You're my wife, don't doubt it!

That's fine, Xiao Yao thought. Otherwise, if this group of people were to sneak into the mirror, it would make quite a commotion.

In the empty corner, some abandoned items were scattered haphazardly, some already broken and dilapidated, while others were still relatively well-preserved. The most conspicuous item was a floor-to-ceiling mirror—this mirror was very tall and large, like a door, occupying most of the corner.

"Great, this thing hasn't been moved yet," Xiao Yao thought.

Otherwise I'd have to find another place to buy it and then carry it over.

Naturally, Xiao Yao was the first to enter the mirror.

Just like the last time I came here—the world in the mirror and the outside world seem to be no different, except that they are reversed.

The only two differences were the green filter covering the retina and the bustling crowds.

Just like last time, those constantly moving shadows were not aggressive, but rather carried numb and sorrowful expressions. They seemed to have seen Xiao Yao, but paid no attention to him, simply walked around him, and then lowered their heads and continued on their way.

Xiao Yao had an urge to grab one of them and ask, "Where are you going?"

Then, a long, slender leg encased in black pantyhose emerged from the mirror behind him.

Yu Luying held Yu Bo's hand, with Shen Jie following closely behind.

After they entered, the surging crowd of "shadows" instantly came to a standstill.

Imagine that the constant flow of people on the street suddenly comes to a complete stop.

Then, the shadows slowly surrounded the four of them, and low growls echoed from them one after another.

Xiao Yao drew his longsword, Yu Bo raised his hunting rifle, Shen Jie's right hand burst into flames, and Yu Luying closed her eyes and began to pray silently.

The four stood back to back, forming a circle. The atmosphere was tense, and a battle was about to break out.

Xiao Yao felt strange. Could it be that these shadows simply wouldn't attack him on their own?

What is so special about me?

Or will this defense mechanism be triggered when the number of "intruders" increases?

Before he could figure it out, a large foot encased in a white athletic sock emerged from the mirror.

Then, Shi Hui, holding the ribbonfish, finally entered this world.

The situation on the field has reversed once again.

Upon seeing Shi Hui and Dai Yu enter, all the shadows that were preparing to attack immediately froze.

Their eyes widened as if they had seen something terrifying.

Then they let out a sharp, terrified cry, as if they were deeply frightened.

The sound was not something a human could make. When they let out that terrified cry, the entire space seemed to be filled with their voice—a sound that was piercing and piercing, like being cut by a knife, making everyone shiver. Their voices were accompanied by sharp howls and sorrowful groans, as if they were experiencing some unspeakable pain.

Accompanied by these piercing howls, as if from the depths of hell, the shadows began to flee in panic, as if trying to get away from some terrifying presence as quickly as possible. Gone was their previous numbness and sorrow; without the slightest pause, they vanished in an instant, as if they had never existed.

In an instant, the entire street became deserted, leaving only Xiao Yao, Yu Luying, Yu Bo, Shen Jie, Shi Hui, and Daiyu facing this mysterious world.

“I…” Xiao Yao said.

"Damn," the ribbonfish replied.

"Ribbonfish, you're something else! You're a hidden talent." Xiao Yao started telling his signature dry joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? What happened?" The ribbonfish looked around in panic.

"Ah!" Two girls suddenly cried out in Xiao Yao's ear.

"What's wrong now?" Xiao Yao looked in the direction Shen Jie and Yu Luying were looking: "Oh!"

"Hey!" the ribbonfish belatedly exclaimed.

“No, please,” Yu Bo said, “This is Master Shi Hui.”

Xiao Yao thought to himself, isn't this obvious?

The image of Master Shihui in the eyes of the public has completely changed.

His face was already broad like that of a middle-aged man, but now it was even more chubby, with a square mouth, wide ears, and a ruddy complexion. The smile on his face pushed the fat upwards, squeezing his already small eyes into two slits.

His body had also become two or three times larger, and his shirt was completely misaligned, highlighting his smooth, round belly.

The monk held a long staff covered with dense Sanskrit inscriptions, and the top of the staff was wrapped in a large piece of cloth, the appearance of which was unknown.

Seeing his bare chest and exposed breasts, Xiao Yao immediately ruled out Marshal Tianpeng.

“You… look very peaceful and happy?” Xiao Yao stepped forward and poked Shi Hui’s protruding belly.

“Shi Hui is still Shi Hui, benefactor, there is no need to worry.” Shi Hui’s lips were slightly upturned, his eyes were slightly closed, and his voice sounded like a Buddhist chant.

"Okay, that's awesome." Xiao Yao gave a thumbs up.

"Amitabha Buddha." Shi Huili chanted the Buddha's name with one palm, having finished showing off.

“Old Hui,” Yu Bo began, “does your fortress still have this… deterrent function to repel evil spirits?”

