A girl's cry!

[Ding!]

[Mission: Get your second spirit ring! age limit: More than 5000 years]

[Rewards: 300 points, 10 Soul fruit (low), 5 Spirit ring fruit(low), Spirit Ring Replica x2]

"Phantom Slash."

Muttering under his breath, Xuan Yan clutched the Sword of Rupture as he raised it above his head and unleashed a devastating slash.

*sleesh* A slash made of crimson energy materialized and hurled at the wolf and the black wolf, already battered and bloodied, tried to evade, but the energy slash moved faster.

The attack struck the beast, cutting cleanly through its massive body as blood splurted in the air.

Xuan Yan lowered his blade, the Ea humming softly as it dissolved into the void, disappearing from his grasp.

Hu Liena was suprised 'That was little brother's first spirit skill...'

Bibi Dong's gaze squinted 'Since the martial spirit itself is powerful, along with a powerful spirit ring... it is quite devastating.'

Bibi Dong approached, her expression calm yet tinged with pride. "Yan'er, the spirit ring is yours. Begin the absorption now. Stabilizing the power will be crucial."

Xuan Yan nodded, dropping into a cross-legged position in front of the wolf's lifeless body.

Closing his eyes, he took a steadying breath.

The wolf's body began to emit a deep purple glow as its spirit ring emerged-a perfect circle of energy, pulsating like a heartbeat.

The ring floated above its remains, then slowly drifted toward Xuan Yan.

As the ring descended, Xuan Yan focused, his consciousness reaching out to merge with the energy.

The moment the ring touched him, a surge of power shot through his body and his breathing hitched as his muscles tensed.

The spirit energy was wild, resisting his control.

Xuan Yan expected this, as the age increases, the will of the dead spirit beast resists to become a spirit ring.

"Focus, Yan'er," Bibi Dong muttered, standing guard nearby.

Her eyes never left him, monitoring every fluctuation in his energy and getting ready to interfere if she ever wanted to.

Xuan Yan's hands trembled slightly as he channeled the energy into his core.

The first minutes were quite hard as his body felt as though it might break under the strain.

Gradually, the chaotic energy began to stabilize and the wild, thrashing power became calmer, flowing through him in steady waves.

Hu Liena crouched nearby, watching with concern. "Do you think he will manage, Teacher?"

Bibi Dong's gave a faint nod "He will. He has the resolve and talent to overcome this."

Slowly, the purple spirit ring began to shrink, its energy fusing completely into Xuan Yan.

A faint glow surrounded his body, his aura growing sharper, more refined.

Finally, Xuan Yan opened his eyes and a red glint passed through his eyes.

"Huff..."

Bibi Dong crouched beside him and asked in worry "Yan'er, how is it? Do you feel any abnormalities?"

With a shake of his head, Xuan Yan replied "No... its okay."

Xuan Yan stood up and clutched his fist feeling the energy running through his body 'Already at level 25... Good improvement.'

Looking at him, Bibi Dong spoke "Since our job here is done, let's leave.. we can rest on our way back."

...

The carriage swayed gently as it moved along the forest path and inside, Xuan Yan was fast asleep, his head tilted slightly to one side, his face bathed in the soft light filtering through the window.

Seated next to him, Hu Liena rested her chin on her palm, gazing at him with an amused smile.

Unable to resist, she leaned closer and gently poked his cheek "Soft,"

She poked again, this time pressing a little longer before pulling away. "Who would've thought you could look this cute while sleeping too?"

She reached out to smooth a strand of hair from his forehead and, on a whim, pinched his cheek lightly. 

Xuan Yan stirred slightly, his brow furrowing as though he could feel the teasing even in his sleep.

Seeing this, Hu Liena quickly withdrew her hand with a giggle. "Oops, did I wake you?" she whispered, her voice low but playful.

Across from them, Bibi Dong sat with her arms crossed, observing the scene silently.

Her gaze softened ever so slightly as she watched her disciple's antics and shook her head, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Nana, stop teasing him,"

Hu Liena pouted dramatically and sat back. "I couldn't help it. Besides, look how adorable he is."

Bibi Dong sighed and, with a graceful motion, moved to sit beside Xuan Yan.

She gently guided his head from the carriage wall and adjusted his position, resting his head on her lap.

"Yan'er needs his rest," she said softly, brushing her fingers through his hair.

Her movements were tender, like a mother caring for a child "He has been through a lot today. Let him have some peace."

Hu Liena just smiled and leaned on the carriage window.

As the carriage rocked gently, Xuan Yan's expression eased, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

His face seemed even more peaceful, cradled in Bibi Dong's lap.

