Chapter 186: The Second Favor Returned to the Li Clan (Supplemental Chapter 23)

As he shattered the bottleneck and pierced the Life Gate within his body, a vigorous life force radiated from Li Hao's form, circulating and inhaling-exhaling outside before retracting back into him.

This life force gradually sank into his acupoints and flesh, transforming into an unyielding power.

This unyielding power permeated his entire body, capable of activation in moments of peril to unleash maximum strength.

Normally,

the three stages of the Three Imperishables differ vastly in power.

The Immortal Body stage breaks the mortal frame, enabling limb regeneration, but the Indestructible Body stage renders the body incapable of damage altogether—like a divine blade, allowing unrestrained strikes without concern for self-harm, enabling the practitioner to push many techniques to their most violent extremes.

Thus, its explosive power naturally surpasses the Immortal Body stage, nearly doubling it in dominance.

The Unfading Body stage, however, fully unleashes this power, granting two lives at once while allowing limitless energy discharge to execute techniques beyond the body's normal limits.

This is precisely what makes the Unfading Body stage so fearsome.

At this moment, after two rounds of cultivation, Li Hao had reached the peak of the Three Imperishables.

But Li Hao could sense this was far from his true limit.

If every other realm had a limit, then the Three Imperishables had one too.

The Three Imperishables represent the stage where the body is refined to transcend mortality, shedding its old form—it is an extremely pivotal threshold in cultivation.

Li Hao wished to explore the limit of the Three Imperishables.

He did not pause, continuing to cultivate his third body technique.

The original incomplete Tai Chu Technique, deduced from the sixth stage of the Body Dao, reached its fifth level as the Tai Chu Body.

Naming the technique after itself was, in a way, complete.

But now, with the insights of the seventh stage of the Body Dao surging in, the technique subtly evolved once more—becoming the Tai Shang Body! Tai Chu returns to origin; Tai Shang stands supreme! If Tai Chu unifies power, then Tai Shang transcends it!

A breath of immortal qi exhaled from Li Hao's body, connecting with heaven and earth, refining his form; his flesh and blood seemed infused with divinity, faintly glowing with golden auroras.

Golden oceans churned within his pores; his flesh underwent rapid transformation, his physical strength climbing steadily.

The life force Ningju within him grew denser, continuously refining and turning.

While others of the Unfading Body stage required a full day to regenerate a severed limb, Li Hao needed only one hour.

If combined with his Concealment attribute, he might regenerate it in half an hour.

As he cultivated the Tai Shang Body, his physique grew even stronger—not only his self-healing, but his resistance to damage surpassed that of ordinary Three Imperishables.

Moments later, the energy turbulence around Li Hao subsided.

A vast, ethereal aura drifted out from every pore of his body.

The Tai Shang Body was complete.

True Form level! His body existed independently here, yet appeared as a distant light refracted upon this world—a sensation of standing within the mortal realm while transcending it.

The Tai Shang Body was a physique, not an offensive power—it was defense.

But its defensive effect was extraordinary, supreme and transcendent: countless techniques and arts could not touch him.

When Li Hao relaxed completely, exerting no force, he walked through a torrential downpour without a single drop touching his skin.

The aura emitted from his pores caused surrounding dust and snow to naturally avoid him.

When attacked, his body instinctively defended—fists, feet, and weapons could not make contact.

In combat against peers, fully activating the Tai Shang Body could briefly render him an untargetable entity, transcending the physical realm.

Li Hao did not know whether this Tai Shang Body state would prevail or falter against a Dao Heart cultivator of the first step of the Four Foundations.

As he concluded his cultivation, Li Hao suddenly felt his pores trembling slightly.

Something seemed ready to emerge from his body.

A scorching heat arose; his entire body felt as if inside a furnace, his blood surging uncontrollably.

His pores breathed deeply, exhaling scorching qi; his body shimmered with a dim golden luster.

As his blood surged faster, this golden glow grew increasingly brilliant.

