[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity":3,"chapter-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-97":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Name That Echoes Through Eternity",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2282646,4466,"Chapter 97: Master Li","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>The sword shadows were dreamlike and illusory; after the demonstration ended, lingering sword images still floated before their eyes like fleeting light, leaving everyone unable to let go or forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those sword shadows were too complex—though remembered, they also felt unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing everyone lost in thought, Li Hao did not delay further; he sat down and continued sketching with his brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>+827, +789, +702…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao ground ink and sketched, his movements swift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the dozens of paintings depicting these Spirit Wandering realm cultivators accumulated seven or eight hundred experience points, causing his painting cultivation experience to surge rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Hao painted, the others gradually woke from their reverie; seeing him busy, none dared disturb him, instead seizing the moment to ponder and contemplate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the fourth painting, Li Hao looked at them and said, “How do you feel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Li, could you demonstrate it again for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging glances, a tall, elegant young man spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a genius who matched Song Yueyao in the White Hall; now speaking these words, he looked embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man had watched two full demonstrations and still barely understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao scanned the others and saw expectant, timid gazes everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao considered—he couldn’t keep demonstrating over and over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, since he was teaching, he ought to take it seriously and strive to ensure everyone understood; otherwise, merely pretending to teach would be pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked each person and learned they all had a Foundation of Dexterity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dexterity varied in depth—some had just reached it, others were nearing perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since I’m teaching, I hope you all succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao looked around and said, “I have three lessons this year. I want you all to master this sword art to the Perfect level by the end. If you do, I’ll consider granting you each three wishes within my power!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perfect level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three wishes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was stunned, shocked by Li Hao’s ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t offering wishes—it was the young master making wishes for himself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three lessons to bring them all to Perfect level? This wasn’t high expectation—it was fantasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dared not compare themselves to Li Hao, who could master a sword manual with one glance and perform it perfectly without a teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, many secretly doubted whether Li Hao had prepared in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who teaches without preparation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just secretly practiced it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Li, isn’t this demand too difficult?” someone couldn’t help asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, are you joking? I admit it’s a bit funny…” someone said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao studied Li Hao curiously; she had reached Dexterity half a year ago and knew well how hard it was to advance from Dexterity to Perfect—even with talent, it took over a year of frantic practice to engrave the moves into one’s bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three lessons were impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this “impossible” seemed not so distant for the legendary Li family young master before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everything he revealed seemed “impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the murmurs, Li Hao said nothing more; he picked up his sword again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relying solely on Perfect-level demonstrations for them to copy mechanically was too hard and wasted time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they grasped the essence of this sword art, understanding it deeply and then simplifying it would be far easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Silence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao’s gaze turned cold and sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two simple words silenced all whispers in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone felt an inexplicable tremor, sensing authority; their gazes grew solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feel deeply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao spoke, his demeanor no longer casual—he fixed his eyes on the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he raised his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin-Yang Reversal Sword, True Form! Yes—beyond flawless perfection, Li Hao unleashed the True Form of the sword art. True Form transcended the mundane, returning to simplicity and purity, fully revealing the art’s essence and rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swordlight flickered, alternating black and white—light and shadow exchanging places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword drifted through air, yet seemed to traverse another dimension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword was real; the void was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the swordlight turned, the black and white light alternated endlessly until they suddenly merged into one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The swordplay ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell utterly silent; everyone stared, transfixed, their vision and thoughts carried away by that single strike, drowning in it, unable to break free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after Li Hao sheathed his sword, they remained frozen, eyes glazed, as if the sword shadow—imbued with indescribable rhythm—still danced before their eyes and turned in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao said nothing, waiting quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, someone snapped back to awareness, then others followed one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… this is Yin-Yang Reversal Sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was stunned, exchanging glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s completely different from what I practiced before! But… this must be real—I was practicing falsely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not false—wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the true Yin-Yang Reversal Sword! Master Sun taught it wrong—no, the manual itself is wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One sword reverses yin and yang! One sword disrupts emptiness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more they spoke, the more excited they became, voices rising, faces flushed, emotions overflowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao stood dazed, blocking out all chatter around her; suddenly, she closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she opened them again, she dashed to the weapon rack, drew her sword with a sharp clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword shadows flashed like light, trembling like snakes, dazzling like colors!