parentshiftbook Chapter 373 Breakthrough, Jiangnan, the Landlady
Chapter 373 Breakthrough, Jiangnan, the Landlady
Chapter 373 Breakthrough, Jiangnan, the Landlady
Li Xijun stepped out from the ripples in the void and returned to the familiar Palace of Stars.
He didn't even need to deliberately investigate; the vast, star-like power of his mind, born from the second level of the lightning tribulation, naturally permeated the space. In an instant, he clearly sensed the aura deep within the White Tiger Palace, which was fluctuating violently, attempting to break through its bottleneck, yet faintly revealing a sense of exhaustion.
"My sister is getting a little impatient—" Li Xijun frowned slightly.
He instantly realized that Li Qinghan was at a critical moment in breaking through to the late stage of the third level of the Outer Realm, but it seemed that due to his impatience, his spiritual energy circulation was slightly unstable. If no one helped him, even if he managed to break through, he would inevitably suffer damage to his vital energy and leave hidden dangers.
Without the slightest hesitation, the space in front of him was silently torn apart like a curtain. He stepped in, and in the next instant, he appeared directly in the heavily guarded cultivation chamber of the White Tiger Hall.
Li Qinghan sat cross-legged on the white jade seat, surrounded by starlight. Her pretty face was slightly pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her smooth forehead, indicating that she was under considerable pressure. The spiritual energy gathered around her was already showing signs of dissipation.
Li Xijun flipped his hand, and a rare treasure containing pure stellar power instantly appeared in his palm. It was instantly refined by the domineering power of the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Si Xiang Jue" and transformed into a vast yet gentle pure spiritual energy.
He gently placed his palm on Li Qinghan's smooth back, and the stellar spiritual energy that originated from the same source flowed into the other's body without any hindrance, like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea.
The previously restless and unstable atmosphere quickly calmed down under the infusion and guidance of this pure power, and became even more abundant. The invisible barrier that had been hindering the breakthrough was suddenly shattered by the impact of this new force.
Time slipped by quietly, and half a day passed.
The surging energy fluctuations in the cultivation chamber gradually subsided.
Li Qinghan's long eyelashes trembled a few times, and he slowly opened his eyes. A bright light flashed in his pupils, and his aura stabilized at the late stage of the third level of the Outer Realm, perfectly smooth and flawless, without any signs of backlash or instability in his foundation.
She immediately felt the familiar and reassuring presence behind her, and her tense body instantly relaxed.
The usually aloof and stern White Tiger Saintess, however, was like a little girl who had found someone to lean on. She leaned back and nestled gently in Li Xijun's strong and warm embrace, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Xi-jun—" Her voice carried a hint of weakness after the breakthrough, and an indescribable dependence as she whispered, "I'm so glad you came."
After a moment of silence, she nuzzled her face against his neck, a hint of barely perceptible resentment in her voice: "The Palace of Stars—it's getting more and more deserted these days. The Crown Prince's Eastern Palace has a tutor there—it must be quite lively, right?"
The news of Li Xijun's marriage to the Vermilion Bird Venerable had already spread far and wide, and naturally, it also reached the Star Palace.
Upon hearing this, Li Qinghan felt a sudden heaviness in his head and almost drew his sword.
Upon hearing this, Li Xijun quickly changed the subject: "I've returned on important business. Venerable Xuanwu sent word that he has discovered a secret realm, which may be—related to Venerable Qinglong."
"Mother?!" Li Qinghan's delicate body trembled violently. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, including shock, anticipation, and worry.
She stared intently at Li Xijun, as if trying to confirm the truth of the news from his eyes.
Li Xijun nodded firmly: "I was going to Jianmen anyway, and that secret realm happens to be on the way. I'll go check it out with you, sister."
Li Qinghan took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions.
Finding her mother's whereabouts had been her long-cherished wish, and now that she had a clue, she would not let it slip away.
She nodded emphatically: "Okay, I'll go with you."
Although she agreed, she seemed to still cherish this rare time alone and with someone to rely on. After speaking, she did not get up immediately, but buried her face in Li Xijun's arms again, wrapped her arms around his waist, and quietly nestled against him for a long time.
Only after her mind had completely calmed down did she slowly straighten up, her face regaining its usual coolness.
"I'll make a few arrangements and then we'll set off."
The following day, Li Xijun, carrying Li Qinghan, stepped out of the spatial ripples and found themselves in the sky above Jiangnan Road.
He did not use the space-tearing technique again. This place was not far from that secret realm and the Sword Gate. Moreover, Jiangnan Road was densely populated and its forces were deeply entrenched. It was better to preserve some things.
