"Don't be afraid... I-I'm here to save you!"
For the first time, Nalan Yanran gave a little girl a gentle smile. She reached out her slender fingers and wiped the tears from Qing Lin's face.
Perhaps it was her gentle voice, or perhaps her affectionate gesture. Whatever the reason, Qing Lin slowly relaxed her guard, wrapped her arms around her knees, and buried her little head in the crook of her arms.
Seeing how thin and fragile Qing Lin looked, Nalan Yanran felt a surge of tenderness. Unable to help herself, she crouched down, took Qing Lin's hand, and asked softly:
"Would you like me to take you to see Xiao Tian?"
At those words, delight immediately appeared on Qing Lin's little face.
"Where is Young Master Xiao Tian?" Qing Lin asked urgently, her little mouth opening and closing. Her pitiful expression tugged at the heart.
"Come with me. He should still be in Yan City!"
Seeing that Qing Lin was willing to trust her, Nalan Yanran's expression grew even gentler. She took Qing Lin's hand and led her outside.
But as soon as they stepped out of the thatched hut, an aura came rushing toward them.
A moment later, a figure appeared in the sky before Nalan Yanran.
He wore a white robe and had an aged face with sunken eyes, but his gaze was razor-sharp, like an eagle's, and radiated an oppressive force.
It was none other than Mo Cheng, the Mo Family's First Elder.
He was also an outer sect deacon of the Misty Cloud Sect.
"Deacon Mo!"
Seeing Mo Cheng appear, Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes darkened, and her gaze grew solemn.
Qing Lin sensed the strange atmosphere too. Frightened, she shrank behind Nalan Yanran, peeking out with only her two bright, jet-black eyes fixed on the