Adoption

Xiling swept them with a cold glance. The few men trembled all over in fright and actually fainted on the spot.

He did not strike again. Someone would deal with scum like them soon enough.

The commotion quickly caught the attention of patrolling Federal police. After learning what had happened, they took the young men away.

With the matter settled, Xiling finally turned around and fixed his gaze on the little girl.

But when Xiling clearly saw the little girl's face, he froze where he stood.

The little girl had rare short silver hair. She looked delicate as a carved doll, and her clear amethyst eyes were misted with tears as she stared at him without blinking.

That distinctive appearance, this strangely familiar scene... Could this be Na'er?!

He immediately suppressed the distracting thoughts in his heart and secretly shook his head. According to the original timeline, Na'er should have been in Aolai City right now. There was no reason for her to appear in Eastsea City. Perhaps they merely looked alike.

After pondering for a moment, Xiling decided to ask her himself and confirm it.

He crouched down, gently stroked the top of the girl's head, and said softly, "Don't be afraid. The bad people who bullied you have already been taken away."

"My name is Xiling. What's your name, little sister? Why are you here alone? Where are your father and mother?"

The little girl lowered her eyes slightly, her slender little hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes. Her soft, sweet voice carried a hint of a sob.

"My name is Na'er. I don't know where Father and Mother are. When I woke up, I was already here."

Upon hearing that name, Xiling's feelings instantly became complicated.

Could someone tell him why a plotline that was supposed to happen in Aolai City was playing out in Eastsea City?!

His head felt like it was not enough to process this. He had transmigrated here, but he had not deliberately changed the plot. Why had the story deviated anyway?

No matter how long he thought about it, he could not make sense of it.

Of course, if Xiling knew that the commotion from his martial soul awakening had swept across the entire Douluo Continent, he would not have found it so strange.

Just then, a soft rumbling sound came from Na'er's stomach.

A faint blush instantly spread across Na'er's cheeks, and her amethyst eyes timidly lowered.

Seeing Na'er's embarrassed appearance, Xiling silently sighed. Since I've run into her, I might as well see this good deed through.

He held out his right hand and said gently, "You must be starving. Big Brother will take you to eat something delicious."

At those words, Na'er slightly raised her lowered eyes. Looking at Xiling's outstretched palm, her slender, fair little hand hesitated for a moment before lightly resting in his.

Xiling gently closed his hand around her slightly cool one. Her hand was tiny and soft, trembling faintly with nervousness.

Holding Na'er's hand, he slowly stood and headed toward a nearby barbecue restaurant.

The lingering light of the setting sun filtered through the roadside branches and leaves, scattering mottled patches across Xiling's face and outlining the gentle lines of his profile. Even the slight chill in his brows and eyes was softened by the glow of the sunset.

Na'er looked up at him and forgot to look away for a moment. The fear and unease in her heart gradually dissipated at that instant.

Barbecue Restaurant

Xiling stared at Na'er, who was still eating nonstop across from him, then at the stack of plates beside her that was taller than she was. He fell into deep thought.

Was this the appetite of the Silver Dragon King's other half? How could such a tiny body hold so much food?

If he had not become Leng Yaozhu's disciple today and received such a windfall, he truly would not have been able to afford to raise this big-eating dragon.

Na'er, however, seemed to have completely let go of her worries. Her amethyst eyes contained nothing but the food in front of her.

She gripped skewers in her little paws and ate with a look of utter satisfaction. A faint smear of oil clung to the corner of her mouth, making her look adorably dazed and cute.

Only after swallowing another grilled gluten skewer did Na'er finally stop. She rubbed her round little belly and let out a tiny, satisfied burp.

She looked up and met Xiling's gaze. As if suddenly remembering something, she clumsily raised a little hand and wiped the corner of her mouth. A faint blush returned to her small face as she said softly, "Big Brother... I'm full."

At the same time, she felt a little uneasy. Had she eaten too much and made Big Brother dislike her?

Seeing her innocent and obedient appearance, another figure flashed through Xiling's mind.

A helpless smile appeared on his lips. He pulled out a tissue, leaned over, and gently wiped the oil from Na'er's mouth. His tone became especially tender. "Eat slowly. No one's going to fight you for it. If it isn't enough, we can order more."

Only after speaking did he suddenly realize that he was only six years old. Even if he wanted to adopt Na'er, he did not meet the requirements to do so.

Besides, he lived in the academy dormitory with three roommates. He could not exactly bring Na'er back to the dorm with him, could he?

After thinking it over, it seemed he could only ask someone for help. As for whom to ask, he had already made up his mind.

After paying the bill, Xiling took Na'er's little hand and headed toward the orphanage under the astonished stares of the owner and the other customers.

By then, the sun had mostly set, and dusk was deepening.

Walking slowly, the two soon arrived before the orphanage gates.

Na'er looked at the unfamiliar courtyard and frowned slightly. She instinctively shrank back and asked in a small voice, "Big Brother, what is this place?"

"This is an orphanage. Lots of children without families live here," Xiling explained gently. "I'll arrange for you to stay here temporarily. No one will bully you here."

The moment she heard that she would be separated from Xiling, Na'er panicked. Tears immediately welled in her eyes, and she tightly grasped Xiling's sleeve with her little hand. Pouting pitifully, she said,

"Na'er doesn't want to stay here. Na'er wants to stay with Big Brother."

Just as Xiling was about to say something, a familiar voice came from inside the courtyard. "Xiling, why are you here so late?"

"At this hour, shouldn't you be studying at the academy?"

The person approaching was a kind old man in his sixties or seventies. He was the director of this orphanage, the very man who had found Xiling years ago and raised him.

The old man walked toward them with a warm smile on his face. When his eyes fell on Na'er, who was timidly clutching Xiling's sleeve beside him, surprise surfaced in his gaze.

"Grandpa Director," Xiling called softly. He raised a hand and gently patted Na'er's tense hand, signaling that she did not need to be afraid.

A short while later, in the director's office.

"Xiling, you mean you want this old man to adopt this little girl in my name?"

"And then buy a house outside for the two of you to live in?"

Xiling scratched his head sheepishly. "Yes, Grandpa Director."

"You've seen it too. Na'er is always attached to me, and she doesn't want to live at the orphanage. I can't exactly take her back to my dormitory."

As he spoke, he took out a card and placed it on the table. "There are more than nine million in this card. A Titled Douluo from the Spirit Pagoda gave it to me today when I became her disciple."

Then he pressed his palms together and looked at the old man with an expectant expression. "Please, Grandpa Director!"

Hearing that Xiling had become the disciple of a Titled Douluo, the director was naturally happy for him.

But faced with Xiling's two requests, the director could not help but feel troubled, and he hesitated.

The two children were not even twelve years old combined. Could they really take proper care of themselves at such a young age?

But on second thought, Xiling had been sensible and independent ever since he could remember. He had never caused him the slightest worry.

Then he looked at Na'er, who clung tightly to Xiling with eyes full of dependence. In the end, the director's heart softened, and he helplessly nodded.

"You child, I really can't say no to you."

"But you should take this card back. Your teacher gave it to you, and soul masters have many expenses. Keep it for yourself."

"As for the house, don't worry. Leave it to me. This old man has saved enough over the years to arrange a place for you to live."