Chu Li asked with a smile, “I can enter the Inner Mausoleum now?”

　　 The withered elder chuckled. “Xiao Hu, what do you say, can he?”

　　 “The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture is impressive indeed!” The middle-aged man’s voice was soft. “Alright, I agree to him entering!”

　　 The withered elder turned his head to look around him.

　　 “Let me experience the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture of this young fellow!” An elder floated towards Chu Li and landed before him.

　　 “Elder Qian, are you stirring up trouble?” The withered elder grinned.

　　 “This young fellow’s Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture has such a special mystery. I must try it for myself!” Elder Qian laughed.

　　 He appeared majestic, with a well-built body and a hearty face.

　　 “Sigh… just try to take it easy.” The withered elder shook his head.

　　 Elder Qian chortled. “Don’t worry. Young man, come, let us compete and see if you can throw off my inner energy!”

　　 As he spoke, he extended his right palm.

　　 Chu Li fist saluted and stretched out his right palm as well. They pressed their hands together.

　　 “Bang!” There was a loud sound. Elder Qian’s hair started waving around though there was no wind, intending to put up an initial show of strength against Chu Li.

　　 Chu Li stood his ground firmly. His position did not shift, and his face did not change.

　　 Elder Qian broke out into a grin. “You’re quite capable. Impressive!”

　　 He sensed his own inner energy sinking down with no hope of resurfacing. When his mighty inner energy encountered Chu Li, it instantly vanished without a sound. There was no splash, no struggle. This was very strange indeed.

　　 Chu Li’s expression was calm, but inwardly he was excited.

　　 He mentioned the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture in order to absorb everyone’s inner energy. All of the Inner Mausoleum Protectors had inner energy that was extremely refined, most appropriate for the Heavenly Demonic Orb to devour. Although the Heavenly Demonic Orb was not as fast as the Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique at devouring inner energy, this was still a rare opportunity.

　　 He believed that by exchanging blows with the Inner Mausoleum Protectors, his Heavenly Demonic Power would improve significantly. There was no way he could miss such a good chance.

　　 The origin of the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture might arouse suspicion, but his identity as a secret guardian was enough to earn their trust. The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture could not be subverted, otherwise, no one would agree to him entering the Inner Mausoleum.

　　 After fifteen minutes, white vapor was hanging above Elder Qian’s head like fog, as he continued to channel his inner energy obliviously, until it was exhausted. Then Chu Li’s palm energy surged gently and Elder Qian was instantly sent flying.

　　 Elder Qian, after being sent flying, landed steadily on the ground, exclaiming in admiration, “What an incredible young man!”

　　 “My turn!” Another elder flew out and presented himself, inspired by the display.

　　 A few others sat back in disappointment, having failed to be the first to move.

　　 Chu Li welcomed anyone who came forth, immediately extending his hand. He did not look as if he had just fought for two rounds with his inner energy, still appearing to be in robust spirits.

　　 After fifteen minutes, this elder was sent flying too.

　　 “Oh, it looks like this young man will defeat all of us masters in the Inner Mausoleum!” The withered elder chortled.

　　 Zhao Xuan chuckled as well. “If he can defeat all of us, that’d be a marvelous show!”

　　 On one side, Chu Li was in a battle of inner energy while he smiled in response. “I wouldn’t dare to have such wild hopes.”

　　 “Young Lu has held on for three days already. After he’s taken a break, everyone shall give it a go one by one!” The withered elder laughed. “Elder Meng shall be the last one for now.”

　　 “Elder Xu, two more rounds, please. Look, Young Lu doesn’t look the least bit tired.”

　　 “That’s right.”

　　 “All of you should have some pride. Look at how old you are!”

　　 “The talented should be respected – this has nothing to do with age. We want to see how far he can be pushed!… This Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture is truly impressive!”

　　 “The Reincarnation Temple is superior to the Tempest Temple. How could its technique not be impressive?”

　　 “Still, the more formidable the martial art, the harder its cultivation. This Young Lu could be considered a genius for cultivating it to this level.”

　　 “It’s too bad he was unlucky. How did he get thrown to the Imperial Mausoleum?”

　　 “The officials must have made an error for the Emperor to cast him to this place… He’s truly unlucky.”

　　 “Sigh… That’s life for you!”

　　 During their discussion, the elder before Chu Li was sent flying once again.

　　 Chu Li was pleased. His Heavenly Demonic Power had progressed greatly. If he had not used the Heavenly Demonic Spirit Devouring Technique, who knew how long getting this far would have taken?

