Chapter 225

On the fifteenth floor of Huiyan Tower, a large table capable of seating over twenty people was set out, and all invited guests took their seats.

Numerous maids and retainers hurried up and down, placing dish after dish of exquisite delicacies on the table.

While the contestants were sparring, the retainers in the estate had been busier; now that the food and wine were served, steam rose warmly from every plate.

Li Yuan noticed that seating arrangements at the banquet were carefully ordered: Gong Gong Jiuchuan and Yan Yan Qingyuan sat at the head table, while the other invited guests were seated in descending order according to their personal reputations and sect influence.

"Such a stark hierarchy…"

Glancing at Yan Yan Qingyuan, who sat to the right of Yan Yan Sanxing, Li Yuan felt a faint sigh rise within him.

In this world, hierarchy was unmistakable—from the division between inner and outer cities down to banquet seating—deeply embedded in every detail.

After this slight reflection, he took his seat to the left of Gong Gong Jiuchuan.

"Younger brother…"

Ba Ba Wanli's expression was subtle; though he didn't care much about trivial seating arrangements, it was clear that the positions to Gong Gong Jiuchuan's left and right were the main seats of honor.

Moreover, in Da Yun, the left is esteemed…

Many at the table stole glances their way; seeing that both Gong Gong Jiuchuan and Yan Yan Qingyuan to his right remained composed, several hearts instantly understood.

Though Gong Gong Jiuchuan offered no explanation, the seating alone revealed something.

'He truly became a disciple of Master Fulong Chan Master?!'

Yue's weight, seated behind Ba Ba Wanli, felt a tightness in his chest and lowered his head slightly to hide his unease.

Lin Lin Dongping and others also showed subtle changes in expression; Yan Xiong kept his head down, feeling a similar heaviness in his chest, and grew even more regretful for coming.

As the foremost true disciple of Iron Sword Gate and its future master, he had come with hopes of inheriting Master Fulong Chan Master's legacy.

But now…

Feeling the occasional strange glances cast his way, Yan Xiong grew more regretful, glancing at Yue's composed face and gritting his teeth.

"Li Yuan…"

Yan Yan Qingyuan, just seated, narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled and began conversing with Yan Yan Sanxing; maids poured wine for everyone, filling the air with the scent of fruit and wood.

"This wine is called 'Hundred Herbs Fragrance,' brewed from a hundred spirit herbs; it tastes sweet, nourishes the body, and dispels poison and heals wounds…"

Only after taking his seat did Yan Yan Sanxing's face soften into a smile; he gently turned his cup, addressing all present:

"Come, everyone—drink this cup to the dregs!"

He raised his hand, and everyone naturally lifted their cups; Li Yuan took a sip, his eyes brightening—this wine was sweeter than the Monkey Wine from Zhaixing Tower, perfectly to his taste.

As the wine entered his belly, a faint warmth spread through him, carrying genuine medicinal power, rich and gently soothing.

"Sweet aftertaste, like basking in spring breeze—truly superior spirit wine!"

Yan Yan Qingyuan praised it lavishly, and the rest of the table echoed his approval.

"Indeed, excellent wine."

After finishing one cup, no maid came to refill it; Li Yuan took the wine jug himself and poured several more, the scent of herbs and plants filling his mouth, instantly lifting his spirits.

"How is this wine brewed?"

Li Yuan marveled inwardly; the wine had no spiciness at all, smelled delightful, tasted better than most drinks from his past life—sweet without cloying, fragrance lingering.

After several cups, Li Dao-ye began to covet the brewing recipe.

"Dragon-Tiger Temple is truly the Tianxiadan Sect—this single cup of wine equals a Zeng Xue Dan, and it's pure, utterly free of medicinal toxins!"

The speaker was Hua Hua Qingwu, true disciple of Shuangyan Gate, a long whip hanging at her waist—the only woman among the invited guests.

She also loved the wine, having drunk several cups before finally praising it aloud.

"If Sister Hua likes it, I'll fill several gourds for you later."

Yu Yu Xuanji sat casually, smiling beside her, utterly unlike her usual solemn demeanor.

