In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged several moves. The Shaolin monks were all shocked to see the monasteryâs top expert fall into a disadvantage right from the start, their faces paling. Only a few, like Xuan Ci, managed to remain calm.
Jiumozhi was feeling pleased with himself when he suddenly heard a cold chuckle from his opponent. âYou claim to have mastered Shaolinâs 72 Ultimate Techniques, yet your Great Vajra Fist is nothing extraordinary.â
Jiumozhiâs heart tightened as he hurriedly looked over. He saw Xuan Cheng standing in place, a faint smile on his face, showing no sign of injury.
With his vast experience, Jiumozhi did not waste words. Seizing the moment when his opponent spoke, causing a slight lapse in his True Qi circulation, he flickered forward and unleashed six rapid kicks at Xuan Chengâs chest. This was the âShadowless Formless Legsâ, one of Shaolinâs 72 Ultimate Techniques. The first kick landed, followed closely by the second, like a shadow pursuing the form. The third kick transitioned from shadow to substance, followed immediately by the fourth. This pattern continued until the sixth kick struck. Only then did those with slightly lower martial cultivation react, their faces filled with shock. Jiumozhi had clearly mastered this technique to perfectionâperhaps no one in Shaolin could surpass him in this skill.
However, Jiumozhi noticed something strange. His kicks did not land as solidly as they should have. Realizing something was amiss, he did not allow Xuan Cheng any chance to breathe. He immediately launched two finger strikes, sharp and piercing the airâthis was âPattra Fingerâ.
Xuan Cheng appeared dazed, not reacting at all, allowing Jiumozhiâs finger force to strike him directly.
Jiumozhi frowned. His intention had been to humiliate Shaolin by using their own 72 Ultimate Techniques against them. Wanting to showcase his skills, he immediately transitioned from the Pattra Finger to a new technique. Despite being unarmed, his movements mimicked a bladeâit was âBurning Wood Saber Styleâ.
This technique, once mastered, required a practitioner to strike a piece of dry wood eighty-one times without leaving a single mark on its surface. However, the heat generated by the strikes would eventually set the wood aflame. Master Xuan Ku, the teacher of Xiao Feng, had been a master of this skill, but after his passing, no one in Shaolin had successfully inherited it.
Song Qingshu had long been curious about the difference between Jiumozhiâs âFlaming Blade Artâ and Shaolinâs âBurning Wood Saber Styleâ. Observing now, with his current level of cultivation, he immediately grasped the key distinction.
âBurning Wood Saberâ was a single-blade technique that adhered strictly to Shaolinâs martial principles, using the palm as a blade for powerful chops and slashes. On the other hand, âFlaming Bladeâ was a formless palm force. While the former maintained the tangible concept of a blade, the latter had transcended into an ethereal, shapeless technique. The gap between the two was immenseâlike the difference between heaven and earth.
âNo wonder in the original story, Jiumozhi lost to Xu Zhu, who had almost no combat experience,â
Song Qingshu mused, shaking his head with a wry smile. Jiumozhiâs internal energy was formidable, but his âNo Phase Techniqueâ was incomplete. When facing the genuine version of âNo Phase Techniqueâ, he suffered a significant disadvantage in internal power. Moreover, since he had boasted about using Shaolinâs arts, he limited himself in combat, making it difficult to break through Xu Zhuâs defenses. By the time he realized his mistake and attempted to use his true masteryâthe âFlaming BladeââXu Zhu had already seized one of his hands, preventing him from executing the elusive and ever-changing nature of his technique. In the end, he lost.
