Chapter 8: Tongli Realm
In this year, the war at Yanbei’s border grew increasingly dire. Battle reports flowed in constantly, and problems arose with both weapons and supplies. The Prince of Peace had apparently colluded with a powerful demon, and yet another faction was involved behind the scenes, making the battle even more complex and challenging.
The Divine General Mansion was abuzz with worried discussions about the frontlines.
It was said that the court was also in daily arguments over this matter, with many proposals put forward.
But while the winds of turmoil swept through the court, they barely touched the two young figures in the Shanhe Courtyard.
At five years old, Li Hao underwent his regular bone measurement.
“Bones are frail… no unusual color, no glow, no marrow condensation…”
The old Taoist, invited from Mount Qingqiu to examine Li Hao’s bones, had a youthful face with white hair. He looked at the boy before him in suspicion, wondering if perhaps this child had been secretly swapped in some household feud or that a common child had somehow replaced the young master of the Li family. If not for Madam Li’s presence, he might have voiced his doubt outright.
“Bone quality: bottom of the scale, not even a Ninth-Class Battle Body. Just an ordinary child’s bones,” he concluded.
Upon hearing this, Lady He Jianlan and the other madams looked displeased. Fifth Madam couldn’t hold back and said, “Are you sure? How could Hao’er… have such poor aptitude?”
The other ladies kept silent. This Taoist was a familiar face in the Divine General Mansion, having examined the bones of each child in the various courtyards without any errors.
Furthermore, with Li Hao’s previous failures in Foundation Building and blood-melting, they had already been prepared for disappointing news. Seeing this result now felt almost expected.
Li Hao’s gaze quietly swept across the faces around him, noting that even his second mother shared the same sorrowful expression—perhaps with a touch more intensity.
Yet, he couldn’t tell who was genuinely saddened on his behalf.
“Hao-gege…”
Bian Ruxue tugged at Li Hao’s sleeve, her small face full of worry.
Though she didn’t fully understand what had happened, she sensed that Li Hao seemed to have lost something.
Seeing her delicate and pitiful expression, Li Hao couldn’t help but smile.
He pinched her soft little cheeks, thinking that he should be the one feeling sad, yet here was this little girl who, in a couple of months, would likely amaze everyone with her own bone measurement.
Once the Taoist left, everyone else dispersed as well.
The courtyard returned to its tranquil state, like the ebbing tide, leaving only two small figures and Lin Haixia standing nearby.
That evening, Lin Haixia, a long-abstaining military officer, indulged in a private drinking session in Shanhe Courtyard.
The smell of alcohol tempted Li Hao, who fetched a small jade cup and reached for the wine bottle to pour himself a bit. Just as he was about to drink, Lin Haixia, half-drunk, shot him a glare, snatching the bottle away and scolding him harshly, “You’ve got some nerve! You dare drink alcohol?!”
“Just trying to keep you company,” Li Hao replied with a cheeky smile.
“You know nothing. Drinking is for adults,” Lin Haixia said with a sour expression.
“But it’s lonely to drink alone. Isn’t it better to have company?” Li Hao tried to reach for the bottle again, but Lin Haixia lifted it out of his reach with ease.
Lin Haixia shot him another glare, wanting to scold him, but as he heard Li Hao’s words, he suddenly fell silent.
It struck him that this little one had been alone ever since his parents left after the Hundred-Day Banquet.
Indeed, he must crave companionship too. When Bian Ruxue’s father wasn’t around, the little girl cried all the way to the Divine General Mansion…
Glancing at the vast Shanhe Courtyard beyond the pavilion, Lin Haixia’s heart twinged at the beautiful but empty scene, unable to replace the warmth of parents.
Without a word, Lin Haixia took a few more gulps of wine. Watching Li Hao’s relaxed smile, he suddenly realized that in his two years here, he’d never seen this little fellow cry.
“Hey.”
Perhaps emboldened by the wine, Lin Haixia spoke to Li Hao without the usual deference, seeing him merely as a young child.
“Do you miss your parents?”
Li Hao froze.
Immediately, the image of a young girl holding him by the windowsill, murmuring in sorrow, flashed through his mind.
Five years had passed. The warmth of that embrace was long forgotten, but the sadness in her eyes had etched itself into his heart.
“I do, I suppose.” Gazing at the starry night sky, Li Hao said softly, “The fighting in Yanbei must be tough. I hope they stay safe.”
Lin Haixia was taken aback.
He had expected the child to feel sad or even indifferent, having lost his parents’ presence at such a young age, with little attachment left.
Who would have thought the boy not only remembered them but held no resentment and was even worried for his commander parents?
