The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

As darkness fell, Chu Luren, having spent the entire night cultivating with his Dao Embryo, rose early to continue savoring the insights gained from his previous Dao Embryo cultivation. He then stood up and picked up his wooden sword…

The giant eagle, which had been resting with its eyes closed, immediately looked at Chu Luren.

Chu Luren didn't make any move, but a soaring sword aura burst forth from his body!

At the same time, the originally ferocious and dormant strange dragon gradually began to writhe in pain, as if Senior Dugu had already reacted.

The giant eagle tried its best to remain quiet, but couldn't help swaying from side to side and tiptoeing, as if it were cheering on Chu Luren and Dugu Qiubai!

pity……

The strange dragon's painful writhing gradually subsided, and it continued to stare at Chu Luren with a calm yet ferocious gaze.

Chu Luren also felt that his sword energy... inevitably carried the sword heart and sword momentum, and then the resonance with the senior Dugu Qiubai gradually weakened!

At first, Chu Luren was able to make up for some of the shortcomings by using his state of enlightenment, but... in the end, he was still lacking in skill!

Gradually, the giant eagle realized its defeat and stopped in disappointment, drooping its head to reveal its bald patch covered in fleshy growths.

Chu Luren was also somewhat disappointed, but then he looked towards the location of Senior Dugu Qiubai, and after thinking for a while...

"Brother Eagle, I have another idea that we can try. Although it's not stimulated by sword energy, it might be able to wake Senior Dugu Qiubai from his apparent death," Chu Luren said to the eagle.

Despite his disappointment, the giant eagle still trusted Chu Luren completely—it didn't mind that Chu Luren had tricked it a little earlier.

Seeing this, Chu Luren moved to a position where he was separated from Dugu Qiubai by the belly of the strange dragon.

Ignoring the strange dragon's writhing movements, Chu Luren placed one hand on it, closed his eyes, and entered the state of Dao Embryo!

Indeed, it is difficult to comprehend Dugu Qiubai's swordsmanship, but the current focus is on waking Dugu Qiubai from his state of suspended animation. So... this may not be the only method Dugu Qiubai had previously devised.

Chu Luren's "Dao Tai Shi E Jing" had long since reached the bottleneck of the "Second Tribulation" and he was preparing to find someone to help him overcome it.

In other words, Chu Luren had a Dao Embryo clone that he could reside in at this time!

If the Dao Embryo were to be placed in Senior Dugu Qiubai's body at this time to assist him in practicing his cultivation, it should also have the effect of awakening him.

and……

If the mere "Second Calamity" can resolve the death calamity of someone like Dugu Qiubai, then the calamity energy is so abundant that Chu Luren would surely break through!

Following a faint sense, Chu Luren placed his Dao Embryo clone into Dugu Qiubai's body—this would obviously not have been possible if the other party had not been in a state of suspended animation.

Even if he faked his death, this mere second-level Dao Embryo clone felt as if it were being torn to pieces by Dugu Qiubai's unconscious sword intent.

Fortunately, Chu Luren gritted his teeth and succeeded!

The strange dragon was writhing wildly, and the panic in its eyes was far greater than before. Seeing this, the giant eagle once again became hopeful.

Chu Luren's idea was correct; it could indeed awaken Dugu Qiubai!

And unlike when it was residing in A Zi's body, it required its own guidance.

His current Dao Embryo clone only slightly awakened Dugu Qiubai's subconscious, and then became Dugu Qiubai's consciousness, which then used the Dao Embryo to further awaken itself.

During this process, Chu Luren more directly accepted Dugu Qiubai's swordsmanship and will...

It was precisely because of this "putting himself in their shoes" feeling that Chu Luren realized that some unexpected things had happened when Dugu Qiubai fully woke up and plundered the life essence of the strange dragon.

Ultimately, the feigned death had lasted too long, and the life essence of the strange dragon was no longer enough to completely rejuvenate Dugu Qiubai; it could only be continuously consumed!

Chu Luren could sense that Dugu Qiubai, now fully awake, was facing two choices—

Firstly, it allows him to maintain his aging body. In this way, the life essence of the strange dragon can extend Dugu Qiubai's life by at least twenty or thirty years, but as before, he will not be able to break through.

Secondly, if he were to force a breakthrough and return to his best condition, it would likely take him a few months to two or three years before Dugu Qiubai would once again die.