"Thank you, little sister."

Hua Hua Qingwu smiled, and the two women whispered softly.

The banquet atmosphere was pleasant; guests exchanged cups and chopsticks, and Li Yuan accepted all offerings without refusal, soon drinking three jugs, feeling a hint of drunkenness before finally stopping.

The Hundred Herbs Wine tasted sweet, but its aftereffect was potent.

Li Yuan remained wary of Yan Yan Qingyuan, so he set his cup down for now; yet since the banquet began, this true disciple of Huilong Palace had shown no hostility.

"Huilong Palace…"

Li Yuan murmured inwardly, silently switching his control weapon, enhancing himself with the Five-Step Spirit Snake Belt and Spirit Fire Lingniu Bone Ring to boost perception.

Swish!

Instantly, his perception surged; faintly, he sensed something unusual.

But it wasn't just Yan Yan Qingyuan…

Glancing at the other guests, Li Yuan shook his head inwardly—he sensed strong emotion from everyone at the table except Ba Ba Wanli.

Calling it hostility would be inaccurate, but the emotions were undeniably intense.

"Perception is still insufficient…"

Li Yuan raised his cup and silently added searching for perception-enhancing belts and bone ornaments to his agenda.

"Come, younger brother, drink."

Ba Ba Wanli acted as if no one else existed, clinking cups with Li Yuan or lifting his chopsticks at intervals.

His physique was inhuman, his appetite enormous; even a thick leg of spirit beef looked small in his hands—he tore into it, devouring the tender, stewed meat along with skin and bone in one bite.

Many at the banquet frowned slightly.

"Master Gong, I've heard you've perfected the Six Yang True Qi—have you yet touched Yin-Yang?"

Midway through the banquet, the atmosphere grew lively as Yan Yan Qingyuan suddenly spoke.

True Qi. Yin-Yang.

His voice was low, yet it drew every eye—even Li Yuan set down his chopsticks and looked over.

?

Transformation of Form is the beginning of entering the hall of Martial Dao; thus, the Yin-Yang realm is the watershed, the dividing line between first-rate and supreme.

Only by penetrating the mysteries of Yin and Yang can one rank as a Grandmaster and truly tread the path of the Earthly Immortal.

True Qi transforming into forms, killing from a hundred li away, soaring between the sea of clouds, locking souls a thousand li distant... and other unimaginable powers, are only accessible by penetrating Yin and Yang.

"Yin and Yang?"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan held his wine cup, his expression shifting slightly:

"Above Great Perfection lies Perfection, and above that, Great Perfection. Though I have succeeded in Marrow Refining, I have not yet succeeded in Blood Exchange. To touch upon Yin and Yang? Perhaps it requires sixty years of effort?"

"Or perhaps, it will be difficult to touch even by the end of my life."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan sighed softly, feeling a slight emotion in his heart.

His comprehension and talent were also top-tier, but the path of the Martial Dao becomes harder the closer one gets to Grandmaster. He secluded himself for twenty years to refine his marrow, but even if he secluded himself for another twenty years, he might not be able to exchange his blood.

He is not even a Quasi-Grandmaster, let alone a Grandmaster who penetrates Yin and Yang?

Yan Yan Sanxing, standing nearby, also sighed; he was even further away.

oco

"Elder Gong is too modest..."

Everyone at the banquet looked at each other.

Gong Gong Jiuchuan rarely walked the Jianghu, but according to the intelligence recorded by various families, this person was once a famous figure.

Although born with only a Small Dragon-Form Bone Structure, it was a Spirit Form, perfectly matching the 'Red Dragon Six Yang Sword', a supreme art of the Dragon-Tiger Temple. Twenty years ago, he made a name for himself in Mount Hengshan City, and even established a great reputation in the Imperial Capital.

He secluded himself for the next twenty years without emerging, and in one stroke entered the Marrow Refining realm, causing a sensation at the time.

Such a figure is still a full sixty years away from the Grandmaster realm?

