A sensation

After Uncle Zhao and Li Fu left, Yu Xuan looked at Li Tiangang with a hesitant expression and said:

"Marshal, you just returned yesterday. Such a conflict and misunderstanding with the young master is bound to affect the father-son relationship. Do you think we should go and comfort the young master?"

Li Tiangang glanced in the direction Li Hao had left and realized that his attitude had been a bit too harsh. But then he thought of the cold look in Li Hao's eyes and felt a surge of nameless anger.

He patted Yu Xuan on the shoulder and said, "I'm sorry you had to put up with this child today."

Yu Xuan quickly bowed and said, "Marshal, you flatter me. I'm fine, but the problem is with the young master..."

I'll go see him later.

Li Tiangang sighed and said, "Even if I'm wrong, this child has been spoiled and arrogant for years, and his temper is too much. He even said we could do whatever we wanted with the painting. Since the painting depicts Qingqing, his mother, he's just throwing it away in a fit of pique over something so trivial? He deserves a beating!"

Yu Xuan opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped, unsure of how to offer advice.

After all, he didn't understand these things. He was an orphan from the battlefield, and besides, the rules and regulations were strict, so he couldn't say too much.

Suddenly, a figure flew across the sky.

Li Tiangang looked up and saw that the person who came was his Second Uncle, and immediately smiled.

"Second Uncle!"

He greeted us first and quickly walked out of the corridor to meet us:

"What brings you here, sir? I was just about to go and thank you."

Li Muxiu landed in the Courtyard, looked at Li Tiangang's imposing figure, and sighed:

"You rascal, those years on the Frontier have certainly made you much stronger. What about Qingqing?"

Li Tiangang was taken aback, then whispered, "Let's go."

"They've left?"

Li Muxiu frowned immediately, staring at him and asking, "Are you coming back?"

Li Tiangang was slightly surprised and looked at his Second Uncle.

"I'm asking you a question," Li Muxiu said irritably.

Li Tiangang hesitated, then asked, "Second Uncle, do you know anything about Qingqing...?"

"Hmph, do you really think you can keep this from everyone? Back then, who didn't know? Your father knew, and your mother knew!"

Li Muxiu said irritably, "Otherwise, would I have allowed you to get married?"

"My father and mother both know..." Li Tiangang was stunned as if struck by lightning. After a long while, he came to his senses, and the man's eyes were even a little moist.

Li Muxiu casually released a burst of energy to seal off the surroundings, staring at him and saying, "Tell me honestly, is she coming back?"

Li Tiangang clenched his fists and slowly shook his head. "They can't come back."

He couldn't come back... Li Muxiu took a deep breath, then, as if remembering something, immediately said:

"I was away from the manor yesterday on some business. I heard you returned yesterday. What about the others? Do you know what happened? What about Hao'er? Does he know?"

Faced with his repeated questions, Li Tiangang shook his head again. "I didn't go into details, everyone thought Qingqing was..."

"Hao'er doesn't know either?"

Li Muxiu immediately asked.

Li Tiangang nodded slightly.

Li Muxiu paused for a moment, then sighed.

He nodded and said, "You did the right thing. It's better that Hao'er doesn't know. Since Qingqing isn't coming back, there's no need for Hao'er to know. Just pretend she's dead!"

Upon hearing this, Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly, but in the end, he clenched his fists and remained silent.

"You were able to end the war in Northern Yan, could it be because of Qingqing?" Li Muxiu suddenly asked.

Li Tiangang shook his head slightly and said, "That's only part of it. The main reason is that the Saint Palace has weakened due to the fighting over the years."

Li Muxiu sneered, "These Demon Creature... Once Hao'er inherits the True Dragon Seat and the Lineage has an heir, I'll personally go and meet those ten-thousand -Ten-Thousand-Year Demon King!"

"Second Uncle, the Lineage still needs you to protect it."

Li Tiangang smiled wryly, knowing his Second Uncle's temperament, and changed the subject:

"Speaking of Hao'er, I was just about to go and thank you, Second Uncle."

"Why thank me? It's only right that I take care of Hao'er. He's the only one among all my grand-nephews that I can respect. He's different from the other blockheads, including you nephews, you're all blockheads too," Li Muxiu said without any politeness.

Seeing Self was also being criticized, Li Tiangang felt slightly helpless but did not retort.

Back when the nine brothers were young, most of them, except for a few, were looked down upon by their Second Uncle.

