Battle Through the Heavens: I Can Solidify the Talents of All Things

Qing Lin occasionally looked back at the city gradually fading into the distance. It held her painful memories, but also her final attachment.

"Big Brother," Qing Lin asked softly, "are we going somewhere very far away?"

"Yes." Xiao Qing nodded. "Somewhere you can cultivate in peace."

Qing Lin nodded as if she understood, her little hand tightly clutching Xiao Qing's hem. The fear in her eyes was gone, replaced by anticipation for the future.

Xiao Qing looked at the little girl beside him, whose fate had been so troubled, and felt a surge of emotion.

In the original story, Qing Lin's experiences had been heartbreaking. Now that Xiao Qing had encountered her, he naturally would not let her repeat that fate.

Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils...

Xiao Qing was quite curious to see just how far this little girl with such a special constitution would grow in the future.

As night deepened, the desert sky became especially dazzling with stars.

Xiao Qing found a sheltered sand dune, lit a campfire, and took out dried rations and water.

Qing Lin ate in small bites, occasionally sneaking a glance at Xiao Qing, her eyes filled with dependence.

"Finish eating and get some rest early," Xiao Qing said gently. "We still have to travel tomorrow."

"Mm!" Qing Lin nodded vigorously, curling up beneath the blanket Xiao Qing had laid out. Before long, she drifted into sleep.

This was the first peaceful sleep Qing Lin had had in days.

Xiao Qing sat beside the campfire, gazing at the stars overhead as his thoughts drifted afar.

This trip to the desert had brought gains far beyond his expectations.

Not only had he obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame and broken through to Five-Star Dou Wang, but he had also encountered Queen Medusa and Qing Lin.

The course of fate seemed to be quietly changing.

But for now, the most important thing was to return to Wutan City as soon as possible.

By his calculations, some changes should have taken place within the Xiao Family as well.

Moreover, Old Yao's sleeping soul required Xiao Qing to quickly find a method to nourish it.

Xiao Qing glanced at the sleeping Qing Lin. Even in her dreams, the little girl still tightly clutched his clothes, as if she feared being abandoned.

He gently tucked the blanket around Qing Lin, a trace of tenderness flashing through his eyes.

Since he had decided to bring Qing Lin with him, he had to take responsibility for her.

The cultivation of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils required special guidance. Once they returned to Wutan City, he would have to study it properly.

The night wind swept over the dunes, bringing threads of coolness.

The campfire crackled, casting light over the sleeping figures of the two of them.

The desert night was exceptionally tranquil.

Ling Ying: Miss, Young Master Xiao Qing Has Returned!

Within an elegant and secluded courtyard of the Xiao Family.

Six-year-old Gu Xun'er sat on a stone bench, her little hand propping up her cheek as she stared blankly at the swing Xiao Qing had personally made for her.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, scattering mottled spots of light across Gu Xun'er and making her already delicate profile appear even more exquisite and adorable.

Though she was still young, the elegance innate to her had already begun to show.

It was easy to foresee that she would one day become a peerless beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.

Suddenly, a black shadow appeared soundlessly behind Gu Xun'er, like a ghost.

He was a middle-aged man clad in a black robe, his face concealed in shadow, with only a pair of eagle-sharp eyes visible.

"Miss." Ling Ying's voice was low and respectful. "Young Master Xiao Qing has returned."

"Brother Xiao Qing is back?!" Gu Xun'er abruptly turned around.

Brilliant light instantly burst from her lively eyes, while the joy on her face bloomed like flowers in early spring, impossible to hide.

Gu Xun'er nearly jumped off the stone bench at once, eager to see the person she had not seen for almost a year.

However, Ling Ying hesitated unusually for a moment.

Then, with some reluctance in his voice, he stammered, "And... Young Master... brought back a little girl around four years old."

The air seemed to freeze for an instant.

The radiant smile on Gu Xun'er's face stiffened slightly, and the excitement shining in her eyes dimmed at a visible speed.

Gu Xun'er slowly sat back down on the stone bench. Her little face was calm and expressionless, but the slight pursing of her lips revealed the turmoil in her heart.

"...I understand."

After a long while, Gu Xun'er responded softly, with no emotion discernible in her voice.

Meanwhile, at the imposing gates of the Xiao Family.

Dusty from the journey, Xiao Qing stood beneath the familiar gate plaque, holding the hand of a small, thin girl.

Looking at the vigorous characters "Xiao Family" on the plaque, a rare sense of belonging welled up within him, and he could not help murmuring, "I'm finally back."

This was Xiao Qing's first time leaving the family for so long, and also his first journey for training.

Over nearly a year, he had experienced bloody battles in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and strange encounters in the Tagor Desert.

Having witnessed the mysteries of the Saint-Level Pocket Dimension, returning now to this familiar land gave him the feeling that a lifetime had passed.

"Big Brother... is this your family?"

Qing Lin raised her little face, looking at the grand vermilion gates before her and the two imposing stone lions standing outside.

Her little hand unconsciously tightened around Xiao Qing's clothes. Her clear, wide eyes were filled with nervousness and a faint inferiority complex that was difficult to detect.

Compared to the shabby dwelling she had lived in within Desert City, this grand estate was like the difference between clouds and mud.

Xiao Qing keenly noticed Qing Lin's unease.

He stopped, crouched down to meet her gaze, and spoke as gently as spring sunlight.

"Relax, Qing Lin. From now on, this will be your home too. You don't need to be afraid."

Xiao Qing's voice seemed to possess a power that soothed the heart, and Qing Lin's tense little body gradually relaxed.

Qing Lin softly answered, "Mm," but her little hand still tightly held Xiao Qing's fingers.

After entering the Xiao Family gates, Qing Lin followed closely at Xiao Qing's side.

