mynovelweb Chapter 13 Ziqi's Fortuitous Encounter
Chapter 13 Ziqi's Fortuitous Encounter
The next morning, sunlight streamed in.
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Xu Xiaoxiao got up early and practiced her boxing in the courtyard, each move displaying agility and power.
Huang Ziqi had finished his chores at home early and, filled with excitement, walked briskly toward Xu Xiaoxiao's residence, his heart brimming with wonderful anticipation for their reunion that day, as if the sunshine along the way was guiding him toward friendship.
Huang Ziqi arrived at Xu Xiaoxiao's yard and excitedly called out, "Sister Xiaoxiao, I'm here!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoxiao stopped her fist, turned around, and greeted him with a bright smile. "Ziqi, you've come at the right time. I just finished practicing my fist techniques. Let's go check out the woods from yesterday. Maybe we'll find something new after the snow."
Huang Ziqi's eyes lit up and he nodded quickly.
The two walked into the woods together. The woods were covered in silver, quiet and beautiful. They searched for unusual branches and small objects covered in snow.
Huang Ziqi discovered a frozen insect specimen and curiously showed it to Xu Xiaoxiao. Xu Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, saw a bird's nest in a tree and pulled Huang Ziqi over to observe it.
When they got tired of playing, they found a flat rock to sit on and shared their stories.
Huang Ziqi lowered her head slightly, her voice tinged with sadness as she began to speak: "Sister Xiaoxiao, in my family, I'm always ignored. They only care about the eldest son. Every time I try my best, I still don't get a single word of praise, and my father doesn't even glance at me."
Xu Xiaoxiao frowned, her eyes full of heartache: "Ziqi, don't be discouraged. You are more outstanding than them. Those people are just blinded by the concept of legitimate versus illegitimate children."
Huang Ziqi raised her head and looked at Xu Xiaoxiao, a glimmer of light appearing in her eyes: "But only you feel that way. However, now that I have you as a friend, I don't feel so sad anymore."
Xu Xiaoxiao patted his shoulder: "We can play together every day from now on. I will teach you a lot of fun things to make you even better."
At this point, Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had thought of something: "By the way, Ziqi, I can teach you some simple body-strengthening techniques, so that if anyone bullies you again in the future, you can protect yourself."
Huang Ziqi was taken aback at first, then her face lit up with surprise and anticipation: "Really? Sister Xiaoxiao, you can really teach me kung fu?"
Xu Xiaoxiao stood up, assumed a starting stance, and said confidently, "Of course, starting tomorrow, we will begin practicing martial arts in this forest."
Huang Ziqi also stood up and nodded vigorously, as if he could already see himself becoming a master. In this snowy forest, their friendship grew stronger with each other's company and encouragement.
Just as they were immersed in their anticipation of practicing martial arts in the future, a slight rustling sound caught their attention.
They looked in the direction of the sound and saw a small, snow-white fox peeking out from behind a bush. The fox's eyes were bright and cunning as it curiously looked at Xu Xiaoxiao and Huang Ziqi.
Huang Ziqi covered her mouth in surprise, afraid of disturbing it.
Xu Xiaoxiao said softly, "This little fox is so cute, it doesn't seem afraid of us."
As if understanding her words, the little fox slowly walked towards them, stopped a few steps away, sat down, and gracefully wrapped its tail around its body.
Xu Xiaoxiao carefully squatted down, reached out her hand, and tried to get close to the little fox.
The little fox hesitated for a moment, then gently sniffed Xu Xiaoxiao's fingers with the tip of its nose, and licked them, making Xu Xiaoxiao giggle.
Huang Ziqi mustered his courage and slowly approached. The little fox tilted its head and looked at him, but did not shy away.
Suddenly, the little fox turned and ran away. After running a distance, it stopped, looked back at them, and seemed to be signaling them to follow.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Huang Ziqi exchanged a glance. Driven by curiosity, they followed the little fox, who led them to a hidden cave with strange lights shimmering inside.
The two entered the cave and discovered that the cave walls were inlaid with some crystal-clear stones. These stones emitted colorful light under the dim light, like gems in a dream.
They were awestruck by the wondrous sight and carefully observed the beautiful stones inside the cave.
Xu Xiaoxiao said, "This must be a surprise from the little fox. It's such a magical little creature."
Huang Ziqi nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with excitement and amazement.
Xu Xiaoxiao squatted down and carefully examined the stones that emitted colorful light. Her eyes were full of love and amazement. However, she still shook her head and said, "Ziqi, although these stones are beautiful, they belong to this cave and this forest. Let's not take them away. Let them continue to shine here."
