Fatal Attribute

The falling Winter Snow blanketed the Heaven and Earth in silver.

A cold wind blew through the pass.

In the Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard.

Ren Qianqian practiced her sword in the snow. The wind from her sword whistled, stirring up the surrounding snowflakes. Her body moved with light steps, flitting back and forth like a butterfly, her Sword Momentum graceful.

"Sword Move are merely the outward appearance; you must grasp the essence, rhythm, and True Intention of the sword's trajectory."

Nearby, Li Hao was squatting in the snow, carefully building a snowman.

He patted and trimmed it with his palms, occasionally glancing up at the girl practicing her sword and offering a few words of guidance.

Ren Qianqian stopped upon hearing this and asked in confusion, "The trajectory of the sword?"

"Um."

Li Hao nodded, and seeing that the snowman was missing two twigs for its arms, he immediately got up, bent down, and picked up a twig from outside the Firewood Room next door:

"Look, like this."

He took the branch, gave it a gentle shake, and the snow clinging to it fell off. Then, with a light flick, the branch darted back like a flower, catching all the snow that had just been shaken off, restoring it to its original state as if he had just picked it up.

Ren Qianqian was stunned.

"Your sword needs to interact with its surroundings to be sharp and effective," Li Hao said.

He returned to the snowman, gently shook the snow off the branches, and then stuck them into the snowman to serve as two small, withered twig hands.

Ren Qianqian fell into deep thought, looking down at the sword in her hand. After a while, she began practicing again.

In the past few days, besides Li Hao's occasional guidance, Li Hongzhuang and Song Qiumo would also give her a few pointers in their spare time.

However, their guidance, like Li Hao's, does not stop at the superficial Sword Move, but rather starts from the perspective of Grandmaster, explaining their own understanding of the Sword Dao at a deeper level.

This kind of guidance has its pros and cons. The downside is that it's often vague and difficult to understand.

The advantage is that if one has high comprehension, once one understands its meaning, one's progress in Sword Dao will be rapid. By controlling the sword with Sword Intent, one can essentially comprehend and pursue one's own path to becoming Grandmaster ahead of time.

Ren Qianqian continued practicing her sword.

Li Hao, meanwhile, continued building a second snowman.

Suddenly, an old horse galloped towards them from Outside the Pass.

The Crimson Blood Horse galloped into the pass and stopped outside the Small Courtyard.

Li Hongzhuang, who was tending to the fire in the kitchen, noticed the situation and rushed out of the Small Courtyard like lightning.

"You are... from the Mystic Unit of Liang Prefecture?"

When Li Hongzhuang saw the silver brand on the veteran's armor, her eyes lit up immediately. She asked, "Fifth Brother has arrived in Liang Prefecture? Is he here to provide reinforcements?"

The veteran dismounted, quickly bowed, and handed over the Military Report with both hands:

"The general has just arrived in Liang Prefecture and has specially dispatched me to deliver Military Report to the commander-in-chief."

Li Hongzhuang reached out and took it, quickly flipping through it to examine it.

Soon, her expression changed slightly, and her eyes suddenly became sharp and cold:

"These Demon actually dared to plot against Liang Prefecture!"

She closed the Military Report, took a deep breath, and said to the veteran, "The journey is long; why don't you come in and rest for a bit?"

"No, the general is still waiting for my reply. Commander, do you have any news for me to bring back?"

The old man bowed his head respectfully and said, feeling surprised. He had rushed all the way from Outside the Pass and had seen many Demon corpses along the way. Even the once magnificent Azure Cliff City had been destroyed by Demon, just as rumored. He had thought this place would be a desolate military camp, but it turned out to be a cozy Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard.

A reply... Li Hongzhuang thought that in addition to the Intelligence about Demon in the Military Report, there was also a heartfelt letter from home.

He told her to be wary of Demon, inquired about her recent situation, and asked her to take good care of Hao'er and be ready to retreat at any time... He didn't say much, but she could feel her Fifth Brother's warm concern.

"Please wait a moment."

Li Hongzhuang turned back to the courtyard, asked Li Hao for pen and ink, quickly wrote a letter home, and handed it to the old soldier waiting in the snow outside the courtyard.

The old soldier tucked the rolled-up letter into his sleeve, then mounted his horse, bid Li Hongzhuang, and galloped away.

After the veteran left, Li Hongzhuang called Li Hao over and handed him the Military Report.

"Fifth Brother said that the Demon Beyond the Border Liang Prefecture are stirring up trouble. Some cities have even been infiltrated by Demon. These Demon plan to cooperate from within and without, and they are showing signs of taking over Liang Prefecture. They have come here specifically to oversee the situation."

