Two Months to the Copper Scarlet Realm?

Yunhe Commandery Princess had not even finished speaking when Sun Ninghu moved.

The instant he moved, he was like a fierce tiger bursting from its cage—without warning, swift as lightning.

Two thick arms shot from his sleeves, his ten fingers slightly spread like tiger claws. His knuckles were thick and his joints protruding, like iron pincers reaching for Chen Lingxi's left leg.

There was nothing fancy about this grab, yet it carried an overbearing force that could crush all before it.

The bluestone bricks beneath his feet cracked like a spiderweb. His whole body was like a ferocious tiger descending the mountain, fierce and unstoppable.

A fierce wind rushed at his face. Chen Lingxi's pupils shrank slightly, and with a light tap of his toes against the bluestone, he slid several feet backward, narrowly evading the grab.

Sun Ninghu's first grab missed, and his brow furrowed slightly. Then his second claw was already upon him.

This time, he seized for Chen Lingxi's right leg. The movement was several degrees faster than the first, his five fingers tearing through the air with five sharp whistles, like an iron plow cutting through frozen earth.

In the midst of retreating, Chen Lingxi abruptly changed direction, his body folding to the right. Sun Ninghu's claw wind skimmed past his trouser leg, tearing a gash in it and sending cotton wadding drifting out.

"Hmm?"

Sun Ninghu gave a soft cry of surprise. Clearly, he had not expected this seemingly slight official slave to evade two of his claws in succession.

He had originally thought that this grab would snap the other man's left leg, allowing him to complete his task. Yet he had never imagined that this official slave's footwork would be so nimble, nothing like a novice who had trained for barely over a month.

He drew a deep breath, and the qi and blood within his dantian suddenly boiled.

Chen Lingxi's expression remained unchanged. Within his dantian, the Concealed Edge Method quietly circulated, tightening that layer of spiritual qi barrier still further and releasing only the fluctuations of qi and blood belonging to someone who had just entered the Copper Scarlet Realm.

Yunhe Commandery Princess sat in her chair, propping her chin up with one hand. There was a smile in her eyes as she watched with great interest.

Lin Longyue held a teacup, yet her gaze did not leave Chen Lingxi for even an instant.

She saw that the crimson qi radiance around Chen Lingxi was thin and that his aura lacked depth, like a fledgling who had only just stepped across the threshold of Copper Scarlet, whose Copper-Molten Qi had not yet even condensed into form.

Yet even so, she could no longer suppress the surprise on her face.

"Copper Scarlet!"

"This is the innate talent of a servant from my residence?"

She instinctively glanced at Yunhe Commandery Princess, only to see that the princess still wore a smile, though several threads of bloodthirsty light had appeared in her eyes.

In the center of the hall, Sun Ninghu had already closed in.

His palms whirled, stirring gusts of wind. Every claw carried the force to tear gold and split stone.

His fighting style was exceptionally brutal. He did not care for the intricacy of techniques, seeking only speed and weight. Like a beast fighting for its life, every claw aimed for the vital points of Chen Lingxi's limbs.

Chen Lingxi retreated again and again, struggling to fend him off. He looked like a small boat tossing amid raging winds and towering waves, liable to capsize at any moment.

Yet though his steps seemed chaotic, there was order within the chaos. Every retreat precisely evaded Sun Ninghu's claws, every sidestep narrowly brushed past his fist wind. It was as if someone were dancing upon a blade's edge—perilous beyond measure, yet never suffering the slightest injury.

And though his qi and blood were not abundant, they flowed like a rushing river, unceasing and endless.

Unable to take him down after so long, the violence in Sun Ninghu's eyes deepened.

With a low roar, he sent out both claws together, grabbing down at Chen Lingxi's shoulders. This time, he used his full strength. His claw wind ripped the air apart with a piercing shriek, crimson qi radiance flickering at his fingertips like five red-hot iron hooks.

The sky-full of claw shadows reflected in Chen Lingxi's pupils. His feet suddenly planted themselves, halting his retreat.

Mountain-Crushing Force exploded across his fist!

He clenched his right fist, and the thin layer of crimson qi radiance over its surface suddenly grew several degrees more solid.

Mountain-Hoisting Fist!

This punch shot straight out without the slightest flourish, like lifting a mountain peak to hurl it away—heavy and resolute.

Fist met claw.

Bang!

A dull crash rang out, and the shockwave surged to either side.

Sun Ninghu's body paused slightly, while Chen Lingxi retreated three steps in succession, his right arm trembling faintly.

Most of the thin qi radiance over his fist had been torn away by Sun Ninghu's claw wind, revealing the pale skin beneath.

But he had forcibly blocked Sun Ninghu's claw.

A flicker of surprise crossed Yunhe Commandery Princess's eyes, only to be covered by her smile once more.

Lin Longyue drew a deep breath.

She softly said one word. "Good."

Sun Ninghu's failed strike only made him fiercer.

