[{"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-99":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},2282648,4466,"Chapter 99: The Master","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-99",99,"\u003Cp>Time flies swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning from the brothel, Li Hao was kept within the mansion by Li Tiangang, forbidden from wandering about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The father and son had a minor argument over it, and finally compromised: Li Hao agreed to stay within the mansion, but his father would no longer interfere with what he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao no longer spent his days painting; instead, besides visiting Fifth Master to play chess, he spent all other time in Tingyu Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One purpose was to wait for Second Master’s return; the other was to read through these cultivation manuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The books in Tingyu Tower were countless; even if one merely flipped through them, without rest day or night, it would take at least ten years to finish them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Li Hao had selected some manuals from the higher levels to cultivate, ignoring the lower tiers—but now he began from the bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his Sixth Stage Flesh Dao cultivation, he should have been able to cross into the Heaven-Man Realm, yet he was stuck here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao planned to first comprehend the Master’s Heart before anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Easy to say, hard to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is a Master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One who can establish a sect and forge his own path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one can teach a Master how to act, nor instruct him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the Three Immortal Achievements can—because every Master’s path is unique; though their realms are higher, they can only share their own experiences of advancement and cultivation, not precisely guide how one should proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, once one reaches the Heaven-Man Master Realm, every step forward must be taken alone, one footfall at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No manuals offer guidance; no one can transmit knowledge—only through self-reflection, contemplation, and insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My own martial path...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao sat in Tingyu Tower, holding a detailed treatise on martial basics, his eyes flickering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had asked Second Master how to comprehend the Master’s Heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Master gave three methods: first, immerse oneself in the world, and through worldly trials, find one’s martial heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, walk the edge of life and death; under the terror of imminent demise, trigger sudden enlightenment and leap forward in one bound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third is gentler, relying entirely on personal insight: seek it from the most fundamental martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the most basic? Because the higher the technique, the more mysterious it becomes—and its core essence is easily obscured by its intricate maneuvers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tossed on the ground, everyone knows it’s a stone; thousands scorn it, trample it carelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But placed on a table, it’s uncertain—especially if placed in a Buddhist shrine, where people protect it, worship it, and offer reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet fundamentally, it’s still just a stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Li Hao flipped through the Martial Arts Compendium, which listed many martial arts, but only briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swords, knives, spears, staves, fists, footwork...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao flipped through them casually, not forcing any insight, merely passing the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A month passed in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao had read many books in Tingyu Tower—not just martial arts, but also tales of eccentric individuals and amusing anecdotes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many volumes recorded the life stories of various Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Masters walked wildly divergent paths, each with unique martial styles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some followed the sneaky school: all their attacks were underhanded—eye-gouging, groin strikes, poison-dust, sand-throwing—anything deceitful, refined into seamless combos, forming entire manuals to establish sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others followed the brute-force school: headstrong, direct combat, never feinting, every strike explosive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others followed the agility school: emphasizing lightness and nimbleness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Li Hao, creating his own martial art was not difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his Sixth Stage insight into sword and fist arts, crafting his own sword and fist techniques was effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could even fuse the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the technique was ready—the heart was not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most people entering the Master Realm first establish their heart, then strengthen their techniques according to their Master’s Heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao did the opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is my heart...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao murmured to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen too many techniques, leaving him now overwhelmed, dazzled by their variety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart remained unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, Li Hao came to Tingyu Tower as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after sitting down briefly, he was summoned back to Shanhe Courtyard—something required his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Hao returned to the courtyard, he immediately saw in the main hall, besides his father Li Tiangang seated there, another girl’s figure sitting opposite him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl spoke with his father, her back turned outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in dark purple outerwear, she radiated an aura of mystery, like a fragrant orchid in solitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely her straight posture conveyed youthful vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the two seemed to have reached some point—Li Tiangang’s face was full of smiles, his gaze warm and tender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching the doorway, Li Hao remembered the rules he’d been forced to learn this month, and did not enter directly; instead, he stopped outside and called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang looked toward Li Hao, and at the same time, the girl, who had been facing away, turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyebrows were like distant ink-wash mountains, her eyes clear as a bright stream, her nose delicate, teeth white, fine hairs on her face faintly glowing, her skin as pure as jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao stared, momentarily stunned, then widened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xue’er?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hao-gege.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl recognized Li Hao too; memories flooded her heart, and she smiled brightly, calling out in a clear, sweet voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao finally confirmed—the girl before him was the little girl he hadn’t seen in eight years, the little tail who used to follow him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward quickly, amazed, studying her from head to toe; eight years had turned the once tearful girl into a young lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And her features were exquisite, as if sculpted by hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve grown so big,” Li Hao blurted out a needless remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was Bian Ruxue; she rose from her chair with graceful poise and smiled sweetly: “Hao-gege, you’ve grown much taller too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao grinned: “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? Have you eaten? Let me tell you, my cooking’s gotten excellent—within a few months, I’ll turn you into a fatty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue’s cheeks flushed slightly: “Hao-gege, you’re still so fond of joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else would you be? You used to cry all the time—I had to tease you.” “I’m not a puppy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao laughed loudly, then asked: “How’s your sword training? Did anyone bully you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue smiled and shook her head: “My master and senior brothers and sisters treated me well—no one bullied me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you, Hao-gege? How have you been these past years?