Chapter 268

"Who are you..."

Upon seeing Feng Feng Bo Ping suddenly appear, Li Tiangang's gaze sharpened. He had long known that there was a Four Standing Realm cultivator by Li Hao's side, constantly helping him, which was the only reason Li Hao had been able to gain a firm foothold upon first arriving at the Tianmen Pass.

He figured this must be the person in front of him.

He scrutinized the other party carefully, his expression suddenly changing as he said in shock and anger:

"You are the Saint of Thieves?!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping had originally avoided the courtyard because he did not wish to be exposed; after all, among the vast Li Clan, the only people he had any connection with were Li Hao and Li Muxiu.

Stepping forward at this moment was a helpless move, but since he had already decided to reveal himself, he was prepared for his identity to be exposed.

"It is me."

"So it was you secretly following Hao'er all this time?!"

Li Tiangang was somewhat shocked, his eyes widening in anger: "What is your intention, and what are you planning?"

Feng Feng Bo Ping sneered: "Without me, your son wouldn't have even made it to this Tianmen Pass. Do you know how many pairs of demon eyes were staring viciously at him the moment he stepped out of your Li Clan? You pushed a fourteen-year-old child out of his home—do you even know what he has been carrying?!"

"He has been carrying the wrath of all the demons that your Li Clan has provoked over the past thousand years!"

"He is bearing that hatred on behalf of your Li Clan. Without me, your son would have died long ago!!"

"You ask what my intention is? My intention is to let him live, to let him live with his head held high!!"

Li Tiangang said angrily: "But if it weren't for you, Hao'er wouldn't have dared to step out of the Divine General's Mansion at all. It is because you gave him shelter that he dared to be so reckless and dared to challenge me!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping was so angry he laughed, saying: "Even if he stayed in your Divine General's Mansion just to survive, so what? To listen to your discipline? You haven't returned to Yanbei for over a decade, yet has your son ever lost to anyone by even a fraction?!"

"Does he need your discipline? Does he?!!"

Hearing these angry, near-roaring words, Li Tiangang couldn't help but choke slightly. Indeed, the decade of separation in Yanbei left him feeling guilty toward Li Hao.

In terms of natural talent alone, that child truly did not lose to anyone.

But precisely because of that, he felt he had to guide him onto the right path.

"You, a thief, naturally wouldn't understand principles, ethics, or the filial piety between ruler and subject, father and son!"

Li Tiangang stared coldly at Feng Feng Bo Ping and said: "For those who achieve great things, do you think you can win people over by ability alone? Even as an official or a general, you might suppress your subordinates with power, but on the battlefield, you might be stabbed in the back!"

"Officials are stronger than the common people, but officials are the boat and the people are the water. Though water is soft, it can capsize the boat!"

"Even the current Emperor must follow etiquette and virtue, using both kindness and authority. What is mere bravery worth?!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping began to laugh, but it was a cold laugh: "Are you talking about yourself? Can't you see it yet? Whose banners are fluttering everywhere across Liangzhou right now!"

"And whose prestige is being praised by countless commoners!!"

"Is it yours, Li Tiangang? Is it your Li Clan's?!"

"Isn't that something Hao'er fought for on his own?!"

Li Tiangang said in a great rage: "That is exactly why I came here! Who made those battle flags? It couldn't possibly be you!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping sneered: "Whose name is on the battle flag is who made it. Can't you even see that? Don't tell me you think it was some other hidden expert? Even if such a person existed, why would they help Hao'er? Have you thought about that?!"

Li Tiangang was slightly stunned, a multitude of thoughts flashing through his mind, and for a moment, he was unable to speak.

Seeing him speechless, Feng Feng Bo Ping sneered:

"Even if such an expert existed, do you think they helped Hao'er for the sake of your Li Clan? If your Li Clan had such great influence, why did six of your nine sons die in battle without any such expert helping them!"

Li Tiangang's expression was ugly, but he realized that what the other party said was not entirely without reason.

"Did Hao'er really make them himself?"

Li Tiangang stared at him, suppressing his anger for a moment to ask.

Feng Feng Bo Ping gave two cold laughs but did not answer.

Seeing him like this, Li Tiangang didn't mind; instead, he felt a secret sense of surprise and excitement in his heart.

