The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

What do you know?

Does it contain the "Martial Arts Manual of Yue Fei", the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms", and the "Nine Yin Manual"?

Obviously, that's not right. The timing doesn't match up. In this vast martial arts world, when the legends of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber appeared, Marshal Yue hadn't even been born yet. And putting aside the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, there's no reason for the Nine Yin Manual to be in the Heaven Sword based on the current lineage...

Zhuo Bufan looked at Chu Luren with a puzzled expression, as if to say, "Are you trying to trick me?"

However, Chu Luren chuckled and said, "It's nothing more than... swords clashing, with something hidden inside." Chu Luren then transmitted the last part of his sentence to Zhuo Bufan.

As expected, Zhuo Bufan's pupils shrank immediately upon hearing this, clearly indicating that he had been right!

Zhuo Bufan immediately realized what was happening and stared at Chu Luren, asking, "But... Lord Chu doesn't know what's in the treasure, does he?"

To prevent others from guessing, he deliberately spoke vaguely.

"It's a good thing, you'll know once you get it," Chu Luren said nonchalantly.

That's right. What's hidden inside is actually a minor detail. As long as you get both, you'll naturally get what's inside.

Simply knowing what's inside is clearly not enough for Zhuo Bufan to risk his life.

"No... there is another secret among them. If Lord Chu is willing to hear it, I can tell you. Only with this secret will the treasure be complete!" Zhuo Bufan did not seem to be lying.

After looking at him, Chu Luren pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Zhuo's sword control technique is quite suitable for being treasured in Lingjiu Palace."

Zhuo Bufan was taken aback upon hearing this, and then said with a somewhat strange reaction, "That's how it should be."

"Lord Chu, would you like to speak to me in private?" Zhuo Bufan looked around.

The Unfair Taoist and Cui Lühua were very dissatisfied with him, but they did not show it on their faces. As for the people from the other thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands, they all took the initiative to disperse.

Chu Luren said, "You can say it here."

Zhuo Bufan was taken aback when he heard this. Was there any secret left?

Then I noticed that it seemed to be quieter around me... Was it soundproofed?

Zhuo Bufan's expression was strange. Could this really be done with martial arts? Could it be... that someone had spread true energy around them?

of course not!

It's actually just a little trick from the "Secret Essentials of Ninja Sect"...

At this moment, Zhuo Bufan also suppressed his doubts and said, "Lord Chu is wise and has actually guessed the secret of the clash of swords. Even if others get this precious sword, they will cherish it very much, but they will not be able to grasp the key to it."

"Get to the point," Chu Luren reminded him.

"However, in this world, it is likely that... the leader of Emei Sect knows the secret, and Master Zhang of Wudang Sect may also know it!"

Zhuo Bufan was about to keep everyone in suspense again, but then he noticed that Chu Luren was just staring at him and not responding. So he explained on his own: "Back then... the Western Region demons invaded the Central Plains, and the Famous Sword Manor was ruined. Later, Yi Tianxing, the last successor of the Famous Sword Manor, after joining forces with Zhang Zhenren to defeat the Carefree King, melted down the eight precious swords of the Famous Sword Manor and forged them into a scalpel and a sword..."

Zhuo Bufan recounted a story that was completely different from Chu Luren's original impression of the origins of the Heaven-Slaying Sword and the Dragon-Slaying Saber...

Chapter 599 The Secret of Swords and Blades

Chu Luren hadn't expected that the Heaven-Slaying Sword and Dragon-Slaying Saber in this vast martial arts world were actually forged from eight peerless swords from the Famous Sword Manor. He felt it was quite a waste!

However, this makes sense, since the whereabouts of the Gentleman's Sword and the Lady's Sword are still unknown, and Guo Juxia is still in Xiangyang, without the city falling or his family being destroyed.

Similarly, if these swords were forged by Yi Tianxing, then it would be reasonable for the Emei Patriarch to know the secrets behind them and even keep the Yitian Sword. It is also highly likely that Zhang Zhenren would know as well!

What remained in the Heaven Sword was no longer the Nine Yin Manual and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, but the Eight Styles of the Famous Sword Manor, as well as a portion of the martial arts of the Carefree King that Yi Tianxing obtained from the Carefree King, namely the so-called "Western Transmission of Demonic Arts"—a portion of the demonic sect's heritage that was taken away by the Western Regions and Fusang respectively.

Back then, after feeling invincible, the Carefree King was so bored that he wanted to train Yi Tianxing as a rival, but... he ended up making a mess of things!

In the grand world of martial arts, these two martial arts manuals are indeed more in line with the lofty ideal of "Without the Heaven-Slaying Sword, who can contend with it?" than the Nine Yin Manual and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

As for what's hidden in the Dragon-Slaying Saber, it's naturally not the Military Manual of Yue Fei, but rather... the Six Armies Mirror left by Li Jing during the Tang Dynasty, which Yi Tianxing obtained by chance!

