Martial Arts Crossover: The Sweeping Monk of Wudang? That's our patriarch!

"Snap!!!"

The entire Kunlun Mountain was instantly reduced to dust, leaving not a single ruin. Where the wind passed, only a flat, barren wasteland remained.

Yang Kai staggered into the air, looked down, his Adam's apple bobbing, and his lips trembling as he squeezed out a few words:

"Senior...Senior! This...this was just a love tribulation, how could you...flatten Mount Kunlun? From now on, when tourists search for the immortal's traces, they won't even be able to find a shadow of the mountain..."

Lin Daochen frowned and raised his hand to interrupt: "What are you still thinking about the scenery for? If you fail now, you won't just lose a mountain—you'll lose your own life, your foundation, and your potential for countless lifetimes! Listen carefully: you must give it your all, only success is allowed!"

Yang Kai remained silent for a moment, then finally lowered his eyes and clenched his fists.

He didn't want to fight anymore.

They've lost the will to fight.

As the wind swept across the empty plains, he looked up at the surging star trails deep in the sky, his gaze gradually darkening before reigniting.

"Alright, senior! Since you've put it that way, I'll wholeheartedly follow you—even if the sky falls, we'll shoulder it together!"

Lin Daochen nodded, his fingertips radiating wisps of immortal energy, steadily supporting Yang Kai who was suspended in mid-air, preventing him from falling. However, the Kunlun Immortal was still lurking in the shadows, watching with predatory eyes; if there was any unusual movement, he might not be able to protect Yang Kai completely.

But a slight smile played on his lips, and a confident glint appeared in his eyes—he had already won this trial.

The original agreement was that whoever planted the flag on the summit of Kunlun Mountain would win. But just before the test began, the Kunlun Immortal suddenly leaned in and whispered, "Remember this—when making a bet, the worst thing you can do is rigidly adhere to the rules."

The logic is extremely simple: you follow the rules, but the other party deliberately breaks them; you adhere to the regulations step by step, but they find ways to deviate from them. And the result? One slow step leads to further delays, until finally there's no room to breathe.

He glanced down at his feet—the entire Kunlun Mountains had been reduced to a vast expanse of scorched earth, not a single peak remaining, only a desolate wasteland. But amidst this deathly silence, he suddenly grinned, abruptly turned his head, and shouted loudly at Yang Kai:

"Quick! Now—plant the flag on the summit of Kunlun Mountain! We've passed this hurdle!"

Yang Kai was stunned and almost bit his tongue: Good heavens, the mountain is gone, it's so flat you could run a horse across it, where did the mountaintop come from? Where do we put it?

"Senior, you're not mistaken, are you?"

"The Kunlun Mountains are nowhere to be seen right now, so where are we supposed to find the summit? You're not kidding me, are you?"

Lin Daochen frowned and shook his head: "Silly boy, if the mountain collapses, does the summit really disappear? Open your eyes and look—that peak is right here at your feet!"

Yang Kai suddenly turned his head, and sure enough—in the center of the scorched earth, stood a lone bluish-gray rock spike, as thin as a bamboo shoot and as sharp as a needle. It was the last remaining remnant of the peak of the entire Kunlun Mountain that had not been erased!

A surge of emotion welled up within him, and he gripped the flagpole tightly before charging forward! The flag landed safely, signifying the completion of the trial!

But after running three steps, his feet suddenly left the ground—his body felt light, and he was suspended in mid-air like a kite with a broken string, his limbs stiff and unable to move!

He suddenly realized: someone had secretly intervened!

"Senior! Someone's blocking my way—please help me!"

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Daochen had already flicked his wrist, unleashing a streak of silver light. Starlight burst forth, rapidly outlining array patterns in the air before exploding with a deafening roar! The thatched hut in the distance collapsed in response, and the entire Kunlun ruins were crushed by immense force, crumbling into dust in a flurry.

The trial is now over.

Lin Daochen's voice was like a bell tolling across the land, piercing through the clouds and splitting the void. To the Kunlun Immortal thousands of miles away, every word was clear, causing his robes to flutter.

"Senior, I guess I've won this time? You taught me personally—if rules don't become shackles, then everything I do is the right path."

"Look, I flattened the mountain, saving me the trouble of climbing and taking me straight to the summit. That... isn't a foul, is it?"

Over there, the Kunlun Immortal emerged from the pile of broken tiles, his robes burned at the edges and his hair half-undone, but instead of being angry, he smiled broadly and happily.

