The Name of Eternals

Chapter 195: The Peculiar Rules

Li Hao had previously ventured into the Fengshan River of Death at Tan Palace, yet his body had undergone no change. That River of Death merely involved seemingly ordinary villagers who were already deceased. They needed only to be properly laid to rest to destroy the River of Death.

But now, he had reverted to childhood?

No wonder he had felt his strength vanishing, as if something was being stripped away.

Was this the unique characteristic of the Nether River of Death?

Li Hao was alarmed. As his thoughts churned, he felt drowsy and quickly succumbed to sleep.

When Li Hao awoke again, he found his hands and feet soft and tender. He lay on an unfamiliar bed, covered by a soft blanket.

He was wearing a bellyband, appearing not as a newborn but as a few months old.

It wasn't a dream after all… Li Hao finally confirmed that he was still within the River of Death. However, his body felt different, as though he could crawl.

Without further ado, Li Hao decided to try and managed to flip over and crawl on the bed.

This wasn't something a newborn could do!

"I must be several months old…" Li Hao mumbled, but his words emerged as babyish babbling.

His vocal cords hadn't developed yet.

Clearly, the passage of time here was unusual.

He had only slept once. Though he enjoyed long sleeps, it wasn't long enough for several months to pass, was it?

Li Hao ceased crawling and rubbed his chin with his small hand, pondering as he sat on the bed.

At this moment, a golden text appeared before his eyes: [Growth] quest progress: 2.3%

Li Hao was surprised. How had it progressed to 2.3% so quickly? Based on the quest requirement to live until eighteen, did this mean he had already lived five months? In the blink of an eye, five months had passed… Li Hao felt that if he slept a few more times, he might quickly reach eighteen.

By then, the main quest would probably activate.

Defend Dragon City; this was Dragon City River of Death… Li Hao's eyes gleamed, realizing he needed to prepare thoroughly before turning eighteen.

This was the Nether River of Death, far from simple. Even the Peace Dao Realm merely had the potential to clear it, showcasing its peril.

With a creak, the door to the room opened.

A tall, elegantly dressed young man entered. His features were sharp and handsome.

Seeing Li Hao about to lie back down, the man's stern face relaxed visibly. He whispered, "Little Mouse?"

Li Hao, about to pretend to sleep, paused and recognized the nickname and presence of his fourth uncle.

He looked up, a mix of surprise and doubt, at the man who bore a resemblance to the elderly Li Xiaoran he had met: "Uncle Si (Fourth Uncle)?"

"Not able to speak clearly yet, I see. If you're the little mouse, raise your hand," the young Li Xiaoran instructed.

Li Hao raised his hand immediately.

Seeing this, Li Xiaoran was almost certain of Li Hao's identity. He chuckled softly and whispered: "I was worried you might appear elsewhere. Thankfully, you're here in the God General's Mansion, sparing me the trouble of searching. I wondered why my brother suddenly had a tenth son, and guessed it might be you. And it is…"

"Your Li family blood must have led my brother's obsession to incorporate you as his offspring."

Noting Li Hao's helpless look, Li Xiaoran laughed gently, but his expression soon grew serious: "I don't know if you've entered a River of Death before, but it's irrelevant. This is the Nether River of Death, vastly different from what you know. There are unique rules here!"

"Such as stripping us of our original bodies and powers, which is one of the rules."

"The time flow here is another peculiar rule. Don't lose consciousness lightly. When you sleep or faint, time will accelerate, but your body will only grow according to my brother's perception, with no other changes!"

"For example, if you seem ordinary to my brother, a few more sleeps and it will be years later. Your cultivation might only reach the Heavenly Human Realm, which would be almost useless in the impending Dragon City battle!"

"And if you die in this body, you will truly die. Your original body will vanish, becoming sustenance for the River of Death, and even your soul will be trapped here, unable to reincarnate!"

Li Hao was startled. If he died as an infant, he would truly perish?

No wonder this Nether River of Death was so dangerous, with such a drastic shift in circumstances, how could any strong person endure it?

"Even a Fate-defying Realm cultivator can't survive here unless they cultivate to that level here. But you don't have much time, perhaps eighteen years."

"When you turn eighteen, the Dragon Gate will attack!"

Li Xiaoran took a deep breath, speaking seriously: "You must grow during this time, aiming to reach and surpass your original cultivation level."

He recalled the terrifying power Li Hao had displayed when breaking free from the Dao Domain of the Candlefire God, feeling somewhat reassured but not relaxed: "Dragon City was once the most glorious city in Yanbei, guarded by our Li family for a millennium. Centuries ago, an ancestor of ours, in anger, slew a Dragon Demon King and hung its head on the city walls, renaming the city Dragon City."

"This enraged the Dragon Clan, who secretly plotted for decades before seizing an opportunity to attack when my brother was defending the city. The battle was fierce, with countless casualties, including most of the royal reinforcements."

