A Great Hero

"I am Guo Jing, it's a pleasure to meet you," Guo Jing said, cupping his hands.

"Fang Xuan, it's a pleasure to meet you, Great Hero Guo."

A great hero serves the country and the people.

Regardless of Guo Jing's cultivation, his demeanor alone was enough to earn respect.

Little did he know that Guo Jing was also extremely shocked at this moment. From the walls of Xiangyang, he had seen Fang Xuan's power more clearly than anyone else.

One man, one saber, cutting through the entire Mongol Yuan army, unstoppable and brave, like an overlord reborn.

And then there was the phantom of the divine-demon giant, whose single punch was like that of a demon god.

Even the Golden Wheel Dharma King, whom he had always been wary of, was no match for a single punch.

Moreover, if it weren't for this person, this war would not have been won so easily, and he would not have rescued his youngest daughter and killed the Mongol Yuan Khan.

When did such a master appear in the martial arts world?

"Thank you, young brother, for your assistance. If it weren't for you, Xiangyang would have been in danger this time, and the Great Song would have been in danger," Guo Jing sighed.

"It was merely a coincidence. The one who truly deserves thanks is Great Hero Guo for defending Xiangyang. A great hero serves the country and the people, which is admirable," Fang Xuan said with a smile.

"Oh dear, you two don't need to boast. Young brother, your name is Fang Xuan, right? What is the name of the martial art you used just now that can transform into a giant figure? Can you teach me?" The Old Urchin Zhou Botong suddenly popped out and said excitedly.

The East Heretic Huang Yaoshi, who was standing nearby, changed his expression. Although he knew the Old Urchin had the heart of a child and meant no harm, he also knew that prying into someone else's martial arts was a matter of life and death.

This person's good and evil were unclear, who knew what his nature was like? Moreover, his martial arts were formidable; he alone cut through the entire Mongol Yuan army. If he got angry, who among those present could stand against him?

"Old Urchin, don't be rude, step back," Huang Yaoshi reprimanded.

Guo Jing also quickly said, "Young brother, please forgive him. The Old Urchin means no harm, he is just infatuated with martial arts."

The Old Urchin pouted and said, "If I'm not asking, I'm not asking, why are you so loud?"

Fang Xuan laughed heartily and said, "It's alright. This martial art of mine is called the Heaven's Will Four Symbols Art. It can gather the power of heaven and earth to form attacks, and it is divided into four layers. What I just used was called Wrath of the Wind God. If you cultivate it to the fourth layer, Wrath of the Lightning God, the power of a single punch, carrying the power of heaven and earth, can split mountains and crack stones, like a god or demon. No one in heaven and earth can stop it."

It was better not to say anything, but upon hearing such a description, the Old Urchin's eyes lit up. He darted in front of Fang Xuan, grabbed his arm, and pleaded, "Teach me, teach me, I can become your disciple."

After saying that, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

"Old Urchin."

"Old Urchin, how could you..."

The Old Urchin completely ignored what the others were saying, kneeling on the ground, looking up with a pitiful expression at Fang Xuan.

"Master, I've become your disciple, teach me, teach me."

Fang Xuan was also stunned for a moment, but he hadn't expected the Old Urchin to be so straightforward as to kneel and become his disciple. However, thinking about his childlike heart and martial arts obsession, it was understandable.

With a thought, he nodded and said, "Alright, I will accept you as my disciple. Go, go and bring your martial aunt over first."

"Martial... Martial aunt?"

"Yes."

Under Fang Xuan's guidance, the Old Urchin used his lightness skill, and it wasn't long before he brought Zhang Jing back.

"Second Brother."

Zhang Jing sweetly called out and then threw herself into Fang Xuan's arms, completely disregarding the bloodstains on her body.

With a thought, he activated the Clean Clothes Talisman, and the thick bloodstains on her body instantly disappeared. The white, flowing Feather Garment reappeared in its original state, giving off a feeling of ethereal beauty.

This scene further shocked everyone.

What profound internal energy.

