289-292

Chapter 289: Reincarnation of a Saint

Hearing the words of the Demon Ram Venerable, the two felt a chill in their hearts.

Was this for real?

But they weren't fully prepared yet.

The Demon Ram Venerable didn't say much, but instead took out three incense sticks and went to the temple within the secret palace to light them.

He burned incense with devout reverence.

Soon, a golden light appeared in front of the temple, and a young man in a silver-white robe emerged, exuding a sacred and noble aura. The edges of his eyes were a pale silver, as if endless silver light reflected within them.

"One year in the Sacred Land, ten years in the mortal realm."

A gentle voice came from the young man's mouth. His eyes swept over the three demons in the secret palace, his expression cold, as he said: "How are things going on this side?"

"Your Highness, it's like this..."

The Demon Ram Venerable quickly knelt down and explained the situation here and their plans.

The Saint Son listened quietly, his face turning icy:

"So, after waiting for decades, and after you spent centuries scheming here, everything has come to nothing, and you want to resort to open warfare?"

The Demon Ram Venerable's body tensed, and he lowered his head, saying: "My subordinates are incompetent. The human youth's rise was too sudden, and we failed to eliminate him in time. Now, he is impossible to kill."

They had been acting under the Saint Son's orders, not daring to cause too much commotion, only slowly devouring the realm. The Jiang family had been secretly reviving their ancestor here. Although the Divine Dynasty had existed for over three thousand years, in the Sacred Lands, it was only three hundred years old.

And three hundred years, for the Saints, was but a blink of an eye.

"I have already told you before, either kill with one strike, or slowly devour, don't get caught in a protracted war. Yet, you still ended up like this."

The Saint Son's eyes were filled with killing intent, causing the temperature within the secret palace to drop.

He had originally intended to quietly seize the Jiang family's incense offerings, so he had sent these three demons to scheme for centuries, while he waited for decades in the Sacred Land.

Now, since they were going to reveal their cards and engage in open warfare, wasn't the time they had wasted meaningless?

"Forgive us, Your Highness."

The three demons buried their heads, trembling with fear.

"Sixteen years old and already cultivated to this level? Are you sure?"

The Saint Son changed his tone, his eyes narrowed.

The Demon Ram Venerable nodded: "This is no longer a secret. We now suspect that he might be the reincarnation of a Saint."

"Reincarnation of a Saint..."

The Saint Son's eyes flickered: "It's indeed possible. Currently, within the various Sacred Lands of the Immortal Gates, the Saints are all scheming for a great event that requires opening up all martial arts realms to achieve. It might be a move left behind by a certain Saint. But from what you've said, his actions are far too high-profile."

"Even if this is the mortal realm, other Saints might still notice him and eliminate him."

The three demons exchanged glances, feeling as if they had heard a great secret, but dared not ask.

"If we had known this kid was so monstrous, we should have taken action ourselves." The Demon Ram Venerable muttered, filled with regret.

When Li Hao's name shook the world, they had been planning to seize Liangzhou and eliminate the boy as a side effect.

However, the Tai Xu Realm Overlord had been stationed there, and even he hadn't been able to kill the boy. At that time, Li Hao was only fifteen years old!

Even now, if they were to act, they wouldn't be sure of killing him. It was as if he had sprung into existence out of thin air, appearing in a flash, leaving them no time to react.

Other prodigies born in Dayu before, they had all been secretly plotted against and assassinated. Certain top-tier prodigies were on their kill list. Those who weren't assassinated were generally not a threat to them.

They secretly stifled the nascent power of this dynasty, allowing it to decay and wither.

But now, a prodigy had unexpectedly emerged, shattering their darkness with thunder, disrupting the rhythm of their plans.

If not for this, he wouldn't have dared to rashly disturb the Saint Son.

"You've come to me seeking reinforcements, haven't you?"

The Saint Son asked coldly.

The Demon Ram Venerable lowered his head and said: "Your Highness, our current strength is indeed a bit thin. If that boy joins forces with the True Master, we..."

"Humph!"

The Saint Son snorted coldly and said: "This Dayu Dynasty has been secretly collecting incense offerings and reviving their ancestors. Do you know why those five Divine General's Mansion cities have those formations? They use mountains and rivers as formations, reverse the flow of incense, and transfer the incense accumulated in that Daoist temple to the Jiang family."

"They are so cautious, avoiding detection by other Saints, preventing them from disrupting their plans."

"After all, it's unknown whether the Jiang family's ancestor has any enemies among the Saints."

"If we make a big commotion now, we might end up with nothing!"

The Demon Ram Venerable and the other three demons were stunned, their faces changing slightly.

"Asking for reinforcements is impossible. Besides, even if we did find reinforcements, I doubt you'd be able to manage it. I'll handle this myself. I won't give him any hope!"

The Saint Son's eyes were resolute and ruthless. He had no intention of delaying any longer, giving the other party a chance to grow.

Things like sending slightly stronger villains in a story, allowing the protagonists to constantly kill them to train and enhance their strength until they become invincible, were impossible.

He would directly crush him with overwhelming power, leaving no chance.

"You just need to deal with the Qian Dao Palace. With the appearance of the Merit Treasure Vault, the martial artists within Dayu will become increasingly stronger by utilizing the Merit of the Mo River."

The Saint Son said: "And if the Ancient Saint Clans of the Great Wilderness Heaven learn about this, they will likely interfere as well. After all, during the Ancient Saint Clan War, they sealed the Merit Treasure Vault. This is a gift from Heaven."

The Demon Ram Venerable and the other three demons were stunned. They hadn't expected the Saint Son to take action personally.

Previously, the Saint Son had always remained hidden in the shadows, avoiding exposure and attracting attention from others. But now, he clearly didn't care anymore.

"My subordinates are incompetent, causing Your Highness trouble."

The Demon Ram Venerable was filled with shame.

"Stop with the useless excuses. If we fail again this time, I will not spare you."

The Saint Son's eyes flashed with cold light, saying: "However, it's fortunate that the boy eliminated the Buddha, saving us the trouble of dealing with him later. He wants to compete with me for incense offerings? He's not worthy!"

Previously, when he had cooperated with the Buddha, they both knew each other's intentions. The Buddha wanted to use them to obtain the Dao lineage and accumulate enough incense offerings to become a Saint.

And they were also using the Buddha to seize the Jiang family's incense offerings. Their goals were the same.

Therefore, there would inevitably be conflicts of interest in the end.

It's just that they were both very confident in themselves.

Now that the Buddha was dead, although they no longer had an insider within the Buddhist sect, this tough battle was a bit troublesome, but it also reduced one opponent in the final showdown, which could be considered a blessing in disguise.

"Yes, we will never again disappoint Your Highness's expectations."

The Demon Ram Venerable quickly said.

The black-robed youth and the purple-veined, graceful woman also lowered their heads nervously, their hearts heavy.

