The Name of Eternals

Chapter 200: Grasping the Sword Again

"Comparable to a Saint's reincarnation!"

The old Daoist from Qingqiu Mountain, beyond excited, said, "Young master's bones far exceed the ninth-grade war body. This is something I haven't seen in thousands of years!"

Qingqiu Mountain, after joining Great Yu, kept to itself. The old Daoist was an ancient fox from Qingqiu Mountain with vast knowledge.

"Oh?"

Li Tianzong's eyes lit up. Comparable to a Saint's reincarnation?! Chen Hefang and the others were also stunned, looking at the old Daoist in disbelief.

"A typical ninth-grade war body has at least one primary bone, like a divine jade of gold and iron, glowing with a rainbow sheen and with flowing patterns on the surface, considered supreme."

The old Daoist said excitedly, "But the young master's entire skeleton is like this!"

"All 72 primary bones shine with divine light, their patterns flowing like innate Dao patterns!"

"Once the young master begins his cultivation journey, he will soar to great heights, comparable to a Saint's reincarnation. His path of cultivation will be smooth, breaking through realms as easily as eating and drinking, unmatched by anyone!!"

Hearing this, Chen Hefang and the others snapped out of their shock, looking at Li Hao with both surprise and joy.

This was an extraordinary assessment! Usually, a ninth-grade war body was the limit, but Li Hao's entire body was of divine bone, as magnificent as jade, comparable to a Saint's reincarnation! A true Saint had always been a legend, rumored to be living in seclusion, transcendent. The closest to a Saint in the Great Yu Dynasty was a true person from the Qiandao Palace.

"Excellent, excellent, as expected of my son!"

Li Tianzong laughed heartily, his face radiant with joy.

"Congratulations, Duke, congratulations, Madam!"

The old Daoist bowed in congratulations, his eyes sweeping over the child beside him, secretly astonished. Such talent was even more formidable than that of the Great Yu's first emperor.

The Li family, with its abundance of talent, was likely to rise to new heights again!

"Well done, Little Ten!"

"Wow, Little Ten, you've surpassed us all!"

"Ninth brother, you've been outdone by Little Ten!"

The other "brothers" excitedly gathered around Li Hao, some hooking their arms around his shoulders, some rubbing his hair, all with joy and excitement.

Among them was Li Junye, who was two years older than Li Hao, now seven years old, already showing remarkable comprehension and talent in the training ground.

But he was still a child, and now he looked at Li Hao with joy, saying, "Tenth brother, in another year, you can start cultivating too!"

"We need to work harder not to be overtaken by Little Ten."

The other "brothers" laughed.

Li Hao looked at these "uncles" surrounding him, feeling strange. Although he knew his current identity and had joined them with this super generational leap, interacting like this still felt odd.

His eyes swept over their genuine, smiling faces, and he could feel their true brotherly love, without any barriers.

This was also due to the elders' teachings and the fact that they were full siblings.

Faced with their enthusiastic and excited touches, Li Hao felt a bit uncomfortable and wanted to skip this moment.

But being the center of attention, he worried that skipping might show a noticeable difference from his "automated" state, exposing flaws, so he endured for now.

"You little rascal, you're amazing!"

"How come the younger you are, the smarter you get? Did mother save the best for last?"

"Are you saying the eldest isn't the smartest?"

"Hey, don't pinch me, it hurts!"

The "brothers" surrounded Li Hao, playing and joking, sometimes using him as a shield.

Li Hao was pulled and tugged, his hair messed up, feeling a bit helpless. His mature soul couldn't fully blend in, but somehow, this atmosphere made him feel comfortable and content.

That day, Li Tianzong spread the news and held a grand banquet.

The mansion was bustling with excitement.

Li Hao watched the brightly lit Divine General's Mansion, the cheerful and playful Li family's nine sons, feeling a bit dazed.

Was this the former glory of the Li family? Compared to the cold, empty courtyards with only women left, this was much livelier.

When they all married, it would be even more festive.

But for some reason, though surrounded by this joy, Li Hao felt like an outsider, more serene and calm than ever, with a hint of chill.

He knew this joyful scene no longer existed outside the River of the Dead.

And he was no longer part of the Li family.

"Tenth brother, what are you thinking about?"

