White-Robed Chief

At noon, the black-robed old man sauntered over, carrying a lunchbox. He handed it to Chu Li. “Here, take it. Have a good meal.”

Chu Li expressed his thanks as he accepted the lunch box. “What about the Protectors inside?”

“They don’t have lunch, and will have their dinner together,” the black-robed old man said while smiling.

Chu Li was astounded. “They don’t eat lunch?”

“Most of the time they’re busy cultivating and have no mood for lunch. Going hungry for a while isn’t a big deal,” the black-robed old man said with crinkling eyes. “How are you holding on? I see that you’re very relaxed, which is rare!”

Chu Li’s behavior was not something the old man had expected. Initially, he thought that, by noontime, Chu Li would be holding on with great effort, but now he appeared to be relaxed and carefree, with no signs of strain.

He nodded with a grin. “Under immense pressure, I’d gained some understanding, and my martial arts has progressed further! The Inner Mausoleum is a great place indeed. If this were the Outer Mausoleum, I don’t know when I would be able to reach this stage. I have to thank Elder Zhao for this!”

The black-robed old man, Zhao Xuan, waved his pale, plump hand and chuckled. “All of this depends on one’s own wits and luck. There’s no need to thank me! It looks like you’re able to hold this position effortlessly!”

Chu Li nodded. “I’m feeling rather relaxed now. Oh right, Elder Zhao, I wish to go in and take a look. Is that possible?”

“Oh, I’m afraid not.” Zhao Xuan shook his head. “You’re an Outer Mausoleum Protector, so you can’t enter. This is a firm rule which no one can go against.”

“Only Inner Mausoleum Protectors?” Chu Li asked.

“Only Inner Mausoleum Protectors,” Zhao Xuan replied. “Plus, your cultivation level is insufficient. Entering the hall would harm you instead. There’s a world of difference between the inside and the outside of the hall. It is ten times worse. It’s effortless for you now, but that won’t be the case if you enter!”

Chu Li shook his head. “I really want to go in for a look! If I don’t get to see the Enlightened Master’s golden body, how bland my life would be!”

“There’s only one way then.” Zhao Xuan beamed. “Enter the Inner Mausoleum and become an Inner Mausoleum Protector!”

Chu Li asked, “How do I enter the Inner Mausoleum?”

“You really want to enter?” Zhao Xuan asked, astonished. “You should know that the Inner Mausoleum is not like the Outer Mausoleum. You’ll be under this stress all day long. Hold on for three days in one stretch – this is the stepping stone to the Inner Mausoleum.”

“No problem, I can hold on for three days,” Chu Li said.

Zhao Xuan chuckled. “I know you don’t wish to be an Imperial Mausoleum Protector forever, and that you still long for the splendor of Fairy’s Capital.”

Chu Li said helplessly and sighed, “Before this I was unsatisfied, and I felt tired being a Protector. Now that my martial arts have improved, things are different. Since I can’t return to Fairy’s Capital, I’ll cultivate my martial arts properly and honestly. Who knows, I might become an Enlightened Master.”

“Haha… Good, good, that’s a good way of thinking.” Zhao Xuan nodded, pleased. “Alright, since you wish to become an Inner Mausoleum Protector, you must pass the first round before anything else. From today onwards, stay in the Inner Mausoleum for three days and three nights!”

“No problem!” Chu Li replied. “With this, I can become an Inner Mausoleum Protector?”

“It also depends on everyone’s inclinations,” Zhao Xuan answered. “As long as ten Inner Mausoleum Protectors approve, you may enter!”

“Then Elder Zhao, would you approve?”

“Of course I don’t have a problem with it.” Zhao Xuan smiled. “The Inner Mausoleum has not seen a newcomer for a long time. It’s rare that someone would dare to enter!”

Chu Li gave a fist salute, his face full of gratitude.

“Eat, eat.” Zhao Xuan laughed. “Inner Mausoleum Protectors are above all Protectors, head and shoulders above common Imperial House Protectors. Moreover, they can enter Fairy’s Capital. All this you must not divulge to anyone, or you’ll be executed!”

Chu Li gaped at him in shock.

Zhao Xuan said, “There are three levels of Imperial House Protectors. The innermost level is the Inner Mausoleum Protectors. Every two years, a batch of Inner Mausoleum Protectors would be changed and they would take turns going to the Imperial House.”

Chu Li was shocked. “I thought that once they entered the Inner Mausoleum, they’re not allowed to get out for the rest of their lives?”