He hadn't expected Li Hao to be so well-liked by his eccentric Second Uncle, and smiled as he said:

"If it weren't for you, Second Uncle, Defy Heaven and Change Fate Hao'er's destiny, Hao'er wouldn't have achieved what he has today. I will forever remember this kindness!"

"What?"

Li Muxiu was taken aback and said, "What Defy Heaven and Change Fate? Me, for Hao'er?"

"Hmm?" Li Tiangang looked at him in confusion.

The young man beside him Yu Xuan, also looked at this Pillar of the Sea of the Li Family with a hint of surprise on his face.

"Second Uncle, Hao'er fourteen years old this year and has already cultivated to the Fifteen Li Realm. If it weren't for you..."

Li Tiangang was interrupted halfway through his sentence.

You must be mistaken.

Li Muxiu suddenly realized what the other person was thinking, and said in an annoyed tone:

"Given my affection for Hao'er, I would indeed like to Defy Heaven and Change Fate for him, but I used up my chances long ago, so what chance do I have now?"

"Besides, Hao'er's Heavenly Talent is unparalleled, surpassing all others throughout history, even more extraordinary than your Ninth Brother. He doesn't need to Defy Heaven and Change Fate; it would be better if he were ruined."

"Ah?"

Even Li Tiangang, with his calm demeanor honed through years of battlefield experience, couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.

Not my Second Uncle?

Hao'er's cultivation has reached this level entirely due to his own talent?

Yu Xuan was also stunned, staring at the old man with a shocked expression.

Seeing Li Tiangang's shocked expression, Li Muxiu couldn't help but laugh; he could understand it.

After all, with Li Hao's talent, even in the Li Family, where geniuses abound, he is an unparalleled and overwhelming figure.

"Hao'er Heavenly Talent intelligent, beyond the imagination of ordinary people; he's not just a typical genius," Li Muxiu said with a smile.

Li Tiangang snapped out of his daze and asked in surprise, "But wasn't it said that Hao'er's Meridians were blocked?"

He is Li Hao's biological father, so the news that reached his ears couldn't possibly be false.

There's no need to hide it from him, no matter who else you're trying to hide it from.

Besides, Li Hao has his mother's Bloodline, so this situation is not impossible.

"It is indeed a blockage of the Meridians."

Li Muxiu sighed and said, "That's why it's so terrifying. Hao'er himself said that his Meridians were suddenly opened in his dream. I've investigated this situation, and it's a pseudo- Meridians blockage, not a complete blockage. This kind of accident is ten thousand times rarer than a pure Meridians blockage. After all, most children from ordinary families accumulate turbid blood over generations, and many have blocked Meridians."

"He was about six or seven years old when his Meridians were clear."

The Meridians being blocked is not unusual in ordinary households, but it is rare in the Divine General Residence.

Li Tiangang's eyes widened in surprise.

Having been on the battlefield for many years, he had seen countless flashes of swords and bloodshed without ever blinking, but at this moment he was so shocked that he was speechless.

Doesn't this mean that Li Hao only started cultivating at the age of six or seven?

Without Foundation Establishment or Blood Fusion, yet in just seven years, he's reached the Fifteen Li Realm?

Moreover, based on what we've learned so far, Li Hao doesn't do anything productive and spends his time playing around; he hasn't really been cultivating properly at all...

No wonder even my Second Uncle called it "terrifying"!

The most Prodigy genius Li Tiangang had ever seen was his Ninth Brother, but now he realized that even he couldn't compare to his son.

This is his son!

Li Tiangang's body trembled slightly, his heart filled with barely concealed excitement.

Yu Xuan was stunned and speechless.

The lazy young master from before is actually so powerful?

Seeing their reactions, Li Muxiu smiled smugly. He loved seeing their naivety.

We can't let only Old Feng, Lao Wu, and I be scared.

Where is Hao'er?

Li Muxiu looked around.

Li Tiangang was still excited and said, "Hao'er should be in his courtyard."

Li Muxiu nodded and said with a smile, "I came here for two reasons. First, to see you. Second, I had some business to take care of. Now that you're back, I can go and do those things without worry. I'll leave Hao'er in your care."

"With Hao'er's cultivation level, he can already roam the martial world freely. Why would he need my care?"

Li Tiangang said with a smile.

Li Muxiu's smile faded slightly. He glanced at him, seemingly with a deeper meaning, and said, "No matter how strong he is, he's still just a fourteen-year-old child."

