Standing in front of the Allfist Temple, Leng Junfeng felt a bit nostalgic. He still remembered that he had just begun his journey of revenge not too long ago back then, and now many things have changed. His teacher no longer accompanied him, and he found more reasons to defeat the Teng Family.
"Junfeng, is it true that Ancestor Allfist left an inheritance here?" By his side, Li Qiu'ai asked. Unlike Leng Junfeng, she had already passed her Acupoint Heavenly Tribulation and became a real Acupoint Opening Master at the young age of twenty-two, as expected of the target the prime minister wanted to assassinate at all cost.
However, she wasn't arrogant due to her accomplishments. Leng Junfeng had broadened her horizons by retelling tales Fenghua had imparted to him. When she learned that there was a Core Formation Master at fifteen years old who was more than ten times as powerful as any of the grandmasters of the Allfist Realm, she thought it was a fairy tale, but she gradually came to believe as Leng Junfeng explained the differences in grades of realms.
The Allfist Realm was only considered a lower-rank realm, while the genius came from the highest immortal-rank realm. Thinking of it like this, Li Qiu'ai felt much better.
"My teacher wouldn't lie to me. If I am able to receive Ancestor Allfist's inheritance, then it is another trump card against the Teng Family," Leng Junfeng said.
Li Qiu'ai nodded. The two of them waited in line for their turn to test their mettle. When it was their turn, Leng Junfeng went up while Li Qiu'ai waited outside.
The onlookers couldn't discern Leng Junfeng or Li Qiu'ai's features due to both of them wearing veiled hats, but they could generalize that the two were a young man and woman. So when Leng Junfeng easily opened the first gate, it sent ripples of shock through the cloud.
The second gate was opened not long after, further sending shocks. As for the third gate, it took around an hour, but that was still very impressive, reminding the spectators of a fox that opened the three gates in quick succession over five years ago.
Many of them quickly struck up a conversation with Li Qiu'ai. Becoming friends with someone like her only had benefits. Li Qiu'ai was introverted by nature and wanted to ignore these people, but she knew they were lying low, and revealing her grandmaster-level strength wasn't a smart idea, so she forced herself to interact with these people.
Inside the Allfist Temple, Leng Junfeng knew none of this. He had just passed the third black iron gate and entered the core of the Allfist Temple, a small, boxed prayer room. There was an incense burner and several scrolls—one of which had the words "Martial Dao" written in calligraphy. Once he saw those two words, Leng Junfeng felt as if the world had disappeared and only those two words existed.
After what seemed like an eternity, Leng Junfeng sighed. Now, he was sure of Fenghua's conjecture. Although the majestic intent within the two words fit with the legend of Ancestor Allfist, it was far too powerful. Within those two words, Leng Junfeng could sense a realm-shaking power that a mere acupoint opening master or soul nourishing grandmaster could never possess.
Still, he had benefited greatly, so he kneeled towards the incense burner. "Thank you, Ancestor Allfist, for this opportunity."
After kowtowing nine times, Leng Junfeng began opening the scrolls and reading the techniques within. Ancestor Allfist didn't leave his nine supreme fist techniques like the Divine Wind Fist inherited by the Leng Clan, but only one technique. No, what he left behind was far more precious, and if Fenghua knew about it, she would be jumping up and down in anger at having missed the chance.
It was Ancestor Allfist's Heartfist Mantra. The Heartfist Mantra wasn't a fist technique but a record of Ancestor Allfist's experience with fist techniques. It recorded his devotion towards martial arts from when he was young and eventually reached the peak of the Allfist Realm. Just before he had transcended his Soul Nourishing Heavenly Tribulation, Ancestor Allfist had formed the seed for his Fist Intent.
"When I was three, my mother died due to wicked martial artists..." Leng Junfeng slowly recited the words on the scroll. He began to envision himself in Ancestor Allfist's place, becoming the ancestor of martial cultivation of the Allfist Realm when it was still a world of martial arts but no cultivation.
When Leng Junfeng was done, his eyes were cloudy, but they soon regained their clarity. He felt refreshed as if his soul had been cleansed of all impurities, and within his dantian, there was a sense of a fist intent forming.
The martial master punched out, and a phantom fist shot out. Leng Junfeng's eyes widened. This was the Fist Qi, the first stage of forming his own Fist Intent.
Intent like Sword Intent, Saber Intent, Spear Intent, and even Fist Intent all started as qi. Then it turned into light before the intent could fully bloom. Unlike Leng Junfeng's previous action of using qi to extend his range, this fist qi carried his willpower, and its power was thrice as mighty.
With it, Leng Junfeng had complete confidence to compete with martial grandmasters.
"Huh?" Leng Junfeng blinked, and then his expression darkened. Due to his carelessness when punching, he had accidentally initiated the Acupoint Heavenly Tribulation!
"This is bad," Leng Junfeng said aloud as he immediately rushed outside of the Allfist Temple. He wasn't trying to hide, but if he stayed, then the Allfist Temple would have been severely damaged by the heavenly tribulation at the very least.
The spectators were already in a panic when they realized what was about to happen. Those too weak directly fled as far as they could, while those who were seeking to reach the Acupoint Opening Realm stayed at the fringes to witness the heavenly tribulation. Perhaps they can gain inspiration and also break through.
Lightning continually struck Leng Junfeng's body. Unlike when he was undergoing his Foundation Establishment Heavenly Tribulation, Leng Junfeng didn't dare to take the tribulation lightning with his body alone. He only had the confidence to do so because his body had reached the equivalent of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Still, under the five years of tempering and being baptized by Ancestor Allfist's Heartfirst Mantra, Leng Junfeng's comprehensive power was completely in the Acupoint Opening Realm, so although it was a little dangerous, he passed without too much difficulty.
