The Name of Eternals

Chapter 170: Li Hao Leaves the Pass, Liangzhou in Peril

Scorching summer days.

In Cangya City, Li Hao sat in the small courtyard, eating chilled fruits while occasionally giving pointers on sword techniques to Ren Qianqian.

Spring had passed, and now, at fifteen, Li Hao was older.

Ren Qianqian had just turned fourteen.

By now, Ren Qianqian had mastered a top-tier sword technique to perfection.

Except for the royals, few in her realm could match her.

Having consumed dishes made from powerful demons and the ghost king, filled with rich energy, her realm had progressed rapidly, advancing from Divine Travel Stage to the seventh level of Divine Travel Stage in just half a year.

Her strength had now far surpassed that of the city lord Li Hao encountered while slaying demons in Cangya City in Qizhou.

At just fourteen, Ren Qianqian was now capable of defending an inland city on her own.

In many inland cities, life was peaceful, and the surrounding demons were generally weak. A Divine Travel Stage cultivator was enough to deter them. With a city protection formation, they could even hold off a Heavenly Human Stage demon long enough to call for help.

Besides practicing swordsmanship, Li Hao also shared his insights on opening the Yin-Yang dual meridians with her.

Knowing Li Hao had opened both divine meridians, Ren Qianqian was both shocked and found it reasonable, given Li Hao's extraordinary strength.

Following Li Hao's guidance, Ren Qianqian managed to open a divine meridian, specifically the Yin meridian.

Opening the Yang meridian was extremely risky, with a high chance of brain damage if not done correctly.

History was full of geniuses who perished attempting to open the Yang meridian, including some who were considered potential successors to the real immortal.

Ren Qianqian had tried several times without success. Li Hao advised her not to push it, as it involved more than just bravery—it also depended on luck.

Countless warriors possessed bravery, but few could open the Yang meridian.

Bravery and recklessness often differ in the outcome.

Knowing when to stop was also a form of wisdom.

After opening the Yin meridian, Ren Qianqian was on par with the royals.

Most royals had opened one divine meridian.

Those who opened two were considered prodigies, rare and exceptional.

Besides practicing swordsmanship, Li Hao would occasionally take Ren Qianqian for walks outside the pass.

They explored the farther reaches east and west, while the vertical exploration was already 5,000 miles deep, the horizontal only about 1,000 miles.

Li Hao's outings caused chaos among the demons, with Tianji Hall's birds warning the demons to hide.

Li Hao captured some Ten-Mile Stage demons for Ren Qianqian to spar with, ensuring high-intensity training. With Li Hao overseeing, it was dangerous but safe.

Through such rigorous training, Ren Qianqian's combat prowess improved rapidly.

Her encounters with demons were also detected by Tianji Tower, which recorded her in the Qian Kun Rankings.

Li Hao topped both the Qian and Kun lists.

Ren Qianqian ranked fifth on the Kun Phoenix list and twenty-ninth on the Qian Dragon list, gaining significant attention.

Her young age, just fourteen, made her achievements stand out.

Her potential to reach the top ten of the Qian Dragon list and become a Heavenly Human Stage master before twenty-two was high.

Her fame brought attention from various factions, revealing her background as the daughter of a grandmaster and a former disciple of Tan Palace, now following Li Hao as his sword attendant.

The mention of Li Hao in her background shifted everyone's focus.

Li Hao's name was already renowned among the younger generation, known for defeating the Buddhist son in the Grandmaster Tournament and besting all grandmasters.

Since the tournament, many youths from across the provinces had flocked to Tianmen Pass, eager to see the legendary youth.

Some sought to challenge Li Hao, hoping to gain fame even in defeat.

This influx made Cangya City more lively and prosperous.

In times of peace, people seek fame; in times of turmoil, survival.

While the subtle decline of the Dayu Dynasty wasn't apparent to everyone, many youths still pursued glory and honor.

Ambitious youths, oblivious to the state's decline, chased after their dreams.

However, these youths were kept outside the courtyard.

Inside, Li Hao painted, played chess, and practiced music, while his Haotian Army guarded the perimeter, with grandmasters patrolling the surroundings.

Even if a youth managed to send in a visiting card, Li Hao had Ren Qianqian handle it.

This provided more sparring for Ren Qianqian.

Few in her generation could best her, with only about twenty on the Qian Kun Rankings capable.

Most others, including older youths, couldn't pose a significant challenge.

Even those who defeated Ren Qianqian didn't get to see Li Hao.

The famed youth remained in his courtyard, inaccessible to many.

The pursuit of glory was arduous, which is why Li Hao chose to rest and enjoy leisure.

In the past six months, Li Hao reached the fourth stage of music, using his insights to advance his movement skill to the sixth stage.

Previously, after reaching the seventh stage of physical cultivation, he had five skill points left. Now, with the fourth stage of music adding another point, he used three for movement skill, leaving three points.

