Starting with the divine power of the Great Vajra, he traversed the heavens.

Chapter 556 No Learning Without Learning
The back mountain of Shaolin Temple was deserted and silent, with white dew like frost.

Suddenly, the sound of the bell rang out, powerful and resonant, soaring into the sky.

The three of them looked at each other in the forbidden area of ​​Shaolin Temple, and remained silent for a moment.

Ding An stared at the sweeping monk who was sitting in meditation with his eyes closed. Ever since he said those words, he seemed to have turned into a clay Buddha statue, devoid of any life force, as if he were dead.

"What's going on?" Ding'an sat down cross-legged. "They brought us here, said a few vague words, and then just stopped moving?"

Xu Zhu also looked up and suddenly exclaimed, "Master Ding'an, look!"

Upon hearing this, Ding'an turned his head to look.

Just then, a beam of light shone through the window and landed on the sweeping monk. His coarse linen robe glittered everywhere, and upon closer inspection, dozens of silver needles were found stuck in his body.

Ding An gasped, "My God, that's ruthless."

Xu Zhu nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes."

The two approached the old monk cautiously and saw that his silver needle work was quite skillful.

The path leads from Zhongfu, Yunmen, and Tianfu, through Chize, Kongzui, and Lieque, all the way to Taiyuan and Shaoshang, following the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.

The journey begins at Jiquan, Qingling, and Shaohai, passing through Lingdao and Tongli before reaching Shaofu and Shaochong, following the Hand Shaoyin Heart Sutra.

Some of these acupoints are on the chest, while others are on the shoulders and arms. It's relatively easy to insert the needles myself. What's remarkable is that I can even insert the needles into acupoints like Jiquan and Qingling under the armpits with perfect accuracy.

Xu Zhu stared in astonishment and asked, "Master, what kind of skill do you possess? How can you move so freely even with so many acupuncture points inserted?"

The sweeping monk opened his eyes, his spirits high, and smiled, saying, "Acupoints are not inanimate objects; they come alive with the flow of qi and blood. Wherever the mind goes, the acupoint can be moved, and the palace can be changed. This method is called 'Shifting Palaces and Changing Acupoints'."

Ding An laughed and said, "Master's skill is very similar to the little beggar's 'Acupoint Shifting Technique,' only it is even more magical."

The sweeping monk smiled slightly and said, "When you reach the pinnacle of your skills, all paths lead to the same destination. The principle is the same, it's just that the routes to the top are different."

Xu Zhu asked, "Master, how can this be done?"

The sweeping monk said, "Once you understand the principle, you can naturally do it."

Xu Zhu's expression fell, and he sighed, "Is it about comprehension again? Alas, it seems I'm no good."

The sweeping monk said, "This is the orthodox martial arts method. But if one practices the 'Kinnara Fist,' even those with low comprehension can achieve it."

Ding An asked, "Are you going to teach us this style of boxing?"

Xu Zhu was also surprised and asked, "Can we learn this?"

The sweeping monk said, "This fist technique trains the form through a fist diagram, cultivating a unique energy that surges through the body from the outside in, and then from the inside out, concealing the soul and form. At that time, the five elements of 'mind, body, energy, technique, and posture' are connected, and the body, blood, true energy, techniques, and mind reach their peak. Subsequently, the intention expands and shrinks, appearing and disappearing, and naturally the five aggregates are emptied. Those who master this technique return to their roots, their lives are forever at peace, and they possess wondrous uses that are unpredictable to gods and ghosts, allowing them to communicate with the divine."

Ding An listened quietly, thinking to himself, "This is something Shao Yang said after he comprehended the 'Harmonious Law of Heaven'! He also said that those who attain this great realm are either the most beloved children of Heaven, or those with heavenly virtue, and it is difficult to encounter such an opportunity. How come this old monk makes it so simple?"

He chuckled and said, "Master, this level of attainment is almost like that of immortals or Buddhas. How many people in all the ages could achieve it?"

The sweeping monk said calmly, "The Way is not far from man; it is man who makes the Way distant from man."

Xu Zhu was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

Ding An explained, “The Great Way is not far away; if it is far away and lofty, then it is a false Way.”

Xu Zhu's eyes lit up, and he said, "Ah, does that mean if I sweep bamboo leaves every day, serve Master Ding'an well, eat well, respectfully worship Buddha, and live earnestly, I can attain enlightenment?"

Huh?
Upon hearing this, the Sweeping Monk and Ding An both turned their gazes in astonishment.

