Chapter 44

Chu Li climbed the nine steps of green stone and stepped into the Taoist temple.

Inside the temple courtyard, an air of沧桑 (cāngsāng, meaning "vicissitudes of life") prevailed, as if it were an elderly person in their twilight years.

In Chu Li's mind, he already saw the woman inside the temple, wearing a dark blue Taoist robe, holding a white jade duster, with a fair and smooth face, a stunning beauty, and an age similar to Xiao Qi's.

The two had similar features, both exuding a unique aura, cold and solemn.

There was only this one beautiful woman in the temple, and no one else; she was Xiao Qi's aunt, Xiao Yueling.

He was secretly amazed, having thought she would be an old woman, but instead, she was such a young and beautiful lady.

He used the Great Round Mirror Wisdom to observe, and found that despite her young age, Xiao Yueling had reached the Heaven Beyond Heaven realm, with a presence as vast as mountains and seas, far surpassing Xiao Qi's four Heaven Beyond Heaven guards.

She sat diagonally before an ancient and elegant tea table, her waist and hips straight, her chest proud, quietly sipping tea, holding a green jade teacup, with steam rising gently.

Three lifelike statues were enshrined in the main hall: a middle-aged man with a graceful and extraordinary demeanor, and two middle-aged beautiful women, standing together like celestial couples.

She sat quietly, holding the teacup and lost in thought, as if merging with the three statues behind her.

The door of the main hall creaked open, and Chu Li and the other two followed Auntie Ashu into the hall.

Auntie Ashu flicked her duster and called out crisply, "Master, Sister Xiao and the others are here."

"Um, come and sit," Xiao Yueling said, coming out of her reverie, looking up at the three of them. Her clear eyes swept over Chu Li, gradually becoming sharp, as if knives were slicing through his body, trying to see his insides.

"Auntie!"

"Greetings, Auntie."

Xiao Yueling gently waved her hand, her gaze still lingering on Chu Li. "You must be Chu Li?"

"Yes, I am Chu Li," Chu Li said, clasping his fists.

"Come and sit, have some tea," Xiao Yueling said calmly.

Chu Li responded readily, "Yes."

The three of them came to the tea table and sat opposite it. A faint sandalwood fragrance wafted into Chu Li's nose, as if emanating from her, making him feel calm and peaceful, free from evil thoughts, only tranquility and serenity.

Three teacups were already set on the table, as if she had known they were coming. Xiao Yueling handed them to the three.

Chu Li took the cup with both hands, took a sip, and immediately a fragrant aroma filled his stomach, spreading from his lower abdomen, dispelling the turbid qi in his body, making him feel light and airy.

He was secretly surprised; it was actually a spirit tea, enhancing his constitution and purifying his body.

He had only read about such legendary spirit teas in books, never expecting to drink one himself. What a grand gesture!

Xiao Yueling lowered her eyelids, her long lashes like a fan covering her clear eyes, sipping the spirit tea delicately.

Xiao Qi and Su Ru also lowered their heads, focusing on their tea, not saying a word, the hall so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping.

Auntie Ashu's big eyes darted around, looking at one person and then another, finally settling on Chu Li with curiosity.

Chu Li experienced the wonders of the spirit medicine, the turbid qi being eliminated, his internal energy flowing more smoothly.

He knew the benefits of such spirit medicines; the first time was the best, with the strongest effect, which would gradually weaken over time. However, with cumulative use, it could fundamentally change a person's constitution, turning them into a martial arts prodigy.

Chu Li drank quickly, finishing the tea in the green jade cup, put down the cup, and sat still, quietly looking at Xiao Yueling. She paid no attention to his gaze, still focused on her tea.

After a while, she finished her tea and lifted her eyes. "Xiao Qi, you're almost at the perfect stage!"

"Just a little more," Xiao Qi said, putting down her green jade teacup.

Xiao Yueling looked her over and smiled slightly. "Impressive! The effect of the Purple Nether Flower is indeed good, ... sigh, you're as stubborn as your mother!"

Xiao Qi smiled.

Chu Li saw her smile for the first time, like the first light after a snowstorm, her beauty captivating.

Xiao Yueling looked over. "Chu Li, are you practicing the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill?"

Chu Li nodded.

Xiao Yueling's fine eyebrows twitched.

"Auntie, I'm a bit worried," Xiao Qi said. "The martial arts of the Great Thunderclap Temple are ruthless and poisonous, there might be traps!"

"Chu Li, show me your skill," Xiao Yueling said.

Chu Li activated the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill, and his skin glowed with a golden light, his entire demeanor changing from gentle and calm to strong and domineering, his eyes becoming sharper.

"Very good!" Xiao Yueling nodded, smiling. "Less than a month, I see your Zen meditation is quite profound!"

It took Great Thunderclap Temple disciples years to master the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill, but Chu Li had done it in less than a month. If the temple knew, they would insist on taking him as a disciple.

Chu Li smiled, knowing that without deep Zen meditation, he couldn't have mastered the Great Wisdom Origin Sutra, achieving the Great Round Mirror Wisdom. His Zen meditation had become even deeper, unmatched in the world.

