Mountains and Rivers Residence, within the courtyard.

  Under the old locust tree, a young girl was practicing swordpy. Her movements were as graceful as a startled swan and as fluid as a swimming dragon, combining strength and softness with unparalleled mystery.

  Chen Shi didn't understand the way of the sword.

  He could only describe it with two words: incredible.

  His eyes could see the dust in the air, yet he couldn't clearly see the girl's sword bde, her face, or her figure.

  Or rather, he could see them, but they appeared and disappeared intermittently.

  He had a premonition that if he were to face such an elusive sword technique, he wouldn't st three seconds before meeting his end.

  The opponent should also be a martial artist of the lower five realms.

  Is the gap really that wide?

  As Chen Shi was lost in thought, a chill suddenly rose in his heart.

  He instinctively looked in a certain direction.

  By the pavilion, an old woman in bck was staring at him expressionlessly.

  The gaze of this old woman felt like two sharp swords, cold, sharp, and piercing...

  His eyes stung.

  "Don't disturb Sister Qingwei's practice, or Granny Rong will get angry," Mo Xiang tugged at Chen Shi's sleeve, whispering a reminder.

  "Oh, oh."

  Chen Shi quickly withdrew his gaze.

  He lowered his head.

  His eyes felt sore, as if they were about to swell and burst.

  "This old hag..."

  Once inside the hall.

  He asked in a low voice, "Who was that elder just now?"

  Mo Xiang replied, "From the Sword Sect."

  Chen Shi fell silent, realizing it was a master from the Spirit Sword Sect.

  The Spirit Sword Sect is divided into the Spirit Sect and the Sword Sect.

  The Spirit Sect focuses on magic.

  The Sword Sect cultivates the way of the sword.

  It's said that on this continent, dynasties rise and fall, noble families and sects come and go, yet the Spirit Sword Sect has always stood firm.

  Its legacy spans countless millennia.

  It is the true uncrowned king of this nd.

  ***

  Mo Xiang lifted the beaded curtain and led Chen Shi into a small hall.

  Before leaving, she instructed, "Brother Chen Shi, don't wander around here. I'll go report to the Madam."

  Chen Shi replied, "Understood."

  Chen Shi stayed put.

  He looked around.

  It looked much like what he had seen on TV.

  On both sides were rows of huanghuali wood chairs, and famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls.

  At the head of the hall was a portrait of an emperor in a bck and gold dragon robe. The emperor's expression was stern, his gaze sharp, as if watching every person entering the room.

  This was the Great Wei Founding Emperor.

  Jiang Xuan.

  A truly formidable figure.

  Born in obscurity, he entered the path of martial arts, destroyed six kingdoms, subdued sects, suppressed noble families, established the Wei dynasty, divided the nine provinces, and dominated the world for five hundred years.

  Before Jiang Xuan.

  The central dynasty was merely a dog under the rule of sects.

  After Jiang Xuan.

  Even noble families and sects were unworthy to serve as dogs for the central dynasty.

  Of course, that was in the past. After the death of the Great Wei Founding Emperor, noble families and sects became restless.

  In the Divine General's Manor, Chen Shi often heard rumors of sect forces openly killing court officials and seizing spiritual mines. Although these were just rumors, they reflected the true decline of Great Wei.

  ***

  Ding...

  At this moment, a faint sound of bells rang.

  Chen Shi turned his head.

  He saw a stunningly beautiful dy walking gracefully towards him.

  She wore a red gauze dress, her bck hair elegantly styled, with a few strands falling beside her cssical and delicate oval face. Her lips were full and red, like tempting cherries, and her eyes were round and enchanting, like a pool of autumn water, sparkling with brilliance.

  As she walked, the gauze dress swayed slightly, revealing the curves of her full hips.

  On her slender, snow-white right wrist was a red string with a bell tied to it.

  Chen Shi had to admit, the Seventh Madam was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

  At first gnce, she seemed like a mature woman in her thirties, then like a ripe, alluring dy, and upon closer inspection, one could see a blend of innocence and allure in her charm.

  "What did you ask Mo Xiang to find me for?" Lin Manqing gazed at Chen Shi, her watery eyes showing a hint of curiosity, as if she had an inkling of what was going on.

  Chen Shi cupped his hands and said, "I have something to report, Madam. Please dismiss everyone else."

