Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 264 Kumārajīva: I will make my name known throughout the world at the Heroes' Gathering!
Yi Jin Jing is the supreme internal martial arts manual of Shaolin.

It is a unique and wonderful technique created by Bodhidharma by combining Zen Buddhist concepts, integrating the Buddhist theory of the three channels and seven chakras with the Chinese martial arts' idea of ​​the unity of heaven and man.

Reaching the Black-Level Floating Pagoda realm allows one to be in a state of oneness with heaven and earth at any time, absorbing the power of heaven and earth and the universe for one's own use. When attacked, a protective aura automatically forms on the body's surface, and the power is almost inexhaustible.

It sounds like a perfectly good thing, but nothing in this world is ever perfect. Of the seventy-two skills passed down by Bodhidharma, how many have survived to this day?

The advantage of Yi Jin Jing is its profound power, but its disadvantage is also its profound power. The human body is like a bucket, and true qi is like water. To hold more water, you need to increase the capacity of the bucket, rather than simply opening the floodgates to release water.

Compared to the vast and boundless universe, humanity is but a drop in the ocean. To think that one can contain boundless power with such a frail body is simply wishful thinking.

Therefore, when the Yi Jin Jing breaks through to the highest level, the Black Floating Pagoda, it will be divided into three realms, reminding practitioners to maintain a balance between tension and relaxation and not to act recklessly or violently.

The body is the car, internal energy is the fuel, and spirit is the hand holding the steering wheel. The top mental techniques in the martial arts world all cultivate essence, energy, and spirit in combination, making them all well-rounded warriors.

Why are the requirements for beginners of Yi Jin Jing so high?

Because his skill was too profound.

If one's body is not strong enough, one cannot withstand the immense power.

A lack of mental fortitude prevents one from controlling their power.

This leads to a specific bug.

Generally speaking, in Buddhist martial arts, as long as one's spirit is enlightened, one's martial arts level will increase accordingly.

The Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) unfortunately left behind a fatal shackle.

One must improve one's spirit, energy, and mental state in all aspects to break through to a higher realm. This was something Bodhidharma did proactively to prevent his later disciples from bullying the weak and acting recklessly.

Because of its high entry difficulty and the abundance of martial arts techniques available, neither ordinary monks nor high-ranking officials in various branches pay much attention to the Yi Jin Jing.

Only exceptionally talented individuals with a solid foundation, who aspire to go further, will peruse the Yi Jin Jing and Xi Sui Jing in hopes of gaining a breakthrough opportunity.

Unfortunately, the difficulty was too high and the results were too few.

If it weren't for Master Fangzheng's mastery of the Yi Jin Jing, rumors would have long circulated in the martial arts world that the Shaolin Yi Jin Jing was just a bluff and a piece of worthless paper.

That's what Kumārajīva thought.

Until he faced Fang Zheng in person.

Fang Zheng simply clasped his hands together, activated the Yi Jin Jing Black-level Floating Pagoda, and unleashed his domain aura. The immense and unpredictable pressure caused Kumārajīva to show signs of going into qi deviation and suffering internal injuries, causing his eyebrows and eyes to twitch incessantly.

"Your Majesty, please accept this old monk's move!"

Fang Zheng stretched out his hands and shook them slightly. The domineering and unpredictable Yi Jin Zhen Qi transformed into a gentle force. His hands changed from two to four, from four to eight, and from eight to sixteen. In less than half a second, his hands blossomed like the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, and dozens of palms slammed towards Kumārajīva's chest and abdomen. It was the Thousand-Hand Tathāgata Palm.

Shaolin martial arts techniques are numerous, with the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm ranking at most in the top twenty. It has too many feints, and every move is soft and gentle, relying purely on complex variations to win.

When the hands transform to "sixty-four", the palm force is easily dissipated, actively revealing a fatal flaw.

Fang Zheng used the Yi Jin Jing to unleash the Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm, the palm force was concentrated and did not disperse, his hands were unpredictable, his moves were precise and accurate, and his moves were dazzling.

Kumārajīva also knew the Thousand-Hand Tathāgata Palm, but the Thousand-Hand Tathāgata Palm imitated by the Lesser Formless Skill was no match for Fang Zheng. He immediately formed the Outer Lion Seal with both hands, flames ignited in his palms, and he slashed out two flaming blades.

Previously, when dealing with the senior monks of the Xuan generation, Kumārajīva relied on his superior skill to defeat them with their most proficient techniques, effortlessly and with great style.

