Chapter 1691: Xia Xiaochong’s Worry

Time flew by.

Su Bai, however, seemed completely unaware.

From the day when Lin Xun accepted him as an official disciple, taught him the basics of cultivation and spent a day explaining the many secrets to him, he began to practice alone.

Lin Xun might seem very irresponsible, but A’lu knew that his brother only did so because he cared about his official disciple Su Bai.

His purpose of doing so was to prepare Su Bai for walking on his own in the future without being influenced by him!

Su Bai, the youngster in straw sandals, did not disappoint Lin Xun. Perhaps it was because he had suffered a lot in the past, but after he received the opportunity to become a cultivator, he became unusually diligent and hardworking.

Even when he ate, slept, or walked, he was still thinking about understanding the secrets of cultivation.

What was most remarkable about him was that he was extremely self-disciplined. He did not only desperately train but also carved out time to relax his mind and recharge his physical strength.

“This kid is smart. He knows about the principle of tension and relaxation, and that haste makes waste. This is particularly true with cultivation. It can’t be forced, but only strived for. It all depends on the mindset. This kid already has a deep understanding of this even without a teacher. Not bad, not bad.”

Toady originally paid no attention to the straw-shot youngster.

He even thought that, given Lin Xun’s current prestige, he should look for a talented genius in the world if he wanted a disciple.

When he learned that Lin Xun accepted the youngster in straw sandals as his disciple, he couldn’t believe it.

But now, he understood.

On the road of cultivation, talent might be important, but a person’s character was the fundamental factor that determined how far they could walk!

The character, perseverance and disposition of the straw-shod youth were indeed not bad.

“It’s a shame! No matter how good his character is, he has limited talent. Compared with his peers, he is just unremarkable. I really don’t know what your big brother sees in him or maybe he lost his mind. Otherwise, why would he take that little guy as his disciple” snickered the big black bird.

He was not mocking the straw-shod youngster, but instead taking the opportunity to throw jabs at Lin Xun, thinking that he was too reckless in accepting a disciple.

“You have such a bad mouth!” A’lu immediately retorted and got into an argument with the big black bird.

Lin Xun was indifferent to everything, as if he had made up his mind to let the youngster in straw sandals practice on his own and to not interfere anymore.

More than a month passed.

On this day, Xia Xiaochong suddenly decided to leave with the reason that seeing Su Bai practice so hard inspired her to improve herself. It would be very embarrassing if Su Bai caught up to her in the future.

Only Xia Xiaochong could come up with such a fresh and unique reason for saying farewell.

After being left speechless for a while, Lin Xun did not persuade her to stay. He personally saw her off.

Given his present cultivation level, it only took him half a day from the Star Chess Sea to reach Azure Hill Mountain, the territory of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan.

Years ago, he also safely brought Xia Xiaochong here.

“Big Brother Lin Xun, you should head back.”

Under the setting sun, Xia Xiaochong, in a plain dress, stood prettily among the flowers in the mountains. Her little face was beautiful and pure, her smile was charming and sweet, and her slender figure was bathed in the gorgeous sunset glow.

“Xiaochong, I may soon have to leave the Ancient Wasteland Domain for a while. Take this with you. If you encounter danger, you just need to crush it.”

Lin Xun handed Xia Xiaochong a jade token that he had prepared earlier. The token was imprinted with his will, and would have a deterring effect if activated in the Ancient Wasteland Domain.

“Oh!” Xia Xiaochong did not decline the token and happily put it away, eyes sparkling. “Big Brother Lin Xun, you must take care of yourself in the future.”

“Of course.” Lin Xun smiled.

“Then I will go now.” Xia Xiaochong waved and went up the mountain with light steps. Her figure was silhouetted against the setting sun.

However, when she arrived at the entrance of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan, her smile gradually faded and her face scrunched up with a trace of worry.

She sighed to herself, as if she had made up her mind, and resolutely stepped through the entrance.

“Xiaochong, you’re finally back!” An angry voice rang out just as she entered.

A silver-haired old woman appeared out of nowhere and looked at Xia Xiaochong coldly.

“Ninth Great-Aunt.” Xia Xiaochong bowed her head.

“Hmph, do you still respect me? Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you’ve grown up?” The silver-haired old woman grunted.

Xia Xiaochong shook her head. “I just don’t want to get married, but you guys were forcing me, so I just...I just went away to get some fresh air.”

Before the silver-haired old woman could say anything, a group of men and women came rushing over from afar. They were all higher-ups of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan.

When they saw Xia Xiaochong, they couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief.

Some time ago, as elders, they had arranged a marriage for Xia Xiaochong, betrothing her to a core successor of the ancient Feather Sword Sect.

The Feather Sword Sect was an influential force in the West Infinity World. The Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan was blessed to marry such a remarkable sect, and they would no doubt benefit hugely from this marriage.

