"Wow! So beautiful. I love it!"
Xin Tingting exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. A proud smile bloomed on her small face.
Her gaze was fixed on the butterfly-shaped emblem on her wrist, unable to look away as though she was mesmerized by a priceless, enchanting work of art...
The elderly man looked at the young girl before him, then smiled tenderly with affection and said,
"This butterfly is a dimensional gate… It can take you to various places based on the locations of the magical items listed in this book. Even if you lack the ability to fight like ordinary cultivators, if you can find all the magical items in this book… you will gain power like a cultivator."
He paused briefly, took a soft breath, then continued with a voice that was firm yet full of kindness.
"These items are not easy to find. But when you have found them all… return here. I will be waiting for you."
Then the old man added, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope,
"If you travel together with Liang Yi… both of you will benefit. Liang Yi will be able to improve her cultivation level, and you will gain power and be able to progress in rank like others. It's a good path for both of you… though there is only one drawback this journey may be fraught with some danger."
"So if I find all the magical items… does that mean I'll be able to reach the level I desire, Grandpa?" Xin Tingting asked with hopeful, sparkling eyes. Her voice was soft, yet filled with determination.
The old man lowered his gaze to look at her before chuckling lightly and shaking his head a little, then replied,
"That… I cannot say for certain. But believe me, if you can find all the magical items, you will definitely be able to ascend in rank at the very least, not inferior to ordinary cultivators. However… perhaps still not at the level of the Divine King of the Three Realms."
He gave a gentle smile, his eyes full of kindness and sincerity.
"Sigh… Then it's hopeless, Grandpa," Xin Tingting sighed deeply, her face puckering in frustration as she muttered softly,
"I thought I could reach a high level… so more people especially men would pay attention to me…"
"What was that you just said? Men?" The old man furrowed his brow, repeating the question with a doubtful tone. His eyes showed uncertainty was he hearing things, or was his little granddaughter beginning to have romantic thoughts?
"No, no! You misheard, Grandpa!" Xin Tingting hurriedly denied in a panicked voice, her face alarmed before she gave an awkward smile to cover it up.
"Just now I said… Grandpa, shouldn't we check on Liang Yi? Yes! She might be waking up soon!"
She laughed awkwardly again and inwardly prayed he wouldn't catch on. She had accidentally let slip her thoughts about men. If Grandpa found out she was obsessed with them, he'd surely scold her endlessly.
"Very well. Then let's go see your friend, Liang Yi," the old man said calmly, though his words carried a gentle kindness.
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned gracefully and walked ahead. Despite his old age, his back remained straight, and his steps were firm still retaining the dignity of his younger days without fading.
Xin Tingting, standing behind, took a deep, cautious breath. Her small hands clenched slightly with nervousness her heart still pounding from the words she had accidentally blurted out. She feared her grandfather had seen through her.
But when she saw him walking away without saying anything more, she let out a quiet sigh of relief before quickly following behind. Her steps were somewhat hurried and uneven, as if someone trying to hide a secret, yet filled with unwavering determination.
Eventually, the two stopped before a golden door inlaid with precious polished crystals that shimmered and gleamed. The door was adorned with silver vine patterns, engraved into the image of a goddess cradling the moon glowing softly as if it were alive.
Xin Tingting turned and gave a small smile to the elderly man a smile that held both respect and warmth from her heart before raising her delicate hand to gently push open the golden door.
The door slid open silently, yet emitted a faint energy wave, like a subtle current of life force from the one lying inside still circulating weakly.
Inside, a soft light bathed the ivory carpet that covered the floor. The faint fragrance of herbs and flower pollen lingered in the air. The bed was draped with a sheer, pale-blue curtain that swayed gently from the breeze slipping through the slightly opened window.
They both stepped forward to the bedside, where they saw the sleeping figure of Liang Yi the beautiful young girl now lying in deep slumber. Her pale, serene face glowed softly under the magical lantern's light.
Her body remained motionless, her eyelids closed in exhaustion even her breath was so faint it was barely perceptible.
"Grandpa, earlier I didn't even check where she was hurt… You showed up so suddenly, and I got so caught up talking with you… that I still haven't examined her wounds,"
Xin Tingting said in a voice laced with guilt. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke partly as if pleading, and partly as a silent apology.
She stood still beside the bed, her face turned toward Liang Yi, the first friend she had made not long ago. Her eyes gazed at the unmoving figure on the bed with deep concern.
The once lively and energetic body of Liang Yi, brimming with vitality, now lay unnaturally still and silent. The room was so quiet that one could almost hear the faint breaths of the slumbering woman.
Her long, black hair streaked with fiery red cascaded over the pearl-colored pillow like silk. One hand rested gently against her side, while the other hung limply off the bed. Her cheeks were pale, devoid of their usual healthy flush, and beneath her eyelids lingered faint traces of exhaustion.
