The Name of Eternals

Chapter 91: The True Dragon Contest

"Hao'er."

Seeing Li Hao, Li Tiangang smiled and said, "Come, follow your father to the ancestral shrine to pay respects to our ancestors."

"Alright." Li Hao nodded.

Leaving Shanhe Courtyard, the two of them flew through the air, one in front of the other, heading to the deepest part of the God General's Mansion.

Soon, they arrived at the ancestral shrine on the hillside. Li Tiangang and Li Hao descended gracefully to the plaza outside the grand, majestic shrine that bore the glory of the Li family for a thousand years.

"Fifth Uncle!"

Seeing Li Qingzheng by the shrine gate, Li Hao immediately called out.

Hearing Li Hao's call, Li Tiangang's solemn expression changed slightly. He frowned and glanced at Li Hao, who had already run ahead towards his fifth uncle.

"It's Hao'er."

Li Qingzheng's eyes lit up at Li Hao's call, and he turned around with a pleased expression: "What brings you here to see me?"

Then he noticed the tall man behind Li Hao: "Ah, Tiangang has returned too."

"Fifth Uncle, you're losing again with the black pieces." Li Hao glanced at the chessboard in front of his fifth uncle and laughed.

Li Qingzheng grinned, "Don't talk nonsense, the game isn't over yet."

At this moment, Li Tiangang approached, his expression respectful and humble, slightly bowing as he greeted: "Fifth Uncle, how have you been?"

Li Qingzheng ignored Li Hao, the annoying kibitzer, and looked at Li Tiangang with a smile: "It's been over a decade, you've grown much stronger. Why have you grown a beard? How's life in Yanbei, is it tough?"

"It's been fine."

Li Tiangang smiled: "It's just a bit of wind and sand, I've gotten used to it. Being often on the battlefield outside the borders, there's little time to shave, so I left it."

Hearing this, Li Hao looked up at his father. Indeed, compared to the vaguely remembered young and handsome figure, his father had now become a bearded middle-aged man.

He suddenly felt that he seemed to lack some care for this father.

"You've grown up, no longer the mischievous boy you were."

Li Qingzheng said with a smile, his eyes filled with a bit of sentiment.

The young man had grown up, while they had aged.

Despite their long lifespan due to their cultivation, humans differed from demons in that demons lived long lives similar to hibernation, fighting mainly for food.

Humans, on the other hand, lived their lives for relationships and emotions: Passion.

Where there is passion, there is desire. Therefore, humans often engage in battles, heroics, and quests for fame, leading to injuries. New wounds would add to old wounds, reducing their lifespan.

Living a long life wasn't difficult—reside within the boundaries, enjoy wealth, avoid weapons and battles, and live like a living Buddha, carefree for hundreds or even thousands of years.

However, in the city's turbulent world, standing firm for hundreds of years without any urge to kill was extremely difficult.

For instance, a neighbor who has been good to you for a long time might one day be oppressed by villains. If you can't stand it, you would get involved.

If you can tolerate it, perhaps your Dao heart will be damaged, and you won't feel at peace.

Such a long life, how arduous.

"After all, I am now a father."

Li Tiangang said with a smile, a trace of reminiscence in his eyes that quickly faded.

The hardships of time would gradually harden a youthful heart, turning it tougher and more restrained.

"Fifth Uncle, I've brought Hao'er to pay respects to our ancestors and to seek the decision of our ancestors regarding this generation's true dragon."

Li Tiangang returned to the main topic.

Li Qingzheng, having anticipated his intention, nodded slightly and looked at Li Hao with a softened, smiling expression: "Hao'er's talent is extraordinary, surpassing even your ninth uncle. He is the fastest in our Li family's history to reach the fifteenth-mile boundary, breaking records."

"When Junye became the true dragon of your generation, it was a pity he passed away young, and you had to temporarily take charge."

