The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Upon entering, there were guards dressed in imperial court attire. They came forward and searched Chu Luren's body. At this moment, Hei Baizi also took the sword from Chu Luren's hand: "That's the rule. Brother Li, please forgive me."

After searching thoroughly, they found nothing suspicious except a heavy steel token engraved with the character "Li," but Hei Baizi didn't take it seriously.

"The Second Master mentioned the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison... but I can't see the path," Chu Luren said as he entered, striking up a conversation with Hei Baizi.

Upon hearing this, Hei Baizi's expression changed slightly. He said, "Brother Li, be careful what you say! This matter should not be mentioned lightly... You only need to know that no living person has ever come out of the ninth level! Its entrance is not here either."

"Huh? There's not even anyone bringing food?" Chu Luren feigned confusion.

Black and White Pieces remained silent...

At this moment, Hei Baizi also led Chu Luren to a prison cell at the deepest part of the eighth floor. In fact, most of the prison cells they passed by were empty, with hardly any people. It seemed that the "Heavenly Prison Business" of the Dragon Guard Manor was really not doing well, and no sects were willing to pay for it.

"Once you go inside, remember not to ask his identity, and do not reveal a single thing about what happened today... I'm not threatening Brother Li, but your entire Giant Whale Gang cannot afford the consequences!" Hei Bai Zi pretended to threaten.

"Second Master, rest assured, I will only focus on the sword duel; the rest... is none of my concern," Chu Luren said truthfully.

Hei Baizi opened the entrance to the last cell. The cell was several hundred square meters in size, but it was of little use to the prisoners. One of them was not only bound by iron chains, but also had iron nails as thick as wrists piercing through his shoulder blades, with barbs as thick as fingers hooking back on them!

It is said that this is the deadly pipa hook that Dongfang Bubai inserted into Ren Woxing's body twelve years ago after he ambushed him.

This iron hook was made by Yang Lianting using special materials. It pierces the collarbone on the outside and seals the meridians on the inside. No matter how strong one's internal strength is, one cannot break free and thus cannot leave this place.

"Is the Third Master sure this fellow can still fight with swords?" Chu Luren's shoulders ached just looking at him.

“Brother Li, you are unaware of this. This senior was once renowned throughout the martial arts world, and his swordsmanship was unparalleled. Although he is currently trapped here, if we don’t rely on internal strength and just compare swordsmanship, he can still hold his own… As for whether he can defeat you, it’s really hard to say.” Hei Baizi wanted to use this opportunity to provoke him.

"Hmph, you jailer, gossiping again? What? You want me to help you deal with this enemy? Don't even think about it!" The old man who was locked up, Ren Woxing, roared angrily.

Hei Baizi was only thinking of provoking Ren Woxing so that he would fight him with a sword, but Ren Woxing was not fooled at all.

Chu Luren couldn't wait any longer, so he deliberately shook the token at his waist and said, "What a reputation that is known throughout the world, and what a peerless swordsmanship. I think he's nothing special!"

This place is already the eighth level of the Heavenly Prison, at the bottom of West Lake. The candlelight is very dim, and ordinary people can hardly see anything. Only those who have mastered internal martial arts can move around normally.

However, Ren Woxing did notice Chu Luren's waist tag, and then "angrily" said: "You little brat, these ruffian jailers look down on me, and you really dare to underestimate me? It's just a sword fight... bring me your sword!"

Seeing this, Chu Luren became even more convinced that there was a traitor in the prison.

Judging from Ren Woxing's reaction, it was clear that it was not as simple as just finding out where Wentian was being held; they had obviously already contacted each other once or twice through some means!

Although there wasn't enough time to convey much information, it was enough for Ren Woxing to know what this token was all about...

Indeed, this token has its own story—it is said to be forged from some underground magnetite after all its magnetism was removed.

It looks no different from ordinary steel, but as long as you use internal force to stimulate it, it can generate a special magnetism and pull out the deadly pipa hook!

In this vast martial world, with Ren Woxing's internal strength, no matter how miserable he looks now, he can immediately escape on his own once the Deadly Pipa Hook is used.

"Since you two are going to have a sword fight, then let's use wooden swords," Hei Baizi said, handing over two wooden swords.

"Hmph, cowardly as a mouse," Ren Woxing said disdainfully.

"Please, senior." Chu Luren stepped forward and handed a wooden sword to Ren Woxing. By the way... from an angle where Hei Baizi couldn't see, he secretly handed over the token as well.

Ren Woxing was thrilled when he received it, but he still held back – after all, twelve years had passed, and now that he had this underground magnet, although he was confident that he could break free of his restraints, his chronic illness made it difficult for him to fight his way out!

"Boy, let me test you!" Ren Woxing said, already assuming a sword stance.

Seeing that the charade had to continue, Chu Luren was about to make his move...

But just then, Ren Woxing glanced at Hei Baizi and said, "No! What are you doing here? Stealing my swordsmanship? I can't let a jailer like you see it!"

