45: Floral fragrance

Yan Qingning agreed.

But she added a condition: Jiang Xun must first Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

This was her final bottom line.

Jiang Xun's cultivation was still too low; she couldn't guarantee his absolute safety within the Secret Realm.

Moreover, some top-tier treasures could only barely be used by him once he reached the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Jiang Xun knew he couldn't rush it and could only nod in agreement.

He hadn't expected to go immediately anyway.

His main goal... the request to travel together with her, had been granted, and that was enough.

Over the next few days, he practiced extremely hard.

Seeking only to Breakthrough as soon as possible.

The Jade Void Grotto-Heaven truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier Immortal Cave; the Spiritual Qi was pure and dense. Even with his Mixed Spiritual Root, his cultivation speed far exceeded that of the outside world.

Every day, besides practicing sword techniques, he would meditate, occasionally soaking in the Spiritual Spring to let the Spiritual Qi wash through his Meridians.

Seven days later, he sat cross-legged in the spring, circulating his Qi.

The spiritual power circulated through his body for several cycles before flowing into his Dantian, and the barrier that had been stagnant for so long finally loosened.

He took a deep breath, and his spiritual power surged forward.

Crack.

A faint cracking sound echoed within his body.

Immediately after, a thicker surge of power erupted from his Dantian, flowing into his limbs and bones. He opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid Qi.

The Sixth Layer of Qi Refining was achieved.

Jiang Xun looked down at his hands, feeling the increased power within him, yet there was little joy in his heart.

If he were in the outside world, with this body's Aptitude, breaking through a minor Realm would take at least three to five years. But here, it had only taken a month.

This was the power of resources.

Yan Qingning's emotions had stabilized significantly over these few days.

She no longer deliberately avoided him, and when she guided his cultivation daily, her eyes no longer darted away. However, every time she looked at him, her gaze would linger for a long time.

Jiang Xun didn't dare show any abnormality and let her watch.

Fearing she might discover something, he became even more immersed in his sword practice.

His sword moves had become much smoother; although he was still far from "mastery," he at least had the form down.

He practiced with great focus until a call came from the distance.

"Brother!"

The voice was crisp, carrying an undisguised joy.

Jiang Xun's movements paused, and he turned to look.

In the distant sea of clouds, a Flying Boat was breaking through the mist.

Two people, one tall and one short, stood at the prow.

Elder Zhuo Shen, and beside him, the young girl standing on her tiptoes, waving vigorously.

Jiang Wanxing.

The Flying Boat slowly descended, and before it had even come to a complete stop, Jiang Wanxing jumped down impatiently.

She ran very fast, her skirt fluttering like a bird rushing back to its nest.

"Brother!"

She threw herself into Jiang Xun's arms, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist.

"I missed you so much..." She buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled and tinged with a slight sob. "I really missed you..."

Jiang Xun froze on the spot.

He looked down at the girl in his arms, momentarily unsure of how to react.

His hand rose halfway but then stopped in mid-air.

"How did you get here?"

Zhuo Shen walked over afterward, a helpless smile on his face.

"Your sister has been clamoring to find you all day. I was pestered until I had no choice but to bring her here to try our luck."

Then, with a colorful expression, he looked at Jiang Xun. "I didn't expect you to actually be here."

He was shocked and suspicious in his heart.

This was truly a strange occurrence.

This kid was practicing the Sect's top-tier Legacy sword technique. Could it be that Senior Sister had really taken a fancy to him?

He had thought Jiang Xun had been thrown into the mountains by his Senior Sister, his whereabouts unknown.

Zhuo Shen had originally only intended to humor his disciple by bringing her here for a look.

To dispel her stubbornness.

He hadn't expected Jiang Wanxing to spot Jiang Xun practicing sword techniques on the Training Ground from so far away.

She had pulled and dragged him so much that his old bones felt like they were falling apart.

Upon closer inspection, it really was Jiang Xun.

Recovering his senses, Jiang Xun cupped his hands toward Zhuo Shen. "Thank you for your concern, Elder."

Zhuo Shen waved it off. "It's nothing."

Watching the two siblings reunite and embrace.

A smile couldn't help but appear on his old face.

Jiang Xun lowered his head and gently pushed Jiang Wanxing's shoulders.

"You're already so grown up, is this appropriate?"

But Jiang Wanxing held on even tighter, refusing to let go.

"I've never been away from Brother for this long..." Her voice was very small, carrying a hint of fear. "I missed you too much."

Jiang Xun sighed in his heart.

I haven't even been that good to you!

Where did this massive attachment come from?

But Jiang Xun didn't know.

Jiang Wanxing's feelings for Jiang Xun were not just attachment, but possessiveness.

In a place like Yunshan Town, the restrictions on women were strict to the point of being cruel.

They were viewed almost as property.

In a world where one's life choices were limited to gathering herbs or mining.

A woman's only choice was to marry.

Jiang Wanxing had a few playmates when she was young; all of them, at the age of thirteen or fourteen, were married off by their parents to men decades older than them.

Yunshan Town didn't teach logic or human ethics.

It only taught you to follow the rules.

Everyone was assigned a value.

And a woman's value was to marry and bear children.

