Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Because some favors may have to be repaid with life, even dragging the entire family into it.

Seeing the master leave, Xu Wan'er glanced at Li Hao, nodded slightly to him, and then followed after her departure.

Zhou Ling'er, feeling like she was standing on pins and needles, glared at Li Hao before also following her father to leave.

Only after walking away did she indignantly say, "They couldn't have sneaked in, could they? It's infuriating!"

Zhou Haitang frowned and said, "That child carries himself calmly, facing a Grandmaster without being obsequious or arrogant. It seems he comes from a noble family, so having an invitation isn't strange. In the future, try not to provoke him. I heard from Wan'er that you couldn't even defeat his maidservant, which is simply disgraceful!"

"Father!"

"On our return, you will devote yourself to closed-door cultivation. Without reaching the Divine Travel Realm, you are not to leave the mountain!"

Zhou Haitang said sternly, with a stern face.

Zhou Ling'er stamped her foot, looking at Xu Wan'er with annoyance.

Elsewhere, Li Hao, after Zhou Haitang and the others left, stood up and walked toward the Grandmaster Bai Chunhai.

The table the other party was at had three or four people seated, and behind these Grandmasters stood their respective disciples, making the scene quite lively.

"Master Bai?" Li Hao tentatively asked.

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The grey-clothed elder who was engaged in conversation turned his head, looked at Li Hao, and saw a well-composed young man and said, "You are?"

Seeing the other party's acknowledgment, Li Hao revealed a smile and said, "I have heard that you have a famous painting. I wish to make a purchase. What would the conditions be?"

"Hmm?"

Bai Chunhai furrowed his brow; apart from martial arts practice, his only joy was in sketching and collecting famous paintings.

"Young man, if you wish to become a disciple, just ask outright. Don't beat around the bush."

To the side, a burly middle-aged man said. He was at the peak of the Fifteen Li Realm and had followed his master Bai Chunhai in the hopes of advancing to the Heavenly Human Realm through enlightenment.

The other Grandmasters' disciples also chuckled while sizing up Li Hao and the other two, taking them for nobles' sons and daughters coming to seek apprenticeship.

"You misunderstand. I'm not here to seek apprenticeship, just for that painting," Li Hao said.

The stout middle-aged man's expression changed slightly, and he uttered angrily, "Are you here to cause trouble?"

Bai Chunhai slightly raised his hand to stop his disciple and said to Li Hao, "Young man, I'm not selling the painting. Please leave."

Li Hao also knew that it's hard to sway a grandmaster of Bai's stature with money, unless it was an enormous wealth that could rival a nation.

Beyond that, only other treasures could serve as a trade.

"Master Bai, perhaps you could suggest a condition. I'll see if I can meet it. Perhaps a Cultivation Technique or Peerless Technique, or some weapon or treasure?" Li Hao inquired again.

Bai Chunhai slightly frowned, looked at Li Hao for a moment, and suddenly felt that this young man might indeed have come for the painting, rather than to mock him intentionally.

He spoke indifferently, "No matter what it is, I lack nothing. All the things in the world cannot buy what I cherish in my heart. You should go back and not bother me further."

Li Hao was taken aback, somewhat helpless, as the man seemed determined not to part with it.

Or maybe he believed that Li Hao couldn't offer anything enticing enough.

"Master Bai, I understand it is hard for you to part with what you love. Besides paintings, do you have other objects of affection? I could offer a trade." Li Hao said.

"Who are you affiliated with? My master asked you to leave, didn't you hear?" The burly middle-aged man said, taking a step forward with an angry look on his face.

Bai Chunhai gestured for his disciple to stop and said to Li Hao, "Young man, please leave. I've made myself clear."

Li Hao looked at him, nodded, and said, "I understand."

Without insisting further, he turned and went back to his seat.

If the other party wasn't willing to trade, then he'd just have to find an opportunity to steal it.

A gentleman does not seize the love of others, unless, you force me not to act like a gentleman...

Just as Li Hao had sat back down, suddenly an excited voice came through:

"Li? Teacher?"

Li Hao turned his head and saw a group of people standing not far away, peering over in this direction.

Upon seeing Li Hao's face, they all widened their eyes with delight and hurried over.

Li Hao recognized them; it was unexpectedly Song Yueyao and the group of White Hall disciples from Tan Palace Academy.

Leading them were Tan Palace Academy's teachers like Shen Yunqing, Zhao Zongyuan, and Su Yehua.

"It really is you! When Zhou Zheng mentioned it, I didn't believe it," Shen Yunqing said excitedly, laughing heartily.

"Teacher Li!"

Zhou Zheng and disciples like Song Yueyao by his side promptly called out to Li Hao.

Although Li Hao was younger and had only taught two classes at White Hall, they had learned immensely and held a deep respect for this talented young man.

With sparkling eyes, Song Yueyao suddenly remembered the figure she saw earlier at the Spirit Succession Platform and realized it was not a case of face blindness, but it actually was Li Hao.

"How come you all are here as well?" Li Hao said, somewhat surprised, as he stood up to greet them with a light laugh.

When he left the academy, these fellows had come to see him off, and though he did not say goodbye to avoid implicating them, he had remembered their kindness.

"How could we miss such a grand event?" Zhao Zongyuan said with a smile.

"Weren't you at Heavenly Gate Pass, how come you are here?" Su Yehua inquired curiously at Li Hao.

The rest were also curious, not expecting to encounter Li Hao at this place.

"There are no demons there for the time being, so I decided to take a look around here," Li Hao replied.

Shen Yunqing's expression turned slightly solemn, and he whispered, "If you can't hold out, just humble yourself and apologize to your old father. It's not shameful."

Li Hao looked at him, merely patted his shoulder, and said, "Let us not dwell on the past."

Shen Yunqing sighed inwardly, not pressing the matter further, as they all hoped Li Hao would avoid trouble at Heavenly Gate Pass.