Yuan Longxuan stared at the girl, speechless for a moment.
Even someone as knowledgeable and composed as him was stunned by the audacity and boldness of a six-year-old child.
Dugu Bo's face mirrored the same disbelief. The forest seemed impossibly quiet after Dugu Yan's shocking words.
Finally, Yuan Longxuan lightly slapped Dugu Bo to wake him up fully.
The old man was covered in dirt and mud, and despite the loud claps, he could only groan in defeat.
"Pa! Pa!" The slaps were not meant to harm but to emphasize the lesson.
"What are you doing?" Dugu Bo cried, disoriented and humiliated.
Yuan Longxuan's expression was stern but controlled. "You, as a grandfather, need to think carefully about what you teach this little girl. Is this really something appropriate for her age?"
Dugu Bo could only look at his granddaughter in shock as she repeated her startling declaration with unwavering confidence.
Yuan Longxuan remained calm, the corners of his mouth twitching in barely concealed amusement.
Even the youngest members of the forest, who might have been hiding nearby, would have been shocked by Dugu Yan's words.
The girl had not only absorbed the power of the Golden Dragon Sweet Potato but had also boldly confronted one of the most powerful Douluos in the area.
It was clear: Dugu Yan had grown far beyond what anyone could have imagined for a six-year-old, and Yuan Longxuan had witnessed it all firsthand.
The forest was quiet except for the gentle rustling of leaves.
Yuan Longxuan stood near the edge of the Lake of Life, the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
He had just finished attending to some matters in a distant region and was about to leave. This place wasn't meant for long-term residence, after all.
Before departing, he carefully left a supply of magical herbs and several detoxification pills for Dugu Bo.
He had no concerns about the little girl, Dugu Yan, for now.. her development would unfold naturally in the coming years.
"System, activate the space-time teleportation talisman. Travel six years into the future."
A bright flash of white light enveloped him, and in an instant, Yuan Longxuan disappeared.
Six years later, at the Star Dou Great Forest's core, the Lake of Life shimmered in the sunlight.
A familiar, cheerful voice rang out from a large, elegant house by the lake.
"Xiao Wu is already a level 63 Soul Emperor! Let me go outside and play!"
Another voice, gentler, called from behind:
"No, you're still young, and from now on, you're going to call me sister. Do I look that old?"
It was A Wu, and beside her stood A Yin. And yes, Xiao Wu had grown up alongside them.
Yet for reasons no one fully understood, Xiao Wu had transformed twelve years ahead of schedule. She was now a level 63 Soul Emperor.
"Sister Yin!" Xiao Wu called out eagerly. She leapt into Yin's arms with the innocence of a child, her bright eyes sparkling with joy and admiration.
"Alright, alright. When your brother Yuan Longxuan returns, I'll have him take you to the human world for a little adventure," Yin replied, stroking Xiao Wu's hair gently.
The three of them....A Wu, A Yin, and Xiao Wu....stood together in the lakehouse.
Yuan Longxuan's heart swelled as he looked at the young girl who had grown far beyond her age.
Both A Yin and A Wu were now peak Limit Douluos, their power immense and awe-inspiring.
They had already visited the human world twice after reaching Super Douluo level, but neither had fully adapted to its ways, so they remained in the forest, close to the Lake of Life.
Xiao Wu, however, had been pleading to go out and explore the human world ever since her transformation.
She had grown impatient, eager to see the outside world. Despite the protective barrier set by an Ultimate Douluo-level Dark Demon Evil Tiger around the lake, she constantly tried to persuade her guardians to allow her to go.
"How can this be?" Xiao Wu's bunny ears drooped slightly. "Brother Yuan Longxuan hasn't played with me in ages!"
Her longing was evident, her voice tinged with sadness. She had missed him terribly.
"Please, Brother Yuan Longxuan, come back soon. Xiao Wu wants to go out and play!" she pleaded.
A Yin and A Wu exchanged amused glances, smiling at Xiao Wu's expression.
A Wu had her own reasons for encouraging Xiao Wu to call her "sister," but Xiao Wu's excitement was genuine.
Just as Xiao Wu finished her plea, a familiar voice rang from the path behind them.
"Long time no see, everyone! I'm back!"
It was Yuan Longxuan. Without hesitation, he had immediately traveled to the Star Dou Great Forest after completing his prior tasks. Xiao Wu's early transformation was a major event...how could he miss it?
"Brother Yuan Longxuan! Xiao Wu missed you so much!" The girl, now fully matured, leapt into his arms like a tiny, affectionate leopard.
A Wu's eyes sparkled with approval as she observed Xiao Wu's actions.
Yuan Longxuan was momentarily stunned. "Are… you Xiao Wu?"
He needed explanation. A Yin and A Wu quickly recounted the circumstances, finally convincing him of the truth:
Xiao Wu had indeed matured twelve years ahead of schedule.
Xiao Wu's appearance was breathtaking. Her oval face was delicate, her rosy cheeks glowing, and her eyes large, dark, and sparkling like gems.
Her eyebrows curved gracefully like crescent moons, and her small, straight nose added to her refined, almost aristocratic charm.
Yuan Longxuan had initially planned to simply play the role of a caring elder, but now, he realized Xiao Wu was nearly his age.
The girl, still retaining the gentle movements of her pre-transformation white rabbit form, rubbed her cheek against Yuan Longxuan.
"Brother Yuan Longxuan, just take Xiao Wu out to play. My sisters never take me out."
Hearing this, Yuan Longxuan's lips twitched slightly. "Sisters, huh… okay," he said silently, giving Xiao Wu an approving thumbs-up.
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