Chapter 49: Death River Battle Realm

Hearing this, Li Hao’s eyes gained a touch of interest as he looked at the other.

“The last four realms are warriors who have transcended the mortal world.”

Su Ye Hua said: “Each realm isn’t divided into ten levels—why is it called the ‘Fifteen-Li Realm’? Because cultivators in the Fifteen-Li Realm practice the Art of Controlling Objects: they not only let their spiritual sense roam heaven and earth, but also use their spirit to control their own bodies, soaring freely through the skies!”

“One breath per li, the fastest speed reaches fifteen li—that’s how the name came about.”

“Fifteen li per breath?”

Many were stunned—such speed was like wind racing and lightning flashing; in an instant, one could flee the city, leap over mountains, and cross entire provinces! “At the Fifteen-Li Realm, one can control flying swords, slaying enemies fifteen li away—without a drop of blood, the head is already severed!”

“Thus, those who reach the Fifteen-Li Realm are truly fearsome beings—killing without a trace!”

Su Ye Hua spoke calmly.

“What about the Heaven-Man Realm?”

“The Heaven-Man Realm is called the Master Realm—you must attain the Master’s Heart to enter it.”

Su Ye Hua said: “This realm is where even the Nine-Rank Battle Body talent fails—it depends entirely on character and insight. Throughout history, countless prodigies of the Nine-Rank Battle Body have fallen before this realm, their lives ending at Fifteen-Li. Hence, the Fifteen-Li Realm is also called ‘Fifteen Li of Spring Breeze.’”

After spring breeze comes the withering autumn.

Then comes the silent winter of all things.

She glanced around and said softly: “The Three Immortal Realms can pass on bloodline power. The Three Immortal Realms have three stages—each stage is a leap to a higher heaven. Crossing one stage in sixty years is already extraordinary; you don’t need to know these yet.”

The crowd listened, entranced, feeling the vast distance between themselves and such heights.

The Three Immortal Realms were the supreme divine generals of Great Yu; the Four Standing Realms were the Saintly Ones—figures even their fathers must bow to in reverence.

Li Hao, seeing the other gloss over these details, felt a hint of disappointment—he’d hoped to hear something more novel.

Yet, he had already read and understood these distinctions between the realms at age ten in the Listening Rain Pavilion.

He’d also heard much of them while fishing with his grandfather—so he knew them well enough.

The Fifteen-Li Spring Breeze was not the limit.

The supreme Art of Controlling Objects held by his Li family could reach twenty li.

His grandfather said the imperial family’s Nine Celestial Soaring Cloud Art could reach twenty-five li—covering a small city in one breath, crossing rivers in two—extremely powerful.

The imperial family’s treasured Art of Controlling Objects? Old Master Feng had helped him steal it too—a copy, of course; he dared not touch the original.

After all, the imperial palace was too close to the Dao Palace of Qian Dao, where the True Person, hailed as the greatest in Great Yu, resided.

Li Hao had merged two supreme Arts; under his Sixth Stage of the Body Dao insight, he could now cover forty li per breath. He felt this wasn’t the limit—if he found more supreme Arts of Controlling Objects and fused them, he could still improve.

His current realm was also the peak of the Fifteen-Li Realm.

Just one step away from becoming a Master.

Under his Sixth Stage of the Body Dao insight, he could cross into the Master Realm at any moment—but he had delayed entering because he lacked a Master’s Heart.

Yet Li Hao felt he could touch that opportunity at any time.

How does one forge a Master’s Heart?

First, you must touch the Heavenly Gate; second, you must find your own path.

His Body Dao insight had already brushed against the elusive Heavenly Gate—he had half a foot already in the Master Realm.

But lingering in the mansion, daily studying arts to refine his skill points, had diverted his mind from martial cultivation—he had yet to find his own Master’s Heart.

Now that he was out, wandering freely, Li Hao felt the moment to enter the Master Realm could come at any time.

On stage, after explaining the Eight Realms of Martial Cultivation, Su Ye Hua addressed the crowd: “Being admitted to the Jia Academy proves your talent is excellent—but don’t be arrogant. The true supreme teachings of Tan Palace Academy lie within the Black-and-White Hall. Only those who enter the Black-and-White Hall are true prodigies!”

Li Hao’s gaze shifted slightly as he looked at her.

“There are two ways to enter the Black-and-White Hall.”

“First, the Jia Academy has a Martial Ranking List. If you rank in the top five and remain there for six months, you may enter the Black-and-White Hall.”

