“What are you laughing at? Could it be that you’re happy to have me as a friend?” Xuan’er looked at Lin Fan with hopeful eyes. Perhaps even children have their own sense of dignity, and this was clearly an opportunity for her to save face.
Lin Fan looked at Xuan’er before him, eventually offering a faint smile and gently patting her head. “Yes, that’s exactly right. I truly want to be friends with you.”
Lin Fan had always liked adorable children. Of course, this wasn’t some creepy uncle’s habit—it was simply that beautiful things naturally attracted him.
“Hehe… I knew it!” Upon hearing Lin Fan’s words, Xuan’er immediately broke into a delighted smile, her fluffy tail wagging joyfully behind her.
“You’re my friend now. From now on, you can just call me Xuan’er. Don’t worry, I’ll play with you often and won’t neglect you.” With a wave of her hand, Xuan’er hopped away happily.
Watching Xuan’er leave, Lin Fan’s lips curled into a slight smile as well.
There was nothing here that could truly stir Lin Fan’s heart anymore. High-grade ancient beasts in the forest were rarely encountered—such chances were akin to winning the lottery.
Therefore, Lin Fan had originally planned to leave this place.
Moreover, he understood that after slaying the Ancient Clan, he had been marked for capture. Staying here would inevitably pose a hidden danger.
Especially with Xuan’er around, Lin Fan became even more determined—he must leave as soon as possible.
This place had remained peaceful and harmonious for a long time. He couldn’t afford to stay too long.
Everything was aimed at the Ancient Clan. He would suppress them and restore peace to the world. Even if the will of Heaven in the Gusheng Realm supported the Ancient Clan, Lin Fan still had the confidence to bring that heavenly will crashing down.
What if they sat high above others? The Heavenly Dao of the Xuanhuang Realm had also once been lofty and untouchable, yet it had ultimately been subdued by him.
Inside a small room, Xuan’er lay on her cozy bed tossing and turning, her cute face carrying a happy smile.
“I have a new friend now, how exciting…” Xuan’er murmured sweetly.
The next day.
As three blazing suns rose into the sky, Lin Fan awoke from cultivation and began packing his belongings, preparing to leave the village.
The more harmonious a place felt, the more he wanted to leave—it was precisely because he didn’t want any calamity to befall the village.
As Lin Fan opened the wooden door, a cheerful, heartwarming smile greeted him from outside.
“Uncle…” Standing at the doorway, Xuan’er sweetly called out with a bright smile, her hands behind her back and her fluffy tail wagging energetically behind her. “Can you take me into the mountains? I really want to go, but the ancient beasts there are so scary, I’ve always been afraid to go alone.”
Looking at Xuan’er before him, Lin Fan finally sighed helplessly, then smiled. “Alright then, no problem.”
Scratching his head, Lin Fan thought to himself, “Well, just this once. I’ll leave tomorrow.”
Seeing the pleading expression in Xuan’er’s eyes, Lin Fan softened. How could he possibly refuse such a small, innocent request?
“I knew Uncle Lin was the best…” At that moment, Xuan’er joyfully hugged Lin Fan’s leg, her cute, delicate face rubbing happily against his thigh.
Seeing Xuan’er’s behavior, Lin Fan couldn’t help but laugh. Even at such a young age, she already knew how to flatter someone.
But right now, this “leg” wasn’t particularly strong. Only after it became a solid, iron-hard ham would it truly be a golden leg.
…
The villagers greeted Lin Fan warmly as he passed, and seeing Xuan’er cheerfully trailing behind him, they smiled knowingly.
“Xuan’er, where are you off to now?”
The friendly villagers, seeing how Xuan’er—who had been unfriendly to humans just a few days ago—was now practically a shadow following Lin Fan, teased her playfully.
Xuan’er stuck out her pink tongue at the villagers, as if to say, “I just don’t feel like talking to you guys today.”
Deep in the mountains.
“Waah, Uncle Lin, you’re amazing!” Sitting up in an ancient tree, Xuan’er clapped her hands joyfully as she watched Lin Fan cleave an ancient beast in one swing of his axe.
Lin Fan casually flipped his long hair, smiling calmly. “Xuan’er, keep it down. This is just an ordinary ancient beast.”
“That’s not true! Normally it takes many people working together to barely kill one ancient beast, but Uncle Lin easily defeats them all by himself. You’re the greatest!” Xuan’er clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
For Lin Fan, having such an adorable audience watching his performance was truly a dream come true.
Especially when hearing Xuan’er’s words of admiration.
His heart swelled with pride.
“Xuan’er, keep it low-key. These are just ordinary beasts, nothing special. Back in the day, I wielded twin axes and completely destroyed an entire ancient beast’s den!” Lin Fan began boasting, sounding more impressive than anyone else, while Xuan’er listened, completely captivated.
But for Xuan’er, every word Lin Fan said was absolutely true, so she clapped even more enthusiastically.
“Uncle Lin, you’re so awesome!”
“Xuan’er, do you believe in Uncle Lin?” Lin Fan smiled as he asked.
“Yes, I believe in Uncle Lin the most!” Looking at Lin Fan, Xuan’er nodded her head like a rattling drum.
“Great, then let’s do something even more spectacular.” At this moment, Lin Fan thought of a way to attract more ancient beasts.
“What kind of spectacular thing?” Xuan’er asked curiously.
Lin Fan gestured with his hand, and Xuan’er happily jumped down from the ancient tree.
…
Then Lin Fan began whispering to Xuan’er. For him, this was a completely new and untested situation.
Initially, Lin Fan had assumed Xuan’er would definitely be afraid and ultimately refuse.
Of course, even if she refused, it wouldn’t matter much—Lin Fan simply wanted to show Xuan’er something more exciting.
But unexpectedly, Xuan’er didn’t hesitate at all and immediately nodded, which surprised Lin Fan somewhat.
“Uncle Lin, I believe in you the most. You’re a hero, and I know you’ll protect me.” Looking at Lin Fan with her adorable eyes, Xuan’er spoke earnestly.
Looking at Xuan’er, Lin Fan finally nodded. “Alright, I promise—I will definitely protect you well.”
“Peck…”
Xuan’er happily hugged Lin Fan’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Yep, I really believe in Uncle Lin.”
Being kissed by such a cute little fox girl, Lin Fan actually felt a bit shy.
She was just as adorable as his young apprentice.
Thinking back, it had been quite some time since he had ascended to the higher realms. He actually missed them a bit.
He wondered how they were doing.
“Uncle Lin, quickly hide. Now it’s my turn to shine!” Seeing Lin Fan lost in thought, Xuan’er shook his arm joyfully.
“Alright… alright.” Lin Fan smiled, then concealed himself beside Xuan’er. Truthfully, he wasn’t entirely confident the ancient beasts would fall for their plan.
“Hey… Uncle Lin, where did you go?” Seeing Lin Fan suddenly disappear, Xuan’er called out in confusion.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m right here beside you,” Lin Fan replied.
“Okay… Xuan’er isn’t scared.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage