15 Summoning

After obtaining the Dou Technique, Chen Cheng returned to his private courtyard to practice.

It had to be said that Chen Cheng's talent for cultivation was truly impressive. Just ten minutes after coming into contact with the Low-Rank Yellow Dou Technique, Tiger Fighting Skill, he had already completely mastered it.

What followed was constant practice. Its moves were broad and forceful rather than particularly flashy, consisting of nothing more than fists and kicks.

Tiger Fighting Skill's practical combat capabilities were nothing remarkable. What Chen Cheng valued was its ability to temper the body.

With the Beast Bone Soup Murong Yan had sent someone to deliver, along with the medicinal liquid Huang Yaoshi had specially prepared for him, Chen Cheng progressed rapidly.

On the night at the end of the month, the lights in Chen Cheng's study were still on.

He cultivated during the day and looked through various materials at night.

His understanding of this world was limited to what he knew from the novel, which was far too restrictive. Therefore, he wanted to use this world's books to learn information that he could not have learned from the novel.

Besides Chen Cheng, there was also a fairly attractive maid in the study, attending to such tasks as serving tea and water. It was late at night, and she was already exhausted, sitting off to the side and nodding off. However, with her master still nearby, she did not dare truly fall asleep. She remained in a half-awake state, looking quite miserable.

"Xiao E." Catching sight of the maid's condition from the corner of his eye, Chen Cheng softly called her name.

But the maid was far too tired. In her dazed state, she did not hear Chen Cheng clearly and merely thought she was dreaming.

"Xiao E," Chen Cheng called again.

This time, the maid's body jolted as she awoke from her sleep. Still groggy, her mind went blank the instant she was suddenly called. Subconsciously, she said, "Young Master, I'll go fetch some water."

She thought her master had once again instructed her to fetch water. Only after she came to her senses did she notice Chen Cheng looking at her with an unusual expression, and she realized that she had been caught slacking off and sleeping.

Having been caught by her master, the maid immediately blushed crimson. Lowering her head, she hurriedly tried to explain, "Young Master, just now I... Please punish me?"

The girl stammered, not knowing what to say.

The more anxious she became, the less she knew how to explain herself. With the evidence so undeniable, how could she possibly defend herself?

She could only accept her punishment.

Chen Cheng glanced at the moonlight outside the window, then closed his book and said to the maid, "Forget it. It's late. Go back and rest."

Hearing Chen Cheng's words, the maid felt as though she had been granted a pardon. She hurriedly thanked him before withdrawing from the study.

After the maid left, Chen Cheng did not continue reading. He sat quietly at the desk with his eyes slightly closed, his mind exceptionally clear.

Tomorrow was the Family Clan Meeting. The clan elders had already invited Chen Cheng to attend as an observer. As a member of the Chen Family, he had not refused.

The Chen Family Clan Meeting mainly tested the cultivation of clan members under the age of sixteen and assessed their talent. Chen Cheng was already over sixteen, so he did not need to take part in the testing. However, as it was a major event for the clan, it was still necessary for him to go and watch.

After a while, a voice sounded in Chen Cheng's mind.

"The host has obtained one summoning opportunity. Would you like to summon?" This was the voice of the Myriad World Summoning System—a crisp, capable female voice, like that of a formidable career woman, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

Chen Cheng abruptly opened his eyes and stared ahead, his expression turning unusually focused.

"Summon!" Chen Cheng communicated with the Summoning System.

The Summoning System said, "The summoned character this time is Yan Lingji!"

The Summoning System said, "Yan Lingji will appear before the host within half an hour."

Name: Yan Lingji

Origin: Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens

Cultivation: Nine-Star Great Dou Shi

A character image appeared on the virtual panel. Beneath her dark red gown was a graceful, alluring figure that drew the eye. Her flawless face possessed not the slightest imperfection.

Even this mere virtual character image seized all of Chen Cheng's attention.

Yan Lingji possessed the ability to control flames and excelled at bewitching people's hearts. Her Fire Enchantment was even superior to Red Serpent's.

But none of these abilities were Yan Lingji's proudest asset.

Yan Lingji's most outstanding feature was her appearance.

