novelhk Page 649
Page 649
"...Does such a supreme martial art truly exist?"
The people gradually came to understand some things: the twenty-four stone chambers were divided into external and internal martial arts.
External and internal martial arts are both the most advanced divine skills in the world, but the unity of internal and external is the supreme skill that everyone in the martial arts world dreams of.
(Zhao De Zhao) And in the future, as long as they are listed on the list of heroes, they can go to the island of heroes to learn these unique skills.
Thinking of the legendary divine skills, everyone's eyes gleamed, and they were sharpening their knives in anticipation.
The Heroes' Ranking!
Compared to the Heavenly Ranking and Black Ranking that they need to look up to, the benefits of the Hero Ranking are undoubtedly the greatest.
The Blacklist only brings endless trouble, but the Hero Ranking can bring divine weapons, unique skills, and unexpected opportunities... This has given countless martial arts practitioners hope.
Moreover, like the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking, the Hero Ranking doesn't only have ten spots; there could be as many as a hundred.
With only ten people on the boat, Zhang Xiaoshan felt that it wouldn't even cover the fuel costs.
As for divine weapons? Or fortuitous encounters? Not just anyone can bring those up.
Otherwise, mass-producing hundreds of divine weapons at once would be a small matter, as the 100,000 merits would be a minor issue; the real challenge would be obtaining the materials needed to forge the divine weapons.
Therefore, the island visit, which takes place only once every three years, is limited to three slots for the divine weapons, and only the top ten can make minor requests.
Chapter 768 Order to Reward Good and Punish Evil
“Master Zhang, the old Celestial Master, and the young master are waiting for you all at the Heavenly Pavilion in the center of the lake.”
Following the lakeside corridor, the group arrived at the end of the inner perimeter of the Red Mansion, where, just twenty feet away, a solitary man-made island came into view.
The island's foundation rises ten feet above the water, with a magnificent seven-story pavilion in the center, offering panoramic views of West Lake. At night, it shines like a pearl on West Lake.
This pearl of West Lake is not welcoming guests today.
Moreover, Tianwailou is most lively at night; during the day, apart from a few talented men and beautiful women, there aren't many guests.
Gazing at the distant island in the middle of the lake, Zhang Sanfeng and the others understood that this was a test for Zhang Xiaoshan.
The Eight Immortals cross the sea, each showing their magical powers!
At this moment, Liu Sheng Piaoxu's graceful figure was like a willow catkin. Everyone saw that her slender and graceful figure shoot out at an extremely fast speed, and after ten feet, she lightly touched the water and leaped up again.
A solitary figure, yet like a fairy descending to the heavens.
This scene not only amazed everyone, but also filled them with extreme apprehension.
With just a light touch, Liu Sheng Piaoxu could traverse a distance of twenty zhang (approximately 33 meters), demonstrating that her lightness skill was far superior to theirs.
Moreover, Liu Sheng Piaoxu did not use top-level lightness skills to ride the wind or cross the waves. He only used the simplest Swallow Three Skimmings of Water, which is the most common lightness skill in the martial arts world, but it is still considered to be among the superior lightness skills.
Without the foundation of second-rate internal energy, trying to skim the water like a swallow will only result in falling into the water.
In contrast, they each displayed their unique abilities; if they couldn't cross this twenty-foot stretch of water, they would have no face to attend the banquet.
For a moment, the group of experts exchanged glances, naturally unwilling to lose face.
"Master Zhang, please go first!"
The one with the highest status here is Zhang Sanfeng. Even though the Celestial Master is also a hundred years old, he is a generation (twenty years) younger than Zhang Sanfeng.
"Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable, this old Taoist will take his leave first."
Unlike Liu Sheng Piaoxu's lightning-fast speed, Zhang Sanfeng, with a wave of his long sleeves, moved like a wild goose flying south, seemingly crossing slowly, but in the blink of an eye, he had already reached the other side.
This kind of ethereal grace is a transcendence of a higher realm.
"Supreme Great Unity Savior from Suffering Heavenly Venerable!"
Heaven followed closely behind, treading on water with an ethereal and otherworldly air, inspiring awe and admiration.
