The Ji family caravan was soon packed and ready to depart. As for the methods Ji Rufeng used to silence the bandits of Wind Mountain Stronghold, Li Xue and her son did not concern themselves with the details. They sat cross-legged inside their carriage; Li Xue immediately began meditating to recover her strength, leaving Wang Jiahe’s storage bag for Li Lin to organize.
This had been the mother and son’s first true life-and-death struggle. Li Xue had not realized that using a lower-grade defensive artifact like her pearl hair ornament would consume such a vast amount of spiritual energy. Furthermore, her reaction time during the battle had been poor. Fortunately, her opponent had not only wanted her treasures but her person as well. Had he opened with a lethal strike intended to kill instantly, her life might have ended right then and there. It was a harrowing realization.
As for the act of killing for the first time, Li Xue felt little fear or psychological turmoil. The man had brought it upon himself, attempting to rob them of their wealth and freedom, even harboring the loathsome intent to turn her into a cultivation furnace. Such a person deserved his fate.
Once Li Xue had restored her spiritual energy, she saw Li Lin happily examining a rope-like object.
"What is that?" Li Xue asked.
"It should be called the Dragon-Binding Rope! It’s also a lower-grade artifact. Mother, it turns out that man was from the Wang family of the You Kingdom!" Li Lin said.
"Oh? That unlucky Wang family?" Li Xue was somewhat surprised. Others might not know the truth behind the fire at the You Kingdom’s imperial palace two years ago, but Li Xue, who had lived on the outskirts of the capital, was certainly aware. The fluctuations of spiritual energy emanating from the palace back then had been unmistakable. She had also discovered that the Nameless Abode had originally been a Wang family property before it was seized by the government. Piece by piece, she had begun to understand the situation.
"Mhm, that’s the one!" Li Lin nodded. He now had a storage bag of his own and was quite pleased.
Li Xue finally felt a weight lift from her heart. Since the Wang family had been wiped out, it was unlikely anyone would come seeking vengeance for the man.
Next, Li Xue and Li Lin discussed the details of the battle to glean what experience they could. When Li Xue taught Li Lin, she often used stories from the cultivation novels of her previous life. Originally, she had only intended to heighten his sense of caution, never expecting they would encounter a real fight between cultivators before even reaching Mangyun Mountain.
The saying "wealth should not be revealed" rang true; even a lower-grade artifact was enough to incite a robbery. It left her speechless. Consequently, Li Xue decided to have Li Lin suppress his cultivation to the second level of Qi Condensation. This would lead others to underestimate the child’s lethality, allowing him to win through the element of surprise.
The Ji family caravan soon arrived at Jishan City, the largest town in the eastern part of the Yun Kingdom. The large group halted there to rest and reorganize.
Inside the Ji family’s branch manor in Jishan City, Ji Rufeng paced back and forth in his room. His heart was pounding with a mixture of excitement and fear he had never felt before. He was excited to be so close to the ethereal world of cultivation, yet terrified that he might lack the necessary providence. Finally, he steeled his resolve to try, regardless of the outcome.
Li Xue sat by the window of her room, which overlooked a charming garden with a beautiful view. It was clearly a premium guest suite. Ji Rufeng had been standing outside her door for some time. Li Xue smiled faintly; she knew he would eventually come to her. She had understood his intentions from the moment the Ji family made their initial arrangements, though she hadn't paid it much mind at the time.
Observing Ji Rufeng’s conduct along the journey, she saw a man who was upright, decisive, and brave. Most notably, he had stood his ground even when facing a cultivator like Wang Jiahe. This was no easy feat and proved he possessed a steadfast mind. Beyond the limitations of spiritual roots, a cultivator required a firm will to walk far upon the path of immortality.
*If he has the providence for it, I might as well help him,* Li Xue decided.
When Ji Rufeng entered, he saw Li Xue sitting by the window. Li Lin welcomed him inside. Ji Rufeng bowed respectfully and said, "Madam Li, Rufeng must first thank you for your assistance throughout this journey."
Li Xue nodded with a smile but remained silent.
Ji Rufeng flushed slightly, unsure of how to begin. He sat at the table and took a few sips of tea. Finally, he summoned his courage, stood up, and performed a deep, formal bow.
"Madam, I have traveled far and wide and have long heard of those who seek the Way. I have yearned for it for a long time. I beg you to grant me an opportunity. I will surely repay your great kindness for as long as I live!"
Seeing his sincerity, Li Xue did not wish to make things difficult for him. She said straightforwardly, "Third Young Master Ji, there is no need for such formality. Since our paths have crossed, I will help you. As for what happens next, we must first see if you have the potential."
With that, she took out a Spirit Testing Plate and handed it to him.
Ji Rufeng accepted the plate gratefully. Following Li Xue’s instructions, he placed his right hand upon it. A black radiance lit up, followed immediately by a green glow that lingered for a long time.
"Water and Wood dual spiritual roots!" Li Lin, standing nearby, cried out in surprise. His eyes went wide, his face filled with interest.
Li Xue snatched the Spirit Testing Plate back and shoved it into Ji Rufeng’s left hand. The black and green lights flashed once more. Her expression became complicated as she glared at Ji Rufeng. She turned around, walked into the inner room, and sat on the edge of the bed, dejectedly drawing circles on the floor with her finger.
She couldn't stop muttering under her breath: "Damned heavens! Are spiritual roots just common cabbage these days? How can any random person have dual roots, while I, the transmigrated protagonist, only have five? What kind of world is this! How am I supposed to live like this!"
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Ascended Without Me: Cultivating with a Genius Son | Chapter 12 | Unexpected Potential | Novela.app | Novela.app
