Wu Dynasty, Tianyin Temple.
As the national temple of the Wu Dynasty and one of the five top sects, Tianyin Temple enjoyed great prestige in the martial world.
The abbot of Tianyin Temple was the furious monk Fayun.
Twenty years ago, Emperor Wuxian passed away, and Emperor Wuning, still a child, ascended the throne. Treacherous officials held sway, and the Ling Dynasty launched a massive invasion of the Wu Dynasty, annexing thirty-two commanderies and pushing all the way to the outskirts of the Wu capital.
In that time of crisis, Fayun stepped forward. With a single palm, he annihilated the Ling Dynasty's army of one hundred thousand outside the capital, forcing the Ling forces to retreat three thousand li. This allowed the Wu Dynasty to breathe and recover its strength.
Since that day, Fayun had not made another move, and his deeds gradually faded from public memory in the martial world.
However, precisely because of Fayun's battle outside the capital twenty years ago, even though he had remained inactive for two decades, he was still ranked within the top ten of the "Jianghu Heroes Record."
If Fayun were to strike again, shaking the world, his ranking might even enter the top five.
"Husband, after we pass the mountain path ahead, we will reach Tianyin Temple. The furious monk has not made a move in a long time. I can help you meet him, but whether he agrees to a spar with you will depend on your own abilities," Wu Mei said to Ye Ling, looking at the ancient mountain path ahead as she rode her horse.
"Yes, thank you for your trouble. Please introduce me first," Ye Ling nodded slightly, expressing his gratitude to Wu Mei.
"I am very happy to be able to help you, husband. Let's go up the mountain," Wu Mei chuckled, dismounted with Ye Ling and Bailan, and they began their ascent on foot.
Bailan walked along the ancient mountain path, observing the monks who were going down the mountain to beg for alms and carrying water up the mountain. She couldn't help but sigh, "The aura of these monks is so profound. Are they all masters?"
Wu Mei replied, "Tianyin Temple's 'Wrathful Vajra Art' is unparalleled. Its practitioners are impervious to blades and spears, and possess immense strength... It is likely that even a mere monk sweeping the grounds in the temple would possess the skill of a first-rate master in the outside world."
Listening to Wu Mei's explanation, Bailan nodded and then asked, "By the way, Master's wife, I've been hearing you talk about Tianyin Temple being one of the five top forces in the martial world. Which are these major forces?"
Having accompanied them, Wu Mei knew that Ye Ling and Bailan were completely unaware of matters concerning the martial world. She was not surprised by Bailan's question and patiently explained, "The five top forces in the martial world are concisely referred to as One Sect, One Tower, One Cult, One Family, and One Temple. The 'One Temple' is Tianyin Temple, which I have already introduced on the way."
"The 'One Sect' is the Shengwu Sect. Its Grand Sect Master is the Sword Saint Lu You, who is ranked second in the world. The Shengwu Sect is also the undisputed number one sect in the Wu Dynasty, with countless experts within its ranks. Even the imperial court dares not provoke them lightly."
"The 'One Tower' is the Ci Bei Tower. Its楼主 is the Compassionate Guest Fang Siming, ranked third in the world. Under his command are countless assassins. As long as the employer pays enough, they would dare to assassinate even Emperor Wuning."
"The 'One Cult' is the Randeng Cult. Its leader is the Randeng Cult Master Meng Hun, ranked sixth in the world. Simultaneously, the Randeng Cult is a rebel force occupying the eastern part of the Wu Dynasty and is currently engaged in constant battles with the Wu Dynasty army."
"And the final 'One Family' is the Shi family. Its patriarch is the City Lord of Cangyue, Shi Ming, who is the current Emperor's master and ranked ninth in the world."
Wu Mei spoke of the martial world's affairs as if recounting her own experiences, her words flowing without pause.
"Listening to you, this Wu Dynasty seems rather unstable... Among the five top forces, three are not under the control of the imperial court, and two of them are major threats to the imperial court..." Ye Ling remarked, extracting a considerable amount of information from Wu Mei's introduction.
Wu Mei nodded and said gravely, "What my husband says is true... Although the Wu Dynasty appears powerful on the surface, it was severely weakened after the war twenty years ago and has not yet recovered. Treacherous officials still hold sway in the court, and the Randeng Cult is powerful, having established a foothold in the east. If the Ling Dynasty were to return and the Wu Dynasty faced internal strife and external threats, the consequences would be unimaginable."