"Yan Lingji," Chen Cheng murmured the name softly. He remained seated upright at his desk, doing nothing.

He simply waited another half hour for Yan Lingji to appear.

Chen Cheng had two systems.

The Copy System granted him one copying opportunity every month, which refreshed in the middle of each month.

The Summoning System's fixed monthly summoning opportunity refreshed at the beginning of each month. In addition, whenever Chen Cheng advanced by a major realm, he would receive an extra summoning opportunity.

A major realm referred to realm advancement in this world: advancing from Dou Qi to Dou Zhe, from Dou Zhe to Dou Shi, and from Dou Shi onward. Any such advancement would grant him an additional summoning opportunity.

Chen Cheng's physique was different from that of ordinary people, and he was also highly suited to cultivation in this world. Chen Cheng felt that it would not be long before he gained his next additional summoning opportunity.

Summoning System:

Name: Chen Cheng

Cultivation: Dou Qi Fourth Stage

Comprehensive Combat Power: Dou Qi Ninth Stage

Summoned Characters: Red Serpent, Huang Yaoshi, Yan Lingji

Chen Cheng had yet to cultivate the Mysterious High-Rank Fallen Body Needle, and a Low-Rank Yellow Dou Technique would not raise his combat power in the slightest.

As for Poison Art, Chen Cheng's cultivation was still far too low. He had yet to transform the Dou Qi within his body into Poison Dou Qi. He could only use simple poisons against enemies, so although Chen Cheng possessed Red Serpent's Poison Art, he could not fight like a poison master. It would likewise have little effect on his combat strength.

Within Linjiang Courtyard, a maid got up in the middle of the night to relieve herself. In her drowsy state, she seemed to see a shadow walking through the courtyard. Clad in a dark crimson robe, the figure appeared especially eerie beneath the moonlight.

The person's footsteps were light, moving soundlessly without making the slightest noise, like a ghost.

The moonlight was hazy, and the maid could not make out the red-clad woman's face. She only saw a figure slowly moving forward. Unsure whether she had mistaken what she saw, the maid rubbed her eyes, only to discover that the figure had already vanished from her sight.

In her spare time, the maid enjoyed listening to the ghost stories told by storytellers on the streets. Combined with the scene before her, countless images suddenly filled her mind.

With a sudden jolt, all traces of sleepiness vanished. Too frightened to make the slightest sound, the maid hurriedly fled toward her room. Only beneath her blankets would those fears gradually fade.

The door to Chen Cheng's room was pushed open, and a graceful figure entered elegantly before closing the door behind her.

"I have waited for a long time. You have finally come." Chen Cheng sat at his desk, watching Yan Lingji's figure with a hint of delight on his face.

"This servant greets Master." Yan Lingji crossed her hands at her waist and performed a respectful curtsy. Her gentle voice sent a slight tingle through whoever heard it.

"No need for such formalities. Raise your head and let me have a look," Chen Cheng said, then waited expectantly for Yan Lingji's response.

"Yes."

Yan Lingji answered with a faint smile on her lips, slowly raising her head.

What kind of face was that?

Although Chen Cheng had lived through the age of information explosion and seen no shortage of beautiful women, only Yan Lingji truly left him stunned as though he had beheld a celestial being.

Perhaps only phrases like "a beauty who could bring ruin to a nation" and "a beauty capable of toppling cities and kingdoms" could describe such peerless grace.

Chen Cheng suddenly understood why the kings in history had neglected their morning courts.

Chen Cheng stared blankly at Yan Lingji's face. The woman in the painting had already been enough to make one fall for her, yet anyone who had never seen her true appearance would never understand the overwhelming astonishment Chen Cheng felt at this moment.

"Yan Lingji, you... are quite remarkable. Sit," Chen Cheng finally said after a long while, having calmed himself.

"Thank you, Master." Yan Lingji smiled as she thanked him, then found a seat close to Chen Cheng.

At such a close distance, Chen Cheng could smell her scent and feel her heartbeat.

That scorching warmth came not only from Yan Lingji's body, but also from Chen Cheng's heart.

The two chatted idly, one topic after another, until they gradually became lost in passion.