Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 437 Slaying the Headless Monk, Exterminating the Demonic Monk, and Deceiving the Old War God

Li Zhaoting's understanding of Tai Chi sword, while not 100% complete, is at least 80-90% there.

He deliberately belittled himself to destroy the spirit of the monk, making the Fire-Worker Monk even angrier. His anger became uncontrollable, and his emotions clouded his reason, causing him to act like a madman.

Dajue and Huogong Toutuo were already insane, and Li Zhaoting's verbal attacks were like killing their hearts and minds, constantly stimulating the ugliest and most resentful dark thoughts in their hearts.

With just words, he stirred up their inner demons, driving them completely insane and turning them into beasts.

The two wild beasts recklessly increased their power.

They have lived on hatred until now, hatred is ingrained in their blood and marrow. They eat raw meat and drink blood, killing people without hesitation. Why would they care if fighting with all their might would implicate innocent people?
In the mind of the Fire-Worker Monk, all he wanted was to tear Li Zhaoting into pieces and swallow him whole, to drink Li Zhaoting's blood and eat his flesh.

What else is there to care about?
Over the years, these two monsters have devoured so many people that they can't even count them all; there are probably thousands.

They cared about nothing but revenge and their own safety. Even if Cao Xiong offended them or infringed on their interests, they would still beat him without hesitation.

Cao Xiong treated the two wild beasts with kind words and coaxing on ordinary days, but threw them out when danger arose.

It would be a good thing for him no matter which one dies.

Li Zhaoting combined his two swords and used Tai Chi swordsmanship to block the fierce attacks of the two wild beasts. With a light stroke of his sword and a gentle flick of his wrist, he could deflect the internal energy back.

Although it is not a protective aura like the Yinhen Demon Scripture, the Golden Bell Cover, or the Innate Qi, in terms of defense, the Tai Chi Sword Technique is by no means inferior to the Innate Qi. With a sword in hand, the tip of the sword draws an arc, which is both one sword and ten thousand swords.

The two swords used only one move from beginning to end.

To be precise, each sword was used only half a move.

Half of the move is extremely yin and soft, and the other half is extremely yang and hard. It resonates with the true yin and yang energy in the body, forming a state of unity between the inside and outside, and between body and mind, and the energy becomes more and more calm.

The black and white Tai Chi diagram spread outwards from Li Zhaoting as the center, unknowingly covering an area of ​​fifteen zhang in radius. The restless primordial energy of heaven and earth, like boiling oil, gradually returned to calm, and the sea was calmed and the wind and waves subsided.

As the primordial energy of heaven and earth returned to stability, Li Zhaoting naturally entered the state of oneness with heaven and man, and the three realms of Tai Chi Profound Skill were simultaneously enhanced on the sword's edge.

Unity of inner and outer, unity of body and mind, unity of heaven and humanity.

A breath of true energy and a sword; a heart as strong as iron and a body as soft as cotton.

Tai Chi swordplay is not just about defensive moves. The blades of the two swords drive fine, hair-like, and densely packed sword energy threads. These threads intertwine to form Tai Chi arcs of various sizes, directions, and angles.

Above, the Azure Rope Sword swirls and circles, while below, the Purple Star Soft Sword penetrates every crevice. Yin and Yang True Qi circulate endlessly, like a pair of millstones, constantly eroding the true essence of the two beasts.

Dajue roared in fury, baring his fangs and brandishing his claws, while Huogong Toutuo unleashed a furious barrage of punches, more frenzied than any demon.

useless!

invalid!

Return in vain!

Despite the two ferocious beasts punching and kicking, despite their sharp teeth and claws scratching and their demonic flames raging, he remained unmoved.

With his sword in hand, Li Zhaoting could execute a thousand moves and techniques in one go. With just one move, he could form a net that covered the entire world.

"Kid, if you've got the guts, fight me head-on! If you've got the guts, clash with me head-on! You spineless coward!"

The Fire-Worker Monk roared repeatedly; if his anger could be channeled into combat power, it could probably become a nuclear bomb.

Li Zhaoting scoffed, "Fireworker Monk, Tai Chi Swordplay is just one of the Seven Wonders of Wudang. The Wudang Sect also has other unique skills such as the Nine Heavens True Scripture, the Heavenly Silkworm Skill, the Nine Heavens Primordial Qi, and the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Divine Skill. You can't even beat my novice Tai Chi Swordplay. What makes you think you can go to Zixiao Palace to seek revenge on Master Zhang? You're a disgrace! You're a laughingstock!"

