Chapter 40: Prestige
“This is only natural.”
Li Yuanzhao furrowed his brows and said, “What, do you think I can’t handle it on my own? How about we go back and spar again? We didn’t settle things last time!”
Li Yun let out a cold snort. His sparring matches with Li Yuanzhao over the past two years had nearly always ended in a draw, with neither gaining the upper hand.
But in terms of age, he had slightly lost.
After all, the latter was a year younger than him.
In terms of Bone-Measuring Battle Body aptitude, he had also lost. He was ranked seventh, while his younger sister and Li Yuanzhao were both ranked eighth.
Thus, his words were not directed at Li Yuanzhao but at someone else—the one who, after gaining some maturity, he silently grew to resent.
Whenever he thought about how he was once soundly beaten by a good-for-nothing, Li Yun couldn’t help but fume inwardly. Fortunately, only the heavens, the earth, Li Hao, and himself knew about this matter.
...
Over the years, every time Li Yun saw Li Hao, his teeth practically itched with anger. If it weren’t for Li Hao always being accompanied by Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle, Li Yun wouldn’t have let go of any chance for revenge.
Li Yuanzhao noticed Li Yun glancing coldly in Li Hao’s direction. Despite his youth, he wasn’t foolish. Having been by Hao Ge’s side for years, he had heard all sorts of strange and wondrous tales—some involving gods, ghosts, and monsters, and others showcasing the cruelty of human nature. Though he couldn’t fully understand them yet, he was more mature than his peers.
For this reason, he caught on to Li Yun’s implications right away and had deliberately redirected the focus onto himself.
Seeing that Li Yun only dared to make veiled jabs, Li Yuanzhao couldn’t be bothered to press further, avoiding any unnecessary tension. Turning to Li Hao, he smiled and said, “Hao Ge, I heard that next year, Sister Xue’er will be returning.”
“Indeed.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Li Hao’s mouth.
“I heard from my master that the rules of the Sword Abode require reaching the Spiritual Wandering Realm before leaving the mountain. Could it be that Sister Xue’er is about to break through to the Spiritual Wandering Realm next year?” Li Yuanzhao asked curiously.
The Spiritual Wandering Realm was the Fourth Realm, a powerful level. Someone at this stage could delve into enemy lairs, slay demons, and eliminate evil. On the borderlands, they could carve out a bloody path and serve as captains in the military, second only to generals!
Next year, Bian Ruxue would only be fifteen years old.
Such progress placed her among the most outstanding individuals of the ninth-class battle body—a starting point for the finest geniuses. It marked the upper limit of Bone-Measuring aptitude!
Later opportunities, hard work, talent, and insight would only widen this gap further.
Hearing the name “Sister Xue’er,” Li Yun’s ears immediately perked up, and his gaze involuntarily drifted toward Li Hao.
The seed that had taken root in his young heart seemed to stir faintly again.
However, when he thought of the term Spiritual Wandering Realm, his expression grew visibly more sullen. Now that he understood the world better, he realized just how unattainable such a distance was.
“That’s correct.”
Li Hao nodded. At the Spiritual Wandering Realm, one had at least some guarantee of survival in the martial world.
Casting a glance at a shadow in the distance, whose expression was a mix of complexity, he couldn’t help but find it amusing. At the same time, he thought this kid deserved a good beating.
It had been too long since he’d been taught a lesson, and he still dared to think such thoughts.
“Achieving the Spiritual Wandering Realm at fifteen is truly impressive. If she comes to Tangong Academy, even the palace master would likely greet her in person and make her a direct disciple of the Inner Palace,” Li Yuanzhao sighed.
The few of them were only at the Zhoutian Realm, just shy of reaching the Soul Fusion Realm.
This trip to Tangong Academy was intended to use the ancient heroes of the Tangong to complete their soul fusion.
It was their mother’s instruction, though they didn’t know the exact reason.
“Her master is a Sword Saint, after all. You can’t compare,” Li Hao said, consoling them.
In truth, these boys were also geniuses. The reason they hadn’t joined any renowned sects was due to the unspoken rule among the direct descendants of the Li family: if one were to join a sect, it had to be under a master of the level of a Sword Saint as a direct disciple.
Otherwise, they would stay at the family estate to cultivate. Once their training reached a certain level, they would join the major powers, showcasing the might of the younger generation of the Li family.
This high standard applied only to the direct lineage. For the branch families, things were different. Like planting seeds far and wide, many had already joined various prestigious sects after laying their foundations, spreading the Li family’s name across numerous factions.
Even without their True Dragons, these branch descendants had already become rising stars in many second- and third-rate powers.
This was why the Li family commanded immense prestige in the martial world, not limited to the military camps on the borders.
“Yes,” Li Yuanzhao sighed. The guidance of a Sword Saint-level master was truly enviable. The minimum requirement to enter such tutelage was a ninth-class battle body.
...
