Chapter 11: Star and Lotus (XI) Lian Qiang cried, she was thundering...
Chi Xingji seemed lost in thought. Lian Qiang coughed lightly and asked again, "You came back so early today? Didn't Xi Wenji keep you here?"
Her tone was calm, not intentionally resentful, but simply understanding the situation. Xi Wenji had high expectations of Chi Xingji, so much so that he sometimes pushed him too hard.
Chi Xingji came back to his senses and replied, "Master's attitude has softened a lot recently, you... don't have to worry."
As if afraid Lian Qiang wouldn't believe him, he hurriedly added, "Master was indeed wrong in what happened earlier. You resent him... and rightly so. I won't ask for your forgiveness, nor will I ask him to hurt you again. But between the two of you, I will do my best to mend the situation. There's still time to go, and Master might change his mind one day."
Did Lian Qiang hate Xi Wenji? She asked herself, of course she did, but thinking about the past few days, Lian Qiang gradually came to terms with it. Since some people were destined not to like her, she didn't want to keep pining for that long-term future.
But she was concerned about Chi Xingji. He wasn't particularly close to his biological father, and over the years, he and Xi Wenji had become more like a father and son. He was caught between the two, inevitably feeling torn. Putting herself in his shoes, Lian Qiang realized that she had already put herself in his shoes, and he had already done a lot for her.
"He and I are just me and him. Even if he dislikes me because of you, you don't have to," Lian Qiang paused, "because there is a grudge between him and me."
The two sat facing each other, the atmosphere growing colder. Chi Xingji then remembered why he had returned early. He took out a jade bottle and handed it to Lian Qiang: "This is something I asked someone to refine a few days ago. I was thinking of giving it to you sooner rather than later. Try taking it internally, perhaps... it will be of some benefit."
Lian Qiang took it hesitantly, uncorked the bottle, and recognized what it was at a glance.
It was the Pure Heart Immortal Milk that Chi Xingji chose after he won the first prize. I guess he asked someone to condense it together with other herbs with similar effects, and a refreshing fragrance came to the nose.
Lian Qiang only took a moment to confirm what it was, then shook her head and smiled as she returned the bottle intact to Chi Xingji.
"You know, my Dao heart isn't damaged, so this won't have any effect on me," Lian Qiang reiterated the facts. "You don't have to make a big fuss and waste your energy..."
"It's not a big deal. This is what I should do." Chi Xingji couldn't wait to interrupt her with a firm attitude.
Lian Qiang's hand, which had returned the jade bottle to him, was still stretched out in mid-air, as if she was trying to compete with him to see who was more stubborn. "That's unnecessary. You'd better spend your time cultivating. I appreciate your kindness, but you really don't have to be too nice to me. It's not worth it."
I don't know which word stimulated Chi Xingji. He once again looked at Lian Qiang with that profound gaze and said clearly, "You are my wife. I should treat you well. There is no question of whether it is worth it or not."
The hand holding the bottleneck trembled, and Lian Qiang's heart trembled with it, as if a missing piece had been silently filled in. She raised her eyes, wanting to explore the expression in Chi Xingji's eyes, but he avoided her gaze.
Lian Qiang bit her lip, but decided to accept it: "This is just the first time, it won't happen again."
Chi Xingji didn't respond. Lian Qiang knew this was his usual way of denying things, so she just let him do it.
Chi Xingji had gone through so much trouble for her, and Lian Qiang wanted to return the favor in full. She asked with concern, "I see that the spirit tree in the yard has grown. Are you still feeding it blood? Is it... affecting your health?"
It was strange to say, the spiritual tree's growth rate was far beyond that of ordinary trees. In just a few short days, it had already grown to Lian Qiang's shoulders. Sometimes, when she watered it with spiritual energy, Lian Qiang even wondered if it could get enough.
Chi Xingji nodded and shook his head: "Let's keep it as usual. Don't worry, I know my limits and will not hurt myself."
Lian Qiang blinked and smiled: "Don't let it become a stumbling block on your path to immortality."
The speaker may not mean it, but the listener may take it seriously. Chi Xingji frowned after hearing this and said, "It's too early. I haven't thought about this yet."
