Chapter 222: Rising Fame at Its Peak (Combined)

Big time!

At the sight of that flash of white light, Li Yuan's heart quickened.

Daoist robe, monk, about a foot tall, true qi taking form…

These traits were too distinct—he instantly recognized the visitor: Fulong Chan Master, Long Xi, a master-level giant who comprehended the transformations of yin and yang!

"He really came!"

Outside the door, Li Yuan's heart pounded like a war drum.

Several meters away, the white light glowed brightly; the tiny monk in his Daoist robe sat cross-legged, his features and limbs smooth as jade, lifelike.

Even though he had seen true qi taking form multiple times within the Divine Weapon Secret Realm, seeing it in the mortal world still left Li Yuan dazed and parched.

A strand of true qi taking human form across thousands of miles—this kind of skill was nothing short of divine miracle in his past life!

Immortal art…

"Squeak~"

The little mouse hiding inside his sleeve trembled nervously.

Li Yuan snapped back to himself and quickly bowed deeply:

"Disciple Li Yuan pays homage to Fulong Chan Master!"

"Li Yuan…"

Inside the room, the white light glowed faintly.

Li Yuan heard a rustling sound; out of the corner of his eye, he saw the foot-tall Fulong Chan Master pulling out a pile of letters from nowhere, flipping through them, muttering to himself.

Li Yuan faintly caught words like "old bastard," "threaten me," and "Wang Wen yuan."

"So it's because this old bastard recommended me as a disciple…"

The white light dimmed; Long Xi rubbed his smooth scalp, finally understanding the full context.

For decades, the sect had been frantic to find him an heir, but he himself didn't care much—had it not been for this letter, he would never have separated a strand of true qi at this moment.

With a shift in thought, he looked outside: "What was your name again?"

"... Disciple Li Yuan."

Li Yuan froze, then bowed again, feeling strangely off—was this guy suffering from amnesia?

"Oh, Li Yuan."

Inside the room, Long Xi nodded, pulled another letter from the thick stack, and began reading aloud as if no one else were there:

"Li Yuan, true disciple of Divine Weapon Valley, born with Eight Forms, exceptional comprehension, a prodigy in forging weapons, under twenty years old…"

Huh~

Outside, the night breeze drifted gently; Li Yuan calmed down, his thoughts spreading.

Is this Fulong Chan Master really forgetful?

Or is it because of his true qi manifestation?

"Hmm, Wang the old rogue actually acted seriously for once—he's a genuine inner sect seed…"

After a long while, Long Xi set down the letter, raised his head, and sized Li Yuan up with a few glances:

"Monkey arms, wasp waist, spine like a dragon—quite good… Hmm, your internal qi is formed already? Has your Shape Transformation reached completion?"

Inside, Long Xi stared at the letter's notes—"Internal Strengthening Complete," "Likely Great Dragon Form"—and fell into deep thought.

Outside, Li Yuan swallowed a Cun Shen Xiao Huan Pill, relaxing his limbs as he channeled the medicine's power.

Soon, all minor fatigue vanished; he returned to peak condition.

"... The younger generation is too lax!"

After a long silence, Long Xi finally spoke, his voice slow and deliberate, utterly mismatched with his childish appearance:

"Besides the Divine Weapon Battle Hammer, have you studied any other martial arts?"

He was about to test him face-to-face.

Li Yuan took a deep breath—Wang Wen yuan's letter was merely the key to the door; whether he could earn this Fulong Chan Master's favor depended entirely on himself.

Fortunately, he had prepared well.

"I've studied some sword, knife, spear, and staff."

Li Yuan bowed; he remembered Wang Wen yuan's letter said this Fulong Chan Master excelled in all weapons—so naturally, he must cater to his tastes.

In truth, possessing the Art of Weapon Mastery, he truly excelled in all weapons—though none as deeply as his hammer technique.

As he bowed, his mind shifted; on the gray stone platform, blades and weapons glowed faintly—these were the weapons he had gathered to meet the requirements of various Root Diagrams.

Swords, knives, spears, staffs—all present.

"Oh?"

Long Xi raised his hand; a streak of white light shot through the air.

Li Yuan reached out and caught it; it felt cool to the touch, then transformed into a three-foot-long sword.

He flicked it lightly—the blade was sharp, its feel and weight indistinguishable from a real sword.

"Practice."

