Chapter Twenty-One: Departure

“Xiao’er, how did you end up at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and even become one of its young masters?” As soon as the door closed, Qian Renxue hurriedly returned to her original appearance and asked eagerly.

“The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Martial Soul Hall are currently cooperating. I’ve been staying at the sect recently. To make my identity reasonable, I told others that I’m a young master of the sect,” Ling Xiao replied.

“I see,” Qian Renxue nodded in understanding. Suddenly, her expression shifted, and with a hint of hesitation, she asked, “Then what about Ning Fengzhi saying that you will marry his daughter in the future? What’s that about?”

“I don’t know. But everyone at the sect says that. It doesn’t really affect me,” Ling Xiao said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue’s expression grew agitated, and she shouted loudly, “How can it not matter!”

But she quickly realized they were in the Tiandou Empire. Although She Mao and Ci Tun were present and could alert her if outsiders came, she still worried just in case.

“That old Ning Fengzhi is really dreaming big, trying to bind you and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect together through his daughter. Xiao’er, you must not be fooled!” Qian Renxue lowered her voice, her face cold as she bit her red lips, harboring some resentment toward Ning Fengzhi.

“I don’t think it’s a problem! Rongrong is quite nice!” Ling Xiao said, puzzled by Qian Renxue’s sudden anger.

“Rongrong! You say her name so intimately!” Qian Renxue smiled on her face but her eyes were void of any warmth.

That Ning Fengzhi has really corrupted Xiao’er! He wants to take him away—that is impossible! Qian Renxue thought fiercely.

“Because we’re friends!”

“Hmph!”

Qian Renxue gave a coquettish snort and suddenly pinned Ling Xiao onto the bed, resting against him and closing her beautiful eyes.

Although Ling Xiao was only five years old, he was already as big as an average ten-year-old child, but still appeared small in Qian Renxue’s embrace.

“Mmm! Xiao’er’s body is fragrant and soft; I don’t want to let go!” Qian Renxue cuddled Ling Xiao, rubbing against him.

Ling Xiao looked at Qian Renxue helplessly, thinking, why is Sister Xue acting just like Sister Na’er, always wanting to cuddle?

Just then, a system voice suddenly sounded.

“Ding! Task issued: Sign in while in Qian Renxue’s embrace!”

Ling Xiao was momentarily stunned, then silently recited in his mind: Sign in!

“Ding! Sign-in successful. Obtained the Divine Seat of the God of Judgment, initiating the Nine Trials of the God of Judgment.”

Hmm.

Listening to the system’s voice, Ling Xiao’s eyes showed confusion. Another divine seat? He hadn’t even completed the trials for the Gods of Life and Death yet.

“Master, do you want to start the trials of the God of Judgment?” the system asked.

“Begin,” Ling Xiao decided after a moment’s thought. Each divine trial brought him closer to surpassing the gods.

“Ding! The Nine Trials of the God of Judgment have begun.”

“First trial: Go to the Star Dou Great Forest and slay the Soul Beast Dark Demon Evil God Tiger!”

“Ding! The fourth trial of the God of Death: Go to the Star Dou Great Forest and slay the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger!”

Two divine trials were underway simultaneously, targeting the same enemy—a first! Ling Xiao’s eyes filled with surprise.

“I wonder what the rewards for these two trials will be? No matter, I’ll finish them first,” he thought, gently pushing Qian Renxue, who was still resting on his chest.

“Sister Xue, don’t you want to get up? We’ve stayed here too long; it’s time to go out!”

“Mm,” Qian Renxue replied in a muffled voice.

Reluctantly, she loosened her hold, used the Angel Suit to transform back into Xue Qinghe, tidied her clothes, and took Ling Xiao back to the main hall. Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi’s conversation with Emperor Xue Ye was nearly over.

“Qinghe, how was your chat?” Emperor Xue Ye asked.

“Reporting to Father, I had a very pleasant talk with this little brother,” Xue Qinghe replied.

“As long as you had a good talk!” Emperor Xue Ye smiled, stroking his long beard.

A good conversation meant the royal family could secure the support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

“Your Majesty, since the two eldest princes have returned, we will head back to the sect now and not disturb you further,” Ning Fengzhi said.

“Very well! Then, Sect Leader Ning, please be careful on your journey. Qinghe will need your continued care in the future,” Emperor Xue Ye nodded.

Ling Xiao gave Xue Qinghe a nod and returned to Ning Rongrong’s side.

“You bad egg, what did you say to the eldest prince?” Ning Rongrong whispered eagerly as soon as he returned.

Xue Qinghe, with his refined appearance, observed the scene, his eyes flickering slightly. His hand behind him tightened again as he looked at Ning Rongrong with a dangerous gleam.

This little brat is so close to Xiao’er—how infuriating!

“Nothing!” Ling Xiao shook his head, saying no more.

“You bad egg, why are you keeping secrets from me?” Ning Rongrong pouted.

After bidding farewell to Emperor Xue Ye, the group left the palace.

On the way back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ling Xiao looked at Ning Fengzhi and said, “Sect Leader Ning, I have some matters to attend to recently, so I won’t be returning to the sect for now.”

“You bad egg, where are you going? Why won’t you come back with us?” Ning Rongzhi said anxiously before Ning Fengzhi could reply.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Ling Xiao. In the past, Ling Xiao had left the sect alone many times but always returned quickly. This time, hearing him say this, it seemed it would take quite some time.

“Is this matter troublesome? Can we help in any way?” Ning Fengzhi asked.

“Father, let’s go with the bad egg!” Ning Rongrong quickly said.

“No need, I can handle it alone,” Ling Xiao replied.

“Rongrong, don’t cause trouble. If he wants to go alone, we naturally cannot interfere!” Ning Fengzhi also refused Ning Rongrong’s suggestion.

“But I don’t want to be separated from the bad egg!” Ning Rongrong’s eyes reddened, and she sniffled softly.

“Rongrong, he’s been at our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for a long time. It’s time for him to return to his own home!” Ning Fengzhi sighed softly. Seeing Ning Rongrong’s sadness, his heart ached.

“The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is the bad egg’s home, isn’t it? He’s the young master of the sect!” Ning Rongrong insisted.

“No, his status as a young master in the sect is just a convenient identity so he can stay there. He has his own home, and he’s been away too long. It’s time to go back.”

“But…”

Ning Rongrong’s tears fell like jewels, her small hand clutching Ling Xiao’s sleeve tightly.

“Rongrong, you don’t need to be sad. I’m only leaving the sect temporarily to handle some matters. Once I’m done, I will come back!” Ling Xiao said, reaching out to gently stroke her little head.

Ning Rongrong lowered her head silently, trembling as tears dripped onto her skirt.

Minutes passed before she finally released his sleeve, clenched her fists tightly, and kept her head bowed without a word.

Ling Xiao withdrew his arm, looking at her bowed head, unable to understand why she was so upset over just a temporary separation.

But completing the divine trials was more important right now.

Ling Xiao stepped out of the carriage, summoned the Demon Eye Blood Sword, mounted it, and flew toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

Only after Ling Xiao left did Ning Rongrong lift her head. Her face was streaked with tears. She hugged Ning Fengzhi tightly, her body trembling.

Ning Fengzhi sighed softly as he felt the dampness on his clothes but knew there was nothing he could do. Ling Xiao’s departure surely meant something very important awaited.