One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

The old celestial master smiled and reached out his hand. His hand landed on Xiaoyun's head, gently stroking her soft, silver hair.

The movements were very light and gentle, as if touching a fragile treasure.

A gentle, pure, and balanced Taoist primordial energy flowed silently into Xiaoyun's body with this touch, quickly circulating through her meridians.

Xiaoyun felt very comfortable. She squinted her eyes like a kitten being stroked. She even unconsciously rubbed against the old master's palm.

moment.

The old master withdrew his hand. The surprise and interest in his eyes were even stronger than before.

He glanced at Nie Lingfeng, then at Chen Duo. Finally, his gaze settled on Xiao Yun's face. He stroked his beard.

"Interesting. Really interesting."

He spoke slowly.

"Pure and flawless, brimming with vitality. Seemingly a child, yet within him lies the image of a phoenix rising from the ashes, reborn after calamity. Though there are no fluctuations of power, the essence of his bloodline is no ordinary being."

He paused.

"Given time, if they can be guided onto the right path, their future will be limitless."

Nie Lingfeng and Chen Duo were both startled at the same time.

The old Celestial Master did indeed see it. Moreover, he saw it more deeply and further than they did.

"However," the old master continued, smiling as he looked at Xiaoyun, who was thoroughly enjoying the head pat. "Greedy, curious, and energetic—just like any other child."

He paused, then chuckled.

"Ling Feng, Chen Duo, you two are probably going to be quite 'busy' for the next month and a half."

Nie Lingfeng looked at Xiaoyun—she had just recovered from the "comfortable feeling of being patted on the head" and looked down to see the old master's white beard. She reached out and grabbed it, giving it a gentle tug. She tilted her little face up, revealing an innocent, sweet smile that could smack.

"Grandpa," she called out in a clear, sweet voice. "Yunyun is hungry. Do you have... candy?"

The room fell silent for a second.

then.

The old master burst into hearty laughter. It was a cheerful, exuberant laugh, full of energy. The laughter even made the teacups on the tea table tremble slightly.

Zhang Lingyu shrugged. She tried hard to hold it in. But she couldn't.

Nie Lingfeng touched his forehead with his hand. He closed his eyes.

Only one thought remained in his mind.

The next month and a half is going to be more than just "busy".

Longhu Mountain, the back mountain, a secluded little courtyard.

The lazy morning sunlight crept over the mottled courtyard wall, casting swaying shadows on the flagstone ground. Several old osmanthus trees, some of which were quite old, stood tall and leafy, emitting a faint, sweet fragrance. In the corner, a cluster of wild, unidentified purple flowers swayed gently in the breeze, stubbornly blooming. The environment was serene, the air fresh, and the atmosphere peaceful and serene—if one ignored the small, silver-haired figure leaping and bounding about in the yard, causing a ruckus.

"Xiaoyun! That's the kitchen! You can't go in! Senior Brother Zhang is cooking!"

"Xiaoyun! That's a water tank! Danger! Get down quickly!"

"Xiaoyun! That's a Taoist robe hanging out to dry! Not a cloak! You can't drag it on the ground to play with!"

"Xiaoyun! That's...!"

For the nth time, Nie Lingfeng, in a near-roaring voice, completely devoid of the cold demeanor of a temporary worker boss, tried to stop a new "disaster." Most of his bandages had been removed, leaving only the most severe wounds wrapped. He could move freely, but his face was even more haggard than when he was injured, with obvious dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was a mess, making him look completely unrecognizable. At this moment, he was crouching awkwardly by the water vat in the corner of the yard, stretching out his arm, trying to pull Xiaoyun out. Xiaoyun was half-submerged in the vat, enthusiastically trying to scoop out the few leisurely swimming red carp with her small hands.

Today, Xiaoyun wore a light green culotte, and her hair was tied into two cute little buns by Chen Duo with two red hair ties, which swayed with her movements. She completely ignored Nie Lingfeng's "roar" and "threat," staring intently at the red carp wagging its tail in the water tank. Her big, golden-red eyes were full of excitement and curiosity, and she was making "giggle" noises. Her little hands kept splashing water, having a great time.

"Fish! Swim! Catch!" Xiaoyun shouted happily as she tried to catch the nimble fish, completely unaware that half of her body was soaked, her light green shorts were covered in water stains, and her face and hands were covered in water droplets.

Nie Lingfeng felt his temples throbbing. Taking care of a child! This was absolutely the most arduous, terrifying, and utterly unfulfilling "task" he had ever undertaken in his twenty-odd years of life! More exhausting than taking on a fully armed mercenary group single-handedly, more tiring than infiltrating a heavily guarded secret base, more tiring than fighting to the death with those bizarre superhumans or monsters! Mentally exhausted! (╥﹏╥)

This little rascal has terrifying energy! Her curiosity is outrageous! Her destructive power... although it's currently limited to "child's play" like picking flowers, playing in the water, and dragging her Taoist robe, it's still so frequent, widespread, and impossible to guard against! Since moving into this courtyard three days ago, Nie Lingfeng feels like he hasn't had a full night's sleep. The moment he closes his eyes, all he can think about is the nightmare of which of the Old Celestial Master's treasures Xiaoyun has gone to mess with again.

"Papa! Catch! Catch fish!" Xiaoyun finally caught a handful of water, excitedly raised it, and turned around to "share" it with Nie Lingfeng's face.

Nie Lingfeng reacted swiftly, snatching the soaking wet little creature away from the water tank, avoiding the handful of fishy-smelling "gift." His face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "What are you doing grabbing it! Those are ornamental fish! You can't grab them! And you definitely can't play in the water! Look at you, your clothes are soaked! What if you catch a cold?!"

