Chapter 1111 - 609: The Meaning of Ascension (Double-Length) (Part 2)

Those who attempt to leave this world with Spiritual Qi will destabilize the world, and they must die.

As a representative of the Heavenly Dao, he will be the executor.

If it wasn’t for her intervention, Xu Chang’an would later have to send back those ’Ascenders’ whom he believed to be very powerful.

"Miss, what are you thinking about?" Xu Chang’an looked at Yun Qian, who was lost in thought, and asked somewhat puzzled.

"The matter of Ascension." Yun Qian tilted her head and said softly, "I... haven’t heard of immortals in this world."

"Is that so." Xu Chang’an was taken aback, then gave Yun Qian a deep look.

Almost forgot.

The young lady at home is not an ordinary girl; he still doesn’t understand the family behind her.

"Are there no immortals in this world?" Xu Chang’an asked.

Yun Qian did not speak.

She was a bit tired at the moment, her mind not quite there, so she didn’t know how to respond. Fortunately, Xu Chang’an was just casually asking and did not expect Yun Qian to answer.

"Forget it, what does it have to do with the lady, I was just talking casually." Xu Chang’an no longer looked at Yun Qian but instead cast his gaze below the stage, where Miss Aqing was performing solely for Shi Qingjun, with a trace of a smile on his lips.

"Unexpectedly, this Miss Aqing had such an opportunity."

Although he couldn’t hear what Aqing and Shi Qingjun were talking about on stage, judging by what happened, it seemed Shi Qingjun had previously given Aqing an opportunity, leading to their reunion here — or perhaps Shi Qingjun came specifically to meet Aqing.

Otherwise, Xu Chang’an was quite unsure why the one Li Zhibai mentioned as ’should not’ appear in the brothel ended up here.

It’s quite good.

Xu Chang’an thought.

He had a mentor, so he couldn’t repay the kindness of the senior who gave the Jade Pendant, but Miss Aqing was a very diligent person. Seeing her obtain an opportunity that ordinary people couldn’t get, Xu Chang’an was genuinely happy for her.

Incidentally, it could also explain Senior Wen’s doubts.

If Aqing’s swordsmanship was taught by that senior, then the strange elements that Senior Wen couldn’t articulate... wouldn’t be so strange anymore.

It’s a good thing.

Xu Chang’an had a likable impression of Aqing. Even if Aqing was a half-demon, even if she was always tense and her voice quivered when speaking to him, honestly, Xu Chang’an quite liked her.

The reason why...

When Xu Chang’an saw Aqing, in her servant girl attire, supporting Yun Qian across the swaying ship to meet her, and even holding hands with Yun Qian as they left, his fondness for Aqing no longer needed any reason.

In this world, a girl who can hold Yun Qian’s hand like that... maybe she’s the first one.

"Miss, do you like that Miss Aqing?" Xu Chang’an asked.

"I like her." Yun Qian replied calmly, without any hesitation.

This is a girl who stands on her side, so of course, she likes her.

"As expected." Xu Chang’an propped his face while watching Aqing’s sword dance from afar, a smile forming at the corner of his lips.

Actually, it’s a bit strange.

The always-worrying and thoughtful Zhu Pingniang never made Yun Qian say she liked something.

His most respected mentor also never easily made Yun Qian say she liked something.

The girls Xu Chang’an could remember Yun Qian saying she liked were only Liu Qingluo, Miss Liu... but concerning Liu Qingluo, Yun Qian liked the wine, and it perhaps had little to do with Liu Qingluo herself.

Yet what Zhu Pingniang and Li Zhibai couldn’t do, Aqing did?

Xu Chang’an wouldn’t ask Yun Qian why she liked Liu Qingluo. He understood Yun Qian’s thoughts too well, knowing he would probably not get an answer because... sometimes fondness doesn’t require a reason.

Firstly, Aqing is Zhu Pingniang’s ’daughter,’ arranged with such care by Zhu Pingniang implies she isn’t a bad girl.

Xu Chang’an had spoken with her a few times and understood her attitude toward him and Yun Qian.

Furthermore, the senior who gave him the Glazed Jade Pendant vouched for Aqing.

