It was an old man with a thin figure, but his facial features looked very energetic.
He stood in front of a tombstone with his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was solemn, and he looked like a stern and strict person. His eyes were fixed on the tombstone, but his thoughts drifted to somewhere unknown, as if he had fallen into a distant memory.
"Grandpa …"
Suddenly, a tender and cute child's voice rang out, pulling him back to reality.
He looked down and noticed that there was a small figure standing beside the old man. She looked to be about two or three years old, and her height only reached the old man's thigh.
It was a little girl. Although she was young, her facial features were exceptionally delicate and moving. Her fair skin shone with a lustrous luster, like a cute porcelain doll.
Her expression was somewhat gloomy, and she asked in a small voice, "Are my father and mother here?"
The old man's eyes flashed, then he nodded gently. "Yes."
The girl instantly lowered her eyes. "How did they die …"
"They were ambushed when they were on a mission …" The old man's voice was a little hoarse, as if that was an extremely painful memory to him.
"Originally, with their cultivation, they wouldn't have met with any mishaps, but your mother … At that time, you were already in her stomach. After a few exchanges of blows, the fetus was affected …"
The old man didn't finish his sentence, but the girl could already guess what the outcome was.
It was to protect her …
If it wasn't for her, they would have returned safely, right?
Seeing that the girl seemed to be sad and blaming herself, the old man's expression changed slightly. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he only reached out and gently patted her head, comforting her silently.
She was still too young, and these things shouldn't have been known to her.
But one day, she would have to face these things, because she would eventually sit in that position and bear everything.
Running away was only an excuse for the weak.
And she, born in this family, was destined from the beginning to only be the strongest existence.
Only then could she survive, do what she wanted to do, and protect the people she wanted to protect.
The old man sighed softly, then squatted down, looked at the girl, and said in a serious tone, "Child, you have to remember that your parents' sacrifice is meaningful. They used their own lives to teach you the most important lesson in order to make you better."
"That's why you have to become stronger. You have to become so strong that no one can defeat you. You have to stand at the peak of the strong and control it with ease. Only then can you protect what you want, understand?"
The girl seemed to be intimidated by the old man's stern expression. Her gaze was slightly evasive. She subconsciously didn't want to face those words that she didn't understand. Her heart was slightly resistant.
Because she seemed to have faintly understood that it would be an incomparably difficult path, a path that she could not turn back from once she stepped on it.
"Don't cry! Only the weak will cry! "
The old man's angry scolding caused the tears that were slowly rising in the girl's beautiful big eyes to stop.
Her little mouth was tightly pursed, and her big eyes were pretty. She looked at the old man's stern face in front of her, as if she was so frightened that she didn't dare to move.
However, the old man did not restrain himself at all. He placed his hands on the girl's little shoulders, and said word by word, "Did you hear that?"
The girl blinked her eyes and nodded as if she understood something.
The scene changed, and a few years seemed to have passed in a flash. The girl looked to be six or seven years old. She had grown a little taller, and her facial features were more delicate.
However, there was no longer any trace of timidity and hesitation on her little face. Instead, there was only maturity and determination.
In the training grounds, tall and strong adult men took turns to attack the girl. Her nimble little body dodged between them with ease, like a slippery fish.
However, although she was smart, in front of these people with true ability, she was still full of loopholes. Her little body was hit many times, but she was not knocked down. She continued to stand there steadily.
In the end, a dignified old voice shouted, "Time's up!"
Everything came to a stop. The men also stopped their attacks and stood there respectfully.
The little girl finally seemed to be unable to hold on. Her body swayed, then she fell onto the stage.
Her black training clothes were drenched in sweat, clinging tightly to her body. Her entire body was dripping wet, as if she had just been fished out of the water.
The old man looked at the girl who seemed to be exhausted, but his tense expression did not ease. He looked at the motionless girl and said in a low voice, "Stand up!"
The girl's body moved, trying to get up from the ground. However, she was really too tired and her body was in too much pain.
In addition, she seemed to have suffered quite a few hits from those people. They did not show any mercy and did not treat her like a child at all.
However, in the end, she still struggled to get up from the ground, her little face a little pale.
Seeing this, the old man slowly nodded. "You've persevered for two hours today. You've improved, but you can't relax. You have to work harder, understand?"
