'Sluuurp.'
By the shores of the Lake of Life, Xiao Wu nestled into a warm, soft embrace.
She held a bowl of hot soup in her hands, savoring its familiar taste.
A flower crown, lovingly made by her daughter, adorned Ah Rou's head.
Her gentle eyes glistened with warmth, and she softly stroked Xiao Wu's hair, slowly combing and braiding it.
"Does it taste good?" Ah Rou asked.
"Mm, mm, it's delicious! Even better than what Holy Son's Mother made," Xiao Wu eagerly nodded, holding her bowl with both hands.
Her big, round pink eyes narrowed into crescents.
It was the best thing she had ever tasted!
"Pfft," Ah Rou chuckled softly.
She tenderly wrapped her arms around Xiao Wu's waist, holding her tightly in her embrace.
"As long as you like it. I was worried I'd forgotten how to make it."
Xiao Wu's eyes reddened slightly, and her lips trembled as if she were about to cry.
"Mom, is this really just a dream? I miss you so much... I wish I could see you again."
"I'm satisfied just being able to see you one more time."
Ah Rou wiped away Xiao Wu's tears, holding her daughter's small face, as if trying to memorize her features.
With a gentle smile, she softly advised:
"If you ever have the chance, let him help you with your hair, okay?"
"Him?" Xiao Wu paused, her face flushing like a ripe apple.
"But... but he's the Holy Son."
Her beautiful eyes, filled with both shyness and confusion, lowered as she bit her bowl, pouting.
"Besides, The Holy Son Mother and the others don't even like me. Even that little brat doesn't."
Ah Rou smiled gently and rubbed Xiao Wu's head.
Raising an eyebrow, she whispered:
"How exactly do they not like you?"
"They..." Xiao Wu mumbled, but her words trailed off.
She couldn't pinpoint when Bibi Dong and the others didn't like her.
Whenever they were strict with her, there was always a reason.
"I don't know."
Ah Rou giggled softly, pinching Xiao Wu's soft bunny ears.
"Don't be afraid, Xiao Wu. You've grown dear on them. They won't dislike you anymore."
Xiao Wu blinked her large eyes, puzzled. "Mom, how do you know when you're 'grown dear on' someone?"
Ah Rou didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked:
"Do you want to go against them?"
"Of course not!" Xiao Wu frowned and reiterated, "I would never harm the Holy Son!"
"Well, then you've grown dear on them," Ah Rou laughed, pulling Xiao Wu into her soft embrace.
Her body slowly began to emit a pink glow.
"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. The Holy Son will protect you."
"Thank you, Mom," Xiao Wu whispered, snuggling into Ah Rou's arms.
It wasn't just her mother's warmth—it was also the Holy Son's warmth.
She nuzzled gently against the fading warmth. Panic flashed in her eyes, and her face turned pale.
"Mom! Are you leaving again?!" she cried, watching as Ah Rou's form began to dissolve.
Tears welled up in Xiao Wu's eyes, her voice now heavy with sobs.
Ah Rou tilted her head, smiling.
"Take one more walk with me, will you, Xiao Wu?"
"Mm."
Xiao Wu gritted her teeth, nodding vigorously through her tears.
"Good girl. Don't cry."
Ah Rou removed the flower crown from her head, smiling radiantly, and gently placed it atop Xiao Wu's head.
Holding Xiao Wu's hand, they slowly walked towards the lake.
"Mom... I don't want you to leave. Waaaah..." Xiao Wu sobbed like a rain-drenched flower, crying and stumbling as she followed closely by her mother's side, calling out again and again.
"Mom doesn't want to leave either."
Lowering her head, Ah Rou bit her lip, allowing the tears to fall freely.
-Drip.-
Her tears fell into the lake, whose waters were gradually drying up. The surrounding scenery crumbled into a white mist.
"Mom!" Xiao Wu shouted in alarm, her grip on the pink figure slipping away, as it was blown apart by the wind.
No matter how hard she tried to hold on, it was all in vain.
"Mom, don't go!"
