Chapter 212: A Fall Rain Brings Cold (Part 1)

The Dragon Tiger Temple's invitation.

Inside the barracks, silence fell; all eyes landed on the crimson invitation with gold foil lettering.

"Lord of the Valley, this invitation…"

Qiu Qiu Changying frowned slightly.

"This invitation comes from Yu Yu Xuanji, an inner disciple of the Dragon Tiger Temple," Gong Gong Yangyu glanced at Li Yuan, his thoughts still complicated:

"This invitation is for you."

"Yu Yu Xuanji."

Li Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he opened the invitation; it bore only one line of text:

Tenth day of the tenth month, Huoyan Tower, signed by Yu Yu Xuanji of the Dragon Tiger Temple.

"Yu Yu Xuanji, inner disciple of the Dragon Tiger Temple, of the Great Dragon Lineage, from the Fish family of the Subduing Dragon Hall, possessing a Dragon Bone, exceptionally gifted."

Gong Gong Yangyu sat behind the desk, idly handling a Juan Sect document.

"This…"

Qiu Qiu Changying grew even more puzzled; she had heard of the great Fish family of the Subduing Dragon Hall, but they were a powerful clan of Mount Hengshan.

Thousands of miles away—what connection could they have to Li Yuan?

"Rumors in the martial world say that the Master Fulong Chan Master, Long Xi Xiang, has emerged from seclusion and is rumored to be seeking a disciple to inherit his legacy from among the states and prefectures of Mount Hengshan…"

Fang Fang Bao Luo glanced at Li Yuan, took a deep breath, his expression slightly complex: "Brother Li, you've likely been chosen."

The Master Fulong Chan Master, Long Xi Xiang?!

Everyone in the barracks was shaken; not just Qiu Qiu Changying, but even Fang Fang Bao Luo himself couldn't help staring at the invitation.

That was Long Xi Xiang—the master of the Great Dragon Lineage of the Dragon Tiger Temple, a legendary master who had been renowned for decades, a supreme expert said to be on the verge of becoming a terrestrial immortal!

"The Master Fulong Chan Master's heir!"

Qiu Qiu Changying was stunned—this sneaky little brat who kept trying to steal her family's Soul-Chasing Arrow technique… somehow… somehow…

"This news…"

"The news is true!"

Gong Gong Yangyu spoke, gesturing for everyone to sit, then began:

"This rumor emerged over a month ago from an inner disciple of the Dragon Tiger Temple—the source is beyond doubt."

He was naturally certain.

He had previously been puzzled by why the Xieshen Sect and Huilong Palace had suddenly gone quiet—until this rumor spread, and then he understood.

Forces capable of intimidating the Xieshen Sect were few in number; in Mount Hengshan, there was only one: the Dragon Tiger Temple.

If the Master Fulong Chan Master wished to take a disciple, even Huang Fu Kun would have to temporarily hold back.

Unless the Splitting Sea Black Whale Hammer reappeared, neither the Xieshen Sect nor Huilong Palace would dare risk angering Long Xi Xiang by targeting the Divine Weapon Valley.

"This…"

The few in the barracks exchanged glances.

"Lord of the Valley, this matter is a great boon for our Divine Weapon Valley."

At this moment, Long Sheng spoke, his side-glance sweeping over Li Yuan, who remained silent with the invitation in hand—he felt a quiet relief at his own choice.

If not for his uncle's vigilance and his timely shift in allegiance, he would now be in deep trouble.

Even becoming that Master Fulong Chan Master's heir was beyond his reach—but even as a nominal disciple, no, even merely joining the Dragon Tiger Temple's inner or outer sect, he could never afford to offend them.

"Exactly! That's precisely why the Fire Dragon Temple has never been touched—it has ties of incense and kinship with the Dragon Tiger Temple!"

"If Brother Li joins the Dragon Tiger Temple, even Huang Fu Kun would dare not boast of wiping out our Divine Weapon Valley!"

"The Master Fulong Chan Master!"

…

Someone spoke, and others quickly echoed in agreement.

"The tenth day of the tenth month—still nearly a month and a half away…"

Li Yuan did not join the discussion; he held the invitation, pondering inwardly.

According to intelligence from Linghu Baiman, Yu Yu Xuanji, this inner disciple of the Dragon Tiger Temple, had arrived in Chang Fu Di Fa Jie over half a month ago.

