Volume 2 - Chapter 30: Borrowing a Breath from Heaven and Earth
Li Hao accepted the Sacred Heart Talisman with gratitude, expressing his thanks once again to Chu Jiuyue and asking him to convey his appreciation to His Majesty the Yu Emperor.
Li Hao's impression of this supreme figure of the Great Yu Divine Dynasty remained rooted in his infancy, from the very first glance he had as a child. He remembered a towering, burly figure seated on a dragon throne, exuding a presence that seemed to swallow mountains and rivers whole, radiating a commanding aura of dominance over all beings.
This figure seemed distant, deserving only reverence from afar, untouchable and unapproachable. Yet, the repeated gifts and gestures of goodwill left Li Hao with the impression that this awe-inspiring figure might not be so cold and aloof after all.
...
The snow continued to fall.
The burnt letter, having received no response, was left in silence.
There were no further messages from Qingzhou City.
...
Li Hao spent his days immersed in cultivation, sketching the snowy landscapes and mountain vistas beyond the pass, fishing for minor demons in the wilderness, and exploring the vast and boundless Dao of All Things. Deep within, he refused to let go of the pursuit of the ultimate goal.
Perhaps he also harbored a martial heart?
Time flew by, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
From the early winter when he first arrived outside the camp, the season had now turned to deep winter, and the snow on the ground had grown thicker.
But as with all things, yin and yang dictated balance. When the accumulated snow reached a certain depth, it would herald the day when the clouds and moon broke through.
In the snowy terrain, demons and monsters emerged stealthily from their lairs, preparing to hunt their prey.
In the forest, two wild mountain tigers fought over a deer carcass.
The surface of a small river was frozen, but beneath the ice, fish swam freely.
Atop a snowy peak, Li Hao sat cross-legged, perceiving every movement within dozens of miles, as if his body had fused with the summit.
He gazed at the morning sun through the misty clouds, quietly listening to the sound of the snow melting.
The falling snowflakes, descending from the sky, were formed from the condensation of vapor rising from the earth.
Seeds buried deep in the soil sprouted and grew into towering trees. Come autumn, a gust of wind would scatter their leaves into the unreachable sky.
Fish, confined to water, lived in low-lying regions yet swam as freely as if soaring through the heavens.
Meanwhile, humans, who roamed the land seemingly carefree, were bound by countless invisible chains of order and restraint, unable to break free.
All things constituted sentient beings, but sentient beings were not the entirety of all things.
Over the past six months, Li Hao had touched the bottleneck of the Dao of All Things. The ultimate inspiration lay just before him, a mere step away from breaking through and achieving enlightenment.
Now, his comprehension of the essence of all things was intertwined, and his sword techniques had been recomposed and refined. Though his cultivation remained at the Heaven and Man Grandmaster Realm, he had truly reached the pinnacle of the Grandmaster Stage. His actual combat strength was about fifty percent stronger than it had been in Dayue City.
If he encountered the Little Demon King again, he could easily slay it with the new sword techniques he had developed over the past six months.
Back then, he had created his Reincarnation Sword Technique in mere minutes during battle, and it already displayed immense destructive power. Now, after half a year of refinement, the technique had been improved and perfected.
At that moment, a gust of cold wind swept through, carrying snow from the ground into the air.
Wind?
A fleeting thought seemed to brush past Li Hao's mind. He narrowed his eyes slightly, sitting silently for a moment, but the thought eluded him once more.
This sensation had been lingering recently, but it always slipped through his grasp just when he was about to seize it.
Brushing the snow from his lap, Li Hao picked up the little white fox curled up beside him, stood, and left.
He traveled through the air, returning to the camp.
...
Over the past six months, more stone houses had been constructed around the camp. With a potential great battle looming in half a year, Li Hao had not devoted much effort to building residential houses. Instead, he treated it as a pastime or a way to contemplate nature.
As usual, he prepared lunch himself.
During the meal, Li Hao once again urged Song Qiumo to return to the Tangong Academy and not to stay here with him.
The Myriad Mountains Demon King had endured the pain of losing its child for six months, showing that it was a calculating and steady opponent. If Song Qiumo stayed, the Demon King might go to great lengths to invite other Demon Kings to deal with her.
Li Hao felt that there was no need for her to stay and risk her safety on his behalf.
Song Qiumo said nothing, silently eating her meal. When she finished, she looked up and said, "Since you insist, I’ll leave today."
Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief. "When you return, send my regards to the Sacred Palace Master."
