The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Just like the "primordial beginning" that cannot be directly described, it evolved into heaven and earth and all things. However, it is like a person's shadow, which is manifested but belongs to a kind of dimensional reduction.

"Xia Ke Xing" can encompass everything, but it does not contain the part of "Qi" cultivation itself - which is why almost no one on Xia Ke Island will go into seclusion to cultivate internal energy, but instead spends their days in the stone chamber to comprehend it.

The "qi" component it contains is the processing of one's own true qi. Most of the people who come to Xia Ke Island to cultivate do not completely change their internal energy, but only gain more methods of application.

Chu Luren also took advantage of the nature of "Xia Ke Xing" (侠客行, a martial arts novel) to incorporate all his original knowledge, thus forming his own unique martial art - "Wan Dao Tu" (万道图, the Myriad Paths Diagram)!

If the "One Heart Sutra" that Chu Luren comprehended represents the beginning of time and the primordial state, then the "Ten Thousand Paths Diagram" represents everything that has already evolved, such as Taiji, the Four Symbols, the Eight Trigrams, and so on.

It is not the end, but the beginning and evolution. It seems that there is no "end". However, according to the theory of the "One Heart Sutra", "one" is both the beginning and the end, and "three parts returning to the original qi" is a three-in-one, self-generating martial arts system.

The Chu Lu people consider the middle dantian as "one" and the upper dantian as "ten thousand," with the two mutually generating and transforming each other...

The fundamental lower dantian is the pure cultivation of internal energy in the "Hun Yuan Wu Ji Gong" - the parts of nourishing and refining qi that the "Wan Dao Tu" cannot contain are all integrated with the "Hun Chaos Gong"!

On the one hand, Chu Luren's martial arts skills have reached a new level after the disguised "merging with the Dao". On the other hand, the fusion effect of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Embryo is different from the previous mutated sea of ​​consciousness - the clone produced after the Dao Embryo merges with the Dao patterns of heaven and earth is called "Heaven and Earth Spirit Embryo" by Chu Luren.

The day before returning to the Central Plains, the Chu Lu people finally reconstructed the "Three-Part Return to Origin Qi"...

The lower dantian cultivates the fundamental internal energy technique "Hun Yuan Wu Ji Gong," while the virtual middle dantian operates the "Yi Xin Jing" and the virtual upper dantian operates the "Wan Dao Tu."

The lower dantian forms the foundation, while the middle and upper dantian circulate in a continuous cycle...

Chu Luren hadn't left his cabin for two days. Dog Bastard, as Chu Luren had instructed, came to find him before docking.

They discovered a giant cocoon, larger than a person, sitting in the cabin of the Chu Lu people's ship. It was white in color and faintly glowed with gold...

"The Heavenly Silkworm Transformation" is one of the Wudang martial arts. Chu Luren, as the sister of Dongfang, sought instruction from Master Zhang, who agreed that Chu Luren could comprehend it.

In this effort to re-establish the "Qi" principle, Master Zhang's "Pure Yang Limitless Skill" and "Heavenly Silkworm Transformation" played a significant role.

Just like the ultimate realm of "The Legend of the Heavenly Silkworm," where one transforms energy into silk to complete the final metamorphosis...

Chapter 970 Return

"Second Brother?" the bastard tried calling out from outside the giant cocoon.

Although the dog bastard had never seen such a scene before, he could sense that there was someone inside the giant cocoon, and that they were in a state that was even more advanced than innate fetal breathing.

Just as the bastard decided that if his second brother didn't react, he would carry this thing off the boat once they reached the shore, a sound of bones grinding and joints stretching came from the giant cocoon...

Although the sound came from the bones, it did not feel old or sluggish at all. Instead, it was like the tinkling of jade pendants, giving people a feeling of vitality.

Then the giant cocoon twisted and turned, and jade-like hands emerged from the twisted gaps, then with a "push," they separated the giant cocoon from the inside.

Chu Luren had just poked his head out when he saw Gou Zazhong and quickly said, "Fourth brother, help me find some clothes."

Originally, when the Chu Lu people were forming their cocoons, they were wearing clothes. However, now the clothes have been removed and absorbed by the cocoons as impurities.

Fortunately, the gastric juices of the giant cocoon and the cold dragon are different, so they won't mistake hair and eyebrows for impurities!

Instead, after the transformation, Chu Luren returned to her waist-length hair, and from the airflow, she could also feel that her sword-like eyebrows had returned.

"Oh! Second Brother has become much more handsome." The bastard grinned foolishly and went to get his clothes.

