s eyes.
Moreover, even though he was at the Fifteen Li Realm, Li Hao never boasted. If he had been like Li Yun, spreading the word everywhere, the whole world would’ve likely known by now.
Everyone seeks fame, but Li Hao says fame and wealth are burdens.
When Li Yuanzhao first heard this, he felt as if struck by a revelation. Even though he didn’t understand completely, he just felt… it was awesome.
That’s precisely why Li Yuanzhao liked to follow Li Hao around. Not for anything else, he just simply loved to learn.
“Teacher, where is Li Hao?”
At this moment, Li Yun noticed the absence of Li Hao beside Li Yuanzhao. He knitted his brows, a sudden unease gripping his heart. Could something have happened to him?
“Li Hao…”
Su Yehua glanced at the empty space next to Li Yuanzhao, a complex look flashing through her eyes, she said, “He was an exceptional case and has been admitted to the Black and White Hall.”
“What?!”
At her words, the whole Alpha Academy erupted in uproar.
The noisy chatter instantly became like a bustling market, with everyone jostling and asking why and how.
In the crowd, Jiang Ye’s originally smiling face suddenly fell.
Even as a prince, he had not been an exception, and yet the son of the Li Family was given an exception?
His face darkened, but recalling the earnest teachings of his instructor back in the palace, he regained a calm expression. Yet inside, he seethed with fury, unable to fully conceal the shadows in his eyes.
“Teacher,” Jiang Ye spoke up, and suddenly the rest of the noise seemed to quieten down: “Why was he accepted as an exception?”
Jiang Ye fixed his gaze on Su Yehua.
Su Yehua, perceiving the prince’s inner wrath, thought to herself that if he had reached the Fifteen Li Realm, no, even the Divine Travel Realm, he could have been accepted as an exception.
Yet her face remained serene, with a smile she said:
“Li Hao’s cultivation level is above all of you, and he has distinguished himself with top-grade merit during the assignment in Cangyu City. Thus, to teach according to his aptitude, he was granted early admission to the Black and White Hall. If he were to remain here, we teachers wouldn’t be able to instruct him, and he would simply be taking up one of your spots on the Martial Arts ranking.”
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in astonishment, all bewildered.
Li Hao’s cultivation level was higher than theirs? Could the other party have already attained soul inheritance?
But… what’s this about top-grade merit?
Li Yun and Li Zhining were also full of question marks, equally bewildered; the two looked towards Li Yuanzhao.
Both had been to Cangyu City, so why hadn’t Li Yuanzhao made any notable achievements?
Seeing Li Yun and his sister’s gaze, Li Yuanzhao just smiled subtly, feeling secretly thrilled. Want to know? I’m not telling you.
After all, Hao had told him not to publicize it. When he asked why, Hao simply said he wanted to enjoy a few more days of leisure.
However, the incident at Cangyu City was too significant to be kept secret for long.
Li Yuanzhao was very much looking forward to it, wondering what expressions this brother and sister and the others would have once they knew of Hao’s cultivation level.
After their uncle, their Li Family would once again make a name for themselves across the world!
Thinking of that scene, he could hardly wait for time to pass faster, for the news from Cangyu City to spread.
Meanwhile, in the Black and White Hall of Tan Palace.
Palace Master Song Yufeng sat in the hall. The tea before him had lost its steam, gone cold, yet he sat there entranced, forgetting to sip.
Beside him, Shen Yunqing, Zhao Zongyuan, and many other elders of the Tan Palace were present, with only a few absent due to other commitments.
Song Yueyao also sat on a chair at the back, just like everyone else, scrutinizing the youth before her.
Li Hao felt the gaze of the people around him, like they were watching a monkey, somewhat helpless. It had been more than ten minutes, and no one had spoken. In that time, he thought he could have painted two pictures.
“I’m very happy that you all let me enter the Black and White Hall directly,”
“But I do not like this waste of time,”
Li Hao cleared his throat and spoke humbly and innocently.
The gazes from Song Yufeng and the others, resembling those who observe monkeys, finally began to wane in intensity.
