White-Robed Chief

The night carried on peacefully. There were no more assassinations and disturbances.

After meditating for one night, Chu Li realized that his Dantian had recovered much faster than he had expected. Frustrated by this, he decided to give up on cultivating to allow it to heal on its own. It was not a good thing for his cultivation level to recover too quickly.

In fact, the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture was blasphemous against the rules of the Holy Church of Light as it would basically override the rules established by the latter. 

Naturally, the other disciples were intimidated by the thought of having their martial arts abilities crippled. Thus they did not dare to break the rules. Should they actually lose their martial arts, they had to cultivate again which might take up to a decade and they would never be able to catch up with their peers.

Therefore, the stringent rules of the Holy Church loomed over them like a long blade hanging above one's head. It could fall at any time and this terrified the Grandmasters, which discouraged them from behaving in an unruly manner.

Nonetheless, the rules were not that terrifying to those who had cultivated the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture. Even if they had their martial arts crippled, they could cultivate it again within half a month. The price to pay for breaking the rules of the Holy Church was too small.

Chu Li understood the psychology of humans and knew that this was not a good thing.

Obviously, the disciples would envy those who could override the rules, but the Saint would not tolerate this and she would have more powerful tactics in store.

The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture was like a double-edged sword which brought about an array of advantages and also disadvantages.

Having his martial arts crippled this time was an opportunity for him to get rid of danger. He wanted others to know that it was not easy to recover after going through such an ordeal. Chu Li was not like Qin Huaichuan who could recover within half a month.

Although Qin Huaichuan seemed like an intelligent person, he had failed to grasp this concept.

The next morning, they began their journey after breakfast. When it was nighttime and the moon shone brightly in the sky, they arrived at the Great Light Peak.

Immediately, Chu Li returned to his house in the Spirit Medicine Nursery whereas Li Ruolan and Ji Xin headed for the third peak.

…

The air at dawn was fresh, especially in the Spirit Medicine Nursery. The spiritual energy emitted by the Glory's Will Trees cleansed the air, making it clear and refreshing.

Chu Li pushed open the window and stepped out of the house. Then, he sat on the cattail hassock and resumed his cultivation.

Zhou Huang came over and observed him. "Young one, I heard you came back last night?"

Chu Li got up slowly and gave a fist salute. "Elder Zhou."

"Huh, what's the matter?" Zhou Huang noticed his strange behavior. "Are you hurt?"

"My martial arts have been crippled." Chu Li shook his head and grimaced.

"Crippled?!" Zhou Huang exclaimed. "Was it the torture chamber?"

Chu Li replied, "The torture chamber's got nothing on me yet. It happened during my trip to the Qiu Dynasty, where I killed a disciple of Hai Cang Mountain. As a result, I was pursued by them and they crippled my martial arts!"

"You guys went to the Qiu Dynasty?" Zhou Huang shook his head. "The sword techniques of Hai Cang Mountain is one of a kind and out of this world. You might not be able to defeat them with your Divine Light Sword!"

"I'm no match for them." Chu Li sighed.

Even if he were to meet them again one day, knowing about their special abilities would not help. Instead of battling them head-on, he had to look for a weakness and plan his attack from that angle.

Still, the sword techniques of Hai Cang Mountain were masterful and difficult to evade.

Zhou Huang raised his pudgy arm and patted Chu Li on the shoulder. "It's good that you survived. It's Hai Cang Mountain we're talking about. They aren't afraid of the Holy Church!"

Chu Li said helplessly, "I guess that's how things are."

"Go cultivate properly." Zhou Huang smiled. "You possess the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture so it won't take a long time."

Chu Li sighed. "The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture isn't that miraculous."

"Didn't that young one Qin Huaichuan recover his martial arts abilities in less than a month?"

"He was just acting. All he did was hurt himself and blamed it on me!" Chu Li scoffed. "I reckon it'll take a while before I recover. It's a good thing that I've only cultivated for a few months. It won't take very long if I cultivate again!"

"You've got a point, and you're a genius too!" Zhou Huang chuckled. "However, you have a new mission now. You've got to help me."

