159: Chapter 159 The Exchange Meeting Scene: Various "Hidden" Masters Gather

Exchange Meeting Restarted: Transformation from a Conspiracy Arena to a Unification Platform

In the Martial Arts Arena of the Li Family Ancestral Home, the morning light dispersed the gloom of the previous night. The red curtains that had originally been used to cover up the conspiracy were taken down and replaced by flags interwoven with light gold and light green, symbolizing the "traditional martial arts Unification." The old weapons of the Li family were moved to the corners, and in the center of the cleared area, the "traditional martial arts Origin Totem," brought together by five righteous ancient martial arts sects, was placed. The totem was engraved with the marks of sects such as "Taiji, Xingji, Wudang, Shaolin, and Emei," glowing with a soft Qi Energy light in the morning sun.

Chen Wu stood beside the totem, watching the crowd arriving one after another. In addition to the representatives of the five ancient martial arts sects who had defected the previous night, there were many unfamiliar faces. They were dressed in traditional martial arts attire that was completely different from modern clothing—some in plain cloth shirts, some in coarse linen short outfits, and others in monk robes and cassocks. Their brows revealed the calmness of "Hidden" masters, clearly the hidden experts "secretly introduced" by the five sects. The global live broadcast cameras were open to the world, and the topic "Hidden Masters Gather" instantly surged to the top of the trending list. The number of online viewers exceeded 250 billion, and the comment section was filled with exclamations like, "Finally able to see the hidden masters!" and "traditional martial arts really has hidden talents!"

"Mr. Chen, let me introduce you. This is the Sect Head of the 'Yunyin Sect' on Zhongnan Mountain, Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng." Sect Head Zhang of the Wudang branch led an old man dressed in plain white Daoist robes forward. The old man had white hair and a youthful face, holding a bamboo sword in his hand. His body was surrounded by a faint, elusive "Flowing Cloud Qi." When he stood beside the inheritance grass, the petals automatically stretched toward his direction, and the dew drops reflected pale white cloud patterns. "The Yunyin Sect has lived in seclusion among the clouds and mists of Zhongnan Mountain for generations. We practice 'Flowing Cloud Qi,' and our light-body skills are the best among ancient martial arts. We are most skilled at dodging and surprise attacks in complex terrain, which is extremely effective for the mobility required to counter Spirit-Devouring Puppets."

Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng cupped his hands in a salute to Chen Wu, his voice sounding like a breeze brushing against leaves. "I have long heard of the 'light-body parkour' technique in modern traditional martial arts. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation. Having watched the live broadcast last night, I see that Mr. Chen uses modern technology to assist light-body skills, which not only preserves the essence of ancient martial arts but also improves combat efficiency. It is truly rare." He raised his hand and waved gently, and the bamboo sword traced an arc like flowing clouds in the air, leaving a fleeting Qi Energy trajectory above the Martial Arts Arena. "This is the Yunyin Sect's 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Step.' Today, I am willing to exchange ideas with modern traditional martial arts to jointly perfect the methods of countering the Spirit-Devourers."

Immediately after, Master Huineng of the Shaolin branch led a high monk wearing black monk robes over. The high monk held a string of prayer beads in each hand. With every step he took, faint golden Qi Energy rippled beneath his feet on the bluestone slabs. "This is Master Xuankong, the Abbot of 'Stone Buddha Temple.' Stone Buddha Temple lives in seclusion in the stone caves behind Zhongnan Mountain, inheriting the 'Vajra Zen Energy.' It can withstand the Spirit-Devouring Energy without injury, making it one of the rare 'defensive energy techniques' in ancient martial arts." Master Xuankong put his hands together in prayer and nodded slightly toward the inheritance grass. The petals instantly bloomed with a pale golden light, resonating strongly with the Qi Energy around his body. "The vital Qi Energy of the inheritance grass resonates with the Buddhist concept of 'Compassionate Protection.' If it can be integrated into the Vajra Zen Energy, it will certainly greatly enhance the effect of countering the Spirit-Devourers."