He reserved these for future breakthroughs in control or swordsmanship.

With movement skill at the sixth stage, Li Hao's techniques evolved, reaching an absolute level and achieving true form.

Now, he could confidently pursue and slay demon kings individually, unless they used fate-interfering techniques.

But they had no more chances.

That day, the Dragon Roar Sword, reforged three times, was personally delivered by a Three-Indestructible Realm expert from Wanqi Tower.

A stout middle-aged man handed the sword to Li Hao.

He came to ensure the divine weapon's safety and to meet the renowned youth.

Li Hao's fame for slaying a Three-Indestructible demon at fourteen made many veterans restless.

"Young General, this Dragon Roar Sword has undergone three reforges and starlight tempering. You can feel the difference," said the man named Lu Cheng, courteously.

Li Hao nodded, knowing the plan for a double reforge with the Black Bird King and Ghost Queen's materials.

The third reforge made the sword's power immense, capable of harming a True Heart Realm demon king.

"With six more demon kings, it could become a Holy Heart Heavenly Treasure," Li Hao thought, eyeing the sword.

A Holy Heart Heavenly Treasure required the souls of nine Four-Indestructible beings, whether demons or humans.

Receiving the sword, Li Hao felt the difference in weight and balance, noticing a warm, balanced energy.

He didn't test it in the city to avoid alarming others.

"Thank you," Li Hao said.

"No need, Young General. Your extra demon king corpses covered the cost. We profited well," Lu Cheng laughed.

Li Hao smiled, "I'll need your help for future reforges."

Lu Cheng laughed, impressed by Li Hao's casual mention of slaying demon kings, showing his extraordinary spirit.

Li Hao, knowing the dangers of the pass, expected more demon king materials in the future.

After some pleasantries, Li Hao bid farewell to the robust man.

That night, after a hearty meal, Li Hao tested the sword outside the pass.

With the Black Bird King and Ghost Queen's souls, the Dragon Roar Sword now unleashed devastating power, cutting deep trenches and filling the air with ghostly wails.

Satisfied, Li Hao returned to the city for a good sleep.

Half a year had passed since Li Hao's initial sweep outside the pass, scaring away several demon kings.

He used the Heaven and Earth Manual to mark 180 items, turning them into military flags.

Eighty flags were planted in energy-rich mountain peaks, preventing demons from claiming the land.

The remaining hundred were placed around Cangya City, ready to repel invasions.

Li Hao realized the immense potential of these marks.

Each flag stored half his power, and with 100 flags, the combined explosive power could create a terrifying storm, devastating a 200-mile radius.

Even demon kings would avoid such a force.

The only drawback was the indiscriminate nature of the explosion, so Li Hao planted the flags a hundred miles outside the city.

While unconventional for regular armies, it was necessary to prevent accidental destruction.

With the flags, formations, and his dark clone, Li Hao felt confident in Cangya City's defenses, even in his absence.

Now, he could finally focus on other matters, like the reward from Tianji Tower, which had been on his mind.

Tianji Tower held numerous techniques, comparable to the Listening Rain Tower. Finding top-tier meridian opening and energy techniques could help Li Hao fully open all 108 meridians.

Combining the Yin-Yang dual meridians, he aimed to achieve the ultimate state.

The Dayu Dynasty's records had no mention of anyone fully opening all meridians.

Perhaps there were some not recorded, or the Listening Rain Tower's records were incomplete.

Li Hao suspected the Buddha or the real immortal might have achieved it, given their long lives and extensive training.

Li Hao planned to visit Tianji Tower alone, aiming for a swift return.

He left the Dragon Roar Sword with his dark clone to guard Tianmen Pass, and Wind Elder stayed to watch over the city.

Confident in his escape abilities, Li Hao set off, using the Heaven and Earth attribute to conceal his presence, following the Tianji Tower envoy out of the pass.

However, Tianji Hall's bird demons quickly detected the envoy's departure, relaying the information.

"The Tianji Tower envoy has left!"

"Intelligence suggests he's here to escort General Haotian to Tianji Tower to claim his reward."

"Is he finally leaving the pass?"

"Any sightings of him?"

"None, likely concealing his presence."

"Could this be a ruse?"

Tianji Hall's birds chirped, discussing the news.

Beside the red-dressed girl stood a purple-dressed girl, a few years older, with a distinguished feather on her forehead.

"He doesn't need to deceive us unless to lure us into attacking Tianmen Pass. But both Dragon Gate and Sacred Palace have agreed to conquer Liangzhou first, then deal with the thorn."

"He can't know our plans, so his actions suggest he's worried we'll attack the pass in his absence."

The red-dressed girl spoke quickly.

The purple-dressed girl nodded, "Indeed. His concerns are unnecessary. Attacking the pass is pointless without killing him first. Now is the best time to strike Liangzhou while he's at Tianji Tower."

"Notify Dragon Gate immediately, check their elder's progress."

"Yes, elder."