Claire slackened at these words. A flash of determination gleamed in Feng Yixuanâs eyes at the same time. Claire had made a miraculous breakthrough during the tournament, so he had to become stronger and stronger, strong enough to protect Claire!
âDonât worry about the Li clan for now. Do you want to explain anything to your friends? I will lend you a memory crystal and pass it onto them. You can just cultivate here without worry,â An Lisha said very simply.
âRight, girl, just cultivate here. Hahaha, you canât run away anyways. Thereâs fierce wind all around the island and anything that tries to pass through gets ripped to shreds. Only after youâve finished learning will I send you out,â the old man laughed heartily.
Her lip twitched. It seemed the situation had already developed passed her means. In any case, it was the first time she repaid someone like this.
âThen Iâll have to burden you with sending my friends the memory crystal,â Claire said to An Lisha politely.
An Lisha only nodded.
âAlso, thank you for bringing me and thank you for finding the elder to teach me,â Claire thanked solemnly.
An Lisha smiled. âThank Yixuan. If it werenât for him, I wouldnât have done anything.â
Feng Yixuan started to twist uncomfortably at these words. Claireâs expression turned a little unnatural.
âEnough, finish up and return. Really now, Iâm about to start teaching them, stop wasting time,â the elder waved offhandedly, impatient.
âI know! Also, I just used up a spatial teleportation scroll, give me two,â An Lisha said powerfully. She handed over the memory crystal to Claire.
âWhat kind of logic is that? Robber! Youâre a robber! Why do you ask for two when youâve only used up one?â the old man started to squabble.
âI need to use one to return...â
âYou robber! Robber!â
Claire started explaining to the memory crystal that she didnât know how long she would stay and that they could do as they wanted. If they couldnât find anything to do, then return to the Hill manor and wait for her there. And Jean should take White Emperor and Black Emperor back.
After finally being able to force over two spatial teleportation scrolls, she left with Claireâs memory crystal.
âAlright. Little lass, boy, we start today. The demonic training starts!â The elder said seriously, his hand at his hip.
âUh, senior Feng Astral, I want to take a shower and change clothes.â Claire pointed at her bloodstained, torn clothes.
âOh... Alright, go then. First familiarize yourselves with the surroundings. The kitchen is over there and thereâs a hot spring in the woods behind the house for washing. We can start training tomorrow.â The elder stroked his chin, pondering.
They started the next day.
Gradually, Claire became familiar with the lay of the land. The island wasnât large, but you couldnât see the ends from one end to another. Surrounding the island was a high wind wall, spinning quickly. Claire tested by throwing a stick and the stick instantly shattered! Stones turned to dust when thrown. They were truly isolated from the world.
The training was bitter and boring. Claire and Feng Yixuan trained at separate areas and only met at night. By then, they were both exhausted and would go to sleep immediately after eating. They spent most of their time at two far ends of the island. As the elder had said, if they trained close to each other, they might hurt each other on accident. Feng Yixuan cultivated smoothly ever since his seal had been undone. But Claire was the opposite. Because she was fire attributed, she couldnât sense the wind elements, so the elderâs shouts filled her days.
The days passed one by one. And just like that, half a month passed, when suddenly, news arrived that disrupted their training.
An Lisha appeared and brought Claire a letter.
âWhat did you come here for? Theyâre far from finished,â the elder grumbled. Especially Claire. She hadnât made any improvements after such a long period of time.
âI came to find Claire and give her something.â An Lisha pulled out a letter and handed it Claire, who was confused.
âDid something happen to the Li clan?â Claire asked with a frown. âOr did something happen to my friends?â
âNeither. Your friends all left to do their own business and your knight also returned to Amparkland. This letter was sent to me by your knight. I donât know what its contents are,â An Lisha answered truthfully.
Claire watched the sealed letter, an ominous feeling arising in her heart. She tore it open and her expression changed instantly.
Cliff was in trouble!
âSenior Feng Astral, I have some business and must leave! Please agree.â Claire put the letter away, her face determined.
âYouâve only learned the first level. Yixuanâs already entered the fifth level. You want to leave after only having learned so little?â the old man fumed angrily.
