Chapter 103: Po Jun Raises His Army, Yao Guang Descends from the Heavens

Po Jun?!

Li Guanyi recalled what Xue Lao had once told him: every generation of Bai Hu Da Zong encounters two people—Yao Guang and Po Jun—both disciples of the Eastern Continent's Star Observation school, though belonging to different factions.

Li Guanyi remained expressionless, watching the Tiger Roar Heaven Battle Spear placed behind the carriage.

Po Jun gently stroked the spear with his finger and said, "This is a fine thing—a divine weapon, a battle spear. Five hundred years ago, General Xue Shen swept clean the steppe alliance and pierced the Xiang people's sacred mountain with arrows. When he departed, he left this spear within that sacred mountain."

"It is the weapon of a tyrant—heavy, powerful."

"I spent three years pinpointing its location, then set out alone from the Central Plains, crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, reached the Xiang people's sacred mountain, advised them, earned their trust, and finally took this spear away."

"Try it."

Beside Li Guanyi, the aura of his yuan shen gathered and took the form of Bai Hu.

The Bai Hu manifestation slightly bowed its head, touching the ancient divine weapon; the low tiger roar seemed to carry both nostalgia and curiosity. Li Guanyi extended his hand, his fingers lightly brushing the spear's shaft, where faint starlight shimmered across its ink-black surface.

Li Guanyi gripped the spear and pulled with all his strength.

He lifted the impossibly heavy divine weapon.

Po Jun's expression grew solemn.

The Tiger Roar Heaven Battle Spear is a divine weapon; all divine weapons possess not only myriad mysteries but also an element unmatched by ordinary treasures or xuan weapons—something seemingly basic yet absolutely core—

Growth!

Just like Li Guanyi, General Xue Shen, and the overlord from eight hundred years ago.

Their Martial Path Realms, styles, and physical constitutions were utterly different.

Even if they all possessed the same 【Golden Muscles, Jade Bones, Dragon Tendons, Tiger Marrow】.

Li Guanyi's Golden Muscles, Jade Bones from the First Tower level and the legendary overlord's Golden Muscles, Jade Bones manifested entirely different power and expression—but whenever they gripped this divine weapon, it would instantly adapt to their current state, showing the perfect weight and posture for them.

Always perfectly matching the user's stature and strength.

And incredibly hard, nearly indestructible.

Plus, a self-repairing ability like a living organism.

These three traits are the most fundamental requirements of a divine weapon.

They are also the most seemingly plain, yet most demanding—far harder to achieve than intricate techniques like slicing sword qi or entangling Lei Ting. Li Guanyi sensed the divine essence within the Tiger Roar Heaven Battle Spear: besides General Xue Shen's aura, another, even more tyrannical presence lay hidden.

The divine weapon's aura touched Li Guanyi, then retreated.

It revealed no more.

Li Guanyi had already obtained 【Juan Tao】.

At the First Tower level, the divine weapon had not revealed further inherited techniques; merely possessing this weapon alone was extraordinary enough. Li Guanyi lifted the spear and felt, for the first time, a bond as if it were connected by blood and flesh—something he had never felt with any weapon he had trained with or held before.

This spear was a direct extension of his arm.

Its length, its center of gravity—all perfectly matched Li Guanyi's own style. With just a few swings, he felt the sensation of commanding it as effortlessly as his own limb, as if the air and wind before the blade were cleanly severed.

Divine weapon!

Li Guanyi pressed the spear's tip to the ground; the blue stone tiles shattered without a sound.

Po Jun smiled and said, "It seems you greatly favor this divine weapon. Good."

He reached out and placed his hand on the spear, his narrow eyes smiling as he looked at Li Guanyi: "I have already met General Yuwen Lie of the Ying Kingdom. I know he too possesses the Bai Hu destiny and manifestation."

"Then, young Li Guanyi."

"Give me a reason."

"Why I should give you this spear."

The dagger is revealed after the map is fully unrolled.

He is a proud genius who reveres heavenly destiny but never blindly follows it. His strategies always follow this pattern: first lay out his cards, shake the hearts of others, then strike with a decisive blow. He seeks only one reason—to glimpse the bearing of the man before him.

This is the true test.

Li Guanyi understood Po Jun's intent.

He looked at the handsome young man before him and seemed to see the fire within his eyes. The boy gripped the spear, suddenly shook it, raised it, and pressed its tip against Po Jun's throat. The latter remained calm. If Li Guanyi claimed this spear was for the Xue family, he would have to be ready to break ties with the Tujue. And Po Jun would turn and walk away without hesitation, taking the spear to Yuwen Lie.

He sought heroes who roamed the land, who seized the Bai Hu star destiny.

If one knew only how to dominate with power, they were worthless—unworthy of becoming Bai Hu Da Zong. Even if they bore the star destiny, they were not the one he sought.

A hero who roamed the realm, who seized the Bai Hu star destiny.

