[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity":3,"chapter-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Name That Echoes Through Eternity",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2282574,4466,"Chapter 25: Boasting and a Letter","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>Soon, Li Muxiu descended onto the previous fishing platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept across, but Li Hao was nowhere to be seen; his expression changed instantly. He quickly scanned the surroundings and spotted Li Hao crouched low near a mound of earth a thousand meters away, fishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he couldn’t wait, after all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu shook his head slightly, about to move toward him, when his peripheral vision caught a fish demon with its skull crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused in surprise, his figure flickering as if teleporting, appearing before the fish demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He examined it closely and realized the wounds were made by bare fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu reached out, touched the fish demon’s body, and sensed its energy—his expression changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Tian realm? And around the third layer! This fish demon… was killed by that kid?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of astonishment appeared in Li Muxiu’s eyes. He turned to look at Li Hao far away, then without a word, shot across a thousand meters and arrived at Li Hao’s side in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kid!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden voice startled Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been utterly focused on the float, lost in concentration, and hadn’t noticed when the old man had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao quickly signaled with his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu froze, the question on his lips dying away. He followed Li Hao’s gaze toward the float.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sight pierced through the water, revealing a fish demon circling near the hook, hesitating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised Li Muxiu was that the hook was completely concealed beneath the bait—so well hidden, no one could tell there was a hook inside the food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, when did he learn this hidden-hook technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Muxiu was stunned, the circling fish demon finally couldn’t hold back. Though it felt uneasy deep down, it couldn’t say why—ultimately, spurred by the bait, it acted on impulse and bit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooked! Li Hao’s eyes lit up. As the float sank, he yanked the line hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hook instantly lodged in the fish demon’s mouth; the pain made it thrash, churning the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao didn’t hold back. He swiftly reeled in, using the fishing technique he’d practiced earlier, expertly tugging the fish left and right underwater to exhaust its strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several minutes, the fish demon was dragged ashore by Li Hao—a minor demon of Tongli realm, sixth layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Hao’s effortless demeanor, Li Muxiu’s eyes flickered. When Li Hao removed the hook from the fish demon’s mouth and hurled it onto the slope behind, Li Muxiu finally spoke: “That fish demon over there—did you kill it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao nodded in confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no one else here—lying would be pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what realm that fish demon was?” Li Muxiu narrowed his eyes, staring into Li Hao’s eyes as if trying to see through the boy’s soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Tian realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao estimated based on the power the fish demon had unleashed underwater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It certainly wasn’t Tongli realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct—at least Zhou Tian third layer!” Li Muxiu fixed his gaze on Li Hao: “You’re only practicing Ox Strength, at most Tongli sixth layer. Honestly—have you been secretly cultivating something else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao had already prepared his answer. Seeing the old man offer him an opening, he feigned hesitation, then nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thousand Serpent Sacred Body, sixth floor.” Li Hao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu raised an eyebrow. What a coincidence? He’d been thinking that if Li Hao truly had a body-cultivation talent, he wouldn’t mind teaching him this body refinement scripture later—yet this kid had already gone and learned it himself, and judging by the results, he’d clearly gone deep! “How many layers have you reached?” Li Muxiu stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second layer.” Li Hao answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second layer is the Dragon Body, capable of unleashing half-dragon power—even without entering Zhou Tian realm, it can produce strength comparable to early Zhou Tian, thus explaining how he killed that fish demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu inwardly drew a sharp breath. Damn, second layer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the child before him—barely eight years old—and he’d already reached the second layer?! Clearly, Li Fu hadn’t lied—this kid really did have a body-cultivation talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even with the Dragon Body mastered, dragging that fish demon ashore is no small feat. You little brat—you not only have body-cultivation talent, but you’re also remarkably gifted in fishing!” Li Muxiu praised with genuine delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao scratched his head, smiling humbly, but inwardly grumbled: Why does the old man seem more pleased by my fishing talent than my body-cultivation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone thought you were a martial waste. Who’d have thought that at such a young age, you’ve already slain a Zhou Tian realm demon? Hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu burst into hearty laughter. No matter his future potential, right now Li Hao’s combat strength was threefold stronger than the top prodigies with Nine-Rank Battle Bodies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his laughter faded, Li Muxiu remembered something and looked down at Li Hao:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Li Fu probably doesn’t know about this. When did you start secretly cultivating? Why didn’t you tell Li Fu? Don’t you trust him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I started learning it years ago, right after entering Tingyu Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao wore a simple, innocent expression: “Uncle Fu… he never asked me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu rolled his eyes. “So you won’t speak unless asked? Don’t give me that. No wonder you mastered Ox Strength in just three months—your foundation was already there, so learning it was like eating and drinking. Did your father tell you to hide this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it was your own decision?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Hao remain silent, his mind flashed with possibilities, a cold glint forming in his eyes: “Is someone in the mansion coveting you? That’s why you’ve been hiding?