125. The Art of Carving – Crafting a Sword

Chapter 125: The Art of Carving – Crafting a Sword

Never enter a forest during pursuit, and never chase a cornered enemy.

These are cardinal rules of warfare.

Yet Li Hao chased after the fleeing demons. Li Hongzhuang wanted to stop him but it was already too late.

Gritting her teeth, she swiftly swung her sword to slay the remaining demons in front of her before she could go after Li Hao.

She worried that if she left now, the demons would desecrate the graveyard, where over ninety thousand souls of the Blood Fiend Army rested, along with the subordinates of her third and sixth brothers.

For many years, she had been defending not a city, but the people.

She could only hope that Li He would stop Li Hao in time or at least ensure his safe retreat.

Whoosh! Li Hao pursued at full speed, slicing through any demons that tried to block his path.

He stepped on the falling bodies of the demons, speeding up even more.

His artifact-controlling speed was about three times that of an average celestial-level cultivator. Combined with his perfected White Phoenix movement technique, he was not much slower than the two immortal-level demons and could at least keep up.

After chasing for forty miles, seeing the two demons were about to disappear into the wilderness, Li Hao shouted:

"Stop!"

The two demons suddenly turned, noticing the pursuing Li Hao. They had been aware of him closely following but had refrained from turning back, fearing Li Hongzhuang might also be pursuing.

However, now that they were this far out, even if Li Hongzhuang tried to catch up, she wouldn't make it in time.

"Brat, you dare chase us alone?!"

The two demons turned, their faces twisted into sinister smiles. Their escape was partly a ploy to lure Li Hao out.

Li Hao's gaze fell on the six-tusked boar demon's gleaming tusks. "Your tusks are impressive. I need a sword. Mind if I borrow them for a bit?"

"You're courting death!"

The boar demon roared in fury. A mere celestial-level human, daring to eye its precious tusks?

It roared, its body swelling, demon energy boiling, forming a massive spectral boar behind it.

Its black fur turned blood red, bristling like steel needles. Unleashing its divine power, it charged straight at Li Hao.

If a celestial-level soldier faced such an attack without the protection of a heart-shielding formation, the boar demon's divine power alone would be enough to make them drop their weapons in fear.

Li Hao, already at the celestial level, felt the divine power's impact but was minimally affected.

He released his Tiger Suppression characteristic, his body seemingly echoing with a tiger's roar. Without dodging, he stepped forward against the charging boar demon, which could crush a city wall with its force.

His arms extended, activating the Pan Mountain characteristic, making his body as stable as a mountain.

Boom! Li Hao's hands grasped the boar demon's tusks, the immense force making him slide back dozens of meters.

But his feet remained planted, unwavering.

"Lift!!"

With a roar, Li Hao's seemingly slender arms erupted with dragon-like strength, lifting the boar demon and slamming it hard onto the ground on the other side.

The earth trembled, a loud crash resounding as a pit formed.

In the shadows, Li He, ready to intervene, stopped in his tracks, his pupils contracting in shock.

He had sensed a powerful protector shadowing Li Hao along the way. But aside from Li Hao's battle with Li Tiangang, he hadn't seen Li Hao face off against any immortal-level demons.

Now, whether it was the punch that repelled the giant bird or the current toss of the boar demon, Li Hao displayed terrifying strength.

Is he really just a celestial-level cultivator?

How could a celestial-level grandmaster be so formidable?

In the pit, the six-tusked boar demon shrieked, vomiting blood and bile, the stench overwhelming.

Despite being in the undying realm, with a body as tough as iron, it couldn't withstand Li Hao's three-million-pound force, leaving it gravely injured with displaced organs.

"Stop!!"

Seeing Li Hao about to kill the boar demon, the tiger demon roared in fury, charging at Li Hao.

Li Hao activated the Mountain Suppressing characteristic, a spectral ancient demon king Qiongqi appearing behind him, standing on a mountain, tiger-like in shape.

Its eyes seemed to merge with Li Hao's, both coldly glancing at the charging tiger demon.

The tiger demon's pupils contracted, feeling an immense threat, as if a mighty river was pressing down, making it difficult to breathe, its blood freezing.

Its charge halted momentarily.

Taking advantage of the pause, Li Hao dashed towards the six-tusked boar demon, stomping on its head, pressing it back into the ground.

He grasped one of its ivory tusks, twisting his waist and applying his full strength, breaking off the two-meter-long tusk with a crack.

Blood sprayed as the boar demon let out a heart-wrenching scream, its limbs flailing.

