The Name of Eternals

Chapter 206: If Only You Were Really My Son

"They're here."

Li Xiaoran's figure suddenly appeared, standing behind Li Hao and staring at the pitch-black area a hundred miles outside the city.

There, the silhouettes of demons gradually emerged, charging out of the darkness like they were crawling from an abyss.

"So soon."

Li Hao hadn't expected that as soon as the main mission to defend Dragon City started, the demons would appear. It was the break of dawn, meaning they had to hold out until dawn ten days later! He couldn't afford to rest.

The two of them watched the city outskirts as the withered grass flew and the demons surged closer, rolling forward like a dark tide.

On the command tower of the city wall, Li Tianzong's figure appeared, clad in battle armor and exuding a majestic presence.

He issued orders, and the adjutant beside him used various flags to signal, transmitting commands in all directions. Different colored beacons rose into the sky, sending orders to other parts of the city.

Soon, the demons were close.

In an instant, with Li Tianzong's command, countless fire arrows shot from the city walls, and numerous masters of the Tianren realm controlled their weapons, shooting them out of the city.

Li Xiaoran and Li Hao also took action, their sword and saber lights slashing through the air. Their weapons flew dozens of miles, cutting into the demon horde.

The nine demon souls attached to the Qing Shuang sword roared and pounced on the demon horde, tearing apart numerous demons instantly, including those of the Tianren realm and even the formidable Sanbujing demons.

Li Hao watched as the small decimal points behind the progress of passing the River of the Dead jumped rapidly. Feeling slightly reassured, he controlled the Qing Shuang sword to sweep through the enemies.

His aura surged, creating waves of sword energy like a blue river, sweeping through the demon tide, clearing a vast area.

Li Xiaoran's saber light moved among them, targeting the larger demons with thunderous force.

"You handle this side; I'll take the other."

Li Xiaoran said to Li Hao, "Be wary of those two hidden within the demon horde."

"Understood."

Li Hao nodded. The two separated but stayed close enough to support each other if needed.

With their intervention, the demon tide's assault was greatly alleviated.

However, it wasn't long before earth-shattering roars came from within the demon horde. Two formidable demon kings leaped out, charging toward the Qing Shuang sword.

Li Hao's expression was cold as he controlled the Qing Shuang sword to counterattack.

Sword waves surged, piercing countless demons and forming two brilliant sword beams that shot toward the two demon kings.

Regrettably, he hadn't found the "Yellow Bird Painting" during this time, so his attribute panel didn't have the lethal strike attribute.

The Yellow Bird Painting was obtained in Liangzhou. Although Li Tianzong had sent people to search for it on Li Hao's behalf, it might be due to the limitations of his obsession's understanding, leading to a delay in finding it.

Without this attribute, Li Hao felt that his offensive methods were somewhat weak in such large-scale battles.

Otherwise, just by unleashing endless sword waves, he could potentially kill demon kings. But now, he needed to exert his true power to threaten them, significantly increasing his energy consumption.

Boom! Boom!

The two demon kings were repelled by Li Hao's sword beams, seriously injured. Li Hao quickly pursued them with the Qing Shuang sword, and the demon souls roared, soon entangling and tearing the demon kings apart before the sword decapitated them, cutting open their massive bodies.

The sword turned and wiped out the escaping souls.

The two Dao Heart-level demon kings couldn't withstand three rounds under Li Hao's hands.

Cheers erupted from the soldiers on the city wall. They launched overwhelming fire arrows and numerous masters' weapons to assist Li Hao in slaughtering the demon horde, eliminating any stragglers.

As Li Hao stood on the city wall, the depths of the demon horde revealed three figures sitting on a mountaintop, surrounded by howling demons rushing forward.

"That kid has advanced to this level so quickly."

"His strength feels comparable to outside. No wonder he reached the Sanbujing realm at fifteen."

"That kid must harbor a great secret or possess an extraordinary treasure. It might even be a Saint reborn through the Divine General's bloodline!"

