Chapter 1730

The face of the old monk from North Shaolin who suddenly appeared was full of strange charm, radiating an intimidating divine light, yet his skin was as smooth as an infant's.

However, those eyes, with their restrained brilliance, hid unfathomable wisdom and a breadth of mind that had seen through human nature.

He was leisurely and composed, possessing an irresistible aura and demeanor.

Everyone, shocked by Gu Hanyuan's words, could not help but be attracted by the old monk's grand demeanor, subconsciously feeling a sense of goodwill.

Yet, while the old monk's face was calm and waveless, he was actually not at ease at all.

Especially after the change in the sword finger in Gu Hanyuan's hand, the old monk's expression changed drastically.

What Gu Hanyuan's sword finger changed was not just the power of the sword Qi; the previously more dispersed form of the sword Qi also became solid.

In short, it changed from an area-of-effect attack to a single-target one.

With the total power remaining unchanged, the pressure the old monk faced was completely different.

When he appeared, he wanted to help Xinmei and the others block the sword Qi, so he somewhat carelessly chose a defensive method.

Unlike when Dorgon had previously used blade Qi to clear a path and neutralize part of the sword Qi.

The old monk took the "Fame Shaking the World" sword Qi almost entirely head-on.

However, the gap in strength between the old monk and Dorgon was even greater.

Gu Hanyuan's eyes suddenly became a bit more solemn.

One saw the old monk stretch his hands forward, and the surrounding air suddenly seemed to be sucked dry by his palms at once; the cold wind that had been stirred up by Gu Hanyuan's sword Qi actually stopped.

Yet, even this was still unable to block the "Fame Shaking the World" sword Qi.

The old monk seemed to have turned into a Buddha with a thousand hands and feet; thousands of palm and foot shadows were struck out away from his body, seemingly without any target for attack, and also seemingly without any purpose at all.

In an instant, he turned from defense to offense, and the sword Qi completely fell into the "Buddha Dance," gradually slowing down until it stagnated.

At this moment, the giant sword Qi was already less than an arm's length away.

However, it was precisely this distance that could never be breached.

The old monk's expression relaxed slightly, and he was just about to reveal a smile.

The giant sword Qi before him suddenly exploded without warning, and the old monk's expression changed drastically.

He retreated several steps before barely stopping, looking with an ugly expression at Gu Hanyuan, who had a subtle smile on his lips.

Gu Hanyuan had secretly added a strand of Ruthless Sword Intent, making the old monk suffer a silent loss.

He already had a rough judgment of the old monk's strength in his heart.

It would not be difficult to defeat him with conventional means, but it would be impossible to kill him, and even injuring him would not be easy.

The old monk's strength was only slightly inferior to Pang Ban's; if it hadn't been for the surprise attack just now, it wouldn't have been so easy to make him suffer.

Gu Hanyuan said indifferently:

"The Master's martial arts are extraordinary; may I ask for your dharma name?"

The old monk had recovered by now; he pressed his palms together and bowed, saying:

"Gu Shizhu is too kind; this old monk is Wuxiang. Gu Shizhu's divine arts are peerless; though you have not entered the Earth Immortal Realm, you are better than an Earth Immortal—a rarity in the world. This old monk admires you greatly."

A brilliant light flashed in Gu Hanyuan's eyes.

So the old monk was the supreme expert Wuxiang Monk from "The Cloud and the Rain"; comparing him to Pang Ban was indeed fitting.

The previous move of absorbing air and sword Qi, along with the "Buddha Dance," should be Wuxiang's famous unique skill, the "Ten Forms of Wuxiang."

To be able to turn from defense to offense in a disadvantageous situation was truly remarkable.

Moreover, Wuxiang's scheming and depth were a notch above Xinmei's.

His attitude was extremely sincere, making it difficult for Gu Hanyuan to strike again while also exposing his true cultivation base.

He had killed Gu Hanyuan with praise without the slightest trace of hostility.

