Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 350

Volume 3 - Chapter 73: Severing Emotional Ties - Part 1

In the distance, a figure came speeding through the air with a sharp whistle—it was Li Tiangang. The earlier roar of rage from Li Hao had shaken the entire city, and Li Tiangang naturally heard it. When he diverted some of his attention to observe, he saw the intense battle unfolding behind him.

The sacrificial array he had been setting up was abruptly abandoned. After all, the demonic creatures had already been exterminated, and there was no longer any need to summon their ancestors.

When his soul hovered above the battlefield, he saw Li Hao protecting Li Muxiu from two demonic leaders. At the same time, he heard the call of He Jianlan and her companions. His heart trembled violently—could the boy truly be the child who had once fallen into the abyss?

At this moment, filled with emotions, Li Tiangang tread upon flames, racing forward at full speed.

...

In front of Li Hao, Ji Qingqing listened to Li Wu's words. Each sentence was like a needle piercing her heart. She could no longer hold back and cried, "It’s my fault. But you’ve returned now, haven’t you? Tell me, what must I do for you to forgive me?"

Li Hao’s originally calm gaze suddenly grew sharp, emitting two cold beams of light. He said, "I have returned, but your child is dead—forever buried in the abyss. I came back by my own power, relying on no one, least of all you."

Ji Qingqing froze. She stared at the boy who had just appeared calm but now wore a cold and distant expression. Realizing she had said the wrong thing, tears began streaming down her face. "But I gave birth to you! Can you not give your mother a chance to make amends?"

Li Hao glanced at her indifferently and said, "Make amends? Did I go to the Ji family seeking death? Did I venture to Prison Sky Island to explore the abyss for fun?"

These two questions hit Ji Qingqing like heavy blows, leaving her shivering as if her body temperature had been drained. Of course. The child had braved countless dangers, venturing alone into the Great Wilderness, just to see her.

She suddenly realized—she was unworthy of asking for redemption. Ten years ago, she let go of her child. Ten years later, she let go again, driving him into peril. Could she still make amends? Her tears poured like a breached dam, and the pain in her heart became suffocating.

"Qingqing..."

Li Tiangang arrived and landed outside. When Li Wushuang and the others saw the family patriarch, they instinctively stepped back to make way.

Li Tiangang quickly approached, taking in Li Hao's cold gaze and his wife, who was sobbing uncontrollably. His heart felt as though it were being torn apart.

"You cannot speak to your mother like this," Li Tiangang said, his eyes slightly red. "The mistakes of the past were mine. I was too harsh on you, too stubborn to investigate properly, and I let you suffer injustice. You can direct your anger at me, but not at your mother. She endured great hardship to bring you into this world!"

Li Hao frowned, his previously calm heart now filled with unspoken irritation and exhaustion.

With an indifferent expression, he said, "Stop calling her my mother, and you don’t need to apologize to me. The past is already settled. From the moment I left the Divine General Mansion, I severed all ties with you. I’ve repaid every debt—every bit of food, clothing, and shelter. Even the demonic blood you sent from Yanbei, I have returned twice over. Now, there is no connection between us. Can’t you feel it? I no longer carry the bloodline of your family."

As he spoke, Li Hao made no effort to hide his aura. The All-Manifestations attribute had already been temporarily removed.

Hearing his words, Li Tiangang froze in shock, staring at him. Ji Qingqing was also stunned, momentarily forgetting her tears as she hurriedly examined Li Hao’s aura.

Nearby, He Jianlan and the others, though unable to sense the details of Li Hao’s overwhelming aura, quickly released their own energy to probe his condition.

Beside Li Hao, the recovering Li Muxiu abruptly sat up, coughing blood. His heavily wrinkled face was full of panic as he stared at Li Hao.

He knew Li Hao would not lie easily. Ignoring the offense, he quickly extended his perception, only to find no trace of the Li family bloodline within Li Hao.

His body wavered like a candle in the wind, his mind shaken. Nearby, Li Xiaoran and Li Qingzheng also turned pale and hurriedly began their own investigations, only to freeze in disbelief.

The heroic spirits of the Li family's ancestors, observing from the sidelines, frowned as though they had realized something. These spirits, with their innate connection to the Li family bloodline, could clearly sense that Li Hao carried none of it.

Yet, from the words of those present, it was apparent that this peerless prodigy once belonged to the Li family. But how could this be?

"Child, were you once part of our family?" one of the ancestor spirits asked, their gentle gaze filled with confusion.

Li Hao looked at the spirit calmly and said, "I am myself. There was once a child in your family who resembled me, but that child is dead."

Hearing this, Li Tiangang’s entire aura fluctuated violently. He roared in disbelief, "Impossible! I don’t believe it. You must be him! Who are you, really?"

Li Muxiu, his face as pale as paper, let out an angry roar, his Dao power surging. The force reverberated like a thunderclap, leaving Li Tiangang momentarily dazed. "How far do you intend to push him?"

Li Xiaoran’s bloodshot eyes glared at Li Tiangang with a mix of anger and despair. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, but ultimately he said nothing.

Li Tiangang froze in place for a moment before slowly raising his head to look at Li Hao. His gaze was filled with sorrow as he said, "You severed your bloodline with the Li family. How could you be so heartless?"

Li Hao arched an eyebrow and glanced at him, but the sight of Li Tiangang’s grief-stricken face brought no response from him—only a faint desire to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

He couldn’t be bothered to say more. Turning to Li Muxiu, whose sorrowful gaze mirrored his internal torment, Li Hao felt a tinge of guilt. With a rare softness in his tone, he said, "Old Master, though I am no longer part of the Li family, if you ever need a fishing companion in the future, just call on me. I’ll be there."

Li Muxiu looked into Li Hao’s clear and determined eyes, realizing that the child had severed the past entirely. A pang of sorrow pierced his heart, mixed with bitter regret. Despite severing ties, Li Hao had still returned to repay what was owed. It was a gesture born of old affection.

A sword that could sever countless demonic creatures could not sever this child’s feelings—except when it came to his parents. Only towards them had he utterly cut off all ties. What kind of deep despair could lead to such an act?

Such an extraordinary child, so perfect and without fault, had been lost by the Li family entirely.

Li Muxiu was consumed by sorrow, but it eventually gave way to low, muffled laughter. It was a bitter laugh, tinged with pain and irony. Yet as he laughed, his gaze softened with resolution and warmth.

"Very well, it’s a promise. When the time comes, I’ll see how your fishing skills hold up." Amid the intertwining pain and grief, Li Muxiu found clarity. Letting go of the Li family was ultimately for Li Hao’s own good. The pain and loss were theirs to bear.

At least this way, the child would no longer suffer. In some sense, wasn’t this outcome better? Though the Li family had lost their glory, the Great Yu Divine Dynasty still remained unaffected. Even without being a part of the Li family, the boy had saved Liangzhou and now Qingzhou City.

He remained the same. He had never believed his lineage demanded burdens of him. His heart was true, always acting for the sake of humanity and his capabilities.

Tears streamed down Li Muxiu’s face, tears of release for Li Hao, mixed with bitterness over Li Tiangang’s past accusations that questioned the boy’s character. Seeing Li Muxiu’s gaze, Li Hao was slightly reassured. He turned his attention to He Jianlan, who stood nearby in her armor.

"Madam," he said with a faint smile, "if there’s ever an opportunity, I’ll let you try my cooking."

Hearing this, He Jianlan froze. She had been suppressing her sorrow, but now her tears flowed like rain. She felt as though the child had come to Qingzhou City just to say goodbye to the past, to sever the identity he had once held before them.

She no longer felt like his aunt.

"Child," she asked through her sadness, "is there truly no way to return to the way things were?"

Li Hao shook his head slightly. "That identity is gone. But if you don’t mind, the sentiment remains."

He Jianlan’s grief deepened, but she held back her sobs and said no more to persuade him. She knew that Li Hao was resolute in his decisions. For him, the Li family might have become a burden. If he could live well on his own, then that was enough.

Li Hao’s gaze swept across Li Xiaoran, Li Qingzheng, and others. His expression was gentle as he said, "Old Master, thank you for everything in the past. If you don’t mind, I’m also in need of chess partners."

Li Qingzheng’s lips trembled, but he said nothing. Li Xiaoran clenched his fists, recalling his elder brother’s dying exhortations, which they had ultimately failed to fulfill.

Sadness surged within him, but he restrained himself, the grip on his sword tightening as veins bulged on the back of his hand. His gaze swept past Li Tiangang and Ji Qingqing, flickering with a murderous intent he barely managed to suppress, leaving only profound sorrow.

Li Hao glanced around before saying, "Since I’ve come to Qingzhou City, let’s have dinner tonight at Yunxia Tower. We can properly gather then."

He turned to Li Yuanzhao, who stood dazed nearby. Smiling faintly, he patted the latter’s shoulder. "Don’t stand there lost. Go to Yunxia Tower later and inform the proprietress to prepare her best dishes in advance."

Li Yuanzhao’s body swayed from the pat, as if his soul had been knocked back into his body. His eyes reddened as he nodded.

Li Hao smiled and turned to the distant figures of Song Yufeng and the other disciples of the Tangong Academy, as well as a shapeshifting blue figure standing beside them.

...

As he walked with Song Qiumo through the city streets, the two of them conversed while retracing old paths.

The city was still bustling, though the devastation caused by the earlier demonic attack was evident. Behind them, the human-shaped manifestation of Candlefire God quietly followed, his expression solemn. On Li Hao’s wrist, the Xiyan had returned to its place, its soft light pulsing gently.

Old Master Li Muxiu, whose injuries had stabilized, could now rely on the Li family’s sacred medicines to recover without further assistance from the Xiyan.

"Ah, so that’s how it was." Song Qiumo listened as Li Hao casually recounted his story. At one point, her curiosity led her to ask about the supposed death notices from the Li family.

Only then did Li Hao learn that the Li family had held a funeral for him, believing him dead.

He chuckled softly. "That’s just as well. The boy from back then truly did die, buried forever in the depths of the abyss. That funeral wasn’t for nothing, I suppose."

Hearing this, Song Qiumo’s expression softened with a mix of understanding and sorrow. She had learned enough to piece together what had transpired—Li Hao had narrowly escaped death from the jaws of the Abyssal Saint and returned stronger than ever.

Even without detailed explanations, she understood the dangers he must have faced. The Li family’s assumption of his death was not without basis.

She sighed quietly, unable to fully comprehend the struggles he had endured, and said, "The person you are now far surpasses even my expectations."

Li Hao smiled lightly. "Cultivation is just useful for cutting down demons. Rather than praise my cultivation, I’d much prefer you compliment my paintings!"

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