Li Hao held the tusk and stabbed it into the boar demon's eye socket.

Though in the undying realm, the boar demon hadn't reached its peak, its eye socket was still a weak point, and the tusk plunged deep, making its screams even more piercing.

The tiger demon snapped out of its daze, horrified at how quickly the celestial-level boy had nearly killed the mid-immortal-level boar demon.

"Stop!!"

The tiger demon roared again, charging at Li Hao.

Li Hao withdrew the tusk, turning to face the charging tiger demon, eyes cold, and unleashed a self-created single-target sword technique.

Falling Star! This move, incorporating the Falling Star essence, was akin to the Wrathful Star punch.

Using the tusk as a sword, a white light shone, sword energy slashing out. Li Hao combined it with the 'Hidden Bow' sword technique, concealing the true lethal strike, which would double its power if it hit!

The tiger demon, enraged, swung its chains, smashing the sword energy.

Thinking it had blocked the attack, it was startled when a sharp sword beam suddenly struck from the darkness.

The beam pierced its chest, causing blood to spurt, internal organs rupturing.

Though in the undying realm, its body couldn't withstand the sword's power.

The tiger demon staggered back, fear in its eyes. Realizing the threat of death, it quickly used its undying power to heal while retreating.

Seeing the retreating tiger demon, Li Hao's eyes flashed with determination. He threw the tusk, enhanced by his artifact-controlling power, using the 'Flying Segment' characteristic.

This characteristic doubled the attack range, adding power to the strike.

The tusk, flying at high speed, reached the fleeing tiger demon, which tried to block with its chains.

The chains deflected the tusk, but the true strike, the hidden sword energy, followed, slicing through the tiger demon's body.

The tiger demon's massive form trembled and fell, its body split open.

Li Hao summoned the tusk back, stabbing it into the tiger demon's head, crushing its escaping soul, ensuring its death.

He then turned to the struggling six-tusked boar demon and, without hesitation, used the tusk to pierce its head, pinning it to the ground.

In the cold, bloody night, Li Hao stood atop the boar demon's massive body, pulling out its other tusk.

Apart from the initial fleeing bird demon, the two immortal-level demons were both slain by Li Hao.

A celestial-level cultivator killing two immortal-level demons, Li Hao's figure stood tall and cold in the night wind.

As the battle ended, Li Hao relaxed, feeling the aftereffects of the Seven Stars Lamp and Yin-Yang Dual Pulse, making him breathe heavily, his body weak.

Unable to restore his state instantly like in the undying realm, he used his hidden light and nurturing characteristic to slowly recover, a unique advantage over other celestial-level cultivators.

Sitting on the boar demon's body, Li Hao rested, knowing only an immortal-level demon could now threaten him, and Li He would handle that.

Reflecting on his limits, Li Hao felt satisfaction but also understood the power of that man in the city. When severely wounded and temporarily reaching mid-immortal level, the man had easily subdued him.

This was the power of the true dragon of the Li family, a top genius, capable of sweeping through many.

Even facing ten top-level immortal demons, he could hold his ground.

But Li Hao was now much stronger. Maybe he could at least fight to a draw now.

Looking at the starry sky, clearer and brighter than in the city, the countless stars seemed to reflect in Li Hao's eyes.

He knew there was still room for great improvement before reaching the undying realm.

He needed more techniques to refine his body to the limit.

"My physical strength in the Tongli realm has surpassed one hundred thousand pounds, but I haven't reached the limit yet. My physical strength can still improve!"

"The Li family doesn't have many body refining techniques. These demons might have more."

Li Hao pondered.

Demons, with bodies tougher than blades, focused on body refining methods.

Human techniques were developed by human experts, and demon techniques by demons.

Humans had armor, weapons, and techniques, progressing faster. Body refining had declined, but not for demons.

Demons relied on their bodies, without healing elixirs or refined weapons, often using brute strength in battles.

If human armor and weapons were inferior, they couldn't match the demons.

"I wonder where the lairs of these two great demons are. I should search them later; they probably left some guards behind," Li Hao thought.

He looked towards the camp, using his divine sense to see that the battle there was nearing its end.

The immortal-level demon king had fled, and the remaining greater demons, not being foolish, chose to retreat. They drove the lower-level demons to block and delay the enemy's pursuit.

They didn't need to run the fastest, just faster than their peers!

The previously imposing demon horde had now collapsed, leaving only the panic-stricken lesser demons fleeing.

After resting for a while, Li Hao picked up the two thick boar tusks and walked back to the camp.

