Chapter 28 of 100
Chapter 28
10 min read2,436 words
Xiao Qi sized him up and said coolly, "You've practiced the Vajra Tribulation Transcending Divine Skill, haven't you?"
Chu Li nodded, "I tried it out."
"How's it going?"
"Pretty good."
Chu Li had practiced for ten days, and the Vajra Tribulation Transcending Divine Skill was indeed powerful. It formed a peculiar true qi that did not flow through the meridians but accumulated within the muscles, tendons, and bones. When he practiced the Vajra Tribulation Transcending Divine Skill, the qi within his muscles flowed, forming an invisible yet tangible membrane, incredibly tough.
The Vajra Tribulation Transcending Divine Skill has six levels: skin, flesh, tendons, meridians, bones, and marrow.
He had achieved a minor success at the first level, with a layer of qi membrane covering his skin, as tough as crocodile skin, able to deflect attacks, and ordinary blades could not penetrate it.
"Did you experience any backlash?" Xiao Qi stared at him intently.
Chu Li replied, "There are some issues."
After practicing the Vajra Tribulation Transcending Divine Skill, he often felt a surging restlessness, making everything seem unpleasant, with a desire to destroy everything, and killing felt the most satisfying.
Fortunately, his Buddhist practice was profound, and whenever the urge to kill arose, he would silently recite Buddhist scriptures to suppress it. If he couldn't control it, he would activate the Great Mirror Wisdom, which was pure and uncontaminated, directly neutralizing the murderous intent.
If he didn't have the Great Mirror Wisdom, he wouldn't dare to continue practicing. Without it, he would definitely become a killing demon.
He vaguely felt that the transformation of the Muhuizhai chieftain was likely due to the reckless practice of the Vajra Tribulation Transcending Divine Skill.
"If it's really problematic, don't practice it anymore!"
"I'll be careful, and if it really doesn't work, I'll stop."
"You know your limits!" Xiao Qi warned, giving him a stern look.
Chu Li nodded quickly.
"Let's go!" Su Ru waved her hand.
The two of them floated away, leaving a faint fragrance behind.
Chu Li sighed in relief, watching their graceful and charming backs, feeling a sense of melancholy. How unfortunate life would be if such beauties didn't belong to him!
The next morning, after getting up, he was about to start practicing the Illusion-Breaking Sword Technique. Li Yue was already practicing his boxing, making the small courtyard quite lively.
Suddenly, the sound of a jade chime drifted over.
Li Yue stopped his boxing, "I'll go check."
Chu Li's sword movements were continuous, nodding and continuing to swing his sword softly.
Li Yue ran out quickly and soon came back laughing, "Brother, come see who's here!"
Chu Li, with his Great Mirror Wisdom, had already seen Zhao Ying, her lake-green silk robe fluttering, her figure graceful, her face like white jade, charming and captivating.
She gracefully stepped into the courtyard, smiling, "Senior Brother Chu."
"Junior Sister," Chu Li's sword movements didn't stop, smiling, "Come, let's spar!"
"Sure!" Zhao Ying drew her sword, lightly leaping close to him, thrusting her sword with elegance and grace, like a swift swallow skimming the lake.
Li Yue watched in admiration, his eyes wide open, not blinking.
Chu Li's sword movements were still slow, pointing left and right, while Zhao Ying kept changing her moves. Her elegant and graceful sword technique became fragmented. After about twenty moves, she retreated, glaring at him, "Senior Brother, you're being too much!"
Chu Li sheathed his sword, shaking his head, "Your sword technique hasn't improved much."
"I've been practicing all along." Zhao Ying returned her sword to its scabbard, smiling, "Senior Brother, I'm already a Seventh Rank Guard!"
"Didn't you try to break through to Sixth Rank?"
"I'll wait until I reach the innate stage to break through to Sixth Rank, for better chances."
"Right, that makes sense."
"Seventh Rank Guard?" Li Yue asked in surprise.
Zhao Ying turned and smiled, "Senior Brother Li, doesn't it seem fitting?"
"Wow, Zuo Feiyang is only Seventh Rank!" Li Yue exclaimed, "Another genius! You two entered the mansion together, right?"
"Yes." Zhao Ying nodded, "I'm in the same batch as Senior Brother Chu and Senior Brother Zuo."
"Seventh Rank." Li Yue shook his head, feeling a myriad of emotions, "You're really not letting others live!"