Xiao Yueling lightly slapped him.

Chu Li didn't move, letting Xiao Yueling's fair hand hit his chest.

"Thud!" A muffled sound, Chu Li sat steadily.

Xiao Yueling retracted her hand and asked, "What did you feel?"

Chu Li thought for a moment and said, "Like falling into the sea."

He was secretly alarmed; this light slap, with her hand as white and crystal-clear as jade, small and delicate, transmitted a surging internal energy, like a raging wave trying to knock him over.

"Thud!" Xiao Yueling slapped again.

Chu Li was thrown back, taking three steps in the air and landing lightly, sitting back at the tea table.

"What about this one?"

"Like a strong wind."

"Which part of your body felt it?"

"No specific part."

"Good," Xiao Yueling sighed in relief, smiling at Xiao Qi. "Don't worry, he hasn't gone astray."

"That's good," Xiao Qi nodded. "He insisted on practicing, but the martial arts of the Great Thunderclap Temple aren't easy to master."

Xiao Yueling smiled. "The Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill is excellent, but it requires deep Buddhist knowledge to practice."

She looked at Chu Li. "How many levels have you mastered of their secret manual?"

"Thirty-six movements," Chu Li said. "Six levels."

"Actually, the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill has nine levels in total," Xiao Yueling said. "It's said that mastering the top level can make one truly invincible, achieving Buddhahood in this body. So it's also a supreme Buddhist scripture; don't underestimate it, you can try it."

"Nine levels..." Chu Li was enlightened.

After practicing for a while, he had also felt a sense of incompleteness, a feeling of something missing, which he couldn't pinpoint. It turned out he was missing three levels.

"You're lucky," Xiao Yueling smiled. "I have the complete Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill. You can try practicing it. If you feel restless or have murderous thoughts, stop."

"Yes!" Chu Li said, clasping his fists.

"Tea is done, let's move around. Xiao Qi, show me your progress!" Xiao Yueling stood up gracefully, flicking her white jade duster. The soft strands touched the tea table, sliding it two yards away to the corner of the hall, clearing the space.

"Clang..." Xiao Qi drew her sword and thrust, a cold light flashing.

Xiao Yueling flicked her duster, as if it were an extension of her arm, soft and flexible, penetrating every gap, moving like a snake.

Xiao Qi's sword glowed like snow, a "hiss" sound as she thrust, incredibly fast, like lightning.

Chu Li watched in amazement; such swordsmanship was truly astonishing. If he fought her, even with the assistance of the Great Round Mirror Wisdom, he might not be able to match her. He realized he couldn't be content with the Illusion-Breaking Sword Technique and needed to find a faster sword technique.

The duster and the long sword intertwined, back and forth, the duster's strands filling the air, the sword light like electric snakes, moving through the gaps, becoming increasingly difficult, and finally being entangled by the strands.

The duster twisted and pulled, and the sword flew out of Xiao Qi's hand.

Xiao Qi leaped into the air to catch it, landing lightly.

"Good, you've made progress!" Xiao Yueling nodded in satisfaction, smiling. "Come back when you reach the perfect stage!"

"Okay," Xiao Qi nodded, sheathing her sword.

Xiao Yueling waved her hand. "Go."

"Auntie, I'm leaving!" Xiao Qi bowed.

Auntie Ashu brought over a wooden box and handed it to Chu Li, who took it and bowed to Xiao Yueling in thanks.

Xiao Yueling smiled. "Remember to base it on Buddhist knowledge. If you have any questions, find the answers in the Buddhist scriptures."

"Yes."

Chu Li opened the wooden box, took out a yellowed silk scroll, made of a strange material, neither cloth nor paper, and felt its toughness and fineness.

He read through it once, closed his eyes for a moment, read it again, then put it back in the box, closed the lid, and handed it back to Auntie Ashu.

Auntie Ashu looked at him in surprise.

Xiao Yueling said, "Auntie Ashu, put it back. Goodbye, no need to see us off!"

"Auntie, I'm leaving!" Xiao Qi bowed, turned, and stepped out of the temple gate.

The three left the temple, and the twenty guards had already surrounded it. Seeing them come out, they tightened their formation, protecting Xiao Qi as they went down the mountain.

Chu Li glanced back as he leaped over the treetops, but the temple was no longer visible.

Their visit was brief, and Xiao Qi's actions were decisive, looking once and leaving, as if her emotions were indifferent.

But Chu Li knew that Xiao Qi's feelings for Xiao Yueling were deep, a pillar of her spirit. Just one glance was enough to reassure her, allowing her to focus on matters at home.

Seventy-two postures swirled in Chu Li's mind, integrating and comprehending.

The first six levels had thirty-six postures, and the last three levels also had thirty-six postures, more complex and harder to practice. He was curious about the idea of invincibility and achieving Buddhahood in this body.

After descending the mountain, they found their horses and spent half a day reaching a forest. Su Ru whispered, "Here!"

Chu Li nodded slowly.

Su Ru called out, "Alright, everyone, take a rest."

The guards were a bit surprised but didn't think much of it, stopping their horses and scouting the surroundings, starting to be on alert.