Tea House Memories of Family: The Star Bell Reveals Its Image, a Grateful Entrustment

On the evening of the final rest day, warm yellow lanterns lit up Clear Tea House on the edge of Suotuo City. Lin Zhixia sat in her usual seat by the window, the jasmine tea before her long gone cold. Her fingers unconsciously stroked the Star Guidance Bell at her waist as her gaze fell upon the locust leaves drifting outside. Her thoughts wandered back to the Lin Family courtyard eight years ago—after dinner, her father, Lin Jingyuan, would teach her how to polish Soul Tool components, while her mother, Jun Yunshu, sat beneath the eaves weaving grass into butterflies for her. The setting sun overlapped their shadows, filling her with warmth and peace.

"Am I really worthy of their expectations now?" she murmured softly, her fingertips trembling. Although the Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow she had fired on the training grounds that day had pierced the Alloy Target, the scenes of her parents' tragic deaths still woke her from nightmares at midnight. She feared she was not strong enough to protect the companions around her; even more, she feared forgetting her hatred and betraying her parents' sacrifice.

The Star Guidance Bell at her waist suddenly grew faintly hot. Beneath Lin Zhixia's clothes, the Dew Condensing Grass mark her mother had planted with Soul Power all those years ago glimmered dimly. The mark could sense fluctuations in her emotions, and at that moment, it resonated with the Star Guidance Bell. First, a thread of sweet, fresh Orchid Fragrance flowed from the bell and curled through the tea house, driving away the chill of late autumn. Then, the pale blue starlight patterns covering the bell gradually lit up, as though an entire river of stars had been kneaded into the metal. Finally, two translucent phantoms drifted from the bell's opening.

Lin Zhixia abruptly looked up, tears instantly blurring her vision. Within the phantoms, a man wore a gray cloth Soul Engineer's robe, with half of an unfinished bronze Soul Tool component tucked at his waist. It was her father, Lin Jingyuan. The woman wore a simple moon-white gown and held a faintly glowing Grass Butterfly in her hand. It was her mother, Jun Yunshu!

"Dad... Mom..." Her voice shook as she reached for the phantoms, but her fingers passed only through a cool halo of light. "Is it really you? I'm not dreaming, am I?"

"Silly child, how could this be a dream?" Jun Yunshu's phantom spoke softly, her voice as gentle as it had been in Lin Zhixia's memories. She raised a hand, wanting to touch her daughter's hair, but could only pass through the ends of it. A trace of heartache surfaced in her eyes. "Being able to see that you're alive and well, and that you have so many companions who sincerely care for you, is already enough for us."

Lin Jingyuan smiled and nodded as well. His eyes rested on Lin Zhixia, full of comfort. "Your strength now exceeds even what we expected back then. Don't always carry hatred on your shoulders. Protecting yourself and those around you is what we most wish to see."

Just then, familiar footsteps sounded at the tea house entrance. When Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and the others saw that Lin Zhixia had no appetite at dinner and had not returned to the dormitory, they followed the route she often took to find her. The moment they entered, the Orchid Fragrance filling the room and the two phantoms stunned them. Xiao Wu instinctively grabbed Tang San's sleeve and whispered, "Tang San, those... those two phantoms are?"

Lin Zhixia turned around. Seeing the concern in her companions' eyes, her tears fell once more. "They're my parents, Lin Jingyuan and Jun Yunshu."

Dai Mubai stepped forward, his eyes filled with respect. Lin Zhixia had mentioned her parents to him before, and he knew they were Soul Engineers persecuted by Spirit Hall. Ning Rongrong also set aside her usual spoiled playfulness and said softly, "Uncle, Auntie, don't worry. We'll always stay by Zhi Xia's side."

Lin Jingyuan's phantom turned toward the group and solemnly nodded. Then his gaze settled on Tang San, his tone full of gratitude. "You are Tang San, correct? Thank you, all these years, for taking care of Zhi Xia with your father. The Remnant Souls we left in the Star Guidance Bell could sense that a powerful Soul Power had always been protecting her from the shadows. That must have been Mister Tang Hao."

After saying this, he called loudly toward the darkness outside the tea house, "Mister Tang Hao, this old man is Lin Jingyuan. Thank you for protecting my daughter for eight years! You have always refused to show yourself, presumably because you did not wish to disturb Zhi Xia's life. But after what has happened today, this old man must thank you in person!"

As soon as his words fell, steady footsteps sounded beneath the locust tree outside. Tang Hao entered the tea house slowly, carrying the Mysterious Iron Heavy Sword on his back and dressed in black. Though his Soul Power was restrained, it still carried an awe-inspiring pressure. He looked at the two phantoms, a complicated emotion flashing through his eyes. Eight years ago, when he had passed by the Lin Family, he had met Lin Jingyuan and his wife. At the time, they had been preparing for their daughter's Martial Soul awakening.

"Mister Lin, there is no need for such courtesy," Tang Hao said in a low voice. "I protected Zhi Xia partly because what happened to her reminded me of Ah Yin, and partly because this child has a kind heart and is worth protecting."

