LRAB Page 20
Page 20
"In front of all the heroes of the world, does the Wudang Sect fear that we will make things difficult for Zhang Wuxia?"
Zuo Lengchan of Songshan immediately chimed in, "Sect Leader Xianyu is absolutely right. We urge Song Daquan to act accordingly."
At Kong Wen's prompting, Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng Sect, Gu Hongzi of the Emei Sect, and others chimed in. Song Yuanqiao's expression gradually turned serious.
Undercurrents were brewing at the birthday banquet.
Song Yuanqiao's gaze swept across the entire room like lightning.
"Today is my master's birthday. If you all sincerely wish him well, Wudang will naturally treat you with the utmost respect."
"If you intend to cause trouble..."
His sleeves moved without wind, and his words were resounding:
"The entire Wudang forces must do everything in their power to counter this!"
These resounding words caused the atmosphere to freeze instantly.
The experts from different factions exchanged glances, but all remained silent in tacit agreement.
Suddenly, a cold snort exploded like a thunderclap:
"A Grandmaster dares to utter such arrogant words?"
As the sound waves reverberated, everyone felt their blood and qi surge.
Song Yuanqiao swayed slightly, suppressing the metallic taste in his throat, and clasped his hands in a fist salute towards the void:
"Now that you have arrived, why not show yourself?"
Before he finished speaking, another figure appeared in the room.
His tattered cassock billowed in the wind, and his wine gourd swayed at his waist.
The appearance of this disheveled monk caused everyone's pupils to shrink in shock.
The Seven Elders of Wudang came out upon hearing the news, and Master Mu's eyes were as cold as knives.
Song Yuanqiao pondered deeply, then clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and inquired:
"May I ask your name, Master?"
The monk waved his hand casually:
"My original name has long been forgotten; people simply call me the Drunken Monk."
[031-The Shaolin Drunken Monk Appears, Four Land Immortals Gather! (Seeking Flowers and Rewards)]
The drunken monk responded indifferently.
The Seven Elders of Wudang are all peerless experts, especially the leader, Mu Daoren, who has reached the pinnacle of the peerless realm.
Even so, the Drunken Monk did not take them seriously.
This is because there is a world of difference in combat power between the Peerless Realm and the Land Immortal Realm.
Even if they are only one realm apart, a hundred peerless masters working together would find it difficult to harm a terrestrial immortal in the slightest.
Among the twelve realms of martial arts, the higher the realm, the greater the gap.
The Peerless Realm is merely the initial stage of transforming true qi into true essence and comprehending the level of power.
The Land Immortal Realm requires the complete transformation of all true energy into true essence and mastery of the power of a domain.
Once the domain is expanded, the terrestrial immortals become the rulers of this world, much like gods.
Unless he encounters an opponent of equal or higher level, within his domain, no one below the level of a terrestrial immortal can rival him!
"The Drunken Monk?"
Song Yuanqiao muttered to himself, then suddenly his expression changed, revealing a look of realization.
"Could you be the Drunken Monk who created the Nine Yang Manual to rival the Nine Yin Manual?!"
The founder of the Nine Yang Manual?!
These words shocked everyone present.
Many experts stared in disbelief at the unkempt monk, their faces filled with shock.
At this moment, they felt more worried about Wudang's situation.
After all, this man had already been a powerful figure in the martial arts world for decades before Zhang Zhenren became famous.
Even if he has not been seen for many years, his cultivation level must be unfathomable.
Even if Zhang Zhenren were to fight him, he would probably have a hard time gaining the upper hand!
'It seems my vision was too limited in the past.'
Zhu Wushi sighed inwardly.
He realized for the first time how little he knew about the martial arts world of the Ming Dynasty.
The once-renowned Dragon Guard Manor, which was hailed as the top intelligence agency in the Ming Dynasty, now seems like nothing more than a joke.
Thinking of this, his desire to become stronger grew even stronger!
Emperor Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty also had complex feelings.
Unlike Zhu Wushi, he was more interested in recruiting the Drunken Monk into his ranks.
His eyes flickered, and he had already made a plan in his mind.
He had long forgotten the idea of inviting Master Zhang.
"There are still people who remember me."
The drunken monk smiled calmly, completely unconcerned.
The reactions of the crowd did not affect him in the slightest.
"May I ask what brings you here, senior?"
Song Yuanqiao spoke in a deep voice, his expression solemn.
Of the seven elders of Wudang behind him, only Mu Daoren remained expressionless, while the other six were all heavy-hearted.
"You are not qualified to speak to me!"
"Call out that mad old Taoist Zhang Sanfeng!"
Zhang Sanfeng did not appear for a long time, and the Drunken Monk snorted impatiently.
Before he finished speaking, Zhang Sanfeng had already slowly walked out of the Zixiao Palace.
His beard and eyebrows were all white, and he had an otherworldly air about him. He seemed to walk slowly, but he reached the Drunken Monk in just a few steps.
