Chapter 154 - 158: Arrangements. Rise of the City. The Demon King's Divine Blood. Infusing the Spirit. The Three Immortals, Peak of Transcendence.

Chapter 154: Arrangements (7K Double Chapter)

Bang!

The Demon Hand was incinerated by the scorching sun, its demonic energy evaporated, and the void trembled.

The dazzling sun did not diminish but continued to emit a scorching golden light, enveloping Li Hao and his companions.

"Holy Heart Treasure Talisman!"

Seeing the radiant light of the talisman, the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains' expression changed slightly as he never expected Li Hao to possess such a precious item.

However, considering the backing of the Divine General Mansion, it wasn't surprising.

"It's just buying us some time."

He realized that this wasn't an offensive Holy Heart Treasure Talisman, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If it were an attack-type talisman, the higher the quality, the more devastating the attack would be, comparable to a strike from an expert in the Absolute Profundity realm. It would be an attack that they could never withstand.

But there were probably only a handful of such talismans in the entire Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

"Attack! Tear that talisman apart!"

The Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains immediately ordered the Dragon Lord and the Silver-Robed Youth to join him in their assault.

Demonic energy billowed in the void as the aura of the three Demon Kings became apparent, causing the many Grandmasters and their reinforcements on the battlefield in the distance to feel their hearts tremble.

Previously, those among them who were below the Celestial Being realm had thought that these three demons were only at the Immortal realm, but the demonic might they were exuding at this moment made them feel as if their hearts were about to burst.

Some of the Grandmasters' faces turned deathly pale, and the blood that had rushed to their heads now seemed to have been doused with cold water, and they began to contemplate retreat.

Everyone had different thoughts. Some were willing to sacrifice their lives for gratitude, while others valued their lives above all else.

They had expected the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains to launch an attack, but they had not anticipated such madness, and he had even invited two other Demon Kings.

If it were solely dependent on the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains, they thought that with the backing of the Divine General Mansion, along with Li Hao's own combat prowess, which was close to half of the Quadruple Establishment realm, they might have a chance in battle!

But the situation before them was even more dire than they had imagined.

Not only was the Heavenly Pass desolate, but there was also no sign of the city or its people. Now, apart from the dense swarm of demons, the most despair-inducing sight was the three mighty Demon Kings!

However, apart from a few, most of the Grandmasters had recognized the three Demon Kings as soon as they arrived. Amidst their shock, they also realized that it was too late to flee, and they steeled themselves for a desperate battle.

Hence, someone had shouted for Li Hao to escape first.

At the very least, they had to ensure Li Hao's safety, as he was their hope!

That way, their bones would be collected, and these demons would be slain!

"Old Feng, you all go first."

Seeing the attack from the three Demon Kings, Li Hao handed the burning Holy Heart Treasure Talisman to Old Feng. This talisman could withstand the attacks of the Quadruple Establishment realm, but it was only useful in critical moments to protect their lives. Escaping was difficult, especially when facing three Demon Kings.

Someone had to stay behind.

And the most suitable person to stay and hold off the Demon Kings was himself.

If any one of the three of them stayed, there was a possibility of death. Since that was the case, he should be the one to remain.

At least, if he fought to the death and achieved Extreme Fairy Transformation, there might still be a chance to counter-attack and kill the enemy in the instant his physical body disappeared!

"Don't be foolish!"

Feng Boping shouted, refusing to take the talisman.

Li Hao's immortal energy was already being released as he prepared to force Old Feng and the others to retreat.

Just then, a sudden gust of wind rushed towards them, followed by the sound of a massive bell ringing.

The bell tolled like a Buddhist chant, like an evening drum, reverberating in everyone's hearts.

The countless demons outside the pass were shaken, their demonic energy fluctuating wildly, and those of lower realms had their demon power scattered, unable to muster their strength.

The three Demon Kings, affected by the bell's toll, had their expressions change simultaneously. The Dragon Lord let out a deep dragon's roar, which reverberated throughout the battlefield, filled with anger.

A figure in white suddenly appeared, standing in front of Li Hao and his companions.

"Master of the Hall of Destiny!"

When Song Qiumo saw the figure's appearance, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Feng Boping's expression changed drastically, and it became complex as his gaze met the other person's. They exchanged a brief glance.

Decades ago, Feng Boping had stolen something from the Hall of Destiny, and he was somewhat acquainted with this Master of the Hall of Destiny, but their relationship was not like the one LiMuxiu had with him. Instead, they were the type to start fighting as soon as they met.

He never expected that at this critical juncture, it would be this person who would step forward to help.

"You dare to be so bold!"

The Master of the Hall of Destiny, dressed in white, stood tall. Though he appeared to be a middle-aged man, he was actually several hundred years old.

At this moment, his expression was calm, but his eyes emitted a cold light as he stared at the three Demon Kings: "I granted you a place to dwell outside the border, yet you dare to invade our lands. Do you not wish for peace?"

"What peace? This Eastern Radiance Continent doesn't belong to the Jiangs. Why should we be confined to such a small area?"

The Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains glared at the Master of the Hall, his face turning dark as he knew that today's outcome would not be in their favor.

"Our Great Yu territory was established by the previous Emperor, bit by bit. Do you think you can take it from us? Can you even swallow it?"

Lu Chunsheng, the Master of the Hall of Destiny, coldly huffed.

"You ants dare to occupy such a vast territory when you only need a speck of land to survive. Don't you fear bursting from overeating?"

The Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains roared in fury, no longer bothering to hide his true feelings.

It was impossible to silence them today, and they couldn't even avenge the deaths of their children and siblings. They would also be wanted by the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, resulting in heavy losses.

These demons from outside the border had long despised the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

They were like ants, yet they occupied all the beautiful landscapes.

They could be crushed with a single step, yet some vicious ants among them were powerful enough to intimidate the demons.

The demons could only watch helplessly as those vicious ants protected the weaker ants, living arrogantly under their very noses.

They hated it to the core, but they were powerless, and when faced with the patrolling guardians of the nation, they had to force a smile and exchange pleasantries.

A loud collision followed, and a black light flashed from the body of the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains, followed by a primordial yellow radiance.

But both defenses shattered in quick succession.

His body was sent flying like a cannonball, slamming into the distant mountainside and creating a deep crater.

This startling turn of events caused the Silver-Robed Youth and the Dragon Lord to turn pale with shock as they recognized the newcomer. They quickly increased their distance from the Demon King and rushed to his side.

"He's finally here," Feng Boping said, a hint of surprise flashing across his face before it was replaced with delight, and he burst into laughter.

Li Hao also recognized the figure at once—it was his Second Uncle, LiMuxiu.

Such awe-inspiring fist prowess was unmatched throughout the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

Unlike sword saints, there could only be one fist saint.

And that was LiMuxiu!

"Haoir..."

LiMuxiu rushed over, punching the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains away. However, he didn't even bother to glance at him again, his gaze immediately falling on the camp below.

Soon, his eyes landed on Li Hao.

Seeing Li Hao's pitiful state, drenched in blood, he froze, his mind going blank.

Was this the same boy who used to sit by the lake, laughing and carefree?

"Haoo!!!"

LiMuxiu roared, his voice like ten thousand thunderclaps, shaking the entire battlefield. He then noticed Feng Boping beside Li Hao, equally injured, and his breath quickened as his fists clenched tightly. He turned his gaze towards the three Demon Kings, his eyes burning with fury.

Huh!

He took a step forward, and the ground beneath him, hundreds of feet below, indented with a deep footprint. His speed surged to its peak as he pursued the three escaping Demon Kings.

With a raise of his hand, he unleashed his most powerful technique, the Unrivaled Fist!

This fist strike caused the heavens to dim, and even the sun's radiance was obscured. Countless lights and powers seemed to converge on this one punch.

The void in front of the fist twisted like a spiral, resembling a twisted rag. The terrifying fist aura made the three Demon Kings' hearts pound, and the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains, still reeling from the previous blow, widened his eyes in horror.

He had two defensive talismans, but they had just been shattered by a single punch.

And he had also suffered some injuries.

Facing this enraged fist, he felt as if his body was being nailed to the ground by the force of the punch, with no way to escape.

He was going to die!

The Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains was terrified and furious, letting out a roar.

His demonic energy surged to his palm, igniting a majestic demonic flame. He unleashed the Dharma Flame Palm, a palm strike that exuded overwhelming demonic energy. Yet, within this demonic energy was a Buddhist radiance, a fusion of yin and yang, and a strange aura.

The fist and palm collided, but instead of the expected deafening explosion, there was only the sound of shattering. The fist aura, like a world-shaking mountain, crushed down mercilessly.

The demonic energy dissipated, and the golden light exploded. Under the guidance of the Dao, the fist pressed down relentlessly.

The Silver-Robed Youth and the Dragon Lord, standing beside the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains, were horrified. This punch was aimed at all three of them, and this elder of the Li family clearly intended to take them all out in his rage!

"Run!"

As the Demon King of Ten Thousand Mountains' palm strike was shattered, the Silver-Robed Youth quickly threw out a silver light that enveloped the three of them. Then, he summoned another flag, this one a deep purple, and sent it flying.

