Invincible Under Heaven

Dragon Gate

A single tael of silver was enough to cover an ordinary person's expenses for half a year.

One hundred and twenty taels could ensure a life without worry, so long as one did not marry and establish a household.

Of course, compared to marriage and starting a family, the cost of martial training was even greater.

Take Li Xian for example—three bowls of Eight Treasures Broth a day meant a monthly expense of ninety taels of silver.

A hundred and twenty taels would not last him two months.

Naturally, with such considerable spending, Li Xian's strength was improving at an astonishing pace.

On the ninth day after arriving at the Dingfeng Marquis Residence, every bone and tendon in his body resonated in unison as he fully entered the stage of perfect tendons and bones.

In the next three to five days of Internal Viscera Refinement, he would be able to catch up with Liu Fu and reach a physique comparable to that of an inner core grandmaster from his previous life.

...

The conflict between Li Xian and the Dingfeng Marquis Residence was kept tightly under wraps.

Yet after so many days, some rumors still managed to leak out.

Ordinary people might know nothing, but within the small, exclusive upper circle of society, there was faint but persistent discussion in private.

For a time, the name "Li Xian" officially entered the sights of Lijiang City's upper echelons, becoming widely known and accepted by all.

...

Longquan Martial Hall.

Today, Hongyu was not instructing students in martial arts, but instead preparing tea and refreshments. She made her way to the study that formerly belonged to the head instructor, Zhou Juechen.

Inside sat an old man, well past sixty, yet with the bearing of a youthful crane—though his eyes occasionally glanced toward the outer courtyard.

"Elder Zhou, if you want to go and watch, I can take you there. Or I can summon him here directly?"

"No need."

The old man waved his hand.

"I'm just an unwanted old fool. What would I go over there for? To disgrace myself?"

Those words...

Left Hongyu a little embarrassed, not sure how to respond.

She could only lower her head, pretending to focus on making and pouring the tea.

After sipping the tea, the old man at last spoke again, "So...that young man, is his martial talent truly so remarkable?"

This question instantly made Hongyu's expression become solemn.

"In fact, the reality exceeds even the rumors."

"They say he is deeply versed in martial arts, that he gained true martial insight from books, and in just two or three months broke through three realms, reaching the stage of Internal Viscera Refinement. Is that true?"

"Master Li's talent is the most outstanding of any martial artist I have seen in my life. To speak frankly, even my teacher cannot match him in terms of aptitude."

Hongyu replied seriously, "And he is diligent in his training. For over half a month he hasn't missed a day, rain or shine, never taking a moment's rest. Naturally, the results have been immediate—every single day I can sense his improvement. In my opinion, within a few more months, reaching perfection in Viscera Refinement will be no problem. In another year or two, even Marrow Cleansing would not just be a fanciful dream."

"Perfection in Viscera Refinement within a few months, and Marrow Cleansing in a year or two..."

Though a Confucian scholar, the old man knew well that the ideal scholar of this era must excel in both academics and the martial path.

Naturally, he understood exactly what perfection in Viscera Refinement and Marrow Cleansing represented.

That was a martial realm above even the position of county magistrate.

For a moment, he couldn't help but mutter, "Seems I wasted his time asking him to focus on his studies?"

"This... True gold shines anywhere. A talent as outstanding as Master Li, whether in academics—where he might become a provincial champion—or in martial arts—where he might dominate an entire province."

Hongyu hesitated briefly before continuing, "Master Li is only twenty-two this year. If he can really achieve Marrow Cleansing in one or two years and keeps growing at this pace, then in five years, at age twenty-seven, he may well leap over the Dragon Gate and soar to greatness!"

"Leap over the Dragon Gate!"

When Hongyu uttered those three words, even the old scholar's expression changed noticeably.

Even as a famed Confucian of his time, he dared not dream of standing on par with one who could "transform into a dragon".

Judging by Hongyu's assessment...

That young man actually had such an opportunity!?

