Chapter 78: Reluctant to Let Go

Ji Yin smiled, seeing that things were exactly as she had thought.

“After breaking through the ninth level, what comes after reaching the Grand Ascension stage?” Ji Yin asked Xuan Yuanji.

“I don't know either,” Xuan Yuanji replied softly, shaking his head.

The answer to this question seemed close to him, yet impossibly distant.

He raised his palm, gazing at it. He could sense his soul power was on the verge of reaching the Grand Ascension, but nothing further had happened.

After hearing his answer, Ji Yin understood—Xuan Yuanji’s strength had not yet surpassed the Grand Ascension. Since this place was so similar to Liusha Star, the stage after the Grand Ascension should be the Spirit Realm.

With spiritual energy here so thin and murky, unless someone was a true genius, even a hundred years might not be enough to reach the ninth level.

“Since you have the Seven Star Veins within you, you must diligently study the cultivation technique. It will help you strengthen the power of your Seven Star Veins.”

“Master, I need to use the restroom,” Ji Yin said, clutching her stomach and putting on an urgent expression.

“Go on,” Xuan Yuanji replied gently.

Ji Yin immediately darted out. “Hmph! If I don’t slip away now, when will I get another chance?”

Suddenly, a figure blocked her path, and she nearly ran into him.

“The latrine is in that direction,” Xuan Yuanji pointed.

Ji Yin rubbed her nose and headed toward the latrine. Footsteps sounded behind her—Xuan Yuanji was actually following?

She reached the latrine and reached for her belt. If she truly were a man, this wouldn’t be an issue, but as things stood, she couldn’t produce the necessary equipment!

“Are you coming in too?” she asked.

Xuan Yuanji quickly turned away. “I don’t need to. Once you’re done, return immediately to continue your meditation. If you try to run away or slack off, the punishment will be doubled.”

Ji Yin: …

One Seven Star Vein was troublesome enough, and now she’d gained a bothersome master as well—truly, words could not describe her frustration!

Moreover, she had secrets she absolutely could not allow Xuan Yuanji to discover.

With Xuan Yuanji waiting outside, Ji Yin had no choice but to obediently return to her room and meditate as instructed.

Seeing her half-hearted effort, Xuan Yuanji ignored her, picked up his brush, and continued writing out the cultivation method.

After sitting for a while, Ji Yin grew drowsy, her body tilting uncontrollably to one side. Xuan Yuanji gently caught her and laid her flat. Instantly, Ji Yin curled up like a kitten, snuggling up beside him.

Xuan Yuanji put down his brush and gazed quietly at Ji Yin’s sleeping face.

He slowly lifted his hand, caressing Ji Yin’s skin, soft and delicate as an infant’s—he found himself completely unable to let go of her.

…

In the Tianyuan Sect, there was a day of rest every seven days. In truth, not many people would leave the sect; only a small number whose families lived within the Imperial Capital would return home to visit.

Some disciples would also arrange to go into the capital for entertainment.

No matter the case, disciples of Tianyuan Sect always held a status above others in the capital. At the mere mention of their identity, they would draw curious and admiring looks.

Ji Yin spent her first rest day within the Tianyuan Sect, since Ji Shaochen, who had promised to fetch her, was away on business and could not come. With Ji Shaofeng also in the sect, she had no reason to leave.

Before she knew it, the second rest day had arrived.

Chu Yu’s injuries had mostly healed, and Ji Shaofeng was preparing to leave the sect. Ji Yin insisted on returning to the Ji residence with them. Though she’d only been gone for half a month, she already felt a pang of homesickness.

Looking at the carriage before her, Ji Yin felt reluctant.

Ji Shaofeng was not far ahead, seated on horseback, looking rather anxious.