With the three Grandmasters concealing their intentions, the other peerless Grandmasters exchanged glances, all knowing that they were about to unleash their most powerful techniques.
If it were ten zhang (approximately 33 meters), they could have crossed it easily.
However, a water surface of twenty zhang (approximately 33 meters) is equivalent to nearly sixty-seven meters in modern units of measurement, while a typical bus is only about ten meters long, which is equivalent to the length of six buses laid end to end.
So, one by one, they rubbed their hands together in anticipation, and some darted across the water like swallows in a triple leap, others crossed the river on a single reed, and still others glided across the waves...
The people traveling this time are all unparalleled masters, so naturally they would not be deterred by the small 'twenty-zhang' waterway in front of them.
As for the martial arts practitioners who followed behind, most of them were dumbfounded.
Even if Yue Buqun considered himself to have considerable lightness skills, the lake water, after the swallows swam across it three times, would only be twelve or thirteen zhang deep.
Therefore, most people can only look at the water and stop.
As for swimming there? This is Zhang family territory. Challenging the Zhang family's rules on Zhang family territory... heh...
Nobody has that courage.
Upon entering the top floor of the Heavenly Tower, everyone saw that Zhang Xiaoshan and Ghost Yama had been waiting for a long time.
With the addition of the willow catkins prepared below, the Zhang family now has more than three Grandmasters on the surface, which makes even the Old Celestial Master marvel at the Zhang family's profound foundation.
"Please be seated, everyone!"
A huge round table stood before them, and everyone who looked at the Zhang family's luxurious furnishings couldn't help but marvel at their extravagance.
As expected of the Red Mansion, known as a den of extravagance, it is luxurious in every aspect. Even the flooring is made of top-grade mahogany, the incense is made of the finest agarwood, and the tea is the thousand-year-old tea king, even better than the imperial tea...
"Even after seeing you off for a thousand miles, we must eventually part ways."
"The trip to Xia Ke Island can be considered a successful conclusion. This cup of tea is my apology for knocking you all unconscious last time!"
An apology made by offering tea instead of alcohol.
The main reason is that the experts here are all grandmasters; few drink alcohol, and many drink tea.
Everyone said they dared not, picked up the teacup in front of them, took a small sip, and their eyes gleamed.
The aroma of tea is rich and strong, and the taste is sweet and refreshing, which makes people feel calm and relaxed.
"To apologize to everyone, I have prepared some small gifts."
At this moment, Liu Sheng Piaoxu, accompanied by several maids, brought out some wooden boxes, which looked to be about the size of a palm and no more than a finger's width in height. Everyone's eyes were filled with curiosity.
When the box was opened, it contained what appeared to be a gilded bronze plaque.
"This is a decree to reward good and punish evil!"
Holding this order, one can go directly to Xia Ke Island three years later, or propose a reasonable condition.
Moreover, this order is not only for your use, but can also be passed on to future generations.
After all, for figures like Master Zhang and the Old Celestial Master, this reward and punishment decree is somewhat useless; it would be better to bestow it upon future generations.
"Thank you, sir!"
Looking at the decree for rewarding good and punishing evil in their hands, everyone was overjoyed.
Unexpectedly, another opportunity arose to visit Xia Ke Island.
At the same time, once this token is circulated in the martial arts world, it will inevitably cause a bloodbath.
"Gentlemen, this order of rewarding good and punishing evil may be an opportunity, but it could also be a death warrant!"
After all, there are many people in the martial arts world who can't stand to see others do well. This order is noted on Xia Ke Island, but people in the martial arts world don't think so. Most of them think that by holding this order, they can make demands on Xia Ke Island.
Furthermore, under the guise of rewarding good and punishing evil, accepting this order means that if any of you are found to have committed serious crimes during the invitation three years later, then…”
Punish evil!
Upon hearing this, everyone was immediately alerted.
Looking into the box, he realized that the contents were not easy to take.
If there are no problems, then it's fine. But if there are problems, this is a death sentence.
Moreover, as Zhang Xiaoshan said, the value of this reward and punishment decree will inevitably attract the covetousness of many Jianghu forces. Those outlaws in the Jianghu will not think that this thing has any special notes.
