Chapter 126

This mountain marrow, like a qi current, was contained in a crystal neither metal nor stone, sealed within wood.

It ignites upon contact with fire, dissolves upon contact with water, and sinks into earth.

If it encounters flesh and blood, it flows and transforms spontaneously—Li Guanyi did not know that such mysterious heavenly treasures each had their own method of harvest; at this moment, the Fire Qilin roared, guided by instinct, just as a man eats when hungry and drinks when thirsty, swallowing the mountain marrow whole.

Li Guanyi watched helplessly as the qi he had used to save the Fire Qilin scattered.

Then he saw a bright yellow qi surge within the Fire Qilin's dharma form; the Qilin roared continuously, as if in excruciating pain, and Li Guanyi, forgetting everything else, raised his hand and slashed—the other four dharma forms flew out at once, surrounding the Qilin once more in the positions of the 【Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Array】.

Thus the Qilin's roars were suppressed.

But the roars did not vanish—they echoed within the small courtyard, growing ever more solemn; the dharma forms were linked to Li Guanyi's spirit, and he perceived the changes occurring within the Fire Qilin's dharma form: pure fire elemental qi attempted to consume the mountain marrow qi.

But the mountain marrow qi was a treasure of the same ontological rank as the Fire Qilin's true body.

It was a pure Wu Earth qi.

Fire generates Earth.

The Fire Qilin's fire elemental qi surged in, yet instead of suppressing the Wu Earth qi, it caused the Wu Earth qi to rapidly expand; the Fire Qilin itself emitted low, agonized roars, its very existence beginning to falter.

At this critical moment, Li Guanyi grew even calmer.

The Four Spirit dharma forms roared in unison—dragon's cry, tiger's roar, phoenix's call, tortoise's bellow—the youth's temple hairs lifted as his hands formed the Yin-Yang School's seal, saying: "How are you even greedier than I am?!"

This moment was more dangerous than his earlier standoff with Hou Zhongyu.

Li Guanyi alone deduced the 【Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Great Array】; dragon's cry, tiger's roar, the Four Spirits shifted positions constantly, using the principles of the Five Elements' generation and restraint to aid the Fire Qilin's transformation, stabilizing its true spirit so it would not perish or change, the Five Elements endlessly generating and restraining each other.

Accompanied by this miniature deduction of the great array.

Li Guanyi's blood qi surged rapidly; his third eye acupoint throbbed with pain.

In his past life, he had heard a saying.

Talismans must not be drawn lightly—if you lack the ability to draw them, fine, but if you truly draw them correctly, then it's either drain your mana or drain your blood; now, the spiritual power in his ancestral third eye was being consumed, and his internal blood qi was churning violently.

Just as Li Guanyi feared he might suffer catastrophic depletion of his primordial energy, a familiar medicinal force suddenly surfaced again from his sinews and bones, causing his internal blood qi to surge once more.

The latent medicinal power of the 【Ten Thousand Ancient Crimson Moon Immortal Herb】 was forced out again under these circumstances.

This extraordinary herb, at Li Guanyi's Second Heavy Realm, was utterly impossible to fully absorb.

The youth realized this, and his heart eased—he was overjoyed:

"Hou Zhongyu, Hou Zhongyu, I am so grateful to you!"

"You really are a good person!"

At this moment of intense blood qi depletion, the latent medicinal power was reactivated; simultaneously, as Li Guanyi deduced the array's transformations, the Fire Qilin gradually lost its initial ferocity and brutality, instead radiating a majestic, grand aura.

Li Guanyi exhaled in relief.

The Four Spirits guarded the Heavenly Palace; Wu Earth reigned at the center.

Amidst dragon's cry and tiger's roar, crimson Qilin fire burst outward in all directions; then the earth trembled and rose, and a blessed Qilin with bright yellow scales, slightly swaying mane, four feet treading fire, and both crimson and bright yellow auspicious hues stepped forward slowly.

And between Li Guanyi's five dharma forms, a mysterious connection finally formed.

Li Guanyi had a sudden realization.

There was no need to forcibly force the dharma forms and cultivation body to merge—when all Five Element dharma forms appeared simultaneously, they naturally formed a cycle; now, standing there, the fire-earth blessed Qilin beside him, the dragon and phoenix in the sky, the Bai Hu calmly pressing its paw, it was as if mythology had been reborn.

