Free Web NovelChapter 382: Chapter 382: Finally, Success
A cold, muffled grunt brought Qiao Xixi to her senses.
She opened her eyes and stared at Yun Ji in astonishment, realizing she had a handful of his feathers in her grip.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Yun Ji’s godlike, serene face, but he restrained himself from batting away her mischievous hand.
Qiao Xixi sheepishly pulled her hand back and silently brushed off the feathers she had pulled loose.
’How embarrassing,’ she thought. ’He didn’t even give me a heads-up.’
"What are you doing here? Didn’t you say you might not have time to see me anymore?"
Yun Ji didn’t answer, instead asking, "The scroll I left for you last time, how is your progress?"
"I have been studying it, but the things in the scroll are much harder than what you taught me, so my progress has been slower."
Yun Ji frowned slightly, a hint of worry coloring his cold features. "How far have you gotten?" A flick of his wrist, and the scroll appeared in his hand.
Qiao Xixi opened the scroll and pointed to show him.
In that instant, she saw clear annoyance on Yun Ji’s face.
"After all this time, this is all you’ve learned?"
Qiao Xixi’s eyes widened. "I’ve been working really hard."
Yun Ji closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Come, study with me. You must focus."
Qiao Xixi felt that Yun Ji was a bit rushed this time. She didn’t dare to clown around and began to study with him seriously.
Halfway up the mountain, Jin Ling finished roasting the meat and walked over to the shelter, handing it to Sunxiao.
"Is Xixi asleep?"
Sunxiao nodded. "Looks like she’s fallen into a deep sleep again."
Qiao Xixi’s breathing was different when she was just sleeping compared to when she was studying in her dreams. When she was asleep, her breathing would be deeper and her body would be relaxed. But when she was in a learning state, her muscles would be more tense.
At times like this, they wouldn’t try to wake her, afraid they might interrupt her.
"Then let’s wait for her to wake up before she eats."
Qiao Xixi was certain this wasn’t a hallucination. When Yun Ji guided her, she was able to learn faster and grasp things more easily.
"You must memorize the incantations for wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. It’s not surprising you find thunder and lightning difficult. Your ability to use them well depends on your control over wind and water. If you can’t control those two well, you’ll find it very difficult to learn what comes next."
Qiao Xixi finished silently reciting the incantation and opened her eyes. "So that’s why I’ve always found the later parts so hard to control?"
Yun Ji nodded. "Just now, I guided you to strengthen your control over wind and water. Now, try again. See if you can use Thunder Attraction."
"Okay."
Qiao Xixi drew a formation in the air with her hands while silently reciting a long string of incantations. A moment later, a fierce wind kicked up, quickly gathering the clouds in the sky.
Yun Ji looked at the color of the clouds and said sternly, "It’s not enough."
Qiao Xixi held her breath and felt a power surge from her heart. Green halos, like invisible threads, wrapped around her palms, gathering into an unseen force.
The wind grew stronger and stronger, and the clouds in the sky gradually turned from pure white to a deep, dark grey.
Suddenly, a flash of purple light flickered within the clouds.
Qiao Xixi’s eyes flew open, and she looked up in shock.
"Don’t get distracted."
Qiao Xixi immediately refocused. The dark clouds overhead grew heavier, and the power gathered in her palms suddenly erupted.
CRACKLE!
A clap of thunder echoed across the sky. Qiao Xixi’s eyes widened in astonishment as lightning flashed with increasing frequency. A single raindrop landed on her nose.
Yun Ji held out his hand, letting the rain fall into his palm. In his eyes, the falling raindrops carried a faint golden gleam.
’Finally, a success.’
"When you have time later, be sure to consolidate what you’ve learned. As long as you apply the basics well, the rest won’t be difficult."
Qiao Xixi nodded happily, but when she turned around, Yun Ji was gone.
"Why leave in such a hurry? I didn’t even get to thank you."
Qiao Xixi groggily opened her eyes to the sound of wind whistling past her ears. The moment she stirred, the arms holding her loosened their grip slightly.
"Xixi, you’re awake."
Qiao Xixi looked up and met Sangze’s concerned, dark eyes.
"Mm..." She looked around. They were already on the Kunlin’s back, continuing their journey.
"How long was I asleep?"
"You’ve been asleep since you lay down in the shelter last night. Here, drink some water first."
Sangze took out a waterskin and brought it to her lips. After taking several sips from his hand, she felt more awake.
"Jin Ling roasted a lot of meat last night. Do you want to eat now?"
Qiao Xixi nodded. "Yes, I’m starving."
Sangze took a leaf-wrapped bundle from inside his clothes. The moment he opened it, Qiao Xixi caught the faint, fragrant scent of roasted meat. She picked up a piece and put it in her mouth—it was still warm.
Seeing the surprise on her face, Sangze said a bit shyly, "I was worried it would get cold and upset your stomach, so I kept it close to my body."
Qiao Xixi’s heart softened. She picked up a piece of meat and held it to his lips. "It’s delicious. You have some too."
"Xixi, I already ate this morning."
Qiao Xixi didn’t believe him for a second. ’This is the most tender cut of meat from the beast; there’s no way they would eat it themselves.’
"There’s too much for me to eat. Help me with some."
Sangze was about to refuse, but a dark glint flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth and bit down on the tender meat, and as he pulled it away, his tongue deliberately brushed against her fingertips.
Qiao Xixi’s brow twitched, and she shot him a reproachful look. "Can’t you just eat properly!"
Sangze contentedly swallowed the meat, his dark eyes landing aggressively on her pursed red lips. "What counts as properly? Does feeding me mouth-to-mouth count?"
Qiao Xixi’s heart skipped a beat. She picked up another piece of roasted meat and stuffed it into his mouth. "Even meat can’t shut you up."
Just as Sangze was about to speak, his dark eyes suddenly hardened. He pulled Qiao Xixi into his arms, holding her tight.
"Hold on tight!"
The Kunlin’s expression changed slightly as a powerful gust of wind suddenly struck from behind.
Sunxiao and the others immediately had the Wing Clan males change formation, moving them closer to Qiao Xixi so they could react in case of an emergency.
Qiao Xixi was also unable to open her eyes against the sudden gust. Leaning in Sangze’s arms, she managed to open them and saw a massive Green Bird Beast flying toward their position from behind.
"Yu Ye of Beast King City is passing through! All others, make way immediately!"
A deep, powerful voice, like the tolling of a great bell, rang out, vibrating with such force that Qiao Xixi felt a tightness in her chest.
The Kunlin let out a long cry toward the sky and quickly veered to the side.
Qiao Xixi noticed that the beast-men from other tribes also quickly moved to either side after hearing the commotion, clearing a wide path in the sky.
Soon, the massive Green Bird Beast flew past the space they had cleared. Just as Qiao Xixi thought its rider must be Yu Ye, a perfectly uniform squadron flew up behind it. A snow-white Green Bird Beast was surrounded by a flock of other Green Bird Beasts.
On the snow-white Green Bird Beast sat a lounging figure. As if sensing her gaze, he tilted his head and looked directly at Qiao Xixi.
