Chapter 264: Orderly

Dragon-Blood Golden Body Fruit?

Li Yuan's heart stirred slightly as he replied, "I found it in a mountain forest while passing through Youzhou. I don't remember the exact location, only that it was not far from a Seven Killings Sect relay station."

Is the abnormal potency of this Golden Body Pill related to that Dragon-Blood Golden Body Fruit?

"Youzhou, the Seven Killings Sect relay station—is it the one where the water route turns to land?"

Xin Xin Wenhua asked aloud.

"Correct, but there was only that single Golden Body Fruit tree in that mountain."

Li Yuan answered cautiously.

With the intelligence network of the Dragon-Tiger Temple, even if he had intended to conceal it, the route he took could not be hidden from others.

"Only one tree?"

Abbess Dingxin felt slightly disappointed.

"Abbess, Senior Brother Xin, please sit and chat."

Li Yuan invited the two to sit, fetched Hundred-Grass Wine to fill Xin Xin Wenhua's cup, and served tea to Abbess Dingxin.

Although he rarely drank tea, he often kept some on hand; with so much grease in his diet, he would occasionally have a few cups.

"Abbess, is the reason the Golden Body Pill is so violent due to those Dragon-Blood Golden Body Fruits?"

Li Yuan spoke up proactively.

"Hmm."

Glancing at Li Yuan, who seemed unharmed, Abbess Dingxin nodded and did not conceal the truth:

"The Dragon-Blood Golden Body Fruits you brought were somewhat unusual; their potency far exceeded that of ordinary century-old fruits. I, an old nun, failed to notice this at the time and nearly caused a great disaster."

When a pill goes wrong, she fears it even more than Xin Xin Wenhua; if things go badly, she will be held accountable. The Dragon-Tiger Temple is known as the First Pill Sect not only for its unique alchemy skills.

Its rules are also extremely strict.

Not to mention this concerns a direct disciple of a Grandmaster who clearly has the potential for True Transmission.

"No wonder the potency of this Golden Body Pill is so much stronger than recorded in the books; the reason is thus."

Li Yuan put on an expression of lingering fear, though his heart remained undisturbed.

He had endured for a day and half a night only to avoid wasting the medicinal power; otherwise, with his control over his physique, he would have vomited it out long ago.

"The potency is indeed strong, but the auxiliary materials were insufficient to balance the violence of the dragon blood; if things went wrong, the internal organs could easily be torn apart. This pill is ruined."

Abbess Dingxin sighed and took a porcelain bottle from her bosom:

"This matter was due to my momentary oversight, ruining such a rare Golden Body Fruit. This bottle of 'Jade Body Pill' shall serve as an apology."

The old abbess is truly generous.

Li Yuan hadn't even thought of holding her accountable; after all, aside from being excessively violent, the Golden Body Pill far exceeded his previous expectations.

But since a spiritual pill was offered to him, he certainly would not refuse; he immediately thanked her and reached out to take it.

"The potency of the Jade Body Pill is no inferior to the Golden Body Pill, and it has the effect of strengthening the foundation and cultivating the yuan; its price, both internally and externally, also exceeds that of the Golden Body Pill. Junior Brother Li has turned a misfortune into a blessing."

Seeing that Li Yuan did not refuse and simply reached out to take it, Xin Xin Wenhua smiled with some appreciation; he most hated those fake formalities of repeated refusal before finally accepting.

"Thank you, Abbess."

Li Yuan clasped his hands in gratitude.

"It was my own mistake; this is merely an apology. What is there to thank me for?"

Abbess Dingxin waved her hand:

"The value of this bottle of Jade Body Pill cannot compare to two batches of Golden Body Pills, but I, an old nun, currently have no other spiritual pills on hand and can only make up for it at a later date."

"You are too polite, Elder."

Having gained a bottle of Jade Body Pill for nothing, Li Yuan was already content; asking for more would be impolite.

At this moment, Xin Xin Wenhua put down his wine cup and spoke up at the right moment: "By the way, Abbess, you mentioned earlier that the problem lay in the dragon blood nourishing the Golden Body Fruit tree?"

"I suspect that was not dragon blood."

