Chapter 232

This man arrived, and Jiumozhi was slightly startled.

He saw the newcomer was tall and sturdy, his whole body like a steel frame, hiding astonishing strength, and his movements just now were swift and agile, his tiger eyes flashing with sharp light, showing his internal cultivation was extremely profound; this move must have the power to overturn mountains and seas, the force of thunder, and he secretly thought: "This Central Plains truly hides tigers and dragons—who is this person, so formidable?"

Xuan Ci exchanged glances with Xuan Nan, Xuan Du, and others, all thinking: "With this person's arrival, other matters aside, our temple need not worry!" They all felt reassured.

The newcomer strode into the main hall, and the monks all thought he would challenge Jiumozhi, instantly holding their breath; thousands of eyes were drawn to him like magnets.

Who would have thought the newcomer didn't even glance at Jiumozhi, but walked up to Abbot Xuan Ci, clasped his hands, and bowed: "Xiao Feng pays respects to Abbot Xuan Ci."

Upon hearing the name Xiao Feng, besides the Xuan-generation monks of Shaolin, no one knew who he was. After all, Qiao Feng had reverted to his original surname, and they were unaware.

Feng Yi recognized the voice and knew the person; Qiao Feng's arrival meant his wish to see the Sweeping Monk was instantly dashed.

Because even if Jiumozhi were formidable, he could not possibly defeat Qiao Feng as he had defeated Xuan Ci and others; his wish to disband Shaolin would inevitably fail, leaving him quite helpless, unable to suppress the feeling that human plans pale before heavenly will.

Abbot Xuan Ci smiled and nodded at Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng again clasped his hands toward Xuan Nan and the other monks: "I pay respects to all venerable masters."

"Amitabha!"

The senior Shaolin monks all returned the salute in unison.

Xiao Feng's gaze shifted, and he clasped his hands toward Feng Yi, smiling: "Brother Feng, your bearing remains as before; I am truly delighted."

Feng Yi rose, clasped his hands, and returned the salute: "Brother Xiao, how did you come to be here?"

Xiao Feng gave a wry smile: "Hard to explain in a few words. After I settle my affairs, let us share a drink and talk."

Feng Yi gave a slight nod.

Abbot Xuan Ci introduced several visiting eminent monks to Xiao Feng, explaining the identities of Shenshan, Shenyin, Guanxin, Daoqing, Juexian, Rongzhi, and Jiumozhi, and then named the Xuan-generation monks. Xuan Nan, still injured, was supported by disciples, and both sides exchanged greetings according to ritual.

Abbot Xuan Ci joined his palms and smiled at the monks: "This Xiao Feng, Xiao the Elder, was formerly the leader of the Beggar Sect, Qiao Feng!"

Upon hearing this, the lower-generation Shaolin monks were all greatly startled.

A Zi's large eyes darted back and forth, restless: this brother-in-law had arrived, but where was her elder sister A Zhu?

Other foreign monks were seeing this famed jianghu figure for the first time. They knew he had once caused a great disturbance at Shaolin, escaping despite the combined attack of the abbot, the Dharma Hall head, and the Discipline Hall head, but few knew just how profound his martial arts truly were.

Only now did Jiumozhi realize the opponent was the "Northern Qiao Feng" famed alongside "Southern Murong," and he smiled slightly: "So you are the renowned Northern Qiao Feng who shakes the jianghu; my journey today is truly not in vain!"

Xiao Feng's eyes flashed, sharp as a blade, instantly locking onto Jiumozhi's face, and he smiled: "I have long heard of the name Imperial Master Dharma Wheel; I would very much like to meet you."

Jiumozhi's demeanor remained calm, he smiled: "Thank you for your attention, but today I merely wish to witness Shaolin's supreme art. Though you arrived timely, you are still a Shaolin disciple. Yet you killed your benefactor, Master Xuan Ku Dashi, and your parents who raised you. Masters like Shenshan have also come to pressure Shaolin to purge its doors. Heh, with your heroic talent, must you still champion them, unafraid your reputation will plummet to nothing?"

