Chapter Fourteen: Godfather?

A soft hum echoed in the air as the swirling vortex, glowing faintly, unleashed waves of teleportation power. In an instant, the three figures vanished.

When they reappeared, they found themselves in a profoundly strange little world.

This place was not vast, spanning perhaps several tens of thousands of miles. It was divided into five regions: east, south, west, north, and the center.

To the east, the climate was gentle and warm, and from time to time, the roar of dragons could be heard. The west was shrouded in endless clouds set ablaze by fire, with the faint cry of phoenixes weaving through the air. The north overflowed with the intent of ceaseless slaughter. In the south, a deep and deathly silent sea stretched out...

Only the center brimmed with flourishing vitality, suffused with an aura of tranquility that permeated the entire miniature world.

After a cursory survey of their surroundings, the Son of Yin immediately realized that they were now in the central domain, where peace and harmony reigned.

“It’s right ahead. The Serpent Deity has been waiting for some time. The two of you, follow me,” said Bai Lin, who likewise glanced around before beckoning to the others and heading off without further ado.

The Son of Yin said nothing, following in silence.

King Chujiang, though displeased by Bai Lin’s demeanor, did not dare speak out since the Son of Yin remained composed. With a cold huff in his heart, he too followed along.

Before long, the trio beheld an imposing high platform.

Four long stone stairways rose up on all sides, leading directly to the dais. There, a single illusory green leaf emanating terrifying vitality floated quietly in midair.

Beside the leaf sat a young girl in resplendent, multi-colored finery, cross-legged and silent.

She looked to be about seven or eight years old, her body akin to the finest divine jade, gleaming translucently under the sunlight. Her features were delicate and charming, giving her an air of innocence accentuated by a garland of fresh flowers and grasses woven atop her head.

Yet it was this very childlike figure that made King Chujiang’s expression tighten and his heart grow heavy. For in his perception, the faint demonic aura she unconsciously radiated was on par with the late stage of the Immortal Realm!

It was not that King Chujiang was lacking in experience—rather, here in another’s domain, he could not wield the power of the River of Forgetfulness. As a mere quasi-emperor, he found it truly difficult to safeguard the Son of Yin before such an overwhelming presence.

If this demon harbored ill intent… he feared…

“My lord, I have brought the Son of Yin,” Bai Lin intoned reverently, bowing deeply to the girl above. His voice was filled with sincere devotion.

“Withdraw,” she replied softly.

At the command, the girl slowly opened her eyes and, after giving her brief order, rose gracefully and began to descend from the platform.

She paid no mind to the grave look on King Chujiang’s face, her gaze fixed solely on the Son of Yin, watching him intently.

The Son of Yin’s expression remained as calm as ever, but King Chujiang, by contrast, was badly shaken. At this close distance… should this demon suddenly lash out…

Even Bai Lin, standing aside, wore a solemn look and was ready to act at a moment’s notice. Protecting the Serpent Deity had been the duty of the Four Spirits, passed down for countless generations.

Yet, as both men maintained their wary vigilance, the little girl had already come to stand before the Son of Yin. Her large eyes blinked as she scrutinized him, then she asked in a puzzled tone, “Godfather?”

The question, so unexpected, made King Chujiang jump in alarm. When had the Son of Yin developed such a taste…?

Even Bai Lin beside him drew a sharp breath, his expression growing colorful with surprise.

The Serpent Deity… had a human godfather? Would anyone believe it if they heard?

“What is your name?” The Son of Yin, sensing the two men’s reactions, rapped King Chujiang lightly on the head, then crouched down and gently ruffled the girl’s hair, asking kindly.

She instinctively shrank back but, sensing no malice, did not evade him. After a brief hesitation, she bit her lip and replied, “Godfather, you can call me Jin’er.”

“Godpa said you are the Son of Yin, who has suppressed the myriad realms for endless ages, and told me to wait here for you.”

The Son of Yin smiled, pinching Jin’er’s cheek, then pointed to the illusory green leaf on the platform. “Did your godpa leave that leaf for you?”

Jin’er’s eyes filled with confusion, as if she couldn’t understand why he would ask. After a moment, she nodded blankly. “Godpa said it was something you taught him long ago. He told me to wait here, that you would one day return to the Celestial Domain and seek me out.”

“And he said I should give you this leaf—that it contains what you desire.”

With that, Jin’er waved her hand and drew the leaf to them, a smile flashing in her eyes as she offered it to the Son of Yin.

“That rascal…” The Son of Yin shook his head with a soft laugh, put away the leaf, and gazed at Jin’er again. “Did your godpa tell you when he’d come for you after you saw me?”

“Well…” At this, Jin’er pondered for a long while, pouting and muttering oddly, “A few months ago, godpa tried to steal something from the Jiuli Clan and got caught. Last time I spoke with him, he was still on the run… I think his waist was even broken…”

“So, he probably won’t be coming for me any time soon…”

After a pause, the strange look in Jin’er’s eyes disappeared, replaced by hopeful anticipation as she looked up at the Son of Yin. “Let me stay with you for now, godfather!”

“I’ve been sitting here for tens of thousands of years. Now I’m at the Immortal Realm, stronger than that old uncle behind you.”

With that, Jin’er grinned, showing two little tiger teeth, and cast a mockingly proud glance at King Chujiang.

King Chujiang: ???

“Besides, I still have Bai Lin and the others—they’re all emperors. Just say the word, and not only the whole Celestial Domain, but even the worlds beyond—I’d dare to venture there.”

Ignoring King Chujiang’s resentful glare, Jin’er pointed smugly at the bewildered Bai Lin, then tugged at the Son of Yin’s sleeve, pleadingly. “Godfather, let me follow you. If I have to sit here any longer, I’ll go stale…”

She even blinked playfully, looking utterly mischievous and adorable.

“If you come with me, what about the demon clans?” the Son of Yin asked, gently ruffling her hair again.

“What’s there to fear? Leave the Four Spirits to watch over them. Besides, wasn’t all the disturbance in the Celestial Domain caused by your Yellow Springs?”

“Once you teach me the method to control the Yellow Springs, even if something happens to the demon clans, I can return in a single thought—there’ll be no trouble.”

Jin’er glanced off into the distant sky, affecting an old-fashioned air as she spoke with great conviction. Yet, if one observed closely, one would see her eyes frequently darting to the Son of Yin, as if gauging his reaction.

Seeing this, a smile played at the corners of the Son of Yin’s lips.

This girl was truly precocious. She claimed to want to travel with him, but in truth, she was still scheming after his Yellow Springs. Who knows, she might already be familiar with the arts of the Demonic Killing World.

Still, since she was that rascal’s adopted daughter, it would do no harm to teach her a thing or two…