19 His Daughter

Despite the difficulties it caused, Yun Da Xia was incredibly impressed by the poison that continued to cripple her.

For the past few weeks, she had been relegated to the bed in intervals; incapable of even walking. During those times, her head felt like it was being used as a drum; her limbs became as weak as noodles.

Her declaration of achieving greater than the fourth stage of Earth cultivation in a week ended up becoming a joke. In actuality, it had taken nearly a month for her to do so. Sure, it was genius compared to those her age, but Yun Da Xia knew better. With red manifestation, her master's cultivation technique, and his inter spacial ring–she should be a monster.

Every time she broke through to a higher stage, her energy would be reduced gradually during a span of three to four days. It was all caused by the lingering remnants of poison still sunken inside her. She could faintly feel the dark tendrils churning and moving within her whenever a strong burst of energy rushed through her body.

How brilliant was this poison? With even the dregs of it remaining, it could still prove a hindrance to the victim. Although she knew the exact cure, the most important ingredient was not even widely known in this world. She had asked the maids and stewards if they had ever heard of poppy flowers, but they had not. Who knew if the poisonous blooms even existed in this world? If not, then she would be poisoned for the rest of her life.

Though that premise seemed bleak, she instead considered it as an achievement for the other party.

Yun Yong dropped by whenever he heard that she was ill, but their relationship hadn't warmed all that much. There was a sort of barrier between them that left Yun Da Xia with a strange feeling–almost like disappointment. He swiftly turned and left after giving well-wishes. She wondered if he had any questions or accusations to hurl at her, and why he hadn't done so yet.

Shen Huiqing had watched over her during the times she had been bedridden. Yun Da Xia quietly monitored her every so often, making sure there would be no surprises. She wasn't too worried about the poison in her mother yet, but it would be best to begin searching for the ingredients for the antidote.

Which is why she was standing in front of the door to her father's study; the scene similar to a month ago. Her knock against the slab of wood was loud. The objective for today was the same as before, hopefully with different outcomes. She had just recovered from breaking through to the sixth stage of Earth cultivation. It was a decent state to be in at present.

Her plan was to live a quiet, solitary life in the academy. There would be no need to prove her intelligence or step on any toes. But, at least if push came to shove, she could definitely protect herself.

A breeze tousled her tresses. She brushed a hand back to smoothen it, her hands running through a small area where the strands were cut shorter than the rest. Every other day, she continued to cut that area of red hair as close to her scalp as possible. For some reason, it grew at an exponential rate; easily producing half an inch every night.

So far, none of the books she had read in the inter spacial ring's library had any leads as to what it could mean. She no longer thought of it as a curiosity, instead, it was a nuisance.

"Come in." At the invitation, Yun Da Xia entered the room. With her short stature, she was eye level to her father who was sitting down. A sharp brow was raised high on his face, "Yes, Xia'er?"

"Thank you for seeing me, father." She greeted. Without further rambling, she simply lifted a hand and rushed energy through her veins.

Yun Wei was confused, wondering what his troublemaker daughter was up to. The past month had been a whirlwind, with her having to be bedridden every couple of days. He and his wife had been worried sick. Now, he warily eyed her; as if she was going to collapse at any moment.

Then the breath was stolen from his lungs.

A bright crimson flame burst from her fingers; the light it emitted–jarring, the heat it bore–blistering even a fair distance away. The particles moved precisely in time with the motion of her fingers; the brief demonstration a testament to the skill of the wielder.

"I can cultivate." Yun Da Xia simply stated.

He was dumbfounded.

She brought down her hand; dispersing the fire on it. A strained smile graced her lips as she watched her father; a hint of nervousness settling in her chest. She had prepared an explanation–a mix of white lies and truths so she wouldn't mess up the execution– but he continued to remain silent and unmoving; eyes wide in shock.

It was a long while before Yun Wei could snap out of his stupor. He ran a hand over his face; shoulders shaking with his sigh. "How… how can this be?"

Since it had been determined that she could not cultivate–could not even sense the spiritual qi in the air– there had been no end to his worries concerning his daughter.

Now, he looked at her with the same expression he had worn when woke up from her coma; his gaze saturated in relief.