Chapter 648: Before Departing (Combined Chapter)

Whoo~

On Bafang Mountain, flowing light flickered faintly as Dong Dong Ershisan stepped out from the Wanyuan Divine Reflection Mirror.

"Grandpa Gu, how did it go?"

The human-headed strange bird flapped its wings to greet him.

"He has indeed become a man of the Da Luo Heaven. I sensed on him the aura from the depths of You Jing—that aura is vast as the sea, boundless and without end…"

Dong Dong Ershisan kept his own counsel, mentioning only a little.

When conversing with Li Yuan earlier, he had been far from as relaxed as he appeared, even having to weigh every word carefully; he only shared some intelligence everyone already knew, and regarding the secrets of the Weitian Dao Sect, he didn't dare bring them up at all.

"That kid has risen in a single step!"

The human-headed strange bird felt sour inside—clearly, it had been the one to take a fancy to him first.

"You don't really think you can compete with Da Luo Heaven, do you?"

Sensing the strange bird's grudge, Dong Dong Ershisan found it rather speechless.

Though he too felt a vague sense of regret, he was also very clear: since Li Yuan possessed such a destiny, there was no way he could possibly keep the man.

The status of the Weitian Dao Sect was far beyond what the five great Grotto-Heavens of Tian Shi Yuan could compare to, and that Da Luo Heaven, by legend, even within the Weitian Dao Sect, belonged to the most ancient tier.

If the Master were still alive, perhaps we could compete, but now…

"What kind of place is the Weitian Dao Sect? And that kid Li is a man without roots or backing—if we were willing to back him, would he really refuse?"

The human-headed strange bird was somewhat unwilling—a true seed cultivated by Bafang Temple itself was far more reliable than an outsider.

"If we could latch onto Da Luo Heaven, then the Master…"

"Hold your tongue!"

Dong Dong Ershisan's face darkened as he cut it off:

"That man's Dao cultivation runs too deep, his divine powers too great—even if you don't speak His name, the moment you mention any karma tied to Him, you might alert Him!"

The human-headed strange bird gave an awkward chuckle and changed the subject:

"Grandpa Gu, didn't you discuss with him the matter of the Three Yang Dao-Nurturing Array?"

"That kid is sly as a ghost—he never gave me the chance to bring it up…"

Dong Dong Ershisan sighed. On one point his thoughts aligned with the human-headed strange bird's: latching onto Da Luo Heaven.

But this kid had truly astonished him—during their talk he was miserly with words, even refusing to mention the 'Catastrophe of the Sun' at all, forcing Dong Dong Ershisan to swallow back the words he had prepared.

"Whose fault is it that you, Elder, previously…"

"Smack!"

Raising his hand to slap the human-headed strange bird to the ground, Dong Dong Ershisan's face was dark as water: "Dare say one more word and I'll pluck every feather off you!"

"Spare me, Grandpa Gu."

The human-headed strange bird shook the dust from its body, flapped its wings, and flew back:

"Grandpa Gu, are you really planning to give that surnamed Wan a portion of 'Three-Light Divine Water'? Our vault only has fewer than twenty portions left in total—giving it to him, isn't that too much of a pity?"

"What else? Give it to Li Yuan?"

Dong Dong Ershisan shot it a glance, his expression complex: "Da Luo Heaven's guiding divine fire made up for this kid's final shortfall. His divine constitution has now reached the 'Supreme' tier as well. Though it still falls short of true innate talent by quite a margin, Three-Light Divine Water is already of no use to him."

Three-Light Divine Water was an exceedingly rare treasure of heaven and earth—a divine water born only when the light of sun, moon, and stars converged, and only a powerhouse who had cultivated to the Dharma Heaven stage could harvest and condense it.

This water could not only refine one's innate divine constitution, but also make up for depleted lifespan; even across the myriad heavens and ten thousand domains, it was exceedingly rare.

But this divine water also had its limits—at the very least, the Three-Light Divine Water in Bafang's secret vault could only refine a constitution approaching the Zhao Tianxing tier, and was utterly useless to Li Yuan.

"Divine-demonic innate talent, Supreme divine constitution—this kid's current constitution is already no inferior to Ying Ying Xuantian, Feng Feng Qingcang, Fa Fa Wushe… and the rest!"

