CHAPTER 151: CHAPTER 152: THE OLD TAOIST (3,000 WORDS!!)

After speaking, he waved at Lu Ren, indicating that he should drive the car back himself, and then familiarly found another car and drove off in a flash.

Lu Ren: "..."

What the heck is this.

After being silent for a while, seeing more and more people stopping to watch him, Lu Ren felt a bit overwhelmed.

He looked coldly at the man in front of him holding a professional video camera, the lens almost poking his face.

"Hey, young man, what are you doing?"

Lu Ren showed a hint of displeasure.

The man with the camera shuddered at Lu Ren’s cold words, especially seeing the slight expression of unhappiness on Lu Ren’s face, showing a smile that was even uglier than crying.

"I, this gentleman, we are from Shuzhou TV Station, can we interview you?"

Interview?

Lu Ren frowned: "Where’s your press card?"

The man hurriedly took out his badge and placed it in a prominent position, smiling awkwardly: "Sorry, sorry, it’s been covered by the camera."

Lu Ren showed no concern, took out his phone and checked the time, it was still early, he was not in a rush, besides this was his first time in Qingcheng Mountain, and he felt somewhat relaxed.

"What do you want to interview about?"

The man quickly pulled out a petite girl from behind him, as she looked directly at Lu Ren, her eyes slightly dodging, not daring to meet his gaze.

Lu Ren chuckled silently, wondering what these people were afraid of.

"Excuse me, sir, how much do you know about Qingcheng Mountain?"

"Not much, I’m from out of town, can’t really answer..."

Seeing that Lu Ren’s tone was relatively friendly, the nervous hostess finally spoke without trembling.

"Are you a martial artist?"

"What do you think?"

Feeling that this question was a bit pointless, Lu Ren didn’t want to say much, seeing the hostess wanting to ask more.

"I have things to do, sorry."

Qingcheng Mountain, a branch of Qionglai Mountain Range, is the seat of the Quanzhen Sect, one of the Four Taoist and Five Immortal Mountains, with the saying "Qingcheng, the world’s secluded place" being passed down since ancient times.

Climbing up along the steps, Lu Ren’s steps were light and silent, which was rare considering his tall and robust body carried a nimble grace like a swallow.

Only an hour had passed.

Reaching the top of Qingcheng Mountain, looking at the panting tourists around, Lu Ren shook his head slightly.

Although the authorities have proposed integrating martial arts into the national education system, the detailed implementation and regulations are still being developed, even though it’s being pushed gradually, it will take at least ten years to fully establish a unique discipline and system.

Though many martial arts classes have opened, and various boxing styles have widely spread, reaching the point where training is available for money.

But one needs to calm down to gain something in martial arts practice; it’s more practical to learn kickboxing than being inconsistent.

Because martial artist battle videos went viral online, it led many people to practice martial arts, but most only have a brief interest, very few truly stick with it.

He watched some of those battle videos, most were merely at an entry-level in boxing, the highest level was slightly accomplished, and looked showy, with little use other than looking cool.

However, this aligns perfectly with the official push for promotion, unintentionally achieving significant effects.

Some martial artists with minor achievement in boxing even boldly announced their intention to enter mixed martial arts.

It’s quite worth watching, but Xiao Chen once said if it really happens, then future mixed martial arts might not be a sport for ordinary people; not only Huaxia has martial artists but also Siamese Muay Thai masters, Shiva’s yoga experts, Northern America’s enhancers, and Northern European mythical warriors might step in one by one.

Lu Ren was quite looking forward to this.

But seeing most people climbing to the top exhausted, Lu Ren sighed again, the nation’s physical condition is still worrying!

While in thought, his wandering gaze suddenly fixated, looking ahead at a tall elderly Taoist unknowingly standing before him, smiling warmly.

His figure was slender, with a head full of white hair tied up high, a pale beard growing on his face, and long white eyebrows giving him an ethereal aura.

The most striking feature was the unusually broad scapula structure at his shoulders and neck, like an ape with slender arms naturally hanging down, fingertips reaching past the knee joints, his fingers large enough to hold half his head, though only 1.8 meters tall, his hands were like palm fans, quite remarkable.

Just standing there, this old Taoist felt like an ape with human form.

Noteworthy, most passerby tourists fixed their gaze on this old Taoist.

"Is this Taoist one of those high skilled people?"

Someone whispered, as the Taoist’s features were indeed too unusual compared to a normal person.

But in Lu Ren’s eyes, these were not the most important aspects; the Taoist’s Qi and blood seemed severely withered yet his eyes were brightly shining, making it hard to look directly.

