“`
“Quickly attend to your injuries and stop talking,” Li Xuanli urged hastily.
Li Junye immediately refocused, took the medicinal pill, and then closed his eyes to recuperate, healing his Indestructible Treasure Body.
With Li Junye’s provocation, several Demon Kings were killed; the assault of the demon horde diminished greatly, reducing the defensive pressure significantly.
These Demon Kings seemed less cunning and rational than those beyond the Mo River, perhaps influenced by some residual obsessions; seeing the bloodline of the Li Family, they attacked as if invigorated.
On the third day, Li Junye employed the same tactic and left the city to draw them out again.
But suddenly, a figure among the Demon Kings burst forth, slamming down a palm strike that shattered the sacred light of the hastily conjured Heart Protection Charm and sent Li Junye flying with a blow that instantly killed him!
“Jun Ye!!”
Li Tian Gang and the others, upon seeing this, had their eyes splitting with rage as they let out furious roars.
That Demon King turned out to be from the Ultimate Study Realm, striking like thunder, landing blows directly on the Dragon City Array, attacking relentlessly.
Li Tianzong arrived swiftly, hearing the miserable howls of Li Xuanli and the others, his eyes filled with shock, but even more with sorrow.
He clenched his fists and sent orders to the hidden Third, telling him to leave the city and deal with that Demon King.
Li Xuanyin took up his spear and charged out, fighting the Demon King in a ferocious battle, but neither could gain the upper hand.
That evening, Li Hao and Li Xiaoran learned of Li Junye’s death in battle, and both fell silent.
The deaths of several others before had already led them to anticipate this scene.
However, everyone was born from Li Tianzong’s persistence; they did not feel too much sorrow in their hearts.
The real Li Junye had died in Cangzhou, saving countless people from disaster.
Now, as the demise of Dragon City approached, the whole city was on the brink of destruction, and everything was just beginning.
On this third day, Li Hao and Li Xiaoran were also under immense pressure. Seven or eight Demon Kings had emerged in the demon tide, with a Demon King from the Ultimate Study Realm presiding over them.
Li Hao’s Green Frost Sword was entangled by the Ultimate Study Realm Demon King, leaving him no room to act, which caused the Array to withstand numerous attacks from the Demon Kings.
“Tomorrow, this Array will probably be broken.”
In a brief respite from the demon tide, Li Xiaoran hurried to Li Hao’s side, saying, “Then we can only retreat to the Divine General Mansion. The Array inside can hold out a while longer.”
Li Hao had not expected to see signs of the city’s fall on just the third day.
And to this point, neither the Candle Flame God nor Lu Yuan, the old dragon, had made a move.
“If we retreat to the Divine General Mansion, that Candle Flame God will probably come over and open a Dao Domain outside the mansion, attacking the Array,” Li Hao said with a heavy expression.
Li Xiaoran sighed, “The situation this time is already much better. If it were just me before, the Array would have been broken by the third day, barely holding on. Now with you sharing one front, the pressure is lessened, others can reinforce elsewhere, and we’ve managed to hold the line intact.”
Li Hao remained silent.
In the evening, Li Hao saw a group of figures approaching the city walls. Looking closely, they turned out to be a group of female warriors.
They were all dressed for battle, among them was “Mother” Chen Hefang.
“Xiao Shi, you must be tired too,”
Chen Hefang said, as her stern eyes softened upon seeing Li Hao, stepping forward to say, “Your father sent me to call you back for a while, he has important matters to discuss with you.”
Li Hao couldn’t help but give her a second look: “You all are…?”
“The Li Family has no cowards,”
Chen Hefang said softly, “For the people at dawn, the Li Family can fight to the last drop of blood!”
Hearing this, Li Hao’s heart was deeply shaken.
“`
Other female officers, upon seeing Li Hao, also showed smiling faces.
“I heard that the youngest is the most promising, holding his own in the Three Immortal Realms, truly impressive.”
“To have such a son in the Li Family does not disgrace the glory of our ancestors.”
“Good child, go back quickly.”
These female officers were Li Hao’s aunts and such, whom Li Hao could not recognize, but he knew they were all people of the Li Family.
“It should be about informing you of the ancestral temple,” Li Xiaoran transmitted a message.
Initially, Li Tianzong had informed him of this news when the city wall was about to fall.
Li Hao fell silent for a moment, then bid farewell to the “mother” and the female officers in front of him and leapt back to the mansion.
Upon returning to the Divine General Mansion, Li Hao saw the once bustling courtyard that brimmed with guests was now desolate with fallen leaves swirling around, the ground untended by anyone.
In the empty courtyard, there were only a few servants left.
The rest, perhaps, had donned their armor and joined the City Defense Army, or had been dismissed, with only a few familiar faces remaining.
Li Hao saw the young Zhao, who was clad in battle armor, as if ready to join the battle and slay demons at any moment.
“Young Master, you’ve returned. The master is waiting for you in the main hall,” Zhao said, bowing respectfully upon seeing Li Hao.
Li Hao glanced at him, his lips moved slightly, but in the end, he said nothing.
He turned and entered the main hall, then saw that “father” seated in front of the dining table, sitting alone and deep in thought.
Upon hearing footsteps, Li Tianzong looked up, and in his bloodshot eyes, a faint malevolent energy seemed to hint at pressing ghastliness; a heavy, ominous presence.
Li Hao felt the other’s aura had become icy-cold and eerie but this sensation vanished in a blink, and when Li Tianzong saw Li Hao, his previously somber and cold expression softened with warmth.
“Jun Ye, come and sit.”
Li Tianzong called Li Hao over, his voice warm and gentle.
Li Hao nodded, prepared in his heart by the message from Li Xiaoran.
Yet, with the demise of the majority of the nine sons of the Li Family, such a tragic state, even knowing the others were but manifestations of Li Tianzong’s obsessions, Li Hao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Even when watching a play, one can’t help being moved by the pathos of the drama and sigh with emotion.
Not to mention, he personally experienced the affectionate looks and respectful care of those “brothers” every day, all very real and poignant.
It’s just that in reality, they never had such an opportunity.
“Jun Ye, you are the most outstanding talent the Li Family has seen in a thousand years.”
Li Tianzong beckoned Li Hao to sit next to him, at this moment it was only the two of them at the table; Li Tiangang, Li Xuanli, and others were still on the city walls, vigilant at all times.
Li Hao sat quietly, listening in silence, waiting for the other to speak about the ancestral temple.
“In these days, I’ve watched you grow,” Li Tianzong said, looking at Li Hao with warm eyes. “I am fond of the carvings you made for us, the paintings of your mother and me, which I will treasure. The dishes you’ve cooked are delicious, the tastiest I’ve had…”
“How fortunate am I, Li Tianzong, to have a son like you.”
He extended his broad palm and gently patted Li Hao’s shoulder, saying:
“I am very happy with the time we’ve spent together.”
At this point, he smiled again, then, with a hint of regret, murmured:
“If only you really were my son, how good that would be…”