Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Successor of Bodhidharma

Page 36

"And there's the Indra's Claw and the Flower-Picking Finger! Grandmaster Uncle Xuancheng can actually use different unique techniques to break through the palm strike while moving at such high speed!"

"Where do you think you're going!" Qiao Feng's fighting spirit burned like fire. How could he let him escape so easily? He took a deep breath, his body swaying, and he actually used his superb lightness skill. His steps seemed simple and direct, but they were ghostly and fierce! With each step, the ground trembled slightly. His speed was no less than Xuan Cheng's Maha Boundless Step, and he followed closely like a shadow!

It was his unique movement technique, created by combining the "Crossing the River on a Reed" technique with his own powerful internal strength and bold personality, that he developed – though it had no physical form, it captured the essence of the technique.

Seeing that he could not escape, Xuan Cheng's eyes flickered with alternating confusion and clarity. He suddenly uttered scriptures, and his ten fingers blossomed like lotus flowers: "All forms are illusions—Formless Finger of Calamity!" "Form is emptiness—Prajna Palm!" The seventy-two ultimate techniques poured down like a torrential rain!

His ten fingers blossomed like lotus flowers, sometimes pointing, sometimes palming, sometimes clenching, sometimes clawing! The Formless Finger, the Prajna Palm, the Great Compassion Thousand-Leaf Hand, the Dragon Claw Hand… all sorts of distinct Shaolin techniques poured down on Qiao Feng like a storm! The moves were exquisite, the power unpredictable, dazzling the eyes of all who watched!

However, faced with this complex and ever-changing array of seventy-two martial arts techniques, Qiao Feng made a move that left everyone speechless!

He abandoned the mighty and unparalleled Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, lowered his waist and sat on his horse, and threw a straight punch! The move was simple and unadorned, but the power was concentrated—it was none other than the most common martial arts technique in the martial arts world, the "Taizu Long Fist," which even third-rate martial artists knew a few moves of!

Fist and finger intersected! Xuan Cheng's exquisite and unparalleled Formless Finger Technique was actually shattered by this simple long fist!

Qiao Feng exhaled and launched another long fist attack, "Charging into the Formation," directly clashing with Xuan Cheng's unpredictable Prajna Palm! Fist and palm collided, and the energy surged outwards!

Many martial arts heroes could hardly believe their eyes: "Tai...Taizu Long Fist?! I'm not seeing things, am I? Chief Qiao is actually using this commonplace move to fight against the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts?!"

Master Xuanku's eyes shone with unprecedented brilliance. He excitedly said to Xuanci beside him, "Abbot Brother! Look! The most complex returns to the simplest, and the most skillful is defeated by the most clumsy! Feng'er has glimpsed the true essence of martial arts! In his hands, the Taizu Long Fist is infused with internal energy into every inch of his skin, and his will permeates every bone and tendon! It seems simple, but in fact, it has brought the principles of 'unparalleled ferocity' and 'one force can break all techniques' to their extreme! No matter how many moves you make, I can break them with a single punch!"

In the arena, Qiao Feng unleashed a seemingly ordinary set of Taizu Long Fist techniques, transforming them into something as powerful and unparalleled as the blazing sun! His body remained as steady as Mount Tai, his lower body firmly rooted to the ground. No matter how exquisite and unpredictable Xuan Cheng's moves were, Qiao Feng could forcefully parry and fiercely counterattack them with his fists and kicks, using the purest power and speed!

“Boom boom boom boom—!”

The two fought with lightning speed, exchanging blows with fists and feet, their energy colliding and scattering wildly! Wherever they passed, the hard bluestone slabs were crushed and cracked like tofu, and countless fragments of stone shot out in all directions like arrows from a crossbow!

"Watch out!" A Diancang Sect expert in the crowd saw a fist-sized rock flying towards him and quickly gathered all his strength to strike it with his palm!

"puff--!"

