The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

After all, Wang Chongyang's escort had already been changed, and even Yagyu Tajima-no-kami didn't know that he would personally come to Hefei...

However, he didn't have time to think much, so he could only suppress the backlash and exchange a palm strike with Chu Luren!

The aftershocks of their attack scattered the room they were in, leaving it in ruins.

Chu Luren did this intentionally, even if it meant greater consumption of energy, to ensure the power spread far and wide...

In this way, Wan Sanqian, who was not skilled in martial arts, could only survive if he had someone to protect him.

The Four Ghosts of Xiangxi are Wan Sanqian's loyal followers. They will not risk joining forces with Zhao Wushi as long as Wan Sanqian is in danger!

This was also the first time that Chu Luren had seen the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi. Even though he saw them with his own eyes, he still could not sense their aura on Mingyu Terrace.

Moreover, they weren't the four green-clad passersby from the original TV series, but rather four figures that looked like ghosts.

It's hard to say what they were wearing. The four of them never stopped for a moment, constantly flying high and low, moving at high speed. Their figures appeared and disappeared, sometimes completely semi-transparent, sometimes partially semi-transparent and partially shimmering with light, and sometimes they would even disappear from sight for a moment... In short, it looked very strange!

Fortunately, they are currently focused on protecting Wan Sanqian and have not interfered in the battle between Chu Luren and Shenhou.

Zhao Wushi had absorbed the martial arts of hundreds of people, and he did so using the "Star Absorbing Technique." Not only had he accumulated internal energy, but he could also simulate their martial arts to some extent. After exchanging a palm strike, due to the effect of some kind of miraculous skill, his energy returned incredibly quickly, and he immediately launched another attack with the Seven Wounds Fist of Kongtong.

"Ha!" Chu Luren exhaled and shouted a single word.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, he caused his internal organs to tremble, and used the "Boundless Universe Technique" from the inside out to deflect the penetrating force to the outside...

However, at this moment, Chu Luren suddenly realized that Zhao Wushi's force also contained a clever method of deflecting force!

He even discerned some of the subtle applications of the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" and the "Great Brightness Canon" from them, not to mention "Tai Chi".

Chu Luren suspected that he had also absorbed the energy of Persian and Wudang masters back then!

In this way, Chu Luren only released three-tenths of his strength, while the other seven-tenths were simply dispersed among his internal organs.

Fortunately, Chu Luren's physical training and protective skills were also top-notch, so he was not seriously injured, only his internal energy was slightly stagnant.

If it were anyone else, this would have given the enemy an opportunity, but Chu Luren directly manifested his Dao Embryo and withstood Zhao Wushi's subsequent two punches and one palm strike!

Then, taking advantage of Zhao Wushi's moment of respite, Chu Luren suddenly changed his tactics, drawing upon the demonic nature of Wei Xiaobao from thousands of miles away, transforming himself from a Buddha into a demon, and with a move called "Sacrifice to Become a Demon," he caught Zhao Wushi completely off guard.

His back bulged out in a deformed way, forming a large hump-like bulge. However, after twisting and contorting repeatedly, it bounced back and knocked Chu Luren away.

At this moment, Chu Luren also realized that Zhao Wushi's cultivation of the "Absorption Technique" was much deeper than he had imagined, and that he was definitely not simply using it as a tool for plunder.

If it were Chu Luren, he would have already "spit out" Wang Chongyang by now...

However, Zhao Wushi was not having an easy time either. Although he was not forced out of Wang Chongyang's body by Chu Luren, he also took the initiative to "spit" him out.

Zhao Wushi thrust out a palm towards the pursuing Chu Luren. His palm twisted and churned, and out flew a white-haired, white-bearded man with middle-aged features...

Chu Luren then reduced his strength by a third and caught Wang Chongyang!

When Chu Luren attacked Zhao Wushi earlier, he didn't hold back at all. He was determined to kill Zhao Wushi and Wang Chongyang together. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to save Wang Chongyang.