Li Zhining of the Li Family, who had fallen from grace a decade ago, had startled the world; a nineteen-year-old achieving the Immortal status was unheard of.
It was a pity that they never got to see his face while he was alive.
But now, seeing this fourteen-year-old at the Fifteen Li Realm made them unable to help themselves from observing closely, wondering if he really had some unusual features or supernatural limbs?
Being mere mortals, how did this young man cultivate?
Song Yufeng observed carefully for a long time, growing increasingly astonished. He had stealthily probed Li Hao’s cultivation level with his breath, but found he could not see through it.
With his own realm, he struggled to scrutinize, a sign that the young man must have cultivated some secret technique to conceal his cultivation level, and to a profoundly deep level at that.
It was known that such techniques often offered minimal enhancement to direct combat abilities, yet here was Li Hao at only fourteen, spending time on such a superfluous skill, and still reaching the Fifteen Li Realm with his cultivation level—his talent was perhaps a bit extraordinary.
Back when the Emperor had conferred a name… indeed, the Emperor’s vision was accurate!
Palace Master Song Yufeng thought to himself, and his reverence for that grand figure seated on the dragon throne grew deeper in secret.
“You have reached the Fifteen Li Realm, with such talent, even Gan Tao Palace would be suitable for you to enter as a disciple,”
Song Yufeng asked Li Hao curiously, “I would like to ask, why did you choose to come to our Tan Palace Academy?”
The others also looked curiously at Li Hao. Was it for that peerless technique, or something else?
Song Yueyao also gazed intently, waiting for Li Hao’s response.
“The reason…”
Li Hao thought back to that day and said nostalgically, “I guess it was that morning when I just wanted to eat a piece of Mianyu Fragrant Crisp.”
Everyone: “???”
What?
They had considered various answers, but this was not among them.
What in the world was Mianyu Fragrant Crisp?
A piece of crispy snack?
The reasons why people wanted to enter Tan Palace Academy were many: for revenge through martial arts, for fame, for carrying on a family business, for padding their resume… but they had never heard of someone doing it for a deep-fried crispy snack.
Silence fell in the hall. After a moment, Song Yufeng came to his senses and said with a bitter smile, “That fragrant crisp… must be really delicious.”
“Mhm.”
Li Hao’s expression turned serious, and he spoke with some enthusiasm, “If you get the chance, you must try it. Remember to look for the right sign, it’s from old Liu’s family in Qinglian Alley.”
Seeing Li Hao earnestly making the recommendation, everyone was dumfounded.
The fragrance crisps of Qinglian Alley… Song Yueyao murmured to herself, unintentionally noting it down.
“Could it not be for our Tan Palace’s peerless Taiji Qiankun Sword Skill?” Huang Licao couldn’t help but ask.
He felt that Li Hao’s answer was too evasive. What was this nonsense about a fried snack?
Chapter 82: Chapter 78 Great Demon King
Tan Palace Academy attracts geniuses from across the Nineteen Provinces, not only because of the exceptional teaching level of these individuals but also because of this peerless technique.
This is also the treasure of Tan Palace Academy, not easily passed on to others, but those who can become the top student of Tan Palace’s White Hall certainly qualify to learn it.
“If I can incidentally learn this swordsmanship, that would indeed be nice,” Li Hao said with a smile, acknowledging the fact.
He indeed came for this peerless technique, just not as the other party had thought, as his main purpose.
After all, if he were truly in urgent need, he could completely entrust Feng to sneakily steal a copy by making an imprint.
Hearing Li Hao say this, Huang Licao’s lips curled into a smile, his face revealing an ‘as expected’ expression, thinking to himself that this kid was really good at playing his role, almost fooling him.
Song Yufeng and the others exchanged glances, also revealing smiles of understanding.
After Li Hao left Tan Palace, Song Yufeng looked at the others and said, “Since he has come for the Taiji Qiankun Sword, does anyone have any thoughts?”
“The Li Family did indeed keep their promise.”
