Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Successor of Bodhidharma

Page 21

A gray figure darted into the battle like a large bird—it was none other than Master Xuancheng, who had remained at Wudang! His face showed no fear whatsoever, but rather an excitement and pure joy of seeing a predator.

"The two ladies possess profound skills and exquisite techniques. This old monk is delighted to see them and cannot help but wish to learn from them! Please forgive me!"

Before he could finish speaking, Xuan Cheng had already made his move! Without saying a word, he attacked both Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui simultaneously!

With his left hand, he made a circle and a pull, using the "emptiness to the end" technique of the Prajna Palm. The palm force was ethereal, yet it carried a powerful suction force, meeting Wu Xingyun's extremely strong and yang Six Yang Palm Force. His right index finger pointed quickly, using the Flower Picking Finger Technique. The finger wind was gentle, like picking flower petals, and it pointed with perfect precision at the weak point of Li Qiushui's unpredictable White Rainbow Palm Force!

He's actually going to fight two against one!

Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui were both stunned, then enraged! When did it become a Shaolin monk's place to interfere in their fight? Especially since he was so arrogant as to challenge both of them at the same time!

"The bald donkey is looking for death!"

"Monks, mind your own business!"

The two shouted almost simultaneously, their attacks shifting as they temporarily set aside their prejudices against each other and turned their attention to Xuan Cheng, who had suddenly intervened!

In an instant, the battlefield transformed into Xuan Cheng fighting alone against two grandmasters of the Xiaoyao Sect!

Xuan Cheng moved swiftly and agilely, unleashing a series of new moves!

Sometimes he would use his Vajra Fist to directly counter Wu Xingyun's fierce palm strikes, the sound of fists colliding with palms like muffled thunder.

Sometimes he would silently deflect Li Qiushui's strange and cunning sneak attacks with the Formless Finger of Calamity;

At times, he would unleash his Shadowless Leg technique, staying close to Li Qiushui's Lingbo Weibu (a martial arts technique), preventing her from creating distance and leveraging the advantages of his palm techniques.

At times, he even used the Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand technique, attempting to seize Wu Xingyun's wrist joints and force him to change his move...

He was like a treasure trove of martial arts in one person, with the 72 Shaolin skills at his fingertips. Although he may not have mastered every single one to the highest level, under the impetus of his profound Buddhist internal energy and the "comprehension" he gained from the guidance of the Sweeper Monk and his in-depth study of Buddhist scriptures, these skills worked together to barely withstand the combined attack of the two grandmasters!

Qiao Tian watched in awe, utterly stunned. He had known Xuan Cheng's martial arts were extremely high, but he hadn't imagined they were this high! What was even more remarkable was that Xuan Cheng's eyes were devoid of any distracting thoughts, only a pure fascination and exploration of martial arts, as if he weren't engaged in a life-or-death struggle, but rather in a thoroughly enjoyable exchange of martial arts techniques. This state of "stopping at technique but approaching the Dao" greatly benefited Qiao Tian.

A strange light flashed in Wu Yazi's cloudy eyes as he whispered, "This Master Xuancheng... is extraordinary. Shaolin actually has such a figure. He has mastered at least 38 of the 72 Shaolin Arts, and not only do they not conflict with each other, but they also seem to be merging into one... He is probably only one step away from the threshold of 'entering the Dao through martial arts'."

The fierce battle raged on the field. Although Xuan Cheng was strong, he was ultimately fighting two opponents, and against masters like Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui, he gradually fell into a disadvantageous position, defending more than attacking. However, his face showed no sign of defeat; on the contrary, he became increasingly excited, even beginning to mutter incantations, as if reciting some profound Buddhist scripture. His movements and techniques also underwent more subtle changes, often resolving crises from unbelievable angles at the last possible moment.

Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. This monk was like an unbreakable tortoise shell, incredibly resilient, and seemed to constantly learn from the battle and adjust himself accordingly. Unable to gain the upper hand, their anxiety grew, and their attacks became even more ferocious.

