Chapter 929: The Best Outcome
With Yun Che's current mental strength, not to mention a mere six hundred characters, even if it were sixty thousand characters, a single glance or hearing it once would have him remembering every word with perfect accuracy.
But after hearing what Xiao Lingxi had read—scripture-like yet technique-like text—Yun Che's mind went blank, unable to recall a single character. There was even a vague sense of his consciousness drifting. He then closed his eyes, concentrated, and the bizarre text gradually began to reflect within his soul, becoming clearer and clearer... yet when he opened his eyes again, he had completely forgotten it.
"Lingxi, can you understand the meaning of this strange text?" Yun Che probed.
Xiao Lingxi shook her head. "I can recognize these characters, but I have no idea what they mean. Xiao Che, can't you understand them either?"
Just then, the silver light floating in the air suddenly flickered. All the strange characters twisted rapidly within the glow, then coalesced back into a mass of silver light that flew back into the mysterious black jade, vanishing completely.
The mysterious black jade returned to its previous dormant state. Even though Xiao Lingxi was right beside it, it did not shine again.
Yun Che reached out, drew the mysterious black jade into his hand, and immediately stored it within the Heavenly Poison Pearl—ensuring it would have no further contact with Xiao Lingxi.
"Xiao Che, what exactly is that stone?" Xiao Lingxi couldn't suppress her curiosity.
"I don't know. I picked it up in some bizarre place," Yun Che said casually, then abruptly changed the subject. "Maybe it's just a soul stone used to record ancient texts a long time ago. Forget it, let's not bother with it. Let's go see Grandfather."
With that, he directly took Xiao Lingxi's hand, and together they walked toward Xiao Lie's courtyard.
Xiao Yong'an had already gone to sleep. Xiao Yun and his wife seemed to have gone to pay respects to their parents. Xiao Hong had not returned either, so only Xiao Lie was in the courtyard. When they arrived at Xiao Lie's courtyard, Xiao Lingxi instinctively tried to pull her hand from Yun Che's, but unexpectedly, Yun Che held it even tighter. In Xiao Lingxi's fluster, he led her by the hand before Xiao Lie.
"Grandfather, I... have something I want to discuss with you." Though he had long prepared himself with sufficient resolve, facing Xiao Lie's calm face still made his heart tense.
"Ah..." Xiao Lingxi vaguely sensed something, let out a soft sound, and her heartbeat suddenly quickened.
"Hehe, Che'er, you've come at the right time. I was just about to discuss a major matter with you," Xiao Lie said with a warm chuckle as he looked at the two of them.
Yun Che was slightly startled and immediately asked, "A major matter? What major matter?"
"It's about Xi'er's matter." Xiao Lie gave Xiao Lingxi a deep look, seemingly not noticing their clasped hands, and sighed softly. "Xi'er is now twenty-three this year, well past the age for marriage. Che'er, you've been married for eight years, but Xi'er has been burdened by me, always staying by my side to take care of me, with no progress on her lifelong matter. Now that my health, mind, and everything are fine, Xiao Yun and his wife are loving, and Yong'an is obedient and healthy, the only thing I'm worried about is Xi'er's marriage."
"...Grandfather, what do you mean?"
"Che'er," Xiao Lie looked directly into Yun Che's eyes and said gently, "You have vast experience and must know many outstanding young talents. If there's someone suitable for Xi'er, please help arrange a match. Whoever you choose, I will rest assured."
"Dad, I... I..." This wasn't the first time Xiao Lie had brought this up to her, but this time, in front of Yun Che, Xiao Lingxi's mind was in turmoil, and she didn't know what to do.
"..." Yun Che's gaze shifted for a moment, then became resolute as he said with utmost seriousness, "Grandfather, actually, I've already found that person long ago."
"Oh?" Xiao Lie's eyes rippled slightly.