Within just half an hour, masters from hidden sects around Zhongnan Mountain appeared one after another—there was Mu Qing, the Sect Leader of the "Five Elements Sect" who practiced "Five Elements Energy" and could manipulate the Qi Energy of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth; Ling Shuang, a successor of the "Hidden Weapon Sect" who was skilled in using the "Zi-Wu Mandarin Duck Axes" and specialized in attacking the joints of Puppets; and Granny Yao, the Valley Master of "Hundred Herb Valley," who practiced "Nature Qi" and could communicate with plants and perceive the traces of Spirit-Devouring Energy. As each master appeared, the inheritance grass would bloom with different colored light according to the attributes of their Qi Energy. Above the Martial Arts Arena, a colorful band of Qi Energy light gradually formed. In the global live broadcast comment section, the audience was dazzled: "Five Elements Energy! This is a setting from a Wuxia novel, right!" "The axes of the Hidden Weapon Sect are so cool! Finally able to see real ancient martial arts hidden weapons!"

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan looked at the lively scene and sighed with emotion: "These hidden sects were originally the 'Treasure Trove' of traditional martial arts on Zhongnan Mountain, but due to the Li family's blockade, they haven't appeared for many years. Now that they can gather together, this is a true 'Martial Arts Exchange Meeting'!" Chen Wu nodded and said loudly to the whole venue: "Today's Exchange Meeting has no conspiracy, no coercion, only the exchange and unification of traditional martial arts—I hope all the masters will not hesitate to share their knowledge, combine the hidden legacies with modern traditional martial arts, and jointly build a 'Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces' to counter the Spirit-Devouring Organization!"

Masters Show Off Their Skills: A Stunning Debut of Hidden Legacies

The core segment of the Exchange Meeting, the "Legacy Showcase," began. The hidden masters took the stage one by one to demonstrate the unique techniques of their respective sects. Each demonstration left everyone present and the global martial arts fans amazed, with highlights bursting forth one after another.

The first to take the stage was Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng's "Flowing Cloud Sky-Step"—he did not use any equipment, relying solely on "Flowing Cloud Qi" to shuttle between 10 wooden stakes, each 1.5 meters high, in the Martial Arts Arena. With a light tap of his toe on the top of a stake, his body drifted toward another stake like flowing clouds; he could even adjust his direction in mid-air to avoid pre-set "Qi Energy obstacles." The most amazing part was that during his movement, he could also use his bamboo sword to precisely flick off petals from the stakes. As the petals fell, they were supported by the Flowing Cloud Qi around his body, forming a "petal stream" that slowly landed beside the inheritance grass. The global live broadcast's "Qi Energy Analysis" showed that the utilization rate of Yun Qingfeng's light-body Qi Energy reached 98%, far exceeding the average level of modern traditional martial arts. The comment section was filled with, "This is the real 'treading on snow without leaving a trace'!" and "Even smoother than parkour!"

Master Xuankong's demonstration of "Vajra Zen Energy" was full of power—he had Lu Feng use a "Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Gun" to fire a Qi Energy bullet simulating Spirit-Devouring Energy at his chest. When the pale black Qi Energy bullet struck, Master Xuankong formed a hand seal, and a golden Zen Energy shield instantly bloomed around his body. The Qi Energy bullet collided with the shield and was directly deflected, leaving the shield completely unscathed. He also invited Wang Lei to come forward and strike his arm with Xingji Hard Energy. Wang Lei used 80% of his strength, but felt like he was hitting hard rock, and his own arm became numb instead. "The core of Vajra Zen Energy is 'using softness to dissolve hardness, and using Zen to nourish energy,'" Master Xuankong explained. "Although Spirit-Devouring Energy is evil, it also belongs to 'fierce, Hard Energy.' It can be directly purified using Zen Energy. This is the experience of Stone Buddha Temple in fighting evil spirits for generations." Thunderous applause erupted at the scene, and Wang Lei rubbed his arm, saying excitedly: "Too amazing! If I could learn this Zen Energy, I wouldn't be afraid of being hurt by Spirit-Devouring Energy when fighting Puppets in the future!"

