Chapter 625: The Saints Descend, He Has No Equal

The General's Mansion is located in the most bustling district of Qingzhou City.

Several li away, towering peaks rise around the Tan Palace Academy.

At this moment, hooves clattered into the courtyard before the General's Mansion; Li Ping'an leapt down, and the servants waiting behind the gate hurried forward to take the horse.

Li Ping'an returned to the General's Mansion, removed his armor and helmet, and only after changing into his usual attire did he go to the Shanhe Courtyard to pay respects to his parents.

As he entered the Shanhe Courtyard, his gaze instinctively drifted to the southeast corner, where a small side room stood—ancient and worn, its accumulated dust swept daily by his mother's personal maid, who never allowed anyone else near it.

Li Ping'an knew that this old side room was a forbidden place in the Li family.

It was where his elder brother, whom he had never met, once lived.

"Uncle Zhao."

Seeing the old man approaching, Li Ping'an gave a slight nod, then passed him with cold formality, heading straight for the main house.

The room was empty, with only two maids standing guard outside the door.

"Where is Mother?"

"The mistress is in the vegetable garden behind the house. She knew you were returning today and said she wanted to cook you a meal with vegetables she grew herself."

One of the maids replied respectfully.

Hearing this, the cold sharpness in Li Ping'an's eyes softened instantly; since he had run away as a boy, and his parents found him, he had seen his mother weeping uncontrollably—and only then did he realize he was just as precious to her.

Since then, he had matured greatly, quietly obeyed family rules, and stopped deliberately misbehaving to draw attention.

"Where is Father?"

He glanced around, sensing no trace of his father, Li Li Tiangang, within the courtyard.

"The Duke has gone to train troops at the Qing Training Camp," one maid replied respectfully.

Li Ping'an frowned slightly; though slaying the Wendaocultivation-level demon had been effortless for him, it was still an extremely dangerous mission, and now that he had returned victorious, his father had not come to inquire after his safety.

Yet he was already accustomed to this; judging by the time, today was indeed the day of Qing Training.

He said nothing, turned, and walked with hands clasped behind his back toward the vegetable garden behind the house.

From afar, he saw a woman in a dark green silk robe embroidered with gold, around thirty years old, fair-skinned and beautiful, yet gentle and elegant, sleeves rolled up, squatting in the vegetable patch pulling up vegetables.

Li Ping'an walked over and said, "Mother, don't dirty your hands with such rough work."

Hearing this, Ji Ji Qingqing turned her head, saw Li Ping'an's face, and smiled warmly. "You're back. It's just dirt—it's not dirty. But you, don't smudge the Divine General's Golden Robe the Emperor bestowed upon you."

Li Ping'an shook his head slightly. "Let the servants handle such things."

Ji Ji Qingqing did not press the matter further, asking instead, "You just returned—have you paid your respects to your Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle yet?"

Li Ping'an's brow furrowed at her words, and he shook his head. "I'll go later."

Seeing his expression, Ji Ji Qingqing knew he harbored resentment toward the two and said, "Your Second Uncle and Fifth Uncle are the pillars of our Li family—they love you dearly. Don't hold grudges against them."

Li Ping'an's eyes flickered with displeasure, his tone cold. "I don't hold grudges. Their achievements are recorded in the ancestral hall; they now live out their days in comfort—hasn't the family treated them well enough?"

Ji Ji Qingqing, seeing his expression, sighed bitterly. "You say they've always been kind to you, never wronged you—then why do you resent them so deeply?"

Li Ping'an's gaze grew colder for a moment, fixed on his mother, then softened slightly. "They did care for me since childhood, but their eyes… they were never looking at me. They were looking at someone else's shadow."

"I am Li Ping'an. I hate that look."

Ji Ji Qingqing's expression changed; remembering his past flight from home, she fell silent at once, smiled, and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Come, I've picked the vegetables—Mother will cook your favorite: stir-fried string beans with pork."

The coldness on Li Ping'an's face vanished; he smiled and nodded.

Back in the courtyard, as Ji Ji Qingqing went to the small kitchen to prepare the meal, Li Ping'an heard the sound of martial training and walked toward another training ground within the mansion.

