Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 248

Volume 3 - Chapter 14: If Only You Were Truly My Son – Part 2

He excelled in both spear and sword techniques, integrating spear intent into the Sword Dao to step into the Grandmaster Realm. Breaking through the Three Immortals, he had now reached the Undying Realm with astonishing speed.

Originally the most dazzling figure among the nine brothers, his radiance had now been overshadowed by Li Hao.

“Don’t mention him anymore. Let’s first figure out how to deal with this demon horde and help relieve Father’s burden,” Li Tiangang said solemnly.

Li Junye stared intently at the demon horde, pondering.

“These demon kings are keeping their distance, only using low-level demons to probe us. If we can lure them closer and coordinate with our uncles hidden in the shadows, we should be able to take down a few.”

“Luring the enemy?”

Li Xuanli’s gaze flickered. “It’s a decent idea, but the demon kings’ attacks are terrifying. We might not withstand their first strike.”

“I have the Sacred Heart Talisman, which can hold them off momentarily,” Li Junye replied. “I’ll act as the bait while you stay here.”

“Ninth Brother, don’t go! It’s too dangerous. Father has ordered us to remain within the array and not step outside,” Li Tiangang immediately objected.

Li Junye glanced at the demon horde and said, “Seventh Brother, don’t worry. I know my limits.”

With that, he summoned Yongye, then charged out of the array.

The demon kings within the horde seemed to sense something, their gazes instantly locking onto Li Junye.

“You little whelp from the Li family dares seek death!”

A multi-eyed demon dragon snarled and lunged at Li Junye.

Noticing this, two other demon kings abandoned their battle with the older Li family members and charged toward him.

Li Junye remained calm, his expression unchanging. He swung his sword in a furious slash, but the attack was easily deflected by a demon king, who then struck back with a bolt of black lightning that landed squarely on him.

Li Junye didn’t immediately use the Sacred Heart Talisman, as the demon kings weren’t close enough yet. Instead, he unleashed all his strength, activating his ultimate technique to shield himself, enduring the blow head-on.

With a resounding crash, his body was sent flying backward. Blood spurted from his mouth, and his entire body, now blackened and mangled, felt paralyzed.

As the other demon kings launched another attack, Li Junye desperately crawled back toward the array.

Seeing this, the demon kings became even more aggressive, quickening their pursuit. At this critical moment, Li Junye ignited the Sacred Heart Talisman.

The other Li family members received Li Xuanli’s transmitted message and were already aware of Li Junye’s plan. Enraged, they roared and charged out of the array.

Meanwhile, the older generation, hidden within the city, unsheathed their swords and joined the battle, engaging the demon kings in fierce combat.

The demon kings, taken by surprise, attempted to retreat but were too late. Surrounded, they were soon slain.

By then, Li Tiangang had dragged Li Junye back into the array.

“Ninth Brother, that was far too reckless!” Li Tiangang scolded angrily.

Li Junye forced a weak smile. “But it worked, didn’t it?”

“Focus on recovering. Don’t speak anymore,” Li Xuanli urged.

Li Junye immediately calmed his mind, took some pills, and closed his eyes to heal his Undying Treasure Body.

Thanks to Li Junye’s diversion, several demon kings were slain, greatly reducing the pressure from the demon horde’s assault. The defenders now had much-needed breathing room.

These demon kings, seemingly less intelligent and cunning than those beyond the River of Death, appeared to be driven by lingering obsessions. Upon sensing the Li family’s bloodline, they attacked with an almost maddened frenzy.

...

On the third day, Li Junye used the same tactic to lure the enemy again.

But this time, a figure suddenly emerged from the demon kings, delivering a devastating strike that shattered the Sacred Heart Talisman’s divine light and sent Li Junye flying. He was killed instantly.

“Ninth Brother!!”

Li Tiangang and the others roared in fury, their eyes bloodshot.

The assailant was revealed to be a demon king at the Absolute Technique Stage, whose strikes were as relentless as thunder. The demon king began attacking Dragon City’s array, repeatedly battering it.

Li Tianzong arrived swiftly, his expression a mix of shock and grief upon hearing the anguished cries of Li Xuanli and the others.

Clenching his fists, he sent a command to the hidden third brother to eliminate the demon king.

Li Xuanli wielded his spear and charged out, engaging the demon king in a ferocious battle that shook the heavens, with neither side gaining the upper hand.

...

That evening, Li Hao and Li Xiaoran learned of Li Junye’s death. Neither spoke, but a heavy silence filled the air.

Having already witnessed the deaths of several comrades, they had braced themselves for this eventuality.

Yet everyone knew they existed only because of Li Tianzong’s will. Thus, their grief wasn’t overwhelming.

The real Li Junye had died in Cangzhou, saving countless civilians from disaster.

Now, as Dragon City faced inevitable destruction and the entire city’s doom approached, everything was only beginning.

On the third day, Li Hao and Li Xiaoran faced immense pressure. Seven or eight demon kings appeared in the demon tide, with one at the Absolute Technique Stage leading the assault.

