The Name of Eternals

Chapter 228: Innate Sacred Bone

"Ji Leping?"

Upon hearing Li Hao's words, Ji Boduan paused slightly. He's using his mother's surname? Traditionally, the father's surname is used, and it's rare to see someone using the mother's surname. Moreover, he knew that Li Hao's mother, Ji Qingqing, had married an outsider from beyond the Desolate Heaven, so it was impossible for them to share the Ji surname.

He glanced at Li Hao, his initial warmth slightly fading.

However, recalling the rumors and the high praise from the Ji family's war god, who couldn't see through Li Hao's aura, he maintained a courteous demeanor:

"Please follow me."

Li Hao nodded and followed him up the mountain.

As the two quickly ascended, the younger generation of the Ji family, who had come out of curiosity, frowned upon hearing Li Hao's words. Some sneered and others laughed coldly.

"Ji Leping? What a bold face!"

"A barbarian from an outside tribe dares to change his surname to curry favor with our Ji family!"

"He even discarded his father's surname. What a sycophant! He's just trying to worm his way into the Ji family!"

"I thought he might be the peerless genius the war god mentioned, but it turns out he's just a petty opportunist. What a disappointment."

"Maybe he tricked the war god with sweet talk. I wonder what kind of luck got him through the River of Demise. It's really baffling."

Harsh comments echoed around them.

These young members of the Ji family made no effort to restrain themselves in front of Li Hao. They were peers, and their inherent pride made them look down on this mixed-blood offspring of an outsider marriage.

Hearing the war god's high praise only fueled their disdain. It was like someone from a rural backwater being declared superior to them, which was a hard pill to swallow.

Among the crowd were some descendants of Ji Yunge's brothers, who came out of curiosity. Hearing Li Hao's words and the surrounding gossip, they frowned, feeling greatly disappointed by this so-called genius.

Low status was one thing, but looking down on one's own heritage made them contemptuous!

Watching the young man swiftly ascend the mountain, many followed, their eyes filled with disgust, as if the Ji family's sacred land had been defiled.

If not for Li Hao bringing Ji Yunge back, such a character would have been driven away long ago.

Soon, Li Hao followed Ji Boduan to the central area of the sacred mountain.

This was where most of the Ji family's elite direct descendants lived.

Buildings spread across the area like bamboo shoots after a rain, grand and majestic.

The mountain was vast, covering an area equivalent to several cities, capable of accommodating millions.

Most of the less talented Ji family members lived at the mountain's base, honing other skills such as crafting, alchemy, and talisman making.

Others engaged in farming, taming monsters, and various other roles.

Now, in the southern central area of the mountain, many Ji family members gathered, curious about Li Hao.

Ordinary Ji family members could not ascend to the mountain's peak without being summoned.

But Ji Yunge's words had spread throughout the mountain, and the news quickly reached the mid-levels. They all knew that a youth with Ji family blood had brought back the war god.

"That's the son of that person?"

"I can't discern his cultivation level. He does seem strong."

"What good is strength? I heard he changed his surname to Ji. Isn't his intention clear?"

"Could it be that he cleared the River of Demise with the help of his family? If we had found the River of Demise where the war god was imprisoned, we would have cleared it long ago!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

Hearing these noisy comments, Li Hao frowned. If they were ordinary youths, he wouldn't bother responding.

But among them were many middle-aged people, also sneering. His gaze turned cold: "Is this how the Ji family treats its guests?"

Ji Boduan had just stopped and smiled wryly upon hearing this. He could understand the sentiments of those making the comments. After all, Li Hao taking his mother's surname was indeed seen as disgraceful.

Although he was tasked with welcoming Li Hao and stood on his side, it was hard for him to be partial.

However, understanding their thoughts didn't change his duty. He shouted: "Disperse! What's there to discuss? Move aside!"

After shouting, he turned to Li Hao: "Please, follow me."

He waved the crowd away and led Li Hao to an imposing hall, saying:

"Rest here for now. The war god is explaining your situation to the family head. I will inform you when it's decided if you can join the Ji family."

With that, he left, closing the hall door behind him.

