--- Chapter 17 ---
Yu Long was awakened by a squishing sensation on his face.
He groaned and pushed Woby away because the slime always woke him at five in the morning. Well, he requested the water blob to do so.
After testing profound incarnation yesterday and handing Xia Qingyue to his maid, Yu Long went to his room and slept like a log.
Even though Yu Long's stamina was 'already' recovered by consuming the essence sphere, his mental strength weakened significantly. No wonder he woke up with a splitting headache now.
He smacked himself on the cheeks, feeling the radiating pain.
"Well, another day, another grind." Yu Long sighed and grabbed a water-attributed essence sphere from his inner world.
He threw it to Woby, and the slime jumped to eat it.
"Nyuu~!" Woby makes a satisfied noise, rubbing its head against Yu Long's heel.
"Let's see..." Yu Long lifted his hand casually and summoned a bright scarlet flame.
"As expected."
"When the profound incarnation doesn't get called out, I can use all the aspects."
"This includes..." Yu Long released an invisible force. It was a black light around the size of an adult's head. And yes, this is a Profound Handle.
Using his will, the black light transformed into a sword, spear, shield, and many others.
Yu Long made a weird gesture with his hand, turning the dark light into an AK-47. A smile appeared on his handsome face because 'Profound Handle' is such a versatile ability.
He wanted to imagine a more Sci-fi weapon, but his past life's memories were very blurred.
But wait.
In a way, Profound Handle is really similar to Green Lantern's Ring.
Why should he stop with a weapon?
What about vehicles?
Or a grander thing, like a sun.
"Unfortunately, if I used 'Profound Handle' myself, its power depended on my cultivation base." Yu Long sighed helplessly.
How strong 7th Level of Elementary Profound Realm can be?
Yu Long cast [Self-Purification] on himself and cleansed any impurities from his body, giving it to Woby. The slime happily devoured the impurities as it could improve its grade.
Changing into fresh underwear and clothes, Yu Long brought Woby into his robe and walked out.
"Young master." Lily and Hong Guan have been waiting for him.
"Mm." Yu Long nodded as they strolled to the dining room.
Arriving at the room, Yu Long could feel an awkward mood in the air.
Yu Long looked around and noticed Xia Qingyue was sitting between Xia Hongyi and Xia Yuanba. He smiled inside because the heroine was telling the truth when confessing yesterday.
A filial daughter and good sister, huh?
She's indeed becoming more open than before.
'Well, this is better, I guess?' Yu Long pulled a seat and sat down.
Xia Hongyi faked a cough and greeted, "Good morning, nephew."
It seems his daughter's bizarre action really shocked him.
"Morning, Big Bro." The same goes for Xia Yuanba, who lifted his chopsticks like a robot.
"Morning." Yu Long replied calmly.
"You too, Young Lady Xia."
"Mm, good morning." Xia Qingyue let out a small smile.
"Also... Thank you for yesterday, Young Master Yu."
"It's nothing." Yu Long was confused at first. He thought Xia Qingyue was thanking him for sparing her life and the medicine.
Lily had a proud expression when hearing their interactions, gaining a weird look from Hong Guan.
'Did something happen yesterday?' Hong Guan asked with sound transmission.
Lily giggled and responded, 'Hehe, let me tell you...'
As Lily recited her short story, Hong Guan's expression flashed with bafflement. She glanced at Yu Long, not believing such a thing.
Then, again. Xia Qingyue is a beautiful girl. And around the same age as Yu Long.
'They are perfect for each other...' Hong Guan thought, hiding her emotion with a blank look.
They have a hearty breakfast, and Xia Qingyue sometimes puts braised meats and vegetables on her father's and young brother's plates. It was her way of showing affection despite the lateness.
Xia Hongyi couldn't contain his shock, but at the same time, Yu Long could see he was relieved.
The person who couldn't adapt well is probably Xia Yuanba. Xia Qingyue fed him enough to make three people stuffed. Thankfully, the younger Xia has the Tyrannical Emperor's profound veins.
