Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 325

Volume 3 - Chapter 57: The Pursuit - Part 2

The previously supportive Ji family prodigies were now silent, stunned as they watched the scene unfold. They couldn’t believe it—Ji Xuanshen, who had stepped into the Supreme Dao Realm, had been defeated so effortlessly.

Not to mention an actual exchange of blows, Li Hao hadn’t even needed to lift a finger. His mere Dao Domain had utterly crushed his opponent, the gap between them unfathomably vast.

As they watched the receding figure of the young man, Ji Daoxin and the others finally reacted and hurriedly gave chase.

“Can you really not stay with the Ji family?”

Ji Qingyuan, his heart shaken, looked at the youth with a complicated gaze and softly asked.

Ji Daoxin glanced at him in surprise. He hadn’t expected Ji Qingyuan to try to persuade him to stay, and his expression was a mix of astonishment and sorrow.

“I may not be of the Ji family, but I can still be a friend to the Ji family. Let fate take its course.”

Li Hao’s tone was calm as he spoke.

Hearing this, Ji Daoxin and the others fell silent. They knew that at this point, there was no way to make Li Hao stay.

None of the Ji family’s resources had ever truly interested him.

As for the so-called protection offered by the family, it was nothing but a laughable notion. Li Hao had already grown strong enough to traverse the Great Wilderness Heaven unimpeded.

Apart from the War Gods of other sacred clans, a few ancient immortals, and certain forbidden grounds, there was essentially nothing in the world that could stop him.

Ji Daoxin couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. After seeing Li Hao’s display of dual Dao Domains, his regret and pain deepened. He even regretted the brief hesitation he’d shown when Li Hao had posed that critical question earlier.

Had he responded affirmatively without hesitation, could he have convinced the youth to change his mind?

...

In the midst of this somber atmosphere, they walked the path to the sacred family’s secret realm.

Though his heart ached with sorrow, Ji Daoxin still opened the sacred family’s secret realm for Li Hao and said:

“As I said before, the Ji family will always welcome you back. Here, take this—it is the transfer secret pattern for the sacred family’s secret realm.”

He raised his hand, revealing a pattern in his palm that resembled a formation. The intricate secret pattern appeared before Li Hao’s eyes.

Li Hao saw it and initially intended to refuse, but since he had already seen it, he would retain this knowledge unless he chose to erase the memory. In a sense, he had already acquired it.

Seeing Ji Daoxin’s insistence, Li Hao simply sighed inwardly and raised his hand in farewell.

“I’ll accompany you a little further,” Ji Yun Yue and others stepped forward, wishing to spend more time with him.

Li Hao declined courteously, but as Ji Yun Yue and the others insisted, he could only let them follow.

Ji Tianchao silently accompanied them without speaking, but his gaze was filled with deep, melancholy desolation.

When they exited the sacred family’s secret realm and had escorted him a thousand miles further, Li Hao refused again.

“If you return to the Great Wilderness Heaven in the future, be sure to visit us,” Ji Yun Yue said tearfully.

Ji Yunqing and the others were also reluctant to part.

“I will,” Li Hao nodded and bid them farewell.

As they watched the youth’s departing figure, Ji Yunqing murmured, “Since the time of our ancestor, it feels as though our Ji family has lost another future saint.”

“Third Brother once told me that given ten years, he could fight alongside me. Back then, I thought he was underestimating the time needed. Now, I think he was overestimating it.”

Ji Tianchao gazed toward the direction Li Hao had left and spoke quietly, “Dual Dao Domains... With such comprehension, if he dedicates himself to seeking the Dao, he could reach enlightenment in five years. In our lifetime, we may witness the rise of a saint with our own eyes.”

“A saint, huh...”

The younger generation of the Ji family froze, their emotions a mix of admiration and regret.

They had failed to hold on to someone who could have brought their family to glory once more.

...

The day after Li Hao’s departure, atop the sacred mountain, Ji Xuanshen and several prodigies arrived to find Ji Daoxin.

“You’re planning to venture beyond the Great Wilderness Heaven?”

