Chapter 171: Chapter 168: Death by Cringe
It was a very peculiar experience. A series of obscure and complex sounds echoed in her ears.
Though she couldn’t make them out clearly, for some reason, Niu Kexin felt as if something new had appeared in her mind.
Suddenly, she understood. It was a moment of utter clarity.
Domain!
’So this is what a Domain is!’
"What the heart contemplates, what the sun and moon temper, with the soul as a thread to move heaven and earth. When obsession runs deep, a Domain is forged!"
Niu Kexin spread her arms. In her mind, the smiles of her father, Uncle Niu, and Mo Qi appeared first. Then, the faces of Liu Ruyan, Jin Sanpang, Liu Hui, and the others flashed past, one after another.
"Guardian!"
Niu Kexin’s eyes snapped open, and a unique energy, exclusive to her Domain, coiled around her body.
"I want to protect Little Brother Mo, my family, and all whom I love. I will be their stalwart shield. This is my Domain—Guardian!"
As her Domain reached Great Success, the energy that had accumulated in Niu Kexin’s body surged out in a torrent, suffusing her entire being.
Her aura began to skyrocket.
Early-stage Purity Realm... Mid-stage Purity Realm... Late-stage Purity Realm!
In the end, Niu Kexin’s Cultivation stabilized firmly at the Late-stage Purity Realm, only a hair’s breadth away from the peak Half-Step Vajra Realm.
With this, the Energy Mo Qi had previously transferred to Niu Kexin was now completely absorbed.
Mu Kongfu froze on the spot. He forgot to lower his raised hand, which remained poised in the middle of a sleeve-flick.
He had only meant to personally test Niu Kexin’s aptitude, so he had shared with her some insights on comprehending a Domain to see if she could grasp a thing or two.
Who would have thought that before he even had time to lower his hand, Niu Kexin would have completely grasped the mysteries of a Domain, and even condensed it to Great Success on the spot.
What left Mu Kongfu even more dumbfounded was that condensing her Domain was only the beginning.
In the blink of an eye, Niu Kexin’s Cultivation broke through the shackles of the Refining God Realm, advancing into the Purity Realm and surging forward triumphantly.
The chasm between Realms, which an ordinary person might fail to cross even after several years, a dozen years, or even decades, seemed nonexistent before Niu Kexin.
’How long has it been?’
’A minute? Or two?’
’She’s already at the Late-stage Purity Realm!’
Mu Kongfu suddenly felt that Niu Kexin might have been humble when she said she went from a mortal to the Refining God Ninth Heaven in the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
In his over sixteen hundred years as dean of the Imperial Academy, he had seen geniuses who were a dime a dozen.
But compared to Niu Kexin, none of them were worth a damn, himself included.
He was certain that not just within the Mountain and Sea Empire, but even in the vaster worlds beyond, you would never find another person with such a terrifying cultivation speed.
Having absorbed all the energy, Niu Kexin felt completely at ease. She finally had perfect control over her monstrous strength and no longer had to worry about losing control and hurting people or property.
Seeing Niu Kexin consolidate her power, Mu Kongfu suppressed his excitement and said, "Niu Kexin, I will permit you to keep your surname. For everything, from your daily life to your cultivation needs, you may act according to your own desires. On these terms, would you be willing to become my adopted daughter?"
If anyone else had seen Mu Kongfu making such a subservient offer just to become Niu Kexin’s adoptive father, their eyes would have popped out of their heads in shock.
Niu Kexin pondered for a moment before nodding under Mu Kongfu’s intensely expectant gaze.
’Since I can keep my surname, I really can’t think of any reason to refuse.’
’Besides, I swore to myself I would never be a burden to Mo Qi again. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity?’
"Your daughter, Niu Kexin, greets you, honored Adoptive Father." Niu Kexin knelt on the ground and gave Mu Kongfu three loud kowtows.
"Good, good, very good. My dear daughter, please rise. Hahaha." Mu Kongfu laughed heartily. He hadn’t been this happy in many, many years.
"Come, your father will take you to meet a few of the old-timers. It will do you good to be on familiar terms with them."
As his voice faded, Mu Kongfu and Niu Kexin vanished from the spot.
Meanwhile, in a secluded corner, Mu Xue was holding a Sound Transmission Talisman, speaking with her older brother, Mu He.
"Silly little sister, isn’t it a good thing that Adoptive Father has taken in a new daughter? This way, we have a new little sister." Mu He’s voice, sunny and cheerful, came from the Sound Transmission Talisman.
"It’s different!" Mu Xue said hurriedly. "The way Adoptive Father treats her is completely different from how he treats us."
"What, are you jealous of our new little sister already?" Mu He teased, before his tone turned serious. "Xue’er, you know what Adoptive Father is like. He despises scheming and infighting more than anything. Don’t do anything foolish. If you anger him, nobody will be able to protect you."
"Hey! Are you even my brother? Why do you always side with outsiders?" Mu Xue retorted, disgruntled. "I just don’t like that Niu Kexin, so there! Hmph!"
With that, she put away the Communication Talisman before Mu He could even respond.
’Niu Kexin, just you wait. I won’t lose to you!’
...
Within the Pass, Qian Duoduo’s cracked Dantian was restored as if new.
Not only that, but his body, which had been tormented by sickness and growing weaker by the day, showed signs of rejuvenation. He felt completely at ease.
He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so comfortable.
After personally experiencing the miraculous effects of the Medicinal Pill, Qian Duoduo had even more confidence in Mo Qi’s promise.
"My dearest brother, your most obedient younger brother is ready! Your sword is my sword! My fortune is your fortune! Let’s be partners in this mortal world, galloping our steeds together! We’ll charge through mountains of blades and seas of fire, through poisonous abysses and treacherous pits!"
As he spoke with great passion, spittle flying, Qian Duoduo fawningly massaged Mo Qi’s shoulders and kneaded his legs.
Mo Qi rolled his eyes. "Speak plainly!"
Qian Duoduo: "Anything you need, just ask!"
"No rush on that. I’ll give you some preliminary treatment first." Mo Qi stood up, waved his hand, and motioned for Qian Duoduo to sit cross-legged.
"Huh? Now? Here?" Qian Duoduo was taken aback.
’In his mind, treating his condition should have been an incredibly difficult affair, one that required extensive preparation.’
’At the very least, they should have left the Pass to find a quiet, secluded place for a slow and careful diagnosis.’
"What, is there a problem?" Mo Qi asked in return.
"No, no." Qian Duoduo shook his head repeatedly and sat down in front of Mo Qi.
’The sooner, the better, as far as he was concerned.’
"Let me give you a warning. Your situation is unique and extremely serious. It won’t be cured in one or two treatments, and the process is going to be incredibly painful. You’ll have to bear it. You can’t resist or even twitch."
Qian Duoduo nodded. "Bring it on, my dear brother. Ravage me as you please! I can take it!"
Mo Qi: "..."
He lowered his raised hand, suddenly losing the desire to treat this clown.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, my dear brother! I was just kidding, trying to lighten the mood! I’m just a little nervous, you know," Qian Duoduo, who was no fool, quickly explained.
Nangong Yan, Zhu Fan, and Zhao Zijun were all left speechless. They figured that if Qian Duoduo ever dropped dead, it would be from his own insufferable antics.