If his own son really made them, no matter how he mastered such a secret technique, as long as he had this ability, why worry about the demons at the borders of every province in the future?!

If these banners could be mass-produced, the prestige of the Li Clan would be enough to guard the entire Da Yu Divine Dynasty!

"Did you really make them yourself?"

Li Tiangang looked past Feng Feng Bo Ping toward Li Hao's clone.

The dark-side Li Hao said with a cold gaze: "None of your business. Get out!"

Although he knew the person in front of him was just a clone of Li Hao and didn't recognize him, seeing the other party wearing his son's face and speaking so rudely still made Li Tiangang feel a trace of indignation.

Feng Feng Bo Ping's eyes were icy as he said: "What is the point of asking these things? Hao'er's life or death is currently unknown. Even if Hao'er made them, so what?"

"If he dies, everything is gone!"

Li Tiangang's expression changed slightly, and he said coldly: "How could you imagine the foundation of my Li Clan? With my Fourth Uncle there, he knows the Mo River like the back of his hand, and Hao'er's own combat power is not bad. As long as he is careful, nothing will happen."

"I have already deployed hundreds of thousands of troops outside the Longcheng Mo River. As soon as they come out, I will escort them back!"

"You, a thief who wanders everywhere, what do you know about connections and foundations?!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping's lips trembled slightly with anger, but the words died on his lips, and he did not argue.

He also hoped that the foundation of the Divine General's Mansion was indeed as capable as the Li in front of him claimed, so that Hao'er could return safely.

"I hope your Divine General's Mansion truly lives up to its reputation."

Feng Feng Bo Ping let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve, saying: "I have no interest in arguing with a junior like you. You had better take care of yourself. If you want to fight, this old man will accompany you, but don't even think about hurting Hao'er again!"

"Back then, outside your Divine General's Mansion, I didn't show myself because I didn't want to smear your Li Clan's name. But here, it's not your turn to be arrogant!"

"So, should I thank you instead?"

Li Tiangang sneered: "You, a thief who commits evil everywhere—who is instigating you, and who is giving you benefits to come and stir up trouble for our Li Clan? Hao'er must have been corrupted by you, right?!"

"Haha..."

Feng Feng Bo Ping was so angry he laughed: "I hit it off with Hao'er the moment we met. You say I'm instigating you?"

"Isn't it true? If it weren't for you, Hao'er would still be in the Divine General's Mansion, and when he encountered the demon attack outside the city, he would have been brought back by Li He!"

Li Tiangang said coldly: "You keep saying you're doing it for Hao'er, but that is a matter between father and son. Since when is it your turn, an outsider, to interfere?"

"What is your status that you are qualified to intervene in the affairs of our Divine General's Mansion? Furthermore, Hao'er is the next True Dragon of our Li Clan. What is your intention?!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping's cheek twitched slightly. He wanted to get angry, but that line, "Since when is it your turn, an outsider, to interfere," made the words he had gathered in his throat die out.

Thinking of his own half-life spent wandering like a rootless duckweed, he couldn't help but laugh at himself.

"No matter what you think, the infamy I've carried in this life is more than just this. It's just some noisy insect chirping."

Feng Feng Bo Ping's expression became calm, and he just stared quietly at Li Tiangang:

"But as long as I am here today, don't even think about hurting Hao'er!"

"Do you really think you can compete with me?"

Li Tiangang narrowed his eyes: "I am not an unreasonable person. If it weren't for the fact that you did indeed protect Hao'er, I would have arrested you and sent you to the imperial prison long ago!"

"Is that so? Then come and try. This would be a massive merit, at the very least enough to change your title from a Third-Rank Duke to a Second-Rank Duke."

Feng Feng Bo Ping's mouth curled up, and he said sarcastically: "I have also long wanted to learn the methods of the Li Clan's True Dragon!"

Hum!

Suddenly, the Long Xiao Sword trembled and hovered in front of Feng Feng Bo Ping.

The hilt faced Feng Feng Bo Ping, while the sharp blade pointed directly at Li Tiangang.

The dark-side Li Hao seemed to sense the power rising between the two, stepped to Feng Feng Bo Ping's side, and said coldly: "Trespassers will be killed without mercy!"