Seeing that the battle was about to escalate again, Wu Yazi finally spoke again, his voice tinged with fatigue, yet clearly reaching the ears of the three: "Enough."

However, the three, who were really enraged, especially Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui, were not willing to give up easily.

Xuan Cheng laughed heartily, seizing the moment when their attacks slowed slightly, he suddenly stepped back, clasped his hands together, and a faint Buddhist light emanated from his body, spreading an aura of perfect harmony and indestructibility. He looked clearly at Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui, and said loudly, “My two benefactors, love breeds hatred, and hatred breeds obsession. Obsession in the heart is a shackle. This applies to martial arts, and it applies to life. This old monk has benefited greatly today; thank you for your guidance! Continuing to fight might damage our harmony. Wouldn't it be better to stop here, enjoy tea, and discuss the Dao?”

His words were sincere, yet imbued with Buddhist Zen wisdom. Combined with the astonishing strength he had just displayed, they left Wu Xingyun and Li Qiushui speechless for a moment, their anger seemingly hitting cotton, unable to vent.

Seeing this, Qiao Tian quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Master is absolutely right! Senior Uncle, Uncle Li, it's getting late, why don't we rest for now? I've already ordered some tea and snacks to be prepared."

Wu Xingyun snorted coldly, glared fiercely at Li Qiushui, and finally turned away with a flick of his sleeve. In a flash of red, he disappeared at the edge of the cliff. Li Qiushui's veil also rippled. She glanced deeply at Wu Yazi and Xuan Cheng, then giggled, "This monk is quite interesting. Senior brother, I'll come to see you again another day." With that, she too used her lightness skill to leave, her white figure flashing.

Only Wu Yazi, Qiao Tian, ​​and Xuan Cheng remained in the arena.

Xuan Cheng rubbed his bald head and smiled sheepishly at Wu Yazi and Qiao Tian: "Hehe, this old monk got a little itchy and acted recklessly. But... Mr. Wu Yazi, Sect Leader Qiao, your Wudang back mountain is really... lively!" His eyes gleamed with lingering enjoyment, clearly still savoring the exchange just now.

Qiao Tian and Wu Yazi exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly. With these two senior uncles around, plus the martial arts fanatic Xuan Cheng, the back mountain of Wudang would likely never be peaceful again. However, after this commotion, perhaps the decades-long feud could be eased a little?

Chapter 68 Shaolin Holy Monk Xuzhu

On the back mountain of Wudang, at the edge of a cliff, beneath a sycamore tree that has weathered countless storms, wisps of smoke rise, carrying the aroma of tea. The traces of yesterday's grandmaster battle remain, yet now all is peaceful and serene.

Qiao Tian personally carried a purple clay teapot and poured tea for Wu Yazi and Xuan Cheng, who were sitting on the ground. His movements were slow and his expression was focused, as if this was not the service of a sect leader, but the duty of a disciple.

Xuan Cheng looked at the steaming teacup in front of him, then at Qiao Tian standing to the side, touched his bald head, and said with a simple and honest smile, "Junior Nephew Qiao, no, Sect Leader Qiao... hehe, now that you are the head of a sect, you can just ask your disciples to do such a small thing as serving tea."

Qiao Tian gently set down the teapot, straightened up, and smiled warmly and solemnly: "Uncle-Master Xuancheng, the foundation of being a person lies in knowing the origins of everything you eat and drink, and being grateful for everything you do. Today, here are my mentor who taught me, and my uncle-master who has truly cared for me. Although I may be arrogant at times, I deeply understand that gratitude and righteousness are as heavy as mountains. The Wudang sect's traditions should begin with me, the sect leader, and I will set an example and never forget them."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Cheng's eyes flashed with admiration. He nodded, said no more, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and praised, "Good tea!" He put down the teacup, his expression becoming more serious as he looked at Qiao Tian: "Junior Nephew Qiao, you don't need to worry too much about what happened yesterday. Xuan Nan, Xuan Ji, and the others... sigh, they don't understand."

