บท 129: Chapter 265: That Child is Dead
The two formidable foes had been struck down, slain by the solitary youth!
Dragon Absolute God and Phoenix Lingxiao had been vanquished, along with two other Existences at the Realm of Comprehending the Dao. A single sword sweep outside Qingzhou City had quelled the chaos and wiped out the demon horde.
All of this had transpired in a fleeting moment. With the arrival of the youth, the terrifying gloom that had shrouded Qingzhou City for days had suddenly dissipated.
It was as if a divine hand had reached down from the heavens and parted the ominous clouds overhead.
At this moment, the dawn's first light still illuminated Qingzhou City, bathing every household in its radiance. But this light was no longer as icy as before; instead, it seemed to emanate a prismatic arc, infusing everyone with the warm temperature of a summer day, causing their blood to boil with excitement and emotion.
"Are we saved?"
"Who is that? Is it General Haotian?"
"That's what the demons called him. He's General Haotian!"
The countless commoners within the city, along with the soldiers guarding it, couldn't make out the features of the youth clad in crimson gold, but at this moment, he was the only figure standing amidst the heavens and the earth, exuding a dazzling power.
In his presence, not a single demon roared or took to the sky; all was quiet.
"The Realm of Comprehending the Dao... To think it could be slain so easily."
"Was that truly the Realm of Comprehending the Dao? Does that mean this youth has the ability to kill that Zhenren from Qiandao Palace?"
"The Ninth Level of the Dao Domain... How did he achieve this? Our ancestor only managed to cultivate to the third level before his demise."
The countless ancestral spirits of the Li family were stunned.
They had ignited their souls to fight, prepared to fade away and completely disappear, but this desperate situation had been pacified by the youth with a mere wave of his hand!
The two leaders of the demons, who were at the Great Peace Dao Realm, were like children before Li Hao, utterly helpless and easily slain, even those at the Realm of Comprehending the Dao!
"To be able to slay one at the Realm of Comprehending the Dao..."
In the Shenjiang Mansion, in the ancestral hall, three golden ancestral spirits rose into the sky. They had not rushed to the battlefield immediately because they were assisting the ancestor Li Tianyuan.
But now, they witnessed that the battle had already been resolved.
"That's not the Realm of Comprehending the Dao, it's an incarnation."
Li Tianyuan's soul also flew out from the golden body within the ancestral hall, hovering in the air above the Shenjiang Mansion as he gazed into the distance.
Ever since Li Hao's appearance and the turning of the tide in the city, they had halted the sacrifice of the Li family bloodline to forge a physical body, instead focusing their attention on the battlefield.
"An incarnation?"
The three golden ancestral spirits looked at the old ancestor.
Li Tianyuan was a Divine General at the Great Peace Dao Boundary realm. He had campaigned alongside the previous emperor across over a dozen states, expanding their territories, and thus had a wealth of experience.
"The Realm of Comprehending the Dao that I've witnessed is far more terrifying. It is a true touch of the 'Dao', with indestructible Dao power and a body impervious to divine weapons. They possess unimaginable abilities, like summoning the wind and calling forth rain. This youth is not at that level."
Li Tianyuan's gaze was solemn as he fixed his eyes on the crimson-gold youth at the edge of the city:
"However, being able to slay an incarnation of the Realm of Comprehending the Dao is already extraordinary. Below that realm, that youth is invincible!"
Hearing the ancestor's words, the three golden ancestral spirits were stunned.
Although they were also elders of the Li family, they had missed the glorious era of their ancestor. While they had witnessed the Realm of Comprehending the Dao, they had not seen it displayed at full power, so they were unclear about how formidable it truly was.
But the power displayed by the two incarnations of the Realm of Comprehending the Dao was already enough to astonish them.
After all, the two demon leaders, who were also at the Great Peace Dao Realm, didn't even qualify to engage in battle with the youth. Yet, those two incarnations had pushed the youth to the Ninth Level of the Dao Domain.
"It seems like the youth didn't use his full strength. And he's still so young. If given more time, he will surely enter the Realm of Comprehending the Dao. At that time, who in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty would dare to invade?"
"Previously, when the Immortal Sect opened and attracted many geniuses, the fortune of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty declined. But now, it seems we are welcoming a new peak, perhaps even surpassing the era before the Immortal Sect!"