Only the Xuan Gui remained.

The Xuan Gui rested on Li Guanyi's shoulder.

One claw gripped the youth's black temple hair.

The other claw pointed toward the distant library.

Its eyes were filled with longing, as if afraid Li Guanyi had not noticed it.

It pointed even more forcefully in that direction.

"Don't rush—after the Grand Sacrifice and martial contest, there will be an opportunity," Li Guanyi soothed the Xuan Gui, then looked at the now-hollow rhombic crystal; having passed the danger, his eyes filled with grief and regret.

He had not expected the mountain marrow to be a qi current; since it had triggered a transformation in his Fire Qilin dharma form, that meant it was beneficial to the Qilin—Hou Zhongyu's direction had been correct.

Such a treasure, even the Empress would handle with caution.

Within a short time, he could never hope to obtain another—but how could he bring the Qilin out?

As Li Guanyi lamented, he suddenly heard a cold voice say: "The mountain marrow has transformed into a spirit, becoming a Wu Earth Qilin—interesting, but that's all." Li Guanyi gripped his weapon and snapped his head up, seeing a man standing on the wall.

White hair hung to his waist like wild grass; his eyes were cold, his hands clasped behind his back.

Li Guanyi's ancestral third eye throbbed uncomfortably.

Li Guanyi suddenly noticed that in the wind, the old man's robes did not stir at all—he himself seemed like a shadow, an illusory presence; the old man stared at Li Guanyi and frowned: "I wondered who it was that understood my array—not as an array, but as a cultivation method."

"Yet it's just a child."

The array I left?

Li Guanyi realized who this man was.

One of the prominent schools among the Hundred Schools of Thought, the Yin-Yang School's top three, ranked second.

Yin-Yang School · Master Siming!

Li Guanyi gripped his sword, his vigilance at its peak.

Wasn't this man said to have vanished into the wilderness, pursuing a great array that would cover all Nine Provinces of the Central Plains? Why was he here?

The Chen Kingdom's Grand Sacrifice truly is a vortex—everyone has come here.

How does every step trigger a landmine?

The youth groaned inwardly.

Master Siming and Master Siming were sworn enemies; Li Guanyi silently retreated, his right hand gripping the crossbow at his waist—he suddenly drew it and fired at a nearby bronze bell, intending to create enough noise to draw Xue Lao's attention.

But the bolt shot out slowly, weakly, and froze in midair.

The white-haired old man, his hair like wild grass, reached out and pinched the bolt between his fingers, sneering:

"A bit clever."

Li Guanyi knew he was as vastly inferior to these elders, who had been famed across the heavens for at least sixty years, as earth is to sky.

After a moment's thought, he calmly discarded his crossbow, then bowed with both hands and spoke politely:

"Elder, your wisdom is peerless—you built this great array at age thirty. I only understand it because Hou Zhongyu, the artificer guarding the Fire Qilin Palace, instructed me thoroughly."

"Hou Zhongyu, the artificer, was brilliant and bold, disregarding his own safety to impart the array without reservation."

"I have only a slight grasp of this great array."

"If you wish to discuss this array, you should seek out Elder Hou Zhongyu."

Master Siming said coolly: "Hou Zhongyu?"

"You mean the artificer you killed?"

"Are you cursing me to die soon?"

The old man idly reversed the crossbow bolt, its tip pointing at Li Guanyi; then, as if time accelerated again, the bolt shot toward him at blinding speed. The boy punched out, striking the bolt down—his fingertip left a white mark, which quickly faded.

He raised his hand and drew his sword.

Master Siming drifted forward and said: "You know I am of the Yin-Yang School, yet still speak nonsense."

"Let me see your mettle."

He extended his hand, fingers spread, and brought it down upon Li Guanyi. The void solidified, transforming instantly into the 【Four Symbols Sealing Array】, crashing down from above. Seeing his intent was hostile, Li Guanyi leapt back, drawing his sword in a horizontal sweep—it was a high-grade heavy blade.

The blade's edge spat a streak of cold light, slicing diagonally past Master Siming.

The old man's body rippled like water.

He said: "Five Elements body, Four Spirits converged, golden skin, jade bones, dragon sinews, tiger marrow."