  Dismiss everyone... The old nanny nearby squinted her eyes, looking at Chen Shi with a cold gaze.

  This boy, meeting the Madam without averting his eyes, not kneeling, and even asking her, the head of the Inner Court, to dismiss everyone. Truly audacious.

  "Everyone, leave. No eavesdropping," Lin Manqing's voice was pleasant, rich, and magnetic, reminding Chen Shi of the voice actors from his past life.

  The old nanny seemed surprised but dared not say more, leading the maids away.

  Mo Xiang, with her head lowered, also left.

  As she passed by.

  Chen Shi frowned.

  He noticed a slight redness on one side of Mo Xiang's pretty face, faintly showing red finger marks.

  He took a deep breath and said, "Madam, I've discovered that I have a talent for martial arts. I don't want to tend horses anymore. I'd like to request a transfer to the Martial Practice Field. Once I've achieved something, I will surely repay your kindness."

  Lin Manqing nodded, her voice rich and full, "What is your current realm?"

  "Organ Refining Stage."

  After speaking, Chen Shi slightly bent his legs, and his whole aura changed, like a rock, giving an impression of immovability.

  "Hoo."

  "Hoo."

  His breathing was sometimes rapid, sometimes long, and each circution of his vital qi and blood produced a slight sound within his body.

  Lin Manqing's beautiful eyes narrowed.

  The resonance of muscles and bones!

  This was the phenomenon that appeared at the fourth level of the Song family's Rocksteady Breathing Technique.

  She had some impression of this servant. If she remembered correctly, he was expelled from the Inner Court st year as an ordinary person.

  In one year, he advanced four levels??

  Such cultivation speed was outstanding even among the Song family's direct descendants.

  But that wasn't the key.

  The key was, this boy said he was still in the stables?

  Which meant he had no help from anyone, relying solely on the Rocksteady Breathing Technique, without any precious medicine, to break through four realms in a year?!!

  Thinking of this.

  Lin Manqing found it hard to believe, "Did anyone sponsor your cultivation?"

  Chen Shi shook his head, "No, it's all my personal effort."

  After Chen Shi's confirmation.

  Lin Manqing's heart was in turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time.

  The Rocksteady Breathing Technique requires treasures like blood ganoderma to accelerate the metabolism of vital qi and blood. Only then can one refine the whole body through breathing.

  Without resources, practicing it not only harms the body but also yields little benefit.

  Yet this person.

  Seemed to have shattered her understanding...

  After a long while.

  She gracefully moved, sitting at the head, legs crossed.

  Her beautiful eyes fixed on Chen Shi.

  Her long, slender, white fingers gently rested on the armrest, occasionally tapping, producing a crisp sound.

  After some contemption.

  Her red lips parted, her voice ethereal and enchanting, "There's no problem entering the Martial Practice Field. If your talent is genuine, becoming Qingwei's protector and going to the Spirit Sword Sect with her in half a year is not out of the question."

  As she spoke, she removed a jade pendant from her waist, her cssical and delicate oval face smiling, "This jade pendant can conceal your aura. Don't let others know about your cultivation speed for now. I'll be away from the manor for a few days, and if anything happens, it won't be easy to intervene on your behalf."

  Chen Shi stepped forward, accepting it with both hands, and said respectfully, "Thank you for your favor, Madam. I am willing to go through fire and water for you in the future!"

  In truth, he wasn't surprised by Lin Manqing's attempt to win him over.

  Because in three years, the Song family would select the future head from the younger generation.

  Known as the True Dragon Selection.

  It tests three aspects: character, leadership, and strength.

  Character: Assessed by the Song family's Heaven-Human Realm ancestor personally.

  Strength: Determined by individual duels to select the most talented.

  Leadership: Evaluated by one's ability to win over others, how many peers you can command as protectors. The test involves having subordinates compete, and whoever has the strongest subordinates demonstrates the best leadership. The fantasy world is straightforward like that.

  And this was likely Lin Manqing's reason for recruiting him.

  Becoming a protector.

  Coincidentally, it was also Chen Shi's goal.

  As long as he clung to Lin Manqing's support, wealth and resources would be within reach.

  [Ding!]

  [You have formed a bond with Lin Manqing.]

  [Destiny Points +100.]