Capítulo 9: Chapter 39 - 46: Fame and Fried Dough. Prestige. The Ways of the World. A Sword, Snow Falls. A, B, C, D. Initiation? The True Form!. Turning the Tide. Entering the Top Tier
"Madam also asked me to remind you, young master. She requests that you must attend, as this is a rare opportunity."
Snow's voice was respectful and gentle as she said, "If you don't go, young master, Madam said she will confine you to your quarters for three months. She will also take away all your painting supplies, books, and zither, and you won't be allowed into the kitchen."
As she spoke, a strange feeling arose within her. It was intriguing to find someone with such diverse interests; this young master was truly a talented individual.
And now, instead of rushing to seize such a precious opportunity, she found herself having to persuade this young master to go, which was quite bizarre.
"That's a bit too harsh, isn't it?"
Lee Hao was speechless. "Is this a request or a threat?"
Snow looked up, her beautiful face radiating innocence as she blinked her eyes.
"Alright, alright, I get it," Lee Hao sighed.
Snow suppressed a smile, finding the young master absolutely fascinating. She bowed gracefully and bid farewell to Fifth Master before respectfully taking her leave from Lee Hao.
"You should listen to that girl, Jian Lan. Go and take a trip," said Li Qingzheng indifferently after Snow had left.
"Is it because of the secret manual from the Black and White Palace?" Lee Hao asked.
One of the three sacred sites in Qingzhou City, the Black and White Palace was comparable to the Rain Listening Tower. Although Lee Hao had heard from Second Master that the two were not on the same level, the Black and White Palace still had its tricks up its sleeve, such as that ultimate manual for suppressing palaces.
"That's right. That manual is worthy of being included in the Seven Floors," Li Qingzheng said indifferently. "And the teaching standards at the Tan Palace Academy are quite good. It's time for you to go and humble yourself."
"That's the real reason, isn't it..." Lee Hao muttered, twisting his mouth.
Before long, the maid, Qingzhi, came bouncing back.
Seeing that her hands were empty, Lee Hao asked, "Where's the fried dough?"
"I couldn't buy any."
Qingzhi bowed respectfully to Li Qingzheng before turning to Lee Hao and said, "I asked Mrs. Wang next door, and Uncle Liu went to the Tan Palace Academy for the market. It seems that many geniuses from the Nineteen States are there, and business is booming. Not only Uncle Liu but also many other vendors from the nearby streets have set up stalls there."
"Sheesh..." Lee Hao took a light breath and couldn't help but smile wryly. It seemed that he had no choice but to go there himself.
Although his cooking skills had reached the sixth level, Uncle Liu had been making the Cotton Jade Fried Dough for decades. While Lee Hao could replicate the dish, it always lacked that extra special something—it wasn't perfect.
Across from him, the old man saw Lee Hao's helpless expression and smiled, stroking his beard.
"Young master, when I returned, Yuan Zhao, who was waiting by the Flood Dragon Lion carriage at the door, said that he was waiting for you. He asked you to hurry and prepare so you could go to the Tan Palace Academy together," Qingzhi said.
"Alright," Lee Hao replied.
With things having come to this point, Lee Hao had no choice but to set out, especially if he wanted that fried dough.
He asked Qingzhi to prepare his outerwear, and then he left, wearing a loose robe.
"Fifth Master, I won't send you off this time since I need to leave," Lee Hao said to the old man.
"Go on. Come back and see how I'll defeat you," Li Qingzheng laughed.
I'll have to think of something... Lee Hao thought to himself, suppressing a smile. He left with Fu Bo, who was standing by his side, and Qingzhi.
Qingzhi had entered the mansion three years ago. Rumor had it that she was a young lady from a small family, but her family had fallen on hard times, and she had been sold into slavery, eventually ending up in the Shenjiang Mansion.
Lee Hao had heard that she knew a bit of calligraphy, so he had her transferred to the Shanhe Court.
Due to the previous assassination attempt, Qingzhi's entry into the mansion had been carefully scrutinized. She had gone through multiple rounds of selection and had been examined by Li Fu, the poison tester, to ensure that she was not abnormal before she was officially transferred to the Shanhe Court.
Later, she had caught Lee Hao's attention and was gradually moved to his side, becoming his personal maid and one of his more trusted servants.
Outside the mansion.
A team of Lee family guards was already in position, and five Yanbei Flood Dragon Lions, each as large as an elephant, were lined up in front of a huge carriage, creating an extraordinary spectacle.
As Lee Hao and the other members of the Lee family, except for a few who had already received titles, had no official titles yet, there was no canopy on the carriage. However, the carriage itself, adorned with intricate dragon and phoenix carvings, exuded an air of nobility. Coupled with the wild and rugged bodies of the five Flood Dragon Lions, the entire procession had an impressive aura.
However, Eighth Madam's children had been spoiled by their mother since they were young and were quite aloof and standoffish towards others. This trait had become more pronounced over the years.
But as time passed, many things changed.
"Brother Hao!"
Upon seeing Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao immediately called out cheerfully and patted the seat next to him, inviting Li Hao over.
Now thirteen years old, Li Yuanzhao's body had become even rounder, and he had a rather amusing appearance. His narrow eyes resembled slits on a round bun.
Li Yuanzhao was an orphan, having lost both his parents, and was raised by the Fourth Madam in her courtyard since he was young. It was said that he was favored by the Fourth Madam, which was why he was so well-fed and plump.
Hearing his enthusiastic voice, the siblings sitting beside him glanced over. The sister, Li Zhining, furrowed her brows slightly but remained silent.
As they grew older and gained more knowledge from the martial arts arena or were influenced by other factors, the Li Yun siblings gradually reduced their visits to the Shanhe Courtyard. After Li Hao turned eleven, they stopped coming altogether.
Li Hao would occasionally run into them when he went out fishing with the old master, but the siblings seemed to have lost their former enthusiasm and would try to avoid him.
Li Hao had taken the initiative to greet them a few times, but after several attempts, he understood their attitude and didn't complain or blame them. From then on, they became strangers to each other.
After all, not only did the people around him change with time, but he himself had also grown and matured.
In five years, a lot could change.
For his sake, Fifth Master had left the ancestral hall where he had sat alone for decades and frequently visited the courtyard to play chess with him to alleviate his boredom.
Meanwhile, the once lively group of children who gathered to listen to stories in the courtyard had gradually dispersed, leaving only Li Yuanzhao, who consistently maintained his fondness for the Shanhe Courtyard.
Sometimes, when there were no stories to listen to, he would bring a small stool and sit beside Li Hao, watching him paint or play chess and chat with Fifth Master.
In addition, it had been a long time since he had received any letters from the Sword Lodge, located thousands of miles to the south.
The last letter had arrived a year ago.
However, that letter had promised that the little girl would complete her training and descend from the mountains around this time next year.
Thinking that he would be able to see that little tail again in a year, a gentle smile appeared in Li Hao's eyes, and he sat down on the half of the seat that Li Yuanzhao had offered.
"Zhining, why aren't you greeting Brother Hao?" Li Yuanzhao asked, noticing that his sister remained silent even after Li Hao had taken a seat.
Li Zhining, who used to be neatly dressed and well-behaved, now had the beginnings of a graceful and poised young lady. However, compared to her once lively and pure eyes, there was now a hint of calmness and resoluteness.
She glanced at Li Hao, seeing the casual and warm smile still on his face, and furrowed her brows slightly without saying anything.
Beside her, Li Yun's expression turned solemn, and he said to the coachman in front, "Let's go, Ming Bo!"
"Yes, young master," Ming Bo replied, and the carriage began to move slowly. Aside from the initial jolt when the horses started, the ride was smooth and steady without any bumps along the way.
"Li Yuanzhao, although we have an invitation from the Tan Palace Academy, my mother said that we should rely on our own abilities to enter the palace as much as possible and not depend too much on the family, lest we become a laughingstock to outsiders!" Li Yun said sternly, his face expressionless.
__________
"Of course."
Li Yuanzhao frowned and said, "Do you think I'm not good enough on my own? Why don't we go back and have another match? We never determined a clear winner last time!"
Li Yun let out a cold snort. In their spars over the past two years, it had been hard to tell who was superior; they were evenly matched.
However, when it came to their ages, he was at a slight disadvantage. After all, the former was a year younger than him.
And when it came to their War Body talent, as determined by the bone-measuring ceremony, he was at a loss again. He was of the seventh rank, while his sister and Li Yuanzhao were both of the eighth.
Therefore, his words were clearly not directed at Li Yuanzhao but at the other party, the one who had made him understand the truth and secretly angered him.
Recalling how he had once been brutally beaten by a good-for-nothing, Li Yun felt particularly annoyed. Fortunately, only he, Li Hao, and the heavens knew about this incident.
Over the years, whenever he saw Li Hao, he felt an itching for revenge. If it weren't for the fact that Li Hao was always accompanied by Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle, he would never have passed up the opportunity to get back at him.
Although Li Yuanzhao was young, he wasn't foolish, especially after having spent so many years with Li Hao. He had heard all sorts of magnificent and bizarre stories, some about ghosts and monsters, and others about the viciousness of human nature. Though he didn't fully understand them, he was slightly more mature than his peers.
For this reason, he had caught on to Li Yun's implication from the start and deliberately shifted the target of his words to himself.
Seeing that Li Yun only dared to hint at his resentment, Li Yuanzhao didn't bother to pursue the matter further, not wanting to sour the mood. Smiling at Li Hao, he said, "Brother Hao, I heard that Xue'er will be back in a year."
"Yes," Li Hao replied with a smile on his lips.
"My master said that the rule in Sword Pavilion is that one must reach the Divine Wanderer Realm before they can descend the mountain. Could it be that Xue'er will break through to the Divine Wanderer Realm next year?" Li Yuanzhao asked curiously.
