The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Just then, Yue Laosan shouted from the side, "I saw that little lecher. Bai Wanjian also came to Xinghua, but he was still wearing the Snow Mountain Sect's clothes. He even got heatstroke from covering himself up. Hahaha... Master Shi and his wife are taking care of him and couldn't come up the mountain."

Chu Luren: ...

Now Chu Luren knows why the Snow Mountain Sect members are nowhere to be seen!

"I've heard that Dog Hermit was once mistaken for the leader of the Chang Le Gang? The two look so alike, yet their character is so different. Creation is truly amazing."

Upon hearing Kumārajīva's words, many people finally realized that this was the fake gang leader that the Chang Le Gang had found but lost along the way!

only……

So it wasn't a disguise after all? They really do look very similar?

Some people who had seen "Shi Potian" then carefully compared the two and found that "Shi Yidao" did indeed look very similar to him.

"When Dog Hermit escaped from the Chang Le Gang, it was this Miss Ding who helped him, right? He probably realized his mistake back then. I just wonder if Miss Ding has figured out who her true love is now?"

Kumārajīva spent more time traveling in Jiangnan than Chu Luren, so he naturally knew more.

"Shut up! I... I'm looking for Brother Tian, ​​of course!" Ding Dang snapped.

Ding Busan and Ding Busi gradually realized that although the monk looked dignified, he actually had no good intentions! So they quietly moved closer to Ding Dang and became wary.

"That's not right. Your 'Brother Tian' is just a title. Shi Zhongyu can be 'Brother Tian,' and Dog Hermit can also be 'Brother Tian.' What you've been looking for has always been the 'Brother Tian' you think he is, but you've been looking for the wrong 'Brother Tian' before. How do you know that Dog Hermit in front of you isn't 'Brother Tian'?"

Kumārajīva was being rather unreasonable, but his words were exactly what Ding Dang wanted to hear, and... once again plunged the bastard into philosophical thought.

Logically, this bastard shouldn't be confused about his identity anymore, especially with "Uncle Xie" and "Ah Huang" as proof. However, the philosophical question of "Who am I?" still manages to confine him...

Chu Luren hadn't expected that Kumārajīva's eyesight was so good. He first saw through Ding Dang's dilemma, and then used it as a breakthrough to make his brother, Dog Xian, fall into deep thought again, thus preventing it from affecting him further!

Chapter 776 Counterfeit Goods

"Abbot Xuanci and Abbot Fangzheng, with the guidance of Layman Gou, this humble monk feels that there is no need for us to continue fighting. Getting entangled in worldly victory and defeat will only make us a laughing stock... Let's just call it a draw. Martial arts can be created by our predecessors and can also be created by our successors. Moreover, the Zen school is based on the mind. Perhaps it is because the eminent monks of Shaolin throughout the ages have a spiritual connection with the senior masters of India."

Kumārajīva took a step back and kicked Shaolin to the edge of the cliff!

On the surface, it seems like they're no longer going to embarrass Shaolin, but in reality, they've defined it as "we are members of the Chan school, so we won't pursue this further."

The senior monks from both the Northern and Southern Shaolin Temples present looked increasingly grim, while the younger disciples and lay disciples of Shaolin Temple displayed expressions of anger, confusion, or... disappointment.

Not to mention the younger disciples, even some of the senior monks of the Xuan, Yuan, and Fang generations had doubts at this time, thinking: Could it be that Shaolin martial arts really came from India? Is it because this Tibetan monk learned it from the original place, so he is stronger than us?

The younger disciples and lay disciples were now deep in thought.

This is indeed a problem with Shaolin's current development strategy.

Acting too much like a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) person, gradually drifting away from Zen Buddhism—this is what Shaolin fears most from other Zen masters, because it is true.

It is unclear when it started, but the primary connection between Shaolin and its lay disciples and branches has become not Buddhism, but martial arts!

