Chapter 240: What Weapon Did the Ancestor Use?

Divine weapon…

In the center of the open square, Li Yuan looked up.

Four massive pillars, each as thick as a man, stood before him, entirely like jade, covered in intricate patterns resembling dragon scales and tiger stripes, reaching a height of a hundred meters.

The stone plaque bore the two characters "Long Hu," radiating overwhelming might, as if two colossal beasts loomed above, watching down with crushing pressure.

Truly a grand undertaking.

Li Yuan marveled inwardly; a Divine Weapon-level sect gate naturally exuded grandeur, unforgettable to behold—but he couldn't help wondering how this Long Hu Sect truly discerned good from evil.

Li Yuan stood still, studying it for a long while, while Yu Xuanfeng waited beside him, seemingly accustomed to it—but as Li Yuan lowered his gaze, Yu asked:

"What do you think, Li Shixiong?"

Aside from when transmitting voice, he was genuinely embarrassed to call someone his age "Shi Shu," especially since he hadn't truly become a disciple yet—Yu's eldest son still needed some dignity.

Li Yuan snapped back to attention: "What? The gate? Grand and imposing, unforgettable to behold."

"Just that?"

Yu Xuanfeng's gaze dimmed slightly.

Hm?

Li Yuan keenly noticed his expression change; with a sidelong glance, he realized that around the square, many others had also paused—some openly, some covertly—watching him.

"What's wrong?"

Li Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

"Nothing much."

Yu Xuanfeng collected himself and smiled:

"Li Shixiong, you've just arrived, so you probably don't know—this gate before our temple has quite a history. Over two thousand years ago, Hengshan City was nowhere near its current size; the area now known as the inner city was then a continuous range of peaks…"

Yu Xuanfeng spoke concisely, recounting the gate's origins.

Over two thousand years ago, divine light erupted from these peaks, shooting straight to the stars, stirring the entire world. Experts from all corners rushed here, seeking to seize the celestial weapon of fate.

It ended only with the arrival of two Land Immortals.

Master Long Yin Chan and Master Chunyang Daoist each rode upon a dragon and a tiger, seated atop the mountain peaks to debate the Dao for seven full years.

"... The two Ancestors debated for seven years, then rose together, letting out a long roar that stirred wind and clouds, resolved to establish a sect here. These two characters, 'Long Hu,' were inscribed by the Ancestors themselves, imbued with their supreme will..."

Yu Xuanfeng paused slightly, glancing to the left.

A handsome young man in white robes walked forward, bowed slightly to both of them, then spoke on his own:

"These two characters, 'Long Hu,' embody the supreme will of the two Ancestors, and should have been the sect's most treasured inheritance. But the Second Ancestor believed that every disciple of Long Hu Temple could behold the Ancestors' glory, so he forged four white jade pillars reaching to heaven, bearing the characters 'Long Hu,' to be passed to future generations..."

He bowed deeply, then continued:

"The two Ancestors' accomplishments surpass creation; their will has endured for over two thousand years without fading. Any future disciple with extraordinary talent who walks beneath this gate may have the opportunity to receive the Ancestors' will and be granted transmission of their power..."

Will transmission?

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow, scanning the disciples gathered around, his mind clear.

"Uhh~"

The cub on his shoulder lazily glanced at the stone plaque, then suddenly leapt to the ground.

Li Yuan frowned slightly, but seeing the little creature didn't run off, he didn't tug the python leather strap.

"Li Shidi, since you were personally recruited by your Shi Zuzu, your talent is extraordinary—you surely have this opportunity."

The white-robed youth glanced at the pacing kitten; behind him, several female disciples murmured, all drawn to the little cat.

"Wang Shixiong, you..."

Yu Xuanfeng's face changed; he had secretly brought Li Yuan in precisely to avoid this—and yet he still hadn't escaped it.

Li Yuan bowed slightly:

"What is your name, Shixiong?"

"Long Hu Neimen, Wang Xuanying."

The white-robed youth returned the bow with a warm smile, and nearby, someone whispered in shock:

"Dragon List seventy-two, Wang Xuanying—Wang Shixiong! He actually came!"

"Pleasure to meet you."

Li Yuan noted the name, then asked: "What is the Dragon List?"

Yunshu Tower had too many lists; though he'd bought many, he'd never heard of the Dragon List.

"You'll know after joining the sect."

Wang Xuanying's smile didn't fade, but his eyes held no warmth.

With his arrival, the square erupted into activity; many people rushed about, calling friends and companions...

"Li Shixiong, it's getting late—the Elder of the Outer Affairs Hall may already be resting. Why not stay at my place for a day, then join the sect tomorrow?"

Yu Xuanfeng's forehead glistened with sweat; he sensed trouble brewing.

He knew there was discontent within the sect over Li Yuan becoming a disciple of his Shi Zuzu—but he hadn't expected the opposition to come so swiftly.

The legend of gaining the Ancestors' will beneath the Long Hu plaque had existed for ages, but in over two thousand years, how many had truly received the Ancestors' transmission?