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, the sword shadows bloomed like a peacock’s tail—perfectly revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword art, stuck at a bottleneck for half a year, had leapt to a new level. Everyone noticed; all stared in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Sister Song has awakened…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She achieved Perfect level—she’s only held this sword for less than a year!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Perfect level—identical to what Master Li just demonstrated!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was awestruck, emotions surging; their address for Li Hao shifted from “Young Master Li” to “Master Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From reverence—to awe! Meanwhile, several others also seemed to awaken, rushing to the weapon rack, drawing swords and practicing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was spacious enough for them to train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest snapped out of their trance, no longer watching others—they seized the moment to imprint their new insights onto their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, everyone surged toward the weapon rack, drawing swords and practicing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing her swordplay, Song Yueyao returned from her trance, staring blankly at her sword, then turned to the boy—he smiled at her gently, his expression encouraging and approving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile struck her heart like sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao was momentarily dazed, then her cheeks flushed crimson; she quickly looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the hall, everyone was enthusiastically immersed in practice, desperately trying to capture and engrave the fading rhythm in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, several people suddenly cried out in excitement: “I’ve mastered it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had all been stuck at a bottleneck—now they had broken through instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When someone asked for help, he clapped his hands, signaling everyone to watch again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He repeated this four times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the sun dipped low, Li Hao ended the lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before dismissal, seeing over ten people had achieved Perfect level, Li Hao felt deeply satisfied—it was proof that effort never goes unrewarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Li, what level is the sword art you demonstrated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Perfect is followed by Flawless—does that mean your level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As class neared its end, someone couldn’t help asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled and said, “Beyond Perfect is Flawless; beyond Flawless lies True Form—the level I just demonstrated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw no need to hide these cultivation tiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Masters like Sword Saint or Blade Saint—those who had immersed themselves in their arts for decades—had already touched True Form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even grasped the core principles of certain sword arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Li Hao felt True Form was not the peak—there must be higher levels beyond it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with his current Dao insight, he could not reach them; perhaps when his heart entered the Spirit realm and advanced further, he might glimpse them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True Form…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Hao’s words, everyone froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao’s pupils contracted slightly; she stared at Li Hao in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grandfather had mentioned True Form—rarely seen, requiring extraordinary talent and decades of relentless practice to even touch! Li Hao was undoubtedly a sword genius, but mastering this art to True Form should take at least ten years of rigorous training—yet Li Hao was only fourteen… Song Yueyao dared not think further; she felt her Dao heart cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finally understood what those who had complained about being around geniuses had truly felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think it over again tonight. A master leads you to the door, but cultivation is up to the individual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao waved goodbye and dismissed the class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the mansion, Li Fu found Li Hao and relayed a message from the Marquis: Li Hao should make friends whenever he had free time; though securing the True Dragon was all but certain, connections lasted a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hoped Li Hao would secure the True Dragon with great fanfare, leaving no weakness for others to criticize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao merely nodded offhandedly in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao prepared an extra portion of crispy cakes and arrived at the cold pool, flicking his toe to send a small pebble flying into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the massive form of the Water Qilin surfaced, then transformed into human shape and stepped out of the pool, completely dry and refreshed, not a single drop of water clinging to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the crispy cakes in Li Hao’s hand, Song Qiumo’s eyes lit up with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled and handed her all the cakes, then waved and left without lingering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Hao depart, Song Qiumo bit into the crispy cake, her eyes smiling like crescent moons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Li Hao returned for his second lesson, having already arranged the handover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached the White Hall’s entrance, he heard an angry voice from within: “How can you, as a teacher, insult a child like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His martial talent may be poor, but that doesn’t make him a bad person!