[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 19]
[Xu Zhu]
[Identity: Disciple of Shaolin Temple, Sect Leader of the Carefree Sect, Successor of Wu Yazi, Son of Abbot Xuan Ci and Ye Erniang]
[Cultivation: Late Grandmaster Realm]
[Technique: Shaolin Fist Method, Beiming Divine Exercise, Martial Arts of the Carefree Sect]
[Reward: Earth-Grade Top-Tier Pill – Creation Pill. After consumption, any injuries, internal or external, will be completely healed.]
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Southern Song Imperial Palace.
"Minister, who is this Xu Zhu? He's both a Shaolin disciple and the leader of the Carefree Sect?"
"Is it even possible for someone to belong to multiple sects in the martial world?" Zhao Ji asked in confusion.
"It must have been due to a great encounter."
"I'm not too familiar with Xu Zhu, but I've done a thorough investigation on his father, Xuan Ci."
"He is the abbot of Shaolin and highly esteemed in the martial world. Few can compare to him."
"That battle at Yanmen Pass years ago was led by him alongside other martial experts."
"And that so-called Khitan traitor everyone is chasing now, Xiao Feng, was actually the Khitan infant from back then."
As the head of the Northern Song intelligence agency, Huang Shang naturally knew the details.
"The abbot of Shaolin had a wife and child?"
"Unbelievable! Utter disgrace!" Zhao Ji shook his head, full of ridicule and contempt for Xuan Ci.
==========
Deaf Mute Valley.
"Senior, you're saved! Quickly take this pill."
"No matter if it's an internal or external injury, it can heal everything."
Seeing the dying Wu Yazi before him, Xu Zhu didn't hesitate.
He quickly helped him swallow the Creation Pill that he had just received from the Heavenly Dao as a reward.
Though his body had no inner energy and was completely paralyzed, fate gave Wu Yazi a miraculous twist.
As the pill was ingested, Wu Yazi's crippled body began to recover at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Even his gray and white hair began to regain its shine.
Although his inner energy was gone, he now had a chance to cultivate anew.
Hearing Wu Yazi's steady breathing, Xu Zhu finally sighed in relief.
"My disciple… why bother saving this crippled and dying old man?"
Wu Yazi looked at Xu Zhu, his feelings mixed and complicated.
Xu Zhu was unlike anyone he had ever met in his life.
He had once felt disappointed, but now he was overjoyed.
Though he didn't find his appearance particularly pleasing, Xu Zhu's character had far exceeded his expectations.
Without a second thought, he had given up a priceless Heavenly Dao reward.
He valued people more than treasure.
This was the disciple Wu Yazi had been searching for.
And not only that, he would now pass on everything he knew to Xu Zhu.
He would help him surpass even himself.
What was Shaolin Temple compared to the Carefree Sect?
Insignificant.
Xu Zhu had already made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking at the Grandmaster level.
In the future, he had a high chance of stepping into the realm of Land Immortals.
He could even catch up to the elusive founder of their sect, Xiao Yaozi.
All of Wu Yazi's hopes now rested on this humble yet exceptional disciple.
==========
Shaolin Temple, Northern Song.
In the main hall, every high-ranking monk was staring wide-eyed at Abbot Xuan Ci.
"Abbot… is it true? Is Xu Zhu really your son? And with Ye Erniang?"
Master Xuan Nan looked completely stunned.
He knew Xu Zhu, just a low-level disciple in the temple with not much strength.
Their statuses were worlds apart. How could they be father and son?
"Amitabha. I have sinned. This humble monk confesses. May the Head of the Discipline Hall pass judgment according to temple rules."
Xuan Ci sighed deeply.
Years of secrecy had now been exposed by the ranking list.
No matter what happened, admitting guilt was the first step to preserving his life.
At the same time, he felt a little stirred inside.
He never expected to have a son.
And now, that son had become the leader of the Carefree Sect.
==========
Shaolin Scripture Pavilion.
Rustle...
Rustle...
Rustle...
The silent pavilion was empty except for one old monk with white hair and beard slowly sweeping fallen leaves.
His movements were slow, but carried a deep, mysterious rhythm.
If someone with true insight had been present, they would have gained much just from watching.
No one knew how long this old monk had lived in the temple.
And those who might have known probably assumed he had passed on long ago.
"Carefree Sect?"
"Xu Zhu?"
The Sweeper Monk let out a quiet hum as he looked at the newly updated ranking in the sky.
"A Shaolin abbot and one of the Four Great Evildoers… how interesting."
"And their son is now the successor of the Carefree Sect."
After murmuring these words, he turned his attention back to the fallen leaves.
At his age, he naturally understood the origins of the Carefree Sect.
Its founder was a true Land Immortal.
Now that the Golden Ranking had appeared, it wouldn't be long before all the Land Immortals began to show themselves again.
The entire world of the Nine Provinces was on the brink of chaos.
Even someone like him didn't know whether he would rise to new heights in this turmoil or fall and disappear forever.
==========
Outside Shaolin Temple.
With a casual strike, Jiu Mozhi killed two low-level gatekeeper monks.
Looking at the ranking in the sky, he sneered.
"What a filthy and disgraceful Shaolin Temple!"
"The abbot consorted with one of the Four Great Evildoers. What a perverse joke!"
"Hahaha…"
"This humble monk, Jiu Mozhi, national master of Tubo, wonders if he might pay an uninvited visit to discuss Dharma with the masters of Shaolin?"
Jiu Mozhi's voice echoed throughout the Shaolin Temple.
All the disciples heard it at once and their expressions changed dramatically.
Their faces turned pale, not knowing how to respond.
Especially those who knew Xu Zhu, who immediately broke into heated discussion.
"Who would've thought? Junior Brother Xu Zhu is the abbot's son?"
"My god! Did you see? He's also the son of Ye Erniang!"
"Shaolin is going to become the laughingstock of the entire martial world."
"Shh! Keep your voice down. If the abbot hears you, you're in trouble."
"Keep it down? Does he still have the right to be our abbot after this?"
"Did you not hear what that foreign monk said? I can't take this anymore!"
With his sharp hearing, Jiu Mozhi could clearly sense the chaos inside the temple.
He was ecstatic.
To use Shaolin as a stepping stone to establish his name as the National Master of Tubo, what joy that would bring.
"Shaolin Temple of the Northern Song… today shall be destroyed by my hands!"
"Let word spread, and see who in the martial world will ever dare look down on me again."
A crazed smile spread across Jiu Mozhi's face.
"Amitabha!"
Suddenly, a soft Buddhist chant echoed in his mind.
Jiu Mozhi's vision blurred.
Then, a powerful, unstoppable force swept over him.
His body was thrown uncontrollably down the mountain.
He had no resistance at all.
Like a fragile baby.
"Ah!"
"Shaolin Temple! You are shameless! How dare you ambush this humble monk!"
"One day, I shall return. I will not rest until I destroy Shaolin!"
Letting out a theatrical threat, Jiu Mozhi fled the scene in utter disgrace.