Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 331

Volume 3 - Chapter 61: The Xia Family's Invitation - Part 2

"Your son isn’t as clever as Qingshuang. It must be her, right? But she’s only just entered the Heaven and Man Realm. She probably doesn’t have the power to turn the tide of the battlefield, does she?"

Hearing the good news, everyone’s expressions brightened. Some even exchanged lighthearted jokes.

Xia Linglong didn’t keep them guessing and said directly, “Surely, you all still remember that young general who was ennobled as a duke. Well, he has arrived in Youzhou!”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Everyone froze momentarily before the realization struck. The young general who was granted a dukedom—there was only one such figure in the entire Great Yu Divine Dynasty. He was the one stationed in Liang Province.

They were no strangers to him. When word of his deeds had spread, a peculiar phenomenon arose across the cities of each province. Warehouse workers began crafting battle flags emblazoned with the characters "Haotian," to be raised in times of demonic invasions or warfare.

The reputation of those battle flags had grown so formidable that they were now regarded as a type of strategic resource.

Should the Great Yu Divine Dynasty ever face existential danger, every city would likely raise those flags in unison, rallying under the young general’s mythical renown.

As members of the Divine General Mansion, they were, of course, envious of the young man’s fame. But they also understood that only he could achieve such recognition. The unique power of those battle flags had even surpassed the ancestral banners of the Five Divine General Mansions.

“Are you referring to the Haotian General?”

“Wasn’t he at the River of Death outside Liang Province? How could he be here in Youzhou? Is he here specifically to provide reinforcements?”

“Liang Province isn’t far from Youzhou. Maybe he caught wind of something? But I hadn’t heard he left the River of Death. There was news not long ago that the demons outside the River of Death had retreated to attack Qingzhou instead. Since there are no demons at the River of Death now, perhaps he came out without a major battle breaking out?”

“Could this news be wrong? Qingzhou is already on the brink of falling. Why would he come to Youzhou instead of going to Qingzhou?”

“Does he not know about Qingzhou?”

Everyone stared at Xia Linglong in confusion.

Xia Linglong quickly realized the point they were making. Indeed, if the young general had left his station, his first move should have been to rush to Qingzhou’s aid. Could the news be inaccurate?

But then she thought of the young general’s circumstances. Her gaze flickered, and understanding dawned in her heart.

The father-son conflict in Qingzhou had clearly left a deep mark. The young general must have chosen to sever ties with the Li family completely!

There was no bond left—only enmity. Otherwise, why would he come to Youzhou instead of Qingzhou?

As this thought crossed her mind, a trace of doubt crept in. She didn’t know what had happened between the father and son, but considering how the young general had saved Liang Province by luring away a Dominator of the Void Realm, it was clear he was a man of great compassion and heroic spirit. What could he have done to provoke such treatment from the Li family?

“The military order is intact, and the seal on the secret pattern is unbroken. The information is genuine—unless the demons have already breached Liyang City and forced them to send this message.”

Xia Linglong’s words confirmed the authenticity of the news, implying that it could not be a lie.

The Xia family’s warriors stationed there would never betray their family.

The others understood the weight of her words. Someone even showed a hint of joy and suggested, “Regardless of his reasons, if he’s willing to help us, it’s a favor we must appreciate. Since Liyang City has been secured, and he’s said to possess the power to slay demon kings and rival those in the Absolute Technique Stage, why not invite him to join us in planning the downfall of the Lord of Gluttony Valley?”

“Indeed. If he agrees, we can ask the Old Madam to send him one of her ‘little chicks’ as a gesture of goodwill,” another proposed.

Xia Linglong nodded slightly, agreeing with the sentiment.

The "little chicks" raised by the Old Madam were no ordinary chickens but rather powerful great demons.

The Xia family’s cultivation techniques emphasized object manipulation and spiritual refinement, making them skilled in taming demons, warhorses, and the like.

The finest warhorses in the entire Great Yu Divine Dynasty came from the Xia family. Even the royal family's dragon-scaled flood beasts were trained and cared for by the Xia family. They held an official position in the royal court known as the Dragon Tamer Division, a role traditionally held by the Xia family for generations.

The hybrid mounts used by numerous high-ranking officials, such as the flood dragon-lion of Qingzhou, all originated from the Dragon Tamer Division.

