Ling Tian appeared again at Xuan Li's side, with Lang Qingzu in his arms. In his mind, he was already deciding that there were now two seemingly very important families in the south state that he had to visit: Gongsun family and Wen clan.
In the last encounter with those Gongsun family members, Ling Tian deliberately reduced his power, allowing the old man who was more powerful to manage to survive if he used all his means. And if that were not the case, Ling Tian would still visit the great Gongsun family.
"Thank you, ancestor..."
Observing Ling Tian's calm and serene expression, Xuan Li thanked with a sweet and happy little smile. Her eyes at once couldn't help but fall on Lang Qingzu, showing a worried expression.
Ever since they had been absorbed and entered that powerful illusion, Lang Qingzu had been sleeping in Ling Tian's arms, worrying Xuan Li greatly.
Ling Tian smiled softly at Xuan Li before turning to look at Lang Qingzu in his arms and saying, "Don't you think you've slept a little too long, little missy? Your big sister is even worried about you..."
Ling Tian's words made Xuan Li startle for a moment before she looked at Lang Qingzu.
A few seconds after Ling Tian's voice, Lang Qingzu's delicate eyelashes trembled briefly, before lifting her eyelids and revealing her eyes. Her soft, tender cheeks reddened as she realized she had been caught when she tried to continue pretending to be asleep.
"Zu'er!" Xuan Li smiled happily filled with relief as she saw Lang Qingzu open her eyes.
Slowly, Ling Tian opened his arms and carefully put Lang Qingzu down, who the latter took a while to let go of Ling Tian's clothes with some reluctance. Lang Qingzu took a deep breath and showed her usual smile.
"Big-.... se-senior sister... congratulations!" Lang Qingzu smiled at once and she looked at Xuan Li with a joyful expression.
"Zu'er... are you fine?" Xuan Lo took Lang Qingzu's small hands.
However, having shared the bond of close sisters for a long time, the change in Lang Qingzu's tone of voice and expression made Xuan Li worry and approached her cheerful younger sister without hesitation as she searched for injuries on her. Even that cheerful and mischievous glow characteristic of Lang Qingzu could no longer be seen despite flashing a smile.
Shaking her head while still smiling, Lang Qingzu squeezed Xuan Li's hands and said, "I'm fine, senior sister, it's just that I won't be so mischievous and careless anymore... I'll focus a lot on cultivating and becoming as strong as you and master!"
A big gleam of determination filled Lang Qingzu's beautiful eyes, surprising Xuan Li for the first time to see this sense of sincere determination in her.
Being as cheerful, mischievous, cunning and funny as kids were, Lang Qingzu seemed to have matured at this moment?
"Zu'er..." Xuan Li still looked at her with some concern, feeling that Lang Qingzu was forcing her smile and forcing herself to appear somewhat mature and calm.
Lang Qingzu smiled reassuringly at Xuan Li when she suddenly felt a hand land on her small head, startling her briefly before turning to look at Ling Tian.
"Big-.... s-sect ancestor..."
Wanting to continue to show calmness and maturity, Lang Qingzu also changed her manner of address towards Ling Tian, calling him an ancestor again just like Xuan Li.
"Whatever happened in your illusion doesn't mean it will necessarily have to really happen, it was just an illusion, a test that showed the fears and worries in your heart." Ling Tian tenderly caressed Lang Qingzu's little head, looking at her with a gentle smile and trying to convey confidence. If he did not directly treat Lang Qingzu's heart at this time, her dao heart would be lost, and worse, she would not be truly happy.
Lang Qingzu was dumbfounded as she listened to Ling Tian, looking into his eyes with that soft and tender expression as he looked at her, feeling deeply that he was not lying to her. Tears soon began to fill her beautiful eyes without realizing it.
Hearing this, Xuan Li took a step closer and was about to say something when Ling Tian's hand stopped her.
"... b-but... I don't want anyone to hate me or abandon me because I'm too weak..."
After a few seconds, Lang Qingzu whispered faintly as she hesitantly reached out her little tiny arm and with her little fingers held Ling Tian's clothes. The faint smile she had shown earlier disappeared and in its place an expression of anxiety, sadness and even despair appeared.
Ling Tian bent down a bit and stroked Lang Qingzu's head more affectionately, comforting her with a tender smile, adding, "You are a small tenderness that no one could hate, your smile, your laughter, your mischievous, funny and cunning behaviors, as well as that intense happy and carefree glow that allows you to always have fun and play, all that makes you, Lang Qingzu, the cute and lovely Zu'er, so I would be very sad if you stopped being yourself."
Ling Tian was aware that Lang Qingzu had long since awakened, even before Xuan Li went through her heavenly tribulation, being aware of what was going on around her. Simply Lang Qingzu was still pretending to remain asleep, hoping to enter the dreamland and not wake up, not wanting to re-experience what had happened when she understood that she experienced an illusion. The fear that Lang Qingzu experienced was not at all easy to forget, which became a horrible trauma.
Lang Qingzu's expression had become sad, with her lovely beautiful eyes filled with tears at the sight of Ling Tian. Her hand had finally reached out and shakily grabbed some of Ling Tian's clothes. The anxieties and fears in her heart began to surface.