When his palm struck the stone, it was as if he had struck a piece of broken leather. The terrifying energy attached to the stone instantly penetrated his meridians! He screamed, spitting out blood, and flew backward, clearly suffering internal injuries!

Upon seeing this, everyone was horrified and cried out in alarm as they retreated to clear more space, fearing they might be injured by the aftershocks of the fight between the two!

Xuan Cheng was unable to break through Qiao Feng's defenses, and his moves gradually became sluggish as Qiao Feng used the most basic fist techniques. Instead of getting angry, his cloudy eyes burst forth with an unprecedented bright light, which was a kind of ecstatic joy of seeing a prey and meeting a worthy opponent!

"Hahaha! Good lad! Good lad!" He suddenly jumped out of the battle circle, his hair flying wildly, pointed at Qiao Feng, and said with great excitement, "I thought Xiao Zhi was a martial arts prodigy! Compared to you, he's nothing! You're a monster!"

Qiao Feng stood tall and proud, like a god of war reborn. Though slightly out of breath, his eyes remained sharp, and he laughed heartily: "Master is no less impressive! I, Qiao, had a great time!"

"Good, good, good! Feeling good, huh?" The madness on Xuan Cheng's face vanished, replaced by an almost devout solemnity and fanaticism. "Kid, watch out! Your ancestor is serious! Don't cry when you die!"

He slowly clasped his hands together in front of his chest, and what he recited was no longer a jumble of chaotic shouts, but a clear and vast scripture containing supreme Buddhist principles:

His voice was as loud as a bell, and his chanting resounded through the heavens:

"A flower is a world; with a gesture of plucking a flower, one can subdue mountains and rivers!"

"One leaf, one Bodhi; the Bodhi palm technique saves all sentient beings!"

"Using no way as way, the formless finger breaks through all forms!"

"Using the infinite as the finite, the power of the Prajna Palm shatters the void!"

"All phenomena are empty—the Vajra is indestructible!"

"Cause and effect are inextricably linked—Indra seizes!"

"All things in the world are my laws!"

"Buddha—appears—!"

"Om-!"

Seventy-two figures appeared out of thin air, each one identical to Xuan Cheng's true form. Some smiled with a flower in hand, some glared fiercely like Vajra, some held up the sun and moon in their palms, and some drew lines in the void with their fingers... The seventy-two figures were simultaneously unleashing seventy-two completely different Shaolin techniques!

The immense energy intertwined into a net, causing the ground to tremble violently, rubble to float uncontrollably, and even the sky to seem to dim! The terrifying aura that gathered together was like the Buddha descending to earth to suppress all evil spirits and heretics!

The entire audience was utterly horrified!

"What...what is this?!"

"Clones?! How can there be so many clones?!"

"Sorcery! This is sorcery!"

Countless martial arts heroes were terrified, their faces turning pale, and they retreated in panic. Some even collapsed to the ground, their legs giving way.

Xuan Ci and Xuan Ku exchanged a sudden glance, both seeing immense shock and confirmation in each other's eyes.

Abbot Xuanci's voice trembled slightly as he said in a deep voice, "Amitabha! It's actually... the Shadow Clone Technique!"

Master Xuanku murmured, "Incredible... Senior Brother Xuancheng's talent is unparalleled throughout history... He truly deserves the title of the number one in Shaolin for the past two hundred years!"

The Beggars' Sect members all stood up, their faces deathly pale. Elder Lü Zhang, the master of martial arts transmission, said in a hoarse voice, "...This move...this move is beyond human capability to resist! It has transcended the realm of martial arts!"

Faced with this devastating blow that seemed to be the arrival of a god or Buddha, Qiao Feng's expression became extremely solemn, but there was no fear in his eyes, only an intense fighting spirit and a domineering ambition to look down on the world!

He took a deep breath, a breath so long it seemed to suck up all the surrounding air, his voice booming like a bell, resounding throughout the entire venue:

"What a powerful move! If I, Qiao Feng, had encountered this divine skill three months ago, I would have surely died!"

