A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 389 - 240: The Many Thunders of Qianyang, the Daoist Title Chang Ming

By the Nu Yun Riverfront, the sky was dark and gloomy!

The vast sky seemed to be pierced with a huge hole, pouring down torrential rain.

The Celestial Cyan Robe was drenched, sitting on Yanzi Cliff as if taking a breather.

"When did Master develop a Horizontal Training Technique? Seventy-one punches landed, yet not a single hair of Master was harmed."

Chen Xing stood steadily, on the surging river surface where waves exploded, with his shoulders lowered and arms hanging, chest concaved and back lifted. The profound reserves of the Four Cultivation Grandmasters transformed into nine True Gang Great Dragons several feet long, surrounding his body.

The rolling rainwater evaporated and dispersed, unable to come close, as if inhaling and exhaling clouds.

Quite formidable!

"Did you really think I was unprepared, you ungrateful disciple? Ever since you were expelled from Tongwen Hall, I reflected deeply and carefully chose a Horizontal Training Technique for development!

This move ’Nine Dragons Unifying Wall’, does it still catch the eye?"

Ninghai Zen smacked his lips, wiping water off his face:

"Solid enough! Which martial art did Master use as a foundation? It doesn’t seem like hard techniques such as Golden Bell Shield or Iron Cloth Shirt."

Chen Xing raised his head proudly, boldly stating three words:

"Iron Crotch Skill!"

Ninghai Zen’s eye twitched:

"Master, you are young at heart despite your age! Why, planning to have several chubby sons with Mistress to continue the family line?"

Chen Xing chuckled, boldly enduring Ninghai Zen’s seventy-one punches, giving him ample confidence to immediately take on the role of a Master:

"Superficial! The Iron Crotch Skill is not merely for enhancing male vitality! Under my development, it has already achieved internal and external cultivation, refining the True Yang, accumulating Life Fire Yang Qi, nurturing Nine Dragons within limbs and bones, converging as one, unbreakable!"

Ninghai Zen nodded, curiously asking:

"Master, you’ve been married to Mistress for a decade, yet you’re still able to maintain True Yang Fire Qi?"

Chen Xing’s face twitched:

"Watch your words, ungrateful disciple! In any case, my move ’Nine Dragons Unification’ can withstand your hundred punches!

The three great true skills of Tongwen Hall, though top-notch, cannot reach the heavens; moreover, you don’t have the temperament to patiently teach disciples.

Rather than let Ah Qi be buried in Black River County, why not stay in Yihai Prefecture!"

Finally broaching the main topic, Ninghai Zen tucked away the fleeting smile and shook his head:

"’Ten Dragons and Ten Elephants Prison-Suppression Skill’, ’Sun and Moon Divine Refining Five Directions Seal of the Holy Emperor’, and ’All Principles Embodied as One Sutra’... These were meticulously developed and perfected by the ancestors, yet they didn’t leave a path to open the door to Divine Techniques.

Master, have you ever wondered why the ancestors did this?"

Before Chen Xing could answer, Ninghai Zen continued on his own:

"Because from every generation of ancestors, they have been practicing one thing.

That is—roads are walked by oneself; the Dao is pursued by one’s heart.

The three great true skills cannot reach the heavens, but that doesn’t mean I, Ninghai Zen, can’t break through!

As the ancestors could forge their paths, so can future generations carve their Dao!

Master, the path you chose to reach the heavens, while broad and wide, also brings endless troubles and incidents, which may not be suitable for Ah Qi."

Chen Xing’s emotions were complex. This disciple of his seemed lazy; if he could lie down, he wouldn’t stand up, often weary of thinking, liking clean and decisive solutions. Yet, he possessed a unique intelligence beyond ordinary people.

He could see clearly and let go, neither greedy nor inactive.

"Actually, Hai Chan..."

Chen Xing began to speak but was interrupted by Ninghai Zen:

"Master, I don’t want to know who you really are or what you wish to do.

Many years ago, I met you at the ferry outside Yihai County City, and followed you to learn and practice martial arts.

As the old saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for life. I, Ninghai Zen, will always recognize Chen Xing as my master and father, and only him."

At last, the ungrateful disciple showed some filial piety.

Chen Xing couldn’t help but feel gratified.

"But—"

Sitting atop Yanzi Cliff, Ninghai Zen continued:

"I always remember the three rules you taught upon entering the school.

Therefore, I hope there won’t be a day, Master, when you become one who obstructs my path."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xing raised his eyebrows:

"Leaving Ah Qi in Yihai Prefecture makes me an enemy to your path?"

Ninghai Zen allowed the torrential rain to land on him:

"A master cannot watch his own disciple jump into the fire pit."

Chen Xing couldn’t help but laugh and ask:

"How does it become a fire pit? Is your master like some cult leader or rebellious traitor?"

Ninghai Zen smirked:

"Endless troubles, entanglements that can’t be severed quickly, that’s a fire pit.

Under that Tongwen Hall plaque, pressed a bloody debt, but as long as I am willing to spend time, pulling out and eliminating those lost souls individually is not difficult.

But Master, can you guarantee? Can you clear away all the grudges and entanglements you formed?"

Chen Xing sighed:

"I won’t harm Ah Qi; he’s the heir you chose, and also my grand-disciple.

His nature, bones, comprehension, and even his way of conduct, deeply resonate with me.

Even if faced with great pressure, I would rather sacrifice myself than watch Ah Qi befall disaster.

Besides, among all the trees, a standout branch is quite conspicuous—one can’t hide it.

To bring Ah Qi into the city, the Dao officials of Yuanyang Temple and Zhi Xin Temple, along with the Meridian Sword Sect, all want this good seedling like treasure.

Attempting to block or fend off would only tangle things into chaos. Even if you really reach the heavens and enter Divine Techniques, how would you single-handedly contend against the Dragon Court and Upper Sect?"

Ninghai Zen shrugged:

"Why care so much? If I face the Seventeenth Lineage and think of these miscellaneous matters, how could I destroy the four families?

Master, rather take a step forward than halt in thought—that’s what you said to me."

Chen Xing was speechless, each time seeing Ninghai Zen, he would have a headache over choosing such a self-directed disciple.