Chapter 827: Defeating All in One's Realm

"Master Haotian, have the letters I sent to the Su family these past years been intercepted? Why won't you see me?"

Jiang Huanhuan didn't greet Su Muqing or the others nearby first; instead, she tiptoed to Li Hao's side, leaning her delicate, lively face toward him as she looked up.

The scent of her body, mingled with the sweet breath of orchids, washed over him.

Before Li Hao could respond, Su Muqing's expression turned cold.

"My Su family would never do such a thing—I'd gladly see him leave, so he doesn't clutter up our home!"

"Muqing."

Su Wanqing's expression shifted slightly; she tugged at Su Muqing's sleeve, knowing there were many prodigies present, and such harsh words would humiliate Li Hao too deeply.

Lin Jinrou and Jiang Huanhuan both glanced at Li Hao with subtle changes in their eyes, yet saw no anger in him.

"I've been occupied these past years—my apologies."

Li Hao said to Jiang Huanhuan, ignoring Su Muqing's words entirely.

Seeing Li Hao's response, Jiang Huanhuan's eyes flickered with disappointment. "Master Haotian, to burden yourself so is a waste. Su Wanqing told me you have only a hundred years of soul lifespan—why not come to my Jiang family? I'll personally recommend you to my father, and you'll receive our family's finest cultivation resources. What do you say?"

Hearing Jiang Huanhuan's offer, those nearby stiffened—they hadn't expected her to promise Li Hao such immense benefits.

Instantly, several pairs of eyes fixed on Li Hao; with the Jiang family's top-tier resources behind him, even an ordinary prodigy could rise to the pinnacle.

Su Muqing raised an eyebrow, secretly relieved—but then a flicker of irritation arose. She glared coldly at Li Hao.

Li Hao remained calm, bowing slightly. "I deeply appreciate your kindness, Miss Jiang, but I came here solely for her."

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Su Muqing.

At these words, everyone froze, stunned.

Su Muqing also paused, clearly unprepared for Li Hao's outright refusal. Though the Jiang family was slightly inferior to the Su family, the gap was narrow—receiving core cultivation from the Jiangs would guarantee a brilliant future.

"Master Haotian, as I understand, Muqing is betrothed to my clan. To pursue her so relentlessly will only end in futility. You'd be wiser to…"

Beside him, Lin Jinrou gazed at Li Hao quietly.

Jiang Huanhuan was stunned—she hadn't expected him to reject her invitation so swiftly, despite her having made the offer privately and with great resolve.

Had she made this offer to any of the prodigies present, the crowd would have erupted, all vying for the chance.

Su Wanqing studied Li Hao deeply, sighing softly—she now understood anew his stubbornness.

Su Wuxue watched Li Hao thoughtfully, saying nothing.

"It doesn't matter. I live by my conscience, not by outcomes."

Li Hao said to Lin Jinrou.

Lin Jinrou looked at him, fell silent, yet suddenly felt his pursuit was unlike any other suitor of Su Muqing's. Could true emotion truly exist in this world—transcending cultivation, transcending immortality?

After all, with the Jiang family's backing, his path to immortality would be smooth, his future radiant—why worry about finding a Dao partner?

"Hmph, do you think such words can move me? Foolish fantasy!"

Su Muqing suddenly sneered. "While Huanhuan hasn't changed her mind yet, I advise you to accept—don't miss this rare chance in your life."

Jiang Huanhuan hurriedly added, "Yes, Master Haotian, even Muqing says it—she'll never accept you. She has the Lin family's Imperial Prince. No one in the world can match him. You have no chance."

Li Hao shook his head slightly, offering no further explanation.

Seeing his stubbornness, Jiang Huanhuan felt profound disappointment. Behind her, several Jiang family prodigies glanced at Li Hao with strange expressions—they'd held their breath when Jiang Huanhuan made the offer, fearing they'd waste precious resources on this unknown nobody.

Yet he dared refuse. That surprised them. How could anyone resist such temptation? Was this man mentally deficient?

"Let's go."

Su Wanqing sighed.

Jiang Huanhuan and Lin Jinrou said nothing more; their gazes toward Li Hao now carried traces of disappointment.

As the three great families of Gusu Imperial Star, the Jiang, Lin, and Su families were all seated closest to the Sword Pool.

At Su Wanqing's instruction, a cushion was added for Li Hao.

The moment Li Hao sat down, a sharp sword intent surged from the pool before him, like a raging tide carrying hundreds of layers of Dao principles—water's primordial essence, metal's piercing sharpness, fire's explosive fury, even time's formless flow.

After all had taken their seats, more prodigies from noble families arrived, flying in one after another.

Some rode upon colorful fans, others descended in nine-dragon-drawn chariots, still others glided down on seven-colored immortal clouds—all displaying extraordinary bearing. Outside, each would stand out as a rare genius, a dragon among men, appearing once in a thousand years.

