“I am Xuan Du,” the steady monk said calmly.
After a pause, the burly monk spoke flatly, “Xuan Cheng.”
Li Daoqiang’s eyes brightened slightly, showing even more interest as he looked at the burly monk. With a hint of surprise, he said, “So you are the great master Xuan Cheng, who once shook the martial world and vanquished countless demons and heretics!”
Decades ago, among the Xuan generation of Southern Shaolin, Xuan Cheng was the most renowned. He was the strongest, having slain many evil beings. But later, it seemed he had a mishap in his training, gradually withdrawing from the martial world, and his fame faded.
The burly monk, Xuan Cheng, replied bluntly, “Indeed. Today, I intend to spar with Benefactor Li.”
“Haha, well said.” Li Daoqiang laughed boldly, his tone admiring. “Master Xuan Cheng’s spirit, energy, and essence have all reached a peak state, just one step away from perfection. It seems that soon, you will attain the level of a supreme powerhouse. I am truly delighted to cross hands with a master like you.”
These words, seemingly just pure praise, caused a subtle shift in the expressions of both Xuan Cheng and Xuan Du. Li Daoqiang had seen through Xuan Cheng’s true state at a glance! This further confirmed their belief that Li Daoqiang was indeed a supreme powerhouse. Exchanging a glance, Xuan Cheng said directly, “Benefactor Li flatters me. Please, begin.”
“Mm, please.”
Li Daoqiang gestured without hesitation. Xuan Du silently stepped back. The next moment, two auras erupted from Li Daoqiang and Xuan Cheng, colliding fiercely in the air like two tidal waves.
“Boom!”
The air seemed to solidify, with visible currents of energy spreading outward. Xuan Cheng struck first, his hands forming claws, carrying a sharp, earth-shattering aura as he lunged at Li Daoqiang. Under the golden light, before the void could even cry out, the dragon-claw-like attack reached Li Daoqiang’s shoulder.
Li Daoqiang, still smiling, stepped back and pointed a finger to the side. Before they made contact, the golden dragon claw crumbled and dissipated. Xuan Cheng’s face showed shock as pain shot through his palm, as if struck heavily. The true essence in his hand dispersed on its own. Without time to think, he swept out a kick, unleashing an unstoppable force like a heavenly whip descending.
Li Daoqiang struck out with his left palm, and two golden lights collided with a thunderous crash.
“Bang!”
A sound like metal striking metal echoed. Pain flickered across Xuan Cheng’s face, forcing him to leap back. He hastily pointed a finger at Li Daoqiang. A glint of admiration appeared in Li Daoqiang’s eyes—such combat experience and control over power were rare. He sidestepped, easily dodging the finger energy.
By then, Xuan Cheng had retreated several zhang, staring at Li Daoqiang in shock. His right leg and palm throbbed with pain, and his indestructible Vajra body seemed on the verge of being broken. This alarmed him deeply. How did the other know the weaknesses of the Dragon Claw Hand and the Vajra Leg? No—he had already perfected these techniques, leaving no flaws. It was Li Daoqiang who forcibly created those flaws!
His heart grew heavier. Li Daoqiang was stronger than imagined! Narrowing his eyes, he dared not advance again. Instead, his aura surged higher as he swung both palms. Countafterimages appeared, multiplying from two to ten, ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand. Countless palm prints materialized, filling the space around them with immense pressure that shook the void.
“Thousand-Hand Buddha Palm!” With a deep shout, the thousand palm prints rained down on Li Daoqiang like a meteor shower, their combined force like a mountain crushing everything.
Li Daoqiang let Xuan Cheng unleash his move, then smiled lightly. He struck out with his right palm, sending a single palm print into the heart of the countless strikes.
“Boom!”
Golden light burst forth, and the myriad palm prints collapsed as if their foundation had been shattered. Xuan Cheng frowned, his body bathed in golden radiance like a golden statue. Suddenly, he leaped, forming a golden palm print several zhang wide, exuding an all-encompassing, world-like aura.
“Sumeru Palm!” The palm print descended, pressing down on Li Daoqiang as if the entire world were crushing him.
Interest flickered in Li Daoqiang’s eyes. He flipped his palm, sending a highly condensed golden beam straight into the giant palm.
“Bang!”
With a loud crash, the giant palm flew back, reverting to Xuan Cheng. His face was flushed, his aura surging violently, barely under control. Nearby, Xuan Du’s expression darkened but quickly returned to calm. Still, he couldn’t help a silent sigh.
Li Daoqiang withdrew his palm, smiling faintly at Xuan Cheng. “I’ve heard the Sumeru Palm is an extremely difficult technique to master. To have reached the level of unity between man and palm, combined with Shaolin’s Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, it’s truly unstoppable. Impressive, impressive.”
