Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 333

Volume 3 - Chapter 62: A Convenient Solution - Part 2

Xia Yuanwu and the others looked at Xia Linglong anxiously. They wanted to speak up, but restrained themselves, not daring to breach family rules or disrespect Xia Linglong’s authority.

Xia Linglong locked eyes with Li Hao for a moment. After a brief silence, she sighed inwardly. Considering the plight of the people in Youzhou, she finally spoke the words she had previously hesitated to say.

"Gluttony Valley Master?"

Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly at her words.

This was another Great Demon King. Before Candlefire God revealed his Half-Step Dao Realm power, the Gluttony Valley Master's status had been comparable to his.

However, compared to the Void Realm, Gluttony Valley’s foundation was still thin. The valley had risen abruptly five hundred years ago, growing into a top-tier demonic power notorious for its bloodthirsty and brutal nature. Its meteoric rise had left the world trembling in fear.

Many border cities, upon hearing of Gluttony Valley’s name, didn’t even attempt to defend their walls. Instead, they fled overnight.

When other demonic forces occupied cities, there was at least a slim chance of survival or the arrival of reinforcements. But the demons of Gluttony Valley were so bloodthirsty and savage that they could devour an entire city overnight, leaving not even rats alive.

Li Hao had read about such top-tier demonic forces long ago in the storybooks he browsed at Tingyu Pavilion.

"Is it only Gluttony Valley?" Li Hao asked.

Xia Linglong’s expression grew grave. She glanced at Li Hao and replied, "That’s right. The Sacred Palace and Dragon Gate are besieging Qingzhou. So far, Gluttony Valley is the only force seen in Youzhou. There might be others behind them, but it’s merely speculation."

"Besieging Qingzhou?"

Hearing the mention of Qingzhou, Li Hao's eyelids twitched.

Liangzhou had just been pacified, and now Youzhou was in chaos. How was it that Qingzhou was also under siege?

"What’s happening in Qingzhou?" Li Hao asked urgently, a cascade of faces flashing through his mind—an ever-hungry young woman, two elderly men, the matriarch, Yuan Zhao, and the students of Tangong Academy...

And the countless pastry shops lining the streets.

His chest tightened.

Seeing Li Hao’s urgency, Xia Linglong and the others were startled, quickly realizing that this young man truly knew nothing about Qingzhou's situation.

Perhaps, having just emerged from the River of Death, he was still unaware of the outside world... Xia Linglong immediately came to this conclusion. Seeing Li Hao's earnest expression, she felt a twinge of disappointment. She realized there was little hope of persuading him to aid Youzhou. Even so, she explained what she knew in detail:

"I’ve heard that most of Qingzhou has already fallen. The leaders of the Sacred Palace and Dragon Gate have personally intervened, advancing to the outskirts of Qingzhou City. They’re likely still locked in battle. However, since Gluttony Valley launched its attack on Youzhou, we’ve lost much of our intelligence on Qingzhou."

Noticing the boy's urgency, she lowered her voice:

"If you plan to reinforce Qingzhou now, it’s still not too late. My Xia family is willing to lend you our battle flag to bolster Qingzhou’s strength."

By lending their battle flag, she meant that Li Hao could raise the Xia family’s banner when he arrived in Qingzhou, posing as Xia family troops.

Although the Xia family’s banner was not as effective as Li Hao’s Haotian Banner, it still carried great deterrence against demons. After all, it symbolized the Xia family’s involvement in Qingzhou, forcing the Sacred Palace and Dragon Gate to reconsider their actions. At the very least, it could buy some time.

Li Hao understood that this offer was a gesture of the Xia family’s honor entrusted to him, a tremendous favor for the Divine General Mansion.

He had no mind for a meal now. Standing up, he said, "On behalf of Qingzhou’s people, I thank the Xia family for their goodwill. There’s no time to lose—let’s set out immediately."

Li Hao recalled the map of the Nineteen Provinces of Great Yu. If his memory was correct, the eastern border of Youzhou coincided with the route to Qingzhou, albeit with a slight detour.

"Then may General Haotian achieve a glorious victory..."

Xia Linglong and the Xia family members also rose from their seats, their expressions complex. This boy hailed from Qingzhou; it was only natural that he would prioritize aiding his homeland. They had no reason to stop him.

"Why are you all still standing there? Lead the way. Let’s deal with Gluttony Valley on the way," Li Hao said, seeing Xia Linglong and the others frozen in place, merely cupping their hands to send him off.

"What?"

