allonlinenovel Chapter 77 Shutdown
Chapter 77 Shutdown
Ning Xiaoxi jumped off the carriage and followed her parents, realizing that walking together was better than her previous desperate efforts.
On the edge of the grassland in early spring, you can see large patches of tender green alfalfa. The leaves are small and delicate, with compound leaves, swaying gently in the breeze. It seems that this is a lush pasture, very suitable for raising cattle and sheep.
Just looking at this open scene of lush grass and flying birds inexplicably lifted my spirits.
Ning Xiaoxi asked Ning Ziqing to lead her to the Zhou family's group. When Zhou Liangwu saw Ning Xiaoxi coming, he deliberately took a few steps forward to distance himself from his family.
"Lady".
“Uncle Zhou, the officials said that since we are no longer officials, it’s okay to become a Celestial Master. It’s just that testing the spiritual veins is not easy.” Ning Xiaoxi considered for a moment, “It’s either going to the Celestial Master’s Pavilion in the prefecture or waiting for Lord Tiangang’s inspection once every ten years. Given our current situation, neither of these two options is easy.”
"Thank you for informing me, young lady, but my eldest son is already seventeen years old this year, so I'm afraid he won't have the chance. We'll have to wait and see what fate brings!" Zhou Liangwu said with some melancholy.
Seeing Zhou Liangwu's disappointed expression, Ning Xiaoxi comforted him slightly, "Uncle Zhou, don't be discouraged. I'll discuss it with my subordinates again and see if there's an opportunity!"
Zhou Liangwu clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ning Xiaoxi, "Then I'll trouble you, young lady. My second son, Zhou Xin, is about the same age as you, young master, and could accompany you on this journey!"
Ning Xiaoxi looked at her older brother.
Ning Ziqing nodded slightly, "We've gotten to know Zhou Xin along the way. He's lively and I like him a lot. We can look out for each other in the future."
Zhou Liangwu waved to his two sons behind him, and Zhou Xin jogged up to catch up, "Dad."
“Your elder brother Ning is willing to take care of you, so listen to him as much as you can on the road ahead,” Zhou Liangwu said solemnly, his attitude very proper.
Zhou Xin turned and bowed to Ning Ziqing, saying, "Brother Ning."
Ning Ziqing patted his shoulder. "Come on, let's talk up ahead." He nodded to Zhou Liangwu and his sister, and walked forward. Zhou Xin bowed to his father, gave Ning Xiaoxi a big smile, and then followed behind Ning Ziqing. Zhou Xin was only fourteen years old and had already had his shackles removed, making him a perfect fit to be next to Ning Ziqing.
“Uncle Zhou, we still have a long way to go and will need to look after each other. When you have time, please talk to my father more.”
"Yes, Uncle Zhou, I come from a military background and have great strength, but I don't have much knowledge. It is an honor to be able to learn from Brother Ning."
Ning Xiaoxi nodded to Zhou Liangwu, then turned around and caught up with her parents.
Watching Ning Xiaoxi's retreating figure and his second son following behind Ning Ziqing, a gratified smile appeared on his face. He didn't actually have high hopes for his children to follow the path of a Celestial Master; his main goal was to establish a connection with the Ning family.
The old doctor Zhao was able to befriend Ning Xiaoxi with his medical skills. His family were all martial artists, and even if he became Ning's bodyguards in the future, it would be better than being criminals on the border of Youzhou.
He is unaware that Ning Ziqing has also become a Celestial Master; he simply believes that having his two sons serve as Ning Ziqing's assistants is a viable path forward.
That evening, before the sun had set, the team stopped by a lake. It was a good place to set up camp, with a hillside behind it and water in front of it.
Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing brought Zhou Xin to the lakeside. Under the setting sun, the lake was clear and sparkling, and you could vaguely see fish as long as an arm swimming by.
Ning Xiaoxi extended her index finger, a wisp of spiritual energy emanating from her fingertip, silently piercing the lake's surface and approaching the swimming fish. Suddenly, the spiritual energy formed a rope, binding the fish's body. Ning Xiaoxi withdrew her hand, and the fish fell onto the grass, thrashing about.
"Wow, that's amazing!" Zhou Xin jumped up and down to catch the fish.
Ning Xiaoxi suddenly heard a voice, "Girl, come here!"
"Master Tianji?" Ning Xiaoxi was taken aback.
She couldn't really say she was familiar with the voice, but whenever she thought of that clear voice and bright phoenix eyes, even though she had only met him twice, the protection he gave her was obvious.
"Brother, wait for me." After leaving those words, Ning Xiaoxi headed straight for the hillside where the voice came from.
Ning Ziqing watched her younger sister run away and called to Zhou Xin, who was staring blankly at her sister's back, to continue catching fish.
He ran quickly up the hillside, and a figure stood on another hillside.
On the grassland at sunset, the green grass stretches out its leaves, bathed in the twilight.
On the hillside, a solitary figure faced the direction of the setting sun. The dark blue robes of the Heavenly General were outlined with dark gold by the emerging sunlight. As if hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around.
Her bright, almond-shaped eyes and pale lips, though bathed in the setting sun, resembled the rising sun, radiant with boundless light.
"Lord Tianji!" Ning Xiaoxi gasped for breath as she looked up at the person who had been the first to acknowledge her and had continuously helped her.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon." Tianji looked at the little girl. "You're still too thin. Remember to eat well while you're growing."
Ning Xiaoxi scratched her head a little embarrassedly, "It's already very good. Ever since I left the royal city, the guards have taken good care of me."
Tianji suddenly lowered his head and stared at her.
Ning Xiaoxi was surprised that Tianji would suddenly make such a move. Her eyes widened, but she didn't dare to move at all.
"What will happen to someone so kind in the future?"
Ning Xiaoxi blinked. "The adults are all very nice too!"
"Hahahahaha..."
"grown ups?"
A strange light flashed in Tianji's eyes as he looked down and stared intently into Ning Xiaoxi's eyes again. "Girl, isn't this world wonderful?"
Ning Xiaoxi's eyes slowly widened, and then widened further.
A strange smile crept across Tianji's lips as he put his right index finger to his lips. "Shh!"
Ning Xiaoxi felt as if she could no longer breathe.
Tianji silently mouthed two words, "Shut down!"
[Shut down!]
[System is shutting down... System has been shut down!]
Holy crap, is this even possible?
Ning Xiaoxi realized she was about to crack!
Tianji straightened up, took a step back, and looked at her calmly. The smile on his face had disappeared, and the gentle warmth had vanished in an instant. The kindness, gentleness, and consideration were all like a dream!
Ning Xiaoxi couldn't help but take a step back, suddenly realizing that her biggest secret had been discovered, and that she had even turned off her greatest reliance. Although that little dumpling was somewhat unreliable, it could make her stronger and give her the ability to protect herself in this unknown world, and she had so easily turned it off.
【Dumplings! Dumplings!】
There was no response, and no black and white fleshy mass jumped out.
A sharp aura suddenly erupted from Tianji's body, and spiritual power, as if it were tangible, struck Ning Xiaoxi.
The Spirit Crystal Heart activated instantly, forming a defensive shield around Ning Xiaoxi, but it couldn't withstand the impact. Ning Xiaoxi was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.