Xi Shen and the group could be seen within the boat-like Spirit Artifact heading to the Bai Clan.
Fang Chen and Fei Yin were seated closer to Xi Shen, with Fei Yin using the medicinal pills Bai Xiaofung had given him to heal himself.
Fang Chen was just obediently sitting behind Xi Shen as an attendant would. Xi Shen would give him a quizzical look ever so often as if to ask why he was acting so strange.
But to Fang Chen, all he could think about was pleasing Xi Shen so he could receive another Nine Revolutions Sea Expansion pill. Even with the one he has, it wasn’t a done deal that he could form all nine Qi Seas that were required for his Nine Swords of Slaughter. If he could get his hands on another one, he was 80% sure he could form all nine Qi Sea.
Even though this meant he would be stuck in the Sea Expansion Realm a little longer because he had eight more Qi Sea to tend to, with him already training his mental fortitude and Willpower as his master suggested, he was somewhat confident that his Soul Sense was able to handle the extra pressure.
Fang Chen secretly clenched his fist. He was extremely close to fulfilling his master's wish. His master was, unfortunately, unable to get his hands on the Nine Revolutions Sea Expansion Pill, but even if he did he had long surpassed the Sea Expansion Realm and the point of truly mastering his own technique.
‘Master don’t you worry, if I can get him to give me another pill I will surely make your wish come true.’
As Fang Chen said that, he looked at Xi Shen intensely. Feeling the burning gaze in the back of his head, Xi Shen turned to give Fang Chen another puzzled look but did not say anything. He was in deep thought about his plans of what to do after entering the Bai Clan. Xi Shen was starting to wish he had read more about the Seven Major Clans in the Secret Archives, maybe something was in there he could use right now.
As for the others on the boat, Bai Xiaofung was at the front where a small pillar was and was focused on controlling the flying boat using runes.
Ling Xia was seated slightly in front of Yang Su and comparing the distance between her and everyone else, one could see that she was closer to Yang Su.
Yang Su was to Xi Shen’s right and having Ling Xia so close to him practically sitting face to face, he didn’t know where to look.
Yang Su was too embarrassed and he hadn’t been in this type of situation before. He wanted Ling Xia to move back a bit as he felt like he couldn't breathe with her so close, but he was afraid to say anything.
After a few minutes like this, it wasn’t long before the group reached about a kilometer away from the Celestial Academy.
However, as soon as the boat was exactly one kilometer away something unexpected happened.
From Ling Xia dantian, a blue light started to radiate outward.
Yang Su stared dumbfounded before he looked at Ling Xia with a worried expression.
The light had caught everyone’s attention as well, even Fei Yin opened his eyes to look on puzzled as to what was happening.
Ling Xia herself was looking down at her abdomen with shock, but after only a few seconds she flew up from her seat with a frantic look on her face.
Yang Su seeing this hurriedly stood up as well, before saying, “Senior sister Xia, what's happening to you, are you okay? Do…”
Yang Su step forward in concern, but was cut off as Ling Xia took a step back and yelled, “Stay back!”
Yang Su paused his steps and looked at Ling Xia with even more worry.
Ling Xia saw that Yang Su just wanted to help and thus felt bad for yelling at him, but she had no time to focus on that. Looking back down at the blue light that was getting even brighter, her eyes were filled with anger.
She had never expected him to go this far. Suddenly Ling Xia felt helpless and overcome with emotions.
As the light got brighter, Xi Shen’s eyes suddenly narrowed as he sensed strong fluctuations of Sword Intent from the blue light.
Sword Intent was an ability that only sword grand-masters could use. To gain the title of a sword grand-master one would need to reach a high comprehension level in the Sword Dao.
Xi Shen could only think of one person who was associated with Ling Xia that could have reached such a high sword realm.
‘Ling Tian’
As Xi Shen said that his eyes narrowed farther, and at the same time the blue Sword Intent reach the peak of its intensity, causing everyone on the boat to close their eyes.
