An uncomfortable expression appeared on Chu Li’s face.

　　Although she was a strikingly beautiful woman with the most wonderful eyes, her prolonged stare made him feel rather uncomfortable.

　　Yue Ru spoke in a low voice, “Master…”

　　Bai Feng snapped out of her daydream and shook her head to recompose herself. “Forgive me for my absentmindedness.”

　　“Do I look like someone you know?” Chu Li asked.

　　Bai Feng shook her head. “I was just wondering how high up you’ll be able to advance to in the Holy Church of Light.”

　　Chu Li asked, “Do you know a lot about the Holy Church?”

　　“I have only a rough understanding of how things work there,” Bai Feng replied. “You’re now qualified in terms of merits and martial arts, so all that’s left is the martial arts competition. Then, you can become an inner mountain disciple.”

　　Chu Li nodded.

　　Now that he had re-established the Radiance Clan, he was qualified to participate in the entrance competition. If he managed to be in the top five during the martial arts competition, he could then become an inner mountain disciple.

　　“The status as an inner mountain disciple may seem easily attainable to you, but you have to be careful of people plotting against you in secret,” Bai Feng warned while shaking her head. “You might become a common enemy to your competitors. Since they’re no match for you in terms of martial arts, they may find some other people to get rid of you and prevent you from becoming their obstacle.”

　　“But killing one another is prohibited among the disciples of the Church,” Chu Li replied.

　　Bai Feng gave a scornful laugh as she shook her head and said, “You can’t be that naive. You’re a clever man. Do you really believe that’ll stop them? Of course, they won’t do it themselves since they won’t be able to defeat you anyway, but won’t it be the same if they get some other martial arts masters to deal with you? You’ve made quite a few enemies here. If they were to pass themselves off as disciples from the White Tiger Sect and then kill you, who would be able to tell what’s true and what’s false?”

　　Chu Li slowly nodded.

　　Bai Feng asked, “When will the martial arts competition take place?”

　　“In half a year’s time.”

　　Bai Feng shook her head. “Well then, you won’t be able to have a peaceful life in these coming few months.”

　　Chu Li smiled. “I’m not afraid of such things!”

　　“It’ll be enough to make you feel frustrated.” Bai Feng paused for a moment and then said, “There’s one way you can avoid this. Stay here at the Phoenix Goddess Brothel.”

　　“This may get you into more trouble.” Chu Li shook his head.

　　Bai Feng scoffed and replied, “You can just pretend that you’ve become infatuated with Yue Ru. What can they do about that?”

　　“Master…” Yue Ru protested weakly.

　　Bai Feng continued, “Yue Ru is quite the beauty anyway, so it won’t be surprising if you fall for her, right?”

　　“Miss Yue Ru is indeed very beautiful. Others might make fun of me and say that she’s out of my league.” Chu Li scratched his head and gave her a foolish smile.

　　Bai Feng threw a glare at him. “You look so silly when you smile like that. You should smile less from now on!”

　　“I can’t help it,” Chu Li said with embarrassment. “I also know that I look silly when I smile.”

　　“Then don’t smile!” Bai Feng huffed. “Keep a straight face and maintain a dignified demeanor. Carry yourself in a respectable manner! Most people are quite shallow and will usually judge you by your demeanor.”

　　“Okay.” Chu Li graciously accepted her advice.

　　Bai Feng said, “Well then, that’s all for now.”

　　She waved a hand at him.

　　Chu Li took the hint and left the room.

　　Yue Ru walked him back to his room and then returned to Bai Feng’s room.

　　“You still don’t have any feelings for him?” Bai Feng asked.

　　Yue Ru shook her head.

　　Bai Feng chuckled and said, “Your standards are rather high, young lady. Suit yourself then. It’s about time to start working harder on your cultivation!”

　　Yue Ru nodded obediently.

　　Bai Feng continued, “Once you reach the next level, you’ll be able to protect yourself. Then, I can put my mind at rest and return to the sect.”

　　“Master…” Yue Ru mumbled, feeling reluctant to see her master leave.

　　“Are you intentionally delaying your advancement to keep me here with you?”

　　“Of course not.”

　　“Then, work harder on your cultivation!”

　　“Understood.” Yue Ru nodded.

　　When she thought about how Chu Li always managed to cultivate for three days in one go, she felt extremely envious of him. It was rather annoying to see him with such great talent.

　　…

　　At dawn, Chu Li left the Phoenix Goddess Brothel and went to the Radiance Clan.

　　It was very lively at the Radiance Clan as numerous people were working in full swing.

　　The initial ruins had been turned into a construction site where groups of workers were now hurrying about in an orderly fashion. Some of them were laying bricks while others were digging a lake. As for the rest, they were laying the foundations for the buildings.

