The monster was eliminated by Jiang Yan with a single casual gesture.
Such an effortless display made Shenhe's eyes widen in astonishment.
So this is the Immortal Lord…?!
So powerful!
"Little girl, you're not hurt, are you?"
Jiang Yan lowered his head and looked at Shenhe, asking with a gentle smile.
"I'm not hurt."
Shenhe shook her head lightly.
"Thank you… Immortal Lord big bro—brother."
She tried to force a smile, but tears began falling drop by drop.
She suddenly remembered the father who had sacrificed her to that monster.
Her father's actions had completely broken her heart.
Her life had once been so happy and warm.
But now…
Everything was gone.
Seeing that Shenhe couldn't stop crying, Jiang Yan crouched down and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Don't cry. If something's wrong, Immortal Big Brother will help you solve it."
But Jiang Yan's soft voice only made her cry even harder.
"Waaah… big brother… my dad doesn't want me anymore…"
"I… I don't have a home anymore…"
Little Shenhe sobbed uncontrollably, her eyes red.
Her mother had died.
Her father had abandoned her.
For a child, the blow was simply too much to bear.
Most importantly—
She had no idea what to do next.
The future was nothing but fear and confusion.
For a moment, Jiang Yan didn't know what to do either.
Looking at Shenhe's heartbreaking expression, he sighed softly.
At that moment, he really wanted to drag Shenhe's useless father back and beat him senseless.
Seeing her cry like this made Jiang Yan feel uncomfortable as well.
Forget it.
Raising one child is raising them. Raising two is also raising them…
Jiang Yan raised his hand and gently patted Shenhe's head.
"If you have nowhere to go…"
"Then come with Big Brother."
"If you don't have a home, Big Brother will give you one."
"What do you think?"
Hearing this, Shenhe suddenly lifted her head.
Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes.
"Big brother… you want to… take me in?"
She had never expected that when she felt the most lost in life, Jiang Yan would offer her a ray of salvation.
After everything that had just happened, she had no plans for the future at all.
She certainly couldn't go home.
She didn't want to face that cruel father ever again.
But without a home—
How could a small child like her survive in this world?
Wander alone?
Shenhe felt deeply moved by Jiang Yan's kindness.
She never imagined that someone she had just met would offer to take her in.
"N-No!"
Suddenly remembering something, Shenhe quickly shook her head.
"They all say I have the fate of Lone Star Calamity."
"I'll bring misfortune to the people around me."
"If I stay with you, I'll bring trouble to you too."
"So… it's better not."
"Thank you, big brother."
Shenhe bowed to Jiang Yan, politely refusing his kindness.
As she spoke, she deliberately stepped back, creating distance between them.
She was afraid she might bring him harm.
In her eyes, this Immortal Big Brother was such a good person.
She couldn't let herself ruin his life.
"Heh, so that's why."
Jiang Yan chuckled softly.
Little Shenhe looked both pitiful and adorable right now.
She was like a tiny hedgehog—wanting to get close, yet afraid of hurting others.
Jiang Yan crouched down and grabbed Shenhe's small hand, gently pulling her closer.
Then he pointed at himself.
"Little one, who am I?"
"Im… Immortal Big Brother…"
Shenhe answered softly.
She wanted to step away again, but Jiang Yan's hand held her firmly in place.
"Exactly. I'm an Immortal."
Jiang Yan smiled.
"I'm an adeptus, right?"
Shenhe nodded, not understanding why he suddenly said that.
"Since I'm an Immortal, do you really think I'd be afraid of something like this so-called Lone Star Calamity fate?"
A mere cursed destiny?
If it became a problem, Jiang Yan could simply visit Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and modify Shenhe's fate through the World Tree.
And if the World Tree couldn't solve it—
Then he'd go ask Celestia.
He refused to believe that something like a "destiny" could trouble him.
Shenhe was stunned by his words.
…That actually made sense.
As a child raised in Liyue—and one born into a family of exorcists—Shenhe had grown up hearing countless stories about the Immortal Lord and the Geo Lord.
The anxiety in her heart slowly faded.
"So?"
"Will you come with me?"
Jiang Yan stood up.
Standing beneath the sunlight, he extended his hand toward her.
Shenhe fell silent.
After a long moment, she slowly reached out and tightly grabbed Jiang Yan's hand.
"F-from now on… I'll be in your care, big brother!"
Even after being betrayed by her father, Shenhe still chose to trust the young man who had reached out to her.
Jiang Yan smiled when he heard her words.
"You don't need to call me big brother anymore."
He gently rubbed her hair.
"Huh? Then… what should I call you?"
Shenhe looked at him in confusion.
"Hmm… how about 'Master'?"
"You'll be my third disciple from now on. What do you think?"
"…Alright, Master."
"Good girl."
As he spoke, Jiang Yan lifted Shenhe into his arms.
"Big brothe—Master!"
Shenhe was startled and quickly wrapped her arms around Jiang Yan's neck.
"Sigh… your father really was heartless."
The attentive Jiang Yan had already noticed Shenhe's legs.
They were clearly swollen.
He guessed that when her father brought her up the mountain, he hadn't let her rest at all.
For such a young child, climbing a mountain like that nonstop was far too much.
It would be strange if her legs weren't swollen.
Jiang Yan placed his hand gently on her calf.
In his mind, the Horse Talisman lit up.
A faint glow spread from his hand.
Shenhe immediately felt a cool, soothing sensation.
It felt wonderful.
Gradually, the soreness in her legs disappeared.
Looking at Jiang Yan carefully healing her, Shenhe felt deeply moved.
My master… is really gentle.
A moment later, Jiang Yan lightly tapped the ground with his foot.
The two of them floated into the air.
"Aaaah!"
Shenhe let out a startled cry as Jiang Yan carried her up into the sky. ✨
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