Seeing the hovering divine sword and seeing Li Hao standing by Feng Feng Bo Ping's side in a defensive posture, Li Tiangang's expression changed instantly, becoming ugly, with a flash of blood-red anger crossing his eyes:

"Say that again?!"

Feng Feng Bo Ping sensed the power being mobilized by the dark-side Li Hao. He glanced at the divine sword hovering in front of him, a flash of gratification crossing his eyes, but he quickly restrained it and said in a low voice:

"Hao'er, you just guard here. I will personally learn from him and let him see if the thief he speaks of can shake this True Dragon of the Li Clan!"

He took a step forward and said to Li Tiangang: "Li Tiangang, do you dare to come out and fight me?"

"Hmph, a wild thief who hides and dodges, you dare to speak to me like that."

Li Tiangang stared at him, and the next moment, the figures of the two suddenly vanished from the courtyard in an instant.

"Uncle Feng!"

Seeing Feng Feng Bo Ping and Li Tiangang disappear, Ren Qianqian's expression changed instantly, and she couldn't help but cry out in anxious desperation.

But there was no sound between heaven and earth, and the two figures could not be seen; only suddenly, a wave of intense shockwaves came from a very distant place.

Both of them intentionally avoided Cangya City, and in the blink of an eye, they had charged an unknown number of miles away.

With a swoosh, the dark-side Li Hao beside her took a step and chased after them.

"Young Master!"

Ren Qianqian was anxious, but she only saw the Long Xiao Sword turn into golden light and follow Li Hao's figure, disappearing into the horizon.

Outside Liangzhou, Longcheng Mo River.

After Li Hao's body was torn apart and vanished, he felt his consciousness also being shredded, merging into heaven and earth, and then, like accumulated snow, melting bit by bit.

The more it melted, the weaker his consciousness became.

This feeling was extremely strange and also made one feel fear, as if being nibbled away bit by bit by something.

Gloomy, icy, damp, silent.

All kinds of unsettling feelings surrounded him. Li Hao wanted to struggle, but he was like a salted fish pinned to a chopping board, with no power to move at all.

The world before his eyes became blurry, the light faint.

At the very end of his fading vision, Li Hao saw Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran roaring in grief, but the two seemed unable to see him; their gazes were not focused on his consciousness, but were just grieving and angry toward the vast heaven and earth.

Li Hao wanted to smile and say goodbye, but he no longer had a body.

Darkness, like a tightly closed window, completely sealed off that ray of light.

Li Hao felt his consciousness decomposing and disappearing, as if falling into an endless abyss.

My redundant life ends here, right?

However, before dying, it seems I still did one good deed, which can be considered a decent full stop.

Li Hao thought to himself, only feeling an icy breath surrounding him in the darkness, and in his ears, he seemed to hear the clear sound of the river flowing.

At the same time, a voice seemed to ring out in the depths of his heart:

"Don't you want to go home?"

Rather than a voice, it was more like a thought that had emerged on its own.

Go home...

Li Hao's thoughts drifted, drifting to that luxurious and empty courtyard, and then drifting out of that courtyard, drifting past countless mountains and rivers.

Drifting to Tianmen Pass, drifting to that small fenced courtyard, and then drifting to the Longguan Road along the way, as well as the places where flowers were in full bloom that he had seen along the way.

Where is home?

This journey had been filled with wind and snow, and ten thousand miles of clear sky. The scenery was changing, but the laughter and joy accompanying him had not changed.

He had no home, but he had friends.

Li Hao sighed lightly in his heart, feeling regret and apology.

He could no longer accompany Old Feng fishing, and he hadn't yet finished pointing out the sword techniques to Qianqian to let her step into the Grandmaster Realm. That little girl had followed him through all this wind and frost, and had suffered quite a bit.

And the little white fox—this little guy would have to forage for food on its own from now on.

Second Uncle, Auntie... Yuanzhao...

Li Hao sighed lightly in his heart, feeling that the chill in the darkness seemed to have disappeared, and his own consciousness was becoming weaker and weaker.

Is it because I'm about to die that I can't feel anything anymore?

Li Hao's consciousness kept sinking.

But as he fell deeper and deeper, suddenly, a warm feeling seemed to emerge from his "chest."

Li Hao's consciousness, which had been about to vanish into a stupor, gradually became clear again.

