Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 485 The Threefold Return to Origin Qi VS The Heavenly Will Four Symbols Technique (Part 1)
"Xiong'er, test your skills!"

Li Zhaoting snapped his fingers, signaling Jianxiong to attack with all his might and test her internal strength.

Jianxiong knew that Cheng Huaixiu and Wang Shenglan were both outstanding among the grandmasters. Meizhu's martial arts skills were not high, but she was the most indispensable person and the chief steward of the Li family.

Aside from his identity as the "Lord of Sword Forging City," Jianxiong didn't think he had any special advantages. Not wanting to be underestimated by his sisters, Jianxiong punched Li Zhaoting in the shoulder.

The Western Thunder Mystic Art is the most destructive of the four mystic arts. It not only has unparalleled destructive power, but it can also learn from various schools of thought and even enhance one's water skills.

Although I don't know what the significance of "water skills" is in the vast desert, it's definitely good to learn more about it.

Later, Kenxiong accidentally discovered that being good at swimming is quite useful when getting intimate in a hot spring pool!
Jianxiong had practiced swordsmanship since childhood. This punch was both a fist technique and a sword technique. The attack was fierce and sharp. Dazzling lightning flashed on his fist, and the thunderous sword energy was drawn but not released.

Li Zhaoting formed a sword shape with his fingers, drew an arc with his wrist, and pointed his fingertips at Jianxiong's wrist. Jianxiong grabbed with his backhand, using the "fish-catching underwater" technique taught by Ximen Ruoshui.

Five slender fingers reached for Li Zhaoting's wrist, while Li Zhaoting pointed his fingers downwards, still aiming for Jianxiong's wrist. He countered with speed, responding to each move with exquisite skill.

As the sole heir of the Sword Forging City, Jianxiong had been nourished by food and medicine since childhood, and his internal strength was not bad. Before Li Zhaoting left last year, he taught Jianxiong the Bamboo Sword Technique.

After a year of rigorous training, Jianxiong is considered one of the best among his peers in the Western Regions martial arts world.

Even compared to the major sects of the Central Plains, apart from Shaolin, Wudang, and Tangmen, he could become a direct disciple and be qualified to compete for the position of sect leader. He is definitely a young prodigy.

Jianxiong appears weak next to Li Zhaoting not because she is weak, but because Li Zhaoting's martial arts are too high. If Jianxiong goes to the martial arts world to gain experience, she will quickly become a female knight-errant.

Some time ago, Jianxiong obtained the Xilei Xuan Gong, which was compatible with her own Qi and meridians. Her foundation was transformed into strength, and she was even able to use the Xilei Xuan Gong to perform the Bamboo Sword Technique.

Its speed, strength, and versatility were at least five times greater than when the two first met.

The Western Thunder Mystic Art uses thunder as its weapon, and it has a fundamental restraint on bamboo and wood. How can one use the bamboo sword technique?

of course can!

The most powerful wood for subduing demons and monsters—lightning-struck wood!

In many myths and legends, the garden where the Thunder God lived was planted with bamboo, such as the Golden Thunder Bamboo!

Jianxiong uses this concept to execute his swordsmanship.

When Ximen Ruoshui was teaching martial arts, he said that the Xilei Xuan Gong was too fierce and too rigid, and that it was easy to break. He said that he was too reckless back then and was knocked off a cliff by his fellow disciples. He told Ximen Ruoshui that when you practice the Xilei Xuan Gong, you should not forget to also cultivate water skills, so as to use the gentle power of water to make up for the fierceness of the Xilei Xuan Gong.

Jianxiong listened to him.

It possesses not only the destructive power of thunder and the gentleness of water, but also the resilience of bamboo, standing firm against winds from all directions.

Li Zhaoting continuously increased his strength, pushing Jianxiong to the brink of despair time and time again. However, Jianxiong always managed to escape from the most desperate situations, just when he thought he had no way out, he found a new path opening up.

"Good performance, you pass!"

Li Zhaoting gave Jianxiong a gentle pat on the head.

Jianxiong proudly curled his nose.

Wang Shenglan complained, "Jianxiong, before you get all smug, remember to put your clothes on!"

"what?"

Jianxiong then realized that he had only wanted to act cute and show off his strength, and was only wearing a light gauze. Now that the fight was over, he was drenched in sweat, and what was next...?

