Xiao Yao watched their reactions and could not help sighing inwardly. As expected, I really do have a storyteller's talent. I got them absorbed in my story so quickly.
Little did Xiao Yao know that he would later regret telling them this story tonight, to the point that he would no longer be able to cultivate and refine pills in peace.
He continued the tale, recounting Little Dot's path of cultivation.
He told them how Little Dot had had his Supreme Bone dug out when he was young, yet still displayed abilities far beyond ordinary people. Gifted beyond measure and peerless in battle, he had received the guidance of the renowned Willow God and cultivated the Primordial True Explanation. Later, he obtained the Kun Peng Treasure Art in Kun Peng's Nest, becoming invincible among those of the same realm.
From then on, he swept across the Void God Realm and the Desolate Region. In the Void God Realm, he slew Shi Yi, his same-clan elder brother and the dual-pupiled one who had stolen his Supreme Bone. In the end, he became a powerful Human Sovereign in the Lower Realm.
Xiao Yao's words were full of passion and infectious energy, as though they had transported his listeners into that mysterious, ancient world. Xun'er and Xiao Yan listened with rapt attention, seemingly forgetting everything around them as they immersed themselves completely in the tale.
After some time, Xiao Yao saw that it had grown late. He paused to rest his throat, then said in a deep voice, "If you wish to know what happens next, tune in next time."
When the story ended, Xiao Yao looked at their reactions and felt a surge of relief and delight. He knew that he had successfully brought them into that world and filled them with anticipation and yearning for the path of cultivation.
Eager to know what would happen to Little Dot afterward, Xun'er grabbed Xiao Yao's hand and shook it, pleading sweetly, "Xiao Yao, please, tell us a little more about what happened afterward. I still want to know how Little Dot dealt with the Seven Gods descending into the Lower Realm."
Seeing Xun'er's anxious expression, Xiao Yao gently patted the back of her hand and smiled. "All right, all right, Xun'er. Don't rush. Since you want to know so badly, I'll tell you what happened to Shi Hao next."
At those words, Xun'er's eyes immediately lit up. She eagerly sat down beside Xiao Yao, ready to listen to the rest of the story.
Xiao Yan also stopped eating. After taking a sip of cola, he leaned closer to listen to Xiao Yao's account of what happened next.
Xiao Yao cleared his throat and began telling them of the new challenges and opportunities Little Dot encountered in his later adventures. He described how, after quelling the chaos caused by the Seven Gods descending into the Lower Realm, Little Dot had dug out the Supreme Bone that had regrown within him when he was on the verge of death and given it to his younger brother. He had later endured through it by sheer force of will, then gone to the Upper Realm under the alias Desolate.
Xun'er listened, utterly entranced, completely immersed in that mysterious and challenging world. She seemed to see Little Dot's valiant struggles in the Lower Realm, hear his impassioned cries, and feel his unwavering faith and determination.
Xiao Yao told the story with great care. Through it, he wanted to convey courage and perseverance to Xun'er, so she would understand that only through constant effort and challenging oneself could one achieve one's dreams and goals.
Xiao Yao rose to his feet and said to Xiao Yan, "Little Flame, it's late. You should head back." Xiao Yan seemed to still be immersed in the story, but Xiao Yao's voice suddenly pulled him out of it. He got to his feet and replied, "Brother Yao, I'll head back first, then. I'll come by sometime and listen to you finish the story. Heh!"
Turning around, Xiao Yao saw tears glimmering in Xun'er's eyes. He quickly took her hand and comforted her, "Silly girl, don't be sad. It's only a story. It isn't real."
Xun'er choked back a sob. "Xiao Yao, Little Dot is too pitiful. Do you think there could be someone in this world who has gone through something like that?"
Xiao Yao raised his head and looked toward the vast starry sky, smiling as he said, "Xun'er, look up at the sky. Perhaps beyond this boundless sea of stars, there really is someone like him."
At that moment, Xiao Yao lightly leaped up onto the roof. Lying beneath the eaves, he seemed to merge with the night sky.
He gazed up at the brilliant heavens, where countless stars glittered like sparkling diamonds scattered across the sky, beautiful enough to take one's breath away.
Xiao Yao gently closed his eyes and felt the night breeze brush across him, a sense of tranquility and peace rising in his heart.
"Xun'er, do you want to come up and enjoy the view?" Xiao Yao called softly.
Xun'er looked up at Xiao Yao, wiped away her tears, and answered quietly, "All right, Xiao Yao. I want to see that vast starry sky too."
As she spoke, she carefully climbed onto the roof and came to Xiao Yao's side. She lay down, resting against his shoulder, and the two of them looked up at the stars together.
Xiao Yao stroked her head and teased, "Silly girl, you actually learned to hide your cultivation from your Brother Xiao Yao. At such a low height, you could have gotten up here with a light jump. Don't think I can't see through your cultivation."
Xun'er's face reddened slightly. Puffing out her cheeks, she said, "Xiao Yao, you're not allowed to laugh at Xun'er. It's just that I've stayed by your side for so long that I forgot I don't need to hide it from you."
Xiao Yao gently wrapped an arm around Xun'er's shoulders and pointed at the starry sky. "Look, don't those stars resemble the worlds we live in? Could each one represent a Small World?"
Listening to Xiao Yao's description, Xun'er seemed to feel the immensity and mystery of the starry sky. She asked softly, "Xiao Yao, do you think other worlds exist beyond our own, somewhere outside this sea of stars? If so, does that mean those Dou Emperors from the past all shattered the void and went to other worlds?"
Xiao Yao smiled and answered, "Perhaps. The starry sky is so vast that we cannot imagine where its end lies. Perhaps only by becoming a Dou Emperor can one uncover this mystery."
Hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xun'er's heart filled with longing and expectation. She tightly held his hand and murmured, "Xiao Yao, when you grow up in the future, you mustn't forget Xun'er."
The two of them lay quietly on the roof, enjoying that beautiful moment. Beneath the light of the stars, their hearts became even more closely connected, as though they had become an inseparable whole.
Over the following days, Xun'er constantly pestered Xiao Yao, wanting to know about Shi Hao's adventures in the Upper Realm. Even Xiao Yan came by from time to time, all so he could learn how the story continued.
Xiao Yao helplessly covered his forehead and could only compromise as he looked at the two of them. "All right, all right, stop rushing me. I can only tell it at night. I have things to do during the day."
The two exchanged a glance, then both nodded. "All right."
At that moment, Xun'er walked up to Xiao Yao, took his hand, and said bashfully, "Xiao Yao, when you tell stories at night, could you make something delicious for Xun'er like you did that time? Xun'er wants to eat good food while listening to stories. Just thinking about it feels so wonderful."
Seeing Xun'er act so adorably sweet, Xiao Yao was instantly charmed. He could not help laughing, then gently ruffled her hair and said indulgently, "All right, Xun'er. I'll make you something delicious tonight, so you can eat while listening to the story."
The moment Xun'er heard him agree, her eyes lit up. She clapped her hands excitedly and cheered, "That's wonderful! Xiao Yao, I love the food you make most. It's always so delicious!"
Hearing that, Xiao Yan also smiled and said to Xiao Yao, "Brother Yao, the food you make is honestly great. I'll head back first, then. I'll come over on time tonight to eat."
Watching the two of them so happy, Xiao Yao smiled helplessly. "Fine, fine. I'll make you something different tonight."
After hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xun'er's heart filled with anticipation. She imagined tonight's food and story, her heart brimming with sweetness and happiness.
Before you continue