The demonstration of "Five Elements Energy" by Mu Qing, the Sect Leader of the Five Elements Sect, further subverted everyone's perception of traditional martial arts—he held five jade pendants, each engraved with the characters for Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, and injected Qi Energy into them. He threw out the first, the "Wood Jade Pendant," and a withered tree in the corner of the Martial Arts Arena instantly sprouted new buds. He injected Qi Energy into the second, the "Water Jade Pendant," and tiny water droplets condensed in the air, precisely falling onto the petals of the inheritance grass, making them bloom even more vividly. The most critical part was the demonstration of the "Earth Jade Pendant"—he injected Qi Energy into the ground, and a 1-meter-high earthen wall suddenly rose in the center of the Martial Arts Arena, blocking another Qi Energy bullet fired by Lu Feng. After the earthen wall was hit, it could even automatically repair itself. "Five Elements Energy can not only attack and defend, but also assist growth," Mu Qing said with a smile. "If we set up a 'Five Elements Formation' outside a Spirit-Devourer stronghold, it can both block Puppet attacks and provide Qi Energy replenishment for traditional martial arts practitioners, killing two birds with one stone." The global live broadcast audience left comments one after another: "Requesting a tutorial on Five Elements Energy!" "This is simply an anti-Spirit-Devourer Divine Artifact!"

The demonstration by Ling Shuang, the successor of the Hidden Weapon Sect, was full of "dash and spirit"—she was dressed in martial arts attire, with two small Zi-Wu Mandarin Duck Axes tucked at her waist and several "Qi Energy Silver Needles" in her hand. She stood at one end of the Martial Arts Arena and fired the silver needles at a Puppet target 50 meters away. The silver needles traced precise arcs in the air and hit the "Qi Energy core" position of the Puppet target (only 3 centimeters in diameter) without exception. What was even more amazing was that she could also fire the axes while moving. The two axes rotated in the air, cut off the joints of the Puppet target, and then automatically flew back into her hands. "The tenet of the Hidden Weapon Sect is 'defeating the enemy with skill, winning without a fight,'" Ling Shuang said. "The joints of Spirit-Devouring Puppets are their weak points. Attacking with axes or silver needles can quickly make them lose their mobility, which is more effortless than a head-on fight." Xiao Juan's eyes lit up as she watched, and she pulled Li Mengmeng's hand, saying: "Big Sister Ling Shuang is so amazing! I want to practice hidden weapons in the future too!"

Finally, the last to appear was Granny Yao, the Valley Master of Hundred Herb Valley, who brought "Nature Qi" and "anti-Spirit-Devourer medicinal herbs"—she walked onto the grass of the Martial Arts Arena, gently pressed her hands onto the ground, and after injecting Qi Energy, a patch of pale green herbs grew on the grass. "This is 'Spirit Fragrance Grass,' which can absorb Spirit-Devouring Energy and convert it into vital Qi Energy," she said, picking the herbs and handing them to the Flower Girl. "When paired with the inheritance grass, it can expand the purification range of vital Qi Energy by three times." She also demonstrated "Nature Qi Perception"—closing her eyes, she could accurately state the locations of three "simulated Spirit-Devouring Energy sources" hidden in the Martial Arts Arena using only the Qi Energy around her body, with an error of no more than 1 meter. "Hundred Herb Valley has lived with plants and trees for generations and can perceive the 'discordance' of evil Qi Energy," Granny Yao said. "In the future, when searching for Spirit-Devourer strongholds, my Nature Qi will be very useful."