With only three people in the room, Abbess Dingxin hesitated slightly before speaking softly:

"Last night, I reviewed the alchemical insights left by our ancestors in the library. I can be certain that such a violent Golden Body Fruit could not have been cultivated even by the 'Dragon King' in the Hundred Beasts Mountain!"

Stopping briefly at this point, her voice dropped even lower:

:

"As the saying goes, a snake lives a hundred years to become a dragon-serpent, and a dragon-serpent lives a thousand years to become a dragon. I suspect that Golden Body Fruit tree was not watered with dragon-serpent blood, but rather..."

"Dragon blood!"

"Dragon blood?!"

Xin Xin Wenhua was startled: "How is this possible? If a dragon-serpent on Mount Hengshan had transformed into a dragon, it would surely have caused a sensation throughout the world by now."

The saying of 'ten-year snake, hundred-year dragon-serpent, thousand-year dragon' has existed for a long time, but the vast majority of people cannot even see a dragon-serpent, let alone a dragon?

Dragon blood?

Li Yuan's eyes stirred slightly.

In his heart, he thought of Old Han's several guesses when he previously found the Dragon-Blood Golden Body Fruit.

'Could that Golden Body Fruit tree have truly been stained with the blood of a terrestrial immortal?'

"Perhaps it is dragon blood, or perhaps..."

Xin Xin Wenhua realized the implication, exchanged a glance with Abbess Dingxin, and both wore solemn expressions.

The atmosphere in the small room became somewhat oppressive.

Li Yuan poured water and wine for the two, and the three, with unspoken understanding, skipped over this topic and began chatting about other matters: the city of Hengshan and interesting tales from the Jianghu.

Naturally, they spoke of Chu Shan Xuan Kong's failed breakthrough.

"The Blood-Exchange Barrier is difficult; for a Grandmaster, it is even harder. In these two hundred years, at least twenty Zhun Sect Grandmasters in our temple have died at the 'Divine Body Unity' stage."

Xin Xin Wenhua felt a deep resonance in his heart, but Abbess Dingxin paid it little mind; she had only just cultivated her internal organs after surpassing one hundred and twenty years of age, and the distance to Grandmaster was far too great.

She felt only a slight sadness; merging body and spirit, success made one a Grandmaster, but failure would damage both body and spirit simultaneously, causing a fall in realm and a drastic reduction in lifespan.

"Senior Brother Chu failed to break through to Grandmaster, his qi and blood both withered; yet who knows if the Longhu Longhu Dadan can save him?"

Li Yuan asked at the opportune moment.

He knew the least about matters within the sect and the martial world, so during conversations, he mostly asked questions.

"It can save him, but perhaps no one is willing to give up a Longhu Longhu Dadan for him."

Abbess Dingxin understood the medicinal power and nature of the Longhu Longhu Dadan very well and was certain it could cure his injuries:

"One batch of Longhu Longhu Dadan requires over a thousand kinds of spiritual herbs, with strict requirements for their age and medicinal properties, plus the essence blood of a Dragon King; normally, one batch is opened every ten years..."

Li Yuan listened very attentively.

The Longhu Longhu Dadan is opened once every ten years, yielding only a dozen or twenty pills each time; the scarcity of the share is self-evident.

The nine Hall Masters receive one pill every twenty years; a true disciple receives one upon promotion to true disciple status, and thereafter also one every twenty years.

The Dragon and Tiger Gate Masters receive one every fifteen years.

"As for the Dao Master..."

Abbess Dingxin did not speak, and neither of the two dared to ask.

"Thank you, Abbess, for clarifying."

Seeing Abbess Dingxin rise, Li Yuan escorted her; upon reaching the doorway, the old abbess stopped again and sternly warned the two:

Alchemy emphasizes the compatibility of medicinal properties; adding even a bit too much or too little is detrimental; the power of the Golden Body Pill is fierce, like a tiger.

or wolf; if it can be avoided, avoid it as much as possible..."

She glanced at Li Yuan, then her gaze shifted to Xin Xin Wenhua:

"Blood replacement cannot tolerate the slightest error; under no circumstances are you allowed to swallow it, or if something goes wrong, your family's elders will go mad!"

"Abbess, rest assured."

Xin Xin Wenhua nodded.

Abbess Dingxin felt confident in him; after giving one instruction, she looked at Li Yuan:

"As for you, the Jade Body Pill can neutralize the power of the Golden Body pill, but there is still a certain danger; if you wish to take it, you must be fully prepared..."