Now, facing Fangzheng and the Yi Jin Jing, he dared not use any fancy moves to show off. Based on the Nine True Words of Tantric Buddhism, he slashed with both hands like a swift knife.

Amidst the flashing blades and raging flames, Kumārajīva unleashed eighty-one strikes in an instant. The Tantric Flame Blade technique has no fixed moves; Kumārajīva used the Burning Wood Blade Technique.

The Burning Wood Knife Technique is the fastest knife technique in Shaolin. The moves are not made with pure Yang fire energy, but rather with speed. The blade flashes as it grazes the wood, and the friction generates heat to ignite the wood. Eighty-one consecutive cuts burn the firewood into charcoal.

The monks watching the battle were all horrified.

The most terrifying thing was the sacred mountain.

Shenshan came to Shaolin to provoke them, aiming to avenge the humiliation of being rejected from studying there sixty years ago. He originally intended to defeat Xuanci with his superb skills honed over sixty years, hoping to finally get revenge. However, he didn't expect that Kumārajīva would steal the limelight, and even more unexpectedly, Fangzheng, the head of the Arhat Hall, possessed such outstanding martial arts skills.

Shenshan pondered to himself that in a one-on-one fight, he was not afraid of any of the old monks of the Xuan generation. His martial arts were slightly better than Xuanci's, and he could defeat him within a thousand moves.

To achieve the effortless and unrestrained style of Kumārajīva, one's foundation is far too weak. Thinking of this, Shenshan felt saddened and lamented the cruel tricks of fate.

If I had joined Shaolin Temple sixty years ago and learned its unparalleled martial arts, with my talent and diligent practice day and night, I might have been able to master the Yi Jin Jing.

Even if he can't master the Yi Jin Jing, he'll still be much stronger than he is now. What about the Dragon-Subduing Arhat or the Tiger-Taming Arhat? At seventy or eighty years old, their martial arts potential is completely exhausted. Even if they were given unparalleled martial arts skills, how much could they improve?

Xuan Ci was also suffering.

Among the Shaolin monks over seventy years old, the Xuan generation has the largest number, totaling more than thirty. Even with the recent unforeseen events, they still hold the top spot.

The quantity is high, but the quality is slightly inferior.

Facing masters like Fangzheng, Dabei, and Tianzheng, the old monks of the Xuan generation inevitably felt somewhat inferior.

Fang Zheng has the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) by his side.

Tian Zheng Neng and Yan Kuang Tu went head-to-head.

Da Bei was a master of unassuming skill, and was praised by Lu Xiaofeng as being on par with Dugu Yihe, Ximen Chuixue, Ye Gucheng, and Mu Daoren. In the ranking of the Jianghu Tiangang List, Da Bei was a cut above Tianzheng and Fangzheng. If his peers of martial monks had not been almost wiped out, Da Bei would have been unable to fight alone. Back then, the outcome of the struggle for the position of abbot of Shaolin Temple would have been uncertain.

What a pity, Junior Brother Xuancheng!

Thinking of Xuan Cheng, Xuan Ci felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Xuan Cheng is the most talented martial artist among the Xuan generation. He practices diligently, combining physical training with martial arts techniques. He is brave and skilled, and at a young age, he has mastered thirteen unique skills to perfection.

Just as Xuan Ci was about to use Xuan Cheng as a brand and promote the name of the Thirteen Great Monks, Xuan Cheng suffered a qi deviation during his practice, his meridians were severed, and he lost all his martial arts skills.

If Xuancheng were still alive, he would have been the one to fight against Kumārajīva, and Fang Zheng would have had no chance to make a move!

The three old monks, Daoqing, Juexian, and Rongzhi, were simply there to watch the show and act as cheerleaders.

When you're focused and undistracted, you see things more clearly.

Kumārajīva possessed extensive martial arts skills and rich experience. During the fight, he employed a series of unexpected moves, gaining a 60% advantage in the offensive.

Fang Zheng's skill was pure and his body was as steady as Mount Tai. His palms were crossed like the Thousand-Hand Buddha, and his defense was watertight.

To determine a winner, at least a thousand moves are needed.

The battle had reached such a point that even if the Sweeper Monk were to evaluate who won and who lost, he would not be able to give an accurate answer. Perhaps Kumārajīva had a sudden enlightenment during the battle, or perhaps Fangzheng had a sudden enlightenment of Buddhism, and his thousands of Buddha palms merged into one.

It's not uncommon for someone to have a sudden realization on the spot.

This is the standard equipment for a martial arts prodigy.

To overcome the strong with the weak, to fight to the death without retreating, and to turn the tide in desperate situations.