Chu Li said helplessly, "I don't have the time, I need to restore my martial arts."

"You're in the Great Light Peak and it's safe!" Zhou Huang said, "Never mind about when you recover. Plant more Huling Grass for me. I need them urgently!"

Chu Li pondered with knitted brows. "Are you going to craft Fortifying Pills?"

He was now knowledgeable in the Thousand Herb Scripture and the Treasured Pill Scripture. He could identify the properties and functions of any spirit herb. Coupled with the present situation, Chu Li guessed that the herbs were to be used for crafting Fortifying Pills.

"A great battle is imminent and it's imperative that we have a full supply of Fortifying Pills," Zhou Huang said. "Don't be lazy and cultivate quickly. Who knows? You might be able to join the battle which will be a good chance to prove your worth. H*ck, you might even have the opportunity to be promoted to a Patrol!"

Chu Li laughed.

He knew how far he had to go before he could become a Patrol. First, he had to be a Branch Leader and work hard, only then could he gain experience and become a Patrol. It was not a role that he could break into easily.

"The Huling Grass is already planted!" Zhou Huang announced. "There are four Spirit Medicine Nurseries. Afterward, get Xiao Xu to bring you there and take care of the plants for me. Recite some mantras to make them grow faster as I need them urgently!"

"Alright," Chu Li agreed to it helplessly.

As they spoke, Xu Jingya, who was dressed in a green gown, slowly walked towards the exterior of the Spirit Medicine Nursery. 

She was pretty and easy on the eyes, like a delicate chrysanthemum.

"Elder Zhou, Junior Brother Zhao." Xu Jingya curtsied.

Chu Li cupped his fists. "Thank you, Senior Sister Xu."

Xu Jingya returned a wan smile, but did not say anything.

Zhou Huang said cheerily, "Xiao Xu, take him to the four Spirit Medicine Nurseries and watch him as he recites his mantras. You should also learn from him. Perhaps you might make sense of it as you have always been talented when it comes to spirit herbs."

Chu Li chuckled. "Elder Zhou, this is a unique technique of mine and I can't teach it to outsiders."

"What do you mean by outsiders?!" Zhou Huang remarked sternly. "Xiao Xu belongs to the same sect as you and she also works at the Spirit Medicine Nurseries. She's part of the family and don't you try to hide your technique!"

Xu Jingya hushed him. "Elder Zhou!"

Zhou Huang's expression turned cheerful again and he laughed. "You don't have to oblige. His ambition doesn't lie here. Just learn what you can."

Chu Li said, "Elder Zhou, what do you mean by my ambition doesn't lie here?"

"Enough nonsense! Are you going to teach her or not?" Zhou Huang's expression turned serious once more. "Or, in the future, half of the spirit medicines planted by Xiao Xu shall be given to you!"

Chu Li rubbed his chin and sighed. "It's a good idea, but I can't impart this technique to her even if I wanted to. I'm not sure what it is, but when I begin reciting the mantras, my whole body feels comfortable and somewhat lazy, as if the spirit herbs have come to life and have the ability to talk to me."

"Oh?" Zhou Huang's eyes went wide with curiosity.

It was the first time Chu Li mentioned this.

Chu Li spoke, "I don't know how I did it. It just happened one night. When I recite mantras in order to make them grow faster, they do grow faster."

"Damn, that's amazing!" Zhou Huang praised him.

He was not skeptical about this. After all, there were so many bizarre occurrences in this world and Chu Li's case was no stranger than what he had heard of.

Chu Li looked at Xu Jingya apologetically. "That's the reason, Senior Sister Xu. It isn't because I don't want to teach you, but it's because I really don't know how to do it."

"It's alright." Xu Jingya smiled wanly. "We can accelerate their growth via other methods. Let's go."

Zhou Huang said, "Recite your mantras properly, young one."

Chu Li waved his arm in acknowledgment before he followed Xu Jingya to the Spirit Medicine Nurseries. 

He spent the following month living a simple and low-profile life. He recited mantras and crafted pills, yet he could not restore his martial arts.