After the spiritual energy was restored: Goddess girlfriends came knocking.

Lin Chu stood there for a long time without moving, just looking at Ji Ling.

After a long while, a small face slowly emerged from behind the thick branch, replacing an eye.

But his face still had that expressionless look.

She pursed her lips, glanced quickly at Lin Chu, and then looked away.

This was repeated several times.

Finally, as if summoning up all her courage, she stepped out from behind the tree trunk.

He took small steps, inching his way toward Lin Chu.

He clutched the sapling tightly in his hand, its branches and leaves swaying wildly.

When she reached Lin Chu, she looked up.

Her small face was tense, and her lips were pursed repeatedly.

Before he could even speak, tears began to well up in his golden eyes.

"I'm...I'm sorry."

The voice was low and trembling.

After saying that, before Lin Chu could react, he shoved the sapling in his hand into his palm.

The next instant, a flash of golden light appeared in his eyes, the color quickly faded, and his eyes returned to their clear black and white, teary state.

"elder brother!"

The little girl cried out and threw herself into Lin Chu's arms.

Lin Chu instinctively caught her, and the little one had already hugged his neck tightly, burying her face in his chest.

"Brother, I miss you so much... I miss you so much..."

His voice was muffled, with a heavy nasal tone.

Lin Chu's eyes softened as she raised her hand and gently rubbed the back of her head.

"Your brother is here to pick you up."

Ji Ning didn't say anything, but just snuggled closer to him.

It's like she's trying to make up for all the times she hasn't been able to act cute these past few years.

Tears were wiped all over Lin Chu's clothes as she sniffled.

"I don't want to walk alone anymore... I never want to be alone again..."

As she spoke, she gripped Lin Chu's clothes tightly with her small hands, her voice full of grievance.

"Brother, I... I didn't cry."

"I...I only cried for a very short while."

Lin Chu smiled as she listened and gently patted her back.

"Yes, our Ning'er is the best girl."

Ji Ning raised her head, sobbing, tears still clinging to her eyes.

He sniffed and quickly wiped his face with the back of his hand.

"Yes, I'm sorry, brother."

Lin Chu was puzzled.

So you're apologizing too?

I left without saying goodbye.

Ji Ning lowered her head, her two small hands twisted together, and her voice became softer.

Lin Chu was somewhat surprised to hear this.

"Did you leave on your own?"

Ji Ning shook her head.

"no."

She paused, as if organizing her thoughts.

"Yes...yes, I didn't refuse Xiaoling."

Lin Chu was slightly taken aback.

Little Ling...

Ji Ling?

Lin Chu suppressed her curiosity and reached out to pinch her little face.

"It's okay, brother doesn't blame you."

"real?"

"real."

Ji Ning finally breathed a sigh of relief, and her expression relaxed.

She relaxed. Qinglian stood not far away, sweat dripping from her forehead and down her chin.

It's over.

She wished she could bury herself in the clouds right then and there.

So, the relationship between the Spirit Lord and Young Master Lin is deeper than I imagined.

Didn't I offend both sides before?

Thinking of this, Qinglian even softened her breathing.

He lowered his head even further, praying as if he didn't exist.

……

After a while, the little girl finally calmed down a bit.

She tugged at Lin Chu's hand and turned her head to look at the crowd behind her.

Then he ran over there with a pattering sound.

"Sister Tianxin!"

A smile appeared on Ao Tianxin's face. He bent down slightly and was then embraced by Ji Ning.

I miss you so much!

The little girl buried her face in Ao Tianxin's waist and rubbed against him vigorously.

Ao Tianxin patted her head.

"Your sister misses you too."

Ji Ning hummed twice and then ran to hug Liu Ying.

"Sister Firefly, I miss you so much!"

Liu Ying beamed and picked her up.

Next came Moon-Holding, Frost-Green, and Soaring Wind, none of them missing.

The four names were called out crisply and sweetly.

After hugging the familiar one, Ji Ning finally turned her gaze to Jian Li, who was standing to the side.

Jian Li was also sizing her up.

The two, one big and one small, stared at each other.

Jian Li's eyes were filled with suspicion.

Just this little one.