As more arrived, the noise grew louder. Naturally, the Su, Jiang, and Lin families became the center of attention.

Soon, five figures flew in with whistling speed.

Su Wanqing looked up, immediately rising. "Brother Su Qiyu."

The lead youth was tall and strikingly handsome, clad in divine treasures, his belt adorned with nine precious immortal pearls, dazzlingly bright.

Each pearl could block a full-power strike from a peak Immortal Lord—without needing activation.

Su Wuxue and Su Muqing also rose to greet him.

Su Qiyu swept his gaze over the three women, then locked onto Li Hao beside them, his eyes narrowing in surprise.

"Who is this?"

Su Muqing's expression darkened slightly. "Just a nobody. Ignore him."

"Could he be the fellow rumored to be pursuing Sister Muqing?"

One of the four Su family youths behind Su Qiyu, a cousin, asked curiously.

The other three, upon hearing this, suddenly understood, their gazes toward Li Hao turning hostile, laced with contempt.

Su Qiyu had been in seclusion, striving for the Immortal King realm. He frowned. "Pursuing Muqing?"

He was astonished—was there truly someone so bold, so reckless, on the Gusu Imperial Star?

And how had this man even managed to sit beside Su Muqing without being executed on the spot?

Worried Li Hao would be humiliated, Su Wanqing quickly whispered the full story to Su Qiyu, including the betrothal contract and her father's orders.

Su Qiyu froze, then slowly understood. When Su Wanqing mentioned Li Hao's hundred-year soul lifespan, his pupils contracted slightly as he studied Li Hao intently.

"Truly?"

Su Qiyu whispered.

Su Wanqing nodded.

Su Qiyu stared at Li Hao for a long moment. Hearing the mocking whispers behind him, he raised his hand, silencing them instantly.

He understood: only because someone of Imperial Jun status stood behind Li Hao had his father tolerated this. Otherwise, a mere betrothal contract would never have caused such concessions—or risked offending the Lin family.

With the demon clans watching hungrily and border pressures immense, the human clans of the Northern Region could not afford internal strife.

"Enough. Since this is Sister Muqing's matter, she'll handle it wisely."

Su Qiyu said, then led his group to sit nearby.

The four youths were puzzled—why was Qiyu defending this boy? But they were noble scions, each with their own thoughts. They quickly fell silent, privately speculating on Li Hao's background. Soon after they sat, other noble prodigies came over to greet them—brief, polite exchanges, just to make a face.

Winning the Sword Pool's laurels was both a chance to gain fame and to forge ties with the three great families.

Among the crowd, prodigies moved about, greeting the three great families' heirs, chatting with allied clans, forming alliances to help each other secure standing within their own houses, mutual aid for mutual benefit.

As the noise swelled, several figures flew in.

At their head was an old man with white hair, his face ruddy and youthful, his expression gentle, radiating no aura whatsoever—yet his eyes held an unsettling power, making others dare not meet his gaze.

"Immortal King Tan has arrived."

Someone whispered. Instantly, the crowd quieted. The prodigies who had been mingling hurried back to their seats.

"My lords and ladies, this year's Immortal Osmanthus has bloomed again."

The old man smiled. "This time, not only have fourteen Divine Spring Golden Osmanthus blossoms opened, but the ten-thousand-year-blooming Immortal Essence Purple Osmanthus will also bloom today. I've calculated the bloom cycle—today's Sword Pool Laurels Contest will determine who among you has the skill to claim the top prize!"

At his words, all eyes turned to the six Purple Osmanthus blossoms atop the highest branch, glowing with anticipation.

"The rules, I assume, are known to all: within the same realm, win five matches to earn one chance to pluck a Flowing Frost Silver Osmanthus; win ten to earn a chance at a Divine Spring Golden Osmanthus!"

Immortal King Tan said. "If you remain undefeated in your realm and no one dares challenge you, you earn the chance to pluck the Immortal Essence Purple Osmanthus."

Hearing this, the crowd erupted in shock—defeating all in one's realm? That was impossibly difficult.

"If too few competitors of your realm enter, you may face my immortal puppets to make up the ten wins—those victories still count."

Immortal King Tan added.

Everyone knew this rule, yet the difficulty of claiming the Purple Osmanthus still seemed beyond imagination.

"Defeating all in one's realm? That's too hard."

"I didn't expect such rules. Immortal King Tan would rather let the Purple Osmanthus wither than let us claim it? But then again, its rarity is now unparalleled—even if it lasts only ten years, that only heightens its value!"

The crowd murmured, eyes gleaming—but all knew their limits. Their gazes turned to the Su, Lin, and Jiang families. Only their prodigies might possibly defeat all within their own realm.

