Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 479 No need to be envious, great fortune is earned with brains!
With eyes fixed on heaven, earth, and humanity, one can sit calmly on the fishing platform.

Every treasure hunt has its own unchangeable and unoptimizable bugs. Li Zhaoting jokingly calls these bugs the Piccolo Demon King Trap, which can drive people crazy.

I don't need to go to great lengths to find the key; I only need to control one important component, and those who want to unlock the treasure will come to me willingly.

Take the Chess King Cave treasure as an example.

To unlock the Chess King Cave, you need to complete a series of fancy prerequisite tasks, including: forging a sword, finding the Heavenly Book, finding the Red Agate, calculating the date, and finding the chess score!

Li Zhaoting doesn't need to do anything. As long as the Heart Sword is in Cheng Huaixiu's hands, Guan Yutian must complete all the prerequisite tasks and share the intelligence in order to open the Chess King Cave, unless Guan Yutian gives up the treasure.

This is absolutely impossible.

Guan Yutian would rather die than give up.

The Four Directions Treasure Trove is no exception.

As long as Li Zhaoting possesses one Qilin Jade, no one else can ever collect them all. They will either actively seek out Li Zhaoting to discuss cooperation or try to forcibly seize or steal them.

Is there any way to break this trap?
Of course there are.

That means doing nothing but fighting Li Zhaoting to the death. If you win, you can get the treasure; if you lose, you can avoid Li Zhaoting taking advantage of you. Alternatively, you can discuss cooperation in the early stages of the plan and at least earn a three-tenths profit.

Given Li Zhaoting's unparalleled martial arts skills, his willingness to split the profits 30/70 with outsiders is already a huge concession.

As long as you don't try to keep the treasure for yourself, you can easily break the trap by making sure both sides benefit.

Unless, of course, the two sides are irreconcilable enemies.

Or perhaps, greed blinds one's judgment, and people die for wealth.

Li Zhaoting smiled and said, "Huaixiu, a game of chess is needed before the life-or-death duel. How are your chess skills?"

Cheng Huaixiu smiled smugly: "I know a little!"

Li Zhaoting asked Meizhu to bring a chessboard: "Huaixiu, don't be arrogant and complacent. Let your husband teach you. There is a lot you need to learn about chess."

An hour later.

Cheng Huaixiu looked at Li Zhaoting with a face full of regret.

Cheng Huaixiu is quite talented at chess. When playing chess with the Salt Gang brothers, he can maintain a 90% win rate, if not 100%. In addition, his keen senses brought by his sword-heart enlightenment can easily identify fatal moves.

Many times, Cheng Huaixiu didn't know why he made a certain move; it was just a divine intuition.

This pride continues to this day.

With meticulous calculations, unpredictable moves, and overwhelming attacks, Li Zhaoting easily broke through Cheng Huaixiu's defenses, winning five games in a short period of time, leaving Cheng Huaixiu devastated.

Wang Shenglan comforted her, "Sister, don't be angry with your husband. He's a scoundrel who only wants to show off his amazing talent to us!"

Cheng Huaixiu angrily shouted, "Again!"

Li Zhaoting grinned wickedly: "I need a prize."

"What kind of lottery?"

"Losing a round means taking off a piece of clothing. Jianxiong and Shenglan can participate too. Meizhu, you keep the count!"

"Honey, don't look down on me!"

Another hour passed.

Li Zhaoting, with his beloved in his arms, engaged in a passionate battle in the hot springs of Sword Casting City, their fighting raging fiercely.

Cheng Huaixiu weakly stretched out one hand and waved it haphazardly at the sky before being brutally suppressed.

"My lord, Huaixiu knows she was wrong..."

"Huaixiu, you don't just know you're wrong, you know you deserve to suffer, and I absolutely cannot forgive you..."

"Don't be afraid, little sister, I'm here to help you!"

Wang Shenglan mustered her remaining courage and resolutely joined the battle.

Cheng Huaixiu felt as if she had seen a sacred deity or Buddha. In Cheng Huaixiu's heart, Wang Shenglan at this moment was so majestic and powerful that he was more reassuring than any deity or Buddha.

Mei Zhu silently put away the notebook.

Mrs. Cheng, you don't want me to reveal the accounting book to other ladies, do you?

……

“Shui Han, this is the ‘Beijing Film Academy Profound Technique’. I bought it from Guan Yutian. Remember, Fang Yeyu is not a good collaborator; he is not trustworthy.”

