Mo River Battle Realm

At these words, interest stirred in Li Hao's eyes, and he looked toward her.

"Those in the final four realms are martial artists who have already transcended the mortal world."

Su Yehua said, "These realms aren't divided into ten levels each. Take the 'Fifteen Li' realm-why is it called that? Because those in the Fifteen Li Realm cultivate the Object Control Art. Not only can their spirits roam heaven and earth, they can also use their spirits to command their bodies and soar through the skies!"

"One breath, one li. Their top speed can reach fifteen li per breath, hence the name."

"Fifteen li in a single breath?"

Many were stunned. Wasn't that speed like the wind racing and lightning flashing? They could dart out of a city in the blink of an eye, cross mountains and ridges, and travel between provinces!

"Those in the Fifteen Li Realm can control flying swords and kill enemies fifteen li away. Before any blood is seen, the head has already fallen!"

"Thus, only experts who reach the Fifteen Li Realm can truly be considered terrifying figures who inspire dread. They kill without a trace!"

Su Yehua spoke calmly.

"What about the Heaven and Man Realm?"

"Those in the Heaven and Man Realm are known as grandmasters. You must comprehend a grandmaster's heart to enter it."

Su Yehua said, "This is also where the aptitude revealed by Bone Measurement ceases to be of much use. What matters most is temperament and comprehension. Throughout history, even most prodigies with ninth grade battle bodies have fallen short of this realm. Fifteen Li is the end of their life's journey, which is why the Fifteen Li Realm is also called 'fifteen li of spring breeze in life.'"

After the spring breeze came the withering autumn.

Then came winter, when all things fell silent.

She looked around and said evenly, "Beyond that, those in the Three Immortalities can pass down the power within their bloodlines. The Three Immortalities has three realms, each a heaven unto itself. Advancing even one realm in sixty years is remarkable. You needn't concern yourselves with these things yet."

Her words filled everyone with longing, while also making them feel the vast gulf between themselves and those heights.

Those in the Three Immortalities were already Great Yu's foremost divine generals, while those in the Four Establishments Realm were hailed as sages. Even their fathers had to bow in reverence before such figures.

Seeing her skim over it in just a few words, Li Hao felt a little disappointed. He had hoped to hear something new.

Still, he had already looked up and learned the finer distinctions between these realms in the Listening Rain Pavilion when he was ten.

He had also heard plenty while fishing with the old man, so he knew something about them all.

Fifteen li of spring breeze was not the limit.

For instance, the supreme Object Control Art possessed by their Li Family could achieve twenty-li object control.

He had heard from the old man that the imperial family's Nine Heavens Soaring Cloud Art could achieve twenty-five-li object control, crossing a small city in one breath and traversing a river in two. It was extraordinarily powerful.

Naturally, Old Feng had also stolen that treasured imperial Object Control technique for him along the way. It was another rubbing copy; he had not dared touch the original.

After all, the imperial family was too close to Qian Dao Palace, where a True Person reputed to be the greatest expert in Great Yu presided.

By combining the two peak techniques with his insights from the sixth stage of the Imperial Dao, Li Hao could currently cover forty li in a single breath. He could feel that this was not yet the limit. If he found more supreme Object Control Arts and fused them together, he could improve further.

His current cultivation was also at the peak of the Fifteen Li Realm.

He was just one step away from becoming a grandmaster.

With his insights from the sixth stage of the Path of the Physical Body, he could complete the transition to the Grandmaster Realm at any time. The reason he had yet to enter it was that he lacked a grandmaster's heart.

Still, Li Hao felt he could grasp that opportunity at any moment.

How could he forge a grandmaster's heart?

First, he had to touch the Heavenly Gate. Then, he had to find his own path.

His insights into the Path of the Physical Body had already allowed him to touch that elusive Heavenly Gate, putting him half a step into the Grandmaster Realm.

But having spent so long in the residence, studying various arts every day to achieve heart entry and gain art skill points, his thoughts had not lingered on the Martial Dao. Naturally, he had yet to find his own grandmaster's heart.

Now that he had come out to unwind, Li Hao felt that his opportunity to enter the Grandmaster Realm could arrive at any time.

On the platform, after finishing her explanation of the Martial Dao's eight realms, Su Yehua told everyone, "Being admitted to the Class A Institute proves that you have outstanding aptitude, but don't grow arrogant. Tan Palace Academy's true supreme arts are in Black White Hall. Only those who enter Black White Hall are true prodigies!"

Li Hao's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at her.

"There are two ways to enter Black White Hall."

"First, our Class A Institute has a Martial Dao Ranking. Reach the top five and remain there for six consecutive months, and you can enter Black White Hall."

"Second, pass the Mo River Battle Realm trial."

The moment she mentioned "Mo River," a faint stir swept through those present.