The pink figure was like a fleeting dream, twisting and dancing in the air, mingling with the clear moonlight, shining on Xiao Wu's small figure.
"Mom!" Xiao Wu cried out in anguish.
"Xiao Wu, go back. Mom will always be watching over you."
Ah Rou's gentle voice echoed like water splashing on rocks, growing fainter with the moonlight's retreat.
"No matter what happens, as long as you're happy and safe, that's all that matters."
"Mom!" Xiao Wu screamed.
*Boom!*
The white space quickly tore apart, and Xiao Wu was knocked back into her original form, falling into the darkness.
*Eek!*
The soft-boned rabbit on the bed suddenly let out a sharp cry.
…
The sun shone brightly.
On the official road outside of Heaven Dou City, Qian Renjue turned to look at the girl following behind him, frowning slightly.
"Why are you following me?!"
"I told you, I need to pay you back."
"And I told you, gold soul coins mean nothing to me."
"I don't care! I just have to repay you!"
The girl in black, her eyes red, stubbornly followed behind Qian Renjue.
Months had passed, and even with Qian Renjue's help, the woman she cared for hadn't survived.
After burying her, Qian Renjue had planned to leave the area and travel elsewhere.
But the girl followed him relentlessly.
As Qian Renjue looked at her, she stared back at him, her dark eyes filled with gratitude and curiosity.
She was sure she had never met him before.
No one had helped her back then.
Why had this boy appeared now, helping her without expecting anything in return?
Though she was older than him, his abilities far surpassed hers.
Was it possible to be this talented?
How could she have never heard of him during her time in the Soul Master world?
Qian Renjue frowned, staring at her.
He hadn't expected the illusion of "Dream of the Yellow Millet" to choose this woman.
After a moment of silent contemplation, he turned away.
"Wait for me!"
The girl, carrying her belongings, quickly followed behind.
"My name is Liu Erlong. What's your name? Will you tell me?"
"None of your business!" Qian Renjue responded coldly, continuing to walk forward.
"Do you hate me? If you do, then why help me?"
Liu Erlong furrowed her brow.
After being abandoned and losing her mother, she was sensitive to these feelings.
Qian Renjue didn't reply.
He had only wanted to help that woman and her daughter.
It had nothing to do with the identity of Liu Erlong.
"Thank you, anyway."
Liu Erlong sped up, walking beside Qian Renjue, promising, "I'll pay back the gold soul coins you gave me!"
"Do as you wish."
…
Eventually, Qian Renjue didn't force Liu Erlong away, allowing her to follow him as they trained and hunted soul beasts together.
At just nine years old, Qian Renjue still lacked experience in the outside world, and Liu Erlong would often tease him about getting tricked by others.
Having spent many years in the Soul Master world herself, Liu Erlong taught him a lot.
Time passed, and Qian Renjue's strength grew rapidly.
Soul King, Soul Emperor…
He broke records and became a rising star, the youngest Soul Saint ever!
He was even on the verge of becoming the youngest Soul Douluo!
With such extraordinary talent came many challenges.
And it was because of these challenges that Qian Renjue realized he didn't fit into this world.
The world was too narrow and limited, constructed entirely from what Liu Erlong knew and understood.
It was vastly different from reality.
Many people and factions didn't seem to exist at all.
In Liu Erlong's understanding, what kind of organization was the Spirit Hall?
Oppressive tyrants, or righteous defenders?
Qian Renjue wasn't sure.
But one thing he was sure of: in Liu Erlong's world, the Spirit Hall would never let him go.
The biggest problem he faced in this world was the Spirit Hall!
The Six-Winged Fallen Angel had made him a thorn in the side of the Spirit Hall's Qian family.
Several months ago, no matter how much Liu Erlong cried and protested, Qian Renjue had decisively left her behind, choosing to travel the dream world alone.
Today, as he walked along the edge of the Star Dou Forest, intending to hunt for his eighth soul ring, he found himself completely surrounded.
And those surrounding him were none other than the people he knew best—Qian Xunji and his men!
-
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