Martial Saint!
Chapter 427 - 0278 Great Sound is Inaudible, great shapes are invisible, monk Ling Kong, takes the first step. (4k)_2

Chapter 427: 0278 Great Sound is Inaudible, great shapes are invisible, monk Ling Kong, takes the first step. (4k)_2

Lu Chenzhou’s mind was flooded with the Martial Arts resonance of Ling Kong Shangren. A sixty-year-old Martial Artist, still undaunted, determined to be the founder of Elephant Form for the sake of the world. Truly, an extraordinary person!

At this time, his Qi-Blood was aging, no longer in his vigorous youth, having missed the golden and silver eras. Even if it was an epiphany, it would be difficult to reach Breakthrough Two, let alone become a Great Grandmaster?

The old monk said,

"Ling Kong Shangren indeed had great fortune, entering into the Innate Realm at an old age, against all norms, making rapid progress. He chose Tiger Form Fist from the ’Wanxiang Book’ as his main focus, after overcoming numerous disasters, astonishingly becoming a Tiger Form Grandmaster at the age of one hundred."

Lu Chenzhou also remarked, "Ling Kong Shangren was indeed fierce, missing the age of cultivation, and entering the Dao in old age. Over forty years, from Martial Artist to Martial Arts Grandmaster, in that era, the difficulty of achieving this was no less than Master Ji becoming a Grandmaster..."

The old monk said,

"Eventually, Ling Kong chose to integrate and pass through Dragon and Tiger Dual Forms. Over a hundred years, he became the first Elephant Form Great Grandmaster. By then, he was two hundred years old."

Lu Chenzhou said,

"Dual Forms are difficult, Dragon and Tiger Dual Forms, even more so! But there was no choice, back then, the foundation of the Elephant Form single sect Martial Arts was weak, far inferior to boxing lineages such as Tai Chi. If one wanted to dash to a higher realm without adding Dual Forms, the chances were slim."

In fact, as he knew.

Four Symbols Master, practicing Four Forms, was also because in his era, advancing to the Absolute Peak with a single form in Martial Arts was too difficult; other than adding other forms, there was no other way.

Although Cangtian Dragon King advanced to Absolute Peak with Dragon Form, it was because the Elephant Form had developed over generations and had a deep foundation, and the Dragon King himself was also proficient in the Three Religions.

Dragon Form was only part of what the Dragon King learned.

Although there were many Elephant Form Sects, individual sects lacked a deep foundation. These were characteristics that arose early on from their folk origins, and still are the case to this day.

The old monk said,

"At this time, Shangren still had two hundred years left to live. He once again sought truth and visited Dao, delving into the Netherworld in search of treasures and trying every possible way to prolong his life for decades. He tried to reach the Sixth Realm with the Four Symbols Technique, solving Zhang Zu’s difficult problem; however, destiny played its tricks just on the eve of his great enlightenment, his time arrived..."

The old monk’s gaze was complex, his eyes moist.

He softly sighed,

"He only said one word before passing away with regrets."

Lu Chenzhou said,

"To learn the Dao in the morning and die in the evening is still worthwhile."

The historical scholars have compiled the ’Three Regrets of Martial Arts’.

The first regret, Heavenly Master Zhang’s misguided path to the Fifth Realm with an Outer Elixir, dying after breaking through.

The second regret, Zhang Zu failed to break the shackles of the Sixth Realm, understanding the mystery just before death.

The third regret, Ling Kong Shangren’s time was near just before full enlightenment, ended in regret.

Nature is indifferent; no matter how brilliant you are, in the face of death, all beings are equal.

The old monk lamented,

"However, the disciple of Ling Kong, Four Symbols Master, proved that the Four Symbols Technique used initially not only allowed him to enter the Six Realms but even to knock on the doors of the Seventh Realm. He was right.

Now the foundation of Elephant Form is profound and far surpasses before. For any major sect’s Cultivators, there’s no need to practice multiple forms and yet they can break into the Sixth and even the Seventh Realm, indeed a fortunate thing for the younger generations."

After saying these, the old monk continued sweeping the floor.

Lu Chenzhou stood silently, appearing contemplative.

A moment later, he looked at the old monk and said,

"The elder’s deep research on Ling Kong Shangren is no less than that of historians."

The old monk proudly smiled,

"I have been studying Shangren while sweeping these years."

"If the elder wishes to switch careers, perhaps to teaching, I could recommend you."

"No need, with this dying body, better continue sweeping."

"Then, elder, carry on with your work. I will go look inside the tower."

"Go ahead, afterward, you might also visit Lingjiu Temple, Longquan Temple, Buddha Light Temple, and Nanshan’s ancient sites on Wutai Mountain. You might gain something."

"Thank you, elder."

Lu Chenzhou entered the White Tower and turned to look.

The sweeping old monk looked up and asked,

"Anything else?"

"Nothing."

Lu Chenzhou shook his head and disappeared.

He had been left somewhat paranoid by Kongwen Divine Monk.

Always feeling that this old monk might be an illusion created by Ling Kong Shangren.

But now, it seemed, the old monk was indeed an ordinary man.

Even among the common folk, extraordinary people could be born.

...

Inside the White Tower.

Lu Chenzhou carefully perceived the traces of Dao Yun within.