But Claire didnât waver, determined as she said, âSomeone dear to me is in danger. I must go to him. You also said yourself that learning just one level is fine. My attributes are not suited for your Heavenly Astral Wind. Senior Feng Astral, you know this already. No matter how I tried for these past few weeks, I wasnât able to break through any more.â
Feng Astral paused, unable to say anything seeing the determined glint in her eyes.
âWho are they to you?â An Lisha saw that Feng Yixuan was a bit at ill ease.
âMy master, Master Cliff.â Claire understood what An Lisha meant.
âOh, itâs her master. You heard that. When a master is in trouble, how can his disciple not go? If you were in trouble, would I just stand by and watch?â An Lisha saw from the corner of her eye Feng Yixuan relaxing.
âThatâs true.â Feng Astral stroked his beard. âAlright. Girl, you can go. In any case, youâve already learned my Heavenly Astral Wind, even if itâs just one level. Haha, thatâs already enough to anger Si Konglin to death. Weâll continue our training and you can go.â
We? Feng Yixuan frowned. What did he mean?
âI want to go with Claire too!â Feng Yixuan suddenly understood.
âTough luck! Youâre even more talented than your T-rex mother. Just stay here and learn from be obediently. Iâll teach you all I can about my supreme techniques. Haha, letâs go!â Before Feng Yixuan could reacted, Feng Astral picked up Feng Yixuan, laughing heartily as they left to the other side of the island.
Feng Yixuanâs shouts as he struggled came from far away, but it was no use.
Claire and An Lisha shared a glance, wordless.
âM-madam An, Iâll be in your care,â Claire forced out after some thought. She had always felt awkward trying to figure out how to address An Lisha.
âPlease call me Aunty An, haha. Letâs go. Your night is waiting.â An Lisha pulled Claire close and tore a spatial teleportation scroll. Their figures vanished. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Claireâs heart sunk lower and lower. In order to break through, Master had actually gone to that place!
Once Claireâs eyes opened, she discovered they were now in a secret room. An Lisha started explaining. âThe scroll is set to the secret underground chambers of the Feng clan. Letâs go. Your knight is waiting in the main hall.â
An Lisha led Claire through the chambers, navigating through multiple twists and turns. Along the way, servants bowed and gave their respectful greetings. Claire noted keenly that they all had respect, some even fanaticism, in their eyes. She couldnât help but wonder who exactly was An Lisha.
Upon arrival, sure enough, Jean was sitting upright wordlessly, Black Feather and White Emperor perched on his shoulders. When they saw Claire, the two creatures dashed towards her excitedly, taking over her shoulders. They rubbed her cheeks affectionately.
âMiss!â Jean stood up abruptly, his eyes so fixed on Claire. There was something throbbing about his gaze.
âJean, letâs go. We shouldnât tarry. Iâll question you along the way.â Claire was extremely anxious. She turned around and bowed deeply to An Lisha. âAunt An, thank you for your help. I will never forget your kindness. If there ever comes a time when you need me, I, Claire, will do my utmost to serve you.â
âGo, Claire. Be careful.â An Lisha smiled and nodded gently. âIâll see you out. Iâll also inform the Li clan of your leaving. You donât need to worry about the Li clan any more. It is already shining gloriously.â
âThank you, Aunt An...â Claire felt warmth towards the warmly smiling woman. She didnât know how to thank her for all she had done for her.
âIt was all through your own efforts. I didnât do much. Alright now, you still have matters to attend to. Hurry up and be on your way,â An Lisha said, understanding.
Claire nodded. And without further ado, she followed An Lisha out the entrance of the Feng clan.
A carriage was already waiting for them and they got on. Before Claire asked, Jean answered all her questions.
âMiss, after you were brought away, we saw your explanation in the memory crystal. Because we didnât know when you would return, everybody decided what they would do in the meantime. Ben went to go train, saying he needed to improve his strength and reclaim his title as Dragon King. Walter though he was too weak, so he left to traverse the continent and also improve his strength. Camille returned to the capital to continue being a famous scholar. He also wanted to pass on the message to call him if there was anything interesting and that he welcomes serving you tea at his place any time. Qiao Chuxin, Summer, Shui Wenmo, and Dong Fenghou also decided to journey. Leng Lingyun returned to the Temple of Light to carry on with his duties. And Lashia is currently taking care of the wind leopard.â Jean reported on each person concisely.
Claire nodded. She took out the letter and frowned. âWhat had happened in this case?â