Chapter 37: Hell Mountain
The book in Zen's hands was on fist position. It depended a lot on attacking skills.
Zen turned to the first page gingerly. What?caught his?eyes was that the page was filled with small and closely-written words. Zen soon realized that this was a translation of Ogre language.
The knowledge in this book apparently came from the Ogres, and someone had the skills to translate Ogre language. Zen was clueless as to who could have translated the text.
'As per the words, is this a cultivation method for Ogres?'?Zen was puzzled.
The Heavenly Ogre Body Refining formulation was?a cultivation method for Ogres only.
Zen knew that cultivation methods for Ogres were highly demanding. To practice them, a person would require strong?physical strength.
As it was known to all, the strength of the human body would improve greatly after the body had been refined. However, compared to Ogres, humans were still far weaker. The body of an Ogre, obviously, was not on the same level as a human.
For example, the physical strength of humans at the bone refining level was about the same as that of a four or five-year-old Ogre child.
Of course, this was just for general people, not Zen. Evil Lan had refined his body, and the strength of Zen's body was now comparable to a top grade mysterious weapon.
Therefore, the demanding body strength?required to practice this cultivation method might be an impossible threshold for most humans, but not for Zen. It was tailored for him for sure.
Zen put the Heavenly Ogre Fist book into the space ring and left the chamber.
When he reentered the hall for tier 4 cultivation method, Zen found that an old man dressed in white was looking at him with bright eyes.
Zen studied the old man. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, graceful and noble. Zen felt relieved because he did not sense any hostility from the old man.
“The power of the Heavenly Ogre Fist is great. But it is extremely demanding on a human's body strength. It is also difficult to cultivate. I am sure you know this. It can be said that your soul's strength is far superior to others as you entered the passageway and returned. If your soul is strong enough, you can choose?methods like the Dark Meditation and Blood Kill. Why would you choose Heavenly Ogre Fist? You know this is a very complicated method for human beings.”
The old man spoke to Zen in a faint voice.
“I saw that this cultivation method was placed behind the hall for tier 4 cultivation method. So, I believe it to be more powerful than tier 4 cultivation method...” Zen replied truthfully. He was not good at lying, and so, he decided to share his reason for selecting the cultivation method with the old man.
Zen's honesty surprised the old man since he did not expect Zen to be so forthcoming. Then the old man shook his head and said, “It is true that the two books inside the tomb are far stronger than tier 4 cultivation method, but you should practice the cultivation method that suits you. You should understand this. I think you had better return the Heavenly Ogre Fist, and choose another one. What do you think?”
To Zen, it sounded like the old man?was trying to persuade him not to take Heavenly Ogre Fist. But then again, since he had?chosen this book, and he had not violated any rules, Zen was unwilling to return the book. So, instead of giving the old man a straight answer, Zen changed the subject and asked, “Is it really far stronger than tier 4 cultivation method? I have heard that all?cultivation methods in the world are divided into four tiers. How can Heavenly Ogre Fist be stronger than tier 4 cultivation methods?” Zen tried to sound innocent as he put forward this question.
The old man?smiled a little. He seemed to see through Zen's trick. “Since you are unwilling to return Heavenly Ogre Fist, then take it as per your wish. As for your question pertaining to the four tiers of cultivation methods, that is what we tell ordinary people. We live in a mysterious world. Its secrets are endless. How can cultivation methods be limited to just four tiers? The book in your hand is a tier 5 cultivation method from the Ogres.”
Tier 5 cultivation method! Zen was surprised, and his eyes opened wide.
Zen had thought that tier 4 cultivation method was the highest level. What he did not expect was that there was tier 5?cultivation method. This was beyond his expectation.
Seeing Zen's reaction, the old man was not surprised at all. He laughed again. “The higher you stand, the further you can see. Let me tell you. The tier 5 cultivation method may not necessarily be the strongest method.”
“Is there a cultivation method much stronger than tier 5 cultivation?method?” Zen asked excitedly.
This time, the old man did not answer his question directly. He gave a vague response, “There are no boundaries in humans' capability.” As the old man spoke, he placed a finger on Zen's chest and continued, “Let us not discuss this. Since you have chosen the Heavenly Ogre Fist and insist on keeping it, I will not stop you. This book has been here for a long time. And I never thought that an outer disciple would be capable of taking it. I feel that perhaps it is fate that led you to this book. But this cultivation method involves?many other factors. If someone outside asks you what?you have taken,” the old man stopped speaking for long enough to wave at the cultivation method hall. A book from the cabinet flew over to them. With the book in hand, the old man continued, “You should tell them that this is what you have chosen.”
Zen took the?book from the old man and turned it around in his hand. As he looked at the book, Zen's eyes brightened when he saw the words, Spiritual Thorn, on the cover.
There were so many books on tier 4 cultivation method on the bookcase in this hall. Zen had not expected that he would get an opportunity to take two. Zen laughed with joy before placing the book inside the space ring.
Then Zen looked at the old man and thanked him by cupping his hands (left over right) and raising them chest high as a salute. After that, Zen turned with the intention of leaving the hall.
Before he could take a step, the old man stopped him, “Wait, you... aren't you curious about my identity?”
“What?” Zen stopped and turned to face the old man. In all this time, he had not thought to ask the old man his name. Zen raised his hand and slapped it on his forehead. “Please forgive my lack of manners. You are...”
“That's fine. I have to say that you overplayed your part.” The old man waved his hands and laughed. He knew that the boy did not really care about who he was. But this was not something he needed to care about. He continued, “Although Cloud Sect is large, if you are extraordinary, I am sure that we will meet again, sooner or later.”
