Chapter 246

The sky was brilliantly clear, ten thousand li without a single cloud.

In the small courtyard, Li Yuan held a hammer in a standing posture, moving from Bai Yuan Stance, Tiger Roar Stance, to Soldier Body Posture—neither hurried nor sluggish, his motions flowing like clouds and water; all these stances had reached the peak of perfection.

After his blood and qi circulated smoothly, Li Yuan shifted his stance into the Dragon Zen Diamond Stance.

He heard a series of sharp "crack… crack…" sounds as his waist and arms twisted into knots, a sight both shocking and terrifying.

The Dragon Zen Diamond Stance has only sixteen forms, each with sixteen variations; though it appears far simpler than Soldier Body Posture, every variation is extremely complex and utterly unnatural.

"This stance…"

After performing just one variation, even Li Yuan's current physique could not help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.

This Dragon Zen Stance was more extreme than the most grotesque yoga poses from his past life—not only was its entry barrier terrifyingly high and perilous, it was also excruciatingly painful.

After holding it for only a short while, Li Yuan felt his whole body grow hot; barely managing six or seven forms, he was already drenched in sweat, his stamina severely depleted.

"Good!"

Sensing the benefits, Li Yuan's eyes gleamed; the pain of this stance was trivial compared to the transformation of his bone structure.

With the large supply of pills gifted by Gong Gong Yangyu, he feared not depletion of stamina, only that it would be depleted too slowly.

"Huh!"

After a long while, Li Yuan's eyelids fluttered; footsteps came from outside the door. Liu Zheng knocked gently, and only after receiving permission did he cautiously push the door open.

He saw Li Yuan inverted, head down and feet up, his arms like two snakes threading through his ribs, crossing with his legs while encircling his neck—his posture was bizarre beyond description.

At just one glance, Liu Zheng couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath; how much pain must this cause?

"Crack~"

Li Yuan slowly ended the posture; his tendons and bones erupted in a series of "pop-pop-pop" sounds, and sweat burst forth all over his body, soaking his clothes.

"Brother Li, is this… the Dragon Zen Diamond Scripture?"

Liu Zheng gasped in awe; this supreme technique was truly worthy of its name—just this single set of movements, he feared, could kill him if he tried.

"Yes. Dragon Zen Stance."

Li Yuan exhaled deeply; his breath condensed into an arrow of qi, striking the courtyard wall with "pa-pa" sounds like crashing tides.

'Brother Li's Wu Gong has grown ever stronger.'

Liu Zheng lowered his head slightly.

Over the past few years, he had seen Li Yuan occasionally, and though he knew his Wu Gong had improved, he had never truly reflected on it.

Now, seeing his breath, he suddenly realized: the youth who had once sat at the very end of the table had long since reached a height Liu Zheng could no longer fathom.

"How did it go?"

Li Yuan pulled off his outer robe and poured two buckets of icy water over his head, washing away the sweat; his current physique could endure an entire night submerged in ice water without catching a chill.

"That… the Lin Captain was very courteous. He said if you wish to go, you may go to the Pure Gang Outer Branch at any time to secure a furnace and work, and all metals and ores may be purchased at branch prices—but he did not agree to your entry into the branch."

Liu Zheng collected himself and reported: "He said…"

The Dragon Tiger Residence is not easy to obtain; though backed by Divine Weapon Valley, Li Yuan did not wish to live off its resources. With his metallurgy skills, he had every intention to earn money—and it would not be difficult.

But…

"He won't accept me without a Hall Master's arrangement?"

"Yes."

Liu Zheng nodded.

"Still the same excuse."

Li Yuan shook his head slightly.

Revealing his talent was beneficial—it spared him from being randomly assigned to branches like Yue's weight or Lin Lin Dongping—but it also made every branch hesitant to take him on without authorization.

He suspected even the Hall Master might not assign him; he might have to wait until the Dragon Tiger Dao Master, the Shenbangda Sect Grandmaster, Long Long Xinglie, returned to Huishan to receive him.