"We need to attack quickly, don't give them a chance. These fellows don't know what trump cards they're holding, especially those who entered the Immortal Gates a thousand years ago. They've been active in the Sacred Lands recently, wanting to descend from the Immortal Gates. We can't delay any longer!"

The Saint Son instructed.

The three demons felt a chill in their hearts, instantly understanding why the Saint Son had chosen to take action personally. It turned out that the situation was already so dire.

This Dayu Divine Dynasty was too tough, they had gnawed at it for centuries and still hadn't made a dent!

"We will definitely kill that old Daoist!"

The Demon Ram Venerable solemnly declared.

...

...

Liangzhou, Tianmen Pass.

In the small courtyard, reports came one after another.

Upon learning of the Emperor's decree, Li Hao was somewhat taken aback. It seemed different from what they had discussed earlier.

And the subsequent series of demonic attacks made Li Hao finally realize that the Emperor hadn't chosen the path they had discussed.

But this would expose too many of his trump cards.

Was it worth it?

Li Hao fell silent.

"Heh, it seems my dear brother sees you as the future Dao lineage. It's understandable. After three thousand years of reproduction and incense offerings, the Jiang family's ancestor should be close to resurrection. The future incense offerings can be used to help you become a Saint."

Jiang Lichun sat in the courtyard, holding a small wine jug, eating and drinking, appearing extremely leisurely and carefree.

Seeing his relaxed demeanor, Li Hao asked:

"Didn't you say you were going to cut him with your sword? Why did you run away when he came?"

Shortly before the Emperor's arrival, Jiang Lichun seemed to have sensed something and ran away, saying he was going for a walk.

He only returned silently after the Emperor left, which piqued Li Hao's curiosity.

"Humph, I will cut him with my sword sooner or later. But I said that I would rescue you from the Mo River before I could cut him. That means you have to be in trouble, and I have to save you before I can cut him. Otherwise, I'm not like him, so shameless. My words are always true!"

Jiang Lichun said proudly.

But to Li Hao's ears, it sounded like a child boasting.

"I think you're afraid to cut him..." Li Hao looked at him suspiciously: "You must have sensed the Emperor's realm, haven't you?"

"What are you talking about?!" Jiang Lichun exploded with anger.

Li Hao chuckled: "Don't get excited, don't get excited."

"Why would I be afraid to cut him? He promised me personally that I could cut him, why wouldn't I dare?!" Jiang Lichun angrily retorted.

Li Hao thought for a moment and said: "That's true."

Jiang Lichun's face finally relaxed, and he snorted coldly: "When my swordsmanship reaches its peak, I won't need incense offerings. I will use my sword to sacrifice to the Dao. What is a Saint? I'll still cut him down for you to see!"

"You're still a bit far from that."

Li Hao spoke frankly, then asked: "You just mentioned reviving your ancestor. What's the situation? Is it a secret of your royal family? You just casually revealed it?"

"What's the big deal? What if it's exposed? What does it have to do with me? I've said it before, the entire world has nothing to do with me. If it can help me hone my sword, even if I have to slaughter everyone under Heaven, I wouldn't hesitate!"

Jiang Lichun snorted coldly.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow slightly. No wonder they called this Ninth Prince a Sword Demon. He was truly insane.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 290: Demons

While waiting for news from the Wang family, Li Hao continued with his daily cultivation.

Although he could now slay Dao Law Realm cultivators, it was only possible by utilizing all his abilities without reservation, pushing himself to the limit.

This instilled a sense of urgency within him.

Currently, his martial arts skills were:

Physical Dao: 8th Stage

Imperial Dao: 7th Stage

Body Movement Dao: 6th Stage

Sword Dao: 6th Stage

Fist Dao: 6th Stage

And his arts and skills were:

Go Dao: 6th Stage

Music Dao: 4th Stage

Literature and Calligraphy Dao: 3rd Stage

Carving Dao: 3rd Stage

Culinary Dao: 7th Stage

Painting Dao: 7th Stage

Fishing Dao: 5th Stage

Remaining Art Skill Points: 1

Currently, only Culinary Dao and Painting Dao had achieved Spiritualization. The most promising candidates for Spiritualization were Go Dao and Fishing Dao.

If he could achieve Spiritualization in these, Li Hao's Body Movement Dao, Sword Dao, and others would undergo a qualitative leap.

However, his Go Dao experience had just reached the 6th Stage and wasn't yet perfected. Fishing Dao was even further behind.

Fortunately, there were no bottlenecks between the 5th and 6th Stages. As long as he had enough experience, it would be a natural progression.

He had been busy slaying demons and monsters for a while, neglecting his quiet cultivation. Now that he had some free time, Li Hao, accompanied by Old Wind, a Go board, and Ren Qianqian, traveled several thousand miles outside the pass to a lake.

He condensed his strength into a line, casting it into the lake subtly, utilizing his hidden-line fishing technique.

The tip of the line pierced into a small fish demon, following its meridians like acupuncture, causing no pain. The fish demon was unaware of the line wrapped around it, still swimming and playing in the water, oblivious to its role as Li Hao's bait.

"Old Wind, you try it too."

Li Hao smiled at Old Wind beside him.

Despite his missing soul, Feng Bo Ping's movements were slow, but years of fishing seemed to have become ingrained in his physical memory. Before Li Hao finished speaking, he had already condensed his energy into a line and extended it into the lake.

Seeing this practiced routine, Li Hao chuckled wryly.

He casually took out a tea table and a Go board from his spatial ring. Ren Qianqian brewed tea for him while silently pondering beside him.

Li Hao used fishing as a metaphor for swordsmanship, explaining the principles of swordplay to her.

A gentle breeze swept through, the lake-side whispers of the young man, and the chirping of cicadas in the distant forest resonated with each other.

While Ren Qianqian pondered, Li Hao taught Xi Yan how to play Go. Since he had brought her to the bustling human world, he naturally wanted her to experience various joys.

At least, in his opinion, playing Go was quite enjoyable.

Xi Yan was very intelligent. Once she understood the rules, she played with skill and grace.

"What is he doing?"

In the distant woods, two figures stood, a young woman and an old man, Ying Xiaoxiao and the tea stall old man from the Qingzhou road.

"If I'm not mistaken, he seems to be playing..." the tea stall old man said softly with a wry smile.

Ying Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes slightly, "I know, but isn't he supposed to be cultivating?"

She watched the lake-side youth, seemingly a carefree hermit, sipping tea, playing Go, and leisurely fishing, with no intention of practicing swordplay or martial arts.

Was this the daily routine of that peerless genius?

Occasional relaxation was fine, but it seemed that during the time they had been following him, they hadn't seen him cultivate once.

"He was able to slay a Dao Law Realm Buddhist Master while at the Peaceful Dao Realm. Although that Buddhist Master's fusion of Buddha and Demon had some flaws, a forced combination, he was still a Dao Law Realm cultivator. He's probably comprehending the Dao..."