Long Xi shifted position, facing the door directly, tilting his head slightly to signal Li Yuan to begin.

"Please, Master, guide me."

Li Yuan took a deep breath, flicked the blade, and the sword's light slashed through the night wind, carving ripples in the air.

Over the years, Li Yuan had studied twenty or so martial arts; though he knew few sword styles, outside of hammer techniques, his swordplay was the best.

Why? Because he held the Fire Dragon Sword.

Qing!

As Li Yuan flicked the blade, he activated the Fire Dragon Sword; its mastery condition—"Dragon Bone Structure," "Dragon Form"—he had fully met.

Hum!

The instant he mastered the Fire Dragon Sword, Li Yuan's body trembled slightly; his previously restless heart instantly calmed, and even the surroundings grew still.

Night wind, accumulated snow, dust, falling leaves…

In that moment, Li Yuan felt everything around him slow down; centered on the sword, everything within a dozen paces appeared clearly in his mind.

"Sword Heart Clarity!"

Li Yuan, having already experienced mastering the Fire Dragon Sword, felt nothing unusual—he moved naturally, treating the night wind as his opponent, executing his sword techniques.

Sword Heart Clarity was the greatest benefit of mastering the Fire Dragon Sword.

The Sword Heart wasn't the key—Clarity was; this enhancement extended far beyond swordplay, greatly boosting all martial arts.

"Huh?"

Inside, Long Xi had been indifferent until a sudden sword hum made him stir.

He saw the tiny courtyard filled with sword qi, surging like an ocean, a pure white blade leaping from the sea like a dragon, a brilliant streak like a rainbow.

"Did that old bastard Wang really give you this?"

Long Xi blinked in surprise; the sword techniques themselves meant little to him, but what lay within them drew his attention.

Such a gifted disciple—why would that old devil Wang send him to me?

Qing!

With a sword hum, Li Yuan felt his right hand grow heavy—the sword in his grip had transformed into a heavy halberd.

"Huh!"

Li Yuan shifted his stance, unleashing a barrage of hammer techniques.

After over a month of intense training under Old Han, the Divine Weapon Battle Hammer was already perfected; even the ancient Elephant Six Forms Hammer was well on its way to completion.

Now, he didn't use Weapon Mastery—but with the Fire Dragon Sword's enhancement, his mind was crystal clear; every move, every strike, flawless in timing and power, exquisitely refined.

Qing!

The hammer rang with the sound of weapons clashing.

"Please, Chan Master, guide me."

Li Yuan landed, bowed, and released the strand of true qi—it flowed into Long Xi's body.

Ooo~

Inside, Long Xi slowly rose; his lips were red, teeth white, and at only a foot tall, his attempt at dignity only made him look comical.

Li Yuan caught a glimpse and quickly lowered his head.

He could feel the Fulong Chan Master studying him—but long moments passed without sound. Just as he was about to lift his head, a voice came:

"Li…"

"Li Yuan."

Li Yuan's mouth twitched—so after all this, this guy still didn't remember his name?

"Oh, Li Yuan."

Long Xi stepped into the courtyard, slowly raised his head, gazed at the four full moons hanging high in the night sky, and said calmly:

"Under twenty, yet such martial skill—your comprehension is clearly strong, your bone structure…"

Shhh!

Li Yuan saw a flash of white light, then felt a small hand rest on his shoulder.

"Master…"

An invisible force surged into his body; Li Yuan felt as if he were a rag doll being patted down from head to toe—but in an instant, the white light vanished.

Bone inspection?

Li Yuan staggered back several steps, finally exhaling in relief.

I'm not afraid he'll feel his bones—I'm afraid he won't feel them at all!

Even though Dragon Tiger Temple is the foremost sect of the martial Dao, a sacred ground, there may be few disciples among its ranks who possess all twenty-nine forms—he has the advantage of youth.

"You..."

Li Yuan lifted his head; the Dragon-Caging Chan Master was stroking his chin, as if deep in thought.

"Huh!"

Long Xi Xiang snapped out of his reverie: "When you began cultivating martial arts, who felt your bones?"

"Huh?"

Li Yuan thought for a moment, then answered honestly: "It was my first martial arts master—his surname is Zhang, given name Ben..."

"Oh? He said you possess eight forms?"

Long Xi Xiang stroked his chin; bone-feeling wasn't difficult—how could the error be this great?

