Aimless Ascension

Wang Li's expression grew even more incredulous as she got to the bonding part. She was aware of the bonding between a spirit beast and a spirit artist, but never heard about two humans bonding together like this.

"Well, technically, I'm not completely human," Xiaolin said after some deliberation.

A frown crawled up the older woman's brows as she was completely lost in how to reply to this. Yes. The advancement gave Linlin unique properties like the glowing pupil and hair and more beauty, but she still appeared human. Well, she said, not completely human—she was to consider that part.

"What!? How?"

"Master believes I'm part of some lost Spirit race."

Wang Li could only frown as this was completely out of her expertise.

"Elder sister, do think Grandma knows anything about my mother?" Xiaolin asked again. "Did Father tell her anything about her?"

"I don't know," Wang Li said. "I guess you have to ask that to Grandma."

Xiaolin nodded. "After the bond formed between us," she continued, "I asked Master to leave the bond intact. We converse on the topic as he carried me to the house and then I. . ."

Xiaolin's voice trailed off as Wang Li arched her eyebrows at the younger girl. "And you what?"

"I tried to kiss him," Xiaolin squeaked.

Wang Li blinked, never she thought Linlin would take the initiative in the relationship, but it seemed all worked in her favour.

"Obviously, with my injuries, I could barely able to reach his lips," Xiaolin continued, blushing. "But that at least made Master consider it. Still, he tried many ways to delude me."

"Like?"

"Well, he said he might have other partners than me," Xiaolin said, with a bitter taste in her mouth.

"And you agreed to that?" Wang Li looked at her incredulously.

"Well, I think he only said that just to shake my conviction," Xiaolin said, biting her lips.

"You say that, but will your conviction still remain steady when he brings another girl to the house?" Wang Li asked. Xiaolin had no answer for her. "Linlin, I never take you for someone who'd agreed to something like this. How sure are you about this?"

Xiaolin considered her question carefully. "I'm not sure about this and still feel that Master merely made that statement to shake me. However, I'll be fine as long as I'm with him."

Wang Li blinked and wasn't sure what she should say. Well, she was fine with it as long as the other party didn't force Linlin. Wang Li could respect their conviction, but that didn't mean she was someone who like a polygamous relationship.

That was the reason she ran away from home, after all. The groom her family selected for her was already twice her age. Well, with the advancement in the ranks, it barely made any difference in the looks. However, the main problem was that the man had already married twice before her.

Wang Li was aware she would have a more stable life than what she had now if she agreed to the marriage back in the day. However, she still couldn't say she regretted it. Even after her failed marriage.

"Besides, as I'm now, I'm not ready to accept Master completely," Xiaolin said with a beat red face. "I'll feel jealous if he does those things with other women, but I couldn't really stop him as I'm now."

"Those things?" Wang Li lifted an eyebrow. "Damn girl, you're already thinking of all that stuff. Is that your motivation now for spirit arts now, so that you can do lewd stuff with your master?"

"Elder sister!" Xiaolin whined as the older woman hugged her.

"I guess nothing matters as long as you're happy." Wang Li caressed Xiaolin's glowing golden hair softly.

At that moment, the door of the house opened and Gale entered in his white-clad tunic. He had a couple of farming equipment—a sickle and a hoe—with him.

"Oho, so finally Madam Wang has decided to grace us with her presence," Gale said, bowing in exaggerated manners. "Welcome to this poor farmer's humble abode. I hope you'll grace us with your presence for a few days at the least."

Wang Li lifted her brows at his act and grunted. "Humble?" she snorted. "I guess this one is a humble abode, but definitely not what you're building."

"With your grace, I think the mansion will be completed by tomorrow," Gale said.

"Well, congrats. When are you throwing a house-warming party? If I'm not wrong, you're a big fan of celebrations."

"Perhaps in a week," Gale answered after a thought. "Well, the local festival is here, so probably after the festival."

"Oh, that reminded me," Wang Li said. "The festival, that is why I was here." She turned to Xiaolin and continued. "I was worried Linlin would be busy with her training and won't have time to visit us during the festival, so I decided to visit bearing gifts for the festival.

"But looking at her now, what do you say, Master Gale? Can you give her a little leeway for the festival? Or are you planning to keep this beauty to yourself all the time?"

Gale lifted an eyebrow as Wang Li squeezed his flustered disciple. He guessed Xiaolin already told her everything about what happened between them. No point in hiding it anymore.

"You're free to take her as you please, Madam Li," Gale said straightly, "however, you must know I do plan to keep her all to myself."

"Master!" Xiaolin squeaked, hiding her flustered face, snuggling into Wang Li's embrace.

"I guess you two master and disciple pair can work that out together," Wang Li said. "That reminded me, I looked up some maid candidates for you. Do you still in need of a maid?"

Xiaolin was ready to say no, however, the decision was for Gale to make.

Gale considered for a moment. The change in their relationship had changed many things, and he could help Xiaolin with many things that he wouldn't be able to do before, but that's still not everything.

"I guess that will depend on how good the maid is."