The tea stall old man's eyes flickered as he spoke softly.

They had been following him, and when Li Hao had slain the Buddhist Master, they had been watching from a distance, witnessing the battle.

"Comprehending the Dao..."

Ying Xiaoxiao pondered. Indeed, with the young man's current strength, he had likely reached the peak of the Peaceful Dao Realm. By comprehending his own Dao, he could step into the Hearing Dao Realm.

"But his method of comprehending the Dao is truly peculiar."

Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes flickered. She had seen many talented individuals cultivate and comprehend the Dao, but most either sought secluded caves to retreat or experienced the trials of the mortal world. Unlike this young man, who didn't immerse himself in the mortal world but spent his days leisurely with those close to him.

By the lake, Li Hao's eyes lit up.

The line in his hand tightened quickly. The playful fish demon from before was being hunted by a large demon, which had bitten it.

Hooked.

Li Hao pulled sharply, the lake water splashing. The large demon was startled and tried to spit out the small fish demon, but Li Hao's line had already pierced its body like a spiritual needle, pulling it directly out of the lake.

Fishing Dao Experience +68.

The demon was at the Heavenly Human Realm. Upon seeing the youth on the shore, it roared, "You ignorant brat, dare to fish for your grandpa? Die!"

Before it could finish speaking, it died.

The fishing line rapidly darted through its body, severing its meridians and bones. It also triggered the 1% lethal attribute, causing the demon's eyes to widen in terror before dimming.

Li Hao casually flicked his wrist, sending the demon to the shore and storing it in his spatial ring.

He had secured his lunch – grilled fish.

Li Hao cast his fishing line again, extending it further into the lake, several thousand meters away.

Using the same method, he found a small fish demon as bait and patiently waited.

Although with his current strength, he could easily stir up the lake, drain it, and kill all the demons within, it would ruin the fun of fishing.

He took a sip of tea and placed a Go stone. Seeing Xi Yan tilting her head, seemingly in thought, Li Hao smiled faintly. His gaze drifted to the distance, towards the tranquil blue sky and floating white clouds. The clouds seemed to form a Go board, each cloud like a piece.

He was lost in contemplation, gaining insights.

Mountains and rivers, following the laws of nature, were like the horizontal and vertical lines on a Go board.

The concept of "grand strategy" originated from this small Go board.

Mountains and rivers as the board, creatures as the pieces...

When Li Hao's gaze fell on the lake's surface, the vast expanse of water, rippling in the gentle breeze, also seemed to transform into a vast Go board.

In the deep waters of the lake, demons swam, like pieces wandering within the grid, forming their own formations.

"Go..."

His previous game with the Emperor had given Li Hao a deeper understanding of Go Dao, and now, he seemed to have taken another step forward, touching a new level of mental state.

…

…

Several days later.

Outside Tianmen Pass, a snow-white figure sped towards the city.

His body shimmered with Daoist light, his presence subtle. He flew through the air, yet no one could see him.

Reaching the city's edge, he stopped, gazing at the city with its fluttering flags. The two characters on the flags caused a glint of killing intent to appear in his usually calm eyes.

It was this suddenly emerged monstrous youth who had thwarted his plans, leaving him in a precarious situation, on the verge of exposure, inviting others to compete for his gains.

"Slaying the Buddhist Master, even if he has the strength of the Dao Law Realm, he must die!"

The visitor was the Holy Son. His eyes were cold. Although he was also at the Dao Law Realm, he had cultivated under the Saint since childhood and possessed knowledge far beyond the Dao Law Realm cultivators here. It was divine ability.

It transcended the realm of martial arts techniques, embodying extraordinary abilities that contained the ultimate principles of the Dao.

He used his divine sense to scan the entire city, quickly locating a small fenced courtyard.

In the courtyard's open space, a young man was peeling fish skin, with a red-whiskered vine demon building a fire nearby.

A girl was practicing swordplay, and another disheveled fellow was guiding her, occasionally getting frustrated and correcting her movements.

The strange scene caused him to pause, wondering if he had come to the wrong place.

But judging from the city's layout, the courtyard was clearly in the center, heavily guarded. The people in the courtyard all possessed cultivation, and the demon building the fire was a Fourth Realm Demon King.

Only the young man's aura was subtle, and he couldn't see through it.

Without a doubt, the young man was his target.

Just as he was about to make his move, his gaze shifted to a teahouse not far from the courtyard.

By the teahouse window, two figures, an old man and a young woman, looked towards him.

The Holy Son's expression changed slightly. Were there other experts?

The next moment, the old man suddenly vanished from his spot.

Then, with several consecutive flashes, the tea stall old man appeared in the high sky outside the city. The two stood not far above the city, but the guards on the walls seemed unable to see them.

"Saint's Bloodline..."

The tea stall old man looked at the Holy Son, his eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.

The Holy Son, upon sensing the aura the old man exuded upon appearing, his pupils constricted in shock, exclaiming in horror:

"Demon Race?!"

Hearing his words, the tea stall old man's lips curled into a sneer, scoffing,

"Are you here for us, or for that young man?"

The Holy Son was slightly stunned to see a Demon Race member appear, and in this place.

He quickly recalled the legends about the Demon Race. They seemed to be able to sense the arrival of calamities. Whenever there was war, Demon Race members would appear, causing more bloodshed and disaster.

Moreover, the Demon Race was known for its brutality and ability to suppress incense offerings, a different and cruel method of cultivation.

"Hmm?"

The tea stall old man casually looked at him, his eyes gradually narrowing, filled with killing intent.

The Holy Son felt the subtle aura emanating from the old man, his heart filled with anger and shock. Was this Demon Race member also at the Dao Law Realm?

How could a Demon Race member be spying on this small Great Yu!

He was furious. He had thought dealing with a monstrous youth would be troublesome enough, but now there was a Demon Race member as well. His plans were completely ruined.

"So you're colluding... very good!"

The Holy Son gritted his teeth slightly, not lingering, and quickly turned to retreat.

But the tea stall old man wouldn't let him leave so easily. He pursued relentlessly, and the two quickly flew several thousand miles away.

"How dare you!"

The Holy Son was enraged. He wanted to leave, yet someone dared to stop him?

With a loud bang, the two exchanged a palm strike. The terrifying Daoist power rippled, and a series of sharp sounds, imperceptible to ordinary people, echoed through the air.

"You're ruthless, I'll remember this!"

The Holy Son struck out with a palm, not intending to fight for long. He used the force to propel himself forward and flee rapidly.

Besides this old man, there was also the young woman and the young man. He didn't want to make too much noise and attract them all.

The tea stall old man glanced at him and didn't pursue further. He raised his eyebrows, let out a scoff, and watched for a moment until the Holy Son disappeared without a trace before turning back.

Returning to Cangya City, the tea stall old man went back to the teahouse and briefly explained the situation to his young mistress.

