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Alarm bells rang in Qiao Tian's heart! This sudden attack was far more sophisticated and ruthless than the likes of Ding Chunqiu before! He could even feel that the four high monks of Shaolin, including Xuan Cheng and Xuan Nan, who were surrounding him, were also forced to take a step back under the pressure of this powerful palm wind, and their faces showed horror!
In the nick of time, Qiao Tian displayed an astonishingly agile movement! He didn't take the blows head-on, but instead, seemingly casually touched the ground with his toes, his entire body appearing weightless as he floated up at an angle, performing an incredible sideways flip in the air! He narrowly avoided most of the twenty-odd unpredictable white rainbow palm strikes in such a miraculous way!
However, the last few palm strikes had sealed off all his escape routes. Qiao Tian was in mid-air with nowhere to grab leverage, but he twisted his waist and seemingly gently struck out with one palm to meet the last few palm strikes.
With a soft "poof," the energies collided, and Qiao Tian used the recoil to slide backward like a falling leaf, landing steadily.
The two stood facing each other, a slight distance between them. The mountain breeze blew, causing Qiao Tian's dark Taoist robe and the woman's snow-white white dress to flutter. One was handsome and extraordinary, the other graceful and elegant, like figures from a painting. Many rough and tough martial arts men around them stared wide-eyed and were captivated.
The woman in white—Li Qiushui—did not attack again. Instead, she let out a series of sweet, cloying laughs: "You little rascal, not bad at all. No wonder you've inherited your senior brother's skills. You haven't even paid your respects to your master's wife?"
Wu Xingyun, who was standing on the boulder, had a frosty expression on his face. Hearing this, he snorted coldly, his voice like ice shards colliding: You bastard! Are you tired of living? Did you come here today specifically to die?
Li Qiushui wasn't angry at Wu Xingyun's scolding at all. Instead, she turned to her with a smile, her tone slightly coquettish and reproachful: "Oh, my dear senior sister, with you here to oversee things, how could I, with all my courage, dare to be presumptuous? I'm just here to see my husband whom I've been longing for day and night, and by the way, to test the quality of this successor that you and my senior brother have trained, to see if he's disgraced our sect. This... is it an eyesore for you, senior sister?" Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, her charm natural and alluring. The bewitching allure emanating from her very bones even made Qiao Tian, with his resolute will, waver for a moment, and he quickly regained his composure.
Qiao Tian composed himself, stepped forward, and respectfully clasped his hands in a salute: "Junior Qiao Tian greets Martial Uncle Li." He addressed her as "Martial Uncle" rather than "Martial Aunt," demonstrating excellent discretion.
Li Qiushui's beautiful eyes swept over Qiao Tian, and she said with a charming smile, "Hmm, you're handsome and have a calm temperament. No wonder you're so doted on by your senior brothers and sisters. Junior, today's matter concerns the reputation of our sect. Since your uncle is here, I'll naturally support you! You must live up to our expectations and not tarnish the prestige of us old folks!"
The moment she finished speaking, her expression changed abruptly! The alluring charm she had displayed vanished instantly, replaced by a domineering, cold, and murderous aura! Her gaze swept across the entire room like lightning, lingering briefly on the Shaolin and Beggar Clan members. Her voice, no longer soft, carried an undeniable authority:
If anyone thinks they can act arrogantly in front of me and bully my juniors just because they think they're the number one gang in the world or a martial arts master...
Hmph! Let's see!
Uncle-Master, I'm standing right here. I'll see who can walk out of Wudang Mountain unscathed today!
These words exuded an air of dominance, completely different from his previous demeanor!
Wu Xingyun stood on the boulder and snorted again, but ultimately did not refute Li Qiushui's tough stance towards the outside world.
At this moment, the heroes of the martial arts world were no longer just feeling their scalps tingle, but rather feeling utterly overwhelmed, as if a thousand mythical beasts were stampeding through their minds!
one two three four!
Four grandmaster-level experts!
This Wudang Sect is no small, newly established sect; it's clearly a super crocodile hidden beneath the surface!
