Chapter 251: The Way of All Arts: Martial Exhibition

This senior brother is covered in treasures.

Li Yuan slightly narrowed his eyes; apart from the Ink Jade Qilin Armor, his belt and rings were also top-grade artifacts, especially the "Break Tribulation Small Spear" at his waist—a quasi-divine weapon.

Blood transformation complete, clad in divine armor, wielding a quasi-divine weapon…

"The Dragon Chan Golden Scripture is the hardest of our Dragon Gate's three true transmissions; few in the sect choose to study it. If you have any questions, come find me."

Long Xinglie inspected the forging platform; his eye for detail allowed him to discern Li Yuan's skill in weapon-crafting from the iron alone, and he was slightly startled.

Mastery of hammer techniques greatly enhances weapon forging, but to possess such skill at this age speaks volumes of his forging talent.

"Thank you, senior brother."

Li Yuan speculated inwardly about this senior brother's intentions.

He subtly switched out the item enhancing his spiritual perception, yet found the man before him as deep as an ocean—revealing not a trace of emotion.

"He's nearly reached unity of body and spirit…"

Li Yuan's heart tightened.

In the months since joining, he'd spent much time in the Scripture Library; though the outer halls offered no supreme martial arts without merit points, they held countless records of martial theories and ancestral notes.

Long Xinglie's state was mentioned in those ancient notes.

Blood and flesh are yang; spirit and soul are yin. When soul and flesh unite, spirit and body intermingle—that is the Master stage. At this level, the body becomes leak-proof; not a single trace of emotion or blood qi escapes.

This is a quasi-Master who has already touched yin and yang…

"We're fellow sect brothers; no need to be so formal."

Long Xinglie waved his hand: "I heard of you shortly after I emerged from seclusion. Today I had nothing else to do, so I came to see you. Don't be so stiff…"

"Senior brother!"

"It's Master Long!"

As dusk approached, few remained in the forging yard; upon seeing Long Xinglie, all hastened forward to pay respects.

Li Yuan could see these Pure Gang disciples held Long Xinglie in high esteem—they bowed and then retreated far away, Bugan overstep.

Long Xinglie paid no mind to the crowd's gaze and spoke casually to Li Yuan:

"Do you know Master Wan Chuan, the Divine Smith?"

"I once received guidance from Elder Wan."

Li Yuan replied.

Previously in the Red Melting Cave, Wan Chuan had taught him the Thirteen Forms of Shocking Dragon Hammer Technique; though it didn't involve stances or killing moves, it was highly useful for forging.

"That makes sense—Wan the Divine Smith's lineage originally came from Divine Weapon Valley."

Long Xinglie patted his Break Tribulation Small Spear: "Years ago, Divine Smith Wan came to Hengshan City. This spear of mine was forged by his hands."

Long Xinglie was effortlessly familiar, chatting with Li Yuan at length, making him slightly uneasy—this Dragon Tiger senior brother differed from his expectations.

"If you have no pressing matters, would you care for a drink with me?"

Night fell, yet many still lingered around the forging yard, occasionally bowing; after returning their greetings, Long Xinglie extended the invitation.

"This… thank you for the invitation, senior brother."

Li Yuan was unsure of his attitude but couldn't refuse, so he accepted.

The two left Pure Gang Peak and found a Dragon Stele along the mountain path; after producing their tokens, Li Yuan followed him into the "Nourishing Secret Realm."

The Dragon Tiger inner sect had distinctions; elite disciples ranked high on the Dragon List mostly resided within the Secret Realm, and Long Xinglie spent most of his time there.

Inside the Nourishing Secret Realm stood complete Dragon and Tiger Mountains, with Hun Tian, Long Yin, and other peaks identical to the outside world.

Long Xinglie's residence stood outside Hun Tian Peak, separate from the three main halls—he alone occupied an entire peak, his courtyard nestled against mountain and water, with excellent surroundings.

Before his gate, a stream flowed past forty to fifty mu of prime land, planted with various medicinal herbs and spiritual rice.

Two maids, both attractive in appearance and figure, tended the courtyard's flowers and plants; upon seeing the two, they bowed respectfully.

"Shao Yao

and Zi Xuan, brew us some fine tea."

Long Xinglie kept his armor on, his aura bold, yet his speech was casual; the two maids smiled and went to brew tea and cook.

"The Nourishing Secret Realm is the sect's blessed land; long residence here prolongs life and improves one's innate constitution. Many outer sect and laborer disciples willingly serve as maids to live here,

yet they remain Dragon Tiger disciples, not mere servants."

The two didn't enter the house but sat at a stone table in the courtyard. Seeing Li Yuan glance at the maids, Long Xinglie cleared his throat and lowered his voice:

"If you wish, you may announce your intent to take a few to manage daily affairs—but don't forget the sect's rules…"

Dragon Tiger Temple blended monk and Daoist traditions, with many rules; though marriage was permitted, indulgence in lust was forbidden. Violators faced three years of hard labor at best, or worse—loss of cultivation and expulsion from the sect.

"Senior brother misunderstands."

Li Yuan felt embarrassed; he swore he'd merely glanced casually.

"Cultivators are full of blood and vigor; occasional indulgence isn't a crime—just learn restraint…"

Long Xinglie paused, accepting the tea offered by the maids:

"These are two thousand-year-old tea bushes I transplanted from Wind and Thunder Valley. Try them—how is the flavor?"

