Published: March 8, 2025
In the following two days, Ning Tianya naturally became the little one's protector.
Wherever he went, the little one followed.
An old man and a young child, their bond surprisingly grew stronger. They spent every day together without really knowing what to do.
Tie Butian found great comfort in this situation.
With Ning Tianya by his son's side, it was practically foolproof.
Of course, Tie Butian did not know the details of this old man and young child's time together. If he did, this wise emperor might just faint from shock.
"Ahem, Tie Yang, isn't it time to start the lecture today? How's that monkey doing? Did he come down from the mountain?" Ning Supreme asked.
"What’s the rush?" the little one rolled his eyes. "We still need to practice today..."
"..." Ning Supreme sighed.
Suddenly, he felt a strange sense of rejuvenation.
He was once the one teaching his disciple, meticulously coming up with stories for him; now he found himself protecting this little one, even needing to plead for the little one to tell him stories...
One day, Ning Tianya, somewhat perplexed, asked, "These things are quite profound, yet you told me on our very first meeting... Is it true that children can't keep secrets?"
"This is fate," the little one said mysteriously.
"Fate?" Ning Supreme felt a bit proud. It seemed he was quite likable... This little one felt a connection upon seeing him, trustworthy...
"But actually, I miscalculated!" the little one suddenly said with some disappointment. "You're here to protect us... but I always felt your cultivation level was low, just starting out... so I thought..."
Ning Tianya was taken aback.
Then, the muscles on his face twitched, then twitched again, and once more...
At that moment, he felt somewhat resentful.
Why couldn't you just stick to the first explanation? Fate...
But adding that latter part...
It would have been better if you hadn't said it at all.
However, in these past few days, if we were to speak of benefits, it was indeed Ning Tianya who benefited the most! He felt like a traveler who had no way out, suddenly discovering several paths before him!
What would it feel like for someone lost in a desert when suddenly multiple paths appeared, each leading to an oasis?
That was how Ning Tianya felt.
Back when he first ascended to the Nine Heavens Pavilion, he knew his cultivation level was far from sufficient.
Otherwise, Snow Tear Cold wouldn't have specifically asked him to watch the Nine Heavens; there were definitely many suitable candidates for the task... Why was he the only one chosen?
On one hand, he had ascended from that place. On the other... perhaps it was because of his talent or his not-so-promising future? Remaining up there would be a waste; it would be better to return to the Nine Heavens and do something...
Ning Tianya had long come to terms with this. Though he felt a bit disheartened, he also understood that such matters could not be forced.
But now, with a few words from Tie Yang and a few from Tie Butian, they combined to give Ning Tianya a tremendous opportunity!
His talent may still be as before, absolutely unchanged.
But he had already seen a path to greatness, and knew how to walk it!
This was, for Ning Tianya, akin to a miraculous transformation!
...
One day, an old man and a young child were sitting under the World Tree...
Suddenly, Ning Tianya's expression changed. He felt something amiss.
Was there an abnormality... had someone from the Lan Family come down?
Actually, for the past few days, Ning Tianya had been puzzled: why hadn’t the people from the Lan Family come down yet? Their speed was so slow, their reactions so delayed...
Of course, Ning Supreme didn't know that the first batch had already come down, and it was just a matter of distance; that batch had stopped briefly before 'going down' again...
Feng Qiliang also sensed something and rushed over.
"You watch the palace," Ning Tianya frowned. "I'm going to intercept them directly!"
Feng Qiliang nodded in relief.
...
The Grand Elder of the Lan Family and others descended without encountering any obstacles.