"Okay," Song Qiumo replied crisply.
After finishing her meal, she packed up the small trinkets she had acquired during her time here—silk ribbons, bracelets, and other small items purchased from nearby towns.
Once she was ready, Song Qiumo bid farewell to Li Hao.
“Do you regret it?”
Li Hongzhuang accompanied Li Hao to see Song Qiumo off. After watching her figure completely disappear into the horizon, she turned to Li Hao and asked.
“Regret?”
Li Hao looked puzzled.
“In your heart, surely you wished she would stay?” Li Hongzhuang said softly.
Li Hao chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “You’re wrong. I’m genuinely happy she left. At least she won’t have to face danger.”
“Really?”
Li Hongzhuang was slightly surprised, scrutinizing Li Hao closely.
Li Hao replied calmly, “If it were possible, I would prefer that you leave as well. There’s no need for you to stay here and risk your life. Perhaps I might manage to escape, but you might not.”
Li Hongzhuang frowned slightly, her gaze intense. “Do you have another plan? Relying on that senior alone might not suffice. Unless he’s like my Second Uncle—someone who has reached the Absolute Technique Stage—he may not be able to suppress the Demon Kings with one strike.”
The Four Pillar Realm had four distinct levels, each vastly different. Li Hongzhuang couldn’t discern the exact level of that senior’s strength.
“There’s only one plan.”
“What is it?”
“Run if I can’t win.”
“…”
Li Hao smiled faintly and returned to the camp.
Li Hongzhuang quickly followed, her tone serious. “This is no time for jokes! How about you seek help from my Fourth Uncle? If Uncle Xiao Ran steps in, even the strongest Demon Kings won’t stand a chance.”
Li Hao’s eyes flickered briefly, but he shook his head slightly. When he left the Li family, he had walked away with nothing but the clothes on his back, not even taking the famed sword Eternal Night. He had resolved not to rely on the Li family for anything ever again.
“Now’s not the time to be stubborn!”
Li Hongzhuang grew anxious at his refusal. “We’ve already speculated that if the Myriad Mountains Demon King comes, we’ll likely face attacks from three Demon Kings simultaneously. If they manage to hold off that senior for even a brief moment, the remaining one will be able to kill you!”
“I understand.”
Li Hao looked at her calmly. “That’s why I said if the situation becomes dire, I’ll leave in advance. As for you, you might become a liability. If you don’t want to die, you should leave as soon as possible.”
“You’ll realize it too late,” Li Hongzhuang said urgently.
Li Hao shook his head slightly and said no more.
Realizing his determination, Li Hongzhuang sighed. She began packing her belongings, saying, “If I can’t persuade you, I’ll return to Qingzhou to find your father, Second Uncle, and Fifth Uncle to talk sense into you. Hopefully, the Myriad Mountains Demon King hasn’t arrived by then.”
Li Hao felt both amused and helpless about his little aunt’s insistence and shook his head, choosing to ignore her.
After packing, Li Hongzhuang left as well. She knew no one could bear the wrath of the Myriad Mountains Demon King. Staying would only make her a burden, just as Li Hao had said.
Meanwhile, Li He, filled with anxiety, repeatedly sent messages to Qingzhou, but they received no response, as if cast into the sea.
Li He didn’t understand what the Duke was thinking, but his orders were to protect Li Hao. He couldn’t leave as easily as Li Hongzhuang had.
At that moment, Li He pondered whether he should knock Li Hao unconscious and forcefully take him away.
But he remembered the battle in Dayue City. He knew he was no match for the young master. When the demons arrived, it was unclear who would protect whom.
As he considered the idea of attacking Li Hao, his vision suddenly went black.
He fell face-first into the snow, unconscious.
Feng Boping stepped out from behind Li He, dusting his hands off. “This Li family lackey is as stubborn as the rest of the Li clan. We’ll have to send him off for now.”
Li Hao chuckled, handing Li He over to Ren Qianqian. The camp had fast horses available, and he instructed her, “Take him out of Liangzhou. Anywhere is fine. Actually, head to Cangyu City in Qizhou and wait for me there.”
Ren Qianqian’s face was full of worry. She wanted to protest, but after witnessing countless others try to dissuade Li Hao in vain, she understood the young master’s resolve. He would never back down.
She nodded and looked at Li Hao intently. “Young Master, I will wait for you in Cangyu City. You must survive!”
Seeing the genuine concern in her clear eyes, Li Hao smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. You’re still learning swordsmanship under me. I haven’t taught you the true essence yet. I won’t die so easily!”
