" Qiu'er and I are going to the Heavenly Court."
" The Heavenly Court?!"
Ye Fan nearly dropped the steamed bun in his hand, wondering if he had misheard.
"What... what did you say?"
Ye Fan looked at the Xiao Nannan in surprise, his voice trembling slightly, "You said you're going to... Heavenly Court?"
You even know about the Heavenly Court?
The Xiao Nannan nodded, and in her soft, sweet voice, uttered a sentence that almost made Ye Fan stumble. "Yes, go to the Heavenly Court to see Lin Hao."
"See Lin Hao? Heavenly Emperor Lin Hao?!"
Ye Fan's voice suddenly rose, attracting the attention of a few pedestrians outside the alley.
He quickly lowered his voice, but he couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes. After all, he had kindly given the steamed bun, and it seemed like a 'lost' child was going to the Heavenly Court?
Could she have some connection to the Heavenly Court?
Ye Fan was skeptical, after all, the Xiao Nannan's expression was too serious, and there was no hint of joking in her big, clear eyes.
Even more strangely, the golden-haired little beast in her arms, called " Qiu'er," also raised its little head at this moment.
She glanced at Ye Fan with those golden eyes, her gaze seemingly carrying a sense of "making a fuss over nothing."
Thinking about it, Ye Fan couldn't help but ask curiously, "Little sister, do you know what you're saying?"
What is the Heavenly Court? What is the Heavenly Emperor? You...
"Why... why are you going to the Heavenly Court? What do you want to see the Heavenly Emperor for?"
The Xiao Nannan blinked blankly, looked at Qiu'er in her arms, and whispered, "I don't know."
Ye Fan was taken aback. "You don't know? Then how come you..."
This answer completely baffled Ye Fan.
"But I knew I had to go to the Heavenly Court to see that Lin Hao."
The Xiao Nannan continued calmly, "I should know when I see him."
Ye Fan remained silent for a long while before finally speaking with difficulty, "'You should know by now'? Little sister, the Heavenly Court is not an ordinary place, and the Heavenly Emperor is not someone you can just meet casually."
Did you... misremember something? Or were you misled?
The Xiao Nannan shook her head, didn't say anything, and just continued to eat her steamed bun in small bites.
After Qiu'er finished her portion, she elegantly licked her paws, looked up at Ye Fan, and her golden vertical pupils gleamed with a strange light.
"Hey, human, you seem to know quite a bit about the Heavenly Court?"
Ye Fan smiled wryly, "I wouldn't say I know anything about it, I've only heard of it."
How could someone like me possibly truly understand that kind of existence?
"Do you know where the Heavenly Court is?" Qiu'er asked.
"It's said to be... in White Jade Capital, but I don't know exactly how to get there."
Ye Fan spoke frankly, " The White Jade Capital is mysterious and unpredictable, and its entrance is elusive. Ordinary cultivators would never have the chance to see it in their entire lives."
Besides, even if you find it, you can't get in without a special token or guide.
Qiu'er tilted her head, seemingly thinking about something, and after a moment said:
"Then you take us there."
"What?!" Ye Fan almost jumped up. "I'll send you to the Heavenly Court? Are you kidding me! I don't even know where the Heavenly Court is, how am I supposed to send you there?"
"But you seem like a good person."
The Xiao Nannan suddenly looked up, her clear black and white eyes staring straight at Ye Fan. "And the aura emanating from you... is very pleasant."
"Breath?"
Ye Fan looked completely bewildered.
The Xiao Nannan didn't explain further; she simply held Qiu'er and quietly watched him.
Ye Fan suddenly felt a headache.
Reason told him that this was definitely a big problem.
A little girl of unknown origin who claims to want to see the Heavenly Emperor; a mysterious little beast that can talk and is called the " Emperor Auspicious Beast"...
This combination inherently implies endless unknowns and risks.
Moreover, what kind of place is the Heavenly Court? What kind of being is the Heavenly Emperor?
Ye Fan is merely Desolate Ancient Sacred Body, trapped in the Bitter Sea of Bitterness, his cultivation path almost severed. Even a minor sect like Lingxu Cave Heaven might not even look at him. What makes him think he can get involved in matters of this level?
But looking into the Xiao Nannan's clear eyes, Ye Fan found himself unable to refuse.
It wasn't out of pity.
While there was certainly an element of sympathy, a deeper feeling was something indescribable.
This little girl has a unique charm that makes people feel at ease, as if she can naturally put their guard down.
More importantly, Ye Fan could see no malice or scheming in her eyes, only a pure, almost naive obsession.
Although Qiu'er in her arms spoke with a hint of arrogance, her obedient manner while eating the buns and her quiet posture while squatting in the little girl's arms made Ye Fan unable to feel any ill will towards her.
"I..."
Ye Fan opened his mouth, but finally sighed, "I can try to find out information about the Heavenly Court for you, but sending you there... I really can't do it."
I myself am just a novice cultivator who has just entered the world of cultivation, and I haven't even truly opened up the Bitter Sea yet, how could I possibly...
"You'll agree," Qiu'er suddenly interrupted him, a barely perceptible glint in her golden pupils, "Because you want to know too, right?"
Ye Fan was taken aback.
"We want to know who we are, why we're going to Heavenly Court, and why we're here."
Qiu'er's voice carried an inexplicable certainty, "Besides, you're not the kind of person who would just let things go unchecked."
Ye Fan fell silent.
Qiu'er is right.
From Earth to the Big Dipper, from an ordinary person to barely stepping into cultivation, Ye Fan has experienced too many incredible things.
Nine Dragons Pulling a Coffin, Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, the Ruins of the Great Thunderclap Temple on the Yinghuo Ancient Star...
Each item challenged the limits of his understanding.
But now, what this man and beast represent may be another mystery.
More importantly, Ye Fan couldn't possibly let such young children wander alone, especially after learning that they were headed to the legendary Heavenly Court.
What if they really do have some special identity? What if they really are related to the Heavenly Emperor...?
Is my Desolate Ancient Sacred Body with that Heavenly Emperor...?
Once the thought arises, it can never be suppressed.
"All right."
Ye Fan took a deep breath and made a decision, "I can try to take you to inquire about the Heavenly Court, and even... if possible, escort you for a while."
But there are a few things I must clarify first.
Xiao Nannan and Qiu'er were both looking at him.
"First, I know very little about the Heavenly Court myself, so I can only do my best and cannot guarantee success."
Secondly, if we encounter danger on the road, my abilities are limited, and I may not be able to protect you completely.
third..."
Ye Fan looked at the Xiao Nannan, "I need to know more about you."
What's your name? Where do you come from? Why must you see the Heavenly Emperor? Even a vague memory would be helpful.
The Xiao Nannan thought for a moment and said softly, "My name is Nannan."
Where I came from... I don't remember.
Why I saw the Heavenly Emperor... I don't remember either.
But I just knew I had to go.
This is tantamount to saying nothing at all.
Ye Fan smiled wryly, but he knew that it was pointless to press a little girl who seemed to have amnesia.