Although much of her nervousness toward the Xiao Family had faded.

The thought of soon meeting the "Sister Xun'er" Xiao Qing had mentioned made her heart rise again.

Along the way, Xiao Qing had often spoken to her about Gu Xun'er, saying she was a beautiful and intelligent older sister.

"Big Brother..." Qing Lin raised her head and asked anxiously in a small voice.

"Sister Xun'er... will she dislike Qing Lin?"

Seeing Qing Lin's timid appearance, Xiao Qing's heart softened.

He reached out and gently smoothed her somewhat messy hair, his movements tender. "Don't worry. Our Qing Lin is so obedient and adorable. Xun'er will definitely like you."

Upon entering the interior of the Xiao Family, they found the estate bustling with activity.

The servants hurried back and forth. Some hung colorful silk banners, some carried tables and chairs, while others swept the courtyards.

Everywhere was filled with the lively atmosphere before a festival.

Only then did Xiao Qing suddenly remember that the Xiao Family's triennial Coming of Age Ceremony seemed to be approaching.

Judging from the preparations, it should be happening soon. This was a major event for the Xiao Family!

It meant that another group of young family members would formally enter adulthood and take on the family's responsibilities.

At that moment, a burly, bearded man with a bold face approached them. He strode with the bearing of a dragon and tiger, his presence steady and imposing. It was none other than the Xiao Family Patriarch, Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan spotted Xiao Qing standing in the road at once. The serious expression on his face immediately gave way to a hearty smile as he called out in a booming voice, "Qing'er! You're back!"

"Uncle!" A sincere smile appeared on Xiao Qing's face as he hurried forward.

Xiao Qing had not seen Xiao Zhan for nearly a year. Looking closely now, he found Xiao Zhan's condition far better than it had been the previous year.

The gloom that had long lingered between his brows due to his wife's illness had already vanished without a trace.

In its place were the confidence born from his own strength and the dignity of a family head.

"Hahaha, good! It's good that you're back!"

Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Qing's shoulder, his eyes full of gratification.

"You've been gone for nearly a year. Your aunt has been talking about you every day. She's missed you terribly!"

Xiao Zhan's heart was filled with gratitude toward Xiao Qing.

Not only had the medicinal pill gifted by Xiao Qing's teacher completely cured his wife's illness.

His own cultivation had also broken through to the Dou Ling level due to this fortunate opportunity.

He remembered all of it in his heart.

"Once I get settled, I'll go visit Aunt later."

Xiao Qing answered with a smile. He truly missed his gentle and kind aunt as well.

The two stood by the roadside chatting, and Xiao Qing briefly described his experiences training outside with his teacher.

He omitted the shocking matters of obtaining a Heavenly Flame, encountering Queen Medusa, and entering the Saint-Level Pocket Dimension.

He merely said that he had followed his teacher to train along the edges of the Magical Beast Mountain Range and the Tagor Desert, broadening his horizons and honing his Dou Skills.

Xiao Zhan listened while repeatedly nodding. He could sense that Xiao Qing's aura was restrained and that his cultivation had clearly improved again, making him even more delighted.

Naturally, the conversation turned to the upcoming Xiao Family Coming of Age Ceremony.

"Qing'er, your return came at just the right time." Xiao Zhan stroked his beard, his tone carrying a hint of pride when he mentioned his eldest son, Xiao Ding.

"In another month, it will be our Xiao Family's Coming of Age Ceremony."

"This time, your cousin Xiao Ding will have just turned sixteen. He'll be one of the main figures at the ceremony."

At the mention of his eldest son Xiao Ding, Xiao Zhan's face was full of pride.

Xiao Ding possessed outstanding Talent. At such a young age, he had already reached Eight-Duan Dou Qi. He was among the finest of Wutan City's younger generation and was the heir in whom Xiao Zhan placed great hopes.

"Cousin Xiao Ding is exceptionally talented. He'll certainly shine brilliantly at this Coming of Age Ceremony," Xiao Qing praised sincerely.

"I hope so." Xiao Zhan smiled.

His gaze finally fell upon Qing Lin, who had been quietly standing behind Xiao Qing with her little head lowered, looking somewhat uneasy. He asked kindly, "Qing'er, this little girl is...?"

During this time, Qing Lin had received Xiao Qing's careful care and nourishing medicinal meals.

She was no longer the skeletal, sickly yellow-faced child she had been in Desert City.

Though she was still somewhat thin, her little face had gained some flesh, and her skin had become much fairer.

Her large watery eyes, carrying a touch of timidity, were especially endearing. The delicate adorableness a little girl should possess had gradually begun to emerge.

Reuniting with Xun'er! Qing Lin: Sister Xun'er

When Xiao Zhan looked at her, Qing Lin instinctively shrank further behind Xiao Qing, her little hand tightly gripping the hem of his robe.

Xiao Qing turned slightly and gently brought Qing Lin in front of him. With a warm smile at the corner of his lips, he introduced her, "Uncle, her name is Qing Lin. I took her in as my younger sister while training outside."

"Qing Lin? A fine name!"

Xiao Zhan examined Qing Lin for a few moments. Seeing that she was timid but had clear eyes, he smiled and nodded, his tone becoming even gentler.

"Since she is the younger sister Qing'er has taken in, she is part of our Xiao Family from now on. Treat this place as your own home. There's no need to be reserved."

Feeling the goodwill Xiao Zhan showed her, Qing Lin relaxed somewhat.

Qing Lin raised her head, gave Xiao Zhan a timid glance, and, unsure of how to address him, could only say softly, "Th-thank you, Uncle Xiao."

"Hahaha, good child."

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, gave Xiao Qing a few more reminders to rest properly, then hurried away.

As the head of the family, he had a mountain of matters requiring his personal attention before the Coming of Age Ceremony.