Li Dingxun had actually guessed the identity of the old ghost. In the Pure Land, there was the Danqing Hall, established by the Wenshan Shuhai Pavilion Chamber of Commerce, which collected the history of China, records of the Jianghu, local county annals, and so on. The story of the Buddha Child leveling the Vajra Sect with a single palm was, of course, highly praised by countless people, and it didn't even need to be written down; people's word-of-mouth could ensure its fame for generations.
Li Dingxun could go to the other two Pure Lands at any time, and the Danqing Hall was one he preferred. The historians' evaluation of the old ghost was 'good and evil are repaid, he died as he deserved.' He committed countless evils in his life, but at the moment of death, he showed quick wit. To be honest, after Li Dingxun read the history of the Snowy Region, he also felt that the destruction of the Vajra Sect was a well-deserved retribution, but ultimately, the old ghost was different.
Could an evil person also have gentleness towards the world?
No, Gongbu's thinking had no distinction between good and evil.
Perhaps, in his view, cultivating a Successor was more important than anything else. A Successor was like his child, his replica and substitute.
If Gongbu had the number one Successor in the world, then he himself would be the number one in the world.
But parents and children, teachers and students, they are all different from each other. Individual differences are often great, and the expectations of elders often come to nothing, simply because the younger generations have their own ideas.
Treating children as another self, a Vessel used to make up for one's own life's regrets, such an education is a failure.
Gongbu was Gongbu; when he died, he was truly dead, and no one could continue his value.
...
Li Dingxun planned to go out.
To travel the world and, by the way, fulfill the old ghost's last wish.
Leaving the sect was not simple. First, he had to persuade his parents, and second, he had to pass the internal assessment.
While parents are alive, one should not travel far; if one travels, one must have a definite purpose. So, he had to pass this hurdle first.
Martial arts sects had strict rules to prevent disciples from causing trouble outside or leaving and never returning, so they had to test their martial arts and assess their character.
To be honest, traveling in late autumn was a very untimely thing. But since he had made up his mind, nothing could stop him.
The next day at noon, Li Dingxun asked a maid and learned that his father, Li Piguang, was entertaining guests in the Group Lion Hall at the foot of the mountain, so he immediately rushed over.
Along the way, many people didn't even recognize him, and when he reached the mountainside, he heard his father's thunderous laughter.
"The Taishi Successor is indeed full of heroic spirit; for him to come to my Lion Appearance Sect truly brings glory to my humble abode!"
A cheerful baritone replied, "Sect Master Li is too kind. I have long heard that the Guangdong Lion Appearance Sect is the number one external martial arts sect in the world, and seeing it today proves that its reputation is well-deserved. All of you are rare heroes and great figures, and I am thrice fortunate to meet you all."
Li Dingxun walked to the side door of the Group Lion Hall and stood there, not rushing in. The two Sleeping Lion Hall disciples guarding the door looked at this strange person and were about to drive him away when Li Dingxun shook his head at them, made a shushing gesture, and then pulled out a token—it was a token of the Raging Lion Hall Master.
Under the Lion Appearance Sect, there were three major halls: Raging Lion was the strongest, Brocade Lion was the wealthiest, and Sleeping Lion was the most numerous. The Raging Lion Hall Master's position was second only to the Deputy Sect Master, while the Sleeping Lion Hall disciples' status was only higher than the lowest-ranking lion cubs.
This token of Li Dingxun's was left by his father, Li Piguang, when he was the Raging Lion Hall Master. Giving it to Li Dingxun now was also to prevent the sect members from not recognizing this young sect master and causing a scene.
The two disciples thought, 'Our Lion Appearance Sect only has two Raging Lion Hall Masters, who is this?'
However, Li Dingxun's demeanor was imposing after all, and seeing this, they dared not offend him. They could only pretend not to see him and let him stand outside the door to eavesdrop.
The one conversing with Li Piguang was the current Taishi Successor.
