Chapter 27

She, of course, knew Chu Li's background. He grew up at Qiuye Temple, practicing Buddhism from a young age, and his mastery of Buddhism was the best in the temple.

Although Dulei Temple's Buddhist teachings were profound, far surpassing those of ordinary temples, someone like Chu Li, who had been immersed in Buddhism since childhood and had exceptional insight, might not be inferior to the disciples of Dulei Temple.

Xiao Qi pondered and said, "Dulei Temple's martial arts rely on the cultivation of Buddhism. The deeper one's Buddhist teachings, the faster and safer the cultivation. However, Dulei Temple's martial arts are indeed dangerous. Once you feel you can't control your murderous intent, stop immediately!"

Chu Li nodded and smiled, "I will be careful. I want to try practicing it first!"

"Not so fast," Xiao Qi waved her jade hand and said calmly, "The Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill is very difficult to cultivate. Without the foundation of Dulei Temple's martial arts, your progress will be very slow."

Chu Li raised an eyebrow.

Su Ru smiled, "If you can master it, it will be very powerful!"

Xiao Qi glanced at her.

Su Ru hurriedly smiled, "Of course, it will also be very troublesome. If Dulei Temple finds out, they will definitely cause trouble!"

"Will they cripple my martial arts?"

"Of course!"

"Isn't that too domineering?"

"They are that domineering. Who dares to oppose them? The other three major sects can't even match them!"

"… I understand." Chu Li slowly nodded, "I will be careful. Does the mansion have any plans to deal with them?"

"It's not worth the effort!" Su Ru waved her jade hand, "They are not in our territory, let the Duke of Zhongguo Mansion deal with it!"

Chu Li frowned, "Can the Duke of Zhongguo Mansion handle it?"

He didn't quite believe it. The Duke of Zhongguo Mansion was definitely at a disadvantage compared to Dulei Temple. Otherwise, Dulei Temple would have been destroyed long ago. Even if the Duke of Zhongguo Mansion were stronger, they couldn't handle it.

"They are restraining each other." Su Ru looked at Xiao Qi, "After all, Dulei Temple doesn't dare to truly turn against the Duke of Zhongguo Mansion, and there is the imperial court as well!"

No matter how strong Dulei Temple is, they can't completely turn against the imperial court. Otherwise, one temple against a country, even if they win, it would be a Pyrrhic victory. The other three major sects would not miss the opportunity to kick them while they are down.

"Miss, does our mansion have any Dulei Temple martial arts?"

"Chu Li, have you thought it through? Do you really want to practice it?" Xiao Qi asked.

Chu Li slowly nodded, "I want to experience the subtleties of Dulei Temple's martial arts."

"… Alright." Xiao Qi lightly nodded, "Follow me!"

The three boarded a small boat and drifted to Yuxi Island.

Yuxi Island was brightly lit, like daylight. Under the lights, the carved and painted pavilions looked like celestial palaces.

The three arrived at the Star Observing Pavilion. Xiao Qi personally opened a cabinet, took out a square box, and handed a golden book to Chu Li, "This is the basic cultivation method of Dulei Temple."

Chu Li took it. The material was neither paper nor silk, with a strange texture. It read "Great Sun Tathagata Subduing Demon Sutra" in large characters.

Chu Li frowned, flipped through it, and found it was a Buddhist scripture.

"This is the entry-level cultivation method of Dulei Temple, as well as the temple's core method to subdue all mental demons." Xiao Qi shook her head, "As long as you can touch the first level, you can cultivate Dulei Temple's martial arts. Disciples who haven't entered the temple cannot cultivate martial arts."

"Like this…" Chu Li flipped through it and directly imprinted it into the Great Round Mirror Wisdom, analyzing it through the Great Round Mirror Wisdom.

The power of Buddhist scriptures is unpredictable. Some contain profound meanings, understanding which can elevate one's mental state. Some are like mantras, reciting which can connect with bodhisattvas and arhats from the heavens, gaining their blessings. Some require visualization and cultivation, tapping into one's inner treasures.

"It's useless." Xiao Qi continued, "It is said that the cultivation of the Great Sun Tathagata Subduing Demon Sutra requires empowerment, not to be heard by six ears. Therefore, they are fearless, not afraid of their skills being leaked. Whoever practices it will die!"

Chu Li slowly nodded.

