Na'er Regains Her Memories

The days passed one by one, and Xiling truly treated Na'er as his own little sister.

But seeing the little girl cling to him every day, with her entire world seemingly containing only him, he could not help but feel concerned.

Being wholeheartedly depended on by such an adorable little girl naturally warmed his heart.

But he did not want Na'er to cling to him so blindly. Her eyes could hold him, but they could not hold only him.

What was more, he knew full well that Na'er was no ordinary little girl. She was one half of the Silver Dragon King, bearing the fate of the entire soul beast race.

As her brother, there were certain things he had to teach her slowly: what responsibility and duty meant, and what took priority.

Especially when faced with choices of great right and wrong, she had to remain clear-headed and rational. Feelings were fine, but she could never be ruled by them.

Perhaps some people would say that Na'er had lost her memories, forgotten who she was, and forgotten her mission.

That the fate of the soul beast race should not be borne by her, but by Gu Yue, the other half of the Silver Dragon King.

But that was not the case. Her identity as half of the Silver Dragon King meant that this responsibility was hers to bear. It was not a matter of whether she had lost her memories or not. Some responsibilities could not be cast aside simply by losing one's memory.

In the blink of an eye, one semester of primary academy had already passed.

Over that semester, Xiling had finished all the knowledge taught during the three years of primary academy and reached soul power rank 15.

He then submitted an application for leave from the academy in Leng Yaozhu's name. The academy knew they had nothing more to teach this genius, so they approved it.

On the day he received the approval, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows over Na'er, who was clutching the hem of his clothes.

The little girl tilted up her young face, a freshly picked wildflower clutched in her hand, and asked in a soft, sweet voice, "Brother, do you not have to come to the academy for classes every day anymore?"

Xiling smiled and ruffled her soft hair. "That's right. The academy's lessons are too basic. Brother will take you to learn more important things, and I'll also show you the world beyond."

This was not an impulsive decision. He had chosen to take leave not only because the primary academy's knowledge could no longer meet his needs, but also so he could guide Na'er better.

If she remained trapped in the academy's tiny world, living the same routine every day, Na'er's world would only revolve around him more and more.

Only by letting her go out and encounter more people and more things could she gradually broaden her horizons.

And through subtle influence, she could learn to think about matters more deeply.

When the two returned home, Xiling had already made his plans.

Over the past two-odd years, just as the original story had described, Na'er had no martial soul. Because of this, she spent every day with her head hanging low.

Xiling had gone to great lengths to comfort her.

Later, he took Na'er all across the Sun-Moon Federation, where she met many people and experienced many things.

From time to time, he would also teach Na'er soul master theory, knowledge about soul beasts, and the state of the continent.

He explained the entanglements between soul beasts and humans on the continent in simple, easy-to-understand terms. Occasionally, he would tell her stories, weaving the ideas and values he wanted to convey into them.

Learning through play and playing through learning, he slowly planted within her an understanding of the world and of living beings.

What he wanted to do was not push her away, but stay by her side as she slowly grew wings of independence.

Inside a hotel room in Heaven Dou City.

Xiling stood alone by the window, gazing at the street outside. Behind him, Na'er slept soundly on the soft bed, her long lashes resting gently against her cheeks and a faint smile on her lips.

If I calculate the timing, Na'er should regain her memories within the next few days, right? Xiling thought. We should set out for Eastsea City tomorrow.

The next day, while the sky was still barely light, Xiling packed their luggage early and gently woke Na'er, who was still asleep.

Na'er rubbed her bleary eyes, her silver hair tousled as she leaned against his shoulder with a confused expression. In a lazy, soft voice, she asked, "Brother, where are we going today?"

"We're going back to Eastsea City." Xiling reached out and tidied her messy hair, his tone gentle.

"Get up and wash up. Once we finish breakfast, we'll make the soul guide train."

Na'er instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around his. "Mhm~, I'll listen to whatever Brother says."

Along the way, she never left Xiling's side. Her little hand held tightly onto his sleeve, while her purple eyes occasionally stole glances at the youth beside her.

They boarded the soul guide train on time. The carriage was calm and comfortable as the train slowly departed Heaven Dou City, speeding toward Eastsea City.

The scenery outside the window raced backward, with endless green mountains and plains stretching into the distance.

Na'er sat quietly by the window, looking out at the passing scenery with a slightly absent expression.

Xiling sat beside her, his gaze resting lightly on her tranquil profile. Normally, whenever they rode the train, Na'er would surely cling to him and ask him to tell her stories.

But not today. Were her memories beginning to return?

Xiling did not speak to interrupt her. He waited for Na'er to tell him herself.

Neither of them spoke along the way. By the time the soul guide train arrived steadily in Skysea City, the sun was already close to setting.

Xiling took Na'er's hand, and the two got off the train and returned to their long-unvisited home.

After taking their luggage out of the space he had opened up himself, he said to Na'er, who was still standing blankly at the door, "Na'er, go take a bath first. Brother will make dinner for you."

The moment he finished speaking, Na'er, who had been silent the entire journey, suddenly stepped forward and gently hugged him.

"Brother, if one day Na'er leaves, will you miss me?"

The little girl's voice was soft and muffled, her little face pressed tightly against his back.

Xiling froze mid-step. He turned around and gently rubbed the top of Na'er's head, asking instead, "Then does Na'er think Brother should miss you?"

Na'er raised her head, a faint sheen of tears glimmering in her purple eyes. "I... I don't know. But Na'er will miss Brother. Very, very much."

Not long ago, she had remembered everything. As the memories in her mind became increasingly clear, the call from deep within her soul had grown stronger and stronger.

She knew she could not remain by Brother's side any longer, but she could not bear to leave. She could not bear to leave the brother who had loved, spoiled, and protected her for so many years.

Seeing her reddened eyes, Xiling's heart softened. He reached out and gently wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

"You've seemed distracted all day. Did you remember your past memories, and now you're leaving to find your family?"

Na'er stared blankly at Xiling, her little mouth slightly open. "Brother, how did you know?"

Xiling let out a helpless yet doting chuckle. Reaching out, he gently pinched her soft little cheek. "You've written all your worries on your face. Asking a question like that—isn't that the same as telling me you're leaving?"

"But Na'er, remember this: no matter who you are or where you are, this will always be your home."

Na'er's nose stung, and the tears she had barely held back burst forth again. She bit her lower lip hard. "Brother..."

But before Na'er could finish, a pair of hands was already kneading her cheeks without restraint.

"Honestly, don't make it sound like a life-and-death farewell. It's not as if we'll never see each other again."

"Didn't I tell you before? Parting is for the sake of a better reunion next time."

"So stop crying. Our Na'er looks much prettier when she smiles."

As he spoke, Xiling stopped kneading her cheeks and gently hugged her. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he said:

"Go. Do what you want to do, and do what you should do."