He looked down and saw a crimson light emerging from his chest, gradually becoming intense and vigorous, like thick blood plasma, lighting up this darkness and surrounding his consciousness.

Afterward, Li Hao saw the darkness gradually dissipating bit by bit.

When the darkness vanished, he saw himself appearing in front of a thatched cottage.

Beside the thatched cottage, an old man wearing a tattered robe was standing with his back to him, busy in front, piling something up.

Li Hao looked up; in front of the thatched cottage was a mountain.

That old man was moving a mountain!

Or rather, he was building a mountain!

Li Hao was stunned. Where is this, and what is the situation before me?

While Li Hao was puzzled, the old man seemed to sense something, and his hands, which were moving things, suddenly stopped.

Afterward, the towering mountain in front of him actually trembled slightly, then a huge gap split open, and immediately after, it collapsed with a boom!

Li Hao subconsciously wanted to dodge, but the collapsing mountain rocks fell straight down. Beneath the mountain, a bottomless hole seemed to have split open, swallowing the entire mountain!

Li Hao stood there blankly, looking at the old man. It was a strange face, and the other party was also staring at him indifferently at this moment, expressionless.

"Don't you want to go home?"

After a long while, the old man spoke slowly.

Li Hao was slightly stunned and looked around, only seeing a bright moon. He felt surprised in his heart, vaguely sensing that this place seemed to still be within the Mo River.

"I take heaven and earth as my home. Old senior, are you also trapped by this Mo River?" Li Hao asked, suspecting that the old man in front of him was also a wandering soul imprisoned in the Mo River.

The old man stared at Li Hao for a moment and suddenly laughed: "No wonder I manipulate the Mo River and cannot trap you. I didn't expect to really meet someone like you..."

When he said this, Li Hao's expression changed drastically. Manipulate the Mo River?

The old man in front of him could actually control the Mo River?

Li Hao suddenly thought of something and quickly called out to the Mo River in his heart.

He saw golden characters appearing before his eyes, gathering into several messages:

Mo River clearance progress: 99%.

Main quest: Guard Longcheng (Completed)

Side quest: Growth (Completed)

Li Hao was stunned. The clearance progress was actually not complete.

Even such a difficult main quest had already been completed.

Could it be that completing the main quest does not mean clearing the level?

Seeming to see Li Hao's thoughts, the old man's mood also seemed extremely good, and he said:

"The so-called main quest you completed can only let you leave this Mo River. It can only let you break free from Li Tianzong's obsession, but if you want to clear the level, you are thinking too simply."

Li Hao was somewhat speechless.

That main quest was already perverse enough, and this still couldn't clear the level? How difficult is this Nether Capital-level Mo River!

"However, now you only need to do one more thing to truly clear the level."

The old man smiled: "This Mo River was originally Netherworld-level. Because my soul drifted here and merged with it, it became Nether Capital-level. But now, its power and my obsession have both been broken by you. Only one last thing remains. If you can do it, you can truly clear the level."

Li Hao's gaze flickered, and he said: "What thing?"

"Take me home."

The old man said: "The souls attracted and imprisoned by this Mo River, because of me, all have a deep obsession with returning home. The deeper the obsession, the less they can break free. Similarly, people who harbor the same obsession cannot truly clear this Mo River!"

"Even if you complete the so-called quests, if you cannot ultimately gain insight into this point and cannot abandon the obsession with 'home' in your heart, you cannot break through this place."

He turned around, looking at the mountain that had turned into dust behind him, a flash of nostalgia crossing his eyes:

"I merged into the Mo River, and my obsession deepened. All these years, I have been building a mountain here, just wanting to establish the home in my heart here. But over the years, because of my obsession, the Mo River has absorbed more and more souls. These souls have made the power of the Mo River stronger and stronger."

"The stronger the Mo River, the deeper my obsession. Entering such a cycle, it is impossible to be liberated for eternity."

Speaking of this, he laughed, but his eyes were somewhat sorrowful: "Now, the obsession I built has been broken by you. As long as I return to my hometown, I can die in peace, and the power of this Mo River will also completely disappear."

Li Hao listened to him narrating, his gaze flickering, but he was skeptical in his heart.

The old man in front of him is actually the source of obsession for this Mo River?