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can scold him, beat him severely, treat him as harshly as you would any warrior—but you cannot demean him like an animal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker sounded furious, his voice strong and resonant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the shout, Li Hao paused slightly, then slowly walked toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, the hall was already full; he had a habit of sleeping in, so he wasn’t early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the students stood three people: Sun Hongdian and Zhou Zheng, whom he’d seen the day before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Zhou Zheng stood a burly middle-aged man in plain robes, his imposing stature unmistakable; his features bore a resemblance to Zhou Zheng’s, though Zhou Zheng was more refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ground before them lay scattered fragments of books; apart from one additional person, the scene was nearly identical to yesterday’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Zhou, you can’t be so unreasonable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Hongdian’s face flushed crimson as he scolded Zhou Zheng—only to discover his own father had arrived to visit and overheard everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d thought it harmless—after all, General Zhou ought to be grateful for his strict discipline, helping him manage this unruly child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the man stormed in and launched a furious tirade, leaving Sun Hongdian utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unreasonable? Which of my words was unreasonable? Do you think it’s right to insult my son?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng’s father roared: “I may be a soldier, but I know basic decency. I know my son is a man—a respectable man—not a rat that ruins a pot of porridge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nor a self-degrading, filthy worm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He simply lacks martial talent—he doesn’t deserve to be denied humanity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly father’s voice thundered with fury: “My son may have low talent, but his heart is pure. Even if he’s only at the Qi-Force realm, he’s my pride. How dare you insult him like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, the students fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one mocked Zhou Zheng for relying on his father’s protection; instead, their eyes held a touch of envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Hongdian snapped: “I can’t reason with you. If you’re going to act like this, your son should leave the school!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine! If you’re such a teacher, then let him quit!” Zhou Zheng’s father barked, grabbing his son’s arm to drag him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng’s eyes were red-rimmed; he clenched his teeth, forcing back tears before so many, only whispering hoarsely: “Father, I want to stay. I want to learn properly. I mastered the sword technique yesterday too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to learn, I’ll find you another master—the world is full of them!” Zhou Zheng’s father growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Hongdian trembled with rage: “If you walk out that door, you’ll never be allowed back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never planned to come back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng’s father, furious, yanked his son toward the exit—only to bump into Li Hao at the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, all eyes turned to Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students leapt to their feet in unison, bowing deeply: “Greetings, Master Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The synchronized chorus startled both Sun Hongdian and Zhou Zheng’s father—and even Li Hao himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Li?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Hongdian blinked, staring at Li Hao in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng, seeing Li Hao, his eyes—just moments ago filled with bitterness—suddenly brightened. He urgently told his father: “Father, this is Li Hao Young Master—he’s Master Li! Yesterday, in just one lesson, he made all of us refine our superior sword technique from skillful to perfect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Zhou Zheng’s father and Sun Hongdian looked utterly baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this child saying? Li Hao himself was stunned, momentarily dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense—yesterday’s lesson, only a dozen or so had managed it. How could they all have mastered it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait… why did I even come today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Hao Young Master…” Zhou Zheng’s father stared at Li Hao in shock, then suddenly dropped to one knee: “Your humble servant, Zhou Liang, bows before you, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gesture left everyone frozen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao quickly stepped forward to lift him up: “General Zhou Liang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, I once served under your father,” Zhou Liang said humbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao understood, then smiled: “No need for such formality with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, Sun Hongdian’s face darkened, his brow furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, I want to stay. I want to take another lesson with Master Li,” Zhou Zheng pleaded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Liang hadn’t expected the rising star Li Hao to be teaching here. Seeing his son’s earnest plea, he considered it and agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zhou Liang gave his son a few final instructions and departed, Sun Hongdian sneered: “Zhou Zheng, you disrupted class today. The Tan Palace Academy isn’t a place you can enter or leave at will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zheng’s expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled: “Master Sun, it was just a misunderstanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Hao intervene, Sun Hongdian instantly changed his tone, smiling politely: “Young Master Li, you don’t understand—Zhou Liang is utterly brutal—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao shook his head, cutting him off: “Master Sun, I know you use sharp words to motivate students—but sometimes, too much sharpness crushes a young soul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Hongdian froze, his expression shifting, then fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao didn’t press further; he had no interest in socializing with such a man. After completing the class handover, Sun Hongdian left. Li Hao glanced around at the students: “Zhou Zheng said you’ve all reached the perfect level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the hall grew livelier; faces lit up with excitement. Ma Jing spoke first: “Master Li, Zhou Zheng’s right—your sword demonstration yesterday was almost Dao-insight! We caught a glimpse of that Dao’s rhythm, and our progress has been lightning-fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was flattery—but oddly, it hit the mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao sighed: “I planned to teach you over three lessons. So it seems I’ve come for nothing today—I have nothing to teach.