Li Jing, a legendary war god in history, is equally impressive in the martial arts world. Legend has it that Huike, the second patriarch of Zen Buddhism, was at a loss when he first obtained the Yijinjing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) left by Bodhidharma. Later, he discussed it with the Buddhist monk Paramiti and learned the Zen principles within. Afterward, he had a chance encounter with a young Li Jing and talked for three days and three nights, finally comprehending the martial arts aspect of the Yijinjing.

Even within the context of the Fengyun universe, Li Jing was the founder of the Three-Part Returning to Origin Qi technique…

The Six Armies Mirror written by Li Jing?

Chu Luren estimated that, given the state of the martial arts world, there was likely a component where armies were formed through martial arts.

Zhuo Bufan also repeatedly emphasized that people from Emei and Wudang were very likely aware of this matter—in order to prevent the Chu Lu people from trying to silence them!

What Zhuo Bufan had said earlier about the secret of this "treasure" was not a lie.

Because within the "Eight Styles of Famous Swords," there is another part of the inheritance that is not in the Heaven Sword, including the sword-making techniques of Famous Sword Manor, as well as the internal skill of "controlling the sword with qi" of Famous Sword Manor - "Sword Controlling Qi Gong".

Perhaps due to limited space, this part was hidden elsewhere; only the treasure map was left inside the Heaven Sword, and the result was...

The Heaven Sword hadn't been broken yet, but Zhuo Bufan just happened to discover this treasure trove!

His sword-wielding technique is actually the "Sword-Wielding Qi Gong," a formless internal energy cultivation method passed down from the Famous Sword Manor.

Furthermore, in his message to posterity, Yi Tianxing mentioned the Heaven-Slaying Sword and the Dragon-Slaying Saber, as well as how to reforge the two broken pieces, and claimed that the newcomer might be a successor of the Emei Sect or the Wudang Sect...

What turned out to be Yi Tianxing's attempt to act like a prophet and show off to future generations led Zhuo Bufan to deduce the secrets of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber!

Chu Luren also guessed that Zhuo Bufan's secret plot to seize control of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands was probably because he wanted to take a gamble and then get involved in the affairs of Emei and Ming Cult—the Heaven-Reliant Sword was in the hands of Emei, while the Dragon-Slaying Saber had disappeared along with the Golden-Haired Lion King of Ming Cult…

Perhaps there will be a chance to seize the Heaven Sword and the Dragon Saber!

Then he can take out the complete "Eight Styles of Famous Swords" and Li Junshen's "Six Armies Mirror", and he will be able to make great achievements.

Chu Luren's guesses were indeed seven or eight out of ten correct, which is why Zhuo Bufan is so resentful of Chu Luren now.

"Thank you for your honest advice, Mr. Zhuo." Chu Luren said, extending his hand to Zhuo Bufan.

Suddenly, Zhuo Bufan felt a powerful suction force on his body, and involuntarily, his chest slammed into Chu Luren's palm. Before he could curse the other party for breaking his promise, he felt a wave of weakness throughout his body as his internal energy dissipated, and then... he inexplicably felt full again!

Chu Luren immediately released Zhuo Bufan.

"What...what did you do?" Zhuo Bufan asked nervously.

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhuo, it's just a small trick. Once I obtain the Heaven-Slaying Sword and the Dragon-Slaying Saber, or perhaps three years from now, you can come back to me to get rid of the 'trick' I'm carrying," Chu Luren said very kindly.

"Could it be... the Life and Death Talisman?" Zhuo Bufan's face darkened instantly, a vague guess forming in his mind.

The people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands could hear Zhuo Bufan speaking and felt a pang of sympathy upon seeing his condition.

"It's not such a cruel thing." Chu Luren looked like he was saying, "May Buddha have mercy."

Then Chu Luren snapped his fingers together, as if he were triggering something...

Zhuo Bufan's face turned ashen and his movements became stiff!

"You...this...is..." Zhuo Bufan opened his mouth with difficulty.

After Chu Luren stopped arousing him, Zhuo Bufan gradually returned to normal.

"A mere trick. If Mr. Zhuo is determined to cause a catastrophe in the martial world, then this Venerable Master will have no choice but to kill him!" Chu Luren's face was full of righteous indignation.

Actually, it's the same method used to punish Ha Daba and Duanmu Yuan. It involves injecting mutated fossil true energy into the opponent's body. At the same time, in order to make room, a portion of the opponent's internal energy is first absorbed, which creates the seemingly "soul-stealing" effect.