After catching Wang Chongyang, Chu Luren used a clever trick to throw him aside, determined that even if the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi threatened him with Wang Chongyang later, he would never pay any attention to them!

The Four Devils of Xiangxi then realized what was happening, grabbed Wan Sanqian, and fled...

The Four Ghosts of Xiangxi possess unique martial arts skills, and only when all four work together can they unleash their full power. Therefore, even when it was just to send away Wan Sanqian, the four of them still traveled together.

Although Zhao Wushi was bleeding from the corner of his mouth, his strength had increased dramatically after getting rid of Wang Chongyang, a burden. A golden light flashed in his eyes, and when Chu Luren met his gaze, he couldn't help but feel dizzy. He immediately used the secret mental guidance method of the Ninja Sect to regain his senses.

When he came to his senses, a golden, shimmering phantom draped in a dragon robe appeared around Zhao Wushi, though it was only ten feet tall and a few sizes larger than himself.

At the same time, he leaped up, swung his arms, and the surrounding rubble and debris were drawn to his hands. Two giant rock fists, now even thicker, pressed towards Chu Luren with each strike...

Chu Luren was familiar with this style of fighting—the Taizu Long Fist, a basic skill that couldn't be more fundamental, yet when he used it now, it was as if a god had descended.

While parrying, Chu Luren was also thinking of a way to escape.

During their exchange, the two wielded various martial arts styles with ease, probing each other's weaknesses, but neither succeeded.

Recalling the previous conversation between Zhao Wushi and Wan Sanqian, Chu Luren changed his strategy again.

A Kunpeng aura appeared around Chu Luren, making him appear like a swimming fish. His strange posture was no less impressive than that of the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi.

The straightforward Taizu Long Fist could not harm him at all. At this moment, Zhao Wushi punched Wang Chongyang, who was lying next to him. Chu Luren thought to himself that this was a good opportunity and attacked Zhao Wushi from behind!

As for going to block Wang Chongyang's attack head-on?

Chu Luren is not stupid!

Only by staying alive can we possibly rescue Senior Brother Wang. If we are distracted by worrying about Senior Brother Wang's life or death, then the only result will be that neither of us will be able to escape.

Moreover, Chu Luren's palm strike was precisely the full activation of the "Frosty Ice" technique within the Dragon Turtle Force, the extremely cold true energy directly striking the illusory figure draped in a dragon robe...

This is the prototype of the Law of Heaven and Earth, with extremely strong defensive capabilities. However, Chu Luren did not intend to break through it directly, but only hoped to be able to penetrate it even slightly.

As expected, Zhao Wushi's Law of Heaven and Earth had not dissipated, but a faint blue light appeared on the back where Chu Luren had struck him. Then, Zhao Wushi's face turned ashen, and he spat out another mouthful of cold blood!

Due to a series of unforeseen events, Zhao Wushi's cold poison has not been completely resolved—even with the preparation of extremely yang internal energy, it still takes time for yin and yang to harmonize...

Previously, he lost control due to anger, triggering his Baishang once. Now, he has been triggered by the Zhihan Longtui Force, further aggravating his injuries!

His two rocky fists shattered, and at that moment, Chu Luren turned forward like a swimming fish, picked up Wang Chongyang, and left.

Otherwise, if the Four Devils of Western Hunan send Wan Sanqian far away and then come back to kill him, it won't be a joke...

Chapter 866 News

Chu Luren hadn't experienced such a complete epiphany in a fight in a long time...

Even when he fought against the leader of the Four Spirits at the Southern Shaolin Temple, Chu Luren was always confident—at least he felt that he wouldn't be unable to escape, and he didn't have a sudden enlightenment throughout the entire process.

However, in this encounter with Zhao Wushi, Chu Luren entered a state of enlightenment after discovering him.

With Chu Luren's current martial arts skills, the boost to combat power from enlightenment is already very small. After all, the boost from enlightenment is only the "unexplored part". And now that Chu Luren has more and more control over himself, this part is becoming more and more compressed.