Calculating this way, he belongs to the big BOSS behind the scenes?

But he looks somewhat kind and approachable, not at all related to being fierce.

"You don't need to be suspicious. Now the Mo River is already in the process of collapsing. Those souls are all scrambling to escape. In a moment, I will let your consciousness return to your body, return outside the Mo River. I will shrink myself and reside in your body."

The old man said: "When you take me back to my hometown, I will completely dissipate. Otherwise, I will take root in you. As time passes, the power of the Mo River will gradually grow again, and by then, it will restore to its current appearance. Therefore, there is not much time left for you."

Hearing this, Li Hao somewhat believed the other party's words. Return outside the Mo River?

If he could return to his body, everything could be verified.

Furthermore, if it were some kind of hallucination, he could test it through his physical panel.

Thinking of these, Li Hao said: "Then send me away first."

Suddenly thinking of something, he hurriedly said: "Wait, can you also send out the person who came in with me?"

The old man smiled: "Naturally. He has been here many times, but his obsession is too deep. He will never be able to clear this place. Even if he truly hears the Dao, he cannot clear it."

"In addition, I will also send out Li Tianzong's soul, but don't think that he can truly be liberated by clearing the Mo River. You are thinking too simply."

"This is a Nether Capital-level Mo River. The souls here have long been corroded. Even if cleared, he will dissipate."

The old man said: "But I can use the remaining power of the Mo River to maintain him temporarily. At the very least, it can let him truly go home and take a look."

Li Hao was stunned. In other words, even if that grandfather returns to the ancestral hall, he cannot stay forever?

It's just... can he go back and take a look.

Li Hao's expression was somewhat ugly, but he knew this was something he was powerless to do right now.

"If you are ready, I will take you all away together," the old man said quietly.

Li Hao nodded slightly.

In an instant, Li Hao felt the scenery around him as if the stars were shifting, countless mountains and rivers flowing, his vision becoming blurry, and finally falling into darkness.

When he opened his eyes again, bursts of light appeared.

At the same time, a strange fragrance of trees and grass drifted over.

Li Hao opened his eyes and saw towering trees, as huge as steep mountain peaks, with over a hundred people needed to embrace one.

Where is this?

Li Hao was puzzled. This didn't seem to be the valley with strange rocks outside the Longcheng Mo River.

"Hao, Hao'er?!"

Just at this moment, two surprised and joyful voices, filled with disbelief, rang out beside Li Hao.

Li Hao turned his head and saw Li Xiaoran standing beside him, stunned.

And beside him, a phantom was floating—it was Li Tianzong, who was also full of astonishment and shock at this moment.

"You are still alive!"

Seeing Li Hao, Li Xiaoran rushed over excitedly, grabbing Li Hao in his arms and hugging him tightly, as if feeling whether Li Hao's physical body was real.

Afterward, he grabbed Li Hao's shoulders and looked him up and down. When he saw a cluster of red light on Li Hao's chest, he hurriedly said: "Are you okay? What is this?"

Li Hao looked down. Earlier in the Mo River, his chest had emitted a strange red light. Li Hao was also wondering what it was. Looking down at this moment, he saw that the clothing on his chest was stained red.

He opened his clothing to look and saw two broken jade pieces, emitting blood light, wrapped in the clothing.

"It's the Dragon Blood Chen Baoyu!"

Seeing this, Li Tianzong's heroic soul gave a soft cry, his face somewhat surprised: "Was this bestowed by Hearing Hearing Yu Huang?"

Li Hao was also stunned. He didn't expect that the thing emitting red light was actually this treasure jade that he had worn since childhood, bestowed by that Emperor shortly after he was born.

"This?"

Li Hao blankly picked up the two shattered jade pieces.

Li Tianzong stared for a long while and sighed, saying: "The Li Clan has received the favor of Hearing Hearing Yu Huang. Little Nine died in battle unexpectedly, but fortunately, Hearing Hearing Yu Huang preserved the True Dragon bloodline of the next generation for our Li Clan. Hao'er, you must remember this kindness from Hearing Hearing Yu Huang well!"

Li Hao was stunned: "This Dragon Blood Chen Baoyu saved me?"

