Seeing Xiao Yunlong get out of the car himself, the Four Great Generals were clearly surprised. Without hesitation, the four chose to retreat behind him.
The old man selling porridge, sitting on a large rock by the roadside, took a puff from his large pipe and sized up Xiao Yunlong. "Indeed, he is worthy of being the Northern King of the Dragon Kingdom. At such an age, he possesses such bearing and grace. What's more, the internal energy within him is something even I, an old man, cannot fathom."
Xiao Yunlong slowly stepped forward and asked, "Old man, since you are not from Southern Shaolin, why do you interfere today?"
The old man selling porridge shook his head and sighed, "There's no other way. When I was young, during times of war and chaos, my whole family starved to death. If it weren't for a compassionate master from Southern Shaolin who took me up the mountain that winter, I would have perished long ago!"
He sighed and lamented, then continued, "Later, I went up the mountain, and he taught me martial arts. Although I never formally became his disciple, all my martial arts come from Southern Shaolin. Therefore, now that the mountain gate is in trouble, I cannot stand idly by. Otherwise, I would not be able to sleep peacefully at night, feeling uneasy in my heart!"
After speaking, the old man suddenly leaped down from the rock and bowed respectfully to Xiao Yunlong with cupped fists. "I know you are the Northern King, and I should not obstruct your path. However, I have received kindness from the mountain gate, and this kindness must be repaid. Rest assured, if I lose, I will give you this life!"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "If that is the case, then let us begin!"
With that, he unleashed his aura, immediately causing the wind to howl and sand and stones to fly. His presence was truly majestic and vast.
Perhaps Li Jiuxiao and Tu Fu could not see it, but Xiao Yunlong had already noticed the extraordinary nature of this porridge seller when they were drinking porridge at the pavilion at the foot of the mountain. He was a Martial King expert who had surpassed the Hua Jin Grandmaster realm, having achieved the Three Flowers Gathering on the Crown!
The old man selling porridge's expression couldn't help but stiffen, as he clearly recognized the extraordinary nature of his opponent.
"Be careful, I won't hold back!"
As his words fell, the old man selling porridge also erupted with a powerful aura. If one had reached the profound level of Hua Jin Grandmaster, they could faintly sense three streams of energy circulating around his head.
With a flick of his wrist, the old man selling porridge gathered his strength and struck Xiao Yunlong with a palm.
He was clearly employing the Shaolin's Great Strength Vajra Palm, his palm strike incredibly powerful, capable of shattering stones and shaking mountains!
Xiao Yunlong's breath deepened, and he also struck out with a palm, employing the Shaolin's Great Strength Vajra Palm as well. Their moves were almost identical.
In this case, there was no room for skill or technique; it was purely a contest of internal energy!
Their palms met with a resounding boom, like a thunderclap on a clear day, startling everyone in the plaza above.
With the point of impact as the center, waves of energy rippled outwards. Wherever they passed, not only were the surrounding flowers and trees broken, but even the Four Great Generals, who were standing closer, stumbled backward.
The old man selling porridge staggered violently and then retreated three steps!
As for Xiao Yunlong, he remained standing in place, as unmoving as a javelin!
Upon witnessing this, Li Jiuxiao and the other Four Great Generals exclaimed, "I never imagined that our Lord's martial arts cultivation would improve so much. I recall when he first entered the Northern Territory, he was far inferior to me!"
"Indeed. Our Lord is incredibly powerful in leading troops, but in terms of martial arts cultivation, Qinglong was stronger back then. But now, we cannot even withstand the residual force unleashed by our Lord!" said Tu Fu, the White Tiger General.
Nangong Qingzhu, the Vermillion Bird General, the only woman among the Four Great Generals, frowned and asked, "This old man selling porridge, his cultivation should be at the peak of the Three Flowers Gathering Martial King. Yet, he was defeated by our Lord in a single move. What do you think our Lord's cultivation is now? Has he already surpassed the Martial King realm and successfully opened his orifices?"
"It's possible, no, it's certain. Our Lord must have already entered the Innate Opening Orifice realm!" The other three generals nodded in agreement.
The old man selling porridge finally managed to steady himself and suppress the restless energy within him, saying repeatedly, "Truly, you are worthy of being the Northern King of the Dragon Kingdom. You are indeed formidable!"
Xiao Yunlong asked, "How about it, do you concede now, or do you still intend to block my path up the mountain?"
The old man selling porridge shook his head with a wry smile. "Although I am old, my eyes are not blind. If you hadn't withdrawn some of your palm force just now, I fear my old bones would have completely fallen apart. How could I not concede!"
"I concede wholeheartedly, and as I said before, if I lose, I will accept whatever fate you decree. Proceed!"
With that, the old man slowly closed his eyes.
Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but smile and generously said, "Since Senior is repaying a debt of gratitude, and possesses such an open and upright character, I truly admire you. Why would I take your life!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong strode past the old man, and the Four Great Generals quickly followed.
Only after the Dragon Blood Guards had all ascended the mountain did the old man selling porridge slowly open his eyes. He glanced back at Xiao Yunlong's receding figure, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotions.
"As expected of the Northern King, the God of the Dragon Kingdom. It's a pity my bones are old. If I were twenty or thirty years younger, I would surely have joined such a figure in achieving great things!"
"Enough, enough. I did my best anyway. I won't meddle in the rest. I'll go down the mountain and sell porridge!" With that, the old man picked up his large pipe again, took a puff, and slowly descended the mountain.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong finally reached the mountain before noon and arrived at the plaza in front of the Great Hall of Southern Shaolin.
At that moment, disciples from the three major sects and wealthy magnates from secular families associated with them all turned their heads to look at Xiao Yunlong.
Despite being the center of attention, Xiao Yunlong remained composed. He walked forward with firm and steady steps, followed by the Four Great Generals, Tang Bowen, and Jun Bufan, and then by the Thirty-Six Heavenly Kings and Seventy-Two Dragon Blood Guards.
Wherever they passed, the surrounding people made way. Xiao Yunlong walked directly to the front of the leaders of the three major sects.
Master Mingfei, the Abbot of the Arhat Hall, who had fled in disarray earlier, roared, "Xiao, you are too arrogant and disrespectful! Our Shaolin clearly stipulated that this mountain road was sealed, yet you still forced your way up. You clearly have no regard for our Southern Shaolin!"
Xiao Yunlong chuckled and said, "That's right, so what if I have no regard for your Southern Shaolin?"
"You..." Abbot Mingfei of the Arhat Hall was rendered speechless by his retort.
"Amitabha!"
Abbot Mingjing clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist mantra. "Since Benefactor Xiao has reached the mountain, there is no need for further words. The time has come. Let us discuss the Martial Arts Crusade Assembly, lest our honored guests who have come to witness it wait any longer!"
"Martial Arts Crusade Assembly? Very well, then tell me, how will this assembly be held, or rather, how will you crusade against me!"
Xiao Yunlong let out a cold laugh, reached for a chair, and sat down, his attitude dismissive, a hint of mockery in his gaze.
For the minor three ancient martial arts sects to dare to crusade and judge him, the Northern King, was this not a colossal joke!