The Prodigies War
chapter-518

Kacha!

The black jade suddenly exploded and sputtered dust everywhere. At the same time, Xia Zhi stood up.

Her figure was slender and unchanged from before. She was dressed in a black cloak that concealed her face. As she stood there silently, she exuded a faint, almost imperceptible, aura of darkness.

“It’s about time she wakes up.” The old man’s face was alight with relief.

Xia Zhi stood there silently like she didn’t notice him.

Lin Xun was stunned. He opened his mouth and wanted to greet Xia Zhi, but he was very worried that she wouldn’t recognize him. That would be an incredibly painful blow to him.

His face clouded, and he looked conflicted. If she lost her memories, would she still be the Xia Zhi that I know?

It became silent and still in the straw hut for a long while.

The old man sighed softly, and seemed to sympathize with how Lin Xun was feeling. “You don’t need to be so upset. From what I know, the memory of the past will be regained after the nine cycles of obliteration and will be turned into various knowledge and insights for her.”

Lin Xun’s face was glum. Nine cycles of obliteration? How long will that take?

What if Xia Zhi failed during a cycle? Will she still remember me then?

Suddenly, Lin Xun froze as he noticed Xia Zhi turned her gaze to him. Then, she said aloud, “Lin Xun, I’m hungry.”

Her voice was as crisp, tranquil and ethereal as ever.

However, her few words shook Lin Xun and the old man. They couldn’t believe their ears. Xia Zhi…called Lin Xun by his name!

Does that mean she remembers Lin Xun?!

Lin Xun’s frustration, anger and gloom was completely replaced by delight and surprise. “Xia Zhi, do you remember me?” he asked in a trembling voice.

Xia Zhi frowned in puzzlement. “When did I ever forget you?”

Lin Xun beamed, his smile unusually bright. He sprang up and lifted her into the air, laughing, “Hahaha, you still remember me! Thank heavens! I was so worried, hahaha!”

However, the old man was baffled. Did the obliteration fail? Why does Xia Zhi still retain the memory of Lin Xun?

Being picked up by Lin Xun and seeing him grinning like an idiot, Xia Zhi couldn’t help but scrunch her beautiful brows. “Lin Xun, when did you become so childish?”

Childish…

Lin Xun stiffened at first, but then his smile deepened. Isn’t this how Xia Zhi always spoke? She has always been so quiet and independent unlike people her age.

The old man couldn’t help asking, “Xia Zhi, did you make a mistake when you were practicing the Nine Cycles of Obliteration Art.”

Xia Zhi’s voice suddenly turned cold, “Lin Xun, who is he?”

Both the old man and Lin Xun were taken aback by her response. “You don’t recognize him?”

Xia Zhi shook her head. “I don’t know him.”

Lin Xun put Xia Zhi down and said softly, “Xia Zhi, can you tell me what you still remember?”

Xia Zhi thought for a moment and said indifferently, “I have forgotten everything. Except for things related to you,” Herr voice sounded empty, like what she was saying wasn’t important.

Perhaps, in her opinion, as long as she remembered Lin Xun, it didn’t matter even if she forgot everything in the world.

Lin Xun couldn’t help but grin again. He realized that Xia Zhi didn’t mind not remembering everything else as long as she remembered him.

“Let me check on you.”

The old man stepped forward and reached to grab Xia Zhi’s wrist, but Xia Zhi broke out of his grip with lightning speed and aimed her slender finger toward the old man’s eye.

Simple! Direct! Ruthless!

Lin Xun suddenly cast his mind back to when they were at Feiyun Village. At that time, Xia Zhi also used the same fighting method when slaughtering beasts and when training with him.

The attack was instinctive, but it was terribly accurate and precise!

Xia Zhi had forgotten the old man and regarded him as a stranger, so she fought back fiercely and ruthlessly when the old man approached her!

However, her counterattack was futile as the old man easily blocked her attack. At the same time, Lin Xun cried out, “The old man is not a bad person. He is just checking your condition.”

Old man!?

The old man wanted to roll his eyes, but he forgave Lin Xun when he saw that Xia Zhi had calmed down and stopped resisting.

After a while, the old man let go of her hand, looking bewildered.

“Elder, how is she?” asked Lin Xun.

“There is no problem, the first transformation has been completed and the Nine Cycles of Obliteration Art has become an inherent ability and left no traces. It’s just that...”

The old man frowned. “How would she still remember you?”

“Isn’t it better this way?” Lin Xun beamed.

The old man sighed, feeling a little confused. Perhaps, they would only receive a clear explanation when the Queen of the Dark Night awakened.

“Lin Xun, I’m hungry.” Xia Zhi stated again, her voice was as clear and pleasant as the sounds of nature.