The Divine Travel Realm was the realm of the fourth level cultivators. Even outside the sect, they were powerful enough to venture into tiger lairs and slay demons. On the border, they could fight their way out of peril and take on the role of a military commander, second only to a general!
And next year, Bian Ru Xue would only be fifteen years old.
Such progress, even among the top geniuses of the ninth-rank War Bodies, was considered exceptional.
Those who had become famous throughout the world were mostly of the ninth-rank War Bodies. This was merely the starting point for the top geniuses, just the upper limit of the bone-measuring ceremony!
The gaps would continue to widen due to various opportunities, efforts, and innate talents.
Beside them, Li Yun's ears perked up at the mention of "Xue'er," and his eyes involuntarily glanced in Li Hao's direction.
The seed that had sprouted in his heart when he was young seemed to be poking its tip out once again.
However, upon thinking of the Divine Travel Realm, the boy's expression turned heavy and gloomy. Now that he understood the difference in cultivation levels, he knew how far-fetched such a goal was.
"That's right," Li Hao nodded. Cultivators at the Divine Travel Realm could at least ensure their safety while traveling in the martial arts world.
He glanced at a certain figure not far away who had a complicated expression on his face, and he found it both amusing and irritating at the same time that this young man still harbored such thoughts.
"It's been too long since I disciplined him. I can't believe he still dares to entertain such thoughts," Li Hao thought to himself.
"To reach the Divine Travel Realm at fifteen years old is truly remarkable. If she were to come to the Tan Palace Academy, the Palace Master would probably welcome her personally and accept her as an inner palace disciple," Li Yuanzhao exclaimed in awe.
They had only reached the perfection of the Revolving Heaven Realm and were still some distance away from the Soul Continuation Realm.
Their enrollment in the Tan Palace Academy this time was also to seek the spirit of an ancient hero to continue their souls.
This was an instruction from their mother, though they didn't know the reason behind it.
"Her master is the Sword Saint, so it's not really comparable," Li Hao consoled.
In fact, these guys were also considered geniuses. The reason they hadn't paid homage to a famous mountain was because there seemed to be an unwritten rule among the direct descendants of the Li family: they could pay homage to a famous mountain, but only if they became a personal disciple of a master like the Sword Saint.
Otherwise, they would stay in the mansion and cultivate. Once their cultivation reached a certain level, they would pay homage to the various major forces and make a name for themselves, showcasing the prestige of the younger generation of the Li family.
This standard was only for the direct descendants. It was different for the illegitimate children, who, like branches and leaves, had already paid homage to numerous famous mountains and masters after their foundation was stabilized. They had also made a name for the Li family within various forces.
Even without the true dragons of the direct descendants, the illegitimate children had already become outstanding youths in several second and third-rate forces.
This also made the Li family's prestige in the martial arts world extremely heavy, not just limited to the military camps on the border.
"Indeed," Li Yuanzhao sighed. Being taught by a Sword Saint-level master was something one could only dream of. At least, one had to start with a ninth-rank War Body talent as the minimum requirement.
...
At this moment, a huge carriage, led by a dragon-lion, was traveling on the streets of Qingzhou City. Everyone in the city knew that this was a vehicle from the God General Mansion.
The authority and prestige of the God General Mansion were on full display at this moment.
Before long, the carriage came to a halt, and the driver, Ming Bo, gently announced that they had arrived outside the Tan Palace Academy.
The academy was not far from the God General Mansion and could be considered a close neighbor.
As the carriage came to a stop, Li Yuanzhao, Li Yun, and Li Hao's gazes all slightly sharpened.
Although they were also considered proud and talented individuals, they had mostly cultivated within the mansion and had never truly revealed their abilities in front of outsiders. Coupled with their youthful dispositions, they couldn't help but feel a bit nervous at this moment.
Li Hao, however, was unaffected by the atmosphere. As soon as the carriage stopped, he casually got up and lifted the carriage curtain.
The light shone on his face, and at the same time, countless lively and chaotic voices rushed forward, pouring into the carriage, as if with a casual lift of the curtain, he had unveiled a vibrant world!
The three people in the carriage snapped back to their senses and saw Li Hao standing casually at the carriage door, quietly surveying their surroundings amidst the chaotic noises, a faint smile playing on his lips as he always did, his expression calm and unperturbed.
Li Zhining's eyes narrowed slightly as if a flood of memories threatened to overwhelm her, but she quickly regained her composure, and the curtain fell back into place.
When the three of them alighted from the carriage, they were greeted by an even more bustling scene.
The vast square was filled with figures, a sea of young men and women with broad shoulders and narrow waists, most of them carrying swords, knives, spears, and other weapons, exuding youthful vigor.
Among the crowd were also some young men of noble birth, accompanied by attendants, whose presence seemed to ward off others from approaching.
There were also girls in gorgeous feathered dresses, with graceful maids holding umbrellas to shade them from the scorching sun, standing out in the crowd and attracting attention.
As far as the eye could see, there was a dense crowd of young martial artists.
And at that moment, the few who stood on the carriage became the focal point of countless gazes.
After all, the dragon-lion carriage of the God General Mansion was too eye-catching.
According to the regulations set by the Great Yu, dragon-pulled carriages were a symbol of status: nine dragons for the emperor, seven for dukes and princes, five for marquises and officials of the second rank, and three or two for scholars, aristocrats, and other officials.
As for the common people, only those wealthy merchants without official titles could use a single dragon-steed to pull their carriages, and they were not allowed to use steeds with dragon bloodlines.
Although Li Hao and his companions had no official titles, as the children of a marquise, they could still enjoy the privileges of their parents' status.
"So that's the God General Mansion?"
"The Li family of Qingzhou City, the thousand-year-old God General Mansion. Their grandeur truly lives up to their reputation!"
"Another four spots taken. It's frustrating that the Tan Palace Academy has such limited spots!"
"Hmph, I, Lin Yan, will lead my Lin family of Liu State to rise from this generation and compete with the world!"
"I heard that there's a good-for-nothing in this generation of the Li family. I wonder if he's here?"
A thousand years of glory stirred envy and admiration in countless hearts and ignited the ambition and vigor of many young people, adding a competitive edge to the chaotic atmosphere.
Li Yun, Li Yuanzhao, and Li Zhining's faces were taut, their outward composure belying the sweat on their fingers, a telltale sign of their inner tension.
The gazes felt like burning flames, and Li Yun couldn't bear to linger. With a cold expression, he said, "Let's go," and jumped down from the carriage, followed by his sister, Li Zhining. Ming Bo's farewell, "Young Master, take care," echoed in their ears as they strode into the crowd like tigers in the forest.
Unconsciously, the people around them made way, showing respect not so much to the youths themselves but to the prestigious name they carried.
"Brother Hao, let's go too," Li Yuanzhao said to Li Hao, swallowing nervously.
But Li Hao only slightly raised himself on his toes, surveying the surroundings. He took a slight sniff and soon, his eyes lit up. "Let's go!"
With that, he jumped down from the carriage, and the people around him hastily made way, not daring to block the path of this elegantly dressed young man.
Li Yuanzhao quickly followed, but after a few steps, he tugged on Li Hao's sleeve. "Brother Hao, aren't we going in the wrong direction? The Tan Palace Academy is over there."
"I know," Li Hao replied without turning his head. "But there's food ahead."
Glory and fame could wait, but delicious food could not!
__________
The aroma of cotton candy filled the air, reaching Li Hao's nostrils even from a distance. It was Uncle Liu's specialty.
Despite his humble status as a small-time merchant, Uncle Liu was renowned for his deep-fried treats, earning him a permanent spot on the busiest street outside Shenjiang Mansion.
As Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao approached the square, they noticed a decrease in the number of young men and women loitering around. Most of them were hurrying toward the entrance ladder of Tan Palace Academy, but there were still quite a few people lingering at the various stalls. From their attire, it was evident they were visitors from other states.
It was a rare opportunity to be in Qingzhou, so it was worth sampling the local delicacies.
Li Hao noticed a long line in front of Uncle Liu's stall, mostly consisting of young women and a few servants and maids queuing to buy treats for their masters.
Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao joined the back of the line.
"Brother Hao, haven't you had breakfast yet?" Li Yuanzhao asked.
Li Hao nodded.
"Wait here, I'll get us some," Li Yuanzhao said, then shouted toward the front, "Uncle Liu, prepare two breakfast sets for us!"
His loud voice drew the attention of those in line. Recognizing their fine clothing and aristocratic appearance, the onlookers immediately identified them as wealthy young masters.
At the stall, Uncle Liu was busy frying while Aunt Liu collected money and served customers. Hearing Li Yuanzhao's shout, she looked up and, recognizing Li Hao, immediately smiled and relayed the order to her husband:
"It's Young Master Hao from Shenjiang Mansion. Prepare two servings for him quickly."
Uncle Liu paused in his work and glanced up, a smile spreading across his wrinkled face when he spotted the boys at the end of the line.
To these lowly merchants and servants, the privileged often displayed disdain and contempt. But Young Master Hao treated them as equals and without prejudice. Three years ago, he had even sat on the ground in front of their stall, helping them advertise their treats. That memory still startled and delighted them, and they had never forgotten that peculiar young master from a prestigious family.
"You rascal..." Li Hao started to pull Li Yuanzhao back, intending to wait patiently, but Aunt Liu had already heard them and smiled at him. With a helpless smile, he led Li Yuanzhao to the other side of the stall to wait quietly.
The servants nearby glanced at them frequently but said nothing. However, the young women in line glared at them, clearly displeased.
"Why should he be allowed to cut in line? That's unfair!" one of them complained.
"Exactly!" another chimed in.
"This isn't fair, owner!"
