Chapter 79 - 84: The Poetry Competition Prince. Mr. Ji Ming. Xiao Yu Jing. Princess. Revisiting the Past. Teaching Li Wushuang a Lesson.

The ink on the canvas had not yet dried, and the Water Kylin also knew that touching it now would mar the painting.

She looked carefully, and the more she looked, the more she liked it. The impatience that had been stirred in her heart had already dissipated like smoke and clouds. Her beautiful eyes turned to Li Hao:

"Did you paint this for me?"

"Do you like it, senior?"

Li Hao saw the delight in her eyes and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, smiling as he said, "If senior likes it, then it's a gift to you."

The Water Kylin revealed a smile, making the whole cold pond seem much brighter. She laughed lightly:

"I didn't expect to find such a skilled painter among humans; you've done a remarkable job. It almost feels like I'm standing on the paper myself."

"As long as senior likes it."

Painting is not just about copying; it's an artistic enhancement, like adding a filter, naturally making it look good.

Li Hao looked at her and asked softly, "Senior, how about I paint a portrait of you in your present human form?"

This time the Water Kylin did not reject the idea, instead she showed interest and looked at Li Hao: "Can you still paint?"

"As for painting, if senior cooperates, I can paint all day!" Li Hao said with a smile.

"Alright, then paint another one for me to see," the Water Kylin agreed.

"Good!"

Li Hao quickly agreed, seeing it as a rare opportunity to reap benefits.

"Senior, please stand by the edge of the pond, slightly to the side, yes, just like that…"

Li Hao had her strike a side pose, which, combined with her stunning beauty, made her resemble a wistful and gentle woman standing by the Emerald Pond.

He swiftly began to draw.

After a stick of incense had burned down.

The second piece of art was completed.

[Painting Experience +1738]

The experience had hardly diminished, mostly because transforming into a new form presented a different posture.

Li Hao quickly handed the painting to her.

The Water Kylin glanced at it, and her eyes immediately lit up. The woman in the painting was sorrowful and melancholic, exuding a transcendent loneliness and purity like a water lily detached from the mundane world.

This is actually me… The Water Kylin felt that the woman in the painting looked much better than how she perceived her real self.

And the tinge of sorrow in her features, could it be the true reflection of her heart?

Alone in the cold pond, a thousand years of solitude, the Tan Palace was a place of humans and not her own… In these bustling human cities, her loneliness seemed even more profound.

Gazing at the painting, she gradually became entranced.

Seeing her absorbed, Li Hao did not speak to disturb her, instead he quietly tidied up the canvas, and then once more, he captured her enraptured appearance.

In an era without photographs, his paintings could capture moments in time.

Li Hao thought that most people would probably like them.

Soon, the third painting was finished.

[Painting Experience +1541]

The experience had diminished slightly, but it was still a substantial amount.

Just three paintings had earned him over five thousand experience points, a veritable windfall.

When Li Hao finished the painting, the Water Kylin also came back to her senses and asked, "Are you done?"

So you noticed after all… Li Hao secretly chuckled in his heart. She had clearly sensed his presence, yet she had maintained an entranced posture, indicating she was willingly cooperating.

"It's finished."

Li Hao nodded and turned the canvas towards her.

Seeing the third painting, a deeper smile appeared in the Water Kylin's eyes. The entranced expression was vivid and life-like, with the light casting angling reflections in her clear eyes, seeming to harbor a myriad of thoughts.

She had indeed briefly revisited certain memories from a thousand years ago, and he had seen through it?

Could this human boy really read her?

The Water Kylin looked at Li Hao, her gaze had become much more amiable as she said, "Your painting skills are indeed impressive. Did you say you're a descendant of the Li Family?"

"Yes," Li Hao nodded.

The Water Kylin, intrigued, said, "The Divine General Mansion Li Family is famous throughout the land, but as I know, the family rules are stringent, and all clan members are martial artists. How do they allow you to dabble in such minor arts?"

"The Art of Painting is not necessarily a minor art."

Li Hao smiled slightly, "Moreover, cultivating and painting do not interfere with each other, as there are always times when one tires of practicing."

"Oh?"

The Water Kylin raised an eyebrow.

Li Hao temporarily concealed his Myriad Attributes, releasing his fifteen li aura, and then reactivated the Myriad Attributes.

The Water Kylin was momentarily stunned, her eyes widening in astonishment as she looked at Li Hao.

Fifteen li?

Yet his blood and bone essence looked so fresh and tender.

"Senior, since we have some free time today, why don't I continue to paint a few more pieces for you?" Li Hao offered with a smile.

The Water Kylin glanced at the paper in her hands, which she had forcibly dried out, and nodded, "That's fine."

Li Hao inwardly smiled and promptly had her stand again by the edge of the Emerald Pond to continue painting.

Soon, one painting after another was completed.

After painting eleven canvases, the Painting Experience for the twelfth had increased by only 351 points.

Although it was much less than before, compared to painting other subjects, it was still considered generous.

"Let's stop here for today,"

The Water Kylin took the latest painting, glancing at it, her face beaming with a bright smile.

"Are you dissatisfied, senior?" Li Hao, who was about to continue painting, asked.

The Water Kylin shook her head, "Today my appearance is too plain. Your painting skill is so exquisite, I should dress up a bit more for your next painting."

Li Hao was momentarily at a loss for words, thinking that the love of beauty is something everyone shares, but he hadn't expected even the Great Demon King to possess it.

Feeling that her look for the day wasn't pretty enough?

But Li Hao thought she was already beautific.

"Alright, then."

Li Hao did not insist, as there were plenty of days ahead.

"What's your name?" the Water Kylin asked.

"Li Hao."

The Water Kylin appeared slightly surprised; that name seemed a bit presumptuous, and it would fit better if Li Hao belonged to the Royal Family.

"Senior, your name?" Li Hao asked, not missing the chance to bond.

"I take my surname from the first Palace Master, my family name is Song," the Water Kylin smiled and said, "My name is Song Qiumo."

Song Qiumo… Li Hao nodded slightly and said, "Senior Qiumo, the next time I'm free, I'll come to visit you again. How should I call for you then?"

"Just gently touch the pond water, and I'll know," Song Qiumo said with a smile.

Li Hao remembered this and nodded, "Till we meet again, Senior."

Song Qiumo waved lightly, turned around, and drifted away, taking along about a dozen paintings back into the Emerald Pond.

The paintings were covered by her power like a membrane, keeping the water from touching them.

"This dive… should score a perfect ten," Li Hao thought to himself as he watched her enter the cold pond without causing a single splash.

He didn't immediately put away his drawing board, but instead continued to paint the cold pond and the cliff.

Even without the Water Kylin Song Qiumo in the paintings, the sheer beauty of the scenery alone provided plenty of experience.

Li Hao had tried creating magnificent and imposing scenes in his mind, and even bizarre and ferocious creatures, but the experience gained from painting them was minimal.

He didn't know why, maybe it lacked some fine detail or charm?

He then painted four or five more Solitary Cliff and Cold Pool Paintings.

After gaining five to six hundred experience points, Li Hao felt it was about time to leave, but then he heard someone reciting poetry:

"Steep cliffs with weary mountains, white clouds drift like tears of heaven."

"Where does this narrow path lead, who could fathom my intentions?"

As he spoke, a figure walked slowly toward him, and just as Li Hao turned around, the newcomer also looked his way.

The two exchanged glances, recognizing each other's identities.

A prince?

Li Hao was surprised; this man was one of the two princes from Alpha Academy, apparently named Jiang Hanxing.

Jiang Hanxing also recognized Li Hao. If anyone had caused a stir today at Alpha Academy, it was undoubtedly this young master of the Li family.

From the moment he had entered Alpha Academy, he had noticed Wang Han and Li Hao, along with other scions of the Divine General Mansion, although he hadn't approached them.

Thinking that he had recited poetry on his way here, Jiang Hanxing felt his face flush, somewhat hot and bothered. Damn it, why is there someone here?

But, this guy is a military general's son; he probably can't appreciate the finer points of poetry, right?

After their brief eye contact, Jiang Hanxing managed to control the heat on his face and smiled to greet him:

"Young Master Li?"

"Hello."

Li Hao responded quite formally. He really wasn't interested in these members of the Imperial Family.

The other prince named Jiang Ye had approached him and Li Yuanzhao at the beginning of school to express a desire to make friends.

But the young man's ambition was too plain in his eyes, and Li Hao didn't want to get involved with any troublesome matters related to the Royal Family. He also advised Yuan Zhao to keep his distance from these people, as these waters weren't suitable for easy wading.

"What are you doing here?"

Jiang Hanxing curiously surveyed the drawing board in front of Li Hao. It wouldn't have surprised him if Li Hao was here to practice his skills.

But what was he doing with pen and ink?

Considering that Li Hao had been exceptionally allowed into the Black and White Hall and had already ascended to the Soul Succession Realm, Jiang Hanxing's gaze grew a bit more serious.