As he stepped out of the courtyard, he encountered a stout middle-aged man carrying a wine gourd, swaggering toward him.

The man, half-drunk, opened his eyes slightly upon seeing him and grinned. "It's Ping'an, right? Finished slaying demons? What good rewards did the Emperor grant you this time? Brother's short on cash—got any gold to lend?"

As he spoke, he leaned in, reeking of alcohol.

Li Ping'an frowned, his tone icy. "Brother Li Yuanzhao, have you been drinking at brothels again? You're a Grand General of Qingzhou, ranked First Class—if you waste your days like this, the people of Qingzhou will gossip that you prey on the common folk and tarnish the General's Mansion's dignity."

The middle-aged man laughed, draping his arm over Li Ping'an's shoulder. "Your father doesn't care what I do—why are you suddenly policing me? You're becoming just like him."

Li Ping'an's face darkened; he shoved his hand away, anger flashing. "Li Li Yuanzhao, don't overstep. You've broken family rules repeatedly. If not for your official rank, I'd have you punished in the ancestral hall!"

The man's eyes shifted, he gave Li Ping'an a long, quiet look, then shook his head, muttered "Boring," and staggered away.

Li Ping'an's face remained cold as he watched the man's retreating back. After a long while, once he was far enough, Li Ping'an left from the opposite side; the lingering scent of alcohol made him feel restless.

Meanwhile, Li Li Yuanzhao staggered into another courtyard and saw a woman seated calmly within, dressed in a simple moon-white robe. He immediately smiled.

"Li Wushuang Sister, lend me some gold."

The woman opened her eyes, glanced at him, and frowned. "Are you really going to waste your life like this forever?"

Li Li Yuanzhao shrugged, speaking evasively. "You know my wife is from the Xia family—she keeps a tight rein on me."

"For all these years, you've remained only at the Ultimate Technique realm, never awakened your Dao Domain. Now, in the Great Wilderness Central Plains, demons are being hunted down and driven into hiding by the strongest mortal of that land. Our Great Yu is no longer safe. It's time you took some responsibility," Li Li Wushuang said sternly.

Li Li Yuanzhao grinned. "Ping'an's enough. Even Wendaocultivation demons aren't his match. Unless the Tai Sui God of the Central Plains comes himself, you know my limits—I've already reached the peak of what I'm capable of."

Li Li Wushuang stared at him. "But he changed your fate."

Hearing this, Li Li Yuanzhao fell silent. The drunken haze in his eyes vanished, leaving only dark, unreadable voids.

After a long pause, his expression returned to casual carelessness, and he laughed drunkenly. "No gold? Fine then, Li Wushuang Sister, I'll head home—my wife's probably already laid out the laundry board for me. Hehe."

He turned to leave.

Suddenly, a gust of wind shot toward his ear.

He reached out and caught it—a heavy sack.

He knew instantly—it was a bag of gold.

"Stop provoking Li Ping'an. He's not Li Hao. Don't make me have to punish you."

Li Li Wushuang's voice came from behind, laced with sigh.

Clearly, she had sensed everything that had transpired earlier on the courtyard path.

Li Li Yuanzhao's body trembled slightly. He fell silent for a long moment, then smiled. "I understand."

…

That night, the General's Mansion was bustling with guests come to offer congratulations.

For the General's Mansion, Li Ping'an's campaigns and victories were routine—everyone took them for granted.

But other noble families seized this rare chance to curry favor, arriving with lavish gifts to offer their praise.

Lanterns blazed brightly throughout the mansion, filling it with lively energy.

At the main banquet table, Li Ping'an sat beside his parents. He had already eaten the braised string beans with pork his mother had prepared that afternoon; now, he had little appetite for the sumptuous dishes before him, sampling only a few bites.

Beside him, Ji Ji Qingqing ate quietly as well.

Across from them sat a burly man with a square face, radiating natural authority.

Guests came to offer congratulations and toasts; he raised his cup only to take a tiny sip, responding with cool indifference.

"Any promising recruits today at Qing Training?"

While other guests at the table discussed the Wendaocultivation demon's devastation along the border and its terrifying power, subtly praising Li Ping'an's heroism, the main table remained unusually calm.

Li Ping'an picked up a vegetable with his chopsticks and asked casually, "Father?"