Li Yuanzhao, sensing their displeasure, was about to reveal their affiliation with Shenjiang Mansion, but Li Hao stopped him.
With no other option, Li Hao decided to address the situation. He smiled at the grumbling girls and pulled out a gold bar, placing it on the stall counter. "Ladies, there's no need to be angry. I'll pay a fair price—five times the cost."
Aunt Liu was flustered and tried to return the gold bar. "Young Master Hao, we can't accept this!"
"Keep the change," Li Hao insisted with a smile. "Consider it payment for future purchases as well." His gentle eyes conveyed that his offer was non-negotiable.
The street vendor couple was savvy, and Aunt Liu quickly understood his intention.
"Make it five servings, Uncle Liu," Li Hao requested.
"Okay, okay!" Uncle Liu agreed hastily.
Seeing that his wife wasn't going to refuse, he set to work.
The other young women in line glared at Li Hao, their anger rising. They could afford to pay five times the price for one cotton candy, but they didn't want to be taken advantage of.
Soon, Li Hao had five servings of cotton candy in hand. He handed one bag to Li Yuanzhao and began to make his way out of the crowd.
"That's a lot, Brother Hao. Can you finish it all?" Li Yuanzhao asked, biting into his own treat. "It's so delicious! No wonder you like it, Brother Hao!"
Li Hao smiled and returned to the carriage, where Qingzhi and Li Fu were waiting. He handed each of them a bag.
"Young Master, you haven't gone to the entrance ladder yet?" Li Fu asked, taking the snack with a confused expression.
"We need to fill our stomachs first," Li Hao replied.
Li Fu was speechless. Having served Li Hao for five or six years, he understood the young master's temperament and didn't say more. Besides, they had an invitation.
Li Hao glanced at Ming Bo, who was sitting on the carriage board. Although he was from Piaoxue Court, he had always been polite to Li Hao. Li Hao handed him a bag as well.
"Thank you, Young Master Hao," Ming Bo said, accepting the treat with both hands.
Like Li Fu, he soon voiced a similar concern. "Young Master Hao, haven't you... gone to the entrance ladder yet?"
"I'll go after I finish eating," Li Hao said casually.
Li Ming, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but be stunned. By now, Young Master Yun and Miss Zhining had probably already entered the school. Yet here was Li Hao, still lingering at the foot of the mountain, living up to his reputation for being leisurely...
...
After finishing their snacks, Li Hao and the now-impatient Li Yuanzhao made their way through the crowd to the entrance ladder.
It was more of a long staircase than a ladder.
Rumor had it that there were a thousand steps leading up to the entrance of Tan Palace Academy.
This was the first challenge the academy presented to prospective students.
Climbing a thousand steps wasn't particularly difficult, but on the other side of the staircase, near the mountain forest, there were constant movements as ape-like shadows darted about. These were none other than ape demons trained by the academy.
As challengers climbed the stairs, they would be harassed and attacked by these ape demons. If one couldn't reach the top within ten breaths while avoiding the demons' assaults, they would be considered to have failed the first test.
This challenge was indeed formidable. Climbing the stairs required the strength of the sixth or seventh level of the Tongling Realm, not to mention the need to dodge the relentless attacks of the ape demons, which tested one's eyesight and agility.
"Miss, this test seems rather difficult," a maid with an umbrella commented anxiously to the young woman in white beside her.
With her exceptional insight, she spotted several prominent noble families as she surveyed the surroundings.
Some of these families held higher status than her own, the Si family, while others were slightly less influential.
"Miss, those two over there seem to be young masters from the Qingzhou Shenjiang Mansion." The maid craned her neck to get a better view and pointed to the left.
Si Xiaolan glanced in that direction and recognized the sleeve emblem, nodding slightly, "Indeed."
At that moment, as she looked over, the two young men happened to be registering their entry.
Si Xiaolan's heart stirred, and she immediately walked forward to register as well.
"So what if they're from the Shenjiang Mansion? I've heard that the Li family are true dragons. I want to see how I measure up against them." Si Xiaolan thought to herself, her eyes gleaming with a hint of stubborn determination.
"Age, place of origin, and name."
"Ji Province, Si family."
In front of the registrar, Si Xiaolan only stated her family name. The registration for this first test was quite casual, and as expected, upon hearing the name of her family, the registrar glanced at the young girl and nodded:
"Go ahead, you know the rules, right? As long as you reach the top within ten breaths, it doesn't matter how you do it."
"Ten breaths? That's too long."
Beside them, another youth dressed in luxurious clothing commented indifferently.
Si Xiaolan turned to look and recognized him as the heir of another prominent family from a different province. Her eyes shone even brighter.
"Miss, they are all from prestigious families. Should we wait for the next batch...?" The maid beside her asked anxiously, tugging at the hem of Si Xiaolan's dress.
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Si Xiaolan's eyes sparkled, "In the martial arts world, it's not your reputation that matters, but your true skills!"
After saying that, she left the maid waiting there and followed the others into the test area.
She wanted to make some secret comparisons.
"Get ready." Beside them, an elderly man who seemed to be in a meditative state lifted his eyelids and said indifferently.
Everyone began to adjust their breathing and loosen their joints.
"Yuanzhao, good luck." Li Hao smiled encouragingly at Li Yuanzhao.
Since the young man insisted on relying on his own abilities to tackle this challenge, there was nothing he could do.
"Mm!"
Li Yuanzhao nodded firmly.
The others glanced at Li Hao, feeling that his words were a bit odd, but they didn't think too much about it.
At that moment, with a signal from the elderly man, more than ten people started to exert their strength!
Whoosh!
A gust of wind suddenly blew up beside them, and Li Yuanzhao's figure shot forward like a cannonball, leaving a dent in the ground where he had been standing.
In the blink of an eye, he had climbed a hundred steps, and with another stride, he surged ahead like a hurricane and quickly reached the summit!
The whole process took no more than three breaths.
Li Hao knew that for Li Yuanzhao, who had reached the peak of the Zhou Tian Realm, this wasn't his full strength yet.
When Si Xiaolan saw Li Yuanzhao's figure rushing forward, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and then she suddenly burst forth with power, transforming into a white light that swiftly chased after him, but the distance between them quickly widened.
On the way, a monkey demon suddenly pounced at her, but she was prepared and dodged like a fluttering butterfly, then took a few quick steps to reach the summit.
She counted the time—it took her seven breaths.
Just as she arrived, someone else reached the summit almost simultaneously.
After ten breaths, out of the twelve people, only seven had passed.
Those who stood at the summit looked at the short and stout, unimpressive-looking young man with complex expressions, their eyes revealing their awe.
Li Yuanzhao's burst of speed had been too frightening. Even the wind generated by his body movement had the force of a tiger's roar.
Was this the monster from the Shenjiang Mansion? The gap between them was too huge.
Si Xiaolan's eyes grew solemn as she continuously sized up the young man, who seemed a year or two younger than her. She felt a deep sense of frustration, a feeling of being thoroughly defeated.
At this moment, someone noticed that only one of the two young men from the Shenjiang Mansion had reached the summit.
Someone turned back and was surprised to see a figure slowly walking up the steps from below.
And the monkey demons around didn't seem to be attacking him.
"Brother Hao."
Li Yuanzhao turned and waved.
Soon, Li Hao also reached the top and smiled at Li Yuanzhao.
"Does he count as having passed as well?" Someone asked in surprise.
"Didn't the ten breaths already pass?"
Everyone was puzzled.
There was also an elderly man at the summit, who was in charge of verifying the test results. Hearing their discussion, he said indifferently, "You have all passed. Now proceed to the second test. There, you might lose your life. If you want to back out, you can give up now, as there are other prestigious families that will take in disciples."
His words left them speechless, and they could sense the confidence behind his words.
"Does he count as having passed as well?" Si Xiaolan frowned and asked, pointing at Li Hao.
"Of course. He has an invitation." The old man replied calmly.
"An invitation?"
"Does the Tan Palace Academy actually issue invitations?"
Everyone stared in astonishment. They were all shocked to learn about the existence of such invitations.
While everyone else was struggling to pass the test, someone had a ticket to skip the whole thing? And this ticket was issued by the Tan Palace Academy itself!
Li Hao smiled at the righteous-looking young girl in white, intending to tease her a bit. He took out the invitation from his pocket and waved it at her, then walked away.
Si Xiaolan was stunned for a moment, then recalled what she had said earlier about relying on one's skills in the martial arts world. Skills my foot! It's all about having connections!
Thinking about how Li Hao had flaunted his status, she stomped her foot angrily and gritted her teeth as she followed him.
...
Soon, everyone arrived at the second test.
Not far ahead from the summit was a cliff, and nailed to the face of the cliff were several chains stretching to the opposite side.
The chains were spaced far apart, meaning one could only step on one chain at a time.
A tightrope walk across a bottomless cliff?
Someone's face changed slightly, and they began to have second thoughts.
Si Xiaolan's eyes narrowed slightly, and her palms began to sweat. Then, she looked at the two imposing figures ahead of her.
There's no way he can use that invitation here, right?
She thought to herself, a cold smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
__________
At the edge of the cliff, apart from Li Hao and his group, there were quite a few others lingering nearby, occasionally glancing towards the precipice.
It was clear that a fall from such a height would result in certain death, and the danger of the situation caused many to hesitate.
However, on the iron chain that stretched across the abyss, seven or eight figures were currently making their way across, each employing their own unique methods to navigate the treacherous path.
Some walked with calm and ease, their bodies unaffected by the swaying of the chain beneath their feet, as if they were strolling on solid ground.
Others had their arms outstretched, carefully controlling their balance as they slowly inched forward.
And then there were those who chose a less graceful but extremely stable approach—they hugged the chain and slowly shuffled across, inch by inch.