Li Yuan sipped the tea; it filled his mouth with bitterness, like swallowing raw coptis—the bitterness lingered long.

"... Excellent tea. Truly excellent."

Li Yuan quickly set the cup down, his tongue already numb.

Seeing his expression, Long Xinglie chuckled and pulled out a wine gourd, pouring him another cup:

"Try this one."

"Is this Hundred Herb Wine?"

Li Yuan downed it in one gulp; it was ten times sweeter than any Hundred Herb Wine he'd tasted before, filling him with delight.

"Drink too much Hundred Herb Wine, and it becomes ordinary—but paired with a cup of bitter tea, the flavor becomes sublime."

Long Xinglie smiled.

"Indeed, it has a unique charm."

Li Yuan's lips twitched; out of the corner of his eye, he saw the two maids stifling giggles—they clearly were used to this.

"Come, drink more. After years in seclusion, my mouth has been tasteless as a bird's!"

After a few cups, Long Xinglie went inside and dragged out several jars of refined Hundred Herb Wine; the maids bustled about, serving not only spiritual rice but many delicacies, including famed spiritual beast meats.

"Come, drink!"

Long Xinglie drank with the determination of a man who wouldn't leave until drunk; Li Yuan could only grit his teeth and keep up, soon growing tipsy.

"Li Brother, drain this cup!"

Long Xinglie had an excellent tolerance—he didn't expel the alcohol with qi, yet showed no sign of intoxication.

Finally, Li Yuan staggered out the gate, nearly collapsing onto the table; inwardly stunned—he'd assumed Long Xinglie had summoned him for some serious purpose, but it turned out to be nothing but drinking.

"Li Brother, take care on your way."

At the courtyard gate, Long Xinglie watched Li Yuan depart.

"Master, you just came out of seclusion—you don't know, but this man's name has grown huge these past months. Many even compare him to you…"

"Yes, I've heard too. They say his innate talent rivals yours, even acknowledged by the Ancestral Master."

"My sister in Hun Tian Hall says he freely forges weapons for others in Pure Gang Hall…"

Behind him, the two maids, now that Li Yuan was gone, grew talkative.

Especially the younger, more naive one, who seemed indignant.

"How do you put it?"

The two were resentful, yet Long Xinglie laughed: "Talent? Hard to say. But my drinking? I still win."

Seeing they still wanted to speak, his expression darkened slightly:

"Enough. Go back."

The two maids fell silent at once and bowed their way out.

"A once-in-a-generation talent, with potential to become a Divine Smith."

In the courtyard, Long Xinglie poured himself another drink—he never kept maids staying overnight.

Two

maids had barely left when someone pushed open the gate and entered:

"I heard Senior Brother met Li Yuan?"

"Xin Brother, your news is still swift."

Long Xinglie didn't turn, merely waved his hand, signaling him to sit, and tossed him a wine gourd:

"I heard you clashed with Pei Jiu of the Rainbow Sword Sect?"

"Pity I didn't kill him."

The newcomer wore a white robe embroidered with cloud, bamboo, and cypress patterns, finely crafted. He casually stuck his sword into the ground and lifted the gourd to drink.

"The Rainbow Sword Sect has a few promising talents this generation. I heard Pei Jiu is barely thirty?"

Long Xinglie set down his cup.

"He possesses sword bones and sword form, his sword heart crystal-clear—his talent surpasses mine. He's a born swordsman."

Xin Wenhua wiped his mouth: "And what of Li Yuan?"

"Hmm… how to put it?"

Long Xinglie thought: "Aside from his poor drinking, he's decent—diligent, intelligent, pragmatic, knows when to advance and retreat—not one who relies solely on talent."

"Tsk. Senior Brother's evaluation is high indeed. Then again, he's the one who drew forth the Azure Dragon's Shadow and received the Ancestral Master's willful transmission."

Xin Wenhua snorted.

The Longhu Gate has a sixty-year generation cycle; over its four generations, disciples numbered in the tens of thousands, yet only four had ever seen the Azure Dragon Shadow and earned the Ancestor's recognition.

This

He was on the Dragon List

"The Ancestor's judgment has never erred. Li Yuan's talent, if not unparalleled, is surely close enough. With him, the next 'All Dao Martial Exhibition' will be more secure."

Long Xinglie paid no mind to Xin Wenhua's displeasure—why should the eldest care about the second's feelings?

"…"

Xin Wenhua felt vexed: "Don't even talk about the next one—this one in three years, don't mess it up. Those few aren't easy to deal with."

"Whether they're easy or not, we'll find out when the time comes."

Long Xinglie dismissed it with a shrug, then shifted the topic:

"After I leave the mountain, you must look out for him a little. I think they're not that foolish, but better safe than sorry."

Seeing his seriousness, Xin Wenhua stilled his thoughts and nodded: "Leave it to me."

"I hope they're not that foolish."

Long Xinglie sighed—more responsibilities meant more troubles.

Only in recent years had he realized that some people, when they act foolishly, have no bottom at all.

"By the way, you've just emerged from seclusion—are you leaving the mountain already?"

Only then did Xin Wenhua remember to ask.

Long Xinglie's gaze turned dark:

"Master sent word: Wan Zhuliu's disciple has left the capital and is suspected of heading toward Hengshan Dao. As host, I must go welcome him!"