The Name of Eternals

Chapter 186: Earthly Veins, Immortal Transforming Bowl

"Don't let them escape!!"

Seeing Li Tiangang and Li Hongzhuang fleeing, the six demon kings were enraged. If Li Tiangang escaped, they wouldn't be able to face the Yin Lady.

Roar! They stopped holding back, unleashing their full power, revealing their ferocious true forms that had developed over thousands of years. They were like six demonic entities emerging from the abyss, exuding a terrifying aura.

Boom! The battle flags exploded, sword qi burst forth. The vine demon elder roared, gathering hundreds of vines into a massive vine spear, which pierced through the air, clashing with the sword qi.

The air trembled, and the sword qi dissipated. The sword formation, comparable to a full-force strike from a Dao Heart Realm, was ultimately no match for the full power of the Reverse Life Realm vine demon elder.

Among the six demon kings, besides the vine demon elder, another was also at the Reverse Life Realm. This one too unleashed their power, smashing another wave of sword qi.

Li Hongzhuang's expression changed. She quickly drew more battle flags from her back, throwing them in succession.

Boom, boom, boom! The battle flags exploded, releasing sword formations. Crimson-gold sword qi crisscrossed, tearing through the demonic aura and attacking the six demon kings.

While the two Reverse Life Realm demon kings faced the sword qi head-on, the other four hesitated. Even at full strength, this same-level attack could injure them.

Li Tiangang, watching the crimson-gold sword qi, was shocked. The power of these sword formations exceeded his imagination! That Emperor truly favored them, providing such powerful battle flags. If these could be mass-produced or given to his command, even the border of Liangzhou might not have fallen! He sighed inwardly, filled with confusion.

The Emperor had always been wise and formidable.

"Stop them!"

The vine demon elder, seeing Li Tiangang and Li Hongzhuang flying further away, was furious. Ignoring the sword formations, he chased them at full speed.

Whoosh! Li Hongzhuang threw two more battle flags, which exploded in mid-air.

The vine demon elder swung his vine spear, shattering the sword qi, and roared, speeding after Li Hongzhuang.

Though he was briefly slowed, he used continuous teleportation to close the gap.

However, the distance covered by his teleportation wasn't far, and the shattered sword qi pursued him relentlessly.

Li Hongzhuang threw more battle flags.

The sword formations exploded, and the vine demon elder broke through them, soon surrounded by the shattered sword qi.

He roared, unleashing a black withered vine, infused with dark thunderfire, sweeping away the sword qi.

Yet, small fragments of the sword qi continued to strike him, causing minimal damage, like raindrops.

The vine demon elder initially ignored them, but suddenly his body trembled, sensing a strong premonition of death.

"What..."

His pupils shrank in horror.

His life force was rapidly draining, his power diminishing, and his soul was sealed within, unable to escape.

He tried to gather his strength but failed.

A shadow of death, like an unseen maw, was devouring his body! "No!!"

The vine demon elder, terrified, activated his Reverse Life opportunity.

A dark thunderfire withered vine shot out from his head, his true form.

Thousands of years ago, he had grown in the wilderness. During a fierce battle, a lightning strike scorched a vine, but a new sprout grew from the ashes, gaining intelligence and eventually becoming the vine demon elder.

Now, his true form escaped from his body.

His massive, root-laden body fell, lifeless.

The strange devouring sensation disappeared, severed by his Reverse Life power.

He survived! But the vine demon elder was horrified, staring at his former body in disbelief.

If not for his Reverse Life opportunity, he would have died! Living for thousands of years, he had never been so close to death! What was that feeling? It was like having one foot in the grave, his spine still chilling.

The other demon kings, who had been chasing, paused, equally shocked by the scene.

Though they had heard of the battle flags' power, this strange occurrence was unprecedented.

While the six demon kings were stunned, Li Hongzhuang and Li Tiangang accelerated their escape.

Soon, they caught up with the main army, rushing towards the defensive line.

Outside the formation, Li Xuanli and others awaited them. Seeing the six demon kings momentarily held back by Li Hongzhuang's battle flags, they quickly ordered the formation's node to be temporarily closed.

The army swiftly crossed the drawbridge into the defensive line.

Li Hongzhuang handed a formation token to Li Tiangang. Once everyone was inside, the formation was reactivated to prevent the demon kings from attacking.

Li Tiangang and Li Hongzhuang crossed the golden formation, entering the defense.

"Tiangang!"

"Fifth Brother!"

