Ancient Ji Family of the Great Wasteland (10,000-word update)

"Who are you..."

When Li Tiangang saw the sudden Feng Boping, his gaze sharpened. He had long known that Li Hao had a Four Establishments Realm by his side who had been helping him, which was why Li Hao was able to gain a foothold as soon as he arrived at Heaven's Gate Pass.

This must be the person standing right in front of me.

He scrutinized the other person carefully, his expression suddenly changing, and he exclaimed in shock and anger:

"You're the Thief Saint?!"

Feng Boping first avoided the courtyard, not wanting to be exposed. After all, among the vast Li Family, the only people he was related to were Li Hao and Li Muxiu.

His decision to step forward at this moment was a last resort, but since he had decided to reveal himself, he should be prepared for his identity to be exposed.

"It's me."

"So it was you who was secretly following Hao'er?!"

Li Tiangang was somewhat shocked, his eyes widening in anger. "What are your intentions? What are your plans?"

Feng Boping sneered, "Without me, your son wouldn't have even made it to Heaven's Gate Pass. Do you know how many Demon eyes were fixed on him the moment he stepped out of your Li Family? You pushed a fourteen-year-old child out of the house; do you know what he was carrying?!"

"He carries the wrath of all the Demon your Li Family has incurred over thousands of years!"

"He's bearing the burden of that hatred for your Li Family. Without me, your son would have died long ago!!"

"What do you think my intention is? My intention is simply to let him live, to let him live with his head held high!!"

Li Tiangang angrily retorted, "But if it weren't for you, Hao'er wouldn't dare to step out of the Divine General Residence. It's because you've protected him that he dares to be so presumptuous and dares to challenge me!"

Feng Boping laughed in anger, saying, "Even if he's just trying to survive, what good is it if he stays in your Divine General Residence? Will he listen to your discipline? You've been away from Northern Yan for over a decade; has your son ever lost to anyone else in the slightest?!"

"Does he need you to discipline him? Does he?!"

Hearing his Anger, almost roaring words, Li Tiangang was slightly taken aback. Indeed, the more than ten years they had been apart in Northern Yan had left him with a sense of guilt towards Li Hao.

In terms of Heavenly Talent alone, that child is indeed second to none.

But that's precisely why he wants to guide it onto the right path.

"You're a thief, of course you don't understand any moral principles, ethics, or the concepts of loyalty between ruler and subject!"

Li Tiangang stared coldly at Feng Boping and said, "Do you think those who aspire to great things can command respect solely through ability? Even if you become an official or a general and suppress your subordinates with force, you might end up being stabbed in the back on the battlefield!"

"Officials are stronger than the people, but officials are like a boat, and the people are like water. Water may be soft and gentle, but it can still capsize a boat!"

"Even the current emperor must adhere to etiquette and virtue, employing both kindness and severity. What is the point of mere brute force?!"

Feng Boping laughed, but it was a cold laugh, "Are you talking about yourself? Can't you see whose flag is fluttering all over Liang Prefecture right now!"

"And whose illustrious name is it that countless people sing of?!"

"Is it yours, Li Tiangang's? Is it from your Li Family?!"

"Didn't Hao'er fight his way out on his own?!"

Li Tiangang roared, "That's why I came here! Who made that Battle Flag? It couldn't have been you!"

Feng Boping sneered, "Whoever named the Battle Flag was made it, can't you tell? Did you think it was some reclusive master? Even if such a person existed, why would they help Hao'er? Have you thought about that?!"

Li Tiangang was slightly taken aback, a multitude of thoughts flashing through his mind, and for a moment he was speechless.

Seeing his speechless expression, Feng Boping sneered:

"Even if there is such a powerful figure, could it be that he helped Hao'er out of respect for your Li Family? With such a prestigious Li Family, how come your nine Nine Sons died in battle, and you didn't even have such a powerful figure to help you!"

Li Tiangang's expression was grim, but he also realized that what the other party said wasn't Path of Nothingness.

"Did Hao'er really make it himself?"

Li Tiangang stared intently at him, suppressing his anger as he asked.

Feng Boping chuckled coldly twice, but did not reply.