After passing the Acupoint Opening Heavenly Tribulation, Leng Junfeng felt a bit tired, so he checked in at a hotel. He directly banned strangers from disturbing him, and he planned to immediately leave the next day or night. His veiled hat had been destroyed, and although he could disguise himself, Leng Junfeng didn't want to risk the Teng Family discovering him. But that night, he received a surprise visitor from the Shanxi House.
Seeing the curator after so many years, Leng Junfeng felt nostalgic, like seeing the Allfist Temple again. "Is there a reason for you to come see me?"
The elderly man laughed. "Mister Leng, still the same as ever. I never expected you to become a grandmaster this early."
"I'm more surprised that you were able to recognize me," Leng Junfeng said.
"The Shanxi House naturally has its own means," the Curator said. Then he glanced at Li Qiu'ai. "Greetings to Your Highness as well."
Leng Junfeng's body stiffened. Logically, aside from the Li Emperor, Duke Gong, Li Qiu'ai, and himself, no one should know this secret, so how did the Shanxi House know?
"Don't worry. I'm not hostile. Our Shanxi House is everywhere. We heard some news that the Teng Family was searching for a certain woman and, through other clues, managed to piece together a conjecture. Judging by your reaction, the news is real," The curator said.
"Then why are you here? Do you need my help?" Leng Junfeng asked. The only reason he could think of for the Shanxi House to seek him out was to cash the favor from years ago.
The curator shook his head. "Mister Leng, you should know that the Shanxi House isn't united, right?"
Leng Junfeng nodded. Patriarch Fan Zhongyan had three sons, and each of the three sons was competing to be the next patriarch. Leng Junfeng and Li Qiu'ai thought of seeking an alliance, but he decided not to when he learned that the eldest and second young master both supported Teng Shifang.
"You are saying the third young master of the Fan Clan wishes to support the Li Dynasty?" Li Qiu'ai asked.
"No, not the Li Dynasty, but you." The curator said, pointing at Leng Junfeng.
"Me?" Leng Junfeng pointed at himself in confusion.
"The Third Young Master feels the potential of Mister Leng. He's not hoping that you will help him win the seat of the patriarch, but if he fails, Third Young Master hopes you can shield someone for him."
"Just this?"
The curator nodded.
Leng Junfeng sank into his thoughts. The conditions were far easier than he had thought, but he was wary that this simple request had complicated bindings. Things that are too good to be true often are. Still, he glanced at Li Qiu'ai. "If it's only one person, I can protect him."
The curator smiled. Next, the two began to discuss the exact details of their deal, or rather, how the Shanxi House would deliver the supplies to the remnant Li Dynasty forces. The next day, Leng Junfeng and Li Qiu'ai left Luoyan in their carriage. They had to return to inform their subordinates to coordinate with the Third Young Master of the Shanxi House.
Midway, Leng Junfeng stopped the carriage and stepped out. "Come out."
As soon as he said this, an assassination group appeared, led by a black-robed man who exuded the aura of a martial grandmaster. Leng Junfeng smiled. Thinking back, he had also met his teacher when he was surrounded by numerous assassins.
"Leng Clan's bastard, you still dare to show your face in the Li Dynasty?" The leader of the assassins said.
"Why don't I? The country is still named Li, not Teng."
"Little Bastard, don't be so arrogant because you've become a martial grandmaster. I'll tell you that there are heavens above heavens. If you give up Ancestor Allfist's inheritance, I can spare your life!" The leader said as his killing intent leaked through his eyes.
"Do you take me for some kid?" Leng Junfeng mocked.
"Hmpf, since you don't want to comply, don't blame me for being cruel. Men, go!" The leader of the assassin's ordered.
The black-robed assassins immediately followed their leader's orders and all charged at Leng Junfeng. Leng Junfeng raised his fist and prepared to strike them down midair, but he paused and turned his head towards a particular direction.
Suddenly, all of the black-robed men who had charged at Leng Junfeng all fell to the ground without any breath left. Then, a wizened man who looked like skin and bones appeared in front of Leng Junfeng. "I won't allow you to touch Lord Heartfist's successor."
The leader of the black-robed men frowned. "You are...Fistslave?"
The wizened man didn't say anything, but the assassins' leader took that as confirmation. "I didn't expect that Ancestor Allfist's servants actually still exist to this day. Seeing that you are the descendant of Ancestor Allfist's servant, I can allow you to leave as long as you promise to not interfere with our matters!"
Without waiting, both the leader of the black-robed men and the wizened Fistslave started to fight. Each of their punches exploded with thunderous roars as they continued to entangle the other. Leng Junfeng just stood there, speechless. He was the target, but why does he seem more like a bystander?
When the two martial grandmasters broke apart, Leng Junfeng took this chance to appear in between them.
"Youngster, you just stepped into the grandmaster level. Don't be too impatient and consolidate your realm." Fistslave advised, but Leng Junfeng ignored him.
On the other hand, the assassin's leader smiled under his mask. "Since you want to die, then don't blame me!"
Leng Junfeng entered and stance and sent out a punch. The leader of the black-robed men sneered and shifted his trajectory. As the leader of the Teng Family's assassin corps, he had long memorized all of the Leng Junfeng's tricks, but what he never expected was that although he shifted out of the Fist Qi, it actually swerved and hit him square in the side.
Fistslave opened his eyes wide when he saw the black-robed men's leader suddenly tumble onto the ground and spit out a mouthful of blood. "You've already mastered Lord Heartfist's Heartfist Sutra?"