The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Meanwhile, Kumārajīva, who was standing to the side, produced the demon-subduing beads that were originally on his Buddhist prayer beads. At first glance, there seemed to be over a hundred of them. Each bead was now emitting a faint light. Although they were only the size of a finger joint, they seemed to be the size of a fist in the hazy light!

Zhao Wushi, who resembled Guo Juxia, appeared to be a roc spreading its wings and soaring into the sky. However, nine golden dragons surged from his spine and lunged at Chu Luren.

However, at this moment, both the dragon shadow and the Buddhist beads were blocked by the illusory dragon turtle that appeared around Chu Luren...

Chu Luren did not use the "Tathagata Mudra" – like the "Tathagata Palm," the "Tathagata Mudra" can only exert its strongest effect when the mind is clear and preferably overflowing with compassion.

Now, the Chu Lu people are filled with fighting spirit, with no compassion or intention to stop the war with force. They are even half driven by hatred, so even if they use the "Tathagata Seal Method", it will not be very effective.

In the next instant, Chu Luren flipped his arm, brushing aside the Golden Wheel Monk's fist force, then grasped his arm, subtly employing the essence of Tai Chi, using the "Limitless Force of Heaven and Earth" to neutralize the force, and then striking with feints...

At the same time, Chu Luren mainly used the defensive stance of the Dragon Turtle Force to defend against the attacks of Jinlun and Kumozhi.

As Chu Luren counterattacked, the three of them also moved and made their own moves.

Instead of retreating, the Golden Wheel Monk advanced, ignoring that his arm was being held, and continued to thrust his brute force towards Chu Luren's face. Chu Luren twisted to the side to dodge, but the Golden Wheel Monk clenched his fist, and a real ball of energy, reminiscent of a Dragon Ball, bloomed on his fist...

At this time, Kumārajīva was still mainly using the Demon-Subduing Pearl technique, and he bombarded Chu Luren with 108 Demon-Subduing Pearls in a crisscrossing manner.

The dragon-turtle phantoms surrounding Chu Luren slightly turned their shells, revealing a Bagua (Eight Trigrams) pattern that blocked all the prayer beads.

Chu Luren suspected that this demonic monk was consciously trying to avoid the crowded "race track" and wanted to break through the Heavenly Gate in "techniques", so he was specifically strengthening the "techniques" aspect.

This skill of using the Demon-Subduing Pearl is based on the "Supreme Divine Skill of Subduing Demons with the Fixed Pearl," but in reality, it incorporates more Zen martial arts, such as the Seventy-Two Ultimate Techniques!

This one bears the imprint of the "Thousand-Leaf Hand of Great Compassion," while that one embodies the essence of the "Kasaya Subduing Demons Technique"...

There are a total of 108 beads. When Kumārajīva can completely transform these beads into true energy, that will be the time when he steps into the Heavenly Gate of Techniques.

What appears to be a "hidden weapon" that can be repeatedly controlled by Kumārajīva's true energy is actually equivalent to being besieged by a group of Zen masters!

However, the Chu Luren's dragon-turtle defensive formation was as solid as a mountain, making them as vulnerable as a swamp...

Zhao Wushi could still unleash dragon-shaped true energy with a wave of his hand, and the valley echoed with dragon roars, but his performance was not particularly outstanding—probably because he didn't want Jinlun and Kumārajīva to discover his true strength and then turn around and attack him.

At the same time, Chu Luren used the "Boundless Force of Heaven and Earth" to continuously transfer the power of the Dragon Subduing Palm and the Demon Subduing Pearl, causing them to invisibly consume each other...

The combination of "Qiankun Wuji Jin" and "Longgui Jin" has a similar charm to "Wuji gives rise to Taiji, Taiji gives rise to the Four Symbols, and the Four Symbols give rise to the Eight Trigrams".

Legend has it that after Fuxi received the Eight Trigrams diagram from a dragon-horse at the Luo River, he deciphered the diagram from the shell of a white tortoise, thus marking the beginning of the Eight Trigrams. Later, it was also Fuxi who established the image of the "dragon"...

