Chapter 156: Have We Underestimated Them?

By this time, the size of Feng Ju was not much different from its mother's, though its face still retained a touch of childishness, and its eyes remained exceptionally pure.

Meeting Feng Ju's gaze, Ji Jiuxuan was certain that if she refused again now, the little beast would undoubtedly be heartbroken, thinking that she disliked it.

"Then I'll have to trouble you." Ji Jiuxuan thought to herself that if this didn't work out, she would switch to flying on a spiritual sword on the fly.

Her master's trust instantly delighted Feng Ju, which spread its wings and flew towards the exit.

Although young, Feng Ju flew remarkably steadily.

Flying was an instinct for them; aside from expending physical stamina, it did not affect their spiritual energy at all.

When they landed smoothly at the Xuanheng Courtyard, Ji Jiuxuan finally felt relieved.

Spirit beasts that had formed a contract generally entered a spiritual beast space, which was immensely beneficial to them.

Not long after Feng Ju returned to the spiritual beast space, Yao Zhaoxi arrived.

"You've grown quite a bit." Yao Zhaoxi, who was usually of a cold and detached temperament, couldn't help but wear a gentle smile upon seeing Ji Jiuxuan, looking at her with eyes full of tenderness.

"Senior Sister, I've missed you so much." When facing her loved ones, Ji Jiuxuan was not one to stand on ceremony. She lunged forward and threw her arms straight around Yao Zhaoxi.

Yao Zhaoxi was clearly unaccustomed to this, yet out of doting affection, she did not push her away.

"Alright now, you're a big girl already, and you're going to represent the sect to participate in the grand tournament at the Imperial Capital. We need to look imposing enough to command respect."

Her senior sister's words brought a smile to Ji Jiuxuan's face. "I understand, we have to look impressive enough on the outside. But this is just in front of you, Senior Sister!"

After lingering affectionately for a while, Yao Zhaoxi showed just how much she truly doted on her.

A moment later, several items appeared in Yao Zhaoxi's hands, which she placed on the table one by one, looking at Ji Jiuxuan as she said, "Junior Sister, these are all things you will need during the Imperial Capital grand tournament. Let me go through them with you one by one."

She then picked up a scroll from among them. "This is a map of the mystic realm. Put it away first. If you manage to enter, it will prevent you from getting lost and will help you complete your tasks."

Given her master's teachings, her little junior sister would undoubtedly make it into the top thirty. However, she didn't mention entering the mystic realm directly, fearing it would add unnecessary pressure to her little junior sister.

"This bracelet can prevent opponents from using underhanded tricks during combat."

Ji Jiuxuan looked at the black bracelet on her senior sister's hand. The array formations inscribed upon it were extremely unique—a level of array mastery she had yet to attain.

"The Imperial Capital grand tournament does not restrict the use of other methods. As long as it doesn't belong to the demonic race and is a technique within one's own capability, there are no restrictions whatsoever."

Yao Zhaoxi explained while handing the items over to Ji Jiuxuan one by one.

They were all protective tools, and there were even quite a few high-grade detoxification pills.

"These can neutralize a hundred poisons. They can cure even the most potent poisons known in the hundred-poison clans to date."

Most of the hundred-poison clans specialized in using and researching poisons. Within the empire, they used poisons openly and were recognized as the most formidable poison masters.

"So many! Senior Sister, these are far too precious; I can't accept them." There were several bottles right in front of her! How many times would she have to be poisoned to use all of these up?

Besides, items this precious were simply too many.

"Take them. If you want more of these, Senior Sister has plenty."

Beneath Yao Zhaoxi's cold exterior beat a heart overflowing with warmth toward her youngest junior sister.

"I forgot to mention, Senior Sister's maternal family is the Baili clan."

Ji Jiuxuan understood in an instant—the main clan of the poison masters.

Unable to resist teasing, she said, "Senior Sister, aren't you afraid that if I run into people from the hundred-poison clans and turn out to be immune to all poisons, they're going to have quite a headache?"

"As long as you're safe, that's what matters. Although the arena rules dictate that lives must not be taken, many competitors still fall victim to covert attacks, so you must be extremely cautious this time."