Zhao Ying smiled, "If Senior Brother Chu were to try, he could definitely break through to Sixth Rank."
"He—?" Li Yue glanced at Chu Li, chuckling, "His sword technique is very powerful, but he's afraid of hidden weapons, a pity!"
Chu Li said, "Let's go, to the garden to admire the flowers."
"Sure!" Zhao Ying clapped her hands.
Li Yue quickly said, "Junior Sister Zhao, have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet."
"Perfect, let's go together, what do you want to eat?"
"I don't mind, I'll eat whatever you do."
"It's on me!"
Chu Li and Zhao Ying left the courtyard, leisurely strolling along the island's flower beds.
"Senior Brother, does Miss know about the Muhuizhai incident?"
"Yes, the steward will help."
"That's good..." Zhao Ying sighed in relief, shaking her head, "I heard that opening a tavern is very difficult. You need to build a tall building first. There are four taverns in the city, three belong to the governor's mansion, and one has a connection to the heavens. Competing with them... it's very hard!"
Chu Li nodded.
Zhao Ying said, "Building a tall building takes at least a year and is very costly. Once the building is complete, you need a good chef. All the good chefs in Chongming City are already employed. You can't just take them from the mansion, right?"
"The steward will invite chefs from the capital. As for building the tavern, we'll take it slow. Initially, we plan to rent a shop and open a small tavern to get some practice."
"That's great!"
The two walked shoulder to shoulder, occasionally bumping into each other.
Chu Li said, "Junior Sister, you're almost at the peak of the innate stage, right?"
"Yes, in about half a month." Zhao Ying said, "Senior Brother, I found that practicing in the mansion is not as fast as in the valley."
"The valley is quiet and the environment is better."
"Unfortunately, I can't go back to practice. If I could go there for a retreat, it would be best."
"Better not to go."
"Right, I want to go back to Muhuizhai to check if anyone has found them. They have no means to protect themselves, and I can't feel at ease."
"Let's go in a few days."
Zhao Ying smiled, "Then it's settled. I'll go into retreat to practice, and once I reach the peak of the innate stage, we'll set off!"
Chu Li nodded with a smile.
The two walked around the island, and Zhao Ying was amazed, marveling at the beauty of each flower, finding it hard to resist.
In the distance, Li Yue's loud shout came, "Time to eat—!"
The two returned to the courtyard, where the stone table was already set with a variety of dishes, the aroma filling the air. Zhao Ying smiled and thanked them, while Li Yue puffed out his chest, proud and boasting about the dozen dishes.
They sat down to eat, and just as they were enjoying their meal, the sound of the jade chime rang out. Li Yue put down his chopsticks, sighing, "I'll go check!"
Chu Li frowned, it was Zuo Feiyang!
Li Yue quickly returned with Zuo Feiyang to the courtyard.
Zuo Feiyang, in his azure silk robe, with a face like a jade crown and eyes like bright stars, immediately turned grim upon entering, angrily looking at Zhao Ying and then at Chu Li, sneering. The two of them sitting together for a meal looked like a married couple!
"Senior Brother Zuo." Zhao Ying quickly stood up, "Why are you here?"
"Is this a bad time?" Zuo Feiyang said coldly, "I'm sorry to disturb you!"
Chu Li put down his bowl, "Zuo Feiyang, what a rare guest!"
Zuo Feiyang waved his hand, "I wouldn't come to your doghouse if it weren't for Junior Sister Zhao!"
"You're not welcome here!" Chu Li said coldly, "Please leave!"
"Junior Sister Zhao, why are you eating with this guy?" Zuo Feiyang, without looking at Chu Li, turned to Zhao Ying, "It's best to stay away from him. Let's go!"
"Senior Brother Zuo!" Zhao Ying frowned, displeased, "Don't be like this!"
Zuo Feiyang said, "Perfect, I haven't had breakfast either. Let's go to Baiyun Tower!"
"I'm almost full." Zhao Ying said, "Why don't you try it? Senior Brother Li's cooking is excellent!"
"He can only cook, always hanging around the kitchen, doing women's work!" Zuo Feiyang sneered, glancing at Li Yue, "A useless waste!"
Li Yue clenched his teeth and fists, but ultimately didn't strike, knowing he had no chance against such a genius.
"Brother Li, don't listen to his barking!" Chu Li patted Li Yue's shoulder, turning to sneer, "Zuo Feiyang, you're really over the top, coming to our territory and acting so recklessly!"
