Chapter 8: The Method of Ten Directions' Illusionary Extinction
The White Elephant King tossed the feathered arrow back to the leading knight and hurried away, not saying even a single word.
The Yuan Emperor even mobilized the Xue army, which underscores the significance of this battle for the Mongol Yuan dynasty, a fact that goes without saying
Yan Chengfeng has repeatedly sought to challenge Guo Kan, and it is rumored that this is related to the anti-Yuan movement among the Han people, a point that the White Elephant Dharma King firmly believes in
A cavalry of iron riders galloped forward, and upon seeing it was the White Elephant Dharma King, the leading knight slightly bowed and said, "National Master!"
This Canglang Martial God seems to be aware of the arrival of the White Elephant Dharma King. Although he did not raise his head, he gently said, "Is it the National Master who has arrived?"
Yan Chengfeng's prominence at that time was unparalleled. The Mongol Yuan emperors were concerned that if Guo Kan were to falter, the world would be left to Yan Chengfeng's dominance, which would be greatly detrimental to the Mongol Yuan's rule. Thus, they did not hesitate to persuade Guo Kan to abandon this duel, even using the respect of imperial authority.
In the center of this small town, there is a newly constructed pavilion made of logs and cowhide, where a burly middle-aged man, whose appearance bears the marks of time and hardship, is reading a book.
The Canglang Martial God, Guo Kan, chuckled softly, patted the scroll in his hand, and said lightly: "Tomorrow marks the anniversary of Yan Chengfeng's death, you may go now! This person should not be underestimated, and I too must cultivate my spirit in order to achieve victory in a single battle"
A bird suddenly landed in front of the White Elephant King, pierced through both its eyes by an arrow. The archer's skill was so refined that it nearly reached a state of perfection
The White Elephant King casually brushed aside and pulled out the feathered arrow, glanced at it, and showed no trace of a smile on his face
This battle is indeed crucial, and it may even become an opportunity for a change of dynasty
There are even legends that the foremost leader of the anti-Yuan righteous army in today's Han realm, Bai Miele, the leader of the Red Turban Army, is actually a junior disciple of Yan Chengfeng. This individual possesses exceptional martial skills, is unfathomable in strength, has profound military strategies, and far-reaching tactics. It was he who invited Yan Chengfeng to challenge Guo Kan
The entire town, after the White Elephant King departed, was left with only Guo Kan. Even the timid Xue Jun could only guard the outskirts of the town, not daring to step inside for fear of disturbing the tranquility of the Martial God
If the invincible myth of the Great Yuan comes to an end, the anti-Yuan righteous armies across various regions will inevitably surge like a tide, becoming unstoppable. If Yan Chengfeng is defeated, the title of the Martial God Guo Kan will surely dominate the world, and the various anti-Yuan forces will no longer dare to stir restlessly.
The White Elephant King pondered for a moment, let out a deep sigh, and said: "Thanks to the Martial God for enlightening this humble monk; otherwise, I would surely make no progress in my martial arts over the next ten years"
Even when Basiba chose his successor, the White Elephant King did not disdain to compete with his senior brother, the Red Sun King. What he thought at that time was: "My martial arts have not yet reached great perfection, so I cannot claim to be the most powerful in the world. Once I have perfected the Great Vajra Dharma, will the position of Imperial Master not be within my grasp? Let Red Sun sit in this position for a few days, what difference does it make!" When the White Elephant King felt that his martial arts had reached great perfection and prepared to challenge the world's number one at that time, the Wolf God Guo Kan, he was shocked to hear that his senior brother, the Red Sun King, had been killed and that the secret technique of the Tianfo Sect, the "Great Stupa Method," had been stolen.
He strongly advocated for a battle between the two unparalleled masters, firmly believing that in this fight, the Canglang War God Guo Kan would surely win. However, after encountering Yan Chengfeng, the White Elephant Dharma King no longer held such confidence.
The White Elephant King was taken aback and suddenly realized: "Thanks to Guo Wushen for enlightening this poor monk, is this the Ten Directions of Illusionary Extinction that Yan Chengfeng is renowned for across the world?"
The White Elephant King made various efforts to mediate and strongly assured Emperor Yuan that the battle would be won by the Canglang War God Guo Kan, thus restarting this battle that was bound to shock the world
Although the White Elephant Dharma King is not inferior in reputation and status to Guo Kan, and even enjoys greater favor in front of Emperor Yuan than this Wolf God of War, he does not dare to be arrogant at all. He still bows and pays his respects, maintaining the identity of a junior, and speaks softly: "I just met Yan Chengfeng. This person has already advanced to the Dao of Heaven in martial arts, without any flaws, as if he is a divine being, no longer a person of this world."
