The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

As long as you don't underestimate it because it sounds like a jumbled mess at first glance, or because your foundation is too weak to understand the key points, anyone can understand it—it may sound silly, but it's easier to understand than a secret manual.

But the monks of Shaolin Temple... will probably have to go through the trouble of converting this into "secret terminology," and it would be a shame if they could retain any of the original charm by then.

Even Chu Luren couldn't estimate how different this version was from Damo's!

The Marrow Cleansing Classic is also different from any other martial art practiced by the Chu Lu people. For ordinary people, its effect is that once they change their internal energy cultivation, they will lose the obvious attributes of their own internal energy. Even if they cultivate its body training part, they can wash away the characteristics of their tendons and bones.

In other words, if one practices internal skills such as the Cold Ice True Qi, the cold ice characteristics of the internal skills will gradually disappear after the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" is modified. However, if one practices external skills such as the Iron Shirt, the characteristics of the muscles, bones, skin, and flesh being as solid as iron will also be lost after practicing the external skills of the "Marrow Cleansing Classic"!

At the same time, the drawbacks of natural "features" will also disappear. For example, after practicing "Iron Shirt," the affected flexibility will be restored.

It may seem like self-inflicted martial arts failure, but in reality, it allows for a smooth transition to other martial arts. Furthermore, the principle of "to use its advantage, one must first blunt its edge" applies to all martial arts, and it's not unique to "Wedding Dress Divine Skill".

There is another saying about "The Divine Skill of the Wedding Dress" - martial arts and Zen, the Divine Skill of the Wedding Dress - which shows that although "The Divine Skill of the Wedding Dress" is not a Buddhist martial art, it does contain Zen principles.

The same applies to the Marrow Cleansing Classic. Moreover, it does not involve abandoning one's martial arts skills, but rather using "marrow cleansing" to adjust oneself to the best internal and external state.

The higher one's martial arts skill level, the greater the "regression" after practicing the "Marrow Cleansing Classic," but at the same time, the greater the benefits gained will also be.

Even if one were to resume practicing their original martial arts, they could easily recover and even surpass their previous level. Furthermore, if they practiced the matching Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic), they could easily become a master of Zen Buddhism...

For Chu Luren, the effects of the Marrow Cleansing Classic were somewhat different!

Because he needed to directly and thoroughly grasp its foundations, and because it required a "fusion" process to trigger it, Chu Luren found that the Marrow Cleansing Classic had a very "strange" effect on him...

Simply put, it's a skill reset!

When it is fused with "qi" or "body", the resulting products are not one, but three: the first is the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" itself, the second is the martial arts that are "cleansed", and the third... is the remaining fusion product after it has been "cleansed".

In other words, the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" appears to be about "fusion", but it is actually about "fusion and dissolution". It can cleanse a martial art and, for Chu Luren in his state of enlightenment, it is controllable which one is cleansed out!

Of course, one cannot continuously "wash" one's internal energy indefinitely. When washing one's internal energy, one's internal energy will be weakened, which is equivalent to a minor loss of internal energy. It is very dangerous to continuously "wash" one's internal energy before one has recovered to its peak or before one's internal energy has been stabilized again, as it may completely dissipate one's internal energy.

After refining your body through physical training, your muscles, bones, skin, and flesh will feel great—because this is equivalent to removing some of the "characteristics" developed through training, but making your physical attributes stronger, or rather, making you a more qualified "human being," so it feels very comfortable...

However, physical strength will also decrease, and continuous "washing" is even more dangerous and may cause physical collapse!

For Chu Luren, the effects of the Marrow Cleansing Classic are threefold. First, regarding "qi," Chu Luren finally has the opportunity to reorganize and restructure his internal skills, striving to recreate the "Three-Part Return to Origin Qi" as soon as possible, and he can also cleanse away the parts that are not "qi."

For example, in the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill", only the "Qi" part is utilized in the "Tao Embryo Relief Sutra". The "body" part was previously wasted, but now it is being "washed out".

Secondly, in terms of "body," it actually gave the Chu Lu people the courage to merge. The Chu Lu people have always been very cautious about "body" because they cannot change badges and are truly merging with their bodies. If they are not careful, they will damage their foundation. Therefore, the Chu Lu people merge with the least amount of "body."

