Chapter 7

"Zhuo Feiyang came to the East Garden once, then went back to close his door for seclusion. After breaking through the third floor, it was your doing, right?" Su Ruming's eyes sparkled like stars as she stared at Chu Li and asked with a smile.

Chu Li nodded.

"Did you challenge Zhuo Feiyang?" Su Ruming smiled, "That's quite bold, Zhuo Feiyang is quite formidable."

"I had no other choice, I was forced to fight like a cornered beast."

"Did he lose?" Su Ruming's interest grew, "He always boasted about wanting to transfer you to his team, but now he's silent and there's no follow-up."

Li Yue excitedly said, "Chief, you don't know, Zhuo Feiyang lost cleanly and thoroughly, with no room for argument!"

"You can't practice internal skills, right?"

"Yes."

"Then how did you defeat Zhuo Feiyang?"

"Chief, Brother Chu's sword skills are amazing!"

"Hmm..." Su Ruming nodded in realization, "It seems you have a talent for swordsmanship, what a pity, what a pity!"

Li Yue asked, "Chief, what's a pity?"

"No internal strength..." Su Ruming shook her head, "It's fine against innate experts, but against congenital experts, you'd be no match."

Chu Li slowly nodded. He had read many books and had a rich knowledge of martial arts. Innate experts' internal strength only circulates within their bodies, while congenital experts' internal strength can be transmitted through objects.

Su Ruming said, "Chu Li, focus on being a guard. Actually, being a guard has a better future than a bodyguard!"

Chu Li smiled.

Su Ruming tilted her head and looked at him, "Don't believe it?"

"Guards are indeed better," Chu Li nodded, "They have control and power."

"You're a smart person," Su Ruming smiled, "Guards need to earn rewards, but for truly talented people, these aren't issues."

Chu Li nodded.

Su Ruming found him very smart, a light hint was enough for him to understand. At his age, to see through this, his mind was very mature. She smiled, "Let's see the Moonlight Orchid, I've never seen it before!"

Li Yue smiled, "Our East Garden doesn't buy Moonlight Orchids. I heard the West Garden has bought them many times!"

"We just need to take care of ourselves," Su Ruming lightly shook her head. Miss doesn't want to buy Moonlight Orchids, but their beauty is irresistible.

The three arrived at the Moonlight Orchid garden.

Looking at the two Moonlight Orchids, Su Ruming nodded in satisfaction, "No wonder so many people are obsessed. Chu Li, did you really succeed?"

Chu Li said, "It takes a month to grow, and another month to split the shoots."

"Once the new one is grown, send one to the West Garden first," Su Ruming said.

Li Yue was puzzled, "Why?"

Su Ruming glared at him, "The eldest son is the Miss's brother, of course we can't forget to send him good things!"

"… Yes," Li Yue reluctantly agreed.

"Will it cause any trouble?" Su Ruming looked at Chu Li.

Chu Li shook his head, "No."

"Let's go see other places," Su Ruming said, "Miss will come to check in the next few days."

"Sure!" Li Yue immediately perked up, "Chief, please—!"

Su Ruming walked around the East Garden, giving pointers at each place. Here it's not clean, sweep again; there, place some flowers. Every place had its shortcomings, and Li Yue took notes diligently with a pen.

Su Ruming walked and stopped, taking half the morning to complete the round, and returned to the Moonlight Orchid garden.

"Alright, that's it," Su Ruming smiled, "Don't cause any trouble and ruin Miss's mood!"

"Of course not!" Li Yue patted his chest to guarantee.

"Words are useless, the key is to do well!" Su Ruming glared at him and said, "Don't be hasty, let's go!"

She waved her hand and walked out gracefully, her figure as supple as a willow branch, her beauty captivating.

Chu Li sighed inwardly, such a beauty, who knows which man will be lucky enough to have her. I need to work hard!

---

The next two days, Chu Li could only practice at night. During the day, he and Li Yue were so busy they couldn't even take a break to drink tea.

They corrected every issue Su Ruming pointed out, fearing that Miss might suddenly come and find things not done.

Meng Qinglin's side was quiet, which surprised Chu Li.