Li Hao frowned but remained silent.

He had heard the comments along the way and knew there was no point in explaining. Once he met his mother and hopefully helped her out of her predicament, he planned to leave.

After all, the Da Yu Divine Dynasty could be attacked by demons at any time. Although he wasn't a member of the Li family, as he said, he was a human and was willing to contribute to the Da Yu Divine Dynasty.

Besides, he hadn't repaid the emperor's kindness yet.

...

...

At the mountain peak.

Ji Yunge had already exited the ancestral hall after offering incense to the ancestors and meeting the souls of his fallen brothers.

These souls, upon learning he couldn't return to the ancestral hall and would soon dissipate, were all sorrowful.

Ji Yunge told the thirteenth brother that he had an outstanding grandson who would become a Ji family genius.

Describing Li Hao's performance in the River of Demise in detail left the thirteenth brother astonished and curious to see if his grandson was truly as exceptional as described.

"Fifteen years old and can battle in the Absolute Art Realm. Qingqing bore such a powerful child!"

"Qingqing was foolish back then, but luckily Tiancao and the other brothers intervened and saved her from lifelong imprisonment. Still, a thousand years... it's hard to endure!"

The thirteenth brother had mixed feelings.

Learning his daughter had secretly married an outsider almost made his soul dissipate in anger.

But it was his daughter, and aside from helplessness and anger, there was nothing he could do; the deed was done.

As a father, even if a child makes a grave mistake, he can only protect them with his life. He blamed himself for not raising her properly.

Now, knowing his daughter had given birth to a genius grandson brought a bit of comfort to his troubled heart.

Exiting the ancestral hall, Ji Yunge bid farewell to the family head and returned to his residence with his brothers and family.

As they walked through familiar scenery, Ji Yunge felt nostalgic.

The others, hiding their grief, planned to accompany him cheerfully on his final journey.

During the walk, Ji Yunge asked about Li Hao's situation:

"Is the boy settled?"

"Third Brother, you're in this condition and still thinking about that boy?"

Ji Tiancao felt sorrowful, smiling along the way, but now couldn't hold back.

Next to him, the sixth brother Ji Yunqing tugged at his sleeve, then turned to Ji Yunge: "He's been settled. I'll check with Qingmeng."

He called someone over.

Soon, a woman flew over, bowing to each elder in turn.

"How's the boy? Has he been seen?" Ji Yunqing asked.

The woman was his daughter, Ji Qingmeng, a cousin to Ji Qingqing. She was elegant, with willow brows and apricot eyes, and she responded:

"I sent someone to welcome him to the guest hall. The family head is discussing the matter, but the senior Qingyuan opposes it…"

"Qingyuan?"

Ji Yunge was surprised: "Whose child is this?"

Those with the character "Qing" were usually their siblings' children, except in rare special cases.

For example, the ninth brother Ji Tiancao was highly favored by their father and given the name of a deceased ancestor, indicating high expectations.

And the ninth brother lived up to those expectations.

"Not our direct line, but a branch."

Ji Yunqing explained: "His great-grandfather was from the direct line but had average talent and married a branch woman. Over generations, they became a branch line. But he suddenly got lucky and was born with a sacred bone!"

"After you left, he showed incredible talent, breaking through the Four Stable Realms, reaching the Enlightened Realm. Now, like Tiancao, he's one of our three war gods."

Ji Yunge was stunned. He thought the Ji family would lay low after his fall, but another war god had emerged.

Surpassing the Peaceful Path Realm to the Enlightened Realm!

"He's our age, but due to his branch status, his rank is slightly lower, like Qingqing's generation. He used to call us uncles," said the fourth brother.

Ji Yunge understood.

A branch line with an innate sacred bone was like winning the lottery.

Their ancestor was a sage, and sages could pass down sacred bones, like how the Three Immortal Realms passed down divine blood.

But unlike the sage realm, divine blood had a high inheritance rate unless diluted by excessive offspring.

A sacred bone, however, was rare even in a pure direct line, depending on luck.

Pure bloodlines only slightly increased the chance.

But awakening a sacred bone meant having the potential to become a sage!

