As soon as the three of them left the practice room, Lan Ling'er pointed to the heights of the west mountain and said, "Zhu Yu, where there are black shadows, there is a big cave. It's very beautiful inside."
After Lan Ling'er finished speaking, she raised her breath and floated about ten feet away. As soon as she landed, she pressed a little harder and flew another ten feet away.
"Ling'er, wait!" Zhu Yu said, gaining strength and chasing after him, but he couldn't catch up with Lan Ling'er. Lan Ling'er had practiced kung fu for several more years than Zhu Yu, so her light kung fu was naturally much better than Zhu Yu's.
Unknowingly, Lan Tian also overtook Zhu Yu from behind, kept pace with Lan Ling'er, and disappeared in front of Zhu Yu in a blink of an eye. When Zhu Yu arrived at the entrance of the cave out of breath, Lan Tian and Lan Ling'er had been waiting at the entrance of the cave for a long time.
The entrance of the cave is very large, with a height and width of more than ten feet. When the three of them entered the cave, they felt that it was very cool inside. There was a huge cave hall next to the entrance, which was spacious and bright, enough to accommodate thousands of people. Around the cave hall, there were There are passages leading to all directions, some wide or narrow, dark and deep, and I don't know where they lead.
"Zhu Yu, look at the stalactites above your head, are they beautiful?" Lan Ling'er pointed at the top of the cave and said.
Zhu Yu looked up and saw strangely shaped pointed stones hanging from the roof of the cave, some white and some black, and three or five of them even showed a faint red color, which was very strange.
"Why are the stones here so strange? They are so different from those in other places." Zhu Yu felt very strange when he saw such a strange scene for the first time.
"These are stalactites, which are formed by dripping water in the cave. There are such stones everywhere in this cave." Lan Tian explained.
As soon as Lan Tian finished speaking, he heard a flurry of "thumping" noises above his head. A large group of birds were frightened and flew back and forth in the cave hall, which really startled Zhu Yu.
Seeing Zhu Yu looking at the bat above his head in horror, Lan Ling'er consoled him: This kind of bird is called a tiger bat. It is the most ferocious kind of bat. It can catch fish and small birds to eat. I heard that it can only be found in this cave. But they won't attack people, so don't be afraid. "
"Zhu Yu, Ling'er, follow me closely, let's go to the cave and have a look." At this moment, Lan Tian got a torch from nowhere and lit it on fire, holding it high in his hand.
Zhu Yu was in front and Lan Ling'er was behind. The two followed closely behind Lan Tian and walked toward a larger cave entrance by the light of the fire.
Under the illumination of the torch, everything in the cave was clearly visible. Above the head and on both sides of the road, there were stalactites of different shapes. Some looked like birds, some looked like animals, and some looked like trees and flowers. Zhu Yu was dazzled by the sight. .
As the three of them walked, they suddenly heard the sound of running water coming from the cave, and the blue sky lowered the torch. "This is an underground river that flows from the depths of the cave, then flows underground from here, and flows out behind our house below. All the water we use in Tianlong Mountain comes from this river."
Zhu Yu looked towards the place illuminated by the torch in the blue sky, and saw a clear spring flowing out of the dark hole, and then flowing underground not far from his feet. The water was crystal clear and spotless. Zhu Yu couldn't help lowering his head and holding it. I took a handful of water and drank it. I felt a cooling sensation from my throat to my stomach, and my spirit was lifted.
"This water also has a faint sweetness?" After Lan Ling'er finished speaking, Zhu Yu felt a sweetness in her mouth.
Going further inside, the cave becomes narrower and narrower, and the water flow disappears, but the stalactites in the cave are still of various shapes and beautiful.
"Let's go out!" Lan Tian said after the three of them wandered around the cave for a while, guessing that the torches were almost burning.
When the three of them returned to the cave hall, they found that Lan Yiming was standing in the middle of the huge cave hall with his hands folded.
"Father, why are you here?" Lan Ling'er saw her father and stepped forward to greet him.