He paused, lowered his voice, and spoke with a heartfelt sincerity: "To tell you the truth, before coming here, my master (the Sweeping Monk) specifically instructed me to protect you no matter what. He said: 'This child is nothing more than a foolish child who is lost and desperately searching for a way out. If Shaolin doesn't even have this much tolerance, how are we any different from those who are eager to make a living?'"

Qiao Tian's body trembled slightly, and his hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air. He hadn't expected that the sweeping monk in the scripture pavilion, who seemed like a god, had already seen through his inner struggles and perseverance, and understood his sincere desire to protect his loved ones and his unwillingness to submit to fate! This understanding and tolerance far exceeded his expectations, filling him with an indescribable sense of emotion and warmth.

Xuan Cheng seemed oblivious to Qiao Tian's lapse in composure and continued with a sigh, "Speaking of which, I've always wanted to thank you properly, Uncle-Master."

"Thank me?" Qiao Tian came back to his senses, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes." Xuan Cheng's face showed a hint of lingering fear and relief. "If it weren't for you, which prompted my master to reappear and give his teachings, I probably would have died a year ago from practicing Shaolin's ultimate techniques, suffering a qi deviation, and having all my meridians severed!"

He recalled, "At that time, I had mastered thirteen unique skills. At first, I felt that my martial arts had greatly improved, and I was overjoyed. But gradually, I felt that my internal energy was often stagnant, and the true energy attributes of different skills were subtly conflicting within my body. My mind was often restless and I couldn't sleep at night. I even occasionally had all sorts of illusory thoughts. I knew that something was wrong. I was afraid that I had stepped into the 'martial arts obstacle' warned by the senior monks. I was struggling with fear and had no way to deal with it..."

Just then, you caused a huge commotion behind Shaoshi Mountain, which drew out your master.

His venerable master gave a sermon, expounding the profound Buddhist principles of "Buddhism as the foundation, martial arts as the branches and leaves," and "only by being formless and without attachment can one master all things." It was like a sudden awakening, allowing me to stabilize my mind and escape a calamity on the verge of demonic possession. Xuan Cheng's eyes were filled with gratitude. "Afterwards, my master hoped that I would put down martial arts and concentrate on studying Buddhist scriptures to dispel my resentment."

At this point, his signature stubborn, childlike expression reappeared on his face: "But... Nephew, I'm not willing! I know Master is doing this for my own good, but to ask me to give up pursuing the highest realm of martial arts, I... I can't do it!"

Qiao Tian looked into his pure eyes and smiled, "Uncle-Master is too modest. Yesterday I saw you fight my two senior uncles with great skill, using all seventy-two unique skills with ease and mastery. You must have found a new path and gained something."

Xuan Cheng shook his head slightly and sighed, "Junior nephew, you overestimate me. I haven't truly mastered it; rather... I've taken a dangerous shortcut." His gaze deepened. "I vow in this life to shatter the myth of Bodhidharma possessing all seventy-two unique skills! Even if it means my own destruction, I will not hesitate!"

He continued, “After receiving guidance from my master, I understood the principle, but I still couldn’t suppress my desire. So, I came up with a clumsy method. Didn’t my master give me Buddhist scriptures corresponding to each of the unique skills? I memorized them every day and recited them constantly. Every time I practiced a unique skill, I would simultaneously recite the corresponding Buddhist scripture. Gradually, I discovered that the originally conflicting and restless true energy in my body seemed to be guided and soothed by the rhythm and artistic conception of the scriptures, becoming more docile… This made me ecstatic, thinking that I had found the key to mastering multiple unique skills.”

Wu Yazi and Qiao Tian were secretly amazed. This method was unheard of and was unconventional, yet it subtly conformed to the supreme principle of "controlling qi with intention".

“However, after Master found out, he sternly warned me.” Xuan Cheng’s tone became heavy. “He said that my method, which seemed to be a trick, was actually forcibly unifying different types of true energy with my own mental will, like binding a wild horse with a fragile thread. It might be effective at first, but in the long run, my spirit would be overwhelmed. When the thread broke, my mind would collapse, and I would end up insane and stupid!”

