"Grandmaster, you've lived overseas for many years, are you aware of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Cult, which has become extremely prominent in the overseas martial arts world in recent years?"
Chongxu brought an old Daoist priest to the back mountain of the Wudang Sect, found Zhang Wuji, and began to ask him questions.
Zhang Wuji was completely baffled by Chongxu's question, and even Zhou Zhiruo beside him blinked in a daze.
He had never even heard of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Cult, let alone any overseas martial arts circles.
However, judging from its appearance, it seems to be a martial arts world composed of overseas martial artists, which should be similar to the martial arts world in the Central Plains.
"In recent years, I have been in seclusion cultivating diligently, and I have never heard of the Heavenly Demon Sacred Cult Sect in the overseas martial arts world."
Zhang Wuji replied calmly.
After all, as a senior figure, he couldn't afford to lose face; it would be too embarrassing to appear ignorant in front of these younger people.
Otherwise, could he possibly claim to be a homebody?
Have they stayed on Ice Fire Island for two hundred years without ever going out?
That would be so beneath me!
Zhou Zhiruo, standing to the side, glanced at Zhang Wuji with surprise, then seemed to understand something, a smile appearing deep in her eyes.
Fortunately, she was a traditional woman who knew how to be obedient to her husband and that she shouldn't embarrass her man in front of others, so she didn't expose the lie.
Besides, what her husband just said wasn't exactly a lie!
But Chongxu didn't know that!
Upon hearing Zhang Wuji's words Chongxu immediately came to terms with the so-called overseas martial arts world in his mind; that thing definitely existed.
In fact, after receiving the information from his martial uncle, he had already gained some recognition of that overseas martial arts world.
After all, wherever there are people, there is a world of its own. Now they know that there is a vast land outside of Huaxia, inhabited by all kinds of people, and even Body Refinement.
For example, Tianzhu, the origin of Buddhist Order, has a different Body Refinement than that of the Central Plains, and naturally, a martial arts world also exists there.
Therefore, overseas martial arts circles must exist; it's just that this is the first time they've appeared on the Central Plains.
Zhang Wuji's attitude further confirmed the existence of this information in his mind. If the overseas martial arts world was real, then the other intelligence was also very likely to be true.
"Does the Ancestor know of the War God Illustrations, the Dao Heart Demon-Planting Great Technique, the Longevity Instruction, and other divine arts?"
After calming down, Chongxu quickly asked about the series of divine skills, as this was crucial!
The old Daoist priest following behind Chongxu also fixed his gaze on Zhang Wuji with great interest; he had long coveted those divine skills.
Moreover, it also contains the Dao Classic created by Laozi, the founder of Taoist School, which is an unparalleled divine skill that can directly lead to the Shattering Realm!
This Daozheng the representative of the Wudang Sect who had previously gone to the Mount Hua Sword Sect to watch the battle. Since leaving Mount Hua, he had been cautious and had withstood countless sneak attacks before safely returning to Mount Wudang. He then immediately reported all the information to the sect leader, Chongxu, and went to the residence of the patriarch Zhang Wuji.
However, the series of names of divine skills that Chongxu mentioned left Zhang Wuji completely bewildered. He had never heard of these names before, but judging from the names, these divine skills seemed to be quite extraordinary!
Take, for example, the War God Illustrations. Just by hearing the name, it sounds much more prestigious than the Nine Yang Divine Art and the Nine Yin True Scripture that he cultivates. It is obviously an extremely powerful divine skill.
Indeed, compared to the simplicity of martial arts in Jin Yong's works, the naming of martial arts in Huang Xiaoming's works and Hong Kong comics is very sophisticated, and the level of martial arts is also much higher.
"I'm not very familiar with other martial arts, but as far as I know, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to practice a technique called the Longevity Dao Art. Could it be related to the Longevity Instruction you mentioned?"
After thinking for a moment, Zhang Wuji revealed the only clue he knew.
Where did you hear about these miraculous skills?
Seeing that her husband couldn't say anything more, Zhou Zhiruo took over the conversation and asked, her expression also serious.
The sudden emergence of so many powerful martial arts techniques is not a good thing. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the Nine Yin True Scripture alone caused a bloodbath in the martial arts world. Now, with so many powerful martial arts manuals appearing just from their names, what kind of turmoil will that cause?
The entire martial arts world might be turned upside down!
Zhang Wuji also realized what was happening, and his expression became more serious, clearly indicating that he also understood the gravity of the situation.
"Uncle-Master, please give a detailed report of what happened that day to Grandmaster!"
