Chapter 91: The True Dragon Selection
“Hao'er.”
Seeing Li Hao, Li Tiangang's face broke into a smile as he said, “Come, follow me to the ancestral hall to pay respects to our forebears.”
“Alright,” Li Hao nodded.
Once they left Shanhe Courtyard, the two soared into the air, one leading and one following, heading to the deepest part of the Divine General Mansion.
...
In front of the ancestral hall on the mountainside, dressed in white, Li Tiangang and Li Hao descended onto the plaza outside the hall. They then walked toward the grand and majestic ancestral shrine, a building that carried the thousand-year glory of the Li family.
“Fifth Elder!”
Spotting Li Qingzheng at the entrance of the ancestral hall, Li Hao immediately called out.
Hearing Li Hao's greeting, Li Tiangang, whose expression had been solemn, frowned slightly and cast a glance at Li Hao. However, before he could react, Li Hao had already taken the lead, running toward his Fifth Uncle in the hall.
“It’s Hao'er,” Li Qingzheng’s eyes lit up at the sound of his name. His face filled with joy as he turned around, saying, “What brings you here to see me?”
Then, noticing the tall figure behind Li Hao, he added, “Ah, Tiangang has returned as well.”
“Fifth Elder, your game is looking grim; the black pieces are losing again!” Li Hao glanced at the chessboard in front of the elder and teased.
Li Qingzheng bared his teeth slightly. “Nonsense! The game isn’t over yet.”
At that moment, Li Tiangang approached. His demeanor became respectful and solemn as he gave a slight bow and greeted, “Fifth Uncle, how have you been recently?”
Ignoring Li Hao’s impish commentary, Li Qingzheng looked up at Li Tiangang with a smile. “It’s been more than a decade, and you’ve become much sturdier. What’s with the beard? How was your time in Yanbei? Was it tough?”
“It was fine,” Li Tiangang replied with a faint smile. “Just a bit of wind and sand. I’ve grown used to it. With frequent battles on the border, I didn’t have time to shave, so I just let it grow.”
Li Hao raised his head to take another look at his father. Compared to the tall and handsome young man in his vague memories, his father had now become a bearded middle-aged man. A sense of guilt suddenly struck him—he realized he had shown little care for his father over the years.
“You’ve grown up too, not as mischievous as you were back then,” Li Qingzheng chuckled, his tone tinged with emotion.
The once-young man had matured, while they themselves had grown old.
Although their cultivation realms allowed them to live for a long time, the difference between the human race and the demon race was stark. Demons lived long lives, akin to hibernation, and fought primarily for survival and sustenance. Humans, however, lived their lives driven by two characters: emotions.
Where there are emotions, there are desires. Humans fought wars, embarked on heroic quests, and pursued fame, often ending up with countless injuries. Some wounds never healed before new ones were added, shortening their lifespans.
Living a long life was not impossible. One could stay within the confines of safety, enjoy wealth, avoid touching weapons, and live a carefree existence for hundreds or even thousands of years. However, to remain unmoved in the turbulent whirlpool of a city for hundreds of years, without a single murderous thought, was almost impossible.
For instance, a long-time neighbor who shared eggs and vegetables might one day be bullied by villains. If one couldn’t stand by and watch, they would get dragged into the chaos. If they could bear to watch, their own state of mind might suffer, leaving them unsettled.
Living like this for centuries—how arduous!
“After all, I’m now a father myself,” Li Tiangang said with a smile, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes, though it quickly faded.
The trials of time inevitably hardened a once-tender heart, sanding it down until it grew calloused—stronger yet more restrained.
“Fifth Uncle, I’ve brought Hao'er here to pay respects to our forebears and to consult the ancestors about the matter of this generation’s True Dragon selection.”
Li Tiangang did not linger on idle chatter and shifted to the main topic.
Li Qingzheng, having anticipated his purpose, nodded slightly. His gaze then fell on Li Hao, softening into a warm smile. “Hao'er is exceptionally gifted—surpassing your Ninth Uncle. He’s the fastest in a thousand years to reach the Fifteen Li Realm. It’s a new record for our Li family.”
“When Junye became the True Dragon of your generation back then, it was unfortunate that he passed away too young, leaving you to take up the responsibility.”
“But in this generation, Hao'er is far ahead of the others. No one even comes close.”
Hearing Fifth Uncle’s high praise, Li Tiangang couldn’t help but smile. Indeed, when it came to talent, his son was unparalleled—a fact that filled him with pride and satisfaction.
