Chapter 111: Asking the Grandmaster with All Things
The boundless might of the sword filled the skies above the Divine General Mansion!
The young man with the golden divine sword in hand resembled a deity of the sword, capable of commanding all swords to bow before him.
In the courtyard, Bian Ruxue tilted her head upward. The countless sword shadows reflected in her bright eyes left her momentarily dazed.
Such sword might, capable of shaking the heavens and earth, was something she had only seen wielded by her master.
Her master, however, was the Sword Saint, a pinnacle expert of the Fourth Pillar Realm, whose strength came from seeking the heart through the sword, an unparalleled force.
Yet Li Hao, at merely the Fifteen Li Realm, had already begun to exhibit such imposing sword power. His Sword Dao had caught up with her master’s footsteps and far surpassed her own comprehension!
Above the mansion, the guests who had left earlier now hovered over Qingzhou City, stopping to witness the fierce battle between father and son within the dazzling and majestic Divine General Mansion.
Their faces were filled with disbelief and shock.
They had thought the young scion of the Li family, who once killed the Boundless Buddhist Lord’s personal disciple with a single chopstick, was already unmatched among his peers and invincible in his realm.
Who could have anticipated that he had not even revealed his true strength?
The sword tide before them was the youth’s true killing move!
Had this sword technique been used during the True Dragon competition earlier, Li Qianfeng might not have needed to take the stage at all.
Even the few Grandmasters present felt an oppressive force pressing against them, making their hearts pound uncontrollably.
“That child...”
Jian Wudao stared blankly. In a matter of moments, his shock had grown again and again.
This youth, whose eyes bore no shadow of a sword, had reached such a terrifying level in the Sword Dao.
Could it be that this young man had achieved this mastery casually, without passion, or even without allowing the sword to truly enter his heart? Yet he still became the supreme master of the Sword Dao?
Jian Wudao refused to believe it, for it distorted his understanding of the art.
...
Amidst the concentrated sword tide above the Divine General Mansion, as Li Hao’s Heavenly Avatar wielded his sword, the surging tide swept down fiercely toward Li Tiangang.
It resembled a towering waterfall of sword shadows, crashing from the sky!
Li Tiangang’s pupils contracted, his heart trembling with astonishment. Though he was a blade user and had not trained in Boundless Sea, he knew that the final move of this sword technique was extremely difficult to master.
Yet Li Hao had mastered it.
As the terrifying sword energy descended toward him, Li Tiangang’s eyes flared with anger. Did this son of his truly intend to kill his father?
The divine soul above his head surged forth, and the blazing divine power of his blade erupted with divine radiance. He strode forward into the endless sword shadows.
The snow-white sword shadows crashed down like waves, but the blood-red figure stood tall like a blazing sun. Wherever the Divine Power Blade swept, the sword shadows disintegrated rapidly.
However, the sheer volume of the sword shadows was overwhelming, appearing endless and relentless in their assault.
Even the divine radiance of the Divine Power Blade was submerged.
“Break for me!!”
Li Tiangang roared in fury, unleashing his divine might!
This was a power only those at the Grandmaster Realm could wield. With his Three Immortals-level divine soul, the effect far surpassed that of an ordinary Grandmaster.
Like an emperor descending, his immense divine pressure burst forth in waves of sound energy, shattering the sword shadows in the sky inch by inch!
The strongest sword of the Boundless Sea was broken by the sheer roar of his divine might!
Under the suppression of this immense power, Li Hao’s face turned pale. His chest heaved as his blood surged uncontrollably, and fresh blood trickled from the corner of his lips.
In his vision, Li Tiangang resembled a divine king of heaven and earth, radiating an aura that made one instinctively wish to bow in reverence beneath the vast divine might.
But bow in reverence?!!
A ferocious glint of bloodthirst erupted in Li Hao’s eyes.
Had this been their first meeting as father and son, he might have willingly knelt before Li Tiangang with just a word.
A son kneels to his father!
He would kneel for their shared bloodline, kneel for the kindness Li Tiangang had shown him in slaying a Three-Thousand-Year-Old Great Demon during his youth to forge his blood foundation.
But now...
The bond between father and son had long been severed.
He would rather die in battle than kneel!
“Ahhhh!!!”
Li Hao roared toward the sky, his fury igniting like a raging flame. He let out a beast-like bellow, unleashing the unique trait of the Body Dao—Tiger Pressure!
