The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 62: The Genius Girl

The Genius Girl . . .

With Cha-Eun Xiao's words, the steward didn't see the need to press further. Instead, he reported, "My lord, you should know that all the Mu Clan members are deceased..."

Cha-Eun Xiao immediately turned towards him, a mixture of shock and curiosity on his face. "What? They're all dead? What exactly happened? Do you know who's responsible?"

"It's confirmed," the steward confirmed, a frown on his face. "It appears to be the most enigmatic organization in the world, the House of the Chaotic Storm... There were no survivors, and they even left a message for all to see... It seems that the House of the Chaotic Storm intentionally targeted the Mu Clan."

Cha-Eun Xiao quickly pieced something together.

[It seems Xiu Of The Heavens truly did it!]

She had wiped out all the Mu Clan members who had entered the capital without holding back, displaying ruthless and deadly efficiency...

It sent shivers down Cha-Eun Xiao's spine.

"The House of the Chaotic Storm, often considered a mere legend, has finally revealed itself," Cha-Eun Xiao murmured. His eyes sparkled as he recalled the day he had chased those men into the mountains...

The bamboo forest...

It had to be connected to the House of the Chaotic Storm.

[Someday, when the weather is clear and dry, I'll bring some gasoline and burn that cursed bamboo forest down... Let's see what emerges...]

Returning to his garden, he found Su Ye-Yue seated in the pavilion, her chin resting on her hands as she gazed at the moon in the sky.

He approached quietly and took a seat opposite her.

The girl continued to look at the moon as she asked, "Cha-Eun Xiao, have you ever wondered... if there are people on the moon?"

Cha-Eun Xiao replied, "I suppose so. According to mythology, there's a goddess who resides there—Chang-Er, right?"

The girl responded with a soft "hmm" before saying, "Cha-Eun Xiao, you had me so worried."

Cha-Eun Xiao offered a warm smile. "Don't worry. Who am I? I'll always be okay."

Su Ye-Yue nodded gently. "You're safe now... But, I was really scared..."

She fell silent for a moment before suddenly speaking with enthusiasm, "Cha-Eun Xiao, you missed the auction the other day! What a shame! I attended, and not only was it an eye-opener, but I also gained something—a book called the Sword Art Of Feng-Hua. It's an incredible sword technique! I can become a top-tier cultivator from now on..."

"The Sword Art Of Feng-Hua? Is it truly that powerful?" Cha-Eun Xiao furrowed his brows. "Let me have a look."

Normally, such a request would be considered inappropriate. If Steward Song were present, he would have certainly intervened. Martial art books worthy of being auctioned at the high-level Ling-Bao Hall were typically at least high-grade books. However, as the hidden Xiao Monarch, he only intended to inspect the book. Even with his voracious appetite for knowledge, he wouldn't spare it more than a cursory glance. As for the girl...

She didn't seem to mind.

With a grin, she retrieved a book from beneath her clothes and handed it to Cha-Eun Xiao. Only then did he notice the elegant sword resting on the stone chair beside her.

[Seems like the girl has a genuine interest in martial arts. I wonder whether the book is complete or an unfinished work.] Cha-Eun Xiao pondered and inquired, "Yue, what level have you reached in your cultivation?"

Su Ye-Yue blushed slightly but decided to share, "I've reached the 7th level of the Grade of Ren-Yuan..."

"Level 7 of the Grade of Ren-Yuan..." Cha-Eun Xiao nodded and expressed mild surprise. For a pampered princess from the Palace of Hua-Yang, achieving the 7th level of the Grade of Ren-Yuan was quite remarkable. He continued, "Have you been practicing martial arts since childhood?"

Su Ye-Yue hesitated briefly before continuing, "No, my father spent his entire life on the battlefield and never wanted me to learn martial arts. He believed that it would diminish a girl's grace. However, I've always been intrigued by it. About two years ago, I began secretly learning from the guards at home... I had to keep it hidden from my father, so I practiced only occasionally. It's a shame that the guard who taught me the cultivation method died in battle shortly after our last lesson..."

Cha-Eun Xiao was taken aback!

[Two years ago? Taught by a guard? Practiced secretly? 'Three days fishing, two days drying nets'?! And she reached the seventh level of the Grade of Ren-Yuan in just two years? Is she some kind of prodigy?]

With a history like that, she might be considered a person with decent potential, but not an exceptional one in the Qing-Yun Realm. However, in the Land of Han-Yang, her achievements would be nothing short of phenomenal. She could even be labeled as a genius among geniuses!

What made her achievements even more astonishing was that she had been cultivating without her parents' knowledge, practicing in secret, and self-guided. Her mentor, the guard, had tragically perished in battle. This implied that the guard likely possessed average cultivation skills at best. How could a cultivation method from such an individual yield such remarkable results?

Under these less-than-ideal circumstances, she had managed to reach the seventh level of the Grade of Ren-Yuan. It was simply inconceivable!

