The Name of Eternals

Chapter 202: Inheriting the True Dragon

"Possibly even beyond!"

Li Tianzong's experienced eyes gleamed with insight, seeing Li Hao's effortless display of power. This wasn't something achievable at the Zhoutian Realm.

"Even beyond?"

Chen Hefang was stunned, incredulously looking at Li Hao on the stage. The child was only seven years old! At this moment, Li Hao's easy defeat of the brilliant Li Junye silenced the entire training ground.

Li Xingbei and the others were all shocked, staring at their younger brother. They never imagined he would possess such terrifying strength. They thought Li Junye was already impressive, but Li Hao's rise in one year was even more astonishing! "Only one year of training, and he's matched our three or four years!"

"Little Nine has been surpassed. This is absurd!"

Everyone was shocked, but they knew Li Hao had shown extraordinary talent during his foundation building and blood refining. His bone measurement results were legendary, so while they were amazed, they quickly calmed down.

"Interesting, let me try too."

Li Tiangang jumped onto the stage, casually picking up a battle knife. "Little Ten, let's spar."

Li Hao frowned slightly but didn't refuse, nodding slightly:

"Please."

Li Tiangang, three years older than Li Junye, was twelve years old, approaching adolescence, and had reached the peak of the Soul Continuation Realm, with exceptional talent.

"I'll hold back." Li Tiangang snorted.

He always felt uncomfortable around Li Hao, unlike with his other brothers. He sensed that Li Hao seemed colder towards him, but he couldn't recall ever offending him.

Li Hao said nothing, standing quietly.

Li Tiangang didn't waste any more words, suddenly pouncing forward. His soul power surged, and his blade flashed like lightning, sweeping across.

Li Hao remained in place, just as he had against Li Junye, not dodging or evading.

At the last moment, he raised his hand, catching the blade between two fingers, immobilizing it.

Li Tiangang was stunned, staring at Li Hao in shock.

Li Hao twisted his fingers, flicking the blade, sending it clattering to the ground.

Li Tiangang's wrist shook, forced back several steps by the immense force, looking at Li Hao in bewilderment.

"This kid..."

Li Tianzong's eyes shone brighter. Li Hao had defeated Li Tiangang so easily, far exceeding his expectations. He was delighted, realizing Li Hao was even stronger than he had imagined!

"How is this possible..."

Li Tiangang, snapping out of his shock, looked at his fallen weapon in disbelief. He had trained for six years, yet he couldn't match Li Hao's one year? He thought Li Junye's talent was like a fierce tiger chasing them, but Li Hao was even more relentless, catching up and surpassing them in just one year! "Little Ten's strength is formidable, likely close to the Spirit Wanderer Realm!"

"Seventh Brother underestimated him, but Little Ten's performance is incredible."

"One year of training, who would believe this?"

The other Li family members were stunned.

Li Xingbei and Li Fengping, standing together, exchanged solemn glances, feeling the pressure of being overtaken.

Perhaps in a few years, this kid would surpass them.

"Amazing!"

The illegitimate children were also shocked, staring at the seven-year-old on the stage. At this age, he was among the youngest in the training ground, yet he was the most dazzling, standing invincibly.

"I'll go!"

Suddenly, a figure jumped onto the stage, an illegitimate teenager.

His eyes were sharp, suspecting that Li Tianzong's legitimate sons were putting on a show to elevate this young master's status.

How could someone with only one year of training be so exaggerated?

"Please."

Li Hao accepted all challengers. He only intended to display his Soul Continuation Realm power. After all, reaching the Soul Continuation Realm in one year should be the limit of what they could accept.

But with the sixth-level Physical Body Path, even at the Soul Continuation Realm, Li Hao's control and use of power far exceeded these people, capable of handling the Spirit Wanderer Realm.

The fourteen-year-old teenager at the peak of the Soul Continuation Realm didn't hold back, drawing his sword and slashing at Li Hao.

Boom! Li Hao caught the blade, then flicked it away, sending the teenager reeling.

The teenager, shocked, didn't leave the stage but activated his soul form, a ghostly shadow appearing behind him, glaring at Li Hao with a powerful presence.

This was the intimidation of the Soul Continuation Realm.

But Li Hao remained calm, unaffected.

The teenager merged with his soul form, his power surging, roaring as he attacked again.

Li Hao stepped back lightly, dodging the powerful strike. He then pressed his palm gently on the teenager's chest, converting heavy force into a gentle push, sending him and his sword flying off the stage.

The teenager fell, climbing back up in shock and shame.

Facing Li Hao, who had only trained for a year, he had given his all and still lost.

Moreover, he felt that when Li Hao's palm landed, it was as light as a feather, not intending to harm him.

Feeling conflicted, the teenager cupped his fists to Li Hao, saying nothing more.

Li Tianzong laughed, his eyes full of appreciation. From that palm, he saw the compassion of a true warrior.

The world is often unjust. Warriors climb against the current, and upon reaching the peak, they often forget their initial resolve, becoming numb.

