Chapter 86

In the north of "Liu Sha Ji," there is a small hill that is not very high. Facing the vast sea, it has been exposed to the sun and wind, gradually revealing its rocky surface, covered with gravel. Some areas even appear blackish-brown, smooth and hard, giving a sense of eerie and terrifying presence.

On the other side of the hill, a dark river flows, and trees grow abundantly, exuding the breath of spring. At the foot of the hill, there is a lush oasis, a place where nearby herders graze their livestock. It was evening, and they were driving their cattle and sheep back home.

Meng Qi and Zhen Hui followed their master, walking slowly along the mountain path, heading towards the not-so-high peak. As they walked, Meng Qi reined in his other thoughts and asked with concern, "Master, since you told us to be careful of Old Crying and his disciples, could you give us a detailed description of their characteristics? At least this way, we won't fail to recognize them and expose ourselves."

Xuan Bei nodded gently, "I was just about to tell you. Old Crying is a black-skinned old man with deep wrinkles. He likes to wear a black headscarf and a white robe. His most distinctive feature is his eyes, which have double pupils and a strange shape. Whether he is smiling or angry, it looks like he is crying. He is power-hungry, unpredictable, and ruthless. It's best to avoid him from a distance."

Zhen Hui listened with great interest, as if he were hearing a story from the martial world. Meng Qi was also very focused, not wanting to accidentally run into his master's great enemy. With his current strength, even if the other party did not move or attack, the pressure of his realm alone could kill him.

"Old Crying has three outstanding disciples, all of whom have reached the Outer Scenario realm. The strongest among them, 'Tian Huang Shangren,' has already been killed by me." Xuan Bei's emotions still fluctuated slightly when he mentioned 'Tian Huang Shangren.'

Meng Qi was surprised, "Master, does Old Crying only have three Outer Scenario disciples?"

Isn't that too few? His power is not that great!

"Few?" Xuan Bei shook his head, "Our Shaolin is one of the major martial arts sects in the world, with over a thousand years of accumulation. We have only a few dozen Outer Scenario practitioners. For Old Crying to have three Outer Scenario disciples is quite remarkable. Additionally, he has connections with some vicious and evil beings, often working together."

Because Shaolin has many high monks who practice withered Zen and meditate, the exact number of Outer Scenario practitioners is not clear to outsiders. Xuan Bei did not want to explain this to Meng Qi, who had not yet opened his mind, so he simply said there were a few dozen.

Meng Qi laughed dryly, feeling embarrassed by his shallow knowledge, "Master, what I meant was, does Old Crying only have three disciples, and all of them are in the Outer Scenario realm?"

He tried to rephrase his question.

Xuan Bei did not expose him, "Old Crying is protective but cruel. Any disciple who disappoints him ends up dead. Those who survive are the best among them, so naturally, their numbers are few."

"I see." Meng Qi felt somewhat relieved, grateful that he had been reincarnated in Shaolin. If he had possessed one of Old Crying's disciples, he would have suffered greatly and been destroyed.

"Master, Old Crying is so terrifying..." Zhen Hui was scared, having always thought that masters treating their disciples well and seniors treating their juniors well were natural. Conversely, disciples treating their masters well and juniors treating their seniors well were also natural.

Hmph, you used to be so righteous, but now your worldview has been refreshed, right? Meng Qi silently mocked.

Xuan Bei comforted him, "Old Crying is a wicked and evil person, different from our righteous sects."

Then he continued, "Old Crying's remaining two disciples are Prince Yan Shiche of 'Hale' and the bandit leader Ze Luoju, both of whom are top-notch experts..."

He detailed the appearance and martial arts characteristics of Yan Shiche and Ze Luoju to help his disciples recognize them. For example, Yan Shiche has golden eyes, a red eye in the middle of his forehead, and a divine aura. He looks like a young man in his forties, with a handsome face like a statue. Ze Luoju is skilled with a saber, has a full beard, and lost his left eye because he did something that displeased Old Crying, earning him the nickname 'Hale Evil Saber.'

The term "top-notch expert" is a standard given by the royal family of the Da Jin dynasty when they created the Heaven, Earth, and Human lists. Since it incorporates many conventional elements, many people use it.

After the Outer Scenario realm, one must cross three heavenly ladders, so there is a qualitative change every three levels. Once broken through, the strength is far greater than before, and the realm exerts pressure. The Outer Scenario realm from the seventh to the ninth level is collectively called "Grandmaster," which is vastly different from the "Grandmasters" like Duan Xiangfei and Cui Xu. The fourth, fifth, and sixth levels of the Outer Scenario realm are called "Supreme Experts," and the first, second, and third levels are called "Top-notch Experts."

