Seeing the elders all looking regretful and disappointed, Ji Yunman's lips curved into a smile. Her gaze turned to the Ji family head. "Father, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"No, Yunman, you've always been Father's pride. You've never disappointed me. It's Father who's inadequate, Father who's incompetent. If Father were more capable, you could have grown up carefree without bearing so much at such a young age." The Ji family head's heart held only regret. "Yunman, this isn't your fault. You'll always be Father's good daughter."
The smile in Ji Yunman's eyes became more sincere. "From now on, I'll often return to the Ji family to see Father."
"Yunman, you..." Remembering what Ji Yunman had just said, the Ji family head quickly spoke. "Yunman, come home with Father. Everything will be handled by Father. Even if you're not the Ji family's genius Ji Yunman, you're still my daughter. Father will find a way to restore you and let you cultivate again, no matter the cost."
Ji Yunman's gaze fell on those somewhat reluctant elders. A faint smile floated across her beautiful face. "No need, Father. Before, the genius Ji Yunman only brought bad things to the Ji family. How can Ji Yunman without cultivation continue to enjoy the Ji family's hard-earned resources? I, Ji Yunman, will always be Father's daughter. Father cares about me and needs me. But the Ji family no longer needs me."
She no longer needed the Ji family either.
For a family willing to support her from behind forever, she'd be willing to exhaust all her efforts to strengthen the family and protect this family willing to back her up.
But this family had abandoned her.
To reconcile with the Luo family, they wanted to step on her dignity and trample it fiercely. No matter how much she compromised, how much she considered them, losing all pride just for the family's development and stability—they were never satisfied, never considered her feelings. She wasn't a masochist, nor was she someone willing to sacrifice herself for nothing.
She'd tried, but failed.
Every time she crashed into walls bloodied. Apart from relatives who cared about her, everyone else seeing her covered in blood would only say she didn't work hard enough, wasn't strong enough—if she were strong enough, how could she fall so miserably?
No one ever asked if her wounds hurt.
She, Ji Yunman, was once such a proud person. How had it come to this?
"Yunman, listen to Father. Let's go home together. The elders will also find ways to help restore you." The Ji family head instinctively looked at the elders' reactions. Seeing their reluctant gazes, his voice stopped abruptly. Looking again at Ji Yunman maintaining that faint smile, his heart ached.
"Father, no need to force it. I'm a bit tired. From now on, I want to do what I want to do. Consider it my escape."
Saying this, her gaze turned to A-Xin. She said softly, "Miss Yin, can you take me away?"
"Of course."
A-Xin stepped forward and supported Ji Yunman, who could barely stand anymore. Not caring that her spotless white clothes would be stained with blood, she asked quietly, "Need to do anything else? Whatever you want, I can help you."
Ji Yunman smiled and shook her head. "No, I just want to leave here."
"Alright."
Everyone only heard that suddenly appearing white-robed woman say "alright," then she and Ji Yunman disappeared. They quickly searched around but couldn't find any trace of them. Their faces showed great shock. How could such a powerful person know Ji Yunman? Ji Yunman's master, Elder Bai, was male—this woman definitely wasn't her master. Moreover, with such formidable strength, even Ji Yunman's master probably wasn't her match.
A-Xin brought Ji Yunman back to the inn. Because Ji Yunman had consumed a pill that dramatically increased strength, the sudden surge in power caused her meridians to shatter inch by inch. In ordinary people's eyes, she was undoubtedly a waste now. A-Xin had water and clean clothes prepared for Ji Yunman—truly meticulous care. After everything was tidied up, Ji Yunman weakly leaned against the bed. A-Xin sat beside her.
Her gaze remained on A-Xin the whole time. "Miss Yin, thank you."
"Just a small effort."
Ji Yunman lowered her head, her lips curving. Really? She'd never heard of any expert like Yin Xin who would take such pains to help a small Spirit General cultivator like her.
Remembering something, she said quietly, "Miss Yin, I'm sorry."
"How so?" A-Xin asked with a faint smile.