"No wonder those demons were so bold. It turns out the Saint Clan has noticed the incense offerings here..."

Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes narrowed slightly, a little surprised, but not entirely unexpected.

The Saint Clan cultivated using incense offerings, so their covetousness of the incense here was normal.

"However, it's none of our business. If they provoke us, we'll kill them. After all, the grudges between our ancestors haven't been settled yet..."

Ying Xiaoxiao's voice turned cold.

The tea stall old man nodded slightly, took a sip of tea, and felt a slight burning sensation in his palm.

That young man from the Saint Clan seemed to have some skills...

As the two were eating and drinking, a young man's voice reached their ears.

"Both of you, would you like to come over and sit for a while?"

Ying Xiaoxiao and the tea stall old man exchanged glances, recognizing the young man's voice.

The tea stall old man's earlier actions had caused a fluctuation in his aura, which the young man had clearly sensed.

"Miss," the tea stall old man looked at Ying Xiaoxiao.

Although they weren't afraid of the young man, their clan preferred to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

"It's fine."

Ying Xiaoxiao waved her hand slightly. The golden bell on her wrist jingled, attracting the attention of those at nearby tables. What a beautiful girl...

But the eyes that had been secretly peeking widened in shock as they saw the old man and young woman disappear right before their eyes.

What the heck!

In front of the courtyard, the old man and young woman appeared.

The guards at the entrance didn't stop them, and the two entered the courtyard.

"It smells so good."

Seeing the grilled fish on the fire, Ying Xiaoxiao's nose twitched slightly, her eyes gleaming.

Li Hao saw the old man and young woman and immediately recognized them as the two from the road.

He had felt like he was being followed for a while, but he couldn't detect them. It was only when he sensed the fluctuation from the small teahouse that he realized his feeling was correct – he was indeed being followed.

"Aren't you selling buns anymore, Senior?"

Li Hao looked at the tea stall old man with a teasing smile.

Hearing Li Hao's words, the old man's face flushed slightly. He coughed lightly and said,

"I've earned enough money, so I brought my granddaughter out to play."

Li Hao chuckled, not bothering to delve deeper. He simply said, "You've been following me for quite a while, haven't you? What brings you here?"

Ying Xiaoxiao withdrew her gaze from the grilled fish on the fire. With bright eyes and a radiant smile, she said softly:

"Nothing much, I just feel that interesting things happen when I'm around you, so I followed."

What kind of excuse was that? Li Hao raised an eyebrow, but seeing her clear, bright eyes, devoid of any impurities, and her frankness, he felt that she wasn't lying. Otherwise, the excuse was too far-fetched.

"So, what interesting things have you seen?"

Li Hao asked.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 291: The Path of Extreme Dao to Sainthood

"I just saw a Saint Clan member, it seems they were looking for trouble with you. Don't you think that's interesting?" Ying Xiaoxiao chuckled lightly.

Li Hao raised an eyebrow. The commotion from the small teahouse had subsided, and two more disturbances could be sensed outside the city, chasing each other away. He naturally noticed them.

The Ancient Saint Clans? Li Hao's eyes flickered. Thinking of the Ji Family and the other Saint Clans of the Wild Heaven, his mind raced, and he asked:

"Did you scare them off?"

"Sort of."

Ying Xiaoxiao smiled, "Aren't you going to invite us to sit down? We haven't eaten either."

As she spoke, she glanced at the fish grilling over the fire.

"Please, have a seat."

Seeing that they had no ill intentions, Li Hao invited them to sit down, saying, "Were those Saint Clan members looking for trouble with you two, or with me?"

"Naturally, it was you they were after," Ying Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and smiled, "They wouldn't dare to bother us."

"Are you two also from the Ancient Saint Clans?"

"You guessed right."

Ying Xiaoxiao was slightly surprised, then said helplessly.

Li Hao glanced at her, feeling that the girl's acting was a bit exaggerated.

But besides the Ancient Saint Clans, he couldn't think of any other possibilities for now.

The two of them had restrained their auras, and he couldn't discern their specific details. But the inability to discern meant that he had, in a way, discerned something.

Clearly, both of them possessed terrifying strength, most likely Dao Comprehension Realm cultivators.

"How about I draw a portrait for you two?"

Li Hao suddenly said.

Ying Xiaoxiao looked at the drawing board beside him, interested, "You really know how to draw? If it's too ugly, I'll tear it up."

"Guaranteed to be beautiful."

Li Hao replied.

The old man running the tea stall said, "Draw me first."

He's still a seasoned veteran, cautious as ever... Li Hao thought to himself, readily agreeing.

The old man was clearly a bit wary. He had heard of small demons using drawing to summon souls and other demonic arts. While it wouldn't be effective against them in the Dao Comprehension Realm, there might be other strange tricks.

After he settled into a seated position, Li Hao prepared the ink and quickly began to draw.

Not long after, a lifelike portrait was sketched.

Drawing Experience +18790

Upon seeing the prompt on the drawing board, Li Hao was momentarily stunned, then secretly took a deep breath.

Wow, just wow!

Drawing a single portrait yielded nearly twenty thousand experience points!

His current Drawing attribute:

Drawing Seventh-Dan: (38279/500000)

He needed five hundred thousand experience points to reach the eighth-dan.

While it was a matter of accumulating experience through continuous drawing, the speed would definitely be much faster than simply cultivating. But to accumulate five hundred thousand experience points, it would take at least half a year.

After all, even if he drew ordinary landscapes with exceptional artistic skill, he would only receive a symbolic few experience points. Only by drawing things imbued with Dao rhyme or powerful beings could he gain a significant amount of experience.

"Finished?"

The old man asked.

Li Hao snapped out of his daze, handing him the drawing. When his gaze fell upon the two of them, they resembled two experience point treasure chests.

"Hmm, not bad indeed."

Ying Xiaoxiao leaned over to take a look, a little surprised. She could tell that it wasn't a simple replication, but rather possessed a certain ethereal quality.

The old man looked at it for a moment and was also very satisfied. At the same time, he secretly checked his own state, confirming that he hadn't been subjected to any strange attacks like curses, soul-summoning, or hidden rules during the process, before finally relaxing.

"Want one for you too?"

Li Hao turned to the girl.

Seeing that the old man didn't object, Ying Xiaoxiao readily nodded.

Soon, Li Hao focused intently on drawing again.

Drawing Experience +15832

Tsk!

Li Hao was surprised. This girl was indeed extraordinary, fifteen thousand experience points. Drawing ten times, even if the experience gained decreased with each subsequent drawing, he could still receive about one hundred thousand experience points in total.

If he really went all out and drew hundreds of portraits, completely draining them, he could get at least two hundred thousand experience points.

Adding the old man's... the two of them could contribute close to five hundred thousand!

With them, he could fill the gap to reach the eighth-dan in Drawing.