His twin claws alternated in rapid strikes, so fast that only afterimages remained. Crimson claw wind wove into an airtight net that descended upon Chen Lingxi's head.

Chen Lingxi stopped retreating. His footwork shifted, changing from the River-Entering Stance to the Mountain-Winding Stance. His fists opened and closed in broad, powerful arcs, every punch heavy and forceful. Mountain-Crushing Force exploded over his fists, tearing hole after hole through that claw net.

Though his qi and blood were not as abundant as Sun Ninghu's, and his force not as solid, his fist technique was far more exquisite. Every punch landed precisely upon the weak points of his opponent's claw technique, overcoming force with skill and using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.

By the eighth exchange, Chen Lingxi had gradually stabilized his footing.

By the tenth exchange, he began his counterattack.

Mountain-Crushing Force circulated through his body with growing mastery. Each punch struck with slightly greater strength than the last, like a snowball rolling downhill—growing larger and heavier with every turn.

Until the eleventh exchange, when Chen Lingxi smashed a fist into Sun Ninghu's left ribs.

That punch was a variation of the River-Entering Stance. Its force was like river water flowing backward, and the power of Mountain-Crushing Force seeped through Sun Ninghu's qi armor and entered his body, jolting his organs until they churned. A thread of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Sun Ninghu let out a muffled groan, and his offensive suddenly stalled.

Taking advantage of that pause, Chen Lingxi's right fist arrived!

"Break!"

That punch smashed into Sun Ninghu's chest. Sun Ninghu staggered back two steps, and shock finally appeared on his face.

He stared wide-eyed at Chen Lingxi, unable to believe that this official slave had actually injured him.

What frightened him even more was that this official slave's fist force grew heavier with every strike, as if it were accumulating something. The longer he fought, the heavier and fiercer his punches became, as though there were no end to them.

He gritted his teeth and thrust out both claws once more.

But this time, his movements were no longer as swift as before.

Chen Lingxi caught that detail.

A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes. Mountain-Crushing Force erupted within him, and his right fist shot out like a meteor. The thin crimson qi radiance over his fist suddenly blazed brighter at that instant.

The thirteenth punch struck Sun Ninghu's right shoulder.

The fourteenth punch struck Sun Ninghu's left arm.

The fifteenth punch struck Sun Ninghu's chest.

Punch after punch came in one unbroken flow, so swift it left people breathless.

Sun Ninghu's defense completely collapsed, and his qi and blood stagnated!

He staggered backward, his spine slamming into a vermilion-lacquered pillar of the East Hall with a dull thud.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but a mouthful of blood surged from his throat. He crashed to the ground!

His arms were still trembling faintly.

He raised his head and looked at Chen Lingxi, his light-brown eyes filled with shock and unwillingness.

The hall fell silent.

So silent that they could hear the faint crackling of charcoal and the soft sound of the spring wind brushing past plum branches outside the window.

Yunhe Commandery Princess set down the pastry in her hand, her eyes widening slightly. Genuine surprise rarely appeared on that lazy face of hers.

She looked at Sun Ninghu, sitting on the ground and still gasping for breath, then at Chen Lingxi, who stood straight in the hall despite his disordered breathing. Her lips parted slightly, as though she wished to say something, but in the end, no words came out.

Liu Que, the West Courtyard steward, stood by the door with a dazed expression, seemingly just as astonished by Chen Lingxi's strength.

He had followed Lin Longyue for many years and had seen countless masters. There were martial artists in the West Courtyard who could defeat Sun Ninghu, but which of them had not immersed themselves in martial arts for years, consuming precious delicacies and undergoing medicinal baths before reaching that point?

This official slave before him had still been serving as a lowly servant in the Inverted Room a little over a month ago. He had even become a test subject for medicines, rolling along the brink of death. Yet now, he could defeat a Copper Scarlet Realm Sun Ninghu head-on.

He instinctively glanced at Lin Longyue.

Lin Longyue held her teacup without moving.

The tea in the cup had long since gone cold, but she seemed wholly unaware. She only stared at Chen Lingxi, her gaze like two ice awls—cold and sharp.

There was no joy in that gaze, no anger, not even surprise.

Only an exceedingly deep scrutiny, so intense it seemed almost tangible.

Several breaths passed.

She slowly set the teacup in her hand upon the small table.

"Yet I never expected you to truly be a fine talent blessed with excellent gifts."

Lin Longyue spoke, her voice as cool and clear as ever.

She paused, her brows knitting slightly as though she were considering something.

"I heard He Duan say that you chose a fragmented copy of the Seven Forms of Ceasing War."

Her gaze fell upon Chen Lingxi. "What you displayed today was also the Seven Forms of Ceasing War. Does that mean you truly reached the Copper Scarlet Realm in less than two months?"

The question was asked calmly, but everyone in the hall could hear the profound suspicion beneath that calmness.

Yunhe Commandery Princess put away her earlier laziness and lifted her teacup to sip slowly, though her gaze continued to circle around Chen Lingxi.

