Chapter 68

One must understand that transmitting one's cultivation to another is not something just anyone can achieve; without a special technique, even a Celestial Being cannot do it!

When a person dies, their light is extinguished, and all their cultivation dissipates with them; this is common knowledge in the martial world.

Otherwise, generation after generation, every faction would grow stronger like a rolling snowball, the entire Jianghu would long ago have descended into chaos, and the Central Region would be embroiled in devastating warfare.

Therefore, the probability of receiving transmission from a high master is extremely slim.

This future son-in-law truly possesses immense fortune!

Even with Zhao Zhao Tianhao's usual composure, he could not help but feel a surge of envy at this moment.

Thinking of his own decade of relentless bitter cultivation, which amounted to less than a single stroke of luck for another, he felt like shedding bitter tears.

As for Zhao Zhao Zhao Mengjiao standing nearby, there was no need to mention it; the flames of jealousy in her eyes were nearly enough to blind her.

Having resolved Zhao Zhao Tianhao's doubts, Jiang Sishui conversed with him as they ascended the mountain.

Unlike before, their relationship had completely shifted to one of equals; Jiang Sishui no longer needed to stand a head lower than him.

At the same time, he would openly display his romance with Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying, needing no concealment and fearing no obstruction.

All these changes stemmed from confidence in his own strength.

Since Zhao Zhao Tianhao had not opposed it previously, he was even less likely to play the villain now, so he naturally let the two young people proceed.

Thus, the two men, one older and one younger, found their conversation increasingly congenial.

In truth, having obtained the opportunity at Leigu Mountain, the best choice would have been to descend immediately and leave, avoiding this "whirlpool."

As for Ding Chunqiu, there was plenty of time to kill him a few days later.

But Jiang Sishui owed Wu Wu Ya Zi a great debt and had accepted the Xiaoyao Sect's leader ring; naturally, he could not stand by and watch Suxinghe and other disciples die at Ding Chunqiu's hands.

Therefore, he must still attend today's "Precious Dragon Chess Gathering"!

As for how to attend, that was another problem requiring contemplation.

Should he reveal his true appearance, ascend the mountain openly, and stand as support for Suxinghe and the others?

Doing so would indeed be impressive, but would it not be directly telling everyone that he had gained a tremendous benefit at Leigu Mountain?

After all, just last night he was merely an ordinary person with no internal energy whatsoever.

By then, surely someone would become envious and seek trouble with him.

To say nothing of others, Kumara, who had suffered a sword strike from him, would certainly not let the matter rest.

Or should he conceal his identity, sneak up the mountain, and intervene as an outsider only when necessary?

While this might avoid too much trouble for the moment, there are few walls in the world that do not leak wind; the matter of his gains at Leigu Mountain would sooner or later be exposed.

At that time, not only would he unnecessarily dampen his own momentum, but he would also tarnish the reputation of the Xiaoyao Sect.

For the dignified leader of the Xiaoyao Sect to act so timidly, fearing this and that, would sound truly unpleasant if spread abroad.

Thinking thus, Jiang Sishui harbored no further hesitation.

He realized he had simply been overly cautious and hesitant by habit, when in fact it was entirely unnecessary.

With the "Sun Shadow Golden Wheel" protecting his person, what need was there to overthink things?

Just go up and do it!

Not only would he not fear challenges from others, but he would also forcefully execute the traitor Ding Chunqiu before the eyes of all heroes, establishing the prestige of the Xiaoyao Sect!

If being a sect leader required hiding one's head and tail, how could one even speak of supreme ambition?

At this moment, Jiang Sishui solidified his conviction as a hero.

The chessboard was carved into a massive stone cliff, its vertical and horizontal lines intersecting, with over a hundred black and white stones each, all glowing with a crystalline luster.

On two large green stone slabs not far away, two individuals sat separately.

One was Suxinghe, and the other was none other than Shen Lang.

Surrounding them were the heroes who had come for the gathering, numbering over a hundred.

Of course, this did not mean only these people had come to Leigu Mountain; rather, considering that too many people would cause congestion, many had been driven down early this morning.

Only those whose identity, status, or strength was recognized in at least one aspect were permitted to ascend and observe the match.

This was precisely the reason Zhao Zhao Tianhao had brought only his two daughters up.

Suxinghe picked up a black stone and made a move, suddenly raising his eyebrows as if perceiving a wonderful and urgent change within the chess game.

Meanwhile, Shen Lang held a white stone between his fingers but remained in deep thought, having not yet played.

At this moment, Jiang Sishui and his three companions walked up with calm composure.

Although most people present were watching the match between Suxinghe and Shen Lang, some still turned their heads to look.

Kumara's face twisted into a hint of ferocity, and he flashed forward to block their path.

Zhao Zhao Tianhao was an old hand in the Jianghu; he saw at a glance that the foreign monk before them came with ill intent, so he placed his right hand on his sword hilt and asked in a deep voice, "From where does the Venerable Master come?"