Consort Yun handed a scroll of secret manual to Yi Shuihan.

Yi Shuihan, dressed in a black robe and wearing a hood, shrouded himself in darkness. Relying on his resentment, jealousy, and anger towards Yuan Xiaotian and Li Zhaoting, he accelerated the maturation of the demonic seed in a short period of time, increasing his power seven or eight times.

Now, if he were to fight Yuan Xiaotian again, his moves might not be as good as Yuan Xiaotian's, but his skill would far surpass his. He could use a strong and relentless attack to completely overwhelm Yuan Xiaotian.

The more this happened, the angrier Yi Shuihan became.

Despite his martial arts skills far surpassing Yuan Xiaotian's, he couldn't seek revenge on Yuan Xiaotian because Yuan Xiaotian was the commander of the Imperial Guard of the Kingdom of Kucha, and was backed by Li Zhaoting.

To defeat Li Zhaoting, one must collect the Four Directions Profound Techniques of the Four Directions Sect, combine them with the power of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique and the Four Directions Profound Techniques, draw upon the energy of wind, fire, thunder, and lightning, and use a massive amount of heaven and earth energy to forcefully burst Li Zhaoting apart.

This was an idea that inexplicably arose in Yi Shuihan's mind while he was in seclusion. The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and the faster his martial arts progressed.

Yunfei truly raised Yi Shuihan, her godson, as her own son. No matter how down on his luck Yi Shuihan became, she was willing to support him. In order to obtain the Northern Electric Mystic Skill, Yunfei secretly sold Ye Yu.

The plan to scheme against Fang Yeyu was jointly devised by Guan Yutian and Yun Fei, with the aim of using the Northern Electric Mystic Art.

"Thank you, Mother."

Yi Shuihan was able to maintain his rationality and not be completely assimilated by the demonic seed because of Yun Fei's maternal love.

The Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique is too extreme. Without some kind of positive emotion as support, one will inevitably be devoured by endless evil thoughts, malice, and resentment, becoming a puppet of the demon seed, and eventually being absorbed by the demon seed.

Consort Yun smiled and said, "We are mother and son, why be so polite? Shui Han, I don't ask you to be rich and powerful, I only ask that you can live out the rest of your life in peace."

Yi Shuihan said with a bitter smile, "Mother! My left foot has stepped into a dead end, and my right foot has fallen into a quagmire. I can only struggle to climb up with my hands. If I take even half a step back, the consequence will be that I will be devoured by endless schemes."

Yun Fei nodded: "Shui Han, Dongfang Qingmu has been imprisoned by me. I have a way to help you cultivate the Dao Heart Demon Seed and also trick you into giving me the Dongfeng Xuan Gong!"

"any solution?"

"A self-inflicted injury ruse!"

At a certain stage of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, one must endure severe torture, all of which are real pain. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yunfei imprisoned Yi Shuihan in a cell next to Dongfang Qingmu and tortured him severely every day, leaving him covered in blood.

This is Ling Tuisi's scheme to outmaneuver Ding Dian.

We have to do it for real.

Counterfeit goods can be easily identified as genuine.

Yi Shuihan activated the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, turning his anger and hatred into grievances, injustices, and frustrations. Coupled with his injuries, he quickly plotted against Dongfang Qingmu.

Dongfang Qingmu was betrayed by Beitang Mo and imprisoned by Yun Fei for more than ten years. He suffered countless tortures and his body was severely injured, but he has not given up resisting.

Seeing Yi Shuihan being tortured, beaten until he was covered in blood, and mentally disoriented, barely escaping death, Dongfang Qingmu couldn't help but probe him. In his half-awake state, Yi Shuihan recounted his grievances, which were even more unjust than those of Di Yun.

What grievances did Yi Shuihan suffer?
From Yuan Xiaotian's perspective, Yi Shuihan's hatred for him was inexplicable; from Yi Shuihan's perspective, he had encountered setbacks and misfortunes in the first half of his life.

All the bad things were pinned on Yuan Xiaotian.

She sees herself as a pure and innocent white lotus flower.

Bad people don't think they've done anything wrong.

Yi Shuihan's tone was sincere, and the injuries on his body were undeniable. Several times, Dongfang Qingmu thought Yi Shuihan would die, but he struggled to survive. This tenacity made Dongfang Qingmu determined to make up his mind.

"Young brother, I'll teach you martial arts..."

"Thank you so much for passing on your unique skills, senior..."