If someone else said this, it would be a humble statement due to self-awareness of one's shortcomings, but when Chi Xingji said it, it became somewhat credible.
Lian Qiang was stunned. Chi Xingji rarely lied, and he wouldn't lie about something as trivial as this. So, he really hadn't considered ascending yet?
I heard that after becoming an immortal, one must abandon past relationships and sever lust. In Lian Qiang's opinion, Chi Xingji was destined to achieve this goal, so she had already drawn a line between the two of them in her heart, but when Chi Xingji said this.
The wishful thinking that had long been dead in her heart suddenly came back and was ready to take action.
"What nonsense!" Lian Qiang tried to change the subject in order to completely dispel this thought. "You think so, but Xi Wenji may not think so."
She habitually brought up this mountain in an attempt to suppress Chi Xingji, but today Chi Xingji did not buy her trick: "Master is Master, and he has indeed treated me with great kindness, but he cannot be my master in this matter."
Lian Qiang blinked slowly and sourly. She couldn't believe that Chi Xingji had never even thought about the immortality and supreme power that so many people dreamed of?
So why does he have such an attitude?
According to Lian Qiang, Chi Xingji rarely cares about things. Perhaps there is a possibility that he does it for her?
As soon as this thought formed, Lian Qiang overturned it. She believed that she and Chi Xingji had some affection for each other, but this affection was not enough to make him abandon the great way. If Lian Qiang had the same choice, she might not choose...Chi Xingji.
Just thinking about that situation made Lian Qiang's smile stiffen and turn bitter. Could she really give up on Chi Xingji without hesitation? But the stakes on the other side were extraordinary.
After a few random thoughts, Lian Qiang decided to suppress her lustful thoughts. There's a reason why lustful thoughts are called lustful thoughts.
Her expression changed again and again, and Qiang herself was completely unaware of it. However, in Chi Xingji's eyes, he understood it differently.
He just remained silent, pursed his lips and thought.
The two returned to the atmosphere of looking at each other in silence.
But after that day's seemingly vague involvement, the relationship between the two finally eased a little. Lian Qiang no longer easily said anything negative to Chi Xingji, and Chi Xingji never mentioned Xi Wenji.
Lian Qiang also secretly thought that if life continued like this forever, the evil energy in her body would not spread and worsen, and Chi Xingji would never become an immortal. Perhaps the two of them could stay together peacefully until old age.
Even if she turned into a handful of yellow earth a hundred years later, and Chi Xingji ascended to heaven by then, it would be fine. At least by then, she would no longer be able to grieve.
Unfortunately, the world is full of karma and she cannot afford to dwell on what ifs.
That day came earlier than Lian Qiang had expected. She had been feeling uneasy since she woke up that morning. Looking at the dark clouds rolling in the sky, she instinctively felt that something big was about to happen.
At this moment, Lian Qiang would rather believe it than not. She stayed safely at home. If she really felt something... could it be Chi Xingji?
No, it won't. Lian Qiang quickly denied her absurd idea. Chi Xingji must be practicing well. What could go wrong?
But the more she thought about it, the more flustered she became. After calming herself down, Lian Qiang immediately decided to go to the Wuji Sword Sect in person.
No matter what, she wanted to see with her own eyes that Chi Xingji was safe and sound.
——She didn't dare and couldn't lose him. This was a thought that would make her feel extremely heartbroken just by the thought.
But when she hurried to the place she had avoided in the past, she caught a glimpse of the surprise on the faces of everyone around her.
"Is this Senior Brother Chi's tribulation thunder? It's really spectacular..."
"Yeah, I heard that he was promoted to the Divine Transformation Realm a few days ago. How could he ascend so soon? I wonder if he can make it through?"
"Pfft, pfft, pfft, don't be such a pessimist! Senior Brother Chi is destined to be a lucky man. Besides, if he succeeds in overcoming the tribulation, our Wuji Sword Sect will have another True Immortal! What a grand occasion!"
"That's right, I made a mistake... After Senior Brother Chi becomes an immortal, what title should we use to honor him?"
"How could we possibly imagine this? Just watch quietly!"
Lian Qiang's face was pale. People were gathering around her, toward the point where the dark clouds converged. She was in the middle of it, as insignificant as a small boat that could be overturned by the sea waves at any moment.