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue asked, her eyes fixed on Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao grinned: “Of course I’ve been fine—look who you’re talking to. Only I bully others—who dares bully me? I eat, drink, and live happily every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang frowned slightly, sighing inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue gazed at Li Hao and whispered: “Hao-gege, stop joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang’s face hardened slightly: “Hao’er, be serious. Xue’er just returned—don’t you dare bully her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao sighed with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue immediately turned to Li Tiangang: “Uncle, Hao-gege has never bullied me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang looked at her, smiling: “Xue’er, you’re too gentle. Don’t worry—I’m back now. If Hao’er dares bully you, come straight to me—I’ll handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When your father entrusted you to me all those years ago, I vowed to care for you—no one will ever make you suffer the slightest injustice in our Li household!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue bowed slightly with a smile, then turned to Li Hao—and noticed his smile had suddenly dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t think much of it, and said to Li Tiangang: “Uncle, I’d like to go out for a walk with Hao-gege—just to talk alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue bowed slightly again, then turned to Li Hao: “Hao-gege, let’s go. I haven’t been back in a long time—will you show me around?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao nodded, then paused, glancing up at his father seated above: “I’ll take Xue’er out for a walk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang nodded: “With Xue’er accompanying you, I’m at ease. Spend these days enjoying yourself with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao’s lips twitched, then he grabbed Bian Ruxue’s hand: “Come on—I’ll show you the city. Every delicious eatery in Qingzhou—I know them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soft hand in his grip twitched slightly, as if startled—but soon relaxed, letting him hold it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked away, Li Tiangang sighed softly: “Though Hao’er has spent these years without us, he’s lived well enough—but no one’s disciplined him; his nature is too wild.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Bo opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Tiangang’s gaze softened: “Thankfully, Xue’er is well-mannered and sensible. With her by his side from now on, she’ll surely rein him in a little—I can rest easy. This boy finding Xue’er? He’s truly blessed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the Divine General’s Mansion, Li Hao led the girl beside him straight toward the bustling nearby district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Hao, I just found out Uncle came back only recently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue let Li Hao hold her hand without struggling, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes occasionally glancing at his profile: “After I left, were you always alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled. “Foolish girl, why are you still as naive as when you were a child? Shanhe Academy is huge—there are so many retainers and maids. How could I be alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Retainers and maids are different,” Bian Ruxue said. “Big Brother Hao would never confide in them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then don’t confide,” Li Hao chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue fell silent for a moment. “Does not speaking make you feel uneasy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m used to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao brought Bian Ruxue to a sugar-painting stall. “Want some candy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue glanced at it and shook her head slightly. “Big Brother Hao, I’m grown up now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re only fourteen and you call yourself grown up? By twenty, you’ll be old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing she didn’t want candy, Li Hao took her to keep wandering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, he found a toy stall and bought her an iron frog—one that could keep hopping forward with a light press, a product of the Qianji Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they strolled and chatted, Li Hao asked about her life on the mountain over the years, and Bian Ruxue inquired about his days at the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When mealtime came, Li Hao found a restaurant and ate with her, continuing their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight years apart meant much to discuss; at first they were slightly awkward, but later Li Hao seemed to regain the feeling of their childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you come down the mountain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A month ago,” Bian Ruxue said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao was surprised. “Then why only return now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard strange things happening somewhere, so I went to investigate—it turned out a Mo River had seeped through and destroyed a whole village,” Bian Ruxue said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao nodded. “And then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I tried repeatedly, but I could only destroy it—I couldn’t pass through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao laughed. “Destroying it is still good—it at least makes it disappear for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue sighed softly and nodded. “I suppose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao noticed the sword at her side, always with her. “How’s your swordplay after all these years under the Sword Saint?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue froze slightly, then fell silent for a moment before saying, “It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her reaction, Li Hao chuckled. “What, did you get scolded for not improving? Why the gloom when I mention the sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue shook her head slightly and set the sword aside. “Big Brother Hao, let’s not talk about the sword anymore. I just found out you’re about to become the Li Clan’s True Dragon. I asked around on the way—I heard another contender is vying for it. Do you have a chance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think?” Li Hao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how relaxed Li Hao was, Bian Ruxue immediately said, “I think you do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think so too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao smiled and picked up some food for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, on the way I saw many important figures heading toward Qingzhou. I heard the True Dragon selection requires influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue said, “Big Brother Hao, should I call down Master and the others to support you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Influence is just a minor detail—it doesn’t matter. The Li Clan’s True Dragon won’t be decided by outsiders,” Li Hao laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue thought it over and nodded. “Alright then. If you need me to do anything, be sure to tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, there is something you can do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Bian Ruxue blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m full. You finish the rest. Don’t waste food,” Li Hao burped, leaning back comfortably in his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Ruxue was momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2112,"2026-06-20T02:15:40.176Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8e9fce92e2e322d1a6ae2acf38b0f2bc426f370076ee4a570c8cadde4fcebe62","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-100","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-98",929,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-cover.jpg"]