Chapter 354: The Child Is Dead

The two terrifying enemies were slain, killed by the boy alone!

He crushed Long Long Jueshen and Feng Feng Lingxiao, then cut down two more Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm beings, sweeping his sword across the outskirts of Qingzhou City and quelling the demonic tide.

All of this happened in mere moments; after the boy arrived, the terrifying gloom that had hung over Qingzhou City for days vanished as if it had never been.

Like a god's hand reaching down from the heavens, parting the clouds above.

At this moment, the dawn's first light still bathed Qingzhou City, every household wrapped in radiance—but this light was no longer cold as before; it seemed to shimmer with rainbow-hued arcs, filling everyone with the scorching warmth of summer, their blood stirring hot and boiling, filled with astonishment and excitement.

"Are we saved?"

"Who is that? Is he General General Hao Tian?"

"The demons called him that—he's General General Hao Tian!"

Among the townsfolk and city defenders, though they could not make out the boy's face, his crimson-gold form stood alone in heaven and earth, radiating a brilliant power like a condensed golden divine light.

Around his body, no demon roared or soared—everything fell silent.

"The Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm… just like that, he killed one…"

"Was that truly a Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm? Does that mean this boy can slay a True Person of Qian Dao Palace?"

"Nine Layers of Dao Domain—how did he achieve that? Our ancestors reportedly only reached the third layer before perishing."

Many Li family ancestral spirits were stunned.

They had burned their souls in battle, prepared to let their lingering souls vanish utterly—yet this despairing end was overturned in a single motion by the boy.

Two demonic leaders of the Tai Ping Dao Realm were like children before Li Hao, utterly defenseless; even the Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm beings were slain!

"He actually killed a Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm…"

In the ancestral hall of the General's Mansion, three golden lingering souls rose into the air—they had not rushed to the battlefield immediately, choosing instead to remain here to assist Ancestor Li Li Tianyuan.

But now they saw the battlefield had already been pacified.

"That wasn't a Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm—it was a manifestation."

Li Li Tianyuan's spirit also emerged from the golden statue within the ancestral hall, hovering in midair above the General's Mansion, gazing into the distance.

Since Li Hao appeared and reversed the city's fate, they had halted the ritual of sacrificing Li family blood to forge a physical body, closely watching the battlefield.

"Manifestation?"

The three golden lingering souls turned to look at this elder ancestor.

Li Li Tianyuan was a Divine General of the Tai Ping Dao Realm, having fought alongside the former emperor across ten provinces, expanding territory, and possessing vast experience.

"The Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm I've seen were far more terrifying—true beings who touched the Dao itself, whose Dao-force was indestructible, immune to divine weapons, capable of summoning wind and rain, wielding unfathomable powers—not this level."

Li Li Tianyuan's gaze grew heavy as he fixed it on the crimson-gold boy at the city's edge:

"But to slay a Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm manifestation is already terrifying. That boy… is invincible beneath the Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm."

Hearing their ancestor's words, the three golden lingering souls froze.

Though they too were Li family elder ancestors, they had missed their ancestor's glorious era; though they had seen Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm beings, they had never witnessed one unleash full power, so they did not truly grasp how terrifying such a being could be.

Yet the power displayed by those two Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm manifestations had already been enough to shock them.

After all, two other Tai Ping Dao Realm demonic leaders had been unable to even fight the boy—yet those two Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm manifestations had forced him to unleash Nine Layers of Dao Domain.

"That boy doesn't seem to have used his full strength. He's still so young—if given time, he will surely enter the Cultivation Base of Cultivation Realm. At that point, who in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty would dare invade?"

"When the Immortal Gate opened, it drew away countless prodigies, causing the Great Yu Divine Dynasty's fortune to decline. Now, it seems another peak is coming—even surpassing what came before the Immortal Gate."

"I wonder which clan this boy comes from. Too bad he's not from our Li family. Alas, alas!"

