Chu Li arrived at the Tianshu Courtyard and entered the house.

　　There was only Xiao Shi alone in the brightly illuminated house, Yang Xu was in the adjacent house caring for Xue Ling.

　　Xiao Shi was reclining on the couch reading a book, her brocade covering her well-endowed curves. Her expression was indolent, her face delicate and charming.

　　“Did you kill that person?” Xiao Shi put down the book and asked lazily.

　　Chu Li had already predicted that a High Official from the Imperial House would come here to assassinate him and had told Xiao Shi in advance.

　　Xiao Shi was not worried, but instead curious if Chu Li would kill Zhang Ci.

　　Chu Li shook his head. “I did not manage to.”

　　“He escaped?” exclaimed Xiao Shi.

　　Chu Li nodded his head and said, “The secret skill of the Amethyst Mountain is amazing, I could not catch up! … He is from the Imperial House, but I cannot go there to kill him, I’m afraid the Emperor will not allow it!”

　　Chu Li had the All-Seeing Divine Power; once he activated it, he would immediately be able to find Zhang Ci.

　　However, Zhang Ci was a High Official in the Imperial House and constantly stayed in the Imperial House. Even if Chu Li managed to find him, he could not charge into the Imperial House to kill him.

　　The good news was the Zhang Ci could not do anything either. Even if he was a High Official of the Imperial House, he could not kill a Secret Guardian of the Imperial House.

　　They both had ‘Imperial House’ in their titles, but the path they walked on was different.

　　Xiao Shi chuckled. “There are people who even you can’t kill?”

　　“Does the Lady wish to cultivate?” asked Chu Li.

　　Xiao Shi immediately shook her head. “No.”

　　Chu Li said, “Even though I said I could protect you, accidents may always happen. The most reliable is always one’s own martial arts. The assassination techniques of the Amethyst Mountain are hard to defend against.”

　　“I’m already at this age, even if I started cultivating now, it would be a waste of time! Even so, it might be better than not knowing martial arts at all.” Xiao Shi nodded.

　　“I have obtained Lu Yurong’s martial arts legacy, the Empyrean Fairy Power. Does the Lady want to learn it?” smiled Chu Li.

　　“The Empyrean Fairy Power… I feel like I have heard of it before,” Xiao Shi muttered.

　　“Lu Yurong’s martial arts is powerful. This Empyrean Fairy Power is indeed an ancient study, however, there is a catch, you cannot get close to men.” sighed Chu Li.

　　“Oh…?” exclaimed Xiao Shi.

　　Chu Li said, “The reason why Lu Yurong is surrounded by women and has no men near her is because she cultivates the Empyrean Fairy Power.”

　　“To think there is such an odd effect… What will happen if men come close?” Xiao Shi laughed and shook her head.

　　“He might lose his life. Men cannot withstand the extreme-Yin and extreme-Cold,” said Chu Li.

　　“That is to say, if I cultivate this, you will not be able to be by my side anymore? Are you trying to be lazy so you can go back to Little Sister?” laughed Xiao Shi.

　　Chu Li glared at her dolefully.

　　Xiao Shi chuckled. “I feel that you have ulterior motives.”

　　Chu Li said, “Don’t worry, my Lady, I will stay here!”

　　Xiao Shi shook her head and said, “I don’t want to cultivate this.”

　　Chu Li looked at her helplessly. “Alright, don’t cultivate it then.”

　　Cultivating the Empyrean Fairy Power had its advantages and disadvantages. Cultivating it would indeed allow Xiao Shi to defend herself, but it would also change her temperament. She would become as cold as ice, unlike how she is now.

　　Xiao Shi asked, “Did Lu Yurong really help?”

　　“She will not do anything unless it benefits her. She helped lure Fa Yuan away while I took the chance to kill Meng Zhi… Right, has that Senior of the Amethyst Mountain exited isolation?” laughed Chu Li.

　　“You will have to ask Third Younger Sister about this matter, she is the one in contact with that Senior… Their ability to assassinate is very strong, you should be more careful,” said Xiao Shi.

　　“It is you who should be careful, my Lady. Xue Ling’s martial arts is no longer enough.” frowned Chu Li.

　　Xue Ling was currently in the Innate Mastery’s Boundary and was considered talented in the world of martial arts. However, placing her in the Imperial Residence by Xiao Shi’s side made it obvious that her martial arts were not good enough. She could defend during crucial moments, but she would end up getting herself hurt and placing herself in danger.