"You... how dare you..."

"Fireworker Monk, you have never accomplished anything in your life, all you do is wag your tongue and talk nonsense. If Master Zhang spares your life, you should hide your head and beg for mercy, just to make a living!
"A spineless, homeless dog dares to bark and howl before me, talking about seeking revenge against Master Zhang! I have never seen such a shameless person!"

"Bastard...I'll kill you..."

"A white-haired old man, a gray-bearded old thief!"

You are about to die!
Remember my name, I am Li Zhaoting, and I will kill you with Wudang Tai Chi Swordplay and Tai Chi Xuan Gong!
When you meet Yama, the King of Hell, don't accuse the wrong person!

Li Zhaoting unleashed his Lion's Roar, ensuring that the entire battlefield could hear it clearly. The Fire-Worker Monk was so provoked that he felt dizzy and enraged, his true energy surged backward, and his blood and qi were like molten lava, making him feel like a bomb.

It only takes one trigger to explode.

He blew himself up, leaving no trace.

If he were facing other people, the Fire-Worker Monk might be able to maintain his rationality. During his decades of disability, the Fire-Worker Monk used hatred to temper his character and hone his will countless times.

However, Li Zhaoting uses Tai Chi swordsmanship and is no more than thirty years old. Judging from his age, he is probably of the same generation as Zhang Sanfeng's grand-disciple and great-grandson.

How could the Fire-Worker Monk tolerate this?

Even though the Fire-Worker Monk had opened his third eye and knew that Li Zhaoting was Yi Jifeng's disciple, and according to seniority, he was of the same generation as the Seven Heroes of Wudang, but in reality, his seniority was frighteningly high.

That's even more humiliating.

Li Zhaoting's main skill was the Longevity Technique, a sword technique from the Famous Sword Manor. He also practiced the Tai Chi Profound Skill, yet he was able to beat him so badly that he was utterly humiliated at the age of twenty-something.

Age is a factor.

This is an insurmountable obstacle for the Fire-Worker Monk!

A young person in their twenties could easily learn Wudang swordsmanship for a few years and get a few pointers from Zhang Sanfeng, making the Fire-Worker Monk's lifelong skills worthless.

This feeling of powerlessness, from hope to disappointment, and from disappointment to despair, was something that the Fire-Worker Monk couldn't bear back then, and in a fit of anger jumped off a cliff. Now, he can't bear it either, and his true energy boils like oil, urging him to unleash his "Residual Yuan to Hasten Death."

"I cannot lose to Zhang Sanfeng!"

"I absolutely cannot lose to Tai Chi Sword!"

"Zhang Sanfeng, I will kill you! I will kill you! I will definitely kill you! I will perish with you!"

Fireworker Monk charged desperately at Li Zhaoting. His beard and eyebrows were visibly dry and falling off, and even his black fangs fell out. His hard, iron-like muscles withered rapidly inward, making him look decades older in an instant.

Already over a hundred years old and frail, the Fire-Worker Monk, in order to drag Li Zhaoting down to hell, activated his life-threatening techniques, unleashing all his potential and transforming his entire essence and blood into a deadly attack.

The Fire-Worker Monk had completely lost his mind; he was a mad buffalo, a raging elephant.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The simple move "Embracing the Moon" possesses terrifying power akin to a volcanic eruption, enough to shatter everything in its path, splitting mountains and water in its path.

Li Zhaoting continued drawing arcs, calmly drawing one circle after another. Whether it was a volcanic eruption or a charging bull, a beast that had lost its mind, no matter how fierce it appeared, was still just a beast!
The Purple Rose Soft Sword slanted upwards, its blade curving into a crescent shape, like flowing clouds, like flowing water, like a reflection in a mirror or the moon in the water. From a distance, it looked as if Li Zhaoting had somehow managed to scoop the bright moon out of the water.

Flowers in a mirror, the moon in the water, and flowing clouds and water are the most ethereal, gentle, and light things in the world. They are the favorites of martial artists who are good at the interplay of illusion and reality. Li Zhaoting gently lifted the flowers in the mirror and the moon in the water with his left hand, and then quickly turned and dropped them.

The softest becomes the hardest, the most illusory becomes the most real, the lightest becomes the heaviest. This hand holding the sword seems to have the power to pluck stars and seize the moon, to manipulate the universe. It holds the sun and moon and plucks stars, with waterfalls cascading down like shooting stars.

It's like grabbing the moon and smashing it down.

