Painting of the Nine Immortals
chapter-359

Something big happened on Trading Island recently.

A civil war ignited inside the Bai Clan. A political reformation was initiated by the second Elder in a thunderous way. Within one short day, he killed everyone in line to become the next Clan Leader and claimed the seat for himself.

The precedent Clan Leader disappeared without a trace. Some people said he had died in the war. Others claimed that he was jailed by the second Elder. The rest passed around the rumor that he escaped.

Within a few short days, this news, as if it grew wings, flew across the Trading Island. In other words, at this moment, everyone on Trading Island found out about this.

Ling Xian and Bai Xiao Qi were the same.

Currently, the two of them were sitting silently in their motel room with locked brows.

After a very long while, Bai Xiao Qi finally rose her head with traces of tears on her cheeks. She asked, "Ling Xian, what should we do now?"

"I don't have an idea. The situation is far too troublesome. We have to take this step by step." Ling Xian laughed helplessly, getting a headache from this whole thing.

After three days of investigation, he had learned more about the whole situation and now felt more troubled by it than before.

This was because Ling Xian had found out an important piece of information. Behind the Bai Clan's second Elder, was the shadow of a mysterious House. He had also learned about this mysterious House.

It was a House that went into hiding for many many years. Though it hadn't shown its face for generations, its name still affected the entire Trading Island. Even to the five Clans who had divided up this island, its name was a worrisome and terrifying one. None of them could see it lightly.

From this, one could tell just how powerful this House was. One could make the claim that the House was placed higher than any of these five clans.

This was why when Ling Xian heard the news, his heart felt heavy, as if been slammed by a rock that weighted a thousand ton.

"Xian Ling, I am so sorry. I dragged you into a terrifying swirl pool." Bai Xiao Qi's eyes reddened and there were tears in her eyes. She trembled, "What if.. what if you…"

"What?"

Ling Xian sighed, "You want me to just go?"

Bai Xiao Qi gritted her teeth. Despite her unwillingness, she did not want to burden Ling Xian. "Yes. The mysterious House is far too powerful. You should just leave. I don't want to trouble you."

"What are you talking about?" Ling Xian shook his head and patted Bai Xiao Qi's head. In a gentle voice, he smiled, "Since I promised you, I have to stay. I cannot just leave you alone."

"Really?"

Bai Xiao Qi's eyes were glistening. Though she was speaking on thing, on the inside, she didn't want Ling Xian to leave. Because then, she would really be all alone.

"Really. Do not worry. I'm not going to leave." Ling Xian nodded with a faint grin.

Instantly, Bai Xiao Qi blossomed into a giant smile. She felt herself feeling more settled, as if no matter how treacherous the journey ahead of her was, she would not be afraid.

However, at the same time, Ling Xian sighed to himself silently. He was worried for Bai Xiao Qi and his own future.

In his entire cultivation journey, he had faced many enemies, but never once, had he felt so repressed or had gotten such a headache. After all, he was not just going to fight against one person – he was going to fight against one House!

Even though Ling Xian had once defended against the two Houses all by himself, the Xuan Yin House and the Ling Jian House were only considered powerful on Shi Ao Island. Within the 36 islands, they could only be considered a source of power. The mysterious House however, terrified the five Clans and was the most powerful of the 36 islands!

How could Ling Xian not feel repressed after this?

However, since he agreed to help Bai Xiao Qi, he must stay. Even if there was a Mountain of Knives and a Sea of Fire before him, he must walk on!

"I have to go against an unpredictable and mysterious force of power the moment I stop onto the Trading Island. What a headache." Ling Xian rubbed his temples and frowned.

"Hehe, you promised me, what can you do?" Bai Xiao Qi stuck out her tongue. Her cute ways was highly loveable.

Ling Xian smiled helplessly. "Your tears helped you greatly. The sad way you cried made me turn around."

"What can I do? I am now homeless and without a father. Other than you, I do not know where else to go for help." Bai Xiao Qi pouted and muttered, "if you didn't agree to help me. I don't know what else to do other than crying."

Hearing this, Ling Xian frowned. This scared Bai Xiao Qi, as she wondered if what she said was wrong.

"Bai Xiao Qi, listen well. In this world, nobody can rely on someone else their entire life. Nobody can truly depend on others, you can only depend on yourself."

Ling Xian retraced his smile and said in a low voice, "Under this situation especially, you have to learn how to be independent and walk on bravely. You cannot just cry silently and not move. Do you understand?"

"I…"

Bai Xiao Qi hesitated. She grew up sheltered and was used to asking for help whenever she needed. The thought of dealing with hardships herself never crossed her mind. After hearing Ling Xian's advice, she thought about her current situation and seemed to have understood somewhat.

Nodding, her expression was stern as she said in a serious tone, "Ling Xian, do not worry. I will remember what you said."

"It seems like you don't really understand." Ling Xian sighed, "Oh well, you are still young. When you are older, you will know."

"I am not little." Bai Xiao Qi mumbled.

"Alright, let's not talk about useless stuff." Ling Xian then asked, "I want you to think carefully, other than me, do you have any other sources of help? Anybody? Any treasures?"

"I…"

Bai Xiao Qi paused. Thinking about her special identity in the Clan, she hesitated, "I do have a title actually. I was named the heir by the members of the Bai Clan Advisors. But now that the Clan Leader's seat is overtaken, this title is useless.

"An heir?"

Ling Xian's eyes brightened, "Is there anyone else with that title other than you?"

"No. My father was the only leader of the Clan and was the sole heir. The Bai Clan has one special tradition, and it was that every other generator, the leader must be a woman." Bai Xiao Qi was confused.

"This tradition really is a strange one. But, I have to thank this tradition."

Ling Xian's lips curled up. Though the stress he felt did not lessen by one bit, to have someone with the heir title made things a lot easier for him.

"If my second uncle didn't snatch away the seat, this title would bring me much glory." Bai Xiao Qi's eyes darkened and whispered, "But my second uncle is now the leader of the Bai Clan, this title is now meaningless. It is no different than being just another Bai descendent."

"No, you are wrong."

Ling Xian faintly smiled. Staring at the confused but beautiful young woman, he asked, "Think about it carefully, is this title really as useless as you claim?"