Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1801 Chapter 469: Guarding the Gragon Gate (Part 2)

Li Hao rubbed his head, saying, "Then, we'll just refer to her as Sister Qiqi."

Dragon Qingge offered a faint smile, his face settling back to its usual composure, and explained to Li Hao, "Qiqi's family defends Northern Flame Pass. I set the realm teleportation to arrive here specifically so she can guide us along the way. No one grasps the local circumstances better than her. On top of that, your Sister Qiqi has reached the Seventh Level of the Immortal King Realm and serves as a key commander at Northern Flame Pass!"

"Thank you, Sister Qiqi."

Li Hao clasped his hands together to express his gratitude.

"No trouble at all—since you're a fellow disciple of my husband, it's only natural for me to come fetch you. He mentioned having a little junior brother who's a freakish genius; in merely a few centuries, he's mastered the Chaos Laws to their peak, the fabled 24 Paths. That couldn't possibly be you, right?"

Feng Qiqi inquired, her gaze brimming with intrigue.

Li Hao glanced involuntarily toward Dragon Qingge. Qingge's original self had stayed in the Eastern Domain all along. Assuming the great clans operated similarly, his feats might have already spread to the True Realm.

"The junior brother goes by Haotian; this is his... soul companion from a previous existence. Rumor has it she was among the Seven Monarchs from over a hundred thousand years back."

Dragon Qingge promptly presented Li Hao and Shi Miao to Feng Qiqi.

"Seven Monarchs?"

Feng Qiqi's eyes bulged in astonishment as she stared at Shi Miao. This was a profoundly old tale; without her clan's vast heritage preserving such lost lore, she wouldn't have recognized it.

"Not only in the past life, but in this one too."

Shi Miao turned to Dragon Qingge and murmured the clarification.

Dragon Qingge paused for a beat, then let out a light laugh, "Right, right, you're both in the Immortal King Realm these days. When your wedding happens, Qiqi and I will absolutely attend."

At those words, Shi Miao froze briefly, her face turning rosy in an instant as she glanced toward Li Hao.

Li Hao had sensed Shi Miao's affections for ages. Right then, his own emotions stirred, yet he quickly considered that marrying would mean inviting Feng, Second Master, and the rest to join. They were the seniors who'd raised him, after all. Missing them on his big day would leave a massive void.

Still, they—and plenty of other familiar faces, like Emperor Yu—could very well remain in the Southern Domain.

Besides, even across different regions, rounding them up without drawing the Southern Domain Venerable's forces would prove incredibly tough.

Any slip in secrecy during the effort could endanger them all.

"We'll hold off until we forge the Emperor Road."

After mulling it through, Li Hao spoke to Shi Miao.

Shi Miao caught the gleam in Li Hao's eyes, as if deep in thought on another matter, and grasped his worries right away. With a radiant smile, she answered, "However long it takes, I'll wait for you."

A surge of warmth filled Li Hao's chest, and he took her hand in his.

"Is this how your Human Race shows 'spreading love'?"

Nearby, Feng Qiqi muttered under her breath.

Dragon Qingge chuckled, "Time to move—we're departing. I've informed Ancestor Dragon Court and the clan about your coming. They're thrilled and plan a welcome at Ancestor Dragon Court, but I find those events pointless. Just empty chatter; far better to hold off until you've earned triumphs on the front lines."

Li Hao nodded in agreement; he too prioritized real deeds over ceremonies.

"The chief issue is the ongoing border skirmishes. Most commanders are posted at the frontiers, so the lineup's not full. Once the fights wrap up, they'll rush to greet a supreme talent like you."

Feng Qiqi added.

"Do clashes happen often, mostly against Ancient Demons?"

Li Hao's gaze flickered subtly. He'd once asked his second senior brother for Ancient Demon remains from the Heaven and Earth Space, but now he could claim some personally.

"Primarily Ancient Demons, plus a few defiant clans swayed by their words."

Dragon Qingge's gaze sharpened, his eyes flashing with golden double pupils that radiated an overbearing dragon Qi, and he intoned gravely, "Those turncoat clans are the worst, surrendering countless ancient mysteries to the Ancient Demons and inflicting heavy blows on us. We're always adapting, wary of more 'spies' lurking. Luckily, we've planted our own feigned defectors to feed us crucial intel, maintaining the stalemate."

Solemnity filled Li Hao's eyes; having faced battles in the Mortal World and been raised in the esteemed Divine General Mansion, he knew war's brutal face all too well.

"Husband, take them on board—we can chat en route."

Feng Qiqi suggested.

"Alright."

Dragon Qingge assented, then spun around sharply, his robes shifting into gleaming golden scales. His form stretched out swiftly into a massive Ancestor Dragon spanning hundreds of meters, crowned with striking dragon horns and eyes displaying quadruple pupils laced with laws and fissures, exuding an utterly sacred aura alongside a fearsome draconic pressure.

Even a mere look from him unleashed a force that rattled the spirit.

For the first time, Li Hao beheld his fifth senior brother's authentic shape, yet it struck him as incomplete—like a scaled-down rendition.

"Climb on, little brother, sister-in-law."

Dragon Qingge rumbled softly, his voice booming with majestic authority, far from the boyish lilt of before.

Shi Miao's lips quirked at the title, and after Li Hao gave thanks and settled in, she joined him with joyful ease.

"This journey takes us to the rear city of the pass I oversee, Dragon Gate City behind Jianlong Pass!"

With Li Hao and his wife Feng Qiqi aboard, Dragon Qingge soared into the heavens and told Li Hao, "Dragon Mountain Pass marks the farthest edge, held by numerous clan elders, led by Quasi-Emperor Realm powerhouses. That's the fiercest warzone!"

"The Jianlong Pass under my watch sits further back, leveraging the land's features, which makes it harder for Ancient Demons to assault and simpler for us to hold. I command it now, and once I ascend to the Quasi-Emperor Realm, I'll charge to the vanguard too!"