Until a valve suddenly opened—in one breath, Li Hao's entire body exploded with power, his flesh tensing violently as a torrent of energy surged forth.

His flesh turned crimson-gold; his vision and hearing abruptly surged—he could now see distances eight times farther than before, as if piercing the void.

His hearing sharpened: he heard the footsteps of insects crawling dozens of li away, and their images and tracks in snow-mud replayed clearly in his mind like echoes.

His mind became crystal clear, yet carried a fierce exhilaration and a desire for destruction.

Li Hao was startled—this was not a trait of the Tai Shang Body.

He swiftly examined himself and soon understood the cause.

He had seemingly… reached the limit of the Power Penetration realm! This strange state was the brief condition triggered after hitting the Power Penetration limit.

Li Hao tested his physical strength again: when he cultivated the Mingyu True Demon Art, his strength had reached five to six hundred thousand jin; now it had surged to one million jin.

Li Hao's body contracted, shifting from the form of a true dragon back to human shape; the tension and expansion within him grew more pronounced.

"This is the Power Penetration limit? But I feel I can surpass it—my physical strength can still rise!"

Feeling the rush of his blood, Li Hao's strength climbed steadily—from one million jin to four to five million jin, then to over ten million jin!

At this level, his flesh turned dark gold, and within his pores glimmered countless specks of dark-gold light like stars.

He felt his heart pounding violently; his breathing grew labored.

Li Hao controlled his blood, gradually calming it, withdrawing from this extreme state.

Moments later, his strength receded, returning to its previous one million jin.

"The limit of the Soul Binding realm is the Heavenly Manifestation."

"Is the limit of the Power Penetration realm this strange physical activation state?"

Li Hao's eyes flickered; he temporarily named this state "Divine Power."

Power Penetration Ultimate: Divine Power.

Judging from its effects, it temporarily multiplied his physical strength tenfold—and not just strength.

Merely increasing from one million jin to ten million jin meant little—after all, the imperial family's Zhou Tian cultivators, through supreme meridian-opening and qi-circulation techniques, could already reach ten million jin.

But in Divine Power state, his physique was amplified too.

Now, in the Unfading Body stage, entering Divine Power state turned his flesh crimson-gold; his self-healing and indestructibility both multiplied tenfold—a severed arm that normally took an hour to regrow could now reform in minutes! Ordinary Unfading Body cultivators required at least one or two days to regenerate limbs.

The difference was immense.

In battle, even grievously wounded, a moment's restraint allowed his body to heal and unleash combat power again.

Like Old Feng—he had been ambushed by a demon, his abdomen torn open; even with pills to aid him, it took half a day to heal.

Though Four Foundations cultivators were stronger, their healing ability did not significantly surpass that of Three Imperishables, since they were not body cultivators.

"After reaching the Power Penetration limit, if I practice other techniques, my physical strength can still rise further. This Divine Power state doesn't feel like the Heavenly Manifestation of the Soul Binding realm—it's not the true limit, but a threshold."

"Crossing this threshold allows brief activation of the Divine Power state."

"Perhaps… the 360 Soul Condensations needed to awaken the Heavenly Manifestation aren't the Soul Binding limit either—I simply haven't reached a higher level yet…"

Li Hao's gaze flickered—if this second possibility were true, then the path of martial cultivation was infinitely profound.

Ordinary Soul Condensations rarely exceeded a hundred.

Three hundred sixty was astonishing—even the imperial family averaged only around one hundred sixty.

"Now, I've touched the limits of both Power Penetration and Soul Binding."

"The major meridians of the Zhou Tian realm remain unopened; if I re-enter the Spirit Dao and elevate my Control Dao to the seventh stage, I can open all major meridians."

"Another method: seek more meridian-opening techniques, fill the gaps, and open the remaining major meridians one by one."

"Next time I visit the Heaven's Mechanism Tower, perhaps I'll find a suitable technique."

"Currently, I have ninety-eight major meridians open; the Yin-Yang meridians are already opened—still ten short of the usual one hundred eight!"

