Chapter 121

Nie Yun returned to his seat, and all around him was silent.

The two island lords, Long and Mu, trembled with excitement. They had a premonition that Nie Yun was the one who could break the martial arts of the stone wall.

Bai Zizai opened his mouth, but didn’t know how to start.

He knew Ding Busi’s martial arts skills. Although he was no match for him, he could at least fight him for an hour or two. Even if he won, he could only drive him away.

Now, such a master was easily killed by Nie Yun like a chicken, and Mei Wenxin was also taken down… Bai Zizai suddenly felt a chill down his spine when he thought about how he had wanted to teach Nie Yun a lesson before.

Nie Yun drank another cup of wine, stood up and said, “Island Master Long, there’s no time to lose, quickly take us to experience the unparalleled martial arts you spoke of.”

Island Master Long and Island Master Mu stood up together. Island Master Long said, “Heroes, please follow me.”

Four disciples stepped forward, grabbed the screen, and slowly pulled it aside, revealing a long passageway.

The two island lords, Long and Mu, said in unison, “Please!” and then led the way inside.

Nie Yun got up without hesitation and followed. The others looked at each other in confusion. In the end, most of them followed and went inside, while only a dozen or so people sat in place without moving.

After walking for more than ten zhang, the group came to a stone gate with three large ancient characters carved on it: “Xia Ke Xing”.

A disciple in yellow robes stepped forward, pushed open the stone door, and said, “There are twenty-four stone chambers inside the cave. Please feel free to come and look around. If you get tired of looking, you can go outside the cave to relax. All kinds of food and drink are provided in each stone chamber. Please help yourselves and don’t be shy.”

Nie Yun had been waiting impatiently for a long time, and he rushed in with a flash. The stone chamber inside the cave was full of experts who had come to the island from the mainland. They were either gesticulating wildly or deep in thought, looking like a bunch of madmen.

“It’s practically a mental hospital!” Nie Yun muttered, then immediately walked into one of the stone chambers.

Having read the original work in his previous life, Nie Yun was naturally not as foolish as them in analyzing the meaning of the words. After entering the stone chamber, he simply focused on observing the direction of the strokes.

The text of the Tai Xuan Jing is Li Bai’s poem “Xia Ke Xing”. The poem consists of 24 lines and includes six parts: swordsmanship, palm techniques, fist techniques, body techniques, breathing techniques, and general principles. The person who created this martial art used brushstrokes to express all kinds of moves and methods of operation. If one only pursues the meaning of the poem, one will go astray.

Once this martial art is mastered, all the meridians in the body become interconnected, and all acupoints are linked together. Internal energy flows freely within the body, like a rushing river, continuous and uninterrupted.

When making a move, the body moves freely and the mind follows the spirit. Fingers, palms, fists, and feet, as well as various techniques such as light footwork, weapons, grappling, and hand-to-hand combat, are integrated into one, without any distinction between them. When facing an enemy, the body will automatically make the most suitable reaction without having to think.

“This is quite similar to Ultra Instinct from Dragon Ball!” Nie Yun thought of the description of Shi Zhongjian after mastering it in the book, and an idea popped into his mind.

Nie Yunfei quickly went in and out of the stone chambers, memorizing all the inscriptions of the entire poem.

The two island lords, Long and Mu, initially followed him with high expectations, but they were greatly disappointed to see him rushing through each stone chamber.

Island Master Long shook his head and said, “He is still a young man and cannot compare to the composure of a master who has been famous for many years.”

Island Master Mu also sighed.

After leaving the last stone chamber, Nie Yun found an open space and sat cross-legged, the Xuanling Jade Disc inside his body slowly spinning.

The characters on the stone wall were gradually broken down into individual strokes, which then expanded and enlarged to form independent yet interconnected graphics.

“The teachings of the Jie Sect are to educate all people without discrimination and to enlighten all beings. When the Tai Xuan Scripture is mastered, all kinds of moves can be integrated and formed into bodily memory.”

Nie Yun pondered deeply, his brows furrowed. He felt as if he had grasped something: “The way of martial arts lies in refinement, breadth, and even more so in integration. The sky is high and the earth is vast, and all things are born and governed, so one should integrate them within it.”

Dugu Nine Swords, Zha Dao Da Fa, Tian Boguang’s Swift Blade, Five Sacred Mountains Swordplay, Pine Breeze Swordplay, Evil-Repelling Swordplay, Snow Mountain Swordplay, Shaolin Seventy-Two Arts, Stone Carvings from Xia Ke Island…

Nie Yun kept recalling the many martial arts skills he had witnessed since his debut.

In addition, there were many martial arts manuals that he had read in the Shaolin Temple’s Sutra Pavilion.

