Chapter 223 - 172: Leveled Up Again?

Add to that the first stirrings of a young girl’s heart, and after everything the two had been through—including their shared "secret"—she only had eyes for Li Xiang.

Li Xiang had no choice but to play his trump card. "I already have a girlfriend, so... I’m sorry."

Luo Feifei’s curiosity was piqued. "Who is it?" she asked. ’Could your girlfriend possibly be prettier than me?’ she thought.

"Go on, get some sleep. You can still catch a few more hours. I need to sleep too." In reality, Li Xiang was brimming with energy and didn’t need to sleep; it was just an excuse.

He already had a girlfriend, so he couldn’t be with Luo Feifei. Otherwise, Jiang Cai’Er would be heartbroken.

Besides, Jiang Cai’Er was still in school, so he couldn’t very well bring her up. Their relationship had to remain a secret for now. If word got out, he had no idea what Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang would think. The teachers at school would surely criticize Jiang Cai’Er, and they might even call him in for a talk. It would be an absolute mess.

He had to wait. Wait until Jiang Cai’Er was a little older, of a proper marriageable age—or even past it, when her family started to worry she might never get married. If they revealed their relationship then, there would be far less resistance.

Of course, that didn’t mean they couldn’t be in a relationship and engage in Dual Cultivation in the meantime.

So many university students were already living together. Any girl who was even remotely pretty was usually no longer a virgin by her sophomore or junior year. In that sense, good things were just around the corner for him and Jiang Cai’Er. It was only a year or so away, which would pass in a flash.

In the other room, Luo Feifei grumbled to herself. ’Hmph. He won’t even say who it is. He must be lying to me. My mom might not approve, so we can’t date openly, but we could do it in secret! Then, when I’m a little older, we can make it official!’

’Maybe I should do a Divination for myself and Li Xiang?’ The thought spurred Luo Feifei into action. She couldn’t resist. She crept out of bed, grabbed her Turtle Shell and Copper Coins, and dove back under the covers to perform a Divination on her romantic future with Li Xiang.

’What is this crap? "The falling flower is willing, but the heartless stream flows on?" It means my love is unrequited? I’m this beautiful, and he’s "heartless"? That’s just outrageous!’

’This can’t be right. I must have done it wrong. Let me try again with a different technique.’ Luo Feifei sat up, closed her eyes, and meditated for a moment before tossing the Turtle Shell and Copper Coins once more.

’"The path to happiness is fraught with trials, and success will only come after more than ten years?"’

After analyzing the result, she arrived at this conclusion and was not pleased. ’More than ten years? The Apocalypse will have already arrived by then! I’ll be in my late twenties, maybe even pushing thirty!’

She burrowed back under the covers.

Although most Extraordinary Beings could delay the aging process and were still in their prime at thirty—for example, in her past life, Luo Feifei was at the peak of her beauty before her untimely death at twenty-eight—she really couldn’t wait that long.

’Maybe there’s a way... I’ll cultivate diligently and master my Prophetic Art. Then my words will become law, my wishes will come true, and whatever I say will happen.’

’For example, I’ll make him kneel and call me "Little Aunt" a hundred times. He’ll have to hug my legs and say it in a sweet, pleading voice. And if it’s not cute enough, he won’t be allowed to stop...’

The image of that scene in her mind made Luo Feifei giggle.

Her mother was woken by the noise and muttered from beside her, "Why aren’t you sleeping? What are you giggling about under the covers?"

Luo Feifei threw her arms around her mother. "Mom, it’s already morning. I’m going to get up."

There was no way she could sleep. She was about to go outside to begin her Cultivation when, as soon as she stepped out, she saw Li Xiang in the distance, sitting on a large, high Stone, holding a morning meeting with a group of small animals.

The little animals were arranged in three rows on the lawn, sitting or squatting in a circle around Li Xiang.

"Something this interesting is happening and you didn’t call me?" Without a second thought, Luo Feifei ran right over, sat down obediently with the Little Fox and the others, and began to listen to Li Xiang’s "sermon."

The animals glanced at her, sensing the Spiritual Power and aura she exuded. They knew she was "one of them"—a friend of their master—so none of them panicked.

Li Xiang was at a particularly profound and intricate point in his lecture, so he paid her no mind.

The sky was just beginning to lighten. Even if someone saw them from a distance, they would probably just assume he was training animals, like something from a circus or a zoo. Animal training was perfectly ordinary, after all. Plenty of people in the countryside trained dogs.

’I’m done confessing,’ she thought. ’It’s no fun if you just reject me. I’ll just wait until I’ve mastered my Prophetic Art...’

Luo Feifei listened from her spot below, secretly delighted. She had a feeling things were going to get very interesting.

"You, the girl in the audience. Why are you making faces and not paying attention? Get over here and accept your punishment!" Li Xiang’s expression turned stern as he spoke with severity.

The little animals immediately shot Luo Feifei sympathetic glances. ’Master is very strict,’ they thought. ’Be careful, he might hit you. He might even spank your bottom.’

This was because Li Xiang was holding a bamboo switch, which he called his "teaching pointer." All the animals, except for the Little Fox, had been on the receiving end of it at some point.

While Li Xiang was generous, he didn’t just hand out rewards; he believed in using both the carrot and the stick. The Little Fox had never been hit because it was clever, obedient, and perceptive, never giving Li Xiang any reason to be angry.

Er Huang, on the other hand, got hit because he was sometimes too dumb, unable to grasp certain points even after they were explained several times.

The animals all looked over with expressions of pity. The little goose couldn’t help but let out a soft "GANK."

But Luo Feifei wasn’t the least bit afraid. She scurried over with a grin, squatting at Li Xiang’s feet. Her pretty face was flushed as she asked softly, "And how will my teacher punish me?"

Li Xiang thought for a moment. "Your punishment is: you’re not allowed to date!"

"Pfft."

"From now on, focus on your Cultivation. Strive to reach the Saint Tier as soon as possible," Li Xiang instructed earnestly.

Luo Feifei blinked. ’Just you wait,’ she thought. ’Once I reach the Saint Tier, I’ll use my Prophetic Art just to mess with you!’

Li Xiang sensed her "hostility" and drew in a sharp breath. "You’ve got quite a rebellious streak, don’t you? Take this!"

He flicked his finger lightly against her forehead.

Luo Feifei’s eyes rolled back in her head, and she immediately slumped to the side.

The little animals jumped in fright. ’Did Master just kill her with a flick?’ they wondered.

Li Xiang: "..."

’Don’t tell me I didn’t control my strength and actually knocked her out? A concussion? No way. I’m not that careless.’

’Her mother is still in the house. If something happened to her, how would I ever explain it?’

Li Xiang quickly jumped down. He gently placed a hand on Luo Feifei’s forehead, sending a stream of Spiritual Power into her body to carefully examine her condition.