234 - Mistress, I Was Wrong

**Chapter 234: Inheritance** "I remember now." Lien suddenly lifted his head and fell heavily to his knees, pressing his fingers fiercely against the aged and unclear wall, which left his fingers raw and bleeding. "Mother, Father, I remember." Qian Wanyu noticed something was off in his expression and quickly signaled Mu Sheng and Zhi Lan to pull him away, "Lien, do you remember everything?" Lien glanced at Qian Wanyu, then at Qian Ziyan and Qian Yiling. Fury in his eyes, he shrugged off Mu Sheng and Zhi Lan's support and roared, "It was your Qian family that forcibly separated my mother and father, causing my father to live a life of despair." Qian Yiling was not pleased at this, "Boy, when did the affairs of the Qian family become your concern?" Qian Wanyu looked at Lien, then raised her eyes to the blood-red Hehuan jade. The inheritance that eluded them for so long suddenly seemed complicated as she recalled a letter from Qian Ying, realizing that it was a massive pit she was meant to fall into. The letter spoke of Qian Ying's deep resentment towards the Qian family and the unspoken matters between the beastkin and the humans... Qian Ying had asked her to seek out the descendants and care for them, which clearly wasn’t a simple task—family enmity, national grudges; what lay between them was an invisible bond. If Lien refused to cooperate, would the inheritance be stuck here, never to see daylight again? "Lien, do you truly understand the story of your mother and father?" Lien glared at Qian Wanyu in anger, "I don’t need you to tell me about my father and mother, I—" In reality, he didn’t know. He never met his mother. According to his father, after his birth, his mother went back to the Qian family, and it was agreed that when this door opened here, it would be a family reunion. So his father left the beastkin tribe, taking him to live in seclusion on Binglian Mountain, waiting for his mother. And that wait stretched a lifetime. "If it weren’t for you, how would I have lost my mother, my father, my home." The wind surrounding Lien lashed out uncontrollably against everyone present. Qian Ziyan and Qian Yiling were visibly taken aback, not expecting the variable would be Lien. Qian Wanyu effortlessly blocked it, scrutinizing the tall man, noticing an unfamiliar seal, sensing a desperation stemming perhaps from failing to properly cultivate after emerging from the Longevity Cauldron, which left Lien with an erratic aura, "Lien, should I call you Lien, or perhaps Rui'er?" Lien trembled, evidently struck by the mention of ‘Rui’er’. Indeed, it was a nickname left by Qian Ying. After losing his memory, Lien unknowingly distanced himself from Binglian Mountain and assumed the life of a beastkin. That name represented his past. Qian Wanyu presumed Lien had left Binglian Mountain still young, and continued, "Let’s call you Lien; although not your biological parents, your adoptive ones raised you as their own." Lien’s mind was led along with her words, recalling his childhood days on Binglian Mountain with his father, clinging to a promise that could never come true, then the smiles of his adoptive parents, and their protective care even at the end. "Yuer, something seems off with Lien." "Hmm." Qian Wanyu deliberately provoked him further, continuing, "Your mother indeed did everything to reunite with you and your father. However—" this promise had been delayed for a century. Lien sorrowfully gazed at the Hehuan jade in midair, remembering his father's words when he placed half of the jade pendant around his neck. His father had said— "This is what your mother left you; when you find the other half, she'll return." The other half is here, but his mother and father will never return. "Why am I still alive?" He had consumed poisoned fruit, yet, here he stood alive. "Qian Ying wanted you to live well, otherwise, she wouldn’t have placed a seal on you." Qian Wanyu mused, feeling the sealing power was akin to Qian Ying’s doing. After all, the Qian family had spirit masters skilled in the wind element. "Wanted me to live?" Lien suddenly hurled a compressed spiritual needle at Qian Wanyu, "The old grudge endings today." "Expected this from you." Qian Wanyu was prepared, the spiritual arrow in her hand clashing brutally with his spiritual needle. The substantial wind-elemental