"Huh? He is sad?"
Hu LienA blinked in surprise and looked at Bibi Dong, who was sitting opposite to her in the room.
With a nod, Bibi Dong spoke "Yeah... you know that girl, Renxue... she left today for a mission and won't be here for a while."
"And seems like Yan'er misses her."
Hu Liena's gaze lowered in thought "I see... maybe I should go and talk to him."
Bibi Dong watched her disciple quietly with a faint smile on her lips "Go," she said gently, crossing one leg over the other.
"Yan'er normally brushes things off. Your presence might help him."
Hu Liena nodded her head "Then I'll go see him, Teacher."
As she turned toward the door, Bibi Dong muttered, "He's in the eastern courtyard. He said he wanted to 'breathe some air', but… well, you know how he gets when he's overthinking."
"…I'll go to him."
...
In the center of the courtyard Xuan Yan was standing with his eyes narrowed in concentration as he swung a wooden sword through the air.
The atmosphere around him seemed to twist under the pressure of his sword intent as faint ripples shimmered around his body like distorted reflections in water.
Hu Liena stepped deeper into the courtyard "Little brother."
Hm? His sword froze mid-motion, and the violent ripple of sword intent collapsed instantly.
He slowly lowered his blade and turned his head toward her.
"… Sister Nana?" he murmured, wiping a single strand of white hair from his forehead as he straightened himself.
Hu Liena stepped closer and patted his shoulder "Still training?"
With a light chuckle, he nodded "Yeah..."
They moved together toward the large tree near the corner of the courtyard, its branches swaying gently in the evening breeze.
Sitting on the wooden bench, Xuan Yan let out a soft sigh and Hu Liena sat beside him.
She reached into her bag, took out a cold bottle of water, and handed it to him without a word.
He accepted it, taking a few slow gulps before placing it beside him again.
She looked at him for a moment... the slight crease between his eyebrows and the way his fingers tapped idly against his knee 'Is he still thinking about her?'
Then, without hesitation, she shifted closer and gently wrapped her arm around his shoulder.
Xuan Yan blinked and looked up at her in surprise "Sister Nana?"
Hu Liena tightened her hug slightly as her hand went up to pat the back of his head. "Yan'er… don't forget that you have a senior sister."
"If you ever feel down, even for a moment, you can come to me. You don't always have to act strong."
Before he could respond, she leaned forward and pressed a small, affectionate kiss on the top of his head.
The breeze rustled softly around them as she rested her cheek lightly against his hair.
A quiet laugh escaped him as he leaned back into her warmth. "Senior Sister…" he said with a helpless smile.
...
After returning to his room, Xuan Yan let himself fall onto the bed as he stared at the ceiling.
'Going around the mainland… I don't have to cultivate like others; the system will help me. So...I think it's time to summon her and explore this world a little.'
'System, use the Titled Douluo Summoning Card.'
[Yes Host!]
In the very next moment, the air in front of him twisted and gathered into a spinning point of golden light.
It brightened rapidly as someone appeared and kneeled before him.
"Lord..."
Xuan Yan's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the woman kneeling before him.
She wore long, flowing red robes that wrapped around her, and a red veil half-hid her stunning face.
Her long scarlet-red hair cascaded down her back, and behind the veil, her ruby eyes glowed with fierce intensity.
Ma Xiaotao.
A top-tier powerhouse- Level 96 Super Douluo. And with her Ultimate Fire… even Level 98 Hyper Douluos would have to take her seriously.
He blinked once before smiling "Sister Tao, get up."
Her shoulders trembled faintly. Being addressed so familiarly by the one she was created to serve… she didn't expect that.
She stood up gracefully. "Lord, what shall I do?"
Xuan Yan shook his head softly "You don't have to call me 'Lord,' Sister Tao. You can just call me brother. Or Yan."
She hesitated, "B-But, Lord, I-"
"Just call me brother."
Ma Xiaotao looked conflicted, then lowered her gaze slightly before whispering, "…Then I will call you… Brother Lord."
Xuan Yan sighed helplessly 'Stubborn and loyal.'
He stood up from the bed and moved to the sofa, sitting comfortably.
Then, with a gentle pat on the seat beside him, he said, "Sister Tao, sit."
She nodded obediently and quietly sat beside him.
He looked at her for a moment before asking, "Sister Tao, what do you remember?"
She blinked once in surprise and then looked directly into his eyes with unwavering devotion. "You,"
"…Me?"
[Host, she was created only to serve you wholeheartedly. She is 100% loyal and will do anything for you.]
Seeing his confused expression, Ma Xiaotao leaned forward slightly. "I have a strong feeling that I was born only to serve you."
"You are my lord… the only one I care about. I will follow any command you give."
Xuan Yan smiled warmly. "Sister Tao, take off your veil."
She nodded without question. Slowly, she lifted the thin red cloth, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face.
He couldn't help but smile "Sister Tao is really beautiful."
'She looked even more beautiful than how she was portrayed in the novel.'
Ma Xiaotao slightly lowered her gaze. "Lo-Brother Lord is also… very handsome."
Xuan Yan chuckled quietly 'Can't believe this is the same hot-tempered Ma Xiaotao.'
Then he asked, "As for your presence… can you stay hidden?"
"Yes," she replied immediately. "I don't know how, Brother Lord, but I can reside inside your body. In a space only you can access. No one will sense me. Even Limit Douluos cannot detect me."
[System space.]
Xuan Yan gave a faint nod "Mhm, Sister Tao, from tomorrow I will wander the mainland, and I will need Sister Tao to protect me in dangerous situations."
Ma Xiaotao bowed her head "I will protect you with my life..."
As Xuan Yan was about to reply, he heard a knock on the door "Yan'er?"
'Sister Nana?'
Ma Xiaotao hurriedly stood up and whispered "My Lord, is she one of the threats"
He hurriedly shook his head "No, No, Sister Tao, you go back inside, I will handle it."
"As you wish."
Ma Xiaotao gave a small bow, and the next second, she vanished completely.
Xuan Yan hurriedly stood up and opened the door.
There he saw Hu Liena standing on her night robes with a pillow in her hand "Shall... we sleep together?"