Grandmaster's Heart

Time flies.

After returning from the Brothel, Li Hao was kept in the mansion by Li Tiangang and not allowed to run around.

The father and son had a small argument about this, and finally compromised. Li Hao agreed to stay in the mansion, but he was not allowed to interfere with what Li Hao did.

Li Tiangang agreed.

Li Hao stopped painting all day and instead spent the rest of his time in the Listening Rain Pavilion, except for playing Chess with Fifth Master.

On one hand, they were waiting for the Second Master to return, and on the other hand, they were reviewing these Cultivation Method.

The Listening Rain Pavilion has a vast collection of books. Even just browsing through them would take at least ten years of tireless reading, let alone comprehending them.

Li Hao originally selected some Cultivation Method from high to low, not paying much attention to the lower-level ones, but this time he started from the bottom.

With his understanding of the Sixth Dan of the Path of the Physical Body, he should have been able to advance to the Heaven and Man Realm, but he is stuck here.

Li Hao planned to first comprehend the Grandmaster's Heart before making any further moves.

However, it's easier said than done.

What is Grandmaster?

It means being able to establish one's own school of thought and have one's own path.

No one can Grandmaster how to do things, nor can anyone instruct Grandmaster.

Even the Three Immortalities wouldn't suffice, because every Grandmaster's path is different. Although the Three Immortalities are at a higher level, they can only impart some of their own experience in advancement and cultivation, but they cannot provide precise guidance on how to proceed.

Similarly, once you reach the Heaven and Human Grandmaster Realm, you'll have to walk your own path, one step at a time.

Without guidance on Cultivation Method or anyone to teach you, you can only learn from, think about, and comprehend it on your own.

"My own Martial Dao..."

Li Hao sat in the Listening Rain Pavilion, holding a Detailed Explanation of Martial Arts Fundamentals, his eyes gleaming.

He asked the Second Master how to comprehend the Grandmaster's Heart.

The Second Master mentioned three methods. One was to gain worldly experience and, through the cleansing of the mortal world, find one's own martial spirit.

The second type is the sudden enlightenment triggered by walking on the edge of life and death and being forced by the great terror between life and death, thus taking a step forward.

The third, more stable approach depends on individual comprehension; that is, to seek knowledge from the most basic Martial Dao Cultivation Method.

Why is it the most basic Cultivation Method?

Because the higher and more Mystery the Cultivation Method, the more easily one can be misled by the exquisite techniques at the Origin of the essence.

Like a stone.

If you throw it on the ground, everyone knows it's a stone; it's despised and trampled on by everyone.

But it's hard to say what will happen if it's placed on a table, especially in a Buddhist shrine, where it will be cherished and worshipped by thousands.

But essentially, they are all just stones.

At this moment, Li Hao was flipping through the Martial Arts Compendium, which contained many Martial Arts, but were only simply listed.

Swords, spears, clubs, fists, Movement Method...

Li Hao flipped through the pages casually, not seeking any particular insight, but simply passing the time.

A month Past in the blink of an eye.

Li Hao read many books in the Listening Rain Pavilion, and in addition to Martial Arts, he also learned about some strange people and interesting stories.

It also contains many books that record the life stories of many Grandmaster.

These Grandmaster followed all sorts of unconventional paths, each with their own unique Martial Dao style.

Some are despicable schools, whose attack methods are all low-down and underhanded, such as gouging out eyes to attack the groin, throwing poison and sand, etc. They do whatever is as insidious as possible, and they condense these insidious moves into a set of combos, that is, Cultivation Method, and use this to establish their own school.

Then there's the hard-hitting style, which means being head-on, fighting head-on, never playing dirty, and unleashing explosive attacks.

Others are those who rely on Movement Method, emphasizing lightness and Dexterous Level.

For Li Hao, creating his own Cultivation Method was not difficult.

With his Sixth Dan of understanding of Sword Dao and Path of the Fist, he could easily create his own Fist Art and Swordsmanship.

It can even combine the two Cultivation Method.

But while the Cultivation Method are practiced, the mind is not yet formed.

When most people reach the Grandmaster Realm, they first establish their mindset, and then strengthen their Cultivation Method according to their Grandmaster's Heart.

Li Hao, on the other hand, is the opposite.

Where is my heart...?

Li Hao muttered to himself.

He has seen so many Cultivation Method that he is now somewhat bewildered by the sheer variety.