Li Hongzhuang glanced at Li Hao: "Our Heaven's Gate Pass may face a large-scale attack from Demon in the coming days!"

Li Hao picked up the Military Report and looked at it. When he saw the concern from his fifth uncle inside, he immediately thought of the family dinner that day and the impression he had left after exchanging a few pleasantries with him.

He regained his composure and replied to Li Hongzhuang, "We'll meet force with force, and if Demon come, we'll start a big cauldron!"

"..."

Li Hongzhuang smiled wryly, then realized that with two experts at the Four Establishments Realm in charge, there was no need to panic. If a situation arose, they could still retreat in time. She just didn't know when these Demons would attack.

After putting away the Military Report, Li Hao invited the group to have lunch.

After the snowfall, the Border Pass also has abundant Water Origin.

Li Hongzhuang's previously greasy and tangled hair, after being free from Demon invasion for the past few days, has become silky and dark blue after washing and combing, flowing freely over her shoulders.

The blood-stained crimson Battle Armor had been washed, but Battle Armor still wore it, ready for battle at any moment. However, her hair was flying, and she looked much fresher than before, like a female general stepping out of a painting.

Li Hao built several large wooden tubs and boiled snow at night to make hot springs.

Soaking in a wooden tub, eating Roast Meat and drinking wine, while chatting casually with Old Feng, life was wonderful.

Border Pass place seems to have truly become a vacation and leisure destination.

Heaven and Earth snow was heavy, making it bitterly cold, but because of the shelter, the wind and snow were no longer a threat.

In the days that followed, Li Hao took Song Qiumo out hunting during the day to hunt Demon, and they would return to the Small Courtyard to rest at night, leading a very regular life.

The Demon he hunted gave him a lot of experience in Painting Dao, and he's almost at the Sixth Dan.

During the hunt, his Fishing Experience also slowly increased, gradually approaching the bottleneck of Sixth Dan.

Unfortunately, the Three Immortalities Great Demon nearby seemed to have heard some news and all withdrew from the vicinity of Heaven's Gate Pass.

Li Hao found several caves, which reeked of the Aura of Three Immortalities Demon. However, through interrogation of the lesser Demon he captured nearby, he learned that the Great Demon inside had left many days ago.

Li Hao casually collapsed these caves, leaving behind subtle fish-shaped markers so that any Demon passing by could find them on their next visit.

Days Past.

As Li Hao hunted Demon, his Grandmaster's State of Mind was also slowly perfected.

He was arrogant and haughty at the time, asking the Grandmaster about All Things in Heaven and Earth.

This is far more difficult than the usual path of Grandmaster.

The world behind the Heavenly Gate that he kicked open was far more vast than he had ever imagined.

What are All Things?

What is the Origin of All Things?

Li Hao had been thinking about this question.

Mountains and rivers, fish, insects, beasts, and so on—these are all All Things.

However, there are too many of them. If one were to learn from them one by one, even with a lifespan of 100,000 years, an ordinary person would not be able to learn them all.

Li Hao had the insight of the Sixth Dan of the Path of the Physical Body, and could grasp the essence of the view of All Things at a glance. It was not difficult to master them one by one, but what Li Hao wanted was not chaos, but unity!

He wanted to integrate the Myriad Things Intent into one, a task that was a self-inflicted trouble for him and could only be accomplished by himself.

While hunting, Li Hao and Song Qiumo also traveled through the mountains and rivers beyond the pass.

From understanding oneself to Seeing Heaven and Earth.

Li Hao saw Shrub, Flowers and Grass, the Mingyue, and Stream.

I saw the snow melting in the sunlight, and I also saw the tender leaves standing tall and resilient under the heavy snow.

All Things possesses a force, but what is the common thread among these forces?

Snow can freeze All Things, yet a ray of sunlight can pierce through it.

Though the tender leaves are weak, the snow cannot kill them.

Although birds and beasts can walk and damage large trees, they shiver in the snow and hurriedly return to their nests after foraging for food.

Therefore, what is the power of All Things?

A gust of cold wind swept across his face. Li Hao gazed at the distant mountains and nearby forests, feeling as if he had touched something deep within his heart, but it vanished in an instant.

As the weather gradually turns to winter, it's snowing more and more often.

Today they hunted down two more Demon of the Fifteen Li Realm, and Li Hao and Song Qiumo returned together.

The number of Demon in the wilderness outside this pass is still far greater than that inside the pass.

Outside the Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard, Li Hao casually built a few more houses.

Now that there are no Demon attacking, there's no fear that these houses will be destroyed soon after they're built.

Li Hongzhuang asked, "Are you planning to rebuild the original city?"

Li Hao simply smiled and said, "If the Demon don't come, it's not necessarily a bad thing."

Li Hongzhuang seemed lost in thought.