"I shall first use my own power to assess the extent of her injuries."
The elderly man spoke softly, his voice steady yet filled with firm resolve.
Slowly, he raised his thick palm, the rough surface weathered by time, and spread his fingers slightly. A radiant white light began to glow from his fingertips bright yet gentle, cool but not piercing. It rippled outward in soft waves, descending upon Liang Yi's unconscious form on the bed.
The light seeped into her skin bit by bit, like water permeating fabric with quiet ease, yet carrying within it the profound power of deep perception.
After a moment, the luminous glow gradually faded into the air.
The old man remained standing in the same posture, but his once-calm eyes widened uncontrollably. A trace of deep astonishment flickered in his gaze. Though his expression remained composed, anyone who truly knew him would sense the storm of thoughts raging within.
'There's no mistake… The poison in her is of the highest grade. It has penetrated deep into her bloodstream even reaching her bone marrow with terrifying precision. Whoever did this must be a true master of combat to wield such a lethal toxin.'
'But what shocks me even more… is the sheer strength of her bloodline. It's not just dense with power it's far beyond that. Her physical foundation must be several times stronger than an ordinary person's.'
'And the most unexpected thing of all… She is a descendant of one of the legendary clans. A bloodline directly linked to one of my two closest comrades.'
The old man fell silent for a moment, his aged eyes beneath drooping lids revealing deep contemplation.
It had been so long since he had last seen this comrade… so long that ordinary years could not measure it. In the reckoning of cultivators, it had been millions of years of waiting and silence.
He did not even know… whether that man still lived. Amidst the devouring flow of time, memories of that mighty figure had slowly faded in his heart, like mist dissolving in the wind. Yet the bond they once shared remained etched in his soul.
"Grandfather… how is she?" Xin Tingting asked in a hushed voice, her eyes shimmering with deep concern.
She gazed at Liang Yi's still form on the bed, her heart growing heavy at the sight of her unnaturally pale complexion.
Though they had only just met…
Though the word "comrade" had only just left Liang Yi's lips not long ago…
For Xin Tingting, it was enough to consider her the first true friend in her lonely life.
"The poison has entered her bloodstream and penetrated deep into her bone marrow…" the old man said gravely, his gaze fixed on the motionless figure on the bed.
"This toxin… is extremely potent. Had we found her even a moment later, she might not have survived."
His words carried immense weight as his thick brows furrowed sternly. His sharp eyes were filled with caution and traces of worry.
"So… Liang Yi was attacked by an enemy before this? Grandfather! You must save her! She's my first friend I can't just let her die like this!" Xin Tingting's voice trembled, her eyes brimming with anxiety.
"I will certainly save her," the old man replied firmly before narrowing his eyes slightly, as if deep in thought. "Judging by her condition… she may be connected to an old comrade of mine."
Then, with a faint smile, he added, "Rest assured. A poison like this is nothing more than child's play to me."
With that, he slowly raised his thick hand. A soft, deep violet light gathered between his fingertips before shooting gently into Liang Yi's body.
Before long, his hand lowered, and the violet glow silently dissolved into her form, leaving only tranquil silence in the room.
"Grandfather… when you return from your errand, could you teach me how to neutralize poison like you just did? I want to learn," Xin Tingting declared resolutely, her eyes shining with determination.
The old man arched an eyebrow slightly before chuckling softly. "Of course. If you haven't already set off by then to search for that treasure, I'll teach you every step myself. Now… your friend is safe. She'll recover soon."
Finishing his words, he shifted his gaze to Liang Yi's delicate form once more before striding toward the golden door that shimmered silently in the dim light.
"Thank you, Grandfather…" Xin Tingting murmured gratefully, watching his warm back as he walked away.
But suddenly, she called out in a small, trembling voice, "Grandfather… are you leaving now?"
The question carried a hint of longing and sorrow. To Xin Tingting, her grandfather was the only family she had. Though they were not related by blood, in her heart, he had always been the only warmth in her life.
"Once your friend awakens, the two of you may begin your journey. But if you're not yet ready to face the outside world, you may stay here and wait for my return."
The old man paused before the radiant golden door, glancing back at her with gentle eyes.
"Mhm! Grandfather, I'll ask Liang Yi first whether she wishes to travel with me or not," Xin Tingting replied with a faint smile before adding cheerfully,
"But if you return and don't see us here… that means we've already set off to search for the treasure!"
"Mm~ Do your best."
The old man turned to smile at Xin Tingting through the golden door before his figure flickered and vanished into the air, leaving not even a shadow behind.
Xin Tingting stood still, gazing at the empty space where her grandfather had disappeared. Her eyes trembled slightly with wistful emotion. After a moment, she took a deep breath and turned back, her gentle eyes settling on Liang Yi, who still lay unconscious on the bed.