Gu Lihong was known for his competitiveness and ruthless methods. Knowing that Chu Li had successfully cultivated the Moonlight Orchid, he wouldn't let it go easily and would certainly stir up trouble.

Chu Li guessed that the Hundred Herbs Hall was in turmoil, and whether he could enter the herb garden was still uncertain.

On the third morning, Chu Li was practicing in the Moonlight Orchid garden. After two days of cultivation, the new Moonlight Orchid had grown significantly.

Suddenly, the jade chime sounded, and Li Yue ran out eagerly. Soon, he brought six people over, all with sharp eyes and robust energy.

Chu Li raised an eyebrow, activating the Great Round Mirror Wisdom, he could see through the six people's bodies. Their meridians glowed white, merging with their milky white internal strength.

This was the internal landscape of congenital experts!

Li Yue said excitedly, "Brother, these seniors are Miss's bodyguards. Miss will come over soon!"

Chu Li stood up and bowed.

The six middle-aged men returned the bow, then split into pairs to patrol the island, each standing at a key position.

Chu Li and Li Yue waited under a willow tree by the shore.

"Brother, your luck isn't good. Miss doesn't really like Moonlight Orchids," Li Yue sighed, looking at the vast lake, "Otherwise, Miss would certainly value you."

"Miss doesn't like them?"

"Yes, Miss said Moonlight Orchids are too luxurious and can lead to losing one's will. It's best to avoid them!"

"Is that so..." Chu Li nodded, it seemed Miss Xiao Qi didn't like luxury and was not swayed by external things.

Such a person has a firm will, combined with her talent and status, no wonder the guards admire her.

Chu Li thought to himself, he was very weak now and wanted to climb the ranks quickly. He needed to find a powerful ally, and Miss Xiao Qi was a strong one. He needed to understand her character first.

They talked for a while, and a small boat drifted over, reaching them in a blink.

Chu Li used the Great Round Mirror Wisdom to see four people on the boat: two elderly men with white beards, Su Ruming in a yellow silk robe, and a woman in a snow-white dress.

Chu Li couldn't help but be drawn to the woman, ignoring the surging power from the two elders.

Her skin was as smooth as white jade, with a warm luster. Her phoenix eyes sparkled, and her gaze was captivating.

More uniquely, she had a cold and detached demeanor, as if nothing in the world could touch her, standing above all.

Such beauty was truly rare!

"Miss!" Li Yue took two steps forward and bowed deeply, and Chu Li also bowed.

Xiao Qi lightly waved her hand, "That's enough."

She glanced at Chu Li with her cold eyes and walked onto the island.

Li Yue and Chu Li followed behind, with the two elders in front, their presence like mountains and seas, making Chu Li's breathing difficult, wishing to turn and run.

Miss Xiao Qi was also a congenital expert, and more strangely, there was a faint light in her third eye, like stars twinkling in the night sky.

The third eye, the seat of the mind, when lit, opened the third eye, allowing her to see through people's hearts!

Chu Li focused, but the Great Round Mirror Wisdom was even more powerful, allowing him to see through her heart, though he would be detected if he probed too deeply.

"Miss, let's go see the Moonlight Orchids first," Su Ruming said.

"Sure," Xiao Qi nodded.

They arrived at the Moonlight Orchid garden, looking at the two Moonlight Orchids, one large and one small. Xiao Qi's cold gaze fell on Chu Li, "Did you really cultivate them yourself?"

"Yes," Chu Li bowed and nodded.

Xiao Qi asked, "How did you succeed?"

Chu Li pondered for a moment, deciding to take a risk. This was a rare opportunity, and Zhuo Feiyang's rapid progress left no room for him to follow a routine.

Xiao Qi's eyes flickered.

Chu Li glanced around.

Xiao Qi lightly waved her hand, "You all step back, Xiao Ruming stay."

"Yes," the two elders glanced at Chu Li and stepped out of the garden, disappearing.

Xiao Qi quietly observed Chu Li, noticing his unique qualities. His mind was as calm as a lake, his thoughts pure and focused, his will firm, not like an ordinary person.

