Hearing this, Li Hao's interest was piqued as he looked at the speaker.
"The last four realms are for warriors who have transcended the mundane world," Su Yehua explained. "Each realm isn't divided into ten levels. For example, the 'Fifteen Li' realm gets its name because practitioners of the Object Control Technique can not only travel through the world but also control their own bodies to soar through the skies!"
"One breath equals one li, and at the fastest speed, one can cover fifteen li, hence the name."
"Fifteen li in a single breath?"
Many people were shocked. Such speed could be described as lightning fast, allowing one to quickly move out of the city and even cross mountains and rivers, spanning across states!
"In the Fifteen Li realm, one can control flying swords and kill enemies from fifteen li away, without shedding blood, already beheading them!"
"Thus, a strong warrior who reaches the Fifteen Li realm is truly a terrifying existence, able to kill without being seen!" Su Yehua said calmly.
"What about the Celestial Realm?" someone asked.
"The Celestial Realm is called the Master Realm, and one must comprehend the heart of a master to enter it," Su Yehua replied. "This realm is also where innate talent becomes less effective. It mainly depends on one's character and understanding. Throughout history, many talented warriors have fallen at this stage. The Fifteen Li realm is often considered the end of one's journey, hence it's also referred to as 'The Spring Breeze of Fifteen Li.'"
After the spring breeze comes the withering autumn, and then everything falls silent into the cold winter.
She looked around and said lightly, "The next three immortals can pass on the power of their bloodlines. There are three realms of the three immortals, each one a heavy sky. To cross a realm in a lifetime is already remarkable, but you don’t need to know about this for now."
Everyone listened with excitement, feeling the vast gap between them and these realms.
The three immortals are already top generals of Dayu, while the Four Standing Realm represents a holy existence, figures that their parents would worship.
Li Hao felt a bit disappointed as the speaker glossed over these details; he wanted to hear something more interesting. However, he had already learned about the detailed differences between the realms when he was ten at the Listening Rain Tower. Plus, he had heard quite a bit while fishing with his grandfather, so he was somewhat knowledgeable.
The Spring Breeze of Fifteen Li is not the limit. For example, the top Object Control Technique mastered by the Li family can reach twenty li. His grandfather mentioned that the royal family's "Nine Heavens Soaring Technique" can reach twenty-five li, crossing a small town in one breath and two breaths over rivers, which is incredibly powerful.
The royal family's treasured Object Control technique was also something his grandfather had helped him sneak out, but it was just a copy; he didn’t dare touch the original. After all, the royal family is too close to the Qian Dao Palace, where a legendary figure known as the first of Dayu resides.
Li Hao, combining the two top techniques, could currently achieve forty li in one breath under his comprehension of the sixth stage of the Body Path. He felt this wasn't his limit; if he could find more top Object Control techniques and blend them, he could continue to improve.
His current realm was also at the peak of the Fifteen Li realm, just one step away from becoming a master.
With his understanding of the sixth stage of the Body Path, he could cross into the Master Realm at any time, but the reason he hadn’t yet was that he lacked the heart of a master.
However, Li Hao felt he could touch that opportunity at any moment.
How to refine the heart of a master?
First, one must touch the Heavenly Gate, and secondly, find their own path.
His understanding of the Body Path had allowed him to touch that elusive Heavenly Gate, putting him half a foot into the Master Realm.
But spending too much time in the mansion, focusing on various arts and improving his skills, meant his mind hadn't lingered on martial arts, so he hadn’t found his own heart of a master.
Now that he was out for a break, Li Hao felt that the opportunity to step into the Master Realm could come at any time.
On stage, Su Yehua finished explaining the eight realms of martial arts and then addressed everyone, "Being able to enter the Jia Academy shows that you all have excellent qualifications, but don’t be arrogant. The true ultimate skills of the Tanguang Academy are in the Black and White Hall. Only those who can enter the Black and White Hall are the true talents!"
Li Hao's gaze shifted slightly toward her.
"To enter the Black and White Hall, there are two ways."
"First, our Jia Academy has a martial arts ranking. If you’re in the top five and remain there for six months, you can enter the Black and White Hall."
"Second, there is the Mohe Battle Realm test."
When she mentioned "Mohe," there was a slight stir among the crowd.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed.
