"Fellow Daoist, this is Wudang."
Ming Xu gazed at the towering peak that pierced the heavens, a trace of emotion in his eyes.
He had cultivated on Wudang since he was a child.
It was only because of a disagreement in ideals with his master, Zhang Dongxuan, that he had stormed down the mountain in a rage, not to return for ten years.
Now, coming back to Wudang, it truly felt as though a lifetime had passed.
"Worthy of a Major Sect renowned throughout the world. It is truly magnificent."
Wang Xiao nodded slightly.
This Wudang was even grander than the Sword Sect.
At the entrance, two stone pillars several dozen feet high supported a massive plaque inscribed with the name 'Wudang'.
It gave one the impression of the Southern Celestial Gate itself.
Faintly, in the distance...
One could see disciples patrolling the mountain and sweeping the grounds, each carrying themselves with an extraordinary air.
Ming Xu spoke up. "Yes. With my master, a Martial Saint, supporting it, Wudang could never fall into decline."
"Shall we head straight up the mountain, or...?" Wang Xiao looked at Ming Xu.
More than a month had passed since his battle with Chen Tiangang.
He hadn't come to Wudang immediately, instead first having Zhang Yuanzhu's Taiping Army scout the Court's movements.
Only after confirming that the Court had not moved against the Sword Sect...
Did he finally come to Wudang with Ming Xu.
By now...
The news that he had become a Martial Saint was known throughout the world.
Wudang, naturally, could not be unaware.
Coupled with Ming Xu's introduction, he should be able to meet Zhang Dongxuan, Master Zhang, without any trouble.
Proposing a sparring match then would also be perfectly reasonable.
Ming Xu pursed his lips. "This old Daoist will go and announce our arrival first. My master values propriety above all else. Anyone who comes here must abide by his rules. Ascending the mountain unannounced would likely displease him."
It was clear that although he had left Wudang, he still held immense respect for his master.
"Alright," Wang Xiao nodded.
When in someone else's territory, one naturally had to play by their rules.
Ming Xu then stepped forward and spoke to a Daoist Child guarding the mountain path.
"I am Ming Xu, here with Martial Saint Wang Xiao of the Sword Sect to visit Master Zhang. I'll have to trouble you to pass on the message."
The Daoist Child glanced at Ming Xu, then his gaze shifted to Wang Xiao standing not far away, and his eyes widened abruptly.
"M-Martial Saint? The young Martial Saint from the Sword Sect? Please wait a moment, I'll go make the report right away!"
He was just a new Daoist Child at Wudang and didn't recognize Ming Xu, but he had certainly heard of Wang Xiao's name.
Recently in the Jianghu, the one with the most momentum was, of course, Wang Xiao!
It had even reached a point where...
Wang Xiao had been written into the stories of various storytellers, his fame truly spreading across the world.
The Daoist Child naturally did not dare to show any neglect, scrambling up the mountain.
「An incense stick's time later.」
A group of Daoists clad in Daoist Robes and holding Dusters walked briskly down the mountain path.
Each of them possessed a powerful aura; the weakest among them seemed to be at the Grandmaster Realm.
The leader of the group was Immaculate and his presence was one of natural perfection. He was, shockingly, a Grandmaster!
When Ming Xu saw this man, his eyes flickered, and he stepped forward to bow.
"Senior Brother Ming Chen, it has been ten years. I trust you've been well."
The Daoist, Ming Chen, glanced at Ming Xu and snorted coldly.
"You still have the nerve to come back? Do you have any idea what you've been doing all these years?"
Ming Xu replied,
"I am simply doing what I believe must be done. Whether I succeed or fail, my efforts will be a contribution for ages to come!"
Ming Chen's eyes glared. "You think you can save this world? As long as Wu Shengtiang lives, you will never be able to overthrow the Great Xuan. By forming the Taiping Army, do you know what a great disaster you could bring upon Wudang? A wise man doesn't stand under a crumbling wall, to say nothing of us clergy. It is because of you that Wudang is being targeted by the Court at every turn."