Shen Yunqing stroked his beard and smiled, “Back then, the third son of the Li Family took an imprinted copy of the Taiji Qiankun Sword from us. He assured us it would never be passed on to a second person, and to think, he truly kept his word.”
“Indeed, it’s no wonder this young fellow came to our place,” a senior elder nodded, clearly having a favorable impression of the actions of the Li Family’s third son.
Although back then, the third son from the Li Family had enraged the entire Tan Palace Academy with his demeanor, but times had changed, and now the third son of the Li Family had long since died in battle beyond the frontiers, and they had let bygones be bygones.
Moreover, it was said that before his death, the Li Family’s third son had used the Taiji Qiankun Sword to thrust through seventeen Demon Kings, deterring a host of demons; this allowed the peerless technique to shine its brightest light in the world, which, more or less, brought glory to their Tan Palace Academy.
“He has just enrolled, so we can’t just give it to him that easily, can we?” someone said, looking toward Song Yufeng.
Song Yufeng’s heart stirred, but he remained silent.
“What to do then? The boy’s at the Fifteen Li Realm and if we put him in the White Hall, he’d be like a hand pressing down on a group of elites, taking the top spot if he wanted to. We old folks can’t possibly go down and fight him, can we?” Zhao Zongyuan said irritably.
“Have you forgotten our rule? One needs to attend Tan Palace Academy for three years to qualify. Otherwise, if the Divine General Mansion’s true dragons come over, wouldn’t they take it whenever they wanted?” the elder said.
“That’s true, but to have him stay here for three years would be a waste of a genius’ time, wouldn’t it?”
Shen Yunqing frowned slightly, saying this. After all, he had played chess with Li Hao, shared drinks, and even tasted the young man’s barbecue, which was truly extraordinary, so he felt a bit biased toward him.
“The academy’s rules are thus, we can’t make an exception for the Li Family now, can we?” a long-faced senior elder said, his face stern.
Huang Licao said, “We have already broken the rules this time. Don’t forget, we at Tan Palace Academy teach geniuses, and geniuses are meant to break conventions. If we bind them with rigid rules, that’s when the real problems will arise.”
“But if we set this precedent, won’t it degrade the value of the technique if geniuses from other Divine General Mansions come to claim it?”
Watching the endless debate among the people, Song Yufeng pondered and then said, “How about we give him two options? He can either teach at Tan Palace for one year or take up a nominal teaching position in our Black and White Hall. This way, the sword manual wouldn’t be considered lightly passed on.”
Hearing the Palace Master’s words, everyone quieted down, looking at each other knowingly.
When it comes to cunning, you truly are the master, Palace Master…
Next to Thousand Ren Cliff by Tan Palace, at the edge of a deep pond.
Li Hao was passing by this area on his way down the mountain and, struck by the charm of the deep and clear waters, felt an urge in his heart. He immediately returned to the student residences within Tan Palace to fetch paper and ink, then returned to the edge of the pond.
He set up his easel and began to draw beside the pond.
The experience system for the Art of Painting was quite user-friendly, with the amount of Painting Experience gained depending on the artistic conception or Cultivation Level of the subject of the painting.
For instance, replicating a Great Demon would yield more experience.
The same goes for portrait paintings of individuals with high realms.
However, after reproducing the same image a certain number of times, the experience gained would gradually reduce. Therefore, he needed to constantly draw different subjects.
But Li Hao guessed that if he wished to achieve Spiritual Awakening in the Art of Painting, he would probably need to put aside the idea of experience and bring a certain subject to a transcendent level.
Only by repeatedly painting the same thing a hundred times, a thousand times, or ten thousand times, might he be able to capture its spirit.
However, his Painting Experience was currently at the Fifth Stage, not yet at the peak of the Sixth Stage, so he would focus on maximizing his experience first.
Landscape painting with bold, free strokes, soon the board under Li Hao’s hand depicted a majestic and precipitous cliff. Then with a flourish of his brush, the outline of the deep pond also appeared, and a painting that seemed to stand on the paper emerged.