The three figures, staring coldly at the continuously moving blue sword light ahead, were none other than Zhu Huo Shen and Lu Yuan.

Beside them was Yin Furen, who hadn't stayed outside the River of the Dead as Li Xiaoran had speculated.

At this moment, their cultivation levels were the same as outside.

Zhu Huo Shen maintained his original cultivation by establishing a Dao Domain to isolate the rules, while Lu Yuan rapidly grew among the demons, recovering his original strength due to his dragon bloodline.

"The rebirth of a Saint? Hmph, just a legend."

Zhu Huo Shen sneered, dismissing Lu Yuan's words, knowing the latter was trying to incite more killing intent against Li Hao.

"Just wait. It's only the first day. Even without us, they won't hold out. The big ones haven't even made a move yet."

Lu Yuan didn't argue, his gaze coldly fixed on the city wall.

He dared to enter because Longmen Yaowang had once ventured into this River of the Dead, providing some insights into its unique rules.

Ten days of siege; today was just the first.

They sat and watched, not intending to act immediately but waiting for an opening and the right moment.

"When Li Xiaoran prepares to retreat, that's when we'll strike," Zhu Huo Shen said.

Lu Yuan nodded.

They waited silently, and meanwhile, outside the city wall, countless demons perished, their bodies piling up and blood flowing like rivers.

The vast scale of the battle made both Lu Yuan and Zhu Huo Shen look solemn. Only in this place were there enough demons; otherwise, they would have been exterminated long ago.

As Li Hao and Li Xiaoran, along with many famed defenders, fought, the demon tide soon began to collapse.

However, apart from the area guarded by Li Hao and Li Xiaoran, other sections still suffered some damage.

Li Hao's expression was grave. On just the first day, he had already killed five demon kings, a scale comparable to major demon sieges in Liangzhou.

Dinner was brought to the city wall, where Li Hao sat on the ground with the soldiers, eating and drinking together.

He absorbed the essence blood of the five demon kings using the Ten Thousand Blood True Demon Art, refining and further strengthening his body.

The black clouds in the sky were dense and unclear. Li Hao asked Li Xiaoran if they had ever sent scouts to investigate the black area beyond.

Li Xiaoran explained that anyone venturing into the black area would not return.

It wasn't simply due to being killed by demons but a unique rule of the River of the Dead, influenced by Li Tianzong's obsession and merged into the rules.

During the Battle of Dragon City, the black area symbolized the demon army and certain death upon entering.

Only a Tai Ping Dao-level cultivator could break the rules with their Dao Domain and traverse the forbidden zone.

That night, more demons attacked, keeping the soldiers on high alert, unable to rest.

By the second day, the demon tide's assault intensified, forcing Li Hao and Li Xiaoran to take it seriously to maintain their defense.

Amid the vast demon army, demon kings lurked, and Li Hao, at the Sanbujing realm, held one front, killing the demon kings.

Among them, there were even Niming-level demons who resisted Li Hao's attacks and fled.

As Li Hao and Li Xiaoran fought the demons, the other Li family members gathered to assist each other, defending one front together.

At the north side of Dragon City, four young figures stood together, looking serious.

The eldest, Li Xuanli, gazed at the dense demon tide outside, watching the elders among the Li family's collateral lineages wielding divine weapons and fighting demon kings, clenching his fists.

"We've all reached the Sanbujing realm, including Ninth Brother, but we don't dare to leave the city."

"The demon kings' attacks will definitely hit us. If we show ourselves, we'll be targeted. These demons hate our Li family the most."

The group was solemn, only daring to control their divine weapons to strike at the demon tide.

"Unfortunately, we don't have the terrifying strength of Tenth Brother. Only he can kill demon kings."

Li Junye stood tall, wielding the Eternal Night Divine Sword.

He was proficient in both spear and sword, having reached the Grandmaster realm with spear intent infused into swordsmanship, breaking through to the Sanbujing realm and achieving rapid progress.

He was originally the most brilliant among the nine sons, but now his brilliance was overshadowed by Li Hao.

