Chapter 38

The two left the observatory, and Chu Li saw Su Ru looking unhappy. He smiled and said, "Chief Steward, as long as I stay in the mansion, they can't do anything to me!"

"You can't stay in the mansion for the rest of your life, can you?" Su Ru huffed. "Even though you are a guard."

"After a while, the fuss will die down. Dali Temple is very busy and won't keep waiting to kill me."

"You're wrong about that!" Su Ru frowned deeply. "These monks have stone-hard heads. Once they set their minds on something, they won't stop until they achieve it. No one they target has ever been left unscathed. You mustn't be careless and absolutely mustn't leave the mansion!"

"Is it safe in the city?"

"It should be fine in the city." Su Ru hesitated. "They do have some reservations and generally don't cause trouble in the city, but it's best to stay in the mansion."

"That's good..." Chu Li smiled.

Su Ru sighed, "You... really know how to stir up trouble. Getting on the bad side of Dali Temple is a real headache!"

Chu Li shrugged, "Can't help it. When I see injustice, I just have to do something about it. If I didn't take down the Tiger Gang, I wouldn't be able to live with myself!"

"Let's go." Su Ru didn't know what to say. He was indeed doing good, but good people often don't get good returns. The world is just that unfair.

The two walked through a dense forest, and the trees shaded a small courtyard.

There were twelve small courtyards in total, each spaced apart, quiet, and undisturbed, providing ample private space. The design was unique and thoughtful.

Su Ru led him to the middle courtyard.

"This is the guest residence for the young miss," Su Ru pointed to the row of courtyards. "It was originally used to host friends, but it has been rarely used in recent years. It's very quiet, and no one comes here."

Chu Li looked around, "It's very nice."

This small courtyard was located in the center of the forest, extremely secluded, and surrounded by quietness. He loved such places, where the spiritual energy was abundant and the air was fresh.

"Let's see how this one is." Su Ru opened the courtyard gate. On the west side was a bamboo grove, and next to it was a small pavilion. On the east side was a flower garden with a pond of fish. Sitting in the pavilion, one could enjoy the bamboo, flowers, and fish, a serene and elegant setting.

The two stepped into the courtyard, and Chu Li looked around, nodding in satisfaction.

"You can stay here. You can live in both the East Garden and here... How about building the spirit field in this forest?"

"Let's build it in this courtyard."

"Isn't the space a bit small?"

Chu Li said, "At the beginning, it doesn't need to be too large. I need to try and explore gradually."

He had no practical experience, only theory, and needed to explore step by step. If he spread out too much, a mistake could lead to significant losses.

"Alright, I'll bring the spirit soil over tonight. Let's start!" Su Ru looked excited. "Your Purple Nether Flower was excellent. The young miss's powers have improved greatly, and you have contributed a lot!"

Chu Li smiled.

"But don't get too proud. The young miss needs many rare herbs for her practice, and you might not be able to provide them all." Su Ru smiled. "When that happens, you won't be so confident!"

Chu Li laughed, "I understand, I understand."

"Clap, clap!" Su Ru clapped her fair hands.

A plump and well-endowed young girl appeared at the courtyard gate, with an explosive figure.

She wore a snow-white silk robe, was exceptionally beautiful, and had a dignified air, like a noble lady. Her elegant manners hinted at a touch of pride.

Chu Li turned to look at Su Ru.

"This is Xue Ling, your assigned maid." Su Ru smiled. "If you need anything, just tell her to do it."

"Meet you, young master!" Xue Ling stepped forward to greet him.

"Is this... really necessary?" Chu Li hesitated.

Su Ru laughed lightly, "You can't do everything yourself, can you? Xue Ling is reliable and knows everything about the island!"

Chu Li glanced at Xue Ling, activating the Great Round Mirror Wisdom.

She was proud and haughty, outwardly respectful but inwardly disdainful, not taking him seriously at all. Such a maid would not be easy to use.

"What, don't you like her?" Su Ru smiled. "Xue Ling is the most beautiful on the island. Do you find her unattractive?"

Chu Li looked at Xue Ling and smiled, "Isn't it a waste of talent?"

"You are a Sixth Rank, and she is an Eighth Rank. It's not a waste... Alright, you handle it yourself. I'll come back tonight!" Su Ru waved her hand and paused before turning. "By the way, Xue Ling also knows martial arts and isn't so delicate. You mustn't bully her!"

"I wouldn't dare!" Chu Li laughed.

Su Ru laughed lightly, her silk robe fluttering as she left gracefully.

Chu Li looked at Xue Ling, who lowered her eyes, her fair and delicate face tense, standing still like a statue, allowing him to stare at her freely.

Chu Li coughed lightly, "Don't be so serious."

He stepped into the pavilion and sat down at the stone table.

Xue Ling entered gracefully, extending her delicate hands to start the work. She added water to the red clay stove and lit the fire, her movements skilled and elegant, a pleasure to watch.

Chu Li watched her, speaking gently, "I am very picky, have many quirks, and many requirements. I hope you can handle it and not complain to the Chief Steward!"

"Please rest assured, young master. I will fulfill my duties as a maid." Xue Ling said coolly.

Chu Li smiled, "Good, my only requirement is that you fulfill your duties!"

"I will do my best within my duties!" Xue Ling replied coldly.

The maids of the Duke's Mansion were also guards, belonging to the Duke's Mansion, not privately owned. Chu Li couldn't do as he pleased.

Chu Li sighed, having such a beautiful maid by his side wasn't as comfortable as he thought. The power of beauty was无形, making him feel constrained and unable to act freely. A male guard would have been better.

Unfortunately, on Yuxi Island, all the men were guards, not maids.

The red clay stove gurgled, steam rising.

