"I am Kongzhi, the unworthy leader of the six major sects' western expedition!" Kongzhi bowed slightly.
The old man's expression turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "So it is the Venerable Monk Kongzhi in person. My apologies for my disrespect!"
"Although I have left the sect, I am still one of the four great protectors of the Ming Cult. You have come from afar with the intention of severing the lineage of the Ming Cult!"
"Hey! Although I'm old, my bones are still strong. I'll naturally shed my last drop of blood for my Ming Cult!"
Yin Tianzheng rolled up his sleeves and said, "Gentlemen, there's no point in saying more. Let's make our move! If you want to lay a hand on my Ming Cult brothers, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"
The monk Kongxing, who was standing next to Kongzhi, stepped forward, bowed, and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha! This old monk Kongxing greets Benefactor Yin. I have heard that Benefactor Yin's Eagle Claw Grappling Hand is a unique skill in the martial arts world. This old monk is not talented, but I have been practicing my Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand for many years and am just about to ask Benefactor Yin for guidance!"
Yin Tianzheng laughed heartily and readily accepted, saying, "Alright! Dragon Claw versus Eagle Claw, let's see whose claw technique is superior! Master, please make your move!"
He took two steps forward, waved his hands, and remained calm.
The monk Kongxing has been practicing the Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand for decades, and is famous in the martial arts world. All his skills are contained in his hands.
His attack was no ordinary move; it was as fast as lightning. In the blink of an eye, his right hand had already reached Yin Tianzheng's face.
The force of that claw strike was extremely fierce, and a strong wind rushed towards him. Yin Tianzheng turned his body to the side, did not fight back, and let it pass.
When Kongxing missed his first grab, he followed up with a second one. This move was even faster and more powerful, and Yin Tianzheng dodged to the left.
The third, fourth, and fifth strikes were unleashed with a whoosh. In an instant, Kongxing, dressed in a gray robe, seemed to transform into a gray dragon. The dragon's shadow soared through the air, and its claws danced rapidly, suppressing Yin Tianzheng so that he had nowhere to dodge.
"Impressive claw technique! No wonder it's called the Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand!"
Although Yin Tianzheng was at a disadvantage, he was not discouraged at all. He did not fight back, but wanted to see the secrets of the Dragon Claw Hand. After seeing it, he found that the Dragon Claw Hand was indeed powerful.
Kongxing repeatedly attacked with his claws, but all his attacks failed. Enraged, he stopped and shouted, "Old Benefactor Yin, are you looking down on this old monk by not fighting back? You might as well just admit defeat!"
Yin Tianzheng took a step back and said, "Master's claw technique is exquisite. I was just eager to try my luck. I hope you will forgive me!"
"As for admitting defeat? What do you mean? I just don't want to fight a pointless fight. Let's set the stakes first. What if the master loses?"
Kongxing was a pure martial arts fanatic. Without thinking, he said, "Let's fight! What's the point of a prize? Besides, whether Elder Yin can defeat this old monk is still up in the air!"
Yin Tianzheng chuckled and said, "In a duel, who can predict the outcome? Is Master so certain that he can defeat me?"
Kongxing frowned and replied, "If I lose to you in a fight, you may kill me or torture me as you please."
Yin Tianzheng waved his hand and said, "That's not necessary. If I lose, I will naturally let the master decide my fate and I won't dare to say a word."
With a thought, he said, "But if I am fortunate enough to win even a single move, I would like to ask all the masters of Shaolin to leave Bright Peak and return to the mountain."
After exchanging a few words with the old monk Kongxing, Yin Tianzheng had already understood his true nature, and thus provoked him with words.
Kongxing angrily retorted, "The affairs of Shaolin are for my senior brother to decide. I can only take care of myself, not my senior brother!"
Yin Tianzheng shook his head: "Then there's no point in fighting. Master, you should call out the one who can make the decision and fight me!"
Kongxing was so angry that he blurted out, "Fine, if Benefactor Yin can defeat me even in one or two moves, I will return to Shaolin and never leave the temple again!"
These words were spoken quickly and urgently, and Kongzhi could not stop them even if he wanted to. He could only chant a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha!"
Yin Tianzheng didn't care about all that; he just wanted to trick as many people as possible. He made claws with his hands and said, "Master, make your move!"
Kongxing remained silent, his left hand making a feint, while his right hand, carrying a gust of wind, reached straight for Yin Tianzheng's left shoulder.
Yin Tianzheng had already figured out his moves. Seeing his left hand move slightly, he knew which move he was going to use. He was no longer careless and used his signature move, Eagle Claw Grabbing Hand, reaching forward with his right hand to grab at Kongxing.
The two attacked almost simultaneously, with Yin Tianzheng striking later but arriving first. However, in that split second, Yin Tianzheng gained the upper hand.
Kongxing's fingers were still two inches away from his shoulder, but Yin Tianzheng's five fingers had already gripped Kongxing's shoulder.
Kongxing felt a numbness in his acupoints, and his right hand lost all strength.
Yin Tianzheng bent his arm forward and grabbed Kongxing's neck, saying, "Master, you've lost!"
In this exchange, the situation changed in the blink of an eye, and the outcome was quickly decided the moment their bodies crossed.
This prompted the crowd to cheer loudly and continuously.
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Chapter 56 The two sides meet
The main hall of Bright Summit.
On both sides of the hall were rows of fire altars, which were now burning brightly, illuminating the hall.
Zhang Cuishan sat imposingly in the head seat in the center, with Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, and the Five Wanderers standing respectfully on either side below him.
According to the Ming Cult's past rules, when a new leader ascends to the throne, a grand ceremony must be held, with all the followers paying homage. Only then can Zhang Cuishan be considered the rightful leader of the Ming Cult.
However, with the attack of the six major sects, the Ming Cult was in imminent danger. They had no choice but to simplify things. After Yang Xiao and other high-ranking members paid their respects in a hasty manner, Zhang Cuishan became the thirty-fourth leader of the Ming Cult.
"Left Envoy Yang..."
After everyone had been talking for a while, a disciple of the Feng Clan suddenly shouted and strode in. He looked at the young man sitting in the head seat, blinked twice, and seemed to understand but not quite.
Yang Xiao, standing below, frowned upon seeing this and demanded, "What are you standing there for? Haven't you greeted the sect leader yet? What are you doing rushing in?"
"The...leader?"
The disciple gaped, as if he had heard something out of the blue.
Then, upon catching a glimpse of Yang Xiao's cold gaze, he shuddered, immediately knelt down, and bowed, saying, "Disciple Li Dahai greets the Holy Master!"