"Xiaoyu!"
Long Chen saw the little girl and couldn't help but exclaim in delight. The person was none other than his sister, Long Xiaoyu.
After such a long time apart, Long Xiaoyu had grown taller and even more beautiful. Although the youthful aura on her face hadn't faded, she was already a living beauty.
Long Xiaoyu appeared, and immediately guards stepped forward to separate the crowd. Long Xiaoyu ran up to Long Chen and hugged him tightly, her face flushed with excitement.
Long Chen hugged Long Xiaoyu tightly and smiled, "Xiaoyu, why are you getting more and more rude now? What's this guy's nickname?" If your mom finds out, you'll get scolded. Madam
Long was a lady from a distinguished family, with very strict requirements for family education, especially regarding etiquette, which were almost harsh.
Long Chen had never been obedient since childhood and was a boy. At that time, the Long family was suppressed, and Madam Long was constantly worried, so naturally she couldn't control Long Chen much.
Now that life was stable, Madam Long had enough free time to teach Long Xiaoyu, which made the lively and energetic Long Xiaoyu complain endlessly.
"Hmph, you know us? You haven't come to see me for so long. If I don't call you, then what else?" Long Xiaoyu wrinkled her nose, pouted, and looked aggrieved.
Long Chen felt a slight pang in his heart. Long Xiaoyu was very attached to him, having liked him since childhood, and her feelings for him even surpassed that of her parents.
Her father, Long Tianxiao, was straightforward and didn't understand the delicate emotions of a little girl. Now that he was passionate about brewing, he spent even less time with Long Xiaoyu.
Her mother's demands on Long Xiaoyu were too harsh, making the little one feel very stifled. Only being with Long Chen made Long Xiaoyu feel especially happy and relaxed, because with Long Chen around, whatever she did wrong, he would protect her and not be scolded.
From a very young age, Long Chen became her protector, and he was her greatest pride, because in the Great Xia Empire, no matter who it was, whenever Long Chen was mentioned, there was admiration.
But Long Chen was too busy. Every time she came, she would leave in a few days. She would count the days on her fingers, hoping Long Chen would come to see her.
Now that Long Chen had arrived, Long Xiaoyu felt both happy and aggrieved, and for some reason, tears began to fall.
"It's my fault. I promise you, whenever I have time, I'll come visit you often." Long Chen gently wiped Long Xiaoyu's tears while softly comforting her.
Long Chen sighed inwardly. In the martial world, one cannot control one's own fate; this is truly an eternal truth.
Now, in the eyes of many, he is a peerless prodigy, standing at the pinnacle of martial arts, dominating the world, recklessly seeking justice and vengeance—how carefree and carefree. Countless people envied him, aiming for him as their goal, and were desperately cultivating.
But only Long Chen himself knew how helpless he was; no matter how strong a person was, they could never choose the life they loved.
Not to mention him—even a mighty emperor would ultimately fall. When he was with the Ziyang Emperor, Long Chen once noticed that he wanted to speak but hesitated, and in the end, he said nothing.
But from the trace of sadness in his eyes, Long Chen guessed he probably wanted to ask about the Beitang family's situation, because from that look, Long Chen understood it was troubled by love.
The Purple Sun Emperor still couldn't let go of that relationship. The reason he let go must have been due to unavoidable difficulties. Even the Great Emperor couldn't do as he pleased, let alone him.
"Brother, I'm not angry or wronged. I know you're a great hero.
Teachers have said that heroes stand tall and upright, shoulder their mission, and move forward under heavy burdens.
The reason we can live carefree is not because of peaceful times, but because brave people block the darkness and leave the light for those behind us.
You are a great hero, you are busy, I know, I have always known, I am not angry, I am just ... I just miss you so much..." Long Xiaoyu lay in Long Chen's arms, tears falling like broken pearls, her choked eyes heartbreaking.
Long Chen's heart raced wildly, his mind exploding like thunder. Long Xiaoyu's casual words matched exactly what Emperor Ziyang had instructed him.
"When you fall into darkness and despair, don't give up; strive to find light after the darkness, maybe... That light is right behind you. The words of the Purple Sun Emperor echoed again in Long Chen's mind.
Long Chen didn't know the true meaning behind Emperor Ziyang's words, but what Long Xiaoyu said unintentionally shocked him. Emperor Ziyang's words were definitely not just empty talk—they might carry a surprising revelation.
"Brother, don't be upset, okay? Xiaoyu, be good, Xiaoyu, don't cry..." Seeing Long Chen's serious expression, Long Xiaoyu quickly wiped away her tears, holding back her tears.
Long Chen was snapped back to reality by Long Xiaoyu's voice. Seeing Long Xiaoyu's obedient demeanor, his heart ached—his brother had been far too incompetent.
Long Chen gently kissed Long Xiaoyu's smooth forehead, revealing a smile as warm as sunshine:
"Silly girl, my brother will only be happy to see you, never angry."
Hearing Long Chen say this, the little girl immediately broke into a smile through her tears, grabbed Long Chen's large hand, and skipped toward the Wine God Palace.
With the guards leading the way, everything became orderly. The little girl took a few steps and suddenly said, "Brother, can you hold me?" Long
Chen couldn't help but laugh and cry. Long Xiaoyu was now taller than his—how could she hold her like she did when she was little?