Xuan Cheng’s face darkened. He had been defeated with a single palm strike—what was there to praise?
“Amitabha. Benefactor Li’s skill is formidable. I admire it,” Xuan Du said, stepping forward to stand beside Xuan Cheng.
Xuan Cheng’s expression showed reluctance, but he held back from attacking again. He had already lost. He had barely probed Li Daoqiang’s limits before being defeated. His eyes dimmed slightly as he asked, “May I ask, Benefactor Li, are you practicing the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art?”
Xuan Du was startled—he hadn’t noticed earlier. Li Daoqiang was a bit surprised but took it in stride. It was normal for someone from the Chan sect of Shaolin to recognize a Tantric divine art. Smiling, he admitted openly, “I was fortunate to obtain this divine art in my early years and have cultivated it to this level. Please don’t mock me, masters.”
Xuan Cheng and Xuan Du exchanged a glance, their solemnity deepening. “The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art is the supreme protective divine art of Tantra, one of the hardest to master in the world. For centuries, few have reached the tenth layer or beyond. For you to have cultivated it to this level at such an age is truly incredible,” Xuan Cheng said slowly, his tone now more respectful and amazed. He wondered inwardly whether Li Daoqiang had reached the tenth or eleventh layer. Either way, his talent was unimaginable. Among all Buddhist arts, the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art was one of the most difficult to perfect.
Li Daoqiang smiled without responding.
“May I ask, Benefactor Li, does this divine art come from the north?” Xuan Du asked solemnly.
“Haha, I have nothing to do with those people. What, as fellow Buddhists, do you intend to pursue the matter?” Li Daoqiang immediately understood his meaning, his tone firm and slightly teasing.
“Benefactor Li jokes,” Xuan Du said, shaking his head. Though still concerned, he dropped the subject. He would keep an eye on it later. Now was not the time. As for pursuing the divine art’s origins as a fellow Buddhist, that was impossible—Chan and Tantra were irreconcilable.
“Now, masters, shall we discuss the transaction?” Li Daoqiang asked politely, still smiling. The probing was over, and his strength was confirmed. He didn’t want to waste more time.
Xuan Cheng and Xuan Du’s faces darkened. Xuan Du chanted “Amitabha” and said steadily, “Benefactor Li, since that’s the case, I’ll speak plainly.”
“Please.” Li Daoqiang gestured.
“We have two conditions. First, Benefactor Li never mentions this matter again. Second, the price is too high; we cannot afford it and need a reduction,” Xuan Du said directly.
“The first condition is no problem—it’s already part of the deal. Though I’m a bandit, I keep my word. Once the transaction is complete, I’ll forget this entirely. No one else will learn of it from me,” Li Daoqiang affirmed unhurriedly. Then, with a serious tone, he added, “As for the second condition, you’re joking. Let’s be frank—everyone knows Shaolin’s wealth. I love money most in life, followed by women. I’m not after your martial arts, the temple’s foundation, just some external possessions. Don’t haggle with me, master.”
Xuan Du shook his head, speaking calmly and firmly, “Whether you believe it or not, Shaolin cannot produce one hundred million taels of silver.”
“Then what do you propose?” Li Daoqiang frowned slightly, his tone displeased.
“Twenty million taels of silver, thirty million taels in assets, and four Shaolin ultimate techniques,” Xuan Du said seriously.
“No. I don’t want assets or techniques—only silver,” Li Daoqiang said firmly, his tone hardening.
Xuan Du shook his head, his voice unwavering. “Shaolin’s gold and silver are limited. Selling off assets on a large scale would take time and attract attention. Who knows what might happen? One hundred million taels in cash is absolutely impossible.”
Li Daoqiang’s expression remained unchanged. “That’s your problem to solve, not mine.”
“Amitabha. Benefactor Li, both of us want to conclude this deal quickly. Delaying benefits neither side. We’ve shown our sincerity. Why push us?” Xuan Du sighed, his tone earnest.
Li Daoqiang snorted coldly. “I do business fairly. One hundred million taels is already a discount. Shaolin’s wealth is known to all. Why play poor here?”
“Benefactor Li misunderstands Shaolin too deeply. I doubt you’d believe my explanation, but we truly cannot produce one hundred million taels. If you truly wish to reach a deal, please show your sincerity,” Xuan Du said solemnly.
“I’ve shown plenty of sincerity. Now it’s Shaolin’s turn. Don’t fob me off with thirty million in assets and four techniques. I may be poor, but I’m not easily fooled,” Li Daoqiang said coldly, his self-address shifting.
Xuan Cheng and Xuan Du frowned. Li Daoqiang’s stance was tougher than expected. And he dared to claim poverty—after all the money he’d extorted in such a short time with his sudden rise to supreme power and reckless behavior!
(Chapter 2, thanks for your support.) ······