Chapter 16: The Jade Pendant’s Fracture Conceals a Violet Glow

Lu Xiao looked at Xue Shiwei, hesitating slightly.

They had known each other for too short a time.

Acquaintances cannot speak of deep matters.

But after much careful thought, Lu Xiao considered that, given Miss Xue’s status, the very fact that she came to warn him was already a favor.

In his current predicament, even a shallow acquaintance with her was no small matter.

With these thoughts, Lu Xiao no longer held back.

“The Lu Marquis Mansion has been established in Yonglin City for many years, from the city lord to the guards, almost all come from the military.

If I could leave, I would have done so long before this incident occurred.”

In truth, Xue Shiwei had already guessed the reason.

Years ago, when Jiang Yue Rou left the Lu Marquis Mansion and remarried into the Meng family, the Lu family’s reputation was utterly ruined.

After Jiang Yue Rou’s departure, the third young master of the Lu family drifted aimlessly, and even now he was still traveling abroad.

If Lu Xiao were to escape the Lu family as well, who knew how much gossip it would stir, how much ridicule the family would endure.

The Lu family could not control Jiang Yue Rou, nor could they control Lu Jinghong.

Could they then control Lu Xiao?

A trace of helplessness showed on Xue Shiwei’s face; she felt Lu Xiao had already fallen into a deadlock.

She could think of no solution.

“I happened to see the fourth young master practicing cultivation earlier.

His mastery of the ‘Gang Qi Heart Method’ is indeed superior to many.

But this is merely a technique for the common people of Great Xia to strengthen their bodies.

No matter how well the fourth young master learns or how thoroughly he practices, it’s useless.

Relying on it alone won’t get him into the Martial Sect Academy.”

“Thank you for your reminder, Miss Xue. I understand the situation; I will take things as they come.”

Lu Xiao nodded, expressing his gratitude.

“Also, the fourth young master would do best to avoid practicing near Yun Mei’s courtyard.

The servants of your Lu family, unable to find you, will immediately search there.”

Having said this, Xue Shiwei prepared to leave.

At that moment, Lu Xiao called after her.

He noticed a fracture on the jade pendant at her waist.

He could help repair it as a token of thanks for her warning.

“This pendant is no ordinary hand-carved piece; in fact...”

Xue Shiwei hesitated briefly, then removed it and handed it to Lu Xiao.

“Then please, fourth young master, help me repair it. I will return to the capital soon.

If it cannot be restored, it’s not a problem.”

As she spoke, Lu Yun had already arrived.

Seeing Lu Xiao speaking with Xue Shiwei, her face fell immediately.

***

Xue Shiwei quickly approached and led Lu Yun away.

She knew that if Lu Yun went over, she would undoubtedly scold Lu Xiao again.

As they walked, Lu Yun unleashed a tirade.

In her words, Xue Shiwei had been deceived by Lu Xiao, trying to gain some benefit from her.

Hearing this, Xue Shiwei shifted the topic.

“Yun Mei, have you found out anything from the matriarch?”

At this, Lu Yun’s expression grew even more helpless.

“Grandmother seems confused.

She even told me not to meddle.

It’s confirmed that this technique has been given to Lu Xiao and will not be taken back.

I don’t understand why they would squander such a precious skill.”

Lu Yun was clearly displeased that Lu Xiao had obtained the “Dragon Blood Bathing Technique.”

Being unaware of the details, her anger was more than ordinary.

In reality, this technique would not bring Lu Xiao much benefit.

Before departing, Xue Shiwei looked back at Lu Xiao once more.

From their conversation today, she thought Lu Xiao was quite decent.

His words and manner were nothing like the terrible image Lu Yun had painted.

To Xue Shiwei, Lu Xiao seemed like a man cursed with misfortune.

One thing she admired about him was his courage to face such adversity.

Even with only the most basic cultivation technique, the “Gang Qi Heart Method,” in hand, he refused to give up.

In this regard, Lu Xiao was stronger than many.

Had she been in his place, she might have already fallen into despair.

At this moment, Lu Xiao prepared to study the “Dragon Blood Bathing Technique.”

Had he known Xue Shiwei’s favorable impression of him, he might have felt too embarrassed to accept such praise.

His courage to cope stemmed from a mysterious ability to refine all things.

Without hope, he might have also succumbed to despondency.

Before delving into the technique, Lu Xiao focused on Xue Shiwei’s jade pendant.

A clear crack ran across its center.

Upon closer inspection, Lu Xiao saw a purple inscription: “Thousand Sun Jade.”

The item’s value appeared extraordinary.

Since acquiring his ability, he had only seen items with blue inscriptions at most.

Today, he beheld one with a purple name for the first time.

Recalling Xue Shiwei’s hesitation, even with the crack, the pendant was truly priceless.

Grateful for her trust, Lu Xiao concentrated, and instantly his energy and stamina diminished somewhat.

The crack on the pendant vanished completely, and the entire piece gleamed with renewed luster.

[Thousand Sun Jade +1]

Lu Xiao examined the fully restored pendant, then carefully stored it away.

He planned to find time tomorrow to return it,

Feigning that the repair had taken considerable effort.

He was unwilling to reveal his mysterious ability to others.

After this task, Lu Xiao turned his attention to the “Dragon Blood Bathing Technique.”

He did not start by reading it through.

Though the matriarch had feigned ignorance, she could not fool him.

From his second brother and third sister’s reactions, he judged the technique was problematic.

If truly beneficial, they would have competed to claim it.

Considering his standing in the mansion, he would have received some good fortune.

Yet neither showed interest.

Clearly, they had already been informed.

Now, with Miss Xue’s warning, Lu Xiao felt even more certain.

Focusing, he looked at the “Dragon Blood Bathing Technique.”

After a moment, a line of small characters appeared: “Dragon Blood Bathing Technique.”

Unlike before, these characters were neither gray, white, green nor blue.

They were an unfamiliar black.

The deep black shimmered, radiating a peculiar aura.

Given everything, Lu Xiao formed a judgment.

Items bearing black inscriptions did not benefit him; they brought harm.

They held no positive value for his cultivation and might even drag him down.

This aligned with what Xue Shiwei had told him.

Without a dragon’s body, the Dragon Technique was not to be studied.

For him, this “Dragon Blood Bathing Technique” was more of a curse than a blessing.

It was no wonder it was given to him so kindly.

Having confirmed its nature, Lu Xiao began to leaf through the “Dragon Blood Bathing Technique.”

Seated at the stone table before his room, he studied carefully.

No servants from the mansion came to disturb him today.

Reading through the technique, he found nothing overtly wrong.

In fact, it seemed a rather respectable cultivation method.

Clearly, the parts that required caution were completely concealed.