Hei Baizi knew that Ren Woxing was intentionally humiliating him. Moreover, he had often privately threatened and bribed Ren Woxing in the past, wanting the secret manual of the "Star Absorbing Technique". At this moment, he was worried that if Ren Woxing continued to talk, his behavior would be exposed. Secondly, Ren Woxing was still locked up, and he thought that as long as he locked himself in a cell outside, no one could get out. Therefore, he was not too wary.

“If you are so concerned, sir, then I shall take my leave.” After saying this, Hei Baizi left.

At the same time, Ren Woxing also drew his sword at Chu Luren!

It must be said that Ren Woxing is still as strong as a starved camel. Even in this situation, Chu Luren would find it difficult to defeat him with his swordsmanship. Of course, given that his internal energy is locked, if Chu Luren goes all out, as long as he is careful of the "Star Absorbing Technique", he will be able to kill him.

Then, as the sword wind howled, Ren Woxing crossed paths with Chu Luren several times, and whispered to Chu Luren, "Did the Left Envoy send you?"

Back then, Xiang Wentian was the Right Envoy and Dongfang Bubai was the Left Envoy. However, Ren Woxing now considers himself to have regained the position of leader and verbally promotes Xiang Wentian to the position of Left Envoy.

"I'm just repaying a favor to Ren Yingying by helping her with a few sword matches. Senior, you don't need to worry about me," Chu Luren said truthfully.

"You recognize my daughter? Good! Your swordsmanship is quite good. Among the younger generation, you should be considered top-notch! You and my daughter are... Hahaha, that's not bad either. You suffer for me for a few days, and I'll come back to save you after I recover my strength. At that time, not only will I support your relationship with Yingying, but since I have no son, the position of sect leader will also be yours in the future!" Ren Woxing started making empty promises.

Chapter 249 Madness

However, Ren Woxing made a big blunder, but Chu Luren did not accept it. Not to mention that he and Ren Yingying had no such relationship, besides, the promise he made did not include such a dangerous situation.

When Xiang Wentian checked the plan with him, he did indeed ask for permission, patting his chest and saying "it's very safe," but Chu Luren ultimately did not agree.

"Senior is too kind. Ren Yingying and I are barely friends... provided she doesn't have any ulterior motives towards me. If Senior doesn't wish to spar, this junior will take his leave." Chu Luren had already fulfilled his request by delivering the items.

In fact, Xiang Wentian had already made arrangements for the future, and a "scapegoat" would naturally be sent. However, Ren Woxing had been imprisoned for twelve years and was tormented by hatred at all times, so he was currently very "obsessed"...

"You don't want to? Humph! Fine, fine! Then don't blame me!" Ren Woxing shouted the last sentence.

Chu Luren was also puzzled, not understanding why Ren Woxing was acting so irrationally. Just then, he saw Ren Woxing make a shaking motion, using the underground magnet to open the deadly pipa hooks on his shoulders. Then, with another shaking motion, he shook the two stakes out of his pipa bones, along with his flesh and blood!

Hearing the commotion, Hei Baizi sensed something was wrong and rushed in to check. He saw that Ren Woxing's deadly pipa hook had fallen to the ground, and his already pale face turned pale with fright, almost revealing his bones!

Ren Woxing looked at Chu Luren and Hei Baizi, sneered, and then shook his arms—without the Deadly Pipa Hook, the other iron chains on his body were simply for show.

With a single shake from him, they all snapped in two...

"You, you..." Hei Baizi was so frightened that his teeth chattered.

"Didn't we agree not to compete in internal strength? By the way, can the chains in your Heavenly Prison be broken?" Chu Luren also retreated with a look of surprise.

Ren Woxing didn't deliberately expose him, but just laughed wildly three times and said, "Hahaha, I originally had a chance to guarantee you an 80% chance of survival, but now... I'm afraid you don't even have a 10% chance!"

Before Chu Luren could figure out what he was going to say, Ren Woxing threw his sword aside. It seemed like he was just tossing it casually, but it stuck into the stone wall with a muffled sound—there was a layer of molten copper poured into the bottom of the rock wall!

"Star Absorbing Technique!" Ren Woxing was bursting with frustration, and he unleashed his attack with a silly roar.

However, this power...

The Ren Woxing before him was the first peerless master Chu Luren had ever seen using his full strength. Although he had not yet recovered from his illness, his stamina was almost gone. When he used his full strength, he still had 80-90% of his peak power. However, he would probably be exhausted after one or two moves.

Ren Woxing wasn't specifically targeting any one person; rather, he was absorbing from all directions, as if he were about to transform into a black hole...

However, even without a specific target or angle, Chu Luren was still drawn in and couldn't help but step forward!

Aside from the surrounding debris, the surrounding stone walls were also emitting a series of ear-piercing friction sounds.

Finally, accompanied by several falling sounds, cracks also appeared in the surrounding walls, which were said to have been poured with molten copper!

