Li Guanyi had never encountered such a shameless old man.
On the street, the old man clung to his thigh, refusing to let go, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Master! Master!" This attracted a crowd of onlookers. Li Guanyi was furious when suddenly the old man lightly patted his leg, causing the young man's breath to freeze in an instant, along with his meridians being controlled.
The old man suddenly shouted, "Ah, Master! What has happened to you?"
"Ah, I told you not to turn into a young child!"
"Look, you must be sick!"
"Don't worry, I will see you through to the end!"
He directly lifted Li Guanyi off the ground, effortlessly throwing him over his shoulder, and with legs that resembled dry tree branches, he dashed away, quickly finding an empty corner of the street before setting Li Guanyi down. He sat down with a thud and leaned in close to the young man, examining him from head to toe.
"Good, very good."
The old man grinned, appearing somewhat flustered, rubbing his hands together as he said, "I will untie the binding spell on you, so don't move around."
Li Guanyi could see a transparent rope, formed from qi, binding him. The Dragon and Tiger were angrily struggling against this rope. With a gentle flick of his finger, the old man broke the rope, which transformed into formless qi and flowed into the heavens and earth.
Li Guanyi recognized the profundity of this technique and did not attempt to leave immediately.
He merely placed his palm on the hilt of the Qiushui Sword at his waist and asked, "Senior... what exactly do you want to do?"
The old man did not respond but stared intently at Li Guanyi, saying, "Can you see it?"
"How did you see it?"
"When did you see it?!"
Li Guanyi pondered his words and replied, "I've been able to since I was young."
The old man looked puzzled. "Hmm? You haven't eaten any special fruits, nor have you seen any strange phenomena? And you don't possess any treasures?"
Li Guanyi answered naturally, "That's right, it's innate."
The old man scratched his head and looked at the nearby Xuan Turtle, saying, "Old friend, what do you think?"
The Xuan Turtle gazed at Li Guanyi, its eyes seemingly able to see through the sincerity on the young man's face. Li Guanyi even detected a hint of kindness in the Xuan Turtle's spotted face. The Xuan Turtle shook its head and remained silent. The old man said, "You mean, he's a good child, no need to worry."
The Xuan Turtle remarked, "Indeed, how you see it is none of my concern."
"The ability to see is the key."
The old man looked at Li Guanyi, raising his palm to his heart, his expression solemn and tranquil. "I am Simi, one of the top three officials of the Yin Yang Family, your teacher or disciple, whichever you prefer."
Li Guanyi's lips twitched.
In a deep voice, he replied, "He is asking you if you are willing to join the Yin Yang Family."
Li Guanyi stared at the Xuan Turtle in disbelief.
Affected by his emotions, the White Tiger on his shoulder glanced at Li Guanyi and then at the Xuan Turtle.
It widened its eyes, looking shocked at the Xuan Turtle.
The latter spoke slowly, "Don't look at me. Human language is not difficult; as long as you live long enough, it becomes easy to understand. Child, this generation's Simi is quite playful; don't let his words influence you."
Li Guanyi thought seriously and then boldly asked, "What benefits do I gain from joining the Yin Yang Family?"
The old man was taken aback and then burst into laughter, pointing at Li Guanyi and saying to the Xuan Turtle, "Look, my disciple and I are truly fated; his shamelessness is not much less than mine!"
"However, being so direct is a good thing."
"My Yin Yang lineage is one of the various schools, governing the yin and yang energies of heaven and earth, transforming the five elements. If you join my sect, there will be endless benefits, gaining fame far and wide, respected by lords and kings alike."
The Xuan Turtle spoke slowly, "The great sect of the Yin Yang Family is rare in this era, capable of presiding over national sacrifices. Since seven hundred years ago, when the world was stabilized, kings were enfeoffed in the name of heaven. To establish a nation or seize a throne, one must obtain the Tianming (Heavenly Mandate). The great sect of the Yin Yang Family, which can articulate Tianming, will be valued by the monarchs."
"But once that monarch loses power, the former great sect of the Yin Yang Family will also be replaced."
"In this nation, you may receive honor, while in another, you may be seen as a mere courtier. Over a hundred years ago, the Ziwei Palace caught fire, and over a hundred people from the Qintian Observatory were executed. At that time, there were also masters of the Yin Yang Family present; in chaotic times, it is not considered a prominent study."
The old friend undermined him, and the old man puffed up his cheeks in anger.
But the Xuan Turtle remained unfazed.
It continued slowly, "However, mastering the five elements' energies, the flow of yin and yang, and ultimately comprehending the profound mystery of 'One' is also an extremely superior inheritance. To understand the hints given by all things, to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, to assess geomancy, and to tread upon yin and yang."
"With your qualifications, not cultivating would be a pity."