"I wonder which noble family that youth hails from. It's a pity he's not from our Li family. What a shame, what a shame!"
As the ancestral spirits of the Li family communicated, many within the city who knew Li Hao snapped back to their senses and rushed towards him with excitement.
"Hao'er!"
"Brother Hao!!"
He Jianlan, Li Hongzhuang, and the others rushed towards Li Hao.
The slightly slower-reacting Li Xuanli, Gao Qingqing, and the rest quickly recovered from their daze and hurried over with eager expressions.
Li Yuanzhao shouted at the top of his lungs, borrowing the power of the ancestor, and rushed towards Li Hao.
"You really know him?"
The Li family ancestor draped over Li Yuanzhao was a little taken aback. He hadn't expected this little fatty to actually be acquainted with that monstrous youth.
Judging from his moist eyes and burning hot tears, it was obvious that their relationship was genuine and deep.
The other ancestral spirits of the Li family also noticed the reactions of these members of the Li family bloodline. When they saw their sincere and affectionate attitudes towards the youth, they were surprised but soon felt a surge of delight.
Although the youth had come to their aid, he might have done so out of duty or because of their shared humanity. But now, it seemed that he had a close connection to their Li family.
"Hao'er?"
In the distance, Ji Qingqing, upon hearing He Jianlan and the others' enthusiastic shouts, was initially perplexed, but then her eyes widened in disbelief.
Suddenly, her heart clenched as if it had been gripped by an invisible hand.
The dazed expression of the youth falling into the abyss flashed through her mind.
Her blood seemed to surge, yet her body felt chilled to the core, causing her to tremble slightly.
Could it be... Could it really be him?
Tears welled up in Ji Qingqing's eyes as she looked at the towering youth, standing proud like a war god, a dazzling existence that drew the gaze of countless people. Was that... her child?
Her body shook uncontrollably, and she finally lost control, joining the others as they flew towards the youth. The closer she got, the clearer she could see his face, and the sharp look in his eyes was somewhat different from the youth who had fallen into the abyss...
And the aura he exuded was also distinct.
Her speed slowed, and she felt a sense of trepidation, as if she were approaching a beautiful dream, afraid to get too close, yet longing to do so.
Soon, He Jianlan and the others reached the edge of the city, gazing at the youth who had retracted his divine light. Looking at his somewhat unfamiliar face, they were momentarily dazed before tears flowed from their eyes.
The only thing unchanged was his gaze, which remained clear, gentle, and pure like translucent jade.
He Jianlan couldn't help but cover her mouth, tears streaming down her face. The scenes of the child greeting her in the morning, sharing breakfast congee, and chatting leisurely were still vivid in her memory.
Yet, it felt like those moments were from so long ago.
Now, he was covered in blood, and where no one else would offer shelter, he stood as their protection, shielding them from the snowstorm.
"Brother Hao!"
Li Yuanzhao, along with Li Wushuang and the others, rushed over, their eyes filled with tension and uncertainty, unsure if they could truly recognize him. But Li Yuanzhao's excitement overcame him, and he called out loudly.
Li Hao looked at the little guy, his sharp brows softening slightly as he smiled and said, "You've reached the Divine Wander Realm. Looks like you haven't been slacking off."
Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Yuanzhao's small eyes brimmed with tears, and he threw himself at Li Hao, exclaiming, "Brother Hao, I'm so glad you're alright! So glad!"
Li Hao was slightly taken aback but soon smiled. However, when he felt the boy's head rubbing against his body, he quickly pushed him away, saying, "Hey, don't smear your snot all over me."
Li Yuanzhao quickly wiped his face with his sleeve, but a bubble of snot emerged from his nostril as he spoke, "Brother Hao, I'll wash your clothes later."
"Get away," Li Hao said in exasperation.
Li Wushuang, Li Zhining, and the others stood by, including Li Mingjian and Li Sibei, children of He Jianlan. During the True Dragon Contest when Li Hao had tried to kill Li Qianfeng, they had misunderstood and tried to stop him.
But after the truth about Liu Yueyong's matter was revealed, they realized their mistake and felt ashamed and remorseful.