The Xia family members were taken aback. Xia Linglong recovered quickly, exclaiming in surprise, "You... You’re going to help us attack Gluttony Valley first?"

"It’s just a minor detour. Let’s move," Li Hao replied.

Hearing such bold words, Xia Yuanwu couldn’t help but speak up, "General Haotian, the Gluttony Valley Master is at the peak of the Absolute Technique Stage. While he hasn’t reached the Dao Realm, he’s extremely formidable. If you’re truly willing to act, we can lure him to the Ming River area in Youzhou..."

"No need for such trouble. I’ll just kill him for you," Li Hao interrupted, anticipating their concerns and doubts. Not wasting time, he said plainly, "Even if he were in the Supreme Dao Realm, I could handle him. Don’t worry."

"!!"

The Xia family members were stunned, staring at Li Hao in disbelief, wondering if he had misspoken.

Li Hao had no time to explain. The time spent clarifying would be enough for him to kill the Gluttony Valley Master dozens of times.

Turning to Xia Linglong, he said, "Senior Xia Linglong, lead the way?"

Xia Linglong was momentarily stunned. Observing the casual look in Li Hao’s eyes, she suddenly realized that this boy, who had survived being hunted by Candlefire God after leaving the River of Death, might have undergone another breakthrough.

Could it be that he was already capable of rivaling the Supreme Dao Realm?

The thought was too shocking, but this boy had already created so many miracles that she couldn’t dismiss the possibility.

"Alright, I’ll lead the way!" Xia Linglong decisively raised her hand, summoning a long spear from the distance, which landed firmly in her grasp.

"I’ll come too," Xia Yuanwu quickly said, summoning his own weapon as well.

Regardless of whether Li Hao’s claim was true, his willingness to act was an opportunity they couldn’t waste.

"You all follow as best you can—I might be a little fast," Li Hao said, winking at Candlefire God.

Candlefire God gave a subtle nod, its body suddenly shifting. Flames surged over its form as it transformed into a ferocious beast with the body of a lion and a dragon-like tail. Its hooves resembled those of a qilin, and its physique was majestic and muscular.

It leapt into the air, its body emanating scorching flames and heat waves that swept over the entire Zhenwei Divine General Mansion.

Li Hao vaulted onto its back, settling himself before gesturing for Xia Linglong to point the way.

Xia Linglong and the others watched the young man seated on the back of the demonic beast, his figure wreathed in flames. They were stunned, feeling as if they were looking at a deity born of fire.

The realization dawned upon them—this ferocious creature was a Great Demon. Yet, none of them had sensed its presence until now.

Such concealment could only mean that the demon's strength far exceeded their imagination.

Xia Linglong gripped her divine spear tightly and soared into the air. Feeling the oppressive aura radiating from the beast beneath Li Hao, she couldn’t help but shiver. The terrifying pressure hinted that this demon might even be stronger than her.

"Let’s go!"

Li Hao’s commanding voice snapped everyone out of their daze.

Any lingering doubts and hesitations dissipated in the face of this overwhelming display of power. Xia Linglong, now more confident, quickly indicated the direction. "That way!"

With a surge of flames, Candlefire God’s powerful limbs propelled it forward, leaving fiery trails in its wake.

The beast’s speed was astonishing. Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu, employing their family’s top-tier movement techniques at full force, barely managed to keep up. Both were in awe, unable to gauge the demon’s full capabilities.

Several minutes later, they arrived at the eastern region of Youzhou, near the second defensive line. The group had been traveling at near-maximum speed, with even Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu nearly exhausting their reserves of the Undying Force.

Only Candlefire God remained unaffected, its power allowing it to sustain the relentless pace.

From a distance, the sound of roars and the clash of battle filled the air, growing louder as they approached.

Li Hao’s expression darkened. The scene reminded him of when he had once rushed to reinforce Liangzhou during its demonic invasion.

Looking up, he saw an imposing defensive line rising from the plains ahead. The line was besieged by a tide of demons that surged like a flood, overwhelming the battlefield. The defensive formations protecting the line had already been shattered, and human soldiers were now locked in desperate combat with the demonic forces.

Li Hao scanned the battlefield, his sharp senses detecting several strong presences among the demonic forces at the rear.

However, these presences didn’t seem formidable enough. At best, they were at the Reverse Fate Realm.

"Gluttony Valley Master, come out!"

Li Hao’s cold voice rang out.

The youth’s chilling words echoed like rolling thunder in the heavens, carried swiftly by howling winds. In an instant, they spread across the entire battlefield, reverberating like a deafening clap of thunder in the ears of the countless demons.

...

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