Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 295

Volume 3 - Chapter 40: I Don't Care About the Name Ji, but My Name Cannot Be Insulted! - Part 1

A burst of radiant light erupted from the sacred pillar, enveloping a single drop of blood. The drop detached from the pillar and hovered in the air, perfectly round.

Following this, a silvery-gray light emanated from the sacred pillar, piercing through the drop of blood. The light transformed the blood into a silver hue before casting its illumination upon Li Hao.

“He’s indeed a descendant of the Ji family.”

When the sacred light penetrated the blood, everyone understood that this young man undeniably bore the bloodline of the Ji family.

They held their breath, watching as the silver light pierced through the blood and shone upon Li Hao. The light scanned him from head to toe, bathing him in its silvery glow. His entire body seemed transparent, with dazzling streaks of silver radiance flowing within his skin. This brilliance was the manifestation of the Ji family bloodline, drawn forth by the power of a sage.

After a long moment, the silvery light faded and dissipated, and the Sacrificial Platform returned to its prior state.

“No response from the sacred sound, no sacred bones…”

Before the youth could open his eyes, the onlookers, observing the lack of any further phenomena, were unable to hide their disappointment.

Standing closest, Ji Daoxin furrowed his brows slightly and sighed inwardly. However, he quickly reminded himself that Li Hao was only of mixed blood. If he truly awakened sacred bones, his luck would have been extraordinary.

Still, the absence of sacred bones was ultimately a regret.

Ji Tianchao, Ji Yun Yue, and the others sighed in disappointment as well. Although the absence of sacred bones would not diminish their regard for Li Hao, possessing them would have meant even greater achievements for the child.

Nearby, Ji Qingfeng smirked faintly. He was tempted to say something mocking to his father but hesitated when he noticed that his father and several uncles wore faintly furrowed brows and showed no signs of joy. He was momentarily taken aback.

He suddenly realized that his father and the others didn’t seem particularly hostile toward the youth.

Was it because he had returned War God Yunge to them?

“See? A mixed blood could never have sacred bones!”

“Letting him step onto the Sacrificial Platform is an insult to the ancestor!”

Nearby, several branch elders aligned with Ji Qingyuan exhaled in relief and then began sneering.

On the Sacrificial Platform, Li Hao opened his eyes. Hearing the murmured voices around him, he knew he indeed lacked sacred bones.

He wasn’t surprised by this outcome. If he had sacred bones, he would have sensed it long ago. At the seventh stage of the Body Refining Dao, his understanding of his physical state was so keen that it was impossible for such an anomaly to go unnoticed.

Turning, Li Hao faced Ji Daoxin, knowing this man was the current head of the Ji family—a figure even Ji Yunge treated with respect. Bowing slightly, he said, “Senior, I wish to see my mother.”

Ji Daoxin was mildly startled. Observing the youth’s unshaken demeanor, devoid of even the slightest trace of disappointment, he felt surprised.

Among the Ji family geniuses who had come to the Sacrificial Platform to test for sacred bones, nearly all had been unable to hide their disappointment upon learning they hadn’t awakened sacred bones.

Yet the youth before him remained exceedingly calm. Ji Daoxin could tell this was not a facade or act of restraint—Li Hao genuinely did not place much importance on sacred bones.

Perhaps he doesn’t understand their significance... Ji Daoxin’s gaze flickered, and he replied, “Although you have entered the Ji family, your mother violated family rules and is currently serving her sentence. You cannot see her.”

Li Hao immediately countered, “But Senior Yunge said that as long as I became a Ji family genius, I could see her and help atone for her sins!”

“You wish to atone for your mother’s sins and set her free?” Ji Daoxin frowned slightly. “That would be very difficult. Unless you become the foremost genius of the Ji family and attain the rank of Dao Seed, it’s impossible to secure her pardon.”

Li Hao nodded. “Senior Yunge told me the same. I want to try.”

“Now?”

Ji Daoxin was momentarily taken aback. Although he sensed Li Hao’s restrained aura and noticed a peculiar concealment technique veiling it, he could still discern the youth’s physical strength, which was immensely vigorous and far beyond the Three Immortals Realm.

“Yes.” Li Hao nodded earnestly.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Though the conversation between the two wasn’t loud, most present were cultivators who overheard it clearly. Li Hao’s intent to challenge all Ji family geniuses to attain the Dao Seed rank left them stunned, soon giving way to outrage.

“What nonsense! Who does he think he is?”

“Just joined the Ji family and already wants to become a Dao Seed? Does he think our other geniuses are all like Ji Yufen?”

“Let him try! Have Ji Mingmu teach him a harsh lesson!”

“The Ji family’s geniuses cannot be insulted. He’s far too arrogant!”

The crowd seethed with anger, feeling that Li Hao’s arrogance showed a blatant disregard for the other geniuses.

Amid the murmurs, Ji Yufen, who had just recovered, flushed with embarrassment. He felt as though this youth’s audacity stemmed entirely from the confidence gained by defeating him.

“Bastard!” Ji Yufen ground his teeth, trembling with rage.