The main effect of enlightenment on Chu Luren now is that it allows him to maintain a superb level of performance and judgment in battle at all times!

It possesses a greater degree of composure compared to the incomplete Fighting Ape Ultimate Technique...

Moreover, Chu Luren and Zhao Wushi's strategies are actually quite similar—both are "weak" in that they are not at a disadvantage against anyone, and they only wait for the opponent to expose their weaknesses so that they can look for an opportunity to win...

But this time they've met each other – a showdown between "buckets"!

There's no room for shortcuts; it all comes down to deflecting force, using leverage, mental guidance, physical training, and feints...

What you understand, the other person understands too!

If it were in good condition, Zhao Wushi's "bucket" would be taller than Chu Luren's.

However, Zhao Wushi was already in poor condition. He had not fully digested the cold poison or the Xuanming True Qi. Moreover, he had absorbed Wang Chongyang's energy at the beginning and was in an unstable state. He only "spit it out" when Chu Luren pressured him more and more, which leveled the gap and even gave Chu Luren an advantage.

However, Chu Luren was also wary of the Four Devils of Xiangxi who might return at any time. After injuring Zhao Wushi, he did not dare to linger in battle and instead rescued Wang Chongyang and fled. Zhao Wushi did not pursue him further.

Chu Luren used his dolphin-like running technique to leap over the city wall and escape north!

They planned to cross the Song-Qing border and wait until they reached the Central Plains controlled by the Qing government, at which point the old monkey would dare not pursue them.

Moreover, after only half a night's journey, Chu Luren had already relaxed considerably—the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi indeed showed no intention of catching up!

Judging from the previous encounter between Chu Luren and Shenhou, the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi prioritized Wan Sanqian's safety above all else. In the end, it was Wan Sanqian who instructed them to send him away first before returning to join forces with Shenhou.

Chu Luren estimated that the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi probably didn't care much for Shenhou and were unlikely to leave 13,000 men to pursue him!

As dawn broke, Chu Luren carried Senior Brother Wang to the border town of Runing, and then slipped into the Qunyu Academy...

Fortunately, there was nothing left on the street by then, otherwise, seeing this scene of carrying a large man to a brothel would surely have made people exclaim, "The world is so big, there are all sorts of wonders!"

After exchanging the secret code, Chu Luren did not immediately inquire about any recent news, but instead asked someone to prepare rooms for himself and Senior Brother Wang.

The steward of the Jade Academy in this small town, after a moment of stunned silence, made arrangements for Chu Luren and then silently began writing a report for the sect leader...

After Chu Luren removed the deadly poison from Wang Chongyang, the light and shadow of his Divine Illumination True Qi swayed in the room for most of the day, only stopping in the afternoon—this was only because Chu Luren recovered his energy extremely quickly and had profound internal strength; otherwise, he really wouldn't have been able to hold on.

Looking at Wang Chongyang before him, with his white hair, white beard, and white eyebrows, yet still youthful features and a face brimming with collagen, Chu Luren was filled with covetousness…

While treating Wang Chongyang's poison and injuries, Chu Luren had already discovered that Wang Chongyang's innate energy was extremely solid. It was said that even if he were a seventy-year-old boy, he shouldn't have such solid innate energy!

After the original version of "Xiantian Gong" consumes innate energy, it is extremely difficult to replenish it. This is why Yideng needed to recuperate for decades after healing someone in the original work.

With the assistance of the Nine Yin Manual, the recovery of innate Qi is faster. However, it is only a "recovery" that is faster. To increase the upper limit, one can only rely on the slow and steady accumulation of the Innate Skill, especially after breaking through the barrier, it is difficult to make any progress.

But Wang Chongyang...

Chu Luren suspects that he had already developed a new version while he was living in seclusion overseas!