Seeing his appearance, Li Tiangang didn't pay any attention; instead, he felt a surge of surprise and excitement.

If it was truly created by my own son, regardless of how he mastered this Secret Method, as long as he has such ability, what will we have to worry about in the future when we Demon at the Border Pass of various states?!

If this flag could be mass-produced, the prestige of the Li Family would be enough to protect the entire Great Yu Dynasty!

"Did you really make this yourself?"

Li Tiangang's gaze passed over Feng Boping and landed on Li Hao's Clone.

Dark Side Li Hao, his gaze icy, said, "This is none of your business. Get out!"

Although he knew that the person in front of him was just Li Hao's Clone and did not recognize him, Li Tiangang still felt a trace of anger when he saw that the other party was wearing his son's face and speaking so rudely.

Feng Boping's eyes were icy as he said, "What's the point of asking these questions? Hao'er's life is uncertain now. Even if Hao'er made it, so what?"

"If he dies, everything will be gone!"

Li Tiangang's expression changed slightly, and he said coldly, "How could you possibly imagine the strength of my Li Family? With my Fourth Uncle here, he knows the Mo River inside and out. Hao'er's own combat strength is not bad either. If we are careful, nothing will happen."

"I have already deployed hundreds of thousands of troops outside the Dragon City Fallen River, just waiting for them to come out so I can escort them back!"

"You're a thief, a wanderer, what do you know about connections or resources?!"

Feng Boping's lips trembled slightly with anger, but the words that were on the tip of his tongue remained unspoken.

He also hoped that the Divine General Residence's Mansion truly possessed the strength and capabilities that Li Tiangang had described, so that Hao'er could return safely.

"I hope your Divine General Residence truly lives up to its prestigious reputation."

Feng Boping snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve, saying, "I'm too lazy to argue with a junior like you. You'd better watch yourself. If you want to fight, this old man will accompany you. Don't even think about hurting Hao'er a little!"

"I didn't show myself outside your Divine General Residence back then because I didn't want to tarnish the reputation of your Li Family. Now that we're here, you have no right to be so arrogant!"

"So, I should thank you instead?"

Li Tiangang sneered and said, "You're a thief, committing evil everywhere. Who instructed you? Who gave you benefits to stir up trouble for our Li Family? Hao'er was corrupted by you, wasn't he?!"

"Ha ha..."

Feng Boping laughed in anger, saying, "Hao'er and I hit it off immediately. You're saying I instigated you?"

"Isn't that right? If it weren't for you, Hao'er would still be in the Divine General Residence. He would have been brought back by Li He when he was attacked by Demon outside the city!"

Li Tiangang said coldly, "You keep saying it's for Hao'er, but that's a matter between my son and me. What right do you, an outsider, have to interfere?"

"Who do you think you are, to interfere in the affairs of our Divine General Residence? Moreover, Hao'er is the next True Dragon of our Li Family. What are your intentions?!"

Feng Boping's cheeks twitched slightly, as if he wanted to get angry, but the words "Who are you to interfere?" silenced the words that were about to come out of his throat.

Thinking about how he had spent half his life wandering, like a rootless duckweed, he couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly.

"No matter what you think, the infamy I've carried in my life is far more than this; it's nothing more than the noisy chirping of insects."

Feng Boping's expression calmed down, and he simply stared silently at Li Tiangang:

"But as long as I'm here today, you won't be able to hurt Hao'er!"

"You really think you can compete with me?"

Li Tiangang narrowed his eyes and said, "I'm not an unreasonable person. If it weren't for the fact that you did protect Hao'er, I would have arrested you and sent you to the imperial Heavenly Prison long ago!"

"Is that so? Then you should give it a try. This would be a tremendous achievement; it could at least raise your rank from Third-rank Duke to Second-rank Duke."

Feng Boping smirked and said sarcastically, "I've long wanted to experience the methods of the Li Family True Dragon!"

Buzz!

Suddenly, the Dragon Sky Sword trembled and hovered in front of the Feng Boping.

The hilt of the sword was aimed at Feng Boping, while the tip was pointed at Li Tiangang.

As if sensing the power secretly rising between the two, Dark Side Li Hao stepped to stand beside Feng Boping and coldly said, "Trespassers will be killed without mercy!"