Jianxiong had barely formed the thought when Li Zhaoting pulled him into the hot spring pool, splashing countless water droplets.

……

The place where Dongfang Baishi met Li Zhaoting was the cliff from which Ximen Ruoshui was forced to jump.

This cliff is called "One-Sword Gorge". It is said that the entire cliff was cleaved by a peerless master with a single sword stroke, creating a hundred-foot cliff. Unless Li Xunhuan changed his name to Erlang Shen, Li Zhaoting would definitely not believe it.

This is a power that cannot be achieved by human beings.

Martial arts masters can conquer cities and seize strongholds, but they don't destroy a stronghold with a single move. Instead, they use many moves and techniques to cause widespread splash damage.

Even if someone could actually cleave a hundred-foot cliff with a single strike, the cliff would inevitably retain a sword intent that would linger for a thousand years. Li Zhaoting sensed it and found that apart from the cliff face, there was no sword intent or saber intent there.
However, this oasis is rife with rumors of demons and ghosts. Doing business here will inevitably lead to bankruptcy, and establishing a sect here will inevitably result in the extermination of the sect. The legend of One-Knife Gorge is not surprising and can be taken as a joke.

Li Zhaoting and Jianxiong dismounted and waited quietly for Dongfang Baishi. After about an hour and a half, a majestic old man with gray hair and beard walked over from a distance.

The old man was tall with a lion's nose and a wide mouth. His brow bones were high and resembled a coiled dragon. His thick eyebrows slanted into his temples, and below his brow peaks were a pair of piercing eyes. His eyes exuded a domineering aura as they opened and closed, making him look like a powerful and ruthless figure.

Upon closer inspection, however, one discovers that the old man does not possess the cold-blooded, cruel, domineering, and ruthless nature of someone who would rather betray the world than let the world betray him. His charismatic demeanor is innate, and his aura is quite peaceful, suggesting that he is indifferent to worldly affairs.

Li Zhaoting could sense the old man's fatigue.

The old man was none other than Dongfang Baishi.

Li Zhaoting had seen this expression on Li Nanxing before. Even when Li Zhaoting was unable to practice martial arts and was later exiled to Lingnan, Li Nanxing was never this dejected.

It wasn't until Li Zhaoting picked up the sword and mastered the sword techniques in a day that Li Nanxing felt dizzy and disoriented.

His expression was exactly the same as Dongfang Baishi's.

There's a troublesome, unlucky child in the family.

The child will cause even bigger trouble in the future.

As a father, all I can do is try to smooth things over for my son. He's a naughty kid who doesn't listen to reason. I can't hit him or scold him. What can I do?
Fortunately, Li Zhaoting achieved positive results and did not degenerate into a demon. He not only became the world-renowned Supreme Heavenly Sword, but also added to the Li family's ranks.

Yi Shuihan is rotten to the core; unless he is killed, he will cause trouble forever.

Dongfang Baishi imagined the second half of his life: cleaning up his son's messes time and time again, only to be betrayed and killed by his son in the end!

Inevitably, I became somewhat decadent.

Dongfang Baishi sought an audience with Li Zhaoting not because of Yi Shuihan, as the two had no connection whatsoever. He did so for the sake of the Sifang Sect, hoping to reclaim the Qilin Jade.

"Dongfang Baishi greets Master Li."

"Sir, what can I do for you?"

"Master Li is incredibly audacious. He dares to come to the appointment without even knowing my purpose."

"I even dared to openly accept the challenge from 'Demon Master' Pang Ban. Even if there's an ambush here, hiding thousands of troops, with a sword in hand, who can stop me!"

"One sword once defeated a million soldiers! What spirit! Truly worthy of the title 'Supreme Heavenly Sword'! A man of unwavering courage!"

A flicker of excitement flashed in Dongfang Baishi's eyes.

As a martial arts fanatic, Dongfang Baishi's only hobby is to explore new and exciting martial arts and fight against various masters. From the moment he met Li Zhaoting, Dongfang Baishi's fighting spirit has been constantly increasing, and he wants to spar with Li Zhaoting.

Dongfang Baishi didn't care whether he could win or not; he only wanted to experience the profound mystery of the "Supreme Heavenly Sword."

"Sir, what important matter brings you here? Surely you're not trying to test my courage?"

