Upon hearing the system's notification, Zhang Yu, though unaware of the origins of this suddenly appearing little girl, was already certain that the phrase "an incredible fortuitous opportunity" was enough for him to make a decision.
He ignored Zhang Lingyun's deathly gaze that seemed to pierce him, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He patted the little girl's head softly and said:
"Since you call me Brother, then you'll follow me from now on."
But... what's your name?
The little girl blinked blankly, a hint of confusion flashing in her Glazed Glass eyes. She tilted her head, thought for a moment, and then shook her head, saying:
"They... don't have names."
"No name?"
Zhang Yu was taken aback. "Then where did you come from?"
"I came from the sky~"
The little girl answered crisply, pointing her little hand upwards.
"Coming from the sky?"
Zhang Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he readily agreed, "Then how about I call you Tiantian?"
"Tiantian?"
The little girl whispered it twice, then suddenly smiled and nodded vigorously, "It sounds great, thank you, Brother!"
You're welcome, Tiantian.
The two, who were "brother and sister," reunited and were overjoyed.
Zhang Lingyun, standing to the side, had a livid face, her eyes filled with an almost tangible cold light, and her chest heaving slightly, clearly indicating that she was extremely angry.
It's only been a few days?
You're talking about someone's sister like that right in front of me?
Every Tiantian?
Why don't you call yourself Didi?
She stared intently at Zhang Yu holding the little girl's hand, finding the scene extremely jarring. An indescribable bitterness and anger surged within her.
"Oh~ where did this adorable little girl come from? She's so pretty!"
Just then, a captivatingly beautiful voice suddenly rang out.
The Pink Skull swayed its slender waist and walked over with a smile.
Her gaze swept over Zhang Yu and Tiantian, finally settling on Zhang Lingyun's ashen face. A knowing glint flashed in her eyes, and she covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
"Sister Jiang, it seems your little apprentice... is about to be 'snatched away'~"
She leaned closer, lowering her voice, but just enough for Zhang Lingyun to hear clearly:
"Want me to... teach you a few tricks?"
I'll make sure that kid only has eyes for you and only has eyes for you~
Zhang Lingyun's eyes twitched, and she gave her a cold glance:
"Roll."
"Oh dear, my good intentions have been completely wasted!"
The Pink Skull wasn't annoyed. She chuckled, gave Zhang Yu a meaningful look, and then swayed away gracefully.
Zhang Yu felt uncomfortable under that gaze, coughed lightly, led Tiantian to Zhang Lingyun, and said with a forced smile:
"Master, this is Tiantian, my newly adopted younger sister."
She... had nowhere to go, so I took her back to Crimson Flame Peak to settle her in.
Zhang Lingyun didn't speak, she just stared at him coldly.
The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.
Tiantian seemed to sense something, her little hand quietly tugging at Zhang Yu's sleeve, her Glazed Glass eyes timidly looking at Zhang Lingyun, and she whispered:
"Sister... don't you like Tiantian?"
Zhang Lingyun's heart trembled. Looking into those pure, untainted eyes, the nameless fire in her chest inexplicably dissipated a little.
She remained silent for a long time, then finally let out a long breath. Her tone was still cold, but her eyes had softened considerably.
"Crimson Flame Peak does not support idlers."
Once you've entered the peak, you must abide by the rules.
"Yes, Master!"
Thank you, sister!
Zhang Yu and Tiantian spoke almost simultaneously.
Zhang Lingyun glanced at the two of them, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.
In that instant she turned around, the Pink Skull's sweet, delicate words inexplicably flashed through her mind—
"Want me to teach you a few tricks?"
I'll make sure that kid only has eyes for you and only has eyes for you~
Is it because I'm too fierce that Zhang Yu doesn't like me?
Should I... really go and learn from that vixen, Pink Skull?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, she trembled, a flicker of shame, anger, and panic crossing her eyes.
No!
How could I possibly have such a thought?!
But deep within my heart, a voice softly echoed—
Why can't we have it?
You clearly... care about it too.
Yes.
Her current consciousness is a fusion of Zhang Lingyun and Jiang Ling.
