"Why is that?" Chu Li was surprised.
"The secret of the Spirit Crane Technique isn't about inner energy, it's about transforming the body. It's actually considered a foundational martial art."
"The fundamental martial art of Green Deer Cliff is a foundational martial art?" Chu Li laughed.
Xiao Yueling nodded.
Chu Li frowned. "Green Deer Cliff used this Spirit Crane Technique to become an Enlightened Master?"
"The Spirit Crane Technique is divided into nine levels. You can cultivate them one by one." Xiao Yueling said, "The first and second levels are cultivated during the foundational stage. You can cultivate the remaining seven levels after you turn eighteen. If you miss the foundational stage, you won't be able to cultivate the first and second levels. Without the first and second levels, you can forget about cultivating the rest."
"I see …" Chu Li frowned. "You can't cultivate it after you've completed the foundational stage. What if you haven't?"
"You won't be able to cultivate it after you turn eighteen without a foundational stage. More importantly, the Spirit Crane Technique is extremely demanding on the state of mind. You have to be pure and without distractions. As you grow older, your mind won't be pure enough, so you won't be able to cultivate it."
"I don't have much hope." Chu Li sighed.
Xiao Yueling nodded. "If I have hope, I'll think of something. However, you're not suited to cultivate the Spirit Crane Technique now. If you force yourself, you'll die from internal demons. This has been proven by countless people's blood."
Chu Li asked, "So the disciples of Green Deer Cliff have to start from a young age?"
"There's hope before you turn eighteen." Xiao Yueling said, "I joined Green Deer Cliff at seventeen. Unfortunately, I'm too old and my achievements are limited."
"I see …" Chu Li nodded in disappointment.
Xiao Yueling said, "You don't have to be too disappointed. The Spirit Crane Technique is actually a martial art that improves the body. It's no different from other Enlightened Masters' martial arts. Ever since the Spirit Cranes disappeared, the Spirit Crane Technique has become useless. It's impossible to cultivate it to a high level."
"You can cultivate in the Hundred-Thousand Hills."
"That's not cultivation, it's suicide." Xiao Yueling shook her head.
Chu Li smiled.
"Take this Spirit Crane Technique book and cultivate it." Xiao Yueling sighed. "It's said that the Spirit Crane Technique was derived from the Six Forms of Spirit Crane. You're extraordinarily intelligent. You might even be able to create your own Spirit Crane Technique."
Chu Li could not help but laugh. "Aunt, you really think highly of me!"
Xiao Yueling chuckled and shook her head. "If there were spirit cranes, with your intelligence, you might stand a chance. Unfortunately, you haven't seen any spirit cranes. I'm afraid you won't be able to master the Spirit Crane Fist. Only when you've perfected the Spirit Crane Incantation will you have a chance of deriving the Spirit Crane Incantation."
Chu Li said, "Alright, I'll try."
— —
In the evening, Chu Li arrived at the main hall of the Secret Guardians Hall.
Fu Mengshan and Xu Huande were the only two people in the hall. Both of them had solemn expressions on their faces.
"Little Chu, you're finally back." Fu Mengshan waved at him.
Chu Li sat in front of them. "Have you found someone suitable?"
Fu Mengshan sighed and waved his hand. "Follow me."
The two of them brought him out from a side door and into a small courtyard.
There was a young man lying in one of the rooms in the courtyard. His appearance was even a bit ugly. He looked foolish, and one could tell at a glance that he wasn't intelligent and quick-witted. He was already dead.
"This is one of our secret guardians." Fu Mengshan sighed and pointed at him.
Chu Li frowned. "What happened?"
"He died in a scuffle between the gangs." Fu Mengshan shook his head. "His aptitude is very mediocre. He usually provides us with bits and pieces of information. People like him don't attract attention easily."
"Didn't he sneak into the Holy Church of Light?" Chu Li asked.
Fu Mengshan said, "We haven't sent anyone into the Holy Church of Light for the past few years. Our efforts have been in vain."
Xu Huande said, "His name is Zhao Dahe. He's currently an associate of the Chivalry Association. His martial arts isn't strong enough, so he didn't make a name for himself."
