Chapter 10: The Beginner's Grace Period—A Tender Cabbage That Attracts the Boar!
“To be honest, I quite like this, too. Yours is tasty, but compared to the ones I’ve had, it’s still lacking. And candied hawthorn isn’t even the best treat—there are others…”
Such a scene—involving slightly older children—would be called what? Frivolous, indecent, greasy, even lecherous!
But at Ling Tian’s age?
Everyone simply believed Ling Tian really just wanted a taste, as he said.
What kind of evil thoughts could a little child have? Not only did he barely have any hair, he hadn’t even grown all his teeth yet. To think he would have any understanding of matters between men and women—no one would believe that even if their lives depended on it!
So when Ling Tian acted as he did, there was no real repulsion—truly, none at all.
After all, kids see food and want to eat—it’s perfectly normal, isn’t it?
Besides, Xiao Ling’er was gripping the candied hawthorn so tightly in her hand that it would be difficult for Ling Tian to snatch it away.
Given that, it made sense for Ling Tian to eat the crumbs at the corner of her mouth instead.
Indeed, this “newcomer’s protection filter” was powerful.
“Are you serious?”
Hearing Ling Tian list all those delicacies, stars shone in Xiao Ling’er’s eyes, and she even drooled a little at the corners of her mouth.
Though she was the saintess of the Fire God Sect, she’d had little chance to taste mortal-world delicacies.
Her father always said such food was unhealthy, and eating it from a young age would make her very fat—so fat, in fact, that she’d never get married.
But in her heart, she’d never really cared about such things.
With her father watching her so closely, she was never able to get her way.
Yan Chen had brought her delicious treats before, and in her eyes, that made him very important!
If he left, she might never get to eat such sweet candied hawthorn again.
“Of course it’s true. Why don’t you come stay with me for a few days?”
Ling Tian’s eyes spun with mischief as he voiced what he truly wanted.
Xiao Ding, listening to this exchange, grew darker and darker in the face.
He’d just driven away one pig eyeing his precious cabbage, and now another had appeared.
Was his little cabbage really so irresistible to pigs?
And this brat—who hadn’t even grown all his teeth—was trying to lure his daughter with food?
Right in front of him, no less. Damn it! If it weren’t for the presence of the Chaos Emperor, he’d have made sure this little rascal’s backside was thoroughly thrashed.
So young, and already learning such things?
He even did it with such skill. If one ignored his height and age, Ling Tian seemed almost professional.
Yet, in this situation, it was simply comical—a child not yet a year old, teeth barely grown, waving his arms and legs as he painted grand visions before a seven- or eight-year-old girl.
It was truly… like seeing the world through a tiny slit in a knife.
Xiao Ding was deeply frustrated, but with the Chaos Emperor present, he had no say.
This scene did not escape Yan Chen’s notice; his fists clenched unconsciously.
Behind his cold eyes, a surge of anger welled up.
Ling’er was his—no one else was allowed to touch her!
He still remembered, in his darkest time, it was Ling’er’s appearance that gave him the will to live.
She’d stopped the outer disciples from bullying him, letting him keep his ancestral ring.
That led to all his later opportunities. In his heart, he already considered Xiao Ling’er his.
Apart from her family, no one of her generation could lay a finger on her.
Yet here was this infant, so brazen—unforgivable!
“Calm yourself! If you act now, you will surely die!”
A world-weary voice sounded in Xiao Ding’s spiritual sense, quelling Yan Chen’s fury.
“Master…”
Yan Chen was still unwilling.
“To let your Dao heart be so shaken by a woman—you will never achieve greatness. Endure!”
The ancient voice was tinged with anger. Such temperament would be his downfall; in this situation, even the master himself might not escape unscathed.
Youth always yearns for love—girls love heroes, and boys love beauties…
The old man consoled himself inwardly. He would never admit he’d chosen the wrong person.
Yan Chen took a deep breath, steadying himself.
[Yan Chen’s Dao heart damage: 5%.]
[Reward: A drop of Ancestral Essence Blood (optional)]
Such a prompt rang in Ling Tian’s mind.
A thoughtful look flashed in Ling Tian’s eyes—5% equaled one drop. Was this the threshold for rewards?
Tsk, Ling Tian clicked his tongue inwardly, looking at Yan Chen with a hint of amusement.
So attached to a woman? That was somewhat disappointing.
If he made a move on Xiao Ling’er, the task would be completed quickly, wouldn’t it?
But Ling Tian didn’t plan to do so—at least not for now.
He preferred to win by strength, rather than by such means.
If things progressed too quickly, it would be boring.
Taking Xiao Ling’er back was secondary to the task; with his dual-pupil vision, he’d discovered something interesting about her!
His earlier probing was partly because of Yan Chen, but upon hearing why Xiao Ling’er defended Yan Chen, Ling Tian changed his mind.
He had to take Xiao Ling’er back!
Otherwise, what if someone else snatched her up?