"I wonder what state I'll attain once all Zhou Tian meridians are fully opened."

Li Hao's eyes gleamed.

When he first opened the Yin-Yang meridians, he had glimpsed a golden light—standing like a heavenly gate, yet impossibly distant.

If all major meridians were opened, perhaps he could step forward and touch it.

Through his cultivation journey, Li Hao realized: the states achieved at each realm's limit were the strongest combat forms.

For example, the Earth Immortal stage of the Heaven-Man realm—through a single breath of immortal qi, one ascends to immortality, even challenging Four Foundations cultivators.

Of course, killing that black bird demon king relied mainly on his Yellow Sparrow Map's 1% lethal attack property.

Otherwise, the black bird demon king would have had a chance to flee, not die.

Yet, at the moment of full ascension to immortality, what power would be gained—could it slay a Dao Heart cultivator? That remained unknown.

Li Hao's previous transformation to immortality had reached about thirty percent—his flesh had begun to decay.

Beyond forty percent, it became nearly impossible to pull back alone—it was the critical threshold.

He barely stopped it with help from Old Feng and Song Song Qiumo blocking heaven and earth.

Without external aid, death was certain.

But conversely, within forty percent, though risky, this power could be sacrificed and borrowed.

At life-or-death moments, it became the ultimate trump card—capable of turning certain defeat into victory. "I wonder what the limit of the Three Imperishables is like?"

Li Hao's heart brimmed with anticipation, and he harbored a hunch—though the possibility felt so implausible it only deepened his longing.

He Shouhui his thoughts and continued cultivating his fourth technique.

The Dragon Cicada Void Body.

This technique had also evolved into a higher level, transcending its original form.

Additionally, the Mingyu True Demon Art and Five Organs Merged Primordial Body he had previously acquired had also evolved into higher levels.

The storm still swirled around the mountain peak, its power growing heavier, showing no sign of fading.

From within the energy storm, Feng Bo Ping sensed intermittent waves of aura so heavy they made even him feel grave.

Outside the peak, Li Li Hongzhuang's expression was grave; the several deputy commanders of the Blood Chaos Army beside him also stared intently at the peak, their eyes filled with dread.

They could sense that the boy inside had seemingly… reached the Three Imperishable Realm.

Even the faintest trace of energy he occasionally revealed made their hearts tremble.

He didn't even seem to be fifteen yet.

Is this the most extraordinary genius the Li family has produced in a thousand years, surpassing even their ancestors?

At the foot of the peak, Ren Ren Qianqian sat cross-legged, sword in arms; much of the energy storm swirling atop the peak had leaked out, absorbed by her.

Her inner energy continuously rose, her soul form growing more refined.

Before her knees, the white fox lay curled on a pile of snow, listless. Since eating the Beast King's flesh, it had remained weak, though its eyes had changed from black to a faint orange-yellow, deepening into a dark, dull crimson sheen.

As the energy storm gathered, it merely lifted its eyelids for a glance, then dropped back onto the snow—but as the energy currents drifted near, they were silently absorbed by its fur.

Li Hao's cultivation continued.

One by one, the various techniques were practiced, understood, and their details mastered.

From sunrise to noon, the energy atop the peak flickered unpredictably; each fleeting, indescribable sensation that emerged made Li Li Hongzhuang and the others outside flinch.

Finally.

Inside the peak, a long stillness settled.

The celestial energy surrounding the peak ceased growing, slowly contracting until it became a gentle breeze-like vortex, vanishing entirely.

At the summit, only Li Hao sat quietly.

His clothing was torn—ripped apart during his transformation into the dragon.

Through the rags, his exposed body gleamed like forged gold.

All his energies were concealed by the Ten Thousand Forms attribute.

Yet despite this, the transcendent purity of the Supreme Body, coupled with the faint, suppressed malevolence of the Mingyu True Demon Body, gave the boy an indescribable aura.