To anyone, this was a joyous event.

But Xia Xiaochong refused and even snuck away, thereby angering the entire Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan. They were worried about explaining the matter to the Feather Sword Sect.

Fortunately, Xia Xiaochong returned.

“Ninth Great-Aunt, Xiaochong has returned. She must have realized that she was wrong. Please don’t punish her.”

“Yes, our most pressing task now is to prepare for the wedding. Xiaochong has contributed greatly to our clan this time and should be rewarded accordingly.”

The higher-ups all started talking at the same time.

Some women were a little jealous. The silly little girl Xia Xiaochong actually caught the eye of a core successor from the Feather Sword Sect. Her status would completely change after the marriage.

Was this why they say fortune favored the foolish?

“Xiaochong, don’t blame your great-aunt. I am doing this for your own good.” The silver-haired old woman’s expression softened.

Xia Xiaochong, who kept silent all this time and had her head down, suddenly raised her head, her beautiful eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“You...you all are not doing this for my own good. You all think I’m stupid, but I’m not. I just want to avoid arguing with you.

“I came back this time to tell you all that I have thought it through. I would rather die than to go along with the marriage. If you force me again...then I...I will never come back!”

Those words made the faces of everyone, including the silver-haired old woman, darken.

Someone reprimanded her, “Xia Xiaochong, how dare you!”

“Nonsense! Do you still regard us as your elders? We have arranged a marriage for you out of kindness, but you actually think we have bad intentions?” someone snapped.

Someone said viciously, “You are indeed like your mother, Lu Wenjun. When she was young, she ignored all our objections and eloped with a barbarian with the surname Xia. Now...don’t tell me you also have someone.”

Suddenly, Xia Xiaochong was the target of all kinds of criticisms, scolding and ridicule.

“My father is not a barbarian! And my mother is not as bad as you say!” Xia Xiaochong quivered with anger, tears running down her pretty face.

Everyone just smiled coldly.

Xia Xiaochong felt a chill down her body.

Are these...actually my family and relatives?

“Today is my birthday. My mother said that my father would come back to pick me up today.”

Xia Xiaochong suppressed her disappointment and grief with a deep breath. “After today, I won’t ever come back!”

Someone sneered, “Your father? Hmph, if that barbarian wanted to collect you, why would he wait until now?”

“Xiaochong, it’s best for you to stay here and listen to us.” A cold light flashed in the silver-haired woman’s eyes, and she reached to grab Xia Xiaochong by the shoulder.

Xia Xiaochong was the key to forming a close relationship between the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan and the Feather Sword Sect. How would they let Xia Xiaochong leave?

Xia Xiaochong froze. She never imagined that her family and relatives would be so heartless!

But the next moment, the silver-haired old woman screamed in pain and fell to her knees.

At the same time, a tall figure stood in front of Xia Xiaochong. It was of course Lin Xun.

“How dare you! Who are you?! You trespassed—” someone thundered, but before they could finish their sentence, they seemed to be forced to their knees by a tremendous mountain, unable to raise their heads.

Everyone else was paralyzed with fear.

So terrifying!

Who is he?

“Kneel down.” Lin Xun scanned everyone with his cold, dark eyes.

As his eyes swept over the big shots of the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan, regardless of their strength, they all dropped to their knees one by one.

From the beginning to the end, no one could resist at all!

Their mouths opened, but no sound came forth.

Lin Xun ignored them and turned to Xia Xiaochong who had tears streaming down her face. His heart ached to see her like that. “It’s fine, everything will be fine.”

Xia Xiaochong’s eyes went wide and she cried out in surprise, “Big Brother Lin Xun, did you...did you not leave?”

Lin Xun rubbed her little head. “Silly girl, when we were at Star Chess Sea, I could already tell that you had a lot on your mind. Did you think you could hide it from me?”

It was because Lin Xun saw that Xia Xiaochong seemed preoccupied by something that he decided to walk her all the way home.

But even he never expected Xia Xiaochong’s worry to be a prearranged marriage.

Xia Xiaochong bowed her head, mumbling, “I...I just didn’t want Big Brother Lin Xun to worry, and I also thought that they would let me go...”

Lin Xun patted Xia Xiaochong on the shoulder. “Come with me. This place is no longer suitable for you to stay.”

Xia Xiaochong shook her head. “Big Brother Lin Xun, my mother told me that my father would come to pick me up today. I have been looking forward to meeting my father since I was a child and seeing what he looks like.”

“Is this true?” Lin Xun was taken aback.

“Of course it’s true.”

Two voices answered Lin Xun. One came from Xia Xiaochong, who answered without any hesitation.

The other was warm and mellow like wine and gentle like the breeze.

As the voice rang out, a figure emerged in front of them.