Li Hao’s Azure Frost Sword was entangled with the Absolute Technique Stage demon king, leaving him unable to assist, which led to the array enduring relentless attacks from multiple demon kings.

“Tomorrow, the array will likely fall,” Li Xiaoran said during a brief respite as the demon tide temporarily retreated. “When that happens, we’ll have to retreat to the Divine General Mansion. The array there can hold out a bit longer.”

Li Hao hadn’t expected the city’s defenses to falter so soon.

By then, the Candlefire God and the ancient dragon, Lu Yuan, had yet to make their move.

“If we retreat to the Divine General Mansion, the Candlefire God will likely arrive, deploying a Dao Domain outside the mansion to assault the array,” Li Hao said grimly.

Li Xiaoran sighed. “This situation is already much better than before. When I was alone, the array was in tatters by the third day, barely holding. With you sharing the burden, we’ve managed to keep other areas intact, allowing reinforcements to aid elsewhere.”

Li Hao fell silent.

...

That night, Li Hao saw a group of figures approaching the city wall. Looking closer, he realized they were female warriors, including “Mother,” Chen Hefang.

“小十, you must be exhausted,” Chen Hefang said, her stern gaze softening as she approached Li Hao. “Your father sent me to call you back. He has something important to tell you.”

Li Hao glanced at her. “You’re all...”

“The Li family does not fear death,” Chen Hefang said softly. “For the dawn and its people, the Li family will fight to the last drop of blood!”

Her words struck a chord deep within Li Hao.

The other female warriors also smiled at him.

“We’ve heard that Little Ten is exceptional, holding his ground at the Three Immortals Realm. Truly impressive.”

“With a son like this, the Li family has not shamed its ancestors.”

“Good child, hurry back now.”

These female warriors were Li Hao’s aunts and relatives. While he didn’t recognize all of them, he knew they were part of the Li family.

“It’s likely about the ancestral shrine,” Li Xiaoran transmitted to him.

He recalled receiving a similar summons from Li Tianzong when the city walls were near collapse.

Li Hao remained silent for a moment before bidding farewell to “Mother” and the female warriors. Then, he leaped off the wall and headed back to the Divine General Mansion.

...

Upon returning to the mansion, he was greeted by a sight of desolation. What was once a bustling courtyard, filled with guests and prosperity, now lay in neglect, with fallen leaves scattered across the ground and no one to sweep them.

The spacious courtyard was eerily empty, with only a few remaining servants.

Most had either donned armor and joined the city’s defensive forces or had been dismissed, leaving only a handful of familiar faces behind.

Li Hao noticed the young steward, Zhao Bo, wearing battle armor, seemingly ready to head to the battlefield at any moment.

“Young Master, you’re back. The master is waiting for you in the main hall,” Zhao Bo said, bowing respectfully upon seeing him.

Li Hao glanced at him, his lips moving slightly as though he wanted to speak, but he ultimately said nothing.

Turning away, he entered the main hall and found his “Father” seated at a dining table, alone and silent.

Hearing footsteps, Li Tianzong raised his head. His bloodshot eyes carried a hint of shadowy malevolence, like a lingering aura of darkness.

Li Hao sensed the chilling and eerie energy emanating from him, but it dissipated in an instant. When Li Tianzong’s gaze fell upon Li Hao, his previously cold expression softened with a trace of warmth.

“小十, come and sit,” Li Tianzong beckoned, his voice gentle and kind.

Li Hao nodded, his mind prepared thanks to Li Xiaoran’s earlier transmission.

But witnessing the grim reality, with so many of the Li family’s nine sons now dead, even though he knew the others were manifestations of Li Tianzong’s will, Li Hao couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.

It was like watching a tragic play—impossible not to be moved by the profound sadness within it.

Even more so, he had lived through this. The concern and care his “brothers” had shown him, their selflessness and brotherly love, all felt achingly real.

The only difference was that in reality, they never had the chance to exist.

“Little Ten, you are the most outstanding talent the Li family has seen in centuries,” Li Tianzong said, gesturing for Li Hao to sit beside him. At this moment, the table was set for only the two of them. Li Tiangang, Li Xuanli, and the others were still on the city walls, maintaining vigilance.

Li Hao sat silently, listening quietly, waiting for the inevitable topic of the ancestral shrine to arise.

“These days, I’ve been watching your growth closely,” Li Tianzong said, his gaze warm as he looked at Li Hao. “I love the carvings you made for us and the paintings you created for me and your mother. I will treasure them forever.

“The dishes you’ve cooked for us are delicious—the best I’ve ever tasted...

“What virtue or ability do I, Li Tianzong, have to deserve a son like you?”

He placed his broad hand gently on Li Hao’s shoulder, his voice softening as he said:

“This time spent together has brought me great joy.”

As he spoke, a faint smile appeared on his face. Then, his expression turned wistful as he murmured:

“If only you were truly my son...”

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