Knowing that he had not annoyed the old man, Zen smiled at him, then turned and left.
The old man?watched as Zen left. Then he sighed and whispered, “I did not expect that after so many years, this book will finally be claimed. I don't think anyone will believe that this was not heaven's will.”
Since Zen had left the hall, he did not hear the old man's words. Even if he had heard what the old man had said, he would not understand the meaning.
When Zen entered the hall for the tier 3?cultivation method, he saw that all other people had left. Even the hall for the tier 2?cultivation method was empty.
It was not advisable to linger in the Heavenly Library, as over time, it became harder to bear the pressure of intent of the Vengeful Beast. It was natural that the others would leave soon after selecting the appropriate cultivation method.
Zen was the last to leave the Heavenly Library.
When he stepped out, the?disciples of the other thirty-two peaks had already left.
Only the disciples of Drizzle Peak?were waiting for him.
“I am so sorry to have kept you waiting.” Zen bowed with hands folded as he apologized.
“That's fine. We are brothers of Drizzle Peak, and we should be concerned about each other, now and in the future! Well, welcome to Drizzle Peak.” said an outer disciple as he patted Zen on the shoulder.
This group of outer disciples who had picked Drizzle Peak was from low clans. None of these disciples were from noble clans. So they were congenial with each other.
Master Aura Su had been standing in the distance and studying something. When she saw Zen, she smiled and asked, “Did you enter the tier 4?cultivation method hall?”
Only the few people present at the tier 3 cultivation method hall knew that Zen had entered the tier 4?cultivation method hall. Master Aura Su must have heard about this from other masters.
The outer disciples of Drizzle Peak?were surprised by what Master Aura Su had said. They looked at Zen with big round eyes. They had initially thought that Zen had stepped out last as he had spent too much time studying the books and making his choice. No one thought that he had entered the tier 4?cultivation method hall. They all knew that the deeper they went, the stronger their soul needed to be. How strong was Zen's soul? They were in awe of what Zen had accomplished.
Zen thought that Master Aura Su might ask him about what cultivation method he had chosen. Since the old man in white had presented him with Spiritual Thorn, Zen decided to tell Master Aura Su about the book. However, before he could say anything, she swung her right hand and said, “There is no need to tell others about what cultivation method you have chosen. You must learn to keep your secrets in Cloud Sect. Let's leave now. We should get back to Drizzle Peak before dark.”
The other people present did not ask Zen any more questions. Seeing that all disciples were here, Master Aura Su led them away from the Heavenly Library.
The walk took about four hours in Cloud Sect before a steep mountain appeared in front of them. This was Drizzle Peak, one of the thirty-three peaks.
On Drizzle Peak, neat rows of pavilions had been built. Seas of clouds and fog enshrouded the peak giving the impression that this was beautiful heaven.
After Master Aura Su took her disciples up to Drizzle Peak, she spoke to a few outer disciples briefly. Then she left in a hurry. It seemed that she had many other things to do.
One of the outer disciples stepped forward?and said?to Zen and the other disciples, “My name is Sean Zhou. I am here to welcome all of you to Drizzle Peak. I will take care of you all.”
After they bowed to each other, Sean Zhou informed them about all the procedures.
For example, changing disciple cards, picking up uniforms for outer disciples, arranging accommodation, and so on.
After Nory received the white robe of an outer disciple, he could not wait to try it on. He then said with pride, “Haha, I am an outer disciple of Cloud Sect now. This uniform looks awesome. It will be an honor to wear it and walk on the streets of the Imperial Capital. I would like to see if anyone dares to bully me then!”
Sean Zhou could not help laughing out, “This is only a white robe. If you practice hard and become an inner disciple, you will be more proud to have earned a black robe!”
Nory did not feel embarrassed. He replied with a smile, “Well. That is a long way off.”
“Nory, the inner disciples are ascended from the outer disciples, so why deny yourself?” Sean was an enthusiastic and optimistic person. He not only comforted?the?outer disciples but also?explained the rules to them without missing any detail.
“The rules of Cloud Sect are very complicated, but the most important one is strength!” Sean looked at the disciples before continuing, “The rules have been set to protect the weak. If you want to set the rules, you have to be either?strong or talented. These are the only two ways to get others to surrender to you!”
Sean's words struck Zen. He knew that this was true for not only Cloud Sect, but also in the Burning Sky Empire, and even the entire Eastern Region. Whoever had the most power was the boss. This was a universal principle.
If he was strong, why would he come to Cloud Sect? If he was strong, he could rescue?Yan from Hell Mountain with just a word. Unfortunately, he was weak.
Sorrow filled his eyes at the thought of his sister, Yan. She was the one person about whom he was most concerned. He erased the sadness from his eyes and said, “Sean, I want to ask you something.”
Sean maintained his warm smile, nodded and said, “Sure, what can I help you with?”
“Where is Perdition Mountain in Cloud Sect?” Zen asked cautiously.
Sean's eyebrows rose at the question. When he replied, his pitch was higher. “Hell Mountain? Why?you ask about that place?”
“Oh, no special reason. I am just?curious,” ?Zen replied.
“Hell Mountain is an independent mountain in the northwest corner of Cloud Sect. Anyone who has made a serious mistake or has broken the rules will be locked there. I certainly haven't been there. But I have heard that the environment in Hell Mountain is awful. Thousands of disciples have been locked there!” When Sean finished, he looked at Zen's face and asked again, “Do you have a friend who is locked in Hell Mountain?”
Zen did not answer this question. Instead, he asked, “Is there a way to enter Hell Mountain?”