"Sketching," Li Hao said casually, withdrawing his gaze and once again busying himself with preparing the ink to start painting.

Jiang Hanxing was somewhat taken aback, his eyes registering a flicker of interest. He had been secretly observing this young master of the Li family back at Alpha Academy.

After all, this name was given by his own Emperor father.

He had heard his mother mention this from the time he was born. Upon meeting him at the academy, he couldn't help but pay extra attention.

Li Hao's actions had indeed been extraordinary. Initially, Jiang Hanxing regretted thinking that such favoritism from the Li family had spoiled him.

But today, after hearing Teacher Su Yehua's words, he understood that this was a deeply hidden genius.

"Sketching?"

Jiang Hanxing curiously walked over and saw Li Hao start to paint. The solitary mountain and cold pond emerged onto the paper, depicted in an incredibly lively and picturesque manner.

He was mesmerized.

Coming from the Royal Family, he had been trained in martial arts from a young age, but he also cherished Poetry and Books, so he could certainly recognize that the painting skills were remarkably excellent.

After Li Hao finished painting, Jiang Hanxing couldn't help but ask, "Li, you can also paint?"

Without moving his eyes, Li Hao continued with his brush, "Can't you also write poetry?"

At the mention of poetry, Jiang Hanxing's face reddened slightly.

As much as he liked it, "being able" was another matter.

He indeed knew a little.

But the poem he just recited wasn't created seriously. The choice of words and phrasing all stemmed spontaneously, merely expressing the frustrations in his heart, without meticulous crafting.

"Li, do you also understand poetry?"

"A little."

"Oh?"

Jiang Hanxing, quite surprised and intrigued, said, "Why don't you compose a poem then, Li?"

"Compose a poem?"

Li Hao glanced at him. His own poetry experience was already fully leveled up to three stages, yet he hadn't grasped the Poetry Heart, and composing poems wasn't his strong suit.

"Exactly, why not… use this cold pool you painted as the subject for your poem, and let's both write one, how about it?"

Jiang Hanxing was keen on a poetry duel and also intended to compare his skills with Li Hao's, to recover some face for his casual recitation earlier, lest people think that was his actual level of poetry.

Li Hao glanced and said, "The cold pool, you say? You go first then."

"You should start, Li. My poetic flair is shallow; I need to ponder more," Jiang quickly replied.

Li Hao didn't think he was being modest; judging by the poor poem Jiang had previously recited, he hadn't even gotten the rhymes right.

"Alright."

Li Hao, ever capricious, didn't think much and began reciting:

"Li Bai sets off in his boat, suddenly hearing song from the riverside."

"A thousand feet deep is the water of Peach Blossom Pond, not as deep as Wang Lun's gift to me."

As he finished one poem, his hand didn't stop drawing; he continued sketching.

In the past, reciting a poem by the Immortal Poet would have earned him hundreds of experience points, but now his experience was already maxed out, not gaining a bit.

Out of respect for the original, he didn't change a word.

Not fitting the background? Ha, that's none of my concern.

Jiang Hanxing listened, somewhat dazzled; this poem had a certain charm.

"Li, you didn't make this poem on the spot, did you?" Jiang Hanxing said, noting that the situation depicted in the poem didn't match their current surroundings.

"Just tell me if there's a pond in there," Li Hao replied.

Jiang Hanxing was speechless; indeed, there was a pond, but where were any peach blossoms? There wasn't a ghost of a peach blossom here!

After a pause, he asked, "Did you compose this yourself, or?"

The suspicion in his eyes was quite apparent.

"Anyway, you can't find another author in this world," Li Hao said coolly.

Seeing his confident response, Jiang Hanxing was a bit shocked and further inquired, "Then may I ask, who is the Li Bai mentioned in the poem?"

"As a Li, naturally, he is one of my ancestors of the Li family," replied Li Hao.

"…And who is Wang Lun?"

"The top brother of my ancestor."

What in the world is a top brother?

Jiang Hanxing looked utterly baffled.

"It's your turn," Li Hao gave him a look.

Coming back to his senses, Jiang Hanxing was somewhat speechless; fortunately, he had been a bit crafty. He had already composed a poem about a waterfall in the cold pond earlier, which he could conveniently use today.

Although it might not fully fit the current scenery, it was undoubtedly much better than Li Hao's outrageous poem.

____________

Soon, Jiang Hanxing had also finished reciting his poem.

He then looked at Li Hao with a satisfied expression, "Li, what do you think of my poem?"

"Very moist."

Li Hao chuckled lightly in his heart and responded casually.

Jiang Hanxing smiled and said, "Although Li's poem does not quite match the beauty before us, it is still quite good."

So you actually got smug… Li Hao glanced at him, thinking: Your poem counts as quite good? You really have some cheek.

"Shall we have another one?"

As a literary copyist, Li Hao could not allow original creation to be humiliated and immediately decided to enlighten him.

"Oh?"

Jiang Hanxing's expression changed slightly, feeling a bit guilty, "Another one? What should the topic be this time?"

"You choose."

"Perhaps… the waterfall?"

"Waterfall?"

Li Hao laughed.

Are you running headfirst into your weak spot?

"Fine."

Li Hao agreed immediately, then stopped writing, looked up, and effortlessly recited a poem, 'Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu'.

By the time he recited "From a leap of three thousand feet, it seems as if the Milky Way has descended from the heavens," Jiang Hanxing was already stunned, his face full of astonishment with wide-open eyes.

Jiang Hanxing had not been particularly impressed by the previous poem, but this one was spot on, as if he could see the cascading and rushing image of a waterfall right before his eyes.

The Milky Way falling from heaven—such a choice of words is too elegant and imposing!

Seeing the other party struck with awe, Li Hao gave a faint smile, thinking there were plenty of classic poems describing waterfalls by the ancients. He intended to use Du's, but it seemed more fitting to let the poetry sage claim this face.

Jiang Hanxing had thought of trying again, but suddenly he couldn't continue.

It felt as though this poem had perfectly captured the essence of the waterfall.

Even though the poem was not composed on the spot by Li Hao but taken out of his stash like his own, it was enough to reveal Li Hao's talent.

Ideas of composing on the spot are mere talk; they are martial artists, after all, not one of those great scholars in the Hanlin Academy who spend their days searching for beauties among the books!

"Li, I am utterly convinced by your poem," Jiang Hanxing admitted with a bow.

"Glad to hear that."

Seeing this, Li Hao picked up the brush to paint again.

"Li, born in the Divine General Mansion, yet you possess such profound mastery in both poetry and painting, do the elders in your mansion not mind?" Jiang Hanxing could not help but ask curiously.

"Of course, they do."

"Then how come…"

"They just didn't manage to control it."

Jiang Hanxing was speechless for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, feeling that he really had met an amusing person.

This was the first conversation between Jiang Hanxing and Li Hao, which he still vividly remembered years later.

Li Hao didn't pay any more attention to Jiang Hanxing and continued painting.

Seeing that Li Hao was focused, Jiang Hanxing didn't make any more noise to disturb him but quietly left.

The next day.

Before Li Hao went to the cold pool to paint the Water Kylin, he was summoned to the Tan Palace by Shen Yunqing.

Upon hearing the two conditions Song Yufeng set for him, Li Hao was momentarily stunned but didn't struggle much with the decision, choosing to become an honorary professor.

Staying for a year was too long.

However, he also had one condition of his own, which was to have everyone, including Song Yufeng, and all the elders of the Tan Palace cooperate with him on one thing.

And that was to let him paint.

Put in modern terms, it meant being a model.

Upon hearing Li Hao's peculiar request, Song Yufeng was a bit taken aback, but it was a trivial matter, and he agreed without refusal, considering it a quirk of this talented member of the Li Family.

As an honorary professor, he would need to teach three classes a year, and if he didn't teach in any year, it would accumulate to the next.

The term for the honorary professor was ten years.

That means thirty classes in total, which was relatively easy.

Anticipating Li Hao's choice, Song Yufeng also told Li Hao that the disciples he would be teaching were not from Alpha Academy, but from the Black and White Hall.

As for this, Li Hao didn't care much; he just needed to teach, and it didn't matter if anyone listened or who came to listen.

Seeing Li Hao agree readily, Song Yufeng's lips curved into a smile, as both the young and the old got what they wanted, making the cooperation very pleasant.

Leaving the Tan Palace, Li Hao was about to rush to the cold pool, but suddenly Li Yuanzhao found him.

"Hao, Wushuang has returned," he said.

Upon seeing Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao spoke, "The eldest lady says there will be a family banquet tonight to welcome Wushuang home and cleanse her of her travel dust. She asked us all to get back early."

"Ah?"

Li Hao was taken aback for a moment. After pondering, the image of a pretty young girl surfaced in his mind.

Years ago, Fifth Lady had tearfully watched her leave with an old man who had the appearance of a child.

Had that girl now returned as a learned young lady?

Thinking this, Li Hao couldn't help but think of the little tail in Sword Cottage far south, nine thousand miles away.

