Chapter 151: The Steady True Disciple

As the only True Disciple in Divine Weapon Valley with the shortest tenure and youngest age.

In two months, Li Yuan endured several assassination attempts, but the most perilous was when one hid in the cesspool.

After these four veteran soldiers guarded him, no assassin could approach within ten zhang, even after he moved back from Chi Rong Cave.

"Ah!"

Between the bamboo grove, swords and knives clashed; the armored middle-aged man was already outmatched by Jin, and hearing Li Yuan's taunt, he nearly spat blood.

Thud!

The next instant, his single arm pierced through the blade light; Jin's fist struck the heavy armor—just once—and the middle-aged assassin coughed blood and flew backward, lying motionless.

The other assassins were all subdued.

"So stupid, and you dare be an assassin?"

Jin stepped on the middle-aged man's head and leaned down: "At your age, being able to change your form is no small feat—but you've got no brains."

"A lone mercenary, after all. We live by the blade's edge. To master form-shifting at your age means you're willing to risk your life."

The veteran soldiers raised their blades and slew the remaining assassins, then gathered around; two of them split off to patrol the surroundings, searching for possible accomplices.

"Old Jin, this man uses the Eight Gates Sword Technique, right?"

Li Yuan strolled over slowly; as the current favorite on the "Assassination List," he was extremely cautious.

Though it seemed he relied on Jin and the other three, the instant danger arose, he had already taken control of the "Mixed Gold Great Yi Hammer," "Supreme Six Harmony Boots," "Mystic Weapon Forging Hammer," "Master Forging Hammer," and "Pure Steel Hexagonal Hammer."

This was his strongest setup, with twenty control effects covering forging, combat, assassination, and escape.

He was just waiting for an assassin who, after enduring countless hardships, finally broke through Jin's four-man blockade, only to be crushed by one blow of his hammer.

"Correct. All these men use the Eight Gates Sword Technique."

Jin nodded: "This mid-tier sword technique is widely spread; many counties have it, but tracing its origin is difficult."

"There shouldn't be many form-shifting experts who specialize in this technique?"

Li Yuan glanced at the armored middle-aged man.

The second-rank heavy armor was standard issue for the Divine Guard Army—its origin was obvious. The sword was a top-grade blade, yet the man looked plainly impoverished.

"Not many."

Jin gave a grim smile, fully cooperative:

"Tomorrow, hand him over to the Surveillance Hall disciples. Let them find out: if he dares assassinate a True Disciple, his family's graves will multiply!"

As he spoke, he slightly eased the pressure on his foot; the middle-aged man gasped, coughing blood:

"I did it alone—I take full responsibility. If you've got guts, kill me! Kill me!"

"Kill? Of course we'll kill. But we must also ask questions."

Li Yuan wasn't skilled in interrogation, so he asked casually:

"Which clan are you from? How did you sneak into the inner island?"

"Li Yuan!"

The middle-aged assassin's face darkened: "If you spare me, I'll tell you everything!"

"I say I will—do you believe me?"

Li Yuan internally sighed, increasingly convinced that intelligence and martial skill had little strong connection.

"You…"

The middle-aged assassin turned pale.

"If you dare to act, you must dare to take responsibility. With not an ounce of backbone, how dare you call yourself an assassin?"

Jin sneered, then turned to Li Yuan:

"Little Li, hand this one to me. His belongings, I'll bring to you later."

"This man is yours, Old Jin. As for the loot, keep it all—on such a cold day, buy a few flasks of wine to warm your bones."

Li Yuan bowed respectfully.

This assassin was so poor, Li Yuan had no interest in searching him.

Master Li was now filthy rich—he ate fish worth a hundred taels of gold without hesitation, so he wouldn't squabble with these elderly guardians who worked so diligently for him over a few scraps of plunder.

To please the old, start with small things.

"Fine!"

Jin nodded, grabbed the assassin, and headed for the Surveillance Hall.

He didn't care about the loot—but this attitude pleased him greatly.

Who was Li Yuan?

Dragon-bone physique, forging prodigy, the most gifted True Disciple of this generation, and disciple of Han Chuijun—his future was surely at least one of the Inner Sect's Five Elders.

Compared to the other True Disciples, the difference was clear.

Talent, no arrogance, patience for solitude—in his view, these were more precious than innate bone structure.

"There must be many Inner Sect disciples who moonlight as assassins too?"

Li Yuan mused.

Even a True Disciple like him took on assassination gigs—others surely did too.

This enormous bounty from Thousand Jun Cave might have tempted someone.

After all, Divine Weapon Valley had thousands of disciples, with countless factions; enmities weren't limited to just him and Ding Zhi.

Back in his room, Li Yuan warmed the fish soup, drank every drop, and felt warmth spread through his body—as if the bone transformation still lingered.

"Small Dragon Form, Dragon Form, Great Dragon Form—the texts say the greatest bone structure is Great Dragon Form, differing only by the form's nature."

Li Yuan sat and flipped through the book—the "Bone Structure Treatise" borrowed from the Library—detailing all bone structures.