Li Xingbei, holding a wine cup, walked over, having just toasted with the nobles who came to congratulate them. He now circled back to Li Hao, smiling:

"Is the food not to your taste? Tell me, and I'll have it changed."

"Tenth brother, are you nervous because of the crowd? Haha, don't worry. Even the nobles must lower their heads before our Li family!"

Li Fengping joined, laughing but speaking softly.

After speaking, he laughed heartily.

"Several dukes just offered marriage proposals for Tenth Brother!" Li Jianming, about fifteen, said with a smile.

Li Hao remembered that this third uncle seemed to have died on the frontier, fighting demons, his only daughter joining the army for revenge, never returning to the Li Mansion for many years.

"Yes, many wanted to marry Ninth Brother too, but father refused them all."

Li Xingbei laughed, "Now with Tenth Brother's higher talent, even the royal family would have to consider carefully."

They chatted around Li Hao, who listened silently. Seeing more figures approaching, including a particularly conspicuous one, he looked away, closed his eyes, and skipped ahead.

The sounds of laughter and chatter faded, replaced by a sense of weakness.

Li Hao, surprised, found himself lying on a bed.

He tried moving his hand but felt weak and powerless.

Sensing his awakening, a figure beside him, who had been dozing, jumped up and rushed to his bedside: "Tenth Brother, how do you feel? Better?"

Li Hao recognized the face from the bone measurement memory, knowing it was Sixth Brother, Li Ziye.

He was Li Yuanzhao's father.

But now, Li Ziye looked barely over ten, still very young.

Yet, his eyes showed genuine concern and anxiety.

Perhaps due to Li Yuanzhao, Li Hao felt a natural affinity, asking, "Sixth Brother?"

"You're finally awake. Earlier at the banquet, a demon disguised as a noble almost killed you."

Li Ziye sighed in relief, then immediately shouted outside.

A demon attack... Li Hao felt a chill. At only five, a demon already tried to kill him, infiltrating the Divine General's Mansion.

Whether it was a flaw of the River of the Dead or a demon's special infiltration technique, he couldn't be sure.

"Luckily, Fourth Uncle intervened and killed the demon." Li Ziye said.

Li Hao felt relieved. It seemed Fourth Uncle had been watching over him, able to act in time.

"The others were also injured but are recovering." Li Ziye said.

Li Hao asked, "Is everyone else okay?"

"They're fine, just minor injuries. The demon targeted you and Ninth Brother."

Li Ziye said, "Ninth Brother was further away and not badly hurt."

"That's good." Li Hao felt at ease.

With his awakening, many people rushed in.

"Tenth Brother, are you okay?" Chen Hefang hurried in, full of worry and concern.

Li Hao saw his other "brothers," but not Li Tianzong, and asked, "Where's father?"

"Father went outside the city to slay demons, seeking justice for you." Li Fengping said, his forehead bandaged, seemingly injured.

Li Hao remained silent.

He knew he needed to start training seriously.

Li Hao's eyes swept over their faces, then he closed his eyes, speeding up the recovery period.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in the side room, before his drawing board, fully recovered, the weakness gone.

The absence of the bustling crowd created a stark contrast, but he quickly adjusted and resumed drawing.

As he drew, he considered expanding into other skills to gain more skill points quickly.

Halfway through his drawing, the door opened, and Li Hongzhuang peeked in.

Now three, she had begun her foundational training.

"Finished your training today?" Li Hao asked.

"Mm."

Li Hongzhuang nodded, despite being three, showing remarkable intelligence and understanding, saying: "Tenth Brother, why do you draw every day?"

"Because I like it."

"Do you like Hongzhuang too?"

"Of course."

"Then spend more time with Hongzhuang."

She tugged at his clothes, looking up with expectant eyes.

Li Hao smiled wryly, seeing her trying to trap him with words.

"Alright, I'll accompany you." He said, growing more accustomed and adept at his current role.

"Hmph, you just do your own thing and don't play with Hongzhuang."

She pouted.

Li Hao suggested hide-and-seek to distract her.

Her eyes lit up, and she quickly agreed, running out to hide.

Once she was gone, Li Hao continued drawing.

Tired from drawing, he thought of accumulating cooking experience in the kitchen for early skill points.

He also considered collecting some wood for carving skills.

