40. Prestige

Chapter 40: Prestige

"Naturally."

Li Yuanzhao furrowed his brows and said, "Do you think I can't manage on my own? How about we go back and have another match? We still haven't settled last time!"

Li Yun snorted. He and Li Yuanzhao had been sparring for the past two years, with neither able to decisively win.

However, considering their ages, he had already lost.

After all, the latter was a year younger than him.

In terms of battle physique talent from bone measuring, he also lost. He was a seventh-tier, while both his sister and Li Yuanzhao were eighth-tier.

Therefore, his remark was not directed at Li Yuanzhao but at someone else—someone who made him secretly angry once he understood things later.

Remembering that he had once been thrashed soundly by a wastrel, he felt particularly aggrieved. Fortunately, only heaven and earth knew about it, along with him and Li Hao.

Over the years, whenever he saw Li Hao, he felt a deep-seated anger gnawing at him. If it weren't for Li Hao always being accompanied by Second Master and Fifth Master, he wouldn't have missed the chance for revenge.

Li Yuanzhao noticed Li Yun glancing coldly at Li Hao. Although he was young, he wasn't foolish, especially after spending so many years with Brother Hao. Having heard countless marvelous and strange stories from him, which included tales of supernatural beings and human cruelty, he couldn't fully comprehend them yet but was somewhat more mature than his peers.

Because of this, he recognized Li Yun's intent from the start and deliberately redirected the focus onto himself.

Seeing Li Yun only dared to indirectly insult, he didn't bother taking it seriously, avoiding unnecessary conflict. Turning to Li Hao, he smiled and said, "Brother Hao, I heard that Sister Xue will be back next year."

"Yes."

Li Hao's lips curled into a gentle smile.

"My teacher said that according to the rules in the Jianlu, you can't leave the mountain until at least reaching the Divine Wandering Realm. Could it be that Sister Xue will break through to the Divine Wandering Realm next year?" Li Yuanzhao asked curiously.

The Divine Wandering Realm is the fourth realm of strength. Even outside, one who reaches it can delve into perilous lands and slay demons and monsters, earning the rank of a military captain, just under a general!

Next year, Bian Ruxue would only be fifteen.

Such progress, even among top-tier geniuses with ninth-tier battle physiques, would be considered exceptional.

Those renowned across the world mostly have ninth-tier battle physiques. This is merely the starting point for top geniuses, the upper limit of bone measurement!

Afterward, various opportunities, efforts, talents, and comprehension continue to widen this gap.

Beside them, upon hearing "Sister Xue," Li Yun's ears perked up, and his gaze involuntarily drifted toward Li Hao.

The seed planted in his heart at a young age seemed to be sprouting again.

However, considering the Divine Wandering Realm, the young man's expression darkened further. Now understanding the differences in cultivation, he realized how distant this realm was.

"That's right."

Li Hao nodded. The Divine Wandering Realm in the Jianghu also provided a certain degree of safety.

He glanced at a certain complex expression not far away, feeling amused but also sensing the kid needed a lesson.

"Fifteen years old and in the Divine Wandering Realm, that's amazing! If she came to Tan Palace Academy, the palace master would probably welcome her personally, making her a direct disciple immediately," Li Yuanzhao couldn't help but exclaim.

They were only at the Perfection of the Zhou Tian Realm, not yet at the Soul Continuation Realm.

Their entry into Tan Palace Academy was also to inherit the soul of the ancient heroes of Tan Palace.

This was their mother's command. They didn't know why.

"Her master is the Sword Saint, after all. That's incomparable," Li Hao comforted.

Actually, these fellows were also geniuses. The reason they didn't join a prestigious mountain was due to an unspoken rule among Li family direct descendants: join a mountain only if it's a Sword Saint-level master, becoming a direct disciple.

Otherwise, they'd remain in the manor for training. Once skilled enough, they'd join major forces, showcasing the Li family's young generation's prowess.

This rule was specific to direct descendants. The illegitimate ones were different. Like branches spreading out, once their foundation was stable, they would have long joined many prestigious mountains and masters, making the Li family's name renowned in various forces.

Even without the true dragons, the illegitimate descendants had already become young leaders in many second and third-tier forces.

This elevated the Li family's reputation, extending beyond just the frontier military camps.

