76. Secret Technique
Chapter 76: Secret Technique
Returning to Qingzhou.
Li Hao and the others brought the mission letter from Cangyu City's Demon Suppression Office back to report to the Tan Palace Academy.
The letter bore the official seal of the Demon Suppression Office, giving all five of them a perfect score.
Su Yehua received the letter and wasn't surprised. After all, with two young masters from the Li family on this mission, anyone with a bit of insight from the Demon Suppression Office in Cangyu City would ensure they had an easy time.
She didn't bother to scrutinize the authenticity of the contents. Background and connections were also a part of one's strength.
Even she had to show respect to these young masters and misses from the Divine General's Mansions.
The real battles of the martial world weren't outside the city, but within it.
After reporting in, Ren Qianqian found Li Hao and expressed her wish to join him. She had made up her mind.
Li Hao didn't immediately agree. Instead, he asked her to discuss it with her parents. Becoming a personal sword servant was a significant commitment. Once she learned the Li family's secret techniques, she would be bound to the Li family for life, even if she later wanted to leave.
After hearing him out, Ren Qianqian revealed that she had lost her mother when she was young and didn't want to discuss this matter with her father. She insisted she could make the decision herself.
Seeing her determination, Li Hao still didn't agree. He insisted she talk it over with her father. He couldn't just take her away so easily; otherwise, her martial master father might cause trouble at the Li family mansion. Though the Li family wouldn't be afraid, it would still be a bit disgraceful.
After declining Ren Qianqian, Li Hao returned to the long-missed Shanhe Courtyard with Li Yuan Zhao.
He placed the box containing the head of the Tiger Robe Immortal in his room and carried the other delicacies from Cangyu City to Qingzhi to deliver a portion to Fifth Grandfather, who was guarding the ancestral hall. The rest he took to Tingyu Tower.
Not finding Second Grandfather there, Li Hao glanced at the sky and knew that at this time, Second Grandfather was likely fishing by Blackwater Lake.
He flew out from Tingyu Tower, heading towards Blackwater Lake.
Soon, the vast expanse of Blackwater Lake came into view.
Li Hao found the usual fishing spot and, as expected, saw the figures of Second Grandfather and Wind Grandfather.
Sensing someone approaching, the two turned to look.
Li Hao descended from the sky, landing beside them with a smile. "Second Grandfather, Wind Grandfather, how's the catch today? Who caught more?"
"Ah, it's Hao'er."
Feng Bo Ping smiled. "Of course, I caught more!"
They weren't surprised by Li Hao's ability to fly. They were already aware of his cultivation level.
After all, when he was twelve, the kid had accidentally fished up a small dragon at the Spirit Wandering Realm right in front of them.
They were both shocked and jealous at the time.
Shocked by Li Hao's terrifying talent, which seemed even higher than the legendary Li Jiulang.
But what made them jealous was his luck—he had actually fished up a dragon! They were both angry and frustrated at the dumb dragon that got caught. After Li Hao cooked it, they ate several large portions with relish.
As they ate, they kept muttering, "Why didn't it bite my hook? Is my hook not good enough?"
Jokes aside, seeing Li Hao's talent made even the indifferent Li Mu Xiu think about teaching him martial arts, hoping he would focus on training instead of wasting time on distractions.
With such talent, and with his guidance, Li Hao's future achievements might even surpass his own. If the Li family produced a true master, it would shake the world.
But Li Hao quickly sought help from Wind Grandfather, who had a more open-minded and nonchalant attitude. He persuaded Li Mu Xiu.
With the example of Li Jiulang, Li Mu Xiu gave up on the idea and let Li Hao choose his own path.
Li Mu Xiu had already realized that even if he forced Li Hao to train, the kid wouldn't take it seriously, which was frustrating.
He was puzzled by how Li Hao's cultivation advanced so rapidly despite seemingly not training much.
Because of Li Hao's insistence, Li Mu Xiu didn't publicize his cultivation achievements, so others in the family remained unaware.
At this moment.
Hearing Feng Bo Ping's triumphant laugh, Li Mu Xiu rolled his eyes. "What's the use of catching so many small fish and shrimp? I'm aiming for dragons."
Neither of them used fishing rods, instead using energy lines to pierce small fish demons, controlling them to swim to areas where big fish or dragons might feed.
"You'll catch one when you catch one." Feng Bo Ping laughed.
Li Mu Xiu snorted, seeing the bags Li Hao was carrying. "Where did you get these? Weren't you bullying kids at the Tan Palace Academy?"
"I just finished a mission and brought back some good food from Cangyu City."
Li Hao handed out the food with a smile. "Here, try this."
"Oh, this fried dough twist has cream inside."
