Ji Xia parted ways with Shi Yu at the crossroads of Zhongjing Street.
As Shi Yu's figure vanished into the night, Ji Xia's previously composed expression turned dark and ominous.
"No wonder there was no news of Meng Gui. It turns out he was captured by Shi Yu. Fearing he might reveal information under torture, he chose to take his own life!"
Ji Xia's chest felt as if it might explode. He recalled Meng Gui's parting question about when other races might be accepted by humanity.
Ji Xia had assured him that one day, humanity would grow strong enough to embrace all races.
But now, Meng Gui was dead. He would never witness the flourishing future of Tai Cang, never experience acceptance.
All of this was thanks to Shi Yu.
Walking through the long streets of Zhongjing, Ji Xia's mind raced with schemes on how to eliminate Shi Yu. Yet no matter how he deliberated, he couldn't find a suitable opportunity.
"I'll wait for now. If no opportunity arises, I'll return to Tai Cang and orchestrate the downfall of the entire Divine Worship Hall. I'll use the heads of those black-robed priests to honor Meng Gui's memory!"
With his mind made up, Ji Xia's expression softened slightly, though traces of sorrow lingered in his brows.
It wasn't weakness. Meng Gui had sacrificed his life to secure Tai Cang's survival. He was a benefactor to the entire nation.
Before he realized it, Ji Xia found himself at the gate of Yanxiang Manor. Shaking his head, he pushed away his turbulent thoughts and stepped inside.
The faint light of dawn peeked over the horizon in three directions, casting weak rays at the edges of the sky.
Entering the manor, Ji Xia immediately noticed a slender figure kneeling on the steps of the courtyard, diligently scrubbing with a piece of cloth.
"So, this is the Rabbit-Ear Tribe girl Qian Qian mentioned—Su Yao?"
Ji Xia observed the girl with two small rabbit ears atop her head, engrossed in cleaning.
To avoid waking the two children, Ji Xia moved quietly, making as little noise as possible. Since the girl seemed deeply focused on her task, she didn't notice anyone entering.
Approaching the main house, Ji Xia hesitated, worried he might startle her. He deliberately made his footsteps louder and even cleared his throat.
Hearing the sound, the girl quickly stood and turned to look at Ji Xia.
At the same time, a mechanism in the nearby rockery opened, and Ji Lin emerged. Seeing Ji Xia return, the wooden puppet radiated joy, circling around him.
A faint smile appeared on Ji Xia's lips. Though Ji Lin was a wooden puppet, his budding intelligence—equivalent to that of a four- or five-year-old child—allowed him to understand affection and recognize those close to him.
The girl, Su Yao, wore a simple white dress that appeared slightly short on her tall and graceful frame, as if it had been borrowed in haste.
Yet her elegant face and skin, as luminous as porcelain in the morning light, made her all the more striking.
Seeing the puppet's delighted reaction, she realized the master of the house had returned. Flustered, she wrung her hands nervously before quickly kneeling.
"Greetings, Master Qin."
Ji Xia's face darkened slightly. "Do I look that old? Qian Qian and Shang Luo calling me 'Uncle' is one thing, but now I'm being addressed as 'Master'?"
He cleared his throat and raised a hand. "You're Su Yao, the one Qian Qian mentioned? There's no need for such formalities. Stand up."
Su Yao hurriedly rose and stood to one side, her expression still tinged with unease.
Ji Xia thought for a moment and used his Great Sun Spirit Eye to examine her. He found that she possessed a small spiritual mountain, roughly equivalent to a cultivation of the second or third realm. Her essence contained only pure spiritual energy, with no traces of dark miasma or other peculiarities.
"I still need to be cautious. Who knows if this is some kind of trap?"
Normally, Ji Xia wasn't this suspicious. However, after witnessing the eerie figures within the Divine Worship Hall, lingering doubts were hard to shake.
"You can stay here in Yanxiang Manor from now on and handle the cleaning duties," Ji Xia said.
After a pause, he asked, "Do you know how to cook?"
Su Yao's face flushed slightly as she nodded, then hesitated and shook her head.
"Why nod and then shake your head? What does that mean?" Ji Xia frowned.
Seeing his displeasure, Su Yao grew more nervous and stammered, "M-Master Qin, I can cook, but my tribe only eats vegetarian food. I only know how to make vegetarian dishes and have never cooked meat."
Understanding dawned on Ji Xia. After a moment's thought, he said, "Practice making some meat dishes. Qian Qian and Shang Luo are still growing, and their diet can't be too plain with only vegetables."
Su Yao nodded firmly, biting her pale lips.
As Ji Xia turned to head to his room for some rest, he paused at the door and added, "Don't be too tense. I don't eat sentient beings."
Su Yao froze for a moment, her rabbit ears twitching before she relaxed and bowed again.
"One more thing—don't call me 'Master.' Just call me 'Young Master.'"
Su Yao nodded again.
Returning to his room, Ji Xia climbed onto the jade platform and sat cross-legged, ancient characters from the Golden Crow Sacred Origin Scripture flowing through his mind.
The first volume of the scripture detailed a profound mystical technique, which Ji Xia hadn't rushed to practice, wary of spreading himself too thin.
But after witnessing the overwhelming power of the black-robed figures in the Divine Worship Hall, he decided to prioritize strength.
"Golden Crow Mystical Flame Finger!"
Taking a deep breath, Ji Xia silently recited the name of the divine ability.
Each volume of the Golden Crow Sacred Origin Scripture contained a marvelous divine technique. Having completed the first volume, which transformed his azure spiritual energy into golden spiritual energy, Ji Xia had yet to attempt this advanced skill.
Now, focusing his golden spiritual energy according to the method described, he directed it into his index finger. However, the flow felt sluggish and unrefined.
Recognizing this as a lack of familiarity, Ji Xia remained undeterred. If one attempt failed, he would try again. After thousands of repetitions, a golden crow insignia gradually appeared on his left index finger.
"Thankfully, I possess the Jupiter Sovereign Avatar. Otherwise, this intensive cultivation would have depleted my Golden Crow spiritual energy long ago."
Over the next three or four days, Ji Xia was wholly absorbed in mastering the technique. When he finally emerged from his meditation, he realized he hadn't left his room in days.
"Time truly flies in cultivation," he muttered.
Extending his left index finger, golden spiritual energy surged forth, forming a miniature three-legged golden crow that circled his fingertip.
Returning from a shopping trip, Shi Yang felt an overwhelming presence from Ji Xia's quarters, as though an ancient beast had awakened, radiating immense spiritual energy and pressure.