Another Cliché Cultivation Story

Xia Lihua shook her head. Ji Xian’s silence was an answer in and of itself. Was she angry? No. Was she disappointed? Of course, not.

Unlike Xiao Yueyin, who seemed to place certain expectations on Ji Xian to do the right thing, she held none— at least, not anymore. By now, how could she not understand what kind of person he was? Her feelings for him never clouded her judgment. Ji Xian was profoundly flawed, both as a person and a cultivator. Yet, she won’t judge him for it— she wasn’t perfect either. Xia Lihua knew her constant desire to save others was a weakness, but she wouldn’t change her ways for anyone, just as Ji Xian wouldn’t change either. Though he was often called selfish, was she not the same?

In truth, Ji Xian embodied the essence of a cultivator more than she did— his apathy toward the world and relentless pursuit of understanding is more in line with the path of those who sought to go against the natural order. Xia Lihua couldn’t bring herself to view everything with such detachment. The further she walked down her path, the more distant she became from the person she once was— before the awakening of her dragon bloodline. Bit by bit, her humanity was being stripped away on a physical and mental level, leaving all that was left is her compassion, a trait imparted to her by her parents, and it was something she would never want to lose.

Xia Lihua’s radiant eyes glazed over the large group before her. With each figure she set her sight on, they would unknowingly swallow nervously. Unlike Ji Xian, who exuded a mysterious and otherworldly aura, Xia Lihua emanated a much more alarming pressure underneath her graceful appearance, and was thus, more intimidating.

The Great Ancestor had the strangest expression. For some reason, this beautiful woman in white strongly reminded him of Xiao Yueyin, yet he was unsure why. As his senses move between the flawless man and woman, only a single word comes to mind.

Unfathomable, and it’s especially so for this young man. Something about him reminds me of her…

Yatong, on the other hand, was feeling a shift of momentum in the air. They were initially gaining the upper hand, and if they had been successful in eliminating the Sect Master of the Arcane Mountain, their victory would’ve all been secured. Unfortunately, two people of unknown origin appeared out of nowhere and ruined it all. Yatong wasn’t someone who was easily shaken by setbacks, but even he couldn’t help but feel unsettled after catching a glimpse of this man and woman duo.

Xia Lihua gave Ji Xian another glance before moving her gaze down at the Arcane Mountain. Upon seeing the number of those who had perished, she narrowed her eyes. “If you’re not going to make a move, then I will.” She said, with silver dragon scales slowly growing underneath her dress.

If this had been before the time she met Ji Xian, then perhaps even she wouldn’t have been absolutely confident in fending off the Grahas, however, she was no longer that same person. She had transcended her cultivation, breaking past the limits of the Lower, and even practiced the Soul Liberation Art. Within her, was a Soul Essence Vessel that was similar to the Grahas. Though it was merely in the initial stage, her resistance to soul attacks is incomparable, especially when it was already so strong to begin with due to her bloodline.

Ji Xian had also given her some of his soul artifacts, so it matters not if he stand back and does nothing. The second the two of them decided to get involved in the affairs of this world, everything was but a minor fleeting wind.

Xia Lihua indifferently looked at the Grahas, her Astral Essence stirring so fiercely that Mortal Desolate began to rumble. She took a step forward and just when she was about to take action, she heard Ji Xian’s voice from behind.

“There’s no need,” he said calmly. “These Grahas still have their uses, it would be a waste just to let you kill them. Besides, there’s something else here that caught my eye.”

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Xia Lihua paused. Turning, back to Ji Xian, she observed his expression.

Uses? What uses could these Grahas possibly have? What is he planning to do with them? And… something here has his attention… it must have to do with Empress Han Lan’s book. Along the way here, he mentioned the book was giving off weird signals the closer they were to the Arcane Mountain.

Collecting her thoughts, Xia Lihua nodded and let Ji Xian do as he wished.