The reason why Shaolin Temple is known as the orthodox school of martial arts is not only because of its seventy-two unique skills, but also because its eminent monks throughout the ages have continuously absorbed and studied the martial arts of other schools, accumulating a wealth of knowledge.

The Dharma Hall in the temple specializes in the study of martial arts of its own school, while the Prajna Hall specializes in the study of martial arts of all schools and sects in the world.

When Shaolin disciples travel the martial world, after returning to the temple to pay their respects to the abbot and their master, they first go to the Discipline Hall to report whether they have committed any offenses, and then go to the Prajna Hall to report their experiences and observations.

If there was even one useful move or technique from another school of martial arts, the monks of the Prajna Hall would write it down.

Through such extensive learning over time, he could be said to have a thorough understanding of the martial arts of all schools of martial arts.

However, although Shaolin Temple has a vast collection of martial arts, human resources are limited. It is already difficult to read through hundreds of years of accumulated martial arts knowledge, let alone understand it all.

Therefore, there are many eminent monks in the Prajna Hall, each of whom studies one or more martial arts. When a powerful enemy attacks, they all go into battle. No matter what moves the opponent uses, Shaolin Temple has someone to deal with them.

But who could have predicted that Nie Yun, this overpowered genius, would suddenly appear out of nowhere, able to learn any martial arts he wanted instantly and remember any martial arts he wanted after just one glance. He single-handedly absorbed all of Shaolin Temple’s nearly thousand-year-old accumulated knowledge, which has now all become nutrients to help him grow.

The Xuanling Jade Disc continuously released the various martial arts techniques it recorded, which were then transformed into the diagrams of the Tai Xuan Scripture. As a result, those diagrams also continuously changed and grew larger, emitting an increasingly dazzling golden light.

The Tai Xuan Jing states that “Tai” represents the ultimate state of things, and “Xuan” represents the ultimate state of mystery.

As the saying goes, “The mystery is the gateway to all wonders.”

The Tai Xuan Scripture can be described as an all-encompassing martial art, and it has no end. It can incorporate the martial arts techniques of any school in the world into its own style, making them the practitioner’s own martial art.

From this perspective, it’s somewhat similar to the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand from “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils”.

However, like the Dugu Nine Swords, the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand focuses more on breaking through moves and finding weaknesses.

The Tai Xuan Jing, on the other hand, focuses on absorbing and integrating these elements, making them one’s own.

Cultivating the Tai Xuan Scripture is only the foundation; constantly enriching one’s martial arts knowledge is the way to make it continuously stronger.

Nie Yun’s internal energy continuously circulated through the acupoints and meridians throughout his body. He was born with all meridians open, so unlike Shi Zhongjian in the original work, he did not feel heat in a certain acupoint from time to time. Instead, his energy flowed like mercury, reaching every crevice and all paths.

Gradually, the speed of his internal energy circulation increased, and it began to make a sound like a rushing river.

He could no longer sit still. He immediately stood up and used all the moves he had in mind, and used his light footwork to circle around inside the stone cave.

The group of people who were engrossed in martial arts in the stone chamber were all awakened by his commotion and came out to check.

Nie Yun walked faster and faster in the cave, displaying a variety of exquisite moves, including palm strikes, swordplay, fist strikes, and finger techniques, leaving the audience dazzled.

The sound of the internal energy flowing within the body grew louder and louder, eventually becoming like thunder.

Everyone who saw this changed color. The two island lords, Dragon and Wood, exchanged a glance, both surprised and delighted.

As time went on, Nie Yun’s circling range grew larger and larger, forcing everyone to retreat continuously until they all eventually escaped outside the cave.

Bai Zizai was anxious and called out repeatedly, “Nie Yun, Nie Yun!” However, Nie Yun was already immersed in this profound realm and could not hear his calls.

Standing at a distance, the group could only hear the continuous rumbling sounds from inside the cave, and sand and gravel kept falling from the cave entrance. They looked at each other in bewilderment.

Suddenly, someone said, “Won’t this cave collapse because of his shock?”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone heard a whooshing sound above their heads. Looking up, they saw several stones of different sizes falling from the top of the cave.

With a shout, everyone ran outside.

Bai Zizai wanted to rush in to save Nie Yun, but he was outnumbered and outmatched. He could only be swept away by the crowd and helplessly call out Nie Yun’s name.

“Nie Yun, you brat, come out here right now!” Recalling his granddaughter’s resolute words before parting, Bai Zizai was both anxious and angry, tearing his white beard into a mess.

The group stopped at the back of the hall, all panting heavily.

A rumbling sound came from the direction of the stone cave and lasted for more than half an hour before it quieted down.

After a while, the sound rang out again, this time lasting for a full two hours.

The crowd was reluctant to leave and remained seated in the hall, waiting patiently.

