38: Chapter 38 Returning to the Martial World

The aftermath of the Martial Arts Exchange Conference swept across the entire Central Plains.

Wudang Sect's feat of breaking the millennial barrier of hoarding martial arts knowledge and sharing the basic Taiji Mind-Cultivation Technique with the world had won the admiration of everyone in Jianghu.

Unlike previous Alliances formed through force, this time, the various Schools were genuinely convinced—

Wudang Sect had given Disciples from humble backgrounds an equal opportunity to learn martial arts, injecting new vitality into the stagnant Jianghu martial arts scene.

Three days later, Abbot Kongwen of the Shaolin Sect took the lead, uniting the Sect Heads of the Six Major Sects: Emei Sect, Beggar Sect, Kunlun Sect, Kongtong Sect, and Huashan Sect.

They jointly and formally proposed to honor Wudang Sect as the supreme leader of the Righteous Path in the Martial Forest, with Wudang Sect coordinating all affairs of Jianghu.

"Grandmaster Zhang establishes his heart with chivalry and saves the world with martial arts. By not hoarding knowledge and not relying on force, he opens the way to eternal peace for Jianghu."

"For Wudang Sect to be honored is truly the fortune of the world, the fortune of all living beings." Abbot Kongwen's words expressed the heartfelt sentiments of all the Schools.

Over a hundred large and small Schools responded one after another, with no one raising any objections.

Even the usually unruly Ming Cult, represented by the White-Browed Eagle King Yin Tianzheng, expressed their willingness to follow Wudang Sect's orders.

Inside Zixiao Palace, facing the joint recommendation from the Sect Heads, Zhang Sanfeng shook his head: "Affairs of Jianghu should be discussed collectively by all Schools."

He proposed the establishment of a Martial Forest Council: Wudang Sect would be the permanent chair School, while the Six Major Sects, the Ming Cult, and the Beggar Sect would serve as permanent members.

The remaining Schools would take turns serving as non-permanent members, and all major Jianghu affairs would be decided by a joint vote of the Council.

This proposal moved the various Schools once again.

No one had expected that Zhang Sanfeng, holding absolute strength and prestige, would take the initiative to decentralize power.

Three days later, the first Martial Forest Council was held on Wudang Mountain.

All participating Schools unanimously passed the "Jianghu Convention," setting three iron rules:

- Strictly prohibiting private vendettas that lead to the destruction of Schools, indiscriminate killing of innocents, and oppression of the common people; violators will be opposed by the entire Jianghu;

- Disputes between Schools must be submitted to the Council for arbitration;

- The Council will not interfere in the internal affairs of various Schools in principle, but if a Disciple feels that the internal handling is unfair, they may submit it to the Council for arbitration;

- In the event of foreign invasion or natural and man-made disasters, all Schools must work together to protect the common people.

At the same time, the Council established the Jianghu Arbitration Hall and the Chivalry Hall at Wudang Sect.

The Arbitration Hall was staffed by Elders of various Schools on a rotating basis, specifically for mediating Jianghu conflicts.

The Chivalry Hall recruited chivalrous people from all over the world to combat evil forces and help the poor and suffering.

The originally chaotic, murderous, and law-of-the-jungle Jianghu now had unified rules and a bottom line.

Local thugs and evil cults disappeared under the Alliance's crackdown, and the common people were finally able to live and work in peace.

Wudang Sect's grace of spreading martial arts throughout the world was also quietly changing the destiny of countless ordinary people.

On the banks of the Han River, Zhou Zhiruo, the boatman's daughter, was one of them.

She lost her mother at a young age and relied on her father for survival.

After Wudang Sect opened a Martial Arts Hall on the Han River, Zhou Zhiruo would watch the Disciples practice Taiji at the hall every day after finishing her work.

She had amazing talent and a photographic memory; after just half a month of watching, she could perform the basic Taiji fist techniques with proper form.

It just so happened that Abbess Miejue was inspecting the various Martial Arts Halls and took a fancy to this little girl with determined eyes at first glance.

She personally tested Zhou Zhiruo's Comprehension Ability in martial arts and discovered that the child not only had excellent Innate potential but also a pure and resilient Heart-Nature, so she immediately made an exception and accepted her as an Emei Sect Personal Disciple.

Zhou Zhiruo did not disappoint Abbess Miejue's expectations.

She practiced diligently and received personal guidance on Sword Intent from Zhang Sanfeng at the Martial Arts Exchange Conference, bringing her improved Soft Cloud Emei Sword to the Transcendent level.

In just half a year, she broke through to the Xiantian Realm, becoming the youngest Xiantian expert in the history of the Emei Sect, and also a rising star in Jianghu.

Her rise completely dispelled the estrangement between Emei Sect and Wudang Sect, which had previously existed due to the Ji Xiaofu incident.

Abbess Miejue said to her Disciples more than once: "If it weren't for Grandmaster Zhang spreading martial arts to the world, a good seedling like Zhiruo would probably only be able to row a boat on the Han River for the rest of her life. Everyone in the world benefits from Wudang Sect's benevolent act."

