Chapter 120

          Xia Lihua was quietly moved by Ji Xian’s words. It was true—though they hadn’t yet reached the realm of divinity, they were already preoccupied with matters far beyond their current understanding. She couldn’t recall exactly when it began, but at some point, her conversations with Ji Xian had reached a depth she never thought possible for someone at her level. She can only imagine what people’s reactions would be if they knew the details of their discussions.

          “You’re right,” Xia Lihua nodded thoughtfully. “We’ve been looking too far ahead, delving into the mysteries of the world, when our path is still shrouded in uncertainty. Why discuss the sources of Essence and the concept of Heaven when we haven’t even ascended yet? We don’t even know the process of ascension, let alone what awaits us in the Upper World.”

          Ji Xian softly hummed in acknowledgement. Despite how much he disliked overthinking, it often came too easily for him. The knowledge he retained from his past life didn’t help. While it sometimes gave him the creativity needed for success in his simulations, it also led him to think far beyond what was necessary. This world was different from his own, and he had to constantly remind himself to draw a clear distinction between them. The same logic simply couldn’t apply here.

          Just as Ji Xian was about to make a remark, Xia Lihua surprised him with her next words.

          “However, with all that said, I still would like to continue talking about all these matters with you,” she said, with a beautiful smile on her lips.

          “Oh?” Ji Xian slightly lifted his brows in a questioning manner. “Why is that?”

          Xia Lihua laughed, putting her perfect pearly whites on display. “I’m aware that what we talk about may potentially harm us and possibly lead us down the wrong path, but…”

          “But?”

          “But I truly cherish these conversations we share,” Xia Lihua said softly. “During these moments, it feels as though you’re completely open, explaining everything wholeheartedly, without holding any back. There are no secrets, no lies.”

          She approached him as she spoke. Leaning forward, Xia Lihua gently caressed Ji Xian’s face.

          “Even now, you can be such a mystery to me—your thoughts, your reasons, your motives, all of it. I often wonder: if Immortals truly exist, perhaps you’d be their perfect embodiment.”

          Ji Xian opened his lips, on the verge of speaking, but was promptly stopped by the press of Xia Lihua’s finger.

          “Don’t mistake what I say as a compliment,” She interrupted. “So many people chase this dream without understanding the true meaning behind it—the true terror hidden in that single word. The name may speak of benevolence but what is an Immortal but a demon in disguise?”

          Xia Lihua briefly paused before shaking her head. “The same could be said for cultivators as well. Have you ever wondered about the extremity of power we wield and the cost of having it? The price of going against the natural order?”

          Ji Xian silently stared into Xia Lihua’s silver eyes, subtly tilting his head as he gave her a questioning look of confusion.

          She smiled, lifting away her finger, she casually brushed his hair and apologized. “Sorry. I got a bit carried away and went off on a tangent.”

          Ji Xian chuckled, unfazed and replied, “You seem to have some deep thoughts about cultivation.”

          “A little.”

          He observed Xia Lihua, his pupils sparkling as he did so. She didn’t shy away and confidently gazed at him right back, her radiant eyes no less resplendent.

          “Do you think cultivation is a mistake?” Ji Xian asked.

          Shaking her head, Xia Lihua replied, “That is not for me to decide. I am merely thinking of cause and effect.”

          “And with that said,” she continued, her gaze sharpening, “what exactly did you do to the thousands of Graha? And what is it that they have become that you hold in your hand?”

           “You mean this?” Ji Xian asked, raising his arm to reveal the shiny, clear bead no larger than a marble.

          Xia Lihua’s eyes narrowed as she inspected it. She could sense an enormous amount of Essence contained within the bead—not only was it abnormally condensed, but it was also intensely concentrated, free of all impurities, save for a golden hue that appeared to be swimming about inside the river of energy.

          Her mouth fell open as she drew in a breath. “Is that filled with Soul Essence?” she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

          As the words escaped her lips, a sudden realization struck. “You… you refined all the Graha into pure Essence?”

          Ji Xian casually nodded. “I did,” he replied simply.

          He noticed the golden hue moving around in the clear marble bead and gave an intrigued smile. “Though it looks like one of the Graha had something that couldn’t be broken down.”

          While Xia Lihua watched him closely, Ji Xian held his other hand over the bead. With his fingers pinched together, he made a slow, deliberate motion, pulling it back. The golden hue, as though feeling a tug, moved in tandem with his movement and was drawn out of the bead.

          The instant it became exposed to the light of day, the golden hue was then revealed to be a golden strand of light. Its appearance didn’t surprise Ji Xian and Xia Lihua. They already had an idea of what it was the second they saw its existence.

          “Heavenly Merit…” Xia Lihua muttered.

          Ji Xian nodded, “Lucky us, one of the Graha had Heavenly Merit on him.”

          This Heavenly Merit naturally belonged to Yatong, who had used it to guard against the foresight ability of the Great Ancestor. It was an item of miracles. The Great Ancestor had once drove back an entire army of the Graha race by himself back when they first arrived, and it might’ve been possible for him to do so again if there had been no involvement from the Upper World. However, because Yatong had obtained a single strand of Heavenly Merit, the situation this time had completely reversed.  

          Ji Xian didn’t know who it was that this Heavenly Merit belonged to—though he could venture a guess, he did not care enough to do so. It may sound arrogant, but whether it was Yatong, the two brothers, or Bohai, to him, they were just slightly bigger ants and were not enough for him to give them his attention. Since the time Ji Xian achieved his current strength, there had been no one that could force him to utilize his full cultivation base. It’s likely that there is no one in the Lower World even capable of that. It is as he once said to Li Yifan, here, in the Lower World, he is supreme.

          “Take it. You’ll need this Heavenly Merit,” said Ji Xian, as he sends the golden strand to Xia Lihua.

          Even though it was under his control, the strand curiously looked to be trying to escape, like it had a mind of its own.

          The Heavenly Merit flew straight into Xia Lihua’s chest, and she absorbed it with but a thought.

          “It’s merely a strand… it won’t be much longer before we start running low on Heavenly Merit…” Xia Lihua murmured.

          Ji Xian shook his head, “It can’t be helped, we’re sharing our supply, after all.”

          “I think you mean I’ve been taking your supply,” Xia Lihua sighed. “These Heavenly Merits I’ve been using are yours, I’ve merely been leeching off you.”

          “Nonsense. I do not see it as such a thing.” Ji Xian said, playfully flicking Xia Lihua’s forehead as if to reassure her.

          She paused at his words, and before she even realized it, a gentle smile had subconsciously formed on her lips as she looked at him tenderly.

          “Besides…” Ji Xian chuckled, turning his head in the direction of the Amber Soul Kingdom. “I’m sure we can get our hands on some more soon.”