Li Li Hongzhuang stared, momentarily lost in thought.

She felt the boy had changed utterly—he was no longer the Li Hao she once knew.

A Tianren Zongshi walks alone.

Li Hao had already walked his own path, reaching a higher realm.

Opening his eyes, Li Hao's gaze held inner starlight, calm as a still lake.

Sensing two figures below the peak, he looked down and saw the white fox curled up as if asleep; his eyes softened slightly.

Having fully practiced and refined all his techniques, Li Hao's physique had reached an unprecedented level.

Though untested, he felt that if he encountered a Great Beast King again, he might… fight it. How far he could go, he would need to verify firsthand.

Slightly regretfully, though his cultivation of the various techniques had reached the peak of the Unfading Realm, his inner power now surged like an ocean, he still felt a gap from the absolute limit.

Li Hao rose naturally, yet seemed to lift the entire peak's celestial forces upward, as if the heavens themselves were rising with him.

Li Hao gazed at the clouds, his eyes piercing straight through to the old man within—the two locked gazes; Li Hao smiled.

Feng Bo sighed. Truly, the Three Imperishable Realm.

Though Li Hao had fully concealed his energy, Feng Bo still sensed it—this boy was truly a monster.

Li Hao floated down to the foot of the peak. As the celestial energy dissipated, Ren Ren Qianqian also ended her cultivation, opening her eyes to see the boy before her, warm and jade-like.

"Young Tianren Zongshi."

Ren Ren Qianqian sprang up swiftly, calling out with a bright voice.

Li Hao glanced at her energy—she had reached the tenth level of the Soul Awakening Realm.

From her return from Dayue City, in just half a year, she had reached this level—her progress was decent.

After the Beast King's banquet, all the warriors in the city benefited; most had advanced, and Ren Ren Qianqian's improvement was especially clear.

Yet beneath the Tianren Zongshi Realm, rapid advancement through resources alone was possible—if resources were sufficient, a thousand-li leap in a day was no fantasy.

Of course, elixirs often led to hollow foundations; dietary nourishment was another matter entirely.

"You're nearly at the Spirit Traveling Realm," Li Hao said.

Ren Ren Qianqian smiled. "Yes, I'll start preparing for Spirit Refinement soon."

Li Hao nodded. "When we return to the city, I'll write you a Spirit Refinement method. Follow it strictly."

Ren Ren Qianqian gasped in delight. "Really?"

Li Hao smiled, then bent down, scooping up the white fox from the snow.

The white fox opened its eyes, saw it was Li Hao, and closed them again, at ease.

Li Hao noticed the fox's changes, but after probing, found no illness—no serious issue; likely just overfed.

"Let's go back."

Li Hao said.

Ren Ren Qianqian nodded, closely following.

Li Li Hongzhuang stepped forward urgently. "Hao'er, your cultivation… did you break through?"

"Mm."

Li Hao gave a slight nod, saying no more.

Only Li Li Hongzhuang stood frozen in the snow.

Earlier, she had sensed faint traces, but dared not be certain; now, there was no doubt.

…

…

In Qingzhou City, outside the Divine General's Mansion.

Nine massive beast cauldrons were transported in, drawing crowds along the road who watched and whispered, speculating on what lay sealed within.

In the Changchun Courtyard, He He Jianlan heard the report and immediately ordered the Blood Chaos Army outside to be welcomed in.

As the nine beast cauldrons were set down, ladies from other courtyards also arrived, examining the cauldrons, wondering what lay inside.

Iron-sealed lids prevented any inspection.

"What's inside?"

He He Jianlan looked at the middle-aged deputy commander leading the transport, knowing him to be Li Li Hongzhuang's trusted subordinate and a collateral branch of the Li family; she spoke gently.

"Reporting to Madam, I've been ordered by the General to deliver this Beast King's Sacred Blood for Young Tianren Zongshi Li Hao."

The middle-aged deputy bowed respectfully, then spoke.

He He Jianlan froze. At the mention of Li Hao's name, the other ladies also paused.

