Chapter 418: Hard Bone

"The Qiyi Villa and Qinglong Pavilion have also arrived!"

Through the snowstorm, Fayin Fayin Tongzi gazed afar at the Longhu Mountain Gate, his brow tightly furrowed; after a moment, seeing the crowd disperse from the gate, he finally turned around.

This was a private booth, where two monks sat facing each other, playing chess and sipping tea, utterly oblivious to Fayin Fayin Tongzi's worries.

"You two are truly leisurely."

Fayin Fayin Tongzi's teeth were nearly ground to dust: "Blood Brother, Bone Brother, the Law Lord already urged us yesterday—haven't you two thought of what to do yet?"

"Then what do you suggest?"

Gu Jin Gang was unimpressive in appearance, his face even somewhat round and innocent; he didn't lift his head, only sipped his tea: "The Dao Sects and Zhou Sects have all gathered here. Right now, Mount Hengshan has at least twenty masters, and even three Grand Masters! What can we three possibly do?"

"Crack!"

Xue Jin Gang placed a stone: "Either way, they sent us here to die—might as well delay two more days."

"You two..."

Watching one act indifferent and the other accept certain death, Fayin Fayin Tongzi's eyelids twitched violently—this was his only body-dwelling spirit child: "The Law Lord has issued an order!"

"Law Lord, Law Lord! What a pile of shit Law Lord."

Gu Jin Gang suddenly lifted his head, his eyes pure white like bone, flickering like flames: "Why don't they order us three to level the Wudadao Sect, crush the imperial court, kill Wan Wan Zhuliu, and capture the Emperor?"

Fayin Fayin Tongzi's face twitched; he abandoned trying to communicate with this hard bone the Law Lord himself didn't want to chew, turning to Xue Jin Gang: "Blood Brother, what do you think?"

"This matter is difficult."

Xue Jin Gang placed another stone, equally vexed.

"The Law Lord suspects the old ghost from Zhaixing Tower is here, but if they won't come, what can we three do—even if we sacrifice our physical bodies and suffer grave spiritual damage?"

Xue Jin Gang slammed the table hard, fully agreeing: "If I had that power, would they even be Law Lords? All nine old bastards would come lick my toes."

"Enough!"

Fayin Fayin Tongzi could take no more—no wonder every suicide mission got dumped on this dog. He wanted to crush this skeleton to dust!

His chest heaved; after a long pause, he gritted his teeth: "Even if we die, we must at least decide how to die! If we don't satisfy the Law Lords, we'll die for nothing!"

"Unsatisfied? Let them lick my toes."

"Enough."

Fayin Fayin Tongzi exploded in rage—in the next instant, a "Boom!" echoed as he smashed through the wall and crashed heavily onto the street!

"F***, I've had it with you!"

Gu Jin Gang clenched his fists, white true qi surging all over his body!

"Bone Brother, don't lose your temper!"

Xue Jin Gang, long accustomed to this, merely raised a hand to stop him: "This old man has a point—listen to him."

"Huh."

Lying on his back in the snow, Fayin Fayin Tongzi was nearly stunned; it took him a long while to stagger back into the tavern.

"The Law Lords want to know who drew their blade for Long Xi Xiang—is it the old ghost from Zhaixing Tower, or has Longhu Temple produced an ultimate prodigy?"

Fayin Fayin Tongzi suppressed his fury and whispered low: "Long Xi Xiang has shattered Tian Gang—neither you nor I can capture him! So we only have two paths."

"Oh?"

Xue Jin Gang held back Gu Jin Gang: "What two paths?"

"Either, perform the ritual and invoke the Law Lords' power!"

"Those old bastards are cowards—they'll never show themselves!"

Gu Jin Gang rudely interrupted.

"Then there's only one path left!"

Fayin Fayin Tongzi stared coldly at Longhu Temple: "Longhu Temple has many disciples, but only a few are famous—kill a few of them, and we can report back."

Fayin Fayin Tongzi's brow furrowed.