Li Hao produced three paintings in a row, his Painting Experience increasing with each.
+183, +145, +92…
At the bottom of the pond, a huge shadow lay coiled on the stones.
Suddenly, it opened its eyes, disturbed by the sensation of being spied upon, a feeling it found quite uncomfortable, disturbing its Qingmeng.
With a whoosh, its Spiritual Thought swept out, discovering a young man at the bank.
Whose little ghost is this… it grunted softly, abruptly rising from the stones, swiftly swimming towards the mouth of the pond, and leaping out.
Splash The sound of water splashed, falling on the shore.
Li Hao, who was painting for the fourth time, preparing to fully exploit the scenery of the deep pond and sheer cliff, saw the sudden surge and rupture of the pond water, revealing a kylin entirely drenched in blue. He was astonished.
A Water Kylin?
He looked at the creature in amazement, the two staring at each other, big eyes locking onto small ones.
“Who allowed you to be here? Scram immediately!”
The Water Kylin shook off the droplets from its head and scolded with a beautiful voice, surprisingly like the tinkling of spring water from a woman.
Li Hao had heard that the founding Palace Master of Tan Palace Academy had once subdued a Kylin Great Demon to guard and protect the Tan Palace. He hadn’t expected it to be right before his eyes.
It is said to be a Great Demon King of the Four Stands Realm!
Li Hao’s eyes immediately lit up, sparkling with shiny stars.
“Senior!”
Li Hao promptly clasped his hands together, his attitude extremely respectful, “May I have the honor to paint a portrait of you?”
If he could paint this Water Kylin, his Painting Experience would definitely soar.
Li Hao had already gleaned all the ‘wool’ from the likes of Second Elder and Feng, along with Fifth Elder; they had provided him with a substantial amount of Painting Experience.
The Water Kylin was taken aback, tilting its head with a big question mark popping into its mind.
Was this disciple from the academy so obsessed with martial arts that he had lost his mind?
“What nonsense are you spouting?” The Water Kylin’s eyes revealed a trace of anger and with a snort from its nostrils, the surrounding pond water seemed about to freeze over, emitting a heavy chill, “Scram, or I’ll eat you!”
Li Hao knew it was bluffing, as the Water Kylin couldn’t harm a Tan Palace disciple, of course, unless some disciple went too far and truly enraged it.
However, seeing the might it displayed at the moment, Li Hao felt a bit apprehensive; after all, neither Second Elder nor the others had ever shown such divine might before him.
He steeled himself and said, “This junior is from the Li Family down the mountain. Senior, if you ate me, I’m afraid it wouldn’t taste very good.”
“The Li Family?”
The chill in the Water Kylin’s eyes wavered slightly. The taste could be more than ‘not very good’; it might even cause it to shed a layer of skin.
“Hmph, even if I don’t eat you, a little corporal punishment will suffice, and your Li Family wouldn’t dare do anything to me,” the Water Kylin coldly snorted. Despite its words, it had no real intention to harm Li Hao, as it would be somewhat in the wrong if those old ‘youngsters’ from the Li Family came to question it.
It couldn’t just say, ‘Your kid disturbed my peaceful sleep, so I beat him up,’ could it?
After all, it was their senior.
By the standards of the Human Race, it ought to show some magnanimity.
Thinking this, it felt somewhat annoyed and stirred the pond water, about to sweep up Li Hao and send him flying off. Unexpectedly, at that moment, Li Hao suddenly shouted:
“Don’t move!”
“Senior, please don’t move!”
Li Hao said anxiously, “Just a moment, Senior, please hold your current posture, I can finish very quickly.”
A trace of bewilderment appeared in the Water Kylin’s large pure blue eyes.
By now, Li Hao had already picked up his brush and was fervently painting on the canvas.
The scene before him was too exquisite.
The Water Kylin stood upon the Emerald Pond, surrounded by surging waters, with the Thousand Ren Cliff beside it—this painting could be considered peerless.
“You …”
“Senior, I’m begging you, please stay still!”
