Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 187, Chapter 186: The Ground-Sided Lion, An Unexpected Visitor

Of course it doesn't look like it; this is not the martial art of my Tiangu Temple.

Dezheng secretly grumbled to himself, recalling the various pieces of information Zhao Hu had just mentioned, and began to guess the other party's intentions.

“The five lineages of Tantric Buddhism are all one family. It is not surprising that a senior monk once gave Li Cunxiao a helping hand.”

Zhao Hu's spirits lifted upon hearing this. He had been thinking of ways to subtly probe the matter, but he hadn't expected De Zheng to be so direct. He hurriedly asked:

"Where is that senior now? Is it convenient for you to pay me a visit?"

"Junior Brother Zhaohu, don't be in a hurry."

Dezheng smiled slightly, stopped talking, and turned to look at Li Cunxiao, looking him up and down. His expression showed admiration as well as some emotion.

Although they knew that this junior was valued by the bigwigs of both Taoism and Buddhism, Taiyi and Qici, he would certainly not lack resources.

However, the fact that Huang Ting had been perfected in just two months was still something that people couldn't take for granted.

Think about the disciples of the "Yuan" generation in the temple, such as Yuanhua and others. They broke through to the Yellow Court in their thirties, and then spent nearly ten years carefully polishing their acupoints and opening up their meridians.

While others spend their entire youth working hard, Li Cunxiao passed away in just a few months, which makes it hard not to feel a sense of awe.

“Puning, it’s good that you’ve always focused on sword practice. But have you thought about why you lost this time?”

Seeing that Dezheng was changing the subject, Zhao Hu didn't rush to ask any more questions. Instead, he turned his gaze to Puning, who looked somber.

Why else?
One force can overcome all laws. Junior brother lost completely in terms of cultivation. How can he reflect on his mistakes?
Pu Xing was speechless, but he knew that his uncle was trying to guide Pu Ning to change his mindset so that he wouldn't get stuck in a rut.

“In the past, I focused too much on sword practice, especially recently. In order to achieve perfection, I have become somewhat lax in refining my true qi.”

"This time, it wasn't a loss in skill, but a loss in cultivation."

As Puning spoke, his previously chaotic thoughts began to clear up, and his expression visibly improved.

Dezheng then smiled and tried to smooth things over:

"Practicing martial arts and training skills are like the branches, leaves, roots, and stems of a tree; neither should be neglected."

"Li Cunxiao, go to the alchemy room and fetch a bottle of Seven Treasures Pills later."

"It is more important than victory or defeat that my junior disciple Puning has gained some insight. After returning, with the help of elixirs, he will surely achieve minor success in the Yellow Court in no time."

Puning immediately showed joy, and Puxing also straightened his expression and thanked him on behalf of his junior brother.

The Seven Treasures Pill is also a fourth-tier pill. Simply put, it is an enhanced version of the Qi Accumulation Pill, which can accelerate the accumulation of true qi for martial artists with the Yellow Court rank.

Having spent so much time in the alchemy room, Li Cunxiao not only heard about it but also personally experienced its effects.

The conclusion is that it is not as good as the Explosive Qi Pill.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, brother."

Zhao Hu naturally appreciated the gesture, but his gaze couldn't help but linger on Li Cunxiao.

Dezheng found his behavior amusing and was about to send his disciples away when he suddenly heard Qici's voice.

His expression shifted, and after a moment, it became somewhat strange.

"Ahem, Junior Brother Zhaohu, what do you think of Li Cunxiao's talent?"

Zhao Hu was taken aback, thinking that he had never seen De Zheng, who was always upright and reserved, show off.

"It is naturally extraordinary."

"Since he is an extraordinary talent, if he can learn from the strengths of others, he will surely go further in the martial arts in the future."

"Perhaps, I can gain the favor of those truly virtuous and eminent monks."

Zhao Hu followed the other person's gaze and saw Puning holding the Black Dragon Sword, looking completely bewildered, listening to the two elders exchanging cryptic remarks.

Realizing the other party's sudden change in attitude, he seemed to understand something and smiled.

"Junior Nephew Li, I see that you also possess a remarkable talent for swordsmanship?"

