White-Robed Chief

This woman was Xiao Yueling.

Xiao Yueling replied, “A new disciple of the sect is venturing out into the world, so I have come to look after him. Consider this a repayment of favor to the sect. Do you know Tianxing?”

Chu Li grinned from ear to ear as he looked at Zhao Tianxing. “Aunt Yue Ling, do you mean Brother Zhao? Isn’t he from the Wild Goose Faction?”

Zhao Tianxing called out in a loud voice, “Master’s Junior!”

When he saw that Chu Li and Master’s Junior knew each other, he felt slightly embarrassed for a moment, but soon recomposed himself and said nonchalantly, “Master’s Junior and Brother Chu know each other?”

“What do you think!” Xiao Yueling replied, annoyed.

Zhao Tianxing scratched his head before forcing a smile. “I’ve almost forgotten your background, Master’s Junior… Brother Chu, I’m very sorry for lying to you.”

Chu Li laughed. “You’ve lied to me not just once, but twice. Brother Zhao, you’ve indeed fooled me. First, it was the Flying Eagle Faction. Then, it was the Wild Goose Faction. In the end, you were from neither of them. You’re truly an outstanding disciple of Green Deer Cliff. Amazing!”

On the surface, Zhao Tianxing appeared to be gentle, courteous and very amiable. Furthermore, given his handsome features, it was very easy for others to form a good impression of him and get close to him. In reality, however, he was full of deceit, almost as though lying was a natural instinct to him, for he was able to do so without hesitation.

Zhao Tianxing chuckled. “I was too ashamed to admit which sect I’m actually from to Brother Chu Li.”

These words were, in fact, not lies. However, aside from Chu Li, it was very hard for others to tell whether or not he was being truthful.

The four gray-clothed monks remained indifferent as they continued to deplete Zhao Tianxing’s inner energy with ease, waiting for him to become worn-out without rushing things too much. As for Zhao Tianxing, while it seemed like he wasting his energy by talking while fighting, it actually did not take him much effort to do so at all.

Chu Li shook his head, laughing to himself.

Xiao Yueling asked, “Since when have you two known each other?”

‘We just met,” Chu Li replied.

Zhao Tianxing went on to explain, “Master’s Junior, it was Brother Chu who saved my life. When another Asura came at me earlier, I nearly died.”

Xiao Yueling huffed. “He escaped from my grasp!”

She turned to Chu Li. “Thankfully, you were here. Otherwise, I would’ve committed a huge sin. Tianxing has just ventured into the world. He still lacks experience with the martial arts world, so this is when he is most vulnerable to unfavorable situations.”

Chu Li chuckled as he replied, “Aunt Yue Ling, you worry too much. With Brother Zhao’s abilities, it’s more likely he’ll put others in unfavorable situations. How would he ever be at a disadvantage!”

Xiao Yueling rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Just hand the Asura over to me!”

Chu Li turned to give Fa Xiang a look resignation, saying, “Great Master, sorry about this.”

Fa Xiang pressed his palms together in obeisance and said to Xiao Yueling, “I didn’t realize it was Almsgiver Xiao. Forgive me for my impoliteness. Since Almsgiver Xiao has come, I shall take my leave.”

He was aware of Xiao Yueling’s identity. She was the previous lady of the Yi Public House, the younger sister of High Duke Xiao, and a disciple of Green Deer Cliff. If it was her, Chu Li would have to obey her, so there was no way he and his men could win.

In that case, there would be no need to complicate things further. He pressed his palms together and bowed at them before giving the order, “Let’s go!”

The four monks in gray clothing retreated before gliding away after Fa Xiang.

Chu Li shook his head, sighing. “Aunt Yue Ling, why would you want to have an Asura?”

“They can suppress Asuras. So can we,” said Xiao Yueling with a scoff. “Why should we let these monks claim all the benefits?”

Chu Li chuckled.

Xiao Yueling said to Zhao Tianxing. “Since you two know each other, don’t become enemies.”

“Of course not,” Zhao Tianxing hurriedly replied, “Brother Chu has saved my life. How could I make him my enemy? Master’s Junior, you worried too much.”

Xiao Yueling nodded. “That’s good. Carry on with your channeling then.”

She was exceptionally intelligent and had been able to see through Tianxing’s contradicting thoughts immediately. She knew that he was jealous of Chu Li, but he did not have a malicious nature, so she was not afraid that they might become enemies.

Zhao Tianxing gave Chu Li a fist salute. “Brother Chu, don’t mind me.”

Chu Li shook his head, smiling.

Zhao Tianxing sat down cross-legged and began channeling his breathing technique, quickly recovering his inner energy.

After a round of fighting, his inner energy had almost been completely depleted again, and his injuries seemed to be acting up as well. In reality, he had only been pretending to be fine while talking.

