The Name of Eternals

Chapter 230: How Dare You Insult Him So?

"He can't avoid this strike!"

"Can that young man withstand Mingque Tianjiao's attack?"

Witnessing the terrifying spear strike, the onlookers were both terrified and mesmerized. This was a Dao Heart Realm attack, unavoidable unless one possessed top-tier body techniques capable of eluding Dao traces momentarily.

But the young man was so young. Did he have enough time to master such techniques?

Boom!

The destructive spear light swiftly replaced the air in front of Li Hao, charging at him in an instant. Electric arcs of destruction surrounded the spear light, tearing up the ground beneath Li Hao, forming black swirling currents of ominous energy, exuding a terrifying aura.

Li Hao did not dodge. Instead, he raised his fist and punched out.

The spear light clashed with his fist, sparking blinding light, but the destructive force dissipated, leaving Li Hao unscathed.

Ji Mingque's expression changed drastically, staring at Li Hao in disbelief.

Although he hadn't used his full power, he had exerted seventy to eighty percent of his strength, enough to pierce through a Three Immortal Realm opponent easily. Yet, Li Hao blocked it effortlessly?

The onlookers were equally stunned.

"That boy actually blocked Mingque Tianjiao's strike!"

"Could he have reached the Four Stable Realms too? But he looks so young. He must be a Tianjiao as well!"

"No wonder he received praise from War God Yunge. He's really quite formidable."

"Given he carries Ji family blood, his mother being a direct descendant, his bloodline might be purer than many of our branch members!"

The discussions shifted from mockery to a grudging acknowledgment of Li Hao's strength. Though the Ji family had severe internal conflicts, they respected strength above all in the harsh environment of the Great Desolate Heaven.

Li Hao's display of power silenced many who had previously insulted and looked down on him, recognizing him as a Tianjiao, someone not to be taken lightly in the Great Desolate Heaven.

"It seems you indeed have some skill. For bringing back War God Yunge, I'll let this go!"

Ji Mingque snorted coldly, intending to back off after recognizing Li Hao's strength.

"If you can take a punch from me, I'll recognize you."

Li Hao stepped forward.

Ji Mingque paused, his face darkening. "Are you challenging me?"

"One punch for one spear strike, to even things out," Li Hao said calmly.

Ji Mingque laughed angrily, "Do you think you're qualified to fight me? I was holding back just now. If I went all out, you'd already be down!"

"I'll hold back too," Li Hao replied without arguing further.

Ji Mingque's eyes widened in fury. For the first time, he encountered someone more arrogant than himself.

"Then come and try!"

He unleashed his full aura, his body radiating immense energy, his hair standing on end as he genuinely got angry.

Just as Li Hao was about to attack, a group of people flew over from a distance, one of them shouting, "Stop this at once!"

Everyone turned to see the newcomers. Upon recognizing the leading figure, many knelt and bowed:

"Greetings to War God Qingyuan!"

"Greetings to War God Qingyuan!"

The voices became uniform as the crowd knelt in respect.

In the sky, Ji Mingque and the other Tianjiao also stopped and bowed upon seeing Ji Qingyuan and the elders.

Ji Qingyuan's expression was calm. Despite his branch status, he received immense respect from all Ji family members, both direct and branch. Here on the sacred mountain, everyone, mostly direct descendants, bowed to him like a deity.

He had long since become accustomed to it.

The previous confrontation with Ji Daoxin was merely for the benefit of other branch members.

He immediately understood the situation, seeing the broken guest hall doors and the scene inside. His eyes flashed with cold light upon seeing Ji Yufen sprawled at the stranger's feet.

"What's going on here?"

An elder stepped forward, angrily demanding an explanation from Li Hao.

Ji Mingque and the others remained silent. Ji Boduan quickly stepped forward: "Elder Qingfeng, it's a misunderstanding. Tianjiao Yufen came to challenge Young Master Leping, and it was just a sparring match."

