Chapter 861: Chapter 857: Thank You, Brother-in-law!
Upon receiving the gift, Xuanxuan’s little sister instantly beamed with joy, her eyes bending into crescent shapes as she looked down and examined the gift, her delight evident and making Xiao Tian abandon the idea of asking her if she liked it.
In fact, this item that appeared outwardly like a pouch actually contained a protective talisman, a gift originally intended for Yu Ningxue on a trip to the Northern Border.
Only later, unable to deliver it in time, he rushed to Kunlun Mountain, where it unexpectedly came in handy.
After searching through all his possessions, Xiao Tian found only this item suitable as a gift for Bai Xiaoxuan’s age, one that a young girl would also wear, and could find nothing else.
Either it didn’t fit the appearance criteria for a young girl, or it didn’t match the kind of gift Bai Xiaoxuan would choose.
As for Xiao Tian himself, he would have to prepare another gift for Yu Ningxue.
...
After helping the little girl adjust the length of the necklace cord, Xuanxuan’s mother walked forward with a furrowed brow, reminding her daughter, "Aren’t you going to say thank you?"
"Oh!" The little girl snapped out of it and turned to Xiao Tian, saying seriously, "Thank you, brother-in-law!"
"..." Xiao Tian was struck as if by lightning, nearly losing his balance and collapsing to the ground, stunned for quite a while.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Xuanxuan’s mother quickly pulled her younger daughter behind her, apologetically saying to the clearly shocked Xiao Tian, "Please don’t mind her; kids don’t know any better and just speak nonsense."
Xiao Tian was about to say it was fine, but then he heard the little girl insist, "I’m not speaking nonsense; sister always said she wants to marry someone like big brother."
As she spoke, the little girl pointed her tiny finger at Xiao Tian: "My sister calls him big brother, so wouldn’t her husband be brother-in-law? So I’m not speaking nonsense!"
Hearing this somewhat convoluted logic made Xiao Tian smile wryly, while Xuanxuan’s mother stepped forward to shield her little daughter entirely, then changed the topic, "Did Xuanxuan say when she’ll be back?"
The question made Xiao Tian recall what Sun Miaohan had mentioned—that disciples could go out once their strength reached a certain level—and he gave an approximation, "It might take a year or two!"
This wasn’t something Xiao Tian said without basis since, according to his expectations, the time required to recover his peak strength and advance further was about that long.
By then, finding Sun Miaohan would essentially mean finding Bai Xiaoxuan, and he could adjust his plans based on the actual situation.
Learning it might take another year or two to see her daughter, Xuanxuan’s mother felt a bit down, but having anticipated this, she showed no significant disappointment.
Before long, a man who had previously blended into the background suddenly approached, holding a bottle of white wine in one hand and a paper-wrapped snack in the other, moving towards Xiao Tian.
The man offered a slightly forced smile, inviting, "Since you’re here, let’s have a good drink this evening." As he spoke, his eyes subconsciously glanced at Xuanxuan’s mother.
Seeing no objection from her, the man felt even happier, "Come on, let’s head home and chat in detail!"
Initially thinking of politely declining, Xiao Tian noticed the little girl behind Xuanxuan’s mother walking beside him, saying, "Brother-in-law, you should go; I also have a gift I want to send to sister, could you deliver it for me?"
Seeing Xiao Tian gaping again, the little girl couldn’t help but shake his hand, "Would you? Brother-in-law?"
Hearing those words, Xiao Tian was taken aback, quickly responding, "Alright, alright, but could you call me something else?"
Though a bit puzzled, the little girl agreed, "Okay then, I’ll call you big brother too!"
...
When Xiao Tian left the little girl’s home, it was already nearing midnight; the entire residential area had long since fallen into darkness, quieting down all at once.
As he strolled along the moonlit narrow paths, Xiao Tian felt a sense of comfort but also thought about the unpredictability of life, as if everything had been arranged.
Sometimes, fate comes so subtly, making it hard to explain or escape.
Reflecting now, if he hadn’t been touched by Bai Xiaoxuan’s kindness, and subsequently not encountered Ji Dantong, it’s likely everything would have been different.
Walking and pondering, Xiao Tian unknowingly had reached the entrance of the alley, where suddenly everything was aglow, like stepping into another world.
Even close to midnight, the streets were still bustling, quite lively yet not as noisy as during the day.
In a few steps, he reached the small shop, and upon seeing the shopkeeper dozing at the counter as he had during their last meeting, Xiao Tian lightly knocked on the counter, waking the shopkeeper.
After some small talk, Xiao Tian successfully followed Xiaoshengzi to his room to gather his thoughts.
Though Xiao Tian’s visit was rather rushed, he seriously observed Kunlun Mountain’s current situation and came to a conclusion—he might have to come to Kunlun again.
From Lei Tong’s brothers, Xiao Tian learned that led by Master Guanghuai, Huaxia’s local forces and the Water Drop Organization’s foreign forces were all making significant efforts to recruit allies.
Moreover, both parties’ offers were so extravagant that even a wealthy sect like Kunlun had to be impressed, tempted toward a decision.
This situation only underscored that both sides were madly competitive, exhausting their strength to recruit the Kunlun Sect into their camp, a sect that would determine the victory.
Clearly, both the Kunlun Sect and Xiao Tian sensed an impending storm.
Had Master Guanghuai and the Water Drop Organization adopted a slow chip-raising strategy, it wouldn’t have seemed so strange.
However, their eagerness to lay all their cards on the table signaled urgency, revealing both sides’ impatience!
What could push both factions to such anxiety was evidently one thing—a mysterious inheritance was about to appear!
Thinking of the mysterious inheritance, the Double Fish Jade Pendant, Peng Qi, and other terms surfaced in his mind, preventing Xiao Tian from feeling any sleepiness.
Nevertheless, this mysterious inheritance was unlike any before, its value potentially unimaginable!
This fact was evident as neither faction sent agents to compete when the Shaking Light Disc was revealed.
If Xiao Tian said he wasn’t interested in this, it would be unbelievable.
However, he was well aware that given his current strength, it would be difficult to even ensure personal safety, let alone stand out and profit amidst such a vast and complex scene.
Ultimately, it boiled down to one primary and direct issue—insufficient strength.
With this realization, Xiao Tian’s gaze suddenly became fervent.
