17. Exposed

Taking advantage of having two eyes, Lin Jiuge examined the red spots appearing on her body and used her elemental power to strike them, infusing the power of thunder and lightning. Combined with the medicinal effects of the herbal bath, this period was quite a bittersweet experience for her.

Li Yun watched as Lin Jiuge flawlessly executed a full set of boxing techniques, each move bold and expansive. There was a certain strength and dominance in her style, culminating in her final punch that snapped sharply through the air.

“Master,” Lin Jiuge retracted her fists. She had now reached a minor accomplishment; nine distinct sounds marked the completion of the set.

“This set of boxing is commendable, Jiuge. At this stage, there’s little foundational knowledge I need to impart. The key lies in your diligence. Regardless of what you learn, the foundation is crucial,” Li Yun said solemnly.

“Disciple understands,” Lin Jiuge nodded, clearly grasping her master’s meaning.

“Jiuge,” Li Yun coughed lightly, “you must understand that as cultivators, not only do we rely on ourselves, but external forces can also be harnessed. Even if you can’t master them yourself, you can acquire them from those who can.”

Lin Jiuge was puzzled, confused, and baffled.

“For example, an array formation can protect you,” Li Yun explained more directly when he saw the clarity in his disciple’s eyes was tinged with confusion.

“Disciple understands!” Lin Jiuge’s face darkened instantly. Could this embarrassing history stop being brought up so frequently? She valued her dignity, after all!

“Do you know what kind of inscription you used to repair Ah Yan’s glyph?” Li Yun, recalling the inscriptions on Zhou Yan’s back, wanted to ask Lin Jiuge.

“No idea. It was damaged, so I used elemental power as a brush and sword qi as ink to trace the cracks along the lines,” Lin Jiuge answered honestly.

“Can you still draw that inscription now?”

“Yes,” Lin Jiuge nodded, having memorized it.

“Then draw it,” Li Yun produced an inscription brush and a bottle of prepared inscription ink, handing them to Lin Jiuge.

Lin Jiuge carefully sketched each stroke, unaware of when the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master had appeared. Soon, she began to struggle slightly. She stopped after completing about a third and immediately sat down to recover.

The Enlightened Dao Elemental Master, seeing the partially drawn inscription with its sequence disrupted, noted that it still worked. Curious, he leaned in for a closer look when suddenly came a familiar tearing sound. Instinctively, he stepped back as the inscription exploded.

“Could it really be luck?” the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master murmured.

“More like perfect timing and favorable conditions,” Li Yun pondered further. The minor enlightenment provided enough elemental energy for Lin Jiuge to sustain her drawing. Though he did not understand inscriptions well, his keen eye noticed that while the sequence was wrong, what Lin Jiuge created could be considered a new inscription—more effective than their previous three-in-one design.

---

“Yes, rare and precious,” the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master said, changing the subject. “Recently, Ah Yan has been insisting on coming over.”

“Let him come,” Li Yun replied, though they had publicly announced Lin Jiuge was in seclusion after being struck by the thunder tribulation.

“Don’t you know what people outside are saying about your disciple? They say she’s ill-fated,” the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master commented on the rumors. Well, if he hadn’t been involved the whole time, he might have believed it too, but having witnessed it all, he just thought those people were all talk.

“So what? There’s the sect’s grand competition in five years—that’ll shut them up,” Li Yun said indifferently, confident that his disciple, a proud Enlightened Combat Master, could never be unlucky or mediocre. Those naysayers were just envious. Since taking on disciples, he felt his own temper had mellowed considerably.

“What about Jiu Ci?” The little girl—his senior brother had not brought her along. Not seeing her for a day made him miss her.

“The reason I came to find you is about Jiu Ci.”

“What happened to the little treasure?” Li Yun grew anxious. That soft and obedient little girl—surely nothing bad had happened.

“Don’t be anxious, the little treasure is perfectly fine. In fact, better than ever,” the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master said, stunned himself by the truth.

“Stop beating around the bush and just say it,” Li Yun urged.

“All of the little girl’s acupoints and meridians have been opened. Her body can now autonomously absorb elemental energy from the air to nourish herself,” the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master revealed. Li Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What!”

“Today, I intended to craft a toy talisman for the little treasure. But she took my talisman brush without my noticing and started drawing wildly. By the time I realized it, she had already burned through several talisman papers. I wasn’t about to scold her—I just wanted to tell her not to meddle with certain things. But when I picked up those burned talisman papers, each was faintly infused with elemental energy,” he explained slowly.

“Shocked, I immediately examined her and found all her acupoints and meridians fully open. When she cultivates, she will surpass everyone in speed,” he said, more amazed than ever.

Although they had seen the little treasure’s potential from the start, such a sudden leap in aptitude was thought-provoking. Aside from staying with them, she only followed her elder sister. Naturally, both men looked toward Lin Jiuge, who was still meditating.

“Jiuge did this? How? She’s only been cultivating a few days—how could she have done such a thing?” Li Yun found it incredible.

“Facts are facts. Ask her when she wakes,” the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master shrugged.

“Master, Senior Uncle,” Lin Jiuge’s voice weakened. She was just recovering in meditation. What had happened? Why did her master and senior uncle look at her so frighteningly?

“Jiuge, you’ve recovered,” the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master returned to his usual warmth.

---

“Recovered. Thank you, Senior Uncle,” Lin Jiuge nodded.

“Since you’re well, let’s discuss the little treasure’s situation.”

“What about the little treasure?” Lin Jiuge asked anxiously.

“She’s fine. We want to know what you did to her body.”

Lin Jiuge! What could she possibly have done to her sister? She barely had time to care for her properly.

“Senior Uncle means, did you open all the acupoints for the little treasure?” Li Yun asked bluntly, showing his scholarly finesse with the question.

“Are those acupoints? Probably,” Lin Jiuge thought of the vanished red spots and nodded.

“Hmm, so it really was you.”

“Is there anything wrong with that, Master, Senior Uncle?” Lin Jiuge’s voice lowered considerably, tinged with anxiety. Had she done something wrong? Had she harmed the little treasure?

“No, it’s right. But Jiuge, what were you thinking?” The Enlightened Dao Elemental Master was curious. No one had ever considered opening these at such a young age for a child.

“What was I thinking? I just wanted the little treasure to have an easier time,” Lin Jiuge answered quietly, uncertain whether she was speaking to the Enlightened Dao Elemental Master or herself.

Deep inside, her truest thought was that if they were ever separated someday, at least her sister would be capable of protecting herself.

“Many love their children, but no one has ever done this,” Li Yun said, briefly seeing his disciple in a grand light.

“They have their family. We have only each other.”