While most of those present would have been able to cross the chain with relative ease, there was no doubt that this trial tested one's courage.
Standing at the edge of a bottomless pit, who wouldn't have trembling legs?
"Without a bit of courage, how can you dare to face demons and monsters?"
Among the seven who had already passed the test, a young man dressed in fine clothes spoke indifferently. He was the first to leap onto the chain, landing gracefully and maintaining his balance effortlessly.
His actions immediately drew the attention of those watching, and soon, someone recognized his identity.
"The cloud pattern on his sleeve, he's from the Su family of Yun State!"
"The Su family? I've heard they're one of the three great noble families of Yun State, with a deep heritage."
"No wonder he's so bold. The border of Yun State often sees demonic creatures, he must have trained his courage early on."
Murmurs of discussion filled the air as some of the hesitant ones struggled with their decision.
"Brother Hao, let's go too."
Li Yuanzhao, feeling a bit uncomfortable seeing someone else take the lead, urged Li Hao to follow suit.
Li Hao scanned the cliff edge, puzzled by the absence of anyone from the Tan Palace Academy.
Logically, they should have sent people here to receive the invitees. Otherwise, what was the point of sending out invitations?
"Alright then."
With no one in sight, Li Hao could only agree with Li Yuanzhao.
"Hmph, there's no way to cheat your way through this trial."
Si Xiaolan directed a slight smile at Li Hao, clearly still annoyed that he had relied on his background to pass the first trial. She found it extremely unfair.
"Is that so?"
Li Hao looked at the young girl in surprise. Did she not know who she was talking to? But he decided not to bother arguing with her.
"There's a saying," Li Hao replied thoughtfully, "Little sister, when you're out in the world, it's not just about having a strong fist or a powerful backer."
"Hmm?" Si Xiaolan frowned, feeling that his words echoed her earlier thoughts.
"Because having a backer isn't enough, you also need people in front of you!"
Li Hao smiled lightly at the girl, then lifted his head, his eyes carrying a detached calm as he spoke softly, "Come, brother!"
"Brother Hao, do you want me to carry you?"
Li Yuanzhao understood immediately. He had heard from the elders in the courtyard that Li Hao had inferior talent and could only focus on body refining. As he had rarely seen Brother Hao take action, he had already anticipated this approach and was determined not to let Brother Hao feel embarrassed.
Li Hao smiled faintly and patted him on the shoulder.
Li Yuanzhao bent over in response.
Without hesitation, Li Hao jumped onto his back, then waved at the stunned girl next to them. "See you on the other side."
Before his words had even landed, Li Yuanzhao had already rushed forward. With a mighty leap, he landed several dozen meters away, right on the iron chain.
The chain swayed violently, but Li Yuanzhao, with Li Hao on his back, moved with the chain, his feet sticking to it like glue.
Without waiting for the chain to fully stabilize, Li Yuanzhao started running, his strides confident and steady as if he were running on solid ground.
Having reached the perfection of the Heaven Passage Realm and with years of practicing martial arts and standing meditation at the martial arts field, this trial was child's play to him.
As the onlookers watched Li Yuanzhao's speeding figure on the chain, their eyes widened in astonishment, except for Si Xiaolan. They had seen show-offs before, but never someone so fearless. Was he treating the chain like solid ground?
Furthermore, they wondered if they could even run that fast on flat ground, let alone while carrying someone!
When they finally noticed the clothing of the two, someone with sharp eyes recognized them as the first young master of Qing State's foremost noble family. Suddenly, everything made sense, and they couldn't help but feel impressed. They had heard the saying, "Seeing is believing," but today, they found that reality exceeded rumors.
Soon, the young man in fine clothes who had been the first to cross the chain was overtaken by the running Li Yuanzhao.
The latter strolled casually with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent. It was only when the rushing wind brushed past his face that a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes...
In no time, Li Yuanzhao reached the opposite shore.
The thousand-foot-long chain stretched across the sky, disappearing into the white mist that shrouded the mountains.
Li Yuanzhao's running figure parted the mist, and as he leaped to the ground, he immediately drew the attention of those nearby.
Li Hao patted his shoulder and jumped down from his back, looking around.
It seemed they weren't the first to arrive, as several others who had passed the previous trials were already waiting.
In front of these "interviewees" stood the disciples of Tan Palace Academy, all teenagers around seventeen or eighteen years old. They wore black and white uniforms, exuding an air of elegance and otherworldliness.
Of course, this was true only for those with fitting physiques and handsome features; for those with stout builds or plain looks, the uniform only served to make them stand out awkwardly...
"Who is that guy? He's so amazing!"
"He ran across the chain? And he was carrying someone?"
The dozens of onlookers who had paused to watch the spectacle began to whisper among themselves.
Li Yuanzhao took a step forward and approached one of the young men from Tan Palace Academy. "Is there another trial here?"
"That's right, this is the final trial." The young man had clearly recognized Li Yuanzhao's identity as well. After all, it would be difficult not to know of him after spending several years cultivating in Qingzhou City, so close to the Divine General Mansion.
"To pass this trial, you must last one round against us."
If the first trial tested one's fundamentals and the second trial tested one's courage in battle, then the third trial seemed designed to intimidate newcomers.
Li Yuanzhao's eyes lit up with eagerness as he heard this, and he said, "Please teach me!"
He bowed with a fist to his chest in a military salute and then took a few steps back to assume a fighting stance.
"You may choose a weapon." The young man reminded him with a smile.
"It's just one round, it's not necessary." Li Yuanzhao replied.
The young man's eyes flickered, feeling slightly disrespected, but he didn't take it too personally. After all, the Li family was known for their geniuses, and he was also curious to test this young man's abilities.
Without further ado, he set aside his sword and lunged forward with a fierce punch, his movements like a tiger pouncing or a wolf biting. His offense was fierce and aggressive.
However, Li Yuanzhao simply pivoted on his feet, slippery as an eel retreating into its hole. His movements were smooth, and he suddenly spun around to counter with a powerful punch.
Bang! The two fists collided, and the young man stumbled back three steps. On the other hand, Li Yuanzhao only took a single step to steady himself.
The young man's face showed his surprise. Although he hadn't used his full strength, that punch had carried over ten thousand pounds of force! It was equivalent to the strength of someone at the mid-stages of the Sky Passage Realm!
This far exceeded the standard for the entrance examination, as the minimum requirement was merely the completion of the Energy Refinement Realm.
The young man had been caught off guard and almost lost face. "He has at least the strength of the Sky Passage Realm's fifth layer, perhaps even the seventh or eighth layer. Or maybe he's cultivated an exceptional energy circulation technique or a meridian expansion method!"
The young man's eyes turned solemn as he realized the truth behind the rumors. The Li family's descendants were indeed freaks, blessed with abundant resources that far surpassed their peers.
The others were astonished to see the young man fall behind after just one punch, and they stared at Li Yuanzhao as if he were a monster. Was this the pride of the Divine General Mansion?
At that moment, the chains swayed, and several figures leaped down, including the young man from Yun State's Su family and Si Xiaolan.
The other Tan Palace Academy students immediately explained the rules to them. Upon hearing the requirement, their expressions turned solemn.
After all, to enter the Tan Palace Academy, one had to be at least a genius. And now, they had to face opponents who had cultivated for several years. This challenge would not be easy to overcome.
Si Xiaolan's heart stirred as she glanced at Li Hao, who was still standing nearby. She knew that with his invitation, he would most likely be allowed to pass without any further trials.
Compared to their arduous journey through the trials, he seemed to be taking it easy. This was the difference that their backgrounds had created.
"You're up."
At that moment, a burly young man turned to Li Hao and spoke.
Li Hao smiled faintly as Si Xiaolan's expression clearly showed her thoughts. He took out the invitation and said, "I have an invitation."
He had no intention of wasting his energy or bullying others like Li Yuanzhao had done.
"An invitation?"
The crowd's eyes widened, filled with a mix of surprise, envy, and jealousy.
The burly young man hesitated, his brow furrowed as he recalled some rumors he had heard. He took the invitation from Li Hao and examined it for a moment before handing it back. "Although you have an invitation, you still need to undergo a basic test. I'll go easy on you."
Li Hao was taken aback.
The young man who had been testing Li Yuanzhao, along with the other Tan Palace Academy students conducting the trials, couldn't help but facepalm. This stubborn young man was at it again.
"Come on then." The burly young man's body crackled with energy as he prepared to face Li Hao.
Li Hao asked, "Do you know what this invitation means?"
"I said I'll go easy on you, but you still need to show something. Otherwise, people might think that our Tan Palace Academy is currying favor with the nobility and opening backdoors for anyone," the burly young man replied earnestly, his eyes serious.
Li Hao was left speechless.
Indeed, people had a thousand different faces, and this burly young man seemed to be one of those stubbornly honest types.
"Pfft..." Si Xiaolan couldn't hold back her laughter. Her bright eyes sparkled with schadenfreude as she looked at Li Hao.
She had thought he would just slip by easily, but now he had encountered this interesting young man. She even found the burly young man's rugged appearance somewhat handsome because of his straightforward nature.
"You can choose any weapon you like."
The burly young man's expression was serious as he gestured to the weapon rack nearby.
Li Hao felt a bit helpless but didn't hold any anger towards this young man. After all, his insistence on fairness wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
He walked over to the weapon rack, chose a sword, and returned to face the burly young man.
"You're using a sword?" The burly young man's eyes flickered, and he nodded. "Then you may make the first move."
He drew his own sword, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of a skilled swordsman.
"You can go first," Li Hao said.
"If I make the first move, you might not get a chance," the burly young man said firmly.
"...Alright then."
Li Hao sighed and casually performed a sword flourish.
Sword Technique... Falling Snow.