"No wonder you could suddenly comprehend my array."

"I thought you were a prodigy of heaven—turns out you're just blessed with a unique body."

"Still, such a body is suited to guarding arrays. Boy, come with me to study arrays. I'll make you an Array Apprentice."

The old man regarded Li Guanyi as if he were air.

"That won't be possible, Elder."

"I still have duties to fulfill."

"I haven't even taken a bride yet."

Facing such an ancient monster, Li Guanyi merely smiled in reply, even making a joke.

He showed no fear.

He stepped back slowly, then suddenly clenched his hand—dragon and tiger qi surged, swirling in the void to form the 【Yin-Yang Two-Phase Array】. Master Siming dodged, and the Yin-Yang Two-Phase Array spun once through the air.

Li Guanyi bent low to avoid the old man's casual sweep of his sleeve.

He pressed his right hand to the ground—the Black Tortoise transformed.

The core of the 【Four Symbols Sealing Array】 shifted again.

He was fighting the madman who created this array for control of its core.

The old man let out a surprised grunt. His nature was wild and unrestrained; Li Guanyi's defiance pleased him. He sneered twice, stepped forward, and the core Li Guanyi had fought so hard to seize instantly changed hands again.

Crimson Dragon and Bai Hu appeared on either side of Li Guanyi—dragon roared, tiger howled. The boy chanted his incantation; the two spiritual forms surged forward, merging in midair into the 【Dragon-Tiger Imprisonment】 variation of the 【Four Symbols Sealing Array】.

His understanding of arrays could not match the old man's by a thousand miles.

But within him flowed the Four Spirits and Five Elements.

His body was itself a great array.

The Dragon-Tiger Imprisonment enveloped both of them.

The old man stood with his hands behind his back, watching the boy summon the array. He made no defense, as if eager to see how far the boy's array mastery had come. Facing the roar of the Four Spirits and the flow of the Five Elements, he kept both hands clasped behind his back and looked at Li Guanyi, uttering simply:

"Come."

One word—arrogant, audacious.

Li Guanyi exhaled; his internal blood and qi roared like thunder.

The old man lowered his gaze, and the surrounding array shifted once more.

At that moment, a thunderous shout split the air: "Siming! You dare attack a youth? Where is your dignity?!"

An object spun through the air and slammed down before Master Siming, breaking the stalemate.

It was a token—its front bore the Yin-Yang Two-Phase symbol; its back bore the character "Master Siming."

Master Siming snorted, his form dissolving into qi, then reassembling against the wall.

Li Guanyi and Master Siming's brief clash had relied mostly on array cultivation, testing the mind and spirit. Now Li Guanyi exhaled in relief—he saw on the far wall an old man in a gray robe, wild white hair, crouching angrily, as if ready to curse.

It was Master Siming, whom Li Guanyi had not seen in ages.

Seeing Master Siming, Master Siming ceased his pursuit of Li Guanyi and said coolly:

"I thought you'd stay hidden forever, like your spiritual form."

"Like an old turtle."

Master Siming cursed: "Hmph! I was about to ask where you've been hiding!"

Master Siming stood with his hands behind his back and answered plainly: "The Grand Tutor's Mansion of Ying State."

The Grand Tutor's Mansion of Ying State lay thousands of miles from here—yet Master Siming had appeared here. Master Siming laughed loudly, then glared: "Bullshit!"

"I know your abilities—how could you possibly be thousands of miles away?"

Li Guanyi relaxed slightly.

Then he heard Master Siming, still disgruntled, mutter: "At most three thousand miles."

Li Guanyi's eyes narrowed slightly.

Could he truly do that?!

This was the pinnacle of the Yin-Yang School?

Master Siming looked at Master Siwei, his expression growing grave, and said, "The grudge between you and me has lasted a full sixty years; who was right and who was wrong is now indistinguishable. Why must you drag this child into it?"

Master Siwei muttered to himself, "Drag him in?"

Suddenly he burst into wild laughter: "Drag him in? Master Siming, don't flatter yourself."

"I came here only because I discovered someone had solved the riddle I left behind—I thought it was a genius of array arts. I never expected it to be a walking array. I assumed he was just an ordinary man, merely curious to see his skills. But since you value him so highly, very well—I claim him!"