Li Hao's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had also found plenty of information about the Mo River Battle Realm in the Listening Rain Pavilion. It was an extremely mysterious and dangerous place, but it did not fall under the Li Family's jurisdiction.

Su Yehua surveyed them. Some disciples from prominent families looked tense, while other aristocratic clan disciples appeared bewildered.

She said, "We all know that four of the five divine generals guard the borders, suppressing the demons that trespass upon our territory. They hold the east, south, west, and north!"

"And the foremost Divine General Residence, the Heavenly Illumination Divine General Residence, oversees the Mo River Division and suppresses the Mo Rivers throughout the land!"

At this, her gaze swept over several people in the crowd, including Li Hao.

"The divine generals guard the borders, and the Mo River Division suppresses the Mo Rivers. Both concern the survival of the common people throughout the land."

"We can sit here comfortably, attend lessons, teach, cultivate the Martial Dao, and even pursue so-called merit and fame through slaying demons, all because the Five Divine General Residences exist. They are the ones carrying the burden as they press forward!"

"That's right."

Beside Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao spoke softly. His little fists clenched beneath the desk, and his plump face was filled with excitement.

"The Border Battlefield is beyond our reach, but the Mo River Battle Realms seep into every corner of Great Yu's Nineteen Provinces like veins running through the earth. Resolving the Mo Rivers is the duty of all of us who practice martial arts!"

Su Yehua's expression was solemn, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Then she pointed to someone among the disciples. "You're from the Wang Family of the Heavenly Illumination Divine General Residence, aren't you? Tell everyone what a Mo River is."

The boy she pointed to wore black and was fourteen or fifteen, yet his eyes were sharp and cold. He seemed far more mature than his peers.

Called upon, he showed neither panic nor awkwardness, simply rising calmly:

"Teacher, my name is Wang Han."

The Wang Family of the Heavenly Illumination Divine General Residence.

As the foremost Divine General Residence, its standing was even slightly above the Li Family's.

Clearly, however, the boy before them was not among the Wang Family's most outstanding third-generation members. His position within his clan was much like that of Li Yun and Li Yuanzhao-children whose talent fell somewhat short of those true dragons and true phoenixes.

He had come to study at Tan Palace Academy mainly to gild his credentials, as well as for the connections gathered there and the supreme arts of Black White Hall.

"Wang Han, tell us." Su Yehua spoke approvingly.

Everyone turned toward Wang Han. Learning that he belonged to the Heavenly Illumination Divine General Residence, their gazes shifted slightly, taking on a measure of awe.

He dressed plainly, and the Heavenly Illumination Divine General Residence was ten thousand li away. Had Su Yehua not pointed it out, none of them would have recognized his background.

"The origins of the Mo River Battle Realms stretch far back into the past and cannot be traced. Their numbers have increased year after year, and they have now begun appearing one after another in the remote countryside and towns within our territory."

Wang Han said calmly, "A Mo River Battle Realm is like a separate world, a mirage or an illusion. But if you die inside, you truly die."

"Mo Rivers are very difficult to eliminate completely. Even if you destroy one, it will extend back here again."

"That is why the Mo River Division recruits every year, yet remains short of people."

"Very few Mo Rivers have been completely resolved throughout history. You must clear the entire Mo River and break through it to do so. As for how difficult that is, you'll understand once you enter one yourselves."

Someone could not help asking, "What's inside a Mo River?"

Wang Han glanced at the speaker, his voice ice-cold. "Rumor has it that they are rivers leading to hell. Naturally, what lies inside... is the dead."

The temperature in the courtyard seemed to plunge by more than ten degrees, and many shivered faintly.

"Please sit."

Su Yehua gestured to Wang Han, then addressed everyone. "In short, you must all work hard at your cultivation this year. Tan Palace Academy has everything you could need. The question is whether you have the ability to win it for yourselves. The future belongs to you. Give it your all!"

The motivational broth at the end roused many from Wang Han's words. They drank it in until their eyes shone.

"Also, from now on, whatever your status outside may be, everyone will be treated equally within the academy. Those who make mistakes will all be punished, and those who earn merit will be rewarded!" Su Yehua said.

At this, many kept glancing toward Li Hao, Wang Han, and the others, as well as the two boys of distinguished status.

Treat everyone equally-could they really do that?

Li Hao smiled, not particularly concerned.

After Su Yehua left, the courtyard grew lively.

Soon, people approached Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao, taking the initiative to strike up conversations.

Even at their young age, under their parents' guidance, they had already learned to build connections and accumulate capital for the future.

Li Hao did not look down on them, but he only chatted with those who shared his interests.

"Hello, Young Master Li. I'm from the Zhao Family of Cang Province..."

"Can you play chess?"

"Uh, no."

"Paint?"

"No..."

Li Hao lost interest.

Time flew, and half a month passed.

(End of chapter)