Chu Li smiled. "I was lucky."
"This is the power of divine power." Monk Hui Guang sighed. "Divine power or martial arts, it's really hard to choose."
Chu Li nodded.
There were many masters from Star Cloud Island this time, and most of them were from the older generation. Even if Ding Jian and Ding Shi were the top masters of the Ding generation, they still did not have the upper hand against the older masters.
Their cultivation level was already unfathomable to Chu Li. If he did not have Heaven's Ear and God's Limbs, he would definitely be in danger.
"Master, this is a little strange." Monk Ding Jian frowned and touched his bald head. "Logically, it's impossible for so many top masters from Star Cloud Island to come here. What is Sea Garrison for?"
Monk Hui Guang said, "The elders in the temple had the same idea. They wanted to capture a master from Star Cloud Island to interrogate, but they saw that it was impossible and retreated, so they couldn't capture him in time."
Monk Ding Jian said, "Then should I go to Sea Garrison Tai Dong?"
Monk Hui Guang shook his head. "Let's wait and see. I've already sent a letter to ask."
Monk Ding Jian's thick eyebrows were knitted together. It was completely different from his usual jovial appearance. His round face was full of worry.
Monk Ding Shi said, "Mo Yidou and Bai Zhuguang's cultivation level has greatly improved. It's obvious that they had a fortuitous encounter."
Monk Ding Jian scoffed. "There are countless fortuitous encounters at sea, and these two are extremely lucky. It's not surprising."
If it was not for their fortuitous encounter that greatly improved their martial arts, the two of them could easily defeat them. Bai Zhuguang was defeated by him, but now they were evenly matched. It was really frustrating.
However, this was the way of the world. Things did not always go according to one's wishes.
Monk Ding Shi saw that Chu Li was confused and explained, "Third Junior Brother, the visitors from the sea are mostly greedy and bloodthirsty people. They live in secret places and cannot be found, so they act unscrupulously and without any scruples. They come to the land to commit all sorts of crimes, and after plundering everything, they return to the sea and come and go as they please. Back then, the imperial court built four Sea Garrison Cities to prevent the invasion of the visitors from the sea. The disciples of the Great Mercy Temple were duty-bound to participate in the defense of the Sea Garrison Cities."
Chu Li suddenly understood.
He had heard of the Zhenhai City. Taidong, Dongdong, Xixi, and Xuanxi were the four Zhenhai Cities that guarded the coastline. They were the most elite forces of the imperial court. Back then, the imperial court had fallen apart because they had expended too many elite soldiers in the Zhenhai City. As a result, there was a vacuum in the city, which was then taken advantage of by ambitious people.
Now that the northern region was in chaos, the flames of war were everywhere, and the people of the four Sea Garrison Cities were restless.
He had already deduced that the reason why a large number of experts from Starry Cloud Island could come to the Great Mercy's Temple this time was because something had happened in Calming Sea City.
"Master, Young Master He of the Fifth Thunder Peak is here to see you." Young Monk Ding Ming arrived swiftly. He pushed the door open and bowed with his palms pressed together.
Monk Hui Guang turned around and left.
Monk Ding Jian brought Ding Shi and Chu Li with him as they followed him out of the temple.
He Jin's green robes fluttered in the wind with a long sword hanging at his waist. He had a carefree and elegant demeanor as he cupped his fists and said with a smile, "Master Huiguang, sorry for the disturbance!"
Monk Hui Guang pressed his palms together and extended his hand to invite him in. "Brother He, come in and talk!"
He Jin nodded at Chu Li and smiled. "How about I introduce a disciple to you, Great Master?"
"Thank you, Brother He. This way please —!" Monk Hui Guang said solemnly.
He Jin walked into the temple with a smile and arrived at his meditation courtyard. It was old and weathered with ancient trees. It was a peaceful and calm place.
He Jin sat by the stone table in the courtyard and took a cup of tea from Ding Ming. He took a sip and his smiling face darkened. He put down the teacup and sighed. "Great Master, I have bad news."