He raised his head, his eyes flashing with unwavering determination, even with the resolve of a martyr: "I know it's dangerous! But my mind is made up! If I can catch a glimpse of the pinnacle of martial arts and prove that the path that predecessors failed to traverse is not necessarily a dead end, even if... even if I end up mentally deranged and can't even remember who I am, I, Xuan Cheng, will have no regrets!"

Qiao Tian opened his mouth, wanting to say something like "As long as the green hills remain" or "Martial arts have more than one path," but looking into Xuan Cheng's clear and determined eyes, all the words stuck in his throat. He understood that this was a pure pursuit that transcended life and death, transcended gain and loss, something outsiders could no longer measure in terms of profit and loss. In the end, he could only let out a silent sigh, speechless.

Seeing the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Xuan Cheng suddenly laughed, breaking the silence. His tone was filled with sincere admiration: "Speaking of which, my meager skills and tricks are far inferior to my junior brother's!"

"Junior Brother?" Wu Yazi and Qiao Tian both showed surprise. Who was this "Junior Brother" who was valued by the Sweeper Monk and so highly praised by Xuan Cheng?

Xuan Cheng's face showed a nostalgic and amused expression: "Speaking of my junior brother, he was originally just an insignificant handyman monk in the temple, with the Dharma name Xuzhu. One day, this silly boy, bewildered, ran to the Sutra Repository and begged Master to borrow the Diamond Sutra. Seeing his simplicity, Master asked him why he wanted to read it. Guess how he answered? He said he didn't understand the meaning of the phrase 'one should abide nowhere and yet give rise to the mind' in the sutra, and he kept thinking about it, unable to sleep."

Qiao Tian's heart suddenly skipped a beat: Xu Zhu!

Xuan Cheng continued, "Master felt that this boy was somewhat different from others. Although he seemed dull and slow-witted, the questions he asked went straight to the core of Buddhism. In the days that followed, Junior Brother often came to borrow scriptures, and when Master was in a good mood, he would also give him some guidance. What surprised Master greatly was that although this Junior Brother was not good at speaking and his memory was not outstanding, he seemed to have a natural talent for Buddhism. His mind was clear and bright, and he could understand things immediately and draw inferences from one instance to another. It was as if... as if he was born to be the Buddha's favorite, with a pure mind and untainted by the world."

He exclaimed, "From this point on, he formally began practicing Buddhism under the tutelage of his master. In just two short years, my junior brother Xuzhu has naturally entered the Innate Realm! His internal energy is pure and refined, imbued with Buddhist light, vast and boundless. Even our master praised his profound foundation, saying it is unparalleled in the world! What's even more remarkable is that he has no interest in martial arts techniques, focusing solely on reading Buddhist scriptures and comprehending Buddhist teachings. Our master once said that if this boy can persevere, his future achievements in Buddhism will surely surpass those of his predecessors, and he may even become a holy monk!"

Qiao Tian was dumbfounded, inwardly screaming, "Holy crap! That quote from the Diamond Sutra, 'One should abide nowhere and yet give rise to the mind,' that I told Xu Zhu back then was actually an unintentional act, prematurely giving birth to such a Buddhist genius? Wait a minute!" He suddenly recalled Xu Zhu's "naivety" in the original story and his later transgressions, and his lips twitched involuntarily. "I remember this kid... he seems pretty 'lecherous' too? Hmm... there's plenty of time. Looks like I'll have to find an opportunity to have my senior uncle 'properly' train this rough gem..."

Beneath the sycamore tree, the aroma of tea lingered, but the thoughts of the three people had already drifted to different distant places.

Chapter 69 The Real Dragon Subduing Palm

Time flies, and three months have quietly passed since the grand ceremony that marked the founding of the Wudang School and shook the martial arts world.

The headquarters of the Beggars' Sect, the largest gang in the land, was unusually lively today. The training ground was packed with hundreds of Beggars' Sect disciples, their voices clamoring. An atmosphere of tension and anticipation permeated the air.

