Experiment

Xun Er's fingertips carried a faint, cool softness as she gently tapped Little Yan Ji's chubby little nose. Only after seeing the little one blink her watery eyes and curiously tilt her head did she slowly extend her index finger before her.

Little Yan Ji immediately stretched out her two tiny hands, each smaller than a palm. Her fingers had the soft tenderness unique to infants as she carefully wrapped them around Xun Er's fingertip. Her grip was as light as if she were holding a feather, yet she clung tightly and refused to let go. Even her breathing carried a soft warmth, her intimacy enough to melt one's heart.

After Little Yan Ji held Xun Er's finger and swayed it a few times, Xun Er raised her eyes toward Xiao Ling. Her tone softened as she carefully recounted the details of the past.

"After Brother Xiao Ling gave me that Calamity Fire Fruit, I immediately returned to the Gu Clan without daring to delay even a moment. Although that fruit possessed spiritual essence, it required sufficient Heavenly Flame Energy to awaken and nurture it. So, using my Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame as a guide, I expended my Dou Qi after every day's cultivation and activated the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, gradually infusing it into the fruit."

"It took a full three months. Only when I sensed the breath of life beginning to circulate within the fruit did I stop supplying it with energy. Then, half a month later, Ling'er broke through the fruit's shell and opened her eyes right in front of me."

She lowered her eyes and stroked Little Ling'er's twin buns. Her fingertips could clearly feel the concealed warm energy, and her voice became more solemn.

"Since Ling'er was born, I have kept watch over