(Extremely Sharp · Li Dixian)
"The Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda?"
Li Dixian's eyes narrowed slightly.
Madam Ye's clear, cold voice was like a stream flowing over a rocky gorge.
"The so-called Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda is a contest held every three years between the Nine Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to win the title of 'Continent's Number One Support Spirit'."
"The contemporary successors of both families each choose a Battle Spirit Master to assist them."
"The victor determines the ownership of 'Continent's Number One'."
Li Dixian's sword-like brows furrowed.
From Madam Ye's words, it seemed the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda was a grand event that many powerful individuals would pay attention to.
But why was it never mentioned in the original plot?
He immediately asked:
"Both the Nine Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda are the most renowned support Spirits on the continent."
"Why have I never heard anyone speak of this Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda?"
Deep within Madam Ye's light purple eyes, a hint of melancholy flashed.
"Because..."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has Sword Douluo Chen Xin, known as the 'Number One Attack Douluo', guarding it."
"With Chen Xin present, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda stands undefeated in the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda."
"This contest... has been dormant for over a dozen rounds."
"So long that... the world has long forgotten it."
Upon hearing this, Li Dixian nodded in understanding.
If that was the case, it made sense that the original work didn't mention it.
With Sword Douluo Chen Xin sweeping all before him, and later the assistance of the other six Shrek monsters,
the so-called Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda had long existed in name only.
Even if the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family forcibly restarted it,
it would only bring humiliation upon themselves.
"Isn't that unfair?"
Li Dixian pondered for a moment, then asked, puzzled:
"If they truly want to contend for the title of 'Number One Support', the Battle Spirit Masters assisted by both families should be of similar strength."
Madam Ye replied:
"When has there ever been true fairness in this world?"
"Besides, being able to befriend top-tier Battle Spirit Masters is precisely a skill of a support-type Spirit Master."
With the conversation having reached this point,
how could Li Dixian not understand Madam Ye's reason for inviting him?
"So..."
"Ye Family Head invited me here."
"Is it to have me represent the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family in the next Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda?"
Madam Ye looked at Li Dixian.
That beautiful face, which had always been cold and unperturbed, finally showed a hint of warm hope.
"That's right."
"But it's not for the next one, because there's only a little over a year until the next contest."
"The Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family doesn't expect to defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in just a few short years."
"The Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family can wait; we can wait for Young Master Li Dixian to grow stronger."
"In you, I see the hope of defeating Chen Xin."
"Your sword is even sharper than Chen Xin's sword."
This Ye Family Head, who had always been cold and dignified, now had an almost obsessive look on her beautiful face.
"My Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family's Nine Heart Begonia only allows two to exist at once in the current generation."
"When a new bud blooms, the old flower must wither."
A hint of uncontrollable tremor escaped her indifferent voice.
The begonias in the garden seemed to sense her surging emotions, silently drooping.
Scattered petals fluttered down, covering her shoulders and hair, like a heavy and silent mourning.
"I have personally seen off two generations of Nine Heart Begonia inheritors..."
"Watching my closest blood relatives wither in their prime."
"Even so... even though the Nine Heart Begonia is so powerful it is envied by the heavens, the title of 'Number One Support' in people's hearts still belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"As the current Ye Family Head, I bear the unfulfilled wishes of countless deceased members of the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family."
"I ask for nothing else, only to rectify the name of my Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family's Nine Heart Begonia."
She raised her hand.
She removed an exquisite jade hairpin from her bun.
Three streams of light floated out from the hairpin, and within a shimmering colorful halo, three Soul Bones of varying forms quietly floated, emitting powerful and pure energy fluctuations.
"These are three Soul Bones treasured by the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family."
Madam Ye regained some composure and said earnestly:
"If Young Master Li Dixian agrees to represent the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family in the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda in the future, these are all yours."
Looking at the three Soul Bones, which were enough to drive any Spirit Master mad,
Li Dixian couldn't help but exclaim:
"To offer Soul Bones, which Spirit Masters dream of, right off the bat."
"The Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family is truly generous."
Madam Ye's lips curved slightly, like rain and snow melting, revealing brightness.
