Chapter 42

Over the next two days, she became even more attentive, serving sumptuous meals and fine wine at every meal.

Chu Li ate with great enjoyment but did not say much more. Xue Ling practiced half-heartedly, half-believing and half-doubting.

During the day, she no longer practiced. Every night at midnight, she would get up, sit properly, and practice for half an hour until she was exhausted, then fall asleep. The next day, she would feel full of energy.

The practice of the Great Yin Technique was extremely draining, and she used to reach her limit after just fifteen minutes. Now, she could sustain it for half an hour. She felt particularly energetic at midnight, and practicing at that time was especially easy.

This way, her practice time extended, and her efficiency improved, matching what she used to achieve in several days. She found it miraculous.

In the early morning, dark clouds obscured the sun, making the sky gloomy.

Chu Li, however, was in a bright mood. He drank his wine and ate his dishes, leisurely watching the courtyard. The spirit soil had taken shape and was ready for planting.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The method for making spirit soil came from books, and this was his first attempt. He had been quite anxious.

The method for making spirit soil was a secret passed down by the royal family. The Duke's Mansion only had spirit soil but did not know how to make it. This was a tool used by the royal family to control the Duke's Mansion and the martial arts sects and major families.

He had read dozens of books on spirit soil, each revealing only a fragment of the knowledge. He integrated and summarized these to develop this method.

Now, it seemed his luck was good, and the method had succeeded. Next, he would try planting spirit herbs to test the effectiveness of the spirit soil.

Xue Ling stood beside Chu Li, ready to refill his wine, her body emitting a faint, pleasant fragrance.

She carefully observed Chu Li's expression, noting his good mood. While pouring the wine, she softly asked, "Young Master, why must the Great Yin Technique be practiced at midnight?"

She put down the wine jar and offered him a white jade cup.

"Have you noticed the effect?" Chu Li took the jade cup, looking at the swaying green bamboo, and asked casually.

"Yes," Xue Ling replied softly, "It's easier and faster to practice."

Chu Li took a sip of wine, put down the cup, picked up a piece of red braised meat, and slowly chewed it. "Xue Ling, do you read books regularly?"

"Of course... but I don't have much time, so I don't read much."

"What do you read?"

"Mostly history books."

"What about martial arts theory?"

"I've read some."

"To become proficient in martial arts, martial arts theory is crucial, as well as medical books. Martial arts and medicine are inseparable."

"Medical books?" Xue Ling was surprised.

Chu Li lifted the white jade cup and took another sip. "Once you understand medical books, reading martial arts theory will give you more insights."

"Yes," Xue Ling nodded gently.

Chu Li, at his young age, had reached the innate realm, surpassing even the young lady. Xue Ling, eager to master supreme martial arts, did not want to miss this opportunity and took Chu Li as her role model.

Chu Li said, "The essence of the Great Yin Technique flows through the body like pedestrians on a road. At midnight, most of the essence gathers along the path of the Great Yin Technique, making practice more efficient. Practicing outside of midnight can harm the body. I'm afraid you'll collapse before you even master the Great Yin Technique!"

"Is it that serious?"

"Most martial arts techniques are harmful to the body. Only reaching the innate realm can compensate for the damage." Chu Li shook his head. "The innate realm is a life-and-death threshold..."

He sighed. Many people had fallen at the threshold of the innate realm and did not live past sixty. Yet, people were fearless and unwilling to be ordinary, which is why martial arts flourished in this world.

Xue Ling pursed her red lips, her voice becoming even softer. "Young Master, is there a faster way to practice?"

Chu Li looked up at her.

Xue Ling's bright eyes sparkled with a hint of pleading. Her proud demeanor made her look even more pitiful. Chu Li smiled. "There is."

"Please teach me, Young Master!" Xue Ling said softly.

Chu Li put down the white jade cup and stepped out of the pavilion. "Watch carefully," he said, slowly performing a series of movements: waving his hand, lifting his leg, bending and stretching, and drawing arcs, much like Tai Chi.

"There are eight movements in total, all focusing on the hand and foot Tai Yin meridians. Practice them for half an hour at midnight before practicing the Great Yin Technique."

"Yes."

"These eight movements are simple. Have you memorized them?"

Xue Ling said sheepishly, "Can you demonstrate them again, Young Master?"

"Watch carefully this time." Chu Li moved slowly, saying, "Move slowly, be relaxed and gentle, and avoid using brute force."

Xue Ling followed his movements, learning the eight simple actions.

"Hey, am I interrupting something?" A clear, crisp laugh interrupted them. Su Ru, dressed in a light yellow silk robe, stood at the courtyard entrance, her posture graceful.

Chu Li smiled and bowed.

Xue Ling bowed. "Manager."

Su Ru entered the courtyard with a smile. "Chu Li, you seem to be in a good mood."

Chu Li waved his hand. "Xue Ling has been serving me with fine wine and dishes, so I should return the favor. It's not much, Manager, please come in."

The two entered the pavilion and sat at the stone table.

Xue Ling served them tea and then quietly left the pavilion.

Only the two of them remained in the pavilion.

Su Ru took a sip of tea, put down the white jade cup, and sighed. "I found them."

Chu Li looked up. "All of them?"

"Yes." Su Ru smiled. "It took a lot of effort. The Jing槐 and Ming霞 trees are being transported here, but the Wuqing tree is too risky to move."

Chu Li smiled with relief. The Duke's Mansion was indeed powerful. These three trees were very rare and grew in extreme environments. An individual might spend a lifetime and not find one.

"I'll set out tomorrow!"

"Chu Li, are you really leaving the mansion?" Su Ru frowned, looking worried. "You haven't forgotten about Daliyin Temple, have you?"