Ok?
Li Cunxiao sensed something was amiss and couldn't help but look at Dezheng.

The latter naturally picked up the conversation, saying, "Junior Brother Zhaohu, you flatter me."

"Your temple's Immovable Black Dragon Sword is a superior martial art, not something that just anyone can learn."

“Brother Dezheng, you are mistaken. We are all disciples of Buddhism and are of the same blood.”

"Just like Shi Tianlong, who originally learned martial arts at Huishan Temple, but later he also switched to Tiangu Temple, didn't he?"

"Martial arts have no sectarian boundaries. Only by pooling our wisdom and drawing on the strengths of others can we truly cultivate outstanding talents."

Pu Xing and Puning were so confused they felt like their brains were about to explode.

They were unaware of Qici's existence; they only saw the two men wandering around, inexplicably wanting to pass on their martial arts to Li Cunxiao, which was extremely strange.

However, neither of them had any objections when Shi Tianlong was mentioned.

Zhao Hu's claim that martial arts have no sects is obviously just empty boasting.

However, since the various schools of Esoteric Buddhism share a common origin and all venerate Vairocana Buddha as the founder of Esoteric Buddhism, their connections are indeed very close. It is not uncommon for them to send their disciples to each other for study.

To put it another way, decades ago, Dezheng became a disciple of the previous abbot of Tiangu Temple. Later, his talent was revealed, and he was able to go to Qinglong Temple, the ancestral temple of Tantric Buddhism, to learn the Vajrayaksha Vidyaraja Dharma.

A similar situation exists within the Taoist community.

It's true that secrets shouldn't be passed on to just a few people, but among fellow disciples, one isn't considered an outsider. For the sake of continuing the lineage to a higher level, practicing multiple martial arts styles isn't really out of line.

"However, on the other hand, Junior Nephew Li clearly didn't use his full strength just now, which makes me a little curious."

Zhao Hu pondered many things. Tian Gu Temple and Hui Shan Temple were on good terms, and while high-level martial arts were certainly important, if it was just martial arts without any fundamental techniques, then passing it on to the other side wouldn't be a problem.

The key point is that Dezheng's words contained implied meanings.

Li Cunxiao's martial arts skills, while not entirely unrelated to Tiangu Temple, were certainly not unrelated, indicating that there was clearly a master behind him.

So when Dezheng spoke up, it wasn't actually him speaking, but rather the person behind him speaking.

However, that senior was clearly unwilling to show himself, and although he could also pass on the Black Dragon Sword, he still had to give an explanation to the others when he returned to the temple.

"How about this? Pu Xing—"

"With a limit of one move, as long as Li Cunxiao can withstand Pu Xing's attack without retreating, then I will decide to pass on the Unmoving Black Dragon Sword to him."

Pu Xing hesitated upon hearing this, "Uncle-Master Zhao Hu, this..."

"It's alright," Dezheng interrupted Puxing's question with a smile.

"Martial artists speak with strength, and that is exactly how it should be."

"Li Cunxiao, what do you think?"

What else can we do? I said the abbot's opinion was superior.

Li Cunxiao secretly grumbled to himself, saying that although he said that, he actually had no choice.

Judging from the appearance of the two monks, there was clearly something going on.

Excluding the unknown factors, it's probably my unseen master who spoke up.

Otherwise, no matter how good the relationship between Huishan Temple and Tiangu Temple is, it would be impossible for them to casually promise to teach high-level martial arts.

However, the Immovable Black Dragon Sword is a top-grade Earth-element martial art, and he intends to refine the Five Elements and Five Organs twice, so he naturally cannot let it go.

"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother Puxing."

As he spoke, he stepped back a few paces, and crimson Flame True Qi rose up, condensing once more over the silver wheel, which then slowly began to rotate.

Faintly, the crowd seemed to hear the sound of waves crashing against the shore, and a roaring, surging sound.

"This is... the Holy King's Wheel Fist?"

Zhao Hu seemed to be asking a question, but his tone was one of certainty.

When Puning drew his sword just now, his opponent had not used his full strength, so he could not be sure.