The flag exuded a formidable demonic aura, swelling with the wind, intending to cover the fist.

But when the flag touched the fist, it instantly tore like paper, its runes twisting and breaking, offering little resistance.

However, during the brief moment the flag blocked the fist, the Silver-Robed Youth's glowing light wrapped around them, and like a beam of aurora, they shot towards the horizon.

"Halt!"

LiMuxiu roared, his body surging with power like a raging tide. He raised his hand, and in the distant void, a giant hand appeared, slamming down on the spot where the silver aurora had just fled.

The three Demon Kings in the aurora were shocked. How could this be possible?

The Dragon Lord opened his mouth and spat out a true dragon's sword qi, colliding with the giant hand and lessening its force somewhat.

Using this brief moment, the silver aurora sped away, but its edge still grazed the giant hand.

The three Demon Kings simultaneously spat out mouthfuls of blood, their eyes reflecting their terror. Was this the power of the ultimate technique realm?

The silver aurora didn't stop, and as its radiance dimmed, it flew beyond the horizon and disappeared from sight.

"Saint Palace!!!"

LiMuxiu's eyes narrowed dangerously as he watched the silver light disappear into the distance. He recognized the identity of the Silver-Robed Youth and the escape talisman he had used.

If it weren't for the severe losses suffered by Li TianGang's generation and the fact that the third generation's juniors had yet to mature, leaving no spare hands to man the God General Mansion, he would have loved nothing more than to create chaos in the Saint Palace right at this moment!

Hearing the distant howls of the demon tide, Li MuXiu remained enraged, his fist shooting out with a boom.

The fist shone like a fiery sun as it suppressed the demon tide from above, carrying the might of a thousand mountains.

In an instant, a vast clearing appeared amidst the demon tide, littered with blood, shattered demonic corpses, and remnants of demons that had been completely obliterated.

It was as if a single punch had swatted away a swarm of mosquitoes!

The awe-inspiring display left the remaining demons trembling in fear.

Everyone present was stunned, witnessing firsthand the terrifying power of this elder from the Li family.

Was this the strongest force currently residing in the God General Mansion?!

Li MuXiu's face was contorted with anger, and he did not pursue the three Demon Kings. Instead, he scanned the camp and noticed a massive demon king's corpse, causing his pupils to constrict slightly. This tiny Tianmen Pass had attracted four Demon Kings simultaneously!

No wonder Feng Boping was so badly injured, and Li Hao was in such a miserable state.

Li MuXiu turned back and, in a flash, descended beside Li Hao. Seeing Li Hao's body covered in blood and gore, Li MuXiu's eyes, which had remained dry despite his many years on the battlefield, now glistened with unshed tears.

The last time he had felt such rage was when his eldest brother died.

"Quick, take these medicines."

Li MuXiu swiftly pulled out various medicines from his sleeves, scattering some on the ground—all of them precious and rare elixirs.

Li Hao's heart settled, and upon seeing his second uncle arrive, he managed a smile and said, "Thank you for your help."

"Don't speak nonsense," Li MuXiu choked, "I'm the one who arrived too late."

"You certainly took your sweet time getting here," Feng Boping teased, his survival in the face of adversity bringing a smile to his face.

Li MuXiu glanced at the gaping hole in Feng Boping's abdomen and handed him some of the medicines as well. "Stop talking and start taking these. Don't waste your breath."

"Stop cursing me," Feng Boping smiled back. "We promised to die together, and as long as you're alive, how could I possibly die?"

Though weak, Feng Boping accepted a bottle from the assortment of precious medicines and swallowed it.

Li MuXiu turned his attention to Song QiuMo, offering her a portion as well. "The Li family will remember this debt of gratitude."

Song QiuMo returned his smile, her cheeks still pale and her body weak. But with the crisis averted, she could relax and focus on healing herself.

"This favor isn't for your Li family; it's for him," she clarified with a light laugh.

Li MuXiu paused, his expression shifting slightly as he considered the value of a favor from the Li family. But the Tan Palace Demon King before him had chosen to seek Li Hao's favor instead.

However, Li MuXiu understood that her words were partly in jest, and she didn't truly view this as a debt to be repaid.

What favor could compare to the value of one's life?

Li MuXiu turned to look deeply at Li Hao, realizing that the Tan Palace Demon King's willingness to sacrifice so much for Li Hao spoke to the depth of their friendship.

These thoughts brought him both comfort and a hint of bitterness.

"Why aren't you taking the medicines? Eat up!" Li MuXiu urged, noticing that Li Hao was merely holding the elixirs without consuming them.

Li Hao shook his head and passed the medicines to Old Feng, knowing that consuming them would be a waste for him as he could self-heal.

Now that the Demon Kings had been driven away, they were temporarily safe, and with his ability to hide his strength, he could take the time to recuperate, though it would be a lengthy process given the severity of his injuries.

Seeing Li Hao's action, Li MuXiu's expression changed as he recalled Li Hao's words when he left the mansion. Bitterly, he said, "You won't even accept what your second uncle gives you?"

"Second Uncle, you've misunderstood," Li Hao quickly explained. "These medicines are too precious for me, but I can heal myself."

"Nonsense!" Li MuXiu snapped. "No amount of medicine is too precious for you!"

Li Hao sensed his uncle's concern and smiled. "Second Uncle, there's no need to worry. I have my own means of recovery."

Before Li MuXiu could respond, Feng Boping interjected, his eyes glinting. Changing the subject, he asked, "Why did you arrive so late? Was it that brat who stopped you from coming sooner?"

Li MuXiu's expression flickered as he glanced at Feng Boping and then at Li Hao. "I went to the Xia family after receiving Hong Zhuang's request for aid. I've only recently returned to the family and rushed here as soon as I heard the news. TianGang instructed me to protect Hao'er at all costs."

Feng Boping raised an eyebrow and, after a moment's silence, asked, "What were you doing at the Xia family?"

"That's the business of the God General Mansion. Why are you so curious?" Li MuXiu retorted, giving Feng Boping a sharp look.

Feng Boping chuckled, his smile carrying a hint of coldness as he chose not to reminisce further. Instead, he looked up at the white-robed Hall Master and asked, "May I take my leave now?"

Lu Chunsheng eyed him coldly. "In light of your efforts in repelling the demon tide and defending the border, I shall spare you this once. But mark my words, should we meet again, I will show no mercy!"

"Oh, then I must thank you," Feng Boping replied with a mocking smile. With a bow, he turned and vanished into the wind.

Lu Chunsheng glanced at Li MuXiu, having overheard their earlier conversation. He never expected to uncover such a shocking secret during this trip—the Li family's old Fist Saint was actually friends with the Thief Saint!

If news of the God General Mansion's collusion with a notorious thief were to spread, the Li family would surely be mired in scandal.

However, Lu Chunsheng had no intention of exposing this information. Instead, it would become a secret dossier, adding another bargaining chip to the repertoire of the Hall of Destiny.

Li Hao called out softly, interrupting his words. As Li MuXiu's eyes flickered in surprise, Li Hao smiled and said to him, "I'm glad you're here. I will repay this debt of gratitude."

Li MuXiu's expression changed slightly, and he was taken aback.

He naturally understood the implication in Li Hao's words, treating his help on this trip as a "favor."

Instead of seeing it as Li MuXiu coming to his aid out of their close relationship.

Because he had mentioned that person, this child now drew a clear line between them.

Li MuXiu's heart turned bitter, and he sighed, "Hao'er, do you really intend to stay here for three years?"

"Mm."

Li Hao nodded and said, "Today, I almost died and was forced to flee, breaking our agreement."

Li MuXiu's expression shifted slightly as he understood the meaning behind Li Hao's words—that he would only break their agreement if he was facing death.

At this moment, Li Hao looked towards the Grand Hall Master and bowed slightly: "Thank you for your help, Grand Hall Master."

Lu Chunsheng smiled and said, "This Heavenly Pass is the gateway to Liangzhou, part of our Great Yu Divine Dynasty's territory. I came here not entirely to help you, but also to defend our borders, which is the duty of us martial artists!"

Li Hao smiled and said, "In that case, you're also helping His Majesty resolve a problem."

Lu Chunsheng's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on the fourteen-year-old boy before him.

Although the boy's words were casual, he instantly understood that this young man seemed to know everything and had seen through it all.

Indeed.

His arrival was not a coincidence.

The gathering of the Grandmasters and the martial artists from various states was also not by chance; it was all guided by the messages disseminated by the Hall of Destiny and its influence over the Qiankun List and other subordinate forces.

Influencing these martial artists was not difficult.

And the Hall of Destiny, being under His Majesty's control, represented the power of the royalty.

Only a handful of people knew about this, and the older generation in the God General Mansion happened to be among them.

The young man before him seemed to have learned about this from the older generation of the Li family.

With that in mind, the gathering of these Grandmasters and the appearance of the three Demon Kings could be seen as a carefully orchestrated arrangement.

It was all orchestrated by His Majesty.

When the young man from Dayu City had slain the little Demon King, shocking the world, how could His Majesty, the Yu Emperor, not pay attention?

However, as Liangzhou was under the jurisdiction of the Li family, the royalty couldn't intervene directly, especially not by bypassing the Li family.

