Huh?
Master Du’e was somewhat surprised.
When he first stepped onto the stone blades years ago, his shoe soles were sliced open, and even his foot was cut, leaving a bloody gash.
Fortunately, Master Kongjian was by his side then, pulling him off the blades, or he might have been seriously injured.
But to his amazement, Ye Qiu’s first step onto the stone blade was so steady.
Rip—
At that moment, a tearing sound came from Ye Qiu’s shoe sole.
The stone blade had cut through it.
Master Du’e smiled and said, “Benefactor Ye, this is only the first step. There are at least a thousand more to reach the summit. Can you manage?”
“If you’re not confident, this old monk can lend you a hand.”
“All you need to do is join our Tianlong Temple.”
Ye Qiu hesitated, then said, “Master, I’d like to try.”
Master Du’e advised, “Benefactor Ye, don’t push yourself too hard. Do your best, and if it’s too much, this old monk can truly help you.”
“I still want to try on my own.”
“Since Benefactor Ye insists, I won’t press further.”
As he spoke, Master Du’e shifted sideways, effortlessly positioning himself behind Ye Qiu.
He was concerned Ye Qiu might get hurt.
These stone blades were razor-sharp. A cut to the foot would make it nearly impossible to stand, and a fall could be disastrous.
With stone blades covering the mountain, the consequences of falling would be severe.
Master Du’e’s intent was to be ready to rescue Ye Qiu if he fell.
“Master, may I begin climbing?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Of course,” Master Du’e reminded again. “Benefactor Ye, you must be cautious. Do your best and don’t overexert yourself.”
“Understood.”
With that, Ye Qiu took a step, treading on the stone blades toward the summit.
Soon, he had covered over ten metres.
Master Du’e remained in place, marvelling inwardly: “Benefactor Ye is so young, yet he’s gone this far—far surpassing this old monk in my day.”
After advancing ten metres, Ye Qiu glanced back, puzzled to see Master Du’e still standing there. “Master, didn’t you say you’d climb with me? Why aren’t you moving?”
“Go ahead, Benefactor Ye. This old monk is familiar with the path and will catch up shortly.”
“Alright then.”
Ye Qiu continued up the mountain. At first, his pace was slow, cautious.
Then, he began strolling leisurely, climbing while taking in the surrounding scenery.
Master Du’e started moving, intending to catch up, but Ye Qiu’s speed suddenly surged. Like a wisp of green smoke, he shot toward the summit.
This…
Master Du’e was stunned.
How could he know that after cultivating the Nine Revolutions Dragon Art, Ye Qiu’s body was as tough as bronze and iron—far sturdier than Master Du’e’s Indestructible Vajra Technique?
Though the stone blades were sharp, how could they possibly harm Ye Qiu?
Seeing Ye Qiu accelerate, Master Du’e chased with all his might but couldn’t keep up. By the time he reached the summit, panting, Ye Qiu had been resting there for some time.
“Master, you’ve made it?” Ye Qiu said with a smile.
“Benefactor Ye, you’ve put me to shame. I’m truly embarrassed,” Master Du’e said, wishing he could find a hole to hide in.
He had worried Ye Qiu wouldn’t make it and even tried to lure him into joining Tianlong Temple, only to find Ye Qiu was faster than him.
Master Du’e’s face burned with embarrassment.
“Master, have I passed this trial?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Of course,” Master Du’e said. “Benefactor Ye, you’re truly extraordinary. This old monk is in awe.”
“You’re too kind, Master,” Ye Qiu replied. “What’s the next trial?”
“Follow me, Benefactor Ye.”
Master Du’e led him to the edge of the summit, where a single iron chain hung from the cliff, its other end connected to a peak a hundred metres away.
That peak, about three thousand metres high, pierced the sky, wreathed in white clouds—an ethereal scene like a realm of immortals.
Ye Qiu instantly understood, asking, “Master, is it that crossing the chain to the opposite peak counts as passing this trial?”
“Not quite!” Master Du’e said. “The third trial is set on that peak.”
“Oh?”
Ye Qiu was surprised, having guessed wrongly.
“Benefactor Ye, follow me.”
This time, Master Du’e didn’t hold back. He stepped onto the chain and walked slowly toward the opposite peak.
Ye Qiu was about to follow when the chain suddenly swayed.
Anyone who’s crossed a chain bridge knows that when someone walks ahead, the bridge sways. If their steps are heavy, the swaying intensifies.
Ye Qiu faced such a situation now.
Master Du’e, slightly stout, swung his arms as he walked, and with the mountain winds howling, the chain trembled violently.
Below the chain lay a hundred-zhang abyss.
Most people would faint from fear just looking at it, let alone crossing.
Ye Qiu smiled faintly and stepped lightly onto the chain.
His steps were composed.
His expression calm.
After walking for a while, Master Du’e heard no footsteps behind him and assumed Ye Qiu hadn’t followed. Turning back, he was startled to see Ye Qiu just half a metre away.
Ye Qiu’s steps were so light, and with the wind roaring, they were nearly silent.
Master Du’e was inwardly surprised and suddenly quickened his pace, moving as if gliding through the air, reaching the opposite peak in the blink of an eye.
When he turned around, Ye Qiu was standing before him.
Such speed!
Master Du’e was shocked, saying, “Since we parted in the capital, only a few days have passed, yet Benefactor Ye’s cultivation has advanced so rapidly. This old monk is truly impressed.”
Ye Qiu smiled, “Master, your cultivation is profound. I still have much to learn from you.”
“Benefactor Ye, you’re too modest.”
“Master, what is the trial…?”
“Follow me, Benefactor Ye.”
Master Du’e led Ye Qiu along a narrow, winding path up the peak.
Moments later.
Master Du’e brought Ye Qiu to a peculiar place.
It was peculiar because the peak was riddled with stone caves—hundreds of them, at least.
Above each cave, the character “Buddha” was carved.
The marks of human chiselling were evident.
“Master, these caves—were they crafted by Master Kongjian as well?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Not just my master, but me as well,” Master Du’e said. “Together, we spent three years carving seven hundred twenty Buddha caves here.”
“Only one leads to my master.”
“The rest descend to the mountain’s base.”
Ye Qiu immediately asked, “So, this trial is to find the cave that leads to the divine monk?”
Master Du’e clarified, “Not only must you find the cave, but you must enter the correct one to meet my master.”
“Understood.”
Ye Qiu gave a faint smile and activated his Heavenly Eye.
Instantly, the smile on his face froze.
