This group of martial arts practitioners came from all walks of life, shouting and yelling. Some even threatened to burn down the Shaolin Temple if it didn't hand over Zhang Junbao. How could the monks possibly let such people pass?
A conflict quickly broke out between the two sides. At first, Shaolin Temple was unprepared and a group of people broke through the gate. However, Shaolin quickly mobilized enough monks to protect the temple and experts from the Dharma Hall, causing these martial artists to suffer heavy losses one by one and immediately intimidating them.
At this moment, these people remembered Li Ling as their leader and urged him to uphold justice. Li Ling did not immediately step forward to make a move, but instead said loudly, "I am Yi Jifeng from Mingjian Villa, and I request an audience with the Abbot of Shaolin!"
When Li Ling spoke, he mobilized his internal energy, and his clear voice, amplified by the power of his internal energy, resounded throughout the entire Shaolin Temple. Every word he spoke was clearly delivered to the ears of the Shaolin abbot, who was still in the main hall.
Inside Shaolin Temple, Abbot Xuanzhi's expression turned solemn upon hearing Li Ling's voice. The voice came from outside the mountain gate, yet it was so clear and gentle, without being harsh on the ears. One could only imagine the speaker's high level and purity of internal strength.
"What impressive internal energy!"
The abbot of Shaolin Temple in the main hall exclaimed in admiration, then said to the surrounding monks, "This Sword Manor is indeed extraordinary. It seems that today's matter cannot be resolved peacefully. Please follow me!"
With that, he led the heads of the various halls of Shaolin Temple toward the mountain gate. (The remaining text appears to be unrelated and likely refers to a separate entity or event.)
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Chapter 184 The Eighteen Arhats Formation
After speaking, Li Ling did not continue to make a move, but instead waited patiently.
A short while later, the abbot of Shaolin Temple appeared with the heads of the various halls. Upon seeing Li Ling, he loudly proclaimed a Buddhist chant: "Amitabha! This old monk, Xuanzhi, greets all heroes!"
Li Ling stepped forward to greet him: "So you are Abbot, Master. I am Yi Jifeng from Mingjian Villa. I have long heard of the prestige of Shaolin and the world-renowned Seventy-Two Arts. Seeing them today, I can see that they are truly extraordinary!"
Abbot Xuanzhi remained calm and chanted a Buddhist prayer, saying, "Young Master Yi, you flatter us. We are merely monks who practice martial arts for health and fitness, not for competition. May I ask what brings you to Shaolin Temple today, Young Master Yi?"
Li Ling said, "I believe you have also heard the news circulating in the martial arts world recently. I have come here today simply to find Zhang Junbao!"
Abbot Xuanzhi denied it, saying, "There are no worldly people in Shaolin Temple, only monks who chant scriptures and worship Buddha. Shaolin Temple is currently undergoing a period of study and will not receive foreign guests. Young Hero Yi has probably come to the wrong place!"
“Master, with so many martial arts practitioners gathered here, it’s impossible for us to just go back because of your empty words. Even if I believe that you wouldn’t lie to me, do you think the people present will believe you?”
After Li Ling finished speaking, the crowd behind him immediately started making a fuss.
Abbot Xuanzhi slammed his staff on the ground, a crisp 'thud' echoing throughout the surroundings, drowning out the clamor of the crowd. Abbot Xuanzhi proclaimed in a loud voice, "Young Master Yi, fellow lay practitioners, Shaolin Temple is a place of quiet cultivation, and we will not tolerate your insolence!"
Abbot Xuanzhi's voice, amplified by his profound inner strength, was quite impolite.
Seeing this, Li Ling extended his hand and invited, "In that case, I would like to ask the masters of Shaolin for their guidance!"
After saying that, Li Ling slightly turned his body, suddenly raised his left palm, and punched out with his right fist. The force struck a bronze incense burner in front of the Shaolin Temple gate, and the bronze ingot jumped up with a 'clang'.
"hiss!"
Many martial arts practitioners gasped at the sight. The fact that the bronze cauldron made a sound even though the fist didn't hit it was not particularly difficult, but Li Ling's punch was clearly aimed forward, yet the bronze cauldron jumped upward. This showed how skillful his punch was and how profound his mastery of true energy had become!
Before the bronze cauldron could fall, Li Ling struck out with his left hand, sending the cauldron spinning halfway through the air. With a loud bang, the cauldron vibrated and hummed, scattering the incense ash inside and filling the air with smoke, making it impossible to see what the object was for a moment.