Mortified yet curiously, the Water Kylin complied, having not encountered such a strange little fellow in a thousand years. What was he up to?
Seeing that the Water Kylin was indeed keeping still, Li Hao’s gaze sharpened as he stared intently at the paper, completely absorbed. He was somewhat lost in the process, his brush strokes swift.
The ink flowed gracefully as his movements were smooth and fluid, with touches light and heavy, creating clear layers of depth.
Half an incense stick’s time later, as Li Hao was nearly done, the Water Kylin had grown impatient, maneuvering the pond water to fall and saying, “Hey, what trick are you playing?”
Luckily, by then, Li Hao had just finished painting the surging waves of the pond. He was deeply focused, with his brush dancing quickly across the canvas. Finally, as he completed the last blade of grass by the pond with his brush, the entire painting was done.
[Painting Experience +1986]
Surprised at such a large amount of experience, Li Hao was overjoyed. This single painting was worth hundreds of his usual ones.
“Thank you, Senior!”
Coming back to his senses, Li Hao looked at the Water Kylin’s angry eyes and hurriedly bowed deeply in gratitude.
His thanks were not just for the experience, but also for the cooperation of the subject, allowing him to complete such a painting.
Immersed in the Art of Painting, his love for the painting itself had become as strong as the joy he felt from gaining experience.
“Is it finished?”
The Water Kylin raised an eyebrow, somewhat understanding human behaviors, it ordered indifferently, “Let me see it.”
Li Hao nodded, turning the canvas around.
Instantly, a breathtakingly beautiful painting was revealed before the Water Kylin.
The sharp cliff edges like swords, the lonely and profound Emerald Pond, and the majestic blue Kylin standing atop, with raging waves surrounding it, like the sovereign of the waters.
Its eyes gradually brightened up.
Was this Kylin in the painting itself?
Did it actually look… this beautiful?!
Swiftly, the Water Kylin’s form flickered, and it stepped out from the Emerald Pond. As its front hooves touched the air, its body rapidly shrank and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a woman draped in azure robes.
Her hair was water blue, a teardrop-shaped mark at the corner of her eye, her countenance capable of toppling states, and her pale, bare feet gently stepped forward, floating down in front of the canvas.
Chapter 83: Chapter 79: The Poetry Competition Prince
The ink on the canvas had not yet dried, and the Water Kylin also knew that touching it now would mar the painting.
She looked carefully, and the more she looked, the more she liked it. The impatience that had been stirred in her heart had already dissipated like smoke and clouds. Her beautiful eyes turned to Li Hao:
“Did you paint this for me?”
“Do you like it, senior?”
Li Hao saw the delight in her eyes and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, smiling as he said, “If senior likes it, then it’s a gift to you.”
The Water Kylin revealed a smile, making the whole cold pond seem much brighter. She laughed lightly:
“I didn’t expect to find such a skilled painter among humans; you’ve done a remarkable job. It almost feels like I’m standing on the paper myself.”
“As long as senior likes it.”
Painting is not just about copying; it’s an artistic enhancement, like adding a filter, naturally making it look good.
Li Hao looked at her and asked softly, “Senior, how about I paint a portrait of you in your present human form?”
This time the Water Kylin did not reject the idea, instead she showed interest and looked at Li Hao: “Can you still paint?”
“As for painting, if senior cooperates, I can paint all day!” Li Hao said with a smile.
“Alright, then paint another one for me to see,” the Water Kylin agreed.
“Good!”
Li Hao quickly agreed, seeing it as a rare opportunity to reap benefits.
“Senior, please stand by the edge of the pond, slightly to the side, yes, just like that…”
Li Hao had her strike a side pose, which, combined with her stunning beauty, made her resemble a wistful and gentle woman standing by the Emerald Pond.
He swiftly began to draw.
After a stick of incense had burned down.
The second piece of art was completed.
[Painting Experience +1738]
The experience had hardly diminished, mostly because transforming into a new form presented a different posture.
Li Hao quickly handed the painting to her.