However, after a moment's pause, everyone put it away.
If we don't accept it, wouldn't that prove there's something wrong with them? Besides, they don't think they have anything wrong with themselves.
Even if there are problems, the Zhang family may not be able to find them.
Moreover, even if they don't use this, their descendants can.
They had witnessed the opportunities on Xia Ke Island with their own eyes.
The banquet was a simple vegetarian feast; even the meat and wine were light and simple.
However, with the top chefs of the Hong Mansion in charge, everyone enjoyed the meal and Zhang Xiaoshan was not embarrassed.
On the contrary, the return of everyone stirred up a storm in the martial arts world.
Xia Ke Island has truly been built, and it even possesses unparalleled martial arts techniques as its most precious treasure.
In an instant, the legend of Xia Ke Island swept across the entire Kyushu like a hurricane, and at the same time, it also sparked a craze for the Xia Ke Ranking.
Chapter 769 Untitled
A decree to reward good and punish evil!
With the departure of a group of renowned martial arts figures, news of the decree to reward good and punish evil spread throughout the martial arts world.
Every master who visited Xia Ke Island received a 'Reward for Good and Punishment for Evil' token, which served as a kind of ticket.
If you want to join Xia Ke Island, in addition to the Xia Ke Ranking, the Order of Rewarding Good and Punishing Evil is an extra opportunity.
However, this time the Zhang family only issued a dozen or so reward and punishment orders, which is equivalent to one-fifth of the number on the Hero Ranking, which is too few.
And this is a one-time use only.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, there will likely be no other decrees for rewarding good and punishing evil that have been lost to the world; everything will proceed according to proper procedures.
Moreover, these reward and punishment orders are all noted on Xia Ke Island, and the people on Xia Ke Island will not recognize them unless they are given by the holder.
Besides, this thing won't be useful for at least three years, so seizing it now would be like throwing a hot potato into your hands.
How many people are watching these decrees on rewarding good and punishing evil right now!
However, none of these old fellows revealed the other layer of meaning behind rewarding good and punishing evil:
In addition to rewarding good deeds, it also punishes evil ones!
If someone actually appears before Xia Ke Island with this reward and punishment decree, they will either commit no evil or, if they commit great evil, they will be delivering themselves to the island.
With the legend of Xia Ke Island, a wave of chivalry swept across Kyushu.
Already young and chivalrous, dashing in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, the opportunity at Xia Ke Island further encouraged this spirit of chivalry.
And the unique skills on Xia Ke Island?
As those renowned martial arts figures left the Zhang family, everyone gained a general understanding of the situation.
The secret techniques within the stone chamber appear in the form of diagrams, which are incredibly profound. Depending on each person's comprehension, their understanding varies.
In particular, some martial arts masters disembarked and discussed what they had learned with each other.
At first, their moves were similar, but after some discussion, it was discovered that what they had grasped was completely unrelated.
A few people were an accident, but if everyone experienced this, the major powers that sensed something was wrong would immediately realize that Xia Ke Island's secret techniques might be a trap.
However, all the renowned martial arts masters firmly believed that the secret techniques of Xia Ke Island were genuine, and that others had simply misunderstood them.
Just as a catastrophe was about to erupt in the martial arts world, the Zhang family spoke up once again.
He bluntly stated that those senior figures in the martial arts world only grasped the superficial aspects of the "Xia Ke Xing" divine skills. If they truly understood the essence of the martial arts in the stone chamber, then they would have a clue about the final chamber, the Tai Xuan Jing.
Furthermore, those who have truly mastered the secret techniques within the stone chamber will have no room for controversy.
The so-called controversy is simply caused by people who have only grasped a superficial understanding discovering that others' understanding differs from their own.
This caused an even greater uproar in the entire martial arts world.
You must know that those martial arts masters are the grandmasters of martial arts in the world. Even they could not comprehend the essence of those skills, which shows how profound and mysterious those unique skills are.
Moreover, the rudiments these martial arts masters had grasped were not simple; each of them made great progress in martial arts after returning.
Many people have even started challenging the masters on the blacklist.
Putting aside their strength, their courage alone demonstrates their confidence in the unique skills of Xia Ke Island.