Shaking his head, Li Hao told Li Yuanzhao, "It's still early. I'll make another round and just be on time later."

He wasn't particularly attached to that young girl, especially since Li Yun and his siblings had deliberately kept their distance over the years, which meant he saw Fifth Lady far less frequently.

"Uh, should we prepare a gift in advance?" Li Yuanzhao asked.

Regarding Miss Wushuang, he had only a faint impression of her, but over the years, he had heard much about her achievements within the mansion, recognizing her as the standout of their generation.

Of course, she couldn't be compared to the current Li Hao.

"Indeed."

After all, she was a long-lost cousin; no matter what, some small gifts should be prepared. Li Hao thought for a moment and said:

"I'm not sure what she likes, but she must like to eat. Go to Hongxiang Building and buy a portion of crispy roasted goose, and from Emerald Lake Courtyard, get a portion of Bamboo Fragrant Dark Dragon Liver… make sure it's hot, and send it over during the dinner."

Li Hao mentioned seven or eight famous Qingzhou City delicacies, all of which he had personally tasted and found to be delicious.

Li Yuanzhao appeared stunned and asked, "Is that all? But these aren't expensive, altogether, they barely cost a few silvers."

"Our family isn't short of money. It's the thought that counts. These delicacies, which she certainly hasn't had while traveling, should suffice. She likely has everything else she needs," Li Hao explained.

Li Yuanzhao thought it made sense.

Miss Wushuang was, after all, a disciple of the Qianji Sect, personally taught by a famous master. What could she possibly lack?

Cultivation Techniques? She could choose her own at Listening Rain Tower.

Weapons? She could find them herself in the armory.

As for common items like gold, silver, and jewels, it's likely she wouldn't even spare them a glance.

"Alright, then I'll buy what Hao has listed."

Li Yuanzhao agreed.

After he left, Li Hao picked up a canvas from his room and returned to the cold pool.

He set up the canvas and reached a hand into the pool water to stir it.

Sure enough, a shadow suddenly surged up, splashing water everywhere.

Li Hao swiftly returned to the canvas and quickly said, "Predecessor Qiumo, please keep it like this."

Song Qiumo, revealing her Water Kylin form, looked formidable. She intended to transform but stopped when she heard Li Hao. She also kept the surrounding splashes suspended in the air, frozen in place.

Li Hao began painting rapidly and soon completed a depiction of the Water Kylin emerging from the water.

"Done."

Following Li Hao's words, Song Qiumo let the suspended splashes retreat back into the pool and stepped forward, her figure as light as sand changing into a human form, her white and bare feet moving towards Li Hao's canvas.

"Hmm, not bad."

Upon seeing her depiction on the canvas, Song Qiumo's eyes glinted with a hint of joy.

Was her pose just now really that beautiful?

She tilted her head to look at Li Hao and asked with a smile, "What do you think of my attire today?"

Li Hao turned and saw her in a water-blue dress, the same one from yesterday, but now with noticeable bracelets and silver chains on her arms and legs, which sparkled brightly.

Do women all like shiny things… Li Hao chuckled and said, "It looks very beautiful."

Song Qiumo gave him a look and said, "Then paint."

"Alright."

Li Hao immediately began to paint seriously.

Sure enough, today's Song Qiumo, with the addition of ornaments, manifested a more dazzling and transcendent beauty in her ethereal allure.

And from completing the painting, he gained an additional hundred points in his Painting Experience.

Clearly, these ornaments were no ordinary items.

"Hmm, not bad."

Song Qiumo nodded lightly, though her eyes could hardly hide her joy and satisfaction.

Li Hao chuckled, prompted her to switch positions, and started another painting.

Time flowed slowly.

By the cold pool, Li Hao had already created a dozen paintings of Song Qiumo.

Among them, he had her transform back to her original form for seven or eight paintings.

In total, they gathered over four thousand points of experience, adding up to nearly twenty thousand with yesterday's session.

Li Hao had noticed the day before that painting Song Qiumo yielded more experience than painting others like Feng and the Fifth Lady, even though he did not believe their Cultivation Levels were inferior. It was likely because they usually concealed their aura, so when he painted them, he couldn't capture their essence.

Seeing Song Qiumo in front of him without much restraint, her aura overwhelming, made his paintings possess an impressive power.

It seems, he thought, I'll have to ask them to show their true strength when I paint them next time… though Feng can be difficult to persuade. Preparing his favorite dish of chicken stewed with mushrooms might do the trick.

"Let's stop for today," Li Hao suggested as he noted the time, which was getting late, to Song Qiumo.

With many sheets of paper in hand, an utterly joyful Song Qiumo said, "If you ever face any difficulties, feel free to seek me out anytime, as long as I am within Tan Palace, I can mostly help you."

"Is Predecessor Qiumo confined here?" Li Hao asked in surprise.

Song Qiumo slightly shook her head, not elaborating further, and said, "Then, until next time."

Saying this, she dived perfectly back into the cold pool.

Seeing this, Li Hao too packed up his canvas and headed back to the mansion.

As Li Hao passed Alpha Academy on the way down the mountain, he noted that Li Yun and his sister were no longer around while the other disciples of the academy were still training. Upon spotting Li Hao, one of them exclaimed in surprise.

Soon, others also noticed him, and all eyes turned towards him.

Seeing this, Li Hao smiled and waved a greeting, quickly making his getaway to avoid being surrounded with inquiries.

At the foot of the mountain, Li Hao rode back to the mansion.

Upon reaching the grand entrance, he felt today's atmosphere within the mansion was unusually lively, with smiles gracing the guards' faces.

As Li Hao approached, the guards bowed and paid their respects.

Back in Mountain and River Courtyard, Zhao informed him that Fu had sent word from Cangyu City about his recovery, planning to leave tomorrow and return home.

Additionally, Zhao presented a gift box, saying to Li Hao:

"Young master, Miss Wushuang from Piaoxue Courtyard has returned to the mansion today, and the lady of the house has prepared a family dinner. You are invited over, and I have taken the liberty of preparing this gift for you to bring along later."

____________

"What is this?"

Upon seeing the thoughtful gift prepared by Zhao, Li Hao opened the gift box and glanced inside to find a delicately small dragon horn comb, along with a small bottle.

Li Hao picked up the small porcelain bottle and shook it, prompting Zhao to hurriedly say, "Inside is the Soul Casting Elixir, which can increase Divine Soul power. I've heard that Miss Wushuang has already reached the Divine Travel Realm, so she must have a use for it."

"Zhao really is considerate and thoughtful."

Li Hao couldn't help but praise.

He was familiar with the Soul Casting Elixir. It could be consumed by those in the Divine Travel Realm, with each pill increasing the travel distance by about a hundred meters. A person could consume up to ten pills before reaching the maximum limit, beyond which no more could be absorbed.

And the accumulation of ten pills was a kilometer.

This was equivalent to surpassing four or five years of hard cultivation.

The only downside was, since the elixir-assisted Divine Soul differed ever so slightly from one that was self-cultivated, it would not be noticeable in common battles. However, in a clash between top experts, it could become a flaw.

This was what Jianghu martial artists often said: relying on medicinal pills for improvement might lead to an unstable foundation, making the body too light.

Li Hao was unable to absorb the effects of medicinal pills and thus consuming them was ineffective for him. Even if he could, he would not choose to use them, for he had heard that his second uncle and Feng never relied on elixirs. At most, they would consume spirit food with rich energy to enhance their physical strength and vitality.

Because the second uncle and Feng were not body refiners, nor would they expend effort in Body Refinement.

So, relying on external things to increase physical strength was harmless and only beneficial to them, while they remained pure and untainted by any medicinal influence in their Cultivation Realm.

Zhao gave a slight smile, knowing that Li Hao didn't take this matter to heart. With earnest concern, he advised:

"It's been many years since your return; if you're still accustomed to Miss Wushuang's temperament, you should spend time with your cousin. It's best to close the distance in your relationship since she is a disciple of the Qianji Sect, and it would be good to have her support in the future."

"Of course."

Li Hao agreed with a smile.

Zhao sighed quietly, following behind Li Hao like an old servant.

Before long, Li Yuanzhao hurried to the Mountain and River Courtyard, entering as if he were in his own domain and calling out Li Hao's name from afar.

"It's Young Master Yuan Zhao," observed Zhao, his face breaking into a kind smile.

Over the years, Li Hao had been lax in his demeanor and had not displayed any martial arts talent, so the other courtyards had not interacted much with the Mountain and River Courtyard.

Zhao had also noticed the distancing of Li Yun and his sister from Li Hao.

Of the direct descendants around Li Hao's age, there were only a few, and now only Young Master Yuan Zhao remained, coming to the Mountain and River Courtyard to keep company with Young Master Hao.

It wasn't fair to blame others for being opportunistic. As the steward of the Mountain and River Courtyard, Zhao was well-informed, and he had his own trusted contacts in the other courtyards. He knew that the reason might not lie with Li Hao alone.