If the star omens contradicted his own will, he would burn the texts until they turned to white ash, then write his own answer in charcoal upon white paper. As a child, it was precisely this that earned him his teacher's choice to enter the Star Observation lineage, the Po Jun branch.

"Divine powers cannot surpass karma."

His teacher had said: "But can the human heart truly submit to heavenly fate?"

"If all things were predestined, there would be no Star Observation lineage at all. Your nature—this is why you belong to Po Jun."

So he waited for Li Guanyi's answer.

Li Guanyi said: "Are you planning to seek out Yuwen Lie?"

Po Jun smiled faintly: "General Yuwen is strong—a divine general of the world."

"Between a strong man and a weak one, who do you think anyone would choose?"

Yet the boy suddenly laughed. He flicked his wrist, swung the spear, and its sharp edge tore through the air with a roar like a tiger's. As the black divine weapon moved, it seemed as if a tiger crouched beside him, clawing the ground. The slender youth now radiated a chilling, tyrannical aura.

The weapon hovered before him, ready to sever his throat at any moment—yet Po Jun still smiled gently.

Finally, Li Guanyi pressed the spear's tip to the ground, raised his head, and looked at Po Jun.

"Then I have a question for you."

"With your nature, would you rather serve a divine general already famed across the land as a mere embellishment—or would you rather serve a 【weakling】, then achieve greatness and earn your name in history?"

Po Jun's expression hardened slightly.

The young boy smiled faintly: "You are an arrogant man, Po Jun."

"How could a man like you ever be content to linger beneath the shadow of a divine general?"

"You yearn to make your name resound across the land—not to serve as a vassal beneath a Divine General. Only a 'weakling' on the side of a power can truly reveal a strategist's ambition; only the most difficult beginning can ignite the flame within your heart, is that not so?"

The smile on Po Jun's face slowly vanished; his gentle expression receded as he regarded this youth who had pierced through his inner thoughts. Li Guanyi gripped his battle spear, then suddenly tightened his grip—the roar of the tiger surged violently, wind whipping up, the boy's temple hairs flying.

Then came a piercing shriek.

The battle spear plunged upright into the ground; the blue stone slabs shattered, exploding into a crater, its ink-black haft standing vertically between Li Guanyi and Po Jun.

"Mr. may take this battle spear away."

He retracted his hand.

Po Jun heard these words.

For the first time, he was caught off guard.

Li Guanyi replied: "My elders told me that divine weapons are merely aids; true achievements are built by men. It is because of their original masters that divine weapons gained such renown—not because men became heroes by relying on divine weapons."

"If you intend to bind me with this divine weapon, you've miscalculated."

Po Jun smiled and asked: "Don't you desire this weapon?"

Xue Shen's legacy includes a Mystical Realm and the Break-Cloud Thunder-Sky Bow. Li Guanyi cared—but would not let himself be controlled by others. He gave his answer plainly, frankly: "I do want it. But not now. Not this way. We've been out long enough. It's time to return."

Thus Po Jun watched the youth turn and walk away.

Li Guanyi thought for a moment, his back to the young strategist, and waved his hand.

"I'll wait for you to decide."

"Come to me yourself. Bring this battle spear back into my hands."

Po Jun watched the youth turn away without even answering his question—simply leaving. This strategist, who had always acted with unrestrained freedom, stared at the battle spear before him, fell silent. After a long while, he smiled faintly, then his laughter grew louder.

Finally, Po Jun burst into loud laughter.

Utterly exhilarating!

At last, a spark of sword-like vigor gleamed in his eyes and brows.

This was their first true meeting.

Po Jun laughed so hard he had to lean on the battle spear to stay upright, murmuring Li Guanyi's question:

"To be an auxiliary, strengthening a mighty warrior into an insignificant appendage…"

"Or to rise from nothing, becoming a strategist whose name echoes through eternity? This question. This question."

For young, fiery heroes, this was no question at all.

In their meeting, the youth had ignited the flame in Po Jun's heart with a single counter-question, helping him make his choice. The still-unknown strategist touched the divine weapon, thinking of the boy's retreating back, his eyes burning as if aflame. He closed his eyes and whispered:

"Such is the bearing of a hero and a overlord…"

"Is this what you call the personal charisma of a hero?"

"Five hundred years ago, eight hundred years ago—when the original Po Jun met Bai Hu Da Zong, did he feel this same way? Ha! Did they feel it too?"

When the seven kings of the Turkic tribes emerged and saw that the battle spear—the very weapon this Mr. had always treasured—still lay there, and that he seemed to have enjoyed their conversation, a faint smile on his lips, their hearts eased. Since leaving the steppe, this Mr. had kept the weapon always within his carriage.

The seven kings was no fool—he was a valiant ruler of the steppe, well-versed in conspiracy and slaughter.