After the Emperor left, he was too preoccupied with discussing serious matters to exploit the opportunity. Next time he had the chance, he would go find the Emperor and the Qian Dao Palace expert to draw some portraits. He should be able to get another four to five hundred thousand experience points. At that time, he could directly boost his experience towards the ninth-dan by half.

Tsk... Li Hao was increasingly pleased with the thought. Then, he suddenly remembered that they had just chased away a Saint Clan member, hadn't they just missed an experience point package?

"Are you done?" Ying Xiaoxiao saw Li Hao stop and immediately asked.

Li Hao nodded and handed her the portrait of the girl.

In the painting, the girl's azure blue clothes fluttered, the golden bells on her wrists seemed to sway in the wind, her ink-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her bright eyes and pearly white teeth were breathtakingly beautiful.

Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes sparkled with fascination as she carefully examined it. Then, she said to Li Hao, "Can I have this?"

"Of course."

Ying Xiaoxiao's face lit up with joy, "I'll treasure it."

Li Hao smiled, "If you like, I can draw more for you, in different poses... like walking, picking flowers, and so on."

"Okay." Ying Xiaoxiao readily agreed.

Li Hao chuckled inwardly and immediately started drawing the second portrait.

Based on the experience he gained, Li Hao could roughly estimate that the two of them were likely Dao Comprehension Realm cultivators. After all, when he drew the Candlelight God, he didn't receive such a generous amount of experience.

And two Dao Comprehension Realm cultivators appearing here for no reason, claiming to be from the Ancient Saint Clans... who are they trying to fool?

He had visited the Ji Family before. Among the Ancient Saint Clans, the Ji Family wasn't considered a particularly declining clan. Dao Comprehension Realm cultivators were already considered war god-level figures within the clan, with only two or three in the entire clan. Other Ancient Saint Clans, even if their numbers doubled, wouldn't have the leisure to track him here.

However, besides the Ancient Saint Clans, what other forces could there be?

Li Hao was curious. Perhaps he would have to ask the Emperor to find out. His current understanding was limited to the information that the Divine General's Mansion could gather, and it didn't include the hidden secrets that only family dragons could access.

"Master, the grilled fish is almost ready. Shall we eat first and then draw?"

Ren Qianqian came over and asked.

Li Hao nodded, finished the portrait in front of him, and then invited the old man and the girl to have a meal together.

Ying Xiaoxiao readily agreed. The old man wanted to stop them, but it was too late. He could only secretly transmit a voice message, "Miss, we're not that familiar yet."

"Don't worry, I have an iron stomach. I can digest poison."

Ying Xiaoxiao's response almost made the old man spit blood. He could only smile wryly and follow the girl's lead.

However, when it came time to eat, he was faster than Ying Xiaoxiao, grabbing the piece of fish that Li Hao offered him and quickly swallowing it.

After confirming that it was not poisonous, he wanted to tell the girl that it was safe to eat, but he saw that Ying Xiaoxiao was already eating with gusto, not exactly lacking in ladylike manners, but not exactly possessing them either.

The old man secretly smiled wryly. Seeing Li Hao eating and drinking carelessly, he felt that he had been too tense.

If the girl wasn't around, he wouldn't mind, but with her presence, he found himself constantly on edge.

As they enjoyed the grilled fish, they chatted casually, transitioning from food and drink to cultivation.

The topic of cultivation was initiated by Jiang Lichun, quickly moving from Dao Domains to the Dao Comprehension Realm and the existence of Saint Realm cultivators.

Li Hao just listened, while Jiang Lichun discussed the path to Sainthood with Ying Xiaoxiao.

Having witnessed the Buddha attempting to leap from the Great Peace Dao Realm to Sainthood in a single step, Jiang Lichun also harbored such ambitions.

"There are three paths to Sainthood: the Incense Path, the Sacrificial Dao Path, and the Extreme Dao Path!"

Ying Xiaoxiao, treating Jiang Lichun as one of Li Hao's companions, explained, "You want to take the Sacrificial Dao Path, which is the most difficult and relies heavily on comprehension."

Jiang Lichun hummed lightly while eating, "I like to challenge the hardest things. When my Sword Dao reaches its peak, I will sacrifice my sword to become a Saint, and I will surely be able to slay everything in the world!"

"..."

After chatting for a few more sentences, Ying Xiaoxiao felt that the old man's brain might not be functioning properly. She stopped paying attention to him and turned to Li Hao:

"Which path are you planning to take?"

While listening to their conversation, Li Hao had already understood the differences between the three paths.

The Incense Path was the most mainstream path to Sainthood. Basically, nine out of ten Saints chose this path.

The second path was the most difficult, the Sacrificial Dao Path, the one Jiang Lichun knew about.

Cultivating the Dao to its peak and sacrificing it to become a Saint, transcending through the Dao.

No need to rely on incense, relying on the Sacrificial Dao to overcome the Three Calamities of Sainthood!

This path valued comprehension above all else!

And the required comprehension was incredibly terrifying, beyond the ordinary. After all, what kind of comprehension could match the power of countless incense offerings?

This was the most arduous path, and no one would choose it. Compared to spending their brains on this path, it was more efficient to ponder how to gather incense offerings.

It's like the difference between getting into Tsinghua or Peking University and earning a million dollars.

If you want to earn a million dollars, with enough effort and luck, you can accumulate it in a few decades.

If it's not enough, find some connections, borrow some money from your parents, and you're almost there.

But getting into Tsinghua or Peking University... that's not something you can achieve just through hard work.

If you don't have the brains, no matter how much you study, it's useless.

Unless you're reincarnated and get a new brain.

The Incense Path was like that. Basically, those who reach the Dao Comprehension Realm are all prodigies, and no one would think that their comprehension is poor. But on the Sacrificial Dao Path, countless people have failed throughout history.

Therefore, it gradually became a path that no one chose. Occasionally, there would be some stubborn individuals, but besides wasting their time, they didn't achieve anything significant.

Thus, the Incense Path gradually became the main path. After all, who among Dao Comprehension Realm cultivators doesn't have some connections? Borrow here and there, accumulate, gather, and you can barely manage.

If it's not enough, you can only rely on time to grind it out.

Although incense offerings are always scarce, like money, there's always a glimmer of hope if you put in the effort.

Besides these two paths to Sainthood, the third one, as Ying Xiaoxiao mentioned, the Extreme Dao Path, was a somewhat sinister method.

Similar to the Incense Path, but instead of gathering incense power, the Extreme Dao Path gathered negative energies like resentment and killing intent.

Compared to being praised, being feared seemed simpler, especially when you have the power.

This path suited Jiang Lichun's reckless nature, but unfortunately, he was too stubborn and fixated on the Sword Dao.

However, according to Ying Xiaoxiao, this secret technique was only usable by their clan, and the specific control methods were not passed down. Moreover, even if outsiders learned it, they wouldn't be able to use it because their physical conditions wouldn't meet the requirements.

