It was an open secret that Lan Yan had feelings for Zhao Huai.
However, in the clan, Zhao Huai only had two things on his mind. One was cultivation, and the other was taking care of his younger sister, Zhao Shuning. He didn't pay much attention to matters of the heart. Maybe he himself didn't know that in others' eyes, he and Lan Yan were a perfect match.
Lan Yan was talented, and Zhao Huai was the most well - known disciple in the clan after Lan Anran. When they stood together, they were like a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven. So this scene caught others' attention.
Lan Yan blushed even more and quickly took a few steps back. "I, I don't have much to say. I just, just wanted to ask if you'll be free next month? I was thinking—"
Zhao Huai replied, "You want me to go with you to pick out a gift, right?"
"Ah?"
"Next month is Xiao Ning'er's fourteenth birthday. You want to pick a gift for her, don't you?"
Lan Yan was taken aback for a moment and then said, "Yes."
"I'll be free."
I'll be free? What did that mean? Did it mean he wouldn't be free if it wasn't for picking a gift for Zhao Shuning?
Zhao Huai added, "Come and find me next month. I'll try to clear my schedule. Xiao Ning'er is lucky to have a friend like you who thinks so much about her. I'm really happy for her."
Zhao Shuning is so lucky to have such a great brother like you.
"That's it then, junior sister. I'll take my leave."
"Um—okay."
After Zhao Huai left, Lan Yan walked alone on the path in the clan, kicking small stones along the way.
Actually, she had no idea that next month was Zhao Shuning's fourteenth birthday. Lan Yan just wanted to ask if Zhao Huai could visit her Lan family next month to help her out.
Since Lan Yan was almost twenty, it was the age for a girl to get married. Her parents gave her two options: either go and meet Lin Lang, the most outstanding disciple of the An family, or bring Zhao Huai home.
She had struggled a lot before finally opening her mouth. But she never expected that next month was Zhao Shuning's birthday.
"Zhao Shuning, sometimes, I really envy you."
Lan Anran was her own brother and was good to her, but he was nowhere as dedicated to her as Zhao Huai was to Zhao Shuning.
When they first met, Zhao Shuning was just a nine - year - old child. Her facial features were not so well - defined then, and she still had a bit of baby fat.
But as time passed, Zhao Shuning had changed a lot compared to when she first entered the clan. Her features had become extremely delicate. Coupled with her cheerful and straightforward personality, she got along very well with her senior and junior brothers and sisters.
Since she was young, the fellow disciples in the clan all doted on her like a child. All these things made Lan Yan envious at times.
Before, when Zhao Shuning was beside her, people only had eyes for her. Zhao Shuning was just a background. But now, when Lan Yan and Zhao Shuning went out together, the senior brothers would greet Zhao Shuning first and even pretend to hug her. Only then would they casually say, "Junior sister Lan is here too." At this time, Lan Yan could only force a embarrassed smile.
But at least, since Zhao Shuning was Zhao Huai's sister and Lan Yan had feelings for Zhao Huai, she usually took good care of Zhao Shuning.
Time flew by, and it was Zhao Shuning's birthday.
Zhao Shuning received many gifts from her fellow disciples. Lan Yan gave her a big night pearl.
Zhao Huai, on the other hand, secretly took Zhao Shuning out of the clan after the birthday dinner.
That night, they sat on the tallest rooftop in the capital city of Chang'an. Zhao Huai pointed at the stars in the sky and asked, "Do you like it?"
"Yeah."
"Brother has a gift for you."
Zhao Shuning looked up.
Zhao Huai whispered, "Look."
A white dot appeared beside the stars. Then, it got brighter and brighter and rushed towards them.
As the white dot got closer, Zhao Shuning realized that it wasn't a meteor but a top - level demon beast comparable to a divine beast - the White Tiger.
The tiger was the king of all beasts. Its might and the ability to subdue ghosts in legends made it a divine beast of yang. The White Tiger's strength and speed were astonishing. Especially when hunting, once it set its eyes on a prey, very few could escape.
"Do you like it?"
"Brother, you?"
"Xiao Ning'er is already a five - level spiritual pharmacist. At your level, you should have your own divine beast."
Zhao Shuning said, "The White Tiger is a very precious demon beast. Its abilities are almost on par with a divine beast, and it has always been known as the God of War. But brother, why don't you keep it for yourself?"
In the clan, there were seven or eight people who practiced both spiritual power and mental power. Lan Yan was one of them. In the few years that Zhao Shuning had been in the clan, she was almost about to break through to a six - yuan spiritual pharmacist. But what really improved rapidly was her mental power. Now, she was also a sixth - grade alchemist.
"Brother doesn't need it, Xiao Ning'er. Brother wants to protect you all the time, but obviously, I can't. I know your personality. You have so many things you want to do and you don't like others interfering in your affairs. I can't always be by your side."
"Brother—"
"Also, the Emperor once said that there are violent factors in my blood. I need to cultivate my mind well in the clan. Otherwise, I'm afraid that one day, just as the Emperor said, I won't be able to help you but might even hurt you."
"That won't happen. I believe that no matter what, no matter what you become, you will never hurt me."
Zhao Huai smiled gently.
"Xiao Ning'er, if one day I really do something to you, I'll cut off the hand that does it."
Zhao Shuning leaned her head gently on Zhao Huai's shoulder.
"I believe in you, brother. You're not a blood - thirsty villain."
"Maybe in this world, you're the only little girl who would trust me so completely."
Zhao Huai gently scraped Zhao Shuning's nose with his index finger and laughed happily.
"I'm glad you like it."
"I really like it, but brother, the divine beast I want to make a contract with is not the White Tiger. Of course, the White Tiger is very powerful."
Zhao Huai smiled understandingly.
"Of course, my Xiao Ning'er deserves something better. This White Tiger is for your self - defense. Just keep it with you. When necessary, it will be a great help to you."
"Thank you, brother."
Zhao Shuning hugged Zhao Huai's waist with both hands, just like when she was a child.
Zhao Huai whispered, "Xiao Ning'er, thank you for believing in me. You're the closest person to brother."
"We're family. Family is connected by blood."
Both of them smiled understandingly.
Zhao Shuning and Zhao Huai didn't notice that not far behind them, a green figure was standing on the top floor, watching them.
"Emperor—"
"Xiaobai, let's go back."
On the tall building, a lifelike phoenix made of wool balls was quietly lying in the corner.