Chu Luren noticed that the first cracks appeared at the joints of the chains that had originally bound Ren Woxing…

This should not be a coincidence. It is very likely that Ren Woxing has not been idle during these twelve years. Although his internal energy was locked to a great extent, he still managed to loosen the surrounding copper wall day after day through the transmission of the chains.

This sudden outburst caused a huge commotion!

With several loud bangs, Ren Woxing had "finished his work," but the tremors in the prison continued...

"Oh no! The Heavenly Prison is about to collapse!" Hei Baizi exclaimed.

"The Heavenly Prison will collapse? Is the Heavenly Prison really at the bottom of the lake?" Chu Luren also used his sonic powers to prevent him from panicking and being unable to answer due to his mental turmoil.

"The first six floors... are not there. The seventh, eighth, and ninth floors are right next to West Lake! Oh no, there's the sound of water!"

"Hahaha... Kid, then you'd better pray for yourself!" Ren Woxing laughed wildly again, then leaped up and struck the ground with his palm, right where he was sitting cross-legged.

It actually collapsed immediately, probably because Ren Woxing had "dealt with" this place as well!

Chu Luren wanted to retreat back to the entrance, but seeing Ren Woxing charging past recklessly, he slowed down.

Hei Baizi tried to escape by the same route, but Ren Woxing caught up with him from behind and killed him with a single palm strike.

Chu Luren wanted to follow them out, but he found that the passage he had entered through was already flooded. After hesitating for a moment, he retreated first. With the Nine Yin Breath-Holding Technique, Chu Luren could hold out for a long time, but this tunnel was too long. If there were no undercurrents, it would be fine, but now the lake water had just overflowed. If he was delayed any longer in the turbulent current, he might not be able to get out!

After retreating for the time being, Chu Luren discovered that there was a large space beneath the floor that Ren Woxing had broken through, which turned out to be a natural underground cave.

Chu Luren remembered that Hei Baizi had mentioned before that no one had ever left the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison alive, and that... it didn't have the same entrance as the seventh and eighth levels!

Knowing that the ninth floor might be where Zhao Wushi imprisoned Gu Santong, Chu Luren remembered that Cheng Shifei left from there in the original work, which seemed to be quite simple.

Ren Woxing deliberately broke through the barrier between the eighth and ninth floors, probably because he had heard the rumors about the ninth floor and thought that Zhao Wushi's formidable enemy was inside. At least the Heavenly Prison must have attached more importance to the ninth floor than to Ren Woxing.

If the prisoners on the ninth floor also escape at this point, then naturally there's no time to deal with him...

Unfortunately, Ren Woxing didn't know that Gu Santong wasn't imprisoned in this heavenly prison!

Chu Luren used his strength to lighten his body and slid down first, discovering that the cave was indeed natural and, judging by its size, seemed quite safe for the time being.

However, just as Chu Luren had taken two steps, he suddenly witnessed an appalling scene...

A disheveled old man was seen pinching a young man's face and... kissing him?

When Chu Luren saw it, it was just the end. With a long slurp, the old man released the young man, who collapsed to the ground, seemingly unconscious.

The old man had obviously noticed Chu Luren's arrival long ago, but he didn't feel embarrassed. He simply asked without turning his head, "It's so noisy outside."

"Senior, could you be the invincible rascal Gu Santong who disappeared twenty years ago?" Chu Luren asked directly.

"Oh? You weren't sent by that old pig? Then how did you know it was me?" Gu Santong turned his head to look at him.

Even though he had no more martial arts skills, the old man's gaze still gave Chu Luren a considerable sense of pressure.

"I suppose the only person Zhao Wushi would be so careful to keep locked up on the ninth floor is Senior Gu... I originally promised someone to rescue someone on the eighth floor, but the madman I rescued caused the dungeon to collapse." Chu Luren honestly flattered him, and also explained why "it was very noisy outside."

"Coming to the Heavenly Prison to rescue someone? Hahaha... You promised a woman?" Gu Santong asked with a peculiar perspective.

Chu Luren didn't understand why anyone would specifically ask this question, when there were clearly many other things worth asking.

"Yes," Chu Luren replied, though surprised.

At this moment, Chu Luren wasn't too nervous. After all, Cheng Shifei had already "fallen," and Gu Santong must have completely lost his power. Even if Gu Santong had really gone mad, Chu Luren didn't believe that Gu Santong, whose power had been lost, could kill him with one punch.

Chapter 250 That Old Man Is Very Wicked

“Sigh, young man, listen to my old man’s advice: if you like someone, you must tell them. Helping them risk their lives to save others is one thing, but telling them is another. You have to do it and you have to say it.” Gu Santong looked like a master of relationships.

but……

Thinking about this man's romantic history, Chu Luren really wants to ask: Who gave you your confidence?

Do you know me, Chu Luren, the emotional consultant for the Ancient Tomb Sect?

Besides, you've misunderstood...