After a long moment, he finally exhaled slowly.

"To leap over the Dragon Gate, eh..."

His words were filled with emotions difficult to describe.

Hongyu dared not say more.

Leaping over the Dragon Gate...

That was what Master Zhou Juechen had longed for all his life.

Even though Zhou had trained relentlessly for half his life, never slacking for a day, he still had no confidence of crossing that threshold this year.

As for whether Li Xian could truly leap over the Dragon Gate, transforming from a carp into a dragon...

No one could guarantee it.

"Enough. I'm old; I can't manage him anymore. If he wants to train martial arts, let him. A Viscera Refinement martial artist at twenty-two is no lesser than the Four Luminaries of Lijiang. It's certainly better than choosing decadence and being a live-in son-in-law to the marquis."

At this point, the old man seemed to have let go, placing his teacup down calmly.

"A live-in son-in-law to the marquis..."

Hongyu couldn't help but laugh, "That Young Lord Yan is known as Lijiang's foremost prodigy, accomplished in both literature and martial arts. Isn't he also counted among the Four Luminaries and three great talents? Now, master Li is not inferior to him in any aspect. Someone like him, to talk of marriage into the Marquis Residence? The Dingfeng Marquis Residence should be lucky to have him, not the other way around!"

"Marrying into the Marquis Residence..."

The old man pondered slightly.

"In fact, the clever may be tripped by their own cleverness."

Hongyu smiled, "Initially, when the Marquis Residence and the Prince's Residence refused to register Master Li, it was to avoid gossip reaching that 'Immortal Seed'. They didn't want her to realize she was being fooled! And so they cooked up the farce with the Marquis's daughter's marriage on the side. Now, however, since Master Li's status isn't that of a live-in son-in-law, once he withdraws from the engagement, he's still a free man."

"I doubt it will be so simple."

The old man's gaze turned grave.

"The real core of this situation is the Dragon Gate Token that 'Immortal Seed' possesses. The Prince's Residence wants this token, but to get it, Yan Kaigui must marry that 'Immortal Seed'. Yet, Yan is in love with the Marquis's daughter... So, to keep 'Immortal Seed' at ease and her token at the Prince's Residence, they staged the Marquis's daughter's marriage farce."

He looked toward the capital, "Now... The Dragon Gate ascension hasn't started, and the token isn't in effect yet. If that kid makes too much of a fuss and word spreads to 'Immortal Seed'... Neither the Marquis Residence nor the Prince's Residence will allow it."

At this, the playful smile on Hongyu's face froze.

"Elder Zhou, you mean..."

"That's a Dragon Gate Token you're talking about!"

The old man emphasized gravely.

Hongyu fell silent.

Looking out through the window at the martial training yard, her brows filled with worry.

"If I were that kid, I'd simply leave for distant lands—out of sight, out of mind. He isn't truly a live-in son-in-law, and he can always escape Jiangzhou if need be."

The old man paused for a moment, then added, "Or, he could negotiate with both households. I believe, to avoid word getting out and reaching that 'Immortal Seed', both the marquis and the prince's families would be willing to appease him. He might even be able to extort some benefits from the situation."

He added, "But that depends on whether the kid has the network, or the strength, to sit down as an equal with both families."

"To talk as an equal..."

In the face of the Marquis Residence and the Prince's Residence—these titans—even her own teacher's status fell a bit short.

What hope did Li Xian have?

So, his only real option might be the first: to leave for distant places?

At that moment, the old man stood up.

"He's not my student anyway. Why am I fretting over this? Enough! I'm leaving."

Seeing this, Hongyu quickly collected herself and stepped forward to ask, "Elder Zhou, are you sure you don't want me to call him over?"

The old man waved her off, hands clasped behind his back, and slowly ambled out of the martial hall.

Hongyu wanted to persuade him to stay, but opening her mouth, she found nothing suitable to say.

So she simply accompanied him out, seeing the old man safely outside the martial hall.