"Young Master? He's not even a Ji family member yet!" the elder scolded.

Ji Boduan's face changed, and he fell silent.

"Qingfeng, remember your father's name!"

An elderly woman swiftly approached, positioning herself above the guest hall, shielding Li Hao behind her: "This is the guest hall. How dare you fight here? Have you no rules?"

She glared at Elder Qingfeng, then at Ji Mingque and the other Tianjiao.

Seeing the old woman, Ji Mingque and the others' faces changed, and they bowed quickly.

Elder Qingfeng's expression darkened. "Fourth Aunt, rules shouldn't be bent!"

"Who's bending rules? When did the Ji family become so rude as to fight in the guest hall?" the woman, Ji Yunyu, angrily retorted.

"Not killing him is mercy enough. He's not a Ji family member!" Elder Qingfeng said coldly.

"You're outrageous!" Ji Yunyu was furious. "He's your nephew! Do you want to kill your own nephew?"

Elder Qingfeng coldly replied, "The family has rules. My father was just, so am I. Anyone who breaks the rules will be dealt with, whether nephew or son!"

"The patriarch has already decided. It's not up to you!" Ji Yunyu shouted, angered. The Ji family's Yun generation had fifteen brothers and seven sisters, totaling twenty-two. With some dead and some having died young, twelve remained, but they were divided into two factions.

The jealousy and rivalry that stemmed from their father's favoritism towards the ninth brother, Ji Tianchao, had grown over the years, causing deep rifts among them.

Ji Yunyu's anger reflected the family's internal strife, deeply rooted and complex.

"Hmph!"

Elder Qingfeng sneered, his eyes filled with disdain.

As more people gathered, the tension between Ji Yunyu and Ji Qingyuan's factions became evident.

At the same time, the news reached a secluded building on the mountaintop.

In a picturesque courtyard, Ji Yunge's almost transparent figure floated. He looked at the surrounding fields, the well, and the vegetable patch on the hillside with a mix of sadness and affection.

He paused, turning to Ji Tianchao and the others: "Stay here. Let Xiao Mu accompany me in these final moments."

Ji Tianchao and the others, eyes filled with sorrow, held back their tears.

"Third Brother, I won't spare those who attacked you!"

Ji Tianchao said through gritted teeth.

Ji Yunge smiled, taking his wife's hand: "Just remember your promise. The Ji family's fortune is rising. We will prosper!"

With a final smile at his wife, he led her up a grassy path.

"Father…"

Ji Tianchao, his children, and grandchildren watched the two elderly figures disappear, their eyes filled with grief.

Ji Yunqing clenched his teeth, glancing back with hatred: "Third Brother is about to perish, and those guys won't even come to see him!"

The fourth brother remained silent, aware of the family's fragmentation since their parents' deaths.

Ji Tianchao's body trembled slightly at Ji Yunqing's words. Clenching his fists, he said nothing.

They stood silently outside the courtyard, listening to the sorrowful cries of Ji Ximu. All trembled, tears streaming down their faces.

They knew that Ji Yunge, the war god, was gone forever.

"Third Brother!"

Ji Tianchao roared in anguish like a wounded beast.

The fourth brother and Ji Yunqing clenched their fists, their shoulders trembling.

Ji Yunge's children and grandchildren sobbed openly.

At that moment, Ji Qingmu's daughter, Ji Qingmeng, arrived swiftly.

"Father."

Seeing their sorrowful faces, she realized what had happened.

Ji Yunqing didn't respond immediately. Only after she called out again did he turn, his eyes red: "What's wrong?"

"The boy defeated Ji Yufen. Now Ji Qingyuan and Aunt Yunyu are confronting each other. The patriarch has allowed the boy to join the Ji family, but his sacred bone needs to be tested to determine if he's a direct descendant or a branch member."

Ji Qingmeng reported quickly.