Exposing Gu Hanyuan's true cultivation base had both advantages and disadvantages.

To be able to rival an Earth Immortal without reaching the Earth Immortal Realm, and even having killed Dorgon.

Most people did not know the Earth Immortal level of Dorgon.

In this way, if Gu Hanyuan truly stepped into the Earth Immortal Realm, wouldn't he be invincible in the world?

As for those who questioned whether Gu Hanyuan could break through to the Earth Immortal Realm, one would have to be very stupid to say such a thing.

Therefore, while Gu Hanyuan's prestige rose to a higher level, he also became more alarming.

Those who were hostile to Gu Hanyuan would certainly not let him smoothly break through to the Earth Immortal Realm.

It was estimated that the "Luo Wang" would receive many more assassination orders for him.

Gu Hanyuan let his thoughts wander for a moment, but on the surface, he remained calm and said leisurely:

"So the Master is the Holy Monk Wuxiang; no wonder your internal energy is so profound. Gu Mou once heard that you fought the 'Demon Master' Pang Ban twice and declared that you would challenge Pang Ban a third time. Your repeated battles and defeats are admirable. Gu Mou has also had the honor of fighting the 'Demon Master' Pang Ban. Forgive Gu Mou for being blunt, but it would be better for the Master to give up this third challenge, otherwise, the righteous path of the Wu Lin will suffer heavy losses."

Gu Hanyuan returned the favor to Wuxiang, secretly mocking him for being inferior to Pang Ban in strength and that he would fall if he fought again.

Of course, this statement was pure nonsense.

Gu Hanyuan had an understanding of both men's martial arts.

Even if Wuxiang were to be defeated by Pang Ban, he would be able to retreat unscathed.

Unless Pang Ban found a suitable vessel and the "Dao Heart Planting Demon Great Art" reached perfection, he could not kill Wuxiang.

Speaking of which, why hadn't Jin Bingyun come yet? Pang Ban's actions were a bit too slow.

Gu Hanyuan had the leisure to consider the beauty who was delivering herself to his door.

Wuxiang's face, however, was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Being defeated by Pang Ban twice was his greatest shame, yet it was mentioned to his face by Gu Hanyuan.

And he was told with certainty that he would be defeated a third time and would lose his life.

Even with Wuxiang's cultivation of mind, it was inevitable that he would experience fluctuations.

However, he was an enlightened high monk after all, and he quickly adjusted.

He even turned the tables and said with feigned concern:

"Many thanks for Gu Shizhu's concern. It's just that this old monk has heard that Gu Shizhu fought a great battle against Wutian in the Qing Guo Imperial Palace, and perhaps ruined some of his good deeds. Gu Shizhu should be even more careful of Wutian. Our Shaolin Sect has always taken maintaining the justice of the Wu Lin as its own duty; if Gu Shizhu needs anything, you can ask us for help at any time."

Gu Hanyuan frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Shaolin wanted to drive a tiger to swallow a wolf?

It was not impossible.

Whether it was Gu Hanyuan himself or his identity as Wutian, both were great enemies of Shaolin.

Uniting with one side to eliminate the other was not a difficult strategy to understand.

Gu Hanyuan's eyes were deep as he said indifferently:

"Many thanks for the Master's kindness; Wutian is wreaking havoc in the Jianghu, and the righteous path should naturally punish him."

He neither agreed to join forces nor directly refused.

He left an ambiguous statement for them to take the initiative.

When the time came, he would dig a pit for Shaolin.

Wuxiang said happily upon hearing this:

"Amitabha, that is exactly how it should be."

Gu Hanyuan looked at the flash of joy in Wuxiang's eyes, but his heart was full of mockery.

Weakening Shaolin's foundation was his original plan.

Since Wuxiang had appeared, it would not be so easy for him to hide again.

When the time was right, Gu Hanyuan could kill him again in the identity of Wutian.