C16 My Sister

Lin Zhengyang arrived just in time to see Yang Xiu examining Aying's body, his face etched with panic. "My young friend, please stop. If you continue like this, you'll ruin your own cultivation."

Yang Xiu released his grip and responded, "How could that be? Her aptitude is exceptionally suited for the cultivation practices of Mao Mountain. It's simply that you men don't know how to guide her in channeling her meridians properly."

Lin Zhengyang's face lit up with delight upon realizing Aying's unique qualities. "My friend, do you have a solution? This girl has saved my life. Sensing something amiss, I kept her close."

Yang Xiu nodded, though he harbored some reservations. "But how could a young girl manage to save your life?"

Lin Zhengyang recounted the events of that fateful day. "It was quite bizarre. I was controlling a Ghost Item when I was ambushed and poisoned, causing the Ghost Item to turn on me. By chance, Aying, who had been captured by mountain bandits, escaped and stumbled upon me in my dire state.

I vividly remember her words to me: 'Grandfather, Aying might not survive this, but it's absolutely worth it to trade her life for yours.' Then she bravely threw herself into the midst of the Ghost Item.

To everyone's astonishment, the Ghost Item possessed Aying, but she managed to suppress it. Even more astonishing, Aying could wield the Ghost Item's powers to fend off the bandits.

That's how I was rescued. Afterwards, Aying, unharmed, took me to her cave and cared for me until I could walk again.

I brought her back to Mao Mountain against everyone's objections, but I was determined to keep her with us. I just didn't know how to guide her onto the right path, so I thought it best to let her find her own way."

Hearing this, Yang Xiu felt a surge of awe, yet it wasn't entirely surprising if she possessed a legendary constitution.

"If you place your trust in me, allow me to mentor Aying. Rest assured, I will honor her extraordinary potential. With her intelligence and talent, her future is boundless."

Upon hearing this, Aying's eyes brimmed with longing. "Grandfather, can I truly learn the Ghost Controlling Technique? That incident won't happen again, will it?"

The mere mention of the past filled Aying's face with dread, as if recalling a disaster.

A smile, which was becoming less rare, graced Yang Xiu's face upon seeing Aying. "Did you rashly absorb a ghost into yourself, causing a massive disturbance?"

Yang Xiu showed no sign of surprise.

Lin Zhengyang nodded in agreement. "It appears you are indeed well-suited to mentor Aying, understanding these matters so thoroughly."

Yang Xiu maintained a composed expression, neither prideful nor impatient, yet his heart leapt with excitement. Such a unique constitution was a rare find in this generation, and with her exceptional talent, she was bound to make great strides in whatever she pursued.

Although Yang Xiu had no plans to take her on as his direct disciple, the idea of teaching Aying had sparked a sudden interest. Little did he know that this whim would eventually shape a legendary master who would one day save his life.

Yang Xiu felt a profound sense of wonder. How different was this girl's current plight from my own past? This thought haunted him, even though he knew Aying was under Lin Zhengyang's protection.

Aying's face radiated happiness as she gazed at Yang Xiu with adoration, resembling a young girl in the throes of a celebrity crush.

Seeing the matter resolved brought Lin Zhengyang immense joy. Yet, amidst his elation, he shyly regarded Yang Xiu, gathering his courage after much contemplation.

With a flushed face and dry palms, he stammered, "Well, about that... the Five-ghost Moving Technique we discussed earlier, can it truly be traded for the Yin Meridian? If so, that would be wonderful."

At this point, Lin Zhengyang's face glowed with eagerness, all previous shyness forgotten, his eyes on Yang Xiu as if he were gazing at a mountain of gold.

Yang Xiu's brow furrowed, his demeanor suddenly icy. "Take that look off your face." He detested being viewed as a prize to be claimed, as if he were already someone's possession.

Lin Zhengyang quickly realized his lapse in decorum and hastened to remedy it.

"I'm simply too excited. As you know, I'm the head of a sect. If I could truly master the Ghost Controlling Arts, my sect would stand unshaken for a millennium."

At that moment, Lin Zhengyang's face was alight with boundless longing. Yang Xiu understood clearly that these were not empty words.

"Alright, you'll have to handle the rest on your own. If it weren't for your genuine loyalty to me, I wouldn't have agreed to help."

Aying, on the other hand, wasn't concerned with these issues. She waited with a beaming smile, eager to be accepted as a disciple.

Turning to Aying, whose eyes sparkled with excitement, Yang Xiu's statement took her aback.

"I have no intention of taking you on as my disciple. My knowledge isn't sufficient to help you reach the heights you imagine. However, I will share with you all that I can. Once you move on, you'll find a better mentor. I mustn't hinder your progress."

Despite understanding that Yang Xiu had her best interests at heart, Aying couldn't help feeling deeply disappointed.

Fighting back tears, she asked, "Alright, but what should I call you then? I can't call you master." She turned to Lin Zhengyang, her eyes pleading for help.

Lin Zhengyang cleared his throat awkwardly. "Indeed, she can't keep calling you 'big brother' as she does now."

Lin Zhengyang had hoped that this would lead Aying to formally acknowledge Yang Xiu as her teacher, but his comment stirred up unexpected reactions.

"Fine! From now on, you'll call me 'big brother.' It's perfectly normal for a sister to learn from her brother, and no one can object to that."

Yang Xiu seized the opportunity with alacrity.

Even a seasoned player like Lin Zhengyang was taken aback, as if an apprentice had unexpectedly outmaneuvered his master.

But upon reflection, he considered it a good solution. If they could truly become siblings, it would be an excellent arrangement, although it seemed Yang Xiu had no such plans.

Without waiting for Lin Zhengyang to interject, Yang Xiu addressed Aying directly, "Girl, become my sister! I promise to look after you and assist you as much as I can in the future."

Yang Xiu's smile, coupled with his soothing words, appeared to wield a magical charm. The young girl, Aying, nodded subconsciously, her face breaking into a genuinely joyful smile.

Lin Zhengyang, who had misspoken, felt as though a stampede of ten thousand wild horses was thundering through his chest. But with things as they were, his words, once spoken, could not be taken back. It would have been a relief if Aying had been reluctant.

Now, everything was set in stone.