In the Divine General's Mansion now, those two characters carried a thunderous weight.

"Beast King's Sacred Blood?"

Gao Ji Qingqing stared at the nine cauldrons in astonishment—such quantity? Was this the blood of a Four-Station Beast King?

Beside her, Li Yun and Li Li Zhining stared blankly; the word "Beast King" felt impossibly distant.

After a brief pause, He He Jianlan's expression changed sharply—she remembered clearly what Li Hao had said before leaving the mansion.

Now, was this repayment of the second favor? He He Jianlan's eyes grew slightly moist, but she quickly steadied herself. "Then please, deliver this Beast King's Sacred Blood to Shanhe Courtyard."

"Yes, Madam."

The middle-aged deputy bowed.

But before he could leave, He He Jianlan hurriedly asked: "How is Hao'er doing on the border? Was this… the father of that little Beast King?"

The middle-aged deputy shook his head. "The Wanshan Beast King gathered three other Beast Kings to invade. This is the blood of one of them. The Wanshan Beast King and the other two have fled."

"Four Beast Kings!"

Everyone gasped in shock.

Even on the Yanbei battlefield—a theater of war watched by the entire empire—four Beast Kings appearing at once was enough to shake the imperial court.

And yet this was Tianmen Pass, a lone fortress.

"Then Hao'er…" He He Jianlan turned pale, her body trembling, as if she might collapse.

The middle-aged deputy quickly said: "Madam, do not worry. The Beast Kings have been driven off. Young Tianren Zongshi Li Hao is unharmed. The Lord of Huang Tianji Tower rescued him, and Second Uncle arrived as well. Had the demons not fled so fast, they'd all be dead."

He He Jianlan's face eased, her palms now slick with cold sweat.

Though she hadn't witnessed it, she could already imagine how perilous the battlefield at Tianmen Pass had been.

And Li Hao, having survived such a great tribulation, chose to send back the Beast King's Sacred Blood—not as thanks to the Li family, but as repayment of a debt.

Yet when Li Li Tiangang had returned gifts before, it was only three-thousand-year-old blood from a Three Imperishable Beast. Now, this was the sacred blood of a ten-thousand-year Beast King.

The difference in repayment was immense.

"In two more years… will that child truly leave the Li family?"

He He Jianlan held back tears, a bitter, aching feeling rising in her heart.

After a long while, she waved her hand, signaling the deputy could withdraw.

Then she said to her maid: "Write a letter. Send it to Liangzhou. Tell Li Tiangang—his son has repaid him his debt!"

Everyone else fell silent upon hearing He He Jianlan's words.

Among the crowd, Eighth Lady Wang Wang Xiangru gave a faint, cold smile, saying nothing.

When her daughter Li Li Rumeng had been slapped by Li Hao, the matter was later investigated; though no one spoke out, everyone's face had clearly written "deserved."

As a mother, she could not swallow this humiliation.

But now, Li Hao's momentum was rising—he was not someone she could challenge.

…

…

Liangzhou, in the Eastern Front War Camp.

A sprawling defensive line, a great wall built of black stone, stretched across the border.

Beyond the border, the land was pitch black; the ground was covered with burned grass, and trees in the mountains and forests had been felled to maximize visibility.

To prevent demons from sneaking close under cover of night.

For a hundred li, nothing was hidden.

Outside the war camp, many soldiers now dragged the corpses of demons back into the camp.

Blood was splattered across the ground in many places.

On some carts and stretchers lay numerous wounded soldiers, as well as the broken remains of fallen troops.

A great battle had just taken place here, leaving many demons dead.

Though the soldiers had also suffered casualties, the numbers were few.

"... Report to the Grand Marshal: forty-three thousand two hundred fifty-five demons eliminated; seven hundred twenty of our men severely wounded, over a thousand lightly wounded, three hundred twenty-one killed!"

An officer approached Li Li Tiangang and reported solemnly.

(End of Chapter)