Chapter 717: An Unplumbed Grudge
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Ji Lingxi's cultivation base improvement was utterly absurd.
A few days ago, she was only slightly above the Dao realm, but she had completely secured it today and had even gone through a growth spurt in the form of an eruption in aura during her session with Yun Yang.
Yun Yang was familiar with the abrupt air because it was a vibe that exploded from one when one's cultivation base had a breakthrough, most notably in an uncontrollable situation.
Another breakthrough!
This meant that Ji Lingxi had made another step of progress in a mysterious, unknown advanced path.
The difference in levels between both of them was already discernible by mere sight.
Yun Yang was speechless, bewildered upon facing the reality of their increasing contrast.
How had this happened? This was a ridiculously unbelievable cheat!
"What cultivation method are you practicing? Would you mind disclosing it?" asked Yun Yang with a frown.
"It's – Phoenix… Uh, no," Ji Lingxi began her answer, but she looked lost halfway through it and said, "I think that's not it now. The cultivation method I am practicing now seems to be called… Nine Heavens Volition… I don't know what it is either."
Yun Yang hissed, "Changing the foundation of one's cultivation method is a big taboo in cultivation… Forget it, it's not important. Still, you don't even know the method you're practicing. How can this be?"
Ji Lingxi seemed to be honestly puzzled, "Be what? I've never even cultivated this method before. It has appeared only recently, out of nowhere. Yet, it feels like I've cultivated it for a long time. It's familiar, without any difficulties. Everything comes so easily and smoothly as if it has always been innately there…"
Yun Yang was speechless. Why did the entire incident sound so mystical?
"Now that I think about it, there must be a huge issue with my background." Ji Lingxi sighed. "I don't know what sort of an existence my father, who doesn't seem a very dependable man, lived… This cultivation method of mine should have been imprinted in my memory, but I really know nothing else about these things."
Yun Yang nodded and said, "Never mind. I guess there's no issue as long as there's no harm in it."
He heaved a sigh inwardly.
How could this ever be explained? The lady was utterly confounded by the cultivation method she practiced, but she was improving by leaps and bounds. On the other hand, he knew everything, yet could not catch up to her, despite working so hard.
Ji Lingxi gritted her teeth and hissed, "I've never met a father who sabotages his daughter like this since the start of time! When I find him in the future, I'll pull out all his hair and beard! I'm so angry!"
The more she spoke, the more furious she got. Stomping continuously, she repeated herself incessantly, "I'm so angry, I'm so angry, I'm so angry… That old bastard, I – I… I – I really want to stab him right now."
Yun Yang coughed, at a loss for words. An impulse rushed within him as he let himself go and cried, "When you plan to wallop him, count me in!"
He had been seriously tormented by the red light during this period of time. Flirting with death so frequently, it was impossible for Yun Yang to be without any grudges. In addition to the begrudging fate of luck triumphing over his hard work, he honestly wanted to beat that old bastard up as well.
How had he come to take on the father's role?
Ji Lingxi nodded easily and agreed. "When I find him, we'll both beat him up together!"
Yun Yang scratched his head and muttered under his breath, "He probably doesn't dare retaliate if you hit him… That's part of being a family. However… I am merely a son-in-law. It's not exactly appropriate for me to do so… It'd be unfilial…"
Shocked, Ji Lingxi flushed red instantly and said, "Shameless one! Whose son-in-law are you? Hmph!"
With a defiant lift of her chin, she turned and left.
Yun Yang coughed, "I'm going to the frontline to have a look. Are you coming along as well?"
"When?" Ji Lingxi turned around then, her eyes shining.
"When the Concourse Kings are back. I'll depart then. You going?" answered Yun Yang.
"I'll go with you!" Ji Lingxi decided at once.
Pausing, she then added. "Let's ask Sister Lingxiu to come along as well."
During this period of time, Ji Lingxi and Shangguan Lingxiu's relationship had developed greatly.
There was no doubt that Shangguan Lingxiu was an exceptionally fine lady. Be it her personality or etiquette, she was magnanimous, gentle and kind; she was ready to look at the bigger picture and valued kinship. Moreover, the resilience deep in her bones was especially prominent and rare.
To any man who understood her, such a lady was a gem worthy to be cherished.
Even Ji Lingxi, who was also a lady and even a love rival, was filled with admiration for Shangguan Lingxiu.
Ji Lingxi's feelings towards Shangguan Lingxiu was quite the tortuous one. From the initial admiration to being an acquaintance, to becoming close, then realizing that she had fallen in love with the same man as this remarkable person, she realized she could not loathe her or be resentful. From forcefully keeping her distance to slowly becoming close again, to gradually tolerating her, then admiring her, liking her, becoming fond of her as they got to know each other deeper, Ji Lingxi finally recognized that it was not exactly a chore to accept the fact if they were to live together.
Ultimately, Ji Lingxi gained another best friend, a best friend who could almost be compared to Yue Rulan.
Ji Lingxi was a woman as well, she would want to have the man she loved to herself without sharing him with others. Yet this reality was helplessly unattainable. No one knew when the red light on her could disappear or be rendered ineffective. What meaning could there be for her to forcibly conquer Yun Yang and disallow the approach of other ladies? What good could it do?
The relationship between people needed a meeting, followed by a season of getting along, a period of time to be cultivated. If she persisted stubbornly all the way, the final outcome would only force Yun Yang away from her gradually or even eternally. If things did come to that stage, she could not even secure her status – that would be finding fault with herself.
Instead of going to such extremes, why not take a step back herself and touch Yun Yang with her effort? This was not manipulating him, it was being intelligent in the way of life; perhaps, it could be said to be the knack of being a woman!
With the intention to possess something eternally, taking a step back first could do more good than harm as long as the overall advantage was maintained. It could even be all boon without bane!
Shangguan Lingxiu had undoubtedly fulfilled all the basic conditions for Ji Lingxi to take a step back. Furthermore, with Shangguan Lingxiu's presence, it removed the most awkward situation for Ji Lingxi to a certain extent. Shangguan Lingxiu's presence had maintained the advantage for both of them.
Therefore, this was considered something good.
Every time she thought about this, Ji Lingxi could not help feeling embarrassed, but she was angrily helpless. Thus, her grudge for her father, whom she had never met, increased even more.
'Fathers are known to be overprotective of their daughters, but for you to do this… it's secure, but isn't it a little over the top? I understand that you would want to protect your daughter and there's no doubt about that, but… shouldn't everything have a limit to it?'
'Going over the limit is tantamount to becoming extreme!'
'Although I won't hand myself over before a marriage… a severe injury with just a touch? Dying with just a simple pat?'
'Which man in this world could accept such a thing?'
'Which hero can put up with a woman like this?'
'Yun Yang is tough and has an amazing ability to recover. If it were to be someone else, he'd have died a hundred and eighty times over!'