The sweeping monk looked at him for a long time before nodding: "It's not far, very good."

Ding An patted Xu Zhu on the shoulder: "Kid, Hong Xiu has a saying that describes me, and it can also describe you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Great foolishness appears as wisdom!"

"Cough!" The sweeping monk coughed suddenly, and said helplessly, "That's true wisdom appearing as foolishness."

"What's the difference?" Ding'an turned to look at him.

"One is an insult, the other is a compliment," the sweeping monk said indifferently.

"Oh dear!" Ding An was furious and jumped up suddenly, shouting, "This little beggar dares to insult me! Let's go find her!" Before he finished speaking, he grabbed the bewildered Xu Zhu and started to run away.

"Ding'an, why do you want to leave?" The sweeping monk sighed, and with a casual gesture, a storm of wind and waves surged forth.

Ding An waved his hand, and a gentle breeze caused the room to tremble.

"What amazing creations of humankind! They have truly opened my eyes."

Suddenly, he was startled. The sweeping monk was already behind him, his sleeves billowing out as he swept towards him.

This seemingly casual movement of the sleeve actually conceals a palm strike, a powerful killing move from the "Great Vajra Palm."

Ding An shouted, and suddenly his prosthetic arm stretched out in reverse, grabbing the hand hidden in his sleeve. The move was incredibly fast and impossible to defend against.

The sweeping monk, his hand captured, raised his white eyebrows and laughed, "Interesting." With a flick of his wrist, he dislodged the prosthetic hand.

Ding An turned around smoothly, made a feint, and gestured with his prosthetic hand towards the old monk's forehead: "Clap clap and have fun!"

hum!
A sudden burst of power, like rain washing over stones, shook the room.

Xu Zhu felt as if his whole body had been pulled apart, and he felt both heartbroken and aggrieved. He couldn't muster any willpower and just wanted to get some sleep. His eyelids drooped immediately.

Even the sweeping monk was momentarily dazed.

Suddenly, Ding'an lunged forward, his left fist like a swimming dragon, striking the old monk's chest.

This change was incredibly fast; the air hissed wherever the fist passed, demonstrating its extremely powerful force.

However, the next moment, things changed abruptly.

Suddenly, the sweeping monk unleashed a surprising move, his hands swirling around, his body enveloped in a purple mist, and his eyes flashing with an eerie light, possessing a captivating and soul-stealing power.

brush!
Before Ding'an and Xuzhu could react, the two bald men flew back to their original positions, landing perfectly in time.

"My God, is this the 'Kinnara Fist'?"

With the power of the Four Spirits within him, Ding'an broke free from the mind-controlling spell in the next moment, jumped up, and exclaimed in surprise: "This is the first time someone has been able to neutralize my 'Pat-Pat Joy' without suffering any harm!"

The sweeping monk gave him a deep look and said, "This old monk never expected that you would obtain the essence blood of the four great spirit beasts. It was as heavy as a mountain and almost made me lose face."

Ding An asked in surprise, "How did you know I possess the power of the Four Spirits?"

“Because I’ve seen it before.” The sweeping monk smiled. “There’s a dragon locked up in the town of Suolong.” He turned his gaze to the south and said calmly, “Hundreds of years later, when this dragon is reincarnated as a human, it will surely achieve something unprecedented and unparalleled.”

After listening to his words, Ding'an thought for a while, scratched his head and said, "I don't understand what you're saying, but it seems very impressive."

The sweeping monk smiled faintly and asked, "Why did you run?" Ding An honestly replied, "My heart was pounding, of course I had to run."

“Those who are helped by Heaven are extraordinary.” The sweeping monk sighed, then added, “This old monk will not harm you, rest assured.”

Ding'an remained silent, still looking at him with suspicion.

The sweeping monk shook his head and said, "Since you have appeared in Shaolin Temple, you should be the successor of 'Kinnara Fist'."

Ding An waved his hands repeatedly: "I don't need it."

The sweeping monk asked in surprise, "People are constantly fighting over divine skills and unique techniques. Why don't you learn them?"
"My skills are sufficient. How about you teach Xu Zhu instead?"

The sweeping monk pointed at the little monk on the ground and laughed, "Xu Zhu is very good, but he can only learn half of it."

Ding'an asked in confusion, "Why only learn half of it?"

The sweeping monk sighed, "Xu Zhu has not severed his ties with the mortal world, and he must be haunted by inner demons. If he were to master the 'Kinnara Fist,' he might turn from a Buddha into a demon and wreak havoc on the entire human world."

