White-Robed Chief

Panda Novel

Chu Li frowned as he stared at the man. His face darkened as he said in a low voice, “Senior, what you’re claiming is too theoretical. Does one become part of a sect simply by practicing its martial arts? In that case, the Reincarnation Temple won’t have to compete with the surrounding martial arts faction. They can disseminate the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture directly and be done with it!”

“Your logic is twisted.” The middle-aged man shook his head. “The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture is the secret technique of the Reincarnation Temple. The fact that you’re able to self-cultivate to the point of transforming the aura of an Enlightened Master is already rather impressive. It’s not something an outsider can accomplish. One must have a refined understanding of Buddhist Austerities. As far as we know, you don’t usually study Buddhist Scriptures thoroughly.”

Chu Li answered, “It’s only through fortune and luck that I’ve reached this level after training step by step. Like this time, just when I was unable to hold on much longer, there was a flash of divine light, and I understood the secret essence of the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture. I unexpectedly advanced by two levels, so I could reach my current stage. If I hadn’t held on bitterly in the mausoleum, I wouldn’t have reached this point.”

“Oh?” The middle-aged man gave a humorless smile.

Chu Li said, “In terms of undergoing strict examination, the Secret Guardians Hall can be counted as the first major round. I’m a secret guardian of the Secret Guardians Hall. Seniors, you don’t have to worry about my background!”

“Hearts are fickle.” The middle-aged man chuckled. “At first you were a secret guardian of the Secret Guardians Hall. After entering the Imperial Mausoleum, when you become dejected, it’s hard to say what you’ll do.”

Chu Li replied mildly, “No matter what I do, it has nothing to do with the Reincarnation Temple. They’re a faction of Qiu Dynasty, and thus in a completely different league. They won’t be a threat.”

“That’s still uncertain.” The middle-aged man smiled.

Chu Li cast him a deep look. It was a shame the Omniscient Mirror could not be used. Chu Li could only rely upon the man’s subtle expressions to notice his deep wariness towards Chu Li himself. It seemed that he did not believe Chu Li and would not allow Chu Li to enter the Inner Mausoleum.

Having a murky background was something disastrous for an Inner Mausoleum Protector.

Chu Li noticed Zhao Xuan’s look, who was shaking his head at Chu Li. Evidently, Zhao Xuan felt that what he said was unwise. He should not have told them about the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture.

He just smiled slightly since he had his own reasons for divulging the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture.

“Since Xiao Hu has said all that, this matter shan’t be rushed.” The withered elder stroke the stray, white strands of his beard, deep in thought. “We’ll decide after things are clearer. Anyway, it’s not urgent for now.”

Chu Li was anxious deep down, but his face remained calm. “Honorable Seniors, the Way of Enlightened Masters is a pressing matter to me.”

“Learning the Way of Enlightened Masters is a long-term process. You’re still young and you’ll grow and change in nature. There’s no need to rush.” The middle-aged man gave a small smile.

Chu Li said, “May I ask how old you are, Senior?”

“I’m a hundred twenty years old.” The middle-aged man laughed. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re only forty-plus?”

Chu Li gave a helpless smile. “I really couldn’t tell that you’re that old.”

“It’s not considered late even if you enter Inner Mausoleum after you’re a hundred years old.” The middle-aged man chuckled.

Chu Li shook his head and laughed in spite of himself.

The man meant that Chu Li should wait another sixty years. Chu Li’s path to entering the Mausoleum would be blocked.

If he could not enter the Inner Mausoleum, he would not be able to see the golden body. If he could not touch the golden body, he could forget about the Enlightened Master’s energy.

“Young Lu, don’t rush.” The middle-aged man chortled boomingly. “Sixty years will pass by in the blink of an eye. Just work on self-cultivation. After you’re a hundred years old, you’ll certainly be able to enter the Inner Mausoleum!”

“I wonder, to enter the Inner Mausoleum, what other requirements are there besides holding on for three days and nights?” Chu Li asked mildly as his eyes moved across each elder. “It can’t be just based on everyone’s own impression, where those who were judged to be adequate could enter, while those who made an unfavorable impression were ruled out, right?”