It was as if all the power accumulated by the Yin-Yang Taiji diagram since the start of the war had been unleashed at once. Everything around seemed to be frozen in time, there was no sound, no color, no sensation, no thought, no consciousness, and even nothingness itself.

The big sound is loud, the elephant is invisible.

There was only a single, phoenix-eye-like sword gleam, which didn't resemble a life-or-death battle, but rather looked like applying makeup to a beautiful woman.

A single, seemingly casual sword strike.

It's so understated that it lacks any hint of everyday life, yet it seems to incorporate the sweet moments of a wedding night and the love between husband and wife into the swordplay, giving it a sense of the mundane realities of daily life.

This is something the Fire-Worker Monk could never experience.

His martial arts consist only of killing, his moves are all about destruction, and his very existence is for the purpose of annihilation.

Under this seemingly casual sword strike, the Fire-Worker Monk's protective aura was as fragile as paper. How could his already aged and weak body withstand such a divine weapon?
"What...what kind of move is this?"

"The ultimate Wudang skill: a calm and collected sword strike."

"Who...who created this sword technique?"

"Master Zhang cherishes the memories of what he created in the past."

"Zhang the Sloppy, you bastard, I'll haunt you even in death! I'll never let you go!"

The Fire-Worker Monk completely collapsed, unable to suppress the sword energy within him any longer. His entire body shattered inch by inch, like a piece of Ge ware porcelain, with brilliant light emanating from the cracks.

"Wow!"

The fire-working monks were scattered all over the ground.

Like a large vase smashed to pieces. His true energy and blood were completely exhausted, his muscles and bones gradually atrophied, and his tall and strong body was reduced to a small lump, looking like a clay puppet.

Just as Li Zhaoting killed the Fire-Worker Monk, Dajue launched a sneak attack from behind. Dajue had fallen from Buddha to demon, and his demonic thoughts were so strong that he transformed the Vajra Prajna Palm, which was passed down in Dajue Temple, into the terrifying "Prajna Demon Palm"!
Li Zhaoting's power was too terrifying. Dajue and Huogong Toutuo knew they had no chance of winning. They could either fight to the death for a chance to strike, or be worn down to death by Tai Chi swordsmanship, dying in vain.

Tai Chi swordplay is best suited for group battles, and Li Zhaoting is the Yin-Yang dual-body who best embodies Tai Chi swordplay.

If the three were to engage in a prolonged battle, Li Zhaoting could use the "Yin-Yang Grinding" technique to grind the two into dust without sustaining any damage, and his sword aura would grow stronger and stronger.

Based on Li Zhaoting's understanding of the profound principles of Tai Chi, he imagined that the strongest is the weakest. He swung his palm to strike the center of the circle, and the result was that Li Zhaoting "peeled the apple," peeling off the muscles in his arm layer by layer, even more skillfully than a butcher carving up an ox.

In light of this, the two risked their lives to make their move. The Fire-Worker Monk was enraged and desperately covered for Li Zhaoting in order to kill him and defeat the Tai Chi Sword.

With the help of the Fire-Worker Monk's cover, Dajue successfully completed the power-gathering, and a dark light enveloped several dozen feet around him.

Prajna Demon Palm - Severing Karma in the Three Realms!

The Prajna Palm is the number one palm technique of Shaolin. When mastered to a high level, it is no less powerful than the Tathagata Palm. The more one practices, the purer the skill becomes, and the more refined the moves become. The palm technique has no end.

When using the final move, all four elements are empty, all five aggregates are empty, heaven and earth are empty, the palm force is emptiness, emptiness is the palm force, it is everywhere and reaches everywhere.

The Vajra Prajna Palm of Dajue Temple is a wonderful palm technique created by the first abbot and Master Yuanyuan, the creator of Prajna Palm, through discussions and martial arts demonstrations, combined with the power of the Vajra Palm.

Compared to the Prajna Palm's "emptiness and illusion," it places greater emphasis on lethality. After Dajue abandoned Buddhism and became a demon, his palm power became an even more terrifying demonic flame, condensing into a blazing demonic fire.

For example, the "Golden Top Buddha Lamp" of the Divine Palm technique is slightly weaker in momentum, but its destructive power is still greater.

Dajue clasped his hands together, bowed deeply in front of him with a devout expression, and his true energy surged from his acupoints. With just the initial gesture, he formed an unparalleled black tide, which transformed into a black sphere ten feet in size.

