Lord of Bones

Chapter 722: Guardian
Although He Hong's voice was soft, it was clearly heard throughout the square, allowing all the Yuan people present to hear it clearly.

Those Yuanists who were originally skeptical of Li Yuan couldn't help but look at him with admiration.

“You have reached the peak of the late Yuanshen stage at the age of 121. This kind of talent is truly rare.

“It’s just that the path of cultivation is long and difficult.

“It’s only been five years. It’s extremely difficult to make further progress and enter the Half-Step Transformation Realm.

"It took me a whole sixty years to cross that threshold."

There was a hint of emotion in He Hong's words, as if he was using his own experience to inspire Li Yuan.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan bowed deeply to He Hong and said sincerely, "Thank you for your guidance, senior.

"The younger generation must keep this in mind, practice diligently, and live up to the expectations of our predecessors."

"Okay." He Hong nodded, then waved towards the hall.

A female disciple of Tianyun Sect came over with a graceful figure and light steps. Her eyes were a little cold, but gentle. She glanced at Li Yuan and said, "Come with me!"

Li Yuan raised his head and looked at the female disciple. Although she was a little older, she had delicate skin and bright eyes, and it was obvious that she had good talent.

Her cultivation had also reached the peak of the late stage of the Soul Realm, and a strong aura surrounded her body.

Without much talk, Li Yuan bowed to He Hong, then followed the female disciple to the Tianyun Juying Hall.

As the news that Li Yuan was officially recruited into the Tianyun Sect spread, the surrounding group of Yuanists suddenly became excited.

Various emotions were intertwined. Some Yuan Zhe showed envious eyes, with a desire to become a strong man flashing in their eyes; some Yuan Zhe were secretly jealous, with resentment and bitterness coexisting in their hearts; some even had an imperceptible sneer on the corners of their mouths, as if they were calculating how to compete with this new protector in the future.

"Shui Yun was actually recruited directly..."

A gray-robed Yuanzhe spoke with a tone of disbelief.

"What can we do? He is a strong man at the peak of the late stage of Yuan Shen realm, and he is so young and talented. He was born to practice.

"Didn't you hear what Senior He Hong said?

“His cultivation progress is astonishingly fast, and he may advance to the Half-Step Transformation Realm earlier than Senior He Hong.

"He will definitely be the backup candidate for the elders in the future, the future star of Shuiyun Peak!"

Another Yuanzhe shook his head and sighed.

"The elders of Shuiyun Peak have an extraordinary status, unlimited resources and tremendous power. It is a position that many Yuan masters dream of." A middle-aged man in a blue shirt had a yearning look in his eyes.

"Humph! Is it easy to become an elder?

“Those we recruit today are all independent cultivators who entered Tianyun Sect halfway.

“Not only does one’s cultivation level need to be tested, but one’s contribution to the sect is also considered.

"If you want to show your great contribution, you have to do those dangerous missions, where your life or death is uncertain!"

There was a hint of disdain and sourness in the voice, which clearly showed dissatisfaction with Li Yuan being directly recruited.

“Maybe he can really stand out and have the opportunity to become a high and mighty elder in the future.

"After all, he is so young, and it is unknown whether he can reach the Huawen realm in the future." A more rational voice sounded.

"No matter what, if we can enter the Tianyun Sect, at least we won't have to worry about resources, and we will have a better environment for cultivation." A Yuanzhe comforted himself and the Yuanzhe around him.

"That's right, let's deal with the Tianyun Sect's assessment well." All the Yuanzhe echoed.

At this moment, Li Yuan was already in the Tianyun Juying Hall.

Inside the hall, the light is soft and bright, and the walls are carved with intricate cloud patterns, as if containing some kind of ancient power.

The tall stone pillars are inlaid with sparkling gems, each of which emits a faint light, making the entire space look both mysterious and solemn.

In the center of the hall, a complex teleportation array stood quietly, and the elemental patterns in it emitted a faint glow.

The female disciple walked to the teleportation array and threw out a token. A wave of energy overflowed from her fingertips and landed accurately on the token.

A slight humming sound was heard, and the elemental patterns on the teleportation array began to flow rapidly, forming brilliant bands of light.

"Are you ready, Shuiyun?
“Once you step into this formation, you will become a member of Shuiyun Peak.

“The road ahead will be full of challenges and opportunities.”

The female disciple entered the formation, turned to look at Li Yuan, and said with some encouragement.

Li Yuan took a deep breath, nodded, and slowly stepped into the teleportation array.

"Uh, may I ask your name, Senior Sister?
"Shuiyun has just arrived, I hope Senior Sister will take good care of me."

