Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 349

Volume 3 - Chapter 72: That Child is Dead

The two terrifying enemies were slain—killed single-handedly by that young man!

He suppressed Long Jue Shen and Feng Lingxiao, followed by eliminating two experts of the Dao Seeker Realm, sweeping the outskirts of Qingzhou City with a single sword strike, quelling the tide of monstrous demons.

All of this happened in mere moments. From the moment that young man arrived, the terrifying shadow that had loomed over Qingzhou City for several days dissipated like smoke.

It was as if a divine hand reached down from the heavens, parting the dark clouds overhead.

At this moment, the first light of dawn still illuminated Qingzhou City. Every household basked in the glow, yet the light no longer felt as cold as before. It seemed to radiate rainbow-like hues, making everyone feel the heat of summer. Their blood boiled with warmth, excitement, and joy.

“Have we been saved?”

“Who was that? Was it General Haotian?”

“I heard the demons call him General Haotian!”

The countless civilians in the city and the soldiers defending it couldn’t clearly see the face of the young man radiating golden brilliance. But at this moment, he was the only figure standing tall between heaven and earth, his entire being exuding dazzling power, like a concentrated ray of divine golden light.

Around him, there were no longer any demons roaring or soaring into the air; all had fallen silent.

“A Dao Seeker Realm expert… actually slain like that...”

“Was it truly a Dao Seeker Realm expert? Does that mean this young man could kill even a true Dao Seeker expert from Qiandao Palace?”

“Ninefold Dao Domain… How did he accomplish it? Even our ancestors fell after barely cultivating to the third level.”

The heroic spirits of many ancestors of the Li family were stunned.

They had burned their souls and fought valiantly, prepared for their remnant spirits to dissipate completely. Yet, the despair they had accepted was overturned and suppressed in an instant by this young man!

Two leaders of the Supreme Peace Dao Realm among the demons were like mere children before Li Hao, powerless to resist. Even the Dao Seeker Realm manifestations were slain!

“To think he could kill manifestations of the Dao Seeker Realm…”

In the ancestral hall of the Divine General Mansion, three golden ancestral spirits floated upward. They had not rushed to the battlefield immediately but stayed to assist Ancestor Li Tianyuan.

Now, they saw that the battlefield had already been pacified.

“That was not a true Dao Seeker Realm expert, but a manifestation.”

Li Tianyuan’s divine soul emerged from the golden statue within the ancestral hall, standing atop the Divine General Mansion as he gazed into the distance.

From the moment Li Hao appeared and reversed the city’s dire situation, they had paused their bloodline sacrifice to forge a physical body, closely observing the battlefield.

“A manifestation?”

The three golden ancestral spirits turned to Li Tianyuan in confusion.

Li Tianyuan, a Supreme Peace Dao Realm Divine General, had campaigned with the late emperor across more than a dozen provinces, expanding the empire’s borders. His experience was unparalleled.

“I have seen true Dao Seeker Realm experts far more terrifying than this. They are beings who have truly touched the ‘Dao.’ Their Dao Force is indestructible, and even divine weapons cannot harm them. They possess incredible powers to summon wind and rain—this was nothing of that sort.”

Li Tianyuan’s eyes grew solemn as he fixed his gaze on the crimson-gold figure at the edge of the city.

“But to slay a manifestation of the Dao Seeker Realm is already extraordinary. That young man… he is invincible below the Dao Seeker Realm!”

Hearing these words, the three golden ancestral spirits froze.

Although they were also ancestors of the Li family, they had missed the glorious era of their forebears. While they had encountered Dao Seeker Realm experts, they had never witnessed their full power and thus didn’t fully comprehend how formidable they could be.

Yet the power displayed earlier by those two Dao Seeker Realm manifestations had been enough to leave them in awe.

After all, the two Supreme Peace Dao Realm leaders among the demons couldn’t even qualify to fight against that young man. Yet the two Dao Seeker manifestations had forced him to unleash the Ninefold Dao Domain.

“That young man seems not to have used his full strength. He is still so young. If given more time, he will undoubtedly step into the Dao Seeker Realm. By then, who would dare invade Great Yu?”