　　Chu Li noticed Kou Qiong and the other two men at the construction site.

　　As they came to meet him, they gave a fist salute and bowed to him. “Clan Leader.”

　　“When will the construction be completed?” Chu Li waved a hand at them, signaling for them to stop acting so courteous.

　　Kou Qiong replied, “It’ll be completed in a month.”

　　“One month…” Chu Li nodded. “Make sure it’s done properly.”

　　“Of course. We’ll be here supervising them!” Kou Qiong thumped his own chest. “You have nothing to worry about, Clan Leader!”

　　Chu Li gave a satisfied nod.

　　As they observed Chu Li’s expression and saw his satisfied look, they instantly let out a sigh of relief.

　　Clan Leader’s status was now different from before. Everyone in Gale City had heard of how he had defeated the White Tiger Sect and completely overpowered them in a short amount of time. Given that he had accomplished this all by himself, his rise to power was inevitable.

　　Chu Li said nothing more. After having surveyed the site, he left the place and went back to continue cultivating.

　　In the early evening when lanterns were first lit, Gale City turned into a sleepless city.

　　Chu Li came to the Phoenix Goddess Brothel and informed a servant that he was here to see Miss Yue Ru.

　　However, the servant looked at him awkwardly. “Young Master, you haven’t come at a good time. Unfortunately, Miss Yue Ru is attending to a guest already.”

　　“I’m Zhao Dahe,” Chu Li said.

　　The servant was taken aback and immediately smiled at him. “So you’re Young Master Zhao. Please come in. Miss Yue Ru has instructed us to serve you well whenever Young Master Zhao comes. Forgive me for not having recognized you. Please come with me. I’ll inform Miss Yue Ru right away.”

　　Chu Li kept a straight face and nodded casually. “Lead the way.”

　　The servant brought him to a room on the second floor. Then, the servant swiftly went to another room and knocked on the door.

　　A middle-aged man opened the door with an impatient look and glared at the servant coldly.

　　Silk and bamboo music could be heard from inside the room intertwined with Yue Ru’s soft laughter and a young man’s laughter.

　　“What’s the matter?” The middle-aged man demanded with a huff. “How dare you disturb my young master’s mood!”

　　His piercing gaze felt like a pair of swords stabbing into the servant’s eyes.

　　The servant flinched and hurriedly replied, “I have something to tell Miss Yue Ru.”

　　“Miss Yue Ru is accompanying my young master right now. She’s not free to speak to you.” The man kept his voice low and impatiently waved a hand to dismiss the servant.

　　The servant anxiously replied, “An important guest has come. Miss Yue Ru has instructed us to inform her whenever this important guest drops by.”

　　“Who’s this important guest? I’d like to know his name,” the man replied sternly. “I’d like to see who could be more important than my young master!”

　　A troubled expression appeared on the servant’s face.

　　Yue Ru’s gentle voice could be heard asking, “What’s the matter?”

　　The servant felt a sense of relief as he hurriedly informed, “Miss Yue Ru, Young Master Zhao is here.”

　　“Okay, got it,” Yue Ru replied from inside the room. “You don’t have to keep him occupied. I’ll go and meet him in a moment.”

　　“Understood,” the servant said and then slipped away at once as he could not stand being around this middle-aged man for another moment.

　　Yue Ru looked elegant and graceful in her emerald-green gown. Her face was as fair and smooth as Suet White Jade under the soft lighting and her pearly white teeth were slightly visible as she smiled sweetly. No words could fully describe her beauty.

　　The man sitting across her seemed entirely captivated by her.

　　He was a good-looking young man with a tall and well-built physique that was similar to a modern-day male model’s figure. His eyes shone like a bright star while his handsome, charming smile gave him an approachable and friendly air.

　　He asked with a smile, “Who is this Young Master Zhao? Is he an important guest of Miss Yue Ru?”

　　Yue Ru laughed softly and replied,” He’s a friend of mine.”

　　“Oh, but I’m your friend too. Is he more important than me?” The handsome man chuckled.

　　Yue Yu laughed and said, “Young Master Lu, you and Young Master Zhao are both my friends. How can I ignore a friend when he has come to visit me? I’ll be back very soon.”

　　“Since we’re all friends, I’d like to meet this Young Master Zhao too. That should be fine, right?” the handsome young man asked with a smile.

　　Yue Ru returned the smile but shook her head.

　　“Is it because this Young Master Zhao’s status is so high that I cannot meet him?” the young man asked.

　　Yue Ru chuckled and replied, “Perhaps some other day.”

　　The handsome young man knitted his brows together as his smile faded.