Li Li Tiangang nodded slightly. "Two promising ones. Train them well next year—they'll fit into your Ping Division."

"Then I'll rely on Father's guidance."

Li Ping'an said politely.

Li Li Tiangang sensed his mood and turned. "Did you sustain any injuries fighting that demon?"

Li Ping'an smiled faintly—wasn't this question a bit late?

"A Wendaocultivation demon? Not worth mentioning." He spoke calmly.

Li Li Tiangang, reassured, said, "Indeed. You're now at the Wendaocultivation realm yourself—your words shape law. You're nearly a Sage. For you, Wendaocultivation is no challenge."

Li Ping'an kept his expression calm, but his lips twitched slightly.

This air of utter inevitability—he couldn't tell if his father truly respected him, or simply didn't care.

Beside him, Ji Ji Qingqing, perceptive as ever, immediately said, "Though Ping'an is Wendaocultivation, demons at that level may still have hidden cards. Stay cautious—otherwise, you could suffer a serious setback."

Li Li Tiangang shook his head. "Ping'an has been given every cultivation resource of Great Yu. He wears divine weapons, divine armor. The Emperor himself granted him the royal scripture. He is our Great Yu's War God. In the same realm, he cannot lose to a demon."

Ji Ji Qingqing shot him a disgruntled look but, with so many guests present, said nothing more. Instead, she turned to Li Ping'an. "Child, remember what I told you—be careful in all things."

Li Ping'an smiled at her and nodded, then fell silent, lowering his head to eat.

Seeing his wife's tender expression, Li Li Tiangang sighed and rose from the table. "I'm full. I'll retire."

With that, he turned and left.

For such victory banquets, whether he or the Li family, had long grown accustomed.

Several days later.

Suddenly, an urgent report arrived from Qingzhou's border, delivered to the General's Mansion in Qingzhou City.

The report reached Li Ping'an's hands as he sat quietly in the courtyard, meditating on the Dao.

As he unsealed it, his impassive expression changed. "Wendaocultivation demons? Three of them?"

On the border, the Emperor's Celestial Observatory had spent decades refining a technique that, though useless for defense, could detect the cultivation level of invading demons.

This technique consumed extremely rare materials, so it was deployed only at the borders of each province, capable of detecting up to Wendaocultivation-level demons.

Since its implementation, battlefield casualties among border troops had dropped dramatically.

Knowing the enemy's level in advance allowed for proper troop deployment; otherwise, if a Four-Permanence-level demon were mistaken for a Three-Immortal-level one, the vanguard would be slaughtered.

These demons were cunning by nature, concealing their aura to feign weakness and lure soldiers into ambushes, devouring their flesh.

But before this technique, even their concealed auras were useless.

The Wendaocultivation demon he had slain earlier was targeted precisely because its level had been detected; otherwise, based on the massacre's scale and century-old battle protocols, the Great Yu War God would never have been dispatched across millions of li to fight.

"Could these be the same demon's allies?"

Li Ping'an gripped the urgent report, his eyes darkening—three Mount Wenda-jing demons appearing at once was unprecedented.

He knew these demons had their own networks.

"Go, report this to His Majesty."

Li Ping'an swiftly stepped out of his cultivation chamber, paused, then added: "Also, notify the Sword Immortal on Spirit Sword Mountain—ask her to lend aid."

Saying this, he summoned a golden-shining divine helmet and weapon, then ordered his personal guard to assemble.

The news spread through the Divine General's Mansion; upon hearing the presence of three Mount Wenda-jing demons, everyone in every courtyard was stunned.

Ji Ji Qingqing hurriedly said: "Ping'an, this is sudden—send the main army first to probe, in case there are more lurking in the shadows!"

"Exactly. Don't be reckless. You can't fall."

Li Li Tiangang also spoke gravely.

Only now did Li Ping'an see his own importance reflected in his father's eyes; he smirked slightly and said calmly: "I know my limits."

With that, he led his personal guard into battle.

"I'm coming too."

"Li Tiangang, you guard the ancestral shrine."

Not long after Li Ping'an departed, two aged figures stepped forward—it was Li Mu and Li Li Qingzheng.

They wore simple everyday robes, yet their expressions were grave.