She then thought of his background, growing up in a temple and achieving success in Buddhist practice, indeed he had some cultivation!

Xiao Qi said, "Speak."

Chu Li calmly looked at Xiao Qi, meeting her cold gaze, "Miss, I can communicate with plants and flowers."

"Hmm?" Xiao Qi frowned, half-believing, half-doubting.

If anyone else said this, she would laugh it off, but Chu Li's words couldn't be ignored. Achieving a certain level in Buddhist practice could grant supernatural abilities.

Chu Li said, "Plants and flowers don't have self-awareness, but they have emotions that affect their growth and death."

"So you managed to grow the Moonlight Orchid?"

"Yes."

"To what extent can you do this?"

Chu Li thought for a moment and slowly said, "Life or death."

"Xiao Ruming, go get the pot of Cold Star Grass," Xiao Qi turned and said.

Su Ruming responded and walked away.

Xiao Qi said, "Old Meng told me you want to enter the herb garden?"

Chu Li nodded.

"Is the East Garden a waste of your talent?"

Chu Li sighed inwardly at her sharpness, pointing directly to his heart, and shook his head, "I also want to see my limits, whether I can control those spirit herbs."

Xiao Qi lightly nodded.

She had never met someone as calm as Chu Li, finding it novel and interesting.

Since mastering the ancient secret manual left by her mother, she could see through people's hearts, making the world lose its warmth and beauty, everything became dull and meaningless.

Su Ruming soon returned with a pot of dark blue flowers, with speckles like stars in the night sky.

Most of them were withered, as if suffering from a long drought, gradually dying.

Su Ruming placed the flower in front of Chu Li, "Old Meng and the others have seen it, it's beyond saving."

Chu Li touched it, connecting his senses, feeling the stagnant energy. Using the Great Round Mirror Wisdom, he dug into the pot and saw that half the roots were already rotten.

Chu Li removed the rotten roots, replaced the soil, and watered it, then looked up, "It will come back to life tomorrow."

"Can you save it?" Su Ruming looked at him curiously.

Chu Li nodded.

Xiao Qi said, "If you can really do this, don't enter the herb garden!"

Chu Li looked at her in surprise.

"Keep this ability to yourself, don't tell anyone else!" Xiao Qi said calmly.

Chu Li readily agreed, "Yes!"

"Next time the Moonlight Orchid splits, send one to the West Garden!"

"Yes."

Xiao Qi lightly waved her hand, "Get back to work."

Chu Li and Li Yue bowed and left.

Li Yue let out a long breath, and Chu Li couldn't help but smile, "What are you so nervous about?"

"Are you kidding me!" Li Yue said irritably, "Aren't you nervous standing in front of Miss?"

Chu Li smiled and shook his head.

Li Yue inwardly cursed, who could compare to his sky-high courage, and huffed, "Can you really cure that flower?"

"No problem."

Li Yue smiled, "Miss said not to let you enter the herb garden, what are you going to do?"

"Then I won't go."

"Ah... That's too bad!" Li Yue sighed in relief, smiling.

The two returned to the courtyard, ready to respond to any summons.

---

The next two days, Chu Li could only practice at night. During the day, he and Li Yue were so busy they couldn't even take a break to drink tea.

They corrected every issue Su Ruming pointed out, fearing that Miss might suddenly come and find things not done.

Meng Qinglin's side was quiet, which surprised Chu Li.

Gu Lihong was known for his competitiveness and ruthless methods. Knowing that Chu Li had successfully cultivated the Moonlight Orchid, he wouldn't let it go easily and would certainly stir up trouble.

Chu Li guessed that the Hundred Herbs Hall was in turmoil, and whether he could enter the herb garden was still uncertain.

On the third morning, Chu Li was practicing in the Moonlight Orchid garden. After two days of cultivation, the new Moonlight Orchid had grown significantly.

Suddenly, the jade chime sounded, and Li Yue ran out eagerly. Soon, he brought six people over, all with sharp eyes and robust energy.

Chu Li raised an eyebrow, activating the Great Round Mirror Wisdom, he could see through the six people's bodies. Their meridians glowed white, merging with their milky white internal strength.

