Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 288

Volume 3 - Chapter 36: Innate Sacred Bone

“Ji Leping?”

Hearing Li Hao’s words, Ji Boduan paused slightly, surprised. A maternal surname?

Traditionally, surnames were taken from the father. It was rare to see someone using their mother’s surname. Ji Boduan also knew that Li Hao’s mother, Ji Qingqing, had married someone from an outside clan beyond the Great Wilderness Heaven. Thus, it was impossible for the other clan to share the Ji surname.

He glanced at Li Hao, his previously gentle demeanor becoming slightly more reserved.

However, recalling the rumors above, about how the Ji family’s War God had praised this young man, and finding himself unable to discern Li Hao’s aura, Ji Boduan maintained a courteous tone:

“Please, follow me.”

Li Hao nodded and followed him.

The two quickly ascended the mountain.

Nearby, members of the Ji family’s younger generation, who had come to observe out of curiosity, frowned at Li Hao’s words. Some scoffed, others sneered.

“Ji Leping? What arrogance!”

“A barbarian from an outside clan daring to change his surname to ingratiate himself with the Ji family? Laughable!”

“He even abandoned his father’s surname. What a social climber. Does he think he can force his way into the Ji family?”

“I thought he might truly be the unparalleled genius described by the War God. Turns out, he’s just a petty opportunist. How disappointing.”

“Perhaps he sweet-talked the War God into believing him. Who knows what kind of luck he stumbled upon to even cross the River of Death? Ridiculous.”

Harsh words filled the air.

These younger members of the Ji family had no intention of restraining themselves before Li Hao. They were peers, and their shared bloodline made them inherently dismissive of someone born from a mixed marriage.

The War God’s praise for him only fueled their discontent. To them, it was akin to hearing that someone from a remote village dared claim superiority over them—a notion both embarrassing and infuriating.

Among the crowd were descendants of Ji Yunge’s brothers, who had come out of curiosity. Yet, after hearing Li Hao’s words and the surrounding comments, they couldn’t help but frown. The so-called genius described by their Uncle Yunge was a bitter disappointment to them.

A humble origin was one thing, but disdaining one’s own lineage? That naturally invited contempt.

Watching the young man quickly ascend the mountain, many followed, their eyes filled with disdain as if the sanctity of the Ji family’s holy land had been sullied.

If not for Li Hao’s efforts in returning Ji Yunge, they would have long since expelled—or even killed—such a person.

Before long, Li Hao followed Ji Boduan into the core of the sacred mountain.

This area was home to the Ji family’s most elite direct descendants.

Clusters of grand buildings spread like bamboo shoots across the land. The architecture was majestic and awe-inspiring.

The sacred mountain was vast, equivalent to the size of several cities, capable of housing tens of millions.

Most of the Ji family’s less talented members resided at the foot of the mountain, in the towns behind it, where they honed skills such as artifact crafting, alchemy, talisman creation, and more.

Others tilled the land, raised demon beasts, and performed various tasks as per their roles.

At present, within the core region on the southern face of the mountain, news of Li Hao’s arrival had drawn many members of the Ji family, all curious to observe him.

The summit of the sacred mountain was off-limits to ordinary members without an official summons.

However, the story of Ji Yunge had spread across the mountain, along with news of a young man with Ji family blood who had returned the War God.

“So, this is his son?”

“I can’t discern his cultivation. He does seem impressive.”

“What use is that? I just heard he changed his surname to Ji. Isn’t his motive obvious?”

“Could his passage through the River of Death have been orchestrated by his clan? If only we’d discovered where Ji Yunge was imprisoned along the river, we would’ve passed through it long ago!”

Amid the gathering crowd, voices rose in speculation.

Li Hao frowned as he overheard the noisy remarks. He could ignore the words of immature juniors, but among the crowd, even middle-aged men were coldly mocking him. His gaze turned icy.

“So this is how the Ji family treats its guests?”

Ji Boduan, who had just stopped, let out a wry smile. He understood why these people were talking—Li Hao’s choice to adopt his mother’s surname was indeed controversial.

While Ji Boduan served under a certain elder and supported Li Hao, he found it difficult to be partial.

Nevertheless, as someone tasked with receiving Li Hao, he raised his voice and shouted:

“Disperse! What’s there to gossip about? Move aside!”

After scolding the crowd, he turned to Li Hao and said, “Please follow me.”

He waved his hand to clear the gathered crowd and led Li Hao into a grand hall. Turning to Li Hao, he said, “Rest here for now. The War God Yunge is explaining your situation to the family head. Once a decision is made regarding your acceptance into the Ji family, I will inform you.”

With that, he turned and left, closing the doors behind him.

Li Hao frowned slightly but said nothing.

He had heard the comments along the way and knew there was no point in explaining himself.

His priority was to meet his mother. If he could help her escape her predicament, he would leave this place.

After all, the Great Yu Divine Dynasty could face a demon invasion at any moment. While he was not a member of the Li family, he was human. As he had once said, he would willingly contribute to the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

Moreover, he still owed a debt of gratitude to the emperor.

...

...

At the mountain’s summit...

Ji Yunge emerged from the ancestral hall, where he had paid his respects to the family’s ancestors and visited the spirits of his fallen brothers.

Those spirits, knowing they could not return to the ancestral hall and were destined to fade away, were sorrowful.

Ji Yunge had told the thirteenth elder about his grandson, praising the boy’s exceptional talent.

When Ji Yunge described Li Hao’s performance at the River of Death, the thirteenth elder was so shocked that his jaw dropped. His expression became complicated—he grieved for Ji Yunge and was intrigued by the boy.

“Fifteen years old and capable of fighting at the Absolute Technique Stage? Qingqing gave birth to such a powerful bloodline!”

“Sigh, Qingqing was foolish back then. Thankfully, the Divine Dynasty and her brothers interceded on her behalf, sparing her from lifelong imprisonment. But a thousand years of confinement is still unbearably harsh...”

The thirteenth elder’s emotions were turbulent.

When he first learned of his daughter’s secret marriage to someone outside the clan, he had nearly dissipated from rage.

But she was his daughter. Despite his fury and helplessness over the irrevocable situation, all he could do was protect her with his life. He blamed himself for failing to guide her and bore the responsibility.

Now, his daughter had produced a talented grandson, bringing a sliver of comfort to his troubled heart.

Ji Yunge, leaving the ancestral hall, bid farewell to the family head before returning with his brothers and family to their quarters.

As they revisited familiar sights, Ji Yunge was filled with nostalgia.

The others suppressed their grief, determined to accompany Ji Yunge with smiles during his final days.

During their journey, Ji Yunge thought of Li Hao and asked:

“Has the boy been settled?”

“Third Brother, given your condition, why are you still concerned about him? You...”

Ji Tianchao’s sorrow was evident, and he struggled to maintain his composure.

Nearby, Ji Yunqing tugged at him, then said to Ji Yunge, “Arrangements have been made. I’ll ask Qingmeng for details.”

He promptly summoned someone.

Shortly after, a woman arrived, bowing swiftly to the elders.

“How is the boy? Have you met him?” Ji Yunqing asked.

The woman was Ji Qingmeng, Ji Qingqing’s cousin. Her refined demeanor, willow-like brows, and almond-shaped eyes exuded elegance. She replied, “I sent someone to escort him. He’s at the Welcoming Hall. The family head is discussing his situation, but it seems Elder Qingyuan is unwilling to agree...”

“Qingyuan?”

Ji Yunge was puzzled. “Whose child is that?”

Names beginning with ‘Qing’ typically belonged to the younger generation within their sibling group, barring rare exceptions.

Table of Content - Next Chapter >>>