"Hmm?" Si Xiaolan felt as if snowflakes were drifting before her eyes, bringing a chill to her body. She looked up, confused, "It's autumn, why is it snowing?"
__________
Was it snowing?
No.
But to everyone's eyes, it seemed like snowflakes were suddenly fluttering down.
These snowflakes appeared only within a three-foot radius of where Li Hao stood.
Each snowflake carried a piercing chill, a reflection of the sword light, just like the name of the sword technique—Falling Snow.
Its level was True Form…
Before Li Hao, the burly youth's pupils constricted rapidly as he stood frozen in place.
In his line of sight, countless snowflakes seemed to sweep in like a storm, wildly surging. But this storm was held in the palm of the young boy, as if he held the power of the heavens and the earth!
The biting cold did not sweep over him, only… from the storm, a wisp of a snowflake gradually shot out, fluttering lightly and grazing his cheek.
It felt slightly cool.
The burly youth subconsciously reached out and touched his cheek, feeling a tinge of pain, but there was no blood.
His eyes froze, his body tensed, and he stood there holding his sword like a valiant swordsman. But his arm was trembling, and he made no move.
Soon, in what felt like the blink of an eye, the snowflakes that had filled the sky like an illusion disappeared.
Li Hao casually tossed his sword back onto the weapon rack, and it slid diagonally into its sheath. With the clang of the hilt closing, it sounded like ice breaking, and the burly youth snapped out of his daze, his body shaking as if waking from a dream. Everyone else also seemed to wake up from a trance.
Just now, it was as if they had all fallen into a dream.
But was it really a dream?
The place fell into an eerie silence.
Until Li Hao's cheerful voice broke the silence, asking, "Now, can I be considered to have passed?"
The burly youth came back to his senses, stunned for a moment, his tongue-tied as he said, "You, you won."
There had been no clash of swords because he was not even close to being a match for Li Hao. In fact, he didn't even have the courage to draw his sword, losing completely and utterly.
The other Tan Palace disciples beside him stared at Li Hao in astonishment. They had thought that Li Yuanzhao, who had just demonstrated his prowess, was already fearless and unmatched. But now, they had witnessed something even more astonishing.
What kind of sword technique was this? It was definitely a top-notch technique and had been executed to a perfect level!
No wonder they thought so. The Falling Snow sword technique was indeed of high quality. But at the True Form level, even a perfect realm sword technique of the top-notch grade would pale in comparison…
"What a wonderful sword technique!"
"Oh my, it was like an illusion! I could have sworn I saw snowflakes!"
"Me too! This is too incredible!"
"The sword techniques from the Divine General's Mansion must be top-notch. I wonder if he has practiced it to the perfect level. How long would that take?!"
As the crowd snapped out of their daze, they stared at Li Hao in shock.
They had long heard of the fame of the Divine General's Mansion, and today, their eyes had truly been opened.
Si Xiaolan stared at Li Hao, her heart sinking. With this exquisite sword technique, there was no doubt that Li Hao had the skills to pass the first two trials on his own merit.
Was this the peer of the Divine General's family? Were they all truly monstrous talents?!
"Brother Hao!"
Beside them, Li Yuanzhao was even more excited. He had not expected Li Hao's sword technique to be so profound. With his broader exposure to the martial world, he immediately recognized this as the Falling Snow sword technique that Sister Xue'er had once displayed.
But the level at which Li Hao had displayed it was clearly beyond the level Sister Xue'er had achieved back then. He even felt that it had surpassed the perfect realm.
Li Hao smiled at the excited Yuanzhao but said nothing.
He only felt a slight sense of nostalgia in his heart, wondering what level the little girl from the Sword Lodge had reached with this sword technique.
Recalling the time when he had guided her in the courtyard, a smile curved his lips, but he soon calmed his mind and asked the burly youth in front of him, "Then... where do we go from here?"
"Ah? Oh, oh... Just go straight ahead, and you'll find the teacher waiting for you there."
The burly youth quickly replied, his eyes involuntarily showing a hint of reverence.
The starting point of the royal family was indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people like them.
Li Hao nodded and led Li Yuanzhao past the burly youth, walking up the small path and the steps ahead, stepping casually and nonchalantly.
Behind them, the crowd watched as the two figures disappeared, finally snapping out of their daze.
At this moment, someone suddenly thought of a question: "Why do they have invitations? Could it be that because of their strength, they didn't need to take the assessment?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the rest of the group realized the same thing, and they fell silent.
Earlier, they had thought it was because of the prestige of the Divine General's Mansion, and they had felt a slight resentment in their hearts. But now, they felt relieved.
Si Xiaolan's delicate face changed slightly, and she gently bit her lip, realizing that she had misunderstood them.
The Tan Palace Academy, which had stood for hundreds of years, was not a place that relied on empty fame. How could it stoop to unscrupulous means to curry favor with the powerful?
...
...
Within the mountains of the Tan Palace Academy, in a large stele square.
Here, many young figures were gathered, their eyes fixed on the stele in the square, comprehending the techniques inscribed upon it.
At the edge of the square, two old men sat in a corner, playing a game of chess.
"Oh dear!"
Suddenly, one of them, a short and stout old man who had been deep in thought, seemed to have suddenly remembered something. He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "I almost forgot! There are still two invitations that I need to go and greet."
"If it were anyone else, that would be fine. But don't you remember? The son of Lord Xing Wu is a cultivation waste and can only practice body refinement. It was all the talk about ten years ago, but now it's quieted down."
Elder Shen Yunqing, short and stout, hurriedly stood up. "If he falls to his death at the second gate, we'll be in big trouble!"
"This..." The gray-robed elder was startled as well. After all, that was the only son of Lord Xing Wu. He quickly said, "Then you'd better go now."
Elder Shen nodded and immediately whistled. A whistling wind sounded as a large bird with a wingspan of seven or eight Zhang flew swiftly from a distance, attracting the attention of many young figures standing before the stele. The bird slowly descended in front of the elder.
"Wait for me..." The gray-robed elder said.
Seeing his friend depart on the bird, his interest in the game was disturbed, and he muttered, "If I had known this would happen, I should have just sent five invitations instead of needing an extra pendant."
As he spoke, he looked down at the chessboard.
Suddenly, the more he looked, the more he felt something was amiss, and he angrily cursed, "You son of a turtle, if you're going to lose, just run away!"
...
The short and stout Elder Shen Yunqing was actually quite heavy. He rode the demon bird and flew towards the second gate.
Aside from escaping the chess game, he was also genuinely concerned about the situation at the second gate. He hoped that Elder Tang there would be aware of the child's situation and help him across the cliff.
Suddenly, his gaze shifted, and he saw two figures walking together on the mountain path below. They were dressed in fine clothes and had an extraordinary bearing.
And that clothing emblem—he was all too familiar with it. It was the Li family of the Divine General's Mansion!
"Hmm?"
Surprised, Shen Yunqing immediately signaled for his mount to descend.
The sound of bird cries and howling wind approached from above, causing Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao to stop and look up. They saw a huge demon bird with three eyes descending to a height just a few Zhang above the ground in front of them.
On the bird's neck sat a short old man who craned his neck to look at the two boys, as if searching for something to confirm their identities. Suddenly, a smile appeared on his face, and he leaped down from the bird's back.
Waving his hand to send the demon bird away, he then smiled at the two boys and said, "You two must be the young masters of the Divine General's Mansion. May I ask which branch of the family you are from, and what are your names?"
Seeing the other party's politeness, Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao were not too surprised. After all, their background was too prominent, and ordinary people tended to be very polite and courteous when they met them, even if they were influential and powerful themselves.
"This is my brother, Li Hao, and I'm Li Yuanzhao."
Li Yuanzhao replied, with a bit of a straightforward and honest demeanor, but his small eyes shone with a keen light.
Elder Shen Yunqing glanced at Li Hao, understanding flashing in his eyes. A long-forgotten memory resurfaced in his mind. More than a decade ago, there was a child from the Li family who was given a name by the Yu Emperor, and it seemed that his name was Hao... Li Hao.
So it was him.
Elder Shen's face remained neutral, and he nodded slightly at the two boys, smiling as he said, "They didn't give you any trouble, did they? Come, let me take you to the gathering place up ahead."
He assumed that the two boys had used their invitations to pass through without any issues.
Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao were not very familiar with this old man, so they remained silent during the journey.
The three of them walked leisurely, Li Hao taking in the scenery of the mountains. He thought to himself that the environment of the Tan Palace Academy was quite pleasant. If he were to stay here in the future, at the very least, the surroundings would be comfortable and refreshing.
Soon, the trio reached the end of the square.
Here, over a hundred people had gathered around three steles.
"What is this?" Li Yuanzhao asked, looking at Elder Shen with confusion. Among the crowd, he spotted Li Yun and his sister, who had gone up the mountain earlier. The siblings were standing together near the stele with the fewest people.
"Those who have reached this point are all qualified to enter the Tan Palace Academy as formal disciples," Elder Shen explained with a smile, stroking his beard. "However, even among disciples, there are varying levels of talent. Our Tan Palace Academy is divided into four classes: Class A, B, C, and D. The ranking is based on your talent to avoid mixing the mediocre with the exceptional, and to prevent the more talented from holding back the less talented, or the less talented from being bullied by the more talented."
"Therefore, we have these three steles, each inscribed with a different martial art technique. They are of lower, middle, and upper quality respectively!"
"The difficulty of each varies."
"Within three days, if you can comprehend the basics of the upper-quality martial art, you will be placed in Class A. If you can comprehend the middle-quality martial art, you will be placed in Class B."
"If you can comprehend the basics of the lower-quality martial art within three days, you will be placed in Class C. If, after three days, you have not comprehended any of the three martial arts, you will be placed in Class D."
