Why do I have so many masters?

Wang Anfeng looked at Libo, who was laughing uproariously, with a baffled expression. After a hearty laugh, Libo, not bothering with pleasantries, reached out and vigorously ruffled the boy's black hair. His face still brimming with an uncontrollable smile and joy, he said:

"Kid, go back to your Shaolin and ask those masters of yours."

"What do you think about me teaching you the martial arts of the Thunder lineage?"

Although he was overjoyed at the moment, he was still a man of Jianghu at heart, and took the matter of apprenticeship very seriously. After a pause, he added:

"Although I am close to you, it is your masters who opened the door to martial arts for you. If I want to teach you any martial arts, I must consult your masters' wishes, out of respect both publicly and privately... Off you go, lad."

"I need an answer by tomorrow."

Wang Anfeng nodded in agreement, seeing that although it was already getting dark outside, it was not yet late at night. He rested for a bit, then got up to take his leave and head back. Knowing the taboos of his sect, Libo did not insist on him staying and, after Wang Anfeng had left, he just kept laughing, took out his treasured wine, and drank alone towards the east for several hours.

The youth returned to his quarters and sat cross-legged on the bed, his mind filled with countless questions. Lifting his right hand, he returned to Shaolin Temple with the help of the Buddha Beads. No sooner had he appeared atop the solitary peak than the gazes of Ci Yuan and Wu Changqing shot over to him.

Just as Wang Anfeng had passed out, Libo appeared immediately. To prevent exposing this realm, they couldn't observe further and only knew Wang Anfeng had fainted. They had no idea what happened after that. Now seeing Wang Anfeng enter Shaolin Temple, their anxious hearts finally settled down.

Wu Changqing exhaled deeply and collapsed onto a wooden chair, pouring the cooled tea into his mouth in big gulps.

Ci Yuan even took a step forward and in an instant was by Wang Anfeng's side. His broad right hand was raised and pressed upon the youth's shoulder, and a thick and gentle Inner Strength surged into Wang Anfeng's body, roaming through his limbs and bones to check for any hidden injuries.

When he found no hidden injuries, Ci Yuan's expression finally relaxed a bit. But the next moment, his face froze slightly, and his brows showed an expression of disbelief.

What is this…?!

A spark of electricity suddenly shot from Wang Anfeng's shoulder like a python striking Ci Yuan's palm. Although it had no effect, it made Wu Changqing leap to his feet with a clatter, and another cold gaze also swivelled sharply onto the youth.

Scholar Ying, who had always appeared indifferent and was watching the clouds below the mountain, suddenly stepped forward and appeared behind Wang Anfeng in a blink, placing his hand on the youth's left shoulder. As expected, another faint spark of electricity flashed, striking his palm. The scholar's pupils contracted, and after withdrawing his hand, he asked:

"Where did your Thunder come from?"

Wang Anfeng was at a loss for words, so he simply repeated the disjointed words that Libo had shared with him, and cautiously mentioned the latter's request as well. The scholar and Ci Yuan glanced at each other, giving a slight nod before saying:

"We will give you an answer when you leave."

"Now, go practice."

Wang Anfeng was slightly taken aback but, intimidated by their authority, he could only bow respectfully, picked up the iron bucket beside him, and started walking down the mountain. Scholar Ying watched the departing youth with slightly furrowed brows and asked:

"What do you think that was?"

Ci Yuan fell silent for a moment before replying:

"I'm not sure… But from its effects, it seems more like the passive result of mastering a top-level cultivation technique."

"The Golden Bell Shield requires overcoming six challenges before similar effects might appear, yet they're not of thunder."

"He has only just begun."

Wu Changqing stroked his beard and responded with a frown, "First it was the medicinal herbs, and now these 'spiritual objects,' 'spiritual charm.' This world really is quite different from ours..."

"Indeed, it is."