Consider this: if an ordinary martial arts sect could have a master of the Innate Realm at its helm, it could ensure the stability of its foundation for a hundred years. Even a powerful sect like the Beggars' Sect, the number one sect in the world, has a leader, Wang Jiantong, whose cultivation is at the peak of the Innate Realm, making him a figure of utmost awe and reverence in the martial arts world.
But this Wudang sect before us... has four Grandmasters! What a terrifying concept that is!
Almost simultaneously, the martial arts practitioners who had been itching to take advantage of the situation quietly sheathed their swords, cold sweat pouring down their foreheads. In their hearts, they had already listed Wudang Mountain as the most forbidden place they would never provoke in their lives!
Master Xuannan was also in turmoil, caught in a dilemma. Judging from the situation, the power of Qiao Tian's sect was terrifying. These grandmaster-level elders were unmistakably protective of their child, practically declaring: "We want everything from our child, face to substance! You have to give it to him, whether you want to or not! Want to touch him? Ask us first!"
Xuan Nan inwardly groaned, regretting a hundred times that he had come to Wudang Mountain today. This wasn't a mission to cleanse the sect; it was like kicking a brick wall—no, kicking a mountain of black iron!
The atmosphere in the square underwent a dramatic reversal due to Li Qiushui's arrival and statement. The initiative had quietly shifted to the Wudang faction.
Chapter 65 The imperial edict arrives
Just as the atmosphere became awkward and strange, Shaolin was caught in a dilemma, the heroes were considering retreating, and almost everyone was intimidated by the terrifying strength of the four grandmasters of the Xiaoyao Sect—
"Zheng——!"
Deep within the Zhenwu Hall, the faint yet captivating zither music suddenly changed!
The sound was no longer clear and melancholic, but became rapid and high-pitched, filled with the murderous aura of clashing swords and galloping horses! An invisible pressure spread out from the center of the main hall, and some fallen leaves on the square moved on their own without wind, swirling and dancing!
Everyone was stunned, bewildered. But the warning contained in the music and the increasingly rapid "zhengzheng" rhythm made everyone clearly feel a huge, chilling killing intent rapidly brewing and expanding!
A hundred meters away, on the canopy of a tall ancient pine tree near the cliff, a black figure appeared like a ghost! He seemed to be forced to show himself by the music. He lightly touched the slender pine branches with his toes, and his figure flew diagonally towards the outside of the square like a startled bird. His lightness skill and speed were so great that he was clearly a master!
However, he was fast, and the music was even faster!
The moment the man in black appeared and flew away, the music in the hall suddenly intensified! This time, everyone could see and hear it clearly!
As the stirring music played, countless condensed, tangible, and visible pale white sonic blades shot out from the depths of the hall, like swords controlled by an invisible hand! These sonic blades followed treacherous trajectories, leaving no trace, yet they were as fast as lightning, tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound, and accurately struck the black-clad man who was flying away!
boom! boom! boom! boom!
Wherever the sonic blades passed, the grass, trees, and rocks in their path shattered! A giant tree, hundreds of years old and requiring two people to encircle it, was sliced in half by a blade and snapped in two, crashing to the ground! The man in black moved nimbly, changing direction repeatedly in the air, narrowly avoiding several blades of energy. He used a massive boulder to gain leverage, attempting to leap into the air again. The next moment, the boulder was struck by several more sonic blades that followed, turning into dust with a deafening roar!
What... what kind of tactic is this?
Sound waves transforming into blades? Capable of severing metal and jade from a distance of hundreds of meters?
You're telling me this counts as martial arts? This is practically supernatural magic!
The assembled heroes were stunned, their scalps tingling with disbelief. Many couldn't help but gasp in astonishment! This attack method, which transcended their understanding of martial arts, was so powerful and bizarre that it completely overturned their comprehension of martial arts!
The man in black was forced to tumble and somersault repeatedly in the air by the omnipresent and powerful sonic blades, looking utterly disheveled and with nowhere left to retreat!
