The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 55: Little Tingting, Come with Brother!

"Take me inside," Li Yu waved at Lin Jia and began walking toward the courtyard."Yes, yes," Lin Jia hastily got up and led Li Yu to the back hall.Inside the back hall, a mourning altar was set up.A black coffin stood in the middle, surrounded by white mourning decorations. Little Tingting, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt before the altar, sobbing quietly as she fed paper money into a nearby brazier.The disciples of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven stood nearby, their faces filled with sorrow and regret."It's over... it's over... why did such a thing have to happen..." an elderly man lamented, his face contorted with grief. "I failed the task entrusted to me by the Celestial Sovereign. Does heaven truly want to extinguish the Smoke and Mist lineage? How can I face the Celestial Sovereign when he returns?""I am already here." Li Yu's figure appeared before the mourning altar, his face stern as he addressed the assembled disciples, "What happened here?""Ah, Celestial Sovereign!" The disciples of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven turned pale at the sight of Li Yu, immediately dropping to their knees. "Celestial Sovereign, forgive us! Celestial Sovereign, forgive us!""Big brother!" Little Tingting looked up, tears streaming down her face. She ran to Li Yu and hugged him tightly. "Big brother, Grandpa... Grandpa is dead.""Little Tingting, be good. Don't cry," Li Yu said softly, bending down to pick up the little girl. He turned his gaze to the kneeling disciples, his expression cold. "Explain what happened.""Celestial Sovereign," the elder of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven began, his face full of remorse. "Celestial Sovereign, I failed in my duties and deserve to die. But this was truly a disaster beyond our control.""Celestial Sovereign, since you entrusted us with their care, I have stayed here with my disciple, Lin Jia, to protect Jiang and his granddaughter. Everything was normal until the day before yesterday. Jiang's inn and tavern had reopened, and he went there to handle some affairs. But then..."The elder's face twisted in pain as he continued, "Two cultivators were fighting. One chased the other into the town. We tried to intervene, but we were too late. One's spirit weapon shattered during the fight, and the pieces fell on the tavern. Jiang was inside and... we couldn't save him in time.""In my anger, I killed both of the fighting cultivators on the spot. But it was already too late. I have failed you, Celestial Sovereign, and I deserve to die.""Is that what happened?" Li Yu was stunned by the elder's words.Jiang had died just like that? And in such a senseless way? Life is indeed unpredictable and full of unforeseen events.This world was real, where accidents and unexpected incidents happened all the time. Cultivators fought frequently, and innocent people often got caught in the crossfire.Jiang was neither the first nor would he be the last.The only difference was that this person was someone Li Yu knew.Li Yu didn't know what to say. He looked down at the tear-streaked face of little Tingting, whose heart was shattered, and felt a pang of compassion."What should I do with Little Tingting?" Li Yu gently wiped the tears from her face and held her close. It was unbearable to leave this five- or six-year-old girl alone in this world."System, can I bring someone back with me?" Li Yu asked the system."You can bring any object or living being back, but the energy consumption will vary depending on the object's or being's energy level.""I can bring her back?" Li Yu nodded. Although Little Tingting had the Taiyin Physique, she hadn't cultivated, so she was essentially a normal human, consuming very little energy."Little Tingting, do you want to come with big brother?" Li Yu asked softly, looking at the little girl nestled in his arms."Yes," Little Tingting nodded. "Big brother, Tingting will be very good. I'll brush your hair every day.""Alright," Li Yu smiled, looking at the disciples of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven. "This was an accident. I don't blame you. You've handled Jiang's funeral. Let's leave it at that.""Thank you, Celestial Sovereign, for your mercy," the disciples sighed in relief, grateful that Li Yu wasn't holding a grudge.Li Yu, together with the others, took care of Jiang's funeral. They didn't concern themselves with the family wealth, leaving its disposal to chance."Little Tingting, come with brother," Li Yu said, taking her hand and leading her out of the courtyard. In a flash, they soared into the sky."This little girl is truly blessed," a disciple of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven remarked, watching them ascend. "No matter her misfortune, following the Celestial Sovereign is the best fate anyone could ask for."In no time, Li Yu and Little Tingting arrived at the grand hall beneath the volcano."Big brother, is this your home?" Little Tingting asked, looking around curiously."No, it's not," Li Yu shook his head, smiling. "Brother's home is much farther away. Do you want to come with brother?""Yes," Little Tingting nodded, her face lighting up with a smile."Alright, then let's go home," Li Yu said, holding her hand as they entered the hall. He looked around, reflecting on the tremendous changes over the past few months."When I first came to this world, I was powerless. Now I stand far above the rest. When I arrived, I was alone. Now..." Li Yu looked at Little Tingting and smiled warmly."System, initiate return.""System Notice: Please store high-energy objects in the resource library to avoid excessive energy consumption during the transmission.""Oh, I almost forgot," Li Yu chuckled. With the energy reserves low and Little Tingting to take along, waste had to be minimized."Alright," Li Yu sighed, "Little Tingting, let brother change his clothes before we leave."He removed his golden crown, white robe, jade belt, and boots, returning the Soul-Destroying Bell to the resource library.Now, Li Yu looked like he did when he first arrived, dressed in a simple green robe. But one thing was different...He was no longer alone."Then, let's go home," Li Yu said. A slight tremor rippled through the air, and Li Yu and Little Tingting vanished instantly.