The two then concealed their auras and, like ordinary outdoor experts, flew slowly through the air.
Looking down, the typical scenery of a Jiangnan water town comes into view.
The waterways crisscross like a green spider web spread across the land, with boats shuttling back and forth.
White-walled, black-tiled houses are built along the water, with small, exquisite stone bridges arching over the water. Occasionally, a small boat makes a sound, creating ripples and startling a few water birds. In the distance, fields stretch out, and mulberry groves cover the land, presenting a scene of prosperity and tranquility.
Further away, the outline of a massive city came into view, with towering walls and throngs of people. It was one of the most prosperous core cities in Jiangnan Road, and its status and appearance were quite similar to Hangzhou in the previous life.
"Jiangnan is the wealthiest region in the world, with a flourishing literary tradition and a strong martial spirit."
Li Qinghan spoke softly from the side, his cool voice carrying a hint of introduction, "Many fledgling geniuses on the Human Ranking like to take the Jiangnan martial arts world as their first step to make a name for themselves, challenging local masters. If they can win one or two matches, their reputation will spread quickly."
Li Xijun nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the bustling city below. He could sense several powerful auras emanating from it, truly a place where hidden talents resided.
The two descended from the clouds and landed in a secluded spot outside the city. Then, like ordinary travelers, they walked into the city.
The city was bustling with activity, its wide streets teeming with traffic, lined with shops on both sides, their banners fluttering in the breeze, and filled with the sounds of hawkers' cries, vendors' calls, and the gentle strains of stringed instruments. Silks and satins, jewels and spices, exquisite porcelain, and fresh fruits and vegetables—
A dazzling array of goods showcased the area's extreme prosperity. Passersby were well-dressed, their expressions mostly carrying the composure and superiority of residents of a wealthy land.
After passing through several bustling streets, the two arrived at a restaurant called "Drunken Moon Pavilion" following the information left by Venerable Xuanwu.
The restaurant is three stories high, with carved beams and painted rafters, and is quite impressive.
Even before entering, one could hear the commotion emanating from inside, interspersed with many loud, energetic voices...
The voice of a martial arts master was clearly loud.
Stepping into the restaurant, a wave of heat, a mixture of the aroma of wine, the fragrance of food, and the spirit of the martial arts world, hits you.
The hall was almost full, mostly filled with martial arts practitioners carrying knives and swords. Among them, the young people at several tables were particularly eye-catching. They had a refined aura, sharp eyes, and an air of arrogance in their glances. They were clearly the geniuses who had come here to make a name for themselves.
Almost all the male customers' eyes drifted, intentionally or unintentionally, to the elegant proprietress behind the counter, who was fiddling with an abacus.
The proprietress was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a well-tailored light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) that accentuated her stunningly voluptuous figure. Her hair was slightly loose, adorned with a simple jade hairpin, and her skin was fair and supple, as if one could squeeze water from it.
Although she wore no makeup, her features were exquisite, especially her peach blossom eyes, which seemed to hold a hint of affection even when she wasn't smiling. With each glance, she exuded a unique charm and allure that captivated the heart.
At this moment, she was intently looking at the account book, her slender fingers fiddling with the abacus beads. Her serious expression, combined with her stunning beauty and figure, created a strong attraction that dazzled many martial arts enthusiasts, who even forgot to eat and drink.
Suddenly, the proprietress seemed to sense something, and she abruptly raised her head, her gaze fixed on the entrance of the restaurant.
When she saw the tall, handsome young man clearly, her beautiful peach blossom eyes instantly brightened and became captivating, and her professional smile transformed into a radiant and luminous one.
That smile seemed to brighten up the entire noisy restaurant.
Suddenly, some people were so engrossed in watching that their chopsticks fell onto the table. Others were so focused on admiring the beautiful woman's smile that they forgot to stop pouring tea, spilling it all over the table without even realizing it.
Many people were immediately filled with curiosity and jealousy. Who could possibly be the person who treated everyone with such indifference?
Why would a beautiful female boss with a seemingly complicated background display such an expression?
A multitude of gazes, filled with inquiry, scrutiny, envy, and jealousy, all followed the proprietress's gaze and focused on the person who had just stepped into the entrance of Zuiyue Tower.
A young man in black appeared at the entrance, like a pine tree standing alone in the world, completely out of place in this bustling tavern.
Beside him was a woman dressed in white, with a cold and beautiful face and an icy demeanor.
In an instant, the entire restaurant became completely silent.
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