This child is so honest—Chu Luren's heart warmed instantly. Could it be... that his appearance has also changed? At least it's worthy of his crystal-clear, jade-like, snow-white skin now?

Chu Luren stood up, using the giant cocoon to cover his lower body, while extending his hand with his palm facing upwards.

The true energy instantly condensed into a "solid" resembling ice crystals, hovering above Chu Luren's palm like a small mirror...

It is precisely when true qi is materialized—when the "technique" reaches the limit of knocking on the heavenly gate—that the ability one possesses is further enhanced by "spiritual rebirth"!

For the Chu Lu people, the nature of true qi they have mastered is countless, and they can easily materialize it into "matter" that can be clearly reflected.

Upon seeing himself in the mirror, Chu Luren was instinctively startled—he was indeed very handsome!

However, things quickly became more and more awkward, and gradually Chu Luren discovered the reason...

It seems like I've broken free from the whitening buff?

"Ruyu" is indeed still "Ruyu", but it is no longer "mutton fat jade".

Chu Luren's complexion now appears healthier, and combined with his increasingly bold features over the past five years, he looks quite "handsome"... or rather, chivalrous!

Well, before, it was through beauty techniques like "Mingyu Gong" that a new layer of skin and flesh was reborn, but this time it's a complete transformation—the former only focuses on "beauty enhancement," while the latter leans towards the most suitable positioning for itself.

To some extent, even the "martial arts" themselves believe that this is the only way for the Chu Lu people to be truly natural...

When the bastard returned with the clothes, he found his second brother with his lower body draped in silk, striking a pose like a thinker—of course, the bastard had no idea what a "thinker" was.

"Second brother, the clothes." The bastard handed over the clothes.

"Okay, put it there for now. Also... Fourth Brother, have you thought about borrowing me a set of white, flowing clothes, like Hua Wuque's style?" Chu Luren looked at the clothes that Gou Zazhong had brought, which were indeed typical "hero's robes," and then asked seriously.

"Huh?" The bastard looked incredulous, as if to say: How could I possibly think that?

"Never mind, it's nothing..."

……

On the first day of the second month of the tenth year of Tiansheng, Chu Luren returned to the Central Plains as promised, bringing with him those who had gone to Xia Ke Island, and even most of those who had gone to Xia Ke Island in the previous thirty years!

At Xuwen Port, people saw a large fleet of ships returning early in the morning, and others hurriedly went to inform the various factions in the city who were still waiting for news.

Three months have passed in the blink of an eye, and most of the martial arts practitioners who were still waiting for their sect leader, brothers, friends and so on to return have already dispersed.

After all, no one has returned in the past thirty years.

This time, it was Chu Tai Sui who gave everyone confidence, which led to a significant increase in the number of people staying.

Even so, after three months, less than one-tenth of the original amount remained...

As for why it's three months from the first day of the twelfth lunar month to the first day of the second lunar month?

Because the tenth year of the Tiansheng era had a leap February—there were two Februarys! Now it's the second February...

Many of the Snow Mountain Sect disciples were still there, as Shi Xiaocui and her granddaughter were waiting for them. Only Bai Wanjian had been sent back by his mother—if Bai Zizai didn't return, Bai Wanjian would be the new sect leader. What kind of behavior was it for him to always be away from the sect? Did he want to be rebelled against by his several senior uncles?

Apart from a dozen or so people left to keep watch, the rest of the Righteous Alliance members were gone.

This was Chu Luren's instruction beforehand. After all, the Righteous Alliance had many important matters to attend to—from the uprisings in various parts of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty to the mutiny in Xiangyang of the Song Dynasty, to the Qing Dynasty's "killing of turtles," and even some people going to Tibet with Kumārajīva to investigate... The Righteous Alliance was very busy, and Chu Luren did not want too many people to waste their time here just to flatter him!

When Gou Zazhong saw his master and Ah Xiu from afar, he couldn't help but run back from the sea. The other veterans of the martial arts world who hadn't returned to the Central Plains for twenty or thirty years either felt apprehensive about returning home or, equally unable to control themselves, immediately used their lightness skills to run back to the shore.

Only then did everyone realize that Chu Luren had brought back quite a few people on this trip!

Chu Luren was relatively calm, since there wasn't much of a crowd waiting for him there. However, if he didn't return for too long, many people would probably go to Xia Ke Island to look for him!

Similarly, the thirteen elders, with the same composure as the others, were all calm at this moment, simply waiting on the deck to dock.

Even when they got close, they slowly transferred to smaller boats and leisurely sailed back. Seeing this, Chu Luren also joined them...

They were the first to board the ship on the way there, but the least in a hurry to return.

