Chapter 106: Confrontation with Li Ganfeng

“Correct, Mother, rest assured—connections cannot decide anything; otherwise, the Li family’s True Dragon would be chosen by His Majesty.”

Beside him, Li Ganfeng spoke calmly.

He coldly glanced at the boy across the courtyard, then looked away; the imperial edict still stirred a ripple within him.

He felt a twinge of resentment.

But thinking of how he had won the True Dragon, stunned that emperor, and made him realize his mistake—how satisfying!

“Hmm.”

Hearing her son’s composed words, Liu Yuerong smiled.

At that moment, the old matriarch Chen Hefang stepped forward.

She had heard everything said at the banquet table but had not shown herself.

Now she smiled and exchanged a few polite greetings with the guests, then urged everyone to continue eating.

Eating was secondary, but Li Hao showed no restraint.

After all, how could he have strength later if he didn’t eat his fill?

While he feasted heartily, Li Tiangang, Jian Wudao, Chu Jiuyue, and others chatted merrily, recounting past events and praising Li Hao’s celestial talent.

Of course, when speaking of Li Hao, Jian Wudao’s words grew sparse.

He didn’t mention the past incident when he had rejected Li Hao as a disciple, to avoid awkwardness and mockery at the banquet.

Though he himself felt no regret for that decision—Li Hao was no true sword enthusiast, and his potential on the sword Dao was limited.

But such matters he understood himself, and his own disciples could grasp them; ordinary outsiders, however, might not comprehend—and would instead think him blind to talent.

After eating his fill, Li Hao fetched an empty plate, piled it with delicious dishes, and told Ren Qianqian, who stood behind him, to take them to the little white fox in the courtyard’s corner.

The little creature had sneaked over to join the festivities but dared not approach.

Since his father Li Tiangang returned, the white fox had hidden daily in Li Hao’s room, no longer running wild through the courtyard as before, let alone causing trouble in other kitchens.

Li Hao could sense the creature’s deep fear of his father.

It saddened him—he knew the little thing had suffered.

But his pet, his to cherish.

When most guests had finished eating, Chen Hefang appeared again, bringing forth the true main event: the selection of the Li family’s True Dragon.

All guests leaned forward, awaiting this moment, their eyes shifting between the two boys.

A figure descended from the sky, landing in the courtyard, white hair fluttering—it was Li Qingzheng.

Seeing this elder of the Li family, everyone involuntarily rose to their feet.

Even Jian Wudao’s gaze grew solemn, though he remained seated.

Decades ago, Li Qingzheng had failed to claim the Li family’s True Dragon, losing to Li Tiangang’s father, yet he remained an immensely fearsome powerhouse.

But now, after all these years, that once-bloodthirsty demon from the borderlands seemed to have cultivated inner peace, shedding his killing aura—now he radiated scholarly grace.

“Sister-in-law.”

Li Qingzheng nodded slightly to Chen Hefang; their eyes met, but neither spoke of old times.

“Li family youths, step forward!”

Li Qingzheng turned and said.

At this, Li Mingguang, Li Sibei, and others all stepped out.

Li Hao and Li Ganfeng also came forward, to the open space between the banquet tables.

“Those willing to bear the Li family’s future, to guard the people, step forward!”

Li Qingzheng said again.

At this, all eyes converged on the two figures.

Li Mingguang and the others stood still; Li Hao and Li Ganfeng both stepped forward together.

But then, a faint commotion arose behind them.

It was the daughter of Eighth Aunt, Li Rumeng, who had taken a step forward.

Immediately, a sharp voice came from the nearby table: “Rumeng, don’t act foolishly—come back!”

Hearing her father’s call, Li Rumeng pouted slightly but retracted her step.

Even that half-step made her feel countless piercing gazes, pressing down with overwhelming pressure.

The minor disturbance quickly faded; many were slightly surprised, glancing again at the girl, but upon realizing she was only at the Soul Succession realm—likely even early stage—they shook their heads with a smile.

The girl was roughly Li Hao’s age, yet only Soul Succession—perhaps even early stage—where did she get the courage to step forward? Soon, as Li Hao and Li Ganfeng stood firm and no one else moved, Li Qingzheng said: “The rest may return to your seats.”

Li Mingguang and the others immediately turned and retreated to their places, their eyes fixed on the two cousins, eager to see just how strong they truly were.

Realm is realm, but actual combat power is different—it depends on foundation depth, battle experience, and the level of cultivation techniques.

For example, a Soul Succession beginner in the Li family can slay ordinary Soul Succession cultivators of the seventh or eighth stage!

“The two of you—have you decided?”

Li Qingzheng looked down, fixing his gaze on Li Hao and Li Ganfeng; he showed none of the favoritism he usually displayed toward Li Hao, treating them equally: “Once you become True Dragon, you will dedicate your life to the family, placing it above all—do you have the mental preparation?”

“Yes.”

Li Hao and Li Ganfeng spoke simultaneously.

Li Qingzheng nodded, smiling: “Then let us first test your character.”

He turned to Li Hao: “I just heard the Yu Emperor’s edict—he praised you highly; your character clearly needs no testing. Li Ganfeng, step forward.”

As he reached for an incense burner, someone else rose from the other side of the banquet.

It was Bodhisattva Lin Wujing of Wuliang Mountain.

He softly chanted a Buddha’s name: “Old Master Li, just now, our Buddha Lord gifted me a string of Qiankun Golden Vajra beads. To receive such a gift from our Buddha Lord proves the purity of Qiankun Golden Vajra’s character. If he becomes your Li family’s True Dragon, he will surely be a benevolent general who holds all under heaven in his heart!”