Chongxu did not offer an explanation, but instead gestured to the old Daoist priest beside him.
After all, compared to the person involved, I don't know the situation clearly enough, so it's most appropriate for this senior apprentice to speak.
The old Daoist priest didn't stand on ceremony and stepped forward to recount everything he had seen and heard on Mount Hua that day, without hiding anything.
What is the character of the Puyin you mentioned?
While Zhang Wuji was still in shock and deep thought, Zhou Zhiruo asked the most crucial question.
The veracity of those intelligence reports cannot be verified at the moment, but the original version of the Golden Bell Shield can be verified. At least according to the intelligence reports, the old monk should have obtained the original version of the Golden Bell Shield from that person.
Well, at least we got some!
" Puyin is a straightforward person. Although he is somewhat clever, he is not particularly cunning or scheming. Judging from his behavior that day, he should not have lied."
The old Daoist priest pondered for a moment before replying.
As someone of the same generation as the Puyin, he naturally understood the Puyin's character. They had even collaborated several times when they were young, so he was certain that the Venerable Puyin was not lying or deceiving anyone.
"Gather as much intelligence as possible about Puyin, especially his every move since he left Mount Hua. If possible, send someone to probe him."
A glint of light flashed in Zhou Zhiruo's phoenix eyes as she gave the order, clearly having considered a method for further verification.
Judging from the intelligence, Puyin was clearly the one who gained the most from this trip to Mount Hua. Similarly, the attacks and tests launched by various forces against him afterward would certainly be the most intense, since this was the only key point to verify the intelligence that Wang Hao had mentioned.
Once the power of the original Golden Bell Shield is confirmed, the veracity of other information can be determined.
As Zhou Zhiruo had predicted, unlike the old Wudang Sect who escaped unscathed, the old Puyin on the other side was having a terrible time.
Less than half a day after leaving Mount Hua, they were attacked, and then the attacks just kept coming. The attackers used every means at their disposal, employing hidden weapons, Hidden Weapon, and traps in turn.
If he hadn't mastered the Golden Bell Shield technique, he would have been kneeling long ago.
Even so, he couldn't hold on any longer, because among those who attacked him were Half-step Innate beings, strong individuals of the same realm as him, and there was more than one of them.
If we don't resort to other means, I'm afraid we won't be able to return to Shaomu Temple.
Coincidentally, Puyin had a trump card: the Hong Kong Comic Version Golden Bell Shield that he obtained from Wang Hao.
He began practicing it the moment he obtained the manual.
Because he had already mastered the Shaomu Temple Golden Bell Shield technique, his progress in cultivating the original Golden Bell Shield was incredibly rapid, using it as a foundation.
After these few days, he had already upgraded the original Golden Bell Shield to the fourth level and gained a powerful ability.
Now is the time to use this ability!
" Amitabha Buddha, now that you have arrived, please show yourselves!"
After chanting a Buddhist prayer, Puyin Jing, shirtless with only tattered shorts around his waist, covered in wounds, revealed the ferocity of the battles that had raged over the past few days.
He has walked this path with blood on every step of the way these past few days, and countless skilled men have lost their lives at his hands.
Although he is a monk and should be compassionate, he can only transform into a fierce Vajra to sweep away all the filth before him when faced with these murderous individuals.
Now, only this final hurdle remains. Only by defeating these powerful individuals of the same level can he hope to return to Shaomu Temple.
"You old bald monk, if you know what's good for you, hand over the Four Divine Skills you obtained from Dugu Jian, or we'll send you to the Western Paradise to meet Buddha today."
Eight figures emerged from the shadows, with the leader speaking in a cold voice.
The eight men formed a circle around Puyin, clearly having reached an agreement beforehand to take Puyin down first and then divide the spoils.
These eight people were all at the Half-step Innate level, making this lineup even more terrifying than the one that surrounded and killed Wang Hao back then.
What's worse is that the terrain here is a steep valley with almost vertical cliffs on both sides, making it difficult even for Half-step Innate expert to climb up.
There are only two exits, two fissures known as the "One Line Sky." The front fissure has already been blocked, and the rear fissure is being sealed off by their subordinates!
This is tantamount to saying that the Puyin Master Puyin is now trapped, with no chance of escape.
"Boom..."
Just then, a loud bang came from behind, clearly indicating that someone had used explosives to collapse the entrance.
" Amitabha Buddha! It seems you gentlemen are determined not to let this old monk pass by!"
Hearing the commotion behind him, Puyin's heart sank, knowing that there was no room for maneuver at this moment.
