As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yao raised a hand and pressed it to Xiao Qing's brow. A pale blue glow spread from his fingertips and seeped through her forehead into her mind—the obscure runes of the Secret of the Formation Character, the positional principles of setting formations, techniques for identifying formation eyes, and the foundational insights into formations he had accumulated over years of cultivation flowed slowly into the girl's consciousness like a stream.
Xiao Qing had still been sobbing, but as unfamiliar yet clear knowledge flooded into her mind, her eyes gradually widened, and her tears came to a stop.
She reached up and grabbed Xiao Yao's sleeve, her little face filled with confusion and delight. "Cousin... is this... knowledge about formations?"
"Yes." Xiao Yao withdrew his hand, and the glow at his fingertips slowly faded. Seeing the light return to Xiao Qing's eyes, he said gently, "Study hard. Formations can not only protect you, but also protect the Xiao Clan in the future. When we return, we must see Qing'er become a powerful formation master."
"Cousin Xiao Yao, I'll definitely cultivate diligently." Xiao Qing nodded firmly at Xiao Yao. Though her eyes were still red, a faint smile appeared on her face.
Watching this scene, the Third Elder clasped his hands toward Xiao Yao, his voice slightly choked. "Thank you, Young Clan Leader, for nurturing Qing'er. This old man thanks you on her behalf."
Xiao Yao said nothing more. He merely turned and walked over to Xiao Li. "Second Brother, when are you leaving for the Black-Corner Region? Why not leave with us?"
Xiao Li waved a hand and grinned. "Third Brother, the Xiao Clan is practically a sacred land for cultivation now. Let your Second Brother settle down here for a while and improve my