Abbess Dingxin shook her head and turned to leave.

She too came from humble beginnings, walking a difficult path all the way, having seen many people; Xin Xin Wenhua came from a great clan and did not mind sacrificing a bottle of Golden Body pills, but Li Yuan might not be willing to give one up.

That bottle of Jade Body Pills was naturally prepared specially.

"Abbess, take your time."

Li Yuan bowed to see her off; this old abbess was truly particular, and with his keen mind, he naturally sensed her goodwill.

"If it is truly as the Abbess says..."

Watching Abbess Dingxin depart, Xin Xin Wenhua murmured to himself; after thinking for a moment, he directly took out that bottle of Golden Body pills:

"Junior Brother Li, this bottle of Golden Body pills is for you... Don't rush; it's not free; you must tell me the exact location of the mountain forest where you picked up the Golden Body Fruit."

"This..."

After a brief exchange, Xin Xin Wenhua left satisfied.

A bottle of Golden Body pills that might hinder his blood replacement, exchanged for a mountain forest where a 'True Dragon' might appear; he felt it was still a fair trade.

If a True Dragon's blood truly fell into the mountain forest, there would be no reason for only a single drop to flow, right?

"Senior Brother, take your time."

Outside the courtyard gate, Li Yuan was also quite satisfied in his heart.

Waking up from sleep and gaining a bottle of Golden Body pills and a bottle of Jade Body Pills for nothing; anyone would wake up smiling at such good fortune.

"Earlier I was thinking this Golden Body pill couldn't be taken too often; this bottle of Jade Body Pills arrived just in time; the old abbess is truly particular."

Li Yuan felt deeply grateful in his heart.

The power of this Golden Body pill was too fierce; with his physique, if he had not taken a Yangshen Pill, he would likely need at least three days to get out of bed.

Taking one pill every ten days, he already felt it was somewhat dangerous.

But with the Jade Body Pill to neutralize it, naturally, this problem would not exist.

However...

"Intense pain is likely unavoidable."

Clutching the pills, thinking of yesterday, Li Yuan truly felt a lingering fear.

"Woo"

Li Yuan closed the courtyard gate and found the little tiger cub had just climbed over the wall; seeing him, it immediately turned its head and went to lie on the windowsill to bask in the sun.

"Little belly is full; hmm, saves me from feeding it."

Putting the pills away, Li Yuan relaxed his muscles and bones slightly, picked up a few broken weapons, and went out the door.

However, before going to Pure Gang Peak, he stopped by the Library Tower on the way.

Inside and outside the Longhu Temple's outer sect, there were over a dozen Library Towers; the one he often visited was under the Hun Tian Hall, where he had borrowed many books from the outer tower.

But this time, he went to the inner tower.

The Library Tower inside Hun Tian Hall occupied a large area; even a flat martial arts training ground stood before the door, with various weapons available, and people practiced martial arts there year-round.

Li Yuan, familiar with the place, arrived at a small room outside the Library Tower; this was the place managing borrowings.

Returning the books he had previously borrowed, Li Yuan inquired about the inner tower.

Behind the counter in the small room was a young woman; she took a Juan Sect from under the counter, glanced through it briefly, and respectfully replied:

"Junior Uncle Li, you rank forty-four on the Dragon List; according to sect rules, you may select two Zhong Cheng Wu Gong, sixteen Zhong Cheng Wu Gong, and lower-grade Wu Gong, hmm... one hundred and sixty."

Not a few.

Li Li Yuanzhong knew a little about the borrowing rules for the Inner Tower and was not too surprised; he simply asked:

"What about the Supreme Arts? I recall that the top fifty on the Dragon List can borrow some Supreme Arts..."

"The Inner Tower has no Supreme Arts. If Li Shishu wishes to exchange for Supreme Arts, you must go to the 'Longhu Gao Ta'."

"The Longhu Gao Ta?"

Li Li Yuanzhong's heart stirred slightly.

The Longhu Gao Ta was precisely the tall tower he had seen from afar during his first visit to the Yangsheng Lu Mi Jing; the three halls of the Dao Master lineage were all outside that tall tower.

That was the true core area of the Longhu Temple.

