Chapter 3: Simply Too Alike

"Grandfather," Ji Jiuxuan stepped forward and embraced him.

She had a picture album, one she had specially asked Wen Ying to make for her. It contained portraits of all her relatives, including her parents. Thus, she could recognize Qi Shuoyuan at a glance without fearing suspicion.

"Ah Jiu still remembers her grandfather?" Qi Shuoyuan held the small, delicate child in his arms, and in that instant, his scarred and battered heart was filled. The joy that she still remembered him was overwhelming.

"Of course! I asked Aunt Ying to help me make an album, so I could remember everyone." With that, Ji Jiuxuan slipped out of his embrace. "Grandfather, aren't I clever?"

"Clever indeed. Our Ah Jiu is the cleverest of all." Gazing at the little sprite before him, whose features so perfectly blended those of his daughter and son-in-law, his heart ached with tenderness.

His hand, rough and trembling, brushed her fair, childlike cheek. The eyes that always seemed to hold a smile now shone red with unshed tears. "Our Ah Jiu is the most intelligent child there is."

Ji Jiuxuan knew he was thinking of her parents, and though she longed to comfort him, there seemed little she could say. The only thing she could offer was to bring him joy in the years to come, serving at his knee as a dutiful granddaughter.

Qi Shuoyuan soon composed himself and, regaining his former composure, stood tall once more.

He took Ji Jiuxuan’s hand and turned to face a young man who had been standing behind him.

The man was clad in a sky-blue robe, with handsome features reminiscent of the late Ji Minghuai. Yet where Ji Minghuai’s beauty was touched with ethereal grace—so that even a stern expression was pleasing—this man’s handsomeness was edged with strength and the natural authority of a leader. At first glance, one could tell he was not someone to be trifled with.

Ji Mingsi, looking at his adorable niece, felt a rush of complicated emotions and some awkwardness. His home was full of unruly boys, always at odds and often disciplined with the rod. When faced with this little darling, he was at a loss as to how to behave.

"Ah Jiu, that is your father’s elder brother—you should call him Uncle."

Prompted by Qi Shuoyuan, Ji Jiuxuan called out sweetly, "Uncle."

Ji Jiuxuan had inherited the family’s naturally smiling countenance, and with her petite, lovable frame, when she smiled, even her eyes seemed to laugh. Her clear gaze made it impossible not to smile in return.

"Ah!" Ji Mingsi responded with delight, and produced a delicate bracelet adorned with a spatial gemstone.

Ji Jiuxuan, lacking spiritual power, could not discern its grade, but she’d seen enough treasures in books and life to know it was something precious.

"This is from your grandfather. He’s been in seclusion these years and couldn’t come himself, so he asked your uncle to bring it to you. Little Ah Jiu, you mustn’t blame your grandfather!"

Ji Jiuxuan accepted the gift graciously. Wen Ying had told her that her father’s family—the Ji family of Yunmengze by the Southern Sea—was among the most prestigious in the region and highly ranked in the cultivation world, their wealth the envy of many.

Her father, due to a unique constitution since childhood, became a disciple of the Xuantian Sect and married her mother, the sect master’s daughter, Qi Yanwei.

She’d heard from Wen Ying that, had this mission not failed, her parents had planned to take her to the Ji family for a stay. It was clear her father’s ties to his family were strong, and the fact that Ji Mingsi was allowed to come here only confirmed her suspicions.

"Thank you, Uncle. Once I’ve tested my spiritual roots and drawn in my first breath of spiritual energy, I’ll thank Grandfather in person. At that time, please tell me the name of Grandfather’s communication jade!"

Ji Jiuxuan accepted the bracelet with ease. Ji Mingsi was delighted by her straightforwardness. Seeing her playful yet composed manner, he was grateful to the Xuantian Sect for raising his brother’s child so well.

He produced another item—a ring clearly meant to be a spatial ring. Its design was simpler than most and perfectly suited a child. "This is my meeting gift for you, Ah Jiu. It’s the first time I’ve seen you, after all."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Ji Mingsi’s eyes brimmed with pity—something Ji Jiuxuan understood. It was because her parents were gone. She knew this, but it left no shadow on her heart. In both her lives, she had been an orphan—perhaps she was simply not fated to have parents.

"It’s almost time, Master Ji. Let us talk as we walk," Qi Shuoyuan said, glancing at the hour. The time for the spiritual root test was drawing near.

Ji Jiuxuan took her grandfather Qi Shuoyuan’s hand in one of hers, and with the other, she reached for Uncle Ji Mingsi. Smiling, she urged them, "Let’s go! Let’s see what kind of spiritual root Little Jiu has!"

Though she already knew from the system, anticipation still fluttered in her heart for that moment of revelation.

As her small hand grasped his, even the hardened Ji Mingsi felt his heart melt.

When they arrived at the Hall of the Ancestral Way, there were already several others with children, all here for the spiritual root test.

Besides storing the disciples’ life tablets, the hall was used for testing the spiritual roots of new children born to the sect.

Ji Jiuxuan counted—there were seven children in all, including herself. For a cultivation sect, that was a fair number for the year.

When Qi Shuoyuan entered, all present rose to greet him respectfully.

He led Ji Jiuxuan into the hall.

At the front stood an old man in a grey robe, his beard and hair white, yet his spirit undimmed. When he saw Ji Jiuxuan, his eyes lit up and he murmured, "So alike, so very alike."

In the three years since her parents died, Ji Jiuxuan had never left Xuanheng Courtyard; only Wen Ying kept her company, watching over her closely.

"Ah Jiu, this is Elder Huaxu."

At Qi Shuoyuan’s introduction, Ji Jiuxuan saluted Elder Huaxu with due formality. She had heard that, three years ago, Elder Huaxu had performed a forbidden divination in hopes of finding her parents. In that instant, his hair and beard had turned white, and he had aged many years.

Ji Jiuxuan was grateful for his kindness. "Ji Jiuxuan greets Grandpa Huaxu."

Seeing her kneel, Elder Huaxu’s eyes grew wet. He hurried over to lift her up. "Good, good! Little Ah Jiu, it makes me so happy to see you!"

After the introductions, the spiritual root testing began. Ji Jiuxuan did not intend to go first; a heavenly spiritual root was already considered an extraordinary talent in this world. Not wishing to overshadow the others, she chose to wait until the end.

The other six children took their turns: one manifested a gold spiritual root, another an earth-type heavenly root, and the remaining four included three dual roots and one triple root.

It was a fine result for any year—one single root, and one heavenly root among them.

Ji Jiuxuan was curious about the girl with the earth-type heavenly root. Earth was associated with steadiness, and though the child looked gentle, there was an intelligence about her that suggested she would not be easily deceived.

As she looked at the girl, the girl glanced back, and they shared a friendly smile.

When Ji Jiuxuan’s turn came, she walked calmly to the center, toward the great orb used for the test.

The entire orb was set in a golden frame, its craftsmanship exquisite—even if it lacked the power to reveal spiritual roots, it would serve as a beautiful ornament.

She placed her hand, as instructed, onto the orb, closed her eyes, and reached out with her senses.

All around her, the hall grew silent. Everyone watched, anticipation thick in the air, waiting for the orb to reveal its secret.