"Senior Brother!" Zhao Ying waved her hand, "Let it go, I'll leave first."
"Alright, I won't keep you." Chu Li looked at her deeply, shaking his head.
Zhao Ying knew Chu Li's martial arts. If he really turned against Zuo Feiyang, he could cripple him, and Zuo Feiyang would have no grounds to complain, given that this was the East Garden, and unauthorized entry was a serious offense, punishable by death.
Although Zuo Feiyang's behavior was excessive, she would feel guilty if he were crippled.
Zuo Feiyang sneered, "What can you do to me!"
Chu Li chuckled.
Zhao Ying quickly pulled Zuo Feiyang, "Senior Brother Zuo, let's go quickly!"
Zuo Feiyang tried to break free but found he couldn't, and was dragged out of the courtyard, soon reaching the shore where Bai Zhijie was waiting on the boat.
Seeing them, Bai Zhijie sighed in relief, quickly bringing the boat closer to pick them up.
Zuo Feiyang stood at the bow, surprised, looking Zhao Ying up and down, "Junior Sister Zhao, when did your inner strength become so powerful, even surpassing mine!"
Zhao Ying smiled, "Not really."
"Junior Sister Zhao, you've changed since the mission!" Zuo Feiyang shook his head, sighing.
Zhao Ying smiled awkwardly, not responding.
Zuo Feiyang asked sincerely, "Junior Sister, did I do something wrong to upset you?"
"No." Zhao Ying shook her head.
"Then why?" Zuo Feiyang stared at her charming face, "Why are you so cold?"
"Senior Brother Zuo, I've always been like this, you're overthinking it." Zhao Ying shook her head, avoiding his gaze.
Zuo Feiyang stared at her, "Junior Sister Zhao, who did you go on the mission with?"
"Top-secret mission, can't say, Senior Brother Zuo, you know the rules." Zhao Ying shook her head.
Zuo Feiyang frowned, "You've fallen for someone else, haven't you?"
"Senior Brother Zuo, what are you talking about!" Zhao Ying waved her hand, displeased, "I haven't fallen for anyone!... And, Senior Brother Zuo, don't misunderstand, we're just friends, not that kind of relationship!"
"You... you..." Zuo Feiyang's handsome face turned red, anger rising.
Zhao Ying sighed, "We're classmates, so we're closer, but it's not what you think, Senior Brother Zuo, don't misunderstand!"
"You've fallen for someone else!" Zuo Feiyang said coldly.
Zhao Ying sighed, shaking her head, unable to reason with him, and looked away.
Zuo Feiyang frowned, thinking about investigating who she went on the mission with. Since it was a top-secret mission, he would have to find out through other means, such as who else was out during that time, and use the process of elimination to find some clues!
"Alright, why did you go to that waste of space?" Zuo Feiyang took a deep breath, sneering, "He's full of tricks, Junior Sister, you're too naive, don't let him fool you!"
"Senior Brother Zuo, Senior Brother Chu isn't that bad."
"Who isn't bad?" Zuo Feiyang sneered, "But it doesn't matter, he's just a waste, not worth paying attention to!"
Zhao Ying used to think that his insults of Chu Li were just unpleasant, but now they felt like a sharp pain, wishing she could cover his mouth.
"Senior Brother Zuo, Senior Brother Chu isn't that weak."
"He's just a bit better at sword techniques, but that doesn't change his nature as a waste. Once I reach the innate stage, I'll beat him to the ground and cripple him!"
"Senior Brother Chu is now a Sixth Rank Guard!" Zhao Ying said, her voice tinged with a hint of satisfaction.
"Sixth Rank?" Zuo Feiyang was stunned, his face suddenly changing, "He's Sixth Rank?"
"You can check."
"Impossible!" Zuo Feiyang frowned, shaking his head, "How could that be..."
Sixth Rank was a significant barrier, especially for a guard. Chu Li, being so young, how could he possibly be a Sixth Rank Guard!
"Senior Brother Chu, do you remember the bet?" Zhao Ying felt a strange sense of satisfaction, smiling, "Sixth Rank, and now you're Seventh Rank!"
"I'll go and break through to Sixth Rank!" Zuo Feiyang sneered.
Zhao Ying shook her head, "Without reaching the innate stage, there's no hope for Sixth Rank."
"I can do it!" Zuo Feiyang said with determination.
Zhao Ying smiled but didn't say anything.
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