Yi Shuihan revealed a barely perceptible cold smile.

……

There are seven days left until the life-or-death duel.

Cheng Huaixiu was studying chess in the Sword Casting City.

To make amends to his beloved, Li Zhaoting took Wang Shenglan and Jianxiong hunting. Wang Shenglan excitedly demonstrated her Phoenix Dance Arrow, each arrow piercing the soul, hitting the target every time. The arrows were like phoenixes dancing in the sky, no less powerful than the Buddha's divine light.

"Husband, aren't I amazing!"

This is the archery technique passed down by the Divine Arrow Clan, called Phoenix Dance Arrow, a unique skill created specifically for women.

According to the Arrow Master, no more than five people in the history of the Divine Arrow Clan have mastered the Phoenix Dance Arrow.

"If it weren't for me, the Phoenix Dance Arrow technique would probably have been lost forever. Aren't I incredibly lucky?"

Wang Shenglan proudly raised her chin, her nose practically pointing to the sky, and slightly peeked out, waiting for Li Zhaoting's gentle praise and warm caresses.

If we quantify the six-dimensional attributes, Wang Shenglan's strength is at its maximum level, and her fortune and luck can also break through to the maximum level.

No need to be envious, this is something you earn with your brains.

When Wang Wanwu was murdered, his wound was shaped like a spearhead. In order to find his father's killer, Wang Shenglan decided to challenge famous gunmen in the martial arts world one by one.

This astonishing wisdom is truly extraordinary.

Li Zhaoting was completely stunned.

After meeting Li Zhaoting, Li Zhaoting was like a key to unlock Wang Shenglan's potential, fully developing her divine power and good fortune, and enabling her to quickly grow into a grandmaster.

Not only did he master the family's Overlord Spear technique to its peak, but he also became the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect. Even the opportunities that Li Shengnan sought out at sea were given to Wang Shenglan by a factor of 30.

Having obtained the jade bow a few months ago, and then acquiring archery skills to match it after arriving in the Western Regions, Wang Shenglan's good fortune is in no way inferior to that of the protagonist.

Heavenly Sword, Phoenix Dance Arrow, Qilin Jade...

Something feels off!

"My Shenglan is the best!" Li Zhaoting gave Wang Shenglan a gentle pat on the head.

Jianxiong was somewhat envious. Wang Shenglan always found happiness easily. Even the most accomplished masters could not achieve such an open-minded attitude.

The three went hunting in an oasis, one of the most unique oases in the Western Regions. What made it so special was that it not only had red flowers and green trees, but also cliffs and waterfalls.

It's like tearing a piece off a desert roof and throwing it haphazardly into the desert, which gave rise to this peculiar oasis. The oasis is extremely large, but no major power occupies it.

It's not that I don't want to occupy it, but I'm afraid of being killed.

According to historical records of the martial arts world in the Western Regions, in the past three hundred years, a total of seventeen sects have successively settled in this oasis, and without exception, all of them have been wiped out.

Those capable of establishing a sect in the Western Regions are at least Grandmasters, and there are even several Celestial Warriors.

Whether they are highly skilled in martial arts or wealthy and powerful, anyone who sets up camp here will inevitably face ruin and extermination.

Those who practice martial arts may suffer from qi deviation and have their meridians severed.

Those who were in business suffered business failures and were heavily in debt.

Over time, this oasis became known as a "desolate place for martial arts practitioners." Not to mention large martial arts sects, even caravans were unwilling to stop here. This lush oasis had the charm of a primeval forest.

It is perfect for hunting, picnicking, and traveling.

As long as you don't stay there for too long, nothing will happen.

"laugh!"

Jianxiong's arrow missed, and the prey ran away into the distance with the arrow in its puff. The three of them did not use their lightness skills to chase after it, but followed behind at a leisurely pace. If they had to use martial arts for everything, it would reduce the fun of hunting.

Suddenly.

Li Zhaoting sensed a powerful energy.

The vital energy of a living person.

His skill was profound, on par with Guan Yutian.

Li Zhaoting subconsciously released his energy, and his opponent sensed it, responding with a powerful and explosive punch. Li Zhaoting waved his hand to deflect the punch and discovered his opponent's location.

"Whoosh!"

Li Zhaoting transformed into a beam of sword light and swooped down.

This is a mental technique created by combining the Great Void Step of Heaven and Earth and the Return of Ten Thousand Swords. It can transform into sword light, allowing for high-speed movement and the ability to kill enemies. When used in duels, it greatly enhances the power of swordsmanship.