But as the saying goes, the child is the father of the man. Without guidance, Li Hao naturally possessed a strong person's mercy, a rare innate quality! The more he looked, the more satisfied he felt, his heart brimming with joy.

"Impressive, impressive!"

Li Xingbei and the others cheered for Li Hao, smiling.

The illegitimate children, seeing their laughter, felt mixed emotions—shock, anger, and jealousy.

More challengers came up, trying to humble the legitimate genius, but all were easily defeated by Li Hao.

"So strong, seven years old and invincible in the Soul Continuation Realm!"

"This is the true lineage, a legendary talent!"

The training ground was in awe, the image of that child deeply imprinted in their minds.

Seeing it was enough, Li Hao stepped down.

"Brother is amazing."

Li Hongzhuang, holding a little red flower she had picked, offered it to Li Hao, "For you, brother."

Li Hao smiled, pinning the flower in her hair:

"Wear it yourself."

Glancing at Li Tianzong and Chen Hefang, he saw their proud and joyful smiles, feeling a sense of comfort.

He smiled and then sat on the steps, contemplating before speeding up time again.

...

Li Hao's progress in the River of the Dead was swift.

He focused on artistic skills when awake, skipping most daily life, pausing only at key moments.

After showing his extraordinary talent at seven, Li Hao's fame spread through the Divine General's Mansion. Discussions about Qinglian Courtyard inevitably mentioned the youngest master, Li Hao.

People marveled at his many unusual hobbies besides martial arts.

He was seen in the kitchen learning to cook, playing music, and painting in the courtyard, behaving like a refined scion, shrouded in an air of mystery that invited curiosity.

This time, Li Hao again used the Heaven and Earth Soul Fusion technique.

His bones, as strong as divine iron, easily absorbed the energy of the fusion, even more so than before.

Li Tianzong planned to take Li Hao to the ancestral hall for the fusion. Learning that Li Hao had already completed it using the Heaven and Earth Soul Fusion, he was both shocked and delighted.

From ancient martial records, he knew what this meant—talent comparable to ancient saints! "Excellent, excellent, my son indeed!"

"You will surpass our ancestors!"

Li Tianzong cherished Li Hao deeply.

Li Hao handed two carved figurines to his father.

One male, one female.

Li Tianzong laughed, seeing the lifelike carvings, "You've put effort into this, haven't you? These are excellent."

"You've spent a lot of time on these, haven't you?"

Chen Hefang, delighted with the gift, also felt concerned, "We know you're filial, but you should focus more on martial arts. Don't let these things waste your time."

"Okay." Li Hao nodded.

Li Tianzong waved it off, "Alright, alright, it's a token of Little Ten's heart. Don't spoil the mood with these words."

Chen Hefang agreed, smiling as she admired the carvings.

Taking advantage of the good mood, Li Hao asked, "Father, can I see the imprisoned demon kings? I want to carve one."

"Carve a demon king?"

Li Tianzong was surprised, "Do you really like carving that much?"

"Not really, I just want to see a demon king."

Li Hao said, hiding his true intention.

Li Tianzong thought for a moment, "It's not impossible, but you're not strong enough yet. Wait until you reach the Fifteen Miles Realm, then I'll take you. Otherwise, even a glance from a demon king could overwhelm you."

"Deal!"

Li Hao couldn't hide his excitement.

With a demon king, his carving and painting skills would rapidly improve.

"When have I ever lied to you?" Li Tianzong laughed.

Time flew by.

At eight, Li Hao mastered cooking, breaking through the third-level bottleneck in the Path of Control. Using skill points, he pushed it to level six, greatly enhancing his cultivation.

He merged various meridian-clearing techniques, opening more major meridians.

In the Listening Rain Pavilion, he collected numerous spirit refinement and object control techniques, breaking through to the Spirit Wanderer Realm and reaching the Fifteen Miles Realm.

At eight, he was at the Fifteen Miles Realm.

During a disciple examination in the training ground, Li Hao displayed his incredible power, easily defeating many Li family members.

Li Junye, after a year of hard training, found the gap had widened when sparring with Li Hao.

Li Tiangang, unwilling to accept it, challenged again but was defeated in one move.

Even the older Li Jianming, at twenty-seven in the Three Undying Realms, couldn't resist Li Hao's overwhelming object control power.

Exposing his Fifteen Miles Realm cultivation, Li Hao's fame spread through the Divine General's Mansion and Longcheng.

His rapid progress astonished Li Tianzong and Chen Hefang, filling them with joy.

That year's New Year's Eve banquet was prepared by Li Hao himself.

Having jumped to the banquet time, he suggested the idea, which Li Tianzong approved.

"Excellent craftsmanship!"

"Little Ten's culinary skills rival those of renowned chefs."

"My son is truly gifted in every way."

"What have I done to deserve such a child..."

At the table, Li Tianzong, unusually tipsy, slurred his words.

Chen Hefang glanced at him, "Little Ten is outstanding, but our other children are also excellent. Don't just praise Little Ten."

"Of course, they're all my good children." Li Tianzong laughed.

