After the Great Dao died

Chapter 11 Backer

Twelve days later, as the depths of winter drew to a close, Yuanjiang Prefecture welcomed a rare period of clear skies.

Days of breathing exercises and martial arts practice have made Chen Lingxi's aura increasingly calm and steady.

When he opened the door in the morning, the sunlight fell on his face, and he felt the blood flowing under his skin, a warm feeling rising and circulating throughout his body.

Although his physique has not become more robust, the lines of his shoulders and back are now clearly defined, and a layer of warm, jade-like luster is faintly visible beneath his skin.

This is a sign that the body's Qi and blood are abundant and the internal organs are gradually strengthening.

He got up early today to go to the back garden to pick flower branches to prepare for the vase to be presented to Lin Longyue in three days.

With the weather warming up these past few days, some early spring flowers in the garden have quietly sprouted, contrasting beautifully with the lingering snow of late winter, creating a unique sense of vitality breaking through the cold, making them perfect for vase arrangements.

Chen Lingxi carried a bamboo basket and slowly walked through the moon gate of the west courtyard. Just as she stepped into the bluestone path on the east side of the back garden, she suddenly felt a chill down her spine.

A chilling gaze, like a tangible icicle, pierced him from the side.

As his breathing exercises became more and more proficient, the Qi in his dantian grew stronger, and his senses became more and more acute.

Chen Lingxi followed her intuition and looked over immediately.

Two people were standing under the covered walkway next to the artificial hill not far away.

One of them was Wang Kong.

His narrow eyes were slightly narrowed as he stared intently at Chen Lingxi, his gaze a mixture of scrutiny, surprise, and an undisguised gloom.

What made Chen Lingxi even more uneasy was the person standing half a step in front of Wang Kong.

He was a middle-aged man in his early forties, with a tall and straight figure, wearing a plain white scholar's long robe and a black crane cloak without any patterns.

His face was extremely handsome, with exquisitely sculpted features, especially his eyes, which were clear and bright with slightly elongated corners. They possessed a sharp and piercing quality, like two famous swords hidden in their sheaths.

He didn't deliberately exude an aura; he simply stood there casually, yet an indescribable sharpness emanated from him.

The air seemed to freeze and become chilling because of his presence.

At that moment, the handsome middle-aged man was also looking over indifferently.

The moment their eyes met, Chen Lingxi's blood and qi suddenly became chaotic!

The gentle "Qi" in his dantian suddenly vibrated, spontaneously circulating to protect his heart meridian, while his newly cultivated and still weak Qi and blood, like a frightened wild horse, began to rush wildly through his limbs and bones.

He was horrified.

This middle-aged man...his cultivation level is unfathomable!

A single glance was enough to stir his newly formed and still unstable vital energy.

Wang Kong clearly noticed Chen Lingxi's disordered breathing and sudden paleness.

His eyes widened in surprise, which quickly turned into a mocking expression.

The way he looked at Chen Lingxi was both mocking and seemed to conceal a murderous intent.

The handsome middle-aged man's gaze lingered on Chen Lingxi for a couple of moments, as if he were merely looking at an insignificant servant.

He casually shifted his gaze, gave Wang Kong a slight nod, then turned around with his hands behind his back and slowly walked along the corridor towards the south courtyard.

Wang Kong quickly composed himself, respectfully stepped aside to let the middle-aged man pass, and watched him go.

Only after the white-clad figure disappeared into the corner of the corridor did he turn his head again to look at Chen Lingxi, who was still standing in the same spot.

This time, the coldness and murderous intent in his eyes were no longer concealed, and a cold mockery even appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He didn't speak, but simply extended his right hand, slowly closed his five fingers, made a "crushing" gesture, then turned around and quickly chased after the middle-aged man.

Chen Ling shook her head.

"This Wang Kong..."

He was merely a government slave. Even though his flower arranging skills had temporarily caught Lin Longyue's attention, he posed no threat to Wang Kong, and they had no prior grudges.

But the murderous intent in Wang Kong's eyes was so intense that it seemed as if they were mortal enemies.

"Wang Kong wouldn't want to kill me for no reason."

His thoughts wandered, but a sudden sense of clarity dawned on him.

"This matter is not hard to guess; the crux of the matter lies in the words 'drug testing'."

That day, Wang Kong made a move without provocation and mentioned "the two who survived the drug trial".