The human-headed strange bird gave a rather wistful sigh, then traced a circle in the air with its wing; within, light and shadow interwove, projecting a rather fierce battle inside the Dao Soldier Pagoda.

"The thirteenth floor of the Dao Soldier Pagoda?"

Dong Dong Ershisan glanced at the man fighting amid the Dao Soldiers—a black-robed elder wearing a bronze ghost mask, weaving and turning among the many Dao Soldiers, stubbornly holding his ground undefeated.

With a slight turn of thought, he had already recognized who this elder was:

"A former master of Li Yuan, surnamed something Han…"

"Han Han Chuijun!"

The human-headed strange bird hurriedly added: "Although this man is a bit older and his constitution a bit poorer, in both willpower and comprehension he is a top-tier choice. The Hundred-Beasts Thunder Dragon that Li Yuan first learned was created by him…"

"You call this a poorer constitution?"

Dong Dong Ershisan's face twitched.

The Origin Divine Dynasty divided innate constitution into seven tiers—from Common Person, Dragon-Phoenix, to World-Shaking, Zhao Tianxing, and Divine-Demonic—yet this old fellow, at his very best, barely scraped two-and-a-half tiers.

Not to mention compared with Li Yuan, even compared with Wan Wan Zhuliu, he fell far short.

If one portion of Tianlight Divine Water could make up for Wan Wan Zhuliu's shortfall and incidentally refine his constitution, then this old fellow would need at least four portions—or even five—to achieve the same effect…

"Since Han Han Chuijun entered Bafang Temple, aside from eating, drinking, and sleeping, the vast majority of his time has been spent battling inside the Dao Soldier Pagoda. The firmness of his will is truly beyond what ordinary men can match.

If his constitution were raised, and you personally cultivated him a bit, then even if he couldn't become the Master of the Eastern Temple, he could at least serve as an Emissary, couldn't he?"

The human-headed strange bird paused slightly: "Grandpa Gu, that kid Li is one who remembers old ties, and this Han Han Chuijun is his very first master in the true sense…"

"Mm…"

Dong Dong Ershisan's brow furrowed tight. This sort of brazen-faced business of trying to forge good ties with others—he hadn't done it once since his own death.

He wanted to refuse outright, but recalling that aura on Li Yuan which had made even him shudder, he couldn't help but hesitate.

Seeing his hesitation and lack of refusal, how could the human-headed strange bird not know he couldn't swallow his pride?

At once it slapped its wings and, cackling, vanished from the mountaintop:

"Grandpa Gu, I'll go arrange it right now—just you wait and see!"

……

"Hah!"

"Inhale!"

Outside the Dao Soldier Tower, Han Han Chuijun, having failed the tower challenge once again, sat cross-legged breathing. Although the tower leaves no physical wounds, the mental toll is immense.

While breathing, Han Han Chuijun multitasked, reviewing the gains and losses of the battle just fought, and also pondering the scene he had seen earlier in the giant mirror that stood as tall as the Eight Directions Mountain.

"The young Li should be unharmed, and may have gained immense benefits..."

As Han Han Chuijun pondered, he suddenly sensed something amiss. Alert, he opened his eyes and saw a strange bird with a human head descending from the sky, landing on the stone tablet before him.

"I am the Guardian of the Dao Soldier Tower."

The human-headed bird introduced itself.

"Greetings, Guardian."

Han Han Chuijun rose and bowed.

He had entered this Dao Soldier Tower for three years, fighting countless battles without ever seeing this Guardian. Now that it suddenly appeared, caution immediately arose in his heart.

The human-headed bird coughed lightly, mimicking Dong Dong Ershisan's demeanor, and said:

"This Guardian sees you greatly favor the arts of slaughter, yet fail to grasp their essence. Thus, I have come to instruct you."

Han Han Chuijun grew even more wary, but being naturally bold, he immediately clasped his hands and thanked:

"Thank you, Guardian."

"I possess a scroll of the True Form of Kunpeng, a superior Miao Fa. Cultivated to perfection, it can refine Kunpeng magic power. There is also the divine object Three Lights Divine Water, which can purify the root and bones, enhance innate potential, and make up for the deficits you suffered from past battles with others..."