The brothers embraced, their emotions unchanging despite their roles as generals. Having just survived a deadly situation, they were grateful for Li Hongzhuang's timely rescue.

Suppressing his emotions, Li Tiangang turned, seeing the six demon kings approaching again. But the vine demon elder, who had been most aggressive, now hung back.

"Hongzhuang, how many battle flags do you have left?"

Li Tiangang asked urgently.

Li Hongzhuang quickly counted, "Twenty-three!"

"Good!"

Li Tiangang felt relieved. With these battle flags, they could hold the second defensive line.

"What about Tianmen Pass? How many are there?"

He asked quickly.

"There are many more," Li Hongzhuang replied.

These battle flags were pulled from the city outskirts by Li Hao, and she remembered seeing them everywhere.

"Many?" Li Tiangang was puzzled. "How many exactly?"

"Maybe a hundred?"

Li Hongzhuang wasn't sure.

Li Hao had only explained how to use the flags, not their number.

If all the flags in Cangya City had such power, there would be at least a thousand.

She guessed these were special, and the others were ordinary, or else the city would be at risk if they were all destroyed.

"So many?" Li Tiangang and Li Xuanli were stunned.

"These must be special. Such powerful flags can't be that numerous," Li Xuanli doubted.

Li Tiangang nodded, "Didn't he tell you the number?"

"No."

"That brat!"

Li Tiangang fumed, "At such a critical time, why hide information? Doesn't he trust his own family?"

Li Hongzhuang quickly said, "Maybe he was in a hurry and forgot. But I can feel Hao'er's sincerity. Perhaps I guessed wrong, and he only left a few there."

Li Xuanli nodded, sighing, "Regardless, Hao'er sending so many flags has protected half of Liangzhou!"

"That's expected."

Li Tiangang huffed, "Li Hao has been granted such treasures by the Emperor. If he kept them for himself, he wouldn't be worthy of being a Li family member!"

Li Wushuang, in the crowd, glanced at Li Tiangang, wanting to speak but hesitating.

She vividly remembered that day by the Longjiang River in Dayue City, when that boy declared he no longer considered himself part of the Li family.

He had long rejected being a Li family member... she thought silently.

But facing her stern seventh uncle, she dared not speak, only sighing inwardly.

...

...

Tianmen Pass, Cangya City.

In the small courtyard.

"Click!"

A white stone landed, sealing off the last retreat for the black stones.

When there is no retreat.

One should admit defeat.

Li Hao smiled, taking a sip of tea, looking at the dejected Xu Zhouyuan, and said, "Senior, I've won."

"Young General, your chess skills are exceptional. I concede."

Xu Zhouyuan smiled wryly.

"Senior's mind is elsewhere. Let's end here today."

Li Hao noticed the military reports had distracted the old chess master, preventing him from fully focusing.

Without focus, how could one win? Chess heart, chess heart. Only with a heart can there be chess.

Isn't it the same for people?

Hearing Li Hao, Xu Zhouyuan felt relieved, sighing, "Thank you, Young General."

He stood up, glancing at Li Hao, "Young General, Liangzhou is in peril. Be careful."

Li Hao smiled, "Senior, are you planning to leave Liangzhou?"

Xu Zhouyuan blushed, ashamed, "We're just common folk, afraid of dragging the General down."

Li Hao nodded, not trying to persuade him, "If so, I won't stop you. But these days, demonic activities are frequent. Staying in Cangya City might be safer. I worry that traveling might be dangerous."

Xu Zhouyuan shuddered, realizing the truth, and nodded, "Thank you, Young General."

"You're welcome."

Li Hao smiled, asking Ren Qianqian to see the guest out.

Cherishing life wasn't something to blame.

"Thank you, Miss Qianqian," Xu Zhouyuan said politely.

Li Hao gazed into the distance, the sunset's afterglow falling on the courtyard walls, half the chessboard, and his body.

It was warm.

"The sunset is beautiful, but it signals the approach of night."

Li Hao sighed.

Though beautiful, this scene would soon disappear.

He finished his tea, preparing to train.

Suddenly, a notification appeared on his panel.

Li Hao noticed his Qiankun Diagram markers were decreasing.

The markers flickered.

In a short time, he lost over ten markers.

This meant over ten battle flags were damaged.

Li Hao's eyes gleamed, realizing Li Hongzhuang had reached the battlefield.

Losing so many battle flags indicated a dire situation.

He wondered if they had stabilized and saved his fifth uncle in time.

