The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 284 - 96: The Person Who Suddenly Appeared

Chapter 284: Chapter 96: The Person Who Suddenly Appeared

Although Kong Hai’s thought was not apparent on his face, Qing Yu, through the "Turtle Mirror," captured this intense emotion and naturally guessed what he was thinking.

Purely in terms of power, the simple "Crossing Eight Directions" could not possibly reach this extent. However, Qing Yu had previously used "Hundred-step Flying Sword," which made a difference.

The sword techniques of the Ghost Valley Sect, the Zongheng Sword, move vertically and horizontally—entirely different yet intersecting. The intersection of these two straight lines would connect the Zongheng Sword into one.

Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie were able to merge their dual swords because their sword techniques originated from the same school and could unite as one.

From the beginning, Qing Yu had intended to kill all five of Kong Hai’s group, and thus, he did not use the more powerful but less extensive combination of "Hundred-step Flying Sword" and "Outer Heaven Flying Immortal."

Instead, he used the pure "Hundred-step Flying Sword." Then, after killing two people with it, he transferred all the accumulated sword momentum of "Hundred-step Flying Sword" into "Crossing Eight Directions," executing this move to its ultimate limit.

Thus, this sword strike, after killing four people, retained its power and posed a lethal threat to Kong Hai.

This suddenly emerging gaunt figure also recognized this point, and that’s why he thrust Kong Hai aside and intercepted the attack.

Otherwise, no matter how desperately Kong Hai fought, he would have been defeated by this sword strike.

Of course, despite knowing everything, Qing Yu had no intention of explaining to his enemies.

Now, Qing Yu’s attention was no longer on Kong Hai but turned towards the gaunt figure who had blocked the sword for Kong Hai.

He was a middle-aged man—although he appeared thin and almost frail, Qing Yu’s "Heavenly Son’s Qi Observation Skill" could see through his gaunt appearance to the vibrant vitality beneath.

’A ascetic monk?’ Qing Yu thought, pondering with the memories of the Golden Wheel Dharma King about the Buddhist Studies of the Esoteric Sect.

Ascetic monks practice asceticism as a method of Cultivation. Such monks either exhaust their Primordial Energy prematurely during ascetic practices and die early.

Or, they achieve true enlightenment through their hardships, and no matter their strength, they become extremely formidable.

And this gaunt figure was clearly the latter. His seemingly frail body was actually tougher than metal, and possessed a resilience that metal lacked.

At least, ordinary metal could not withstand Qing Yu’s recent move, "Crossing Eight Directions."

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Qing Yu watched the monk from the Esoteric Sect, who appeared to be an ascetic, and asked, "Monk, how may I address you?"

"I am Monk Yuanzhen," the voice came, hoarse and weak, as if he was on the brink of death.

But you’re going to have to make your act of dying more convincing—drop your hands clasped in front of your chest. That previous sword left only a shallow scratch on these hands, and not even a drop of blood flowed.

Who would believe that such a fierce monk was about to die?

"Oh, Master Yuanzhen," Qing Yu laughed, "Such strong external power you have."

Yuanzhen remained silent.

"Master is so powerful, why didn’t you come out to save the other four just now?"

Yuanzhen continued his silence, like a clay statue, his eyes slightly closed, his heart as still as an ancient well, and the "Turtle Mirror" reflected not a trace of emotion.

"Master, perhaps Monk Kong Hai is reproaching you for your lack of insight and action right now?" Qing Yu continued unabated.

"Master Yu, you cannot detain us."

Yuanzhen finally spoke, uttering just one sentence that suddenly silenced Qing Yu.

’This monk is indeed perceptive,’ Qing Yu thought to himself.

Although it seemed like he was just spouting nonsense, Qing Yu had been using the "Heavenly Son’s Qi Observation Skill" to try and pinpoint Monk Yuanzhen’s weaknesses and kill him.

Unfortunately, Yuanzhen’s Heart Lake was as still as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple. His body, which seemed decrepit, was just a facade. Like a tree struck by lightning yet still teeming with vitality, it appeared decayed but was secretly brimming with life, ready to spring back to life when necessary.

And that necessary moment would probably be the breakthrough into the True Pill Realm.

Qing Yu could see that Yuanzhen’s years of asceticism had toughened his spirit incredibly, honing his physique and True Qi to the extreme, but prematurely depleting his Primordial Energy.

At this time, Monk Yuanzhen was preserving his own Primordial Energy using a martial art similar to the "Withering and Flourishing Zen Technique" until the breakthrough, when he would release it all, at the peak of his essence, energy, and spirit.

This meant that the monk, who was blocking the Sword Qi, was still not at his peak. His prime would come when the dead wood springs to life. He was a master at the Peak of the Divine Origin Realm.

"Amitabha, what if you include this poor monk?" A figure emerged from the shadows, revealing another monk.

’Shi Jue?’ Beneath the bronze mask, Qing Yu’s brows furrowed slightly.

’What is this monk doing here?’

’And moreover...’

Qing Yu looked around but didn’t see any other monks; Shi Jue had come alone.

"How come, the Great Zen Temple’s most distinguished ’Little Buddha’ Shi Jue, would you also involve yourself with bloodstained Gong Ziyu?" Kong Hai mockingly said.

"Or perhaps, you’ve been conspiring all along."

"I’m also curious, Monk Shi Jue, we fought not long ago, why are you helping me now?" Qing Yu asked.

Hearing this, Shi Jue maintained his dignified composure, slightly downcast eyes as if unwilling to witness the carnage strewn about, gently shook his head and said, "Regarding the last incident, I have already stated my position. That karma is for Master Yu to judge. I am here now for a separate matter of karma."

As he spoke, Shi Jue turned his head towards Kong Hai, still with his eyes lowered, but Kong Hai felt like he was being directly stared into his eyes.

"From my youth, I was looked after by Monk Shi Yi. Since he died at the hand of Kong Hai, as his junior, it’s natural for me to seek vengeance for Monk Shi Yi. Therefore, it’s best that Kong Hai remains behind today."

Unexpectedly, Shi Jue’s reason turned out to be for avenging Shi Yi rather than citing the higher reasons like conflicts within Zen and Esoteric sects.

That Monk called "Shi Yi," Qing Yu had only met him twice; once when they first met and once just before Shi Yi’s demise. He hadn’t realized there was such a connection between Shi Yi and Shi Jue.

However, this statement provoked even more mocking words from Kong Hai, "Just because of this, Shi Jue, you would cooperate with the murderous leader Gong Ziyu to avenge Shi Yi? Ha, people of the Zen Sect truly are all about chasing fame and not worthy of learning Buddha."

Kong Hai threw his arms wide, shouting, "Look around at this scene; all of this was caused by the Azure Dragon Association. In less than an hour, Qiangong Castle suffered heavy casualties. More tragic events will follow; if we lose, the lives of thousands in Qiangong Castle depend on the whims of this Executioner, Gong Ziyu."

"The lives of these thousand people, if they die, you, Shi Jue, cannot avoid responsibility."