Ci Yuan nodded, then turned to look at the stolid Scholar Ying beside him and said:

"To my knowledge, only Wudang's Zixiao Palace possesses the swordsmanship to harness thunder… But Anfeng's current grasp of Thunder Vigor and his swordsmanship are far from enough to practice that technique."

"Since that Libo has a profound understanding of the way of thunder, and considering that he already possesses Thunder Vigor, it would be a pity to let it go to waste. Why don't we let Libo teach the boy some martial arts?"

Upon hearing this, Scholar Ying's face grew colder, but he eventually nodded and said:

"Don't worry, I'm not so petty as to let past trifles cloud my judgment."

"With his skills, he's more than qualified to be the boy's master."

Wu Changqing also nodded in agreement. He pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Since this world has proven so different… merely teaching him with our knowledge may not pose problems for his martial arts, but his experiences will be limited. This world has its 'Academy;' perhaps we should allow Anfeng to study there to broaden his knowledge?"

Before he could finish, the elder suddenly felt an icy gaze upon him. His voice faltered, and raising his eyes, he saw the Scholar Ying looking even more austere, mockingly saying:

"An Academy? To study?"

"Those impoverished pedants can only nitpick and quibble with words. How could they ever compare to someone like me?!"

As the words fell, Wu Changqing was initially taken aback, faintly offended, but upon hearing the rest, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. He looked Scholar Ying up and down, stroking his beard as he said:

"Comparable to the scholar… When did you take Anfeng as a student?"

"How is it that I was unaware?

"Had I known, I should have prepared some fine dishes and drunk to celebrate."

Within the light laughter, there was a hint of teasing. Mr. Ying snorted coldly and turned his back, hands clasped as he watched the clouds drift around the mountains, offering no explanation.

Today's cultivation session, due to the absence of chains and the flow of Inner Strength like surging waves, brought Wang Anfeng such ease that he doubted it was too effortless. However, after only one attempt, he was stopped by Master Ci with a gesture, who looked at him and said with a gentle smile,

"This training is no longer beneficial to you, Anfeng. Let's end it here..."

"Come here, and let me check the results of your cultivation," the Master invited.

Upon hearing this, a sense of relief involuntarily spread through Wang Anfeng's heart. Nodding, he set down the heavy burden on his shoulders and followed behind Master Ci.

The master and disciple arrived at a martial arts training ground, where Master Ci stood at the center, one hand upraised in front of his chest, his expression serene. He nodded slightly towards the young man and said,

"Attack me, Anfeng."

Wang Anfeng took a deep breath, performed a bow as a sign of respect, and his expression turned solemn. Engaging his Inner Strength, he leaped out like a fierce tiger. His speed was incomparable to the last time he sparred with Master Ci, and in an instant, he had closed the distance, launching a punch.

But at the moment of contact, he suddenly changed his move, using the Reverse Elbow Break to dodge any potential strikes, aiming directly at Master Ci's waist. Throughout the smooth transition of moves, there were no signs of his intent.

Master Ci nodded slightly, pleased, and commended the move as "not bad." He stepped back and with a sweep of his sleeve, he easily deflected Wang Anfeng's oncoming punch, as the young man used the momentum to launch another strong attack.

In just a short amount of time, master and disciple had exchanged a dozen moves.

In Wang Anfeng's hands, the simple Thirty-Two Stances of Shaolin Changquan almost seemed to undergo a transformation. The punches were profound and immense, with a sense of righteousness that concealed clever and deadly moves, elusive as the horns of an antelope.

It could be described as a harmonious blend of the unconventional and the righteous, a cycle without end.

The joy in Master Ci's eyes grew as he watched, and when a subtle bolt of lightning burst forth from Wang Anfeng's Even Heart Palm, Master Ci burst out laughing. With a sweep of his sleeve, he brushed aside the young man's attack, and like a cloud rolling backward, he swiftly placed a palm gently on Wang Anfeng's shoulder.

A streak of Vigorous Qi entered his body, stirring the Inner Strength that had melded into his limbs and bones. It trembled spontaneously, flowing into the Dantian.