These days, she occasionally leaves the camp to search for traces of Demon.

However, all the Demon in the vicinity had been wiped out by Li Hao. She ventured deep into the outer perimeter of the Ten Thousand Mountains Demon King's territory without venturing further, but the number of Demon in that area seemed to have decreased significantly, and there was no sense of Demon army gathering there.

This is somewhat inconsistent with the Military Report sent by Fifth Brother.

But she didn't doubt Fifth Brother's Intelligence; however, a thought couldn't help but cross her mind.

Could it be that these Demons are planning to take a detour because there are two cultivators at the Four Establishments Realm of the Heaven's Gate Pass?

Unable to verify this conjecture, she could only wait and see. If there was still no movement outside Heaven's Gate Pass, she would send a letter to inform her Fifth Brother and warn him to be on guard against other places.

Every so often, Song Qiumo would go to nearby cities to purchase supplies, including vegetables, noodles, and seasonings for food and drink, as well as drawing paper for Li Hao.

That day, after Song Qiumo returned, she brought back some extra good things for Li Hao.

A Chess Manual, two scrolls of Famous Painting.

These were all things that Li Hao asked Song Qiumo to help him find.

Li Hao was overjoyed to receive the Chess Manual Famous Painting, and immediately added them to his Panel.

The Chess Manual is titled "Chess Classic New Studies".

It is a set of Chess Manual to help beginners get started quickly.

After some thought, Li Hao integrated it into the Imperial Dao, and the corresponding Trait immediately emerged:

"Chess Classic New Studies": Increases the speed of Object Manipulation by 20%.

Compared to the other Chess Manual, the Trait of this Chess Manual seem ordinary, not as exaggerated as Seven Stars Lighting Lamp. However, like the Myriad Manifestation Attribute, once equipped, it releases its effects at all times, belonging to the passive skill category.

It doesn't require any additional consumption of Li Hao's power, has no side effects, and is a permanent percentage-based boost.

If his speed in Object Manipulation increases to an even higher level in the future, this 20% increase will be even more considerable.

As for those two Famous Painting, Li Hao couldn't determine what special attributes they would bring, so he could only try to embed them into the Path of the Physical Body and the Imperial Dao respectively.

A Famous Painting, "Clear Spring Small Shrimp," is embedded in the Path of the Physical Body, granting it a 20% affinity with water.

Li Hao didn't understand what this attribute meant, but he could feel a special sense of familiarity when he touched the snowflake.

Soaking in the hot springs is also much more comfortable.

It seems that practicing Frozen Heaven and Earth- based Cultivation Method would provide a bonus.

Apart from that, there is currently no use for birds.

Another Famous Painting, embedded in the Imperial Dao, is "The Oriole Catching Insect Picture," which depicts a classic story: the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

The resulting attributes are quite peculiar:

It has a 1% chance of being fatal even before the attack is revealed!

This effect seems similar to "Hidden Bow," where the killing move is concealed and its attack power is doubled when not revealed.

But Hidden Bow doubles the chance, and it's a 100% probability.

But that's only one percent, a pitifully small amount.

However, the words "deadly effect" seem to leave much to the imagination.

Does this mean that, ignoring realm and defense, there's a one percent chance of a fatal hit if it lands?

If that's the case, then the effect of this Famous Painting is rather terrifying.

However, after thinking about it carefully, Li Hao felt something was wrong; the effect seemed somewhat ineffective.

If the opponent is of a lower level, a simple wave of the hand is enough to kill them instantly; there's no need for the opponent to have a lethal effect.

If one's skill level is high, it's easy to detect his attack, and difficult to hide it.

Unless it's during a fierce battle, and someone fails to notice him and is ambushed by him.

But such opportunities for a sneak attack are rare. Even if you manage to launch one, the 1% chance of success is very low. And if you do manage to hit, the amount of luck required is simply outrageous. You have to be careful even when walking to avoid accidentally falling and killing yourself.

However, adding an attribute is always better than having none.

This extra power didn't require him to cultivate; it was practically free.

Seeing Li Hao's overjoyed expression, Song Qiumo smiled and delivered another piece of good news:

"Besides these, I also found out the whereabouts of a Famous Painting; I heard it's in the possession of a Grandmaster."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Li Hao's eyes lit up slightly. "Can you buy it? What are their requirements?"

"I've only heard about it; I haven't had any contact with that Grandmaster yet. However, I've found out his whereabouts. He should be going to Great Yue City in Liang Prefecture soon."

Song Qiumo said, "I heard that there was a grand gathering in Great Yue City a while ago. Heaven's Mystery Mountain Man invited Grandmaster from All Under Heaven to discuss the Dao. That Grandmaster must have gone there for this grand gathering as well."

