40 Family

Xueqin backed away as he withdrew his spirit "Do you continue thinking that you are stronger?"

Weilan's body started trembling "Dammit swords!" She shouted angrily as she pointed at Xueqin "You only reached that level due to my ancestor's place. If it weren't for the Sword Valley, you wouldn't be even half strong! To even boost your cultivation, it's unfair!" She started rambling.

"Wei'Er" Xiaoran warned her, smiling at her with eyes no so smiling.

"Hi!" Weilan backed away, but quickly turned towards Xueqin "Okay, I recognize you. You are stronger than me. I could accept you as my guardian, but that would only be until I surpass you."

"What if I don't want to be your guardian now?" Xueqin cheekily smiled.

"Being her guardian is a very important decision that would greatly affect your future, you should take your time to answer, think about carefully." Xiaoran interjected, "We will be in the city until tomorrow. If you want anything don't doubt to ask for us at the Spirit Pagoda."

Xueqin was taken a little back, but Xiaoran's quick reaction, but he was glad of having been given space and time to decide.

"Hope we meet soon" Xiaoran said goodbye, turning back to leave the Tea House.

Weilan followed her but not before looking straight at Xueqin and showing her tongue scoffing.

Before leaving Xiaoran turned to Xueqin "Wei'Er much be a little mischievous and wild, but she is a good girl" She took Weilan's hand and the two left the floor, leaving Xueqin alone.

"What should I do?" Xueqin asked for himself. It was clear for him that it was a great opportunity being part of an incredibly powerful family that would make becoming strong easier and even if becoming strong wasn't his main focus, he was forced to saught him due to Mucheng.

There were infinite advantages on accepting the deal and really very little downsides, being that he would be somewhat restricted to join organizations in the future, but every powerful organization was like this, so it wasn't really a problem. The Spirit Pagoda being one of the most powerful was a good option.

The problem that was in Xueqin's mind and really worried him was Mucheng. It was clear that Xiaoran and Mucheng had some kind of a deal between both, so in the end Xueqin would continue following the path dictated by Mucheng, someone that forced himself as his master and is constantly threatening with his life. If it weren't for him, Xueqin wouldn't have needed to separate from Chi. Continuing following him left a bad taste on Xueqin.

On the other hand, Xueqin wouldn't be the same without Mucheng. More than strength where his cultivation and strength could have been different without Mucheng's teaching, it was about Xueqin's mind. Mucheng had truly taught about the continent and the world, letting Xueqin himself create his own opinion, he never tried to push him some ideas except becoming strong.

In this time, Xueqin had grown learning more about the world and maturing. He now knew how strange and powerful was his spirit, to the point of people moving against him for it. Without Mucheng, he would have been forced to join some organization by force or some subtle brainwash as he was too naive. Even if it made him angry, Mucheng had really saved him to being swallowed by the world, let him decide.

Xueqin sighed thinking about all "I'll think something with the pillow." He left the Tea House, returning to the hotel that he had booked the night before and directly went to the bed.

The next day at the first hour of the morning, Xueqin stood in front of the Spirit Pagoda branch. He entered and quickly was guided towards a large waiting room.

It was long before Xiaoran and Weilan entered the room "Good morning, little Qin. Did you come to say goodbye?" Xiaoran smiled with a clear fake surprise.

"No" Xueqin shook his head "I came to accept your offer of being Weilan's guardian and being adopted."

At the end, Xueqin decided to accept their proposition. While Xiaoran seemed a little controller, she seemed a good person and easy to go along. There's no need to even have a family's relationship, becoming a mutually beneficial relation no different than joining an organization. She was the best way to know more about the world and becoming stronger.

Moreover, Xueqin was sure of something and that was that Xiaoran really loved her granddaughter, caring a lot for her. Showing that love for family that sometimes could be shown as worry or even anger, it was the final factor for Xueqin to accept her, knowing that Xiaoran did it for her granddaughter rather than her.

"Tch!" Weilan clicked her tongue.

"Great!" Xiaoran clapped her hands, ignoring Weilan's clear sign of discomfort. Xiaoran approached Xueqin and without him being able to react, she leaned forward embracing him. "Welcome to the family" she whispered at him.

Xueqin was shocked, it was warm. 'Is that what family feels like?' How could she have such a warm? Xueqin was able to feel only good feelings from her, unconsciously reciprocating the hug, some tears even threatening to fall from his eyes.

Xiaoran broke the hug and smiled at Xueqin "You can call me Grangran like Wei'Er, Xue'Er."

"Yes, Grangran" Xueqin nodded.

"Being a Ning had a lot of weight under it, but I am sure that you could keep with it" Xiaoran told "But you must always remember our most important rule." She turned very serious "Family over all. It doesn't matter fame, money or power, family always must be first.

Xueqin nodded very determined. He could really accept that rule, in his mind an image of Chi appearing. Xiaoran and Weilan weren't considered as a true family now, but maybe in the future.

"There's a lot of things to do to make it official and a lot to teach you. We surely are short of time" She mumbled for himself "The best would be to return to the headquarters" She was starting to make plans, entering her own world.

Weilan approached Xueqin. She smiled incredibly bright "I won't accept you so easily, brother" Saying brother sarcastically.

Xueqin smiled "Likewise, sister."