So he guessed: once this Mr. found a worthy master for his battle spear, it would be the moment he departed. His hand gripped the weapon tightly, now relaxed, he smiled: "Mr. had a pleasant chat with your old friend?"

Po Jun noticed the seven kings' subtle gesture—and his longing for the battle spear.

And his desire for it.

In past days, Po Jun would have merely thought the seven kings perceptive. Now, compared to the youth's frankness, it seemed petty—lacking the bearing of an overlord. Po Jun smiled: "Chatting? We enjoyed it greatly."

"How did you fare with Xue Lao?"

The seven kings laughed heartily: "Fine! If I succeed in marrying the Central Plains' Princess, I'll go find him—to trade grain, furs, to build my own great tent. I'd even want to marry into his family, take one of his daughters as wife!"

"Too bad, though—he has a granddaughter, but she's still too young. About the same age as my eldest daughter."

"I still prefer mature, plump women!"

Po Jun smiled faintly: "After all, you prefer your current mother concubine."

That mother concubine had been the very reason Po Jun had once spared the seven kings' life. But now, the seven kings burst into laughter, mounted his horse, raised his brows, and said: "No, Mr. I no longer desire that mother concubine."

"The only peerless beauty I would willingly give everything for—my homeland. Only the steppe itself is the greatest beauty. I will devote all I am to her!"

"I want the vast horse pastures of the Western Regions, my own great tent, blue skies, white clouds, heroes from all corners of the steppe kneeling before me. Our horsehead fiddles shall echo across the world. When people speak my name, they shall raise it alongside Tuyuhun and the greatest Central Plains sovereign, Chi Di."

"You all shall be a corner of the epic legend!"

Behind him, the Turkic warriors of the steppe burned with fire in their eyes.

They bowed low.

Then the seven kings tugged the reins, leading his iron Fütú across the steppe away. Po Jun watched the seven kings—now imbued with grandeur and true heroic spirit—murmured to himself: "... Has he transformed?"

"Because he saw the heroes of this world? Or because he saw Chen Huang's luxury? Or both?"

"This chaotic age… truly is magnificent."

He had seen them all: the mighty, arrogant Divine General Yuwen Lie; the noble yet calculating Chen Huang; the transformed Turkic hero; the free-spirited young Tian Kehan of the Tiele; and the hidden Bai Hu Da Zong of the Xue family in Jiangnan.

Sitting in his carriage, he suddenly remembered something and tapped the carriage wall.

He said casually:

"I've made an agreement with Li Guanyi."

"No—he made the agreement with me."

"After this, I must find him again. Will Your Majesty come?"

This time, the seven kings' vigilance dropped sharply. He replied readily: "Mr. may go alone. If I have spare time, I'll join you. But the Grand Sacrifice is only ten days away, and I still have many places to visit. I may not be able to accompany you every time—please don't take offense!"

Po Jun smiled and nodded.

Old ones, this time, I found him.

Not before the Yao Guang faction.

And we're well-matched—not just well-matched, but perfectly aligned!

Although we did not instantly click as ruler and minister.

But,

I saw his bearing, and he knew my ambition.

Excellent!

……………

In the following two days, the Xue family remained calm. Li Guanyi spent each day shuttling between the Xue household and the Daoist temple, studying the Four Symbols Spirit-Sealing Array and the Book of Imperial Supreme Chronology, his head throbbing, yet time passed swiftly—tomorrow was the day he must report to the Golden Guard.

It was deep night.

Li Guanyi stared at two dark circles under his eyes, a pot of strong tea beside him, poring over scriptures and the Book of Imperial Supreme Chronology. This youth, praised by Po Jun, was now applying the same relentless drive he once used for his Gaokao prep, frantically catching up.

He had already mastered sixteen variations of the array diagrams—a pace that even Zu Wenyuan found astonishing.

But it was not enough!

He must give everything he had to approach the Fire Qilin without disturbing the Xue family or implicating his aunt.

Therefore, he must master the array diagrams!

Sixteen array diagrams.

One cup of tea, one lamp.

One night.

Perhaps a miracle might occur.

As for his body—

Golden skin, jade bones, dragon sinews, tiger marrow—Li Guanyi felt staying up all night was no problem.

The youth took a sip of strong tea, continuing his fourth watch of grinding through the array diagrams, when suddenly he heard footsteps. He paused, clutching a scroll, stepped out, and looked up.

He saw the girl standing steady against the wind, by the wall.

Beneath the moonlight, dressed plainly, hood drawn, silver strands at her temples fluttering slightly.

As if she might vanish with the wind and moonlight in the next instant.

Li Guanyi said: "Yao Guang?"

She bent, brushing dust from her knees where she'd climbed the wall.

Stood firm.

Then she reached up, removed her hood. Silver hair stirred in the wind. Her expression was serene, her voice calm as flowing water, quiet as she said: "The stars brought your message; the starlight told me you are facing some difficulty."

"You need me."

"So I came."