Hearing this, Xiao Feng's thick brows shot up; Jiumozhi unconsciously felt his energy surge through his body. He was meticulous: before going to Dali Tianlong Temple, he had investigated the high hands of the Dali Guo, monk and lay, knowing he could secure victory, which is why he undertook this clever seizure and plunder.

This visit to Shaolin was likewise.

He knew the martial prowess of the Xuan-generation elders inside out, believed none could match him, and had intended to single-handedly challenge Shaolin.

Now seeing Qiao Feng was certainly no empty reputation, he resolved to first take on Shaolin, then meet him later without delay.

So he spoke thus deliberately, to prevent him from intervening.

If he intervened, it would be like having no opening.

One could also say it was asking for trouble!

Xiao Feng hearing this, his heart also tightened; though his master and adoptive parents' deaths were not his doing, the murderer was his own biological father, and though he had confessed to Xuan Ci, Xuan Du, and others that he bore responsibility, they did not believe him.

This was also what left Xiao Feng most helpless; this matter could be said to be etched into his bones, unbearable to recall.

Yet Master Xuan Ku had taught him martial arts for ten years through cold and heat, and because his father had killed him, he could not take revenge, nor could he allow anyone to speak of expelling Shaolin.

Xiao Feng's heart surged; he was about to speak when suddenly a soft, delicate voice said: "National Teacher, could it be that you personally witnessed the harm done to Master Xuan Ku, Lord Qiao, and Lady Qiao?"

Jiumozhi and all turned their eyes, seeing a red-clothed girl, smiling gently, walking gracefully into the main hall.

Jiumozhi was immediately startled; the newcomer was none other than A Zhu, who had once teased him at the Tingxiang Shuixie and rescued Duan Yu.

And his "Formless Skill" also originated from that incident; he could not help recalling that day in Suzhou Mantuo Villa: when Jiumozhi seized Duan Yu and came to Jiangnan, he wished both to spy on the Dali Duan Clan's Six Meridian Divine Sword and, under that pretext, to peek at the Murong Clan's martial arts secrets in the Zhu He Zhuang Huanshi Water Pavilion.

A Zhu and A Bi had set a banquet at the Jinse Ju, entertaining Jiumozhi, Duan Yu, Guo Yanzhi, and Cui Baiquan. A Bi played the zither in the water pavilion; suddenly the floor gave way, dropping Duan Yu and Zhu Bi into the small boat hidden beneath the water pavilion.

The three drifted away in the boat; Jiumozhi could not row, could not catch up. In his fury, he forced the Murong household servants to lead him to Zhu He Zhuang, but even under threat of death, none obeyed; later he hit upon a plan, went to Suzhou prefecture city, seized a constable, held a sword to his neck, and compelled him to lead him to Zhu He Zhuang.

Later, he encountered Lady Wang, who was searching for her daughter Wang Yuyan; he rode her boat to the Wang household, stole the secret manual of the "Formless Skill."

Though times have changed, Jiumozhi remains a man of dignity; seeing A Zhu, he fears she will expose his shameful deeds, and thus cannot help but be startled.

Xiao Feng saw A Zhu enter, about to speak, but saw the purple-clad girl beside Feng Yi sway, already rushing to A Zhu's side.

Xiao Feng noted her swift movement, feared she might harm A Zhu, but then recalled she had just sat beside Feng Yi, so likely meant him no ill.

Then he saw A Zi take A Zhu's hand, giggling: "This elder sister is so beautiful, I really like you!"

A Zhu saw A Zi's lively innocence, laughed: "You're the handsome one; I like you even more."

Everyone saw the two girls, one in red, one in purple, both with a pair of dark, lustrous eyes, pupils very lively. Both had oval faces; one wore a mischievous elfish air all over, the other a pure and obedient mien.

Their garments red and purple interwove, and upon this solemn, majestic Daxiong Hall, light shimmered, adding a touch of moving grace; Feng Yi could not help but silently praise it as good.