Ji Daoxin was taken aback by Ji Xuanshen’s words. He glanced at the other prodigies, all of whom wore resolute expressions, and frowned.

“That child will not return to the Ji family. Following him will accomplish nothing. Don’t overreach yourselves,” he said.

Ji Xuanshen shook his head slightly. “I just want to see what lies beyond the Great Wilderness Heaven. The place ruled by the Jiang family—the barren kingdom—what kind of environment could nurture a prodigy like him?”

“Exactly. I’ve lived surrounded by countless divine medicines and treasures in the Ji family, yet I pale in comparison to him. I want to see what kind of place this ‘barren land’ truly is,” Ji Qingshuang added.

Her father, Ji Qingyuan, who had learned of her thoughts the day before, merely furrowed his brow and sighed inwardly without intervening. With Ji Xuanshen, who had reached the Supreme Dao Realm, accompanying them, these prodigies of the Ji family were not likely to face much danger.

After all, the prodigies of the Ancient Holy Clans were no pampered golden sparrows in cages.

Ji Daoxin swept his gaze over the group and finally looked at Ji Xuanshen. When their eyes met, the young man’s unwavering determination was evident.

Ji Daoxin knew that opposing them would only create a psychological hurdle that could hinder Ji Xuanshen’s cultivation progress.

“Very well. The Dayu Divine Dynasty is ruled by the Jiang family. Though it lies beyond the wilderness, you must adhere to their rules while you are there. Remember, that dynasty bears the surname Jiang,” Ji Daoxin said earnestly.

Ji Xuanshen and the others exchanged glances, relieved.

“Yes, one of the Eight Ancient Holy Clans that once stood alongside our ancestors—the Jiang family,” Ji Xuanshen acknowledged.

“Indeed.”

Ji Daoxin continued, “Long ago, their forebears were defeated in the holy war of the Great Wilderness Heaven. They were exiled to the barren lands beyond. Yet their foundation and Dao lineage have not been severed.

“Several thousand years ago, a prodigy was born among them, possessing a hundred interconnected meridians. He unified the barren lands, established a dynasty, and imposed order. He was a peerless powerhouse. It’s said he later perished in battle, though no one knows for sure. In any case, there’s no need to provoke them unnecessarily.”

Ji Xuanshen and the others felt a sense of solemnity. A talent with such extraordinary attributes—naturally born with a hundred meridians—was undoubtedly a genius blessed by the heavens.

“Additionally, while gathering information about that child earlier, I also learned some details about the Dayu Divine Dynasty. They are now in decline, surrounded by monsters and demons, and are on the brink of war. Behind these monsters are ancient demonic forces from within the Great Wilderness Heaven. A devastating battle that could shake their capital is imminent. Under no circumstances should you approach their imperial city lightly.”

Hearing this, Ji Xuanshen and the others were startled. Could it be that the homeland of the young man they admired was already teetering on the edge of destruction?

“Understood,” Ji Xuanshen nodded.

Ji Daoxin looked at him for a moment, then sighed deeply. “Xuanshen, to live in the same era as that child is both your misfortune and your fortune. But you must not let his brilliance dim your own path. Besides him, you remain the most exceptional prodigy of the Ji family. You are the pride of your parents. Do you understand?”

After a brief silence, Ji Xuanshen replied, “I understand.”

Ji Daoxin nodded slightly, his expression softening. “If you meet that child, and he needs assistance, you are to contact me immediately. Should he seek to revive the Jiang family’s dynasty, the Ji family will fully support him.”

Ji Xuanshen cast a glance at the family head, slightly surprised. He knew better than anyone that even the smaller clans within the Great Wilderness Heaven looked down on those beyond its borders. For Ji Daoxin to pledge full support for such an endeavor was no small promise.

“I understand,” Ji Xuanshen responded solemnly.

Hearing this, Ji Daoxin smiled in satisfaction.

...

Several days later, at the edge of the Great Wilderness Heaven, a young man sat astride a fiery red demon that resembled a lion engulfed in flames.

Gazing at the distant mountain peaks, the youth murmured softly, “I’m back…”

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