But today—

Before he finished speaking, Qiao Feng's palms were already flying up like butterflies flitting among flowers!

"Roar!" "Roar!" "Roar!"...

The roar of dragons was continuous and deafening! One after another, incredibly refined golden dragon-shaped energy bursts roared out from his palms! Shocking the Dragon Subduing Palm! Shocking for miles around! Leaping into the abyss! Dense clouds without rain... The essential moves of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms were unleashed by him at a speed that exceeded the limits!

One palm strike! Two palm strikes! Ten palm strikes! Eighteen palm strikes!

In a single breath, he unleashed a full eighteen palm strikes without holding back! The eighteen golden dragon energies did not attack Xuan Cheng; instead, as if possessing a life of their own, they swirled and danced wildly around Qiao Feng! The immense palm forces pulled and resonated with each other, causing Qiao Feng's aura to soar like a rocket, reaching an unprecedented peak!

His clothes billowed and his hair danced wildly, as if he had transformed into a god who controlled ten thousand dragons! The terrifying energy that gathered the power of the eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms formed a distorted force field around him, emitting a teeth-grinding buzzing sound!

"Master Xuancheng!"

Qiao Feng roared, his voice like a dragon's cry from the heavens, drowning out all the gasps and chants from the audience!

"Take this—Eighteen Styles Combined as One!"

The next instant, he thrust both palms forward!

The eighteen coiling and roaring golden dragon energies, as if receiving a final command, let out a resounding dragon roar that shook the heavens and the earth, and converged into a golden torrent that was enough to annihilate everything and was extremely dazzling. It crashed fiercely into the Xuan Cheng clone that was all over the sky and was using the seventy-two ultimate skills!

The golden torrent and the countless Buddha shadows lingered for a long time.

Chapter 116 We urge the Abbot to uphold justice for our Beggars' Sect.

In the center of Shaoshi Mountain Square, the golden torrent of the eighteen palms combined with the ultimate collision of the seventy-two ultimate skills of clone transformation erupted with a deafening roar!

“Rumble——!!!”

Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, or the sky collapsing! The violent energy, like a tangible tsunami, swept wildly outwards from the two of them! Smoke and dust rose into the sky, forming a huge shockwave that blotted out the sun and lingered for a long time!

Where the shockwave passed, a few people near the edge of the square steps, already terrified by the flying pebbles, were suddenly jostled by the surging, retreating crowd. They cried out in surprise, tripped, and fell flat on their faces with several loud thuds. Their hats were askew, their clothes were covered in dust, and they looked quite disheveled.

In the distance, atop the spire of a Buddhist pagoda, a muscular figure clad in black and masked stood alone. Xiao Yuanshan stared intently at the swirling smoke and dust in the arena, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions—pride, heartache, and overwhelming resentment!

"Heavens! How have you wronged me, Xiao Yuanshan!!" He roared silently in his heart, his nails digging deep into his palms until blood seeped out. "I will swallow this insult! With a son like this, what more could a husband ask for!"

His gaze returned to the arena, as if piercing through the smoke and dust to see that heroic figure. His voice became choked with emotion and fervor: "Do you see him, my wife?! This is our Feng'er! This is our flesh and blood! Truly a peerless hero! His heroic spirit is boundless and unstoppable, unmatched in the world today! Hahahaha... With such a son, I, Xiao Yuanshan, will die without regret or worry after this day!"

On the other side, Murong Fu clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He stared at Qiao Feng's figure, indistinct in the smoke and dust, seemingly invincible like a peerless god or demon. The undisguised jealousy and frustration in his eyes finally transformed into a chilling killing intent! If this man wasn't eliminated, his name, Murong of the South, would be forever suppressed!

The smoke and dust finally dissipated slowly.

The scene gradually became clear.

Qiao Feng stumbled back seven or eight steps before regaining his footing. His face was flushed, and his breathing was heavy, yet he remained as upright as a pine tree. He placed his hands behind his back, seemingly composed, but a keen observer would notice that his hands, hidden in his sleeves, were bulging with veins and trembling slightly. The combined force of those eighteen palm strikes had nearly exhausted his life's worth of power, and the recoil had shaken his internal organs.

