Chapter 735: Ji Lingxuan's Heart

Chapter 735: Chapter 729: Ji Lingxuan’s Heart

Within the lands of the Cyan Dragon Race, Lady Ya had already entered seclusion to refine the Spirit Pill of a Tier Eight Spirit Beast, and Xue Ling was recovering from her injuries. Shen Haoran and Ji Lingxuan sat quietly on a rooftop, enjoying their time alone.

Ji Lingxuan rested her head on Shen Haoran’s shoulder, her eyes gently closed and a contented smile playing on her lips. The bright moonlight cascaded over her, making her look exceptionally saintly. Shen Haoran was instantly captivated. He simply stared at her, not even blinking.

“Brother Haoran, why are you looking at me like that?” Seeming to sense his fervent gaze, Ji Lingxuan lifted her head and spoke shyly. Her cheeks flushed bright red, like a ripe apple, making Shen Haoran want to pounce on her and take a bite.

“Well, whose fault is it that my Ling Xuan is so beautiful? Of course I’m going to stare a little longer!” Shen Haoran chuckled, affectionately stroking Ji Lingxuan’s head. This only made her shier, and she nearly buried her face in her arms.

Shen Haoran gazed at the woman before him and let out a soft chuckle, but his expression soon turned bittersweet. “Ling Xuan,” he began, his tone apologetic, “I’m sorry. About Lady Ya and Xue Ling, I…”

Before Shen Haoran could finish, Ji Lingxuan pressed her slender fingers to his lips. Gazing at him, she said, “You don’t need to apologize, Brother Haoran. I know you can’t control feelings like these. I don’t mind Lady Ya and Xue Ling being here at all. I know that my place in your heart is irreplaceable, and theirs is too. I’m very fond of them both. And when I’m not always around in the future, someone will be here to take care of you for me. That’s a good thing, so you should be happy!”

“Ling Xuan…” Shen Haoran was deeply moved by her words. ‘Of course she minds; it’s impossible that she doesn’t,’ he thought. ‘Any woman would be jealous in a situation like this.’ But he knew her words were sincere. She didn’t want to make things difficult for him, and she was truly willing to accept Lady Ya and Xue Ling.

Shen Haoran pulled Ji Lingxuan into a tight embrace, wishing he could merge her into his very being. He could feel the depth of her devotion. ‘To think,’ he mused, ‘Ji Lingxuan is a Princess from a Hidden Clan. Her beauty, status, and temperament are all unparalleled. It’s no exaggeration to say her suitors could fill the entire Central City. Yet a heaven’s favored daughter like her is willing to lower herself for me this way.’ His heart swelled with emotion. He silently vowed that he would never let Ji Lingxuan suffer even the slightest hardship ever again. ‘Otherwise, how could I ever be worthy of what she’s done for me!’

Leaning against Ji Lingxuan, Shen Haoran gradually fell asleep. He hadn’t slept so soundly in a long, long time. The weight on his shoulders forced him to cultivate desperately—it was the only way to gain enough strength to rescue his parents and avenge the Shen Family. He constantly had to keep his guard up, ever vigilant against assassination attempts. But now, resting against Ji Lingxuan, an inexplicable sense of peace washed over him. Breathing in the delicate fragrance that drifted from her, he fell into a deep slumber.

Ji Lingxuan gently carried Shen Haoran back inside the house. She softly caressed his face, a face that looked as if it had weathered countless storms, her own eyes filled with reluctance.

“Miss, we should be getting back,” Uncle Hei said softly. He had appeared behind Ji Lingxuan in the room at some unknown moment.

Ji Lingxuan nodded. ‘I snuck away to see him,’ she thought. ‘Feng Yin can no longer cover for me back in the clan. I have to go back right away. Otherwise, if the Ji Family finds out he’s here… Haoran will be in grave danger.’

“Take care, Brother Haoran. Ling Xuan has to go now,” Ji Lingxuan whispered, gazing at the sleeping Shen Haoran as two streams of tears streamed down her cheeks. They had only just been reunited, and now they had to part again. Her heart ached with reluctance.

“Miss, this is for his own good,” Uncle Hei comforted her gently. “I’m sure you two will meet again soon. If Shen Haoran truly cares for you, he won’t let you suffer alone in the Ji Family. I’m certain he will come for you before long.”

At his words, Ji Lingxuan nodded. Steeling herself, she turned and left the room. She was afraid that if she glanced at Shen Haoran just one more time, she wouldn’t be able to bring herself to go.

Ji Lingxuan departed with Uncle Hei and Uncle Bai, slipping away quietly without alerting anyone.

After Ji Lingxuan was gone, Shen Haoran’s tightly shut eyes slowly opened. He watched her retreating figure, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes.

‘Ling Xuan, wait for me. I swear, the next time we meet, I’ll astound you!’ Shen Haoran clenched his fists, vowing to himself. He cast aside any thought of rest and immediately began his Cultivation. ‘This time, at the Medicine Pool, I *must* break through to the Spirit Emperor realm!’

The recent departures of Ji Lingxuan and Elder Yan had been a huge blow to Shen Haoran. ‘If I weren’t so weak, neither Elder Yan nor Ling Xuan would have needed to leave. In the end, it’s all because I’m not strong enough.’ Shen Haoran had never craved strength as desperately as he did in this moment.

The night passed in the blink of an eye. At the crack of dawn the next day, Long Xiaotian arrived at Shen Haoran’s room to fetch him.

“The Medicine Hall is opening the Medicine Pool today. Hall Master Yao Wuchen asked me to bring you over!” Long Xiaotian said with a smile.

Shen Haoran nodded. He couldn’t wait to get into the Medicine Pool.

Shen Haoran followed Long Xiaotian to the Medicine Hall. The Patriarchs of the other Three Great Divine Beast Families and Yao Wuchen were already waiting for him in the main hall. When they saw him arrive, all of them—except for Bai Zhennan—came forward to greet him.

“Young Friend Shen, we are opening the Medicine Pool for you today,” Yao Wuchen said with a smile as he stepped forward. “Consider it a repayment for the debt we owe you for saving Central City a few months back.”

“Thank you, Hall Master Yao,” Shen Haoran said, unable to hide his eagerness. “Can we head straight to the Medicine Pool now?”

“Ah… yes, of course!” Yao Wuchen felt a bit awkward at Shen Haoran’s obvious impatience. ‘I had a whole speech prepared to make him feel indebted to us for this favor,’ he thought. ‘I didn’t expect him to be so blunt.’ With nothing else to say, he could only agree.

‘Hmph. In such a hurry to court death? Fine, I’ll grant your wish,’ Bai Zhennan sneered inwardly. He then followed Yao Wuchen and the others toward the mountain behind the Medicine Hall.

The deeper they went into the grounds of the Medicine Hall, the richer the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power became. By the time the group reached a valley, the Spiritual Power in the air had grown so dense it felt viscous. Shen Haoran gazed down from above the valley. In its center, a pool of pure white water lay still. The Energy swirling within it was so potent it was visible to the naked eye.

‘So this is the Medicine Pool?’