"The Martial Dao begins with Blood and Qi, passes through Nourishing Strength, Tempering the Body, Internal Fortification, and Transformation of Form; this is entering the hall. Then, through Unblocking Meridians, Refining Organs, and Marrow Refining with Blood Exchange, one can reach the limit of the human body."

This is the true limit.

Gong Gong Jiuchuan narrated calmly; a slight movement stirred in Li Yuan's heart. He had heard this speech from Old Han more than once.

According to Old Han's account, Transformation of Form is the beginning of the non-human path; using various forms to supplement oneself is the process of reshaping one's own limits, and the path of Transformation of Form ends with Marrow Refining and Blood Exchange.

Martial artists who refine marrow and exchange blood are truly non-human in the full sense.

After a martial artist who transforms into the form of a Spirit Dragon refines marrow and exchanges blood, they become like a true dragon; their Qi stirs ten li, and one person can break a thousand armies. To ordinary people, this is already an unimaginable realm.

As for Grandmasters, the only thing Li Yuan knows so far is True Qi transforming into forms across a thousand li; this is already a true myth.

"Then, what about Grandmasters?"

Ba Ba Wanli put down the beef leg, attracted.

He had achieved Great Perfection in Transformation of Form many years ago; if he hadn't insisted on following Old Han's path, he would already have unblocked his meridians. Although Refining Organs and Marrow Refining seemed out of reach, he still longed for them.

"When True Qi is cultivated to my level, one understands the vastness of heaven and earth, and the smallness of the human body..."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan flicked his hand lightly; a drop of wine jumped out of the cup like a living creature, drifting to fall outside the window. Blown by the wind and snow, it vanished without a trace.

"Just like this drop of wine, jumping out of the wine cup to see the vastness of heaven and earth, boundless and wide... and a Grandmaster is like this storm of wind and snow."

This...

Everyone at the wine table felt quite shocked, looking out the window at the great wind and snow that, although much smaller now, still covered the inside and outside of Dechang Prefecture.

This contrast could not have been clearer.

"Is the gap between Marrow Refining and Yin-Yang so great?"

Li Yuan was even startled.

Comparing himself to the drop of wine and a Grandmaster to the wind and snow, Li Yuan felt that Gong Gong Jiuchuan was mostly being modest, but it also showed his reverence and longing for the Grandmaster realm.

"A Grandmaster exhausts the limits of the human body, comprehends the changes of Yin and Yang, knows the smallness of oneself, sees the vastness of heaven and earth, unites heart and mind, and merges with heaven and earth..."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan's gaze was leisurely, his tone ethereal; everyone at the wine table longed for it.

"Can one live forever?"

Li Yuan asked subconsciously; the wine table instantly fell silent, with strange expressions.

"No."

Yan Yan Sanxing glanced at him; this boy was still a few months short of twenty, wasn't he?

"Human lifespan is determined by heaven; even Earthly Immortals rarely exceed two hundred years. More or less, the talk of immortality is ethereal and void."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan looked around at everyone and raised his cup proactively:

"No banquet in the world does not end. The sky is already late, everyone..."

As soon as he spoke, everyone stood up; the wind and snow outside had lightened, and the sky was gradually darkening.

At the banquet, everyone tacitly did not mention the quota to enter the inner court of the Dragon-Tiger Temple; according to custom, this was to be discussed privately later.

However...

Looking at Li Yuan, who stood with hands clasped like a host bidding farewell, the group exchanged glances; the little joy instantly vanished.

Only Ba Ba Wanli, holding a sheep leg and a wine jug, waved his hand and returned to the Divine Guard Army base with Fang Fang Bao Luo.

As they were leaving the courtyard gate, Dragon-Tiger Temple disciples handed out pills, one per person. Li Yuan also received one; inside the jade-colored porcelain bottle, the pill was like fire, extremely dazzling.

Clearly, those invited to the banquet received different gifts from the others.

"This is Dragon Breath Pill, belonging to the category of Spirit Pills. It has the effects of nourishing the physique, solidifying the foundation, purifying internal Qi and blood, and eliminating pill toxicity."