Can the sensation of feeling a mouse be the same as feeling an elephant?

Or perhaps...

Long Xi Xiang narrowed his eyes slightly.

"This..."

Li Yuan's mind was sharp—he instantly understood what the Dragon-Caging Chan Master meant, and answered honestly:

"Medium-grade bone structure?"

"M-Medium-grade bone structure?"

Long Xi Xiang's pupils widened; he reached behind his waist and pulled out a letter, which clearly read: "Three years of martial training" "Suspected Great Dragon Form."

What the hell is this "Great Dragon Form"?

Long Xi Xiang's expression darkened; he thought the young disciples in the sect were too lazy—errors in intelligence gathering were normal, but this was absurdly off.

Twenty-nine forms... is that what they call "suspected Great Dragon Form"?

After a moment's thought, he asked again:

"How many years have you trained?"

"Hmm... probably less than four?"

"So more than three years?"

Long Xi Xiang calculated with his fingers, his expression grave: "If it's more than three years..."

Born with eight-form bone structure, and in just three years, he's already reached thirty?!

After a quick calculation, Long Xi Xiang couldn't help but say: "Bring paper and ink."

"Huh?"

Li Yuan was still pondering; upon hearing this, he hurried back inside and returned with paper and ink, handing them over—he glanced at it and thought he saw his own name?

"Li Yuan..."

Long Xi Xiang murmured the name several times, then tucked the letter away—now that he had it, he wouldn't forget.

"Hmm..."

Long Xi Xiang paced a few steps in the courtyard, then turned around:

"Your comprehension is good, your bone structure is decent—you can enter the inner sect without issue, but to inherit my legacy, you still fall short..."

So demanding?

Li Yuan was skilled at reading expressions—he'd noticed earlier that the old monk had been somewhat moved...

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Master."

Li Yuan sighed inwardly, then quickly calmed himself—he had come here to learn the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Hammer; if his attempt to become a disciple failed, he would accept it.

"Still, I can't ignore Master Wang Wen Yuan's face..."

Long Xi Xiang still felt it a pity to miss such a genius—this might very well be a seed of the Hundred Forms!

Before he finished speaking, Li Yuan's heart leapt with joy; he bowed deeply to the ground:

"Disciple Li Yuan, pays homage to Master!"

"..."

Long Xi Xiang opened his mouth, then closed it: "Nominal disciple—only nominal, not direct disciple. Whether you can inherit my legacy depends on your future performance."

"Thank you, Master!"

The heavy stone in his heart lifted; Li Yuan didn't even straighten his waist, ignoring the "nominal" distinction entirely.

Once inside the sect, everything was negotiable.

With the Command Scroll in hand, he could perfectly replicate any weapon or martial art the Dragon-Caging Chan Master excelled in.

"..."

Long Xi Xiang, who had never taken a disciple so quickly, was momentarily stunned; after a moment, he said:

"Before you formally pay homage, you are not yet my disciple—do not presume to call yourself my disciple."

"Disciple understands!"

Li Yuan hadn't expected it to be this easy—he was deeply pleased.

He had personally experienced the benefits of becoming a disciple; even as a nominal disciple under this master, the advantages were immense.

"... Come with me."

Long Xi Xiang no longer corrected his address—this boy's bone structure and talent, even if he couldn't inherit the legacy, were more than enough for a nominal disciple.

Swish!

Li Yuan felt a sudden weight on his shoulder—his newly appointed master had already seated himself atop it.

"..."

Li Yuan stiffened and asked: "Master, where are we going?"

"Back Goose Tower."

In the night, Back Goose Tower blazed with light—a sixteen-story tower standing in the city like a lighthouse, illuminating the surrounding streets.

"The Chan Master Granduncle is missing?!"

On the ninth floor of Back Goose Tower, Yu Xuanji's face was filled with shock; before her, Yu Xuanfeng looked panicked and helpless:

"Sister, what do we do? How will we explain to Father when he returns?"

Ever since he learned the letter bore the Chan Master Granduncle's true qi, he'd enshrined it—yet who knew...

"Why are you panicking?"

After a brief shock, Yu Xuanji regained her composure: "Under the Chan Master Granduncle's true qi, even a Grandmaster could not take the letter silently and unseen."

"So you mean... the Chan Master Granduncle left on his own?"

Yu Xuanfeng realized it too—his panic lessened slightly.