Li Hongzhuang should know the locations of these demon lairs. It would be a good opportunity to learn about the distribution and situation of demons beyond this border.

...

In the camp.

Li Hongzhuang stood guard at the burial ground, surrounded by slain demons.

As for that small mound, she could no longer care for it. Under the trampling and impact of the demons, the mound had become even smaller.

Years of warfare and slaughter had gradually worn down this Cangya City.

Seeing that all the demons had fled, Li Hongzhuang let out a sigh of relief, then immediately rushed out of the camp, her divine soul extending far into the distance.

What she saw left her stunned. Several miles away, the head of the boar demon lay split open on the ground, lifeless.

And even further away, the repeatedly offending Tiger Demon, Chi Hu Jun, lay in a pool of blood, its head crushed, body split open, and its organs and blood staining the nearby ground red.

Two immortal-level great demons, both dead!

In the cold night wind, only the figure of the young boy could be seen, treading on the blood-soaked ground, returning to the camp.

In his hands, he carried two boar tusks, each about two meters long, looking calm and collected.

Li Hongzhuang was dumbfounded.

Did Li He intervene?

Impossible.

Although Li He was from the older generation, he was ultimately an illegitimate child. He could only choose one of the top techniques from the Tingyu Tower. To learn a second one, he would need to establish great merits for the family and achieve significant fame.

In Li Hongzhuang's understanding, Li He's strength should be much inferior to hers. She couldn't even quickly kill two immortal-level demons, let alone Li He.

Could it be that Li Hao did it by himself?

Thinking back to when Li Hao punched away the giant bird demon, Li Hongzhuang's expression changed slightly. This kid was just at the celestial level, right?

With doubts in her heart, she stood at the gate, quietly waiting for the boy to return.

"Did you kill those demons yourself, or with Li He's help?" Li Hongzhuang immediately asked.

"By myself," Li Hao replied. "Thank you for your hard work."

"This is my duty; there's no need to thank me," Li Hongzhuang said, a bit annoyed. She scrutinized Li Hao. "Are you really my seventh brother's child?"

"No."

"..."

"I mean, in any sense," Li Hongzhuang continued.

"In no sense," Li Hao shook his head. Why did this topic keep coming up?

Carrying the two tusks, he walked into the camp.

His divine soul floated slightly above his head, scanning and confirming that Ren Qianqian and the white fox were still by the campfire, seemingly unharmed.

The tents near the campfire were also intact, having avoided destruction by the demon horde.

The only thing missing was the wrapped grilled meat...

"..."

Li Hao was speechless.

He could almost picture Elder Feng grabbing the meat amid the chaos, leisurely eating it in the shadows while swatting away any demons approaching Ren Qianqian.

While he and Li Hongzhuang were fighting for their lives, the old man was quite relaxed.

But Li Hao bore no resentment, only gratitude in his heart.

If not for the old man's whispered guidance, he wouldn't have known how to cross that threshold.

It was Elder Feng's words that gave him the courage.

It was also Elder Feng who had protected him all the way from Qingzhou to Liangzhou and then to this place.

Along the way, Elder Feng had secretly killed countless demons for him.

It should be known that the demons holding grudges against the Li family had accumulated for hundreds of years.

From the moment he left the Li mansion, the news had spread, and those demons who hated the Li family naturally knew immediately.

His shadow had been under the watchful eyes of countless demons along the way.

It was Elder Feng who shielded him from all of that.

The heavy snow that day did not land on the boy who had run away from home, all blocked by the emaciated, elderly figure.

This kindness was hard for Li Hao to express in words.

At this moment, Li Hongzhuang also returned to the campfire.

She looked somewhat fatigued, unable to use her undying power again in the short term unless she forcefully reversed her blood flow, which would cause permanent damage and become an obstacle to reaching higher levels.

Although it appeared to be an overdraft ability, its effect was incredibly strong. In critical moments, it could save lives and greatly enhance combat strength.

It was equivalent to having two lives.

Moreover, in the undying state, her power was inexhaustible, continuously flowing, allowing her to use any high-consumption techniques at will, each move a lethal blow, with her combat strength multiplying several times over!

"How did you deal with it? Did Li He help you distract one of them?" Li Hongzhuang sat down and asked, still doubting and disbelieving that Li Hao could kill two immortal-level demons alone.

"You're overthinking it," Li Hao said calmly.

Unless it was a life-or-death situation, Li He wouldn't intervene. He knew the thoughts of the man in the city, trying to use the cruelty and danger of Tianmen Pass to force him to return, to bow his head and change his character.

But would he still be himself if he changed his character?