Today is the selection ceremony for the leader of the Beggars' Sect's Jiangnan branch. Jiangnan is a prosperous and bustling region, crisscrossed by waterways. The position of branch leader has always been a symbol of the sect's strength and prestige, making the competition particularly fierce. Sect Leader Wang Jiantong sat upright in the main seat, his face calm, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the crowd below. Beside him sat Elder Transmission Elder Lü Zhang, Elder Enforcement Elder Bai Shijing, and a group of Beggars' Sect elders, including Elder Xi and Chen Guyan, all with solemn expressions.

The most eye-catching figure was the young man standing beside Wang Jiantong. At only sixteen years old, he was already tall and imposing, towering over most strong men. With thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a high nose on his bronze face, he exuded an air of confidence and self-assurance, even as he stood quietly. He was none other than Qiao Feng, Wang Jiantong's personal disciple.

He did not participate in the struggle for leadership, but everyone knew that the gang leader had asked him to attend and observe in order to familiarize him with gang affairs and establish his authority.

"Brothers!" Elder Bai Shijing stood up, his voice booming, silencing the commotion in the arena. "The Jiangnan Branch is vital to our gang's southeastern lifeline. The position of Branch Leader cannot be held by anyone but someone of exceptional virtue, talent, and martial prowess! Today, the rules of the arena remain the same: fists and kicks have no eyes, and the fight will end when the point is reached! The final winner, after deliberation by the Gang Leader and the elders, will be granted the Jiangnan Branch's token!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a figure soared onto the high platform like a roc. This man was about thirty years old, with a sallow complexion and large, bony hands. He was none other than Wu Changfeng, the "Iron-Armed Ape," a renowned expert in the Beggars' Sect. He was skilled in a set of Tongbei Fist techniques, which was fierce and powerful, and he was rarely matched among the six-bag disciples.

"Which brother would like to come up and offer some guidance?" Wu Changfeng clasped his hands in a fist salute and looked around, his voice booming like a bell.

"Brother Wu, forgive me!" A five-bag disciple wielding a knife leaped onto the stage, his blade flashing, aiming straight for Wu Changfeng's center. Wu Changfeng chuckled, neither dodging nor avoiding, but parried with his left arm, deflecting the knife with a clang. His right fist followed the momentum, striking the disciple squarely in the chest, knocking him off the stage cleanly and decisively.

Several more people came up to challenge him, but all were defeated by Wu Changfeng's iron arms. He was unstoppable and his momentum was even stronger. He defeated three more skilled opponents in a row, including Fang Duo, a six-bag disciple who was famous for his Iron Sand Palm.

"Brother Wu's Tongbei Fist has become increasingly refined. It seems that the position of leader is rightfully his." Elder Lu Zhang, who passed on his skills, stroked his beard and nodded.

Bai Shijing nodded slightly: "Wu Changfeng is qualified enough and his martial arts skills are sufficient for this position."

Just when everyone thought the outcome was decided, a slightly immature yet exceptionally firm voice came from below the stage:

"Wait a minute! I also want to compete for the position of leader!"

Everyone stared in astonishment as a ragged boy, about twelve or thirteen years old, parted the crowd and walked step by step onto the arena. He was not tall, and even somewhat thin, but his steps were steady, and his eyes were clear and resolute, as if an inextinguishable fire was burning within him.

It was Xie Xiaoyu, the beggar who had received "divine power" from Qiao Tian!

"Where did this brat come from? He's barely grown up yet, and he dares to cause trouble?"

"Get off! This isn't a place for you to fool around!"

A burst of laughter and shouts erupted from the audience.

Wang Jiantong frowned slightly and looked at Qiao Feng beside him. Qiao Feng also looked surprised. Although the young man's clothes were tattered and his face was young, there was an inescapable determination between his brows. His steps were steady and firm, which showed that he had a solid foundation and was far from being an ordinary beggar.

