Sister Yu Chen’er came to visit me one morning. It was a few days after that little incident with Xue’er.

“The city is preparing to defend against the Demon Army,” she told me.

I nodded. There were only two things they could do in a situation like this: fight or flee. That latter was not really an option, especially for those on the higher levels. This city was their base. Everything they had: power, authority and wealth was vested here. If they lost the city, they would lose everything. Therefore, there was only one thing they could do: rally troops and fight against the invaders.

I didn’t say anything but quietly sipped my tea. We were in my study.

I saw some hesitation in her eyes. I knew what she was about to say but I waited for her to voice it. After overcoming some sort of struggle, she said, “Your sister knows she shouldn’t involve you but…”

“You want me to join the fight, right?”

She averted her eyes in guilt. “I… I don’t know what to do… I know… I know you are very powerful. Even now, I can’t see through you… I get the feeling that if it is you… you might be able to create a miracle. Of course, I am shameless... for asking a eleven year kid to fight… but the city…” Her voice trailed off.

I gave it some thought. “Sure,” I replied. “I will fight.” It would be a good opportunity for me to learn.

“You will?” Sister Yu asked in a disbelieving tone.

I nodded in affirmative.

“You will really participate in the fight?” she asked again.

“I will,” I replied.

She heaved her chest as if a huge load had been taken off her chest. She gave me a relieved smile. “I knew I could count on you,” she said. “The troops will gather together four days from now. The plan is to move and make camp on the outskirt of magical forest. It is to avoid damage to the city. You don’t have to worry about anything. You will be in my squad. Your elder sister will take care of everything.”

“Can Byakko and Ling join the battle?”

“Naturally. I was planning to ask you to bring them along with you. A beast who can fight on equal ground with many Core Formation Stage cultivators and an essence flame would be a huge help on the battlefield.”

With that, everything was settled.

Sister Yu took her leave soon after. Before she left, she reminded, “I will be here to take you. Remember, four days from today. Have everything ready.”

Only after I gave her many assurances did she leave.

Xue’er came out of the kitchen that was adjacent to my study and approached me. “Young master, Xue’er also wants to participate in the battle,” she said.

“No,” I refused. There wasn’t even the need to think.

“Why? Byakko and Ling can take part in the battle. Why can’t Xue’er?” she protested.

Byakko trotted into the study after her. “It’s because I am strong,” he gloated.

“Ling! Ling is also strong.” Ling who was fluttering behind him added her piece.

Xue’er shot them a resentful glare. “I will reduce your portion of meat if you say anything more.” That effectively shut the two gluttons. She turned to me, as if nothing had happened, with an imploring look on her face. “Young master, please. Xue’er wants to help young master.”

“No. Xue’er is not ready at the moment.”

“Xue’er… Xue’er…” I could see her fighting off the tears that was threatening to burst out at any moment.

I resolutely turned my back to her. If I gave in here, there would be a lot of things I wouldn’t be able to control. I had to be adamant. Although I was sure that I would be able to come off this battle unscathed, there were many things that could happen. If Xue’er who had neither the strength nor the experience joined the fray, she would face many dangers. Byakko and Ling had enough strength to safeguard themselves.

I picked a book and started to read it. Or rather, tried to.

Xue’er, who was moving around the study more than usual was proving too much of distraction. Although she didn’t say anything verbally, her eyes constantly seemed to appeal her cause.

In the end, I could only close my book with a sigh. “Xue’er, come here.”

Xue’er, who was nearby, moved towards me with a beaming face. “Young master, you are letting Xue’er…”

“Why do you want to join the battle so much?” I interrupted her.

“Xue’er… Xue’er don’t want to be left behind,” she said in a small voice.

Her answer made me freeze. I hadn’t considered this matter from that point of view. I had only taken this battle to be a valuable battle experience and an opportunity to accumulate essence. Now that I think about it, she would be the only one left behind if the three of us went. Although, she was mostly recovered, she was still fragile.

I took her hand and made her sit beside me. “I am sorry, Xue’er. I didn’t think of that.”

Should I withdraw from the battle? No. I can’t do this to Sister Yu after all she had done for me. I went through all the other possible alternatives in my head. The best I could do was to leave Byakko and Ling behind with Xue’er. But would those two fellows who always looked for excitement listen? I felt my head hurting.

“I also want to fight by young master’s side,” she added.

I rubbed her head. It was not like I didn’t understand where she was coming from. The problem was her strength. There was also another matter. The brutality of the battlefield would be too much on this little loli.

No. I think my thought process was wrong here.

