After the joke, Kai could barely contain his laughter. The combination of Lone Buddha's calm manner, stone face, and joke was hilarious.
- Put off laughing until after leaving the Library. You can't break the rules. - The bald guy said calmly.
- Then it was better not to make jokes. - Smiling, Kai replied quietly.
- I just didn't think you'd like my joke. - Frankly replied the guy. Then they quietly went outside, silently walking all the way to the exit. Kai didn't want to disturb the peace of the other students either. On level 5, they could chat quite quietly as there weren't many people there. But on the other floors, there were more and more of them.
After entering the streets of the Shadow Sect, Kai's interlocutor calmly continued walking in the direction away from the Shadow Palace. Kai in turn calmly followed him.
- ''Listen. You say that you come from some temple. Do you know something about the Temple of Sansara? - Kai asked thoughtfully.
- No. Although I've wondered about it too. My temple is in the mountains on the border with the Wild Beast Steppe. You realise that there is no Temple of Sansara there. - The Lonely Buddha replied calmly.
- Oh! So maybe it's near the Border City of the Beast? I spent an impressive amount of time there. - Kai asked enthusiastically.
- No. My temple is closer to the coast. If you go north from the Shadow City and stick to the coast, you will come to my temple in a moment. - He answered and immediately continued, 'To the north, the Shadow Sect's territory borders the Wild Beast Steppe and a bit of the Savage Wasteland. Except that this entire border is a rugged mountain range. The only way across is the Border Beast City. Although my temple is located on the same mountain range, it is territorially very far away. - Lone Buddha explained.
- But if this mountain range is so difficult to pass through, why did you build your house there? - Raising an eyebrow, Kai asked.
- Closer to the Boundless Waters, the mountains become lower and safer. Where my Temple is, it's not that hard to live. - The bald guy answered frankly.
It seemed that near the coast, this mountain range was getting safer. Kai remembered that the eastern parts of the Endless Wasteland, which was the Wild Beast Steppe, were safer. Therefore, through this narrow place near the shore, there was no threat from the raiding wild beasts.
- I see... - Kai answered with a nod, but remembered something and asked again, - Listen, don't you have any legends about the eastern part of the Wild Beast Steppe? - Coming in from a distance, Kai asked.
He remembered that Mr Fabian had found strange manuscripts in those very places. Moreover, the entrance to the Astral City itself was also located in the east of the Endless Wasteland. If the Lonely Buddha Temple had been in the vicinity for a long time.... Could it be that they know something as well?
Hearing this question, it seemed that the Lone Buddha Temple had a slight hesitation...''
- It's nothing special. It's just that it's believed that those lands once suffered the wrath of a god. Because of that, they are still lifeless and chaotic. - He replied peacefully.
'Hmm... According to the Astral Alchemy Emperor, the entire world was destroyed, not just those lands... Still, it was foolish to assume that they knew about something.' - Kai thought with a smile.
- Why did you ask? - Looking at Kai, the Lonely Buddha asked.
- I went on an expedition to those places. And I found them very mysterious. - Kai answered carefree.
- I understand you. Those places really have their own unique atmosphere. - Nodding, supported the bald guy.
After that, Kai decided not to talk about it any more and just asked about various insignificant things. But hearing the Lonely Buddha's answers, it seemed that his interlocutor was really detached from everything. He was only interested in development and battles.
Thus, they came to a small two-storey house. There was an element that made it stand out a lot.... The entire house was made of wood.
The structure itself was small. But the fenced area it was located in was very impressive. There was also a lot of greenery planted around it.
This area seemed to stand out noticeably from the entire Shadow Sect's territory.
- You decided to move your mountains here? - Kai asked with a smile.
- You're partially right. - The Lonely Buddha answered truthfully.
- Anyway, there's something about your house. It looks very cosy. - Nodding, praised Kai.
- Thank you. I'm happy too. - The bald guy said calmly.
He seemed to have recreated the atmosphere of nature and tranquility in this stone city. It looked aesthetically pleasing enough. It also didn't read richness and pretentiousness in it all. Even the house itself was quite modest.
Given Lone Buddha's status, it was likely that he could afford the best places in the Shadow Sect. But still, he had chosen to live like this. It showed well this man's nature and his dedication to his own principles.
Watching this, Kai had another reason to respect the bald guy. People like him are really real individuals.
- Alright, let's go straight to the right place. - The Lonely Buddha calmly said and entered the grounds of his house.
Kai followed him silently. After a short walk, they came to a large square area. The floor was made of large slabs of stone.
Feeling the energy movements, Kai instantly activated his Essence Eyes and saw that all the slabs were covered in arrays. It seemed that they were now incredibly strong. It would be extremely hard to break them.
The Lone Buddha didn't wait for Kai for long and stepped into the middle of the arena. He calmly stretched his hand forward and a rough silver-coloured staff instantly appeared in his palm.
- Doom! - There was a thud as one part of the staff touched the ground.
From that sound, Kai immediately realised how heavy this weapon was.....
- You'll pay a token 10 Reputation Points for sparring. - The Lone Buddha calmly said.
To Kai, it was indeed a paltry sum. But for ordinary Shadow Sect disciples, it could be their monthly salary. No matter how one looked at it, everything was a comparison.
It was really only a token payment. For if someone else were to find the Lone Buddha and challenge him, it would be worth much more. It was just that Kai himself, was also interested in this monk.
Kai didn't delay and also walked to the centre of the arena. He took out his black daggers and said:
- Alright, after the fight, the balls will be yours. Let's begin! - With a smile, he shouted out.
At this moment, all of Kai's energy instantly surged out of his body! The Astral Sacrifice Fire also ignited! The entire atmosphere around him literally changed in the blink of an eye! That aura that Kai was exuding caused instinctive terror and suppressed all living things.
Kai did not underestimate his opponent. He instantly displayed almost all of his strength!
- Unexpectedly. You are much stronger than I thought. - The Lonely Buddha said calmly.
But while he was saying those words, Kai instantly disappeared!
He had already prepared a Shadow Mark behind his opponent's back beforehand! In the blink of an eye, Kai was already behind him!
The Lone Buddha didn't even move from his position, just lightly shook the shaft of his staff....
- Dum! Fshuuuv! - Instantly, a resounding, deafening thud resounded. It was followed by a huge wave of invisible energy that swept away all of Kai's aura in an instant.
Before he even realised what had happened, Kai flew away from the centre of the arena at breakneck speed, hitting his back against a tree. The collision was so strong that it almost broke the tree trunk!
- Kgaah! - Coughed Kai, spitting out a large gulp of blood!
- You are strong. But not for me. - The Lone Buddha replied nonchalantly.
''How... I didn't even realise what happened! This is the level of the strongest Personal Disciples?!' - Shocked, Kai exclaimed in thought.