The Water Kylin glanced at it, and her eyes immediately lit up. The woman in the painting was sorrowful and melancholic, exuding a transcendent loneliness and purity like a water lily detached from the mundane world.
This is actually me… The Water Kylin felt that the woman in the painting looked much better than how she perceived her real self.
And the tinge of sorrow in her features, could it be the true reflection of her heart?
Alone in the cold pond, a thousand years of solitude, the Tan Palace was a place of humans and not her own… In these bustling human cities, her loneliness seemed even more profound.
Gazing at the painting, she gradually became entranced.
Seeing her absorbed, Li Hao did not speak to disturb her, instead he quietly tidied up the canvas, and then once more, he captured her enraptured appearance.
In an era without photographs, his paintings could capture moments in time.
Li Hao thought that most people would probably like them.
Soon, the third painting was finished.
[Painting Experience +1541]
The experience had diminished slightly, but it was still a substantial amount.
Just three paintings had earned him over five thousand experience points, a veritable windfall.
When Li Hao finished the painting, the Water Kylin also came back to her senses and asked, “Are you done?”
So you noticed after all… Li Hao secretly chuckled in his heart. She had clearly sensed his presence, yet she had maintained an entranced posture, indicating she was willingly cooperating.
“It’s finished.”
Li Hao nodded and turned the canvas towards her.
Seeing the third painting, a deeper smile appeared in the Water Kylin’s eyes. The entranced expression was vivid and life-like, with the light casting angling reflections in her clear eyes, seeming to harbor a myriad of thoughts.
She had indeed briefly revisited certain memories from a thousand years ago, and he had seen through it?
Could this human boy really read her?
The Water Kylin looked at Li Hao, her gaze had become much more amiable as she said, “Your painting skills are indeed impressive. Did you say you’re a descendant of the Li Family?”
“Yes,” Li Hao nodded.
The Water Kylin, intrigued, said, “The Divine General Mansion Li Family is famous throughout the land, but as I know, the family rules are stringent, and all clan members are martial artists. How do they allow you to dabble in such minor arts?”
“The Art of Painting is not necessarily a minor art.”
Li Hao smiled slightly, “Moreover, cultivating and painting do not interfere with each other, as there are always times when one tires of practicing.”
“Oh?”
The Water Kylin raised an eyebrow.
Li Hao temporarily concealed his Myriad Attributes, releasing his fifteen li aura, and then reactivated the Myriad Attributes.
The Water Kylin was momentarily stunned, her eyes widening in astonishment as she looked at Li Hao.
Fifteen li?
Yet his blood and bone essence looked so fresh and tender.
“Senior, since we have some free time today, why don’t I continue to paint a few more pieces for you?” Li Hao offered with a smile.
The Water Kylin glanced at the paper in her hands, which she had forcibly dried out, and nodded, “That’s fine.”
Li Hao inwardly smiled and promptly had her stand again by the edge of the Emerald Pond to continue painting.
Soon, one painting after another was completed.
After painting eleven canvases, the Painting Experience for the twelfth had increased by only 351 points.
Although it was much less than before, compared to painting other subjects, it was still considered generous.
“Let’s stop here for today,”
The Water Kylin took the latest painting, glancing at it, her face beaming with a bright smile.
“Are you dissatisfied, senior?” Li Hao, who was about to continue painting, asked.
The Water Kylin shook her head, “Today my appearance is too plain. Your painting skill is so exquisite, I should dress up a bit more for your next painting.”
Li Hao was momentarily at a loss for words, thinking that the love of beauty is something everyone shares, but he hadn’t expected even the Great Demon King to possess it.
Feeling that her look for the day wasn’t pretty enough?
But Li Hao thought she was already beautific.
“Alright, then.”
Li Hao did not insist, as there were plenty of days ahead.
“What’s your name?” the Water Kylin asked.
“Li Hao.”
The Water Kylin appeared slightly surprised; that name seemed a bit presumptuous, and it would fit better if Li Hao belonged to the Royal Family.
“Senior, your name?” Li Hao asked, not missing the chance to bond.