In order to return to Shaomu Temple as soon as possible, he took a shortcut. This valley was the last dangerous section. Once he passed through it, it would only take another half a day to get back to Shaomu Temple.
But who would have thought that these people would be so resolute, gathering a full eight Half-step Innate experts to intercept and kill him.
"In that case, this old monk has no choice but to transform into an angry Vajra and send you all to the Western Paradise to meet my Buddha!"
After saying this, the old Puyin resolutely used the secret technique he had obtained after mastering the fourth level of the Golden Bell Shield.
As the secret technique was used, Puyin's already burly figure suddenly began to expand rapidly, and his skin also turned golden at an extremely fast speed.
In the blink of an eye, the old monk Puyin transformed into a pale golden giant, sixteen feet tall, exuding a terrifying aura.
" The Shaomu Golden Bell Shield doesn't have this move, so the Four Divine Skills are indeed real!"
Puyin's change did not frighten the eight people around him; on the contrary, it aroused their greed.
Their purpose in coming here was twofold: first, to verify the authenticity of the intelligence; and second, to find an opportunity to obtain the Four Divine Skills from Puyin.
Leaving aside the other three divine skills, the astonishing changes in this Puyin are enough to prove the authenticity of the Golden Bell Shield.
They had seen cultivators with the Shaomu Golden Bell Shield before, and although they were extraordinary, none of them possessed such astonishing abilities. Moreover, Puyin had never used such a technique before.
Therefore, this change definitely comes from the original Golden Bell Shield among the Four Divine Skills.
" Amitabha Buddha, esteemed benefactors, it's time to set off!"
After adjusting to his enlarged form for a while, the old Puyin endured the excruciating pain and prepared to deliver the fatal blow.
This move, while incredibly powerful, inflicts intense pain and, most importantly, depletes one's life force.
If it were a young person, it wouldn't matter, but Puyin is nearly ninety years old. This kind of desperate action is truly reckless; he will undoubtedly die after using it!
This move was actually an experiment by Wang Hao, an experiment on the future development of the Thousand Faces Divine Technique.
After understanding the essence of the Thousand Faces Divine Technique, he had the idea of cultivating it into the Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect Divine Ability, but he had no reference in this regard and it was difficult to deduce it out of thin air.
So although I had some ideas, I didn't dare to try them out.
While deducing the Hong Kong Comic Version Golden Bell Shield, Wang Hao had a sudden inspiration and casually added an idea to it, forming a deadly move, which is exactly what the old Puyin is now using.
"That old bald monk is arrogant enough..."
A man in black gave a cold laugh, but before he could finish speaking, a flash of golden light appeared before his eyes, revealing a pale golden giant—who else could it be but the old Puyin?
Immediately, the old Puyin's pale golden giant palm struck down with immense force, its power fierce and unparalleled.
The other seven people's expressions changed. They didn't dare to delay and quickly stepped forward, unleashing their ultimate moves to attack Puyin.
Puyin ignored their deadly attacks, still slapping down with his palm and blocking all escape routes for those in front of him.
The black-clad man who was attacked changed his expression, gritted his teeth, drew the large sword from his back, and concentrated all his strength into it, forming a tangible Saber Qi that slashed wildly at the pale golden giant palm that was slapping down.
He sensed the terror of the palm strike, and even a deadly danger emanating from it. Therefore, he delivered this attack without holding back, making it the most powerful strike of his life.
He even performed beyond his usual level due to the pressure of facing death.
Unfortunately, facing that simple and unadorned pale golden giant palm, the full-force slash was mercilessly shattered, and the pale golden giant palm continued to fall with undiminished momentum.
"Boom!"
With a loud crash, Puyin slammed his palm onto the ground, while the man in black was crushed into a lump by the terrifying force, blood splattering everywhere, a truly pitiful sight.
Even the rocky ground beneath their feet was blasted into a large crater.
At the same time, the other seven powerful figures also unleashed their killing blows on Puyin's vital points, but to their horror, their full-force attacks only managed to pierce through Puyin's pale golden skin.
Let alone killing it, they couldn't even seriously injure it.
This scene was like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, instantly bringing them back to their senses and extinguishing the fire of greed in their hearts.
"Withdraw!"
One of them yelled and quickly dodged away.
The others didn't dare to delay either, and retreated hastily, wanting to leave this place, but then they were filled with despair.
Because both exits were blocked, what was originally intended to kill Puyin had now become their death warrant.
Although they could climb the cliffs on either side, would Puyin let them succeed?