Chapter 1146: Chapter 1144: Grandparent and Grandchild Meet_1
When Shi Xiaole walked out of the Hundred Refinement Forest, he instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.
Ling Jianhua, Ling Zishuang, and other youths turned an alternating shade of green and white on their faces, especially considering their previous mockery and sneering, they were unspeakably embarrassed. In the midst of their embarrassment lingered a fear they were unwilling to acknowledge.
Life energy doesn’t lie. Shi Xiaole was now so strong, he likely wasn’t much inferior to the top ten warriors of the South Sea. What would he become in the future? It was unimaginable.
"Cousin, you’ve really kept me in the dark! I had no idea you were this powerful. From now on, I’m looking to you for guidance in my cultivation."
Ling Jianxia rushed to Shi Xiaole’s side, his face entirely covered with the word adoration.
He couldn’t help but admire him. Making it to the seventh round meant Shi Xiaole’s strength was close to that of a Forbidden Martial Emperor. In today’s Ling Family, he could rank among the top ten, and judging by the entire South Sea’s population of trillions, perhaps even within the top three hundred—a truly astonishing achievement.
For the under-twenty-year-old Ling Jianxia, such a shock was simply irresistible. Besides, he vaguely felt that his cousin Shi Xiaole naturally possessed a quality that made people willing to follow him.
Even Ling Zimo, who was known for his sly nature, looked at Shi Xiaole differently now.
Only Ling Yujie helplessly shook her head.
In such a brief moment, she clearly felt that over half of the Ling Family’s attention had shifted here, or to be exact, to Shi Xiaole.
The malice and chill in some of those gazes made her shiver and her skin crawl.
Shi Xiaole had sensed it too, but he didn’t care. With no Forbidden Martial Emperor to worry about, why should he be afraid? Even if a Forbidden Martial Emperor wished to harm him, it wouldn’t be easy.
"Cousin, you really hide your light under a bushel. Even I was fooled. It seems that the fortunes on you are not small at all."
Ling Jianming regained his smile, but a closer look still revealed an unnaturalness in his expression. This scene elicited silent sighs from several Ling Family experts not far away.
In the past, Ling Jianming was the most anticipated talent of the Ling Family. But today, his limelight had been completely overshadowed by another. Judging by the previous dialogue, the latter seemed to be the son of Ling Yujie.
In her time, Ling Yujie had united her family internally and formed alliances externally. It could be said that she, on her own, reversed the decline of the Ling Family and averted threats several times. Anyone who had lived through that era had to acknowledge her as a remarkable woman!
Even now, many of the Ling Family’s older generation still had regard for the achievements of Miss Ling. Now that her son had just returned and overshadowed the most outstanding talent of Ling Wenyu’s line, it was difficult to say whether this was good or bad.
"Opportunities come to all, it’s just a matter of who can make the most of them. Brother Jianming enjoys the protection of the Ling Family; how could I compare with that?"
Shi Xiaole spoke calmly.
Ling Jianming’s previous remarks were clearly calculated. And Shi Xiaole’s meaning was even more straightforward: you, Ling Jianming, have enjoyed the most resources from the Ling Family, far more than I ever did, but still, you are no match for me.
"Heh, the able become teachers. From now on, your elder brother will be seeking guidance from you, cousin. I hope you won’t refuse."
Though hatred simmered in Ling Jianming’s heart, his face wore a humble and open demeanor.
"Brother Jianming is too courteous. We should be seeking guidance from each other."
A dog that can bite doesn’t bark. Shi Xiaole gave Ling Jianming a deep look, recognizing him as a formidable person only at this moment.
The subsequent stroll seemed dull and tasteless.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Ling Yujie suggested that Shi Xiaole meet with Ling Wenlong, allowing Ling Jianming to take the opportunity to say goodbye and lead away those of the same lineage.
"Finally, I don’t have to endure any longer."
Ling Jianhua heaved a sigh of relief.
It might have been psychological, but ever since he started to pay attention to Shi Xiaole, he always felt an immense pressure around him. Those occasional glances seemed capable of piercing the soul and revealing all secrets.
This sensation, something he never experienced even in the presence of his grandfather Ling Wenyu, was absurdly felt in the company of a member of his own generation who was yet under a hundred years old.
Ling Zishuang said bitterly, "That monster will surely suffer the jealousy of the heavens in the future, just like his mother!"
"Shut your mouth!"
Ling Jianming suddenly barked angrily, "Aunt Yu Ji is a great contributor to our Ling Family. How can you slander her? No matter the competition between our two lines, we, the Ling Family, always stand united externally. If I hear such words again, I will not spare you!"
Ling Zishuang stared at her brother in a daze, her eyes turning red from being scolded, and she remained unresponsive even after he had left.
"I was planning to discipline that girl, tsk tsk, someone beat me to it. If what he said just now was genuine, that young man could still be shaped, but if those were deceitful words, heh, then his scheming is far from simple."
"Old fellow, you’re overthinking it, how would he know we were spying on them?"
"I hope that’s the case. Enough with the nonsense, what do you think of Yu Ji’s lad?"
"His character is resolute. On the surface, he seems mild-mannered and respectful, but deep down he’s willful and aggressive. His personality is a blend of Yu Ji and that man. Alas, if our Ling Family does not handle things properly, we might not be spared by him."
"Is he that remarkable? Well, that guy was truly enigmatic. Back in the day, even though his strength was limited, he still managed to... ahem, let’s watch and see. Since he’s Yu Ji’s bloodline, we two can’t let him suffer."