But she did not stop. Even though she walked very slowly, she still walked towards there step by step.
The dark clouds grew darker, and the sound of muffled thunder grew louder. Judging from the force of the sound, it was definitely not something an ordinary cultivator could withstand. Even if they survived, they would likely be ripped apart.
The deeper they went, the more the crowd dispersed. Lian Qiang, unaware of anything, continued walking forward. A kind disciple stopped her and said, "Are you crazy? If you go any further, you'll die!"
Lian Qiang only glanced back once, and the disciple was so scared that he let go of her hand and let her continue walking against the tide.
—Her eyes were unfocused, devoid of any life, as if she were about to die. He had never seen such a determined look in her eyes. No, that wasn't right. She didn't seem fearless of death. Instead, she seemed filled with sorrow, a heartbroken despair.
Lian Qiang kept walking like this until she saw Chi Xingji from a distance.
Chi Xingji was alone in that empty space, sharing the same sorrow, leaving only his back to everyone.
Lian Qiang suddenly smiled. The arm that carried her on his back in the wilderness that night seemed so small and distant under the natural disaster.
The first bolt of lightning struck, its power leaving everyone dumbfounded and filled with awe. Chi Xingji responded calmly, standing still.
One, two... one after another, Lian Qiang lost the concept of time. She didn't know why she came here, and why she had to witness Chi Xingji's tribulation.
What on earth was she expecting? Could she really expect Chi Xingji to stop immediately, risk his own death, and go back with her to grow old together?
——Does she deserve it?
This question rang out from the bottom of her heart. Lian Qiang laughed loudly, tears streaming down her face. She wished so much that Chi Xingji would turn around and tell her that he would not ascend to heaven, and that he wanted to be with her forever.
It doesn’t matter if they can’t become immortals. They can return to the small town of Ninghe City, have children, and die of old age.
But as the thunder tribulations fell one after another, Lian Qiang couldn't help but move.
She first walked slowly, then trotted, and finally ran. She ran faster and faster, as if she could outrun time and fate.
Return the boy that Lian Qiang has been thinking about to her.
But how is this possible? Lian Qiang accidentally fell, raised her head, and looked at the distance between her and Chi Xingji. If she ran a little faster and a few more steps, she would be able to run to Chi Xingji.
But she was truly exhausted. She had walked all this way, and she had no strength left in her body. She couldn't even support herself to get up. She was now humble and miserable, like a crawling insect.
And Chi Xingji is the god high above.
Lian Qiang cried. Amidst the roaring thunder, she murmured to herself, "Chi Xingji, can you please not become an immortal?"
Can you... look back at her, even just for a moment?
But Chi Xingji never looked back at her who was crawling in the mud and was lowly in the dust.
Lian Qiang thought vaguely, hadn't Chi Xingji said in person that he hadn't thought about this matter? He hadn't even told her a word, so that she could prepare...
Did he not even think of telling her, thinking that she would cling to him and refuse to let go? No, she wouldn't. She would let it go completely and watch Chi Xingji being admired by everyone.
Lian Qiang thought of Chi Xingji's sweet words in recent days, and the feeling of drinking the Pure Heart Fairy Milk was still echoing in her chest and abdomen. So, was his kindness to her these days just to fulfill her small wish so that she would not feel so guilty when she left?
As the last of the ninety-nine heavenly thunders fell, the dark clouds seemed to be pushed aside by a huge hand, and a golden ladder fell from the sky and landed in front of Chi Xingji.
It was a magnificence beyond words, and everyone present was amazed. The sunlight streamed down, illuminating everyone's surprised faces.
She turned over so that she could lie down and look up at the ladder to heaven.
So magnificent, yet so... unreachable.
Lian Qiang cried and laughed, tears falling to the ground. She clenched her fists and beat the soil, as if this could vent her pain and helplessness. In the end, her throat was no longer able to make any sound.
Sharing the same sorrows and griefs, when had they ever shared the same emotions, the same sorrows and joys?
Lian Qiang turned her head and wanted to take one last look at Chi Xingji, but there was no one in sight.
He had already vanished, gone from her.
It's still too late.
In other words, it's not that it's too late, but that it was wrong from the beginning.
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