A raging fire shot into the sky, the black flames transforming into black dragons. What was even more surprising was that this powerful accumulation of energy did not reveal any aura whatsoever.

No sense, spiritual perception, or martial intuition could detect Dajue's movements until Li Zhaoting killed Huogong Toutuo and looked back at Dajue. Only then did he observe the gathering of power with his naked eye, but it was already too late.

Hundreds, even thousands, of palm prints slammed into Li Zhaoting.

Even if Li Zhaoting has the ability to go to heaven and earth, to search the highest heavens and the deepest hells, as long as he is within the Three Realms, as long as he is a god, a demon, or a creature, he cannot escape this palm strike.

Vitality, energy, and spirit; heaven, earth, and humanity; sun, moon, and stars.

Within the Three Realms and the Five Elements, there is no escape.

With the iron chains piercing his collarbone, Dajue's arm strength was inevitably affected. However, he found another way, channeling his true essence from the holes in his shoulders, as if two shoulder cannons had appeared out of thin air, increasing his power output by 50%.

Dajue laughed wildly, "You bastard, as long as you're within the Three Realms, even if you become a ghost, I'll tear you to pieces and grind you to dust."

Li Zhaoting crossed his two swords, as if sealing them off, using Tai Chi profound skill to block the aura of Dajue's mutual destruction. He then snapped his fingers to gather power and condensed the "Treasure Bottle Seal".

Tathagata's Divine Light - All Buddhas Pay Homage!

For Li Zhaoting now, he can already use powerful moves like the Tathagata's Divine Light at will, but unfortunately, his understanding is insufficient and he has not been able to break through the Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage to the Ancestor.

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage to the Ancestor is not the limit, nor is it the limit of the Tathagata Palm or the Tathagata Divine Light; it is simply that different martial artists have different paths of understanding.

Some people undergo a phoenix-like rebirth, rising from the ashes to comprehend "the Nirvana of the Tathagata" in dire straits, turning defeat into victory.

Some people waste half their lives, then have a great awakening, and before they die, they realize the meaning of "sacrificing oneself to become a Buddha," receiving initiation and transmission of power.

Some people are so obsessed with martial arts that they use it to attain enlightenment, comprehending the concept of "I am the only one who is supreme" during fierce battles, and sweeping away all demons.

Some people are born with a Buddha-like heart and a transcendent realm. In the mortal world, they comprehend the "unity of gods and demons" and become a broken Vajra.

Li Zhaoting didn't know what he could understand, because no one gave him the ultimate stimulation.

Li Zhaoting needs to be in the most intense, cruel, and exhilarating battles, with his thoughts running wild and his life's cultivation undergoing a complete transformation, before he can achieve a sudden enlightenment.

Those who could give Li Zhaoting this kind of provocation were either senior figures, relatives, or reclusive hermits who were completely unrelated to him. To be honest, Li Zhaoting had a fierce reputation, but he rarely made enemies on his own initiative.

Aside from the head of the Green Dragon Society, Li Zhaoting has no enemies. Could it be that the head of the society is going to assassinate him personally?

The more intense the battle, the more unrestrained, free, and enlightened Li Zhaoting's thinking became. His sword light rained down like a storm, not concerning life or death, but leaving a lasting impression with a single strike!
The Buddha's light and demonic fire shone brightly, and Dajue, like a wild beast at the end of its road, let out a desperate roar. Li Zhaoting became more and more excited as he fought, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Life is like a game of chess, unpredictable and full of twists and turns; heroes laugh at all!

Li Zhaoting suddenly added five points of force to his hands, and the sword light that reached the sky and the earth was like thunder and divine punishment. The dark clouds were cut off by the sword light, and the sword light fell with the sunlight.

Like a vampire encountering sunlight, Dajue's entire body burst into flames. Amidst mournful howls and desperate roars, Dajue's body slowly turned to ashes.

If the previous calm sword strike could be seen as the build-up of Tai Chi swordplay, then this move, "Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage," especially the understanding gained during the strike, must have been greatly diminished. Li Zhaoting's face turned pale, and his body swayed precariously.

"boom!"

Three figures rushed over at the same time.

Su Penghai, Tie Haitang, and the Abbot of Kuzhu Temple.

Li Zhaoting was a figure of immense prestige in the martial arts world. Whoever killed him, and by whatever means—whether through a sneak attack, an ambush, or a lucky break—would instantly have their reputation soar.

Even though Li Zhaoting was exhausted from fighting and had killed all the powerful enemies, he was still killed by a lowly soldier who managed to pick off the enemy.

