Fang Yu grimaced in disgust as she hatefully stared at the pitch-black water that was dancing around Ji Xian like it was alive.

This had been the source of all of her suffering over the past twenty years. It ate at her flesh and threatened to collapse her bones. The pain induced by it was enough for Fang Yu to feel it in the depths of her soul. It was a torturous experience, and if not for her persistent Will, she would’ve already died.

Seeing Ji Xian controlling the Nether Water so naturally and effortlessly reminded her of that person who attacked her that day. Fang Yu clenched her hands into fists as she remembered that bitter fight.

Ji Xian noticed her intense reaction and found it interesting.

With a single thought, the Nether Water slowed before accumulating itself into a spherical ball that hovered above his palm.

Fang Yu stared at it for a second before looking at him skeptically.

“What are you saying? If there are only two races that could use the Nether Water, how are you able to do it as well?”

Hearing this, Xiao Yueyin also looked at Ji Xian questioningly. She was wondering the same thing. However, she never doubted Ji Xian’s identity as a human. This was just her gut feeling, and perhaps it was irrational, but there was something in her heart telling her that she can trust him.

Ji Xian laughed, “Simple, I watched and I learned.”

He said this as casually as he breathes but for the people listening it sounded absurd.

Fang Yu coldly sneered, “Ridiculous.”

Even Xiao Yueyin’s mouth slightly twitched upon hearing his explanation.

What kind of nonsense is he spouting? If it was that easy to learn an ability or Divine Art, why would people bother to seclude themselves in a cave for years at a time? What would be the point of sects?

As she was feeling dissatisfied with Ji Xian, she suddenly remembered something.

Wait a minute… he did learn the Three Tongue Gist…

The Three Tongue Gist was something that the entire Mortal Desolate World has been unable to crack for centuries, even the Great Ancestor of the Arcane Mountain was helpless, yet, not only did Ji Xian easily solve it, but he can also use it!

Xiao Yueyin turned to look at Xia Lihua.

Her expression was calm and there was even a little smirk on her face.

Seeing this, Xiao Yueyin felt like she has her answer.

Could it be…?

The more Xiao Yueyin thought about it, the more she felt like she’s been underestimating Ji Xian too much.

While she was having a change of heart, Fang Yu was beginning to lose her patience.

She was getting suspicious of Ji Xian’s identity. She subconsciously raised her hand again to touch the side of her face. The gentle warmth was still there… but…

She lowered her arm and stared at Ji Xian with a hint of killing intent.

Although he saved her life, that doesn’t mean he couldn’t have ulterior motives, and if that was truly the case, she wouldn’t hesitate to do what must be done.

Appearance can be deceiving, there’s still a chance that he’s a Graha.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Ji Xian noticed the small amount of killing intent that was leaking from Fang Yu and inwardly chuckled.

He suddenly had an idea.

His eyes subtly narrowed and they flashed with a mischievous light.

No one noticed the shift in his expression except for Xia Lihua.

She’s exceptionally attentive when it comes to him. At this point, it has become a habit. There could be a thousand people in a room but her eyes will only be on him because he was the source of her current happiness.

Xia Lihua’s habit of needing to watch Ji Xian at all times has even developed to the point where she would constantly envelop him in her spiritual sense, and this was just so she won’t lose sight of him.

This new habit of hers was not only because of her love for him but also because of a fear in her heart.

A fear that she may one day lose him. A fear that he may one day leave her behind in pursuit of greater knowledge.

She often questions herself if Ji Xian was this cold-hearted, unfortunately, she doesn’t have an answer. She could still remember his intense thirst for knowledge when he fought against Yahui and Yazhu. It was a feeling so powerful that it seemed capable of drowning out all other thoughts.

It was a side of him she had never seen and would never want to see again.

As Xia Lihua noticed the change in Ji Xian’s expression, she pondered what he was planning to do.

He suddenly spoke in an arrogant tone.

“You know, since I was the one who saved your life, shouldn’t you submit yourself to me? Isn’t that how this usually works?”

“…”

Xiao Yueyin had a weird look on her face as she questioningly stared at Ji Xian. There was a subtle unnaturalness to his voice. She had been with him long enough to sense it but for other people, it will go unnoticed.

She glanced at Xia Lihua, who shook her head, indicating not to interfere.

Fang Yu was triggered by Ji Xian’s words. She said nothing but the killing intent in her eyes grew stronger. If she was hesitant before, then that doesn’t seem to be the case any longer.

“Are all the women of the Ardent Yin Sect so ungrateful? Come over here and kneel before me,” Ji Xian goaded.

“…”

A crackling came from Fang Yu’s fist. The temperature in the surrounding significantly dropped, causing even a part of the ocean to freeze over. The sea beasts that were swimming about and minding their own business turned into a block of ice in a blink of an eye.

Down at the Core Yin Pavilion, Shao Qinglian frowned when she noticed the changes in the weather. She wasn’t aware that Ji Xian, Xia Lihua, and Xiao Yueyin were above the sea of clouds with Fang Yu. She unleashed her spiritual sense but was unable to see anything wrong. There was only Fang Yu in the sky.

Eventually, Shao Qinglian just assumed that she was testing her powers.

Naturally, she couldn’t sense Ji Xian and Xia Lihua due to the difference in their cultivation. As for Xiao Yueyin, she was unknowingly wrapped in Ji Xian’s True Essence. This was also why Fang Yu was unable to sense the three of them when they appeared in front of her.

…

In the sky, Ji Xian continued to agitate Fang Yu while inwardly complaining.

Ugh, I’m running out of misogynistic crap to say. These arrogant young masters do make it look easy sometimes.

I just need to channel my inner arrogant young master side! Think!

…

Ugh, screw it.

Ji Xian awkwardly coughed before raising the hand that held the Nether Water.

“If you don’t want to submit, then I’ll make you submit. I’ll just teach you a lesson… again.”

Without any warning, he clenched his hand and crushed the ball of Nether Water.

“This…” Xia Lihua’s eyes widened a bit upon seeing the familiar action. She had seen this scene before!

She watched as the Nether Water attached to Ji Xian’s hand before spreading to his shoulder. Before long, his entire body was consumed. The water hardened and transformed into a pitch-black armor that covered him from head to toe.

Xia Lihua stared at Ji Xian in amazement. This was the exact armor that Di Shi of the Nether race once wore to fight against her albeit with some minor differences.

Ji Xian’s armor was less bulky and contained countless green mystical patterns. The helmet was enclosed and had no openings. An absurdly long black cape hung at his shoulders and fluttered wildly from the wind.

While Xia Lihua was shocked, she wasn’t really surprised to see that Ji Xian could do this. She was aware of his capabilities.

Instead, it was Fang Yu who was truly surprised. Her eyes became red when she saw the familiar black armor.

Again? AGAIN?

She recalled the person who attacked her over twenty years ago and she was filled with rage, causing her to lose her rationality.

Fang Yu was even beginning to think that person was actually Ji Xian.

“Was… it… you?” She coldly asked.

“…”

Seeing his silence, her cultivation base exploded and she emitted a terrifying aura at the Late stage of the Holy realm.

Followed by a chilly gale that twisted the clouds, a whirlwind formed with Fang Yu at its center. Thousands of ice daggers materialized out of thin air and pointed at Ji Xian.

“Oh? Would you really kill someone who had once saved your life?” He asked seriously, but if one could see inside the armor, one will notice that he was actually smiling.

Ji Xian’s eyes shined with a subtle clear light as he watched Fang Yu in amusement.

"..."

Xia Lihua and Xiao Yueyin watched all this from the side, feeling greatly confused by the turn of events.