Chapter 85: Tiger Roar Bone Forging Art!

Yaoguang looked at the boy sitting on the cliff face.

Li Guanyi leapt down from above; before his Body Casting, he would never jump from such a height—even for a martial artist with internal energy, such a fall would shake and injure tendons, bones, and muscles. But after Body Casting, his internal qi flowed smoothly, his physique surpassed that of an ordinary human, and descending from this height caused no harm whatsoever.

Li Guanyi saw the steamed bun Yaoguang was roasting.

He reached out, took it away, then sat cross-legged before the bonfire, holding a sack filled with various pastries—the very types Yaoguang had eaten most often before. Yaoguang blinked her eyes and said calmly, “I...”

Li Guanyi said: “The Star Gazing School lives simply, doesn’t it?”

“Then consider it me forcing you to eat.”

Yaoguang held the pastries, knelt quietly before the bonfire, nibbled slowly, finished one, and gazed silently at Li Guanyi, her voice tranquil: “You came looking for me—do you need help with something?”

Li Guanyi said: “No.”

“I’ve just broken through and planned to test myself against Xue Shenjiang, but I intended to come a few days later.”

“I just didn’t know why, but suddenly felt like coming here today.”

“Maybe the scenery was so beautiful today, I thought of you, so I came.”

Yaoguang looked at him.

Then she thought for a moment.

She felt her spell might have taken effect.

But the Star Gazing School was merely one of the Three Outer Sects, capable of glimpsing only a corner of fate; how that fate would manifest, they could not determine. Yaoguang carefully wrapped the pastries and placed them inside a black jar to keep insects away.

She rose, brushed the dust from her knees, and said calmly: “You are going to the secret realm.”

“Please follow me.”

Li Guanyi stepped forward and said: “You don’t have to call me ‘you’ every single time.”

“It’s too formal.”

Yaoguang shook her head, her voice quiet:

“The Star Gazing School of the Eastern Continent has recorded certain principles. Among the three absolute taboos—[Do Not Disrupt the Mortal World], [Do Not Bring Misfortune to the People], [Do Not Profit from Celestial Spells]—the most sacred is the title for Bai Hu Zong.”

“This rule was established eight hundred years ago by that generation’s Bai Hu Zong.”

“And five hundred years ago, it was reaffirmed.”

“Though I do not understand the reason, if the wise ancestors before me left it behind, there must be a purpose.”

Li Guanyi frowned: “Why?”

The silver-haired girl said: “I don’t know.”

“My teacher said the Star Gazing School must keep its heart as still as water in a mountain stream, so it may reflect the stars above. Eight hundred years ago, during the most crucial star observation, that generation’s Yaoguang’s heart rippled—and scattered the starlight.”

“Star Gazing sorcerers cannot see their own fate. If the heart is disturbed, they will misread.”

“And the cost of Yaoguang misreading has always been heavy.”

Li Guanyi laughed, shaking his head in disbelief: “It’s just a name and a title—how could it have such power?”

Yaoguang turned to look at him, then thought again.

The silver-haired girl stepped half a pace forward, took Li Guanyi’s hand in hers, her voice softening, her gaze like spring wind, and whispered:

“Big Brother Guanyi?”

Li Guanyi’s body froze.

Then Yaoguang stepped back half a pace, withdrawing her hand.

Her eyes remained as tranquil as stars, her exquisite, inhumanly beautiful face expressionless. She nodded, recorded it silently, her voice unwavering: “Indeed, just as the Yaoguang of five hundred years ago wrote.”

“Such a title affects Bai Hu Zong.”

“Your heart stirred. Words hold magic. In ancient times, people believed the soul, once separated from the body, could be called back by its name—and all spells required chanting. A title between two people is the first bond.”

“I will uphold the ancient pact, to prevent past tragedies from recurring.”

Yaoguang opened the path ahead with starlight.

Li Guanyi exhaled, feeling sweat bead on his forehead. He muttered:

“She’s always so quiet—calling me that like that, I nearly jumped.”

Li Guanyi stepped into the water. Yaoguang used starlight to clear the way. They entered the secret realm once more. As always, Yaoguang went to seek the ancient Star Gazing School masters’ techniques, while Li Guanyi lifted his battle spear and faced Xue Shenjiang.

Xue Shenjiang taunted.

Li Guanyi’s response was a single gesture.

He raised his middle finger.

Xue Shenjiang smirked, raised his battle spear, and slammed it down hard. Li Guanyi countered with standard techniques, but Xue Shenjiang’s experience dwarfed his own. Li Guanyi’s spear was the very weapon this general had created—he could not break the form.

Finally, Li Guanyi gasped for breath: “Tell me, what’s the point of me defeating you?! That place—the ancient overlord’s weapon vault—I don’t even care!”

Xue Shenjiang raised an eyebrow: “Isn’t sparring with me beneficial?”

Li Guanyi had no rebuttal.

To fight and train with the greatest general under heaven—

It was a temptation no martial artist could refuse.