Elder Shen smiled and continued, "If you are in Class D and your exam results are in the bottom three at the end of each semester, you will undergo a supplementary exam. Failure to pass the supplementary exam will result in a recommendation to drop out."
Li Yuanzhao listened intently, understanding the system.
Li Hao asked, "What if someone doesn't listen to the recommendation to drop out?"
The smiling Elder Shen was taken aback for a moment. "Recommendation to drop out, but they refuse?"
__________
"Then I'll keep persuading him."
Shen Qingyun chuckled, brushing off the joke, and said to the two, "You should also go and take a look at the stele. Each class has a limited number of spots, and today is already the second day of our academy's enrollment. In other words, apart from today, there's only one more day left for contemplation. You two should seize the opportunity."
Li Yuanzhao hastily asked, "What if all the spots for Class A are taken?"
"Then you'll have to settle for Class B," Shen Qingyun replied with a smile. "But don't worry. There will be an assessment in a month. If you're confident, you can challenge Class A, and the classes can be reshuffled."
"No matter which class you end up in, it's not something set in stone," Shen Qingyun continued. "Cultivation is a competition—a competition against the heavens, against demons, but most importantly, against other people!"
"If you want to obtain the most resources and the best treatment, you must stand above the rest and prove your worth."
Unlike in the Shen Mansion, where they were considered direct descendants and their cultivation resources were prepared by their parents, in the Tan Palace Academy, everything depended on one's own efforts and competition.
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao quickly pulled Li Hao toward the stele where Li Yun and her brother were observing.
Apparently, it was a stele containing an upper-grade technique.
There were only about a dozen people contemplating before this stele, while the others had groups of twenty or thirty people. The stele with the most people was, of course, the one with the intermediate-grade techniques. After all, most people, despite their confidence, chose to play it safe.
Li Hao scanned the stele, and it turned out to be a record of a set of boxing techniques.
Martial arts practitioners almost always had to master some form of boxing as a foundational skill. Proficiency in punching and kicking would greatly enhance the learning process for other weapons.
He carefully perused the stele, and the font soon appeared before his eyes:
{You have grasped the basics. Do you wish to accept this technique?}
Li Hao chose 'Yes.'
Soon, the technique was added to his panel, but the level was not 'Initiation' as he had expected, nor was it 'Perfection' or 'Ultimate.'
Upper-grade Technique: Chopping Wind Fist (True Form)
One step, reaching the limit!
Li Hao was not surprised by this.
During the past five years, while following his second grandfather on fishing trips, the old man, despite his anger at Li Hao for not undergoing soul continuation at the clan shrine, had still taught him some boxing techniques out of concern for his self-protection.
Therefore, on his panel, in addition to the 'Sword Path,' there was also the 'Fist Path.'
The 'Fist Path' had been elevated to... the sixth level!
In addition to the 'Fleshly Body Path' and the 'Sword Path,' the 'Riding Path' and the 'Sword Path' had also been raised to the sixth level by Li Hao! During these five years, he had been busy improving himself, and all his art techniques had greatly increased.
Fishing: Level 5, Chess: Level 5, Cooking: Level 6, Painting: Level 5.
Poetry: Level 3, Zither: Level 3.
In total, he had brought 27 art points.
Now, he had used 24 points, and the remaining 3 points were kept for future needs.
Li Hao had originally wanted to single-mindedly raise a certain path to its limit, but after trying, he found that any path had three segments as a threshold.
From the third to the fourth segment, one needed to 'enter the heart.'
When his cooking skills reached level 6 and were filled with experience, the prompt said that he needed to understand the 'spirit of cooking' to continue improving.
If 'entering the heart' was about focus and loving something wholeheartedly, then 'entering the spirit' required insight and understanding the 'rhythm of the path.'
Cooking required creating dishes that broke away from tradition and infusing them with one's soul.
The same was true for chess.
Placing the pieces was not just about winning or losing, but also about displaying one's own wisdom and rhythm—the so-called 'divine move,' a brilliant move that surpassed secular insight and understanding!
Li Hao knew that this was not just a requirement of the panel. Even without the panel, if he had been practicing normally and reached a certain level, he would still need to 'enter the heart' and 'enter the spirit.' As his second grandfather had said, this was a state of mind that must be achieved when cultivating any technique.
Otherwise, one could only become a second-rate master at best, never reaching the pinnacle.
To become strong, one must first enter madness!
He had heard that above the 'entering the spirit' state, there was an even higher realm—'entering sanctity.'
However, even his second grandfather, renowned as the 'Fist Saint,' had only reached the 'entering the spirit' state in his fist technique and had not entered sanctity.
The word 'saint' in the Great Yu Dynasty was a supreme and untouchable concept.
Whether it was 'Fist Saint' or 'Sword Saint,' they were not truly saints. This title was more of an honorary term, indicating that they had reached an extremely high peak in a certain path, approaching the realm of a saint.
Li Hao guessed that when he reached the ninth level in the future, he might need to attain the state of 'entering sanctity.'
It was hard to imagine what kind of state that would be.
However, for now, he had not even reached the 'entering the spirit' state.
'Spirit' was just like its name—it was about spirituality, enlightenment, and soul!
He had to do something extraordinary and exquisite to possess his own enlightenment, just like a Heavenly Master, who possessed his own 'Master's Way!'
As the technique was successfully recorded in his panel, the various messages of the Chopping Wind Fist flooded into his mind, and Li Hao quickly digested them by simply closing his eyes.
Li Hao noticed Yuan Zhao off to the side, equally engrossed in the stele's contents. His eyes moved back and forth along the lines, taking in every word.
Not wanting to disturb them, Li Hao's gaze shifted again, landing on Li Yun and her brother. They were crouched in front of the stele, their faces grave as they pondered deeply. At times, they furrowed their brows, and their wrists twitched slightly, as if they were simulating the movements in their minds with utmost concentration. They were so absorbed that they didn't even notice Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao's arrival.
"What a diligent bunch," Li Hao thought to himself, turning away.
There were even more people gathered around the other two steles, and some of them had already gained insights and were practicing the moves in the open space. However, their postures were awkward, and after a few attempts, they realized that their actual movements didn't quite match what they had envisioned in their minds. So, they returned to the stele to continue their contemplations.
Li Hao didn't bother to join the crowd around those steles. The Li family already had an abundance of lower-tier techniques, and he was more interested in the superior ones.
As his eyes scanned the plaza, they suddenly landed on Shen Yunqing, who had guided him earlier. He was standing at the edge of the plaza in a corner, and surprisingly, there was a chessboard in front of him.
Li Hao's eyes lit up, and he walked over, drawn by curiosity.
..."This time, let's see how you escape!"
"Hey, didn't expect that move, did you?"
The gray-robed elder across from Shen Yunqing couldn't contain his laughter. He had the upper hand on the chessboard, and there was no way for Shen Yunqing to turn the game around. This game was already a sure win for him.
Shen Yunqing sat cross-legged with a focused expression, unperturbed by his friend's gloating. He scratched his ear and stroked his chin as he thought hard, but eventually, he conceded with a resigned sigh. "Fine, you win."
"What do you mean 'you win'? I was always going to win!" The gray-robed elder retorted in a slightly annoyed tone.
He then reached out and said, "Hand it over—that Drunk on the Wind brew, as promised!"
Shen Yunqing reluctantly pouted and took out a gourd from his waist, handing it over to his friend with an unwilling expression. "You promised just a sip. Don't overdo it."
"I'm not like you. I keep my word," the gray-robed elder said with a hint of displeasure. He immediately opened the gourd and tilted his head back, gulping down a mouthful of the precious brew.
Shen Yunqing hastily tried to snatch the gourd back, his face reddening in anger. "You promised just one sip!"
"I did take just one sip. It hasn't even reached my throat yet," the gray-robed elder argued.
"You have the guts to drink straight from the gourd!" Shen Yunqing exclaimed, hugging his precious gourd protectively to his chest as he glanced mournfully at the dwindling liquid inside.
"I'll be sure to add this win to our tally," the gray-robed elder said with a mischievous smile. Suddenly, he became aware of something and turned his head. There, standing beside them, was a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth, exuding an aura of refinement and elegance. His luxurious robe was adorned with intricate embroidery, and he carried himself with an air of nobility.
"Oh? The young master of the Shen Warlord Manor?" The gray-robed elder recognized the sleeve emblem and jade pendant, and his playful expression instantly transformed into one of solemnity. The words of reprimand that had been on the tip of his tongue were abruptly swallowed.
"You two were playing chess, I see," Li Hao said with a warm smile.
Having lived two lives, Li Hao was now a mature individual. He understood that the first sentence in a conversation often served as a mere icebreaker, a trivial comment to initiate further dialogue.
"Why aren't you over there contemplating the martial arts technique?" Shen Yunqing asked, looking at Li Hao with a hint of surprise.
Everyone else was seizing every moment in front of the steles, trying to grasp the intricacies of the techniques. Yet, here was Li Hao, wandering over to join them in their game of chess.
Could it be that this young master was expecting them to secretly guide him in his cultivation?
__________
The two men exchanged a glance, their expressions turning solemn as they both arrived at the same realization.
As instructors of the academy, how could they take the lead in helping their disciples cheat?
"No, no, no. Even if you are the young master of the Divine General's Mansion, it's still not allowed. You didn't even bribe... eh, I mean, even if you did try to bribe us, it still wouldn't be okay. You're not a prince or anything..."
Just as the two men were frantically thinking of a way to politely refuse this young man, Li Hao answered Shen Yunqing's question:
"That martial art? I already know it."
"Well, you finding it difficult is normal. Just take your time to comprehend it..."
Shen Yunqing's words trailed off as he suddenly paused, looking at Li Hao in astonishment. "What did you say?"
"I said I already know the martial art on the stele," Li Hao repeated, wondering if the old man was hard of hearing.