Yao Zhaoxi's expression was very stern. Looking at the young girl, deep down she still couldn't help but worry.

Ji Jiuxuan knew in her heart that the Imperial Capital grand tournament would undoubtedly be a gathering of the finest talents. She had considered the risks, but prompted by her senior sister's warning and the great importance her grandfather and the others attached to it, she began to wonder: had she underestimated the danger?

"Don't worry, Senior Sister, I will definitely be careful. Competition is secondary; safety comes first."

"Right, safety first. Remember the philosophy of conduct taught by our master."

Her master's philosophy of conduct? She remembered several points her master had mentioned, all of which seemed quite reasonable, so she answered earnestly, "I remember them, I will strictly follow the teachings."

With that, she pulled Yao Zhaoxi close, her current height making it even easier to act spoiled.

Resting her head against Yao Zhaoxi's arm and hugging her hand, she said, "Senior Sister, don't worry. With everything you've prepared for me, there will be absolutely no problem. Besides, you have to trust our master's teaching ability."

Finally, after repeated assurances from Ji Jiuxuan, Yao Zhaoxi went off to attend to her own matters.

Ji Jiuxuan neatly arranged all the items her senior sister had prepared for her. Resting her chin in her hands, she looked at the blooming spiritual flowers in the courtyard, feeling a deep sense of happiness in her heart.

"System, who knew Senior Sister looked so cold and aloof, yet being cared for by her feels this blissful."

"Happy?"

Ji Jiuxuan replied without any hesitation, "Of course! You know what kind of life I lived in my past life. Back then, my world was full of deceit and coldness, but ever since I came to this world, it's no longer like that. It's as if everything from my previous life has been inverted."

Taking a breath, her voice choked slightly, "I never imagined I could have all of this. System, none of this is a dream, right?"

"It is real. You are real, and they are all real too."

Ji Jiuxuan was still lost in thought, completely failing to notice when Nie Xingyuan walked over and stood right in front of her.

"What are you thinking about so intently?"

Only after her junior uncle spoke did Ji Jiuxuan snap back to reality. "Junior Uncle, you're here! Please, take a seat."

With a beaming smile, she took out a tea set, preparing to brew some tea.

"No need to bother, you know your junior uncle isn't fond of this," Nie Xingyuan said with a smile. In his hand appeared a large sword case made of longxuan wood, covered in intricate array patterns that at a glance revealed it was no ordinary item.

"Thinking it over, I decided to make this all-in-one sword case for those ten swords so you can keep them together. That way, whichever one you want to use at any moment, it will be convenient to grab."

The sword case stood upright on the ground, reaching up to Ji Jiuxuan's shoulder. In another two years, when she grew a bit taller, the height would be even more suitable.

"Come, form the contract with it first."

At this moment, he too looked forward to the moment when little A-Jiu could wield them to their full potential.

Since all ten swords might be used together, he had slightly modified every single one of them so they could even link up to form a grand, lethal array—unquestionably one of a kind in this world.

Gazing at the sword case, Ji Jiuxuan fell in love with it at first sight.

At her junior uncle's prompting, she formed the blood contract.

Then, under his guidance, Ji Jiuxuan familiarized herself with the sword case. The more familiar she became with it, the more fond of it she grew. "Junior Uncle, what are their names?"

The Qingluo Sword was her natal sword, and her affection for it would never wane, but this sword case right before her had truly captured her heart, making her utterly unable to put it down.

"The Lingyun Sword Case. Swords possess an innate pride, and contained within this case is the pride of ten swords, waiting for our A-Jiu to carry them soaring beyond the nine heavens, living a life of absolute freedom and joy."

He had a premonition that A-Jiu would certainly reach that realm. All along, they had simply hoped little A-Jiu would stay safe and happy, growing up well.

Yet A-Jiu's strength always far exceeded their expectations.

"As for the names of each individual sword, you'll have to come up with those yourself."

A storage bag appeared in his hand, which he handed to Ji Jiuxuan. "A-Jiu, these are the cartridges needed for the hidden weapons in your sleeves, as well as some other types of hidden weapons. Use them as you see fit. If you run short, remember to tell Junior Uncle in time."