Chapter 296: I Don

The sacred pillar suddenly erupted in brilliant light, enveloping the drop of blood, detaching it from the pillar, and suspending it smoothly in midair.

Then, silver-gray light radiated from the sacred pillar, piercing through the round drop of blood, turning it silver, and then illuminating Li Hao.

"Indeed, he is of the Ji family."

Seeing the sacred light penetrate the blood, everyone knew the boy truly possessed Ji family bloodline.

They all held their breath, staring at the silver light piercing the blood as it shone upon Li Hao.

From head to toe, Li Hao was bathed in silver radiance; his entire skin seemed translucent, with brilliant silver light surging from within—this was the glow emitted by the Ji family bloodline, drawn forth by the Saint's power.

After a long while, the silver radiance receded and vanished; everything on the Sacrificial Altar returned to its former state.

"No sacred tone responded, no sacred bone…"

Before the boy opened his eyes, everyone present, seeing this outcome, could not hide their disappointment.

Ji Ji Daoxin, standing closest, furrowed his brows slightly and sighed inwardly, but then thought: he's only a half-blood; if he truly awakened sacred bone, his luck would be too extraordinary.

Yet, without sacred bone, it would remain a regret.

Ji Ji Tianchao, Ji Yunyue, and others also sighed in disappointment; though they would not neglect Li Hao for lacking sacred bone, had he possessed it, the child's achievements would have been far greater.

Nearby, Ji Qingfeng sneered slightly, intending to mock the boy to his father—but when he looked up, he saw his father and several uncles frowning, their faces devoid of joy, and he froze.

He suddenly realized: his father and the others held no great hostility toward the boy.

Was it because he returned Yun Ge, the War God?

"Of course—half-bloods can never possess sacred bone!"

"Just bringing him to the Sacrificial Altar is an insult to our Ancestor!"

Beside them, several junior elders close to Ji Ji Qingyuan sighed in relief, then sneered.

On the Sacrificial Altar, Li Hao opened his eyes, heard the murmurs around him, and knew: he indeed had no sacred bone.

He was not surprised by this result; had he possessed sacred bone, he would have sensed it long ago—his Flesh Dao Seventh Stage bodily perception could not possibly fail to detect his own condition.

Li Hao turned around, looked at Ji Ji Daoxin behind him, recognized him as the current head of the Ji family—even Ji Ji Yunge respected him—and bowed slightly, then said: "Elder, I wish to see my mother."

Ji Ji Daoxin was slightly startled; seeing the boy's calm, unflappable expression, showing no trace of disappointment, he found it unexpected.

Almost without exception, Ji family prodigies who came to test for sacred bone all displayed unmistakable disappointment upon learning they had not awakened it.

Yet this boy before him was utterly serene—and Ji Ji Daoxin could tell this was not pretense or concealment; the boy genuinely did not care about sacred bone.

Perhaps he simply does not understand how vital sacred bone is… Ji Ji Daoxin's eyes flickered, and he said to Li Hao: "Though you have now entered our Ji family, your mother previously violated clan rules and is currently serving punishment—you may not see her."

Li Hao immediately said: "But Elder Yun Ge said that if I became a Ji family prodigy, I could see her—and help redeem her sins!"

"You wish to redeem your mother's sins, to free her?"

Ji Ji Daoxin frowned slightly: "That is difficult. Unless you become our Ji family's top prodigy, listed as a Dao Seed, you cannot secure her pardon."

Li Hao nodded: "Elder Yun Ge said the same. I intend to try."

"Now?"

Ji Ji Daoxin froze; though he sensed Li Hao's aura was suppressed by some special concealment technique, he could still perceive the immense power within the boy's body—far beyond the Third Imperishable Realm.

"Yes." Li Hao nodded seriously.

Whirr! Though their conversation was quiet, nearly everyone present had cultivation; hearing Li Hao intended to challenge every Ji family prodigy for the Dao Seed title, they were stunned—then enraged.

"What nonsense! Who does he think he is?"

"He just arrived in our Ji family and already wants to become Dao Seed? Does he think all our prodigies are like Ji Ji Yufen?"

"Agree to it! Let Ji Mingmu teach him a lesson!"

"Our Ji family prodigies must not be insulted—he is utterly arrogant!"

Everyone was furious, believing Li Hao was too conceited, showing no respect for the other prodigies.

Hearing the murmurs, Ji Ji Yufen, who had just regained consciousness among the crowd, flushed crimson; he felt the boy's boldness stemmed entirely from the confidence and momentum he himself had given him.