Lin Jingyuan's phantom suddenly gave Tang Hao a deep bow, and Jun Yunshu bowed with him. Their phantoms swayed slightly with agitation. "Mister Tang Hao, this old man has an unreasonable request. Zhi Xia has not suffered much since she was little. Now that we are gone, we truly cannot rest easy knowing she must face Spirit Hall's threats alone. You are a Titled Douluo, powerful and steady of heart. This old man boldly asks that you accept Zhi Xia as your goddaughter and look after her in the future!"

After saying this, Lin Jingyuan's phantom raised a hand. A silver wheel gleaming with starlight floated from his palm and slowly descended into Tang San's hands. Fine star patterns were carved across the wheel, while its edge was inlaid with fragments of Star River Ore. It was the Lin Family's ancestral Spirit Guiding Device, the Mystic Star Wheel. "This Mystic Star Wheel can assist in controlling Soul Power and can also form a Star Shield in moments of danger. It is the most valuable thing this old man can offer. Consider it a gift for Tang San upon meeting him, and a token of thanks from my wife and me to you."

Tang Hao looked at the two phantoms before him, then at Lin Zhixia's reddened eyes. After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded. "All right. I agree. From this day onward, Zhi Xia is my goddaughter. I will keep her safe."

Lin Zhixia abruptly raised her head, her eyes full of shock. "Senior Tang Hao, you..."

"Silly child, hurry and thank Mister Tang Hao." Jun Yunshu's phantom smiled, her eyes full of relief. "With Mister Tang Hao and the companions by your side, we can finally rest easy."

Lin Jingyuan looked at Dai Mubai and the others again, his tone carrying a hint of pleading. "Young friends, Zhi Xia is stubborn by nature and sometimes gets trapped in her own thoughts. If she ever does anything to wrong you or make you unhappy, please bear with her and persuade her. She does not have many friends. To her, you are more important than anything."

Dai Mubai immediately patted his chest in promise. "Don't worry, Uncle! We're companions, and we're family. We'll definitely take good care of Zhi Xia!" Xiao Wu nodded as well, taking Lin Zhixia's hand. "Zhi Xia, whatever happens in the future, we'll bear it together. We won't ever let you be sad alone again."

Oscar took out a freshly made Osmanthus Honey Sausage from his Soul Tool and held it out to Lin Zhixia. "Zhi Xia, I made this especially for you. I added osmanthus honey, so it's nice and sweet. Eat it, and you won't be sad anymore." Ma Hongjun scratched his head and said with a smile, "If training wears you out later, I'll go to the Soul Dueling Arena with you to relax. I guarantee I won't let anyone bully you!"

Lin Zhixia looked at the companions before her, then at her parents' phantoms and Tang Hao. The grievance and unease in her heart gradually faded away. She gripped the Grass Butterfly in her hand tightly and gave her parents' phantoms a deep bow. "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I'll live well. I'll protect my companions, and I'll study properly under Senior Tang Hao. I won't disappoint you."

Jun Yunshu's phantom smiled and nodded. The Grass Butterfly in her hand floated into Lin Zhixia's palm, overlapping with the one she had always treasured before turning into a faint glow and merging into her body. "This Grass Butterfly can protect you once. If you encounter danger in the future, it will help you block a fatal blow."

As her voice gradually faded, the two phantoms began to turn transparent, and the Orchid Fragrance slowly dispersed as well. Only the Star Guidance Bell remained, still giving off a faint glow. Lin Jingyuan's voice sounded one last time. "Zhi Xia, live well. We will always be by your side."

After the phantoms completely vanished, the tea house fell silent for a moment. Tang Hao walked to Lin Zhixia's side, his tone gentler than usual. "If you encounter anything you cannot resolve in the future, come find me. Tang San knows where I live."

Lin Zhixia nodded, her eyes reddening again. "Thank you, Uncle Tang Hao."

Xiao Wu stepped forward and gently hugged her. "Zhi Xia, from now on, none of us will ever be alone again."

Tang San also handed over the Mystic Star Wheel and said with a smile, "I'll make good use of this Mystic Star Wheel. From now on, we'll use it together to protect everyone."

Dai Mubai suggested, "How about we go to the dining hall tonight and cook some hot soup? We can celebrate for Zhi Xia and let Uncle and Auntie rest easy." Everyone readily agreed. Lin Zhixia looked at the sincere eyes of her companions, her heart filled with warmth. She knew her parents had never truly left her; they were simply accompanying her in another way. And these companions by her side, along with her newly acknowledged godfather Tang Hao, were all family she would protect from now on.

As they left the tea house, moonlight spilled across the stone path. The Star Guidance Bell at Lin Zhixia's waist rang softly, and the Grass Butterfly in her palm also glimmered faintly. She looked up at the night sky, as though she could see her parents smiling among the stars, and silently swore, I'll definitely become stronger. I won't just avenge my parents—I'll protect everything before me and never fail everyone's expectations.

Tang Hao walked at the back. Watching the children ahead laugh and chat, the corner of his mouth curled up almost imperceptibly. He touched the wine flask at his waist and thought, Lin Jingyuan, rest assured. I'll take good care of Zhi Xia.