The Name of Eternals

Chapter 249: Pursuit

"Xuan Shen!"

Seeing Ji Xuanshen blocking the way, Ji Daoxin's expression changed, and he called out softly.

But he didn't blame him, as he saw that Ji Xuanshen merely wanted to stop Li Hao from leaving, not out of hostility.

"No need for a challenge, you've already won."

Li Hao looked at the young man in front of him and said calmly, "In the Ji family, you are the strongest prodigy."

"But I haven't defeated you yet!"

Ji Xuanshen's expression was complex, filled with both anger and a sense of helplessness. He stared at Li Hao's divine flames and said, "You are now in the Taiping Dao realm. I don't know how you did it, but you defeated me before when you were in the Three Immortals realm. You must be even stronger now."

"One move, just one move!"

"If you can defeat me in one move, I'll let you leave!"

He stared intently at Li Hao, "Do you dare to accept?"

Hearing the young man's words, the other Ji family members were taken aback. None of them thought Ji Xuanshen was overestimating himself or acting recklessly. They all saw that he intended to use all his strength to try and keep the opponent who had once defeated him.

This was not hostility but camaraderie!

Perhaps this was the mutual admiration between prodigies?

"That's right, if you don't defeat Xuanshen, winning and running away is retreating!"

"If you want to leave the Ji family, you must accept the challenge!"

Other prodigies arrived, all seeing Ji Xuanshen's intention and urging Li Hao.

Faced with Li Hao, who had mastered Dao realms, they had no confidence in withstanding even one move. But Ji Xuanshen, who had also mastered Dao realms and possessed the power of a Saint Bone, might stand a chance.

Their words sounded like invitations to battle, but the older Ji family members looked at Li Hao, hoping he would agree.

To give Ji Xuanshen a chance.

A chance not to challenge, but to keep him.

Li Hao understood Ji Xuanshen's intentions and fell silent.

Ascending the mountain was filled with obstacles.

Descending was still filled with obstacles.

At that time, it was for the Ji family.

Now, it was still for the Ji family.

But this time, it included something more.

And that something more was the most precious and rare thing.

"Alright, let's try."

Li Hao sighed, but he already knew the outcome.

Hearing Li Hao's agreement, Ji Xuanshen's anger and complexity turned to joy. He sighed in relief, fearing that Li Hao would leave without giving him a chance.

After all, if Li Hao really wanted to leave, he couldn't stop him.

But one move, he had confidence in.

Though he had lost to Li Hao in the Three Immortals realm before, he had now fully entered the Taiping Dao realm!

With a single moment, his Dao realm would unfold, and his rule power would multiply several times.

Both in the Dao realm, as the top prodigy of the Ji family, he believed he could withstand one move from Li Hao.

"Keep your word!"

Ji Xuanshen took a deep breath, his eyes serious, his aura rising, and the energy of the heavens and earth converging around him.

Having fought before, he chose to strike first. Though it seemed unfair, he still seized all the nearby energy, avoiding Li Hao from quickly entering the Land Immortal state. In that realm, he felt he might not withstand even one move, as Li Hao was now at the peak of the Four Stands!

As the vast energy gathered, Ji Xuanshen's body emitted a heavy pressure, the power of fission and thunder condensed around him.

He stared at Li Hao, but saw no signs of Li Hao gathering power or preparing to attack.

"Don't blame me for not giving you time!"

If they were to clash on the battlefield again, he would wait. But now, he only said a word and quickly unleashed his Dao realm towards Li Hao.

In Dao realm combat, the Dao realm is paramount. Whoever's Dao realm is stronger and seizes the initiative wins.

Ji Daoxin and others looked at Li Hao, seeing no signs of him preparing to fight, feeling secretly pleased. Perhaps Li Hao actually wanted to stay?

As everyone marveled at Ji Xuanshen's power, Li Hao simply lifted his foot and continued walking forward.

Facing the incoming fission Dao realm, his expression remained indifferent. As he stepped forward, two Dao realms expanded from him, instantly shattering Ji Xuanshen's Dao realm, pushing it back and suppressing it until it was entirely forced back into his body.