He smiled gently at her before snapping his fingers. Instantly, the visions of the Grahas and those from the Arcane Mountain blurred. When clarity returned, confusion spread among both groups as they noticed they had been separated. The Grahas were gathered on one side, while the members of the Arcane Mountain stood behind Ji Xian and Xia Lihua—all except one. Xie Wen, the current Heaven Chosen of the Arcane Mountain, stood directly before Ji Xian.

Xie Wen stood out from the rest. While both sides had been locked in fierce battles, leaving many drained and exhausted, he remained completely unscathed, his True Essence untouched and seemingly at its peak. It was a wonder what he had been doing all this time.

Ji Xian didn’t even bother giving this person a second glance. Just one look was enough for him to know the kind of individual he was— an opportunist with a cowardly heart. Ji Xian mostly ignored him, reaching only for his spatial ring. Ꞧ

This caught Xie Wen by surprise. He had shared the confusion of those around him, startled by the sudden change in location. Since the beginning of the clash at the Arcane Mountain, he had been desperately searching for the perfect opportunity to flee the battlefield. As the Heaven Chosen of the Arcane Mountain, his status had painted a target on his back, drawing the relentless attacks of the Graha. Each time he attempted to escape, he found himself chased, yet, he had managed to avoid direct combat. He knew his actions drew suspicions, but no one had time to call him out amidst the chaos.

It was then he noticed something peculiar— the fierce fight between his sect and the Graha suddenly ceased. Before he could process what was happening, he found himself standing face-to-face with a strikingly handsome man dressed in a loose black robe. For a moment, Xie Wen was mesmerized by this man’s perfect presence, feeling something he had never felt before. However, it was short-lived when he noticed the man’s hand reaching for his spatial ring.

No! It’s mine!

He internally cried. Instinctively, he wanted to fly away, but some mysterious power pressed down on him, holding him in place. Xie Wen could only watch as his spatial ring was pulled off his finger, and when it was done, he felt a certain emptiness, a loss of reassurance, and a piece of himself missing.

“Nooo! Give it back!” He roared.

Ji Xian was somewhat taken aback by Xie Wen’s reaction. In response to his bellow, Ji Xian raised an eyebrow in annoyance before smacking him away.

Xie Wen spat a mouthful of blood, shooting beyond the horizon like a twinkling star.

“Ugh, my ears,” Ji Xian shook his head. “That’s some lungs he got in him.”

Xia Lihua giggled and said, “ You openly took his spatial ring, containing his life’s worth of resources. I can’t say I blame him for screaming.”

“I couldn’t care less about his resource. I just needed one thing…”

As Ji Xian spoke, he retrieved Empress Han Lan’s book from within his robe. The ancient tome floated in the air, pulsating as it continued to siphon his True Essence. Then, with a thought, Ji Xian drew an object from Xie Wen’s spatial ring— an item that resembled a talisman. The moment the two came into proximity, the book snapped open, and what was thought to be a talisman was actually a piece of a missing page from the book.

Ji Xian’s eyes glowed with a subtle clear light as he watched the paper fix itself into the book’s bindings.

What the hell? That paper… it has a rune in it created by the Three Tongue Gist. It’s calling upon the True Essence of Heaven and Earth and converting it into something that nourishes the soul. How long has this paper talisman been doing this conversion? The amount of this soul nourishment energy it contains is enormous.

And… not only that but the book is also siphoning this energy and transfering it elsewhere.

The shine in Ji Xian’s eyes vanished. After spending some time contemplating, he moved his gaze in the direction of the Amber Soul Kingdom. With a curious smile on his lips, he said, “Empress Han Lan… what a terrifying woman.”

“Argh! IT’S HIM! It’s the Celestial race’s Astral Shift!”

“Father! We must run, he’s the one!”

Suddenly, two voices echoed out, catching Ji Xian’s attention. Turning his head, he saw two familiar figures screaming at the top of their lungs.