Based on his earlier guess, Wan Wan Zhuliu must have sent someone to probe as well—after all, he had participated in the ambush on that old ghost.

And with his only disciple dead at Longhu Temple, Wan

Wan Zhuliu should not, could not, have remained silent.

Yet so much time has passed—the imperial court has shown no reaction, while the Law Lords are pressing us!

"This Longhu Temple's Grand Assembly is also an opportunity."

As he spoke, Fayin Fayin Tongzi paused, turning to find both monks watching him: "You two—"

Gu Jin Gang stretched his fingers, producing a "Crack, crack" sound, grinning wickedly: "You've made such a compelling argument—then you go."

The Qigai Terrace lies between the Longmen Main Peak and Long Yin Hall, flat and spanning over ten li in diameter!

Normally, it is where Longhu disciples train and duel; every year's sect examination is held here.

After returning to Huishan, Li Yuan donned a brand-new Daoist robe and strolled leisurely to the terrace, where the noise was deafening and crowds filled every corner.

Not only were there Longhu Temple disciples taking the exam, but disciples from other Dao Sects, Zhou Sects, and Fu Sects were also present—even Chang Lao watched from the sidelines.

"So lively!"

From afar, Li Yuan spotted Brother Zhongli Wang Luan, Pei Jiu, Liao Kong, and even Chang Lao's true disciples from other Dao Sects: "Master Li."

"Brother Li."

Li Yuan looked impeccable today: a fresh dark-blue Daoist robe, a carefree cloth headwrap on his head, a cloud-patterned sash around his waist, and a Wu Long belt hanging from it.

Seeing him arrive, many familiar disciples greeted him; their voices spread, drawing a wave of stares.

Wu Zhiren have vigorous spirits, their gazes sharp—suddenly, Li Yuan felt a warmth in his third eye, and the Lingguang region surged with incense.

"Second-rank incense too?"

Li Yuan's spirit stirred—these days, when he occasionally ventured down the mountain, he'd occasionally gather low-rank incense.

But it had dropped sharply since before; second-rank incense was rare—clearly, many outsiders were here.

His peripheral vision swept across, and he spotted a woman outside the arena, carrying a long spear on her back!

"Shua."

Almost simultaneously, the woman's gaze struck over like a blade; Li Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly and bowed from a distance!

"Shi Shi Qingyi?"

Li Yuan felt slightly wary in his heart; as the only woman among the Five Great Disciples, Shi Shi Qingyi was easy to identify!

But what came to his mind was the Azure Dragon Pavilion!

"Junior nephew Li."

Nie Xianshan's voice had great penetrating power; no matter how noisy it was, Li Yuan heard it clearly and immediately walked toward the sound!

This was the only high platform on the Qi-Sensing Platform; Nie Xianshan sat holding a teacup, beckoned Li Yuan over, and introduced: "This is the top disciple of True Person Wuqing, the current Disciple of the One Qi Villa, Pei Pei Xingkong!"

"Senior brother Pei!"

Li Yuan bowed in greeting; Pei Pei Xingkong's long appearance was also easy to identify: his face was dark yellow, he looked young, yet he had an old age!

"I have long heard of Junior brother Li's great name; seeing you today, indeed your reputation is not false!"

Pei Pei Xingkong bowed in return!

"Senior brother Pei's great name was just like thunder in my ears!"

There were only so many polite words; two people meeting for the first time exchanged a few dry compliments, and Pei Pei Xingkong descended from the high platform!

There were many acquaintances here; he needed to pay respects to each one!

"How is the progress on that peculiar weapon-casting art?"

Nie Xianshan had not a single wasted word; this was what he cared about most!

"The progress is considerable!"

This was a major patron; Li Yuan dared not be negligent. Recently, he had devoted himself to martial arts, visiting the Surging Waves Hall less often! But he had not abandoned the treasure-refining art; although he had not yet mastered the orthodox path, he had already mastered the unorthodox Dao skillfully!

"That is good!"

