Page 24

The Dust-Cleansing Pill, meanwhile, felt as though someone had tossed her beneath a wagon wheel and rolled it over her at will.

That ordeal went on, over and over, for two days.

Li Zi took an Essence-Gathering Pill.

At last, the torment of the past few days paid off.

Every inch of flesh in her body was like a sponge, greedily soaking up the spiritual energy around her.

As she circulated the Inner Sect's Primordial Sage Secret Art, two of her meridians opened in an instant, turning into whirlpools that hungrily drew in the surrounding Spiritual Power.

When Li Zi opened her eyes again, she rose to her feet, strength surging through her entire body.

She clenched her fists. Her bones cracked with a crisp series of pops.

Li Zi gasped in wonder and looked down at her hands.

Spiritual energy had transformed her body. Her skin had grown smooth and luminous, and every scar on her body had healed.

"System, is this what Immortal Cultivation feels like? It feels amazing!"

The system cheered inside her head. "Host, you've already reached the Fourth Tier of Qi Refining. Once your Myriad Flower Divine Bone awakens, you'll cultivate even faster than this."

Li Zi remembered the agony of a few days ago, when she had felt neither alive nor dead, and shuddered.

"I may be cultivating fast, but I've suffered plenty for it. Come on, do you have any gossip for me?"

The system was about to speak when a figure appeared outside the Cave Abode in a flash.

Li Zi's senses were sharp now. The instant the Fifth Elder appeared, her scalp prickled and every hair on her body stood on end.

That was the innate pressure the strong exerted upon the weak.

The Fifth Elder carried a white fox in his arms. As soon as he came close, he tucked her into Li Zi's arms.

"Little disciple, you've finally finished cultivating! Nicely done—you're already at the Fourth Tier of Qi Refining. This is my daughter, Lin Ning'er. I thought you two could get to know each other."

Usually so aloof, he was grinning like a chrysanthemum in full bloom.

A few days earlier.

News that the Fifth Elder had brought back a Little Fox had spread throughout the entire Sect.

To ordinary disciples, it was nothing worth fussing over.

But the Sect's powerful figures had all heard from Li Zi about the Fifth Elder's romantic escapades back in the day.

He had been inseparable from a Fox Demon while he was in the Mortal World. Now he had suddenly brought back a Little Fox who had yet to gain human form or awaken her mind. How could they not gossip?

After he returned, plenty of people came asking.

The Fifth Elder figured that even if he said nothing, Li Zi would eventually mutter the truth to herself. He might as well lay his cards on the table.

"That's right. She's my child. My own flesh and blood."

Within a single day, the Fifth Elder received congratulatory gifts not only from the Sect's powerful figures, but also from the neighboring Flying Immortal Sect, Spirit Beast Sect, Five Elements Sect, Medicine King Sect...

The Fifth Elder was speechless.

Did news really travel that fast in the Cultivation World?

Did everyone already know he had a daughter?

And the journey to rescue her had eased the strain between him and his wife.

He owed it all to Li Zi.

He was immensely pleased with this disciple and was happy to let his daughter spend more time with her.

Delighted, Li Zi held the Little Fox close and felt her nuzzle against her hand. "Master, when will she be able to take human form?"

[Probably next year.]

The system answered first.

The Fifth Elder's eyes were full of tenderness.

But the system's answer surprised him.

His daughter was a descendant of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Even if she cultivated diligently every day, she should have needed around ten years to take human form.

If she could do it next year, her talent must far surpass that of ordinary Nine-Tailed Foxes!

That's my girl.

"A Heavenly Tiger Snow Fox can usually take human form in five to ten years. Here in our Sect, if we give her plenty of Spirit Medicine, she'll do it faster."

"I see..."

Li Zi cradled the Little Fox and played with her while chatting with the system.

[Why did you give me a different answer from Master?]

[Host, have you forgotten? Lin Wan'er is one of the major villains later on. She's extraordinarily gifted. In just a few years, she can rival Ran Zirou, despite the power six men poured into Ran Zirou through initiation.]

The Fifth Elder had been about to leave on other business. At the system's words, he pulled his foot back.

Ran Zirou again?

I'd better listen carefully.

Li Zi looked down at the white fox in her arms. She was no bigger than a two-month-old kitten, with fur so soft and fluffy to the touch.

This tiny thing would become a major villain someday?

[Here's how it went in the original book. On the day Lin Wan'er was born, her mother sacrificed her life to send her away. Along the way, Qu Cang of the Wind God Sect found her and took her home. Qu Cang raised her until she could take human form, and Lin Wan'er fell deeply in love with him. But during a demon-slaying mission, Qu Cang fell in love with Ran Zirou at first sight.]

Li Zi understood. [So it's one of those melodramas: she loves him, but he loves someone else.]

[If only it were that simple,] the system said. [Lin Wan'er wasn't the sort to let love trap her. She was ready to leave, but Ran Zirou set her sights on Lin Wan'er's Demon Core. Ran Zirou whispered in Qu Cang's ear, and he tricked Lin Wan'er into an Elder Formation and killed her. Then he took her Demon Core and gave it to Ran Zirou to play with.]

"How dare he!"

The Fifth Elder's furious outburst came without warning.

Li Zi shuddered and glanced at him cautiously.

"Master, am I petting her the wrong way?"

The Fifth Elder was about to burst with rage.

Someone would lure his precious daughter into an Elder Formation and kill her!

And then dig out her Golden Core to play with?

How could he stand for that?

The Fifth Elder suddenly came back to his senses and hurriedly forced an awkward smile for Li Zi.

"I heard you could cultivate now, so I brought you a Marrow-Washing Pill. But it seems to have gone missing. I'm afraid someone may have stolen it. Stay here and play; I'll go back and look for it."

The Fifth Elder hastily made an excuse to leave so he could find out who Qu Cang of the Wind God Sect was.