hhnovel Chapter 158: A Father’s Worst Fear
Chapter 158: A Father’s Worst Fear
Time melded into the background, and roughly a quarter of an hour later, a brilliant streak of light cut across the horizon, revealing Ji Mingxiu in its wake. He landed near Jiang Chen, his demeanor filled not with blame, but concern. "Jiang Chen, are you alright? How severe are your injuries?" He quickly assessed the situation, noting the destroyed artifact and Jiang Chen’s weary appearance.
His heart softened, and without a moment’s hesitation, he drew near. Emitting a powerful yet gentle force, he enveloped both Jiang Chen and the two unconscious girls. With all three securely in his grasp, Ji Mingxiu took to the heavens, their speed escalating as they shot upwards.
...
As they journeyed across the cloud-swept skies, Jiang Chen was somber, his voice laden with guilt. "Master, I have failed. I couldn’t protect Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing. They started showing strange symptoms, so I had to render them unconscious to control the situation."
Ji Mingxiu shook his head slightly and offered a comforting reply, "Don’t say that. On the contrary, we owe you our gratitude for keeping my daughter and Xiaojing as safe as you could."
"Taking on a demonic beast of the Inquiring Journey realm is no small feat," he added. "Even though Xue’er possesses a one-time-use offensive artifact of the Inquiring Journey rank, it doesn’t guarantee success against such a powerful enemy." He gave Jiang Chen a reassuring nod, acknowledging the young man’s efforts.
"I am deeply remorseful," Jiang Chen said softly, his eyes downcast, a wistful smile barely touching his lips.
Ji Mingxiu sighed at the sight, his voice calm but compassionate. "What’s done is done. Let’s focus on their well-being for now." He then turned to assess the condition of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. His cultivation base at the Dao Palace realm was formidable, though he was no master of healing arts. Still, his profound abilities allowed him to discern issues beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
Yet, as he examined the two of them, his expression grew increasingly grave.
"Master, what is their condition?" Jiang Chen asked, his voice tinged with feigned anxiety. In his mind, he knew well enough that Ji Mingxiu would undoubtedly have a hard time treating Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing’s afflictions.
If not for such a crisis, how would the protagonist, Fang Yuan, have the opportunity to make his grand entrance and show off his unique skills?
There was no doubt that the unusual symptoms afflicting Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were destined to be treated by none other than Fang Yuan, using the secret arts taught to him by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.
All of a sudden, a look of horror overtook Ji Mingxiu’s face. "This is bad!" he blurted out, "They have been tainted by the Spiritual Qi of the Bottomless Abyss!"
"No! How could this happen during a mere routine trip!" Jiang Chen’s entire body shook, his expression one of deep remorse. "It’s all my fault... I am..."
"Don’t blame yourself," Ji Mingxiu interjected, his voice frail, as if the years had suddenly caught up with him, stealing the vigor from his speech.
Ji Ruxue was his treasured daughter, the jewel of his life, born during his twilight years. Her mother had sacrificed her life employing ancient secret arts to enhance Ji Ruxue’s innate potential, a sacrifice that left her to pass away tragically when Ji Ruxue was only eight. For Ji Mingxiu, Ji Ruxue was more than a daughter; she was the center of his universe.
Now, it seemed fate conspired to tear her away from him.
As despair seemed to close in, Jiang Chen felt the moment was ripe for him to show his hand. On the surface, his face suddenly transformed, eyes lighting up with a fierce, hopeful glow. "Master!" he burst out, his voice cutting through the thick air of despondency, "I have a solution!"
"Impossible!" Ji Mingxiu spontaneously countered, his skepticism apparent as a wry smile flickered across his lips. "What solution could you possibly suggest that might succeed..."
How could Jiang Chen, a cultivator who had barely managed to defeat a demonic beast at the Inquiring Journey realm, propose a remedy that eluded even Transcendence realm great powerhouses?
"Please, you must trust me, Master!" Jiang Chen’s plea was fervent, his eyes earnest. "I am connected with two seniors who are on the verge of breaking through from the Third Step to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path!"
Ji Mingxiu’s eyes widened in shock. "What!? Transcendence realm seniors on the verge of advancing to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path?" His tone was filled with utter disbelief. "Impossible! Such powerhouses have long since disappeared, not only from our Everflowing Truth Domain, but from the entire vast expanse of the Immortal Martial World!"
After a moment of stunned silence, he shook his head, let out a resigned chuckle, and softly admonished, "Jiang Chen, stop joking around. This is not the time for such nonsense."
As the Holy Lord of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Ji Mingxiu had exhaustive knowledge of the forces at play across the entire Immortal Martial World. It was already inconceivable to think that their world would still have any powerhouses at the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, let alone find one about to step into the Fourth Step.
Jiang Chen, however, did not give up. Taking a deep breath, he fixed his gaze on his master and continued to plead earnestly, "Master, if there is truly no one else to turn to, please place your trust in me this once. I genuinely know two senior powerhouses who might be our only hope for saving Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing!"
His plea was humble, yet beneath his words lay a fierce conviction. If Nangong Wan or Shangguan Ning were to intervene, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing would undoubtedly be healed. Otherwise, how could Fang Yuan take center stage in the original narrative set by Heavenly Fate?