Entrusting Her Daughter and Becoming a God

It was unknown how long it took before Ye Wanqing came back to her senses.

She gazed at her daughter's face—still youthful, yet already showing hints of stunning beauty, with features that faintly resembled her younger self. Her eyes brimmed with guilt and affection as she softly asked, "Guyi, do you blame Mom? Blame me for being too stubborn and impulsive, for insisting on taking you to investigate those evil soul masters, nearly costing you... your life too, making you worry for me, and even..."

"Mom! What are you saying?!"

Ye Guyi hurriedly interrupted her, shaking her head hard. She said firmly, "How could I blame you? Aren't we mother and daughter? We share the same mission and do the same things. Isn't that only natural?"

Yet Ye Wanqing shook her head, cutting off her daughter's words.

Her gaze grew distant, as though it had pierced through the sky to see a wider, yet crueler world.

She slowly said, "No, Guyi. I thought about it for a while just now."

She paused. Her voice became gentler, yet it carried an unprecedented clarity and resolve. "I realized that what Changqing said... was right."

Ye Guyi stared at her mother in astonishment.

"Even if I don't think for my own sake, I should still consider your safety."

Ye Wanqing's gaze focused on her daughter's face once more, filled with lingering fear and relief. "After all, this is a chaotic age."

"It is no longer the era from ten thousand years ago, when Spirit Hall still stood, order reigned, and evil soul masters could only hide in dark corners."

"Only by staying alive and continuously becoming stronger can we kill more evil soul masters and truly save more people."

"Blind impulsiveness and reckless sacrifice are not only foolish, but also irresponsible toward those who trust us and need us."

She took her daughter's hand. Her grip was not strong, but it was exceptionally firm. With endless hope in her voice, she said, "Guyi, your talent is greater than Mom's was back then. You are the future hope of our Sacred Angel lineage. You must live well and cultivate diligently. Keep striving, carrying Mom's share with you."

Ye Guyi looked at the light in her mother's eyes, a mixture of realization, expectation, and a trace of sorrow that was difficult to detect. Countless emotions welled up in her heart.

In that instant, she seemed to understand many things, yet even more mist seemed to shroud her mind.

Soon, Ye Wanqing slowly turned her gaze toward Li Changqing in the distance.

She stared at the young man who had saved both mother and daughter. A complicated expression filled her eyes.

There was gratitude, and there was scrutiny, but more than anything, there was a decision reached after careful consideration.

"Child."

She called softly, her voice weak but clear. "May this aunt ask you for something?"

Li Changqing raised an eyebrow slightly. He neither agreed at once nor rejected her outright.

He walked over and sat beside Ye Guyi, looking calmly at Ye Wanqing. "Tell me first, Auntie. If it's not too difficult, I can take care of it for you without much trouble. But if it's something enormous—"

He paused. His tone was calm, but the distance in it was undisguised. "Then it would be best if Auntie didn't ask. We're not close enough for that, and I can't put myself in danger for you."

His words were direct, even somewhat cold.

Yet neither Ye Wanqing nor Ye Guyi showed any displeasure.

Ye Guyi merely lowered her head as tears silently slid down her face.

She knew Li Changqing was telling the truth.

To him, she and her mother were merely strangers who had happened to cross his path. He had no obligation to brave fire and water for them.

The world was this cruel. No one owed anyone anything.

However, contrary to expectations, a relieved smile appeared on Ye Wanqing's pale, weak face.

"Child, you misunderstood."

She gently shook her head and said warmly, "It isn't anything difficult. I only want you to look after Guyi a little on the road ahead, teach her some principles for dealing with people and the world, and tell her how she should survive in these times."

She paused, her gaze turning soft and sorrowful. "After I'm gone, she'll be all alone in this world. I truly can't rest easy, but I can't find anyone I can entrust her to."

"Don't worry!"

Ye Wanqing looked earnestly at Li Changqing, as if afraid of being refused. "My daughter won't cause you trouble. On the contrary, she can help you. No matter what, her Martial Spirit is the Sacred Angel Martial Spirit, which naturally restrains evil soul masters. She can be useful in many situations."

Hearing this, not only was Ye Guyi stunned, but even Li Changqing was somewhat surprised.

He had thought Ye Wanqing would ask him to help avenge her, or escort them somewhere safe.

