...
"That...that doesn't count!"
Na'er persisted, her small hands gripping Xuan Hao's clothes tightly.
The grievance in her eyes did not dissipate; instead, it deepened, even carrying a hint of panic.
"What if we really encounter danger?"
"If bad guys want to kill us, or if we encounter a danger that we can't withstand."
"Brother...who will you save first?"
Seeing Na'er's trembling purple eyes, which were slightly trembling with nervousness, Xuan Hao's playful smile gradually faded.
He sensed it.
This girl isn't being unreasonable, nor is she jealous.
She was genuinely scared.
"Na'er…"
Xuanhao called softly, "What's wrong?
Why are you suddenly asking such a silly question?"
"I..."
Na'er lowered her head, "I'm just afraid..."
"I'm afraid that once my brother has a teacher and a senior sister, he won't want Na'er anymore."
"Na'er only has her brother left..."
Hearing these words filled with loneliness and helplessness, Xuan Hao felt as if something had clenched his heart.
Whether she is the Silver Dragon King or that little girl with amnesia.
At least in this moment, she is vulnerable and needs someone to rely on.
"fool."
Xuan Hao reached out and pulled the anxious little girl in front of him into a tight embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head and feeling her slightly trembling body.
"Listen carefully, Na'er."
"As long as you're still willing to stay by my side, as long as you still call me 'brother'..."
I will never let go of your hand.
"No matter what happens, no matter what danger we encounter, I will stand in front of you."
"This is my promise to you."
Na'er nestled in Xuan Hao's arms, listening to his strong heartbeat, and her unease gradually subsided.
But she still raised her head, a stubborn light flashing in her purple eyes, and asked softly:
"Then...why not 'to be together forever'?"
"Since you won't let go, why not promise to never separate?"
Xuan Hao was stunned for a moment.
He looked into Na'er's eyes, which seemed to see right through people, and remained silent for a moment.
Then, a bitter smile, both carefree and helpless, appeared on his lips.
He released her hand and gently tidied Na'er's stray hairs at her temples, his eyes tender and deep:
"Because..."
"If one day, Na'er, you don't want to be with me anymore, or you have somewhere else you want to go, or something else you want to do..."
"Am I supposed to cling to you shamelessly and refuse to let go?"
Xuan Hao looked at her and said softly:
"I hope to shelter you from the wind and rain, but I hope even more... that you are free."
"If one day you have to leave, I will see you off with a smile, instead of using the word 'forever' to tie you to my side."
How far is forever?
Xuanhao looked at the little girl in his arms, "Maybe it's really far away, as far as the seas dry up and the rocks crumble; maybe it'll happen tomorrow, but an accident will come before tomorrow."
"I don't like using words that lack boundaries and cannot be quantified."
"The only thing I can guarantee is the present, and only myself."
"As for what the future holds, and how others will change, I have no control over it, nor can I make decisions for them."
Xuan Hao paused, his eyes becoming exceptionally serious:
"For me, what I say, I mean. I will never make a promise I can't keep."
"Because... what if they listen to me and take it seriously, but I end up not being able to do it myself?"
"I have heard many solemn promises and seen many vows called 'forever,' but in the end, those joyful expectations often turn into heart-wrenching disappointment."
"I know what that feels like."
"It hurts a lot, and it's very cold."
"So, I won't say."
"I only know how to do it."
Hearing these words, the stubbornness in Na'er's eyes slowly faded.
Although she didn't quite understand the "disappointment" Xuan Hao was talking about, she could feel the weight in her brother's words and the value he placed on her.
He didn't lie to her.
That's enough.
"Mmm." Na'er nodded obediently, no longer asking questions, but simply pressing her face even closer.
Seeing the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Xuan Hao smiled and changed the subject:
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Tell your brother, how have you been at the academy while I've been away?
Are you happy?"
"I'm not happy."
Na'er shook her head vigorously, and pouted again:
"I'm not happy at all without my brother."
"Then... didn't Sister Yanzi take you to play?
And Sister Lingling, aren't they good to you?"