"That's ruthless! They even used their trump card, 'Starfall Suppressing Mountain'... Fine, I accept this position! From now on, no matter what, I will pass this test!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he lightly tapped the air with his finger. A point of seven-colored starlight suddenly leaped out, streaking across the sky like a shooting star, heading straight for Lin Daochen's face.

Just as the two landed and stood still, Lin Daochen was about to pat Yang Kai on the shoulder and say a few words of comfort when a burst of light suddenly appeared before their eyes—seven colors swirling, shining brightly, so dazzling that it made one's eyes feel slightly hot.

Lin Daochen was startled and subconsciously reached out to touch the shimmering light—the moment his fingertips touched the faint glow, a buzzing vibration arose, and the entire halo of light instantly disappeared into his body. In an instant, a vast ocean of insights flooded into his sea of ​​consciousness, all of them the most subtle and fundamental mysteries of the Integration Stage.

He froze, his pupils shrinking: Good heavens, this Kunlun Immortal has entrusted all his life's wisdom to this moment!

He turned his head sharply and saw Yang Kailin smiling with his eyes crinkling, while Dao Xian's face was beaming with joy, like an old chrysanthemum in bloom.

"It's done! The trial is complete, and you have now truly embarked on the path of seeking the Dao. I will soon hand over all the cultivation manuals to you—you may go wherever you wish, as I have important matters to attend to at the moment."

Before he finished speaking, Yang Kai had already turned and left. Lin Daochen's feet were surrounded by swirling clouds, as if he were soaring into the sky, and in the blink of an eye, he had crossed the boundary of Kunlun Mountain.

He rode the wind at breakneck speed, and soon landed on the bluestone steps outside the thatched hut of the Kunlun Immortal. The moment his toes touched the ground, he looked up and saw the old Taoist standing a hundred paces away, his robe sleeves fluttering, beckoning to him repeatedly.

That old fellow is really quick-witted, managing to time his arrival perfectly—but there are some things I absolutely must ask him today.

Lin Daochen rushed forward. Here, clouds floated and the sound of pine breezes rustled in the air. The Kunlun Immortal stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering, exuding an air of otherworldly grace. It was a pity that the schemes, tests, and hidden brilliance he had displayed earlier had long since eroded any remaining respect Lin Daochen held for him.

He stopped and spoke bluntly: "Senior, your actions are far too dishonest! You've laid countless traps, both openly and secretly, yet at the last minute, you crammed all your insights into my head—what kind of logic is that? Wasn't it said that victory was the only option in this trial?"

The immortal of Kunlun laughed heartily, flicking his whisk, his silver hair fluttering like snow: "Young friend, you still underestimate me. As an immortal, how could I possibly contend with you for a moment's advantage? Wouldn't that lower my status and demeanor as an immortal?"

"You've misjudged me all along—this roundabout approach isn't a scheme, but a test of your character and your potential."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly turned to the side and nodded to a withered old man behind him. Lin Daochen was then surprised to realize: there was someone standing next to him! The man was as still as a stone, his breath blending into the wind, and he hadn't noticed him at all as he walked along.

"Huh?" Lin Daochen raised an eyebrow. "When did this senior arrive? But if the two of you join forces to exert pressure, I'm afraid it won't go as planned."

His lips curled slightly, his eyes burning brightly. Though his cultivation was slightly inferior, his combat prowess was undeniable.

The old man stroked his beard and laughed, "Enough! My old bones can't withstand your torment. Since you've passed the test, I'll give you a small gift."

Having said that, he touched Lin Daochen's forehead with his withered finger—instantly, a seven-colored radiance, like molten gold pouring into his head, shot straight into his sea of ​​consciousness. A warm current exploded out, and his limbs and bones instantly became steaming hot.

boom!

A sudden tremor ran through the depths of his dantian—the internal energy that had originally transformed into nine golden cores instantly reassembled! However, it did not completely merge; instead, it interlocked with each other like the nine stars of the Big Dipper, suspended in the center of his dantian.

Lin Daochen looked inward at himself, his heart pounding: What... what kind of strange phenomenon is this?

Such a change during the Integration Stage? He shook his head and chuckled, speechless for a moment. But now he had no doubts: these two seniors had no intention of harming him at all; they were simply using extraordinary methods to help him break through the barriers and ascend the ranks.

He didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"Esteemed seniors, I have come here today with a request. I have already found Sun Wukong and discovered the path to the Fusion Stage."