When Li Tiangang saw the floating Divine Sword and Li Hao standing protectively beside Feng Boping, his expression changed drastically, turning ugly, and a surge of bloodlust flashed in his eyes:

"Say that again?!"

Feng Boping sensed the power mobilizing within Dark Side Li Hao. He glanced again at the Divine Sword floating before him, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, whispering:

"Hao'er, you stay here. I'll personally demonstrate to him whether this thief he speaks of can shake the True Dragon of the Li Family!"

He stepped forward and said to Li Tiangang, "Li Tiangang, do you dare to come out and fight me?"

"Hmph, a thief who's been hiding all the time dares to talk to me like that."

Li Tiangang stared intently at him, and the next moment, the two figures suddenly vanished from the Courtyard.

"Wind Master!"

When Ren Qianqian saw Feng Boping and Li Tiangang disappear, her expression changed drastically, and she couldn't help but cry out in alarm.

But there was no news from Heaven and Earth, and no trace of the two could be seen. Suddenly, a loud, surging sound came from a very distant place.

Both of them deliberately avoided Azure Cliff City, and in the blink of an eye, they had traveled countless miles away.

With a whoosh, Dark Side Li Hao stepped forward and gave chase.

"Young Master!"

Ren Qianqian was anxious, but all she saw was the Dragon Sky Sword transform into golden light and follow Li Hao's figure, disappearing into the horizon.

Beyond the Border Liang Prefecture, in the Dragon City Fallen River.

After Li Hao's body tore apart and disappeared, he felt his consciousness being torn apart as well, merging into the Heaven and Earth, and then melting away little by little like snow.

The more it melts, the weaker its consciousness becomes.

The feeling was both strange and terrifying, like being slowly devoured by something.

Dark, cold, damp, and silent.

A host of unsettling feelings enveloped Li Hao. He tried to struggle, but he was like a salted fish nailed to a chopping board, utterly powerless.

The world before his eyes became blurry, and the light dimmed.

As his vision faded, Li Hao saw Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran roaring in anguish, but they seemed unable to see him; their gazes were not focused on his consciousness, but rather filled with grief and indignation as they stared at the vast Heaven and Earth(heaven and earth).

Li Hao wanted to say goodbye with a smile, but he no longer had a body.

The darkness, like a tightly closed window, completely shut out the Dao Light.

Li Hao felt his consciousness disintegrating and disappearing, as if he were falling into an endless Abyss.

Has my superfluous life come to an end?

However, it seems he did one good deed before he died, which can be considered a decent ending.

As Li Hao pondered this, he felt a chilling Aura envelop him in the darkness, and he seemed to hear the clear sound of flowing river water.

At the same time, a voice seemed to resound in my heart:

Don't you want to go home?

It was less like a sound and more like a thought that came to mind.

Go home...

Li Hao's thoughts drifted, wandering to that magnificent, empty Courtyard, and then drifting out of that Courtyard, across countless mountains and rivers.

It drifted down to Heaven's Gate Pass, then to that Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard, then to the Dragon Gate Road along the way, and to the places where flowers bloomed along the way.

Where is home?

Along the way, there were snowstorms and clear skies; the scenery changed, but the laughter and joy that accompanied me remained the same.

He has no home, but he has friends.

Li Hao sighed inwardly, feeling regret and guilt.

I can no longer accompany Old Feng fishing, and I haven't yet taught Qian Qian her Swordsmanship so she can reach the Grandmaster. That little girl has followed me through thick and thin, enduring a lot of hardships along the way.

And there's the Little White Fox; this little guy will have to find his own food from now on.

Second Master, First Madam... Yuanzhao...

Li Hao sighed inwardly, feeling the Chill in the darkness seem to have vanished, and his consciousness growing weaker and weaker.

Is it because I'm about to die that I can't feel anything anymore?

Li Hao's consciousness continued to fade.

But as the fall deepened, suddenly, a warm sensation seemed to emerge from my chest.

Li Hao, who was about to lose consciousness, gradually regained his senses.

He looked down and saw a crimson light emerge from his chest, gradually growing stronger and more intense, like thick blood plasma, illuminating the darkness and enveloping his consciousness.