"When I say 'take care of him,' I don't mean I'm afraid people will bully him; I mean I'm afraid he'll be alone, you understand?"

Li Tiangang froze, and the smile on his face slowly faded into silence.

Is it companionship?

Suddenly, the questions Li Hao had just asked him flashed through his mind.

"If I were to do as you think and single-mindedly pursue the title of Grandmaster, what good would that do?"

"So what if I am the greatest genius of the millennium?"

Li Tiangang couldn't help but take a deep breath, his expression changing.

What the child really meant was, what would he get out of him if he behaved so well?

Is it parental praise or parental companionship?

Thinking of his fourteen years of fighting in Northern Yan, Li Tiangang sighed inwardly, feeling a little guilty, realizing that he had indeed failed in his duty as a father.

He said to Li Muxiu, "Second Uncle, I understand. I will take good care of Hao'er and make up for what I've missed over the years."

Li Muxiu smiled and said, "Alright, I won't talk to you anymore. I'm going to check on Hao'er, then I'll be leaving."

"Second Uncle, may I ask what you're going to do?" Li Tiangang asked hurriedly.

"I made a promise with an old friend to discuss a rain shower."

Li Muxiu smiled and said this, then waved his hand and turned to leave gracefully.

Li Hao returned to his courtyard house.

As soon as they entered the house, the White Fox Xiao Rou suddenly appeared out of nowhere and jumped into Li Hao's arms.

Li Hao snapped out of his daze, and after a moment's realization, he smiled, picked up the White Fox, and ruffled its fur, saying:

"Where did you go? I haven't seen you anywhere."

The White Fox looked at him with a wronged expression, unable to speak, and simply buried her head in Li Hao.

Li Hao didn't think much of it. He picked it up and sat down at his desk. Looking at the Go Board next to him, he casually picked up a Chess Piece from the Go Box and twirled it between his fingers. He leaned back in his chair, looking bored, and gazed out the window.

Suddenly, a figure jumped out of the window, startling Li Hao.

"Hey kid, what are you doing here? Didn't Fifth Brother come to Chess with you?"

It was Li Muxiu who arrived.

Li Hao was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses and laughed, "Second Master, do you have time? Let's go dragon fishing."

Li Muxiu glared at him irritably. "What are you trying to catch? Do you even think you can catch one? Your father's back, shouldn't you spend more time with him?"

Li Hao's lips curled into a smile, and he said, "If we could catch a dragon last time, we'll definitely catch a serpent next time."

"You wish! Last time you were just lucky!"

Li Muxiu rolled his eyes at him, then said, "I'll be going out for a while. If you want to Angling, go find your Master Feng. Try not to go alone. I haven't found the Old Dragon in that lake yet. Even though you're only at the Fifteen Li Realm, it's still a bit dangerous."

Li Hao smiled and said, "Okay."

Meanwhile, in Evergreen Courtyard.

"What?!"

Inside the main hall, the teacup He Jianlan was holding fell onto the carpet, soaking a patch and scattering tea leaves.

But she didn't care at all, she suddenly stood up, and looked at Li Fu in astonishment. "Say that again?"

Li Fu chuckled inwardly, not at all surprised by the First Madam's reaction. Who wouldn't be shocked upon first learning of the young master's condition?

He respectfully replied, "Reporting to the First Madam, the Marquis has sent me to inform you that a family banquet will be held for Young Master Hao'er to celebrate his achievement of reaching the Fifteen Li mark!"

He Jianlan stared blankly at him. Li Fu was a soldier, so naturally he wouldn't lie about this, especially since it was Li Tiangang who had personally instructed him to do so.

But, has Li Hao reached the Fifteen Li Realm?

Suddenly, it was as if countless sparks of light flashed through her mind, then abruptly froze, giving her a feeling of sudden enlightenment.

Was it all a facade all these years?

Hao'er is not only capable of cultivation, but his Heavenly Talent is beyond imagination!

That hateful Seventh Brother, does he not trust her, so he even deceived her about something like this?!

She felt it was all Li Tiangang's idea; otherwise, how could a child understand these things?

He Jianlan felt a mix of joy, anger, and rage, but ultimately, she was overjoyed.

"Hao'er is actually at the Fifteen Li Realm... He's only fourteen years old!"

She murmured.

The room was completely silent.

The maids, servants, and her personal maids around her all stared at Li Fu in astonishment, trying to process this shocking news.

