Chapter 108: The True Ice Sutra

As the largest sect in Henan, the Songshan Sect's headquarters is located atop Shengguan Peak, a majestic site with vast surroundings.

Hua Wuyi, the sect leader of Songshan, commands a group of elite disciples, with thirteen peers at his side. The weakest of them is at the late stage of the acquired realm, with most having reached the perfection of the acquired realm, and two even stepping into the early stages of the innate realm. These thirteen disciples are known as the "Songshan Thirteen Guardians."

The sect's most renowned martial art is the Songshan Swordsmanship, a technique consisting of seventeen stances, grand and imposing like a long spear or halberd, capable of sweeping through vast expanses. Hua Wuyi has mastered it to an extraordinary level over the years.

Additionally, the sect has its own unique internal cultivation method, Songshan Heart Technique, as well as its signature palm technique, Songyang Palm, all of which serve as the foundation for Songshan's dominance as Henan's top sect.

It is said that Hua Wuyi has recently begun cultivating a secret divine art, though the specifics remain a mystery.

At this point, Hua Wuyi is already a peak master in the early innate stage. Should he make another breakthrough, he would enter the middle innate stage, joining the ranks of the very top martial artists in the world. If that happens, Songshan will no longer be confined to Henan, and the position of Tian Dao Meng (Heaven's Path Alliance) leader will be indisputable.

Today, Hua Wuyi is in the grand hall of the Songshan Sect, lecturing his three adopted sons.

He has three adopted sons: the eldest, Meng Yuanzhang; the second, Zhu Liang; and the third, Li Yuntian.

The three are seated in the hall, their eyes filled with admiration as they gaze up at Hua Wuyi.

Lately, their adopted father has undergone some changes, becoming colder, not only in his demeanor but also in his very presence. Sometimes, they feel an oppressive coldness around him, a chilling aura that makes them involuntarily shiver.

Many people say that their adopted father has secretly been training in a divine art, and it seems that might indeed be the case.

Today, Hua Wuyi is in high spirits. Before the other martial artists have arrived at the mountain, he has already come to the hall to issue instructions to his three sons.

"Today is the most important day for Songshan," Hua Wuyi begins. "The unification of the martial world in Henan depends on today. Each of you has already contacted various sects. Find a chance today to inform them that no matter what, Tian Dao Meng must complete its unification! Anyone who dares to defy this order will die!"

Meng Yuanzhang asks, "What about the Beggars' Sect?"

"The Beggars' Sect is no exception! However, I will handle them personally. They do not need to be directly accountable to Tian Dao Meng, but in name, they must join us and publicly pledge support at the assembly. Elder Xu, who is close to me, will agree after I explain the situation to him."

"Adoptive father, I feel that the Beggars' Sect might not agree. After all, they are the number one sect in the world, and although you and Elder Xu are friends, he is a person of strong opinions, and his martial skills are on par with yours. It is not certain that he will follow your lead," Meng Yuanzhang says.

Hua Wuyi's face darkens upon hearing this. "Are you implying that my skills are inferior to that of Elder Xu, the old beggar?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I just meant that Elder Xu is also at the peak of the early innate stage, and his strength is certainly not inferior to yours—though he is no stronger than you. It's just that the difference is slight."

The more Meng Yuanzhang explains, the darker Hua Wuyi's expression becomes.

Normally, Hua Wuyi listens to his sons' opinions and values their input, but today is different. He has already undergone significant changes, and though Meng Yuanzhang speaks as he always has, his words no longer sound agreeable to Hua Wuyi's ears.

Meng Yuanzhang is still unaware of Hua Wuyi's transformation and continues to speak as if everything is the same as before, unaware of the growing tension in Hua Wuyi's heart. Hua Wuyi has recently mastered Songshan's highest cultivation method, the Ice Sutra, and with it, he has ascended to the pinnacle of martial arts. Today, he intends to let everyone know that Hua Wuyi is no longer the same as before—he has entered the ranks of top-tier martial artists, and anyone who dares to oppose him will suffer.

This includes his adopted sons.

A brutal energy rises within Hua Wuyi's chest, and he slowly closes his eyes, afraid of losing control and exposing his murderous intent to the disobedient Meng Yuanzhang.

But sometimes, people are not aware of their own changes. Meng Yuanzhang, still oblivious, continues to speak his mind, believing that Hua Wuyi, who has always praised his outspoken nature, would appreciate it as always.

"Thus, I believe the adoptive father should use a soft approach to pacify the Beggars' Sect and other influential factions. Start with the easier ones, then gradually take control of the larger ones. We can extend the duration of the assembly and follow the original plan..."

"Enough! How I act is not for you to teach me!" Hua Wuyi finally can't hold back any longer. What used to sound like useful advice now grates on his nerves. His eyes snap open, and with a swift movement, his palm raises, unleashing a strike toward Meng Yuanzhang!