Calculating the time, he should have reached Fucheng within three to five days at most—why had he suddenly delayed by over a month…?

"Because of the one secretly directing the Fire Dragon Temple?"

Li Yuan felt no inner disturbance; as he pondered, he listened to the others' chatter.

It was called discussion, but mostly speculation.

Regarding the Dragon Tiger Temple, everyone in the barracks knew only its name; only Gong Gong Yangyu had some knowledge, yet he said little, as if merely informing them.

"Could spreading this news, to some extent, stabilize morale?"

Li Yuan speculated inwardly.

With the entire sect relocating and numerous forces hunting them down, morale in the Divine Weapon Valley had been unstable, and the Divine Guard Army had suffered significant desertions.

Releasing news of the Dragon Tiger Temple now would not only intimidate petty enemies but also stabilize morale.

"Fang Bao Luo."

Seeing the discussion wind down, Gong Gong Yangyu finally spoke.

"Yes."

Fang Fang Bao Luo nodded, then began: "The Master Fulong Chan Master is the master of the Great Dragon Lineage, second only to the abbot within the Dragon Tiger Temple, his Wu Gong reaching the pinnacle, on the verge of becoming a terrestrial immortal…"

Information on Long Xi Xiang was sold at exorbitant prices by Yunshu Tower.

As he spoke, Fang Fang Bao Luo couldn't help wincing:

"Rumors in the martial world say the Master Fulong Chan Master has long been searching for an heir—not limited to the Dragon Tiger Temple, nor even to the states, prefectures, or counties under Mount Hengshan…"

"However, over the years, neither within the Dragon-Tiger Temple nor outside the Hengshan Dao has anyone received that Zen Master's approval."

Speaking thus, he paused slightly, glanced at Lord Master Gongyang Yu, and the latter nodded.

"Junior Brother Li's bone structure is not poor, his comprehension is good, and he is a rare talent in forging weapons, but the Dragon-Tiger Temple does not specialize in forging armor and weapons; that Dragon-Suppressing Zen Master seeks a successor, placing bone structure and innate endowment first."

He spoke to this point, and everyone in the room understood his meaning.

"Junior Brother, do not take offense."

"What is there to take offense at, Senior Brother?" Li Yuan naturally did not mind.

Within the Divine Weapon Valley, in the eyes of everyone except Old Han, he was born with the Eight-Form Small Dragon Shape, and only managed to complete the Dragon Shape thanks to the Bai Yuan Cloak's Great Perfection.

His comprehension is not poor, and his talent for forging weapons is excellent.

This is naturally an extremely good talent, but the Dragon-Tiger Temple never lacks geniuses, nor does it overvalue talent in forging weapons.

"The heir to the robe and bowl is too ethereal; rather than chasing that, it is better to consider being a 'nominal disciple'."

A nominal disciple?

Li Yuan's heart stirred slightly; he glanced at Lord Master Gongyang Yu imperceptibly. Clearly, this was his suggestion.

But thinking about it, if he truly had no reserves and possessed only an ordinary Dragon Shape bone structure, this would indeed be the best choice.

At least it is within reach.

"What is the Valley Master's opinion?"

Qiu Qiu Changying, snapping out of a daze, still felt it somewhat incredible.

Separated by tens of thousands of li, how did this young man Li Yuan's reputation spread so fast?

"What Bao Luo said makes a lot of sense."

Lord Master Gongyang Yu nodded in agreement: "If a disciple under my gate has such a karmic connection, I will naturally do my utmost to assist. However, the heir to the robe and bowl is, after all, somewhat ethereal; competing for it, I fear we cannot win."

The latter half of the sentence was spoken to Li Yuan.

"What the Valley Master says is very true."

Long Sheng and others also chimed in.

Within the Dormant Dragon Mansion, there are only a handful of great experts who have successfully refined their viscera; for them, Grandmasters are figures of legend.

Li Yuan also chimed in; without that letter from Wang Wang Wenyuan, he might have held the same thought.

"Hmm."

Seeing everyone's opinions aligned, Lord Master Gongyang Yu said no more, stood up, and instructed:

"Long Sheng, you and Qiu Changying, each lead three hundred men to receive and assist the other disciples."

"Yes!"

