The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 709 Heaven-Reaching and Earth-Penetrating Abilities

Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly raised her head, a glimmer of hope igniting in her eyes, "Where?"

The woman in green smiled mysteriously, "Mount Kunlun."

……

The Kunlun Mountains are covered in snow all year round, and are majestic and magnificent.

Deep within the Kunlun Mountains lies a mysterious organization—the Kunlun Sect.

The Kunlun Sect, a grandmaster of martial arts, boasts countless masters. It is said that the sect leader possesses extraordinary abilities, capable of summoning wind and rain, and is omnipotent.

Led by the woman in green, Zhu Xiong Ying arrived at the gate of the Kunlun Sect.

Two disciples stood guard at the mountain gate.

"Who goes there?" one of the disciples demanded.

"My name is Zhu Xiong Ying, and I request an audience with your sect leader," Zhu Xiong Ying said, bowing.

"Zhu Xiong Ying?" The two disciples exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes. Of course, they had heard of Zhu Xiong Ying, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, a peerless martial artist. However, they never expected that this former emperor would actually appear before the gates of the Kunlun Sect.

"Please wait a moment, I'll go and inform them right away," one of the disciples said.

A moment later, the disciple returned and said, "The sect leader requests your presence."

Zhu Xiong Ying followed his disciples into the mountain gate, passed through a winding mountain road, and arrived in front of a magnificent hall.

Inside the main hall, an old man sat cross-legged, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom and extraordinary bearing.

"Junior Zhu Xiong Ying pays respects to senior." Zhu Xiong Ying bowed respectfully.

The old man slowly opened his eyes, his gaze piercing as if he could see right through people. "You are Zhu Xiong Ying?"

"It is indeed I, the junior," Zhu Xiong Ying replied.

The old man sized him up and nodded slightly. "Indeed, a handsome and distinguished man. But..."

He paused, then continued, "The imperial aura you once possessed has completely vanished."

Zhu Xiong Ying's expression changed, and his heart sank. He knew the old man was telling the truth. Ever since Zhu Di usurped the throne from him, his imperial aura had gradually dissipated, and he had become just like an ordinary person.

"Senior, the reason I have come here is to make a request..."

Before Zhu Xiong Ying could finish speaking, the old man interrupted him, "I know what you want to say. You want me to help you reclaim the throne, right?"

Zhu Xiong Ying did not deny it, "That's right."

The old man chuckled. "Young man, you're too naive. Do you really think you can contend with the Prince of Yan with your current strength?"

Zhu Xiong Ying fell silent. He knew the old man was right. He was now penniless and had lost all his martial arts skills; how could he possibly contend with Zhu Di, who commanded thousands of troops?

“However…” the old man changed the subject, “I can help you restore your martial arts, and even make you stronger.”

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes. "Is what you say true, senior?"

The old man smiled slightly, "My Kunlun Sect is a grandmaster of the martial arts world, how could I deceive you?"

"Thank you so much, senior!" Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to kowtow.

The old man helped him up and said, "Get up. From today onwards, you are my disciple." "Master, please accept my bow!" Zhu Xiong Ying knelt down again and respectfully kowtowed three times.

The old man nodded in satisfaction. "Very well, from today onwards, you will follow me to learn martial arts. In less than three years, I will surely make you an invincible master!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes were filled with hope. He knew that as long as he mastered the Kunlun Sect's unparalleled martial arts, he could reclaim everything that belonged to him and avenge his father!
He had no idea that a path filled with hardship and challenges awaited him... He was even less aware that a shocking secret was hidden deep within the Kunlun Mountains...

The old man stroked his snow-white beard, his eyes gleaming: "Three years? You're thinking too simply. The Kunlun martial arts are profound and extensive; how could they be mastered in just three years? Even the most talented would find it difficult to grasp the basics in less than ten or eight years."

Zhu Xiong Ying's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ten or eight years, I can wait. As long as I can avenge this great wrong and wipe away this humiliation, I can endure any hardship!"

The old man laughed heartily, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Good! That's ambitious! However, when my Kunlun Sect accepts disciples, we never consider their background, only their aptitude. Although you were once the emperor of a previous dynasty, you are now just a mortal. If you wish to become my disciple, you must first pass the test."

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart tightened; she knew the real challenge had only just begun. "Senior, please give me the challenge; I will do my utmost!"

The old man pointed to a giant cauldron in the corner of the hall. "Do you see that cauldron? That is the 'Qiankun Cauldron,' weighing three thousand catties. If you can lift it above your head, you will pass the first test."

Three thousand jin! Zhu Xiong Ying gasped. Although he had once been a peerless martial artist, that was a thing of the past. Now, he no longer possessed the divine strength of his youth. This three-thousand-jin cauldron was undoubtedly an insurmountable mountain for him.

He walked to the Qiankun Cauldron, took a deep breath, grabbed the cauldron's handles with both hands, and exerted all his strength. However, the giant cauldron remained motionless, as if rooted to the ground. Zhu Xiong Ying gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, and exerted his strength again. This time, the giant cauldron finally trembled slightly, but quickly fell silent again.

Zhu Xiong Ying tried several times, but all attempts ended in failure. He was drenched in sweat, panting heavily, and felt as if his body had been completely drained.

The old man watched coldly from the sidelines, his face expressionless.

A sense of powerlessness rose in Zhu Xiong Ying's heart. Was he truly finished? Was he truly incapable of regaining his former glory and avenging himself?

"Give up," the old man said calmly. "You've done your best. In your current state, it's impossible for you to lift the Qiankun Cauldron."

Zhu Xiong Ying slumped down, letting go of her hands and sitting on the ground with a thud, her eyes filled with despair.

The old man shook his head and turned to leave.

Just then, Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly remembered something. He remembered his past glory, his past honor, and his past vows!

He suddenly stood up, his eyes burning with rage.

"No! I can't give up! I absolutely can't give up!" he roared, charging towards the Qiankun Cauldron once more.

This time, he didn't act recklessly. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and mobilized all the remaining true energy in his body, concentrating it on his arms.

Then, he suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed the handles of the cauldron with both hands, and let out a deafening roar.

"Wake it up for me!"

The miracle happened!
Amidst Zhu Xiong Ying's roar, the Qiankun Cauldron slowly lifted off the ground, being raised little by little.

One inch, two inches, three inches...

The giant cauldron rose faster and faster until finally, Zhu Xiong Ying lifted it high above his head!
"boom!"

With a loud crash, the Qiankun Cauldron landed heavily on the ground, causing the ground to tremble.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood there, his arms trembling, sweat pouring down his face, but he wore a victorious smile.

The old man looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that this seemingly deposed former emperor would still possess such great potential.

(End of this chapter)