If the flags were heavily damaged and no other demons were approaching, Li Hao might go there himself.

At that moment, his dark clone returned from outside the pass, carrying many battle flags, returning to the courtyard.

With Liangzhou in crisis, Li Hao had the dark clone retrieve the flags from beyond the five-thousand-mile boundary, replacing them with ordinary flags.

Even if destroyed, it was fine. They were meant to intimidate demons. Now, these flags were more useful on the battlefield.

The land beyond the pass could be surveyed again after repelling the demons.

Whoosh! Li Hao stepped out, disappearing from the courtyard, soon arriving outside Cangya City.

He continued several steps, flying to a hill a hundred miles away.

Concerned about making a scene, he moved three hundred miles further.

"What are you up to now?"

Feng Boping, following Li Hao, was curious.

Li Hao smiled, "Training."

He stood on a boulder atop the mountain.

In Tianji Tower, he had seen many techniques, yet to be practiced, including numerous body refining methods.

The most important was the vein opening method, to unlock more meridians.

Li Hao's techniques were recorded on his panel but not practiced. Currently, his body had only 98 meridians.

Taking a deep breath, he began practicing.

One by one, the vein opening techniques activated.

The previously merged techniques flowed through his meridians, then through unfamiliar ones.

Boom! Boom! One by one, the meridians opened. With his current cultivation, reopening meridians was smooth and easy.

Soon, all 108 ordinary meridians were open! As the last meridian opened, Li Hao felt a unique sensation, an indescribable comfort.

It was like countless soft hands massaging his body, making his bones crack and feel extremely relaxed.

A stream of celestial energy filled his meridians, drawing in the world's energy, flooding them, including the Yin-Yang dual meridians.

Instantly, his meridians were fully activated.

Li Hao felt the surging energy in his meridians entering an unknown territory.

It seemed to reach beyond his head, farther than his skull.

It felt like it exited his body, reaching a distant, higher place.

Li Hao closed his eyes but seemed to see a brilliant golden light, reminiscent of the golden gate he glimpsed when opening the Yin-Yang dual meridians.

Seeing the golden light, Li Hao felt like a fish about to leap through the dragon gate.

The surging energy in his body lifted his "body," flying towards the golden light.

Soon, he passed through the light, entering a vast expanse.

Initially dark, it soon filled with starlike points of light.

More appeared, densely packed, illuminating the space, like a starry sky with countless galaxies around him.

Li Hao felt light, extremely relaxed.

He moved his thoughts to touch the starlight, which responded, converging on his body.

All the light spots entered him.

A surge of power filled him instantly.

Boom! The sky around the mountain peak where Li Hao stood trembled.

Feng Boping, watching from a distance, was shocked.

He saw the forces around Li Hao merging with his body!

Controlling the power of heaven and earth!

Li Hao opened his eyes, emitting beams of divine light piercing the void.

His deep eyes held a vast feeling, encompassing everything, with countless power spots circulating, then hiding, leaving calm eyes.

Li Hao understood the limit of the Zhou Tian realm.

108 meridians, plus the unique Yin-Yang dual meridians, forming a new meridian.

Li Hao called it the Heaven and Earth Meridian!

This meridian connected to the heavens and the earth! His merged meridians formed one, allowing him to control the power of heaven and earth as part of his body.

This significantly enhanced his power!

"So this is it..."

Li Hao murmured.

He realized this was similar to the Grandmaster realm's ultimate state, where celestial energy drew the world's power.

The Heaven and Earth Meridian was a bowl, while celestial energy was like a vessel.

Previously, he had no "bowl," only using his body to carry power. Reaching the limit caused a celestial state.

Surpassing 30% celestial energy led to loss of control, needing help to stop.

But now, he had a bowl.

The Heaven and Earth Meridian vastly increased his capacity.

This meant he could handle more celestial energy, not just 30%, possibly 40%, 50%, or even 60%! "If every realm reaches its limit, could I truly become immortal?"

Li Hao wondered.

An ultimate celestial state without dying—what kind of martial state would that be? Or could it still be called martial arts?

Li Hao focused, feeling the immense power of the Heaven and Earth Meridian.

He could control not just internal power, but also the surrounding world.

This was the Heaven and Earth Meridian.

His enhanced capacity meant more powerful moves and even more extreme techniques.

Additionally, the Heaven and Earth Meridian could absorb the world's energy, refining his body.

Refining his body significantly impacted the Three Indestructible Realm.

The Immortal Realm's self-healing and the Imperishable Realm's treasure body depended on the level of refinement.