Ming Xu was unmoved. "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Wu Shengtiang may be strong, but he cannot stop the tides of change. Senior Brother, you are too shortsighted."
He paused.
Then he continued, "I did not come here today to debate the Dao with you. I am here to bring Fellow Daoist Wang of the Sword Sect to see our master. Where is he?"
Ming Chen ignored Ming Xu and looked at Wang Xiao.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, our master is currently in seclusion and cannot receive guests. All sect affairs are currently being managed by me. I wonder what business has brought you here? You may speak with me."
Wang Xiao spoke up.
"I have come on this journey only to verify my Martial Arts with Master Zhang and explore the path forward. May I ask how long Master Zhang will be in seclusion?"
Ming Chen said,
"That is hard to say. It could be a few months, or it could be several years. If Fellow Daoist Wang wishes to explore the path forward, perhaps you could first seek out the other Martial Saints."
Ming Xu interjected from the side.
"That's not right. I remember Master hates nothing more than seclusion. I followed him for so many years and never once saw him go into seclusion. How is it that the moment we arrive, he's suddenly in seclusion?"
Ming Chen's face immediately darkened.
"Nonsense! Does Master need to inform you in advance before going into seclusion? Furthermore, you have already left Wudang. You should no longer use the word 'Master'."
Wang Xiao hadn't expected his first visit to a Martial Saint to start so poorly.
He could already see that this Master Zhang clearly did not want to see him and was using seclusion as an excuse.
After all...
Wang Xiao had already learned from Ming Xu that this Master Zhang had always refrained from meddling in the affairs of the Court.
And now...
Wang Xiao was the Court's biggest thorn in the side. Master Zhang naturally wanted nothing to do with him.
After a moment's thought...
Wang Xiao said, "If that's the case, then I will say just one thing, and then I will leave."
"What does Fellow Daoist Wang wish to say?" Ming Chen could not help but ask.
Wang Xiao took a step forward, drew a deep breath, and shouted toward the peak of Wudang Mountain:
"Wang Xiao of the Sword Sect requests that Master Zhang descend the mountain to meet me!"
The sound was quiet at first.
But as the third word left his mouth...
The entire world seemed to spin and then began to tremble violently!
A terrifying soundwave, like a bolt of lightning, converged towards the mountain peak!
This was Wang Xiao's application of Martial Saint's Power since his ascension.
It also contained all the Martial Arts he had comprehended over the past fourteen years.
"You..."
Ming Chen's expression changed drastically when he heard this sound.
As the voice fell upon his ears, it was like thunder from the ninth heaven, leaving him without a shred of will to resist.
'He knew that if his opponent wished it, he could be killed with a single sentence!'
'Is this the power of the legendary young Martial Saint from the Sword Sect?!'
'He had always thought the rumors were exaggerated.'
'Seeing him today, he finally understood that this young Martial Saint was even stronger than the legends claimed!'
Just as Wang Xiao's last word fell...
STEP.
An elderly man with an immortal-like bearing, clad in a white Daoist Robe with a full head of white hair and a white beard, seemed to be Crossing the Void as he slowly walked down the mountain.
He looked at Wang Xiao and let out a soft breath.
"A young Martial Saint, truly full of spirit. This humble Daoist is impressed."
Wang Xiao's eyes flashed, and he clasped his hands in a salute.
"Greetings, Master Zhang. I have come only to explore the path forward. As Master Zhang avoided seeing me, I had no choice but to resort to this crude method. I hope you can forgive my offense."
Zhang Dongxuan shook his head.
"Alas, I must admit, your Talent is even greater than Wu Shengtiang's. Unfortunately, defeating Wu Shengtiang in three years will likely be quite difficult for you."
Wang Xiao's expression was calm.
"Where there's a will, there's a way."
Zhang Dongxuan sighed.
"So be it. Follow me up the mountain. It has been a long time since I have sparred with anyone."