Now, Jiumozhi was once again neglecting his superior âFlaming Bladeâ, instead opting for the vastly inferior âBurning Wood Saberâ. Song Qingshu couldnât help but recall a saying from his past life: âNever show off unnecessarily, or youâll end up embarrassing yourself.â
Jiumozhi struck with his saber-like palm, landing a solid blow on Xuan Chengâs right arm with a loud âthudâ. The disciples of Mount Song Sect secretly sneeredâXuan Cheng, hailed as Shaolinâs greatest expert in two centuries, was repeatedly struck, performing even worse than an average martial artist. The Shaolin monks, however, grew increasingly worried. Given the sheer power of Jiumozhiâs attack, his palm was no less sharp than a steel blade; decapitation or limb severance would require minimal effort.
Yet, Jiumozhi himself was the most shocked of all. Despite landing a direct hit on Xuan Chengâs arm, the latter remained completely unscathed, while Jiumozhi felt a faint ache in his own palm. His mind raced.
âEven if he had mastered techniques like the Golden Bell Shield or Iron Shirt, he should not be able to withstand my repeated heavy strikes. What is going on?â
Then it struck him.
âAh! One of Shaolinâs 72 Ultimate Techniquesâthe âVajra Body Defending Divine Skillâ. It is said that once mastered, the practitionerâs body becomes impervious to blades, spears, fire, and water. Unfortunately, my âNo Phase Techniqueâ cannot replicate such an effect. I always believed this technique was nothing more than a legend, but it seems someone has truly mastered it!â
Jiumozhi was one of the most knowledgeable martial artists in the world. Within seconds, he formulated a new approachâabandoning attacks on Xuan Chengâs body and instead targeting his face. He unleashed a flurry of Shaolin techniques: âGreat Wisdom Samadhi Finger,â âPattra Finger,â âNirvana Grab,â âIndraâs Grabâââone after another, all aimed at Xuan Chengâs eyes, throat, and other vulnerable points.
âHmph! I refuse to believe your Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill can protect these areas too!â Jiumozhi sneered inwardly. His gaze even flickered toward Xuan Chengâs lower body for a moment, but in the end, he refrainedâsuch an attack would be unbecoming of a dignified monk.
Song Qingshu, watching from the side, saw through Jiumozhiâs intentions immediately. He even noticed when Jiumozhi briefly considered attacking Xuan Chengâs lower body, making him chuckle. Still, he had to admire the manâs brillianceâfiguring out a counter to âVajra Body Defending Divine Skillâ so quickly was no small feat.
Yet, admiration was one thing. If Song Qingshu were to face âVajra Body Defending Divine Skillâ himself, he would never resort to such an unscrupulous methodâit would tarnish his grand and heroic image.
He thought back to how he had once used structural mechanics knowledge to break through the defenses of the Master of the Vajra Sect. Feeling a sense of pride, he mused,
âYou may have divine skills, but I have science. No wonder those who transmigrate into novels always have an inherent sense of superiority. Standing on the shoulders of giants, how can one not feel proud?â
While Song Qingshuâs mind wandered, Jiumozhi executed sixteen more Shaolin techniques in quick succession.
The Shaolin monks were utterly dazzled, thinking,
âSo he truly wasnât boastingâhe has indeed mastered our 72 Ultimate Techniques.â
Yet Xuan Cheng remained motionless, allowing every attack to land on him without suffering a single injury. The Shaolin monks were in even greater awe. If he could defeat Jiumozhi without even striking back, Shaolinâs prestige would soar throughout the martial world.
But ultimately, they were disappointed. Facing Jiumozhiâs endless barrage of vicious techniques, Xuan Cheng finally had to move. âVajra Body Defending Divine Skillâ might render the body invulnerable, but his eyes and other vital spots were still flesh and bloodâhe could not protect them completely.
âA man of your martial prowess, a respected master, yet you resort to such lowly street-fighting tactics?â Xuan Cheng retreated, at times looking quite desperate. His anger flared.
His words were immediately echoed by the monks of Shaolin and Mount Song, who loudly denounced Jiumozhiâs underhanded tactics.
Seeing Jiumozhiâs face flush red, Song Qingshu sighed inwardly,
âWell, we are old friends after all. I suppose I should lend you a hand.â
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