The Visitor's Ill Intent

Songshan Shaolin Temple.

Listening to the news brought by a monk under his command, Abbot Tianjian furrowed his brows slightly.

Monks from the Putian Shaolin Temple were heading toward Songshan? And their destination was likely here?

Although Putian Shaolin Temple and Songshan Shaolin Temple shared the same name, their origins were entirely different.

The Songshan side was founded by Bodhidharma, while the Putian side was established during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. In the pugilistic world, it was also known as South Shaolin, and aside from the name, it had nothing in common with the Songshan Shaolin Temple.

"Notify Tianwen, Tianxing, and Tianming to come over."

Before long, the heads of the various halls arrived one after another.

Monk Tianwen spoke up directly: "Abbot Brother, you summoned everyone so suddenly—what is the matter?"

It was currently the time for morning lessons; under normal circumstances, the Abbot would not disturb them, and if he needed to convene a meeting, he would wait until after the lessons concluded.

"News has just arrived that people from the Putian Shaolin Temple have appeared within our Henan territory. Judging by their direction, their destination is likely us."

Hm?

The group was taken aback.

Putian and Songshan—though both were called Shaolin Temple, they could never see eye to eye.

In fact, the two sects had experienced significant conflict. This was not surprising; even if the concept of copyright did not exist in this era, how could the Putian side just use the name "Shaolin Temple"? One had to know that the Songshan side had already been established for over a hundred years and was gradually becoming the pillar of the righteous path. What was the meaning of Putian barging in like this? Especially when lay disciples walked the pugilistic world and inevitably crossed paths, a few sharp words regarding who was the "authentic" one had, in that period, certainly led to bloodshed.

Although things had eased up later, the rift had existed ever since that time.

"The Putian Shaolin have arrived suddenly. What does everyone think?" Abbot Tianjian asked, getting straight to the point.

Monk Tianwen sighed and said, "I fear they come with no good intentions!"

The others did not speak, but the expressions in their eyes said it all.

Abbot Tianjian said, "Among their party is a young monk in white. He should be the one who has gained quite a reputation in the Putian Shaolin over the last two years. Though only seventeen or eighteen, he has already made a name for himself in the pugilistic world and is known as the White-Clad Buddhist. This child is gifted; it is said he has mastered the Shaoyang Virgin Skill, one of their sect's supreme divine arts, and is further refined in hard-body techniques. His Iron Cloth Shirt, Iron Head Skill, and other external arts have all reached an extremely high level."

As he spoke, the eyes of Tianjian and the others narrowed, and the atmosphere grew even heavier.

The Shaoyang Virgin Skill, while not comparable to the Songshan Muscle Tendon Changing Classic, was still a top-tier divine art of the Putian Shaolin Temple. It could cultivate Pure Yang True Qi—extremely rigid and extremely yang—with peerless power.

Most importantly, there was no one on the Songshan side currently who could be mentioned in the same breath as this White-Clad Buddhist.

Even the gifted Xuancheng had been practicing for too short a time; he was only about thirteen, while the White-Clad Buddhist was already seventeen or eighteen. The age gap was a bit too large.

If they were truly here to stir up trouble, the younger generation would likely find it hard to compete.

Abbot Tianjian asked, "What does everyone think?"

Monk Tianxing did not hesitate: "If they come to discuss scriptures and Buddhism, we welcome them. Anything else, and we can only show them the door."

In this current era, things were very difficult for the Songshan Shaolin Temple.

The disciples had not yet matured, and the previous two batches of "Xuan" generation disciples had almost no standouts. Over the past decade or so, it had given the outside world the impression that the temple was on the decline.

This was why the situation at the Shaolin Zen Temple gave Abbot Tianjian such a headache; he feared they would follow the same path as their predecessors.

The appearance of Xuancheng and the others had brought him great relief despite the headaches, but to deter the pugilistic world, they needed at least another five, six, or seven years. If they were labeled as having no successors before then, it would truly be a constant source of trouble.

Abbot Tianjian sighed: "Alas, the trees want to be still, but the wind will not cease."

These past few years, the pugilistic world seemed calm, but in reality, it was full of rising winds and surging clouds, treacherous and unpredictable.