Li Guanyi looked at the Xuan Turtle and suddenly realized.
The young man sat cross-legged, releasing his grip on the sword hilt and resting his palm on his knee, smiling slightly as he said, "You are the Simi."
"Is that so?"
Both the Xuan Turtle and the old man showed a hint of surprise.
The Xuan Turtle's face softened. "…A clever child."
"The myriad things of heaven and earth are divided into yin and yang energies, with living beings belonging to yang and the law's manifestation belonging to yin. The flow of yin and yang energies allows a person to glimpse the law's manifestation, which is a capability that can only be possessed by those who have cultivated to a certain level in the Yin Yang Family. Those who can perceive me may receive my inheritance and inherit the title of Simi."
Li Guanyi felt that the Bronze Cauldron was completely unable to draw any jade liquid from this ancient Xuan Turtle.
It was as if the Xuan Turtle did not emit even a trace of aura or divine resonance.
Was it the Bronze Cauldron's power that was insufficient, or was it his own realm that was lacking, affecting the Bronze Cauldron?
The Xuan Turtle said gently, "Child, learning some yin and yang techniques will not harm your fate."
Li Guanyi asked, "Then, what about the technique that trapped me earlier?"
The Xuan Turtle explained, "That was a method of condensing qi, more special than the martial artist's acupoint sealing or the Daoist's pulse calming. Only those who can perceive qi can see the differences, and only those with the power to discern yin and yang and the five elements can resolve it. Unfortunately, one must enter the realm for the qi to leave the body to cultivate."
Li Guanyi felt regret.
Once again, it was about entering the realm.
The significance of entering the realm, both before and after, held special meaning in every sect.
Thinking this way, the level of entering the realm was particularly crucial.
The Xuan Turtle looked at the old man, who was sulking and unwilling to speak.
"You are Simi, why are you looking at me?"
The Xuan Turtle nudged the old man.
Reluctantly, he picked up a straight branch from the ground and drew a few lines, each leaving a trace of qi.
Then, with a point of the branch in the center of the drawing, the qi flowed.
The ground suddenly thickened, sprouting tree buds that grew and spread, ultimately transforming into a flowering tree. The tree bloomed with large white plums, which fell into the young man's palm. Then, this plum tree instantly withered, turning into raging fire, which then transformed into flowing water, falling to the ground and returning to dust.
Everything was like a dream.
Yet, Li Guanyi looked at his palm, and that white plum remained.
The old man tossed aside the stick in his hand without explanation and raised his chin.
The Xuan Turtle said, "This is the power of the Yin Yang Family, the transformation of yin and yang, the birth and death of the five elements."
"It is a power that can explore the fundamentals of heaven and earth, filled with mysteries. We are not adept at killing; a martial artist of the same level would likely die if they got close. Even if they are not those martial artists, we cannot defeat Daoists and monks of similar qi levels; we are only slightly stronger than those who practice scriptures."
Li Guanyi asked, "Confucianists?"
The old man cursed, "Confucian scholars are crude, especially adept at smashing people with bamboo slips!"
The Xuan Turtle said, "Although we are not skilled in killing, if one masters this path, summoning great winds that cover rivers and using formations to interfere with celestial phenomena, stirring up sand and stones, and altering battle formations is also an easy task."
"Since ancient times, strategists have all known this path."
"In this chaotic world, the military advisors of the Yin Yang Family alter the weather, while the strategists balance the great trends, and the scholars calculate the national strength of various countries. Ultimately, on the battlefield, fierce generals charge into the fray, contending against thousands of troops, while the monarch sits high in the hall, and the common people flow through the mortal realm, just like the five elements."
"Child, if you wish to learn, wait until you enter the realm and then come find me."
"Let’s not speak of master and disciple."
The Xuan Turtle's shell emitted power, actively releasing a portion of its strength. Li Guanyi felt the Bronze Cauldron hum, and this power fell into it, naturally transforming into a Xuan Turtle. Although he did not obtain any jade liquid, the Xuan Turtle had already left its mark on him.
For the first time, Li Guanyi witnessed the active transfer of aura to his law manifestation.
The Xuan Turtle said gently, "If such a talented individual is not taught the law, then an old friend would have to rise from the grave."
"After you enter the realm, I can pass on a 'law manifestation' to you using the secret techniques of the Yin Yang Family."
The old man glared at his old friend.
"Why are you starting to steal the spotlight?! The Yin Yang Family's 'law manifestation' is essentially dividing a part of oneself and crafting it to give away; it is also the most core method of inheritance in the Yin Yang Family."
Li Guanyi sensed the changes on the Bronze Cauldron, understanding the Xuan Turtle's intentions. His expression became serious as he looked at the plum blossom in his hand, acknowledging the relationship of this transmission of law. When he stood up to take his leave, he asked, "You are…"
The Xuan Turtle replied, "Me?"