Now that we have the "Marrow Washing Classic," even if we make a mistake, we can "wash" it out. Given the stability of our bodies, we are not without the chance to "wash" it out, so we can suddenly relax.

Thirdly, there are the actual effects of the *Xi Sui Jing* (Marrow Washing Classic)...

While "washing points," they also "improve their qualifications," which is very tempting for Chu Luren, who have been eating salted fish and drunken crab for several years and whose qualifications can finally be described as "slightly inferior."

Furthermore, regarding "qi," the essence, qi, and spirit dissipated after "washing away the essence" can be combined with the method that Chu Luren consulted with Master Zhang and then pondered for a long time to form a Dao embryo avatar...

However, due to the inherent limitations of the Marrow Cleansing Classic, Chu Luren could not infinitely split his Dao Embryo. After all, he could only "cleanse his marrow" again after his internal energy had recovered to a relatively peak and stabilized.

Even so, Chu Luren became much more "generous". Although he hadn't even collected all the Dao Embryos from the Four Sword Boxes, he was willing to give Wei Xiaobao one!

After all, this kid is too unpredictable. Even if he doesn't know martial arts, he could still trick you at any time. As for killing him directly... that would definitely make you a mortal enemy of both the Qing Dynasty and the Heaven and Earth Society.

More importantly, Chu Luren also wanted to study his special "state of mind"—at this point, Chu Luren was basically certain that although Wei Xiaobao had not even mastered the basics of internal martial arts, he possessed a certain "state of mind".

Because it lacks a foundation and is uncontrollable, this "state of mind" cannot improve his martial arts skills; instead, it's more like a stronger form of inner demon...

However, as a rare example, Chu Luren felt it was very valuable for research. After all, among the "mind, body, qi, technique, and momentum" of Chu Luren, the "mind" was the weakest—only the few Zen minds attached to the "Tathagata Seal Method" were at the level of a high monk or a divine monk, which was not worth mentioning at all.

The two gates to heaven that have been opened now are "momentum" and "mindset." Other people in the martial arts world are also on the right track in these two aspects, and it will be easier for them to make achievements in the future.

If we use big data statistics, we will find that the number of experts who have made breakthroughs in the past two years has increased significantly, and the proportion of experts with mental sword intent, which is even rarer than internal strength and hard skills, is increasing...

After Chu Luren implanted the Dao embryo in Wei Xiaobao, he deliberately used a technique from the "Secret Teachings of the Ninja Sect"—visual magic—when he left...

In reality, Chu Luren was just gesticulating wildly to praise the three goddesses for their righteous and courageous actions, which were truly admirable and made them heroines among women... just to amuse everyone.

However, from behind, it looked like he was making unwanted advances towards Ake, and Ake even seemed to be playing hard to get!

Wei Xiaobao immediately clenched his fists, wishing he could order a volley of arrows, but he held back—these few hundred elite cavalrymen were no match for the heroine.

Sure enough, Chu Luren sensed an excessive inner demon surging towards him through the connection between his Dao Embryo clone and the Dao Embryo itself. However... if that was all, Chu Luren's Daoist essence and Buddhist nature stirred and directly extinguished it.

Simply studying the condition of the Dao Embryo clone will not affect one's own Dao Embryo...

Chapter 747 Doing a Good Deed Every Day

"How could we possibly trouble Alliance Leader Chu? We, her fellow disciples, won't bother Alliance Leader Chu!" Aqi said shyly.

Chu Luren had just invited them to stay at his inn. During their previous conversation, they had already mentioned that the two sisters were waiting in Dengfeng to meet their master.

“Although that young commander learned his lesson during the day, he is still incredibly audacious. If we hadn’t met him, it would have been fine, but if we had met him and he… cough cough, wouldn’t I have no face to defend myself when I see Master Jiunan in the future?” Chu Luren advised, and even brought up Jiunan.

Upon hearing this, Ake blushed, realizing that Alliance Leader Chu had also taken a liking to her, and shyly lowered her head.