The brothers exchanged a glance, said nothing, and returned to their quarters to retrieve their long-dormant weapons and armor, preparing to return to the battlefield.

A hundred years had passed; both had reached Mount Wenda-jing. Three Mount Wenda-jing demons had invaded—they could not sit idle while their descendants faced this alone.

Meanwhile, at the border of Qingzhou.

Demon clouds engulfed the sky; the clouds and the clear blue heavens were swallowed whole, plunging the world into darkness.

Amid violent tremors of the earth, a demon as massive as a hill marched forward.

Its body resembled a giant tortoise, yet its entire form was covered in rocky lumps, radiating terrifying demonic energy; each step crushed the ground into deep craters. When it passed towns, its sheer size towered above the walls, sending the townsfolk into screams.

Li Ping'an arrived first, saw the sight, and erupted in fury—he immediately drew his sword and charged.

Behind the demon, another demon wreathed in lightning surged forth, rushing toward Li Ping'an.

At that moment, Li Mu and Li Li Qingzheng, who had just arrived, acted swiftly—each seized one demon, giving Li Ping'an room to strike.

Amid fierce combat, the vast plains behind the border were scarred with wounds; the town was shattered by lightning, and countless defenders perished.

As the three fought, two terrifying auras suddenly erupted from the distant horizon.

Feeling those auras, the three combatants all paled, staring in horror.

The three demons grew fearful, growling and roaring, trying to break free.

The border wall shattered as a three-headed dragon demon, trailing thick green venomous mist from its back, sped toward them.

Farther behind, a faint light pierced the sky, striking the demon's spine and sending it crashing down.

"Is that… the Dragon Emperor of the Central Plains' swamps?"

Li Ping'an, seeing the three-headed dragon demon, was stunned, every hair on his body standing on end.

He had once wandered the Central Plains, seeking to surpass the shadow ahead of him, aiming to become the strongest mortal—but he was defeated there, having seen the strongest demon of the mortal realm, and many powerful demons, including this Dragon Emperor.

This was a being with one foot already stepped into the Sacred Dao—only the female sword immortal Ren Ren Qianqian might stand against it.

Soon, Li Ping'an saw the one chasing the Dragon Emperor: a young man with hair streaming in the wind, his gaze haughty, eyes filled with shattered light—as if countless radiant hues converged within them, the legendary Celestial Divine Eyes.

During his travels in the Central Plains, he had heard the name and deeds of this mortal realm's strongest.

He was even more monstrous than the shadow Li Ping'an pursued: at thirteen he entered Tianren-jing, at twenty he reached Mount Wenda-jing, and by thirty he had swept clean every top sect of the Central Plains' divine dynasties, undefeated, unquestionably the strongest mortal alive.

He never imagined this man would come here.

He suddenly realized—the Dragon Emperor and these three demons were likely fleeing from him.

At that moment, Li Mu and Li Li Qingzheng also recognized the Dragon Emperor and the young man; their expressions changed, yet they secretly exhaled in relief.

The young man was known as the Heavenly Tai Sui—he was human. With him here, these demons' devastation could be ended.

Under their gaze, the Heavenly Tai Sui raised his divine sword like holding lightning, slashing suddenly—the blade's radiance cleaved space, instantly severing two of the Dragon Emperor's heads.

"Spare me…"

The Dragon Emperor, desperate and broken, trembled violently, wailing on the ground.

All ancient imperial dignity vanished—now only a pitiful plea remained.

Yet everyone knew: if given the chance, it would return far more cruel.

As the blade passed, the Dragon Emperor's body split open; shattering and annihilating forces tore through its flesh, preventing regeneration.

Seeing this famed demon emperor of the Central Plains fall so easily, Li Ping'an, Li Mu, and the others were stunned—they had never witnessed the Heavenly Tai Sui's power before. Truly, he was the supreme mortal.

At that moment, the Heavenly Tai Sui noticed them. His gaze remained cold, unchanging—he merely raised a hand, and three sword beams swept across, instantly crossing ten thousand li.

The three fleeing Mount Wenda-jing demons were overtaken by the sword qi and died on the spot.

The disaster that had just descended upon Qingzhou vanished.