Monk Hui Guang sat opposite him while Chu Li, Steadfast Stone, and the other two stood behind Monk Hui Guang and listened quietly.
"Please speak!" Monk Hui Guang extended his hand and said.
He Jin sighed. "Calming Sea City of Great East has fallen."
"Is that true?" Monk Hui Guang stood up immediately. His eyes were bright and his gray robes fluttered.
He Jin said with a serious expression, "How would I dare to lie about this?"
Monk Hui Guang sat down slowly with a heavy expression.
Monk Ding Jian said in a low voice, "Master, if that's the case, I'm afraid that the senior brothers in Calming Sea City of Great East …"
Monk Hui Guang picked up his teacup and took a sip. The lid of the teacup trembled slightly.
Monk Ding Shi's body flashed with a golden light. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
He Jin said, "I only found out about this bad news after receiving a message from a disciple before his death."
"Brother He, have you been to Calming Sea City of Great East?" Monk Hui Guang put down his teacup and regained his composure.
He Jin shook his head. "I came here first."
"Master, I'll go check it out first." Monk Ding Shi pressed his palms together.
Monk Hui Guang looked at him and shook his head. "Ding Jian, you make a trip."
"Yes, Master." Monk Ding Jian pressed his palms together and patted Monk Ding Shi's shoulder. "Second Junior Brother, as the saying goes, concern leads to confusion. I'll go and find out if Senior Brother Ding He is dead or alive."
"… Yes." Monk Ding Shi took a deep breath and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, if there's danger, focus on your safety. Life and death are determined by fate!"
"Mm." Monk Ding Jian nodded.
Chu Li said, "Master, I'll go with Eldest Senior Brother."
He guessed that Monk Ding He had a close relationship with Ding Shi. Without waiting for Monk Hui Guang to reject, he quickly said, "Although my cultivation level is low, I'm good at escaping!"
"… Alright." Hui Guang nodded and took out a piece of paper from his inner pocket. "This is to be passed down to you. Take it and learn it on the way."
Chu Li took it and pressed his palms together. "Thank you, Master."
Hui Guang said, "Go and return quickly. Don't be greedy. Come back after you've found out the situation in Great East Sea Garrison. Don't move around."
Monk Ding Jian said, "Don't worry, Master. I understand."
He pressed his palms together and bowed to He Jin. Then, he pulled Chu Li's sleeve and fluttered away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"This Chu Li is not a simple person." He Jin looked at their disappearing silhouettes and turned to Monk Hui Guang with a smile. "I've investigated before. He ascended from the lower realm to the Outland and then ascended from there to here."
Monk Hui Guang nodded slowly.
Naturally, he had investigated Chu Li's background before accepting him as a disciple. It was not easy to enter the Great Mercy Temple. It was impossible for an unknown person to enter.
— —
Monk Ding Jian suddenly sped up and moved through the void. In an instant, he arrived at the peak of a mountain.
Chu Li glanced at the paper in his hand and imprinted it into his mind.
"Do you remember it?" Monk Ding Jian asked.
Chu Li nodded.
Monk Ding Jian took out the paper and gently clenched his fist. When he stretched out his palm again, his palm was already a pile of powder. A breeze with a fishy smell swept the powder away and it drifted away.
He pointed to a small black dot in the distance. "That's Great East Sea Garrison."
Chu Li used the Omniscient Mirror to observe and saw a towering city built on a cliff. Below the cliff was a vast ocean that stretched as far as the eye could see. Even the Omniscient Mirror could not see the end of it.
The huge city was like a ferocious beast that was entrenched at the bottom of a cliff, overlooking the vast sea. The vastness of it was intimidating. Chu Li speculated that the person who built the city here must be a master who was proficient in architecture and formations.
It was not an ordinary person to be able to create such a deterrent effect with the terrain and appearance alone.
Monk Ding Jian said, "You can stay here and study martial arts. I'll be back soon."
Chu Li frowned. "Senior Brother Ding Jian, you don't have to come any closer."
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