Between the Great Song and Western Xia, wars had raged year after year. The Western Xia First Class Hall eyed the Central Plains martial arts world covetously; once a flaw was revealed, they would undoubtedly be the first to pounce.

Furthermore, rumors from the Western Xia side linked them to the Xiaoyao Sect. Although unverified, the three words "Xiaoyao Sect" were absolutely a matter of top priority in the current martial arts world.

This was not the Tianlong era fifty years later; Wuyazi and his two companions were already famous throughout the pugilistic world.

Wuyazi, in particular, was notorious. Every time Tianjian and the others thought of him, they gnashed their teeth.

Did one think the One-Finger Zen, Six Meridians Divine Sword, Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, and Muscle Tendon Changing Classic found in the Langhuan Blessed Land—all representative martial arts of the various sects at the time—came from nowhere? They were either stolen or robbed; surely no one had gifted them? Look at the personalities of Tianshan Tonglao, Li Qiushui, and even Ding Chunqiu—how could they not be of the same ilk? It was just that Wuyazi's later life was so miserable that the Langhuan Blessed Land was glossed over more simply. If one truly studied it, they would find that Wuyazi had done plenty of despicable things in his youth. He couldn't be called a practitioner of evil arts, but he certainly had nothing to do with being righteous and awe-inspiring.

What kind of martial art was the Northern Dark Divine Skill? It transformed others' True Qi for one's own use. Could a remotely decent technique do that?

If it hadn't been for that shameless Xiaoyao Patriarch standing outside the gate back then, how could Wuyazi have easily stepped onto Shaolin Temple and built his lifelong prestige by trampling on the face of Shaolin?

The anger of the "Ling" generation seniors was still fresh in the memories of the "Kong" generation.

Hm, digressing too far.

Back to the main topic.

Soon, Tianjian and the others reached a consensus.

If they came to discuss Buddhism, everything was negotiable. If it were anything else, Amitabha...

To ensure the harmony and stability of the Shaolin Temple for the next hundred years, although they were unwilling to fight, they could not afford not to.

"Have the disciples prepare. By the way, Junior Brother Tianming, how are Xuancheng and the others?"

"Xuancheng and Xuanci have no problems. As for Xuankong..."

"No rush. The time for the Arhat Gong to exert its power has not yet arrived..."

*******

"Xuankong, why did you choose this one?"

Xuanci looked at Xuankong, who was holding a secret manual, with a puzzled expression; written on it were the words "Shaolin Cotton Palm."

Although it was not an introductory martial art, the Shaolin Cotton Palm was not a particularly profound technique either, as Monk Tianming had once mentioned.

Li Su heard this and smiled.

Xuanci did not say much more, adding with a touch of mystery, "Forget it, I can't figure you out. Right, we're having a feast tonight."

Li Su was stunned for a moment, immediately understanding what the other meant. Setting aside the high-ranking monks of Shaolin Temple, the younger monks were absolute scourges on Mount Song; birds, mice, fish—none were spared from their mischief.

Patting Li Su on the shoulder, Xuanci laughed, "Isn't it because you stopped practicing the Formless Calamity Finger? This is just to soothe things over."

Li Su's mouth twitched. Looking at Xuannan and the others not far away, he sighed with a sense of helplessness.

When it was Xuanku, you said the same thing.

When it was Xuannan, you still said the same thing.

When it was Xuandu, you said it yet again.

Just how on earth did you become the Abbot of Shaolin Temple?

Though he thought this, Li Su nodded and did not refuse. Eating meat? Then he would eat. After all, he was just a fake monk.

Some great being once said that if you don't want to be ostracized, you should join them.

People who stand uniquely and independently might live a different kind of life, but it was too miserable; when you wanted to speak, there was no one to listen.

Night fell, and after finishing the feast, he returned to his room.

After chatting with Xuanci and the others for a while, he took out the Lanka Sutra and took a gentle breath.

So, is the Nine Yang Divine Skill in here?

Gently opening the pages, Li Su cast his gaze downward.

Hum!

A sudden vibration occurred, and the World Book appeared on its own, opening unexpectedly. To Li Su's astonishment, it flipped through four pages in succession before stopping, and content appeared directly on the fifth page.