"I am Dongfang Baishi, an elder of the Sifang Sect. I have heard that you possess two Qilin Jade pieces, which are the heirlooms of the Sifang Sect. Please return them to you, Master Li."

Dongfang Baishi was not good at greetings and farewells, and his speech was dry and awkward. It would be a miracle if two complete strangers could get treasures from each other as soon as they met!
Let alone Li Zhaoting, even the most mild-mannered and kind-hearted person wouldn't hand over the Qilin Jade just because of a few casual words from Dongfang Baishi.

At least... prove your identity first.

You claim to be Dongfang Baishi, you claim to be an elder of the Four Directions Sect, but who can verify your identity? Are you genuine or just pretending? Do you know the Four Directions Mystic Skill?

Li Zhaoting laughed and said, "Mr. Dongfang, I am not greedy for treasures. I regard the treasures of the Demon Sword Clan, which have been passed down for five hundred years, as nothing and will not take a single penny. No matter how precious the treasures of the Four Directions Sect are, I will not care about them."

I have a few questions for you.

First, as far as I know, the Sifangmen was breached by the Wudimen some time ago, and the Sifangmen has been destroyed. Since there is no Sifangmen, where did the Sifangmen elders come from?
Second, the Four Directions Gate has always been managed by four families: the East, West, South, and North. The East family serves as the head of the gate, while the other three families are elders.

The leaders of the Four Directions Sect are Dongfang Qingmu and Dongfang Yu, and the elders are Ximen Ruoshui, Nangong Lie, and Beitang Mo. Apart from these three, there are no other high-ranking elders.

If you want to reclaim the Qilin Jade, shouldn't you first prove your identity? Ximen Ruoshui and Beitang Xin'er are both in Sword Forging City. If you want to reclaim the Qilin Jade, why don't you go to Sword Forging City to discuss it? Are you perhaps afraid of exposing your identity?
Third, even if we take a step back and say that there is an elder named Dongfang Baishi in the Sifang Sect, and your identity is genuine, what reason do you have for me to return the Qilin Jade?
I obtained the Wind Kirin Jade unintentionally when I broke into a sect called the Sunflower Sect in Guanzhong.

The Fire Qilin Jade was given to the Qingtian Sword Sect by Yi Shuihan after he killed Nangong Lie, and it is now in Kucha.

If you are the leader of the Four Directions Sect, you are qualified to ask me to return the Wind Kirin Jade; I cannot do anything else.

4. What is your relationship with Dongfang Qingmu? Where is Dongfang Qingmu? Why doesn't he come in person?

"Mr. Dongfang, please answer my question!" Li Zhaoting's words left Dongfang Baishi bewildered.

Dongfang Baishi left home at a young age; this was a family matter of the Dongfang family, and outsiders had no way of knowing.

Not to mention a junior like Beitang Xin'er, even Ximen Ruoshui had never seen him. Dongfang Baishi was never an elder of the Four Directions Sect. This was an identity he made up on the spot in order to get back the Qilin Jade, but he didn't expect it to backfire.

It was just a case of overdoing it, not adding unnecessary details.

If Dongfang Baishi were to seek an audience with Li Zhaoting as Dongfang Qingmu's elder brother, he could at most retrieve the Dongfang family's Wind Qilin Jade. A single Qilin Jade is just an ordinary jade pendant with no practical value.

Its greatest effect is—to bring disaster!
They became the target of the warlords of the Western Regions!
To rebuild the foundation of the Four Directions Sect, four Qilin Jade Coins must be collected to open the treasure trove and retrieve the riches.

Dongfang Baishi sighed deeply.

The issue of his identity is easy to explain. Although he has never shown his face in the Four Directions Sect, he looks exactly like Dongfang Qingmu. As long as Ximen Ruoshui takes a look, it will prove that he is Dongfang Qingmu's biological brother.

Other problems are indeed difficult to solve.

Especially the issue of Oriental Green Wood.

Dongfang Qingmu had been imprisoned by Yunfei for many years. Knowing that he would never be able to escape in this life, he wanted to find a suitable successor. Yunfei tried many times, but Dongfang Qingmu saw through her schemes each time.

Until Yi Shuihan was "wrongfully imprisoned," the injuries he sustained from torture were real, his grievances were genuine, he never felt he had done anything wrong, he narrowly escaped death several times, and his self-inflicted suffering was utterly insane.