"Enough about him. Let's focus on how to deal with these demons and help Father," Li Tiangang said sternly.

Li Junye, staring intently at the demon tide, pondered aloud: "These demon kings stay at a distance, only using lesser demons to probe. If we can lure them closer, coordinating with our uncles hidden in the dark, we should be able to take down a few."

"Baiting them?"

Li Xuanli's eyes sparkled. "It's a good idea, but the demon kings' attacks are too formidable. We might not withstand the first strike."

"I have a Saint Heart Talisman that can hold them off."

Li Junye said, "I'll draw them out, and you stay here."

"Ninth Brother, don't go. It's too risky. Father said we should stay within the formation," Li Tiangang quickly interjected.

Li Junye glanced at the demon tide and said, "Don't worry, Seventh Brother. I have a plan."

With that, he recalled the Eternal Night sword and rushed out of the formation. The demon kings in the tide seemed to sense something and immediately turned their attention to Li Junye.

"A Li family brat dares to court death!"

Among them, a multi-eyed demon dragon roared and charged at Li Junye.

Two other demon kings noticed Li Junye and abandoned their fight with the elder Li family members, moving to attack him.

Li Junye remained calm, slashing with his sword, only to be easily swatted away by a demon king. Then, a dark thunderbolt struck him.

Li Junye didn't use the Saint Heart Talisman yet, as the demon kings weren't close enough. He mustered all his strength, operating his extreme skills to protect himself, choosing to withstand the attack.

With a bang, he was sent flying, vomiting blood, his body paralyzed and charred.

The other demon kings, seeing this, attacked again. Li Junye scrambled to retreat to the formation.

The demon kings, eager for a kill, pursued quickly. At that moment, Li Junye ignited the Saint Heart Talisman.

The elder Li family members, alerted by Li Xuanli's transmission, knew of Li Junye's plan and roared as they charged out.

Other hidden elders in the city also drew their swords, rushing out of the formation to engage the demon kings.

The demon kings, startled, tried to retreat but were too late, soon being surrounded and killed.

By then, Li Junye had been dragged back into the formation by Li Tiangang.

"Ninth Brother, you took too much risk!" Li Tiangang couldn't help but scold.

Li Junye smiled weakly, "But it worked, didn't it?"

"Rest and recover. No more talking," Li Xuanli urged.

Li Junye quickly complied, taking medicinal pills and closing his eyes to heal his injuries.

With the demon kings lured and killed, the demon tide's assault diminished significantly, and the defensive pressure eased greatly.

These demon kings seemed less cunning and rational than those outside the River of the Dead, perhaps influenced by certain lingering thoughts, charging at the sight of the Li family's bloodline.

On the third day, Li Junye repeated the tactic, but a figure suddenly emerged from the demon horde, striking with a palm and shattering the Saint Heart Talisman's protective light, sending Li Junye flying and killing him instantly.

"Ninth Brother!!"

Li Tiangang and the others roared in grief and rage.

The demon king was at the Absolute Study realm, its attacks like thunder, directly slamming against Dragon City's formation, constantly assaulting it.

Li Tianzong hurried over, hearing the anguished cries of Li Xuanli and the others. Shock filled his eyes, but more so, sorrow.

He clenched his fists, sending orders to the hidden third brother to deal with the demon king.

Li Xuanyin wielded his spear and charged out, battling the demon king fiercely but unable to gain an advantage.

That night, when Li Hao and Li Xiaoran learned of Li Junye's death, they remained silent.

The successive deaths of several family members had already prepared them for this scene.

However, knowing that everyone but Li Tianzong was born from his obsession, their hearts didn't feel too heavy.

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

As Dragon City faced its inevitable fall, the entire city would perish, and this was just the beginning.

It was the third day, and Li Hao and Li Xiaoran each bore immense pressure, facing seven or eight demon kings and an Absolute Study realm demon king.

Li Hao's Qing Shuang sword was entangled by the Absolute Study realm demon king, unable to free itself, causing the formation to endure numerous attacks.

