Because of a bunch of lollipops swiped from a candy factory, Ye Ling quickly bonded with the little girl, learning her name was Tian Ling.
Tian Ling was born with Saint cultivation and had been cultivating under Xuan Xiao since childhood. Today, she was exactly six years old.
Ye Ling had initially thought Tian Ling had practiced some cultivation technique that went awry, causing her to regress to her youth and her mind to become childlike. However, he hadn't expected her to truly be a toddler.
Although Tian Ling didn't know who her parents were, the fact that she possessed Saint cultivation from birth indicated that her background was undoubtedly extraordinary, and her parents must be significant figures.
After bonding with Tian Ling and learning her basic information, Ye Ling quickly got to the point, asking Tian Ling, "Little Tian Ling, you said there are many different types of Creation God inheritances in this world. Can you tell me more about them, Senior Brother?"
"No problem!" Tian Ling said while eating a lollipop. "The so-called Creation God inheritances are actually power seeds left behind by the three strongest individuals of the Nine Heavens Realm, intended to help future generations resist calamities."
"Calamities?" Ye Ling frowned.
Tian Ling continued, "Due to certain unknown reasons, a great disaster descended from beyond the heavens, and the Nine Heavens Realm was destroyed. One of the female Creation Gods then re-created three thousand Great Worlds."
"Each Great World has three thousand Middle Worlds, and each Middle World has three thousand Small Worlds. So, that Creation God created many, many worlds in total. The universe we are in now is one of those Small World universes."
"Unfortunately, due to the erosion from the outer realms, only our Small World universe remains out of the three thousand Great Worlds."
Ye Ling's eyes shifted slightly, and he exclaimed in surprise, "So, you're saying only this one Small World universe is left, and all other Great Worlds and Middle Worlds have been annihilated?"
Tian Ling nodded. "Yes, Master said the current universe is the last sanctuary. The inheritances left by the Creation Gods are all concentrated here. Therefore, many forces from the outer realms covet this universe. They are trying to break through the cosmic barriers to seize the power left by the Creation Gods."
"Master said that the cosmic barriers are weakening, and forces from the outer realms have already infiltrated the universe. Most of the inheritances left by the Creation Gods have been plundered, with only a few scattered ones remaining undiscovered."
"You probably have a Creation God inheritance on you too, Senior Brother. After those outer realm fellows finish plundering all the Creation God inheritances scattered throughout the universe, they will likely target the inheritance you possess."
"Master also said that if you don't fully master the power of the inheritance before those powerful outer realm beings arrive, you will be killed by them."
Ye Ling chuckled lightly, "Hearing you say that, Junior Sister, that old man seems to care about me quite a bit?"
Tian Ling replied, "It's not exactly caring. After all, the Shadow Hall is a pawn planted on Earth by outer realm forces, specifically to collect Creation God inheritances for them. And Master is the Hall Master of the Shadow Hall, while I am the Young Hall Master. Theoretically, Master and I should be on the same side as the outer realm forces."
Ye Ling watched Tian Ling, who was floating in the air, swinging her little feet and licking her lollipop, and said with a shake of his head and a smile, "Since you say you're on the same side as the outer realm forces, why are you telling me all this?"
Tian Ling smiled, "Because you are my Senior Brother! Master and I are also on the same side! Moreover, those people from the outer realms are all creepy, and I don't like them much. I prefer to be with Senior Brother."
As she spoke, Tian Ling flew to Ye Ling and nuzzled his chest with her head.
Seeing Tian Ling's adorable demeanor, Ye Ling couldn't help but pinch her cheek and ask, "Tian Ling, do you know how long the cosmic barriers can hold?"
"Hmm... I think Master mentioned something..." Tian Ling propped her chin with her index finger and thought carefully. "Many powerful beings from the outer realms have gathered and are preparing to jointly break through the cosmic barriers."
"At the same time, the Shadow Hall is also taking action. If the Shadow Hall's plan goes smoothly, the outer realm barriers might be broken in a few years..."
"A few years?" Ye Ling was shocked. He hadn't expected the situation to be so urgent!
Although he was now a Dao Lord and invincible within the universe, his current strength was far from enough compared to the forces from the outer realms.
If the arrival of the outer realm army was only a few years away, Ye Ling couldn't imagine how he could resist the numerous powerful beings from the outer realms by himself.
Seeing Ye Ling's shocked expression, Tian Ling giggled and said, "Silly Senior Brother! How many years the cosmic barriers can hold depends on the Shadow Hall's plan going smoothly. But if their plan doesn't go smoothly... even if those outer realm people spend millions of years, they won't be able to open the cosmic barriers."
"I believe as long as Senior Brother is here, the cosmic barriers will be fine."
"The gap is this vast?" Hearing Tian Ling's words, Ye Ling felt a slight sense of relief, but then became vigilant again. "What exactly is the Shadow Hall plotting behind the scenes?"
To Ye Ling's question, Tian Ling shook her head. "I don't know... Master was originally going to tell me, but forces from the outer realms contacted Master, so he didn't have time to tell me."
"After that, I ran out."
"Is that so... What a shame." Ye Ling sighed slightly, feeling a bit disappointed. If he had known what the Shadow Hall was planning, the situation wouldn't be so passive.
Seeing Ye Ling's disappointment, Tian Ling couldn't help but say, "Should I go back and ask Master? After he tells me, I'll sneak out again to tell Senior Brother."
Hearing Tian Ling's words, Ye Ling snapped back to attention, smiling as he ruffled her head. "Silly girl, if you go ask your Master so foolishly, do you think he'll tell you?"
"I'm afraid your Master will lock you up if he finds out you snuck out."
Tian Ling also realized, "That's true... I finally managed to sneak out, and I don't want to be locked up again."
"Then stay by Senior Brother's side, and Senior Brother will take care of you." Ye Ling smiled, ruffling Tian Ling's head, his gaze becoming profound.
Tian Ling happily agreed, "Senior Brother is the best! Do you have more candy?"
"As much as you want."
Ye Ling replied, his thoughts drifting.
After obtaining a series of intelligence from Tian Ling, Ye Ling had a slight understanding of Xuan Xiao's stance.
As the Hall Master of the Shadow Hall, Xuan Xiao couldn't possibly be unaware of Tian Ling sneaking down from the Immortal Realm and causing trouble in the Dragon Department.
The information Xuan Xiao had told Tian Ling clearly indicated that Xuan Xiao intended to convey a message to Ye Ling through Tian Ling.
From this perspective, Xuan Xiao wasn't necessarily an enemy, but whether he was a friend or not, Ye Ling couldn't determine at the moment.
"Xuan Xiao... what exactly are you trying to do?"