It was rather that the other courtyards had heard certain rumors from the Northern Yan battlefield, which led them to act this way.

After more than a decade of prolonged war, many rumors had spread.

One must know that although the Li Family was a Divine General Mansion, wealthy and powerful, they also had political rivals in the court and others who envied them.

Moreover, with the yearly battles in Northern Yan, the soldiers of the Li Family who perished, could not voice their grievances until the war ended.

Yet the war's expenses required allocations from the court, logistical support—all of which provided fodder for criticism.

Don't think that with soldiers fighting abroad, no one would dare to speak in court; on the contrary, it still depended on the climate and public sentiment.

"Hao, I've purchased the dishes you asked for; they've already been delivered to Aunt's courtyard," said Li Yuanzhao, approaching with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhao looked at Li Hao with surprise, not expecting him to be so well-prepared, and a look of relief crept into his eyes.

"Thanks for the trouble."

Li Hao patted Yuan Zhao on the shoulder and said, "Then let's head over as well."

"Alright."

Zhao followed the two young masters, accompanied by Li Hao's personal maidservant Qing Zhi, all on their way to the banquet.

The carriage rolled out of the Mountain and River Courtyard, and Li Yuanzhao said he wanted to stop by Linglong Court first, which was his foster mother's residence.

Naturally, Li Hao didn't refuse and instructed the family's trusted aide driving the carriage to turn towards Linglong Court.

Once at Linglong Court, Li Yuanzhao jumped out of the carriage and asked Li Hao and Zhao to wait a moment before rushing into the courtyard.

It wasn't long before Li Hao saw Li Yuanzhao escorting a woman with a graceful figure and dignified manner slowly stepping out from inside.

The woman was Ms. Xiao, named Xiao Yu Jing. Her ancestors had produced a supremely powerful martial artist in the Four Stands Realm. Her husband, the fourth son of the Li Family, had been called to the battlefield on their wedding night, having to leave his new bride in their nuptial chamber to rush to the frontier.

Tragically, he never returned.

From then on, Ms. Xiao could only live in widowhood, childless as well.

Therefore, after Li Yuanzhao was orphaned, the matriarch decided to adopt him into the fourth branch of the family.

As Li Hao and Zhao waited in the carriage, Ms. Xiao's normally furrowed brows sank into a frown.

As a child, Li Hao remembered being held by Ms. Xiao, who had seemed warm and kind.

But over the years, she had become increasingly reclusive in her temperament.

And whenever she saw him, she seemed to hold some anger towards him, which Li Hao didn't understand.

"Didn't I tell you today that your cousin Shuang Er is coming back? You were supposed to prepare a gift, but instead, you're fooling around with him again," Ms. Xiao reprimanded Yuan Zhao, without regard to the fact that Li Hao was right there.

Li Yuanzhao scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Mother, Hao and I went to prepare the gifts together. We've already delivered them to the Elder Mistress's quarters at Mountain and River Courtyard."

"What gifts did you prepare?" Xiao Yu Jing frowned.

"Crispy roasted goose from Hongxiang Building…" Li Yuanzhao promptly spilled every detail.

Before he could finish, Xiao Yu Jing already couldn't bear to listen further, angrily rebuked,

"Are you truly that foolish? She's been wandering outside for a long time and even made it onto the Qiankun List, what delicacies hasn't she tasted? Is she lacking your gift? How many silver does it even cost? Wouldn't it seem too meager when presented?"

Li Yuanzhao glanced at Li Hao and gained some confidence, saying, "Mother, what doesn't our Li Family have? Weapons, Cultivation Techniques, Cousin can just pick whatever she likes, is there a need for us to prepare anything? Cousin hasn't returned to Qingzhou much over the years, she surely hasn't had a chance to taste the authentic delicacies here."

"She may not have eaten them, but do you think she cares to?"

Xiao Yu Jing rolled her eyes slightly, showing the charm of a beauty, and said exasperatedly,

"Whether she needs it or not is one thing, but your gifts definitely cannot be trifling. It's not just about them, at least you should be able to present it with confidence, right? If people find out all you're presenting is such food and drink, won't they laugh their heads off?"

With that, she looked towards the carriage and immediately caught sight of a gift box next to the curtain, scoffing,

"Look at this, what is it?"

Zhao, upon seeing her misunderstanding, hurriedly said, "Madam Xiao, this was specially prepared by this old servant out of concern that Young Master Hao Er might come across as impolite, for him to offer to Miss Shuang Er."

"Humph."

Xiao Yu Jing turned to Li Yuanzhao and said, "See? You treat others like Hao, but they might not truly regard you with the same heart, leading you around in merry circles, ignorant and foolish, while they secretly prepare a generous gift."

"Now, you come empty-handed, with nothing at all. What will you present when you see your Cousin?"

Li Yuanzhao opened his mouth slightly, looking wronged as he said, "But that was prepared by Zhao for Hao… It's not Hao's fault… "

"You!"

Xiao Yu Jing nearly raised her hand in anger to strike him. Had Li Hao fed this fool some sort of bewitchment, refusing to listen to reason?

She restrained herself, snorting in anger yet still considering Li Hao and Zhao standing nearby, she contained her fury,

"Forget it, your mother has already prepared a gift for you. Zhu Xiang, bring it to Yuan Zhao," Xiao Yu Jing instructed.

A maidservant gracefully approached and respectfully handed Li Yuanzhao a gift box.

Curious, Li Yuanzhao wanted to open it to have a look, but with a glare from Xiao Yu Jing, he reluctantly withdrew his hands, hanging his head low obediently following behind his mother.

"We have our own carriage, there's no need to squeeze together," Xiao Yu Jing said indifferently to Li Hao and Zhao.

"Mother…"

"Be quiet."

Li Hao felt a bit helpless. His Fourth Mother seemed to always harbor an inexplicable hostility towards him, which left him quite puzzled.

"Yuan Zhao, we'll go ahead then, just stay with your mother," Li Hao said to the little chubby boy, not wanting to leave him in a tough spot. He winked at him.

Li Yuanzhao promptly nodded, "Hao, we'll be right there."

Then, turning his body to stealthily smile at Li Hao behind his mother's back, he flashed a pair of white teeth.

Li Hao smiled back and left first with Zhao.

"Mother, why do you always stop me from being with Hao? Actually, Hao…"

"Be quiet."

Xiao Yu Jing glared at him irritably, "I told you to associate more with Piaoxue Courtyard, what's the need to stick around him all the time? He could only practice Body Refinement before, and even though his meridians are open now, he started his Cultivation late. All that is still tolerable; your mother isn't a mercenary person after all. The main thing is, I don't want you to bring trouble upon yourself, understand?"

"Ah?"

Li Yuanzhao was puzzled, how did this relate to bringing trouble upon himself?

"Talking to you is pointless, just listen to your mother, and get closer to little miss Zhi Ning," Xiao Yu Jing spoke softly.

Li Yuanzhao was perplexed, as he had asked about this a few times before but his mother hadn't explained. This time he didn't ask, simply pretending to obediently nod in agreement.

"When Madam Xiao married, the Fourth Master sacrificed himself on the battlefield. Over these years, she has had some grievances against the Li Family," Zhao explained to Li Hao in a low voice inside the carriage, speaking carefully.

This was a sensitive matter for the master's family, something their servants shouldn't comment on, but he worried that Li Hao might harbor resentment towards Xiao Yu Jing, being too young to understand the need for discretion and potentially drawing trouble.

Li Hao nodded slightly; he had also thought of this reason. After all, he could understand the resentment of a widow.

He didn't harbour any anger towards Fourth Mother, for she often showed her true colors openly, never scheming behind his back.

On the contrary, the Second Mother from Shuihua Courtyard, who always greeted him with a smile and warm inquiries, was the one who truly irked him.

And with Li Yuanzhao around, considering his face, Li Hao would not hold any hostility towards Ms. Xiao. At least, she truly seemed to treat Li Yuanzhao well.

Soon, the carriage arrived outside Eternal Spring Court.

Several carriages were parked outside the alley, clearly the ladies from other courtyards had arrived earlier.

Before entering the Court, the lively noise from the outer courtyard with phrases like "My Shuang Er is truly amazing" could be heard, probably the ladies heaping praise on that favored daughter of heaven.

Holding the gift box given by Zhao, Li Hao strolled into the courtyard.

____________

The house servant at the courtyard gate saw Li Hao and quickly paid his respects, knowing that this young master was deeply favored by the Grande Dame.

At this moment, the bright moon had just emerged, casting a mottled starlight.

In the courtyard, the lanterns were just being lit. Warm light filtered through the window screens of the main hall, carrying the sound of cheerful laughter from within, suggesting a happy gathering.

Zhao and Qing Zhi followed Li Hao to the entrance of the main hall, stopping before the steps, standing with hands folded, quietly waiting for the banquet to end. They would only enter if called upon.

The regulations of the Li Family were strict, and these servants dared not overstep their bounds.

Inside the main hall.

As soon as Li Hao entered, he caught sight of a strikingly unfamiliar girl's figure.