Moreover, even if a breakthrough is achieved, it will only be a breakthrough in "mind" and "momentum," and will not significantly enhance Dugu Qiubai's vitality.

As for how to choose...

For Dugu Qiubai, there was clearly no need to hesitate!

Chapter 568 Dugu Qiubai

He roams the martial world... seeking only defeat!

The strange dragon's vitality quickly waned, and in its place, a sharp sword aura burst forth from within, separated from the Chu Luren by only a skin's width.

At the same time, the strange dragon's body gradually dried up and cracked. In its place, a man dressed in a rather shabby black outfit walked out, carrying a very simple broken sword in his hand. His face was not old at all, his long hair was half black and half white, and his temperament was full of sharpness.

Clearly, for Dugu Qiubai, surviving for twenty or thirty years was meaningless.

His goal was "to seek only defeat," and that kind of defeat where he gave it his all, risked his life, but was still defeated, not one where he was defeated when he was old and frail!

"You are very good," Dugu Qiubai praised Chu Luren.

Although he didn't know who Chu Luren was, Dugu Qiubai could sense the presence of the Dao Embryo and knew that Chu Luren had awakened him in this way.

"I must thank Senior Dugu for his guidance." After Chu Luren was placed in the Dao Embryo, he not only absorbed enough tribulation energy to break through several times, but also... his comprehension of the Dugu Sword Realm reached a new level!

Dugu Qiubai ignored Chu Luren's gratitude and shook his head, saying, "It is only because you have comprehended such a miraculous method that you have such an opportunity."

"The Heavenly Gate has been opened... Now, who in the world can be called number one?" Dugu Qiubai asked Chu Luren.

Now that someone has already knocked on the gates of heaven, Dugu Qiubai believes that there must be someone stronger than he was in his time!

"The first one to knock on the Heavenly Gate was Master Zhang of the Wudang Sect... Back then, Master Zhang defeated the Carefree King when he was just over twenty years old, and he has been invincible in the world ever since. However, he has not competed with anyone for a long time. There is also someone who seems to be from the Buddhist sect or Shaolin, and he also has to knock on the Heavenly Gate," Chu Luren said honestly.

“Master Zhang? The Carefree King…” Dugu Qiubai had never heard of Master Zhang, since he had already faked his death before Master Zhang rose to prominence, but he had heard of the Carefree King.

They even went to the Western Regions to fight them back then!

"Good! New talents emerge in every generation of martial arts. I hope that the martial arts world today will not disappoint me. Hahaha..." Dugu Qiubai laughed heartily as he spoke.

Given his current condition, it's probably not too far off before he "passes away."

"Is the Wudang Sect... located near Wudang County? That's not far. Since you acknowledge me as your half-teacher, how about I send you on a journey?" Dugu Qiubai suddenly said to Chu Luren.

Chu Luren was taken aback upon hearing this, then guessed what was going on...

"Does Master want me to issue a challenge to Wudang?" Chu Luren felt a little uncomfortable. I'm asking for the true teachings of Wudang on behalf of my sister, the sect leader, and I'm also issuing a challenge on behalf of Master Dugu. Do you think Master Zhang will like me?

However, since he was half a master, Chu Luren addressed him as "teacher".

I believe that Master Donghua Dijun and Master Wuyazi will not have any objections.

"To be honest, I was originally going to Wudang to see Master Zhang, but..."

Seeing that Chu Luren was hesitant, Dugu Qiubai shook his head and said, "You don't need to worry about anything. Since Master Zhang also became famous for defeating demons back then, but then went into seclusion in his later years, I guessed that he had long been unable to find a worthy opponent!"

"Alright, then this student will issue this challenge on behalf of the teacher." Seeing that Dugu Qiubai had said so, Chu Luren couldn't very well refuse, after all, he had just received almost all of Dugu Qiubai's inheritance.

Moreover... Chu Luren also felt that what the old man said made sense.

"There's no need for any challenge. Just tell Master Zhang that I will go to Wudang Mountain to spar with him in six months. It's a fight to the death, I just want to be defeated!" Dugu Qiubai still needs six months to use his peak body to completely complete his breakthrough.

Chu Luren had to admit defeat – it was uncertain whether Dugu Qiubai had even a year left to live, yet he was willing to calm down and go into seclusion for six months for this battle…

"Then this junior wishes you... a swift and satisfying battle, senior," Chu Luren said as he departed.