Even the report of this catastrophe had not yet reached the imperial capital.

Li Ping'an was dazed, but quickly regained his composure and stepped forward: "Thank you for your aid. I am Li Ping'an of the Yu Dynasty. I salute you, Heavenly Tai Sui."

"Yu Dynasty…"

The Heavenly Tai Sui's brow lifted slightly; he studied the man, as if understanding something.

"We are deeply grateful for your intervention. Would you grace our mansion with your presence, so we may properly thank you?"

At that moment, Li Mu stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

The Heavenly Tai Sui frowned, about to refuse—when suddenly he sensed something, and looked up toward the distant sky.

Above Qingzhou City, a gate suddenly materialized amid the clouds, then slowly opened.

This sudden phenomenon drew the attention of some townsfolk; as cries of shock rose, more and more people noticed, all gazing upward in stunned awe.

A hundred-year-old legend resurfaced; some elders cried out excitedly: "The Immortal Gate! That's the Immortal Gate!"

"The Immortal Gate has opened again—could it be that the Heavenly General has returned?" Many were stunned; no one expected the gate to open above Qingzhou City. Hearts stirred with excitement, some even fantasizing they'd be chosen by immortals and taken to cultivate in the Immortal Gate.

Perhaps they, though ordinary-seeming, were truly once-in-a-million prodigies—merely pearls hidden in dust.

At the border, the Heavenly Tai Sui's eyes flickered. He said nothing, but flew straight toward Qingzhou City.

Seeing his move, Li Ping'an and Li Mu and the others froze, then hurried after him.

As they drew closer, they sensed the anomaly above Qingzhou City—and were stunned.

"That… is the Immortal Gate."

Li Mu stared at the gate shrouded in mist, froze for a moment, then his body trembled violently with emotion as he surged forward at full speed.

Li Li Qingzheng saw it too—his eyes glowed, and he accelerated toward it.

Li Ping'an suddenly realized: these two elders had just outpaced him. Hearing their excited cries, his heart trembled.

The Immortal Gate?

A hundred years ago, that radiant figure vanished into the Immortal Gate.

Could he… have returned?

Li Ping'an's gaze turned profoundly complex.

For that figure, he could not name his feelings—there was hatred, yet also a desperate longing to see him. He wanted to look into the man's eyes himself—was he truly as perfect as everyone claimed?

The two elders surged past him—he felt himself running forward, yet his speed seemed to slow.

The brilliant Immortal Gate grew clearer in his vision; in a daze, he thought he saw a peerless figure standing before the gate, gazing down upon the mortal realm, upon all things, upon him.

That gaze burned fiercely—like a celestial god's, impossible to meet.

But soon he snapped back—only an illusion.

When he neared Qingzhou, he saw the Immortal Gate slowly opening, and figures emerging from within.

Those figures drifted like mist, floating from the gate into the sky, each surrounded by terrifying phenomena.

In the Divine General's Mansion, Li Li Tiangang and the others looked up, stunned—but their eyes held a strange light.

"The Immortal Gate didn't open in the capital—it opened in Qingzhou. Could it be… he sensed Qingzhou's peril?"

In the mansion, He He Jianlan's eyes blazed with excitement.

In a brothel in the city, a middle-aged man drinking wine suddenly froze—his cup slipped from his hand, fine wine spilling onto the carpet, yet he didn't notice.

He stared blankly at the Immortal Gate, then his eyes slowly filled with tears, reddened, his whole body trembling.

Meanwhile, behind the Immortal Gate, in the Sacred Lands.

Seeing Yuanzu and the other Sacred Ones did not move—they sent only their avatars.

With the Ancient Demon poised to descend upon the Sacred Lands, they could not risk losing their incense power by venturing into the mortal realm now.

Only the Divine King stepped through the Immortal Gate—he had achieved Supreme Daohood; even in the mortal realm, his cost was negligible.

Thus, among all the Sacred Ones' avatars, his aura was the most terrifying, the deepest.

"This is Qingzhou. The location is correct. That's the Divine General's Mansion. The Li family."

The Sacred Ones' avatars stood in the void, gazing down at the tiny city below—entirely within their grasp, easily flattened.

"Go."

The Divine King descended first.