As the Li family ancestral spirits conversed, many in the city who knew Li Hao, upon regaining their senses, rushed toward him in excitement.

"Hao'er!"

"Hao-ge!!"

He He Jianlan, Li Li Hongzhuang, and others surged toward Li Hao.

Others who reacted more slowly—Li Li Xuanli, Gao Ji Qingqing, and more—after a brief stunned pause, snapped back to reality, their expressions alight with emotion, racing forward.

Li Li Yuanzhao shouted at the top of his lungs, using his ancestor's power to hurtle toward Li Hao.

"You actually know him?"

The Li family ancestor draped over Li Li Yuanzhao was stunned—he hadn't expected this chubby boy to truly know that monstrous boy.

The wetness in his eyes, the scalding tears—clearly no pretense; their bond ran deep.

Other Li family ancestral spirits also noticed the reactions of these Li bloodlines; when they saw how genuinely heartfelt their emotions were, they were startled, then filled with sudden joy.

The boy had come to aid them, but he might have been ordered to, or simply acted out of shared humanity—but now it seemed he came because of a close tie to their Li family.

"Hao'er?"

Ji Ji Qingqing, hearing He He Jianlan's cries from afar, froze, her puzzled expression suddenly still.

Then her heart clenched as if gripped by a fist.

The image of the boy falling into the abyss flashed through her mind.

Her blood surged, then turned icy to her toes; her entire body trembled slightly.

Could it be… really him?

Tears poured from Ji Ji Qingqing's eyes as she stared at the boy standing tall like a war god, the dazzling figure under countless gazes—was that… her child? Her body shook uncontrollably; she followed the others, flying toward him faster and faster, each step closer revealing more of his face—the sharp expression differed slightly from the boy who fell into the abyss…

And his aura was clearly different.

Her speed slowed; she felt fear, hesitation—as if touching a dream, real yet illusory, afraid to approach yet wanting to, afraid to touch yet longing to.

Soon, He He Jianlan and the others reached the city's edge, staring at the boy whose divine light had receded inward, gazing at his slightly unfamiliar face—after a moment of stunned silence, tears spilled from their eyes.

Though his aura and face had changed, they still recognized him as that child—the one who occasionally brought them his own cooked meals, the one whose style stood apart in the General's Mansion. He was still so unique, so vivid. Unlike his past self in the General's Mansion, who had once laughed and played carefree, the boy before them now blazed with radiance like a divine youth, his face less lazy, his brow sharper.

The only thing unchanged was his eyes—still clear, warm, pure as translucent glass.

He He Jianlan couldn't help covering her mouth, tears streaming down her face—the memory of the child greeting her each morning, sharing breakfast with her, chatting and laughing—still vivid.

But the past felt impossibly distant.

Now, he was stained with blood; when no one held an umbrella for him, he held one for himself, shielding against the blizzard.

"Hao-ge!"

Li Li Yuanzhao and Li Li Wushuang and others arrived as well; seeing Li Hao, others still hesitated, uncertain whether to acknowledge him—but Li Li Yuanzhao shouted out directly in excitement.

Li Hao looked at the boy, the sharpness in his brows softening slightly as he smiled: "You've reached the Divine Traveling Realm already? Looks like you haven't been slacking."

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Li Yuanzhao's narrow eyes burst into tears; he flung himself onto Li Hao: "Hao-ge, you're safe—that's all that matters, you're safe!"

Li Hao blinked, then smiled—but when he saw the boy rubbing his head against his chest, he pushed him away:

"You idiot, don't wipe your snot all over me."

Li Li Yuanzhao quickly wiped his nose with his sleeve—but blew a snot bubble:

"Hao-ge, I'll wash it off later."

"Go away."

Li Hao grumbled.

Li Li Wushuang, Li Li Zhining, and others stood nearby, including Li Li Mingjian and Li Li Sibei—they were He He Jianlan's children, who had once attacked Li Hao after the True Dragon Contest, intending to kill Li Qianfeng, harboring misunderstandings and resentment.

