As the celestial weapon had expected, at this moment in the immortal realm.
Within a grand palace hall.
A middle-aged man seemed to have been struck dumb.
After learning that the secret realm he had created was destroyed, he immediately sent people to investigate in myriad mortal worlds.
But it wasn't long before he discovered that his daughter's life talisman had undergone a change!
A life talisman was a miraculous treasure that could reflect the life circumstances of its contracted person.
If the person died, the talisman would shatter.
For a thousand years, his daughter's life talisman had been enveloped by a mass of dark energy that even his immense power couldn't dispel.
But just now, not only did his daughter's talisman not shatter, the dark energy on it had disappeared!
This meant that his daughter had regained her sanity!
The Tyrant Immortal Emperor stared blankly at the life talisman in his hand, his heart surging with excitement that caused his hands to tremble.
Who!
Which powerful cultivator had helped his beloved daughter escape from her bitter suffering!
Beloved daughter!
Your father will immediately send people to find you!
Just wait!
The Tyrant Immortal Emperor hurriedly took out a treasure and issued orders for all the powerful cultivators in the Heavenly Court to immediately assemble in the palace hall.
At this moment, he no longer seemed like an Immortal Emperor but was excitedly on the verge of tears.
He could be certain that his daughter must be in some mortal world.
Soon after, one powerful existence after another silently appeared in the grand hall.
The Tyrant Immortal Emperor's gaze was firm as he relayed the critical information to these trusted aides.
A mortal world!
A powerful secret realm, shattered light pillar!
Finally, he gave everyone a portrait of his daughter.
"From this moment on, whoever aids me in finding my daughter will be rewarded with eternal nobility! To share in ruling over this realm with me!"
Upon hearing everything, the group that had appeared had their eyes light up with greed.
After bidding farewell, they all swiftly departed.
Frantically sending people to search every mortal world.
...
In the wilderness near Qingxuan Town.
Murong Gong and the others had entered the secret realm.
But inside was completely empty, with nothing at all.
With no choice, they could only come back out.
Not long after exiting.
To their surprise, the secret realm's entrance suddenly disappeared.
The hidden cavern also silently vanished into thin air.
Everything returned to tranquility.
Murong Gong looked helplessly at Murong Yunhai and said, "Order all the disciples to keep everything they witnessed tonight firmly locked in their hearts. If anyone dares to breathe a word about what happened at the secret realm, they will be immediately executed by beating! Those who try to flee will also be hunted down to the ends of the earth!"
If these disciples let news of what happened tonight spread, it wouldn't be long before many powerful cultivators came to this place.
At that time, it might disturb the peace in this area.
Upon hearing this, Murong Yunhai understood.
His father was afraid that others would disturb the senior's tranquility!
He nodded repeatedly, quickly gathering a group of disciples to begin using threats and temptations.
The next day.
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that Chen Ping'an lazily opened his eyes.
"The sunlight is so harsh already, this is the first time in years I've slept in so late."
Chen Ping'an sat up in bed and stretched lazily.
His first glance was toward a charcoal sketch hanging on the wall in front of him. After sighing, he prepared to get out of bed.
But at that moment, his entire body froze.
He blinked his eyes, then woodenly turned his neck to look to his right.
What met his eyes was a little girl like a porcelain doll smiling at him.
Chen Ping'an blinked again, wondering if he was still dazed from sleep.
Otherwise, how could there be someone, and such an adorable little girl, in his room?
But no matter how many times he blinked, the explosively cute little girl remained standing there.
"Could I be dreaming? But I'm not a lolicon."
Chen Ping'an pinched his own face.
It hurt!
This wasn't a dream!
"Big Brother."
At that moment, the smiling little girl spoke up.
That crisp voice, like a warbling oriole, entered Chen Ping'an's ears.
He nearly melted.
Oh no, am I becoming a lolicon?
"Little sister, who are you?" Chen Ping'an looked at the little girl in utter confusion.
