Chapter 284: A Century of Incense, Pure Gold Shining

Boom!

In the thunderstorm, Li Yuan closed his eyes, listening to the sound of thunder, truly feeling the terror of a timeless-grade talent.

In the past two years, he had heard the sound of thunder countless times, but thunder has no form, no shape, cannot be touched, cannot be grasped,

even though he had cultivated the Tiger-Leopard Thunder Sound to the brink of perfection, he still could not truly comprehend the form of thunder.

Until this moment.

"The Tiger-Leopard Thunder Sound uses the roar of tigers and leopards to vibrate the internal organs, bones, and tendons, thereby producing a sound similar to thunder..."

In the courtyard, Li Yuan closed his eyes.

At this moment, his world was so quiet that the fall of a pin could be heard; the powerful hearing from the Listening Talisman amplified every single sound of thunder in his heart by several times, by more than ten times.

The huge sound waves echoed, making his internal organs tremble, his bones and tendons rubbing unconsciously, emitting a 'crack-crack' sound.

"Thunder is sound, formless is also form... using the dragon to emit the thunder sound, this is the Thunder Dragon!"

In the night rain, Li Yuan suddenly opened his eyes; pale yellow internal energy had covered him at some point, this was the Thousand-Weight Qi Art.

Accompanying his opening of the eyes, the internal energy covering his whole body boiled violently, transforming into a fierce dragon head behind him according to his will.

"Thunder!"

Li Yuan looked up; lightning snakes slashed through the night sky, followed by rolling thunder.

The shadow of the dragon head behind him trembled violently; the intense Thousand-Weight internal energy boiled and burned at this moment, this was the transformation of internal energy.

Under Li Yuan's gaze and guidance, the pure yellow internal energy gradually produced a faint touch of black,

then, the black spread, strand by strand, line by line, as if about to completely cover the shadow of the dragon head.

This was the sign that the true Hundred-Beast Thunder Dragon was about to be cultivated, but the Thunder Dragon internal energy did not replace the Thousand-Weight internal energy; instead, from bottom to top, it covered, swallowed, until it merged into one.

And the internal energy was merely the beginning.

"The Hundred-Beast Thunder Dragon... Old Han is truly a genius,"

Li Yuan murmured in his heart, feeling the subtle changes within his body.

At this moment when the form of thunder was about to be completed, the more than fifty forms he possessed gradually merged into one of the Thunder Dragon, this was an extremely thorough unification of all forms.

With a thought in his heart, Li Yuan swallowed several pills, closed his eyes, and guided the transformation of the Thunder Dragon.

The Thunder Dragon possessing thirteen forms and the Thunder Dragon possessing fifty forms were two completely different realms.

Crack!

Outside the Chu residence, Monk Dou Yue stepped forward; through the thunder and rain, he saw at a glance that pool of mud that was almost unrecognizable as human.

"What great strength!"

Han Tong approached with his hand on his sword, glanced at the ground around them which was nearly a ruin, raised an eyebrow, and snorted coldly:

"Daring to assassinate an elder within my Longhu Temple, this thief has great audacity!"

None of the group held umbrellas, but the dense rain and snow seemed to be blocked from the outside by an invisible barrier.

"Damn, must be killed!"

A low voice sounded; a middle-aged man wearing black armor stood up, holding a handful of blood-stained mud in his hand.

"Has Junior Brother Lin Jia found anything?"

Monk Dou Yue frowned slightly.

The middle-aged man in black armor was named Lin Jia, another deputy hall master of the Dragon Chant Hall; although the Blood Exchange was not yet fully accomplished, the 'Yazi Armor' he wore was of the Divine Weapon grade.

"This assassin's Wu Gong is extremely high, and he is skilled in hiding; there is no trace of true energy, nor even internal energy, left on Elder Chu's corpse."

Lin Jia's face was cold and hard, with anger flickering in his eyes:

"The only thing that can be confirmed is that the weapon used by this assassin was a Divine Weapon-grade heavy hammer!"

"A Divine Weapon-grade heavy hammer?"

The few people in the rain all frowned, then looked at Monk Dou Yue; among the nine halls of Longhu Temple, only the Chaos Hall possessed a Divine Weapon-grade heavy hammer.