Above the peak of the Outer Scenario realm, there is another level called "Half-step Dharmakaya," which is also a qualitative change and is called "Grandmaster." The half-step Outer Scenario realm is considered "Second-tier Expert."

The opening of nine orifices is "Third-tier," and the opening of six, seven, or eight orifices is "Fourth-tier." The opening of two or four orifices is "Ordinary."

Below the opening of orifices, the level is determined by the amount of qi stored and the level of martial arts, called "Ninth-tier or Non-tier." When Meng Qi exchanged for the Iron Shirt, Jiang Zhewei jokingly said he was a non-tier expert.

As he listened, Meng Qi carefully memorized the characteristics of Yan Shiche and Ze Luoju to avoid them in advance.

After describing Yan Shiche and Ze Luoju, Xuan Bei did not stop, "Old Crying's grand-disciples have also been killed by him, leaving only about ten. The strongest among them are two who have opened all nine orifices. One is the leader of the seventy-two bandits of Helian Mountain, 'Standing Yama' You Huanduo, and the other is the lone bandit 'White-headed Vulture' An Guo'e..."

He briefly introduced the remaining seventeen or eighteen grand-disciples of Old Crying, focusing on their appearance. For example, 'Standing Yama' looks simple and honest, like an old farmer, with a thumb-sized black mole at the corner of his eye. 'White-headed Vulture' An Guo'e has white hair from a young age and is now in his thirties, with a head full of white hair. He is cruel and enjoys torturing others...

Xuan Bei's timing was very precise. He finished just as they reached the peak, where there were many straight, withered trees.

He sighed with sorrow, stopping in front of a tree twisted like a dragon, and whispered, "My two young sons are buried here. If they were still alive, they would be your age."

The atmosphere became sad and oppressive. Meng Qi and Zhen Hui did not know what to say, only silently accompanying their master in his grief.

After a long time, Xuan Bei suddenly spoke, self-mockingly, "I was distracted today and forgot to bring incense and candles, and I also forgot to bring the handwritten copy of the 'Prajna Sutra' to burn here. Zhen Ding, Zhen Hui, go back to the inn to get the 'Prajna Sutra' and buy some incense and candles."

"Yes, Master." Meng Qi thought his master was not too concerned with these formalities, but since his two young sons were buried here, it was understandable to be special. So he suppressed his doubts and immediately agreed.

Going down the mountain and returning to Liu Sha Ji, Meng Qi's thoughts became active. Isn't this a great opportunity to escape?

The master is far away on the mountain, distracted by the tomb-sweeping, and as long as he sends away his junior disciple, he can fly freely!

"Junior disciple, let's split up. You go back to the inn to get the 'Prajna Sutra,' and I'll go buy the incense and candles." Meng Qi acted on his thoughts.

Although he felt a bit guilty about escaping during this opportunity, it was a rare chance he couldn't miss!

Zhen Hui did not suspect anything and agreed with a smile, running into the inn. Meng Qi watched his back, sighed, and quickly walked to the other side of the town.

...

...

At the peak, the wind was cold.

Xuan Bei looked at the withered tree in front of him, and a string of prayer beads appeared in his hand.

It was a dark golden string of prayer beads, with three pure black beads mixed in.

"I didn't expect you to come here specifically to intercept me," he said calmly.

"I always seek revenge. I knew you were going to Jin Gang Temple as soon as I recovered, so I waited for you here. You will definitely come," a black and thin old man stood hunched behind the tree, as if he had been there all along.

He wore a black headscarf and a white robe, with two pupils in each eye, and his eyes drooped, making him look like he was crying.

Xuan Bei said without anger or joy, "Old Crying, you guessed right."

"Do you think that by sending away your two disciples, they will survive? I may not care about them, but I have a few grand-disciples waiting below." Old Crying coughed twice, sounding like a frail old man.

His disciples were busy managing affairs in 'Hale' and the vast sea, so he only brought a few grand-disciples.

Xuan Bei still had a deadpan face, "If I didn't send them away, they would be killed by the aftermath of our battle. But if they stay below, they still have a chance to survive."

His realm was one level below Old Crying's, and while he was not afraid of the battle, he could not protect his disciples from the aftermath.

"Do you mean Jiu Niang? Hmph, I don't think she will dare!" Old Crying was unconcerned, raising his right hand. Immediately, black spirits appeared around him, wailing and screaming, making people's hair stand on end and their minds waver. Those with slightly weaker strength would immediately lose their souls.

...

...

Meng Qi was about to leave the town when he suddenly noticed a huge sandstorm rising from the vast sea, covering a hundred miles, with sand and stones rushing towards the small mountain peak.

The oasis at the foot of the mountain instantly withered, and the herders and their cattle and sheep stood stiff and dehydrated, like mummies.

From a distance in the town, Meng Qi saw the ground cracking inch by inch, as if a natural disaster had occurred!