Yu Yu Xuanji explained softly:

"Forms are divided into Mortal and Spirit; naturally, so are pills. This Dragon Breath Pill is a top-grade Spirit Pill, refined by the 'Spirit Pill Hall' within the sect. Only three furnaces are opened annually, so it rarely flows outside."

"Good stuff."

Li Yuan tucked it into his chest. He originally intended to return to the Divine Guard Army base with Ba Ba Wanli and others, but Yu Yu Xuanji stopped him.

"Master asks you to come over."

Yu Yu Xuanji's attitude shifted somewhat, no longer as cold and rigid as before.

"Thank you."

Li Yuan noticed her change, his tone naturally shifting as well; he nodded and returned to the fifteenth floor.

The banquet had been cleared away; Gong Gong Jiuchuan sat alone by the window drinking tea, with a pot of wine still on the table.

"Senior Brother Gong."

Li Yuan clasped his hands in salute.

"Sit."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan had grown too lazy to correct him; without turning his head, he looked down upon Dechang Prefecture amidst the wind and snow, seeing scattered lights and faint human voices.

Li Yuan did not stand on ceremony; he took a seat, poured wine, and waited for him to speak.

"A Grandmaster penetrates the changes of Yin and Yang, with body and spirit fully connected; since ancient times, those who receive a Grandmaster's inheritance inevitably become Grandmasters."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan turned around, his gaze deep and dark:

"Not a few disciples and elders within the sect are eyeing the Junior Uncle's inheritance; the leak of the message the Junior Uncle previously sent to me was due to this very reason."

"Those who receive a Grandmaster's inheritance inevitably become Grandmasters?"

This was the first time Li Yuan had heard such a claim, but upon reflection, he understood.

Setting aside other matters, those capable of entering a Grandmaster's gate are all talents of the world; with a Grandmaster's guidance and Wan Wan Zhuli, achieving success seems hardly strange.

"The Junior Uncle values you; ordinary people would never dare to act against you, but you must still guard against those who might take desperate risks."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan said Longhu Longhu Dandan.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for the advice."

Li Yuan felt a slight stir in his heart; he could sense Gong Gong Jiuchuan's seriousness, and given his status and position, the ones he feared could certainly not be Yan Yan Qingyuan and the others.

Then, is it within Longhu Temple?

"However, you need not worry too much; there are only a few who dare to provoke the Junior Uncle's tiger whiskers..."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan paused slightly, recalling the Junior Uncle's amnesia.

Had he not suffered from such a strange illness, who would dare to openly covet his inheritance?

"Only a few..."

So there are some?

Li Yuan actually wanted to ask who those few were, but on second thought, he did not; if Gong Gong Jiuchuan wanted to say, he would not have warned him so obscurely.

"May I ask, Senior Brother, which few will be able to enter the Inner Gate at this Longhu Banquet?"

Li Yuan asked.

Compared to possible covetousness, he cared more about this; to be precise, whether Ba Ba Wanli could enter the Longhu Inner Gate.

"Hmm... this is not exactly a secret."

After the Longhu Banquet, Gong Gong Jiuchuan's attitude had changed considerably; previously, he would have likely swept his sleeve and left, but now it was different.

He thought for a moment, then answered:

"Unless other changes occur, there should be four: Yue's weight, Lin Lin Dongping, Yan Xiong, and Hua Hua Qingwu, but it also depends on their own willingness; they must meet privately a few times afterward."

Oh no, the Eldest Senior Brother was not selected.

Li Yuan's heart sank, yet he asked: "My Eldest Senior Brother's aptitude and bone structure are still far superior to those Yan Xiong and Lin Lin Dongping, are they not?"

"His age is too great."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan naturally knew his thoughts and replied: "Regarding Wu Gong, he currently surpasses the other four, Yan Xiong and the rest; among those attending the banquet this time, I estimate only you and Yan Yan Qingyuan can surpass him..."

His evaluation was very fair, much like what Li Yuan had thought.

"But he is nearly twenty years older than the others; although his aptitude is certainly not poor, his potential is ultimately limited."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan was very calm.

