Zhou Xue Xian couldn’t understand how the man managed to sever her connection to the Ancient Battle Spirit. When he arrived in front of her and wordlessly struck a series of her acupoints, Zhou Xue Xian was greatly alarmed. The technique he used was too complex. She didn’t have the time nor the capability to defend herself and was helplessly subjected to the invasive actions.
When the flow of abundant spiritual energy suddenly abated, Zhou Xue Xian’s body immediately felt fatigued and lethargic. But before she could panic, a familiar voice sounded in her head and said, “Do not try to circulate your spiritual energy. With your current strength it would be impossible to forcefully break the seal.”
Zhou Xue Xian was furious but could only pretend to be apathetic. She stood and listened as if nothing untoward happened. ZHou Xue Xian knew that even if she showed or voiced out her displeasure it would not accomplish anything. There was no indication that the man would release the restriction he placed on her body while they were still at the arena and perhaps this course is for the best. With a lot of experts watching the battle, it was more prudent to exercise caution.
Of course, Zhou Xue Xian only thought this way because she was unaware that Jin Bai was the only person capable of performing the imposing technique. But even if she knew, she would still want to settle it in private rather than in view of thousands of prying eyes.
Jin Bai was pleased with her composed and objective demeanor. Not many practitioners would be calm in the face of uncertainty, especially if it involved one’s cultivation.
In actuality, the seal would naturally loosen by itself and eventually disperse once she meditates. At her current cultivation, the seal would dissolve in two or three days without intervention. But since the Ancient Battle Spirit was still at its initial form, there was no harm in removing the seal right away and allow her to reap some benefits.
When Jin Bai placed the seal, he noticed that Zhou Xue Xian was on the verge of another small breakthrough. He was amazed by the realization because it hasn’t been long since Zhou Xue Xian advanced in her cultivation. And to upgrade one’s level in the course of a few short months, only the master of the Master of the Ancient Battle Spirit is capable of doing so.
Once they were off the stage, without a word of caution, Jin Bai lightly touched Zhou Xue Cian’s back and injected a stream of pure spiritual energy in her system. This pure stream of spiritual energy was robust and quickly undid the seal placed on her body. Zhou Xue Xian was, again, startled to the point of aggression but was rendered helpless and could only be subjected to his machinations.
When the seal was lifted, the Ancient Battle Spirit was again calm and was quietly floating in her dantain. Zhou Xue Xian could feel her almost empty meridians slowly being filled with spiritual energy but at a very steady and sedate pace.
In the end, this short interaction with the envoy of San Yuan Palace left Zhou Xue Xian with a complicated impression. And she could only watch with gritted teeth as the man flew back to the high viewing tower to join his companions.
Although the match with Ye Xiao Lan ended in a draw, Zhou Xue Xian was more than satisfied. She learned a lot from the exchange and the strenuous battle helped her to release the shackle that’s been weighing down her cultivation as of late.
Since the proper awakening of the Ancient Battle Spirit, Zhou Xue felt that her cultivation progress has become smoother and more stable. The breakthrough that she’d been feeling for a while has now been topped to the fullest degree. But even if she was amazed at the pace of her growth, Zhou Xue Xian was not overly alarmed.
Before leaving Hai Shan Valley, Zhou Xue Xian’s cultivation stagnated for a time due to the issue of her soul avatar. But now that the problem is resolved, she feels like it is only reasonable to attain a sudden spike in her cultivation before it settles.
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Still, she was not complacent and not one who would leave anything to chance when it comes to cultivation. So before attempting the small breakthrough, Zhou Xue Xian meditated for a few days and consumed a handful of pills and elixirs in order to restore her peak condition.
The last phase of the Conclave of Immortals is set a month later to give the remaining participants a chance to rest and restore their vigor.
During this month, Zhou Xue Xian barely went out and had fun. The only time she would leave her courtyard to go outside was if her cousin, the Crown Prince, Nangong Yu, asked her to have a meal together. Zhou Xue Xian was content to spend the rest of the time meditating, pondering on her experiences during the conclave, and stabilizing her current cultivation.
A surprise suddenly arrived at her doorstep a week before the final phase of the tournament started. When the servant informed her that visitors were waiting in the main hall, Zhou Xue Xian was curious. Aside from Nangong Yu, no one has been able to visit due to the tight security and intervention provided by the Imperial Clan. But when she entered the main hall, she was faltered by the entrance and froze on the spot.
Sitting on the main seat was her father, Zhou Chen. He was wearing his usual black robe embroidered with golden threads and was slowly sipping fragrant tea. Below were some commanders under the clan’s banner, who could be considered as Zhou Xue Xian’s uncles.
“Father!” Zhou Xue Xian called out, still dazed at the realization that her father ventured out of the valley.
It’s been many years since Zhou Chen visited the Imperial Capital of Wuxing. Even the Emperor was not able to coax him out of his self-imposed seclusion within Hai Shan Valley. What could be the reason for his sudden visit? Zhou Xue Xian’s expression changed slightly as her heart beat erratically at the thought that something unprecedented happened back at home. But upon careful observation, there was no ominous aura emanating from the battleworn veterans gathered within the main hall. If anything the atmosphere was charged with excitement and a harmonious aura.
“Xian’er, looks like she’d seen a ghost. You don’t like that Father came for a visit?” Zhou Chen teased. He could understand his daughter’s apprehension. It really has been a while since he left Hai Shan Valley. But this visit to the Imperial Capital was mainly for her.
Zhou Xue Xian’s wondrous feats during the Conclave of Immortals were sung far and wide within Si Xiang. And with the timely reports sent to the Zhou Manor, the clan’s patriarch and elders are more than aware of Zhou Xue Xian’s steady progress.
“Like!” Zhou Xue Xian exclaimed excitedly as she walked further into the main hall and stood in front of her father.
Zhou Xue Xian grew up surrounded by rough and war hardened warriors and inadvertently developed some of their habits. Although she may not overly express it, Zhou Xue Xian was extremely happy to see her father and uncles. As a daughter, she wanted to launch herself in her father’s embrace and act spoiled. But since she was drilled in the military ways since young, she was more than content with the light pat on the head that her father rewarded her.
“Little General had a breakthrough?” One of the uncles surrounding the duo asked.
Almost all of her father’s direct subordinates were involved in her martial arts training. And the man who spoke was the person who taught Zhou Xue Xian archery. Zhou Xue Xian is the Young Master of Zhou Manor, it’s sole heir. The men gathered within the main hall are the clan’s backbones and support. In regards to her, the Zhou Manor would not leave anything to chance.
Although they dote on Zhou Xue Xian like regular uncles, off the field, they are very strict with her martial arts and military training. Each of her father’s subordinates is a master in their own right. And to be reared beside these great warriors, it is not surprising that Zhou Xue Xian’s fighting prowess is uncontended within her generation.
This group of rough men have been following Zhou Xue Xian’s progress since she was young. They’ve seen how hard she works and how much effort she puts in her training. They endearingly call her ‘Little General’ as a show of fondness and respect for her position within the clan.
Initially, these men were against Zhou Xue Xian's decision to leave the Hai Shan Valley to participate in the Conclave of Immortals. They thought it was too early for her to go wandering outside and tried to persuade her otherwise. But with the recent development, Zhou Xue Xian more than proved that her decision to venture out was correct. And they were more than gratified with the favorable turn of events.
Zhou Xue Xian was about to respond and banter with the uncles she missed and hadn't seen for some time when a servant came in and announced, “The Emperor has arrived!”