The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Some say there are twelve floors in total, some say there are thirteen floors in total...

However, regardless of the explanation, it cannot change the fact that no one has truly mastered the ninth level in the past few hundred years. In fact, no one in Zen Buddhism has practiced this technique for a long time, and those in Tantric Buddhism who practice this technique have all performed only moderately.

Tongtong remembered it because Xiaoyaozi had mentioned it before—Xiaoyaozi wanted to collect and simulate the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" but encountered great difficulties and the idea eventually came to nothing.

The first six levels of the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" are not particularly mysterious or profound. They are mainly about cultivating both internal and external strength and refining the physique, and can be considered a "decent" physical training technique.

Characterized by its "powerful and vigorous" nature...

Like most external martial arts, it doesn't rely on talent but on hard work!

Even martial arts prodigies don't progress very quickly in their training. Foolish and dull people can also learn if they are taught clearly. However, the more one practices, the slower the skill becomes. Ordinary people will reach the sixth level when their qi and blood are exhausted and their lifespan is depleted.

While the sixth level of the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" can be considered a master, it doesn't make one a particularly remarkable person. With the right external skills and a decent level of cultivation, one is roughly equivalent to Ah San. If one's external skills are lacking, then one is even less capable than Ah San.

but……

The patience required to practice a physical training technique for decades is itself a rare and precious quality!

So, this skill isn't anything special.

To master the seventh or eighth level of divine skill, one cannot cultivate step by step; one must be "impatient"...

As a martial art that cultivates both internal and external aspects, the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill tempers the body's Dragon Elephant True Qi, which is capable of transforming into a dragon and an elephant.

The stronger the "elephant" aspect, the more solid the cultivation will be, and the less likely it is to go astray. The cultivation speed will also be impressive. The stronger the "dragon" aspect, the more restless the true energy will be, and the cultivation speed will increase. However, if one is not careful, one will go astray and fall into complete ruin.

According to Tongtong, the only Buddhist master who had reached the ninth level before Jinlun in hundreds of years was a high-ranking monk from the Central Plains Zen sect. He went mad on the day he mastered it, dancing wildly for seven days and seven nights until his meridians were broken and he died from exhaustion.

Since then, very few people in the Zen sect have practiced this method.

After all, Zen Buddhism emphasizes enlightenment, and disturbing one's mind in order to practice martial arts is inherently inconsistent with the principles of Zen Buddhism!

Back then, Tongtong, as the senior disciple, was also proud and arrogant. When she heard Xiaoyaozi praising the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill," she asked a few more questions...

Based on Xiaoyaozi's few words from back then, Tongtong speculated that there should be a major change between the first six levels and the last six levels of the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill," which is very likely the addition of visualization methods from Indian martial arts—just like the "Divine Foot Sutra."

This method of visualization is used to restrain the restlessness of the dragon's energy, in order to cultivate to a higher level.

Unfortunately, Xiaoyaozi didn't say much to her, after all...

Tongtong's unauthorized cultivation of the "Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies, I Alone Am Supreme" technique, which prevented her from growing up, was enough to trouble Xiaoyaozi. How could he possibly let her be interested in such a dangerous martial art as the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique"?

This speculation also explains why, over the past few centuries, those who have cultivated the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" to the ninth level have been eminent Zen monks.

Esoteric martial arts emphasizes strength and power, and there are many body-training martial arts. The first six levels of the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" are their strength, but when it comes to dealing with "impetuousness" and testing one's state of mind, Zen practitioners are naturally more adept.

Tongtong never imagined that there would be a Tantric master in his fifties who had cultivated the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" to the unprecedented tenth level...

After pondering for a moment, Chu Luren hinted, "Sect Leader Song, Master Zhang passed on his true Tai Chi Fist and Sword techniques to me, so in a way, I'm practically Master Zhang's disciple..."

It's not unreasonable to say that there are eight Wudang Seven Heroes, is it?

How could Song Yuanqiao not know what Chu Luren was thinking?

However, he immediately shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Chu, but you are not a disciple of Wudang after all. Since the Golden Wheel Monk has come to challenge Wudang, we naturally have to..."

“I am not a Wudang disciple, but Master Zhang is the honorary leader of our Righteous Alliance! He wants to challenge Wudang, so what’s wrong with me, as the leader of the Righteous Alliance, taking action on behalf of Master Zhang?”

Chapter 669 The Two Kings Go to Wudang

The 13th day of the third month in the eighth year of the Tiansheng era.

The Golden Wheel Monk, accompanied by his two disciples, his chief protector Sangjie, and Kumārajīva, arrived at Wudang.