Then, Li Hao saw the darkness gradually dissipate.

When the darkness dissipated, he saw himself standing in front of a Thatched Cottage.

Beside the Thatched Cottage, an old man dressed in a tattered robe was busy piling something up in front of him, his back to him.

Li Hao looked up and saw a mountain in front of the Thatched Cottage.

That old man is moving mountains!

Or rather, he's building a mountain!

Li Hao was stunned. Where was he? What was going on?

As Li Hao remained puzzled, the old man seemed to sense something, and his hands, which were moving things, suddenly stopped.

Then, the majestic mountain in front of him trembled slightly, then cracked open with a huge gap, and then collapsed with a roar!

Li Hao instinctively tried to dodge, but the collapsing rocks fell straight down, as if a bottomless hole had split open at the foot of the mountain, swallowing the entire mountain!

Li Hao froze, staring at the old man, a stranger with an indifferent expression.

Don't you want to go home?

After a long pause, the old man finally spoke slowly.

Li Hao was slightly taken aback. He looked around and could only see a Mingyue. He was surprised and vaguely felt that he was still in the Mo River.

"I take Heaven and Earth as my home, senior. Are you also trapped by this Mo River?" Li Hao asked, suspecting that the old man before him was also a soul imprisoned in the Mo River.

The old man stared at Li Hao for a couple of seconds, then suddenly laughed, "No wonder I couldn't trap you even with the Mo River. I never expected to actually encounter someone like you..."

Upon hearing this, Li Hao's expression changed drastically. Manipulating the Mo River?

The old man before me can actually control the Mo River?

Suddenly, Li Hao thought of something and quickly called out to the Mo River in his mind.

Golden characters appeared before their eyes, converging into several messages:

Mo River border crossing progress: 99%.

Main Quest: Defend Dragon City (Completed)

Side Quest: Growth (Completed)

Li Hao was stunned; his progress in clearing the level was not yet Perfection.

Those difficult main quests have already been completed.

Does this mean that completing the main storyline doesn't guarantee a game completion?

Seemingly sensing Li Hao's thoughts, the old man appeared to be in a very good mood and said:

"The so-called main quest you completed only allows you to leave the Mo River and escape the obsession with Li Tianzong, but you're overestimating your abilities if you want to complete the game."

Li Hao was speechless.

That main quest is insane enough, and you still can't beat it? Just how difficult is the Youdu-level Mo River?

"However, now you only need to do one more thing to truly complete the game."

The old man smiled and said, "This Mo River was originally Nether Domain Tier. It was only because my soul wandered here and merged with it that it became Nether Capital Tier. But now, its power and my obsession have both been broken by you. Only one last thing remains. If you can accomplish it, you will truly pass the test."

Li Hao's eyes flickered as he asked, "What is it?"

"Take me Home."

The old man said, "The souls drawn and imprisoned by this Mo River, because of me, all have an extremely deep attachment to returning home. The deeper the attachment, the harder it is to break free. Similarly, those who harbor the same attachment cannot truly pass through this Mo River!"

Even if you complete the so-called task, if you ultimately fail to see this point and cannot relinquish your deep-seated attachment to "home," you will be unable to break through here.

He turned around, looking at the mountains behind him that had turned to dust, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes:

"I merged into the Mo River, and my obsession deepened. Over the years, I have been building this mountain, hoping to establish my home here. However, because of my obsession, the Mo River absorbed more and more souls, making its power stronger and stronger."

"The stronger the Mo River becomes, the deeper my obsession grows, thus entering a cycle from which I can never escape."

He smiled slightly, but his eyes held a hint of sadness. "Now, the obsession I built has been shattered by you. As long as I return to my homeland, I can rest in peace, and the power of this Mo River will be completely extinguished."

Li Hao listened to his detailed explanation, his eyes flickered, but he remained skeptical.

The old man before me is actually the source of this Mo River, a source of obsession?

So, does that mean he's the big boss behind it all?

But he seemed rather kind and approachable, not at all like a vicious person.

"You don't need to be suspicious. The Mo River is already collapsing, and the souls are all scrambling to escape. In a moment, I will let your consciousness return to your body, back to the outside of the Mo River. I will shrink myself and reside within your body."