The elderly monks like Jiumozhi and Xuan Ci, aged and deeply cultivated, looking at the two girls, felt somewhat the meaning of red beauty and green temples, white bones and skulls.

As for the young monks of low cultivation, they were busy chanting "Amitabha," daring not to glance.

A Zi laughed: "Elder sister, are you called A Zhu?" Saying this, she reached up to undo A Zhu's collar.

Though A Zhu was always mischievous, A Zi being a girl still startled her, and she cried: "What are you doing?"

Everyone also showed embarrassed expressions; even among girls, who would dare to undo another's clothes? If not for Xiao Feng's astonishing martial arts, seeing at a glance that A Zi was indeed female, this seizing technique Dragon Subduing Palm would already have been unleashed.

A Zi laughed: "Elder sister, I want to see if your shoulder bears a red Duan character."

A Zhu was startled again, this shock far greater than when A Zi tried to undo her clothes; she hurried: "How do you know?"

Upon these words, everyone understood A Zi spoke the truth.

Everyone's expressions were strange, all felt astonished, Xiao Feng also showed curiosity: could this girl see through things?

A Zi clapped her hands: "Then you truly are my sister." Saying this, she touched her neck, produced a gold plaque, and said: "Elder sister, do you have one?"

A Zhu looked at the plaque, eyes unblinking, trembling voice: "This, this, how do you also have it?" Saying this, she also felt her neck, produced a gold plaque identical to A Zi's.

A Zi said: "My parents said my plaque bears the inscription 'Lakeside bamboo, lush and green, reporting peace, bringing joy.' My sister's is 'Heavenly stars, bright and shining, ever radiant, Chang'an peace.'"

He leaned forward to look at A Zhu's locket, and indeed, these twelve characters were on it.

A Zhu was also looking at A Zi's locket, quite astonished, and asked, "What does this mean?"

A Zi smiled and said, "These two lockets were given by my father to my mother. My mother gave birth to us two sisters, giving one to each of us, worn around the neck. The lockets bear my mother's name, she is called Ruan Xingzhu. You are called A Zhu, I am called A Zi. The 'Duan' character on our shoulders is my father's surname, so that we may recognize each other in the future."

Xiao Feng suddenly understood. Earlier, A Zhu had said at Xianxian Zhuang that her surname was Ruan, and now A Zi directly stated her mother's name was Ruan Xingzhu. It seems almost certain.

A Zhu, from the people who raised her, only knew her mother's surname was Ruan. Now, seeing the gold locket identical in material and style to her own, and hearing A Zi explain the locket's meaning, she already believed it completely, her voice trembling: "Then... who is my father? Why did my father and mother... abandon me?"

A Zi pouted and said, "My father has many women, and my mother was not his formally wedded wife..."

Feng Yi coughed once.

A Zi understood Feng Yi's meaning, knowing it was improper to discuss parental matters in front of so many people, so she said: "In short, this story is a long one. They did not send away only you; I too was sent away, and by a fortunate coincidence we recognized each other."

A Zhu had no parents. Earlier, hearing those people in Xingzi Forest talk about Qiao Feng's origins, she felt very sad, for both of them were unfortunate children who had never seen their biological parents.

Now Xiao Feng's own father is still alive, and he not only has parents but also a sister. This feeling of loss and regain, of gain and loss, makes her emotions mixed and complex. Now that she knows the two sisters were sent away together, not just her alone, her heart inexplicably feels some balance.

If the parents had only sent her away and left the sister behind, whether to acknowledge these parents would still be uncertain.

Xiao Feng guessed A Zhu's thoughts, felt even more pity and affection for her, stepped forward and stroked her luxuriant black hair, sighing: "A Zhu, you today can learn your origins and meet your sister—I am truly happy for you!"

A Zhu smiled faintly and said: "Elder Brother, you are truly kind. If not for you, I would not know I still have a sister. But do not dote on me so much—I do not like you treating me too well."

A Zi laughed and said: "How? Your brother-in-law treats you well, yet you are unwilling?"

A Zhu laughed and said: "You do not know—I am lawless and reckless, and then no one can control me."