Cha-Eun Xiao was truly amazed. He almost began to believe that the person before him was a supernatural being.

"What's the matter?" Su Ye-Yue noticed Cha-Eun Xiao's silence and asked anxiously, "Am I too slow? Too weak? My father always said I had no talent for cultivation, that I wasn't cut out for it..."

Cha-Eun Xiao struggled to find words. [No talent for cultivation? Not cut out for it? What on earth... If she's not cut out for it, then who possibly is?]

Cha-Eun Xiao, in his previous life, had not been born into a noble clan but had grown up as an orphan. He was later fortunate to acquire the Pure Yang Martial Art, and his cultivation speed was considered "one day, a thousand miles" by his master. He had been hailed as a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius.

However, learning about Su Ye-Yue made him realize that there was always someone better out there. Su Ye-Yue's aptitude was, at the very least, superior to his own in his previous life.

"I think cultivation suits you," Cha-Eun Xiao remarked. "Come on, let me assess your aptitude."

With that, he took her hands.

His intention was purely to understand more about this extraordinary genius in front of him, not to take advantage of her. Her hands were cool and soft, akin to jade. The East-rising Purple Qi flowed within him, sensing her spiritual power and examining her Jing and Mai meridians.

After a brief moment, he released her hands and let out a wry smile. He was astonished and almost couldn't believe the extent of her aptitude. If he had once been considered a genius of the highest order, then how would one describe her aptitude? A once-in-an-eon monstrosity? A perversion of nature? Her aptitude far exceeded his expectations.

In terms of potential, she surpassed his previous self and was no less impressive than the outstanding Wen-Ren Chu-Chu he had recently met—she might even be superior. Yet, she had never received proper guidance and had been cultivating entirely on her own, likely straying down numerous unnecessary paths that could have damaged her Jing and Mai meridians.

However, Cha-Eun Xiao viewed the minimal damage as negligible.

["A female body of Spiritual Yin. Naturally superior Jing and Mai meridians. Pure Yin bones. A body like this is perfect for cultivation..."] Cha-Eun Xiao sighed inwardly. ["If someone like her were in the Qing-Yun Realm, the two super sects would vie fiercely to have her as their successor! What's truly fascinating is that in the Land of Han-Yang, her father has forbidden her from cultivating and even told her she was unfit for it..."]

This time, Cha-Eun Xiao truly grasped the meaning of the phrase "wasting God's gifts." It was as if precious pearls had been hidden beneath layers of dust!

"Close your eyes. I have a gift for you," Cha-Eun Xiao said gently.

"What present?" Su Ye-Yue's voice quivered with a mixture of embarrassment and joy. This was the first time Cha-Eun Xiao had offered her a gift, and she eagerly closed her eyes as he instructed.

"Open your mouth," he gently instructed.

"Ahh~" Su Ye-Yue complied, her curiosity and anticipation building.

In the next instant, she felt warmth spreading within her mouth as a round dan bead was placed on her tongue. It swiftly dissolved into a fluid that cascaded down her throat and settled in her stomach. Her initial flurry of sensations gave way to a delightful fragrance that enveloped her senses. Just as she was about to savor the taste, the fluid transformed into a warm qi that flowed through her entire body, including her Jing and Mai meridians.

An indescribable sense of comfort spread throughout her, eliciting a satisfied moan of pleasure. Su Ye-Yue couldn't contain her delight and immediately opened her eyes. "Wow? It feels so good! What was that? Why was it so delicious? Do you have more?"

It was clear that she wanted another taste, having enjoyed the initial sensation so much. Her childlike enthusiasm was entirely understandable. However, she remained unaware that the tiny dan bead had not only delighted her taste buds but had also eradicated any negative influences in her Jing and Mai meridians, making her stronger.

Cha-Eun Xiao could only chuckle helplessly. He had intended to provide her with a Pei-Yuan Dan Bead to help cleanse her body of impurities. Yet, the girl seemed to view them as sweet treats. While he had the means to supply her with more of these "sweets" thanks to his control over the powerful Spaces, it would still be somewhat extravagant.

"No, that's the only one," Cha-Eun Xiao replied, raising his hands in a mock surrender.

There were certain things he couldn't reveal to the girl just yet. If she were to accidentally spread this information far and wide, his peace and quiet would be a thing of the past.

"It was so delicious," Su Ye-Yue sighed as she licked her lips, savoring the lingering taste. "If there were more of these tasty beans, I could eat eighty or a hundred of them every day... I'd never consider it too much."

Cha-Eun Xiao was left speechless. [Taking undeserved gains for granted, what an audacious girl. Eighty or a hundred every day? That's truly...]

However, her delighted mood quickly took a turn as she suddenly frowned and clutched her belly. "Oh no, pain in my belly..." She leaped to her feet and began looking around frantically. "No, no, no, no, no..." And with that, she hurriedly departed.

Cha-Eun Xiao furrowed his brows; he had completely forgotten about this...