Originally, Ake wasn't attracted to Tai Sui's type; she was more likely to meet Murong Jiu—and Murong Jiu would probably be very willing to marry her. Her mind is easy to control; her beauty can enhance her image without revealing her secrets…

However, having just escaped Wei Xiaobao's clutches, Ake sees everyone as handsome and charming!

When Senior Sister Aqi heard Chu Taisui say this, she thought of the stubborn Qing Gou, and then thought about it... there were many other female warriors in the inn besides Chu Taisui, so she didn't have to worry about him having any feelings for her junior sister. Therefore, she agreed: "Then thank you for your care, Alliance Leader Chu. However, we must pay for the room ourselves."

"Haha, actually I didn't pay either. This is... a special allowance from Shaolin Temple," Chu Luren said in a serious tone.

Aqi didn't quite understand. That same evening, Chu Luren also discovered that someone in plain clothes was monitoring the inn and found that Ake and Aqi had moved in.

Sensing the evil thoughts that occasionally emanated from the Dao Embryo Avatar, Chu Luren used his Daoist and Buddhist nature to "constantly wipe them away," thus unconsciously tempering his own state of mind.

Of course, Chu Luren was immersed in the Dao Embryo state of cultivation, but at midnight, a silent and invisible energy pulled him awake—his Dao Embryo clone was approaching!

When the Dao Embryo clone is not close to Chu Luren, Chu Luren cannot actually control it much or know its state. Only when there is "violent fluctuation" will his own Dao Embryo be affected in a synchronous way.

In Wei Xiaobao, this manifests as the overflow of inner demons...

However, when the Dao Embryo clone approached, Chu Luren was able to clearly sense the state of the Dao Embryo clone's host.

It was just then that Wei Xiaobao quietly approached the inn, which alerted Chu Luren—as expected, Wei Xiaobao was the type who couldn't forget Ake.

The Chu Lu people have already grasped some of the key points regarding this.

After "constantly wiping away the dust" so many times, Chu Luren also understood some of Wei Xiaobao's state of mind - his state of mind itself was a demon, and it was an anomaly for an ordinary person to become a demon to this extent.

At the same time, precisely because he himself lacked martial arts skills, when facing the equally stunning Wang Yuyan, he was influenced by her temperament... or rather, her aura, and dared not act rashly.

Upon seeing pure beauty, Ake, devoid of any imposing presence, was like the most ruthless and rabid wolf seeing an unsuspecting lamb!

"He dares to come again? Looks like I really need to teach him a lesson he won't forget before I leave!" Chu Luren muttered to himself.

Without leaving his room, Chu Luren could clearly visualize Wei Xiaobao's location and movements—as the host of the Dao Embryo clone, Chu Luren could now sense the changes in the force of every muscle and tendon, and thus know what actions he was taking.

Wei Xiaobao was seen lingering suspiciously outside the inn, under the second-floor window where Ake was, for a while before finally leaving.

Chu Luren didn't know whether his actions constituted stalking, scouting, or simply a devoted expression of affection from a pursuer. However…

In short, as Wei Xiaobao left, he paused, having already fallen under the mental guidance of the "Secret Essentials of the Ninja Sect"—from the "Soul Transfer Technique" to the "Illusion Sword," the "Secret Essentials of the Ninja Sect" incorporates quite a few mental guidance methods!

Among them, the "Soul Transfer Technique" has a hypnotic effect, and "Phantom Sword" can cause the opponent to be mentally confused or even experience hallucinations when the sword is drawn.

From the outside, Wei Xiaobao appeared to have stopped and stood frozen in place, but in his mind, he heard a charming laugh coming from A'ke's room...

Then he turned around and saw that the room, which had been dark, was now lit up. There were two figures inside, a man and a woman. The two seemed to be talking and flirting, and the man was even taking out a suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) to add to the fun.

As to why the room lights were suddenly turned on at this time, and what the two had said, Wei Xiaobao, in his daze, had no idea; he simply passively accepted the situation.

Moreover, their flirtatious conversations were increasingly vulgar, and their shadows were now intertwined...