Qiao Tian's eyes narrowed, and he immediately recognized the man's identity—Murong Bo! He sneered inwardly: Shifting Stars? Finger of Mutual Harmony? These are the signature techniques of the Murong family. Would you dare use them in public, especially in front of a high-ranking monk from Shaolin? You must be feeling incredibly frustrated right now!
Just when Murong Bo was in dire straits, the music playing in the hall changed once again!
"Om-!"
A more magnificent and profound wave of sound swept out! This time, it wasn't just the sound; the entire Wudang Mountain seemed to tremble slightly under the pull of this melody! The crowd couldn't tell whether it was the ground beneath their feet shaking or the music directly affecting their brains, causing a strong sense of dizziness! The inner strength of the person deep within the hall was so profound, it was simply inconceivable!
The man in black (Murong Bo) in the air was the first to be hit. His body suddenly froze, as if he had fallen into an invisible quagmire, and his movements were instantly slowed down by half a beat!
That was the flaw in that split second!
Inside the main hall, it seemed as if the accumulated power had finally reached its peak! The zither music suddenly soared to an ear-piercing peak, and then, seven invisible sonic blades, even more condensed and terrifying than before, almost tearing through space, were arranged like the Big Dipper. Although they were still untraceable, the continuous sonic explosions caused by the blades cutting through the air, as well as the deep cuts left by the blades as they swept across the door beams and the ground, and the trajectory of the explosions, all clearly pointed to their target—Murong Bo!
"puff--!"
A dull thud, the sound of flesh being pierced, rang out!
Despite Murong Bo's desperate attempt to twist his body at the last moment to avoid a fatal blow, he was still pierced through the shoulder blade by one of the most powerful sonic energy blades! He groaned, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and his body fell from the sky like a kite with a broken string!
But he was, after all, a grandmaster. Despite his serious injuries, he managed to muster a burst of true energy, tapped his toes on a flying rock, and used the momentum to flee headlong into the depths of the dense forest below the mountain without looking back. His speed was even faster than when he came, and he disappeared from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.
Deathly silence!
The entire square, filled with thousands of martial arts heroes, including Shaolin monks, Beggar Clan elders, imperial eunuchs, and even Qiao Tian, Wu Xingyun, and Li Qiushui, remained silent for a long time.
The same thought echoed in everyone's mind:
Is this even real martial arts?!
A hundred meters away, sonic waves transformed into blades, severely injuring a grandmaster and forcing him to flee in disarray! What kind of divine power is this?!
What they saw at Wudang today completely refreshed their understanding of the word "martial arts"!
...While everyone was still reeling from Wu Yazi's earth-shattering attack,
"Woo-wu-wu-"
A deep and majestic horn sound came from the foot of Wudang Mountain!
Immediately following was the sound of uniform, heavy, and powerful footsteps, and the clanging of metal against metal as armor clashed!
Squads of elite soldiers, their armor gleaming and their weapons gleaming, surged up the stone steps like a black tide, skillfully controlling all the key routes and completely surrounding the Zhenwu Hall plaza! Banners fluttered in the wind, and on one of the large banners was a huge "Song" character embroidered on it!
The ranks of officers and soldiers parted, and an elderly man, dressed in the official uniform of the Imperial Martial Arts Academy, with a robust build, resolute face, and a glint of shrewdness in his eyes, strode in. His steps were steady, and his aura was as imposing as a mountain. Although he did not deliberately release it, his profound and unyielding demeanor clearly indicated that he was a grandmaster-level expert! It was none other than Zhou Tong, the head instructor of the Imperial Martial Arts Academy!
Holding a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict, he proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Imperial decree has arrived! Qiao Tian, the leader of the Wudang Sect, and all those present, receive the decree!"
Although everyone had different thoughts, they all bowed in the face of the imperial laws.
