Even if someone truly possesses such an unfathomable skill, it still requires Lin Bingxuan's consent to establish a spatial link, otherwise, it would be a one-way path to no return!

Thus, when Xiao Tian placed all his bets on the last location, he suddenly pushed open the tightly shut door...

The moment he saw the little girl, Xiao Tian felt no sense of relief; instead, his mind was as if struck by lightning, leaving him stunned and unable to move, his brain a complete blank.

"Ahhhhhh!"

Both inside and outside the room, the initial shock was broken by the little girl's sharp scream, which also served to awaken Xiao Tian, who was standing frozen at the door.

Realizing he had seen something he shouldn't have, Xiao Tian quickly shut the door, feeling more anxious than ever before, as a deep sense of guilt surged through his heart.

Even though it was an accidental encounter, he still felt uneasy...

——

"That dress of yours is so beautiful!"

"So lovely, like a butterfly!"

"Du'Er looks prettiest when she smiles, come on, give a smile!"

Despite Xiao Tian racking his brains, throwing out every compliment he could think of, the little girl's sobbing lingered around his ears, refusing to dissipate!

Seeing the little girl burying her head on her knees, unwilling to lift her head, continuously sobbing, Xiao Tian gently patted her back, uttering comforting words.

It's fortunate the little girl didn't deliberately transmit the situation to Lin Bingxuan's mind, otherwise...

While Xiao Tian was deeply fearful of Lin Bingxuan's reaction upon learning of the incident, the little girl suddenly lifted her head, revealing a face like a flower cat's: "I will definitely tell master sister!"

"No, no, no!"

Xiao Tian hurriedly tried to stop her, while explaining, "I really didn't mean it. I searched everywhere for you after I got here and in my anxiety..."

"You're looking for me? Why are you looking for me?" The little girl puffed her cheeks and scolded him, "I never want to see you again!"

Xiao Tian selectively ignored her last words and said, "I came to give you a surprise!"

"Is this how you surprise me?!" The little girl roared, "I tell you, it's a shock with no joy!"

"You don't believe me, see for yourself!"

Xiao Tian picked up the box that had fallen outside the door and presented it to the little girl, "Open it and see!"

"No!"

The little girl turned her head aside, "Master sister already gave me a gift!"

Xiao Tian opened the box himself, revealing an exceptionally exquisite hairpin inside, and asked with a smile, "Are you sure you don't want to take a look?"

"Hmph!"

After snorting coldly, Xiao Tian saw the little girl sneaking a glance in his direction, so he quickly brought it before her eyes, "Do you like it?!"

Though the little girl wasn't very worldly, her experiences were remarkable, having encountered countless people and things. Even if not experienced first-hand, she could glimpse a thing or two.

Xiao Tian's intentions, whether deliberate or accidental, she certainly had her own judgment. Yet she said with her lips, "I don't like it! Take it away!"

However, Xiao Tian unabashedly put it on her and led her to her dressing table. Pointing to the mirror, he said, "Look at her, isn't she the most beautiful little girl in the world?"

Soothed by Xiao Tian's praise, the little girl looked at her updated reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but express a bit of surprise.

Previously, although her face was still delicate and pretty, her clothing gave off a sense of steadiness, not quite fitting her temperament.

Now, with the combined adornments by Lin Bingxuan and Xiao Tian, she appeared as splendid as a little fairy, involuntarily smiling but soon retracting it.

Certainly, Xiao Tian's thoughtlessness was indeed excessive, but his intent was, after all, meant to prevent her from feeling sad, which was why he purposely came to give her a gift to make her happy.

Thinking of this, the sadness in her heart was somewhat alleviated, yet she still didn't immediately show signs of forgiveness.

Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Tian shifted the topic, "I remember you saying before that once you reach a certain level, you can separate yourself and become a true 'person' in this world?"

"Huh?!" The little girl responded in surprise, "Did I ever say that?!"

She then added, "That's only theoretically possible; it remains unclear in practice!"

"Has there been any successful precedent?" Xiao Tian pursued further.

"I don't remember much, but there probably is!" The little girl speculated, "Otherwise, there wouldn't have been such a saying!" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

After listening to the little girl's words, Xiao Tian couldn't help but frown, "So, in theory, other Spirit Treasures capable of birthing an Artifact Spirit are also feasible?!"

The little girl replied, "I don't know about other Artifact Spirits, but since the moment of my birth, this theory has been in my mind, though I've never heard of any successful attempts over the years!"

"Don't worry!"

Xiao Tian patted the little girl's shoulder, "I will definitely make you separate successfully from the Artifact Spirit, and by then, you'll be the first extraordinary maiden to break the norm!"

Originally intending to shake her head and laugh at his absurd dreams, for some reason, she instead felt a certain belief that he would achieve it, thus she gently nodded.

——

When Xiao Tian returned to reality, he found that the two women, having finished the gift distribution, had started a new round of discussion.

Finding no space to interject himself, Xiao Tian had no choice but to step outside to catch some air.

However, just as he touched the cigarette in his pocket, he heard footsteps coming from the stairway, causing him to pause his actions.

Judging by the sound alone, it didn't seem to be the shopkeeper or Xiaoshengzi, but rather... a child?!

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he indeed spotted the silhouette of a little girl, whom Xiao Tian immediately recognized as the sugar-coated hawberry peddling girl, spotted by Ji Dantong.

Having just been humbled at little Duoduo's place, Xiao Tian couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension seeing the petite girl, putting his guard up greatly.

"Big brother!" As soon as she reached the upper floor and spotted Xiao Tian, a mix of surprise and slight joy appeared on the little girl's face.

Xiao Tian also displayed a smile, "Is someone here looking for sugar-coated hawberries?"

"No!" The little girl answered earnestly, "I came to find you!"

"To find me?!"

Xiao Tian was genuinely surprised and then asked, "Did something happen?"

Once more, the little girl shook her head, "Big brother, can you come with me for a moment?"

"Alright!" After a brief moment of bewilderment, Xiao Tian still agreed, following the little girl out of the shop.

...

Under the moonlight, a tall and short silhouette walked side by side. The little girl gazed at the bright moon and murmured, "Before, when dad was still around, he loved watching the moon with me and my sister in the yard!"

"..." Listening to the little girl's words, Xiao Tian didn't know how to respond and could only silently be a qualified listener.

"After coming here, though I still love watching the moon, the moon here just isn't quite the same!"