“No, no,” Shi Hui shook his head and said, “It’s just a matter of level crushing, with a slightly higher realm.”

"Level advantage over everyone? Do they really think this is a game?" Xiao Yao thought.

"How do I check the level?" Xiao Yao asked.

"The so-called levels," Shi Hui explained with a smile, "are my own artificial summarization of the range of spiritual energy intensity of the fortress. I prefer to call them 'realms,' and I only use 'levels' to make it easier for you internet addicts to understand."

You're the one who's addicted to the internet.

"So, can we see our level?" Xiao Yao asked Shi Hui, "What level are we at now?"

“Alright,” Shi Hui nodded and said, “If you become my disciple, I will impart to you the mental method of ‘observing qi’.”

Xiao Yao was itching to act, but Yu Bo protested, "Old Hui, are you trying to steal a sheep right in front of us?"

Shi Hui patted his belly and laughed, "Alright, you should stick with your brother Bo."

Xiao Yao: "Oh..."

Shi Hui: "The shadows on the ground here are basically at the first level, while you... are probably only at the third level. With the 'Power of Unity' you possess, you already have a spiritual power that can rival the seventh level."

"The power of unity," Xiao Yao repeated the phrase, "Does that mean the more friends I have, the more capable I am personally?"

“You could say that,” Yu Bo continued, “Increasing the quantity and depth of bond power is the third way to enhance your strength—it seems like a special talent belonging to a team leader.”

Xiao Yao was a little smug: "Does the bond with an ordinary person who doesn't know about the Shadow World count?"

“That’s for you to discover for yourself.” Shi Hui turned to Shen Jie: “This female benefactor, in my opinion, has already reached the fourth level.”

“Soga,” Shen Jie said.

“Father Yu,” Shi Hui looked at Yu Luying again and frowned, “Your niece is no ordinary person.”

"Huh? What's wrong?" Yu Luying asked nervously, "I don't have a fortress yet, do I?"

“You…” Shi Hui stared intently at Yu Luying: “If I am not mistaken, you have already reached the sixth level of the realm through your own strength.”

“Ah…” Yu Luying said.

“But your fortress has always been hidden under some kind of…wrap and cover, and it needs a suitable time to be revealed. To use an inappropriate analogy,” Shi Hui thought for a moment, then changed his words, “Never mind, I won’t fight it, I am a monk.”

Yu Luying: "Monks don't lie."

Shi Hui replied slowly, "Only when the six senses are purified can rice be grown; retreating is actually moving forward."

Yu Bo said to Yu Luying, "Buddhism emphasizes enlightenment and karmic connections. If he doesn't explain, don't keep asking. Let's go."

Shen Jie was already impatient and eager to try: "Master Shi Hui, where can we find monsters of a higher level to fight?"

“Theoretically, the deeper you go underground, the stronger the power of the shadows becomes,” Shi Hui raised his head and looked at the subway station entrance not far away: “Those downward passages lead to the hidden depths of people’s hearts.”

……

About two or three hours later, Xiao Yao and Shen Jie returned home, exhausted.

"Ugh, I'm exhausted," Xiao Yao kicked his shoes off. "What level is this old monk? He's terrifying!"

"It's basically a high-level account carrying a low-level account to gain experience." Shen Jie, with her sock-covered feet bent, jogged towards Xiao Yao's bedroom.

"If I had met him earlier, he could have easily conquered the halls of fame of Teacher Yao and Teacher Song with one hand?" Xiao Yao watched as Shen Jie dragged the red plastic bathtub out from under his bed.

"I admire that you still have the energy to take a shower."

"You're all sweaty, how can you go to sleep without taking a shower?" Shen Jie glared at her and said, "You need to shower too."

"Okay, okay, I'll wash you," Xiao Yao replied.

"Why don't you go outside and wait a bit? Tianyun should be asleep by now, and I don't want to disturb her. Can I borrow your room?" Shen Jie pointed towards the door.

"Let me rub your back," Xiao Yao blurted out. "You're leaving tomorrow, and I want to talk to you."

“…Okay.” Shen Jie tilted her head, thought for three seconds, and agreed.

Chapter 174 Please save your first time for me

2023-04-27

The night before Shen Jie left, Xiao Yao rubbed her back in his bedroom, which also served as his living room and dining room. The scene can be described simply as follows.

The curtains were drawn tightly, and the girl sat in the red plastic bathtub, unable to lie down, so she had to curl up her legs—luckily, she wasn't very tall, so it wasn't too uncomfortable. If it were Yu Luying… well, I can't think about it anymore, Xiao Yao shook his head.

Xiao Yao filled the bathtub to the brim with water, causing a lot of water to splash onto the floor on both sides of the tub, making it wet.