We Are Family From Now On

The other side of the Evil Demon Forest's outer perimeter.

Xu Tianming did not dwell too much on the relationship between the holy relic and the spirit bone.

Although he could absorb the ten-thousand-year-level left arm spirit bone, there was no immediate rush.

Just as the uncle and nephew were preparing to leave the Evil Demon Forest, Kong Deming suddenly cast his gaze toward the southeast, his eyes narrowing as if lost in thought.

Seeing this, Xu Tianming asked with immediate curiosity:

"Uncle, is something happening over there?"

Hearing this, Kong Deming pondered for a moment before shaking his head:

"It is nothing, just a few rats in the gutter jumping out to cause trouble under the cover of night. Do not pay them any mind; let us go home."

With Kong Deming's strength, he could naturally perceive the tragedy unfolding two thousand meters away. If he were willing to intervene, stopping the carnage would take only an instant.

However, the current relationship between the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult was delicate. If he were to act rashly and leave behind evidence, he feared it might shatter the fragile balance the two factions had recently established.

Furthermore, given the significant distance between them and the fact that no one had begged for his assistance, he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. After all, the most important thing in his heart right now was ensuring his nephew's safety.

Yet, while his response might have fooled a child of his own age, it certainly could not deceive Xu Tianming, who had lived two lifetimes.

If his uncle called them "rats in the gutter," it was almost certainly the work of evil spirit masters.

Just as Xu Tianming followed this line of thought, Columbina suddenly spoke up from within his Mental Sea of Consciousness:

"To the southeast... there are some auras I find very unpleasant... About eight hundred meters from our position, it seems a little girl is running toward us as fast as she can. She feels very distressed..."

After finishing these words, Columbina fell silent once more.

Although she did not say it outright, Xu Tianming could sense that she wanted to help the stranger. Perhaps fearing she would cause him trouble, she had merely shared what she perceived without making a specific request.

Heavens, what a considerate little dove!

In truth, Xu Tianming himself could not stand the anti-human rats of the Holy Spirit Cult. Since he had stumbled upon them, it was their own bad luck!

Thinking of this, Xu Tianming's resolve hardened, and he pointed toward the southeast:

"Uncle, it seems a girl over there has run into some trouble. Could we go and help her?"

Inside the Mental Sea of Consciousness, Columbina was deeply moved by Xu Tianming's words and whispered a thank you.

Xu Tianming waved his hand dismissively, looking into her newly opened eyes, and said with a serious tone:

"Columbina, you and I are in a symbiotic relationship. There is no need for such formality between us. I hope you can treat me like family from now on. If there is anything on your mind, just say it, alright?"

Columbina thought for a moment before nodding:

"Family? Very well, I will try to adopt that role... but how do family members interact? I have not learned this yet. Could you teach me?"

The first part of her response delighted Xu Tianming, but the latter left him stunned.

He was to teach Columbina how to be his family?

How exactly should he go about that?

Should he choose a proper, serious method, or perhaps a less conventional one?

It was such a difficult choice!

However, just as Xu Tianming hesitated, Columbina frowned, looking puzzled:

"I sense that you are thinking of something inappropriate. Did my words just now make things difficult for you? If so, I can find a way to learn on my own."

At these words, Xu Tianming's thoughts instantly returned to a serious track:

"No, no! It is not difficult at all. I was just thinking about something else..."

Yet, just as Xu Tianming was about to continue, Mavuika, who had been recovering her strength nearby, suddenly stood up. She wrapped an arm around Columbina's shoulders, shot Xu Tianming a look that said "I know what you're thinking," and gave a wicked smirk before speaking in a serious tone to the little dove whose snowy shoulders she held:

"I think that since this guy usually needs to cultivate his spirit power to grow stronger, he certainly won't have the time to teach you how to be family. But as it happens, I have experience in this area, and I have plenty of time. How about I teach you how family members should get along?"

For some reason, Xu Tianming felt as though Mavuika had seen right through his thoughts. He was so unnerved that he dared not continue the topic, fearing she might say something that would ruin his image in front of Columbina:

"Well, since Mavuika is willing to teach you, let her do it. I am going to go with Uncle to see what happened to that girl!"

With that, Xu Tianming's consciousness retreated from the Mental Sea of Consciousness with unprecedented speed.

Kong Deming had originally wanted to avoid meddling in other people's affairs.

But seeing the expectant look in his nephew's eyes, he could not bear to refuse.

After thinking it over carefully, those rats were not particularly strong. As long as he remained cautious and left no evidence behind, the matter would not affect the Sun Moon Empire.

Having convinced himself, Kong Deming nodded:

"Very well, let us help her. Consider it an act of charity to pray for your mother's blessings."

With that, Kong Deming used his spirit power to lift Xu Tianming's body, and they sped off in the direction of the girl.

Although Ye Guyi was much tougher than her peers, she was, in the end, only a seven-year-old child who had yet to obtain her first spirit ring.

Even with a firm will, after running at full speed for four hundred meters, her stamina was nearing exhaustion. Her legs were growing numb, and her throat burned with a searing pain.

Yet she dared not slow her pace, for she knew that the moment she stopped, all hope of rescuing her parents would be lost forever.

Perhaps the heavens were merciful, for just as her strength was on the verge of total collapse, two figures—one old and one young—appeared before her without the slightest warning.

The youth looked to be about her age, yet he possessed such handsome features that, after only a single glance, Ye Guyi could not help but feel a flicker of goodwill toward him.

However, these chaotic emotions lasted only a moment. After catching her breath for two seconds, she had no time to ponder how these two had appeared or whether they were friend or foe. Hardening her heart, she dropped straight to her knees and pleaded in a voice choked with sobs:

"Please, I beg you to save my mom and dad! I truly have no one else to turn to. I'm begging you to show mercy—if you can help my parents, I'll do anything you ask!"