“You people from beyond the Great Wilderness, even if I told you my name, you wouldn’t recognize it.” The elder spoke indifferently, obviously not holding Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran in high regard.
Li Tianzong was slightly taken aback, this familiar address made him think of something.
“Senior, where is this place?”
Li Hao asked, having already determined that the towering wild trees around them were not where they had entered the Mo River previously.
“This is the source of the Mo River.”
The elder said calmly, “The place you entered before was just an opening to the Mo River. As I said, I wanted you to take me back, naturally I would lead you to the source. This place is closer to my hometown…”
As he spoke, he looked toward a certain direction in the distance, a hint of nostalgia and expectation in his eyes, as well as a faint sense of urgency.
Li Xiaoran’s expression changed slightly, and he looked at Li Hao, saying, “Did you promise him something?”
“Yes, he is the source of obsession within the Mo River; I have to take him back, or the Mo River will revive.” Li Hao said.
Moreover, he had already completed 99% of the task, just one step shy of the final threshold.
“Where must he be taken?” Li Tianzong asked eagerly.
Li Hao also looked at the elder, now feeling certain that this was indeed beyond the illusion. If that was the case, then the elder’s words were probably true.
However, such miraculous events were somewhat beyond his understanding.
The Mo River could actually be moved, and its source was in fact on a soul of the dead.
“Great Wasteland Heavenly Realm, Ancient the Ji Family from the Great Wilderness Heaven!”
The elder stated indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Li Hao and the others all shuddered.
Li Hao suddenly recalled what Li Rumeng had whispered in his ear about the True Dragon contention, “The Great Wilderness Heaven, where my mother resides, and she is surnamed Ji!”
Li Tianzong and Li Xiaoran both contracted their pupils. They were present when Ji Qingqing married into the Li Family, and they were aware of the woman’s origin since then…
The elder before them, his hometown was where Li Hao’s mother’s family was located?
“You, you’re a member of the Ancient the Ji Family from the Great Wilderness Heaven?” Li Tianzong couldn’t help but ask.
If that was the case, it seemed they could be considered relatives?!
But the elder before them clearly did not recognize them.
“You know of us?” The elder looked at him with some surprise upon hearing this.
It seemed he did not expect these outsiders from the Great Wilderness to know of the Ji Family’s name. Could it be that their Ji Family’s reputation had spread beyond the heavens of the Great Wilderness?
Li Tianzong was taken aback for a moment, about to speak but hesitated, finally asking, “I don’t know what your relation is to the Ji Family, but do you know of Ji Qingqing?”
“You know of Qingqing?”
The elder was taken aback, looking at him with slight surprise. Then, as if realizing something, he raised an eyebrow and said:
“Considering the time, that little girl should have grown up by now. What, did she come to play in Dayu? Heh, with the talent she showed, she probably could easily sweep through the younger generation of the Dayu Divine Dynasty, right?”
Saying this, he curled his lip, seemingly a bit proud.
Li Tianzong was speechless; they did not know the level of Ji Qingqing’s Cultivation Realm, only that it was not bad.
It seemed she had not really shown her full abilities.
They had privately learned of her identity at the time of the marriage, and not many knew this secret.
After all, many families of the Dayu Divine Dynasty, including other Divine General Mansions, harbored fear and aversion towards the residents of the Great Wasteland Heavenly Realm.
Li Tianzong glanced at Li Hao, wanting to say something, but eventually did not speak.
He knew the rules of the Ji Family. When Ji Qingqing married Li Tiangang, it was her own decision. If it weren’t for seeing their deep affection and righteousness, he as a father would not have agreed.
With a silent sigh, Li Tianzong did not say more, but transmitted to Li Hao:
“Hao Er, do you also know of your mother’s identity? Later, we will accompany him back together, but we must not stay long in the Ji Family, and you must not let anyone know that your mother is Ji Qingqing. I worry they might harm you.”
Li Hao was taken aback. During his time at Heavenly Gate Pass, he had idly asked Feng about the Great Wilderness Heaven. Although Feng knew little, he did understand that the families of the Great Wilderness Heaven had extremely superior bloodlines, and thus rarely intermarried with outsiders. Discover hidden tales at M-V-L
The union of Li Tiangang and Ji Qingqing was a mutual striving of both parties, and with the protection of the Divine General Mansion’s influence, hiding the information about his mother Ji Qingqing had allowed for peace over the years.
This was also why after his mother revealed her identity in Northern Yan, she could frighten off the Holy Palace, and why she then left.
Li Hao fell silent.
To go to the Ji Family but not be able to recognize his own mother?
He vaguely recalled the affectionate and loving gaze of the gentle and beautiful woman looking down at him when he was in his swaddling clothes.
“Let’s go, it’s time to depart.”
The elder urged.
“We’re coming too,” Li Xiaoran stood up and said.
Li Hao snapped back to reality, looking at the two ready to depart with him, and quickly said, “Fourth Uncle…” He turned to call Li Tianzong, but the words stalled on his lips, uncertain how to address him.
If he called him “Grandfather,” wouldn’t that imply he still acknowledged that identity?
But, if he did not address him as such, wouldn’t it sadden the man if he knew of his current situation?
With the thought of the elder saying he only had enough time to visit home one last time, Li Hao felt a pang of sorrow.
After the battle at Dragon City, he knew how strong the elder’s desire to return home was.
“You go back first. The power of the Mo River has infiltrated grandfather’s body; I’m afraid he won’t last much longer.” Li Hao said.
This final journey, he intended not to let the old man suffer any further.
Li Xiaoran was startled, involuntarily looking at Li Tianzong.
Li Tianzong, however, changed complexion, also aware of his own abnormal state but had not realized it was so serious.