The White Tiger roared at the heavens, its sound unending. Xue Daoyong simultaneously intercepted the sound with his immense qi, and outside the Listening Wind Pavilion, the winds remained calm. However, there were subtle changes that could not be completely suppressed.
It was now the spring of March, and the White Tiger Seven Stars spanned the vast western night sky. Among them, the Zhen Star was one of the brightest celestial bodies visible to the naked eye. People only needed to lift their heads to see it clearly.
"The light of the White Tiger Seven Stars has suddenly increased by a star's brightness."
A young voice spoke, filled with surprise and lively curiosity.
The brightness of the star he referred to was the faintest starlight visible to the naked eye in the clear night sky. The speaker was a hooded figure, not tall, revealing a snow-white chin. The person had an indeterminate appearance, either a beautiful youth or a spirited girl.
It could only be confirmed that it was a young man.
Those who observe the heavenly secrets are always somewhat different.
The heavenly secrets and the world's rules become somewhat blurred in their presence.
This was both a blessing and a price.
The young man raised his head, holding a disc polished from high-purity East Sea crystal, an invention of the Mo family that allowed one to see far-off places.
However, to observe a change in a star's brightness with the naked eye was also quite incredible.
The old man by the campfire remained quiet for a moment before saying:
"The Four Symbols of the sky revolve around the central heavens, and for an unknown length of time since ancient times, even during the changes of emperors, the stars in the sky have not changed in the slightest."
"More than a hundred years ago, the great emperor of Zhongzhou lost his power, and Duke Wei stayed overnight at the Phoenix Pavilion where the Empress Dowager resided. The young emperor took up his sword to seek revenge, and on that day, the Ziwei Palace caught fire at midnight, burning for three days and nights. The great emperor and the palace turned to ashes, yet the Ziwei Star in the sky remained bright."
"The officials of the Qintian Observatory were punished and executed."
"How ridiculous! It was a man-made disaster, yet because they could not dim the stars in the sky, over a hundred people died unjustly. They did not understand the celestial phenomena; they merely wished for all things to submit to them. How could the descendants of that wandering hero become such foolish and stubborn people?"
"The brightness of the White Tiger Seven Stars does not change easily. The last time it brightened was five hundred years ago, but that was not in spring. It was not in the west, representing a time of great stability, with the White Tiger Star Lord descending to the earth to suppress the Central Plains."
The old man traced a complex star chart in the dirt with a twig, softly saying:
"Every event carries its inherent meaning. The movement of the stars often represents a certain omen for the world, or rather, when events occur in the world, the stars change accordingly. The brightness of the White Tiger Seven Stars signifies that the Four Symbols of this generation have arrived in the mortal realm, representing the heavenly gods who command warfare."
"Look, the Zhen Star is the brightest, indicating that the claws of the fierce tiger have already awakened ahead of time and can no longer be restrained."
"A chaotic era is approaching."
He pondered for a long time, looking at the hooded disciple and said:
"Yaoguang, you must find him."
"Fulfill the responsibilities of the East Land Star Observation School, maintain the peace of the mortal world, and do your utmost to prevent the true chaos from arriving."
The young man could no longer contain his curiosity and asked:
"Teacher, can chaos be stopped?"
"If it could be, why has chaos never ended throughout history, even during times of peace?"
The old man remained silent for a long time, sighing:
"The world has been chaotic for too long; chaos must come. At that time, the heroes of the world will all enter this realm with weapons in hand, just like the stars crossing the Qilian Mountains and the Taihang Mountains, rising into the night sky. The celestial phenomena have already foretold that era, yet we always hope to delay its arrival."
The young man questioned, "Why?"
The old man reached out and patted his disciple's head, saying: "In times of peace, a farmer who supports his family is also a hero. But do you know what the greatest hero is in a chaotic era?"
"What?"
The old man lowered his gaze, as if a hundred years of bloodshed flashed through his eyes, and softly said:
"The one who kills the most."
The young man was startled.
"Because no matter what kind of hero they are."
"Even if they harbor great aspirations, once they are caught up in this chaotic era, behind them will surely be countless white bones, and their swords will be drenched in blood. They raise their long spears for a peaceful world, yet beneath their horse's hooves lie the corpses of the fallen."
"Some believe this is the price needed for the world's renewal, while we always hope to pay a smaller price."
"Go, Yaoguang."
The old man stroked the hair of his beautiful disciple, his expression solemn:
"Find that White Tiger Sect that has been absent for five hundred years, returning to the mortal realm."
"Before the other faction of the Star Observation School, the Break Army faction, which desires to incite chaos, finds him, you must locate him. Even if you cannot stop the chaos from coming, you must assist him and become a hero who defines the era."