When Lan Yiming saw the three of them, he just nodded slightly, and then said loudly to a fork hole: "Master Wise Man, today is your thirty-year retreat, you can come out."
As soon as Lan Yiming finished speaking, he heard a deep voice in the cave: "I am also preparing to leave the seclusion, so there is no need for Young Master Lan to greet me."
When the words fell, an old monk, about six feet tall and about seventy years old, wearing green cloth monk robes and a kind face, was already standing in front of the four people.
The appearance of the old monk really surprised Lan Tian, Lan Ling'er and Zhu Yu, because the three of them didn't see the old monk's figure clearly at all. In just a blink of an eye, the old monk was standing in front of them. Such a light skill , three people are really unheard of.
Seeing the old monk, Lan Yiming bowed and bowed respectfully. "My nephew Lan Yiming has met the wise master."
The wise master clasped his hands in return and said with a smile: "Nephew Yiming, your parents are very kind."
"My parents retired from the world 20 years ago and went to live in seclusion somewhere. Until now, they have not been able to see each other." Lan Yiming sighed.
"Nephew, why should you sigh? How carefree you are if you don't care about the affairs of the world. It's a pity that you don't have this blessing. I don't know how my brothers and sisters are doing. I'm going back to the temple first. I'll come back to you another day." After the wise master finished speaking, he was gone in the blink of an eye. No trace.
"Father, where did this man named Master Wise Man come from? Why did he appear in the cave?" Lan Ling'er asked impatiently when he saw the old man leaving.
"Thirty years ago, Master Zhizhe was in his thirties. He learned the Great Sun Tathagata Palm of Guoqing Temple and was proud of being invincible, so he came to Tianlong Mountain to compete with your grandfather in martial arts." Lan Yiming looked at the people outside the cave. Yunwu said quietly.
"What happened next? I'm afraid the wise man at that time was no match for my grandfather, right?" Lan Ling'er asked.
"At that time, it had been more than ten years since your grandfather and grandmother left Shaolin to establish a sect in Tianlong Mountain. Your grandfather had practiced Shaolin's unique skills, and his martial arts skills were outstanding in the Central Plains martial arts. It's no wonder that the wise man came here."
"So, a wise man must not be my grandfather's opponent." Lan Tian said.
"I heard from your grandpa that the wise man's martial arts attainments are really impressive. He boasted to Haikou and said that if he loses, he will stay in seclusion in Tianlong Mountain for thirty years. If he wins, he will ask your grandpa to pass on the Palm of Shaolin Tathagata to Hercules. With him, at that time, your grandfather was also proud and arrogant, so he naturally agreed to the wise man's request." Lan Yiming sighed.
"The wise man must have lost and stayed in seclusion in this cave for thirty years?" Lan Ling'er said with confidence.
"Your grandfather and the wise master competed in this cave hall for seven days and seven nights. Both of them were exhausted, and there was still no winner. On the seventh day and night, the two fought with palm skills. Your grandfather used Tathagata. The Palm of Hercules, the wise man used the Palm of the Great Sun Tathagata. The palms of the two were intersecting. No one could defeat the other, but their internal strength was being consumed little by little. Your grandma was standing by and tried to separate the two of them, but she couldn't. If it continues like this, both of them may die of exhaustion."
"What happened next? Who saved them?" Lan Ling'er asked.
"Just when the two of them were about to die together, a masked old man suddenly came, stretched out a finger, touched the two palms lightly, and separated the two. The old man said to the wise man: You are a monk. Why did he become a brave and ruthless person?...! After a scolding, the old man floated away, and the wise man cried loudly on the spot, and then determined to practice in seclusion here for thirty years. To this day, it has been exactly thirty years. ." Lan Yiming said.
"Uncle Lan, so Master Zhizhe must be an accomplished monk." Zhu Yu said tentatively.