Liu Que lowered his eyes, not daring to look further. He merely pricked up his ears and listened.

Chen Lingxi lowered his head. His voice was not loud, but it was steady. "In reply to Miss, yes."

Just one word—clean and direct. There was no defense, no claim for credit, and no panic.

Lin Longyue's fingers lightly tapped the tabletop twice.

The tapping was neither hurried nor slow, yet each tap seemed to strike against their hearts.

Then the corner of her lips tugged faintly, drawing out a smile that could hardly be called one.

"To be too monstrous only makes one suspicious."

Her voice was quiet, but every word rang clear through the hall.

"Chen Lingxi, do you know that your natural talent is exceptional?"

It was an odd question.

How could someone with exceptional talent not know it themselves?

Yet Lin Longyue had asked it all the same, as though she were testing something, or perhaps offering a hint.

Chen Lingxi nodded. After remaining silent for a moment, he said, "In reply to Miss, this slave does not lack all foundation."

He raised his head, meeting Lin Longyue's gaze for an instant before lowering it again. "When this slave's father was still alive, he once invited a traveling physician to examine this slave.

The physician said that this slave had been constitutionally deficient from birth, with weak sinews and bones. Without proper care, there was a risk of becoming crippled after reaching adulthood.

For the next several years, Father spent a great deal of money every year buying medicine from that physician—for medicinal baths, internal consumption, and external application—never once stopping.

Though those medicinal ingredients were no rare treasures, they were still genuinely good things. Over time, this slave's body became somewhat stronger than that of ordinary people."

He paused, as though weighing his words. "Later, disaster struck the Chen Family, and this slave was sent into the Marquis Residence. The medicine was cut off then."

As Lin Longyue listened, her brows relaxed slightly.

She had seen too many people. The moment she heard this, she knew Chen Lingxi was not speaking nonsense.

Though the Chen Family was not a prominent clan, it was still a scholarly household. Chen Yanzhi had only one son; it was perfectly ordinary for him to spend silver having someone care for his only son's health.

Yet the scrutiny in her eyes did not fade. Instead, it deepened.

"Even with the best foundation, entering Copper Scarlet in two months is still absurdly fast." She spoke slowly, as though talking to herself, yet also as though waiting for Chen Lingxi to explain.

Chen Lingxi lowered his head and fell silent for a moment, hesitation appearing on his face.

That hesitation was not deliberate. It was like a servant before his master, having something to say but not daring to say it, carefully measuring his boundaries.

Naturally, Lin Longyue saw his hesitation.

"Speak freely." She lifted the teacup Liu Que had refilled for her, gently blowing aside the floating tea leaves. Her tone was somewhat gentler than before. "Before me, there is no need to hide things away."

Chen Lingxi drew a deep breath, as though making some decision.

"In reply to Miss, this matter... this slave believes it must begin with the medicine Steward Zhao had us test."

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly tightened.

Zhao Yong.

Within the Baosu Marquis Residence, even servants lowered their voices when mentioning those two words in private, fearful that walls might have ears.

The hand holding Lin Longyue's teacup paused slightly. She raised her eyes and glanced at Chen Lingxi.

The coldness in that glance had not diminished, but it now held a trace of interest.

Chen Lingxi continued, "Every so often, Steward Zhao would have us medicine slaves take a dose of medicinal powder. He said it was a tonic, but this slave later learned that the powder was extremely poisonous.

Zhou Hu, Zhu Luanwen, and the others who took the medicine alongside this slave all suffered unbearable pain after every dose. They grew weaker and thinner by the day, dying one after another within little more than ten days."

His voice was calm, as though he were speaking of someone else's affairs. Yet beneath that calmness lay a deeply suppressed endurance.

"But this slave... was different."

He raised his head, his eyes clear. "After taking that medicinal powder, this slave not only felt no pain, but instead felt warmth spread through his entire body. Even his breathing became smoother, and many old injuries accumulated through labor improved greatly.

At first, this slave thought it was merely coincidence. But after taking it several times in succession, it was the same every time."

As he spoke to this point, his voice lowered somewhat. "This slave feared drawing attention, and feared even more that Steward Zhao would cause trouble if he found out. So after each dose, this slave pretended to be in unbearable pain, lying in bed and groaning, even deliberately making his breaths short and rapid.

When others saw it, they only assumed that this slave, like Zhou Hu and the others, had been tortured half to death by the medicine's effects."

Liu Que's brow twitched violently upon hearing this.

Naturally, he knew of Zhao Yong's medicine testing within the residence, and he knew that many people had died testing those medicines. No one above had ever asked about it.

Lin Longyue set down her teacup.

She looked at Chen Lingxi, and the coldness in her eyes gradually faded.

Several breaths passed before she suddenly burst into laughter.

"I never expected it. I never expected that you truly are a fine talent blessed with excellent gifts."

"Since that is the case, I will not be stingy with rewards."

She turned and returned to the seat of honor, lifting her teacup as her gaze settled upon Chen Lingxi.

"Speak. What do you want?"