Being born with Great Dragon Form was already top-tier.

"Yet among the thirteen forms, a mundane beast Great Dragon Form differs slightly from a spiritual beast Great Dragon Form—but that distinction only emerges after form-shifting."

Since entering Divine Weapon Valley, Li Yuan spent most of his time indoors.

But he'd read stack upon stack of books—not nearly as reclusive as other disciples assumed.

"Form-shifting is a major realm. Even after reaching Meridian Circulation or Organ Refinement, the form one adopts remains crucial."

Li Yuan flipped through the book.

The "Bone Structure Treatise" devoted only a fraction to bone structure; most of it focused on form-shifting.

What is form-shifting?

It is altering one's external form to reshape oneself, breaking and expanding limits—according to the text, form-shifting has no limit.

"Form-shifting divides into three: mundane beast forms, spiritual beast forms, and natural celestial forms. Only when form-shifting is achieved does one truly enter the martial path…"

"The better one's bone structure, the smoother the path of form-shifting; conversely, the harder it becomes…"

"Form-shifting is measured in numbers: Small Dragon Form has six, Dragon Form has nine, Great Dragon Form has thirteen…"

…

Li Yuan read word by word, meticulously—this felt like a post-martial pastime to him.

Constantly training was truly exhausting.

"Huh?"

As he turned a page, Li Yuan's heart stirred—he spotted a reference to Star-Picking Tower.

Or rather, "Ten Thousand Beasts in Stillness, Dragon Demon Heart Scripture."

"Historical records over the past 1,400 years show that the one who advanced furthest in form-shifting was Star-Picking Tower's 'Ten Thousand Beasts Daoist'…"

"Legend says he transformed into ten thousand beast forms, transcending humanity, hence the title 'Dragon Demon'!"

"Alas, this was the final echo—none have appeared in a thousand years; later generations reached at most ten dragons and ten elephants…"

…

"Above a hundred forms lie ten thousand forms!"

Li Yuan stared in disbelief.

He calculated in his mind: even if he changed his bone structure daily, using the Weapon Control Scroll to shift one form per month, ten thousand forms would take…

"Eight hundred thirty-three years!"

Could anyone live eight hundred years?

"Worshiping the Gods Method!"

Thoughts flooded Li Yuan's mind—he felt a sudden clarity.

No wonder Wang Wen yuan knew the Worshiping the Gods Method so well—there must be a lineage of it within Star-Picking Tower!

"Ten thousand forms…"

Li Yuan, who hadn't even begun form-shifting, couldn't imagine it.

The final page of the treatise bore the author's name—Han Chuijun!

"Of course it's Old Han."

After reading only a short while, Li Yuan recalled Old Han—this tone was similar, and in Divine Weapon Valley, who else had the authority to write the "Bone Structure Treatise"?

"Old Han knows so much—I can't help suspecting he joined Star-Picking Tower too…"

The book mentioned "Dragon Demon Heart Scripture" repeatedly; Li Yuan even sensed regret and sorrow between the lines.

After much thought, Li Yuan closed the book, tied a thread to the little rat, and hung it above his bed—then yawned and fell asleep.

The process of bone transformation drained him greatly; elixirs could replenish blood and internal strength, but not spirit.

…

…

He slept without dreams.

Li Yuan had excellent sleep quality; when he opened his eyes again, he felt refreshed and energetic. Stretching his limbs, he sensed he had grown just a little taller than before he slept.

"If this keeps up, will I turn into Senior Brother like that?"

Li Yuan muttered to himself.

He was no longer human in form, but Eighty Thousand was clearly an oddity among non-humans—a towering three-meter frame that brought immense daily troubles.

His house, bed, chairs, and clothes all had to be custom-made; as for transportation—carriages and palanquins—there was no need to mention them. Even finding an inn to stay in was difficult.

"I should look for a Bone-Contracting Art or something similar, but I doubt it would help much."

When Li Yuan put on his clothes, Yu Xiang and Pan Yi had already prepared breakfast. Seeing him emerge, both were startled.

"S-Senior Brother, you—you've grown taller?"

Pan Yi gasped, covering her mouth.

"Maybe?"

Yu Xiang thought for a moment—it really seemed so.

"You're imagining things."

Li Yuan paid them no mind. After a quick wash and breakfast, he picked up his hammer and sword and stepped outside.

These days, all disciples of Divine Weapon Valley went out armed; for him to go bare-handed would make him stand out too much.

Yu Jin and the other four had hidden themselves well, no longer shadowing him closely—Chì Róng Cave had changed their habits.

There were many disciples on the inner isle; several greeted him warmly along the way, while others hurried past, yet many of their glances held envy.

This upheaval in Divine Weapon Valley made the special privileges of the True Disciples even more apparent: no mandatory missions, and protection from the Form-Shifting Veteran.

In contrast, the inner disciples, though silent on the surface, couldn't help feeling a twinge of bitterness.

Li Yuan understood this roughly, but he wouldn't go down the mountain either.

His reputation was now considerable; stepping down the mountain would attract countless assassins—he had no habit of self-torture.