"I... I'll see when the time comes."

In response to Ying Xiaoxiao's question, Li Hao thought for a moment and replied.

According to her, he could choose between the Incense Path and the Sacrificial Dao Path.

Li Hao hadn't reached the Dao Comprehension Realm yet, and he could only wait until his attributes were enhanced through panel upgrades to see what happened.

He felt that, based on the panel upgrade route, he might be destined for the Sacrificial Dao Path.

Becoming a Saint through his physical body!

During their casual conversation, their relationship deepened. Although Jiang Lichun acted crazy, after chatting with Ying Xiaoxiao and the others, he secretly transmitted a voice message to Li Hao:

"They might be demons. Be careful."

"Demons?"

"That's right. The Extreme Dao Path to Sainthood is a long-lost method, and it's the most evil one. Once it's discovered by a Saint, it will surely bring great disaster."

Li Hao was a little surprised. He didn't expect this crazy Jiang to know so much. As expected of someone from a royal family.

"However, whether it's demons or gods, there's no difference. At least they don't seem to have any ill intentions towards us," Li Hao replied through voice transmission.

Jiang Lichun thought for a moment and replied, "That's true."

Then, he went to find Ren Qianqian and teach her swordsmanship.

Li Hao, having finished his meal, continued to draw portraits for Ying Xiaoxiao and the others, his Drawing experience increasing rapidly.

Time passed quickly.

The small courtyard now had an old man and a girl as residents.

The courtyard wasn't big, and everyone seemed to have their own entertainment.

Two days later, Li Hao received news from the Imperial City – the Wang family had information about Old Feng!

After reading the message, Li Hao became excited. Old Feng's missing soul was indeed in the Nether Rivers.

"Qianqian, practice your swordsmanship well in the courtyard. Ninth Prince, I'm going to the Wang family. Do you want to come along?"

"The Wang family? No way."

Jiang Lichun waved his hand impatiently, "Go quickly and come back quickly. I'll take over teaching your little disciple."

"She's not my disciple."

"What's the difference? Go on."

"..."

Li Hao then turned to Ying Xiaoxiao and the old man. He now knew the old man's name, though he wasn't sure if it was real or not. His name was Ying Lichong.

"Are you two coming with me?"

Ying Lichong looked at the eager Ying Xiaoxiao and shook his head, "Miss, the Wang family is surrounded by Nether Rivers. Let's not go and cause trouble."

Ying Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, "Okay, we'll wait for you to come back here."

"Alright, then please take care of Old Feng for me, along with the Ninth Prince."

Li Hao nodded. Although they had only met recently, a cup of wine between friends, acquaintance doesn't need to be long.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 292: Are You Chong Er?

Bidding farewell to the others, Li Hao took Candlelight God and Xi Yan with him to the Wang Family in Yunzhou.

They chased the wind and moon, traversing mountains, rivers, and lakes. Even though they were traveling in a straight line, they still had to cross six or seven large states, a distance of nearly a million li.

But this time, Li Hao wasn't in the mood to experience the local customs or enjoy the scenery along the way. He was simply rushing to his destination.

Candlelight God galloped forward, his hooves leaving trails of flame that tore through the sky. A day later, they reached the borders of Yunzhou.

Yunzhou was home to numerous forces and martial arts sects, all of which were secretly connected to the Wang Family. After the Wang Family's military authority was stripped in the Imperial Capital, their influence extended into these martial arts forces, using the sects as a facade to train soldiers. If demons ever invaded Yunzhou, they would face a united front.

The seemingly scattered martial arts sects were equipped with exceptionally refined armor and weapons, enough to deter any demonic invasion.

Whether the old man in the Imperial Capital turned a blind eye to this was unclear.

Candlelight God descended and landed outside the Wang Family's God General's Mansion.

This magnificent and imposing God General's Mansion was located in the heart of Yunzhou City, exuding an aura of absolute dominance. The words "Heavenly Illumination God General's Mansion" were inscribed on the entrance, gleaming with golden light, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.

Seeing the demonic aura emanating from Candlelight God, the guards outside the mansion were startled, but they quickly realized something and rushed inside to report.

The news sent shockwaves through the Heavenly Illumination God General's Mansion.

The Heavenly Emperor General, who was millions of li away, had actually come to Yunzhou!

Everyone was extremely curious about this young general who had recently stirred up so much turmoil. He was too young, only sixteen years old, yet he had already achieved countless military feats and accomplished what many veteran generals could only dream of.

Just hearing his name was enough to spark excitement and curiosity.

The young man had already become shrouded in a mythical aura.

"Is it true? The Heavenly Emperor General is actually here at our Wang Family?"

"My father said he's never seen the general in the Imperial Court. Despite his numerous honors, he's never attended court!"

"Why would he come here?"

"I heard it's because of the Death River."

"The Death River? Now that's interesting. Is he coming to learn from our Wang Family? Has he set his sights on the treasures in the Virtue Treasury?"

"What else could it be? Who wouldn't covet the Virtue Treasury? If it weren't for the Virtue Treasury, I wouldn't even know that there was such a thing as the Ultimate Realm in martial arts."

"Let's go, let's go, let's go see for ourselves."

Many of the younger generation of the Wang Family were excited and thrilled.

In the current Great Yu Dynasty, transitioning from prosperity to decline, from peace to chaos, the name Heavenly Emperor had emerged from nowhere. In just two years, it had been mentioned countless times, causing even the proud young masters of the God General's Mansion to put aside their arrogance and become incredibly curious about the young man.

If the gap between them wasn't so vast, they might have tried to show off and compete. But the difference between them and the young man was too great. Even their usually revered grandfathers and uncles were far inferior to him, causing their peers to lose any desire to compete with him.

Meanwhile, the head of the Wang Family, Wang Yongzhi, who looked to be in his forties, had already led numerous influential members of his generation to greet Li Hao outside the mansion.

Although the reception was grand, Wang Yongzhi was a shrewd man. He had observed the young man's extraordinary abilities during the Buddhist incident, finding him both remarkable and frightening, not someone the Wang Family could afford to treat with arrogance.

Soon, at the entrance of the God General's Mansion, everyone saw the young man seated on the fiery back of Candlelight God.

The young man was fair-skinned and handsome, with deep, dark eyes as clear as jade. He didn't exude the arrogance and self-importance they had expected, but rather a sense of composure and depth, a solitary and ethereal aura as if he were sitting atop a mountain peak.

Wang Yongzhi's eyes grew serious, but his face broke into a smile as he bowed and said,

"You must be the Heavenly Emperor General. We haven't met before, but your name is renowned, like thunder in our ears!"

"Head of the Wang Family?"

Li Hao noticed that Wang Yongzhi was standing in the center, a gesture of respect. He hopped off the back of the miniature Candlelight God, who had shrunk to a human-like form, and returned a slight bow.