"Li Shidi, don't worry. With me here, even if the Outer Affairs Hall has already closed today, it won't delay your entry into the sect."

Wang Xuanying lightly flicked his sleeve; an invisible force struck Yu Xuanfeng, turning his face pale.

"Then thank you, Wang Shixiong."

Li Yuan bowed in thanks; though he didn't know where this Wang Xuanying had sprung from, someone showing up openly was better than hidden enemies.

"Li Shixiong, don't..."

Yu Xuanfeng's face paled; he regretted his recklessness—he should have waited for his Master to return, or at least for his older sister...

"Or, Li Shidi, you could enter the sect via the side path?"

Wang Xuanying didn't press; he was happy to delay—more onlookers were always better.

"Wang Shixiong, who was the last disciple to receive the Ancestors' will transmission?"

Li Yuan remained calm.

"The last one need not be mentioned; the one before him was our Great Dragon Gate Master, Fu Long Chan Shi—our Shi Zuzu Long Shuzu!"

Wang Xuanying offered a half-bow, his face filled with reverence: "Over a hundred years ago, when Shi Zuzu passed beneath the gate, a spectral dragon appeared in the sky..."

"Shi Zuzu received the introductory chapter of the 'Great Might Heavenly Dragon Form'—a supreme art left by the Ancestors..."

Yu Xuanfeng sighed inwardly, whispering: "The last one to receive the Ancestors' transmission was the eldest disciple..."

"Jiazi Invincible, Long Xinglie?"

He was flustered, but Li Yuan had already deduced something from his words.

The Ancestors' will transmission was considered an opportunity precisely because the threshold was extremely high; in over two thousand years, only twenty or thirty had been acknowledged by those two supreme Grand Masters.

'Long Hu Temple has had over two hundred Dao Masters who comprehended yin and yang in two thousand years... this threshold is truly high.'

Li Yuan thought to himself.

The crowd around the square swelled; Li Yuan glanced casually, and the glint of weapons formed a sea—most were famous blades, many of high quality.

"Even Elder Feng has come."

Spotting Feng Zhongyi and others in the crowd, Li Yuan sighed, no longer delaying—he stepped forward toward the Long Hu stone plaque.

"Uhh!"

The cub resisted fiercely, refusing to move; Li Yuan sighed inwardly, too lazy to argue—he tied the python leather strap to a nearby weapon rack.

The rack was cast in yellow bronze, half-embedded in the square, holding over three hundred weapons; even if the cub went berserk, it couldn't drag it away.

"Almost forgot."

Li Yuan suddenly stopped, ignoring the murmurs of the crowd, and transmitted to Yu Xuanfeng:

"What weapons did the two Ancestors favor in life?"

"Huh?"

Yu Xuanfeng blinked, then transmitted back:

"Master Chunyang's sword art was peerless in history; his Pure Yang Sword remains the Dao Lord's standard weapon to this day..."

"Sword art?"

Li Yuan subtly sensed his Weapon Mastery space, and frowned slightly.

Of all the weapons he currently controlled, the best was naturally the Fire Dragon Sword—but aside from this quasi-divine weapon, he had no other famous blade capable of enhancing his talent.

'One Fire Dragon Sword might suffice, but these two Grand Masters clearly seek a disciple with the potential of a Land Immortal...'

Li Yuan understood clearly.

He wasn't anxious—he had his own advantage. His innate talent and comprehension might not match today's prodigies, but with the Weapon Mastery Charter in hand, he could stack enhancements strategically!

"What about Master Long Yin?"

"Master Long Yin's body was immensely strong; he fought with nothing but his bare hands..."

Yu Xuanfeng didn't know why he asked, but after thinking, replied:

"Oh, Master Long Yin once wielded a 'Tong Shen Liu He Jiang Mo Chu'..."

"Jiang Mo Chu?"

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow, smiling instantly—he mentally summoned and empowered all seven famous and high-grade hammers, including the Chen Shan Heavy Hammer, onto himself.

Only then, under the gaze of the crowd, did he walk toward the Long Hu gate.

"Uhh~"

The cub had been indifferent, but suddenly looked up at Li Yuan, its gaze shifting—as if sensing something.

Hum!

Almost simultaneously, Li Yuan heard a faint humming sound.

"A divine weapon has a soul—yes, it truly does."

Li Yuan's heart steadied, and as he drew nearer, the humming grew louder; in a daze, it seemed as if threads of cloud qi descended,

intertwining like waterfalls, like tides, enveloping him.

"Is this the divine intent of a Grand Master?"

Li Yuan split his focus, conjuring his spiritual self within the realm of spiritual light; through this perception, he felt the mist around him hazy, faintly revealing lush grass and trees.

It felt less like the front gate of Longhu Temple, and more as if he had suddenly arrived atop a mountain peak, wreathed in clouds and mist.

He fixed his gaze and saw, beyond the thick fog, two colossal beings—one as large as a house, lying sprawled to one side; the other over a hundred meters long, winding like a dragon.