"He must have gone to meet Li Yuan."

Yu Xuanji walked to the window, gazing toward the location of the Divine Guard Garrison, her eyes gleaming:

"Who exactly is Wang Wen Yuan? A single letter made the Chan Master Granduncle descend the mountain to meet this youth..."

What kind of person was Long Xi Xiang?

Even the heads of state-level sects like Huai Dragon Palace, Qilin Mountain, or Furious Lion Gate would struggle to meet him—let alone have him go out to meet them.

"The Chan Master Granduncle went to meet him personally."

Yu Xuanfeng felt a pang of envy—he'd carried that letter all this way, yet the Chan Master Granduncle hadn't even glanced at him.

"The Chan Master Granduncle is straightforward—if he descended, he must have intended to meet Li Yuan. With this boy's talent, once they meet, he'll at least be a nominal disciple, right?"

Yu Xuanji herself felt a tinge of envy.

Her family was prominent in Great Dragon Gate, yet even they had virtually no chance of becoming a Master's disciple.

"No wonder the sect's elders made such a commotion..."

Yu Xuanfeng suddenly understood.

"Father's back!"

At that moment, Yu Xuanji's eyes flickered—she saw a shadow slicing through the night, leaping several times until it landed inside Back Goose Tower.

The siblings hurried out and reached the sixteenth floor, where Gong Jiu Chuan and the others were already there.

"Xuanji."

Gong Jiu Chuan spoke: "Tomorrow, you two will guard the First and Second Gates."

"Yes!"

Yu Xuanji and Yu Xuanfeng bowed in response.

Yan San Xing poured a cup of wine, raised his head, and said: "For the rest, raise your hands slightly—send that eighty-thousand-li force flying out!"

"This..."

Yu Xuanji looked at Gong Jiu Chuan.

The Dragon Tiger Banquet had the tradition of passing three gates—it tested the martial skill of attendees.

But historically, those invited to the Dragon Tiger Banquet were usually given leniency; whether they could enter the temple didn't matter—the banquet itself was meant to be enjoyed.

After all, it was just a few cups of wine—no need to humiliate anyone.

To throw them out... seemed excessive...

"If his martial skill is decent, let him in. If he's unworthy, throw him out."

Gong Jiu Chuan didn't seem particularly concerned—he was pondering Li Yuan, holding his wine cup.

"As for Li Yuan..."

"Master."

Yu Xuanji cleared his throat at the right moment:

"Grandmaster has gone out—presumably to meet Li Yuan."

"Huh?!"

Gong Jiuchuan and the other two exchanged altered expressions: "When did Grandmaster leave?"

"This... should be today?"

Yu Xuanfeng answered with gritted teeth—he hadn't paid much attention.

"Go on, leave."

Gong Jiuchuan frowned slightly and dismissed the two.

After they left, Yan Sanxing set down his cup, his expression relaxing: "If Granduncle has taken the matter in hand, Li Yuan's situation becomes easy to handle."

"Come to think of it, could Chu Xuan Kong have foreseen something?"

Gong Jiuchuan was thinking of something else: "Could Li Yuan truly inherit Granduncle's legacy?"

Chu Xuan Kong, Deputy Head of Long Yin Hall, possessed martial arts nearly equal to his own, yet held far higher status—because he had the gift of divine divination.

"Brother, do you really believe in that divine divination nonsense?"

Yan Sanxing also frowned.

He did not believe in fortune-telling; thus, when Chu Xuan Kong had written earlier urging him to block Li Yuan's entry, he had assumed it was merely Chu Xuan Kong fearing someone might threaten his position.

Long Yin Hall is one of the Three Halls of Da Long Men; becoming its Head grants eligibility to become the next Grandmaster of Da Long Men.

But now, Long Yin Hall had only one Deputy Head—the Head's seat remained vacant.

"Whether he can or not, we'll know when Granduncle returns."

Gong Jiuchuan's expression was subtle—he believed in the art of divine divination, but only insofar as the Evil God Sect possessed such power; for others, he remained skeptical.

"Hmm."

Yan Sanxing nodded.

The two continued talking and drinking; they did not wait long before hearing commotion from downstairs.

"Master!"

Yu Xuanfeng hurried up the stairs, his expression strange: "That—that Li Yuan..."

"He's here!"

The two inside exchanged glances, their expressions differing.