Now, as they laid eyes on this young man again, their emotions were a mix of excitement and guilt.
Seeing Li Hao's casual conversation with Li Yuanzhao, Li Jianming, Li Wushuang, and the others of the same generation as Li Hao, felt a tinge of envy. They couldn't help but feel jealous of the little fatty, but at the same time, their hearts sank with sorrow.
They had all lived in the Shenjiang Mansion, but their relationship with Li Hao was much more distant, barely more than acquaintances.
"Hao'er, do you still remember your stepmother?" He Jianlan asked, her eyes red as she looked at Li Hao, who seemed unchanged except for his appearance.
Hearing this, Li Hao turned to the noble lady who had cared for him since childhood, his expression softening as he replied, "How could I forget your kindness, stepmother?"
"It was nothing but simple meals. How could it be considered kindness?" He Jianlan's eyes welled up with more tears.
Li Hao paused slightly, then fell silent for a moment before speaking, "I remember everything. As I said before, I remember everything from my childhood."
Upon hearing these words, the expressions of the crowd changed slightly, their thoughts drifting back to two years ago, to the events that transpired in the courtyard after the True Dragon Contest.
For a moment, many of them lowered their heads in sorrow.
Back then, the young man had recounted their forgotten interactions from their childhood like a cherished collection, stunning them with his detailed memories. Now, as they reflected on those words, they felt a mix of emotions—shock, dismay, and sadness.
"Are you really Hao'er?"
As the crowd fell into a melancholy silence, a voice, filled with excitement but also laced with tension and fear, rang out.
Ji Qingqing pushed through the crowd and stood before Li Hao, her eyes brimming with tears as she asked, her voice shaking, "Have I mistaken you for someone else? Are you really Hao'er?"
Li Hao lifted his gaze to meet hers, seeing the vivid, tear-stained face up close.
It was as if he were looking back at himself as an infant, cradled in her arms, so many years ago.
Or perhaps, it was like that final glance as he fell into the abyss, so distant and long ago.
Yet, his expression remained calm, reflecting the tranquility within his heart. He simply shook his head and said, "You've mistaken me for someone else. I am me, not your son."
At Li Hao's words, Ji Qingqing froze, and the excited yet emotional group, including He Jianlan, Li Xiaoran, Li Qingzheng, and others, also came to a standstill. Their faces twisted with dismay, but their eyes did not hold anger. Instead, they were filled with sorrow.
Ji Qingqing's heart trembled as she listened to Li Hao's calm words, feeling as if a sharp knife had pierced her heart.
Her tears flowed freely, and she choked out, "Don't you want to acknowledge me as your mother? It was my fault, I wronged you. I even wanted to die in your place. But I truly had no choice. If I could trade my life for yours, I would do it gladly. Do you know that?"
As she spoke, she broke down into sobs. The ancestral spirit of the Li family that had been residing within her also detached itself, looking at the scene before it with surprise and confusion, its expression gradually turning solemn.
Numerous other Li family ancestors gathered around, listening to the conversation, their faces filled with confusion.
No matter how they interpreted it, it sounded like this child was one of their Li family.
However, this child did not possess even a trace of the Li family's aura.
Could it be... that he was wearing a disguise?
The ancestral spirits exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of the situation.
Li Hao quietly listened to the weeping woman before him, his expression unchanged as he replied, "Those things are in the past. The moment you made your choice, everything was set in stone. Your son is dead, and it has nothing to do with whether you were right or wrong. Your guilt and sadness are your own, and there's no need to explain them to me. I don't hold it against you."
He understood the difficult position she had been in, and while it wasn't entirely true that she had no choice, she simply hadn't chosen him.
Li Hao had already let go of the past and no longer held any resentment or sought to pursue the matter. The bond he had with this couple had been severed, and even the shallow kindness they had shown him had been completely severed. There would be no more ties between them.
Li Hao had already protected the borrowed body he had used to cross over to this world, ensuring its growth until the age of fifteen. It could no longer carry him further.
He had done enough for this couple by ensuring the borrowed body's survival until this point.
Otherwise, during the assassination attempt at the age of six, even a monstrous talent like Li Junye would not have been able to withstand the might of a Unity Realm assassin.
It was enough... more than enough...
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