Ji Yunman raised her eyes, looking directly into the other's eyes. "I used you, Miss Yin." Saying this, she paused. A-Xin didn't press, just waiting for her to continue. "My strength differed from Luo Dongqing's by two tiers. Originally my plan was to use another method to fight Luo Dongqing, ending in mutual defeat, a draw. It wouldn't be like now—consuming a pill that explosively increased strength, equivalent to destroying my own future, severely injuring Luo Dongqing while my own meridians shattered inch by inch. Looking both foolish and stupid. Right now countless people must be feeling sorry for me, some even calling me foolish."
"This was decided after meeting Miss Yin." Apology appeared in her eyes. "More precisely, when Miss Yin gave me that jade pendant, I decided to use this self-destructive method."
"Why?" A-Xin showed no anger at all, maintaining her smile. Ji Yunman lowered her eyes and continued. "Miss Yin is incomparably powerful. After my meridians shattered, I called you to come, troubling you to take me away. With an expert like Miss Yin, you'd definitely disappear directly before everyone, thereby shocking all the major families. Even if the Ji family no longer has Ji Yunman, my father won't have such a hard time. So I calculated on Miss Yin's kindness."
"Miss Yin, however you want to hold me accountable, go ahead. I did use you." Ji Yunman clenched her fists. She'd also learned to use these methods—her least favorite approach. She could disregard the Ji family, but couldn't disregard her father. But she guaranteed this was the only time. From now on, Miss Yin would be her benefactor.
A-Xin laughed aloud. "I don't hold that against you."
Ji Yunman didn't dare raise her head. She seemed to hear some other meaning. Actually, honestly speaking, this woman before her had attracted her from the beginning. She admired her strength, envied her carefree spontaneity, and yearned for this peerless expert's world. On the ship, during those days in the secret realm, she just felt Yin Xin was very good—so good one couldn't look away. She'd never seen a woman of such bearing.
Having such a person before her, nothing could divert her gaze.
That day, inadvertently meeting those eyes, seeing that warm and indulgent gaze that made her heart burn—she seemed to understand something. From that day on, thinking of Yin Xin was no longer as simple as envy and admiration. She somewhat wanted to enter her world, stand at the same height with her, share the same interests, do the same things they were willing to do.
After parting with Yin Xin that day, she'd shut herself in her room, gripping the jade pendant and looking at it for a long time. The clearly ice-cold jade pendant had been warmed by her grip. Finally, she made this decision—abandon the Ji family, break free from the Ji family, pursue the life she yearned for. This Ji family wasn't worth her attachment. Why should she continue working for it?
Back in the secret realm, she'd carefully studied that cultivation technique Yin Xin gave her. People with poor talent could cultivate it; those with destroyed meridians and dantians could cultivate it even more efficiently, advancing rapidly. Originally after bringing this technique back, she'd planned to give it to those in the Ji family with poor talent to cultivate.
But every time she was about to take it out, what she heard was always talk about how relations between the Luo and Ji families could actually be eased. The elders wanted her to restore the engagement with Luo Dongqing or told her to apologize to the Luo family. In the end, she chose silence, hiding this peerless cultivation technique's existence.
Ji Yunman wasn't a magnanimous person, wasn't a selfless Buddha. She was just a person with flesh, blood, and selfish desires. There was no reason she should suffer countless people's blame and contempt yet still not care about anything, willingly sacrificing herself to fulfill others.
"So you're not giving up on yourself?" A-Xin gazed at the lowered-eyed Ji Yunman. "That's good then."
Ji Yunman raised her head, looking earnestly at A-Xin, her eyes holding stubbornness, refusal to admit defeat, and some pride. "Someone gifted from birth wouldn't easily abandon their cultivation. In this Eastern Cloud Continent, truly becoming a waste—better to die directly. I, Ji Yunman, was once a genius everyone envied. When one day I became a waste, if recognized, I'll inevitably face humiliation."
"I see." A-Xin laughed and asked, "So what are your plans now?"
"Heal my injuries, find a good place to cultivate." Ji Yunman's eyes sparkled with fighting spirit. "I'll go to the most dangerous sea region. There are all kinds of sea demons there, abundant resources, and opponents to spar with. Cultivation will be fast." She wanted to climb to the peak—urgently wanted to. She wanted to stand beside this woman before her, not looking up at her but meeting her eye to eye.