Fu Mengshan scoffed. "Two days ago, the Chivalry Association and the Ferric Blood Association were in a scuffle at the top of the mountain. He was thrown down the cliff. We went through a lot of trouble to find him."
"The Chivalry Association …" Chu Li frowned.
Fu Mengshan said, "The Chivalry Association is just a small association in Peace Town of Luo State City. However, it has some connections with the Holy Church of Light."
Chu Li pretended to listen attentively.
Xu Huande said, "The Chivalry Association is backed by Three Wonders Clan, and behind Three Wonders Clan is the Holy Church of Light's branch. Although they're very far away, there will still be some news about the Holy Church of Light."
Chu Li slowly nodded.
Fu Mengshan sighed. "You can fabricate a fortuitous encounter. Say that he had a fortuitous encounter after falling down the cliff and changed his appearance slightly. You're proficient in the Bone Shrinkage Skill, so you can change your body shape. As for your appearance, you can use that mask. It shouldn't be too different, right?"
Chu Li asked, "Should I use this identity?"
"This is the simplest and safest way." Fu Mengshan said, "Zhao Dahe has a clean background. He's a local from Peace Town. Later, one of our secret guardians saved him, so he became a secret guardian to repay the kindness."
"What's his personality like?" Chu Li asked.
Xu Huande said, "He's quite a simple and somewhat foolish person. It's the complete opposite of your personality, so it'll be able to conceal your identity."
Chu Li fell into deep thought.
Xu Huande said, "The Chivalry Association that he belongs to isn't considered strong, so it'll reduce the danger to you. Once you realize that something's wrong, you can escape."
"Is it possible for me to enter the Holy Church of Light?"
"If you perform well and advance step by step, you might enter the Holy Church of Light."
"That's good."
"Young Chu, you have to be careful. Don't be greedy and advance recklessly. More importantly, don't try to enter the Holy Church of Light, just enter Three Wonders Clan!" Fu Mengshan said in a low voice, "The Holy Church of Light has a special skill that can test the loyalty of their disciples. No one can escape from it!"
Chu Li raised his eyebrows and slowly nodded. "Alright, I'll try."
"If you can enter Three Wonders Clan, you'll be able to obtain information about the Holy Church of Light. This is enough. If there's a big operation, we'll be able to know in advance!" Fu Mengshan said.
Xu Huande said, "It's just that this Zhao Dahe has a completely different personality from you. Moreover, he's ugly and not very likable. I'm afraid that you'll have to suffer some grievances!
"That's the best, I won't have any worries!" Chu Li smiled.
He had originally planned to disguise himself as such a person. A foolish person was the easiest to fool others.
"Alright then, you can go there tomorrow. Don't delay it for too long. I'll withdraw all the spies. You'll be alone so you won't be exposed. With your Light-body Technique, it'll only take you half a day to reach Huazhou Town. There's a stronghold there. If you have any urgent news, you can send it over, "Fu Mengshan said.
"Alright." Chu Li nodded.
— —
King An's Imperial Residence
When Chu Li returned to Tianshu Courtyard, other than Siao Shi, Xiao Qi was also sitting quietly at the stone table. Both of them were playing chess.
Dressed in a spotless white robe, she sat there elegantly and coldly like an otherworldly fairy.
When Chu Li entered, Siao Shi looked up at him. "Why are you back so late?"
"I was held up by something. Has Lady Xiao arrived?" Chu Li looked at Siao Qi.
Siao Qi pinched the chess piece and looked at him. "Yes."
Chu Li smiled. "Now I can finally rest assured."
Siao Shi said, "With your four Senior Brothers, Xue Ling, and Jiang Kuai, the masters in our residence should be enough."
"And Lady Xiao." Chu Li looked at Siao Qi.
Siao Qi glanced at him. "I won't stay for too long."
Chu Li nodded. "Try to stay for a few more days. I originally wanted to leave after a while, but things have changed. I'll have to leave tomorrow."
Siao Shi frowned.
Chu Li smiled. "I'll be back anytime."
Siao Shi nodded slowly. "Don't force yourself."
"The place I'm going to this time doesn't have strong martial arts. There won't be any danger." Chu Li smiled.
"Just be careful!" Siao Shi scoffed.
She trusted Chu Li's intelligence and knew that he would not be easily taken advantage of.
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