　　“She has not been cultivating for that long, this kind of things cannot be rushed,” remarked Xiao Shi.

　　Chu Li slowly nodded his head.

　　Xue Ling had not cultivated enough, she still could not achieve the rank of Grandmaster.

　　Chu Li could help her breakthrough to the Innate Master’s Boundary, but he could not help her breakthrough to the Grandmaster’s Boundary.

　　Once her innate mastery was perfected, Xue Ling would be able to enter the surpassing state through meditation. Chu Li helped Xue Ling build a solid foundation, the strong spiritual power strengthened her comprehension by leaps and bounds. She would be able to smoothly break through once her innate mastery was perfected.

　　Xue Ling had not cultivated enough, whereas, Jiang Kuai…

　　Chu Li had been pondering these past few days on how he could help Jiang Kuai find the surpassing state, and let Jiang Kuai break through the isolated cultivation.

　　“Eldest Master’s grand wedding is approaching soon. I suggest that we leave tonight. Let Xue Ling and Yang Xu return to, it will let them avoid the assassins of the Amethyst Mountain as well,” Chu Li muttered.

　　“Alright,” Xiao Shi nodded her head.

　　——

　　In the early hours of the morning, Chu Li woke up in his own island, his sleep had been incredibly peaceful.

　　This little island was his true home, it belonged completely to him. The Imperial Residence of King An was just a guest house, he could not bring himself to feel a sense of belonging there.

　　Xue Ling was already awake and in the courtyard slowly exercising her limbs, cultivating the Dark Yin Palm.

　　The Dark Yin Palm operated, the extreme-Yin and extreme-Cold inner energy circulating, her wounds were being repaired, the control on her body working increasingly as she pleased.

　　Chu Li got up and walked over to the courtyard, appraising her.

　　“Young Master, I want to go into isolated cultivation,” said Xue Ling.

　　The wound this time had caused a great shock to her. It was indeed humiliating; Xue Ling was of no help at all. If Meng Jian had not let his anger get the best of him and caused him to target her, the Lady might have lost her life.

　　“Alright, carry out your isolated cultivation here. When your innate mastery is perfected, I will send you to the Snow Lunar Pavilion to break through to Grandmaster,” said Chu Li.

　　“Yes.” Xue Ling nodded strongly.

　　As Chu Li was speaking, his complexion suddenly changed.

　　Xue Ling noticed something changed with his expression and did not dare to disturb him.

　　Chu Li suddenly disappeared and appeared at the Jade Island Guardian in the next moment.

　　A white-clad woman stood above the Stargazing Tower on the Jade Island Guardian, silently standing in front of the window, looking down at the lake extending to the distance. Her face was white and flawless, and her expression cool. Her eyes sparkled like black gems, stealing away people’s hearts and souls.

　　Chu Li suddenly appeared.

　　As if the white-robed woman had sensed him, she said lightly, “You have come.”

　　Chu Li took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent thoughts, and forced out a sentence, “Why have you come back?”

　　“Big Brother is marrying, I have to come and see. We haven’t seen each other in a while.” Xiao Qi slowly turned around and calmly looked at him.

　　Chu Li slowly replied, “It has been some time.”

　　Xiao Qi’s bright eyes were as calm as the waters of the lake, without any waves. “The High Duke’s Public House is more prosperous than ever, it is all thanks to your efforts.”

　　“You over exaggerate,” said Chu Li.

　　Xiao Qi turned around, once again looking towards the vast lake.

　　The thoughts inside Chu Li’s brain flew around uncontrollably, he could not stop them at all.

　　Chu Li had thought about countless scenarios where they would meet, but he never thought that there would be this moment and that they would meet like this.

　　In the end, his turbulent thoughts only managed to translate into those two sentences.

　　Chu Li came forward beside Xiao Qi and looked at the vast lake. He breathed in the faint aroma of her body, and suddenly felt his heart calm and quieten. All his restlessness just washed away.

　　The Stargazing Tower was so quiet even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard. There was only the light breeze gently causing white veils to flutter.

　　After a long while, Xiao Qi’s cool and clear voice spoke, “Will Big Brother’s wedding run smoothly?”

　　“It will. We have done all that needs to be done. The various factions of the martial arts world will not dare to cause trouble. The Imperial Court will not act recklessly either. There should not be any disturbances.” nodded Chu Li.

　　“That’s good,” Xiao Qi said lightly.

　　Chu Li was suddenly struck with a sort of illusion. It was like he had returned to the scene when he just entered the House. Xiao Qi treated him now exactly how she treated him then.