Heading out, he found Li Hongzhuang pouting at the door. "Why are you here?"

"You didn't come to find me!"

She said angrily.

Li Hao chuckled, "I looked for you everywhere and thought you hid here."

"Liar, I was in the flowerbed."

"..."

Li Hao sighed, seeing her sharpness, and said, "Let's cook together."

Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "What will we make?"

"You'll see."

He led her to the kitchen, where the staff quickly made way for him.

Acting maturely, he took charge, involving Li Hongzhuang in cooking.

Children, especially girls, naturally enjoyed playing house. She soon forgot about earlier, helping diligently.

"Young master..."

The kitchen staff watched nervously, ready to assist.

They were also curious about this famed young master they rarely saw.

As the stove lit, Li Hao cooked methodically.

"Can I pour this now?"

"Later."

"Okay!"

"Is the green onion added last?"

"Yes."

She followed his instructions, his keen assistant.

Li Hao smiled, seeing the experience points increase. By age six, he should have four or five skill points.

Soon, the servants suddenly knelt in panic:

"Master, please calm down."

Two figures entered, richly dressed—Li Tianzong and Chen Hefang.

Seeing Li Hao on a stool, cooking, they were stunned. Hearing the staff's report, they had rushed over.

Li Tianzong had returned from slaying demons, changing into fine clothes. The banquet attack was over half a month ago.

"Tenth Brother, what are you doing?"

He asked, puzzled, "Who taught you this?"

Li Hao, seeing his frown, quickly made an excuse, "I wanted to cook for you."

Li Hongzhuang nodded, smiling, "Father, Mother, we're almost done. Do you want to eat?"

They were speechless. Cooking was servants' work, not for them.

But seeing Li Hao's nervousness and her bright smile, they softened.

Before they could speak, Li Hao declared, "The food is ready, add salt."

Li Hongzhuang, serious, carefully added a big spoonful.

"Too much."

He used the spatula to remove some, thinking he should handle seasonings himself next time.

He served the food, hesitating, "Do you want to try?"

Li Tianzong tasted it with his fingers, hiding his reaction, nodding, "Not bad."

"Use chopsticks."

Chen Hefang, seeing his roughness, took the chopsticks, tasting it, frowning slightly.

But seeing his pleased smile, she said, "You worked hard. Let's wash up and go back."

"Bring the dish. My son's cooking suits me. Bring some wine, I'll savor it."

He ordered.

Li Hao was surprised. His cooking skill was not even at level one, relying on past experience.

He tasted it and nearly spat it out. It was too salty! Seeing his reaction, Li Tianzong laughed, "Less salt next time. Don't waste food. Farmers work hard and risk demon attacks. Respect food."

Li Hao nodded, "Got it."

Before leaving, he took two wooden blocks.

"What for?" Chen Hefang asked.

"I want to carve something for you."

"Can you carve?" Li Tianzong asked.

"Not yet, but I'll learn."

"Don't spend too much time on this. Focus on martial arts. You're about to start training." Chen Hefang advised.

Li Tianzong nodded, "Your main task is martial arts. It's fine to play, but don't get too absorbed."

"Understood."

Seeing their moderate stance, he felt relieved.

Back in the courtyard, he asked Uncle Zhao for a knife and started carving.

With carving skills recorded, he began accumulating experience.

His carvings became increasingly lifelike.

Time flew by.

Li Hao accelerated every two days. His five-year-old body, though strong, still needed rest.

After two or three jumps, he reached six.

During his time jumps, his skills like carving and painting continued to grow.

Now, his painting was at level five, cooking at level two, and carving at level three.

He had five skill points again!

"Tenth Brother, this is your first training. Which weapon do you like?"

Li Tianzong brought him to the training ground, where his "brothers" and other Li family members were training.

He saw a young face resembling Li He and another like Li Fu.

Li Fu lived in the secondary courtyard, raised as Li Tianzong's illegitimate son.

Li Hao didn't waste time, quickly picking a long sword.

He wielded it with familiarity, already having a level one sword skill.

"Like the sword? Then try it."

Li Tianzong smiled, signaling the instructor to teach Li Hao basic sword techniques.

The instructor, respectful, demonstrated the moves, then said, "Young master, did you remember what I showed? Try it and show me your understanding."

Li Hao raised his hand, the sword flashing into motion.