Seeing Yuanzu's avatar followed, then the other Sacred Ones descended, their auras retracted, their phenomena fading from the heavens.

"Look! Immortals are stepping out of the Immortal Gate!"

"All those immortals are heading toward the Divine General's Mansion!"

"No wonder it's the greatest Divine General's Mansion of Great Yu—the gods themselves come to visit!"

In the city, many townsfolk were thrilled and excited; some bold ones rushed toward the Divine General's Mansion, while most knelt where they stood, prostrating themselves toward the mansion.

At this moment, the Holy Ones descended into the General's Mansion.

The divine array outside the mansion did not even activate before the power of the Holy Ones.

"Your Honorable Immortals…"

Li Li Tiangang stood at the front of the crowd, gazing at the man clad in crimson battle armor, feeling the heat radiating from him as if it could melt heaven and earth, stirring a deep unease in his chest.

He himself was now at the Dao-Perception realm, yet the man before him felt as though a single breath could overturn him.

"Immortals?"

The Divine King raised an eyebrow at the ignorant address; the Great Yu Divine Dynasty clearly kept its people isolated from the affairs of the Holy Realms.

"We are the Holy Ones of the Ten Thousand Heavens."

The Divine King spoke calmly; the term "Immortal" had once existed only in legend, and he had not feared it then—but now, having walked the Ancient Path and confirmed the true existence of Immortals and Gods, he dared not casually claim such a title, and harbored a quiet aversion to it.

"Holy Ones of the Ten Thousand Heavens?"

At these words, everyone inside the General's Mansion fell silent in shock.

They knew little of the Ten Thousand Heavens, but they knew the Holy Ones were the strongest beings in heaven and earth.

Seeing their stunned expressions, the Divine King felt a faint amusement—earlier, when they had mistaken them for Immortals and Gods, they had not reacted so strongly. Did they truly believe Immortals and Gods were inferior to Holy Ones?

At this moment, outside the General's Mansion, the Youth of Tai Sui had arrived in a flash.

Behind him came Li Li Muxiu and Li Li Qingzheng; bringing up the rear was Li Ping'an.

"Holy Ones."

The Youth of Tai Sui bowed deeply, his expression composed, yet feeling an inexplicable familiarity with these Holy Ones—a deep, innate kinship—but for some reason, another instinct within him recoiled from this closeness, as if drawing too near would bring catastrophe.

Seeing the Youth of Tai Sui's humility, Li Ping'an, Li Li Muxiu, and the others all paled.

The strongest mortal on earth, who had just slaughtered demons like slaughtering dogs, had not even glanced at them—yet now he showed such deference.

Yet they all knew: the Youth of Tai Sui, no matter how powerful, was only a Semi-Saint, while these were true Holy Ones.

Meanwhile, a fissure opened in the distance, and a figure stepped swiftly out, wielding a long sword—it was Ren Ren Qianqian, who had rushed here from the imperial capital.

She had received the Eight Directions Order's message and arrived at once, at her fastest speed.

She knew Li Hao would never want the people of Qingzhou harmed—he often spoke to her of the local delicacies, even praising the crisp fried snacks from a roadside stall.

"Immortal Gate? Holy Ones?"

Ren Ren Qianqian stared at the Immortal Gate above the General's Mansion, stunned—she had not expected to witness this upon arrival.

Instantly, her fingers tightened around her sword hilt, her blood surging wildly—could it be… was he back?

She sensed a Holy One's aura transcending the mortal realm, her heart swelling with emotion—had Li Hao become a Holy One after all these years? Though surprised, she quickly recalled his talent and thought it only natural.

If even she had reached Semi-Saint, it would be strange if he had not become a Holy One.

Without pause, Ren Ren Qianqian soon arrived before the General's Mansion.

"Correct. We have come here because we seek your aid."

The Seeing Yuanzu's avatar spoke gently, knowing the Divine King's nature made him incapable of soft words.

Hearing this, the stunned crowd inside the General's Mansion fell into further bewilderment.

The Holy Ones had descended—and now asked for their help?

Li Ping'an scanned the crowd, but did not see that figure.

A hundred years had passed; even if his appearance had changed, it could not have changed so drastically—he had never met his elder brother, yet his image was etched into his heart.

