The Name of Eternals

Chapter 172: Leaving an Impression on the Heavenly Stele

After Lu Chunsheng left, Li Hao wandered around Tianji Tower.

The numerous cultivation techniques, neatly categorized, gave Li Hao a feeling similar to exploring Tingyu Tower. However, this place lacked the fragrance of sandalwood and was cleaned more frequently, suggesting regular visits.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating specks of dust floating over the books.

Li Hao first explored the path techniques.

He was looking for meridian expansion methods and qi circulation techniques.

The display of techniques in Tianji Tower was similar to that in Tingyu Tower, with the top-tier techniques on the highest floor. Li Hao found seven top-tier qi circulation methods and five top-tier meridian expansion methods.

Tingyu Tower only had three top-tier meridian expansion methods.

Given Tianji Tower's focus on intelligence, such a strong foundation was understandable.

Li Hao recorded all the techniques in his panel. With his sixth-stage understanding of path techniques, these techniques were instantly marked as perfected upon recording.

The details of the five top-tier meridian expansion methods flooded his mind.

Li Hao closed his eyes, seeming as if he had practiced these five top-tier methods for decades, with countless insights merging into his memory.

He soon understood the locations of the meridians these methods could open, and which meridians they were.

Many overlapped with the meridians opened by the techniques he had already mastered.

The more meridians opened, the more overlap there was between the techniques.

Despite this, the five top-tier meridian expansion methods each had unique pathways, adding seven new meridians for Li Hao! From the original 98 major meridians, he now had 105! Only three major meridians short of completion! "Unfortunately, there's too much overlap."

Li Hao felt a bit regretful. Each of the five top-tier meridian expansion techniques could open more than 50 major meridians, but mastering them all only added seven unique meridians due to overlap.

No wonder it was so challenging to open all the major meridians. Even after thousands of years, the Dayu Dynasty had no records of anyone achieving it.

The difficulty was extremely high.

It required too much time, with mastering one top-tier meridian expansion method to perfection taking decades of hard work.

Even a genius would need ten to twenty years.

Ordinary people didn't have his ability to comprehend and master techniques effortlessly through the path of understanding.

Unless someone had the longevity to push through gradually, but that required connections and resources.

"If I could master the royal meridian expansion method, I might complete the remaining three meridians!"

Li Hao thought to himself.

Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking.

Practicing the royal meridian expansion method was punishable by death.

It was one of the royal family's foundations and could not be touched lightly.

Li Hao collected his thoughts and headed downstairs.

On the lower floor were many high-tier meridian expansion methods.

Li Hao went through them one by one, recording each. As he recorded more and more methods, his mind filled with information.

Every meridian expansion method recorded in the panel was at the perfected level, but unfortunately, they all overlapped with the meridians he had already opened.

While the methods had different pathways, the meridians they opened were largely the same.

Li Hao continued downward.

After recording over twenty high-tier meridian expansion methods, one of them finally opened a new major meridian for Li Hao.

Delighted, he kept going.

Before long, after recording three more, another meridian expansion method opened a new meridian.

Now he had 107, just one short of completion.

Li Hao continued, but after recording all the high-tier methods, he turned to the mid-tier ones, only to find all of them overlapping.

Holding onto a sliver of hope, he turned to the low-tier methods, thinking if he didn't find it here, he'd have to seek out other sects for their techniques later.

To his surprise, after recording thirty-two low-tier meridian expansion methods, one method opened the final major meridian.

108 major meridians, all accounted for!

After a moment of stunned joy, Li Hao was overjoyed, eager to start practicing.

But this was Tianji Tower, so he restrained himself, not practicing here.

Opening all major meridians along with the Yin-Yang dual meridians could cause unknown phenomena.

His previous experiences with Heavenly Law Aspect and Divine Force were quite noticeable, and this involved his martial secrets, best kept hidden.

A sword's scabbard exists to conceal its edge.

Now with all meridians open, Li Hao returned to the top floor to search for body refining techniques.

Recording and searching as before, Li Hao found over a hundred techniques, with abundant information pouring in.

Though he hadn't practiced them yet, he knew many could refine his body in ways he couldn't previously.

After practicing later, his physical strength would surely increase again.

Next, he looked at sword techniques, fist techniques, and so on.

Li Hao recorded them all.

While he was going back and forth, music suddenly drifted down from the top floor.

"Major General, there are many techniques, but don't get overwhelmed. Let me play a tune to calm your mind, how about that?"

Lu Chunsheng's voice came through.

Though phrased as a question, the music had already started.

"...?"

Li Hao: ...

You just want to play music... Li Hao thought but replied, "Thank you, Tower Master."

Handling social interactions delicately.

With the music as background, Li Hao continued selecting techniques.

Though Lu Chunsheng's music could use improvement, it wasn't bad as background noise.

And since Li Hao only needed a glance to record techniques, he didn't need to fully engage in learning, otherwise, the music would be a major distraction.

Time passed.

After an hour, Li Hao had recorded many techniques in his panel.

He had swept through all the top-tier techniques, except for those he couldn't record, such as blade and spear techniques.

Li Hao hadn't reached the path level in blades or spears, so the panel couldn't record them.