Fusion of New and Old: The Collision of Modern traditional martial arts and Hidden Legacies

After the exhibition ended, the Exchange Meeting entered the "Interactive Sparring" segment—it was no longer a confrontational competition, but a complementary learning experience between modern traditional martial arts and hidden legacies. Every interaction sparked new ideas for countering the Spirit-Devourers, benefiting both sides immensely.

Amir took the initiative to ask Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng for advice on light-body techniques—he demonstrated the "Slope Sprint" of the pyramid traditional martial arts team, but lacked flexibility in "Mid-Air Turning."

After observing, Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng pointed out the issue: "Your energy technique focuses too much on 'borrowing force' while neglecting 'aligning Qi."

He used Flowing Cloud Qi to gently support Amir's arm: "Try letting the Qi Energy flow in the direction of your body's rotation during the turn. Act in accordance with the momentum like a cloud, rather than forcing the power."

Amir adjusted accordingly, and upon trying again, the fluidity of his mid-air turn improved by 50%. He could even imitate "Flowing Cloud Stepping on Air," jumping easily between two slopes.

"That's amazing!" Amir said excitedly, "Integrating the 'aligning Qi' of ancient martial arts into our 'borrowing force' increases our light-body combat capability by at least double!"

Xiao Juan received guidance from Granny Yao—her light-body technique was agile but lacked the ability to "perceive danger."

Granny Yao handed her a Spirit Fragrant Grass leaf and asked her to infuse it with Qi Energy: "Try to communicate with the leaf using your Qi Energy and feel the changes in the surrounding Qi Energy."

Xiao Juan did as instructed and soon shouted in surprise: "I can feel it! Behind that rock over there, there is 'bad Qi Energy' (simulating Spirit-Devouring Energy)!"

Granny Yao smiled and nodded: "You don't need to practice Nature Qi deliberately; you just need to keep your 'heart in tune with the grass and trees.' When you encounter a Spirit-Devouring Puppet in the future, you will be able to perceive it in advance and avoid danger."

In the global live stream, viewers were moved by this warm scene: "Xiao Juan is so talented!" "Granny Yao is so gentle. This is the Legacy of traditional martial arts!"

Chen Wu, Master Xuankong, and Mu Qing studied the "perfection of the Dual Energy Activation Method"—Master Xuankong proposed using Vajra Zen Energy as the "foundation for Dual Energy balance" to prevent conflict between Hard Energy and Soft Energy.

Mu Qing suggested setting up a Five Elements Formation when activating the fusion jade, using Earth Energy to fix the position, Water Energy to nourish the Qi Energy, and Wood Energy to assist vitality to improve the success rate.

The three tested it on the spot using a simulated fusion jade (made by the Technical Department). Chen Wu exerted Dual Energy, Master Xuankong injected Zen Energy, and Mu Qing set up a miniature Five Elements Formation.

The Dual Energy, which originally took 10 minutes to stabilize, reached balance in just 3 minutes. The simulated fusion jade was successfully "activated," releasing a pale golden Origin Qi Energy.

"This is the power of unity!" Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan said excitedly, "With the supplement of hidden legacies, we are more confident in seizing the real fusion jade!"

The interaction between Wang Lei and Ling Shuang focused on "combat coordination"—Wang Lei's Form-Extreme Hard Energy was suitable for frontal Breakthroughs, while Ling Shuang's hidden weapons were suitable for long-range enemy destruction.

They simulated a "Puppet Raid" scenario: Wang Lei used Hard Energy to attract the Puppet's attention, while Ling Shuang took the opportunity to use silver needles to attack the Puppet's joints.

They "destroyed" 3 simulated Puppets in just 2 minutes, improving efficiency by 60% compared to fighting alone.

"In the future, when dealing with the Spirit-Devouring Organization, we can form a 'Hard Energy + Hidden Weapon' team," Wang Lei said, "I'll be responsible for the front, and you'll be responsible for finding weaknesses. Perfect coordination!"