But now, facing Pu Xing's attack at the fifth realm, even if he only used 30% of his strength, the opponent obviously did not dare to underestimate him and, with full force, made him see through the clues.

At the same time, he became increasingly certain of his own suspicions.

"The Holy King Revolving Fist is originally a martial art passed down by the Qinglong Temple. But if Li Cunxiao was truly favored by the eminent monks of the Qinglong Temple, how could it, as the ancestral home of Tantric Buddhism and the sacred site of the Great Sun Tathagata, lack the Immovable Black Dragon Sword?" "The person behind Li Cunxiao is most likely that senior Qi, who rose to fame at a young age but later established his own school outside the Qinglong Temple."

Unlike Zhao Hu, who was lost in thought, De Zheng didn't seem too worried.

If he couldn't reveal Qi Ci's existence, then he really couldn't bring himself to speak.

But since Qici had spoken quietly just now, he already knew what was going on.

Huang Chao and the Ming Cult are about to launch a massive attack. Songzhou and Caozhou are both on the road to Luoyang, so the chances are fifty-fifty.

However, Bianzhou and Zhengzhou were too close to the eastern capital, leaving them with no way to hide.

Qi had previously been out there doing good deeds and had not deliberately concealed his whereabouts, so it is clear that the news was learned by the Zheng family of Xingyang or Huishan Temple.

Such a master is enough to withstand a thousand troops, so the latter cannot afford to be careless.

He wasn't sure at first, but after just one hint, Zhao Hu immediately understood the implied meaning, which further confirmed his guess.

This Master Huqiu, despite having "tiger" in his Dharma name, was actually quite shrewd.

As long as the other party understands, regardless of whether they win or lose the bet, they will find a way to pass the Immovable Black Dragon Sword to Li Cunxiao.

Pu Xing couldn't guess what his teachers were thinking, so he just took it as guidance for his junior brother and responded seriously.

"The Lion Stance I learned is based on the Lion's Roar of the World Honored One, which uses sound waves to generate power, unlike ordinary fist and foot martial arts."

Li Cunxiao had read many classic texts, so he naturally knew that what the other party said was true.

The Lion's Roar is a Buddhist koan, symbolizing the power and majesty of Buddhism, which produces a great sound that shakes the world.

The Lion Stance of Huishan Temple is said to be so powerful that when it speaks or breathes, it can intimidate all beasts and cause demons to have their brains split open.

"Junior Brother Li, be careful."

Seeing that Li Cunxiao was ready for battle, Pu Xing didn't say anything more.

His nostrils flared, his brows furrowed, and the skin between his nose and forehead immediately curled up layer by layer.

It was such a simple action, yet in Li Cunxiao's eyes, the monk before him seemed to have changed completely.

Just moments ago he was a handsome young monk, but in the blink of an eye he transformed into a majestic golden lion.

With a single sip of his mouth and nose, a visible surge of air rushed forth, causing even Li Cunxiao, who was several steps away, to have his robes billow forward.

A faint golden light flowed between Pu Xing's brows and eyes. The next moment, Pu Xing's lips parted and he quietly uttered a syllable.

"Hum!"

Quiet.

As if nothing existed, Li Cunxiao suddenly felt a kind of quiet that felt like being isolated from the world.

Everything in front of me slowed down.

He saw Pu Xing's lips slowly close, and the wrinkles on his forehead gradually smoothing out.

He saw Puning's eyes widen and his body lean forward little by little;
He saw his clothes swaying in the air, curling back, until they patted against him—

boom! ! ! ! !
A thunderclap erupted from the silence; it was as if a bolt of lightning had exploded in Li Cunxiao's ears. The sound returned to his ears, and everything around him returned to normal speed.

At the same time, the powerful sound waves seemed to penetrate into his limbs and bones, making Li Cunxiao feel numb all over, and even his blood and true energy felt like they were about to be shaken apart.

His body bent backward in an exaggerated arc, like an iron bridge.

Needless to say, if one's body falls to the ground, that is certainly considered retreating.

However, as the silver wheel spun rapidly, the three great continents seemed to take root beneath his feet, making his body as heavy as a mountain.