This went on for many days until it finally quieted down at noon the next day.

The group looked at each other, their eyes filled with curiosity. They wanted to see what was going on, but they were also still shaken by the previous rockfall.

The two island lords and Bai Zizai didn’t care about anything else and immediately ran towards the stone cave. However, as soon as the three of them moved, they heard a loud laugh coming from there.

Upon hearing that the person laughing was Nie Yun, they breathed a sigh of relief. Bai Zida shouted, “Nie Yun, are you alright, kid?”

“Zhao’s guest, adorned with a silk tassel, wielded a Wu hook sword gleaming like frost and snow. His silver saddle reflected on his white horse, swift as a shooting star. He could kill a man in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles. His task accomplished, he would dust off his clothes and depart, concealing his identity and name. Leisurely, he would drink in Xinling, his sword laid across his knees. He would offer roasted meat to Zhu Hai, and raise a cup to Hou Ying. Three cups later, he would utter a solemn promise, making even the Five Sacred Mountains seem insignificant. After his eyes blurred and ears burned, his spirit soared like a rainbow. He wielded a golden hammer to save Zhao, shocking Handan. Two heroes for a thousand autumns, their fame resounding in Daliang. Even in death, their chivalrous spirit lingers, worthy of the world’s heroes. Who can write of your deeds, your white-haired master, the Tai Xuan Jing?”

As the song “The Knight Errant” played, Nie Yun slowly approached, exuding an imposing aura.

With each sentence he read, his momentum grew stronger. In the end, everyone felt as if they were facing a sharp longsword, its cold light flashing, seemingly capable of splitting mountains and seas, and cleaving the heavens and earth with a single swing.

“How can he have such a strong aura?” Everyone was amazed, and some of the weaker practitioners even felt like they couldn’t breathe.

Nie Yun seemed to sense the situation of everyone, smiled slightly, and his imposing aura suddenly disappeared.

The two island lords, Dragon and Wood, stepped forward and looked Nie Yun up and down.

Island Master Long said, “Chief Nie, you…”

Nie Yun nodded, his lips moving slightly.

The two island lords, Long and Mu, were initially shocked, then suddenly realized what was happening, and finally gave a wry smile.

“So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is. Alas, forty years have passed, forty years have passed!” Island Master Mu muttered to himself, his face full of dejection.

Looking at his old friend’s snow-white hair, the Dragon Island Master smiled bitterly and said, “White hair and the Tai Xuan Scripture, self-surrender and the Tai Xuan Scripture! In the end, we were all wrong!”

Everyone was puzzled, and someone asked first, “What has happened, island lords?”

Some people guessed something from the scene just now and shouted to Nie Yun, “Sect Leader Nie, could it be that you have mastered the martial arts on the stone wall?”

Nie Yun ignored them and simply extended his index fingers to touch the foreheads of the two island lords, Dragon and Wood.

The two men were initially bewildered, then their eyes widened. After a short while, Nie Yun removed his hands, and the two looked at each other, both seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.

Just as Island Master Long was about to speak, Nie Yun raised his hand to stop him, turned to Zi Zizai and said, “Grandpa, we should go back too!” After saying that, he took the lead and walked out of the cave.

Having received no answer, the crowd was unwilling to let him leave and hurriedly shouted, “Kid, tell me quickly, what did you just do?” Several impatient men even reached out and grabbed his shoulder.

Nie Yun snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve at the group, and the newcomers were sent flying as if hit by a galloping horse.

When they landed, the attacker’s chest caved in, his eyes bulged out, and he coughed up blood; he was completely lifeless.

This move immediately stunned everyone. Nie Yun turned around and said disdainfully, “You can’t even learn it yourself, yet you’re envious and jealous of others who do. You’re truly shameless and incompetent!”

Everyone was indignant upon hearing this, but due to the power he had displayed earlier, no one dared to speak.

Nie Yun’s eyes swept over everyone one by one. Wherever he went, the people there felt a killing intent that seemed to be real, and they involuntarily lowered their heads.

Nie Yun said, “I originally thought of leaving that stone wall for you to study, but now it seems you are not worthy at all!” As he spoke, a silver light flashed beneath his feet, and he disappeared instantly.

As everyone was wondering what was going on, they suddenly heard a series of sounds of rocks cracking coming from the direction of the cave.

A quick-witted person in the crowd immediately shouted, “Oh no! He’s going to destroy the stone wall!”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately realized what was happening and rushed inside. However, when they entered, all the stone chambers had collapsed, and the diagrams on the walls were completely destroyed.

Nie Yun stood to the side, gently patting the dust off his clothes.

Someone couldn’t help but shout, “Chief Nie, you’ve learned it but you won’t let others learn it. Isn’t that a bit too domineering?”