The human-headed bird forced a smile:

"Are you willing to accept this Guardian's instruction?"

"Hm?!"

A pie suddenly fell from the sky. Han Han Chuijun felt no joy, but rather shock. He was a seasoned veteran; the more benefits he saw, the more wary he became.

'It must be because of the young Li. What destiny did that boy obtain? Even the Guardian has popped up to offer benefits...'

Though wary, Han Han Chuijun had to admit that the things the strange bird mentioned were very attractive to him.

During the three years of fighting inside the Dao Soldier Tower, he increasingly felt his own deficiencies. Insufficient innate potential was one aspect; the hidden injuries left from past battles were another.

If these could be made up for...

"Are you willing?"

The human-headed bird asked again.

"This... thank you, Guardian."

Han Han Chuijun bowed slightly, deciding first to accept the benefits.

And if this strange bird intended to use him to threaten Li Yuan, it should first inquire what a 'Ghost-Faced Asura' Han Han Chuijun is.

"Hoo!"

"Inhale!"

Inside a side hall of the Imperial City, Li Yuan practiced the Longhu Longhu Dadan stance, digesting the final medicinal power.

His movements were extremely slow; as his fists and feet pushed, it was as if they carried a mountain. Unlike his slow Xing Gong, the sound of blood surging within his body was like a roaring tide, the 'whoosh whoosh' sound penetrating his entire form.

Buzz~

Li Yuan also gazed inward at his own body. Pale golden light covered his limbs and bones, even staining the most minute parts with a faint gold.

His spirit resided in the Niwan, looking down from above. All three hundred and sixty-five acupoints around him flickered with Jin Guang, and even his true qi, several times more vigorous than before seclusion, carried a layer of gold.

"Essence, Qi, and Spirit, the three elements united. The True Form Diagram, the Earth Fiend and Heaven Gang Divine Seals. Of the three essentials for refining magic power, I only lack the Earth Fiend and Heaven Gang Divine Seals..."

Feeling the vigorous life force within his shell, vast as an ocean, a faint sense of satisfaction flashed through Li Yuan's heart.

Only now had he almost fully digested the benefits of Wan Xing Ru Xue.

Even by his current realm, his physical body had become perfect to a degree where it was hard to find any flaw. Compared to ordinary people, calling it an 'Immortal Body' would not be an exaggeration.

"Though I cannot perceive the limit of my lifespan, it has surely increased greatly!"

With a heart full of joy, Li Yuan slowly settled his stance. He had not slept for twenty-six days and nights, yet his spirit remained incredibly vigorous and flourishing.

"Six Longhu Longhu Dadan, six Green Dragon Pills, and over a hundred other various spirit pills... If this were to happen again, I could not bear it."

After sighing slightly, Li Yuan pushed the door open and stepped out; he was ready to proceed to the Great Luo Heaven.

But before leaving, he still had matters to attend to, for once he went, he might not be able to return for a long time.

After Li Yuan emerged from seclusion, a grand banquet awaited him.

Pang Pang Wenlong directly booked the largest 'Food King Pavilion' in Shenducheng. All twelve floors were filled, with over three hundred tables set. The Zhang Sects of the Wudadao Sect, Xinyi Sect, and other sects, along with their true disciples, were all present.

During the twenty-plus days of his seclusion, elders and true disciples guarding the mountain gates of every family had heard the news and arrived. The divine light that day shook heaven and earth; every prefecture in the world saw it.

Before the banquet, Pang Pang Wenlong went out once, holding the Eight Directions Token to enter and exit the Eight Directions Temple multiple times, bringing over several people, including Han Han Chuijun.

At the banquet, everyone swept away the previous depression; the atmosphere was lively, with clinking cups and glasses. Even with Li Yuan's current physique, after several large jars of wine were poured down him, he inevitably felt slightly tipsy.

But he accepted every toast, drinking them all, earning cheers. Finally, he initiated toasting, walking through all twelve floors, and knocking down at least five hundred people.

The grand banquet lasted from noon until the next morning.

After most people dispersed, Pang Pang Wenlong entered the private room carrying a pot of tea. Except for the tea-only Da Ding Chan Master, everyone in the room was quite drunk.