Jinlun was indeed quite magnanimous, and the five of them came up in a very open and generous manner, while the Mongol soldiers remained at the foot of the mountain, acting as if they were visiting Wudang according to the etiquette of the martial arts world.

Although it's obvious that Wudang wouldn't be so shameless as to gang up on him, especially with so many Mongol soldiers and cannons at the foot of the mountain, there are still very few people who would dare to risk their lives like that.

"This old monk, Jinlun, has been appointed as the Grand Preceptor of the Yuan Dynasty, and together with Kumozhi, the Dharma Protector Preceptor of the Great Wheel King of Tubo, have come to pay homage to Zhang Zhenren of Wudang!" Jinlun shouted energetically at the mountain gate.

Song Yuanqiao and Zhang Songxi, with stern faces, welcomed him in and led him all the way to the Zhenwu Hall.

Master Zhang has indeed emerged from seclusion. Although he is nearly 110 years old, his face still has plenty of collagen and even a healthy rosy glow!

Of course, this is just the surface. In reality, Master Zhang was indeed seriously injured and might not live for several years...

"Amitabha Buddha, the Imperial Preceptor has come from afar. Our sect has not been able to entertain you properly. Please forgive us." Master Zhang did not mention Gang Xiang, who had been beaten to death.

At this moment, the others besides Jinlun all focused their attention on another young man in the hall, in addition to Zhang Zhenren and the Daoist boy.

Naturally, it was... the Chu Lu people who had grudges against them all!

Finally, after Song Yuanqiao and Chu Luren met with Master Zhang and received his approval, Wudang... joined the Righteous Alliance.

In fact, Zhang Songxi had already advised Song Yuanqiao that he could order other branches to join the Righteous Alliance. This way, even if Wudang fell apart, at least everyone would still be in the Righteous Alliance, laying the foundation for Wudang's revival ten years later.

Song Yuanqiao told Zhang Songxi to make his own decision, after all... they had already prepared to close the mountain, so there was no need to drag Wudang down with them, right?

However, now that we need to guide the attack on Chu Luren, it is only legitimate for Wudang to join the Righteous Alliance!

Chu Luren then looked at the only one who wasn't looking at him—he knew everyone else and could naturally recognize who Jinlun was.

Compared to the dignified and solemn appearance of Kumārajīva, Jinlun's appearance was somewhat inferior. He was thin and tall, and... there was a noticeable round dent on his forehead, as if someone had knocked it out with a black iron vinegar dish!

Although he was the Grand Preceptor of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, his attire was simpler and more plain than that of Kumārajīva.

However, his eyes were exceptionally bright and spirited, even clearer than... Kumārajīva's eyes a few years ago.

As for Kumārajīva now?

At first glance, it was very clear, but with the warning of the fetal spirit, Chu Luren could sense that there was a hint of evil and ferocity in his eyes—this guy's demonic possession was getting more and more serious!

When Kumārajīva saw Chu Luren, he slightly twitched the corner of his mouth.

He has indeed been looking for Chu Luren recently. It is said that... Chu Luren wants to bribe the Shaolin Seventy-Two Arts.

However, now is clearly not a good time for networking; we should focus on more important matters first.

"This person... could he be the leader of the Righteous and Righteous Alliance?" After exchanging pleasantries with Zhang Zhenren, Jinlun also looked at Chu Luren.

"Indeed, I have met the Mongol Yuan National Preceptor and the Tibetan National Preceptor." Chu Luren gave a perfunctory bow.

Tibet is one thing, but the term "Mongol Yuan" itself carries a derogatory connotation.

"As expected, heroes emerge from among the young. After hearing about the establishment of your alliance, King Kublai Khan has always hoped to cooperate with your alliance in the Western Regions. With a hero like Alliance Leader Chu, it is no surprise that he will become a general or prime minister in the future!" Jinlun skillfully won over the Chu Lu people.

They didn't care about Huodu and Darba's hostility towards the Chulu people...

"Hahaha, easy to say, easy to say. I'll take on the roles of general and prime minister, but if Kublai Khan also wants to join the Righteous Alliance, why would our alliance begrudge a protector position?" Chu Luren laughed three times in a very chivalrous manner.

The atmosphere immediately turned cold as the two masters, Jinlun and Kumozhi, locked onto each other with their auras, but Chu Luren remained fearless.

Of course, it's not that Chu Luren can really beat the two of them. In reality, they are evenly matched. If it were a two-against-one situation, even if they used the "Qiankun Wuji Gong" to induce the two of them to wear each other down, it would only be a delaying tactic.

