The Goat Immortal struck first, thrusting out a palm with fierce momentum. Seeing this, Wu Tian did not retreat. Instead, he stepped forward like an arrow loosed from a bow and raised his left palm to meet the attack, deflecting the incoming strike. Turning swiftly with agile footwork, he executed the technique "Embracing the Tiger Back to the Mountain." In an instant, his left palm rose above while his right palm swept below, his waist twisting fluidly as the two exchanged blows barehanded.
Their battle became increasingly intense. Fists and kicks flew in rapid succession, each attack tightly linked to the next. The surrounding spectators were immediately stirred into excitement. After all, the many chiefs and heroes gathered for the Grand Assembly of the Canal Guilds had not yet made their move, yet outsiders had already begun fighting first. Many experienced martial artists among the crowd shook their heads at the sight.
Suddenly, both men shouted and simultaneously struck out with a palm. A loud pa! rang through the air as the two were forced backward several steps.
Wu Tian declared, "If your White Lotus Sect wishes to fight, the Wu Tian Chan Sect is naturally willing to accompany you. But today is the grand gathering of the Canal Guilds. Why not postpone this battle until another day?"
The Dragon Immortal pondered briefly before stepping forward and pointing accusingly at Wu Tian.
"Ignorant youngster!" he shouted sternly. "Today, the Five Immortals have come specifically to witness the divine powers and wondrous arts of Chan Master Wu Tian. If your master truly possesses such abilities, why does he not accept our challenge?"
Wu Tian replied disdainfully, "My master's Buddhist power is vast, his divine abilities shake the world itself. Do you think just anyone is worthy of seeking his instruction?"
At these words, the Tiger Immortal also stepped forward. Nodding slowly, he answered in a calmer tone:
"Your words are lofty indeed, little monk, and Tiger Immortal admires your confidence. Yet I cannot agree. Heroes from all under Heaven are gathered here today. If Chan Master Wu Tian truly possesses the heaven-shaking powers your sect proclaims, why continue hiding behind empty mystery? Why not step forth and accept battle openly?"
At that moment, before the eyes of the entire assembly, two other disciples of Chan Master Wu Tian entered the arena—monks named Wu Di and Wu Ren. Wu Di was short and powerfully built, his expression honest and rugged.
"The White Lotus Sect and the Wu Tian Chan Sect have never held any grudge," Wu Di shouted. "There must be someone behind the scenes manipulating this provocation!"
Wu Ren added angrily, "There's no need to guess—it must be the Western Holy Mother ordering the White Lotus Sect to interfere!"
The Dragon Immortal sneered coldly.
"Whether that is true or not matters little. If Chan Master Wu Tian is truly a hero of this age, he should descend into the arena and measure himself against the Five Immortals. Otherwise, how can he face the gathered heroes of Jianghu today? And with what dignity can he boast about avenging Master Liao Yin?"
Wu Di snorted contemptuously.
"With the level of skill possessed by the Five Immortals, you dare challenge my master? You overestimate yourselves and invite humiliation! My master received martial teachings and sacred techniques through Buddhist revelation. His divine功力 is self-perfected. I believe he could defeat all five of you within twenty exchanges. Four men, five moves each—that should be more than enough!"
The crowd instantly erupted into uproar. The surrounding martial heroes whispered among themselves, all feeling Wu Di's words were absurdly arrogant. Though the Five Immortals were not among the supreme masters of Jianghu, claiming they could all be defeated within twenty moves was simply too outrageous.
The Horse Immortal rushed forward furiously.
"If he truly possesses such ability, then stop hiding and come fight!"
The Goat Immortal coughed lightly before adding,
"Exactly. Come out and battle the Five Immortals. If your master can truly fight five against one, then that would indeed be real skill."
Wu Ren, whose build was medium-sized, scoffed openly.
"My master is a hero among heroes of this age. With the status and standing of the Five Immortals, how are you worthy of forcing my master to fight personally? To speak frankly, the only one in your White Lotus Sect qualified to face my master directly is your Sect Leader Huangfu himself!"
The Tiger Immortal merely laughed dismissively and pointed toward the long embroidered banners held aloft by the disciples of the Wu Tian Chan Sect. Upon them were stitched the words:
"Chan Master Wu Tian"
"Boundless Buddhist Power"
"Divine Mystical Arts"
"World-Shaking Prestige"
Raising his voice loudly, Tiger Immortal shouted,
"Chan Master Wu Tian! Boundless Buddhist Power! Divine Mystical Arts! World-Shaking Prestige! Are all these merely lies?"
Originally, Chan Master Wu Tian had come today only to proclaim before the martial world that he intended to uphold justice for the slain Master Liao Yin. He had never expected that the Western Holy Mother had already dispatched her agents to monitor every movement of the Wu Tian Chan Sect.
Now, before the heroes of the realm, he found himself cornered. If he refused to fight, he would surely appear weak.
At last, Chan Master Wu Tian gave a cold snort.
"Wu Tian, Wu Di, Wu Ren—you may all step back. Since the Five Immortals refuse to appreciate kindness and insist upon humiliating themselves despite repeated warnings, then I have no choice. I also do not wish for them to delay the grand gathering of the Canal Guilds…"
Before his words had fully faded, he strode boldly forward. With a sweep of his sleeve and a raised hand, his gaze suddenly became fierce and penetrating, causing all who saw him to feel an involuntary chill.
"Five Immortals," he said deeply, "make your move!"
Thus it was said:
Calm stood the monk with graceful air,His Buddha-heart beyond compare.His mystic powers shook the land,He feared no beast nor savage hand.
In that very instant, the Ox Immortal and Horse Immortal suddenly leapt into action together, striking forward with explosive palm attacks. Combining their assault, they unleashed the technique "Ox Head and Horse Face," stirring clouds of dust as they attacked head-on.
Chan Master Wu Tian pressed his palms together and softly chanted:
"Traveling the ten directions, cultivating boundless virtue;Now encountering evil rakshasas, I reveal divine power!"
As the attacks came, Chan Master Wu Tian calmly dismantled each move. After merely two exchanges, he flashed suddenly between the two opponents. The three entered close-range palm combat, yet Wu Tian's strikes were astonishingly swift and precise. Everyone among the gathered heroes was greatly shocked.
In the blink of an eye, he struck twice.
The two palms moved with unimaginable speed; almost no one could clearly see how they were delivered. Only two loud smacks rang out through the arena.
Pa! Pa!
The Ox Immortal took a palm strike upon his left shoulder, while the Horse Immortal was struck squarely in the back. Both groaned heavily and collapsed onto the ground, coughing up mouthfuls of blood.
Chan Master Wu Tian, overjoyed, shouted triumphantly:
"You little wretches! Today I shall show you the true martial arts of orthodox Buddhism!"
At this critical moment, the Dragon Immortal suddenly lunged forward with a flying palm strike, barely preventing Wu Tian from pursuing the fallen pair. At the same time, the Tiger Immortal and Goat Immortal attacked Wu Tian from behind.
The three unleashed fists and palms in rapid succession, exchanging several fierce rounds. Yet in fewer than ten moves, Chan Master Wu Tian struck once more.
Again, almost no one could clearly see the attacks.
Then came three explosive sounds:
Pa! Pa! Pa!
Each of the three Immortals took a direct palm strike. Their bodies staggered backward uncontrollably. Unable to maintain their footing, one collapsed sitting upon the ground while the others crashed down heavily. Each spat blood onto the earth as the crowd looked on in utter shock.