"But Hao'er of this generation is indeed far ahead, with no one even close to catching up."

Li Tiangang smiled at his fifth uncle's praise.

Indeed, in terms of talent, his son was exceptional to the extreme! This filled his heart with pride and joy.

"Go ahead."

Li Qingzheng said with a smile.

Li Tiangang nodded, slightly bowing again before leading Li Hao to the kneeling cushions in the shrine.

"Li Tiangang, the 107th generation descendant of the Li family, comes to pay respects to the ancestors!"

"Li Hao, the 108th generation descendant of the Li family, comes to pay respects to the ancestors!"

Father and son knelt and kowtowed together.

The numerous ancestral tablets in the shrine trembled slightly and glowed, revealing the spirits of their ancestors.

After the ritual, Li Hao looked up. Last time he hadn't looked closely, but this time he noticed that although there were many ancestral spirits, several tablets remained dim without any spirit appearing.

Among the nearest tablets was a familiar name:

"Spirit Tablet of Li Junye, 107th generation descendant of the Li family."

Title on the left side: Marquis of Zhen Guo.

Military rank on the right side: Great General of Destiny.

This was his ninth uncle's tablet, but no spirit emerged from it.

Other ancestors' tablets also had titles and military ranks or achievements. Only a few had titles without serving in the military, with poems inscribed on the other side.

For ordinary families, an ancestral tablet would simply state, "Spirit Tablet of the Ancestors," encompassing all ancestors in one, making it easier to pay respects.

Most common folk, often displaced over time, lost their genealogies, leaving only this simple method.

Only families considered as "noble houses" had complete genealogies and preserved legacies, with each ancestor's details clearly recorded.

"Tiangang, I heard you were fighting demons in Yanbei. How many have you slain?"

A soft chuckle came from above.

Li Tiangang looked up to see his third uncle, Li Xuanyin.

His spirit was still in his prime, only about thirty, with a handsome face and elegant demeanor.

Li Tiangang's eyes wavered slightly. In his youth, his third uncle had loved him the most, but he had passed away young.

His father's generation consisted of six brothers, three of whom died in battle, leaving only his second uncle, fifth uncle, and the fourth uncle who had been away for years.

His father and third and sixth uncles had passed.

His father and sixth uncle's spirits were still trapped in the Nether River, unable to escape.

In the past century, frequent demon calamities had made guarding the borders a severe sacrifice, making it impossible to rescue them. Even with the capacity to do so, it was a difficult task because the Nether River was of the highest level, requiring passage through it to rescue.

Even a Fourth-level cultivator would struggle to achieve this, needing several to cooperate to have any chance.

"Greetings, Third Uncle."

Li Tiangang first bowed, then said, "Nearly all the demons crossing Yanbei have been slain."

"Good!"

Li Xuanyin laughed heartily. He had always loathed demons because his beloved had perished at their hands, making him deeply resentful.

"Where's Qingqing, why didn't you bring her?" Li Xuanyin inquired.

Li Tiangang's face changed slightly, and he said softly, "She's gone."

Gone... Li Xuanyin paused, about to ask further, but noticing Li Hao nearby, he stopped and transmitted a message through energy: "She left?"

Li Tiangang's expression remained unchanged, replying, "Yes."

Li Xuanyin showed a hint of regret. He had been quite fond of that niece-in-law, and her background was commendable. He was the first to support their union back then.

"You rascal, aren't you here to discuss business? Quit the chit-chat."

A stern voice came from above Li Xuanyin.

Xuanyin's neck shrunk as he turned to see his father, smiling sheepishly: "Father, Tiangang is still here, along with his son. Can you give me some face?"

"You need a beating. Our awakening consumes energy. If you want to dawdle, fine, but don't waste everyone else's time. I feel like kicking you!"

"Father..." Xuanyin drooped his head, feeling aggrieved.

Li Hao watched, stunned.

Just a moment ago, his suave and seemingly mature third uncle was now being scolded like a child.

