Chapter 97

Nowadays, the Central Plains martial world is divided between the Heaven and Earth Society and the Unparalleled City, two colossal forces. These two giants are simultaneously searching for a clay Buddha, which seems like it wouldn't take much effort. But in reality? The clay Buddha is imprisoned in the Mandala Manor by Li She. Although the Heaven and Earth Society and the Unparalleled City are domineering, they haven't reached the point of openly challenging the Mandala Manor, a commercial hegemon rich enough to rival a nation, so they naturally can't search the Mandala Manor. As a result, the Heaven and Earth Society and the Unparalleled City have issued rewards, but their disciples have been unable to find the clay Buddha.

The clay Buddha seems to have vanished from the world. No matter how thoroughly the Heaven and Earth Society and the Unparalleled City search, they can't find a single trace.

Furthermore, Li She has fanned the flames, portraying the clay Buddha as a hermit sage who is elusive like a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail. He even revealed the prophecy the clay Buddha gave to Xiong Ba years ago. For a time, the entire Central Plains martial world knew the prophecy: "A golden carp is not a mere pond fish; once it meets the wind and clouds, it transforms into a dragon," which referred to the first half of Xiong Ba's life.

Seeing how Xiong Ba's three major disciples, Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng, have been waging wars for the Heaven and Earth Society in recent years, turning the Jiangnan region they control into an impregnable fortress, people understood that Xiong Ba's early achievements were due to the help of Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun.

As the saying goes, the speaker is casual, but the listener is intent. When Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng heard the prophecy the clay Buddha gave to Xiong Ba, they were both shocked.

Sitting leisurely in the Mandala Manor, Li She sipped his tea. Since that day he returned from the clay Buddha, Li She had somehow developed a fondness for tea.

The small copper stove burned with red-hot charcoal, and the mountain spring water, freshly drawn in the morning, was slowly brought to a boil. The scalding hot water gradually unfurled the curled, dry tea leaves, and a delicate fragrance slowly rose in the room.

Li She closed his eyes, inhaled the fragrance of the tea, poured a cup of golden-yellow tea, and took a sip, savoring the bitter-sweet aftertaste. Putting down the teacup, he recalled the words the clay Buddha had said to him that day, "An unknown variable? Haha, interesting. I have already embarked on the path of the 'Drought Spirit,' and the destination ahead is indeed unknown." Li She thought.

At this moment, Wang Yuyan and Li Yunlu walked towards Li She, holding recent intelligence about the Heaven and Earth Society and the Unpaired City.

"Lord, Xiong Ba is now anxious," Wang Yuyan said.

"Hmph, can a cat sleep soundly with a salted fish in a safe? Xiong Ba has shown remarkable patience to only start searching for the clay Buddha after so many years," Li She laughed.

"Yes, the Heaven and Earth Society has reached a bottleneck. With the help of Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng, Xiong Ba has already taken control of the entire Jiangnan region. If he wants to expand further, he would have to go to war with the Unparalleled City. Otherwise, there is no space for him to grow," Li Yunlu analyzed.

"Indeed, two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain unless one is male and the other female. Dugu Yifang still wants to ally with Xiong Ba? Who will die if not him? Haha, it's time for me to make my move. Sigh, time passes so slowly. I still have to wait for Xiong Ba to fall, and then the Japanese overlord, Jue Wushen, will appear. Has there been any news from Devasvamana?" Li She asked Li Yunlu.

Li Yunlu shook her head and sighed, "After extensive inquiries, no one in the Central Plains martial world knows about the 'Heavenly Gate' organization or the whereabouts of Devasvamana. However, the Palace of Absolute Nothingness has some leads. Ghost Shadow has joined the Palace of Absolute Nothingness using Japanese ninja techniques."

Li She nodded, realizing that everything in the world is still under the control of the world's will. The wheels of history have not yet reached the point where the hidden boss 'Heavenly Gate' will reveal itself.

Without Devasvamana appearing, Li She cannot obtain the 'Dragon Blood' and 'Phoenix Blood,' which are the most important to him.

"Has the Fire Monkey been found?" Li She asked softly.

"Yes, the Fire Monkey has been captured," Wang Yuyan said.

"Haha, then it's time for me, the clay Buddha, to re-emerge in the martial world," Li She said with a squint.

Soon, rumors about the clay Buddha began to spread: "To find the clay Buddha, one must first obtain the Fire Monkey."

The spread of this rumor was faster than an epidemic, and the entire Central Plains martial world began to search for the 'Fire Monkey.'

The reward offered by the Heaven and Earth Society and the Unparalleled City was worth a fortune, and this substantial sum of money set both the underworld and the law in motion.

The entire world began to search for the mysterious 'Fire Monkey.'

Li She's disguise skills had reached a divine level. Disguised as an ordinary old man, he carried a walking stick and a large bundle of firewood, dressed as a woodcutter.

The 'Fire Monkey' is a unique spiritual creature in the "Feng Yun" world. Although not as precious as dragons, phoenixes, or fire kirins, it is still quite rare.

As the plot unfolds, the valley where the 'Fire Monkey' is rumored to appear has already gathered many martial artists. A powerful monk sat in the valley with an iron cage on his back, his muscles bulging like steel, and his temples prominently raised, clearly having reached the peak of Shaolin's external martial arts.

The other martial artists were also well-prepared, carrying fishing nets and other tools, making great efforts to capture the 'Fire Monkey.'

Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng also heard the news and were heading to this remote valley.

At this moment, a thunderous sound of hooves echoed from the valley entrance, and a large cavalry could be seen in the distance, raising a cloud of yellow dust.