Opposite him, Xuan Cheng was thrown onto the bluestone ground of the plaza by the concentrated palm force, his monk's robes covered in dust, looking rather disheveled. But he patted his backside, grinned, and a flash of golden light appeared around him, revealing him completely unharmed! The defense of his Vajra Indestructible Body was truly heaven-defying!

He rubbed his lower back and shouted towards the Tibetan palanquin like a spoiled child, "I'm not fighting anymore! It's no fun! Xiao Zhi! Come quick, come quick! My back is hurt! This kid is too ruthless!"

Before he could finish speaking, Kumārajīva, looking anxious, squeezed through the crowd. Forgetting all about maintaining the decorum of a national advisor, he rushed to Xuancheng's side, his eyes full of concern as he helped him up and down, carefully checking if he was truly injured. His voice was filled with genuine anxiety: "Senior! Are you alright? Where are you hurt? I'll help you down to rest right away!"

After confirming that Xuan Cheng was merely faking it and was unharmed, Kumārajīva felt slightly relieved, but his anger intensified. He supported Xuan Cheng, whirled around, and shot his gaze at Qiao Feng like cold lightning. His voice, filled with suppressed rage, boomed at the assembled heroes: "Hmph! Chief Qiao! To attack a senior master who is mentally unstable and insane with such recklessness—what kind of hero are you?! I, Kumārajīva, will remember your 'lesson' today! One day, I will surely come back to learn from Chief Qiao's skills!"

Having said that, he ignored everyone's reactions and carefully helped Xuan Cheng, who was still shouting "roast chicken, roast chicken," to the sidelines. Immediately, a Tibetan warrior respectfully presented him with a plump roast chicken. Xuan Cheng immediately beamed and grabbed it, devouring it as if the earth-shattering battle that had just taken place had nothing to do with him.

Upon seeing this, the Shaolin monks, including Xuanci, Xuanku, Xuannan, and Xuzhu, all bowed their heads and chanted Buddhist prayers: "Amitabha, forgive us, forgive us, forgive us..."

Xie Xiaoyu had already rushed to Qiao Feng's side and whispered, "Chief, you..."

Qiao Feng waved his hand slightly, indicating that it was alright. He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging blood and qi, and swept his gaze across the entire arena. His voice was still loud and clear, carrying an undeniable boldness and magnanimity: "Master Xuancheng's martial arts are divine, and his Vajra Indestructible Body is unparalleled in the world. I admire him! Today's battle was exhilarating and unresolved, with no clear winner or loser, only a feeling of exhilaration! All the heroes of the world here can bear witness!"

His words not only gave Xuan Cheng a way out but also preserved his own reputation, demonstrating a magnanimous character that was truly admirable. Just as everyone was about to breathe a sigh of relief or offer their praise—

A hoarse yet stern shout rang out from the Beggars' Sect crowd! An old man with white hair and beard, holding a green jade dog-beating stick, stepped forward from the crowd—it was Elder Xu of the Beggars' Sect! Beside him, Quan Guanqing followed closely, his eyes sinister.

Elder Xu's gaze swept over the assembled heroes, finally settling on Abbot Xuanci. His voice was solemn and impassioned: "Abbot Xuanci! Today, heroes from all over the world have gathered at Shaolin Temple, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I, Xu Chongxiao, as an elder of the Beggars' Sect, hereby earnestly request all fellow martial artists to redress the grievances of my Beggars' Sect's Vice Leader Ma Dayuan and uphold justice!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked!

The commotion that had just subsided has resurfaced, and it is more intense than ever before!

"Vice Chief Ma?"

"Wonder overturned? It's rumored that Vice Chief Ma died from his own unique skill."

"Everyone's eyes have already turned to the sidelines, to Murong Fu."

Countless gazes instantly focused on Elder Xu and Quan Guanqing, filled with surprise and speculation.