She was convinced that no one could refuse such precious treasures.
However—
"But I won't do it."
Li Dixian's voice was calm and unperturbed.
The smile on Madam Ye's face faded.
"Is it not enough?"
"As long as you help my Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and claim the title of 'Number One Support Spirit',"
"the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family's centuries of accumulation can all be given to you."
"Lingling, as the next family head, it is only right for her to contribute to the family."
Madam Ye turned her gaze to her daughter beside her, her tone cold and without a ripple.
"At that time, she will assist you... Lingling can also marry you."
These words, so obsessive they were almost pathological, treated even her daughter as a bargaining chip.
Li Dixian couldn't help but look at Ye Lingling, who had been silently standing there.
The young girl hung her head.
Her eyelashes cast shadows on her pale, pretty face, obscuring her azure eyes.
She was as quiet as a soulless marionette.
Li Dixian remained silent.
A deceased father, an obsessive mother, and inescapable chains of fate—these were the roots of Ye Lingling's current state.
But—
"Ye Family Head doesn't understand me."
Li Dixian spoke slowly, his expression unhurried:
"Wealth, to me, is merely external; enough to buy a few jugs of cheap wine is sufficient."
"I only seek freedom and ease."
"One person, one sword, one jug of wine is enough to roam the world."
"I have no interest whatsoever in the entanglements between the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
As early as the day he left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, he had already severed ties.
Now, in his eyes, everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was merely a passerby.
No favor, no enmity.
If he were to agree to get involved in the conflict between the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School because of past entanglements,
that would not be joy, but narrow-mindedness, indicating that he had not truly let go.
This would go against his carefree, clear, and transparent Sword Heart.
If, truly, one day in the future... he were to agree to the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family's request to fight in the Battle of the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda,
it could only be because the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family itself moved him, and not out of a desire for revenge.
Otherwise, both his sword and his heart would be sullied.
"If Ye Family Head has no other matters, Dixian will take his leave."
Li Dixian cupped his hands and walked leisurely onto the path leading outside.
The dappled shadows of flowers obscured his plain white clothes.
And just as his figure was about to disappear from the sight of the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family mother and daughter, the young man's clear voice drifted on the wind from afar:
"Ye Family Head, Dixian would like to add one more thing..."
"Next time, before making such a life-altering decision, why not first ask your daughter if she is willing?"
As his words fell,
Li Dixian hummed a tuneless little song, his figure completely disappearing into the depths of the flowers and trees.
Ye Lingling's always-downcast eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and in the depths of her dark blue eyes, a faint ripple seemed to stir.
"Heh..."
Madam Ye merely paused for a moment, then murmured:
"A prodigy naturally has his pride; I guessed he wouldn't agree easily."
"Back then, when Chen Xin was being hunted, it was Ning Fengzhi who saved him, and he joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to repay that kindness."
"Lingling..."
She turned, her gaze sharp as a knife, pinning her daughter.
"Opportunity is fleeting."
"This Li Dixian is a submerged dragon."
"Before he soars through the Nine Heavens, you must engrave the mark of my Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family in his heart!"
"You must remember, the Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family's hundreds of years of honor, disgrace, rise, and fall all rest upon you!"
Madam Ye turned a deaf ear to Li Dixian's words.
The heavy, centuries-old reputation of the family was unceremoniously... entirely pressed onto the young girl's slender, fragile shoulders.
Ye Lingling still hung her head.
After a long while, she softly uttered three words.
"I understand."
...Returning to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Li Dixian cast aside those miscellaneous matters.
He settled down to brew the Ice Flame Immortal Dew.
"All those chaotic disturbances are not as real as becoming stronger myself."
"Unless I forge the Meltfrost Spirit Vein Body and comprehend the second form of the Azure Lotus Sword Song, I, Li Dixian, will absolutely not emerge from seclusion."
I'm so dazed, this little author will snatch two hours of sleep then go back to being a workhorse.
The next chapter is mostly written; I'll continue writing at my workstation and definitely finish it before noon.
Thank you to so many readers for your support, this little author bows!
Hehe, asking readers for some votes...