"What about the Ji family? Even if my lingering influence can deter them for a while, without promising family disciples, they'll eventually decline. Do you still care?"
Ji Yunman raised her chin. "Miss Yin seems to have forgotten—my surname is Ji. If I'm dissatisfied with that Ji family and it's not worth exhausting my efforts for, better to create another Ji family."
"Admirable spirit." A-Xin praised. "Then I'll wait for that day."
"I won't disappoint Miss Yin." Ji Yunman answered with full confidence. Inside she thought: as long as Miss Yin is willing to wait for her growth, she'd definitely grow to a degree satisfying to her. The other came from a hidden great sect, a reclusive expert. Then she'd also establish a world-renowned great family, become a legend.
Their lifespans were long. She could cultivate endlessly for people and things she deemed worthy.
After the family tournament, the matter of Ji Yunman defeating Luo Dongqing yet rendering herself a waste spread far and wide. Everyone said the Ji family would decline.
Those present that day who'd heard Ji Yunman's words all said regretfully, "Can't even protect their own family's genius—they deserve to decline."
No matter how the Luo family targeted the Ji family, life just wouldn't be as easy. Having such a genius as Ji Yunman yet not properly protecting her growth, instead oppressing and forcing her, even saying if she couldn't win she'd have to apologize to the Luo family—if it were them, they'd have quit long ago.
The Ji family was also shrouded in gloom. The elders all blamed Ji Yunman for acting too impulsively. Couldn't these things be discussed?
The Ji family head watched them discuss, remembering Ji Yunman's words that day. His heart held only pain. To guard this family, he'd harmed Yunman, forgetting she was only seventeen this year. Her talent was indeed very good, but she was still a young girl. In any other power, such a genius wouldn't be treasured and protected?
"What a pity." Hearing about this, Ji Yunman's master specifically came to the Ji family. Seeing the Ji family head's dejected appearance, his reproachful words softened. "I was also a step too slow. I always knew this girl had heavy thoughts, but didn't expect her to bear so much for your Ji family. If I'd known earlier, better to just let her grow in the sect. What does your Ji family's situation have to do with my disciple?" He couldn't help the Ji family, but protecting one Ji Yunman was no problem. But this girl was too understanding, and he focused wholeheartedly on cultivation research, rarely concerned with outside matters. Now it had already been a month since Ji Yunman's incident.
"Ji family head, where is Yunman now? Do you know?"
The Ji family head shook his head. "That day, she was taken away by a mysterious woman and there's been no news since. Elder Bai, I'm the one who wronged that girl."
"Indeed you wronged her. Forget it, I won't enter seclusion recently—I'll go look for her." Elder Bai's brows furrowed. "I'll also try my luck in other places to see if I can find spiritual medicine to restore meridians."
"Thank you, Elder Bai."
"Thank me for what? This is my personally chosen beloved disciple. Right now I deeply regret allowing her to maintain ties with the Ji family after joining my sect." Elder Bai was somewhat angry. Thinking about it made him furious. "You're also incompetent. Your entire Ji family is incompetent. The family's burden actually has to be borne by a seventeen-year-old little girl. Shameful or not?" Seeing elders entering, he simply abandoned propriety and scolded them thoroughly. "I'm embarrassed for you all."
The entering elders were indeed somewhat awkward. Elder Bai flicked his sleeves and took his leave.
After Ji Yunman's injuries healed, she prepared to go to the dangerous sea region to cultivate that peerless cultivation technique from the beginning.
Initially, she planned to go alone—first to areas without danger, then once her strength improved to a certain level, go to dangerous places. But A-Xin kept following by her side, saying, "I also want to see the sea. Just convenient."
Ji Yunman's face felt somewhat hot. Did experts express their tender feelings so subtly?
Unable to refuse A-Xin's various reasons, the two went to the sea region together. A-Xin brought out a luxurious treasure ship and prepared a series of delicacies before sailing to the cultivation location. For convenience, A-Xin chose a well-located island suitable for cultivation.