Li Qingzheng frowned slightly; though he felt discomfort, he knew he must honor the Buddha Lord’s face.

The gift of the beads was meant to bypass the character trial entirely—and carried an implicit promise: should Li Ganfeng inherit the True Dragon, Wuliang Mountain would offer support! For centuries, the Li family had maintained friendly ties with Wuliang Mountain, and other family youths had joined it, but the relationship was cordial, not intimate. If the True Dragon position went to Li Ganfeng, a direct disciple of the Buddhist sect, that bond would leap to a new level.

But.

This was the Li family’s True Dragon.

All considerations must prioritize the Li family’s future.

Connections and character, in the end, were merely embellishments.

For instance, if two were evenly matched in talent, then character and connections would tip the balance toward the superior.

But if talent differed vastly, what use were connections? Could the Li family rely solely on them and become puppets? So, granting this favor to the Buddha Lord was acceptable—if Li Ganfeng ultimately proved inferior to Li Hao, he could not complain.

Thinking this, Li Qingzheng put away the incense burner and smiled coolly: “Since the Buddha Lord has already assessed our Li family’s character, there’s no need to waste more time. Our Li family youths’ character cannot be lacking.”

All fell silent—you’re quite good at seizing opportunities to boast.

Li Qingzheng chuckled, then turned to the two youths: “You are of similar age and realm. Our Li family’s True Dragon must be the peerless prodigy of this generation.”

“You may decide your method yourselves—or I may arrange it.”

Hearing this, Li Ganfeng turned to Li Hao, his gaze cold yet direct:

“Since our realms are equal, why not settle this with direct combat? Save the fuss—what do you say?”

Li Hao smiled: “Perfect.”

“Bold!”

Li Ganfeng’s lips curled slightly, then he added: “I’m four years older than you. At your age, I hadn’t even reached the Fifteen Li Realm. I’ll bind one arm—how does that sound?”

“Fine.”

Li Hao nodded.

But in truth, he was gaining an advantage.

If Li Ganfeng had lowered his realm to when he was fourteen—before reaching Fifteen Li—there’d be no point in fighting at all.

Everyone present understood Li Ganfeng was gaining an edge, but most supporters were on his side, so no one spoke up.

Li Tiangang, however, frowned.

He wanted to propose another method, but Li Hao had already agreed; he could only frown and sigh inwardly—his son, though immensely talented, was perhaps too arrogant.

Li Ganfeng was a swordsman; binding one arm made little difference—he’d simply fight with one hand.

Chu Jiuyue and Jian Wudao merely observed calmly, showing no expression; they were here to cheer, and the outcome of the True Dragon selection mattered little to them.

Even if Li Ganfeng became True Dragon, he wouldn’t dare retaliate—he’d still treat them politely.

After all, who would create a powerful enemy at the Fourteenth Level for their family?

Seeing Li Hao agree so easily, Li Ganfeng smiled—he’d anticipated the boy’s youthful arrogance; under public pressure, the boy would likely accept.

But he’d make Li Hao understand: four extra years of life were not wasted.

Among the crowd, Liu Yuerong and Lin Wujing both exhaled softly; if Li Hao had insisted Li Ganfeng lower his realm to age fourteen, they’d have faced a long argument.

They had already prepared their rebuttals.

For example: Li Ganfeng, though at the Spirit Traveling realm at fourteen, had wasted time studying other techniques.

Whether anyone believed it didn’t matter—just raising the argument could win them something.

After all, the guests weren’t just here to eat—they’d cheer and shout if needed.

If the True Dragon lacked overwhelming strength, then gossip and connections could still sway things.

But Li Hao’s youthful arrogance saved them the trouble.

Perfect.

“Then prepare yourselves.”

Li Qingzheng hadn’t expected Li Hao to agree so readily—he’d never thought Li Hao was arrogant, and he felt a flicker of surprise; but since Li Hao had agreed, he had no choice but to accept.

He waved his hand, casting a veil of power over the courtyard’s tables, chairs, and buildings, then stepped back, leaving the duel entirely to the two youths.

"Sword, come!"

Li Ganfeng’s eyes turned icy as he uttered a soft command.

A sharp sword hum rang out, followed by a streak of snowy white light slicing through the banquet hall.

It was the sword from the woman who had been holding it for him at his table, now drawn.

The woman was Murong Qiulan, who had come with Li Ganfeng; her eyes shimmered with unusual light as she fixed them on the peerless young man within the arena, elegant and majestic.

This was the image of the husband she had dreamed of.

The silhouette that had blocked her path in the Demon Forest once again rose in her mind.

At this moment, the sword had landed in his hand.

Li Ganfeng cast a haughty glance at Ren Qianqian, standing not far from Li Hao, and at the black sword case in her arms.

He felt a twinge of unease about it.

The True Dragon duel was imminent; though he had acquired a top-tier technique, cultivation required time—meaning no immediate benefit for him.

But this famed sword was different.

Even if Li Hao’s cultivation was limited and unable to unleash its true power, its sheer sharpness alone was terrifying enough.

If their swords clashed directly later, he would have to avoid its edge for now.

"Draw your sword!"

Though wary of the famed sword, Li Ganfeng still declared loudly.

Li Hao naturally noticed the other’s gaze and the fleeting hint of seriousness.

He smiled faintly. "You? With Yongye? You’re not worthy." He didn’t even glance at Ren Qianqian; instead, he turned and summoned a single chopstick from the table behind him, the one he had just used for eating.

(End of Chapter)