　　 “Alright, alright, let Young Lu rest for a day.” The withered elder smile. “I’m Xu Zhenshan. Young Lu, from today onwards, you’re an Inner Mausoleum Protector!”

　　 Chu Li fist saluted as he said solemnly, “I thank you, Elder Xu!”

　　 “You don’t have to thank me. You’ve earned it.” Xu Zhenshan smiled with his eyes. “Having entered the Inner Mausoleum, your responsibilities are heavier. You may stay in the Outer Mausoleum, and for every two days there, one day must be spent guarding the Inner Mausoleum.”

　　 “Understood,” Chu Li said. “I wish to see for myself the marvel of the Enlightened Master’s golden body!”

　　 “You’ll have your chance in the future. Now you may leave and make your arrangements,” Xu Zhenshan said.

　　 Chu Li fist saluted.

　　 “Come along, Young Lu, follow me. Let’s find you a place to stay.” Zhao Xuan said, grinning, with a swish of his horsetail whisk.

　　 Chu Li gave everyone a fist salute, then left with Zhao Xuan.

　　 The elders stared at Chu Li’s departing figure.

　　 “Finally, an interesting young man has come along.”

　　 “Xiao Hu, you’re no longer the youngest here.”

　　 The middle-aged man gave a powerless, bitter smile. “I didn’t expect that he’d be so incredible. How shameful.”

　　 “Shameful? This is the martial arts world.”

　　 “He’s benefitted from the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture, so he could transform his inner energy and the Enlightened Master’s energy. I wonder how close he can get to the golden body.”

　　 “I reckon that a hundred feet is no problem for him!”

　　 “A hundred feet… I’m afraid that’s unlikely. The closest he would get is a hundred and fifty feet.”

　　 “Elder Xu, do you think Young Lu can get within a hundred feet of the golden body?”

　　 “More or less.” The withered elder, Xu Zhenshan nodded. “The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture is mysterious and beyond compare. If he had a deep understanding, he might be able to reach a hundred feet.”

　　 “This Young Lu is very fortunate.”

　　 The closer one got to the golden body, the greater the benefits, and the more one would learn about Enlightened Masters. Most of them could not get closer than thirty feet. Only two of them were able to reach ten feet, almost able to touch the golden body.

　　 “Everyone, don’t be discouraged. Strive to overtake Young Lu!”

　　 Chu Li and Zhao Xuan exited the Inner Mausoleum and went up the steps. They reached the Palace on the ground, where the Outer Mausoleum was. Although the suppression from earlier was gone, they still could not use divine power and inner energy.

　　 Zhao Xuan brought him to the back, all the way to the Imperial Garden.

　　 The Imperial Garden was bursting with blossoms. Because it was protected by a formation, the garden was evergreen through the four seasons. It was as warm as spring, with flowers in full bloom, suffusing the air with their fragrance.

　　 “Young Lu, you may pick a yard in the Imperial Garden to live in.” Zhao Xuan flashed him a grin. “Are you satisfied with the place?”

　　 “Would I be overstepping my bounds?” Chu Li asked.

　　 Zhao Xuan shook his head. “Inner Mausoleum Protectors may live in the Imperial Garden. This is protocol, not overstepping your bounds. Even if they enter the Imperial House, Inner Mausoleum Protectors may live in the Imperial Garden.”

　　 Chu Li nodded slowly as a smile crept over his face.

　　 “Alright, pick one.” Zhao Xuan laughed. “Try not to be dazzled!”

　　 Chu Li smirked as he walked around the entire Imperial Garden, then selected a waterside pavilion on a small lake.

　　 Zhao Xuan nodded with a smile and summoned someone to clean up the place.

　　 In the meantime, Chu Li left the Outer Mausoleum and returned to Adjacent Town. After he returned to Lu Xuzhou’s residence, he appeared in his own home in a flash.

　　 It was currently noontime. Xiao Qi was resting in her room.

　　 When she heard him moving around, she came out wearing a white tunic.

　　 The hair around her forehead was loose and she looked languid and tender, entirely different from her usual chilly manner. She was gentle and lovely, as soft as water. This immense contrast from her usual self was particularly touching, and Chu Li felt a rush of excitement as he advanced with outstretched hands.

　　 Xiao Qi rolled her eyes at him and sat across him in the gazebo. Chu Li grew even more eager and impatient. Her faint fragrance swirled under his nose, and he was itching to draw her into an embrace.

　　 “Three days and three nights – it’s alright then?”

　　 “I’ve joined the Inner Mausoleum. After today, I’ll stay in the Outer Mausoleum… I don’t suppose there’s any news from Fairy’s Capital?”