Kumara pressed his palms together, a smile on his face and a dignified appearance, saying, "This humble monk is Kumara; might this be Chief Escort Zhao of the Central Plains Escort Agency?"

Zhao Zhao Tianhao returned the salute with his sword, saying, "It is indeed I, Zhao; I wonder what instruction the Venerable Master has for this visit?"

Kumara glanced at Jiang Sishui, his eyebrows knitting slightly.

Just moments ago, upon recognizing Jiang Sishui, rage had surged in his heart, prompting him to jump out impatiently without noticing the changes in him.

Now, observing closely from nearby, he found Jiang Sishui's steps light, his countenance radiant, and an implicit aura emanating from his body that even made Kumara feel a sense of pressure.

"Strange, how does he possess internal energy again?"

Kumara's heart was filled with shock and doubt, even suspecting whether he had been mistaken last night, mistaking Jiang Sishui for an ordinary person.

Yet, recalling Jiang Sishui's sword strike from last night, he could not rule out the possibility that he possessed some extremely sophisticated disguise technique and had actually cultivated martial arts all along.

"So what if he has martial skills? At most he is a Grandmaster; what do I have to fear?"

Upon this thought, Kumara's heart settled greatly, and looking at Jiang Sishui, he said, "This benefactor and this humble monk truly share a karmic connection; might we step aside for a word, allowing this humble monk to express gratitude for last night's 'kindness'?"

Kindness?

Zhao Zhao Tianhao and his daughter and son-in-law looked over in puzzlement; could this foreign monk have come merely to reminisce about old times?

Jiang Sishui, however, knew that Kumara Jiva was speaking in reverse, and could not help but laugh.

Just upon ascending the mountain, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying had taught Jiang Sishui a basic technique for concealing his breath; Jiang Sishui had learned and applied it immediately, which was why Kumara Jiva had failed to discern his cultivation level.

Taking him for a soft persimmon?

Too late!

Hearing Jiang Sishui's laughter, Kumara Jiva found it grating to the ear, his anger swelling further, yet his expression remained unchanged as he maintained a polite smile.

He extended the invitation once more: "This benefactor, please accompany this humble monk aside."

Jiang Sishui asked with a smile: "Venerable Sir says I owe you a favor; how is it I know nothing of such a matter?"

Kumara Jiva sighed: "Alas, benefactor, truly a busy person forgets easily; how could you forget something that happened just last night?"

As he spoke, he extended his right arm, revealing a bloodstain half a foot long, and said: "Is this not a gift from benefactor? This kindness and sentiment, this humble monk keeps firmly in heart, never forgetting for a moment."

Seeing this, Zhao Zhao Tianhao and the other two instinctively looked at Kumara Jiva's injured right arm.

Yet, just as their attention shifted and scattered, with a sharp "zeng" of singing metal, Jiang Sishui's long sword had already left its sheath, the tip thrusting forward with unparalleled speed!

Ding--

A light sound rang out; the sword body trembled slightly, as if struck by some formidable force.

"Qi-Breaking Stance!"

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's pupils contracted; knowing Jiang Sishui had been attacked, she immediately drew her sword into hand.

"What a cunning and shameless foreign monk!"

Zhao Zhao Tianhao's face filled with rage; reacting even faster, he unsheathed his Seven Stars Sword, sweeping out a curtain of sword Qi that ruthlessly slashed straight toward Kumara Jiva's face.

Kumara Jiva did not meet the strike; while his body retreated rapidly to evade, his eyes remained fixed unblinkingly on Jiang Sishui, his expression still bearing a trace of shock.

At this moment, a timid voice suddenly spoke: "Ah, that is our temple's 'Formless Kalpa Finger'! Senior Brother Wuhua, how does this venerable sir also know our Shaolin supreme art?"

Those who had previously been watching the chess game had long been startled by the commotion here; hearing this, they looked toward the sound and saw the speaker was a young monk of extraordinarily ugly appearance.

It was none other than Xu Zhu.

Beside Xu Zhu stood a young monk clad in moon-white robes, his eyes bright as clear stars, lips red and teeth white, his face as fair and lovely as a maiden's.

His demeanor was gentle and refined, his bearing transcendent and elegant, forming a stark contrast with Xu Zhu beside him.

Two monks, one ugly and one beautiful, were veritably two extremes.

This person was precisely one of the outstanding figures among the younger generation of Shaolin Temple--the Wonderful Monk Wuhua.

Hearing Xu Zhu's words, Wuhua frowned slightly and sighed: "It is merely a creature fond of strife and combat; what does it matter, and why calculate so much over it?"

His tone was gentle, carrying a sense of compassion for all suffering; having spoken, he averted his gaze, as if unwilling to let the world's fighting and killing defile his eyes.

Xu Zhu honestly scratched the back of his head, uttering an ashamed "Oh."