As long as Chen Mo is willing, he can immediately promote "Sleeve Green Dragon" to the "Proficient" level.
But there is no need.
"The higher the level of Martial Arts, the more difficult it is to improve. It's too wasteful to invest True Spirit prematurely; it's better to level up by cutting down more enemies when possible."
"And it's also necessary to keep some True Spirit on hand, just in case."
That night, while tracking the Rat Bride, had it not been for the remaining True Spirit that was just enough to upgrade Wind and Thunder Release, it might not have been possible to catch that Demon Creature.
Had the Rat Bride chosen a different target and successfully transformed into an Evil Spirit, the outcome would have been unpredictable.
"In addition, there is the Divine Skill bestowed upon me by the Empress..."
Divine Skills can also be upgraded, but only with Dao Essence Crystals.
"Soul Capturing" is currently at the Primary Divine Power level, and upgrading would only require one Dao Essence Crystal.
"This thing is much harder to come by than True Spirit."
"Right, I forgot to check the reward for the Favorability Rating."
A thought crossed Chen Mo's mind and the notification text materialized before his eyes:
["Li Yuan's" Favorability Rating has reached the threshold, unlocking the first stage of rewards.]
[Obtained a special item: Dao Essence Crystal.]
"Feels good."
The corner of Chen Mo's mouth curled upwards.
Although the process was somewhat absurd, the result was quite good... Boys who love spanking never have too bad luck!
...
Thump thump thump.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door, and the voice of the butler Afu came from outside:
"Young Master, there are visitors from the palace."
"Oh?"
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. "Could it be that Director Xu has come looking for me?"
Stepping out of the room and into the courtyard, Chen Mo saw that everyone from the Chen Mansion had gathered there, but the person standing before them was not Xu Qingyi, but rather an old eunuch with graying temples.
Dressed in a blue satin robe, ornamented with motifs of sea waves, sunlit mountains, and drifting clouds, with golden python embroidery stitched on both sleeves and the chest area.
Upon seeing Chen Mo approach, the old eunuch sized him up and exclaimed, "Our house has long heard that General Chen is a paragon of virtue, a true dragon among men. Seeing you today, you truly are fresh and refined, transcending worldly bounds, a dashing figure carved from jade."
Chen Mo was caught off guard by the torrent of flattery.
So good with idioms, are you studying for graduate school?
Chen Zhuo glanced at him and spoke out, "This is Eunuch Jin, the Golden Crow, Chief Steward and also serves as Imperial Chamberlain."
Chen Mo understood in a second.
So it was someone from the Empress.
"Golden Crow? Might as well call him Mr. Sun."
Chen Mo muttered to himself, then cupped his hands and said, "So it's Eunuch Jin, I've long admired your reputation."
Eunuch Jin said with a smile, "General Chen has just cracked the Barbarian Slave Case and slain the Tenth Sky Demon, saving the people of Tongling County from calamity; truly an illustrious merit as towering as hills and mountains!"
Chen Mo replied with neither arrogance nor obsequiousness, "Eunuch Jin is too kind. This matter was not the work of one individual; General Li is also indispensable, as are those ten Assistant Officers. The detailed list has already been submitted to the Government."
"To shoulder responsibilities without presumption, to achieve without dwelling on them."
"Good, very good."
Eunuch Jin looked even more appreciative.
He had come here, of course, after a thorough investigation.
Whether it was Li Yuan, the accompanying Assistant Officers, or the government officers from Tongling County, the stories were all consistent—
The Heavenly Demon was vanquished; Chen Mo was solely responsible for the achievement! He should lead them!
Chen Zhuo looked at Chen Mo, his eyes carrying a mix of emotions.
The previous Ministry of Revenue corruption case was long-planned by the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and it caught the Imperial Consort Faction off guard. By the time they reacted, it was already an ironclad case.
It was assumed there was no chance to overturn the outcome and they could only grimly accept the dark loss.
But then the situation was reversed by Chen Mo, who even dragged the Yan Family into the mess!
Now the slaying of the Tenth Sky Demon was practically unprecedented!
"This damn kid... he really has given me a lot of surprises."
...
After some pleasantries, Chen Mo asked, "May I know the purpose of Eunuch Jin's visit?"
"Look at my memory, all caught up in conversation that I nearly forgot the official business."
"Cough cough, Sky Scale Guard Commander Chen Mo, receive the decree."
With both hands gently supporting the air, a dazzling golden scroll materialized out of nowhere.
As the scroll slowly unrolled, its brilliant light, as bright as the glaring sun, and the overwhelming pressure made it hard for anyone to look directly!
"By decree of the Eastern Palace, here is a loyal and upright official, endowed with both virtue and talent, who has repeatedly achieved great merits, a pillar for the nation."
"Especially promoted to the position of Sky Scale Guard Hundred Households, granted five pieces of Spiritual Marrow, ten Golden Cores, ten rolls of Thousand-Woven Cloud Brocade, five hundred taels of gold, and treasures..."
As Eunuch Jin's words concluded, several armored royal guards wearing yellow sashes around their necks entered from outside, carrying boxes glittering with jewels and rolls of brocade into the courtyard.
"Hundred Household Officer?"
Chen Mo's brow slightly furrowed.
Even with his contributions in slaying the demon, such generous rewards seemed overly extravagant.
"Eunuch Jin, with my age and experience, I fear I am not suitable to take on the position of a Hundred Household Officer, not to mention Households Commander Shen..."
Eunuch Jin smiled and said, "Our house understands what General Chen is thinking. Currently, there is no vacancy for the position of Sky Scale Guard Hundred Households; General Chen is merely being considered as awaiting appointment, enjoying the salary of a Hundred Household Officer until a position is available for an official promotion."
"Besides, His Highness has another item to bestow upon the Commander, it's just not written on this decree."
As he spoke, Eunuch Jin took out a token from his bosom.
All golden, the token had a meticulously carved pattern of Phoenix Calling the Sun on its surface, lifelike in every detail.
Chen Mo was startled, "This is..."
Eunuch Jin said, "This is the Flying Phoenix Order. With this token, one may freely enter and exit the Imperial Palace. Should the Commander have urgent matters in the future, he may directly go to the Zhao Hua Palace and report to Her Highness in person."
As soon as these words were spoken, the air instantly fell silent!
Chen Zhuo's face was expressionless, but his hands clenched tightly within his sleeves!
Merely an awaiting Hundred Household Officer... going to Zhao Hua Palace, reporting directly to the Empress?
What kind of joke is this!
The Empress' actions surely had another intention!
"General Chen?"
Seeing that Chen Mo had no response, Eunuch Jin slightly raised his eyebrows.
"Your servant, thanks Her Highness for her grace."
After a moment of silence, Chen Mo stretched out his hand to receive the token and the decree.