It's not an improvement that you can clearly perceive, but a subtle and gradual benefit. It's like adding an extra sword strike with every move you make, and having a powerful move come with a smaller move that doesn't need to be actively activated, allowing you to defeat your enemy without them even realizing it.

When searching for and pursuing a target, it can minimize the risk of being ambushed. It can also be used to test the enemy's skill level, making it a very comprehensive movement technique.

"Clap!"

Li Zhaoting landed lightly on the ground.

Ahead sat a woman sitting cross-legged, about the same age as Ding Xuelian. Her face was slightly pale, and her clothes were worn and tattered, as if she had worn them for more than ten years. The inside was patched with animal hides. She had a charming figure and eyebrows, and a unique kind of resilient temperament. Her whole body was crackling with lightning.

Li Zhaoting thought of someone.

Ximen Ruoshui, the number one master of the Four Directions Sect.

When the Four Directions Sect was in turmoil, Ximen Ruoshui discovered that there were traitors among her fellow disciples. Without any investigation, she directly engaged in a fierce battle with the three of them inside the Four Directions Sect's treasure trove.

They labeled all three elders as traitors.

In a one-on-one situation, Ximen Ruoshui will definitely win.

In a one-on-two situation, Ximen Ruoshui has a 70% chance of winning.

In a one-on-three situation, Ximen Ruoshui would undoubtedly lose.

In the end, Ximen Ruoshui was forced to jump off a cliff to escape. He broke his leg during the jump, and the meridians in both legs were blocked. If he had not received help from outsiders, he would probably never be able to stand up again.

Ximen Ruoshui's investigative methods are comparable to Wang Shenglan's, but her intelligence is already at the pinnacle of the Four Directions Sect, making her both literate and skilled in martial arts.

Based on the original plot, Ximen Ruoshui's intelligence is at least in the top three. He is the only human with a normal brain in the protagonist group. Unfortunately, in the protagonist group, having a brain is a sin, and he will eventually die.

This is where Ximen Ruoshui jumped off the cliff.
That's really unfortunate.

This place is said to be "cursed," and no one comes here except for young noblemen who go hunting and playing.

Martial arts practitioners are tight-lipped about such things, and caravans, who seek good omens, avoid "curses" like the plague.

"Boy, who are you?"

Ximen Ruoshui's tone was stiff. Having not seen outsiders for more than ten years, she had almost forgotten how to speak.

Li Zhaoting said, "My name is Li Zhaoting, the son-in-law of the old city lord of Sword Forging City. May I ask your name, senior?"

"The Four Gates, the West Gate is Ruoshui!"

"The Four Directions Gate?"

"What? Do you have a grudge against the Four Directions Sect?"

"The Four Gates have just been breached!"

"Nonsense! Who can breach the Four Gates!"

"Invincible Gate!"

What is the Invincible Sect?

"I don't know. I've only heard some rumors that Beitang Mo's daughter, Beitang Xin'er, fled to Sword Casting City, indicating that the Four Directions Gate was captured by the Invincible Gate, and that Dongfang Yu was rescued by a mysterious master and disappeared without a trace, his fate unknown."

"Where are Dongfang Qingmu and Nangong Lie?"

"Dongfang Qingmu has been missing for more than ten years. He was either secretly imprisoned or killed. Nangong Lie was killed by Yi Shuihan of the Qingtian Sword Sect a month ago!"

"Boy, take me away from here!"

"Senior, have you misunderstood something? I call you senior because you are older than me. We have no relationship whatsoever. When you ask someone for a favor, you should act like you're asking for a favor. Who do you think you are?"

"Good lad, take this!"

Ximen Ruoshui slapped the ground and rammed into Li Zhaoting, his fists gathering powerful lightning.

West Thunder Mystic Art - Earth-Shaking Thunder!

Ximen Ruoshui sensed Li Zhaoting's aura and knew that Li Zhaoting was not someone to be trifled with, so she attacked with a deadly move. Lightning roared as it arrived, and cracks appeared in the ground.

Li Zhaoting formed a sword with his fingers, and the sword energy rained down.

The Buddha's divine light moves mountains and rivers!

The two powerful moves clashed head-on, and earth-shattering power rose from between them, filling the sky with dust. Ximen Ruoshui emerged from the dust and threw a punch at Li Zhaoting, while Li Zhaoting pointed his sword finger at Ximen Ruoshui's wrist.