Li Xiaoran's gaze turned deep and grave: "When you turn eighteen, you will face an extremely dangerous situation. However, we can support each other. If it becomes unbearable, I have other ways to survive."

"My duty here is to help my brother defend Dragon City, giving him peace."

Li Hao nodded. Though he had many questions, he couldn't speak yet and would have to wait until he could.

"Don't think cultivation is easy."

Seeing Li Hao's calm demeanor, Li Xiaoran warned: "The special rules here will interfere with your original Dao insights. You might as well try recalling your original techniques now."

Li Hao paused. He had intended to say cultivation wasn't difficult, especially for someone like Li Xiaoran. With his former mastery, reaching the same heights again seemed feasible. Clearing this River of Death didn't seem too hard.

But upon hearing Li Xiaoran's words, Li Hao immediately tried recalling his sword and chess techniques.

To his dismay, he felt as if a barrier blocked his thoughts, preventing clear recollection.

It was bizarre! He knew he could use a sword, but recalling how was impossible!

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember!

It was like a university graduate forgetting their high school curriculum—knowing they had studied it but unable to recall any specific content!

Had he become a college student again?!

Li Hao was shocked.

Would he have to start over?

Seeing Li Hao's stunned expression, Li Xiaoran smiled slightly, whispering: "Don't worry. Initially, you must rely on yourself to cultivate anew. As you advance, the special rules will interfere less, gradually allowing you to recall your original Dao insights."

"In essence, the faster you cultivate now, the more of your past cultivation knowledge will return, accelerating your progress again later!"

"Otherwise, truly starting over, reaching the Heavenly Human Realm within a few years, factoring in accelerated sleep time, would be the limit, rendering this River of Death nearly unbeatable."

Li Hao relaxed slightly, contemplating whether he could continue absorbing experience through his panel.

With a thought, he summoned the panel.

The text flickered, and the panel appeared.

Elated, Li Hao's joy turned to dismay upon seeing the panel as empty as when he first arrived.

"Is my original panel in my original body, and now I'm in this new body?"

Li Hao pondered. The River of Death and the panel were both mysterious and inexplicable. Together, they made conclusions even harder to draw.

But knowing the panel remained gave him some relief.

Without the panel, he wouldn't be useless, but his cultivation speed might be slower.

After all, reaching the Heavenly Human Limit was entirely his own achievement, indicating his decent martial insight.

"Also, avoid leaving the God General's Mansion at night. Demons frequently attack," Li Xiaoran advised. "Though this is the God General's Mansion, it's within Dragon City. Most things here stem from my brother's obsession, leading to many bizarre occurrences you shouldn't be alarmed by."

"Dragon City isn't safe. I'll visit often. For now, sleep more to quickly reach the stage where you can begin cultivating."

"Don't worry about the time fast-forwarding when you sleep. My time passes normally, while you will perceive months passing in an instant."

Li Hao nodded, appreciating his fourth uncle's detailed explanations, revealing his meticulous nature.

After a few more reminders, Li Xiaoran left, allowing Li Hao to rest.

Once alone, Li Hao pondered a bit more, wanting to find a chessboard, ink, and brush. Drawing and composing poetry accumulated experience quickly. In this River of Death, unlike the safe courtyard outside, he should start with drawing and poetry.

But he needed to be able to speak first.

Soon, Li Hao realized he couldn't even walk yet.

Smiling wryly, he lay down, intending to sleep until he could walk.

When Li Hao awoke again, he immediately felt more vigorous, his body stronger.

Opening his eyes, he heard a rhythmic knocking nearby and saw sunlight streaming into a courtyard.

The courtyard construction resembled that of Granny's Qinglian Courtyard.

It was in that courtyard that he had renounced his ties with his father.

Li Hao's expression shifted subtly. Seeing the courtyard again, his thoughts inevitably drifted back, but he quickly reined them in.

Compared to the real Qinglian Courtyard, the walls here seemed newer, and there were clanging sounds in the yard.

Li Hao saw four boys practicing with wooden weapons, aged three to seven.

He lay in the arms of a noblewoman, Granny Chen Hefang.

"Little Ten, watch your brothers practice. One day, you'll grow strong like them and protect our home."

Chen Hefang smiled softly at the awakened Li Hao, her face full of motherly love.

Li Hao hesitated, recalling the Granny outside the River of Death.

The Li family lost six of its nine sons in battle. She turned to Buddhism, her hair white, only wishing for her children's safety.

Li Hao fell silent, observing the four boys. The youngest, around three, was vibrant, wielding a wooden stick energetically.

In the yard, the three older boys were sparring.

Thud! A wooden sword was knocked aside, the older boy clutching his hand in pain, "Tian Gang, you're cheating!"