Ji Yunge's children and grandchildren were momentarily stunned. They had a good impression of the boy who brought back their father's soul, feeling grateful.

Hearing he defeated Ji Yufen confirmed their father's words were no exaggeration.

"Ji Qingyuan!"

Ji Tianchao's eyes turned fierce, glaring at Ji Qingmeng. His grief and restrained anger made her heart race.

"This is Third Brother's last wish. I'll see what they intend to do!"

Ji Tianchao clenched his fists and disappeared with a step.

Ji Yunqing and the others, worried about his impulsiveness, followed quickly.

In the mountainside.

Amid the heated debate over family rules, Ji Qingyuan remained silent, standing like an imposing mountain.

Boom!

Ji Qingyuan's eyes moved, noticing a figure appearing rapidly, causing the ground to crack.

Ji Tianchao landed, his feet hovering, but the ground beneath him shattered.

"War God Tianchao!"

Seeing him, the crowd was stunned, then hurriedly bowed.

This war god, being a direct descendant, commanded even more reverence and admiration.

"Ninth Uncle!"

Elder Qingfeng's face paled, his heart racing.

Though influenced by his father's jealousy, he couldn't deny the overwhelming pressure in Ji Tianchao's presence.

The aura was too overpowering!

"So lively!"

Ji Tianchao's cold gaze swept the crowd, quickly noticing Li Hao.

Their eyes met, and he recognized the boy who brought back his brother.

Noticing the unconscious Ji Yufen at Li Hao's feet, he turned to Ji Yunyu, nodding slightly before focusing on Ji Qingyuan.

Ji Qingyuan merely stared back, their silent gaze clashing with unseen sparks.

Ji Tianchao's cold eyes showed no immediate anger. He waited for silence before speaking icily: "The Ji family is an ancient sacred clan, respecting strength above all!"

"This boy, regardless of his origin, brought back War God Yunge, a great favor to our clan!"

"Who dares act so recklessly here?!"

His words reverberated, causing discomfort among lower-ranking members and even higher ones withdrawing their spirits.

Elder Qingfeng's face changed, words stuck in his throat under Ji Tianchao's cold glare.

Addressing Ji Yunyu was one thing, but confronting this uncle was terrifying.

"Who dares act so recklessly?" Ji Tianchao repeated, staring at the Tianjiao.

Ji Mingque and the others were visibly shaken. Though they wanted to defend themselves, Ji Tianchao's next words silenced them: "Bring your parents here!"

"Talking about rules and family laws, today I'll enforce them. Fighting in the guest hall—where's the etiquette?"

Ji Tianchao's roar terrified everyone.

Unlike Ji Qingyuan, Ji Tianchao was a seasoned war god, his authority unmatched.

Moreover, he possessed a sacred bone, poised to step into the Saint Realm any time!

Ji Qingyuan frowned, "Tianchao, isn't it inappropriate to scold our Tianjiao over an outsider?"

Ji Tianchao's eyes flared with anger: "Do you have a problem? Qingyuan, as a war god, you should maintain order, not let them run amok. It's disgraceful!"

He openly scolded Ji Qingyuan, showing no respect.

Ji Qingyuan's face darkened, ready to retort, but Ji Tianchao interrupted: "An outsider? He has Ji family blood!"

"He brought back War God Yunge, allowing him to rest in peace. Who among you has done such a deed?"

His fury was palpable, silencing the crowd.

"This is different. We are grateful for Yunge's return…"

Ji Qingyuan began.

But Ji Tianchao cut him off again, roaring: "Grateful? My brother hasn't even left yet, and you're harassing the one who brought him back. Do you want him to leave with regret?"

Ji Tianchao's rage grew, pointing at Ji Qingyuan: "When my brother fought for the Ji family, slaying demons and repelling other sacred clans, who didn't benefit?"

"For bringing my brother back, this boy deserves your respect. How dare you insult him?"

"You're not just insulting him, you're insulting my brother and the war god you revere!"