With just one glance, Zhang Sanfeng exclaimed in surprise:
"Huh, you're injured?"
"Your eyesight isn't bad!" the Drunken Monk sneered.
He appeared calm on the surface, but was inwardly astonished. His injury, sustained twenty years ago, had healed after years of seclusion, yet his opponent had still seen through it at a glance. Zhang Sanfeng truly deserved the title of the greatest martial artist of the Ming Dynasty!
"What brings you here, senior?"
"Forgive my bluntness, senior, but you are currently injured. If you wish to cause trouble for Wudang, I'm afraid you are still somewhat lacking."
Zhang Sanfeng smiled, but his words were uncompromising.
The onlookers were stunned, both amazed by Zhang Sanfeng's keen eyesight and curious about who could have injured the Drunken Monk.
"I alone may not be enough, but what if we add three more terrestrial immortals?"
The Drunken Monk sneered. Since they wanted to suppress Wudang, Shaolin would naturally show no mercy!
As soon as he finished speaking, three figures silently appeared beside him.
The way he appeared so mysteriously left the surrounding experts astonished, bewildered yet impressed!
"Four terrestrial immortals? Senior is giving this old Taoist too much credit."
Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and sighed softly.
Master Zhang's previously composed expression turned serious.
"We must be cautious. Your title as the number one expert in the Ming Dynasty, Master Zhang, is not for nothing. You are at the peak of the Land Immortal realm, and with the profound Tai Chi principles bestowed by Heaven, you may break through to the Celestial Realm at any time."
"If we don't have a few backup plans, wouldn't it be a pity if something went wrong?"
The monk, who was drinking heavily, had a slight smile on his lips, appearing confident and composed.
Indeed, even if Zhang Sanfeng were incredibly powerful, what could he do if four terrestrial immortals joined forces?
Is it possible to defy fate and change one's destiny?
Not only him, but everyone present thought so.
Zhang Sanfeng was able to break through to the Celestial Realm on the spot!
Or perhaps, a miracle will happen!
Otherwise, the outcome of this standoff, which has not yet officially escalated, would have been predetermined!
Just when the atmosphere was at its most tense, a long laugh came from the horizon.
"Wow, it's so lively here?"
"Old Zhang, it's been so many years, what happened to you and you've become so miserable?"
The Wudang group breathed a sigh of relief.
Chapter 16 Drinking Fight
Although the visitor's identity was not identified, the familiar and teasing tone was enough to prove that they were friends, not enemies.
The Drunken Monk's expression changed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly returned to normal.
The onlookers were even more invigorated and eagerly awaited further developments.
"This old Taoist priest never expected things to turn out this way. Please excuse the embarrassment."
Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and smiled bitterly, his expression softening slightly, clearly having recognized the other party.
"You, you, did I owe you and Xiao Xiang'er something in my past life?"
Before he could finish speaking, a dark shadow flashed by, noticed only by a few experts.
When everyone came to their senses, a refined middle-aged man had appeared beside Zhang Sanfeng.
"Grandmaster...Grandmaster?!"
He Taichong's eyes widened, and he gasped in shock.
The people present became increasingly bewildered and at a loss.
Only a few experienced elders fell into deep thought after hearing this.
The Drunken Monk clasped his hands together and laughed loudly, "So it's He Zudao, one of the Three Saints of Kunlun. Do you perhaps wish to interfere in this matter?" His words were not only devoid of respect but also revealed a hint of contempt.
He Zudao, who was known as one of the Three Saints of Kunlun, was only at the peak of the peerless realm in terms of cultivation. Although he was of the same generation as me, he had wasted a hundred years and had never been able to break through the shackles. This alone makes it difficult to admire him.
Upon hearing the words of the Drunken Monk, everyone suddenly understood. Although the core figures of Wudang, including the Seven Elders, had never met He Zudao, they had often heard Zhang Sanfeng mention his past. However, considering his cultivation level, they couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
While the pinnacle of martial arts is certainly awe-inspiring in the martial arts world, in the face of the current situation, unless one is a terrestrial immortal or even higher, it would be futile for anyone to come.
However, when questioned, He Zudao remained calm and composed: "Whether I intervene or not is my own business; why should I explain it to others?"
Upon hearing this, everyone showed admiration. To be so composed before a terrestrial immortal truly lived up to the name of the Three Sages of Kunlun. But admiration aside, no one believed that a peerless peak expert could turn the tide.
The Drunken Monk's gaze turned slightly cold as he scoffed, "With your meager cultivation at the peak of the peerless realm, you dare to presume to stop this humble monk? It seems you truly know nothing of the power of a terrestrial immortal."
He Zudao simply smiled indifferently upon hearing this, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"Just a mere terrestrial deity."
"Today, I will seize another five hundred years from the heavens!!"
He took a step forward, and his aura suddenly exploded.
In an instant, a vast and overwhelming pressure swept across all directions.
Apart from the Drunken Monk and other terrestrial immortals who remained unmoved, everyone else felt immense pressure.