Even among the Three Indestructible Realm, self-healing and body strength varied greatly due to different refinement levels.

Li Hao had refined his body to an extreme level with numerous top-grade techniques, making his Three Indestructible Realm body strong enough to fight Four Standing Realm demon kings.

Now, his body could be refined further.

Reaching an extreme level might open the ultimate state of the Three Indestructible Realm! With the Zhou Tian realm's ultimate state being the powerful Heaven and Earth Meridian, Li Hao eagerly anticipated the ultimate state of the Three Indestructible Realm. ...

Standing on the mountain, Li Hao continued training.

He practiced numerous body refining techniques, sword techniques, and more.

The mountain peak was filled with phenomena.

The boy's figure moved alone, accompanied by the heavens and thunder.

As the sun set, the moon rose.

Stars twinkled, time quietly passed.

...

...

Dawn's light illuminated the land.

A figure flew through the sky, breathing in the dewy morning air.

"Tianji Palace?"

Suddenly, on the road ahead, a bird demon awaited, transforming into a green-clad girl, looking like a jade carving.

Seeing the girl, the elder in dark purple robes frowned and paused.

Knowing she waited with a message, he stopped.

The Tianji Palace could transmit messages swiftly, even faster than a top martial artist's travel speed.

"Greetings, Lord Luyuan!"

The girl bowed, "The Elder ordered me to wait here with a message for you."

"Speak."

"Yesterday, the eastern and western borders were breached, but Liangzhou has established a second defensive line. Hundreds of noble families are gathering there."

"Additionally, Li Tiangang issued a summons for aid, likely bringing veterans from the Divine General's Mansion."

"The Emperor has dispatched troops, Wuliang Mountain sent a Bodhisattva to aid, and the movements of the Qian Dao Palace master are unknown."

The girl quickly summarized Liangzhou's situation.

Then she added:

"They requested your immediate assistance to destroy the formation. The situation is currently in a stalemate..."

"Stalemate?"

Luyuan was puzzled, "Are the Supreme Realm experts holding back? Why aren't they charging?"

"Reporting to Lord Luyuan, the Yin Lady was blocked by the Desert Sword Saint, unable to pursue Li Tiangang."

The girl remained respectful, "Mainly, the young general's battle flags arrived at the battlefield. Each flag contains a terrifying sword formation, comparable to a Dao Heart Realm attack, as you know."

"Moreover, there's a recent report that the sword formations contain a lethal attack, instantly killing even a Reverse Life Realm expert, who can only escape with a second life."

"What?"

Luyuan was surprised. A hidden lethal attack that even a Reverse Life Realm couldn't withstand? What kind of formation was this? The Great Yu Dynasty had formations to kill Reverse Life Realm experts, but those were in the imperial city, not on a small battle flag.

"Did that boy come too?"

"No, he remains at Tianmen Pass."

"In that case, I'll deal with him first."

Luyuan sneered, "I want to see how extraordinary this so-called genius is. People say he's a rare talent? Hmph, I've lived for thousands of years. The former Emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty, with his extraordinary powers, conquered the land, yet wasn't as hyped as this boy!"

The girl remained silent, knowing her place was to relay information, not to offer opinions.

Luyuan said, "Tell them I'm on my way, and I'll bring that boy's corpse to the formation, so the humans can see how weak their so-called genius is!"

"Yes."

The girl bowed.

Luyuan continued his journey.

Soon, he reached an ancient road.

He knew this road was the Dragon Gate Road, opened by Li family ancestors following the former Emperor.

The road was now empty, save for an unattended tea stand.

He glanced at it and flew past.

Soon, he reached the end of Dragon Gate Road, in front of Cangya City.

The dawn's light unveiled the city, bustling with life.

Merchants sold breakfast on the streets, a peaceful scene that Luyuan took in.

Luyuan smirked, scanning the city, noting the battle flags on the walls.

He knew about these flags and was cautious.

Still, he doubted they were all special. If every flag could unleash a sword formation, that would be too much.

Boom! He raised his hand, unleashing a powerful strike.

The city's protective formation activated, shimmering with divine patterns.

The loud impact woke the city, like a thunderclap, shaking the ground.

Soldiers patrolling the walls saw the sudden figure and sounded the alarm, preparing for battle.

Seeing the formation's flickering patterns, Luyuan sneered, a mere five-star formation he could easily destroy!

Boom! He struck again, his palm emitting a dragon claw shadow.