Lin Ximeng chuckled softly, a warm, maternal sound that filled the room. "Listen to you, Yao Xuan. You'll make Na'er blush with such straightforward praise." Though she chided him lightly, she couldn't deny the truth in his words. The freshly bathed girl possessed an almost otherworldly beauty, a delicate loveliness that seemed to make the very air around her still.
She led Na'er away to get settled, leaving Yao Xuan alone in the living room. The quiet hum of the soul-guided appliances was the only sound. He sat on the sofa, but his mind was anything but still. He needed to be stronger. Closing his eyes, he willed the system panel into view.
The cost had doubled since breaking the 1% threshold, a stark reminder that the path of power would only grow steeper. Yet, the bloodline was the core of his being, the source of his future supremacy. It was an investment that could not be delayed.
'Confirm,' he thought, his resolve firm.
The five points vanished from his reserve, and instantly, a torrent of pure, primordial energy flooded his meridians. It was not the gentle warmth of soul power, but a vibrant, crackling force that felt ancient and vast. Within his body, the energy coalesced into shimmering, nine-colored runes that flickered in and out of existence, scouring his cells, optimizing his genetic code, and burning away microscopic imperfections. A faint, multicolored luminescence emanated from his skin, and for a fleeting moment, an aura of supreme, untamed dominance filled the room—the unawakened echo of the dragon that was his birthright.
In the adjacent bedroom, Na'er, who had been quietly observing her new surroundings, suddenly froze. Her head tilted, and her brilliant amethyst eyes widened a fraction. A deep, resonant tremor passed through her soul, a feeling so familiar it ached.
'This presence... it whispers of the oldest skies, of the time before time...' she thought, her mind grappling with fractured, half-formed memories of a majestic, scaled form soaring through primordial clouds. The images were gone as quickly as they came, leaving behind only a profound sense of kinship and a confusing, instinctual reverence. She glanced towards the living room, her gaze a mixture of deep longing and nascent awe. Why did this boy feel like a forgotten part of her own story?
Meanwhile, Yao Xuan rode the wave of transformation. He felt his muscles fibers knit themselves tighter, his bones hum with newfound density, and his senses sharpen. When the process completed, he clenched his fist, feeling power coil in his arm like a spring. He estimated his raw strength was now close to 150 kilograms, a terrifying feat for a six-year-old body.
A satisfied smile touched his lips. 'Good. Every step forward makes me more capable of shaping the future I want... and protecting the people who need it.'
Just then, Lin Ximeng returned from settling Na'er. Yao Xuan got up and approached her, his expression softening into one of earnest appeal.
"Mom," he began, his voice taking on a gentle, pleading tone. "Na'er... she has nowhere to go. She's all alone." He looked up at Lin Ximeng, his eyes wide with genuine concern. "She's so sweet and quiet. The orphanage... it's so cold and impersonal there. The children are always hungry, and they get punished for the smallest things. Couldn't she please stay with us? For good?"
Lin Ximeng looked down at her adopted son, her heart warring with practicality. She had planned to take the girl to the authorities in the morning. But the naked hope in Yao Xuan's eyes, combined with the memory of Na'er's lost, silent figure, broke down her reservations.
"Oh, you... always knowing just what to say," she sighed, her resistance melting away. She reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately. "You're right, of course. Such a bright little thing shouldn't be thrown into a system that chews up hope for breakfast." She paused, making her decision. "Alright. Tomorrow, I'll take her to the city administration to see if there's any record of her family. But if we find nothing... and if Na'er herself is willing... then yes, she can stay. We'll make it official."
A wave of pure, unadulterated relief washed over Yao Xuan. "Thank you, Mom! Thank you!" he said, his voice thick with emotion. The most crucial piece of his plan was falling into place, but beyond the strategy, he felt a genuine joy at the thought of providing a real home for the lonely dragon girl.
The night passed in peaceful quiet. The next morning, Yao Xuan left for his academic classes at Red Mountain Academy, while Lin Ximeng took Na'er to the city hall.
Yao Xuan found it hard to concentrate all morning, his thoughts constantly drifting back to the apartment. When classes finally ended, he all but ran home. The aroma of a home-cooked meal greeted him at the door. And there, sitting primly at the table, was Na'er. Lin Ximeng had dressed her in a simple, pure white dress, and she looked like a small, elegant snow spirit, her silver hair a stark contrast to the fabric, her amethyst eyes calm yet deeply observant.
"Mom," Yao Xuan said, trying to sound casual as he set his bag down. "Any news about Na'er's family?"
Lin Ximeng shook her head, a sad but resolved look on her face. "Nothing. It's as if she appeared out of thin air. No records, no missing person reports that match her description." She then smiled and pinched his cheek playfully. "But you, asking about her the moment you walk in! I see where your priorities lie."
Yao Xuan grinned, not denying it. He walked over and knelt in front of Na'er's chair, bringing himself to her eye level. The room was quiet.
"Na'er," he said, his voice soft but serious, devoid of any childish whine. "You heard Mom. We couldn't find your old home. But this can be your new home. With us." He held her gaze, wanting her to see the sincerity in his. "I promise I will always protect you. No one will ever hurt you or make you feel scared again." He knew the power of contrast. "The orphanage... it's not a kind place. It's often cold, and dark, and the children there are always hungry and lonely. Here, you'll always have food, a warm bed, and... a family."
Na'er listened silently, her large eyes fixed on his. She saw no deception in his face, only a steadfast promise and a warmth she had never known she was missing. The cold, instinctual calculations of a primal being warred with the simple, human desire for safety and connection. The latter won.
She hesitated for only a breath before giving a small, definitive nod. "Okay," she whispered, the word carrying the weight of a monumental decision.
Joy, bright and overwhelming, blossomed in Yao Xuan's chest. It was more than just strategic victory; it was the happiness of gaining a sister.
"That's wonderful!" he exclaimed, his smile brilliant. "From now on, you're my little sister!"
Na'er looked at his joyful expression, and for the first time, a true, unguarded smile graced her lips, revealing two faint, adorable dimples. It transformed her entire face, lighting it up with a delicate, radiant beauty.
"Thank you," she said, her silvery voice clear and sure, "Brother Yao Xuan."
In that moment, as she spoke the title that sealed their bond, she instinctively reached out and placed her small, pale hand over his. The gesture was simple, but it was a bridge between two solitary souls, a silent vow of trust that resonated deeper than any grand proclamation.
The notification was a quiet chime in the back of his mind, a welcome affirmation. But as he looked at Na'er's smiling face, Yao Xuan knew the real reward was already sitting right in front of him.