The part belonging to "Zhang Lingyun" has always secretly liked Zhang Yu, and has developed an inexplicable dependence and closeness to Zhang Yu.
As for the part belonging to Jiang Ling, which was originally cold, hateful, and closed off, it has been somewhat unsealed after Zhang Yu of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom generously bestowed upon her a massive amount of Merit.
But just now, Zhang Yu had helped her kill Jiang Pojun, settling a blood debt from a thousand years ago. Beneath that overwhelming hatred, a faint yet incredibly real sense of gratitude and trust quietly began to grow.
And so, at this moment, this "brand new" her—
Her overall positive feelings towards Zhang Yu had unknowingly reached a level that even she herself hadn't realized.
Therefore, when she saw Zhang Yu holding the hand of that Little Girl who had suddenly appeared, smiling gently, she felt such intense bitterness and anger.
So, after Pink Skull's teasing "guidance," she actually... wavered for a moment.
I want him to only have eyes for me and in his heart.
This thought grew wildly like weeds, making her feel flustered and uneasy, yet also subtly agitated.
She quickened her pace unconsciously, as if trying to escape the unsettling thought, but after taking a few steps, she inexplicably turned back for a glance.
In the distance, Zhang Yu was squatting down, patiently tidying up the slightly disheveled clothes of the little girl named "Tiantian." His profile looked exceptionally gentle in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Tiantian, she tilts her Small Face up, her eyes crinkling with laughter, her Glazed Glass eyes filled with dependence and joy.
The scene... was almost blinding.
Zhang Lingyun bit her lip, turned around abruptly, and didn't look back.
But my heart is like a pebble dropped into a lake, rippling outwards and never able to find peace again.
Pink Skull...
Perhaps we should really ask?
Zhang Yu led Tiantian back to Crimson Flame Peak.
Perhaps because it was far from the center of the battle, Crimson Flame Peak was not greatly affected. The palaces and pavilions were basically preserved, but the Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation was dim and the Spiritual Qi was slightly disordered.
Qing Mu and the others had been anxiously waiting for a long time. As soon as they saw Zhang Yu return, they rushed to greet him, asking him all sorts of questions about the battle, and constantly looking back.
"Young Peak Master, where is the Peak Master?"
Is she... is she alright?
"I'm not dead, I'm perfectly fine."
A cool, clear voice came from behind.
Zhang Lingyun walked in slowly, her expression still cold. Her gaze swept over Zhang Yu and Tiantian, who was tightly clutching her sleeve, and the chill intensified.
Upon seeing this, Qing Mu and the others immediately fell silent, not daring to ask any more questions.
Zhang Yu coughed lightly and instructed Qing Mu:
"This is Tiantian, who is temporarily Crimson Flame Peak."
Arrange a quiet courtyard for her and take good care of her.
"I don't want to!"
Suddenly, Tiantian tugged at Zhang Yu's sleeve, her Glazed Glass eyes filled with timidity and dependence, and whispered:
"I want to live with my Brother."
Zhang Yu was stunned. Before he could speak, he felt a cold gaze piercing his back like a knife.
He didn't need to turn around to know— Zhang Lingyun was furious.
"This... this is probably against the rules..." Qing Mu hesitated.
It's alright.
Zhang Yu sighed and ruffled Tiantian's hair. "Then you can stay with me for now."
"Thank you, Brother!"
Tiantian immediately smiled and hugged his arm tightly.
Zhang Lingyun snorted coldly, turned and left, her clothes fluttering in the wind, clearly furious.
Looking at Zhang Yu and Tiantian's "brother-sisterly" relationship, and glancing in the direction the Peak Master had left, Qing Mu couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"I think this Little Girl... is quite cute, and she and the Young Peak Master are quite a good match..."
"What's so cute about it?"
Zhang Lingyun abruptly stopped, turned around and stared at Qing Mu, her tone icy:
You said, what's so cute about her?
Is she cuter than me?
"..."
Qing Mu: "???"
The surrounding group of former members of Crimson Flame Peak: "..."
The air froze instantly.
You, old man, are really not cute at all!