"Don't mind it."
"I am merely an old turtle who once bore the Luo Book."
…………
Li Guanyi departed, while the old man and the Xuan Turtle gazed into the distance. The Xuan Turtle said, "Master Zhu should be arriving soon. The Confucian scholar Wang Tong has also come, and the seventh giant of the Mo Family has already infiltrated the city. The atmosphere of war and culture has already risen to the heavens."
"What are you looking at?"
The old man replied, "I am watching his stars."
It was clearly daytime, yet the old man stared wide-eyed at the sky, his white beard and hair fluttering in the wind. The Xuan Turtle observed this most talented Simi of the past thousand years, who presided over the Tianming.
In the realm of observing the stars and phenomena, no one could surpass him.
This old man had once presided over the grand sacrifices of a great nation, in a solemn scene where even the monarch knelt beneath the high platform. The blue smoke and enormous banners fluttered, as if connecting to the clouds above. Simi, dressed in elaborate and solemn attire, sat cross-legged before a massive Bronze Cauldron, reciting ancient sacrificial verses with a grave and dignified demeanor.
Everyone said he was the most talented grandmaster of the Yin Yang Family.
Only the Xuan Turtle knew that at that time, the old man was hungover, sitting there with his head drooping. The solemn expression was merely due to a headache from the hangover, and when divining with the turtle shell, he would carve hidden patterns inside the shell with a sharp file in advance, then burn out the desired patterns.
His lips slightly parted, murmuring under the solemn music, the Xuan Turtle heard clearly.
"Damn it, it hurts like hell."
He was the most talented Simi, yet he was also the most disdainful of the heavenly mandate in the eyes of the Yin Yang Family.
At this moment, he sighed, "So it is, he is not the Grandmaster of the White Tiger."
The Xuan Turtle looked at his old friend.
The old man quietly said, "I cannot see that star, but the star representing his fate hangs high, like a whirlpool in the East Sea. The surrounding stars, the light of the four great sects, are all swallowed and swept away by him. Yet even so, his fate star does not emit a single ray of light."
"It is like a star of pure black whirlpool that does not belong in the starry sky."
"I cannot comprehend his fate anymore..."
"However, fate is merely innate; whether one achieves something depends on the person's capacity. This time, the matter in Guan Yi City gathers both literary and martial energies, the Jianghu, the court, the Ying Kingdom, the Chen Kingdom, the aristocratic families, outside the borders, the Confucians, the Daoists, the Moists, the militarists, and the wealthy merchants."
"All factions entering the fray align perfectly with the timing and location favorable to the Dragon and Tiger."
"Like water surging into waves, the fish ride the fortune of this great strife, transforming into true dragons, entering the realm with the right timing and location, achieving a first-class foundation."
"How far he can go depends on whether he gains fame or remains nameless."
"It all hinges on this occasion."
The Xuan Turtle fell silent. "Why don't you tell him?"
The old man froze. "…………I forgot."
The man and turtle exchanged glances, and the old man jumped up, sprinting away. "Disciple! Master! Wait for me!"
"Wait for me!"
…………
Li Guanyi returned to the Xue Family, intending to remind Xue Shuangtao about the changes in the city's defenses. Although the old man might already know, he could not neglect to mention it; he also wanted to have his aunt temporarily move into the Xue Family's side residence. As he approached the entrance, Li Guanyi noticed a convoy arriving.
The visitors had a different demeanor and presence from those of Jiangnan, exuding a robust and valiant aura.
Li Guanyi was curious. The Xue Family's guards greeted him, referring to him as a guest elder, which caused a man in his thirties from the convoy to stop. He turned to look at the young man, his hair meticulously arranged, a jade hairpin holding it in place, his complexion fair and gentle, sporting a mustache.
Li Guanyi sensed the qi flowing around him, and a white fox emerged from the man's shoulder.
Li Guanyi felt the White Tiger pacing beside him and the Red Dragon coiling around.
A law manifestation?!
No, something was amiss; this was something only the world's heroes possessed. In the past ten years, Li Guanyi had not seen such a thing, yet in this short month, so many had gathered in Guan Yi City?! Li Guanyi instinctively sensed something was off, recalling the changes in the city's defenses, feeling a pressure as if a storm was brewing.
The man's lips curled into a slight smile as he said, "Guest elder?"
"A guest elder so young; the younger generation of the Xue Family is truly outstanding."
Li Guanyi replied, "Sir, you also possess remarkable grace."
"Hahaha, I am merely a humble merchant from Longxi, unworthy of the title 'Sir.'"
This handsome man gave a slight bow. "I am a Longxi native, with the dual surname Changsun, named Wuchou."
"Pleasure to meet you, young sir."
(End of Chapter)