It was only after Li Yuan actively dispersed the wine scent that everyone followed suit.

"When that Lord Dong Ershisan came earlier, did he mention the 'Disaster of the Sun and Sky'?"

After the wine scent vanished, Nie Xianshan, being the least patient, spoke up to ask.

"He likely intended to bring it up, but I did not inquire."

Li Yuan spoke the truth. When Dong Dong Ershisan first arrived, he had already guessed his purpose, but after hesitation, he still did not ask proactively.

If the Calamity of the Sun could be resolved so easily, then Dong Dong Ershisan would not have come to him in person. And the thought of something that could make a peak-stage sixteenth-rank essence like Dong Dong Ershisan come begging in person was terrifying to Li Yuan just thinking about it — he didn't dare pick up the thread.

"This…"

Nie Xianshan's brow furrowed. He had only just opened his mouth to speak when he felt Pang Pang Wenlong's gaze, and promptly swallowed the words back down.

Pang Pang Wenlong lifted his teacup and said lightly: "After Li Yuan's Xing Ji Gong succeeded, he sought out that Chi He Lian for a divination. The Calamity of the Sun still has nearly a hundred years before its limit; there's no rush."

"Indeed."

Long Long Yingchan nodded in agreement: "What could make that Lord Dong Ershisan come in person is surely not Li Yuan himself, but rather the 'Da Luo Tian' he has yet to enter!"

Unlike Pang Pang Wenlong, Long Long Yingchan still patiently explained to the others:

"You are all esteemed elders of your own sects. If a disciple, before even joining the gate, were already entangled in a pile of trouble — even if not outright refused at the door, surely he wouldn't leave much of a good impression, would he?"

He spoke very plainly. The other several Grandmasters in the side room exchanged glances and said nothing.

They too were seasoned old hands of the martial world; naturally they understood this reasoning. But even knowing it, with the Calamity of the Sun looming ahead, who could view it with equanimity?

"Please rest assured, seniors. This junior's trip to Da Luo Tian will surely find a Po Fa Jie Zhi Fa."

Li Yuan left his promise, filled Long Xi Xiang's tea cup, and only then cupped his hands in farewell.

Outside the Food King Pavilion, Han Han Chuijun was also somewhat tipsy, but he did not circulate his art to dispel it. Instead, with a faint drunken air, he beckoned to Li Yuan:

"What perfect timing. Come, let's go sample the breakfast in Ducheng."

"Alright."

Li Yuan followed along. Compared to wine, he much preferred eating.

Only, over these past few years he had been looked after by various households, and had even taken their ancestral Daoist Tianyun Daoist Tianyun Xuanbing. If he refused so much as a drink of wine, it would be a bit too cold and unfeeling.

Han Han Chuijun was quite familiar with Ducheng as well — clearly he had wandered about plenty in years past. He navigated with ease to a small shop and ordered a whole table piled high with breakfast.

Watching the busy shopkeeper, he could not help sighing with feeling:

"The last time I came here for breakfast was already over seventy years ago. Hmm, the taste hasn't really changed. Here, eat."

"Indeed not bad."

Li Yuan had been in closed-door cultivation for nearly a month, and yesterday had only filled his belly with wine. Now, picking up a steaming hot meat bun, his appetite was immediately whetted — he ate over ten in a row and still felt some lingering desire.

With his current physique, given sufficient elixirs, he could go many days without food or drink. But hot food entering the mouth had its own special sense of satisfaction.

"Over twenty days ago, the Dao Soldier Pagoda's guardian sought me out…"

While eating, Han Han Chuijun transmitted his voice in secret, recounting how the human-headed monstrous bird had previously sought him out, transmitted to him the complete Kun Peng True Form Diagram, and promised him the Three Light Divine Water.

"Refining the bone structure — Three Light Divine Water."

Li Yuan was somewhat enlightened. No wonder Wan Wan Zhuliu, after being washed in incense fire blood, had caught Dong Dong Ershisan's eye — it turned out that for talents below Zhao Zhao Tianxing grade, they could simply be artificially created.

"This is a good thing."

Li Yuan was naturally pleased to see it come to pass. At the same time, he gave Old Han a share of what he knew regarding magic power, spirit treasures, and intelligence related to Tian Shi Yuan.