My mind is unsettled.

On this day, Li Hao came to the Listening Rain Pavilion as usual.

But he had barely sat down when he was called back to Mountains and Rivers Courtyard, told that they needed to speak with him.

When Li Hao returned to the courtyard, he immediately saw that in the main hall, besides his father Li Tiangang sitting there, there was another young girl sitting opposite him.

The girl was talking to her father in the hall, her back to the outside world.

Dressed in a dark purple coat, she exuded a mysterious Aura, like a fragrant Secluded Orchid.

His straight back alone is enough to make people feel the vitality of youth.

The two seemed to be talking about something, and the father, Li Tiangang, had a smile on his face, his eyes gentle and loving.

As he reached the door, Li Hao remembered the rules he had been forced to learn this month, so instead of going straight inside, he stopped outside and called out.

Li Tiangang looked at Li Hao, and at the same time, the girl who had her back to the outside world also turned around.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were as clear as a bright stream, her nose was delicate and her teeth were white, even the downy hair on her small face seemed to shimmer slightly, and her skin was as white as jade.

Li Hao was slightly stunned, then his eyes widened.

"Xue'er?"

"Brother Hao."

The girl seemed to recognize Li Hao as well. Memories of the past flooded her mind, and she smiled brightly, calling out in a clear voice.

Li Hao finally became certain that the girl in front of him was the little girl he hadn't seen for eight years, the one who always followed him around like Little Tail.

He strode forward, looking her up and down in amazement. Eight years had passed since they last met, and the little girl who used to cry so easily had grown into a young lady.

Moreover, she has a beautiful face, as if it were sculpted by hand.

"They've grown so much!" Li Hao couldn't help but utter a pointless, exclamation.

The girl was Bian Ruxue. She stood up from the chair with a graceful movement and said with a smile, "Brother Hao, you've grown so much taller."

"Definitely."

Li Hao chuckled and said, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Have you eaten yet? Let me tell you, my cooking skills are amazing now. In a few months, I can fatten you up!"

Bian Ruxue's cheeks flushed slightly as she said, "Brother Hao still likes to joke around."

"It's your fault for crying so easily, I had to tease you."

"I'm not a puppy."

Li Hao laughed and then asked, "How was it? Did anyone bully you while you were practicing your sword over there?"

Bian Ruxue smiled and shook her head, "My master, Senior Brother, and Senior Sister are all very good to me. No one bullies me."

"That's good."

"Brother Hao, how have you been all these years?"

Bian Ruxue asked, her eyes fixed on Li Hao.

Li Hao grinned and said, "Of course! Don't you know who I am? I'm the one who bullies others, not the other way around. I can eat and drink every day and have a great time."

Li Tiangang frowned slightly upon hearing this and sighed inwardly.

Bian Ruxue glanced at Li Hao and whispered, "Brother Hao, please stop joking."

Upon hearing this, Li Tiangang's face hardened slightly as he said, "Hao'er, be serious. Xue'er just returned; you're not allowed to bully her."

"Okay, okay."

Li Hao smiled helplessly.

Bian Ruxue immediately turned to Li Tiangang and said, "Uncle, Brother Hao would never bully me."

Li Tiangang looked at her, a smile appearing on his face, and said:

"Xue'er, you're just too soft-hearted. Don't worry, now that I'm back, if Hao'er dares to bully you, just come to me, and I'll stand up for you."

"Your father entrusted you to me back then, so I will definitely take good care of you and never let you suffer any injustice in our Li Family!"

"Thank you, Uncle."

Bian Ruxue smiled and bowed slightly to express her gratitude. Then, she looked at Li Hao in front of her and noticed that the smile on his face seemed to have faded considerably.

Without thinking much of it, she said to Li Tiangang, "Uncle, I'd like to go for a walk with Brother Hao and have a chat alone."

"Alright, you can go ahead."

Li Tiangang nodded with a smile.

Bian Ruxue bowed slightly again, then said to Li Hao, "Brother Hao, let's go. It's been so long since I've been back. Would you like to come for a walk with me?"

Li Hao nodded, then, as if remembering something, turned to look at his father sitting above him. "Shall I accompany Xue'er out for a walk?"

Li Tiangang nodded and said, "I'm relieved to have Xue'er with you. Spend these days having fun with Xue'er."

Li Hao's lips twitched slightly. He turned and took Bian Ruxue's hand, saying, "Let's go. I'll take you to see the city. There's not a single good restaurant in Qingzhou City that I don't know."