And during the battle in Qingzhou City, Li Hao's unique relationship with the Li family had initially led everyone to believe that it was a farce. But when the young man slew the little Demon King and suppressed the Grandmasters with a single finger, no one could continue to view the young man's departure from home as a childish act!

This young man had the ability to stand alone against the world.

With that in mind, who would dare say that this young man would stumble, bow his head, and need to rely on the glory of the God General Mansion again? At only fourteen years old, he had suppressed the Grandmasters and slain three Immortal realm demon kings. This alone was enough to make him proud.

If given time, this young man would undoubtedly become a prominent figure in the world. By then, it would be hard to say whether the God General Mansion or this young man would be the one basking in the other's glory.

His Majesty had not sent reinforcements from the God General Mansion but instead used the Hall of Destiny to gather the martial artists to aid this young man. There could be several possible intentions behind this arrangement.

The specifics would depend on how one interpreted it.

"Regardless, I will remember this favor."

Li Hao bowed to Lu Chunsheng and said sincerely.

Lu Chunsheng looked at him deeply, noticing that the young man's expression of gratitude was not directed at him or the Hall of Destiny.

It was meant for someone else.

He finally understood why His Majesty valued this young man so much and even intervened during the Li family's true dragon competition to bestow a reward and then presented him with a named sword when he was guarding the border.

Putting aside his talent, this young man's wisdom and humility, his ability to hide his true strength, and his courteous demeanor were not qualities one would expect from a fourteen-year-old.

He suddenly felt that he couldn't understand what the Duke who currently presided over the God General Mansion was thinking.

How could he abandon such a treasure and let him fend for himself in the wilderness, nearly causing his death?

Could it be that the glory of the Li family, which had endured for a thousand years, was too dazzling, and he wanted to dim its shine a little? Lu Chunsheng shook his head inwardly, feeling a headache as he delved into the deep-rooted grudges within the God General Mansion. He decided to put these thoughts aside and said calmly to the young man:

"I heard that you were previously unbeaten in the Grandmaster debates, with no one able to match you. The Hall of Destiny still owes you a reward. When do you have time to come to the Hall of Destiny for a visit?"

"I'll be there as soon as my injuries have healed," Li Hao smiled and replied.

"Good, I'll prepare some tea and wait for you," Lu Chunsheng smiled back.

Facing such a prodigious young man, he did not put on an air of superiority.

Given time, it was highly possible for this young man to reach the Four Establishments realm. If he could maintain this momentum and break through the bottlenecks with ease, perhaps within the next sixty years, he would be able to suppress the world and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Buddha himself!

Li Hao smiled and once again expressed his gratitude to the Grand Hall Master.

Li MuXiu stood by, listening to their conversation with a heavy heart.

He soon realized that His Majesty had also secretly intervened in these matters.

However, it seemed that His Majesty had no intention of mending the relationship between Li Hao and the Li family, which was intriguing.

Could it be that His Majesty knew that Li Hao had not inherited the Li family's soul in the ancestral hall? Or was he planning to establish a sixth God General Mansion? Or perhaps, he simply favored Li Hao and didn't want to see him wronged?

Li MuXiu felt that the last possibility was not very realistic, and he frowned, feeling a sense of worry and unease.

His affection for Li Hao was unquestionable, but he didn't want to see the young man get entangled in the affairs of the royalty and become a pawn of His Majesty.

If none of this had happened, and the young man was still in the courtyard, painting and playing chess, fishing by the lake with him... Li MuXiu sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of sadness. 

 Chapter 155: Rise of the City (Additional Chapter 2125)

With the retreat of the Three Demon Kings, the tide of demons outside the pass also collapsed and fled in all directions, but most of them were left behind and hacked to death by the chaotic swords and knives.

Numerous Grandmasters returned to the camp, paying their respects to Lu Chunsheng and LiMuxiu one after another, and then gathered in front of Li Hao.

Most of them were covered in blood, some were seriously injured with severed arms, some had their calves torn and bandaged, and others had their eyeballs or half their faces torn off by demons, leaving their faces bloody and mutilated, but they had been treated with medicinal powder.

If it hadn't been for Lu Chunsheng's timely arrival, they would have likely been annihilated.

"We won!"

Someone said, and soon the others felt a little more spirited.

Compared to them, even more demons had died here.

However, among them were also many passionate warriors who had gathered from various states and would now sleep forever.

Li Hao did not speak, but bowed deeply to them.

Even though it was the guidance and arrangement of the Tianji Tower that brought them here, the sacrifices they had made were very real.

Lu Chunsheng did not stay long and said to Li Hao, "I'll be waiting for you at the Tianji Tower."

Then he turned and left, disappearing without a trace.

In the distance, a group of war horses galloped towards them, led by a figure in bright red battle armor—it was Li Hongzhuang, who had returned to Qingzhou earlier.

Seeing Li Hao's bloody appearance, her eyes, which had witnessed the deaths of countless warriors, became moist, and she stepped forward and said, "I'm late!"

Li Hao shook his head slightly and said, "Thank you for your reinforcement."

"Don't mention it," Li Hongzhuang said with reddened eyes.

Li Hao didn't continue the conversation but turned to Lin Qingfeng, a Grand Master who was still in good shape, and said, "I trouble you, Senior, to help me tally the fallen heroes, and if possible, identify them as well."

Lin Qingfeng nodded slightly and, after calling a few people to follow him, turned and left.

"Just leave this kind of thing to me," said Li Hongzhuang.

She turned and ordered, "Brothers, go and clear the battlefield, bring back all the fallen comrades, and try to piece together any remains!"

"Yes!"

The Blood Sha Army behind her responded in unison and then rode off on their horses.

Li Hao sat down on the ground, the Holy Heart Treasure Talisman in his hand having already burned out.

Thinking of Chu Jiuyue giving him this talisman earlier, he guessed that he must have anticipated today's events.

And that Grand Master Lu Chunsheng, who happened to appear just as he used the talisman, seemed too coincidental.

Li Hao sat with his legs apart, casually sitting on the sandy ground, his eyes gazing at the distant sunset that was calming down, a bitter smile on his lips.

Regardless, the other party's support had been very timely, and if it weren't for that, even if he hadn't died today, he would have been badly injured, and that agreement would surely have been broken.

If the Emperor Yu he met by the riverside was the old man playing chess, then Li Hao could only say that while he had won the two games back then, the other party had pressed down on his vital point with today's move, a decisive and ruthless move!

...

...

In Yuzhou, the imperial city of Shengdu.

In the vast imperial palace, there was a rear garden with sparse snow.

There was a flower bed within, already showing new branches, and this harsh winter was coming to an end.

"Your Majesty, the plum blossoms stand proudly, and the Winter Jasmine flowers are about to bloom."

Chu Jiuyue's voice was soft as he gazed at the faint yellow emerging in the flower bed, his expression respectful.

The snow in this garden had been swept, and this flower bed had been carefully tended. The flowers here were of the best variety, carefully selected from countless seeds.

"Yes, the harsh winter is almost over, and the spring rain will soon be here..."

Emperor Yu walked slowly through the garden, and as Chu Jiuyue spoke, he stopped at this flower bed and looked at it for a moment before raising his eyes to the distant horizon.

His eyes flickered, and he said softly, "The matter at Tianmen Pass should be coming to an end soon."

Chu Jiuyue calculated the time and nodded, "In two days, Chunsheng's news should arrive."

"This time, the intention was too obvious. That child will probably sense it."

A slight smile lifted the corners of Emperor Yu's mouth as he thought of the boy by the river who had said, "Glory and wealth are but dust, and fame and fortune are but clouds."

The boy dared to give up the Li family name, perhaps in line with his own words, "Youth has its own madness."

While he seemed indifferent to fame and fortune, there was a wild heart within him that Emperor Yu found endearing.

"Your Majesty doesn't intend to let him know?"

Chu Jiuyue, however, was puzzled. If he had simply flattered the emperor by saying that no one could see through his plans, it would have been too cliched and vulgar, and it would have been a downgrade, especially since Emperor Yu held that child in such high esteem. Such words would also have been demeaning to the boy and were not wise.

"If he sees through it, will he harbor other thoughts and blame Your Majesty?"

Chu Jiuyue asked.

He knew that Emperor Yu wanted to hear more than just flattery.

"Hehe..."

Hearing Chu Jiuyue's words, Emperor Yu smiled, "As long as there is a plan, there will be a route, and it will be easy for people to see through the route."

"All the calculations in the world are not as good as sincerity."

"Only a sincere heart is truly impenetrable."

Chu Jiuyue was slightly stunned, looking at the emperor, and wondered if he meant that he truly cared for that boy.

His eyes flickered, unsure if he should believe these words.

LiMuxiu shook his head slightly. "I'm not in the mood for fishing."

Feng Boping was taken aback and glanced at his old friend before suddenly asking, "Was it really arranged by your Li family's true dragon for you to come to the rescue?"

LiMuxiu lowered his head, using his fingers to draw circles in the snow on the ground, and remained silent.

Feng Boping also guessed the answer and sighed, "If that's what you're trying to say, are you trying to persuade Haoer to go back? Are you sure you want him to return to that place? Even an outsider like me can't bear to see it. I don't believe you really want him to go back."