As soon as Li Hao dismounted, Candlelight God transformed into a ball of flame, from which a young man emerged, his eyes cold and sharp as he stood behind Li Hao.

Beside Wang Yongzhi, two elderly members of the Wang Family had serious expressions, a chill running down their spines.

Although they had heard rumors, seeing the ruler of the Vast Void Realm so obediently subdued by Li Hao was still shocking.

Since the Battle of Liangzhou, this Vast Void Realm master had revealed his power, being a Half-Step Dao Realm existence.

Within the various God General's Mansions, he was considered a top-tier combatant. Yet, he was now being ridden like a mount by the young man.

"Greetings, Heavenly Emperor General."

Numerous influential members of the Wang Family also bowed to Li Hao, extremely polite.

After all, in terms of achievements and titles, although they were older, they were a few steps behind this young man.

"Heavenly Emperor General, please."

Wang Yongzhi extended a warm invitation to Li Hao, and the others also displayed an unusual degree of humility.

When they first heard that Li Hao had killed the Buddha, they were surprised, but it wasn't enough to make them so humble and fawning. However, as the incident unfolded and more detailed information was relayed, along with secret reports from spies planted among the Buddhist disciples, it was suspected that the Buddha had been killed by Li Hao after reaching the Dao Hearing Realm.

This news was rather frightening.

After all, the Buddha had always displayed the power of the Peaceful Dao Realm.

While this was enough to intimidate the surrounding areas, compared to the Wang Family's accumulated resources and the monstrous talents who had entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago, they were polite to the Buddha, but not reverent.

The Peaceful Dao Realm, the Wang Family had one too.

Most God General's Mansions had trump cards capable of countering the Peaceful Dao Realm.

The Li Family, apart from Li Tianzong, who had fallen in Dragon City decades ago, had Li Mu Xiu rising later. Although only a Half-Step Dao Realm, with his Invincible Fist's Dao Domain, he could still fight a Dao Realm head-on.

If they also counted the monstrous talents from the Immortal Gate who would return in the future, they would undoubtedly be no less formidable.

But the Dao Hearing Realm was different. It was the strongest realm below the Saint.

The True Person of the Qian Dao Palace deterred surrounding demons because the power he displayed was already at the Dao Hearing Realm.

And no one had ever seen him unleash his full power, so no one knew how many hidden abilities he possessed.

Now, Li Hao could kill the Buddha, indicating that his own strength was already incredibly terrifying. The Emperor had even issued an imperial edict in his favor, revealing various royal resources, the reasons behind which were even more terrifying, inspiring awe for the young man.

Entering the main hall of the Wang Family's palace.

Li Hao exchanged a few pleasantries before eagerly asking,

"Head of the Wang Family, you said you've found the soul of Old Master Feng Bo Ping?"

Hearing Li Hao's address for Feng Bo Ping, Wang Yongzhi thought of how the latter had killed the Buddha in anger for the sake of the Thief Saint, and felt a sense of emotion. He said,

"Heavenly Emperor General, there's no need to rush. The Emperor has already informed me. The Thief Saint's soul may be incomplete, and his obsession isn't deep. He's currently trapped in a Death River of the Netherworld level."

"When we found him, I had my second uncle, Wang Zhen Dong, personally attempt to clear the path."

Netherworld level?

Li Hao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't a Underworld level, it was fine.

Clearing the Dragon City Death River had nearly cost him his life.

Even with his current Peaceful Dao Realm strength, he wouldn't dare say he was confident in clearing other Underworld level Death Rivers, as each Underworld level Death River had different rules.

Although his Dao Domain could suppress the rules, even if he ignored the Underworld level Death River's rules, if he couldn't find a way, he could only destroy the Death River, not clear it.

"Can I give it a try?"

Li Hao asked.

Although a Netherworld level Death River was relatively easier, clearing it and suppressing it were two different things, requiring ingenuity.

Li Hao wasn't confident in clearing it, but he figured that multiple attempts might work.

As long as the Death River wasn't destroyed and disappeared, he could try to conquer it again and again.

"You?"

Hearing Li Hao's words, Wang Yongzhi was stunned, surprised but not entirely unexpected. He smiled and said,

"Heavenly Emperor General, do you not trust our Wang Family? Rest assured, we will not just go through the motions. Although the Thief Saint has a notorious reputation, we Wang Family don't dislike him. After all, he's helped us resolve quite a few Death Rivers in the past."

"Hmm?"

Li Hao looked at his candid smile, slightly surprised. He suddenly remembered that when he first entered the Death River and checked the Virtue Ranking, he had seen Feng Lao's virtue.

Over three thousand points, ranking in the thirties.

And the Sword Saint from the Sword Pavilion was only in the eighties or nineties. At that time, resolving Death Rivers didn't have any rewards, it was purely out of love for the cause.

"You know his Death River name?"

Li Hao was surprised.

"No-Stay, right? As the saying goes, a thief doesn't leave empty-handed, a thief doesn't leave a name. A Thief Saint, Saint No-Stay, we've known it was him for a long time."

Wang Yongzhi chuckled, then sighed softly,

"How can one easily define good and evil? Although the Thief Saint has visited our Wang Family, when he stole from us, we could only admit that our protection was inadequate. We also took the opportunity to weed out some corrupt officials. Heh, I don't care about the rest, but just because he's in the top fifty on the Virtue Ranking, we Wang Family respect him as a true man."

Li Hao looked at him intently, surprised by the head of the Wang Family's open-mindedness.

Then he thought back to the Virtue Ranking, where nearly twenty of the top thirty names were Wangs.

This was a heavy responsibility entrusted by the court, and it was also the Wang Family's wall of honor.

"But now, it's a good thing. Those Sword Saints and Blade Saints have all climbed into the top fifty. With the Virtue Treasury appearing, Death Rivers are no longer disasters, but treasures, haha."

Wang Yongzhi laughed, but a hint of sarcasm flickered in his eyes.

Before the Virtue Treasury existed, the titles of those Sword Saints and Blade Saints were mostly at the bottom of the ranking, some not even on the list at all.

Clearing Death Rivers? They might as well cultivate and comprehend.

Even if they did act, it was to slay demons and eliminate evil at the border.

Both were difficult tasks, but slaying demons could earn merits and titles.

Death Rivers were mysterious and complex, not only offering no benefits but also unknown dangers.

Slaying demons was much simpler.

In the past, the Wang Family had personally visited these powerful individuals, hoping they would help share the burden of high-level Death Rivers, offering valuable rewards, but no one was willing to listen. Even those who did were extremely demanding, making them grit their teeth in frustration.

Now, it was the other way around.

Precisely because they had experienced countless cold shoulders and disdain, they didn't hold any prejudice against Thief Saint Feng Bo Ping.

Reputation can deceive, but actions cannot.

Everyone has their own story.