After breakfast, Xia Hongyi excused himself as he still had work. As much as he wanted to bond more with his daughter, he noticed Xia Qingyue actually pushed herself to appear warm to them.
It's better to change slowly.
Xia Hongyi might not know the trigger for Xia Qingyue's sudden change, but if someone possesses the power to do so.
That person must be.
"It seems I owe Brother Zhan quite a lot now." Xia Hongyi stopped in the hallway and recalled Yu Long's arrival at Xia Manor. He shook his head and enjoyed the morning's sunlight.
"Um, I'll go and play with Brother Che." Xia Yuanba said, leaving the dining room hurriedly.
"Enjoy yourself, Yuanba." Xia Qingyue waved at her younger brother.
The servants from Xia Manor cleaned the dining room. It was fast and efficient.
Xia Qingyue stared at the maids behind Yu Long, witnessing bright lights in their chests.
She sighed and put on a serious expression, which didn't match her young age.
In the past, Yu Long would scoff at her aloofness.
Still, today is different.
Something about Xia Qingyue's aura and temperament is distinct from the anti-social girl he had known for three weeks.
There is a hint of mystery around her, which puzzled Yu Long.
Then, Yu Long realized something.
'Heart of Snow Glazed Glass... When did it get awakened? No fucking way!' Yu Long blinked a few times.
Xia Qingyue opened her mouth slowly and said, "Can we talk?"
"Privately."
"Just both of us."
"And why so?" Yu Long tried to probe more about Xia Qingyue's current state.
"There is a misunderstanding we must fix." Xia Qingyue answered calmly.
Yu Long tapped the dining table before nodding. "Lily, Sister Guan."
"Yes, young master." The two maids bowed and left the room.
...
Xia Qingyue's eyes focused on Yu Long as she bowed slightly, "I'm sorry for my unsightly appearance yesterday."
"I shouldn't have sneaked around and put my nose into your secret."
"As I promised, I won't tell anyone about it. If my mouth ever uttered about such things. Then, heaven will punish me!" She firmly vowed, leaving Yu Long speechless inside.
"Go on." Yu Long gestured, leaning on the table.
Xia Qingyue took a deep breath and continued, "I also want to thank you for opening my eyes."
"Yesterday, when I was on the verge of losing everything. I realized I didn't have anything but immaturity and hopeless regret."
"I overlooked my Father's pain, knowing he was 'similarly' pained just like me. I should have known better to be a good daughter or maybe cheer him up..."
"Yet I didn't do any of that. I buried myself in the obsession of finding my mother, which is still important to me, but I won't let it blind me anymore."
"Yuanba was still young at the time of Mother's disappearance. So, he didn't remember as much as I do." Xia Qingyue closed her eyes. "He never felt the warmness of a mother ever again after that."
"That's why he ends up timid and very trusting. There is nothing wrong with these two traits, but I should lead him more as an older sister."
"You seem to forget something, Young Lady Xia." Yu Long chuckled helplessly.
A question mark formed on Xia Qingyue's head. "And what's that?" She asked curiously.
Yu Long stared at her and reminded, "You're also a child."
"Child makes mistakes."
"And it's okay to make one..."
"It's bound to happen sooner or later. Even I made several mistakes in the past."
"However, from those mistakes... I learned a lot of things." He flashed a grin at her.
"You're only ten, around the same age as me."
"Raise your head and don't repeat the same mistakes, or you'll feel immense regret like yesterday."
Xia Qingyue raised her head, seeing a warm yet bright golden light in Yu Long's chest. Her eyes widened as she had never seen such a pure matter.
Yu Long rubbed Xia Qingyue's head gently and praised, "Still, Good job for admitting your mistakes."
"Now, you have many things to learn..." He turned around and walked away.
As if she were in a trance, Xia Qingyue watched Yu Long's broad back and her lips quivered slightly, "Then..."
"Can you teach me?"