"You know it?"
Across from them, the gray-robed elder, Zhao Zongyuan, looked at Li Hao with surprise. Did 'knowing it' mean that he had already entered the initial stages of learning it?
"Which one did you choose, the Chopping Wind Fist or the Nine Stars Triple Step?"
Shen Yunqing also snapped out of his daze, sizing up Li Hao. Was this kid bragging?
"Chopping Wind Fist," Li Hao replied after a moment's thought. He, too, felt that this matter was somewhat astonishing.
Without further ado, he threw a punch, causing the air to vibrate slightly with a low hum of kinetic energy. It seemed as if sharp gusts of wind were slicing through the air along with his punch.
The two men's gazes sharpened as they recognized this as one of the offensive moves of the Chopping Wind Fist. The fact that Li Hao could create a whistling, cutting force with his punch meant that he had not merely entered the initial stages of learning the technique; he had even reached a level of dexterity that bordered on perfection.
Could it be...
The two elders exchanged a glance, their eyes glinting with suspicion. They had long heard of the Listening Rain Pavilion of the Li Family, which housed countless martial arts manuals. Could the Chopping Wind Fist also be among their collection?
However, the three martial arts on the stele were part of the curriculum of their Tan Palace Academy, and they changed them every six years. They had never heard of these techniques being exposed outside of their academy.
The interactions between major powers were complex, and the two elders had many thoughts running through their minds, but they quickly suppressed them and refrained from questioning Li Hao further.
They never imagined that Li Hao had managed to comprehend this fist technique in such a short time.
In this short span, one could only carefully read through the technique once, and grasping the basics would already be impressive, let alone achieving dexterity or perfection.
"Well then, it seems you've already passed, but we're not responsible for the assessment. Go find that uncle over there." Shen Yunqing pointed towards the center of the square, where a middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. In front of him, four people were practicing martial arts, but their movements were clearly awkward and unrefined.
"I'll go there later," Li Hao said nonchalantly, his gaze shifting to the chessboard between the two elders. After a quick glance, he immediately understood the situation and said, "This game is about to be lost."
"Hmm?"
The two elders were mildly surprised, and Shen Yunqing raised an eyebrow. "You know chess at such a young age?"
"Just a little," Li Hao replied modestly.
"Oh?"
Zhao Zongyuan, on the other hand, smiled and teased Shen Yunqing, "Then why don't you tell us who's going to lose and who's going to win?"
Shen Yunqing couldn't help but shoot him a mocking smile in response.
Li Hao pointed out, "If he continues with his previous strategy, he will lose."
He then pointed at Shen Yunqing.
Shen Yunqing's face reddened slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. However, he now believed that this young man did indeed understand chess to some extent. He cleared his throat lightly, "I was just here to receive you, and my mind wasn't focused on this game. I wasn't playing seriously."
"Get out of here."
If it weren't for the presence of their junior, Zhao Zongyuan would have likely kicked him. He rolled his eyes instead.
Zhao Zongyuan then turned to Li Hao and said, "According to what you said, is there still a chance for him to win this game?"
"Yes," Li Hao nodded, his voice no longer casual but filled with certainty.
"If he changes his strategy, he can win!"
"Oh?"
Zhao Zongyuan had initially asked out of jest, but he was taken aback by Li Hao's response. His smile faded, and he said calmly, "Then tell me, how can he win this game?"
Shen Yunqing was equally astonished, his curiosity piqued as he looked at Li Hao. Being able to predict the outcome meant that Li Hao at least understood the basic rules of chess, but to see a winning strategy? He must be joking. Even he couldn't find a way to win.
"Place a piece here," Li Hao pointed to a spot on the chessboard.
Zhao Zongyuan glanced at the spot and let out a faint cold smile. "What if I place a piece here instead?" He pointed to an adjacent spot.
"Here," Li Hao continued, pointing to another spot.
"And what if I place a piece here?"
"Here."
"But if I..." Zhao Zongyuan was about to point to a spot that would block the path, but his expression suddenly froze, his eyes fixed on the chessboard, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.
Although they hadn't actually placed any pieces on the spots they had indicated, at this moment, the chessboard was imprinted in his mind, and he could see the pieces being placed in those very spots.
There was nothing remarkable about these moves, let alone a winning strategy, but... it seemed to hold a subtle significance.
Beside him, Shen Yunqing was initially puzzled, but when he saw his old friend's sudden change in expression, he was taken aback. He then carefully examined the board and pondered, and soon, a gleam appeared in his eyes as he looked towards Li Hao.
These few moves truly gave the feeling of a serpent's mouth connecting!
It actually brought a glimmer of hope to what was originally a doomed game!
"I'll place a piece here..." Zhao Zongyuan mused for a moment, then pointed to another spot on the board, intending to completely sever the dragon meridian and not dwell on it further.
Li Hao, as if having anticipated this, raised his hand and pointed to yet another spot, "Little Flying Corner, breaking the formation with horns."
If a piece were placed where he indicated, it would connect to form a flying dagger, breaking through the killing path!
Pap!
After seeing this move, Shen Yunqing couldn't help but slap his thigh in admiration. What a brilliant move!
Why hadn't he thought of it? How had he missed it?!
Zhao Zongyuan's pupils contracted slightly as he looked up at Li Hao's youthful face. In that moment, he felt a sense of bewilderment.
How could a boy so young have such a mature and ruthless understanding of the game?!
"Come, come, you take my seat and play."
Shen Yunqing propped himself up with his hands and shifted his buttocks to make room for Li Hao. "Let me see how good you are. It doesn't matter if you lose, but if you win, I'll give you a sip of Drunken Wind Brew."
"Okay."
Li Hao nodded, not declining the offer. After all, he had come here primarily for this game.
He sat down, the crushed grass beneath him still warm.
Zhao Zongyuan knitted his brows, his expression grave. He fixed his gaze on Li Hao for a moment, not questioning why the boy was so skilled at the game, but instead, calming his mind and saying in a low voice, "Then let's begin."
Li Hao inserted his fingers into the chess box and, with his index and middle fingers, picked up a black piece, placing it on the board.
He filled the spot he had indicated earlier.
Across from him, Zhao Zongyuan also remained silent, following suit and placing a piece.
The two began their true contest.
In the square, numerous young scions of aristocratic families and talented individuals from the jianghu were practicing their body techniques and martial arts, their sweat raining down as they competed for a spot in the Jia and Yi Academies.
But in this corner, within the small confines of the chessboard, a vicious and treacherous battle was unfolding, each move as sharp as a blade, each step a deadly strike!
After a while, a wrinkled hand trembled as it picked up a chess piece from the box, but after shaking for a moment, the piece slipped from the old man's fingers and fell back down.
At this moment, Zhao Zongyuan's aged face was covered in sweat, much like the young disciples in the square who were vigorously practicing their martial arts.
The game was decided.
"I... lost."
Zhao Zongyuan's throat felt dry, and his voice was hoarse.
Beside him, Shen Yunqing stared, his mouth agape. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The game, which he had been about to lose, had been completely turned around by Li Hao's brilliant play. He had broken the original strategy, reclaimed lost territory, and ultimately won by a margin of one and a half points during the counting phase!
Don't underestimate this narrow victory of one and a half points. To turn around a losing situation to this degree was simply incredible!
"I appreciate your concession, Senior."
Li Hao withdrew his hand and bowed slightly, his expression turning solemn. But as soon as the bow was completed, his demeanor became relaxed again.
He was a fifth-level chess master, often playing with Fifth Grandpa, and had rarely competed with external experts. These two elders' skill seemed slightly inferior to Fifth Grandpa's, probably reaching the fourth level at most.
This was already quite remarkable.
After all, the two elders were martial artists, and it was impressive that they had the leisure to delve into this side pursuit and attain such a level. It showed their passion for the game.
Zhao Zongyuan let out a bitter laugh and looked up at Li Hao. He felt like he was looking at a monster.
How was this Li family boy's brain structured? He wasn't even as old as the time Zhao Zongyuan had been playing chess, yet he had still managed to beat him.
Could it be that chess also depended on talent?
"Amazing, amazing!" Shen Yunqing exclaimed in admiration.
Li Hao smiled and said, "It was just luck. How about we play another game?"
Zhao Zongyuan was at a loss for words. "Haven't you not tested your martial arts yet? There aren't many spots in the Jia Academy, so you should go and secure a spot first."
"Oh, alright."
Li Hao came back to his senses. Although he didn't really care about the spot in the Jia Academy, it would be better to take care of it now to avoid trouble in the future.
"Then please wait for me, Seniors. I'll be right back." Li Hao said.
Zhao Zongyuan and Shen Yunqing exchanged glances, their expressions strange as they watched him. Why did this young man seem more concerned about playing chess than about securing a spot in the Jia Academy?
"Wait for me."
Li Hao stood up, and before leaving, he called out once more, his tone anxious. Then, he hurried towards the middle-aged man in the center of the square.
__________
"Let's go, let's give it a try as well."
In front of the Chopping Wind Fist stele, Li Yun suddenly got up and said to his sister beside him.
Li Zhining's eyes flickered, and she nodded, having just barely touched upon the true meaning of the technique and feeling that she had only just begun to grasp it.
She waited for her brother to attain the same level of comprehension.
Ever since she was old enough to understand, she had noticed her brother's increasing impatience with his cultivation practice.
Living together for so long, she could also vaguely sense his thoughts.
Among the three siblings, she and her older sister were more gifted than their brother. Her older sister had been accepted by a famous teacher at a young age, but she and her brother, who remained in the courtyard, were often compared and praised by those around them.
As the older brother, Li Yun had the least talent for cultivation among the three, which led to him working especially hard whenever his sister's progress surpassed his own in the martial arts field, practicing through the night...