This was the internal landscape of congenital experts!

Li Yue said excitedly, "Brother, these seniors are Miss's bodyguards. Miss will come over soon!"

Chu Li stood up and bowed.

The six middle-aged men returned the bow, then split into pairs to patrol the island, each standing at a key position.

Chu Li and Li Yue waited under a willow tree by the shore.

"Brother, your luck isn't good. Miss doesn't really like Moonlight Orchids," Li Yue sighed, looking at the vast lake, "Otherwise, Miss would certainly value you."

"Miss doesn't like them?"

"Yes, Miss said Moonlight Orchids are too luxurious and can lead to losing one's will. It's best to avoid them!"

"Is that so..." Chu Li nodded, it seemed Miss Xiao Qi didn't like luxury and was not swayed by external things.

Such a person has a firm will, combined with her talent and status, no wonder the guards admire her.

Chu Li thought to himself, he was very weak now and wanted to climb the ranks quickly. He needed to find a powerful ally, and Miss Xiao Qi was a strong one. He needed to understand her character first.

They talked for a while, and a small boat drifted over, reaching them in a blink.

Chu Li used the Great Round Mirror Wisdom to see four people on the boat: two elderly men with white beards, Su Ruming in a yellow silk robe, and a woman in a snow-white dress.

Chu Li couldn't help but be drawn to the woman, ignoring the surging power from the two elders.

Her skin was as smooth as white jade, with a warm luster. Her phoenix eyes sparkled, and her gaze was captivating.

More uniquely, she had a cold and detached demeanor, as if nothing in the world could touch her, standing above all.

Such beauty was truly rare!

"Miss!" Li Yue took two steps forward and bowed deeply, and Chu Li also bowed.

Xiao Qi lightly waved her hand, "That's enough."

She glanced at Chu Li with her cold eyes and walked onto the island.

Li Yue and Chu Li followed behind, with the two elders in front, their presence like mountains and seas, making Chu Li's breathing difficult, wishing to turn and run.

Miss Xiao Qi was also a congenital expert, and more strangely, there was a faint light in her third eye, like stars twinkling in the night sky.

The third eye, the seat of the mind, when lit, opened the third eye, allowing her to see through people's hearts!

Chu Li focused, but the Great Round Mirror Wisdom was even more powerful, allowing him to see through her heart, though he would be detected if he probed too deeply.

"Miss, let's go see the Moonlight Orchids first," Su Ruming said.

"Sure," Xiao Qi nodded.

They arrived at the Moonlight Orchid garden, looking at the two Moonlight Orchids, one large and one small. Xiao Qi's cold gaze fell on Chu Li, "Did you really cultivate them yourself?"

"Yes," Chu Li bowed and nodded.

Xiao Qi asked, "How did you succeed?"

Chu Li pondered for a moment, deciding to take a risk. This was a rare opportunity, and Zhuo Feiyang's rapid progress left no room for him to follow a routine.

Xiao Qi's eyes flickered.

Chu Li glanced around.

Xiao Qi lightly waved her hand, "You all step back, Xiao Ruming stay."

"Yes," the two elders glanced at Chu Li and stepped out of the garden, disappearing.

Xiao Qi quietly observed Chu Li, noticing his unique qualities. His mind was as calm as a lake, his thoughts pure and focused, his will firm, not like an ordinary person.

She then thought of his background, growing up in a temple and achieving success in Buddhist practice, indeed he had some cultivation!

Xiao Qi said, "Speak."

Chu Li calmly looked at Xiao Qi, meeting her cold gaze, "Miss, I can communicate with plants and flowers."

"Hmm?" Xiao Qi frowned, half-believing, half-doubting.

If anyone else said this, she would laugh it off, but Chu Li's words couldn't be ignored. Achieving a certain level in Buddhist practice could grant supernatural abilities.

Chu Li said, "Plants and flowers don't have self-awareness, but they have emotions that affect their growth and death."

"So you managed to grow the Moonlight Orchid?"

"Yes."

"To what extent can you do this?"

Chu Li thought for a moment and slowly said, "Life or death."

"Xiao Ruming, go get