Since this jade was bestowed, he had worn it since childhood. Usually, he only felt a warm, gentle heat accompanying his body, driving away cold and keeping warm, and it had the effect of slowly nourishing his body and bones. Compared to these, it was more of a symbol of status.

"That's right. Not many people know the secret of this jade. This jade was refined by that True Person of the Qian Dao Palace. It is said that it sealed the life-reversing power of a Life-Reversing Realm expert inside. This jade has the effect of reversing life for people, and in a desperate situation, it can be called a second life!"

Li said.

Li Hao was astonished.

Sealing the life-reversing power of a Life-Reversing Realm expert inside?

What kind of method is this?

When a Life-Reversing Realm expert senses life and death, they can reverse heaven and change fate. If they encounter an instant kill, it will also automatically trigger to reverse fate for themselves!

He had never heard of a method that could plunder the life-reversing power of a life-reversing expert!

This is too terrifying. Is this the power of that number one expert of the Da Yu Divine Dynasty?

And.

No one had ever told him that this thing was so precious!

He had almost lost it several times!

"It's just deceiving heaven's fate."

At this time, a calm voice rang out, making the three of them stunned.

Li Hao looked over and saw the phantom of the old man, the source of the Mo River obsession, also appearing to the side. The other party looked at the few people indifferently and said:

"Even without this treasure jade, he wouldn't have died. When this kid was almost at life and death, he had already broken the power of the Mo River. The vitality in his own body flowed in. It's just that this treasure jade sensed his consciousness was in danger and triggered itself."

"Who are you?"

Li Tianzong's expression changed slightly. He felt an extremely strong sense of oppression from the other party. That feeling made him tremble somewhat, as if the other party could make him fall into an unrecoverable place with a single thought at any time.

Li Xiaoran also felt the special aura emitted from the old man, but there was no such sense of oppression as Li Tianzong felt; his gaze just became solemn.

"You people from the wild lands wouldn't know my name even if I told you," the old man said indifferently, clearly not thinking much of Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran.

Li Tianzong was slightly stunned. At this familiar form of address, he vaguely thought of something.

"Senior, where is this?"

Li Hao asked. He had already explored that the surrounding wild trees were towering, not the place where they had entered the Mo River earlier.

"This is the source of the Mo River."

The old man said indifferently: "The place you entered before was just an opening of the Mo River. I said that I want you to send me back, so naturally, I brought you out of the source. This place is... closer to my hometown."

While speaking, he looked in a direction in the distance, a flash of nostalgia and hope appearing in his eyes, as well as some vague impatience.

Li Xiaoran's expression changed slightly. He looked at Li Hao and said: "Did you promise him any conditions?"

"Yes, he is the source of the Mo River's obsession. I have to send him back, otherwise, this Mo River will revive," Li Hao said.

Furthermore, it had already been cleared to 99%, just one step away.

"Where to send him?" Li Tianzong hurriedly asked.

Li Hao also looked at the old man. At this moment, he had already sensed that this was indeed the outside world, not a hallucination. If so, the old man's words were mostly not lies.

It's just that such a miraculous thing somewhat exceeded his cognition.

The Mo River could actually be moved, and its source was actually on a wandering soul.

"Great Desolate Heaven Realm, the Ji Clan of the Desolate Heaven Ancient Sages!"

The old man said indifferently.

Hearing the other party's words, the three of Li Hao were all shaken.

In Li Hao's mind, the words Li Rumeng had said in his ear during the True Dragon competition suddenly flashed.

Great Desolate Heaven, where his mother is, and his mother's surname is Ji!

Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran both had their pupils contract. When Ji Qingqing married into their Li Clan, they were both present. The origin of that woman was also told this way back then...

The hometown of the old man in front of them is actually where Li Hao's mother's family is?

"You, are you a member of the Desolate Heaven Ancient Sage Ji Clan?" Li Tianzong couldn't help but say.

If this is the case, they seem to be in-laws?!

But the old man in front of them clearly didn't recognize them.

"You know?" The old man was somewhat surprised when he heard this and looked at him.

He clearly didn't expect that these people from the wild lands would actually know the name of the Ji Clan. Could it be that their Ji Clan was already famous outside the Great Desolate Heaven?

Li Tianzong was stunned and hesitated to speak, finally saying: "I don't know who you are in the Ji Clan, do you know Ji Qingqing?"