As Wu Mei spoke of these matters, she sighed repeatedly, a shadow of melancholy lingering on her brow.
Bailan, on the other hand, was not interested in the rise and fall of the Wu Dynasty. She curiously asked again, "By the way, Master's wife, the Grand Sect Master of the Wu Dynasty's strongest sect, Shengwu Sect, is only ranked second in the world. Who is the strongest person in the world?"
"The number one in the world is naturally the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, Bai Xiaosheng," Wu Mei replied without hesitation.
"Bai Xiaosheng?" Ye Ling raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes filled with surprise. "Isn't he just a writer? How did he become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader?"
Wu Mei explained, "Bai Xiaosheng does indeed love to write books, but he is also the undisputed number one in the Wu Dynasty. It is precisely because of his formidable strength that the 'Jianghu Heroes Record' holds such significant influence in the Wu Dynasty. Even the current Emperor must constantly pay attention to the rankings issued by Bai Xiaosheng."
"This Bai Xiaosheng... is rather interesting. I'd like to meet him," Ye Ling murmured, suddenly developing a great interest in Bai Xiaosheng.
"Regarding that, husband, you might be disappointed," Wu Mei said.
"Why?" Ye Ling asked again.
"Bai Xiaosheng is notoriously elusive, appearing only occasionally. Even his disciples, who are responsible for compiling the 'Jianghu Heroes Record,' only passively receive information transmitted by Bai Xiaosheng and have no idea of his whereabouts."
"Is that so..." Ye Ling nodded thoughtfully, silently taking note of this matter.
As the three conversed, they had also completed the mountain path and arrived at the grand entrance of Tianyin Temple.
"Are the three benefactors here to offer incense?" a monk with a powerful aura approached and bowed, inquiring.
"Please inform the abbot that Wu Mei seeks an audience," Wu Mei said to the monk, bowing slightly and speaking softly.
Upon hearing Wu Mei's words, the monk's eyes showed a subtle change. His gaze then returned to normal, and he bowed slightly to Wu Mei, saying, "This humble monk will go inform the abbot. The three benefactors are welcome to come inside."
The monk ushered Ye Ling and the other two into the temple and then quickly departed.
Both Ye Ling and Bailan had noticed the subtle change in the monk's eyes.
"Master... Wu Mei's identity doesn't seem to be that simple!" Bailan transmitted to Ye Ling while they waited.
"Yes... she might be a princess," Ye Ling replied.
"A princess?" Bailan was startled. "How do you know, Master?"
"It was just a guess earlier. Although Wu Mei deliberately lowered her status and acted boisterous along the way, the temperament she developed from childhood cannot be concealed... Moreover, the royal family of this Wu Dynasty also bears the surname Wu."
"Can a single name be enough to conclude she is a princess?" Bailan was still somewhat confused. The Wu Dynasty had a long history, and people with the surname Wu were already spread throughout the land. Many people named Wu in the Wu Dynasty were commoners.
"Indeed, a few small details and a surname are not enough to make a definitive conclusion. However, the monk's attitude just now has confirmed Wu Mei's identity."
"Why?" Bailan asked again. Although she had noticed the monk's change in expression, she hadn't yet grasped the specific reason.
"What is this Tianyin Temple?" Ye Ling suddenly asked Bailan.
"Tianyin Temple..." Bailan pondered for a moment, then realized, "Tianyin Temple is the national temple of the Wu Dynasty!"
Ye Ling nodded slightly and continued to explain to Bailan, "That's right, Tianyin Temple has imperial backing. Furthermore, as a renowned figure in the martial world, even if Wu Mei had some minor fame in the martial world, it would be impossible for her to invite the furious monk, unless her identity was extraordinary."
"When these details are combined with Wu Mei's other characteristics, it is sufficient to ascertain her identity."
"Wow... I didn't expect that as soon as we arrived in the Wu Dynasty, we would encounter such an important figure! Wu Mei concealed her identity, held a martial arts competition for marriage, and publicized it widely in the martial world..."
Bailan exclaimed, and her gaze towards Wu Mei also shifted subtly.
"Master, it seems we've stumbled into quite a significant dispute. I wonder if we are fortunate or unfortunate..."