Chapter 116: A Thousand Lights in Thousands of Homes

The Tianwu Continent was a land where martial prowess was revered above all, and in the face of such power, no one dared utter a single word of dissent. After the two had left, as emperor, Duan Qing naturally stepped forward to smooth things over and defuse the situation.

The ministers, after weighing the circumstances, soon followed suit in agreement, and the atmosphere around the Ji family grew even more cordial. The Ji family had produced a new martial artist—one so formidable that even the elders of the Yufeng Academy bowed before him. This alone was enough to elevate the Ji family’s prestige and standing to a new level.

Yet Ji Huaili was torn, caught between vanity and unease. Vanity, after all, was a human instinct; unease stemmed from a genuine fear that Ji Tianxin might one day pierce through the heavens. The people at the Taiyang Palace had no true knowledge of Ji Tianxin’s cultivation level, but since even the elders of Yufeng Academy could not defeat him, it was clear he was a far greater power—and knowing this was enough.

Moreover, Ji Tianxin was only seven years old! His future was boundless.

After this so-called "sparring" incident, the banquet continued under the Empress’s guidance, and the Yufeng Academy members returned to their seats. Yet, whether guests or hosts, all were somewhat distracted. Particularly, the expressions of the two elders from Yufeng Academy grew exceedingly grim.

Sikou Yan did not take Ji Tianxin back to the General’s Residence, nor to the Prince Rong’s Mansion. Instead, he brought her to the highest rooftop within Jin’an City.

Her petite, delicate body tread lightly on the tiles, barely making a sound. Under the night’s darkness, Sikou Yan seemed to merge with the shadows, while Ji Tianxin’s pale figure appeared to glow softly in the darkness, as if a faint, flowing light shimmered across her cheeks.

She was so light and small that even stepping on the tiles barely made a noise.

“Why did we come here?” Ji Tianxin’s gaze swept across the surroundings, taking in the entire Jin’an City beneath the night.

The twinkling lights scattered about, each one so clear in her eyes.

“Do you like it?” Sikou Yan asked, smiling as he looked at the small figure standing on the rooftop.

Perhaps influenced by Ji Tianxin’s slow speech, Sikou Yan’s own words slowed as he spoke.

Ji Tianxin smiled faintly, something rarely seen in her eyes—an unfamiliar warmth. She said, “The myriad lights of countless homes—I naturally like them.”

The myriad lights of countless homes—I naturally like them.

Sikou Yan was momentarily stunned, as if that phrase struck a familiar chord within him.

Ji Tianxin liked the bustling lights, or rather, she liked things that were alive with people.

She had always loved the scent of human life.

In her past life, she would sit atop high mountains, watching the fireworks of the mundane world, breathing in their smoky fragrance, from sunrise to sunset. Or she would wander through the mortal realm, savoring the scent of cooking smoke.

But soon after, she would leave. To her, it was like a thirsty traveler spotting a stream—just wanting to take a sip of water.

And after drinking that sip, she had to continue her journey.

She could not become a fish in that water, to remain there forever.

In this rebirth, she was truly happy.

Suddenly, Ji Tianxin sat down, crossing her legs casually on the rooftop. With a slight flick of her sleeve, she retrieved items from her storage ring.

Sikou Yan also sat down, pulling out a waist pouch. With a flick of his fingers, a small table appeared before Ji Tianxin.

“Hmm?” Ji Tianxin’s eyes fell upon his waist pouch. “A storage pouch?”