Though he didn’t actually roar, his body emanated an invisible force, like a ferocious tiger escaping its cage. A tremor akin to a tiger’s roar rippled outward, clashing against the overwhelming divine might.
Li Tiangang’s eyes flashed with astonishment. Could this boy already command a semblance of divine might, the power of a Grandmaster?
Though its force was modest, it was still a clear sign of potential.
With a cold snort, Li Tiangang stepped forward, his divine soul gripping his blade tightly. His intention was clear—to utterly destroy Li Hao’s Heavenly Avatar and subdue him completely!
Realizing Tiger Pressure alone could not hold off the assault, Li Hao’s expression twisted with ferocity. He quickly summoned the many diagrams he had collected earlier.
After the battle in Cangyu City, he had obtained numerous famed paintings, though he hadn’t had time to integrate their properties.
These included the Thousand Mountain Bird Flight Diagram, the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox Diagram, the Kirin Steed Diagram, the Blood Sea Savage Flood Dragon Diagram, the Pan Mountain Diagram, and the Qiongqi Mountain Diagram!
With no time to deliberate over their individual traits, Li Hao hastily fused all of them into his Body Dao at once.
In that instant, a vast and unfathomable force seemed to transform his bones and muscles, reshaping his entire being.
A flood of information surged into his mind, detailing the unique traits granted by each diagram.
Among them, three diagrams granted effects similar to Tiger Pressure!
Blood filled Li Hao’s eyes as he activated the three diagrams one after another.
The Blood Sea Savage Flood Dragon Diagram!
A roar, like that of a dragon, erupted from within his body. The air around him seemed to turn crimson, and a faint image of a massive flood dragon coiled behind him!
The flood dragon’s shadow stretched over a hundred meters long, its body rolling and twisting as if swimming in a blood-red sea. It unleashed an ear-splitting roar at Li Tiangang, who emanated divine might.
The divine soul clad in golden radiance faltered momentarily under the flood dragon’s bellow but quickly pressed forward, its pace quickening.
Next came the second diagram’s trait.
The Pan Mountain Diagram!
A majestic and towering mountain appeared behind Li Hao, magnificent and imposing, suppressing all in its vicinity. His body now carried an aura of steadfastness and immovability.
“Hmph!”
Li Tiangang’s divine soul regarded the mountain coldly. Though internally impressed, he pressed forward relentlessly. A mountain? He had slain countless demons in Yanbei—what was a mountain to him? If there was a mountain, he would flatten it!
...
At this moment, a low, resonating sound like a bull’s bellow echoed through the battlefield.
A dark, shadowy figure emerged behind Li Hao, resembling a creature part tiger, part bull, with wings on its back. It descended atop the Pan Mountain, its gaze ferocious and bloodthirsty.
Its cruel, sinister eyes locked onto Li Tiangang, emanating an ancient aura of malevolence and savagery.
It was the mythical beast Qiongqi from the Great Wilderness Heaven!
Its presence carried the terrifying might of a true ancient beast!
Li Tiangang’s expression changed drastically. The blazing divine flames on his Divine Power Blade were extinguished, leaving only the gleaming surface of the blade.
With the addition of three sources of immense power, plus the initial Tiger Pressure, the youth standing at the center exuded a terrifying and untamed aura. His hair billowed despite the absence of wind, and it seemed as though hundreds of beasts encircled him. He stood as a king of the wilderness, radiating primal power and wildness!
Even Li Tiangang’s divine soul faltered, momentarily stunned by the overwhelming aura. This pressure was enough to make even a Grandmaster bow.
Was this truly his son?
At the Fifteen Li Realm, he could already contend with a Grandmaster!
Such talent was unparalleled, enough to shake the ages and fill any parent with pride.
But his untamable nature was a grave flaw!
Li Tiangang’s eyes grew colder, tinged with regret. Perhaps he should have taken Li Hao to Yanbei back then. Even if the journey was fraught with peril, keeping him close would have curbed this unrestrained wildness.
With this talent, how could Li Hao not shine across the world?
“Excellent, truly excellent. But you’ve chosen the wrong path!”
Li Tiangang took a deep breath, his gaze sharp and commanding.
Without hesitation, he grasped his blade tightly, unleashing a domineering slash!
The terrifying blade momentum formed a force so fierce that it seemed capable of splitting the entire Qinglian Courtyard—and even the Divine General Mansion itself—in two.
