"Go to sleep first! Now that we’ve found the chance to suppress the Celestial Demon, do we still fear lacking opportunities to get closer?" Xie Lingyun took off her clothes, and slowly lay down on the bed with a smile on her face; it was her first peaceful sleep in more than ten years.
After finishing the pastries, Zhang Chen sat at the door for a long time without noticing anything unusual, he stood up and sighed: "If it weren’t for finding the cultivation mantra behind the Qi Cultivation method, I should seize the chance to escape now, far away from Yellow Heaven Dao. This Yellow Heaven Dao is too dangerous, not safe at all."
Zhang Chen murmured, finally calming his uneasy heart: "If there really is an ancestor in the Daoist Temple who discovered my Light of the True God, surely they would have come knocking by now."
This incident also served as a reminder to Zhang Chen, never to casually infuse items with the Light of the True God in the future.
Zhang Chen fell into a drowsy sleep, until he was awakened by the scent of herbs in the morning.
"Zhang Chen, get up and drink your medicine." Xiaodouding stood by the bed, calling out to Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen opened his eyes, and though it was still dark, Xiaodouding stood by the bed blackened with dirt, holding a bowl of medicine, grinning and showing his white teeth.
"I say, Senior Sister, does this medicine actually have any effect? Why do I feel sleepy after drinking it rather than feeling any improvement?" Zhang Chen looked at Xiaodouding, his eyes filled with suspicion.
"You’ve only been drinking it for a few days, it would take at least half a year to see any effect, stop whining and drink up!" Xiaodouding urged as they handed him the medicine bowl.
Having no choice, Zhang Chen gingerly picked up the medicine bowl, pinched his nose, and drank it all down. Then the two began their morning wash, just finishing when the bell for the morning class sounded.
After the morning class, the two rushed into the dining hall with buckets, albeit a bit late, ending up at the back of the queue, with only half a bucket of porridge left.
"Next time, we’ll wait at the very end of the line, so we can be the first ones to the dining hall after class," Xiaodouding complained while holding half a bowl of porridge.
"Sounds good!" Zhang Chen nodded in agreement.
Having finished their porridge, the two sauntered into the main hall, ready to work, only to see the noblewoman in red, sitting on the meditation mat, reciting scriptures.
They stood by the threshold waiting, not daring to interrupt, until a quarter-hour later, the noblewoman finished her recitation, stood up, and glanced at them: "Didn’t I tell you? From now on, you can come in and clean without worrying about me."
She approached Xiaodouding, pinched Chengyu’s delicate cheeks, her eyes filled with affection, pulling her cheeks out of shape.
"We have enough time to clean, we dare not disturb the noblewoman’s peace." Zhang Chen hurriedly bowed.
"Just do as I say, I’m not bothered by interruptions," Xie Lingyun replied.
Taking her words, Zhang Chen reluctantly nodded: "As you wish, next time we will heed the noblewoman’s advice."
Satisfied with their response, Xie Lingyun nodded, released Xiaodouding’s cheeks, and left with a smile.
"Zhang Chen, I hate this woman." Xiaodouding rubbed her cheek vigorously, exasperated: "No one has ever dared to pinch my face like that! If it weren’t for her being a woman, I’d give her a piece of my mind."
Xiaodouding grumbled her discontent.
Meanwhile, after Xie Lingyun left the hall, the Law Enforcement Elder accompanied her for a stroll in the Daoist Temple and happened upon Zhang Chen and Xiaodouding’s courtyard. Xie Lingyun stopped and remarked: "This courtyard is quite unique."
"If it catches your fancy, I’ll have the occupants vacate it for you, so you may move in tonight," the Law Enforcement Elder flattered.
"Oh? Who lives here? Is it convenient?" Xie Lingyun queried casually.
If the Law Enforcement Elder says it’s inconvenient, it means it’s occupied by the Daoist Temple’s hierarchy, if they say it’s convenient, she could glean the information smoothly.
"Why not? It’s just two ordinary disciples from the Daoist Temple; being able to vacate the room for you is their fortune," the Law Enforcement Elder chuckled.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun pondered:
"Forget it, no need for all this trouble, I might not stay long anyway."
She already suspected these two disciples were hiding something, concealing themselves within the Daoist Temple, evidently Yellow Heaven Dao knows nothing of their prowess.
Since they are only ordinary disciples, it’s much simpler. Now she needs to determine if the Golden Light comes from the disciple themselves or from a mysterious object beside them, and then devise a strategy.
The two departed, unbeknownst to anyone, this seemingly casual inquiry would change countless fates.
Zhang Chen and Fox Spirit finished cleaning the main hall and returned to their courtyard, with Xiaodouding urging Zhang Chen to practice martial arts.
While Zhang Chen was practicing the True Dragon Form, suddenly he heard a feminine voice from outside the courtyard: "Your True Dragon Form is practiced well, but it lacks refinement; there are three crucial mistakes. If you don’t correct them, it will be difficult to step into Ming Jin."
Startled, Zhang Chen looked towards the gate to see Xie Lingyun in red standing there, her eyes watching Zhang Chen’s movements, offering her guidance.
Zhang Chen swiftly ceased his True Dragon Form practice, ignoring his sweat, and respectfully addressed the noblewoman: "Greetings, noblewoman."
"As I passed by, I noticed your martial arts practice was developed, yet missing something, so I couldn’t help but offer advice," Xie Lingyun entered the courtyard naturally.
"My crude martial skills sullied the noblewoman’s sight, I beg not to be held accountable," Zhang Chen spoke cautiously, aware of her considerable background, he dared not offend. Ever since seeing Chen Sanliang and the fallen Chai Chuanxin, Zhang Chen increasingly recognized the nobility’s disdain for commoners. He only sought to stay low within Yellow Heaven Dao and find chances for higher-level Qi Cultivation methods, without stirring trouble.
"You need not be so reserved, I simply see potential in you, hence my advice," Xie Lingyun intentionally lowered her stance to bridge the gap.
Zhang Chen, aware of his martial errors, merely practiced the True Dragon Form casually, fooling Xiaodouding. Being someone who cultivates immortality, martial practice seemed redundant!
If not for Xiaodouding’s persistence and his idleness, he wouldn’t bother with martial arts.
He regarded the noblewoman: "So, this noblewoman enjoys being a mentor. Her approach and demeanor suggest she has unusual status; befriending her could be advantageous. To climb into Yellow Heaven Dao’s upper ranks, alone he lacked strength, but with influential support..."
Thus, Zhang Chen decided to oblige her teaching penchant, respectfully saying: "Please grant me your guidance, I greatly appreciate it."
Hearing this, Xie Lingyun nodded in satisfaction, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly: "Your True Dragon Form has three errors; first, during the third move, your left shoulder drops three points, failing to achieve the stretch effect."
As she spoke, Xie Lingyun stood to demonstrate for Zhang Chen.
Her movements were graceful, incredibly agile, yet upon seeing her elegant True Dragon Form, Zhang Chen was bewildered: When did nobility become so approachable? This doesn’t match his understanding of noble demeanor!
This isn’t like nobility at all!
In his eyes: This noblewoman is unexpectedly amiable!