Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 284

Volume 3 - Chapter 34: Return! - Part 1

"I suggest we directly attack Qingzhou," a demon proposed in a low voice.

"If a war breaks out between Dragon City and the River of Death, our plans to invade the Great Yu Divine Dynasty will be delayed again. Now that the Merit Treasury has appeared and those River of Death passages are controlled by the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, we stand no chance of competing with them for it since we’ve paid little attention to the River of Death before."

"Our only chance is to strike first!"

"With the Desolate God of Heishan here, that old man from Qiandao Palace won’t dare to act rashly. If he does, their capital will surely fall!"

"Hmph, that’s easy for you of the Sacred Palace to say, but the Grand Elder of our Dragon Gate is still inside!" another demon said darkly.

"What do you think, Dragon King?"

The Palace Master of the Sacred Palace spoke, turning to look at the leader of the Dragon Gate.

Since the Candlefire God was absent, this secret meeting excluded any Void Realm demons. Only these two factions were present to make the decision.

Demons from the Void Realm had repeatedly begged for intervention, urging the rescue of their leader. However, with the Candlefire God absent, the others had no regard for the remaining Void Realm Demon Kings.

Moreover, the young man from earlier had slain seven Demon Kings in succession, dealing a significant blow to the Void Realm. Without the Candlefire God, the Void Realm would no longer remain one of the top-tier demonic forces and would instead be carved up and devoured.

For those unwilling to surrender, the only path left was death!

"Let’s wait one more month," the Dragon King said after a moment of silence, his tone heavy. "If there’s no action by then, we’ll attack Qingzhou immediately and annihilate the Li family!"

Hearing this, the Palace Master of the Sacred Palace nodded slightly and ceased arguing.

...

...

In the vast wilderness of the Great Wilderness Heaven, a figure darted swiftly through a valley shrouded in miasma. After stopping atop a mountain peak, he felt a sudden warmth in his palm as a golden light emerged.

"Hmm?"

The figure was none other than Li Tiangang, who had given chase earlier.

His armor was battered, and he looked weathered and weary, though the flesh wounds inflicted by Li Xiaoran had already healed.

When he saw the golden paper materialize and the message inscribed upon it, he froze in shock.

"The Merit Treasury?"

He was astonished. What kind of treasure was this?

After scanning his surroundings, he quickly found a hidden crevice between some rocks. Activating his divine sense, he explored the contents of the Merit Treasury.

Moments later, Li Tiangang withdrew his divine sense, his expression filled with awe.

"This treasury is an incredible find!"

"Who is this Chong Er? How did they manage to acquire 100,000 merit points all at once?"

Inwardly astonished, he sifted through the list of powerful Fourth Pillar experts he knew. Most had long vanished into obscurity, pursuing greater martial paths.

"The name is odd—there’s no surname. This person likely doesn’t belong to any of the elder generations in the Divine General Mansions. Otherwise, they would proudly announce their family name to bring prestige and benefits to their clan."

"The Merit List is also a list of virtuous individuals. Good deeds earn reputation."

Li Tiangang’s gaze sharpened as he realized the immense significance of the Merit Treasury to the Great Yu Divine Dynasty.

"It seems our dynasty’s fortune is on the rise. To think such a bizarre and mysterious treasure was hidden in the River of Death, waiting for someone to accumulate enough merit to uncover its true benefits."

For centuries, no one had uncovered the secrets of the River of Death—until today.

Li Tiangang couldn’t help but admire and feel curious about this Chong Er.

Even the Wang family, after hundreds of years, had failed to achieve such a feat. How did this individual accomplish it?

Furthermore, before the Merit Treasury was activated, no one knew of its existence. Aside from the Wang family, few dared to venture into Netherworld-Level River of Death passages, given the immense danger.

How perilous could such an undertaking be?

"This senior must surely be a compassionate and virtuous individual," Li Tiangang thought to himself.

Undertaking such a risky challenge with no guarantee of reward and successfully passing through indicated not only immense strength capable of overcoming the River of Death but also a selfless dedication to the most challenging path.

Such actions deserved profound respect!

"Once I return, I’ll surely learn more. His Majesty will likely bestow great honors upon this person, granting titles and land!"

"However, with the Merit Treasury now open, the River of Death will undoubtedly become a coveted resource. Perhaps the Wang family will finally be able to divert their attention elsewhere."

"Maybe, upon my return, His Majesty will consult me on the redrawing of major provincial borders. Military authority might even need to be partially relinquished, returning what the Wang family lost all those years ago..."

Li Tiangang’s thoughts deepened, and his mind wandered farther.

But the distant roar of a ferocious beast snapped him out of his reverie.

This was still the Great Wilderness Heaven.

"I’ll think about this later. For now, my priority is finding Hao’er."

Li Tiangang composed himself, suppressing his thoughts about the Merit Treasury.

As Li Hao came to mind, so did the memory of his father’s dying wails, causing a faint sting in his nose.

However, his resolve quickly hardened. Launching himself forward, he tore through the miasma, racing toward the Ji family’s territory at full speed, hoping he wasn’t too late.

...

...

In the Great Wilderness Heaven, within the Ji family’s domain, Li Hao refocused his thoughts as the system notification for passing the River of Death concluded.

He suspected that this would cause a stir within the Great Yu Divine Dynasty but felt no concern. To him, fame was nothing but a burden.

Though he had once basked in glory, it hadn’t brought him much joy.

The world chased after renown, but all Li Hao desired was a quiet, uneventful life.

"Let’s go," he said.

Ji Yunge, who had flown ahead, was already urging him onward with impatience.

Li Hao caught up, asking, "Senior, now that the River of Death has disappeared, can you return to the Ji family’s ancestral shrine?"

He thought of the elder who shared his bloodline. Even if he could only see him once, the idea filled him with a quiet melancholy.

Despite longing so deeply to return home, a mere glance was all he could afford.

One glance would never be enough to erase all the sorrow and regret.

"I can go back," Ji Yunge said with a carefree laugh, "but like your grandfather, I’ve been deeply corrupted by the River of Death. Now that it’s gone, I, too, will soon fade away."

He spoke lightly, with an unrestrained air.

"But I’m stronger than your grandfather. I’ll last a bit longer, enough to visit some old friends and comrades..."

With that, he waved his hand, and the air before them rippled like folds in a fabric.

His figure stepped into the ripple and vanished.

Li Hao followed, stepping forward. However, as his wrist touched the ripple, it grew uncomfortably warm—the Crimson Blood Vine Ring was being blocked.

"I… I don’t think I can pass through," said the Scarlet Blood Vine Demon King, lifting a tendril in nervous frustration.

The ripple cracked open slightly, creating a small fissure. Ji Yunge’s voice came from within: "Now you can come in."

Li Hao immediately extended the Crimson Blood Vine Ring toward the opening and stepped through himself.

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