He paused.
He then looked at Ming Xu at his side. "As for you..."
"Master." Ming Xu took a step forward and knelt.
Zhang Dongxuan said, "Since you have already chosen your path, then continue to walk it. Your master would also like to see you achieve something great."
With tears in his eyes, Ming Xu kowtowed to Zhang Dongxuan.
"Master, please take care of your health."
Zhang Dongxuan said no more and turned to walk back up the mountain.
Wang Xiao looked at Ming Xu. "Daoist, we will meet again if fate allows."
With that, he followed Zhang Dongxuan up the mountain.
...
「Six months later.」
「Great Xuan Calendar, Year 223.」
「Wudang Mountain Peak.」
Wang Xiao clasped his hands in a salute to Zhang Dongxuan, who stood not far away.
"Master Zhang, I will take my leave now."
For the past six months, he had been sparring with Zhang Dongxuan every day, verifying his Martial Arts and exploring the path forward.
Zhang Dongxuan's self-created Martial Art, the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, was in harmony with the Yin Yang Dao, and Wang Xiao had benefited greatly from it.
Faintly...
Wang Xiao now had a vague concept of the Realm above Martial Saint.
Next...
He planned to visit the other two Martial Saints, seeking to advance even further.
Zhang Dongxuan also returned the salute. "Fellow Daoist Wang, I wish you a swift breakthrough on the path forward, to reach the pinnacle of power."
The past six months of sparring and exchange had also made him profoundly understand the terrifying extent of Wang Xiao's Talent.
The boy was a prodigy born for the Martial Arts.
For any Martial Art, he only needed to demonstrate it once, and Wang Xiao could master it completely, even drawing inferences and improving upon it.
By now...
He had nothing left to share with Wang Xiao.
Initially, he hadn't been optimistic about Wang Xiao's chances, but that view had now changed.
Perhaps this young Martial Saint truly could defeat Wu Shengtiang.
"The road ahead is long and I have far to go; I will search for my path high and low."
Wang Xiao smiled slightly, bade farewell to Zhang Dongxuan, and descended the mountain.
Without lingering, he traveled west.
「Half a month later.」
He arrived at the Western Regions Ten Thousand Buddha Temple.
There was another Martial Saint here, Zen Master Hui Zhen.
This time...
Wang Xiao encountered no obstacles. Instead, he was received with the highest courtesy and treated as an honored guest.
Finally...
Wang Xiao met the abbot, Zen Master Hui Zhen, in the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall.
Zen Master Hui Zhen wore a monk's robe and had an ordinary appearance, but his gaze was serene. He had reached a state of returning to original simplicity.
In terms of his Realm, he was even a bit stronger than Zhang Dongxuan.
"Donor Wang, please!"
Zen Master Hui Zhen knew Wang Xiao's purpose and, without further words, began to spar and exchange knowledge with him.
「Great Xuan Calendar, Year 224.」
Wang Xiao left the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple.
No one knew the specifics of what Wang Xiao and Zen Master Hui Zhen had discussed and practiced over the past year.
However...
After Wang Xiao left the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple...
Zen Master Hui Zhen uttered a Buddhist verse: "Seated in the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, the finest in the mortal world!"
Everyone knew he was speaking of Wang Xiao!
To place Wang Xiao on par with the Buddha was enough to show Zen Master Hui Zhen's admiration and respect for him.
This made the people of the world even more eager for the duel between Wang Xiao and Wu Shengtiang, the two strongest experts of the current age!
At this moment...
Wang Xiao paid no heed to the voices of the outside world, nor did he pay any more attention to the world's situation.
In his year of sparring and exchange with Zen Master Hui Zhen, he had already touched the threshold of the Realm beyond Martial Saint and could see the path forward clearly.
He traveled north to the North Sea, preparing to meet the final Martial Saint, Li Tiange, the master of Sea View Tower.
Here, he would break through the Martial Saint Realm and become number one in the world!