Li Guanyi said: “Is there nothing more concrete?”

Xue Shenjiang laughed: “There is. If you land one strike on me, you may dismantle this secret realm.”

Li Guanyi said: “Dismantle it?”

Xue Shenjiang smiled faintly: “Yes. Dismantle it—and take it away.”

“Your era is on the brink of chaos, perhaps already in turmoil, though the final collapse has not yet erupted. This realm was established by Yaoguang. So long as we permit it, and you find this generation’s Eastern Continent Star Gazing School Yaoguang—”

“She can dismantle this realm and imprint it with the Jade Pivot Seal.”

“Wherever the Jade Pivot is reassembled, this realm will reappear.”

“Is the personal instruction of the greatest general under heaven not a benefit?”

Li Guanyi said: “So this realm is your so-called ‘Overlord’s Secret Vault’—the third key? Even if another Bai Hu Zong claims your weapon, unless he meets Yaoguang, he cannot claim the vault’s treasures.”

Xue Shenjiang smiled faintly: “If I said no, would you believe me?”

He stretched his body, speaking lightly: “Come.”

“Land one strike on me, and you may take this realm away.”

Li Guanyi said: “Even if I’m not of the Xue family?”

Xue Shenjiang said: “Yaoguang would never recognize a wicked person. Even if you’re not of the Xue family, if I entrust you with the power to quell chaos, will you betray the Xue family?”

“In chaos, if descendants without virtue possess such power, it harms both family and realm.”

Li Guanyi said: “You really love to gamble.”

Xue Shenjiang smiled: “A wager across centuries, betting on peace—it’s not gambling.” He raised his spear, paused, then slashed down violently. Li Guanyi exhaled a cloud of turbid qi and surged forward again, his spear clashing repeatedly against Xue Shenjiang’s weapon.

Xue Shenjiang’s brows lifted, one hand holding his spear to suppress Li Guanyi, a faint smirk on his lips:

“This is what is called inheritance!”

Weapons clashed, qi erupted. The roar of Bai Hu nearly shattered heaven and earth.

Li Guanyi suddenly released his grip on the spear.

Then his wrist turned slightly.

Xue Shenjiang’s pupils contracted. His spear rotated, the crescent blade facing upward. Condensed internal qi exploded, tearing outward like the eye of a storm—qi surged into a raging torrent, spiraling upward with violent force!

[Rolling Tide]!

The instant explosion of spiraling force was Li Guanyi’s current limit.

Xue Shenjiang’s weapon was swept away.

Li Guanyi drew a deep breath.

He unleashed the divine power of [Jade Arm Divine Bow Art] again, forcing out a force equal to his previous strike. Gripping the spear, he thrust it forward like a lance—qi linked, heavy as a mountain.

Then the mountain collapsed.

Stones tumbled down from above.

[Shatter Mountain].

BOOM!!!!

One strike shattered defense with [Rolling Tide], disarmed; [Shatter Mountain] smashed through resistance, defeated the enemy.

Two supreme techniques linked seamlessly.

This was Li Guanyi’s strongest posture and technique now.

Yet in that instant, Xue Shenjiang’s weapon tapped downward slightly. Li Guanyi’s [Shatter Mountain] surged even more fiercely—Xue Shenjiang added force, but robbed it of its aim. The spear scraped past Xue Shenjiang, striking off-target.

Xue Shenjiang leapt upward gracefully, like a celestial crane soaring.

The butt of his spear lightly tapped the back of the boy’s head.

Then he landed softly behind Li Guanyi.

Li Guanyi’s powerful thrust smashed into a phantom stone pillar, splitting it clean through. The pillar crashed down, dissolving into starlight. Li Guanyi gasped, rose, gripped his spear, clamped its end between arm and body, steadied it, and prepared to turn and sweep.

Xue Shenjiang’s fingers already rested on the back of his skull.

Li Guanyi froze.

Xue Shenjiang smiled: “Before real combat, you deliberately lost once—pretended defeat, then unleashed your ultimate technique. Feigning weakness, then striking with full force. Cunning and ferocious. How did you become so deceitful?”

“I wonder who taught you.”

Li Guanyi slumped, releasing his weapon: “Who else but you?”

Xue Shenjiang laughed.

He made Li Guanyi sit cross-legged, then took up a brush and wrote a “ Zheng ” character on Li Guanyi’s forehead, proudly declaring: “Another stroke added today.”

Li Guanyi was not angry.

This second match today was merely a pretense.

Only when the Tiger Roar Bone-Forge Decree is perfected and the power of the Phantoms can be wielded will the true decisive battle begin; Li Guanyi sensed that Juan Tao and Cui Shan were merely relying on physical strength and weapons, unable to fully unleash their potential.

If the power of White Tiger Supervising Soldier were infused into Juan Tao.

If the power of Crimson Dragon Burning Mountain were blended into Cui Shan.

How much greater would the combined might of these two techniques become?

Only then, taking advantage of Xue Shen’s momentary carelessness, could one possibly defeat him by a single move.

