Chapter 254 - 133: Dragon Maiden’s Gift, Jade Blood Dragon Core Pendant, Over a Month in a Flash, Secret Martial Great Success, Tribulation Fire Burning Robe

Chapter 254: Chapter 133: Dragon Maiden’s Gift, Jade Blood Dragon Core Pendant, Over a Month in a Flash, Secret Martial Great Success, Tribulation Fire Burning Robe

"Where are Cai Ling’Er and Ye Ningzhi?"

Noticing that the two young noblewomen were no longer in the Ji Residence, Ji Xiu asked.

"Sister Cai was dragged away by her older brother, and Sister Ye was escorted home by her family. It happened while you were out, brother."

"They’ve probably reached Jiangyin Prefecture by now, right?"

Hearing Ji Wei’s response,

Ji Xiu nodded.

"Both of them are daughters of Grand Lineages. It’s only natural for their families to send for them, especially since they weren’t home for the New Year celebrations."

He stepped into the residence.

His gaze fell on Miss Jiang Li. Seasons had turned, people had come and gone—even Duan Chenzhou had departed—yet she remained, enjoying the food and drink in his home, having gone nowhere.

At that moment, she was staring intently at the Sword Plaque he had carried back.

He couldn’t help but be taken aback.

"Miss Jiang, you... recognize this plaque?"

"I suppose so."

Jiang Li’s gaze lowered for a moment before she asked,

"You plan to go to Jiangyin Prefecture in a month?"

Ji Xiu nodded.

"I’ll go with you then."

A nostalgic look appeared on the woman’s face.

"The Prefecture Cities of the Great Xuan... I haven’t seen one in a long, long time."

"As it happens,"

"Jiangyin Prefecture..."

"...just so happens to have some ’assets’ I left behind back in the day that I can reclaim."

’Back in the day? Assets?’

Hearing Jiang Li’s unabashed words, Ji Xiu’s breath caught in his throat.

He was well aware that this mysterious woman before him had a profound background, was connected to the Sun and Moon Hall, and was of terrifyingly great importance.

He had just carried back the Sword Plaque from the Ancestral Hall, and she actually recognized the title ’Chen Danding’ on it!

In that case,

’The assets left behind by a figure like that...’

’Could it be a Grand Lineage with a hundred-year heritage? One that still revered her as its master?’

Seeing the speculation in Ji Xiu’s eyes,

Jiang Li offered a knowing smile.

"After I awakened, I told you that once you took me to a Prefecture City, I would grant you some benefits."

"After all, Ji Xiu,"

"I’m the one who watched you start your Cultivation. The Dragon Maiden, the Young Lady Heir... whatever they can give you, I can give as well."

The woman blinked, looked at the Sword Plaque, narrowed her eyes, and stroked her chin, letting out a long, drawn-out "hmmm..."

Then, on a sudden whim, she clapped her hands.

"Oh, right."

"Have you considered..."

"...becoming my disciple?"

Ji Xiu was stunned. Ever since he had returned, Jiang Li had been acting uncharacteristically. Her attitude toward him was much gentler, more... human.

"Are you... serious?"

To be honest,

although he knew Jiang Li was at least several decades, if not a century old, and that she had once been an existence on par with a Ghost Immortal Level master of Daoist Skill,

...her daily interactions with him utterly lacked the airs of a lofty senior.

This sudden offer made Ji Xiu fall into deep thought.

Honestly,

’is there any downside to accepting such a ’Master’?’

"Pfft."

Seeing Ji Xiu’s earnest expression, Jiang Li covered her mouth with a laugh and waved her hand dismissively.

"Forget it, forget it. Even if I accepted you, I couldn’t pass on any of my arts. For one, what I could teach isn’t necessarily much better than what you’re already learning. For two, my entire being is steeped in taboos. If you were to learn them, you’d be courting disaster."

"Right now, I don’t even know where my physical body is sealed away. I’m just one of the Wandering Ghosts. My Divine Soul can’t merge with flesh and blood, so I can’t even walk the Martial Dao. How could I possibly teach you?"

"But, even if I don’t accept you..."

"...after we reach the Prefecture City, I’ll still give you the opportunities I would give my own ’disciple’."

Seeing Jiang Li change the subject, Ji Xiu knew it had just been a passing whim and didn’t press the issue.

At the same time...

...he grew curious about the opportunities Jiang Li had mentioned.

’Once we get to the Prefecture City...’

’...will I be able to start unraveling the mysteries surrounding this woman?’

’Just a little?’

So Ji Xiu thought to himself.

...

The formidable figures from the Water Monarch’s Mansion and Marquis Beicang arrived to escort Bai Shuo away. After that, more than a month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, Zhao Jiu, the County Magistrate of Anning County, had taken a merchant ship back to Jiangyin Prefecture more than half a month ago.

Before he left, Lord Zhao the County Magistrate looked out at the small, mountainous county with some reluctance, sharing a round of drinks with Ji Xiu.

While drunk, he insisted that after Ji Xiu arrived in the Prefecture City, he absolutely must find him at the Wine Shop. He wanted to treat his sworn brother, with whom he’d faced life and death, to a taste of Jiangyin Prefecture’s extravagances.

He would pay for everything!

For the rest of the time,

Ji Xiu trained diligently in his two Secret Martial arts, consolidating his Skin Refining Cultivation.

He carried the Sword Plaque daily, enduring the agony of the ’Tribulation Fire Burning Robe.’ Within that pain—like a raging fire incinerating his Divine Soul and reducing it to mortal flesh—he swung his sword again and again.

With every swing, he could clearly feel his Sword Intent improving bit by bit. Moreover, it allowed his sinews and bones, already tempered to their limit, to be pushed even higher!

It was as if his Divine Soul were undergoing ’Qi Absorption and Grain Avoidance,’ constantly inhaling Qi to nourish its Essence, and in doing so, continued to elevate the potential of this ’Human Body Secret Treasure’.

’If I keep growing like this...’

’...will I one day stand as tall as the heavens themselves?’

Time flew by.

Finally, spring arrived.

Within the Ji Residence, the willow branches began to sprout new buds.

Ji Xiu spread his palms flat, forming them into a dragon-capturing posture...

Fallen leaves and dry twigs suddenly gathered toward him!

The quintessence of all Six Martial Stances converged in that single moment!

On this day,

Ji Xiu’s first Secret Martial art, ’Ye Longxiang’s Head’...

...was completely mastered!

[Ye Longxiang’s Head: (6000/6000)!]

[Mastered!]

[Available advances for Martial Arts or Skill Dao: 1!]