Chapter 1016: Chapter 1016

When reminiscing about the past, Ao Zhaozhao had initially wanted to cry her heart out. However, upon seeing Siheng’s serious face, she stopped herself and continued speaking.

"After he died, I didn’t know what to do, but soon a carp demon appeared, claiming that we were fated and wanted to take me as her daughter."

"But after I followed her back to Spring Lake, my nightmare began..."

"She didn’t treat me like a daughter at all. Instead... instead, she wanted to use my spiritual power for her cultivation, and even attempted to cut off my Dragon Horn and pull out my Dragon Scale..."

"She was a carp demon after all, trying to become immortal without enough merit. She thought of extracting my dragon core to help her ascend."

Siheng already knew the later developments.

A rare feeling of sorrow stirred in his heart.

Over the past ten thousand years, her suffering was far more than what she had mentioned, but she summarized it all in just a few simple sentences.

Thinking back to how gruff he had been earlier, Siheng felt a pang of guilt.

Nanli’s eyes reddened as he said, "You were born thousands of years ago, yet still look like a child. I imagine that all these years, your spiritual energy was drained by the carp demon. Zhaozhao, whether you believe it or not, neither Siheng nor I mean you any harm. From now on, we will protect you, and no one will ever bully you again."

Ao Zhaozhao lifted her head, her gaze meeting Nanli’s.

In that moment, she couldn’t help but feel moved, almost wanting to throw herself into Nanli’s arms and seek some warmth.

She could no longer afford to trust anyone so easily!

She tightly clenched her small hands, her voice cold, "Hmph! You must have some ulterior motive for saving me! Don’t keep beating around the bush—just say what you want!"

Siheng had roughly figured out why she ended up here, and with some peace of mind, he asked directly, "I’ve heard that your Dragon Clan possesses a treasure called the Demonizing Dragon Lantern. Do you know where it is?"

Ao Zhaozhao’s heart tightened painfully.

Just as she had suspected!

These people had come with an agenda, and all their talk about helping and protecting her was just a lie!

Once she revealed the location of the Demonizing Dragon Lantern, she might not even be able to keep her last Dragon Horn!

She took a deep breath and said, "I know! My father took it with him when he went to fight in the Demon Domain. But you can forget about it. That treasure fell into the Demon Domain along with my father, and it’s not in my hands."

Siheng’s face showed an unmistakable disappointment.

Nanli, seeing this, comforted him, "It’s alright. We’ll think of another way."

Siheng felt downcast inside.

He couldn’t afford to look disheartened in front of A’Li. If he showed weakness now, how could he possibly support the family and protect his wife and children in the future?

He nodded, "Alright."

Then, he turned to Ao Zhaozhao.

"What... what do you want to do?" Ao Zhaozhao felt a sudden surge of fear. She had no more value to them, so surely, she wouldn’t survive the day?

Siheng’s expression remained impassive, and he didn’t answer Ao Zhaozhao’s question. Instead, he turned to Nanli, "Since she’s the daughter of your old friend, it wouldn’t be right to leave her to someone else’s care, right? Let’s take her back to Jialan Celestial Mountain."

Nanli looked at the broken horn and said, "Alright. But her Dragon Scales can regrow, but the Dragon Horn will take at least ten thousand years."

"It can’t be helped."

Nanli suddenly smiled, "I have an idea. Siheng, can you gather the scattered barrier’s glow? That way, her Dragon Horn will regrow faster."

Siheng frowned. "She’s not my daughter."

He no longer had that kind of patience for his own son, let alone this little girl.

"But she’s my niece."

"Even so, it’s not possible," Siheng firmly rejected.

Nanli’s patience ran out, and her expression grew cold. "Siheng, don’t make me hit you."

Seeing this, Siheng’s face changed immediately, and he hurriedly tried to appease her, "Alright, I’ll do it."

He flicked his sleeve and swept away the barrier, then headed toward Spring Lake to collect the barrier’s glow.

Meanwhile, the Bai family had already rescued Bai Xiangyu and the others.

However, they had nearly drowned in the cave, and once dragged to the shore, they were frozen stiff by the wind.

Bai Peng was visibly distressed and quickly rummaged through his Qiankun Bag for any usable talismans or magical treasures.

It was Nanli who stepped forward and drew several Warming Talismans for them.

"Thank you! Thank you, Senior Nanli!" Bai Hao hastily expressed his gratitude.

Ao Zhaozhao craned her neck to watch. After a while, she slowly put on her Dragon Scale robe.

Actually, she was also very cold.

"I almost forgot," Nanli turned to Ao Zhaozhao and extended a hand. "Your Dragon Scale robe doesn’t keep you warm. Let me draw a talisman for you to warm up."

"What do you want in exchange?" Ao Zhaozhao asked cautiously.

Over the years, she had learned that when others were kind to her, they always wanted something in return.

At first, Nanli shook her head, then said, "I only have one request. What we discussed earlier must remain a secret. Not a single word to anyone."

Ao Zhaozhao was taken aback. "That’s it?"

Ao Zhaozhao found it strange. She was full of treasures, yet Nanli didn’t even ask for any of them?

No, no, she must be pretending to be gracious, only to make a move later!

Ao Zhaozhao’s mind was racing, but Nanli, seeing her small face turn red from the cold, immediately took her hand and drew a talisman.

A warm current immediately flowed through Ao Zhaozhao’s body.

Her eyes widened in amazement. It felt like magic. Even though the cold wind still blew, she no longer felt any chill.

Her small feet were bare, and she had no shoes to wear.

She didn’t want to speak and hid her feet under her Dragon Scale robe.

Nanli immediately noticed.

"Your little feet are frozen," she said with a touch of concern. "I don’t have any shoes your size, and it’s inconvenient for me to carry you. Let me find someone..."

Ximen Chuan, who had been paying attention, immediately flew over upon hearing Nanli’s voice.

"I love little kids!"

Nanli shot him a glare. "You, go away, or I’ll make you leave personally."

Ximen Chuan wasn’t having it. "She’s so cute, am I supposed to eat her? Come on, Sister, stop always thinking of me as a bad guy. I’ve helped you out a lot lately."

"It’s precisely because I know you too well that I won’t let you near her," Nanli waved to Cinian. "You carry her."

Cinian, full of excitement, walked over eagerly. "Ah, this poor monk must have done good deeds in a past life to be able to carry a Dragon Clan child!"

He rubbed his hands together, muttered a few words, then reached out to pick her up.

Ao Zhaozhao looked at Cinian, whose kind face and radiant immortal garments made her feel an instant sense of trust. She didn’t refuse.

Ximen Chuan grumbled in frustration, but Nanli, wanting to head straight to Jialan Celestial Mountain, was delayed because Bai Xiangyu and the others were still unconscious from the near-drowning. Bai Hao, shameless as always, insisted that Nanli accompany them on a short detour.

Bai Peng, ever tactful, spoke up, "The Bai family has prepared clothes and shoes for several children. Senior Nanli, you can choose a few sets for the Dragon Maiden, saving you the trouble."

Nanli suddenly remembered that Jialan Celestial Mountain had not prepared such things. More importantly, her stomach hadn’t grown recently, so she hadn’t thought to prepare clothes for the little ones.