Even if it exceeds the stickiness range of the "Qiankun Wuji Gong", Chu Luren will not be able to withstand two people.

only……

Thinking you can overwhelm Chu Luren with your imposing presence is wishful thinking.

Chu Luren deliberately unleashed a trace of the "Buddha's Palm" aura, causing the two Tantric masters to feel a sense of reverence for Buddha when facing Chu Luren's energy...

"If Alliance Leader Chu were to resist the Heavenly Army like those mediocre people, it would be truly disappointing!" Jinlun said in a deep voice.

"Oh? So, the National Preceptor Kumārajīva has also switched allegiance to the Mongol Yuan dynasty?" Chu Luren asked deliberately.

“Amitabha Buddha, since King Kublai Khan is willing to make Tantric Buddhism the state religion, the Tibetan kings should naturally welcome the heavenly army,” Kumārajīva said, clasping his hands together.

This Kumārajīva may have practiced Zen martial arts extensively, and his words and actions have also leaned towards Zen.

Jinlun doesn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble; he just wants to remove Wudang, this thorn in his side, before the battle of Xiangyang!

"I wonder if Master Zhang would be willing to go to Dadu to discuss the Dao with this old monk?" Jinlun asked first.

For the Mongol Yuan dynasty, the best outcome was not that Wudang Mountain was closed off, but that Wudang Mountain also surrendered to the Mongol Yuan court.

Master Zhang, with the kind expression of a Taoist, said, "When the mountains and rivers are cleansed and the divine artifact is reclaimed, this humble Taoist will certainly have a good talk with the high monk."

The "divine artifact" doesn't refer to any real magical artifact, but rather to the orthodox tradition of Chinese civilization.

Jinlun's face darkened, and he thought to himself: This Taoist is even more stubborn than the Taoist priests of Quanzhen!

This is natural. Just look at Wudang—Master Zhang is naturally a Taoist, but all seven of his disciples are non-monastic.

Wudang has always valued "chivalry" more than "Tao"!

"That's truly regrettable. So... this battle is unavoidable." Jinlun said, clasping his hands together.

In this exchange, although their palms were slowly coming together, it was as if two giant palm-leaf fans were being violently fanned, and a strong wind was blowing gently on Master Zhang.

Chu Luren could tell that the Golden Wheel Monk had not used his internal energy or activated his palm force; he had simply closed his palm in a seemingly ordinary manner.

"Wait a minute!" Chu Luren interrupted at this moment.

"This is a matter between our Great Yuan and Wudang. What does Alliance Leader Chu have to say?" Jinlun questioned Chu Luren.

"No, how could the fact that the Grand Preceptor is challenging our alliance's honorary leader be unrelated to our alliance?" Chu Luren stood up and walked to Jinlun.

"Honorary leader?" Jinlun suddenly realized that his Chinese language skills were still lacking.

“Master Zhang, let our alliance handle this matter! Otherwise, if he, like his disciple, hides the fan and makes you search for it, wouldn’t we be in an invincible position?” Chu Luren deliberately provoked him.

Chapter 670 Second Under Heaven

Unfortunately, Jinlun didn't understand the "fan" reference, since Huo Du wouldn't go to his master to complain in such detail.

Darba, who had learned some Chinese, vaguely understood the "fan joke" and quickly began to explain it to Jinlun in his own language.

Jinlun's face twitched, barely managing to restrain himself from slapping his foolish disciple away!

"Hehe, is that what Master Zhang means too? Alliance Leader Chu isn't a Wudang disciple, is he?" Jinlun didn't react on the spot, but instead looked at Zhang Sanfeng.

Jinlun felt much more at ease when he saw Chu Luren interfere.

He came to Wudang the night before last to test them, but was instead slightly injured and forced to retreat by Master Zhang.

In the past three days, the minor injury has healed completely, and it can be inferred that Master Zhang must have been forced to fight before coming to challenge him!

Of course, Jinlun also faced risks—if Zhang Zhenren hadn't been injured, or if his injuries weren't as severe as he had imagined, then winning this time wouldn't have been so easy.

Among the Mongol soldiers who came this time, there were quite a few Tibetan monks. As the National Preceptor and Dharma King, he certainly couldn't break his promise, lest he lose even a single move...

Well, because he didn't know about Dugu Qiubai's challenge, Jinlun greatly underestimated Zhang Zhenren's martial arts skills—after all, Gang Xiang's sneak attack was successful, so it seems... this person was slightly better than me when he was at his peak?