Xiao Yunxi nodded and then said, "The Nourishing Essence Pill is good, but one must not rely solely on the power of elixirs. Medicine has three parts poison; it is better to temper oneself more, which is the best policy."
"I shall remember the Empress's sacred words." Chen Mo respectfully bowed.
Xiao Yunxi squinted at Chen Mo for a moment, unable to discern anything from his expression, then nodded with a smile, "Go ahead, it's getting late. I won't take up more of your time."
"How could you say that, Empress? Accompanying you in your training is this servant's honor," Chen Mo said.
Xiao Yunxi nodded slightly again.
As Chen Mo was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to Xiao Yunxi, saying, "Has the Empress not exercised her phoenix body for quite some time?"
Xiao Yunxi was slightly surprised, realizing that Chen Mo was referring to exercising, though uncertain why he was asking, she hesitated and nodded.
Then she heard him say, "If that's the case, after the Empress bathes, Cai'Er can help massage your hands and feet; otherwise, you may feel some soreness when you wake up tomorrow morning."
A person who hasn't exercised in a long time suddenly trains vigorously, and if the body's tendons aren't relaxed, one will definitely feel quite sore the next day.
Since Chen Mo inherited the Prime Minister's ambitions, attention to detail is essential, then elevated.
On hearing this, Xiao Yunxi was startled, naturally understanding the meaning behind Chen Mo's words, feeling inexplicably warm inside, she nodded with a smile, "You are thoughtful, I will remember."
"Then this servant shall take his leave."
...
After leaving Weiyang Palace, Chen Mo hurried towards Shenxiao Temple.
Less than two hours remained until the simulator refreshed.
Chen Mo needed to quickly find Lin Su Ya to expand his talent from her.
As he reached the depths of the Imperial Palace and entered a corridor, a stern and powerful voice sounded from behind.
"Bold! Who dares trespass into the Celestial Forest Garden!"
This area deep within the Imperial Palace is called the Celestial Forest Garden.
Beyond the Celestial Forest Garden is the location of Genyue.
A middle-aged man, wearing dark armor and with a longsword at his waist, approached Chen Mo with resounding steps.
Though Chen Mo didn't know who he was, anyone wielding weapons within the Imperial Palace could only be from the Imperial Guard.
Judging by the middle-aged man's attire, he was clearly no ordinary soldier; he held military rank.
"General, this servant is Chen Hong from Weiyang Palace, fortunate enough to join Shenxiao Sect, allowing me to cultivate at Shenxiao Temple at night."
As he spoke, Chen Mo took out his badge and Shenxiao Sect disciple token from his bosom and presented them to the middle-aged man.
"Chen Hong?"
Looking at the eunuch's uniform on Chen Mo, Wang Ze was somewhat taken aback, seemingly surprised that a eunuch could become a disciple of Shenxiao Sect.
While verifying his identity, Wang Ze noticed Chen Mo brushed against him, but seeing Chen Mo still had his head lowered, he paid it no mind.
Being the Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, Wang Ze naturally recognized the Shenxiao Temple disciple token.
Infusing a thread of True Qi into it.
After confirming its authenticity, he returned it to Chen Mo, saying, "General Wang Ze, the Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, responsible for overseeing the Celestial Forest Garden area. Greetings, Chen Gonggong."
Wang Ze was adept at courtesy.
Chen Mo, as a eunuch, becoming a disciple of Shenxiao Sect, aside from having exceptional talent, surely meant he was favored by Your Majesty or the Empress.
Yet Wang Ze felt no trace of martial artist aura from Chen Mo, leaving only one possibility: he was favored by the Empress.
Chen Mo was stunned for a moment.
Having heard the nickname Little Chen and Little Hong often.
Suddenly being addressed as Chen Gonggong, he felt a little awkward, as though he had suddenly become the most prominent eunuch in the Imperial Palace.
However, the Vice Commander-in-Chief, that was quite an official, second in command of the Imperial Guard, only below Gao Qiu.
"Greetings, General Wang."
The two nodded in acknowledgment before parting ways.
"Orange Talent..."
On the road, Chen Mo muttered.
Indeed, while interacting with Wang Ze just now, Chen Mo had expanded his talent from him.
...
"Boom!"
As Chen Mo entered the bamboo grove, a formless wave of energy surged towards him, sending him flying, tumbling across the ground.
"You're late." Lin Su Ya stood on a cluster of bamboo leaves, her Daoist robe billowing in the evening wind.
"Oh dear, Chen Hong, you dare be late. Even when I was late, Master treated me the same way." A tinkling voice sounded, and with a few flashes, Zhao Fujin appeared below Lin Su Ya, gloated at Chen Mo.
"Your Highness Princess, State... State Preceptor." Chen Mo stood up, bowing to the two women in turn, then raised his head to look at Lin Su Ya.
The master-disciple relationship between Chen Mo and Lin Su Ya was known only to them, with Zhao Fujin around, Chen Mo could only address her as State Preceptor.
Illuminated by moonlight, Lin Su Ya stood on a cluster of bamboo leaves as if on solid ground, Chen Mo's sight observed, her Daoist robe slightly raised, revealing dazzlingly white, long legs.
"Reporting to the State Preceptor, the Empress delayed me for training, hence the tardiness." Chen Mo explained.
"Mother had you accompany her in training?" Zhao Fujin was somewhat surprised, she knew mother had not trained for quite some time.
Chen Mo nodded.
"This Daoist cares not for your excuses, late is late. If you exceed three times, you need not come anymore."
Lin Su Ya's duster flicked, her figure vanished, reappearing before Chen Mo.
Zhao Fujin trembled slightly, giving Chen Mo a sympathetic look.
Chen Mo's expression changed.
This is too strict.
To know, his schedule was not exactly under his control.
He wanted to protest, but ultimately didn't, and nodded.
"Tonight, this Daoist has matters to attend to, so Fujin will teach you." Having said that, Lin Su Ya flicked her duster to leave.
"Um, State Preceptor... Wait a moment." As he spoke, Chen Mo reached out to touch Lin Su Ya.
But before he could reach her, her body dissipated like a wisp of dust, appearing a meter away.
Lin Su Ya frowned, "What is it?"
"Reporting to the State Preceptor, this afternoon during cultivation, I suddenly felt a suffocating sensation. I hope the State Preceptor can examine me." Chen Mo withdrew his hand, speaking somewhat sheepishly.
"Hmm..."
On hearing this, Lin Su Ya's eyebrows furrowed, then she said, "Raise your hand."
Chen Mo complied.
Lin Su Ya stepped forward, checking Chen Mo's pulse.
[Ding! Golden Talent expanded!]
Chen Mo's eyes lit up immediately.
As expected, his master's talent was indeed extraordinary.
Chen Mo originally just concocted an excuse to interact with Lin Su Ya.
But after she checked the pulse, her expression gradually darkened, she then said, "You possess Evil Qi, your fate is marked by calamity..."
Turning over Chen Mo's hand, Lin Su Ya continued, "By your palmistry, you won't live past twenty in this life. But it's odd, why hadn't this Daoist seen it in your birth chart before?"