“With such a strong ally, any price would be worth it,” an elder said to Xia Linglong.

Xia Linglong nodded and immediately summoned someone to draft a letter and send it back to Liyang City.

...

Liyang City

A sentry returned to report that the demon army outside the city had completely withdrawn.

The old generals of the Xia family were stunned by the news. The demon tide that had caused such widespread fear and panic within the city had retreated so suddenly and silently.

It was all because of a young man.

One person had entered the city and scared off millions of demons outside!

This was the power of his renown.

Previously, the stories of the young general's exploits were merely shocking, evoking admiration and even envy. But now, witnessing his influence firsthand, they felt the sheer weight of his legend.

Without a single word to the demons, merely by riding into the city, the young general had achieved what their desperate shouts and bloody battles could not.

This was the difference.

The younger generals of the Xia family wore complex expressions. As the rising stars of the Xia family, they had always measured themselves against the young talents of the Li family. And now, faced with Li Hao, they were utterly defeated.

Even if they combined their abilities, they couldn’t measure up to a fraction of his prowess. The realization filled them with a sense of despair.

Li Hao stayed in Liyang City for less than two days before receiving the Xia family’s invitation. The family head, Xia Linglong, had personally written a letter inviting him to visit the Divine General Mansion to express their gratitude.

Li Hao was surprised. He had planned to leave for Liang Province after his brief stay in Liyang City. But given the sincerity of the Xia family’s invitation, refusing would be impolite.

Fortunately, it was less than half a day’s journey from Liyang City to Youzhou City, so it wouldn’t cause much delay.

However, he was disappointed when the Xia family’s elder presented him with paintings and chess manuals. None of them were masterpieces worthy of inclusion in his collection.

As a border city plagued by frequent battles, Liyang City stored more arrows and grain than scholarly works or art—none of what he sought.

“Perhaps I can ask the Xia family to help find what I need when we meet,” Li Hao thought as he mounted his steed. He requested a passage token from the Xia family elder.

The elder offered to accompany Li Hao personally, but he declined, as the Candlefire God refused to bear extra riders.

Armed with the token, Li Hao saw no need for concealment. He urged the Candlefire God to fly at full speed.

The Candlefire God leapt into the air, revealing its fiery lion-dragon form before vanishing from sight.

“That’s... a demon steed?”

The Xia family elder and Xia Qingshuang were dumbfounded. Though they had battled demons their entire lives, they hadn’t recognized Li Hao’s steed as a transformed demon.

Moreover, the aura it exuded was terrifying—far beyond that of an ordinary great demon.

...

Youzhou City, Xia Family Divine General Mansion

Riding the Candlefire God, Li Hao approached the city. As they neared, he dismounted, allowing the Candlefire God to assume its human form and accompany him into the city.

The bustling streets were alive with activity. Li Hao strolled leisurely, letting the small creature perched on his wrist, Xiyan, take in the sights. The last time they had visited a small town, a single night at the opera had delighted her for days.

Street vendors sold lanterns, paper umbrellas, and rouge.

Li Hao bought a skewer of candied hawthorn, holding it in his hand as Xiyan occasionally extended a small red tendril to sample it.

“It’s so sweet!”

Xiyan nibbled at the candied fruit enthusiastically. “It’s not very nutritious, but it’s delicious.”

Li Hao chuckled. “I haven’t had the chance to cook for you yet. Once I do, you’ll see what I’m capable of.”

“Sure!”

Xiyan readily agreed.

Smiling faintly, Li Hao accompanied her on a casual exploration of the city before eventually making his way to the Xia Family Divine General Mansion.

When word of Li Hao’s arrival spread, the entire Xia family was thrown into a commotion. No one had expected him to come so quickly.

Xia Linglong, upon hearing the news, immediately set down her teacup and hurried out of the East Pavilion Courtyard to personally greet him at the entrance.

As she stepped outside, her gaze fell on the young man standing before the mansion gates. Her eyes instinctively focused on Li Hao.

The human form of the Candlefire God was unfamiliar to her. After all, it had remained hidden for so many years. Even during its appearance in Liang Province, its overwhelming divine aura had been too imposing for anyone to discern its true features. No one could have described it to her in detail.

“General Haotian, welcome to the Xia Family Mansion.”

Xia Linglong greeted him with a warm smile.

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