"Judging solely by the injuries, what Senior Brother Lin said is correct."

Monk Dou Yue nodded; he was a great master skilled in hammer techniques, and at the very first glance, he knew Chu Shan Xuan Kong had been killed by a hammer.

"Rumors in the Jianghu say that Li Li Yuanba, the master of the Black Whale Hammer, is hiding in Hengshan City, suspected to have joined my Longhu Temple..."

Han Tong suddenly spoke: "Although the Xieshen Sect has many demons, their divination is somewhat credible."

"Li Li Yuanba?"

Lin Jia frowned; he had naturally heard this name, and in fact had secretly investigated the disciples who had joined Longhu Temple in the past two years.

Not only him, the others also thought of that suspected Black Whale Hammer master hiding within the sect.

The scene where the dragon and tiger appeared together remained vivid in their memory.

"In these two years, the sect has accepted many new disciples, but at most they are at the Meridian-Opening level; how could they kill Elder Chu?"

Monk Dou Yue shook his head.

Even if the breakthrough failed and the realm dropped drastically, with Chu Shan Xuan Kong's Wu Gong, he was absolutely not someone challengeable by a martial artist at the Meridian-Opening level, even by ambush.

Lin Jia looked at him, squinting slightly:

"A top genius at the Meridian-Opening perfection level, aided by the Split-Sea Black Whale Hammer; Elder Chu was seriously injured after all, so being assassinated by him is not impossible..."

"Senior Brother Lin!"

Monk Dou Yue raised his hand to cut him off, his eyes turning dangerous.

Lin Jia was not afraid, simply saying calmly: "This concerns an elder of the sect; I am merely guessing. Why does Junior Brother Dou Yue get angry?"

Monk Dou Yue sneered, but instead looked at Han Tong:

"Senior Brother Han, where are the spies you arranged?"

"Those few over there, roll over here!"

Han Tong waved, and several disciples nearby hurried over, soaked with rain, their faces pale.

"R-report, Senior Uncle."

These few disciples were in extremely poor spirits, but they still forced themselves to rally and recounted the events of the night:

"Before the incident, we several were on guard at various spots outside the manor... Elder Chu slipped out stealthily; we were momentarily careless and failed to notice. By the time we heard the sound and came over, the assassin had already vanished without a trace."

"Moreover, all the valuables in Elder Chu's home have disappeared..."

"Did Senior Brother Chu come out on his own?"

Monk Dou Yue intensified his tone, looking at Han Tong and the other:

"On a night of thunder and rain, he was not inside the room healing his injuries, yet he had to slip out of the manor, and moreover carried the family's valuables..."

"What does Junior Brother Dou Yue wish to say?"

This time, Lin Jia cut him off, his eyes very cold: "Do you suspect my senior brother intends to betray the Sect?"

"Merely a guess; why must Senior Brother Lin get angry?"

"You!"

Lin Jia's expression darkened.

"Enough!"

Han Tong, who had been watching from the sidelines, spoke up at the right moment: "The Dao Master has already sent a letter; he will return to the Sect in a few days. If this matter cannot be handled properly, I fear he will not pass even his judgment."

The Dao Master...

Hearing Han Tong say this, the two immediately calmed down.

"I have already dispatched disciples to thoroughly investigate all disciples and followers inside and outside the Chu residence; there should be news within a day or two at most. Now..."

Lin Jia looked at Dou Yue:

"Junior Brother Dou Yue, Lin Mou wishes to meet your talented junior brother; you have no objection, do you?"

Hoo!

Monk Dou Yue swept his sleeve and strode away.

The others exchanged glances and followed one by one; all of them were Zhun Sect masters who had fully mastered Blood Transformation, how fast was their pace?

Before long, they arrived at Hun Tian Peak.

Hun Tian Peak in the night rain was also quite lively; many disciples shuttled through the mountains and forests, and a hawk circled overhead searching.

Monk Dou Yue, in a bad mood, walked alone ahead; the few behind him looked around and observed. From a distance, a bamboo grove could be seen.

Outside the bamboo grove was the courtyard where Li Yuan resided; it was lit up at this moment.