Yun Che suddenly knelt on one knee before Xiao Lie, meeting his gaze, and spoke firmly, "Grandfather, that person is me! I want to ask Grandfather... to give Lingxi to me in marriage!"
"Xiao Che..." What echoed in Xiao Lingxi's ears was undoubtedly the most earth-shattering sound she had ever heard in her life. He said it, right in front of her, and in front of Xiao Lie—the words she had longed for but dared not touch as if they were taboo.
Xiao Lingxi also slowly knelt down, her eyes misty, and softly said, "Dad, I... for this lifetime, if it's not Xiao Che, I would rather... never marry anyone."
The same words, she had now spoken clearly before Xiao Lie. As the words left her mouth, all the timidity and worry silently dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented warmth and calmness in her heart. The outcome no longer seemed as important the moment she spoke. Having finally voiced the deepest words in her heart, her entire soul felt sublimated, unlike before.
"..." Xiao Lie's face did not show the shock, daze, disappointment, or anger the two had anticipated. There was no intense reaction at all, only calm. After a moment, he actually turned his back and let out a faint sigh.
"Grandfather?" Yun Che looked up.
"Hehe," Xiao Lie laughed, an exceptionally peaceful laugh. "You two have held back for so many years. Today, you've finally spoken your true feelings."
Yun Che was taken aback. "Grandfather, did you already know..."
"I watched you grow up. You've been as close as one body since childhood, your feelings inseparably deep. After you turned sixteen, you left Liuyun City, and Xi'er stayed by my side. I saw her yearn for you day and night, missing you from dawn till dusk... These feelings were far beyond the bounds of familial affection. From that point on, although I didn't know your feelings for Xi'er, her feelings for you were definitely not just familial—they were deeply rooted, and this feeling was completely released after learning that you had no blood relation."
"So I was very worried. I wasn't worried about your past 'aunt-nephew' relationship, but afraid that Xi'er might be harboring a one-sided love, leading to a life of sorrow." Xiao Lie raised his head slightly and closed his eyes. If Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi could see his expression at that moment, they would notice a faint smile on his face.
The two were stunned. Xiao Lingxi asked in disbelief, "Dad, do you really... really not mind at all?"
Xiao Lie shook his head slightly, smiling faintly. "You're similar in age, have no blood relation, and are both my most beloved children. Hearing what you said today, I'm overjoyed, not the least bit concerned. Though I, Xiao Lie, have lived a mediocre life, I've never been an obstinate man."
"Then... then the recent talk about my marriage was... was to..."
"Because I couldn't help but worry," Xiao Lie sighed softly. "I know how deep your feelings for Che'er are. But Che'er... the heights he has reached are far too high. The women around him are either empresses of nations, demon emperors of the Illusion Demon Realm, or Phoenix Goddesses... Compared to them, you are as ordinary as dust. Though Che'er still cares for you as before, I was deeply afraid that with all the remarkable women around him, he wouldn't have romantic feelings for you, leaving your deep affection in vain. So I used this to test... Hehe, the determination in Che'er's kneeling just now and the worry and anxiety in his eyes let me know that my years of worry were unnecessary. The last concern in my heart has finally found its resolution."
"Dad..." Xiao Lingxi covered her lips with her hand, tears slowly falling from the corners of her eyes.
"Grandfather, rest assured," Yun Che took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. "I will take care of Lingxi for the rest of my life."
"Hehe, if it's you, I can be completely at ease about Xi'er's future. Only..." Xiao Lie sighed softly. "Though you have no blood relation, the world is full of ignorant people, and gossip can be daunting. If you one day wish to marry, do it in the Illusion Demon Realm."
"Alright." Without hesitation, Yun Che agreed firmly. He looked at Xiao Lingxi, and she was secretly looking at him. Their eyes met, and they smiled together. They had always thought that Xiao Lie was the obstacle forcing them to suppress their feelings, but today they realized that the greatest barrier between them had always been themselves.
