Chapter Seven: Li Hao’s Troubled Heart

Chapter Seven: Li Hao’s Sleepless Night of Heavy Thoughts

After returning home, Li Hao and Lu Yao each retreated to their own private rooms, reflecting on all they had witnessed that day. In Lu Yao’s heart, nothing remained but the figure of Li Hao; everything else had drifted far from her mind. Li Hao, meanwhile, thought only of advancing his cultivation so he would not be bullied in the future. This pure and simple desire marked a significant turning point in his life.

That day, the mysterious voice had told him that once he reached the Wandering Realm, he would learn his own identity. He was filled with overwhelming curiosity about that voice.

Li Hao had begun studying the Wood Attribute Laws in the Valley of Hundred Herbs at the age of three. Although sometimes lazy in his practice, seven years of cultivation brought him to the Small Perfection stage of the Foundation Building Realm. His progress was in no way inferior to the gifted young prodigies, indicating that his talent for cultivation was truly monstrous, even among geniuses.

That night, having returned from Lishui City, Li Hao found no rest. He thought of how, though he had lived alone and under someone else’s roof all these years, he had never been mistreated or bullied, yet it was never truly his home. He recalled the hazy figure of his mother, often seen in dreams, and longed to tell his father, mother, and grandfather: “Grandfather, Father, Mother, I have been well all these years. Grandpa and Grandma Baicao, Uncle Lu Feng, and Aunt Qin Ya have all treated me kindly. I also have a gentle and beautiful sister, Lu Yao. But I miss you so much and wish I could have the teachings of a father and grandfather, and the love and care of a mother, just like Lu Yao. I wish I could taste Mother’s cooking again, learn from Father, and chat with Grandfather. I want to tell you all about what I have seen and heard these years.”

He longed to say to his grandfather: “Grandfather, Grandpa Baicao often speaks of you with great respect. I’ve heard that when I was just born, I suffered misfortune, and you traveled far and wide, enduring all manner of hardships to gather spiritual herbs and heal me. Because of my unusual constitution, you left once more to search for a cure. But you’ve been gone so long—ten years now. Grandfather, why haven’t you come back? Perhaps you are in some distant place, thinking of me every day. You must take care of yourself, or I’ll be sad. I miss you so much, yet I don’t even remember your face. I wish I could kneel before you and say, ‘Grandfather, you’ve done so much for me all these years. Thank you for your tireless efforts.’”

He longed to say to his father: “Father, Grandpa Baicao told me you are a true hero, shouldering the responsibilities of our star domain for many years. It must be exhausting, but don’t worry—one day I’ll help you share the burden. I’ve heard you manage our domain so well, and the world is harmonious under your care. I hope to learn from you and become a great man like you. Father, you’re amazing, and I admire you so much.”

He longed to say to his mother: “Mother, I often see you in my dreams—so beautiful and gentle that I never want to wake. I wish I could massage your back and shoulders, listen to you sing me a song, or tell me stories and jokes. I want you to give me a younger sibling—just one brother and one sister, I’m not greedy! I wonder if Father ever bullies you. If he does, you must tell me, and when I grow up, I’ll help you stand up to him.”

He also wanted to say, “I’ve learned many things over the years. I hope I haven’t let you down…”

That night, Li Hao found no sleep, his thoughts and longing for his family flowing into tears of bitter yearning. He imagined countless reunions and thought of all the things he wanted to say if he ever saw them again. In the end, he realized that the only way was to advance his cultivation as quickly as possible. Only with true strength could he do as he wished.

The next day, at the break of dawn (five o’clock), the sky over the Lu Jiashan Star Domain was still dark when Li Hao rose, dressed, washed, and shouldered his small herb basket, ready to set out. Today’s task was to collect five types of five-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs.

When Li Hao first began gathering herbs, the Divine Healer Baicao would always accompany him to ensure his safety. At first, he picked century-old herbs; gradually, he progressed to thousand-year ones, then three-thousand-year herbs, and now five-thousand-year specimens. While learning to identify all kinds of herbs under Baicao’s guidance, Li Hao, with his exceptional memory, never forgot a single lesson. Now, recognizing herbs was as simple as daily routine for him.

Two years ago, when Li Hao began collecting three-thousand-year-old herbs, Baicao no longer accompanied him. For Li Hao’s safety, however, Baicao left a protective power on him as a precaution. Should Li Hao ever face mortal danger, that power would transform into a deadly defensive barrier. Li Hao never ventured too far, and with Baicao’s abilities, he could arrive instantly if Li Hao was in danger. Thus, Baicao had confidence in letting him go alone.

The older the spiritual herb, the harsher its environment. Every morning, Li Hao traversed mountains and valleys to complete his task. Baicao’s intention was to toughen Li Hao’s body and cultivate his adaptability to the outside world—a painstaking but thoughtful effort. Li Hao had grown accustomed to this life, heading out early, finishing his tasks, and then playing on the rocks near the Hall of the Divine Healer.

Today, however, Li Hao acted differently. In the past, he would collect herbs wherever it was most convenient; today, he deliberately chose the more difficult places. Baicao often told them, “Only those who endure the bitterest hardships can stand above others.” Unaware of any better methods of cultivation, Li Hao decided to temper his body in this humble way.

Within his sea of consciousness, the Nine-headed Strange Dragon, due to its unique nature, did not know how to teach Li Hao its cultivation methods. Although it possessed thousands of years of cultivation, its intelligence was comparable to that of a young boy. Moreover, it dared not forget the instructions of the Divine Lord Liyang: everything had to depend on Li Hao, unless he faced mortal danger.

That morning, as usual, Lu Yao went to their meeting place to find Li Hao, but no matter how long she waited, he did not appear. She grew anxious, but there was nothing else she could do. She resolved that if Li Hao didn’t arrive by the time her grandfather had set, she would inform him. Thus, she passed the long hours in a state of emotional turmoil. When the appointed time finally came, her eyes lit up—her Li Hao was drawing near. When he at last appeared, she saw him drenched in sweat, and was greatly surprised. Why was her brother Li Hao so sweaty today?

Before Lu Yao could ask if something had happened—if he had encountered danger—Li Hao spoke first, “Yao’er, Grandpa Baicao’s time limit is almost up. Let’s hurry to the alchemy room.”

On the way home, Lu Yao’s concern got the better of her. “Brother Li Hao, why are you so sweaty? Did you run into a wild beast? Next time, let the family guards protect you, all right?”

Li Hao hadn’t encountered any wild beasts. After picking herbs, he had filled his basket with stones and run through the forest, leaping and bounding, intent on tempering his body through this ancient and simple method.

Hearing Lu Yao’s words, he was too embarrassed to admit he had been running with rocks on his back, so he offered a harmless lie: “No need, I wasn’t in danger. Today Grandpa Baicao is going to teach us alchemy, so I was excited and raced a beautiful little deer—hence the sweat.”

Lu Yao only half believed him, responding with a soft “Oh.” The two children walked and chatted, quickly arriving at the alchemy room. As Li Hao went to store the herbs in the outer chamber, he parted from Lu Yao for a moment.

Recalling the mysterious voice from his sea of consciousness, Li Hao decided to try talking to it.

“Hey! Can you tell me what I should call you?”

“I’m called Little Nine,” it replied.

“Can you explain the divisions of cultivation to me?” Li Hao asked.

Little Nine paused, then answered, “I can only share what I’ve learned over thousands of years. As for the myriad martial arts, there is still much I don’t understand.”

“That’s enough for me,” Li Hao replied.

He was not greedy—he only wanted help for now.

Little Nine began its lengthy explanation:

“In all the worlds of martial cultivation, there is no single path that is strongest. Strength or weakness depends on one’s cultivation level and the quality of their technique. In simple terms, a technique is a method or approach. Over tens of millions of years, countless cultivators in each attribute domain have comprehended countless techniques. Thus, even within the same realm, there are differences in strength, and some gifted cultivators can challenge opponents several minor realms above their own. For example, a practitioner of the Water Law might suppress a practitioner of the Fire Law in the same realm, not because water is inherently stronger, but because each attribute’s power is ever-changing—it all depends on how the cultivator wields it.

Commonly cultivated laws are: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Darkness, Light, Time, and Space, among others. Each great law can produce peak experts of its attribute, and these laws interact and counterbalance each other. To stand at the pinnacle of cultivation, one must integrate all the great laws of heaven and earth. But not only is it unheard of for someone to master all laws, even those who can train in two or three simultaneously are one in ten thousand. In the endless river of history, there has never been a recorded cultivator who successfully trained in more than five laws at the same time.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth form a vast domain, essential among the laws of heaven and earth. Beyond that are the even more mysterious Darkness, Light, Time, and Space—forces born of chaos itself. To grasp even a fraction of these is to stand at the pinnacle of one’s realm. Cultivators of these mysterious powers can often challenge those several minor realms above their own.

Li Hao listened, confused but attentive, committing everything to heart.

All these years, Li Hao only knew a sliver about the Wood Law; he was utterly ignorant of the others. In terms of martial cultivation, his understanding was like that of a frog at the bottom of a well—his world only as large as the Valley of Hundred Herbs. The greatest advantage of the Wood Law was healing, alchemy, and refining medicines; its other abilities were limited.