This power surpassed Li Hao’s earlier Boundless Sea Sword Technique by several magnitudes.
“Li Tiangang!”
Li Qingzheng’s expression darkened as he roared in protest.
But Li Tiangang ignored him, his blade targeting Li Hao’s divine soul directly.
The killing intent within the blade’s momentum was as cold as eternal ice, carrying an unstoppable might akin to the creation of the heavens and earth.
Li Hao’s face turned ashen. Despite the strength he had borrowed from three diagrams and Tiger Pressure, he couldn’t withstand this strike!
Without hesitation, Li Hao quickly fused his divine soul back into his body, aligning his soul and form, and activated his object manipulation ability at full speed to evade.
His body grew inexplicably light, a result of the augmentation from the Thousand Mountain Bird Flight Diagram and the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox Diagram, which greatly boosted his agility.
However, the slash was too swift. Even with all his might, Li Hao couldn’t completely evade it. The blade’s momentum suddenly accelerated as he dodged!
A sickening sound echoed as blood sprayed from Li Hao’s body. He was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing through several walls before finally coming to a stop.
The servants and maids in the courtyard stood frozen, staring at the battered, bloodied youth sprawled on the ground.
Li Hao struggled to his feet, coughing up blood, his face pale but his eyes filled with unyielding determination.
Without any hesitation, he turned and dashed toward the gates of the Divine General Mansion.
Though his heart burned with fury, the gap in strength was insurmountable. If he stayed, it would mean far more than just injuries—it would mean his death.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Li Tiangang’s enraged shout rang out as his figure, blazing with divine radiance, hurtled toward Li Hao like a meteor.
Li Hao didn’t even glance back. He pushed his object manipulation ability to its limits, focusing every ounce of energy on escape.
At a speed of forty li per breath, amplified further by the combined power of his Yin-Yang Dual Meridians, Li Hao’s movements accelerated by several more li.
This speed was already far beyond what the Fifteen Li Realm could typically achieve. Yet, the sound of pursuit behind him grew ever closer.
Li Tiangang, empowered by the ancestral blessings of the clan and his Three Immortals Realm cultivation, was far faster. Even though he was slightly injured, his pace remained unmatched.
With a thunderous boom, a palm strike descended, sending a shockwave through the air.
Li Hao was blasted out of the sky, crashing into the street below and smashing into a nearby building.
From the rubble, Li Hao clawed his way out, blood dripping from his wounds. Around him, civilians injured by the shockwave looked on in terror. But Li Hao had no time to concern himself with them.
As he emerged from the debris, his eyes fell on two figures nearby: Zhou Zheng and his father.
A tremor passed through Li Hao’s body as memories surged unbidden.
He recalled hearing Zhou Zheng’s father’s furious voice during a lesson:
“...I know my son is human, a proper and upright man! He is not some pest to spoil the lot!”
“...He may lack talent in martial arts, but that doesn’t make him unworthy of being called a man!”
“My son may only be at the Tongli Realm, but his pure heart and good nature are my pride. Who are you to insult him?!”
Li Hao coughed up blood as a faint, self-deprecating smile appeared on his face.
Strange. Why had the words of a stranger remained so vivid in his mind?
Had he harbored some hidden expectations deep in his heart?
Was it the power of shared bloodlines or the societal belief that fathers and sons should have a profound bond?
Or was it the memory of the gratitude he had felt as a child, when his father had slain a Three-Thousand-Year-Old Great Demon to build his foundation?
That kindness had once deeply moved him.
But now, that very kindness had brought him to the brink of ruin.
...
The fierce wind howled as a violent palm strike descended from above, threatening to shatter the ground itself.
Li Hao raised his head, the gale lashing against his face as he locked eyes with Li Tiangang’s cold, furious gaze. A mocking smile curled on his lips.
But he quickly turned, bolting into the distance with all his might.
He did not expect mercy. His life was his own to protect, and he would not die here.
“You won’t escape!”
Li Tiangang’s voice boomed with icy determination as he retracted his palm mid-strike, sparing the surrounding innocents.
Then, like a streaking comet, he gave chase.
...
The father and son raced through the long streets and skies, their clash hidden from the ordinary citizens below. Yet, the waves of murderous intent rolling through the air made countless onlookers tremble as they gazed upward.