"There is only one crucial element missing—without it, even with countless opportunities, it will be difficult to break free from the shackles, let alone achieve union."

"May I ask—have you ever heard of the 'Golden Elixir Fruit'? If I obtain this fruit, I will be able to open the door to the Integration Realm in one fell swoop."

Upon hearing this, the Immortal Kunlun and the old man exchanged a knowing smile, their laughter seemingly containing three parts surprise and seven parts understanding.

He was slightly taken aback, and blurted out, "Eh? You actually know about the Golden Core Fruit? This thing is only occasionally mentioned in the secret texts of the Upper Realm; ordinary cultivators have never even heard of it. Could it be that some senior has been secretly giving you pointers?"

After a moment's thought, the Immortal Kunlun suddenly realized something, and with a smile, he laughed loudly, "Ha! No wonder—it was that mischievous monkey Sun Wukong who was so talkative, even gossiping about such trivial matters to you. But it doesn't matter, it's not like you've revealed anything. Now that you've stepped through this door, knowing some of the details is a natural progression."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly flicked his sleeves, and a gust of wind rose up like a dragon, instantly enveloping the three of them. Lin Daochen felt his feet suddenly give way, and his body was lifted into the air as if riding on clouds. The scenery before his eyes spun and rushed past, and the wind howled in his ears.

When I looked again, I found myself in a vast, snow-covered forest. The air was biting cold, and the world was completely white, but the ancient trees, with their gnarled branches and frosty leaves, stood tall and strong in the bitter cold, full of vitality.

"Strange... In such severe cold, the tree roots should have cracked by now, how come they're still so resilient?"

The Kunlun Immortal waved his hand and said calmly, "You don't know this—these are snow pines of the Tianshan Mountains, growing on the highest peaks, drinking frost and swallowing snow for hundreds of years. Cold is their very breath."

Without another word, he took a step and walked away. With a light touch of his toes, he moved like a streak of light, covering dozens of feet in a single stride, as if shrinking the distance between them. If Lin Daochen hadn't had a solid foundation and swift movements, he would have been left behind in the blink of an eye.

Before long, a magnificent palace suddenly appeared before us—the entire palace was carved from ten thousand years of black ice, crystal clear, with a cold light flowing through it, and upturned eaves, like a phoenix spreading its wings formed from ice crystals.

"The Golden Elixir Fruit is inside. The one in the hall is known as the 'Immortal of Tianshan,' and the fruit is under his control. Go and find him yourself."

Having said that, Immortal Kunlun gently shook his head: "Our karma ends here. It is difficult to know when we will meet again. I hope you will remember what I have taught you today—if you can understand it thoroughly, even without the Golden Elixir Fruit, you can still open the door to the Unity Realm; if you have the help of this fruit, it will be like adding fuel to a raging fire, and your realm will leap forward unstoppably."

"Opportunities wait for no one. You have two paths now, one in your heart and one in your hand. You must hold on tight and not let them slip through your fingers."

After he finished speaking, his figure gradually faded away, like ink dissolving in water, until he finally vanished without a trace.

Lin Daochen stood there, stunned, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. The palace gates were wide open and silent before him. He took a deep breath and muttered to himself, "If the Kunlun Immortal is this straightforward, surely this Tianshan Immortal won't turn his back on me? Oh well, since I'm already here, I might as well go in and take a look."

He strode forward, passing through the ice corridor and stepping onto the ninety-nine steps of cold jade. The surface of the steps was as clear as a mirror, reflecting the flowing light from the dome. With each step, the chill crept up his calves from the soles of his boots.

Upon reaching the end, a translucent throne rests quietly on a high platform, upon which leans a person with a handsome face and clear features, who appears to be no more than twenty years old.

Lin Daochen paused, gazing intently, remaining silent for a moment. The man spoke first, his voice clear and melodious, carrying a hint of languor and a touch of amusement: "Young friend, you've come from afar, seeking the Dao? Seeking medicine? Or… simply want to see what kind of living creature is hidden in this ice cave?"

Lin Daochen felt relieved and no longer hesitated: "To be honest, I am at the critical moment of breaking through to the next realm and urgently need a Golden Elixir Fruit as a catalyst. If you would be so kind as to grant me one, I would be eternally grateful."

Upon hearing this, the man was taken aback for a moment, then threw his head back and laughed loudly: "Ha... interesting! We're complete strangers, with no prior connection or obligation, and you expect me to empty my pockets right off the bat? This deal is far too easy."