Today, Yun Che had come prepared for the worst outcome. He never expected to receive such a beautiful, almost unreal result. The obstacle he and Xiao Lingxi had dared not touch had vanished in an instant, like smoke dispersing.
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Illusion Demon Realm, Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley.
The aura of flames was noticeably weaker than the last time he had come.
Yun Che arrived at the deepest part of the Jinwu Thunder Flame Valley, and the Golden Crow soul shadow materialized amid the scattering golden light: "Yun Che, what business brings you here this time?"
Yun Che looked up and asked directly, "Golden Crow Soul Spirit, have you ever heard of the name 'Heaven-Defying World Scripture'?"
"Heaven-Defying World Scripture?" The Golden Crow Soul Spirit snorted heavily. "This venerable one has never heard of it. Judging by its name, it seems to be a profound art. Hmph, daring to name itself 'Heaven-Defying'—quite an arrogant tone."
"Even you haven't heard of it?" Yun Che showed surprise, then disappointment, murmuring, "That's very strange... What could that text recorded in those characters actually be?"
"You seem to have a lot on your mind. Where did you hear the name 'Heaven-Defying World Scripture'?" the Golden Crow Soul Spirit asked.
"No, it's not something I heard." Yun Che produced the mysterious black jade. "It came from this."
He then recounted the entire incident—how Xiao Lingxi had a strange connection with the mysterious black jade, and how it had revealed those bizarre characters—to the Golden Crow Soul Spirit in full.
"Such a thing actually happened!?" After hearing Yun Che's account, the Golden Crow Soul Spirit showed far greater astonishment than Yun Che had anticipated.
"Draw out those characters for this venerable one to see."
"Alright!"
Yun Che closed his eyes, concentrated, and it took him a long time for the twisted, strange characters to emerge in his mind. He extended his finger and used Golden Crow Flame to sketch the first four bizarre characters in the air—the ones that meant "Heaven-Defying World Scripture".
It took dozens of breaths before Yun Che finally finished drawing them. Four strange characters formed of flame hung in the air. The Golden Crow Soul Spirit's golden pupils fell upon them, then withdrew after a moment.
"Golden Crow Soul Spirit, could it be that... you also don't recognize these characters?" Yun Che frowned.
"Never seen before, never heard of," the Golden Crow Soul Spirit replied.
"Then... why does Lingxi recognize them? I'm certain she has never encountered this kind of script before. She herself doesn't know why she can recognize it, and she was quite frightened." Yun Che tightened his grip on the black jade. "Could it really be, as I made up to comfort her, that the black jade simply likes her aura, formed a connection with her, and silently established some kind of soul link, causing her to suddenly recognize this script?"
"This Xiao Lingxi you speak of—what is her cultivation level, and what kind of profound art does she practice?" the Golden Crow Soul Spirit asked solemnly.
"Well..." Yun Che said with slight embarrassment, "Lingxi is not very skilled in the profound way. Her profound strength is only at the True Xuan Realm, Level 7. The profound art she practices is the Flying Eagle Art of the Xiao Sect where she was born—a very low-level profound art."
"..." The Golden Crow Soul Spirit fell silent, then said calmly, "Leave this place for now. Bring her before this venerable one."
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[Yes, I'm here to complain again.]
[Regarding Xiao Lingxi, many readers have messaged me saying this is forcing extra screen time on Xiao Lingxi, making it feel abrupt. Forcing your sister!! How many hints did I put in the earlier text!! The hints were practically shouting at you!! And they were all before chapter 400!! Who in the entire story has ever shown a mental connection? Who has ever shown an ability to foresee? Who has ever shown a soul "perspective"?]
[Alright, actually, it's also my fault. The storyline is too long, and expecting everyone to remember and pay attention to details buried earlier is a bit too demanding—after all, not everyone reads line by line... like me. So I've decided to add an extra luxurious tea egg to my late-night snack tonight.]