He had never expected that her final request would be to entrust her daughter to him.

Was that... appropriate?

Li Changqing frowned slightly and fell into thought.

He had always been used to traveling alone. If a young girl suddenly followed him around, would it still be convenient for him to do things in the future?

But if he ignored her, given this girl's personality, she would probably go looking for evil soul masters to fight to the death before long.

The number one ruthless figure of the Unrivaled Tang Sect, always ready to blow herself up, was no joke.

What a headache.

Li Changqing glanced at Ye Guyi, who was kneeling beside her mother.

This girl's looks and talent were beyond reproach. She was absolutely among the best of her peers.

But her personality and brains...

There was really nothing to say.

If he had not happened to pass by today, she would have already detonated her Martial Spirit and perished.

"Mom, I don't need anyone to take care of me!"

Ye Guyi suddenly raised her head. Her eyes were full of tears, but her expression remained stubborn. "I can do just fine on my own! I'll take care of myself, I'll become stronger, I'll..."

"Nonsense!"

Ye Wanqing suddenly raised her voice. Though weak, it carried unquestionable severity.

She glared at her daughter. Her chest rose and fell violently several times before she said between breaths, "Do you think I don't know your personality? After I die, you'll definitely keep hunting evil soul masters without regard for anything else, until you get yourself killed too!"

Ye Guyi opened her mouth, but she could not utter a single word in rebuttal.

Because Ye Wanqing was right.

That was indeed what she had planned.

Her mother had died at the hands of evil soul masters. This hatred and responsibility would burn her heart like blazing fire.

She would cultivate madly and hunt evil soul masters madly, until she avenged her mother, or...

Died in battle in some unknown corner.

Seeing her daughter's silence, a trace of heartache flashed through Ye Wanqing's eyes.

Her tone softened as she gently said, "Guyi, we have no backing, nor do we have enough strength. A person alone cannot go very far. If the two of you are together, you can discuss things when something happens and face enemies side by side."

She paused and looked meaningfully at Li Changqing. "I have always believed that no one can remain clever forever. Sometimes, what you fail to see may not escape someone else's notice. As the saying goes, having a companion by your side is good, even if it is only someone to talk to."

On the surface, these words were directed at Ye Guyi, but in truth, they were a hint to Li Changqing.

She did not have much time left.

If she could not obtain Li Changqing's agreement, she would not be able to die in peace.

Li Changqing understood the meaning in her eyes.

He fell silent for a moment, then finally sighed helplessly. "Auntie, I can agree to this. But let's make one thing clear first. If your daughter refuses to listen and insists on having things her own way, I won't look after her."

He looked into Ye Wanqing's eyes, his tone serious. "I truly don't want to see the Sacred Angel Martial Spirit go extinct. But I also can't put myself in danger for a stranger. That is my bottom line."

Upon hearing this, a relieved smile appeared on Ye Wanqing's face.

She nodded gently, her voice faint but content. "Good... With those words from you, I can rest easy..."

After saying that, she slowly closed her eyes.

Her breathing gradually weakened.

Her presence slowly faded away.

"Mom—!"

Ye Guyi's heart-wrenching cry rang through the night sky.

She tightly embraced her mother's gradually cooling body. Tears burst forth like a broken dam, soaking that peaceful face.

Li Changqing stood to one side, quietly watching the scene. He said nothing and did not step forward to comfort her.

Some wounds needed time to heal.

Some growth needed tears to nurture it.

No one knew how much time passed.

The night grew deeper. The bonfire crackled, illuminating two silent figures.

Ye Guyi knelt beside her mother, her shoulders trembling faintly. Her crying had turned into suppressed sobs.

Li Changqing sat some distance away, watching the dancing flames. Suddenly, he spoke. "Ye Guyi."

Ye Guyi did not respond, as though she had not heard him.

"I have a way,"

Li Changqing continued, his tone calm as if he were mentioning something insignificant. "It might be able to revive your mother."

The moment those words fell, Ye Guyi abruptly raised her head!

Her red, swollen eyes locked onto Li Changqing, filled with shock and disbelief, and even a trace of hope she scarcely dared to wish for.

"W-what way?" Her voice was hoarse and trembling.

Li Changqing looked at her and said each word distinctly, "Become a god."

The moment those two words were spoken, Ye Guyi was completely stunned.