The child who used to sit alone in the courtyard looking up at the starry sky still lingered in his heart.
But that courtyard was no longer there.
The little tail that used to chase after him in that courtyard was gone as well.
The bloodline connections that used to reach across hundreds of thousands of miles and resonate with that courtyard were also gone.
But the All Heavens Stars were still there.
That pure-hearted child was still there.
Upon hearing Li Hao’s words, Ji Yun Yue felt as if her heart had been fiercely stabbed, and the tears she had barely held back started flowing again like a dam had burst.
The others who wanted to persuade him closed their mouths at that moment and fell silent.
Looking at the young man’s gentle and calm eyes and the unique temperament that transcended the material world, they all felt a deep sorrow, knowing that this dazzling prodigy no longer belonged to the Ji Family.
When the young man had come up the mountain and claimed to be surnamed Ji, he faced rejection and disdain from countless people.
Now that he was leaving, everyone wanted him to reclaim that surname, but they realized in despair that it was no longer possible.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I bid you farewell.”
Li Hao slightly bowed and said, “The green mountains will not change, the clear waters will flow forever, the sun and moon will always be present, and we will meet again someday!”
After that, he looked at Ji Daoxin and said, “Senior, please open the secret realm for me.”
Ji Daoxin remained silent, knowing that there was no turning back, the broken mirror could not be made whole again, and mistakes could not be mended.
Just like the winds of today, no matter how strong, could not blow back to yesterday.
“My child, the Ji Family will always be open to you, even if you do not wish to be one of the Ji Family anymore. But if you ever come back, the Ji Family will always welcome you.”
Ji Daoxin gazed deeply at Li Hao and said word by word, “If you ever encounter difficulties in the future, just send a letter, and the Ji Family will certainly assist you with all our might!”
Li Hao just smiled slightly, not responding.
The other person was the head of a family that had lasted for ten thousand years; his words were kind but also strategic.
Ji Daoxin seeing the young man’s clear and serene yet mature eyes, knew that he could not be treated as an ordinary youth, and indeed, his words did contain the intention of minimizing losses.
After all, a prodigy like Li Hao was bound to be a resounding presence in the vast wilderness in the future. Even if he was not a member of the Ji Family, it would be impossible to become enemies with him, whether as a patron of the Ji Family or as a friend, it was worth exerting great efforts.
“My child, let me make way for you, and send you off on your journey.”
Ji Daoxin said, personally escorting him.
Such a protocol was only for the War God when returning from a campaign, either to welcome or to see off on a mission.
The news of Li Hao’s return from the dead quickly spread throughout the Ji Family, and many people rushed over, including other prodigies.
Accompanied by Ji Daoxin, Ji Tianchao, and others, the young man walked shoulder to shoulder with them towards the foot of the mountain.
The rest followed in a grand procession, with many still calling out in sorrow and trying to keep him there, but the young man’s figure remained unwavering.
When they heard that Li Hao had severed his blood ties with the Ji Family and was leaving, from the mountain peak to the mid-slope, and even down at the foot of the mountain, many Ji Family members who had rushed over called out in shock and panic, pleading with the young man to stay.
These sad and urgent cries traveled from the mountaintop to the foot of the mountain, accompanying him all the way, but the young man never looked back.
Countless members of the Ji Family watched his departing figure in sadness and despair, feeling as if the sky had collapsed; from the excitement and thrill of a moment before to the despair of now.
As members of the Ancient Holy Clan, which had glorified for ten thousand years, they were always the ones casting people out, but now, they felt an unfamiliar sense of abandonment.
“He’s… leaving the Ji Family?”
Ji Xuan Shen arrived as well, and from a distance in the sky, he heard the countless discussions on the mountain. He instantly understood what had happened and stood there stupefied.
The next moment, he suddenly accelerated, descending like a comet and landed in front of Li Hao and others who were coming down the mountain.
Ji Xuan Shen looked at the family head, Ji Tianchao, Ji Qingyuan, and other War Gods, all escorting this young man. He felt both disbelief and a surge of anger, not understanding why they did not retain him.
“Are you really leaving? You’ve already obtained the Dao Seed, and I haven’t challenged you yet!”
Ji Xuan Shen looked at Li Hao and said angrily.