Wu Changfeng looked at the boy in front of him and chuckled: "Kid, this is not a place for you. Get down here quickly to avoid getting hurt."

Xie Xiaoyu shook his head, saying earnestly, "I'm serious. I want to become stronger." The words of the "Golden Arhat" flashed through his mind, his eyes hardening. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Please enlighten me, Brother Wu!"

Seeing that he was determined, Wu Changfeng stopped trying to persuade him and thought it would be good for him to back down. He immediately shouted, "Be careful!" Before he finished speaking, Tongbei Fist struck straight at his center like a spear or halberd, with a fierce wind.

Xie Xiaoyu remained calm and composed, lowering his stance and adopting the most ordinary Luohan Fist opening posture, the "Please Hand Salute." Seeing the fist approaching, he blocked with a circular motion of his left arm, executing the "Oriole Descending from its Perch" move—a simple and unadorned movement. Wu Changfeng felt as if his incomparably powerful punch had struck a ball of incredibly resilient cotton, its force largely dissipated, and he was startled. Before he could change his move, Xie Xiaoyu's right fist, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, struck his chest with the "Black Tiger Claws at the Heart" move—the speed of the punch was extraordinary!

Wu Changfeng hurriedly swung his arm to block, and with a muffled thud, he felt a tingling numbness in his arm. He was actually shaken by the seemingly frail boy and staggered back two steps!

"what?!"

The laughter from the audience stopped abruptly, and everyone stared wide-eyed at the small, thin figure on the stage in disbelief.

"Indestructible Vajra Body Divine Skill? No... it's an external skill! But such a powerful external hard skill!" Elder Lü Zhang, who was passing on the skill, suddenly sat up straight.

A glint flashed in Bai Shijing's eyes: "This doll... is strange!"

Qiao Feng's eyes widened. He could sense that the young man's internal strength foundation might not be very deep, but his external martial arts skills and the amazing power and unique resilience he displayed in basic fist techniques like the Arhat Fist were simply unbelievable!

Wu Changfeng was both shocked and furious. With a low roar, he unleashed his Tongbei Fist, creating a whistling wind and a mountain of fist shadows as he enveloped Xie Xiaoyu. Xie Xiaoyu, however, remained steadfast like a rock in a raging storm, adapting to every change with unwavering resolve. He executed a seemingly ordinary set of Luohan Fist with fluid grace, his defense as solid as a rock, his attacks as swift as lightning. He deftly resolved crises at the last possible moment and launched fierce counterattacks. A faint golden light emanated from his body, and Wu Changfeng's punches and kicks struck it with muffled "thuds," unable to shake its foundation.

After more than twenty moves, Xie Xiaoyu spotted an opening in Wu Changfeng's defenses. He ducked to avoid a sweeping kick, then unleashed a flurry of palm strikes, the "Double Peaks Piercing the Ears" technique from the Arhat Fist, striking Wu Changfeng's temples with lightning speed! He held back, not using his full strength, but Wu Changfeng's vision went black, his ears rang, and he could no longer stand, collapsing to the ground with a thud.

Who would have thought that an unknown little beggar would defeat the gang's best fighters with a set of the most basic Arhat Fist, and even "Iron Arm Ape" Wu Changfeng would fall to his hands!

Xie Xiaoyu stood on the stage, slightly out of breath, his face flushed with excitement and internal energy. He looked around the audience, his gaze finally settling on Qiao Feng, with a hint of barely perceptible heat and certainty in his eyes.

Wang Jiantong took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Which other brothers would like to come up on stage and challenge this...young man?"

The question was asked three times, but no one answered. Wu Changfeng and Fang Duo's consecutive defeats had already silenced most of the audience.

Just then, Qiao Feng stepped forward from the crowd, his voice booming like thunder: "Chief, esteemed elders! This young brother possesses extraordinary martial arts skills and a solid foundation. I, Qiao Feng, humbly request to come up and spar with him, adding a touch of brilliance to this gathering!" He wasn't vying for the position of leader, but rather he was eager to test the young man's abilities firsthand.

