139. Dropping One Stone to Suppress All Grandmasters

Chapter 139: Dropping One Stone to Suppress All Grandmasters

Seeing Li Hao's calm smile, Li Wushuang felt momentarily lost. Beyond this brief concern, she suddenly realized that they were somewhat strangers to each other. Despite being cousins by blood, their relationship seemed less intimate than that between Li Hao and the disciples of the Palace of Palms.

After a brief silence, Li Wushuang recalled her father's words and the threats looming over Liangzhou. She transmitted a message to Li Hao, "The demons outside Liangzhou are restless. Be careful. If there's any danger, signal for help. My father is stationed in Liangzhou and can assist you at any time."

"Yes, you be careful too," Li Hao nodded, thinking of the military report.

Li Wushuang looked deeply at him. She could sense that even the illustrious General's Mansion could not bind the youth before her.

"If there's a chance, I hope to see you again in Qingzhou," she said softly.

Li Hao's expression remained calm, offering no response.

With a sigh, Li Wushuang bid farewell and returned to her place.

After she left, the eyes of others lingered on Li Hao, whispering amongst themselves.

Soon, various grandmasters approached Li Hao to exchange greetings, attempting to build connections. They had all heard of the incident in Qingzhou and knew that the youth had severed ties with the General's Mansion. However, they did not take it seriously, believing that it was merely a youthful impulse and that he would eventually return. They viewed their early attempts at friendship as an investment in a future benefactor.

Li Hao easily saw through their intentions and, maintaining a distant and cold demeanor, kept the conversations brief. Gradually, fewer people approached him.

While grandmasters are often perceived as aloof, they too have families, disciples, and sects, which inevitably create vulnerabilities. To protect these, they engage in social networking and navigate the world of fame and fortune. The era of solitary heroes has long passed; even the most free-spirited Four-Immortal powerhouses must bow before the mighty Da Yu Dynasty or be driven away like stray dogs.

As the sun crossed its zenith, a figure flew in from across the Longjiang River, draped in a long white robe that billowed in the wind. His hair and beard were white, and he had an aura of a celestial being.

"It's the Heavenly Mechanic Sage," the waiting grandmasters immediately recognized him.

The Heavenly Mechanic Sage lifted his white hat, revealing flowing white hair and a ruddy face. Smiling, he surveyed the crowd, saying, "I am deeply grateful to all grandmasters for traveling from various states to attend."

"Not at all," many grandmasters responded courteously.

Li Hao glanced around, noting that there were at least two to three hundred grandmasters present. Including their entourages, the gathering numbered nearly two thousand. The once noisy venue quieted down with the arrival of the Heavenly Mechanic Sage.

After the opening remarks, the Heavenly Mechanic Sage began discussing the rewards for this event. In addition to the benefits of deepening one's martial arts understanding, there were extra rewards from the Tianji Tower, such as techniques, treasures, and elixirs—highly coveted by martial artists.

Moreover, the grandmaster who was voted the top by their peers at the end of the symposium would receive not only a divine weapon and a spiritual treasure but also an opportunity to select any ultimate technique from the Tianji Tower's library. This reward was extremely tempting, given the Tianji Tower's renowned collection, comparable to the Li family's Listening Rain Tower, perhaps even superior. The ultimate techniques within could benefit even those at the Four-Immortal level, provided they could fully master them.

After the discussion on rewards, the symposium officially began. Participation was voluntary; grandmasters could choose to present their doctrines. Most came to validate their martial arts and identify weaknesses, making this a rare opportunity.

An elderly grandmaster first took the stage, discussing his Yin-Yang Doctrine, derived from the alternation of day and night, the interplay of Yin and Yang. His explanations made his martial philosophy clear without divulging his ultimate techniques, akin to promoting his sect's teachings.

Listening to the grandmaster, Li Hao recalled the Yin-Yang Reversal Sword. His mastery of this technique was based on an understanding of Yin-Yang principles. This philosophy was similar to the grandmaster's, but comprehending the Yin-Yang Reversal Sword didn't necessarily mean understanding the Yin-Yang Doctrine. Conversely, the grandmaster could create techniques based on the Yin-Yang Doctrine.

A grandmaster's key is the "Dao"—the way. Once comprehended, the Dao influences every action, making everything one does an expression of it. The Yin-Yang Reversal Sword is a technique infused with Yin-Yang principles, while a grandmaster's Dao makes every movement a technique.

Practicing a technique within a Dao is easy, but using a technique to comprehend a Dao is like swimming against the current, nearly impossible. However, with his unique interface, Li Hao's mastery of the sword technique already included the Yin-Yang principles. Hence, he understood the grandmaster's discussion and noticed what the grandmaster deliberately left out—his ultimate techniques.

After the first grandmaster spoke, another took the stage to debate, arguing that the Yin-Yang Doctrine was incomplete. This grandmaster followed the Monkey Path, having observed monkeys to discern natural laws and martial arts. His disciples began their training by observing monkeys, and his techniques were all related to them.