With the origins of their martial arts being questioned, Shaolin is about to face a huge crisis.

“Amitabha, it was I who was narrow-minded and ignorant… Junior Brother Xuanji, go and release Master Poloxing.” Xuanci said desolately.

“Senior brother…” Xuanji wanted to say something more, but Xuanci shook his head.

Xuan Ci had been silent all this time, but he was thinking to himself. The reason why Shaolin kept Polo Xing locked up was simply because they were worried that their secret techniques would be leaked. However, it seems that what Kumārajīva had mastered was far more profound than what Polo Xing had mastered, or even more profound than all the masters in the temple. So why keep Polo Xing locked up?

Moreover, since Kumārajīva was there and insisted on attributing the theft by Polo Star to martial arts transmitted from India, Shaolin could no longer forcibly detain him.

only……

After today, Shaolin's reputation will be ruined, and it will no longer be able to lead the righteous path. As the abbot, I will have to resign and go into seclusion. Xuanci had foreseen all of this. But no matter what, I must stand firm in my post until the very end.

Unexpectedly, it was Chu Luren who spoke first: "Wait!"

"Is there anything else, Layman Chu?" Xuan Ci looked at Chu Luren with a worried and nervous expression, fearing that he would kick him a few more times.

"National Master Kumārajīva says that these martial arts originated from India, not from the true teachings of the Chinese Chan school... I disagree!" Chu Luren said, head held high.

The martial arts community erupted in discussion once again—most were surprised that Chu Luren would actually side with Shaolin at this moment.

The righteous men who had just been mocking Shaolin were stunned for a moment, then began to try to make amends, clamoring that Shaolin's kung fu was good, Shaolin's kung fu was great... it's just that the people at Shaolin are no good now!

"Oh? What makes you say that, Layman Chu?" Kumārajīva stepped forward and asked.

"Why do you say that? Didn't we exchange martial arts techniques before? I traded a few unknown Indian martial arts manuals and a clay puppet martial arts manual that I obtained by chance for the dozens of Indian martial arts techniques that you know?" Chu Luren said matter-of-factly.

Kumārajīva: ...

Kumārajīva hadn't expected that Chu Taisui would actually say it outright!

"What did we say back then? Didn't you say that what you taught me was all Indian martial arts? I believed you then, which is why I made the deal with you. But after I practiced it, I found that it was clearly Zen martial arts. Zen Buddhism flourished in China. In India, even Buddhism has declined, so where would there be Zen practice? Moreover, these martial arts are clearly based on the meridian theory of Chinese martial arts. How could they possibly be Indian martial arts?"

Chu Luren looked aggrieved, as if to say, "I've been cheated. The LV I bought for 100 yuan turned out to be a fake."

The Shaolin monks were speechless—you actually believed that? Who would believe you didn't know you were trading Shaolin martial arts!

However, Kumārajīva couldn't really refute anything, since Chu Luren was very particular about his words and phrases, insisting that he and Kumārajīva were trading Indian martial arts.

Originally, Kumārajīva only thought he was hypocritical, but he never expected that... he would now accuse him of selling counterfeit goods?

Kumārajīva was also shocked by the deer-man of Chu!

"Oh? It seems that Layman Chu has a very deep understanding of Zen martial arts?" Kumārajīva said in a deep voice.

"I dare not claim to be proficient. I have only casually practiced the more than seventy kinds of Indian martial arts and the Tantric martial arts that the Imperial Preceptor traded to me," Chu Luren said "humbly."

“That’s perfect. I’m not very talented, and there are still many things I don’t understand. I can’t figure out how this is related to martial arts in the Central Plains. Would you be willing to enlighten me, Layman Chu?” As he spoke, Kumārajīva raised his hands to his chest. His monk’s robes first fluttered without wind, but when he put his palms together, the robes and kasayas hung down like iron helmets, without fluttering at all.

