At last, the Sect Master of the Divine Eagle Sect successfully seized the Divine Power Armor (Shenli Jia) as his own, yet he did not immediately don the regalia. He meticulously wrapped the armor in oil-soaked cloth and secured it within a wooden chest lined with thick tin. He then gathered provisions and hired those familiar with the mountain paths, including carts and horses, to trek deep into the realm of the Great Snow Mountains. Using these men to search for the source of a hot spring amidst the biting snow and ice, he spared no expense to hire eight souls for the task. Once the desired spring was discovered, he ordered the construction of a temporary shelter at that very spot, then slaughtered all eight men to silence their tongues! Those eight lives were cast into the cold, doomed to become vengeful ghosts of the snow mountain.
When all witnesses were eliminated, Chen Shuyuan immersed the Divine Power Armor into the bubbling hot spring for the final stage of purification. He stood vigil there with tireless caution, scarcely eating or sleeping for two full months. He then retrieved the mystical black iron scales from the water, dried them, and donned the regalia upon his frame. From that hour forth, he never let the armor leave his body, refusing to be separated from it for even a single moment thereafter.
Possessing this divine treasure, it could be said that Chen Shuyuan had become Peerless and Unrivaled under Heaven. Yet the Sect Master was no fool; he knew that if tidings spread through the Jianghu that the Divine Power Armor had returned, many would covet it. Should they learn that the malevolent curse had been eradicated and it could be worn without peril, every person of power—both martial artists and those of the imperial court—would yearn to possess it. Crucially, if his ownership were known, his life would know no peace; he would be besieged by those plotting to seize it and by those seeking to test the armor's virtue with their own weapons and martial prowess.Knowing that revealing his possession would only be inviting disaster upon himself, Chen Shuyuan refused to let even a whisper of his ownership of the Divine Power Armor escape.
Therefore, it was necessary to possess the regalia through a masterfully crafted masquerade.Sect Master Chen began by altering his own attire, discarding his formerly luxurious martial arts robes for a heavy black robe of thick fur, with a breast puffed out in an especially dense manner—much like the garments worn during the bitter cold of a winter season.The sleeves were fashioned to be both long and wide, intricately adorned with interlocking chains and metal decorations.Whenever he moved his frame, his silhouette resembled that of a colossal winged beast, and the subtle "ga-ga" and clinking sounds of the chains and metal plates served to mask the shifting of the metallic scales upon the divine armor hidden within.In essence, he ensured his entire frame was encased within this bizarre and meticulously crafted suit, all to cloak the presence of the Divine Power Armor (Shenli Jia) from the eyes of men.
Though his transformation was somewhat abrupt, it did not rouse much skepticism among the folk.He had long been absent from the Jianghu, claiming to have entered a period of secluded training for several months.Within the martial world, it was common for a master's visage to alter slightly upon the mastery of a new martial art; furthermore, who would possess the audacity to voice their suspicions regarding the attire of the Master of the Divine Eagle Sect?
Beyond his outward visage, his behavior likewise underwent a strange alteration.He became more somber and reclusive, preferring to listen rather than speak, and refused to meet with any soul unless the necessity was absolute.
Even though the acquisition of the regalia bestowed upon him a supreme confidence in his physical protection, he remained besieged by a gnawing anxiety regarding the threat of lethal poison in his food and water.Consequently, he transitioned into a man who consumed only the most meager measures of sustenance, becoming extremely meticulous in the testing of his meals until his frame became gaunt and emaciated.Ultimately, with his withered form, bulging eyes, sharp and aquiline nose, and an unusually long neck—combined with his preferred heavy robes—there arose a mocking proverb spoken only behind his back: "The Vulture upon the Eagle Throne!"
To speak truthfully, Chen Shuyuan had mastered both the Thunderbolt Eagle Claw Skill and the Sky-Soaring Eagle Sword Technique to their ultimate pinnacle, becoming Peerless and Unrivaled under Heaven.It was believed that few, if any, in the land could hope to withstand the power of these two supreme disciplines.Yet, knowing that above every sky, there is yet a higher sky, there were times when he felt compelled to rely on the preternatural virtues of the Divine Power Armor to guard himself in the heat of battle.
Take, for instance, the time when he was compelled to face the Grand Monk in charge of the Shaolin Scripture Hall. That event was born of unplanned circumstances rather than deliberate intent. It originated when the leader of the Flying Bell Sect (Fei Ling), a secular disciple of Shaolin who had achieved distinguished success in the Dragon Claw technique, chanced upon a friction with a Hall Master of the Divine Eagle Sect (Shen Ying Pai). A duel ensued, and the leader of the Flying Bell Sect was utterly defeated! This gave rise to a resounding rumor within the Jianghu, claiming: "The Thunderbolt Eagle Claw Skill of the Divine Eagle Sect is superior to the Dragon Claw of Shaolin!".