Later, King Wen of Zhou further interpreted the "Eight Trigrams" in the Book of Changes, and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms traces its origins back to the martial arts of the "Book of Changes," with most of the move names taken from the Book of Changes.

The Dragon Turtle Force of Chu Luren is a palm technique that is formed by combining various versions of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms and the Six Yang Palms of Tianshan, and then observing the true martial prowess of the Wudang Dragon Turtle to deepen one's understanding.

However, later it was integrated into the Dao Embryo along with the "Divine Illumination Scripture" and the "Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme Technique"—at that time, it was inspired by the state of the Child Granny, in order to strengthen the Dao Embryo.

Previously, Chu Luren used the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" to cleanse the pure palm technique, which is now the "Dragon Turtle Force". Taken alone, it can be considered a palm technique of the "Yi" Dao.

Although it is not suitable for fusion at the moment, "Qiankun Wuji Gong" and "Longgui Jin" are very suitable for use together!

Chu Tai Sui was seen fighting three masters single-handedly. With each palm strike and leg sweep, the rubble on the ground around him surged around him like a dragon. He used his skills to attack his enemies or defend himself. Even though Zhao Wushi was not using his full strength and the other two were also harboring their own secrets, he was putting up a good fight and did not fall behind for the time being...

Chapter 927 Absorption

In the valley, Chu Luren fought against three masters alone. Even though all three had ulterior motives, especially Shenhou, who was still nominally using the identity of Guo Juxia and did not reveal his true strength, Chu Luren did not fall behind!

At this moment, Chu Luren did not have an "enlightenment," but instead tried his best to stimulate the "ultimate fighting spirit of the ape."

The area around the eyes, the hair, and even the skin all subtly revealed a pale golden glow...

While the effect of "sudden enlightenment" is stronger than the incomplete "Fighting Ape Ultimate Skill," the two cannot be achieved simultaneously.

Chu Luren now intends to further stimulate his "Fighting Ape Ultimate Intent", so he is controlling himself from having an epiphany - if he could have an explosive burst like his elder brother Qiao Feng, it would definitely be more useful than an epiphany!

In fact, Qiao Feng's Sea Falcon True Essence wasn't even incomplete; it was just a tiny bit inherited from his bloodline.

If this can be activated, there's no reason why the Chu Lu people can't be activated either, right?

For Chu Luren, it was a tough battle; for the other three, each had their own agenda…

The four masters plowed the valley again, leaving it littered with rubble, and the birds and beasts had long since fled.

Jinlun, Kumārajīva, and Zhao Wushi were all wary of each other—Zhao Wushi was less wary, because in his view, only a united attack from the other three against him would make him wary…

Jinlun is the most honest; he's mostly wary of "Guo the Great Hero" and worried that Chu Luren is just putting on an act!

When they discovered that "Master Guo" had indeed attacked Chu Luren, Jinlun was the most enthusiastic.

During this time, Chu Luren easily drew Kumārajīva and Zhao Wushi's Demon-Subduing Pearl and Dragon-Subduing Palm forces to the point of mutual attack, partly due to the two's deliberate indulgence.

Clearly, the two were using this opportunity to test each other...

Chu Luren was the one with the purest fighting spirit and will among the four present.

The turning point came just as Chu Luren was about to be defeated!

Just as Chu Luren was in grave danger and about to be severely injured by Jinlun, Kumārajīva suddenly revealed a sinister smile. Then, when the thirty-six Demon-Subduing Pearls were halfway back, they suddenly accelerated and turned back, attacking "Master Guo's" vest.

Kumārajīva had also realized that something was wrong with this "Master Guo"; at the very least, he was intentionally hiding his strength!

At the same time, "Master Guo" neither dodged nor evaded, but instead struck Jinlun with the force of his Dragon Subduing Palm...

As soon as Jinlun caught Chu Luren off guard, he punched him in the chest and abdomen, causing even Chu Luren's face to contort in shock.

However, instead of pressing his advantage, Kumārajīva's Demon-Subduing Pearl suddenly attacked "Master Guo" on the side!

Of course, while "Master Guo" seemed to be pressing his advantage, he actually flipped his hand and pressed it against Jinlun's vest...