The old man said, "Once you take me back to my homeland, I will completely dissipate. Otherwise, I will take root in you, and over time, the power of the Mo River will gradually grow stronger, eventually returning to its current state. Therefore, you don't have much time left."

Hearing this, Li Hao began to believe the other party's words. Should he return to the outside of the Mo River?

If it can return to the body, everything can be verified.

Furthermore, if it's an illusion or something, he can test it through his Flesh Panel.

Thinking of all this, Li Hao said, "Then you should see me off first."

Suddenly remembering something, he quickly said, "Wait, could you also see the person who came in with me out?"

The old man smiled and said, "Of course, he has come here many times, but his obsession is too deep. He will never be able to pass through this place, even if he truly Dao Hearing."

"Furthermore, I will also send Li Tianzong's soul out, but don't think that passing through the Mo River will truly liberate him. You're oversimplifying things."

"This is the Youdu-level Mo River. The souls here have long been corrupted. Even if you clear the level, they will dissipate."

The old man said, "But I can use the last bit of power remaining in the Mo River to keep him going for now, at least enough to allow him to truly go home and take one last look."

Li Hao was stunned. So, even if that grandfather returned to the Ancestral Shrine, he couldn't stay there forever?

But... could I go back and take a look?

Li Hao's expression was somewhat grim, but he knew that this was something he was powerless to change at the moment.

"If you are ready, I will take you away with me," the old man said quietly.

Li Hao nodded slightly.

In an instant, Li Hao felt as if the scenery around him had shifted and changed, with countless mountains and rivers turning, his vision becoming blurred, and finally plunging him into darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, bursts of light appeared.

At the same time, a strange Scent of Trees and Grass wafted over.

When Li Hao opened his eyes, he saw towering trees, as huge as steep mountain peaks, each requiring hundreds of people to encircle.

Where is this?

Li Hao was puzzled; this did not seem to be the jagged peaks and valleys outside the Dragon City Fallen River.

"Hao, Hao'er?!"

Just then, two surprised and delighted voices, filled with disbelief, rang out beside Li Hao.

Li Hao turned his head and saw Li Xiaoran standing there, stunned.

Beside him, a phantom floated, which was Li Tianzong, who was also looking astonished and shocked.

"You're still alive!"

Upon seeing Li Hao, Li Xiaoran excitedly rushed over, pulling Li Hao into a tight embrace, as if trying to verify whether Li Hao's physical body was real.

Then, he grabbed Li Hao's shoulder and looked him up and down. When he saw a red glow on Li Hao's chest, he quickly asked, "Are you alright? What is this?"

Li Hao looked down and saw that his chest had emitted a strange red light earlier in the Mo River, and Li Hao had wondered what it was. Now, looking down, he saw that his clothes were stained red.

He opened the clothes and saw two broken pieces of jade, glowing with Blood Light, wrapped inside.

"It's Dragon Blood Jade!"

Upon seeing this, Li Tianzong's Heroic Soul gasped softly, his face showing some surprise. "This was bestowed by His Yu Emperor?"

Li Hao was also stunned, never expecting that the red light emanating from it was the precious jade that the emperor had bestowed upon him shortly after his birth, a jade he had worn since childhood.

"This?"

Li Hao picked up the two broken jade pieces in a daze.

Li Tianzong stared for a long time, then sighed and said, "The Li Family is deeply grateful for Yu Emperor's favor. Xiao Jiu died unexpectedly in battle, but fortunately, Yu Emperor preserved the True Dragon Bloodline of the next generation for my Li Family. Hao'er, you must remember Yu Emperor's kindness!"

Li Hao asked in astonishment, "This Dragon Blood Jade saved me?"

He wore this jade since childhood after it was bestowed upon him. He usually felt a warm sensation accompanying his body, which dispelled cold and kept him warm, and had a slow effect of nourishing his body. Compared to these effects, it was more of a symbol of his status.

"That's right. Not many people know the secret of this jade. It was crafted by the True Person of the Qian Dao Palace. It is said that it sealed the Fate Reversal power of a Defying Fate Realm expert within it. This jade has the effect of reversing one's life, making it a second life in dire situations!"

