Bai Qingnian stayed in the library for five whole days.

"Seeing someone's heart race because... they're starting to feel love? Starting to feel love?!"

Why is it like this again?

Bai Qingnian slammed the book shut in frustration; behind him lay a huge pile of books he had already read.

Having found no other solution, Bai Qingnian had no choice but to get up and return to his Moon Goddess Peak.

Then he'll keep a close eye on her all the time, so he can immediately notice if anything goes wrong.

Just as Bai Qingnian returned to his mountain peak, a small figure pounced over.

"Master~"

Bai Qingnian was afraid she would fall, so he quickly bent down and hugged her.

Why are you running so fast?

"Missing Master" Of course I miss you, little fox!

Long Qianling was picked up by him as she wished, her arms wrapped around his neck, and a triumphant look appeared in her red eyes where Bai Qingnian could not see.

"Miss me... cough, miss your master for what?" Bai Qingnian was about to refer to himself as "I" when he realized that he was now the master and should say "I, your master."

"This place is so big. Master is gone, leaving A-Ling all alone here. A-Ling is so scared," Long Qianling said, sobbing.

No one knew that after she toured Moon Goddess Peak that day, she used their marriage contract to find Bai Qingnian's location.

So, he transformed his figure back to its original form and then disappeared. He also went to the library and sat quietly to the side, watching Bai Qingnian turn the entire library upside down with a troubled expression.

Bai Qingnian paused. Yes, how could he leave a little girl like her on Moon Goddess Peak? She was unfamiliar with the place and everyone; how scared she must have been.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again next time, Ah... Ah Ling, don't be afraid."

"Mmm, I'm not afraid with Master here." Long Qianling rubbed his fluffy head against Bai Qingnian's neck and replied with a smile.

Bai Qingnian felt an itch on her neck, so he put her down on the ground, took her hand, and led her into the hall.

"I am a water elemental root, so I cannot teach you magic. However, I accidentally obtained a secret about fire elemental roots before, so let's start cultivating now," Bai Qingnian said softly.

“Alright, disciple will listen to Master.” Long Qianling replied obediently.

The two quickly entered the main hall of the Moon Goddess Temple. Bai Qingnian led Long Qianling to the jade bed and asked her to sit down.

"Since you can move swiftly up the Heavenly Ladder, it means you have already entered the cultivation stage. Now let's feel the fire spirit root within your body."

"Yes, Master."

Long Qianling obediently sat cross-legged, tilting her head back and looking at the silver-haired man standing in front of her with a smile.

Bai Qingnian smiled gently and reached out to rub her head, only to find that her hair, which had been tied up, was now a little messy after he rubbed it.

"Ahem, let's begin then." Bai Qing coughed lightly to cover up his unease, and slowly sat down on the jade bed.

"Okay~" Long Qianling was still smiling, as if she hadn't noticed that Bai Qingnian had messed up her hair.

But deep within those red eyes was a doting affection for Bai Qingnian.

However, Bai Qingnian could not see it.

"Alright, now close your eyes, relax your mind and body, try to feel the fire spirit in the air, and then absorb it into your dantian and make it your own." As soon as Bai Qingnian finished speaking, he closed his eyes first and demonstrated for Long Qianling.

Long Qianling watched him slowly close his eyes, staring straight at him without making any movement.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Bai Qingnian opened her eyes and met Long Qianling's red eyes. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. "What's wrong? Can't you sense the fire spirit? Don't worry, take your time."

“Master, I can now skillfully control my spiritual power and no longer need to sense the fire spirit.” Long Qianling raised his hand in front of Bai Qingnian, and with a whoosh, blue flames danced in his palm.

"You..." Bai Qingnian stared blankly at the blue flame in her palm.

He knew she was talented, but he didn't expect her to be able to skillfully control spiritual power.

"Master, let's learn the next one." Seeing his silence, Long Qianling spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Okay, let's move on to the next one." Bai Qingnian quickly responded after snapping out of her daze.

The two stayed in the main hall for a whole day, and Bai Qingnian only let Long Qianling go back to rest the next morning.

After Long Qianling left, Bai Qingnian stared in the direction she had gone for a while before turning his gaze away.

There was nothing unusual. Could that have been an accident?

Am I overthinking things?

Bai Qingnian raised his hand to rub his temples and sighed.

Long Qianling returned to his side hall, transformed back into his original form, snapped his fingers, and a golden light screen appeared in the center of the hall. After setting up a soundproof array around it, he slowly spoke.

"How is the demon realm doing now?"

"Your Majesty, everything is fine in the Demon Realm. Your inner palace has been strictly guarded, and your safety is absolutely guaranteed!" Hu Ruo appeared in the light screen, smiling憨态可掬 (a Chinese expression meaning simple and honest).

"Okay, that's good." Long Qianling nodded slightly, looking quite pleased.

Seemingly remembering something, he asked, "By the way, is there any news from the Demon Realm or the Ghost Realm?"

"The Demon Lord came yesterday and brought news that the Ghost Realm has now been swallowed up by the Demon Realm," Hu Ruo replied.

"Pretty fast," Long Qianling said with a smile, her red eyes falling on Hu Ruo's face. She frowned slightly. "Alright, you can go now."

Before he could finish speaking, he immediately shattered the light barrier without saying another word. Before Hu Ruo could react, the connection was severed.

"Your Majesty!" Hu Ru pouted, somewhat heartbroken. Did His Majesty really not want to talk to her?

Meanwhile, Long Qianling, who was in the world of cultivation, dispersed the light barrier, removed the magic array in the side hall, and reverted to his childhood.

The little fox master told her to come back and rest, so she obediently rested.

Thinking of this, Long Qianling lay down on the bed and slowly closed her eyes.

That night, moonlight bathed the earth, and the stars twinkled in the sky.

Long Qianling got out of bed and looked out the window with her red eyes. It was completely dark outside.

"Little apprentice, are you awake?" Bai Qingnian's voice rang out from outside the hall.

Upon hearing this, Long Qianling quickly got off the bed, not forgetting to cast a cleansing spell on herself, before hurriedly opening the palace door.

"Master~"

Long Qianling opened the palace door and saw Bai Qingnian standing in the moonlight in a moon-white brocade robe, as if the moon goddess had descended from the heavens, as beautiful as a flower on an unattainable mountain peak.

Bai Qingnian looked at Long Qianling, whose clothes were somewhat disheveled, and saw her looking at him with a pair of watery red eyes. His heart softened instantly.

How could there be anything wrong with such an adorable little baby! He must have been imagining things before!