Moreover, the dragon shadow on the palm shattered instantly, replaced by a hazy mist with distorted light effects. From some angles, one could even see dark, tear-like gaps.

Chu Luren could see it clearly. Jin Lun's expression changed instantly, his features even more contorted than Chu Luren's. Zhao Wushi, on the other hand, endured the thirty-six blows from behind. Although his face flushed red, he gritted his teeth and endured it...

Then, Jinlun suddenly "deflated," and his entire body twisted as he was sucked into Zhao Wushi's body!

Chu Luren was also stunned—had Zhao Wushi gone mad? Now that he had absorbed the Golden Wheel, wouldn't he be at a disadvantage instead?

He was only slightly injured, not to mention that Kumārajīva was watching him intently from the side... He felt that he could withstand it?

Could it be the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi, or some other expert of the same level, lurking around to provide support?

At the same time, Zhao Wushi could no longer maintain his disguise—indeed, the previous change in appearance was caused by some kind of "bone shrinking technique." Fortunately, Chu Luren did not expose him from the perspective of the human skin mask!

Just as Chu Luren was cautiously on guard against other potential experts in the vicinity, Zhao Wushi's entire body was contorted, seemingly beginning to digest...

However, Kumārajīva did not stop at all, bombarding Zhao Wushi with thirty-six, thirty-six, thirty-six... in batches!

After a moment of hesitation, Chu Luren unleashed a palm strike at Zhao Wushi. At the same time, the dragon-turtle phantom that had been enveloping Chu Luren stretched out its long neck, its shell flashing. Then, true energy spread along the dragon's neck, and finally, the dragon-turtle opened its mouth and exhaled, reflecting the impact of Chu Luren's palm strike...

Zhao Wushi also forcefully countered with a palm strike. Most of the power of the Dragon Turtle Force was dispersed to the sides, causing explosions around him. Although Zhao Wushi's feet left the ground and he retreated a bit, his figure remained steady and he was not injured at all!

Compared to his previous weakened state after absorbing Wang Chongyang's power, Zhao Wushi now seems to be in complete control... He still has at least 70-80% of his strength left!

"Hahaha, so it's the Iron-Blooded Marquis eliminating treacherous officials? My apologies." Kumārajīva recognized Zhao Wushi and deliberately made sarcastic remarks.

Zhao Wushi snorted coldly, offering no further reply, clearly still feeling some pressure...

Chu Luren had roughly understood what had happened by this time—Zhao Wushi had not made any improvements to the "Absorption Technique," and since he had already absorbed Wang Chongyang's essence, he already had the "stable" aspect. So, absorbing the "dry" aspect of the Golden Wheel was equivalent to neutralizing it on the spot. Therefore, the burden on him was much less than when he simply absorbed the essence without a matching one.

At this moment, Chu Luren was also certain that once Zhao Wushi made a complete breakthrough, even if he was not a person who broke through the Heavenly Gate, but only stepped into the Heavenly Gate realm, his strength would probably be something that ordinary Heavenly Gate people could not contend with.

Seeing Zhao Wushi's figure becoming increasingly distorted and swollen, Chu Luren launched a series of attacks—once he had completely digested the Golden Wheel, he would be even more difficult to deal with!

Meanwhile, Kumārajīva's expression grew increasingly grim, and he, in perfect unison, shifted his target to Zhao Wushi, who had already laid his cards on the table.

Chu Luren's fighting spirit grew stronger and stronger, showing a tendency to fight harder and harder. But at this moment, Zhao Wushi seized the opportunity. When Kumārajīva was about to use the Demon-Subduing Pearl that circled around him twice to bind him, Zhao Wushi's figure blurred and he forcibly broke free!

Seeing his ghostly escape, with its shifting light and shadows, Chu Luren even wondered—could it be that the "Four Ghosts of Western Hunan" had also been drained?

However, considering that nothing has changed for the thousands of merchants, it shouldn't be that case...

Before he could think any further, Kumārajīva was caught off guard when Zhao Wushi suddenly attacked him and closed in. Although he used his Flaming Blade, Zhao Wushi still managed to knock him away with a powerful punch that broke through a stone pillar and embedded him firmly in the stone wall!