power exploded within the narrow caverns, pushing everyone back. Qian Yiling was perplexed by Qian Wanyu's words, realizing Lien was indeed a wild beast the moment he attacked, "You speak of settling old grudges, being Qian Ying’s son, surely you know the foolishness she did which forced Qian family to declare severance of ties. Now you intend to take on a century-old grievance alone, laughable." "In fact, the Qian family was rather lenient with Qian Ying, merely confining her to the ninth peak of the back mountain." Qian Wanyu piped up to prevent her mother from causing Lien to lose it again. "Your mother absurdly colluded with beastkin to overthrow the three great empires," said Qian Yiling, mercilessly evaluating, "Forgetting Qian family's grace, betraying the empire’s nurture—such ungrateful and unrighteous acts, leaving her alive was foolish, as she shifted half of Qian’s inheritance to the beastkin, a grievous act worthy of immediate execution." Her anger flared, "When we met you at the trade market, you seemed honest enough. Who would’ve thought you’d inherit Qian Ying’s ingratitude, and dare to make audacious claims here!" "Mother, calm yourself." Qian Wanyu saw the cleverness of Qian Ying’s elaborate schemes which still had this effect a century later, "Let's not discuss right or wrong. Lien, ask yourself, how has Ninth Sister treated you? How has my mother?" Qian Yiling was puzzled at the mention of Little Nine, casting a confused glance her daughter’s way. Qian Ziyan discreetly signaled Mu Sheng and Zhi Lan to continue searching, preparing in case Lien exploded again. Mu Sheng and Zhi Lan exchanged looks, having searched everywhere without finding a door corresponding to the Hehuan jade. Meanwhile, Qian Wanyu noted her own Ninth Sister’s various kindnesses towards Lien, "If one day you were asked to kill Ninth Sister, would you commit such an unkind and unjust act?" Lien instinctively shook his head at the mere thought of her. "Similar to what your mother did to our Qian family," she explained, "she betrayed us, was brought back, proclaimed severed though her life was spared; should we have handed Qian Ying over to the empire to truly be ‘righteous’ to you? Ha." Qian Wanyu let out a mocking laugh, adding, "Weigh Qian family's wrongs and rights towards you, having lived nearly a hundred years, if you doubt me, search for the truth yourself. And your mother is indeed here." Lien perhaps sought death, yet the person before him evaded his attempt, longing for relief. Her final words made him look up, his voice hoarse and trembling between hope and fear, "Wh-who did you say is here?" Qian Wanyu extended her hand, revealing a nameless finger from which Qian Ying’s will called out, "Your mother's remains rest on the ninth peak of the Qian family, excellently preserved. Knowing I would seek you, she instructed me to bring her to see you. Here." The finger floated over to Lien. Qian Yiling was a fiery type, frustrated with Qian Ying’s memory stirring such ire, wishing to pummel Lien, but Qian Ziyan restrained her just in time. "Elder brother, why hold me back?" "Leave this for Wanyu to resolve. Don't interfere." Qian Ziyan drew her aside, discussing the gateway with Mu Sheng and Zhi Lan. Mu Sheng, unfamiliar with the relationship between Qian Ying and Lien, wasn't greatly acquainted with Lien himself; he kept mostly to himself, spoke little, focused utterly on cultivation. Mu Sheng found it hard engaging him in conversation. Seeing the situation, Mu Sheng sensed complexity. He knew Qian Wanyu, a woman inclined to solve matters through force, now paradoxically sought to reason with a heart, hoping to sway the man. "They are solid walls, very sturdy, yet the door elusive." "This place isn’t vast; if not on these sides, could it be...?" Qian Ziyan's eyes moved from the surroundings and overhead to the ground. Amidst the unnoticeable incident, a pool of dark red blood was trickling from the icy surface towards a center point. That center point was right beneath Qian Wanyu and Lien’s feet. "Could this— Is this the gateway the Hehuan jade opens?" "Qian Wanyu." She noticed Lien still holding the finger, sadness etched across his face, and the despair surrounding him seemed to deepen. Glancing at her mother and uncle, she saw that they shared a look of hesitation. Following their