Li Tianzong said.

Li Hao was taken aback.

Is the Power of Reversing Fate of the Defying Fate Realm expert sealed inside?

What kind of tactic is this?

When a powerful cultivator at the Defying Fate Realm senses life and death, they can Defy Heaven and Change Fate. If they encounter an instant kill, it will also be automatically triggered, allowing them to reverse their own Fate Reversal!

I've never heard of a method that could plunder the Power of Reversing Fate from a powerful Fate Reversal individual!

This is terrifying! Is this the power of the strongest person in the Great Yu Dynasty?

And.

No one had ever told him how precious this thing was!

He almost lost it several times!

"It's nothing but deceiving Heavenly Mandate's will."

At this moment, a calm voice rang out, startling all three of them.

Li Hao looked over and saw the illusory figure of the old man from the source of the Mo River of Obsession also appear beside them. The old man looked at them calmly and said:

"Even without this precious jade, he wouldn't have died. When he was on the verge of death, he had already broken through the power of the Mo River, allowing the life force within his own body to flow in. It was just that the precious jade sensed his dying consciousness and triggered itself."

"Who are you?"

Li Tianzong's expression changed slightly. He felt an extremely strong sense of pressure from the other party, a feeling that made him tremble. It was as if the other party could plunge him into eternal damnation at any moment.

Li Xiaoran also sensed the special Aura emanating from the old man, but it lacked the oppressive feeling of Li Tianzong; his gaze simply became fixed on it.

"You barbarians from the wilderness, you wouldn't even know my name," the old man said indifferently, clearly looking down on Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran.

Li Tianzong was slightly taken aback. This familiar form of address made him vaguely realize something.

"Senior, where is this?"

Li Hao inquired, having already discovered that the surrounding area was filled with towering Wilderness Trees, not the place where they had previously entered the Mo River.

"This is the source of the Mo River."

The old man said calmly, "The place you entered before was just one opening of the Mo River. As I said, I wanted you to take me back, which naturally means taking you out of the source. This place is... closer to my hometown."

As he spoke, he looked in a distant direction, his eyes revealing a mixture of nostalgia and hope, along with a hint of impatience.

Li Xiaoran's expression changed slightly. He looked at Li Hao and asked, "What conditions did you agree to?"

"Yes, he is the source of the Mo River's obsession. I need to send him back, otherwise the Mo River will revive again," Li Hao said.

Moreover, we've already cleared 99% of the level; we're just one step away from the finish line.

"Where should we send it?" Li Tianzong asked hurriedly.

Li Hao also looked at the old man. At this moment, he could feel that this was indeed the outside world, not an illusion. If so, the old man was probably not lying.

However, such a miraculous event was somewhat beyond his comprehension.

The Mo River was somehow moved, and its source was found in a dead soul.

"The Great Wasteland Heaven Realm, the Ancient Saint Ji Family of the Great Wasteland!"

The old man said indifferently.

Upon hearing the other party's words, Li Hao and the other two were all startled.

Suddenly, Li Hao recalled the words Li Rumeng, the child of the Eighth Madam, had whispered in his ear during the True Dragon Contest.

The Great Wasteland Heaven is where his mother resides, and his mother's surname is Ji!

Both Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran's pupils contracted. They had both been present when Ji Qingqing married into their Li Family, and the woman's background had been explained in the same way...

The old man before them—was his hometown the same place as Li Hao's mother's Lineage?

"You, you are from the Ancient Saint Ji Family of the Great Wasteland of Huangtian?" Li Tianzong couldn't help but ask.

If that's the case, then they seem to be related by marriage?!

But the old man in front of them clearly didn't recognize them.

"You know?" The old man looked at him with some surprise upon hearing this.

Clearly, they hadn't expected that these people from the wilderness would also know of the Ji Family's name. Could it be that the Ji Family's fame had spread beyond the Great Wasteland Heaven?

Li Tianzong paused, hesitated, and finally asked, "What is your relationship to the Ji Family? Do you know Ji Qingqing?"

"You still know Qingqing?"