“Of course there’s a requirement.” The middle-aged man grinned. “Defeat me, and you can enter the Inner Mausoleum.”

Chu Li fist saluted. “In that case, I humbly request a few rounds of guidance.”

“Xiao Hu, don’t be afraid of losing!” One of the elders piped up, laughing.

The middle-aged man did not change his expression, retaining his smile. “Senior Zheng, you underestimate me. I’ve devoted myself to cultivating here for twenty years. If I lose to this young fellow, I won’t be able to face anyone.”

“Haha, doesn’t that mean you’re afraid of losing and being humiliated!” The same elder jeered.

Everyone snickered.

The middle-aged man shook his head. “You seniors are just scared that I won’t be humiliated!”

As he spoke, he stood up from his armchair and approached Chu Li. “Young Lu, attack then. Let’s see how capable you really are.”

Chu Li gave a fist salute. “I think my senior should attack first.”

“Alright, watch this!” The middle-aged man did not hold back and threw a punch as quick as lightning.

This was a place that suppressed martial arts, where not even one out of ten could survive. His astonishing speed was evidence of his profound cultivation level.

Chu Li faced the blow with his palm.

“Bang!” There was a dull thud. Chu Li steadily held his ground, and the middle-aged man did not move back either.

Both of their palms were pressed together as if they were glued. Without a single twitch, they battled with their inner energy.

Everyone chuckled as they watched, directing approving looks towards Chu Li. He dared to fight with inner energy, and his courage was commendable.

After a moment, the middle-aged man’s expression shifted. He knitted his brow as he glared at Chu Li.

Chu Li responded with a smile.

The interest of the audience was through the roof as they watched the two.

Staying in the Inner Mausoleum all day was as dull as dishwater. It was better when there was an exciting show.

Evidently, Xiao Hu was caught in a difficult position. A hundred and twenty years old, having cultivated in the Inner Mausoleum for twenty years, yet he could not compare to a forty-year-old young fellow. It was too humiliating.

After ten minutes, white wisps of vapor drifted up above the middle-aged man’s head.

This white vapor grew thicker. After another ten minutes, it formed a dense mass.

After yet another ten minutes, it hung in the air like boiling water.

Even so, Chu Li wore a breezy expression. There was no sign of sweat on his forehead as if he was doing this with skill and ease.

“Haha, oh Xiao Hu, let’s end this here.” The withered elder who spoke previously now grinned with crinkling eyes. “In martial arts, the talented one is ahead; the strong one is respected. Although you’re older, martial arts is not just about one’s age.”

The middle-aged man growled. “Elder Zhao, I’m fine!”

“Oh, really?” The withered old man burst out laughing. “To me, it looks like your level of attainment is still lacking.”

“It’s not!” The middle-aged man scoffed.

He did not believe that Chu Li’s inner energy was deep enough to defeat his own. Chu Li was relying on nothing more than the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture to twist and turn his inner energy. Xiao Hu could not possibly hold on for long. The middle-aged man’s cultivation level was three times that of his opponent’s. How could he lose?

As time passed, the white vapor above his head grew more and more intense. His face turned purple and his forehead was slick with a layer of sweat.

Chu Li was as calm and composed as before, his expression unchanged. There was no white vapor above his head. The difference between the two could be noticed at a glance.

Everyone was exhilarated and thought that this was amazing. A forty-year-old defeating a hundred-and-twenty-year old was not that unusual. In the martial arts world, there was no shortage of generations who possessed astonishing talent, with the young ones surpassing their seniors. However, that was in a battle of martial arts, not inner energy.

Inner energy was something that required the honing of technique. Even if one’s aptitude was slightly inferior, with an additional year of cultivation with the same heart technique, one would still be ahead.

Chu Li suddenly pushed forth the energy in his palm. With a loud “bang,” the middle-aged man flew away.

Zhao Xuan swung his horsetail whisk to curl around the man, bringing him to the ground.

The middle-aged man landed steadily, wearing an embarrassed expression.

Chu Li fist saluted. “You went easy on me, Senior Hu!”

The middle-aged man stared at him, taking a deep breath, before saying slowly, “Impressive indeed!”