Li Yuan stood in the teleportation array with a cunning look in his eyes, trying to get closer to the female disciple.

Whether in Qinggu Continent or in Wenhe, he has always been treated as a strong man. This is the first time he has mixed in with such an identity.

However, there is no other way. To get a treasure like Heavenly Bone, one must infiltrate the interior and find some key figures to know its storage location.

If he wants to conduct long-term exploration in Shuiyun Peak, he must have a suitable identity.

Fortunately, the Yuanzhe who were recruited into Shuiyun Peak halfway through the journey and those who had been practicing in Shuiyun Peak were considered two groups.

It is difficult to meet a strong man from the Tianyun Sect who is familiar with his aura.

By the time the Tianyun Sect discovered him, he had probably already found out where the Heavenly Bone was stored, took it away, and fled.

"My name is Yang Ping." The woman spoke briefly and to the point, with a barely perceptible scrutiny in her eyes and a look as cold as frost under the moon.

She raised her hand gently, and her fingertips moved slightly. An exquisitely carved white cloud pattern badge fell steadily into Li Yuan's hand as if pulled by an invisible force.

"This is your certificate as the inner sect's guardian, you must keep it properly." Yang Ping's voice was light, but it revealed a majesty that could not be ignored. "In Shuiyun Peak, the rules are strict, and the patrol team is like a shadow everywhere, always maintaining order and safety in the peak.

“Without this badge, your identity will not be recognized within the peak.

"Once you accidentally enter a restricted area or encounter a misunderstanding, you may even be mistaken for an intruder by the patrol team and face the serious consequence of being killed on the spot."

Li Yuan's expression froze when he heard this, and he tightly grasped the white cloud-patterned badge that emitted a faint spiritual light with both hands: "Thank you, Senior Sister Yang Ping, for reminding me. I will keep it in mind."

Then, he asked tentatively: “I wonder if after I enter Shuiyun Peak, will I have the opportunity to come into contact with the ancestors of the Huawen Realm?
"I have long admired their cultivation experience."

There was a trace of desire and curiosity in his eyes, as if he was really a disciple who admired the strong. "You want to meet the ancestor of Huawen Realm now?" Yang Ping sneered, and a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes, but then she restrained her emotions and patiently laid out the complex context of Tianyun Sect for Li Yuan, "You may not know much about the structure of Tianyun Sect.

“The ancestors of the Huawen Realm are like gods above the clouds, always staying on the top of Tianyun Peak.

“It is surrounded by clouds and mist, and the air there is ethereal and cannot be easily reached by us.

“As for our Shuiyun Peak, since that legendary leader traveled around the world decades ago, there has been no Huawen Realm expert in charge.

“If you can break through to the peak of the Half-Step Transformation Realm before the age of 200, you will be a true child of destiny, qualified to step into Tianyun Peak and receive personal instruction from the Transformation Realm ancestors.

“But if we miss this golden period, we can only work quietly in Shuiyun Peak.

“Perhaps one day I can become an elder, enjoy considerable cultivation resources, and advance to the Huawen realm through my own efforts.”

"I see." Li Yuan nodded gently, as if digesting this information, and confirmed again, "So, the ancestors of the Huawen Realm will not easily set foot on Shuiyun Peak?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Ping's gaze lingered on Li Yuan for a moment, secretly trying to figure out the differences of this newcomer. She didn't care at all about the distribution of cultivation resources.

She continued to explain: "The daily affairs of Shuiyun Peak are mostly managed by the three elders in the Elders' Council, each of whom performs his own duties to maintain order and harmony within the peak.

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"Unless there are disagreements or even fierce conflicts among the three veins over major issues.

"Otherwise, those high and mighty ancestors would not easily intervene in these trivial matters."

Speaking of this, Yang Ping's eyes suddenly became a little strange, as if she smelled something unusual from Li Yuan's surname.

So, she asked tentatively: "Your last name is Shui, could it be that you have some connection with an elder of the water lineage..."

Li Yuan waved his hands quickly, with a smile that was somewhat helpless and self-deprecating: "Senior sister, you misunderstood. I just happen to have a connection with the word water, and I don't have any prominent background."

Hearing this, Yang Ping smiled awkwardly, then changed the subject and began to introduce the Tianyun Sect's resource allocation system in detail: "The Tianyun Sect accepts independent cultivators from all over the world. Many Yuanzhe have come here because their cultivation has stagnated and resources are scarce.

“Although the sect is large, the competition for resource allocation is fierce.

“The sect will provide what you need for daily practice.

“But if you want to obtain those rare resources that can help you advance your cultivation by leaps and bounds, you need to make corresponding efforts and contributions.