"Sacrifice him to fuel the array—it would make a fine move."

Master Siming said, "Xue Daoyong is here. He hasn't come yet only because your array skills are sufficient to mask this place's aura. But if you truly fight, the old man's arrow will pierce your throat in the next breath. Do you dare to gamble?"

He intended to scare Master Siwei off.

But he never expected this madman to roar with laughter, his brow exuding unrestrained arrogance:

"Good."

"I accept!!"

"The stakes are our lives!"

He seemed ready to strike immediately.

Master Siming froze, then cursed loudly, "Fool!"

He glanced at Li Guanyi, lips moving silently to transmit a message. Master Siwei's eyes narrowed. After a long silence, the world's greatest madman finally lowered his hand and asked, "Are you telling the truth?"

Master Siming nodded.

Master Siwei fell silent, then said, "Very well. Our grudge ends here."

"I will go to the Imperial Academy."

He said, "Chixiao Sword has suddenly roared—it is an imperial weapon."

"Master of Heaven's Peril, Master of Heaven's Life."

"How can Heaven's peril not outweigh our personal feud?"

"How can Heaven's life not outweigh our lives by ten thousandfold?"

This madman of the world let out a long, piercing howl that shook miles around, filled with profound sorrow and lament. Finally he said, "Then let our grudge wait—until we have fulfilled our duties, then we shall fight!"

"Boy, your array skills are decent. Think about how to transform the Four Symbols Helian Fengling Array into the Five Elements Subdue Heaven Array."

"If you walk the mortal realm, I will find you. I'll see if you have true insight. A fool has no right to carry my arrays."

Master Siming's head throbbed—he silently transmitted a message.

He never expected Master Siwei to be too lazy to transmit silently—he spoke aloud.

Fortunately, he didn't use his later howling voice to say it—only Li Guanyi heard. Otherwise, things would have been disastrous.

Master Siwei vanished into the air. Master Siming exhaled, crouched down, and grumbled. Seeing Li Guanyi unharmed, the old man sighed in relief and smiled: "Ha, good you're unharmed. That old madman, Siwei, doesn't care who he drags into his madness."

"Xue the Old Man isn't here today—I was just bluffing about him."

"But even Xue the Old Man probably didn't expect that in Jiangzhou City right before the Great Sacrifice, someone would dare do something like this. He thought right—Jiangzhou City now has no thieves, not even flying ones. But Siwei never follows reason."

"Still, why do you have this Fire Qilin manifestation?"

"That thing is rare."

Though both cultivated the Yin-Yang Two Aspects Method, Master Siwei and Master Siming's paths were not aligned.

Master Siwei could not perceive the manifestation unless he engaged in combat.

The moment Master Siming arrived, he spotted the auspicious Fire Qilin—and his eyes grew envious.

Li Guanyi recounted everything, including his regrets. Master Siming laughed heartily: "Hou Zhongyu—that boy took the wrong path. The Qilin holds the same rank as Mountain Marrow. But what makes him think Mountain Marrow can alter a Fire Qilin of equal rank?"

"Mountain Marrow is so scarce. The Fire Qilin is a living being. No matter how you calculate, the Fire Qilin is stronger—its potential flows endlessly."

"Only a celestial land that nurtured Mountain Marrow could possibly alter it again."

"Only by nurturing new Qilin power within the Fire Qilin's body."

"Otherwise, it's just going to give the Fire Qilin diarrhea."

The old Master Siming chuckled and patted Li Guanyi on the shoulder: "Enough. You're unharmed, you didn't flinch before Siwei the old madman—you're a good lad. Old man's got his own business to attend to."

But Li Guanyi grabbed his sleeve.

The old Master Siming frowned: "What's wrong?"

Li Guanyi had long been searching for the old Master Siming, wanting to ask about his aunt's injury. Now that he'd found him, how could he let him go? He quickly described his aunt's condition. The old man frowned: "The manifestation is trapped and bound..."

"I do have a way to treat it, but it requires rare materials—not easily obtained. And such an injury is never suffered by ordinary people. Boy, can you tell me why your aunt received this wound?"

The old man's expression turned solemn.

Clearly, unless Li Guanyi convinced him, he would not help.

Li Guanyi fell silent for a long while. He set down his sword, then bowed respectfully:

"My father—Li Wanli."