Chen Hefang smiled gently at the other children, "You all have your own brilliance. Mother can see it."

The children, moved, smiled. Li Xingbei said, "We won't be jealous of Little Ten. The better he does, the happier we are."

"That's right. If Little Ten surpasses us, I can slack off." Li Fengping joked.

"Little Ten is my goal. It motivates me to train harder." Li Junye, now eleven, smiled.

After the banquet, Li Hao watched the lively scene, the empty plates. He smiled, paused briefly, then sped up time.

Shortly after showcasing his talent, the Divine General's Mansion faced another demon king attack. Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran detected and killed it in advance.

Li Xiaoran, shocked at Li Hao's progress, understood how he reached the Three Undying Realms at fifteen.

Such talent was indeed monstrous!

After the second attack, Li Tianzong kept Li Hao close, occasionally teaching him military strategy.

Li Hao, in turn, used his free time to compose poetry, play music, and paint.

His seemingly casual approach rapidly accumulated artistic experience, honing his skills.

Li Tianzong didn't mind, satisfied with Li Hao's progress. With his current cultivation speed, he allowed Li Hao to pursue his interests.

At eight, having reached the Fifteen Miles Realm, Li Hao had already broken the Great Yu Dynasty's cultivation record.

With such achievements, how could he deny his son some leisure?

Under Li Tianzong's indulgence, Li Hao's skill points accumulated faster.

As his cultivation increased, he found the River of the Dead's constraints easing, making it easier to delve into the arts.

His original insights gradually influenced his current progress, accelerating his advancement.

Mastering various arts, he accumulated over twenty skill points.

With ample skill points, Li Hao collected more techniques, researching and refining them, aiming to establish the Heaven and Earth Meridians.

The Heaven and Earth Meridians greatly enhanced the body, akin to a foundation.

But the Listening Rain Pavilion's techniques were limited, so Li Hao requested more from Li Tianzong.

Li Tianzong, hearing his son's request, immediately sought techniques from Tianji Tower and other Divine General's Mansions, even planning to raid some unruly sects for their techniques.

The River of the Dead, primarily set in Longcheng, was influenced by Li Tianzong's memories and perceptions, shaping its rules and contents.

Thus, while certain forces didn't exist in the River of the Dead, Li Tianzong could conjure them if needed.

The Daoist from Qingqiu Mountain, who measured Li Hao's bones, came from Qingqiu Mountain, though it didn't exist outside Longcheng.

Leaving the Divine General's Mansion, they would likely vanish, such was the nature of the River of the Dead.

With Li Hao's talent, he was pampered and had all his needs met.

With Li Tianzong's full support, Li Hao's progress was rapid, incorporating numerous techniques and opening over a hundred meridians, with only a few remaining.

Refining the spirit and controlling objects also saw significant improvement.

Knowing Li Hao liked famous paintings and chess manuals, Li Tianzong had people search for them.

At nine, Li Hao entered the Grandmaster Realm, filled with various techniques, once again shaking the Divine General's Mansion.

This time, he reached the Grandmaster Realm more smoothly, having collected more techniques and broadened his knowledge.

At this age, Li Hao's strength surpassed the nine sons of the Li family. Even Li Xingbei, at twenty-seven in the Three Undying Realms, couldn't match him.

But Li Xingbei treated him well, so Li Hao didn't defeat him, preserving his dignity.

Besides martial arts, Li Hao excelled in military strategy, rituals, and the arts, impressing Li Tianzong greatly.

At ten, Li Tianzong proposed officially naming Li Hao as the True Dragon.

The True Dragon, destined to lead the Divine General's Mansion, would receive ancestral support, further enhancing his potential and aiding his cultivation.

This news caused a sensation.

The Divine General's Mansion was filled with guests. Li Tianzong introduced Li Hao to the nobles, paving the way for his future.

But in the River of the Dead, everything would vanish after passing through. Li Hao didn't waste time on socializing, skipping ahead.

With precise control over time, Li Hao jumped to the end of the banquet, after the guests had left, walking with Li Tianzong to the ancestral hall.

The True Dragon selection was over, and Li Hao had won the position without contest. The other nine sons of the Li family had no objections, and neither did the legitimate or illegitimate children, knowing Li Hao's unmatched talent.

Looking at the ancestral hall, Li Hao knew Li Tianzong was bringing him to meet the ancestors, who would help refine his soul.

However, given his soul's refinement, their help would be limited.

But Li Hao didn't refuse the True Dragon position, needing every opportunity to grow stronger in the perilous River of the Dead.

In the ancestral hall, Li Hao saw a middle-aged man sitting in a corner, resembling Fifth Grandfather Li Qingzheng but with a fierce aura, unlike the serene elder he remembered.

"Old Fifth."

Li Tianzong greeted with a smile.

Li Qingzheng glanced up, "You've got a good son."

"Haha, I told you to marry, but you didn't." Li Tianzong laughed.

"I've lived a solitary, bloody life. I won't bring misfortune to future generations." Li Qingzheng snorted.