They lived on the ship. Apart from eating, drinking, and other necessities, Ji Yunman basically spent all her time cultivating. Every time she returned from great battles with sea demons and demon beasts, what she saw was A-Xin sitting on the ship enjoying the delicacies on the table. Perhaps Yin Xin truly hadn't deceived her at the beginning—she really did want to see the sea.
At these times, A-Xin would smile and say to her, "Perfect timing. Wash your hands and eat."
Once was coincidence, but every time couldn't be coincidence, right? After many such occasions, Ji Yunman suddenly realized—every time she happened to catch A-Xin's meal, this wasn't coincidence. So how did the other know she was about to return? Always watching her? These questions shouldn't be pondered—thinking about them made her heart race non-stop. To calm her heart, she cultivated and fought even harder.
"Miss Yin, I encountered a clam demon and nearly fell for its trick. Fortunately I reacted quickly." While eating, Ji Yunman recalled today's experience, her eyes bright. "The clam demon's body was huge—I don't know if there are beautiful pearls inside. I plan to go look again tomorrow." She initially estimated the pearls inside should be about half a fist's size. Not knowing what to give Miss Yin, she instinctively thought pearls would be quite nice.
"Clam demon?" A-Xin murmured, then asked, "You like pearls?"
Ji Yunman quickly ate her food, answering vaguely, "Like them."
"What color do you like?" A-Xin asked again.
Ji Yunman replied, "Any color looks good, as long as they're big enough." But she wanted to find a purple or golden one to give Miss Yin. Purple was mysterious, gold was noble—and it had to be large to match Miss Yin.
"Oh!"
The next day, Ji Yunman hurried off to spar with the clam demon.
A-Xin gazed at the vast sea. Her palm swept across the sea surface before her, and the seawater seemed to come alive, parting to both sides, making way for her. She leaped in, her powerful divine sense covering the surrounding sea region, searching for clam demons hiding and cultivating on the seabed. Before long, she discovered the clam demons' lair and teleported before them.
"Who?" The clam demons were very wary of this suddenly appearing woman. "Powerful human? May I ask what brings you here?"
A-Xin smiled faintly. "I want some pearls."
"Audacious!" Hearing she wanted pearls, the clam demons thought she was looking for trouble. Pearls were the source of their power, comparable to hearts—wasn't this demanding their lives?
A-Xin waved her hand. "I'll exchange things with you. You should have stored pearls, right?"
The clam demons hesitated, then asked, "You truly don't want the pearls from our bodies?"
"Of course not. We have no grudges. All things have spirits—how could I come up and take your pearls, demanding your lives?"
"I see. We do have stored pearls. What kind do you want? What will you exchange?"
The clam demons weren't foolish. This powerful human wanting to exchange things with them showed she was reasonable. Unlike certain cultivators who came up and killed them to take pearls and shells. Since she was so friendly, they also had stored pearls and could exchange for good things—only fools would conflict with her.
A-Xin brought out what she considered suitable for exchanging pearls. The clam demons' eyes showed some delight upon seeing them, quickly pouring out their pearls too. Various colors, various shapes—everything imaginable. A-Xin selected one of each, all brightly colored, sufficiently large, and beautifully shaped. The clam demons also selected equivalent items from what she'd brought out. Both sides completed a very friendly transaction.
"Powerful and friendly human, if you need pearls in the future, you can come again." The clam demons friendlily saw A-Xin off, happily storing the exchanged items in their homes.
At sunset, Ji Yunman returned to the ship covered in rags and blood. Seeing A-Xin, a smile appeared on her face. "Miss Yin, I encountered that clam demon again today. It still wanted to eat me. I fought it all day and finally won." Then she pulled out a golden pearl about two-thirds the size of a fist. "Miss Yin, this is for you."
Her eyes shining, she looked at A-Xin, holding that golden, lustrous pearl out before her. A-Xin was slightly stunned before asking, "For me?"
"Yes. During this time, I've been under Miss Yin's care. Miss Yin has formidable strength and lacks nothing. I've always wanted to find a special gift for you. Yesterday I thought of the clam demon that attacked me—wondering if it might have a beautiful pearl inside. Unexpectedly, it really did."