Within Li Hao's dual Dao realms, Ji Xuanshen's Dao realm was completely suppressed, unable to unfold.

Li Hao walked past him without even raising a hand.

Ji Xuanshen stood frozen like a statue, staring in shock as Li Hao walked past. Only his eyes could move.

The gap was that wide?

Shock and frustration filled his heart.

Ji Daoxin and the others had expected a fierce battle, but instead, Ji Xuanshen's momentum was effortlessly stopped by Li Hao.

He had lost, completely and utterly.

As Li Hao's dual Dao realms expanded, their hearts clenched, knowing the result.

The youth had not only entered the Dao realm but had surpassed their expectations.

The other Ji family members, who had come to assist, were silent.

Their top prodigy, Ji Xuanshen, was easily defeated.

They watched in silence as Li Hao walked away, finally realizing they couldn't keep him.

"You really won't stay with the Ji family?"

Ji Qingyuan asked, his tone complex.

Ji Daoxin glanced at him, surprised by his attempt to keep Li Hao.

"I am no longer a Ji family member, but I can be a friend. Everything will follow its course."

Li Hao replied calmly.

Hearing his words, they fell silent, knowing they couldn't keep him.

Ji Daoxin sighed, seeing the youth's dual Dao realms, feeling regret and pain.

He opened the sacred realm and said, "Our gates are always open to you. This is the secret pattern for the sacred realm."

Li Hao, intending to refuse, saw the pattern, realizing he had already seen and memorized it.

Seeing their persistence, he sighed and bid farewell.

"I will see you off."

Ji Yun Yue and others insisted on accompanying him.

Li Hao declined, but they insisted, and he reluctantly agreed.

Ji Tianchao accompanied in silence, his eyes full of sorrow.

After they left the sacred realm, traveling a thousand miles, Li Hao bid farewell.

"If you ever return to the Great Wilderness, remember to visit us."

Ji Yun Yue said tearfully.

Ji Yun Qing and others also expressed their reluctance.

"I will," Li Hao nodded and left.

Watching his departing figure, Ji Yun Qing murmured, "We lost a future saint."

"Third Brother said in ten years, he could fight alongside me. Now, I think he underestimated. Five years, he might reach the Dao realm."

Ji Tianchao whispered, "With dual Dao realms, if he focuses on the path, we might witness a saint in our lifetime."

The younger generation was stunned, their emotions complex.

They had lost someone who could have brought them glory.

The day after Li Hao's departure.

On the holy mountain, Ji Xuanshen and other prodigies sought out Ji Daoxin.

"You want to go beyond the Great Wilderness?"

Ji Daoxin was surprised, seeing their determined eyes, he frowned.

"He won't return to the Ji family. Chasing him is futile."

Ji Xuanshen shook his head, "I just want to see the place that produced such a prodigy."

"Me too, I want to see the outside world."

Ji Qingshuang said.

Her father, Ji Qingyuan, knowing her thoughts, sighed but did not stop her.

With Ji Xuanshen accompanying, they would be safe.

"That place is ruled by the Jiang family. Respect their rules. Remember, it's the Jiang family."

Ji Daoxin advised.

They nodded, understanding the historical significance.

"The Jiang family was once one of the eight great clans. Though driven out, their foundation remains."

"Years ago, a prodigy unified the outside world, founding a dynasty. Respect their strength."

They nodded solemnly.

"We also learned that the Great Yu Dynasty is on the brink of war with demons. Don't go near their capital."

They were shocked to hear this.

"We understand."

Ji Xuanshen replied.

Ji Daoxin sighed, "Xuanshen, living in the same era as him is unfortunate. But you are still the greatest prodigy of our clan."

Ji Xuanshen nodded, "I understand."

Ji Daoxin smiled, "If he needs help, inform us. We will support him."

Ji Xuanshen glanced at him, understanding the unusual generosity.

"I understand."

Ji Daoxin smiled.

A few days later.

On the edge of the Great Wilderness, a youth sat on a fiery beast, gazing at the distant mountains.

"I'm back..."