Parting, a Bold Idea

Xiao Yi Xian smiled at the praise, sweetness filling her heart.

"It's all because Master taught me well."

She said it playfully.

Lu Xia smiled. "Stop flattering me!"

"But when it comes to cultivation, there are still a few things you need to keep in mind."

His smile faded as he earnestly instructed her:

"Don't rush for quick results. Steady progress is the right path. The Seven-Colored Poison Scripture may be good, but you can't blindly pursue speed. Your foundation must be solid."

"When cultivating, be sure to control the poison within your body. Never let it backlash against you."

"The Woeful Poison Body may have great talent, but it also carries great risks. Once it loses control, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"Practice applying your poison techniques more often. Don't just focus on cultivation; actual combat is important too."

He cautioned her point by point, explaining everything in great detail.

Xiao Yi Xian listened attentively, nodding now and then and committing every word to heart.

As she listened, the unease in her heart grew heavier and heavier.

Why was Master suddenly saying so much today?

And why did it sound as though he were making final arrangements?

Xiao Yi Xian shook her head, casting the terrifying thought from her mind.

Yet the unease in her heart only grew stronger.

When Lu Xia finished, she finally could not hold back any longer. She looked up at him and asked seriously:

"Master, what's wrong with you?"

"Did something happen?"

"Can you tell me?"

Her eyes were filled with worry.

Seeing how concerned she was, Lu Xia felt warmth rise in his heart.

He deliberately sounded relaxed. "It's really nothing."

"It's just that my cultivation has hit a bottleneck."

"There's no point in staying in Green Mountain Town any longer. I plan to travel for a while and seek an opportunity for a breakthrough."

Lu Xia did not tell Xiao Yi Xian about the Woeful Poison Body losing control, lest she worry.

"Travel?"

"Master, you're leaving?"

Lu Xia nodded.

"Yes, I'm leaving today."

"Your cultivation is already on the right track. From here on, you'll have to rely on your own hard work."

"Master..."

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes suddenly reddened.

She had not expected Lu Xia to leave.

This was far too sudden.

She had thought they would remain together for a long time.

"Master, where are you going?"

Xiao Yi Xian fought back the tears in her eyes as she continued asking.

"To the Jia Ma Empire, probably."

Lu Xia answered vaguely, without saying exactly what he was going there for.

"Then... can I go with you?"

Xiao Yi Xian looked at him hopefully, her eyes pleading.

Lu Xia looked at her expectant gaze. Though he could not bear to refuse her, he still shook his head.

"No."

He spoke firmly:

"This trip may be dangerous."

"On my own, I can come and go freely. But if I bring you, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you."

The Tagor Desert was fraught with danger, and there were powerful figures like the Medusa Queen.

If he brought Xiao Yi Xian along and something happened, the loss would outweigh the gain.

"Danger..."

Xiao Yi Xian's face suddenly turned pale.

"Master, will you be all right?"

Her voice was thick with concern.

Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian was about to cry, Lu Xia's heart softened.

He reached out and gently wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, smiling as he said:

"Silly girl, why are you crying?"

"Your master is very strong. What could possibly happen to me?"

"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."

Seeing his confidence, Xiao Yi Xian felt slightly reassured, though she was still worried.

"Then... you must be careful."

She spoke softly.

"Mm, I will."

Lu Xia nodded, then added, "After I leave, don't slack off. Cultivate diligently."

"Once you master Eagle's Wings, together with that soft armor, you should have no problem protecting yourself."

"Then you can go to Wu Tian Manor in the Chu Yun Empire and wait for me."

"Wu Tian Manor is my sect. Once you get there, find a woman named Dugu Mei. Tell her you're my disciple and that I sent you."

"The environment there is more suitable for cultivating the Woeful Poison Body."

As he spoke, he took a black token from his storage ring.

The token was made of a special material, with the character "Xia" engraved on it.

"This is my identity token. Take it, and Dugu Mei will believe you."

Lu Xia handed the token to Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian accepted the token and gripped it tightly in her hand.

She nodded forcefully and said through tears:

"Mm, I'll remember."

"I'll cultivate properly. Once I learn Eagle's Wings, I'll go to Wu Tian Manor and wait for you."

"Master, you have to come back soon."

"All right."

Lu Xia smiled and nodded. "I promise you."

Xiao Yi Xian wiped the tears from her face and forced out a smile.

"Master, before you leave, can you spar with me one more time?"

She looked at Lu Xia and said seriously:

"I want to see just how strong I've become."

"Sure."

Lu Xia readily agreed. "Perfect. I also want to see whether your combat ability has improved."

The two came to the center of the courtyard.

"Master, you'd better be careful!"

Xiao Yi Xian took a deep breath and assumed a fighting stance.

"Come on."

Lu Xia smiled, clasping his hands behind his back with an unruffled air.

He suppressed his strength to the Dou Master level and fought Xiao Yi Xian at the same realm.

"Ha!"

Xiao Yi Xian gave a sharp cry and attacked first.

Seven-colored poisonous mist surged from her palms, transforming into palm strikes that shot toward Lu Xia.

Lu Xia shifted his feet lightly and easily dodged her attacks.

"Too slow."

He spoke sternly.

"Master, don't underestimate me!"

Xiao Yi Xian pouted indignantly, and her attacks became fiercer!

For a time, poisonous mist filled the courtyard as palm winds howled.

The two exchanged blows, neither giving way.

Mostly, Lu Xia was feeding her moves, deliberately guiding Xiao Yi Xian to bring out her full ability.

After half an hour, Xiao Yi Xian could no longer keep going.

She stopped, gasping for breath, her forehead covered in beads of sweat.

"No more, no more..."

She waved her hand and panted heavily. "Master, you're too strong. I can't beat you."

Lu Xia smiled. "You've already done well."

"You're just lacking a little combat experience. Practice more in the future, and you'll be fine."

"Mm."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

She looked at Lu Xia, her eyes filled with reluctance.

After this match, Master would be leaving.

The thought made her heart ache unbearably.

A bold idea suddenly surfaced in Xiao Yi Xian's heart.

Her heartbeat began to quicken.

As she looked at Lu Xia's handsome face, that thought became more and more intense.

Master was leaving anyway. Even if he scolded her a little, it did not matter.

Xiao Yi Xian bit her lip, as though making up her mind.

Before Lu Xia could react, she suddenly stepped forward, rose onto her tiptoes, and gently kissed his cheek.

"Smack..."

The soft sound rang especially clearly through the quiet courtyard.