Zhao Xuan replied, “The Imperial House and the Inner Mausoleum is one whole in the first place, just two sides of the same coin. The Inner Mausoleum Protectors often go between the Inner Mausoleum and the Imperial House. Once they’re tired of the Inner Mausoleum, they would head to the Imperial House, and vice versa.”

“Then I want to enter the Inner Mausoleum even more.”

“It’s not that easy to enter. If your cultivation level is lacking, we won’t want you.”

“I believe that I can make it into the Inner Mausoleum.”

“I’ll just wait and see then.” With a flick of his horsetail whisk, he glided away.

Chu Li opened the lunchbox. There were four dishes and two types of soup inside, all of which looked, smelled, and tasted great. He slowly sampled a few bites. It was even better than the best restaurant in Adjacent Town.

He was multitasking because the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture and the Maha-Vairocana’s Immobility Scripture were still constantly circulating.

Under this heavy pressure, the Maha-Vairocana’s Immobility Scripture was gradually progressing.

He had a vague trace of insight. If he went deep enough into the Maha-Vairocana’s Immobility Scripture, he might still be able to neutralize the surrounding pressure and recover divine power.

Therefore, his desire to enter the Inner Mausoleum grew, since greater pressure could improve the Virya of the Maha-Vairocana’s Immobility Scripture. If he could use his divine power, he would be even more assured.

In the following three days and nights, he kept watch outside of Chong Wen Hall. Other than meals and toilet breaks, he never left. Under such circumstances, there was no way he could sleep. He had to continuously channel to fend off sleep.

The dawn of the fourth day arrived.

He could not see the outdoors, but through the changes in his own body, he knew the time of the day. Currently, it was early morning. Zhao Xuan chortled as he came over, beckoning with one hand. “Come, come, Young Lu, follow me!”

Chu Li gave a fist salute. Although his face was rather drained, he was still in robust spirits.

Zhao Xuan was full of smiles and appeared very pleased with Chu Li. He led Chu Li and they walked for around five miles before they came to a large hall.

Chu Li swept his gaze across the place. It was the conference room of the Imperial House, where the scribes within the Imperial House held their discussions.

Zhao Xuan pushed the doors open. A group of people were already sitting inside.

Chu Li passed gazed over them – thirty-two elders in armchairs that were arranged in rows. Only the middle space was empty.

Zhao Xuan fist saluted and smiled. “Everyone, this is Young Lu who wants to join our Inner Mausoleum.”

These thirty-two elders stared at Chu Li piercingly. Their aura was like a tangible substance. Although it was not as overwhelming as the aura exuded by the Enlightened Master’s golden body, it was enough to subdue ordinary people without fighting.

Under the scrutiny of thirty-two pairs of electrifying eyes, Chu Li calmly gave a fist salute. “Lu Xuzhou here to meet all my seniors!”

“Lu Xuzhou, why do you wish to join the Inner Mausoleum?”

“I wish to learn the Way of Enlightened Masters, and I also wish to return to Fairy’s Capital,” Chu Li answered and fist saluted, openly meeting the piercing gaze of a withered elder.

This elder was as withered as a branch, but his spirit was full and vigorous. His energy seeped out all around him and he showed no signs of decline.

“Haha, you wish to return to Fairy’s Capital!” The withered elder nodded. “You dare to admit that!”

Chu Li smiled. “Since I’m unwilling to give up on both the Way of Enlightened Masters and prosperous society, I want to join the Inner Mausoleum. This is what I honestly feel!”

“I see that your cultivation level is ordinary. Why were you able to hold on for three days and nights?” the withered elder questioned.

Chu Li replied, “I had a fortuitous encounter and inherited the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture.”

“The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture?” Everyone frowned.

They were all devoted to martial arts and were thus exceptionally knowledgeable about this field. The moment they heard this name, they knew what it meant.

“The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture of the Reincarnation Temple?” someone asked.

Chu Li slowly nodded.

Everyone muttered to themselves before breaking out into vigorous discussion.

One middle-aged man amongst them, who had a bold boorish manner, laughed heartily. “The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture are the Original Martial Arts of the Reincarnation Temple. How did you obtain it?”

Chu Li said, “I once rescued a monk. Before he died, he enlightened me by giving me the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture.”

“Oh, then he didn’t ask you to return to the Reincarnation Temple?” The middle-aged man laughed.

Chu Li shook his head.

“You’re not telling the truth.” The middle-aged man shook his head. “The Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture are the Reincarnation Temple’s Original Martial Arts. It must not be divulged to anyone unless the cultivator is an official disciple of the Reincarnation Temple. I don’t suppose you’re a disciple of the Reincarnation Temple?”