gaze, she detected a faint spiritual energy fluctuation beneath the ice layer below. Upon sensing it further, she quickly identified what flowed beneath—blood, imbued with a vast amount of wind elemental power. Among those present, aside from Lien, there was no other choice. "Lien, your mother instructed our Qian family to find you and provide some support. If you'd like to return with us, the family would welcome you." Qian Wanyu stated, assuring him that the Qian family would undoubtedly accept him. Inwardly, she bit her lip; Qian Ying's plan was cunning, using the other half of the Qian family's inheritance to compel them to accept Lien. "My mother—did she really say that?" "Of course, she's waiting for you at the Qian family's ninth peak." Qian Wanyu lied skillfully, her expression unchanged, coaxing him, "From now on, the Qian family will be your home." Qian Yiling almost bit down hard enough to break a tooth, but she had to admit that Lien, indeed, possessed the Qian family talent. In just a year, without the seal, he had nearly perfected his wind elemental cultivation. Lien hesitated. At that moment, Qian Wanyu firmly gripped the Hehuan key, struck down, and shattered the ice layer beneath them. With a light hum, the ice layer disintegrated swiftly to both sides, revealing a rust-stained iron door to everyone. The dark red within the ice, alongside the blood, bore the long-standing residues of iron rust. "So it was here." "Probably due to the proximity of Binglian Mountain, frequent avalanches might have drastically altered the geology," Qian Wanyu sighed in relief, finally having discovered it. As she was about to search for a spot to match the Hehuan key, she saw a slender figure leaping down. Little Fatty landed gracefully, beaming at them, and called up to those above, "Hui." Soon after, Dongfang Minghui, followed by Toothless and Xiao Miao, joined her. Mu Sheng, pleased to see the apologetic Xiao Miao, eagerly approached, arms open for a hug. But upon noticing the flames cascading from Xiao Miao, he recoiled in fear, retreating far away. This made for an awkward scene. "I... I'm trying to control it," Xiao Miao confessed. Ever since being captured, those people had constantly threatened to use him against them, prompting him no longer to suppress his nature, hoping to intimidate them. After several days of release, reigning it back in took considerable effort. "Seventh Sister." Dongfang Minghui observed everyone gathered here, cheekily attempting to gloss over, especially noticing Lien’s dejection. Driven by curiosity, she approached, recognizing the familiar finger he held. She suddenly realized it was the same one Seventh Sister had severed from Qian Ying, used as evidence to determine if he was Qian Ying's son. "Hmm, what's wrong with Lien?" Qian Wanyu cast a disapproving glance her way, clearly intending a reckoning later. Startled, Dongfang Minghui shrank back and with a nervous chuckle said, "Hehe, Seventh Sister, I brought Xiao Miao back." Qian Wanyu glanced at Xiao Miao, who shyly retreated to a corner, as he usually did, quietly blending into the background. Xiao Miao felt touched, especially since Dongfang Minghui recounted how they searched for him for three days at the collapse of the ice mountain. This filled his heart with warmth and a tinge of guilt, thinking how he could have avoided capture if he had run faster. "Where did you find Xiao Miao?" "There—" Dongfang Minghui honestly explained, as there wasn’t much to hide. Qian Yiling furrowed her brows, "Lahan and Cheng Jiang are astoundingly resilient." "Hehe, don't worry, they’ve already been taken care of by the Little Artifact Spirit." "Yes." The mini Toothless, with her sleek black hair cascading behind her like a waterfall, had gone unnoticed upon entry until her soft voice echoed in the narrow space, drawing everyone’s attention to the small figure clinging to Dongfang Minghui’s clothing. "Who’s that little one...?" Zhi Lan looked at Toothless, then at the Artifact Spirit, puzzled. "Hehe, Minghui, let me play with her; she’s so adorable." Mu Sheng reached out to tease the Little Artifact Spirit, who, docile as ever, neither resisted nor retaliated, instead giggled at him. "You can ask Little Artifact Spirit. If it agrees, you may play." Dongfang Minghui then retrieved a gold-threaded net from her space, showing