At this moment, a Flood Dragon-Lion paved the way, pulling an enormous carriage down the streets. Everyone in Qingzhou City recognized it as a vehicle of the Divine General Mansion.
Pedestrians quickly made way, pointing and whispering as they watched. Judging by its direction, it was evident that the carriage likely carried a True Dragon of the Li family, heading to Tangong Academy for training.
The carriages carrying young martial artists from various regions, including the scions of prestigious clans and renowned families, reacted differently upon encountering the Flood Dragon-Lion’s demonic aura. Some mounts grew restless, refusing to move forward despite the desperate tugging of their drivers. Others panicked, bolting to the roadside in fear.
The Divine General Mansion’s majesty was fully displayed in this moment.
Before long, the carriage came to a halt as Ming Bo informed them in a calm voice, “Young Masters, we’ve arrived outside Tangong Academy.”
The academy wasn’t far from the Divine General Mansion, practically their neighbor.
When the vehicle finally stopped, Li Yuanzhao and the others exchanged subtle glances, their expressions growing more serious.
Although they were considered geniuses with exceptional potential, their cultivation had mostly been within the confines of the family estate. This was their first time truly facing an outside audience. Being young and inexperienced, they couldn’t help but feel a touch of nervousness.
Li Hao, on the other hand, remained composed. Once the carriage stopped, he rose gracefully, casually pulling aside the curtain.
Light flooded into the carriage, illuminating his calm expression. At the same time, a cacophony of lively voices surged in, overwhelming the silence of the compartment. It was as if lifting the curtain had unveiled a vibrant, bustling world.
Li Hao stood quietly at the carriage door, his gaze sweeping across the crowd with his usual faint smile and unhurried demeanor.
Li Zhining’s gaze sharpened as if some distant memory had been stirred. But in the next moment, her thoughts cleared, and whatever had surfaced was swiftly buried again.
As the others followed Li Hao out of the carriage, they were greeted by a scene of astonishing liveliness.
The enormous square outside Tangong Academy was packed with people. Throngs of young men and women, armed with swords, sabers, and spears, filled every corner, exuding youthful vigor.
Among them were well-dressed youths flanked by attendants who cleared the area around them, their presence forbidding others from coming close. There were also elegant young women in flowing gowns, shaded by parasols held by graceful maids. These individuals stood out prominently in the crowd.
Everywhere one looked, the square was teeming with aspiring young martial artists.
As Li Hao and his companions stepped off the carriage, all eyes turned to them in an instant.
The sight of the Divine General Mansion’s Flood Dragon-Lion carriage was too commanding to ignore.
According to the laws of Great Yu, only those with dragon bloodline mounts had the right to use such carriages. The emperor could have nine dragons pulling his carriage, while dukes and kings were entitled to seven. Marquis-level and fifth-rank officials could use five, while lower-ranking nobles were restricted to three or two. Ordinary wealthy commoners were limited to a single mount, and even then, they were forbidden from using dragon-bloodline creatures.
Though Li Hao and his companions held no official titles themselves, as sons of a Marquis, they could enjoy the privileges of their father’s rank.
“That must be from the Divine General Mansion!”
“The Li family of Qingzhou City, the millennia-old Divine General Mansion. What an imposing display!”
“Another four academy spots gone. I heard Tangong Academy has limited openings this year. How infuriating!”
“Hmph, I, Lin Yan, will lead my family to rise in this generation and rival the greats!”
“I also heard there’s a so-called failure in the Li family. I wonder if they’ve shown up?”
The centuries-old prestige of the Li family inspired both admiration and envy. It stirred ambition in countless young martial artists while also filling the air with fierce competitive energy.
Li Yun, Li Yuanzhao, and Li Zhining maintained tense expressions. Though they outwardly seemed calm, beads of sweat had formed on their fingers, betraying their inner tension.
The weight of so many burning gazes felt almost palpable. Li Yun, unwilling to linger, tightened his expression and said coldly, “Let’s go.”
With that, he led Li Zhining down from the carriage. Amid Ming Bo’s calls of “Young Masters, take care,” they strode into the crowd, carrying themselves with the confident poise of young tigers entering the forest.
The onlookers instinctively stepped aside, not out of respect for the youths themselves but for the weight carried by the Li family name.
“Hao Ge, shall we go too?” Li Yuanzhao swallowed nervously and glanced at Li Hao.
Li Hao stood at the edge of the carriage, rising onto the tips of his toes as his gaze swept the bustling scene. With a faint sniff, his eyes lit up, and he said decisively, “Let’s go!”
Without another word, he hopped down from the carriage. The surrounding crowd immediately gave way, none daring to obstruct the path of the finely dressed youth.
Li Yuanzhao followed closely but paused after a few steps, grabbing Li Hao’s sleeve. “Hao Ge, are we heading the wrong way? Tangong Academy isn’t in that direction.”
“I know,” Li Hao replied without turning back.
“Then why…”
“Because I smell food ahead,” he said, his tone relaxed.
Honor and prestige could wait; the allure of delicious food came first.