Ling Shuang nodded and gave Wang Lei several "Qi Energy Silver Needles": "These are Entry-Level silver needles from the Hidden Weapon Sect. Infusing them with your Hard Energy can improve armor-piercing effects. Take them and try."

The "interaction segment" of the global live stream continued to rise in ratings. Data from the Technical Department showed that the "willingness to learn traditional martial arts" among global martial arts fans increased by 70%, and the search volume related to "hidden legacies" skyrocketed 300 times.

The traditional martial arts APP added an "Entry-Level Hidden Legacy Section," and 5 million martial arts fans signed up in just 1 hour.

Zhang Qiming announced on the live stream: "The Traditional Martial Arts Protection Bureau will join forces with hidden sects to launch the 'Ancient Martial Arts Legacy Popularization Plan.' Experts like Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng and Master Xuankong will serve as mentors, teaching basic Flowing Cloud Qi, Vajra Zen Energy, etc., through online courses, allowing more people to learn hidden legacies and join the anti-Spirit-Devourer team!"

Joint Upgrade: A New Breakthrough in the Anti-Spirit-Devourer Plan.

After the interaction, Chen Wu summoned all the hidden experts, representatives of 5 ancient martial arts sects, and team members to hold an "Anti-Spirit-Devourer Joint Meeting" in the main hall of the Li Family Ancestral Home. They finalized three key plans to lay the foundation for subsequently seizing the fusion jade and eradicating the Spirit-Devouring Organization.

First, the "Final Version of the Dual Energy Activation Method" was determined—with Chen Wu's Taiji Form-Extreme Dual Energy as the core, incorporating Master Xuankong's Vajra Zen Energy (balancing Dual Energy), Mu Qing's Five Elements Energy (assisting Qi Energy), Granny Yao's Nature Qi (perceiving the position of the fusion jade), and the vital Qi Energy of the inheritance grass as a "medium" to ensure zero risk when activating the fusion jade and maximize the purification effect of the Origin Qi Energy.

Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng took the initiative: "The Cloud Hidden Sect is willing to be responsible for 'terrain reconnaissance of the fusion jade Secret Realm,' using Flowing Cloud Qi to draw detailed maps, marking traps and the distribution of Spirit-Devouring Puppets to guide the team."

Second, the "formation of the Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces"—Chen Wu served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces, with sub-groups: "Assault Group" (Wang Lei, Ling Shuang, etc., responsible for frontal Breakthroughs), "Defense Group" (Master Xuankong, Stone Buddha Temple Disciples, responsible for protecting the inheritance grass and team members), "Support Group" (Mu Qing, Granny Yao, etc., responsible for formations and supplies), and "Reconnaissance Group" (Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng, Amir, etc., responsible for investigation and evasion).

Global traditional martial arts practitioners could sign up via the traditional martial arts APP, and the special department would provide weapons and intelligence support.

Master Huineng, representing the Shaolin branch, promised: "Shaolin branches will send high monks to join the Defense Group and use Zen Energy to guard the Allied Forces!"

Third, the "Spirit-Devourer Stronghold Eradication Plan"—Granny Yao used Nature Qi, combined with satellite monitoring from the special department, to lock onto 3 hidden Spirit-Devourer strongholds around Zhongnan Mountain. The plan was for the Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces to take the lead in eradicating them after seizing the fusion jade to test the Allied Forces' combat capability.

Ling Shuang took out the "Stronghold Map" of the Hidden Weapon Sect: "This is the 'Record of Evil Strongholds' collected by the Hidden Weapon Sect for generations. It marks the types of traps commonly used by the Spirit-Devouring Organization and can be used as a reference for eradication."

During the meeting, the Flower Girl suddenly discovered that the petals of the inheritance grass were blooming violently, with eight-colored light intertwining. The dew reflected a blurred image of the Taiji Secret Realm—in the image, beside the gate of the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures, a new Spirit-Devouring Puppet formation appeared, stronger than the previous ones, and with a black light ball of "artificial Qi Energy core."