“Are you certain?” Ji Daoxin frowned slightly. “To become a Dao Seed, you must defeat all Ji family geniuses, claim the top position, and prove yourself the strongest. Although you defeated Ji Yufen earlier, he is among the youngest of the geniuses and ranks near the bottom in strength.”

Among the geniuses, even a few years of age difference could translate into vastly different levels of power.

The younger generation included figures such as Ji Mingque and others nearing thirty, whose strength was immensely formidable.

“Yes.” Li Hao nodded solemnly, without a trace of hesitation.

Ji Daoxin studied Li Hao deeply, with both regret and disappointment in his gaze. “Very well. If that is your decision, so be it.”

Had Li Hao been willing to bide his time for a few more years, Ji Daoxin might have held greater hope for him. But now, the youth was simply too young.

“Master, let me discipline him!” A voice rang out as a figure soared into the air, landing just outside the Sacrificial Platform. The man glared at Li Hao and declared, “I am Ji Mingxin. Don’t say I’m bullying someone younger; this is a death wish of your own making!”

Li Hao looked up at the speaker, who appeared slightly older than Ji Mingque—likely around twenty-four or twenty-five, clearly an adult.

“No problem.” Li Hao replied calmly.

Ji Daoxin observed Li Hao’s confidence. Thinking back to how Li Hao had defeated Ji Yufen, he assumed the youth had likely grown up as a genius in the outside world and was thus unaccustomed to setbacks, resulting in his current arrogance. Ji Daoxin sighed inwardly.

“This is not the place for fighting. If you wish to challenge for the Dao Seed rank, you must ring the Sacred Bell to summon all other geniuses to Tiandao Mountain.”

Ji Daoxin’s words reverberated, and everyone realized the gravity of the situation. The patriarch’s statement was no trivial matter. If the Sacred Bell was rung, Li Hao’s challenge would become an irreversible commitment.

Ji Yun Yue and several others hurried to the platform. Stepping forward, Ji Yun Yue anxiously said, “Child, don’t be so hasty. With a few more years of cultivation, the Ji family’s abundant resources will ensure you grow even stronger.”

“That’s right. Even if you’re confident, waiting a few years would be more prudent,” another elder chimed in.

“Don’t rush, child. Acting recklessly could result in hidden injuries that might impede your future cultivation,” Ji Yunqing added, joining the effort to dissuade him.

Although they had learned from Ji Yunge that Li Hao possessed extraordinary strength and had the potential to become a leader among the Ji family’s geniuses, Li Hao was undeniably too young and inexperienced.

“I want to bring her back as soon as possible,” Li Hao said simply.

Hearing the determination in his voice, Ji Yunqing and the others fell silent, their expressions turning grave. They could see the unwavering resolve in his eyes but were at a loss for how to respond.

Ji Daoxin, seeing that even Ji Yun Yue and the others couldn’t dissuade him, waved his hand decisively. “Follow me to ring the Sacred Bell.”

Li Hao nodded and followed as Ji Daoxin flew toward the mountain peak.

…

At the summit, there was a grand platform with an ancient, enormous bell that resembled a colossal cauldron.

“Striking the Sacred Bell to initiate the Dao Seed battle will leave you with no way out,” Ji Daoxin said solemnly.

Li Hao nodded, then used his energy to lift the divine iron hammer before slamming it into the massive bell. A crisp and resonant chime echoed across the entire sacred mountain.

In an instant, the clear bell sound spread through the mountain, reaching even the Ji family members residing in the mountain city on the other side. All who heard it were shocked.

The ringing of the Sacred Bell signified the start of the Dao Seed challenge—a declaration that someone intended to fight all the Ji family’s geniuses. This wasn’t a sparring match but an all-out battle that could lead to severe injuries or even death.

After all, the Dao Seed battle would push every participant to their limits, with combatants potentially resorting to secret techniques. It wasn’t something that could be halted easily.

“This child… he’s far too impatient,” Ji Yun Yue muttered, her face pale upon hearing the bell’s sound.

If memory served, the boy was only fifteen years old. Challenging the Ji family’s geniuses, some of whom were in their mid-to-late twenties and nearing their peak strength, was akin to climbing an impossible mountain.

“Third Brother was right. This child is deeply emotional, and his devotion to his mother is unparalleled. Such sincerity surpasses that of many others,” Ji Tianchao said, his gaze heavy as he looked toward the mountain peak.

“Can’t we stop him? Is there still time?” Ji Yun Yue asked urgently.

Ji Tianchao shook his head slightly. “There’s no need to worry too much. Third Brother mentioned that this child can contend with those in the Absolute Technique Stage. He wouldn’t have exaggerated. Perhaps this child really does have what it takes.”

“How could that be?” Ji Yun Yue retorted, her eyes wide with disbelief. Then, recalling her earlier attempts to gauge Li Hao’s cultivation, she realized she couldn’t determine his exact strength. Could he already have reached the Reverse Fate Realm?

If so, a Reverse Fate cultivator battling against those in the Absolute Technique Stage would indeed be monstrous, but not entirely impossible.

“Still, the child is too impulsive. His mother is on Prison Sky Island. While it’s harsh, a mere few years there isn’t unbearable...”

Ji Yun Yue sighed helplessly.

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