A Zi laughed and said: "Elder sister, so you are also mischievous and playful? It seems we both take after our mother."

These two sisters, both clever and lively, performed this recognition scene in the Daxiong Hall, sweeping away the sorrowful atmosphere that Jiumozhi had painstakingly created to make the Shaolin Temple disband.

Jiumozhi felt greatly dissatisfied in his heart and immediately let out a cold snort.

He released his internal energy, and the two women fell silent at once.

Xiao Feng's eyes flashed with sharp light, and he said: "A Zhu, A Zi, you go to Feng Yi's side for now; I will settle this worldly matter."

A Zi laughed and said: "Yes, this great monk is so arrogant. I heard my elder brother say that my brother-in-law is a hero and a good man—you should give this monk a good beating, show off your might!"

Xiao Feng smiled. A Zhu had once personally witnessed Jiumozhi's miraculous martial arts, and he had also exchanged views with the old master Murong Bo—he is certainly not an easy opponent, yet it is not proper to stop him. So he said only: "Alright, but you must be careful."

Then he stepped aside with A Zi, sat beside Feng Yi, and the two sisters whispered to each other. Though A Zhu spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Xiao Feng, full of worry.

Xiao Feng clasped his fists and said: "National Teacher, since good deeds should be done, why not just leave now, to avoid harming harmony?"

Jiumozhi smiled and said: "It seems Xiao Feng, the Great Hero, is determined to speak up for Shaolin and make things difficult for me, the little monk?" Xiao Feng spoke loudly: "National Teacher of a kingdom, deeply respected, Xiao Feng, a Khitan commoner, is not worth a smile. But I come from Shaolin, having received the cultivation and nurturing of my master and Abbot Xuan Ci. Drinking water, I remember the source. If the National Teacher wishes to destroy Shaolin, I, unworthy as I am, cannot stand idly by—please proceed!"

Qiao Feng had once been accused by Shaolin Temple of killing his parents and master, devoid of morality, and many monks had cursed him. Thus some privately speculated: "Qiao Feng remembers past grudges and will surely take revenge."

Who would have thought Qiao Feng, with his lofty and unbending integrity, would actually repay hatred with virtue, never forgetting the deep kindness of his sect? How could such a person kill his parents and master?

The Xuan-generation monks were both delighted and yet found it hard to believe. Why would Xiao Feng admit to killing Xuan Ku and his parents?

Jiumozhi smiled and said: "So it turns out Shaolin Temple ultimately needs a Khitan outsider to resolve the calamity of its destruction! How lamentable and sad!"

"Master, you are mistaken." Xiao Feng shook his head: "Shaolin Temple has been able to lead the martial world for hundreds of years, standing tall as a major stronghold. For several hundred years, it has endured many tribulations, yet never faced the threat of annihilation.

This is not because there are no unworthy disciples in the temple, nor because no one has harbored ill intentions, but because the entire Shaolin Temple, from top to bottom, has practiced chivalry and righteousness for hundreds of years, accumulating merit as high as mountains and as vast as the sea, naturally deserving blessings.

Even if today there were no Xiao Feng, others would surely come to aid Shaolin. The National Teacher's wish to destroy Shaolin is pure folly and wishful thinking!"

Upon hearing this, everyone could not help but nod their heads.

Feng Yi felt this even more deeply.

Shaolin Temple, in any world it appears, its conduct is often criticized by many, yet in reality, most people consider problems from the standpoint of the protagonist, or even from the standpoint of liking their own character.

They do not realize that those people and those matters are individual cases.

If one takes an outsider's stance, considering only the general public and population base, in any sect there are far more good people than bad, and good deeds far outweigh bad ones.

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Therefore, although sects face many tribulations, there is always someone to lend a hand. Even after thousands of years, into modern times, they still stand firm and unfallen.

Speaking of this time Jiumozhi came up the mountain, in the original plot Xuzhu came to the rescue, but this time Xuzhu is powerless. Yet Qiao Feng's appearance time differs greatly from the original plot—he arrived earlier.