He stood at the window, looking down at the sweeping old monk.

The old man, tired from sweeping, sat on a chair, wiping sweat and drinking water.

Lu Chenzhou’s hand gently brushed the ancient wall.

Closing his eyes, he sensed with his heart.

In his mind faintly came the sound of boxing.

"Here it comes."

He opened his eyes, and found himself amidst vast mountain ranges.

Below the White Tower, the tree shadows were mottled, time seeming to rewind and change.

Ling Kong Shangren’s face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly ran away.

Lu Chenzhou, as if having activated God’s perspective, had once again experienced the entire life of Ling Kong Shangren as told by the old man. It started from secretly learning Fist Techniques up to leaving Wutai Mountain to wander, entering the Innate at the age of sixty, and becoming a Grandmaster at one hundred... These, he had experienced once again.

Although there were discrepancies compared to what the old man had said, overall, there was no significant difference.

"It seems that the old man is indeed not Ling Kong."

The vision reached the last scene.

The lamp was out of oil, and Ling Kong Shangren, surrounded by death Qi, was researching the classics of Zhang Zu. Behind him were the Qi of the dragon, tiger, tortoise, and Vermilion Bird—shapes that resembled the Four Extremes of Heaven from Da Xia mythologies, the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

These factions were all highly difficult. Talents as startling as the Four Symbols Master had also chosen to take a step back, opting for lower versions. Principal Wang was merely among the three symbols. As an ancient figure, given the conditions, they were inferior to the present...

All one could say was, deserving of being the patriarch of the Elephant Form Sect.

Lu Chenzhou admired him!

"If it weren’t for his imminent end, Shangren could have truly become a top-level Four Symbols Heavenly King."

He sighed inwardly.

"Hahaha, so it is, so it is..."

Suddenly, Ling Kong Shangren put down the book and danced.

He had finally glimpsed the scenery of the Sixth Realm. After a nostalgic reflection, his once youthful and spry face quickly withered like the last autumn leaf before winter, bleak and forlorn.

Ling Kong Shangren didn’t hang his head in despair or sigh continually.

Step by step, he moved to the White Tower where he had swept the floors in his youth.

Around him, there was no one.

He quietly leaned against the Buddha statue and went into a deep sleep, a smile on his lips.

"To hear the Dao in the morning; to die content in the evening..."

His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Shangren’s form dissipated, and his Qi transformed into the Phantom of the Four Symbols, soaring into the clouds.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The bell tolled.

Across Wutai Mountain, countless monks lifted their heads, their eyes trembling.

"The patriarch... the patriarch has entered Nirvana."

"Did Shangren still fail?"

"It was so close."

"I would give all my remaining years for Shangren to have just one more year."

"Me too!"

"If only Heaven had eyes, Heaven could lend Shangren another five hundred years!"

Frustration, indignation, sadness... A mix of emotions interwove.

Buddhist disciples had hoped that Shangren would be the first to enter the Sixth Realm.

They were full of expectation, envisioning the future of Wutai Mountain.

Unfortunately, there were no gods in this world.

Praying to heaven? It wouldn’t work.

If heaven wouldn’t give it, they must seize it themselves!

Thus, Shangren passed away contentedly.

Under the canopies of heaven.

An aged, compassionate phantom looked down at the monks below and smiled:

"The great era of Martial Arts is upon us. Soon, someone will enter the Sixth Realm. Whether it is Buddha or Dao, it is no longer important. The path of Elephant Form, flourishing until today, is already not weaker than other paths. This poor monk has spent his life merely unearthing a fraction of the potential of the Elephant Form. The future world will surely be a world where the Elephant Form shines brightly!"

After saying this, the aged phantom suddenly looked toward the White Tower.

He seemed to see Lu Chenzhou by the window.

Predecessor and successor gazed at each other across the misaligned timespaces.

Lu Chenzhou paid his respects in a grand ceremony to the preeminent figure.

"The prospects of Elephant Form Sect, just as the patriarch said, perfectly accurate."

In this era, Elephant Form was indeed producing numerous strong figures.

Its profound influence rivaled Tai Chi, transcending the distinctions between Buddha and Dao.

Ling Kong Shangren turned around, the Four Symbols followed, and soared into the heavens.

"Seeking truth and pursuing Dao, mastering the Three Religions,

Delving into ancient changes, integrating Elephant Reasoning with Zen,

Using techniques to prolong life, universally ferrying the sentient,

Bearing this method forever, passing it down endlessly."

The voice echoed between heaven and earth.

"This poor monk Ling Kong, taking the lead."

The illusion shattered, and Lu Chenzhou’s eyes slightly reddened.

By now, the sun had already set in the west.

The old monk sweeping the ground had just finished his chores.

He looked up and greeted:

"Mr. Lu, take your time looking around, just make sure to close the door when you leave... I’ll be off."

Lu Chenzhou waved and said:

"Old man, take care."

Under the setting sun, the aged figure faded into the distance.

At this moment, mismatched timespaces overlapped.

Lu Chenzhou stood silently, pensive.

Until in his mind, a voice came from the Martial Arts Tree.

[The Unseen Great Elephant (Incomplete)]

[Incomplete technique, unable to cultivate]