"Li Shishu, this is your token. You may borrow whatever Wu Gong you need on your own; just register it."

"Thank you."

Li Li Yuanzhong took back the token and walked into the Inner Tower of the library.

The Inner Tower of the Longhu Temple was larger than that of the Divine Weapon Valley and held more books. Li Li Yuanzhong had already made up his mind and walked straight to the rooms containing the 'Hammer Methods' and 'Hard Body Training'.

Before coming, he had already calculated in his heart.

With the support of the Divine Hammer Jun Tian, the Hammer Method was naturally his first choice; with the Jin Shendan and Jade Body Pills in hand, it was only natural to cultivate several Hard Body Training methods simultaneously.

This was also the fastest method to alter the Gen Gu De Fa.

"The best choice is a Xing De Wu Gong like the Ancient Elephant Six-Form Hammer, which can combine multiple forms; next best

is the Spirit Ape Hammer... As for Hard Body Training, internal strengthening is superior to external refining."

Soon, Li Li Yuanzhong had selected six Hammer Methods: three were single Spirit Forms, and three combined two forms. As for Hard Body Training, he chose the most common 'Iron Cloth Shirt' and 'Golden Bell Cover'.

These two Hard Body Training methods were the most common; the Divine Weapon Valley had them too, but only with the same names. These two were, in fact, Zhong Cheng Wu Gong.

"When the Iron Cloth Shirt reaches perfection, the internal organs are like wearing iron armor; when the Golden Bell Cover reaches perfection, the outside of the body is like covered by a golden bell... Hmm, let's choose these for now."

Li Li Yuanzhong naturally would not choose dozens of Wu Gong at once.

Leaving the library tower, Li Li Yuanzhong went straight to the Chun Gang Peak.

Over half a year had passed; his business on Chun Gang Peak grew increasingly prosperous. Many people came to him every day, of course, mainly for repairs.

"The trade-in for new policy is about to be launched. First, gather enough weapons to meet the control conditions for these six Hammer Methods..."

Heat waves rolled over Chun Gang Peak, and the sound of hammering never ceased. Li Li Yuanzhong had a plan in mind and began selecting customers to push forward his trade-in for new scheme.

Hammering, practicing Wu Gong, reading books, contemplating visions, taking pills...

Li Li Yuanzhong's days were very regular.

Every three days, he would take one Jin Shendan; every seven days, one Jade Body Pill. His Hard Body Training Wu Gong advanced by leaps and bounds.

On the thirteenth day after receiving the Jin Shendan, the Ten Thousand Blades Spirit Dragon Body reached perfection, and both the Golden Bell Cover and Iron Cloth Shirt also reached perfection. On the fourteenth day, after taking the second Jade Body Pill, his Dragon Zen Vajra Sutra also reached minor perfection.

The Longhu Hun Tian Hammer progressed a bit slower, but with the support of the Divine Hammer Jun Tian, it advanced steadily and entered minor perfection.

"Pfft!"

As heavy snow fell, Li Li Yuanzhong, sitting cross-legged in the small courtyard, spat out a mouthful of dirty blood. He closed his eyes and circulated his internal Qi and blood.

The sound of surging blood and the grinding of bones poured out of his body, unceasing and continuous...

"Huff!"

After a long while, he

opened his eyes. In the snowy night, his eyes shone like torches, and the aura around him calmed down accordingly.

"The path of Yi Bai Xing is already more than half done!"

Li Li Yuanzhong raised his hand; as his five fingers clenched together, a sound of Qi explosion erupted. Feeling the increasingly powerful physical strength within his body, a faint sense of satisfaction rose in his heart.

The Jin Shendan was extremely destructive to the body, yet it also accelerated the alteration of the Gen Gu De Fa without form. In just over ten days, he had actually altered two Spirit Forms, gathering fifty forms in total.

At the same time, his internal Qi increased by several tenths, seamlessly forging the fourth Qi meridian; with a slight exertion now, his hands and feet were enveloped in pale yellow internal Qi.

"The support of the Ten Thousand Jun force can be endured for longer..."

Sitting in the snow all night, Li Li Yuanzhong only stood up when the sky brightened greatly. The wind and snow had not yet ceased. He had already changed clothes, descended the mountain, and entered the city.

Preparing to combine the second Divine Hammer.