Or perhaps even without Qiao Feng, there is still the Sweeping Monk.

To say the Sweeping Monk will not appear is utterly unfounded.

For Jiumozhi is not merely using martial arts to pressure Shaolin—he wants Shaolin to disband entirely, with all the temple's monks relocating elsewhere to settle.

Could it be that the Sweeping Monk is willing to change temples just to sweep floors?

He believes, the old man will not!

After all, this old man has swept the floor in the Cangjing Pavilion of Shaolin Temple for over forty years—if he were willing to change places, he would have done so long ago!

Is there anyone under heaven who can stop him?

Xiao Feng took over everything, yet this made Jiumozhi's brows furrow tightly.

What he just said was not idle talk.

Rather, he deeply knows that when experts clash, if the mind is unsteady, the qi rebels. Thus he brought up Xiao Feng's various shortcomings, wanting to make him vexed and angry, so that he himself could easily win. Who would have thought Xiao Feng remained unmoved, instantly making him feel a profound and inscrutable sensation?

Feng Yi was also somewhat surprised. He felt Xiao Feng's mental bearing was greatly different from before, his cultivation obviously advanced further. Besides saying he is a genius, what else can one say?

Jiumozhi then let out a great sigh: "It seems Shaolin Temple truly has boundless Buddhist law—this little monk can contend with the Northern Qiao Feng in teaching, which is also a fortune of three lifetimes!" Saying this, he pressed his palms together, true energy surged, and his monk's robe fluttered and made a sound.

Xiao Feng's expression tightened, and he shouted: "Overstepping!"

He took a big step forward and threw a straight punch at Jiumozhi's chest.

"Lohan Fist!"

Everyone cried out in alarm—this punch is extremely crude and shallow, merely the Shaolin entry-level fist law, which all temple monks know.

Xiao Feng thought Xuan Ku Dashi died because of him, and considering his master, he did not wish to let Shaolin's reputation suffer, so naturally he used Shaolin martial arts.

Yet this punch of his carries deep internal force. Jiumozhi instantly felt this punch came like a collapsing stone and raging torrent. He wanted to test Xiao Feng's true strength, so he also threw out a punch.

Both struck out like lightning, swift as thunder. When the two fists met, there was a light 'pō' sound. Both felt their whole bodies shake, and they separated instantly upon contact.

Xiao Feng thought: "No wonder he caused a ruckus at Tianlong Temple, captured my sworn brother, and forced Abbot Xuan Ci to the point of risking his life! My cultivation has greatly improved, yet I still gained not the slightest advantage!"

Jiumozhi also felt a violent shock in his heart: "I have long heard the name 'Northern Qiao Feng,' but I thought he was like Murong Fu, with many rumors being exaggerated; I did not expect him to be truly this formidable."

Thinking of this, he suddenly shifted his form, a claw reaching for Xiao Feng's crown; this claw extended straight from wrist to fingertip, its force extremely fierce.

"Dragon Claw Hand!"

How could Xiao Feng not recognize this Dragon Claw Hand? Years ago, Master Xuan Ku tirelessly taught him martial arts through cold and heat, and this Dragon Claw Hand was among what Xuan Ku imparted; Xiao Feng immediately responded with a Dragon Claw Hand, reversing his arm to seize the opponent's wrist, not only with a tricky angle but also with sharp finger force—if he seized the vital pulse point, Jiumozhi would not only fail to harm him but would surely meet his doom.

Jiumozhi exclaimed, "Good!" He shifted his body sideways to evade, then slashed a palm toward Xiao Feng's left neck side; his palm resembled a single blade, this being the "Burning Wood Blade Technique," he channeled his true energy to the palm's edge—this was a real slash, not inferior to a steel blade.

This was the unique secret technique of Xiao Feng's master, Master Xuan Ku; after his passing, no one in the temple could master it.

After mastering this blade technique, one practices by swiftly chopping eighty-one times against a dry log, the blade edge must not damage the wood in the slightest, while the heat emitted from the blade can ignite the wood.