Saying I wish you "a resounding victory" is a bit inappropriate, since he is seeking defeat. Saying I wish you "your wish comes true" also seems strange.

Lonely Seeker curled the corners of his mouth, quite pleased with the blessing.

After Chu Luren left Daheishan and returned to Xiangyang, Lianxing and Piaoxu asked him curiously why catching the snake would take three days.

Chu Luren had nothing to hide about this, since the news of Master Dugu's duel with Master Zhang would be known to everyone once it spread, and there was no need to worry about Liu Sheng Piaoxu.

"That's a long story. I met a teacher in Daheishan..." Chu Luren began his story.

As a Japanese, Liu Sheng Piaoxu had no impression of the name Dugu Qiubai, but Lianxing had heard of it, after all, he was a legendary swordsman who was invincible a hundred years ago!

Both were astonished that this person had actually "woke up" and would be fighting Zhang Zhenren again in six months.

At the same time, I also admire the Chu Lu people—they seem to encounter some amazing things wherever they go…

After that, Chu Luren stayed in Xiangyang for two more days, thoroughly experiencing and organizing the Dugu Sword Realm, before finally... completely condensing the "Dugu Sword Realm" badge!

Chu Luren was amazed by this. Although he had always called it that in his mind, Chu Luren knew very well that the so-called "Dugu Sword Realm" was the ultimate skill, which was neither "mind" nor "momentum", and had nothing to do with "body, qi, and technique".

Therefore, Chu Luren initially thought that the badge would not condense in his consciousness.

Furthermore, it's not restricted by badges; once you've mastered it, you can use it...

However, after much sorting and comprehension, I actually managed to condense a badge? Where should I equip it?

When Chu Luren focused his attention on the "Dugu Sword Realm" in his consciousness, he discovered that it was different from the previous badges and did not require special equipment.

However, the difficulty in obtaining this "skill" badge is truly extraordinary...

Chu Luren estimated that if he hadn't awakened Master Dugu, and instead used the "Dao Embryo" to reside in a state similar to dual cultivation, and gained a great deal of insight into the Dugu Sword Realm again, relying solely on the inheritance of the sword will, he would have needed at least another ten years to have a chance to reach his current level.

Given Chu Luren's current level of swordsmanship, coupled with the wondrous effects of the Dao Embryo, his efficiency in obtaining inheritance and subsequent cultivation is definitely not low.

However, this "skill" badge is indeed quite effective...

It doesn't actually provide any combat power boost to Chu Luren, since Chu Luren can still use Dugu Jianjing's techniques even before forming the badge.

However, with this badge in existence, on the one hand, Chu Luren can focus more intently, that is, more efficiently, hone his "skills" in the Dao Embryo state;

On the other hand, and more importantly, it has a more intuitive effect—decomposition!

In contrast to the "fusion" of mind, body, qi, technique, and momentum, the badge of "skill" can be decomposed. Moreover, when the Chu Lu people focus their attention on "skill," they can feel that if they "decompose" it, they can obtain a second-level "mind" and several second- and first-level "momentum."

This is precisely the path that Dugu Qiubai followed, only it was materialized in the unique consciousness of the Chu Lu people through badges and decomposition...

Chapter 569 Night Party

The path that Dugu Qiubai took was very different from that of other peerless masters that Chu Luren had seen before.

It deliberately abandons "mind" and "momentum," first pursuing the ultimate "skill," and then ultimately pushing back against "mind" and "momentum."

From the fact that Chu Luren failed to awaken Dugu Qiubai at the beginning, we can see that after comprehending "mind" and "momentum", it will inevitably affect "skill". This is why Dugu Qiubai had to reverse-engineer "mind" and "momentum" in the final step.

Now that Chu Luren has transformed the Dugu Sword Realm badge, the effect is the same...

In fact, given that Chu Luren had already grasped many aspects of "mind" and "momentum," it was already too late for him to embark on the path of seeking defeat alone.

However, it was precisely because of Chu Luren's mutated sea of ​​consciousness after his transmigration that this became possible.

Just like other martial arts, Chu Luren can switch badges to transform them without resistance—after forming the badge of "Dugu Sword Realm", Chu Luren can master it and shield himself from the influence of mind and momentum when cultivating.

Therefore, the Chu deer people did not immediately break it down...