Martial Arts Crossover: I am the strongest demonic monk of Tianlong Temple

This feeling of constantly getting stronger is like leveling up in a game; you can see your experience bar increasing rapidly.

No wonder those martial arts fanatics in wuxia novels are all so obsessed with cultivation that they can't extricate themselves.

What he didn't know was that the "Withering and Flourishing Zen Technique" was an extremely difficult technique to cultivate.

Otherwise, with Master Kurong's talent, he wouldn't have spent decades just staying at the half-withered, half-flourishing state.

"Benyan, how are you feeling?"

Master Kurong, who was meditating nearby, noticed Chen Mo's movement, immediately opened his eyes, and asked with a smile.

"Master, I feel great now."

Chen Mo replied, but a hint of doubt appeared on his face, "But..."

"But what?"

"It seems that the withering and flourishing energies that Master mentioned earlier have directly emerged within my body?"

"Master, shouldn't I be at the Evergreen Realm by all accounts?"

Why do I feel like I've been jumped directly into a state of being half-withered and half-flourished?

"Disciple... have I practiced it incorrectly?!"

It was his first time cultivating, and he didn't know if this situation was normal, so he was very unsure.

"Hahaha!!"

Upon hearing this, Master Kurong let out a hearty laugh, which echoed throughout the quiet room.

"No mistake! No mistake!"

A glint of light flashed in his eyes. "Look down and examine your own hands."

Both hands?

Chen Mo raised his hands in confusion.

next second.

hiss!

His pupils contracted sharply, and he gasped, "What... what's going on?!"

The skin on my left hand was warm and smooth like jade, fair and delicate, just like the skin of a newborn baby.

But his right hand was sallow and dry, covered with wrinkles, like a withered tree in late autumn, lifeless and dull.

A look of panic flashed across Chen Mo's face. Had he gone mad with qi deviation?

The image of the horrific state of going berserk due to qi deviation described in martial arts novels flashed through his mind instantly.

Such things as having all their meridians severed, thus becoming a useless person.

But something's not right. I feel great, like I've never felt this good before.

"Master, what is this?!"

He looked up at Master Kurong, wanting to get an answer from his master.

Master Kurong was very satisfied to see that Chen Mo had calmed down.

“Foolish child, you have entered the second level of the ‘Zen of Withering and Flourishing’ – half withering and half flourishing.”

He pointed to Chen Mo's hands and explained in detail: "When you first enter this realm, the phenomenon will be just like what you are seeing now, manifesting in your hands."

"One hand holds the 'Glory', which contains boundless vitality."

"One hand focuses on 'withering', signifying the true meaning of annihilation."

"As your cultivation in this realm deepens, this half-withered, half-flourishing appearance will gradually spread from your hands to your torso, legs, and finally..."

Master Kurong paused, then pointed to his face, "In the end, it will be reflected on your face, just like mine!"

"Of course, to reach the half-withered, half-flourishing state after just one night of cultivation, your talent is quite good. Just keep up this pace of progress."

He said that last sentence against his conscience; heaven knows what turmoil was raging inside him.

This is more than just good.

Back in the day, he was praised by his school as a once-in-a-century genius.

It took him five years to hone his skills in the Evergreen realm before he was able to glimpse the path to the Half-Withered, Half-Flourishing realm.

But I definitely can't tell Chen Mo this, otherwise where would my face be?

He maintained a calm and collected expression on his face, while frantically chanting a calming mantra in his mind to barely suppress the overwhelming joy in his heart.

"Yes, Master."

Chen Mo replied earnestly, "I will definitely work hard in my cultivation in the future and will not disgrace my sect."

He naturally knew that there were countless experts and talented people in this world of Tianlong, and that his own strength was still far from sufficient.

For example, the Heavenly Child Granny and Li Qiushui of the Free and Unfettered Sect.

The sweeping monk of Shaolin Temple.

In front of these top experts, I would probably be smashed into mincemeat with a single slap.