Wang Kong was surprised by his own changes, but not entirely incomprehensible.

He seemed to have anticipated that he would recover so quickly and even enter the world of martial arts.

Or perhaps he was only surprised by the pace of progress?

Considering Wang Kong's unprovoked probing attack that day, and his mention of "the two who survived the drug trial"...

Chen Lingxi's heart sank slightly.

Zhao Yong! Wang Kong!

"The two of them seemed to care a lot about me, their drug slave. Wang Kong's eyes held a mixture of mockery and murderous intent, and it also seemed like... he was looking at his prey that was about to be captured."

Chen Lingxi had no idea what secrets were hidden in the words "drug testing".

But today, when he saw Wang Kong and sensed his murderous intent, he knew he had to be on guard.

"I have just learned the secrets of cultivation; it would be such a pity if I were to die at the hands of Wang Kong."

However, despite his arduous training over the past few days, his blood and energy have become abundant, and his body has gradually developed an iron-like quality, with significant changes in his muscles, bones, and fascia.

However, his cultivation time was ultimately too short. Wang Kong's fist wind that day was extremely strong, and his blood and qi were like fire. Without much thought, Wang Kong must have been in the Copper Red Realm.

"With spiritual energy transforming my physical body and my blood and qi becoming increasingly abundant, I will soon be able to cultivate the 'Entering the River' stance in the Seven Forms of Ceasefire."

"By then, my bones and muscles will be as strong as iron, and my blood and qi as fiery as fire; I may very well be able to contend with Wang Kong."

Chen Lingxi plucked an old plum branch and picked a few holly leaves.

My mind is racing with thoughts.

"However, behind Wang Kong is the unfathomable Zhao Yong, and we don't know who that handsome middle-aged man with the sword-like aura and terrifying cultivation was just now!"

Judging from Wang Kong's respectful attitude towards him, this person is very likely related to Zhao Yong, or perhaps a newly arrived guest elder in the Marquis's mansion? Could it be that new guest elder, Zhao Qinglou?

"How can I possibly contend with two such individuals?"

Chen Lingxi felt as if she were a small boat in a raging storm, about to be torn to shreds at any moment.

"We must plan ahead! We must find a reliable ally as soon as possible!"

backing……

Chen Lingxi picked up a few more withered yellow reeds.

"Lin Longyue? Although she gave me a glimmer of hope, she also clearly warned me that I had no right to ask for more."

Besides, to her, my value lies mainly in flower arranging; I'm not that important.

"I haven't seen her during the few times I've gone to deliver flowers, so I know that she doesn't really care much about flower arranging; she just wants to befriend Princess Yunhe."

His gaze grew increasingly calm.

"As my Qi and blood gradually become stronger, I can immediately circulate them throughout my body, and my Qi and blood generate a fiery nature."

By then, I wouldn't be able to hide it from the powerful figures in the manor... Moreover, if anyone were paying attention, they would have known that I had already undergone a complete transformation when Wang Kong attacked me that day.

Rather than waiting for others to discover it, I'd rather actively reveal my talent... If anyone does ask, Zhao Yong's medicine will be the reason."

As Chen Ling's past memories flooded back, she suddenly thought of an opportunity.

West Courtyard! Jiang Yuan, the new guest minister!

When he went to the Martial Arts Academy a few days ago, Instructor He Duan mentioned that Jiang Yuan was going to take on a disciple in the West Academy to teach him the Bengyue Jin technique!

Apprentice?

Chen Lingxi took a deep breath, the cool air rushing into her lungs, suppressing her turbulent blood and the worries in her heart.

My gaze returned to the depths of the garden, where several tender yellow daffodils were breaking through the snow, stretching their fragile vitality in the morning light.

He bent down and carefully picked the strongest branch, placing it in the bamboo basket.

The vase arrangement must continue; this is the threshold leading to the east hall of the west courtyard.

This is also the "value" that Princess Yunhe currently possesses, and this kind of value may one day play a certain role.

But in addition to that, he also had to show off his martial arts talent in front of Lin Longyue.

The new guest elder of the West Courtyard who wanted to take on apprentices could be considered one way to solve the problem!

"I just don't know... whether my current talent, physical constitution, and vitality are enough to surpass the disciples of the West Academy and catch Jiang Yuan's eye."