"Junior Brother Li has not yet gone to sleep; in that case, it does not count as an intrusion."

The atmosphere was very stiff; Han Tong spoke softly, for he was somewhat wary of Monk Dou Yue.

This was the former number one on the Dragon List of Long Long Xinglie; although fully mastering Blood Transformation was only over ten years ago, he was already preparing to break through to the Grandmaster realm.

"Hmm."

Monk Dou Yue, expressionless, responded with a sound, then suddenly stopped.

Behind him, Han Tong, Lin Jia, and the others were slightly stunned; they also noticed the anomaly and turned their gaze in unison toward the courtyard where Li Yuan resided.

Crack!

Lightning snakes slashed through the long sky, yet the thunder exploded from the ground.

Visible to the naked eye, layers of air waves spread out, accompanied by a light darker than the night, enveloping the courtyard where Li Yuan resided.

"What is this?"

Monk Dou Yue stopped, swept his sleeve, and blocked the few behind him.

Lin Jia and the others' expressions changed; they saw that black light spread out layer by layer like water, yet also like flames burning violently.

"Aaaah!"

As if a dragon's cry accompanied the thunder exploding, the whistle resonated, audible even ten li away.

Dou Yue raised an eyebrow.

That black light, like a tide and like fire, boiled and surged several times; indeed, a dark dragon, as if substantial, extended its claws, fangs, and dragon head from within.

Across several li of distance, it faced the crowd on the mountain path.

"What a fine Thunder Dragon!"

Monk Dou Yue clapped his hands in praise, then strode forward.

Lin Jia frowned, looking at Han Tong; the latter smiled slightly and also walked forward.

Hoo!

Hoo-hoo!

In the courtyard, wild wind howled, whipping up rain and snow; amidst the surging black light, Li Yuan stretched his bones and sinews; wherever his fists and feet struck, wind and thunder exploded.

A surge of internal Qi, several times more vigorous than before, churned and surged within his body until it pierced through his flesh and emerged.

Hundred Beasts Thunder Dragon is a supreme art with extremely lofty intent, yet its threshold is extremely, extremely high; with Li Yuan's talent before, two years would barely suffice to enter the door.

Moreover, even upon entering the door, this supreme art initially was not as good as other supreme arts; it required combining the strengths of all forms before there was a possibility of surpassing other supreme arts.

This supreme art had many constraints and hindrances; thus Han Han Chuijun also called it a rough draft.

Yet for Li Yuan, this supreme art was incredibly fitting; at this moment, all forms merged into the Thunder Dragon.

Li Yuan instantly felt his internal Qi surge!

In just over an hour, his meridians had been forged up to eight in number, and the momentum remained; it looked as if he would forge all twelve meridians in one go, achieving the state of Meridian Perfection.

This was the harvest of his over fifty form transformations, exploding at this moment.

"No wonder Old Han achieved mastery immediately after unblocking his meridians. So that's how it is, so that's how it is..."

After a long while, Li Yuan slowly settled his stance, suppressed the inner qi surging within his body, and with a single hand gesture, the inner qi, like a palm, pulled open the courtyard gate.

"Junior Brother Li."

Monk Dou Yue nodded slightly.

"Senior Brother."

Li Yuan clasped his hands in return, his peripheral vision sweeping over Lin Jia, Han Tong, and the others.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother, another supreme art has reached mastery."

Monk Dou Yue smiled slightly, walked into the courtyard, and only then glanced at Lin Jia:

"Just now, Vice Hall Master Chu was stabbed outside the residence. Vice Hall Master Lin has come here with matters he wishes to inquire about."

"Hall Master Chu was stabbed?!"

Li Yuan wore an expression of 'shocked fury': "Who dares to be so presumptuous?!"

"Perhaps it was the Star-Picking Tower?"

Monk Dou Yue glanced at Lin Jia; the latter surveyed the surroundings, his face skin twitching slightly.

"Hall Master Lin, Hall Master Han."

After the shock, Li Yuan clasped his hands in greeting; he recognized Han Tong:

"The wind and rain outside are quite heavy; why not come inside to talk?"

"No need."