"Tomorrow, this formation will likely break."

During a brief lull in the demon tide's assault, Li Xiaoran came to Li Hao's side and said, "We'll have to retreat to the Divine General's Mansion. The formation there can hold out longer."

Li Hao didn't expect to see signs of the city's downfall on the third day.

Moreover, the Torch Fire God and the old dragon Lu Yuan hadn't even made a move yet.

"If we retreat to the Divine General's Mansion, the Torch Fire God will likely come, opening a Dao Domain outside the mansion to attack the formation," Li Hao said grimly.

Li Xiaoran sighed, "The situation is already much better this time. Previously, I barely managed to hold the city alone on the third day, with the formation barely intact. Now, with you sharing the burden, the pressure is lessened, and others can reinforce other areas, keeping it intact."

Li Hao remained silent.

That night, he saw a group approaching the city wall, recognizing them as female warriors, including "Mother" Chen Hefa.

"Tenth Brother, you must be tired."

Chen Hefa's stern eyes softened when she saw Li Hao, stepping forward. "Your father wants to see you. He has something important to tell you."

Li Hao glanced at her, "What about you…"

"The Li family has no cowards."

Chen Hefa said softly, "For the people of dawn, the Li family will fight to the last drop of blood!"

Hearing this, Li Hao's heart trembled.

The other female warriors also smiled at him.

"We've heard you're the most promising, holding your own with the Sanbujing realm. Impressive."

"Having a son like you brings honor to our ancestors."

"Good child, go quickly."

These female warriors were Li Hao's aunts and cousins, though he couldn't recognize them all, he knew they were all Li family.

"It should be about the ancestral hall," Li Xiaoran transmitted to him.

When the city wall was on the brink of collapse, Li Tianzong had informed him of the ancestral hall.

Li Hao silently followed the "mother" and female warriors' farewell, leaping back to the mansion.

Returning to the Divine General's Mansion, he saw the once bustling courtyard now desolate, leaves drifting, and no one sweeping the ground.

The courtyard was empty, with only a few familiar faces.

The others might have joined the city defense army or been dismissed, with only a few old faces remaining.

Li Hao saw the young Uncle Zhao, also dressed in battle armor, ready to fight at any moment.

"Young Master, you've returned. The master is waiting for you in the main hall," Uncle Zhao bowed.

Li Hao looked at him, his lips moved, but he said nothing.

Turning to the main hall, he saw the "father" sitting at the table, alone.

Hearing footsteps, Li Tianzong looked up, his bloodshot eyes revealing a dark, sinister gleam, a heavy and eerie aura.

Li Hao sensed the chilling and strange atmosphere but it vanished instantly. When Li Tianzong saw Li Hao, his previously cold face softened with a hint of warmth.

"Tenth, come sit."

Li Tianzong invited Li Hao, his voice gentle and calm.

Li Hao nodded, prepared by Li Xiaoran's earlier transmission.

Now, with most of the nine sons fallen, the situation was dire. Even knowing everyone else was born from Li Tianzong's obsession, Li Hao couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.

Even watching a tragedy on stage could evoke tears; living through it was even more poignant.

Moreover, he experienced the genuine care and love from these "brothers," their true concern and affection.

In reality, they never had the chance to be together.

"Tenth, you're the most talented genius our Li family has had in centuries."

Li Tianzong invited Li Hao to sit beside him. Only they were at the table, with Li Tiangang and Li Xuanli still on the city wall, ever vigilant.

Li Hao sat quietly, listening, waiting for him to mention the ancestral hall.

"I've seen your growth these days."

Li Tianzong's eyes were warm as he looked at Li Hao, speaking softly, "I cherish the carvings you made for us and the paintings for your mother and me. I will treasure them. Your cooking is also delicious, the best I've ever had…"

"What have I done to deserve a son like you?"

He extended his broad hand, gently patting Li Hao's shoulder.

"I've enjoyed our time together."

He smiled, then murmured regretfully:

"Unfortunately, if only you were really my son…"