"Grandmaster Discussing the Dao?"

Li Hao was somewhat surprised.

This event is also mentioned in the anecdotes recorded in the Listening Rain Pavilion, which describes it as a grand gathering that occurs only once every sixty years.

We invite Grandmaster from All Under Heaven to verify each other's Martial Dao.

These Grandmaster would also bring their younger generations along, and even just listening from the sidelines would greatly benefit their Martial Arts improvement.

Most Grandmaster retreat to the mountains to cultivate their skills, rarely venturing into the mortal world, focusing solely on mastering their own Grandmaster Martial Dao. Only such grand events can invite them down to Sparring and verify their Martial Arts.

I heard that at the previous conferences, some amazing young talents, after listening to the lectures, kicked open the Heavenly Gate on the spot and jumped from the Fifteen Li Realm to become Heaven and Man Grandmaster, becoming famous All Under Heaven!

At every major event, there are always one or two such juniors who appear.

Therefore, in addition to Grandmaster, geniuses in the Fifteen Li Realm would also rush there upon hearing the news.

"Great Yue City is quite a distance from here. Even if we travel at full speed, it would take a whole day to go there and back..." Li Hao said thoughtfully.

Song Qiumo said, "Great Yue City has City Formation. Although I have Command Token issued by the Great Yu Dynasty, it only restricts me to Qing Prefecture. I can only travel freely to various cities in Qing Prefecture. As for Liang Prefecture, I need to register and be approved by the Prefectural Government first. I need Song Yufeng to vouch for me."

Li Hao knew that Song Qiumo couldn't help him with this.

Registration and verification are both quite time-consuming processes.

Especially for Four Establishments Realm Great Demon King, each state is extremely cautious about dealing with him.

After all, once the Command Token is issued and they are allowed to enter the city, if the Great Demon King suddenly goes on a killing spree within the city, he will quickly destroy the entire city.

Before the news of the city's destruction could even be reported, the Great Demon King would have already swept away other places, causing continuous destruction and immense damage to the entire continent.

Moreover, the nobles and royalty within the city were extremely opposed to such things.

The Great Demon King is like a tiger unleashed from its cage; even if you are told that it will not harm anyone, no one would be willing to take the risk.

Li Hao looked at Li Hongzhuang and said, "Senior Hongzhuang, could you help me make a trip to Great Yue City?"

Li Hongzhuang hadn't expected Li Hao to be so obsessed with a Famous Painting. However, she had seen Li Hao paint these past few days and could understand why. It seemed that her nephew was putting all his energy into these Heretical Ways and wasn't enthusiastic about cultivation at all.

Apart from that night, she never saw Li Hao cultivate again.

Despite possessing an incredibly fast cultivation speed, he has absolutely no interest in cultivation, yet his cultivation level surpasses all his peers. Li Hongzhuang can only say that it's as if God is feeding Li Hao food by force!

"I'm too lazy to go. If you want it, why don't you go yourself?" Li Hongzhuang said.

She had no interest in these Famous Painting, though she loved them as a child and even embroidered copies of Famous Painting, putting the paintings on handkerchiefs.

But after that, once she picked up the sword, she never touched a needle again.

The only image in her mind's eye was the wind and snow Outside the Pass, and the countless Demon she had to slay.

Li Hao felt somewhat helpless, but after thinking about it, he felt it was feasible.

In recent days, he has slaughtered all the Demon within three hundred miles outside the pass.

The Demon further away also seemed to be fleeing and hiding, and only a few could be hunted each time.

Even if we leave this place for a few days, it won't be a big problem.

"If you're going, I'll keep watch for you for a few days," Song Qiumo said, leaning back lazily in a chair covered with a soft blanket, having seen through Li Hao's thoughts.

Li Hao smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, senior."

Song Qiumo gave him a slight glare, seemingly displeased with the title "senior," but said nothing.

With Song Qiumo looking after him, Li Hao could finally relax.

His presence here had far less effect than the other side.

Li Hao guessed that the reason he hadn't found Demon these days was probably because the news of Song Qiumo's battle with the Dragon Lord had spread among Demon Outside the Pass the pass, making them aware that although Heaven's Gate Pass was empty and the original army had retreated, it was now more terrifying than a large army guarding it.

Without the Demon King personally intervening and risking being wanted by the authorities to invade, this place will be unshakeable!

"In that case, Qian Qian, get ready and come with me to Great Yue City. There seems to be Martial Temple there; you can visit the Soul Inheritance Temple while you're there," Li Hao said, standing up.

Ren Qianqian's eyes lit up slightly, and she quickly responded.

Li Hao rubbed the Little White Fox's head. "You've also entered the Soul Succession Realm, where should you go to Soul Inheritance?"