A sumptuous feast lay on the table, and the entire family, including a charming and charming woman, sat at the table. The four of them chatted and ate happily.
It had been a long time since the Ling Zhan family had been so happy!
Even Ling Zhan, a man with a sullen face all day, smiled a rare, pleased smile.
Ling Xiao raised his glass and smiled at the family, "From today, Yuxi is my mother's goddaughter, my father's goddaughter, and my godsister. The four of us are family. I hope you will love each other forever. Cheers."
With that, Ling Xiao tilted his head back and gulped down his wine. Having such a beautiful sister, Ling Xiao was genuinely happy.
"Yes, yes, Xiao'er is right. Our family will love each other forever." Meng Xiyun glanced at her son, clearly moved by his words. She quickly covered her face and drank the wine. She couldn't believe this was her son. Ever since his meridians were crippled, he'd become taciturn, keeping everything to himself, preoccupied with regaining his profound strength. Over the past two weeks, she'd noticed his cheerfulness, and she was genuinely happy.
Ling Zhan smiled and drank his wine.
Bai Yuxi shyly drank, then reached for the jug to pour for the three of them, and none of them refused.
Bai Yuxi took Meng Xiyun's wine and knelt before her. "Come on, godmother, Yuxi toasts you."
"Okay, okay. Godmother doesn't have anything to give you. This golden scepter isn't anything valuable, but it's been a personal accessory of mine for years. I'll give it to you now. From now on, you'll be my good daughter." Meng Xiyun had always wanted a daughter, but after Ling Zhan's crippling, even that ability was hampered. Now that her wish had finally come true, she was delighted. Bai Yuxi didn't show any embarrassment. She thanked him and accepted the golden fork. She then toasted Ling Zhan and finally Ling Xiao.
After a few drinks, Bai Yuxi's face flushed red with shame. She approached Ling Xiao and was about to kneel, but Ling Xiao stopped her, saying, "We are brother and sister, so why are we so polite? I'll drink your glass. As for the gift, I'll make it up to you another day." With that, Ling Xiao raised his head and drank the entire glass.
Unexpectedly, just as Ling Xiao let go of Bai Yuxi, she knelt again. "Young Master is my benefactor. Although Madam has adopted me as her goddaughter, in my heart, you are my master. My mother taught me from a young age that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. Please don't refuse me now. I will serve you well."
"How can this be? Get up now. We are brother and sister from now on. How can I let you be my slave?" Ling Xiao waved his hand quickly. Unexpectedly, Bai Yuxi was about to burst into tears again.
"Forget it, Xiao'er. Since Yuxi is so kind, just let her serve you. We should have a maid anyway, but..." Meng Xiyun persuaded from the side.
Ling Xiao nodded helplessly. "Alright, alright, Yuxi, get up quickly. Don't kneel so easily from now on, or I'll kick you out of the house, and no one can stop me."
"Thank you, young master," Bai Yuxi immediately thanked him, then stood up again.
After the family finished dinner, Ling Zhan called Ling Xiao to the study.
"Did you beat up Li Guangyin from the Li family the other day?" Ling Zhan asked directly. Ling Xiao had nothing to hide, so he nodded immediately, "Yes."
At Ling Xiao's affirmation, Ling Zhan's body trembled slightly. Then, with excited eyes, he looked at Ling Xiao and said, "You, you can cultivate your profound energy again?"
Looking at Ling Zhan's fiery eyes, Ling Xiao didn't know how to respond. It wasn't that he didn't want to admit it, but how would he explain his situation after admitting it? He couldn't say he was no longer your biological son, that he was a time traveler who had used the internal energy techniques of his previous life to break through his meridians on his own. If he didn't admit it, how would he explain the attack on Li Guangyin and his group? He couldn't say they were too showy, worse than useless people. That was obviously unreasonable.
"Xiao'er, do you have something to hide?" Ling Zhan noticed Ling Xiao's hesitation and asked nervously.
"Dad, to be honest, I can indeed cultivate my profound energy again, but..." Ling Xiao said with a look of embarrassment. "Really? Why, why is this?" Ling Zhan was delighted at first, then turned serious. "Could it be that you... you've cultivated some kind of magical power?"
Ling Zhan had heard that once upon a time, a man with completely damaged meridians appeared in Meteorite City. He later cultivated some kind of magical power and became a terrifying vampire. Ultimately, several major clans mobilized their forces to annihilate the vampire. However, in that battle, eight of the most powerful masters were killed by the demon, resulting in devastating losses. "How is that possible?" Ling Xiao replied immediately. Then he added, "Dad, I was actually planning to tell you this news later. Since you already know it, I'll tell you, but you have to keep it a secret."
Ling Zhan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Dad knows. You're my son. Even if I die, I don't want anything to happen to you."
At this point, Ling Xiao began to weave a well-intentioned lie: "Dad, two weeks ago, Ling Rui beat me half to death. You know that. Afterward, I slept for three days and three nights without waking. Do you know why?"
Ling Zhan listened intently and shook his head in agreement.
"That's because I'm having a fairy dream," Ling Xiao said seriously.