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao met the old man’s gaze and saw icy killing intent within. He weighed his words, then gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it was true, Li Muxiu flew into a rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make a seven-year-old child suffer like this—those second-generation brats were going too far! Li Hao shook his head: “I’m not ready to say yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?” Li Muxiu blinked, staring at Li Hao, then instantly understood the boy’s thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t trust me? Think I might be connected to whoever’s after you? Hah—you’re mistaken. I have no children, no heirs. There are few in this world I truly care about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao still shook his head, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu stared at him, his face dark. After a moment, the anger faded, replaced by a faint, approving smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve only just met. You’re not familiar with me. Your caution is understandable. But if you won’t tell me who it is, why reveal your strength to me? You could’ve easily let that fish demon slip off the hook, pulled the rod away, and kept hiding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled slightly: “Because you’re not a bad man, Grandpa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu froze, staring at Li Hao’s bright smile and clear eyes. For a moment, he was lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, he came back to himself, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle: “Then you’re wrong. I’m not a bad man—but when I turn bad, I’m not even human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you leave the Divine General’s Mansion, you’ll hear my name out there.” Li Muxiu smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao didn’t press further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You little brat—so young, yet so cunning. A pity.” Li Muxiu studied Li Hao, growing fonder of the boy. If this child could train normally, he’d likely become another Little Nine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he felt only a faint regret, no deep obsession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, even becoming Li Junye ended in death on the battlefield—it seemed the fate of all Li family sons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, don’t hide your body-cultivation talent in front of me. Show it openly. I’ve seen countless prodigies—you’re just a normal top-tier talent. You won’t shock me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu said coolly: “If anyone in the mansion covets you, thinks you’re an obstacle to their plans—I’ll see whether the Divine General’s Mansion can still tolerate a body-cultivation child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gathering the catch, Li Muxiu took Li Hao and flew back to Qingzhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To spark Li Hao’s interest in fishing, Li Muxiu didn’t land directly in the inner mansion’s Tingyu Tower. Instead, he landed at the main gate, then made Li Hao carry the fish basket as the old man and boy strode boldly into the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa, what are you doing?” Li Hao asked, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wouldn’t understand. It’s a fishing tradition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu stood tall, his demeanor proud and self-assured:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excluding the one you killed and the one you used as bait, you caught four more. For a beginner, that’s a massive haul—you must show everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there such a rule?” Li Hao was astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu gave him a look. “I say there is, so there is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Mutian!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Servants and maids along the way jumped in fright, bewildered why the sea-stabilizing pillar who lived in Tingyu Tower was here. They hurriedly bowed and knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu ignored them completely, walking straight past with Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two turned corners, deliberately heading toward crowded areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the training ground, clan youths were practicing, while an elderly soldier taught above. Li Muxiu pushed open the door and walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly soldier was about to frown, but when he saw Li Muxiu’s face, he jumped in alarm and hurried forward: “Old soldier of Yuan Company bows to Lord Mutian!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teaching, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu asked knowingly, speaking casually: “Today I took Hao’er fishing. He’s a beginner, no experience—caught just these few minor demons. Want them for your wine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly soldier blinked, seeing the fish in Li Hao’s basket, and quickly replied: “Thank you, Lord, but I already have wine snacks today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He politely declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having served in the mansion for years, he knew this old marquis’s nature instantly—he’d come here to show off, as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d taken them, the old man would’ve stormed his quarters that night and beaten him senseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might not even be able to get out of bed tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not risk it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, alright then. Keep teaching.” Li Muxiu said casually, then turned and left with Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao’s head was full of black lines. This was a fishing tradition? So blunt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After passing the training ground, they turned toward Changchun Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second Uncle, what brings you here? Lunch is about to be served—shall I have the servants add another pair of chopsticks? What would you like to eat?” He Jianlan was chatting with Fifth Lady Gao when she saw Li Muxiu; both immediately rose to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu replied coolly, “Hao caught a few small fish. I’ll stew them for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are Hao’s catch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jianlan froze, seeing Li Hao holding a fish basket filled with several small, wriggling, lively fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else would you think?” Li Muxiu shot her an irritated glance, clearly displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jianlan fell silent. She knew this second uncle had an odd temper; offending him was minor, but one must never mention fishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes—if Second Uncle gives them to me, then I gratefully accept,” He Jianlan said at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why thank me? These are Hao’s fish,” Li Muxiu emphasized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jianlan paused, then sighed helplessly, “Then thank you, Hao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auntie, don’t be so formal,” Li Hao quickly said, casting a sideways glare at the old man. This tradition made him feel like he was sitting on needles, pierced by thorns, with a bone stuck in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jianlan took the fish. After the old man and boy left, she examined the small fish and realized they were all minor demons of the Tongli Realm—she was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard Li Fu mention that Li Hao had a talent for body refinement. It seemed true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did that child really catch these?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qingqing stared at the fish in astonishment. Everyone knew Li Hao was a martial waste—everyone assumed he was just an ordinary boy. Yet he had caught Tongli Realm demons. This meant Li Hao had begun cultivation—and progressed well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second Uncle wouldn’t lie about fishing,” He Jianlan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gazed toward the courtyard gate, where the old man and boy had vanished: “It seems the boy has begun cultivation through body refinement. That’s a brutal path—poor child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qingqing couldn’t help but shake her head softly and sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Hao had a talent for body refinement, the path was too harsh. Few could endure it to the end. If he were her own child, she’d rather he remain a mortal and live a peaceful life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It must be Old Seven’s doing… how cruel,” Gao Qingqing murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Hao returned to Tingyu Tower, he saw Li Fu waiting outside from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxiu also spotted him and gave a faint snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them, Li Fu hurried forward, glanced at the fish blood on Li Hao’s clothes, paled, and hurriedly said, “Second Uncle, Hao—he…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fishing inevitably involves battling fish demons. Don’t worry—I’m right beside him. He won’t be hurt,” Li Muxiu said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Fu exhaled in relief, then handed Li Hao the item in his hand: “This is a letter from Jianlu. It’s probably from Miss Xue. Have a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2216,"2026-06-20T02:15:40.176Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2e368710734910906b5ea13043ceaef9148d86997a2a1e2a1dd1865a8f8f9d29","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-26","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-24",929,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-cover.jpg"]