Master and disciple ate their way through an entire breakfast street. At parting, Han Han Chuijun finally asked:

"When are you planning to leave?"

"I'll go back and see my little nephew and niece, then leave."

Li Yuan bowed deeply and took his leave of Han Han Chuijun.

Whoosh!

He tapped lightly with his foot, his body like lightning — in a single flash he was already a hundred zhang up in the air. Then, with a sudden hawk's cry ringing out,

Li Yuan departed upon the hawk.

Han Han Chuijun watched the flying hawk recede into the distance, his heart inevitably stirring with feeling.

The little county youth he had casually taken in years ago — in less than twenty years had already risen with the wind and entered the azure void.

"The strangest of worldly encounters is none other than this!"

Han Han Chuijun stroked his long beard, imagining the scene of their next meeting. After a long while, he chuckled softly:

"At the very least, he'll have to ascend those eighty-one floors of the Dao Soldier Pagoda, won't he?"

……

The flying hawk crossed the void.

In Ducheng, quite a few people sensed it and turned to watch. Several sighed and gnashed their teeth, preparing to follow — but just as they left the city, they were met with a strike of the Great Sun Scarlet Yang Palm.

"Pang Pang Wenlong!"

Yellow Dragon Son's body moved like a phantom; in a single flash he was already several dozen li away. He had personally witnessed the might of this Great Sun Scarlet Yang Palm, and naturally did not dare meet it head-on.

But Pang Pang Wenlong's speed was even faster, like a meteor streaking across the sky. He raised his hand for another palm. As this palm descended, Yellow Dragon Son no longer had time to dodge, and could only swing his great black umbrella to block it head-on:

"This poor Daoist harbors absolutely no ill intent — I only wish to meet Daoist friend Li. Why must you press me so aggressively?"

"So what if you do?"

Pang Pang Wenlong sneered. With one palm strike, even Yellow Dragon Son's great black umbrella was driven into the ground by him for at least twenty-plus zhang.

"And you!"

After sending Yellow Dragon Son flying with one palm, Pang Pang Wenlong turned his head back. True Gang surged — in less than an instant, his majestic palm force had already reached a hundred li away.

"?!"

Gui Gui Laoxian, who had just escaped Ducheng, had his pupils contract violently. With a strange cry he had already shrunk back into his tortoise shell.

"Boom!"

The next instant, the tortoise shell cracked open. Gui Gui Laoxian screamed miserably, coughing up great mouthfuls of blood.

In days past, he had used this spirit tortoise shell to withstand the combined strike of Long Long Yingchan and others — it could even rebound. But now, even with the spirit tortoise's magic power driving it, his shell could not withstand Pang Pang Wenlong's violent Great Sun Scarlet Yang Palm.

He could only beg for mercy:

"This Gui harbors absolutely no ill intent toward Li Yuan. You…"

"Stay!"

Before Pang Pang Wenlong's voice even arrived, his body had already swept across a hundred li and dropped down. He reached out, grabbed Gui Gui Laoxian by the scruff of the neck, and shot back into the air, landing squarely in front of Huang Huang Longzi, whose expression was wretched.

"To fight across realms — how difficult it is!"

Seeing this, Huang Huang Longzi's face grew even uglier.

In years past, he had seen a brilliant senior brother who, just a few days after advancing to Unity, had already slain several Divine Palace experts — yet he himself couldn't even defeat the Divine Palace masters of this tiny place.

In the end, he sighed long and gave himself up.

……

……

"Screech~"

A grey eagle spread its wings and cried out, soaring through the sea of clouds.

Li Yuan sat cross-legged on the eagle's back. Pale-gold true Qi flowed like water, enveloping both himself and the eagle; no matter how the gale howled, it could not stir a single corner of it.

The eagle's body felt lighter, grew even more spirited, and its speed increased severalfold.

"Though I haven't yet refined magic power, now that the Kun Peng true form has taken shape, my true Qi has become far more agile. It may not be as vast and heavy as Old Pang's, but in purity it's no less."

Li Yuan sat quietly, Xing Gong, not wasting a single moment.