She appeared to be about sixteen, the age when a girl is like a bud ready to bloom.

Yet, the girl was already about 1.7 meters tall, with a slim and graceful figure, and her eyes were as calm as a frost-lake, possessing a serenity not found in her peers.

Faintly, Li Hao could still discern the rounded lines of her childhood cheeks, but now that the girl had grown up, her facial contours were even more delicate and beautiful, like a flower about to unfold.

She was wearing an oyster white dress, pure and elegant, with the shimmer of sequins sewn amidst the folds of the gauze, giving off a casual yet extremely luxurious look that, coupled with her refreshing temperament, made her seem like a fairy emerging from the mist.

Clearly, this was Li Wushuang.

Besides, Li Hao also saw, sitting beside his long-lost cousin, Li Yun and Li Zhining, brother and sister.

But at that moment, they were all eyes cast downwards in respect, hands properly placed on their laps, their faces bearing silly, happy smiles amidst the adults' praise and laughter, their gazes occasionally drawn to their elder sister beside them.

Their eyes shone with hope and brightness at the sight of her lustrous figure, filled with envy and joy.

This scene reminded Li Hao of five years ago, when they first came to Mountain and River Courtyard, listening to stories with their little faces propped up in their hands, just as well-behaved.

"It's no wonder Shuang Er has reached the Divine Travel Realm at such a young age, achieving Divine Travel at fifteen. Such talent already ranks her among the top prodigies, and it's very likely she'll step into the three Immortals in her lifetime."

At the end of the ladies' seating, Ninth Madame Jiang Xian'er spoke in a soft and delicate voice.

She was Li Family's ninth son, Li Junye's fiancée-to-be, and also a princess of the royal family.

Seeing Ninth Madame, Li Hao's eyes also couldn't help but show a measure of solemn respect.

Ninth Madame was the youngest among the ladies, only thirty-two this year. Li Hao heard from Second Master that when she was a child, due to some matter, she had lived in the Li Family for a time, and it was then that she met the Ninth Uncle.

The two shared a childhood like sweethearts, separated as they grew up, but later when the Ninth Uncle was free-ranging outside, establishing himself in the world, he met Ninth Madame again, and their affection for each other blossomed, leading to a private vow of marriage.

With Ninth Uncle being highly talented, also the True Dragon of the previous generation of the Li Family, Emperor Yu did not obstruct this union, granting them their betrothal.

Unfortunately, though the marriage was settled, Ninth Uncle wished to earn his achievements before the grand wedding, to marry Ninth Madame in a glorious ceremony. Little did anyone expect that after only two years in the army, he would die on the battlefield, causing the marriage, so close to the wedding date, to end abruptly, to the regret and lament of many.

Originally, with Ninth Uncle dead, the marriage would naturally come to an end.

After all, one couldn't expect the princess of the royal family to live as a widow, could they?

But Ninth Madame, with deep affections, declared she would wed only the ninth son of the Li Family in this life.

Thus, after causing an uproar in the imperial palace with the Emperor, she eventually arrived at Qingzhou, holding Ninth Uncle's gown and armor, completing the marriage ceremony that the groom could not fulfill, becoming Ninth Madame of the Li Family.

This romantic tale was well known throughout Qingzhou.

In the mansion, all the ladies showed great respect to Ninth Madame Jiang Xian'er, including Second Master and Fifth Master; when mentioning this princess of the royal house, they were filled with affection. This was not about status, but purely about the bond of love.

Li Hao, hearing Second Master recount this story for the first time, was also deeply moved.

In this era, the carriage travels slow, a lifetime is only enough to love one person.

A lifetime is also only enough to remember one person.

Unlike his era, where with a simple swipe on a device, a heart could change eighty times in one night.

"Ninth Madame is too kind," said Li Wushuang to Jiang Xian'er with a slight smile.

To others, she might not show much expression, but towards the wife of her Ninth Uncle, she also held great respect in her heart.

"Hao Er has arrived."

At this moment, He Jianlan, seated at the center of the hall, saw Li Hao, and her smiling face revealed an even warmer smile as she beckoned:

"Come, sit down."

It was then that the others also noticed Li Hao; Jiang Xian'er turned back to glance at him and gave a gentle smile, quite amiable.

Li Hao responded with his own smile; over the years, he had interacted with all the family's wives, but only the Grande Dame and Ninth Madame made him feel most at ease and comfortable.

Approaching the table and seeing two dishes he had earlier asked Yuan Zhao to purchase, Li Hao smiled and then handed the gift box he was carrying to his cousin:

"I heard Wushuang was coming back and prepared a small gift especially for you. I hope you like it, cousin."

Li Wushuang's gaze swept over the gift box as she took it, her expression unchanging: "Thank you."

With that, she moved to place the gift box on the gift table behind her.

Liu Yue Rong, sitting beside He Jianlan, caught sight of this and teased with a smile: "Shuang Er, why don't you see what Hao has given you? In all these years, aside from food, he hasn't really given gifts to anyone else."

He Jianlan said evenly, "We're not in need of anything, and the delicacies Hao sends are all made by him personally, which is the most precious gift."

"That is true," Liu Yue Rong said with a smile and a nod.

Jiang Xian'er turned her head to Li Hao and said with a smile, "Hao Er, come sit. It's been a long time since I've had the pastries you make."

"If Ninth Mother likes them, I will make some for you tomorrow," Li Hao readily took a seat and said with a smile.

While the two were speaking, Li Wushuang slightly frowned. She initially had no interest, but given that Second Mother had spoken in such a manner, if she didn't take a look, it would seem as though she didn't care enough.

She casually opened the gift box and saw the porcelain bottle and dragon horn comb inside.

Just as she had thought, common items. Li Wushuang shook her head secretly and with less interest, prepared to close it.

Yet Liu Yue Rong chuckled softly and said, "Hao Er has really put in the effort. The craftsmanship of this dragon horn comb is exquisite; you must have spent a lot of time on it. What's inside the porcelain bottle?"

"Soul Casting Elixir."

Li Hao said with a smile to her.

Li Wushuang's eyebrows slightly rose as she closed the lid of the gift box and placed it on the side gift table, saying indifferently, "Do you think I need such pills?"

Though her voice was gentle, the atmosphere suddenly turned much colder.

This sentence was a difficult one to respond to.

Need it? That would plainly say that her talents are lacking and she needs to rely on pills.

Don't need it? Then why send it at all?

Li Hao was taken aback for a moment but soon appeared somewhat helpless.

Indeed, giving gifts is a troublesome matter.

"Shuang Er."

Lady Gao Qingqing, seeing that the tone of her child was off and that the family banquet was to celebrate her, naturally didn't want any unpleasantness to occur, and tried to ease the situation with a smile:

"Hao Er also meant well. You haven't seen each other for so many years, and he doesn't know what you like. The dragon horn comb looks very good, and as for the pills, if you don't need them, just keep them."

Li Yun, who had been behaving properly and appeared very obedient, suddenly adopted a somewhat wild posture upon seeing Li Hao, as if he felt it was somewhat shameful to show such obedient behavior in front of Li Hao.

Seeing that Li Hao seemed to have been put in an awkward position, Li Yun immediately leaned back tactically and, mimicking Li Hao's usual indifferent expression, huffed:

"Li Hao, do you know that my sister is a Ninth Grade Warrior, a top-notch prodigy! She absolutely doesn't need pills to help her, and taking them would actually harm her. Are you looking down on my sister?"

Having said this, he looked at Li Hao with satisfaction, now with his elder sister's backing, he wasn't afraid of Li Hao.

The dumb son of the landowner… Li Hao looked at him with some speechlessness, thinking, this banquet is for your sister, if I lose my temper now, it's your sister who will look bad, not me, foolish boy.

Indeed, upon hearing Li Yun's words, Gao Qingqing's expression changed slightly, and she quickly tugged at Li Yun's back. They were all family, and with the elder sister-in-law present, it would be unacceptable to embarrass someone openly.

Li Yun winced from the tug and looked up to see his mother's eyes exuding a hint of anger. Mother and son had a tacit understanding, and he instantly knew he had probably done something wrong.

But, what did I do wrong?

Isn't what I said the truth?

While Li Yun was lost in thought, Li Hao just smiled slightly, naturally he wouldn't get angry and stand up because of this. Of course, neither would he nervously explain anything.

"If Cousin Sister doesn't need such pills, perhaps Cousin Brother might need them. You can keep them for him. As for the comb, could it be that Cousin Sister also doesn't like it? Then I'll give it to Sister Zhi Ning."

Li Hao said, his tone seeming to convey a smile but not quite a smile: "What about the comb, Cousin Sister, you don't like that either? Then give it to Sister Zhi Ning instead."

Li Wushuang's face darkened slightly, how could she not hear the implications in Li Hao's words, implying her brother was not good enough?

"What do you mean?"

She stated directly, disliking beating around the bush, and as for saving face, she really didn't care.

"Cousin, didn't you hear me clearly?"