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students burst into laughter; having gained so much from one lesson, they were already deeply grateful and thrilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone grinned: “Master Li, didn’t you forget something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said yesterday—if we all reached perfect mastery, you’d grant us three wishes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone looked at Li Hao, eyes bright with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao was speechless. He’d only said it offhandedly—how could they actually have the skill? No wonder they made it into the White Hall—their talent was real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then tell me,” Li Hao said, “but only within my ability to fulfill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, the room erupted in chatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some wanted to visit Tingyu Tower; others desired famous swords; some asked to learn another sword technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among these reasonable wishes, other voices chimed in with rowdy suggestions: one wanted to swear brotherhood with Li Hao; another wanted to visit a brothel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled, motioning for silence. When the noise settled, he said: “Decide among yourselves—pick one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the students were stunned, then overjoyed—they hadn’t expected him to be serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d already been deeply grateful for the sword lessons; their earlier requests had mostly been half-joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, don’t ask for anything too outrageous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Feifei stood up immediately, warning them—she sensed a few of them were getting too bold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few of them sheepishly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Li, you won’t let us go to Tingyu Tower, right? How about you take us to a brothel instead?” someone teased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the young men’s eyes sparkled; they cheered instantly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it! That’s the one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all young, full of vigor; since arriving at the Tan Palace Academy in Qingzhou, they’d barely left the mountain. The academy’s brutal competition and bottom-tier elimination system left them no room to relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d long yearned for the pleasures of wine, song, and beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dozen or so female students rolled their eyes, glaring at the boys with disgust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled: “Visiting a brothel is no big deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, entertainment was scarce—visiting a brothel was like scrolling through Douyin in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brothels varied in quality: the lowest were mere whorehouses, cheap and disease-ridden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reputable ones focused on art—music, poetry—but if one had talent or coin, one could enjoy other pleasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Hao took them, he’d choose Qingzhou’s finest brothel—just to hear some tunes. Nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male students were ecstatic at his agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female students all spat in disgust, cheeks flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao shot Li Hao a glare and sniffed: “You can go if you want—I’m not going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not going either,” Lin Feifei said immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than a dozen female students voiced their protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the other male students feared Li Hao might change his mind, chattering excitedly like animals in heat, already fired up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s impossible to please everyone. Those who don’t go, I’ll give you each a painting as compensation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao said to the female students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Hao’s words, the female students were startled, then watched as he pulled out the scroll in his hand and unfurled one: “This is what I painted yesterday. Take it—each of you gets one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone gasped in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had noticed Li Hao painting yesterday, assuming it was just a casual pastime, never imagining he could render such exquisite, lifelike detail!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The painting included Bai Hall and all the students, each face pure and uncluttered—some frowning, others tilting their heads in quiet gaze, each with its own charm: the women gentle, the male students handsome and carefree, their temperaments distinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, beneath the warm sunlight, it was as sweet as a spring breeze stretching ten miles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many stared, transfixed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One young man raised his hand: “Master Li, I won’t go to the brothel anymore—can I have one of these paintings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There aren’t many. Priority goes to the female students,” Li Hao smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female students, who had been so dissatisfied moments before, surged forward, scrambling to claim theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yueyao’s eyes shimmered like autumn ripples as she stared at Li Hao in disbelief—such mastery could not be achieved overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This youth sat still as a maiden, his blue robe like a pine tree; beyond his peerless cultivation and sword art, he somehow still had the capacity to devote energy to these ancillary arts—truly unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they received the paintings, many women unrolled them to admire closely. Though they trained in martial arts and had no time to pursue other crafts, they naturally loved beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dismissing the female students, Li Hao used the second class period to lead the male students out of Bai Hall and down the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Hao use teaching time to take them out for leisure, everyone was wildly excited—this had never happened before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If other instructors found out, they’d surely make them all stand in solitary confinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with Li Hao leading, even if the sky fell, they wouldn’t fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group descended the mountain, word reached the Tan Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yufeng, sipping tea, nearly choked, coughing violently as he looked up in shock:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re telling me Li Hao went to teach—and then took all the students down to visit brothels?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3425,"2026-06-20T02:15:40.176Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2b1c18c530f223b69db076d0460c7f6bf0fbcbff24e03d82e9bdef34588f3fee","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-98","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-96",929,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-cover.jpg"]