The official unfurled the imperial edict, his voice booming:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that Wudang Mountain in northern Hubei is a place of outstanding natural beauty and spiritual energy, where a man named Qiao Tian has established a sect and promoted Taoism. His heart is commendable and his ambition worthy of emulation! Taoism is the orthodox tradition of our Chinese civilization, with a long and rich history. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon Wudang Mountain the title of the foundation of Taoism in our Great Song Dynasty! The Wudang Sect is designated as the guardian sect of Taoism in our Great Song Dynasty! A certain amount of gold and silk is granted, and permission is granted to repair the temples and to recruit more disciples!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, his tone becoming more forceful and suggestive:
"From this day forward, the Wudang Sect is hereby ordered to gather the finest Taoist talents from across the land to compile the 'Ten Thousand Longevity Taoist Canon' for the sake of the imperial family and all the people of the world. This will clarify the origins and development of Taoism and promote the righteous path! This is a monumental task, and I hope you will all devote yourselves wholeheartedly to it and live up to the Emperor's favor!"
"Furthermore!" His voice turned cold. "Conflicts in the martial world should also be resolved within the bounds of propriety and law! Anyone who relies on power to trespass upon the sacred cultivation grounds of the Daoist sects without cause, or interferes with the imperial court's grand plan to compile the Daoist canon, shall be regarded as having contempt for the law of the land and shall be severely punished without exception! So be it!"
After the imperial edict was read, the entire hall fell into an eerie silence once again.
This move by the imperial court is almost a blatant warning to the Shaolin, Beggars' Sect, and other sects that came to force the emperor's abdication today!
Suppress Shaolin and the Beggars' Sect, and support Wudang! The imperial court's intentions are crystal clear!
Xuan Nan, Bai Shijing, and the others were ashen-faced, yet utterly helpless. Under the combined pressure of the imperial army and several grandmasters of the Xiaoyao Sect, the matter was now settled. From this day forward, Wudang, this newly established sect, would rise majestically to the pinnacle of the martial world, with its unfathomable strength and the powerful support of the imperial court!
Qiao Tian took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed to receive the imperial decree:
"Qiao Tian, I accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude! All of us at Wudang will faithfully perform our duties, compile the Daoist canon, and promote the righteous path to repay the Emperor's grace!"
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power, echoing across Wudang Mountain, which had just experienced a tremendous upheaval.
Chapter 66 Chief Wang, for the Country and the People
The echoes of the imperial edict seemed to still reverberate through the mountains. The imposing presence of the imperial army standing solemnly, combined with the shock of Wuyazi's sonic attack, created an incredibly complex atmosphere in the square. Today's Wudang Mountain Opening Ceremony had been anything but smooth sailing.
The eunuch Li Yan, his face beaming with smiles, strode up to Zhou Tong, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Zhou, you've arrived just in time! My heart was pounding with anxiety just now." His words were flattering, but his eyes involuntarily drifted towards the depths of the Zhenwu Hall.
Zhou Tong nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Eunuch Li, you have worked hard. His Majesty values Wudang very much. After this matter is settled, you will need to return and report back in detail."
Li Yan repeatedly agreed, then turned to Qiao Tian, his smile widening with genuine admiration: "Sect Leader Qiao, congratulations! Today, Wudang is established, receiving the Emperor's grace, and... hey, with such profound foundations, truly a boundless future! I've certainly broadened my horizons today; a young hero like him is indeed worthy of praise!" His words made no attempt to conceal his high regard for Qiao Tian, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible closeness, which greatly surprised Qiao Tian. The eunuch's change in attitude was indeed quite strange.
Qiao Tian suppressed his doubts and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Eunuch Li, I am deeply grateful for Lord Zhou's timely assistance."
After exchanging pleasantries, Qiao Tian took a deep breath, channeled his inner energy, and his voice clearly resounded throughout the entire square, dispelling the previous tension and solemnity:
"The auspicious hour has arrived! The Wudang Sect's founding ceremony officially begins!"
"Thank you all, fellow martial artists and imperial envoys, for taking the time to come today and witness the founding of our Wudang sect! After the celebration, we have prepared a simple meal of wine and vegetarian food. We would be honored to have you grace us with your presence so that Wudang can show its hospitality!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the bells and chimes that had been prepared beforehand rang out in unison, solemn and peaceful. However, even faster than the sound of the bells and chimes came the reaction of some sect leaders.