The old man was taken aback, looking at him with some surprise, then, as if he had thought of something, he raised an eyebrow and said:

"Judging by the time, that little girl should have grown up by now. What, has she come to your Great Yu to play? Heh, with the Heavenly Talent she's shown, she could probably easily sweep through the younger generation of your Great Yu Dynasty, right?"

As he said this, the corners of his mouth curled up, as if he were somewhat proud.

Li Tianzong was speechless. They didn't know Ji Qingqing's cultivation level, only that it was quite good.

It seems the other party didn't really demonstrate much.

Their identities were only revealed privately during their marriage; few people knew this secret.

After all, many Lineage of the Great Yu Dynasty, including other Divine General Residence, harbored fear and rejection towards the inhabitants of the Great Wasteland Heaven.

Li Tianzong glanced at Li Hao, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

He knew the rules of the Ji Family. Ji Qingqing's marriage to Li Tiangang was a private decision. If it weren't for their deep affection, he, as her father, wouldn't have agreed.

With a sigh, Li Tianzong said nothing, but transmitted his voice to Li Hao:

"Hao'er, do you know your mother's identity? We'll send her back together later, but you absolutely cannot stay at the Ji Family's place for long. And you absolutely cannot let anyone know that your mother is Ji Qingqing. I'm worried they might do something to you."

Li Hao was slightly taken aback. During his time at Heaven's Gate Pass, he had asked Old Feng about the Great Wasteland Heaven during their casual conversations. Although Old Feng didn't know much about it, he did know a few things: the Lineage of the Great Wasteland Heaven had extremely excellent Bloodline, and therefore, they rarely intermarried with other races.

The marriage between Li Tiangang and Ji Qingqing can be considered a result of their mutual efforts and the protection of the Divine General Residence's Mansion, which concealed information about Ji Qingqing's mother, allowing them to live peacefully together over the years.

This is why, after revealing her identity in Northern Yan, her mother scared away the Saint Palace, and she left afterward.

Li Hao fell silent.

Going to the Ji Family, yet unable to reunite with that mother?

The image of that caring and loving gaze from when he was an infant, and that gentle and beautiful woman, vaguely surfaced in his mind.

"Let's go, it's time to set off."

The old man urged.

"We'll go too," Li Xiaoran said, standing up.

Li Hao snapped out of his daze and looked at the two who were about to set off together. He quickly said, "Fourth Master..." He turned his head to call Li Tianzong, but when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he didn't know how to address him.

If one addresses someone as "Grandpa," wouldn't that imply that one still considers that identity?

But if I don't address them that way, they'll probably be very upset if they know my current situation, right?

Thinking of what the old man from the Ji Family said—that the other person only had enough time to go home and visit once— Li Hao felt a pang of sadness.

Having experienced the Battle of Dragon City, he knew how strong the enemy's determination to return home was.

"You should go back first. The power of the Mo River has seeped into Grandpa's body. I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on for much longer," Li Hao said.

For this final journey, he intended to ensure the old man did not get hurt.

Li Xiaoran was taken aback and couldn't help but look at Li Tianzong.

Li Tianzong's expression changed slightly. He had also noticed something was wrong with himself, but he hadn't expected it to be so serious.

"That's right, you all should hurry up and leave. This kid can take me back by himself," the old man from the Ji Family said impatiently.

"Eldest Brother, is it true?!"

Li Xiaoran's eyes immediately reddened as he looked at Li Tianzong.

Li Tianzong remained silent. He looked at Li Hao and said, "Anyway, it's just a glance. It's fine if I don't look. I'm already content to have such a good grandson like you."

"Since we will perish sooner or later, I will pass on my power to you, which may help you reach even greater heights!"

Li Hao understood his meaning and shook his head slightly. "I haven't grasped the Dao Heart yet. Your power will only increase the strength of my Divine Soul; it won't help me break through my cultivation level."

While improving Divine Soul strength is certainly a good thing, for Li Hao, it can be achieved simply by cultivating some Spirit-Refining Cultivation Method.

How could something that could be accomplished through Cultivation Method possibly cause this old man to Divine Soul completely?

Li Tianzong paused, feeling a surge of emotion welling up with tears. "But my dear grandson, I haven't given you anything yet, and you almost died for me..."

