Is this your brother?

Yunlan Sect. 

Ji Wushuang, who had been away for over half a month, finally returned. Upon hearing the news, Lian Xing rushed to Ji Wushuang's cave dwelling, only to discover that she had brought back a child?! 

Lian Xing, with a head full of questions, couldn't help but gasp in surprise and cautiously asked, "Little Wushuang, this is...?" 

"This is Xiao Zhuyan. He will be staying with me for a while. Is that alright?" 

"..." 

Meeting Ji Wushuang's gaze, Lian Xing suddenly felt an inexplicable twinge of sympathy. 

He knew that if he said no, she would surely take the child and leave immediately. 

Her question revealed that she had not yet considered Yunlan Sect her home—she still saw herself as a transient, and thus asked the "master" for permission. 

But hadn't she already done so much for the sect? 

Why did this child always seem so distant? 

"Well, it's fine, but this child's legs seem unable to walk. It might be difficult for you to care for him alone," Lian Xing suggested carefully. "How about I have someone else look after him? It would be better for both of you." 

Ji Wushuang, still a child herself, had little energy to care for another. 

Ji Wushuang shook her head. "No need. I can manage. Sorry to trouble you, Sect Master." 

"Alright, it's your decision." 

Ji Wushuang nodded and glanced at Xiao Zhuyan, signaling him to thank Lian Xing. Zhuyan immediately spoke softly, "Thank you, Sect Master." 

His cool, youthful voice melted Lian Xing's heart. 

"Oh my, this child is so polite!" 

Ji Wushuang seemed to take pride in the compliment. "Yes, Xiao Zhuyan is very well-mannered." 

This child—soft, quiet, cute, and respectful... 

Though he knew nothing, he learned quickly. 

Like a young sprout pushing its way through the soil, every time Ji Wushuang looked at him, her heart filled with an inexplicable tenderness. 

With Lian Xing's approval, Zhuyan stayed in Ji Wushuang's cave. Unlike Lu Xingzhou and Lian Yuan, he lived in the same courtyard as Ji Wushuang, separated by only a wall. 

This arrangement was made to better care for him. 

Upon hearing that Ji Wushuang had returned to the sect, several concerned cultivators, including Yu Jian Daoist Yao Cang, Huang Long Daoist Mu Ziqi, and Tianyuan Daoist Chen Xuanji, quickly arrived at Zhuxing Peak to see if Ji Wushuang had returned unscathed. 

If she was even missing a single hair, they'd roll up their sleeves and fight! 

However... 

Not only had Ji Wushuang returned unscathed, but she also brought back a very handsome young boy. 

But the boy seemed unable to walk, frail and pitiful. 

He ate and lived with Ji Wushuang, staying openly in her courtyard, and Ji Wushuang treated him with great patience, like a younger brother. 

For someone with Ji Wushuang's strong personality, could this really be? 

So... was this child Ji Wushuang's brother? 

"Ah, Little Wushuang, is this your brother?" 

"You two really look alike!" 

"Yes, yes, identical!" 

"Here, a gift for your brother!" 

... 

The elders' mouths were too quick. Ji Wushuang barely had time to explain, but when Zhuyan heard that he was being called her "brother," he looked at her with an expectant and anxious gaze, his eyes sparkling like a lake filled with starlight. 

Ji Wushuang simply couldn't refuse. 

If she said "no," he would be sad, wouldn't he? 

"Yes, this is my brother, Zhuyan." 

Zhuyan beamed with joy, his fair cheeks glowing with vitality. Ji Wushuang smiled as well. 

The elders, seeing this, made up their minds. 

They had to treat this boy well from now on—surely it would earn them Ji Wushuang's favor. 

"By the way, Little Wushuang, you must not know about the situation with the Wu and Mo families," Chen Xuanji said with a gentle smile. "Wu Neng went to the Mo family and then disappeared." 

Ji Wushuang feigned surprise. "Really?" 

"Yes," Chen Xuanji replied mysteriously. "I heard from reliable sources that he likely encountered a major mishap and may have already perished. His life plaque shattered, but the Wu family has not responded at all, so it's unclear whether it's true. However, we suspect that, even if he's not dead, he's on the brink of death." 

Ji Wushuang understood the Wu family's actions. 

After all, a "disappearing" old ancestor in the Integration stage was far more useful than one whose life plaque shattered. 