"Yeah," Li Yuanzhao sighed. The teaching of a Sword Saint-level master was something to envy. At least a ninth-tier battle physique aptitude was required. That's the minimum threshold.

...

At this moment, with the Jiao Lion leading the way, the massive carriage, akin to a motorhome, drove along the street. In Qingzhou City, everyone knew it was a God General's Mansion vehicle.

Passersby quickly made way, pointing and murmuring. Knowing its destination, they understood it carried the Li family's true dragons to Tan Palace Academy for training.

Those from various states—wandering warriors, young lords, and ladies from prestigious families—were all restless and anxious upon encountering the aura from the Jiao Lions, stopping in their tracks. Some were so terrified they ran frantically to the roadside, unable to rein in their steeds no matter how hard their drivers tried.

The God General's Mansion's prestige was evident in this moment.

Shortly after, the vehicle stopped, and the driving Ming Bo gently informed them they had arrived outside Tan Palace Academy.

Tan Palace Academy wasn't far from the God General's Mansion. They were practically neighbors.

As the vehicle stabilized, Li Yuanzhao and the other three's gazes slightly focused.

Although they were all prodigies with extraordinary aptitude, they usually trained within the manor and had never truly displayed themselves in front of outsiders. Plus, with their youthful hearts, they inevitably felt a bit of nervousness.

Li Hao, however, didn't feel much. Once the carriage stopped, he leisurely stood up and casually lifted the curtain.

Light poured onto his face. Simultaneously, countless lively and noisy sounds surged in, flooding the carriage as if lifting the curtain unveiled a flourishing world!

The three inside snapped back, seeing Li Hao standing calmly at the carriage entrance, surveying his surroundings with a gentle smile amidst the cacophony.

Li Zhi Ning's eyes slightly narrowed, past memories flickering briefly before vanishing once more.

When the three stepped outside, they witnessed the lively scene outside.

The vast square was crowded with people. Teeming and bustling, most were young men and women carrying swords, knives, and spears, full of youthful vigor.

In the crowd, some richly dressed youths had attendants by their side, creating a space where strangers dared not enter.

There were also young ladies in glamorous attire, with graceful maids holding parasols to shield them from the blazing sun, making them stand out distinctively.

Looking around, it was filled with a dense crowd of young warriors.

Standing on the carriage, they immediately became the focus of all eyes.

After all, the God General's Mansion's Jiao Lion carriage was too eye-catching.

Dayu's regulations stipulated: Dragon veins pulled the Emperor's carriage, up to nine heads. Princes and dukes had seven, marquises and first-rank officials qualified for five Jiao Lions. Others, including scholars and nobility, were only permitted three or two.

Ordinary civilians, merchants with no titles, could only use a single steed to pull their carriage, and it couldn't have dragon veins from the Jiao family.

Although Li Hao and the others had no titles, as the Marquis's sons, they could bask in their fathers' glory.

"Is that the God General's Mansion?"

"Qingzhou City Li family, a thousand-year-old God General's Mansion, truly magnificent!"

"There go four more spots. I heard Tan Palace Academy's spots are limited, how infuriating!"

"Hmph, I, Lin Yan, will lead the Liu family of Liuzhou to rise in this generation and contend with Heaven and Earth!"

"I heard there's a wastrel in this Li generation. I wonder if they're here?"

A thousand years of glory incited envy and jealousy in countless people, sparking ambition and determination in many young hearts amidst the noise.

Li Yun, Li Yuanzhao, and Li Zhi Ning tensed, attempting to appear calm while their sweaty fingers revealed their inner anxiety.

These gazes seemed to burn, prompting Li Yun to coldly state, "Let's go," before leading his sister into the crowd like tigers entering the forest.

Those nearby instinctively made way, not for the youth but for the surname behind him.

"Brother Hao, shall we go too?" Li Yuanzhao swallowed and asked Li Hao.

Li Hao stood on tiptoe, scanning the area and sniffing lightly. His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Let's go!"

He leaped off the carriage, and people around parted, avoiding blocking this elegantly dressed youth's path.

Li Yuanzhao followed, but after a few steps, he tugged Li Hao's sleeve: "Brother Hao, are we going the wrong way? Tan Palace Academy isn't that way."

"I know."

Li Hao replied without turning, "But there's food ahead."

Fame is behind, but delicious food is ahead!