After a moment's thought, Wang Jiantong nodded: "Granted!"

Qiao Feng leaped into the air like an eagle swooping down on a rabbit, landing steadily in the center of the arena, facing Xie Xiaoyu. He was tall and imposing, a stark contrast to the slender Xie Xiaoyu, yet no one dared to underestimate the power contained within that small frame.

"Young brother, please!" Qiao Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"Brother Qiao... please!" Xie Xiaoyu took a deep breath, assumed the starting stance of the Arhat Fist, his eyes incredibly focused. He knew this was the enlightened ruler foretold by the "Arhat"! He had to give it his all to gain recognition!

Qiao Feng said no more, let out a low shout, and charged forward, throwing a punch! This punch was not the Dragon Subduing Palm, but just the ordinary Taizu Long Fist, but when Qiao Feng used it, it had an indomitable and unstoppable momentum!

Xie Xiaoyu continued to fight back with his Arhat Fist!

Their fists clashed, sending shockwaves surging! This time, Xie Xiaoyu's body trembled violently, staggering back three steps, the pale golden light pulsating wildly. Qiao Feng, too, staggered and took a step back!

"What strength!" Qiao Feng exclaimed, his eyes filled with even greater astonishment. Although he hadn't used his full strength, the fact that this young man could force him back a step was truly astonishing in terms of his external skills and foundation!

He stopped testing the waters, changed his stance, and unleashed the power of the Dragon Subduing Palm with the Nine Yang True Qi surging within his body!

"Roar--!"

Like a dragon's roar, Qiao Feng struck out with his right palm, the palm wind fierce and powerful, it was none other than "The Dragon Regrets" from the Twenty-Eight Subduing Dragon Palms! The palm force surged towards Xie Xiaoyu like a tidal wave!

Faced with this most powerful and fierce palm technique in the world, Xie Xiaoyu felt unprecedented pressure. He took a deep breath, pushed his "Arhat Body" hard skill to the limit, and his body shone with a faint golden light. He crossed his fists and fiercely met the attack!

"Bang!!!"

A deafening roar, like a thunderclap from a clear sky! The violent energy emanated from the two of them, spreading outwards and kicking up clouds of dust!

As the dust settled, Xie Xiaoyu was seen being forced back to the edge of the arena, a trickle of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. His golden light had dimmed, indicating that he had suffered internal injuries, but he still stood there stubbornly, his eyes unyielding.

Qiao Feng, however, stood firmly in place. However, unlike Wang Jiantong's "Regretful Dragon's Ascent," a powerful and unstoppable attack, Qiao Feng's palm strike, the instant it shattered Xie Xiaoyu's defenses, abruptly retracted its immense force, transforming from extreme ferocity to extreme gentleness. This skillfully neutralized most of the recoil, preventing any fatal injury to the defenseless Xie Xiaoyu!

It can be controlled and released with ease, combining strength and flexibility!

"This...how is this possible?!" Wang Jiantong suddenly stood up, his face filled with extreme shock and disbelief! "The dragon that soars too high will regret it, and fullness cannot last long! What is required is boundless power, advancing without retreating! How could Feng'er...how could he wield this extremely powerful palm strike so...so smoothly and controllably, so perfectly?"

He could clearly see that Qiao Feng's palm strike just now was powerful and refined, no less than what he had cultivated for decades, and even surpassed it in its vast and majestic power! But the state of mind that Qiao Feng had in control of the strike and the ease with which he wielded it was something he had never thought of, much less achieved!

Elders Lü Zhang and Bai Shijing were also dumbfounded.

Qiao Feng withdrew his palm and stood still, not pursuing the attack. He looked at Xie Xiaoyu with admiration in his eyes: "Young brother, you're too kind. Are you alright?" He stepped forward and supported the swaying Xie Xiaoyu, channeling a pure and gentle stream of Nine Yang True Qi into him to help stabilize his injuries. This true qi was upright and peaceful, containing a hint of nourishment, quickly calming Xie Xiaoyu's turbulent blood and qi.