Because of Li Yuan, he could allow Ba Ba Wanli to attend the banquet, but he could not let him enter the Inner Gate because of this; the Longhu Inner Gate is extremely strict, and many of his own disciples are still in the Outer Gate.

"This..."

Li Yuan smiled bitterly; he had somewhat guessed the reason.

"Is it possible..."

"No."

The moment Li Yuan opened his mouth, Gong Gong Jiuchuan flatly refused.

"Inner Gate disciples may bring family members to Ru Sect, but they must start as menial servants; Ba Ba Wanli's bone structure is not poor, and his talent is passable; entering the Outer Gate later poses no problem, but the Inner Gate..."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan shook his head, indicating he did not hold high hopes.

"So difficult?"

Li Yuan frowned deeply.

Ba Ba Wanli became a true disciple of the Divine Weapon Valley; naturally, his aptitude and bone structure are not poor; with supreme arts, even refining the viscera might not be impossible; yet he cannot enter the Inner Gate?

"With Ba Ba Wanli's Wu Gong, many Inner Gate disciples might not be his match, but when a sect selects talent, potential is paramount."

Seeing he seemed somewhat unwilling, Gong Gong Jiuchuan simply broke the point:

"Ba Ba Wanli has no hope of becoming a Grandmaster; not even a sliver of possibility exists."

Grandmaster potential...

Li Yuan's heart shook.

"The Five Great Dao Sects, thousands of sects in the world; looking back a thousand years, the number was ten or even dozens of times greater, yet only the Wudadao Sects have flourished without decline; why?"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan asked.

"Grandmasters?"

Li Yuan felt somewhat enlightened in his heart.

In a world where martial arts reign supreme, it is Wu Gong that inevitably determines status and authority.

"Why has my Longhu Temple stood dominant over Mount Hengshan for two thousand years? Not because of the Long and Tiger Armies, not because of the hundred thousand disciples, but because every generation has produced a Grandmaster and a Mortal Immortal!"

"This, indeed, is the foundation upon which a sect stands!"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan reached out, and Li Yuan poured him a cup of wine.

"Therefore, the inner sect disciples of the Dao Sect prioritize potential above all; even if there is but a sliver of hope, the sect is willing to cultivate them. If there isn't even a sliver..."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan drained the wine from his cup, feeling somewhat melancholy in his heart.

"So that is how it is."

Li Yuan hurriedly poured more wine for Gong Gong Jiuchuan; taking advantage of his slight drunkenness, he naturally wanted to draw out more information.

Once he sobered up, he might not speak so much to him anymore.

After a long while, Li Yuan finally left, somewhat reluctant.

"This young man..."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan let out a drunken burp, his body shuddered, and as his internal Qi surged, the drunkenness was instantly expelled.

As Yan Yan Qingyuan entered the room, he nearly stumbled from the smell, retched, backed out, and wore a face full of disgust.

What difference is there between this and excrement...

"Change rooms."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan shook off the wine scent from his body, turned around, and went to another floor of the wine tower.

Yan Yan Qingyuan entered the room, opened the window first, took a deep breath, and then looked at Gong Gong Jiuchuan, whose face had turned black:

"Senior Brother, what did you leave that young man to talk about?"

"... Nothing much."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan snorted lightly: "Has the sect sent a letter?"

"Yes."

Yan Yan Qingyuan, who had nearly forgotten the main matter due to the smell, finally came to his senses, his expression solemn:

"It is said to be from the Imperial Capital, a Golden Feather Eagle King's letter!"

"Hmm?"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan's face changed: "A King's letter?"

Within Longhu Temple, feathered eagles are raised; from lowest to highest, they are the Feathered Eagle, the Grey Feathered Eagle, the Golden Feathered Eagle, and the Golden Feathered Eagle King.

The four ranks of feathered eagles correspond exactly to the magnitude of events.

The Golden Feathered Eagle King understands human nature, travels thousands of li a day, and can precisely locate the target of a Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing message, but since every deployment requires high-grade Spirit Pills for nourishment, it is never used in ordinary times.

"What has happened?"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan swept his sleeve to close the doors and windows tightly and transmitted his voice secretly.