Previously, Chu Luren's cultivation speed was weakened by the breaking of his body and then boosted by the opening of the Heavenly Gate of Qi, which canceled each other out. However, if Chu Luren could accumulate such a profound amount of innate Qi, he could completely restore his pseudo-male body, and then Chu Luren's cultivation speed could be increased significantly.

Moreover, the innate Qi itself is the core driving force of the "Chaos Skill" - from the time of the "Minor Chaos Skill", the nature of Chu Luren's internal force is ever-changing, which is achieved by temporarily changing the meridians with the innate Qi!

Wang Chongyang still needed to recuperate, so Chu Luren didn't disturb him immediately. Instead, he quietly left the room and inquired about recent news and rumors in the martial arts world.

First and foremost, the date for the Xiangyang Heroes' Gathering has been set—Guo Juxia has widely issued invitations to heroes, and on the tenth day of the tenth month, heroes will gather in Xiangyang to discuss how to resist the Mongol army's southward advance.

It is said that the Mongol Yuan dynasty's national preceptor, Jinlun, and the Tibetan Mingwang, Kumārajīva, will also come to Xiangyang at that time...

Secondly, a major event occurred in Western Xia that was known to all: the relatives of the Empress Dowager of Western Xia, the Mozang clan, rebelled. The Empress Dowager, upholding justice, slaughtered them all. The Emperor of Western Xia died in the chaos. The Empress Dowager took it upon herself to establish the Emperor's sister, who was also her granddaughter, as Empress. She herself ruled from behind the curtain without holding court, and openly discussed state affairs with the leaders of the various Dangxiang tribes.

This second incident led many people in the Central Plains to mock the Western Xia as a waste, being bullied by a woman. They also ridiculed the Empress Dowager for being truly ruthless and vicious, worthy of being called a demon concubine—did the emperor really die in the chaos of war? And the Meicang clan was her relative!

Of course, the Chu Lu people knew more...

Unlike in history, the current Empress Dowager is Li Qiushui.

The relationship between Lady Meicang and Li Qiushui was merely a matter of mutual exploitation. Lady Meicang gave Li Qiushui an identity, and Li Qiushui used this identity to first marry the old emperor, then seduce the crown prince to rebel, and then Lady Meicang killed the crown prince and installed Li Qiushui's nominal son with the late emperor as emperor. This son also died young, leaving behind a son and a daughter, namely the recently deceased emperor and the current empress.

When Li Qiushui was at Lingjiu Palace and wanted to turn Chu Luren against her, she mentioned that the current emperor was actually secretly replaced by the Meicang clan and was not of one mind with her. She secretly made promises to Chu Luren, but Chu Luren, being a gentleman, naturally ignored her temptations.

Now that Li Qiushui didn't perish together with Tong Lao, it seems she's going back to make clear arrangements for Mei Zang Shi...

Chu Luren was surprised that Li Qiushui would support her granddaughter as a puppet, and he was also a little puzzled - although Uncle Li's martial arts were high, did the Western Xia really accept the Empress without any resistance?

However, this has little to do with Chu Luren. Even the claim by Uncle Li that he will choose a husband for Li Qinglu next year has nothing to do with Chu Luren. He'll just treat it as a bit of fun and let it pass by...

My biggest worry is whether my master has been pushed all the way to Western Xia, or if he has already returned to Leigu Mountain. If it's the former, wouldn't that be too exciting?

Chapter 867 New Version

"Senior Brother Wang is awake? Senior Brother doesn't recognize me, does he? I..."

"Was it Alliance Leader Chu in person? Although I have been living in seclusion overseas, I have heard of Alliance Leader Chu's name from time to time in the past two years. After my wife and I returned to the Central Plains, we also heard about Alliance Leader Chu and Junior Brother Zhou's affair."

After Wang Chongyang recovered, Chu Luren rushed to visit him. Since Wang Chongyang already knew Chu Luren's basic situation, it saved Chu Luren the trouble of explaining why he called him "Senior Brother".