"Yue... Yue... Yue..." Dugu Ming, the leader, pulled the reins, stopping his horse. As the young lord of the Unparalleled City, Dugu Ming looked around at the martial artists and loudly declared, "The Fire Monkey is our Unparalleled City's goal. If you don't want to be our enemies, please leave immediately!"

Dugu Ming, a peak first-class expert, shouted with his qi gathered in his dantian, making the valley resonate.

The ordinary martial artists were stunned. They didn't expect the young lord of the Unparalleled City, Dugu Ming, to come in person. The Central Plains martial world is divided into two, with the Heaven and Earth Society dominating the south and the Unparalleled City the north.

The hundreds of martial artists in the valley looked at each other and silently left. If they offended the Unparalleled City, they would have no life to enjoy their wealth. After weighing their options, they chose to leave quietly.

Seeing the martial artists leave, Dugu Ming smiled smugly, "Hmph! You know your place." He bowed and said courteously, "Thank you all for giving face to the Unparalleled City. The eighth day of next month is my father's sixtieth birthday. We welcome all martial artists to the Unparalleled City."

Hearing Dugu Ming's words, the martial artists, who were initially disheartened, smiled and introduced themselves to establish connections with Dugu Ming.

Dugu Ming, sitting on his horse, enjoyed the flattery. As the young lord of the Unparalleled City, he would inherit the position of city lord in the future, becoming a powerful overlord. Surrounded by admirers, Dugu Ming smiled and dismissed the crowd, not really paying attention to these ordinary martial artists.

Seeing the martial artists leave, the old man disguised as a woodcutter, Li She, naturally did not attract any attention. Dugu Ming, a first-class expert, saw Li She as an ordinary person and did not pay him any mind, thinking he was just a local woodcutter.

Turning his head, Dugu Ming saw the monk still sitting in the valley and became furious, not expecting anyone to defy the Unparalleled City.

Dugu Ming's face turned dark, "Monk, are you trying to oppose the Unparalleled City?"

The monk's eyes remained closed, and he calmly replied, "Amitabha, the 'Fire Monkey' is originally a possession of Shaolin. It was stolen by thieves. I am merely reclaiming what was lost. How can this be seen as opposing the Unparalleled City?"

"Hmph, such insolence! Don't blame me for sending you to meet the Buddha! The Unparalleled City has already allied with the Heaven and Earth Society, and the entire Central Plains martial world follows our lead. Can a small Shaolin Temple defy us?" Dugu Ming shouted.

At this moment, a red light flashed on the mountain, darting through the trees at high speed.

Dugu Ming's eyes narrowed, and he called out to his subordinates, "Fire Monkey! Capture it!" The Unparalleled City's people immediately took out their fishing nets and other tools and galloped towards the 'Fire Monkey.'

The Shaolin monk, who had been sitting on the ground, also moved, using Shaolin's unique Shadowless Leg to swiftly chase after the 'Fire Monkey.'

At this moment, Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng arrived. Bu Jingyun directly used the 'Flowing Cloud Palm,' sending a powerful palm force that pushed the Unparalleled City's people back.

In mid-air, Qin Shuang swung his fists, sending out waves of cold air towards the Fire Monkey. His control was exquisite, freezing the Fire Monkey without harming it.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh..." Nie Feng used the 'Wind God Leg' to fly towards the Fire Monkey, grabbing the red light. He felt a furry sensation in his hand, followed by a burning pain.

Seeing the person grab the Fire Monkey, Dugu Ming leaped towards him, shouting, "Dragon Subduing Leg!" In mid-air, Dugu Ming kicked out a dragon-shaped qi towards Nie Feng.

Nie Feng, known for his 'Wind God Leg,' sensed that the dragon-shaped qi was just a facade. After breaking through the innate realm, he could see that Dugu Ming's cultivation was only at the peak of the first-class level. Without turning his head, he shouted, "Grass in the Wind," sending out a more powerful qi towards the dragon-shaped qi. This move not only attacked the enemy at an incredible speed but also dealt significant damage, dispersing the dragon-shaped qi.

With a loud boom, the two qi forces collided, scattering qi in all directions, causing the grass and trees in the valley to sway.

Nie Feng landed steadily with the Fire Monkey in hand.

Seeing the martial techniques of the three, Dugu Ming was certain they were the three disciples of Xiong Ba from the Heaven and Earth Society.

Dugu Ming, whose qi was shaken by Nie Feng's leg, looked at them coldly. Although they were the three major disciples of Xiong Ba and potential successors to the Heaven and Earth Society, he was the young lord of the Unparalleled City, destined to inherit the city. He was surprised by their lack of respect.

"Nie Feng, don't you know that the Unparalleled City has allied with the Heaven and Earth Society? Do you want to provoke a conflict?" Dugu Ming asked.

Qin Shuang, the eldest disciple, spoke up, "The alliance is a matter between the two organizations, but this time we are on a mission from our master to find the clay Buddha. We are determined to get the Fire Monkey!"

Li She, disguised as a woodcutter, watched this farce, pretending to be frightened but occasionally glancing at Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun.

Thirteen years had passed, and Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun had grown into handsome young men. Nie Feng, in particular, was a fine figure, graceful and charming, inheriting the good genes of the martial world's first beauty, Yan Ying, and Nie Renwang. If he were in the modern world, he would be a perfect idol.

Bu Jingyun, the troubled youth, remained cold and aloof, as if the whole world owed him something.

Qin Shuang, on the other hand, looked loyal and honest, with a dignified demeanor. (To be continued. Please search for Piaotian Literature for better and faster updates!)