How many people can truly understand the outcome of a match?

The more Kumārajīva fought, the more anxious he became.

With a foundation in Tantric Buddhism, Taoist Qi cultivation, and Zen martial arts, he possesses a hodgepodge of various unique skills, unknowingly developing hidden injuries and sowing the seeds of a fatal disaster.

This collaboration with Murong Bo serves two purposes: first, to steal the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic); and second, because he believes that if he is destined to die from qi deviation, he must make a grand spectacle before his death. Kumārajīva is obsessed with martial arts and greedy for fame and fortune. His practice has caused him numerous ailments, and with these ailments flaring up, his life is nearing its end. If he cannot make a name for himself at the Heroes' Gathering and showcase his profound martial arts skills, what is the point of his diligent practice? What is the point of his scheming and plotting? Even if he cannot become famous throughout the world, at least he can be remembered as the Great Wheel King, no less than anyone else.

Thinking of this, Kumārajīva launched a series of attacks, his hands moving unpredictably, using the Prajna Palm, Mount Sumeru Palm, Great Stele-Smashing Hand, Dragon Claw Hand, Nirvana Claw, Flower-Picking Finger, Dora Leaf Finger, Formless Calamity Finger, Great Wisdom Unfixed Finger, Maha Finger and other unique skills, displaying all the Shaolin fist, palm, finger and claw unarmed martial arts techniques to the audience.

Besides martial arts skills like One-Finger Zen and Great Bright Fist, which are comparable in difficulty to Golden Bell Cover and Yi Jin Jing, he actually mastered all of Shaolin's dozens of fist and foot techniques.

At least master the "moves".

The Shaolin monks could not discern any unusual moves.

Kumārajīva formed a sword with his fingers together, displaying the Dharma sword technique; he formed a knife with his palm upright, using the Breaking Precepts Knife Technique, the Compassionate Knife Technique, and the Bodhi Knife Technique; he used his arms as clubs, displaying the Lesser Yaksha Club Technique, the Universal Gate Staff Technique, and the Great Manjushri Staff Technique; and he used his belt to display the Sun and Moon Whip Technique and the Vairocana Whip Technique…

The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

The Shaolin monks thought to themselves that they must not let Kumārajīva leave Shaolin, otherwise Shaolin martial arts would surely be spread outside.

It's tolerable for three or five unique skills to be passed on, but it's absolutely unacceptable for all seventy-two unique skills to be passed on.

Why would Kumārajīva care about these things?

He was completely absorbed in the battle.

Suddenly.

Fang Zheng struck at Kumārajīva's chest and abdomen with a palm strike. Kumārajīva neither dodged nor evaded, but instead swung his sword at Fang Zheng's chest. Just as the two were about to exchange blows, Kumārajīva's body was surrounded by protective qi, which blocked Fang Zheng's palm strike. The flaming sword flashed by, and Fang Zheng was unable to dodge in time. His protective qi was shattered by the sword, leaving a foot-long wound.

"Senior brother, you flatter me!!"

Kumārajīva took several heavy breaths, trying his best to suppress his restless blood and qi. His breath was like that of an old ox, or an athlete who had just finished a marathon.

His energy, physical strength, and vital energy were severely depleted.

The blow that Fang Zheng delivered to his chest caused his hidden injuries to show signs of erupting, and his eyes twitched incessantly.

Upon closer inspection, one can see that Kumārajīva's hands and feet are also trembling, and a grayish-black hue flashes between his brows.

Fang Zheng was protected by the Yi Jin Jing (a type of internal energy), so the injury from this blow was not serious, just a minor cut to the skin and flesh. Although he appeared to be covered in blood, his condition was actually far stronger than that of Kumārajīva.

Founder Group has the capacity to fight again.

Kumārajīva was unable to fight for a short period of time.

If they met in the wild and fought to the death, Fang Zheng would be the victor. But now that the two are sparring in front of so many outsiders, Fang Zheng has no choice but to admit defeat.

After all, if Kumārajīva had added three-tenths of his strength, Fang Zheng's internal organs would have been damaged; if he had added five-tenths, Fang Zheng would have been split in two. No matter how you look at it, it was clear that Kumārajīva was holding back, and that the sparring was a friendly exchange that ended when the point was reached.

Arguing unreasonably will only make you a laughing stock.

"Thank you for your mercy, Great Wheel King."

"The Shaolin Yi Jin Jing is unfathomably profound. This humble monk used all his skills and could only gain a slight advantage. It was just by chance."

Kumārajīva slowly sat back down in his chair.