"In the Shenbangda Sect Great War, someone saw the Fumo Longshen Blade..."

Yan Yan Qingyuan's expression was solemn, and his transmitted voice even trembled: "The one who fought the Zhenwu King is suspected to be the Master of the Star-Picking Tower!"

"The Master of the Star-Picking Tower, she has emerged from seclusion?!"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan was deeply shocked.

The Star-Picking Tower is the most secretive assassin organization in the world, and the Master of the Star-Picking Tower is the most mysterious Grandmaster of the Shenbangda Sect.

"She has emerged from seclusion; it is suspected she intends to assassinate Di Qian..."

Yan Yan Qingyuan felt a chill down his back: "The Star-Picking Tower has sent a signal, saying the Dao Master has likely emerged from seclusion. The sect has sent a message ordering us to return to Dao City immediately..."

"Who won and who lost?"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan asked instinctively, but immediately realized his question was superfluous.

In this world, no one can defeat the Zhenwu King holding the Fumo Longshen Blade, not even the Master of the Star-Picking Tower...

"A great turmoil."

Yan Yan Qingyuan sighed deeply, feeling somewhat worried.

For the past forty years, the Zhenwu Hall has targeted our Mount Hengshan Dao more than once...

Gong Gong Jiuchuan took a deep breath:

"You go notify all disciples to prepare to return to the sect. I will go see my junior uncle. No, never mind, I won't ask him."

Whoosh~

In the night wind, patches of accumulated snow occasionally drifted down.

"Longhu Temple!"

On the sixth floor of an inn two streets away, Yan Yan Qingyuan gazed at the Huiyan Tower, his eyes dim:

"Old Liu, do you think it is possible that Li Yuan is that Li Li Yuanba?"

"Hmm?"

The grey-robed old man frowned slightly: "Any disciple of the Divine Weapon Valley is possible; naturally, Li Yuan is possible as well. However, I feel the likelihood of Shi Hong is greater."

"Oh?"

"Throughout history, those recognized by a Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing as their master have suddenly disappeared; sometimes for half a year or a year, sometimes for several years. This Li Yuan has never disappeared..."

"That is true."

"Has the Young Master taken a killing intent against him?"

The grey-robed old man lowered his head slightly. Regarding Li Li Yuanba, they had discussed it many times, including Han Han Chuijun and others, and had long since eliminated the suspicion.

"Pity, the timing is wrong. That Gong Gong Jiuchuan wouldn't even let me fight him; it seems he has very likely joined Long Xi Xiang's sect!"

Yan Yan Qingyuan sighed.

A true disciple of the Divine Weapon Valley joining Longhu Temple is no good news for Huai Long Palace; if he joins Long Xi Xiang's sect, that is terrible news indeed.

"We absolutely must not act now."

The old man in gray robes shook his head slightly: "If Li Yuan meets with trouble now, we cannot remain uninvolved; it would implicate our sect."

Yan Yan Qingyuan nodded and withdrew his gaze:

"There will be another chance."

"The eldest senior brother was not selected."

In a small house not far below Huiyan Tower, Li Yuan lit an oil lamp and sighed inwardly.

Gong Gong Jiuchuan spoke so clearly, naturally meaning for him not to waste his efforts.

"Old Han shouldn't make a move, right?"

Li Yuan felt some worry; Longhu Temple was not comparable to Huo Long Temple or Qianjun Cave; it was a true behemoth.

"Squeak~"

A small rat emerged from under the bed, drunk, as if it had also been drinking wine.

"Where did you steal the wine?"

Li Yuan set aside his thoughts, flicked a pill to it; this little creature was quite spirited, chattered a few times, and seemed to want to lead him.

"... Never mind."

A scent of herbs and grass; Li Yuan knew without thinking where the wine came from. He waved his hand to dismiss the little creature, composed himself, and resumed the Soldier Stance.

Under Xu Tui's influence, his slight drunkenness quickly dissipated; with the circulation of his qi and blood, his energy surged.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Li Yuan's eyelid twitched. Through the door, he saw a faint yellow light arrive with the wind and land without a sound.