How did such a little girl enter his home?
And he had no recollection of her whatsoever.
"My name is Su Ling," the little girl smiled.
Chen Ping'an had never heard this name before.
"Could she be a child from one of the families in town? But such an adorable little girl, I've lived here for five years, there's no way I wouldn't have seen her before."
Unless she was a relative's child from another place, here to visit kin?
"Su Ling, huh? I'll just call you Little Ling. Tell big brother, where is your home? Should I take you back?"
Chen Ping'an felt it was best to send Su Ling back soon, lest her parents worry.
Su Ling said, "My home is right here."
Here?
Meaning this small town?
"Little Ling, wait a moment. Let big brother freshen up first."
Chen Ping'an quickly got out of bed, casually washed up, and even vainly combed his hair in front of the mirror the system had gifted before returning to Su Ling's side.
"Let's go, big brother will take you to find your parents."
Chen Ping'an walked over to Su Ling, couldn't resist pinching her adorably pink cheeks, then held out his pinky finger for her to grab.
Since she was from this place, it would be easy – just walk around with Su Ling and ask if anyone recognized her.
Surely someone would.
Su Ling also smiled and grabbed Chen Ping'an's finger, her radiant smile warmer than the sunlight itself.
Chen Ping'an patted Su Ling's head.
So cute.
Heh heh, the Heavens must have sent Little Ling to me, trying to trick me into having a daughter!
He envied Su Ling's parents for giving birth to such an adorable daughter.
To avoid worrying Su Ling's parents, Chen Ping'an skipped breakfast and began going door-to-door.
However.
After walking through the entire town, he was dumbfounded.
Not a single person had seen Su Ling before!
Some even laughingly asked if Su Ling was his daughter, saying the two of them looked like they came from the same mold!
Some young ladies who saw Su Ling even turned into fangirls, slyly pinching her cheeks when Chen Ping'an wasn't paying attention.
As a result, Su Ling's cheeks now had a faint rosy blush...
Heh heh, Chen Ping'an secretly wanted to pinch them too.
"Little Ling, you said your home was here?" Chen Ping'an frowned.
If no one in the entire town had seen Su Ling before, then she definitely wasn't from Qingxuan Town.
Nor was she a relative of any local family.
Su Ling said, "My home is over there."
Chen Ping'an's eyes lit up as he smiled, "Oh, so you know the way? Then lead the way."
Su Ling nodded radiantly, released Chen Ping'an's pinky, and scampered away in a particular direction, bouncing and skipping.
Ay ya ma, to have such an adorable daughter would make one smile from the moment they woke up every day!
Chen Ping'an followed behind Su Ling, an auntie's smile plastered on his face.
However, he soon couldn't smile anymore.
"Big brother, we're home!"
Su Ling tilted her head with a smile, looking at Chen Ping'an as she pointed to a courtyard.
Seeing what was ahead, Chen Ping'an's expression became strained.
"This... This is my home!" Chen Ping'an stared in disbelief at the courtyard Su Ling was pointing to - it was his own home!
Su Ling nodded happily, "Big brother lives here too, so this is my home."
Chen Ping'an was utterly dumbfounded. How could this adorable little girl be claiming his home as her own? He lived here alone, there was no way a child could have gotten in without his knowledge.
Just as he was pondering this bewildering situation, a loud voice rang out from the courtyard.
"Master, you're finally awake! This little lass is quite a bundle of joy!" It was Peach Tree, waving its branches excitedly.
Chen Ping'an's jaw dropped as the other celestial weapons also chimed in with warm greetings for the little girl.
"So cute, just like the master envisioned!"
"We're so fortunate this little princess has arrived!"
"Destined to be our treasured family member!"
Chen Ping'an felt like his brain was going to explode from confusion. He looked back and forth between Su Ling's beaming face and the celestial weapons treating her like a long-awaited family addition.
It was at this moment that Knife floated over, its usual cold aura sending a chill through Chen Ping'an.