"Cough cough."

Upon hearing Chen Mo's earnest answer, Master Kurong coughed twice to cover his embarrassment, "Alright, silly boy."

"Now that you have entered the 'Zhūrōng Zhōngkǒu' (枯荣禅功) stage, the foundation is especially crucial."

"Today, follow your teacher to the Sutra Repository to study fundamental scriptures such as the Diamond Sutra and the Surangama Sutra."

He paused, then continued, "You must understand that the cultivation method is the boat, and your mind and character are the water; only when the water rises can the boat rise higher."

"If your mental cultivation is not up to par, power will instead become an obstacle."

That makes perfect sense.

When a person acquires power that is not commensurate with their own state of mind, it is like a child wielding a hundred-pound hammer; not only will they fail to harm the enemy, but they will also injure themselves first.

In the world of martial arts, there are countless exceptionally talented individuals who, despite their rapid advancement in cultivation, fail to maintain the same level of mental discipline and are ultimately corrupted by their inner demons.

But Master Kurong didn't think that far ahead. He just wanted to find some particularly profound and obscure scriptures for the kid to study, and he had to dampen his arrogance.

Otherwise, the pressure on me as the master would be too great.

"Master, I have one more question."

As if remembering something, Chen Mo said with a bitter face, "Then... then, can my hand go back to normal?"

I can't exactly go out with a pair of hands that look like two different colors, that would attract too much attention.

"Definitely."

Master Kurong replied with a smile.

Hearing his master's affirmative answer, Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully he could return to his original form.

But Master Kurong added, "When you break through the half-withered, half-flourishing realm, you will naturally recover."

"However, as your cultivation becomes more profound, the strange phenomenon of being half withered and half flourishing will also appear on your face."

"what?!"

Chen Mo's heart, which had just settled, jumped again, and he asked, "Then... Master, how long does it take to break through to the next realm?"

Master Kurong glanced at Chen Mo with annoyance, "I have cultivated for decades and am still stuck at this level. How long do you think it will take?"

Chen Mo was completely dumbfounded.

Great!

I wish I hadn't learned this "Withering and Flourishing Zen Skill"!

Am I really going to ruin my stunningly handsome face like this?

No, there must be other ways!

Oh, right, martial arts points!

Martial arts points can directly improve the level of your martial arts skills!

My master just said he would take me to the Scripture Pavilion, which must contain countless martial arts manuals. If I collect them all, I can get a huge amount of martial arts points.

Thinking of this, Chen Mo's spirits lifted.

He urged hurriedly, "Master, aren't we going to the Sutra Repository? Let's go!"

Master Kurong took in his reaction and smiled slightly. "Alright, since you are so diligent, I will take you there now."

He flicked his sleeve, stood up, and walked out of the hall, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

With this kid's talent, he might only need a dozen years to break through the half-withered, half-flourishing realm!

Chapter 5 Martial Arts Points Surge

a few days later.

Chen Mo walked alone through the layers of guards at Tianlong Temple and finally arrived in front of a hall.

The main gate of the hall is adorned with a plaque bearing the three characters 'Zangjingge' (Scripture Repository), written in a vigorous and powerful style, with a hint of sharpness.

This collection contains various books on worldly knowledge, Buddhist scriptures, martial arts classics, and more, gathered over hundreds of years by the Duan family of Dali and Tianlong Temple.

Even the air is filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and books, which brings a sense of tranquility.

"Uncle-Master".

"Greetings, Uncle-Master."

When the two middle-aged monks guarding the library saw Chen Mo, they immediately put their hands together and bowed respectfully.

Chen Mo returned the greeting with his hands clasped together, and said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, Nephews Liao Si and Liao Ming."

As he spoke, he pushed open the heavy wooden door and disappeared into the library.

Liao Si and Liao Ming looked at the closed door, and envy appeared in their eyes at the same time.

Because apart from Master Kurong, the abbot, the heads of the academies, and a few elders, no one else is allowed to enter this library.