His spirit was strong, but Qi and blood were as weak as an average person’s.

It seems to be another kind of practice; in ancient times, due to low productivity, there was an emphasis on divine cultivation. Once one’s spirit was honed to perfection, they could enter the so-called inner realm.

That is the path of awakened existence.

White Ape Ji Heng, a consultant employed by the Southwest Security Bureau.

Such a figure was called a guest minister in ancient times.

Ji Heng is indeed one who follows the ancient path of cultivation system, and judging by his remarkable manifestations, he may have treaded deeply into this path.

However, Lu Ren feels that the counterpart is not merely a cultivator specializing in spiritual meditation, but rather a top martial artist specializing in fist techniques, although his qi and blood seem to have dwindled significantly.

An expert in Taoist Sect’s inner alchemy skill!

"White Ape Ji Heng?"

Lu Ren asked, looking at the old Daoist in front of him, whose figure resembled an ancient mountain ape. This man was one of the top experts of the Southwest region’s security department, though Lu Ren was unaware of his exact power.

However, one unquestionably at the great perfection realm of fist technique.

Yet now he appears greatly weakened in qi and blood, as if his time is near, but Lu Ren’s keen senses faintly detect an astonishing vitality breeding within his body.

Lu Ren can discern clearly that the counterpart seems to have restrained and subdued his own qi and blood, thus creating this appearance of decline.

Poor on the outside, golden within.

This contradiction between life and death catches Lu Ren’s attention.

"Lu Ren, right? Come with me."

The old Daoist Ji Heng scanned Lu Ren up and down, then took out the latest model smartphone and matched Lu Ren’s photo before nodding and speaking.

"..."

This behavior is somewhat out of place with his ethereal demeanor.

Afterward, he turned around, walked to the railings, and tilted his head at Lu Ren.

"I heard you’ve practiced Phoenix Falcon Fist, following the path of agility. I would like to see it."

The path of agility?!

The crowd watching silently observed Lu Ren’s tall and strong physique.

This too is called quickness.

Ji Heng stomped his feet, and his old, frail body leapt lightly. Under the astonished gaze of tourists, he made his way to the edge of the stairs, stepping over the protective railing.

"Hey, old man, be careful. You’re not supposed to climb that fence!"

A kind-hearted tourist shouted loudly upon seeing this.

Ji Heng said nothing, stretching out his hand to grab a nearby tree branch, swinging and leaping with his posture, hands alternating swiftly to grasp branches like an ape swiftly disappearing into the distance.

The sight truly shocked many people so much that they almost jumped up and rushed to the railings, straining their eyes to see clearly.

A young man exclaimed excitedly, his lips trembling slightly.

"I knew it, I knew it! Qingcheng Mountain is one of Taoism’s four immortal mountains. There must be masters covertly refining here; the martial arts advertised online are real, not fabricated, and truly exist!!"

"Damn, never thought Qingcheng Mountain truly harbors experts!"

"I must seek a master!"

The crowd was indeed incredibly excited, regretting not having recorded the old Taoist’s astounding actions.

"Interesting."

Watching Ji Heng disappear into the forest behind Qingcheng, Lu Ren couldn’t help but murmur quietly, then under the amazed eyes of the people, he vaulted over the railing, similarly stomping his foot to soar up, grabbing a tree branch to mimic Ji Heng’s movements, swiftly following behind.

However, as soon as he gripped a branch, a light ’snap’ sound rang out, and he saw the branch unable to bear his weight and snapped directly.

Following that, amidst the exclamations of the crowd, he fell straight down.

I knew this would happen!!

There is no such thing as true qi internal power in the real world, whereas many martial artists with excellent body techniques can easily handle their weight, yet truly light as a feather is still unattainable.

After all, there’s a weight of three to four hundred pounds here.

Lu Ren’s expression was somewhat strained, suddenly realizing his image as a cool expert had completely collapsed.

With quick thinking, he reached out his hand to grab the trunk, then lightly leapt onto a thicker branch.

This required an exquisite control of power, ensuring that before landing he didn’t use up the force, only bending his knees to continually buffer the impact, otherwise, with Lu Ren’s current weight over three hundred pounds, he would effortlessly snap this bowl-sized tree branch.

Following that, under the astonished eyes of the crowd, Lu Ren’s towering height indeed landed quietly; the branch slightly swayed as he quickly borrowed strength to leap forward.

Watching Lu Ren’s silhouette leap among the trees, after a long while, until Lu Ren closely followed Ji Heng’s figure disappearing into the forest, someone exclaimed with a groan: "Damn, this running is like Naruto ninjas! Simply... simply damn!"