This world was brutal. She, who had already been through so much, should know it. Moreover, it was something she would encounter sooner or later. Should I let her? As for her strength, I could work something. As long as she had enough strength to protect herself for a few moments, Byakko, Ling and I should be able to safeguard her.

“The battle will be really cruel and bloody, you know?” I asked.

She nodded.

“You will have to face demons who are many times stronger than you. You will face a lot of danger, you know?”

She nodded. “Xue’er is not afraid of anything as long as she is beside young master.”

What is with this blind faith? I sighed. “Fine, I will let you join the battle. But there’s one condition. For the next four days, you have to listen to everything I say and train really hard.”

“Xue’er will listen to young master.” She gave me bright smile.

Patting her head, I made plans for her training. If everything went as planned, then there shouldn’t be any problem even if I let this adamant girl join the battlefield. The only thing I was worried was: would she be able to complete my training?

Once again, I found that I had underestimated this girl who was the darling of the Heaven.

“Young master, Xue’er comprehended two epic skills like you asked,” Xue’er came to me.

That fast? I had only told her to try and comprehend two epic skills just yesterday. I wasn’t expecting much. As long as she comprehended two good rare skills, I was fine. The best I expected was one epic skill. But this… Wasn’t this a little too easy for her? Did that huge fate stat have that great of the effect?

She told me the details of the two skills. The first one was . It enabled her to infuse her Qi into the knife, which would make the knife sharp. She could even make the knife fly according to her will. I couldn’t help feeling that it was a superior version of I comprehended. The second one was a movement skill called . It enabled her to make fast and light movements without making sound.

The two skills fitted her perfectly. I told her to slot them, which she did immediately.

“What should I do next?” she asked, her voice eager and her eyes shining.

For a few moments, I was unable to answer. She had caught me off-guard. Originally, I thought she would take the whole time to get two suitable skills. I thought for a while. Then an idea stuck me. “Now that you have skills, how about trying to subdue the egos of the two traits available to you?” At this point, I was just trying to buy myself some time to think of a proper plan.

“Yes, young master.” She promptly sat in on the floor in lotus position and entered her mindscape. It was a surprise. I thought she would at least flinch due to her previous experience.

I roused the Pure Yang Qi inside me, just in case the last incident played out again.

After a few minutes, Xue’er opened her eyes. She beamed at me. “Young master, Xue’er did it!”

I felt lost for words. Wasn't it too soon? “H-How?” I managed after some struggle.

“When Xue’er entered the , Xue’er didn’t rush towards the tongue and the ice bird as soon as Xue’er entered like last time. Xue’er observed and waited for them to make the first move.”

So that’s what happened last time. I pictured her small frame attacking the egos of her traits, namely the tongue and the ice bird, recklessly. It formed a funny image. This sensible girl… no, she couldn’t be considered sensible. Well given her age, it was understandable. Still, she didn’t look like she would act in this manner.

“Xue’er waited for them but they didn’t do anything,” she continued.

I remembered the time I was caged by the egos of my traits. It wasn’t them who attacked me first; it was me, who did it. I nodded in understanding and encouraged her continue her story.

“It was weird. Xue’er didn’t feel any sense of hostility from them. Therefore, Xue’er tried to talk to them. It was like they could understand Xue’er. Xue’er asked them to help her and become a part of her. The tongue and ice bird turned into light and entered Xue’er. The notification told Xue’er that egos of [Divine Tongue] and [Divine Ice Phoenix] became a part of Xue’er. Then, Xue’er exited her .”

Wait a minute… What? It could also work like that? But the book said… No. I calmed the frenzy that was going on in my mind after this bizarre revelation. I thought I understood traits clearly. But what was this? It reminded me once again that I had much to learn. There was more to the traits that I understood.

Xue’er was shooting ‘Praise me! Praise me!’ looks in my direction.

I obliged. I patted her head. “You did well, Xue’er. You even exceeded what I expected.”

She smiled happily at my compliment.

“That is it for today. We will continue the training tomorrow.”

Xue’er nodded happily and went to kitchen prepare our meal.

I stood there without moving for a while. I guess it was about time I moved to the plan I had conceived before. Since she could take care of the egos in her own way, the four locked traits shouldn’t pose a problem for her if they were unlocked. The thing was, I had to talk to Ling before that.

I made my way to the bedroom.

Byakko and Ling were playing with the ball.

“Ling, can I talk to you for a few moments?” I asked.

Byakko and Ling stopped their game.

“Master! Master wants to talk to Ling? Okay!” she agreed readily.

“Father~ What is it?” Byakko asked.

