Chapter 42: Reconciliation, Granting Her the Immortal-Demon Transformation

Shen Kuo shook his head, "No. I—"

"I've forgiven you." Shen Qingli said.

Shen Kuo hadn't reacted yet, still organizing his words, "I can't say."

"A Li, I'm sorry." Still immersed in self-reproach, he kept replaying in his mind the scenes recorded by Shen Qingli's phoenix bones, as well as the image of little Shen Qingli chasing after him when he left Saint Maiden Peak.

As a result, he completely failed to notice what Shen Qingli said; he wasn't a qualified father, he shouldn't have let things take shape, causing her suffering.

"I don't blame you anymore." Shen Qingli said.

Shen Kuo stared, even though he heard those words clearly, he felt no joy, only panic.

"You……"

Shen Kuo wanted to ask, are you still going to leave, but he couldn't get the words out.

He had always known that Shen Qingli wasn't close to him, her desire to leave was strong.

She never truly regarded him as father or family; the reason was clear to him.

So he could not insist, nor could he force it, especially after seeing what she had endured, he felt even less qualified.

"At least let me protect you one last time."

Shen Kuo said slowly, he had taken the Emperor Pill under the protection of Ji Wanxing and others, his cultivation could break into the Emperor Realm at any moment.

He knew that by toying with the Azure Jade Sect from top to bottom, those hypocrites with minds smaller than a needle's tip would certainly not let her go.

He also knew that her daring to do so meant she likely had her own plans, perhaps she didn't need this father of hers at all. After all, when she needed a father most, he hadn't appeared.

Then, having already passed the hardest period, she naturally no longer needed him.

She is now a top-tier heaven's pride of the Xuanti Continent; she could summon anyone to help her with ease.

She herself also hid trump cards unknown to others, fully capable of handling everything on her own.

"No."

Shen Qingli indeed refused.

Shen Kuo's clear, calm eyes darkened.

A heart, unable to be restrained, grew painful, making it hard for him to breathe.

"You must always protect me." Shen Qingli said again.

Shen Kuo froze, unable to catch his breath, "What?"

He feared he had misheard! It wasn't the meaning he thought he heard.

"I said, you must always protect me." Shen Qingli repeated clearly.

Shen Kuo heard it clearly, very clearly, "Okay."

"You can't leave again." Shen Qingli emphasized.

"Okay!" Shen Kuo promised!

From now on, nothing and no one could make him leave his daughter.

Above the Heavenly Star Sect's camp, the boy hidden above the clouds stood on the shoulder of that demon god statue.

Behind him stood two black-robed elders, their expressions somewhat anxious, clearly wanting to speak but having to hold back.

After holding it in, the elder couldn't contain himself any longer, "Young Lord, how much longer do you intend to watch?"

Di Jin glanced at him with a sideways look, the old fellow nearly knelt!

"Young Lord, don't make things difficult for this old servant." The elder trembled.

His cultivation is quite strong, stronger than all the mighty ones of the Xuanti Continent!

But this person before him—well, never mind…

The elder was almost crying, then Di Jin withdrew his gaze.

The old fellow beside him hurriedly pulled up his little companion, "Just be patient, why? The Young Lord never said he wouldn't leave."

"Isn't the Great Formless Realm about to open?" The elder wanted to cry, worrying for whom, doing good for whom?

Moreover, that father-daughter pair aren't even attached to the Young Lord, yet he's here eagerly watching—what's so strange about that!

The elder who had been inwardly indignant for his own Young Lord quickly found balance.

Because after finishing her talk with Shen Kuo, Shen Qingli actually leapt up and flashed into this cloud layer!

Both elders were greatly surprised, especially after seeing Shen Qingli's unsurprised expression, they were even more astonished.

And their usually expressionless young lord instantly broke into a smile, saying, "You really knew."

"Then why aren't you leaving, specially waiting for me to come up and chase?" Shen Qingli retorted impatiently.

"Naturally I'm waiting for my sister to come see me off." Di Jin stepped forward, arriving before Shen Qingli.

He had actually been a bit worried just now, afraid she wouldn't come up, which would truly mean he was dispensable to this brother.

But Shen Qingli originally hadn't planned to come up; it was only because he kept not leaving that she thought to come up and take a look.

Seeing his pitiful appearance, Shen Qingli rubbed her brow, then handed him a fruit with a backhand.

The two elders were instantly startled, "Fusang Fruit!"

This, this……

What situation!?

Such a legendary fruit, they don't even have one in their sect!

This little girl before them actually just plucked one out casually?

Although it seems not yet ripe, this is still extremely remarkable!

No wonder the Young Lord insisted on waiting no matter what—turns out he was waiting for this treasure!

"Take it."

Shen Qingli placed the fruit onto Di Jin's palm.

This also exceeded his expectation!

By rights, he shouldn't have taken it.

But he still couldn't bear to give it back, "Thank you, sis."

"You really took it!" Shen Qingli felt a pang of pain.

She already regretted it, she thought this kid would return it to her.

Although she had taken it out, she actually didn't plan to take it back.

But Di Jin took it so skillfully, she—ah, it hurt so much!

She only had this one! Indeed, younger brothers are all money‑wasting troublemakers……

"Heartache?"

Di Jin wasn't surprised at all, but the smile on his face and in his eyes grew richer.

As the storybooks say, where the money is, there the heart is also.

Sister's treasure is with him, so her heart must be with him too.

After years apart, he himself wasn't sure when he could come see her again, so he could only take her good things, lest she forget him.

"Get lost, get lost."

Shen Qingli waved her hand impatiently, not even bothering to instruct how to ripen and store the Fusang fruit.

She knew that even the household servants of such a powerful force would not be unaware of these things.

But she also knew that the greater the power, the more complex it is; this kid would end up stranded on the Xuanti Continent, and having been raised by her father for so many years, he surely wouldn't have encountered only minor matters.

This cheap older sister of hers could actually be of no help, only able to give him a single chance to preserve his life.

"Then I'm really leaving."

"Mm."

Shen Qingli waved her hand.

But the young man before her embraced her!

Shen Qingli stiffened for a moment, then relaxed and patted his back.

"Be careful going back."

"Mm."

Di Jin held her tightly, just as when he first opened his eyes long ago and saw little her clinging tightly to him.

She might not remember, but he has had memories since birth.

Before her, everyone wanted to kill him.

And she, even though she clearly 'knew' he came to steal her father's, was a 'little bastard', yet she seized the moment when her mother and father were arguing, secretly snatched him away, fearing her mother would hurt him.

"Sister."

Actually, she was the first relative he saw when he opened his eyes.

No one is closer to him than she is.

"Could it be that he thinks once he goes back, he won't be able to return?"

Shen Qingli suddenly asked, guessing that this kid might lack confidence, which is why he's being so clingy.

If that's the case……

"No."

Di Jin let go of her, then couldn't help hugging her again.

He has grown up, she has become smaller.

"He won't just leave quickly."

Shen Qingli drove people away again, and she noticed that the two old servants both looked very anxious.

This time, Di Jin didn't cling anymore; he let go and returned to the demon god statue.

"He's gone."

The waving‑farewell Di Jin, his eyes smiling, still shone like stars.

Shen Qingli actually wanted to ask him whether the Immortal Demon Transformation was from 'him'.

But she also knew she couldn't ask, after all, even if it was him, he was the 'him' of her previous life.

Yet the words she didn't speak still brought her an answer……

A clear voice transmission fell beside her ear, its content made her explode!