For as long as she could remember, Zhu Zhuqing had been alone.
Her family saw her as nothing more than a tool. Her sister treated her as an obstacle. Even the people around her in the Star Luo Empire had been indifferent at best, hostile at worst.
But here?
Here, things were different.
---
The moment Ryan led her into the grand manor within his Inner World, Zhu Zhuqing felt a shift—a warmth she had never known before.
The manor was beautiful. Spacious, elegant, yet inviting. It had an air of power but lacked the cold detachment of the aristocratic estates she had grown up in. This place felt… lived in. Like a home.
And then came the people.
The first to greet her was a petite girl with long blonde hair and crimson eyes, her expression gentle yet filled with wisdom far beyond her years.
"Welcome," she said, stepping forward and taking Zhu Zhuqing's hands in her own. Her touch was cool, yet comforting. "I'm Yue. It's nice to finally meet you."
Before Zhu Zhuqing could respond, another girl appeared beside her.
She was taller, with short purple hair and deep amethyst eyes, her dark skin radiating an exotic beauty. She wore a confident, almost mysterious smile as she studied Zhu Zhuqing.
"I'm Serenity," she introduced herself, giving a slight nod. "Don't worry, you'll fit in just fine here."
Then, a third girl, dark-haired with violet eyes that seemed to peer into her very soul, stepped forward. Unlike the others, she didn't immediately smile. Instead, she tilted her head, as if assessing her.
Finally, she gave a small smirk.
"You'll do fine," she said. "I'm Rachel."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, stunned.
She had never been greeted like this before. Not with hostility, nor obligation, but genuine welcome.
Like they actually wanted her here.
Ryan, standing beside her, chuckled. "They're all a bit different, but they're good people. And now, you're one of us."
A soft warmth bloomed in her chest at those words.
One of us.
---
She was given her own room in the manor, and when she stepped inside, she froze in disbelief.
It wasn't extravagant, yet it was perfect.
A large bed with soft blankets. A wardrobe filled with clothes in her size—not stiff, restrictive dresses, but comfortable attire meant for movement and training. A bookshelf with various manuals and scrolls. Even a small window with a breathtaking view of the Inner World's limitless landscapes.
She turned to Ryan, who stood at the doorway, watching her reaction.
"This… is for me?" she asked, her voice almost hesitant.
Ryan nodded. "You're part of the family now. That means you get your own space, your own resources, and everything you need to grow stronger."
Her fingers trembled as she traced the edge of the bed, emotions swelling inside her.
A place to call her own.
For the first time in her life.
Then came the training resources.
Ryan led her to a section of the manor dedicated to cultivation. There, Yue personally handed her high-quality cultivation resources—spirit herbs, pills, and elixirs that would enhance her growth far beyond what she had access to before.
"We'll also help you refine your martial spirit," Yue added. "With proper training, you can reach new heights."
Serenity grinned. "And don't forget combat training. You've got talent, but we'll help you sharpen it."
Rachel simply smirked. "Hope you can keep up."
Zhu Zhuqing was overwhelmed—but not in a bad way.
For the first time, she wasn't being forced to fight for survival.
She was being supported.
Guided. Encouraged.
She swallowed thickly, unable to stop the emotions that threatened to surface. This was more than she had ever dared to hope for.
Ryan placed a hand on her shoulder. "Take your time. You don't have to rush. This is your home now, Zhuqing."
Home.
She had a home.
The realization hit her harder than any battle she had ever fought.
A trembling smile formed on her lips.
"Thank you," she whispered, meaning it more than anything she had ever said before.
Zhu Zhuqing had expected kindness from Ryan.
After all, he had been her only source of comfort for years, the one person she could trust.
But she hadn't expected this much warmth from so many people.
~~~
The moment she had settled into her room, Ryan had insisted on introducing her to the rest of the family.
The first was a bushy-haired girl with bright brown eyes and a confident stance.
"Hermione," Ryan introduced. "She's sharp, so if you ever need help with anything intellectual, she's the one to ask."
Hermione smiled warmly and extended a hand. "It's wonderful to meet you, Zhuqing. Ryan's spoken about you before."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for only a moment before shaking her hand. Hermione's grip was firm, but reassuring.
Then, before she could dwell on it, another girl stepped forward.
This one had silvery-blonde hair and dreamy silver eyes that seemed to see far beyond what was in front of her.
"Luna Lovegood," the girl said softly, tilting her head slightly as she studied Zhu Zhuqing. "You have the air of someone who's walked through shadows. But don't worry, the stars shine brighter after the darkness."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, unsure how to respond. But Luna simply smiled and nodded, as if she already knew what she was thinking.
Next was a tall, elegant girl with flowing silvery-blonde hair and striking blue eyes.
"Fleur Delacour," she introduced herself, her French accent adding a soft lilt to her words. "Do not let Ryan fool you; he can be quite a handful. But if you need anything, I am more than willing to help."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, surprised by how genuinely welcoming they all were.
And then—
A flash of pink rushed at her before stopping just inches away, bouncing with boundless energy.
"Xiao Wu!" the new girl announced brightly. She had long chestnut hair tied into twin braids and playful ruby-red eyes. "Oh wow, another martial spirit user! This is so exciting!"
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively tensed, surprised by the sudden enthusiasm. But Xiao Wu grinned.
"Don't worry, we're gonna get along just fine," she declared.
Ryan chuckled at her expression. "Don't worry, you'll get used to them."
Would she?
Looking at their welcoming smiles, she almost believed she could.
---
After meeting the girls, they led her to the kitchen, where a small, excitable house-elf greeted her.
"Winky!" Hermione called, and the little elf turned with a happy squeak.
"Miss Hermione! Winky is making snacks for everyone!"
Zhu Zhuqing watched as the tiny elf bustled around, preparing what looked like a feast of pastries, sandwiches, and tea.
When Winky turned to her, she tilted her head.
"Oh! A new Miss!" Winky clapped her hands together. "Winky will make sure Miss Zhuqing always has snacks and warm meals!"
Zhu Zhuqing felt something stir inside her.
She had never been waited on like this before—not genuinely, not by someone who wanted to serve rather than being forced to.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Winky beamed. "Winky is happy to serve!"
---
After enjoying some of Winky's delicious food, Ryan led Zhu Zhuqing outside the manor into the breathtaking wilderness of the Inner World.
She had seen glimpses of it from her window, but nothing compared to standing in the open air—the lush green fields, the towering trees, the sparkling streams of water that shimmered with energy.
And then, she saw her.
A tall, regal woman stood amidst the wildflowers, her long blue hair cascading down her back like a flowing river.
Her very presence radiated ancient power, a force of nature both serene and overwhelming.
Zhu Zhuqing froze.
She recognized that aura.
A Spirit Beast.
Not just any spirit beast.
A 100,000-year-old one.
Ah Yin turned to her with a gentle smile. "You must be Zhuqing," she said, her voice carrying the weight of the ages yet filled with kindness.
Zhu Zhuqing struggled to find words. "You're… a spirit beast…"
Ah Yin chuckled softly. "I am."
Ryan grinned. "Ah Yin's been with me for a while now. She takes care of the lands here."
Zhu Zhuqing's mind reeled. A spirit beast. A real one. A legendary one.
And yet—
Ah Yin simply smiled at her like the others had. As if her existence wasn't something to be feared, but something to be welcomed.
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, slowly relaxing.
Everything here was so… different.
A family that welcomed her.
A home that was truly hers.
People who would stand by her side, no matter what.
And for the first time, she allowed herself to believe—
Maybe this was where she truly belonged.