Chapter 27: Explanation

The patriarch even stepped down for his sake, yet as soon as he was out, he dared to come after her so brazenly, as if nothing had changed. His resignation had done nothing to restrain him; he still acted as he pleased. She could not believe such a person would ever hold back from harming her. Clearly, she needed to work even harder on her cultivation, and more importantly, she had to learn a few life-saving skills. She would have to study carefully how to maximize her gains within the limited time available.

"I have already helped you apply for a chance to enter the Library Pavilion and choose a cultivation technique. Tomorrow, you may go in and select a suitable one," Nie Xingyuan said. He knew the young girl was currently learning from Elder Zhou, who was never short of books, but there were also unique opportunities to be found in the Library Pavilion.

In the world of cultivation, constant protection could never compare to increasing one’s own strength.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle." After some thought, Ji Jiuxuan asked, "Martial Uncle, is Grandfather not here?"

She had been deliberately avoiding everyone lately, hiding in her room whenever she returned, not even seeing Wen Ying.

She realized she was behaving like an ostrich, but with their high level of cultivation, a single sweep of divine sense would reveal everything to them, even if she herself noticed nothing. Since even Elder Guo, whom she had only recently met, had figured things out, there was no way Wen Ying and her grandfather would remain oblivious, especially with the rumors circulating within the sect for some time now.

"Yes," Nie Xingyuan replied. "Master, Peak Lord Feng, and several elders have left the sect for a matter and will return after some time."

So, they really were away. Otherwise, how could Ji Yue have succeeded this time? Suddenly, she thought perhaps she could give Feng Hanxiao another chance—to see if she was involved in this matter, or had simply turned a blind eye.

Even if it had nothing to do with her, their relationship would inevitably be affected, even if they reconciled.

"Martial Uncle, please try this seafood and these marinated snacks. They’re really quite tasty!" Ji Jiuxuan beamed as she took out two food boxes from her storage: one filled with a seafood platter, the other with assorted marinated delicacies, colorful and fragrant, enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Catching Nie Xingyuan’s smile, Ji Jiuxuan hurriedly explained, "I prepared these especially for you, Martial Uncle. They’re delicious! I also made some for Second Martial Uncle, but unfortunately he’s out again and won’t be back for a while."

"Your second uncle can’t eat them, but your little uncle can. Why don’t you give them all to me?" With that, Nie Xingyuan produced a pair of chopsticks and began to eat.

The moment the food touched his lips, Nie Xingyuan wondered how he had never noticed such delicacies existed in this world before! The texture was superb, and all impurities had been completely removed. This was far more enjoyable than eating fasting pills.

As he savored the flavors, Nie Xingyuan finally praised, "The ingredients have been handled excellently, and your cooking is superb. Ah Jiu, you’re truly capable!"

"What would you like to eat, Martial Uncle? I’ll make it for you," Ji Jiuxuan replied, her heart full of joy at the compliment.

"Next time you cook, just make an extra portion for me. I’m not picky." Then he asked, "Now that you’ve almost mastered removing impurities, is it time to start learning alchemy?"

"Yes, Master said he will begin teaching me soon, so I can practice on the road to the Beast Taming Sect if I get bored." She had already grasped most of the basics, and her master’s method of entering the Dao through books meant there was always something new to learn from him; with his guidance, everything was much easier to understand.

"Here, take this. Its grade is not very high, but it’s suitable for you. When I find better materials, I’ll craft another one for you." A large black cauldron appeared in front of Ji Jiuxuan, its patterned surface emanating an extraordinary aura.

Though black in color, it was strikingly beautiful.

At nearly four years old, Ji Jiuxuan stood beside the cauldron, which reached up to her head—she had to crane her neck to see the top.

She looked at Nie Xingyuan in disbelief. "Martial Uncle, are all alchemy furnaces so big?"

For an adult, this cauldron’s size was perfect, but as a little girl, she couldn’t even reach the top. Even with her cultivation, using it would be a struggle!

"First, form a contract with it. Once you do, it will change size according to your will," Nie Xingyuan said, amused by her forlorn expression—so small beside such a towering furnace that he felt a wave of affection for her.

"Alright." If it could shrink, that was wonderful. She actually liked the look of this furnace very much.

The moment her divine sense bound to the furnace, the contract array linked her to it, enveloping both in a gentle light that slowly faded.

She glanced at her left hand, where a tiny cauldron mark the size of her little finger now hovered. She sensed it and found countless connections to the furnace in her mind.

She tried shrinking the furnace, and it became smaller and smaller, until it fit perfectly in her hand.

Delighted by her miniature cauldron, Ji Jiuxuan could not stop smiling.

"Do you like it?"

Looking down as she examined the cauldron, she smiled and nodded at Nie Xingyuan’s gentle voice. "I do! Thank you, Martial Uncle."

Since she had decided to study alchemy, she had visited the Artifact Pavilion, but none of the cauldrons she saw there could shrink to this size.

Peering inside, Ji Jiuxuan asked in surprise, "Little Martial Uncle, did you make this?"

She knew Nie Xingyuan was a master craftsman, and upon discovering the cauldron was brand new, she guessed he had made it himself.

"Yes. Give it a try—if there’s anything you don’t like about it, let me know."

He began to explain its functions. "The furnace can shrink at will. If you want to refine pills while it’s this small, you can. Just place the materials inside and follow the usual steps. I’ve set up a spatial array within."

Nie Xingyuan spoke lightly of this cauldron, yet its mid-grade blue rank alone would make it highly sought after in the outside world, let alone its ability to shrink for easy use.

This was truly a one-of-a-kind treasure.

Ji Jiuxuan asked excitedly, "Martial Uncle, since it can shrink this small, does that mean I can refine pills with it right in my hand?"

Holding her exquisite miniature furnace, Ji Jiuxuan was like a child with a new toy, utterly delighted.

"You can."

Seeing how happy the little girl was, Nie Xingyuan felt all his hard work in crafting it was worthwhile. "Use this for now. When I find even better materials, I’ll make another for you."

Ji Jiuxuan shook her head. "This is already wonderful. Thank you, Martial Uncle."

"No need to thank me." Though she said so, he wouldn’t let any good materials slip by.

On her way back, Ji Jiuxuan unexpectedly ran into Wen Ying, who had just returned.

This time, Wen Ying’s aura was even more chaotic, the sense of oppression she exuded more unfathomable than ever.

"Aunt Ying, what’s wrong?" Ji Jiuxuan was deeply worried by her current state.

Wen Ying tried in vain to suppress her turbulent aura. Unlike before, she stood a few steps away from Ji Jiuxuan, her eyes full of reluctant affection. "Ah Jiu, your aunt must go into seclusion for a while. The road ahead, you may have to walk alone."

Ji Jiuxuan grew even more anxious and looked at Wen Ying. "When will you come out of seclusion, Aunt?"

When indeed?

Wen Ying gazed into the distant sky, sighing softly. "Even your aunt isn’t sure."

Perhaps she might never emerge.

"Ah Jiu, from now on, be good. If anything happens, seek your grandfather, or your master, or even your second or little martial uncles."

As she spoke, Wen Ying realized there were no women nearby whom she could entrust with the girl, and her heart ached. She wondered when Qi Yanwei and the others would return.