He was born this way, both in his previous life and this one, for decades.

If he couldn't stand it, then he wouldn't see him.

What father in the world would dislike his own child?

Moreover, he had said he would rather die outside than in that courtyard.

Li Hongzhuang scrutinized Li Hao, observing his calm and indifferent face. Apart from the demon bloodstains, he didn't seem to have suffered any injuries.

A celestial-level cultivator killing immortals without a scratch, did her seventh brother know this?

Even in the god general mansion, where talents were common, such a thing would hardly be believed!

"Can you roast more meat?"

Li Hongzhuang suddenly asked.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow, looking at her, and hearing the growling from her stomach.

Li Hongzhuang's face showed no embarrassment. She calmly said, "I just used my undying power and my body is depleted. This is normal."

So, even the peak of immortality is a glutton... Li Hao thought to himself but didn't refuse. With the battle over and the ground littered with demon corpses, he scanned and selected two.

Borrowing Ren Qianqian's sword, he quickly processed them, disposing of the innards and blood outside the camp.

He chose the best parts, seasoned them with salt and other spices, rekindled the campfire, and began roasting.

Too bad, cooking hasn't reached enlightenment; my experience points... Li Hao sighed inwardly, holding the two tusks and suddenly having an idea.

Could carving these tusks into a sword count as practicing the art of carving?

Though he hadn't intended to improve his carving skills, gaining some experience in the process could help accumulate skill points before reaching enlightenment in carving.

This way, mastering another heart could further enhance his movement techniques.

With this in mind, Li Hao immediately fetched a stone and began grinding the boar tusk.

"What are you doing?"

Li Hongzhuang asked, puzzled.

"I need a sword. I'm trying to make one," Li Hao replied.

"Even if you grind that stone to dust, you won't damage that tusk," Li Hongzhuang said.

"Do you have a better idea?"

"You left home without even bringing a sword?" Li Hongzhuang said, incredulous.

Roaming the world empty-handed was something only their second uncle could do.

But he was a fist saint!

One finger could break swords and cleave blades, piercing through armor, better than any weapon.

Li Hao ignored her. These martial artists seemed to have a knack for hitting sore spots.

However, she had a point. Using a rock to grind tusks was indeed futile.

Li Hao glanced at her sword but quickly dismissed the idea.

Scanning the area, he found two celestial-level demon corpses. He scavenged their claws, teeth, and horns, and returned to the campfire.

Using a beast horn, he began grinding and carving the boar tusk.

With his immense strength and persistent effort, the horn and tusk gradually showed wear, their shapes changing.

[You have comprehended the art of carving]

[Carving experience +18]

[Carving experience +21]

Notifications popped up, recording the new skill and accumulating carving experience.

As expected... Li Hao thought, pleased.

Soon, the carving experience reached 100 points.

Carving advanced from 0 to 1, earning him a skill point.

Unfortunately, having just raised his movement technique to three levels, he needed a heart to continue improving.

Li Hao decided to accumulate skill points for now, ready to use them if his cooking reached enlightenment, potentially boosting his physical technique to the immortal level.

"You're quite stubborn."

Seeing Li Hao's persistence, Li Hongzhuang shook her head. "Grinding like that won't work."

"I know."

Having just advanced in carving, Li Hao gained some basic knowledge.

He realized how foolish his initial attempts were. Polishing and grinding were complex, especially with such hard materials.

The best methods involved either extremely sharp carving tools or softening the material.

Grinding it directly was just being bullheaded.

Softening the tusk would require fire.

But not just any fire. The tusk contained millennia of condensed energy and natural patterns, making it incredibly tough.

Fortunately, Li Hao had mastered the Purple Firmament Palm, a fire-based technique, through cooking.

The technique was on par with high-grade techniques.

Thanks to the "Ignite" insight from his cooking skills.

Li Hao hadn't collected any palm techniques.

Fists and palms were different, like swords and sabers. He didn't have enough skill points to spread across both, so he focused on fists.

This was his only palm technique, primarily used for cooking.

Drawing energy from the surroundings, his hands glowed dark purple, enveloped in a fierce purple flame.

The fire covered the tusk, slowly heating it.

"You've learned quite a range of techniques," Li Hongzhuang observed, raising an eyebrow.

Earlier, she had noticed his punch resembled their second uncle's style, indicating a top-tier technique.

Additionally, his sword skills were impressive.

His movement technique during the chase was at the peak of the celestial grandmaster level.

Now, he even had a palm technique, and his cooking smelled amazing...

How did this kid find the time and energy? Had he started training in his mother's womb?