792 Only Four Hours (1/2)
”If that child falls, the Shangguan Family will lose its greatest hope.”
”On the other hand, no matter how tough a girl is, she will still have her soft side compared to the men. Girls will know to protect themselves better as well, and they lack the ambitious will in comparison to the boys. They don't forget their roots, so they'll be more diligent in taking care of their maternal family… With the presence of a deity, that very same sense of caution can surely secure Shangguan Family's longevity. This is a long-term solution.”
Old Mistress Shangguan hesitated at this point, feeling that whatever thoughts she had were blatant before this fairy. It would be detestable if she held back. Finally, she blurted what was kept deepest in her heart. ”Also, with Lingxiu's intelligence and beauty… her husband will definitely be an upcoming talent as well if she could rise in the divine realm!”
”If so, the Shangguan Family would have sent only one person away with a high probability of receiving two in return – or even more guardians! This is where my most selfish thought lies.”
The old mistress smiled. ”This way, even as I fulfill Lingxiu's wishes, the longevity of the family is figured out as well… No matter how I think of it, I don't think it's any loss.”
”Old Mistress' words are very sincere,” commended the lady in the white dress with a soft smile.
Old Mistress chuckled humorlessly. ”It's because I'm before you, divine one. How dare I keep anything from you?”
”You are Shangguan Lingxiu?” The lady in white smiled and looked at Shangguan Lingxiu.
”Yes,” answered Shangguan Lingxiu humbly.
”Born in the year of Bing Zi, you're already twenty-three years old this year,” said the lady, ”What is rare is that you have an innate phoenix physique, your meridians are obscured but smooth-flowing, and you have the quality of yonder Yin and are completely whole. Your meridians are limited by this realm, hidden but not blocked, but it's easy to resolve this temporal shortcoming. It's only a matter, of course, to advance leaps and bounds in the future… Not bad, not bad at all!”
Old Mistress and Shangguan Lingxiu were thoroughly surprised, waves of emotions washing over them.
They had just met, only getting to know each other, and the old mistress had not told her anything about Shangguan Lingxiu, yet she could list everything off as if memorized without any mistake.
”Are you willing to leave with me? To become my disciple?” asked the lady with a smile.
”Lingxiu would be happy to.”
The lady dressed in white then asked with a smile, ”Is there anything you haven't done before we depart?”
Shangguan Lingxiu blushed and her eyes were rimmed red as she spoke with a slight sob, ”Can I ask… divine one to allow me some time?”
”I can only give you four hours at most,” answered the lady faintly.
Shangguan Lingxiu was even more perplexed once she heard the reply, not knowing how to react.
”This teacher does not mean to be merciless. Firstly, this realm's level is too low. It can hardly accept my Empyrean Force. Four hours is the limit. Secondly, since you wish to embark on this divine journey, you must learn to get used to everything that follows from now.”
”The said pinnacle of martial arts has always been too high, too cold, too… lonely. The higher the peak, the fewer companions one shall have.”