The previous Xuanjing Daozi who received the Ancestor's will and transmission, Long Long Xinglie, went through exactly this process to enter Ru Sect.

Perhaps his opportunistic master's cultivation breakthrough might help?

"There's been no impact within Dao City; in a few more days, the forging shop can open."

Liu Zheng reported.

Though his placement within Ru Sect had not yet been finalized, Monk Douyue had already granted him every privilege of an inner disciple.

Beyond choosing his own courtyard, receiving pills and weapons, he was also given a house in prime Dao City real estate and two commercial shops—this was far beyond the usual treatment for an inner disciple.

After all, each generation of Ru Sect's inner disciples numbered in the thousands; if everyone received such benefits, over two thousand years, Dao City would not have enough space.

"You can take over several more shops—don't neglect leather, armor forging, clothing, and boot-making."

Li Yuan put on a new outer robe and invited Liu Zheng to sit on the stone bench beneath the tree:

"If you find materials like beast hides and bones, buy them—even if you lose money, don't hesitate."

Mount Hengshan is a central hub, gathering specialties from all provinces and even items from other Dao regions; though expensive, these past days he had truly found many fine goods.

Although no famous weapon-grade boots were on the market, there was no shortage of high-grade leather and beast blood and bones; with his current metallurgy skill, sufficient materials would allow him to forge weapons up to high-grade famous weapon tier himself.

"... Yes."

Liu Zheng nodded.

He had one advantage: even if he didn't understand something, he never asked—he simply did his work faithfully.

Li Yuan trusted him completely, though he also reminded him not to neglect his cultivation; Ru Sect, whether inner disciple, outer disciple, or laborer, all had examinations.

"Cultivation…"

Liu Zheng smiled bitterly.

His talent was truly mediocre; even with Li Yuan's guidance and no lack of pills, he had only just reached the peak of Body Tempering, and even if he was lucky, it would take one or two years to reach Inner Strengthening—more likely, seven or eight years might still not be enough.

"In a few days, I'll organize my insights."

Li Yuan had been thinking about this for months—he had long wished to sort through his years of martial learning.

"Thank you, Brother Li."

Liu Zheng clasped his fist, feeling deeply grateful.

He knew very well that with Li Yuan's current status and Wu Gong, if he wanted to recruit retainers, let alone Body Tempering martial artists, even Form-Shifting martial artists would not be beyond his reach.

"Just a small favor."

Li Yuan smiled, took out a pot of Hundred Herbs Brew from his sleeve, the two shared a few cups, then Liu Zheng stood up and left, returning to the city to attend to his duties.

Li Yuan fed the cats and mice inside the house, then leisurely walked toward Pure Yang Peak.

Pure Yang Peak, one of the Six Hubs of Hun Tian, is responsible for forging weapons and armor, and searching for heavenly treasures and earthly gems.

Before even reaching the foot of the mountain, from afar, one could already see the plumes of smoke that the wind could not disperse, as well as the numerous disciples and caravans coming and going.

They were transporting supplies and weapons.

Of the Six Hubs of Hun Tian, Li Yuan came to Pure Yang Hub first; although he could not enter the core forging area, the outer perimeter was familiar territory.

Following the mountain path to the halfway point, the view opened up; a cluster of buildings rose from the open ground, filled with smoke and fire, the sound of hammering on iron never ceasing.

As he drew closer, he could see that this was vastly different from the Divine Weapon Valley and forging grounds elsewhere.

Glancing over, from the outer to the inner, there were ore selection zones, ore screening zones, hammering zones, quenching zones, polishing and grinding zones... it already had the feel of an assembly line.

"Uncle Li is here again?"

Seeing Li Yuan arrive, several tall and sturdy disciples came forward, all of them with robust vital energy.

The quality of the Dragon and Tiger Inner Sect disciples is extremely high; almost none below the Form-Shifting realm exist throughout Pure Yang Peak, and among them are even geniuses famous for years in other provinces and prefectures.