Xuanhao asked helplessly.
"It's not bad either..."
Na'er thought for a moment, then muttered softly:
"Sister Yanzi often takes me out to eat delicious food, and Sister Lingling also tells me stories.
But... they are not my brothers."
"Na'er only wants her brother."
"You little rascal..."
Xuan Hao sighed, both touched and helpless, and affectionately pinched her nose:
"Since you only want your brother, how about I take you to meet my teacher and senior sister?"
"Teacher...and that vixen senior sister?"
Na'er's body stiffened slightly, and a clear hesitation and resistance flashed in her eyes.
"Don't call her a vixen, call her senior sister."
Xuanhao corrected him, then gently coaxed him:
"Don't worry, although the teacher looks strict, he is actually very protective of his students; although the senior sister looks... a bit seductive, she has a soft heart."
"Besides, my Na'er is so cute and well-behaved, she's absolutely adorable and charming.
They'll definitely like you."
"Really?" Na'er asked, somewhat unsure.
"It has to be true! Anyone who dares to dislike my Na'er, I'll throw them out!"
After Xuan Hao's persistent pleading and threats, Na'er reluctantly nodded and agreed.
"By the way, where are Yanzi and the others now? Should we go say hello?" Xuanhao asked.
"They're all in class."
Na'er pointed in the direction of the teaching building, "Sister Yanzi is now the top student among the Heavenly Dou level students, she's very powerful, and there are a lot of people surrounding her every day, she has a lot to do.
Sister Lingling is also in class, it seems to be some kind of treatment theory class."
Since they're all busy, I won't bother them.
Xuan Hao made a quick decision, "Let's go, let's go straight to the teacher!"
As he spoke, he swept Na'er up in his arms and let the little girl sit in the crook of his arm.
"Hold on tight! Takeoff!"
boom--!
With a sudden burst of golden dragon wings spreading behind him, accompanied by a clear dragon roar, Xuan Hao transformed into a golden streak of light, soaring into the sky and drawing a graceful arc in the air before flying straight towards the Sunset Forest at full speed.
Although he is only a Soul Master now, his flight speed alone is enough to rival that of a Soul Emperor who specializes in agility-based attacks!
Moreover, once inside the forest, the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone is granted the passive buff of "Wildfire cannot burn it out, the spring breeze brings it back to life".
A continuous stream of life force flowed into his body from the forest below, allowing his soul power to recover at an alarming rate.
Even when flying at full speed, the consumed soul power can be replenished instantly!
In other words, in the forest, one must be at least a Soul Saint to catch up with such a tireless "perpetual motion machine," otherwise it's simply a pipe dream.
...
It didn't take too long.
With its incredible speed and unlimited range, Xuan Hao carried Na'er through the poisonous barrier and flew back to the valley above the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
At this moment, inside the valley.
Hu Liena sat cross-legged beside the spring of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, carefully guiding the wisps of violent ice and fire energy to temper her spiritual power under Bibi Dong's personal guidance.
"call--"
The sound of something cutting through the air rang out.
Bibi Dong and Hu Liena sensed something almost simultaneously, and looked up at the sky.
With a flash of golden light, Xuan Hao's figure landed lightly on the grass.
"Teacher, senior sister, I'm back!"
Xuan Hao greeted them with a grin, then proudly put the little girl down from his arms:
"This is the one I was telling you about, my dear sister, Na'er!"
Bibi Dong and Hu Liena's gazes instantly focused on the silver-haired girl hiding behind Xuan Hao, only peeking out half of her head.
Their pupils contracted slightly at almost the same time, and a look of astonishment appeared on their faces.
this...
Are these definitely not long-lost twins?!
Both have short silver hair, both have delicate, porcelain-doll-like features, and both have snow-white skin...
Aside from Xuanhao's eyes being a clear, deep blue like the sky, and the little girl's eyes being a dreamy, deep purple like amethyst.
These two children are so alike, whether in appearance, temperament, or even the subtle air of nobility they exude!
They look like they were made from the same mold!
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