Chu Luren glanced at Gou Zazhong out of the corner of his eye and saw that he was still standing blankly beside the three members of the Ding family, his brows slightly furrowed and his eyes vacant. Knowing that he was still deep in thought, Chu Luren spoke up and replied, "I wouldn't presume to answer your questions, but I can certainly offer some guidance!"

Suddenly, Kumārajīva flipped his hand, and the prayer beads that had been wrapped around his hand snapped off, flying towards Chu Luren...

It is the "Supreme Divine Skill of Stabilizing the Pearl and Subduing Demons" from the Seventy-Two Ultimate Skills!

Faced with the incoming Buddhist beads, Chu Luren didn't use any other skills. He directly formed the "Rotating Wheel Mudra" with his hands, and the true energy radiating from his body formed a scroll that seemed to be filled with Buddhist scriptures, protecting his body in order to "welcome the Buddha to the Western Paradise".

The Demon-Subduing Pearl, containing immense true energy, lost seven-tenths of its power after being shot into the scripture.

Kumārajīva no longer focused on individual moves; with a single palm strike, he unleashed the power of "Vajra," representing immortality and indestructibility; "Prajñā," representing fundamental wisdom; and "Mahā," representing the emptiness of inherent existence…

It has multiple meanings!

The Shaolin monks were then convinced that Kumārajīva had indeed not been serious before.

At this moment, Chu Luren changed to the "Sunlight Bodhisattva Seal," and his body was filled with Zen-like Buddhist light that became even more refined, transforming into countless supreme sword energies that bloomed outwards—the most sharp "Buddha's Light Shining Everywhere" in the Tathagata Seal Method!

After his attack was slightly halted, Kumārajīva's chest and abdomen trembled and bulged three times in an instant. Then, he breathed out a lion's roar at Chu Luren.

It wasn't just a simple roar, but a thunderous sound that struck people like a thunderbolt!

It was a lion's roar that was extremely well-mastered and authentic.

At this moment, Chu Luren also formed the "Heavenly Drum Thunder Sound Seal" with his hands, and bursts of Buddhist chanting came from the Buddha's light...

The two exchanged words back and forth, seemingly like Buddhas and Bodhisattvas descended to earth. Not only ordinary martial arts practitioners, but even Zen masters like Guanxin did not notice anything strange about this Zen dialogue.

However, Chu Luren and Kumārajīva became increasingly convinced of each other's belief—indeed...you are this kind of person too!

Chapter 777 Sacrificing Oneself to Become a Demon

Chu Luren had already sensed that although Kumārajīva seemed to have a more perfect Zen state of mind, he actually harbored a trace of demonic nature...

Just like perfume contains trace amounts of skatole, used to enhance the fragrance!

Unless one's Zen mindset is far superior, one might find Kumārajīva's Buddha-nature to be even more perfect—Chu Luren was able to discover this because, firstly, he guarded the Jade Platform within his body and possessed extremely strong perception, and secondly, because…Chu Luren did the same.

At this moment, "Three Blades of Avici" and "One Slash to Kill the God" are the final moves of the "Tathagata Seal Method" that were specially created by Chu Luren and the "Marrow Cleansing Classic"!

Previously, the "Buddha's Palm" only had nine moves for Chu Luren. He could still use the ninth move, "Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage to the Ancestor," but the tenth move, "Sacrifice Oneself to Become a Buddha," existed only in his mind because it was incomplete.

There is only "sacrifice of body", but no explanation of how to "become a Buddha".

Half a month ago, Chu Luren merged the highly demonic and spiritually-involving "Three Slashes of Avici Hell" and the explosively powerful "One Slash to Slay the God of Slaughter," which also requires a ruthless heart, with "Sacrifice for Buddhahood"...

This completes the final half of the move!