“Go ahead,” Li Qingzheng said with a smile.
Li Tiangang bowed slightly in thanks before leading Li Hao toward the prayer mats inside the ancestral shrine.
“Li Tiangang, the 107th generation descendant of the Li family, pays respects to the ancestors!”
“Li Hao, the 108th generation descendant of the Li family, pays respects to the ancestors!”
Father and son knelt together, bowing deeply in reverence.
On the altar of the ancestral hall, the many ancestral plaques trembled slightly, emitting a soft glow as spiritual presences began to manifest.
...
[Translation continues below...]
Li Hao looked up after bowing. The last time he had been here, he hadn’t paid much attention. But now, he noticed that although many ancestral spirits were present, several plaques remained dim and lifeless, without any spiritual manifestation.
Among them, the closest plaque bore a familiar name:
The Spirit Tablet of Li Junye, 107th Generation Descendant of the Li Family.
On the left side of the tablet was his title: Marquis of National Stability.
On the right, his military rank: Heavenly Commanding General.
This was the tablet of his Ninth Uncle. Yet unlike other ancestors, his spiritual presence did not emerge.
Other ancestral plaques also displayed titles and military ranks or merits. Only a few who had never served in the army bore poems inscribed on the side instead.
For ordinary families, plaques were far simpler. A single plaque reading “Spirit Tablet of All Forebears” sufficed to encompass the entire ancestral lineage, simplifying rituals.
After all, most commoners faced upheavals over time, often losing their family records, leaving them with no choice but to generalize. Only true noble families maintained comprehensive genealogies, recording each ancestor with painstaking clarity.
...
“Tiangang, I heard you’ve been battling in Yanbei. How many demons have you slain?” a lighthearted voice suddenly rang out.
Li Tiangang looked up to see a young man’s spirit, youthful and striking, with an aura of grace. It was none other than his Third Uncle, Li Xuanli.
His spiritual presence was preserved in its prime, at about thirty years old, his features handsome and his demeanor elegant.
Li Tiangang’s gaze wavered slightly. In his youth, Third Uncle had favored him greatly. But he had died young. Their father’s generation had six brothers, three of whom perished in battle, leaving only the Second Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and the Fourth Uncle who had long been absent.
His own father and the Sixth Uncle were also gone. Their spirits, trapped in the River of Death, had not yet returned.
For nearly a century, demon attacks had been relentless. Their sacrifices at the borders were heavy, making it impossible to retrieve the trapped spirits. Even with the resources to spare, freeing them would be a daunting task—requiring the clearing of an Underworld-Level River of Death. Even for those in the Fourth Pillar Realm, this was nearly insurmountable without the cooperation of several experts.
“Nephew greets Third Uncle,” Li Tiangang bowed deeply before responding, “I’ve wiped out nearly all demons crossing into Yan Prefecture.”
“Well done!” Li Xuanli laughed heartily. He detested demons more than anything—his beloved had been slain by one, leaving him filled with eternal hatred.
“Where’s Qingqing? Why didn’t you bring her along?” Li Xuanli asked suddenly.
Li Tiangang’s expression shifted slightly as he replied softly, “She’s gone.”
“Gone…” Li Xuanli froze, about to ask more before noticing Li Hao nearby. He stopped himself, his energy rippling faintly as he transmitted his thoughts to Li Tiangang. “Did she leave?”
“Mm,” Li Tiangang replied, his face impassive.
A trace of regret appeared on Li Xuanli’s face. He had been quite fond of his nephew’s wife and had been one of the first to voice approval of their union back then.
“Brat, is there no end to your reminiscing? Isn’t he here to discuss proper matters?” A scolding voice suddenly echoed from above Li Xuanli’s head.
Li Xuanli shrank back, turning to see his father’s spiritual presence. He smiled awkwardly, “Father, Tiangang and his son are still here. Can’t you give me some face?”
“Face? What face do you want? Waking up drains energy. If you waste it on idle chatter, you’re dragging the rest of us down. I swear I’ll kick you!” his father bellowed.
“Father…” Li Xuanli muttered, lowering his head in frustration.
Li Hao was dumbfounded. The dignified Third Uncle, who had just exuded poise and charm, was now being scolded like a child.
Well, not quite a child—more like a son.
But the temper of this great-grandfather was certainly... fiery.