I sat on the bed and rubbed Byakko’s head. The little fellow purred happily. I turned to Ling who was fluttering in the air and broached the topic directly. “Ling, I want to transfer you to Xue’er. Xue’er is suffering from a bad disease. If Ling is transferred to her, she will be cured. That is, if Ling wants to.”

“Xue’er is ill? If Ling goes to her, she will recover?”

I nodded at her queries.

She corked her small head in thought. “Okay! Ling will go! Ling wants to help Xue’er!”

I nodded, happy at her reply. She was a simple fellow. I could feel the sincere feeling to help in her.

I decided not to delay too much and transfer Ling tomorrow.

“Are you ready?” I asked.

Xue’er nodded with a stiff expression on her face.

Byakko, Xue’er, Ling and I were in my study. We were going through the procedure of transferring Ling from me to Xue’er. I say procedure but it was a simple matter of giving and receiving, that is, if every party involved were willing. I read that there were methods for forced transfer of transferable traits but I knew none. Not that I needed it. I had already talked to Xue'er about this last night.

When I willed Ling to be transferred to the sitting Xue’er, a message appeared before my eyes.

Ding!

You have initiated the transfer of your trait [Divine Yang Butterfly].

Would you like to confirm it?

“Yes,” I muttered.

Seconds later, I heard Xue’er mutter, “Yes.”

Ding!

[Divine Yang Butterfly] has been transferred.

Ling, who was fluttering in the air flew towards Xue’er and dissipated into her. Xue’er, on her part, closed her eyes.

I opened my [Kaleidoscope Eye] and observed the change. I could feel the heat in Xue’er’s body.

“Will they be alright, father?” Byakko asked in a worried tone.

“Don’t worry, they will be alright,” I reassured the little guy. To be honest, I was also nervous.

I observed Xue’er’s status carefully. Few minutes later, her trait [Shadow Travel] was unlocked. [Death Inscription], [Moon Eye] and finally [Nine Yin Body] were all unlocked. I moved my sight to the ailment status. [Touch of Death] was still there but not for long. It grew dim and disappeared altogether.

I sighed in relief.

I watched as a new trait appeared on her status window. But why was it [#########] instead of [Divine Yang Butterfly]?

The heat subsided. And Xue’er opened her eyes. “Young master, Xue’er is cured of her ailment!” she yelled in excitement.

Before we could congratulate her, two streams of energy came out of her. One was freezing cold while the other was blazing hot. These two energies that shouldn’t coexist together combined in an inconceivable manner and formed a ball. No. It should be an egg. One side of egg was white while the other was red.

“What happened to Ling?” Byakko asked, concerned.

I wanted to ask the same thing.

“The message said that she is evolving and that she will hatch after three days,” Xue’er replied, as she took the egg in her arms.

I sighed relief and nodded. Thank goodness! Nothing untoward had happened to her. I picked the little guy who was worried about his playmate. “She will hatch soon. By then, she will be really powerful. You better prepare yourself.”

“I won’t lose,” the little fellow said.

I laughed and ruffled his fur. I turned to Xue’er. “Congratulations, Xue’er. You have finally been cured of your ailment.”

She nodded. “It’s all because of young master.” I could see tears brimming in her eyes. She must have gone through many things due to her ailment. She must have endured a lot.

I pulled her in my arms and hugged her. “Everything is alright now,” I told her.

“En!” she replied. But she sobbed in my arms. I let her without disturbing her. She needed to vent her sadness. Byakko, who was nestled in my other arm, also didn’t say anything; he quietly watched her like me. After several minutes, she stopped. I hastily rubbed her eyes with her sleeve. “The house feels empty without Ling.”

“I miss her already,” Byakko said.

I felt the same. The bookstore suddenly felt quiet and desolate without that chattering butterfly. “Don’t worry. We will see our Ling in three days.” Our whole family will be complete then. With nothing more to worry about, we can finally set out to enjoy ourselves.

Xue’er’s status:

GENERAL

Name

Xue’er

Age

10 years old

Cultivation Method

Heart’s Yearning

Realm

Qi Gathering 2

(23/300 Essence)

Lifeforce

390/390 (Regeneration: 1% per second)

Qi

490/490 (Regeneration: 1% per second)

ATTRIBUTES

Strength

38

Physique

39

Movement

40

Control

41

Soul

49

Comprehension

57

Charm

54

Fate

108

INNATE TRAITS

Divine Tongue

Nine Yin Body

Divine Ice Phoenix

Moon Eye

Death Inscription

Shadow Travel

#########

QI SKILL LIST

Slot

Skill Name

Rating

Level

1.

Mindscape

Epic

1/10

2.

Dancing Knife

Epic

1/10

3.

Silent Steps

Epic

1/10