So after circling around with all those words, it still came down to a fight?
Yao Ranran drew in a long breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "Palace Master An, if your disciple is capable of seizing your body, what need is there for you to teach her anything?"
"Nothing at all."
An Xiaolin replied without hesitation, brimming with self-righteousness.
Yao Ranran stared at this ethereal, immortal-like Palace Master and was struck speechless. After a long pause, she finally said, "So, Palace Master An, under the guise of taking on a disciple, what you really want is to effortlessly find a fully-trained successor?"
An Xiaolin fixed her with a deep look. "Exactly."
Yao Ranran: "…"
Guessing right didn't feel satisfying at all!
Step by step, An Xiaolin advanced, those pale, clear eyes now gleaming with a cold light that seemed to look down on all beneath the heavens.
"My obedient disciple, you have no path of retreat."
His gentle voice reverberated across the empty plaza.
Yao Ranran tilted her head up slightly. His long black hair billowed like a waterfall, his pale porcelain face drawing ever closer.
Her heart pounded like a drum, her mind flashing blank. The only thought that came and went in a blink was to fight to the very end.
Then it struck. The terrifying pressure An Xiaolin released surged like an ocean crashing down, heaven and earth seeming to topple over her. She was crushed so hard she could barely breathe, her blood surging backward, her sea of consciousness on the verge of collapse. His mesmerizing voice echoed beside her ear, piercing straight into her heart.
"Beg for mercy. Leave Shu Xi Palace. You are not worthy to fight me."
"Beg for mercy. Give it up. I can give you nothing. Leaving is the best choice."
Yao Ranran's dazed eyes suddenly lit with determination. Her purple dress fluttered like petals caught in the storm.
The lotus embroidered with fine white threads across her robes bloomed radiantly. An Xiaolin's pupils contracted—lotus blossoms sprouted out of thin air. She stood amidst them like a delicate pink lotus, her feet lightly touching a giant leaf, pure and untainted.
For a brief instant, An Xiaolin's mind wavered. Then, a crisp, ringing voice like celestial music struck his ear:
"Shui Furong Binding Bracelet—Seal!"
A streak of jade-green light shot from her wrist. An Xiaolin's awareness snapped back. The lotuses were illusions, yet the emerald glow was real, and it was too late to dodge.
The light pierced into his sea of consciousness. Yao Ranran unleashed her full strength, stepping down with her Lotus Petal Cloud-Treading Steps. Petals scattered as she struck with the Nine Lotus Ring. A burst of white light flared over his head, and in the blink of an eye An Xiaolin was hurled dozens of zhang away.
Palaces collapsed, dust and rubble engulfing him.
Yao Ranran seized the chance, pressing her attack. But suddenly, from within the ruins, a miniature Shu Xi Palace rose into the air, no bigger than a palm. A shimmering barrier of waterlight descended, deflecting all of her strikes in an instant.
Covered in dust, An Xiaolin stood up with a blackened face, teeth clenched. "Ungrateful disciple! You really went all out to kill me!"
Yao Ranran blinked in confusion. …Wasn't she supposed to?
Seeing the barrier easily rebound all her treasures, she quickly withdrew her weapon, bowed respectfully, and said with sincerity, "Many thanks for Master's mercy. This disciple is endlessly grateful."
That bracelet had caught him unawares once. Now that her ploy was exposed, he would never fall for it again. Without her treasures, she had no chance of winning. Yielding at the right moment was also a way to survive.
An Xiaolin studied her quick, clever eyes, then glanced at the dozens of attacks his shield had repelled. A chill crept through him.
So vicious! If not for Shu Xi Palace's protection, even if he hadn't died, his head would still be spinning from those blows!
And such a ruthless woman… was he truly making the right choice taking her as a disciple?
"Master, your body is turning transparent!" Yao Ranran cried in alarm.
An Xiaolin looked down at his fading form, lips twitching helplessly. "Disciple, your Master is about to die…"
"I was the one who did this??" Yao Ranran's eyes widened, guilt pricking her heart.
He was still her cheap Master, after all…
Seeing her genuine worry, warmth softened An Xiaolin's chest. Apart from her, he had no one.
"This has nothing to do with you. It is my destined fate."
"Master… what is happening?" Yao Ranran lowered her Nine Lotus Ring.
His gaze on her was now as tender as flowing water. "My dear disciple, it cannot be spoken of. I do not have much time left. Take this Shu Xi Palace Seal."
With a gentle push, the palm-sized palace floated toward her.
Yao Ranran caught it, the icy weight resting against her palm.
An Xiaolin's lips curved in a faint, gentle smile. "Shu Xi Palace no longer exists. It is time for me to leave as well."
"Master, where are you going?" Yao Ranran asked, puzzled.
He looked at her softly. "My dear disciple, Shu Xi Palace was a palace punished long ago. Everyone who once lived here already died. I too am the same. Now that the palace has a new master, I will go to where I belong."
"Heaven?" Yao Ranran blurted without thinking.
His smile drooped, face showing grievance. "No. Perhaps hell."
Yao Ranran's pupils dilated. "Master, what sin did you and Shu Xi Palace commit back then?"
A faint red rose on his porcelain cheeks. He shook his head. "My dear disciple, it cannot be said…"
"Then at least tell me how I can save you."
The more mysterious and unspoken it was, the more it proved he had lived through something extraordinary!
An entire palace punished to death—this place could very well conceal some great secret of the cultivation world. Yet in the novel she had read, there had been no mention of Shu Xi Palace at all.
"My dear disciple… do you truly wish to save us?" An Xiaolin's soft voice asked.
Yao Ranran shivered. Cold sweat rose on her back.
Not good. Had she just walked into her cheap Master's scheme?
Facing his clear eyes, she swallowed. "Master, if I can save you, I'll try my best!"
If she couldn't… well, maybe she could find a way to push the task onto the female lead.
An Xiaolin laughed lightly, his voice as warm as an April breeze. "I understand. My dear disciple, the way to save Shu Xi Palace is simple. As long as you keep me in your heart, your Master will never disappear."
…Why did that sound more like comforting words elders say to juniors?
Suspicion flickered in Yao Ranran's voice. "Master, you're not lying to me, are you?"
An Xiaolin shook his head, smiling. "No. My dear disciple, quickly enter the main hall. All the treasures of Shu Xi Palace are there, and they are yours."
Her eyes lit up, only to dim again as she looked at him. "Master, your body is about to vanish…"
An Xiaolin gave a soft nod. "Yes. But I will remain by your side, watching you grow."
Something stirred in Yao Ranran's heart. For all his trickery, this cheap Master truly knew how to speak sweet words.
"Go, quickly, to the main hall!" An Xiaolin urged.
Yao Ranran turned to leave, but after a few steps she looked back. "Master, are you sure you didn't pick the wrong disciple?"