Under these reasons, even someone extremely cautious and considerate regarding Yun Qian’s interpersonal relationships like Xu Chang’an couldn’t find anything bad to say about Aqing.

Moreover, Xu Chang’an was genuinely worried if he asked Yun Qian why she liked Aqing, Yun Qian might reply with something like ’she likes you too’...

At that time, he wouldn’t know how to respond.

With his fingers against his brow, Xu Chang’an took a deep breath.

Girls who can win over Miss Yun’s affections are rare... and Aqing seems to have some connection with Chaoyun, so... maybe she has the chance to be the first ’real’ friend in Miss Yun’s life?

He is emotionally slow, but that’s because the other party is Miss Yun. If it were someone else... he wouldn’t be a slow person, so in the future, it might be best to avoid Miss Aqing a bit.

At this moment, Aqing’s sword dance started to slowly come to an end, as if her dance dedicated to Shi Qingjun had concluded. Afterward, she paused slightly, catching her breath and adjusting her state.

Xu Chang’an realized something.

This Barrier is probably about to dissipate.

"By the way, remember not to mention to anyone that we weren’t controlled, Miss." Xu Chang’an immediately reminded Yun Qian, "I need to consult our mentor about this first."

"...Mm." Yun Qian replied.

It originally had little to do with her.

However, Miss Yun had a question she wanted to ask.

"Why do you care about matters of Ascension?" she asked.

"Ascension?"

"Yes, do you... want to Ascend to become a mentor?"

Xu Chang’an was momentarily stunned, then smiled.

"Never really thought about it; just thought... Ascending means you can live longer." Xu Chang’an shook his head.

If he ascends, perhaps he can always be together with the girl.

Even though he believes that even if he doesn’t ascend, he’d meet Miss Yun again in reincarnation, ultimately... when opportunities are within reach, one should seize them.

Xu Chang’an looked out the window, "I don’t believe in reincarnation. So, if there’s a chance to become an immortal with you in the future... isn’t that a good thing?"

"Reincarnation... in the future..."

Yun Qian silently repeated these words, then said nothing more, simply sitting quietly.

Then the Barrier dissipated.

The noise returned among the girls below, Ping Niang and Li Zhibai resumed their discussion, Shi Qingjun was still surrounded and served by the girls, and after a moment of daze, Aqing resumed the charming sword dance she had earlier.

Although the performance had a hitch due to her overly obvious daze earlier, when Aqing started dancing again... everything went back to normal.

Xu Chang’an glanced at Wen Li beside him, noticing her serious expression, seemingly completely unaware that time had just been paused.

In the distance, Li Zhibai and Zhu Pingniang’s conversation also flowed smoothly, and from the expression of his mentor... Xu Chang’an knew he had to report this clearly to his mentor.

Wen Li was suddenly stared at by Xu Chang’an, and after blinking once, she was taken aback.

"Junior brother?"

"...Ah."

Xu Chang’an snapped back to reality, paused, then said, "Senior Sister, I might have figured out why Miss Aqing’s swordsmanship is extraordinary."

"Is that so?" Wen Li heard this, nodded, although showing surprise, did not ask what was extraordinary about it.

"Senior Sister isn’t going to ask me?" Xu Chang’an looked at Wen Li, who just accepted it like that.

It’s worth noting that even Senior Sister had been puzzled about her swordsmanship.

"You were supposed to know this." Wen Li said calmly.

She believed Xu Chang’an could discern the extraordinary aspects of Aqing’s swordsmanship, which was why she asked him.

And now not asking for specific details is because Xu Chang’an didn’t offer the reason on his own, so Miss Wen wouldn’t press for it.

That’s Miss Wen’s nature.

"...Senior Sister... never mind." Xu Chang’an smiled slightly, then stood up looking towards Li Zhibai, saying to Wen Li, "I’ll go consult our mentor first; I’ll tell you the details later."

"Mm." Wen Li nodded, then shifted her gaze to Yun Qian.

Everything about Yun Qian was as usual, still gazing blankly at the sword dance.

So, the junior brother’s change probably has nothing to do with Yun Qian?

Shaking her head, she continued to watch the stage.

Wen Li was suddenly taken aback.

Aqing’s sword dance became clean and crisp, as if she had let go of some burden.

What happened?