When capable, feign incapacity; when strong, feign weakness.

Li Guanyi suddenly felt he was beginning to slowly comprehend knowledge he had once only parroted, and naturally apply it to his own battles and confrontations; today’s defeat gave him a clearer understanding of his own strength, and he left the secret realm with Yaoguang.

He stared at the secret realm, then at Xue Shen’s triumphant smile, and couldn’t suppress his anger.

He picked up a stone and hurled it into the stream, splashing water, saying: “One day, I will surpass you!”

Yaoguang remained silent.

Li Guanyi felt slightly embarrassed, and said:

“If I win, will you dismantle this secret realm?”

Yaoguang nodded.

Li Guanyi hesitated, his gaze lowering slightly, then gathered his courage and said solemnly: “This secret realm was said to be given to me—if you dismantle it…”

The silver-haired girl tilted her head, understanding the unspoken meaning in Li Guanyi’s words; her voice calm, she said: “I will honor my promise. Wherever you go—be it the ends of the earth or a chaotic age—I will accompany you.”

“I will recreate this secret realm for you.”

Li Guanyi said: “The old pact didn’t include this.”

Yaoguang replied: “This is now a new promise.”

“Not the ancient covenant—but one newly forged between you and me.”

For some reason, Li Guanyi’s mood suddenly lifted; he extended his hand, his brow bright with spirit, and said:

“Then I’ll prepare all kinds of delicacies for you—northern lands’ lamb meat dipped in leek paste, western lands’ dried fruits and pastries, even more distant fish jerky, central plains’ noodles—across this vast world, I swear you’ll never grow tired of eating!”

“Do you plan to go to such distant places?”

Yaoguang looked at Li Guanyi’s outstretched finger.

This was a custom among children of the central plains—linking pinkies to seal a future promise.

Children, unaware of the cruelty of fate, believed that linked fingers meant an unbroken vow for life; Li Guanyi had once played with such children, and in his excitement had not noticed—now, making this gesture toward one who truly understood destiny, he felt embarrassed and wanted to withdraw his hand.

“You have such a childish side too.”

Yaoguang thought for a moment, then extended her finger and hooked it with the boy’s.

Fingertips touched fingertips.

“But since it is your invitation, I will not refuse.”

…………

In the days that followed, the son of one general committed suicide; the others were harshly restrained, for after the Yue Qianfeng incident, the court suddenly began investigating the past misdeeds of these noble youths.

What had once been trivial matters now carried immense weight before Chen’s Grand Sacrifice; tied to Yue Qianfeng, they were thoroughly investigated.

It was said the court was furious.

Those noble youths were either conscripted into the army or beaten nearly to death, their martial cultivation stripped; even their fathers suffered greatly, left in ruin. The two surviving martial nobles returned home and were whipped by their fathers until they lost half their lives.

Before Li Guanyi even reached the capital, he had earned the nickname “Li the Demon Star”—the first reaction of the noble youths.

This man is like a ferocious tiger—extremely dangerous to provoke.

Some still dared to test the tiger’s whiskers.

Li Guanyi, baffled, gained even more merit.

The merit these noble martial families provided him was enough to fill a year’s worth of official reports.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the capital grew increasingly solemn day by day.

Even the mood in Yicheng began to shift.

Many foreign faces appeared among the travelers at the inn; trade guilds flourished; in taverns, western beauties from beyond the borders arrived with the opportunity, and Hu Xuanwu’s footsteps blended perfectly with central plains’ lute music; scholars and young knights grew drunk gazing into the eyes of these western beauties.

In contrast, defenses grew ever tighter.

Martial cultivators from the wilderness increased daily.

The vortex of Chen’s Grand Sacrifice had finally begun to radiate its influence to the nearest border town.

Li Guanyi spent each day merely practicing breath cultivation.

He attempted to balance the White Tiger and Crimson Dragon Phantoms, preventing their qi from clashing violently; unintentionally, this honed his own qi, as if constantly facing a formidable opponent.

His qi grew increasingly refined.

Less than a month before Chen’s Grand Sacrifice, someone rode a swift horse to the Xue family.

When the imperial court sent its third message to the Xue family, Li Guanyi finally spotted the old man—the one with poor alcohol tolerance, always drunk yet always drinking—at his usual tavern.

Li Guanyi walked over, sat beside the old man, and ordered a flask of wine and several small dishes.

"Old senior, how did things go?"

Siming glanced sideways at him and said:

“What did you just call me?”

Li Guanyi thought for a moment and said: “Old man?”

The old man burst into laughter, pointing at Li Guanyi.

He tipped back a gulp of wine, his spirit soaring, and declared:

“I have not disgraced your trust!”

The tension in Li Guanyi’s spirit, tightened by the approaching Grand Sacrifice, finally eased slightly.

Siming has returned.

The Tiger Roar Bone-Forge Decree—the foundation of Golden Skin, Jade Bones, Dragon Tendons, Tiger Marrow—is about to begin.