Chapter 77: Duel in the Valley
The setting sun slanted westward, its afterglow spilling across the ancient road outside the city.
Ji Lingxiu widened her eyes, staring in disbelief at the man before her whose smile was so casually lazy.
"Take me as a disciple?" She repeated word by word, her voice rising an octave. "You mean—you want to take me as your disciple?"
Chen Chang'an crossed his arms over his chest and nodded as if it were only natural. "That's right."
Ji Lingxiu's expression instantly became a mix of emotions, part amused, part irritated.
She never would have imagined that this man, who had secretly protected her all along and even risked his life for her, would harbor such a thought.
"So…" She drew in a deep breath. "You followed me all the way, never leaving my side, just for the sake of… taking me as your disciple?"
Chen Chang'an scratched his head, showing a bright grin. "What else?"
That answer left Ji Lingxiu speechless.
Along the way, she had imagined countless possibilities—perhaps he had another purpose, perhaps he had ties with the Great Zhou, or perhaps… he was interested in her. (She felt that last one was the most likely.)
But never had she expected that this seemingly careless yet unfathomable man only wanted to become her master!
I thought you wanted to be my husband, but it turns out you only want to be my master!?
"Yes, from the first moment I saw you," Chen Chang'an's expression grew serious, his gaze earnest, "I felt we were fated—for the bond of master and disciple."
The evening breeze stirred their garments.
Ji Lingxiu looked into his clear, sincere eyes, trying to determine if he was simply an idiot.
Then she laughed. "We're both in the Profound Connection Realm. In minor realms, I even surpass you. What right do you have to be my master?"
"So what?" Chen Chang'an suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Why don't we compare? If you win, I'll grant your wish."
I must beat this fellow badly! Otherwise I won't be able to ease the hatred in my heart! The young girl thought fiercely to herself.
"Agreed," Chen Chang'an sighed in relief. "But can we change the place?"
"Fine!" she answered without hesitation.
…
On the road, Ji Lingxiu glanced at Chen Chang'an beside her, his smile always relaxed and lazy. The taut string in her heart finally loosened.
She exhaled quietly, without drawing attention.
Fortunately… he hadn't made any improper demands.
Though during these days together Chen Chang'an had saved her from danger multiple times, and his calm demeanor had indeed stirred some feelings within her, Ji Lingxiu knew well that this tremor was more like the instinct of a drowning person clinging to driftwood. He was the only ray of light she had encountered since her rebirth, so bright it was hard to look away.
This was different from the love between man and woman.
With her temperament, she could naturally distinguish that.
"What is it?"
Sensing Ji Lingxiu's daze, Chen Chang'an raised an eyebrow, watching her nervously. "You're not changing your mind again, are you?"
"Nonsense!" Ji Lingxiu's ears flushed red as she glared at him in feigned anger. "Since I've already sworn by the Tiandao, of course I'll keep it. But you'll never know what kind of opportunity you've just lost!!"
"What opportunity?"
"Go to hell!"
Seeing the young girl's furious expression, Chen Chang'an wisely shut his mouth, then quietly opened the system panel.
[Ji Lingxiu]
Cultivation: Peak of the Profound Connection Realm
Potential: 95 (Heaven-blessed Talent)
Fate: 95 (Reborn)
Loyalty: 100 (Life-and-death bond)
Personality: Proud, Resolute
…
Fortunately, her loyalty had not decreased.
Then why was she so angry, like a teapot steaming over?
Could it be that her monthly cycle had arrived? Right, come to think of it—did women in the cultivation world even have monthly cycles? Chen Chang'an's thoughts began to drift…
As long as her loyalty wasn't reduced, it was fine. Perhaps her arrogance was actually the kind of arrogance that meant tsundere… best not provoke her…
On the other side…
The night breeze lifted Ji Lingxiu's hair as she gazed at the brightening stars at the horizon, then suddenly let out a small laugh.
After scolding him once, she unexpectedly felt much better.
Perhaps… this kind of distance was just right.
Not overly close, but not distant either.
However—
Whether you can become my master will depend on your true ability!
…
The valley was quiet, a gentle breeze drifting through.
Ji Lingxiu sat idly on a bluestone, her fingers toying with the wildflowers beside her.
After they arrived here, Chen Chang'an had only said, "Sorry, I'll be right back," before vanishing without a trace, leaving her to wait alone.
If not for repeatedly convincing herself that he was trustworthy, Ji Lingxiu would have suspected he had ulterior motives.
"This fellow, always so mysterious…" she muttered under her breath, just as she was thinking of wandering around. Suddenly, a soft breeze swept by.
Without her noticing, Chen Chang'an was already standing in the center of the clearing, smiling faintly at her. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Ji Lingxiu rose to her feet, brushing the grass off her skirt. She arched an eyebrow. "Finally willing to come back? Well then, when do we start?"
And yet, for some reason, though the appearance and demeanor were the same, the Chen Chang'an before her now gave off a completely different feeling.
What kind of feeling was it…
Ji Lingxiu racked her brain but couldn't recall, though she was certain she had sensed this before.
Chen Chang'an did not answer directly. Instead, he stepped back a few paces, stopping in the middle of the clearing, his hands clasped behind his back.
Ji Lingxiu's expression grew serious. Though Chen Chang'an had previously fought and defeated 4 cultivators of the Returning Origin Realm alone, she might not be his match.
But no matter what, she could not allow this man to look down on her!
She gripped her sword in one hand, taking an attacking stance, ready to strike first.
Unlike the Ji family's famed Xuantian Sacred Body, said to be impervious to all laws, her specialty was the sword path—renowned as the foremost art of attack!
Then she heard the man before her softly utter three words—
"Forgive my display."
…
The next instant—
Boom!!!
A vast, abyss-like pressure suddenly erupted!
Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in that moment. The air turned thick and heavy. Ji Lingxiu's pupils contracted sharply, the hairs on her body stood on end, and an unprecedented suffocating force swept over her!
An endless oppressive aura burst from Chen Chang'an's body, shaking the entire valley as though the heavens and earth were collapsing!
Grass and trees bent low, rocks hummed, even the wind itself seemed forcibly suppressed by this power!
Ji Lingxiu's legs weakened, nearly buckling. She clenched her teeth, desperately resisting the terrifying pressure, waves of shock surging in her heart—
She finally remembered where she had felt this before!
After all, with her status, every so often she was fortunate enough to witness it in the palace…
This was—
Saint Realm pressure!
…
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