However, Chu Luren caused those two to immediately flare up, causing them to freeze and die on the spot—just like when someone goes into a state of demonic possession while practicing the "Fossil Divine Skill"!

As for Zhuo Bufan, Chu Luren concealed the fossil true energy. It was originally an application method he had comprehended from the "Life and Death Talisman," so he was naturally able to conceal it.

Furthermore, because it possesses the characteristics of White Rainbow Palm Force and remote control, Chu Luren can actively induce its activation—however, similar to the previous control of latent finger force, it can only be triggered within a certain distance. After all, it is not as mystical as directly controlling the true energy within the opponent's body, but rather using one's own true energy to resonate with the true energy remaining within the opponent's body...

However, unlike the "Life and Death Talisman", it doesn't have any special effect when it's not triggered. Chu Luren is just scaring the other party. In fact, as long as Zhuo Bufan never gets close to Chu Luren, it will never be triggered.

Chu Luren, of course, wouldn't explain these things in detail, letting Zhuo Bufan guess as he pleased, and even deliberately misled him, making him think that he had to come back to Chu Luren three years later to resolve the issue!

The principle is quite simple, but due to its mystique, many cave and island lords believe that the Venerable Lord absorbed the other party's soul, or part of it, which is why this effect occurred.

Zhuo Bufan was probably genuinely frightened, or perhaps intimidated by Chu Luren's martial arts prowess, and dared not harbor any wicked intentions. The first time he revealed the "Sword Control Qi Gong," it was the correct version...

Afterwards, Chu Luren released Zhuo Bufan and the other two as promised.

“Brother Chu, what did he tell you? You only told him because you borrowed the reputation of Xingxiuhai, shouldn’t you share it with us?” Azi immediately came over.

"Wait a minute, I need to meet up with the sisters from Lingjiu Palace later. I also have something to discuss with everyone." Chu Luren looked at Azi, and then at the people from Xingxiu Sect.

I think... the Righteous and Heroic Alliance could add another founding sect.

Chapter 600 Righteousness and Chivalry Shining Brightly

When Chu Luren led his people out of the valley, Granny Yu, Fu Minyi, and the other people from the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments were all very surprised.

It seems... some of them aren't from the Thirty-Six Caves or Seventy-Two Islands?

After Chu Luren introduced A Zi and the others to them, they awkwardly exchanged a few polite greetings.

Under the leadership of the Child Granny, Lingjiu Palace had long been arrogant and self-important, and interacting with other sects that had not been enslaved was a relatively unfamiliar thing for them.

"Your maternal grandfather is Wu Yazi?" Tongtong looked at Wang Yuyan and wrinkled her nose.

“That’s right, little girl, you know my grandfather too?” Wang Yuyan was a little annoyed that the child called her grandfather by his name, but… after all, he was just a child, so she didn’t show it.

"Hmph." Tongtong turned her head away disdainfully.

Wang Yuyan: ? ? ?

Of course, in Tongtong's eyes, Wang Yuyan is the one who is right—after all, she's just a child, and I won't argue with her about things that are the elders' business!

"Hey, your Lingjiu Palace is really a place where a hundred flowers bloom! Are you some kind of protector of flowers?" Mu Wanqing whispered to Chu Luren.

Clearly, Mu Wanqing was somewhat jealous of Chu Luren's behavior of falling into a den of women.

Mu Wanqing had gotten used to it; every time she was separated from Chu Luren for a while, some "good friends" she had never seen before would appear by his side.

But when Mu Wanqing saw the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments of Lingjiu Palace, she realized that she still couldn't get used to it!

"Most of them were pitiful people taken in by my senior master. Alas, I was only temporarily assuming the position of the Venerable Master." Chu Luren acted as if he had only done some minor work, and even became modest.

Mu Wanqing: ……

Chu Luren has repeatedly stated that there is no need to call them "Grandma" anymore, as they are all one family. In particular, he has instructed the sisters of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments not to bully them too much.

Of course, everyone could see that Chu Luren still favored the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments, and there was still a subordinate relationship. Although the title had changed, the various cave lords and island lords were still very afraid of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments. Even Cave Master An and Boss Wu were not out of breath in front of the Four Sword Attendants, who were far inferior to them...

As for the Xingxiu Sect members, both sides found them distasteful—their numbers were no less than those of the thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands present, but their quality... was far inferior!

Moreover, the people of the Star Constellation Clan and the people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands all felt that they themselves had more backbone.

If it weren't for the relationship between Chu Luren and the Three Goddesses of Xingxiu, this "disdain" would probably be even more obvious!

Seeing that the three parties had been exchanging pleasantries for a while, Chu Luren stepped forward and said, "Gentlemen, I have something to say." The scene immediately quieted down, and there was no need to restore order at all.