"You even know Qingqing?"

The old man was stunned and immediately looked at him with some surprise, then seemed to think of something and raised his eyebrows:

"Calculating the time, that little girl should be grown up too. Why, did she run to your Da Yu to play? Heh, with the talent she displayed, I estimate she could easily sweep through the younger generation of your Da Yu Divine Dynasty, right?"

Speaking of this, the corners of his mouth curled up, seeming somewhat proud.

Li Tianzong was speechless. They didn't know Ji Qingqing's cultivation realm; they only knew her cultivation was not bad.

It seems the other party hadn't really shown it much.

Knowing her identity was also learned privately when they got married. Not many people knew this secret.

After all, many families in the Da Yu Divine Dynasty, including other Divine General's Mansions, held wariness and rejection toward the residents within the Great Desolate Heaven.

Li Tianzong glanced at Li Hao, wanting to say something, but finally didn't say it.

He knew the rules of the Ji Clan. Back then, Ji Qingqing's marriage to Li Tiangang was also a private decision. If it weren't for seeing their deep affection and loyalty, he, as a father, wouldn't have been willing to agree.

Sighing secretly, Li something transmitted to Li Hao:

"Hao'er, do you also know your mother's identity? In a moment, we will send him back together, but you must never stay in the Ji Clan for long, and you must never let anyone know that your mother is Ji Qingqing. I am worried they will be detrimental to you."

Li Hao was slightly stunned. During his days at Tianmen Pass, he had also asked Old Feng about some things regarding the Great Desolate Heaven when chatting. Although Old Feng didn't know much, he knew a few points: the families of the Great Desolate Heaven had extremely excellent bloodlines, and therefore, they rarely married outside their clan.

The union of Li Tiangang and Ji Qingqing could be considered as them working together, plus the protection of the Divine General's Mansion's power, hiding the information about his mother Ji Qingqing, which led to peace over these years.

This is also why his mother left after revealing her identity in Yanbei and scaring away the Holy Palace.

Li Hao fell into silence.

Go to the Ji Clan, but cannot acknowledge that mother?

In his mind, the concerned and loving gaze from when he was in swaddling clothes, that gentle and beautiful woman, vaguely emerged.

"Let's go, we should set off."

The old man urged.

"We are going too," Li Xiaoran said, standing up.

Li Hao came back to his senses. He looked at the two who were preparing to set off together and hurriedly said: "Fourth Uncle..." He turned his head wanting to call Li Tianzong, but when the words reached his lips, he didn't know how to address him.

If he addressed him as "Grandfather," wouldn't that mean he still acknowledged that identity?

But if he didn't address him that way, if the other party knew his current situation, he would probably be very sad, right?

Thinking of what this Ji Clan old man said, that the other party's time was only enough to go home and take a look, Li Hao felt a burst of sadness in his heart.

Having experienced the Battle of Longcheng, he knew how strong the other party's obsession with going home was.

"You all go back first. The power of the Mo River has permeated into Grandfather's body. Grandfather... I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on for long," Li Hao said.

For this last leg of the journey, he still planned not to let this old man get hurt.

Li Xiaoran was stunned and couldn't help but look at Li Tianzong.

Li Tianzong's expression changed slightly. He also sensed his own abnormality, but he didn't expect it to be so serious.

"That's right, you all hurry and leave. This kid taking me back alone is enough," the Ji Clan old man also said impatiently.

"Big Brother, is it true?!"

Li Xiaoran's eye sockets turned red instantly, and he looked at Li Tianzong.

Li Tianzong was silent. He looked at Li Hao and said: "Anyway, it's just one look. It doesn't matter if I don't see it. Being able to see that I have such a good grandson as you, I am already satisfied."

"Since I will perish sooner or later, I will pass this portion of my power to you. Perhaps it can forge you to a higher level!"

Li Hao understood his intention and shook his head slightly: "I haven't realized the Dao heart yet. Giving me your power will only enhance my soul strength, but it cannot help me break through the realm."

Enhancing soul strength is certainly an extremely good thing, but for Li Hao, practicing some spirit-refining techniques could achieve it.

If it can be done with techniques, how can he let this old man perish for this?