Feng Bo Ping took a bite and exclaimed, "Not bad."
"You've got a good heart, kid."
Li Mu Xiu also smiled and took some, eating with relish.
At this time, the little white fox, Xiao Rou, ran over cheerfully. Li Hao squatted down, picked her up, and handed her a piece of roasted meat. "Don't worry, I didn't forget about you."
"This little fox is like a cat, loves fish." Li Mu Xiu remarked.
Xiao Rou held the meat in her paws, chewing delicately. Hearing Li Mu Xiu's words, she gave a standard fox smile, her eyes squinting into slits.
Li Hao chuckled, rubbed her head, and let her eat on the side. He also took some food, sat down next to the two elders, and started chatting.
"Not long from now, your father should be back." Li Mu Xiu said, eating a piece of crispy cake.
"Oh?" Li Hao was surprised.
After over a decade of war, was it finally coming to an end?
"I heard there's been a change at the Yanbei battlefield. The Sacred Palace plans to retreat." Li Mu Xiu said.
Li Hao's eyes lit up. So, he would see his parents soon?
"Little mouse, after over a decade, will you still recognize your parents?" Feng Bo Ping teased with a laugh.
Li Hao thought about it. The memory of them was indeed a bit blurred.
Li Mu Xiu glared at Feng Bo Ping, scolding him for being insensitive. He then said to Li Hao: "Just in time, your generation has grown up. The family's True Dragon position should be decided this year. With your father back, securing the position will be certain."
"With little mouse's talent, what's there to argue about? If it were up to me, I'd give him the True Dragon title right now." Feng Bo Ping said, munching on his snack.
Li Mu Xiu rolled his eyes. "I would too, but our Li family is a vast enterprise, not like you, a lone ranger. We need to make others in the family accept it and avoid grudges."
He turned to Li Hao. "Right, Hao'er?"
"Yes."
Li Hao nodded with a smile.
He had heard about the True Dragon title from Second Grandfather.
Every generation, the Li family would choose a True Dragon, who would receive the most resources from the family and the help of the ancestors' spirits to enhance their soul attributes.
The Soul Condensation Realm allowed up to eighty soul consolidations.
But another way to increase the number of soul consolidations was through the secret technique created by the Li family's ancestors.
With the help of ancestral spirits, the soul attributes could be elevated to a level comparable to the royal family's true master.
That meant 180 soul consolidations! Reaching the Spirit Wandering Realm, the ancestors would assist in refining the soul, increasing its range.
At the Fifteen Mile Realm, they would also help, infusing the power of the ancestors' spirits, making the Fifteen Mile Realm surpass top talents, reaching an extraordinary level.
The so-called True Dragon was meant to be unparalleled in the same realm, almost invincible.
Moreover, as the Li family's True Dragon, using the power of the ancestors' spirits for enhancement, they would bear the responsibility of the entire Li family's legacy. Barring any unexpected events, they were expected to become the head of the family.
In a world filled with countless prodigies, reaching the ninth level of combat body and being recognized as top-tier, the Li family's ninth level combat body combined with top-tier techniques was considered the pinnacle.
The True Dragon, however, was super top-tier! Even though Li Hao was already at the Fifteen Mile Realm, becoming the True Dragon would still allow him to enjoy the reshaping and help of the ancestral spirits for the previous realms.
Except for the Soul Condensation Realm, he felt he hadn't reached the limit in other realms.
He was even unsure if the Soul Condensation Realm could continue to improve, and he looked forward to it.
Of course, the most crucial point was that if he didn't take the True Dragon position, it would likely go to someone else.
Without the poisoning incident, Li Hao wouldn't have cared about the True Dragon position. After all, becoming the True Dragon also meant shouldering enormous responsibilities, carrying the Li family forward, breaking through all obstacles, and continuing the legacy.
It sounded exhausting.
However, someone had planned for their son's future by ruining him, scheming for over a decade. Naturally, Li Hao couldn't let them succeed. He had been waiting for this day.
"The True Dragon test evaluates all aspects, not just talent, but also character, connections, and achievements."
Li Mu Xiu said to Li Hao, "Sending you to the Tan Palace School was also to broaden your horizons, make some friends, instead of hanging around with us old guys all the time."
Feng Bo Ping chuckled, "You talk big, but talent is the most crucial. The other points are just the cherry on top."
"Shut up, don't lead Hao'er astray." Li Mu Xiu glared at him.
"Haha..." Feng Bo Ping laughed heartily.
Li Hao smiled, quietly listening to their banter.
Soon, Second Grandfather's line twitched—a bite.
As the sun set and stars began to appear, Li Hao used one of Wind Grandfather's caught fish demons to make a barbecue, providing dinner for the three of them and the little fox.