Nie Xianshan's brows relaxed!

On his way down the mountain this time, he had occasionally bled a bit; even with his constitution, he felt somewhat weak these past two days!

If this boy lied to him, he would risk offending that elephant and hang him up to beat for three days and three nights!

"If you can forge a Pure Yang Sword, I, Lao Fu Zhong, will reward you heavily!"

Thinking thus, Old Daoist Nie still painted a big pie!

"This disciple will certainly do his utmost"

"."

Li Yuan was very sincere; he still remembered the Essence of a Hundred Gold in the old Daoist's hands!

The materials to promote the Weapon-Seal by ten ranks

Just thinking about it, Li Yuan felt a bit of a headache; this was not just a little bit!

The two had spoken only a few words when the arena grew even more lively. Around noon, the Dragon Dao Master arrived, accompanied by many elders from other Dao Sects!

Li Yuan paid his respects to each one!

As the bell echoes reverberated, the sect assessment began; this was the assessment for advancing from Outer Sect to Inner Sect!

Li Yuan did not linger on the high platform; after paying his respects, he descended, glanced around, and found Ba Ba Wanli and Fang Fang Bao Luo!

The two were watching the assessments of Fang Fang Yunxiu and Qiu Qiu Changying!

As Li Yuan approached, he heard a sword cry; after Fang Fang Yunxiu sheathed her sword, she bowed: "Senior brother, I admit defeat!"

The middle-aged swordsman she had faced looked quite grim, yet he reluctantly returned a bow and turned to leave!

The Longhu Temple had many Outer Sect disciples; not only elders and True Transmission Disciples, but even Inner Sect disciples could recommend one every three years!

But entering the Longhu Inner Sect was extremely difficult; apart from the two Sect Masters and the Dao Master, no one else had the qualification to recommend Inner Sect disciples!

To enter the Inner Sect, besides the Longhu Banquet, there was only the Sect Grand Competition!

"Junior sister Fang's sword technique has become even more sharp!"

Ba Ba Wanli was somewhat moved; Li Yuan was one thing, but Fang Fang Yunxiu's progress was also this great?

"The Longhu Temple truly lives up to its reputation as a holy land of martial arts!"

Fang Fang Bao Luo also sighed in amazement; Fang Fang Yunxiu possessed only an upper-grade bone structure, far inferior to both him and Ba Ba Wanli; she had not even attained True Transmission status while at the Divine Weapon Valley!

But now, she showed every sign of the latecomers surpassing the early arrivals!

"Junior sister Fang's Heavenly Cicada Sword has already reached perfection!"

Zhong Mo stopped to watch, quite appreciative!

Previously, based on their individual traits, he had written a brief note for Liu Zheng, Wang Wang Peiyao, and Fang Fang Yunxiu, but only the female knight Fang had progressed the most!

She had firmly opened her meridians and cultivated two qi channels; she was qualified to enter the Longhu Inner Sect!

After winning one battle, someone else stepped forward!

To challenge an Inner Sect disciple, one must defeat at least nine Outer Sect disciples; Fang Fang Yunxiu had won only one match; there was still a long way to go!

"Unless something major happens, Junior sister Fang should be able to enter the Inner Sect; as for Young Lady Qiu!"

Li Yuan looked toward the distance; the long spear in Qiu Qiu Changying's hand transformed into a forest, emitting a sky-filling roar of explosions; a young man holding a sword blocked, then was defeated!

Qiu Qiu Changying had even better talent and cultivated very diligently; after two years of accumulation, she had even broken into the first floor of the Longhu Tower; entering the Inner Sect was naturally no problem!

As for Liu Zheng and Wang Wang Peiyao!

"Even with my personal guidance, they cannot enter the Inner Sect!"

Li Yuan sighed in his heart.

The Longhu Inner Sect had an unwritten rule: those with too poor a bone structure could not enter the Inner Sect!

"Huff."

After wandering around and gathering over a dozen graded incense offerings, Li Yuan headed toward the high platform!