Chapter 97: Offering Oneself? Taking an Unconventional Path!
“Xiao Ru! Don’t be impulsive. Daoist Ling Tian passed out because he expended too much spiritual energy. What kind of person do you think he is?”
Seeing his sister’s attitude, Xiao Ru stopped in his tracks.
He muttered inwardly, If you had answered my questions, I wouldn’t have needed to act rashly.
Though the thought flashed through his mind, it was fleeting; he still held great respect for his sister.
Turning his head away, since Ling Tian was called upon as a witness, there must be no problem with him.
Xiao Yanying breathed a sigh of relief. Just moments ago, she had truly feared the worst.
Hmm? Wait, why did she feel relieved about what Ling Tian had done?
Xiao Yanying found herself somewhat puzzled...
“Sister, you… you can stand now?”
Xiao Ru turned again as Xiao Fanling called to him.
Seeing Xiao Fanling standing before him, joy surged within his heart.
No one knew how great a price he had paid to heal his sister.
With his sister safe, the knot in his heart unraveled, and unexpectedly, he advanced several cultivation levels.
It must be said: cultivation truly depends on one’s mindset.
Otherwise, one easily falls prey to inner demons, hindering progress.
“Not only has my body recovered, but I also feel like I’m absorbing spiritual energy at ten times the previous rate!”
Excitement shone in Xiao Fanling’s eyes as she shared her joy.
As for why this was so, she did not know, but she was undeniably pleased with her current state.
“I think Daoist Ling Tian is exhausted. Let him sleep in my bed while I prepare some tonic supplements.”
The siblings rejoiced for a while before their emotions settled.
To them, Ling Tian was undoubtedly a benefactor who had given them new life.
They immediately decided to keep Ling Tian there.
Xiao Yanying declined several times, saying it was already late, but in the end, she could not resist the siblings’ enthusiasm and agreed.
When Ling Tian slowly regained consciousness, it was already past midnight.
Scenting a pleasant fragrance near his pillow, Ling Tian propped himself up and patted his head.
Glancing around, he realized he was lying in Xiao Fanling’s bed.
“You’re awake...”
Xiao Yanying, sitting nearby, suddenly popped her head in with this remark.
Ling Tian darkened his face. If she hadn’t been smiling so brightly, without any ill intent, he would have punched her already.
Did she not know how terrifying that was? It could easily frighten someone to death!
He decided that it was necessary to have a serious talk with Xiao Yanying someday.
Otherwise, trouble was bound to happen sooner or later.
Xiao Yanying wasted no time and called out at the door.
Soon enough, Xiao Fanling brought over a bowl of nourishing soup, still warm.
“It’s only because of you that this soup has been reheated again and again.”
Xiao Yanying glanced at Ling Tian drinking the soup and, for some reason, blurted out this comment.
“Daoist Ling Tian has been busy for so long. It would be uncivilized not to offer him a warm bowl of soup upon waking.”
Xiao Fanling shook her head with a smile, explaining.
“See? That’s how you speak. Take note.”
Ling Tian looked deeply at Xiao Fanling, finding her more appealing the more he looked.
She truly had the bearing of a refined lady.
“Hmph...”
Xiao Yanying stomped her foot, annoyed but refrained from striking Ling Tian.
If she did, the soup he held would no doubt spill onto the floor.
After Ling Tian finished the soup, Xiao Fanling inquired about his condition.
She did not understand why, although her innate talent had been consumed by the Zen Devouring, she now felt her aptitude had greatly improved.
“Well, think of it this way: you know butterflies, right? When they break free from the cocoon... yes, you can think of your previous aptitude as that cocoon. This is a blessing in disguise.”
Ling Tian said thoughtfully.
He hadn’t expected her to have such a physique, but without his help, the curse alone would not have facilitated this breakthrough!
“Daoist Ling Tian, your great kindness cannot be repaid. How about I offer myself…”
At this, Xiao Fanling cupped her hands, then nodded to Xiao Ru, signaling her sincerity.
“Stop, stop! You don’t need to repay me like that. Actually...”
Ling Tian quickly interrupted, not wanting to be taken advantage of.
He then made a gesture, signaling Xiao Fanling to come closer, and whispered something by her ear.
“Hmm? Is that all?”
Xiao Fanling sounded puzzled. Ling Tian’s request was surprisingly simple!
There was a hint of melancholy in her eyes. She hadn’t expected that even when offering herself, he would refuse—a true gentleman indeed.
“Yes, that’s it. I just like to dabble in the arts, though I lack much culture. What I just said, I really liked it.”
Ling Tian nodded, confirming once more.