"Indeed, back then, we wronged Yu Ji."
Two invisible and intangible spiritual energies, unbeknownst to everyone else, swiftly withdrew from the skies above Lingtian Mansion and descended into a deep subterranean space.
"Little brother, what’s wrong?"
Ling Yujie looked at Shi Xiaole with puzzlement.
Shi Xiaole withdrew his gaze and shook his head: "It’s nothing."
Was it just an illusion? He had the feeling that someone was spying on them. But with his spiritual strength, unless it was a Sky Origin Martial Emperor, who could have escaped his notice?
...
The ruined peach garden was overgrown with moss and wet marks, weeds concealed the path, and a musty smell of earth assaulted Shi Xiaole’s nose.
He couldn’t believe this was where Ling Wenlong lived.
As the former head of the family who was once the third strongest in the Ling Family, even if his injuries were serious and he was beyond recovery, he should not be treated this way. With Ling Wenyu’s methods and vision, he wouldn’t suppress someone to this deplorable state, not to mention wouldn’t the members of Ling Wenlong’s line resist?
As if seeing his confusion, Ling Zixin said bitterly, "This was Grandfather’s own request; without his command, no one is allowed to step half into Siyu Garden. I heard that when the location for Lingtian Mansion was first chosen, this place was already like this. Auntie once said that the pattern here is extraordinary, which is why she forbade anyone from changing it."
A series of intense coughs reached Shi Xiaole’s ears.
Inside the small building, there were three distinct breaths.
One of them was weak, like a flickering candle in the wind, another was probably at the level of a Heaven Realm Martial Emperor, and the third was terribly frightening, even causing a sense of threat to Shi Xiaole.
"Zixin, let your cousin come in alone."
A clear and loud voice rang out—it was Ling Cunyi’s voice.
Ling Zixin was stunned, then showed a helpless look and could only stop outside the small building, but she did not leave. Shi Xiaole stepped into the small building and climbed the wooden steps.
During this process, he distinctly felt that the owners of the weakest and strongest breaths had very intense heartbeats. Given their realms, they should not be so nervous even in the face of life and death.
But how could Shi Xiaole know that to the two old men weathered by life upstairs, his appearance was an event more critical than life and death itself!
Finally.
Shi Xiaole reached the second floor.
Three looks hotter than flames were simultaneously cast upon him; instinctively, Shi Xiaole followed one of them and looked towards the emaciated old man who, supported by someone, could barely lean against the headboard.
As their eyes met, tears streamed down from the old man’s eyes while his body quivered uncontrollably, with Ling Cunyi urging him to stay calm at his side and Ling Hu placing a hand on the old man’s back, sending him Vigorous Air.
"Child, can you, can you come a bit closer so that this useless grandfather of yours can see you more clearly, is that okay?"
Overwhelmed by emotion, Ling Wenlong coughed up blood again, staining the front of his clothes. Shi Xiaole noticed fresh bloodstains on the bed, which, judging by their color, must have appeared not long before.
Had this old man been waiting in excitement and trepidation for him since before he’d even appeared?
In Ling Zixin’s words, the extraordinary figure who once stirred up the South Sea and dominated the Martial World now seemed even frailer than an ordinary old man.
With only a dim lamp and an old servant by his side, paralyzed in bed, he appeared like a judged man, speaking in nearly pleading tones, yearning for the affection of a grandson he had never met.
Shi Xiaole’s heart unexpectedly clenched as he stepped forward, approaching the bed and crouching down to take the old man’s hand, gently saying, "Grandfather."
Ling Wenlong’s mouth opened as his shaking intensified. His face turned alternatively red and white, and he quickly closed his mouth, striving not to let any blood that he coughed up splatter on his grandson while his tears kept falling like rain.
Ling Cunyi and Ling Hu looked at Shi Xiaole with softened gazes. They were already aware of Shi Xiaole’s deeds, appreciating even more his compliance and deference.
"It is Grandfather’s fault; these years, I have made you, you suffer..."
Ling Wenlong struggled to finish his sentence as blood kept spattering, but he felt no pain because a simple "Grandfather" was worth more than everything else.
"Family head, please calm yourself. The Young Master has returned, your wish has been fulfilled; you should take good care of your health now," Ling Hu said, choking back tears.
Ling Cunyi also earnestly advised him, feeling heart-wrenching pain upon seeing his father like this.
Shi Xiaole secretly used his spiritual strength to examine Ling Wenlong’s condition, realizing that there was barely any sign of life within his body, and even the strength in his heart pulse was almost non-existent. That he was still alive was nothing short of a miracle.
"Something’s not right."
If it were due to a grave injury that had sapped his lifeforce, there would always be traces left in the body, but Ling Wenlong was clearly not like that; it was more as if someone had stripped it all away.
After Ling Hu poured in his own life essence without regard for the cost, Ling Wenlong seemed to somewhat improve. Leaning against the headboard, he affectionately watched Shi Xiaole and asked about his experiences over the years, to which Shi Xiaole responded.
Ling Wenlong alternated between joy and sorrow, between indignation and pride, revealing his true feelings without doubt.
"My grandson is indeed a peerless talent, the best in the world!"
Ling Wenlong lavished praise and, after talking about Shi Xiaole’s past, he finally asked, "Child, have you never seen your own parents?"
Hearing Shi Xiaole’s acknowledgment, Ling Wenlong felt a pang of melancholy.
"Grandfather, what exactly happened back then when father and mother were framed?"
Shi Xiaole also asked the question he most wanted to know.
