Xie Lingyu — Not the Slightest Inferiority

Eastern Divine Continent, Yuliu River.

All rivers eventually flow into the sea. The Yuliu River was one of the largest tributaries near the Eastern Sea, and arriving here meant they had reached the edge of the Eastern Divine Continent.

Chu Xingchen strolled upstream along the riverbank. Xie Lingyu followed behind him, a longsword at her waist, gazing at his back.

It wasn't that Xie Lingyu's insistence on following him had made Chu Xingchen angry.

Rather, Chu Xingchen had just had an argument with Chen Baiqing.

Now that the tasks had been assigned, everyone had their own things to do and wouldn't stay by Chu Xingchen's side all the time.

Chen Baiqing naturally had the time to properly question the inexplicable ideas her master had come up with again.

Chu Xingchen could naturally use his authority as her master to suppress the matter. Unable to win the argument, Baiqing wanted to follow by his side just like Xie Lingyu.

After all, if her master's wife could do it, why couldn't a disciple?

At first, Chu Xingchen tried to coax her gently, but Baiqing stubbornly stuck to her principles, swearing to act together with her master and face any danger personally even if she was no match for it.

It was Xie Lingyu's first time seeing Chen Baiqing, this usually sweet and considerate girl, gritting her teeth and insisting on hashing things out with her master.

Although Chen Baiqing argued fiercely, her words were extremely restrained. There were many things she didn't dare say out loud, so naturally, she couldn't out-argue her master.

She stared at her master for a long time with aggrieved eyes.

Childhood had its troubles, but growing up brought its own helplessness.

One could never have it both ways.

Chen Baiqing was an adult now.

Chu Xingchen spoke with absolute certainty, and perhaps his tone wasn't the best; in short, the conversation was somewhat intense.

Chen Baiqing might have felt he was being biased, but with Xie Lingyu present, she could only mutter the thought in her heart, knowing she couldn't say it aloud.

In the end, she merely wore a wronged expression, faint tears glistening in her eyes, before dropping the sentence: Master is a bully.

On the surface, it seemed Chu Xingchen had won, but this victory truly affected his mood.

Sometimes, an unspoken grievance was even more uncomfortable to bear.

As Xie Lingyu followed his steps, she felt a bit stifled in her heart, reflecting on whether she shouldn't have brought the matter up, as it had ultimately put Chu Xingchen in a difficult position.

The continuous churning of the river water stirred ripples in Xie Lingyu's heart.

After holding it in for a moment, Xie Lingyu couldn't help but speak up:

I'm sorry...

Chu Xingchen paused slightly. Waiting for Xie Lingyu to catch up and walk by his side, he then matched her pace and walked slowly forward without making any jokes, saying directly:

Are you talking about Baiqing?

Yes.

Baiqing disobeyed her master and threw a tantrum. What does that have to do with you? Why are you apologizing?

If I hadn't made that request, Baiqing probably wouldn't have argued with you.

Chu Xingchen casually used his spiritual energy to pick a small wildflower. He twirled it gently, then gestured for Xie Lingyu to open her hand.

Xie Lingyu didn't understand what Chu Xingchen was doing, but she obediently opened her hand and watched as the small yellow wildflower was placed into her palm.

At the same time, Chu Xingchen's words rang in her ears:

What does Baiqing making a request have to do with you? Sometimes, Lord Lingyu needs to learn one thing, and that is to ask: What does it have to do with me?

Looking at the yellow wildflower, Xie Lingyu replied softly:

But I am her master's wife. Caring for her is what I ought to do.

Chu Xingchen chuckled and answered:

That is the logic, but sometimes you shouldn't listen to logic too much.

Some of the requests Baiqing makes simply cannot be agreed to. Even if it means having a fight, I still can't agree.

Even if she is sad, I still can't agree.

Xie Lingyu slowly exhaled and then asked:

Then why did you agree to mine?