"Bao Luo, you lead five hundred men to Thousand-Weight Mountain to organize the mountain gate..."

"This... yes."

Everyone in the barracks exchanged glances and departed one by one.

Fang Fang Bao Luo glanced at Li Yuan, nodded to him, and was the last to leave.

"I have already sent a letter to Feng Feng Mantian, the master of the Yunshu Tower, asking him to purchase intelligence regarding the robe and bowl of the Dragon-Suppressing Zen Master, but the fastest result will take half a month."

Lord Master Gongyang Yu's expression softened.

Li Yuan naturally bowed in gratitude: "Thank you, Valley Master."

"Although the Grandmaster's robe and bowl are certainly good, since even the various geniuses and true transmissions of the Dragon-Tiger Temple have been unable to obtain it, there is truly little hope."

Lord Master Gongyang Yu explained a bit.

'Otherwise, I fear someone would have already come to assassinate...'

Lord Master Gongyang Yu did not say this latter half, but both understood it clearly in their hearts.

"This disciple understands."

Li Yuan's etiquette was very thorough.

"It is good that you understand."

Lord Master Gongyang Yu did not dwell on it further; he took out a white jade porcelain bottle from his robe: "These are four 'Dragon-Transformation Pills', refined from the bones and blood of the Red Dragon Fish King, effective for strengthening tendons and bones and perfecting the physical form."

Pausing slightly, he added:

"Obtaining these pills was not easy; they were contributed from the shares of myself, your master, Elder Jing, and Elder Lei respectively. You must use them with extreme caution."

"This... thank you, Valley Master!"

Li Yuan accepted it with both hands.

The porcelain bottle was made of the finest jade; it felt slightly cool in the hand, then turned warm, with cold and heat alternating, exactly the characteristic of the Red Dragon Fish.

"The bones and blood of one Red Dragon Fish King can only form three pills."

Lord Master Gongyang Yu also felt a bit of pain; if the Sea-Splitting Profound Whale Hammer had not appeared and Master Master Baili Lei Jingchuan had not ruthlessly slaughtered the dragons, where would they have had the chance to refine this batch of Dragon-Transformation Pills?

"I heard you ate several Red Dragon Fish before? With this pill, one can help you transform into a Dragon Body; if you have already formed the Dragon Body, perhaps it can help you transform into the Dragon Form!"

"Dragon Form?"

Li Yuan's heart shook.

Dragon Body and Dragon Form are not the same; the former is one form, while the latter is six forms!

'If it can supplement the Dragon Form, I can immediately complete twenty-six forms!'

Li Yuan felt quite excited, clutching the porcelain bottle tightly.

In the room, the two conversed for a long time; Li Yuan inquired about the whereabouts of Old Han and others, and Lord Master Gongyang Yu did not conceal anything, stating plainly that he would go to assist them tomorrow.

He also instructed him not to go out these few days.

"Huff!"

When leaving the barracks, the sky was already dark; Li Yuan glanced over. Torches were lit outside the drill ground, where Qiu Qiu Changying and Long Sheng were mustering troops.

"Longhu Temple."

Shoving the invitation into his robes, Li Yuan felt a slight urgency in his heart.

Hum!

Late at night, after finishing the transformation of his strength, bones, and muscles, Li Yuan closed his eyes to enter meditation and stepped into the Weapon-Commanding Space.

The Sea-Splitting Black Whale Hammer radiated light.

"Still one step short."

Li Yuan sighed inwardly; on his second ascent, he had been blocked at the final step by that ghost-faced man, just one step away.

"Once I gather twenty-six forms..."

Li Yuan muttered to himself, wasted no time, drew upon the incense fire, ignited the Divine Fire Weapon-Forging Furnace, and fed it gold and silver as fuel.

【Supreme Spirit-Union Boots (Tier 3)】

【Forging in the Divine Fire Weapon-Forging Furnace...】

【Command Condition: Any Lightness Art of Ascension and Descent at Minor Success】

【Command Effect: Tier 4 (Green): Stride as if flying, body light as a swallow

Tier 3 (Deep Blue): Swift as a dragon-horse, rapid as a kestrel】

"Pity there is no Tier 4 incense fire..."

After handling the pair of Tier 3 boots, Li Yuan's thoughts shifted, and he entered the Shan Xuan Bing Mi Jing.