Ascended Without Me: Cultivating with a Genius Son | Chapter 82 | Arrival at East Beast Mountain | Novela.app

Chapter 82 - Arrival at East Beast Mountain The journey toward the heart of East Beast Mountain was marked by a shift in the very atmosphere. As the group ventured deeper into the territory of the Bai Family, the air grew heavy with a potent, wild spiritual essence, punctuated by the distant, echoing roars of high-ranking spirit beasts. The lush canopy of the Mangyun Mountains seemed to vibrate with life, yet Li Xue’s mind was far from the majestic scenery. She stole another glance at Dongfang Jing. The young man was currently a portrait of exquisite misery. His fair skin was flushed a deep, vibrant crimson, and his eyes were clouded with a mixture of helplessness and indignation. To Li Xue, who had spent a previous life immersed in the clandestine subcultures of the internet, he looked like the quintessential "shou"—the delicate, passive partner in the Danmei circles she once frequented. A mischievous, somewhat predatory glint entered her eyes as she began to mentally categorize his every gesture into the tropes of her favorite novels. Ji Rufeng, noticing the strange, almost predatory smirk playing on Li Xue’s lips, felt a shiver of apprehension. "Sister Li," he whispered, leaning closer as they rode their mounts through the winding mountain pass, "what could possibly be so amusing? You look as though you’ve just stumbled upon a hidden treasure, yet your expression is... unsettling." Li Xue chuckled, a low, conspiratorial sound. She beckoned him closer, her voice dropping to a faint murmur that barely carried over the rustle of the leaves. "Xiao Feng, you are still young. There are many 'wonders' in this world that your traditional cultivation manuals would never dare to mention." What followed was a crash course in the terminology of the Danmei world. Li Xue began to explain the intricate dynamics of male-male relationships, focusing specifically on the archetype of the "perpetual bottom." She described the traits with clinical precision: the delicate features, the tendency to be easily flustered, and the aura of someone who constantly needed protection. As she spoke, she gestured subtly toward the oblivious Dongfang Jing. Ji Rufeng’s face underwent a spectacular transformation. It drained of color, then turned a mottled grey, before finally settling on a shade of red that rivaled Dongfang Jing’s own. His eyes widened in sheer, unadulterated shock. "Sister Li... you... where on earth did you hear such scandalous theories? Surely the Kingdom of You cannot be home to such... such eccentricities?" Li Xue didn't miss a beat, her expression turning remarkably innocent. "Oh, you know how it is. I lived in a remote border village, but we had many traveling merchants passing through. They bring stories from all over the world. I simply have a good memory for... cultural exchange." Ji Rufeng remained skeptical. He had roamed the martial world for years and had never encountered anything so bizarre. How could a woman living in a secluded mountain village like Xishan be more 'well-informed' than a seasoned traveler? Meanwhile, Daoist Ruihua, who was leading the group, felt his temple throb with a burgeoning headache. As a powerful cultivator, his divine sense was naturally attuned to his surroundings. He hadn't intended to eavesdrop on the clandestine whispers of his disciple and the girl, but their proximity made it impossible to ignore. He had expected them to be discussing cultivation techniques or perhaps the upcoming Wanling Convention. Instead, he had been subjected to a lecture on "bottoms" and "tops." He cast a sideways glance at Dongfang Jing. To his horror, he realized that the boy’s current expression—pouting, teary-eyed, and utterly defeated—perfectly matched the "perpetual bottom" description Li Xue had just provided. *Is my grand-nephew truly destined for such a fate?* Ruihua wondered, feeling a sudden, inexplicable urge to sigh. The awkward tension was finally broken as the grand gates of the Bai Family estate came into view. Carved directly into the living rock of a massive cliffside, the entrance was flanked by two towering statues of Luan birds, their stone feathers shimmering with embedded spirit stones. The sheer scale of the architecture was a testament to the Bai Family's status as one of the premier beast-taming lineages in the region. Disciples in white and blue robes moved with purpose, many accompanied by spirit beasts ranging from sleek panthers to massive, armored bears. The air was a cacophony of chirps, growls, and the rhythmic beating of wings. Upon their arrival, they were greeted with the respect due to Daoist Ruihua’s status. After the initial formalities and the exchange of pleasantries with the Bai Family’s welcoming elders, the group was escorted to the guest area. Li Xue, feeling the weight of the journey and the excitement of the upcoming events, was more than happy to be led to a private guest cave-dwelling. "The Wanling Convention officially begins in two days," the escorting disciple informed them. "Until then, please feel free to rest and utilize the spiritual springs within the grotto." Li Xue nodded, her mind already racing ahead to the Spirit Beast Competition. She retreated into her cave-dwelling, closing the heavy stone door behind her. She needed this time to prepare, for the next few days would be a whirlwind of spirit beast duels and displays of power that would surely test everything she had learned since arriving in this world.