The rumors traveled with the speed of wind, growing more intense each passing day. Shaolin is an illustrious sect of immense prestige; to be insulted by the claim that one of their supreme inherited skills was inferior to a style formulated by a former Master of the Divine Eagle Sect was wholly unacceptable.Venerable Master HuiJing (慧静大师), the warden of the Shaolin Scripture Hall, felt this news was a grave error that diminished the enduring dignity of Shaolin Monastery. The Master had mastered the Dragon Claw technique to its ultimate pinnacle; his grasping power was so ferocious that he could crush stone and grind brick into minute dust. Driven by a desire to prove to the Martial World that the Dragon Claw he had cultivated possessed an unrivaled power over the Thunderbolt Eagle Claw, the Grand Monk journeyed to the Eagle Paradise Complex to issue a challenge.
Venerable Master HuiJing braved a long and arduous journey from Shaolin on Mount Songshan, Henan, to the city of Taiyuan in Shansi Province. The distance exceeded 700 li, and he traveled for nearly a month before arriving. Guided by an iron resolve to restore the reputation of the Dragon Claw technique, he entered the city. After residing at the ChongShan Temple (崇善寺) in Taiyuan for five days to recuperate his physical strength, he dispatched an attendant monk to deliver a formal letter of challenge to the Master of the Divine Eagle Sect.
Chen Shuyuan, being a man of the Jianghu and a prominent Sect Master, could not by the laws of the martial world evade a public challenge.However, engaging in mortal combat with the Grand Monk who warded the Shaolin Scripture Hall was a matter in which no soul in the martial world would dare claim "confidence" in achieving victory.Yet, with the Divine Power Armor (Shenli Jia) in his possession, Chen Shuyuan did not believe he would suffer defeat; his only concern remained how to utilize the regalia's preternatural virtues without the eyes of men perceiving the secret.
Sect Master Chen had harbored a love for reading since his youth.He recalled a tale from Tianzhu (天竺: India) concerning a mystical monkey and a Great Buffalo King who challenged each other to a duel of life and death within a secret cavern, hidden from the knowledge of those outside, where only the victor would emerge as a survivor.
It so happened that behind the headquarters of the Divine Eagle Sect lay a colossal cavern used for the cultivation of internal energy (Neigong) and meditation.It was vast and silent, with a central aperture at the summit to admit solar radiance and several torches installed for illumination.The entrance was guarded by a massive iron door, serving as the sole passage—aligning perfectly with the accounts in the foreign lore.
Thus, he proposed the conditions for the duel: it must be a contest held in absolute solitude, strictly forbidding any spectators.However, before venturing within, witnesses from both sides and a neutral party were to inspect the cavern to ensure no mechanical traps, malicious schemes, or hidden assassins were concealed.Furthermore, both parties were required to sign a "Life and Death Agreement"—a formal contract stating that whether one was injured or met their demise, no legal recourse would be sought.
These conditions were not unusual for those of the martial world.The Grand Monk had braved a long journey with a solemn vow for his sect and not for personal glory.His only fear was that his adversary would decline the challenge, depriving him of the chance to restore Shaolin's honor.Therefore, upon receiving the written terms, he was delighted and immediately returned his consent.
When the appointed hour arrived, the Grand Monk, clad in magnificent religious robes, reached the Eagle Paradise Complex with a valiant and imposing bearing.His countenance was radiant with vigor, his eyes burned with a piercing radiance, and his steps were slow but steady—befitting a master who possessed both external power and internal energy (Neigong) in full abundance.The Sect Master of the Divine Eagle Sect and his two Vice-Masters personally came forth to the grand gates to welcome him.The reception was filled with such lavish luxury and honor that it resembled the welcoming of a distinguished guest of long-standing friendship, rather than a life-and-death appointment between two adversaries.
Aside from the prominent figures of the Divine Eagle Sect, Shaolin Monastery, and ChongShan Temple, many renowned heroes of the martial world gathered as witnesses.These individuals participated in a thorough inspection of the cavern's interior to ensure no treacherous mechanics, hidden traps, or assassins were concealed, serving as a demonstration of the host's sincere intentions.The interior was entirely bare, devoid of even a single piece of furniture, table, or chair; only at the mouth of the cave hung a rope connected to a massive bronze bell outside, for the victor to ring as a signal to open the door once the combat reached its conclusion.
Through Chen Shuyuan's open bearing and masterfully crafted masquerade of sincerity, the atmosphere before the duel was exceptionally harmonious.Both parties conversed in the manner of exchanging knowledge; as both were supreme masters of claw techniques, they felt a mutual satisfaction in the opportunity to clash palms for shared study.Thereafter, Sect Master Chen Shuyuan and Venerable Master HuiJing entered the cavern together, instructing the assembled witnesses to remain outside...
Once the massive iron door, weighing over a thousand jin, swung shut before the cavern, the battle commenced...
"Shaolin is the origin of all martial arts under heaven." This claim might sound boastful, but Shaolin's long history is no falsehood!The enduring foundation that has persisted through many eras is the ultimate proof of the excellence of Shaolin wugong.The elderly monk closed his eyes, offered a chant of "Namo Amituofo," and then displayed the Dragon Claw stance.Even his mere posture was filled with monumental power, resembling a roaring dragon manifesting its formidable claws.Chen Shuyuan was not to be outdone; he swept his hands and feet, unleashing the third level of the Thunderbolt Eagle Claw Skill.Concentrating his full energy within his fingertips, in a blink of an eye, the two lunged at each other!