“Here, contribution points are the standard for measuring everything.

“Whether it’s a Yuan technique, Yuanbao, elixir, or a precious place for cultivation, as long as you have enough contribution points, you can exchange them all.

“Once you officially become a sect guardian, you can check out all the things that can be exchanged for contribution points.

“The next step is your first step to officially enter the Shuiyun Peak of Tianyun Sect.

“Here, you will accumulate contribution points by completing tasks.

"Those rare resources that are hard to reach in the outside world will be opened to you in the form of contribution points."

Yang Ping took back the token, tapped her fingertips, and a faint light flashed, activating the teleportation array under her feet.

"Boom——"

It was as if the thunder in the sky was imprisoned here, instantly tearing the tranquility of the space apart.

The light of the teleportation array was like a dazzling galaxy, swirling and interweaving, wrapping up Li Yuan and Yang Ping and taking them across the barrier of space.

As the light faded, the two found themselves in a magnificent scene.

Countless small peaks are arranged in an orderly manner, like emerald green gems inlaid on the giant peak, together forming this behemoth, Shuiyun Peak.

The mountains are shrouded in clouds and mist, like a fairyland, and the fresh air is mixed with the faint fragrance of flowers and the freshness of grass and trees.

"The Yunren Pavilion is in front of us. It is not only the place where inner sect members receive their missions, but also the center for information exchange within the sect." Yang Ping said, pointing to a towering building not far away.

The Yunren Pavilion, with its flying eaves and pointed corners, carved beams and painted buildings, appears looming in the clouds and mist, making it even more mysterious.

Yang Ping took Li Yuan through several waterfalls and streams and flew towards Yunren Pavilion.

“Although you joined halfway and the initial tasks may not be satisfactory, as long as you are willing to work hard, contribution points can be accumulated slowly.

"When the time comes, you will naturally be valued by the sect."

Before Yang Ping finished speaking, the sky seemed to be cut by two sharp swords.

Two brilliant sword lights cut through the sky like meteors, carrying with them a biting chill and power that could not be underestimated, and suddenly stopped in front of Yang Ping and Li Yuan.

The sword light gradually faded, revealing two women with graceful figures and proud expressions.

One of them had her hands casually clasped behind her back, her eyebrows slightly raised, a dignified look in her eyes, a face like a lotus, skin whiter than snow, and a tall figure with curvaceous curves.

The fluctuations of Yuanli surrounding her body were like a surging ocean, spreading out in circles, forming ripples visible to the naked eye, revealing her terrifying cultivation level at the peak of the Half-Step Transformation Realm.

The other middle-aged woman, although her face was a little more mature, had her own charm, and her eyes revealed a kind of indifference that came from having experienced the vicissitudes of life.

Although the aura exuded by the half-step transformation realm cultivator is not as majestic as that of the other woman, it is also calm and restrained.

"Senior Sister Mu Li, Senior Sister Yuan Xinjiao." Seeing this, Yang Ping hurriedly stopped, bowed slightly, her tone full of respect.

Li Yuan followed closely behind and quickly lowered his head, pretending to be in awe of the two powerful men who suddenly appeared.

"Yang Ping, is this your new guardian?" Senior Sister Mu Li, with her hands behind her back, glanced at Li Yuan coldly. Her voice was clear and powerful, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.

"Reporting to Senior Sister Mu Li, this person is indeed a newly recruited guardian." Yang Ping replied respectfully, "Although he is young, his cultivation speed is amazing and he has reached the peak of the late Yuanshen realm.

"Senior Brother He Hong saw that he had extraordinary potential, so he specially recruited him into the sect to serve as a guardian."

As she spoke, Yang Ping gently nudged Li Yuan, motioning him to come forward and salute.

Li Yuan took a deep breath, pretending to try to calm his inner waves, stepped forward, bowed and said: "Shuiyun greets Senior Sister Mu Li and Senior Sister Yuan Xinjiao. I hope you can give me more guidance in the future."

"The Mu lineage? They are the neutral faction among the three lineages and act relatively fairly. I am lucky to meet them today." Li Yuan thought to himself at the same time, "Luckily, I didn't run into a strong man from the water lineage."

"Shuiyun?" Senior Sister Mu Li's voice was cold and sharp, like ice piercing the bones, and her eyebrows were slightly frowned. "But is it related to the water lineage?"

"Absolutely not!" Yang Ping quickly shook her head with a firm tone, fearing that any hesitation would lead to unnecessary trouble.

Upon seeing this, Li Yuan's eyes revealed unprecedented sincerity and honesty, and he slowly revealed an identity that was very easy to verify.

(End of this chapter)