Ren Qianqian bit her lip slightly but didn’t speak further.
Even if you never teach me swordsmanship, I wouldn’t want to see you die... She gazed deeply at Li Hao, but these thoughts stayed in her heart, unspoken.
The parting words were few. Li Hao slapped the flank of the crimson-blooded horse, sending her on her way.
Li He’s unconscious body was draped over the horse’s back as it galloped away along the Dragon Pass Path.
This route, having been cleared by Li Hao, was relatively safe. Any demons encountered over the past six months had been swiftly slain.
...
Li Hao looked down at the little white fox clinging to his leg with its tiny paws. “If something happens to me, find a cave in the wilderness and cultivate on your own.”
The little white fox looked up with watery, innocent eyes, letting out a peculiar cry, as if reluctant to leave.
Returning to the small fenced yard, Li Hao found it noticeably emptier after everyone’s departure.
The snowy field no longer showed the figure of a girl practicing swordsmanship.
The side chamber no longer held the graceful figure of Song Qiumo.
Even at the distant grave, the vibrant red silhouette drinking quietly had vanished.
“Elder Feng, have you ever fished for a Demon King?”
Li Hao glanced at Feng Boping, who was reclining in an old chair in the courtyard. Smiling, he added, “After so many years, we’re practically lifelong friends. I owe you too much to even begin to thank you.”
“We’ll see. This time, we might get a chance,” Feng Boping replied with a soft laugh, shaking the wine jar in his hand.
Li Hao sat down beside him, took the jar, and drank two sips. “Elder Feng, we’ve been here so long, and yet you’ve never pressured me to cultivate.”
To others, his daily actions likely seemed aimless and indulgent. Back at the mansion, he had some reservations, but here, he had let go entirely—especially with regard to cultivation.
“Cultivation is also for joy. If you’re already joyful, does it matter whether you cultivate?” Feng Boping replied with a light laugh.
Li Hao, long familiar with Feng Boping’s carefree nature, still turned to scrutinize him for a moment. Then, he chuckled. “If I were stronger, you wouldn’t have to work so hard.”
Feng Boping shook his head calmly. “A mere three years of hardship is nothing to worry about.”
Li Hao glanced at him and said no more.
The old man and the young man sat quietly, drinking wine and watching the snow. Though the courtyard felt emptier, it was now more serene.
In preparation for the Myriad Mountains Demon King’s arrival, Li Hao and Elder Feng had secretly laid numerous traps beyond Tianmen Pass.
Both were skilled anglers, waiting patiently for the opponent to arrive.
Whether they could contend with the Demon Kings would depend on what they managed to “catch.”
If the line snapped, they would have to abandon it all.
...
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Li Hao sat atop a mountain peak, letting the cold wind wash over him.
Today, the wind was particularly fierce and bitterly cold.
Li Hao sat silently, the little white fox curled up in his arms.
With his physical strength, he paid no heed to the chill. He watched as the wind carried countless snowflakes, swirling and dancing, before settling upon the earth.
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him.
Days of contemplation and accumulation, the countless times he had brushed against the door of inspiration, all came together in this moment, shattering the final barrier in his mind.
Li Hao had achieved enlightenment.
In an instant, he understood the essence of what he had been relentlessly pursuing.
He also realized the common thread connecting all things in this vast world.
It was a single breath.
Mountains, rivers, birds, beasts—all living things moved because of this breath!
A martial artist’s cultivation was no different.
Ordinary people depended on this breath to live.
Martial artists used this breath to power their energy channels and unleash strength.
Emotions and desires, too, were manifestations of this breath.
The growth of all things relied on this breath.
But this breath was not the ordinary breath people understood. It was the breath of the heavens and earth itself!
This breath could transform all things, nourish all things, and become the mountains, rivers, birds, and beasts that constituted life.
Li Hao closed his eyes, his aura rapidly contracting and transforming, merging with the heavens and earth.
It felt similar to cultivation but was fundamentally different.
His internal strength dissipated, melding with the heavens and earth, and under the refinement of nature, it transformed. Like a jade polished to brilliance, it radiated an ethereal and dazzling light.
This light seemed both illusory and real, as though it existed beyond the tangible world.
Li Hao offered all his strength to the heavens and earth. Then, he borrowed a single breath from the heavens and earth, integrating it into himself.
Li Hao called this breath “immortal qi.”
Pinnacle of the Grandmaster Stage, Earth Immortal Realm achieved!