Shangguan Yulin couldn't help but shiver, his face turned pale.
He quickly said, "Boss, maybe we shouldn't!"
Even those in the Divine Lord realm couldn't gain any advantage from Zi Linling; he, a mid-stage Divine King, would only be annihilated.
He wasn't masochistic; he had no desire to enjoy abuse.
But his reaction, in the eyes of the Xi family, was somewhat baffling.
The Xi family members looked at Shangguan Yulin strangely, not understanding why the youth who was just full of spirit and vigor was so scared at the mention of Zi Linling sparring with him.
Shangguan Yulin snorted inwardly, thinking, "They have no idea how terrifying Boss is!"
Seeing Shangguan Yulin back down, Zi Linling stopped teasing him.
She said seriously, "Since that's the case, protecting the three of them will be entrusted to you!"
After speaking, she stood up and gave Du Zihao a look.
Du Zihao understood, his figure flashed, and he stood behind Xi Jingran.
Before anyone could react, he grabbed Xi Jingran's collar and darted towards an empty space in the distance.
"Jingran!" Xi Ning cried out.
As a father, he instinctively wanted to chase after them.
"Patriarch Xi!"
Zi Linling stepped forward, blocking Xi Ning's path, and said, "Since Jingran has taken me as his master, he must abide by my rules! If you chase after him now, the matter of apprenticeship will be called off!"
"This..."
Xi Ning smiled awkwardly and said obsequiously, "Miss Zi, please don't be angry. I was just acting on instinct; I didn't mean anything else!"
Zi Linling nodded and said, "To be honest with you, I have very important matters to attend to and can only stay here for a maximum of three days. During these three days, I will teach Jingran the training methods.
"After I leave, you must supervise him daily until he forms the habit. I will compile the specific matters and measures into a plan and transmit it to you in the form of a soul." Su Dan Novel Network
"Also..."
Zi Linling paused here and looked around.
Xi Ning understood and said to the Xi family members, "The martial arts competition is over, and I believe everyone has gained some insights, so please disperse on your own!"
"Yes! Patriarch!"
The Xi family members responded in unison and quickly left.
After everyone had dispersed, Zi Linling said with a solemn expression, "Patriarch Xi, since you already know Shangguan's identity, I will speak frankly about some matters."
As she spoke, she carefully took down the "darling" from behind her and placed it flat on the table in front of her. She said, "Patriarch Xi, you may not know, but not only Shangguan, but also Brother Xuanyuan, Rong Guang, and my unconscious husband are the reincarnated bodies of the Nine Great Guardians."
"All of them?!"
Xi Ning's mouth widened in shock at Zi Linling's words.
This news was too astounding.
Zi Linling nodded solemnly, "That's right! They all are!"
"Xuanyuan... Xuanyuan..."
Xi Ning repeated the name a few times and then exclaimed in shock, "He couldn't be the reincarnation of the War Venerable Xuanyuan Tian, could he?"
Zi Linling nodded and said, "Yes, Rong Guang is the reincarnation of the Poison Venerable Yan Wudao, and my husband is the reincarnation of the Father Venerable Bao Fengxi."
"So, you are... the Chosen One?"
Xi Ning looked at Zi Linling, his face full of disbelief.
Zi Linling smiled slightly, "What makes you say that?"
Xi Ning chuckled, "Apart from the Chosen One, I really can't think of any reason why the reincarnated bodies of these Guardians would be by your side."
Zi Linling smiled bitterly, "If I could, I would just want to be an ordinary woman, but that is destined to be impossible!"
"Ordinary people envy us cultivators, but they don't know that the path of cultivation has no turning back. Once embarked upon, one can only move forward."
Xi Ning empathized, "Indeed! The moment we set foot on the path of cultivation, we are destined to fight against others, contend with heaven, lick blood from the tip of a blade, stain our hands with blood, and bear the responsibility of protection."
"Mmm!"
Zi Linling nodded, "That's right! Patriarch Xi, the doomsday catastrophe of Azure Star is imminent, and none of us can remain aloof. The important task I need to accomplish is to find the reincarnated bodies of the other Guardians to confront the Azure Calamity."
Xi Ning looked at Zi Linling, his eyes filled with immense admiration.
"Under a collapsed nest, how can there be intact eggs? We, the Xi family, were born to inherit the will of our ancestors and protect our homeland. Therefore, as long as it is something we can do, please, Miss Zi, do not hesitate to command us!"
Zi Linling said with relief, "If everyone in Tianyuan Continent, Tianci Continent, and Shenyi Continent were as selfless as Patriarch Xi, then perhaps we might still overcome this great calamity!"
Xi Ning said bitterly, "Unity of purpose, how can it be easy? Having grown accustomed to peaceful days, many people have forgotten how hard-won today's peace is. They scheme against each other, engage in internal strife, covet fame and fortune, and plot against each other. How can they remember those shameful and bloody years?"
Zi Linling looked up at the sky, her gaze becoming infinitely deep.
After a long while, she said faintly, "There will always be those who are clear-headed in the world. What we need to do is to gather these clear-headed individuals, mobilize the entire Azure Star, and cultivate them, allowing them to grow rapidly."
"Patriarch Xi, our time is running out. I have a premonition that in at most a hundred years, we will be fighting a bloody battle. Therefore, I wish to ask Patriarch Xi to contact all possible forces and be ready to rush to the battlefield at any time!"
"Good!"
Xi Ning said firmly, "Our Heavenly Sovereign City will absolutely not lag behind! I will also contact more forces to prepare for battle at any time!"
"Mmm! This way, I can confidently go and search for the remaining few," Zi Linling said.
Xi Ning raised an eyebrow and made up his mind, "I have a presumptuous request, Miss Zi. I hope you will grant it!"
Zi Linling smiled and said, "I understand what you mean. Are you truly willing to let him follow me?"
Xi Ning said firmly, "To be honest, I was still hesitant before, but now, if I hesitate any longer, it will be delaying him."
"Then alright. If he is willing to go with me after three days, then I will take him!" Zi Linling said with a smile.
"Thank you, Miss Zi!" Xi Ning said joyfully.
For Xi Jingran to follow the Chosen One would mean receiving good fortune, this was a heaven-sent opportunity!
"Patriarch Xi, I have one more matter to trouble you with, and I hope you will bear with me!" Zi Linling said sternly.
Xi Ning said happily, "Miss Zi, please speak freely. Do not stand on ceremony with me!"
"I need a map of the Nine Sacred Domains, the more detailed the better! Of course, if there is a map of Shenyi Continent, that would be even better!" Zi Linling said.
"The Xi family has a detailed map of the Nine Sacred Domains. I will have someone bring it over shortly!" Xi Ning said readily.