LiMuxiu's fingers paused in the drawn circle, and he lifted his head to look at Feng Boping, "If I don't say it like this, will Haoer be able to go back? You also saw how dangerous it was for Haoer this time; both of you nearly died!"

"Even if he has to hold his nose to go back, at least he'll be safe there. When Haoer inherits the true dragon in the future and surpasses his father in strength, why would he still need to care about the other party's face?" Feng Boping fell silent for a moment before continuing.

"Then, what is the true dragon's real intention? Since you weren't sent by him, doesn't he know what will happen to Tianmen Pass?" Feng Boping inquired further.

LiMuxiu sighed, "He went to the eastern border of Liangzhou. The border army camp over there is under attack. With Xuanli stationed in the west, they can't reinforce in time. Moreover, the attack over there is likely a feint by the demons. That's why he led the team out himself."

"Hongzhuang returned earlier, and it just so happened that he was setting off on a campaign. Now is a critical period, and we don't know what the future holds in the coming years."

Feng Boping exclaimed in surprise, "Is it that chaotic? With the emergence of demons outside Liangzhou, since you've detected their traces, they shouldn't sneak attack or change their positions, right? There's no need to keep an eye on this place."

"And shouldn't the Emperor send reinforcements? This is a rare opportunity to lure and kill them."

LiMuxiu shook his head, "The Emperor can't spare any troops. It's not just Liangzhou that's under attack; several other large states are also in a precarious situation. You don't know that three months ago, the border of Qizhou almost fell. Three cities were destroyed overnight, and not a single person escaped. That was Summer's territory, and now the Summer family is also on high alert."

"So, you went to the Summer family because of this?"

LiMuxiu picked up the wine jar and took a sip without elaborating further.

It wouldn't benefit his old friend to share too much about these military matters.

Feng Boping also realized he was asking too much. Even though they were close friends, there were some things they didn't intrude upon.

"Don't worry about Haoer. I can hold on for a few more years with this old life of mine," Feng Boping assured him.

LiMuxiu glanced at him and nodded, "It's been hard on you for these three years, being stuck here."

"Don't give me that. If you really feel bad, let me take a tour of your Li family's ancestral treasure vault," Feng Boping scoffed.

LiMuxiu rolled his eyes at him, "Don't even think about it."

...

Those who remained at Tianmen Pass looked at the "Cangyue City," which had been reduced to a small mound, and the endless graveyard that stretched like city walls. They were all left speechless.

At this moment, they finally understood what a true border city was.

This was a city of blood and flesh, a city of heroic souls!

Many of them were deeply moved and chose to stay, helping Li Hao rebuild Cangyue City.

With the help of these warriors, the reconstruction project began swiftly and progressed rapidly.

With the collective efforts of many, their network of connections was vast. Aside from the stone and wood needed for construction, which could be sourced from outside the pass, the rest of the supplies were shipped from various cities.

Thus, on the once-desolate Dragon Pass Road, the flags of caravans began to appear.

Even escort agencies were seen transporting goods along the route.

This quiet avenue now seemed to be bustling with travelers once more, truly becoming a path to be traversed! The road led to Cangyue City.

Outside the small mound, towering walls had already been erected. With the assistance of many Fifteen-Mile Realm cultivators and Grandmasters, transporting large stones was effortless, and the construction of the city progressed at an astonishing pace.

Skyscrapers rose from the ground, and a majestic city emerged.

The buildings were adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.

On the city walls, a rope was pulled, and a military flag fluttered proudly in the wind.

Two large pitch-black characters were emblazoned on the flag:

"Hao Tian!" 

 Chapter 156: The Demon King's Divine Blood

As Cang Ya City was being rebuilt, LiMuxiu quietly bade farewell to Li Hao.

Having discerned Li Hao's temperament, he knew that Li Hao was unwilling to return to Qingzhou and would not humble himself. Fortunately, with the three Demon Kings driven away, there was temporarily no danger at Tianmenguan, and he could rest easy.

Moreover, upon learning that the Black Bird Demon King had been slain by Li Hao, he was shocked and also realized that Li Hao no longer needed the protection of the Li family.

If it weren't for the fact that four Demon Kings had come this time, Li Hao would have been able to protect himself in other situations.

After all, in an attack by four Demon Kings, even those at the Four Establishments Realm would be at risk of falling, let alone Li Hao, who was merely at the Celestial Being Realm.

Aside from feeling relieved about Li Hao's rapid growth, Li Muxiu also felt a sense of loss and regret.

However, seeing the many martial artists from various states surrounding Li Hao, he understood that this might be the best outcome for Li Hao.

Not long after Li Muxiu left, the Town Demon Office arrived.

The visitors included a Dutong (Colonel)

and three Great Generals.

The Dutong, named Xiang Yukuang, was at the Four Establishments Realm, while the three Great Generals were all powerful beings at the Three Immortals Realm.

It is worth mentioning that Li Hao had met this Dutong before. At the True Dragon Banquet, Xiang Yukuang had sided with Li Hao's opponent, Li Qianfeng.

As one of the seven Dutongs in the Town Demon Office, Xiang Yukuang had backed the wrong side previously. Now, upon hearing the news from Tianmenguan, he hurried over and met the young man whom he had briefly encountered at the banquet half a year ago.

By the time Xiang Yukuang arrived, Li Hao's body had healed, and he was sitting on a bamboo mat on the veranda of the rebuilt thatched cottage, his legs casually dangling over the void outside the veranda.

There was a small table next to him with a pot of tea and some snacks, giving him a leisurely appearance.

"Young Master, I heard that a Demon King invaded the border, and I'm here to register and investigate the matter," Xiang Yukuang said, standing in the courtyard with a gentle attitude, but feeling somewhat embarrassed.

The last time he had misjudged the situation and backed the wrong side, he wondered if this young man held a deep grudge against him.

He didn't expect to befriend Li Hao this time, but he hoped to alleviate the previous incident and bridge the gap between them.

After all, there was still a long way to go, and he could take it slow.

"Mhm," Li Hao replied amicably, not taking the opportunity to ridicule or embarrass Xiang Yukuang, as if he had forgotten about the past. "How can I cooperate?"

"I'll show you the investigation results, and you just need to confirm them," Xiang Yukuang said with a smile.

However, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Li Hao, despite being the Town Demon Office's Dutong, didn't even offer him a seat. This kid obviously held a grudge against him.

"Alright," Li Hao agreed and then brought the tea cup to his lips, taking a gentle sip.

Offering tea implied that the visit was coming to an end.

Xiang Yukuang felt a bit helpless but could only smile and bid Li Hao farewell.

The three Great Generals at the courtyard entrance quietly sized up this famous young genius, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe.

This young master didn't even give face to a Dutong; he was truly arrogant in his youth.

However, they had also heard about how Li Hao publicly slew the Little Demon King under everyone's watch. His strength was not inferior to theirs, and given time, he would be on par with those at the Four Establishments Realm. There was no need for him to be overly humble.

"It's outrageous that he's only fourteen," one of the Great Generals whispered.

"Yeah, what were we doing when we were fourteen?" another Great General asked.

"I don't know about you, but I was still struggling against demon monsters at the Divine Wander Realm," the third Great General replied.

The three Great Generals communicated silently, and when Xiang Yukuang approached, they stopped and stood obediently.

While Xiang Yukuang and his team were investigating the details, Song Qiumo arrived at the courtyard. Li Hao immediately invited her to sit down and poured her a cup of tea.

Song Qiumo took a sip and praised, "Crisp and sweet. Nice."

Li Hao smiled.

"I'm planning to return to Qingzhou," Song Qiumo said, glancing at Li Hao.

Li Hao had expected this. Now that the three Demon Kings had been driven away, there was no immediate danger, and with the people from the Town Demon Office here, their presence would deter the demon monsters to some extent. After all, Xiang Yukuang was at the Four Establishments Realm, regardless of anything else.

These demon monsters dared to provoke the Border God General Mansion, but they were more cautious when it came to the Town Demon Office.

The Border God General Mansion guarded the frontier and had to face countless demon monsters. In contrast, the Town Demon Office specifically targeted those who caused trouble. If you provoked them, they would make your life difficult.

Their duty was to hunt down demons and suppress monsters, and they had nothing better to do than to keep tabs on you, tracking you down everywhere, which was a nuisance for the demon monsters.

"Don't worry about me. It's me who should be concerned about you. Because of my affairs, you've been away for so long, and you'll probably have to reapply for your credentials," Li Hao said.

Even if Tan Palace intervened, it would still require some effort since it involved the government, and the Demon King they were dealing with was at the Four Establishments Realm, which meant strict scrutiny.

"It's a minor issue," Song Qiumo smiled, then gazed at Li Hao and said softly, "For now, there shouldn't be any more troubles here. I'll see you in Qingzhou in three years."

"Mhm," Li Hao nodded slightly.

Although he was reluctant to return to Qingzhou, it was a vast place, and with this old friend there, he didn't mind paying a visit.

Song Qiumo smiled gently, her lips curving like a breath of spring breeze, and she held out her empty tea cup. "More, please."

"Sure," Li Hao said as he refilled her cup.

One cup, then another.