The girl's face was expressionless. She only answered softly.
After that, time flew by and she was already nine years old.
She was tall and slender, and her waist-length hair was tied into a high ponytail. She had a delicate and beautiful face, and it seemed that she was always calm and composed. Among her peers, she was always the most eye-catching one, whether it was her appearance or the maturity and restraint that did not match her age.
She didn't have many friends, and only a few of them were close to her. After getting to know each other, they all knew her character. She wasn't arrogant or condescending, but she was born this way. It was just that she had been alone for too long and wasn't good at communicating with others.
After all, she had been brought up by the family head since she was young. He did not treat her as a child at all. He even trained her more harshly than a boy. She was the future heir of the family …
She, who had lost her parents at a young age, was more hardworking than anyone else!
Because in this huge family, she had no one to rely on. The only person she could rely on was herself. If she was not strong, she would not even know how she would be swallowed up by the law of the jungle.
At this age, all the children of the right age in the family would be sent to train together. Because in the selection of the family's heir, only the most outstanding one would have the qualifications to be a candidate.
It was fair and just, without any favoritism.
This was also the reason why she had to work harder than others. She wouldn't receive the slightest bit of special treatment just because she was the orphan of the clan's direct descendant. On the contrary, if she didn't work hard, even the side branches would bully her.
Because she was already a pitiful worm without parents.
Human psychology was like this. They bullied the weak and feared the strong. They may have been bullied and resented, but when the same thing happened to them, they would not hesitate to step on them.
This was the sorrow of the weak!
Then, one day, a child who seemed to be older than all of them came.
That child looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old. He was a tall and slender youth. He was very handsome and his eyes were curved. He liked to smile very much.
Especially the girls, they especially liked him. When they saw him, they spontaneously surrounded him. They were so excited that their faces were red.
It was just that the girl in the black training clothes seemed to be different from the rest.
She was very beautiful and quiet.
Since he appeared, she only took a glance and then looked away. She did not pay any extra attention to him, as if he was invisible.
It was only when the old man appeared and scared the group of children away that the girl's expression finally changed. She called out to the old man in a low voice, "Grandfather."
The old man nodded, then looked at the youth and said, "You're here."
"Yes, Master." The youth nodded slightly.
Other than the children of the direct bloodline, everyone had to call him Master. This was the rule of the family. Even if those were his grandchildren, they were just distant relatives.
But the side branches were still side branches and could not be compared to his direct bloodline.
Therefore, the old man did not have much feelings for these children. He treated them all equally. Naturally, they could not be compared to his heir.
However, this young man was an exception.
He was also a child of the side branches. It was just that this time, there seemed to be a dark horse in the side branches.
This youth's cultivation talent was extremely high. He was even more outstanding than his eldest son when he was his age. Perhaps, with some nurturing, his achievements would reach an even higher level in the future. He would also be able to assist the next Master very well.
As long as he had a loyalty that would never betray him.
The old man's gaze deepened. He said, "From today onwards, you will cultivate with these children. You are very talented. I hope you can lead them to improve together."
The youth smiled gently, then said respectfully, "I will obey Master's orders. I will do my best."
When the group of children heard that this good-looking brother would be cultivating with them in the future, they were especially happy.
"Oh right, this is my granddaughter, Qing Yu. She has always been by my side. This child's parents passed away early. You will take care of her in the future!" the old man said slowly.
The youth was stunned for a moment. Then, he looked down at the girl who only reached his waist. She looked so cold. Even though the old man had said this, she did not show much emotion. She only looked up at him.
The youth curled his lips and smiled. Then, he squatted down. His gaze was level with hers. Stars seemed to twinkle in his eyes. They were warm and moving.
"Qing Yu? What a nice name. How about I call you Qingqing in the future? "
"My name is Qing Tianlin. From now on, I will be your brother. I will protect you." He looked at her with a smile. His expression was full of seriousness.
Qing Yu was dazed for a moment.
Brother?
Was that a family member that she could let down her guard and rely on without worry …
(Author: I haven't talked to the little cuties in a long time. Recently, I have been preparing for the grand finale. Then, I have been thinking about the new book in my head. I am always very conflicted. There are about two or three more chapters before I finish. I will see the new book with the little cuties. The finished chapter will be organized and published together. Recently, my fingers are injured so I can't type very well.
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