Empowerment cannot be learned secretly. Not everyone can be empowered, and those with insufficient cultivation are powerless.

There are probably not many in Dulei Temple who can perform empowerment, and they certainly won't leave the temple. Therefore, outsiders can't touch the subtleties of Dulei Temple's martial arts.

"Miss, are you trying to make me give up?" Chu Li returned the book.

Xiao Qi said, "I know you are smart, often wanting to break the rules and do what others cannot."

Chu Li smiled.

Xiao Qi said, "But this matter must be taken seriously. The Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill is not easy to practice!"

"Alright, I'll try. If it doesn't work, I'll give up." Chu Li said.

Xiao Qi nodded, "That's best."

She did this to persuade Chu Li and dispel his desire to win. Otherwise, if he really set his mind on mastering the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill, it could ruin him.

Smart people are extremely confident. No matter what, Chu Li wouldn't listen. Only by making him personally experience despair would he give up.

Showing him the Great Sun Subduing Demon Sutra was to plant a seed in his mind—without the Great Sun Subduing Demon Sutra, he couldn't master the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill. Practicing it would be a mere attempt, not to be forced, to eliminate his desire to win and avoid danger.

"Xiao Ru." Xiao Qi said.

"Yes." Su Ru understood and came to the cabinet, taking out a small jade bottle, about the size of a thumb, white and crystal clear.

She handed the jade bottle to Chu Li, "Chu Li, this is a seed of the Purple Nether Flower. See if you can grow it."

"Purple Nether Flower?" Chu Li searched his mind and quickly found it, surprised, "Really grow it?"

"Yes, for my cultivation." Xiao Qi said.

Chu Li frowned and looked at her.

Xiao Qi said, "Don't worry, I know its dangers!"

Chu Li slowly nodded. The Purple Nether Flower was extraordinarily beautiful but could induce hallucinations. Touching its sap could lead to suicidal tendencies. Many people didn't recognize it, only seeing its beauty, and planted it in their gardens, ultimately dying under its flowers.

Su Ru glared at him and huffed, "You're so talkative. Miss needs it for medicine, for cultivation. Can you grow it or not?"

Chu Li smiled, "I'll try."

"Try?!" Su Ru said irritably, "This flower is very important!"

Chu Li glanced at Xiao Qi and smiled, "Yes, I will definitely grow it!"

"That's better!" Su Ru huffed.

Xiao Qi said, "My cultivation method is different from ordinary methods. I need this flower to temper my mind."

Chu Li nodded, "Yes, Miss, I will grow it as soon as possible."

"Um," Xiao Qi lightly nodded, "You don't need to worry about the Tiger Gang. I will handle it."

"Thank you, Miss!" Chu Li bowed and tactfully took his leave.

---

The evening lake breeze was particularly humid, gently lifting the corners of Su Ru's clothes.

She stood by the shore, quietly looking at the vast lake, "Chu Li, the matter of the Purple Nether Flower must be kept secret, and it must be grown as soon as possible!"

Chu Li nodded, "Miss needs it so much?"

"It is key to her cultivation." Su Ru turned to look at him, her eyes like water, "If she has the Purple Nether Flower, her cultivation can advance further, and she can feel better."

"I will do my best." Chu Li nodded.

Su Ru tilted her head and looked at him, "Aren't you curious about what cultivation method Miss is practicing?"

Chu Li shook his head, "I'm not that curious."

"You're sensible!" Su Ru smiled, "Miss's martial arts were passed down from Lady, who came from Qinglu Cliff."

"Um—?" Chu Li was surprised.

He really didn't know this secret. Qinglu Cliff! Qinglu Cliff is one of the four major sects, a super sect that has existed for thousands of years, with a depth of heritage unimaginable. He didn't expect Miss's mother to come from Qinglu Cliff!

"Lady passed away early, leaving only a sword manual for Miss, not Qinglu Cliff's martial arts." Su Ru shook her head, "I wonder what Lady was thinking, she could have passed down Qinglu Cliff's martial arts to Miss."

"Perhaps there are rules." Chu Li said.

Su Ru glared at him and huffed, "This sword manual was obtained by Lady through a fortuitous encounter, no one has practiced it before, and there is no precedent. Miss has to explore it alone, making progress slow, but because it was passed down by Lady, she can't help but practice it."

"Miss has already reached the innate realm, her progress is not slow." Chu Li said.