After Song Qiumo finished drinking, she stood up, glanced at Li Hao once more, and then left without turning back, her figure disappearing from the courtyard.

Not long after Song Qiumo's departure, the thatched cottage once again welcomed guests, and it became bustling.

This time, it was the Astronomical Office, an organization that specialized in formation secrets. The formations in various cities were mostly set up by them.

The leader of this group was a Star Officer at the Three Immortals Realm, a highly ranked official.

In terms of official position, the Star Officer was half a rank higher than Xiang Yukuang. After all, formation secrets were extremely complex, requiring not only martial arts talent but also high comprehension. One had to devote their life to studying and essentially excel in two disciplines to be competent.

The star officer leading this group had sparse, silver hair, and his eyes held a solemn and somewhat dull expression. Li Hao rose to greet him, intending to offer him tea, but the elder merely waved his hand, indicating that they were here to work, not to socialize. After a brief exchange and receiving the City Lord's order from Li Hao, the star officer turned and busied himself with his task.

His demeanor exuded the air of an old scholar more interested in his studies than social niceties.

The accompanying xue zhengs, or scholars, also mostly had dull expressions, but their eyes occasionally sparkled with thoughtful gleams.

Only one young girl seemed lively and cheerful. As the others left, she lingered behind, smiling at Li Hao and saying, "Please don't mind my master. He's always like this."

Li Hao glanced at the embroidered official emblem on her chest, indicating the lowest position of xiao tidian, and smiled in response, "You should also learn from your master and focus more on studying fa jin."

The girl's bright smile instantly faded, and she pouted, "Why are you being so old-fashioned, just like my master? You're spoiling my mood."

Li Hao chuckled lightly without elaborating further.

The girl glanced at him, having expected the young genius to be more lively, given their similar ages. She secretly stuck her tongue out, turned, and hurried after her master, leaving the courtyard.

"Xiang Lan, don't wander off. It's time to get to work," said one of the xue zhengs, a senior disciple, who appeared to be in his fifties despite being a fellow disciple.

"I kno~w," she replied, dragging out the word.

After responding, her gaze wandered around the new city, taking in the bustling martial artists. Although she had seen similar scenes when accompanying her master to other cities to set up fa jin, the sight still intrigued her.

Soon, led by Li Hongzhuang, they arrived at a section of the city wall.

As they ascended the wall, a cold wind blew, causing Xia Xianglan to shrink her neck. Her gaze then naturally drifted forward, and she found herself facing a vast cemetery that stretched as far as the eye could see.

She paused, her eyes widening as she asked, "Are...are these..."

Li Hongzhuang finished discussing the fa jin with the star officer and turned at the sound of the girl's voice. "These are all my Great Yu's sons," she said softly.

Xia Xianglan's heart trembled, and her pupils contracted slightly as she held her breath.

This was her first time at the border, and the sight before her was unlike anything she had ever seen.

Could it be true, as the books described, that there were solitary graves stretching for thousands of miles beyond the border?

The young girl's mind suddenly flashed back to the serene smile of the youth she had seen in the courtyard. That calmness and detachment now seemed to hide countless scars beneath the surface.

Her fingers clenched unconsciously, and her eyes took on a solemn expression.

...

In the small courtyard, Li Hao called for Ren Qianqian and Xiao Baihu, intending to deal with the fallen Yaowang's body.

Ren Qianqian had returned on horseback the day after the battle, though she hadn't mentioned where she had been. Li Hao guessed that she hadn't gone back to Qizhou but had stayed in a nearby city instead, as it would have been impossible to travel from Qizhou so quickly.

Li Hao didn't press the matter, and they continued their natural and comfortable interaction.

At that moment, they arrived at a cordoned-off area within the city, where the Black Bird Yaowang's body lay, resembling a small hill. The area was sealed off.

"This Yaowang is a treasure trove of resources. How do you plan to utilize it?" asked Feng Boping, appearing silently beside Li Hao and eyeing the Yaowang with a sense of awe.

Only he and Song Qiumo knew the full extent of the battle that had taken place here, and they had chosen not to publicize it widely. Not many people were aware that it was Li Hao who had slain this Yaowang.

After all, the notion of a Tianren Realm cultivator killing a Siling Realm Yaowang was rather startling.

Such news was considered confidential information, and they tried to keep it under wraps as much as possible.

Regarding Li Hao's peculiar martial state, Feng Boping didn't pry further. Li Hao had grown up under his watch, and while there were many things he couldn't understand about the young man's extraordinary talent, what mattered most was that Li Hao remained the same familiar "little mouse" to him.

"I plan to make a delicious meal for everyone," Li Hao replied.

Feng Boping was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at Li Hao. But when he saw the seriousness in the young man's expression, he burst into laughter.

"You rascal, always full of surprises," he said.

"The meat of a Yaowang should taste pretty good. It would be a nice way to thank everyone for their help," Li Hao explained.

"Indeed," Feng Boping agreed, chuckling. In fact, if word got out that there was Yaowang meat to be had, he suspected even more martial artists would have shown up.

"However, aside from the meat, the Yaowang's 'daoxin' is a true treasure. You can use it to comprehend the foundation of its path and lay the groundwork for your future advancement into the Siling Realm," Feng Boping continued. "The golden feathers on its back contain the essence of ancient Yaowang bloodlines and are excellent materials for forging divine weapons. You can pluck them and send them, along with your Long Xiao Sword, to Wanqi Tower to request their assistance in reforging your sword to the second level."

Li Hao nodded, having already considered this.

Indeed, these feathers were the most precious treasures on the Yaowang, sought after by countless people.

"Prepare some containers. I also have a use for this Yaowang's precious blood," Li Hao said. 

 Chapter 157: Infusing the Spirit

Ren Qianqian quickly gathered several large pots filled with blood, and Li Hao casually summoned the Long Xiao Sword. The sword's aura soared to the heavens as it slashed towards the black bird.

Under the blade of this divine weapon, the Blackbird Demon King's body was sliced open.

Li Hao slit its throat, and the precious blood containing abundant life essence gushed out. However, it was guided by Li Hao's Object Control ability into the large pots.

During this process, he also used his ability to wring out the moisture from the blood, refining it into a thick and sticky consistency.

The huge copper pots were filled to the brim, requiring nine pots in total.

Li Hao then sealed them with molten iron and set them aside temporarily.

Next, following Feng Laoye's instructions, Li Hao plucked the gilded feathers from the Black Demon King's back.

These feathers shimmered with a golden luster, and even though the Demon King was dead, faint golden light still flickered across them.

Li Hao collected all seven of the gilded feathers and then cut out the Demon King's heart.

This heart, belonging to a creature in the Dao Heart Realm, was covered in divine patterns and emanated a vast and boundless aura. It bore the naturally formed imprints of the power of heaven and earth.

If one could comprehend these patterns, they would also understand the Dao Heart that the Demon King had realized.

Li Hao found a large white jade platter and carefully placed the half-meter-wide Dao Heart on it.

The flowing dark golden divine patterns on its surface still contained surging power, and even if left untouched, they would ensure that the heart remained uncorrupted for a hundred years.

Aside from the heart and feathers, the rest of the Demon King's body was also extremely valuable. However, Li Hao intended to share these treasures with all the warriors in the city.

The other black feathers, while unable to be crafted into divine weapons, could still be forged into decent weapons, suitable even for those in the Heaven and Man Realm.

The flesh and blood of this Demon King were also incredibly precious. Eating it raw would have immense medicinal benefits, but it was better to refine and absorb it to eliminate the overpowering demonic aura it contained.

After all, there were still some differences between the physiques of humans and demons.

Little White Fox, on the other hand, could eat it raw, but having been by Li Hao's side since youth, it had grown accustomed to cooked food and only ate what was prepared for it.

"I'll leave the task of setting up the stove and fire to Feng Laoye."

Li Hao smiled as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to cook the Blackbird Demon King.

Feng Laoye was also intrigued by this unprecedented event, and all the warriors in the city would be in for a treat tonight.

Li Hao manipulated the Long Xiao Sword to pluck and strip the Demon King's body.

Ren Qianqian assisted Li Hao, searching for containers to hold the various ingredients.

When Li Hongzhuang heard the news and arrived, she was stunned to see Li Hao wielding a sword to cut the meat, with a large pile of firewood stacked nearby, and an enormous iron pot that seemed to have been procured from somewhere.

This was a Demon King in the Dao Heart Realm; its physical body was priceless, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a single ounce of its meat was worth an ounce of gold.

Yet, Li Hao was going to cook it so extravagantly.

"Hao'er, do you really plan to cook this Demon King?"

Li Hongzhuang asked in disbelief as she approached Li Hao.

Li Hao turned to her and smiled. Earlier, this little aunt of his had also come to reinforce them during the battle at the pass. She was part of that fierce fighting, and now she joked with him, "What kind of flavor do you prefer? Spicy or steamed?"

"..."

Li Hongzhuang was left speechless.

After guarding the border for over a decade, she never imagined that she would one day get to eat the meat of a Demon King. It was something she wouldn't have dared to dream about.

Seeing Ren Qianqian's struggle to find suitable containers, Li Hongzhuang set aside her reservations and, true to her nature as a general's daughter, called for the vice commander of the Blood Slaughter Army.

