Dharma Aspect Second Level, Cao An Arrives

Shen Changqing's gaze deepened slightly. He tapped his fingertips on the table three times, producing dull thuds. "Your Highness, since His Majesty intends to go to war with the Yantian Sect, why don't we watch from the sidelines?" A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "When both sides are wounded, we can then reap the benefits."

He paused, his gaze drifting into the distance, and continued, "Furthermore, Your Highness could secretly contact the Fifth Prince. Among the three factions, his foundation is the weakest, presenting an opportunity for us."

"Although the Heavenly Origin Sword Sect has Dharma Aspect Realm Experts guarding it," a cold sneer curled his lips, "the Heavenly Origin Sword Sect's Dharma Aspect Expert is only at the Fourth Level. I will personally make a trip there."

Ling Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the darkening twilight outside the window.

After a long while, he slowly nodded. "Fifth Brother has indeed hidden many trump cards while biding his time these past few years." A strand of sword energy suddenly appeared at his fingertips, splitting a falling leaf in two. "However... it doesn't matter."

He pondered for a moment, then his gaze sharpened, and he issued a new order: "Also, pass down the command to have my subordinates increase their actions, deliberately exacerbating the conflict with the Yantian Sect and his Imperial Father."

"Oh, right," he recalled something, lowering his voice slightly, "I heard that after the Yantian Sect Master was severely injured and fled back to the sect last time, he immediately activated the Sect Protecting Grand Formation, causing panic among the sect members. Everyone feels like a storm is coming."

Finally, his gaze swept into the distance, as if he could see the forces hidden in the shadows. "Contact those Marquises and Princes, and tell them to wait for my command."

Shen Changqing respectfully nodded upon hearing this. "Yes!"

Chen Lin lounged lazily in his rocking chair, his fingers casually flipping through several open books, his gaze somewhat distant, reflecting the lazy sunlight outside the window.

The words printed on the pages, like "Beauty, you don't want to...", caused his lips to twitch almost imperceptibly. He truly couldn't muster any interest.

However, he had nothing else to do.

His body would automatically guide the absorption of spiritual energy and the abundant resources in his storage ring, operating like a precise machine. He only needed to stay here and wait for things to naturally fall into place.

During this boring wait, he had received some cultivation techniques sent by people from the Ling Tian Sect, which were practiced by several of his Dharma Aspect Realm Experts.

As he casually browsed, a booklet with an ancient cover and a hidden aura caught his eye. It was inscribed with only two small characters: Dao Fa.

His heart stirred, and his spiritual sense probed into it. He was instantly astonished to discover that this was actually a Heaven-tier cultivation technique!

Moreover, this cultivation technique seemed different from the usual cultivation systems. The methods recorded within were varied and unpredictable, far exceeding his previous understanding, making his eyes light up.

Finally, all the cultivation techniques reached Great Perfection, granting him more methods.

Simultaneously, his body absorbed and transformed tirelessly. The true essence within Chen Lin became increasingly condensed, and his realm quietly advanced to the second level of the Dharma Aspect Realm as a matter of course!

The Dharma Aspect he condensed was actually himself! A "self" that was complete and did not rely on any external factors, rather than one formed by any existing cultivation technique.

This was not simple imitation, but using himself as the foundation of the Dharma Aspect. Once this "Natal Dharma Aspect" was condensed, he would no longer be a passive vessel but would become a true "container."

This meant he could freely switch the attributes of this Dharma Aspect at will, as easily as switching weapons, with infinite potential!

As Chen Lin was leisurely enjoying himself, he suddenly saw a red shadow flash across the courtyard.

The person who arrived was clad in a crimson python robe. His sleeves were unstained by dust. The moment his toes touched the ground, not even a single fallen leaf was disturbed. This lightness skill and movement technique were already extraordinary.

Cao An.

Chen Lin's gaze narrowed, and he instantly locked onto the other's aura—Dharma Aspect Second Level!

It seemed that these red-robed eunuchs were indeed all at the Dharma Aspect Realm cultivation.

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Coincidentally, among the cultivation techniques Ling Tian had gifted him earlier, there was one specifically for eunuchs to cultivate.

However, he had not cultivated it.

That thing could be unused, but it absolutely could not be absent.

"Lord Lin, this servant has come to offer congratulations."

Hearing this, Chen Lin's heart stirred, but his expression remained calm as he secretly pondered: Congratulations?

This Cao An likely had no good intentions.

What could it be about?

Cao An smiled as he handed over a scroll of Gilded Edict and said, "His Majesty, concerned about Lord Lin's meritorious service in guarding the Scripture Repository, has specially bestowed three Core Gathering Pills." As he spoke, he lightly tapped the edict three times with his fingertip, and the golden scroll seemed to gain an additional layer of majesty.

"I hope Lord Lin can break through to the Core Formation Realm as soon as possible," Cao An added, a subtle glint flashing in his eyes.

Chen Lin heard this, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. What did this mean?

This was...

He hadn't done anything, yet he had merit?

Upon hearing this, Chen Lin trembled with "excitement," his hands "shaking" as he accepted the Pill Casket. His face instantly filled with a fawning smile:

"This, this is actually a Core Gathering Pill!" His voice even "trembled," "With such a generous gift from His Majesty, this old servant will surely be able to break through to the Core Formation Realm!"

"His Majesty is truly a Wise Ruler Through the Ages! A Holy Lord of All Ages!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, even 'squeezing' a few tears from the corners of his eyes, "Even if this old servant were to die for a cause, it would be difficult to repay even a fraction of His Majesty's grace!"

Cao An's eyes, which were always narrowed, appraised Chen Lin with a half-smile, his voice carrying a subtle hint of probing: "His Majesty also specifically asked if there have been any anomalies in the Scripture Repository recently? For example, some things that should be there when they should be, were not."

Hearing this, Chen Lin's heart remained undisturbed, and his expression remained as calm as ever, as if he hadn't understood the hidden meaning: "Replying to Chief Eunuch Cao, everything in the Scripture Repository is as usual, and all items are in their proper places."

Cao An narrowed his eyes, seemingly nodding in satisfaction: "That's good. After all, His Majesty's Omniscient Eyes can perceive everything."

This statement was like a fine needle, lightly pricking Chen Lin.

Several thoughts flashed through his mind instantly: Did the other party know about Little Anzi's matter?

He wasn't sure, but his expression remained unchanged.

"We are all conscientious individuals, loyal to the Emperor and serving the country," Chen Lin said slowly, deliberately emphasizing the words "loyal to the Emperor."

Cao An's face showed genuine satisfaction upon hearing this. He even patted Chen Lin's shoulder, saying, "Since that is the case, then Lord Lin, please continue to diligently fulfill this duty."

During this seemingly ordinary shoulder pat, Chen Lin keenly sensed a force probing into his body like a fine needle, meticulously scanning his internal organs and spiritual power circulation.

Fortunately, the other party's cultivation was comparable to his own, and he had long since cultivated the Breath Concealment Technique, suppressing his aura to the lowest level, which prevented the other party from detecting any abnormality.

Only after the probing force quietly withdrew did Cao An turn and leave with that inscrutable smile.

Chen Lin watched him depart.