If word of Wu Neng's death spread, the Wu family would collapse within three months. 

So Wu Neng "could only" survive, he "must" survive! 

The Wu family dared not provoke the Mo family. If they were caught doing so, it would be over. 

The Mo family had gained an immense advantage! 

One couldn't help but marvel at how the heavens favored Mo Lanyi. 

Yao Cang nodded. "In any case, Wu Neng's near-death is a good thing. At least he won't pose a threat to your safety. You need not worry." 

Mu Ziqi also smiled. "Yes, exactly." 

Chen Xuanji pouted. "We had planned to take turns guarding you, but with Wu Neng gone, it seems we have no need." 

These old folks had even intended to take the opportunity to seek Ji Wushuang's guidance, only for Wu Neng to pass away at the most inconvenient time! 

How utterly useless he was! 

Ji Wushuang, slightly flattered, said, "Thank you, elders, but there's really no need." 

The elders understood and, not wanting to impose further, left after giving a gift to Zhuyan. 

"Alright, if you need anything, contact us." 

"We've prepared the communication talismans. Just activate them when the time comes." 

"Take care." 

After they left, Ji Wushuang noticed Zhuyan's eyes, which clung to her like a puppy's. She couldn't help but smile. "Xiao Zhuyan, what's the matter?" 

Zhuyan blushed slightly. "I can protect you." 

Ji Wushuang raised an eyebrow. "?" 

Zhuyan gathered his courage. "So don't be afraid." 

"Pfft..." 

Ji Wushuang couldn't help but laugh. This child was just too adorable, so she affectionately ruffled his hair, much like she did with Bai Ye and Feng Lian, but it was enough to make Zhuyan happy. 

"Alright, then thank you, our little Zhuyan." 

"Mm!" 

"However, this person no longer scares me." 

"?" 

"Because he's already dead. Xiao Zhuyan, do you remember the person corroded by the Ming Water?" 

Upon hearing "Ming Water," Zhuyan's eyes flickered, and he looked slightly uneasy and scared. 

He feared that Ji Wushuang would dislike him for being the one filled with ominous, dread-inducing energy, feared by all. 

But Ji Wushuang patted his head again. "All of this is thanks to Xiao Zhuyan. You did great." 

Zhuyan's ears turned red once more, and his smile, full of youthful innocence and joy, made Ji Wushuang smile in return. 

She couldn't help but sigh once more—children truly were precious! 

Life for Ji Wushuang and Zhuyan gradually settled into tranquility. With the Wu family's mineral veins, they had secured the spiritual stones for the Locking Spirit Barrier and the Seventy-Two Star Killing Formation. 

Thus, the "Ji family" of two people, a cat, and a chicken all turned into lazybones. 

Who needed to visit Beast God Peak to awaken spiritual beasts? 

Such trivial gains, not worth pursuing! 

Who needed to draw talismans for spiritual beasts? 

The long road was too tiring, so no thank you! 

The two, the cat, and the chicken spent their days tending to flowers and trees, with the trees being Heavenly Yuan Fruit Trees and the flowers being the rare Spring Mist and Seven-Colored Soul Silk, creating a peaceful pastoral atmosphere. 

Until one day, when Ji Wushuang made a small breakthrough with the "Spiritual Beast Talismans" and decided to take Zhuyan out to Jin Fu Lou for a celebration, she coincidentally met Mo Lanyi, who had successfully advanced to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining and was preparing to break through. 

With Lu Xingzhou and Lian Yuan in seclusion, Mo Lanyi had been shining brightly these past few months, becoming the most dazzling presence among the disciples! 

Moreover, with her advancement, her fame now far surpassed that of Lu Xingzhou and Lian Yuan, becoming the top disciple of the new generation. 

As for Ji Wushuang? 

Well, aside from some fleeting moments of fame when she initiated her enlightenment, worked on the Monument of All Things, and participated in the spiritual beast battles, she had largely fallen out of the spotlight, neglecting her tasks, skipping classes, and avoiding assessments... Many had already forgotten about her. 

The two met at Jin Fu Lou, and when Mo Lanyi saw the young boy beside Ji Wushuang, her smile froze, replaced by endless terror. 

Zhuyan!!! 

Why was Zhuyan with Ji Wushuang?!