The Kun Peng true form was far more wondrous than he had first imagined. He had sensed it when he took to the air just now — his body felt light, and when the gale blew past it seemed to pass straight through him. Not only was there no resistance, it even added Wan Wan Zhuli.

Without needing to draw in true Qi or release true gang outward, he alone could stand suspended in empty air.

"Diving into the earth aside, flying through the sky is now entirely possible!"

After sensing briefly for a moment, Li Yuan closed his eyes and entered samadhi on his own, continuing to nourish the ni wan palace and circulate true Qi. The grey eagle beneath him beat its wings even faster, leaving a long-unfading trail through the sea of clouds.

This grey eagle was a spirit-bird tamed by Hushan. After following Li Yuan it had taken even more spirit pills; its body was sturdy, its wings full, and with true Qi as a barrier, it flew extremely fast.

In less than half a day, it had covered ten thousand li; only then did its vigor begin to wane.

"Here."

Li Yuan flicked a spirit pill from his fingers. The grey eagle cried out once, caught it, swallowed it, glided smoothly for a thousand li, and only then beat both wings and flew swiftly onward.

In just two days' time, he had already reached the Dinglong Mountain Range.

"The cat really is lost…"

Above the Dinglong Mountain Range, the grey eagle — which had been circling the range for three days — was rather crestfallen. Li Yuan gazed down at the mountains, his heart aching with regret.

He was truly fond of that little cat of his. Though he had already searched for it many times before, before parting he still couldn't help circling back to look once more.

But three days had passed; every bird and beast on the mountain had been startled into fleeing in all directions, and still he hadn't caught sight of that little cat.

"Enough."

After a long while, Li Yuan sighed. The grey eagle, as if granted a great reprieve, beat its wings and shot up into the clouds. It was truly fed up with wandering aimlessly through the mountains — now it had not the slightest interest in those birds and beasts.

"Whoosh~"

Somewhere in the woods outside the Dinglong Mountain Range, Qin Li Shixian watched the grey eagle vanish into the sea of clouds, sighed for no clear reason, and disappeared from where she stood.

……

……

"Gao Liu County…"

Li Yuan strolled slowly through the streets and alleys, the cries of street vendors filling his ears.

Gao Liu County had nothing much worth buying, yet he walked with great interest. Years ago, when he was still an apprentice at the Weapon Forging Shop, every time he went out on the street he hurried past, never in the mood to wander.

After all these years apart, Gao Liu County hadn't changed much — he didn't even have a single acquaintance left.

The County Magistrate Liu, who had been on good terms with him in years past, and several commanders of the city guard had all been promoted and transferred away a full ten years earlier, so that after a leisurely stroll, Li Yuan hadn't run into a single familiar face.

"I just trained my Wu Gong too diligently back then."

Li Yuan lost the mood for wandering. He bought some fine wine and meat and headed for the Weapon Forging Shop.

The Weapon Forging Shop was now the largest weapons shop in the nine surrounding counties; its original premises had been expanded many times and covered quite a sizable area.

"Weapon Forging Shop."

Hearing the sound of hammering from inside the shop, Li Yuan's hands suddenly itched. A veteran blacksmith of many years could never stand the smell of iron and fire; unconsciously, he found himself walking toward the forging room.

His Wu Gong had long since been forged into his very bones; every movement of his carried its own rhythm, so that even after he had walked into the forging room, no one noticed anything amiss.

"The iron is dead — are you dead too?!"

"Forging iron — the smith's craft comes first!"

"Force rises from the ground…"

……

The moment he stepped into the forging room, a familiar loud voice rang out.

After all these years apart, Zhang Ben was already quite old, but thanks to the pills Li Yuan had sent earlier, his sinews and bones were still sturdy.

He finished a long string of scolding and instruction, picked up his gourd and took a swig of ice water, then suddenly went "Pfft—" and sprayed it all out:

"Li — Li boy?!"

"Old man, I've come to see you."

Li Yuan shook the wine and meat in his hand: "Have a couple of bites?"

"You brat!"

Zhang Ben tossed down his gourd, slapped the table, and introduced him to the blacksmiths:

"This is Li Yuan — the best blacksmith, no, the Divine Smith, this old man has ever taught in his life!"

(End of chapter)