This was why the Ji family forbade marrying outsiders to keep the bloodline pure.

"This person was low-key, revealing the sacred bone only after reaching the Four Stable Realms. Then he rapidly advanced, probably with deep accumulated resources, breaking through to Enlightened easily."

Ji Yunqing explained.

Ji Yunge nodded. Among their sixteen brothers, only some were close. The Ji family, with its ancient heritage, had complex branches and inevitable internal conflicts.

A branch-born being cautious was normal.

"What does the family head say?"

Ji Yunge asked.

Ji Daoxin had promised him, and he believed the family head wouldn't go back on his word.

"The family head agreed to give the boy a chance. Now, Ji Qingyuan and others are arguing against breaking tradition, saying the boy shouldn't be executed, which is already lenient…"

Ji Qingmeng added, realizing she might be overexplaining. The uncle didn't have much time left, so she quickly said: "But the family head's decision stands, so rest assured, uncle."

Ji Yunqing coldly said: "Ji Qingyuan knows this, but he's stirring trouble to gain benefits."

Ji Yunge nodded and smiled:

"It's a small matter. Once the boy shows his talent, I trust the family head will see that accepting him isn't based on my past merits but on the great contribution I'm making in my final moments."

The others were taken aback. The third brother's confidence in this boy was surprising.

Ji Qingmeng hesitated, then said softly: "Uncle, I have something to say."

"Qingmeng, speak up. Don't waste your uncle's time," Ji Yunqing scolded.

Ji Yunge smiled: "Just say it. What's troubling you?"

"That boy…"

Ji Qingmeng thought of the news from below and cautiously said: "He calls himself Ji Leping, taking our surname…"

The others were stunned. Ji Leping?

"This boy…"

Ji Yunqing frowned: "Was his father a minor figure who married into the family?"

"We checked earlier. He's a general in the Da Yu Divine Dynasty, a marshal. Not much compared to us, but highly respected there," the fourth brother said, looking thoughtful.

"Then why take our surname? Did you suggest this, third brother?"

Ji Yunqing asked.

Ji Yunge shook his head.

"This boy…"

The brothers exchanged glances, frowning.

Seeing their expressions, Ji Yunge understood their thoughts and said: "Don't misunderstand. With his talent, even without our Ji family, he'll be exceptional. In the Desolate Heaven, he won't be inferior to other geniuses!"

"Hmm?"

They looked at him, puzzled by his favor for the boy. Was it just because he brought him back?

"He took his mother's surname probably because he's close to her or wants to honor her memory."

Ji Yunge explained.

"Isn't it to ingratiate himself with us?"

Ji Qingmeng asked, feeling the uncle was charmed by the boy.

"Qingmeng, mind your words!" Ji Yunqing scolded.

They might think so, but doubting the third brother's judgment wasn't appropriate.

Ji Yunge smiled, seeing their silence, and said: "You're overthinking. The boy is carefree, not attached to any family. Otherwise, he couldn't have cleared the River of Demise and brought me back."

"What do you mean?"

They were curious, having not heard about the specifics of the River of Demise.

Ji Yunge explained the process of clearing the River of Demise in detail.

Hearing this, they were stunned and understood.

"So we misunderstood the boy."

Ji Yunqing said.

"Then why change his surname? His father must feel deeply hurt," the fourth brother wondered.

They looked at Ji Yunge, who shook his head: "Who knows? Maybe he's not close to his father and isn't attached to any family."

They thought this made sense.

"If that's the case, we should treat him well."

"Indeed, now that he's taken our surname, he's one of us."

They said.

Ji Yunge smiled: "With you taking care of him, I'm relieved. He's sentimental and intelligent. Treat him sincerely, and he'll repay it."

They understood his advice not to try controlling the boy but to treat him genuinely.

"Third brother, stop talking about this. You're getting weaker…"

Ji Tiancao said sorrowfully.

He cared little for the boy or genius, only for his third brother, who had fought alongside him.

"Tiancao, the boy will take my place with you. In ten years, he might reach the Enlightened Realm."

Ji Yunge said softly, his body flickering like a wisp of wind.