That gaze seemed to pierce through the Ancient Mirror, locking eyes with Li Hao.
Li Hao suddenly felt an indescribable sensation.
It was as if they were connected by blood.
But the woman in the Ancient Mirror only glanced at him with some confusion, then walked into the thatched cottage, seemingly to rest.
Li Hao continued to stare for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the rest of Qiu Tian Dao, seeing some caves where several Ji family criminals, naked and wild, sat or lay dispiritedly, their bodies filthy and hair disheveled.
Others were using stone slabs to carve something on the mountain walls, seemingly keeping track of the days.
Although there were not many prisoners, Li Hao could sense the desolate and despairingly grim atmosphere permeating the island with just one look.
He didn’t continue spying and put away the Ancient Mirror, then asked Ji Yun Yue, “How soon will the wilderness sea calm down so that the Dao Domain can take me across?”
“Child, don’t rush. It should be calm by tomorrow. You just saw, the wild sea is already settling down. Even if the Dao Domain takes you across, there’s no energy replenishment above the wild sea. Crossing with the Dao Domain would be strenuous, and returning would be difficult. It’s safer to take a boat.”
Ji Yun Yue immediately advised, “Wait till tomorrow, and I will go with you. We also need to pick the Twin Flowers first so we can bring your mother off Qiu Tian Dao; otherwise, without the Twin Flowers to detoxify her, she would succumb to the poison soon after leaving Qiu Tian Dao and the unique environment of the wild sea.”
“She has been poisoned?” Li Hao’s expression changed.
“It’s not the type of poison you’re thinking of. It’s a special poison that all Qiu Tian Dao criminals must take to prevent elder family members from fetching them or escaping from Qiu Tian Dao themselves.”
“As long as they stay on the island, they are safe and normal, but if they leave without authorization, there will be serious problems.”
Li Hao realized the Ji family had strict control over their criminals.
“Child, let your great aunt accompany you tomorrow; since you’ve come out from cultivation today, why not go see your grandfather first? He has been talking about you every day, eager to see you.”
Ji Yunqing said softly.
Li Hao looked at them, seeing the hope in their eyes, and thinking of that grandfather’s lingering soul, he felt a twinge of reluctance and nodded slightly.
Seeing Li Hao agree, joy appeared in their eyes, and they immediately took Li Hao to the Ji family ancestral shrine.
On the way, Li Hao asked why the old predecessor was not present, referring to Ji Tian Chao.
When Ji Tian Chao was mentioned, Ji Yunqing and Ji Yun Yue both looked at Li Hao with strange expressions.
Ji Yunqing spoke, “Recently, people from the Qin family have been roaming around outside the secret realm, looking for trouble with our Ji family, claiming they witnessed a young man who claimed to be from the Ancient Divine Clan coming here before disappearing, intending to investigate our Ji family’s secret realm.”
At this, both turned their gaze to Li Hao.
Li Hao was slightly stunned, surprised that his journey had been observed.
He was completely unaware.
“According to the Qin family, that young man defeated the Qin family’s prodigy, even the Qin Tianchen of the Ultimate Study Realm lost, who is one of the Qin family’s ten great prodigies, and yet that young man is only fourteen or fifteen…”
Ji Yunqing just looked at Li Hao, listing these details.
Li Hao, seeing their bizarre looks, immediately knew they must have guessed the person the Qin family mentioned was him.
He showed a helpless expression.
Regarding this, he didn’t intentionally hide it but merely asked, “Will this cause trouble for the Ji family? Otherwise, shall I go and handle it myself?”
“That young man, is it really you?”
Ji Yunqing asked upon seeing Li Hao’s admission.
Li Hao nodded.
Both exchanged a look, their expressions clearly showing they had suspected as much.
However, they were immediately delighted. Although they had suspected, seeing Li Hao admit it was still a pleasant surprise.
“Recently, Great Wilderness Heaven has been abuzz with your fame, saying a young man from the Ancient Divine Clan has been vanquishing foes far and wide, possessing immense strength and overcoming prodigies against the odds. We suspected it might be you.”
“Are those stories true, are you really from the Ancient Divine Clan? Isn’t your father from outside Great Wilderness Heaven?”
Both looked curiously at Li Hao.
“Nonsense, I only said that because I was afraid they wouldn’t accept it.”
Li Hao explained.
“…”
Both were at a loss for words.
They thought of various reasons and explanations but never expected it to be this.
Not accepting? Were they afraid that seeing him, the prodigies from the Qin family and other clans would be demoralized?
You’re surprisingly considerate… Both inwardly chuckled, but considering the strength Li Hao had shown, indeed many young generations from those families had their spirits crushed.
Among these people, some became depressed, while others revered Li Hao as a god reincarnated, holding him in utmost esteem.
In front of Li Hao, the reputation of other prodigies paled.
After all, in an ancient family of warriors, might was revered.
“The family head also guessed it was you and had Heavenly Dynasty settle matters with the Qin family, so he did not come,” Ji Yunqing smiled.
“They wouldn’t dare really make trouble; this is, after all, Ji family territory. If they annoy us enough, we’ll just chop down everyone they sent here, leaving none, and see what the Qin family has to say. If it comes to it, we might as well start a war, having the advantage of striking first.”
Ji Yun Yue said, her eyes flashing with a fierce light not inferior to any man’s though she was of the fairer sex.
Hearing this, Li Hao was somewhat at a loss for words, beginning to understand a little of the Ancient families’ way of doing things.
Before long,
Li Hao arrived at the Ji family ancestral shrine, finally meeting that grandfather.