In the reception hall, Xu Qi'an sat in a chair, holding a cup of tea made by a maid, with a cloth bag standing beside his feet.

He sat quietly for a few minutes, his ears twitched, and he heard the sound of scales moving. Then, he saw Chu Xianglong step over the threshold and walk straight in.

"Thank you, General Chu and Duke Cao, for your help."

Xu Qi'an's words were insincere, as he didn't even stand up. He took a sip of tea as he spoke.

Chu Xianglong didn't mind, he glanced at Xu Qi'an and then at the cloth bag at his feet, saying, "Where is it?"

Xu Qi'an put down the teacup, opened the cloth bag, revealing a poorly carved stone Buddha statue, worse than that of a beginner.

Chu Xianglong's eyes immediately lit up, staring at the Buddha statue intently. Despite its crude carving and only a vague outline of a face, the faint Buddha's charm made people realize its extraordinary nature.

"I have recorded the essence of the Vajra Divine Art in the Buddha statue. Whether you can cultivate it or not is up to you, General Chu," Xu Qi'an said.

"Naturally."

Chu Xianglong took the Buddha statue, wrapped it in the cloth bag, and held it in his hand, with a mocking look on his face.

"Something that can be obtained with a little trickery is not worth five hundred taels. Of course, the golden body of the Buddhist sect is priceless. Xu Yinluo, you may leave without seeing me off."

"The golden body of the Buddhist sect is priceless, and I am not worthy of you spending money on it." Xu Qi'an didn't get angry at all, and said with a smile, "The green hills will remain, and the flowing water will continue."

He turned and left.

Just as he reached the courtyard, a maid hurried over and said, "Are you Xu Qi'an, Xu Yinluo?"

"That's me," Xu Qi'an nodded.

"My lady, the Northern King's consort, wants to see you," the maid said.

The consort of the Northern King wants to see me? The number one beauty of the Great Feng wants to see me? This is interesting... Xu Qi'an was very curious about the woman who had such a great reputation.

Anyway, it's just a meeting, no big deal... Xu Qi'an smiled and said, "Please lead the way, sister."

The maid led Xu Qi'an through winding corridors, courtyards, and gardens, and it took a quarter of an hour to reach their destination, a pavilion with curtains hanging on all four sides.

A graceful figure could be vaguely seen sitting on a recliner, holding a scroll in her hand.

Xu Qi'an tried hard to see her face clearly, but there was another layer of veil behind the curtain.

"Are you Xu Qi'an?"

A mature female voice came from behind the curtain, with a cold and magnetic tone.

Although he couldn't see her face clearly, her voice was very pleasant... Xu Qi'an clasped his fists and said, "What does the consort want from me?"

The woman in the pavilion snorted coldly, "I heard that you were outside the Meridian Gate, blocking the officials alone and mocking them with poetry. Is that true?"

Xu Qi'an said, "I was young and impulsive, and I am ashamed."

You are also ashamed? Huh! The woman in the pavilion fell silent for a moment and said lightly, "You may leave."

Is that it? Xu Qi'an looked at the woman in the pavilion with some confusion, then turned and followed the maid.

At that moment, a bright orange object was suddenly thrown out of the pavilion, hitting Xu Qi'an's back with a thud.

"Why did the consort throw this at me?"

Xu Qi'an turned around, picked up the gold without changing his expression, and put it in his pocket.

"Next time, if the consort wants to throw something at me, remember to use a gold brick."

Xu Qi'an sneered and followed the maid.

In the quiet bedroom, Chu Xianglong closed the doors and windows tightly. He placed the stone-carved Buddha statue on the table and observed it intently for a long time, feeling a subtle Buddha's charm flowing, indescribably wonderful.

But no matter how he comprehended it, he couldn't extract the technique from it.

"The Vajra Divine Art of the Buddhist sect indeed requires a certain opportunity and the foundation of Buddhism. Xu Qi'an's ability to cultivate the invincible Vajra is indeed somewhat talented. However, he is just a small figure without a solid foundation, and a little trickery made him obedient."

Thinking of this, Chu Xianglong sneered, feeling both triumphant and disdainful.

What martial arts genius, what talent comparable to the Northern King, if it weren't for the secret assistance, why would he be able to compete with the monks of the Buddhist sect?

Of all the rumors in the capital, Chu Xianglong was most disgusted and hated being compared to the prince.

A quick-handed Xu Yinluo, a lowly man from a military family, was he even worthy?

"Except for the Vajra Divine Art, there is little benefit to be gained from this person. Otherwise, in the case of cheating in the imperial examination, one time would drain all his value."

Chu Xianglong and Duke Cao had reasons for planning the Vajra Divine Art. With their status, position, and knowledge, how could they not know the profoundness of the Vajra Divine Art?

Chu Xianglong joined the army at a young age and had encountered a monk from the Western Regions when he was with the army to suppress bandits.

The monk tried to use Buddhism to influence the hungry bandits but was tied up by the bandits, who intended to cook him.Chu Xianglong saved a traveler, and to repay his kindness, the traveler gave him a bronze amulet inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. The amulet exuded a Buddhist charm, and whenever Chu Xianglong wore it, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, dispelling all aggression and entering a state akin to sudden enlightenment.