Dongfang Qingmu believed Yi Shuihan and taught him the Dongfeng Xuan Gong. After Yi Shuihan mastered the martial art, he told Dongfang Qingmu that he had been deceiving him all along.

Taking advantage of Dongfang Qingmu's mental breakdown, Yi Shuihan launched a sneak attack using the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, engaging Dongfang Qingmu in a life-or-death duel, and ruthlessly killed him in one fell swoop.

Yi Shuihan is the son of Dongfang Baishi and the nephew of Dongfang Qingmu. Even if they don't know the blood relation, Dongfang Baishi really doesn't know how to deal with such a treacherous person who schemes against others in this way!

All I can say is... serves him right!
This is the retribution for Dongfang Baishi abandoning his wife and children!
Don't say Yi Shuihan was ruined by someone else's pampering. Did you even raise him for a single day? You didn't even raise him for a day, so what right do you have to speak so arrogantly? Just obediently take the blame and clean up the mess!
Dongfang Baishi realized that Li Zhaoting had led the situation into a dead end with just a few words, making everything seem unreasonable, regardless of whether Dongfang Baishi was right or wrong.

Thinking of this, Dongfang Baishi's fighting spirit surged.

Since words won't work, it's a good way to vent my frustrations over this period through a fight.

"I am a descendant of the Dongfang family. I have been practicing the Dongfeng Xuan Gong since childhood. By chance, I learned the Beidian Xuan Gong and Nanhuo Xuan Gong. I am willing to use these three Xuan Gong techniques to prove my identity to Master Li. Please teach me three moves."

"Wind, fire, thunder, and lightning—the four mystical arts of the four directions. Mr. Dongfang, you've missed practicing one of them. Isn't that a bit of a regret?"

"If you can't get what you want, why force it? I think the Three-Part Return to Origin is better than the original Four-Element Return to Origin."

"Please, Mr. Dongfang, make your move."

Li Zhaoting flicked his finger, and the green rope was unsheathed.

Dongfang Baishi drew the large cleaver from his back.

This is a thick-backed cleaver, unlike the weapon of a martial arts master, more like the nine-ringed broadsword of a mountain bandit king, except without the iron rings, and the blade gleams with a chilling aura.

Nine Revolutions Earthly Fiend Blade!

A vicious weapon passed down from the Sui and Tang dynasties!

He was bound with iron chains by the holy monk Dixin of the Huayan School, buried three zhang underground, and suppressed with a stone tablet. Monks of all generations chanted sutras to convert him, and finally the murderous aura was cleansed.

While traveling and gaining experience, Dongfang Baishi went to the Huayan School to learn the Great Perfection Staff Technique and Bodhi Hand Technique. He unexpectedly subdued this sword and created a sword technique based on it.

"Master Li, watch out!"

Dongfang Baishi is upright and straightforward in his actions. As long as it doesn't involve his own son, he always goes straight to the point. He drew his sword, held his position for a few seconds to allow both sides to prepare, and then swung it down, the Earthly Fiend Blade light splitting rivers and seas.

Qing Suo sensed the Earthly Fiend Blade Qi and felt that the majesty of the divine weapon had been challenged, so it unleashed a three-foot-long azure light.

"clang!"

The Earthly Fiend and the Azure Rope collided with a deafening roar.

The sword energy and blades scattered and collapsed, destroying an area of ​​three zhang in radius. Internal energy surged wildly, and true energy swept through. Dongfang Baishi soared into the air and kicked Li Zhaoting with a flying kick.

As a descendant of the Dongfang family and a super martial arts fanatic, the first ultimate skill he learned was undoubtedly the Dongfeng Xuan Gong, a direct descendant of the Dongfang family. When Dongfang Baishi was training outside, he saw different winds such as the gentle spring breeze, the desert storm, the destructive hurricane, and the tornado. He combined these with the leg techniques of the Mandarin Duck Leg and the Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg to create a set of martial arts skills.

This martial art requires the East Wind Mystic Skill to activate, and focuses on leg and body techniques. When making moves, it is as fast as the wind, and the body is like a god in the wind, riding the wind and roaming the world.

Therefore, this set of leg techniques is called

—Wind God Leg!

Wind God Leg - Torrential Rain and Gale!
Li Zhaoting flipped his wrist, and the green sword light transformed into a vast bamboo forest, swaying in the wind, with bamboo shadows dancing in the breeze.

