“But things are different now, Chunxi. Now that you have the ability to protect yourself, you are free to be just as you are. Do you know how happy I am for that?” Second Elder began to choke up. “I am so sorry. I really didn’t think I could have protected you any other way. I did such a terrible thing to you. But now you are free, you can protect yourself, I… I…” Second Elder was so overcome by emotion, he could no longer speak. However, the trust and joy evident in his words and his expression of them was clear to Ling Chunxi.
Ling Chunxi gathered her wits about herself. She now saw that the reason Second Elder was so happy during the assessment ceremony wasn’t because the Ling family had a new individual to pin their hopes on, but because it was the first time he’d ever seen her demonstrate the ability to protect herself against the wickedness of the world they lived in.
What she thought was betrayal and pretense had actually been genuine care all along.
Once she became aware of this, Ling Chunxi’s nose started to tingle.
Ling Chunxi sniffled. “Second Elder…” Not only was Ling Chunxi touched by the thought of someone looking out for her all along when she thought no one was, but she felt her heart open up. It was akin to the moon and the stars illuminating a vast sky and land after it had been left in darkness for so long. As Ling Chunxi was finally able to release the burdens she’d been carrying in her heart, a sense of peace spread through her. Such a state of being would only be beneficial to her cultivation for sure.
“I can’t apologize enough, Little Chunxi. Hate me all you want,” said Second Elder bitterly with a deep breath.
Ling Chunxi sniffled again and suppressed a sob as she vigorously shook her head. “How could I hate you? You did it with the intention of protecting me.”
“Don’t cry, you silly little girl. Today is a good day for you.” Second Elder spoke words of comfort even as his own eyes glistened with tears.
“Second Elder, in the future, let me be the one to protect you instead,” said Ling Chunxi with a solemn tone and a bright smile.
“All right, all right. So, it shall be. I’ll believe everything you say.” Second Elder smiled at Ling Chunxi fondly.
“You should,” said Ling Chunxi with a smile and a nod that slowly turned from warm to menacing. “The Qin family also caused you much suffering due to Qin Xiruo’s accident. I’ll make them pay that debt with added interest,” snarled Ling Chunxi as a venomous energy emanated from her, causing the air around them to freeze.
“Wait a minute. What level is your Battle Qi at currently, Chunxi?” Second Elder felt aghast at himself. The assessment ceremony had only ascertained that Ling Chunxi possessed innate talent, but nobody had thought to ask which level her Battle Qi was at. When the release of her Battle Qi had demolished the stone monument during the assessment, Second Elder had felt a surge of fear move across his heart. What kind of ability could generate such force?
Second Elder studied Ling Chunxi’s sharp gaze closely and sensed the unfamiliarity in it. However, it was what he had always hoped for—that Ling Chunxi would grow in strength and tenacity.
“Level 7 beginner stage,” answered Ling Chunxi truthfully. She didn’t see the need to hide anything about her abilities from Second Elder.
“What?!” Second Elder slammed his palm on the table in shock, causing the plates of food upon the table to jump precariously and overturn.
“My food!” cried Ling Chunxi in distress. She glared at Second Elder. “Why are you fussing so much for? Level 7 beginner stage is still far from where I want to be.”
“Geez, Chunxi. Do you even know what you’re saying?” Second Elder was incredulous. Was she aware of what the three Ling clan elders had to go through just to achieve cultivating at Battle Qi level 7? They had to put in countless years of cultivating practice before they could finally achieve Level 7 at a much older age than Chunxi was at currently. However, she spoke about this achievement as though it were as easy as eating rice.
If the rest of the elders had heard her words, it would upset them so much, they’d be vomiting blood for three days and three nights!