After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

The question was asked casually, without much anger, yet it was like a red-hot iron, making the tiger spirit shudder violently, and causing all the demon cultivators around, who were listening intently, to gasp in unison.

The tiger spirit's face alternated between pale and flushed. He had indeed intended to steal something from the female demon, and incidentally...

He stole a glance at Bai Yeying and saw that although she was somewhat disheveled, her features were delicate and her demeanor was completely different from that of ordinary mountain demons. Could it be that she was really under the protection of this Third Prince? If he had known this beforehand, he wouldn't have dared to do it even if he had ten times the courage!

"No, I wouldn't dare!" The tiger spirit's throat was dry, and his voice trembled. He quickly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply. "This lowly demon was blind and didn't recognize you. I didn't know this...this young lady was under the command of the Third Prince. I hope the Third Prince will forgive my inconvenience!"

The leopard spirit next to it quickly followed suit and bowed, its head bowed even lower than the tiger spirit's.

Nezha ignored them, not even sparing them a glance, as if they were just two unsightly clumps of trash on the roadside.

He turned his head to look at Bai Yeying, who was standing half a step behind him, her eyes wide open and her expression saying, "What did you just say?!"

The boy's beautiful phoenix eyes were almost overflowing with impatience, but upon closer inspection, there seemed to be a hint of mischief in them.

"What are you still standing there for?" He gestured with his chin to the side, his tone habitually disdainful. "Waiting to be stared at?"

Bai Yeying was brought back to her senses by his gaze, the words "my" still ringing in her ears, making her feel flustered and confused.

She nodded haphazardly, ignoring Huang Wu who was still lying paralyzed beside her, and followed Nezha to a more secluded part of the Stone Forest, almost stepping in sync with him.

Only when she was far away from that area, and the noise was blocked by the dense forest, did Bai Yeying finally let out a long breath, feeling the air flowing back into her lungs. She secretly raised her eyes to look at the red-clad figure half a step ahead.

He walked not fast, but with a leisurely pace, the red ribbon fluttering gently behind him. Even though she was following him, she had the illusion that she was completely enveloped by his aura.

"Um..." Bai Yeying licked her slightly dry lips and said softly, "Thank you, Third Prince, for saving me again."

Nezha didn't stop walking, but just hummed in agreement.

"And... I also received the brocade pouch and the note." Her voice was even softer, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. "...Thank you."

This time, Nezha didn't even bother to say "uh-huh," as if he hadn't heard at all.

Bai Yeying paused, then mustered her courage and asked the biggest question that had been lingering in her mind: "What did you mean when you said... that I'm your person?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she wanted to bite her tongue off. Asking so directly made it seem like she cared so much!

Sure enough, the person in front stopped.

Bai Yeying's heart jumped into her throat.

Nezha turned around, crossed his arms, and looked at her with a leisurely air.

The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the treetops, casting dappled light and shadow on his handsome profile.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes looking a little strange, as if he were examining something new and troublesome.

"What?" He raised an eyebrow, drawing out the last syllable with a hint of mockery. "Isn't it?"

Bai Yeying choked. She opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but couldn't find a way to do so.

From letting her go in the sky, to rescuing her from the trap at Trapped Mountain, and then to exorcising evil spirits in the deep mountains, wasn't it all him who took action in every single one of these situations? Although he always looked disgusted and never said a kind word, the results speak for themselves.

Seeing her speechless and looking choked up, Nezha seemed to find it amusing, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards very slightly, so quickly that one might think it was an illusion.

"His cultivation level hasn't improved, but his ability to cause trouble is top-notch."

He shifted to a more comfortable stance, his tone returning to its lazy, sarcastic tone: "You attract all sorts of shady characters wherever you go. Since I've already saved you a few times, I can't just watch you ruin yourself and waste my time."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across her face, as if to confirm whether she understood the deeper meaning behind this seemingly wasted effort. It probably meant that he rarely showed kindness, yet the recipient was so disappointing.

"So," he concluded, chin slightly raised, with a touch of self-righteous arrogance, "before I deem you worthy, don't cause me any trouble, and don't die out there. Understand?"

Bai Yeying: "................"

She understood.

This translates to:

You're too weak. I'm protecting you purely because I don't want my efforts to save you to be wasted. Once I feel you're barely passable, or when I get tired of you, this protection will end.

Simple, straightforward, and very much in line with Nezha's style.

The subtle ripples in my heart caused by the words "my people" were instantly doused with cold water.

As expected, she was overthinking it.

Bai Yeying lowered her head, looked at her toes, and mumbled an "Oh".

I felt a little disappointed, but mostly relieved. That's how it should be! How could he possibly like me?

Nezha looked at her and saw that she had suddenly become dejected. She was facing him with her fluffy hair and the tips of her ears seemed to be a little red. Was she angry?

He twitched his brow almost imperceptibly, then looked away, gazing at the distant mountains gradually being shrouded in twilight.

"Treasure hunting events are a mixed bag of people; they're not a place for you."

His voice softened, losing some of its sharpness: "If you really want something made of Geng metal, or are interested in what's down at the bottom of Black Wind Ridge, I'll take you in to have a look after things calm down in a few days."

Bai Yeying raised her head, her eyes brightening for a moment before dimming again: "But, taking me in... wouldn't that..."

"If I say I'll take you in, I have my reasons."

Nezha interrupted her, his tone somewhat impatient: "Or would you rather be targeted by some Tom, Dick, or Harry, like you were just now?"

Bai Yeying immediately shook her head.

"Then stay put," Nezha concluded. "Let's leave here first and find somewhere to stay. Where's your little follower?"

Bai Yeying then remembered Huang Wu and quickly turned back to look for him. Fortunately, Huang Wu had already gotten up on his own and was looking over in this direction with trepidation.

Seeing Bai Yeying looking over, he ran over as if he had been granted a pardon, secretly glanced at Nezha, and then quickly lowered his head, not daring to breathe loudly.

"Husband, wife, third prince..." Huang Wu stammered.

"It's alright now." Bai Yeying patted him reassuringly. "Let's leave the Demon Gathering Valley first."

With Nezha by their side, the journey was naturally unimpeded. Those gazes that were originally either inquisitive or greedy instantly withdrew when they fell upon that red figure, and some even took the initiative to retreat.

Nezha led them without lingering in the valley or going to the so-called safe zone where the great demons were entrenched. Instead, they went straight out of the Demon Gathering Valley and headed towards a nearby, unremarkable mountain peak.

There is a naturally formed platform at the summit, offering a wide view and a gentle night breeze.

Nezha casually set up a simple soundproof and concealment barrier, then ignored them and walked to the edge of the platform, gazing at the faintly gathering demonic energy in the direction of Black Wind Ridge in the distance, lost in thought.

Bai Yeying found a flat rock to sit on, took out some dry rations and shared them with the still-shaken Huang Wu, while she slowly ate her own. Her gaze, however, involuntarily drifted towards the red-clad figure's back.

As night deepened, stars began to twinkle. A mountain breeze carried the faint sounds of distant noise, making the stillness of the place all the more apparent.

"Third Prince," Bai Yeying finished eating and approached him, stopping a few steps away. She asked cautiously, "Do you think there are really good things at the bottom of Black Wind Ridge?"