Li Hao had frequently visited Evergreen Courtyard over the years; how could they not know about this young master's situation?

Who would have thought that he would suddenly become so famous today, revealing his terrifying talent and Heavenly Talent!

The maid Xue Jian, who stood quietly to one side with her hands at her sides, had a look of astonishment on her pretty face.

She had a very deep impression of that child. The first time was when she accompanied him to the Listening Rain Pavilion. At the time, she thought that he was just a young boy who was just fooling around, and she was only accompanying him because she had no choice but to do so.

So, it turns out the other party had already been secretly cultivating all along?

How old was he back then? To be able to conceal it so flawlessly—his intelligence and wit are rather chilling!

"I understand. You go ahead and tell Seventh Brother that I'll settle the score with him later."

He Jianlan snapped out of her daze, glared at Li Fu, and assumed that he had known about this all along.

She usually acts like a blockhead, but when she's in front of her, she puts on a show of earnestly persuading Li Hao, which she actually finds quite admirable.

Li Fu, you really are an "honest man"!

The news of another family banquet was spread from Evergreen Courtyard all the way to the Kitchen procurement department and other hospitals.

He Jianlan did not hide anything and directly instructed the maids and servants who delivered the Communication to tell her everything.

Celebrating Li Hao's entry into the Fifteen Li Realm!

This news alone caused an uproar at the Li Manor!

Upon hearing this news, the entire Nine Courtyards and the Martial Arts Arena erupted in excitement!

The instructors in the Martial Arts Arena, Military Elder, were dumbfounded. He was no stranger to that young master, after all, he had introduced the young master's fiancée to the Sword Saint's tutelage.

But... that young master who was so ruthlessly rejected by the Sword Saint is actually only at the Fifteen Li Realm?!

You must be kidding!

Her fiancée, who had joined the Sword Hermitage, had probably only just reached the Spirit Wandering Realm!

At this moment, the news not only shocked the Military Elder, but also many of the Concubine-born Disciples of the Li Family who were practicing martial arts in the Martial Arts Arena.

Fourteen years old, Fifteen Li Realm!

These words pierced their brains like sharp cones, completely overturning their previous understanding.

Is this the terror of a direct descendant genius?!

In Water Bloom Courtyard.

Liu Yuerong was dressing up in her room.

Her beautiful face was reflected in the bronze mirror; although she was over forty, she looked like she was in her early thirties.

She had a graceful figure, captivating eyes, and a mature charm in her brows and eyes. Her hair was styled in a bun, making her look like a woman from a beautiful painting.

Her personal maid was arranging her hair ornaments when suddenly a maidservant gracefully entered the room, lowered her eyes, and whispered a message, saying that a maidservant from the Evergreen Courtyard's First Madam had come to pay her respects and had something to tell her.

Liu Yuerong merely glanced at him indifferently and instructed her maid to bring him back.

Soon, a Senior Maid entered the room, greeted Liu Yuerong, and then informed her about the family banquet.

"What?"

Liu Yuerong, who was admiring her reflection in the bronze mirror, suddenly froze upon hearing the maid's words, and then abruptly turned her head away.

The jewels hanging from a hairpin beside her bun swayed and hit her forehead as she turned her head abruptly.

"Celebrating Li Hao's entry into the Fifteen Li Realm? Li Hao?!!"

"Yes."

The Senior Maid bowed gracefully.

Looking at the other person's obedient appearance, Liu Yuerong's mind was buzzing.

Really? Fake? Just kidding?

That child, Fifteen Li Realm?!

A wave of dizziness suddenly washed over her; she felt as if she hadn't slept well the night before, and her vision began to blur intermittently.

In that instant, a multitude of thoughts flashed through her mind.

Everything that seems illogical and incomprehensible will crumble in the face of facts and be woven into a plausible reason, and she has already considered one possibility.

Her chest heaved violently a few times, but she managed to control herself.

He then smiled and dismissed the maid from Evergreen Courtyard. Immediately afterward, he frowned and summoned the old woman who was in Steward of the house, instructing her to find out if it was true or not.

Not long after, the old Steward returned and confirmed the news was true.

Liu Yuerong's face immediately turned ugly. How could this be?

Unless, Li Hao is not actually disabled, Li Tiangang sent Lin Haixia back with prior notice to cover up Li Hao's condition.

Only in this way can it be explained.

The supposed failure to Foundation Establishment is all fake, just for show.

You bastard Li Tiangang!