"Damn it!"

He gritted his teeth, trembling with rage.

"Are you certain?"

On the Sacrificial Altar, Ji Ji Daoxin frowned: "To become Dao Seed, you must defeat every Ji family prodigy, ascend to the top, and become the strongest. The Ji Ji Yufen you defeated—he is a prodigy, yes, but too young; among our prodigies, his strength ranks at the bottom."

Among prodigies, even a few years' difference means vast power gaps.

Among the younger generation, including prodigies like Ji Mingque, some are nearly thirty—power so terrifying it's unimaginable.

"Yes."

Li Hao nodded seriously—he was not joking.

Ji Ji Daoxin studied Li Hao deeply, his eyes filled with regret and disappointment: "Then, as you wish."

Had Li Hao waited a few more years, he might have been promising—but now, the boy was simply too young.

"Head, let me teach him a lesson!"

From the crowd, a figure shot forward, landing midair outside the Sacrificial Altar, glaring at Li Hao:

"I am Ji Mingxin. Don't say I'm taking advantage of your youth—you brought this upon yourself!"

Li Hao looked up; the man appeared slightly older than Ji Mingque, around twenty-four or twenty-five—an adult.

"No matter."

Li Hao said.

Seeing Li Hao's confidence, Ji Ji Daoxin thought: the boy must have been a prodigy outside, never faced defeat, hence his arrogance. He sighed inwardly: "This is no place to fight. If you wish to challenge for Dao Seed, ring the Sacred Bell—summon all other prodigies to Tian Dao Mountain!"

His voice carried; everyone realized: this was serious.

The Head's words were no joke; if the Sacred Bell rang, the boy would be an arrow loosed—no turning back!

Ji Yunyue and others rushed to the altar; Ji Yunyue hurriedly said: "Child, don't rush. Train a few more years—our Ji family has abundant resources, we'll nurture you properly!"

"Yes, even if you have confidence, waiting a few more years is safer."

"You're too impatient, child—this will cause hidden injuries and delay your future cultivation."

Ji Shen Yunqing and others joined in, urging him.

Though they knew from Ji Ji Yunge that this boy was exceptionally strong and could lead the Ji family prodigies, Li Hao was still far too young.

"I want to bring her back as soon as possible."

Li Hao said simply.

Hearing the boy's words, Ji Shen Yunqing and others changed expression; seeing his unwavering gaze, they opened their mouths but could not speak.

Seeing Ji Yunyue and the others could not sway Li Hao, Ji Ji Daoxin waved his hand: "Come, follow me to ring the Sacred Bell."

Li Hao nodded.

Ji Ji Daoxin leapt upward; Li Hao followed, flying toward the mountain peak.

At the summit stood a Dao Altar, upon which rested a colossal bell, shaped like an ancient tripod.

"Ring the Sacred Bell, initiate the Dao Seed Challenge—you will have no retreat!" Ji Ji Daoxin said solemnly.

Li Hao nodded, then summoned his power to lift the divine iron hammer before the bell and struck it hard—immediately, the clear chime echoed across the entire Sacred Mountain.

At that moment, even ordinary Ji family members in the mountain's rear city heard it, and all were stunned.

Sacred Bell rings, Dao Seed emerges—someone is challenging for Dao Seed! To challenge Dao Seed means facing bloody battles against every Ji family prodigy—not friendly sparring, but likely severe injury, even death!

After all, the Dao Seed battle consumes all strength, may even involve secret arts—once begun, it cannot be easily halted.

"This child is too hasty…"

Ji Yunyue and others, hearing the bell's chime from the summit, turned pale.

If memory served, the boy was only fifteen.

Fifteen years old, challenging prodigies who were twenty-five—or even nearing thirty? It was nearly impossible!

"Third Brother was right—this child is deeply filial; to go this far for his mother, his heart surpasses many others!"

Ji Ji Tianchao stood on the Sacrificial Altar, gazing at the summit, his eyes grave.

"Quick, find a way to stop him—is it still possible?" Ji Yunyue cried.

Ji Ji Tianchao shook his head slightly: "Don't worry too much. Third Brother said this child can fight a Master of Ultimate Techniques—he didn't exaggerate. Perhaps the boy truly can succeed!"

"Impossible?"

Ji Yunyue widened her eyes, then realized: she had not sensed Li Hao's cultivation realm. Perhaps he was already an Inverse Fate Realm cultivator? If so, fighting a Master of Ultimate Techniques from an Inverse Fate Realm, though monstrous, was not entirely unthinkable.