The Dragon and Tiger Lists only list young disciples under sixty years of age, but the majority of the Dragon and Tiger Inner Sect are disciples over sixty.

Li Yuan exchanged a few polite words, then asked:

"Is Senior Brother Lin not here?"

The Hub Master of Pure Yang, named Lin Tingfeng, has successfully cultivated Marrow Refining; he is strong and muscular, also practices external hardening, yet is quite meticulous in character. Although he did not accept Li Yuan into the Hub, under the sect rules, he granted him the utmost convenience.

"The Hub Master went down the mountain a few days ago, saying the Deputy Hall Master ordered the cleansing of the Star-Picking Tower assassins within Hengshan City, as well as the Xieshen Sect's covert agents."

Those disciples did not hide it, their faces full of smiles.

In fact, since Li Yuan came to Hengshan City, aside from the cold glares at the sect gate, all he has seen since entering are smiling faces.

"Cleansing the Star-Picking Tower and the Xieshen Sect?"

Li Yuan's heart stirred slightly, feeling curious, but these few clearly knew little; after saying a few words, they led him to a forging ground in a corner.

"You all go back to your work."

Li Yuan had arrived carrying a forging hammer; now standing by the furnace, he did not rush to test his skills.

The few disciples who led the way, as well as many Pure Yang Hub disciples nearby, were also sizing him up; these past days, Li Yuan's name has been extremely prominent within the Dragon and Tiger Temple and even throughout Dao City.

Information about him had spread to every street and alley.

Titles such as "Born with Dragon Form" and "Forging Genius" were already known to all.

However, the people of Pure Yang Hub were skeptical; after all, how would a youth barely twenty, with such high martial arts talent, be willing to forge iron?

"The aura of the Life-Nourishing Furnace is very heavy..."

Before the furnace, Li Yuan seemed to be familiarizing himself with the forging platform, but in reality, his peripheral vision was scanning the surroundings; the Life-Nourishing Furnace covered the entire Dragon and Tiger Inner Sect area, something he had known long ago.

But the Life-Nourishing Furnace seemed to have certain focuses; in places like mountain paths, fields, and shrub forests, the aura of true qi was very thin, while the major hub peaks were dense.

Now, looking at the burning furnaces here and there, with Li Yuan's expertise in forging and weapon casting, he spotted the anomaly at a glance.

The temperature of these furnaces was far higher than normal!

"Applying the Mi Jing of the Life-Nourishing Furnace to various aspects? The sages of the Dragon and Tiger Temple are indeed extraordinary."

Li Yuan muttered to himself, then asked a nearby disciple who hadn't left for a wooden token.

"What is Uncle Li doing?"

Seeing Li Yuan use his finger as a brush, many disciples gathered around:

"Accepting forging and repair of weapons of any grade..."

"Free?!"

A disciple exclaimed, his voice suddenly rising, drawing the attention and gaze of a large crowd.

Li Yuan was not intimidated; compared to the scene at the sect gate, this was a small affair.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, some astonished, some scrutinizing, some doubtful, Li Yuan bowed slightly, lifted the Strange Weapon Forging Hammer, and struck the forging platform with moderate force.

Buzz!

With just that single buzzing sound spreading, the eyes of all the Pure Yang disciples nearby changed completely.

Pure Yang Hub takes the Eight Pure Yang Hammers as its inheritance; those who can be here are all masters of the hammer and masters of forging; hearing just that single hammer sound, they knew the rumors were not false.

"A supreme hammer technique at the Great Perfection? No, it's even more than that..."

Deep in the quenching zone, a burly old man with a bare upper body turned his head; his beard, like thatch, trembled, and his eyes were filled with shock and Solemnity:

"Another Long Long Xinglie?"

Disturbed by the hammer sound were not only the disciples inside the forging ground; within the high walls, Lin Tingfeng, with muscles like tendons, also furrowed his brow.

"He joined the Divine Weapon Valley only two or three years ago, yet he has cultivated the Weapon Dao Battle-Hammer to such a level?"