In the Pure Land, he had also heard about the difficult situation of the Taishi Successor. In the Jingbei Jingzhao region, there was a Taiwu Village, which was the foundation for the Taishi Successor to establish himself. Who would have thought that seven Sword Tombs mysteriously appeared around it, containing seven incarnations of the Xiangshu, each possessing unique skills, even legendary figures?
Every five years, a Sword Tomb Master would send an incarnation to attack Taiwu Village, slaughtering the innocent. Successive Taiwu had fought to the death but could not defeat the Sword Tomb incarnations, so much so that the Fu Yu Divine Sword changed hands many times, and the current Taiwu was already the sixteenth generation.
At that time, various martial arts sects had made a vow with the first Taiwu that in times of crisis, they would impart all their inherited martial arts. But with the passage of time, very few sects truly still honored that vow today.
Indeed, the calamity of Xiangshu was not very rampant, and there were few people in various places who fell into evil. The Taishi Successor was truly dispensable. Everyone lived in peace and contentment, without any sense of urgency; even without the Taiwu, life would go on as usual.
Despite this, when the Taiwu proposed to learn the Lion Appearance Sect's martial arts, Li Piguang did not refuse. How much he could learn still depended on the Taiwu's own ability. Not only did he need talent, but he also had to be on good terms with the sect members to learn even a single move or stance.
Li Dingxun waited for them to converse for a long time.
About an hour later, Li Piguang arranged for a disciple to lead the Taishi Successor to the guest room to rest.
From afar, he could see the white-clad back of the current Taiwu.
Li Dingxun walked into the hall.
"Why are you here, you rascal?"
"I specially came to bid farewell to Father. Your son wishes to travel in all directions and see the magnificent rivers and mountains."
The Sect Master immediately felt relieved upon hearing this. He was afraid that his eldest son would get sick from staying indoors, so now that he was willing to go out, it was all for the best.
"I am very confident in your strength. I agree to this matter. Go and challenge the Three Lions Rampage Gate now; I'll have someone pack your travel expenses and luggage."
"Yes."
Three Lions Rampage Gate.
Pass three trials.
The Sleeping Lion Hall's saber array, the Brocade Lion Hall's spear forest, and the chief disciple of the Raging Lion Hall.
The sabers were the Lion Appearance Ground Sabers, held by thirty-eight disciples standing in solemn formation.
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
"Junior Brothers, please."
Li Dingxun stood in the array. The first trial was in a stilt house, with all four walls removed. To the south was a hillside, and a quiet river flowed beneath the floor. The floor, made of round logs pieced together, was uneven and had many gaps. It was common to step into a void and get stuck between the logs, not to mention that the Ground Saber specialized in attacking the lower body, requiring flexible footwork to dodge. In this place, one would inevitably feel constrained.
It was a cloudy day, the light was dim, and it shone through from all four sides, illuminating the gleaming sharp sabers.
Thirty-eight sabers pressed down in unison, the crouching disciples like a true pride of hunting lions.
Four sabers from the inner circle thrust forward. Li Dingxun kicked, his internal energy like a hammer, and the long sabers in front, behind, left, and right instantly broke.
"What exquisite Qigong!"
"Junior Brother overpraises."
Li Dingxun was as calm as a stone.
"This trial will not stump Senior Brother, please."
"Thank you all for your hard work."
The spears were the Lion Appearance Eight Mother Spears, the foundation of all spear techniques, the essence passed down through generations. Because of their purity, they could be sustained for a long time.
The training ground.
Twelve Brocade Lion Hall disciples.
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
"Junior Brothers, greetings. Please."
Thrust!
Six disciples exerted their strength, and the dark iron spears vibrated ceaselessly, emitting a low whine. The spear tips flashed and were already before him.
Li Dingxun threw punches, one after another. As his internal energy expanded and contracted, a fierce suction force was generated, causing the surrounding air to contract violently. His fists were across the air, without any flaws. The six disciples only felt their long spears become disobedient, swaying left and right, almost slipping from their hands.
The tips of the six spears were all drawn to his fists.
He punched.
Flesh against metal.
The long spears shattered into pieces, turning into a sky full of iron filings.
Extreme Fourth Rank, Overlord's Bow Hand.
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