Because we are Dao Companions. Chu Xingchen reached out and rested his hand on Xie Lingyu's shoulder. If you were going on a dangerous adventure, even if my cultivation wasn't high enough, I would try every possible means to follow you.

Sometimes I judge others by myself. After all, Lord Lingyu came all the way from the Tianyan Sect to find me. I can't just pacify you like I did back at the Tianyan Sect.

With our swords in hand, we will surely be invincible in this world.

After speaking, a slight smile appeared on Chu Xingchen's face. Besides, if I have Lord Lingyu accompanying me, my initial nervousness will ease up a lot.

Hearing this, Xie Lingyu paused slightly and subconsciously looked at Chu Xingchen's face.

Chu Xingchen's gaze was fixed on the distant estuary. He pursed his lips and said softly:

After all, a monumental task like saving the world, aside from being very cool, actually doesn't make one feel relaxed at all.

I care about you, I care about those silly disciples, I care about your master, and I also care about San Dong, Ning Qianqian, and Ning Kun. I care about the two outer sect disciples and the only outer sect elder.

Yuyang, Xu Jin, and the Little Monk, and so on... Before I knew it, there were so many people I had to care about.

Sometimes I get scared too. Scared that I will fail, scared that you all trust me but I will mess it up.

Scared of leading your futures into the unknown and terror.

I am also scared, wondering if I am actually capable enough.

There are some things I can't say to those disciples. After all, a master always has to save face.

But I can say these things to you, because Lord Lingyu will definitely support me.

After all, Lord Lingyu told me about your past and asked me not to laugh at you, so now I'm telling Lord Lingyu about my present, and I believe Lord Lingyu won't laugh at me either.

Listening to these words, Xie Lingyu's eyes softened slightly:

Lord Lingyu won't laugh at you.

Chu Xingchen replied quickly: I have always known.

Xie Lingyu reached out and held Chu Xingchen's hand. Her gaze also turned toward the estuary ahead as she said firmly:

So, tell me earlier next time.

Chu Xingchen was about to reply when he suddenly noticed the spiritual energy surging around Lingyu beside him. At the same time, the Dao rhythm enveloping Xie Lingyu began to continuously deepen.

Xie Lingyu, who had clearly just reached the Late Soul Formation stage, was actually preparing to break through the Soul Formation stage right now and ascend directly to the Body Integration stage.

Chu Xingchen didn't speak, but a hint of worry appeared in his expression.

Xie Lingyu's grip on Chu Xingchen's hand tightened, as if telling him that she wasn't forcing it; this was an extremely smooth breakthrough.

At the estuary, Donggua had long received the order and was waiting.

Its eyes had just caught sight of Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu walking hand in hand from afar. It was about to go and welcome them when its footsteps suddenly halted in the next moment.

A ray of golden Dao rhythm descended from the sky, sweeping away today's thick layers of clouds, and shone straight down upon Xie Lingyu.

A massive sun revealed itself, hanging high in the sky, while the surrounding spiritual energy surged like rolling tides.

It wasn't the season for blooming, yet wherever Xie Lingyu passed, spiritual energy overflowed, and vitality flourished.

Watching Xie Lingyu's Dao rhythm spread wildly, blotting out the sky and covering the sun, the coercive pressure within it far exceeded even that of an ordinary mid-stage Body Integration cultivator.

Chu Xingchen gazed at Xie Lingyu, his eyes filled with absolute marvel.

[Target: Xie Lingyu]

[Cultivation: Early Body Integration Stage]

[Orange Trait: Reflection of Obsession True Intent]

[Orange Trait: True Intent like Law]

[Purple Trait: Clear Sword Heart]

[White Trait: Compassionate Heart]

[White Trait: Somewhat Steady]

[Black Trait: Heart Easily Dusted]

If Lord Lingyu lacked the potential to become a True Immortal, how could he possibly be the sole successor of Bai Xuanling?

The current strongest beneath the heavens would only pass their mantle to the future strongest beneath the heavens.

Though heaven-favored prodigies are as abundant as the clouds, Xie Lingyu does not fall short in the slightest.