Ding'an wanted to add, "I..."

The sweeping monk flicked his sleeve and shouted, "Why so much talk?"

A gentle breeze brushed my face, and with a creak, the door swung open, letting in sunlight. There sat four old monks in the hall, each with a white beard and an ancient appearance, their expressions solemn.

The sweeping monk's voice came: "Ding'an, if you defeat these four monks, you can leave this place."

Ding'an was overjoyed upon hearing this and asked, "Really?"

The sweeping monk chuckled, "Of course it's true." As he spoke, the fist-shaped diagram on the wall glowed slightly.

"Alright!" Ding An immediately rolled up his sleeves and showed his arms. "Greetings, esteemed masters!"

"Amitabha!" A monk on the left slowly chanted the Buddha's name, then stood up and said, "This humble monk is Xuanci."

The monk on the right said in a deep voice, "This humble monk is Xuan Nan."

The old monk on the far left: "This humble monk is Xuandu."

A burly old monk slowly approached from the middle, his voice booming like thunder: "This humble monk is Xuancheng."

The four monks said in unison, "Greetings, Benefactor Ding'an!"

Xuanci said, "My late master once set a rule: anyone who wants to enter the room to study 'Kinnara Fist' must first defeat the four of us. Now that the master has spoken of 'understanding', the four of us brothers would like to ask Benefactor Ding'an for guidance."

As they spoke, the four monks clasped their hands together, ready to pounce.
-
Return to the Water Pavilion.

Blood was everywhere, and tensions were high.

Hongxiu stood in the middle of the room, staring intently at the woman at the door.

A spirited woman, dressed in a scholar's robe, wielding a sword.

Who is Mo Yan?

The woman strolled in, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. A gentle west wind blew, causing her long hair to dance wildly.

This woman, dressed in black robes and with black hair, seemed to be the darkest being in the world, or perhaps the embodiment of a sword. Just getting close to her sent chills down the spines of everyone present.

Upon seeing her, Murong Fu reacted as if he had encountered a mortal enemy, bowing respectfully and saying, "Cousin!"

The woman gave a faint "hmm," without looking at him, and walked towards Hongxiu. Her figure was striking, her words aloof, like an iceberg stretching across the world, inspiring awe in those who beheld her.

Hongxiu suddenly sighed: "It seems you are not Sister Moyan."

"Of course not." The woman stood with her hands behind her back, her black hair flowing, looking indifferently at the woman in red holding the knife. "Your knife is quite good."

“Your sword is very good too.” Hongxiu put away her playful attitude and smiled proudly, “However, it can’t compare to my brother’s.”

The woman raised an eyebrow: "Who is your brother?"

"Tell me your name first."

"My name is Murong Yan."

"Oh, my brother is Ren Shaoyang."

Ah~! ! !

"Sword God?!"

The two words resounded like a thunderclap.

Everyone was stunned and jumped up in a flurry of excitement.

Huang Shang's pupils shrank suddenly, Qiao Feng's tiger-like eyes narrowed, and even the color drained from Kumozhi's face.

Ren Shaoyang's name, along with the legendary sword that reached the heavens by the Wei River, has long been a legend in the martial arts world.

Who would have thought that the enchanting woman before him was actually his sister?

Kumārajīva exclaimed, "Didn't you say your brother was the 'Knife Emperor'?"

Hongxiu put one hand on her waist and laughed: "Big monk, I never said I only had one brother."

Upon hearing this, Kumārajīva's face immediately turned from white to red, and he was speechless.

Huang Shang and Qiao Feng exchanged glances, both shocked by the news.

Hongxiu's martial arts skills were already incredibly powerful. Now, it was learned that one of her two brothers easily injured Kumārajīva, while the other was even more formidable, having nearly wiped out the Xiaoyao Sect.

If these three were to get together, who in the world could subdue them?
Just then, Murong Yan's cold voice rang out.

"Your brother is the Sword God?"

“Yes.” Hongxiu nodded.

"Very well." Murong Yan's eyes flashed with light. "I am not alone on this path; I may now seek a defeat!"

"Seeking defeat?" Hongxiu asked in surprise, "You've never been defeated."

"No." Murong Yan's words were calm, yet carried an unspeakable arrogance and domineering air.

"Never before, and never again!"

"understood."

Hongxiu drew her "Great Evil King" sword, wielding two blades, one jet black and the other blood red. Her long-absent younger sister reappeared, joining her in the fight against the enemy.

Her voice deepened and repeated, "Sister, I've never lost either!"

(End of this chapter)