With just a small gap between his face and hers, Xia Lihua didn't mind. She slowly and carefully examined his face, from his mouth to his nose, then finally, his eyes.

She stared into his eyes, fully captivated by their appearance. Like two black holes, they grabbed her attention, and refused to let go.

"Hi, I am Ji Xian."

His voice snapped her out of the trance-like state, and she tried to calm her heart.

"Ji Xian… I am Xia Lihua, the Guardian of the Northern Continent," she said. Her tone was casual and friendly. Earlier, when she was with the Ancestors, she had acted with respect and decorum as she should with her seniors, but after seeing Ji Xian's exchange with Huo Honghui, she understood that he was not someone who cared about formalities and this fit her preference.

Ji Xian smiled brightly upon hearing her introduction. He examined her face quietly. She had phoenix eyes, straight eyebrows, a soft petite nose, and gentle pink lips. A flawless, beautiful face. She wore an elegant white Hanfu that wasn't too small or too big. It was just right, perfectly accentuating her flawless figure. If immortals existed, then Xia Lihua would perfectly match the description.

What caught his attention were her silver eyes. Radiant and dazzling. It was nothing but mesmerizing.

A person with a dragon bloodline... a miracle.

After the brief introduction, the two of them didn't exchange any more words. They silently stared at each other as though trying to see each other's secret.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ji Xian took a step back, turned around, and walked back to his chair. He gently waved his hand.

A chair appeared out of thin air landing right in front of him.

Ji Xian looked at Xia Lihua and smiled.

Understanding his intention, she walked to the chair and gently sat down. After another brief silence, Ji Xian spoke first.

"So."

Xia Lihua raised her brows.

"So," she repeated.

"When will you ascend?" Ji Xian asked.

"I'm not sure."

"Not sure, huh? Maybe you just don't want to ascend."

"…"

"I am still needed here," Xia Lihua said after brief thought.

Ji Xian shook his head, "You've done enough, even before you became Guardian, you have deterred countless forces from the Upper World and that's just scratching the surface. Your contributions are more than most Ancestors combined."

"How do you-"

"Anyone who has been to the Northern Continent knows who you are and what you have done," he interrupted.

"…"

"Then what about you? Why do you choose to stay with your strength?" she asked.

"I am different from you."

"How?"

"I take a different path. Besides… I am infinitely more talented than you. I do not need to ascend."

"…"

Xia Lihua was speechless. She was probably the greatest genius the Mortal Haven World had ever seen, but Ji Xian claimed to be even more talented than her. She wanted to refute but lacked confidence after hearing the stories about his prowess.

"How old are you?" she suddenly asked.

"Me? I am younger than you… by quite a few years," Ji Xian replied with a teasing smile.

Her fist subtly tightened, feeling slightly annoyed.

Idiot.

"I don't believe you. For all I know you're half step into the grave and using your cultivation to retain your looks."

Ji Xian burst out laughing. He leaned forward in his chair and smiled at her.

Cute.

"Here, take it," Ji Xian suddenly threw out a spatial ring to Xia Lihua.

"There are some Destruction Coalescence pills in there, along with some weapons and resources."

Xia Lihua used her spiritual sense to examine the content of the ring. It was filled with pills of all varieties and weapons as well. She nodded and calmly accepted it.

"Hey, do you know any arrogant Young Masters in the Northern Continent?" Ji Xian randomly asked.

"Arrogant Young Master?" Caught off guard, Xia Lihua didn't know what to say.

"You know, short-tempered, likes to hold a grudge, annoying face, loves to use daddy's influence."

She gently laughed at Ji Xian's oddly specific details, "One or two comes to mind, what is this for?"

"Just preparing something for five rascals," Ji Xian grinned mischievously.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

…

The two continued talking for two days and two nights. They discussed and planned a few things, and afterward, they talked about various topics. Their conversations were natural and spontaneous. They talked nonstop, teasing each other, telling jokes, and even dwelling on some deep topics. During this period, both of them learned a lot about each other.

Ji Xian stood up and stretched. The sky had darkened and was occupied by countless stars.

"This has been fun but you should go. The Ancestors are probably getting anxious by now."

"All right," Xia Lihua stood up and gently floated in the air.

"I'll visit again soon," she said.

She floated higher and higher into the sky while keeping her gaze on Ji Xian. Finally, She turned and flew away but not before a voice entered her ears.

"Don't fall for me too hard, I'm too good for you."

She stopped flying and looked back. Brushing her hair back slightly, her silver eyes briefly flashed with light. Her mouth curved into a beautiful, confident smile.

Idiot

With that thought, she disappeared into the night.

Ji Xian stood at the edge of the cliff looking in the direction Xia Lihua left. His eyes were looking in her direction but his thoughts were elsewhere.

My cultivation is currently at a bottleneck. Forging a new cultivation path is too hard, I have already read all the cultivation methods of this World and I have nothing more to learn. There are also no more secrets that I have yet to discover. With no increase in my knowledge, I can no longer simulate the next stage of my path.

Should I go to another World? If I can read more cultivation methods then It'll increase the chances I have to simulate the next stage.

Ji Xian sighed, "Looks like I need to make some preparations before I leave. After those five brats breakthrough into Essence, I'll send them to the Northern Continent. Xia Lihua will be able to look after them for me while I'm gone."