Oh, he should say, like a son.

But this great-grandfather had a bit of a temper.

"What are you shouting about? Xuanyin just said a few words to catch up. It's not much energy. If you can't afford it, leave!"

The previously angry great-grandfather was scolded by an elder ghost.

The formerly temperamental great-grandfather shivered and reluctantly turned around, "Father, this kid needs discipline..."

"I think you need discipline." The great-great-grandfather snorted.

"You rascals, what's all this racket? Do you have any respect for your elders? Hurry up and get to the point. I need to go back to sleep after this." Another voice intervened.

Great-great-grandfather's face changed, quickly nodding, and glaring at his son.

Great-grandfather was helpless, turning to glare at Xuanyin.

Xuanyin, embarrassed, squeezed a smile at Li Tiangang, not daring to speak further.

Li Hao watched, barely suppressing his laughter.

Gathering so many generations of ancestors was indeed lively.

The Li family's ancestors had built their legacy with the founding emperor, establishing a noble house lasting thousands of years. This noble house wasn't just a millennium but over three thousand years old, one of the two oldest among the five God General's Mansions.

The Great Yu Dynasty had a history of over three thousand five hundred years, now in decline.

If only awakening these ancestor spirits didn't consume energy, I'd have them play mahjong... Li Hao thought to himself.

Imagining the scene brought a smile to his face.

"Grandson, do you dare cheat your grandfather?"

"Heavenly win? You dare self-draw from your ancestors' tiles? I'll beat you to death!"

"Calling my tile? Whose brat is this? Come here..."

Thinking of this, Li Hao found it hard to suppress his amusement.

"Alright, let's get to the business."

An ancestral spirit above spoke.

Li Tiangang nodded respectfully, solemnly saying: "I've come today to ask the ancestors to decide the title of the true dragon."

"Tell us about this generation's situation first." An ancestral spirit said.

Li Tiangang nodded, then reported the information he had gathered from his eldest sister-in-law.

"It seems there are few descendants with talent in this generation, but your son's talent is exceptional, surpassing even our younger selves. He could be worth several others."

"If there's no suspense, there's no need to delay. Moreover, he has already started cultivating."

"But we can't just hand it over. We need to test his character and ensure others are convinced. The selection will proceed, but the time can be moved up. Let's set it for two months from now, giving others some preparation time."

After a quick discussion, the ancestors made their decision.

Li Tiangang nodded, bowing again respectfully.

Li Hao followed suit, bowing as well.

"Watch over your son. Don't let him become another Junye." An ancestor reminded as they were leaving the shrine.

Li Tiangang nodded promptly.

The other ancestor spirits gradually faded.

"Let's go."

Li Tiangang was about to leave with Li Hao.

Li Hao looked at his fifth uncle, "Can I stay and play with Fifth Uncle for a while?"

Li Tiangang was momentarily stunned, frowning, "Fifth Uncle doesn't have time to play with you. The true dragon selection is in two months. You have a lot to prepare for. Although your talent is top-notch, you mustn't fall short in other aspects to avoid gossip."

Li Qingzheng chuckled, "With Hao'er's talent, no one dares to dispute it. Tiangang, don't overthink it. But I won't delay Hao'er either. You've just returned, spend more time with your son."

Li Tiangang nodded, bowing to bid farewell.

Li Hao, seeing this, waved to his fifth uncle, "Next time, I'll come to accompany you, Fifth Uncle."

"Go on, go on." Li Qingzheng waved with a smile.

He watched the father and son leave.

The shrine quieted down, leaving only the silent ancestral tablets, the lonely chessboard in front of Li Qingzheng, and himself sitting alone.

After a long time, his gaze slowly returned to the chessboard. Thinking for a moment, he picked up a white piece and placed it, saying softly:

"Your turn."

Moments later, he picked up a black piece from the other container, placing it thoughtfully.