While Zhou Zhiruo was making a name for herself in Emei Sect, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji also embarked on his own journey of training.

After the Martial Arts Exchange Conference, the ten-year-old Cult Leader Zhang Wuji had broken through to the Middle Stage of the Grandmaster Realm, becoming the youngest Grandmaster in Jianghu.

He did not stay on Wudang Mountain to enjoy the spotlight but took the initiative to ask Zhang Sanfeng for permission to go down the mountain alone for training under the pseudonym "Zeng Aniu," carrying a medicine chest.

"Grandmaster, you taught me martial arts and medical skills so that I could protect the common people. I want to see this world for myself and use my skills to help more people."

Zhang Sanfeng nodded with satisfaction, gave him a Wudang Sect token, and urged him not to reveal his identity unless absolutely necessary.

Thus began Cult Leader Zhang Wuji's journey in Jianghu.

He encountered two evil Disciples from the Kunlun Sect who were forcibly seizing women and killing innocent people.

Cult Leader Zhang Wuji used only three moves of Taiji Palm to easily subdue the two, crippled their martial arts, and handed them over to the local Chivalry Hall.

Passing through Tongguan, he happened upon the Beggar Sect and the Salt Gang fighting fiercely over water transport, resulting in numerous casualties.

Cult Leader Zhang Wuji broke into the chaotic battle alone, separated the two sides with Taiji Force, and investigated the truth—it turned out the Salt Gang's Vice Leader had colluded with the officials to withhold salt taxes and frame the Beggar Sect.

He exposed the Vice Leader's conspiracy in public and mediated the situation, getting both sides to shake hands and make peace to jointly maintain the order of water transport.

After this incident, the name "Young Divine Doctor Zeng Aniu" began to spread throughout Jianghu.

Upon arriving in Jiangnan, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji became famous in one battle.

At the Jiangnan Martial Arts Conference, several arrogant Disciples from aristocratic families saw that Cult Leader Zhang Wuji was young and dressed plainly, so they mocked him and forced him onto the stage to compete.

With no other choice, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji had to take the stage.

He defeated over twenty Peak Xiantian experts in a row, with no one able to take more than three moves from him.

The Young Lord of the top aristocratic family in Jiangnan used his family's unique skills, but was also gently pushed off the stage by Cult Leader Zhang Wuji with one move of Taiji Pushing Hands.

Only then did everyone realize that this seemingly ordinary youth was actually a Grandmaster Realm expert.

The title of "Young Grandmaster" spread throughout Jiangnan overnight.

Subsequently, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji went to the Jiangnan Heavenly Eagle Cult to visit his grandfather, Yin Tianzheng.

At this time, the Heavenly Eagle Cult was in the midst of internal strife.

The Azure Dragon Altar Master of the cult had colluded with the Haisha Sect and Japanese pirates to usurp the position of Cult Leader, secretly plotting a rebellion.

Upon learning of this, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji infiltrated the rebel camp alone and used the Nine Yang Divine Skill to shatter the pirates' gunpowder depot.

Then, using Taiji Force and the Heaven and Earth Great Shift, he killed the Azure Dragon Altar Master and the leader of the Haisha Sect, and captured the other rebel leaders alive.

After this incident, everyone in the Heavenly Eagle Cult was completely convinced by this young Young Lord.

Yin Tianzheng smiled and said to everyone: "Wuji is indeed my grandson!"

At this time on Bright Peak in the Western Regions, the situation of the Ming Cult was becoming increasingly chaotic.

Yang Dingtian had been missing for over twenty years, and the Ming Cult was leaderless and had long since fallen apart.

Left Emissary Yang Xiao, Bat King Wei Yixiao, and the Five Wanderers each went their own way, attacking each other, fighting fiercely for the position of Cult Leader, resulting in numerous casualties.

Upon learning of this, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji immediately took the Heavenly Eagle Cult Disciples with Yin Tianzheng and rushed to Bright Peak.

In the main hall of Bright Peak, Left Emissary Yang Xiao and Bat King Wei Yixiao were fighting intensely, while the Five Wanderers watched coldly from the sidelines.

Seeing Cult Leader Zhang Wuji and Yin Tianzheng enter, everyone was stunned.

"Eagle King, why did you bring the Heavenly Eagle Cult here? Do you want to seize the position of Cult Leader?" Left Emissary Yang Xiao said coldly.

Cult Leader Zhang Wuji stepped forward and said loudly: "Now the Yuan Court is eyeing us covetously, wanting to destroy the Central Plains Martial Arts World, yet you are all killing each other here. Do you want the Ming Cult's century-old foundation to be destroyed in one day?"

"Where did this ignorant brat come from, daring to lecture us?" Zhou Dian shouted angrily, raising his hand to strike Cult Leader Zhang Wuji.

