Hei Ming Yingjie hesitated, his gaze locked on the eyes of his younger sister before giving a soft nod. Without uttering a single word of caution, he pointed his Jianxin blade into thin air. A jagged black rift tore open instantly as his entire form vanished into the void, completely indifferent to his sister's protests...

This world belonged to those ancient monsters who lived for centuries. No ordinary mortal would ever pose a threat to Hei Ming Shixuan. Hence the complete lack of concern.

Hei Ming Shixuan proved equally apathetic - no thanks, no goodbyes. She simply bolted toward the mountain range like it was nothing.

Ye Jingyu was still reeling from the thunderbolt's power when the diminutive figure spoke again, voice as smooth as winter mist: "Trouble brews once more in this world. Your ability to manifest the reincarnation eye is a sign of great fortune - but beware, for such blessings often come with peril." The moment these words hung in the air, one small hand shot out beneath him. His body was suddenly yanked downward while the snow leopard king merely turned and began trudging into the mountains.

"Respectfully inquire, Master, may I know your esteemed name?" It wasn't until the figure started disappearing that Ye Jingyu remembered he still didn't know who this stranger truly was.

But no explanation came. The small figure vanished instantly into the featureless white expanse of the mountain range.

"He's not human," Xiba's mental voice suddenly pierced through.

"You recognize his race?"

"Impossible to say." For once, even's mental wave betrayed uncertainty.

"Ajiao~!" A crystalline voice shattered the silence just then. Ye Jingyu barely had time to react before a blur of motion crashed into him with such force he was sent flying backward into a snowbank, sending plumes of powdered ice spiraling upward.

The speed had been breathtakingly fast - if this wasn't an act of goodwill, Ye Jingyu would've already been dead dozens of times over.

He found himself staring up at Hei Ming Shixuan straddling him completely bare-skinned, her lavender eyes sparkling with childlike innocence despite the compromising position.

"Shixuan... could you please get off and put some clothes on first?" The sight made Ye Jingyu's head throb painfully.

It wasn't that he didn't appreciate beautiful women - or especially those without clothing...

But when said woman was a barely pubescent girl with no covering at all, looking up at him through lavender eyes filled with future marriage vows, the situation quickly became an exercise in self-preservation for any man of normal constitution.

"Oh!" The childlike Hei Ming Shixuan obediently leapt back and flicked her hand. A flash of purple light transformed her into a vision of innocence - now properly covered by a lilac gown that left only her delicate feet exposed, each motion as cute as the next.

"Where's your sister?" Ye Jingyu chose to ignore both the absurdity and the obvious impossibility in her words.

"She went home!" The child answered cheerfully.

"Why didn't you go with her?"

"I don't like ugly people at home! I want to stay with pretty big brother!"

"...Pretty big brother?"

Confusion flickered across Ye Jingyu's face. While he certainly wasn't unattractive, the phrase seemed more suited for describing a woman than himself.

"Big brother, Shixuan is very obedient! Please don't leave me!" Seeing his puzzled expression, the little girl misinterpreted it as hesitation about keeping her with him.

"Certainly not," Ye Jingyu muttered, feeling his headache intensify with each passing second.

"Hehe~ Pretty big brother is the best! Let's kiss!" The child giggled and suddenly sprang forward, planting a soft peck right on his lips before he could react to what "kiss" might mean in her vocabulary.

"...Ugh." This time Ye Jingyu truly felt like his brain was encased in ice. A prepubescent girl had just kissed him.

This... this definitely needed to stop...

Let's go down the mountain," he finally said, staring at the porcelain doll-like figure of Hei Ming Shixuan. Despite knowing her strength might surpass even his own, he found himself compelled to protect this strange, impossible child.

Gazing up at the towering summit one last time, he took the tiny yet surprisingly warm hand in his and began their descent together.

The touch sent a shiver through him - not cold at all despite the snow.

Reconstruction had truly created something new...

The Hei Ming clan... what kind of family was this? Why did none of this sound familiar to him?

Xiba trailed silently behind, his black eyes fixed unblinking on the child's bare feet sinking into fresh powder as they walked. The question that burned in Ye Jingyu's mind now mirrored the same silent contemplation haunting the shadowy figure following them.

While Ye Jingyu wrestled with this strange little girl, at an ordinary manor outside Shuyun Kingdom's capital Yunjing City, white-robed heir Lord Luo Haitian sat silently in his chair. Before him stood a subordinate - Yeh Youqun, bowing respectfully.

"Are you absolutely certain Ye Jingyu is dead?" The young lord asked coldly without looking up from his position.

"Yes my lord! My sword's energy definitely pierced through his heart!" Yeh confirmed with unwavering certainty.

After slaying Ye Jingyu that day, he had fled back at full speed. It took only several days to return to Yunjing and deliver this news directly to the heir.

"Wonderful," Lord Luo nodded with satisfaction. "This time you've done well. Your reward will be generous."

"It is my honor to serve my lord!" Yeh kowtowed deeply, eyes gleaming with sycophantic delight.

"You may rest for now. You've worked hard enough." The heir dismissed him without even acknowledging his flattery.