Li Hao feigned surprise, thinking to himself, how come both siblings seemed a bit slow-witted?

Li Wushuang's eyes narrowed slightly, wanting to explode, but Gao Qingqing coughed in time to interrupt, saying,

"Shuang Er, Hao is still young and doesn't know about your situation. He intended well by giving you the Soul Casting Elixir. Why are you taking offense at your cousin?"

Jiang Xian'er, sitting next to Li Hao, smiled charmingly, "Shuang Er, if you don't like it, I'll make it up to Hao on your behalf later."

"Yes, Shuang Er, it is the thought that counts from Hao," Liu Yue Rong hurried to console.

Li Wushuang glanced at Li Hao, said nothing more, but casually took the gift box and placed it on the gift rack behind her.

At that moment, footsteps approached from outside, followed by the voice of Li Yuanzhao calling, "Hao."

Li Hao turned his head and saw Fourth Mother and Yuan Zhao had also arrived.

Hearing Li Yuanzhao's voice, Xiao Yu Jing, who had just calmed down, flared up again. You brat, whom do you greet first after entering? To those unaware, it seemed as if you were here to celebrate with Li Hao!

As much as she seethed with anger, with many people in the main hall, she couldn't publicly scold her son, so she hurriedly approached with a smile, "My sisters and younger siblings, I'm late. Is this Shuang Er? My, it's been years, and you've grown so tall and beautiful in the blink of an eye. Qingqing, you really have a lovely daughter!"

A few words quickly livened up the atmosphere and drew people's attention away, covering up Li Yuanzhao's impoliteness.

Li Hao sat at the table with a smile on his face. These ladies, none of them were easy to deal with.

Li Yuanzhao greeted Li Hao, and with a knowing glance between the brothers, they understood that the earlier incident had not caused any misunderstandings, and Li Yuanzhao also relaxed, smiling as he handed his gift to Li Wushuang.

"What is this?" Liu Yue Rong asked with interest.

"Cousin, you'll know if you open it," Li Yuanzhao said, not knowing what his mother had put inside, but he was clever enough to respond with a smile.

Li Wushuang frowned slightly, feeling somewhat helpless but still opened the gift to look. It turned out to be a sharp, short dagger.

"It's actually the renowned dagger 'Han Xiang'!"

Gao Qingqing immediately recognized it and looked at Xiao Yu Jing in surprise, "Sister-in-law, this is a famous Divine Weapon. It's said that it can even pierce the body of an Immortal Demon King."

Xiao Yu Jing smiled, "It's Yuan Zhao's heartfelt gift; as long as Shuang Er likes it, that's what matters."

Regaining her composure, Gao Qingqing said to her daughter, "Aren't you going to thank your cousin?"

Li Wushuang's eyes also showed a hint of brightness, as she rather liked the dagger. Although she used a sword, she still had another hand.

Carrying it with her for close combat, when a sword could not be wielded, the dagger would be as handy as a short sword.

"Thank you, cousin."

She said with a gentle expression, softly expressing her thanks.

Li Yuanzhao waved his hand and laughed, then sat down next to Li Hao.

Before long, the Third and Eighth Ladies also arrived one after another, and soon everyone was present.

He Jianlan, knowing that Li Wushuang had just returned to the mansion and did not like crowds, had not asked the concubines from the various courtyards to come over, so all those present were from the main family branches. Although there weren't many people, it was more in line with Li Wushuang's preference.

In addition to the ladies, Li Wushuang's father, Li Xuanli, also returned from Zen Meditation Mountain deep within the mansion.

He appeared to be in his forties, with an air of scholarly elegance about him. He had been seriously injured on the battlefield years ago, but fortunately, compared to his brothers, he had managed to come back in one piece.

Surviving a grave injury at the hands of Demons was no easy feat. After all, the men of the Li Family were prime targets for the Great Demons on the battlefield, and once injured, they would be voraciously attacked by Demons.

After all, the Li Family had defended the borders for years, slaying countless Demons and accumulating just as many grudges.

To the Demon race, other than the Wang Family, the four families of the Divine General Mansion were all mortal enemies, despised by the Demons who wished nothing more than to consume their flesh, drink their blood, and sleep on their skins!

____________

Li Xuanli came over and first paid his respects to Madam He Jianlan with a slight bow.

He then individually greeted the other sisters-in-law, nodded at his younger siblings, and finally sat down with a smile, saying:

"Shuang Er, how is your cultivation progressing at Qianji Sect? I heard you've made it onto the Qian list, not bad."

Upon hearing her father's praise, Li Wushuang's expression remained calm. Li Yun, sitting by her side, had his eyes shining brightly, revealing a rather proud demeanor, while Li Zhining also looked at her elder sister with sparkling eyes, seemingly viewing her as a role model.

"I'm only at the bottom of the list, after all. If I could be like Ninth Uncle, who reached the top of the Qian list as soon as he entered it, that would be truly impressive."

She had no intention of boasting; she was merely stating the facts.

Upon hearing his daughter mention Old Nine, a subtle change flickered across Li Xuanli's eyes, and the smile on his face receded slightly.

That dazzling, meteor-like figure from the past, just as Emperor Yu had said fourteen years ago, that fallen radiance was indeed the pain of the Li Family!

Although they had nine brothers and did not count the sisters, each of them was closely knit with one another, united as one.

However, as they each took wives and visited each other less, they gradually drifted apart.

In the past, they used to train and dine together in the large courtyard, laugh and frolic together, and together they would avoid their father's punishments…

Time flies like an arrow.

The summer night's frog choruses that linger in the memories of the courtyard have long been inaudible…

Seeing the atmosphere at the scene grow slightly quiet, Li Wushuang realized she shouldn't have brought up that painful scar of the Li Family. Her face changed slightly, and she kept silent.

Li Xuanli, lost in melancholic thoughts, regained his composure and, realizing his daughter had fallen silent, affected by his emotions, immediately smiled lightly and said with a carefree tone:

"You want to compare yourself with your Ninth Uncle? You're still too green for that. Your Ninth Uncle was already challenging the Celestial Master Realm at seventeen, defeating all challengers in reverse order. Outside Qingzhou City at Phoenix Immortal Platform, he issued a challenge to the world's finest, and in the end, no one dared to respond!"

Recounting those youthful days, Li Xuanli's face once again bore a hint of a smile, filled with nostalgia for those spirited times.

Back then they still had the sky above them, as well as their father, and their eldest brother, which allowed them to roam freely across Jianghu, traveling far and wide.

Drinking and riding freely, they explored all nineteen provinces.

But as the sky above them collapsed and their father's soul went to Mo River, unable to be freed to this day, unable to return to the Li family ancestral hall or to reincarnate,

they also lost that leisurely disposition and instead began to cultivate fervently.

At the same time, they started bearing the heavy responsibility of the Li Family, guarding the Frontier Pass, charging through battlefields, and exorcising demons!

Hearing Li Xuanli's words, a trace of reminiscence appeared in the eyes of the madams of each household. That period was also when most of them had newly married into the Li residence, when they were most naive and free-spirited, and it was the most beautiful time they had spent with their husbands.

Yearning emerged in Li Wushuang's eyes. With just a few words from her father, she painted a silhouette in her heart, grand and invincible in the world—the silhouette of her Ninth Uncle, the one she had heard about proudly since childhood.

To challenge the world—such a commanding presence, how many in this world can achieve that?

Li Hao, however, inwardly sighed. Such a prodigy, yet died young, a truly regrettable loss.

"The food is getting cold; let's start eating first."

In the end, it was He Jianlan who was the most rational, pulling back her thoughts and saying with a smile.

Everyone chuckled and started to help themselves, calling on each other to eat.

"Hmm, these dishes are good."

During the meal, they talked about other things, no longer touching on those sentimental memories, seemingly reaching an unspoken agreement on this matter.

Li Xuanli tasted a few dishes and exclaimed in appreciation, "Shuang Er, it's not often you come back. You should try this Bamboo Fragrant Dark Dragon Liver; it's quite good. It's the same taste from over a decade ago, not changed a bit. Your father hasn't had it for many years either."

"Oh?"

Li Wushuang, who had maintained a cool demeanor until now, revealed a trace of a daughter's playful nature at this moment, curiously picking up the dish and tasting it carefully.

"Mm, it really is good," Li Wushuang smiled, showing her teeth.

Li Xuanli looked at his eldest sister-in-law and said with a smile, "Eldest sister-in-law has put a lot of thought into this for Shuang Er. The Bamboo Fragrant Dark Dragon Liver from Emerald Lake Courtyard is a unique delicacy of Qingzhou, and I almost forgot its taste after such a long time."

He Jianlan smiled faintly, glancing at Li Hao, who was concentrating on his food, and said:

"It wasn't me who prepared it, but Hao Er and Yuan Zhao who bought it together. They said that since Shuang Er had been away for many years, she likely hadn't had Qingzhou's delicacies, so they specially bought it for her."