To Pu Xing's astonishment, Li Cunxiao's body, which had been leaning backward, was slowly pulled up inch by inch.

Once he returned to his normal posture, he involuntarily spat out a foot-long arrow of air.

"They held up?!"

Puning's mouth was so wide open that a suckling pig could fit inside.

It wasn't that he was making a fuss over nothing; his senior brother was with him day and night, so how could he not know the other party's strength?
Pu Xing's Lion's Roar, if unleashed at full power, is enough to make a martial artist at the peak of the Yellow Court realm lose their senses for thirty breaths.

During this time, the other person's consciousness will go blank, and they will be unable to do anything.

In other words, whether used in combat or to awaken a warrior on the verge of demonic possession at a crucial moment, this move is extremely powerful.

However, Li Cunxiao only lost his composure for a moment before regaining his senses, without even taking a step back.

Even if Pu Xing only used three-tenths of his strength, it would still be an incredible thing.

"Brother Puxing's Lion's Roar almost roared my soul out of my body."

Li Cunxiao was still shaken. For a long time, his opponents had only used physical force; this kind of psychological attack was truly a first for him.

Just now, Pu Xing reminded him that he was going to use a sonic attack, and he even used his true energy to protect several acupoints on his ears.

But it's no use.

'If that hadn't been a friendly spar, but a life-or-death struggle, I fear that in that moment of distraction, my opponent would have already succeeded.'

Even if a high-grade magical artifact automatically protects me, that kind of danger...

"Junior brother's statement is an exaggeration. If my master were here, perhaps he could do such a thing."

Pu Xing shook his head, his respect for Li Cunxiao growing even stronger.

He had a vague premonition that the young man in front of him would catch up with him soon.

"What a magnificent Holy King's Wheel of Reincarnation! The righteous path is majestic and unyielding, so solid that even the lion's roar cannot shake it in the slightest."

Zhao Hu was almost certain that the other party was not a disciple of Tiangu Temple.

After all, De Zheng's face didn't show much satisfaction; instead, like him, he was somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting Li Cunxiao to behave this way.

“A bet is a bet. Junior Nephew Li, please wait a few days. At that time, I will pass on the complete Immovable Black Dragon Sword to you. Just remember not to pass it on to others. If you have any doubts, you can ask Puning.”

"Thank you, Venerable Master."

Li Cunxiao was naturally delighted.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Dezheng led Puxing and the other man away at Dezheng's signal.

"Senior brother, are you satisfied with this?"

Zhao Hu smiled faintly, while De Zheng nodded slightly and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"senior."

Ok?
Zhao Hu's pupils contracted, and he turned around abruptly, only to find a plump, white-skinned monk standing behind him.

Dressed in coarse cloth, with his chest and breasts exposed, and carrying a cloth bag on his shoulder, he is none other than the legendary Maitreya with a hat for evil!
"senior."

"Alright, alright, let's stop with the empty talk."

“I left Qinglong Temple in my early years and made a vow not to pass on what I had learned, so there are some things that are inconvenient to teach him directly.”

"Now that you've done me a favor, what do you want me to do in return?"

Zhao Hu shook his head upon hearing this, "Senior has misunderstood."

“We originally had a close relationship with Tiangu Temple. Shi Tianlong practiced martial arts in the temple before. The abbot regretted his talent and recommended him to join the ranks of Brother Dezheng.”

"Even though he's not a direct disciple yet, but just an inner disciple, we still owe him a favor."

“Li Cunxiao is exceptionally talented and is also a disciple of the Buddhist sect. As a senior, I should guide him.”

"In that case, how can it be used as a favor or to trouble our seniors?"

Qi Ci immediately smiled:

"You're quite the smooth talker, young man. So, you must have something on your mind when you asked Dezheng about me earlier, right?"

Seeing that Qi's attitude was gentle, just as rumored, Zhao Hu felt somewhat relieved and continued what he had been saying when he was interrupted:
“It’s not Huishan Temple that’s looking for you, it’s Zheng Lang, the head of the Zheng family in Xingyang, who’s looking for you.”

"It is said that he will soon travel to Songzhou with an envoy from the Xijing Louguan Daoist sect."

(End of this chapter)