"Still, the child is too impulsive—his mother is on the Imprisonment Heaven Isle; though harsh, a few years there mean nothing…"

Ji Yunyue sighed helplessly.

With such talent, no wonder Third Brother said: within ten years, this child may stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ninth.

As they spoke, the Sacred Bell's chime, carrying Dao resonance, spread throughout the entire Ji family.

Even cultivators in secluded caves heard the sound; instantly, lights flared from countless caves, and dozens of extraordinary figures shot out.

"Who dares ring our Ji family's Sacred Bell?"

"Who dares challenge Dao Seed? How arrogant!"

"Could it be Ji Ji Xuanshen has broken through?" Many Ji family prodigies paused briefly before their caves, then all rushed toward the Sacred Mountain's summit.

Besides the numerous prodigies, the many Ji family elders who had watched the Sacrificial Altar, and those who had come early for the spectacle, were all shocked and furious, and all set off for the peak's Tian Dao Mountain.

"He didn't awaken sacred bone—and still dares challenge Dao Seed?!"

"I'll watch with my own eyes how he's crippled!"

Everyone surged toward the summit.

The Sacred Mountain was vast and majestic; though called a summit, it contained plains stretching ten thousand li, rivers, and mountains. On one towering peak, Li Hao and Ji Ji Daoxin stood.

The great bell swayed, its chime echoing.

Countless figures raced toward them, gathering at this prodigy arena—Tian Dao Mountain.

"Who is ringing the bell? Daring to challenge the Dao Seed?!"

A furious shout pierced the sky—though the speaker was far away, his voice had already reached the Dao Hall.

When the storm of wind he carried subsided, a tall, muscular young man appeared; he noticed Ji Ji Daoxin, bowed quickly, then his gaze fell upon Li Hao beside the clan lord.

"Is it you?"

"It is."

Li Hao said.

"Who are you? Which lineage? Which generation? I've never heard your name," the muscular youth stared.

"You'll hear it soon."

Li Hao said.

With the arrival of this muscular youth, more brilliant figures flew in from afar, slicing through the sky and landing around the Dao Hall—dozens in total.

These were all Ji family prodigies; many had been training in their caves, uninterested in the commotion, some even unaware Ji Ji Yunge had returned, still sealed in their cultivation chambers.

But the Sacred Bell carried Dao resonance—its chime penetrated everywhere, even reaching those in caves and deep cultivation, so they all came rushing.

"He's Ji Li Le Ping—a half-blood. Before even joining the Ji family, he changed his name, hoping to curry favor by returning General Yun Ge!"

"A despicable worm, thinking he can enjoy the Ji family's prodigy resources? How naive."

"Break him!"

The Ji family prodigies who had earlier rushed to the mountain gate to watch Li Hao now stepped forward, their faces cold.

Though Li Hao defeated Ji Ji Yufen, that didn't mean he could defeat them—they hadn't moved in the Reception Hall.

"So that's it."

Many arriving prodigies' eyes turned icy at this.

Challengers of the Dao Seed are rivals by nature—especially a half-blood!

"He doesn't even have innate Sacred Bones, yet dares to aspire to be the Dao Seed? The Ji family has only one Dao Seed—who does he think he is?"

"What a ridiculous name—get on with it. I have to return to my cultivation after this."

"Who's first? If no one steps up, I will!"

The prodigies chattered among themselves, some growing impatient.

Ji Ji Daoxin glanced at Li Hao and saw the boy's calm expression, utterly unafraid; he shook his head slightly and called out loudly:

"Now, Ji Li Le Ping challenges the Dao Seed. Who among you will face him? If no one steps forward, his challenge is deemed successful!"

The rules for challenging the Dao Seed were blunt and brutal: no group attacks or wheeling battles, but all other methods were permitted.

Each victory granted Li Hao one day of rest.

"I'll go first!"

"Me! I will!"

From among the dozens of prodigies, seven or eight stepped forward, eager to challenge Li Hao.

"I'll fight—this time, I'll go all out!"

Ji Mingque also stepped forward, eyes icy; Li Hao's earlier catch of his spear had enraged him, and now he wanted a true test.

Li Hao watched their bickering and said calmly: "If you can't decide, you can all come at once."

Whoo! The crowd outside erupted in shock.

How arrogant—has this boy never known death?

Facing the pressure of so many prodigies, he still dared to speak so boldly!

When Li Hao's words spread, even those who had been too lazy to act now flashed cold light in their eyes.

"Damn it, I'll go!"