If the husband's family died out, she would be inherited by other men in the family.

In any case, she couldn't be left idle.

They couldn't resist, they couldn't say no; they could only accept their fate. The only thing they could pray for was that their husband was a good person.

If he didn't beat or scold them, they were considered to have met a good man.

So from a young age, Jiang Wanxing believed that a woman's value lay in finding a good man.

Over the years, this perception had been carved into her very bones.

This was an inevitable result caused by her environment.

Amidst her fear, she felt fortunate that she had already been promised to Jiang Xun.

She wouldn't be taken away by some other man.

Therefore, she valued Jiang Xun immensely, to the point of near-possessiveness.

She was afraid—afraid that Jiang Xun would fall for another woman, afraid that she would be "married down" to a stranger.

The only person she could depend on was this brother.

So from a young age, she learned to manage the household, learned to do laundry and cook, learned to be a "virtuous wife and mother."

She also hoped that her brother would become a good husband in the future.

All her sense of security was tied to Jiang Xun.

Her world had long ago become large enough to hold only Jiang Xun alone.

It could not accommodate a second person.

Therefore, she felt an extreme, intense hatred toward the few people who had led her brother astray.

She wished she could kill them to be rid of them.

Xue Sheng had also seen this point, which was why he agreed to eliminate everyone on the list Jiang Wanxing had given him.

Simply to make Jiang Wanxing's Dao Heart clear and joyous.

"Brother," Jiang Wanxing suddenly looked up, her nose twitching. "You... smell very fragrant."

Jiang Xun's body stiffened slightly.

"It might be... the scent of flowers I picked up." He looked away.

Jiang Wanxing didn't say anything, she just quietly looked at him.

Zhuo Shen, watching from the side, finally couldn't help but ask, "Little Brother Jiang, you are now..."

Jiang Xun knew he was testing him, so he cupped his hands and said, "I was fortunate to be favored by Elder Yan and have become an Entry-level Disciple of the Jade Void Grotto-Heaven."

"What?!" Zhuo Shen's eyes widened.

"With your Mixed Spiritual Root... you could be favored by Senior Sister?"

Although he had his suspicions, it was still somewhat unbelievable.

He walked a circle around Jiang Xun, his gaze suspicious. "How did you manage to join Senior Sister's tutelage?"

Jiang Xun felt these words sounded a bit familiar.

He could only scratch his head. "Maybe... it's because of a special Physique."

"Physique?" Zhuo Shen looked him up and down. "A plain Mortal like you, what kind of damn Physique could you have? At most... you're just a bit handsome."

Zhuo Shen felt his words were somewhat inappropriate.

He paused, his tone complex. "Little Brother Jiang's Immortal Fate is truly profound."

Jiang Xun said nothing in his embarrassment.

Just then, a cold voice came from behind.

"Junior Brother, why do you have the leisure to come to my place today?"

Yan Qingning had arrived.

She was still dressed in white, her long hair unpinned. As she walked slowly toward them, the chill around her caused the air to stagnate slightly.

Zhuo Shen quickly turned and cupped his hands. "Senior Sister."

He approached Yan Qingning.

"I sent several sound transmissions to Senior Sister over the past few days," he gave a dry laugh. "Senior Sister never replied, so I had no choice but to come and disturb you in person."

Yan Qingning thought for a moment.

There indeed had been several Sound Transmission Jade Talismans that had flown over.

But the first two she opened were just some insignificant greetings, so she hadn't bothered with the rest.

Zhuo Shen felt bitter in his heart.

He had wanted to start with some pleasantries before discussing serious matters, but who knew Senior Sister wouldn't even bother to finish reading them?

He explained.

"I just wanted to ask," he carefully weighed his words.

"Where the Mortal Senior Sister took away that day is now... Seeing him join Senior Sister's tutelage now, I can rest easy."

...Jiang Xun saw Yan Qingning and wanted to go over.

But one of his hands was gripped tightly by Jiang Wanxing, and he couldn't pull it away no matter what.

"Brother hasn't seen me for so long," Jiang Wanxing looked at him, her eyes watery. "Don't you miss me at all?"

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

"You won't even say an extra word to me."

Jiang Xun was startled by the strength in her hand.

He was now at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, and his strength far exceeded that of an ordinary person, yet Jiang Wanxing's grip... He stopped.

Seeing Jiang Wanxing's eyes were red, he asked tentatively:

"What Realm is your current cultivation at?"

Jiang Wanxing tilted her head, her tone casual. "I heard Revered Master say... it seems to be the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining."

Jiang Xun: "..."

Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

He had stepped into Qi Refining before Jiang Wanxing, yet she was now at the ninth layer while he was at the sixth.

A difference of three minor Realms.

Is this the Peerless Grade Heavenly Spiritual Root?

Comparing oneself to others truly is infuriating.

Jiang Wanxing didn't care about that. She leaned in closer, her nose almost touching Jiang Xun's lapel.

"Brother," she said softly, her tone certain. "The fragrance on you... is not the scent of flowers."

Jiang Xun's heart skipped a beat.

He looked up and met Jiang Wanxing's eyes.

Those eyes, which always appeared soft and timid, were now terrifyingly clear.