In a distant place beyond the boundaries of the universe, drifting among multicolored and peculiar stars, stood four towering golden houses magnificent like heavenly jewels.
The structures were built from pure, gleaming gold, radiantly reflecting brilliance and splendor.
At the center of the four golden houses stood a luminous spring, sparkling like the water of life, surrounded by the dwellings.
Abundant trees bloomed with delicate pink flowers, their petals swaying as though dancing under the eternal light.
Beneath this realm lay a lush, green meadow blanketing the ground.
But in truth, underneath the grass was no ordinary soil it was an enchanted mist woven from shimmering vapors, twinkling like thousands of stars.
It glowed softly, supporting the land and allowing it to float gracefully above the vast cosmos, like a majestic and stable foundation.
Soon, a golden beam of light streaked through the air and appeared at the gate of one of the golden houses. It took the form of an elderly man with pure white hair and a long white beard that reached his chest.
He wore pure white garments, radiant and striking, with light brown eyes filled with warmth.
Standing beside him was a young girl with black hair tipped in red, and bright, glistening pink eyes.
Just then, a little girl sitting in front of the golden gate looked up.
She was around five years old, with luxurious golden curls and light blue eyes as bright as the sky.
Her layered garments shimmered with elegance and charm, and behind her fluttered four golden feathered wings.
She rushed forward and exclaimed joyfully:
"Grandfather! You've come! Who did you bring with you?"
The golden-haired girl lifted her gaze to look at the other girl who had arrived with her grandfather.
The black-haired, red-tipped girl turned to look at the golden-haired child, her face quietly puzzled.
She remained silent, wearing an expression of calm indifference.
The elderly white-haired man gave a bright smile to the sparkling golden-haired girl before speaking:
"You always said you felt lonely, so I went and found a girl your age to be your friend. What do you think do you like her?"
"A friend?" the golden-haired girl blinked a few times.
She was about to have a friend!
She had lived with her grandfather since birth and had never ventured outside this place to meet anyone else.
She never imagined people from the outside could be so beautiful it amazed her.
To meet someone from beyond this realm with such an elegant and dazzling appearance!
"Wonderful~! I'm going to have a friend!"
"I've lived here since I was born and have never seen someone my age before. We're both small! Haha!"
The golden-haired girl exclaimed with delight, giggling cheerfully as she reached out to gently grasp the delicate hand of the black-haired, red-tipped girl standing beside her grandfather.
Liang Yi looked at her, quickly softening her once indifferent gaze, and accidentally gave a small, confused smile.
The girl standing before her seemed unusually cheerful and lively...
"My name is Xin Tingting. What's yours?" Xin Tingting introduced herself with a gentle, sincere smile.
"My name is Liang Yi," she replied simply.
"Liang Yi, huh? That's a beautiful name," Xin Tingting said naturally, tilting her head slightly before continuing in a tender voice:
"From now on, we're friends, okay? I'll stay and play with you. What do you think?"
Her eyes sparkled warmly with kindness as she looked at the other girl with genuine affection.
"Very well," Lian Yi replied briefly. Her voice was soft, like a faint breeze passing by. But before long, her pale face suddenly showed signs of something wrong.
She unintentionally collapsed forward without strength, as though her body had completely run out of energy. Her delicate frame began to tremble lightly, her legs quivered uncontrollably and gave out beneath her. Her complexion turned deathly pale, and her eyes became unfocused, as if something was draining away her consciousness.
In truth, her body was being invaded by a mysterious poison that was slowly seeping into her vital channels, flowing deeper into her spirit, shaking the foundations of her memories from the distant past. She felt dizzy, her chest heavy, as if she were sinking deeper and deeper into an endless darkness.
"Lian Yi!" Xin Tingting's eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, she rushed in to support Lian Yi's body immediately.
Her slender arms wrapped tightly around her new friend in a supportive embrace. Though she had no experience whatsoever in healing the wounded, she stood firmly by her side, full of heartfelt concern.
"Are you okay? Are you… were you just hurt?" Xin Tingting asked anxiously, her voice trembling. She gently shook Lian Yi's body, her worry clearly showing, before leaning in close to feel her breath.
"Hey… can you hear me?" Her voice softened as she saw Lian Yi's eyes begin to close, her consciousness fading until she was barely responsive.
"Grandfather… what's wrong with her?" Xin Tingting asked with a trembling voice as she cradled Lian Yi's cold body to her chest. Her face turned up toward the elderly man before her, eyes filled with concern and confusion.
"Could you please tell me more about her… or do you not know either?" she asked gently but earnestly, her voice filled with curiosity.
"I don't know her background," the old man replied calmly, his eyes full of kindness. He glanced at the young girl nestled in Xin Tingting's arms, then sighed softly and spoke directly.
"Just now… I was merely passing by. I saw she was in danger. I didn't want to witness anyone getting hurt or attacked right before my eyes, so I decided to intervene, that's all."
As he spoke, he slowly shook his head, his expression honest and simple, without any hint of hidden intent.
"Grandfather, then I'll come visit you again tomorrow, alright?" Xin Tingting said sweetly, a gentle smile blooming on her small, lovely face. "For now, I'll take her to rest in my bedchamber. Maybe she'll recover a bit. Besides… I have healing powers. If she has any wounds, I can help heal her."
With that, she bowed respectfully, her smile bright and full of goodwill, before turning to leave, carrying Lian Yi in her small arms.
The old man gave a slight nod in response, his gaze following the small back of Xin Tingting as she gently supported her new friend. Though she was still young, her eyes radiated maturity and a sense of responsibility far beyond her years.
Her long, dark hair fluttered in the wind. The gentle sunlight bathed the girls' figures in a golden glow, making them appear like a scene from a fairytale painting.
The elderly man tilted his head up toward the sky, lost in thought, before glancing back at the two girls as they made their way into one of the nearby houses. He smiled faintly with affection, his eyes openly filled with warmth and compassion. Such innocent and pure little ones...
"Come to think of it, that girl's strength is far from ordinary… She must be one of the powerful ones from the outside world. The power she unleashed just now nearly caused the entire universe to collapse into dust."
"If I hadn't arrived in time to help… I fear things wouldn't have ended well…"
He thought quietly to himself, slowly shaking his head as if contemplating the events that had just occurred. His eyes reflected a deep, thoughtful gaze. Then he let out a soft sigh like someone who understood that the situation ahead was far from simple. He cast a glance toward the backs of the two young girls as they gradually ascended the stairs of a nearby house, his gaze silent and filled with a concern too deep to put into words.