it to Seventh Sister, "Seventh Sister, what do you think of this gold net?" A net pocket? Qian Wanyu recalled how Qing Mo, in the Soul Sea, accused Ninth Sister of wanton destruction. Reflecting now, it seemed slightly justified. She released a bit of metallic spiritual energy, prompting the Little Artifact Spirit to leap, hopping from Mu Sheng’s shoulder to her side. It tugged her hair, cutely asking, "What were you doing just now? Can you do it again?" Under her metallic spiritual influence, the so-called net transformed into something akin to a small hat, just large enough to encase a fist. "Looks like the Little Artifact Spirit prefers Seventh Sister," Dongfang Minghui teased Mu Sheng. He gently rubbed the spirit’s cheek with his fingers, sighing, "Sister Wanyu is more attractive; I guess I’m not fated to have such companions." "Mu Sheng, talking like that might hurt Little Green and Little White's feelings." She couldn’t help but remind him; the little companions' emotions were straightforward, and Little Green from Mu Sheng's home was particularly sensitive. "Right, right." Mu Sheng repeatedly tapped his own mouth lightly, then went to the corner to console his contract spirit plant. Qian Wanyu allowed a wisp of metallic energy to play with the Little Artifact Spirit, which delighted it. Its tiny hands clutched her energy-filled finger, nuzzling lovingly, a picturesque sight spoiled only by Toothless’s face on the spirit. Toothless, observing its affection towards Qian Wanyu, wore a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, restraining the urge to smack it dead. Dongfang Minghui looked peculiarly at Seventh Sister and the Little Artifact Spirit, finding it peculiar that the small creature would snuggle up to Seventh Sister. In the past, when Little White Ball was contracted by Seventh Sister, it put up quite the resistance, occasionally needing her to soothe it. For someone like Seventh Sister, who seemed immune to the charm of spirit beasts, to attract the Little Artifact Spirit seemed outrageously unscientific! She gently reminded, "Seventh Sister, that net pocket was found by the Little Artifact Spirit. Perhaps you have something to exchange for it, mainly things it can eat." Seeing the Little Artifact Spirit engrossed in her metallic energy, Qian Wanyu explained with rare patience, "This isn’t just a simple net pocket; it’s made from the muscle of a rare metallic dragon, able to expand and contract—a useful tool for binding." Fishing with it seemed like an extravagant waste. Dongfang Minghui was wide-eyed with surprise. She’d thought it was crafted from ordinary golden thread, never expecting it to be dragon tendon. Given that dragon tendons were typically large and coarse, this revelation made her wonder what could be crafted from the remaining dragon parts in her space. "More," the Little Artifact Spirit pouted when Qian Wanyu retracted her spiritual energy too quickly, clinging to her finger coquettishly. "I’ll give you an hour of spiritual energy each day for three months in exchange for the gold-thread net. Deal?" "Deal." The Little Artifact Spirit agreed without hesitation. "What, that’s all?" Dongfang Minghui was taken aback. "Yes." After she finished speaking, Qian Wanyu focused on scouring the ground for a spot that matched the Hehuan key, while the Little Artifact Spirit climbed all over, dissatisfied. "How long is an hour?" How should she explain? An hour equates to two hours in older terms, yet they had no time-measuring tools. "An hour roughly equals eight incense sticks of time, Little Artifact Spirit. Don’t ask me how long one incense stick lasts..." Feeling somewhat downcast, the Little Artifact Spirit felt its hour seemed too short. Could they perhaps barter for two hours instead? It continued playing with Qian Wanyu's hair, but she remained indifferent, leaving it no choice, "What are you doing?" "Looking for the door." The Little Artifact Spirit noticed her using a red jade pendant to inspect the ground, finding it intriguingly fun. It swung like a pendulum from her long hair, teasingly saying, "I’ll help you find it too." If found quickly, it’d have more time to snuggle with her energy. Qian Wanyu’s cold gaze flitted over to the Little Artifact Spirit's antics, "Alright." Everyone joined in to help, squatting on the ground and feeling