Guo Jing led his troops back to the edge of Xiangyang City. The Pacification Commissioner Lu Wende had already led his personal guards and officers, with great fanfare, lined up outside the city to welcome them. The common people also gathered outside the city, setting out wine, incense, and candles, bowing in salute and offering comfort.

Inside Xiangyang City, every household hung colorful decorations, and every family was joyful. Although there were fathers, brothers, sons, and nephews who had died in this battle, with a victory, the feelings of sorrow and joy were slightly diminished.

The Pacification Commissioner Lu Wende had already set up a banquet in the City Lord's Mansion. Everyone gathered together to drink and celebrate.

Lu Wende raised his wine cup and came before Fang Xuan, saying, "Presumably, this is Great Hero Fang! You alone, with one saber, cut through the entire Mongol Yuan army, invincible and unstoppable, and even defeated the Mongol Yuan National Preceptor, the Golden Wheel Dharma King, with a single punch. You are truly a young hero! This official has already reported to the imperial court to request commendation for Great Hero Fang."

Fang Xuan didn't say much, raised the wine cup in his hand, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Good drinking capacity! This official will also finish mine," Lu Wende said with a hearty laugh.

After three rounds of drinks, Fang Xuan got up to leave. He didn't like this kind of occasion, and being constantly scrutinized by others like a monkey made him feel like hitting someone.

"Master, I'll accompany you," the Old Urchin followed closely behind.

Fang Xuan was quite satisfied with this Old Urchin who had a head full of white hair but acted like a child. Although he was eccentric and a bit crazy, he was still quite reliable.

"You should also go back and rest early. Come back tomorrow morning, and I will teach you the Heaven's Will Four Symbols Art."

The Old Urchin's face lit up with joy, and he kept nodding, saying, "Thank you, Master."

Fang Xuan held Zhang Jing's hand and, led by a servant, arrived at a small courtyard.

"Jing'er, what do you think of the Old Urchin?"

"Fun."

"Then let him play with you every day from now on."

"Okay, okay."

After arranging for Zhang Jing to rest, Fang Xuan took out the piece of gold foil left by the Golden Wheel Dharma King, which recorded the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.

The gold foil was palm-sized, inscribed with tiny characters, densely packed with thousands of words. In the very center was a Buddha image, compassionate and sacred.

The Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill is a secret art of the Esoteric Sect, a divine protection skill, divided into thirteen levels. The first level is very easy to learn; even a dull person can master it within one or two years after receiving instruction. The second level is twice as difficult as the first, requiring three to four years. The third level is twice as difficult as the second, requiring seven to eight years. This increases exponentially, making progress more difficult the further one goes. After the fifth level, to advance another level often requires more than thirty years of hard work. The Vajra Sect has produced many eminent monks and extraordinary individuals throughout history, but no one has ever reached above the tenth level of this thirteen-level Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill. This skill progresses step by step, and there is no reason why it cannot be mastered. If someone could live for several thousand years, they would eventually reach the thirteenth level. However, human life is limited. Eminent monks and cultivators in the Vajra Sect who wish to reach the seventh or eighth level before their natural lifespan ends must rush their progress. This often leads to the great danger of haste making waste. In the Northern Song dynasty, a high monk from Tubo reached the ninth level and continued to advance bravely. When he reached the tenth level, inner demons suddenly arose, and he could not control himself. He finally danced wildly for seven days and seven nights, severing his own meridians and dying.

The Golden Wheel Dharma King was a rare genius, having reached the tenth level, which no one in the Vajra Sect had broken through for a thousand years. While not unprecedented, he was certainly unmatched in his time. However, breaking through to the eleventh level was out of the question.

"Using internal energy to temper the physical body, forge tendons and bones, refine internal organs, compress bone and muscle density, and enhance physical strength, taking a different path, not bad," Fang Xuan praised.

"However, it's a slow, grinding process. One must know that the body's qi and blood are the best way to temper the physical body. But being able to use internal energy to stimulate qi and blood, and then use qi and blood to temper the physical body, is equivalent to adding an extra step in the middle. No wonder the speed is so slow. But then again, this small world doesn't cultivate qi and blood, only internal energy, so this is the only way."