Su Ru huffed, "If not for this sword manual, with Miss's exceptional talent, she would probably already be a Heaven-Transcending expert!"

Chu Li smiled.

Su Ru glared at him and huffed, "What, don't you believe it?"

"Believe."

"Insincere!" Su Ru huffed, "Miss has a photographic memory, she can master any martial art with ease. If not for this sword manual…, well, never mind!"

Chu Li raised an eyebrow and nodded.

He had used the Great Round Mirror Wisdom on Xiao Qi, with powerful mental strength. Su Ru's words were not exaggerated. One of the keys to reaching the Heaven-Transcending realm is mental strength. Only with sufficient mental strength can one qualify to challenge the Heaven-Transcending realm.

Xiao Qi's cultivation method is very unique, with the benefit of mind-reading, similar to the Buddhist ability of he Xin Tong. Clearly, this sword manual is not ordinary. Lady must have seen its benefits and had Miss practice it.

Other martial arts, even if practiced to the divine realm, cannot achieve he Xin Tong. A woman who can see through people's hearts has countless benefits, more useful than simply reaching the peak of martial arts. No wonder Lady made this choice.

Chu Li also knew that the Purple Nether Flower, though powerful, has its benefits, enhancing mental strength.

He thought it was lost, but didn't expect to see it again!

"Are you really going to build a tavern?"

"Um."

"I'll hire two chefs first, then set up a shop, and try it out. If it works, we can build the tavern later."

"Thank you, Chief Steward."

"The money for the shop will be your reward."

"I have money."

"You keep your money for yourself. It's settled!"

"Then I'll trouble you, Chief Steward."

"Anyway, it won't cost Miss any money, rest assured." Su Ru smiled and patted his shoulder. Immortal Mushrooms are not cheap, and the army has plenty of money. This time, not only will they not lose money, but they will make a large profit.

---

After Chu Li returned to the East Garden, he didn't rest but immediately started growing the Purple Nether Flower.

The Purple Nether Flower seeds are hard to find, and growing them is not easy. He understood that the most important thing was to keep it secret, so he set up a separate flower bed in an inconspicuous place where outsiders wouldn't come.

The Purple Nether Flower grows slowly, but Chu Li transferred the spiritual energy of other flowers to help it grow, speeding up the process. In just ten days, the flower bloomed.

The tender yellow flowers were bright and dazzling, pure and flawless, making one want to hold them in their hands.

That night, Xiao Qi and Su Ru came personally.

Li Yue had already gone to bed, and Chu Li had been taking care of the Moonlight Orchid and the Dream Flower in the Moonlight Orchid Garden for ten days. Li Yue was not surprised and could sleep soundly knowing Chu Li was there.

Xiao Qi and Su Ru came silently.

Xiao Qi wore a white robe, and Su Ru still wore a yellow silk dress. The three stood side by side in front of the Purple Nether Flower, looking at the five bright yellow flowers. Who would have thought such a bright and charming flower would be called the Purple Nether Flower?

"Miss, how is it?" Chu Li turned and asked.

Xiao Qi lightly nodded, "It is the Purple Nether Flower! … How did you do it?"

Chu Li smiled but said nothing.

Su Ru glared at him and huffed, "So mysterious! … Wasn't it discovered by anyone?"

"Of course not!" Chu Li nodded.

Su Ru huffed, "You're smart! … Miss, should we harvest it?"

"Um." Xiao Qi lightly nodded.

She was calm and composed, as if nothing in the world could upset her, always as calm as a well, composed and collected.

Chu Li knew this was both her nature and the result of the sword manual. This sword manual must suppress emotions and maintain calm.

Su Ru put the five yellow flowers in a jade box and looked at Chu Li, "Don't let it bloom for now. Wait and see if Miss needs it."

Chu Li nodded.

Xiao Qi said, "Chu Li, think about the spirit field."

Chu Li hurriedly said, "Miss, I've thought about it. The spirit field should be built on Yuxi Island."

Xiao Qi's clear eyes looked at him calmly.

"Building it here is too conspicuous, and the protection is insufficient."

A spirit field is a huge piece of fat, irresistible to anyone. Without sufficient protection, someone will take the risk. Then the East Garden will become a dangerous place. He would be fine, but Li Yue would be in danger.

Xiao Qi pondered for a moment and lightly nodded, "Um, that's fine."

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