Now, the Chu Lu people's "Tathagata Seal Method" has been perfected in ten moves: Buddha's first light appears, golden Buddha lamp on the top, Buddha moves mountains and rivers, Buddha asks the temple, welcomes Buddha to the Western Paradise, Buddha's light shines everywhere, Heavenly Buddha descends to earth, Buddha's Dharma is boundless, all Buddhas pay homage... and the tenth move, sacrificing oneself to become a demon!

As long as Chu Luren doesn't use this tenth move, it will be the same as when Kumārajīva uses Zen martial arts—the Tathāgata Seal will still be radiant with Buddhist light and compassionate, and even the Sweeper Monk might not be able to see the flaw.

Only when the tenth move is unleashed will demonic energy surge and demonic power be overwhelming...

Therefore, there is another hidden benefit - if after the whole process of "Buddha's first light" to "ten thousand Buddhas paying homage", a move of "sacrificing oneself to become a demon" suddenly comes out, it is a natural thing for Chu Luren, but no matter who the opponent is, they will be stunned for a moment.

Once emotions are betrayed by surprise, the mind becomes more easily seized by demonic energy!

At this moment, after Chu Luren made his move, Kumārajīva also smelled the fecal odor on him... no, it was the aura of "demon"!

Suddenly I realized that the two of them were actually the same kind of people...

Firstly, the Zen practitioners themselves have a very high level of spiritual attainment, surpassing the so-called eminent monks of the Northern and Southern Shaolin Temples, so their defeat is not undeserved.

Secondly, the reason why he was able to master so many Zen techniques was not only because of his extremely high state of mind, but also because his martial arts had the ability to simulate, making it the most "greedy" martial art.

Thirdly, their Zen-like states of mind appear more perfect than they actually are, precisely because both of them harbor a deep-seated demonic nature. This demonic nature is not only subtly hidden, but also more "perfect" than their Zen-like states of mind...

Half a year ago in Wudang, Chu Luren was confident that he could use the "Buddha's Palm" to restrain Kumārajīva. However, now Kumārajīva has become even more natural in his demonic ways, and Chu Luren's "Buddha's Seal Technique" can no longer expose or intimidate him!

Of course, Kumārajīva did not know that Chu Luren was different from him—what Chu Luren concealed was not the demonic nature itself, but the connection with the Dao Embryo avatar in the dark!

Even if one were to use the "sacrifice oneself to become a demon," it would still be to stimulate the demonic nature of the host of the Dao Embryo clone, driven by the "greed" among the three demonic thoughts.

Therefore, Chu Luren himself is only affected by his mind when he makes a move, and then his mind will be cleansed by the Daoist and Buddhist heart.

Unlike Kumārajīva, who used the "Arhat Subduing Demons Technique" as a reference and was infected by the demonic thoughts of the Dharma Cave, he cultivated the body of an Asura and usually hid "parallel" to himself.

At this moment, Chu Luren and Kumārajīva were exchanging words, as if they were discussing Buddhist teachings in the Western Paradise and performing Zen Buddhism with full special effects. The four Zen masters, including Guanxin, kept chanting "Amitabha," while the high monks of Shaolin Temple in both the North and South remained silent. Some of the younger disciples even had the idea of ​​returning to secular life...

Ok!

A Tibetan monk whose martial arts skills surpassed those of the Shaolin monks and whose Zen Buddhist cultivation was higher.

A simple-minded passerby, whose Zen Buddhist cultivation surpasses that of Shaolin;

Now even Chu Tai Sui's Zen Buddhist cultivation is higher than Shaolin's, and his martial arts are also stronger, so what's the point of us becoming monks?

Although Chu Luren did not directly use Shaolin's ultimate techniques, it was obvious to everyone that it was undoubtedly an extremely profound Zen martial art!

At this moment, Chu Luren and Kumārajīva, with one raising a hand, radiate Buddhist light, and the other throwing a punch, exude Zen aura. Yet, no one encountered them. In the exchange of glances and the clash in the spiritual realm, a completely different scene unfolded.

Like two unparalleled demons, their desires manifesting as monsters and goblins, devouring each other...