A figure shot straight onto the stage, his aura exploding as he drew his blade and slashed at Li Hao.

The blade's cry echoed like a dragon's roar, then transformed into a silver-river slash, descending vertically.

Li Hao stood motionless; the blade's light, drawn by Dao resonance, struck before him—he raised a fist and shattered it, then vanished in a flash, using the Heaven-Earth Disappearance Technique, appearing instantly before the furious youth.

The youth's pupils shrank—he hadn't reacted when Li Hao's fist came roaring toward him.

Boom! It smashed into his chest, bones shattering; the violent fist energy pierced through his body, hurling him backward.

"What?!"

Others saw the flying prodigy and paled—he was Four-Foundations, yet the boy had defeated him in an instant?!

"Incredible speed!"

"His aura's revealed—he's not Four-Foundations! Is he Three-Incorruptible?!"

Li Hao's aura had been hidden until now, but now that he'd moved, everyone sensed it: the boy wasn't Four-Foundations—he was Three-Incorruptible! Everyone present was stunned; they'd assumed his arrogance meant he'd reached Four-Foundations, yet he was only Three-Incorruptible! Outside, Ji Yunyue and Ji Ji Tianchao also stiffened.

Three-Incorruptible?

Third brother said he could fight a Supreme Art master—but he's only Three-Incorruptible? How?! In the crowd, Ji Ji Yufen's furious face turned to shock—he was also Three-Incorruptible, yet lacked Li Hao's power entirely.

And that movement—Even a Dao-Heart cultivator hadn't reacted. It must be a Supreme Art movement.

And mastered to an extreme level. Where did he find the time to cultivate it?

Li Hao's strike stunned many; the prodigies who had been angry and dismissive now grew serious.

But even so—this was the Dao Seed contest. Defeating a Dao-Heart was still far from enough to claim the Dao Seed!

"The rest of you don't need to step up. Anyone below the Reverse Fate realm, step down!"

A prodigy spoke calmly, coldly.

He stood with hands behind his back, aura contained, motionless like a mountain, pressing down on all.

Hearing him, many frowned in resentment but dared not argue.

"Then let me."

From the crowd, a white-robed youth stepped forward, facing Li Hao: "Tomorrow at this time, I'll be here waiting. Rest well."

Li Hao shook out his fist and said calmly: "No need. We can settle it today."

The white-robed youth froze, his eyes turning icy:

"You said that yourself!"

Saying this, fearing Li Hao would retract, he erupted in aura and stepped onto the Dao Hall.

"A half-blood dares to enter the Ji family? Ji Li Le Ping? A terrible name. When I break you, you'd better change your name and leave the Ji family!"

The white-robed youth raised his hand and drew a sword from the space between heaven and earth; instantly, waves of sound surged behind him, his sword intent surging like a tide.

Li Hao's calm eyes suddenly flashed icy lightning: "I don't care about the Ji surname—but don't insult my name!"

"That's not something you say with your mouth—see if you have the strength to match your big words!"

The white-robed youth struck instantly, his aura exploding; he unleashed multiple Supreme Arts simultaneously—his Meridian Opening and Qi Circulation methods surpassed even the imperial family of Da Yu, radiating overwhelming might.

His Soul Refinement and Soul Condensation were equally extraordinary—he bore the legacy of the Primordial Ancestor Sage, capable of condensing his soul 270 times! Now, unleashing his full power, he aimed to cripple Li Hao in one blow and stun the entire hall.

Terrifying power erupted from his body, condensing into his blade; the brilliant sword light seemed to compress countless lightning and meteoric fire, as he stepped forward and slashed at Li Hao.

"So strong!"

"Ji Ji Mingshou has grown stronger again—they say he's mastered four Supreme Arts, all to the True Form level!"

"True Form… terrifying!"

The onlookers were stunned, watching as that single sword slash unleashed endless thunder and fire, as if it would cleave the entire Dao Platform in two! Li Hao's eyes turned icy, his bloodline surging—he didn't retreat, but stepped forward like a dragon and tiger, meeting the dazzling sword light head-on.

Boom!!

A terrifying fist force swept across, like a thousand hurricanes rising from the earth—the sword light was instantly suppressed, then drowned like cold moonlight swallowed by blazing sun.

A figure flew backward, straight off the Dao Platform.

Several figures from the crowd rushed out, catching the youth—his elders—but even they trembled, bones cracking as they caught him.

Only after several others joined could they finally hold his body steady—the white-robed youth was already unconscious.

(End of Chapter)