“You think you can yell like that? So what if Xuanli talks a little? It’s not like it drains that much energy. If you can’t afford it, go back to sleep first!” Another voice rebuked from above Li Tiangang’s grandfather.
The previously fiery-tempered ancestor immediately flinched. Turning reluctantly, he muttered, “Father, this boy needs discipline…”
“You’re the one who needs discipline,” the great-great-grandfather snapped.
“You brats! Stop shouting. Do any of you act like elders? Get to the point already, so I can go back to sleep,” yet another ancestor added.
The great-great-grandfather’s expression changed. He nodded quickly and glared at his son.
Meanwhile, Li Xuanli exchanged an embarrassed smile with Li Tiangang, choosing not to speak further.
Li Hao could barely suppress his laughter. This assembly of over a hundred generations of ancestors was... lively, to say the least.
The ancestors of the Li family had built their legacy alongside the founding emperor, establishing a dynasty that spanned millennia. As one of the oldest noble families, they had endured for over three thousand years, making their family among the two most ancient within the five Divine General Mansions.
The Dayu Dynasty had over thirty-five hundred years of history, and now it was entering its twilight.
Li Hao couldn’t help but imagine—if only these ancestors could stay awake without exhausting their spiritual energy, he would love to organize a game of mahjong for them someday...
Just the thought of it brought a smile to his face as he pictured the scene:
“Brat! Are you cheating your ancestor?”
“Going for a Heavenly Win? You dare to self-draw with the ancestors’ tiles? I’ll thrash you!”
“Pung that! Someone, come over! Whose unruly brat is this? Come take control…”
Li Hao struggled to keep his expression composed as his mind entertained these ridiculous scenarios.
“Alright, let’s discuss the main matter,” one of the ancestral spirits spoke from above.
Li Tiangang nodded respectfully, his expression serious. “Today, I’ve come to request that the ancestors determine the True Dragon title for this generation.”
“Describe the current generation’s situation first,” another ancestor’s spirit prompted.
Li Tiangang nodded and began explaining the information he had gathered over the past few days from his eldest sister-in-law.
“So, in this generation, there aren’t many descendants with exceptional talent,” one of the spirits observed, nodding. “However, your son’s talent is truly extraordinary—almost monstrous. He’s far stronger than any of us were in our youth. He alone could surpass several others.”
“It seems there’s no question about it; there’s no need for hesitation,” another ancestor chimed in. “Especially since he’s already embarked on the path of cultivation.”
“However, we can’t just hand it to him outright. His character must be tested, and others must be convinced. The selection process will proceed as usual, but we can move up the timing slightly. Let’s set it for two months from now, to give everyone a bit of preparation time.”
After a quick discussion, the ancestors settled on this decision.
Li Tiangang nodded, then lowered his head in gratitude and reverence, kowtowing deeply once more.
...
Li Hao followed his father’s example, bowing his head in respect.
As they prepared to leave the ancestral shrine, one of the ancestors from dozens of generations back gave a final piece of advice, “Watch over your son, and don’t let him end up like Junye.”
Li Tiangang nodded gravely.
Gradually, the spirits of the ancestors faded back into silence.
“Let’s go,” Li Tiangang said, ready to lead Li Hao out.
Li Hao glanced back at his Fifth Elder, “Can I stay here and keep him company for a while?”
Li Tiangang hesitated, frowning. “The Fifth Elder doesn’t have time to entertain you. In two months, the True Dragon selection will take place, and you have much to prepare. Even if your talent is unmatched, you shouldn’t fall short in other areas, lest people gossip behind your back.”
Li Qingzheng laughed and said, “With Hao'er’s talent, who would dare say a word? Tiangang, don’t overthink it. But I won’t hold up Hao'er here either. You’ve just returned—spend more time with your son.”
Li Tiangang nodded, bowing to bid farewell to his Fifth Elder.
Reluctantly, Li Hao waved to his Fifth Elder, “Alright then, I’ll come back to keep you company next time.”
“Go on, go on,” Li Qingzheng chuckled, waving him off.
He watched as the father and son walked away, disappearing into the distance.
Once the hall returned to silence, only rows of quiet tablets remained, along with Li Qingzheng’s lone chessboard and his solitary presence.
After an unknown period of time, his gaze returned to the chessboard before him. After some thought, he picked up a white piece, placed it on the board, and murmured softly, “Your move.”
After a moment, he reached for a black piece from the opposite bowl, lost in thought as he gently set it down.