In that moment, Lin Haixia felt a sharp sting in his heart.
He wiped at his eyes, lifting his head to gulp down more wine.
“Uncle Lin, are you crying?”
“Nonsense. It’s the wine spilling, you wouldn’t understand!”
The night wind grew colder.
Lin Haixia drank himself into a stupor.
…
In his drunken state, he began to recite war poetry in the courtyard, swinging his fists and legs until he collapsed like a pile of mud.
Li Hao ordered the servants to carry him to his room so he wouldn’t feed the mosquitoes.
Two months later.
It was time for Bian Ruxue’s bone measurement.
The same Taoist from Mount Qingqiu performed the examination in the courtyard, in the same spot where he had measured Li Hao.
In no time, the Taoist’s eyes widened with excitement as he examined the little girl, laughing aloud, “Bones as strong as divine jade and iron, radiant with a seven-colored glow, marrow fully condensed! She possesses the highest grade—a Ninth-Class Battle Body! Hahaha, truly worthy of the Divine General Mansion’s bloodline, she’s bound to make a name on the Qian Kun Ranking!”
Just then, he happened to glance at Li Hao nearby, and his laughter abruptly halted.
With an awkward cough, he managed to recover his composure.
Close call—he had almost forgotten about the young master whose record-breaking inadequacy still loomed.
Only He Jianlan and Lin Haixia were present this time. The other madams from each courtyard had little interest in Li Hao’s betrothed.
Hearing the Taoist’s words, smiles simultaneously appeared on He Jianlan and Lin Haixia’s faces.
Then, both glanced at Li Hao.
Though Li Hao lacked aptitude in martial arts, having a future wife with unparalleled talent could provide some security in the years to come.
“Well done, little girl.”
Li Hao chuckled, pinching the bewildered Bian Ruxue’s cheek as she looked on in confusion, not understanding the excitement.
Yet, instead of feeling happy, Bian Ruxue pouted slightly.
She wished the old man had treated Hao-gege the same way...
After sending the Taoist off, Lin Haixia began teaching Bian Ruxue about martial arts.
At five years old, she was starting to comprehend, and it was time for her to learn.
A Ninth-Class Battle Body could break through realms with the ease of drinking water. Within a year of beginning cultivation, she was expected to surpass the first realm.
In three years, she would likely reach the second.
Within ten, she would stand at the peak of the third.
Such was the power of a Ninth-Class Battle Body!
The three primary realms of martial arts were the Tongli Realm, Zhoutian Realm, and Soul Fusion Realm.
Each had ten levels.
Beyond that, there was the fourth realm: Spiritual Wandering.
Lin Haixia himself was a fourth-realm practitioner.
And he was already in his forties.
In ten years, Bian Ruxue would be only sixteen.
A sixteen-year-old at the peak of the Soul Fusion Realm would be as radiant as the full moon, capable of guarding an entire city as a general.
For ordinary martial artists, reaching the Zhoutian Realm by sixteen would be considered quite impressive, even worthy of joining a renowned sect.
…
As the pieces settled into place, the match was decided.
Li Hao won.
Experience points +2.
Yawning, Li Hao glanced out the window, where the little girl was practicing swordsmanship with Lin Haixia, her posture adorably clumsy.
After dismissing the servant who had been keeping him company, he pulled up his panel.
It had taken a year, but he had finally maxed out his chess skill experience.
Another skill point earned.
Without hesitation, Li Hao allocated it to his Body Dao.
A surge of complex information flooded his mind. Frowning slightly, he endured it until the torrent of insights began to settle.
The knowledge of various body refining techniques emerged, and with a flicker of determination, he closed the window and locked the door, then set himself into position and began to train.
He practiced the Stone Skin Hundred Refinements body refining technique.
As his stance solidified, his movements became as fluid as a dragon or tiger, and his body emitted a cracking sound.
His blood, meridians, and bones seemed to pulsate, every cell activated, his whole body burning with heat.
By the time he completed a round of Stone Skin Hundred Refinements, his skin glowed red, steam rising from his body, his hair drenched in sweat, and his face beaded with perspiration.
Checking his panel, Li Hao felt a surge of power—he was no longer classified as “ordinary” but had reached the Tongli Realm, Level Three!
He could sense the strength coursing through his body, as if he could shatter stone monuments with ease.
Elated, he began training again.
With the strength building, his form grew more precise, his skin even redder, heat radiating from him like smoke.
After finishing the second round, he saw that his level had risen to Level Four!
So he continued…
Third round, fourth…
After eight cycles, his progress stabilized at Level Seven in the Tongli Realm.