"Let's go."
Li Yun got up, patting his buttocks, and as he scanned the area, he spotted a familiar figure on the other side of the stele—it was Li Yuanzhao.
However, the latter was so focused on comprehending the technique that he didn't notice Li Yun, just as Li Yun didn't know when Li Yuanzhao had arrived.
Li Yun unconsciously looked beside Li Yuanzhao but didn't see Li Hao, and he frowned.
But he didn't think much of it and, with a cold snort, he led his sister towards the center of the square.
"If we don't pass the test, we can always come back and practice some more," Li Yun said to his sister.
Li Zhining nodded slightly.
In front of the middle-aged man, five people were currently practicing, with a few others standing by and watching, trying to find inspiration and learn from the techniques being demonstrated.
Suddenly, the siblings spotted a familiar figure among the onlookers—it was Li Hao.
"Him?"
Li Zhining was puzzled.
"He must have sneaked over to copy our techniques," Li Yun said with a raised eyebrow, a cold smile on his face. Although he didn't know when Li Hao had arrived, he was sure it was later than them, and if he wasn't confident in his own mastery, then Li Hao certainly wouldn't have been able to grasp it.
Outside the field, Li Hao quietly waited, his extraordinary senses alerting him to the approaching people behind him, but he didn't turn around or pay them any attention.
Having taken the initiative to greet them several times only to be met with avoidance, he knew that the cheerful siblings who used to come to the courtyard every day to listen to stories were gone.
Soon, the practice session inside the field ended.
Only three of the five people passed, the other two still lacking in some areas and failing to grasp the true meaning of the technique, their postures imprecise.
"Let's go."
Li Yun stepped forward with his sister, his expression still proud as he faced the middle-aged man, who was a full head taller than him: "We've been trying to comprehend the Chopping Wind Fist."
The middle-aged man could tell their identities from their clothing and nodded slightly, a smile on his face: "Please demonstrate."
The siblings immediately struck a pose and performed the set of boxing techniques.
As Li Yun turned, his waist remained stiff, and the power in his body didn't reach his fist, resulting in a slightly weaker demonstration.
The middle-aged man was secretly surprised and asked, "How long have you two been trying to comprehend this technique?"
"Half a day," Li Yun said calmly, but there was a hint of pride in his eyes. He felt that he had made a minor mistake and that the result might not be too good.
But after all, he had only been practicing for half a day.
The original requirement for entering the top tier was to comprehend the technique in three days, so his progress must have been quite impressive.
"Impressive!"
As Li Yun had expected, the middle-aged man in front of him exclaimed in surprise, causing the corners of the boy's mouth to turn up slightly...
"Young lady, you've passed the entrance requirement."
The middle-aged man took out a waist card from his waist and handed it to Li Zhining.
Li Yun was slightly stunned.
"Your boxing technique still needs a bit more refinement, but with more practice, you should be able to master it soon," the middle-aged man said to Li Yun.
Li Yun's face turned slightly red, and he turned to his sister: "When did you realize it?"
Li Zhining put away the waist card and quickly said, "Just now."
She wasn't lying—she had indeed only realized it recently, at most half an hour ago.
"To comprehend an upper-tier technique in half a day and reach this level—geniuses like you are rarely seen even in the top tier," the middle-aged man said with a smile.
"So, there are others who can do the same?" Li Yun's face changed slightly.
"There were a few yesterday," the middle-aged man said with a smile. This batch of recruits had excellent quality and was slightly stronger than previous batches.
Li Yun felt a burning sensation on his cheeks, and his fists clenched involuntarily.
At this moment, the middle-aged man noticed an approaching figure and looked up to see another person from the God General's Mansion. He smiled and asked, "Are you here to practice as well?"
"Yes."
Li Hao nodded.
Hearing this, the siblings couldn't help but glance at Li Hao, and Li Yun's mood improved slightly. At least there was someone else who hadn't mastered the technique yet.
"Please." The middle-aged man gestured.
Li Hao was also very straightforward, raising his hand and throwing two punches. The force of his punches was like knives, with a faint sound of iron blades cutting through the air.
The middle-aged man's face changed, and he looked at Li Hao in shock.
Li Hao had already retracted his fists and asked, "Is that enough?"
The middle-aged man reacted and blurted out, "Did you come yesterday?"
"Today."
"..."
The middle-aged man was slightly stunned, and another possibility suddenly occurred to him, causing his heart to sink. He dared not think further and immediately took out a waist card and handed it to Li Hao: "This is the top-tier waist card."
The waist card was white, with the character 'Jia' (top)
written in black on one side.
Li Hao took the card, glanced at it, and put it away casually. He thanked the man and turned to leave, leaving two pairs of eyes behind him, filled with surprise and astonishment.
The middle-aged man retracted his gaze and glanced at him, nodding: "His Chopping Wind Fist is at least at the Agile level, perhaps even... Perfect."
Li Hao's demonstration was too brief for him to determine the exact level.
But without a doubt, he had definitely entered the threshold.
"Agile? How is that possible!" Li Yun exclaimed in disbelief.
He knew that Li Hao had left the mansion with them earlier in the day and had arrived at the mountain even later than himself. How could it be that in such a short time, he had comprehended the Agile level?!
His own sister had only barely entered the threshold!
With this thought, Li Yun turned back and stared at the departing figure in disbelief.
Li Zhining stared at the distant figure, her mind suddenly recalling the praises the adults in the mansion had given Li Hao:
"That child is truly intelligent."
"Yes, he's exceptionally bright. I've never seen such a smart child, understanding everything with just a little explanation."
"It's a pity that he can only cultivate his body. Otherwise, with such a brilliant mind, he would undoubtedly become a top genius in the future."
Yes... The adults had only mentioned his low cultivation potential, but no one had ever said that he lacked intelligence.
The young girl gently bit her lip, slightly tightening her grip on the waist card in her hand.
...
...
"I'm back."
Li Hao jogged back to the two elders.
Seeing the 'Jia' tier waist card in his hand, they understood and Shen Yun lightly laughed, "Congratulations."
"You're too kind, Senior." Li Hao smiled faintly, then asked, "Shall we... play another game?"
This kid... The two elders exchanged glances, speechless as they felt that this kid's addiction to chess might even surpass their own.
"Alright, one more game." Zhao Zongyuan had reviewed their previous game and understood his mistakes, so he now had the courage to face another round.
Li Hao was delighted and immediately sat down. "Senior, please."
The two elders resumed their battle on the chessboard.
To prevent them from giving up, Li Hao didn't play too aggressively, instead slowly pulling them into a slight disadvantage and eventually winning with a slim margin.
Thus, an interesting scene appeared in the square. While other disciples were practicing and exerting their fists and feet in front of the stele, in the corner, a young boy was playing chess with the two elders, occasionally eliciting loud exclamations of frustration from Zhao Zongyuan and light laughter from Shen Yun, attracting curious glances from the other disciples who had just entered the academy.
When they witnessed this peculiar scene, many of them wore strange expressions in their eyes.
"You little rascal, were you born playing chess in your mother's womb?!"
Having lost multiple times, Zhao Zongyuan was so frustrated that he wanted to flip the chessboard.
Li Hao just smiled in response.
Shen Yun asked curiously, "Your chess skills must have taken a lot of effort to cultivate. How do you usually practice your cultivation?"
This is how I practice... Li Hao thought to himself, but on the surface, he just smiled like a silly fool.
While playing chess, the two elders chatted with Li Hao about some matters within the academy.
"Kid, do you know that a royal prince enrolled yesterday? He also entered the top tier. It's said that he only needed an hour to comprehend the martial art."
"The young miss of the Nangong family is also here, and her talent is quite fearsome. I heard that she's not even the most gifted in her generation within the family."
"Kid, these people will be your future opponents in the top tier. You should pay attention to them."
Facing the elders' concerns, Li Hao felt a headache coming on. "Can't we just focus on playing chess?"
"..."
The two elders glared at him.
They had taken a liking to this kid, which was why they were giving him this information, yet he didn't seem happy to hear it.
So you came to the Tan Palace Academy just to play chess, huh?!
Zhao Zongyuan was so frustrated that he focused all his attention on the game, but after a while, his face turned ashen, and he lost again by a slight margin...
As the sun set, Li Hao was immersed in the game when he suddenly heard a voice beside him.
"Brother Hao?"
Li Hao turned to see Li Yuanzhao, who was looking at him cautiously.
"Hmm?"
"I got my waist card." Li Yuanzhao said. They had arrived late, and it had taken him half a day to comprehend the technique.
"Oh." Li Hao nodded, not surprised. This kid's talent was similar to Li Zhining's. Despite his mischievous appearance, his small eyes sparkled with cunning, indicating his intelligence.
"Umm... They're waiting for us at the foot of the mountain to go back together, but Brother Hao, you see..."
"Let them go back first. We'll head back later." Li Hao said.
On the other side, the two elders' faces darkened. This kid was addicted to winning, wasn't he?
"No more, no more." Zhao Zongyuan waved his hand. "It's getting late. You should head back first."
"It's fine. I can still see."
"You little..." The two elders were rendered speechless by Li Hao and could only laugh. Shen Yun said, "Let's end it here for today. If you want to play chess, we can continue when the school term starts."
Li Hao wanted to continue, but seeing that the two elders seemed to have lost interest, he didn't want to force them. "Alright, thank you both for your hospitality today."
After saying that, he placed a chess piece, sealing his victory in this game.
Seeing the experience gained, Li Hao smiled, stood up, bowed to the two elders, and then slowly walked downhill with Li Yuanzhao.
"There's actually such a kid in the God General's Mansion. How peculiar." The two elders watched the two boys' departing figures, their faces filled with strange expressions. They looked at each other and shook their heads, laughing.
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