Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

After paying the bill, Yang Xian led Zhou Xier out of the shoe store.

"Brother Yang, aren't you going to carry me?"

Zhou Xier tilted her head back, a hint of anticipation appearing in her blue eyes.

Yang Xian looked at the other person with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"You already have shoes and can walk by yourself, why do you still need me to carry you?"

"Ah, okay then..."

Zhou Xier lowered her head, looked at her new shoes, and muttered something under her breath.

The single tuft of hair on his head drooped down.

The next moment, the girl raised her head again and stretched out a small hand to him.

"Then... then can we hold hands?"

"I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll get lost again."

Yang Xian: "..."

Surely not?

How could someone so big and alive lose track of me if I walked in front of them and they were following behind?

But Yang Xian then recalled the fact that his opponent had managed to lose even one of his shoes.

"Can."

Yang Xian sighed helplessly and took the little hand in his.

It feels warm and smooth to the touch, soft and boneless.

"Brother Yang, I knew you were the best!"

Zhou Xier grasped Yang Xian's hand tightly, and a smile returned to her face.

[Happy: Brother Yang's hands are so warm... +200 points!]

Yang Xian felt the warmth in his palm, but for no reason, Bai Chuyi came to mind.

Even a novice like me has never had the "glorious" record of losing a shoe.

I wonder which of these two is "smarter".

If they could meet, they could probably become very good friends, right?

"By the way, Xi'er, how did you come up with the idea of ​​participating in this secret realm selection competition?"

Yang Xian asked casually.

"what?"

Zhou Xier's eyes widened in surprise. "Brother Yang is so smart! He actually knew I was going to participate in that selection competition."

Yang Xian's eye twitched.

Is there even a need to guess?

Zhou Xier confessed truthfully:

"My master sent me."

"He said it wasn't good to stay outside the city killing monsters all the time, so he wanted Xi'er to come to the core area to see the world."

Stay outside the city and kill monsters?

So you're here to see the world in the core area?

Yang Xian glanced down at the petite girl beside him.

This little girl doesn't look like someone who could fight monsters at all.

Is there no one left in her sect?

They actually sent such a clueless idiot to participate in this kind of competition.

"Xi'er, what's the name of your sect?"

Yang Xian was genuinely curious.

"Hehe, their sect is called 'Water Moon Sect'!" Zhou Xier's tone carried a hint of pride.

"Master said that our Shuiyue Sect used to be a super sect! It's a pity that it gradually declined..."

"He also said that the future of the sect is in the hands of my sister and me..."

The girl spoke at length.

Yang Xian listened quietly from the side.

It sounds like the sect Xi'er belongs to is a minor, insignificant sect.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent her alone to the core area, without even an escort.

Yang Xian was curious about the girl's level of understanding, but asking her directly would be impolite.

Hopefully, I won't face off against Xi'er in the competition.

I just can't bring myself to bully such an innocent little girl.

"Your older sister must be more capable than you, right?"

Yang Xian followed up on her words and asked, "Then why didn't your master let your sister participate in the competition? More people means more opportunities."

"I don't know either." Zhou Xier shook her head.

"My coach told me not to think too much and just focus on playing my best in the game."

Just then, a rich, caramelized aroma wafted over.

Zhou Xier's nose twitched, and she was instantly drawn to a small roadside stall.

The squid skewers on the hot plate sizzled as they grilled, and the girl couldn't take her eyes off them after just one glance.

"Brother Yang, what's that?"

"It looks...it looks delicious."

Yang Xian smiled and said, "That's called grilled squid, it's a kind of snack."

"I want to eat..."

Zhou Xier's gaze was completely fixed on the squid skewers, and she subconsciously swallowed.

But as soon as she finished speaking, the girl seemed to realize something and quickly lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Brother Yang, it was Xi'er who was too greedy." As she spoke, she took a cell phone out of her pocket.

"If only Xi'er's phone had battery."

"My master taught me how to use my phone to scan a QR code to pay, but... I don't know where to charge it."

Yang Xian: "..."

They really have absolutely no common sense about modern life...

Could it be true, as she herself said, that she has been staying outside the city all along?

Unfortunately, I didn't bring a power bank with me this time, and I left all my luggage and backpack at the hotel on the first floor.

"It's okay, I'll treat you to a meal." Yang Xian's tone was full of helplessness.

"I'll take you back to the hotel later; you can charge your phone there."

"Really?"

Zhou Xier was overjoyed and grabbed Yang Xian's hand, shaking it from side to side.

"Thank you, Brother Yang! You're so kind to Xi'er!"

[Grateful: Brother Yang is the best person in the world! +300 points!]

A short while later, Yang Xian bought Zhou Xier a skewer of freshly grilled squid.

The girl couldn't wait and took a big bite.

The scalding sauce made her gasp for breath, but her face was beaming with happiness.

"Mmm! It smells so good!"

"Brother Yang, you should try some too!"

The squid skewers were handed to Yang Xian's mouth.

Staring into those clear, expectant eyes, Yang Xian didn't think much of it and took a bite.

The sauce was rich and the squid was springy and chewy; the taste was indeed quite good.

"Mmm, delicious."

and many more……

Yang Xian looked at the girl and suddenly asked, "Xi'er, don't you mind my saliva?"

"Why would you complain?" Zhou Xier tilted her head and took another bite of the spot where Yang Xian had just bitten.

"Didn't Brother Yang show no disgust at Xi'er's drool just now?"

Yang Xian was stumped by that one question.

He inexplicably thought of a woman surnamed Ye.

If Ye Huairou were here, he would definitely give her a good dressing down.

Look!

The young girl didn't complain, so why are you, an adult, complaining?

How can the differences between people be so vast...?

Just as Yang Xian was internally ranting, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

He took it out and saw that it was an official notice from the Martial Arts Association.

"Brother Yang, what happened?"

Seeing his expression turn serious, Zhou Xier asked with concern.

"It's nothing..." Yang Xian continued staring at his phone, "It's just that the rules for the qualifying rounds have been released."

"what……"

Zhou Xier looked disappointed, and the ahoge (cowlick) on her head drooped down.

"So fast..."

"I want to stay with Brother Yang for a few more days..."