But this is not just a regular palm strike. It's a rush of white energy—cold and piercing!

Caught off guard, Meng Yuanzhang is struck by this freezing energy. His meridians and vital organs are immediately sealed by the cold flow. Within moments, frost begins to form all over his body.

Unable to circulate his internal energy to resist the icy assault, Meng Yuanzhang's hair and eyebrows freeze as his body begins to tremble violently. He struggles to speak, but no words come out.

If no one intervenes, he will not survive for more than two minutes.

After striking, Hua Wuyi feels some of his anger subside. He had originally intended to save Meng Yuanzhang, but his mindset has shifted. He feels that if he has already taken action, he cannot show mercy, or his authority will be undermined.

The father-son bond that once existed is forcefully suppressed. Hua Wuyi coldly watches as his adopted son struggles to survive.

Zhu Liang and Li Yuntian do not dare to speak. Both of them silently think that they are fortunate it was Meng Yuanzhang who spoke out first. If it had been either of them, they would already be waiting for death in Meng Yuanzhang's place.

Time slowly passes, and Hua Wuyi ultimately does not move to save Meng Yuanzhang. He watches as his adopted son dies.

"Take him away. He's bad luck!" Hua Wuyi commands coldly. "You two, prepare for the martial arts assembly. The time is almost here!"

Zhu Liang and Li Yuntian quickly rise to their feet and respond, "Congratulations, adoptive father, for mastering the divine art. From now on, Songshan Sect will soar to new heights!"

"Ha ha! Finally, I have perfected the Songshan sect's Ice Sutra and mastered the essence of the Ice Palm. Just three days ago, I officially entered the middle innate stage. From now on, I am among the top martial artists in the world!" Hua Wuyi exclaims.

Having vented his emotions and looked ahead to the bright future, Hua Wuyi's mood improves slightly. His earlier guilt over Meng Yuanzhang's death dissipates. He nods at the two men and says, "Do well, and I will not forget you."

The two nod obediently and leave.

Meanwhile, Huo Yuanzheng has not brought Hui Wu and Hui Niu with him up the mountain as originally planned. If he had, it would have been inconvenient during the escape. He decides to leave them at the inn and return to Shaolin Temple at the right time.

Although Hui Wu and Hui Niu are reluctant, they follow the Abbot's orders and remain behind.

Huo Yuanzheng moves forward, heading up Shengguan Peak with the crowd.

The summit of Songshan is much higher than Shaoshi Mountain. Ordinary people would need two or three hours to reach the peak, and they cannot afford to rest in between.

As martial artists, they move with lively discussions, some young and eager members of the Jianghu boasting about how they will defeat the demonic cults and protect the world.

Huo Yuanzheng, however, remains deep in thought, his mind on the whereabouts of the one-eyed Tiger King, Zhou Qin. He falls behind the group as he reflects.

Finally, the peak is reached, and the Songshan Sect has set up a circular arena in the center of the courtyard. A raised platform stands at its center, about a meter tall and with a diameter of several dozen meters.

At the front of the mountain gate stands a large screen, beneath which is a tiger skin chair and a high platform—this is where Hua Wuyi will sit.

Currently, Hua Wuyi has yet to arrive. Some of the disciples are maintaining order and guiding the arriving sects to their designated seats.

Once Huo Yuanzheng arrives, he is led to Shaolin's place in the back, marked with a sign for the temple.

Huo Yuanzheng smiles wryly. It seems Songshan hasn't forgotten Shaolin Temple, though their placement is rather inconspicuous.

But in truth, he is pleased—being less conspicuous suits his purpose.

He scans the area. Behind him is the high wall of Songshan Sect. While Shengguan Peak is high, it doesn't compare to the treacherous terrain of Yuzhai Mountain. If anything happens, Huo Yuanzheng plans to scale the wall and escape via boat.

Just as he is thinking, a fanfare erupts in the distance, and a Songshan disciple calls out, "Please welcome the Tian Dao Meng leader, Hua Wuyi, the sword-wielding hero of Songshan!"

Everyone looks towards the screen, and from behind it, Hua Wuyi appears, dressed in a golden cloak, his sword hanging at his waist. He walks out slowly.

Huo Yuanzheng can't help but glance up. This is his first time seeing Hua Wuyi. He has heard Hua Wuyi is at the early innate stage, comparable to the Abbot of Shaolin.

But when Huo Yuanzheng sees Hua Wuyi, something feels off. This Hua Wuyi seems far more formidable than the Abbot or anyone else he's encountered.

"Could it be? He broke through?" Huo Yuanzheng thinks suddenly.

The more he thinks about it, the more certain he becomes. If Hua Wuyi has truly broken through, it will add many more variables to this already complicated situation.