Lin Xun didn’t care about anything else and said excitedly, “I’ll go and grill some fish for you!”

He rushed out of the hut, collected some materials, caught a dozen of plump fish from the nearby river, set up a campfire, cleaned and fileted the huge fish, skewered them onto a sword, and began to roast them.

There was no seasoning, but the fish contained traces of aeth power and so had a refreshing aroma and unique flavor when cooked.

Xia Zhi came out of the hut and sat quietly beside Lin Xun with her hands around her knees. The sunset glow dyed the hills and sky a beautiful red.

The campfire crackled by the clear stream. The grilled fish browned and crisped up, releasing an appetizing aroma. The scene of Lin Xun and Xia Zhi sitting together was very beautiful.

The old man watched them from the straw hut and finally a relieved smile spread across his face. Perhaps, it would be a completely different experience for her to stay and train with Lin Xun.

“Are you leaving?” The principal had appeared in front of the straw hut without anyone knowing.

The old man nodded. “Before Miss fell into a slumber, there was a warning sign. She had a premonition that the great Dao of heaven and earth had begun to change. Maybe it won’t be long before an earthshaking war breaks out. If you are interested, you can prepare in advance. The Ziyao Empire will eventually be abandoned by the great Dao...”

“There’s no rush. There’s still a long time till the earthshaking war. Compared to the Ancient Wasteland Domain, this place is small, but it’s not as simple as it looks on the surface. Otherwise, the Miss of your family wouldn’t have lingered here for so many years,” the principal said calmly.

“Before I leave, I have a presumptuous request. Please don’t meddle in her training.” The old man glanced at Xia Zhi who was sitting by the fire.

“She is too deeply entangled with your Dark Night Sacred Hall. I won’t be so reckless to meddle in her practice,” the principal readily agreed.

“Thank you.” The old man’s figure suddenly blurred before he faded into a shower of light and vanished into the air.

He had completed his mission. Although Xia Zhi had retained memories of Lin Xun after undergoing the first transformation, that wouldn’t affect her practice.

That was enough.

“Fellow cultivator, take care.”

The principal saluted from afar, his profound eyes glowing as if able to fathom the mysteries of the nine heavens. Immediately, his gaze landed on Lin Xun and Xia Zhi again, and he fell into contemplation.

Finally, he shook his head and sighed.

Not only Xia Zhi, but he also wouldn’t interfere in Lin Xun’s cultivation path. Ever since he saw Lin Xun's uniqueness in the Spirit Sea Overall Rankings, he came to realize that Lin Xun had his own path to walk. There was no room for his meddling.

At most, he could quietly protect him in Qinglu Academy. After all, Lin Xun had an inseparable relationship with Qinglu Academy.

……

Xia Zhi looked very graceful when she was eating, but that didn’t mean she ate slowly.

She skilfully tore the crystal-like flesh off the fish and nibbled at them. Every time she finished eating a fish, Lin Xun would finish cooking another. The timing was very coordinated.

Her little stomach was like a bottomless pit. She devoured the dozen fish and wiped her lips. “Lin Xun, they were a bit bland. Remember to add more salt next time.”

Lin Xun stared at her, speechless. Xia Zhi was always so blunt.

He suddenly slapped his forehead and sprang up. “I forgot something.”

Night fell.

In the main hall, Zhao Tailai grumbled, “Even the tea has become tasteless sitting in the tea leaves for so long. That kid is too rude. Why is he not here yet?! This is ridiculous!”

However, Zhao Jingxuan calmly smiled and said, “Ninth Uncle, how can the tea be tasteless?”

Zhao Tailai flushed with embarrassment. “Nonsense, why would you ask that?”

Zhao Jingxuan teased. “Are you not worried that I will tell Father?”

At that moment, Lin Xun appeared and Zhao Tailai immediately changed the subject. “Boy, you are a bit rude and unkind to just leave us waiting here!” he fumed.

“The principal asked me to take care of something. How would I dare to neglect you two?” Lin Xun shrugged.

Zhao Tailai rolled his eyes. He couldn’t say anything when Lin Xun took out the principal’s name. How would he dare to blame the principal of Qinglu Academy?

That would be the same as seeking death!

“Fellow cultivator Lin Xun, it’s getting late, so I’ll make it short. You must already know what we’re here for. I wonder when you plan to start?” Zhao Jingxuan stood up and said with a smile.

Both her appearance and talents were unrivaled. Even if she was disguised as a man, she couldn’t conceal her graceful and pure beauty.

Lin Xun said frankly, “In seven days. Before then, I will make some preparations.”

“That’s good.” Zhao Jingxuan’s eyes glistened with admiration.

Only Zhao Tailai found it strange. When did the cunning little boy become so easy to talk to?