Shhh!

Suddenly, Li Yuan felt a chill in his heart.

Through the mist, he saw two pairs of enormous eyes, like lanterns—those two great beasts were studying him.

Li Yuan quickly lowered his head, his thoughts racing.

Are these the manifested wills of the two Grand Masters—or the "soul" of this divine weapon-level gate?

……

"Li Yuan has arrived!"

"Who? That boy from Dechang Prefecture—the one who stirred Master Ancestor to travel ten thousand li just to take him as a disciple…?"

"So what if he's here? Do we need to greet him?"

"Wang Xuanying has emerged from seclusion—he seems intent on making trouble. There'll be entertainment to watch!"

……

On the square, many were calling out to friends; soon, the news spread through the front courtyard.

In a small courtyard, Yan Sanxing, holding a wine cup, frowned slightly:

"Brother Chu, this…"

Across the table sat a middle-aged man with a gentle complexion; he listened to the footsteps and murmurs outside, then shook his head:

"I'm not that petty."

"Wang Xuanying has gone too far!"

Seeing him deny it, Yan Sanxing's expression darkened.

The ancestral stone tablet has stood before the gate for over two thousand years, yet only a handful have ever gained its blessing—it's never been a test for new disciples.

Especially not Li Yuan.

The sect has already murmured about his master's adoption; now this…

"It's not excessive."

Chu Xuankong, clad in a green Daoist robe, wore a faint smile:

"What kind of genius is Master Long? Had he not been grievously wounded, he could have become a terrestrial immortal. Who among the mediocre dares to seek his legacy?"

"If Li Yuan possesses the same astonishing talent as Master Long, no one would dare object. If he doesn't, it saves future trouble—what do you think, Brother Yan?"

With that, Chu Xuankong set down his cup and rose:

"Since we have nothing else to do, shall we go take a look?"

"This…"

Yan Sanxing sighed inwardly and followed him out.

"Brother Lin, Brother Liu, Sister Fang…"

As soon as he stepped out, Yan Sanxing was startled—he saw many familiar faces, all senior Elders of the sect.

"Brother Chu."

The Elders bowed to Chu Xuankong.

"What are you all doing here?"

Chu Xuankong feigned ignorance.

"We heard the boy Master Ancestor favored is attempting the Ancestral Stone Tablet—we're curious, so we came to watch."

Did the news spread this fast?

Yan Sanxing's heart turned cold—if no one was secretly stoking this, he'd eat the floor.

"Every few years, someone overestimates themselves—but they're always just a laughingstock."

Chu Xuankong sneered; the others nodded in agreement.

Yan Sanxing didn't know these people well; after bowing, he trailed behind, watching them laugh and chat, and sighed inwardly.

With Li Yuan's bone structure and martial skill, joining Longhu's inner sect was never in question—no one would doubt it. But this concerns the Grand Master's legacy…

"Aaong!"

Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed.

"Hm?"

The group frowned: "Did that beast from the back mountain escape again? What are the Huentang people doing?"

"No—this isn't it."

Chu Xuankong had thought it was the dragon from the back mountain, but quickly sensed something wrong.

Yan Sanxing and the others also realized it, turning their gazes toward the gate.

Above, the sky—once clear for ten thousand li—was now filled with swirling clouds, spreading outward, extending…

"What is this?"

Yan Sanxing understood—his face turned a mixture of shock and awe. He dared not turn to look at Chu Xuankong, but his peripheral vision caught the latter's grim expression.

"He… he can't possibly…"

The Elders exchanged glances, all seeing the same astonishment in each other's eyes.

They had witnessed this before—many years ago.

The top name on the current inner sect's "Longhu List," the contemporary Dao Son, Long Xinglie, had once drawn swirling clouds and a long dragon's cry when he first entered the gate.

"Aaong!"

Amid the surging cloud sea, the dragon's roar echoed again.

This roar was more than ten times louder than the first, and carried far beyond.

Not only the Elders and disciples before Longhu Temple's gate, but even the common folk in nearby streets and districts heard it.

"Where did that dragon's roar come from?"

In a tavern several streets away, Yue Zhongtian, hosting senior sect members, blinked in surprise—only to see all his guests turn pale.

They rushed to the windows,

and he followed their gaze: before Longhu Temple, the cloud sea churned, and a great dragon soared within it, roaring across the entire city.

"Aaong!"

The dragon's roar reverberated for a long time.

On the square before Longhu Temple's gate, a hurricane seemed to erupt—onlookers were blown backward, their robes flapping loudly.

Weapons on the racks were swept into the air, drawing cries and frantic dodges.

"He… he actually…!"

Yu Xuanfeng stared in shock, turning to Wang Xuanying.

This elite of the Longhu List stood trembling, staring blankly at the cloud sea, his mind utterly empty.

Ooo~

The cub looked up at the sky.

Above the cloud sea, a great dragon lowered its head,

gazing down.