In front of the Yuhua Mountain Gate, Lin Jiufeng watched the drunkard leave, his figure disappearing into the distance.
For a long time, Lin Jiufeng didn't move, feeling a sense of deep emotion. After all, the drunkard was the only other practitioner of martial arts in this world, apart from Lin Jiufeng himself. It was a pity that he had taken a wrong path, which was why Lin Jiufeng had been willing to go to great lengths to help him, to sever his future and personally open up a new path for him.
At that moment, words appeared before Lin Jiufeng's eyes:
"You have dedicated yourself to martial arts, activating your extraordinary comprehension and grasping the Human Immortal Fist."
Lin Jiufeng's pupils shrank in surprise. He muttered with joy, "It was worth all the effort to help him manifest an ancient divine demon shadow."
What started as a well-intentioned effort to help the drunkard, contributing to his martial arts and body refinement, unexpectedly led to an unexpected gain.
The Human Immortal Fist!
Wasn't this the drunkard's ultimate technique? Passed down from the golden age of martial body refinement, during that era, martial artists had transcended to become Immortals, overwhelming the top experts from countless worlds and making their mark as Human Immortals.
According to the legends, the Human Immortal Fist was the technique used by one person to overthrow the eighteen layers of hell, causing numerous demon kings to cry out in defeat, and establishing the Human Immortal's powerful reputation once and for all.
After that event, the Human Immortal Fist became an absolute skill for martial artists focused on body refinement, something countless practitioners admired.
To this day, Lin Jiufeng had no idea where the drunkard learned the Human Immortal Fist, but regardless, it was a good thing.
If the drunkard hadn't learned it, how could his extraordinary comprehension have been activated?
Lin Jiufeng suppressed his thoughts and accepted the Human Immortal Fist, beginning to slowly understand it.
The Human Immortal Fist was a technique of the Human Immortal, without fixed forms or patterns. It only required activating enough vitality and blood to manifest the Human Immortal's shadow, thus learning the technique. It was quite simple.
But learning it didn't mean mastering it, and mastering it didn't guarantee great power. The true strength of the Human Immortal Fist came only when one's physical body was strong enough, one's martial comprehension was profound, and there was a harmonious connection with the Human Immortal's shadow in the void.
The drunkard's Human Immortal shadow was obviously newly manifested. Though its aura was fierce, it played a minimal role during Lin Jiufeng's battle with him. Otherwise, it would have been far more difficult to modify the drunkard's cultivation.
"This martial art is indeed unlike ordinary techniques, even the cultivation method is completely different. With my current vitality and blood, I could instantly manifest the Human Immortal's shadow." Lin Jiufeng was confident, as his physical strength far surpassed the drunkard's, and his vitality lay hidden, still and ready to erupt with devastating force when needed.
"The area near Yuhua Mountain Gate is too crowded now. It's better to return to the Sutra Hall and ponder this technique more slowly," Lin Jiufeng thought as he looked around. The aftermath of his battle with the drunkard had left the nearby mountain peaks and the ground crowded with people. Though the crowd had scattered after several days of no activity, the fight had drawn them back, and even now, many gazes were directed his way.
Lin Jiufeng's senses were keen, and he could feel the presence of people watching him from across distant spaces. But the number of watchers was overwhelming, and he could hardly attend to them all, so he simply shook his head helplessly and turned to return to the Sutra Hall.
"Senior, please wait!"
A clear and crisp young voice suddenly rang out from the distant horizon, immediately drawing the attention of everyone around.
"Someone's coming?"
"The drunkard just lost, and so badly, who would dare challenge now?"
"It seems to be a monk!"
"Yes, a monk, looks quite young."
"A monk… who could it be?"
"It's Wu Buo, the disciple who left Leiyin Temple!"
People nearby turned to the horizon, where, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a young monk was approaching slowly. His face was obscured by the light, but it was clear he was young. With every step, hundreds of miles disappeared beneath his feet, and in just a few steps, he had arrived before the Yuhua Mountain Gate.
At that moment, someone recognized him.
It was Wu Buo, the disciple who had left Leiyin Temple!
The only monk among the Ten Kings.
His arrival excited the crowd. With one of the Ten Kings, the drunkard, just being defeated, now another—Wu Buo—was here. Everyone was eager to witness two great battles.
Before they could even cheer, the air suddenly filled with falling peach blossoms, bright red and mesmerizing.
"What is this?"
"Peach blossoms, falling from the sky?"
"Ridiculous, it's already past spring. There shouldn't be new peach blossoms now."
"These blossoms, though lifelike, are manifestations of energy."
"Manifestations of energy? This reminds me of an old friend!"
"I too am reminded of an old friend!"
At that moment, countless people recalled a familiar face.
The Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist.
Unlike the other Ten Kings, who were shrouded in mystery, the Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist was famous for his carefree and sociable nature. Wherever he went, he made a lot of friends, forming relationships with people he would never meet again.
Over the years, his footprints had spread across the world, and he had friends everywhere.
Known for his enthusiasm and kindness, the Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist was often seen riding a small donkey. Every time he appeared, energy manifested into peach blossoms to announce his arrival.
As time passed, his popularity among the Ten Kings had surpassed the others. People affectionately referred to him as an old friend.
Clop, clop, clop!
Sure enough, amid the crowd's anticipation, a small donkey trotted in, bringing the Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist with it.
The donkey's seemingly disorganized steps were, in fact, a profound traveling technique it had learned since childhood, naturally gaining human-like intelligence.
In the past, the Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist would always fight while riding the donkey, but today, he didn't. Instead, he slapped the donkey's rear and said, "Go stand aside and watch."
The donkey, reluctant, snorted in protest.
The Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist shot it a stern look: "Stop dawdling, or I'll turn you into donkey meat kebabs."
The donkey immediately shot off, and the Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist finally turned his attention to the Yuhua Mountain Gate and the still figure standing there. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Daoist disciple Zhou Yu, I humbly request guidance."
The crowd now understood that the Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist's true name was Zhou Yu. Was he here to challenge Lin Jiufeng?
Some of Zhou Yu's admirers became anxious.
Based on how Lin Jiufeng handled the drunkard, would Zhou Yu be able to withstand the battle?
If not, wouldn't that mean another one-sided beating?
Lin Jiufeng frowned, looking at the Peach Blossom Mountain Taoist. With his peak cultivation at the ninth level of the Forbidden Realm, Zhou Yu walked a mainstream path of cultivation—comprehending Dao patterns and breaking through realms.
Though Zhou Yu was one of the Ten Kings, Lin Jiufeng thought little of him.
"You're not my opponent. Fighting me would give you no chance of victory and wouldn't offer any insights into the Dao. I'll end it quickly," Lin Jiufeng said, rejecting the challenge outright.
"I know I am not your opponent. But what if I bring one more person?" Zhou Yu smiled, not angered.
At his words, another figure appeared beside him.
It was Wu Buo, the former disciple of Leiyin Temple!
Lin Jiufeng raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You two plan to team up?"
"We've been exchanging insights recently, learning about the origins of Buddhism and Daoism, and have gained many insights. We ask you to guide us, Senior."
Zhou Yu's expression turned serious as a powerful aura suddenly erupted from him, spreading across the sky. Two distinct energies formed: one dark, one golden.
The dark energy represented Daoism, with a Dao Ancestor appearing. The golden energy was Buddhist, manifesting a Buddha.
Yet, both figures looked like Zhou Yu himself.
When he made his move, it was the true essence of "Buddha is Dao."