Follow the path of Dao from infancy

Li Tian Gang passed this message to He Jianlan and also informed everyone in the mansion.

For a time, all the courtyards were abuzz.

However, they had already anticipated this. Since Li Wushuang had descended the mountain and rushed back, they knew he was coming for the True Dragon.

Only, the candidates who were originally in contention for the True Dragon were mainly from the Shuihua Courtyard, but now Li Hao of the Mountain and River Courtyard had suddenly emerged.

“Hmph, Liu Yue Rong must be fuming.”

In the Linglong Court, Xiao Yu Jing sneered coldly.

She herself was childless, with only an adopted son, Li Yuan Zhao, and although Li Yuan Zhao’s talent was that of an Eighth Layer Battle Body, it was ultimately lacking. A Ninth Layer Battle Body was merely the baseline for top talents.

Naturally, he found it difficult to compete for the True Dragon.

But now that Li Hao had revealed his edge and astonished the world overnight, Li Yuan Zhao, having the best relationship with Li Hao, could also benefit.

However, she wasn’t particularly concerned about these matters.

Within the Shuihua Courtyard.

Though Liu Yue Rong had anticipated it, she still clenched her teeth in rage.

She asked the old servant to prepare a letter. At this point, she could only seek help from Qianfeng’s master.

Perhaps that Buddha Lord, on par with the real person of Gan Tao Palace, would have a solution.

Although her own child was also of the Fifteen Li Realm, he was, after all, three years older.

…

…

Mount Wuliang.

Within the Brahma Pure Land Realm, in the boundless Spirit Realm of Mount Wuliang.

The rules of Mount Wuliang were strict; clothes, food, living, and movement were all determined by the Buddha hierarchy. For instance, Vajras could reside in the Vajra Heart Palace, where they could comprehend the Grandmaster’s heart and attain Arhat, while Arhats could stay in the Buddha Hall and enjoy offerings.

The Spirit Realm was supreme, the place where the Infinite Buddha Lord practiced and lived.

This place was shrouded in vast mist, like a realm of immortals outside the world.

“Amitabha, Buddha Lord, the message has been sent to Qiankun Vajra. He is on his way back. Additionally, we have just received a letter from the Divine General Mansion, sent by Qiankun Vajra’s mother, Liu.”

A Bodhisattva whispered the Buddha’s name and took out the letter, passing it through the air to the Buddha Lord above.

The Infinite Buddha Lord wore a kasaya, radiating Buddha light all over, with a blazing Buddha wheel behind him, spreading the light of universal salvation.

His body was huge, more than a dozen zhang tall, a result of special secret techniques with incredible might.

The Bodhisattva, who had reached the Four Stands Realm, was only of normal human size and looked like an ant beside him, able only to look up in reverence.

The letter flew towards him, but the Infinite Buddha Lord did not catch it. Instead, it stayed in front of his eyes for a moment before automatically turning to ash and dispersing, as he read its contents with insight.

“We have known about this matter for a while now, Liu is too hasty.”

The Infinite Buddha Lord spoke softly, “Tell her there is no need to be anxious. Talent is not determined solely by realm, but also by the foundation of each realm. Qiankun Vajra has practiced the top cultivation techniques of our Buddha gate, coupled with his Li Family’s unique skills, he can rank among the top five in the same realm.”

“When he returns, I will impart to him a Buddha’s vow, which will ensure his invincibility in his realm.”

The Bodhisattva sighed with relief and said, “Thank you, Buddha Lord.”

The Infinite Buddha Lord spoke softly, “For nearly a century, conflicts have been frequent, and Dayu’s fate has been waning. Our intervention in the Divine General Mansion’s competition for the True Dragon is a reluctant choice. When chaotic times approach, it will be time for us to descend the mountain and alleviate the suffering of all living beings.”

“Amitabha.”

The Bodhisattva’s expression was devout.

…

…

As news of the Li Family’s True Dragon competition spread, all parties received the message and began to move quietly.

“The True Dragon competition mainly looks at two aspects.”

Within the Mountain and River Courtyard, Li Tian Gang called Li Hao over and looked at his son, feeling both reassured and a little worried:

“First is the assessment of talent, and second is the assessment of character.”

“Beyond that are merits and connections, but these are secondary elements, merely icing on the cake.”

Li Hao nodded, having been told these things by his second uncle.

The Divine General Mansion is a top-tier major family, not simply focused on strength.

Talent is indeed important, but talent alone is not enough. If one’s character is extremely poor, they can’t go far.

For example, impetuousness, arrogance, and obstinacy, etc. If such a character were paired with top talent, entrusting the family to such a person would be like giving a madman the steering wheel, only leading to swifter ruin.

Steadiness, reserve, tact, and equanimity are signs of an excellent character.

Simply put, one must not only possess outstanding talent, but also have proper thoughts and morals; this is the demeanor expected of heirs in great families.

Regarding connections and merits, they are just bonus points.

Connections are also a reflection of one’s character. After all, without a tactful disposition, how can one have connections?

If one offends people the moment they open their mouth, no matter how powerful they are, taking up the role of family head will only make the entire family face enemies on all sides.

The selection of the Li Family’s True Dragon is not as rigorous as that of the royal Crown Prince, but it is still carefully chosen, unlike a small household where, perhaps, a side branch may receive some fortunate opportunity to rise suddenly and impress the main family, receiving their worship in the process.

But typically, the side branch soars to the sky, leaving the family far behind, merely acting as an absentee landlord.

The reason why top families stand unshaken is that the family head must carry the whole family, leading them forward together—that is the test of character.

Li Tian Gang looked at Li Hao and said, “I’m not worried about your talent, but I have neglected your upbringing over the years, causing you to become lax in character. If you had put in a little more effort, your achievements would not be limited to this.”

Having said this, he paused and looked at Li Hao.

He had said this before, and it seemed like he was repeating old words now.

And Li Hao’s previous response had been, so what?

Seeing Li Hao’s emotionless face at the moment, he sighed, “I know your mother and I were not by your side, we were negligent, but the countless people of Northern Yan needed us. If I were to neglect Northern Yan, not to mention what would happen to Dayu, just the people of Yanzhou would suffer terribly.”