Grandmaster debates involved both rhetoric and martial arts. The Yin-Yang and Monkey Path grandmasters sparred, showcasing their strengths. The Monkey Path grandmaster wielded an iron rod with unpredictable, flexible movements, while the Yin-Yang grandmaster's attacks combined reality and illusion. Both had their merits, learning and reflecting during the exchange, leaving both with gains.

This debate alone lasted an hour. Past symposiums ranged from three days to half a month. Li Hao initially found it intriguing but soon grew bored. He understood the principles quickly, but the grandmasters' lengthy, repetitive explanations aimed at ensuring comprehension tested his patience. He wished he could fast-forward or speed up time, but he had no such power and could only endure.

Subsequent grandmasters presented their doctrines: the Butterflies' Transformation Path, the Five Elements Path based on internal organs, and the Red Flame Path using fire to break myriad techniques. Li Hao easily grasped their principles, having studied a wide array of techniques. Each grandmaster's philosophy contributed to his comprehensive martial knowledge.

Li Hao noticed that simpler doctrines were often more profound, quickly leading to the Grandmaster level. For example, the Red Flame grandmaster slightly bested the Five Elements grandmaster. The Monkey Path grandmaster's more straightforward philosophy allowed quicker mastery compared to the broader Yin-Yang Doctrine.

"The simpler the Dao, the deeper it can be," Li Hao realized. This realization aligned with his pursuit of the core of all things—a process from complexity to simplicity. Chasing complexity would trap him in endless expansion, slowing his progress and being surpassed by those with more focused philosophies. A single powerful technique could dominate if perfected.

However, if he could condense complex principles into one, it would be an incredibly formidable move. As he listened, Li Hao sought the commonality among all philosophies.

"Or is there no commonality? If so, my pursuit is in vain, never achieving a complete Dao, merely a conventional Grandmaster level," he pondered.

As Li Hao reflected, a robed young man ascended the stage, drawing the grandmasters' attention. "Amitabha. My Dao is rooted in human nature, one of the Three Poisons: Anger."

"Anger as a Dao?" The grandmasters murmured, intrigued by this unconventional approach. Most grandmasters derived their Dao from observing nature, but this young man from the Infinite Mountain entered through human emotions—a rare and novel perspective.

Li Hao recognized the Infinite Mountain's connection to the woman who sought the elixir, potentially orchestrated by the mountain itself. As the young man explained, Li Hao found inspiration in this emotional approach, adding a new dimension to his comprehensive martial philosophy. However, he remained focused on the commonality among all things, still searching for that elusive connection.

"Everyone, life forms possess the primal urges of Greed, Anger, and Ignorance. Demons crave blood—Greed. Their violent nature—Anger. Plants reach for the sun—Greed. Their roots spread—Anger..." the young man expounded, his voice calm and soothing, like a Buddhist light amidst the chilly winds by the Long River.

Li Hao listened, contemplating how human nature could be a path to Dao. He pondered whether Greed, Anger, and Ignorance were common to all beings.

Lost in thought, Li Hao didn't notice the young man subtly glancing his way. "I have heard of a prodigious talent in Da Yu who reached the Grandmaster realm at fourteen, a feat unheard of. May I invite him to enlighten us?" the young man said, his gaze settling on Li Hao.

The crowd turned to Li Hao, eager to see if the legend matched reality. They had long wanted to challenge him but feared offending the General's Mansion.

"He is a disciple of the Buddha, ranking first on the Qianlong List!" Shen Yunqing warned Li Hao, knowing the potential conflict between Li Hao and the Infinite Mountain.

Li Hao met the young man's gaze, understanding the challenge's underlying hostility. "I'm not interested in debates," he replied, provoking the young man.

"Are you not here for the symposium?" Qin Wuque, the young man, smiled.

"Debating depends on my mood. Your Dao is too simplistic to be of interest," Li Hao said, inciting shock among the grandmasters. Qin Wuque's Anger Dao was complex, yet Li Hao dismissed it as simple.

Qin Wuque's smile remained, "If you find my Dao lacking, perhaps you could share yours. I heard you achieved enlightenment during a duel with your father. Is your Dao one of patricide?"

The crowd fell silent. Though aware of the incident, none dared mention it in front of the General's Mansion. Qin Wuque's public reference was a direct affront.

Li Wushuang's face flushed with anger, recognizing the insult to the General's Mansion. She knew the truth but felt powerless against the blatant disrespect.

Li Hao's smile faded, his eyes cold. "You wish to debate?"

Qin Wuque's smile grew, "Please, enlighten us, Master Li."

Without a word, Li Hao picked up a stone, transforming it into a white chess piece. "All things can enter the Dao. If you can take one move from me, your Dao has merit."

The grandmasters watched in astonishment as Li Hao flicked the piece onto the stage. It radiated immense energy, like a miniature sun. Behind Li Hao, a towering figure appeared, embodying the Dao of Heaven and Earth.

The figure's colossal hand, holding the chess piece, pressed down on Qin Wuque, who felt a crushing force like a mountain. "Infinite Golden Body!" he roared, his aura blazing as he countered.

The golden body clashed with the radiant chess piece, but the overwhelming force shattered Qin Wuque's defense. Blood sprayed as he was pinned to the ground, his limbs splayed, unable to move—defeated by a single move.