Li Tianzong was stunned and had a feeling of wanting to shed tears: "But my good grandson, I haven't given you anything yet, and you almost died for me..."

"You have already given it."

Li Hao looked at him, revealing a smile, and said: "You recognized my paintings, my hobbies of not attending to proper duties..."

Hearing this, Li Tianzong felt even more heartbroken and said: "Those are such trivial matters. My grandson's talent is unparalleled; isn't it worth praising?"

Li Hao was silent for a moment, then smiled again and said to Li Xiaoran: "Fourth Uncle, I will trouble you to take Grandfather back. Be careful on the road."

Hearing that his eldest brother Li Tianzong would soon perish, Li Xiaoran was still buzzing in his head, somewhat dejected. Coming back to his senses, he said:

"I know. Hao'er, you also be careful. When I send Big Brother back, if I don't see you return, I will come to find you!"

"You don't need to come find him. This kid is much stronger than you," the Ji Clan old man sneered. He was the source of the Mo River's obsession and knew everything that happened inside, and he was extremely satisfied with Li Hao's performance.

With such talent, even in their Ji Clan, he could be considered a heaven's pride expert.

"Fourth Uncle, goodbye."

Li Hao immediately said goodbye to them.

"This seems to be the border of the Great Desolate Heaven. There are many demons in the Great Desolate Heaven, and their strength is strong. You also be careful," Li Xiaoran said.

Li Hao nodded.

"Hurry and go, don't be long-winded," the Ji Clan old man couldn't help but urge.

Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong looked at each other, thinking that this person didn't know which uncle in the in-laws he was, but his patience was truly poor.

The two entrusted him again, wanting to tell Li Hao the information about the Great Desolate Heaven they knew. The Ji Clan old man heard halfway and said:

"I will tell this kid along the way. You all hurry and go!"

Hearing this, the two gave up, thinking that the other party was a powerhouse of the Ji Clan and should be able to point the way for Li Hao.

The few said goodbye.

Li Hao thought of the matter at Tianmen Pass and said to Li Xiaoran: "Fourth Uncle, after sending Grandfather back, I will trouble you to take a trip to Tianmen Pass by the way, and greet my sword attendant, saying that I cannot return for the time being, and Tianmen Pass will be left to her and my clone to sit in command."

He called her sword attendant and didn't mention Old Feng, mainly worrying that the other party couldn't accept Old Feng's identity.

And the message passed to Ren Qianqian's ears would naturally be passed to Old Feng, and Old Feng could understand his meaning.

"Hmm."

Li Xiaoran nodded. Thinking of the rumors about Li Hao and Li Tiangang he had vaguely heard, his expression changed slightly, but thinking that his eldest brother was still there, he didn't show anything.

After saying goodbye, Li Hao watched Li Xiaoran and Li Tianzong leave together. They followed the main road, identified the direction of the Da Yu Divine Dynasty, and then flew away.

"We should go too."

The Ji Clan old man said.

Li Hao stared for a long time, then withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly.

Li Xiaoran took Li Tianzong's figure and flew straight through the wilderness.

Every time they flew out hundreds of miles, they would pause to identify the direction.

As they kept moving forward, he finally found the clear location and couldn't help but reveal joy:

"This is outside Liangzhou. Looking at that route ahead, when we go back, we can just happen to pass by Tianmen Pass."

"Tianmen Pass?"

Li Tianzong was curious: "I just heard Hao'er say he is sitting in command there? How old is Hao'er? How can he be allowed to come out and lead troops to fight now? He is still at the age of cultivation."

Li Xiaoran smiled somewhat unnaturally and said: "Hao'er's talent is unparalleled. You also saw it; his cultivation speed is astonishing. Training in advance is not a bad thing."

"That's true. He is actually only fifteen years old outside. There, he can compete with a demon king of the Taiping Dao Realm at eighteen..."

Li to here, his eyes kept shining, revealing excitement and surprise: "My Li Clan has such descendants, I can be considered to have died without regrets!"

Hearing him say the words "died without regrets."

Li Xiaoran's expression changed slightly, and he was somewhat silent, thinking of what Li Hao had just said—that Big Brother could only go back and take a look, and then he would immediately dissipate.

He felt a burst of sourness in his heart, didn't speak, and lowered his head to speed up the journey.