Nie Yun sneered, “You wouldn’t let me leave when I wanted to, didn’t you think you were being domineering then! Now that you’ve messed with me, this is what happens! Anyone who disagrees, come and fight!”

Another person shouted, “Sect Leader Nie, do you perhaps wish to make enemies of all the heroes under heaven?” Upon hearing this, the crowd joined in the commotion.

“The heroes of the world? I think they’re just a rabble!”

Nie Yun said sarcastically, “The Five Mountains Sword Sects respect me as their leader, Shaolin Temple was forced to close its gates for a hundred years by my sword alone, Wudang Sect owes me a huge favor, and the Sun Moon Sect and all its subordinate heroes have joined the Huashan Sect. Do you think there is anyone in the world who would dare to be my enemy?”

“From this day forward, our Xia Ke Island lineage will also obey the orders of Sect Leader Nie. Anyone who is detrimental to Sect Leader Nie will be an enemy of Xia Ke Island!” said Island Master Long.

“That’s right! From this day forward, there will be no more Xia Ke Island, only the Xia Ke Hall of the Huashan Sect!” Island Master Mu echoed.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a sense of powerlessness.

Looking at Nie Yun, who resembled the supreme master of the martial arts world, Bai Zizai suddenly recalled what Nie Yun had said to him on the boat: “Old man, although I, Nie Yun, dare not claim to be the best in the world, I am certainly among the top in the martial arts world in terms of martial arts skills, appearance, and status…”

“This kid… he’s not just ranked, he’s number one!” Bai Zizai thought of his granddaughter’s infatuation with such a person, and he didn’t seem to feel so resistant anymore.

Xia Ke Island is a large and powerful organization, so it’s impossible for them to just leave. Nie Yun bid farewell to the two island lords and returned by boat with Bai Zizai.

Along the way, Bai Zizai completely transformed into a curious child, asking all sorts of questions.

Nie Yun didn’t hold back and answered his question.

This time, they stayed on the island for less than five days. By the time Nie Yun and the others’ small boat approached the shore where they had set off, it was already the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Once ashore, the two used their lightness skills to head straight for the fishing village. As they reached the village entrance, they suddenly heard the sounds of clashing weapons, interspersed with shouts.

Nie Yun frowned, and Lei Shen sped up, instantly arriving at the scene, with Bai Zizai following behind using his lightness skill.

Two white-haired old men were fighting against Shi Qing and his wife and Shi Xiaocui. Although the two men were outnumbered two to three, they had a firm advantage. Shi Qing’s ribs were covered in blood, and he was obviously injured.

Bai Axiu was locked in combat with a girl in green, who looked smug and attacked ruthlessly, forcing Bai Axiu to retreat repeatedly. Shi Jian hid behind a tree, his eyes filled with anxiety.

Nie Yun was furious. He went straight to Bai Axiu, grabbed her hand and flung it behind her, and grabbed the long sword the girl was thrusting at him with the other hand and twisted it so hard that he twisted the steel sword into a pretzel.

The girl looked shocked and slapped Nie Yun in the face. Nie Yun swept his left hand aside, blocking her right arm, and then swiftly reached out with his right hand, grabbing her neck and lifting her up.

“Ah!” the girl cried out in surprise, feeling a tremendous force from the large hand gripping her neck, as if it would snap her neck in the next moment.

Nie Yun looked up and saw that the girl had a fair and delicate face, a small red mouth, and clear eyes. She was a stunningly beautiful woman.

But she was being held in his hand, her face filled with terror.

The girl kicked Nie Yun in the abdomen. Nie Yun chuckled and slightly turned his body, pressing the girl to the ground like a blacksmith.

With a loud bang and a cloud of dust, the girl coughed up a mouthful of blood and fainted.

Nie Yun casually pressed her pressure points and dislocated all her ankle and wrist joints before turning to look at Bai Axiu.

Bai Axiu gazed at Nie Yun with her beautiful eyes, her gaze filled with boundless joy.

Nie Yun smiled slightly at her, then turned and rushed towards Shi Qing and the others.

Shi Jian rushed forward to support Bai Axiu, shouting, “Sister, it’s Brother Nie! It’s Brother Nie!” She jumped up and down as she spoke, her face full of excitement.

“Yes, he’s back, just like he promised me!” Bai Axiu murmured, her eyes filled with tears, her smile radiant, indescribably beautiful and charming.

At this moment, Bai Zizai also arrived at the scene, drew his sword and fought alongside his wife, instantly changing the course of the battle.

The pressure on Shi Qing eased, and he took a few steps back, leaning against the side, panting heavily.

When Nie Yun caught a glimpse of this out of the corner of his eye, he couldn’t help but feel conflicted: Should he get rid of this cheap godfather while he was at it?