Seeing A-Xin not accepting for a long time, Ji Yunman asked, "Does Miss Yin not like it?"
"No, I like it very much." A-Xin accepted the smooth, lustrous golden pearl, her mood somewhat good. She praised, "Very beautiful. It's the most beautiful gift I've received."
Ji Yunman's somewhat anxious heart settled. Good that she liked it. She secretly glanced at A-Xin playing with the pearl, seeing the smile in her eyes—she truly seemed to like it, looking at the pearl. She smiled along.
As long as she liked it.
If she encountered things more beautiful than pearls in the future, she'd definitely seek them out for her.
A-Xin touched the pearl, glancing at the pile of various pearls stored in her spatial ring. She couldn't directly give them away now. She glanced at Ji Yunman eating food, somewhat understanding. So she'd wanted to retrieve the pearl to give to her? She smiled lightly. Very beautiful. She liked it very much.
From that day on, whenever Ji Yunman encountered beautiful little things, she'd bring them back to give A-Xin. Seeing A-Xin liked them all made her very happy inside. She didn't know if Miss Yin understood her feelings. Whether she understood or not, right now she didn't want to directly reveal it. She was too weak—whether in status, position, or strength, she couldn't match the other. Miss Yin came from a hidden great sect. If the companion brought back in the future was a woman, and moreover a weakling who could be crushed at will—that would be too embarrassing.
When her strength was formidable, when she was a legendary figure—she refused to believe anyone would dare obstruct them. She was considering this for Miss Yin's sake, also for her own. Her admiration for Miss Yin wasn't because of her powerful strength, but because of this person. The terror of gossip—she'd already experienced it. Before having absolute strength, she didn't dare gamble, fearing this gossip might break through their feelings. Only when they were both powerful could they protect the purity of their feelings.
Miss Yin would definitely be willing to wait for her. She also couldn't disappoint her.
In one year, relying on that technique, Ji Yunman had recovered to her original second-tier Spirit General strength. For this, she secretly returned to land to see the Ji family head. The Ji family head was extremely shocked learning her cultivation had recovered. Hearing Ji Yunman's plan next made it even harder to believe. Thinking of the series of events in the family, the Ji family head unhesitatingly chose to support his daughter and told her that her master, Elder Bai, was also searching for her everywhere.
After Ji Yunman explained everything to the Ji family head, she secretly contacted Elder Bai, stating she was currently well and her strength had recovered, but asking Elder Bai to keep it secret for her. Learning of Ji Yunman's news, Elder Bai stopped wandering outside and returned to seclusion with peace of mind.
After Ji Yunman returned to the sea region, something happened in the Ji family. The Ji family head resigned from his position as family head. The Ji family members were all shocked.
"Fellow elders, because of the family, Yunman still has no news. I, as her father, have been too derelict. Without finding her, my heart can never be at ease." Ji Haiqing sighed helplessly. "If I use the Ji family's resources to search for Yunman, you probably won't agree. But I won't give up searching for Yunman. Thinking it over, I'd better not remain as family head, to avoid implicating the Ji family."
The elders exchanged glances. Ji Yunman was already a waste—what did it matter whether she was found or not? Of course they wouldn't agree to waste resources finding a waste. Seeing Ji Haiqing's mind was set, they no longer tried to keep him. Ji Haiqing's strength was even slightly less than the elders'. Losing one Ji Haiqing wouldn't greatly impact the Ji family. Now with both Ji Haiqing and Ji Yunman gone from the Ji family, approaching the Luo family would actually be easier.
Ji Haiqing saw through the elders' thoughts. At this moment, it felt like liberation. If these elders had said they were willing to spend resources searching for Yunman, he might have had some reluctance, some unwillingness. Yunman was right—this Ji family wasn't worth their efforts. Ji Haiqing's surname was Ji, his daughter's surname was Ji. With these two, father and daughter—what was wrong with creating another Ji family?
"Since the family head's mind is set, we won't try to keep you."
Ji Haiqing laughed heartily. "Good, very good." He stood up, walked down from the family head's position, handed over everything of the family to those before him, his face smiling, very dashingly walking out the Ji family gate. "Fellow elders, from now on, each take care. I, Ji Haiqing, am no longer a Ji family member from this day forward."
