Bai Shuanglian was completely stunned.
She never expected that Hong Lingyan would say such things, let alone imagine that she would think she and Ling Xiaoyou had already made a lifelong promise in private.
She understood that Hong Lingyan had misunderstood, but she didn’t want to hide it and tried to explain.
“It’s not like that, Senior, you’ve misunderstood. Xiaoyou and I…”
But before she could finish, Hong Lingyan waved her hand, cutting her off.
Hong Lingyan turned around, clasping her hands behind her back, adopting the air of a wise master.
“As for me, I’m actually a very open-minded guardian.”
“I don’t oppose things like the old-fashioned notion that humans and ghosts are on different paths.”
“So there’s no need for you to be so secretive. Just admit it straightforwardly.”
“I understand all these things. Young people get shy. It’s normal.”
After finishing, Hong Lingyan suddenly turned back.
Seeing Bai Shuanglian still wanting to say something, she waved her hand again.
“Alright, you don’t need to explain anything to me. I just came to check on you this time.”
“I’m quite satisfied with you. I approve of this marriage!”
With that, Hong Lingyan prepared to leave.
Suddenly, she paused, and under Bai Shuanglian’s helpless gaze, she spoke.
“By the way, remember to come to the Exchange Tournament later. I want to see how strong you are and whether you can rank among the new generation.”
“Otherwise, I won’t feel comfortable entrusting her to you!”
After speaking, Hong Lingyan didn’t wait for Bai Shuanglian to reply.
She disappeared on her own, leaving Bai Shuanglian standing on the rooftop, helplessly feeling the gentle night breeze.
For a long time, she sighed softly.
“Can’t you let me finish talking, Senior?”
But even if Bai Shuanglian wanted to explain, Hong Lingyan was already gone.
She couldn’t find her to clarify.
“Forget it, I’d better hurry back to Xiaoyou.”
With that, Bai Shuanglian stepped onto her icy blue longsword and flew away.
***
A few minutes earlier, elsewhere.
“Pen Fairy Sister, I feel much better now. Can we leave this place?”
Xiaoyu had been resting on Ling Xiaoyou’s lap for a while.
Once she felt her energy had mostly recovered and the emptiness in her body lessened, she eagerly looked at Ling Xiaoyou and spoke.
Although she knew that Bai Shuanglian had gone to find her mother, she was still a bit worried and wanted to wait at home for her return.
“Mm, since you say so, Xiaoyu, let’s head back to your house first.”
Ling Xiaoyou nodded her small head.
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyu couldn’t wait to get up from Ling Xiaoyou’s lap, looking at her with an expectant expression.
Ling Xiaoyou slowly stood up and tidied her slightly messy dress.
Honestly, if she wasn’t a Ghost now, with no blood circulation, her legs would definitely be numb from sitting like this!
Hmph, being a Ghost does have its perks!
Ling Xiaoyou thought this as she prepared to take Xiaoyu and leave.
Suddenly, she stopped, realizing something.
She had entered this underground chamber by phasing herself into a ghostly state, so to leave, she would also have to phase out.
But…
How was she supposed to bring Xiaoyu with her?
She hadn’t even unlocked this Gift Tree ability yet!
Ling Xiaoyou was troubled.
Did she have to wait for Bai Shuanglian to return and help them leave?
But if that happened, she’d lose face in front of Bai Shuanglian!
She was supposed to be her nemesis, yet she couldn’t even escort someone out—she’d definitely be mocked!
Grr…
Just imagining Bai Shuanglian’s cold face with a mocking smile made Ling Xiaoyou fume.
She waved her little hand to disperse the thought and fell into contemplation.
There had to be a way to leave.
Otherwise, how did the Devil come and go from here?
Surely they couldn’t phase, too? That would be too absurd.
“What are you thinking about?”
Suddenly, a charming female voice sounded.
Ling Xiaoyou replied instinctively.
“I’m wondering how to take Xiaoyu out.”
After speaking, Ling Xiaoyou froze.
Then she looked toward the source of the voice and shouted in surprise.
“Big Sister Ling, you’re finally here!”
“Aiya, as soon as I got your message, Xiaoyou, I rushed over without stopping.”
Hong Lingyan rubbed Ling Xiaoyou’s small head.
“But it seems I was still a bit late. Things here are already settled.”
“No, there’s still more!”
Ling Xiaoyou quickly explained her recent dilemma.
Hong Lingyan nodded in understanding.
“In that case, let me take you both out.”
“Since I’m here, I should help with something, too.”
As she spoke, Hong Lingyan waved her hand.
In an instant, the world spun, and space shifted.
Before Ling Xiaoyou could react, she found herself at the entrance of Xiaoyu’s house.
“Wow!”
Xiaoyu had been watching this red-haired big sister who had suddenly appeared, but now she couldn’t help but cry out in surprise.
“As expected of Big Sister Ling, so amazing.”
Ling Xiaoyou exclaimed.
She had long known that Hong Lingyan, as a Dongxu Stage Ghost Cultivator, was a master of space.
But she hadn’t expected her abilities to be this impressive.
In a blink, they were transported here, with no disturbance, as if they’d simply taken a step.
Ling Xiaoyou was still marveling when she suddenly saw Xiaoyu’s body stiffen, her expression turning teary.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Ling Xiaoyou.
“Pen Fairy Sister, my… my house collapsed!”
The little girl’s voice was choked, but Ling Xiaoyou still understood.
She hurriedly looked and saw a house reduced to ruins, as if devastated by an earthquake.
“Ah, this must have happened when the Devil left earlier.”
Ling Xiaoyou scratched her head and then turned a pleading gaze toward Hong Lingyan.
Seeing this, Hong Lingyan rubbed her head and smiled.
“Leave it to me.”
As she spoke, Spirit Power surged in Hong Lingyan’s hand.
For a moment, a terrifying force, vast as the sea and deep as the abyss, manifested and then disappeared.
Then, Ling Xiaoyou saw the collapsed Villa restored to its original state.
“Amazing!”
Ling Xiaoyou covered her mouth in shock, looking at Hong Lingyan in disbelief.
Xiaoyu was so overjoyed she forgot to cry, gazing at Hong Lingyan with admiration.
“Big Sister is amazing!”
Bathed in the adoring eyes of the two girls, Hong Lingyan smiled smugly, clearly enjoying the praise.