Unless Feng Bo Ping knew that the Virtue Treasury would open in the future and positioned himself accordingly.

But that was impossible.

After all, it took one hundred thousand virtue to open the Virtue Treasury, and even the Wang Family, who had studied Death Rivers for hundreds of years, didn't know.

"With my second uncle taking action, Heavenly Emperor General, rest assured. If it doesn't work once, we can try twice, three times. Now, these Death Rivers will no longer be destroyed."

Wang Yongzhi told Li Hao.

Destruction would lead to disappearance, and clearing a Death River yielded a hundredfold reward. Now, Death Rivers of all sizes were scarce resources. Previously, no one responded to requests for destruction, but secretly destroying a Death River was now a crime. That's how times change.

"It's alright, there's strength in numbers, I can also try."

Li Hao said. Death Rivers could erode souls, and the longer one stayed inside, the more dangerous it became. Li Hao was worried that if he waited too long, even after rescuing Feng Lao's soul, it might face the risk of dissipation.

"Heavenly Emperor General, Death Rivers are not like slaying demons and eliminating evil. It's not that a higher realm guarantees success in clearing them. More often than not, it depends on experience and wit."

An elder beside him said indifferently.

This was Wang Zhen Ping, one of the older generation of the Wang Family and Wang Xiang Ru's father.

He remembered everything his daughter had said when she returned to her family, and with his grandchildren's complaints, he didn't have a good impression of the young man.

However, he also knew that the young man was no longer the same, that he was extremely powerful and had achieved numerous military feats, so he wouldn't provoke trouble.

What he said was the truth, and there was no fault to find.

"Yes, Heavenly Emperor General, although your strength is formidable, Death Rivers are very dangerous."

Others also chimed in, their expressions sincere.

Although he was extremely powerful, he was still very young. Death Rivers were different from slaying demons, far more difficult than military campaigns.

"It's fine, letting the Heavenly Emperor General try is also acceptable. Heavenly Emperor General, have you entered a Death River before?"

Wang Yongzhi, however, shook his head, not stopping him. He could see that Li Hao had deep feelings for the Thief Saint, otherwise, he wouldn't have killed the Buddha in anger. He knew that persuasion was futile. After all, the young man had traveled a long way, and it was unlikely that he had come just to exchange pleasantries.

"Once or twice." Li Hao said.

"The Heavenly Emperor General certainly has a kind heart."

Wang Yongzhi couldn't help but smile, developing a favorable impression of Li Hao:

"Before entering the Death River, I still need to explain the situation to the Heavenly Emperor General. You should understand it first."

"Okay."

Li Hao nodded. The Wang Family had studied Death Rivers for hundreds of years, and their understanding of them was certainly deeper than his.

Wang Yongzhi didn't waste any time. Naturally, he couldn't explain everything about the secrets of Death Rivers in one go. He only shared some of the more obscure customs and rules to prevent Li Hao from encountering unknown dangers.

After finishing, he took Li Hao out of the main hall.

Seeing that Li Hao was determined, the others didn't persuade him further. After all, gaining some experience wasn't a bad thing, especially since Death Rivers yielded virtue. Presumably, the Emperor would also give the resources of future Death Rivers to this general.

That virtue could be exchanged for the Ultimate Realm cultivation and various states of mind in the Virtue Treasury, which were extremely valuable.

Thinking of this, they couldn't help but feel envious, regretful, and wistful.

If he used the things in the Virtue Treasury, the young man might soar to even greater heights.

As Li Hao followed Wang Yongzhi and the others out of the main hall, the many young members of the Wang Family who had gathered outside became lively.

Some used their divine senses to look down from the sky, curiously observing.

"Is that the Heavenly Emperor General? He's talking to the Family Head and the others, and he looks so relaxed."

"Yeah, Grandpa Zhen Ping is there too, and he doesn't seem scared at all. When I'm in front of Grandpa Zhen Ping, my legs tremble."

"You coward, do you think the Heavenly Emperor General is like us? You probably don't know that Grandpa Zhen Ping, a powerful individual like him, isn't even enough for him to kill."

"Shh, Grandpa Zhen Ping is glaring at you."

"Miss, look, that's the Heavenly Emperor General, one of the two people you wanted to see most. Now you've finally seen him."

Outside the crowd, a woman with a frosty and misty aura gazed quietly, her maidservant holding an umbrella for her.

"The Heavenly Emperor General is so young. I wonder what that Chong Er fellow looks like. He must be an old geezer, right?"

"Don't talk nonsense, you've never seen him." The woman frowned and gently reprimanded her.

The maidservant giggled, unafraid, clearly accustomed to teasing her mistress.

Not long after, Wang Yongzhi and the others brought Li Hao to a secret location within the Heavenly Illumination God General's Mansion. The many young members of the Wang Family who had been watching from afar were kept at a distance, not daring to approach. This was a vital area of the Wang Family, not to be easily entered.

Before them was a mountain, seemingly hollowed out, extremely vast and empty.

The mountain resembled a pointed hat resting on the ground, with a beam of light shining down from the top, illuminating a dark, black sculpture.

"This is the Earth Store Bodhisattva."

Wang Yongzhi brought Li Hao here and said, "This strange object was brought back from a Death River by a distant ancestor of our Wang Family. Later, we studied and explored its uses. As long as we feed the clay from the Land God Temple outside the Death River into the mouth of this Earth Store Bodhisattva, we can directly connect to that Death River through the Bodhisattva."

"In other words, we can enter any Death River under the jurisdiction of our Wang Family from here."

Although the Earth Store Bodhisattva was strange and peculiar, it wasn't a major secret and had been reported to the Emperor.

Li Hao was somewhat surprised. He had long felt that Death Rivers were incredibly mysterious, but he never expected such a strange object to exist.

"Heavenly Emperor General, if you've entered Death Rivers before, you must have a Death River register, right?"

Wang Yongzhi smiled at Li Hao. "Just enter from here, choose the Death River you want to enter, there will be a Death River map on it, and I'll tell you which one it is."

Li Hao nodded, then followed Wang Yongzhi's instructions and stood before the half-man-tall Earth Store Bodhisattva.

The Earth Store Bodhisattva looked benevolent, but in the light and shadow, it also exuded a strange aura, its narrowed eyes seeming to mock.

Golden light emanated from Li Hao's palm, and the Death River golden paper fluttered out.

Then, the Earth Store Bodhisattva also glowed golden, and a booklet flew out, continuously turning its pages.

Li Hao's golden paper was drawn in and merged into the booklet. After a while, as if confirming his identity, the golden paper flew out of the booklet and returned to Li Hao.

Wang Yongzhi watched clearly. The golden paper hovering in front of Li Hao recorded Li Hao's Death River information.

His name, his Death River virtue, events, and so on.

When he saw the two simple characters on the golden paper, Wang Yongzhi was stunned, his heart pounding. "Are you Chong Er?!"

(End of Chapter)