Cultivation was all about seizing opportunities, treasures—everything had to be fought for.
If you didn’t fight, you’d be eliminated.
Brutal, but real.
“Have you made up your mind?”
Ling Tian looked at the hesitant Xiao Ling’er, prompting her—an answer was needed, after all.
Yet his words weren’t for Xiao Ling’er, but to give Xiao Ding a chance to speak.
After all, such a matter was not for Xiao Ling’er to decide.
Hearing Ling Tian, Xiao Ling’er’s little face wrinkled as she looked toward her father at the back.
In her heart, her father’s word carried great weight.
“Ling’er is only seven or eight and has never traveled on her own. She’d probably cause you all trouble. Perhaps it’s better if…”
Xiao Ding hesitated for a moment before making up his mind.
Ling’er was his only child, and he had promised her mother he’d always keep her safe.
If Ling Tian took her away, who knew what might happen?
If anything happened to Ling’er, he’d have no way to answer for it!
Though Ling’er might receive guidance from the Chaos Emperor, Xiao Ding was still afraid of any mishap.
After all, Ling Tian didn’t seem like a trustworthy person.
“Fellow Daoist Xiao Ding, may I have a word?”
At that moment, Luo Changsheng, who had already come to the side, spoke up, pulling Xiao Ding aside.
He raised a hand, shielding their conversation from the others.
Ling Tian watched them go, a sharp light in his eyes. As expected, the Emperor’s methods were far superior to his own.
He’d told Luo Qingqiu about this, and she’d immediately found someone to speak on her behalf.
This Luo Changsheng was no ordinary figure!
The pressure he exuded was far greater than that of Lin Pingfeng.
If Lin Pingfeng had just entered the Ninth Level of Saint Emperor, his foundation still unsteady,
Luo Changsheng had been at that level for a long time.
Reaching the Saint realm was already considered a great power—after all, it was the highest realm below the Emperor.
Saint Emperor was the realm closest to the Emperor.
For Luo Qingqiu, this barrier was nothing, but for everyone else, it was formidable.
Xiao Ling’er’s beautiful eyes remained fixed on her father, filled with worry.
Though he was strict with her diet, in all other respects he was nearly flawless as a father.
She didn’t want anything to happen to him.
Thinking of this, she glanced at Ling Tian—given his status, would speaking to him help?
But before she could act, the barrier was lifted.
She looked at her father, surprise flashing in her big eyes.
His face was calm, yet she could see excitement and joy in his gaze.
That was rare for him.
In her memory, only on her birthday or when she made a major breakthrough in cultivation did he show any happiness at all—never such a loss of composure. What could have happened?
Xiao Ling’er was puzzled, but didn’t ask. As long as her father was fine, she was at ease. The rest didn’t matter much.
“Ling’er, I’ve discussed it with the Holy Lord Luo, and we think it’s good for young people like you to interact more. Besides, you’ve been cooped up in the Fire God Sect for so long—it’s time you went out and had some fun. Go and enjoy yourself for a few days!”
Xiao Ding came before Xiao Ling’er, forcing a smile despite his reluctance.
“Really?”
Hearing her father agree, Xiao Ling’er was incredulous at first, then overjoyed.
Just now she was worried for her father, but now, knowing he was safe and that she had permission to go play with the little brat, she was naturally delighted.
Children loved to play, after all.
The thought of visiting new places and tasting new treats filled her with excitement—being alone no longer mattered.
Besides, she wouldn’t truly be alone.
Xiao Ding nodded, gazing at the light in her eyes with a sigh.
It seemed his little cotton-padded jacket had a few holes in it!
“Sect Master, I don’t think this is appropriate. I’m the Holy Son, Ling’er is the Saintess—if we both leave the sect at the same time…”
Yan Chen frowned and couldn’t help but interject.
From Ling Tian’s actions, it was obvious he was targeting him.
If he went to their place, who knew how he would be treated?
Damn it, just moments ago Xiao Ding had refused to let his daughter go—how had his mind changed so quickly?
If Ling’er didn’t go, he probably wouldn’t let him go either, and the chances of being taken away would be slim.
He couldn’t very well fall out with them in public, could he?
“Silence! You are the Holy Son and I am the Sect Master—I make the decisions here. And another thing: Ling’er is not yours to address so familiarly!”
Xiao Ding was thoroughly annoyed by Yan Chen’s remarks, and his identity gave him a perfect outlet for his frustrations.
Yan Chen was stunned—so much for young people getting to know each other!
“Ling’er can be a little naive—please look after her.”
Having vented his feelings, Xiao Ding turned to Ling Tian with a smile—more accurately, to the Chaos Emperor.
“Ling’er? What a lovely name!”
Ling Tian nodded slowly.
Yan Chen heard this and looked at Xiao Ding’s reaction—he was all smiles—and his face darkened instantly:
So this is what you meant by ‘young people interacting’—this ‘young’ indeed!