Following Ji Yunman's instructions, Ji Haiqing came to the agreed coastal location. Just arriving at the coast, a pretty little girl in fiery red clothes approached him, asking upon sight, "You're the Ji family head, right?"
"I'm Ji Haiqing."
"I'm Yin Lan, here to pick you up. Ji family head, come with me." Yin Lan led Ji Haiqing onto the ship. Ji Haiqing couldn't help correcting, "I'm no longer the Ji family head."
Yin Lan rolled her eyes. "Didn't I hear Ji Yunman say you're going to create another Ji family? If you're not the family head, who is?"
Ji Haiqing was stunned momentarily, then laughed despite himself, quickly saying, "Yes, I'm still the Ji family head."
"Mm, that's right then." Yin Lan was satisfied. "Ji family head, hurry up. I'll send you over first—I still have things to do later." That Dan Shu woman was going training with Luo Dongqing again later.
Really didn't understand. Luo Dongqing's side always had those two women Luo Yuxin and Xu Xiangjun following him, and the several of them would tumble in the clouds and rain from time to time. Dan Shu could actually endure it—what good temper.
Good, good my ass!
She often saw Dan Shu with reddened eyes before Luo Dongqing, looking like she'd cry but didn't—truly too anxious to watch. This playboy carrot wasn't even good to her—why was she so fond of him?
Stop thinking about it, stop thinking. Truly infuriating.
Ji Haiqing quickly boarded the ship, not daring to delay.
"Master, has Ji Yunman gone to cultivate again?" As soon as Yin Lan reached the small island, she asked A-Xin. "The Ji family head is here. Master, you entertain him. I still have very important matters—won't say more." Yin Lan hurriedly explained, then quickly jumped onto her ship and sailed it away.
Ji Haiqing hadn't expected that the one accompanying his daughter all along was the woman who'd taken Ji Yunman away before. Thinking of her strength, he cupped his fists to bow but was stopped by A-Xin.
"Ji family head, since you've come, they're entrusted to you." A-Xin pointed at another group of people. Ji Haiqing looked—all were little turnip heads aged five to fifteen. His cheeks twitched. "May I ask Miss Yin, these are..."
"The Ji family's foundation. Better to have the Ji family head personally nurture them." A-Xin said. "These children were all picked up by me outside during my leisure time. Pitiful backgrounds, unwanted, but decent talent. Ji family head, do you see any problems?"
Ji Haiqing quickly shook his head. "None." He looked at this group of well-behaved children, then at the surroundings. "Then their lodging, daily meals, and also..." Saying this, he felt embarrassed, quickly saying, "I'll prepare them." People had already been found for him—how could he trouble someone with everything?
"Family head, I can cook."
"I... I can do laundry."
"Family head, several of us can build houses. Before this, we made a living helping people build houses." Several children around fifteen said. "As long as there are materials and tools, we can build houses. There's lots of wood here, thick and sturdy—all very good."
...
The children all reported their skills. Ji Haiqing, seeing their vibrant appearance, smiled along. What a group of well-behaved children. They knew everything—made him seem somewhat incompetent. For a family to develop, first came people, then resources. Cultivation resources and wealth—all were indispensable.
Ji Haiqing quickly threw himself into it, recording what these children knew and excelled at, assigning them duties. He was someone who'd been family head—doing these things came naturally. Since they were starting a family on this small island, they couldn't just sit idle and eat through their resources.
Thereafter, the demon beasts and treasures Ji Yunman hunted daily were all handed over to this group of Ji family members to process. These children were all orphans who'd lived difficult lives as ordinary people. Learning they could enter the cultivation path and become powerful people, that their originally unpleasant names could now be nice names, that they even had surnames—they were overjoyed, doing everything each day full of spirit.
One year later, this originally barren small island already had a formed large residence. These children followed Ji Haiqing building the Ji family by day, cultivating by night. Their talent was originally good, so cultivation was rapid. After gaining strength, building houses became much easier.