Hearing this, Huang Ziqi was also very reluctant, but she still nodded obediently: "Sister Xiaoxiao, you are right. They are best here. Taking them away will ruin this beauty."
So the two of them simply admired the rock for a while longer, imprinting this wondrous sight in their hearts, before following the little fox out of the cave.
After leaving the cave, the little fox seemed to have completed its mission, nuzzled against them, and then turned and disappeared into the depths of the forest. Xu Xiaoxiao and Huang Ziqi smiled at each other and continued to explore the forest with joy and curiosity.
Shortly after they parted from the little fox, a melodious flute tune seemed to drift in from afar.
The flute music was ethereal and melodious, like celestial music, drawing Xu Xiaoxiao and Huang Ziqi involuntarily toward its source.
They wandered through the dense forest, and as they ventured deeper, they discovered a secluded meadow they had never been to before.
In the middle of the meadow, an elderly man dressed in white was leisurely playing his flute.
The old man had white hair, but his face was peaceful and serene. He seemed to radiate a faint halo around him, blending into the snow-covered forest, like a fairy in a painting.
After the old man finished playing his tune, Xu Xiaoxiao and Huang Ziqi stepped forward.
Xu Xiaoxiao bowed respectfully and said, "Grandpa, your flute playing is so beautiful that we were drawn here from afar when we heard it."
The old man smiled at them, his eyes filled with affection: "Children, it is fate that you can hear this flute music."
The old man told them that he lived in seclusion here to cultivate himself, and that the sound of his flute could communicate with the creatures of nature.
Seeing that Xu Xiaoxiao and Huang Ziqi were innocent and kind, he decided to take them as his disciples. "My Daoist name is Daoguang. If you are willing to become my disciples, I can teach you cultivation techniques, and you will have the opportunity to go to the world of immortal cultivation."
Is this old man from the cultivation world like my master? I wonder if he knows my master.
When Xu Xiaoxiao heard that she wanted to take them as her apprentices, she was not happy. Instead, she frowned and politely declined, "Grandpa, it's not that I don't want to become your apprentice, it's that I already have a master. Could you please only take Ziqi as your apprentice?"
Huang Ziqi was stunned. He had always thought cultivation and the world of immortals were just legends, but what he saw today was actually true.
Upon hearing that Xu Xiaoxiao already had a master, the old man in white nodded slightly, showing no displeasure on his face, and said, "Since you have a master, you should naturally follow the way of the master. You are a girl who values loyalty and righteousness."
He then looked at Huang Ziqi, his eyes filled with expectation: "Ziqi, would you be willing to become my disciple and learn this art of spiritual communication?"
Huang Zizi hesitated. He looked at Xu Xiaoxiao with a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but then he thought that this was a rare opportunity. The path of cultivation might change his fate and allow him to no longer be looked down upon by his family.
Seeing this, Xu Xiaoxiao encouraged him, "Ziqi, this is a rare opportunity. Don't worry, even if you become Grandpa's disciple, we will still be the best of friends. I will come to see you often."
Encouraged by Xu Xiaoxiao, Huang Ziqi made up his mind. He respectfully bowed to the old man and said, "Grandpa, I am willing to become your disciple and learn the art of spiritual communication."
The old man smiled with satisfaction and reached out to help Huang Ziqi up: "Good, from today onwards, you are my disciple. I will first teach you some introductory techniques and flute playing tips. You must study them carefully."
Huang Ziqi listened attentively and memorized the information carefully.
After the old man finished his instruction, he added, "The path of cultivation is long and requires perseverance and willpower. You must not be too hasty. I will stay here for now. If you have any questions, you can come and ask me at any time."
Huang Ziqi bowed in gratitude once again.
Afterwards, Xu Xiaoxiao and Huang Ziqi bid farewell to the old man and walked out of the grassland.
Xu Xiaoxiao smiled and said to Huang Ziqi, "Ziqi, you must cultivate diligently. When you become powerful, you must protect me."
Huang Ziqi patted his chest and assured her, "Sister Xiaoxiao, don't worry, I will definitely work hard."
Back home, Xu Xiaoxiao told Li Changchun about her extraordinary experience.
Li Changchun had an expression that said, "I knew it all along." Xu Xiaoxiao knew that her master was skilled in divination. Could it be that her master had performed a divination for Ziqi on their very first meeting?
"Master, please don't keep telling fortunes. I've heard that fortune telling can shorten one's lifespan."
"Don't worry, your master knows what he's doing. Such a trivial matter won't shorten your lifespan; only those who have seen through the secrets of heaven will."