Chapter 105: Doubts of Presence

Mother had always longed for a daughter, but alas, she bore three boys, much to Father’s dismay.

Ji Jiuxuan instinctively glanced toward the position of her junior uncle. Originally, they were supposed to visit the Ji family’s villa today, but unexpectedly, they had arrived first.

“Go ahead, be careful,” Nie Xingyuan said, having noticed several formidable hidden guards among the visitors from the Ji family. “You’ll be within the city—do not leave its borders.”

As he spoke, he pressed a magical seal into the back of her hand. “If you encounter danger, activate this; Master will arrive immediately.”

“Understood!” Ji Jiuxuan appreciated her uncle’s concern for her safety and accepted the seal with a smile. “Uncle, I’m going now. I’ll come back later.”

“Go ahead.”

Just then, Meng Jiao, who had just stepped outside, returned. She had met Ji Xiuqi before; over the years, he had organized several expeditions into mystical realms, so they had crossed paths a few times.

Upon seeing Ji Xiuqi, Meng Jiao immediately understood.

“Sis, I want to go out and play with the brothers. Are you coming?” Although it was her first time meeting Ji Xiuqi, the gifts they exchanged annually always included messages from her cousins, making her feel no stranger at all.

If it weren’t for their grandfather forbidding the use of communication talismans to avoid frightening the young lady, they would have been in contact long ago.

“Going to play? Sure, I’ll accompany you,” Ji Xiuqi said, leading the way outside. His lively steps made Nie Xingyuan pinch the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

When would this troublesome disciple ever give him peace of mind?

“Let’s go, little junior sister. I’ll tell you, there are plenty of fun things here. You’ll definitely like it.”

Watching Meng Jiao pull along their little cousin, Ji Xiuqi hurried after them.

The broad street was alive with spectacle. Ji Jiuxuan held Meng Jiao’s hand with one hand and Ji Xiuqi’s with the other, eyes fixed on the performing spiritual beasts ahead, almost staring them rigid.

Within the protective barrier, the spiritual beasts showcased their talents—rings of fire, layers of ice, aerial leaps—each displaying a unique beauty and a palpable aura of power.

Performances like these in the cultivation world? Since arriving in Liangzhou City, Ji Jiuxuan sensed that the cultivation world here was distinctly different.

The bustling Liangzhou City was like a harbor. Outside, airships approached, and upon reaching the city gates, they would obediently sheath their flying artifacts—some proceeding on foot, others riding spiritual beasts or horse-drawn carriages.

The winged spiritual horses were majestic and extraordinarily handsome.

Along the way, they passed a place resembling a port where airships and spiritual beasts could take off, soaring above or descending to rest within the city.

Ji Jiuxuan was puzzled. “Isn’t flying forbidden over Liangzhou City?”

“You’re not aware,” Ji Xiuqi explained, “this area belongs to Liangzhou City. Their flights are authorized. In the future, if you travel alone, you can come here to take airships or hire spiritual beasts.”

His explanation made Ji Jiuxuan quickly understand. She looked up at the plaque hanging above the gate.

“Royal Travel Department?” After pondering, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is this department state-owned or operating with official permission?”

Much like airports or bus stations in her past life.

Glancing to the other side, she noticed spiritual beasts available for rent. The sign indicated these beasts only traveled within Liangzhou City and were not allowed beyond its limits.

“Liangzhou City falls under the jurisdiction of the city lord’s mansion; other areas are controlled by different families,” Ji Xiuqi smiled. “For example, the flying ports by the South Sea are controlled by our Ji family.”

Meng Jiao observed Ji Xiuqi and felt he was very different from the impression she had before.

Throughout the journey, Ji Xiuqi treated his little junior sister kindly, his expression gentle, a smile never leaving his handsome face—quite the contrast to the ruthless persona rumored about him.

The Ji family’s young master was no mere figurehead. Rumors held he was decisive and merciless. Had it not been for witnessing his ruthless side in the mystical realm, one might have thought the rumors false.

As they spoke, a figure passed beside Ji Jiuxuan, emitting an aura very familiar to her.

Her gaze instinctively followed. The silhouette stirred an even stronger sense of familiarity.

Who was it?

This feeling was unlike that for old friends; it was either friend or foe.

In the world, only Yu Heng, Wang Xunzi, and a few others bore enmity toward her. She had no idea what had become of Yu Heng.

As for Wang Xunzi, according to the gossip records, he was formidable—yet that aura was definitely not his.

Could it be Yu Heng transformed?

“Not Yu Heng,” Long Xuan replied. “Yu Heng’s body carries demonic energy. If it were him, I would sense it.”

If not Yu Heng, Ji Jiuxuan suddenly thought of the kidnapping on the way back from the Beast Taming Sect. Could it be that Chui Yun had survived?

“Long Xuan, how can you hear what I’m thinking?” She understood that the system could hear her, and Long Xuan was her contracted spiritual beast. By contract, they could converse privately—but hearing her thoughts was impossible.

“You weren’t paying attention just now and subconsciously spoke to me,” Long Xuan explained. Their contract was somewhat special, unlike others.

Whether residual formations from the previous contract remained was uncertain; that would only be known after the other five soul fragments were found and fused.

Ji Jiuxuan didn’t dwell on it. She had been deep in thought and might have accidentally spoken aloud.

Though uncertain about Chui Yun, she resolved to inform her junior uncle.

After speaking with her junior uncle, they arrived beneath a towering tree stretching to the sky. Beneath the tree was a courtyard surrounded by a barrier, impervious to wind and rain, yet sparsely inhabited.

Outside, a plaque glowed softly: Auction House.

“Is this where the auction will be held in a few days?”

The records stated that Liangzhou City’s auction was held once a year, with the Auction House opening only on that occasion.

Entrance tickets were sold at major inns.

This auction was highly regarded and had established a fixed protocol; no one dared to violate it.

“Yes, it will open in two days, and there will be many exciting things,” Meng Jiao said, stroking Ji Jiuxuan’s hair with a smile. “A Jiu, we should head back; Master is looking for us.”

Ji Jiuxuan instantly understood it was related to that aura she had just sensed. She smiled and said to Ji Xiuqi, “Big Brother, Sis and I will return first. I’ll visit the villa another day.”

“Alright, I’ll see you back,” Ji Xiuqi was no fool; he discerned the underlying trouble and knew something was amiss.

He also understood that since she had just met him, she wouldn’t choose to tell him everything immediately.

No rush—he trusted that in time, she would instinctively confide in him.

But until he knew what was truly going on, it was unwise to intervene rashly. Still, as they left, he ordered discreet protection for Ji Jiuxuan to ensure her safety.

Back at the Jin Da Inn, Nie Xingyuan set up a barrier around the room. Meng Jiao’s expression was serious. “Master, when A Jiu spoke, I investigated. This person is very well hidden. With Liangzhou City’s patrols nearby, we cannot probe further.”

Thank you to whh Honghong for the monthly ticket support!~

(End of chapter)