Soon, the army's permanent culinary team arrived.

They brought bowls, chopsticks, containers, and a variety of condiments.

Witnessing Li Hao handling the Demon King's corpse, these culinary soldiers couldn't help but exclaim in awe, feeling like their eyes had been opened to a whole new world.

They wanted to help, but Li Hao refused their offer, only allowing them to assist with the menial tasks of arranging and categorizing the ingredients.

Li Hao preferred to have full control over the cooking process.

He removed the Demon King's legs and wings, cutting and chopping them into smaller pieces.

The Long Xiao Sword, one of the Ten Great Swords, now served as a kitchen knife under Li Hao's skillful control, effortlessly dissecting the Demon King's body.

Seeing such high-quality ingredients, Li Hao couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. If he could break through the bottleneck in his culinary skills, cooking a Demon King in the Four Establishments Realm would undoubtedly grant him a substantial amount of experience—perhaps several tens of thousands of points, at the very least.

Even though it was his first time cooking for such a large group, Li Hao didn't take the task lightly. Instead, he approached it with utmost seriousness.

With a passion for cooking, he strived to ensure that every dish, even when prepared in large quantities, would be as exquisite and delicious as a single, carefully crafted dish.

Thus, cooking for a crowd presented a deeper challenge.

Li Hao immersed himself in the task, but the ordinary flames of the firewood weren't sufficient to soften the Demon King's flesh and blood. Frying the meat would be even more challenging.

As Li Hao cooked, he also used his senses to feel the ingredients and pounded the meat to tenderize it, making it easier to cook.

When necessary, he would use the Purple Cloud Palm to increase the temperature.

Now that he had reached the pinnacle of the Martial Dao, the Purple Cloud Palm, and many of his other techniques, had evolved to incorporate the Immortal Path—the Way of Immortals.

By borrowing the power of immortals, his techniques could unleash even greater power.

The Purple Cloud Palm, an upper-tier technique, transformed into the Immortal Power Purple Cloud Palm, generating scorching temperatures capable of easily melting a Heaven and Man Realm demon.

Even against a Three Non-Mortal Realm demon, it could inflict severe damage.

When applied to cooking, it proved to be a heavenly aid for Li Hao.

During the cooking process, the residual will of the Demon King lurking in its flesh and blood would occasionally surface, but Li Hao crushed it with his divine sense.

The lingering thoughts within the Demon King's pores and meridians gradually faded away.

Initially, Li Hao didn't notice anything unusual, but as the thoughts dissipated, he suddenly felt something special.

The ingredients themselves seemed to possess an extraordinary flavor.

At the sixth rank of cooking, Li Hao's culinary skills had already reached the pinnacle of taste, offering his tongue the ultimate sensory experience.

Even in the best restaurants in the imperial capital, Li Hao could take charge of the kitchen and become the head chef.

Yet, this was not the limit of culinary arts.

Li Hao had already reached the sixth rank in his culinary path, but he had never thought that he would be the first to focus on this path and infuse its spirit.

And yet, in this moment of impromptu cooking, he suddenly felt that he had touched upon that elusive bottleneck.

Li Hao gradually became engrossed in his task.

Instead of eradicating the lingering resentment in the Blackbird Demon King's flesh, he used his will to soothe it, calming the angry, screaming soul.

That lingering resentment remained within the ingredients.

At this moment, he was no longer cooking mere flesh, but the residual soul of the Blackbird Demon King! The Demon King's spirit had been wiped out, and this remnant soul, akin to soul dust, held only unconscious emotions and thoughts.

Thus, most of the lingering resentment emanated a violent and bloodthirsty aura.

But now, under the manipulation of Li Hao's divine sense, it gradually softened and settled within the ingredients.

At the same time, these lingering emotions became like pores in the meat, able to absorb the spices and juices, enhancing the flavor.

And so, Li Hao infused his gratitude towards the numerous warriors into this resentment, allowing it to absorb and settle into the ingredients.

Unknowingly, Li Hao began to see a series of interface prompts appearing before his eyes.

[Cooking Experience +2712...]

[Cooking Experience +2539...]

[Cooking Experience +2934...]

He had taken that step, infusing the spirit in his culinary path, and breaking through the bottleneck. Once again, he was able to gain cooking experience points.

However, Li Hao was completely immersed in the cooking process and ignored these prompts.

Just like when he had his epiphany about the Grand Master's limit, he didn't seek, and thus, he gained.

The most precious things in the world are often not those sought after, but those that come naturally.

Like life, conceived in the womb, without the need for pleading. Like the sun's radiance and the changing of day and night, why should one beg for what is given naturally? Mountains and flowing waters are all governed by the rules of nature. To seek otherwise is to row upstream, to try and make the water at the mountain's foot flow upwards to the peak. It can be done with great human effort, but it won't last.

True perfection comes naturally, just as it should be.

Li Hao had hoped to infuse the spirit in his painting and fishing paths, but he had never expected to do so in his culinary path. And yet, here he was.

...

As the sun set, the evening glow painted the sky with a maiden's blush.

All the warriors in the city received the message and gathered together.

The tantalizing aroma wafted through the air, permeating every corner of Cang Cliff City, reaching even the Star Pavilion elders on the city walls, who were still studying the law array carvings.

"What is that smell?"

Xia Xianglan looked up in surprise, inhaling deeply through her delicate nose. The scent seemed to be coming from within the city, and she craned her neck to get a better view, but the distance was too great, and her own cultivation too low, to see clearly.

"That young master seems to be cooking that Demon King, treating everyone to a feast."

Beside her, one of the scholars sent out his soul, hovering in the air, and witnessed the distant commotion. A surprised expression appeared on his usually wooden face.

"What? You're stewing a Demon King?"

The others were stunned, and the Star Pavilion elder narrowed his eyes slightly, looking up and murmuring, "That young man is truly eccentric."

Xia Xianglan thought of the gentle and refined young man in the courtyard and couldn't help but pause, finding it hard to associate him with the wild act of cooking a Demon King.

In the city.

Numerous tables and chairs had been set up, and the culinary team of soldiers was busy serving dishes. Plate after plate of Blackbird Demon King delicacies were presented.

There was stir-fried meat, steamed liver, braised tendons, and more.

The Blackbird Demon King had been transformed into over fifty dishes by Li Hao, each one unique, with no repetition. There were hot dishes, cold dishes, and even pastries and snacks made from a combination of tendons, meat, and other ingredients.

In total, there were over a hundred tables, each with fifty or more servings.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Li Hao wiped the sweat from his brow and sat down with Feng Laoye to enjoy the feast.

There were no grand speeches or words of thanks; all their emotions were conveyed through the food.

However, Li Hongzhuang took the stage on Li Hao's behalf and expressed her gratitude before announcing that the feast could begin.

As the delicious food touched their tongues, the emotions and thoughts that Li Hao had infused into the Demon King's lingering resentment were transmitted to everyone.

In that instant, everyone understood the young man's heartfelt gratitude, a soul-to-soul connection that went beyond words.

Some of the more emotional women even had tears welling up in their eyes as they ate.

The only sound that remained was the clinking of chopsticks and bowls.

"You little rascal..."

Feng Boping, as usual, picked up some of the stir-fried meat and began to eat. Soon, it seemed as if something flew out from the spicy meat and infused itself into his heart, a feeling that was hard to describe.

It was like a consciousness, directly injected into his heart, a communication that needed no words. He could taste the intense emotions within the dish.

This was no ordinary food.

Li Hao had Ren Qianqian prepare some food boxes to send to the Celestial Officials on the city walls.

At that moment, he was enjoying the food he had cooked and drinking some wine. Although he couldn't absorb the essence and power from the Demon King's flesh like the others, he could still savor the delicious flavors.

In his free time, Li Hao checked the interface and saw that his culinary path had advanced from the sixth rank to the seventh. A smile curved his lips.

This feeling wasn't one of surprise but a contented smile of realization.

Infusing the spirit in his culinary path had also shown Li Hao the way to infuse the spirit in his painting and other paths.

However, he would need to experiment to truly understand it, as there was a difference between knowing and doing.

Regardless, he could finally continue to allocate his points. 

 Chapter 158: The Three Immortals, Peak of Transcendence (Two-in-One Chapter)

Three thousand miles north of Tianmenguan, there lay a river called Chishui River. Its waters were a dark shade of red, and at the bottom lay numerous red stones, home to a host of aquatic demons.

On the shore of the lake was a mountain, and at its foot sat a thatched cottage. In this remote and wild place, an elderly man often sat, a casual and relaxed figure. He was a demon known as the Red God, a cultivator at the Three Immortals realm.

The Red God ruled over the demons within a thousand-mile radius. This Chishui River was their ancestral land. Originally a red-blooded python in the river, it had devoured the sun and the moon for three hundred years, cultivating into a flood dragon. Subsequently, it roamed far and wide in search of food and prey, eventually reaching the Three Immortals realm.

But at this moment, the Red God, who was in front of the thatched cottage, was trembling and kneeling on the ground.

Three figures sat by the cottage, exuding immense pressure despite their attempts to suppress it. This caused the Red God's heart to tremble, unsure of how he had offended these three demon kings.