"Quit gawking like an idiot. This is the daughter of the Tyrant Immortal Emperor that foolish old man subjected to a cruel fate long ago. We've undone the damage and she will remain here from now on."
Chen Ping'an's mind was officially blown. The adorably pure little girl clinging to him was actually the daughter of the terrifying Tyrant Immortal Emperor from the immortal realms?!
He had so many questions, but looking at Su Ling's sunny smile, he felt his heart melting. Chuckling wryly, Chen Ping'an bent down and gently ruffled her hair.
"Well then, welcome home... Little Princess Ling'er."
It seemed the Heavens hadn't just tried to trick him into having a daughter - they had literally delivered one of the highest princesses in all the realms to be his new family member!
Chen Ping'an had a feeling his peaceful life was about to get a whole lot livelier, but he couldn't find it in himself to mind as the radiant little girl beamed up at him, calling him "Big Brother" with pure, innocent adoration.
With Su Ling's arrival, Chen Ping'an's once quiet life was turned upside down in the most heartwarming way. The celestial weapons doted on the little princess endlessly, spoiling her with loving attention.
Peach Tree became like a nurturing mother figure, using its spiritual energy to weave enchanting illusions that had Su Ling giggling with delight for hours on end. Rooster frequently put on amusing little shows, parading around while puffing out its feathers comically. Even the usually aloof Knife showed a softer side, carefully watching over Su Ling with a keen protectiveness.
As for Chen Ping'an, he embraced his new role as "Big Brother" wholeheartedly. He spent his days playing games, telling stories, and sharing snacks with the bubbly little girl. Seeing her bright, innocent smile made even the most mundane moments feel filled with warmth and wonder.
Of course, adapting to being a family wasn't entirely seamless. There was the occasional squabble when Su Ling got fussy or threw a tiny tantrum. But Chen Ping'an handled it all with patience and affection, slowly but surely strengthening the bond between them.
The most challenging aspect was Su Ling's past trauma. At times, faint shadows would pass over her cherubic features, hinting at the cruel suffering she had endured. During those moments, Chen Ping'an held her close, surrounding her with unconditional love and reassurance until the light returned to her eyes.
As months passed, Su Ling blossomed like a beautiful flower. Her pure, radiant energy seemed to infect the entire courtyard with joyful vibrance. Even the plants appeared more lively and vibrant in her presence. Chen Ping'an's modest home had truly become a sanctuary filled with familial bliss.
It was on one such sun-dappled afternoon that an unexpected visitor arrived - the Tyrant Immortal Emperor himself. The overbearing aura he radiated caused the air to crackle with tension as he strode into the courtyard.
"So this is where my beloved daughter has been..." His voice boomed with barely restrained emotion.
Chen Ping'an tensed, instinctively positioning himself protectively in front of Su Ling. The celestial weapons also rallied around, their imposing auras flaring in warning.
However, before any confrontation could occur, a high-pitched squeal pierced the air.
"Daddy!!"
Su Ling darted out from behind Chen Ping'an and flung herself at the Tyrant Immortal Emperor. Catching her in his arms, the terrifying aura around him instantly dissipated as he embraced his daughter with profound tenderness.
Tears streamed down his face as he murmured endearments, stroking her hair reverently. Chen Ping'an and the others could only watch in astonished silence as the supposed tyrant's powerful form shook with unbridled relief and joy.
When he finally looked up, his eyes met Chen Ping'an's, exchanging an understanding look. For this single father separated from his precious daughter for so long, no words could express his gratitude.
From that day forward, the Tyrant Immortal Emperor became a regular visitor, doting on Su Ling just as fervently as the celestial family. Though from different realms, they were united by the unconditional love they held for the little princess who had brought them all together through her bright, purifying presence.
Chen Ping'an's life may have become exponentially livelier, but he wouldnt have had it any other way. For in that lively, loving family courtyard, he had finally found the warmth, joy and sense of belonging he had long yearned for in his heart.