Li Xuanli was momentarily stunned, then looked at Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao on the other side, "Did you two buy this?"

Li Hao glanced at him, harboring great respect for his warrior uncle, and nodded.

Li Yuanzhao smiled and said, "Uncle Five, Hao knows food best. The delicious dishes you just praised were all Hao's idea for me to buy. There are still several more coming up."

"Oh?"

Li Xuanli, surprised, naturally remembered Li Hao, the seventh brother's only son with Qingqing. He had attended the boy's hundred-day celebration.

Later, he heard the child was a cultivation cripple, but it seemed he had somehow managed to unblock himself, or perhaps his second uncle had thought of a method to help him. In any case, he was able to cultivate again.

But it was a pity that he had missed the opportunities for Foundation Establishment and Blood Melting; his aptitude was inevitably inferior to others, and starting late, he had wasted valuable time.

Feeling pity, his gaze softened when he looked at Li Hao:

"Hao Er, that's very thoughtful of you. I heard your father is about to return, and the war in Northern Yan has ended. The report has been submitted to the court, and I believe you'll see him soon."

As he spoke, he addressed his daughter, "Shuang Er, aren't you going to thank Xiao Hao? This thoughtfulness is no less important than any other gift."

Li Hao felt moved by his uncle's words, which seemed to carry a hidden meaning since he had arrived later than others, and now spoke as if he had been observing the situation with Spiritual Thought from the start.

He developed a favorable impression of this discerning Uncle Five.

Out of consideration for the other party, Li Hao no longer dwelt on the incident just now and pretended as if nothing had happened. At this moment, one more glance at Li Wushuang would have likely made the latter embarrassed.

On the other side, Li Wushuang's expression had turned sour upon hearing her aunt's words, and now, listening to her father's, she suddenly found the dragon liver in her mouth difficult to swallow.

She glanced at Li Hao, only to see him picking up food as though he wasn't waiting for her gratitude.

To her, this attitude seemed aloof and somewhat arrogant.

Her face turned cold, and she put the half-eaten piece of dragon liver from her bowl back onto the table, reaching for another dish as she said,

"Dad, I've already thanked him, and also, I don't actually like dragon liver that much, it's too greasy."

Li Xuanli was taken aback and his expression abruptly darkened. He put down his chopsticks and stared at her, saying,

"Shuang Er, I've taught you since you were little to be honest and forthright. You've just come back, what do you have against Hao Er? Just because he gave you a bottle of elixir?!"

At this point, he no longer concealed that he had been paying attention to the situation all along.

As he became angry, the others at the dining table also involuntarily stopped eating. Gao Qingqing knew her husband's temper and also found it strange; Shuang Er had never been like this before.

However, the atmosphere was now stiff, and if she were to ask her daughter to apologize in front of everyone in the room, it could possibly damage the child's self-esteem.

He Jianlan saw that the situation was becoming awkward and gently said, "Xuan Li, don't be angry with Shuang Er, she just came back. Shuang Er, do you have some kind of view towards Hao?"

Li Wushuang hadn't expected her father to scold her publicly, and she instantly felt an inexplicable sense of grievance. She had been away from home for so long, and before she had even had a chance to spend time with her father upon her return, he was already scolding her on behalf of an outsider.

She bit her lip and glared at Li Hao, "That's something you should ask him about. Taking advantage of my absence, he bullied my younger brother. Dad, you've been healing on Zen Meditation Mountain, so you don't know about it."

"Hm?" Li Xuanli was slightly stunned. Li Hao bullying his own child?

Li Yun's expression also changed slightly, and he grew anxious.

When his elder sister had returned, they had a lot to catch up on. When Li Wushuang casually asked with a smile if anyone had bullied them in recent years,

he took the opportunity to mention the time Li Hao had beaten him up as a child. It was embarrassing to mention such things to his mother, but telling his big sister, he felt like he had found a strong backer.

He had thought of getting back at Li Hao on his own, but every time he saw Li Hao, he irrationally chickened out.

And Li Wushuang, upon hearing this, naturally remembered Li Hao's name, thinking she should seize the opportunity to put him in his place.

So that was the reason… Li Hao was somewhat at a loss for words. He looked at the blushing and anxious Li Yun and didn't expect the lad to hold such a grudge. It seemed he hadn't hit him hard enough back then; the fact that the kid still remembered it meant he hadn't hit him hard enough.

"Yun'er, when did this happen?" Gao Qingqing's face showed concern as she quickly asked.

Li Yun, who had never been scrutinized by so many elders before, blushed slightly and lowered his head a little, "Several years ago."

"Exactly when?"

"Five or six years ago…"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately realized it was a misunderstanding. Five or six years ago?

Back then, Li Hao and Li Yun were just eight or nine years old; at most, this could be considered child's play, not bullying.

Furthermore, Li Hao was still considered infirm at the time, with unopened meridians, and had yet to start practicing martial arts.

While Li Yun had been training at the martial arts field for a few years already.

Huh? Right! How could he have been bullied then?

As everyone came to this realization, their looks became suspicious, glancing between Li Hao and Li Yun.

Gao Qingqing relieved, knowing it wasn't the sort of bullying she had thought. It was probably just a scuffle over some verbal dispute, likely nothing more serious than the sparring that took place in the martial arts field.

"You child, this happened so long ago, why are you still holding onto it, and even going so far as to complain to your sister?" Gao Qingqing rebuked him, irked. Her son was fine in all other respects but lacked magnanimity, failing to inherit his father's broad-mindedness and generosity.

The other ladies present began to laugh lightly, and Liu Yue Rong said with a smile, "Yun'er, five or six years ago, your brother Hao hadn't even started training yet, so who was bullying whom?"

The question seemed teasing, but Li Hao immediately sensed a probing undertone.

Of course, he might have been overthinking it.

Li Yun's face became even more flushed, both ashamed and embarrassed. Back then, he truly had never beaten Li Hao, who was indeed stronger than him by a great deal.

"I was careless at the time."

"He ambushed me, and he was stronger," Li Yun said with a red face.

Hearing Li Yun's words, everyone couldn't help but smile, remembering that Li Hao used to practice Body Refinement and naturally would have been stronger.

Seeing Li Yun's embarrassed face, they knew the dilemma he faced: despite training in martial arts, he had been bullied by Li Hao, who had not yet started cultivating, a humiliating story to share.

As a result, he had complained in secret to his sister, whom he hadn't seen in years, only to accidentally expose this embarrassing incident.

"Hmmph, it's because you were always fixated on Hao's fiancée," Li Yuanzhao said, annoyed upon hearing Li Yun's words.

No sooner had he finished speaking did he feel his mother's gaze upon him, her eyes silently saying three words, "Shut your mouth."

Li Xuanli came to understand it was a misunderstanding and sternly glared at Li Yun, saying,

"Useless thing, making such a fuss over something so trivial and tattling to your sister. A man as tall as you should settle it with Hao in the martial arts field if you're disgruntled, not whine to your parents—what kind of skill is that!"

His rebuke was so harsh it left Li Yun even more mortified.

Gao Qingqing was displeased with how her husband scolded their son, gave him a reproachful look, and changed the subject, asking Li Hao,

"Speaking of which, Hao, when is your fiancée coming back? She is apprenticed to the Sword Saint, and when she's back, let her spar with Shuang Er."

____________

Li Hao saw Fifth Lady steering the conversation towards him and smiled, not minding much:

"Xue'er should be back in over half a year."

The other ladies also did not let Li Yun continue to be embarrassed and smoothly transitioned the conversation to a new topic.

"Xue'er is also a ninth-grade combat body, isn't she?"

"She's so smart. That year…"

In a back and forth of words, the earlier dispute was smoothly swept under the rug.

Li Hao was at ease, chatting and laughing with the ladies, reminiscing about the past. Meanwhile, Li Yun's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. From time to time, he sneakily glanced at his father and saw that the latter had put away his angry expression, revealing a contented smile amidst his conversation with Li Hao. Although Li Yun felt relieved, he also inexplicably experienced a sense of loss.

Just then, he felt the constrained palm under the table being touched. Looking down, he saw it was his younger sister beside him.

Li Zhining gave Li Yun a smile, then promptly served him some food. This gesture warmed his heart…

Gao Qingqing glanced at the composed and collected Li Hao, then at her own son, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

In all aspects other than cultivation, her son really did fall short compared to Li Hao, whose precocity and sensibleness were well known within the household. The only regret was that he had fallen behind in his cultivation in his earlier years.

"Shuang Er has made it onto the Qian List. Now that she's back home, does she have any plans for the future?"

Mid-conversation, Liu Yue Rong asked casually.

Li Wushuang glanced at the youth across from her who was two years her junior, yet still conversing with ease. She reached out with her chopsticks, subconsciously heading for the dragon liver dish. But due to her years of control over her sword-wielding wrist, she gracefully altered her trajectory and picked up a dish next to it instead.

Putting the food in her mouth, she said while eating, "I don't really have any plans; I just want to spar with cousin Qianfeng."