"Damn the Li family, damn that old thing, and damn that brat!"

The Wan Mountain Demon King clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot as he breathed heavily. He was severely injured, and at the moment, he was suppressing both his wounds and his anger.

He had failed to avenge his son's death and had lost a brother in the process.

Additionally, inviting these two companions by his side had also cost him greatly, and all his demon followers had perished.

The thousand-year foundation he had built in the Wan Mountain Demon Domain had been destroyed in an instant! The hatred he felt towards that young man was enough to drive him mad.

"Now that the Fist Saint appeared here, the Divine General's Mansion will likely be at its weakest. I heard that there are two other old immortals in the Li family. One's whereabouts are unknown, and the other guards the ancestral hall."

"It's a pity that sending a message now will probably be too late. We should have expected this. If we had contacted the Holy Palace or Dragon Gate earlier and had them ambush outside Qingzhou City while we dealt with that brat, we could have taken advantage of this opportunity to inflict heavy damage!"

The silver-robed young man narrowed his eyes, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

"It's hard to say," replied the Dragon Lord with a slight shake of his head. "If the Fist Saint dared to show up here, he might have asked the two old ladies who married out of the Li family to come back and help guard the mansion. Moreover, the old fellows in the ancestral hall are not pushovers either. If the Holy Palace and Dragon Gate are willing to join forces, then we might have a chance."

"They've already made contact in secret," revealed the silver-robed youth. "You think those who came looking for us were acting solely on their own? If I'm not mistaken, they should all be banding together by now. This Great Yu Divine Dynasty will likely split into ten states, giving us some breathing room."

"They're working together?" The Dragon Lord was stunned, looking at the silver-robed youth in surprise. These few forces had stayed out of each other's way and secretly competed against each other for years. He never expected that they would join forces one day.

The silver-robed youth shook his head slightly and didn't elaborate. "Let's talk about our current situation first. The Demon Suppression Agency outside the pass will likely be here soon, and we'll be put on their wanted list. Those dogs from the Demon Suppression Agency have very sensitive noses. Are we going to stick together or part ways?"

Upon hearing this, both the Dragon Lord and the Wan Mountain Demon King remained silent.

"If we stick together, are you planning to take us to the Holy Palace?" The Dragon Lord looked at him and asked.

The silver-robed youth nodded slightly and sighed. "I left the Holy Palace wanting a quieter life, but now, because of the Wan Mountain elder brother's matter, I have no choice but to go back and beg for mercy. Aside from the Holy Palace, I don't want to go to the Great Wilderness. The people there are too terrifying."

The Wan Mountain Demon King's eyes turned cold. He was still grieving over his inability to take revenge and the death of Elder Brother Gao. These two companions by his side were already thinking about their escape routes and destinations.

To be frank, they were only here because of the previous transaction, regardless of his feelings.

"I have no interest in the Holy Palace," the Wan Mountain Demon King said to the Dragon Lord. "What about you? If you're going, it'll probably be to Dragon Gate, right?"

The Dragon Lord nodded slightly and sighed. "Going to Dragon Gate isn't a good thing either. I wanted to be free, so I declined Dragon Gate's invitation years ago. Now, going there with my tail between my legs would be embarrassing."

The Wan Mountain Demon King let out a cold laugh.

One wanted a quiet life, and the other wanted freedom. What bullshit!

They were just not tempted by the incentives, and they had anticipated the worst-case scenario for this operation. They had already planned their escape routes long ago.

"Since you two have places to go, then let's part ways here," said the Wan Mountain Demon King.

At this moment, he was injured, and his injuries were more severe than those of the other two. He felt somewhat apprehensive about the idea of the three of them traveling together.

"What about you? Where do you plan to go? The Void Realm?" The Dragon Lord asked.

The Wan Mountain Demon King nodded. "That's the only option left. I heard that those guys are also reclusive and detached from the world. Hmph!"

The Dragon Lord caught the subtle mockery in his words but didn't know if it was directed at the Void Realm or himself. He didn't mind, though, and said, "The Void Realm is about to attack Liangzhou. You can take your revenge then."

"Revenge my ass!" The Wan Mountain Demon King's eyes turned icy cold. "Their battle plan is to bypass Tianmenguan and avoid this thorn. They plan to fill their bellies first."

They were just a bunch of brainless idiots... He thought to himself, but he didn't voice these words out loud. Otherwise, if it got back to the Void Realm, it would spell trouble for him.

"It's normal for them to want to fill their bellies first after being in seclusion for so many years and finally coming out," said the Dragon Lord.

The silver-robed youth smiled faintly and, without another word, glanced at the Red God, who was still kneeling on the ground, before turning and striding away.

Seeing this, the Dragon Lord said to the Wan Mountain Demon King, "Brother, I guess I'll be leaving too. Until we meet again!"

The Wan Mountain Demon King nodded slightly.

The Dragon Lord looked at the Red God and asked, "Would you like to come with me to Dragon Gate?"

The Red God, with a bitter taste in his mouth, had also cultivated for thousands of years. In his early years, he had wandered far and wide and had heard of the demon factions these great demon kings spoke of. He had even received invitations from them, but like these kings, he had refused, wanting a quieter life.

For four to five hundred years, he had guarded this ancestral river, practicing his art and finding enlightenment in this secluded place.

But now, he could sense the Dragon Lord's intentions as he spoke, seeing the hint in his eyes.

If he refused, he knew he might not live to see another day.

These three demon kings were wanted by the Divine Dynasty, and knowing their whereabouts, he would surely be killed to silence him.

"I am willing," the Red God said, bowing his head gratefully, though his heart was bitter.

"Alright, if that's the case, then let's go together," the Dragon Lord replied.

"May I gather my things first?" the Red God asked.

"Granted," the Dragon Lord agreed.

In a moment, the Dragon Lord and the Red God left the place together.

Only the Wan Mountain Demon King remained, his face especially gloomy as he sat in front of the thatched cottage.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew, and from behind him, a figure clad in pure white appeared, floating gently in the air.

The Wan Mountain Demon King's expression changed slightly, but he did not turn around.

"Are you still going to act so stubborn after causing such a disaster?" the figure in white asked calmly.

"Hmph, did he send you to bring me back?" The Wan Mountain Demon King's eyes held a mocking smile.

"As long as you are willing to cut off your demonic nature and plant the seeds of goodness, you can still be saved," the white-clad figure said.

"You've probably never lost a son, have you?" The Wan Mountain Demon King laughed coldly.

The white-clad figure remained unmoved. "But this is not the first death you've caused."

"But it will be the last!" The Wan Mountain Demon King spun around and roared.

His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at the figure in white. "I will never be able to raise another son as gifted as him. Do you understand? My son had incredible talent, and given time, he could have united our entire race! Those damn fools at the Holy Palace and Dragon Gate would have groveled at his feet!"

The white-clad figure remained calm in the face of his outburst, simply replying, "Your son was indeed intelligent, but to reach that level, he would have needed at least a thousand years."

"And given the current situation, I'm afraid we won't have that kind of time."

The Wan Mountain Demon King glared at him angrily, knowing that what he said was true.

To reach that level, it would take at least a millennium, which was already incredibly fast. But now, those factions were growing restless.

The Wan Mountain Demon King took a deep breath, suppressing his anger as he said in a low voice, "I will not go back with you. I must take my revenge, and I will avenge Elder Brother Gao as well!"

"Are you so stubborn that you would rather die than change your ways?" The white-clad figure's eyes turned cold.

The Wan Mountain Demon King laughed coldly and glared at him. "If you want to stop me, then try it."

The white-clad figure stared at him for a moment before speaking softly, "Your demonic nature runs deep, and you refuse to repent. If you continue down this path, I cannot help you. But there are some cultivation techniques you must not use in public, or else I will have no choice but to capture you."

The Wan Mountain Demon King kept a straight face and did not respond.

"This is a Holy Heart Talisman. Keep it with you to protect your life. This is your last chance," the white-clad figure said, offering a talisman that glowed with a dark green light. His tone was cold, and in an instant, his figure faded away.

The Wan Mountain Demon King took the talisman, his expression darkening. "Do they really think I'm a dog? I've cultivated for countless ages. I am a king, the ruler of these mountains and forests, the king of demons!"

He glared at the direction of Tianmenguan in the south, and finally, he soared into the sky. As he flew over the Chishui River, he angrily slapped the water with his palm.

Demonic energy surged from his palm, plunging into the river.

The demon beasts playing in the river suddenly turned pale with fright, their eyes filled with terror as they looked up at the sky.

"Red God, save us..."

Some of the demon beasts cried out in fear, but their voices were drowned out.

In an instant, the entire Chishui River turned into a river of blood. From high above, the bright red color looked like a winding tear on the face of the earth.

The figure of the Wan Mountain Demon King had already disappeared from the sky.

Not long after he left, the white-clad figure reappeared in the sky.

He looked down at the river of blood below and softly recited something under his breath. "I guess this counts as subduing demons?" he muttered to himself.

...

...

The next day.

Li Hao sent the Nine Tripod Demon King's blood with Li Hongzhuang to be delivered back to Qingzhou.

This was the second favor he had returned to the Li family.