He had found a lot of information related to the Mohe Battle Realm at the Listening Rain Tower. It was an extremely mysterious and dangerous place, but it wasn't under the control of the Li family.
Su Yehua scanned the crowd and noticed some students from wealthy backgrounds looking tense, while others from noble families appeared confused.
She continued, "We all know that among the five great generals, four guard the borders, suppressing the forbidden demons. They are stationed in the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest!"
"And the First General's Mansion, the Tian Zhao General's Mansion, is in charge of the Mohe Division, overseeing the Mohe River of the world!"
At this point, her gaze swept over a few people in the crowd, including Li Hao.
"The generals guard the borders, and the Mohe Division oversees the Mohe River, all concerning the survival of the common people."
"We can comfortably sit here to listen to lectures and practice martial arts, even chase after the so-called demon-slaying fame, all because of the existence of the five great general mansions. They bear the burden for us!"
"That's right."
Beside Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao whispered, his small fist clenched tightly, his round face filled with excitement.
"We can't reach the battlefield at the borders, but the Mohe Battle Realm is like a vein of the earth, permeating all over the nineteen states of Dayu. Solving the Mohe is the duty of us martial artists!"
Su Yehua's expression was stern, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
Then she looked at the students and pointed to one person: "You must be from the Tian Zhao General's Mansion, right? Please tell everyone what the Mohe is."
The person she pointed to was a boy in black, around fourteen or fifteen years old, with sharp and cold eyes, appearing much more mature than his peers.
He was named, but he didn’t panic; he calmly stood up.
"Teacher, my name is Wang Han."
The Tian Zhao General's Mansion, Wang family.
As the first general's mansion, its status was slightly higher than that of the Li family.
The boy before them clearly wasn't the most outstanding of the third generation, but his status within the family was similar to Li Yun and Li Yuanzhao, who were slightly less talented than the true prodigies.
Coming to the Tanguang Academy was more about gaining prestige and connections, as well as the ultimate skills from the Black and White Hall.
"Wang Han, please share," Su Yehua said approvingly.
Everyone turned to Wang Han, knowing he was from the Tian Zhao General's Mansion, their expressions slightly changing with some awe.
The boy was dressed simply, and since the Tian Zhao General's Mansion was thousands of miles away, they wouldn’t have recognized him without Su Yehua pointing it out.
"The Mohe Battle Realm has a long and untraceable history, and it has been increasing year by year. Now it has started appearing in the remote towns within our borders," Wang Han said calmly. "The Mohe Battle Realm is like a separate world, like a mirage or illusion, but if you die inside, you are truly dead."
"The Mohe is very hard to completely eliminate. Even if it is destroyed, it will extend again."
"This is why the Mohe Division recruits people every year but still lacks personnel."
"Historically, very few Mohe have been completely resolved. It requires breaking through the Mohe completely, and the specific difficulty will be known once you all enter the Mohe in the future."
Someone couldn't help but ask, "What is in the Mohe?"
Wang Han glanced at the person who spoke, his voice icy: "It is said to be a river leading to hell, and inside... are naturally the departed souls."
The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop suddenly, and many people shivered slightly.
"Please sit."
Su Yehua gestured for Wang Han to take his seat, then addressed everyone: "In any case, in this year, you all must work hard to practice. The Tanguang Academy has everything you need; it just depends on whether you have the ability to earn it. The future world belongs to you, so go for it!"
Her motivational speech brought many back to their senses after Wang Han's words, their eyes shining with determination.
"Additionally, from now on, regardless of your status outside, you will all be treated equally here. Mistakes will be punished together, and merits will be rewarded!" Su Yehua said.
Many people looked towards Li Hao, Wang Han, and the two other noble young men, wondering if equality could truly be achieved.
Li Hao smiled, not particularly concerned.
After Su Yehua left, the courtyard became lively.
Soon, someone approached Li Hao and Li Yuanzhao, initiating a conversation.
At their young age, under their parents' guidance, they had already learned to network for future opportunities.
Li Hao didn’t mind but only chatted with those who shared his interests.
"Hello, Young Master Li, I'm from the Zhao family in Cangzhou..."
"Do you know how to play chess?"
"Uh, no."
"Can you draw?"
"No..."
Li Hao lost interest.
Time flew by, and half a month passed.
(End of Chapter)