With such thick eyebrows and Mind's Eye, how could she be so cunning!

It must have been that weird woman, Ji Qingqing, who came up with this!

Liu Yuerong gritted her teeth. She still vividly remembered when she arrived at Mountains and Rivers Courtyard and saw that the child's body had turned white from being soaked in water.

But the Medicinal Liquid wasn't absorbed at all. To be able to pull off an act to this extent is truly ruthless!

"No, I must inform Qian Feng of this so he can prepare in advance."

Liu Yuerong suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly ordered someone to bring her paper and pen so she could write Secret Letter.

In addition, the other departments that learned of the news were all extremely shocked.

This news was even more shocking than when they learned that Jiulang Li Junye had reached the Grandmaster Realm at the age of seventeen.

After all, Li Hao had always seemed carefree in their eyes. No one had ever seen him practice martial arts. He was either painting or Angling with his Second Uncle. He seemed to have plenty of free time all day, which was completely different from the other teenagers who were sweating profusely from practicing martial arts.

Although Li Hao was later able to cultivate, no one inquired about his cultivation level. After all, it was obvious that without having Foundation Establishment, his Root Bone was destined to be extremely poor, and with such a lax attitude, how far could he possibly cultivate?

The Invitation from the Tan Palace Academy was sent at He Jianlan's special request, and Li Hao was included as well.

Even He Jianlan thought that Li Hao hadn't cultivated much and would have had a hard time getting into the Tan Palace Academy on his own, let alone what other people thought.

"So that's how it is. No wonder they made an exception for him..."

In the Snowdrift Courtyard, Li Yun and his sister were both staring blankly into space.

They thought Li Hao had simply reached the Soul Succession Realm a step ahead of them, since the Black White Hall's threshold was the Soul Succession Realm.

Unexpectedly, they arrived several steps ahead of time, reaching a place where they could no longer see them.

Li Wushuang stood to the side, and when she heard the news, her eyes only narrowed slightly, without any change.

She had already experienced Li Hao's slap from the Fifteen Li Realm yesterday.

Li Xuanli and Gao Qingqing were also taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances.

Noticing her younger sister Li Zhining's murmured words, Li Wushuang asked, "What exception are you talking about?"

Li Zhining snapped out of her daze, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Seeing her elder sister bowing her head to ask a question, she suddenly realized that even her radiant elder sister seemed to pale in comparison to that young man.

The difference between a 16-year-old at the Spirit Wandering Realm and a 14-year-old at the Fifteen Li Realm is too great!

Under Li Wushuang's persistent questioning, Li Zhining revealed the matter of the Tan Palace Academy.

Upon learning that Li Hao had been granted exceptional entry into the Black White Hall, Li Xuanli said irritably, "So, those old guys at the Tan Palace Academy knew about it before we did?"

Gao Qingqing, Dexterous Level -witted, had already calmed down from the shock and pondered, "When they went out to carry out the Academy Mission earlier, it was probably then that Hao'er revealed his strength."

"Why didn't those guys inform us about something so important?" Li Xuanli said, somewhat annoyed.

Gao Qingqing glanced at her husband and shook her head, saying:

"Think about it carefully. They must think that our Li Family knows about this. Hao'er has extraordinary talent but hasn't made a name for himself. Maybe we're deliberately covering it up. Plus, his parents are both on the Frontier, so it's easy to think that his parents aren't around, and that's why we're hiding Hao'er's fame to prevent him from being harmed by villains."

"Now that they know this news, they naturally dare not spread it. They're probably quite nervous, afraid that it will leak out because of them."

After listening to his wife's analysis, Li Xuanli came to his senses and was speechless. It was truly a coincidence that his wife had come home.

Speaking of assassination, Gao Qingqing glanced at her eldest daughter and said, "You must be more careful when you go out in the future. The Universe Rankings is a list of geniuses of our Human Race, and only the Heavenly Prodigy can be listed. But you also know that the Universe Rankings has another name."

"Um."

Li Wushuang nodded. The other name would be the Demon Race's Kill List!

The long-standing feud Human Race and Demon Race means that if they learned that a Great Demon had been born with an exceptionally talented Bloodline, they would also send people to Assassination.

Despite its name, the Merit and Fame and glory of the Universe Rankings still attract countless people.

After all, most geniuses have ambition. What kind of hero would hide and cower for fear of Assassination?

In this world, countless Warrior cultivate and train diligently, all for the sake of seeking nothing more than one word.

Name.