Enraged, Wei Xiaobao's demonic energy surged, and he had only one thought in his mind—"Mine, all mine! Anyone who touches my things, I'll kill their entire family, I'll rape their whole family..."

After sensing Wei Xiaobao's hostility and malice, Chu Luren's heart sank even further. What was originally just a warning had turned into a determination to shock him and break his spirit.

Driven by his inner demons, Wei Xiaobao, whose self-control was even more severely compromised, pulled out his "divine weapon," a short, repeating musket, and charged forward. He kicked open the door and fired three shots with a series of screams, before revealing a cruel smile.

But just then, he suddenly realized that the screams... were getting more and more familiar.

Looking inside the room, he saw that all three of them had bloody holes between their eyebrows, and they were all pale-faced and staring at him with their eyes wide open in death. They were none other than Xiao Xuanzi, Wei Chunhua, and Chen Jinnan!

"Xiao Guizi, you actually killed me! You're a disloyal person!"

"Xiao Bao, why did you kill your master? Have you also become a Qing dog?"

"My sweet baby... Mommy hurts so much..."

"what!"

Finally, a truly piercing scream shattered the night sky. The night watchman in the inn actually got up, and the surrounding shops also stirred. Only then did Wei Xiaobao, covered in sweat, realize that it had all been a hallucination, and he hurriedly stumbled away...

At the same time, Chu Luren also breathed a slight sigh of relief—the level of the surging demonic thoughts just now was not so much unbearable as to make him unable to maintain mental guidance, but it was close to the point where he had to calm down and resist.

After all, spiritual guidance is a method that is prone to backlash.

The evil and demonic energy that just now would have been unbearable for an ordinary, less resilient expert, causing them to fall into a coma like Yingying.

Of course, normally, a person's own demonic thoughts won't affect others; at most, they'll be subtly intimidated by their aura.

Yingying was affected because of an accident at the Damo Cave. The Damo Cave cannot be treated as an ordinary thing. As for Wei Xiaobao... it was Chu Luren who was eager to use his Dao Embryo clone to stay at his house.

However, in this way, the Chu Lu people have basically achieved their goal of "shaking their spirit and breaking their will"!

The next time Wei Xiaobao has an evil thought, whenever he thinks of Chu Luren, his Dao Embryo clone will naturally simulate today's mental shock—Chu Luren doesn't actually know exactly how it works; it's a reflection of Wei Xiaobao's greatest fear.

At the same time, Chu Luren vaguely felt that his mental state had become stronger—he felt like he had broken through a minor mental tribulation, and he couldn't help but cheer Wei Xiaobao on.

Chu Luren didn't know why he had such strong evil thoughts and demonic heart, but it did indeed temper Chu Luren's state of mind.

"Incidentally, it also prevented the birth of a flower thief, which is truly a cause for celebration."

Chu Tai Sui once again upheld peace in the martial arts world, but unfortunately, there were no flowers or applause...

Chapter 748 The Undercurrents of the Capital

On the eighth day of the second month, Wei Xiaobao officially became a monk in place of the emperor at the Northern Shaolin Temple. Moreover, he was a monk of the Kong generation, accepting disciples on behalf of his master and becoming the senior monk of Abbot Fangzheng. There was no other way, given the petty nature of the Qing emperors, since he was becoming a monk in place of the emperor, there could not be any living monks of higher seniority than him!

Wei Xiaobao stayed at Mount Song, while the Valiant Cavalry, along with two crippled commanders and a third of their wounded soldiers, most of whom had also lost their arms, returned to Manjing...

When Duolong entered the palace to report, he learned that Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian had been crippled. Kangxi was indeed furious and immediately asked about Xiaobao. After learning that Wei Xiaobao was alright, Kangxi was somewhat relieved and did not immediately issue an arrest warrant for Chu Luren.

Chu Luren also underestimated the importance of Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian. Although they were indeed household slaves, they were high-ranking household slaves!

There were only sixty positions available for the First-Class Imperial Bodyguard with a Sword in the entire Qing Dynasty, and the official rank was the third grade...

Although their power and responsibilities were incomparable to those of high-ranking officials of the third rank in the imperial court or the military, their status was definitely not low.