Chapter 157 - 102: Tomb of a Qi Dao Grandmaster; For a Martial Artist, There Is No Sparring, Only a Wager of Life and Death

Chapter 157: Chapter 102: Tomb of a Qi Dao Grandmaster; For a Martial Artist, There Is No Sparring, Only a Wager of Life and Death

With her hair in a ponytail, a set of light, form-fitting training clothes clinging to her frame, and a face covered in grime, it was anyone’s guess what Cai Ling’Er had been up to in Anning County during the two days she was missing.

But one had to admit, true to her status as the direct heiress of a Grand Lineage, she was impeccable when it came to keeping her word. She had promised three months, and three months it would be.

However...

Just a few days after accompanying Ji Xiu to the Lin Residence as he wiped out the Central Yellow Remnants with a few arrows, she had mysteriously plunged into the Earth Dragon Cave Mountain Dao, only just now returning.

And the first thing she discovered upon her return?

Ji Xiu, who had once lived in a small, brick-paved courtyard, had undergone a complete transformation. He was now the master of all of West Street, his residence staffed with maids and servants in perfect order. The place had become its own estate, giving off an air of genuine grandeur.

Though in Cai Ling’Er’s eyes, it was nothing special. ’Her own family’s residence in Jiangyin Prefecture is far more magnificent.’

But considering Ji Xiu was just a young Martial Artist, it was astounding.

’At an age typically marked by recklessness, he not only possesses outstanding martial prowess but is also meticulous enough to build such a deep network of connections.’

’He’s become a General Leader, carved out a huge enterprise within the County, and even replaced the former Dragon Head.’ She couldn’t help but marvel at his achievements.

’What a kid. He’s already accomplished this much in the County. If he ever makes it to the Prefecture City, he might even become a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster one day...’

’He has the potential to become a Grand Lineage Master!’

As it happened, the one guarding the residence now was Ji Xiu’s former driver, Hong Jiang. He was no stranger to Cai Ling’Er, a noble lady from a Grand Lineage in the Prefecture City, and wouldn’t dare to slight her, so he let her in immediately.

Others had been instructed not to approach the main residence, but Cai Ling’Er, of course, had no such qualms about rank and station.

However, she had just arrived. The sky was barely light, the cold was bone-chilling, and that’s when she spotted a furtive shadow on the snow-dusted roof tiles.

Cai Ling’Er squinted, thinking the figure looked somewhat familiar. She rubbed her eyes and looked again. It was indeed an "old acquaintance!"

Ye Ningzhi of the Embroidery Lineage, one of the Thirty-Six Professions of Jiangyin Prefecture!

’Why is it that damn woman!’

Cai Ling’Er had been humming a little tune, full of energy and in high spirits. But the sight of Ye Ningzhi, with her delicate and charming features, instantly soured her mood.

Jiangyin Prefecture was vast, but at times, it felt very small.

For example, the children of the Grand Lineages, especially those in the circle of the descendants of the Nine Lords—the Leaders of the Upper Nine Professions—were always running into each other.

To the elders—the Grandmasters and patriarchs—a promising youth in the family was a source of bragging rights wherever they went.

In terms of Martial Arts, Cai Ling’Er was merely methodical. She had a little talent, but not much.

Her constitution had been forged in medicinal baths, allowing her to break through to the Extreme Realm and attain Golden Muscle and Jade Veins, but after that, her progress stalled.

But she was quite skilled in other, more unorthodox arts.

Her grandfather once said he would find her a legacy from an Outer Dao to build a foundation for a Divine Soul Dao Skill, something far beyond what a shallow, low-tier place like the Flying Immortal Temple could offer.

But distant authority is no match for the one in charge on the ground.

In this age where the Martial Dao reigned supreme, if your Martial Power was lacking, you were destined to never be among the best.

In their social circle, Ye Ningzhi was about her age, and they had known each other since childhood.

’To put it nicely, that damn woman is said to have a "pure heart" and is devout in her pursuit of Martial Arts, which is why she can make such Fierce and Vigorous Progress.’

’But to put it bluntly...’

’She’s a blockhead, got a screw loose. She’s short and small, but her competitive streak is a mile wide!’

Cai Ling’Er recalled how two or three years ago, she had already begun to blossom into a young woman, while Ye Ningzhi still looked like a little kid.

The first time they met, she had mistaken Ye Ningzhi for a little sister from some other Grand Lineage and smilingly patted her on the head. Quick as a flash, she was flipped with a shoulder throw that left her head ringing.

And so, the nightmare began.

Ever since that damn woman took an elder Prefecture Official as her master and joined a School, her skills had advanced by leaps and bounds. And whenever she had free time, she would come to Cai Ling’Er’s home for some "friendly sparring." She really knew how to hold a grudge.

And what elder in the world doesn’t wish for their children to become great successes?

To her grandfather, a "perfect child from another family" like Ye Ningzhi—who was willing to help his granddaughter improve her Martial Arts for free, and who looked so well-behaved and adorable—was a godsend. He naturally agreed with delight.

He thought she and Ye Ningzhi had a great relationship, and would even send Ye Ningzhi gifts like Secret Medicines and Spirit Jades from time to time...

Even when Cai Ling’Er protested resentfully, her grandfather paid it no mind. On the contrary, seeing how harmless and exceptionally talented that damn Ye Ningzhi looked, he just told his own granddaughter to get along with her...

’Heaven have mercy! I was hammered forty-seven times in three years—that’s more than once a month! And he wanted me to "get along" with her?’

Cai Ling’Er’s greatest wish in this life was to ruthlessly humiliate Ye Ningzhi in the one area she was so proud of—her Martial Arts—and grind her accomplishments into dust!

Just when Cai Ling’Er, who had slipped away from the Prefecture City to wander the various counties of Jiangyin Prefecture, had finally put that damn woman out of her mind...

She had to run into the unlucky jinx here in this remote backwater. Without a moment’s hesitation, she yelled at the top of her lungs, as if to make sure everyone knew.

The shout startled Ye Ningzhi, who was lying prone on the roof tiles. Like a thief caught in the act, she almost tumbled right off the roof.

Hearing the familiar voice, her dark eyes darted about before she whipped her head around.

"Cai Ling’Er?"

Ye Ningzhi’s tone was hesitant; she clearly hadn’t expected to see her here.

Then, when she saw that Cai Ling’Er—who used to avoid her like the plague and wouldn’t dare make a peep in her presence—was now standing tall and speaking to her in a mocking tone, she raised a palm, her little face turning fierce.

"What did you say?"

"Say that again?"