"Amitabha! Benefactor Jiang, it has been a long time since we parted at Leifeng Pagoda. You remain as impressive as ever!"
Within the Shaolin sanctuary, a Buddhist chant suddenly rang out. A group of Shaolin eminent monks in kasayas then emerged from among the novice monks, prompting the surrounding monks to bow in salute. At their head was a plump, big-eared man with a beaming smile, looking every bit like Maitreya Buddha. It was none other than Hui En, an eminent monk of Shaolin's Hui generation.
Beside Hui En stood Hui Qi, whose scalp bore nine ring-shaped ordination scars, and Hui Yun, who had a gentle bearing and a youthful, fair face. Shaolin Abbot was following closely behind the three of them.
"Benefactor Jiang, Living Buddha Ying Yuan, please come down so we may speak!"
Hui Qi smiled and made an inviting gesture with a sweep of his wide sleeve.
The monks immediately began to withdraw, clearing the area before the mountain gate.
"It seems these monks had already anticipated why we came."
Jiang Dali smiled faintly at Ying Yuan, stamped his foot, and the Demon Dragon let out a roar before dragging the Fire Qilin into a downward dive.
Over this period, the Demon Dragon had gradually digested much of the energy within the two bulges along its spine. Its strength had clearly improved further, and its power had grown greater. Even after dragging the Fire Qilin and carrying everyone through the skies for two hours, it no longer became as exhausted as it once had. Now, full of vigor, it swooped down fiercely, whipping up a savage gale before smashing the iron cage carrying the Fire Qilin onto the ground with a loud clang.
Jiang Dali and Ying Yuan leaped down together and landed before the Shaolin monks.