A portly man in a brocade robe, known as the "Golden Saber Sect" leader Wang, practically tumbled and crawled to the front. His face was plastered with a fawning smile as he bowed deeply to Qiao Tian. His voice was loud and almost exaggerated: "Congratulations, Leader Qiao! Congratulations, Leader Qiao! The establishment of Wudang today is truly a blessing for the righteous path of the martial world and a boon for all living beings! I, Wang, admire Leader Qiao's demeanor and the spirit of Wudang to the core! From now on, our Golden Saber Sect will follow Wudang's lead! We will obey any command!" He acted as if he hadn't been the one who had previously joined in the commotion and tried to take advantage of the situation. His change of attitude was astonishing.
Not to be outdone, the "Five Tigers Severing the Gate Saber" leader, Peng, quickly chimed in: "Exactly! Leader Qiao's divine skills are unparalleled, Wudang has a profound foundation, and with the support of the imperial court, he will surely lead the world! I, Peng, am also willing to follow in his footsteps and obey Wudang's orders!" In an instant, all sorts of flattering voices filled the air. These opportunistic martial artists had thrown all pretense of decency to the winds, hoping only to leave a good impression on this newly rising giant.
Qiao Tian sneered inwardly, but outwardly remained calm, his gaze then shifting to the still-unpleasant expression of Beggar Clan leader Wang Jiantong. He stepped forward slowly, adopting a humble posture, and cupped his hands, saying, "Leader Wang, I apologize for any offense caused today. I hope you will forgive me. Your clan is the largest in the world, known for its chivalry, protecting the country, and safeguarding the people. I have always admired you greatly. It is my brother Feng's good fortune to become your disciple, and also a blessing for the Qiao family. In the future, I hope you will continue to guide and strictly supervise my brother within the clan, so that he can truly inherit the chivalrous spirit of the Beggar Clan, become a towering hero, and serve the country and its people, living up to the name of your successor."
Upon hearing this, Wang Jiantong's expression softened slightly. He snorted and his tone became much gentler: "Sect Leader Qiao is too kind. Qiao Feng is indeed a talented and promising young man, and I know what I'm doing."
On the other side, the two eminent monks of Shaolin, Xuan Nan and Xuan Ji, seeing that the situation was hopeless, with the imperial decree already issued and the Xiaoyao Sect masters surrounding them, realized that staying would only bring them humiliation. Their faces turned ashen, they exchanged a glance, let out a heavy snort, and without even bothering to say goodbye, they simply turned and left, leading a group of Shaolin disciples down the mountain without looking back.
Master Xuanku walked up to Qiao Tian, his eyes filled with complex emotions, worry, and helplessness. He whispered, "Tian... Sect Leader Qiao, from today onwards, you must take care of yourself. The martial world is treacherous. Even... even with the protection of your masters, you must be careful with your words and actions. Be cautious in everything you do." All his words ultimately culminated in a sigh and a simple admonition.
Looking at Xuan Ku's aged yet kind face, Qiao Tian was also moved and respectfully replied, "I will keep your words in mind, Master. Please take care of yourself as well."
The most ridiculous thing was Xuan Cheng. Instead of leaving with Xuan Nan and the others, he ignored Xuan Nan's urging and went straight to Qiao Tian, clasping his hands together. His face showed no embarrassment, but rather a natural sense of closeness: "Amitabha. Nephew Qiao, ah, no, Sect Leader Qiao, I have a special affinity with your Wudang Mountain. Would you be so kind as to trouble me for a couple of days? Your master's mastery of music is truly a heaven-reaching art, which I greatly admire. Of course, if Sect Leader Qiao has the time, I would also like to discuss Buddhist scriptures with you… uh, or perhaps Taoist scriptures would also be fine! Let's exchange ideas and verify what we've learned, wouldn't that be delightful?"