"Why don't I carry you on my back?" Long Chen laughed, and as he spoke, Long Chen squatted down. Long Xiaoyu grinned and ran behind Long Chen, jumping onto his back.
"Hehe, luckily Mom isn't here right now, otherwise I'd get scolded." Long Xiaoyu said with a cheerful smile, her little head resting on Long Chen's broad back, her little face full of satisfaction.
Long Chen couldn't help but shake his head. Long Xiaoyu was naturally lively, and with her mother restraining her like this, the little one was gradually growing up and slowly learning to resist.
She had to remind her mother that some things are innate and hard to change. Long Xiaoyu was never born a quiet person, so expecting her to be a proper lady of a prominent family was unrealistic, lest they hurt their feelings in the future.
"Hey, Xiaoyu, you actually started cultivating?" Only then did Long Chen notice that spiritual energy was circulating within Long Xiaoyu, indicating she had already entered the Tendon Transformation Realm.
"That's right. Originally, Mom didn't want me to cultivate, but seeing everyone else able to do it, even climbing rooftops and walls, was so enviable, I started crying and throwing a tantrum with Mom.
Hehe, finally Mom was moved by me and allowed me to practice. Long Xiaoyu said proudly.
Moved? The word was used very skillfully. Long Chen was both amused and exasperated. Madam Long had only compromised because she had no choice but to make a scene. It must be said, this little guy was a bit clever, knowing how to use weapons to gain more convenience for himself.
"Impressive! At your age, your brother is still desperately gathering energy." Long Chen praised.
In fact, Long Xiaoyu's talent was not very high. Much of this talent is influenced by parents; the stronger a person is, the more gifts they inherit from their children.
However, as a person's realm continues to rise, their fertility drops rapidly, so many strong individuals, to be safe, leave offspring at different realms.
To prevent the cultivation world from being too high and unable to continue descendants, this is a rule in the cultivation world.
Therefore, if one wishes to produce strong descendants, oneOn one hand, absolute strength is needed; on the other, youth is required.
The Long Tianxiao family bloodline is very ordinary; their ancestors have never even had a strong figure above the Innate Realm, which means Long Xiaoyu's talent can only be described as very ordinary.
Long Xiaoyu's current realm was entirely dependent on the cultivation environment of the Great Xia Empire.
"Since you chose cultivation, then I'll refine a batch of pills for you, reshape your spiritual root, and break your cultivation limit." Long Chen said.
"Really?" But... Mother will be unhappy. The little girl was extremely excited, but halfway through, she couldn't get excited.
"Why?" Long Chen was taken aback.
"Mother doesn't want me to become too strong. Maybe she prefers me to be an ordinary person, always by her side." Long Xiaoyu said softly.
Long Chen immediately understood. Long Xiaoyu was clever but possessed intelligence far beyond her years; she saw through Madam Long's intentions.
Madam Long didn't want Long Xiaoyu to end up like Long Chen, leaving them to seek new opportunities. Madam Long was just an ordinary person; motherly love was always selfish, but the price of selfishness was likely to break Long Xiaoyu's wings to fly.
"I'll tell Mom later, it's okay. Remember, in this world, there's something magical called time."
Time changes many things, including people's thoughts. People have an emotion called adaptation, and this often takes time, understand? Long Chen turned back and grinned mischievously.
Long Xiaoyu's eyes lit up, and she winked at Long Chen, revealing a row of white teeth. The little girl nodded excitedly, actually fully understanding what Long Chen meant.
The siblings chuckled together, and the gloom in Long Xiaoyu's heart was lifted. She became even more lively. Long Chen was teaching her the technique of 'dripping water through stone' to deal with Madam Long.
"Brother, you're the best." Long Xiaoyu wrapped her arms around Long Chen's neck, growing even happier.
Long Chen smiled bitterly to himself. If my mother found out, I'd probably curse me to death, right?
Soon, they arrived in front of the Wine God Palace. Everything was still the same. Entering through the main gate and passing through the small hill, Long Chen saw the disciples of the Wine God Palace and waved to them.
Thinking back to coming here to scam for wine, he felt both ashamed and somewhat nostalgic. Passing by Tu Qianshang's wooden cabin, he actually found this fat man busy with something inside.
"Hey, Fatty, long time no see. Your clothes are getting slimmer and thinner." Long Chen greeted Tu Qianshang warmly upon seeing him.
"Bang!"
Long Chen's shout didn't matter. Tu Qianshang dropped something from his hand to the ground and was instantly furious. But when he looked up and saw it was Long Chen, he burst out laughing, but quickly held back his smile and said seriously,
"Hurry up and finish the main business, After the event, come back to drink my exquisite wine. Long
Chen smiled and said, "I don't have anything important. Drinking now is the same. Come, let me taste your exquisite wine." Last
time, the wine Tu Qianshang gave Long Chen had long been gone. Tu Qianshang's wine was spicy and strong, and Long Chen liked it the most. Now that he heard there was good wine, he immediately couldn't walk any further.
"Don't joke around. The old fellow of the Divine Clan has been waiting for you for three days. Go and come back quickly." Tu Qianshang waved his hand and said.
Long Chen was stunned. An old fellow of the Divine Clan? Who is that?