The previously serene and resolute Buddhist Inner Strength suddenly spread outward, mingling with the Inner Strength in his limbs and body like a raging wave that swept through Wang Anfeng's entire being, smoothing away all external forces.

On the training ground, the clear sound of a reverberating bell resonated.

Above the young man's body, the ethereal image of a Golden Bell flashed into existence and then vanished, its red-gold scriptures circulating, expounding the principles of the Vajra Buddha.

Master Ci clapped his hands and laughed heartily, a rare display of exuberance and delight within his usually calm demeanor, as he said,

"Indeed, indeed, a pure, crystal foundation of our Buddhist way, the Shaolin Golden Bell Shield!"

Wang Anfeng, a bit surprised, asked,

"Golden Bell Shield?"

The monk nodded, smiling as he placed his hand on the young man's head, explaining,

"Yes, the Golden Bell Shield, one of Shaolin's Divine Skills. It points directly to the Vajra principle of unbattered by any desire or disturbance; if you master the Twelve Layers, you will be among the first-class experts in the world."

"Mr. Ying enforced your Inner Strength with those chains etched with the Diamond Sutra, compelling you to merge your Inner Strength in a specific way through your limbs and meridians, just like Bodhidharma back in the day. Without formal practice, you naturally laid the groundwork with your physique."

"Come, sit cross-legged. I will now impart the essentials of the first layer of the Golden Bell Shield to you," the Master instructed.

Wang Anfeng agreed readily, sitting cross-legged right there in the training ground. He closed his eyes slightly, tuning into the circulation of Inner Strength within him. A sturdy palm gently pressed against his back, infusing robust Inner Strength into him while he listened to the familiar voice guiding him through the pathways of the first layer of the Golden Bell Shield's cultivation.

In the distance, atop the great hall, Mr. Ying stood with his hands behind his back, observing Master Ci as he imparted martial skills to Wang Anfeng. Beside him, Wu Changqing stroked his beard, a hint of puzzlement in his voice as he inquired,

"Strange, truly strange... Master Ci gained his great renown roaming the world with the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, yet why, sir, do you advise him not to pass on the Vajra Indestructible to Anfeng, instead, to transmit the Golden Bell Shield Divine Skill?"

The Scholar in green looked towards him and said,

"Both skills point to the Vajra Dharma Aspect. One confirms the Vajra principle of being untainted by desires and disturbances, while the other embodies the wisdom of Vajra Prajna, eradicating all worldly vexations. Both, when cultivated to the Twelve Layers, are equally profound."

"However, compared to the Golden Bell Shield, the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill has stronger offense but slightly weaker defense. The young fellow will certainly learn other extraordinary skills — the number of those with greater offensive power is countless, so it's better to strive for the world's number one defense."

"Secondly, his Golden Bell Shield was cultivated by the force exerted on him, like Bodhidharma back in the day, who did not rely on set techniques but naturally laid the foundation through his physical form. After entering the gateway, however, he does not need to explore alone as Bodhidharma did...

Therefore, even though the Golden Bell Shield is difficult, there's a higher certainty of achieving it. If not, switching to cultivating the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill should pose no difficulty."

"Thirdly..."

The voice paused, and as Wu Changqing listened intently, it suddenly dropped. He asked reflexively,

"Thirdly?"

Mr. Ying glanced at him and scoffed,

"Too ugly."

The elder was momentarily taken aback. As the Scholar stepped forward, moving away swiftly like drifting clouds, he flicked his sleeve, sending a long shadow shooting towards Wu Changqing, who reached out to catch it — a whip.

The whip was several meters long and seemed to have iron wire twisted into it, adding to its weight significantly. Compared to ordinary whips, it was more like the disparity between a massive python and a Spirit Snake. The elder was initially puzzled, then suddenly hit with realization, he slapped his forehead and chuckled bitterly.

"...I forgot, Anfeng no longer has the chains; he can't use the Spirit Snake to find gaps."