After every battle, Chu Xianglong would wear the amulet to dissipate his violent energy and meditate on the profound and mysterious Buddhist teachings.

"Squeak..."

He opened the bedside cabinet and took out a small sandalwood box. Lifting the lid, he found a bronze amulet the size of a palm, wrapped in red silk.

"Although I am not a Buddhist, this amulet is mysterious and magical, capable of helping me enter a state of sudden enlightenment. Perhaps it could aid me in comprehending the mysteries of the Vajra Divine Power.

"Once I master the Vajra Indestructible Body, my combat strength will increase by more than one level. The key is that a body far superior to ordinary warriors will allow me to survive better on the battlefield.

"Moreover, if I can use the bronze amulet to cultivate the Vajra Divine Power, the Northern King will surely be able to as well, and he will definitely reward me handsomely."

Thinking of this, Chu Xianglong's eyes blazed with fervor, eager to immediately comprehend the Buddha's teachings.

He took a deep breath and spent the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to calm his emotions and still his mind.

Then, he grasped the bronze amulet and began to meditate.

Gradually, he felt an immense and gentle breath of air, which cleared his mind, allowing him to calmly observe his emotions and desires without being disturbed by stray thoughts.

In this state, Chu Xianglong opened his eyes and focused on observing the Buddhist charm on the stone statue.

This time, he clearly saw the statue moving, transforming into various poses, each accompanied by a different method of circulating qi.

It really is possible... Chu Xianglong was ecstatic, almost unable to maintain his detached state.

Subconsciously, he tried to imitate the statue's poses and unique way of circulating qi.

A golden light shone from his brow, quickly spreading over half of his body.

Suddenly... the qi within his body was affected, erupting like a volcano, assaulting his meridians and dantian.

"Puh!"

Chu Xianglong spat out a mouthful of blood, blood vessels on his body burst, and his dantian was shattered by the violent qi, causing him severe injury.

His face turned red, and large beads of sweat rolled down. He looked down at himself as the golden light on his arm slowly faded.

"How could this be, even the bronze amulet didn't work..." Chu Xianglong thought, then his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

Half an hour later, Chu Xianglong's confidant came looking for him and finally found him unconscious and barely alive.

"There's an assassin, there's an assassin..."

...

After listening to the guard's report, the Northern King's wife suppressed the joy in her heart and asked, "Cultivation deviation? How did he suddenly suffer from cultivation deviation?"

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The guard shook his head: "This subordinate does not know."

The Northern King's wife was delighted: "Is he dead?"

...The guard shook his head again: "His life is not in danger, but he has suffered severe injuries. The sorcerers from the Bureau of Heavenly Masters said he needs to rest in bed for a month to recover. Moreover, if the discovery had been delayed, the reversed qi flow would have broken all his meridians, possibly leaving a chronic condition."

The Northern King's wife was immediately disappointed.

"However, this subordinate heard that it might be related to the Buddha statue sent by Xu Yinluo," the guard hesitated before saying.

Related to him? That brat actually did something that pleases everyone... The Northern King's wife thought with a smile.

...

On the rugged mountain path, Li Miaozhen, dressed in a Taoist robe with her hair tied up in a jade crown, walked slowly with the long sword given to her by her sect on her back.

Wildflowers bloomed by the roadside, the sun shone brightly, and the mountains and waters were picturesque. She walked along, enjoying the scenery.

Under a bright red oil-paper umbrella followed the stunningly beautiful Su Su, with eyes like lacquer and bright red lips, her skin as white as snow, wearing an elaborate and gorgeous long dress.

Li Miaozhen was indeed beautiful, but her aura was too sharp.

In contrast, Su Su looked like a peerless beauty from a wealthy family, with enchanting eyes and a natural charm that was indescribable.

"We're only eighty miles away from the capital now, Master. Shall we stay in the capital for a while?" Su Su looked southward, full of anticipation.

"I'm not familiar with the Bureau of Heavenly Masters, and Xu Qi'an has passed away. Without his face, Song Qing won't bother with you," Li Miaozhen said dismissively, ruthlessly crushing her hopes.

"Then..."

Su Su's eyes twinkled, and she slyly smiled: "I'll just say I'm Xu Qi'an's wife who hasn't been married in yet."

Li Miaozhen scoffed: "That would be perfect. Maybe they'll liberate you on the spot and let you accompany him."

Annoyed, Su Su turned and stood by the roadside, pouting: "I'm not going. I want to go back to the Heavenly Sect. I want to go back to the Heavenly Sect."

Her petulant demeanor could easily arouse a man's protective instincts.

Unfortunately, Li Miaozhen was not a man. She slapped the back of Su Su's head, "Are you going or not?"

After being hit, Su Su immediately behaved: "Ouch, don't hit my head, you're flattening it."

At that moment, Li Miaozhen sniffed the air, her expression turning serious: "I smell blood."

She looked around for a moment, focusing on the bushes ahead.

...

PS: Asking for monthly votes, it's been a while since I've asked for them.