"Senior Sister Fang."

Li Yuan stopped by the Sword Armory to return the sword. Fang Yunxiu was practicing swordplay in the courtyard.

Her movements were swift, her body darting in and out like a flash; her sword was even faster—blade shadows drifted in sheets, then vanished in an instant. From afar, one saw no person, only the sword's hum like cicadas.

"Excellent sword art!"

Yu Jin appeared like a ghost, studying the distant waves of blade light and murmuring in awe:

"With just these three moves of the Cicada Sword, she's managed to reach this level? Her insight might even make her eligible to become a True Disciple!"

"Senior Sister Fang has always been diligent; her promotion to True Disciple is only natural."

Li Yuan agreed.

Divine Weapon Valley now had only six True Disciples; with six vacancies open, Fang Yunxiu had a strong chance.

Yu Jin glanced at him, then vanished silently.

"Li Junior Brother, let's spar!"

Suddenly, a light command rang out. Li Yuan felt a gust of wind rush toward him—but he gladly accepted.

Whoosh!

He stuck his repaired longsword to the side, then lightly stepped forward—not backward.

The long-handled heavy hammer, resting on his shoulder, swung with a long, tearing whistle and crashed into the ethereal, piercing blade light.

Clang~

Against the heavy hammer, Fang Yunxiu naturally avoided direct impact. She flicked her wrist; the blade flowed like water around it, then stabbed straight at Li Yuan's hammer-hand.

Li Yuan adapted instantly, flipping his wrist to block with the hammer, then driving it straight toward Fang Yunxiu's neck.

With long handle against short handle, heavy weapon against light weapon, the advantage was immense—and Li Yuan knew this well and applied it skillfully.

Indeed, Fang Yunxiu dodged again, stabbed again; Li Yuan kept bringing his hammer down hard and heavy, regardless of how swiftly her sword techniques changed.

He focused purely on brute force.

"Enough!"

In just a few moves, Fang Yunxiu withdrew her sword and turned back, her face filled with approval: "Junior Brother Li, you've truly grasped the essence of the hammer!"

"I'm honored by your praise, Senior Sister."

Li Yuan set down the hammer.

"Each weapon has its own use. The hammer must be wielded with broad, sweeping motions—overpowering skill with raw strength. You understand this deeply."

Fang Yunxiu praised him, yet couldn't help wondering: "You never leave your quarters, yet you've reached this level? Your insight is astonishing…"

She always felt this Junior Brother Li's hammer technique was unusually seasoned—and somehow, it wasn't lacking in lethal aura.

"Still, if I mastered Qi Gong, the advantage of long, heavy weapons wouldn't be so obvious."

Fang Yunxiu sheathed her sword.

Once Qi Gong was achieved, qi extended three zhang—then the advantage of long, heavy weapons naturally diminished. Li Yuan knew this well, and was slightly surprised:

"Senior Sister, have you been taught Qi Gong?"

"... No."

Fang Yunxiu felt a pang of frustration.

Without becoming a True Disciple, one could never be taught Qi Gong. To make an exception, one would need at least the merit of slaying a True Disciple opponent.

But most of the True Disciples in Qianjun Cave had been killed; even if none remained, she was unlikely to defeat them.

A True Disciple as weak as Li Yuan was rare indeed.

"Senior Sister, your Form-Shifting isn't urgent," Li Yuan comforted.

"You're a True Disciple—you naturally aren't in a hurry."

She shot him a glare, annoyed: "I heard you never leave your quarters—why are you here today?"

"Your sword."

Li Yuan handed the sword back to Fang Yunxiu.

In the past two months, his reputation for repairing weapons had grown huge—countless junior brothers and sisters had brought their personal weapons to him.

Fang Yunxiu's new famous weapon had been damaged twice, both times repaired by him.

"Thank you!"

Fang Yunxiu drew the sword, swung it casually a few times—its blade glowed, cold and sharp: "If I had this sword in hand, I wouldn't fear a direct clash with you."

Do you think I don't have a famous weapon?

Li Yuan mentally scoffed, but nodded politely.

After over a decade in the sect, she'd finally obtained a famous weapon—and she cherished it fiercely. Li Yuan hadn't even left yet when she already pulled out silk cloth and sword oil, meticulously polishing it.

"Your craftsmanship keeps improving."

After a long while, Fang Yunxiu nodded in satisfaction.

They exchanged a few more words, mostly Li Yuan asking about outside sect affairs. Soon after, Li Yuan took his leave.

"Junior Brother, wait."

Seeing Li Yuan about to go, Fang Yunxiu suddenly remembered something:

"Junior Brother, the key figures from those assassin organizations are either dead or wounded—the rest pose no real threat to you…"

Here, she paused slightly:

"True Disciples must set an example for the sect. In times like this, if you never leave your quarters, some may grow discontent."

"Oh?"

Seeing her troubled expression, Li Yuan understood—but didn't care much. He simply lifted his hammer:

"Aren't I setting an example by repairing weapons for my fellow disciples for free?"