Did they kill a celestial lord by following the split soul?

Why can't I believe it?

Her face was barely the size of a palm, her eyes were wet, and the tip of her nose was red.

No matter how you look at it, it's just a milk ball.

"This is your sister Jian Li."

Lin Chu had already walked over and spoke with a smile.

"My apprentice."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ning tilted her head up and obediently called out.

"Hello, Sister Jianli."

Jian Li's eyes curved into crescent moons.

She squatted down and pinched Ji Ning's soft face.

"Good girl."

It feels so soft and smooth.

Jian Li couldn't help but tug at it gently again.

Ji Ning didn't dodge, letting her pinch her, and even rubbed her hand against hers.

Qinglian stood behind, watching this scene, and the corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably.

This is a spirit master whom even the clan chief must bow down to and cannot look directly at...

Let people pinch your face like that.

This scene is truly surreal.

However, she felt a little relieved.

Judging from the current atmosphere, I shouldn't be able to die.

"Sister Jianli, why are you staring at me?"

Ji Ning tilted her head and asked.

Jian Li withdrew her hand, stood up, and coughed lightly.

"It's nothing."

She can't very well say, "I'm researching how you kill the Immortal Lord."

"I just think you're really good-looking."

Ji Ning blushed and hid her face behind Lin Chu with a smile.

Shy as she was, she quickly peeked out again, as if she had suddenly remembered something important.

She tilted her little face up, her eyes wide open.

"elder brother."

"Gungun! Where's Gungun?!"

Lin Chu chuckled.

The Emperor's Path is treacherous, so he usually keeps it in his spirit beast pouch.

"You're already here, and you're still thinking about rolling around."

"Rolling is my mount!"

"Yes, yes, yes, your mount."

Lin Chu didn't tease her anymore, and a thought popped into her head.

The opening of the spirit beast pouch loosened, and a black and white shadow rolled out first.

Gun Gun was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly released, and he let out a soft whimper.

Its round body rolled over on the ground, its four paws pointing upwards, its eyes still closed.

Then, its nose twitched.

It's like it smelled something.

His dark, shiny eyes snapped open.

The next second, this chubby guy, with an agility completely disproportionate to his size, kicked off the ground with his four short legs and charged straight at Ji Ning.

"Waaah!"

Gun Gun pounced at Ji Ning's feet, nuzzling his head against her body.

My whole body pressed against it, and my ears were shaking so much they were almost invisible.

"Roll! Roll!"

Ji Ning squatted down, hugged Gun Gun tightly, and buried her face in the black and white fur.

"I miss you so much, Gun Gun."

"Eek..."

"Did you eat your food properly?"

"Waaah."

"Let me see if I've gained weight."

Ji Ning lifted Gun Gun up, her little face serious.

She held the baby up, its four paws dangling down, its belly round and bulging.

"You seem to have gained a little weight."

"Eek."

"But it's okay, I'll still love you even if you gain weight."

Lin Chu stood to the side, her face filled with undisguised doting affection.

Ao Tianxin and the others watched with smiles.

Only Qinglian stared wide-eyed.

Lin Chu watched the two, one human and one bear, frolicking for a while before suddenly remembering the sapling she was still clutching in her hand.

He raised his hand and examined it for a few moments.

This little thing is emerald green all over and full of life.

I can't figure out what's going on.

"Ning'er".

Lin Chu pointed to the sapling in her hand.

"This is?"

Ji Ning didn't even look up, still holding Gun Gun, and casually replied.

"Oh! That's a gift Xiaoling prepared for her brother."

She rubbed her cheek against Gun Gun's and added, "It seems to be... a spirit?"

Lin Chu looked at the sapling in her hand again, puzzled.

A spirit?

"What kind of spirit?"

Ji Ning then raised her head, blinked, and thought seriously for a while.

"Ah! I remember now!"

She clapped her hands.

"Xiao Ling said, this is the spirit of an artifact from the Land of Nothingness!"

Lin Chu's pupils dilated.

He stared at the tender sapling in his hand, which looked so juicy it seemed like he could squeeze water out of it, then looked up at Ji Ning with an incredulous expression.

"You, tell me, what, is, this?"