“Previously, the opening of the Immortal Sect took away many of our empire’s geniuses, weakening the destiny of Great Yu. But now, it seems we are entering a new peak, possibly surpassing even the era before the Immortal Sect!”

“I wonder which family he belongs to.

“Such a pity he isn’t of our Li family. What a pity, what a pity!”

While the heroic spirits of the Li family ancestors exchanged words, many of those in Qingzhou City who knew Li Hao personally rushed toward him in excitement as they snapped back to their senses.

“Hao’er!”

“Hao ge!”

He Jianlan, Li Hongzhuang, and others dashed toward Li Hao.

Those who reacted slightly slower, such as Li Xuanli and Gao Qingqing, stood briefly stunned before their faces lit with excitement, and they hurriedly followed.

Li Yuanzhao yelled at the top of his lungs, propelled by the power of an ancestral spirit, rushing toward Li Hao.

“You really know him?”

The Li family ancestor spirit attached to Li Yuanzhao was slightly stunned. He hadn’t expected that this chubby boy truly knew the extraordinary young man.

Seeing Li Yuanzhao’s reddened eyes and the hot tears streaming down his face, it was clear his reaction was genuine. Moreover, their relationship seemed particularly close.

The other heroic spirits of the Li family also noticed the reactions of their descendants. Observing the emotional responses toward that young man, they were astonished and then overjoyed.

Although the young man had come to aid them, it was possible he was merely fulfilling a mission or acting out of a sense of solidarity with humanity. However, now it appeared he had deep ties to their Li family.

“Hao’er?”

In the distance, Ji Qingqing’s expression froze when she heard He Jianlan and the others’ excited shouts.

Her heart suddenly felt as if it were being gripped tightly.

A memory of the boy falling into the abyss, his dazed expression flashing through her mind, left her blood coursing in tumultuous waves before an icy chill settled to her very core.

Could it really be… him?

Tears streamed from Ji Qingqing’s eyes as she gazed at the young man who stood towering and invincible like a god of war, the one attracting the awe of countless people.

Could that brilliant figure truly be… her child?

Her entire body trembled uncontrollably. Finally unable to restrain herself, she joined the others and flew toward the young man.

The closer she came, the clearer his features became. The cold, resolute face differed slightly from the boy who had fallen before.

Even the aura he radiated was distinctly different.

Her pace slowed, a feeling of apprehension and fear washing over her. It was as though she had stumbled into a beautiful dream, uncertain if it was real or illusory. She wanted to approach but hesitated, afraid to break the spell.

Soon, He Jianlan and the others reached the edge of the city. Looking at the young man whose divine radiance had already receded, they stared at his slightly unfamiliar face. After a brief moment of disorientation, tears welled up in their eyes.

Despite the changes in his aura and appearance, they still recognized him.

This was the child who would occasionally bring them meals he had cooked himself, the boy who had stood out in his unique way within the Divine General Mansion.

He was still just as distinctive and vibrant. However, unlike his past self—a carefree and mischievous boy—this young man radiated unmatched brilliance, like a divine youth. His face, now devoid of laziness, bore an edge of sharp determination.

Yet, his eyes remained the same—clear and gentle, as bright and transparent as polished glass.

He Jianlan covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face as vivid memories of the boy greeting her every morning, sharing breakfast with her, and chatting happily flooded back.

But those days felt like a lifetime ago.

Now, he stood stained with blood, holding up an umbrella for himself when no one else could. Shielding himself from the ceaseless storm.

“Hao ge!”

Li Yuanzhao and Li Wushuang caught up with the others. While some hesitated, unsure if they should approach, Li Yuanzhao boldly called out.

Li Hao looked at the little figure, and the sharpness in his gaze softened slightly as he smiled faintly. “Already reached the Spiritual Wandering Realm, huh? Seems you haven’t been slacking off.”

Li Yuanzhao burst into tears, his small eyes leaking like a broken dam. He flung himself onto Li Hao, crying, “Hao ge, you’re okay! That’s all that matters! You’re okay!”

Li Hao was slightly taken aback but then chuckled. Seeing the boy rubbing his head against his chest, he immediately pushed him away.

“You little rascal, don’t smear your snot all over me.”