Although he had heard that the other party was no longer in Qingzhou, it didn't matter as long as the item reached that courtyard.

A little over two years remained.

The snowstorms beyond the border had ceased, but the bitter wind still bit at the skin. In two months, the southern regions would welcome the spring rains.

Liangzhou, being in the southern part of the Great Yu God Dynasty, would experience spring earlier than places like Yanzhou.

The construction and improvement of Cangya City continued, and residential buildings within the city were also being built.

The Astrology Division cast formations on the city walls, while Li Hao flew out of the city and landed on a solitary peak a hundred miles away.

He set up hidden lines in the surrounding area before bringing up the system panel to check his attributes.

Currently, his Physical Body, Control, Sword, and Fist Ways were all at the 6th level.

His Movement Way was at the 3rd level.

As for his Fishing and Painting Ways, they were both at the 6th level, and their experience was almost full.

His Go skill was at the 5th level, Music at the 3rd, Poetry and Calligraphy at the 3rd, and Sculpture at the 3rd level as well, all of which Li Hao had honed during his free time over the past six months while refining the Pig Tooth Sword.

That Pig Tooth Sword had been refined into the shape of a sword, but with the Dragon Skyward Sword, the Pig Tooth Sword had become purely ornamental, or perhaps a work of artistic sculpture.

Adding to that, his Cooking Way had now reached the 7th level, and he had accumulated a total of 33 Art Points.

He had spent 27 points and had 6 remaining.

Although he had plenty of Art Points, his Movement Way was stuck at the 3rd level because he hadn't had the time to immerse himself in Poetry and Music to break through to the 4th level.

Without attaining a new mindset to aid his Movement Way in overcoming this bottleneck, he was temporarily stuck.

However, in the Mindset section of his attribute panel, in addition to the already consumed mindsets like the Chess Mind, there was a new one.

[Mindset: Cooking Enlightenment (Usable)

]

Without a doubt, Li Hao chose to use this mindset for his Physical Body Way.

First, he would raise his realm to a higher level.

Following the prompts, Li Hao chose to use it, and the Art Point disappeared. At the same time, his Physical Body Way broke through from the 6th level to the 7th.

After a long time, Li Hao opened his eyes.

He stood up, and all the physical body techniques on the panel before him had transformed, reaching heights far beyond their original potential.

Physical Body Techniques:

Golden Skin Refining • Vajra (True State)

, this initially mediocre technique had transformed into a superior technique when his Physical Body Way reached the 6th level.

Now, it underwent another metamorphosis – Indestructible Body • Immovable Ming King (Superb)

!

Compared to the original Stone Skin Refining, the name had changed drastically.

Most importantly, Li Hao noticed a new realm beyond Perfection – the Superb realm!!

Enlightenment, Superb!

Li Hao instantly comprehended and connected with this realm.

If the True State represented the pinnacle of a technique's potential, then the Superb realm was no longer confined to the realm of mortal techniques.

Li Hao took a deep breath and suddenly unleashed the ultimate move of this technique, Immovable Ming King!

In an instant, the heavens seemed to stir up a chilly wind, and Li Hao's flesh and blood stirred as if countless tiny blocks were gathering and condensing. Every inch of his skin seemed to have thumb-sized chunks of muscle gathering and pulsating.

Finally, his body appeared slightly larger, growing from his original height of six feet to almost seven feet tall!

This size couldn't compare to demons and magical beasts, but an overwhelming might emanated from him, even more terrifying than those creatures.

The gathered physical power and muscles seemed to outline a kind of fleshly law pattern on his body.

Behind him, a vague figure seemed to appear, born from the fusion of the power of heaven and earth.

That figure was like a divine soul, a dharma form, eight meters tall, standing proudly. Its hands were clasped together, resembling a serene and tranquil deity who didn't speak a word, yet exuded an aura that made the wind dare not disturb it!

This was the ultimate might of this technique, which had been cultivated to the Superb realm!

It was a force that transcended the technique itself, resonating with the mighty power of heaven and earth to form another kind of power!

Li Hao raised his hand and slowly pushed forward with his palm.

Behind him, the Immovable Ming King figure also slowly raised its hand and pushed forward.

However, the might generated by their actions was vastly different. The figure's push seemed to turn the heavens and earth into a sea and thick cloth, moving extremely slowly yet with an unstoppable force!

In front of the peak, two hundred meters away, the ground slowly caved in, forming a huge palm print.

There was no sound of impact, just a slow and steady indentation.

Soon, a palm print with a diameter of fourteen to fifteen meters appeared on the ground.

Li Hao, on the other hand, felt like he hadn't exerted much effort at all, just a casual lift of his hand.

From the peak of the Grandmaster realm to the Three Immortals, and even surpassing the Immortal realm to reach the Indestructible realm!

His physical body was undergoing a transformation, with the power of the heavens and earth pouring into him, constantly pounding and refining his flesh.

The entire peak was enveloped by this heavenly power, like a hurricane whirling around the mountain.

The formidable aura reached out a hundred miles away to Cangya City, where many people sensed it and rushed over to investigate. Ren Qianqian, who was waiting at the foot of the mountain, stopped them from disturbing Li Hao.

Hearing from this young girl that Li Hao was cultivating, the warriors were relieved, as they had initially thought that some demon was attacking.

However, as they marveled at the energy hurricane, they couldn't help but feel shocked and astonished.

Was this the cultivation of Li Hao, the number one genius of the Great Yu Dynasty?

He was absorbing the power of the heavens and earth like a whale drinking water! No wonder the gap between them was so vast.

Compared to Li Hao, their cultivation was like counting rice grains while eating, one grain at a time. In contrast, Li Hao was like lifting a plate and devouring a full table of food.

Li Hongzhuang also rushed over and, upon learning that Li Hao was cultivating, breathed a sigh of relief. She immediately sealed off the area to prevent onlookers from getting too close.

Even though these warriors had come to help, cultivation was an extremely private matter, and it was best to keep a distance, even for her. Out of curiosity, she had witnessed Li Hao's cultivation before, so she was mentally prepared this time.

In the clouds outside the mountain, Feng Lao sat with a small wine gourd, occasionally taking sips. But at this moment, he paused, staring fixedly at the peak with a look of surprise on his face.

That kid... has he broken through to the Three Immortals?

A Three Immortal at the age of fourteen...

Even Feng Boping, with his extensive experience and composure, couldn't help but feel his eyes twitch at this.

Would this kid be under twenty years old when he reaches the Four Establishments realm?

At this thought, he felt his heart skip a beat.

Luckily, as long as I'm old enough to be his elder, it won't be embarrassing...

With this thought, Feng Boping felt his outlook brighten, and he took another hearty drink, patting his thigh with a broad smile.

Within the mountain, Li Hao, after practicing the ultimate move of the Hundred Refinements Unbreakable Body, the Immovable Ming King, continued to cultivate other techniques.

The Thousand Flood Dragon Saint's Transformation had now become the True Dragon's Body (True Form)

. This technique was inherently more advanced, so with his current level of physical cultivation, he couldn't comprehend its full potential.

However, its true form was no less impressive than the Immovable Ming King.

As he cultivated, Li Hao's blood and flesh surged, no longer constrained by his body. Every part of his flesh seemed to possess independent power and consciousness.

Li Hao's physique burgeoned, his bones lengthened, and the power of the heavens and earth rapidly irrigated his body, forming true dragon scales!

These scales were formed by his flesh and blood gathering and condensing the power of the heavens and earth, transcending the limits of mortals.

Mortals were also known as "Commoners" or "Ordinary Beings".

Upon reaching the Three Immortals, one would no longer have a mortal body. Regenerating limbs, an indestructible body, and undiminishing true energy were all signs of transcending the ordinary.

At this moment, Li Hao's body broke free from its previous limitations, similar to how demons and magical beasts could use their demonic energy and illusions to transform into human forms, but their essence remained that of a demon or beast.

Now, Li Hao could also transform, and his transformation was even more genuine than that of demons and magical beasts. It wasn't an illusion, but a reconstruction of his flesh and blood, altering his physical structure.

His appearance could change!

With a low roar, Li Hao's eyes shone with a dazzling golden light, his irises turning reddish-gold, his hands transforming into claws, and his body shifting into that of a small true dragon!

This was the extraordinary insight brought about by the seventh level of the Physical Body Way.

It surpassed the understanding of the physical body that ordinary Three Immortals cultivators possessed.

As his form changed, each of his forty-eight thousand pores transformed into ninety-six thousand true dragon scales, vastly increasing the speed at which he absorbed the power of the heavens and earth.

Li Hao instantly understood why the dragon clan was so powerful. Their innate physical structure and cultivation speed far surpassed that of humans.

Moreover, the power absorbed through these scales could be rapidly converted within his body.

Some demons and magical beasts had physical structures that made it easy for them to absorb power, but their internal meridians were fragile. If they absorbed power too quickly, their bodies would explode, so they had to consciously slow down their absorption rate to maintain balance.

This was in line with the principle of yin and yang.

However, the dragon clan was different. They were crude and simple, absorbing and digesting power at an astonishing rate.

In the blink of an eye, Li Hao's aura surged once more, advancing from the Unbroken realm to the Undecaying realm!