He had no intention of wasting skill points on blade or spear techniques.

Fists and swords were enough.

One sword to kill, no need for a supplementary blade or spear.

Mastering many techniques isn't as good as mastering a few. Skill points aren't easy to come by.

Besides completing his meridians, the biggest gain was the qi circulation methods and body techniques.

He had mastered very few body techniques, with Feng Lao's Heavenly No-Trace Technique being a top-tier one.

Now, he had recorded many more body techniques, greatly enhancing his movement.

"Four top-tier body techniques, plus Feng Lao's, and eighteen high-tier body techniques..."

Li Hao was eager to test his full speed now.

Though he could only use one technique at a time, mastering them to the true state allowed him to integrate their strengths.

With his martial mastery, he could extract the essence of these techniques and make them his own.

Satisfied, Li Hao returned to the top floor, finding Lu Chunsheng's music more pleasant.

"Major General, did you find any techniques you liked?" Lu Chunsheng smiled.

Seeing Li Hao return quickly, he mentally praised him as a gentleman.

He had expected Li Hao to secretly memorize many techniques, a hint he gave to win Li Hao over.

But it seemed Li Hao, even if he did memorize some, didn't take too long, showing restraint.

"A gentleman's actions."

"I found the 'Embroidered Spring Wind' sword technique nice." Li Hao brought out a top-tier sword manual, "This one."

"Good eye, Major General. This sword technique was created by a Three-Indestructible Realm master eight hundred years ago. It's sharp but has a gentle intent, fitting your refined nature." Lu Chunsheng smiled.

Despite their brief interaction, he saw Li Hao's demeanor was soft and scholarly, unlike many warriors.

It made him appreciate Li Hao more.

"You're too kind, Tower Master." Li Hao smiled.

Lu Chunsheng handed Li Hao a cup of tea, smiling, "Major General, do you have any feedback on my playing earlier?"

Li Hao: (/"≡_≡)=

Practice more... Li Hao cleared his throat, "Tower Master, your playing is like this tea, sweet and refreshing!"

"Haha..."

Lu Chunsheng laughed, thinking Li Hao had good taste.

In a great mood, he said, "Actually, I have another piece I composed myself. Would you like to hear it, Major General?"

Though asking, he was already getting up from his cushion.

Just as Li Hao was about to respond, a commotion came from outside.

With his strong physique, Li Hao heard it clearly despite the distance and curiously asked, "Tower Master, what's that?"

Lu Chunsheng, having just stood up, glanced outside and smiled,

"Looks like someone passed the Heavenly Stele. Major General, would you like to take a look? Our disciples could learn from you."

"Sure."

Li Hao agreed.

The two flew out towards the commotion.

At a part of the dojo, a crowd of disciples had gathered.

In front of them, leading to a mountain, stood rows of tall black stone steles.

Each stele was about two to three meters tall, standing like a row of tombstones.

"Senior Sister Tang passed the stele test and challenged Senior Brother Jiang successfully!"

"Impressive, only her third time!"

"Senior Sister Tang is a renowned talent, mastering a high-tier sword technique in three days and refining it in seven!"

"Unfortunately, she's of humble origin. Despite her great talent, she lacked resources early on. She's too old to make the Qian Kun rankings now."

"Shh, don't you want to live? Why bring that up?"

"Aren't you regretful?"

"Regretful, my foot! You dare say Senior Sister Tang is old? Do you want to die?"

"…"

By the steles, the disciples whispered and occasionally sighed in awe.

Suddenly, someone noticed Li Hao and Lu Chunsheng approaching.

They didn't recognize Li Hao but knew Lu Chunsheng well, as his statue stood at the entrance.

Seeing the boy with the Tower Master, they wondered which prodigy he was. Curiously, they respectfully greeted,

"Greetings, Tower Master."

Lu Chunsheng nodded slightly, signaling them to rise.

He glanced at Li Hao, smiling, "Let me introduce, this is Major General Hao Tian."

"Hao, Hao Tian Major General?"

Everyone was stunned, some not immediately reacting.

But soon, their eyes widened.

Among them, a tall, slender woman with a cold and sharp gaze held a longsword. Her eyes, usually indifferent, briefly showed surprise as she looked at the gentle-faced boy.

As Tianji Tower disciples, they had access to more and denser information, knowing many of Hao Tian Major General's exploits.

At fourteen, he was granted a title, fulfilling countless youths' dreams.

Even as a woman, she was curious about the legendary boy.

Lu Chunsheng saw their shock and smiled, then noticed the aloof woman in the crowd. He suggested to Li Hao,

"This is your first time here. Interested in trying our Tianji Tower's Heavenly Stele?"

"Is this the Heavenly Stele?"

Li Hao examined the tall black steles, surprised.

Second Uncle had mentioned them before. Tianji Tower had discovered heavenly stones containing the Dao's essence, able to capture martial imprints.

The tower had cut these stones into steles, creating a famed sight, attracting countless talents a millennium ago.

After some incidents, Tianji Tower restricted the steles to its disciples only.

Now, Lu Chunsheng invited Li Hao, hoping to capture the legendary boy's imprint on the stele as inspiration for future disciples.