Chapter 31: A Bit of News

"Our little Jiu is amazing!" Qi Shuoyuan affectionately patted her head, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes when no one was watching. Anyone who dared to bully his granddaughter would not be let off so easily.

"I heard from your junior uncle that you went to the Library Pavilion earlier. Did you find anything?"

Only Qi Shuoyuan and Nie Xingyuan were present, so Ji Jiuxuan told them everything that had happened in the Library Pavilion.

"That senior gave me an extra book, and I managed to bring it out. He also granted me an additional opportunity."

After listening, both Qi Shuoyuan and Nie Xingyuan were astonished.

To be able to enter and exit the Library Pavilion at will, and to possess such abilities, could only be the ancestor Wei Si. Yet, this was completely out of character for him; Elder Wei Si was famously stingy. No matter who tried to bargain for an extra cultivation manual, it was utterly impossible.

In previous years, even if a disciple showed exceptional talent and tried to obtain an extra manual, they were always refused. The reason given was that the rules allowed only one selection.

This time, little Jiu had essentially received three, which was nothing short of shocking.

"Little Jiu, is this the senior you saw?" Spiritual energy gathered in front of them, and Nie Xingyuan, manipulating the energy, conjured a portrait. The elder depicted was none other than the one Ji Jiuxuan had met in the Library Pavilion today.

Ji Jiuxuan found this scene fascinating—there truly was nothing the world of cultivation couldn't do.

"Yes, that's the senior," she nodded, then turned to Qi Shuoyuan and asked, "Grandfather, who is he?"

He seemed formidable, being able to alter the number of visits to the Library Pavilion at his whim.

"He is Ancestor Wei Si, who has long guarded the Library Pavilion. Next time you visit, you must properly thank him for his graciousness!" Being favored by this ancestor was a very fortunate event, and it was a sign of little Ah Jiu's luck.

"Alright, I'll remember."

Ji Jiuxuan was unaware of Wei Si's reputation for stinginess; had she known, she would have marveled at her good fortune today.

"In a few days, your second senior uncle will return, and then you’ll accompany him to the Beast Taming Sect."

Min Chengjun had gone out again for business after his last visit, but now it was confirmed that he would lead the expedition to the Beast Taming Sect.

There weren't many participants this time—just Ji Jiuxuan, Qin Yuzhou, and Feng Hanxiao, all of whom had been identified as possessing Celestial Spirit Roots during the test. An elder would also accompany them.

Nie Xingyuan was summoned away for other matters, and Qi Shuoyuan turned to Ji Jiuxuan, asking, "Child, do you miss your parents?"

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Logic would suggest that when Ji Minghuai and his wife left, she was still very young and should have no memory of them. Yet, unlike ordinary children, she remembered.

In her previous life, orphaned early, she had often imagined if, with her parents present, she might have experienced parental love.

Ji Jiuxuan nodded obediently, "I do."

There were portraits of Ji Minghuai and Qi Yanwei in the album Wen Ying had given her, so her words seemed genuine.

"Our Ah Jiu will probably be able to see them soon," Qi Shuoyuan sighed.

Upon hearing this, Ji Jiuxuan’s eyes lit up, and she asked eagerly, "Grandfather, have you found news of them?"

She had no idea what mission Ji Minghuai and his wife had undertaken, nor could she uncover even a hint. Since sensing they were alive, she had tried to investigate, hoping for news, but found nothing. She also feared that probing too much might attract attention, so she simply waited quietly.

"Yes, there’s some news, though we don’t know the specifics yet. But we do know for certain that they haven’t perished."

Such news was already a blessing. Three years ago, upon hearing they might have met with disaster, his world seemed to collapse.

Now, things were better—where there is news, there is hope.

Upon receiving confirmation, Ji Jiuxuan was equally delighted.

After chatting for a while, Ji Jiuxuan said, "Grandfather, Aunt Ying has gone into seclusion; it seems it will be a long time."

Qi Shuoyuan was surprised by this; since Wen Ying’s appearance, she had never secluded herself, and this was the first time.

"Did Aunt Ying say anything?"

Ji Jiuxuan shook her head, instinctively keeping silent about the unusual aura she had noticed on Wen Ying.

"System, do you think Grandfather and the others would have a way to help Wen Ying if they knew her situation?"

This was her concern. If they had a solution, she should tell them; yet she remembered the system’s earlier words—Wen Ying’s situation could only be resolved once Ji Jiuxuan had grown strong enough to help her.

"No, it might even accelerate the severity of the situation," the system replied.

This answer made Ji Jiuxuan more certain that she must keep these matters to herself. "Would not telling anyone cause harm?"

There was still possibility of harm, but fate decreed that Wen Ying would inevitably be closely linked to the host.

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For the future, the system gave a vague answer, "Not now. Everything depends on you."

Ji Jiuxuan had asked the system many times, but its answers were always similar—the key lay with her.

She tried to ask further, but to no avail.

Qi Shuoyuan didn’t think much of it; for some, going into seclusion was routine, while for others, it happened only after long intervals.

"Ah Jiu, since you’ll be on your own, do you want me to help you choose a companion from the sect?"

Choosing a companion to grow up with was normal. The descendants of cultivators in the sect always enjoyed such privileges, and true disciples did as well.

It was much like having a study companion, but it provided extra support.

Having weathered storms in her previous life, and given the recent rumors, Ji Jiuxuan decided not to choose one for now.

She shook her head, "Not for now. I think things are just right as they are; I schedule my days perfectly, and an extra person would only be a burden. If I ever need one, I’ll let you know."

The little girl, despite her age, spoke with the composure of an adult. This contrast amused Qi Shuoyuan, piquing his interest. "All scheduled? How does Ah Jiu arrange her days?"

Ji Jiuxuan was happy to share: "In the morning, I go to the Spirit Herb Garden to plant spiritual herbs. At noon, I attend lectures at the Study Hall. After class, I go to master’s place to cultivate, and then I return."

She spoke cheerfully, "I’m getting really good at planting now. Master says I’ll soon be ready to learn alchemy. Am I impressive?"

Qi Shuoyuan chuckled, "Yes, our Ah Jiu is the most impressive!"

Though he doted on Ji Jiuxuan, he sensed something amiss in her words. "Ah Jiu, do you always go to your master’s place to cultivate after classes at the Study Hall?"

Ji Jiuxuan was puzzled, "Yes, master’s place has a special array, which makes cultivation more efficient."

Her current situation was hard to explain. Normally, the best time for cultivation was early morning, when the spiritual energy was richest.

But she had stubbornly resisted, resulting in her cultivation time being delayed. She was rather helpless about it!