Her words caught the attention of many ladies, but it seemed as if they had not heard anything noteworthy, and they carried on eating, drinking, and chatting.

Liu Yue Rong's expression did not change as she continued smiling, "Qianfeng has just descended from Mount Wuliang and will return to the household in the coming days. We can arrange a match for you two then. Back in the day, Xuan Li and Tiangang used to chase each other around the courtyard all the time…"

Li Xuanli forced a smile: "Second sister-in-law, those are embarrassing tales of our youth, please let's not bring them up."

The banquet gradually came to an end as the night deepened.

The seven or eight dishes that Li Yuan Zhao had bought, along with the other subsequent dishes prepared by the eldest lady, were all brought to the table in sequence and finished off.

Li Wushuang also ate quite a bit, unaware of which dishes were purchased by Li Hao, simply finding them delicious.

Li Hao naturally had no interest in revealing the truth, since it was a one-time affair anyway. From the moment the dragon liver was brought onto the table, he would not offer her any more gifts of food or drink.

At best, he would give a token gift out of politeness when she got married in the future.

After having their fill, everyone gradually left Eternal Spring Court, and there were no further conflicts.

Li Hao bid farewell to the ladies and returned to Mountain and River Courtyard with Zhao and Qing Zhi.

On the other hand, Li Xuanli led his wife, daughter, and son back to Piaoxue Courtyard.

Once the three children had entered the house, Gao Qingqing pulled her self-absorbed husband aside on the small path at the back, reproaching him:

"How could you speak about Yun'er like that at the table just now? He's your child, and so is Shuang Er. She's only just returned, and you speak of her that way, hurting the children's feelings!"

Li Xuanli was taken aback, thought for a moment, and sighed, "It was their fault to begin with. As for Yun'er, let's not talk about him now; he's too timid. If this continues, he'll hardly achieve anything great in the future. And Shuang Er, too. Although she has been following the Thousand-Mechanism Taoist in her studies and has made good progress in her cultivation level, why is she still so rash?"

"She's devoted to protecting her brother. Isn't it good for siblings to be close?" Gao Qingqing retorted irritably.

Upon reflection, Li Xuanli smiled and agreed, "That is true."

"You…" Gao Qingqing was at a loss for words, the men of the Li Family were indeed all brutes.

Li Xuanli sensed his wife's discontent and said helplessly:

"I can't very well criticize Hao Er, can I? Fourteen years ago when the seventh brother had just finished his military campaign, I happened to be injured those few years. Otherwise, the affairs of Northern Yan would have fallen to me, but the seventh brother took over instead. Now, after many years of campaigning in Northern Yan, both he and Qingqing have endured hardships you and I understand. How can I possibly reprimand his son here?"

Gao Qingqing was at a loss for words, naturally aware of the reasoning.

Li Xuanli continued, "Besides, Hao Er did nothing wrong. You saw at the table too; how clever he is, conversing with the elders so eloquently, without showing any timidity or disrespect, and not being offensive. To have such a temperament at such a young age is truly rare. It's a pity he cannot cultivate; otherwise, our Shuang Er might not really hold a candle to him."

Just as Gao Qingqing's anger had subsided, hearing his praise and comparison flared it up again.

With a flick of her sleeve, she said angrily, "Then go and be with your precious Hao Er!"

With that, she went inside the house.

Li Xuanli stood there perplexed, with a puzzled expression, thinking, 'Did I say something wrong again? Why is she angry now?'

Elsewhere, at Shuihua Courtyard.

Liu Yue Rong returned to the courtyard and, barely settling on the soft couch, huffed angrily and slapped her palm on the tea table:

"That girl, who will be married off one day, actually intends to spar with Qianfeng and vie for the True Dragon seat. She doesn't realize her own limitations!"

Although the girl at the table had mentioned sparring, Liu Yue Rong could discern her true intentions. Moreover, the girl's timely return coincided with her ambitions, didn't it?

Although the True Dragon seat of the Li Family had largely been occupied by direct male descendants for hundreds of years, it wasn't entirely exclusive to them. There was precedence for women to hold that position, but that was centuries ago.

The lady who did so never married, managed the family's major affairs all her life, and eventually became a renowned female commander in Dayu.

Could it be that this young miss harbored the intention of emulating her ancestor?

"Hmph, a mere Divine Travel Realm, she's overestimating herself…" Liu Yue Rong thought of something and a smile crept across her lips.

Meanwhile, an old housekeeper who had been following closely kept her head bowed, not daring to make a sound, although her eyes revealed a sense of melancholy and sorrow.

Once upon a time, when the ladies of each courtyard were new, everyone got along harmoniously, loving and supportive without any gaps among the nine courtyards.

But now, that atmosphere had subtly changed.

When did this situation start?

The old servant had served the Li Family for many years and could vaguely remember some things.

It seemed that ever since the eldest and the third sons of the Li Family died in battle, those joyous times had disappeared.

The next day.

Li Hao was on horseback, waiting on the small path beside the mansion. It wasn't long before the sound of horse hooves approached from behind.

"Hao, bro." Li Yuan Zhao called out with a smile as he rode up next to Li Hao, and the two of them headed side by side to Tan Palace.

"Did you eat your fill yesterday?"

"Almost stuffed myself."

"Haha."

"Hao, bro, my mother has a sharp tongue, don't take it to heart…" Li Yuan Zhao thought for a moment before speaking.

Li Hao waved his hand: "Let's not talk about that between brothers; I won't blame your mother."

Li Yuan Zhao was delighted and relieved: "I knew Hao, bro, you're magnanimous."

Li Hao just smiled.

Thinking back to the events of last night's banquet, Li Yuan Zhao exclaimed, "Auntie and the others were all praising Cousin Wushuang, but little do they know, Hao, bro, your cultivation level has long surpassed hers. Hey, why didn't you say anything last night?"

Li Hao casually tugged at the reins, letting the horse proceed cheerfully and lightly: "What's the point of saying that? Trying to steal the limelight from a kid? It's too childish."

Li Yuan Zhao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. Indeed, this was his Hao, bro—it was just like him.

"If Cousin found out you called her a kid, she'd probably be furious."

"You're a kid too."

"Hao, bro, you this…"

"Haha."

Li Hao laughed.

Feeling somewhat helpless, Li Yuan Zhao said, having been accustomed to Li Hao's company since childhood: "However, the news of your cultivation will certainly reach Auntie and the others soon enough."

Li Hao nodded, unconcerned.

Once Fu returns from Cangyu City in a couple of days, the news will probably spread.

The peaceful days won't last much longer.

Luckily Cangyu City is in Qi State, the territory of the Xia Family. With hundreds of cities within the state and the demon calamity not having caused too much harm, the news hadn't made much of a splash.

Furthermore, in recent years, the Li Family had focused most of their attention on Northern Yan, and the remaining efforts were dispersed among other territories guarded by the Li Family, which made them less sensitive to news from other areas.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Li Hao lifted the reins, and the Red Blood Horse, being sentient, came to a halt.

Just under the tree shade further down the path stood a figure clad in snow-white, unmistakably Li Wushuang by her silhouette.

Li Yuan Zhao narrowed his eyes, recognizing her face, and his expression changed: "Hao, bro, it's Cousin. She… she didn't hear what we just said, did she?"

"Whether she heard or not doesn't matter now."

Li Hao raised his eyebrows slightly, feeling a momentary annoyance. These youngsters could be quite a headache, but he rode over anyway.

When someone is purposely waiting for you, avoiding them is probably futile.

As they drew closer, Li Wushuang turned her head, having been alert to Li Hao and the others' approach, her expression frosty:

"At last night's banquet, with all the aunts present, I couldn't be bothered to argue with you. But the way you bullied my brother won't be overlooked."

"Wushuang, that was so many years ago, and moreover, it was Li Yun who provoked Hao, bro, first," Li Yuan Zhao hurriedly said.

Li Wushuang gave him a cold glance: "Shut your mouth."

Then she turned to Li Hao: "You're just a few months older than my brother. The way you bullied him before, today, I'll get back at you on his behalf. You'd better not fight back, or my strikes might not be measured."

Li Hao couldn't help but laugh, "I spanked that kid's butt. Do you intend to spank mine too?"

Li Wushuang was taken aback, her face turning frosty: "I'm not going to hit your butt; I want to slap your mouth!"

After saying that, she suddenly charged forward, covering a distance of over ten meters instantly, aiming to slap Li Hao who was seated on the horse.

As her palm neared his face, Li Hao leaned slightly back and then reached up to grab her hand. Like using Taiji to deflect force, he pulled her off balance and, with the power of controlling objects, pressed her onto the horse's back.

"You!"

Li Wushuang's pupils shrank in shock, a hint of astonishment in her eyes.

"Slap my mouth? If it weren't for the fact you're from the Li Family, you'd be in for a rough time," Li Hao hummed coldly, then raised his hand and firmly spanked her bottom a few times.

"Avenge your brother, huh? The truth is, back then I was too lenient!"

____________