Xiaoyun was pulled away from "Paradise," and her little mouth immediately pouted. Her big, golden-red eyes quickly filled with tears as she looked at Nie Lingfeng with a pitiful expression, her little hand pointing at the water tank: "Fish...so pretty...Yunyun wants...to touch them..."

"You can't even touch them! Those are Senior Brother Zhang's pets! You'll have to pay for them if you damage them!" Nie Lingfeng hardened his heart, trying his best to appear serious. Although he knew that with Zhang Lingyu's gentle nature, he probably wouldn't argue with a three-headed little bean sprout over a few fish, the rules couldn't be broken! If he continued to indulge this, this little devil would eventually tear the roof off the Celestial Master's Mansion! ⊙﹏⊙∥

"But..." Xiaoyun's eyes were already brimming with tears, and her little nose was twitching. It looked like she was about to activate the "ear-piercing" mode.

Just then, a clear, cool voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness, rang out like heavenly music:

"Your clothes are wet. Change them."

Chen Duo had somehow found herself standing under the eaves. She held a clean, pale yellow outfit in her hand, and calmly looked at Xiao Yun, who was soaked to the bone like a drowned rat, and Nie Lingfeng, who looked completely distraught and helpless.

"Jie Jie!" As soon as Xiao Yun saw Chen Duo, she was like a savior. She struggled to get down from Nie Lingfeng's arms, opened her wet little arms, and tried to rush towards Chen Duo, complaining pitifully, "Papa... is bad... won't let... me play in the water..."

Nie Lingfeng: "..." (╬◣д◢) Who's the bad guy here?! Who fished you out of the water tank?!

Chen Duo walked over, ignoring Xiao Yun's "accusations," and reached out, her movements a little clumsy but very gentle, to take the wet Xiao Yun in her arms. The cool, slightly herbal scent emanating from her seemed to have a strange, comforting power. As soon as Xiao Yun was in her arms, she immediately quieted down considerably. Although she was still sobbing, at least she stopped crying, resting her little head on Chen Duo's shoulder with her tiny hands tightly clutching Chen Duo's clothes.

"I'll take her to change her clothes," Chen Duo said to Nie Lingfeng, then picked up Xiao Yun and turned to walk into the house. After taking a couple of steps, she stopped, turned back, glanced at Nie Lingfeng with her emerald eyes, and added, "You, rest. You look pale."

Nie Lingfeng was stunned for a moment, and a warmth suddenly welled up in his heart. Just as he was about to say something, Chen Duo had already carried Xiao Yun into the house and closed the door behind her, shutting out everything outside, including the grateful smile that Nie Lingfeng hadn't yet had a chance to show.

"Phew..." Nie Lingfeng let out a long sigh, feeling as if he had fought a tough battle, utterly exhausted both physically and mentally. He walked to the stone bench in the courtyard, plopped down, and rubbed his throbbing temples. Taking care of a child is truly inhuman! Especially taking care of a "special" child with boundless energy, overflowing curiosity, and unknown destructive potential! He began to seriously doubt whether he had been out of his mind to think, "It's not so bad after all"? This was a disaster! Torture! A double whammy of mental and physical exhaustion! (´-ι_-｀)

Just as Nie Lingfeng was lost in the "melancholy of a new dad," a gentle, smiling voice came from the courtyard gate:

"Hehe, young friend Lingfeng, it seems that this 'family bliss' is quite exhausting."

Nie Lingfeng looked up and saw the old Celestial Master, dressed in a simple gray Taoist robe, standing with his hands behind his back at the courtyard gate, smiling at him with a playful look and a knowing "I understand" in his eyes. Behind him, Zhang Lingyu, dressed in white, carried a food box in her hand, her expression still gentle and calm, but upon closer inspection, the corners of her mouth seemed to be slightly upturned.

"Old Celestial Master, True Man Lingyu." Nie Lingfeng quickly stood up and bowed, looking somewhat embarrassed. It was truly humiliating to be seen in such a disheveled state by his elders.

"No need for formalities." The old master waved his hand, strolled into the courtyard, and his gaze swept over the wet ground and the water stains remaining by the water vat. His smile deepened. "Where's Little Yun? Off to 'explore' new worlds again?"

"...Chen Duo took her to change clothes." Nie Lingfeng chuckled dryly, feeling his face burning. He quickly changed the subject, "Master, what brings you here? Is there something you need?"

"Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?" The old celestial master chuckled and sat down on another stone bench. Zhang Lingyu quietly placed the food box on the stone table, opened it, and inside were several exquisite dishes of congee, side dishes, and snacks, their aroma filling the air. "I heard this place is quite 'lively' in the mornings, so this old Taoist came to take a look. By the way, I'll give you some 'wise directions'."

"Minglu?" Nie Lingfeng's eyes lit up. Could it be that the old master had some secret to raising children to pass on? He couldn't be happier!

"Hmm." The old master stroked his beard and said slowly, "Judging from your appearance, your injuries have almost healed, but your inner fire is still quite strong. Young man, too much fire in your heart is not good for cultivation, and even less so for... raising children."

Nie Lingfeng's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "Isn't my 'temper' just caused by that little brat?" But he didn't dare to talk back and could only humbly ask for guidance: "Please enlighten me, Master."

"Simple." The old master picked up the cup of tea that Zhang Lingyu handed him, took a sip, and said leisurely, "A fight will do the trick."

"Fight...fight?" Nie Lingfeng was taken aback, not understanding what the old master meant. Fight with whom? Wang Ye had already slipped back to Wudang Mountain. Could he find Zhang Lingyu? But although Zhang Lingyu was quite strong, fighting him...it seemed a bit lacking, unable to fully vent the restlessness and frustration accumulated in his heart due to taking care of the child.