Lang Qingzu hesitated briefly before saying, "R-really you won't be angry with me? Even if I'm not very smart and serious about cultivating…. I-I don't want to disappoint others and cause them trouble, making them worry or that they look at me ugly by not being like them..."
"Remember what I told you, the world is cold, the reality is cruel, the path is lonely and painful, but the purest feeling in your small but huge and strong heart is what matters most and that you should never forget, it is the absolute truth that can break all falsehoods... you don't have to worry about what others will say, just worry about yourself and your most loved and important people. If you want to cultivate, do it, but if you'd rather play and have fun instead, you can do that too and you don't have to worry or feel bad!"
Ling Tian's voice had ended and his hands were still caressing Lang Qingzu's head, imparting that affection and love without hesitation.
Lang Qingzu couldn't help but be startled having heard Ling Tian's words, confirming that her ancestor had really saved her in that nightmare-like illusion.
"An... b-big brother, what if they stop loving me once I grow up?" Lang Qingzu asked sadly. She had seen many times that older and adult people would fight with each other, stop loving each other and even abandon each other, which had happened to several people she had seen when Xuan Li and she lived in a small town before their Master rescued them.bender
"Zu'er, you have to be yourself, you are a little girl who is growing beautifully, so you have to play a lot, you have to laugh, dream, have fun, sing, dance, sleep and whatever you feel like. No one has to make you feel bad or hurt you." Ling Tian smiled, nodding at Lang Qingzu's words and replied, "It is true that you will have to grow up, we all grow up and have to face many challenges and even fears, but for me, my loved ones, my family and even my disciples and companions are very important to me and I will never stop loving them and procuring for their welfare… and I know that little Bingluo as well as your big sister and all your big siblings in the sect love you very much."
Ling Tian hugged the small body of Lang Qingzu, who the latter hugged him with all her might as she let out the anxieties, fears, worries and negative feelings from her little heart, her tears flowing unceasingly from her eyes.
"I-I just want to stay with my most important people, I don't want them to stop loving me or abandon me… I don't want you to abandon me either, big brother!" With her head and face stuck on Ling Tian's chest, Lang Qingzu cried out the last worries in her heart.
After all this time, her trust in Ling Tian had grown considerably, beginning to accept in her heart that he really is her grand master.
Ling Tian let out a soft, understanding smile, "Your master and big sister will not stop loving you, much less abandon you... and, if you still think that can happen, you can trust me, I will never abandon you."
Feeling that his clothes were so soaked that they even stuck to his skin on his chest, Ling Tian gently kissed Lang Qingzu's forehead as he felt the trembling in her small body, stroking her head affectionately.
Reaching his arm out calmly and taking Xuan Li's small hand, Ling Tian pulled her closer towards the two of them.
"I don't have to lie to you right now. The proof is here by your side and as far as I know she has always been with you all your life, even accompanying you in your good and bad times." Ling Tian commented softly.
Lifting her tearful little face from Ling Tian's chest, Lang Qingzu noticed Xuan Li who had a very worried expression and even several tears were starting to flow from her eyes, surprising and worrying her. Lang Qingzu had never seen Xuan Li cry after the death of her family.
"Sen- big sister..."
"Zu'er!"
Lang Qingzu hesitated but Xuan Li interrupted her, coming over and hugging her as well, joining Ling Tian and Lang Qingzu's embrace.
"B-big sister, I... I'm sorry..." Lang Qingzu apologized, her tears again flooding her face. The love she feels for Xuan Li, for this big sister who always cared for her, she can't describe it in words.
"Mhn-unm, no, it's okay! It's not your fault!" Xuan Li shook her head quickly, hugging Lang Qingzu even tighter and, looking into her eyes, she spoke to her firmly, "Zu'er, you are my most important person! You are my true little sister and, although we don't share the same blood, you are what I love most in my life and I will never stop loving you! I swore in my heart that I would always take care of you and protect you with all my being, I will never stop loving you and much less abandon you!"
Xuan Li recalled those dark, horrible and painful days before their master found them, promising herself that she would always care for and protect Lang Qingzu even if she had to give her life for her.
"Big sister, I-I'm sorry! I-I... waah~" Lang Qingzu cried loudly again, hugging Xuan Li.
Both girls cried and hugged tightly on Ling Tian's chest.
"You don't have to change the way you are, you must be yourself!" Xuan Li's tears flowed non-stop as well despite wanting to appear strong, hugging Lang Qingzu tightly.
Although she always worried about Lang Qingzu and sometimes tried to stop her behavior in certain dangerous moments, Xuan Li would never change Lang Qingzu's personality even if she had the chance. Lang Qingzu is Lang Qingzu and she will always care and love her little sister.
Ling Tian smiled relieved but somewhat curiously, noting that both Lang Qingzu and Xuan Li had leaned on his chest while hugging each other. Both girls surprisingly grabbed part of his clothes with each of their hands as they leaned on him who was still slightly bent over.
Caressing and patting both girls' heads, Ling Tian comforted them for a long time.
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