Lin Jia refused, glanced at Li Yuan, turned, and departed.

Han Tong was slightly taken aback, but smiled and followed Monk Dou Yue into the house.

"Two Senior Brothers, have some tea."

Inside the room, Li Yuan poured tea for the two, then returned to the inner room to change his clothes, came out, and inquired about the events of tonight.

"Vice Hall Master Chu was killed; the assassin used a Divine Weapon-class heavy hammer."

Han Tong lifted his teacup, blew gently; compared to Chu Shan Xuan Kong's death, he was more curious about what Wu Gong supreme art Li Yuan had just cultivated.

That Thunder Dragon, though only about three zhang in length, was indeed far too condensed.

"A Divine Weapon-class heavy hammer?"

Li Yuan's eyes 'widened in shock'.

"A misunderstanding, I suppose."

Monk Dou Yue casually dismissed it.

Lin Jia openly claimed to suspect Li Yuan, but in truth suspected himself, or perhaps the other Senior Brothers.

After all, Chu Shan Xuan Kong secretly plotting against Li Yuan, and even the matter of his own master's inheritance, was no secret.

"That thief's courage is too great."

Li Yuan was still 'tongue-clicking'; he had learned this from Jing Jing Shuhu, and for things he learned, he always knew how to apply them.

"The Dao Master will return soon; at that time, it will be up to him to decide."

Han Tong couldn't help asking: "Junior Brother Li, what supreme art was that you just used?"

The Dao Master is returning?

Li Yuan felt a slight tremor in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged as he answered: "That is a supreme art created by my master, Han Han Chuijun, named Hundred Beasts Thunder Dragon."

"Hundred Beasts Thunder Dragon?"

Han Tong chewed on the name, feeling some admiration:

"Transforming a hundred beasts into a Thunder Dragon; the conception is very high. I have also heard of this Brother Han's name; enduring the transformation of form for sixty years is remarkable."

"Indeed remarkable."

Even Monk Dou Yue nodded involuntarily.

Inside the room, the group chatted for a long time, from the Hundred Beasts Thunder Dragon to various supreme arts, the wonderful uses of combining transformations, and so on.

Several pots of tea were replaced before the group finally rose to take their leave.

Li Yuan watched the group depart, then closed the courtyard gate and returned inside.

"The Dao Master is returning?"

Li Yuan muttered to himself, yet felt little fear.

Even if the Dao Master discovered it, it would have no effect on him; after all, Chu Shan Xuan Kong colluding with the Xieshen Sect was a fact.

"It's just that this Thousand Spirit Soul-Rescuing Stele cannot be kept safe."

Li Yuan lit several sticks of spirit incense, sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to tally his gains.

First, naturally, was that Thousand Spirit Soul-Rescuing Stele containing a hundred years of incense offerings.

"A hundred years of incense offerings!"

On the gray Dingxin Dingxin Shitai, bloodlight was faintly visible, but beneath the bloodlight, there was a streak of Jin Guang:

"Tier Seven, no, the color is so pure; this is Tier Eight incense offerings, and moreover, not just one strand!"

Having caught a fleeting glimpse before, now examining it closely, Li Yuan's heart rate accelerated involuntarily; this was a huge gain.

However...

【Condition for Mastery: Bai Shen Fa, Fifth Layer, Divine Eye Sutra, Fourth Layer】

【Effect of Mastery: Tier Eight: Hundred Years of Incense Offerings

Tier Six: Bai Shen Fa, Sixth Layer, Divine Eye Sutra, Sixth Layer】

"There is a god within this incense offering!"

Li Yuan felt his teeth ache; if he were to smash this thing open, he truly dared not, although Wei Guang believed it was a wandering lonely ghost.

Yet these wandering souls, in their past lives, were at least Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters, or even of the "Supreme" tier like the two Ancestors Long Yin and Yan Chunyang.

"Incense of the Eighth Rank."

Li Yuan was envious; he had roamed the inner court of Dragon Tiger for over half a year without seeing a single wisp of incense of this rank.

"How to kill this god?"

Daoist Li muttered a few words, then suddenly recalled the stone plaque before the mountain gate:

"Right, there are still two Laozu Sects!"