【Return Dragon Finger Sleeve (Fifth Tier)】

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly. During the day, he had memorized the weapon lights of most people; the person outside was neither a disciple of Longhu Temple nor a banquet guest.

"Eh?"

A soft exclamation came from outside the door; the person seemed somewhat surprised as well.

Li Yuan stepped back, gripping Zhang Zhong Zhong tightly, but saw a person push the door open and enter, dressed as a woodcutter with a black cloth covering his face.

"An acquaintance, an acquaintance; don't attack."

This person waved his hand to stop Li Yuan, casually picked up the teapot and took two sips, then tore off the black cloth covering his face.

"Master Wang sent me."

This middle-aged man dressed as a woodcutter took a letter from his robe; Li Yuan glanced at it and recognized the handwriting.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Yu Ju, a servant attending Master Wang; occasionally, I also run errands for him."

"Yu Ju?"

Li Yuan used the hammer shaft to pry open the letter, glanced at it twice, and his vigilance eased slightly.

"So it's Old Yu."

"Just call me brother."

"Brother Yu."

Li Yuan followed the suggestion readily.

"Tsk, you have the makings of an assassin."

Yu Ju glanced at the letter on the table: "I'm just a messenger; I know nothing else. Don't ask; even if you ask, you won't know."

Having said this, without waiting for Li Yuan's response, he turned and vanished into the night.

"A servant with a fully opened meridian system..."

Watching Yu Ju depart, Li Yuan closed the doors and windows tightly before opening the letter.

"Among the five great Dao sects of the world, Longhu Temple leads in alchemy. Besides the universally known Great Return Pill, there are also the 'Dragon' and 'Tiger' categories of Longhu Longhu Dadan; consuming one is equivalent to sixty years of cultivation..."

They want me to steal pills?

Li Yuan frowned slightly. Wang Wen Yuan was very direct: one Longhu Longhu Dadan and one Great Return Pill could be exchanged for a supreme art, or a fragment of a divine technique, specifically the content following the introductory chapter of Bai Shen Fa.

"This is a mission; you may accept it or not."

In the end, Wang Wen Yuan still left room for maneuver.

Li Yuan touched the last corner of the letter; the ink had seeped through the paper, showing that the writer's mood had been somewhat tense when writing the final sentence.

"Old Wang needs to heal his injuries? How severe must his injuries be to require a Dragon Pill, a Tiger Pill, and a Longhu Great Return Pill?"

Li Yuan was somewhat surprised; he knew Wang Wen Yuan had injuries.

"These three pills are not easy to obtain."

Putting the letter away, Li Yuan shook his head inwardly.

After some idle chat with Gong Gong Jiuchuan, he had actually learned quite a bit, deepening his understanding of Longhu Temple.

Each great Dao sect has its own weapon-forging grounds and alchemy grounds; Longhu Temple is no exception, and compared to weapon forging, Longhu Temple's alchemy is even stronger.

Most of the graded pills on Mount Hengshan come from Longhu Temple; this is a huge business.

The Dragon Pill, Tiger Pill, and Longhu Great Return Pill mentioned by Wang Wen Yuan are supreme-grade pills of extremely high value; aside from occasional exchanges of goods with Dao sects in various prefectures, they never circulate for sale.

In fact, even experts like Gong Gong Jiuchuan, who have successfully refined their marrow, have never seen these three pills.

"Selling Li Li Yuanba could fetch a Dragon-Tiger Great Return Pill..."

Li Yuan's heart muttered in dissent, and he suppressed the thought.

This mission was no longer a matter of whether to accept it, but that it was utterly impossible to complete.

"Hah!"

After pondering for quite a while, Li Yuan let out a long breath and began to alter his bone structure.

◆ttkΛn◆c〇

Long after, Li Yuan, dragging a body soaked in sweat, rose, went out to fetch water and wash himself, then leaned against the bed, eyes half-closed, and entered the Shan Xuan Bing Mi Jing.

He pondered the 'Hundred Beasts Thunder Dragon' while also studying the 'Rending Sea Shan Xuan Whale Diagram' on the stone stele.