Seeing this blade's swift and fierce assault, incomparable to his master's, Xiao Feng thought of his master, his heart aching involuntarily; his left palm trembled, faintly present—this was the "Demon Subduing Palm" personally taught by Master Xuan Ku.

This "Burning Wood Blade Technique" is a single-blade method, utterly different from Jiumozhi's "Flame Blade" of empty palm force; it uses the palm as a saber, fiercely chopping and slashing, entirely following the path of Shaolin Sect martial arts.

Yet Xiao Feng's "Demon Subduing Palm" is also the supreme profound learning attainable by Shaolin disciples.

For in Shaolin Temple, even monks of the Xuan generation and those of the next generation with higher martial arts mostly begin with the Lohan Fist upon entering the gate, studying until they reach the Demon Subduing Palm or Prajna Palm and then stop.

But seeing Xiao Feng's agile and spirited movements, faintly present, he fully exerted the essence of the Demon Subduing Palm, leaving the Shaolin monks in astonishment.

However, they all understood that Master Xuan Ci had previously said Xiao Feng could not merge the gentle Demon Subduing Palm with the fierce Mohe Finger into one, not merely because it involved hardness and softness, but because it involved the difference between palm methods and finger methods.

Just as those martial artists who have reached the pinnacle of excellence, some have unparalleled palm techniques but inferior finger techniques, while others possess immense finger strength that no one can block, yet their palm techniques may not necessarily be so.

At this moment, Xiao Feng's Demon Subduing Palm encountered Jiumozhi's Burning Wood Blade Technique; neither had a certain victory.

For Xiao Feng and Jiumozhi are truly worthy opponents, destined to meet excellent talent.

Xiao Feng, since age sixteen, entered Wang Jiantong's door and joined the Beggar Sect, wandering the martial world for over ten years, establishing countless merits for the Beggar Sect, truly having experienced a hundred battles.

Jiumozhi is a follower of the Ningmiao Sect; for sectarian strife, he purged the dark teachings, especially facing the six great masters of the Duan Clan at Dali Tianlong Temple, capturing Duan Yu and retreating unharmed, relying not only on his high martial prowess but also on rich combat experience.

And he, since youth, has repeatedly encountered fortuitous opportunities, thus achieving his present accomplishments, while Xiao Feng is no less.

Xiao Feng indeed possesses extraordinary talent, yet he was originally nurtured by Abbot Xuan Ci of Shaolin, who harbored guilt, and later gained the appreciation of Beggar Sect Leader Wang Jiantong, who took him as a disciple.

A person cultivated with the combined efforts of the abbot of the world's number one great sect and the leader of the world's number one great gang, who also arranged various opportunities for him—if one claims he could not find heavenly treasures to boost his power, few would believe it.

This young man who shocks the world as "Northern Qiao Feng" is absolutely not merely due to innate talent encompassing everything.

Jiumozhi and Xiao Feng—how could they lack fortuitous encounters? If their fortuitous experiences were described in ink, they could absolutely not be summarized in a few words.

Thus, their martial arts, whether due to fortuitous encounters or combat experience, neither is inferior to the other.

Seeing Xiao Feng's palm technique exquisite with no opening, Jiumozhi, who originally intended to display his divine art, thus changed his martial art, his left palm floating lightly, he fluttered and struck out.

"Prajna Palm!"

As soon as he struck, a high monk of Shaolin Temple cried out the name.

The Prajna Palm is one of the Shaolin Seventy-Two Ultimate Techniques; practiced continuously, it is inexhaustible, palm force grows stronger with practice, techniques become purer with practice, one can say learning knows no bounds; ultimately reaching the palm "One Emptiness to the End," since the creation of this palm method, only a handful of high monks in Shaolin Temple have managed to master it.

The present abbot, Xuan Ci, also attained his divine art through Xiao Feng's enlightenment.

Xiao Feng's twin palms flew together, and immediately came the sound of crackling; in an instant, he neutralized over thirty palms struck by Jiumozhi, his force radiating outward.