"Fairy dream?" Ling Zhan exclaimed in surprise. Ling Xiao nodded and said, "Indeed, I had a very long dream. In it, an immortal named Sanjue, noticing my extraordinary bone structure, offered to take me in as his disciple. He also taught me many profound techniques, including one that could open blocked meridians. At first, I thought he was a liar, but after practicing, I actually was able to open my meridians. I believe it won't be long before I can open all twelve of my main meridians, allowing me to become a profound practitioner again. I had planned to wait until I had opened all twelve meridians before telling you, Dad."
"Such a miraculous thing actually happened," Ling Zhan said excitedly. Seeing Ling Xiao's earnest expression, he was already halfway convinced. Furthermore, the fact that Ling Xiao's practice had yielded results only strengthened his belief. Besides, the continent was so vast, and he heard that there were powerful and incredibly powerful beings in certain places. Perhaps one of them had taken a liking to his son and wanted to take him in as a disciple. Thinking of this, Ling Zhan's eyes grew heated. "Yes, but the immortal said I can't tell anyone else about this," Ling Xiao said timidly, as if he was afraid the immortal would find out if he told them.
"Oh, it's all Dad's fault. Okay, you can go out now. Dad won't interfere in anything you do from now on. Remember, you must practice hard and don't let the immortal down," Ling Zhan said with a slap on the back of his head, feeling deeply annoyed.
Ling Xiao could see that his cheap dad wasn't the type to rush for quick success and instant gratification, and that he cared deeply about him. He felt that having such a good parent was indeed a blessing.
"Dad, now that I've told you everything, I'll teach you the profound technique that can open up your meridians, so you can quickly escape your current predicament. From now on, anyone who dares to call us 'useless' will be damned to hell," Ling Xiao said solemnly. "Is this, is this appropriate? What if the immortal finds out? Will he blame you?" Ling Zhan's body trembled, his fists clenched tightly. His state betrayed his inner feelings.
He had been crippled for twelve years, despised and ridiculed, spending every day in a daze, drunken. He had considered suicide, but his loving wife's constant soothing and his son's incredible talent kept him going. But two years ago, his son had fallen into his old ways, assassinated. The culprit could never be found, leaving father and son stranded in this neglected courtyard. He dreamed of returning to his family, of returning to help his father, the clan leader.
Now, with just one word from his son, he could stand up again. How could he not be thrilled? How could he not be? But if he accepted his son's teachings, he feared the immortal would find out. Wouldn't that harm his son? He was torn between feelings. Ling Xiao, as if seeing through his father's dilemma, hurriedly said, "Dad, it's okay. The immortal once said that this set of profound skills is just ordinary for him, that I can master it, and he wouldn't blame me if I passed it on to anyone."
"Really...really..." Ling Zhan was so excited that tears streamed down his face. He hadn't cried when his meridians were destroyed, but now he lost his composure in front of his son, which showed how excited he was at the moment.
Ling Xiao said he would pass it on without further ado. He had already decided to forget the past, devote himself wholeheartedly to honoring his parents, and create a new self in the other world.
Ling Zhan didn't have the same mastery of the three internal skillsky Frost Qi, Cloud-Repelling Power, and Wind God Powers Ling Xiao had, so remembering the formulas was a bit of an effort. It wasn't until Ling Xiao repeated it five times that he memorized them all. Then he told Ling Zhan the key to Sanfen Guiyuan Qi, and from then on, it was up to him to cultivate on his own.
Ling Xiao saw that Ling Zhan was completely absorbed in his practice, and without further ado, he left the study. Ling Xiao returned to his room and saw Bai Yuxi standing at his door. He couldn't help but smile bitterly. This girl was truly determined to be his maid.
"Young Master, you're back. I've already prepared the bath water. I'll help you bathe and change clothes," Bai Yuxi said with a slight bow.
Seeing her stubbornness, Ling Xiao gave up the idea of etting her go. Since she wanted to repay a favor, he let her. Having such a beautiful maid by his side would be a matter of great honor.
Ling Xiao nodded and opened the door. Sure enough, the wooden tub was already filled with warm water.
"I'll help you change clothes," Bai Yuxi said, somewhat clumsily, helping Ling Xiao undress.
Ling Xiao saw the soft blush on her delicate face. It seemed she had already prepared herself mentally; even if Ling Xiao took her, she wouldn't resist. However, Ling Xiao would never coerce someone into sexual favor. Even if he wanted Bai Yuxi, it would only be when both parties were willing and there were no other conflicts involved.
"Alright, from now on, just fill the water tank. I'm used to bathing alone. You can go back and rest," Ling Xiao said to Bai Yuxi after taking off his outer garment.
"This, this can't be done, your servant," Bai Yuxi said quickly.
Before she could finish, Ling Xiao interrupted her, "Are you planning to disobey my orders?"
Bai Yuxi immediately cried out in horror, "I dare not!"
"Since you dare not, then do as I command," Ling Xiao said gravely.
"Yes, Master," Bai Yuxi gave Ling Xiao a complicated look, bowed, and left the room.
"This girl, it seems, needs some serious discipline," Ling Xiao muttered to himself as he stripped naked and jumped into the tub.