286: Take in Yu'er

[Ji Yao stood frozen in place, her pupils dilating slightly—]

[From these few words, she seemed to have touched upon a vast world she had never imagined, one so immense it inspired despair.]

[Her long-held perceptions, her pride, and even her reverence for the words "Soul Transformation" were silently overturned at this moment.]

[She slowly and deeply bowed her head, her shoulders trembling almost imperceptibly, as a hot tear slid down her cheek without warning.]

["I... understand," her voice was slightly raspy, yet exceptionally clear. "Thank you for your guidance... Senior."]

[She respectfully gave you a deep bow, then without another word, turned and walked out of the small courtyard step by step.]

[You watched her disappear, shook your head, and picked up your teacup again, taking a sip of the cooling tea.]

[After finishing the last imperial lotus fruit, Qin Han leaned over and rubbed his furry head against the back of your hand, his round eyes full of confusion:]

["Daddy, why... why is she crying? Is the fruit not tasty?"]

[You rubbed his little head and didn't answer—]

[Once Karma is entangled, how can it be shaken off so easily?]

[Furthermore, she was tied to the entire Tianyu Immortal Dynasty, unlike Yu'er, who was lonely and helpless, all alone in the world.]

[Nor was it like the relationship between you, the Tianhuang Continent, and the Liu Clan Immortal Family, where positions were inherently opposed and the Karma was clear; it could simply be severed.]

[Unless it was the kind of Karma that followed the natural flow and had clear boundaries, which you could calmly accept or even turn to your own use.]

[But like Ji Yao, who originally had no connection but actively entangled herself due to circumstances and human intentions, there were too many branches and too many tangled roots—]

[Once tainted, it would be impossible to untangle or set straight.]

[You didn't want to get involved.]

[At least, not for now.]

[The next day, morning light filled the courtyard.]

[You sat quietly in the pavilion in the yard, your spirit wandering through the natural Dao.]

[However, a commotion in a street not far outside the mansion quietly tugged at a strand of your Divine Thought—]

[A Foundation Establishment guard responsible for "patrolling and showing goodwill" outside your mansion had caught a little girl trying to spy; it was Yu'er.]

[Yu'er was acting on Han Xue's orders to secretly monitor your movements and the situation within the mansion—]

[This was something you were already well aware of.]

[In fact, how could she be the only one among the informants and spies, both overt and covert, inside and outside your mansion now?]

[The guard, as if he had secured a monumental achievement, carried the thin and small Yu'er and rushed to your mansion gate. He bowed respectfully, his voice carrying uncontrollable excitement:]

["Senior! This Junior has caught a suspicious spy peeking at the mansion! May I ask... how she should be dealt with?"]

[Things like this happened almost every day—]

[Those who wanted to curry favor with you were only too eager to bring some "achievements" before you.]

[In the past, you had simply refused silently, letting them handle it themselves.]

[But Yu'er... was different after all—]

[Given her current situation, she had no choice at all.]

[The tightly closed gate of your mansion suddenly made a "buzzing" sound and opened inward on its own.]

[At the same time, a streak of light shot out from the courtyard and hovered in front of the Foundation Establishment guard—]

[It was actually a Top-Grade Spirit Stone, rich in Spiritual Qi and shimmering with light!]

["Let her in," your voice drifted faintly from within the courtyard.]

[The guard was stunned. After seeing the object clearly, he was instantly overjoyed—]

[This was a Top-Grade Spirit Stone bestowed by a Soul Transformation Senior!]

[To a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like him, its value was worth more than his life!]

[He trembled with excitement, his teeth chattering.]

[He seemed to see the scene of taking this Spirit Stone back to the Family, where the Clan Chief and Elders would be shocked and overjoyed, looking at him with newfound respect—]

[From then on, his status in the Family would surely be completely different!]

["Thank... thank you, Senior! Thank you for the generous gift, Senior!!"]

[His voice was shrill and trembling, his words incoherent. He almost threw himself down in a kneel, using his trembling hands to hold the Top-Grade Spirit Stone in his palms with the most devout posture.]

[Wild joy made him dizzy, but his remaining reason pulled at him fiercely—]

[He must not lose his composure, must not be greedy, and certainly must not take another look at the Senior's mansion!]

[He stood up abruptly, bowed deeply toward the mansion gate again, and did his best to suppress the urge to continue expressing his loyalty.]

[Then, carefully and gently, he pushed the still-dazed Yu'er inside the gate.]

[He himself stood on his tiptoes and retreated with held breath until he reached the corner of the street. Only then did he dare to turn around, press the hot Spirit Stone tightly against his chest, and fly away on his sword.]

[You were also somewhat helpless—]

[You really didn't have any Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts suitable for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.]

[Generally speaking, Qi Refining uses Magical Artifacts, Foundation Establishment uses Spiritual Artifacts, and only at Golden Core does one begin to refine a Lifebound Treasure. You had no choice but to dismiss him with this "Top-Grade Spirit Stone."]

[Yu'er was pushed through the door, her little face tense, full of nervousness and unease—]

[She kept her head down, walked hesitantly to you, slightly raised her eyes to steal a quick glance at you, and then immediately looked down again—]

[This face of yours had once been the source of her deepest nightmares: the face of the demonic cultivator who "massacred" her entire village.]

[Although she later learned that it wasn't the real you and that someone had impersonated you, the bone-deep shadow cast by this appearance was already deeply rooted in her heart, hard to erase.]

[You were also quite familiar with her current situation: because of her poor Aptitude, her cultivation had barely reached the Qi Refining Early Stage. She had been kept by Han Xue and became one of the hundreds of low-level informants Han Xue planted in the Imperial City.]

[Perhaps it was precisely because she had seen you before that she was specifically arranged to monitor this place.]

["Yu'er," you put away your thoughts and gave a gentle smile. "It seems we are indeed fated. Destiny has brought you before me after all."]

[Yu'er pursed her lips tightly, her small hands clutching the hem of her clothes, and remained silent.]

[You didn't mind and continued, "Would you... be willing to stay by my side from now on?"]

[Hearing this, she suddenly looked up, her eyes wide with shock as she looked at you, as if she had heard the most incredible thing—]

[In her heart, this face of yours always reminded her of the tragic scene of her village being destroyed and her parents dying a miserable death.]

[Her throat moved, and her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, trembling with disbelief:]

["You... you're not going to kill me?"]

[You smiled and shook your head, your tone peaceful:]

["To some extent, that demonic cultivator committed those crimes disguised as me, harming your parents and the lives of the entire village. Am I... not also one of the victims?"]

[Yu'er was stunned, a trace of confusion flashing across her small face, and then she slowly and very slightly nodded—]

[She had never thought of it from this perspective.]

[In her eyes, you were just the most familiar stranger.]

[You looked at her, your voice slowing down:]

["Now, the mastermind Prince Ji Heng has been executed, and this Karma can be considered settled."]

["You should also try to... let go of the past and live once more for yourself."]

[Qin Han popped out from somewhere and squatted curiously at your feet, tilting his head to observe the little girl who was so nervous she was almost shrinking into a ball.]

["Little sister, don't be afraid. My daddy is a good person!" Qin Han said with a serious face.]

[Looking at Qin Han's honest face and clear eyes, the worry in Yu'er's heart mysteriously dissipated by more than half.]

[It was as if Qin Han's words carried some sort of soothing power, causing her to unconsciously nod her head gently.]