Cult Leader Zhang Wuji did not dodge or evade; he channeled his Taiji Force and gently deflected, neutralizing Zhou Dian's palm power into nothingness.

Zhou Dian only felt a soft yet resilient force coming at him, and his body involuntarily retreated three steps, nearly falling down.

Everyone's expression changed; they did not expect this teenager to have such terrifying strength.

"I am the son of Fifth Brother Zhang Cuishan, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji." Cult Leader Zhang Wuji no longer hid his identity and said loudly, "Today I came to Bright Peak with a letter from Grandmaster."

He took out Zhang Sanfeng's letter and handed it to Left Emissary Yang Xiao.

In the letter, Zhang Sanfeng proposed that the Ming Cult should join the Six Major Sects to bury the hatchet, jointly resist the Yuan Court, and protect the common people of the Central Plains.

After reading the letter, Left Emissary Yang Xiao was silent for a long time. He looked at the others, then looked up at Cult Leader Zhang Wuji, and said coldly: "We can join the Council, but someone must be able to unite the Ming Cult."

"If you can defeat all of us, we will honor you as the Ming Cult Leader and follow your orders!"

"Fine." Cult Leader Zhang Wuji nodded without the slightest fear.

The first match was Cult Leader Zhang Wuji against Left Emissary Yang Xiao. Left Emissary Yang Xiao used the Heaven and Earth Great Shift, his figure flickering, with palm shadows everywhere.

Cult Leader Zhang Wuji, however, responded to changes with constancy, operating his Taiji circular force around his body. No matter from which direction Left Emissary Yang Xiao's palm power attacked, it was easily neutralized.

After more than a hundred rounds, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji seized an opening and used one move of Taiji Pushing Hands to gently push Left Emissary Yang Xiao back several steps.

Left Emissary Yang Xiao cupped his hands and admitted defeat, his face full of admiration: "I have lost."

Bat King Wei Yixiao laughed: "Let me try."

Bat King Wei Yixiao unleashed his peerless light-body technique, circling Cult Leader Zhang Wuji like a ghost, his Cold Ice Cotton Palm chilling to the bone.

Cult Leader Zhang Wuji channeled the Nine Yang Divine Skill, and his Pure Yang Qi flowed around his body. The cold palm power melted instantly when it came within three feet of him. He seized the opportunity and tapped Bat King Wei Yixiao's acupoint with his fingertip.

Bat King Wei Yixiao smiled bitterly and admitted defeat: "Your Nine Yang Divine Skill restrains my Cold Ice Cotton Palm. I admit defeat."

Next, the Five Wanderers joined forces, using a combined attack technique with infinite power.

Cult Leader Zhang Wuji, however, was fearless. He operated his Taiji Nine Yang Skill to the fullest, combining hardness and softness, fighting five opponents at once with ease.

After three hundred rounds, the Five Wanderers were exhausted and admitted defeat one after another.

Seeing Cult Leader Zhang Wuji defeat three great experts in a row, all the Ming Cult Disciples in the main hall were completely convinced.

"We are willing to honor Cult Leader Zhang Wuji as the thirty-fourth Cult Leader of the Ming Cult!" Yin Tianzheng was the first to kneel on the ground and said loudly.

"We are willing to honor Cult Leader Zhang!" Left Emissary Yang Xiao, Bat King Wei Yixiao, and the Five Wanderers also knelt on the ground one after another.

All the Ming Cult Disciples in the main hall knelt down in unison, their voices echoing throughout Bright Peak.

After taking office as Cult Leader, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji immediately abolished the Ming Cult's old bad habits and ordered that no one should kill innocents or oppress the common people again.

At the same time, he represented the Ming Cult and officially joined the Martial Forest Council, burying the hatchet with the Six Major Sects and shaking hands to make peace.

Since then, the thousand-year estrangement between the righteous and evil paths of the Central Plains Martial Arts World was completely broken.

[Detected that the host has successfully integrated the Central Plains Martial Arts World, established a fair and orderly martial arts order, and initiated a prosperous era of martial arts. The side quest [Prosperous Martial Arts Era] is 100% complete!]

[Task reward issued: The host has gained the absolute recognition of all martial arts Schools in the Yitian World, the recognition of the World Origin has increased to 120%, and the binding with the main world has been further deepened;]

[Obtained the exclusive title "Supreme Leader of the Martial Forest," which allows the host to mobilize local righteous forces in any Wuxia world; the Fusion speed of subsequent worlds is increased by 20%!]

As the System prompt faded, Zhang Sanfeng stood in front of the window of Zixiao Palace, looking towards Bright Peak in the west, a gratified smile on his face.

On Bright Peak, Cult Leader Zhang Wuji, dressed in the robes of the Ming Cult Leader, stood on the Peak, accepting congratulations from the envoys of various Schools.

Inside Zixiao Palace on Wudang Mountain, Zhang Sanfeng took a deep breath and raised his hand to bring up the System panel.