The warmth of her thighs surrounded him while her fingers continued to comb gently through his hair.

Bibi Dong glanced at Hu Liena and gave her a knowing look. "You're too mischievous, Nana. But I suppose that's why you two get along so well."

Hu Liena chuckled softly, leaning back against the carriage wall.

...

The dimly lit room was filled with the muffled sound of a child's sobbing.

The delicate figure of a little girl, sat curled up on her mother's lap, her tiny hands clutching her mother's sleeves tightly.

Tears streamed down her rosy cheeks as her soft, trembling voice broke the stillness.

"Waahhh... Where is Big Brother?" Xue Yin cried, her voice filled with heartbreak.

Her small body trembled with each sob, and her big, teary eyes looked up at her mother, pleading for answers.

Xue Ling, gazed down at her daughter with a mixture of sadness and helplessness.

She gently brushed Xue Yin's disheveled hair away from her face and used her thumb to wipe away some of the tears staining her cheeks.

"Why did he leave me, Mom?"

Xue Ling let out a soft sigh, her heart aching for her young daughter.

She placed a comforting hand on Xue Yin's back and patted her gently. "Yan'er didn't leave you because he wanted to, dear. He had to go because he awakened his martial spirit."

Xue Yin blinked through her tears, her little face scrunching up in confusion. "Martial spirit? What is that? Why does it mean Big Brother can't stay with me?"

Xue Ling smiled faintly, trying to explain in terms her daughter could understand. "A martial spirit is a special power that some people in our world are born with."

"It's what makes people strong and capable of doing amazing things. And your big brother, Yan'er... he's very special. He didn't just awaken one martial spirit... he awakened two."

Xue Yin's eyes widened slightly, her tears momentarily forgotten. "Two?"

Xue Ling nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, those people from the Spirit Hall saw how talented your brother is, and they wanted to help him grow stronger. He's training with them now so that one day, he can become someone amazing."

But the explanation did little to comfort the young girl.

Xue Yin's lip quivered, and fresh tears began to form in her eyes. "No! I don't care about martial spirits or being amazing! I want to be with my Big Brother!" she cried, throwing herself into her mother's embrace and burying her face in her lap.

Xue Ling sighed deeply, stroking her daughter's back as she sobbed.

She understood Xue Yin's pain all too well. Xuan Yan had always been the older sibling who always looked out for her, played with her, and protected her from harm.

His sudden departure had left a void that her young heart struggled to comprehend.

"Yin'er," Xue Ling said softly, "I know you miss him. I miss him too. But this is a good thing for Yan'er. He's working hard so he can protect us and make our lives better. Don't you want your big brother to be happy and strong?"

The little girl sniffled, her face still buried in her mother's lap. "But why can't he be happy here, with us?"

Xue Ling paused, unsure of how to answer such a simple question.

She tilted her daughter's face upward gently, looking into her tear-filled eyes. "Sometimes, to grow and achieve great things, people have to leave the ones they love."

"It's not because they don't care about us... it's because they want to become someone who can take care of us better."

"But I don't need him to be strong," Xue Yin whispered, "I just need him."

Xue Ling's heart ached at her daughter's words, and she pulled her close, wrapping her arms around her tightly. "I know, my little one. I know."

For a few moments, the room was filled with the quiet sound of Xue Yin's sobs, muffled against her mother's shoulder.

Then, after a long pause, Xue Ling spoke again.

"Next year," she said softly, "you'll get to awaken your martial spirit too."

Xue Yin pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face filled with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "I will?"

"Yes," Xue Ling said with a small smile.

"And if your martial spirit is awakened, you might get the chance to go to Spirit Hall as well. Then you can be with your big brother again."

The mention of seeing her brother again seemed to spark a glimmer of hope in Xue Yin's heart.

Her teary eyes brightened slightly, and she clutched her mother's hand tightly. "Really? I can go to Spirit Hall and be with Big Brother?"

Xue Ling nodded, brushing the last of the tears from her daughter's face. "Yes, but only if you work hard and show them how strong and determined you are. Can you do that, my little Yin'er?"

Xue Yin sniffled one last time and nodded firmly. "I can do it, Mom. I'll awaken my martial spirit, and I'll go to Spirit Hall to see Big Brother!"

Xue Ling smiled, her heart warming at her daughter's determination.

She hugged her tightly once more, silently praying that both of her children would find happiness and strength in their journeys, even if it meant being apart for now.

"Good girl," she whispered, holding her close. "Big Brother will be so proud of you."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!