A month later, his sister arrived. She was six years old and a third-rate martial artist.
Even though she was at the bottom, she was still a genius in martial arts, far beyond what normal people could compare to.
As she arrived in a carriage, she stepped out, her eyes scanning the familiar sight of their family house.
The seven-room home, with its small courtyard, looked just as beautiful as she remembered.
She walked inside, her long hair fluttering in the wind. Taking a single step into the courtyard, she looked around—only to see a lone figure in the corner, practicing swordsmanship.
His back looked as young as always.
Lacking mastery, she couldn't perceive the true essence of his movements, nor could she see the fine cuts appearing around the tree with every precise stroke.
Looking away, she called out, "Mother, I'm back!"
The young man in the courtyard paused momentarily, glancing at her before resuming his practice.
The house door opened, and their mother, Hi Jing, rushed out, embracing her daughter tightly.
As they hugged, Li An glanced at the white-haired figure and asked, "Mother, who is that boy with white hair?"
Hi Jing looked at Li Hao before replying, "That's Hao'er, your little brother. Hao'er, come here and greet your big sister."
Li Hao, in the middle of his practice, stood up, turned around, and walked toward them.
He looked at Li An and said, "Hello, big sister," in a childlike tone.
Li An studied him before breaking away from her mother's embrace.
She approached Li Hao, took his hand, and said confidently, "Little brother, since you want to learn martial arts, your sister knows a thing or two. I'll teach you."
Their mother looked at them and cautioned, "Don't hurt yourselves while you practice."
"Okay," was Li An's quick reply.
That day, she thought about how she could protect her brother from bullying and help him become a master when she eventually did.
Standing before the tree, she turned to him and asked enthusiastically, "So, little bro, what do you want to learn about martial arts?"
She was a disciple of an unrestrained realm martial artist—one of the top powers in Ling Long Town.
The strongest combatants here weren't cultivators but profound realm martial artists.
A peak profound realm expert was a force capable of cutting down mortals like ants.
Li An expected excitement from her brother, but instead, he responded calmly, "I don't need teaching. I can do it on my own."
She blinked, thinking she had misheard. "What?"
But his answer remained the same.
Her lips twitched. Was this little brother of hers too arrogant? Rejecting an opportunity like this—how could she let it slide?
"Why don't you want to learn from your big sister? Mom and Dad told me you needed someone to guide you on the martial path."
Li Hao regarded her as if she were a third-rate amateur, then replied, "You are not strong enough to teach me."
At those words, Li An nearly exploded. Not strong enough?!
She was a third-rate martial artist, someone who could fight opponents of the same realm—and yet, her own brother dismissed her like this?
Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Okay, then tell me—how strong does someone need to be to teach you martial arts?"
Li Hao thought for a moment and then answered, "Life and Death Realm."
Li An nearly coughed up blood. A martial artist of the Life and Death Realm? Was he dreaming?!
Gritting her teeth, she asked, "What qualifications do you have to expect someone from the Life and Death Realm to teach you?"
Li Hao's gaze was indifferent as he replied, "You are not on the level to ask that question."
"Oh? Fine! If you're so confident, let's spar! If you win, I won't question your dreams. But if I win, you have to accept my guidance."
A third-rate martial artist was four times stronger than an ordinary human. In a head-to-head fight, Li Hao had no chance—at least, that's what she thought.
She unsheathed her third-rate sword and took a stance, smiling proudly. "Come, brother, let me show you the true power of a martial artist."
Li Hao stood still, his sharp sword hanging at his side. Li An frowned. "Why aren't you drawing your sword?"
He smiled and said, "You are not strong enough for my sword."
"Brother, if you don't use your sword, how can we fight? I can't bear to leave sword marks on you—Father will kill me!"
Just as she spoke, she felt the wind shift—a subtle, cutting force slicing through the air.
The third-rate sword in her hand split cleanly in half. The upper portion fell to the ground, leaving only the hilt in her grasp.
Li An stared at it in shock. What the hell?! This wasn't something a mortal realm martial artist could do. Even she couldn't achieve this!
She looked at him in horror. "How did you do that? And if you're so strong, why hide it?"
Trying to steady herself, she knew she couldn't ignore this.
Li Hao's expression remained indifferent. "You are but a fly in the vast world. What could you possibly know?"
"Hey! I'm not a fly! I'm a third-rate martial artist destined to reach the Unrestrained Realm!" she retorted with pride.
Li Hao simply asked, "Then what after?"
"..."
"I'll..."
That simple question froze her. What came after? Could she progress further, or would she stagnate and die? What lay beyond the Unrestrained Realm?
"Little brother… are you a Transcendence Realm martial artist?" she asked cautiously.
If he was this strong now, how terrifying would he become at six years old?
Li Hao replied, "No." That was all. No explanation.
Li An smiled sweetly, throwing her arms around him in a hug. "Please tell me! I promise I won't tell anyone!"
She begged shamelessly, her curiosity overwhelming her pride.
After a long pause, Li Hao finally relented. "Alright, I'll tell you, but you must keep it a secret."
"Okay! I promise!" Li An straightened up, eager to listen.
Li Hao looked at her and said, "The true rulers of the dynasty are not martial artists. Martial realms are not the only cultivation paths, nor are they the strongest."
"Huh? But martial realms are ancient! They've existed for hundreds of thousands of years!" Li An protested.
Li Hao shook his head. "The martial path is approximately two million years old. Every realm took countless years of trial and error to form.
But the true path of power is the Immortal Path, with realms far beyond martial arts."
"Then… how many realms are there?" Li An asked, intrigued.
"I only know up to the ninth realm, but I believe there are more."
"Wait. The martial path has eleven realms, but the Immortal Path only has nine? How does that make sense?"
Li Hao chuckled. "In martial arts terms, I am at the Transcendence Realm. But in the Immortal Path, I am only in the second turn, Grand Apprentice Realm. I am not even at the Heavens Master Realm, which is equivalent to the Willful Realm in martial arts."
Li An's eyes widened. "Brother, if the Immortal Path is so much stronger, won't you always surpass me?"
"Mm," Li Hao affirmed.
"Then… can you teach me the Immortal Path?"
Li Hao smiled. "I can't. The requirements are too strict. Even if you start, you may never reach the peak."
Li An pouted, but Li Hao added, "However, I can help you reach the peak of the martial path early."
Her eyes lit up. "How?!"