As the frosty energy dissipated, leaving behind a serene chill in the air,
Fuu~
Qin Yu'er exhaled deeply, her breath visible in the icy atmosphere.
Her snowy hair shimmered under the sunlight like frost-tipped threads, and her faintly glowing lapis eyes radiated power and tranquillity.
Her jade-like skin seemed even more porcelain-like now, almost otherworldly, and her eyebrows and lashes had turned a pristine white, blending seamlessly with her ethereal presence.
She stood there, quiet and still, as if she were a goddess of frost birthed by nature itself.
She didn't look human anymore. But more like an Ice Spirit...
Mo Fan's gaze lingered on her, his thoughts conflicted. _The stronger she becomes, the less human she seems…_ his brows furrowing slightly.
She wasn't just an ice mage anymore—she was becoming a manifestation of ice element itself. _So this is a pure Ice Calamity birthed by nature..._ Mo Fan wondered.
_If she grows too powerful... will she even remain human?_
"What?" Qin Yu'er's clear, frosty voice broke his thoughts. Her lapis lazuli eyes returned to their original colour and flickered with curiosity as she noticed their stares.
"N-no, it's nothing!" Mo Fan stammered, quickly averting his eyes as if snapping out of a trance.
The little girl, however, was far less reserved.. She pointed at Qin Yu'er with her tiny hand and chirped, "Pleety!" Her cheeks were flushed with excitement as her innocent voice echoed warmly in the cool air.
Qin Yu'er blinked, a bit startled, before walking toward the little girl. Her otherworldly demeanour softened, a rare warmth flickering in her ice-like eyes.
Without hesitation, she picked up the little girl from Mo Fan's hands.
To Mo Fan's surprise, the little girl didn't resist; instead, she leaped into Qin Yu'er's arms as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Hm~ Am I pretty?" Qin Yu'er asked, her lips curving into a sly yet teasing smile as she cradled the little girl in her arms.
"Mmhm!" The little girl nodded earnestly, her innocent enthusiasm instantly melting Qin Yu'er's heart.
Then, without warning, the girl buried her tiny face into Qin Yu'er's perfect and large breasts, her cheeks pressing against the icy yet impossibly soft and bouncy warmth of her.
"Ah…" Qin Yu'er froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden affectionate gesture. A light blush tinted her pale cheeks as she gazed at the girl.
But soon, her expression softened further, and an unfamiliar yet pleasant feeling surged within her—a maternal instinct she never knew she had.
She hugged the little girl tightly, as though she were holding something precious, something she wanted to protect forever.
Over the past month, Qin Yu'er had tried relentlessly to get closer to the girl, often facing her hesitance or shyness.
But this moment of affection was like a victory, and it brought a genuine smile to her lips.
"She likes you," Mo Fan said, his tone amused but sincere as he observed the bond forming between the two.
Qin Yu'er glanced at him briefly before focusing her attention back on the girl, stroking her soft hair. "Well, it's mutual," she murmured, her voice gentle, almost as if speaking to herself.
...
After a hearty lunch, the little girl started succumbing to the pull of her afternoon nap. Her eyelids drooped, and her tiny head bobbed as drowsiness overtook her. Mo
Mo Fan noticed and gently picked her up, settling her on his lap. She immediately curled into a cozy little ball, snuggling into him as if he were her favorite blanket. Within moments, her breathing evened out, and she fell into a peaceful slumber.
He softly patted her head, his touch careful and comforting, ensuring she wouldn't wake. A small smile crept onto his face as he watched her, her innocence bringing a rare calmness to his otherwise chaotic life.
Across them, Qin Yu'er was seated cross-legged, her aura serene yet powerful as she consolidated her newly attained realm.
The icy energy around her was faint now, it seems she no longer needed any Ice Elemental Fundamental Crystals to control her aura anymore.
_She's cultivating again…_ Mo Fan thought, casting her a sideways glance.
His smile faded slightly as his thoughts drifted elsewhere. _I want to cultivate too… but Little Loach has gone into hibernation again._
Ever since the intense battle with the Obsidian (Black) Dragon Emperor, the Little Loach Pendant had been completely erratic. It started oscillating between activity and dormancy during these four months...
And now, it had gone utterly silent, leaving Mo Fan's cultivation at a frustrating standstill.
_Even though I'm no longer constricted by any roadblocks because of the Sacred Evil God's power, that doesn't mean cultivation is smooth sailing._ he mused, his fingers absentmindedly brushing through the little girl's hair. _With so many elements to manage, it's almost overwhelming to even cultivate them at all..._
His gaze shifted back to Qin Yu'er, sitting there like an embodiment of tranquility and focus. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
Sigh...
Letting out a quiet sigh, Mo Fan leaned back slightly, his hand still resting protectively on the little girl.
Despite his envy, he couldn't deny that moments like this—watching over the little girl and sharing the space with Qin Yu'er—brought a rare sense of peace to his restless heart.