This year, Ji Yunman was just one tier away from breaking through to Spirit King realm. But she remained neither arrogant nor impatient, diligently cultivating each day, sparring with sea demons. As long as the sea demons didn't want her life, she wouldn't casually take theirs either. She'd actually befriended quite a few sea demon friends.
The clam demons under the sea, learning of events above and discovering A-Xin was on this island, secretly approached. Once discovered by the children, both sides got along very happily and became neighbors. The children exchanged land things with the clam demons for underwater things. After Ji Haiqing learned of this, he selected several clever children with business acumen and formed a merchant group.
Having clam demons as neighbors, gradually some non-combative sea demons learned this small island had a family. They'd often bring back rare and interesting items from outside, willing to exchange their hidden treasures with the Ji family. The Ji family was very honest and didn't take advantage of them. In this sea region, they had great credibility and reputation. Whatever they needed now, they didn't have to find themselves—the sea demons of this region would automatically seek it for them. Both sides got along very happily.
Time passed swiftly. Five years went by.
This year, Ji Yunman was already seventh-tier Spirit Sovereign—considered among the top-level strength in the Eastern Cloud Continent. The current Ji Yunman could no longer be bullied by anyone. Her strength had already surpassed her master's and could serve as a great sect's sect master.
"Miss Yin, the sea demons won't spar with me anymore. How about we compete?" After many years, Ji Yunman finally had the courage to openly spar once with the woman before her.
A-Xin raised her eyes, asking, "Are you sure?"
"Sure." Ji Yunman raised her chin. "Miss Yin, no need to hold back. Come at me—I can take it." These years, had she taken few beatings? Becoming friends with sea demons, knowing she wouldn't die, her cultivation method was extremely abnormal. At first sparring with one sea demon, later ten, then twenty, thirty... fifty. Anyway, just attack her—as long as it could improve strength, what did taking beatings matter? Glory before others required suffering behind the scenes.
"Sure you don't want me to hold back?" A-Xin asked again.
Ji Yunman took a deep breath. "Don't hold back." Actually looking down on her like this—she wanted to test just how powerful the other's strength was.
A-Xin stood up. The two selected an open area.
Ji Yunman prepared herself and launched the first attack. A-Xin showed her a faint smile. She thought: even if the other smiled beautifully, today she had to fight. When her fist struck over, A-Xin merely flicked her sleeve, and her entire person uncontrollably flew backward. Flying in midair, she was somewhat dumbfounded.
One sleeve flick??
So eight years of hard cultivation—she'd been flicked away by a sleeve?
The stunned Ji Yunman forgot she was still in midair. Just as she was about to fall into the sea, A-Xin teleported to her side and caught her. "Don't be anxious. Take it slow. It's very normal you can't beat me. In this world, very few people can beat me." Should be no one could beat her. She feared stating the truth would devastate Ji Yunman, making her never recover.
Ji Yunman's expression was complex. Very few people could beat her??
So was she Spirit Emperor or Spirit Saint? Perhaps even close to shattering the void?
Too... too devastating.
"Yunman."
Ji Yunman, realizing how close they were, quickly broke free from A-Xin's hands. "Miss Yin is truly formidable. I still need to work hard." Saying this, she ran off. Her voice came back: "Miss Yin, I'm going to cultivate. In ten years, we'll fight again."
Ten years later.
Ji Yunman still flew in midair, caught by A-Xin, her expression frozen. For a moment she didn't struggle free from A-Xin's hands, only saying with complexity, "I'm one step away from Spirit Saint. Miss Yin, just tell me honestly—what realm have you cultivated to?"
"I don't know either." A-Xin spoke truthfully. "Probably quite strong."
Probably??
Clearly very strong, okay?
"Miss Yin, I..." Ji Yunman had given up the idea of defeating A-Xin. Smelling her fragrance, her cheeks reddened momentarily. She said quietly, "I want to enter seclusion once more and break through to Spirit Saint realm in one go." Her palms were somewhat damp, her heart racing wildly. "When I reach Spirit Saint, I want to tell Miss Yin something."
"Alright, I'll wait for you."
That gentle tone like a spring breeze brushed across her heart. Ji Yunman's heart beat even faster, her body burning. She pushed A-Xin away, her back to her. "Then I'll go into seclusion."