At this moment, the bronze cauldron fell rapidly. Li Ling stretched out his thumb and pressed it forward, and a sharp sword aura shot out from his fingertip, causing the bronze cauldron to move half a foot to the left.
"Swish swish~"
Li Ling tapped the bronze cauldron three times in quick succession, moving it another foot and a half before it finally landed.
The monks of Shaolin Temple all changed their expressions slightly after seeing this. Li Ling's series of movements just now seemed ordinary, but the power he contained had actually reached a transcendent level, which none of the monks present could do.
After a moment, Abbot Xuanzhi suppressed his shock and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Yi's martial arts are indeed superb, but Shaolin Temple is an ancient temple with a history of thousands of years. How can we allow outsiders to disturb us? If Young Master Yi is confident in his martial arts and wants to force his way in, then don't blame this old monk for being ruthless."
Li Ling said, "Why bother, Master? Zhang Junbao is not a Shaolin monk, so why cause a conflict because of him?"
Abbot Xuanzhi remained unmoved: "There is no such person as Zhang Junbao in Shaolin. Young Hero Yi, please leave!"
Since the other party was so stubborn, Li Ling had no choice but to take action. He said directly, "In that case, Yi Jifeng will ask the masters for guidance!"
“Young Master Yi, why be so persistent!” An old monk with a ruddy complexion stepped forward, gently touching his right index and middle fingers together, a smile on his face, his expression gentle.
Judging from the other party's expression and movements, Li Ling figured that the other party was practicing the "Finger Finger" technique. After he had achieved some success in martial arts, he had wandered the martial arts world and had also heard of the Shaolin Seventy-Two Arts. The fact that the Shaolin Temple's Seventy-Two Arts were famous throughout the martial arts world was not just empty praise.
A talented Shaolin disciple, if fortunate enough to learn two or three of the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts in his youth, both internal and external, and if he practices diligently and persistently, he can truly master one or two of the arts in about fifteen years, reaching the level of a first-class master in the martial arts world around the age of twenty-five.
Those with exceptional comprehension have the opportunity to go further, fully grasp the essence of a particular skill, and master it to perfection.
If one can master the moves of this martial art at will and change them as one pleases, one can become a top-notch master in the martial arts world, and can be called the pinnacle of first-class!
Once you reach this level, there is a small chance that you will accumulate enough Yin-Yang and Five Elements energy to perfect your inner strength and open up the Niwan Palace.
At this point, essence, energy, and spirit unite as one, and acquired true energy is condensed into innate true energy, ultimately achieving innate state.
Li Ling observed that the old monk had mastered the essence of the "Finger of Flowers" technique, and that all the acupoints in his body were open, allowing his internal energy to circulate throughout his body, indicating that he had already entered the half-step innate realm.
At Li Ling's level, he could discern a person's martial arts prowess at a glance. He immediately recognized two monks of the same caliber as the ones before him, and seven or eight top-tier masters—and these were only a portion of Shaolin's top experts.
Li Ling couldn't help but marvel at the profound heritage of Shaolin, which was far beyond the reach of ordinary martial arts sects.
"I have long admired the Shaolin 'Finger of Flowers' technique, and it is an honor to witness it today."
At this moment, the old monk pointed out three fingers, and Li Ling also raised his right index finger and pointed it repeatedly. Three sword energies met the old monk's three fingers. There were three loud popping sounds as the finger forces collided.
The old monk swayed, and suddenly three jets of blood shot out from his chest, spraying several feet. In the clash of the two finger forces, the old monk was no match and was struck in the chest by Li Ling's three sword energies, as if he had been wounded by a sharp blade. If Li Ling had not already restrained his strength, the old monk would probably have died on the spot.
Seeing that the old monk had been defeated by Li Ling in the blink of an eye, Abbot Xuanzhi's heart sank. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Amitabha, the martial arts of Mingjian Villa are truly extraordinary."
Young Master Yi easily defeated the head of my Shaolin Arhat Hall; even this old monk admits his inferiority. The purpose of our martial arts exchange has been achieved; please, Young Master Yi, leave now.
Li Ling said, "Master, you flatter me. As I said before, I came here to find Zhang Junbao. I hope you will allow me to enter the Sutra Repository for a look."
Abbot Xuanzhi's expression changed, and he said in a deep voice, "The Sutra Repository is a sacred place of Shaolin Temple, and outsiders are never allowed to enter. I hope Young Hero Yi will understand!"