With another loud crash, Li Hao was struck once more, sent hurtling into another building. He clawed his way out of the rubble, blood staining his lips, and hastily pulled out his personal interface.
Was there anything left to enhance himself?
Anything to secure his survival?
His eyes fell on a section of music diagrams. Without hesitation, he embedded several melodies into his movement techniques.
A flood of information streamed into his mind, filling it with sounds like phoenix cries and the gentle notes of a bamboo flute. Several new traits emerged as a result.
But a quick sweep of the options revealed no significant improvements to his speed or battle strength—nothing that could save his life.
He expanded his interface, scanning the dense list of cultivation techniques.
Li Hao had mastered a vast array of techniques, yet at this critical moment, none seemed capable of resolving his peril.
Above him, the overwhelming presence of Li Tiangang bore down once more, shrouding the heavens with divine power.
“Keep running! Why aren’t you running anymore?”
“Do you think you’re invincible because you can bully your brother and raise a blade against your father? Is this all you’re capable of?”
Li Tiangang’s eyes glinted with cold malice as his palm surged with divine energy and descended upon Li Hao.
Li Hao’s eyes burned with fury as he stared at the crushing palm. Summoning every ounce of strength, he unleashed Boundless Sea once more!
The vast sword might condensed, filling the space around him.
As the countless sword shadows gathered, Li Hao did not run again. He knew there was no escape.
Only a fight to the death remained.
The dazzling sword light illuminated his face, his expression suddenly calm.
The sea has the sky as its companion. What about me?
A hint of sorrow flickered across Li Hao’s heart, but his thoughts turned to those who had stood by him—like the little white fox who had risked its life for him, and Li Yuanzhao, who had always trusted him.
He also thought of Second Uncle, Elder Feng, and Fifth Uncle...
A faint smile appeared on his face. For the past ten years, he hadn’t completely failed—he still had a few people who understood him.
Resolve ignited in his eyes as he watched the sword shadows crumble beneath the divine might.
Though countless, the sword shadows could not withstand a single strike of divine power.
For years, he had amassed numerous cultivation techniques, yet none of them were truly his own path.
What was his path?
Where did he belong?
Li Hao recalled the anecdotes he had read recently in Tingyu Pavilion.
Most Grandmasters used the techniques of others as references or drew inspiration from the natural habits of beasts to create their own systems of cultivation.
A Grandmaster is their own teacher.
Without a master, they carve their own path. They are their own master along that path.
If that was the case, why cling to the forms of others’ techniques?
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Li Hao’s mind like a bolt of lightning. In an instant, he understood.
The countless techniques and frames he had learned faded from his thoughts, leaving only the essence of Sword Dao behind.
His energy naturally surged within his body, coursing through his meridians in a unique and profound pattern he had not previously noticed.
This energy seemed to seep into his vision, and faintly, he saw a gate appear within the heavens and earth.
It was the Heavenly Gate.
It was everywhere, not in the world around him, but within his heart!
Li Hao burst into laughter, his chest swelling with energy. With one swift motion, he kicked open the Heavenly Gate!
A mighty force erupted from within him, surging like a hurricane.
At this moment, Li Hao recalled the verse he had recited at the brothel:
“One day, the great roc rides the wind, soaring ninety thousand li into the skies!”
The opened Heavenly Gate seemed to lead to another realm. His body felt light and refreshed as though he had stepped into a brand-new world, emerging from deep waters to breathe fresh air for the first time.
His senses were heightened to an unimaginable degree, and he felt as though he could perceive even the tiniest speck of dust.
This newfound awareness brought an unparalleled sense of control over his body, allowing him to refine his techniques to the deepest levels.
As his understanding grew, previously locked information flowed into his consciousness like a flood.
In the wake of Boundless Sea, a new sword form appeared.
Boundless Sea: Other Shore!
With a resonant hum, the sword in Li Hao’s hand roared like a dragon, as if it had sensed his enlightenment. Its blade shone with an intense radiance.
These transformations took place in an instant. Within the realm of his mind, the flow of time operated differently. While countless thoughts raced within him, only a fleeting moment passed in reality.
When Li Hao raised his sword again, the new sword form materialized. The Other Shore emerged!
The descending figure of Li Tiangang, akin to a deity crushing demons, loomed overhead, his palm strike aiming directly at Li Hao.
Suddenly, a sword light slashed through the air, severing the distance between them.
This sword seemed to cut through the void itself, imbued with the power of some higher law!