Meng Chuan's wicked gaze—no, his wicked eyelids—turned toward the sword's owner. He was about to dodge, but with a flicker of thought, he foresaw countless possible futures.
Smack!
So Meng Chuan did not dodge. He let the sword strike him squarely.
"Ah!"
Xiao Nannan cried out. She sprang nimbly from her chair onto Meng Chuan's, took his hand, and peered at the spot where he had been struck.
"Big Brother, are you okay?" she asked anxiously, blowing gently on the spot.
Hearing the worry in Xiao Nannan's voice and feeling the little puffs of air on his hand, Meng Chuan felt wonderful.
At the same time, he could not help reproaching himself. Meng Chuan, oh Meng Chuan. One moment you were contending with a strike at the level of a Quasi-Emperor Light Immortal King. How can you turn around and trick a little girl into worrying about you?
Tai, who had been watching the whole time, could not help calling him shameless. How could he be the Dao Fruit of a man like that?
A Dao Fruit was quite different from a Clone. Though both belonged wholly to Meng Chuan, a Dao Fruit had somewhat more autonomy, and its way of behaving differed greatly from the original.
"Big Brother is fine." Meng Chuan patted Xiao Nannan's back to reassure her, though inwardly he was basking in the care of his Little Padded Jacket.
"Caiyun, you were too impulsive," a woman's voice said.
"I... well... ah!" Another woman sounded thoroughly conflicted before saying to Meng Chuan, "I'm sorry. I acted impulsively just now. I saw you pinching Nannan's cheeks and thought you were bullying her."
"Big Brother would never bully Nannan!" Xiao Nannan declared, lifting her head.
"It's all right. You were worried about her too." Meng Chuan shook his head