Xue Ling took out a white jade teacup, elegantly brewed a cup of tea, and presented it with both hands, her expression cold and her movements respectful, impeccable.

Chu Li took the teacup and sipped lightly. The tea was fragrant, cleansing his organs. The tea was excellent, and the brewing skills were superb, clearly the result of strict training.

As he drank the tea and enjoyed the rustling bamboo, his thoughts gradually drifted away.

How should he deal with Dali Temple's pursuit? Although Dali Temple generally doesn't cause trouble in the city, it's not guaranteed they won't.

It was as if a sword hung over his head, ready to fall at any moment.

The only way out was to break through to the Heaven Beyond Heaven realm.

To reach Heaven Beyond Heaven, one needed to achieve the realm of intention. He could only gain the opportunity to train in the sect by making contributions.

But the young miss needed to reach the Perfect Innate realm first. Once he had made his contributions, the young miss wouldn't need to rely on him anymore, and he would have the chance to train in the sect.

He didn't know what spiritual herbs the young miss needed and whether he could grow them all.

Even at the Innate stage, the level of refinement varied. To truly achieve harmony with heaven and earth, one's inner strength must be as pure as the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which is perfection, allowing one to step into the Heaven Beyond Heaven realm.

Chu Li, thanks to the Sutra of Withering and Flourishing and the Great Round Mirror Wisdom, directly entered the later stage of the Innate realm after reaching Innate. To enter the Heaven Beyond Heaven realm, he only lacked the realm of intention.

Even at the Innate stage, different cultivation methods resulted in vastly different strengths. The Boundless Sea of Green Power was powerful, but it couldn't compare to the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill. At its peak, the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill could dominate the world even at the Innate stage.

Thinking about this, his mind became clear. The Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill was now the most important thing to practice. If he encountered an assassination, he would have a chance to escape.

He stood up and stepped outside the pavilion, assuming a strange posture, and began to practice the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill.

Vast inner strength flowed in, continuously driving the cultivation method of the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill. The pure and vast inner strength transformed into a strange energy, weaving through his flesh, muscles, and bones.

Practicing the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill was extremely draining. After thirty-six postures, even an Innate expert would be drained of inner strength. Relying on the Sutra of Withering and Flourishing, his inner strength was almost inexhaustible, allowing him to practice continuously, making rapid progress.

Without the Sutra of Withering and Flourishing, Dali Temple disciples would need to take many pills to practice, and the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill was essentially built on pills.

Only a sect like Dali Temple could afford such practice. Other sects, even if given the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill, would be unable to practice it due to the high cost of pills.

The vast inner strength, through the cultivation method of the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill, transformed into strange energies that circulated through his muscles, making him feel increasingly energetic and powerful.

He practiced repeatedly, almost without stopping, from morning until noon. Xue Ling brought him lunch, and he stopped to eat in the living room, sitting at the eight-person table, silently eating without a word, still immersed in the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill.

Xue Ling stood by, silent, and in the bright hall, only Chu Li's chewing was clearly audible.

After a while, Chu Li put down his chopsticks, "I'm going out. You don't need to follow me."

"Yes, young master." Xue Ling responded respectfully.

After finishing his meal, he didn't practice, but took a walk to digest his food. Chu Li left the small courtyard, walked through the forest to the edge of the island, and boarded a small boat to return to the East Garden.

Li Yue was cooking. Seeing him return, he hurriedly asked what he wanted to eat. Chu Li said he had already eaten.

Li Yue looked at him helplessly, and Chu Li told him that he would spend most of his time on Yuxi Island and didn't need to leave food for him.

Li Yue's eyes lit up, "Brother, you're going to make it big this time!"

Chu Li smiled.

Li Yue served the food and sat at the stone table to eat, saying, "Yuxi Island, that's the young miss's private place. If you can stay there, you'll be part of her circle, and your rise to power is just around the corner!"

Chu Li smiled, "It's not that easy. If I don't do well, the young miss isn't lenient!"

"That's true." Li Yue swallowed a mouthful of food, nodding in agreement. "The young miss is fair and strict. If you slack off or do things poorly, she won't be lenient. Be careful!"

Chu Li said, "The East Garden will depend on you from now on."

"Leave it to me!" Li Yue patted his chest. "But if there's a real problem, you'll have to solve it!"

"Of course, I'll handle both sides." Chu Li nodded.

Li Yue smiled, "What about the house outside the mansion? Can you manage it?"

Chu Li smiled, "There's Zhao Xiaomei."

"Hehe, you and Zhao Xiaomei are making good progress!" Li Yue grinned. "Almost got her, right?"

"Not that easy. Women's hearts are like the bottom of the sea, don't be careless, and don't say anything!"

"Of course not!" Li Yue patted his chest. "I'm very discreet!... By the way, I heard that Zhuo Feiyang is in seclusion again. Be careful!"

Chu Li nodded.

Zhuo Feiyang's talent was formidable. If he practiced diligently, breaking through to the Innate stage was no problem. He wouldn't underestimate Zhuo Feiyang.

Although Li Yue guarded the East Garden, he was well-informed. He had a wide network of contacts and went out of the island every day to interact with people, gathering countless pieces of gossip, some true and some false, but all interesting and satisfying to hear.

As he ate, he animatedly told Chu Li why Zhuo Feiyang was in seclusion.

It was because he couldn't defeat Zhao Ying and was too embarrassed to face it, so he went into seclusion in anger.

Zhao Ying's sword skills were now astonishing, and she was very impressive on the practice field in the Martial Hall. Few could match her in sword skills, and her reputation was growing. She was another martial arts genius.

Li Yue urged Chu Li to hurry up, so he wouldn't lose what he had.

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