Inside the high walls, there were also many Pure Yang Hub disciples; at this moment, they all looked at each other, finding it somewhat incredible.

"With such talent, no wonder he earned the Patriarch's approval..."

Lin Tingfeng pinched his beard, feeling even more fortunate that he had not acted rashly; a disciple with such talent, his Pure Yang Hub could not keep.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

The astonishment of the crowd, Li Yuan had completely ignored when the hammer fell, immersed in the sound of smithing.

When he first picked up the forging hammer, it was for a livelihood, but now, Li Yuan truly immersed himself in smithing; with every rise and fall of the hammer, his mind sank into Solemnity.

At the same time, he was also visualizing the place of spiritual light, visualizing his spiritual self also raising the great hammer high.

……

……

Hah~

A merchant ship drifted down the current, entering the dock.

Yu Yu Xuanji pushed open the cabin door and gazed into the distance; the farmland on both banks in the early morning was a sea of gold, with dense farmers harvesting, the wind filled entirely with the scent of mature vegetation.

"Master."

Yu Yu Xuanji bowed slightly.

On the deck, Gong Gong Jiuchuan stroked his sword scabbard, his eyes slightly cold:

"Return to the mountain!"

He walked very fast; only when they reached the city gate did Yu Yu Xuanji catch up. Her peripheral vision swept over her own master's sword, and her heart startled slightly.

Even through the scabbard, she could feel the chill.

'Master's Cloud Dragon Sword has broken...'

Yu Yu Xuanji's heart felt somewhat Solemn; with her own master's Wu Gong, in the land of Huizhou, there were at most only two or three people capable of breaking his sword.

The Lord of Huailong, Liu Shengyun?

Thoughts turned in her mind, but she did not dare to ask; all the way, her breath was somewhat suppressed, until they entered the mountain gate, Gong Gong Jiuchuan still wore a gloomy face.

"Master, you..."

Yu Yu Xuanji could barely hold back, just about to inquire, when Gong Gong Jiuchuan suddenly stopped, looking at several inner disciples walking quickly up the mountain not far away.

Those disciples, seeing Gong Gong Jiuchuan, quickly bowed to pay their respects.

"No need."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan waved his hand, staring at the group: "Who were you speaking of earlier?"

"Replying to Senior Uncle Gong, it was Li Yuan, Junior Uncle Li."

That disciple bowed and answered.

"Li Yuan?"

Yu Yu Xuanji was stunned, then Yu Yu Xuanji reacted; she had delayed for over half a year on the road, so even if Li Yuan was slow, he should have arrived at the mountain gate by now.

"Over four months ago, Junior Uncle Li opened a furnace on Pure Gang Peak, freely forging and repairing weapons for all disciples; our weapons were damaged, and we were just going to find Junior Uncle Li to repair them..."

The several disciples answered.

"He joined Pure Gang Peak?"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan raised his eyebrows slightly, turned his foot, and walked toward Pure Gang Peak.

Yu Yu Xuanji followed; not walking far, she saw under the Dragon Stele, many disciples were watching.

"Yu Xuanji, I recall, your rank on the Dragon List is one hundred and forty-three?"

Gong Gong Jiuchuan stopped.

"Yes."

Yu Yu Xuanji bowed and answered.

"With your breakthrough in this meridian opening, you should have considerable confidence to advance over ten ranks; if the meridian opening is fully accomplished, you might not be unable to contend for a position in the top hundred."

Gong Gong Jiuchuan paused slightly, then switched to transmitting sound:

"Only after entering the top hundred do you have the qualification to enter the 'Mi Jing'..."

"Mi Jing."

Yu Yu Xuanji's heart chilled, then Yu Yu Xuanji bitterly smiled:

"This disciple will do her best; that top hundred..."

"He entered! Junior Uncle Li entered the top hundred!"

At this moment, an exclamation came from the stone stele; the master and disciple turned toward the sound, both raising their eyebrows:

"Dragon List ninety-seven, Li Yuan?!"