"The fusion jade is in danger!" Granny Yao immediately sensed with Nature Qi, "The Spirit-Devouring Organization has noticed our plan and is strengthening the defense of the Pavilion of Supreme Treasures. We must act in advance, otherwise, the fusion jade may be seized by them!"

Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng immediately decided: "The Cloud Hidden Sect will set off tonight to explore the terrain of the Taiji Secret Realm and draw the latest map; Master Xuankong can take the Stone Buddha Temple Disciples to Taiji Villa first to set up a Vajra Zen Energy protective shield in advance to provide defensive support for the team; Mu Qing will stay behind to use Five Elements Energy to reinforce the Origin Qi Energy pool of the Li Family Ancestral Home, transforming it into a 'temporary supply station for the Allied Forces' to ensure Qi Energy supply for subsequent operations."

Everyone responded. The meeting ended in a tense but hopeful atmosphere.

Outside the main hall, the sun set, and the afterglow of Zhongnan Mountain sprinkled on the Martial Arts Arena. The inheritance grass bloomed with dazzling seven-colored light in the courtyard. The hidden experts and team members said goodbye to each other, agreeing to meet at the Taiji Secret Realm.

Xiao Juan hugged the model of the Zi-Wu Mandarin Duck Axes given by Ling Shuang and waved to Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng: "Grandpa Yun, remember to teach me Flowing Cloud Qi!"

Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng smiled and nodded: "Okay, after eradicating the Spirit-Devouring Organization, Grandpa will teach you how to step on air!"

Ending: A New Future for traditional martial arts.

After the meeting, the hidden experts left the Li Family Ancestral Home one after another—Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng led the Disciples of the Cloud Hidden Sect and disappeared into the clouds and mist of Zhongnan Mountain; Master Xuankong and the Stone Buddha Temple Disciples took a helicopter from the special department to Taiji Villa; Mu Qing began to set up the basic formation eyes of the Five Elements Formation around the Origin Qi Energy pool; Granny Yao stayed at the ancestral home to guide the martial arts fan representatives to identify the Spirit Fragrant Grass and prepare for subsequent supplies.

Chen Wu stood in the Martial Arts Arena, watching the seven-colored light of the inheritance grass. The Four Symbols Qi Energy in his Dantian resonated strongly with the surrounding ancient martial arts Qi Energy.

Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan walked up to him and handed over a yellowed "General Records of Zhongnan Mountain traditional martial arts": "This was compiled by 5 ancient martial arts sects and hidden experts together. It records the essence of all traditional martial arts legacies on Zhongnan Mountain. Now I hand it to you. I hope you can lead the Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces to guard this Legacy well and fight against the Spirit-Devouring Organization."

The final scene of the global live stream stayed under the night sky of Zhongnan Mountain—the lanterns of the Li Family Ancestral Home lit up, the Origin Qi Energy pool was gleaming with pale golden light, and the eight-colored petals of the inheritance grass reflected the banner of the "Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces."

In the clouds and mist in the distance, the Flowing Cloud Qi of the Cloud Hidden Sect Disciples was like dots of starlight, moving towards the Taiji Secret Realm.

The barrage was filled with neat text: "Hidden experts come out of the mountains together, modern ancient martial arts stand side by side; Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces resist evil, victory is determined before the fusion jade!"

250 billion viewers lit up their screens at the same time, forming a "Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces River of Light" that crossed borders, which intertwined with the moonlight of Zhongnan Mountain, illuminating the new journey of the traditional martial arts joint anti-Spirit-Devourer campaign.

Chen Wu knew that with the joining of hidden experts from all walks of life and the support of global traditional martial arts practitioners, the goal of seizing the fusion jade and destroying the Spirit-Devouring Organization was no longer distant—the new future of traditional martial arts was slowly unfolding in this unity and inheritance.