around. Dongfang Minghui shivered upon touching the ground, “Seventh Sister, uncovering the key’s slot should reveal the door?” "Yes." The only ones still standing were Lien and Toothless. Toothless was considering setting fire to clear all obstacles, betting fire would reveal the rusted iron door’s original form, saving everyone a lot of effort. Lien gazed at the severed finger in his hand, less concerned whether Qian Wanyu could actually find the door. Shifting his focus, he watched Dongfang Minghui rubbing the ground with her hands, frowning, before he finally spoke, "Since you've found this place, everything my mother left inside, you should take it back with you." Qian Wanyu glanced up at him and nodded lightly. "I understand—" Before Lien could continue, Little Fatty suddenly used her palm fire to clear the ice and snow from the ground, revealing a terrifying, ghostly face. Its eyes were so rusted that they resembled bloodstains, extremely eerie. The open black mouth had a groove that matched perfectly with the Hehuan jade. The ghostly face evoked nostalgia in Lien; it had accompanied him for several years. Whenever he missed his mother or father left to find food, he would talk with the face, even dreaming about his mother coming for him and his father. Gently placing the Hehuan key on it, Qian Wanyu watched as the red light from the key enveloped the ghost face, the field of energy covering everything nearby. With a rumbling noise like a long-unused machine creaking to life, the ground shook violently. "Whoa." The Little Artifact Spirit, positioned in the center, was the first to fall through the door as it opened. Everyone else stepped back, including Lien, who retreated two steps, warning, "Though I've always kept watch outside, I've never entered this place. It’d be wise for some of you to stay out." "Little Artifact Spirit?" Dongfang Minghui peeked through the door into the pitch darkness, unable to see anything. Qian Wanyu knew Lien wasn't lying; without half of the Hehuan jade, the door couldn't be opened at all. She pulled up her kneeling Ninth Sister, saying, "Mother, Uncle, Ninth Sister, and Mu Sheng, Zhi Lan, stay here. If anything goes wrong, you can always head up and wait.” "No way." Everyone opposed in unison. Dongfang Minghui turned, displeased, even pouting, “Seventh Sister, take me with you.” "Yes, Yuer, you cannot go alone; it's too dangerous," Qian Yiling entirely disagreed. Dongfang Minghui, seeing Seventh Sister unmoved, gestured wildly, "Seventh Sister, remember last time, I, I, I was very useful.” Qian Wanyu glanced at her Ninth Sister, who looked eager to follow her, reluctantly agreeing, "Mother, with Ninth Sister by my side, you and Uncle should wait outside." Relieved, Dongfang Minghui nodded in agreement, assisting, "Mother, Seventh Sister speaks the truth." Moreover, the power of the inheritance wasn't something to be trifled with. She had been blocked outside before, unable to enter, and she felt the transmission power was exceptionally dangerous. If it weren't for her and Seventh Sister’s energies harmonizing, they might have been obliterated. Qian Yiling, watching them both enter, felt increasingly uneasy. Qian Ziyan suddenly interjected, "Wanyu, did you obtain the inheritance from the ninth peak?" "Yes." "Lingling, now you should have some peace of mind." Qian Yiling was stunned but delighted. Whoever holds the Qian family's inheritance essentially inherits everything the family has. Though she regretted her unfulfilled promises of the past, the experiences of the last two decades clarified family and clan distinctions. If her daughter fulfilled her unrealized dreams, so be it. "Yuer, I'm proud of you." "Hmm." Lien, watching Dongfang Minghui’s retreating figure, hesitated but ultimately said nothing, stepping back to meet Xiao Miao. "Bring me along." "I." The Little Artifact Spirit emerged from the darkness, wings fluttering, landing on Qian Wanyu's shoulder. "I." Qian Wanyu glanced at them, "Little Fatty, as the spirit of the Tianyin Helmet, can you re-enter Ninth Sister’s space?" Little Fatty hesitated, transforming into the Tianyin Helmet, yet before entering the space, Little Bean Sprout dashed out, bumping into the helmet, which dutifully retreated back into the space. Dongfang Minghui’s expression was odd; the Tianyin Helmet was Little Fatty's