"Brother Long Xiao, why are you so interested in my disciple?" Xiao Fan asked with a serious expression.
"Disciple?" Long Xiao repeated, scrutinizing the relationship between Xiao Fan and Long Xiaoxiao. It was clear that Long Xiaoxiao was highly dependent on Xiao Fan, hardly able to be away from him for even a moment.
Long Xiao then spoke solemnly to Xiao Fan, "Xiao Fan, to be honest, your disciple is my brother's biological daughter."
He sighed deeply before continuing, "In fact, I am this child's uncle."
Long Xiao's expression grew emotional. "Years ago, my brother and sister-in-law were killed by the demon clan, and their child has been lost ever since. I've been searching for my niece all these years. Finally, I've found her."
"Xiao Fan, you are a benefactor to our dragon clan. Without you, my niece would have faced unimaginable dangers!"
Long Xiao's eyes were filled with sincerity as he looked at Xiao Fan.
Xiao Fan's brows furrowed. If Long Xiao was telling the truth, it was indeed a good thing. However, he couldn't just believe anyone claiming to be Long Xiaoxiao's relative without evidence.
Long Xiao seemed to notice Xiao Fan's skepticism and smiled wryly. "If you don't believe me, we can perform a bloodline connection test. Our dragon clan's blood is unique; if we are close relatives, any physical contact will reveal a bloodline connection."
Xiao Fan had read about this method in ancient texts. It was a simple and straightforward way to verify kinship.
"Alright, let's do it," Xiao Fan agreed.
Long Xiao's figure flashed, and he appeared before Xiao Fan and Long Xiaoxiao. He looked at Long Xiaoxiao with undisguised excitement.
"Xiao Fan, has my niece been given a name?" Long Xiao asked.
"Long Xiaoxiao," Xiao Fan replied straightforwardly.
"Xiaoxiao, Long Xiaoxiao," Long Xiao repeated, smiling. "A good name. It seems you truly care for her, Xiao Fan."
"Brother Long Xiao flatters me. Xiaoxiao is my disciple; it's natural for me to care for her," Xiao Fan replied with a faint smile, feeling that Long Xiao's enthusiasm was somewhat over the top.
Knowing the dragon clan's reputation for pride and aloofness, Xiao Fan found this behavior unusual. However, he didn't dwell on it. If Long Xiao was truly Long Xiaoxiao's relative, it was understandable for him to be passionate.
"Back to the matter at hand, Brother Long Xiao, please extend a finger," Xiao Fan instructed.
"Of course." Long Xiao didn't hesitate, extending a finger toward Long Xiaoxiao.
Long Xiaoxiao was visibly resistant to the test, reluctant to touch Long Xiao's finger.
Xiao Fan had anticipated this reaction. Since he had met her, Long Xiaoxiao had been averse to everyone except him.
He gently held Long Xiaoxiao in his arms, whispering in her ear, "Don't be afraid, Master is here with you."
With Xiao Fan's reassurance, Long Xiaoxiao reluctantly agreed to the test. She buried her face in Xiao Fan's chest as he guided her hand to touch Long Xiao's finger.
Buzz—
The moment their fingers touched, Xiao Fan felt Long Xiaoxiao's body tremble slightly. This was the unmistakable sign of a bloodline connection.
There was no longer any doubt.
Long Xiao looked at Long Xiaoxiao with exhilaration, exclaiming, "I knew it! I knew my senses weren't wrong. Xiaoxiao is indeed my niece!"
After his excitement subsided, Long Xiao's expression turned serious as he addressed Xiao Fan.
"Xiao Fan, I have an earnest request."
Xiao Fan had already guessed what Long Xiao wanted to say.
"You want to take Xiaoxiao back?"
"Yes. Xiaoxiao is of dragon blood; only by returning to the dragon clan can she truly grow and reach her potential."
"Xiao Fan, as her master, you surely want her to become strong, don't you?" Long Xiao said with conviction.
Upon hearing Long Xiao's words, Long Xiaoxiao trembled violently, clutching Xiao Fan tightly.
Xiao Fan, having spent decades with Long Xiaoxiao, knew she was terrified of being abandoned by him.
He gently stroked her back and whispered, "Don't worry, Xiaoxiao. Master will not leave you."
Reassuring Long Xiaoxiao, Xiao Fan then turned to Long Xiao, his voice firm, "I don't care about Xiaoxiao becoming powerful. I only want her to be happy and carefree every day."
"If Xiaoxiao doesn't want to go, I won't force her. No one can make her do anything she doesn't want to do," Xiao Fan declared resolutely. "No one!"
His words were meant for both Long Xiaoxiao and as a warning to Long Xiao.
Long Xiao's expression darkened, but Xiao Fan had expected this reaction. The dragon clan was known for its arrogance and tyranny; a confrontation was likely if they didn't get their way.
But Xiao Fan was unwavering. As long as Long Xiaoxiao didn't want to leave, no one would force her as long as he lived.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
"No one can!"
Seeing Xiao Fan's determined face and hearing his unwavering words, the Dragon Empress Long Xiaoxiao trembled. Her composed demeanor shattered.
She had experienced this moment firsthand, but her immature mind hadn't grasped the weight of Xiao Fan's words back then.
Watching this scene from an observer's perspective now, her heart surged with tumultuous emotions.
"Master... he truly felt this way?" she murmured, lips trembling, eyes filled with pain.
Her heart ached deeply, as if being torn apart.
Why? Why was Master so resolute then, yet later so cruel in abandoning me?
The Dragon Empress Long Xiaoxiao's face contorted with pain, as if reliving the agony of abandonment.
The deeply buried wounds in her heart were being brutally reopened, forcing her to endure the torment once more.