"So difficult."

Su Wanqing and Su Wuxue both frowned. With the Lin and Jiang families present, they couldn't be certain of victory.

"Looks like we're directly opposing each other. Sister Su, I hope you'll yield."

Lin Jinrou smiled softly.

Su Wuxue replied calmly. "I, too, greatly admire the Immortal Essence Purple Osmanthus."

Su Wanqing pursed her lips slightly, saying nothing—but no woman could truly dislike such a thing.

Su Muqing remained silent, her gaze calm yet brimming with confidence. As the Su family's True Phoenix, she was at the sixth layer of Immortal Lord realm—and she had yet to meet a peer in this realm.

Hearing the murmurs, Li Hao grew curious. Though he sensed the Immortal Osmanthus by the waterfall was a spiritual object, he couldn't tell how extraordinary it was. He asked Su Wanqing beside him:

"Is this Immortal Osmanthus a rare divine herb? What does it do?"

Su Wanqing shook her head slightly. "It's merely a rare immortal flower. As for effects… it doesn't have the kind of power you imagine."

Li Hao frowned. "Then why compete for it?"

"Because it's beautiful."

Su Wanqing whispered softly. "Beautiful, rare, and hard to obtain—that's why everyone competes. Originally, it was just a token for noble family exchanges. Over time, it became a symbol of prestige and prodigy status. If it were merely a divine herb or lingzhi mushroom, we wouldn't come here to fight for it—we could simply ask our families to provide one."

Li Hao understood at last—it was a manufactured status symbol, imbued with meaning of "prodigy" and "prestige," and that was why they fought for it.

"Moreover, this Immortal Osmanthus only lasts ten years before withering—so scarce, who wouldn't cherish it?"

Su Wanqing said.

Li Hao nodded.

At this moment, as Immortal King Tan announced the rules, he raised his hand and erected a combat platform before the Sword Pool, setting up a sealing array barrier.

Then, he allowed each noble family to freely ascend and challenge.

This was both a contest among prodigies and a festive spectacle, with many Immortal Servants weaving through, delivering immortal fruits and nectar, exuding a sense of leisure.

The Su, Jiang, and Lin families remained still; on the platform, prodigies from other noble families took turns ascending, issuing challenges and clashing in immortal arts.

The three great families, along with other clans slightly inferior to them, chose to observe first, calm and composed, not rushing to display themselves, giving other families a chance to shine.

As great families, they naturally carried the dignity befitting their stature.

"Lin Jinrou, why hasn't your brother come?"

Jiang Huanhuan, seated to the right of the Su family, asked Lin Jinrou to their left.

Lin Jinrou sipped a mouthful of nectar and replied coolly, "If my brother came, would there even be a need for others to compete in this Sword Pool gathering? All eyes would surely fixate on him alone."

Jiang Huanhuan slightly pursed her lips but had to admit: if the True Dragon of the Lin family arrived, the scene would erupt in chaos, with everyone rushing to surround him.

Su Wanqing, hearing their words, glanced at Li Hao and, seeing he remained oblivious, relaxed—yet sighed inwardly.

Time passed slowly; immortal fruits kept arriving. Li Hao silently savored them, while those around him whispered among themselves. Aside from occasionally asking Su Wanqing a question, he merely poured and drank for himself, his gaze mostly lingering on Su Muqing beside him, his mind involuntarily recalling past encounters with that girl.

In that remote border town, at that tea stall…

Long after, a burst of enthusiastic cheers shattered Li Hao's thoughts.

"Incredible! Bai Mocheng of the Bai family has improved so much—three realms of Immortal Lord, thirteen battles, ten victories! So strong!"

"Fourteen divine spring golden osmanthus flowers—now only thirteen left."

"It seems that, besides the Four Little Phoenixes, Bai Mocheng will soon join their ranks as a top prodigy."

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

On the platform, a graceful young man sheathed his sword and walked down slowly, returning to his family's side and sitting beside a sweet-smiling girl.

The girl immediately asked about his injuries, her eyes filled with concern, but the youth merely smiled indifferently and said, "As long as you like it, I'll pluck it for you—I'll make sure everyone knows: if others have it, my sister will too!"

The girl's eyes brimmed with emotion.

Li Hao understood: among the men here, some competed not merely to challenge their clansmen, but to pluck the osmanthus for their sisters or beloved ones.

"The Bai family has begun to show its true strength these past years."

Su Wanxue glanced over and said calmly.

Su Wanqing nodded, then turned her gaze to Li Hao beside her and said, "Hao Tian, why don't you ascend the platform and try? With your strength, securing ten victories is very likely—you could even pluck a divine spring golden osmanthus!"

Hearing her words, Su Qiyu and the others all turned to look at Li Hao, surprise flickering in their eyes.

(End of Chapter)