true form, and Little Bean Sprout had taken up residence inside her. It felt strange. "I want to go too." Toothless stood beside them, unusually serious. "Um." Qian Wanyu was about to refuse when Toothless insisted, “Back when you accepted the inheritance, if not for me by her side, she’d have died of boredom. Besides, I can also return to her space.” Dongfang Minghui looked baffled as Toothless changed back into her beast form and slipped into the space. Apparently, the spiritual beasts and spirit plants that had tasted her blood could freely enter and exit her space. With a firm grip on Dongfang Minghui, they eyed each other with determination before fearlessly jumping down. After they entered, the door closed again, leaving everyone above puzzled. "Wanyu and Minghui together should be fine," Mu Sheng said. Unsure if he was reassuring those present or himself, he remembered that whenever those two acted together, they always overcame danger. This realization dawned when he discovered that Wanyu and Minghui were not sisters but a couple. "Brother, I'm worried with Yuer being inherently gifted and now holding half of the family's inheritance…" A mother's worries persisted, haunting Qian Yiling over matters not yet materialized, "Brother, did you know about Yuer accepting the inheritance on the ninth peak? I wasn’t there for her..." Qian Ziyan, seeing her eager to clarify something, gently patted her shoulder, "Lingling, you needn't explain, I understand." As a mother, Qian Yiling felt she had failed, only realizing her daughter's brilliance after receiving guidance from others. Qian Ziyan recounted the stories he knew from those years to ease her anxiety and stabilize everyone's emotions, surprisingly drawing Lien's attentive interest. —— Whether cliff-jumping or taking bridges, Dongfang Minghui always wanted to be inseparably bound to Seventh Sister using any means necessary. She hoped that during their descent, their fingers would remain intertwined, never apart. And now, what kind of nonsense was this? Ridiculous. Dongfang Minghui wriggled her fingers in the emptiness beside her, enveloped in darkness, unable to see anything, feeling the soft surface beneath her as if she were walking on clouds. "Uh, Little Color, can you see the path ahead?" "No." At least there was someone to respond, she sighed with relief, "Wonder where Seventh Sister is. I want to find her quickly." Within her Soul Sea, Little Color fell silent, uncertain how to reply. After wandering for a while, she felt increasingly absurd, unsure if she’d even moved. Finally, she stood still, "Little Color, is there anything dangerous around?" Little Color sensed that although the place was dark, the aura surrounding them was clean. It contemplated before suggesting, "Perhaps let Toothless ignite a fireball to light your way." "Alright." Toothless, reverting to her humanoid form, juggled two fireballs between her fingers, "This seems like an isolated space, quite empty." Dongfang Minghui, upon hearing this, immediately noted, "The Little Artifact Spirit seems absent." Toothless confirmed, "I saw it coiled in Qian Wanyu’s hair when we fell; it’s probably with her." At the crucial moment, the Little Artifact Spirit had fled to Seventh Sister’s side. Dongfang Minghui's emotions were mixed, disheartened, "If it had the Longevity Cauldron, breaking out of this space might be possible, letting us escape this creepy place." Breaking space? Toothless was intrigued by the notion, her fireball soaring up, revealing their enclosure similar to a barrier. Dongfang Minghui also noticed the slightly elevated ceiling. Curiously, she reached up, finding it as soft as the ground beneath her. "Shame, without the Little Artifact Spirit." Otherwise, releasing a beast could easily disrupt this place. "I can try." Dongfang Minghui watched as Toothless transformed into her beast form, larger than usual, with a fiery orb hovering like a small sun. Toothless propelled herself upwards, attacking the ceiling. Amidst the cascading flames, she scurried about like a startled mouse, “Oh no, where can I find some cover?” Little Color was drained from Toothless's intense exertions of breaking through the barrier. As Toothless continuously rammed against the soft layer, starry glimmers cascaded around them, arousing Dongfang Minghui's curiosity. When she