The soft hand that was being pulled twitched slightly, as if suddenly startled, but quickly softened and let Li Hao hold it.

After watching the two leave, Li Tiangang sighed softly and said, "Although Hao'er hasn't had us by his side these past few years, he's been doing quite well. It's just a pity that no one has disciplined him; he's become too wild."

Uncle Zhao opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again.

Li Tiangang's eyes softened, and he said, "Fortunately, Xue'er is polite and sensible. With Xue'er by his side, she can keep him in check, which puts my mind at ease. This kid is lucky to have found Xue'er."

After leaving the Divine General Residence, Li Hao led the girl beside him straight towards the bustling nearby streets.

"Brother Hao, I just found out that Uncle only recently returned."

Bian Ruxue, being led by Li Hao, didn't struggle, but her cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes occasionally glanced at Li Hao's profile. "After I left, were you always alone?"

Li Hao smiled and said, "Silly girl, why are you still as silly as you were when you were little? Mountains and Rivers Courtyard is so big, with so many servants and maids, how could I be all alone?"

"Servants and maids are different; Brother Hao wouldn't confide in them," Bian Ruxue said.

"Then I won't say," Li Hao said with a smile.

Bian Ruxue paused for a moment, then asked, "Will it be painful if you don't tell me?"

"I'm used to it."

Li Hao led Bian Ruxue to a sugar painting stall. "Want some candy?"

Bian Ruxue glanced at him and shook her head slightly. "Brother Hao, I've grown up now."

"You call yourself grown up at only fourteen? What will you be like at twenty? You'll be old by then."

Seeing that she didn't like sweets, Li Hao continued to lead her around.

On the way, I found a toy stall and bought her an Iron Frog. With a gentle press, it could bounce forward continuously. It was a product of the Thousand Machines Sect.

The two strolled and chatted, with Li Hao asking about her life on the mountain over the years, Bian Ruxue inquiring about Li Hao's days in the courtyard.

When it was time for dinner, Li Hao found a Restaurant and took her out to eat and chat.

After eight years apart, they had a lot to talk about. At first, they were a little awkward, but later Li Hao seemed to have rediscovered the feeling he had when he was a child.

When did you come down the mountain?

"A month ago," Bian Ruxue said.

Li Hao was somewhat surprised and asked, "Then why did it take you so long to get back?"

"I heard there were some strange occurrences in a certain place, so I went to check it out. It turns out that a Mo River had seeped in and destroyed an entire village," Bian Ruxue said.

Li Hao nodded. "And then what happened?"

"I tried repeatedly, but unfortunately I only managed to destroy it and couldn't complete the game."

Li Hao laughed, "Destroying it is good enough; at least it can make it disappear temporarily."

Bian Ruxue sighed softly and nodded, saying, "That's true."

Seeing the Side Sword beside her, which she never left, Li Hao asked, "How has your swordsmanship improved these years following the Sword Saint?"

Bian Ruxue was slightly taken aback, then paused for a moment before saying, "It's alright."

Seeing her reaction, Li Hao couldn't help but laugh, "What's wrong? Did you get criticized for not practicing well? Why are you so down when you mention swords?"

Bian Ruxue shook her head slightly, put the sword aside, and said, "Brother Hao, let's not talk about the sword anymore. I only found out when I came back that you're about to become the Li Family True Dragon. I heard on the way that there's someone else competing with you. Are you confident?"

"What do you think?" Li Hao asked.

Seeing Li Hao's relaxed demeanor, Bian Ruxue immediately said, "I think so."

I think it's possible too.

Li Hao smiled and served her some food.

"Speaking of which, I saw many important figures heading towards Qing Prefecture on the way. I heard that the True Dragon Contest requires considering connections."

Bian Ruxue said, "Brother Hao, should I call Master and the others down to help you?"

"Connections are just a minor issue, nothing to worry about. The choices made by the Li Family True Dragon are not something outsiders can sway," Li Hao said with a smile.

Bian Ruxue thought about it and agreed, saying, "Alright then, if Brother Hao needs anything from me, you must tell me."

"There is indeed something I need you to do."

"What?" Bian Ruxue was taken aback.

"I'm full. You finish the rest, and don't waste food." Li Hao let out a satisfied burp and leaned back comfortably in his chair.

Bian Ruxue fell slightly speechless.