Xiao Yanying and Xiao Ru overheard their conversation. Though they understood the words, the meaning eluded them.
What exactly were these two talking about? Was this some private secret between them?
Before they could ponder further, Xiao Fanling rose and went to her desk. She picked up a brush and swiftly wrote a few characters.
Returning, she handed the paper to Ling Tian.
“Daoist Xiao Ru, I heard you have your own understanding of poetry. I happen to have a poem here. Take a look—what do you think?”
Ling Tian didn’t treat the siblings as strangers and passed the paper to Xiao Ru.
Xiao Ru was momentarily stunned. Though he didn’t know why Ling Tian did this, he took the paper.
After all, this person had saved his sister. Whatever he wished to do, he had to tolerate it.
“This…”
Xiao Ru looked at the character “plum” on the paper, with Ling Tian’s signature beneath.
He touched it and found the ink was still fresh—clearly just written.
He immediately understood what the two had been plotting.
He had seen this before—it was written by his sister.
Now, with Ling Tian’s name on it, it was probably Ling Tian’s work.
But honestly, Ling Tian had quite the nerve!
Most people wouldn’t dare to do this: showing the original master’s work to the owner’s younger brother for appraisal.
Tsk tsk, not something just anyone could pull off.
Xiao Ru carefully studied the poem. Truth be told, he couldn’t compose such a piece himself.
“This poem, in terms of imagery and emotion, is flawless. If I were to write it, I wouldn’t be able to match this. Daoist Ling Tian truly has great talent!”
Xiao Ru sighed helplessly, pressured by his sister, indebted to Ling Tian, and acknowledging the poem’s excellence, he could only admit the truth.
[Task Completed.]
[Reward: Three Hundred Tang Poems (with manifestable imagery and infinite profundity)!]
A voice echoed in Ling Tian’s mind, and grand, majestic verses floated within, stirring his heart.
“That was just a jest; now, I offer you a line of poetry.”
Ling Tian finished speaking, cleared his throat, and recited with clarity:
“Sailing against the wind and waves, there will be a time—raise your cloud-like sails and cross the vast sea!”
As the words fell, the others felt as if transported into the scene, their hearts expanding boundlessly. They even felt the wind brushing their faces.
For a moment, it was as if they had been injected with boundless energy.
“A fine, fine poem!”
Xiao Ru’s face brightened with excitement. He had initially thought Ling Tian was merely a dilettante, unimpressed by his conduct. But hearing this verse so casually spoken, he felt ashamed.
He hadn’t expected such a figure before him!
To summon vivid imagery that struck the soul so effortlessly, he could only admit he fell short.
He looked at Ling Tian with newfound respect.
In Xiao Fanling’s mind, a phrase appeared:
“To cast a brick to attract jade.”
Seeing these gazes from them, Ling Tian felt immensely pleased.
So, even scholars could swagger like this!
“By the way, what plans do you two siblings have next?”
Once their emotions settled, Ling Tian finally spoke.
“We plan to leave the Xiao family. This place doesn’t suit us.”
The siblings exchanged a glance, smiling bitterly as they voiced their thoughts.
Compared to supporters of other direct-line heirs, they had no advantage.
They knew their own worth and chose not to get involved.
Finding a quiet place within the Celestial Fire Dao Domain to cultivate peacefully was preferable.
“A wise choice!”
Ling Tian nodded, though he wondered what fate awaited them without his assistance.
Xiao Ru had become the Confucian Sage; what of his sister?
He shook his head; lacking memories of that fragment, he dared not speculate.
But as things stood, it was already good enough.
Near dawn, Xiao Fanling prepared breakfast.
“That will be all for now.”
Ling Tian waved his hand, signaling the siblings to stop.
Watching Ling Tian’s back, Xiao Fanling felt that, had she never met him, she could only imagine what fate might have befallen her.
But, returning to the question: who had placed that curse on her?
Without further thought, she beckoned Xiao Ru to pack and leave the Xiao household.
...
“Eh? The curse is broken? Or is it that Xiao Fanling is already dead?”
At the Celestial Spirit Holy Sect, an elder in white robes looked at his disciple, raising an eyebrow.
He began calculations, but moments later spat out a mouthful of aged blood, eyes wide with shock.
He was unable to foresee the outcome and nearly became entangled in the karmic consequences.
“Master, Sister Bingyu sent me a letter saying my brother has returned to the family and wants me to come back.”
At that moment, a young woman in azure robes, naturally beautiful, finished her cultivation and approached her master.
Noticing his pale face, she blinked with concern, asking, “Master, you look unwell. Has something happened?”