The assembled monks felt the palm wind scrape their faces like blades, raging winds blowing from all sides; lower-ranking Shaolin monks gradually could not withstand it, one by one shrinking back, pressing against the walls.

The high monks of the Xuan generation naturally feared no palm wind erosion, yet each also circulated internal energy to resist.

Feng Yi frowned slightly: "Qiao Feng is truly a genius!"

Originally, after A Zhu was injured, Feng Yi had transmitted the "Healing Chapter" from the Nine Yin Manual to Xiao Feng.

What the Nine Yin Manual contains is indeed the highest martial arts realm in the world; this healing method is extremely profound, involving the circulation of true qi.

Over this past year and more, Xiao Feng has greatly comprehended its profundia, by analogy extended his understanding, his cultivation has greatly advanced; Feng Yi observed this, and thus felt this heartfelt admiration.

A Zhu had originally been extremely worried about Qiao Feng; hearing this, he hurriedly asked: "Feng Brother, can Elder Xiao win?"

Feng Yi closed his mouth and said nothing; Xiao Feng and Jiumozhi are completely evenly matched, he also does not know who will win.

In an instant, Jiumozhi displayed various finger techniques, palm techniques, fist techniques, leg techniques—whatever "Prajna Palm," "Great Vajra Fist," "Great Wisdom Indeterminate Finger," "Dispelling Affliction Finger," "Nirvana Grasp," "Indra Grasp," "Shadow-Following Leg"—he consecutively executed over thirty Shaolin divine arts, all neutralized one by one by Xiao Feng using Shaolin martial arts, leaving the onlookers dazzled and spiritually stirred.

Xiao Feng could not help but feel a strange wonder in his heart, pondering: "How is this Imperial Master's martial arts so mixed?"

Although he had long known of Jiumozhi from Duan Yu and A Zhu, who told him this person was formidable, this was the first time he truly faced him; he did not expect this person's martial arts to be so extensive, truly mastering so many Shaolin ultimate techniques, his heart could not help but feel curious.

If the Shaolin monks had not personally witnessed it, they would hardly dare believe that these two people's martial arts could reach such a height.

For one must know that the Shaolin Seventy-Two Sect Arts, each item is extremely profound and complex, moreover thirteen or fourteen items are extraordinarily difficult to practice; even a person of extremely high talent, if they painstakingly practice one item for a lifetime, may not necessarily master it.

At this moment, the entire Shaolin Temple, with over a thousand monks, combining what the thousand-plus monks know, the Seventy-Two Ultimate Techniques are still not fully covered; yet Jiumozhi at this moment has already displayed thirty or forty of them.

Xiao Feng, in response, merely used the "Lohan Fist," "Wei Tuo Palm," "Dragon Claw Hand," and "Demon Subduing Palm."

The Shaolin monks themselves reckoned, if they were to exchange places with Xiao Feng, relying only on these few techniques, they would absolutely not be able to withstand Jiumozhi's astonishingly swift and fierce offensive.

Each of his palms contains the immense power to rupture tendons and bones, shatter internal true qi; a single strike would inevitably lead to death by breath cessation.

Yet Jiumozhi and Xiao Feng have exchanged hundreds of moves, and for the first time in his life, Jiumozhi felt a sense of exhausted skill, because he claimed to be versed in all Shaolin Seventy-Two Ultimate Techniques, but in reality only knew thirty or forty; initially hindered by face, he still wanted to overwhelm Xiao Feng, this Shaolin disciple, with Shaolin martial arts, but now his thinking had to change.

Only seen, Jiumozhi retreated several zhang with a flash, clasped his hands and said: "Northern Qiao Feng is indeed not an empty reputation, I admire him, behold the blade!" His palms split outward, making a hissing sound.

Seeing him retreat, Xiao Feng did not pursue; unexpectedly, as his words ended, two waves of hot wind surged forward, extremely sharp, he was instantly startled.

A Zhu suddenly realized, shouting: "Elder Brother, be careful, this is the Flame Blade!" (End of Chapter)