Chapter 89

A full moon hung in the sky, its cool light shining down. Chu Li sat on a small boat, the moonlight making the lake surface shimmer. Xue Ling sat at the other end of the boat.

Chu Li sat cross-legged, a guzheng (ancient Chinese zither) laid across his knees. Beside him was a white jade cup, filled with golden wine, which swayed gently with the boat.

“Pling pling…” Chu Li plucked the strings of the guzheng.

Xue Ling’s fine eyebrows knitted together, her face showing signs of discomfort.

Chu Li’s playing was too harsh and off-key, clearly he had not received any professional training and was just playing casually.

Chu Li found it amusing, enjoying himself. He had learned calligraphy and painting at the temple, but not music. During the day, he had watched Xiao Qi play the guzheng and suddenly became interested. The moonlight, the lake, the beauty, and the wine—all these made the scene perfect for a musical performance.

Unfortunately, no matter how talented he was, he could not produce beautiful music, only harsh and unpleasant sounds.

Chu Li smiled, finding it very entertaining.

Xue Ling, however, found it a complete disruption of the scenery, unable to bear the noise. She quickly stood up and said, “Young Master, let me try!”

Chu Li looked up and smiled, “You can play the guzheng?”

“Just a little.”

“Alright, you do it.” Chu Li pushed the guzheng towards her, and it seemed as if an invisible hand was supporting it, gently floating to Xue Ling.

Xue Ling reached out to receive it, letting out a long breath—her ears were finally free from the torture!

“What piece would Young Master like to hear?”

“Something that fits the current beauty of the scene.” Chu Li smiled lazily, looking up at the night sky. The night was clear and calm, and the surroundings were peaceful. The Jade Qi Island was brightly lit, but here it was very quiet.

He came here to regulate his mood, to deal with the murderous intent generated by the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill. Adjusting his mind was like tuning a string, the tension needed to be just right.

The sound of the guzheng echoed in the quiet night, spreading far across the water.

The guards on Jade Qi Island heard the music but did not comment. Chu Li was the lady’s confidant; as long as he did not go too far, they would turn a blind eye, pretending not to see or hear, to protect themselves.

Chu Li closed his eyes, gently swaying his body, listening to the music, feeling lively and relaxed.

In his mind, he visualized the White Tiger Yang Cultivation Diagram. A fierce tiger appeared in his mind, as if leaping out of the void, performing various postures. A surging force came from the night sky, pouring into his body.

The music was gentle, and Xue Ling focused on playing, her white neck exposed.

Chu Li suddenly rose slowly, sitting a foot above the ground, his clothes fluttering in the wind. Xue Ling noticed the unusual sight but was not surprised, continuing to play the guzheng. The sound of the strings made Chu Li’s clothes flutter even more, as if a strong wind was blowing. Xue Ling, sitting opposite him, felt a gentle night breeze, like a caress on her face.

After an hour, Xue Ling still gently plucked the strings, her bright eyes fixed on Chu Li, seeing his calm expression, as if he were asleep, but sitting cross-legged in the air, it did not seem like sleep at all.

“Hoo…” Chu Li suddenly let out a light whistle.

The whistle echoed, resounding throughout the Duke’s residence.

Xue Ling’s bright eyes flickered, sensing a faint shadow of a tiger flash across Chu Li’s body, disappearing after two flashes, making her doubt if she had seen it.

Chu Li opened his eyes, his body floating back to the boat, and slowly practiced the 72 forms of the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill.

Xue Ling, seeing this, knew he had reached a critical point. Despite her sore hands, she continued to play the guzheng.

In the gentle music, Chu Li practiced twice, slowly finishing the forms.

Suddenly, a golden light emanated from his body, then quickly retracted, completely disappearing into Chu Li, making him look like an ordinary person again.

“Xue Ling, thank you.” Chu Li sat cross-legged, picked up the white jade cup, and took a sip of the wine, smiling.

The music stopped abruptly, Xue Ling’s hands left the strings, trembling slightly. “Young Master, did you succeed?”

“One level higher.” Chu Li nodded with a smile.

Xue Ling’s cold face showed a hint of a smile. “Congratulations, Young Master!”

“You have done a great deal of work… I will help you tonight.” Chu Li smiled.

If not for her music, which cleared his mind, he would not have advanced in the White Tiger Yang Cultivation Diagram.

With the improvement in the White Tiger Yang Cultivation Diagram, the third level of the Vajra Deliverance Divine Skill was completed, his tendons fully developed, and he entered the stage of meridian cultivation.

The development of his tendons doubled his strength, making him incredibly powerful.

Xue Ling did not speak, just looking at him, her bright eyes showing curiosity.

“Help me with this.”

Xue Ling was a bit confused.

“Hmm… It’s almost midnight, you should be practicing, right?”

Xue Ling looked up at the moon. “Should we go back?”

“Let’s stay here.” Chu Li stood up and sat in the middle of the boat, pointing to the opposite side. “Sit here, back to me.”

Xue Ling, curious but not asking more, stood up, pushed the guzheng aside, and came to sit opposite Chu Li, turning her back to him, about a foot away.

The fragrance entered his nose, and the beautiful back came into view. Chu Li averted his eyes from her slender waist and round hips. “I will help you practice, relax.”

“Mm-hmm.” Xue Ling became even more curious.

Chu Li placed his palms on her back, pure internal energy flowing from his palms into her body, following the route of the Taiyin Technique.

Xue Ling felt the flow of Chu Li’s internal energy, amazed.

His internal energy moved so fast, following the Taiyin Technique perfectly, at least ten times faster, like the difference between walking and riding a horse!

Her dantian (energy center) soon felt a sense of fullness.

Chu Li slowly withdrew his hands. “Practice it yourself once more.”

Xue Ling practiced, her internal energy flowing smoothly, as if she had been practicing it herself. In one night, she had achieved what would normally take her a month!

She turned her head, her bright eyes wide, looking at Chu Li.

The two were very close, and she felt his breath, feeling uncomfortable, and moved a bit.

She asked eagerly, “Young Master, does your practice always go so fast?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Is this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person?”

“It’s more than that.” Chu Li smiled. “The speed of internal energy, the width and strength of the meridians, the capacity of the dantian, and personal insight—all these factors affect cultivation.”

“The lady said I have average talent, is it really that bad?”

“The lady does not lie.”

“I used to think hard work could make up for lack of talent, but…” Xue Ling shook her head lightly, her eyes vacant.

“Effort is always better than no effort.”

Xue Ling huffed. “I practice for a month, and it only equals one day of Young Master’s practice. No matter how hard I work…”

She shook her head helplessly, feeling dejected.

“You have average talent, but good luck.” Chu Li smiled. “If you were lazy, I wouldn’t help you. So hard work can make up for lack of talent. Xue Ling, work hard!”

Xue Ling composed herself, tightly pursing her red lips. “I won’t give up!”

In the following evenings, Chu Li helped her practice.

The Taiyin Technique was difficult to cultivate, and Xue Ling’s mental strength was not strong enough, making it very challenging. For Chu Li, however, it was not a problem, and he progressed rapidly, like a thousand miles a day.

Besides the Taiyin Technique, Chu Li also taught her the Small Meridian Cleansing Technique, using the essence of plants to run the technique in her body, making her meridians stronger and able to withstand Chu Li’s intense practice.

Chu Li helped her practice for two reasons: to repay her and to cultivate her. As his servant, her weak martial arts skills would be a problem in the future. Strong martial arts skills would help him.

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