Qiao Feng and Xie Xiaoyu exchanged a glance, both utterly bewildered. Qiao Feng frowned deeply.

Abbot Xuanci frowned slightly, stepped forward from the crowd, clasped his hands together, and spoke in a booming voice, carrying the power to soothe people's hearts: "Amitabha. Elder Xu, you are a respected elder of the Beggars' Sect, of high moral character and prestige. If you have any grievances, you may speak frankly in public. If there is any injustice, although Shaolin is a place outside the martial world, we are willing to uphold justice and defend the righteousness of the martial world."

However, Elder Xu and Quan Guanqing did not answer Xuan Ci directly. Instead, they turned around at the same time and looked into the depths of the Beggars' Sect crowd.

The crowd seemed to be parted by an invisible hand, and a figure dressed in white slowly emerged from it.

She was dressed in plain white mourning clothes, but it could not hide her slender figure and natural charm. Her face was pale, her eyes were filled with tears, and she looked pitiful. It was Madam Ma, Kang Min!

Her appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Duan Zhengchun's eyes narrowed sharply as he stared intently at the tear-streaked face, his breathing quickening. He instinctively took a half-step forward, muttering, "Amin..." Seeing this, Dao Baifeng, standing beside him, was furious. She pinched his waist hard and, lowering her voice, gritted her teeth, saying, "Duan! You know your place! If you look at that vixen again, my son and I will be back in Dali immediately, and you'll never see me and Yu'er again!"

Hearing his parents' conversation and seeing his father's distraught appearance, Duan Yu couldn't help but lower his head, cover his mouth with one hand, and chuckle to himself, finding the scene both absurd and hilarious.

Kang Min seemed oblivious to everything around her. She staggered to the Shaolin monks and knelt down in front of Abbot Xuanci with a thud.

"Madam Ma! What is wrong? Please get up quickly!" Xuan Ci was shocked and hurriedly helped her up.

Ignoring everything else, Kang Min raised her tear-filled face, covered her face with one hand, and cried out in a heart-wrenching voice, "Abbot Xuanci! Eminent Shaolin monks! I beg you... I beg you to seek justice for my unjustly deceased husband, Ma Dayuan! My husband... he died such a tragic death... he didn't die from the legendary Murong family's secret technique of using the enemy's own methods against them, he... he was murdered!!"

Xuan Nan, the head of the Dharma Hall, was of upright character. Upon hearing this, he immediately became furious and shouted, "Who is so vicious as to dare to kill Vice Chief Ma?! Madam Ma, tell me!"

As if provoked by Xuan Nan's imposing aura, Kang Min suddenly stood up and turned around! The sorrow on her face was instantly replaced by a deep-seated resentment, and her gaze was like a poisoned dagger, fixed on the muscular figure in the arena who had just experienced a fierce battle and was still recuperating!

She extended a trembling finger, pointing it with all her might, her voice piercing the air, filled with boundless resentment, echoing throughout the entire Shaoshi Mountain Square:

"Who killed my husband, Ma Dayuan—"

"It's that Khitan traitor, Qiao Feng!!"

"Om-!!"

It was as if ten thousand bees were exploding in my ears at the same time. The entire square fell into a deathly silence, followed by a commotion and uproar like a volcanic eruption!

"what?!"

"Chief Qiao was a Khitan?!"

"He killed Deputy Gang Leader Ma?!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Exclamations, doubts, and incredulous murmurs filled the square in an instant! All eyes, like spotlights, were fixed on the man who had suddenly become the center of attention—Qiao Feng!

Quan Guanqing stood behind Kang Min, a cold, smug smile playing on his lips, unnoticed by anyone.

The storm has finally arrived!

Chapter 117 This body of flesh and blood, anyone who wants it—come and try!

After a deathly silence, a deafening uproar erupted at Shaoshishan Square!

"A Khitan? Chief Qiao is a Khitan?!"

"He also killed Deputy Gang Leader Ma?!"