Bamboo Shadow Sword Technique!

The most exquisite and agile swordsmanship in the world!
Li Zhaoting has too many thoughts and is not as pure as Yue Nu A Qing, but his sword intent is awe-inspiring. He uses the green bamboo that remains strong even after being beaten a thousand times, and interprets the Bamboo Shadow Sword Technique from another perspective by hiding resilience in its agility.

Dongfang Baishi launched a rapid, relentless attack, a storm of speed and force, his offensive as fluid and penetrating as mercury. Li Zhaoting swayed with the wind, adapting to the situation and riding the wind.

It seemed that Li Zhaoting's sword would lean in whichever direction the wind blew, but in reality, it was rooted to the ground and as stable as Mount Tai. Dongfang Baishi launched hundreds of fast and heavy kicks in succession, but Li Zhaoting, with his sword in hand, easily deflected the force.

"Mr. Dongfang, watch out!"

Li Zhaoting spread his hands out, and behind him, a wind god's image materialized, unleashing a howling gale that could destroy cities and fortresses.

"The Wind God's Wrath!"

Gale, fury, cold, chilly, strong, storm, hurricane, gentle breeze, soft breeze, warm breeze—no matter what kind of wind it is, it all condenses into wind blades and swords.

It possesses both the desolate grandeur of wind sweeping away clouds, surging waves, and snow as sharp as knives, and the tranquil comfort of wind carrying a thousand bells and ripples on the blue waves. In the combination of movement and stillness, it overwhelms Dongfang Baishi's rapid-fire kicks and locks off his escape route.

Dongfang Baishi's face showed excitement.

He had diligently cultivated the East Wind Mystic Art for decades, believing himself to be the most skilled wind controller. He never expected that such a unique skill existed in the world, which broadened his horizons.

With a thought, the blade burst into flames.

Southern Fire Mystic Art.

In Nangong Lie's secluded place, Dongfang Baishi found the Southern Fire Profound Skill manual. This manual was not very complete, as it only contained internal skills and not sword techniques. Fortunately, Dongfang Baishi did not need martial arts skills; he only needed to obtain the mental cultivation method of the Four Directions Profound Skill to deduce the corresponding martial arts skills.

The most suitable weapon for the Southern Fire Mystic Art is a knife.

Coincidentally, Dongfang Baishi was most skilled with a knife.

If he hadn't been so obsessed with martial arts and constantly learning, and hadn't had any reputation in the martial arts world, he would have long ago gone to the Demonic Sect to challenge Bai Xiaolou and compete for the title of "Knife Master".

Wind helps the fire.

Within the Gale Domain, the power of the Southern Fire Profound Technique surged by 50%. Dongfang Baishi swung his sword fiercely, unleashing hundreds of fiery sword beams that formed a fiery tornado.

Li Zhaoting changed his mental technique, using fire to fight fire, transforming the wrath of the Wind God into the wrath of the Fire God, and attacking back at the enemy.

Dongfang Baishi changed his technique again, launching an attack with the newly learned Beidian Xuan Gong. Li Zhaoting activated the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Technique, using Thunder God's Wrath to meet it head-on.

Both the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Technique and the Four Directions Profound Skill are standard wind, fire, thunder, and lightning attributes. Li Zhaoting's martial arts foundation is so profound that with just a spark of inspiration, he can comprehend the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Technique and condense a divine image.

He comprehended the Wind God's Wrath during a sparring session with Baili Qu'e.

During the siege of Jia Shifang, he comprehended the Fire God's Wrath with the help of Wang Shenglan's Phoenix Dance Arrow.

Through sparring with Jianxiong, and by drawing inferences from the essence of Xilei Xuan Gong, he comprehended the Thunder God's Wrath.

As for the final Thunder God's Wrath...

There's no need to worry too much.

Just as Dongfang Baishi said, the Three-Part Return to Origin is not necessarily inferior to the Four-Element Return to Origin; it all depends on one's understanding of martial arts.

Who knows, one day Li Zhaoting might have a sudden inspiration, witnessing the rise and fall of the tides, and comprehend the wrath of the water god on the sea.

Wind, fire, thunder, and lightning—a torrent of vital energy bombarded and blasted everything in its path.

Both of them entered a state of enlightenment at the same time!

(End of this chapter)