For wherever he walked in any city, he saw statues of that elder brother—whose statues had become protective talismans across all provinces of Great Yu, warding off demons and evil.

Li Li Muxiu and Li Li Qingzheng also frantically searched the crowd, finding no trace of Li Hao; they froze, then narrowed their eyes—these Holy Ones' arrival seemed tied to Li Hao.

"What is it? Speak freely."

Li Li Tiangang hurriedly said; despite decades of commanding armies and his usual composure, his thoughts were now in disarray before these Holy Ones.

"Now, a great calamity has descended upon the Ten Thousand Heavens. Ancient demons have breached in. We beg you to ask Lord General Hao Tian to lend his aid and save the Ten Thousand Heavens."

The Seeing Yuanzu spoke calmly.

At these words, silence fell over the General's Mansion.

Everyone exchanged glances, stunned—the Holy Ones had come because a calamity had struck the world beyond the Immortal Gate.

But… Lord General Hao Tian?

Hearing this title, every heart in the room thudded hard.

Li Ping'an, standing in midair outside the mansion, shrank his pupils—unable to believe what he saw and heard.

"Your Honorable Saint, you just said… Lord General Hao Tian?"

Li Li Tiangang's voice trembled, doubting his own ears.

Beside him, Ji Ji Qingqing had already covered her mouth, eyes reddening.

The Seeing Yuanzu smiled: "He is General Hao Tian. You are his kin. This calamity was caused by our own carelessness. Lord General Hao Tian blames us and refuses to act. We beg you to persuade him—this concerns the lives of all beings in the Ten Thousand Heavens, and will spill over into the mortal realm."

This was truth spoken plainly; now, he knew only honesty and sincerity could earn Li Hao's forgiveness.

As for humiliation before these people—he did not care.

A dragon does not care for the gaze of snakes and insects.

Hearing the Seeing Yuanzu's words, the crowd inside the mansion stood speechless, gaping.

They doubted their ears, or their eyes.

"What calamity is this? Are there truly no others in the Ten Thousand Heavens who can resolve it?"

Li Li Tiangang could not help asking.

He even wondered if his past understanding was wrong—had he been mistaken to believe Holy Ones were the highest?

Hearing his question, the Seeing Yuanzu glanced at the other Holy Ones, then sighed softly:

"Indeed, only he can resolve it. We are the strongest in the Ten Thousand Heavens. Even if we fight to the death, it is useless—only he can act."

The entire mansion fell silent.

Outside, Ren Ren Qianqian heard this and froze in disbelief, yet her heartbeat quickened—she felt excitement, and a strange familiarity.

The man she pursued was still radiant as ever—so dazzling, again and again, that she could scarcely believe it.

But this… this was the most familiar feeling of all.

Li Ping'an stood stunned, his mind ringing with a deafening buzz, blank.

He struggled to comprehend the words—but the only conclusion they offered was one.

The figure who walked ahead of him… was the strongest in the Ten Thousand Heavens? "This…"

Li Li Tiangang opened his mouth, but no words came out.

The Seeing Yuanzu patiently explained the full situation, waiting until everyone slowly adjusted and regained their composure, then proposed taking them all to the Ten Thousand Heavens.

Faced with this proposal, Li Li Tiangang and the others did not know how to refuse.

Li Li Muxiu and Li Li Qingzheng exchanged glances, frowning—something about this felt too simple.

They knew the boy too well—if the Ten Thousand Heavens faced calamity, he would never stand idle.

He had guarded Tianmen Pass alone; when Liangzhou suffered, he slaughtered demons across ten thousand li, then, disregarding his own life, lured the demons into the Mo River, nearly perishing.

That boy's blood had always been scalding—he would never be so cold-hearted.

Li Li Tiangang found no reason to refuse; Li Li Muxiu and Li Li Qingzheng also spoke up, demanding to go with them.

The Seeing Yuanzu was delighted, and took everyone from the General's Mansion—including the maids and servants.

As for the ancestral spirits of the Li family enshrined in the temple, he moved the entire shrine into his own Holy Domain.

As the entire General's Mansion was emptied, the Seeing Yuanzu promised: once this matter ended, the Li family would be free to travel between the Ten Thousand Heavens and the mortal realm.