Ximen Ruoshui reached out with her hand, but Li Zhaoting's sword finger struck first, blocking her retreat before she could change her move. She had no choice but to change her move again, grabbing at Li Zhaoting's ear with her left hand. Li Zhaoting stood firm like a pine tree, defending with only his right sword finger. No matter how fiercely Ximen Ruoshui attacked, as long as the sword finger was pointed out, Ximen Ruoshui would have to change her move.

The two fought quickly, exchanging more than a dozen moves.

Ximen Ruoshui was crippled in both legs and had difficulty moving around. In order to win, he could only fight at close range. However, Li Zhaoting's swordsmanship was too high. Every move was aimed at Ximen Ruoshui's wrist pulse. In just over ten moves, Ximen Ruoshui used up all his strength. The ultimate move that he had mastered in seclusion at the bottom of the cliff for ten years could not even break through two fingers. It was truly disheartening.

"Whoosh!"

Ximen Ruoshui withdrew after finishing his move.

"Who are you?"

"The son-in-law of the old city lord of Sword Forging, and the husband of the new city lord of Sword Forging, wants to make a deal with the senior."

"Your martial arts are superb, and your swordsmanship is divine. I am no match for you. What is there to trade?"

"As the saying goes, a new emperor brings a new court. My wife is about to become the Lord of Sword Forging City and needs to build her own talent pool. With the Four Directions Sect destroyed, you have nowhere to go, so why not stay in Sword Forging City and become a martial arts enshrined in Sword Forging City? We will definitely not treat you unfairly."

What benefits will I get?

Sifangmen was originally a bodyguard organization, and Ximen Ruoshui was not against it. After being disabled for more than ten years and eating barbecue for more than ten years, Ximen Ruoshui was about to go crazy.

For details, please refer to "General You," who ate fish for eight years in ancient times. This was with the Yellow-Eyebrowed King by his side; otherwise, he would have gone mad and committed suicide long ago.

Ding Xuelian is a special case; all her life skills are maxed out. If she had the assistance of a master like the Yellow-Eyebrowed King, she could turn the wilderness into a town.

"First, I need to treat your leg injuries. There is a kind of miraculous medicine in the Western Regions called Black Jade Bone-Mending Ointment, which has a miraculous effect on reconnecting broken bones. I have a slight reputation in the Western Regions, so I will come to ask for it. I think the Vajra Sect will not refuse."

Secondly, it depends on the senior's intention. If the senior is willing to take my wife as his disciple and teach her the Western Thunder Mystic Art, to put it more dramatically, it would be equivalent to being a 'Grand Tutor'.

If you feel that you are not destined to be with my wife, you can become the chief worshipper of the Sword Forging City, where you will have access to divine weapons, gold and silver jewelry, and fine silks and satins.

I forgot to tell you, senior, that Beitang Mo is dead, and Beitang Xin'er has joined the Sword Forging City, bringing with her the Northern Electricity Mystic Art. If you are willing, you can study the mental techniques together.

I've heard that by combining the Four Directions Sect's Four Directions Mystic Arts, one can draw upon boundless and immeasurable primordial energy of heaven and earth, and even summon the legendary Golden Qilin. I'm quite looking forward to it.

Senior, what do you think?

"I'd like to see your wife."

"She is coming!"

Jianxiong and Wang Shenglan walked slowly over.

After a moment's thought, Ximen Ruoshui realized that if he didn't agree to Li Zhaoting's request, he would probably have to live as a lame savage in the wilderness for the rest of his life, and he might as well just die. If he did agree to Li Zhaoting's request, he would definitely have to take Jianxiong as his apprentice.

Since we've decided to pledge allegiance to Sword Forging City, we must strive to gain the greatest benefits and not let small gains lead to greater losses.

……

News has spread from Sword Forging City.

Ximen Ruoshui, the elder of the Four Directions Sect, has returned to the martial world and joined the Sword Forging City. He takes Jianxiong as his disciple and invites friends from the martial world to witness the ceremony. The Sword Master says that he will step down as the city lord at the disciple-acceptance ceremony and pass the position to Jianxiong.

Those who received the news were filled with regret and sighed.

Compared to the bloody battles fought by Fang Yeyu and Zhao Min, Li Zhaoting's methods were truly ingenious.

Li Zhaoting: What methods? I have absolutely no interest in Sword Forging City! I'm lustful, not power-hungry!
(End of this chapter)