Gong Jiuchuan rose and went downstairs; just as he reached the entrance of Hui Yan Tower, he saw a young man in fitted attire approaching swiftly under Yu Xuanji's guidance.

The youth was none other than Li Yuan they had seen before—and now, perched on his shoulder was a tiny bald boy, no taller than a foot, wearing a Daoist robe.

"Granduncle!"

Gong Jiuchuan's heart stirred; he stepped forward quickly and bowed deeply.

"Granduncle!"

Yan Sanxing followed closely behind, deeply startled.

He knew well: their Granduncle was not only forgetful, but rarely interacted with outsiders—this...

"Huh!"

Long Xi responded with a single sound, his body dissolving into light and vanishing into the scattered letters.

Li Yuan reached out and gathered all the letters.

"Give them to me."

Yu Xuanji extended her hand, expressionless.

Li Yuan smiled warmly and handed her the letters—he was in high spirits and didn't mind her hostility:

"Thank you, niece."

"You!"

Yu Xuanji's face darkened instantly.

"Li Yuan, greetings to both senior brothers."

Li Yuan bowed again, showing impeccable manners before two great masters who had perfected Bone Marrow Refinement.

"..."

Gong Jiuchuan and Yan Sanxing exchanged glances.

"Li... Li Senior Brother, have you become Granduncle's disciple?"

Gong Jiuchuan felt deeply awkward—he recalled how Han Chuijun had once tried to entrust this very boy to him, and his discomfort grew.

Yan Sanxing frowned, his mind filled with doubt and suspicion.

Had Chu Xuan Kong truly foreseen this?

But then why had he ordered them to block Li Yuan's attempt to become a disciple?

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"By the grace of my Master's favor, I was fortunate enough to enter his door."

Li Yuan was humble.

As for his former Master's earlier instruction forbidding him to claim himself as a disciple, he chose to forget it—perhaps even his former Master had forgotten?

Along the way, he had truly witnessed what forgetfulness meant.

In just half an hour, he had introduced himself three times...

"Then... then congratulations, Senior Brother."

Gong Jiuchuan forced a smile, gestured for Yu Xuanji to entertain Li Yuan, then turned and left.

He was nearly a hundred years old—how could he call a mere youth "brother"?

"Huh!"

Yu Xuanji's attitude was poor, but Granduncle Li understood—he surveyed Hui Yan Tower, feeling a quiet sense of reflection.

"So... I've made it in?"

The tenth day of the tenth month—heavy snow.

At Ying Ke Lai Inn, before dawn, martial artists from all quarters had already risen.

"Lin Brother!"

"Lin Daxia, up so early?"

"Lin Daxia, have you had breakfast?"

Lin Dongping rose early, his long sword on his back, walking slowly out of the inn; familiar martial artists greeted him along the way.

Huh huh~

Outside the inn, wind and snow raged fiercely; goose-feather snowflakes swirled through the sky under the northern gales.

Along the long street, vendors were gone; instead, martial artists with swords and blades now filled the scene.

"Lin Brother, leaving so early?"

Passing a teahouse, Lin Dongping paused slightly—he saw a tall young man raising a cup in invitation beneath the awning:

"The Long Hu Banquet hasn't begun yet—why not sit and have some tea?"

"Yue Zhongtian!"

Lin Dongping's gaze sharpened—he recognized the man.

Due to the longstanding ties between Huo Long Temple and Long Hu Temple, Yue Zhongtian had far greater chances of entering Long Hu Temple than he did.

At Iron Sword Gate's odds, Yue Zhongtian ranked just below Li Yuan and Yan Qingyuan.

"Senior Brother Yue is remarkably calm."

Lin Dongping sat down without hesitation, lifted his teacup, sipped—bitter at first, then sweet in aftertaste:

"Fine tea!"

"I never touch wine or women, so tea is all I can offer—please don't take offense, Lin Brother."

Seeing him drink without hesitation, Yue Zhongtian's gaze sharpened slightly, then he smiled and clinked cups with him.

"Regarding this Long Hu Banquet, Senior Brother Yue, can you offer me any advice?"

Lin Dongping set down his teacup.

"Today, you and I are opponents—why would I tell you anything?"

Yue Zhongtian smiled faintly.

"Senior Brother Yue hails from Huo Long Temple—even without the Long Hu Banquet, entering Long Hu Temple is a foregone conclusion. How could I possibly be your rival?"