Xiao Yueling pointed to the side, and after both of them had moved a hundred meters away, Xiao Yueling started sizing up Chu Li.

Chu Li laughed. “Aunt Yue Ling, what are you looking at?”

“I never expected you to become like this,” Xiao Yueling replied, shaking her head. “I could’ve never imagined this back then.”

In the past, Chu Li’s aptitude was pretty high, but she had never expected him to make such a huge leap within this short period of time. He had even managed to defeat Fa Yuan. He was truly a youth champion. As the saying went, “the South has Du Feng while the North has Chu Li”, no one else would be able to steal his limelight.

Chu Li smiled.

Xiao Yueling asked, “What happened between you and Xiao Qi?”

Chu Li sighed.

Xiao Yueling huffed. “Yinghu has already told me everything. Are you really going to let Xiao Qi go on the path to become an Enlightened Master?”

Chu Li replied, “I’ve joined Amethyst Mountain, and I’m now cultivating the Nature Restoration Manifestation.”

Xiao Yueling’s bright eyes flashed as she nodded. “You’ve finally found your conscience. Were you able to cultivate the Nature Restoration Manifestation successfully?”

Chu Li answered, “I’m working on it.”

“Take your time,” Xiao Yueling advised. “After all, it’s not easy to become an Enlightened Master. Even if you leave her be, she might not be able to achieve it even with a lifetime’s worth of cultivation. When you’ve strengthened your cultivation of the Nature Restoration Manifestation, you can then break through her inner state. I’m only worried that your cultivation of the Nature Restoration Manifestation won’t advance as fast as her inner state.”

Chu Li gave her a faint smile. “I will break through her inner state someday.”

“Mmm, I’ll be waiting.” Xiao Yueling snorted. “It’s a great privilege to become a disciple of Amethyst Mountain, so make the best of this opportunity. Don’t bring shame upon the High Duke’s Public House.”

Chu Li nodded. “Oh yeah, I heard that Green Deer Cliff uses the Spirit Crane Technique as its basis. Aunt Yue Ling, would you mind teaching me the Spirit Crane Technique?”

“In your dreams!” Xiao Yueling replied harshly. “The Spirit Crane Technique is Green Deer Cliff’s fundamental heart technique. How can I teach it to an outsider?”

Chu Li let out a sigh of disappointment.

Xiao Yueling huffed. “There’s enough martial arts for you to cultivate in Amethyst Mountain, so why would you want to learn the Spirit Crane Technique? Cultivate properly and don’t try to run before you can walk!”

Chu Li nodded with a smile.

“Amitabha…” The Buddha’s name rang out, followed by a faint call. “Almsgiver Chu…”

Chu Li raised his eyebrow. “Fa Yuan, why are you acting so sneakily?”

“I have a few things to say to you, Almsgiver Chu,” echoed Fa Yuan’s calm voice.

Chu Li turned back and said, “Aunt Yue Ling, I’ll go and take a look.”

“Go on then.” Xiao Yueling waved her fine, slim hand at him.

Chu Li went off and soon arrived at a gazebo a mile away.

This was a post-house. Fa Yuan was standing alone in it with his cowl fluttering about, looking spirited and dashing.

Chu Li entered the gazebo in a flash, grinning at him. “Are you thinking of snatching the Asura after having lured me here?”

“I have no other choice,” Fa Yuan said, shaking his head and sighing. “If Almsgiver Chu wishes to help them, then I’ll have to force my company on you to keep you occupied.”

“Alright then,” Chu Li replied. “Let me ask you this then. What’s going on with the Tempest Temple? Haven’t you suppressed the Asura? How is it possible for such a huge mess to occur? This seems even more outrageous than before!”

“The Holy Church of Light!” Fa Yuan answered gravely. “They’ve cultivated a technique to tame Asuras. They’ve already tamed twenty of them.”

Chu Li’s expression immediately changed. “So, you’re just allowing them to come to the Ji Dynasty and behave so atrociously?”

Fa Yuan replied, “They’ve sent quite a number of martial arts masters and caught us off-guard. Next time, they won’t succeed so easily… However, they’ve also damaged the suppression, allowing quite a few Asuras to escape. Right now, our disciples are actively tracking down these Asuras!”

“Ah…” Chu Li shook his head and asked, “How many have gotten away?”

“… Twenty-two of them.” With great effort, Fa Yuan forced himself to reveal the number while a look of embarrassment spread across his face.

Chu Li glared at him.

Fa Yuan continued to speak, “Almsgiver Chu, you have to be careful of the Holy Church of Light.”

Chu Li huffed. “They’ve been constantly seeking out trouble with me, so of course I know that.”

“All the Asuras they’ve tamed are top-notch. A few of their cultivation levels are even higher than mine.” Fa Yuan frowned. “I’m worried that they’ll use them against you.”

Chu Li slowly nodded.