"If you can retreat for thirty years, you have already reached the state of seeing through everything and having no desires or pursuits. You can be regarded as an enlightened monk. Moreover, during these thirty years, Master Zhizhe not only meditated and understood the Tao every day, but also practiced Buddhist techniques. His martial arts skills must be unfathomable." Lan Yiming said.
"Father, this time Tianlong Mountain convenes a martial arts conference to choose the leader, it is inevitable that evil and heretic people will cause trouble. Can we ask Master Wise to help us?" Lan Tian asked.
Lan Yiming smiled softly: "Masters like Zhizhe usually don't care about these mundane things, unless by chance. By the way, let's go down the mountain. The masters of various sects who came to Tianlong Mountain to hold a martial arts conference today will It should be arriving one after another.”
When Lan Yiming brought Lan Tian, Lan Ling'er and Zhu Yu to the Tianlong Sect's meeting hall, there were already four or five masters waiting there. The third guardian Zhao Zhou and Yunshan were accompanying the guests in the hall. Lan Yiming Ming left all the reception and arrangements for this martial arts conference to the two of them. Yunshan was meticulous in his work, while Zhao Zhou was quick and capable, but he was the most suitable candidate.
The first group of people to come were three masters from the Diancang sect and two followers from the sect. Lan Yiming entered the hall, and the three people sitting on the chairs stood up and saluted. Lan Yiming returned the salute.
The man in the middle is dressed in gray clothes and a large red cloak. He is about ten feet tall, with a broad face and eyes like bells. He has a slightly gray beard and looks strong. There is a sense of heroism between his eyebrows, which makes people laugh. I dare not look directly at him. This person is Yan Kun, the head of the Dian Cang Sect in Dali. Because Yan Kun is highly skilled in martial arts, can't get rid of the sand in his eyes, loves to uphold justice, and has a high prestige in the world, people call him Mr. Yan. His real name But gradually few people know about it.
Although Mr. Yan is seventy and zero, he can't sit still. He will be the first to participate in anything in the world. This time, he is of course indispensable for the election of the leader of the martial arts alliance.
The martial arts of the Diancang sect follows the path of Buddhism, emphasizing the use of internal force to control people. Duan's palm technique is unique in the world.
Beside Mr. Yan, there are two middle-aged men standing on one left and one on the right. The one on the left is called Duan Shiqi. He is of medium build, with a Chinese character face and sword eyebrows, and is full of heroic spirit. The person on the right is named Zhang Shijun. He is short in stature and has an average appearance, but his eyes are shining brightly. At first glance, he is a man of deep inner strength. Unlike Duan Shiqi, what Zhang Shijun carries on his back is not a sword, but a three-foot-long jade flute. I don't know if it's a special weapon or just a musical instrument.
"With Mr. Yan participating in this martial arts competition, our Tianlong Mountain will be full of glory!" Lan Yiming said after everyone sat down.
"President Lan is honored. When I come here this time, I also want to be careful of evil ways to cause trouble. The position of leader of the martial arts alliance is best suited to Hero Lan." Mr. Yan said cheerfully.
"According to the established rules of the Central Plains martial arts world, the leader of the martial arts alliance changes every five years and is determined by the outcome of the competition. This rule cannot be broken." Lan Yiming said with a smile.
"In that case, let's act according to the rules. I believe that Master Lan will be able to come out on top like last time." After Yan Kun finished speaking, he paused and then said, "Why don't you see my disciple Kong Lingyuan?"
Kong Lingyuan had practiced martial arts with Yan Kun since he was a child. He was the best among his disciples. Under Yan Kun's encouragement, he joined the Tianlong Sect a few years ago and is now the second guardian of the Tianlong Sect.
"I am dissatisfied with Master Yan. I sent the North Youzhou Branch Helm Guard to be robbed. The Second Protector went to deal with it. I will return to the mountain soon." As soon as Lan Yiming finished speaking, he heard the clatter of footsteps outside the hall, and the two people entered the hall.
