Facing the relentless pressure from the martial artists of the Central Plains, Dharma King Tashi Dorje suddenly burst into booming laughter. His voice rang out like the roar of a dragon, clear and resonant, soaring into the heavens and shaking the surrounding mountains and forests. When his laughter subsided, he stood calm and composed, utterly fearless in the face of danger. Raising his head proudly, he declared with biting sarcasm,
"I came here today only to stand up for Young Hero Xiao out of righteousness. What wrong have I committed? What crime have I committed? It is you people of the Central Plains who boast endlessly of your justice and virtue. Yet here you are, ganging up on one man and bullying the weak with superior numbers. Is this the righteousness you speak of?"
His eloquence, confidence, and unwavering composure left a deep impression on the gathered heroes. Many secretly admired the Dharma King's remarkable gift of persuasion.
Master Wutian folded his palms together and replied,
"The Dharma King speaks reasonably. I, too, have no wish to overwhelm my opponent by force of numbers. Why don't you and I settle this with a fair one-on-one contest?"
This journey to the Central Plains had been made precisely so Tashi Dorje could test his martial arts against the finest masters of China. With heroic confidence, he answered,
"I have long heard that the martial arts of the Central Plains are vast and profound. To witness them firsthand is exactly what I have wished for. Please, make your move."
Master Wutian raised both palms, his eyes blazing with brilliant determination as he saluted respectfully.
"Dharma King, please."
The surrounding spectators immediately stepped back, leaving the two masters standing face to face in the center of the courtyard. Silence fell over the crowd.
Suddenly, Master Wutian let out a mighty shout and leaped forward. His opening strike was swift and overwhelming, clearly intended to display his formidable strength and seize the initiative. His attack came like lightning.
Yet Tashi Dorje was a veteran of countless life-and-death battles. Just as the palm strike was about to land, he shifted sideways with astonishing speed. Extending his right hand, he countered with a palm strike of his own. Wutian twisted his body, evading the blow before immediately spinning back with another palm attack.
Unable to avoid it completely, Tashi Dorje met the attack head-on.
Bang!
The two palms collided with tremendous force. Both men staggered back several steps, each astonished by the other's tremendous internal energy. At that instant, mutual respect arose in both their hearts.
Master Wutian smiled faintly.
"Your internal strength is truly profound. I admire it."
Tashi Dorje laughed.
"I never imagined that so many extraordinary masters would gather at Shaolin today. This journey has certainly not been in vain."
Originally, Master Wutian had hoped to decide the contest quickly through a direct clash of internal energy. However, after only a few exchanges, he realized that Tashi Dorje's cultivation was no weaker than his own. Their internal power was virtually equal. Victory would therefore have to be determined by martial skill rather than brute force.
Taking another step forward, Master Wutian shouted,
"Wutian Zen Art!"
With a light tap of his foot, he glided forward gracefully. His waist turned, his body flowed with perfect coordination, his left sleeve swept outward while his right palm struck like a gust of wind.
The powerful palm force rushed toward Tashi Dorje.
The Dharma King reacted instantly. His sleeves billowed as he mirrored the movement—his left hand sweeping outward and his right palm thrusting forward. A massive wave of palm energy surged to meet the attack.
Bang! Bang!
The two palm strikes collided once again.
Though one practiced the martial arts of Zen Buddhism while the other cultivated the esoteric arts of Tibetan Buddhism, their techniques possessed striking similarities despite their different origins.
Neither could gain the upper hand.
Without hesitation, Tashi Dorje suddenly leaped high into the air, soaring effortlessly like a great eagle. While suspended in midair, he transformed his palm techniques several times with dazzling speed. The spectators watched in amazement as he seemed almost to glide through the sky.
Then he unleashed one of the Seven Seals of Shakyamuni—
The Demon-Subduing Seal.
The mighty palm descended toward Master Wutian.
"Excellent!"
Wutian exclaimed inwardly.
His sleeves swelled with internal energy as he met the attack head-on. His left palm lifted upward to neutralize the descending strike while his right hand shot forward, two fingers aiming directly at Tashi Dorje's vital acupoint.
Yet before the attack could connect, Tashi Dorje altered his movement in midair. Twisting his body gracefully, he launched a rapid series of flying kicks that swept forward like a fierce gale.
Master Wutian immediately circulated his internal energy, spread both arms, and thrust his palms outward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The tremendous forces collided and canceled each other out.
The battle grew increasingly fierce.
Palm strikes, punches, evasions, and counterattacks flowed together in a breathtaking display of supreme martial artistry. Their movements were so profound and astonishing that every spectator stood transfixed.
Moments later, thunderous applause erupted throughout the crowd.
At that very moment, however, the piercing sound of suona horns echoed from the distance, accompanied by the rhythmic beating of drums.
Everyone turned toward the road.
A magnificent procession slowly approached.
An elegant fragrance drifted through the air.
Before long, a luxurious sedan chair came to a halt. From within stepped a dignified middle-aged woman dressed in flowing purple silk robes.
Four personal attendants announced loudly,
"The Leader of the Purple Celestial Sect has arrived!"
It was none other than Cai Hong, the Purple Celestial Sect Leader, arriving with a magnificent entourage.
The disciples of the Purple Celestial Sect chanted in unison:
"The Purple Celestial Sacred Sect guides us onto the true path.
Divine teachings reveal the secrets of immortality.
We cultivate the Dao and protect all living beings.
We spread enlightenment, relieve suffering, and bring blessings to the world."
At the same time, Cai Hong slowly stepped down from her carriage.
The Four Great Envoys—Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning—immediately knelt upon one knee and performed the traditional salute of the left hand covering the right fist.
Together they proclaimed,
"To the Holy Mother of the Purple Celestial Sect—whose boundless virtue transforms the world, whose sincerity never ceases, who practices benevolence and righteousness, and spreads the Way throughout the land!"
With a graceful lift of her hand, Cai Hong signaled them to rise. The four envoys quietly withdrew to either side.
Looking toward the two combatants, she spoke calmly,
"Two honored masters, this is, after all, the sacred ground of Shaolin. A contest between warriors of your caliber cannot possibly be decided within moments. Why not postpone this duel until another day?"
Master Wutian nodded immediately. Since he knew he had no certainty of defeating such a formidable opponent, he gladly accepted the suggestion.
"The Sect Leader speaks wisely. Mountains and rivers endure. We shall meet again another day."
Tashi Dorje burst into hearty laughter.
"Indeed! Mountains and rivers endure. We shall meet again—and finish this battle another day."