As the White Elephant King reached the foot of the mountain and gazed at the nearby nameless town, a sudden heaviness filled his heart
The Qiexue army, under the command of the Yuan Emperor, guards this small town. The Qiexue army consists of the Emperor's personal troops, and only those who are not lords, nobles, or the sons of high-ranking generals are eligible for selection. At this moment, hundreds of iron cavalry have spread out, creating an invisible net that has long since sealed off the entire town from any wind or rain. Not even a cat or mouse, or even a flying bird, can enter. The knight just now was merely a centurion of the Qiexue army, yet he possessed such remarkable archery skills, which demonstrates the excellence of this elite force of the Khan.
It is night! No words...
Alas! I do not know if in this lifetime I will have the opportunity to cultivate my martial arts to the level of a swallow riding the wind, achieving a state of divine clarity, where every gesture is as if all methods are at my command, approaching the legendary realm of the Buddha.
Although Guo Wushen was full of confidence, what if Yan Chengfeng were to win tomorrow? Upon thinking of this, King Bai Xiang dared not ponder further, and could only sweep his sleeve and leave gracefully, leaving the Canglang Wushen Guo Kan to leisurely read in the pavilion.
Guo Kan shook his head and said with a smile: "Master Basiba's spiritual magic is unparalleled in the world, surpassing Yan Chengfeng's Ten Directions of Illusion. If you and Hongri could master a bit of the Great Stupa technique, what would you have to fear from Yan Chengfeng? It is a pity that you and Hongri insist on learning the Thirteen Classics of the Outer Path of the Tianfo Sect, the True Body of the Great Vajra, truly forsaking gold and jade for the joy of picking up rubble!"
Bai Maitreya is a person of exceptional martial prowess, whose reputation is said to be on par with Yan Chengfeng. He has several prominent disciples under his tutelage, including Han Shantong, Liu Futong, Guo Zixing, Peng Yingyu, and Xu Shouhui. Even the likes of the unparalleled master, King Bai Xiang, hold him in deep regard and caution.
Guo Kan laughed heartily and said, "If it were not for Yan Chengfeng's sudden emergence, the National Master might have challenged me to compete for the title of the world's number one. With the National Master's martial arts realm, how could he be deceived by these illusions? Yan Chengfeng's martial arts are indeed remarkable, but they are merely illusions, suitable only for deceiving the common folk. Tomorrow, I shall expose them for the National Master."
The thought of the outcome of this battle leading to various complex situations makes even the wise King of the White Elephants feel a sense of unease and apprehension
The White Elephant King displayed a look of shame and replied: "The master of the Eight Thought Baskets is a learned celestial being, possessing many divine powers that are innate and cannot be acquired through later learning. I have no hope of following in my senior brother's footsteps, and can only seek a secondary path.
The White Elephant King bowed to the ground, turned around, and left, yet the heaviness in his heart lingered for a long time
The White Elephant King, while expressing admiration, also felt a tinge of envy. He had devoted his entire life to the cultivation of martial arts, displaying exceptional talent from a young age. He had studied under the renowned Mongolian Emperor's master, Basiba, and was convinced that he would undoubtedly become the world's number one in the future, easily attaining the position of master of the empire, looking down on others with a lofty gaze.
The White Elephant King certainly knows that this person is the foremost master of the Mongol Yuan dynasty, the Wolf Warrior Guo Kan. Guo Kan has been renowned throughout the world for nearly sixty years. Now, he is already an elderly man, yet at first glance, he still appears as strong as a lion or tiger, showing no signs of aging.
The White Elephant Dharma King immediately summoned several disciples of the Red Sun Dharma King, who were present at the time, as well as experts from the Mongol Yuan faction who had previously engaged with Yan Chengfeng, to inquire in detail about Yan Chengfeng's martial arts techniques. Initially, he did not perceive this rapidly rising Han master as a threat, but thereafter, he no longer mentioned challenging the Wolf God of Martial Arts, Guo Kan. Instead, he fervently advised the Mongol Yuan emperor, seeking to facilitate a battle between Yan Chengfeng and Guo Kan. He initially did not view this rapidly rising Han master as a threat, but from that point on, he ceased to mention challenging the Wolf God of Martial Arts, Guo Kan, and instead strongly urged the Mongol Yuan emperor to promote the confrontation between Yan Chengfeng and Guo Kan.
All the townspeople of this nameless small town have long been slaughtered by the Yuan soldiers, leaving not a single Han person in the entire town
Guo Kan nodded and said, "Indeed! This is the Ten Directions of Illusionary Disappearance, renowned throughout the world by Yan Chengfeng. This technique specializes in the cultivation of the spirit, directly targeting the human heart. If the adversary's emotions and desires show even the slightest sign of wavering, they will be susceptible to this technique. The practitioner can will them to live or die at their command. It represents the pinnacle of martial arts cultivation, transcending various constraints, entering the path through martial prowess, and achieving a realm where illusion becomes reality. It appears as if one is a ghost or deity, capable of anything, yet in reality, it remains confined within the boundaries of martial arts. As long as one's thoughts are pure and unified, one can dispel all illusions and remain unharmed by this technique"