"Huh? We're out."
The world spun and her vision brightened. Nangong Tianling knew they had exited the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion.
Not only that, but they had appeared directly in the sky above the Carefree Sect.
Below, Yun'Er, his father, and the members of the Carefree Sect hadn't left. They were still gazing up at the sky. The sudden appearance of the two immediately drew everyone's attention again, and all eyes were on them.
This was especially true for Nangong Tianling. Having awakened after she had Fallen into Demon, her True Divine Realm state of mind was now fully revealed.
At the same time, the aura of a True God emanated from her body, placing immense pressure on all living beings. Even Yang Xiao felt it.
If before, some had found the interaction between them to be a bit romantic, thinking their Young Master was truly domineering...
...then now, all they felt toward Nangong Tianling was reverence.
Profound reverence.
'Which one down there is Yun'Er?'
Before Yang Xiao could even speak, Nangong Tianling's Divine Sense swept over the crowd. With a flash, she appeared at Yun'Er's side. Apparently, the spiritual fluctuations from the crowd had been enough for her to identify her target.
Without a word, she immediately grabbed the girl's small hand and circulated a stream of her True Divine Power through Yun'Er's body.
"It really is a Holy Spirit Body! And it's already transformed to the level of a Water and Wood Treasure Body. Her cultivation is about to enter the True Intent Stage, too. Not bad, not bad at all."
Nangong Tianling exclaimed in admiration.
'This is a true prodigy.' Nangong Tianling thought. 'In such a barren little place, at only fifteen or sixteen, she managed to develop a two-element Treasure Body all on her own. Her cultivation is even a step above that lecherous Young Master. If I were to nurture her properly, it probably wouldn't be long before she could transform it into a Five-Element Treasure Body, form the Five Elements Divine Pill, and step into the Small Divine Ability Realm.'
'At that point, I could pass on the Five Elements Star Dharma Aspect to her. When her body transforms into a Dao Body and she achieves the rank of True God in one go, she'll be another figure of an unparalleled genius level.'
'If she has another fortuitous encounter in the future...'
'...and becomes a Five Spirits Sacred Body...'
'...then her talent would surpass even the Miss's from back then. At that time, there might truly be a chance to avenge the Miss.'
However, the better her talent...
...the greater Nangong Tianling's worries grew.
'When she soars to the heavens, will she still be willing to be the Young Master's woman and help avenge the Miss? If not, what's the point of me nurturing her?'
Nangong Tianling began to be plagued by doubt and indecision.
"L-let go of me!"
Yun'Er cried out.
'This woman just ran over and grabbed my hand! And just now, a terrifying aura entered my body, as if she discovered all my secrets.'
This triggered her jealousy, which was already simmering because the Young Master had swept this woman into his arms and taken her somewhere unknown.
Although they had reappeared just a short while later...
...something was clearly different about them.
For some reason, Yun'Er's heart soured with jealousy.
And now, for this woman to pull a stunt like this... she was naturally displeased.
Even though the woman before her was incredibly powerful...
...she wasn't afraid.
'Because the Young Master is mine! No one can take him from me!'
While most people felt reverence for Nangong Tianling because of her strength and no longer dwelled on what had happened earlier, Yun'Er was different.
She couldn't let it go.
There was even a trace of panic.
She was terrified that Yang Xiao would abandon her.
But seeing Yun'Er act this way, Nangong Tianling couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. This was especially true when her True God Level Spiritual Perception easily detected the deep attachment the girl felt for Yang Xiao.
Nangong Tianling found herself liking this little girl more and more.
Involuntarily, she made a decision.
"Little girl, are you willing to take me as your master?"
Nangong Tianling asked gently.
"Little girl? You... Why should I take you as my master?"
Yun'Er was annoyed.
'This woman comes to fight for my Young Master, and on top of that, she calls me a little girl? Hmph, I'm not a child anymore, okay?' Thinking this, Yun'Er couldn't help but puff out her chest.
But then she glanced at Nangong Tianling and made a quick comparison.
She immediately deflated.
SOB...
'There's just no comparison at all.'
'Could it be... is this why the Young Master likes this woman?'
Yun'Er's face was filled with despair.
"It's perfectly normal that you can't compare to me right now. You're still young. When you're a little older, you'll naturally have a chance to catch up. Besides, if you can become a True God, you'll be even more perfect, just like me."
Just then, Nangong Tianling's voice rang inside Yun'Er's mind.
"Really?"
Yun'Er blurted out subconsciously.
Then, her face turned red.
With embarrassment.
At that moment, she finally understood that she probably had no secrets in front of this woman. She could even perceive her thoughts.
A sense of powerlessness instantly welled up in her heart.
At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a surge of envy.
'If I could be just like her, so high and mighty, would the Young Master like me then?'
With this thought, Yun'Er's resolve suddenly began to waver.
She wanted to accept Nangong Tianling's proposal.
But she was still hesitating, worried.
"You don't need to be so hostile toward me. As long as you are outstanding enough, do you really need to worry that your Young Master will abandon you?"
Nangong Tianling's words pressed her relentlessly. They finally broke through Yun'Er's defenses.
'That's right... If I can become outstanding enough, the Young Master will definitely like me...'
Seeing this thought form in her mind, Nangong Tianling shot a slightly smug glance at Yang Xiao. This was a tactic she had learned from him, after all.
It was the same move he had used earlier to help her break free from the Demon Realm.
"I need to ask the Young Master what he thinks."
Although Yun'Er had already decided to agree in her heart, she still wanted to hear Yang Xiao's opinion.
With that, she looked toward Yang Xiao.
Her gaze was questioning.
But with that one look, her heart lurched in panic.
She thought about what Nangong Tianling had said. 'If I can't become outstanding, then the Young Master... he...'
Perhaps in the eyes of others, she, with her Holy Spirit Body, had a much brighter future than Yang Xiao. But in Yun'Er's heart, her Young Master was far superior to her. If she couldn't keep up with him, would she one day lose even the right to stay by his side?
Thinking this, the desire to grow strongerāto become like Nangong Tianlingāburned even brighter in Yun'Er's heart.
Instantly, she started to feel nervous.
She was afraid Yang Xiao would disagree.
Of course, if the Young Master really did disagree, Yun'Er wouldn't be upset, just a little disappointed.
"This is a good thing. Go ahead and agree."
Sensing her thoughts, Yang Xiao smiled faintly.
The little girl's face instantly bloomed into a radiant smile.
She nodded at Yang Xiao.
Then, she turned and bowed respectfully to Nangong Tianling.
"Good, good. Since you have taken me as your master, there is something I need you to do now. Yang Xiao, you come over too. I have something to say to you both."
After speaking, without waiting for a response, Nangong Tianling lifted her hand. A powerful surge of Divine Elemental Power enveloped them both.
With a flash of her figure, they vanished to some unknown, distant place.
Because there were still some matters she needed to arrange properly.
Otherwise, she wouldn't feel at ease taking Yun'Er away just like that.