………………
Above the pond of the Listening Wind Pavilion, the mist transformed into a roaring White Tiger, which eventually dissipated along with the silence of the divine weapon. The mist that had turned into the White Tiger reassembled into water, crashing down into the pond, producing a sound akin to the East Sea's furious waves. The koi within had long since turned into a pool of foul-smelling blood.
Xue Daoyong stared intently at the pond, then glanced at the now calm Poyun Zhentian Bow.
The old man could sense that the bow had undergone some change.
Who was it?
Who!!!
He suddenly turned and walked into the Listening Wind Pavilion, spreading out a blank sheet of paper, recalling everything that had happened in the past month, meticulously recording every detail. Then, with a cinnabar brush, he outlined all the events that could potentially trigger a change in the Poyun Zhentian Bow.
A letter from the North.
An envoy from the Ying Kingdom.
Masters of the martial world.
And...
After listing these names that could shake a region, the old man's gaze fell on the last name, his eyes revealing a strange color. Finally, he picked up the cinnabar brush and forcefully circled that name.
Li Guanyi.
The old man gazed at this name.
It could be him, but there was also a high probability it was not. He had not yet entered the realm; Xue Daoyong himself had already entered at this age, having developed skills by eighteen, able to traverse thousands of miles and cross the territories of warring factions.
Was he to be tested?
The old man suddenly smiled.
Calm and confident, like a hunting tiger.
He waved his brush and wrote words after the young man's name—
"Li Guanyi, promote him one rank."
He paused.
Then erased that stroke.
"Li Guanyi, guest elder of the upper court, may come here daily for food."
With a flick of his wrist, he casually tossed the brush aside, looking at the Poyun Zhentian Bow with a faint expression.
Testing?
No need; testing still carries the possibility of failure.
As long as there is a one percent chance, it is enough.
Place a heavy bet!
……………………
Li Guanyi opened his eyes, lost in thought.
He had learned that technique, but this time was different from before. This time, Li Guanyi had comprehended the technique himself first, then quickly infused it with jade liquid to increase his proficiency. However, even so, it only allowed him to grasp the technique, not master it.
Li Guanyi had already figured out the characteristics of the bronze cauldron.
The jade liquid within was likely related to his own realm. At this moment, he had not yet entered the realm, so while practicing the Break Army Eight Blades technique, he could achieve instant mastery, but the first move of the Xue family’s ultimate technique was a法相 ultimate technique that could only be barely grasped.
And the prerequisite for mastery was that Li Guanyi must understand the essence of the technique himself.
Then, he could instantly max out his proficiency.
He held the Su Ni Bow gifted by Xue Shuangtao, feeling a sense of familiarity, as if he had held this bow for a long time. He could also easily use the Xue family’s ultimate technique, the Arrow of Light Cold, but Li Guanyi knew that was an illusion.
法相 ultimate techniques require a complete法相.
Li Guanyi's two法相 could only barely manifest, and they often fought over who would manifest first, with the little white tiger being beaten by the red dragon.
He still needed to enter the realm, allowing his inner qi to leave his body and provide元气 for the法相.
Then he could master the martial arts realm.
The young man sighed: "Entering the realm..."
To leave the Chen Kingdom safely, he needed to master the entry technique; to master martial arts, he also needed to enter the realm. Even to continue to benefit from the inheritance of the Poyun Zhentian Bow, he needed to enter the realm. However...
He had originally planned to leave the Chen Kingdom directly, but after glancing at the Su Ni Bow and the heavy blade, a trace of hesitation arose in his heart.
Such numerous aids were indeed different.
However, the Night Rider Cavalry pursuing him and the royal issues mentioned by his aunt made Li Guanyi reaffirm his decision to leave the Chen Kingdom. Yet, he also had to acknowledge the friendship of the Xue family; a drop of water must be repaid with a fountain of water.
Li Guanyi planned to 'review' the "Three Vehicles of Entry Techniques" in his mind.
Previously, he had only 'imprinted' it.
At that moment, the法相 of the White Tiger on the bronze cauldron suddenly bristled with hair, beginning to roar. The connection of the法相, even if it could only barely manifest, instantly strengthened Li Guanyi's perception.
Was this the inherent characteristic of the法相?
Li Guanyi had no time to think; that instinct to discover an enemy had already caused him to grab the Su Ni Bow, nock an arrow, and rush out of his room, drawing the bow and nocking the arrow as if he had years of practice.
Under the moonlight, an old man was climbing the wall.
An elderly man with white hair crouched on the wall, his target very direct.
He was completely heading straight for the young man, his eyes fixed on Li Guanyi's room, grinning widely as he stroked his beard and said:
"I am Si Ming."
"Young man, you and I, ah no..."
He paused, eagerly saying:
"You and your master are fated to meet!!!"
(End of Chapter)