“Second, there is the Death River Battle Realm trial.”

When she mentioned “Death River,” a faint stir rippled through the crowd.

Li Hao’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He had found many records about the Death River Battle Realm in the Listening Rain Pavilion—it was an extremely mysterious and perilous place, but not under Li family jurisdiction.

Su Ye Hua scanned the students, noticing some from prominent families tense up, while others looked confused.

She said: “We all know that among the Five Divine Generals, four guard the borders, suppressing demonic threats—each stationed in the East, South, West, and North!”

“The First Divine General’s Mansion—the Tianzhao Divine General’s Mansion—commands the Death River Office, overseeing all Death Rivers across the land.” As she spoke, her gaze swept over several in the crowd, including Li Hao.

“The Divine Generals guard the borders; the Death River Office suppresses the Death Rivers—both are vital to the survival of the common people.”

“We sit here comfortably, learning, cultivating, even chasing fame by slaying demons—all because of the Five Divine General Mansions. They bear the burden so we don’t have to!”

“That’s right.”

Beside Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao whispered, fists clenched under the table, his plump face flushed with excitement.

“We can’t reach the border battlefields—but the Death River Battle Realm, like earth veins, seeps into all nineteen provinces of Great Yu. Resolving the Death Rivers is the duty of every martial cultivator!”

Su Ye Hua’s expression turned solemn, her tone absolute.

Then she pointed to one student among the crowd: “You’re from the Wang family of the Tianzhao Divine General’s Mansion, aren’t you? Tell everyone—what is the Death River?”

The one she pointed to was a black-clad boy, fourteen or fifteen, his eyes sharp and cold—far more mature than his peers.

When called, he showed no panic or unease, rising calmly: “Teacher, I’m Wang Han.”

Tianzhao Divine General’s Mansion—Wang family.

As the First Divine General’s Mansion, its status surpassed even the Li family slightly.

The boy before them was clearly not among the Wang family’s most outstanding third-generation heirs—his standing within the clan was comparable to Li Yun or Li Yuanzhao, those slightly inferior to the true dragons and phoenixes.

He came to Tan Palace Academy more for prestige, connections, and access to the Black-and-White Hall’s supreme teachings.

“Wang Han, tell us.” Su Ye Hua nodded approvingly.

Others turned to Wang Han; knowing he was from the Tianzhao Divine General’s Mansion, their gazes shifted—some with awe.

He dressed plainly; the Tianzhao Mansion was ten thousand li away—had Su Ye Hua not named him, none would have recognized his origin.

“The origins of the Death River Battle Realm stretch back too far to trace, and in recent years, they’ve multiplied. They’ve begun appearing in remote villages and wastelands within our borders.”

Wang Han said calmly: “The Death River Battle Realm is like a separate world—a mirage, a hallucination—but if you die inside, you truly die.”

“The Death River is nearly impossible to eradicate—even if destroyed, it will reemerge.”

“That’s why the Death River Office recruits every year—and still remains understaffed.”

“Historically, very few Death Rivers have been fully resolved—you must completely clear and break through them. The exact difficulty? You’ll understand when you enter one.”

Someone couldn’t help asking: “What’s inside the Death River?”

Wang Han glanced at the speaker, his voice icy: “Rumors say it’s a river leading to hell—what’s inside? Naturally, the dead.”

The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop by more than ten degrees; many shivered slightly.

“Please sit.”

Su Ye Hua gestured for Wang Han to sit, then said to the crowd: “In short, over this year, you must all strive hard. Tan Palace Academy has everything you need—it’s up to you to seize it. The future of the world belongs to you. Work hard!”

The final pep talk pulled many out of the shock induced by Wang Han’s words, leaving them energized.

“Also, from now on, within the academy, no matter your status outside, all are equal. Break rules, you’re punished. Earn merit, you’re rewarded!” Su Ye Hua said.

Many glanced repeatedly toward Li Hao, Wang Han, and the two noble youths.

Equal treatment? Could it truly be achieved? Li Hao smiled, unconcerned.

After Su Ye Hua left, the courtyard came alive.

Soon, students approached Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao, initiating conversation.

Even at such a young age, under parental guidance, they’d learned to build connections, accumulating capital for the future.

Li Hao didn’t reject them—but spoke only with those who shared his interests.

“Young Master Li, I’m from the Zhao family of Cangzhou…”

“Can you play chess?”

“No.”

“Painting?”

“No…”

Li Hao lost interest.

Time flew—half a month passed.

(End of chapter)