Chu Luren could understand some of the thirteen elders' thoughts. On one hand, they were really calm, and on the other hand... they didn't want to think too much!

After all, thirty years have passed, and few of their old friends or even familiar younger generations are still alive, so they are not so easily excited.

At this time, Kuangshi Tiezhan was also on a small boat with the Thirteen Elders and Chu Luren. He was essentially the Thirteen Elders' close friend (eldest grandson).

Leaving Xia Ke Island at this moment, Kuang Shi Tie Zhan was also very excited.

Firstly, he was excited to find others to fight, and secondly, he finally remembered that he had a daughter. He spent the whole way bragging to the ghost boy and the others about how outstanding his daughter was...

Ghost Child chimed in, saying he could help him test his son-in-law—after all, Mad Lion Iron Warrior's daughter was one of the few descendants connected to them.

Although the Iga clan, represented by the demon child, still exists, the Jonin (high-ranking ninja) within the clan are not very familiar to the demon child himself.

The situations of the others were basically the same.

Only Mi Shiba is alright. Chu Luren now knows his true identity: the Foolish Tea Daoist who entered Wudang with Chongxu back then. He can even go back and pay his respects to his teacher...

Chapter 971 Murong Jiu Makes Another Choice

After hearing Boss Wu's report, Chu Luren also knew that many important things had happened during the three months he was away!

Especially the Song court...

Of the three great powers in the past, the Song Dynasty was the most stable. However, the Xiangyang Mutiny triggered a series of reactions.

Whether the court and the public believed it or not, it no longer mattered—the people and soldiers of Xiangyang believed it!

Although the high-ranking officials in the court were furious at the group of traitors who had rebelled, they also understood that if they allowed the situation in Xiangyang to deteriorate further, they could start preparing by studying Mongolian at home...

To their slight relief, Zhao ignored the fact that he had already apologized to His Majesty.

Although he did not admit to the accusations made by Xiangyang, Zhao Wushi was willing to suffer an injustice in order to buy time for the court.

However, Cao Zhengchun, who was Zhao Wushi's "number one enemy," would not stand idly by. Instead, he took advantage of the situation and fabricated evidence that was detrimental to Zhao Wushi.

Furthermore, the incident of the Vice Minister of Justice dying from "three cuts on the road to hell" occurred at this time, causing the officials to also turn against Shenhou. Cao Zhengchun took the opportunity to speak cautiously to the emperor and had Shenhou imprisoned in the Eastern Depot prison...

Afterwards, taking advantage of the Xiangyang incident, Cao Zhengchun acted with even more recklessness. The ministers were worried that letting Shenhou go would cause Xiangyang to change hands and allow the Mongol cavalry to advance unimpeded, so they were very tolerant of Cao Zhengchun's actions.

Taking advantage of the situation, Cao Zhengchun conducted a thorough investigation of the Dragon Guard Manor, even digging up the basement where the Divine Marquis stored confidential files...

Thanks to Wan Sanqian's strong protection, the number one manor in the world has been temporarily preserved.

After obtaining a great deal of confidential intelligence collected by the Dragon Guard Manor, Cao Zhengchun used the evidence of crimes committed by court officials and border generals to threaten them and force them to join the Eastern Depot. At least on the surface, no one dared to oppose him as the head of the Eastern Depot, and for a time, he was unparalleled in his power!

Zhao Wushi, meanwhile, was in the Eastern Depot's dungeon, facing a life-or-death dilemma...

……

Meanwhile, Murong Jiu, who had arrived back earlier by speedboat, had already returned to Lin'an.

She had already learned of the changes at the Dragon Guard Manor along the way!

Murong Jiu thought to himself: That old fox transferred me to Xia Ke Island. I thought it was some kind of conspiracy, but I didn't expect that I would find out. I didn't expect that I had already been defeated.

Murong Jiu inwardly scoffed at this useless "adoptive father," and later at the Number One Manor in the World, he heard Haitang's complaints and attempts to comfort her.

Shangguan Haitang originally returned to find out whether her adoptive father had really murdered Guo Juxia.

Unexpectedly, the political situation at court changed rapidly, and her adoptive father was imprisoned by Cao Zhengchun...

At this point, Haitang naturally stopped investigating her godfather's crimes and instead believed that it must all be Cao Zhengchun's conspiracy!

Indeed, Cao Zhengchun also took the opportunity to forge a lot of evidence, some of which Haitang discovered, but she had no way to make a fuss about it.

After all, not only are eunuchs in power now, but the court officials also do not want the Iron-Blooded Marquis to come out!

Under Wan Sanqian's protection, Cao Zhengchun refrained from making any moves against the number one manor in the world.