touched one of these points of light, she discovered they were continuously shifting. "That's effective!" Feeling renewed determination, she stood up and called, "Little Color, lend me your strength." Rich wood elemental force surged forth, breaking through the cracks created by Toothless. Dongfang Minghui felt as though she was escaping from a balloon-like enclosure, tumbling into an illuminated, verdant space. Everywhere she looked was lush green, reminiscent of the inheritance site on the ninth peak. Vibrant trees lined both sides, a path adorned with multicolored flowers, breathing life into the surroundings. Dongfang Minghui plopped onto the grass, and nearby, Toothless panted while sprawled on the ground. The effort of forcefully breaching the barrier had taken its toll. "Toothless, take a moment to rest." Toothless nestled into the warmth of Dongfang Minghui's palm, just like a beast seeking comfort, before curling up to meditate in her beast form. Concerned about leaving Toothless vulnerable, Dongfang Minghui stood warily and addressed Little Fatty, "Stay here with Toothless. Make sure nothing comes near her." The Tianyin Helmet carrying Little Bean Sprout bounced cheerfully from the space, inseparable partners as always. "Hey, Little Bean Sprout, you're certainly dedicated." "Hehe." A child's laugh suddenly filled the air, causing Dongfang Minghui to look around, finding no one. Puzzled, she asked, "Little Color, did you hear something?" "Little Bean Sprout." "Huh?" "Hehe." Inside the Tianyin Helmet, Little Bean Sprout giggled as its bud bounced. The laughter spooked Dongfang Minghui, sending chills down her spine. Planning to explore their surroundings, she noticed a change in Little Bean Sprout. So she crouched and prodded its bud, "Little Bean Sprout, why are you so attached to the Tianyin Helmet?" Despite knowing Little Fatty and the Tianyin Helmet had fused, Little Bean Sprout insisted on using the helmet as a planter. "It's because Little Fatty passed something onto it," Little Color awkwardly explained. Viewing the relationship between a ghost-faced tree spirit’s descendant and a spirit within the Tianyin Helmet, cross-racial connections indeed required courage. Little Fatty had undergone several serendipities, tempering its soul through the Soul Refining Cauldron, ultimately transforming into a human. Witnessing Little Fatty's consistent fortune, others nearby couldn’t help but feel envious. "Huh?" Dongfang Minghui was bewildered by Little Color’s words, "Passed something onto Little Bean Sprout?" Weighing the Tianyin Helmet in her hands, she noticed it felt lighter—not Little Bean Sprout, but rather the helmet itself. "Little Fatty, can you still assume human form like this?" Without hesitation, Little Fatty appeared before her, still tall and imposing. With actions louder than words, it affirmed confidently, "Yes." Dongfang Minghui looked back and forth between Little Fatty and Little Bean Sprout, questioning, "Is this form what you plan to keep for Little Bean Sprout’s growth?" Little Fatty’s smile revealed dimples as she affirmed, "Yes." It was an agreement of mutual growth made with Little Bean Sprout. Dongfang Minghui felt she was missing something crucial, but interrogating the notoriously reticent Little Fatty would yield few words, perhaps leaving her with only giggling Little Bean Sprout’s antics. She wondered if all the nutrients from her blood nurturing had been absorbed by Little Fatty, leaving Little Bean Sprout rather simple-minded after all these years. "If this method works for you, so be it," she concluded, dismissing the need to find another pot for Little Bean Sprout, who had a discerning taste that standard pots couldn’t satisfy. With Little Bean Sprout and Little Fatty accompanying Toothless, Dongfang Minghui ventured onward. Walking down the path, she noticed a vine-clad hut beside a large flower bed and a small medicinal herb garden where the herbs swayed at her approach. It felt as though she had planted them herself. The familiar scenery made her heart race, feeling an icy dread creeping up her spine. Could she have stumbled back into an illusion? To test it, she pinched herself fiercely. Ow, it hurt! "Someone’s here." Before she could react further, Dongfang Minghui found herself tackled to the ground, her nose filled with the scent of grass.