Li Yuanzhao quickly wiped his face with his sleeve, but a bubble of snot escaped from his nose.

“Hao ge, I’ll wash it for you later.”

“Go, go,” Li Hao said with mock annoyance.

Standing to the side were Li Wushuang, Li Zhining, and others, including Li Mingjian and Li Sibei—He Jianlan’s children. Previously, during the True Dragon Battle, they had confronted Li Hao to stop him from harming Li Qianfeng, driven by misunderstanding and resentment.

However, after the truth behind Liu Yurong’s incident was revealed, they realized they had wronged him.

Now, seeing this young man again, their expressions were complicated. Their hearts swelled with a mix of shame and joy.

Watching Li Hao casually banter with Li Yuanzhao, Li Mingjian and Li Wushuang felt a tinge of jealousy toward the boy. At the same time, they couldn’t help feeling a pang of sadness.

They had lived under the same roof in the Divine General Mansion, yet their relationship with Li Hao was far more distant—barely more than acquaintances.

“Hao’er, do you still remember your aunt?”

He Jianlan’s eyes reddened as she looked at Li Hao, who seemed unchanged apart from his appearance.

Li Hao glanced at the noblewoman who had cared for him since childhood. His gaze softened as he said, “How could I forget Aunt Jianlan’s kindness?”

“Kindness? It was only simple meals and minor gestures. Hardly worthy of the word ‘kindness,’” He Jianlan replied, her eyes brimming with even more tears.

Li Hao paused, his expression briefly somber. “I remember it all. As I said before, I remember everything from my childhood.”

...

Hearing Li Hao’s words, everyone’s faces shifted slightly as their thoughts were pulled back two years—to the True Dragon Battle and what had transpired in the courtyard afterward.

A somber mood settled over the group as many lowered their heads in sorrow.

During that time, the boy had vividly recounted moments of their shared past that they had long forgotten, leaving them both shocked and deeply unsettled. Later reflections on those memories brought only sadness and regret.

“Are you really… Hao’er?”

As silence enveloped the group, an emotional yet trembling voice broke through.

Ji Qingqing pushed through the crowd and came face-to-face with Li Hao. Tears streamed down her face as she asked, “Am I mistaken? Are you truly Hao’er?”

Li Hao lifted his head to meet her gaze. Her tear-streaked face, vivid and broken, was so close.

It reminded him of the times he had gazed up at her from his swaddling clothes, and the last time he had looked at her before falling into the abyss.

Yet, his expression returned to calm—a reflection of his inner tranquility. He merely shook his head and said, “You have mistaken me. I am myself, not your son.”

Ji Qingqing froze. The others, including He Jianlan and the rapidly gathering crowd, were equally stunned. Their expressions darkened, not with anger but with profound sorrow.

Ji Qingqing listened to Li Hao’s calm reply, feeling as though a blade had pierced her heart.

Her tears fell more freely as she cried, “You don’t wish to acknowledge me anymore? It’s my fault! I failed you. If I could trade my life for yours, I would do so gladly. Do you understand that?”

As her cries grew more heart-wrenching, the ancestral spirit attached to her emerged, startled and confused by the scene.

The other Li family ancestors gathered, overhearing their conversation with growing astonishment.

The implication was clear: this boy was one of their own.

Yet, there was no trace of the Li family’s aura on him.

Could it be… a deception?

Some ancestor spirits exchanged uncertain glances.

Li Hao quietly listened to the woman’s sorrowful lament, his expression unmoved. He spoke calmly:

“All of that is in the past. When you made your choice, everything was settled. Your child is already dead. Whether you feel guilt or sorrow is your own burden to bear. It has nothing to do with me.”

He understood the choices Ji Qingqing had made at the time. Though it seemed there was no alternative, the truth was that they had simply chosen not to choose him.

Li Hao had already come to terms with this.

He neither cared nor intended to pursue the matter further. Whatever shallow ties had once existed between him and this couple had long been severed.

The small body he had inhabited when he crossed over was nurtured and grown to the age of fifteen under his protection. Yet that body could no longer carry him further.

They had severed the connection with their own hands.

...

It was enough—more than enough.

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