Before leaving, the Seeing Yuanzu instructed the Youth of Tai Sui to guard Great Yu—this finally lifted the Li family's last worries.

Hearing this, the Youth of Tai Sui clearly resisted: "I'm going too!"

"We will no longer stop you. After this matter ends, you may go."

The Seeing Yuanzu told him.

Hearing his assurance, and seeing the Law Saint nod, the Youth of Tai Sui's stubbornness softened, and he nodded in acceptance.

Now, preventing the First Holy Infant from entering the Ten Thousand Heavens was pointless—earlier, they had wished for him to attain the Sixth Ultimate Realm in the mortal world, but now the Second Holy Infant had awakened it—and brought great disaster to the Ten Thousand Heavens.

Seeing the Youth of Tai Sui submit before the Holy Ones, Li Ping'an's emotions grew more complex.

"There are others. Jiang Saint, send your descendant."

The Seeing Yuanzu instructed one of the Holy Ones' avatars.

The Holy One gazed at Qingzhou and the mortal realm, his eyes filled with age and complexity; hearing the Seeing Yuanzu's words, he nodded silently, then vanished.

In the imperial capital of Great Yu, in the rear garden, an old man sat alone playing chess, placing a stone—when suddenly, a ripple appeared in the void.

The old man's face changed; he instantly raised his head, unleashing his aura.

But soon, he recognized the figure before him.

"You… are… Ancestor?"

Yu Huang froze—this sudden apparition was the Jiang family's ancestor.

Instantly, he reacted and knelt in haste.

The Jiang ancestor had long known of his descendant's deeds, and held great admiration for this outstanding heir; he sighed gently:

"No need for such formalities. Your decades of tireless effort made my resurrection possible—you have done great service."

Yu Huang's heart surged with emotion: "As long as Ancestor is restored, and the Jiang family reclaims its former glory, every sacrifice was worth it."

The Jiang ancestor whispered: "Come with me to a place. Let us go now—we'll speak as we travel."

Yu Huang blinked, puzzled.

The Jiang ancestor said nothing more—only wrapped his body in his aura and flew toward Qingzhou.

On the way, he explained to Yu Huang that after his resurrection, he had been in seclusion, thus neglecting the mortal world.

Yu Huang, startled by his explanation, then listened as Jiang family's ancestor spoke of the Celestial Realms; his face filled with shock, and finally, silence fell.

The Holy Ones, prepared and ready, quickly gathered all the people and returned to the Immortal Gate.

Passing through the Immortal Gate, Yu Huang and the Li family all arrived within the Immortal Gate.

Besides the Li family, there was also Xia Xia Linglong, matriarch of the Xia family, who had met Li Hao several times and had been brought by the Holy Ones as an emissary.

"The Great Huang Tian Ji family is currently sending the Yin-Yang Supreme Saint to invite them."

Said the Sage of the Ming School.

Seeing Yuanzu gave a slight nod, then led everyone onward.

"Is this the Celestial Realms?"

"Such dense energy—it feels as if, without even cultivating, the power naturally gathers into the body. This is absurd."

"Does that mean everyone here can become a martial artist?"

All who had just arrived felt the extraordinary nature of the Celestial Realms, utterly astonished.

Li Li Muxiu, Ren Ren Qianqian, and others followed among the crowd, carefully sensing the Celestial Realms while cautiously asking about its conditions.

The Holy Ones relied on them to persuade Li Hao, and thus treated them all with kindness and great courtesy.

Only the Divine King wore a cold expression, appearing utterly unapproachable, and no one dared initiate conversation with him.

"I heard that Hao Tian was assassinated by a Holy One. Holy Ones, I wish to know if this is true—and what became of that Holy One? That child was alone and without support in the Celestial Realms—how did he endure?"

Yu Huang understood the affairs of the Celestial Realms better than the Li family; he had withheld certain secrets from them, but now he could not help but ask.

Hearing his words, the Holy Ones exchanged glances; Seeing Yuanzu made no effort to conceal the truth and said:

"That Holy One has already been slain by Lord Hao Tianzun. He rose too swiftly in the Celestial Realms—in just over a decade, no one could stand against him…"

(End of Chapter)