Chapter 9

What is referred to as the pinnacle, what is referred to as the top tier, refers to the very few top experts in the martial world.

These people are all local heroes, either elders or masters of major martial arts schools, or notorious figures in the underworld, rarely moving about in the martial world.

To enter the realm of the top tier, one must first fill the dantian with true qi, then open the twelve main meridians, and connect the six channels of the eight extraordinary meridians. These are all meticulous processes that allow no room for deceit. Even the most talented disciples of major schools, after diligent practice, can only touch this realm around the age of forty. As for ordinary martial wanderers, lacking in talent, lineage, and resources, it is simply out of the question for them to achieve this in their lifetime. To be able to open the twelve main meridians is already the best they can hope for!

It was only because the Wudang Sect had a Zhang Sanfeng, who personally tutored his disciples, that the Seven Heroes became a group of young, highly skilled martial artists, all entering the top tier before the age of forty.

But how old is Mo Li? He went up the mountain at the age of five, and even if we count the full ten years, Wudang places great emphasis on foundation, with slow initial cultivation. Yet now, his internal strength is so profound, how can the people present not be shocked?

Even though they knew Mo Li's talent was extraordinary, they never expected him to be this strong!

Of course, they were unaware of Zhang Wujie's future achievements. In just five years, this young man mastered the Nine Yang Divine Skill, and in the battle at Bright Peak, he defeated the experts of the six major sects, his internal strength rivaling Zhang Sanfeng. Compared to him, Mo Li's strength is nothing.

While the few people were each harboring their own thoughts, the four people in the arena had already practiced for the duration of one incense stick.

It was evident that the four were expending a great deal of internal strength, with Zhang Songxi being the most exhausted.

His face was weary, and the heat emanating from his body was gradually decreasing. Any discerning person could see that this Fourth Hero of Wudang was about to give out.

This method of absorbing and neutralizing the cold poison with internal strength allows no shortcuts, and the depth of one's internal strength is immediately apparent.

Zhang Sanfeng said, "Songxi, take a break. Liting, you take over."

Zhang Songxi looked at Mo Li with a sense of shame and then withdrew his palm. Yin Liting immediately stepped in to take over.

However, he only lasted half the duration of an incense stick before he was replaced by Mo Shenggu.

Mo Shenggu lasted the duration of a cup of tea, his internal strength then completely depleted, coinciding with Mo Li's withdrawal.

Yu Lianzhou lasted the longest among the disciples, for the duration of two incense sticks. After he stepped down, Zhang Sanfeng supported the effort alone, enduring for two hours before stopping.

By this time, everyone had already sat down to recover their energy, all inwardly marveling at Zhang Sanfeng's profound internal strength.

Yin Susu, seeing that Zhang Wujie was now comfortably asleep, hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Thank you, Master, for saving his life. I am deeply grateful!"

Zhang Sanfeng, looking fatigued, waved his hand and said, "You don't need to thank this old Taoist. I have only temporarily suppressed the spread of the cold poison, treating the symptoms but not the root cause. The next time it flares up, his life will still be in danger."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned. So many great experts working together, with Zhang Sanfeng personally intervening, could not dispel a single force of the Xuanming Palm. It was hard for anyone to believe this outcome!

"Master..."

Zhang Cuishan knelt down again, pleading, "Please, have mercy on this child and save him!"

He had grown up beside Zhang Sanfeng and knew his abilities well. No matter how difficult or complicated the matter, it could be easily resolved by this master. No matter how high the martial arts or how great the reputation of any martial expert, they were no match for him in just a few moves!

Zhang Sanfeng looked troubled, not because he couldn't dispel the Xuanming Palm, but because the cold poison was intertwined with Zhang Wujie's internal organs. Forcibly removing it would also kill Zhang Wujie!

And the absorption of the cold poison earlier only removed a small part, the rest still clung to Zhang Wujie like a bone-deep parasite!

"Master Zhang, if you can save my child, whatever you ask for, the Heaven Eagle Sect will fulfill it!" Yin Susu said.

Upon hearing this, the Wudang disciples all showed disapproval. What did she think of them and Zhang Sanfeng?

Song Yuanqiao said, "Sister-in-law, don't speak such estranged words. Wujie is your child, but he is also one of us Wudang. Master will not stand by and let him die."

Zhang Cuishan also realized his wife's mistake and quickly said, "Master, Susu was just in a panic. Please don't take it to heart."

"It's fine, it's fine..."

Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and smiled, "This old Taoist isn't that petty. But to save this child, the only way in the world, besides the rebirth of my master Jueyuan, is to use the power of the Nine Yang Divine Skill. There is no other way."

The Nine Yang Divine Skill had long been lost, and Yin Susu was unaware of this, but the Seven Heroes had heard about it many times.

In the past, Master Jueyuan exhausted his internal strength and died, and Zhang Sanfeng only obtained a part of the Nine Yang Divine Skill. There was no one else in the world who knew the entire skill!

"Where can one learn the Nine Yang Divine Skill?!" Yin Susu asked.

The Seven Heroes were silent, and Zhang Sanfeng smiled bitterly and said, "This old Taoist has a part of it. I will temporarily pass it on to Wujie, hoping it will have some effect."

Zhang Cuishan and his wife hurriedly thanked him. They were already at the end of their rope, and any chance to save Zhang Wujie was their lifeline.

Mo Li remained silent throughout, not yet deciding whether to save Zhang Wujie and change his fate.

Although the Nine Yang Divine Skill had indeed been lost, it might not be impossible to find.

The group then dispersed to rest, leaving Zhang Sanfeng to teach Zhang Wujie the incomplete version of the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

However, just as Mo Li stepped out of the hall, he was stopped by Song Yuanqiao.

The two went to a side hall, and Song Yuanqiao said, "What a fine Wudang disciple you are, Mo Li. If not for today's rescue, I wouldn't have known your martial arts were so high!"

Mo Li couldn't help but smile awkwardly and said, "Master, my meager skills, how dare I show off in front of you?"

He was being honest. Song Yuanqiao, as the head of Wudang, had martial arts no less than Yu Lianzhou, having already opened the Ren and Du meridians, reaching the pinnacle.

Song Yuanqiao's face softened after hearing his flattery, but he still said, "Don't call me Master. How can a master not know the progress of his disciple?"

"But, Master, you haven't asked about my martial arts progress since you handed me over to Grandmaster eight years ago," Mo Li said with a look of "How can this be my fault?"

Song Yuanqiao was momentarily speechless. Indeed, as the head of Wudang, the sect had developed rapidly in recent years, and he was very busy. Even his own son, Song Qingshu, learned martial arts from other senior disciples, let alone Mo Li, who had Zhang Sanfeng to take care of him. He simply had no time to manage.

After a long silence, he said, "You brat, you've learned to talk back now. Go, go, go back and rest!"

After a pause, he added, "The Ren and Du meridians are very dangerous to open. If you are to break through, you must inform me and your Grandmaster in advance."

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