"I'll disguise myself and try to blend in," Chu Li said. In this world, there was no face-changing technique, but changing one's appearance could significantly alter one's look.

"It's too dangerous!" Su Ru shook her head. "I think you should reconsider. Let Gu Liting go instead!"

Chu Li shook his head. "This is too important. I have to do it myself."

"Gu Liting is very capable!"

"Don't worry, I won't be so easily caught!"

Su Ru slapped the stone table and said, "With that kind of侥幸 attitude, you'll end up dead at the hands of those monks!"

The Wuqing tree was hard to find and hard to keep alive. It would die if moved. He dared to try transplanting it because of the Withering and Flourishing Sutra. Others would find it difficult to keep it alive.

"Manager, the Wuqing tree is too important." Chu Li shook his head. "If anything goes wrong, it will delay the project and cause significant losses!"

"It's not as important as your life!" Su Ru said irritably. "If you die, who will keep the Tianling tree alive?... No, you can't go!"

Chu Li looked at her helplessly.

Su Ru glared at him and huffed, "Let Gu Liting go. He's not that bad. Don't think you're the only one who's capable!"

"The Wuqing tree..." Chu Li sighed.

Su Ru said, "Stay in the mansion and don't go out!"

"...Alright." Chu Li nodded slowly.

He valued his life and was wary of Daliyin Temple. If he encountered them, he might not escape. It was better not to take unnecessary risks.

Su Ru smiled. "Is Xue Ling serving you well?"

"Pretty good."

"Don't have any funny ideas!"

"Wouldn't dare!"

"Hmph, don't forget about Zhao Ying."

Chu Li smiled bitterly. Zhao Ying was too sensitive. She was still avoiding him because of Zhou Yuting's harsh words. She was innocent and naive, but also very cute.

Su Ru smiled. "What, having a spat?"

Chu Li smiled.

Su Ru's smile grew. "Need some help?"

Chu Li smiled. "Her personality doesn't suit rushing things."

"It seems you haven't lost your head." Su Ru smiled. "You're still level-headed. I'll arrange for Gu Liting to transplant the Wuqing tree."

"Tell him to be careful. The Wuqing tree is difficult to handle."

Su Ru stood up, waved, and left.

---

Xue Ling had been smiling for the past two days, looking even more beautiful and charming.

She liked to wear white, always clean and spotless. If her clothes got dirty, she would change immediately, never compromising. Even though she washed her clothes frequently, she always wore white.

Chu Li sensed the aura of the spirit soil, planted the Tanmeng flower and Zimeng flower, and planted two large trees in the southeast and southwest corners of the courtyard. The trees, one person's armspan thick, were unremarkable.

The two large trees were the Ming霞 tree and the Jing槐 tree, with stable auras and vigorous vitality.

The Tanmeng flower and Zimeng flower grew vigorously, much faster than in ordinary soil. He estimated that it would shorten the growth time by at least one-third.

With the Withering and Flourishing Sutra, it would only take one-third of the time.

The Withering and Flourishing Sutra was only at the second level. If he advanced further, the ripening effect would be even stronger. Combined with the Tianling tree, the effect would be astonishing.

After cleaning up the dishes and washing up, Xue Ling, emitting a faint, pleasant fragrance, came to Chu Li. "Young Master, my practice has progressed quickly these past two days."

Chu Li looked her up and down. "Show me those eight movements."

"Sure." Xue Ling responded eagerly.

She stepped out of the pavilion, her beautiful face serious, and began to perform the movements, which were smooth, slow, and graceful.

Chu Li called out, "Smile, show a smile!"

Xue Ling forced a smile.

Chu Li said, "A smile relaxes your entire body, making your essence more fluid. Practice with the mindset of playing a game!"

Xue Ling adjusted her mindset, and her smile became more natural, her movements more gentle.

"Good, but not soft enough. Imagine yourself as a baby, not using any force, just moving your body, lively and relaxed!"

Xue Ling corrected her mindset and movements, and her spirit gradually changed.

Chu Li nodded in satisfaction. Xue Ling's insight was excellent. With proper guidance, she could improve significantly.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Chu Li used the Great Mirror Wisdom to see it was Su Ru, and he gestured for Xue Ling to continue.

He stepped out of the pavilion and opened the courtyard gate. Su Ru, dressed in a light yellow silk robe, stood outside, looking serious.

Chu Li stepped aside and extended his hand.

Su Ru gracefully entered the courtyard, glanced at the planted Tanmeng and Zimeng flowers, and paused her gaze on the two large trees.

She went directly to the living room and sat in the armchair.

Xue Ling had stopped her movements and quietly entered, served tea, and left, closing the door to the living room.

Chu Li took a sip of tea and looked at Su Ru. "Is there a problem with the Wuqing tree?"

"It's dead." Su Ru sighed, sounding helpless. "Gu Liting did his best, but it was in vain..."

Chu Li frowned.

This was a problem. He was waiting for it. The Ming霞 and Jing槐 trees were alive, and with the Wuqing tree, they could try to activate the Tianling tree.

A small blister had appeared on the corner of Su Ru's lip, and her voice was slightly hoarse. "Chu Li, can't we use another tree as a substitute?"

Chu Li shook his head gently.

Su Ru sighed. "What do we do now?"

"Didn't you find another Wuqing tree?"

"What are you planning?!" Su Ru's bright eyes widened, and she huffed. "Want to leave the mansion?"

"Given the situation, I have to do it myself."

"No way!" Su Ru said irritably. "Or, can we bring back a branch and see if it can survive?"

"…No." Chu Li sighed.

The Tianling tree needed the auras of the three trees to thrive. Without sufficient aura, the Tianling tree would not survive.