Chapter 253: Wu Ding’s Ideal
Chapter 253: Wu Ding’s Ideal
Xiang Ling’s words were met with a deep silence that lasted until Bai Lu raised the question - "What are we going to do now?"
"We have to find the core of the array and destroy it. Only then will we be able to get out of this forest." Wu Tian provided and Wu Ding immediately jumped in while patting his chest with pride. "Let me handle this one. I might already know where the core of the array is."
The kid didn’t wait for permission and just ran in a certain direction. Mo Li also followed after him once he got a signal from the Crown Prince and Bai Lu also asked two of the disciples to help and protect the Seventh Prince.
"We’re you all unaware of his true identity?" Xiang Ling asked Bai Lu out of curiosity as she recalled the look of surprise on the disciples faces when Wu Tian addressed Wu Ding as the Seventh Prince.
"Our family identities barely matters once we step inside Jingsheng Academy. That place forbids students from mentioning their family names or how proficient their identities are in the outside world. That’s why, it was only now we all get to know that Xiao Ding is the Seventh Prince." Bai Lu answered.
Nodding her head, Xiang Ling took a glance in the direction where Wu Ding just disappeared. She could tell that the kid had improved a lot since their last meeting. The Academy was doing a wonderful job in teaching and training its students.
"Do you know where that demonic beast is now? The one you all were chasing." The question came from Wu Tian and it pulled everyone’s attention toward him.
Shaking her head in negative, Bai Lu answered, "It fled from this forest as soon as we got trapped inside the array. It’s long gone."
This only confirmed their guess of this entire situation being a set up. The beast not only fled but it also succeeded in keeping itself safe from the array.
While they all continued to chat, Wu Ding completed his task and destroyed the core of the array. It was an immensely powerful array with powerful demonic energy as its main source. If not for Xin Cheng using his powers to aid Wu Ding, the kid would not only have failed in destroying the core but could have also ended up badly injured by the demonic energy. However, only Xiang Ling and Zhang Xuan noticed the Demon Emperor silently providing his aid to the kid while everyone else was oblivious to it.
That’s when as soon as the array was destroyed, Wu Ding started jumping up and down in excitement and happiness. "I did it! I did it! I took down the array!"
Everyone, mostly the disciples, cheered as the Seventh Prince returned to with a beaming smile on his lips. However, when he noticed that Xiang Ling wasn’t smiling like the others, his smile turned into a frown.
"Sister Chen, are you not impressed with my work? Why are you not cheering like the others?" Wu Ding asked as he walked closer to stand in front of Xiang Ling who arched one of her eyebrows high in surprise as the blunt question.
Looking at the kid’s face who was nearly as tall as her at the mere age of twelve, she asked, "Does it matter whether I’m impressed or not as long as the majority is?"
"Of course, it matters!" The kid stated loud and clear for everyone to listen. "You are my ideal. Your opinion matters the most to me."
Xiang Ling was surprised by the Seventh Prince’s words. She knew that was quite impressed by her when they met in Dongzhi City but she had no idea that it was this serious. Sneaking a glance around, shenoticed that everyone was interested in the ongoing conversation and they all were looking at her in surprise when the Seventh Prince declared her as his ideal.
She cleared her throat while turning her attention back to Wu Ding. "You have indeed improved a lot after joining the Academy. You are undoubtedly the most powerful cultivator among your generation. I’m sure if you will keep up the hardwork, you will become a really powerful cultivator in future..."
Wu Ding was once again beaming with happiness as he heard his Sister Chen praising him, but this happiness of his didn’t last for long.
"... however, strong cultivation isn’t the only thing you need to become strong. Start observing your surroundings, kid. Start reading people around you. Sometimes, things aren’t as simple as they might appear. What you think is your glory might belong to someone else. You will only make a fool of yourself in that way."
Instead of feeling dejected or angry, Wu Ding was filled with a sense of understanding as he took in the lesson taught by Xiang Ling. Looking determined, he spoke, "Thank you for guiding me, Sister Chen. I will not let you down again."
Xiang Ling smiled at the kid and gave him a little tap on his shoulder. "Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are still young. You don’t have to worry about making mistakes. Don’t focus on others’ expectations of you. Instead, focus on what you want from yourself and for yourself."
Wu Ding quickly nodded his head in understanding and gave Xiang Ling a bright smile.
"Young Miss, you seem really knowledgeable. Are you from some cultivation Sect, or from the royal family?" One of the male disciples stepped forward as he enquired. His eyes were filled with awe as he looked at Xiang Ling.
Before Xiang Ling could have answered, she felt Wei Guang stepping closer to her. The very next moment, she found her husband wrapping one of his hands around her waist and pulling her closer to his side. When she turned her head, she found him looking at her. "Shouldn’t we get going, wife?"
Xiang Ling was surprised to see her ever-so-sweet husband being possessive of her. Suppressing her smile, she quickly nodded her head in agreement.