After sitting down, I felt much better.

Xuanji asked loudly, "May I ask, Grand Preceptor, where did you learn the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts?"

Kumārajīva sneered: "May I ask, Senior Brother Xuanji, where did Shaolin learn its Buddhist scriptures from?"

"Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha's teachings originated in India!"

Do I need to continue answering?

"Your Excellency is mistaken. Buddhism has undergone many changes since it entered China, and so have Buddhist martial arts. The Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts are no longer the versions passed down by Bodhidharma. Take the Maha Finger as an example; it was created by a wandering ascetic who stayed at Shaolin for forty years. Could it be that Your Excellency has met this ascetic? That is truly strange!"

"I have loved martial arts since childhood. I only practice Shaolin skills as a sideline. In terms of the breadth of martial arts knowledge, I am far inferior to Murong of Gusu. I am ashamed, truly ashamed!"

Kumārajīva did not hesitate to shift the blame.

It can't be called shifting the blame.

To be precise, this constitutes "betrayal".

More than 90% of Kumārajīva's Shaolin skills were given to him by Murong Bo, who was the culprit.

Kumārajīva spoke with conviction because he was telling the truth, a truth that no one could deny.

Furthermore, the passing down of martial arts skills is common among prestigious sects, especially a super sect like Shaolin with dozens of unique skills. Even if they buy Shaolin's unique skills from lay disciples, as long as they are willing to spend money, it is easy to collect twenty or thirty Shaolin unique skills.

Learning martial arts by stealing techniques is very common.

After secretly learning something, he would openly display it, showing off and humiliating others in front of them. Only Kumārajīva had this hobby. He didn't just secretly learn one thing; he learned them all.

Kumārajīva was in extremely poor condition. In a one-on-one fight, he might not be able to defeat the old monks of the Xuan generation. He only hoped to have a few more rounds of verbal sparring with Xuanji, as debate was his strength.

Just as the two were arguing fiercely, the guest monk strode into the main hall: "Abbot, Murong Fu from Gusu has led a group of heroes from Hebei to pay homage to the mountain. Please handle this matter, Abbot!"

Xuanci shouted, "Fellow disciples, Shaolin is facing an imminent calamity. Whatever grudges we may have had in the past, we should put them aside today and set up the Five Hundred Arhat Formation!"

Shaolin has more than a dozen defensive formations.

Three people: Vajra Subduing Demon Formation;

Five people: The Little Arhat Formation;
Eight people: Arhat Sword Formation, Bodhidharma Sword Formation;
Thirteen people: Arhat Qimen Five-Turn Formation;
Eighteen people: The Eighteen Arhats Formation;
Ultimate group attack: 108 Arhats Formation, 500 Arhats Formation, 1008 Novice Monk Formation;
People in the martial arts world are not great generals who lead armies into battle. Those who can command a hundred people are exceptional individuals, those who can command five hundred are extremely rare, and those who can command more than a thousand people to deploy and fight the enemy with strategy simply do not exist in the martial arts world.

Xuanci can command a maximum of five hundred Arhats.

An increase in the number of people would actually make the place appear bloated.

The "Shami Formation" exists only in legend. It is a martial monk formation left behind by Li Jing, the military genius of the Tang Dynasty, when he came to Shaolin to discuss Taoism. It was only used once at the end of the Tang Dynasty.

Furthermore, training warrior monks requires resources.

Warrior monks have a large appetite. Training a thousand warrior monks is manageable, but training a thousand warrior monks who do no work and practice formations every day would definitely be unsustainable.

This leads to the question: how many people are in the Beggars' Sect's Overwhelming Mountain Formation? Is it the more the better?

Bullshit!

Han Xin's ability to command troops was such that the more troops the better!

Who was Han Xin?
Throughout the history of the Beggars' Sect, only one leader has ever been capable of commanding a formation of a thousand people: Huang Rong!

Huang Rong was forged through experience on the battlefield.

When asked to command a thousand-strong formation to defend against the enemy, Xiao Feng preferred to charge forward himself and fight the enemy one-on-one.

Under Xuanci's command, Shaolin monks, armed with weapons, formed a battle array on Mount Song, scattered across the mountainside in groups and teams. The monks' robes and hats were clearly distinguished by color, some red, some gray, some yellow, and some black.

The warrior monks of different robes wielded different weapons: the red ones held white waxwood staffs, the gray ones held monk knives, the yellow ones held steel staffs, and the black ones held crescent shovels.

"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk Xuanci has met you heroes and valiant men. May I ask what advice you may have for me?"

(End of this chapter)