"You've already given it to me."

Li Hao looked at him, a smile appearing on his face, and said, "You've acknowledged my paintings, and my frivolous pleasures..."

Upon hearing this, Li Tianzong felt even more heartbroken and said, "Those are all trivial matters. My grandson is exceptionally Unparalleled; doesn't he deserve praise?"

Li Hao paused for a moment, then smiled and said to Li Xiaoran, "Fourth Master, I'll trouble you to take Grandpa back with you. Be careful on the road."

Upon hearing that his Eldest Brother Li Tianzong would soon perish, Li Xiaoran was still in a daze, his mind reeling. He regained his composure and said:

"I understand, Hao'er. You must be careful too. If I don't see you return after I send my Eldest Brother back, I'll come looking for you!"

"You don't need to come looking for him. This kid is much better than you." The old man from the Ji Family sneered. He was the source of the Obsession of the Mo River and knew everything that had happened inside. He was extremely satisfied with Li Hao's performance.

Such Heavenly Talent would be considered Heavenly Prodigy even within the Ji Family.

Goodbye, Fourth Master.

Li Hao immediately said goodbye to them.

"This seems to be the Frontier of the Great Wasteland Heaven. There are many Demons in the Great Wasteland Heaven, and they are very powerful. You must be careful," Li Xiaoran said.

Li Hao nodded.

"Let's go quickly, stop dawdling," the elder of the Ji Family urged.

Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves that this uncle, whoever he was from their in-laws' family, had a really poor patience.

The two gave each other some more instructions, intending to convey the information they knew about the Great Wasteland Heaven to Li Hao. The elder from the Ji Family, hearing only half of this, said:

"I'll tell this kid along the way, you guys better get going!"

Upon hearing this, the two gave up, thinking that since the other party was a powerful member of the Ji Family, he should be able to give Li Hao directions.

The group said their goodbyes.

Thinking of Heaven's Gate Pass, Li Hao said to Li Xiaoran, "Fourth Master, after we send Grandpa back, could you please go to Heaven's Gate Pass and let my Sword Attendant know that I won't be back for the time being and that she and my clone will be in charge of Heaven's Gate Pass?"

He referred to himself as Sword Attendant, without mentioning Old Feng, mainly because he was worried that the other party wouldn't accept Old Feng's identity.

The message reached Ren Qianqian's ears and naturally passed on to Old Feng Old Feng, who understood its meaning.

"Um."

Li Xiaoran nodded, his expression slightly changing as he recalled the rumors he had vaguely heard about Li Hao and Li Tiangang. However, remembering that his Eldest Brother was still beside him, he made no move to react.

After saying goodbye, Li Hao watched Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong leave together. They followed the Great Dao, identified the direction of the Great Yu Dynasty, and then flew away.

"We should go too."

"That's what the elder from the Ji Family said."

Li Hao stared at it for a long time, then looked away and nodded slightly.

Li Xiaoran carried Li Tianzong's figure as they flew straight across the wilderness.

Every few hundred miles they flew, they would Pause and check their direction.

As he continued forward, he finally found a clear location and couldn't help but show a look of joy:

"This is Beyond the Border Liang Prefecture. Looking at the route ahead, we can pass through Heaven's Gate Pass on our way back."

"Heaven's Gate Pass?"

Li Tianzong asked curiously, "I just heard Hao'er say that he's stationed there? How old is Hao'er? How can he be out leading troops into battle now? He's still at the age of cultivation."

Li Xiaoran smiled somewhat awkwardly and said, "Hao'er Heavenly Talent exceptional talent, as you've seen. His cultivation speed is astonishing, so early training isn't a bad thing."

"That's true. He's only fifteen outside, but back there he was already able to fight against Demon King from the Great Peace Dao Realm at eighteen..."

As Li Tianzong spoke, his eyes shone with excitement and joy. "With such a descendant in my Li Family, I can die without regrets!"

Hearing him say the words "I have no regrets about dying"...

Li Xiaoran's expression changed slightly, and he fell silent. He thought of what Li Hao had just said: his Eldest Brother could only go back for a quick look before disappearing.

A pang of sadness gripped his heart. He remained silent, lowered his head, and quickened his pace.