His expression was exactly like that of a mischievous old man who had discovered a new and exciting toy, his eyes clear and filled with an unyielding, childlike persistence. It was as if he were saying: "If you don't satisfy this martial arts fanatic's thirst for knowledge, this old monk won't leave!"
Qiao Tian looked at Master Xuancheng, who was of extremely high seniority and whose martial arts were unfathomable, yet who was so "out of touch with the world," and couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly. This old monk was truly impossible to hate. Despite his helplessness, he also felt a strange sense of closeness to him. In this chaotic world of martial arts, it was truly rare to maintain such a pure heart devoted to martial arts.
"It is an honor for Wudang to have you leave your guidance, Master." Qiao Tian had no choice but to agree. "After this matter is settled, I will ask you for your guidance again."
Xuan Cheng immediately beamed and nodded repeatedly, "Of course, of course!"
Thus, the grand opening ceremony, which was originally fraught with murderous intent and almost out of control, slowly came to a close in this way amidst the interplay and impact of various forces.
Chapter 67 Martial Arts Fanatic Xuancheng Fights the Two Elders of Xiaoyao Alone
As the clamor of the Wudang Mountain Opening Ceremony gradually subsided, various factions descended the mountain with their own agendas, and the Zhenwu Hall Square returned to its former solemnity. However, the tranquility of the front mountain contrasted sharply with the "lively" activity of the back mountain.
Behind the mountain cliff, under the sycamore tree.
Wu Yazi sat in his wheelchair, his brows slightly furrowed, gazing at the two figures facing off not far away. Qiao Tian stood beside him, also looking helpless.
"You shameless woman! How dare you show your face in front of your junior brother?" Wu Xingyun, dressed in red and exuding a chilling aura, pointed at the woman in white opposite him and shouted angrily, "If it weren't for your promiscuous behavior back then, causing your junior brother to be upset, would he have been ambushed by that traitorous disciple? And you, on the contrary, turned around and ran to Western Xia to become that damned imperial concubine, coveting your wealth and glory! Now that your junior brother is still alive, do you want to come and pester him again?"
Li Qiushui's face was veiled, obscuring her expression, but her beautiful eyes were as cold as ice, though her voice still carried a hint of languid allure: "Senior Sister, you can't say that. The truth of what happened back then is long gone. Senior Brother suffered, but how could I have felt any better? I had my reasons for going to Western Xia. But you, Senior Sister, have remained a virgin for decades; your love for Senior Brother is truly profound!"
"You're courting death!" Wu Xingyun was furious and could no longer restrain herself. With a swift movement, the scorching palm force of the Tianshan Six Yang Palm was unleashed on Li Qiushui like a storm! She hated this junior sister to the extreme and vowed to kill her with her palm today.
"Afraid of you?!" Li Qiushui sneered, her white palm strikes unpredictable, her movements as swift and elusive as a ghost, instantly clashing with Wu Xingyun. Both were grandmaster-level experts, and now, enraged, they showed no mercy. The wind howled, the energy surged, sand and stones flew from the cliff, and the ancient paulownia tree, swept by the dissipating force, had its branches and leaves rustling down, even leaving deep palm prints and finger marks on its trunk!
Wu Yazi looked at his two fellow disciples, who had been entangled and fighting for decades because of him, and a deep weariness and pain flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to stop them, but in the end it turned into a powerless sigh. Even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes, let alone such a complicated love affair. He knew that whatever he said at this moment would only add fuel to the fire.
Qiao Tian's scalp tingled. These two senior uncles were a powerful backer with a cold exterior but a warm heart, and a capricious imperial concubine-like senior uncle. It would be wrong to side with either of them. Mediation? He knew he didn't have the weight or ability for that. He could only circulate his true energy to protect his master, Wu Yazi, from being injured by the aftershocks of the fierce battle.
Just as the battle was escalating and almost spiraling out of control—
"Amitabha!"
A loud Buddhist chant, like a morning bell or evening drum, suddenly rang out, subtly drowning out the sounds of fierce fighting in the arena!