Chapter 59: Not Now

Ji Jiuxuan had little luck, but her intuition was exceptionally sharp.

“I heard that Instructor Yuan was rude enough to throw our little Jiu out the other day? Don’t worry, your grandfather will stand up for you,” Qi Shuoyuan said.

Hearing his words, Ji Jiuxuan felt a surge of joy at having someone to protect her, yet she also sighed with relief that she was not a bad person at heart. Otherwise, with such unconditional indulgence, it would be those who loved her who ended up getting hurt.

After guidance from both her master and the system, Ji Jiuxuan had come to terms with things.

“Thank you, Grandfather. I was at fault too,” she said, acknowledging her mistake without the embarrassment or self-doubt of that day.

Seeing her so calm, Qi Shuoyuan finally felt at ease.

“If you ever dislike such things, just tell your grandfather, understand?”

So her grandfather, like her master, believed she didn't like attending those sermons.

In this world, being able to listen to the teachings of powerful cultivators was considered a blessing, but it wasn't essential. Besides, given Ji Jiuxuan’s talent, and the fact that both her master and grandfather were far from ordinary, even if things didn’t work out here, that old fox from the Ji family had long been eyeing her, eager to bring her home and teach her personally.

Thinking of this, Qi Shuoyuan took out a spatial ring from his storage and handed it to her. “This is from your grandmother, who asked someone to deliver it.”

Ji Jiuxuan accepted it, gazing at the ring with emotion. She couldn’t help but be moved. Ever since she could remember, both the Ji family and her grandfather had regularly sent her valuable things.

“Do you want to visit the Ji family?” Qi Shuoyuan couldn’t help but ask as he saw her expression.

Back then, Ming Huai and the others had planned to take the little girl back to the Ji family after their mission, but things hadn’t gone as planned.

“I do, but not yet,” Ji Jiuxuan replied. She understood well that the ambush on the airship last time was not accidental—otherwise, why would she have been the only target?

She was not yet strong enough. The Ji family’s home by the southern sea was far from the Xuantian Sect, and traveling there recklessly could bring unknown dangers.

It wasn’t that she feared death, but she preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Besides, she hadn’t roasted that Phoenix-feathered Emperor Bird yet!

Qi Shuoyuan was puzzled but inexplicably relieved. He had only one daughter, Yan Wei, and among cultivators, bloodline and inheritance were precious—having little Jiu stay by his side was best. “Very well, when you wish to go, tell your grandfather and I’ll take you myself.”

“Thank you, Grandfather!”

She had thought that if she went to the southern sea, her grandfather would simply send someone to escort her; she hadn’t expected him to accompany her personally, which showed how perilous the journey could be.

“Go on now! If you encounter anything that upsets you, remember to tell your grandfather.”

From the moment she arrived in this world, though her parents were absent, her relatives and friends had given her enough warmth. The tragic fates suffered by protagonists in novels had never touched her; she was not a heroine fated for hardship, but someone sent here to enjoy a blessed life and pursue immortality.

This life, she resolved to grow, live every day well, and protect those around her.

A fleeting sadness crossed her mind, as if someone in her past life had sacrificed themselves for her sake.

She stood in confusion, shook her head, and smiled—no one in her previous life had ever sacrificed for her.

Meanwhile, the spiritual energy in her dantian surged stronger than ever. If she could compare, Ji Jiuxuan would find her dantian far denser than that of an ordinary ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator.

In the days that followed, Ji Jiuxuan kept to her routine: aside from set hours for cultivation, all her time—except for sleep—was spent reading.

Zhou Guangsheng stood in the courtyard, sensing the faint green glow emanating from the little girl, and smiled in delight.

“Congratulations, your legacy may finally have an heir,” said an elder standing beside him—none other than Elder Huaxu of the Grand Dao Pavilion.

To this day, Zhou Guangsheng had only accepted two disciples: Yao Chaoxi and Ji Jiuxuan. Yao Chaoxi had barely brushed the threshold in years past and could not inherit everything; in the end, Zhou Guangsheng had to find a path better suited for her.

It was rare in this world to find someone who could enter the Dao through books and become a Scholar Immortal.

“You’re not mistaken. I sensed it from our very first meeting—this child was destined,” Zhou Guangsheng said, pretending to scowl, “I heard you once thought of taking her as your disciple too. She’s already mine; don’t try to compete.”

If Zhou Guangsheng claimed there was a fated connection, there truly was one. Though not a specialist in the Heavenly Calculation arts, he was also well-versed in them.

Huaxu was equally pleased with Ji Jiuxuan’s fortune.

He couldn’t help but recall everything that had happened in the Grand Dao Pavilion years ago.

On the path to immortality, one cultivated longevity; the Heavenly Calculation arts could prolong life but also limit one’s years.

He did not regret not taking her as a disciple back then. “I have no intention of competing with you. It’s a great thing that she has such fortune.”

The two exchanged a smile and shared a drink in the courtyard, while Ji Jiuxuan—busy in the library—remained oblivious.

Time flew by. Ji Jiuxuan, as usual, was on her way to the library, thinking that at her pace she would spend the entire year inside. Unexpectedly, in just over five months, she was nearly finished.

Thanks to her body refining technique, she now went to the academy’s courtyard on her own. Strangely, the Moonlight Rabbit was very fond of following her, accompanying her every day.

Rain or shine, the sect disciples often saw a young girl running along the path, a snow-white rabbit hopping cheerfully by her side.

“Little Jiu.” As she was lost in thought, someone called her name. She halted and turned to see where the voice came from, overjoyed to find her second uncle had returned.

She hurried toward him, only then remembering she was still wearing her gravity ring.

After she removed it, Min Chengjun was already at her side. He crouched down, producing an exquisitely crafted box and handing it to her with a gentle smile. “Happy birthday, Ah Jiu.”

In the cultivation world, birthdays were rarely celebrated—after all, long periods in seclusion made it hard to keep track of the dates.

Ji Jiuxuan was stunned before realizing her birthday had come around again—she was now exactly four years old.

“A birthday gift. See if you like it.”

Faced with Min Chengjun’s warm smile, Ji Jiuxuan couldn’t help but smile back. “Thank you, Uncle!”

“If you’re thanking your second uncle, what about me?” Nie Xingyuan appeared, holding a long, unadorned box, but it was made of the finest Changxuan wood.

According to the records, the best containers for magical artifacts were weapon cases made from Changxuan wood.

“Thank you, little uncle.” Gifts from elders were not to be refused, and with their close relationship, Ji Jiuxuan accepted them without fuss.

“Open them later. Tonight, uncle will take you out for something delicious,” Min Chengjun said, ruffling her hair and urging her to put the gifts away.

With people coming and going, it was indeed not the place to examine them.

The mention of good food made Ji Jiuxuan beam with joy! She hadn’t eaten anything tasty for months—and she suddenly remembered the massive Tianqian python she’d brought back, still unsteamed!

She looked at the two men with a smile. “Second uncle, why don’t we cook at Xuanheng Courtyard tonight? We could invite Grandfather and Senior Sister too?”

Catching the gleam in her eyes, Nie Xingyuan chuckled, “Alright, what little scheme are you plotting now?”