Although the World Book had flipped through them quickly, Li Su had still taken note.

The first page, Arhat Fist.

The second page, Arhat Divine Art.

The third page, Formless Calamity Finger.

The fourth page, Shaolin Cotton Palm.

And this fifth page, Nine Yang Divine Skill!

It really was in his hands; this meant it wasn't the third edition of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

But what the hell was the Arhat Divine Art? Wasn't it Arhat Gong? And since when did the World Book record the functions of techniques? Plus, I haven't even practiced the Nine Yang Divine Skill yet?

Li Su was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but focus his gaze.

The page moved, returning to the second page.

Manual: Arhat Divine Art.
Nature: Internal cultivation technique.
Grade: First Grade.
True Qi: Arhat True Qi.
Effect: Strengthens the body's meridians, reduces the destructive effects of external True Qi, achieves the Arhat Golden Body; upon reaching Great Completion, one can transition to the Muscle Tendon Changing Classic or Indestructible Diamond Divine Art with half the effort.
Cultivation Status: Minor Completion. (Strengthens one's own meridians, reduces the destructive effect of external True Qi by fifty percent.)

First Grade?

Li Su couldn't help but be startled, subconsciously shifting his gaze to the fifth page.

Manual: Nine Yang Manual.
Nature: Comprehensive development of human potential.
Grade: Super First Grade.
True Qi: Nine Yang True Qi.
Nature: The most rigid energy under heaven, suppresses all yin and evil forces.
Effect: True Qi body protection, enhanced self-healing, dispels evil, nurtures pure yang.
Cultivation Status: Not practiced. (Incompatible with Arhat Gong; practicing the Nine Yang Divine Skill requires the abandonment of Arhat True Qi.)
Possession Attribute: Exclusive, transferable.

Ha!!!

Li Su couldn't help but widen his eyes, his face turning green.

Especially regarding the cultivation status—he felt terrible.

How the hell could he not practice it? As for abandoning the Arhat True Qi? Setting aside whether he could even do it, if he weren't at Shaolin Temple, the Arhat Divine Art, being First Grade, would naturally be inferior to the Super First Grade Nine Yang Divine Skill. But the problem was that he was at Shaolin Temple. In the future, obtaining the Muscle Tendon Changing Classic and the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art clearly wouldn't be difficult. In such a situation, how could he possibly abandon his Arhat True Qi?

However, what caught Li Su's attention was the final line: "Possession Attribute."

The Arhat Divine Art did not have this.

It wasn't just the Arhat Divine Art; the Arhat Fist, Formless Calamity Finger, and Shaolin Cotton Palm lacked it as well.

Was this the reason why, once someone learned a top-tier cultivation technique, others could no longer learn it?

Yet, after pondering it carefully, Li Su realized that although his World Book recorded the Nine Yang Divine Skill, there wasn't a shred of content in his mind—not even the character "Nine" from the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

In other words, if he wanted to learn it, he would have to practice it himself.

The World Book had likely popped up only because he had obtained the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

Li Su thought for a moment, opened the Lanka Sutra, and began to flip through it; he soon found the content of the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

Undoubtedly, it was written in Chinese. After all, while Master Jueyuan might have been able to read it, Zhang Wuji certainly didn't know Sanskrit, and it would be unreasonable for Bodhidharma to have written it in that language. This meant it had been created by some expert from the distant past.

The content of the true manual was actually not extensive, unlike the two volumes of the Nine Yin Manual, which Huang Shang had written after reading ten thousand scrolls of scripture.

The content within the Lanka Sutra was brief, beginning with the circulation of the Great Heavenly Cycle. Although it was a martial art of supreme hardness and yang, it contained more Taoist principles than Buddhist insights.

Seeing this, Li Su suddenly understood. Was this perhaps the reason why this thing was not valued before the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre era?

A high-ranking Buddhist monk practicing Taoist martial arts—what kind of sense did that make?

Moreover, were the martial arts of Shaolin Temple really that poor? What was the result of Zhang Wuji's battle against the three great monks? Perhaps some would say that losing a one-versus-three fight was nothing strange, but how many Zhang Wujis were there in this martial arts world? And how many sects could field someone capable of defeating Zhang Wuji?