[After that Evil Flood Dragon died, a spatial rift appeared at the bottom of this pool at some point. I don't know where it leads, but there's far too much turbid qi inside.
If my shell leaves, there'll be nothing to hold the rift down. Then the turbid qi and the creatures inside will escape and follow the river, polluting it and affecting many living things. That's why Grandpa Turtle can't leave.]
Qin Yan's mouth fell slightly open. Grandpa Turtle was so pitiful.
Her little face scrunched up. "I'll go back and ask my uncles."
She would see whether her uncles could get Grandpa Turtle out.
The old turtle laughed heartily. [Having you here to talk to me for a while is already more than enough.]
[I don't have much of value. The most important thing is my shell, but unfortunately, you can't take it with you. Have these instead.]
Three plump, round lotus seeds floated up to the little girl.
She opened her palm, and the three lotus seeds settled into her hand.
[I don't know what kind of lotus seeds these are. I only know they're no ordinary seeds. But that's precisely why I can't grow them, so I've kept them stored in my shell all this time.]
Holding the lotus seeds, Qin Yan tipped up her little face and spoke in a soft, sweet voice.
"Thank you, Grandpa Turtle."
She patted around her clothes, her little cheeks puffing slightly.
She had nothing she could give Grandpa Turtle.
"Yanyan will bring you something yummy next time, Grandpa Turtle."
The old turtle was deeply touched, but...
[I'm already dead. I can't eat anymore.]
Qin Yan gazed at the turtle, her little eyes even more sympathetic.
Not being able to eat anything-that was so, so, so pitiful!
[Time to go.