The visitors were Kong Lingyuan, the second protector of Tianlong Sect, and Luo Mai, the helmsman of Youzhou branch. Kong Lingyuan was seen in his early thirties, with a slender figure, dressed in white, and a handsome face. He carried a long sword on his back, and the red silk sword trembled left and right. Luo Mei looks like he is in his mid-sixties, short in stature, lean and lean, with dazzling eyes. Although he looks ordinary in appearance, he must be something special to be the helmsman of the Tianlong Sect.
"Alliance leader, the ones who robbed the North Youzhou escort are Long Yu and Long Xiang, disciples of the Duanteng Gorge Feilong Sect. Their purpose is to disperse our strength and suppress our sect in the martial arts competition." Kong Lingyuan said. .
"This is all due to my poor arrangement, which allowed the Feilong Sect to act behind the scenes and let the alliance leader handle it." Luo Mai lowered his head and said.
"According to the rules, the loss of the escort's belongings will be returned to the escort owner according to the price, and it will be deducted from the income of the North Youzhou Escort Bureau. Master Luo, you have a night's rest and go back tomorrow to avoid another accident." After Lan Yiming finished speaking, he asked people to make arrangements. Mr. Yan and others went to the club to rest, waiting for the martial arts conference to be held in three days.
In the afternoon, three or four more martial arts masters arrived. Zhao Zhou and Yunshan were busy greeting the guests. Tianlong Mountain had a somewhat festive atmosphere, but the apparent peace hid a huge crisis.
Early the next morning, along the path up Tianlong Mountain, eight people wearing bright red clothes and wearing red cockscombs walked up. Xiao Si at the intersection had never seen such people dressed up before, so he ran to report the three people. When Zhao Zhou, the protector of the law, came over, the man in red clothes had already arrived at the third mountain gate.
When Zhao Zhou was in his hometown in Sichuan in his early years, he once heard someone say that Tibetan monks like to wear bright red clothes and practice a kind of secret martial arts. There are many peerless masters, so he asked: "Are you eminent monks from Tibet?"
The leader looked at Zhao Zhou and said impatiently: "I am the living Buddha Labu Tsering of the Gedan sect in northern Tibet. I am here to be the leader of the martial arts alliance in the Central Plains for a few years. Who are you? I call you leader Lan Yi. Come and greet me."
Hearing this, Zhao Zhou couldn't help but take a closer look at the monk. He saw that the monk was more than one foot tall, with a strong body, a face as big as a plate, and a fierce look in his eyes, so he became more defensive.
"This distinguished guest, I have assigned you to host the martial arts conference this time. I am fully responsible for the reception. When everyone is settled, the leader will meet you. Please follow me?"
Labu Tsering snorted, and followed Zhao Zhou impatiently into the mountain gate. He came to a row of houses in the back mountain and wanted to arrange for eight people to live in separate rooms. However, he heard a Tibetan monk behind Labu Tsering say: "No need, we never stay in the house when we go out, we just set up tents in the open space next to the house."
At this time, Zhao Zhou discovered that there were three or four Tibetan monks carrying roll-like objects on their backs, presumably for tent tents.
After a while, the Tibetan monks set up two white tents on the side of the house. Labu Tsering and the Tibetan monk who had spoken to Zhao Zhou got into one of the tents and never came out again.
Another day passed, and masters from various sects arrived one after another. In total, there were more than ten sects, including the Wuliang sect, Qingcheng sect, Wudang sect, and Emei sect that had good relations with the Tianlong sect, and sects that had rifts with the Tianlong sect such as the Northern Shaolin sect. , Zhongnan Mountain Tianling Dao, and Duantengxia Feilong Sect have all gathered in Tianlong Mountain.
Shaolin was originally the supreme martial arts center in the Central Plains. However, although the monks of the Shaolin Temple were highly skilled in martial arts, they were devoid of desire and had never been involved in martial arts affairs. Therefore, they did not attend the martial arts conference in the future. In addition, several previous halls were destroyed, and the monks were busy rebuilding the halls.