Even a lowly soldier can become famous.

They deserve to be recorded in the annals of martial arts history.

He might be crowned the First Baturu of the Qing Dynasty!
Su Penghai and Tie Haitang were no good. They were just passing by, keeping a close eye on the treasure boxes on the stage, planning to snatch two and run away. Unexpectedly, Li Zhaoting killed Huogong Toutuo and Dajue, severely depleting his power.

In such circumstances, if one dares not take advantage of others, what right does one have to command the heroes and become the leader of the martial arts world?

Of course, Cao Xiong offered a huge price to get the three to help. Each of them received a brocade box, a small elixir, a precious sword, a precious saber, and a precious armor. Cao Xiong had given up all his wealth to kill Li Zhaoting.

If he wins, Emperor Qianlong will make up for all of this.

If you lose, you will die a gruesome death, leaving no trace of your body. If you can spend all your money before you die, you can at least die in peace.

The saddest thing in the world is dying before you've spent all your money, only to have your savings end up in the hands of your enemies.

Wanyan Honglie understood this principle and spared no effort in recruiting subordinates. He spent eight or nine tenths of the Wanyan clan's savings, leaving the warehouses so empty that mice could run away.

Cao Xiong understood this principle as well, and without hesitation, he lavishly spent money on elixirs, martial arts manuals, and even his concubines. As long as they participated in the ambush, he would readily agree, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

Everyone in the martial arts world knows that Li Zhaoting's main cultivation method is the Longevity Technique, which allows him to recover his energy at an incredibly fast pace. Given just three breaths, he can recover most of his energy.

The three of them would not give Li Zhaoting a chance to catch his breath.

Not even a moment's time.

The Buddha's light and demonic flames had just dissipated when the Abbot of Kuzhu Temple's sword had already pierced Li Zhaoting's chest. The unparalleled Bamboo Shadow Sword Technique was so exquisite that it drove people mad.

The goddess's sword shines brightly amidst the swaying bamboo shadows.

It has a deep-seated attraction for swordsmen.

A bright sword light flashed through the air, accompanied by the sound of wind blowing through clothes. The speed of the Abbot of Kuzhu Temple was even faster than the sound. The sword's edge seemed capable of splitting the sky. What was even more amazing was that this sword technique, which was as fast as lightning and as swift as thunder, was exquisitely perfect.

This is not a sword technique that humans can imagine; it is a divinely bestowed sword. Even if one can only comprehend the afterimage and modify it haphazardly, it can still overwhelm all heroes.

The hermit of Kuzhu Temple used a simple and unremarkable splitting sword, which multiplied from one to two, and from two to four. The emerald green sword light was like the wind blowing through the bamboo forest, causing thousands of bamboo leaves to fall. The gentle breeze and bright moon, the swaying bamboo shadows, and the beautiful scenery were breathtaking.

Words cannot describe the perfection of this sword strike.

This is not a sword, it's a paintbrush, it's art!
Li Zhaoting had some understanding of bamboo swordsmanship, but compared to the Abbot of Kuzhu Hermitage, he was far inferior.

The abbot of Kuzhu Hermitage has practiced swordsmanship since childhood. He has been planting bamboo in Kuzhu Hermitage for over eighty years and practicing swordsmanship for over sixty years. With a single, seemingly casual strike, he can make people tremble with fear.

The swordsman of Kuzhu Hermitage deeply embodies the essence of bamboo swordsmanship, and is by no means merely for show or pretense. It is difficult to categorize him as either good or bad, similar to the Great Wood Master.

Thirty years ago, the abbot of Kuzhu Temple contracted an incurable disease and had to live in seclusion at the mountain gate. He had not left the mountain for more than thirty years, and his great ambitions and ambitions had also dissipated with the disease. This time, he came out of the mountain for two reasons: first, to fight for power for his disciples and sons-in-law; and second, because he did not want to die in bed.

How could a swordsman die of illness in his bed?

Even if sixty years pass uneventfully and one's reputation is long forgotten by the martial arts world, one must still shine with blazing brilliance.

Judging people by their swordsmanship, Li Zhaoting felt a deep respect for them.

With the green sword held horizontally across his chest, he blocked the fast sword of the Abbot of Kuzhu Temple. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he thrust the sword towards the Abbot of Kuzhu Temple's armpit, also using the bamboo sword technique.

A cold, misty sword aura emanated from the Green Chain Sword, first appearing as a thin line, then forming a radiant glow that split into hundreds of green rays.

(End of this chapter)