Seeing this, Chu Luren no longer hesitated and rushed towards Kumārajīva, capturing him...

Just as Zhao Wushi sneered, thinking that Chu Luren wanted to rescue Kumārajīva so that they could continue to fight two against one, he saw... a dark and distorted light and shadow also appeared in Chu Luren's hand!

Chapter 928 Demon Transformation

Jinlun unleashed his full power at Chu Luren, only to be ambushed by Zhao Wushi. Taking advantage of an opening in Chu Luren's back, Zhao Wushi instantly "absorbed" through Chu Luren's protective barrier and "swallowed" him into his body...

However, Zhao Wushi did not expect that after he seriously injured Kumārajīva, Chu Luren would take the opportunity to attack the seriously injured Kumārajīva!

Although it was already a "fusion" version, Zhao Wushi could naturally tell that Chu Luren's move was also related to the "Absorption Technique" or at least closely related to it!

Because he had already been seriously injured by Zhao Wushi, Kumārajīva was still not fully recovered and was even more helpless than Jinlun.

It was clear that Chu Luren's "Absorption Technique" was quite different from Zhao Wushi's in terms of visual effects.

Zhao Wushi directly absorbed his target into his body, plundered his meridians, and then "spit" the person out. Chu Luren, on the other hand, simply placed his hand on Kumārajīva's head, and then Kumārajīva's entire body began to shimmer with numerous meridian-like marks...

At the same time, Zhao Wushi did not just watch. With a wave of his hand, a stream of true energy, both blue and white, swept towards Chu Luren. However, Chu Luren did not turn around and just took the hit—just like not long ago when Zhao Wushi took the Demon-Subduing Pearl from Kumārajīva in order to seize the opportunity to absorb the Golden Wheel.

Chu Luren's "Absorption Technique" was already integrated into his Dao Embryo. After it was placed on Kumārajīva's head, he also entered the Dao Embryo state, making his defensive power extremely astonishing.

Moreover, its back is protected by the lingering dragon turtle energy—the back is, after all, the most solid part of the dragon turtle!

Zhao ignored the entangled true energy that resembled a poisonous dragon drill. Five parts of it were removed by the emerging dragon turtle shell, and eighty parts were reduced by the Dao Embryo. The remaining ten percent of its power, when applied to Chu Luren's internal organs which had been strengthened multiple times, only caused Chu Luren to feel a slight sweetness in his throat and his face to glow with even more golden light. Not a single drop of blood spilled out.

At the same time, Chu Luren also felt that Zhao Wushi's move was equivalent to the external application of the dual cultivation of "Xiantian Gong" and "Yu Nu Su Xin Jing" - its essence is the explosion after the interaction and superposition of one being stable and the other being fiery.

However, Zhao Wushi's current "irritability" is derived from the Dragon and Elephant Power of the Golden Wheel Monk, which is much more powerful than Lin Chaoying's!

It's a pity Wang Chongyang probably didn't have the chance to try...

Zhao Wushi saw that Chu Luren withstood the palm strike almost unscathed, but he only let out a cold laugh—how could he not know how long it would take to digest the Absorption Technique?

Even if both of them have their own unique understanding of the "Absorption Technique", it is impossible for them to absorb it immediately!

The next moment, Chu Luren turned around, and through his clothes, one could still see the vein patterns flashing across his body and face...

Logically, meridians are abstract entities and cannot have real-world patterns.

At this time, Kumārajīva's meridians were forcibly absorbed into the "Taoist embryo" of the Chu Lu people, thus causing rejection and triggering external reactions.

Zhao Wushi, who is now contorted like a balloon, is exhibiting symptoms of the same kind...

Seeing this, Zhao Wushi sneered and said, "Heh, you're about to die, so you're planning to drag Ming Wang down with you? My Great Song Dynasty is truly lucky to have you and Guo Juxia."

After saying that, the meridians that had been flashing on Chu Luren's body completely disappeared—the "digestion" process was completely completed!

Chu Luren smirked: "Who knows who's about to die!"

At the same time, the golden light emanating from Chu Luren grew increasingly intense, and the activation level of his "Fighting Ape Ultimate Intent" was also rising, its effects approaching those of sudden enlightenment...