After opening them, everyone except Ling Xia and Xi Shen was shocked to see a young man standing in front of Ling Xia.
He had flowing black hair that stopped at the middle of his back, and that was with the fact that it was tied up in a neat ponytail.
He also wore the Sword Pavilion’s white robes but compared to ordinary disciples, it was extremely well-made from a higher quality of fabric.
His expression was frosty as he stared down at Ling Xia, but even so, one could tell that if he smiled it could produce diamonds and cure deadly diseases.
One feature that was prominent on his handsome face was the image of a sword between his brows.
Xi Shen's gaze rested on it and his face scrunched up into a frown.
‘What the hell is that?!’
Xi Shen’s eyes had widened slightly, but he quickly calmed his emotions.
That sword image was giving off a strange feeling that Xi Shen had never felt before. He didn’t know how to explain it, but he could tell that there was something very unique about it and its origins must be strange.
Yang Su and the rest had all deduced this person’s identity, and they felt overwhelmed with awe.
It was like Ling Tian was a huge mountain that had its peak towering above the clouds, and they were at its base looking up at its grand sight. The feeling of inferiority immediately rosed within their hearts as they look at him.
However, this feeling was forcefully squashed by Yang Su when he remembered his Six Elemental Dao Foundation. As for the others, they manage to shrug off the feeling in their own way, but it still lingered in their heart somewhat.
“What are you doing outside of the Academy?”
Ling Tian's voice echoed out, and although it sounded pleasant to the ear, it was filled with biting coldness that would freeze one down to their bones.
Ling Xia stared at her brother with anger in her eyes and said through gritted teeth, “Why did you secretly place a Sword Intent mark on me, you have no right to invade my privacy like that!”
“I have no right!”
Ling Tian immediately yelled back.
“Mother and father left you in my care! If anything happens to you outside of the Academy what am I going to do?!!”
When Ling Xia heard the mention of their parents, a mix of emotions appeared in her eyes, but she staunchly refused to acknowledge what her brother did was right.
“You are returning back to the academy with me, NOW!”
“No.”
“What?”
Ling Tian stared at his little sister with wide eyes, before his handsome face morphed into an ugly expression.
“You disobeyed me time after time, but this time you have gone too far leaving the Academy! What if the seal becomes weak without Master or me there? How do think leaving by yourself was right!”
Xi Shen’s ears perked up upon hearing the mention of a seal.
‘Was my speculation somewhat accurate?’
Ling Xia looked away from Ling Tian and did not say anymore, instead, she step back showing that she wasn’t willing to return with him.
Ling Tian's eyes narrowed upon seeing her actions, and then said, “Whether you want to or not, you have no say in the matter.”
He then moved to Ling Xia.
Yang Su upon seeing this spoke up and said, “Senior brother Ling Tian, why can’t you just allow her to do what she wishes. Even if you are her brother, you can’t just dictate every part of her life.”
Ling Tian steps paused towards Ling Xia, and for the first time since he appeared, he acknowledge the presence of Xi Shen and the others.
He turned around to face Yang Su, and without saying anything he lifted his finger and pointed towards his dantian. A sharp and piercing blue Sword Qi flew at rapids speeds towards Yang Su's abdomen.
It was extremely fast, and no one expected Ling Tian to make such a vicious move without any prompting.
However, just when it looked like the Sword Qi was going to cripple Yang Su's cultivation, Xi Shen’s hand came out of nowhere and caught it mid-air. His hands then squeezed down and crushed the Sword Qi.
Xi Shen’s expression was extremely dark as he emotionlessly stared at Ling Tian.
It wasn’t that Xi Shen was strong enough to destroy Ling Tian’s Sword Qi, but that Ling Tian didn’t use any strength in it.
Xi Shen figured that he must be the type of person who felt it was beneath him to use even a fraction of his power on someone he considers an ant.
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Word Count: 1614