But after the investigation into Liu Liu Yuerong's case, they realized they had wronged the boy.

Now, seeing him again, their expressions were complex—ashamed yet excited, thrilled.

Watching Li Hao casually joke with Li Li Yuanzhao, Li Li Mingjian and Li Li Wushuang—those of Li Hao's generation—felt a strange envy, a touch of jealousy toward the chubby boy, yet also deep sorrow.

They had all lived in the General's Mansion, yet their bond with Li Hao had always been shallow—barely more than nodding acquaintances.

"Hao'er, do you still remember Auntie?"

He He Jianlan, eyes red, looked at Li Hao—his appearance unchanged except for his face—and spoke.

Li Hao glanced at this noblewoman who had cared for him since childhood, his gaze softening: "Auntie's kindness, I will never forget."

"Just kindness? That was just plain tea and simple meals—what kind of kindness is that?" He He Jianlan's eyes reddened further.

Li Hao paused, then quietly said: "I remember everything. I told you before—I remember every moment from childhood."

Hearing Li Hao's words, their expressions shifted slightly; memories were pulled back two years—to the courtyard after the True Dragon Contest.

For a moment, many lowered their heads in sorrow.

Back then, the boy had recited in detail the everyday moments they had long forgotten—leaving them stunned, terrified, and later, heartbroken.

"Are you really… Hao'er?"

Amid the silent grief, a voice—trembling with excitement and fear—spoke up.

Ji Ji Qingqing pushed through the crowd, standing before Li Hao, tears streaming down her cheeks:

"Did I make a mistake? Are you really Hao'er?"

Li Hao looked up at her—the vivid, tear-streaked face so close.

Like when he was an infant, gazing up at her over a decade ago—so real.

Like the final glance across the abyss—so distant.

But his expression returned to calm, as his heart was now—he merely shook his head slightly: "You're mistaken. I am myself—not your son."

Hearing Li Hao's words, Ji Ji Qingqing froze. He He Jianlan and the others, filled with emotion, along with Li Li Xiaoran, Li Li Qingzheng, and more who had arrived—all froze, their faces darkening, but not with anger—only sorrow.

Ji Ji Qingqing, hearing Li Hao's calm tone, felt as if a sharp blade pierced her heart.

More tears poured from her eyes as she wept bitterly: "You won't acknowledge me? It's my fault—I failed you. I wanted to die for you. But I had no choice. If I could trade my life for yours, I would gladly do it. Do you understand?"

As she spoke, she wept uncontrollably; the ancestral spirit clinging to her detached from her body, watching the scene in shock and confusion, its expression growing grave.

Other Li family ancestral spirits gathered nearby, listening to their exchange, all stunned.

It sounded unmistakably as if this child was from their Li family.

Yet this child carried not a trace of Li family aura.

Could it be… he's wearing a disguise?

Some ancestral spirits exchanged uneasy glances.

Li Hao listened quietly to the woman's sorrowful weeping, his expression unchanged, merely saying calmly:

"Those things are all in the past. The moment you made your choice, everything was settled. Your child is dead—it has nothing to do with right or wrong. Whether you feel guilt or grief, that's your own burden; you don't need to tell me, and I don't care."

He knew Ji Ji Qingqing's situation left her no real choice—but there was a choice, she simply didn't choose him.

Li Hao had long since made peace with it.

He no longer cared, nor did he seek to pursue it. The past between him and this couple was severed; the faint debt of kindness was utterly cut off, and henceforth there would be no further ties.

The small body borrowed for his transmigration, Li Hao had protected and nurtured until it reached fifteen years of age—he could no longer use that body to go further.

It was they, the couple themselves, who severed the bond. That alone was more than enough to repay them.

Otherwise, at the age of six, even a prodigy like Li Li Junye could not have stopped an assassination from a Zhou Tian cultivator.

It is enough. It is all enough…

(End of Chapter)