Lin Dongping shook his head:

"Senior Brother Yue is born with the Dragon Form, and your insight is unparalleled—you achieved Huo Long Qi at sixteen. Such talent, such foundation—surely the inner halls of Long Hu Temple are too small for you?"

He paused slightly, then poured himself another cup of tea:

"I have no great ambitions—only wish to enter Long Hu's inner halls. If you can help me, I will stand firmly by you when you compete for the True Transmission!"

"Lin Brother, you jest."

Yue Zhongtian had not expected such directness; he shook his head: "The True Transmission of Long Hu Temple is worth more than a prince's fortune—how could I dare covet it?"

"Still, about the Long Hu Banquet, I do know a few things..."

Lin Dongping's eyes glinted slightly: "I humbly ask Brother Yue for your guidance."

"Guidance is too much to ask."

Yue Zhongtian drank a cup of tea, then set it down: "Before the Dragon-Tiger Banquet, there are several trials guarded by inner and outer disciples of the Dragon-Tiger Temple. We must pass them to earn the right to enter the banquet."

Lin Dongping nodded—he had heard this from other sources as well.

"According to past Dragon-Tiger Banquets, these trials won't truly block us—getting in isn't the issue. But being let through versus fighting your way through? That's entirely different!"

Yue Zhongtian lowered his voice.

"Fight our way through?"

Lin Dongping frowned slightly: "Brother Yue, I'm not one to undervalue myself, but the Dragon-Tiger Temple's inner disciples guard these trials—do you truly think we can fight past them?"

The Dragon-Tiger Temple has tens of thousands of disciples, but the vast majority are mere servants or outer disciples. Those who truly enter the inner sect are few, and each is among the elite of the elite.

In a prefecture-level sect, only true disciples may learn supreme secret arts—but Dragon-Tiger Temple's inner disciples can learn not just one supreme secret art, and among the best, even supreme master techniques!

"Even if you cannot pass, you must give your all and display your talent and martial skill."

Yue Zhongtian said no more, clinked his teacup against Lin Dongping's, then rose and left.

"Give my all..."

Lin Dongping's eyes flickered, then he rose and hurried toward Huiyan Tower.

Yue Zhongtian moved slowly, circling two streets before sitting at a roadside teahouse. Soon, he raised his cup:

"Brother Yan, leaving so soon? Why not have a cup of tea to warm yourself?"

Though dawn had not yet broken, the area outside Huiyan Tower was already bustling; even eight miles away, the clamor of voices reached the ears.

"The Dragon-Tiger Temple's reputation is truly immense!"

Ba Wanli blinked in astonishment, then frowned: "Old Fang, where's Brother Li? I haven't seen him."

"Brother Li is far more composed than you."

Fang Bao scowled at him: "Worry about yourself instead—if you can't even get through the door, don't expect your master to spare your hide!"

"What door could possibly stop me?"

Ba Wanli tilted his head; the massive hammer on his shoulder drew stares from every passerby.

"Fellow martial artists!"

At that moment, a voice boomed from afar, powerful and resonant, carrying for miles.

"A great master!"

Outside Huiyan Manor, all the martial artists fell silent and turned to see an old man, as dark as iron, standing on a high platform, bowing as he spoke:

"I am Yan Sanxing... Our Dragon-Tiger Temple hosts this banquet to forge bonds with martial heroes. This year's Dragon-Tiger Banquet has invited seventeen guests..."

Yan Sanxing's voice rang high and clear, echoing through the long streets, silencing every martial artist present.

Even someone as bold as Ba Wanli instinctively lowered his hammer and listened intently.

"This Dragon-Tiger Banquet has three trials: pass one, and you enter the outer courtyard; pass two, the inner courtyard; pass all three, and you may ascend the tower!"

"Friends not invited may also participate!"

"What tremendous qi a Bone-Refining master has!"

On the ninth floor of Huiyan Tower, near the window, Li Yuan leaned on the railing, gazing through the snowstorm. Outside, hundreds—even thousands—of people filled the long streets, many of them formidable experts.

As Yan Sanxing announced the start, the trials began on the platform outside.

Listening to the clash of weapons, Li Yuan couldn't help but feel a pang of reflection.

Fate is indeed strange—the Dragon-Tiger Banquet hasn't even begun, yet I've already been guaranteed entry...